Ice, Snow & Steel (Jelsa adventure) [Discontinued]

Chapter 4: Visible

Elsa awoke from her dreamless sleep while the moon was still high. Her eyes fluttered open, her long eyelashes brushing away the remnants of slumber.

Her head still resting in her pillow, she scanned the room with her eyes for any sign of what had disturbed her.

The ceiling was strung with hundreds of ice stalactites shaped like long ribbons dancing in a breeze, casting a magical glow on the immaculate coat of ice that recovered every surface in the room.

In the corner of the room, her magnificent dress seemed to come alive on its glass mannequin, watching over its creator.

As she contemplated her work, Elsa got a glimpse of the mountains through a slit in the curtains. Upon seeing them Elsa got to her feet, and walked to the glass double doors leading to her balcony.

Wearing only her nightdress she stepped outside in the cool air, where she had a breathtaking view from the back of the castle.

She closed her eyes, relishing the cold breeze caressing her face. Taking in a deep breath, she indulged in the calm of the night, at peace with herself and the day's events.

"Wow." Said a voice.

Elsa's eyes shot open. Alarmed, she looked left and right.

"You've changed."

Elsa looked up and held her breath.

On the gable extended over the balcony was lounging a white haired boy, his head laying on his folded arms as he smiled above Elsa.

"You..." She managed to whisper.

The boy weightlessly vaulted backwards using one hand and landed softly in front of Elsa.

"Me." He concluded, grinning.

They stood with only a few feet between each other. Elsa was as still as a statue, bewildered by the sight of the lad and his dexterity.

"Who... or what..." She managed to utter. "How did you, I mean..."

"I believe we haven't been formally introduced," He said as he casually approached Elsa. "I'm Jack; well, Jack Frost... And judging your facial expression, you seem to remember me Princess."

He now stood directly in front of her, displaying his full height while he held a crooked wooden staff to his side, only adding to his imposing proximity.

Aghast that this stranger would dare deliberately enter her personal space, Elsa briskly took a few steps back and straightened herself with authoritarian dignity.

"I do indeed remember you Jack, and might I advise you to watch your behaviour as you are no longer speaking to a princess but a queen."

"Heh, looks like I was gone longer than I thought! My condolences."

"Now if you want to stay out of trouble, you'll leave immediately."

"And if I don't?"

"I'll call the guards."

"Ah, but you see your regalness, it would seem you've forgotten something very important from our last encounter." Jack said, adopting an air of mock sophistication as he paced the room. "Even if you were to call for help, no one would believe I'd ever been here."

"And why is that?" Elsa said, crossing her arms as if defying him to prove his point.

"I'm invisible." He grinned with satisfaction.

That last important detail had slipped Elsa's mind after all those years. She had forgotten their last encounter until now, perhaps because she'd willed herself to dismiss what he had told her. Seeing Jack's invisible silhouette in the storm she'd created should have scarred her for life, but her self-discipline had erased that memory in order to control her powers.