A King and Queen of Ice 13

A King and Queen of Ice: Chapter 13




Solitude was my salvation, silence my music, and then you came in screaming and raving like a madman. Now the solitary life is terrifying, and the silence screams louder than ever before. You have broken me, destroyed my very existence, and I pray you never fix it.





The trees twisted wildly and if she hadn’t have known which tree to turn at she would have easily been lost. She heard a sharp inhale and silence as he realized where they were. At the sound she looked up, the uneasiness and anger vivid in his eyes. She turned her horse around and trotted back at him, he stared ahead with a loathed expression before he sighed and continued ahead. She stifled a sigh of relief before turning back and dismounting, tying the reins in a nearby branch. She found him perched on a high rock; he did not look at her.

“You were right.” He said in a low voice. “You’ve ruined my mood.”

She ignored the barb and walked closer. “Do you remember my theory?” His eyes widened infinitesimally but he still did not look at her. That was answer enough, but she worried he would leave. “Jack?”

“This isn’t easy.” He said simply. “I want to be free from this curse. Any other freedom I would trade. I can’t keep living like this.” His voice grew thick.

She took a breath, steeling herself and she made her way towards him. He flinched slightly as she reached her hand towards him, but when soft fingers took his chin he felt the anger drain out of him. She saw how his expression faded and he looked simply looked tired. He laid his hand over hers and peeked up; he saw the concern in her eyes and was humbled that this emotion was entirely for him.

“I’m not mad at you.” He said sliding off the rock, though she took a step back her hand remained. When he looked down at her she smiled and dropped her hand. “I just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“Neither do I, but I know we never will if we don’t go.”

“What makes you say that?” He said with a chuckle, offering his arm to her.

Taking it she gave him a wry look, “The trick is, Lord Frost, to go asking the right questions, otherwise you’ll never get the proper answers.”

He made an amused sound and she turned her head to the path before them. As she passed the familiar runic stones she took note on how Jack’s eyes shifted as they scanned the rocky walls. He jumped and shied away from the steam that vented from below. It was only when they reached the edge of the crater did he release her, his hands raising his staff in defense. She led the rest of the way and she could see that her Lord of Winter was just as frightened as she had been. How could he not? Living more than a lifetime without the company of a friend, even that isolation she did not wish on anyone.

He stood protectively around her as the boulders began to shake and move. As the trolls came to a halt and stared with fearful eyes at him he raised his staff higher, like one would a spear. She placed a hand on its crook and felt his magic there, but with her own she lowered it and he looked at her in surprise, unbeknownst to him so did the trolls.

“Could you fetch your grandfather for me please, I wish to speak with him.” She spoke softly to the young troll, who nodded and rolled away.

She turned and placed a hand on Lord Frost’s arm, drawing his attention to her. She gave him a reassuring look before turning back to the slow moving boulder that approached them.

“Your Majesty?” The old troll said in shock. “Are you alright my dear?”

It was then that she noticed the blood that dotted not only her dress, but the long tears and large stains on her cloak; she felt a blush and smiled in embarrassment.

“I’m fine.” She looked back to the old troll and knelt.

“I did not expect to see you again so soon.” He said taking her hands in his.

“I am sorry to wake you.” She sounded so sincere the old troll might not have questioned her motives, if not for the shade at her side. “I’ve to ask a favor-”

“You cannot mean Lord Frost?”

“Indeed I do.” She was not surprised the old troll knew what she was doing there with him. “I was wondering if that incantation you preformed could be reversed.” Shocked and hesitant eyes beseeched the queen and she fought to remain composed.

“He’s done no harm to my kingdom. It is I who bare that blame and it is I who suffer greatest from it. This spirit, this man,” She gestured to the Lord of Winter. “Has helped me learn about my powers and has taught me how to control them.”

The Elder looked to him, “Is this true, Lord of Snow?” Skepticism littered his voice.

Jack seemed to hesitate. “Yes,” The Lord of Winter said thickly, kneeling before him. “I have taught her how to control her powers.” He took a breath, “I’ve done no harm in my existence as a spirit. You know my story. I thought this power a curse, but now I see now that I was wrong. I found my light at the end.” Elsa was stunned, but he continued. “I ask not only for myself but from my queen as well, can you lift this spell so that I can be greater than a shade?”

Jack stood and took Elsa’s hand. She blinked at him but relaxed as he ran a thumb over the back of her hand, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“I have found my place, and it is by the side of the people, and not atop the mountain. I can continue to teach her to control her powers, maybe prevent another early winter.”

The old troll looked to them both with measured eyes, and was suddenly struck at the deeper meaning of the words. He was touched by the innocence in their eyes; unknown love burned like a flickering flame. He prayed for them and with a sigh he turned away.

“I shall see what I can do. There may be answers in the past.” The old troll moved to the walls and slowly made his way around the mossy ruins. It would seem that the unknown swirls and markings were actually a record of the trolls past. It was only when he stopped at a far wall did he wave them over. “Here, your story Lord Frost. It says here that ice magic can be undone with an act of true love. This is what happened with her sister, and it is what caused you to earn your powers. It would seem that the same would apply to your curse, but on a greater scale. An act of true love must not be felt by one, but by many for you to be free.”

“Many?” He dropped her hand and backed away, “How?”

“You’re the one who started this magic Frost, you can undo it.”

“My Lord?” His panic clear to her she took a step towards him. “Jack, listen to me.” A small flurry of snow was twisting in the air around him, the distress and panic clear on his face. “It’s going to be okay, Jack. Listen!” He continued to back away from them.

“Lord Frost, you need to find a way to make people love you. If you cannot do this, then not even Elsa can save you.”

“No.” The word was spoken with such authority that the snow dropped and vanished, leaving a furious gaze left in its wake. “You know as well as I that is not going to happen. I am not loved nor ever will be.” Without another word and in a rush of snow and wind, he left.

The queen, and much of her resolve fell like the remaining snowflakes and she stared at spot where he once stood. The few remaining specks of snow that remained froze in the air, shocked by her powers. Did he truly believe she did not love him?

“Elsa,” The old troll said carefully, “I-” He took a moment to collect himself, and it was then that she saw the other trolls around her had been knocked over by his magic. “I do know of a way he can be seen.”

“Then why didn’t you tell him?” She felt tears brimming, but she couldn’t quite figure out where they had come from, or the animosity she clearly felt towards the old creature.

“This spell will negate the one he is under and allow him to be seen but only for a day. He will have one chance to prove to the people of Arendelle that he is worth their love. It is easy to hate, but it is hard to love.”

“Does he have to be here, with you, to have the spell work?”

“He does not, but he does need to make the most of this decision.” He saw a look in her eyes. “Do you have a day in mind?”

Indeed she did and after disclosing the date she had solidified her decision. She pushed herself up from the hard ground and made her way to her horse. Mounting up she noted specks of ice and she felt her heart constrict. She was scared of what she might find, but her love for him overpowered it. He deserved to be free, she needed him to be free and if anyone had any chance of getting him to see that it would be her. The moon hung high in the sky, and it was her beacon as she rode to her Castle of Ice.






The wind whipped her cloak wildly and but it only steeled her nerves and inflamed her further. Desperation had her push against the howling wind and soon the only sound around the storm was the harsh grunting of her horse. She crested over the mountain saw her castle all but alien to her. The ice’s hues were dark and foreboding against the mountain face. She tied her horse to a tree, shielding it from the wind that continued to bombard them. In the near whiteout she scowled up at him as it bit at her fury and with her own anger fueled she marched up the side of the mountain. With every step she took ice leapt from the ground and a large stairwell brought her to the balcony. She found him amidst a swirly storm in the great room, the chandelier swinging dangerously.

“Jack?” She shielded her eyes as a large gust flew in her face. The message was clear, he wanted to be alone, but she would not have it. “Jack!”

“Go away!” With a gesture of his staff the storm was directed at her, and pushed her towards the edge of the balcony.

“Jack stop!” She fought the winds; unable to combat them with her own power and just when her back hit the railing and heard the first crack in the ice she felt something within her snap. With a rush of power that surged through her veins she ceased the storm around her. A gesture of her hands and Jack was pushed against the wall with a powerful blast. “Enough Frost.”

He recovered and raised his staff at her. “I don’t want to hear it!” A crackle of ice much like lightning shot from the crook of his staff, the blast missing her by inches. She shielded her face as the ice rained down and she felt desperation and anger war within her. They exchanged blow after blow and ice and snow pilled around the room. Shards were broken, walls cracked and neither one of them giving an inch.

“I said enough!” With her final blast of power Jack was pushed against the wall, his hands held by his head by cuffs of ice. He struggled in the icy grip as he dangled helplessly above her. “Listen to me.”

“Why should I?” He sneered at her, his voice was low and harsh and made her own seem weak. “There is nothing you could say. This freedom is what you desire; take a look at what it does!”

And at once she saw what he meant.

She could see the sorrow and the ache that mirrored her own, but it was stronger, and full of more anger than she could have ever thought possible. The isolation had brought her freedom in that short time, but it had left a self hatred and anger at the world around her. Here with her Lord of Winter, decades of this anger had left his hope all but tattered shreds. Nothing she could say would change that, not even the news he could be visible for a day. She swallowed a lump in her throat and turned away from him. She saw the ice around her grow lighter, the snowstorm swirling lazily until it dispersed into the mountain breeze.

“I don’t want that, but I do want to be free.” Her voice barely a whisper.

“There is no other freedom.” She heard him pick up his staff. “Not for us.”

“But there is Jack.” She turned to face him, her eyes beseeching. “If you could just-”

“No.” His face was stone and ice cold. She felt her face contort in rage and she matched him glare for glare.

“Selfish brat,” She turned away, afraid of what might happen as the ice darkened around her. “Is that all you are?”

“You don’t understand anything.”

“You think I don’t understand?” She wheeled on him and he stuttered at her advancing pace. “That I don’t know? I know a child who would do anything to see someone smile. I know a child who out of love sacrificed himself to save his sister. I know a child that was pitied by all and given what he desired. I know a child who was given the title Lord of Winter, when he is nothing more than a spoiled, selfish inconsiderate little boy.” With each word his glare darkened and his snarl feral but it paled in comparison to the one upon her face. “That child is you, Jack Frost, and that’s all you will be until you decide to listen.”

He looked her straight in the eye and she could not see Jack Frost, she did not know who it was that stood in front of her. She coward under that gaze, and it was then that she realized she had stepped over a line.

“Get off of my mountain.” She blinked and felt her stomach drop. He looked away, “I never should have helped you.”

She fought to conceal her shock but failed, instead she felt something within her crack and the world went numb. With her last bit of dignity she straightened and gave him a solemn gaze. “I had a mind once, to give you something no one else could have.” She conjured a snowflake in the shape of a heart and held it to him.

A shock of lightning went through him at her words and he was rooted. He saw the tears but she quickly turned away from him, closing her fist around the snowflake. “I see now I was wrong. You’re not worth saving, even for that future.”

Without looking back she descended the stairs and he could hear her horse snort as she rode away.

He stood there, as a great glacier and when he could no longer hear her, the words still echoed in his mind. He fell to his knees and felt the warmth within him leave with her. He looked in the reflection and he could see someone there; it was her face, pitying, and betrayed. He felt his chest grow tight and again he heard the words, as clear as if she stood before him. I was wrong. He covered his ears and gritted his teeth, but he still could hear. You’re not worth saving... and with a shout of anguish the castle began to crumble around him.






She rode with eyes half blurred in stubborn anger and denied anguish. She felt like he had torn out a part of herself and left it atop the mountain. There was no joy, no warmth, and there was no love. Had his simple words shattered her so completely? She could not tell and when she had consciously returned to her mind, she found herself pacing in her room, shaking uncontrollably and shallow of breath. Ice streamed around her and like a vine had crawled up the walls and frozen the door shut, the window was all but blocked. Her chest felt tight and her eyes blurry from the tears, she dashed them away angrily and willed herself to calm down.

She sat on the edge of the bed, running her hands through her hair; a crinkle of paper caught her attention and with curiosity driving her hand to her dress pocket she pulled out a note. It was the note she had received from him some weeks ago, but she did not remember putting it in her pocket. Folding it open once more she read the words, elegantly scrawled in deep blue ink.



My Lady,


It is difficult not to be with you in the day, though I understand that my presence there would be nothing more than a distraction to you. Now don’t make that face you know it’s true. If only your sister and her oaf of a lover could see, that would be enough. To be near you is enough on its own, but the daylight seems so much dimmer without you, like a great shadow cast upon the dawn. The Castle is so much emptier since you left and I find myself wishing I could have lived in this time, instead of my own.

I need to see you tonight, before I go mad. Call if a selfish desire. Please don’t make me wait too long. I’ve done enough in my lifetime.

I await your arrival my Snow Angel,


Yours, Lord Frost



She found herself with a hand pressed to her mouth and cold tears streaming down her face. “Oh, god I am a fool.” Her voice broke and the paper fell to the floor.

She saw the glitter of the moon from the window and unbidden came the memory of the snowflake. With her powers she shattered the window. The iron frame bent from the force, the panes twinkling like chimes as they fell to the ground below. She heard them shatter on the ground below and it seemed her heart mimicked the glass. She leaned out and saw the panes upon the cobblestones, broken and lifeless.

She brought a hand to her chest and felt a warm stickiness that smeared across her dress. Thick droplets of blood dripped onto the wood below; she did not care, she was numb to the pain, numb to the swirling snow and howling wind around her and numb to everything else. Furious knocking came from her door and she gritted her teeth at the sound. She heard a gasp from beyond the door as her powers sealed and protected it, the ice puckering dangerously. Her hands shook at her sides in both fury and grief. She turned back to the shattered window and saw another storm in the distance and she glared at that mountain.






Some time later she lay curled in her bed as silent streams ran down her cheeks. With a twitch of pain she looked to her bloodstained hands; her powers slowly healing the deep cuts.

“Stupid girl.” She whispered, “Stupid bloody fool is what you are.” She looked out the window and saw the moon low in the sky; its wane face seemed to pity her. “There are no happy endings for people like you.” She turned away and sobbed silently into the pillow.






“Ma’am?” She stirred, but did not open her eyes. “Ma’am, are you alright?” She silently willed her power to make them leave. But then they knocked again, she covered her ears as if the sound physically hurt her.

“Go away!” She felt the ice groan dangerously within the wood and soon they all but stumbled down the hall away from her. She didn’t care who it was, just as long as she was left alone. And she was alone. She opened her eyes to the sight of the moon tucked behind the mountain; the words fell from her lips like blood from a wound. “My only love sprung from my only hate; too early unknown, and known too late.”

She felt something within her break and her world went black.