Alright, here we go! So, so, so sorry I've been neglecting this story! I've decided to make each chapter a complete telling of the day they spend together each year. I'm not sure yet if there will be a chapter for every single year, but we'll see what happens. Thanks so much for your patience!

"A-Are you a demon?" Merida asked cautiously, clutching her bow to her chest. Jack had flown down and landed in front of her.

"Don't be stupid," he laughed, earning a glare from the small princess. "I'm the spirit of winter." He said proudly, puffing out his chest. Merida thought about that. Surely there had been many winters long before since she was born, so…

"Then why do you look the same as me? I'm not old," she challenged.

"That's an easy one. I look that same age as you, more or less, so you won't be frightened when you see me. It's not something I can control actually…" he said thoughtfully.

"And why can I see you?"

"Because you want to." He said simply.

"No I don't! You're a bother!" She stuck her tongue out at him.

"And you're out in the middle of the woods looking for something," he cocked an eyebrow.

"I was hunting." She raised her bow defiantly. Jack just laughed.

"You couldn't hit me if you tried!"

"Could too! You said I could!" She pouted, grabbing an arrow and nocking it.

"I was trying to make you feel better about missing." This time he stuck his tongue out, opened one eye, and scrambled behind the tree again as another arrow flew at him.

"Ha!" Merida shouted triumphantly. There was no answer. She waited, and after a few minutes passed, she scampered around the tree to find him.

He was gone. Merida frowned, almost mourning the loss of his companionship. It was silent around her, and Jack was nowhere to be found, so Merida turned and headed back in what she thought was the direction of the castle.

Time passed and the trees and snow remained the same around and in front of her. This was the way back…right? She stopped and turned to look behind her, unsure. When she turned back around she was almost knocked flat with surprise to see Jack floating before her again.

"You're going to wrong way," he said, his tone bored.

"You were spying on me! Were you just going to let me freeze?" She asked indignantly.

"Could do, you did try to kill me."

"Thought you said I couldn't hit you if I tried." She mocked, crossing her arms. Jack looked away, something like hurt pride flashing across his features.

"You…ok, I'll admit, you're a good shot," he looked sideways back at her, smiling at last. Merida smiled tentatively back, then straightened up and stuck out her hand.

"I'll make you a deal," she said. "If you will lead me back to my home safely, then I promise not to kill you." Jack smiled wider at her teasing, and flew down to meet her.

"Fine," he said, taking her hand. She was warm. "It's a deal.

As they approached the gates of the castle, they could here a commotion from inside—no doubt Elinor had seen them emerge from the woods.

"Thanks for bringing me back," Merida smiled

"No problem," Jack ruffled his hair. Merida looked him over, remembering what he'd said about only appearing her age, and curiosity got the better of her.

"How old are you?" She asked suddenly. He looked at her, then down at the snow.

"I don't know…pretty old," he looked back up at her, forcing out a laugh. It was cut short by her hugging him.

"Thank you for saving me," she whispered. Jack didn't know how to respond. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been hugged. And she was so warm, a little ball of fire. And he was ice. Merida pulled back and smiled, and ten said something that made his stomach flip.

"What will you look like when I'm old?"

He opened his mouth to answer, but was unable to, as Elinor came bursting through the gate.

"Merida DunBroch, where in the name of great Odin's Ghost have you been?!"

"I'm sorry, mummy, I…" she turned back to Jack, but he was gone. A small snowman stood in his place.

"I'm waiting, young lady," Elinor said with her hands on her hips.

"I…was…making a snowman!" She grinned. Elinor looked less than convinced.

"I've not seen hind or tail of you for an hour, my girl, so try again."

Jack watched from the edge of the forest as Merida explained away her absence, and couldn't help but smile.

He felt…almost warm. More so than he had in years, and it was her words that had set him glowing.

"What will you look like when I'm old?"

With that question she had suggested…no, invited him into her life. She wanted to be friends. He wondered briefly what the guardians would have to say about it, but found he didn't care.

He knew he had responsibilities, things to do, but maybe for a day or two each year, they could really, truly be friends.