Winter Moon (Jelsa)

Chapter 15: Elsa

"What does Merida have in this thing? I swear, it's heavier than her," Jack grumbled.

I stayed silent; we stumbled along, Jack shouldering Merida's satchel. Between us, we supported an unconscious Merida. After Jack had flown us out of the pit, I gave a terse explanation about what had happened. He didn't seem surprised when I explained Merida's odd possession. When I asked how the pit had mysteriously appeared, he simply said, "Magic."

My mind was whirling. What could I do to prevent him from telling anyone about my ice powers? Maybe I could offer him a deal?

"Finally," Jack muttered as we reached the study, the dome was still open, filtering afternoon sunlight into the room.

"I'm going to fly Merida up, and I'll come and get you. Promise you won't run away?" Jack slid an arm around Merida's shoulders and under her knees, lifting her limp form into his arms.

"Wait. I want to offer you a deal," I said frantically, before he could fly away.

"About what?" Jack asked.

"If you don't tell anyone, including the Elites, about my powers and if you prevent them from wiping my memory, I won't expose you or Rapunzel," I offered, realizing a moment too late that this wasn't a good deal. Jack could easily lie and agree, and just hand me over to Bunnymund the minute we escaped the temple. 

However, Jack nodded after a moment. "Alright. A secret for a secret. "

We clasped hands, and he shot up into the air, carrying Merida's prone body.

I replayed the conversation. Had he just been nice? All my life, I had been told that the Elites were evil and would never do any good. Pabbie, Arendelle's troll ambassador, had certainly proved that when he wiped my memory.

A few seconds later, Jack descended and grabbed me. I counted the seconds he was in contact with me, willing my powers to stay in control.

Thankfully, they did. 

"That was longer than ten minutes," snarled Bunnymund when we arrived at the roof of the temple.

"Perfection can't be rushed," Jack replied amiably as he gestured to himself.

"Well," Rapunzel interrupted, before Bunnymund could knock Jack off the roof, "let's get on with the memory wiping."

"We can't," Jack said, and I heaved a sigh of relief. He really was going to keep my secret. "Some things happened down there that only she saw. I need to debrief her, but I promise I'll erase her memories afterward. I'll submit a full report."

Partly true, but still a lie. 

Bunnymund raised an eyebrow at Jack, "Can't you just do it right here?"

"People could hear," Rapunzel interrupted, catching on. "We are in the middle of the city after all."

I thought Bunnymund might argue or drag us back to his secret lair and demand answers from me, but at last he nodded to Jack.

"I'm trusting you," he told Jack.

"I'll shall cherish your trust as I know you handle mine," Jack declared dramatically.

Bunnymund sighed. "A skyship should be coming to take you three - and the unconscious one - back to New Dawn. No more misadventures, and I expect the report."

"I'll give it North," Jack responded. "I'm sure he'll be happy to make a copy for you."

"Get out of my sight," Bunnymund grumbled as a skyship with the Elites' symbol embossed on the side appeared. 

The three of us obediently piled in, carrying Merida with us. I had never been on a skyship before. The ship was like a small skiff, but with a balloon attached above. There were seats along the deck where we were supposed to sit, but according to Rapunzel and Jack, there were much fancier skyships that were multiple levels, with furnished cabins and advanced navigation systems.

"So," Rapunzel said shakily, "crazy first day for you, huh?"

"The wildest," I confirmed. For a moment, I considered telling them the truth - the whole truth about being royalty and everything.

No. I wouldn't risk it.

At least not yet.

Maybe one day they'll be your friends. True friends. And then you can tell them everything, I thought wistfully.

Then, I remembered my last friend. My sweet, innocent sister with ginger braids and a radiant smile. My best friend, who almost died because of me. 

Who would want to be friends with a person like me?