Author's Note-Well, it is official, the flu vaccine for this year completely missed. It has been hitting the community I live in pretty hard so I have been working a whole lot of extra shifts to keep track of the Christmas rush. Hopefully, the Christmas rush is not too bad for all of you readers and that you will enjoy this little tale involving Jack Frost, Iceland, Norway, and giant Yule Cat that eats people who have not receive any new clothing in the past year.
Disclaimer- I do not own Hetalia, Rise of the Guardians, or any Giant Man-Eating Cats.
The Youth Who Feared Cats
The wind screamed. Howling, playing across the practically treeless landscape of one of the most unique islands on Earth. Jack giggled as the danced among the geysers. Trying to freeze droplets of water that were thrown too high into the long winter night sky, then watching them thaw again as they fell back to earth. He peered deep into rumbling cracks in the rock that belched sulfur and smoke in the hope of glimpsing a dragon. And he scrolled delicate ferns of frost across houses that had few, if any, windows. The place that the locals called Iceland was truly a Winter Spirit's paradise; Jack mused as the wind tossed him careening along the sea cliffs. Unfortunately there appeared to be one person who was determined to stop Jack's fun.
"What in the world do you think you are doing?" A stern man in a blue sailor's uniform looked down his nose at the Winter Spirit.
"Who me?"
"Yes you, I do not see any other beings gallivanting across this island's cliffs." The man's glare was as withering as hot desert wind. "Jack Frost, you should already know that this place is under the protection of spirits and guardians far stronger than yourself. The winters here are harsh enough; they do not need an unwanted winter spirit adding to their severity."
"Who are you talking to Lukas?" A young man, barely even a teenager interrupted the older one's rant. Jack hadn't even noticed the boy come up the path. The nearly white-haired individual scanned the horizon but appeared to be unable to see Jack standing mere feet away.
"None of your concern Iceland." The slight, bored looking man said without bothering to take his eyes off the winter spirit. "Go back inside and warm up."
"I have spent practically all winter inside, and the house is really starting to smell."
"Well if you finished your chores and cleaned out the manure instead of constantly sticking your nose in the books you so love maybe the house would stay fresh longer." The man shrugged and turned his full attention back to Jack. "Now, if you are a wise spirit then you will high tail it off of this island before someone gets hurt."
"You are not talking to the trolls again are you?" The one called Iceland with a roll of his eyes.
"No, I am not." The pale man called Lukas smirked as he glared at Jack. "The trolls at least have enough common sense to listen to me, but it seems that the Norse Gods have it out for me today and has saddled me with two stupid souls instead of just one."
"I am not stupid." The white-haired youth said hotly.
"You could have fooled me." Lukas replied sharply, but his voice did not contain any venom. "Back inside before Jack Frost nips your nose. And Jack, as I highly doubt you have received new clothing this past year, I suggest that you take leave of this place before Grýla decides to let her cat you for the evening."
The weak winter sun was just beginning to set, as the two people made their way into the small sod house leaving Jack and the Wind alone to enjoy the island's harsh landscape in peace. Skipping across massive glaciers and hulking volcanos, it didn't take long for Jack to completely forget about Lukas's warning. The stars turned in the sky, the aurora's danced and sang, and Jack almost didn't hear the menacing meow coming from behind him. When he spun around to face the sound, he found himself staring into the wagon wheel-sized eyes of a massive, drooling cat.
"Here kitty, nice kitty..." Jack started, but the cranky looking animal gave off a deep yawl and prepared to ponce. Jack swore under his breath and started to run. It was only not until the North Wind had carried him safely over the choppy Atlantic leaving the massive, hissing cat on shore that he began to relax. Laughing from the shear relief of his escape, Jack Frost vowed to avoid Iceland during Christmas time unless he received a proper gift of clothing sometime over the past year.
End Note-A Yule Cat, what your cat dreams of becoming every time they steal food off your kitchen counter. Lol. Also, Norway was rather talkative in this one.
Next Chapter- The Sniper In The Pines- It was a war that went by many names. Some called it the Great War, others the War to End all Wars. It was fought in the hedgerows and muddy trenches of Europe with stinking gas that stung Jacks lungs and barbwire that cut his feet. Still on Christmas Eve fun could be found even here. So Jack Frost settled in to watch the Christmas Truce in a great old pine tree with a man who was nearly as invisible as he was.