𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

Memories

Edited by CluLessFanGirl

Rapunzel

The sound of soft voices had awoken me, and I opened my tired eyes. I slightly raised my head to get a better look at everyone, only to find everyone asleep.

Well, almost everyone.

Jack and Elsa were sitting next to each other in a bundle of blankets, absorbed in a whispered conversation. Elsa had a steaming mug in her hands, and to my surprise, she was smiling, something she didn't usually do.

Beaming in happiness at this unexpected sight, I sat up more and gently prodded Anna on the shoulder, careful not to startle her awake.

Her eyes fluttered open and was about to ask me something, but I quickly held a finger to my lips in a warning to silence her and gestured to Elsa and Jack. Once Anna noticed them, she smiled slyly.

"Do you think he'll remember her?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, afraid to be overheard.

"He will," Anna promised, "I'm certain of it. As long as Elsa's around, she'll tell him in due time." For a while we watched the two low-key lovebirds converse in a happy silence.

_________________________________________________________________________

I smiled at myself in the mirror as I began to braid my long, golden hair. Next to my lap was a woven basket full to the brim of violets and yellow daisies, which I was going to periodically add to my braid.

Suddenly I heard Jack and Elsa's voices in the background, and I couldn't resist but to pause to eavesdrop. They were in the room behind me, and the door was ajar.

"Elsa...I know I've seen you before."

Despite not seeing Elsa's face, I could sense her discomfort. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice light and airy to hide her rising panic.

"When I'm around you," Jack explained, sounding hesitant, "I see things. They're like visions, and you're in all of them."

Elsa sighed heavily, and I heard the clunk of a glass mug being placed down. "What do you mean?" she asked again, a slight tremor in her voice.

"When our fingers touched the other day," Jack elaborated, "I saw something. You were just a little girl."

I couldn't help it; I just had to see them. I turned and craned my head to get a better view through the crack and ran a hairbrush down a fistful of my hair without taking my eyes off Jack and Elsa.

Elsa had closed her eyes, and I saw her throat pulse as she swallowed nervously. When she spoke, her voice was delicate.

"Did you see...me in my bedroom? Was I upset?"

"Yeah," Jack said, his blue eyes widening slightly. "You were crying. Do you know what these dreams mean?"

Elsa picked her mug back up, but didn't drink it. Frost began to inch across its glass surface, and I noticed Elsa's hands were trembling.

"Jack," she whispered. "They're not dreams. They're...they're memories."

For a moment, Jack just stared at her in a stunned silence. Then he spoke. "Elsa...what do you mean, that they're memories?"

"Jack," Elsa said tremulously, "you lost your memories somehow. When I was a bit younger, you—you would visit me when I was—when I was scared." Her eyes filled with tears and she closed them and continued speaking.

"You were the one who helped me gain control of my powers. You were so kind...so understanding." When she opened her eyes again, they were clear of tears, but upset and confused. "One night, you came like usual. But something was wrong; you were in a hurry, and left just as the sky awoke. You never returned after that."

Jack looked down at his lap, as if he was unable to meet Elsa's gaze. "I...I remember that," he confessed.

I snuck another glance. I was grateful I was alone, because I knew that if I was accompanied with the other girls, it would be impossible to watch in silence.

Slowly, Jack's eyes rose again to lock with Elsa's, and he tenderly placed a hand on her cheek, and my jaw dropped. He leaned in closer and closer to Elsa, and I hugged an armful of hair to myself in pure excitement. Come on, come on, come on...

Then, Jack gently placed his lips on Elsa's, who tensed in surprise, but didn't withdraw. Instead she relaxed and began to kiss him back, a warm flush rising in her usually pale cheeks. I was nearly hyperventilating in delight, but I didn't dare make a single noise.

When they withdrew, Jack lightly pressed his forehead against Elsa's, and he tightly grasped her right hand reassuringly.

"I remember everything," he murmured. "And I promise I won't leave this time."

"That's what you promised before you disappeared," Elsa whispered, a single tear trickling down her cheek.

"I know," Jack said, opening his eyes and pulling away. "That's because I had fought someone—a dark being named Pitch Black. He must have tampered with my mind and manipulated my memories. But don't worry; he's gone for good, and I'll never leave you again."

I smiled warmly as Jack pulled her in a hug and gently ran a hand up and down her back in a stroking manner. Unable to hide any longer, I swung the door open and sang, "Come on, lovebirds! Time to get ready for the day!"

The couple spun to me in shock and alarm and quickly pulled away from each other, blushing furiously.

Wait till I tell the girls, I thought, unable to stop smiling in happiness.