Alaia Skyhawk: yeah, it's been a while, but here's the next one. Enjoy! :D

Also, the info about Juno comes from a wiki page, so I take no responsibility for how accurate it is (or how badly the wiki misled me lol)

Disclaimer: I don't own Rise of the Guardians, the Guardians of Childhood, or any related characters etc. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes.

~(-)~

Chapter 73: Memory of a Smile

Three more months rolled by... Three more months of seeking out and removing the Unnatural Fear from children. Three more of tending to that role, while at the same time being faced by the suspicions and antagonism of other immortals.

Kosmotis glanced over his shoulder at his current 'stalker'. An older Legend, who had changed her name and role more than a dozen times, but was most prominently known as Hera or Juno. Her original name was Hera before she was Juno, and she had more recently been a 'goddess' of the Roman Empire; her roles having been so diverse and changed so often, that in present times archaeologists struggled to decide which of those they'd discovered were accurate and which were not. Truth was, they all were, and she remained as unpredictable now as her Legend was chaotic. Which was saying something, considering her reputation among the Greeks was a stark contrast to her prevailing one among the Romans. To the Romans she was mostly a patron of women, birth, fertility, and other related matters, with more than a few war-like hints... Among the Greeks, as Hera, the stories painted her as the vicious and horrifically jealous wife of Zeus.

Kosmotis sighed to himself, continuing onwards astride the charcoal-grey pegasus his daughter had loaned him for this trip. By all accounts, according to Mother Nature, Juno wasn't actually that bad of a person. In fact the majority of the time she was quite pleasant... It was just her habit of needless suspicion, and propensity for losing her temper at unpredictable and often minor things, that caused most immortals to maintain a discrete distance from her.

A distance he devoutly wished he had at this moment. She'd not attacked him, his clothing and the pegasus were proof he was working for his daughter, but her innate suspicion and 'Pitch's' reputation had meant she'd followed him on and off for the past two weeks.

He sighed again, the pegasus glancing back at him to where he sat astride it's shoulders, and he reached forward to pat it on the neck.

"My apologies, Umbra, it's not my intent to make you worry about me. I'm just tired by those who view me as 'Pitch'."

Umbra craned his neck further, to see past his rider to the immortal following them, and let out an equine snort of disgust. Pegasi, like the Unicorns, were few in number these days and lived under Mother Nature's protection. But unlike their passive cousins, Pegasi were more than willing to express their displeasure with teeth and hooves when annoyed. It showed in their general bold attitude, and their brash confidence.

Umbra turned his head forward, shook it, and interrupted his gliding gallop through the air. That interruption being to kick out a back leg, only once, but that action struck a shard of lightning from the air and sent it skimming past Juno's shoulder.

She dodged to the side in surprise, plummeting several feet from the air, and Umbra loudly neighed what was obviously some form of equine insult before huffing with horse-ish laughter. Kosmotis managed a smile at that as well, appreciating the friendship the pegasus had given him. It was just a pity Umbra couldn't accompany him on his work rounds, it would slow him down too much. Still, there would be plenty of times like these to enjoy a ride together.

And the destination of this ride? That was the village to be found up ahead, here in the frigid lands of Siberia. Although right now it was actually fairly warm, what with it being Northern Summer. Kosmotis was on his way to see a certain boy and his sister, as he'd been invited to do three months ago.

Umbra tilted his wings, angling down towards the forest that surrounded Santoff Clausen. He could have carried Kosmotis into the village directly, but the Steward had already discussed with him the need to enter the normal way. To let the forest that protected the village, give further proof to his stalker that he was not 'Pitch'.

He saw Juno land on a nearby rock, watching with the obvious expectation of the forest barring his way. Her reaction a few moments later, when the trees happily opened a path for him, was almost comical by comparison. To the point it eased his annoyance at her and replaced it wry mirth.

She'd learn, just as they would all learn, given time.

Umbra huffed again with more equine laughter, trotting forwards along the opened path with a spring in his gait and his wings folded back neatly. The forest was filled with a calming hush, one that was punctuated by distant childish laughter. Kosmotis reached his senses out towards those far-off youths, picking up an impression of youngsters who had been well-taught the importance of fear in its proper place. There was just one minor bit of caution missing, to do with what several were presently doing, and that was care when climbing trees above a certain height. It was barely a moment's effort to bolster that caution in them, and he could tell that their games were continuing on unaffected by his intervention.

He was distracted from his moment's work when Umbra paused, and Kosmotis opened his eyes to regard the reason.

The Forest Spirit returned his gaze with slight uncertainty, understandable given she'd fought and been turned into a clay doll by Pitch during a past attack by him on Santoff Clausen. But then she seemed to shake herself, and her expression became a smile.

"Welcome to Santoff Clausen, Steward Kosmotis. Jamie said we should expect you to visit."

Kosmotis bowed respectfully in his seat.

"My daughter has told me much about the village. It is my pleasure to be able to come here, and perhaps also to help certain past shadows to be set aside. So that fear of a man now gone, shall not cloud the future happiness of this place among those who remember those long-ago battles."

Her smile widened, and she gestured for him to follow her.

"Then allow me to guide you to where those bright new memories will be made."

Kosmotis and Umbra followed her, the sounds of the children gradually growing louder. After a short while a wall of thorns and brambles came into view, which was broken by gaps in several places whenever nothing was threatening the village. It was through one of those gaps that the trio passed, coming face-to-face with a massive bear just beyond it.

Bear paused just as the Forest Spirit had, leaning down to sniff cautiously at Kosmotis, before he sat back down and curled up to resume his nap. It was just a few moments after this, that a certain boy spotted the arrivals.

"Kosmotis! You came!"

Jamie charged over. The entire population of Santoff Clausen's eleven children, and his sister, following along behind him. In seconds the immortal and pegasus were surrounded by eager chattering children, and it was only an elderly and kindly voice that calmed them down.

"There will be time for questions and play, in their proper time and proper place." Ombric, smile on his face and staff in hand, walked through the gap that opened for him. "Although I'm sure if you ask nicely, this fine fellow of a pegasus will allow you to brush him down and groom him while Kosmotis and I have a welcome chat inside Big Root."

Beneath Kosmotis, Umbra whickered and nudged one of the children. He clearly relished the idea of being made a fuss off.

Kosmotis dismounted, and smiled at the children.

"His name is Umbra. Just be careful not to pull on any of his feathers while brushing him."

"OK!"

Kosmotis eased himself through the group to Ombric's side, and followed the wizard towards the towering tree at the village's centre. He did hesitate a moment, before crossing the threshold of the door into that massive tree, but once inside he found himself promptly guided to a chair and offered a mug of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies.

At his guest's startled expression, Ombric then chuckled.

"You were not expecting quite so warm a welcome, were you? Rest assured that, while you do resemble Pitch, I do not hold you responsible for any of his terrible deeds. For indeed, your will fighting inside of him, actually granted us one of our victories against him when we fought him at the Earth's Core."

Kosmotis picked up the offered mug, staring into the liquid it held.

"I do not remember it, so I must take your word for that. Still, it is good to know I fought him, even then."

There was moment of silence, an almost uncomfortable one, before Ombric cheerfully popped a cookie into his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it.

"Ah yes, but talk of those times is not the reason for your visit. Tell me, what do you think of the children here? Ever since Jack explained the importance of Natural Fear to me, quite some time ago I might add, I've striven to teach the children here to heed and value it. Yet with the Steward of Natural Fear now here to tell me, I find myself curious as to how well I have succeeded in that."

Kosmotis, caught off guard by the question, took a sip from his drink to cover his awkwardness before answering.

"You've done very well. The only lack of caution I noticed in them, was with regards to being above a certain height when climbing trees. They understand the dangers involved with tools and such while making inventions, but not that Belief could not protect them from falls greater than forty feet. They will take care to watch their footing while above that height in future."

Ombric nodded in understanding.

"Ah, I had not thought of that one. After Jack's lecture some years ago, I have been diligent in teaching the children about Natural Fear. Yet it appears I have missed one obvious case for it."

Kosmotis set down his mug.

"There's no need to concern yourself. It is my job to tend to Natural Fear, and teach it to those who need it, although I still appreciate the efforts to which you have gone."

There was a quiet knock on the door, the two of them turning their heads to look before Ombric called out with a wry smile.

"You may enter, James Bennett. For it is clear that you are far to eager right now, to be patient."

The door opened a little, and Jamie peered around it.

"But Jack is going to be here soon, and we haven't finished hiding everything! But we could, with Kosmotis' help."

Kosmotis glanced at Ombric, with a hint of a smile.

"Do I sense mischief in the making?"

Ombric chuckled.

"Jamie and Allienne, one of the village girls his age, have been planning a prank since the start of summer. It is something of a sport, for the village youths to attempt to catch Jack Frost off guard. Up to date, not a single such attempt has succeeded. He always spots and avoids the pranks before they can be set off."

Kosmotis now glanced at Jamie, eyebrows raised.

"And what exactly did you have in mind in terms of my assistance?"

Jamie now had the grace to look a bit embarrassed at his enthusiasm.

"Um, you still do shadows, right? Can you hide some things for us so Jack won't be able to see them?"

When the Steward didn't answer right away, Ombric nudged him in amusement.

"Go on. At the very least, it will be an amusing diversion until Jack arrives and Katherine returns from the Lamadary this evening. I'm sure she'd like to meet you as well."

There were a few more moments of silence before Kosmotis rose to his feet, and he turned to face Jamie with raised eyebrows.

"Show me what you have planned, and then I'll be able to say if I can help or not."

Jamie didn't need telling twice, and the twelve-year-old dashed forward to grab Kosmotis by the hand and tow him outside. The majority of the children were still making a fuss of Umbra, but Jamie's sister and an older girl with vivid red hair were off to one side next to a trio of small catapults.

Jamie let go of Kosmotis and walked over to them, starting to explain.

"We need to hide these and the ammo. Could you cover them with shadows for us? We'll never be able to hit Jack if he sees them."

Kosmotis eyed them speculatively.

"And what is in the ammo?"

The three children glanced at each other and started to giggle. It was Allienne who answered.

"'Static electricity in a bag', and feathers."

Six-year-old Sophie was now jumping up and down waving her arms.

"We're going to make Uncle Jack look like a chicken!"

Kosmotis put on a thoughtful expression, tapping the fingers of one hand against his chin. There was mirth in his eyes.

"Well now, so that's the plan... I can hide your catapults, but only if you put them where there are already shadows. If I make a shadow out in the open, Jack will certainly notice it."

The kids cheered and bustled to tuck their catapults into likely corners with good-sized shadows, yet still leave a good line-of-sight into the middle of the village. Kosmotis then shaped those shadows, cloaking the contraptions from view with an illusion. If one looked at the shadows closely, the odd shape of them would be noticed. But a general glance wouldn't spot the alterations.

Jamie, Sophie, and Allienne took up their positions in those shadows, Kosmotis staying with Sophie as the youngest of the three. The little girl's catapult was already aimed in the general direction, but she lacked the skill and strength to adjust the aim on her own. Young as she was, her brother had told her she was only allowed to pull the lever to launch the shot, keeping her hands well away from the catapult's moving parts. With Kosmotis to help and supervise her, chances were her shot would actually hit.

It was a little over an hour later that a gust of chill wind announced the Spirit of Winter's arrival, and he hovered in the air above the children that immediately rushed to carol their greetings to him.

"Hey kids, how you doing?" He paused, looking around. "But where's Jamie? He's not normally this slo-"

Jack's remark was cut off as a football-sized cloth ball struck him in the chest and exploded. Two more balls followed, each from another direction, enveloping him in a cloud of pink and green feathers... All of which were immediately attracted to and clung to him, reattaching themselves elsewhere every time he tried to brush them off.

The children below him burst out laughing and started to cheer, as the three victorious pranksters came out of their hiding places to run over.

Jamie smirked.

"And that's for not telling me about Kosmotis!"

Jack, having managed to clear at least his face, gaped down at his nephew.

"What? You know about Kosmotis? When did that happen?" He started to look around. "And how the heck did you launch those at me?"

The shadows covering the catapults returned to their normal shapes, and Kosmotis cautiously stepped into the open.

"I... may have given them some assistance with that."

Jack stared, dumbstruck, but then his expression became a smirk of impending payback. Two seconds later he had tackled the Steward, causing static and feathers to transfer over to his fellow immortal. Five seconds after that, Jamie, Allienne, and Sophie were also sporting feathers.

As the trio tried to divest themselves of them, Jack landed beside Kosmotis and gave him a playful thump on the shoulder... Transferring over more feathers in the process.

"Nice one. I didn't think you had it in you."

"Well, admittedly this is amusing. Even if I too have become a victim of it. When Jamie said there were feathers, he failed to mention the the colours they were."

The two immortals chuckled, and Jack sighed.

"It's good to see you having fun, and I say that as friend and not just as the Guardian of Fun. How have things been? I've not seen you for three months."

Kosmotis plucked away the feather that had settled on his nose.

"I've not been attacked by anyone, if that's what you're asking. Although that's not through lack of desire to from the immortals I've crossed paths with. My daughter's rank is protecting in me that regard."

Jack caught the edge to his tone.

"But it does nothing to stop the verbal abuse you've been receiving." He glanced sidelong at Kosmotis. "Do you want me to have one of my Lieutenants tag along with you for a while? I'm at least grudgingly respected as a Guardian now, even by the sceptics who thought I wasn't up to job. Then again, I think Bunny has been punching every immortal he meets who bad-mouths me. I've heard rumours."

Kosmotis let out a small laugh at that. "I can well imagine he would. And I appreciate the offer, but your Lieutenants would only slow me down. Even if I were to carry then with me as a shadow-walked from place-to-place, with the frequency at which I do so it would quickly become a nuisance."

He paused, a thought coming to mind. "You didn't happen to see Juno out there, did you? She was following me when I headed here."

Jack raised an eyebrow.

"You mean Miss Shell-shocked? Sat on a rock, staring at the trees around the village like she'd seen something crazy? Entered on foot, did you?"

Kosmotis nodded.

"She's followed me for most of the past two weeks, so I've been somewhat irritated by her. Especially given that the Greek parts of her Legend, in many ways, are far worse than any about the 'Boogeyman'."

Jack snorted.

"Juno is a stiff, a cranky stiff." He tilted his head then took to the air. "I'm just gonna borrow some of Jamie's ammo."

In a gust of air the Spirit of Winter vanished from his spot beside Kosmotis, who without any help from frostdust began to chuckle in realisation of what he'd gone to do. And while he never witnessed exactly what happened to Juno, or her reaction, the victorious grin on Jack's face when he returned was evidence enough. As the Guardian of Fun grabbed the remainder of the balls of feathers, and pelted all the children with them.

A short while later it was to a scene of two immortals and a group of children, of whom all were laughing and covered with pink and green feathers, that a Himalayan Snow Goose and her rider descended upon the village. And it was upon seeing that sight, and one of Ombric watching it with a wide smile, that Katherine resolved to get the story out of him.

A story to go with the drawing of the scene that she quickly sketched into her notebook. A story about how Kosmotis Pitchiner had made the children of Santoff Claussen... smile.

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: I was going to have a convo with Katherine, but that spot there was just the perfect ending for this arc. I hope you've all liked it :)