Frozen Love: a Jelsa Story

Flight

Jack felt so proud of Elsa, to see her finally coming into her own, trusting in her abilities.  He tried to memorize the feeling of Elsa’s hand in his and his arm cupping her waist.  To finally be next to Elsa, to be able to look deep into her eyes and see them gazing back into his...it was something he had wished for ever since that first moment.  He always knew that he would be there for her, even if she would never know it.  He had seen her tears, her fear, her laughter and her greatest triumphs. 
He had seen her change so much in the recent years.  She had truly grown into her power, the beautiful gift that she had been blessed with.  Her journey into the depths of Attohalen had awakened something deep within her.  She had found herself, stepped into her role as the fifth spirit much more easily than she had as Queen. 
    Elsa drifted closer to him, the wind rippling at her hair.  Jack could barely breathe as she rested her head against his shoulder.  Almost instinctively, his arms wrapped around her, gently holding her close to him. 
“I’m so glad I can finally see you,” she said softly, raising her head to meet his gaze.  “You were a part of me for so long, even though I could never give a name to the presence I felt.  I just knew that you were there for me, whenever I needed you.”
“I will never leave your side,” Jack vowed, his voice more calm and serious than it had ever been, contradicting his swiftly beating heart, which was pounding against his ribs.  “As long as you want me to stay, I’ll be here to help you protect the forest.”
“Although,” he added teasingly, feeling more like his old self once he’d gotten the solemn stuff out of the way, “I doubt you’d ever need my help, since your powers have gotten even more impressive than mine.”
“Any help would be greatly appreciated,” Elsa laughed softly.  “But I can’t argue with you about whose magic is more impressive.”
“Hey!” Jack said with exaggerated indignation.  “You didn’t have to agree with me!”
“But I did,” Elsa smiled, tapping the tip of his nose teasingly with one finger.  Her giggle faded away as she looked up at him.  Jack felt a nervous tightness in his chest as he bent his head ever so slightly.  Their kiss seemed to be a suspended moment that lasted a hundred lifetimes.  The tension in his chest faded into a rising feeling in his soul that lasted even as their lips parted. 
A smile spread across Elsa’s face as blush colored her cheeks with pink.  In that moment, with the last rays of sunlight shining across her face and the crisp early winter wind gently moving her hair, Jack thought that she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.  “I…”  Words failed him as his voice trailed off into silence. 

Elsa shook her head, smiling understandingly. “I know,” she said softly.   No words needed to be said; they both knew the unspoken vows that had just been made.  The fifth element and bridge between worlds Elsa of the Enchanted Forest, and the mischievous winter spirit Jack Frost would work together to protect all the magic in that realm, seeing over it and caring for all who lived there until the end of time.
She shook herself from her deep thoughts and asked Jack, “do you trust me?”
He chuckled. “Of course.”
“Then follow me,” Elsa tucked her legs and dove down towards the sea sparkling below her.  The sun had set, and the light of the moon glistened on the waves.  The wind rustled her hair as it guided her along.  She heard Jack’s clear laugh from behind her as he followed. 
She slowed as she reached the water.  The tip of her feet just barely grazed the ripples, but she could feel the energy surging from far below at her touch.  A shape formed beneath the surface and the water horse Nokk burst forth, prancing on the water as he waited for Elsa.  She felt the power surging through him; this great beast had a strength and wildness to him that was exhilarating. 
Nokk bowed to her, his nose rubbing his foreleg that stretched out before him.  Elsa climbed onto his back as she formed a glistening, delicate bridle and looped it around his nose.  She stroked his proud, arched neck, feeling the rippling water running over her fingers.  The wind spirit was no longer supporting her, but was still lingering nearby, moving the air around her. 
Jack had frozen in midair, his eyes wide as he stared at the water spirit.  His jaw fell slack as he hovered a few feet above the water. 
“Uhhh…” he said nervously.  “I dunno about this…”
He avoided Nokk’s wild gaze, and kept glancing down at the depths below him. 
Elsa reached her hand out to Jack, silently asking Nokk to stay calm.
“It’s ok,” she reassured him with a smile.  She couldn’t blame him for being cautious; with the moonlight shining through him, Nokk made an imposing sight.  “I’ll protect you.”
Jack nodded and slowly drew closer.  Nokk eyed him, his nostrils flaring as he breathed.  Jack gradually reached out one slightly shaking hand.  At Elsa’s unspoken request, Nokk willingly stretched out his neck until his nose met Jack’s palm.  Jack let out a relieved breath in a quiet laugh, raising his gaze to meet Elsa’s eyes. 
“See?” she asked. “That wasn’t so bad.” Jack smiled in agreement and Nokk pawed one foot restlessly.  Now that the winter spirit had proven himself a friend, Nokk was ready to run. 
Elsa sensed this and tightened her grip on the reins slightly, tossing her head as she looked out across the ocean at the shore of the forest.  She glanced down at Jack and smiled. “You coming?” she asked with an uncharacteristically mischievous grin. 
Jack smiled up at her and, at his confirming nod, Elsa immediately urged Nokk to motion.  The horse shot across the ocean, gaining speed steadily as he bounded over the waves.  Jack followed at once, and glancing back, Elsa could see that he was gaining on them quickly. 
He glided up beside her, gently lifting a strand of her hair with one hand before dropping it.  As he passed them, he shot a triumphant smirk at her that made her heart flutter like a young girl’s.  She blushed, unable to ignore the way his tousled hair moved in the wind and the curve of his smile.
Jack seemed to be able to read her thoughts, for his grin widened as he sped up, shooting past them in a jet of wind.  Nokk snorted, tossing his head spiritedly as Elsa urged him on.  He quickened his pace to a speed that no normal horse would ever accomplish.  They overtook Jack within moments, and Elsa glanced behind her to see the cocky grin on Jack’s face change to a look of awe and shock. 
Elsa and Nokk triumphantly tossed their heads in unison.  Elsa’s hair fell to her back in smooth waves and the water spirit’s mane cascaded upon his neck in a series of moving droplets that reflected the moonlight.  They neared the shore and, without missing a beat, Elsa sent a gentle surge of magic throughout Nokk’s form.  The shift from sea to land was seamless as the water in the horse’s body froze to living ice and snow. 
As they passed over the pebbles by the shore and neared the tree line, Elsa felt Jack settle on Nokk’s back behind her and wrap his arm around her waist.  She smiled at his touch and leaned back slightly until she could feel his chest supporting her.  She could feel his breathing sync with hers, and Nokk’s powerful legs made a striding rhythm beneath them.
Nokk’s hooves pounded on the earth, kicking dirt up behind him as they galloped through the moonlit forest.  Gale made flurries of leaves all around them, and joyfully flew in circles around the two riders.  Bruni ran in little hops and leaps alongside them, and Elsa and Jack laughed together as the little lizard bounded happily from one pile of leaves to another.  Fire sparked everywhere he landed, lighting the darkness with bursts of flame that were quickly stifled. 
Elsa leaned her head against the front of Jack’s shoulder and closed her eyes.  Nokk’s pace slowed as they exited the forest.  The breathing of the sleeping earth giants could be heard in the otherwise silent night.  Nokk walked with smooth steps, making a soothing rocking motion.  They ascended a great hillside that looked out over the forest.  Once they reached the top, Nokk bent a knee to make it easier for Jack and Elsa to climb down from his back.  At Elsa’s permitting nod, he turned and raced down to a river sparkling below, melting back into the water. 
The two of them lay on their backs with Jack’s arm under Elsa’s head and their fingers intertwined, looking up at the stars and the aurora borealis that painted the night sky with a flood of colors. 
The quiet and peacefulness allowed Elsa’s mind to wander over everything that had happened since she’d come to the enchanted forest, and how much she had changed.  The depths of Attohalen had not only helped her realize her place, but it had helped her realize so many things about herself.  All the fears that had plagued her all her life were no more than bits of darkness in her memories.  Her powers were stronger than ever, and they no longer felt like burdens, weighing her down.  The worry about where she belonged was gone.  Side by side with Jack Frost, surrounded by all of the other magical spirits of the forest, she had truly found her place.  She knew that it was where she would spend the rest of her everlasting days.