The Invisible (Jelsa)

Chapter XXXIII

There was only one thought that crossed Jack's mind in the dead of that night-

He was becoming mortal.

The revelation came with a sudden clarity that nearly bowled him over, like being struck by lightning through the heart.

It had started with the little things; he suddenly didn't have as much energy as he once did. He couldn't beat Izo and Wynter in races anymore; he just didn't have enough breath to carry him. He had thought it may be from eating too much. He'd dismissed it.

Or that he had started to have a killer tooth-ache about a year ago. Gavner had looked at him like he was crazy, when he explained his sudden pain.

"It's wisdom teeth. You didn't have those taken out?" He said, peering into Jack's mouth.

"Wisdom teeth?" He repeated slowly, "Wouldn't you want something named 'wisdom'?" He asked.

"You don't have room. It needs to come out. I can't believe it only began hurting now."

"I don't know if I believe you." Jack said firmly, but soon it became such a bother he let his guard down and had those 'smart teeth' removed with less pain than it was causing him.

He didn't quite ponder the timing of it all. He figured it was life.

It was little things like that, through the years, that really made sense now.

Another was his beard. One day, Elsa had stared at him and frowned.

"What? Is there something in my teeth?" He'd asked. Elsa's eyes grew wide.

"I think...you have some facial hair! Or is that just a trick of the light?" She asked, and Jack felt his chin. His fingers couldn't believe it.

"By Odin, I do." He said in wonder.

It didn't grow at any amazing pace, he was sad to say. It took him nearly a full year to grow out even enough to scratch Elsa's chin when he kissed her. In an experiment, he shaved it all off, and it grew back. He had found that odd. Seventeen year olds that previously didn't have any facial hair just didn't up and grow it so impressively and without clumping. Why, when a newcomer to the city arrived and was told the king was forever 17, she laughed.

When Elsa questioned, the person replied. "I was expecting a kid. I think you don't know your ages- he looks more, oh, I'd say 25. Manly. Young, still."

When Elsa really looked at her husband, she had to agree. It scared her. She didn't know what it meant. Jack filed all these instances away, unable to register the meaning until tonight.

Tonight when he had a craving for a sandwich at three AM and had stumbled out of bed in a half-dazed sleep to find the destination. In his sluggishness, he had only turned on one light and had set the ham on the cutting board. He yawned, and the knife slipped, and the blinding pain woke him right up.

He had never been so pained by anything before. Being immortal had given him a sort of immunity, because when something hurt it meant the requirement of growth or a fixture, which really didn't work well wit his condition.

And even more odd, was the blood.

He'd never bleed before in the life he could remember being immortal. He may be cut, but it would magically seal, and there would be no spilled anything. He was pretty sure at one point someone could slice his stomach open, and he'd be up and walking within minutes.

All he could do now, though, was watch the bright crimson life liquid that flowed down his hand, dripping on the floor and making a mess. The laceration was deep and he expected it to heal up, but it didn't. It just continued to bleed. The pain was bearable, because it was overshadowed with utter confusion and awe. He did't know how long he stood there, letting the puddle develop where he stood, before he washed his hand off, and smiled when it winced. Absently, he wrapped his hand in a cloth and left the knife, blood, and half made sandwich on the kitchen.

He was on a mission through the halls. When he reached the top of the balconies, he threw open the doors.

"I know why I'm here now!" He cried, tears running down his face, "Man in the Moon, I know now!"

Jack attempted to climb onto the thin balcony railing like he once did with such ease, but found himself off balance and laughed. "I was meant to be with Elsa, Moon. For whatever reason, I was made this winter person to find her. It was meant to be by you. Who knows, maybe I was born too young. Maybe she was born too late. But I guess I needed these powers. I was made to be a king, to give these people their next set of heirs, to care for a girl who doesn't understand." He was speaking rapidly now, and a wide grin set across his face.

"I'll grow old with her," He whispered, "I'll die next to her, and we'll be together forever. I was meant to always be with her. Now I understand why you never told me. If I could hug you, I would, but you're pretty far away." He chuckled.

He contemplated this new thought, and did the math in his head. It had taken him thirty years with Elsa to become how he was. While he wouldn't say he was 25 like the woman had claimed, he saw himself more as...21. Roughly six years for his every one year, if he had begun at 17? He wouldn't get there fast, but he wouldn't have to watch his face in the puddles stay the same, while everyone around him speed in rapid speed.

It was dawn, and he was watching the moon fade. He waved his hand goodbye, and saw the blood dripping through the fabric. Maybe he should get that fixed before he did anything else. There was a high-pitched scream that came from Elsa somewhere in the castle. Jack forgot about his hand and sped toward the sound, and slowed when he reached the destination. The kitchen...oh.

Thinking about his carelessness, flicking the lights on to reveal a sandwich left out, a huge knife, and a puddle of blood that was quite impressive would seem a little eerie and freaky to anyone. Elsa was pale standing over it, and she looked around.

"Elsa!" Jack said a little too brightly, and Elsa nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Jack! There's blood." She said, shaking herself out of her fear.

"I know. It's mine." He admitted sheepishly. Elsa narrowed her eyes.

"This is not funny Jack. We both know you don't bleed." She said, her voice shuddering at the end, "I don't know what it came from bu-," She cut off abruptly, watching Jack untie his hand.

"Elsa...I'm becoming mortal."