CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: A MOMENT OF RESPITE

It's been a week now since I have last seen Elsa, and I was left with a painful remembrance of that visit at the castle. I look down at the white cloth wrapped around my hand and tried to remember what happened. It was a cold night for spring, but then winter ended just a week ago. I sat with Holly in front of the fireplace, trying to distract myself from the thought of Elsa. Mother was lying on the long cushion seat, covered in a thick quilt from head to toe, yet still shivering from the cold.

"Jack," she said, her voice trembling. I jumped up from the floor and darted to her side.

"Would you be an angel and make me some tea?" I immediately nod. Her voice made me worried and her pale face made me want to sob. She was very ill and honestly, I'm not exactly sure if she will make it. Just think happy thoughts.

I walk to the kitchen and open the cupboard, pulling out various herbs. I took a small pot and filled it with water and the herbs, and hung it over cooling embers in the fireplace. Quickly, I arranged sticks of firewood and relighted the fire. Once the flames steadied, I returned to the living room.

"The tea will be ready soon," I say, hoping to reassure her, but she gave me a weak smile, and my heart ached. I returned to my place beside
Holly, who stared at the dying fire with sorrow. I patted her back, and gave her a reassuring smile. "Everything will be alright, I promise." She looked at me with tears ready to fall, and if it were possible to break my heart even more it definitely would. She buried her face in my chest, making my shirt wet with tears but I didn't mind, so long as mother could not see. What were we going to do without her?

After a few minutes, Holly stopped crying and tried to distract herself with her dolls and toys. Some of which used to be Elsa's. I returned to the kitchen and poured the tea into a simple metal cup and brought it to mother. She was drifting off into sleep but I guess it was the aroma of the tea that made her eyes flutter open. She gave me a smile. "Thank you," she said and slowly sipped the tea. I stood up and went to pour my own tea, as I had wanted to relax.

I held my breath as mother started coughing, my heart stopped as well. I had just found out that she was sick this afternoon. If I had known sooner, I wouldn't have spent my day strolling around town causing mischief. Though I have to say it was quite worth it.

It was the usual day for me, walking idly around the market looking for trouble. As if I even had to lift a finger trouble had always found a way to me, as I had realized long ago. A wide grin played on my lips and as I passed a market stall, I heard some girls squeal. I gave them a wink and they smiled ear to ear. One of them called my name and I stopped in my tracks. Of the three girls the one with wavy strawberry blonde hair approached me, with some pushing and chastising from the other girls. She bent her head down, eyes to the floor, and when she lifted her head her face flushed pink. "Hi," she stuttered, voice trembling. My playful smirk never left my face and she flinched as I gave a chuckle. "Arietta," I say in reply as I recognized her. I know almost everybody in this town, as it is fairly small, yet I knew this girl from the small schoolhouse.

"I just wanted to ask how your day was going," she mumbled, barely audible enough for me to hear. I had known since that she had a certain liking to me, though to be honest I wondered why. Of course the ladies had always admired my face, but the knowledge that I was close with the princess discouraged them. They probably thought they had no chance, but I cannot see myself in that position. That is simply too high for me to even think about. Elsa and I are merely friends despite my constant teasing and pranks. We both know nothing of the such could ever happen, and that fact tugged at my heart. I immediately shake it off, I have to stop daydreaming and face the real world.

"Oh, it's better now that I've gazed upon your pretty face," I reply, teasing with the satisfaction that her whole face reddened as a tomato. One of her two friends squealed.

"Oh have a delightful day, Jack," she replied when she had gathered her courage. The tone in her voice was more on the cheery and sincere note, and she returned to her friends with a triumphant smile and they jumped around playfully with squeals. I mentally shook my head. I would never understand why girls do that. I waved them goodbye and carried on with my walk, to no place in particular. As I took a step a rough hand grabbed my shirt by the collar pulling me back with great force. "I thought I told you to stay away from my sister," the gruff voice of the older boy snarled at me. My eyes widened in alarm. I tried to pull my shirt from his grasp to break free but he had a firm hold on the dirty white fabric. "She came to me this time," I retorted, hoping that Darren would believe me. "Stop lying you sly fox. I'm not falling for your tricks again any time soon," he growled, I had to guess through gritted teeth. He was behind me, holding me back. I search the scene for Arietta, hoping that she would defend me, but to my dismay I couldn't find her. He released my shirt to my relief, and I turned to face him and opened my mouth but he quickly cut me off. Instead he grabbed my shirt once more and pulled me so we were close. He loomed over me as he was not only a head taller. He was trying to intimidate me and his eyes were full of hatred and disgust. It was nothing I wasn't used to, however.

"You listen to me now, Overland. I don't want you anywhere near my sister you got that? I had hoped the princess would keep you at bay but word that she returned to the castle means that I'll be keeping a keen eye on you, you understand?" He threatened and I nodded, trying to keep my cool. "Understood," I said, as calm as I could but that seemed to offend him. "Why are you so calm about this?" He growled and lifted a tightly clenched fist. "Maybe I should give your pretty face a bruise so the girls would stay away from you," he suggested. I tried to squirm my way out of my current predicament but Darren had already landed a blow to my left eye. I cursed at the pain and covered my eye with my hands. "Hold your tongue," he barked and he lifted his fist to hit me again. I closed my other eye, heart pounding in my chest. Just as soon as before he could punch me, a voice broke out before the growing crowd. "Stop it Darren! He has done nothing wrong!" Arietta cried, desperate to resolve this scuffle.
"Stay out of this Arietta! I know he's up to something no good," he hissed back at her sister. An elder, more matured voice spoke out. "That's enough Darren. Let go of him. He's done no crime." Immediately he let go of me and I breathed heavily in relief. I turned to see it was his mother who neared us and pinched his ear, with Arietta following shortly behind. "Ow!" Darren cried and he was dragged back to their house. She stopped and faced the crowd. "Nothing more to see here folks. Carry on with your lives," she said and continued pulling him out of the scene. Darren shot me a death glare and I stuck my tongue out to rile him up more. Arietta stood in front of me, with concerned and apologetic eyes. "I'm sorry I got you into this, Jack," she whispered. I put an arm on her shoulder causing her to flinch. " I'm glad you saved me from further beating," I beamed her a smile. She shook her head. "But I got your face damaged," she protested. "Nothing time can't heal," I remarked coolly. She put a finger on my darkening eye bravely, something I never thought she would do. She applied some pressure and I flinched at the pain. "Ow" I muttered. "Does it hurt much?" She asked me. I nodded. Lying wouldn't get me anywhere anyway. My left eye was swelling and my vision blurred. "Come with me," she beckoned. I hesitated for a moment. She shot me a worried glance. "We need to put some ice on that eye," she explained. I simply nodded at the realization that she only wanted to help me and I followed her. Speaking of ice, I wonder how frostbite was doing. For a second my playful façade wavered as the thought of Elsa in the king's evil clutches made my stomach churn in disgust. "Are you alright, aside from your eye?" Arietta asked, a worried tone in her voice. I shook my head. "I'm fine," I lied. Though I have a feeling she didn't buy that. Nonetheless she spoke no further about it.

We arrived a few minutes later at her house. Arietta made me sit down on a chair in the kitchen as she fetched some ice and wrapped it in cloth. She sat down beside me and started to gently press on my eye. The cool feel of it felt nice, relaxing even. It reminded me of Elsa, once again. How her magic would swirl up into gentle tendrils always sending shivers down my spine. Her powers were beautiful, if only her father saw it that way. I snapped out of my daydream as Darren's voice flooded through the room. "What's he doing here?" He hissed venomously, sending a threatening gaze to both me and Arietta. "It's your fault he has a black eye," she retorted, much to my amazement that this girl had some personality behind her shy demeanor. "I will not tolerate his presence here," he said, his voice cold. Their mother cut in. "Leave him, Darren," she warned with narrowed eyes and Darren gave up and took an apple from the fruit basket on the sat down on one of the chairs and but into it, crunching slowly as the juices wet his lips. I swallowed a lump in my throat, biting back the desire to take that apple and shove it down his throat forcefully.

He watched us with a keen eye until Arietta was done. I thanked her and stood up, ready to leave. She stood up as well and beamed me a vibrant smile. I glanced at Darren who rolled his eyes. I returned my gaze to Arietta and a smile played on my lips. Without hesitation I leaned forward and swiftly brushed my lips against hers and was amused that she was speechless and reddened as a tomato. Darren shot up from his relaxed position and was about to grab me, but I quickly learned my lesson and dodged him. He was furious and kept swiping at me before I managed to bolt out the door, shouting another "thank you" at Arietta whom I noticed was in a daze. I heard curses erupt from Darren's mouth as I ran as fast as I could back to my own home. It was around two o'clock that I arrived home and my high spirits shattered at the knowledge that mother had a fever and was coughing vigorously.

A ghost of a smile made my lips curve up at the memory, however my attention turned back to mother who had stopped coughing. I peered at her face to see if she was still breathing. Indeed she was, but her eyelids were drooping. I left her be. If I were to help her up to her room she might freeze to death. The only fireplace and source of warmth in the house was in the living room, and the furnace in the kitchen. I walked over to Holly and informed her it was time for bed. She didn't argue with me, although she insisted she would stay beside mother, in case she ever needed anything. I nodded and rekindled the fire before going upstairs to my bedroom.

The next morning I got up, feeling utterly tired because I only slept for a few hours. I simply couldn't sleep because my mind was in a frenzy. But for the sake of my family I willed myself up and tried to make breakfast. The scrambled eggs I cooked on the frying pan browned faster than it cooked, so it was burned on the outside and slightly mushy on the inside. I swear if my future wife didn't know how to cook then there would be a problem. I pushed that thought aside, it would be long before I could even think of settling down.

Holly and I assisted mother to sit up and I apologized for my lack in cooking skill. She only chuckled which tickled my heart and made me smile. The rest of that morning me and Holly spent cleaning the house while mother counted our remaining wealth. A couple of silver and copper coins in a small pouch was not enough to support the three of us, especially with no income.

Father had never returned home for a few months now, I was beginning to doubt he was still alive. He was a lumberjack, but recently employed to working on those big ships meant for trading. I had known he wouldn't come home for a while but a bad feeling was growing in the pit of my stomach as my mind refused to accept the possible fact.

After we were done cleaning I took the responsibility of being the breadwinner of the family and headed to the market and searched for job reservations. It took a while, but I managed to get a job as a dishwasher at Elsa and mine's favorite restaurant. Much to my despair, almost everything in this town reminded me of her, even my own home.

I was to start working tomorrow at 7 in the morning. The salary was not too bad nor that great but I figured that was enough to keep us alive. I was quite delighted to have not run into Darren or Arietta, I wouldn't want my right eye to match my left.

As fate would have it I bumped into the fiery red-haired girl who had caught my eye the first time I laid my eyes on her. She seemed delighted when she saw me, especially without Elsa by my side. Merida was quite concerned about my darkened left eye. I explained the previous scuffle, leaving out the details of the kiss between Arietta and I. We started walking, out of the market and into the meadows. We talked, and laughed and I wasn't sure what had possessed me but she was beautiful. How her hair glinted as the sun shone upon it, her beautiful eyes blue as the sky contrasted her hair. Her blue dress to match her eyes. We came into a clearing secluded by dense woods and sat down on the cool grass. The flowers were beginning to blossom and I was captivated by the moment. I felt like I was dreaming, but at the same time I knew I wasn't. That moment I had forgotten anything else had ever existed. What mattered was the beauty that sat infront of me with flowers in her hair. I scooted closer, and placed a hand on her rosy cheek. She leaned in, closing her eyes, I followed suit. Our lips crashed together and I have never felt more alive in my life. Seconds passed, and I could honestly say this was the longest time I had kissed someone. We drew back to catch our breaths. She beamed me an amused smile and I stared at her with wonder. I cannot explain how I felt, my heart was thundering in my chest but I wasn't quite satisfied. A hole still remained in my heart, guilt, but for what? Before I could think properly she snaked her hand around the nape of my neck and kissed me again, I kissed her back. Feeling the soft touch of her lips against mine drove me out of my mind. Nothing else mattered that moment.

We raced to catch our breaths and she let out a small giggle. I simply smiled back. "Do you like me, Jack?" She asked, with a more serious tone. I nodded and whispered breathlessly, "Yes". I wasn't sure what this girl was doing to me, but it felt right. "Then I belong to you no other man, as you belong to me and no other girl," she said and my eyes widened. "What?" I asked in utter shock and disbelief. "I mean you are my boyfriend now and I am your girlfriend," she explained to put things into simpler terms. My chest heaved a euphoric sigh of relief. "Oh," was only what I could muster to say. We talked more on that hill, mostly of our backgrounds and I haven't realized the setting sun until the sky was darkening. I got up to my feet and Merida followed suit. "I'm sorry Merida, but I must return home. Mother is sick and I must take care of her," I explained, with great disappointment. Merida lowered her head, eyes falling to the ground. "Oh, I understand," the sorrow in her voice made me want to hold her forever but instead I lifted her chin up with my finger. With one last kiss we walked back to the market and went our separate ways. When I had arrived at our house it was already dark and mother had kept bombarding me with questions. "Where have you been?", "what took you so long?, "I was worried sick," and the sort. I tried to explain, leaving out the part that would most likely be frowned upon by her. Holly rolled her eyes. I never understood why she disliked Merida but she was a little kid.

"Just tell me you found a job," mother groaned as she massaged her temples. "Yes I did. Ten silver coins per day. I know it's not much but it's better than nothing."

Mother's face softened and her lips curved into a smile. She reached out her arms and I fell into her embrace.

I lay in bed, staring at the wooden ceiling, unable to sleep. Guilt was washing over me, for a reason I could not understand. I recalled what happened earlier in the meadow with Merida and felt my stomach flutter. It felt right. She was my girlfriend now, and how that happened was hard to swallow. I couldn't believe it. And she was the one who had asked too! Well, sort of... I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling so stupid for not making the first move. I put my hands on my face and felt the bandage on my right hand once more. I had completely forgotten it was there. It was definitely a good thing that it didn't bleed out or that would've grossed people out, especially Merida. I huffed a breath and rolled over to my stomach. Something hard sat uncomfortably between the mattress and my chest. I sat up and examined what it was. I mentally slapped myself when I forgot to take it off before rolling into bed. But before I lifted it over my head I held it in my injured hand and closed my eyes. Remembering just how I came into possession of such a beautiful thing.

It was Christmas, maybe one- two months ago. Elsa had invited my family to have dinner at the Haddock Manor. Merida apparently was invited, too. I was ecstatic, except for the fact that the king and queen would also be there. That made me nervous, even though Elsa kept assuring me that it would be fine.

We all had dinner, each of us quite nervous of the royal family's presence. After that we all sat comfortably in the living room in front of the blazing fireplace. Each of us chatting, laughing, drinking, we all were having a pretty good time. When it was time to exchange gifts I saw Elsa leave to get hers. It was rare that she forgot anything but I guess this time she just did. A lot of things happened this week, some of which didn't make her happy in the slightest bit. A few minutes had passed and Elsa hadn't returned. I decided to take it upon myself and go and search for her. When I did find her I found myself in a rather awkward predicament and made up an excuse that I was looking for the bathroom. Although that wasn't a total lie. When we had returned we were met with judgmental glances but I gave them no care. I sat back down and handed Elsa my gift. She took the light blue box with meek hands and carefully unwrapped it. It was a black hairband. I knew she loved those things and I wasn't wrong. She gave me a warm beam and a thank you. When she had handed her own gifts I have to say I was quite disappointed when I didn't receive one. That earned me a tongue from Hiccup and Merida shot me a concerned look. I was already happy because of her existence. However the thought of having nothing from her did make me a bit envious.

After a short while Elsa disappeared again, and a blizzard was forming outside from what he could see through the windows. The moon was in its prime and illuminated the sky. "That child is at it again," the King muttered and stood up. However the Queen quickly convinced him that she would handle the situation. For some reason I never understood, she beckoned me to come with her. She led us out of the house and into the garden at the heart of the storm. There we found Elsa, curled up in a ball in the eye of the storm. The Queen held my hand as she lead us through the piercing cold and she tried to calm Elsa down, with much relief that she had managed to do so. I helped comfort her, and the Queen left us alone. I sat beside Elsa on the stone bench and we talked. She told me everything and my heart ached for her. I tried to cheer her up and she did smile and giggle a bit. I promised to tell her a secret if she told me what was troubling her. Yet at the last moment I bit my tongue. Perhaps if I told her, her problems would only grow, so I kissed her instead. She almost slapped me and Anna teased us for it. Apparently she was watching us from a window. I just laughed as her face reddened as a tomato.

At that moment I knew I had stolen her first kiss, and told her it was a prank. I know it was stupid, but it was also pleasurable. See, she has always dreamed that her first kiss would be by a handsome prince and not until she was around twenty. She was absolutely horrified when she had lost it to me, who couldn't have given her mine in return. I had long lost mine, which is why I had been infamous at school and in the village. That was payback for not getting me anything. But hell I was wrong.

When we headed back inside she stopped in her tracks to hand me a white, snowcovered box. I hesitated, but did open it. I was astonished as to what was inside. It was a crystal, so beautiful it sparkled in the moonlight. I immediately felt guilty for what I had done but at the same time I wasn't. I loved teasing her. I took it and held it in my hand. It was a necklace, and I pulled it over my head and sent her a sweet smile of gratitude. She was the most thoughtful girl I had ever met. I wanted to kiss her again, hold her in my arms forever, but I knew that would lead to massive trouble.

We returned to the others and Hiccup was sending me death glares. I only smiled smugly. I had a feeling that everyone knew what happened outside. As soon as Elsa sat down, Hiccup scooted over to her side. I kept sending glares his way and normal glances to Elsa all the while talking to Merida. What had caught my attention and jealousy was when Hiccup lifted a mistletoe above them and tried to kiss Elsa. But he was too slow as Elsa created an ice barrier between them. I shot him another smug look.

When it was time for bed I stood in the doorway to our room and found Elsa walking my way with two cups of milk with her. She handed me one and we cheered to it, until I had realized it wasn't milk that I was drinking. She was lucky I didn't spat at her face and found a window instead. She told me it was eggs and said that was her revenge. I started for her, threatening to tickle her socks off, but she froze my feet in place. I unconsciously held the crystal pendant she gave me, and the ice vanished. She didn't seem to notice so I snuck up behind her and covered her eyes. She gasped and asked how I got out. I explained what happened and she seemed to be shocked.

After a serious discussion on me trying to convince her not to run away, I kissed her goodnight on her forehead so she wouldn't slap me. She told me she loved me, but I knew she loved me as a friend. And that is probably how she understood when I told her that I loved her as well, that was only half true.

I sighed as the memory ended. A gentle, blue light emanated from the pendant and sucked in Elsa's magic from my hand. I quickly unraveled the white bandage and was in utter shock to find the wound was no longer there. I tried to do the same with my black eye, but it didn't work. Perhaps it only worked on Elsa's magic. Nonetheless it healed my hand.

Days have passed and they turned into months. It was until about six months later had we received a message that the ship my father worked on was swallowed by mountains of monstrous waves. Mother had long since been cured after a back-to-back fever, and she had cried all her tears out when she heard the news. Holly cried too, I was too focused on work and had many distractions from the news. I had long thought of its possibility and already accepted his fate. I wasn't happy that week however, Merida seemed to drive all my worries away, even the thought of Elsa. That too, I was beginning to forget about. It was better this way. We both knew it was inevitable, she would be queen someday and she had to stop fooling around with a commoner like me. But despite what my mind kept saying, I still longed to see her again. It was not until about a year later that the gods have graced me with such a blessing.

Each of us have received an invitation to Anna's Birthday celebration. It was a masquerade ball, and thanks to Merida, Hiccup and I became friends. He even let me borrow clothes for the occasion. I could never have been more excited in my entire life! I was going to see my bestfriend again!

A/N: So did you like the chapter? Please leave your suggestions, comments, feedback, ANYTHING you have to say about this chapter. Well you don't have to, I was just suggesting.

Well anyway, that was Jack's point of view if you still haven't figured that out. Starting from two years ago of where we were in the story up until the present. Just a little filler on what Jack has been up to and what's on his mind. Fear not, we'll be back with Elsa in the next chapter. I just wanted a little change of subject because I feel sorry for tormenting Elsa that much. (Even though I'm still tormenting her by Jack's deeds. Someone throw me in an incinerator -_- )

Also, it is totally up to you how to think Merida "distracted" Jack. That just depends on how light or dark your mind is. Oh don't worry, I won't judge. ;)

In the next chapter I shall focus more on answering your questions because damn I'm so out of my mixed up mind. Hopefully, I can also progress the story and develop the characters more because I'm doing such a bad job. Please don't kill me.