As soon as the light from the spell breaking and a certain woman ended up somewhere else faded it was revealed she was in a cavern that had been lit with flaming torches, even as the cavern was cold due to a tall mirror made of ice standing in the center of it. However, before the mirror could be observed properly a soft but insistent but tiny mewling cry came from by her feet where a covered basket was sat. Ingrid looked around, not minding the cold at all of course and was about to go to the mirror, but looked down to see where the crying came from and bent down to pick it up out of curiosity. As the basket was lifted the cover over the top fell to reveal a baby was in the basket. Pale blonde hair curled slightly and framed a tiny face, a baby but luckily not just born. Her tiny eyes were closed from the crying, and her cheeks were pink from both the crying and the cold air currently.
"Where did you come from?" Ingrid cooed as she held onto the crying baby, gently bouncing her while holding her in comfort. "There, there, little one, don't cry, shh~" she then gently shushed.
Hearing the gentle voice and feeling the comfort from the arms now holding her the baby slowly stopped crying, and her slightly damp eyes opened revealing pale blue-gray eyes that looked up at Ingrid. She hiccuped a little, her breath hitching from the crying.
"Oh, look at how pretty you are, a pretty young thing like you shouldn't cry~" Ingrid cooed as she tried to soothe the baby, looking down at her with a small smile. "You're okay now, I'll protect you~"
The baby sniffled but stared up at Ingrid with her wide eyes. She slowly reached up with a tiny hand to try and touch Ingrid's face.
"There, there, sweetie..." Ingrid said softly as she held the baby close to her. "You seem hungry, maybe we should feed you..." she then suggested before she put her hand out to summon a bottle with fresh, warm milk.
The baby gently placed a hand on Ingrid's cheek. She then gave a sweet smile as she touched Ingrid's cheek.
"Aww... aren't you sweet?" Ingrid cooed at that before she came to sit down with the baby girl and fed her the bottle. "Open up, you look like you're hungry~" she then said sweetly.
The baby opened her mouth to accept the bottle, but kept her hand on Ingrid's face. Luckily there was stairs to sit on, as it would have been bad to sit on The Stone Table, even if it was broken. Once she sat down a person started to form in the Ice Mirror.
"There, there, sweetie, it's going to be okay..." Ingrid said softly as she fed the baby girl, though she looked around as she shook a chill down her spine. "Hmm... I have a strange feeling that we aren't alone." she then said, mostly to herself, but to the baby as well since the baby was her only company right now.
The baby was quiet other than the noises from drinking the milk. She looked up at her with her blue-gray eyes though occasionally they flickered to the ice mirror as she also sensed the presence.
Ingrid continued to feed the baby girl before looking around, then her eyes were drawn to the mirror. "Do you think it's coming from there?" she then asked the baby girl, even though she knew the baby wouldn't properly respond, but it was better than just talking to herself.
The baby, of course, didn't answer and just continued to drink her milk.
"Ingrid...?" A soft voice came from the ice mirror.
Ingrid blinked as she slowly stood up while keeping a hold of the baby and began to approach the ice mirror curiously. The baby looked over.
An ethereal pale woman, as pale as snow and ice, looked out from the ice mirror. "Ingrid~" the woman said, her voice soft and warmer for the woman holding the baby.
"...Jadis." Ingrid whispered with wide eyes.
"I wasn't expecting to see you here, but I do admit I am glad~" Jadis told her as she looked at her through the ice mirror.
"I'm glad too..." Ingrid agreed and nodded. "It's been far too long since I last saw you and I've missed you very much over the past eternity I felt without you as my soul sister."
Jadis placed a hand against the 'glass' of the mirror. "It has been so long," she told her gently, her brown eyes also warmer as Ingrid was someone she cared about. "How are the worlds since I have been trapped here?" she asked then.
"It's been quite an emotional rollercoaster as I've heard some young people say," Ingrid explained. "On the plus side, I was able to find a frosty little prince that was separated from you long ago." she then added with a small smile.
"'Rollercoaster'?" Jadis wondered quietly she then looked at her. "Who?" she asked then, not wanting to get her hopes up.
"I've heard young people in the strange new land I was in say it," Ingrid defended with a small shrug before she smiled a bit. "Your little Frost Prince, Jack." she then revealed tenderly.
"I see," Jadis said to the first part. She then looked at her intently. "Where did you find him?" she asked, her second hand also coming to rest on the 'mirror glass' showing her eagerness.
The baby continued to drink until the bottle was gone.
Ingrid smiled down at that and soon set the bottle down and put the baby over her shoulder gently and patted her on the back to burp her, knowing exactly what to do and how to treat young ones due to having two younger sisters and nieces before this baby came into her life. "He came into the world I ended up in called Storybrooke and was with the other Guardians, they all came from The North Pole." she then explained.
"I see..." Jadis said softly. She watched Ingrid with the baby too.
The baby burped after a little while.
"That feels better, doesn't it, sweetie?" Ingrid cooed to the baby girl as she held her out and gently held her up in the air. "You're such a sweet little princess~"
"You are so good with children, Ingrid." Jadis told the other ice witch with a smirk.
The baby squeaked a moment but then feeling the joy and how it felt fun she giggled.
"Thank you, my dear Jadis~" Ingrid replied. "I just have no idea where this little bundle of joy came from, but I think she could probably keep me company... things haven't been the same since we disappeared from each other's lives."
"Well I don't know how exactly you got here, but the baby was brought here a little while before you arrived," Jadis told her. "Luckily you came when you did or she might have not survived much longer," she added. "As being trapped here I could not tend to her myself." she finished.
"Did you see who might've left this little snowdrop?" Ingrid wondered as she held onto the baby girl closely to keep them both warm, feeling concerned for her friend's story which is worse than when they were separated many years ago.
"Long black hair, tall and cloaked with a regal air, and her clothes and hair were almost like clouds too." Jadis told her.
"I see..." Ingrid replied. "It almost soounds like Mother Nature to me."
Jadis looked thoughtful and then nodded to that. "Are you going to name the child?" she asked then.
"I really should, but what would be a good name?" Ingrid pondered thoughtfully as she looked down and smiled at the baby girl. "She looks as sweet as a vanilla bean~"
"Maybe you could name her something along those lines then." Jadis suggested with a small smirk.
"Vanillftya?" Ingrid paused, trying to come up with names for her little one to see how she would feel about that name.
The baby whined to that, not happy with that name.
"Hmm... no... I suppose that won't suit you..." Ingrid admitted before trying another name. "Valinty? Like vanilla mint?" she then tried again before trying one final name after seeing the baby girl's reaction.
The baby made the noise again, the only way she could show her displeasure without crying though.
"Aww, sweetie... little sweet vanilla pea..." Ingrid cooed, trying to soothe her until she thought of another name by that combination of words she just said. "Vanellope?" she then pondered thoughtfully.
The baby cooed happily to that and gently touched Ingrid's face again.
"I think that name has been approved, Ingrid." Jadis told her with an amused smirk.
"Very well then," Ingrid smirked warmly as she held the baby closer and warmly. "You'll be my little princess... Princess Vanellope~" she then told the baby girl sweetly.
Vanellope cooed to that and nuzzled into the hug.
"Now all we need is to get me out of this ice mirror." Jadis said.
"Yes, it'll be a challenge, but surely we can figure something out," Ingrid said as she came a bit closer with a small smirk. "I might have picked up a few tricks during my time in this place called Storybrooke even if most people were 'asleep' so to speak."
Jadis looked down at Ingrid, the mirror having her seem taller. "What did you learn?" she asked her.
"There was a spell I once learned when I had The Evil Queen Regina's servant who was once a former genie of a land called Agrabah," Ingrid explained. "She imprisoned him in a mirror back in Misthaven until this Dark Curse allowed him to be free until I used him for a test and that test was to help free you from your own mirror prison."
Jadis looked at her with her brown eyes. "So you're sure you can free me?" she asked with a warm smirk.
"If it worked for him, it has to work for you, but I need your trust," Ingrid nodded. "You were the only one who ever really understood me after I lost everything."
"Of course I trust you Ingrid, our losses bound us together, and our friendship grew." Jadis nodded.
"Then allow me to help you in the only way I know how," Ingrid then reassured Jadis. "It will be worth it, I promise."
Jadis nodded and smirked warmly, though it was more a smile, to Ingrid. Vanellope looked between the two.
"So I have your trust?" Ingrid asked with a small, warm smile back.
"You do." Jadis assured her.
Ingrid nodded and soon held out her hand as she closed her eyes to cast the spell on the mirror to free her friend from the mirror prison so that they could both properly have the happy endings they both deserved. Jadis closed her eyes and relaxed, allowing her trust for Ingrid to flow. Ingrid let snowflakes fly from the palm of her hand and sprinkle onto the mirror before there was then a glimmer all over the glass. As the glass glimmered, Jadis felt the urge and followed it, stepping out of the mirror. Ingrid stepped back while holding onto Vanellope as Jadis was able to leave her mirror prison and step out into the other world that was stripped away from her many moons ago. Jadis looked around and then down at herself as she realised she was free now. She then looked at Ingrid.
"Welcome back, Jadis." Ingrid told her old friend with a small smile.
"You did it~" Jadis told Ingrid and then stepped towards the two, wrapping her arms around them, mostly Ingrid though.
Ingrid hugged Jadis back, though sniffled a little as a tear rolled down her cheek, but it was a happy tear. "I missed you so much." she then whispered softly.
"I missed you as well." Jadis said quietly, an icy tear rolling down from her eye too.
"It's been too long." Ingrid nodded after the hug while holding onto Vanellope nice and tightly.
"It has." Jadis nodded. She then looked down at Vanellope and waved her hand over her a moment, checking to see if she was human with powers or an Element made human.
"What are you doing?" Ingrid wondered, not noticing that at first.
"I'm checking to see if she is a daughter of Eve or not." Jadis told Ingrid.
Vanellope watched Jadis with her curious eyes. Ingrid blinked and then nodded as they waited to see what would happen, though that didn't seem to be the case as Vanellope had something else about her that they didn't seem to know about.
"Well, she isn't a daughter of Eve," Jadis' hummed. "And she has magic." she added.
"Magic? I wonder what sort of magic?" Ingrid pondered as she held onto Vanellope. "I'm sure she was considered worthy if Mother Nature left her here all by her lonesome."
"We shall have to find out somehow... but it is similar to our magics." Jadis told her.
"Yes... perhaps she came from a Snow Maiden of some type?" Ingrid wondered. "I don't think she has her own book like those books I found in Storybrooke."
"We shall have to research." Jadis decided, though something like that made her mind feel just a little deja vu like she had heard something similar.
"Yes, of course," Ingrid agreed as she looked down at Vanellope with a small smile. "Mama and Auntie Jadis are going to take good care of you, sweetie, I promise~"
Jadis looked down at the baby and caressed her cheek. "Yes, we will, dear child~" she agreed. She might not have been fond of normal humans, but if her dearest Ingrid wanted to raise her she would help look after her.
Vanellope gently but clumsily, as babies could be, patted Jadis' hand but then cuddled into Ingrid and started to fall asleep.
"You wouldn't mind helping me out, would you?" Ingrid asked Jadis in a hushed voice as Vanellope began to get sleepy. "I've always desired a child of my own, but it was a lot of hard work looking after Elwin by myself and that was before he became a teenager."
"Of course not, though we should find a way out of Narnia... while I should be ruling here, Aslan will not allow that so we should find somewhere else to be." Jadis assured and then advised.
"Yes, of course, but where can we go?" Ingrid pondered. "If only we had The Mad Hatter's hat, I hear it helps him travel to any realm of magic he desires."
Jadis hummed to that. "Well for now we should find somewhere better to hide," She advised then went to the basket to collect that for Vanellope. "Should we take or leave the basket?" she asked Ingrid, getting ready to search through it if they were leaving it.
"It would probably be easier to carry her in the basket, so I think we should take it." Ingrid suggested.
There appeared to be a very small item deep within the basket that appeared to be a bean of some sorts.
Jadis looked curious as she felt something. She reached to take it out and also made sure the blankets were ready to wrap Vanellope up in to keep her secure and warm. "What is this?" she mused as she looked at it.
Ingrid looked around to make sure no one else was onto them before she looked back at Jadis while making sure that Vanellope was secure and warm enough since not everyone could be adjusted to the cold like the two of them. "Did you find the basket, Jadis?" she then asked urgently.
"Yes," Jadis nodded and then showed the basket that she had a secure hold of in one arm. "I also found this in the basket." she added as she showed the bean.
"Is that a magic bean? I've heard of those." Ingrid remarked as she took a closer look.
"I think it is." Jadis said as she showed Ingrid.
"It has to be..." Ingrid replied. "I just wonder where it could lead to?" she then pondered.
"Do we not just get to concentrate and choose where to go?" Jadis asked her.
"Where would you like to go, Jadis?" Ingrid replied thoughtfully.
"Somewhere with snow~" Jadis said to that.
"Somewhere that's white and yet beautiful and organic..." Ingrid said thoughtfully, trying to think of where to go. "I might know a place." she then said after a moment.
"Well, maybe you should lead us, we'll hold onto Vanellope in her basket and then you can open a portal with the bean." Jadis decided with a small smirk to Ingrid.
"Very well..." Ingrid smirked back and nodded as she held out her hand for the bean.
Jadis handed the bean over, helped tuck Vanellope into the basket, and then took a hold of the handle, leaving room for Ingrid to as well.
"Somewhere that's cold and will help make us feel love and support we need..." Ingrid began to say, getting ready before they would travel into the new world away from Narnia as she would drop the bean.
Jadis nodded to that as she stood with Ingrid. The bean soon dropped and then came a blistering portal through the ground that had snowflakes flying everywhere and there were also the sounds of jingle bells heard deep into the other side.
"Ready?" Ingrid asked Jadis rhetorically.
Jadis nodded to that and held the basket out to Ingrid so they could both hold it.
Ingrid accepted the basket and nodded as well before she soon took a deep breath. "Goodbye Narnia... Hello, brave new world." she then said before hopping into the portal along with Vanellope, the basket, and Jadis.
Jadis hopped into the portal with Ingrid and Vanellope and then looked around once they got there. The portal closed up behind them and soon they ended up in a brand new world.
Ingrid looked around as well as it seemed to be a winter wonderland and in the distance, there was singing heard along with a workshop cottage where the singing was coming from.
Jadis looked around and then frowned thoughtfully. "This sounds familiar... somehow..." she mused quietly.
"Does it now?" Ingrid replied out of intrigue as they looked around.
A few tiny workers soon left the workshop, showing to be rather child-like and child-sized, but were actually a lot older than they looked. Jadis nodded. She then looked at the smaller workers.
"We should probably come closer," Ingrid suggested. "I think you might like this place."
Jadis hummed thoughtfully and followed Ingrid. "It is nice and snowy." she agreed.
Ingrid nodded in agreement.
"Hurry up, you guys! This job doesn't come cheap, ya know!" One of the elves instructed, though seemed more like an older teenager than a grown adult compared to the other elves as they did as he told while coming in and out of the workshop.
"We know." One of the other elves told him.
Jadis looked thoughtfully at them. Ingrid then stepped closer, making sure Jadis would be able to pick up the pace. The taller elf nodded before glancing over as he saw someone walking right this way. Jadis followed, trying to figure out why it felt so familiar here.
"Who are they?" One of the elves asked quietly.
"I'll handle this," The tall elf said before coming closer. "Um, hey! Excuse me? Are you folks lost?" he then asked as he approached them.
"Actually, we were hoping to come right in and especially see old Mr. St. North." Ingrid said casually and innocently.
Jadis stood up straight and regally as she usually did. "Yes, if you could show us the way..." she agreed with what Ingrid had said.
"Who should I ask is here?" The tall elf demanded.
"Jadis and Ingrid." Ingrid stated with a small smirk.
The tall elf flinched briefly and then went to open both of the workshop doors. "Please, ladies, come inside." he then said, though his monotone barely changed but he clearly saw the importance of meeting these two women.
Jadis followed, her steps regal as usual. Vanellope woke up a little as she sensed the change in temperature. Ingrid kept a close eye on Vanellope in the meantime.
There were many other elf workers until they stopped what they were doing to look at Ingrid and Jadis curiously as the tall elf made his way to see a certain big jolly elf who was in charge around here, even more than him. Vanellope let out a small noise. Jadis rubbed her forehead just a little as it seemed very familiar here somehow.
"Oh, it's okay, sweetie..." Ingrid soothed Vanellope as best as she could before she faced Jadis. "This place really makes you feel warm and cozy, doesn't it?" she then asked, trying to get Jadis to remember what exactly this place was.
"It does..." Jadis said quietly.
Vanellope sneezed a little then.
"Bless you, sweetheart~" Ingrid whispered and smiled, relieved that it was only just that before she faced Jadis. "Like maybe you've dreamt about this some time?" she then tried to hint until someone made his way over to see them with the tall elf leading the way.
Vanellope giggled a little.
"Maybe... something like a dream..." Jadis said quietly.
"Is that really you, Jadis?" A voice asked right behind the two women suddenly.
Ingrid then turned herself and Vanellope around to see the tall felt standing beside a big, jolly man with a bushy white beard dressed in mostly red and had a glass of half empty milk in his hand.
Jadis stiffened at the voice a moment and then her eyes widened as she turned around. "Nicholas..." she breathed as she looked up at the taller man.
"Jadis..." Nicholas whispered back as he set the glass down and came to hug her right away.
"Will it help restore anything though?" Ingrid asked the tall elf.
"It might take some time, but she at least remembers his name by looking at him." The tall elf replied.
Jadis stiffened again a moment but hugged him back closing her eyes as it felt familiar. Vanellope sneezed again and hiccuped in surprise.
"Oh, sweetheart, bless you again~" Ingrid said softly.
"You brought a kid..." The tall elf noted. "Kids aren't normally allowed around here."
"We'll make an exception for this time, Bernard, but let's get her nice and warm." Nicholas suggested while holding onto Jadis warmly.
"She's not a normal daughter of Eve anyway." Jadis pointed out, in case Bernard was thinking she was human.
Vanellope looked at Ingrid from the basket and waved her arms up.
"No?" Bernard replied.
"No, she came from who appears to be Mother Nature," Ingrid explained and nodded before looking down at Vanellope with a small smile. "But for now... we're looking after her."
"She at least looks like she belongs on the nice list." North said with a small grin.
Vanellope smiled back at the smile she could see.
"Do you think she should lie down and get warmed up? I don't think she's adjusted to the cold quite yet." Ingrid asked Jadis since they were best friends and almost like sisters, especially after the infamous incident.
"Well, maybe get her somewhere a little warmer," Jadis agreed. "It's probably that she needs to get used to the warmth too." she pointed out.
"There is a room in the back if you trust me." North suggested.
"But of course," Ingrid nodded. "If Jadis trusts you, of course I do too."
"I don't know why, yet, but I do." Jadis admitted, though she knew she knew him somehow and that he was special to her.
"Please, let's get the child settled and perhaps we could explain a few things?" North suggested.
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea." Ingrid nodded.
"Maybe I should stay in case there's anything else," Bernard suggested. "I'm one of Santa's top elves next to Julie after all."
Jadis nodded to North. "How has Judy been?" she asked conversationally after a moment.
Bernard smirked innocently as Ingrid glanced back at him curiously.
"She's been well, but it hasn't been the same since you folks disappeared," North replied softly. "She still makes the best hot chocolate."
"You remember Judy?" Ingrid asked Jadis hopefully.
Jadis nodded to North and then looked to Ingrid. "I feel we had a close bond somehow," she explained. "Maybe seeing her will help me remember." she said quietly.
"We'll fetch her for you," North reassured as he led the way down a hallway. "Please come this way with the child."
"Yes, of course." Ingrid nodded as she held Vanellope close and securely.
Bernard then went to go see the other elves to go and find Judy just for Jadis. Jadis walked along with them.
"Did Manny send you over?" North wondered on the way.
"Actually, we have a different way of traveling and not by reindeer~" Ingrid smirked playfully, teasing him a little.
"We think Mother Nature decided to help us." Jadis said to that with a small smirk.
"So I see..." North smirked back. "Some people can be so lucky." he then came to one door and opened it up.
It appeared to be very blank, pure white, and had nothing interesting in it aside from a traditional rocking chair, a tiny window that looked out into the moonlight night sky, and a bland white crib.
"Um, well, while I DO enjoy the color white, not as much as Queen Mirana from Wonderland, I'm not sure if this will be comfortable enough..." Ingrid said, glancing around.
"It works different than you think." Bernard advised from the corner.
Jadis looked around the room slowly.
"Let me see the child a moment, please?" North requested as he held out his hands.
Ingrid looked a little hesitant to let go of Vanellope so quickly despite them just meeting and she already felt emotionally attached to the baby girl despite not being born of her blood. "Yes, of course." she then said, though she still stalled a bit while slowly holding out Vanellope from her warm and comforting bosom.
Jadis gave a small soothing look to Ingrid. Vanellope whined a little at first but didn't cry.
North took a hold of Vanellope as Ingrid turned away emotionally. "It is quite all right, I promise you." he then told the two women while holding onto the infant to get a comforting bond with her.
Ingrid nodded as she couldn't help it as she felt something very special with Vanellope. More than Elsa, Anna, and even Emma or Elwin. Jadis came over and took Ingrid's hand warmly. Vanellope looked up at North.
"Now then, my dear, let's see what you love the most~" North said softly, resting Vanellope right into the crib.
As the baby girl was laid comfortably and peacefully down, a glowing aura soon shimmered through and the room began to decorate itself with whatever made Vanellope feel comfortable and what she would love in the years to come as long as she stayed faithful to her childhood innocence. The room turned a soft light gray with pale wooden floor and a soft fluffy white rug. The crib was a white with ice blue bedding and there was a soft gauzy canopy. The rocking chair remained with a soft looking pillow on the back, and the window was surrounded by ice blue soft curtains. Ingrid looked surprised, but in a good way.
"This will help her feel at home for a while," Bernard reassured Ingrid and Jadis. "I guess you don't remember what this room meant for you and the big guy." he then added to Jadis in a quiet voice.
"She doesn't really remember." Ingrid admitted to him.
"I'm afraid not." Jadis admitted quietly. She did have a small smile though as she approved of the decor.
"I think we need to talk to a certain someone if he's available." North suggested to Bernard.
"I'll look for him as well as Judy." Bernard rolled his eyes, annoyed at this type of workload.
"Thank you so much." Ingrid said with a small playful smirk.
Jadis had a small smirk too. Bernard then stepped away.
"We'll be right back, okay, dear?" Ingrid cooed and gently soothed Vanellope, trying to be brave for both of them. "You're going to be just fine~"
Vanellope looked at Ingrid and gave a sweet baby smile.
"You'll be okay over here..." Ingrid said before she looked firmly towards North. "Don't let anything happen to her!" she then demanded.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, it's okay!" North said, trying to calm her down and chuckled. "I think you know that I, of all people, would never let a child be harmed."
"She will be safe, I sense she will be." Jadis soothed Ingrid.
"Well, all right..." Ingrid said, trying to settle down. "Sorry, but I've been hurt by the loss of a loved child before."
"It's quite all right, Snow Queen," North reassured her. "Your child will be fine over here, especially since now we know what she'll love and need for years to come as children are like snowflakes: no two are exactly alike."
Jadis gently squeezed Ingrid's arm soothingly.
"I'm sorry, Jadis, I don't know what came over me." Ingrid admitted softly.
"It's alright." Jadis assured softly.
"It's all right..." Ingrid smiled softly and sadly.
"She'll be okay in here and I'll make sure some elves check on her too," North then said. "Jadis, I think we have a lot of catching up to do ever since... Manny decided what had to happen many moons ago."
Jadis looked to him to that. "The Man in the Moon did something?" she asked.
"Perhaps we should sit by the fireplace for this." North suggested.
Bernard overheard that and soon went to the hot chocolate kitchen to go and see a certain fellow elf he knew who would be in there for that job. Ingrid looked soft, but also understood with what her friend went through and a lot of things changed since even before Storybrooke. Jadis looked at him a moment, but then nodded and went along with him and Ingrid. North led them into the grand room where a giant list was shown with names of children from all over the world depending on if they were good or bad throughout the year to deserve gifts or be given coal. There were very large chairs in front of a roaring fireplace that had a red and white striped mantle resembling a candy cane as North took his seat and offered to have Ingrid and Jadis sit down as well. Jadis looked at the seats and her body automatically moved to one of them. Ingrid smiled a little bit once she got comfortable.
"Comfortable?" North asked them, though mostly Jadis.
"Yes, thank you." Jadis nodded, while the fire was warm it wasn't uncomfortable like normal fire.
"Now, where should we start?" North wondered.
"Maybe at the beginning?" Ingrid suggested. "Though I suppose you might have to mention how you two met."
Jadis nodded to that.
"Do you remember anything?" North asked Jadis before he would say anything.
"Not really, but I know you're special to me somehow." Jadis told him quietly."Well, I guess I'll start with this..." North said as he took a deep breath. "Once upon a time, there were two brothers who were born with very unique stories, but they would not know it until they became a certain age. They were both blessed with very unique kinds of magic and they lived in a simple cottage. One brother wanted to use the magic to tell his own stories, and the other brother wanted to use magic to give to others and was seen as a Jolly Old Saint by most people."
Jadis listened carefully. North then continued to tell the story that was shared in Storybrooke from his brother who was known as the original Sorcerer's Apprentice known as Michael, but Mickey to his friends, and how he was destined to become Santa Claus for most children and how eventually sometime after finding The North Pole and trying to find out what to do, there was a storm and a certain "beautiful young lady" who seemed lost and alone which was the first time he and Jadis had first met, especially over a nice cup of hot cocoa along with cookies and Turkish Delight.
Judy had heard of 'newcomers' and was already making some of her special Hot Cocoa.
"Judy, we have some visitors, but you might recognize one of them." Bernard informed the female elf.
"I heard about our new visitors, and I'm almost done with the hot cocoa," Judy assured with a small smile. "Who might I recognize?" she asked softly.
"I believe you're familiar with Queen Jadis who once lived in Narnia?" Bernard prompted.
Judy looked to Bernard at that. "Yes." she said softly.
"She's waiting for you in the other room, but she doesn't remember a lot of everything," Bernard advised. "It might take her a minute to realize who you are."
Judy looked at him, her eyes widening a moment, and then focused on the hot cocoa a moment. "I see," she said softly. "Well we shall have to take it slow then." she then nodded.
"That might be best." Bernard agreed.
Judy nodded and then served up the Hot Cocoas. Bernard nodded at that and they left the room suddenly. Judy shook her head and then put them on a tray and took them to the sitting room. Ingrid smiled between the two who were with her before she looked over and heard someone about to come into the room.
"Santa, I have the Hot Cocoas here." Judy spoke up.
"So we've heard." Ingrid replied with an amused chuckle.
Judy had a small, but warm smile on her face, coming over to serve each of them their hot cocoas.
"Thank you, Judy." North approved.
"Yes, thank you." Ingrid added with a small smile back toward the sweet elf worker.
"Thank you." Jadis' agreed quietly as she accepted it.
Judy smiled to that. "Is there anything else I can get you?" She asked everyone quietly.
"Perhaps I could have one cookie... Or maybe two..." North said innocently. Ingrid smirked a little at that as she accepted her own mug.
"I shall get some," Judy smiled. She then looked to Ingrid and Jadis, wondering if they had any special requests.
"I would like some Turkish Delight, please." Jadis requested, and while she might have reigned like a queen she felt the urge to be nicer to Judy.
North smiled bashfully as Ingrid chuckled.
"You always did love your cookies," Ingrid teased him before smiling softly at Jadis. "I think I shall have some Turkish Delight too." she then decided.
"Of course," Judy smiled. She then went off to fetch some of the wanted treats. "Please be careful the Hot Cocoa is quite hot." she said softly.
"Thank you, Judy." Jadis said with a small smile.
"Of course, Judy." North nodded.
"Yes, thank you very much." Ingrid added with a pleasant smile.
Judy smiled and then left the room. Jadis blew on the Hot Cocoa and had a small sip. Ingrid did the same and took a very big sip, but not too big as she wanted to get a good taste of the chocolate.
"You just seemed so lost and alone and I felt like I had to help you," North said to Jadis. "We both seemed to share a love for the season of winter while most people seem to abhor it and see the bad things about it."
Jadis gave a small nod. That sounded familiar to her somehow. "Yes, winter is a wonderful time." she said quietly.
"We used to have lots of fun together you and I," North nodded. "Having snowball fights or building snowmen."
"My nieces Anna and Elsa were quite fond of a snowman themselves they named Olaf." Ingrid remarked and nodded.
Jadis gave a small smile. She did look thoughtful though.
"The years came and went," North told Jadis. "We were very happy, especially with my fellow Guardians popping in once in a while."
"If you don't remember them, I can tell you," Ingrid reassured Jadis. "I knew that Elwin would want to know about them so I told him all about them and one of them, you might know very well if you think hard enough."
Jadis looked thoughtful and sipped her Hot Cocoa.
"A frosty little number you might have named Jack?" Ingrid whispered thoughtfully.
Jadis nodded. "Did you ever find him, Ingrid?" she asked her friend softly."It wasn't just me." Ingrid reassured Jadis.
"As a matter of fact, I've come to know him myself until he was able to be found again by Manny and share those other gifts with the children of Storybrooke to help them find out more about themselves as people with unknown destinies." North then clarified to Jadis since he was apart of this story too.
Jadis looked to him with wide eyes. "When did you last see him?" she asked, leaning forward a little.
"Not too long after I left Storybrooke and came back again to tell Elwin what was in store for him," North explained. "He's luckily very easy to reach along with the others if you would like to see our little Jack again." he then added tenderly.
Ingrid smiled warmly, looking hopeful about this being good for Jadis, though it was probably a lot to take in at the moment.
Jadis closed her eyes and sat back in her seat a moment. "D-Does he know us?" she asked softly.
"He knows us and he would very much like to know more about you," North nodded. "When you have enough time to relax and get used to the idea since it's been such a long time and we've all had our own adventures away from each other."
"Yes, maybe give a couple of days... and then you can contact him." Jadis suggested softly. She wanted to see her son but she needed time to go through what she found out.
"Of course, Jadis," North nodded. "You still have a lot to adjust to."
"We'll help you though." Ingrid added as she gently took Jadis' hand and squeezed it.
Jadis gave a small smile to that and squeezed Ingrid's hand in return. She did look to North though. "I am sorry for banning you from Narnia..." she said quietly. "I didn't remember who you were, and I don't know why I banned you." she said softly.
"You were corrupted from an icy heart that needed healing," North reassured Jadis with a nod. "You were a different person, but I know that we can help get you back to the Jadis we both know and love."
"We'll do whatever it takes, old friend." Ingrid added with a small smile.
Jadis gave them a small smile in return. Judy quietly announced herself and then came in with the dessert-ish treats.
"Ah, dessert." North said with a small smile.
"Over here, Judy!" Ingrid gently called as she put her hand up to reassure Judy that they were still there.
Judy smiled and then served Jadis and Ingrid first, before taking the plate of cookies to North.
"Oh, boy, bring them here~" North chuckled as he reached out for the cookies right away.
"Some old habits never really go away." Ingrid whispered to Jadis playfully about North's sweet tooth.
Jadis chuckled a little as she saw that. Judy smiled and gave him the plate.
"Uh, did you ladies want some cookies too?" North asked bashfully.
"That's all right, you go ahead and help yourself." Ingrid reassured him with a warm, playful smirk.
"We have our Turkish Delight." Jadis assured him.
North grinned sheepishly and soon decided to eat his cookies without a care. "Thank you, Judy." he then told the best female elf on the team who gave treats to those who needed it.
Judy smiled to that. North smiled back at her, though he looked softly at the two women.
"I feel like I've only ever eaten Turkish Delight with you, Jadis." Ingrid said softly.
"There was one other I allowed to eat it in my presence." Jadis told Ingrid quietly, though her eyes narrowed a little to that memory of Edmund Pevensie.
"One of those children you met?" Ingrid guessed softly.
Jadis nodded to that and took a piece of the Turkish Delight and took a bite. Ingrid smiled as she decided to take her own bite. North dipped some of his cookies in his hot chocolate as they lounged around together for a little while longer. Jadis sighed softly in content as this one was delicious and very familiar.
"How is it?" Ingrid asked Jadis hopefully after a few bites.
"Delicious." Jadis said quietly.
Judy smiled to that as she was glad of that. Ingrid smiled, glad to hear that.
"Who else but Judy to have the best treats in the North Pole?" North chuckled warmly. "Aside from maybe The Land of Sweets where Clara and Phillip used to live." he then added gently.
Judy gave a small smile to that. North smiled back at her warmly.
"We're going to have so much fun." Ingrid promised Jadis since they were reunited which was the first step.
"Yes." Jadis agreed quietly with a small smile.
"Where do we sleep?" Ingrid wondered.
"I have plenty of guest rooms, like when I first came here," North informed them with a nod. "We'll help you get a nice rest after all you've both been through quite a bit today." he then remarked.
"Thank you, Nicholas." Jadis said quietly.
"Of course, my dear." North nodded.
Ingrid smiled warmly before she took another sip of her hot cocoa in the meantime. Jadis ate the other bit of her Turkish Delight and then took a sip of the hot cocoa, subtly testing the tastes together. Ingrid smiled as Jadis was enjoying herself so far.
"When you are ready, I shall bring you to your temporary chamber." North then told the two women.
Jadis smiled a bit to that.
"It'll be just like old times." Ingrid promised Jadis.
Jadis smiled to that. "That sounds good." she agreed.
"Luckily for you, you have such a good friend like me to guide you~" Ingrid smirked.
"Let's not brag too much now." North advised.
Jadis gave a soft chuckle.
"She knows she can trust me." Ingrid then told North.
"That's some friend you've got there, Jadis." North teased.
"Of course I trust her, Nicholas," Jadis smirked a little to North. "She got me out of the prison I was trapped in." she added softly.
"I'm glad you were able to, I'm sure it wasn't easy." North remarked to The Snow Queen.
"It was very simple once I remembered a spell that I used just days before today," Ingrid reassured and nodded. "I feel fortunate that it was able to free my longest and most cherished friend."
Jadis smiled to that. Ingrid smiled back.
North soon began to look a little tired himself after having all of his cookies. "Well, ladies, I don't know about you, but I could use a little well-deserved sleep before Sandy comes over here and makes me fall asleep in this chair." he then said with a small chuckle.
"How is Sandy?" Jadis wondered as she finished the last of her Hot Cocoa.
"He's doing very well and of course keeping busy," North replied softly. "He's also glad that the children are safe from what Pitch Black attempted to put them through."
"Those horrible nightmares with their insecurities..." Ingrid frowned. "I didn't like that part of the reign I was hoping to have in Storybrooke until I realized that wasn't what I wanted."
Jadis gave a small nod to that, frowning at the mention of Pitch Black.
"Don't worry about Pitch Black though, he was properly taken care of." North then promised Jadis.
"Thank goodness." Ingrid nodded at that.
"He was locked away again?" Jadis asked to that.
"Yes, and no one should be hearing from him again for a long, long time..." North reassured before he grinned warmly. "Would you like me to show you your new chamber for the night?" he then offered.
"That might be best." Ingrid agreed as she finished her own Turkish Delight.
"That would be nice." Jadis said quietly to North.
"Why don't I show you, Lady Ingrid?" Judy offered, knowing she would want one next to Vanellope.
"Very well, Judy," Ingrid nodded. "You don't mind, do you North?" she then asked the man.
"Of course not! You're my guests after all." North agreed warmly.
Jadis gave a smile to that.
"You can still show Lady Jadis, sir." Judy assured North.
"I'll do that at least," North nodded. "Thank you, Judy. What would I do without you?"
"Probably eat out," Ingrid joked before chuckling, though that joke only seemed to work in Storybrooke as that place had a local diner and not very many people in this world did such a thing. "Oh, I'm sorry, the modern Fairy Tale town woman in me is speaking." she then apologized sheepishly off their strange looks.
Judy gave a smile to that, though she didn't quite understand it.
"Follow me." North suggested as he led the women out the door of his lounge.
"Yes, let's." Ingrid agreed as she was the first one to follow.
Jadis followed North and Judy too, though she went more with North.
"I thought we'd never have our special bond together ever again." North told Jadis softly since the most recent saw they saw each other was more than friendly, but it was because of an unfair cast of magic.
Jadis looked at him with a small smile. "Well, we have the chance to reforge it now." she said quietly.
"Especially after a good night's sleep." North smiled back.
Jadis smiled a bit to that. North smiled back at her as they made their way to the temporary bedtime chambers for the night.
Judy showed Ingrid towards a room next to Vanellope's.
"Oh, thank you so much, Judy," Ingrid said with a small smile. "I think we'll feel right at home right here."
"You're very welcome." Judy smiled to Ingrid.
"And you're sure Vanellope will be okay for the night?" Ingrid then asked as her maternal instinct kicked in.
"You're next door so you can see and hear her." Judy told her.
"I should just watch her just one last time," Ingrid said softly. "I'm a little new to being a mother like this, though I've raised a teenage boy in another life."
"Well, from what I see the only difference is body and sometimes they prefer different toys," Judy smiled. "And babies require just a bit more care." she added.
"They do and she's very new to me, so thank you for understanding at least." Ingrid nodded as well.
Judy smiled to that. Ingrid smiled back and was about to step into the room.
Judy opened the door for her. "Phil, what are you doing in here?" she asked as she saw the Yeti in Vanellope's room.
The yeti grunted a little and turned around while holding onto the baby girl.
"What's going on in there?!" Ingrid asked in concern. "Vanellope?!"
"It's alright," Judy assured Ingrid. "Phil must have gotten curious." she soothed.
Vanellope giggled. The yeti named Phil grinned sheepishly.
"Phil, eh?" Ingrid asked as she came a little closer, though kept a close eye on Vanellope.
Judy stepped aside to let Ingrid see. Phil looked down at Ingrid bashfully and then held out Vanellope safely and securely in his giant hands.
"Sweetie...?" Ingrid whispered, though looked over as Vanellope seemed calm and quiet right now.
Vanellope looked to Ingrid and giggled as she gently tugged on a little of Phil's fur.
"Phil is a bit of a grump at times, but he adores children and would never hurt one." Judy assured Ingrid.
Phil nodded and grunted in agreement.
"So... she'll be okay with him?" Ingrid asked as she kept her eyes on Vanellope.
"Yes." Judy assured.
"Well, okay..." Ingrid said before she came closer. "Sweet dreams, my little princess~" she then told Vanellope tenderly.
"Phil, she should be getting some sleep, why don't we let Lady Ingrid put the baby to bed?" Judy suggested.
Phil grunted and pouted as he wanted more time with Vanellope.
"You can play with her later, but she's a growing girl and growing girls need their rest~" Ingrid told the yeti as calmly as possible.
"Maybe Lady Ingrid will allow you to watch over her in the morning?" Judy wondered, hoping that would be alright with Ingrid.
Phil grunted hopefully in response.
"Well..." Ingrid paused before looking over at Judy. "You folks really trust him?" she then asked the elf cautiously.
"We trust all of the Yeti contingent that work and live here." Judy assured.
"Yetis and elves work very well together." North advised.
"Well, if you're both so insistent, I guess it would be okay, just let me hold my little one and kiss her good night at least." Ingrid replied.
Phil grunted softly and soon decided to let Ingrid hold onto Vanellope for right now. udy smiled to that. Vanellope cooed to Ingrid.
"Sweet dreams... my little princess..." Ingrid whispered warmly and gave Vanellope a tender, maternal kiss on the cheek.
Phil then moved his face a little to also get a good night kiss from Ingrid, seeming a little too hopeful about that. Judy giggled softly behind her hand. Vanellope patted Ingrid's face gently and then did the same to Phil's. Phil grunted and gave a small grin at that. Ingrid smiled bashfully and decided to give the yeti a good night kiss too as she smiled warmly at Vanellope. Judy smiled to that.
"All right, I think I'm ready now." Ingrid told Judy as she came back to see the elf woman since Vanellope was okay right now.
"Are you tucking her to bed or letting Phil?" Judy asked to check.
"Well, I'd like to if that's all right." Ingrid replied as she admitted that she would like to tend to Vanellope.
Phil grunted a little in understanding luckily enough.
Judy smiled. "We'll leave you to it then." she told her warmly.
"Thank you for understanding," Ingrid nodded. "I may have just gotten her, but I'll be the best Mama ever to her."
"I think Phil might take her to show her around if you have more business with Santa." Judy smiled.
"Probably in the morning if anything," Ingrid replied. "Jadis and I have had a long day so far and I know that Vanellope has as well~"
Judy nodded to that warmly. "We'll leave you to it for now." she smiled.
"Thank you," Ingrid replied. "You're such a kind soul."
Judy gave a soft smile and blush and then led Phil out of the room. Phil grunted a bit as he followed Judy just then. Ingrid wiped her eye a bit, looking slightly tearful. Vanellope reached up to try and help in her baby way.
"Aww... aren't you sweet?" Ingrid cooed warmly at Vanellope for that.
Vanellope cooed at Ingrid.
"Princess Vanellope," Ingrid smiled. "That sounds like a nice name too, doesn't it?"
Vanellope cooed sweetly to that, patting her face.
Ingrid smiled warmly at that. "How about a story?" she then suggested since mothers often told their young ones stories for bedtime.
Vanellope smiled sweetly to that.
"I hope that that's a yes, my darling little Vanilla Bean~" Ingrid smiled back as she came to take a seat in the rocking chair in the room.
Vanellope focused on Ingrid and cooed happily.
Ingrid smiled softly and soon decided to tell her one of the older stories from Arendelle. "Once upon a time..." she then started to say the four magic words that every good story starts with.
Vanellope looked at her, listening to her new mother's voice. Ingrid smiled warmly, telling the story of three sisters who were all very close and practically best friends. Vanellope continued to listen until she started to fall asleep. Ingrid continued, telling the good parts of the story and even waved her hand a little to get into the mood as she entertained Vanellope with the story as best as she could. Vanellope smiled, and cuddled in more when she finally started to fall asleep.
"And they lived happily ever after~" Ingrid whispered tenderly as she went to put Vanellope back into bed and kissed her forehead tenderly. "The End and good night, my little princess~" she then added before going to leave the room for the rest of the evening.
Vanellope continued to sleep. Ingrid smiled warmly and wiped her eyes again as she left the room for now so that Vanellope could sleep. Vanellope stayed asleep with a smile on her little face.
Ingrid sighed softly. "It's always hard to leave just after seeing." she then admitted to Judy.
Judy gave her a small smile. "I can tell the baby already loves you, and that you'll be a great mother." she assured.
"Oh, thank you so much," Ingrid replied. "I think my biggest desire was to have my very own child who will defend and understand me no matter what when most of my family already did the opposite." she then added with a light frown.
Judy reached out and gently soothingly squeezed Ingrid's hand. Ingrid sniffled a bit, but tried not to get too emotional as now was a time for resting and getting some sleep.
May 9"Get some sleep, is there anything special you would like for breakfast?" Judy advised and then asked.
"I don't suppose you have a recipe for pancakes involving chocolate, do you?" Ingrid asked innocently.
"Chocolate chip pancakes, pancakes with chocolate sauce, or pancakes made with a chocolate batter?" Judy asked with a chuckle.
Ingrid chuckled as those all sounded so nice until she picked one out. "Pancakes made out of chocolate batter." she then requested.
"Alright." Judy smiled to that.
"You're an angel." Ingrid said with a small smile back.
"No, I'm an elf." Judy giggled to that.
"Oh, yes, how could I forget?" Ingrid rolled her eyes playfully in response.
Judy giggled to that.
"Have a pleasant night yourself, Judy." Ingrid said on her way to join Jadis for bed after being shown where to go from here.
Judy then went off to get a little sleep too before she would then get up early to make breakfast. Ingrid smiled before she yawned and soon went into a deep sleep as they all settled in at the North Pole that evening with more interesting adventures to come for them.
