The subtle sway in the waves had finally returned after Elsa unleashed her powers that enveloped their ship, freezing the storm. She could feel the ocean once again beneath them. Feeling its movements, she recalled just before returning inside the ship. When Anna had guided her in, she suddenly remembered her responsibility to remove the ice below and bolted away in a rather unladylike manner. It was their doing together but, as the eldest, it was her job to undo it. However, upon rushing back onto the deck, she caught a glimpse of the winter spirit with his staff raised defiantly in the air as he gazed upon the stars. She could hear him speaking but was unaware of what was being said or to whom it was addressed to. Unsure of whether or not to continue forward, she remained silent as she watched him lower his arm and turn back in her direction, his eyes locked to the soaking floorboard.
"Um…" She managed to let out.
Jack's eyes peered up to see her standing awkwardly at the entrance of the ship with her hands still grasping the handle. Words seemed to have abandoned her in this moment of time as she recalled his lips. The man continued to walk closer as he straightened his posture and parked his staff over his shoulder. His mischievous smirk was creeping over him when he noticed her flushed skin.
"Hey, I thought you were gonna have your girl talk with your sister." He responded playfully. His head whipped around when a sudden crackling was heard at the edge. The larger pieces of ice were beginning to crumble adjacent to the ship. With a quick whip of his hands, a gust emerged past him to send the falling debris away from the ship's hull.
"This is gonna be a long night." He sighed as he changed his path to the starboard side.
"I- I can help deal with the ice." Elsa finally managed to speak with surprisingly more confidence in her words. "I'm sure I can make quick work-" she paused mid-sentence when Jack waved his hands in disagreement.
"No, no, it's fine. You must be tired after the whole thing. Let me handle the rest. I'll get us sailing again in no time flat!" He pounded his chest with a look of pride.
Elsa could only giggle at the silly gesture. Nodding her head, she quickly glanced at the moon high in the sky before retreating inside. Still a creek open, she stalled a moment and widened the door's gap again.
"Who were you talking to?" she asked suddenly. She picked up on Jack sudden tenseness from her words.
"So, you noticed." He finally replied softly after a moment of silence. "It's… it's nothing really. I just… had to confirm a few things. But, don't worry about it, it's nothing!" He laughed rather forcefully.
Realizing he had blatantly avoided the question, she didn't want to press any further than need be. It wasn't her place to intrude. Simply nodding her head once again, she quietly closed the door, feeling more deflated by the underlining rejection. Her body still pressed against the oak wood door once it was shut behind her. He didn't face her when he answered and, for some reason, this bothered her more than she realized.
Before delving into her thoughts on the night, a pair of hands reached out to her own. The recognizably slender fingers wrapped around hers, rising up to her chest.
"Hey, Elsa, are you alright?" Anna asked worriedly. "You seem a bit down. Did Jack say something?! I'll kick his butt for you, I've done it before!" The redhead angrily looked passed her sister as if glaring at Jack himself. Elsa smiled at the reassuring words before squeezing her hands to get her sister's attention.
"He didn't say anything. He's simply getting us ready to sail again."
Anna exhaled with relief, seeing her older sister's face soften. This was short lived as she pouted her lips and proceeded to remind her how she suddenly abandoned her just before their talk. Firmly grasping her cold hands, she tugged on her arms and rushed back to the cabin she had once abandoned. This time, the princess wasn't going to let her get away. She was looking forward to sharing her life with Elsa and learning about hers as well. An open heart begins with an open book and, really, Anna simply wanted to learn of some dirty secrets Elsa might have hidden, granted she knew one of the biggest ones already.
That had been several hours ago and the more energetic of the two had finally decided to return to her lover's side to call it a night, though Elsa could not bring herself to consider Kristoff as marriage material for Anna just yet. When she finally left her side, Elsa was left to her thoughts and her books, mainly her books as she was once again engrossed in the fantastical world of fiction. The only thing that momentarily pulled her mind away from it was the rocking of ship once again. It seemed that Jack was finished with clearing their way.
As she was about to re-immerse herself, her door abruptly swung open. She immediately flinched from the suddenness of it, almost dropping the novel in her hands. Looking at her guest, the pale, white haired individual staggered forward before landing himself on the table in front of her, resting himself on the chair with his staff not in his hands but lazily hooked to his shoulder.
"I absolutely regret not letting you help. That was a lot of work…" he panted with his head buried in his arms. "You really did a number out there. You didn't just freeze several miles all around, it was frozen solid several meters down. It was practically a second North Pole! Honestly it's quite impressive even by my standards."
She wasn't sure of whether to take that as a compliment but she smirked regardless. "I hope it wasn't too much trouble for you since you're like… this." Elsa teased. He weakly raised his hand in the air and gave her an 'okay' sign with an audible grunt.
Seeing him in this state, she did feel a tinge of guilt for not assisting him even though it was him who dismissed her. However, she was feeling guiltier in not letting him rest a little longer. While she was talking with her sister, she had recalled a conversation that was promised to her and she did not wish to delay it further while it was still fresh in her mind.
"Jack, if I may ask you something?"
He simply lifted his hands up again and, again, giving her the okay. She silently chuckled before taking on a solemn expression.
"Could you please tell me why you're here?" She asked bluntly as she closed her book and rested it on her lap. She only saw his shoulders perform a poor excuse of a shrug with his almost sickly body.
"I thought I was invited?" His voice jokingly while slightly muffled as his head was still rested against the table. She wasn't particularly amused by the answer as she spoke.
"I mean, why are you here in Arendelle? You've been with my family for a long time. This much I know." She turned away to look at her hands that overlapped each other. "I don't feel that it is mere coincidence that we share the same powers. I- I know that we didn't get the chance before but, this time, I'd really appreciate if you'd-" turning to face him again, she saw his body upright as he looked her in the eye with a soft and muted gaze that seemed so foreign to his usual self.
He averted his eyes as he brushed through his hair with his right hand. Without a doubt, this was a difficult subject for the usual Guardian of Fun. Elsa continued to observe as he tried to collect himself, readying himself to properly respond to her.
"I guess, you can figure that I'm not from around here- Hah! Understatement of the century." He grinned but seemed to grow more distant. He still seemed bothered. "I've… been around for quite a while now. Honestly, you'd probably not believe it-"
"It can't be any less believable than everything else that's happened in my life or the fact you're 300 years old." She gave him a stern look that was only met with another grin. Resting his staff against her bedside, he went on to tell her of his story the night before his arrival. It was actually quite surreal for him to retell his own tales. From the moment he began with falling through the portal that took him back through history. It didn't feel like he was recalling on memories but retelling a dream, a dream that happened to encompass all of Elsa's life from beginning to the present. He went to tell her of what had happened upon her birth and his slumber, the story of the wizard that she was so familiar with and his home. Her sister's birth thereafter and her circumstances seemed to have caught the queen off guard because this looked to have shocked her more than learning of her own change in destiny.
Without a doubt, this was a difficult subject to tell and take in, both parts surreal and unreal but all still irrefutable truths of events in their lives. He continued on to when he was abruptly met with his friend in the future and his deep sleep that brought him face to face with none other than the man that had tasked him with this mission. Returning to Arendelle, this was when he became an integral part in both princesses' lives whether as an admirer or a friend. He refused to quietly let go of those he had saved.
As she continued to listen to Jack's story, her heart felt like it was wavering, not wanting to hear him continue. She was feeling the gripping pain of her loneliness in her past and hearing it again now knowing how close he was to her all this time left a somber feeling deep down. Suddenly, she noticed him halt in his speech. His cool demeanor was faltering as he was about to tell her of what had happened to him in the years he had disappeared from them after the day Elsa was announced to be queen.
Her feelings of sorrow were now replaced with a sense of nurturing as she watched Jack slowly crumble. Whatever he was about to say next seemed to be affecting him far worse than she had ever seen. Without questioning it, she did not pursue further in his story. It was not the time. Not now and not when it brought him to this kind of state.
She pushed herself out of bed and slowly rose before him seemingly without him noticing. Moving closer, she crouched down and extended her arms around him, bringing him into a motherly embrace. Taking the seat beside him, she pulled him close as her fingers weaved through his hair and massaged his scalp. With his head firmly rested against her chest, she continued to soothe his heart as she softly sung a lullaby that her mother had sung to her when she was a child. She need not hear more for this was enough and now it was his time to rest.
Several days seemed to pass without a hitch. Jack must have been exhausted when dealing with the makeshift tundra because he was still resting in her cabin throughout the passing time and only came to when the sun was just about ready to settle over the horizon on the third day.
As he opened his eyes, his mind felt significantly clearer than it did prior. Many things had happened to him since the last time he slept almost a month ago and finally resting his head revitalized him far greater than the slumbers that spanned years. Rising from his seat, he proceeded out of the room and towards the open air.
"Hi! You're awake!" The tiny snowman greeted with wide eyes and large grin.
Jack grinned at the happy-go-lucky fellow as he knelt down to his level. "What's going on little man? Mind telling me where I can find Elsa?" He asked while playing with Olaf's twig arms.
"She's outside with Anna and Sven and Kristoff Sven. Come on! Elsa said to let her know when you were up." He cheered as he rushed to the door, not realizing he had left his arms behind with Jack still holding onto them. Jack laughed heartily while watching the twigs bend and turn without its main body. He proceeded to follow behind the bundle of snow.
Making their way onto the deck of the ship, Jack finally saw Elsa whose arm was being held captive by her sister's as Kristoff and Sven stood beside them.
"Elsa! Elsa, he's up!" Olaf shouted to the group as he waddled his way to the princess and queen at the bow. He huddled up against them in preparation for hugging them but realized there was something missing. He couldn't seem to pinpoint what it was.
"You might be missing these." Jack stated as he placed Olaf's arms back on him except slightly higher on his head, adjacent to his eyes. The winter spirit was met with a cheerful thank you before hugging Elsa with his wrongly placed arms. This put Anna in a giggling fit while Elsa gave Jack a judgmental smirk as she returned his arms to their proper place.
Shrugging his shoulders, Jack gave the group a smile before looking past them to see land off in the distance. "Is that what I think it is?" he questioned. The redhead bubbled up with a shriek of glee.
"Yes, yes, yes! It's Corona! I was so scared we were gonna arrive tomorrow but we got here just in time! Finally, I can sleep in an actual bed. Not that the boat beds are bad or anything, but a rocky boat bed is nothing like a bed bed. I mean, bed beds that don't move at all are totally- mmph." Anna was immediately met with large covered hands over her mouth.
"Anna, if I have to hear about your preference over 'boat beds' to 'bed beds' again, I'm going to tie you to a Sven bed and send you back inside." Kristoff declared. Elsa began giggling as Jack lost control of himself in a fit of laughter. Anna quickly pushed his arm down and receded further into her sister's arms while glaring menacingly at the bulkier man. Elsa gave a loving smile before looking back to the approaching docks in the distance.
"We are quite lucky though to have made it to the Kingdom of Corona before nightfall. It means we'll get to have a full day in the market before celebrating Princess Rapunzel's birthday."
"Floating lights! I'm so excited to finally get to see it! I hear it's so amazing! Almost on par with the dancing rainbows!" the redhead was on top of the world. Jack however, was caught off guard by her comment.
"Dancing rainbows?" He questioned.
"Yeah, yeah! They're like lights in the skies that dance and wave like ribbons in the wind. It's sooooo cool to watch!" the girl's eyes were sparkling.
"Like ribbons? Oh, those lights. Okay, gotcha." Jack affirmed as he recalled North's beacon at the North Pole.
"Yeah, but I hear the floating lanterns are just as beautiful if not beautifuler!"
"Well, we'll be docking soon so I'd make sure you have your things still packed up." The blonde man noted as he gestured to the cabins. Anna had a sudden realization. She quickly pecked both Elsa and Kristoff on the cheek before rushing her way into the ship with Olaf excitedly following behind her. Kristoff snickered for a bit before following behind with Sven at his side.
Elsa continued to watch as the kingdom continued to grow larger in view. She was admiring the magnificence of it as the sun fell over it. Jack took the opportunity to take the vacant space beside her while also looking off into the distance.
"So, Elsa…" he spoke lightly.
"Yes?"
"Uh… so do you want me to continue where I left off?" he questioned, now looking to her platinum blonde hair that draped over her shoulder. She shook her head.
"It's alright. I heard all I needed to hear. Whatever it is that you couldn't tell me last night, you can tell me whenever you wish. You'll know where to find me." She wore a sheepish smile after saying her piece. His shoulders relaxed as he was now leaning against the wooden rails.
"Thanks, about before. Really, thanks for a lot of things. I owe you a lot and I'm still trying to think of ways to return the favor." He turned to look up to her face now highlighted by the setting sun. Her eyes met his.
"You saved my sister's life. You saved my life on more than one occasion. You don't owe me anything."
Jack didn't respond. He knew this would most likely lead to a back and forth with her inevitably winning. Instead, he formed a crocus flower, the flower of her kingdom, out of ice and placed it beside her. The smile was illuminating and seemed far brighter than the sun before them. Feeling his cheeks warm up, he turned back around and seated himself on the edge of the rails while looking to the moon directly above.
"I was talking to the Man in the Moon last night." He uttered while gazing into the orange and pink sky. Elsa turned to him with an astonished look. He had only spoken about him once so she was still unfamiliar with their relationship and had very little knowledge of who this person actually was. There were very few stories and even fewer truths on who he was or what he was like, at least in Arendelle. All she knew is that she felt that the moon was always watching over her. She felt relieved that there was in fact someone watching over her and her sister, considering he gifted her with the winter guardian.
"Did he say anything?" she questioned, curiosity slowly getting the better of her. Jack let out a single laugh and a large grin.
"Nope. He almost never does, at least not when I'm down here." She could see his expression was warm. It was clear that he was fond of this man. She hoped to meet him one day if she could.
Suddenly, without warning, Jack leant so far back his body fell far behind the safety of the rails and it looked as though Jack was about to fall. She quickly extended her hands to catch him until she realized he was simply floating on the edge. He began laughing at her flustered and panicked expression. She pouted her lips and refused to look at him.
"Don't be mad, I was only teasing!" He comforted as he turned himself around, legs swaying in the air. "We'll be docking soon. Ready for a good night sleep?"
"Only if you accompany me-" Her hands launched up to her mouth, her face far more panicked than before. Her cheeks were blistering red as she tried to determine why she had blurted that out. She gave a quick glance to the winter spirit next to her. She could see that he looked even more shocked than she was before she turned to look away.
As Jack's head was processing what he had just heard, suddenly his mischievous side was going into overdrive. He began snorting quietly, really only to get her attention audibly. He got back on his two feet and began pushing uncomfortably closer to her.
"I don't think I heard that ri-"
"Stop it Jack…" she almost whimpered but with a hint of venom. This was practically an invitation to tease more.
"Stop what? If I'm not mistaken, I'm pretty sure that you just-" His face was suddenly confronted with icicles protruding from the ground all around him and only millimeters from his skin.
"So help me, Frost, I am not afraid to use these." She threatened, still unable to look him in the face.
He began to chuckle as he pulled back with his hands raised in the air in defeat. "Alright, alright, I know when to call it quits. I was only messing with you because you have the best reactions." Jack emphasized teasingly while taking his seat back on the rails. He decided that it would be better to mess with her with more people around to hide behind.
She knew he was plotting something but she was relieved he had retreated. She wasn't sure she would have been able to handle a full frontal assault at that moment. "Um… I'm going to… go inside to make sure all my things are ready before we arrive. I'll be back out in a bit." She spoke shyly. He nodded his head once and gave her a salute. Just as she was about to leave, she turned to the flower beside him. Taking the precious thing in her hands, she felt calm again.
"Also, thank you… for everything." She said just before planting a soft kiss on his cheek and rushing back to the cabins. This time, Jack's neck turned around so fast it could have snapped. As he watched her sprint away in her oh so graceful and queenly manner, he placed his palm against the spot she kissed him. Another stupefied smile plastered across his face, his cheeks warmer than he could possibly remember. In that moment, he wondered to himself just how rich his own reaction was to the sudden gesture.