Thawing of a Frozen Heart

Chapter Eight: Jack

North told him what he needed to do. He made it very clear, not to get too close. As of right now, Jack could not stop himself from doing the opposite. He knew where he stood, he knew this was exactly what North said not to do. But, the queen fell asleep outside her bedroom. He couldn't leave her alone and exposed in the dark. To do so was just as bad as handing her over to Pitch. He looked over his shoulder, almost expecting someone to stop him, but there was no one. So Jack quickly carried the queen into her bedroom. She stirred in his arms but thankfully never woke. After gently pulling a cover over her petite body, Jack realized how deep he was getting himself in. He stopped and backed away. Jack was many things. However, he was not a caretaker, that was the last thing he should be doing. It was the second night in Arendale, at this rate, he was sure to screw up somewhere. He clenched onto his staff at the thought, he always made a mess of things, and he really did not want to do mess up this time. He stayed during the night watching from afar. He never left her, though, he stood arms crossed against the balcony doors. For a long while, nothing occurred then the queen began turning in bed. His first thought was that she was waking up and he would have to leave before he was caught in her bedroom. But, Jack sensed fear. The queen was mumbling incoherent things under her breath and moved more aggressively. She was having a nightmare, Jack could not leave her alone like this even if it meant risk getting caught. He carefully got closer, when he was at arms length she cried go away. Jack was almost certain she was talking directly to him, but he only moved forward. He got down on one knee once close enough and ran his fingers through her hair smoothly. "Hey, it's okay." He whispered. The queen softened under his touch but her eyes were still shut tightly, and her hands clenched onto the covers. Pitch was either behind this or soon would be. He was sure of it. Jack used his free hand to create a small snowflake and blew it towards the queen's face. It crashed gently, falling apart and dissolving into her pale skin. Her frown then faded and her grip on the covers loosened."You're going to be okay" He whispered once again and smiled slightly at her now peaceful face. A sound outside caught his attention. When his hand reached for the doors he looked back at the queen. It was then he noticed tiny snowflakes on the ground. Was that there before? Did he do that? Before he could question anything he heard the sound again. Once outside, the balcony doors shut closed behind him. He caught sight of a moving shadow on the wall. "I got you now." He said jumping after it. The shadow led Jack far from the castle and outside of the gates. "Show yourself!" He shouted into the dark. He held his staff out ready to attack. Nothing appeared so he lowered his weapon. "You made this too easy." Jack recognized the demonic voice. He balled his fist waiting for the Boogeyman to come forward. When Pitch suddenly disappeared Jack looked back at the castle realizing he left the queen alone. He flew up to her balcony and pulled the doors but they were sealed tight. "No!" He slammed his fist into the glass. The room was dark beyond normality, he couldn't see anything inside. His heart began racing and he grew frustrated. He messed up again. Jack hated admitting it, but he needed help. He pulled out the emergency globe that he stole from North's office. "North's workshop." The portal appeared within seconds and he didn't wait another to jump through. "North! North! Something happened! Please, you have to do something!" The guardians ran to Jack who was pacing back and forth angrily. "What's wrong?" Asked Tooth. Jack searched for another globe while trying to explain. "He tricked me! She needs us right now. North where are your stupid globes, we have to go back now! Please, nothing can happen to her." Bunny stopped Jack from destroying North's office. The guardians all made eye contact before looking at Jack. "To Arendale," North said pulling out a globe from his desk. They made it within another second. Jack led them to the balcony where the doors were still shut. "When I get my hands on him I swear I am-" North pulled Jack away from the glass. He told him to calm down as Bunny attempted to open the doors. Before any of the guardians tried to magically appear in the queen's bedroom, their old enemy's laughter echoed around them. "Such a disappointment, someone's a little too late. Don't worry, there will be more, for this is only the beginning. Until next time." Pitch's shadow circled the guardians before vanishing into the darkness. Jack was fuming but Bunny managed to pry open the door. He rushed towards the sleeping queen while the others surveyed the area. "Is she okay?" Tooth asked. She appeared as well as he last left her. Confused he responded, "for now." 

[Almost forgot, I would like to dedicate this chapter to infinity_song446 for commenting on my first chapter!]