Chapter two: Ice meets Fire

Ten years later

She calmly walked through the hallway. Her blond hair was tied up in a french braid. She was wearing a purple dress and blue gloves. She was called by the council of Arendelle's kingdom for a small thing. Her father and mother were already there when she walked into the room.

"Princess Elsa." The five council members all made a small bow.

"Honey..." Idun gave her a quick hug. "We've called you here for a reason..."

"Yes, normally I do not get called here." Said Elsa. She almost never went to the council room. Normally she spend her day in the garden of the castle, reading one of her books.

"In a few days you're turning 15. And we decided on a very important matter." Said Agdar.

Elsa cocked her head in confusion. "What? I'm already engaged to prince Hans."

A few years back they decided on a suitor for Elsa. Or at least her father decided it. He went by a few kingdoms and picked prince Hans of the Southern Isles. Hans had a good history and was from a rich kingdom. He would be perfect as a king to lead the kingdom.

"We know." Said Idun. "But you need someone who will stand by your side no matter what. Like Daniel did for your father..."

Agdar swallowed. Daniel died a few years ago. Someone tried to assassinate Agdar and Daniel stopped them. But he was stabbed in the fight and bled to death.

"I don't need anyone like that." Said Elsa. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go."

She quickly left. Agdar glanced at Idun for a second before chasing her. He ran after her in the hallway, into her room. Since her sister had disappeared her room was moved to the other side. Her father stormed after her into her room.

"What was that?!" Yelled Agdar. "Your mother and I are trying to do something nice for you!"

Elsa turned around with anger in her eyes. "I don't need someone like that in my life! I will get engaged, but I won't let someone be my personal servant!"

"Elsa!" Her father grabbed her arm. "You will get a servant!"

"I don't want it!"

An ice spike shot out of the wall close to Agdar's head. Agdar was startled and released her arm.

"I don't...want it..." Whispered Elsa in a low and dangerous tone. She looked at her father with tears in her eyes. "Ever since Anna died...I don't want new people in my life."

Agdar chuckled. "You don't have a choice. Remember, you're not the one in charge here."

Elsa clenched her fist. Her fist started to shake. Her look of sadness turned into anger.

Agdar calmly stepped closer to his daughter. He grabbed her chin roughly.

"Arendelle needs a strong queen." Said Agdar. He looked into her stale blue eyes with his brown eyes with a smirk plastered onto his face. "And what have I taught you throughout the years?"

"Be strong, don't show your tears." Said Elsa.

"Good girl. Now, are you going to be my good daughter and come with me back to the council room?"

Elsa obediently nodded. "Yes...sir."

"Good."

He stepped back. Elsa quickly followed him back to the council room and they started to discuss on how they would find her a servant.

"Did you hear? In a few days the princess gets a new servant!"

The bartender told to one of his clients.

Between all those clients was Jack, sitting in the local pub that night. He was now a twenty year old man, who was working in the fields from time to time. 5 years ago his father perished to a virus. After that his mother became ill as well. She passed three years away. He was now on his own in this world. He never took a job at the castle, even though Gerda told him. He stood up, paid for his beer and left the bar. It was time to see how Gerda was doing. The woman always took care of any street children she saw. Jack walked towards the whore house. It was still the same old crappy building. But it was a place where he could fit in with the other misfits.

He walked into the whorehouse. It wasn't a busy night. Gerda was playing poker with a girl. She looked up when Jack walked in.

"Jack!" Said Gerda with a smile. "How nice of you to drop by!"

"Yeah..." Jack walked towards her. He looked around. "It's not a busy night?"

Gerda sighed and stood up, ignoring the girl who started to complain that they weren't done. "Yes. And there is nothing to do..."

A sudden screech interrupted her. A girl with red long hair ran into the room. She had a green dress on with white hand gloves. She stormed into the room and immediately jumped towards Jack. Jack caught her just in time, but stumbled down onto the ground with the girl on top of him.

"Jack! I can't believe you're here!"

"N...nice to see you too Hannah." Muttered Jack while being all dizzy.

"Hannah, get off the poor guy." Said Gerda with a laugh.

Hannah giggled. She jumped up. Jack stood up while rubbing his head. "You know, you can be a bit more careful."

Hannah kept laughing. Jack couldn't help but crack a little smile. Hannah was girl who was left here by some stranger when she was six. She had been working for the guy in the fields and when Gerda knew about it she gave the guy some money in exchange for her. The stranger told her that Hannah was a princess once, but no one believed the crazy man. Since then Gerda took care of the small girl and soon she became one of them. She sold her body to the customers, but somehow she always kept seeing the good things in life. Some girls wouldn't be content and go to the fields for work. But Hannah wanted to pay Gerda back for taking care of her like a mother would.

"Sorry..." Hannah grabbed two chairs. "But I just love you so much!" She sat down on one of the chairs. Jack sat down next to her on the other chair at the table. "And you haven't been here in a few days."

"It were just a few days...I was working in the fields."

The fields were a lot of people went to work. There you would harvest the crops, plant new ones and make sure that everyone was working together. It wasn't something you needed to have experience in. You just did it and got 4 silver coins per hour.

"Why don't you apply to something better?" Asked Hannah.

"Like what? I'm not exactly a 'technical' guy." Said Jack while making air quotes with his fingers when he said the word 'technical'.

"The castle is looking for a servant for the princess." Said Gerda suddenly.

Jack groaned. "Gerdaaa...no...not again, you've already told me so many times..."

"It would be a good paying job. And I've met the princess once."

Jack and Hannah gasped. "Really?!" Exclaimed Hannah.

"Yes." Said Gerda. "During the parade and birthday of our queen. She was standing by a stand with her mother and I was doing groceries. I slipped and fell. The apples I bought scattered all over the ground. The princess turned to me. She helped me up and asked in a sweet tone if I was alright...The moment she showed me that small smile I knew that the girl was a good person. Powers or not."

Jack swallowed. If Gerda knew that she was a good person...even though some people said that the princess was someone with no real emotions...he could try.

"When are the...auditions?" Asked Jack.

Gerda her eyes widened. "Uhm..." She quickly softened her gaze. "I heard they are in a few days, the day after her birthday. The day after tomorrow."

"Tomorrow is her birthday? How old is she going to be-"

"15." Interrupted Hannah. "Just like me."

"Tomorrow is your birthday too?" Jack smiled. "What do you want for your birthday?"

Hannah clapped her hands together. "Oh! I want new gloves! These ones are getting a bit old."

Jack sighed and stood up. "Fine. But don't expect the newest model."

Hannah rolled her eyes and stood up too. "Haha...just get me something good, Frost!"

She put her hand onto his arm with a sweet smile. Jack's heart fluttered for a second and he blushed and looked away.

"Geez...Hannah..."

The next day it was Elsa's birthday. She was surprised with gifts from her parents. From her mother she got a beautiful necklace and from her father she got two new gloves. They also decided to walk through town and everyone congratulated her.

They were just walking through the town when Elsa noticed a woman talking to a young man with brown hair. She stopped in her tracks. The woman was not facing her and her red long hair was down her back in one braid. Elsa kept staring at the woman's back in a gaze. Strangely she felt something...familiar?

"Elsa?"

Elsa kept gazing at the woman. The two didn't notice her staring. The woman said something and the man laughed.

"Elsa!"

Elsa jumped a bit when her mother suddenly touched her shoulder. Elsa turned her head towards her with a questioning look. Idun smiled at her.

"Sweetie are you okay?" Asked Idun. "You were dazing off..."

"I'm fine, mom..." Said Elsa.

Her father looked down at her hands. "How are the gloves?" He asked.

Elsa sighed. "They feel nice on my hands. Even though it's a warm summer day..."

Agdar smiled. "You'll get used to it. Now, Do you want to go to get some chocolate?"

A smile plastered onto Elsa's face. She never got any chocolate and her father never acted so nice to her!

"Sure!" Said Elsa.

Idun took her husbands hand. "Shall we go to the nearby bakery? I want to try one of the delicious truffles."

Elsa took her mother's other hand. She kept smiling at her, not noticing that young man on the other side of the street was staring at her.

"Then let's go!"

Jack laid in a bed in the whore house. Yesterday his apartment burned down. He didn't have a place to sleep and so he slept a night in there. He awoke the next morning to a knock on his door. Jack yawned and sat up. "Yes?"

Hannah opened the door up. She was holding a small tray in her hands. A cup of water and bread was on it.

"Morning, sunshine! I thought that you needed some energy before going to the castle!"

She jumped onto his bed. Jack saw the princess yesterday from afar...and she was beautiful. He didn't see her from up close, but she had blond hair and a sweet smile...she seemed sweet.

"Wait, how late is it?" Asked Jack.

Hannah took a bit from his bread and gulped it down. She cocked her head to the side. "Don't know...11 am?"

"11 am?!" Jack jumped out of bed. He grabbed his t-shirt and pulled it on. "I'm late!"

"Late?" Asked Hannah.

Jack walked towards her. He grabbed the piece of bread out of her hand and bit down on it. He gulped it down.

"Sorry, but I have to leave! Maybe I can still make it!"

"Ja..."

Before running out of the room Jack turned around. He pulled two blue gloves from his closet and quickly handed them to her.

"Hannah, here for your birthday."

"Oh, Jack..."

Jack gave her a quick kiss onto her forehead. He flashed a quick smile at her before leaving. Hanna stayed behind with a red face. She looked down at the gloves. They looked really expensive...of course, that's the reason he was working at the fields...

She picked the gloves up and held them close to her lips.

Elsa was standing in front of a five men in the throne room. Next to her were her father and mother. She needed to choose one of these men as her personal servant. Someone who would die for her.

"Now..." Agdar clapped into his hands. "To protect my daughter you really need to have some skills."

"Yes sir!" Said the men.

Elsa yawned. They all looked really boring...why should she need a personal servant anyway?

"You do realize that princess Elsa has ice powers, don't you?" Asked Idun.

The men all gulped.

"Good. Now, Elsa shall go to the next to interview you one for one and she shall decide for herself on who should be her servant. First up will be mister Harrison."

Elsa walked into a room with only a table and two chairs. She calmly sat down, while Mr Harrison sat on the other side of the table. The man had brown hair and brown eyes. He looked a bit nervous.

"So..." Elsa folded her arms and faked a smile. "Why should I choose you as my servant?"

"I am good in sword fighting!" Said mr Harrison. "And I am a real gentlemen-"

"Right..." Elsa sighed. Like she'd never heard someone say that before...

After interview and interview Elsa stepped out of the room. The contestants and the king and queen were all waiting for her.

"And?" Asked her father. "Who have you chosen?"

Elsa kept quiet. She looked at the contestants. She shook her head, sighed and walked away.

Agdar immediately chased after her. He grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Wait, Elsa! Who are you choosing?"

"None."

"None?! You need to choose someone!" Said Agdar.

Elsa pried her arm away. "There are still many others, father. More than these five, I hope?"

Agdar narrowed his eyes. "No. These are the only ones. How about you go to the garden for an hour and think for a bit?"

"I-"

"Elsa." His voice sounded serious. As always. "You need to choose. I do not want to see you before you have made your decision. And if you can't then I shall make one for you."

Elsa nodded and walked away to the garden. She really didn't like any of those men. Why should she even choose a servant? She was already engaged to Hans and she did everything her parents taught her. She even got control over her powers!

She walked into the garden and sat down on the bench. She calmly pulled her gloves off and held her hand out. A small snowflake shot out of her hand. She smiled to herself a little. Her mother always told her how beautiful her powers were. Her father was never really a fan of her powers...or her.

"Princess Elsa!"

Elsa looked to her right to see Kai. Kai was a servant who worked at the castle. He was a man in his thirties with brown hair and green eyes. He wore a simple attire. He was always friendly and one of the few Elsa could trust. He was holding a book in his arms.

"Kai!" Said Elsa.

"I noticed you here and I know that you like to read books...so I grabbed your favorite book...the snow queen. I know you like the story very much."

Elsa took the book from him and chuckled. "The snow queen...ironic, huh?"

Kai smiled. "Yes...I heard you and your father talk."

"I see. Do you think I need a servant?"

"For your security, yes. For your development? No."

Elsa kept quiet. She looked down at the ground. He was right...she was going to choose someone...

Kai bowed quickly and walked off. Elsa had a heavy feeling in her heart. What should she do?

Jack ran towards the castle. He missed it! Maybe he could just run into the castle, past the gates and...

He was grabbed in the collar by one of the guards. Jack coughed and stopped.

"Where do you think you're going?" Asked the guard.

Jack stopped coughing. "Ahem...I am going to audition as a servant for the princess."

The guard pointed his sword towards him. "Too late. Get out."

"But-"

"Do I need to arrest you?!"

Jack shook his head. He stepped away from the dangerous guard.

Dammit! He knew he was late...but he really needed a job. Maybe if he applied for something else? But still, the guard would not let him in. He should find another way into the castle...

He looked up at a tree. It's branch was just hanging over the fence of the castle. He could climb up, get in and try to apply to something else.
Jack rubbed his hands together. Okay time to do this!

He jumped up into the tree. The tree bark was rough, but he had strong hands, he could take it. Jack climbed up to the branch. He then crawled further until he was at the end of the branch. He saw someone in some kind of garden for a second before the branch broke.

Jack crashed onto the ground. The branch fell on top of him. He gasped when a pain went through his back.

"Oh my lord!"

Jack heard a strange voice. The branch was lifted from his back. Jack stood up and coughed. He rubbed his back. Damn. That was going to give a blue spot.

He looked up and his eyes widened. A girl with blue eyes, blond hair in a bun was standing there. She was holding a book in her arms. Her purple dress was covered her shoes. She had an expression of horror on her face.

Jack grinned nervously. This must be the princess.

"Uhm..."

The girl covered her mouth to muffle her scream. She quickly stepped back.

"Don't scream!" Whispered Jack nervously. "I'm not here to hurt you!"

The girl shakily removed her hand. "Who are you? Answer me."

"Jack Frost." Jack sighed. He rubbed his neck. "Sorry, but I wanted to apply for a job, but the guards send me away, so I sneaked in, hoping that there would be another job for me..." He held his hands up and carefully stepped closer to the girl. "I really meant no harm! Look, if you want to, I can leave again! I'm really sorry for breaking your branch!"

The girl stared for a few seconds at him with a blank look. She then suddenly started to smile a little.

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Uh-"

Before he could say anything the girl started to laugh. Not just a staged laugh, but a laugh filled with joy and happiness. Jack smiled. Her laugh sounded like music to his ears and he soon started to laugh along with the girl.

After a few seconds of laughter the girl invited Jack to sit down next to her. The birds chirped and one sat down onto the broken tree branch.

"So...you took the branch of me?" Asked Jack.

"Yes, I indeed did."

Jack raised his eyebrows again. She was pretty strong!

Elsa must have seen the weird expression on his face, because she followed it up with; "I used my powers."

"Powers?"

Elsa rested the book on her lap and put her hand forward. A little bit of ice shot out of her hand into the grass. The grass immediately froze and scattered to it's death. She glanced at Jack with a calm look. "My powers are ice."

"Whoa."

"I had them since I was a child." She lowered her hand. "You must be afraid."

"More amazed..." Jack gently grabbed her hand. The girl's eyes widened. She immediately pulled her hand back. Jack looked at her with a questioning look.

"Sorry, but I'm normally wearing gloves..I..."

Jack put his hand onto her hand. His look changed into a serious one. "Don't be afraid."

Elsa swallowed. Jack held her hand. He looked down at her hand. He slowly started to massage it.

"W-what are you doing?" Whispered the girl with a blush.

Jack smiled at her. "I'm massaging your cold hands. By the way; what is your name?"

"Elsa...princess Elsa. I'm the first one in following up the throne."

Jack stopped massaging her hand. "Oh..." He quickly released her hand and jumped up. "I'm sorry! I-"

Elsa jumped up too. "Don't be, mister Jack! It was nice..."

"No, I'm really sorry!" Jack bowed down.

Elsa stepped forward, but slipped. Jack grabbed her by her waist. He spun her around to save her from a fall on the bench but lost his balance. The two stumbled into the soft grass with Jack on top. A short silence followed. The birds even stopped chirping for a second.

Jack groaned and lifted himself a bit of her. He leaned onto his hands and looked down at her.

"Princess, are you okay?" Asked Jack.

Elsa became red from her ears to her neck. Ice slowly started to spread underneath her. "I uh..." No one outside of her family had ever been this close to her. She looked right into Jack's brown eyes. He also had brown hair. Typical. Most people had that.

Jack put his hand onto her forehead. Elsa got even redder than a tomato. Her breathing stocked in her breath when his warm hand gently touched her forehead. "You feel cold...are you sure you are okay?"

"Y-yes..." Stuttered Elsa.

"Princess Elsa!"

The queen and king ran into the garden together with a few guards. They stopped in their tracks when they saw the strange man onto their daughter. Jack and Elsa looked to the side to see the horrifying faces of the queen and king. The guards immediately jumped into action.

They pulled Jack off Elsa. Idun and Agdar ran towards Elsa who calmly stood up.

"Elsa, honey, are you okay?!" Yelled Idun and pulled her into a quick hug.

Agdar turned to Jack. "I do not who you are, but you're going to pay for hurting princess Elsa."

"Father!" Elsa stepped away from her mother. "He was not attacking me!"

Her father stepped closer to Jack. He pulled the man away from the guards by his arm. "Then what was this peasant doing on top of you?! And why are you not wearing your gloves?!"

"I was just letting my skin breath. And Jack is..."

"Oh, the peasant has a name?!" Said Agdar.

"Yes, he has!" Jack pulled his arm back. He straightened his back and narrowed his eyes. "My name is Jack Frost, your majesty. And I am her personal servant."

"He is?!" Yelled the guards.

"He is?!" Mimicked the queen and king.

Jack looked at Elsa with worry. If she didn't agree then...he would be beheaded for his actions...

"Yes, he is." Said Elsa.

"Hold on, dear." Said Idun. "This man is your servant? I thought that you would choose one of the men in the castle and not this...random man named Jack who apparently broke into the castle."

Elsa clenched her fists and spoke in a cold voice; "Jack is my servant and that is final."

Jack shivered when he felt the air getting a bit colder. Snowflakes slowly appeared into the air. The wind picked them up and they swirled around.

"The princess has spoken." Said Agdar with a grin. The snowflakes stopped moving and fell to the ground. Elsa relaxed her hand again.

Agdar looked at Jack with his evil smile. "Now...let's see what you can do."

Jack raised his eyebrows.

"Wait, what?"

TO BE CONTINUED