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Heart beats fast
She stood there scared yet hopeful as he sat on the window sill of her open window holding out his hand where a snowflake was floating. His vibrant blue eyes were kind and shining with laughter and joy. Her heart we beating loud and clear in her chest and she feared he could hear her. But seeing him smile she suddenly felt comforted. Hearing him speak made her smile the brightest she had in her life. "I'm just like you."
His name was Jack Frost, and he was the Spirit of Winter. But that did not matter to her. Nor did it matter that no one else could see him. She knew she could, and she knew why. For so long she had wanted to believe that there was someone else out there. Someone who would have the same powers as her. Someone who would teach her to control them. So when she read the myth on Jack Frost, the Spirit of Winter, one who had control over snow and ice just as she had, Elsa had dared to hope and believe. She had carried that belief with her since childhood, even when she turned seventeen, and was a year away from becoming an adult. She saw him peering through her window, as she amused herself with a few dancing snowflakes, and had cried out in shock. He had been surprised at her crying out, though later he had whooped with joy. Because her fright meant she could see him, which no one had ever done before.
It was the beginning of a friendship.
For either of them.
Colors and promises
Blue was happiness for her.
Amber was anger.
Purple when she was sad.
Red when she was frightened.
But what about White?
Pure white ice was certainly new. And as she gazed at the little figurine of Jack she frowned in thought. They had always been blue in the past. Why White now?
Maybe because she had made that little figurine while making a promise?
A promise that she would fulfill till the end of time.
Promise that she would never forget about him.
Ever.
How to be brave?
"I can't do it Jack!" Her voice was broken, a sob catching in her throat as she fell to her knees in front of her friend, her arms wrapped around herself in an attempt to feel less alone. Less frightened. But with her parents gone, the room completely frozen because of her powers, her sister having just left her, after sitting for hours against the door, Elsa had never felt so alone.
"Yes you can! Elsa look at me!" Warm hands cupped her cheeks tilting her head to look in her eyes. His hands looked cold but to her they were warm. "You're stronger and braver then you will ever know." He whispered, his voice strong." You will rule Arendelle. The fairest Queen the world has ever known. Brave and strong for her people even when she had just lost her own parents."
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
All her life she had lived afraid. Afraid for the people around her. Afraid for her parents. Her sister. Afraid of herself. Her powers. The one thing that set her apart from all those around her. But she only saw that as a bad thing. It made her feel like an outsider. They made her feel unsafe. They could be destructible. They could be horrifying. Which was why she was so afraid when she found the true extent of her feelings for Jack.
But watching you stand alone,
Sometimes she envied Jack. He had complete control over his abilities. He never made a single mistake. He never let his emotions rule him, which was what she had always done. But right then watching him stand on the balcony of her deceased father's study, she could not help but wish that he may have someone he would love. Like she loved him.
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
He took away all insecurities. He took away every bad feeling. He was her friend. He vowed to help her no matter what she went through. She had accepted it graciously, as a future Queen should, but as soon as he had thrown a snowball at her she had quickly burst into laughter tackling him to the ground like she used to do when she was still a teenager.
One step closer
Time stands still
With him it felt like she could do anything. He brought the laughter she had never thought herself to be capable of. With him time simply stood still. With him everything made sense. Her powers. Her smiles. Her heart. And her love for him.
And when he gave her the necklace as a gift for her coronation Elsa could not help the smile as she clasped the snowflake shaped necklace around her neck. And as it rested beneath the fabric of her coronation gown, cool against her otherwise trembling body it gave her all the strength she needed to believe in herself, even for a little while, as she felt the crown being placed upon her head.
Beauty in all she is
Elsa tilted her head watching Jack curiously as his cheeks colored. His normally pale face was red, or rather his cheeks were, and for reasons unknown to her, he would not meet her eye. He had been acting weird. Perhaps it was the fact she had left and was now living in a palace she made herself? Or maybe her dress, it was rather strange, but she liked it. Or perhaps the necklace he gave her which still hung around her neck. And when he complimented her, her own cheeks flushed her heart beating fast and loud in her chest, as she smiled shyly.
I will be brave
"Promise me!" Jack exclaimed his voice pleading as he knelt in front of her. Elsa sobbed loudly as she shook her head. "I can't Jack." She whimpered her arms hugging her chest as her legs trembled underneath her. Suddenly she felt his arms wrap themselves around her pulling her close, hugging her tightly. Elsa stiffened at the contact, having not touched another human in so long. But as she felt him drop a soft kiss on top of her head her erratic breathing began to steady, her sobs quietening as she gripped the front of his shirt tightly afraid he would disappear or worse, that he would recoil from her. Or that she would hurt him like she did her sister. But Jack did nothing of the sort. Instead he simply pulled her closer. "Promise me you will be brave Elsa." She nodded. "I will be brave Jack." Neither of them noticed how the palace around them seemed to glow white.
I will not let anything take away
"No!" The scream was filled with anguish. One that ripped through the very souls of those who heard it. No one knew why she shouted, they were too busy in trying to bring her down. Her. The monster. Jack had tried to protect her. But he had not seen the sword coming. He had not seen it as it descended on top of his head knocking him out. It was an accident on the guard's part. For he could not see Jack. No one could. But seeing him lie on the floor like that, unmoving and unresponsive she felt anger rising from within her. An anger that frightened her yet gave her strength to attack the guards in retaliation. She was not letting them take away the only best thing that could ever have happened to her.
What's standing in front of me
"Jack!" The cry tore past her lips the second she stepped back into the palace. Her heart was lighter. She felt free. The kingdom was once again as it was before. She had made amends with her sister. Hans was behind bars and could not hurt anyone ever again. But she had been thinking about him. Had been thinking of breaking out of prison to see him and rescue him. Make sure he was alright. She had only just climbed the stairs of the palace when she had seen him exit through the window above her. He had stopped in mid-air staring down at her as if she were some form of illusion. But suddenly she felt his arms around her, the ground falling away from her feet as Jack hugged her, the wind lifting them away. Was it Jack's command or perhaps a little trick on the wind's part. Elsa did not know neither did she care. Laughing, tears of relief shining in her eyes she hugged him back, her heart bursting with happiness.
Every breath
How could it have gone so? As the fire surrounded her from all sides, Elsa clasped the small child in her arms, trying to keep her safe. She was hurt. Her head was spinning and she had inhaled too much smoke. Her powers would not come to her strong enough to stop the fire. The Queen was already too injured and exhausted for that. She knew she would not be able to last long, but maybe the child could. She glanced at the child. Calling up on the last of her strength she created a cradle of ice. Placing the child in the cradle she kissed her forehead, as the child looked up at her wide blue eyes. Eyes a lot like her own. "Be safe little niece. Keep watch over your mother and father for me." She cooed, letting the baby grip her much bigger finger. Waving her hand she inscribed one last message to her sister. A message in ice, kissed the baby's head once more, whispered a blessing, before sending the baby sliding down the message chute, it being only big enough to fit the cradle which was the size of the child. The fire around her was getting intense, it was licking at the hem of her dress, now destroyed from smoke. Suddenly the roof above her creaked. Blue eyes shot heavenward just in time to see the ceiling collapse. Wood and debris rained down her weak body. Elsa collapsed, crying out as a rather heavy beam landed on her leg.
Every hour has come to this
Instincts kicked in, and she tried her best to push it off but what little strength she had was leaving her and the smoke was making her vision hazy not to mention the smoke inside her. It was hopeless she knew it now. As she lost the last of her strength Elsa lay on the ground, smoke filling her lungs, searing heat all around her, her eyes turned heavenward, her thoughts turning to her sister, her brother in law, Olaf and finally Jack. A smile crept on her face as she thought of the boy with silver hair and eyes so blue they rivaled her own. A trembling hand slowly lifted to pull at the necklace resting against her neck, her fingers curled around it as tightly as they could given her limited strength. It unclasped from around her neck. It was cool despite the searing heat around her. Slowly her eyes started to close, her vision nearly obscured from the smoke. "I love you Jack Frost." She whispered to the wind, hoping it would carry her message to the Spirit of Winter.
Her eyes were on the full moon as it shone through the gaping hole. It was the last thing she saw. The last source of comfort. And then everything went black.
As her body stilled her hand fell at her side the necklace slipping from between her slender fingers.
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Darkness. That's the first thing she remembered. It was dark, and it was cold. And she was scared. Slowly blue eyes blinked open. They were bright yet they held fear in them. Fear of the unknown. But, then she saw the moon. It was so big and it was so bright. Her chest heaved as she took a deep shuddering breath, feeling it relax her tense muscles. She lifted her head, pressing a hand against it as she sat up, her movements slow and languid, her blue eyes never leaving the beautiful bright body that shone from the heavens. It seemed to chase the darkness away. And when it did, she wasn't scared anymore. A small almost shy smile made its way to her face as she pushed herself to her feet. Her gaze turned to take in her surroundings. Everything was black and burned. Had there been a fire? If so why was she still alive? Why she was there and what she was meant to do, she didn't know. But then she saw something. Lying on the ground was what looked like a snowflake. She stepped forward, reaching down to inspect further. No. Not a snowflake. A necklace. With the chain broken. Her hand flew to her throat, finding it bare. Picking up the piece of jewel she stood up, not noting how she stood, poised and graceful. Her finger touched the snowflake and a name rang in her mind. One that made her heart speed up and her eyes widen in surprise.
Jack Frost.
Was that why she was here? Her gaze turned to the moon once more. She voiced her thoughts but received no answer. Instead the moon shone brighter, the light falling on a particular spot. She was hesitant for a second before walking towards the lit pathway. As she walked, she felt as if someone was whispering in her ears. The voice was calm and loving. Protective even. It kept saying a name. Elsa. Over and over. Was that her name? A smile pulled at her lips and then suddenly there was a shower of snowflakes all around her. She gasped, and the snowflakes stopped moving. Was she the one who caused these snowflakes? Her gaze turned to the moon before dropping to the necklace. Her lips pursed in a determined manner, she gripped the broken chain of the necklace, brow furrowed in concentration. A surprised gasp escaped her lips as there was a slight glow emanating from her hands, and the chain resealed.
Her name was Elsa, the Snow Queen.
How did she know that?
The moon told her so.
But that was all he ever told her.
And that was a long, long time ago.
The day we met
He had come to Arendelle only in passing. Had chanced by the castle that stood tall and proud. Had barely glanced through the open window when she had caught his eye.
For the first time in his life Jack Frost froze.
There was a young girl inside. A teenager from the looks of it.
And she was playing with snowflakes.
Snowflakes that she created with her own hands. Jack had no idea how long he floated there just watching her, hardly daring to believe that what he saw was real. It wasn't until she saw him and cried out in alarm, that his heart soared and he let out a laugh that echoed against the very mountaintop.
She could see him
She had the same power as him, and she could see him.
This could not be real. This had to be some sort of dream. There she was. Standing there eyes wide as she stared at him.
Not through him.
At him.
Right at him.
He wanted to leap and crow at the top of his lungs. But something stopped him. Sitting at the window sill he held out his hand, creating a snowflake and letting it dance across his fingers as he smiled at her.
"I'm just like you." He whispered.
Alright, not exactly like her.
He was a Spirit. She was a human.
Yet the surprise and hope that shone in her eyes at his admission and showing his powers made him realize that he did not care.
He couldn't help it! He laughed, jumping up and whooping with joy. Landing on the floor of her room he turned to her with a grin, his eyes shining with laughter.
The girl stretched out her palm in front of her creating her own snowflake, which seemed to sparkle, humming with what he could only explain as magic.
The snowflake he had created, drifted forward, almost as if it were dancing around her own beautiful creation.
Suddenly with a laugh of her own, the young girl released it in the air where it burst causing snow to fall in her room. Jack gave a small laugh of disbelief. Turning to the girl he smiled.
"I'm Jack Frost." The girl's smile widened as she nodded.
"I know." She whispered, her voice soft and warm.
"I'm Elsa." She introduced herself. It was much later that he found out she was also a princess, but what did he care.
He had found a believer and a friend. His first one.
And she had found a friend. Her first one.
Frozen I held my breath
Jack didn't know what it was. But from the moment he met her, he had had the strangest urge to protect her. Maybe because she was the first human to ever see him. Whatever it was it wasn't just to protect her.
He wanted her to be happy.
To smile.
To laugh.
To know joy.
It was why he would start random snowball fights whenever he felt she needed a little pick me up. It was why he would create figurines out of ice and make them come to life. It was why he would take her out to fly on his back.
She seemed to enjoy those the most. Telling him that it was then that she felt more free then she had ever been her whole life.
He never told her but it was in those flights that he felt the most at peace. Ever since he had woken inside the lake. This was the first time he felt nothing but pure and utter joy.
Right from the start
He had known. In his heart of hearts, he had known he would love her until the end of his days.
But when had he come to that realization?
Was it at the start? Or somewhere inbetween?
Was it when he had watched her come into her own and be the Queen she was meant to be?
Was it when he would follow her as she interacted with the people of her Kingdom and saw the love and care she had for them?
Was it when she would smile in her sister's presence and finally be herself around her?
Was it when she was finally unafraid of her powers, of herself, and began to live the life she was always meant to?
Or perhaps it was the more simpler things.
Maybe he fell in love with her when she smiled.
Maybe he fell in love with her when she cried.
Maybe he fell in love with her for her kind heart.
Maybe he fell in love with her for the beauty she was, both inside and out.
Maybe he fell in love with the gentleness of her soul.
Maybe he fell in love with her for her rarely seen mischievous nature.
Maybe he fell in love with her because despite the insecurities and fears she still harbored, she tried to move past them and live a happy life.
Whatever it was, it didn't matter.
He loved her.
And he would love her so long as he breathed.
And as he watched her from his perch atop one of the many towers of the castle, while she made sure everything was ready for her sister's birthday, Jack didn't care when he fell in love with her.
Because really, it didn't matter when.
All that mattered was that now that he knew he loved her, he would do anything to make sure she was safe and happy.
I knew that I'd found a home for my heart
Jack Frost did not believe he would give his heart to anyone, and yet Elsa had shattered all his pretense of being lonely, just as he had shattered hers.
They'd both believed themselves to be alone, a fact that Jack had come to terms with. While Elsa had simply shut herself away, to try and protect those around her.
But then, that fateful night, when he had chanced upon Arendalle everything just changed.
Time stands still
So much had changed since their first meeting.
Elsa had finally shed her gloves, and begun to live life the way she was meant to, happy and unafraid. Jack was happy for her, truly he was. But there was a point where he had thought that perhaps now that Elsa had her sister and her Kingdom back, she would forget him.
He braced himself for the moment when she would see right through him and pass by without noticing him. When he would finally loose her.
Loose the girl he loved so much.
But she didn't.
Instead, she had introduced him to her sister, who had been able to see him rather quickly, because, well, if there was one thing he had gotten to know about Anna from Elsa, it was that she saw the best in people.
And that served the entire purpose when it came to believing in him.
Olaf was next, but then the snowman was magic, Jack figured the same laws didn't apply to him.
The last two were Kristoff and, funnily enough, Sven. It didn't take that long to convince them. Jack quickly learned that when it came to matters of persuasion, Anna certainly took the cake.
Which was what led to Jack being roped into game nights. Certain nights where him, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf would gather in the library of the castle
Beauty in all she is
If there ever was a person synonymous with Beauty, it would be Elsa.
Jack blinked rapidly, shaking his head as he did. Love had truly made him poetic, which was strange since he had never been like that. But here he was, standing atop the balcony railing, watching Elsa out of the corner of his eyes.
She had adorned a lavender colored gown for the day, and she looked beautiful.
Then again, she looked beautiful no matter what she wore.
"What?" She asked, catching him look at her. Jack shrugged, turning his face away so she wouldn't catch sight of the blush that raced across his cheeks. He had to be less obvious when it came to his admiration for her. "Nothing. You looked worried that's all." He responded, glancing at her again to see her worry her lower lip with her teeth.
A sure sigh she was, indeed, worried.
And when she worried, Jack worried.
I will be brave
This was it.
The chance for Elsa to discover where her powers came from.
Something else they had in common beside their powers: not knowing where they got them from. Jack had woken up with his abilities, Elsa had been born with hers. The question they had always asked was the same:
Why?
And now there was a call. A call from the Enchanted Forest that was urging Elsa to come and find it.
But then why was she so afraid?
He found her, sitting in front of her boudoir, staring at herself in the mirror. Just like she had many times before, as if looking at her own reflection would somehow help her find the answers she sought. She would fall so deep into her own mind, that it would take him time to pull her out of her self-inflicted depths of despair.
So, he did what he had always done.
Jack crouched on the floor next to her, reaching out to gently take one of her hands in both of his. His staff lay beside him on the floor as he knelt beside her on his knees. His familiar presence and the touch of his skin against her own, were enough to rouse her from her stupor. Elsa blinked, her eyes shifting to watch him in the mirror. He looked back and smiled. Understanding and encouraging.
"I'll be there with you Elsa." He reassured her, his chest filling with a warmth that always had him nearly floating away. Luckily, he had been able to control it over the years of being around her.
One of his hands rose, cradling her cheek. The moment he brushed against her skin, Elsa's head tilted as he leaned into his touch. All her life, she had been taught to bottle her emotions, to never show even a flicker of it. Mostly because it would trigger her powers. And then because a Queen was always composed, always regal, always graceful.
Conceal don't feel.
But with him?
With Jack?
She allowed herself to feel.
Feel from the very depths of her soul with all her heart.
Her eyes shone with unshed tears. The fear was obvious, but there was also a flicker of hope, or finally getting the answers she had so longed for.
Gently gripping the hand he held, Jack brought it up to his lips, kissing the back of it with a reverence that was as intense as an embrace shared by lovers.
"I promise." He swore.
I will not let anything take away
She had asked him to leave, just as she had done Anna. And though she had used her powers to push her sister away and out of danger, Jack wasn't so easily persuaded.
Not even when Elsa threatened to trap him inside an ice case.
He had stood firm next to her when facing the raging waters of the Dark Sea.
He helped her tame the Water Spirit Nøkk, which she now rode towards Ahtohallan.
He watched, amazed, as she discovered the reason behind her powers.
He was in awe when she took her place as the Fifth Spirit.
They both wandered through the ice sculptures of her memories. Many of which included him.
He followed her as she dove deeper into her past.
He stayed with her, even as she went too far.
In the end, even his abilities weren't enough to save her, or himself.
And so, to feel the last of whatever warmth was left between them, Elsa wrapped her arms around Jack, and he reciprocated.
And suddenly, where only a moment ago Ahtohallan had been alive with the arrival of the Fifth Spirit, it resumed its deathly silence.
Whats standing in front of me
"It felt weird feeling that cold didn't it?" Jack asked from where he was perched atop a large boulder, watching Anna and Kristoff celebrate their recent engagement. Elsa smiled softly. "How about we focus on the good stuff for now Jack?" She suggested, joy radiating from her very being as she turned her attention to the Spirit she had grown to love with all her heart.
"Besides, when I'm with you." She reached out to gently press the tips of her fingers against his chin, before allowing her hand to slowly slide along his cheek and rest there, cradling his face. "I always feel warm."
Jack felt his eyes widen, lips parting slightly. For once, he was the one at a loss for words.
Was this it?
Was this the chance he had been waiting for for so long?
His head leaned just a tad bit closer.
But then he stopped.
"Elsa?" He whispered her name with such reverence that it had tears filling her eyes.
"Just kiss her already!" The loud and exasperated voice of a certain sister cut through the moment. Jack's head turned. He was only able to catch sight of Kristoff pulling his new fiance back before she had the chance to shove Jack into her older sister, when suddenly Jack felt a tug on his face...
Every breath every hour has come to this
...and Elsa finally closed whatever distance remained between the two of them.
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
How could it have all gone so wrong?
Elsa was gone.
And his grief knew no bounds.
So much so, that he very nearly started an eternal winter just as the woman he loved had done all those years ago.
It was the Guardians who stopped him. Who reassured him that Elsa was alive and out there somewhere.
How would they know?
Because the Moon told them so.
That was all Jack needed to know. He said his goodbyes to Anna and Kristoff, promising the former that he would find her sister.
And he set off, out in the vast world, to find the woman he loved.
And all along I believed I would find you
The Guardians kept him updated, feeding him whatever information they could find of a strange figure roaming the world.
But there was no solid lead, until one day, North called to Jack and revealed something he had only been made aware of recently.
A strange Spirit, he said, had been helping lost children. A figure of pale blue and white, who helped guide the lost children to a safe place.
Sandy had been the one to confirm the story, explaining how often the very same figure would appear in children's dreams at times.
Bunny had testified further, by explaining how just a few weeks ago, during Easter, the amount of children lost while egg-hunting had dropped dramatically.
And it all led back to the mysterious figure in pale blue and white.
He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up, but Jack couldn't help himself. North kept him updated, and when news came in from one of Tooth's fairies, that the figure had been seen, Jack wasted no time.
He called on the Wind, and let her guide him to the location Tooth had communicated with him. And he arrived just in time to see the child reunite with her parents, and a figure standing just beyond the forest treeline.
Jack Frost would recognize that head of hair anywhere.
He dropped down in front of her. In his mind, there was no time for any sort of pretense or approaching with caution.
It was her.
Time has brought your heart to me
The Snow Queen looked curiously at the figure who had dropped down from the sky so suddenly. She wasn't startled nor was she afraid.
She would ponder on that later, for now though, the male seemed vaguely familiar.
As if she had seen him before.
Perhaps in a dream
Or a dream of a dream.
But then that name rang in her mind. The name that she had heard the first time when she had woken up.
"Jack Frost." She spoke, her voice soft, hint of a question to her tone as she gazed at him curiously.
I have loved you for a thousand years
"Elsa?" He called out reproachfully, slowly taking a step towards her. Jack had to physically restrain himself from reaching out and just taking her in his arms and never letting go.
She nodded. "And you're Jack Frost." She stated once again, this time with surety and clearance in her eyes, as well as her tone as she took a few steps closer to him. "I feel like I've always known you." Elsa admitted, frowning at the absurdity of it, and yet the smile that painted her lips was undeniably welcoming and loving.
I'll love you for a thousand more
His gaze dropped to a familiar little trinket hanging around her neck. They were close now.
Close enough to touch.
And that is exactly what Jack did.
He reached out with his finger, and allowed it to graze gently along the snowflake that had served as a necklace for so long.
One step closer
A bright flash of light and then images began to play across the Winter Wonderland around them.
Their first meeting.
All those times when they had shared their griefs and troubles.
Those moments of laughter that reminded the both of them that no matter what came their way, they would never be alone.
And finally, that warmth that had never faded, and would never fade. Because they loved one another.
As the memories continued to play around them, Elsa turned her attention to Jack. Understanding shone in her eyes as she spoke. "Even when I didn't know who you were," She said, her voice soft. "I loved you. I love you Jack Frost."
Jack reached out to take her hands, his eyes brimming with emotions that he could no longer contain. "And I love you Elsa." He raised her hands to his lips, brushing them against her knuckles. "I always will."
He held on to one hand, while dropping the other, in favor of cradling the back of her head and bringing her towards him. Elsa was more then happy to comply as she gripped his hand in return and her head tilted slightly, her eyes closing.
And so reunited Jack Frost, the Spirit of Winter, and Elsa, the Snow Queen.
Never to be parted again.
One Step Closer............