Walking outside we are met with chaos. Two guardsmen stood holding back a peasant man, with greasy black hair to his shoulders. This man clearly lives on the outskirts of the town, but still lives inside the boundaries of the land I rule. His eyes are wild with panic, and he's determined to get through.
His eyes meet mine, and they widen. "Your majesty-" his voice is raspy, and almost tired sounding.
"Let him come forth," I tell the guardsmen. They stand back at my order, but their eyes never leave the man. He steps forward.
"Queen Elsa, I have nowhere else to go to," the peasant man explains, bowing before me. "It's my daughter. She... There is something terribly wrong with her, and if I may ask of you, can a doctor from the town next over come to see her? It's urgent– she's as pale as the snow you make. I don't know what to do."
I stare at the man- it's not the first time a doctor from the next town over has been requested. Doctor Young is one of the best in the country, from what I hear, but he is rarely asked for. Only for emergencies, which I must confirm myself.
Joseph walks to the man and places a hand on his shoulder gently. "Bring us to your daughter, sir."
We ride behind the man on horses, heading to the poorer parts of Arendelle. It's sad how often this part of town is ignored and neglected, and I feel guilt rising up in me. Often times I've ignored this part of town. I think back to only a little while ago when I was having fun with Jack, Anna and Kristoff. It's scary how easily I can forget my duties in those times.
It's obvious though that Arendelle needs me. I am needed to do deeds like this; to look at sick children and decide whether or not to bring in the doctor to check them. Our town is popular, though, and Doctor Young never refuses an order from us. But to go into a home and decide is hard; the fate of that person, child or adult, is in my hands until further notice. What if I decide that child isn't sick enough to get in a professional, and the child worsens and dies?
It's happened before in the kingdom, and it will happen again.
For the moment, though, marriage, and Jack are out of my head and my only concern is the child.
The house they live in is small, and the wood looks like it's beginning to rot. The floor beneath me creaks as the man leads us into his home. It smells of rot and mildew, and is almost overwhelming.
He leads us down a narrow hall and into a bedroom. At first I don't see anything, as it's dark and cloth covers the window, blocking out the sun. A small candle dimly lights the room; but then I see her, huddled in the corner, tears streaming down her chubby, red cheeks.
"She hasn't slept, she hasn't eaten, and she's stayed there for days, just crying and often times screaming, queen," the man says. He doesn't rush forward to his daughter, and is clearly keeping his distance. His voice lowers as he speaks again. "I even though' it were an exorcist, m'lady. So, I brought the priest in. He claims it's not what's wrong with her... I was hoping she'd talk to you if you asked. You are the queen after all."
I hesitantly walk forward to the little girl. She barely seems to recognise my presence until I kneel before her. Her brown eyes stare into mine. "What is your name?" I ask her softly.
"Tessa," she responds barely audibly. She sniffles, and I see how tired she looks.
"Why haven't you been sleeping?" She looks about ten or eleven, and I wonder again what's wrong with her. It's not common for a child of this age to be struggling to sleep.
Her eyes water, and she doesn't say a word. She looks terrified and I become anxious. "Tessa, you must tell me. I might be able to help you. Don't you want to sleep again?" She nods her head tersely, and it's a few minutes before she finally manages to reply to me.
"I see dark things when I close my eyes to sleep. Shadows trapping me, monsters ripping me limb from limb. Screams, horrible, awful screams in my head. I'm not sick, Queen Elsa. But I can't stop seeing these terrible images and sounds. I hear whispers all the time coming from the shadows." Her breathing becomes rapid. "And sometimes I see a man. But he's not a real man. I see him, and I hear him, laughing. Laughing at me for being scared." Tears fall down her cheeks and she wipes them away quickly. "Am.. Am I just going crazy?"
The room feels as though it became colder, and a chill settles down upon me causing me to shiver. I look away from the girls gaze, feeling scared. "No. No, you're not crazy," I whisper. "I can help you." I stand up and run from the room, and out the door. Joseph runs after me and so does the girls father. I mount my horse, and the both of them look up at me confused.
"Where are you going?" Joseph asks me.
"I'm getting the girl help," I simply reply, before pressing my knees into the horses side. She gallops forward, and soon Joseph, the man, and the house are just tiny dots behind me.
I ride back to the castle, and I'm off the horse before she comes to a complete stop. I run into the castle, and it's awhile before I meet Anna. To my absolute relief, Jack is still with her. I run to him and he stands when he sees the alarm on my face. "I need Sandy," I tell him.
"Now?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
I nod my head quickly, feeling impatient. "It's an emergency!" I reply. "Please, please, go get him now." I hesitate, and then I add on: "He's back."
Jack's eyes flash with anger and determination, and doesn't need any more of an explanation before he's flying out a window. I watch him before turning to Anna when I can no longer see him. She's looking at me confused.
So, I explain to her about Pitch Black, and how the little child is being effected by his presence. I tell her about how he came to me for my power, which is why Jack had left: to lead him away from me to keep me safe.
"Oh. Can't we punch him?" she asks me. "It worked with Hans."
"He isn't like a mortal, Anna," I snap. "He has dark powers. He can see into your mind, and twist you. He made my memories begin to fade. Remember? He's back again, now." I inhale deeply. "If Jack tries to leave again, please help me convince him to stay?"
"Of course," she replies. "If this guy wants you, then he'll have to go through me." She purses her lips, her expression darkening. "Can he be stopped?"
"I.. I'm not sure. He's immortal, after all," I admit. "But I believe he can be restrained, if not killed. It's all I can hope for." I feel anger well up inside me, threatening to burst out of me. I want to scream- I even want to punch something I feel so frustrated. "He's punishing little children, now. He is a man of nothing but absolute evil."
"Jack!"
Anna points behind me and I turn to see him just as he enters through the window. A small golden man flies in after him, and I let out a shaky breath of relief. "Sandy," I exhale, feeling somewhat calmer than before. Perhaps, though, that's because Jack's here now. I do feel a little better when he's with me. "A little girl is having nightmares– horrid ones that are terrifying her. She can't eat, or sleep because of them. It's Pitch Black that's doing this to her. She told me she often sees a man, who's laughing at her. It's gotta be pitch."
I feel so exhilarated, that Jack places a hand on my shoulder. Instantly, I feel a whole lot calmer. "You have to go to her and help her sleep peacefully," I say. I frown. "I mean, will you please go to her? Her father is worried, and she looks like death."
Sandy bows his head at me and I close my eyes feeling relieved. He leaves through the window again, and I know that Sandy will find her. Maybe he even knows already, as he didn't seem too surprised. Or maybe this isn't the first time Pitch Black has made nightmares for people. How's he doing it? How is he able to mix up Sandy's sand and make them into nightmares?
I brush a strand of hair out of my face. "You know, I reckon you'd make a good Guardian, El," Jack says. "You're good under pressure, and I'm going to guess you're good with children-"
"No I'm not," I interrupt. "Not just children, though. I'm not good with people in general." His hand is still on my shoulder, which has become numb now from his touch, and he seems to realise that his hand is still there, as he lowers it to his side awkwardly.
He opens his mouth to say something, but then I see his eyes quickly glance to Anna and he decides against it.
I hear noise coming up towards us, and I whirl around to see Joseph running lightly up to us. I hear Jack groan a little, and Anna does too. "This guy again?" Jack asks her when he thinks I can't hear him.
"Elsa! Why did you run off?" Joseph asks. "You said you'd get that man help– he is a man loyal to his queen and you just run away without helping! That's not how a queen should act. It's betrayal to your people."
My face grows hot with anger. "I've been queen longer than you've been known by the noblemen, mr Monroe, so I would hold my tongue where it is due," I hiss. I point at him, not quite feeling calm yet. He looks at my finger cautiously, and his face grows pale. "And also, I have sent help to that man. I can guarantee that by tonight she will be fast asleep, and will feel much better from now on. Lastly, don't you dare tell me how a queen should act. I have been putting on an act for the kingdom all my life. I know damn well how a queen should act, and you do best to remember that!"
I'm breathing heavily, my anger growing more and more by the second. I mockingly bow to him. "Now, excuse me, dear, I am heading to my bed where I don't want to be disturbed." I whirl around, feeling like I've finally accomplished something, and stormed to my bedroom.
I don't slam my door straight away and wait patiently for Jack to join me like I know he will. It takes him less than a minute to enter into my room, before I slam my door loudly. I hear it echo through the halls, but I don't care. I'm still not calm, so Jack let's me calm and doesn't say a word. When I unbutton my royal robes, I throw myself onto the bed feeling somewhat hollow inside.
Wonderful! I just shouted at the guy I'm supposed to be marrying. Maybe I overreacted, but I'm so tired of this act. I don't want to marry him!
"What have I done?" I exclaim into my pillow. I sigh and turn over on my bed, staring up at the white painted ceiling. My view is blocked by Jack when he flies above me.
"You just yelled at your fiancée," he reminds me with a grin.
I narrow my eyes at him, but his grin doesn't fade. "What're you so happy about?"
"I like seeing how much you love Joseph," he replies jokingly. "It warms my heart."
"You have a heart of ice," I grumble, turning over on my bed so I don't have to look at him anymore. I hear him laugh.
"So do you, I'm afraid," he jokes. "But my heart can be warmed. Can yours?" He sits down on the chair so that I can see him again.
My face grows hot when he asks me that, and I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it's because I feel warm inside every time he touches me. Perhaps that's the definition of my heart being warmed. I wasn't going to say that to him, though; I'm getting married in four months, after all. So, I don't say anything and sit up on my bed.
"I get frustrated around him," I explain to Jack, hugging my chest. "He always expects me to be a certain way. It's like he's trying to change me."
"Don't change," Jack says. "I like you the way you are."
I try to suppress a smile, but I fail. "You're not too bad yourself."
"Not too bad, eh?" Jack jokes. "I can work with that." His face grows serious again. "But seriously, you need to do something about this marriage thing. I don't like how it's making you." He scratches the back of his neck uncertainly. "You're kind of like me– you don't want to be tied down all the time. Which is why I'd never become a guardian; too many responsibilities. You have a pile load of those. No wonder you want to escape all of this."
I make a face. "It's not always bad," I admit. "But even when it's not not bad, it's still not great. It's not me. Sometimes I wish I was never born into royalty." I huff, unfolding my arms and lying lengthways across my bed, my feet dangling off of the edge. "Sometimes I wish I never got these powers so I don't have to deal with Pitch Black."
"Sometimes I wish I was never immortal," Jack tells me. "It gets a little lonely." Jack sits next to me on the bed. "Well, it was lonely until I met you." He pokes me in the stomach, and I slap his hand away causing him to laugh. He lies down next to me, his hands folded behind his head. "Meeting you was probably the best thing that's ever happened to me."
I look at him, feeling strong emotions run through me. All I want to do is wrap my arms around him and lie there until I fall asleep. I'm afraid that I'll scare him off. I can tell he's been a bit off since he found out I'm getting married.
"Jack, meeting you is the best thing that's happened me," I whisper. He looks at me and my heart speeds up. Again. It does that way too much when he's with me. I decide that Jack and I don't have much time together, so I inch closer to him.
"You know, if you want to cuddle with me, you could always ask." Without looking at him I know he's smirking. My cheeks go red, and I stop and turn away from him. "Aw, no. Elsa-" he laughs. "I'm only messing with you." I don't respond, feeling too embarrassed. "You're so awkward, it's cute." My stomach flutters at this. "If it's any consolation, I'm just as awkward." He pokes me but I squirm and he sighs. God, it's hot in here. My cheeks are still burning.
What was I thinking? I'm really not good with people. I gasp out in surprise when arms wrap around me. "Fine. Ignore me all you want. But you know you're enjoying this." I make a face which causes him to chuckle. "You're also way too easy to embarrass." His lips brush the tip of my ear and a shiver runs down my spine.
I relax in his arms. The sun's only setting, but I feel exhausted after today's events. "Do you sleep?" I ask him, my eyes slowly closing.
"I don't need to," he tells me.
"You should try to," I mumble. "It's nice to escape sometimes. You've been dealing with Pitch for awhile now. I think you need an escape."
"Mm. That'd be nice... To escape," he says softly into my ear. I feel his eyelashes brush behind my ear and I know he's closed his eyes. Smiling, I allow myself to fall asleep feeling much calmer with Jack here, and his arms around me.
I never want him to let me go.
Whoa... that feedback tho... omg.
Newwriter24: Ha, thanks... xD Aw... Man... I am so awfully sorry, but I haven't read a single Jelsa fanfic D: I probably won't either until after I'm done writing this because I find if I read another fanfic it'll just make me jekfdk with my own BUT PLEASE PLEASE REMIND ME WHEN I'M FINISHED THIS STORY BECAUSE I'LL DEF GO READ IT THEN, PLEASE? Thank you!:)
static1218: Ha, sorry about that xD Updating is hard when you have stupid school xD :P
Ishipjelsabecauseimajelsalover: Ha, I'm not that great D: But bless you! :)
Tearsofspirit: Thank you!
Animelover56348: Haha, I would be a disobedient queen too! :L Ohhh... I'll help stick it somewhere with you! :P Ha, thank you!:)
Kagirina: IKR? :)
Pirulina: Agh, and then Elsa looking between Jack and Joseph and then turning and running to Jack and ajdfhakfjh what have you done to my feels? D: ha ha
WhiteSheWolf17: Aw, jeez, thanks! D: At the beginning it was awful because I was a tad bit indecisive about what tense to write it in.. I have to go back and change the first few chapters, but anyyywaaaayyyy... Thank you! I'm truly happy you like it :) It means a lot to me tbh :D Ha, someone always has to ruin it ;D But thank you again! Your comment has me smiling rn :)
titan616: Exactly! So, because she doesn't know much about the law she's not going to doubt it, but perhaps just question it. She's probably unsure of what'll happen if she denies to marry- and on the council I'm pretty sure there's quite a few men, and seeing as the time period Frozen is set in (1800's) it was always men who were the ones who had power. So, seeing as she's the only ruler, men will surely object to it. Especially if it's all men on the council, so, blah, blah. I'm babbling on xD Elsa wouldn't turn anyone to ice- it's her nightmare! D: Aha, but same here xD Yes! She should. We shall see what happens to Elsa ;D YESS! You got it! I was trying hard to make Joseph and Jack opposites- yet, I still want Joseph to be caring because he's not the antagonist of this story... :) I'm sure Elsa would LOVE to marry Olaf.. ha ha xD
G.N. Took-Baggins: Thanks:)
NarniaFrozenMLPDivergentPercyJ: YEs! My favourite ones are Percy Jackson *Boos movie which sucks*, and Frozen. I'm so excited for Divergent to come out as a movie though! The books were amazing! :) Ha, we so are though ;D Ha, you'll have to wait and see, I'm afraid! Thank you!:)
MikiFubuki: I have ideas which will commence in later chapters :D Ha, thank you!:)
Lizzieflores18: Ya, he's Jack's opposite, which I was hoping to get across :D I like them interacting too :)
ELLE555: ... My evil radiates a tad bit too much xD I like darkness way more than I should, but oh, well :D Yes! I have updated as promised :D Oh. Ya. I've been bullied since I was a kid. It's stopped this year, but it's kind of a little bit too late as it's already effected me a lot. Like, I now suffer with anxiety and bad states of depression too because of it. Bullying isn't cool, and which is why I find it hard to accept compliments from people on this and in real life. I also try my hardest to be kind to everyone. I don't want anyone ever to go through what I did. Ha, I'm still slim enough :) It's only been in recent years I've given them up. Wish I never gave up Gaelic as it's my favourite sport- but I'm going to be doing 5k jogs/walks as many nights as I can :)
Starry: Ah, I see you've caught up! I enjoyed reading your reviews :) Yeah... It sucks :( Anyway, ha, she does xD Thank you! :)
Guest: xD Yes they do! Ha, thanks :D
Twinsies: Thanks for all the reviews :D I shall update again next Saturday :D
CrystalShard101: Oh, jeez alsjkdhaskj! D: I'm so happy you like it, and I'm really grateful too ! :') I know.. *sigh* Everyone says it to me, but I really find it hard to be all like: OH YEAH I AM PROUD OF THIS CHAPTER AND MYSELF.. But honestly I am somewhat proud of this story! I've never had such a great feedback and it makes me all alskdjsal sometimes :) Ah, sorry about that! D: Ha, go to sleep! Sleep is good! :DOmg! I thought of Olaf saying *some people are worth melting for* :D :D Aw, thank you! :D I don't want to get rid of you- bless you! Thank you so much! :)
Dragowolf: Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well D: I hate that they used to have arranged marriages. It must have sucked so bad :/ Aha, I doubt it'll be historically accurate xD I don't know much about the culture Elsa and Anna are from- I suck at European history even if I am European xD I gave up history two years ago in school so my history ain't good xD :P Aha, I say Anna's on the verge of strangling Joseph for sure ;) We'll get Jack to hold him down (but seeing as Joseph doesn't believe... GAH. WHO CARES? jACK'LL HOLD HIM DOWN SOMEHOW) xD
VeryBerry96: YOU WERE CORRECT! :D Hm, I'm not too sure, because sometimes people review multiple times if they've only started the story- I'm gonna guess for this chapter I got over thirty, but all together since the last chapter I've probably got sixty something? (before the last one I had 249- woke up with over 300, and chapter 15 got me up to 313 reviews... I'm bad at math D: ) . xD OKAY OKAY I GUESS I'M NOT AS BAD AS I THINK I AM PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! D: *hides under covers with my Jack Frost toy I got from McDonald's* Haha, I have ideas that you'll never guess xD I think everyone is gonna be shocked about what happens tbh :D Agh. I've had to do it multiple times since first year! I'm just relieved I'm in sixth year D: Thank you! :D
KaizokuEllie: AGH I AM SORRY! *hands water to reduce acid in throat* I just love Jelsa way more than I should xD
Guest: More chapters yay :D
Jelsa Fan: (Okaaayyy... I'm confused because I now have TWO reviewers called Jelsa Fan unless you decided to go back and read all the chapters again- this is the one who's been reading this for awhile): I'm happy you found it touching! :) Mm. I agree- something's gotta change, I say xD Thank you! :D
Jelsa Fan: (other one.. Agh! Confusing!) : don't worry! You only had to wait a few hours xD Now you'll have to wait a week- sorry xD Ha, thanks for all the reviews! Glad you like the story :)
GuestFTG: Thanks :)
JuannahBee36: Oh, gosh! I'm flattered you think so! :)
PraetorsGrace: Ha, thank you! :)
rosenaz: aw, thank you! I'm grateful you like it :) Oh, god! I do say 'reckon' a lot. Even in real life omg I need to stop D:
Okay.. Went to bed with 249 comments, woke to over 300... Now I have 313... WTF?! Guys, I'm just so... wow. I can't. Every time I receive a new review, or a new favourite, or a new follower I'm truly shocked! I'm just like: WHHHAATTT? Why do these people like this? I made it! D: But, seriously! Thank you all so much! All of this is making me so happy, and it's making me feel more sure of myself, because there's so many wonderful, greater fanfics with Jelsa out there, and the fact that this is rising rapidly... It just makes my day. You guys just keep me motivated, and I cannot thank you enough for the support! :)
Agh. I'm an overemotional person- sorry!
OMG I THOUGHT OF A WONDERFUL PLOT TWIST WHILE REPLYING TO COMMENTS AND OMG I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO IT BECAUSE IT'S TOTALLY UNEXPECTED SO I'M JUST LIKE AKSDHKASJD. :D
Bye, guys! :)
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