Author's Note: Took a little bit but here it is, the second chapter! Hope you all enjoy, thank you for the reviews!
Shallow Sleep
Chapter 1
Breaking through the ice brought a whole new life into Jack.
Bathed in moonlight, he gasped for breath as he passed the broken shards and felt the chilled air run over him. Clutching his hands to his chest, he was surprised to find himself completely dry, an amazing feat having been submerged in water.
He found himself laughing slightly beside himself, amazed that he was still there, still breathing. Chuckling even louder, he spun around to face the edge of the lake. "I'm okay! I—" he cut off, staring at the empty opening of snow. He couldn't remember who he was talking to, or why he had spoken in the first place. Instead he was answered by the whistle of the wind whipping through the trees, pulling at the sides of his cloak.
Jack was startled to find how his body responded to the wind. His feet slid backward, and where he went a fresh trail of snow followed. Eyes wide, he laughed softly to himself, unable to take his eyes off his hands and feet. Extending his arms, he willed himself to be one with the air. Unprepared for the force behind it, he found himself flying with intense speed. He could barely keep track of which side was up before his back made impact with the ice. Shaking off the slight pain, he concentrated harder, and this time was pleased to find he could carry himself out better as the wind pushed and pulled at him, bringing him high in the air.
The trees were amazing to view from this angle, a thin sheet of frost on them from the slightly frigid air that the end of fall brought at night.
From this distance, he could see a pair of horses riding along a pathway between the trees.
Elated, he willed himself down to greet them. Struggling slightly with his landing, unable to steady himself without waving his arms frantically, he managed to hit the ground with less force than the last time.
The sound of furious hooves approached quickly. Turning to face them, he saw two large horses lead by a man and woman, each with a young girl seated in front of them. Jack grinned brightly, raising a hand in greeting.
"Hello!" he called out cheerfully.
Neither acknowledged him, and he felt his chest tighten in panic as they made no attempt to slow down. With no time to dodge both steeds, forgetting his newfound powers in the face of danger, he winced, bringing his arms over his head as he braced for impact.
Instead he found himself more terrified as the horses barreled through him as if he wasn't there, continuing their breakneck speed. Staring at his hands in disbelief, he slowly patted his chest this time, assuring himself he was solid. Had they been ghosts or just his imagination? But no, as he turned to watch their retreating forms they were still there, one trailed by a brilliant sheen of ice and snow, one that matched his own.
Mystified, he couldn't stop himself from following the gleaming path, curious to what he'd find at the end. Finding it easier this time than before, his body became one with the wind as he willed himself to follow after the family the sped past.
It wasn't until they reached a clearing that they came to a stop, a haphazard shelter made of stone and ice that spewed smoke before them. The horse has barely stopped before the man dismounted, helping his family down before rushing to the entrance of the poorly made home, pounding his fist against the solid wall.
A middle aged lady burst from the shelter, a shawl falling from her shoulder as she looked surprised at the disturbance. Taking in her visitors, her eyes widened before dropping to her knees, fist in the ground as she bowed lowly. "My king!" she gasped, and at these words Jack panicked and found himself bowing swiftly, forgetting that he had been invisible to the royal family.
"How may I be of service to you, my liege?"
"It is my child, she was struck with magic. I was told you could help her—heal her."
"It is my father who could have help you, but I fear he is unwell and has already lost his sight. He has not the strength to do what you ask. I'm truly sorry, your majesty."
The look of grief was heart wrenching to watch as the queen buried her face into the king's chest with a sob, burying the young child between them as their younger daughter looked at her hands with terror and disgust, tears welling in her eyes.
"Who do you speak with, Britta?"
The words were spoken with a brittle voice as an elderly man made his way to the entrance, bracing against the frame with much effort, his breathing heavy.
"Father, you are not well! You should be in bed!"
Britta made to lead him back in, her love overshadowing her devotion to the royal family.
"Sir, I beg of you, my daughter was struck by magic this evening and has not woken since. I was told you could help her, save her."
"Your majesty, I ask your forgiveness, but my father is sick, he is not strong enough—"
"Your majesty?" the elderly man's voice seemed to find vigor as he spoke the words, his pale unseeing eyes looking past them as his head angled to his daughter. "The king is to ask our audience and you would send him away?"
Britta reached for his hand, her own trembling. "Father, please, you grow weaker every day. I can't watch you worsen your condition."
"I am an old man past his time. If I can spare this child a short life, it would bring me great joy. If you are unable to watch, please wait inside."
He spoke gently but his resolve was there, and Britta's own eyes filled with tears as she turned again to the King, bowing swiftly before turning back into their small home, the fur that stood in place of a door swaying beside her.
"Your daughter, please," he beckoned them forth as he seated himself on his stoop and the King scooped the young girl into his arms, bringing her forward before kneeling towards the old man that would save his daughter's life.
Jack really took in the small thing that lay in the King's arms, so delicate and fragile with her slow breath, as if she was in a shallow sleep. A most peculiar strand of hair, as startling white as bright as his own stood out among her strawberry blonde tresses.
As the old man took in her weakened state, his hand resting on her head, it took him only a moment to glance at the other child before analyzing the situation. "Born with the power of ice or cursed?"
The King blinked, startled as he looked to his elder daughter, shocked at the man's discovery before answering. "Born."
"The power of ice can bring wonder and joy, but if she allows fear to consume her it will be her enemy and destroy her."
As if beckoned at his words, a long shadow cast over them, a silhouette of a lanky, terrifying man. A low chuckle followed, lingering in the air even after the shadow had gone.
The pale haired daughter cried out in terror, clinging to her father's side and he put a protective arm around her, eyes chasing after the shadow that was long gone, his other arm bringing the little one even closer to his chest. Jack reached to the older daughter, to comfort her fear. He had forgotten they couldn't see him and it saddened him to watch his hand pass through her shoulder like air.
"This little one can be saved, but it is with a heavy heart I will remove all memory of her sister's abilities. She will crave the moments of magic with her sister, only remembering the fun, which could lead to another accident."
"Anna won't remember I have powers?"
"It's for the best, Elsa."
"The fond memories of fun and play are still there. For the magic I create a friend, one who lives on only in young Anna."
He held his hand against the young girl's forehead, a pale glow of white shimmering between his fingers.
"She feels warm!" the King gasped in relief, feeling his daughter's cheeks as they flushed with color once more.
"Your power is strong and intimidating, but it can be controlled," the elderly man had turned to the older daughter. "Have faith in yourself, young Elsa."
Elsa nodded, biting her lower lip to control her fear.
"We'll help her, she can learn to control it." The King took hold of her hand. "Thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for us today. However can we repay you?"
"It is not necessary. May your family prosper in health."
This time the King bowed to the older man, head lowered. "Thank you, we owe you more than we can give."
"The air is getting colder, take your girls home where it's warm."
With a lingering, grateful smile the family returned to their horses, heading back to the kingdom of Arendelle.
Jack prepared himself to follow after the family, enchanted at the power that lingered in the family and had affected both daughters.
A groan from the old man stopped him as he turned around, watching as he struggled to his feet. He reached to help, remembering only after he headed towards him that he was invisible to the eye.
He was startled to find that the man was solid as he reached his elbow, steadying him.
The man turned to him, his pale, iridescent eyes meeting his. "Jack Frost—a pleasure."
"You can see me?"
"Don't linger with an old man, Jack. You want answers you can only discover yourself."
Jack looked towards where the royal family left, the only connection he could make to his own powers he questioned before he turned back to face the old man.
"Wait-how did you know my name?"
The man was gone.
A/N: I wanted to make this story a little more mature so sorry, but the trolls are gone! Replaced him with a more cliche older man but I was reminiscent of old stories about the Greek gods while writing this. Hopeful not too boring of a chapter either, I'm hoping for them to start livening up in the next chapter, where Anna is a little less unconscious. Until next time! ^^