Hello everyone! Look I'm actually on time! I'm going to try and really be more consistent and stick with one update a week. Anyway, as always please review and enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 4: Five Years Later
Five years. Elsa sighed as she slipped on a dress. It had already been five years since she first met Jack. She was still afraid of her powers and her parents still kept her away from everyone, but Jack made everything better.
Anna still came to her and spoke those words, and that broke her heart a little more each time, but every night Jack came would heal it, at least in part. Of course he couldn't come every night, but mostly.
Grace entered. "Good. I'm glad you're ready. After lessons and such, there will be a ball."
She looked up sharply. "Tonight?"
Grace nodded. "Yes. You have a better handle on your powers and they think it's time. You will eventually be queen after all."
"B-but I can't!" She exclaimed.
If I go to the ball, I'll miss Jack!
Grace huffed. "It isn't my choice, it's your father's orders."
"But-"
"No buts, you're going and that's the end of it."
That night, the sixteen year old stood patiently while Grace fussed and worried, pulling out different dresses but eventually discarding them.
"Ah, here we are," Grace said.
Finally.
The dress was beautiful. It was a pretty sky blue that poofed a tiny bit around the waist and flowed to the feet, the neckline was made of a darker blue with beads lining the collar. The shoes to go with it were the same darker blue and had a small raise at the heal.
"It's lovely," she conceded. But her thoughts weren't on dresses or the banquet, they were focused on a certain brunette.
"Pay attention Elsa."
She looked up and allowed Grace to help her dress. Her heart began to pound.
What if I mess up?
"Elsa…" She looked up, Grace looked nervously at the ice spreading from her feet.
Elsa took a deep breath. Conceal. Don't feel, don't let them know.
Her mother and father entered. "Remember your gloves," father said. "And remember, conceal-"
"Don't feel," she said.
"Don't let it show." They finished together.
"Good, let's go."
Conceal don't feel don't let it show. Conceal don't feel don't let them know.
The phrase repeated over and over in her head like a mantra. Never ceasing as she greeted monarchs with polite greetings and such. It was exhausting. Every time someone approached, she instinctively raised her hands, but then would lower them, remembering that she was in public.
Halfway through the night she finally snapped.
She was approached by two identical boys, twins most likely, who introduced themselves as Princes James and Jared of the Southern Isles, sixth and seventh in line. They both had permanent smirks that made her nervous. They must have been about seventeen, one year her senior.
"Princess Elsa of Arendelle," she replied politely.
They each kissed one of her gloved hands. "Lovely to meet you Princess Elsie."
She pulled her hands back. "It's Elsa," she said coldly.
James smiled charmingly. "Would Princess Elsa agree to a dance?" He asked, extending a hand.
She glanced at her mother and saw her make a shooing motion out of the corner of her eye.
She took the outstretched hand, thinking of how much she didn't want to be here, and of how much she did want to be with Jack.
"So what has made the oh-so-elusive Princess Elsa finally come out of her shell?" James asked.
Her grip tightened on her dress. "Nothing of any consequence."
He shrugged. "Whatever you say princess."
I want Jack.
They spun around the ballroom, going closer and closer to the door to another room that Elsa recognized as the banquet hall. James spun her around and the door was opened by his twin and they slipped inside without anyone noticing.
She stopped, taking her hand from his and stepping back.
"We're not allowed in here," she said, starting towards the door.
Prince Jared stepped in front of her and closed the door.
"Do you always do what you're told?" He asked.
She stiffened. "Yes, now open the door and get out of my way."
"Ooh, a bit testy eh?"
She gripped the sides of her dress tightly. "Please move."
An arm snaked around her waist, she started and looked to see James.
"Come on, lighten up, have a little fun," he said.
Jared snickered at her shocked expression. She pushed James off of her.
"Let go of me!" She exclaimed. James stumbled back at her surprising strength.
He stepped forward again, then bowed. "Apologies milady."
She sighed. "Just please open the door and-mph!" She was cut off as James straightened and pressed his lips to hers.
Slap!
She backed up quickly, her hand stinging and a red mark forming on James' cheek.
Anger shone in his eyes. "Oh you should not have done that."
She backed up, frightened. A hand covered her mouth and an arm wrapped around her neck. She tried to shout for help but only muffled cries came out.
James smirked. "You seem so distressed." He took a step forward.
Her eyes widened. Please back away she tried to say, but she couldn't. James touched her chin. That was the last straw. Magic exploded from her being, slamming into the two princes and batting them away like annoying bugs.
She was breathing heavily, she stared at her hands, ice encrusted them, ice crawled up the walls.
"What the hell?" She heard one of the princes murmur.
"She's...she's a monster."
She ran. She bolted from the room, flying up the stairs and two her room. Behind her, the two princes looked at each other.
One looked at the other. "Remember that career of thievery we were talking about?"
The other shrugged. "How's the name Stabbington sound?"
Monster...
Conceal don't feel don't let it show. Conceal it! Conceal don't feel. Conceal don't feel.
"Elsa!"
Elsa backed away from her parents as they entered.
"I don't want to hurt you!" She exclaimed, pressing her hands to her chest. The gloves hadn't helped at all.
"It's okay Elsa," father said, holding out placating hands.
They're scared of me. She stared at them, ice, the cursed ice, spreading from her feet. Her parents took a step back in slight alarm.
"We'll figure it out," her father said.
"Leave me alone!" She shouted. "Please!"
Mother reached out.
"Don't touch me!" Fear shown from her eyes. "I don't want to hurt you."
Where are you Jack?
"Mother? Father? What's going on?" A voice said from down the hall.
Anna…
"Go," she whispered. "Go take care of your daughter."
They gave her a long gaze, than exited the room, closing the door behind them. She heard the audible click of a lock.
Crack!
She looked towards the window, ice coated it. She stumbled back, leaning against the door.
"Where are you Jack?" She whispered. Conceal it. Don't feel. Don't feel.
She slid down, curling up in fetal position. She blocked everything out, no noise, no distraction.
Seal it away. I won't hurt anyone again.
Suddenly a hand touched hers, she whipped up, raising her hands.
"Whoa!"
She opened her eyes, they widened. "Jack!" She bolted forward, going to his prone figure. "Jack! Oh Jack I'm so sorry," she sobbed.
He groaned, sitting up. "I'm fine, wow! That packs quite a punch!" He saw her tears, then took her hands. "It's okay-"
"Don't touch me," she whispered, scrambling back. "I'm dangerous. A monster."
He laughed. "You? Dangerous? not a chance."
"Please, I don't-"
"You won't hurt me," he interrupted. "I know." He came forward and knelt beside her. "You aren't dangerous."
"But-"
"Not buts, I don't care, you're not dangerous," he said firmly. Jack took her trembling hands. He smiled. "Hey, it's alright."
She met his eyes carefully. He smiled.
"I could hurt you," she whispered.
He slowly removed her gloves. "No. You're not dangerous, and you're not a monster." He looked up. "All I see is a beautiful young woman with an incredible power. A power amazing and beautiful and the most wonderful thing I've ever known besides you."
"Really?" She asked.
"Really really," he said. "I made a promise to you a long time ago, and I intend to keep it." He pulled her into a hug.
"Please don't leave," she whispered. "Please…"
"Never. I promise. You will never be alone. I will never ever leave you."
She nodded into his chest. After a long moment, he pulled back.
"I have something for you." She waited.
He nodded and took a necklace from around his neck, hanging from a leather thong was a red crystal. "It's called a fire crystal. Lore says they're from the trolls that reside in the mountains. And also that they'll keep you close to the thing you love the most."
"Did you win this from a troll?" She asked with a small smile.
"I got it from my mom, she collects all kinds of stuff." He held it up, an uncertain look crossing his face. "Do you like it?"
She nodded. "It's beautiful."
"May I?"
She lifted her hair, allowing him to tie it around her neck.
"For everything I see in you, and everything I don't, I just…I want you to know that I'll always be there for you, forever. No matter what happens."
They stayed like that for a long time, eventually Jack realized that Elsa had fallen asleep. He carefully stood, her still in his arms, and set her in her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin.
She shifted slightly, murmuring. "Thank you Jack."
"You're welcome."
Jack gazed at her still form, then leaned down and planted a kiss on her head.
"I love you," he whispered.
Her eyes stayed closed, but her hand tightened on his as he stood to leave. With some reluctance, he gently pulled his hand from and started towards the window, which he'd broken through trying to get in when he saw Elsa's distress.
As he lifted his leg to step out, a soft whisper reached his ears.
"I love you too."
He smiled once...then he was gone.
Who liked the reference? Btw, it's canon that Elsa and Anna are cousins of Rupunzel. And who can deny just how much the Stabbington brothers look like Hans? Oh right, no one!
I hope you liked the chappy! The next one is coming in one week or less. :) Ttfn, tata for now!