One morning about two weeks later Elsa rose from her bed to meet Jack at the glen north of her palace again. After dressing and grooming in her chambers she walked out the back door and headed north.
Elsa reached the glen in a matter of minutes. She turned around to watch the swans for a short while. Before long she felt a hand gently rest on her shoulder.
"Hello Elsa," said Jack.
Elsa whirled around then sighed, "Jack, why do you have to sneak up on me like that?"
"Call it a playful streak."
Elsa chuckled. "So, to the North Mountain?"
"Why not?"
The two headed further north with Elsa leading the way.
"About my tower. it is the only thing among others that remains of my magic winter from three years ago. It is also a shelter for Marshmallow and those snowgies I mentioned earlier. Now I don't want to disturb you. Marshmallow used to be like my guard but just as long as my old crown is on his head he's much nicer. By the way with the snowgies running around the tower it may be fairly crowded."
"I appreciate the information but you need not worry about it."
"Just let me know if it gets too much. We can leave the tower at anytime."
It was not long before they reached the majestic ice tower at the North Mountain. Just as they stopped in front of the ice staircase over the chasm leading to the tower Jack's mouth dropped.
"Whoa! Now that's ice!," Jack gasped.
"You know? I heard from my sister that my brother-in-law, Kristoff had a similar reaction."
Still entranced Jack didn't hear her. "Flawless," he said under his breath.
Elsa walked toward the staircase, stopped then looked back. "Aren't you coming?"
Jack snapped out of his trance with a start. "Oh! Sorry! Yes, I'm right behind you!"
They took the stairs upwards with Elsa restoring parts of the bridge damaged from Han's raid from a few years ago. When they reached the tower's front door Elsa knocked on the door. As the door slowly opened Marshmallow greeted her. Elsa's golem naturally allowed her entrance but stood between her and Jack as if to think he would hurt her.
"No Marshmallow, it's okay he's a friend. Let him pass," said Elsa.
With that, Marshmallow backed down and allowed Jack to enter. Jack walked quickly to catch up with Elsa. By the time they entered they found snowgies running everywhere.
"Sorry about that."
"It's all right." Jack looked around and knelt to his knees and two snowgies walked into his hands. "Elsa, they're adorable."
"You mean, you're not at all uncomfortable?"
"Of course not."
Elsa smiled, "That's a relief. I see the snowgies must really like you."
"They definitely seem full of energy."
"You'd be surprised at what a sneeze or two can do."
Jack laughed, "Yeah, that's right. Your embarrassing story."
"You got that right," Elsa replied laughing with him. "By the way, I saved the best for last." Elsa beckoned Jack to follow her up the stairs to the top floor of the tower. Elsa remembered the damage caused from the raid on the tower. "I forgot about that, sorry about the damage," Elsa said as she magically restored the shattered ice chandelier and reversed remnants of the damage.
"No problem."
"By the way, I think part of the balcony also needs fixing." Elsa walked out of the balcony door and restored the railing. She gestured for Jack to follow her onto the balcony.
After Jack walked onto the balcony he stared off into the dawn for a short moment; now and then seeing slight traces of the northern lights dancing across the sky. "This is amazing! I can stay up here forever!"
"I couldn't agree more, It's quite the view."
Jack nodded. After staring into the distance for a while he glanced toward Elsa. As she reciprocated his glance they looked at each other, getting lost in each other's eyes as their hands touched one another. After being focused on each other's eyes for what seemed like a long time. Jack pecked Elsa on her cheek. Elsa blushed and smiled.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that."
"No it's okay. I'm glad you did. Come here," she whispered. Elsa gently but firmly grabbed Jack's sweatshirt collar and pecked him right back. After their first kiss on the balcony of the ice tower they went down the stairs, left the tower and started back to the glen.
"I want to thank you again for allowing me to meet your friends."
"You're welcome."
"As for my family, I really want you to meet them. There's just one problem…"
"They can't see me?"
"Exactly. I'm afraid my kingdom isn't ready for you yet. But, if you give me some time I'll come up with a plan to get you out in the open."
"I accept."
"Good," Elsa said as she pecked his cheek. "I need to get back to my kingdom and when I do I'm going to check on my horse."
"Hold on a second, didn't you lose your horse a while back? How did you find him or is it her?"
"Her," Elsa replied. "I lost her at the time you found me and the funny thing is she turned up in Corona that night."
"Good thing she's okay."
Elsa nodded, "You can follow me back as far as the stables if you want."
"Right behind you."
Before long, they reached the glen again. Elsa stopped to get one more look at the swans. As she did she saw a pair of swans nuzzling each other's beaks. The swans appeared to have a distinct shape in their necks resembling a heart as they nuzzled. After what seemed like several minutes Elsa turned around and resumed her trek back home with Jack.
"You want to know something else?" asked Elsa
"Try me."
"After my horse turned up in Corona she and the Captain's horse fell in love. I know this because when I rode her away the following morning she was depressed and coincidentally so was the Captain's horse."
"What did you do about it?"
"After much negotiation we agreed to have the Captain entrust me with his horse and his horse and my horse have been together ever since. Out of the goodness of my heart I also promised to give him their first colt."
"Wouldn't taking their colt break their hearts?"
"Afraid so. It only seems to be a thing of courtesy to do this in the name of Corona's Captain though. I will be sure to grant visitation rights for everyone's sake including our horses, however."
Jack nodded, "I see. By the way, how's your horse now?"
"She was rather flighty for a while like she's scared of her own shadow. It wasn't until recently that she settled down. Oh, here we are." Elsa stopped at the fence. "You might want to wait out here and don't attract attention. Even the horses aren't ready for you yet."
"Why else?"
Elsa laughed, "You really are quite the smart mouth aren't you."
"Got me there," said Jack as he threw his hands up.
"You are funny too."
"I try to be."
Elsa grinned and giggled. "Anyway, I think my horse might have her first foal on the way. If she does her stallion's going to be protective," she said as she entered the stables. Elsa approached her horse, Agnes. She was staring out in the distance in the corner of the pasture. "Hello Agnes." Elsa stroked the mare's forehead and tousled her forelock. Maximus neighed, jumped and reared up as if to suggest protectiveness. Agnes whinnied back at him as if to reassure that it was her master seeing her and that she can be trusted. Agnes neighed gently at Elsa as if to tell her something. "What is it girl?" Elsa ran her hand along her horse's belly. "Is it what-?" Before she could finish she noticed movement from within and indeed Agnes was relatively bigger around. She's pregnant, thought Elsa. After checking on Agnes Elsa walked out of the stables and patted Max's snout as she passed. "Good boy," she said softly. Elsa then walked back to Jack.
"She's expecting, Jack."
"Expecting what?"
"Her first foal. She must have been pregnant for a couple of months so far."
"That's great."
Elsa smiled. "By the way, I have more matters to attend to the following week. How would you like to meet again two weeks from today only at evening?"
"I'm in."
"Good," she said as she kissed his cheek once more. "See you later."
Jack pecked her back. "Goodbye."
With that, Elsa turned and walked back to the castle while Jack watched. "I love you," he whispered as he watched her walk away. After what seemed like minutes Jack flew away and started back to the North Pole.