WARNING

This story contains character deaths, sexual themes, graphic violence, swearing, triggers and psychological themes.

Please read at your own discretion

CHAPTER 14

10 hours earlier
Bjorgman Garden

The crisp morning air kissed Elsa's cheeks as she wandered through the garden, her steps light and deliberate. Morning dew clung to the edges of leaves, shimmering in the pale sunlight like the delicate lace trim of a gown. The flowers swayed gently in the breeze, but Elsa could hardly take solace in their beauty. Her mind was a storm, a tornado of emotions that refused to keep quiet.

They continue to stay in her mind over and over again, trapping her in what seems to be a very suffocating room.

She wanted to speak—to Anna, to Kristoff, to anyone she held dear—but the thought alone sent her heart racing. Words felt like fragile glass in her throat, too easily shattered. Every attempt to climb the wall of silence she had built around herself left her gasping for air, paralyzed by fear.

Today, like every day, she tried. She had opened her mouth earlier during breakfast, hoping to say something—anything—to Anna. But no words had come. Only the heavy weight of shame.

She wrapped her arms around herself as she continued walking, her heels crunching against the cobblestone path. Her gaze fell to the flowers, their delicate petals dusted with morning dew. They looked so alive, so resilient, even in the grip of the oncoming winter chill. She envied them, their ability to thrive no matter the season.

She wished she could be like the flowers. But the chain that bound her to her limbo was much too new. It hadn't rusted enough for her to just yank it away and break free. She was still stuck in that place she wanted so badly to escape from.

Then, a figure caught her eye. Kristoff was walking toward the house from the direction of the gate, his broad shoulders hunched slightly and his brow furrowed. He was clearly lost in thought, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by something heavier.

Elsa's chest tightened. She remembered the last time she had seen him. She had fainted, her knees giving out as a flood of memories overwhelmed her. Memories she couldn't place, yet felt viscerally. The smell of damp stone, the echo of cruel laughter, the sting of cold iron on her skin. She had been trapped in that house again, the walls closing in around her until the air was too thick to breathe.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

That moment had passed, but the guilt lingered. She had frightened Kristoff. She had made him worry. And now, as he walked toward the house, his face etched with concern, she wanted so badly to call out to him. To offer him some comfort, the way he had always done for her. But the wall was there again, towering and insurmountable. Her voice caught in her throat, a prisoner of her own making. She hadn't known what caused the memories to reappear—no. That was a lie, she knew very well.

The wretched perfume that man often wore.

Kristoff noticed her as he drew closer, his expression softening slightly. "Elsa," he said, his voice warm despite the shadows in his eyes. "Good morning."

She nodded in response, her lips parting slightly as if to speak. The words were there, tangled in the back of her mind, but they wouldn't come out. Instead, she gave him a faint smile—a small, inadequate offering.

Kristoff stopped a few steps away, his hands resting on his hips. "Anna just left for the tea party," he said, his tone light but distracted. A momentary silence encompassed them before Kristoff opened his mouth to speak again.

"It's nice to see you out here."

She stopped walking, clutching her hands together in front of her. She nodded, the motion stiff and mechanical, and tried to summon the courage to say something in return. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She felt the familiar weight of silence pressing against her chest, suffocating and unyielding.

Kristoff hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing. He looked down at the ground, then back up at her, his expression uncertain. "I wanted to say… I'm glad to see you walking around the mansion like this," he said softly. There was a pause, and then his gaze flickered with something that looked like guilt.

"And… I wanted to apologize. For back then. When you saw me and—" He stopped himself, his voice faltering.

Elsa's heart sank. She knew what he was referring to: the moment she had seen him in her room and the memories had come rushing back, overwhelming her until she collapsed. She could still feel the shame of that moment, the way her body had betrayed her in front of someone who had done nothing but try to help her.

She wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault. That it wasn't him she had been afraid of but the ghosts of her past that refused to let her go. But the words wouldn't come. Her throat tightened, and she lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

"It's alright," Kristoff said gently, probably misinterpreting her silence. "You don't have to say anything. I just… I wanted you to know that I'm sorry if I upset you."

The sincerity in his voice made her chest ache. She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face, but still, she couldn't speak. The silence stretched between them like a chasm, vast and unbridgeable.

Kristoff shifted his weight, the snow crunching softly under his boots. He let out a small sigh, his breath visible in the cold air. "I… I also wanted to say that I wish I could ask you for advice," he said, his voice tinged with frustration.

"About the territory. Things are… They're not good, Elsa."

He ran a hand through his hair, his expression troubled. "The fields we lost to the fires are still bare, and the soil is too damaged to plant anything new. Anna's been doing everything she can—organizing aid, rallying the townsfolk—but it's not enough. We've got families running out of food. People are starting to get desperate."

Elsa listened, her heart tightening with each word. She could see the strain in his face, the weight of the responsibility he carried. It reminded her of their old life, back when their family had ruled their kingdom and the burdens of leadership had been shared among them. But now… Now it felt like Kristoff and Anna were carrying it all alone, and she was a shadow of her former self, unable to help them.

Kristoff laughed bitterly, breaking her thoughts. "You know, I keep thinking about what you would've done. Back when you were—" He cut himself off again, his face twisting with regret.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up… I just mean, you were always so good at handling situations like this. You had this way of making people feel like everything was going to be okay."

Elsa's throat burned with unshed tears. She wanted to tell him that she wasn't that person anymore. That the version of herself he remembered was gone, replaced by someone who couldn't even hold a simple conversation. But the words stayed locked inside her, caged by fear and self-doubt.

Kristoff sighed again, his shoulders slumping. "I just don't know what to do anymore. Anna keeps saying we'll figure it out, but I can see how tired she is. She's trying to carry everything on her own, and it's killing me that I can't do more to help her."

Elsa clenched her hands together, the fabric of her dress bunching under her fingers. She wanted to say something, anything, to ease his burden. But the wall inside her mind felt as impenetrable as ever. She looked at him, her lips trembling, and hoped he could see the apology in her eyes.

Kristoff gave her a small, sad smile. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be dumping all of this on you. I just…" He trailed off, his gaze drifting toward the horizon.

"I guess I just miss being able to talk to you. Really talk."

His words hit her like a blow to the chest. She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. She wanted to tell him she missed it too. She missed being the person he could rely on, the person who could stand beside Anna and face the world head-on. But all she could do was stand there, the weight of her silence pressing down on her like a leaden cloak.

Kristoff seemed to sense her turmoil. He reached out, his hand hovering for a moment before he gently rested it on her shoulder. "It's okay," he said quietly. "You don't have to say anything. Just… take care of yourself, alright?"

Elsa nodded, her vision blurring as she fought to keep her emotions in check. Kristoff gave her curt not before stepping back and heading toward the mansion. She watched him go, his figure growing smaller with each step, and felt the crushing weight of guilt settle over her.

She turned back to the garden, her eyes fixed on the frost-covered flowers. The silence around her felt deafening, and the memories she had tried so hard to suppress began to creep back in, their edges sharp and unforgiving.

She took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she wrapped her arms around herself. She wanted to be stronger. She wanted to be the person Kristoff and Anna needed her to be. But the ghosts of her past held her captive, and she didn't know how to break free.

The garden was aglow with the soft hues of the setting sun, casting a golden sheen over the foliage. Jack's boots crunched softly against the gravel path as he approached the familiar spot. From a distance, he could see Elsa seated at her usual table, her frame partially silhouetted by the waning light. Her head was tilted slightly as though she were studying the delicate petals of the rain blooms in the garden. Nearby, Nokk and Honeymaren stood at their posts, quiet but watchful.

Jack slowed his steps, hesitating for a brief moment before calling out, "Good evening, Lady Elsa."

He wasn't sure what kind of response to expect. Normally, she took her time, the pause before her acknowledgment almost tangible. But this time, Elsa surprised him.

She turned her head almost immediately, her silvery-blonde hair catching the light like strands of moonlight. Her hands cradled a teacup, delicate and steady, and she met his gaze with a faint, almost imperceptible softness.

"Good evening, Jack," she replied, her voice calm but with a subtle warmth that made his chest tighten.

He offered her a gentle smile as he walked closer. "It's nice to see you again," he said, his tone genuine. "It feels like it's been days since we last spoke."

She glanced away, her gaze falling to the flowers blooming stubbornly in the chill of the oncoming winter. Her fingers brushed the rim of her teacup and Jack wondered what was in her mind. He didn't press her for a response, instead he pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down with an easy smile. The tension in the air wasn't heavy, but it was present—like the faint weight of frost on a blade of grass.

After a moment, Elsa's lips parted, her voice quiet but steady. "It is… nice to see you," she said, her words slow, deliberate.

Jack's heart thumped against his ribs, an involuntary reaction to the way her voice held that rare, fleeting sincerity. There was something about Elsa—something fragile, like the first snowfall of winter, and yet, beneath it all, there was a strength he couldn't help but admire. She was fighting her battles, climbing her mountains, and even if she stumbled, she kept moving forward.

To him, it was remarkable.

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "So," he began, his tone light but curious, "what have you been up to these past few days while I've been busy?"

Elsa's gaze lingered on the flowers for a moment longer before she turned back to him. "I've had tea with Anna," she said softly. "I don't… speak much to her—not yet. But it's… nice, spending time with her."

Jack nodded, encouraging her to continue. "I'm sure she's happy to have that time with you, even if words aren't always there."

A faint smile ghosted across Elsa's lips before fading. "Kristoff has talked to me, too," she added, her voice quieter. "He tells me about his troubles—the issues with the territory." She paused, her hands tightening slightly on the teacup.

"I wish I could help. I want to… but it's like there's a wall. I'm not ready."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken emotion. Jack's chest ached for her. "A wall?" he echoed, his voice soft.

"Do you feel that way with me, too? Like there's a wall between us?"

For a moment, Elsa didn't answer. The sunlight caught her face as she turned toward him fully, the warm hues of the setting sun painting her skin in gold and soft pinks. Her blue eyes shone with a quiet intensity, her gaze searching his as though weighing the truth of his question. Slowly, she shook her head.

"No," she said, her voice as soft as a whisper yet steady as stone. "You're… comfortable to be with."

Jack exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Her words, simple as they were, felt monumental. He managed a small, easy smile, though his heart was hammering in his chest.

"I'm glad to hear that," he said. "I don't want to be just another weight on your shoulders, Lady Elsa. I'd rather be someone who lightens the load."

Her lips twitched, not quite a smile but something close. "You're not a weight," she said softly. "You're… constant."

Jack felt his chest tighten, a warmth spreading through him that he couldn't quite explain. He wanted to tell her how much her words meant to him, but he didn't want to overwhelm her. Instead, he simply smiled, his heart full to bursting.

He nodded, his voice gentle. "Well, if I can be that for you, then I'll keep visiting you here."

Elsa didn't respond, but she didn't look away either. For the first time, Jack thought he saw a flicker of something in her eyes—hope, maybe, or the faintest hint of trust.

It was enough.

The garden was quiet except for the soft rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of birds. Jack sat across from Elsa, the small table between them bearing a porcelain teapot and two delicate cups. The warmth of the tea had long since faded, but neither of them seemed to mind. It was a rare, fragile peace they shared, the kind that felt like it could shatter with the wrong word or movement.

Jack glanced at Elsa, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She wasn't looking at him, her gaze instead fixed on the flowers swaying gently in the breeze. The sunlight caught in her platinum hair, making it shimmer like spun silver. Her expression was serene, but Jack could sense that she was thinking a lot beneath the surface. She always seemed to be lost in an ocean of her own making, her emotions hidden beneath layers of ice.

He was about to break the silence, to say something lighthearted or reassuring, when Elsa surprised him. She shifted in her seat, her fingers fidgeting slightly with the fabric of her dress, and for the first time, she spoke first.

"Jack," she began, her voice quiet but steady, "why… why are you doing this? For me?"

Jack blinked, taken aback. Her words were a crack in the wall she so often kept between them, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Then, a soft smile spread across his face, and he leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table.

"It's not something I have to think about," he said gently. "Being here, spending time with you—it's a pleasure, Elsa. Truly."

Elsa turned her gaze to him, her blue eyes searching his face as if trying to find the truth in his words. "But… why?" she asked again, her voice laced with quiet confusion.

"You don't have to… It's not your responsibility."

Jack let out a soft chuckle, though it wasn't mocking. "I know I don't have to," he said, his tone warm. "But I want to. You're…" He hesitated, trying to find the right words. "You're someone I wish to help, Elsa. And I don't think you hear that enough."

Her eyes widened slightly at his response, and for a moment, she looked almost unsure of how to react. Then, her lips parted, and she said something that made his heart skip a beat.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice soft as a whisper but carrying an undeniable sincerity. "For… for what you're doing. I don't say much, and it's hard to… to talk. But I… I appreciate it."

Jack felt a warmth spread through his chest, like the first rays of sunlight after a long winter. Her words, though simple, carried a weight that he knew was monumental for her. Progress, he thought to himself. It was slow, like a glacier inching forward, but it was there.

"You don't have to thank me," he said softly. "Just hearing that from you means more than you know."

Elsa looked away then, her gaze returning to the flowers, but there was a faint flush of color on her cheeks. She seemed to be processing what she had just said, and Jack gave her the space to do so. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable—it felt like the kind of quiet where something unspoken was shared and understood.

As Jack watched her, he felt that familiar ache in his chest, the one he always tried to ignore. It was a feeling that had been there for some time now, growing stronger with every conversation, every glance, every small moment they shared.

He knew what it was, of course. He wasn't naive. But admitting it, even to himself, felt like stepping onto unsteady ground.

Not yet, he thought, his eyes soft as they rested on her.

Not yet.

NOTES:
01.26.25 | 10:05AM

HELLO everyone!

New layout for the author notes! I figured that if I put my notes at the very beginning of the chapter it might take away from the experience. Plus there are other people who would rather skip the notes. So! For those of you who enjoy reading what I yap about, hello, hello! Anyway, yeah, notes and review highlights going forward will be placed at the end of the chapter for those of you who wish to skip it. So you don't have to be bothered by my yapping...SEE? I'm doing it again.

Anyway, a mistake on my part! I was supposed to upload this chapter last night, but I was much too caught up watching Tinker Bell with my sister, so I uh, forgot. Either way! Here it is!

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

GUEST
 I'm glad I am able to make your day hehe! And yes, we love cliffhangers. No actually, sorry about that lol. I did not mean to end it on a cliffhanger but like the chapters- Anyway, please stick around to see what happens next

GUEST
 Thank you so much for the understanding! I means a lot to me. I'm glad you enjoyed the previous chapter! And the next story (it's completed by the way lol) will be live this February, Valentines day, hopefully. Please look out for it too!

GUEST
 I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! Hearing that you reread the story is so nice. Please stick around more to see if your questions will be answered in the following chapters!

GUEST
 I love that you love the previous chapter as well! As for that, we'll see if the following chapters will answer your question!

CHERI 3
 Thank you so much for the kind words! It's so nice to see you here, please stick around for the next chapters too! And I hope you see you around more!

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