Disclaimer: I don't own any aspects to the story mentioned in here.

Chapter 40

The Way Down

Anna woke up to someone shaking her. She felt herself lying on a soft bed, light shining through her eyelids. She'd had the most wonderful dream about a train that took her, Elsa, Olaf, and Jack to the North Pole. Sven had come along and was flying Santa's sleigh. Anna smiled, remembering some of the details.

The shaking happened again. "Wake up, Anna," came Olaf's voice. "It's Christmas Day, and you need to see the balcony room."

Anna sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning, Olaf. Did Santa come?"

"Oh, he did indeed, Anna. I was worried if he'd pass this spot since we're not at the palace, but it seems Santa had us covered."

"We're not at the palace?" Anna opened her eyes. This was clearly not her room. Instead of pink or salmon colored walls, frozen ice lined the floor, walls, and furniture. The bed had a little snow mixed in, forming the softness she had felt.

"No, silly," Olaf replied, giggling. "Don't you remember? The train dropped us off here."

Anna's furrowedc her brow in puzzlement. "You had the same dream, Olaf?"

Olaf shook his head. "Nope. It wasn't a dream. We actually rode the Polar Express last night." Olaf's face became concerned. "Do you remember, Anna?"

Anna's eyes widened. So the train hadn't been a dream? She, Elsa, Jack, and Olaf had gone to the North Pole to see Santa? It seemed impossible, and yet Anna felt sure that it had actually happened. How else had she wound up in her sister's ice palace?

Anna put on her slippers. "Now I remember, Olaf. I thought it was a dream. Thank you for reminding me."

Olaf smiled. "Happy to help. Now come on. You won't believe what's in the balcony room."

"The what?" Anna asked.

"The balcony room. That's what I'm calling the room with the balcony. It seems to be the main room where Elsa talked with people when she lived here. The room where she accidentally struck you and formed Marshmallow. Good times."

Anna nodded. "Not sure those memories were good, Olaf, but lead the way."

Olaf turned and went out of the room. Anna followed him down the stairs to the front hall and up the other stairs to the room with the balcony.

Once there, Anna's jaw dropped. The room had been completely changed. Garlands and holly hung all over the walls, painting the room in a rather green color. A Christmas tree stood in the center of the room, with an angel at the top. The tree almost touched the ceiling and was dressed from top to bottom in bright lights and ornaments. The ornaments seemed to either be general, like a snowflake or sled, or more specific, like a model of the Arendelle palace or a troll that resembled Grandpabbie. Below the tree were four presents, with a platter of cookies partly eaten.

"I see you've gotten up," said a male voice.

Anna turned to see Jack standing at the side of the room, twirling his staff. Elsa was standing next to him, her eyes analyzing a note she was holding. Elsa was now her own age again, which made Anna realize that she had returned to her own age as well.

"Well, when Olaf's excited, he likes to get people up," Anna replied.

Jack nodded. "I know. Olaf got me up when he saw the decorations. He would have torn through the presents if I hadn't stopped him. Olaf's been running around for the last twenty minutes, waiting for the sun to rise above the lower peaks before waking you and Elsa."

Anna smiled. "Thank you for letting me and Elsa sleep in. That being said, why'd you wait? I would have been fine with waking up early."

Jack flicked his head over to Elsa. "It's what the note she's holding says."

Olaf ran over. "Now can we open the presents?"

Elsa shook her head, passing the note to Anna. "One more moment, Olaf. The note says that everyone needs to read it. Once we've finished, then we can proceed."

Anna took the note, looking it over. There were several sentences, each in gold letters, that were surrounded by pictures of trees, presents, a manger, holly, and stockings. Anna started to read it, ignoring Olaf's jumps of excited impatience.

Dear Elsa, Anna, Jack, and Olaf:

I'm so glad you had a wonderful time on the Polar Express. I know your destination on the return journey was different than you expected. There's a reason for that, which you will soon find out.

In the meantime, it's no fun waiting for gifts on Christmas Day. Thus, while your transportation is coming, I've added a few holiday decorations to the ice palace. It'll disappear after a while, but not before Marshallow and the snowgies can enjoy it as well. The gifts under the tree are not from me, by the way. They're from a rather frosty individual. He'll know how to handle things from here.

I only have a few rules. First, no present opening until everyone is up. Second, make sure not to start until after the sun rises above the lower peaks. That should be enough time to open your gifts before your transportation arrives. If people want to sleep in until that time, they can do so. Third, this note must be read by everyone before presents can be opened. That rule is important because of the final rule. Only the person who has prepared these gifts can give them.

I hope you enjoy these gifts. Brought a smile to my face knowing what's in them. Your gifts from me will be delivered at the palace.

Stay on the nice list, everyone. Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,

Mr. C

Anna smiled. So Santa had prepared a few surprises for today. That explained why nobody had opened any presents yet. She couldn't wait to see what these gifts were and who had made them.

Anna lowered the note. "Well, that explains a lot."

Olaf looked over, smiling widely. "Now can we open the gifts?"

Elsa looked at the others. "Well, who's the gift giver?"

Jack stood up, grinning widely. "Guilty as charged."

"Jack," Anna exclaimed. "You didn't have to get us anything."

"But I wanted to, Anna. You've all been very kind letting me stay in Arendelle. It's the least I could do. I put a little thought into these. However, now I'm thinking some of us should probably wait."

Anna saw Jack give a little wink to her and Elsa. Olaf looked up, surprised. "What do you mean, Jack?"

"Well, Olaf, the note says that the gift giver's in charge of giving these gifts. Thus, it's up to me to determine when these gifts are given. Thus, I'm thinking Anna and Elsa can get their gifts first, and you can get your gift later, Olaf."

Elsa gave a small smile. "I think that seems fair. Wouldn't you agree, Anna?"

Anna nodded. "Oh, yes indeed, Elsa. I think Olaf can wait on his gift."

"For how long?" Olaf asked, a concerned look on his face.

Jack shrugged. "Oh, about ten days."

"But that's so long!" Olaf shouted, hands waved in the air.

Anna decided to put Olaf out of his misery before this got out of hand. Before she could say anything though, Jack raised a hand. "Actually, never mind. Let's all open these gifts now."

Olaf's expression instantly changed to one of happiness, his hands wiping his brow. "Oh good. I was so nervous for a second."

Jack went over to the tree. "Well, enough lollygagging. How about you all open your gifts at the same time."

Anna took her present. It was a long, stick-like object wrapped in snowflake paper with a blue bow. Anna looked at her tag: To: Elsa. From: Jack. "Uh, Jack. I think you gave me the wrong one."

Jack looked at the tag. "Huh. Guess I need to pay closer attention to what I'm giving."

Jack then took the present and gave it to Elsa. Anna was then passed a box decorated with a red bow. Anna read the tag, confirming that this present was for her.

Jack nodded. "Ok. Everyone got their presents? Good. We'll do it on the count of three. One, two, three."

Paper being shredded accompanied the sound of Anna opening her gift. Inside was a book. The book was about average size and had a picture of a person with fists raised and one leg out in a kick. The book read Advanced Self-Defense Maneuvers."

"Thought you might want something like this," Jack said, noticing Anna looking at her present. "You seem like a very capable person, Anna, so I thought that you might like a book that can teach you how to fully express that capability."

Anna smiled. "Thank you, Jack." She turned to Elsa and Olaf. "What did you two get?"

Olaf held up a small teddy bear. "This seems perfect for giving warm hugs. I love it."

Jack smiled. "Took the words right out of my mouth, Olaf."

Elsa held up a scepter. It had the same decorative head as the one she had held at the coronation. The main difference was that this one seemed to be made of solid ice. Intricate designs of Arendelle, the palace, and Elsa's friends and family were laid out all throughout the scepter.

Jack looked over at the scepter, a concerned expression on his face. "Now I didn't entirely know what to get you, Elsa. It's a little harder to figure out what you'd like. So I made something that connects your role with your abilities. The ice is guaranteed not to melt or break. If you don't want it, I can always…"

"No, no. I really like it," Elsa replied, holding the scepter up. "You seem to have captured the main elements about the monarchy that fit me. My abilities and my family. Thank you very much, Jack."

Anna joined in on the group hug that formed around Jack. Jack smiled, closing his eyes and embracing the hug.

Suddenly, there were sounds of someone walking through the snow towards the ice palace. Anna looked over at the balcony. "Now who do you suppose…?"

Olaf ran over to the balcony. A small gasp rang from his mouth. "You'll most certainly believe who it is."

Anna came up to the balcony to see Kristoff and Sven walking over to the entrance. They were both walking along, talking with each other about how their morning was going. Kristoff's sled wasn't in sight, making Anna wonder how everyone was going to fit on one reindeer.

Elsa and Jack came up beside her. "Well, what do you know? Looks like Kristoff's our ride back down," Jack said.

"How are we all going back down?" Elsa asked. "I mean, I can use ice to slide us down, but I don't think that this is what Santa had in mind."

Jack shrugged. "Don't know, but let's go down and find out." He turned to Olaf. "Race you to the bottom of the stairs?"

Olaf nodded. "Ok. One, two, three, go."

Olaf and Jack raced off. Anna smiled. "Jack's quite a character, isn't he?"

Elsa nodded. "Indeed. He really brings out the inner child in you, doesn't he?"

"He does. I knew I had a good feeling about him."

Elsa turned to Anna. "Well, when it comes to a person's inner nature, my sister is usually right. Unless of course, she's blinded by what she thinks is love."

"Ah, right. Well, I know Kristoff isn't like that, so I think I'm safe there. No trusting hidden villains again."

"Indeed." Elsa reached out her hand. "Shall we, sister?"

"Indeed we shall," Anna replied, taking Elsa's hand.

As they went out the front doors and down the stairs outside, Anna saw that Jack and Olaf were already telling Kristoff about their adventures last night. Sven was nodding as well, agreeing and confirming their story. Surprisingly, Kristoff didn't look confused or shocked. Instead, he was nodding as well, seeming to easily accept their tale.

Anna came up to Kristoff. "Hey, Kristoff."

"Hey, Anna. Quite the night you all had, huh."

Anna nodded. "Oh, we had a great time, Kristoff. What Jack and Olaf are saying is true. We went to the North Pole and saw Santa. It was so crazy."

"I know, Anna. I saw it."

Anna paused, looking closely at Kristoff. "You saw the train? Did you ride it as well?"

"No. Actually, I was asleep the whole time. My dreams felt so real though, that I knew they had to have happened. In them, a small man with clothes made of golden sand guided me through my dream. The first part of the dream was the train. I saw everything, including the ice lake, the Gulch, the flying sleigh, even the first gift. It was so cool that Elsa was chosen. I can't wait to see what she got."

Elsa shrugged. "It's nothing, really."

Olaf shook his head. "Are you kidding? You got something for Jack, Anna, and yourself to help them remember their folks. That was one of the best gifts I've ever seen. You should take a look, Kristoff."

Kristoff shook his head. "Maybe later, Olaf. It's getting a little chilly up here."

Jack held up a hand. "Two questions, though. One, you mentioned that that was the first part of your dream. What was the second part?"

Kristoff scratched the back of his head, gathering his thoughts. "Ok, so you know that story you all were told by the church choir in Arendelle? Well, I think I saw what you described. The golden sand fellow showed me the baby in the stables being visited by shepherds. Then, the scene changed, showing the man the baby had grown up to become. I saw the man healing others and teaching about forgiveness, living for God, and that He is the Son of God. Then I saw the man being crucified on a cross and laid in a tomb. I'd never seen a crucifixion, but that man died one of the most horrible deaths I've ever seen, even in a dream. Hands pierced, back whipped to the bone, even thorns forcefully shoved in the forehead. But that wasn't the end. I then saw the man coming out of the tomb, fully healed, as if he hadn't died at all. I wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Then the golden sand person started talking. He didn't say physical words, but I could tell what he was saying in my mind. The fellow explained that he was a messenger for the man in the dream. He explained what the man, Jesus, had done, including why he died on the cross, taking all the punishments for our sins. He explained what I needed to do to be saved. I was shocked that someone would love me enough to die for me. I also felt really strongly that I needed to accept this gift, so I followed the being in praying to ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Surprisingly, I didn't feel very different afterwards, but I felt like there was something new inside me. Something that wanted me to do the right thing and was filling me with love and acceptance. I don't think I've ever felt anything like that before. I don't know if I'm making sense."

Anna shook her head. "No, Kristoff. You're making perfect sense. I heard the same message on the train, though it was from somebody else. I and Elsa still need to investigate this event for ourselves, though."

Kristoff nodded. "That's great to hear. I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

Jack smiled. "Sounds like you had a great dream, Kristoff. Especially one that's going to have a lasting effect, by the sound of it. Now, not to change the subject, but my second question. How did you know we were up here?"

Kristoff hit his hand on his head. "Oh, right. So I got up from my dream to find Sven sleeping in the courtyard. I found a note next to him saying you all were at the ice palace. So I left immediately and went up here with Sven."

Elsa smiled. "I'm glad you're up here, Kristoff. But now do we walk down or slide down?"

Kristoff shrugged, "Good question. I gues we walk?"

Olaf pointed in the opposite direction that Kristoff had come up from. "Who's that over there?"

Anna turned. Sure enough, someone else was coming up. This man was an older gentleman, with a long white beard and a Russian cap. Two reindeer were pulling an old, battered sleigh behind him. There also appeared to be a smaller man walking beside him, helping keep the reindeer controlled.

The old man looked up, his eyes widening when he saw the group standing there. "Jack!" he exclaimed, the Russian accent shining through. He ran ahead of the reindeer to the group.

Anna only had time to step aside as the man ran up and grabbed Jack in a bear hug. Jack looked like the breath was knocked clear out of him, but he was smiling at the man. "Uncle Nicholas!" he managed to wheeze.

"Please, Jack. Just call me North," North said, releasing Jack from the hug.

Anna looked at the man. So this was the uncle that Jack talked about. He was not what Anna has expected. This man was tall, two-thirds of Marshmallow's height. He was wearing a long, winter jacket, with layers of fur to make the coat warmer. His face seemed jolly, so much so that Anna couldn't help smiling along. And his eyes had a twinkle of wonder at the world around him. Anna found herself liking this stranger as much as she liked Jack.

The fellow standing beside North was a stark contrast. While North towered over everyone else, the second fellow was about Anna's height. His clothes were somewhat unkempt, yet more of an air of being rushed and crumpled rather than poor maintenance. His face had some stubble that was hidden by a large bushy mustache. A newscap covered his head and hair. Now that Anna thought about it, this man reminded her of someone. She just couldn't think of who.

North turned to Anna and Elsa. "And you must be the ones who took care of my nephew." He enveloped them both in a bear hug. "I am grateful for what you have done."

Anna patted North's back. "It was nothing. Happy to help," she wheezed.

North released them both. "It wasn't nothing. I was so worried when I couldn't find Jack. It was very comforting knowing that he was safe."

Elsa nodded. "Jack's a good friend. We were happy to have him." She turned to the other fellow. "Pardon me, but I don't think we've been introduced."

The man turned to her. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm an old friend of North's and Jack's. Agreed to come up with them as soon as I heard that North was going to get Jack."

Elsa nodded, as aware of the fact that the person hadn't given his name as Anna was. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I have to say, though, you look somewhat familiar. Have we met before?" Elsa asked.

The fellow nodded. "I get that a lot, actually. We could have met before. In the town, around the mountains, on a train. I travel a lot."

Elsa nodded, looking even more mystified than before. She turned back to North. "So, are you both heading out now?"

Anna frowned. In all the excitement, she'd almost forgotten that Jack had to leave with his uncle.

North shook his head. "Not exactly. We will leave. But first, I want to get you all back to Arendelle. It's the least I can do after all you've done. We'll take the sleigh. There's plenty of room."

Jack ran over to the sleigh. "Sweet. This'll get us back, lickedy-split." He turned back to the others. "Come on. What are you all waiting for?"

Elsa turned to North. "Is it safe?"

North looked slightly shocked. "I've driven sleigh for very long time. It's as safe as riding sea lion. Safer even."

Elsa turned to Anna. "What do you think?"

Anna frowned, puzzling it over. The sleigh didn't look entirely safe, making a splitting headache or an accident seem like a very likely outcome. On the other hand, she still had a good feeling about North. It was the same feeling as the one she had about Jack and it hadn't been wrong before. Besides, how else were they going to get back in time for the party?

Anna looked at Elsa. "I think it's safe. I have a good feeling about it."

Elsa shrugged. "Well, that's good enough for me."

As Elsa and Anna climbed in the backseat with Jack, Anna saw North climb into the front. "Come aboard, Kristoff," he shouted.

Kristoff shook his head. "I don't know. I think riding Sven back down might be a little bit better than this. I mean, all due respect, but this sleigh doesn't look entirely safe. How about the royalty ride down on Sven and I just travel down on foot?"

North shook his head. "I don't think that'll work, Kristoff."

"Why not? Kristoff asked.

North pointed. "Because it looks like Sven will be pulling sleigh down the mountain. Very gracious of him."

Anna joined Kristoff in looking to the front. Sure enough, the reindeer had reorganized from a single-file line to a triangle shape. Sven was on the right side with a reindeer beside him and another one in front of him. He looked positively giddy to be in this position.

The mysterious fellow was in the process of harnessing Sven. "Don't worry," he said, noting Kristoff's concerned look. "North knows how to drive reindeer well. Very unharsh and friendly with his charges." He turned to North. "I think they're all secured and ready to go."

North nodded. "Excellent. Will you be joining us on the ride down?"

"Love to, mate, but I think the sleigh'll be full with everyone else. Besides, my passage is much safer for me to work with. Less death defying. You'll have a good time, though. See you at the palace."

With that, the man tapped his foot on the ground twice. To Anna's surprise, the ground opened up into a large hole, big enough to fit a reindeer in. After the fellow jumped in, the hole refilled behind him, leaving no trace of his presence aside from a singular flower.

Kristoff turned to North "Did that hole just…?"

North shrugged. "Who can say when it comes to him. Now that all objections have been addressed, come aboard," North said, grabbing Kristoff by his coat collar and pulling him into the sleigh. "Buckle up, everyone."

"Ok. But where are the things we use to buckle up with?" Olaf asked, sitting beside Elsa.

"Ha. That was just expression," North replied, smiling widely. He grabbed the reins. "Hang on, everyone. Not expression this time. You'll want to hang on tightly."

With a flick of the reins, the sleigh took off. Anna had thought Kristoff went fast, but North seemed to beat Kristoff by a mile. Trees whizzed by at an almost phenomenal speed. The wind hit Anna, pulling her back in her seat. Olaf and Jack were raising their hands into the air. Elsa and Kristoff were hanging on for dear life. Anna couldn't really blame them. Several times, it seemed like they were going to hit a tree, only for North to dodge it at the last minute.

Anna turned to Jack. "Does your uncle drive like this often?"

"Oh yeah," Jack replied. "Always gives you a thrill, but he knows what he's doing."

"He also can hear very well," North said. "Still, you do have point. Sleigh is going too slow. Let me show you how a sleigh really moves."

North flicked the reins, laughing hard and telling the reindeer to go faster. He really seemed to be enjoying this. Anna looked over to see Sven running hard, keeping pace with the other reindeer. Sven didn't seem to be slowing down or tiring out. If anything, the reindeer seemed to keep picking up speed, running so fast that the landscape passed by in a blur.

North kept looking around at different spots. "No, that won't do. Not that one," he mumbled. "It's got to be perfect."

"Perfect for what?" Elsa asked, a nervous tone in her voice.

North turned back, grinning. "You'll see."

Soon, North smiled, pointing to the right. "Yes, that one will do nicely."

With a small pull on the reins, the sleigh turned right. Anna turned to see a cliff dead ahead. At the rate they were going, the sleigh was going to soar off the cliff.

Anna turned to North. "Shouldn't we slow down? The other side is too far. We're never gonna make it."

North glanced at Anna, a crazy look in his eyes. "I've got everything under control. Trust me."

Before Anna could say anything else, the sleigh ran off the cliff. Anna closed her eyes, expecting the sleigh to fall. Her stomach stated to jostle. But this wasn't the jostle of falling. If anything, it felt like the sleigh was going up.

Anna opened her eyes. The reindeer were still moving, and North was still laughing, though Anna had noticed something very surprising. There was no ground that the reindeer were running on.

Anna leaned over the edge to find the ground getting farther and farther away. Looking around, Anna could see the North Mountain behind them, the fjord in front of them, and several mountains to the sides. The sleigh kept moving higher and higher.

Anna turned to the others. "Are we flying?"

Elsa shook her head. "It appears so."

North nodded. "Of course we are. Now relax, enjoy flight."

"Hey, Jack. Your hair's starting to look like Anna's used to," Olaf interjected.

Anna turned to Jack. Sure enough, his hair was turning white as snow. Not a single patch of brown hair remained. "Are you alright?"

Jack looked at the others, a slightly shocked look on his face. "Of course I'm fine. But if my hair is turning white…" He pondered for a second, then turned to the others. "You all can still see me?"

"Of course we can? Why'd you think we couldn't?" Anna asked.

Jack leaned over the side. "I don't know. I mean, we are flying. Crazier things have happened. Still could, I shouldn't wonder." Suddenly, Jack slipped, falling out of the sleigh.

Elsa turned to North. "Turn around! Your nephew's falling to the ground! We've got to catch him."

North turned back to Elsa. "Are you sure? Look again."

Anna turned to the spot Jack had fallen from. To her utter shock and amazement, Jack was flying alongside the sleigh. His body was spread out, his hands moving forward as if he was pulling his body towards wherever he wanted to go.

Anna's jaw dropped. "Jack, how are you doing that?"

"Don't you all know? Didn't Jack tell you his last name?" North asked.

Elsa shook her head. "No. That was something that never came up."

Jack shrugged. "It's been a few busy weeks. Well, no use beating about the bush, I guess. My name's Frost. Jack Frost."

And now, the secret is fully out. Jack is now Jack Frost again. Nothing like a flying sleigh ride to start a wrap-up.

I didn't want Kristoff to have missed the whole night, so I made the dream-visit by Sandman as a sort-of substitute. The spiritual aspects referred to in the dream are also very important (a sort-of wrap-up to that aspect of the story arc). Without that, Christmas would be fun, but it wouldn't have the same feeling of hope, generosity, and wonder that it does. Thank you all for continuing to read. As always, please rate and review.