the butterfly effect
Arendelle, October 1827
The story begins just how it ends. The moon in its preeminent form basking at the bestowment from the world underneath. His sweet children, oh so precious, every one of them. Some, even more special than the others, but in no way does that mean he treated his children differently. He loved them all the same. However, from time to time, his focus centralizes to the ones who need it the most.
Manny was a guardian, after all.
An incident involving swirls of snow and ice detached a doting bond between two sisters. One with the magic power, was shut down from the entire world. While the powerless waited for her sister's gilded cage to unlock. The man at the moon mourned for Princess Elsa and Princess Anna of Arendelle.
Manny used his emissaries, his lost balloons, to his advantage. The balloons held secret fears and dreams of whom he protected. Manny was devoted to catering to the children of Earth's childhoods. Which was the reason he formed the Guardians in the first place. Their job was to ensure the safety of the youth and ensure it they certainly will.
Nicholas St. North has always received the credit, but Manny would like to think that he sees his youth better than the Guardian of Hope. Either when they're sleeping or when they're awake. But most importantly, he knew when they needed a little nudge in the right direction.
Manny reached for Elsa's balloon and untied the bead. He held it next to his ear, frowning as he heard more and more of her solemn pleas to become 'normal.' Drowning with regret and remorse was just not fit for the likes of Princess Elsa, Manny decided.
The plan to hide Elsa from the rest of Arendellians, and possibly the rest of the world, might be the best of what King Agnarr and Queen Iduna could create. But, missing her entire childhood from a feeble mistake? It seemed way too extensive for Manny's liking. He turned his gaze at the Arendelle Castle beneath him with a newfound resolution.
The nine-year-old princess tossed and turned in her bed. With a final tiresome sigh, she sat down and leaned on the headboard with a soft thud. Since Anna's freak incident still plagued her mind, her nights have become sleepless and restless. Every time she closed her eyes, she pictured herself continuously striking Anna with a blast of magic. The thought of hurting her sister again, or anyone for that matter, had instilled great fear within her. But it seemed like she wasn't alone. To her dismay, the fear of the unknown monster they created haunted the eyes of her parents as well.
The King and the Queen withdrew Elsa from interactions with anyone in the castle. They were willing to go as far as cutting off an abundance of servants to conceal her secret.
The stupid secret that had her sitting in her room alone in confinement. And even worse, she was awfully hungry.
Elsa's eyes darted from her hands to her door, her stomach growling in the midst of her contemplation. It was rather late, and it felt wrong to wake up the servants for a ridiculous sandwich. Or two. Or bring in a couple of chocolates in the mix as well.
Another grumble dispensed from her belly, causing her forehead to crease in discomfort. As the uneasiness crept onto her, her shoulders dropped in defeat. Elsa untangled herself from the thick sheets and hopped off the bed.
Swaying slightly, she approached the wooden door with uncertainty. Not sure of what exactly she was going to do to sate her hunger, she held her hand up high to twist the doorknob. But faltered at the contact. She fixed her gaze on the lever separating her from the outside world and her room.
Am I even allowed to come near a servant?
I don't want to hurt them.
She took a step back.
Somewhere inside the castle, delicate footsteps echoed throughout the hallway. A boy trekked in an unfamiliar part of the castle, his brows furrowed with agitation. Hair sticking out all over the place, the boy whipped his head back and forth.
"Why does this castle have to be so big?" The boy asked no one in particular, "duh, all castles are big, Jackson! What are you even talking about."
If his mother were to wake up and feel the presence of nothingness beside her, Jackson groaned at the inevitable scolding he would receive. But who could blame him? His mother lived in a castle! Technically, she slept in the small wing reserved for the servants and cooks of the castle, but still! He was not letting an adventure pass him by.
Jackson took too many eager turns, and now resembled the feeling of wandering endlessly. He rolled his eyes at the thought of possibly wiggling out of his mother's hold and tiptoeing off her room for nothing.
"I don't understand why they can't put up signs for directions." He murmured.
He finally reached the end of the hallway, which branched out to two different corridors. Floor-length windows bore both halls. But only one of them, in particular, was lit by the moonbeam. The stream of moonlight on his left seemingly lit up a path for him. With a scratch to the head, he advanced further to the light. He might as well dive deeper into his royal tour.
Giant portraits of the Royal Family hung around the halls. Paintings varying in different styles accompanied the royal portraitures. But, the aisle Jackson chose was barren, unlike the usual ones. The moonlight brightened the hallway through the window. There was no ornamentation in sight, except for the enormous wooden door installed in the middle of the corridor.
As he got nearer, he noticed the blue swirls adorning the white door.
The doorknob twinkled from the moonbeam in the corner of his eye. Jackson stopped mid-step, pivoted, and faced the door.
He heard muffled pacing, and for a moment, he was terrified. He knew the inhabitants of the servants' wing but held no clue about the entirety of the castle.
The doorknob shook, making Jackson stumble backward. His brain immediately scattered for conceivable reasons for why a servant's child could be wandering the royal halls. There were two possible outcomes from this situation. One, was that he meets one of the four royalties in the most unsophisticated way, or two, confirm the rumors. The nefarious gossip that there were such things as spirits sauntering the regal corridors and occupying empty rooms. At that point… he wasn't hoping to find out.
The knob rattled again as the door eerily opened, and Jackson froze.
Please don't be a ghost. Please don't be a ghost. Please don't be a ghost.
A startled gasp came through the other side of the door at the same time Jackson covered his eyes with his hands.
"Who are you?!"
"I don't want to die!"
"Wait," the ghost or girl quaked, "you're dying?"
Jackson dropped his hands and opened his eyes. A girl with braided blonde hair, who was inches smaller than him, stood behind the narrow slit of the entryway. Her blue eyes gleamed so vibrantly, like the cerulean paint used in the portraits he had come across earlier.
Blue eyes… blonde hair… the portraits...
Without warning, Jackson bent down to a bow, his cheeks flushing with a new color. "I AM COMPLETELY AT FAULT! I APOLOGIZE YOUR MAJESTY- NO- YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS!"
"Why- why are you apologizing to me?" Princess Elsa inquired in a tremulous voice.
"I swear by all the gods that I didn't mean to wake you up." This was it. He was going to cost his mother a stable job in the royal palace out of all places. He would have to work soon to try and make it up to his mother for the rest of his life. "My footsteps must have been deafening! I should have never traipsed all over the castle, I should have never disobeyed my mother's wish for me not to leave the servant's wing. I am at fault-"
"Stop!" The Princess implored, "can you please at least stand up properly?"
Jackson rapidly straightened up, putting his arm on his sides. His hands were dampened by a sheer coat of sweat. He tried to avoid the Princess' eyes, taking interest in the details of her door instead. The wood appeared to be oak, and the symmetrical pattern embellished on it was impressive. Whoever painted these designs indeed deserved recognition. However, Jackson was unsure whether it was a flower or a snowflake. He was no artist, but the painter could have added Arendelle's crocuses on the door to add a little bit of pop into it.
"I think it's best if you looked at me as well," Princess Elsa drawled out, her brows furrowed in puzzlement.
Pulled out of his reverie, Jackson took a deep breath and met her gaze. "I apologize for my behavior, your highness. I am Jackson Overland, the only son of your servant, Josephine Overland. I think that both of you have met. My father used to be one of the King's generals but-
"Please know that I disobeyed my mother. She usually sleeps in the servant's wing for lengthier shifts and decided to bring me this one time. She doesn't know that I snuck out, if anyone's to blame, it's me. I am very sorry, your highness."
"I see," she acknowledged, her lips quivering as she tucked a strand away with her gloved hand. "I do know your mother, she's a very kind helper. But don't fret, you didn't wake me up, I was already awake. You need not be sorry."
Jackson's eyes widened at the assurance, "You were?"
"Yes, umm…" Princess Elsa shifted from her position, closing the slit of the entryway even further.
"Well… is there anything I could help you with? I apologize for my crudeness, but you don't seem well."
"Stop with the apologies," she urged, "if anything, I'm not even supposed to be awake. But, I'm hungry."
As soon as Princess Elsa finished her sentence, a low rumbling sound escaped from her stomach. She gasped, her hands covering her mouth as blood rushed to her cheeks, "that was very unladylike, I'm sorry!"
Jackson couldn't help but let out a snicker which he disguised as a cough. What a weird turn of events. The Princess of Arendelle, apologizing to him—out of all people—for being unladylike. Honestly, he had seen worse. Just the other day, his neighbor's daughter pulled out her front tooth in triumph, shouting in glee as she waited for the Tooth Fairy's arrival. That was a sight he did not need to see.
He felt at ease that the Princess wasn't the snooty type and seemed to be as normal as one can royalty be. Without all the power and money, she just mirrored a kid who was no older than him. Her shyness made her more of a girl than a Princess. And she was charitable enough not to call the guards to throw him off the castle. Some noblemen have been less kind for something much smaller. Oh Heavens, he can list off names of nobles who would have his head for simply bumping into them. Just imagine being caught late at night outside their room! Jackson shuddered at the thought.
The movement snapped him into reality and he realized that the Princess, albeit the door covering half of her face, was still standing in front of him.
"No need to say sorry, I'm your loyal subject, remember?" He reassured, giving her an adequate bow. "You're hungry, right? Let me fix you up some food."
"Oh, no! There is no need," she shook her head profusely, "I changed my mind."
Jackson didn't miss the way Princess Elsa's eyes widened. Her last words seemed to tremble on her lips.
"I'm not that hungry anymore. Please send Josephine my regards." She frantically added before trying to slam the door shut. "Goodnight, Mr. Overland."
Jackson Overland might have been the stupidest ten-year-old ever. Or maddest. Or bravest.
Before she was able to close the door, Jackson put his right foot between the space to refrain her from completely shutting the door. Again, stupidest person ever. He was definitely breaking some sort of rules and regulations as he drew near the Princess' threshold.
"I am sure that I'm breaking a rule or two by doing this but I feel like you're lying to me. I'm not deaf, you know." He declared, a sudden rush of exhilaration and confidence blooming in his chest out of nowhere. "I heard your stomach. And you wouldn't open your door to go outside if you weren't hungry. It would be an honor to make you food, your highness."
Princess Elsa squinted her eyes at the sudden commotion. Looking him up and down, her eyebrows furrowed. "Mr. Overland, I insist—"
"—Please call me Jack." He stepped his right foot back out from the door.
"Alright, Jack, thank you for your kindness but I'll have to refuse."
"I make a really good sandwich." Jack proclaimed, his eyebrows wagging.
"I'm sure you do," She reassured.
"Then let me make you one then," He haggled enthusiastically before adding, "your highness."
"Umm… OK. Can you just bring me the sandwich, then?"
"So, you admit it!" Jack bounced up and down, "You did lie to me, you are hungry!"
"No- I just-" The Princess stammered, her cheeks reddening at his accusation, "I don't want to bother anybody."
Jack cocked his head to the side and stated in bemusement, "I'm your servant."
"You're my servant's son."
"Tomato-tomato, my mom serves you therefore I do as well." He shrugged, "so a sandwich it is, Princess."
"Very well then, Jack, by all means." She nodded towards the end of the hallway.
"Yeah… about that… I can't make that sandwich unless you come with me."
"I've been instructed not to leave the room at all times, Jack. I can't-"
"IAMCOMPLETELYLOST!" Jack blurted out, "I have no idea how to get back to the servant's wing. All I know is that it's located near the kitchen, about a couple of turns away. The problem is that I don't know my way back to the kitchen. And I don't know why I'm telling you this because you're the Princess and I'm your servant's son, which technically makes me your servant by default, and this is inappropriate!"
Princess Elsa looked at him with comically wide eyes. She held her hands dear to her chest while her lips parted in bewilderment. Jackson held his breath in disbelief at his own outrageous rant.
She's going to be so mad for raising my voice, he thought.
She's going to have my head.
She's going to call for the guards.
She's going to… smile?
The Princess visibly held back her giggle with her left gloved hand, her head tipping forward at the force. Her right hand clutched onto the doorknob for balance making the entryway open wider. The moonlight shone on her, and now he could see that the Princess donned an indigo nightgown.
Also, she was lovely.
"You think…" Jack started with perplexity, scratching his head, "this is funny?"
Her head snapped upward, blonde strands spilling out of her braid, "No! I don't think that you getting lost at the castle is funny at all!"
"Then what is it?"
Princess Elsa straightened her posture, her facial expressions sobering. "I just haven't talked to anyone, well, haven't talked to other kids around my age for a while now. It's… nice."
The corners of Jackson's mouth curved into a smile, his shoulders loosening, "Is that so? Then I'm glad to entertain you, your highness." He curtsied exaggeratedly, the smile never leaving his face.
She shook her head with a soft snicker escaping her lips, "Thank you, Mr- Jack. But I'm afraid I can't come with you."
"Why not?" Jack questioned, "because it's nightfall?"
"Yes and no," Princess Elsa crossed her arms and staggered backward. "I'm not allowed to come out of my room for… safety reasons."
"That sounds boring."
"But it's what keeps people safe."
Jack narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin, "Come to think of it, I've never really seen you out before. I've seen Princess Anna once in a while visiting the Town Square with the King and Queen, but never you."
Princess Elsa appeared stunned at his statement, she answered in a taut voice, "It's for a good reason, I suppose."
The Arendelle royalties seemed to be the only monarchs who didn't attend public gatherings. The reminiscence of past grand balls and enthralling affairs within the Arendelle castle remained to be iconic. Talks about the sudden closing of the gates were still rambling, as the mystery of the King and Queen's decision remained a secret. Some say it was due to a royal fallout between the King and Queen's marriage, while others thought that the castle held a spiritual conundrum. Jack gathered it was probably rooted in the tale of the late King's brutal death at the Enchanted Forest.
And it hit him.
Jackson Overland was talking to the Princess of Arendelle. He was conversing with the possible reigning Queen of Arendelle in the future. And their conversation pushed the boundaries of properness. He knew he should hold himself back and turn away, but she seemed so normal that talking to her just felt familiar. It felt right.
Jack pulled himself together to ask Elsa, "May I talk freely with you, your highness?"
"Haven't you already been doing that?" She tilted her in response, raising a brow.
"I guess," he smiled at her smart retort, "so you're telling me you've been stuck in this room for a while now… But why only you?"
She shuffled from her position, "to keep people safe from me."
Jack frowned, "I don't understand."
"And that's for the better." Elsa sighed, "I appreciate your loyalty to our family but I think you should leave me be."
Jack's nose scrunched, "I don't think so. You should be doing something fun, you're a Princess!"
Elsa's face contorted as she weaved her fingers together. "I'm not allowed to have fun anymore," she paused, "Please go, Jack."
"You're still hungry." He pointed out.
"I'll be fine, I'll just have a big breakfast tomorrow morning. So I will appreciate that when I try to close this door, you'll keep your foot to yourself." She waggled her pointer finger at him.
"You should join me on a fun adventure to the kitchen instead," Jack gave her a lopsided grin. He held his hands up as if he were to surrender from her pointer finger.
"I told you I can't."
"Well, you kind of don't have a choice."
"Says who?"
"Says me," Jack enunciated to which the Princess rolled her eyes at. "Who is currently lost at your castle with no maps whatsoever!"
Princess Elsa groaned to Jack's surprise, "I can't go with you. Ask the guards, I'm sure they are stationed somewhere in the corners of the castle."
"And have the guards tell on me to my mother? No way! She'll kill me!" Jack refuted with pointed hand gestures.
She leaned closer, barely staying behind the door's threshold. "And my mother is the Queen, she'll kill me if she finds out that I snuck out of my room with a servant!"
"Oh? So this is all because I'm a servant?" Jack baited with a faux offense.
"What? No! Not at all." Elsa almost broke her neck by how fast she shook her head no. "I can't leave my room, you said it yourself you don't see me outside that often. That's because my parents have told me to."
Jack knew it was inappropriate to influence her to sneak out, but it was rather inevitable. Here stood the Princess of Arendelle in front of him, unraveling her boring life and he just won't take it! Plus, who wouldn't want to be friends with a Princess? Nevertheless, a Princess that seemed so nice and cordial too. It also didn't help that she was really pretty.
"Please, let's go together," Jack insisted with a strained voice. "I seriously have no idea how to get back."
Elsa moaned and hit her forehead on the door to Jack's bafflement (because he didn't think he was that annoying).
She closed her eyes, slightly rocking the balls of her feet back and forth.
The Princess lifted her head from the door, and rubbed the nape of her neck with a soft grunt escaping her lips.
She peered at Jack through her lashes, "I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"We're in a royal castle, no one's going to get hurt." He reassured her, stepping closer to the doorway, "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."
"I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want to hurt you."
Jack scoffed, "you hurt me? No offense, Princess, but I'm quite taller and stronger than you." He crossed his arms and straightened his back, even puffing his chest a little bit.
She shook her head, pleading, "you don't understand."
"Then good, let's leave it like that."
"What do you mean?"
"My mom told me not to be scared of the monsters under my bed because what I don't know won't hurt me." Jack's forehead creased, remembering when his mother tucked him a year ago on his birthday. He was certain he saw something in the shadows. But his mother reassured him that the only way someone or something can hurt you is if you let them. Jackson from then on refused to get scared of such phantoms.
"You're exhausting." She winced.
"So I've been told." He gave her half a smile.
She glanced up, "This is a bad idea."
Jack let out a hearty laugh, "Bad ideas are the most fun ones. Come on!" He took a couple of steps back and stared at her expectantly. He gestured at the space in front of her, encouraging her to leave her room.
Elsa bored her gaze at him, concern shrouding her entire body. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She crossed the threshold between her room and the corridor with a breathily sigh.
The Princess opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. Seemingly surprised herself that she actually left the room. A soft triumphant smile threatened the corner of her lips. But Elsa pivoted and closed the door behind her as quietly as possible.
Jack took in the sight of the shy Princess stepping out of her comfort zone with a content smile. A hasty idea popped up in his head. Jack took her hand with a swift motion, to which she gasped at, and sprinted to the end of the hallway.
"You can't hold my hand!" She cried out as she tried to pull her hand away from his grip. But the more she pulled, the more the glove slipped out of her hand. If she continued to try and escape his grasp, he'll end up barring the glove off of her hand. "My gloves!"
"Again? All because I'm a servant?" Jack teased, holding her hand tighter despite her hushed outcries.
"Enough! I'm not a classist!" Elsa bit back.
"I don't know what that means but you're definitely a classist if you don't let me hold your hand."
"You do know we're going the wrong way right?" She gave up, annoyed. Her shoulders fell from its tidy posture.
He looked back to her with mischief flickering in his brown eyes, "Well that's what you're here for."
From above, the moon beamed.
Satisfied with the product of his experimentation, he decided to let the children play around the castle on their own. Manny was interested in the forthcoming effects the amusing boy and the quiet girl will have on each other's lives. Determined to find out, he planned to watch over them from time to time.
One nudge in the right direction and a butterfly flapped its wings. And Jackson Overland had stormed into Princess Elsa of Arendelle's life.
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hellooo, i'm rewriting a jelsa fic i made when i was 12. this was not beta'd ! there might be sensitive topics that could be brought up in the upcoming chapters, but nothing too gory. i will try to put trigger warnings as much as i can. hope you enjoy 3 !
-eve