A Heart Akin To My Own

Trolls

I felt betrayed.

Over and over, the scene played in my mind: the wind howling and bearing its teeth at me, at us, before digging its claws into my skin and throwing us to the ground. But why? I had done it no wrong.

Was it possible that the wind had become...jealous of Elsa? That the piercing gales had bristled with envy when they saw that I was flying with someone else other than them? They were right to be jealous, for Elsa was much fairer than they ever could be.

My mind shifted as I thought of her. Her hair was dipped in starlight, and her eyes shimmered and captivated me. Her hands were gentle, and the magic that came from those hands was strong and held a different texture than mine.

It was graceful. It was powerful.

And I admired her. I admired her greatly.

At the realization, I crumbled with disappointment. I had tried to kill her, and now I was manipulating her just so I could get what I wanted. I was no expert, but that was not a good way to start a relationship. Did she even consider us friends?

The wind must have thought so, for that was why they had dropped us. No, they wouldn't have to be jealous for long. This indulgence of self had gone too far. As soon as I awakened, for I indeed knew that I was dreaming, I'd leave Arendelle. I'd leave Elsa.

I would let this go.

At the thought, something soft, like a fingertip, reached down and touched my chest. From the touch came feeling and color, and above it all, warmth. Beautiful warmth that melted away all my bitterness till all that was left was a shell: a hollow space ready to be filled.

How would I fill it?

Opening my eyes, I found myself staring into the face of a troll.

Like a dagger, panic and confusion pierced me, and I jerked away from it. My hands collided with the ground, and I'd intended to flee, but all at once, a greater feeling replaced my fear.

Pain.

Snow swirling around me, I glanced down to find my arm twisted at an odd angle. Wave after wave of pain rolled off of the wound, and when I tried to move it, I only succeeded in causing dots to appear at the edges of my vision.

"Please, you must not move," a raspy voice soothed, "You are injured."

My head whipping up, I remembered the troll and dug my heels into the earth, pushing myself away from him. Cradling my arm to my chest, I watched the troll closely.

His eyes were gentle, and his skin was a pale gray, and around his neck glittered several crystals. His stubby body was clothed in leaves and various sizes twigs, and from his hands, I recognized the aura of deep magic.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"All I want is to help you," the troll explained. "If you'd just let me, I'll heal you."

Unwilling to surrender my arm to him, I gazed around me at my surroundings. From the looks of things, I was lying inside a deer skin tent, and hanging from the ceiling was a cluster of crystals similar to the ones glimmering from around the troll's neck.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"You can call me Grand Pabbie," he replied and shifted towards me. When I tensed, he stopped. "Now, my boy, who are you?"

"I'm Jack," I answered tentatively, "Jack Frost."

Out of nowhere, the troll chuckled. "Yes, that is a name, but is that your name?" He asked, "Who were you before you became Jack Frost?"

"I..." My voice faltered, "I don't know."

"If you trust me, I can help you find that name, Jack," Pabbie commented.

Filled with unease, I scanned the interior of the tent and strained to see outside. "Where's Elsa?" I demanded, "What have you done with her?"

"She's fine," he replied, "She's just exhausted. She carried you a long way, you know."

"What?"

"From what I could tell, she harnessed some great power to carry you."

"The wind," I realized. After our fall, it would be no easy thing to force the gales to one's will. It would require considerable strength, strength Elsa could've used in walking back to the palace. I'd told her to trust me, and I'd failed her. She'd had every right to abandon me, but yet she hadn't.

Why?

"No doubt you're wondering why she didn't abandon you, boy," Grand Pabbie mused. "I'm trying to figure that one out myself, but obviously she sees something in you. Something that she won't give up on, so I won't give up on it either."

For a moment, I processed his words. Was it possible, that after everything I'd done to her, that Elsa cared about me? The thought was too puzzling, so I quickly asked the troll another question.

"How can you see me?" I asked, "I thought only Elsa could."

"And why do you think that is?" He countered.

I shrugged, unsure.

"You two are connected by the ties of fate. I'm connected to Elsa, so similarly, I can see you." He paused. "I do admit that you're a little fuzzy around the edges, but you're here enough for me to see that you're hurt, and in more than one way. Please, Jack, let me help you."

Biting my lip, I considered my options. On one hand, I could dash out of the tent and hope that my own adrenaline would be enough to keep me going, or, on the other hand, I could stay. Sure, I didn't know this rock troll well, but Elsa trusted him.

Taking a deep breath, I extended my injured arms toward him.

"I'm glad you've chosen to trust me," Grand Pabbie remarked and rubbed his hands together. "I'm afraid that this procedure requires great concentration, so if you don't mind--"

The troll waved his hand, and all at once, my eyelids closed, and I was carried away.

And another chapter has come to an end!! I hope you enjoyed it!! Don't forget to vote, and I'll update as soon as I can!!
Happy Friday!!
Love,
Julie :D