A/N: After doing some research I found out more of the background stories of the characters of The rise of the Guardians. If I had realized before what I know now I might have started out a bit differently, but I'll work it out. I must say that the Pitch his lore is quite amazing. So look forward to that. I think I know enough about the lore to move forward, but if you want to inform me of some interesting lore facts of both ROTG or Frozen, or want to see something specific about it in this story don't hesitate to ask me in the comments. Well reviews but whatever. The review section on is used like a comment box anyway :) Hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Frozen or Rise of the Guardians. If I did, I wouldn't have to do so much research on lore.

Chapter 6: Reassessment

She couldn't even remember the last time she had any fun? What was that supposed to mean. Jack knew that being a queen wasn't all fun and games, he had been around long enough to know at least that much. But if she was the queen that meant she had also been a princess at some point. Unless she conquered the crown by force. And somehow, he doubted that.

How could anyone wish for a better life than that of a princess? Living in a palace, wearing the best clothes and never being hungry. Never wishing for anything. That was the good life… right?

Jack had been on the move for as long as he could remember. He had no recollection from before the man in the moon created him. If there even was anything for him to remember. Ever since that point he never had a home, family or luxuries in his life. Not that he really needed any of it.

There were certain pros. about being a spirit. He didn't need sleep or food for example. He could still sleep and eat of course. But only for fun, he didn't need them to survive. There were times he wouldn't sleep for months, aside from the little nap or two when he was bored. Sleep was such a waste of time when one could be having fun instead.

"You've never had any fun?" That would simply not do. Jack considered cheering people up his job description. What the hell else did the man in moon create him for? "If that's true, I will consider it my duty to rectify that… Consider it payment for trying to break into your castle."

She seemed hesitant, though he could see part of her wanted to. And why shouldn't she. It wasn't everyday people with powers like theirs got a chance to measure those powers against that of peers.

"Come on, I won't bite." '…Much.' One more small push was all she needed. So he made a snowball and threw it at her. Which hit her right between the eyes. The expression on her face looked like she had just been struck in the face, but it slowly grew into a grin when she pointed to something behind Jack. Who in return got the feeling he had forgotten about something.

He suddenly recalled when he heard a growl behind him. He didn't have time to react, and before he could beg for his life he was flying of the edge of the castle. Landing face first in the snow.

When Jack finally dug himself out, the front door of the castle had opened, and Elsa was walking towards him with a satisfied look on her face. Jack noticed her guard had not accompanied her. He was still standing on the balcony, watching Jacks every move.

"Won't Marshmallow be joining us?"

"No, I've instructed him to stand down. He isn't really a fan of friendly spars shall we say."

"… Now you tell me."

"I won't need him to beat you though." 'We'll see about that.' He was about to launch a barrage of snowballs at her when heard another growl from the balcony. When he was distracted by looking to see if the ice giant was going to jump off the balcony in his general direction, a snowball hit his chest.

"Wha…? That's not fair! I wasn't looking."

"And how is that my fault? What's wrong, afraid of a little snow mister 'Frost'?" Oh its on!

The battle had been long and hard, and not without the lack of casualties, nor collateral damage. Their powers had been quite equal in strength. Elsa had the advantage of being able to summon minions, a fact she didn't mind exploiting. But Jacks was far more experienced in his control, and was able to dispatch every one of the minions she threw at him with ease. Jack couldn't create ice structures or minions. But was far more powerful in his control over ice and snow as a result. She couldn't keep up with his sheer power, and after a while she discovered that the only way to shield herself from his more powerful attacks was to erect structures to deflect the blasts.

The battle had lasted several hours, and only ended when she was exhausted. Jack was slightly worse for wear, but otherwise seemed fine.

"It's getting late Jack, let's just call it a draw and head inside."

Over the course of the battle Elsa had begun to trust Jack more and more. There had been several times he could have easily hurt her, but didn't. If that wasn't enough to trust someone she didn't know what was. The harder she pushed to beat him the more frustration she felt melting away. Never before had she used her powers to such an extent. The feeling was liberating. Putting all that bottled up anger and frustration into her attacks and throwing them at Jack, was the greatest relief she had felt in… well ever.

And Jack didn't seem to mind. No matter how many times she hit him, he just kept standing back up. Well, he was the spirit of winter after all. She shouldn't be surprised that snow and ice didn't hurt him. Jack just laughed every time Elsa managed to land a hit on him, or deflect one of his blasts in an impressive manner. His laugh was intoxicating. It had been the most fun she'd had in her entire life.

"If you still want to see what the castle looked like inside, that is?"

"No, I'd better not. It's late and you're tired. Tomorrow perhaps, when you're feeling better?"

He refused? This guy was really confusing. First he had tried to sneak inside like a burglar, and now he refused because he was concerned for her wellbeing? Perhaps there was more to this guy than met the eye.

"Sure, but where will you go? Does a spirit like yourself even have a home somewhere?"

Jack looked hurt for a moment, but quickly hid his pain and smiled softly. "Some of us do, but as for me… not so much. I'll be around though, so I'll see you tomorrow bright and early."

"All right. But in case you change your mind, there is a guest room on the second floor. It's yours if you want it. Marshmallow won't bother you again." With that she turned around and walked back to her castle. The look on his face when he mentioned he didn't have a home seemed familiar to her. Like the one she had when she shut herself away in her room. It was a look of loneliness. A feeling she hated.

By the time she reached the front door and turned around, Jack was gone and she was left alone with her thoughts. 'How can someone as cheerful as him be so lonely inside?' The question lingered around in her mind until she fell asleep.

Jack had to run away. It was the thing he always did when he got these feelings. He didn't dare face his feelings, afraid of what he might find. So he ran. He could have flown, that would have certainly gotten him away from here much faster, but there was something about running that was soothing to him.

She had offered him a room in her home? What was wrong with her!?

Not only had he tried to break into said home, but he had also been fighting with her. Sure, it seemed like she had fun but still. Nobody had ever offered him a place to sleep. It helped he'd never met anyone he could talk to before of course, but that was beside the point. It scared, and intrigued him at the same time.

But what did he have to lose? The worst that could happen was that he ended up alone again, and not spending more time with Elsa pretty much ensured that anyway. He didn't have much choice did he?

And besides… he really wanted to look inside that castle now! After all that effort, he finally got a chance to look inside that magnificent structure. Perhaps it was easier if he convinced himself that that was the reason he had taken off and was flying back to Elsa's castle at top speed. He didn't want to think of the consequences, and when he finally reached the castle again he landed close to the front door and walked inside without second thoughts.

He didn't realize he had his eyes shut and was holding his breath until he was a few meters inside. When he almost slipped on the frozen floor he was forced back to reality however, but what he saw… did not look like reality. The inside looked even more amazing than the outside. Amazing sculptures and structured as far as the eye could see. His mind was blank as he wandered around in the castle. He let his fingers slide over the various patterns and decorations on the walls. He didn't even realizing he had been walking up the stairs, until he found himself staring at the pattern on the floor. A beautiful ice crystal covered the entire floor. Several rooms were connected on the sides. The doors to the balcony, a few empty rooms, an empty bedroom and … one not so empty bedroom.

There she was, lying down on the bed. He stared at her from a distance through the ice wall. Not daring to go inside. But for some reason he couldn't move his eyes away either. She was sleeping so peacefully, it took his breath away.

When he realized he was staring again, he shook his head trying to dismiss his thoughts of her. Before he did something he would regret he made his way over to the spare bedroom and lay down on the bed. The picture of her lying on the bed kept coming back to him again and again, but luckily for him if there was one thing he was good at, it was forcing feelings away. And so he did as he moved to lie on his side facing away from her direction and fell asleep. If only he had as much control over his dreams as he had over his feelings.

A/N: I know this chapter was a bit delayed but I had a busy weekend. Next chapter should be up on schedule. Let me know what you guys think of the story so far, and what you would like to see in the future. Until next time guys…

Grizzly out…