Ch 16: Moonbeams and Tree Branches

Severus observed the full moon from his perch in the tree. His family had told him the story of the Man in the Moon who watched over the children of Earth, but the immortal child had never noticed anything unusual about the natural satellite that lit up the night sky. It had certainly never attempted to speak to him.

Suddenly, before his eyes, two glowing shapes appeared to separate from the moon, heading toward the Earth with blazing speed. Severus sat up straighter as he realized they weren't just racing toward the planet, they seemed to be heading straight for his tree.

Pitch hadn't planned to run into Jack Frost while spreading his nightmares through Northern England. The icy-haired youth floated cheerfully next to him, barely blinking an eyelash at the sight of shadowy mist stretching from the cloud beneath them to the city below.

"Decided to do it Sandy's way," Jack teased.

A clever retort died on Pitch's tongue as his mind was suddenly overwhelmed by the vivid mental image of an ancient tree being engulfed in flames. From the gasping sound filling the night sky, the bogeyman knew he was not the only one affected.

"Sev's in danger! Come on, Pitch. We have to go!"

Jack reached the park first, his blue eyes darting around wildly until they focused on a familiar shape perched on the lowest limb of an old tree. The immortal child was clutching a slim branch, half the length of his arm, to his chest; his dark gaze focused entirely on the cheerful moonbeams darting in and out of the branches above.

"This is rather childish, even for you," Pitch's dry tone pierced the air, startling Jack into turning around. The nightmare bringer wasn't looking at him, the winter spirit realized. He was fixing the full moon with a deep, impatient frown.

"Father! Papa! Make them stop. They're breaking my tree." Severus' voice held an unusual note of panic. The moonbeams came to a stop, hovering in midair above the oak. Their brightness dimmed to a low shine.

"Oh, now you're feeling apologetic," Pitch drawled coarsely, folding his arms over his chest.

"Knock it off, Pitch. I'm sure they were just playing," Jack argued.

"Playing or harassing our son, Frost?" the Nightmare King countered with a sneer.

Severus was out of the tree and clinging to Pitch's robe before the argument could escalate. The twig dangled from the boy's other hand, reminding Jack of the witches and wizards he'd seen on occasion.

The immortal child's unwavering gaze focused on Jack. "What do the lights want?"

"They're moonbeams. Don't worry; they're not dangerous," the Guardian of Fun assured his son. Catching a raised eyebrow from Pitch, he added, "They're harmless, unless you try to harm children."

The shimmering beams suddenly rose back into the sky, returning to the moon from whence they came.

"Well, that was anti-climactic," Pitch commented. Turning to the younger boy, he extended his hand.

"Taking Sev home..." Jack guessed aloud. He stood back as the nightmare bringer led their son to the tree's hidden entrance.

"Bye, papa."

The bogeyman paused, looking back at the Guardian of Fun with an unreadable expression. Severus glanced between the pair in quiet curiosity.

"Would you like to spend the day with us, Jack?" Pitch asked unexpectedly.

"Seriously?" Jack gaped at the older spirit in shock.

"Answer before I change my mind," the nightmare bringer stated.

"Yes, of course. Definitely, yes!" Jack dashed forward to join the pair.

"Come to my room first, papa," Severus insisted, an almost-smile touching his lips as he led his other parent into the tree's hollow.

The Nightmare King turned his gaze to the sky. "I don't know what you're planning, old man, but keep my son out of it," Pitch snarled, glaring at the Tsar Lunar's home. Moments later, he vanished down the ancient oak's secret passage, leaving the moon to glow silently upon the sleeping park below.

Note: Sorry it's been so long since I updated. This year has been crazy busy. I hope to have more time to write over the Xmas holiday.