Note: Thank you so much to all the people that reviewed, it truly does keep me wanting to write and finish this story... As always, please leave a review, and I really hope you like this chapter. Have a fantabulous day!

Chapter 23: Oranges and Sacrifices

"What?" asked Elsa as she pulled the door open, finding Eugene, Gregory and Eleanor on the other side. "What's the matter?"

"Are you alright?" asked Eleanor, looking concerned. Elsa nervously passed the sleeve of her dress against her mouth, in case there was still more traces of vomit around it.

"I'm fine. What's going on?"

She hid her hands from view, trying to hide their trembling. She saw Eugene's eyes flit to them briefly, before eyeing her suspiciously, as though he could see right through her. She avoided his gaze, concentration on Eleanor. She was clutching tightly Gregory's hand in her own.

"We were thinking- we have a plan of attack, and we have an army. Rapunzel wrote a letter to her parents so that they send troupes too… we were thinking that maybe it's time to set off."

"Set off?"

"Leave Arendelle. March the army all the way to the Southern Isles. Face Pitch and the king before they come to us," Eleanor breathed.

Elsa crossed her arms, her nails digging into the skin of her arm.

"Get Rapunzel," Eugene added. "I don't want to leave her in that wretched place a second more than necessary. We have the weapons, the men-"

"The men aren't trained," cut Elsa.

"We trained them on our way here, and we'll continue training while we travel to the Southern Isles."

"Jack told me to wait here," she argued. She didn't know why she was resisting them- apart from the fact that she didn't think she could face the wrath of the Southern Isles without Jack by her side.

"Elsa," huffed Eugene impatiently, taking a step closer to her. She lifted her chin proudly to meet his gaze. "Rapunzel is alone, surrounded by enemies. She sent us a letter, so I know she's alive but- God knows what she's enduring. If your army doesn't come with me, I'll ride to the Southern Isles alone."

His words were a promise that hanged in the air as his gaze searched her face, a furious, brazen look in them. She was just now noticing how thin he'd become.

"Well then," she said after a long pause, "I don't think I have much of a choice but to accompany you, cousin."

Eugene looked at her as if he couldn't believe he had heard correctly, before a huge smile- the first real one he'd worn since Rapunzel had disappeared- appeared on his face. He swept Elsa into his arms, lifting her feet off the ground as he gave her a bone-crushing hug.

"Thank you," he whispered to her as she hugged him back, "I will never forget this."

…

Rapunzel woke up to dazzling sunlight that pierced through the curtains of her four-poster bed. She let the warm rays play on her face as she rose from a deep sleep. She rubbed her eyes, yawning, before sitting up and pulling the curtains back.

Her feet sank into the warm rug as she stood from the bed, dressed in nothing more than a white shift. She wandered to the mirror, picking up the brush and starting to undo the tangles in her hair.

When she'd finished, she went to the window, watching as the sun rose above the beautiful Southern gardens.

She didn't know how long she'd been at the Southern court, she'd lost track of time. After her agreement with Hans, she'd been allowed to roam freely the castle and the crowds, though she'd been escorted by at least five guards everywhere she went. She hadn't talked again to Eleanor's brother, who had promised he would help her escape the first morning she'd woken up in this wretched place, but she sometimes spotted him roaming around the grounds.
She'd quickly figured out what kind of court this was. The intrigues of politic and dark schemes were thick in the atmosphere. Every lady was graceful and smiling, just as every man was gallant and honourable at first glance- but Rapunzel had quickly realized this was nothing more than a façade. A person who talked to you, smiling, about what they'd done during the day, was very likely to try to kill you the next day if they estimated you were too close to the King and his sons. It was a constant competition for the Southern royals' attention- every girl wanted to become the next princess, every man wanted to become friends with them. This meant that the princes could do no less than whatever they wanted, take mistress after mistress, without ever facing any consequences.

Rapunzel hated the illusions the castle was filled with- you could never know who to trust, who to believe…

A knock sounded on the door, drawing her out of her thoughts. She turned, her brown hair (that had grown several inches more and was now passing her shoulders) whipping around her. A bustling maid entered the room, carrying a tray.

"Hello mistress," said the maid as she entered the room, pushing the door closed with her back before putting the tray of food down on her desk. "You're awake early."

"I couldn't sleep," Rapunzel said, eyeing the food. She could see toasts covered with butter and milk, a pitch of milk and even a few-

"Oranges!" she exclaimed, advancing towards the tray and picking up the fruit. "How did you get these?"

"They grow aplenty here, mistress," explained the servant. "Do you not get them, where you're from?"

Rapunzel shook her head. Oranges were rare treats in Corona, and even rarer ones in Arendelle.

"The King has expressed his desire for you to come to the ball this evening," continued the servant as Rapunzel peeled the orange's skin. She was making the bed.

"A ball?" she asked, sitting down on the stool in front of the desk. "In what honour?"

"It is Prince Hans' birthday, mistress," she said. "Celebrations are always extravagant when the princes add a year to their lives."

"And why do they want me to come?" asked Rapunzel, her teeth sinking into the orange as the maid swung the door of the huge wardrobe open.

"I don't know, Mistress. The royals don't inform me of those things," she said, pulling out a blue dress, white lace spreading out on the rim of it.
"No, I don't suppose they do," said Rapunzel as she stood up, leaving the half-finished orange on the plate. "This is beautiful," she breathed, approaching the maid and letting her fingers trace the silk of the design. It wasn't just blue, she realized, but a deep, royal blue, that reminded her of the blue of the sky just before the sun disappeared underneath the horizon.

"The King told me to put you in this dress, mistress," said the maid. "Before bringing you to him."

Her gaze met the maid's, who swiftly dropped her gaze. Rapunzel tried to swallow back the taste of fear that had suddenly come rushing.

This what was she'd been waiting for, she thought. She was a prisoner of war, not a guest at the Court, that was to enjoy the luxuries and leisure the castle offered. Surprisingly, Pitch hadn't come back to taunt or torture her, and she'd barely seen the royals. But she had been a fool to think they'd forgotten about her.

She nodded, and let the dress pull off her shift before dressing her up in skirts and corsets. The dress seemed to merge with her curves, as if it was a second skin. The maid then made her sit down in front of the mirror and pulled her hair up in an elegant hairstyle before adding kohl on her lashes, and rouge on her lips.

"You're beautiful, mistress," said the servant, curtsying. "I'll be waiting outside."

She scurried out of the room, the double oak doors swinging close behind her. Rapunzel stared at her reflection.

Were they going to kill her? Was she doomed to die without ever seeing Eugene again?

She lifted her chin, forcing her mounting fear down. She would not be scared of these bastards. If she was destined to die here, then so be it. She'd lived, since escaping her tower, a life filled with love and joy. If it was going to end here, today, then so be it.

She stood from the chair, brushing her skirts down. She threw a last look at her reflection.

"If death is what awaits me in battle, then I will die for my kinsmen and my country. I regret only to have but one life to give for my country."

She whispered the words over and over to herself, her family's, and Corona's, motto.

She breathed in and out, trying to slow the beating of her heart.

Then, she walked to the doors and opened them.

"Bring me to your King," she breathed.

…

They led her down twisted corridors she'd never been down in before, and finally led her to a part of the castle where the stones of the walls were black, and the only source of light were torches, lined on the wall. Rapunzel wondered if the sunrise she'd witnessed that very morning would be the last one she'd ever see.

There were two guards marching in front of her, their red uniforms brought out by the colour of the dark walls. Two guards were behind her, so that she was cornered. Her shaking hands grasped each other. She felt a cold breeze around her ankles as they descended deeper and deeper into the castle.

Finally, after what she felt was at least an hour of walking, she was ushered into a dimly lit room, and the door was closed shut behind her.

"Hello, sweet princess," she heard a deep voice say. She searched the room with her gaze, panic roaring in her chest, but saw no-one.

"You are unable to see me," said the voice of Pitch, a voice she would recognize anywhere. It seemed to come from every direction at once, his voices rebounding from the walls. "I am part of the darkness you see." She felt a touch on her shoulder, that traced her collar-bone, but when she spun around, there was no-one there. "Part of your fears," the voice whispered.

"I'm not scared of you!" she shouted, her voice echoing. The room was empty of furniture, which was a good thing, since there was scarcely enough light for Rapunzel to see her own hands.

"Oh, I do love it when they say that," said Pitch as he emerged from a corner of the room, his white skin tinged grey nearly glowing against the dark robes he was wearing. He was smiling- well, more like leering at her- his teeth as white as his skin.

"I sense your fear, little princess," said Pitch, "I always do."

"If you have brought me here to kill me," said Rapunzel, more bravely than she truly felt, "Then get on with it."

"Kill you?" said Pitch, looking genuinely surprised. "And why in Heaven's name would I want to kill you?"

"Is that not why I am here?"

Pitch laughed. It was a cold, high-pitched laugh that sent shivers down Rapunzel's spine. As Pitch came closer to her, she had to resist the urge to take a step back from him.

"You will not die today, little princess," he said, and she could feel his rotten breath on her face. He lifted a hand, and traced her cheekbone with a finger. "What a beautiful thing you are," he breathed. She shivered. She felt his hand dip under her chin, forcing her head up. She met his gaze bravely, a furious look in her eyes.

"I am not a thing," she said, "And get your hands off of me."

Pitch smirked as his hand went to touch her neck. Suddenly, she pushed hard against his chest, hard enough that he took a few steps back from her.

"If you have brought me here so that I would relieve your lust, sir, then you are wrong," she said, breathing furiously. "I refuse to be your toy. If you have something to ask or do, then do so. Otherwise, leave me in peace."

There was a pause, then Pitch laughed cruelly. She stared, trying to calm the trembling of her hands.

"You are truly delightful, my dear. Of course, you're right- we must resist temptation for the pleasures of the flesh, and concentrate on more important matters."

"I have no temptation to resist," she spat. Pitch acted as if he hadn't heard her, turning his back to her.

"Sit, princess," he ordered. Rapunzel looked behind her and saw a wooden chair that hadn't been there seconds before.

"I'd rather stand."

Suddenly, she felt a force knock her back onto the chair.

"Yesterday, as I was walking in the gardens of the castle, I saw a young man emerge from the stables, pulling two horses in tow. Quite a handsome young lad he was too- such a waste."

She frowned, confused. "Who are you talking about."

"Are you familiar with the name Emile Wyatt?"

She stiffened. Eleanor's brother- the foolish boy, had he tried to help her escape, when he'd been the one to tell her to wait for help?
"No," she said firmly.

"Do not lie to me princess," said Pitch, "I tortured the boy, and he told me everything.

"I assure you, I don't know anything about an 'Emile Wyatt'. I've seldom talked to strangers since coming to court."

"He was trying to help you escape," said Pitch. "There's no use lying, princess."

Rapunzel didn't answer straight away. Her throat had gone dry.

"Is he dead?" she said finally, so quiet she wasn't sure Pitch could hear her.

"No," said Pitch, and Rapunzel nearly fell off the chair as a sweeping wave of relief coursed through her veins. "But he will be. He has been condemned to hang for treason by the King."

Rapunzel covered her mouth with her hand, as the relief that had surged through her body moments before disappeared as if it hadn't even been there to begin with.

"Unless," pursued Pitch, and Rapunzel quickly looked up, her breathing now fast and rapid, "You can give me the information I need."

"I know nothing," she said, "When you took me, the war between our two countries had not even truly begun. I don't know of any plan my cousins have hatched, and I am glad of it. I truly hope they succeed, and if I am still alive, I promise you- I will gut you myself."

Pitch laughed gleefully, as if a death promise was the only thing that could make his day.

"This is truly enchanting, princess," he said. "But I do know that you know nothing of when your cousins will strike. What I am truly interested in is your help."

"Why would I help you?" she spat.

"For Emile Wyatt's sake, of course. You should have seen how the boy resisted telling me he was linked to you until the very end. Quite loyal to you, I dare say."

"You bloody bastard," Rapunzel hissed, gripping the handles of the chair. "Have you no soul?"

"I'm afraid I don't," leered Pitch, "But my soul isn't the subject I want to discuss with you."

"Then what is?"

Pitch's face was mere inches from hers, his eyes glinting evilly.

"I want you to help me kidnap the Ice Queen."

…

"I would never betray my cousin," whispered Rapunzel.

"Queen Elsa is becoming a threat princess, and you know it," said Pitch. "Her powers are out of control."

"They are not!" shouted Rapunzel. "You know nothing about her. Nothing!"

"I do know some things, little dove."

"I would rather die than let you take her powers as your own!"

"It is not her powers that I want."

There was a silence as they both looked into each other's eyes.

"Don't get me wrong," said Pitch, standing up again, "She is very powerful, and my original plan was to get her under my control. But I'm afraid something has distracted me from her."

"What?" breathed Rapunzel, not knowing if she wanted to know the answer.

"Did you know that magical beings can sense magic? I've been able to sense your cousin's powers since the day she was born. Their aura is in the atmosphere, it has been so ever since she joined the world of the living."

There was a pause, and Pitch turned his back to her.

"Yesterday evening, something extraordinary happened."

Rapunzel waited with bated breath.

"No mortal could have felt it, but to me- it was as if the ground had begun to shake underneath my feet. The other Guardians will no doubt feel it as well in no time- I just felt it before them because I was listening, you see. Listening to Elsa's powers."

"What made the ground shake?" asked Rapunzel, though she thought she already knew the answer.

The fools, she thought, the completely idiotic fools…

"A new power has joined the others, and what an extraordinary one at that," breathed Pitch. He turned to face her again, his eyes closed, as if he was in complete ecstasy. "A power that I can already feel, even if the child hasn't been born yet."

He breathed in, and Rapunzel could tell he was listening to the magic, letting it sweep over him-

"The Spirit of Winter and the Ice Queen's child," he said, opening his eyes, "What destruction I could do, if I raised that child as my own-"

"So that's your plan," said Rapunzel, disgusted, "Keep Elsa locked up here until she gives birth, and twist her child into a dark, loathsome creature, until it's exactly like you?"

"How you read my mind, princess."

"I'll never help you!" she shrieked. "Never! You can kill a thousand men, and still, I would never, ever help you! You can torture me, cut off my limbs- go on, try!"

Pitch laughed again.

"We'll see, princess. We'll see."

…

Jack didn't know how much time had passed since he'd told Tooth to check up on Elsa for him. The days passed, all resembling each other as they trudged through the snow. But with each night that passed, Jack told himself he was a day closer to Elsa.

They'd made amazing time. Kristoff assured him that they had done a three-week journey in only a week and a half, and they were closer to Corona than ever. He was constantly flying ahead of the group, trying to catch a glimpse of Rapunzel's parent's castle.

Finally, as the sun set over their snow-covered mountain, Jack flew high above the trees- and he saw it.

"We'll be there tomorrow," said Kristoff, once Jack's feet had sunk into the snow and he'd told him what he'd seen. "Once Anna and Lucinda are safe, we'll go back to Arendelle."

"What do you mean, we?" asked Anna suddenly. They both turned around, Jack already brandishing his staff. Neither of them had heard her approach.

"Anna," said Kristoff, looking guiltily at Anna, "I was going to talk to you about it- it's just I think Elsa will need all the help she can get-"

"Of course I want you to go back to Elsa, you stubborn oaf!" said Anna, smiling as she threw her arms around Kristoff. "Did you really think I would want you to stay behind with me, where you're no use to anybody?"

Jack watched as Kristoff grinned down at his wife, tentatively putting a hand on her stomach. Anna was just beginning to show, a small bump protruding from her otherwise thin figure.

"Just come back to me alive, Kristoff Bjorgman. Your baby will want to meet you."

Kristoff leant in to kiss Anna, and Jack couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy- what he would give, in that precise moment, to hold Elsa in his arms…

He looked up at the moon, sending a silent wish up to the sky.

…

Jack walked behind Kristoff as they passed through the immense archway of the home of Corona's King and Queen. Lucinda was sleeping in the sleigh, warm under a pile of furs, but Anna was walking hand in hand with Kristoff.

They were escorted inside the castle, to a room with a roaring fire, and the promise that the King and Queen would be along shortly. Anna sat down in an armchair and extended her hands towards the fireplace, gratefully letting the warmth wash over her.

"Calm down Jack," she said. Jack was fidgeting, barely able to stand still. He could hardly resist the urge to fly out the closest window, but he had promised Elsa he would see her sister safely to Corona, and he would do the thing correctly.

The doors opened, and a brown-haired woman, a crown sitting on her head and dressed in a purple dress rushed in.

"Anna!" she cried, and rushed to the red-head, bringing her into a tight hug against her chest. "We're so glad you made it here safely!"

"Hi, auntie," smiled Anna into the shoulder of the queen. "I've missed you."

"Let me look at you," breathed the queen, holding Anna at arm's length and looking down at her stomach. Jack saw a taller man enter, white strands mixing with his otherwise chestnut hair.

"We heard the news you were pregnant," said the King, walking to Anna and pulling her into a warm hug. "We couldn't believe it."

"Not exactly the best time, is it?" said Anna. "I can't go and save Rapunzel with the rest of them."

A dark look crossed the king and queen's eyes, and Jack was suddenly reminded that Rapunzel had been taken from them once before. How agonizing it must be, for their little girl to be taken from them once again.

"Rapunzel can take care of herself," said the King, putting a comforting hand on the Queen's shoulder. "And anyway, I'm more worried about the men standing in Eugene's way when he'll go to get her back."

Kristoff grinned. "At least one thing we can agree on then, your Majesty."

"Kristoff!" boomed the King joyfully. "I must say I've missed you."

They shook hands, and the Queen hugged him.

"Eugene has been sending you letters then?" asked Kristoff.

"Yes," nodded the Queen, "We've sent our best men to travel to Arendelle last week. They'll be there in no time."

"I must go as well," said Kristoff. "Do what I can to get your daughter back."

"Of course," nodded the King. "Do not worry, Anna will be safe with us."

Kristoff bowed, let the Queen hug him goodbye, and took his leave. Jack followed him down the staircases of the beautiful Coronian castle, and soon enough they were in the courtyard, Kristoff already saddling a horse.

"Don't wait for me, Jack," he said as he mounted his horse. "Go back home."

Jack nodded gratefully.

"I'll see you soon, Kristoff," he said.

"Next time we'll see each other, it'll probably be on a battlefield. It will be an honour to fight by your side."

Jack grinned.

"Be careful what you say, Bjorgman. A battlefield with the Spirit of Winter is a living hell, for allies and enemies."

Kristoff laughed. "Looking forward to it."

Jack gave him one last grin. Then, he kicked off the ground, and soon he was above the clouds, the frozen winds tearing at his clothes and messing up his hair but he didn't care one bit as he soared as quickly as he could towards Arendelle.

Towards Elsa.

…

Elsa looked around at the Council Room. Tooth was there; she had come back to check on Elsa, and Elsa had asked her to join them in the Council Room. Eleanor, Gregory and Eugene were there. She racked her throat. She was thirsty and hungry, and wondered briefly when was the last time she'd had a real meal.

"We won't wait a day longer," she announced. "Tooth has told me that there is a way to bring our army to the Southern Isles."

"North- Santa, whatever you want to call him- is a very creative Inventor. He's invented Snowballs that can transform into portals to anywhere you want to go."

"We know Rapunzel is at the Summer Palace of the Southern Isles," said Eugene stepping forward. "Could it take us there?"

Tooth nodded.

"I can ask North to get us all of them, and we can easily send your army there."

"That would save months of journey," said Elsa. "Our men will arrive at the Southern Isles their energy intact, not having suffered through a long journey. This could play in our favour. It could win us the war."

"But Elsa…" said Tooth, "Are you sure you don't want to wait for Jack?"

Elsa bit her lip, averting her gaze from the fairy, her violet eyes trying to tell her something.

"My cousin is a prisoner of the Southern Isles. If I think there's a chance I can rescue her now, then our army leaves tomorrow."

The words felt as if they were scalding her throat as she forced them out. She crossed her arms, hugging herself, as Tooth nodded.

"Very well," she breathed, looking as if she very badly wanted to argue. "I'll go and tell North what you have decided."

"Thank you Tooth," she thanked her, and Tooth nodded again before flying out the window.

"It's decided then," said Eleanor. "We leave tomorrow."

…

Elsa closed the door of her bedroom before walking to her bed, and slowly bending to sit on it. She stared at the wall opposite her.

Jack's going to kill me, she thought. And I wouldn't blame him.

She closed her eyes briefly, and for a second she imagined that she was in his arms, under the covers of her bed, talking and laughing… She opened her eyes again and slumped back onto the bed.

The window slammed open, and she sat up quickly. Jack flew into the room, and Elsa's eyes widened, hardly daring to believe it.

"Jack," she whispered.

"Hello, Elsa," he said, and then she was sauntering from the bed and ran into his arms.

"Jack!" she repeated. "Jack- I've missed you so much-"

She looked up at his blue eyes that had haunted her sleep. Jack didn't say anything, didn't even render her embrace- he was simply looking down at her.

"Jack? Are you alright?"

Then, she felt his arms tighten around her waist. He leant in, and his mouth met hers. She melted into the kiss, her hands sliding to his chest.

"I've missed you," she said between kisses, the kissed becoming hungrier. "I've missed your touch-"

She broke away from the kiss, leaning back, watching him.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Just… glad to be here, Elsa," said Jack. It suddenly struck Elsa that his eyes were empty of anything- where they were usually filled with furious desire or tenderness… there was nothing.

"Is Anna safe?" she asked shakily. There was something very wrong, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Anna?" he said, pulling her to him by her waist. This time, though, she didn't lean into him.

"My sister," she said. "Anna."

"Ah yes," he said, "Don't worry, she's safe."

The hands that were touching her were Jack's hands, the very hands she had longed for more than once in the past weeks, the voice that was talking to her was Jack's voice, and yet…

"Do you still have the present I gave you for Christmas?" she asked suddenly. She hadn't given Jack any presents for Christmas. Maybe she was being paranoid, but a terrible suspicion had taken hold of her-

"Of course."

There was a silence, and suddenly she could see it all over again; the ballroom, corpses around them, and Pitch's twisted version of Jack, telling her he could never love her-

"Let go of me," she said icily. "Now."

Something flitted in Jack's gaze-

"Glad you've caught on, Elsa. Must say I'm a terrible actor."

"Let go of me," said Elsa again, "Or I swear I'll kill you with my bare hands."

Jack's- Pitch's- hands did nothing of the sort, instead tightening around her.

"I'm afraid you're going to come with me," said Pitch, his face- using Jack's face as his own- inching from her owns. She felt sick.

"I would rather die," she said, before spitting in his face.

"You are amusing, darling. Don't fret, your death can be arranged- just not yet."

Then, the window slammed open again, and Pitch turned- the distraction was enough, and Elsa lifted her knee, kicking him in the crotch. Pitch howled in pain, letting her go, and she stumbled away from him, falling down to the ground-

But was caught just in time. She looked up, and icy blue eyes met her own.

"Jack," she whispered. This time, there could be no doubt. He held her tightly, his eyes filled with a fury of the likes she had never seen before- all of it aimed at Pitch, who was still disguised as Jack. Their identical eyes met.

"How dare you," Jack whispered. "How dare you come here?"

"You interrupted such an adorable moment, Jack," said Pitch, "I was just making the most of your Queen here. She thought I was you, you see. Quite anxious to get me into her bed, I must say. And I would have enjoyed bedding her, Jack- she is a beautiful creature, don't you agree?"

"Go," said Jack, his voice trembling with uncontrolled rage. One arm was wrapped around Elsa, the other held his staff so tightly Elsa thought his fingers couldn't get any whiter even if he tried to die of cold. "Go before I kill you, right here, right now."

Pitch (who still hadn't transformed back into himself), stretched his arms wide. There was a silence, and Elsa, suddenly, felt an immense terror wash over her.

"Give it your best shot," whispered Pitch.

For a second, the three of them stood there, as immobile as statues, as if time itself had stopped. Then, everything happened very fast.

Jack pushed Elsa onto the bed, before swinging his staff violently towards Pitch, and deadly spikes of ice rushed towards him- before disintegrating into dust. Pitch tightened his fists, and dark sand took form between his hands- he threw the dark dust at Jack.

"NO!" screamed Elsa, but Jack dodged. She stood up, determined to intervene, but Jack was already swinging his staff again, his fury and hatred turning into weapons of ice and soon the both of them were locked in a deadly dance, so that Elsa couldn't try to hurt Pitch without risking hurting Jack as well.

Jack flew into the air so quickly her eyes could barely follow him, and he landed behind Pitch- ice tore through the air, all aiming to pierce his heart, but Pitch had turned around and all of the ice fell at his feet. Then he was throwing balls of sand at Jack, balls after balls after balls, and Jack was making ice appear, blocking the sand from reaching him, and Elsa was watching, terrified of what would happen if Pitch managed to get past his defences-

Then, Jack's staff fell to the ground, and Jack was yelling in pain. Elsa saw that sand had fallen on his hand, and that it was blistering.

"Warmth," said Pitch. "The best way to harm a Winter Spirit don't you think?"

Jack fell to his knees, holding his wrist as he bent over. Pitch sprinkled sand above his back, and Jack was visibly barely resisting crying out again.

"Stop!" shrieked Elsa. "Stop it!"

"Hear that, Jack?" said Pitch, just loud enough so that Elsa could hear him. "Elsa here is worried about you."

Pitch kicked Jack in the stomach, before blowing more sand his way. Soon, angry blisters were appearing on his face-

"STOP!" screamed Elsa, and she dimly felt tears rolling down her cheeks. "Stop it, I beg you, I'll do anything-"

"Anything?" said Pitch, turning to face her. Elsa's hands were trembling as she resisted the urge to run to Jack with all her might.

"Anything," she repeated, her eyes fixes on Jack, who was moaning in pain. She didn't know what that sand did, but it couldn't just be superficial burns.

"Very well," said Pitch, and Elsa saw that he was smiling. She resisted the urge to shudder. He stretched a hand towards her, his palm open.

"Then you'll come with me."

"No," croaked Jack. "No, Elsa-"

Elsa determinedly did not look at him, instead keeping her eyes fixed on Pitch's.

"Yes," she breathed. "I'll come with you."

"Admirable!" Pitch said, and Elsa hated seeing cruelty in Jack's face, "I've always wondered how humans' minds worked, with love and sacrifice as a true motivation."

"You were human once too," whispered Elsa as Pitch took a step closer to her.

"That was a very long time ago, Ice Queen," said Pitch. "I have forgotten, and it is better this way."

Jack moaned again, and Elsa's gaze flitted to him.

"Pitch- take me, instead-"

"You are of no interest to me," spat Pitch. "I am much more interested in the girl born of ice and snow."

Then, faster than a blink, Pitch lurched forward and suddenly Elsa's hand was in his and they were spiralling into darkness.