frozen with him

chapter 3

I wasn't crazy.

As Elsa's breathing evened and she fell asleep in my embrace I knew she felt it. I sat in silence hoping, praying that she would look up and  see me, but she did not. Instead she leaned into me, finding comfort in my arms.

I don't know how long we sat like that, the only way I can describe the feelings I felt in that moment was to call it complete and utter elation. There was no containing my happiness.

I felt like I should say something, I struggled to think of something, anything to say. What does one say in a situation like this? But before I could think to deeply on the subject I realized that Elsa had fallen asleep in my arms.

For a split moment I scorned myself.

'She didn't feel me," I thought 'she just passed out from the exhaustion'.

Before the feelings of hurt and self detriment could settle too deeply I moved to carry her to bed...and I almost dropped her completely when I realized I did not just pass through her.

I could not understand, why now? Why after all of these years did she begin to believe again? And if that were not the reason for this sudden miracle, then what did it mean for Elsa?

I quickly moved to lay her down in bed and began to pace her room. There was no way I could leave her alone, but there was no way to explain my presence here. I could have hid in the castle somewhere, all of the staff had been relieved of duty until the next day so theoretically I could hide somewhere in the castle and she would never find me.

That would have been the smart thing to do for her but.....I had waited for years just wishing for this day....I could not run from it.

Just as I had made the decision to stay I saw a bright sheen of moon light shine down through the window. With a sigh I looked up, he did not have to speak...I already knew. The moon was telling me I needed to meet with the other Guardians.

How incredibly untimely of him to demand our council now. But I of all the responsibilities I could slip on, a summoning was not one of them.

Already resigned to knowing I would miss what would likely be my only chance to be there, really be there for Elsa, I headed towards her window to answer my summoning. But not before drawing a small butterfly in ice on her window. Maybe she would understand the significance of it.

But i doubted it would be that easy..

The world around me was hazy. The kind of dream where you know you are dreaming but can't wake up.

I could see snow as far as I could see and I was running but I wasn't scared. I felt free.

I was a child again, running through the snow. Laughing and playing and happy.

The memory of that day warmed my heart as I thought fondly on it.

And then he was there.

A white haired boy with a dazzling smile and mischievous glint in his eyes. He soared past me on what appeared to be a frosted staff. His laugh was a ringing in the cold winter air.

"Watch this Elsa." He called as he lifted his hands in the air. And instantaneously the snow around us rose and floated there. Within a moment he was kneeling by my side. "See here, every single flake is different. Not a single one is exactly the same"

"Yeah but I am too different." I pouted, "I don't fit in anywhere."

"Being too different isn't always a bad thing." He assured me. "Sometimes its the best thing you can be. It means you are special."

I smiled at his words and hugged him.

"Thank you, you're my best friend Jack.

Jack.

Jack. Jack. Jack.

Jack Frost.

His name pierced through me like a dagger. It felt as if Hand HAD plunged his sword deep into my chest.

I million different memories flooded me at once. His voice echoing through my very soul.

"I will always be here. Always."

"Just keep believing in me and everything will be okay."

"I am here"

How long had it been since Jack Frost had ever crossed my mind? I had to have been a child still.

But where did he go?

I vaguely remember being told by the castle maids that he was my imaginary friend.

But those memories were so...real.

A 8 year old couldn't make that all up, could they?

Then I remembered Jack's stories about Santa and the Easter Bunny, even the tooth fairy.

Maybe imaginary wasn't so far off the mark...

I woke to find I had some how made it into bed. Though I was certain I had fallen asleep on the floor from crying. I look around briefly before a shimmer caught my eye. I looked back to the window to find their was a delicately crafted butterfly made of Frost on my window. I stared at it, both frightened and relieved at what it's presence meant.

He was real.

And he had been here.