Alright, one more chapter for all you kiddies! Enjoy! And Leave a review at the end!

Disclaimer: I own only my own characters, everything else belongs to DreamWorks

Song of the Chapter: Master & a Hound - Gregory Alan Isakov

Chapter Five: Five Minutes was all She Had

"He's asking for a death wish."

"You'll be fine."

"I've never murdered anyone in my life."

"Don't start now."

"Something's just can't be helped. Especially when you put a weapon in my hand. Definitely if it's a sword. This has disaster written all over it."

Ellie held a broad sword in her hand; the weight unfamiliar and foreign. She tried to lift it up and thrust forward, but the sword hung limply to her side, heavy.

"Well, it doesn't seem that deadly if you can't even lift it," Jack commented. He was leaning casually against a table occupied with various sizes of swords. Ellie dumped the broad sword back in its spot on the table and made for a smaller, slimmer one. They were in the weapons room, somewhere deep underground in Santa's workshop and had been for the last two hours. The room was large and bright, various weapons hung along hooks on the walls. Tables loaded with more weapons sat at the entrance near the doors. Apparently, this was just the training arena. A whole room dedicated to just weapons was located at the back. Ellie had no desire to venture in there. She was sure if she breathed, she would cut herself on the nearest artillery.

"And when was the last time you picked up a sword?" Ellie challenged.

Jack casually twirled his staff around with practiced precision. "Don't need too. I've got all I need."

Ellie rolled her eyes before trying to mimic his movements painfully, but the sword clanged loudly to the floor. She stared at it for a moment as if it had betrayed her, than picking it up she made her way over to a wooden dummy. There were a number of them stationed around the room, each tarnished with dents from previous training sessions. Gripping the sword tightly with her right hand, Ellie thwacked at the dummy, producing a loud thump as the sword dug into its neck. Satisfied with her strike, Ellie yanked the weapon back only to have it resist. "Oh, for crying out loud," she mumbled as she levelled her foot on the dummy's thigh, pushing against it to give herself more strength. But the sword remained unyielding.

Jack placed his staff against the wall before coming to Ellie's aid. Her face was turning a dark purple as she held her breath, pulling against the sword. "Here, let me." Ellie looked dejectedly at the sword once more before moving aside. Jack took her spot, and after giving the redhead a quick wink, tugged the sword effortlessly out from the dummy's neck. Ellie humped as he handed her back the blade. "At least you killed it."

"Right, now I'll never have to worry about tall, wooden, inanimate, dummies ever again. Rest assure the world that it's protected from them by yours truly," Ellie spat out sarcastically while making her way back over to the table. She threw the sword down hastily, begrudging any weapon in the room. So far she'd managed to bring shame to every swordsman who ever existed. The spears hadn't worked out either, and god forbid if she ever had to touch another chakram again. She'd nearly beheaded Santa.

The ancient man now sat at the back of the room, quietly observing the two. One of his large fingers tapped his head rhythmically as he considered Ellie's lack of weapon training. She had no skill in sword fighting, which was evident enough, but maybe, just maybe...

"I have idea!" He spat out, his voice filling up every crevice of the room and startling Jack and Ellie. "Hold a moment," he said in his thick Russian accent as he torpedoed his way across the arena and into the weapons room.

Ellie turned to Jack with apprehension on her face. They were getting nowhere with the training. Jack shrugged and crossed his arms, his attention falling elsewhere as he inspected a nearby katana. He was trying to play it cool. Indifferent even. Ellie shook her head and held open her arms in defeat. "I give up. You're useless, Santa's last idea nearly got him killed, and I'm never going to 'master' anything!" Ellie complained, putting full emphasis on 'master' and the lack there of. Jack traced a long finger along the Japanese sword, hearing her words but not replying. He didn't want to seem too eager.

The girl dropped her hands down to her side as Santa came barreling into the room, his footsteps heavy on the floor. A delicately carved bow fitted in his left hand, his right occupied with a quiver full of arrows. "You can't fight person to person, so we stick you further away!" he said while laughing at his own geniusness. "It's perfect!" Thrusting the archery equipment into Ellie's hand, he pointed hastily towards a target being pulled out into the center of the arena by some elves. "Now shoot!" The elves gave Santa a disapproving look at the idea of Ellie shooting before they cleared the room.

Staring down at the equipment in her hand, Ellie felt largely inadequate. Jack raised an eyebrow, thoroughly interested how this was going to play out. "Look, I'm no Katniss Everdeen, so maybe I should just put down the bow and accept the fact I will never be able to fight. Ever."

Both Santa and Jack cocked their heads to the side. "Who's Katniss Everdeen?" Jack asked.

"Alright, I swear modern pop culture is lost on all you guys. I mean, for real? Just last week, Bunnymund asked me who Harry Potter was. I mean Harry frickin Potter! What is wrong with you people?" Ellie shouted out, becoming increasingly annoyed at how hard it was to have a normal conversation with immortals.

"Isn't he a hobbit?" Santa offered, looking at Jack for support. Jack nodded his approval of Santa's guess.

Ellie nearly threw the bow and arrow on the floor. "Now that's just insulting," she cried out at their ignorance. "And I have no idea how to shoot an arrow. I'd probably shish kabob everyone in this room."

Santa rubbed his belly, imagining what it would feel like to be shot by one of Ellie's unpracticed, stray arrows. "Eh," he reasoned. "You suck at everything else. Might as well try."

Jack tried to contain his laughter at the look Ellie gave Santa. She seemed to execute the whole 'one eyebrow raised with lips pursed together' look perfectly. "I'm going to ignore that last comment," she replied coolly dropping the quiver to the floor and pulling a single arrow out. The shaft of the arrow was a deep wood colour, matching that of the bow. Knocking the arrow smoothly, Ellie became increasingly more comfortable with the weapon as she held it. It felt good in her hands, almost like an extension of her arm. She tried to image how Katniss would hold herself, having never done this before and needing the inspiration. Pulling the arrow back with her right elbow to her cheek, Ellie straightened her left arm and took aim. Jack and Santa retreated quickly to the side, having no desire to end up on the dinner plate tonight. Ellie took in a slow breath, letting instincts guide her as the arrow released, the string bounding back with a satisfying whip. The arrow seemed to fly in slow motion, meeting its target in the bull's eye only twenty meters away. Santa took in a deep, satisfied breath and clapped his hands together, immediately pleased. Jack stared between the target and Ellie, impressed. But she wore only an expression of confusion. "Bull's eye," Ellie whispered, looking down to the bow in her hand. "Move the target back further," she instructed the elves who stood nearby watching. "Please." The elves did as told and scurried out of the way as Ellie let another arrow loose, this one landing dead center again. She took three more shots, each one landing dead center.

Santa began his characteristic, deep hearted laugh. "Oh course! I told you every one of Lady Autumn's daughters is gifted with something!" he roared merrily coming to the conclusion everyone was looking for. "Archery! A useful skill no doubt. And here I was thinking you were good at nothing!" Santa chortled, coming up to Ellie and patting her none to gently on the back.

Jack followed in the old man's footsteps, coming up beside a very puzzled Ellie. "So archery huh?"

"Apparently," Ellie mumbled still staring at the bow in her hand. It was so odd how something she had never done before felt so familiar. As if she had been doing it her whole life. Ellie allowed her fingers to roam over the wood, appreciating the delicate curve of the bow. But something odd struck out to her. The wood seemed to be humming, like it was vibrating with energy. "Jack, do you see it?"

Raising an eyebrow, the winter spirit gazed from the bow to Ellie's look of deep concentration. "See what?" he asked.

Ellie's head snapped up, meeting Jack's gaze with such intensity he nearly had to look away. "The bow! Or the wood! I don't know what it is; it just seems to be humming! I mean look at it. It's like the Yew is trying to come alive," Ellie exclaimed nearly laughing at the shear ridiculousness of it.

Jack was so busy enjoying being close to her, he nearly missed the last part she said. "Wait. Hold up. Yew? How did you know it was Yew? That seems a bit precise."

Ellie's smile melted off her face and was replaced by one of deep thought. "No idea. I just knew. Just like I know the tables holding the weapons are made of cedar. And the grand doors at the entrance of the Workshop are oak, and the bedposts in my room are birch. Okay, now I'm starting to freak myself out," Ellie said as she quickly deposited the humming bow on the nearest table. As soon as she let go, the wood stopped humming, coming to a peaceful sleep. "Yep," Ellie reassured herself. "That's not normal."

Santa raised an eyebrow. "Interesting," he said while rubbing the bottom of his chin with his thumb. "It appears you can do more than just archery. Pick bow up again," the bearded man ordered. Jack gave his full attention to Ellie, noting her hesitation and wanting to encourage her.

"Hey, we're all freaks, remember?" he said comfortingly, referring back to their conversation in the morning when Ellie had rambled on uncontrollably trying to reassure him. He was going to pay it forward. The colour seemed to have drained out of Ellie's face. She looked exhausted after her trail and errors in the arena and the fact that the day's surprises were not yet over. It was becoming overwhelming; each piling on top of one another.

"Of course, just a couple of freaks," she responded as she picked the bow up again. The wood came alive in her hand once again, igniting at her touch. She wished dearly to put the bow back down, and escape from the evaluating eyes of Santa and the piercing blue of Jack's. This was just too much.

The old man grunted. "You are connected to nature. Yes, that is it. Much like mother but not as close to it. You practice and become better with nature, no?" Santa questioned.

Ellie sighed and put the bow back down. She folded her hands together, bringing them to her chest much like someone in prayer. "Look, as much as I am my dear mother's daughter, I'm nothing like her," Ellie said becoming angry at this new connection she shared with Mother Nature. "She's crazy and never wanted anything to do with me. I'm not about to bond with her over some freaky nature magic shit." Without giving the other two a chance to respond, Ellie removed herself from the room in haste. She followed the long intertwining hall that led back up to the Workshop, hoping she would be given some space. As she went, she dragged her hand along the cool stone wall to her right. The coolness was refreshing compared to the stuffy arena where Santa had begun to expose her abilities. She didn't want them though. She was her mother's daughter, the mortal one. Not the nature bitch who only reproduced encase she met her demise and needed a replacement. She wouldn't be just another expendable resource. Not to mention the idea of her having abilities freaked her out. Only a month ago had she been normal. Living in terrible conditions at home with her father yes, but normal none the less. It was so frustrating how she could never find peace. If it wasn't one thing, it was always another.

She took a deep breath, sighting the doors leading to the main workshop. Oak, she thought to herself bitterly. Had she always been able to do that? Name the type of tree? She'd never thought about it until now. It had never seemed important when you were busy dodging flying beer bottles from your father.

"Hey, Ellie," Jack called out from behind her. She silently cursed her luck, needing greatly to be alone. There was much to mull over after everything she had learned about herself. "Geez, you were out of there so fast," Jack said, offering anything to ease the tension on Ellie's face. The boy stood there, just a little behind her, staff held almost permanently in his right hand. His messy white hair swept to the side of his face so he could offer her genuine concern. No lies on his features. "You alright?"

Ellie bit her lip, lightly touching the oak doors. "Yeah. Just a lot to process right now. I think I'm gonna head to my room. Eat lunch in solitude," she said hoping Jack would get the hint.

But the boy wasn't going to let her off that easy. "I walk you there."

"If you insist." Ellie wasn't up to argue.

The two walked in silence on their way to her room. The noise of the Workshop enough to keep Jack's interest and give Ellie some space while still being in her company. Jack continued to steal glances of Ellie as they continued on their way. She had a deep brooding look on her face, pulling the tips of her mouth down. Running through different conversation starters in his head, Jack settled on one that didn't hold too much depth. Something to distract her. "You know that if you live in a dry, dessert like climate, it's common to have to check your shoes before wearing them to look for scorpions." Nailed it.

Ellie gave him a questioning look. "But don't you hate the heat. And you don't even wear shoes." Well at least it distracted her.

Jack waved his hand in the air, dismissing her comment. "Yeah, but that's not the point. And it's not that I hate the heat. It just makes me sick." Jack cringed at the memory of him visiting the desert once. It had been the year 1887 and Jack had wanted to see the Sahara. It was a huge mistake. The sun had made him so ill and exhausted; he nearly hadn't made it out. It was human warmth that he truly relished. It didn't make him ill, not like weather heat did. Mortal heat just never lasted around him.

Ellie considered his words. "If you say so. I just don't see the point why a frost spirit would want to go to the desert."

"Well, when you've been around for 300 years, going to the same places again and again gets boring." That was an honest truth. Jack had memorized almost every road in the greater cities of North America. That took time. But when time was all you had, what else were you going to do?

"I guess," Ellie offered weakly. Apparently she wasn't in the mood for conversing, so Jack left the girl to her peace for the remainder of the walk. Upon nearing her door, Ellie bid Jack a quick goodbye before retreating into her room. He tried not to take it offensively. His new found friend was clearly hurting but why? Jack hadn't the slightest clue. Did not everyone have parent problems now and then? He cringed at the thought, reminding himself that he had no family at all. He dearly wished he could offer Ellie some advice. Give her comfort. But what did he know about family? He'd been on his own for three centuries.

Ellie shut the door behind her quietly and pulled off her shoes. She threw them into a messy pile on the floor, in too much of a bitter mood to care for organization. She retreated to her bed, sitting on top of the covers and staring blankly at the opposite wall. Ripping her gaze away, she grabbed an elastic from her bedside table before pulling her hair up into a bun. Unsatisfied, she ripped the elastic out immediately, her hair falling into her face. In frustration, Ellie threw the elastic across the room. It was so aggravating how things turned out. First her mother was taken from her. Then her sister. And then to learn that she wasn't even related to her mother. She wished she could erase the last couple years of her life and go back to a simpler time when her mom and sister had been alive. She had been happy then. Of course her father was still a drunk, but it had become her mother's duty to protect them from him. A maternal shield. Upon her death, that responsibility had fallen to Ellie. How was she supposed to protect her sister from her father when she couldn't protect herself?

She hadn't been able to do it though. Ellie hadn't been able to protect and fight for her sister. That was when she had done the unspeakable. She had ripped herself from the world she and Ellie shared, leaving Ellie all alone. Any light in the world had truly gone out that day. Everything blurring together. It had become a losing battle for survival against the liquor that infected her father. Those days had been the hardest. For years though, she had coped. And then one not so significant day, a significant thing happened. And it had changed her life. But upon all the wonders that it brought, Ellie was now separated even farther from her mother. The nature bitch and all the powers she passed onto Ellie could suck it, for all she cared.

Ellie wiped at the moisture in her eyes. She wanted so badly to separate herself from her past. If she couldn't have it or cope with it, then what better to forget it ever happened; push it away? Kicking the covers off the bed hastily, Ellie allowed herself five minutes to release. Five minutes to relive the past and then forget it. The tears flowed freely, each a salty stain of distress and longing at the same time. She longed for her mother and sister. She longed for a father who loved them, and she longed for peace of mind.

But five minutes was all she had.

XXXX

Well, another chapter! I'm not feeling terribly inspired by this story, as bad as that is. It's just not getting a great response so it's hard to take the time and write when you're not getting the best results. Anyways, my goal is 100 reviews, so please take the minute it takes and leave a review. It truly drives an author when the readers are actively involved!

Thanks a ton

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Later.