Tempest-A Jack Frost and Elsa Fanfiction

Elsa-Chapter 22

Something had changed within her the moment Jack's staff had touched her forehead, something she couldn't quite explain. She was still the same person, but it was almost as though time had stopped within her. Apart from that, she didn't really feel any different, no more regal or commanding although her ladies in waiting had certainly done their best to make her look the part.

Standing out on her balcony, she surveyed Ledas below her, twinkling in the darkness of night like stars that had fallen to the earth. She sighed, there was still so much work to be done, so many things she didn't know about her people. The Seasons had been working non-stop to help her learn all they could when they weren't performing their own duties, but she still felt woefully inadequate to rule anyone.

"Jack, where are you?" she called softly. She hadn't seen him since the coronation three days ago and she could tell he was avoiding her. But she didn't understand why. Did he suddenly not love her anymore? "Please come back. I need you."

But there was no response from the night, not even a cold breeze that she could imagine that Jack had sent to cheer her up. She frowned, willing herself not to cry. What had she done wrong? Things had been going so well, and now she was even immortal like he was. Why then had he suddenly become so cold and distant?

Seeking a much needed distraction, she sat down at her desk and buried her face in the book on Ledan history she had taken from the library. The library wasn't nearly as cozy here as it had been at Jack's, which made her miss him all the more. Running a hand through the loose waves of her hair in frustration, she picked up the book, trying to concentrate on the words on the page. It was only after she had read almost two pages without taking in a word that she snapped the book shut in disgust. All she could think about was Jack's beautiful, warm brown eyes.

Where are you, Jack?

She needed an outlet, a distraction. Slipping out of her room to avoid detection by the servants who were all too eager to assist her, she crept down to the empty ballroom, grateful that most of the palace appeared to be asleep for the night. As quietly as she could, Elsa began polishing the floor with her powers into a skating rink so that she could escape her thoughts for a few minutes. She had noticed after the coronation that her powers not only seemed stronger, but she seemed more in control of them too. But all the same, they were no match for an attack from Vatra, which was what she feared most.

The servants had been obliging and brought her things over from Jack's home. He had even picked up her iPod, which had been in the bottom of the box of snow globes. She'd have to figure out a way to charge it here, but for now, she just needed the distraction her music would provide. Putting her headphones in her ears, she glided over the floor in graceful, practiced motions, but even skating, which usually made her happy, made her feel worse. It reminded her too much of the night she had met Jack.

Frustrated, she yanked her earbuds out of her ears and ran back to her room, tears stinging her eyes. She caught sight of a maid at the top of the stairs and hastily tried to compose herself, blinking rapidly so the tears wouldn't be as noticeable.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" she asked kindly, bowing so low that her long, blonde hair threatened to escape its neat bun entirely.

"I'm fine," Elsa replied with all the dignity she could muster. "I'm just over tired, that's all."

"Is there something I can bring you?" the maid asked. "There are some excellent tarts left over from the coronation."

Elsa shook her head, the thought of food was repugnant right now. All she wanted was someone she could trust, a friend...

Once she was safely encased in her room again, she called softly, "Mara... Mara can you come for a minute?"

Almost instantly, the room became warmer as Mara stepped inside, running her hands up and down her arms to chase away the chill. She took one look at Elsa and engulfed her in her arms. "Are you alright, El?"

Elsa shook her head, fighting the tears that were leaking out in spite of herself. Mara took her by the shoulders and studied her closely. "What's wrong? Can I help?"

"I don't know," Elsa wailed. Oh yeah, so regal and composed. She was terrible at this queen stuff. Suddenly she knew what she needed. Grasping Mara's hands tightly in her own, she said, "Mara, can you bring Anna from the human world? I know she's not really my sister, but I need her right now."

Mara looked uncertain as she held Elsa while tears streamed down her face. "I don't know, the barrier is already fragile. It was all we could do to prevent a tear getting you here."

Elsa looked down in defeat, her eyes welling again. "I understand. I just really need someone to talk to."

Biting her lip, Mara said, "I probably shouldn't, but let me see what I can do."

"Thank you," Elsa cried, throwing her arms around Mara and giving her a bear hug. "That would mean the world to me."

"Well, I can't make any promises," Mara cautioned. "But I'll try."

Elsa nodded as Mara began to disappear in the middle of the room. The air began to grow sweeter, like freshly mowed grass and flowers in bloom as she vanished. But before she was gone completely, she turned and said, "Oh, and Elsa? You can always talk to me. We were close once, I'd like to be again."

Staring at the spot where Mara vanished, Elsa murmured, "So would I, Mara. So would I."

When Mara left, Elsa allowed herself to cry, the tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn't want anyone to come in because she didn't want to be seen as weak, but she couldn't hold it in anymore. She missed Jack. She wanted to be able to speak to her mother, to learn what had made her such a beloved queen, and if she was honest with herself, she wanted Jack to hold her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be alright.

She must have drifted off to sleep because hours later she was woken by a gentle hand on her shoulder. Sitting up blearily, she half expected to see Jack or Mara, but instead, she found her sister standing there, a frown puckering her brow.

"Hey, El," she murmured, pulling Elsa into a bone crushing hug. "How are you?"

Elsa buried her face in her sister's shoulder and let out a shuddering sigh. "Been better. You?"

"I'm pretty good, actually," Anna chuckled. "I mean, look at this place! And I found out that my sister is the Snow Queen, how cool is that? I wish I could stay longer, Mara said I could only stay the night."

"Did Mara bring you?" Elsa asked, sitting down on the bed and patting the space next to her for Anna.

"No, some guy named Jack did," Anna replied easily. Elsa's face warped with pain. Why had Jack brought her sister but refused to talk to her? Anna caught the expression on her face and said, "Oh no, I gather he's part of the reason you wanted to see me so badly?"

Elsa nodded, tracing the pattern on the blanket with her fingers. Anna took her hand, forcing her to look up at her and said, "Okay, why don't you start at the beginning and tell me all about it?"