Disclaimer: I don't own any aspects to this story.

Chapter 19

Yuletide Traditions and Games

Jack stood outside near the palace doors. His eyes looked around the packed courtyard. Nearly everyone in Arendelle had shown up. Everyone seemed to appreciate Jack's ice sculptures, particularly the one of Arendelle's main village. When everyone asked how Jack was able to build ice villagers in the town itself, Jack just shrugged, saying he had learned a thing or two from Elsa. Jack wasn't looking for attention at the moment. He wanted the focus to be on the event itself.

Today was the big day. Christmas Eve had finally arrived. Most of the day had gone by in final preparations, peppered with a snowball fight or two. The snowball fights had really kept everyone's morale up and tension low. Anna had even suggested having a small snowball field set up in the courtyard for the children to play in at the party and as they waitied for the Yule Bell. Jack and Elsa had readily agreed to the suggestion.

Now all that was left was waiting for Kristoff and Sven to check the Yule Bell with the bellmaker. A small piece had chipped off as the Bell was pulled out of storage, so Kristoff and the bellmaker had agreed on a price to fix it. The bellmaker was putting the finishing touches on the bell now, and would be done in ten minutes, approximately. Jack could hardly wait. The anticipation was killing him.

The only thing Jack wasn't liking as much was the stiff colar on his shirt. Kai and the royal tailors had worked on making something nicer for Jack to wear for the celebration. It was a button up shirt with a trim colar and an overcoat. Jack had agreed to wear that and the nice, yet tight shoes provided, but had put his foot down when Elsa asked if he could straighten his hair. He liked his hair as it was, and everything else he had on looked nicer. Since they were pressed for time, Elsa had consented to that, so long as he was fully presentable.

Jack didn't want to let his Arendelle friends down, since they had offered for Jack to stand beside them, but his feet were killing him. Standing straight for a while was really taking a toll on his shoes. Seriously, how long had Kristoff and Sven been gone? Jack looked over at the clock above the gates. Five minues had passed? Jack didn't know how much more he could take.

Almost as if he had said his thoughts out loud, Olaf came running over. "Kristoff is on his way. He and Sven have the Yule Bell. It looks as great as it did last year."

Jack nodded. Great. Just a few more minutes, then he could be done with these stuffy clothes.

Anna looked over, a sympathetic smile on her face. "You look great, by the way."

Jack nodded. "Thank you. You look great as well. Excited for the Bell?"

"You bet. Ready as I'll ever be for this moment."

Before Jack could respond, Kristoff and Sven came through the gates. Sven was pulling a sleigh carrying a rather large bell. The bell was silver in design, with a large silver snowflake higher up, followed by a ring of golden suns, and a golden line of decorations below that. Jack thought it was rather nice.

In a few seconds, the bell was lifted up, and the rope was put down for Elsa to pull. Elsa and Anna took the bell and gave a loud clear ring. It was beautiful and melodic. A very harmonizing sound.

Anna then looked over at Jack and back at Elsa. Elsa nodded. Anna turned back to Jack. "Hey, Jack. How would you like to help ring in the season?"

Jack was stunned. He was being offered a chance to ring the Yule Bell? What an honor. "I don't want to intrude or anything…" Jack started to say.

But Elsa interrupted. "I insist."

Jack shrugged. "Well, if you're insisting."

With that, Jack reached up and pulled the rope. It was heavier than it looked, but it felt good to ring in the Christmas celebrations.

Kristoff tapped Jack's shoulder. "Take a look out at the people. Smile. I'm sure they'd appreciate it."

Jack turned and gave a big smile. A bright flash suddenly ocurred. Jack blinked for a few seconds. "What was that?"

Kristoff shrugged. "Must have been the sun or something."

Elsa strode forward, her arms open wide. "Let the holidays begin."

After a long cheer of celebration, the people turned around and went toward the gates. Jack was confused. Where was everyone going? Then he remembered that the people had their own traditions. Kristoff and Sven were going off to do their thing. Stood to reason that the people of Arendelle would do the same.

Elsa and Anna went over to talk to one villager who was holding a tripod. Jack didn't want to intrude on the conversation or interrupt their traditions, so he decided to head back inside.

Jack went to his room, changing back into his regular clothes. Time for him to make his move. While Jack had been investigating Christmas and gathering supplies for the party with the others, he had realized that he should get gifts for the others. They had been very nice to let him stay, so it was only fair for Jack to get some gifts for them.

Most of the items had been easy to get. Traveling merchants and shops had provided those items, thanks to some extra money Jack had used after paying for the party materials. Only one gift was left, though, and Jack needed concentration for it.

Jack closed his eyes, his hands out in front of him. As Jack focused on what he wanted to make, he felt the power moving into his hands. Something solid started to take shape. When Jack opened his eyes, he looked the object over. Seemed sturdy enough and matched what he was expecting.

Now for the real test. Jack slapped the object on the floor. It held solidly. And judging by the fact that water wasn't dripping, the other test seemed to pass. Jack smiled. Everything was ready.

When Jack finished wrapping the gifts, he heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Jack asked.

"It's me, Olaf," said an excited voice. "I'm so glad I found you, Jack. I've been looking all over for you."

Jack put the gifts on his table and went to answer the door. "You've been looking for me? Why? I thought you all had your traditions to do."

Olaf nodded. "All of the villagers are probably still doing their traditions. But Elsa and Anna wanted to see you in the living room."

Jack was confused. "There's a living room?"

Olaf nodded. "Yes. I guess the smaller room with the couch and fireplace seem to match well with the larger rooms. Great for giving an impression of a grand and regal palace that also serves as a large homely manor."

Jack was shocked. "Didn't know you were an architectural specialist."

Olaf nodded. "I heard Kai talk about it, the other day." He then tugged on Jack's pants. "So, are you coming?"

Jack nodded. His gifts were already prepared. He could always bring them in tomorrow morning. "Alright, lead the way."

In a few short steps, they made it to the living room. Honestly, the room was a little surprising to Jack. The paintings weren't a big surprise, Jack had seen them all over. But the fireplace, the couches, and the window made the room look a little smaller and less elegant. More homely than the rest of the palace.

Elsa, Kristoff, Anna, and Sven were sitting on the couch. Anna was finishing wrapping up a small present with Kristoff, while Elsa was holding a pillow. They all seemed a little preoccupied and hadn't noticed Jack coming in.

Elsa was the first to look up when Jack came over. She tapped Anna, who looked up alongside Kristoff. Anna looked shocked and immediately passed the present to Kristoff who threw it behind Sven, who immediately sat down in front of it. Jack paused. "What was that about?"

Anna shook her head, trying to hide a smile. "Nothing."

Jack gained a questioning look. But before he could ask more, Elsa stood up. "Well, now that everyone's here, shall we begin?"

Jack looked over. "Begin what?"

"The Christmas Eve celebrations."

"But I thought that you all had your traditions?"

Anna nodded. "We did, Jack. But we've already finished our own traditions. Now, we're having a little fun together before Christmas Day. After all, you're heading out tomorrow, so we thought we'd have a little fun tonight, in case you needed to head out early."

Jack nodded. Made sense. "So, what do you all want to do?'

Olaf gained a big smile. "So glad you asked, Jack. So glad you asked."

It was the final round. Jack stood up in front of the couch. It was up to him. If he failed, then his team would lose. Jack grabbed the paper. It was a lightning round, so he needed to try and do as many of the entries on the list as he could. Anna and Elsa had tried to make the guesses more generic, since they knew that Jack didn't know very many other people or places in Arendelle aside from them and the palace.

Jack took a breath. Time to fire away. Sven rang the bell. Jack held up a finger.

"One word," Anna said.

Jack nodded. He then pointed to the fireplace.

"Warm," Anna said.

Jack waved his hands in a keep-going gesture, then pointed to the sky.

"The sun," Elsa said.

Jack nodded. He then help up a finger and pointed to his and Elsa's hands.

"One word, my powers," Elsa said.

Jack waved his hands again, wiggling his fingers in a slow, downward motion.

"Snow, freezing," Anna guessed.

"Snowflake?" Elsa guessed.

Jack nodded, then held up two fingers, followed by two fingers.

"Two words, second word," Elsa said.

Jack then pointed to a picture.

"Painting?" Elsa asked.

Jack nodded. He then held up the first finger and pointed outside.

That puzzled the girls for a second. Anna then looked over at Jack. "Landscape? Landscape painting?"

Jack nodded. That one had been a tough one. Time was running out. Time for his piece de resistance. Jack then held up one finger

"One word."

Jack nodded at Elsa, then got on his knees. He put a small unlit candlestick on his nose and displayed a happy, goofy smile.

Anna and Elsa looked at each other then turned back to Jack, a smile on their faces. "Olaf?"

Jack nodded. Before he could do any more charades, a bell sounded.

"And that's time," Kristoff said. "I think we have a winner."

Kristoff looked over at Elsa, Anna, and Jack. "Congratulations, Team Frost. You beat Team Nature."

Anna smiled. "Was there any doubt?"

Olaf shook his head. "I don't think so. That was a very close game. I really liked your impression of me, Jack. Fit me very well."

Jack nodded. "It was almost as good as your impromptu karaeoke session, Olaf. Can't believe you got Elsa to sing a little something. Catchy tune as well, Elsa. You really let it go with your voice."

Elsa nodded, a small smile on her face at Jack's pun. "Thank you, though I think that that song's starting to get old."

Kristoff looked over at the clock. "Well, we better get ready for bed."

Olaf looked over. "But it's still somewhat early."

Anna looked at the clock as well. "Actually, Olaf. Kristoff's right. It's getting late and we should be getting to sleep. We don't want to be awake when Santa Claus visits."

Olaf's eyes widened. "You're right, Anna. We need to get ready for bed."

Olaf then zoomed out the door. Jack got up, looking at the door. "Should we check on him?"

Elsa shook her head. "No. Olaf will at least pretend to sleep. He'll be fine."

"Time we were heading off as well," Anna said, getting up.

Jack smiled. "Alrighty then. See you all in the morning."

Elsa nodded. "See you tomorrow, Jack."

Anna looked over. "See you then."

Everyone separated in the hallway, heading off to their rooms. Jack entered his and closed the door. Tonight had been a fun night.

In fact, most of Jack's time in Arendelle had been a good time. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf had been very nice to Jack. He had enjoyed the sights and the fun preparations and games. Overall, Jack felt very contented.

Still, there seemed to be something missing. Something that still was waiting to happen. Jack couldn't quite tell what that thing was, but he knew that it would happen when the time came.

Jack's eyes stated getting heavy. He looked at the clock. Nine-thirty pm. Thirty minutes prior to when North had told him to be in bed. Good. Jack didn't know why he needed to be in bed, since he knew about North and his delivery method. But he trusted North and he felt like it would be a good idea to go to sleep.

After getting into bed and getting comfy, Jack closed his eyes, letting the ticking of the clock lull him to sleep. A few seconds later, Jack was out like a light.

And just as I couldn't have Jack in Arendelle without a snowball fight, I couldn't have him there without getting involved in charades. It'll be interesting to see what happens and why Jack needs to get to sleep at a certain time. But unlike Jack, we can find out what happens next right now, by simply moving to the next chapter. Benefits of reading, you can see it all in your bedroom, living room, or wherever you like to read. Please rate and review.