Hello once again, fellow FF readers and writers. I hope all are well and looking forward to the festive season and the coming end of 2023.

Once again, I'm here in this particular fandom, and since it's been a decade since I last wrote here, I decided to do a sequel/one-shot of two of our beloved characters for them to mark the anniversary. It's something I've wanted to do for a while, and now is the time.

This takes place after the events of Frozen II. I do not own any characters from either franchise. Enjoy!


The winter night was endless, stretching across all corners of the sky, going beyond as far as the eye could see. While rather foreboding at first, not all was dark. The sky was punctured by a seemingly endless number of pinpricks of lights glowing in the vast expanse above the world. They, however, paled in comparison to the full moon that hung high, its crystal white light basking all before it in its nearly heavenly glow. The land of many trees, mountains and frozen rovers and islands and such, all covered in a thick layer of snow, was revealed to any and all that walked through it. Well, any who decided to actually dare to venture outside at this time given the time of the year and the low temperatures that accompanied it.

A cold breeze still blew through the air, rustling the trees that were slowly growing bare of any foliage; any leaves that were present now lost under the fluffy white layer that defined early December, at least in this part of Norway's mountains. The slightest touch of snow was enough to send chills right into the very core of any person or animal that remained outside whatever shelter there was. It was even said that any water dropped or left outside would turn to ice the moment it hit the ground. This was enough to deter anyone from experiencing the cold and instead remain at home cooped up by the fires or in their own beds, embracing the warmth and comfort from such an environment.

And yet a lone figure trudged through the snow up a small hill to a cliff that held a small, snow-covered field. At first glance, one would think she was mad, delusional even to be outside in this kind of weather, either day or night, but she paid it no heed. The cold did not bother her, at times even forgetting what it really felt like. For her, unlike everyone else, it was a comfort for her body, a very part of her body. Even her very life. Her bare feet crunched the snow loudly, but she felt no numbness. Her pure white dress, whiter than even the snow would be in the daytime, blew with the wind as she walked, but here too it had no lasting cold effect on her. Rather, she actually was feeling rather hot from all the walking up the hill.

I'd have thought I'd be used to it by now.

Reaching the top, Elsa came to a halt, wiping some sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Looking up, she took in the sight of the moon and the many stars that twinkled high above. It was so serene, surreal, incredible. To be here on a cloudless night and witness the celestial bodies of the heavens in their nightly dance always amazed her, ever since she was a child as a matter of fact. She could recall the many memories and her and her sister and their parents all taking time during the summer, and then again during the winter months, to gaze up at the stars, spot the constellations (or the brightest star if possible), and just generally enjoy being there away from the castle, away from the tutors, and away the duties of the Arendelle royal family, even if it were temporary. Several times in the summer they had fallen asleep out there – usually with her younger sister draped over her elder one and snoring away while tucked in a nice embrace.

Those were the months she remembered most fondly when they were children. And now here they were, some twenty or so years later. They had grown up now; Elsa now residing at the fifth and unifying spirit of nature in the woods far beyond the North Mountain, and Anna becoming Queen of Arendelle.

It had been a surprise for many; even now, some could barely comprehend such an ending. The little sister, the boisterous, feisty, often hyper and energetic of the two, a world different from the quiet, composed, graceful, studious and elegance that made up Elsa, was made queen. Many believed it would not last, that Queen Anna would find it too boring, too difficult, too stressful. Yet, she had surprised everyone. The new queen, now five years of her reign, had grown into the role. It had been difficult, of course. There had been meetings, building reports, letters, diplomacy, matters of state. Elsa, though, had always been there to offer whatever advice or help she could to her younger sibling, knowing full too well the stress and, at times, frustrating ways it affected the monarch to the point of being pallid. Elsa even allowed herself a momentary smile upon recounting one time she had gone to visit Arendelle and Anna had been busy with work. The Queen had fallen asleep at her desk and Elsa had carried her to her room (she still found it impossible how given that Anna was shorter, but a bit more stockier than her). Anna had done that many times to her when she was princess and Elsa was queen, the latter having fallen asleep at her desk, sometimes even during dinner because she worked so hard. Anna had even mentioned once, whether joking or not, Elsa had no idea given her younger sibling's usual bountiful energy, that she had said that if she became queen, hard work would be outlawed and fun would be the new rule.

Elsa smirked. That's my little sister, all play and little work. Just like when we were little.

Yet, as mentioned, she had grown into the role well, and within a year had taken Arendelle to new heights. Trade was flourishing, the kingdom had expanded its population and housing into the surrounding areas with ease, connections had been made, or made stronger with the likes of Corona, Oslo, Iceland, Sweden, even America and, most shockingly, the Southern Isles. Elsa was so proud of her, and she knew things would only get better.

So much for outlawing hard work. As for the play, well … I bet she makes up for it with Kristoff on that front.

As for Elsa, it had been mostly smooth sailing her too. The Northuldra had grown a bit too, but still maintained the nomadic lifestyle across the forest and mountains. At times, they did go to Arendelle to see where the former queen had lived, something many had enjoyed on both sides. And here in the forest too, things were wonderful. Elsa had taken up her role as now a de facto leader of the tribe well. She had taught the kids to read, helped with keeping back storms, raising the cattle and generally brought a more peaceful and closer bond with nature for them all. A part of the bridge, so to speak.

Though, at times she'd longed for Arendelle. To go back to being the elder sibling, to the castle she had called home for so long, to the bustling, yet peaceful cobbled streets of Arendelle. To her old life. Even if it were just to sleep in her own bed or sit down properly with Anna and Kristoff and Olaf and Sven and others that were or had become her family for years. To laugh and have fun and spend time with just as she had before she abdicated.

Elsa sat down on a nearby tree stump, leaning back a little and placing her hands on the stump behind her as she gazed up at the trees nearby ahead of her. One with a curved branch stood almost right on the edge, its tip almost seemingly touching the bottom of the moon. Snow continued to fall around her, but she paid it no heed as she sat on the stump, content with the world, enjoying a moment of peace and tranquility in the winter woods.

So much has happened over the past decade. She thought to herself. It's hard to believe.

Indeed, it was. Arendelle, and especially the lives of her and her family, had changed so much. Arendelle was now a famous kingdom in the north of Europe, its monarchy had gone through a transition that many thought impossible, and the former queen had gone from being the head of a state to a member of a nomadic forest people in the wilderness of Norway. And that was before one even considered that there was a palace made of ice in the North Mountain, and a talking snowman in Arendelle.

It really was a kingdom of eccentricity and unique happenings.

As she thought, her mind thought back to before all of that, before the opening of the gates, before she had revealed her powers. In the early days of the Great Winter, when Elsa had been utterly at a loss for what to do about her powers, how to go back and fix everything – if she even could. When she had been at her lowest, something … no, someone had come. She tried to remember. It was someone not so different from her.

Her eyes caught sight of a small snowflake, noticeably bigger than any of the others, drifting down towards her, the wind having no effect on it as it fell end over end to her.

Have I seen this before?

When it landed on her nose, it disintegrated, showring her vision with a display of sparkles and lights like mini fireworks. She blinked it away, giving her head a little shake. A familiar sensation ran through her, one that made her feel calm, yet perplexed.

Now I've definitely seen this before.

A branch creaked loudly. She looked up and saw something leap to the ground just in front of the tree, the sound of a crunch echoing across the field. They were a person, that was in no doubt. Elsa got to her feet, now on alert, ice swirling between her fingers. Though she doubted there would be anyone up here to hurt her – they would need to find her anyway, which would no doubt be excruciatingly difficult given how much of a natural expanse this was – she was taking no chances.

The figure took a few steps towards her, their silhouette outlined by the moonlight coming from behind, though still mostly tenebrous. She could see they were quite lanky and held a long object in their hands. Elsa held her ground, wanting to show she was ready, but not intimidated by … whoever stood before her. She thought about darkening her dress to blend in with the night, but then realised it would do no good. The moonlight would still make her visible, and even if she was hidden and tried to sneak away, they would hear her. If they could sneak up here without her hearing, then there was no doubt they could hear her trying to do the same.

She watched the figure pause, their other hand coming up to chest level. She saw wisps of white circle around it.

What the …?

Before she could blink, a white object came and hit her in the face. She let out a small cry of surprise, stumbling back a little. She wiped it from her forehead.

Snowball?

She rolled her eyes. Of course!

"Very funny," she said, lips curving upward in a small smile, placing her hands on her hips. "If you were planning to surprise me, then it worked. Congrats." She added.

The figure chuckled; its masculine tone clear. It – or now he – stepped towards Elsa, coming more clearly into the light.

Though it had been years, Elsa had to admit that the one who stood before her looked as though he'd barely changed. Still the same face (handsome she quietly admitted to herself) with the same messy crop of snow-white hair, sky blue eyes that rivalled her own and pale skin. He was still adorned in the dark blue hoodie and the light brown-like trousers and in his hand was the long, oversized stick cane. Frost lined the parts of his clothes that touched his skin, but he was unperturbed by it. His gaze held that familiar warmth and comfort with a glint of mischief she had met before.

"Aim to please," he spoke, his voice soft and gentle.

Elsa smiled and walked forward right into an embrace, resting her head against his chest and wrapping her arms around his back. One of his hands stroked her long white hair that draped down her back, the other hugged her waist as he rested his head on her shoulder, enjoying the moment, forgetting about the wind and the snow and the cold and everything else around them. For now, it was just them and them only.

"It's good to see you again, Jack," she said, looking up at him.

He met her gaze, tenderly rubbing the back of her head. "You too, Elsa." He pulled away a little, getting a good look at the woman, taking in her blue eyes, beautiful face, long white hair and dress. "You look so different." He commented in a complimentary manner.

"I feel different," she replied. "Not scared anymore."

"Yeah. How long has it been? What four-five years?"

Elsa paused for a moment, thinking. "N-no. It was three years in Arendelle, then I came here. And another three or four. So roughly seven years."

With a slight shake of his head and a laugh, Jack said: "Where does time go?" he pulled her in close again. "But I'm glad to see you again, Elsa." Then he made a face as if realising something, stepped back a pace and gave a small bow. "I mean, Your Majesty,"

Elsa tittered. "Actually, no, it's just Elsa now. I'm not queen anymore."

He gave her a surprised look. "Really? Why?"

"Oh, believe me, Jack. It's a long story." Elsa replied with a chuckle.

Jack stepped forward and put his arm around her. "Elsa, I've got time, don't worry."

She gave a small yelp as he leapt with her towards the tree like a bird, landing gently and gracefully on the tree and setting Elsa down on the end nearest the tree trunk. She hesitated for a moment, then sat down, fearing it was going to suddenly break under them. Jack sat down opposite her a little further down the branch, casually hanging one leg over the edge whilst tucking the other under him. He placed the cane behind him, somehow making it stand perfectly upright on its own.

"Don't worry, it's safe," he reassured her, seeing the former queen's apprehension. "So, tell me everything."

And she did. A little slow to begin with, but soon she was talking like her life depended on it. She recalled everything, at times even becoming excited and giddy, waving her arms around like re-enacting a play like a well-performing actress. The aftermath of the Great Winter, the defeat of Hans and the restoration of her as Arendelle's queen and reuniting with her sister and her new friends, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven (Jack had commented about needing to see 'a real-life snowman' when Elsa had informed him of Olaf). She recalled him with lots of enthusiasm of the many times her and Anna were spending together, both before and after abdicating, recalling their many games of charades, their walks, the helping of Anna with official work from Arendelle, and the like. She then moved onto everything that happened with them going into the forest, finding out about Ahtohallan and the four spirits, and then saving their home. When she finished about becoming part of the Northuldra tribe, she rested, leaning back against the tree, exhaling heavily in relief.

Jack chuckled. "You okay?" he asked her.

She nodded. "Yeah," she breathed. "Sorry … I just haven't spoken that much in a while."

He cocked his head a little, curious. "You don't get a chance to converse with the others here?" he inquired.

She gave a small shrug with a neutral expression, somewhere between being a little annoyed about how things were yet accepting them for what they were. "I mean, I'd like to, but … here-" she waved her arm out across the land in the direction of where she had come from earlier. "When you have to keep an eye on the kids and keep the spirits in order and help with moving from area to area during the various parts of the year, it …" she gave another meek shrug. "It can get a little boring, sometimes even a bit lonely."

He looked at her sympathetically. It was a surprise; she had spoken very highly of being here, and she looked well despite no longer living a content and prosperous lifestyle as she had done years ago. Obviously, he did not expect her to accept everything as fine and perfect, but she did sound like she had been needing to get something off her chest. To vent and then be weightless, to release any negativity and only strive forward for what elated her.

Jack shifted up the branch, sitting partly on the edge and partly in mid-air, which made Elsa think that he looked like he was sitting in a normal armchair. He gave her hand a comforting squeeze, which she smiled gratefully at.

"I'm sure everything'll work out in the end," he told her.

She nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

A pause hung in the air between them as she took a moment to gaze up at the moon, enjoying it glowing beauty, its pure white light that looked almost as if it were from the heavens itself. It was so marvelling, how the moon could still be the same as it had been for … God knows how long on this earth, but it still retained that mesmerising, mysterious, magnificent allure humanity had come to associate with it for eons. Some would think it fatuous, but she always found it wonderful. Almost as if it were calling to her, trying to speak to her.

"Taking an interest in Manny?" Jack's voice snapped her back to reality.

She gave him a perplexed look. "Manny?"

He nodded. "Yeah, that's what we call him." He said. When she looked confused at his sentence, he realised. "Oh, me and the others." He explained.

She raised an eye-brow. "The … 'others?'" she asked.

"Yep. Me, and the other guardians. Sandman, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny. Heck, as it's December, even Santa, you'll be surprised to hear." Jack explained and giggled at Elsa's face lighting up with joy.

"Really! He's real?!" Jack nodded. "Wow, I-I actually didn't think it was possible."

Jack gave a shrug. "Me neither when I first became Jack Frost." He said with a laugh.

"Wow, Anna is going to be thrilled! Olaf too!" Elsa muttered. "I wonder if they would be able to meet him."

Jack made a low whistle. "It's definitely interesting, but take it from me, it's scary as hell. Seriously, it was terrifying when I first heard him before we met."

Elsa sat closer, resting her chin on her enclosed hands. "Tell me how," she said.

Jack paused, a little red in the face, but he pressed on. "Well … you might find this hard to believe, but he's huge. Like seriously, the guy is the size of one of those …" he waved his hand a little in frustration trying to find a suitable comparison. "Grand pianos, or something like that, and has a Russian accent. And hearing that when it's pitch-black outside on Christmas Eve and you're hoping to sneak a peek at what one of the kids got, but Santa is aware that someone else is there is …" he made a face that told Elsa exactly how it must have felt at the time. "Definitely a little intimidating."

Elsa laughed and got to her feet. She regained her composure, then spoke once again. "I bet he spoke like this," she said, then tried to put on a dourer expression and deepened her voice in what Jack thought would have been a good version if Santa had been female. She stood tall, puffing out her chest, looking at though she were a strict headmistress. "Whoever is be leaving bed at this night will be not getting presents."

Jack laughed, as did Elsa. "T-that was pretty good." He commented pointing at her, giggling a little as he rubbed a tear from his eye. "And yeah, something to that effect." He added with a laugh, referring to what Santa had told him in their first encounter. "Oh, it was an event."

"Did you wake up the child?" Elsa asked as she sat down, dangling her legs over the branch, watching as Jack walked on the end at the thinnest part with the skill and grace of an experienced tightrope walker, balancing the staff behind his shoulders.

"We almost did wake her up, but thankfully Sandy – the Sandman – was nearby and put her back to sleep. Oh boy, that was a night! I thought he was gonna turn me into an ornament or something for his workshop. Thank Manny I leapt away, and Santa was on a tight schedule."

Elsa giggled as she watched Jack land after doing a cartwheel on the end of the branch, landing so well that made her jealous. "Or … he could have put you on the 'naughty' list." She suggested.

The pale skinned young man snorted. "Trust me, if I'm not on the list after that time, I don't know what will put me on there."

He jumped up and sat on the branch above Elsa, this one much larger. He walked over to just above her, crossed his legs and dangled down, his body facing her.

"And what about this … 'Sandman' you mentioned?" Elsa asked in a curious tone.

"Oh, he comes out at night. Helps manifest people's dreams when they're asleep. Kids mostly, but the occasional adult slips in there from time to time." He paused to let the info sink in. "Actually, that explains if you've ever had a dream feel real." He added matter-of-factly.

It definitely does. Elsa nodded. "And about Tooth Fairy? She's the one who leaves coins under our pillows?" Another nod from him. "I always thought it was our parents."

Jack shook his head. "Nope, it's Tooth – short for Tooth Fairy. Or-" he corrected himself. "Well, one of her little tooth fairies."

"Oh, there's more than one?"

"A lot more." He twirled his cane around between his fingers, somehow managing to avoid hitting himself in the head as he spoke. "But she's basically the head of them. They take the teeth and leave you with the coin and … I guess she directs everything."

"So, you never met her?"

"A couple of times, but she's been busy practically every day." He stood up, conjuring up a snowball and absent-mindedly tossed it into the air and caught it like one would a regular ball as he spoke. "Which, given the amount of new babies every year, is only going to get busier."

Elsa nodded, shifting to make herself comfortable. He was right. From what she remembered back in her studies, some people who visited Arendelle were telling of cities getting bigger and more people being born every year. Even recently when she visited her old home, some were there to pass on the knowledge.

"And then there's Mr Easter Bunny." Jack carried on, tossing the snowball into the frozen field, then looked back down at her. His tone was a little more tense, but still carried its usual chirpiness. "Really specific and hard on his work." He added a good deal of emphasis on the first word.

"Oh, c'mon now, Jack. I'm sure he just wants to do it well. I mean, Easter's been one of my favourites, ever since back when I was a child." Elsa chided him.

"Not gonna disagree, but …" he trailed off for a moment, sucking in air through clenched teeth, a guilty expression palpable. "I don't think he's too pleased with me."

She gave a half-smirk, eyeing him curiously. "Why?"

"You could say …" he shrugged. "A little bit of snow and people found that to be more interesting than his easter egg hunt one time." He paused, giving a little laugh at his mischievous prank. "Oh, he was not amused."

Elsa couldn't help but giggle. "If my father was here, he'd say that someone like you was, and I quote: 'a cause for concern'." she said.

Jack sniffed, forming some frost in his hand and flicking it away. "What about you? Surely you must have done something naughty once."

Elsa shook her head, smiling proudly. "Nope. Was always a rule follower, me." She stated, folding her arms and giving him a mock-superior expression.

Jack met her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I see," he played along. "And what about that feisty little sister of yours?" he inquired.

Elsa made a noise of exasperation, emphasised by her throwing her arms up and letting them fall at her sides, her mind flooding with countless memories of Anna's antics growing up.

"Oh, my God, she is a whole different story, b-but in a good way." Elsa replied.

Now Jack was interested as he shifted himself, so now he was hanging upside down, swinging from side-to-side, hanging the staff on a smaller branch that came off his own.

Elsa smirked at his odd demeanour. "Why are you hanging like that?"

His reply was a shrug and a smile. "It's fun," he replied simply. "Anyway, about you and your sister. Do tell."

Elsa paused a moment, trying to think of how to start. There were so many she could tell him, probably they would be here for the rest of the night.

"Well … there was the time she tried riding her bike down the castle hallways while standing on the seat," she explained. Jack made a wincing face at this, only imagining the outcome. "She ended up falling on a knight." Elsa began to giggle. "Then there was one time she snuck into father's sword cabinet and tried playing with them; how she did not end up being thrown in the dungeon with how mad mother was, I, for the life of me, have got no idea!"

Jack laughed, pulling himself up and then jumping down onto the branch once again, one leg dangling over the side the other he bent and rested his arm on it.

"And then there was the time she convinced, no forced, me to go into the kitchen one night during Christmas, and we found the chocolate stash for my birthday cake." Elsa continued.

"Oh, yours is in December?" Jack interrupted.

She nodded. "Yeah, 21st, funny enough." She answered. "And … well … we started having a nibble, and then it progressed into us making ourselves sick. Oh, I thought I was going to be banished!" She hid her face, the recollection of the memory clear as day.

Jack laughed, clutching his stomach, almost falling over and off the branch if he hadn't caught himself in time. "For the next in line to the throne, you sounded like you were a handful when you were with your sister."

"I was not!" she insisted, folding her arms, her face going red.

Jack grunted as he pulled himself back up. "Why did you go along with it anyway? In the kitchen, I mean?" he asked.

Elsa unfolded her arms. "Well, she was just too cute to resist. I mean, I couldn't say no to my baby sister, especially when she was young. Plus …" she paused, feeling a little embarrassed. "I-I love chocolate too much." She admitted, earning a titter from Jack. "What?!" she asked.

"Nothing," he replied, and have another chuckle. "So much for the saying: 'Who's worse? The fool, or the fool who follows the fool?'"

"Well, in my defence, the fool who was doing the fooling happened to be doing the fooling in a very convincing, maybe even unfoolish way." Elsa countered.

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Your Highness." She stuck out her tongue at him. "But, to be fair, I'd have done the same if I were in your position."

She pointed a finger at him. "You would have turned it into chocolate ice cream, given your powers." She waved her hand at him and his staff.

Jack fake considered, nodding his head as if he were some merchant considering his next sale. "Not a bad idea, Elsa. Thanks a lot."

She rolled her eyes, leaning back against the tree behind her. She watched Jack pull himself up into a standing position, casually toying with the staff by lightly throwing it into the air and then catching it. Silence passed between them as Elsa looked back at the hill in the direction of the village, trying to spot anything that may help her locate the area where the village had been set up for the next few days before they moved on.

"You okay, Elsa?" Jack asked, concerned.

She jumped a little in surprise, looking back at him. "Yeah, sorry, just zoned out for a second," she replied softly, looking down at her feet.

Jack walked up and sat down in front of her, sensing her slight down moment in her mood. "You miss being in Arendelle?" he asked her directly.

She did not reply, but looked at the ground, now looking more dejected. Whilst she did not mind being here, away from all the work and responsibilities and such that came with being queen, she did miss her family and life there. It was times like this when she wished she could go back, back to helping her sister, spending time with Olaf, walking with Anna and Kristoff and Sven. Back to being in the comfort of her old life.

Alas, she was needed here. The four spirits needed her to keep in balance, and really deep down she felt that this was her place. Out here as a fifth spirit of nature, keeping everything in balance, ensuring there was no repeat of what happened a few years ago. Besides, she was able to visit Anna whenever they were near the kingdom.

Jack didn't press Elsa for an answer, her lack of a response being more than enough of one. He could sympathise with her, though. Elsa was once again away from her home, away from the ones she had known for most of her life. At least she was able to go back and no longer had to worry about anything bad happening to her or her family, even if at times being away from them was not exactly everything she desired.

Unlike me.

As Jack was deep in thought, Elsa looked up at him. "Hey, Jack?"

"Mmmhh?"

"C-can I ask you something?" she inquired, a little hesitant.

"Sure, why not?" the snow-white haired boy answered, going back to his earlier position; sitting on the branch with his legs dangling over the side.

Another pause hung between them; Elsa trying to think how to word it properly, all the while Jack waited patiently for her to speak. The last thing she wanted to do was upset or offend him.

"W-well … um. H-how do I ask this?" she said, scratching her head a little. "Sorry if I asked you this last time we met, but you got me thinking with the other ones you told me about earlier."

"You mean Santa, Sandman, Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny?" Jack responded.

She nodded. "That's right. You mentioned about what they do, so are they liked by the kids?"

"Oh, without a doubt," Jack responded with a titter, though Elsa detected a hint of envy and annoyance in his answer, and judging by how he looked at the ground for a moment with a somewhat dour expression made her think she had asked the wrong thing.

"Oh! I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"No, no! It's fine," Jack cut her off. He sighed. "From what I know, they live because the kids believe in them. Maybe some adults too, I don't know. But that's what's kept them alive, or at least not fading away."

"How do you know about them needing kids to believe in them for them to live?" Elsa asked to which Jack responded with a jerk of his thumb behind them at the moon. "Oh." Another pause. "But, what about you? I mean, what do the kids say to you?"

Another heavy pause, he bit his lower lip. She noticed his hand gripping the staff clench it a little tighter. Oh, not a good thing to say, Elsa. Nice work!

"They … they don't see me," was his answer.

"Not one?" she said, shifting over and sitting next to him.

He shook his head, staring ahead into the darkness of the forest and the mountains ahead of them beyond the field. "I tried, but … it doesn't work."

She placed her hand on his, comforting him and leaning into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Well … don't give up, Jack. I'm sure they'll see you one day. I mean, I do."

He gave a 'humph' noise as he looked at her. "But it's only one," he pointed out.

"Well, it's a start, and that's what matters," she told him confidently. "Trust me, I felt the same way when I went back to Arendelle. I was terrified of people not accepting my powers." She looked down at her hands as if to emphasise her point. "But slowly people did, and one-by-one people in Arendelle saw them as normal."

He considered her point, looking down at the ground for a moment, then back into the distance. "I guess."

Elsa rubbed his back comfortingly. "Trust me, they will, Jack. I know they will." Another pause. "I mean, did you try asking …" she indicated to the moon behind them.

Jack looked in that direction and gave an irritable smirk as if emphasising his frustration. "No response," was his reply.

Gosh, it's really got him beat down.

As he turned away, staring ahead moodily, she took note of his hands clenched into fists, one tightly gripping the staff to the point where she thought he would crush it. His face held a frustrated, yet resigned look; one that was obviously fed up with their place in the world, but had, or at the very least started to resign themselves to the fact that this was their place, and they could not change it, even though it was unfair, cruel even. Elsa could sympathise. Seeing him feel this way brought back memories of how things had been for her all those years ago; born with powers she did not understand, could not control, and then ended up fearing to no end that she would hurt someone just like, or even worse than she had done to Anna when they were little.

It had taken a long time to get over it, to accept it, to embrace it and to see it not as a curse, but as something fun and jovial, something that could bring joy to others. Powerful and potentially dangerous, yes, but now she could control it whereas back then she couldn't.

It had been a long journey she told herself. But … Jack is still trying to complete his.

If only she could help him, like he had done before when they last met.

An idea popped into her head.

Elsa got up, prompting Jack to look up at her. "You okay? You need to head back?" he inquired, getting to his feet.

She shook her head, smiling as she grabbed his arm. "I have an idea."

He blinked in surprise. "Uh, okay. What is it?" he said.

"Follow me, I wanted to show you something."

She conjured up an ice slide to the ground and slid down it, landing in the snow with a skid. Jack followed her down, intrigued by what she was getting at. He watched as she walked into the field. Jack watched her go, interested in her sudden drive and enthusiasm for … whatever it was she wanted to surprise him with.

"Uh, so what did you want to show me, Elsa?" he asked as she came to a halt, standing still in the field and turned to face him.

She responded by extending her arms from her, turning her hands so that the palms faced the ground. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, concentrating hard. Jack saw the sleeves of her dress begin to ruffle. The snow around her began to shift as he noticed the wind pick up. Her snow-white hair seemed to glow in the moonlight, almost blowing over her shoulder and obscuring her face. Jack was mesmerised at the sight, even a little breath-taken. Whilst he had seen her as someone like him, even more now tonight than when they had first met so long ago, he couldn't deny that she definitely was a beauty.

Then, to his amazement, she lifted off the ground. It was only a little at first, barely a few inches. But then she started to rise higher. She passed one foot, the wind kicking up snow in all directions, her face still holding that relaxed expression, one of total exhilaration, total freedom.

"Wow!" Jack exclaimed.

At that, Elsa's eyes snapped open. Suddenly, her expression changed from total relaxation to shock as the wind she was channelling with her powers suddenly cut off like someone flipped a switch. She fell with a yelp onto the snow, though luckily, she was only a few feet and the white fluffy surface easily broke her fall. Jack rushed over, kneeling net to her.

"Sorry," he apologised meekly. "I didn't mean to break your concentration,"

"It's okay," she breathed, inhaling and exhaling heavily like she had run a marathon up and down the hill several times. "I've been practising for a while now, usually at night when I'm free. But I've never done more than a couple of feet before now!" she spoke excitedly. "H-how much was that?!"

Jack gave a small titter. "Looked to be a good four feet," he said, then added with a shrug. "Maybe even five."

She beamed brightly. "Great!" she breathed, moving into a sitting position. "I just hope it'll be more soon."

Jack took her hand and gently helped her up. "It's a start," he said, then stood next to her. "Now, close your eyes. Concentrate,"

She did as he said, closing her eyes, inhaling deeply, extending her arms again almost like she was trying to represent Christ himself on the cross. Jack told her to visualise her power, to see it, feel it flowing through her. She did, imagining water rushing through her veins as a speed like it would do in a tempest, yet somehow it felt like one of the most calming things. She imagined the wind, picking up all that lay around and pulling it into the air, no matter if it were as light as a feather or something heavy like a brick, or even a person.

I'm standing in a field. My feet are … are lifting off the ground.

Yes. She could see it. The ground moving away from her, slowly but surely. The trees that once towered over her like dark towers of the night only partly illuminated by the moonlight became eye-level, then beneath her. It was like ascending to the heavens, looking up she could see nothing but the stars, all the many thousands in the great blackness above. The aurora lights were there too, the swirling mass of green, pink and white snaking its way across the night sky like something alive, but beyond her comprehension. That mattered little, for its beauty was more than what even the purest of earthly things could only dream of coming close to. The wind caressed her cheeks, a soothing and cold feeling, one that to most was bitter and horrible, but to her was like sitting by the fire.

"Elsa, take a look,"

She opened her eyes and gasped happily.

I-I'm flying!

Truly she was. Jack held her by her hand, floating next to her so effortlessly as he smiled at her. She looked down, seeing the world before her like a map, a very realistic one to be more precise. The trees, hills, frozen lakes, all of it that was covered by a layer of white was beneath her like she sat on a cloud. Only the distant mountains far off ahead of them looked like they were at the same height, or even taller than them. She glanced down, seeing the field where she had been moments ago now a size roughly similar to half of that of the main courtyard in Arendelle's castle. Behind her, the moon seemed to be brighter as if welcoming her to being on its level. It looked like it was within reach, so much that she wanted to reach out and touch it.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Jack spoke.

She could only nod, still breathless at the fact she was literally above the world. A world so small.

"Now, we go higher," he said calmly, but with a palpable undertone of eagerness.

Her head snapped in his direction so fast she felt her neck click, looking at him incredulously. "Higher?" she squeaked.

Before she could protest, they were leaping higher like a rocket, the world soaring away from them, the clouds whizzing past it was literally a blur. Her hair was blown back, the wind cutting across her neck and face so much it made her eyes water. They passed through another cloud, and for a few moments Jack, though he was literally right next to her, disappeared, along with most of her arm. A moment of panic seized her.

Has he disappeared? Where is he? Don't disappear on me, Jack!

As if answering her prayers, he materialised out of the cloud beside her, laughing. The surge through the cloud no doubt was enjoyable to him, and when he looked back and met Elsa's face with his own, she could not help but laugh with him. As terrifying at it was, this was something so exhilarating, so numbingly fantastic (metaphorically and literally) she could think of nothing else but to be ecstatic.

When they passed another cloud, they slowed and came to a halt, slowly until the aurora lights, which had been big before, now seemed have entirely replaced the sky above. Elsa held onto Jack, floating alongside him, gazing down at the world. It was like she was in water, but not drowning. Like a fish or some other aquatic creature, yet one who could also happen to fly, no longer bound by the constraints of the world below.

Goodbye gravity.

With it, looking down again, all of the doubts, the worry, the fear, the terror, the melancholy that had been such a big part of her life, that had at one point ruled over her like a tyrannical force, one far more terrifying than any real demagogue or king could be. All of that now seemed … so far, so removed, so beneath her (quite literally).

Goodbye enemies. I feel so tall.

She looked at Jack, who was gazing at the aurora above, mesmerised by its colours and patterns across the night sky like a child would when they would see a rainbow. If he noticed her staring at him, he did not show it. Then again, she could not blame him. This had been something she loved looking up at ever since she was a child, but being able to feel like you only had to reach out and touch it was … well, even her normally composed parents would probably turn giddy at the sight of one of the most beautiful atmospheric displays right above their heads.

The atmosphere is so lonely, so beautiful.

Her gaze fell to their hands intertwined. A thought came to her mind as she looked at them, then down at the earth now much farther below, then back at the one next to her.

"Hey Jack?"

He turned to face her and she smiled at him.

And she released her hand and fell.

For a moment, Jack was stunned, even blinking once or twice, unable to comprehend if Elsa had actually done that. He looked down and saw her white shape descending rapidly towards the Earth. He dashed after her, pushing his arms and legs together with the staff clutched close to him. His speed increased as he reached out for her. He saw her look back up at him, but her face held not a cry or a look of dread or terror, but … joy?

What the …?

Quick as a flash, she arched herself, spreading her arms and, to his amazement, she began to fly in a sort of U-shape, pushing through a cloud. Jack was right on her heels, then beside her, laughing ecstatically. Elsa looked over and laughed with him, having the time of her life. She reached out for him and he grabbed her arm and propelled them up, the aurora filled sky rushing towards them.

Rising towards the dark. Don't care what's down below.

The world underneath her raced away again, the many colours of the sky coming towards her once more. Only excitement and glee and freedom were there to greet them; no longer the pain or worry or tribulations of years gone by. Onward and upward.

I'm going up to a place where the world -she looked down below, seeing the map-like description come to mind again -is small.

Jack said something to her and he slowed down, pulling her so she was in front facing him. They came to a slow halt, wrapped in the glow of the moonlight, which they both could have sworn was now almost as bright as the sun. Elsa stared at him, ghosts of a smile still there, breathing heavily, but feeling … so alive. Jack smiled back.

"Tired?"

She nodded. "Yeah, but … I feel great." She paused and looked down. "So alive, so weightless."

It was, put simply, the best she had felt in a long time.

The world, and everything on it … so small.

She pulled herself into Jack and wrapped her arms around him, leaning into his neck and chest.

"Thank you so much, Jack," she breathed, stifling a yawn. "I had fun."

He gave her a gentle squeeze. "Anytime."

As he hung there in the air, Jack could not help but look down at her, once again mesmerised by the sight of someone like her in her arm. Her beauty was something he could not take his eyes off. Her soft-looking, white skin, her long, glowing white hair cascading down her back. He imagined her waking up, staring back at him with those deep blue eyes that he was sure had captured the attention of many men; probably even in the little village where she was staying now.

Whoever she gets hitched to, if she does … he'll be lucky he thought to himself.

A part of him did think: What about me? We both had ice powers, we both had at least a few things similar in terms of appearance. Heck, now she can fly like me – maybe not as good, but definitely not bad either. A few images of him proposing to her did come to mind, which made him internally chuckle.

Oh boy. That would be the day. Manny, and the others for that matter, would never let it go.

But he knew it would not be possible. Despite being very similar in so many a way, the one clear distinctive difference between them was time. While Jack had no exact idea of knowing how long it had been since he came to be who he was, he knew it had been a very long time. In that time, he had not aged at all, still as nimble and agile as he had been for so many years. Elsa, on the other hand, while she still mostly looked the same, he could tell that she was older than when they'd first met. To be her betrothed … he did not want to think of having to watch her grow old while he would stay like this for … well, maybe forever.

Plus, there was her too. When he had first come to her, she had been beaten down, unquestionably self-conscious, terrified about what she might do to herself and others. Her whole world had been consumed by fear, and given what she told him earlier, it had at least partly been that way even after returning to the Arendelle throne. Yet, now she was more at peace, a lot more self-assured, composed, graceful. No longer afraid of her powers, or herself or the future. He, on the other hand, was still trying to find out what he was doing here, why kids could not see him.

He looked back at Manny, hoping for a moment for some kind of sign in this spell of self-analysis.

Anything? He mentally asked as he gazed at the moon. Can you show me?

Nothing.

He rolled his eyes. Great.

Elsa shifted in his arm. He looked down and saw her eyes closed, chest rising and falling softly in deep slumber. Jack couldn't help but smile. Well, even if for a moment, it was worth it.

Holding her bridal style, he gently flew back down to earth, looking for her village.


It took him some time as he scoured the land for the Northuldra village, she hadn't really given him much of an idea of what it exactly looked like. Plus, having to move around trees and small hills over frozen streams and balancing his staff and a sleeping Elsa was not the easiest thing. He thanked Manny for being able to fly, or this would have taken a lot longer.

And been nowhere near as fun.

Eventually, after about half an hour, he found the village nestled in a clearing in the forest next to a rocky face. Gently, he landed and crept over to a tent situated on small hill, its front cover adorned with a glowing snowflake. He paused, poking his head through a gap in the flap to check it was empty. It was. He stepped inside and crouched down, gently setting her down on a fur covered floor, pulling a thick blanket over her. Her hand grabbed it amid her deep sleep and pulled it up as she moaned a little in reply.

Content that she was asleep and safe, Jack got up to leave then paused and looked back down at her. Well, can't hurt. Plus, I kinda owe her.

He knelt down next to her and planted a kiss on her forehead. Soft and quick. She gave a small moan, smiling in her sleep as she turned over on her side facing him, her hair draping over her face and shoulder in a way that he knew would probably be a bit of a mess when she woke up tomorrow morning.

Cute he thought to himself as he got up and walked over to the flap, staff across his shoulder.

He paused and looked back at the sleeping former Arendelle queen once more. "Thanks. See you around, Elsa." He said and leapt into the night.

Behind him, Elsa remained in her deep slumber. Tonight had been a fun night, one she would never forget. Though life would go back to normal tomorrow, she knew this visit had made things weigh less on her heart, that fun was always there.

And Jack Frost? If others could not see him, or believe in him, he knew Elsa would.

For Jack, it was the first time in forever that he felt at peace.


Well, there you have it, fellow readers and writers. Managed to get this done in two days. Hope you all like it.

Also, there are references to the song 'Small World' by Idina Menzel (Elsa's voice actor). Originally, Elsa was meant to be singing in this one, but I couldn't integrate into the story well enough, so it was used for more symbolic ways to convey her deepest thoughts.

Anyway, it is a bit early, but a Merry Christmas to all. Let us hope this will be a fruitful and peaceful time of year.