Final part to the big 3 chapter update, the story's finally picking up!

Hope you guys enjoyed the first two chapters and thank you for reading! :)

Chapter 3: The Snow Queen

The familiar whoosh of the portal closing jolted Jack to his senses. In fact it worked so well that in his haste to stand Jack fell a second time. Spitting sand out of his mouth Jack groaned.

A quick look over Jack saw the snowglobe and his staff nestled at his feet. Glancing around Jack could see nothing but trees. Trees and something else. Something blue and sparkly.

In the midst of the dark green and brown terrain this caught Jack's eye and he found himself drawn to it. Approaching it Jack soon saw it was a small piece of cloth caught on a branch. Taking it in his hands Jack rubbed it between his fingers, smiling at the cool cloth and small sequin decorated like charms that overlaced the fabric. Undoing it from the branch Jack clenched it in his hand.

"Sir." Jack turned at the sudden voice and saw a woman standing at the edge of the trees. Looking behind him Jack saw no one else.

This woman confused Jack though, she was well beyond the age of those that believed in Jack. Somewhere along the ages of twenty, with dark brown hair pulled back into a braid and dressed in a creamy-beige colored dress. A purple scarf draped across her shoulders.

"What are you doing here?" Jack then noticed a small staff hidden among her clothes. Was she magic? That could explain why she could see him.

"Who are you?" Jack finally asked, gripping his own staff, frost spreading along the wood. The woman's brown eyes crinkled in anticipation, and she placed her hand on her staff.

"You first, why are you in my forest?"

"I'm sorry?" Jack forced his voice to stay as calm as possible. Sarcasm would do no good in this situation.

"You're in my forest. Why?"

"I got lost." Jack lied. The snow globe was supposed to go to Burgess, right? That's where his sister had been born, and his mother didn't appear to be one to move around. Perhaps they had been buried there as well.

"Where's the town?" Jack asked, reaching down for the snow globe.

"What town?" The woman raised a skeptical brow and eyed Jack carefully as he gripped the snowglobe. Maybe he could make an escape before she could react, this was a bad idea after all.

"Burgess."

"Never heard of it." Lovely.

"Okay well um..I didn't mean to intrude, I just needed to get home."

"Honeymaren!" A woman's voice called through the trees interrupting them and Jack could hear hoofsteps. The woman, Honeymaren, he assumed turned to the voice but eyed Jack.

As the hoofsteps got louder Jack felt his breath hitch. It wasn't until small wisps of snow landed on his shoulder did Jack remember to suck in a breath.

The woman that rode into the glade did very little to help Jack's state though. In fact Jack could feel his face flush and his throat go dry, not helping manners.

She looks like snow. Was the first thought that managed to register through Jack's mind as the woman got off her horse. It was true the woman's barely blonde, mostly white hair and white dress made her stand out in the trees. Like the first dusting of snow in autumn.

"Who is this?" Jack watched as the woman flicked her hand and the horse she was riding leaped and then seemed to disappear into the air.

"I don't know. He's lost, and doesn't talk much." Honeymaren scoffed, crossing her arms as she rolled her eyes at Jack.

"You asked why I was here, I answered what else would you like me to say?" Jack asked, flinging his hands in the air. "You're some random stranger I don't know, what do you want a sob story on why I'm alone in the woods?"

Honeymaren scoffed again.

"Well, why are you alone in the woods?" the other woman asked gently, clasping her hands in front of her. Jack felt his face flush again as he glanced at her. Clearing his throat he forced himself to look at the trees behind her, he feared he'd lose the ability to speak if he looked directly at her.

"I'm lost." he finally repeated again, gentler this time.

"Says he's going to Burgess..whatever that place is." Honeymaren said with a wave of her hand and turned to the other woman.

"Where is that?" the snowy woman asked.

"Pennsylvania." Jack stammered. Don't look at her, don't even think about it.

"What?" This time the woman sounded genuinely concerned and confused.

"Pennsylvania, in America. I'm looking for Burgess." Jack repeated running a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry, but are you feeling unwell?" the woman asked, wringing her hands together.

"No why.."

"You're not in America sir. In fact you're in Norway." Jack blanched and nodded slowly.

"What the hell do you mean?" He asked after a moment. Honeymaren looked surprised at his language and the other woman blushed.

"You're in Norway..in Europe and the nearest town is Arendelle sir."

"Arendelle…what is that? I don't recall hearing of it before."

In hushed whispers Jack watched as the snowy woman spoke to Honeymaren, ignoring his question.

"Is anyone else with you?" Jack snapped back into focus as the blonde turned to him expectantly.

"No."

"Would you like to come with us? There's a Northuldra camp nearby. It'll be somewhere to stay for the night at least."

"I-I'll be fine." A large gust of wind shoved Jack forward and towards the woman. As if in protest of his words.

"Gale!" Jack looked up expecting another person to appear but the snowy woman seemed to be speaking to the air. And in response the wind gathered a few stray leaves from the ground, allowing it to take as much of a physical form as it could.

"Who's gale?" The woman looked up at Jack and stammered for a moment.

"Um..well, a friend of mine I suppose." The snowy woman answered, clenching her hands together in embarrassment.

"Do you mean the wind?" Jack answered quickly, wincing internally at the distressed look on her face. As if she was weary of giving him an answer. As if he wouldn't believe her. "I should have figured, with…the name pun or something."

"Yes." Her face relaxed and Jack felt a small wave of relief go over him.

"I didn't know the wind had a name." the woman smiled softly with a nod and Jack fought to not beam back.

"Yes, now back to business, are you coming or not." Jack barely refrained from rolling his eyes as Honeymaren butted back into the conversation.

"I insist, you can figure out what to do in the morning, after a night of sleep and food." the snowy woman added, placing a hand on Honeymarens shoulder. Reaching up Honeymaren placed her hand over hers but remained glaring at Jack.

"In that case.."

The snowy woman nodded and Honeymaren seemed to be biting back a groan.

"Well, come on then. Yelena will want us back by nightfall. The giants will come out by then."

Jack was too busy walking over to the two women he barely registered the giant's comment.

"Really? What else comes out at night, gnomes perhaps? Fairies?" Jack asked with a smirk as the blonde woman began to walk into the trees.

Jack immediately regretted his choice of words though as the snowy woman looked mildly offended.

"Excuse me?" she asked after a moment, her voice slightly harder.

"I-I mean no disrespect, I…just never seen a giant sorry.." Jack could hear Honeymaren chuckle behind him and he played with the idea of turning and freezing her stupid bangs to her forehead.

Deciding against the idea Jack instead fiddled with his staff following after the woman in front of him.

"What's your name?" he finally blurted as silence stretched on.

"Hone-"

"Not you Honeymaren." Jack ignored Honeymarens glare as the other woman turned around. She seemed slightly amused but seemed to be fighting to show it. Something deep inside Jack yearned for her mask to break, to see the smile that had previously almost escaped.

"Elsa, and you?"

The question nearly made Jack stumble. He couldn't remember the last time he had been asked that. Damn that made him sound egotistical. He had just grown so accustomed to everyone going

Oh Jack frost! Look, it's a magical flying snow spirit! Who wouldn't recognize him! He's a fairytale!

"Jack, or well Jackson." Jack cringed at his full name. He hated it and was surprised when it came out.

"Nice to meet you Jack."

"It is." Jack whispered. Oh shit that sounded bad. "I mean it's nice to meet you as well." he amended. Elsa smirked slightly, amused and embarrassed on his behalf it appeared.

Continuing on Jack watched as Elsa traversed the forest floor with a stunning ease, considering she was in a full gown. Tearing his eyes off her, Jack instead focused on the forest in front of him. It was full of birch trees and ferns. The white and black speckled wood took up most of the space but in the distance Jack could hear a creek trickling by.

Too soon Jack could smell smoke, tinted with meat in the air and could make out small huts between the trees. As they came closer an older woman came over. Her thick gray hair was done in a sort of half braid and she had a similar outfit to Honeymaren on.

"Elsa, there you are. Where are the giants going tonight? We need to make sure they know not to come down to the camp tonight."

"They're going to the other side of the gorge tonight, Yelena." Elsa answered. She seemed more at ease in the camp and Jack caught several people turning to her in pride.

"And where will he be staying?" Jack turned as Yelena stared at him with a glare even worse than Honeymarens. Under her gray eyed gaze Jack felt as if he was being scolded for something he didn't do.

"I-I can go anywhere." Jack said with what he hoped was a passable smile.

"Good cause you're staying with Ryder." At this Yelena turned her attention to Honeymaren and the two of them walked off. Presumably to the man that stood next to a herd of reindeer waving wildly to them.

"Would you like something to eat?" Jack turned to Elsa but nodded. Stepping aside he watched as she went over to a campfire and grabbed a wooden bowl. Ladling something into it she walked over a log next to a few other women.

Following her Jack stared down at the boiling pot. It smelled of herbs and meat and frankly appetizing. Grabbing a bowl Jack suddenly felt eyes on him. It wasn't until he had grabbed his meal he realized people were watching him. Not as if he'd messed up but more a general observation. A subconscious recognition he was there.

Glancing over at Elsa, Jack ignored the pull to go sit with her. He was a stranger and it would be rude to interject. Shaking his head Jack instead went over to the edge of the camp. From there he could see everything but didn't have to be in the center of it all.

As he sipped his broth Jack could see Yelena, Honeymaren and the man talking. At one point Honeymaren gestured to him and Jack shrank back. Elsa was engaged in conversation with a group of young women, smiling fondly as several small children ran past.

"Hey, you're the guy Elsa brought right?" Jack nearly choked on his soup as a man appeared next to him. Wiping at his mouth Jack fought back the urge to cough uncontrollably but managed to nod.

"Well I'm Ryder you'll be staying with me for the night." Jack nodded again.

"J-Jack." Jack finally managed panting for air.

"Nice to meet you, hope you don't mind sharing with me, and the herd."

"Herd?" Jack suddenly envisioned what he supposed would be the equivalent of a crazy cat lady.

Instead though Ryder gestured to a few bellowing reindeer that stood tied up on the other side of the camp. Jack darted his eyes to the deer then to Ryder.

"Okay.." Be polite Jack flinched as his mother's voice danced in his head. "Thank you." he quickly added.

"Of course." Sitting down Ryder began to ramble about something but Jack didn't listen as a flash caught his eye. Amidst the dancing shadows of the campfire Jack caught a familiar light. The light of something bouncing off ice.

To his surprise the light came from Elsa as the group of children crowded around her. Jack watched as Elsa conjured her hands together and at her feet a small flock of baby deer appeared.

Jack watched as the fawns, made of ice and frost, bounded around allowing the children to chase them a few feet before bursting into a small flurry of snow.

"Pretty great, right." Ryder asked, bumping shoulders with Jack. Ignoring the unwanted touch Jack stared open mouthed at Elsa. She was laughing softly and Jack felt his face heat up as the edges of her blue eyes crinkled in joy.

Jack nodded and watched as the children repeated the game several more times. Eventually though it grew dark and as Jack knew, when it was dark it seemed to be parental nature to end whatever game the children had started.

"I'm gonna go get the reindeer water for the night, I'll find you when I'm done and we can go." Ryder said standing before brushing himself off.

"Yeah…yeah go.." Jack, though, continued to watch as Elsa also stood. Flushing Jack quickly looked away. Standing Jack quickly grabbed his bowl and walked over.

Elsa placed her bowl in a small tub of water and Jack did the same. Catching his reflection in the water Elsa turned in surprise.

Taking a step back Jack smiled weakly.

"How are you feeling?" Elsa asked, a small smile playing on her face.

"Good, you?"

"Well."

"Good." An awkward silence stretched between them and Jack kicked himself for coming over.

"You've met with Ryder?" Elsa asked, pulling at her knuckles.

"Yeah..yeah I did." Do you also sleep with a herd of deer? Ignoring the unspoken question Jack scratched the back of his neck.

"How did you do that?" he finally asked. "The magic..deer."

Elsa smiled a hint of mischief in it.

"It's part of the forest's charm." Jack didn't really understand that answer but nodded as if he did.

"It was very…nice.." Jack wanted to stab himself for that choice of words. "Very nice to do it for the children," he added. That worked.

"Yes."

Silence again.

"Tomorrow I'm headed to Arendelle. Would you like to come? If you need a town, it's about a day's journey. If you feel well enough."

"Yes I would…thank you."

"Good, now I'm going to bed. Sleep well Jack." Much to his surprise though Elsa began to walk into the forest, away from the huts and campfires.

"Where are you going?" Jack couldn't help but ask.
"I have my own cottage, a little ways away." She explained and turned away waving a hand absentmindedly into the trees.

Don't ask anything about her house. Jack nodded instead and turned away as well.

Much to his discomfort Ryder came back over.
"Cmon..Yelena wants us to hurry before it gets too dark." Jack nodded and walked back over to were they had been seated for dinner. Grabbing his staff and snowglobe Jack followed Ryder.

The dark haired man led Jack over to a small hut and pushed open a door. Inside was a small bed, trunk and bucket filled with water.

Leaning his staff against the wall Jack ignored Ryder as the man prepared for bed.

As Ryder slipped into bed Jack slid against the wall to the floor. Outside the thin wooden walls Jack could hear several reindeer grunting and bellowing in the dark.

So.

Norway, Arendelle.

Not to mention it certainly didn't appear to be the same century Jack had left. That last bit didn't surprise Jack though, going back in time was the least surprising thing about North's snowglobes.

However the Norway part did surprise Jack. How had his sister, the one born and raised (for at least when he was alive) in America. The one from a family so poor they had to live in a run down shack, somehow make it to another country?

Jack had indeed asked for his family. He was sure of it.

Closing his eyes Jack nodded. Yes he'd thought of Mary and then-

Jack's eyes flew open as he remembered the intrusive thought that had worked in at the last second.

To be loved.

"Shit." Ryder groaned sleepily from the bed at Jack's voice but quickly fell back asleep.
He wasn't in America. He hadn't asked for that, he had asked for a stupid intrusive thought instead!

Running a hand through his hair Jack laughed in spite. So now he was with a gorgeous magical girl in a foreign country in a kingdom he'd never heard of. Lovely.

Just lovely.

This is the final chapter for the big 3 chapter update. So from now on I plan on updating it monthly (I say as I post these two days before it turns September.)

Anyways, moving onto some miscellaneous stuff, I just want to say again, thank you all for the views for both this story and my others!

That's all I need to say I believe. Hope you guys have a great/day/wherever you are and know that you are valued!

Peace!

~Mixitupqueen