Jack left the happy scene: father, mother, and daughter. King, queen, and princess. He flew over the town, snow falling behind him. As he heard the giggles and squeals of delight, his heart leapt, only to fall soon afterwards. He landed in a forest, perched in the highest tree. Snow caked the entire town by now, and it shook off the branch as he landed.
"You didn't tell them," a voice from below called to him, as he had expected.
"Was I supposed to?"
Miss Fortune climbed the branch and sat next to Jack, her dress displacing more snow. She watched it fall to the ground and then turned to look at the boy, gazing over the town.
"You made your choice."
"I gave them their daughter back. Why should I tell them the price it will cost them?" Jack snapped, whipping his head around to face her. "Why should I tell them that they will have to die in order for their daughter to live?"
"I never said you had to," Fortune said. "But I can't help but wonder, Jack, what that knowledge will do to you. In fifteen years, that little girl will lose her parents. And you know that. That was the deal. A life for a life, Jack."
"But, I only saved her. How is it fair for you to take both of her parents?"
"Surely you don't think that Elsa is the only child the king and queen are going to have? No, no," Fortune closed her eyes and looked into the future. Miss Fortune's sight, even if for a few years, brought comfort to some. "She will have a sister. Anna. Bright and beautiful." Fortune could see the sisters playing in the ballroom, Elsa catching her sister with her powers. "They will be best friends." She opened her eyes and looked at her opposite. "Not to worry, Jack. They will have each other in the time of trouble ahead."
"Is that supposed to soothe me?" Jack grimaced.
"Does it?"
Jack sighed.
"Some. I will still watch over her, Elsa, I mean. I am responsible for her."
"I expect nothing less, Mister Frost," Miss Fortune gave a wave, hopped off the branch, and moved to some other town, causing mischief all the way.