𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚛

ＥＬＳＡ°

Jack was taking a while. I'm starting to wonder what could he be talking about with Grand Pabbie.

Was he mad at me about the crystal? We still got back in time. I'm sure it shouldn't have made him feel mad at me. He's not mad right?

Argh, now I think I know how Anna feels when I try and shut her out. It's not a good feeling. I hate this feeling.

"Elsa." Anna waved a hand in front of me.

"I'm sorry, you were saying?" I faced her with a smile. I hope it doesn't look too forced.

"I was asking what was bothering you." She said, her concerned look making me feel a bit guilty.

I don't have to keep secrets if it's Anna. I can tell her how I truly feel.

"Well, I guess all this is just... making me feel a little overwhelmed. It's like being thrown two puzzle sets but all of the pieces are scrambled together." I told her.

"It's not as simple as trying to solve a single kingdom's problem. Both Arendelle and the Enchanted Forest are at stake after all." Anna gave me a smile and held my hand.

"But don't worry. We have the spirits and Grand Pabbie to help us. We're the bridge right? I'm sure we can get through this if we all work together." She added.

I laughed, Anna's as enthusiastic as ever. Lend me some of those enthusiasm for a bit won't you sister?

"There's something else on your mind isn't there?" She looked at me again. Sharp as ever.

"Oh. That..." I looked around to check if he was at all done with talking to Grand Pabbie.

"Is it Jack?" She asked.

I looked at her surprised. "How did you know?" I asked.

"It's kinda written all over your face." She giggled as she motioned her hand to my face. I felt my cheeks start to feel hot.

"Well, what seems to be the matter with you and the Winter Spirit?" She said in a gossipy tone.

I don't know if she's trying to tease me or if it's her own way to lighten the mood. Probably both.

"I don't know. I think he's mad at me." I said right away.

"What? Mad? He didn't look mad at you when you both got back here. If anything he was giving you longing looks." Anna said, her nose and forehead scrunched up like she was thinking hard because of confusion.

Longing looks? I felt my heart skip a beat after hearing that. Maybe I'm reading into it, I don't know.

"But he seems mad about me going back there to help him." I explained. "After I told him that I didn't have the crystal-"

"Excuse me you didn't have what?" Anna looked at me with her eyes squinted.

"The crystal. You know, the pendant with the-"

"You didn't have it?!" Anna shouted, getting the attention of almost everyone around us. After a few apologies we they went on with their businesses.

"You went to the ice castle, the one with the fearlings, and you didn't have the protective crystal with you?" Anna looked at me wide eyed, her hands on my arms almost shaking me.

"But everything was fine until I told him that." I pointed out.

Anna laughed. "Okay, you really are my sister." She said laughing once more. "Wow, I never knew you were capable of doing something this thoughtless." She paced around the room.

"Hey, I did think about it." I defended myself. "Are you mad at me?" I said in a quiet tone.

If this is Anna's reaction, I wouldn't be surprised if Jack was mad too.

"What? Mad? No! I'm... confused. I have mixed feelings actually." Anna stopped. Both her hands are on her cheeks now. "Like, I feel relieved that you're okay. I'm proud of you cause you faced your fears and all that but I'm also now starting to get scared of the what ifs and other things I have no control of and-"

"Anna, I promise I won't do something as reckless as that again." I assured her.

She sighed. "That's a relief." She said sitting down beside me. "Now I know how you feel when I do those kinds of reckless ideas." She laughed.

"Funny, I just had the same thought earlier. I feel like it got me to understand you better oddly enough." I laughed along.

And that lead us to a conversation reminiscing on our past and our old bad decisions. I'm glad we could talk about it now and just laugh it off.

"Oh Elsa, isn't that Jack?" Anna pointed behind me. I quickly turned around to check.

"Aren't you going to go to him?" Anna asked.

"I don't know." I said as I watched him walk beside Grand Pabbie. His eyebrows were furrowed, he looked so serious.

"He's not mad you know. He was probably just worried." Anna told me.

I looked at her then to Jack who seemed to have finished his talk with Grand Pabbie. I saw him look our way and for a moment our eyes met. He smiled and gave me a wave.

"Go to him." I felt Anna give me a little push. "Go on. Get your man." Her smile widened.

"He's not-" I could feel the heat rise up my face.

"But he's special right? Just go." Anna said.

Special?

I looked over to Jack who was staring at us, a little confused. I looked over to Anna who was gesturing him to come over.

"Elsa, you've had many suitors. Before you were crowned, while you were queen, and probably even after you've stepped down." Anna said. "But all of them, I barely remember since you never seemed to pay attention to them."

Jack is now walking towards us, he was saying something but all I can hear was what Anna was saying.

"Jack 's special to you, I could tell. And I could tell you're the same to him." Anna continued. "I know I'm not one to talk about love but with Kristoff I feel like I've had a better understanding." Anna's gaze seemed a bit distant.

"Maybe,, that's him for you." Anna stood up as Jack approached. She faced me and gave me a very tight hug.

"You called, your highness?" Jack looked over to Anna.

"Oh, I just wanted you to give my sister some company while I try to find my husband. Also, it's just Anna remember?" Anna said.

"That'll be no problem Que- Anna." Jack bowed.

She laughed before giving me a wink. "Now if you'll excuse me." She waved before running off.

Well, one minute she was all serious then another she's back to being her playful self.

But her words really did sound genuine. I'm glad for her and Kristoff. Maybe...

"You're not mad at me are you?" I blurted out. As soon as I said it out loud to him why did I start to feel like I'm tearing up.

"No, why did you think that?" He asked. I looked down, my eyes landing on his hand.

I remembered how he let go earlier, I felt kind of scared then. Him being here reminded me of that.

"Earlier at the castle-"

"I'm sorry. I just got... scared. Then I started to worry and panic and... I'm sorry." He said.

We both sat down.

"What did you talk about with Grand Pabbie?" I asked him, trying to change the subject.

He was silent for a while. He was using his staff to doodle on the dirt, small frosts would sometimes form on it.

"Nothing important." He finally said.

But it didn't seem like it since it seemed urgent when he left to look for him and it took so long.

"I see." Was all I could say even though I wanted to ask more.

Then more silence.

And longer.

And little longer.

"Elsa I-" He turned to me, I did the same. I just looked at him, waiting for what he was about to say.

"I-" he paused again. "Nevermind, I forgot what I was about to say." He scratched the back of his head.

"I'm not gonna do it again." I said. I don't know why I'm being like this right now. I just want everything to go back to normal. Maybe I made him worry too much.

"What?" He asked, confused.

"The next time we face the fearlings, I'll have a crystal. I was just worried that the Northuldrans didn't have enough protection that's why I gave the one you gave me to them." I explained.

"I know, it's your duty. Back there was my fault really." He insisted.

"But it wouldn't have happened if only I had the crystal right?" I asked. He didn't say anything. "That's why I'm saying it won't happen again. I'll make sure of it." I said, for some reason I couldn't stop my hands from just doing gestures as I speak.

He let out a small chuckle. "Okay, okay. I know. Did it bother you that much?" Jack held my hands which made them feel calmer. It made me feel calmer.

"A little." I admitted.

"I'm not mad at you, okay?" He used one of his hands to cup my cheek. His hand felt colder than usual.

This gesture. I see Kristoff to this to Anna too, sometimes even cupping both her cheeks to make her shut up.

I laughed. "Sorry, I just remembered something." I said.

He laughed too. "Well I'm glad you're smiling again." He said.

"You talk as if you've only seen me frown." I said. I shifted my hand a bit to intertwine mine to his. I felt him do the same.

I couldn't help but smile wider. This is better.

"Jack." I called out. He hummed in response. "Am I special to you?" I asked him. I could feel my heartbeat get so loud, I don't think I'll be able to hear his reply.

"Of course you are. You're an amazing girl and I'm sure everyone thinks that-"

"No I mean..." The heartbeat is louder, this time it's racing. I can't handle this. "Nevermind." I finally say.

I felt him squeeze my hand. "Am I special to you?" He asked, his gaze up on the night sky, staring at the beautiful moon.

"Of course you are." I said, barely a whisper.

I felt him pull me for a hug. "You're more than special to me Elsa. I wouldn't know what I'd do if something happened to you." He said, his hug getting tighter.

That moment, the tears that were threatening to fall earlier finally went down. I knew though, it was solely because of one emotion. Joy.

I hugged him back. "Me too Jack." I said. And in barely a whisper, as I tried to hold back my hiccups, I said. "I love you."

"I love you too."