I DO NOT OWN THE FROZEN AND ROTG CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS
Chapter 3: Stranger in Arendelle
Morning has come in Arendelle, winter just ended and the silent breeze of wind is comforting and makes the whole kingdom very cozy. People are busy preparing for the next season which is spring, a lot of trades and negotiations happening here and there, changes of theme on shops and stalls base on the season, people doing their own errands, and many more. In the middle of the "chaos" that is happening in the town, the port was now filled with cargo ships and passenger ships. One after another, passengers are now starting to disembark their ships, filling the docks with strangers coming from different lands. A certain white haired boy was mixed in the crowd and now struggling to get out of the docks immediately to start his mission. Once out, Jack examines the place carefully to familiarize himself, he then saw a blonde man that is working in his own stall, or sled. Jack carefully watch the stranger with brows furrowed.
Is that a reindeer? Jack thought as he sees the animal beside the stranger.
He approach the man to ask for directions and as he got closer, the man detected Jack's presence and look at him. Jack startled a little bit when he saw the man walks towards him and is now standing in front of him. He realize that the man is twice bigger than him, making Jack feel a little intimidated. Jack gulped his nervousness away and start to build up confidence so he can ask him what he have to ask.
"Oh hello, what can I do for you?" the man asked first
"Uh.. Hey I was hoping maybe you can help me." Jack said
"On what?"
"Well I just came here and I need directions to go to the town. Can you help me?"
"Sure, just follow that path and it will lead you directly to town." the man said pointing to a certain road. "It is a 15km walk but if you want to, I can give you a ride."
"Woah really? that's great" Jack said happily then suddenly his face dropped "but I can't pay you for the ride so I think I'm gonna walk, thanks for the offer though."
The man chuckled "Hey it is alright if you don't pay, consider it as a token of welcoming you here in Arendelle."
"Wow I.. I don't know what to say, thanks man." Jack said with a smile on his face.
"Your welcome, just wait here and I will finish up packing so we can go."
Jack nodded and the man went back to his sled and continue his work. Arendelle already made an good impression on Jack by its citizen, giving Jack more confidence that he will succeed on his quest. While Jack was waiting for the man to finish up packing, he amuses himself by observing the reindeer that was attach in front of the man's sled. The animal was staring back at Jack, also observing him. Jack goes nearer to the reindeer to inspect it more closely only for him to realize that it was a wrong move. Once Jack shorten the distance between him and the reindeer, the animal started licking Jack on the face. Making him quickly backed away and furiously wiping the reindeer saliva off his face.
"AHH dwat was diskasting, Ay tenk ay hab reinder spwet en my mawt." Jack said with his tongue out, spitting all over the place.
The blonde man laugh at his reaction. "I think Sven likes you"
"Ho lykes mi?" Jack asked still sticking his tongue out
"Sven, my reindeer. Now come on I'm finish packing." The man said while putting his stuff at the back of the sled and step inside, tapping the seat beside him. Jack caught the signal and put his luggage at the back of the sled and went inside to sit beside the blonde man.
The man grab the lead rope that was attach to the reindeer give the animal a light whip to signal it that it was time to move. The reindeer start walking and their journey started. The ride to the town is quiet so the blonde man took the pleasure of breaking the ice.
"So... what brings you here on Arendelle?" He ask.
"Oh uhh... I kindda have this debt that needs to be paid and uh... they say that Arendelle is a very wealthy kingdom so I go here for better opportunities." Jack replied
"Well good luck with that."
"Thanks"
"I'm Kristoff by the way" The man introduce himself with his hands reaching out to Jack for him to shake.
"Jack" Jack responded with a hand shake. "What about you Kristoff?" Jack asked after pulling his hand back.
"What about me?"
"What do you do for a living?"
"Well, I'm an ice harvester" Kristoff said proudly with his chin up.
"And do you like your job?"
"Of course I like my job, especially when I harvest the ice. Oh that flawless, crystalness, smoothness, and perfectness of an ice. It is beautiful and powerful but dangerous and cold, still wow. It is like the most beautiful thing in the whole world." Kristoff said with a dreamy look on his face.
"Wow, you look like you have thing on ice." Jack said with a mischievous look
"Oh uhm... yeah... sorry you saw that." Kristoff suddenly blush in embarrassment when he realize he was stuck in his own world with the presence of a stranger.
"Hahahaha... nah it's okay. Just don't do that again." Jack said "Wait I take that back, do it often. It shows your feminine side, especially with that dreamy look." Jack teased.
Kristoff punch him in the arm lightly and the two broke into laughter on Jack's teasing. The laughter stopped when Kristoff notice that they're close to town. Jack also notice this and marvel at the view that is approaching them. They finally reach the town and Jack is amaze on how the place is huge with people doing their own business. They ride pass different houses and shops while reaching to a certain place.
"Where are we going?" Jack asked
"The marketplace, I have a stand there."
A couple of minutes later, they reach their destination. Kristoff and Jack hop off the sled and Jack take his own luggage. Jack observe the place just like he did in the port to familiarize himself. Kristoff has finish setting up his sled once again and tap at Jack's shoulder to caught his attention.
"Look man, I will go home to take some stuff so I can open my shop for today. If you're looking for a job try the baker. I heard his a man short so he might be able to help you and in return you might help him in his work." Kristoff said to Jack
"Thanks buddy, you help me more than you know." Jack replied
"Your welcome, now if you need me, just come back to this spot right here, I will be back here before lunch." Kristoff said pointing to his place in the marketplace. "The bakery is only two blocks away, just walk straight ahead and you won't miss it."
"Thank you, Kristoff." Jack said reaching his hand out to Kristoff.
"No problem buddy, now I'm gonna go to start for the day. Good luck Jack." Kristoff said while shaking Jack's hand.
With that, Kristoff and Jack part their ways to do their own business. Jack do exactly what Kristoff said and he was right. He found the bakery with a small amount of customers inside. Shop just opened huh, He thought. He stepped inside and was greeted with a delicious aroma of bread and pastries . His stomach grumbled at the sweet smell of food. He fights the urge to grab some bread and makes a run for it, but he knows it is a bad idea since he is now in Arendelle and no longer in Pennsylvania which by the way, doing it every morning, making the old baker mad back at home. He laughed at the memory while searching for the baker that runs the place. But instead, the baker spotted him first.
"Can I help you, young lad?" the baker said. Jack startled a little bit then turned around to see who had spoken to him.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." the baker apologize
"That's alright mister baker, I was told that you're a man short so maybe I can fill that spot." Jack said
"I'm sorry lad, you're a little late. Someone just came here yesterday and ask for it so I hired him since I need an assistant as soon as possible." the baker said with an apologetic look.
Jack face dropped then once again, his stomach grumbled and quickly look up with a blush of embarrassment. The baker chuckled at his grumbling stomach and a few seconds later, Jack joined him in chuckling.
"So mister baker, what can I buy with a silver coin?" Jack asked
The baker stop chuckling and walked behind the counter of bread and give Jack a baguette. Jack paid for the bread and start eating it.
"Umm this is delicious, you sure made good bread mister baker." Jack complemented at the baker
The baker chuckled. "Thank you, I learn it's recipe when I'm traveling the world. If you're looking for a job young lad I suggest you try the diner, they just fired a waiter so I think they might help you. It is just across the street."
Jack finished his bread and start to thank the baker. He stepped out of the shop and went to the diner that was just in front of the bakery. Jack went inside and approach the counter. A young woman is standing behind it, the young woman saw Jack coming and quickly fixed herself so she can be presentable to the handsome young man that was approaching her.
"Hi handsome, what can I do for you?" the young woman asked with a wink.
"Oh um the baker said there is a vacant spot here as waiter so I was hoping if I can take it." Jack said starting to get uncomfortable to the girl that was flirting with him.
"Wait just a sec." then the woman exited the counter and went to the backdoor excitedly. After a few minutes the woman return to the counter with another older woman who look like she was in her 50's.
"Here grandmama, this man want to take Randy's spot as a waiter." the woman said while pointing to Jack.
"Hmph I'm sorry son, we're not hiring anyone anymore." The older lady said to Jack with a stern look.
"WHAT! BUT... BUT..." The girl stammered
"Oh stop your stammering Lily, you just want this boy here everyday. I had enough of your boyfriends Lily, you can't add one to your 'collection' starting from now on." Grandmama said with her arms crossed.
Jack heard enough and started to step backwards slowly without getting notice by the arguing women in front of him. When he is out of reach, he run towards the door and leave the place, while saying to himself that he won't go back there.
Jack continued to wander over the marketplace then decide to go out there and went back to town to find a better career. He proceed his search and just like the others, they rejected him telling him that it's either already occupied or they're not hiring. Still this doesn't stop Jack on searching, he even went outside town, to the fields, to approach farmers and still, no luck. He went to the shores to approach the fishermen and had been declined. Feeling rejected, Jack walk back to the marketplace where Kristoff stand was. It is already past lunch time and Jack is now hungry and exhausted but still he manage to go back to the marketplace and saw Kristoff with his sled filled with ice blocks. Kristoff saw him all weak and tired so he grab a stool and offered it to Jack.
"I assume that the job hunt isn't working well" Kristoff said
"I got nothing, I failed before I got started. I'm doomed." Jack said sitting on the stool with mixed emotions.
Kristoff can only assume that he's sad, tired, hungry, worried, horrified, stressed, panicking, and in distress. He can only patted Jack's back for comfort, which Jack didn't mind. Kristoff then grabbed a carrot and offer it to Jack.
"Here eat up, I know you're hungry" Kristoff said while offering the carrot to Jack.
"A carrot?" Jack asked while Kristoff rolled his eyes. "Don't be a baby and take it, it's all I got" Kristoff replied. Jack chuckled and took the carrot.
"There must be wrong on what I'm doing, I know finding a job is hard but I never thought that it will be THIS hard." Jack said with his arms stretching out in front of him, emphasizing the word "this".
"You really got nothing huh?" Kristoff asked
"Yeah, I tried everything."
"Have you tried the tailor?"
"Yes"
"The blacksmith?"
"Yes"
"The fruit seller?" Kristoff asked. Jack just nod his head.
"The barber?"
"Yes" Jack said starting to get annoyed
"The mailman?, the carpenter?, the key maker?, the farmer?, the fishermen?, the diner?, the mechanic?, the ..." Kristoff was cut-off by Jack.
"Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Which part of 'everything' you haven't understand?" Jack said now annoyed.
"Hey chill, just trying to help out." Kristoff said with his arms raised in surrender. "If your that defeated then why not ask the King for advice?"
"The King? Is that possible?"Jack asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well yeah, he is the King so he tends to his people that needs help. Why don't you give it a shot, he is in the castle sitting in his throne, as usual."
"I'm not one of his people, I'm stranger in this place remember?" Jack said with a "duh" face.
"Well it wouldn't hurt if you try, right. Unless you have a better idea."
Jack think deeply on what Kristoff said and realize that he was right. It is worth a shot, he thought and with that, he stood up and clean himself so he can be presentable in the presence of a King. He thank Kristoff for the snack and for the advice and head out to the castle. He walk and walk and walk until he reaches the bridge that connects the town to the castle. Once he reach the other side of the bridge, two guards block his path and halted him in place.
"What is your business with his majesty?" One of the guard asked
"Uhm... I'm here to seek advice from his highness." Jack said
The guards looked at each other and nodded. They move out of Jack's way and returned to their post while gesturing for Jack to move on. Jack continue his walk and enter the castle. He was astonished in the view that it is in front of him. He is now inside a huge hall with a beautiful chandelier that it is attach to the ceiling. Jack continue to marvel the place and notice a man is approaching him. He stand straight and put on a more serious look to hide his astonishment in the place.
"I heard you are here to seek advice from the King, right?" the man asked
"Yes sir"
"Follow me then" the man said while gesturing to Jack to follow him.
They walk past a huge double door and walk in a hallway that leads to the throne room. The man is ahead of Jack as he leads him in the throne room. Jack observe the man in front of him and the man, seem to notice this, cleared his throat that caught Jack's attention.
"Staring is rude you know" the man said still walking with his back faced on Jack. Jack apologizes and once again, they fall in absolute silence. A few seconds passed and the man stop walking and now facing a huge double door, much bigger than the one they walk pass through earlier. The man turned to face Jack and reaches his hand and grip the handle of the door.
"The King is inside this room, be prepared to face his highness." The man said to Jack and push the door open. He went inside and Jack followed him. Jack saw two thrones being occupied by two unknown individuals. He guessed that it must the King and the Queen and once he got closer, he halted and bowed with one knee at the King and Queen of Arenedelle.
"Rise young lad." the King ordered and Jack stood up. "What is it the you want to know, boy?"
"I'm here to find a job your highness, I had been searching this whole time now and seem to haven't found one. I was hoping if you could help me in my search, your highness. Do you know anyone that is in need of assistance for me to help him or her and in return help me?" Jack asked
"Before I answer your question young man, I want to know why do you need a job and had the need to seek advice from me. Are you that desperate boy?" Said the King.
"Desperate I am your majesty. As you can see I'm not from around here, I came from Pennsylvania, your highness. I have a family back there, a mother and a sister. We have a debt that needs to be paid or else my sister will become a slave. My father had already passed away so I took the responsibility of paying this debt. I only have three months, your majesty, for me to earn. If that three months had passed and I fail, my sister will pay the price. And I will not let that happen. So I came here to find better opportunities, your majesty, for they say that Arendelle is a strong and wealthy kingdom. I came to you, your highness, because a friend of mine told me that you can help me." Jack finishes his speech with a look of determination.
The King and Queen shared an amazed look towards Jack as they never seen a stranger so valiant and so noble. The King then think deeply on his answer to the aspiring young man that stood in front of them. With his mind cleared, the King finalize his decision and proceeded on telling it to the young man.
"What is your name young lad?" The King asked
"Jack, Jackson Overland your highness."
"Very well Jack, I have two answers for you. I know of a lord that is in dire need of a guard in his mansion. But if you asked me, I wouldn't take the position. Knowing the lord, he will not let you stay for only three months but will only let you go when he feels the need to let you go." The King said. It was out of the question that this lord wants so Jack automatically rejected this offer in his mind and only hope that the second option is better.
"And the other answer, your majesty?" Jack asked with gulped
"A certain King and Queen is in need of some assistance, you see the castle have a vacant spot that needs to be occupied immediately. I was hoping if you would take it. If it is only for three months, then so be it." The King said with a smile on his face.
Jack's face lit up as he is filled with happiness and joy inside. Not only did the King give him advice but also giving him what exactly he needed.
"Re...really... wow of course I will take it your majesty. I will do anything, I can cook, I can clean the place, I can take care of the plants, I can... I can..." Jack stopped when he realized he is stammering in the presence of the King and Queen. He blushes out of embarrassment and started to apologize.
The King chuckled and the Queen giggled while covering her mouth when seeing Jack's excitement, makes them remind of a certain someone. The King then cleared his throat and proceeded speaking.
"Say Jack, how would you like to be a butler?" The King asked
"A butwhat?" Jack asked with a confused looked.
"A butler, to be precise, a butler for our youngest daughter, Princess Anna of Arendelle." The Queen said
"I'm sorry your highness, but I don't know what a butler is... or do." Jack said with an apologetic look.
"It's okay, we can have Kai here to brief and teach you." The King said while pointing to the man that lead Jack to the throne room. "He's the royal family's main butler." The Queen added.
Jack think for a moment for his answer. Of course it's only reasonable to accept but the thing is, he doesn't know a thing on being a butler. It is the only offer he received since he got here on Arendelle, and a good offer too. Jack finally made the decision of accepting the job since it is a win-win condition and there is no greater honor than serving a royal family.
"I accept your majesty." Jack said with smile on his face.
AN: We have Chapter 3 folks.
For those who are wondering if this is a Jelsa/Janna story, Well the story will end with Jelsa and Kristanna so don't worry. :)
Anna and Elsa will be having their debut in the next chapter so stay tuned.