Chapter 1

"The man on the moon has a job for you, as you know," North began in his thick, almost unintelligible accent. Of course Jack knew the Moon wanted him to do something. He was in Jack's dream last night and it was never a coincidence when that happened. Jack refrained from North a sarcastic remark only because it was so early and the anon had kept him up half the night. He only nodded, taking a seat in mid air. "He has found others like you. Others that are lost, alone and quite special," he continued.

Jack perked up, suddenly interested in what the large, often jolly man was saying. He'd never met anyone like him. Aside from Pitch Black, but he was evil and long gone.

North chuckled, noticing Jack's sudden interest. "He wants you to bring them here so they can take their places as Guardians of the Seasons like yourself."

The corners of Jack's mouth rose, his eyes glowing with excitement behind frosty white fringe.

"Are you up for the task?"

"Oh, you can count on me."

*Finally,* the princess thought as Maudie, her castle maid untied her corset after a long, excruciating day of meeting dull royals and pretending she was having a dandy time.

If it were up to her, she would have spent the day with her horse, Angus in the forest "firing arrows into the sunset," as her father would have said. But, as always, her mother, Queen Elinor, forced her to partake in these torturous gatherings. There was almost no point in arguing with her. Merida would lose, of course, but she was too stubborn not to put up a fight.

Once Merida convinced Maudie that she could, in face, dress herself, she left the princess to take on the difficult task.

Merida was dressed in her nightgown, ready to put away her bow and arrow when she heard something behind her. It was a breath as quiet as a mouse crawling. It could have been nothing, but she knew better. In one, rapid movement, she spun around, positioning her bow and arrow ready to shoot.

The tip of her arrow found itself in contact with a boy's neck. He didn't seem older than her. He wasn't like anyone she'd ever seen. Pure white hair topped his pale face; his eyes a crystal blue color. In one of his white hands, he held a wooden staff that was chippe with what looked like ice. This boy was definitely not from around these parts.

"Hello to you too, princess," the boy said with a smirk. Merida was unfazed, keeping her arrow pointed at the boy.

"Who are you and what do you want?" she questioned sternly.

"You can put that down. I'm not going to hurt you." When she didn't move, he shrugged and floated up to sit on top of her bookshelf. Wait, what?

Her face showed her surprise for a second before repositioning her bow to point the arrow at him.

"Huh," he breathed. "Most people are shocked when I do that."

"You haven't answered my question!" Merida demanded, growing impatient.

He rolled his eyes, then floated back down just as gracefully as before. Merida's arrow followed him.

"My name is Jack Frost," he said finally. "Perhaps you've heard of me?" When she didn't answer, he sighed. "I've come here to bring you to the North Pole so you could fulfill your destiny and blah, blah, blah. So, what do you say?" He gave her another smile.

"I say you're mad," she replied after a moment of considering whether she should shoot him now. "If you don't leave now, I'll put this arrow through your head."

"See, I can't leave without you, so if you could just do this for me..." Her scowl told him he would be wasting his time trying to convince her that way. "Okay, what if I told you I know how you feel being stuck in this castle?" He'd piqued Merida's interest, but her position didn't change. "You don't want this life, this princessy life, right? You try to tell your mother, but it's like you're invisible. I know a bit about that." His eyes were sad for a split second before he spoke again. "Come with me, and you won't have to listen to anyone, dress up for anyone or speak to anyone you don't want to speak with. Come with me, and you can be free."

Free? Merida's mind was racing with possibilities. She'd never considered what her life would be like if she were away from royalty.

She became extremely interested in his proposition. Her now was lowered and the stern look on her face turned into a grin.

"Tell me more about this North Pole," she inquired.

Jack smirked at his accomplishment. "With pleasure."