Ice and Fun: Love and Fear

The days after the King and Queen's passing were a blur of grief and responsibility. The castle seemed to echo with their absence, the once vibrant halls now cloaked in an oppressive silence. Jack moved through it all with a quiet determination, carrying the weight of the tragedy as he focused on the promise he had made to protect Elsa and Anna.

Snow fell gently outside the window of the council chamber, the pale light casting a somber glow across the room. Jack stood at the head of the long wooden table, a map of Arendelle and its neighboring territories spread before him. Around him sat the kingdom's advisors, their faces etched with concern and uncertainty.

"The council will oversee the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom until Elsa comes of age," one of the elder advisors began, his voice steady but hesitant. "But we will need guidance. Someone to act as an intermediary."

Jack straightened, his gaze sharp. "I'll take on that role. Elsa and Anna need time to grieve and adjust. I'll make sure they're cared for and that the council has what it needs to keep the kingdom stable."

The room fell silent, the weight of Jack's words settling over the advisors. Finally, another elder spoke, her tone gentle but firm. "You're young, Jack. This is a heavy burden to bear."

"I know," Jack replied, his voice steady. "But I've trained for years to protect this family and this kingdom. I won't let them down."

The advisors exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement. "Very well. We'll support you in any way we can."

That evening, Jack found Anna in the library. She was curled up in a chair by the fireplace, a blanket draped over her shoulders and a book resting on her lap. The warm glow of the fire softened her features, but her usual brightness was dimmed by sorrow.

"Hey, Anna," Jack said gently, taking a seat across from her.

Anna looked up, her blue eyes clouded with grief. "Hi, Jack."

"How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice soft.

Anna shrugged, her gaze dropping to the book in her lap. "I don't know. I keep thinking they'll walk through the door any minute now, that this is all just some terrible mistake."

Jack's chest tightened at her words. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I know it's hard. And it's okay to feel that way. But you're not alone, Anna. I'm here, and Elsa's here. We'll get through this together."

Anna's lips quivered, and she quickly wiped at her eyes. "Thanks, Jack. I don't know what we'd do without you."

He reached out, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere."

Later, Jack made his way to Elsa's chambers. He knocked softly, waiting for her familiar voice to invite him in. When it didn't come, he hesitated, then opened the door. The room was dark, the only light coming from the moonlight streaming through the frost-covered windows. Elsa sat on the floor near her bed, her arms wrapped around her knees and her head resting on them.

"Elsa," Jack said quietly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "You've been in here all day."

"I'm fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jack knelt beside her, his gaze soft but unwavering. "You don't have to pretend with me. I know you're hurting. We all are."

Elsa's shoulders trembled, and for a moment, Jack thought she might push him away. But then she lifted her head, her blue eyes shining with unshed tears. "It's my fault," she whispered. "If I hadn't been born with these powers, they wouldn't have had to leave. They wouldn't have…" Her voice broke, and she buried her face in her hands.

Jack's heart ached at her words. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Elsa, listen to me. None of this is your fault. Your parents loved you and Anna more than anything in the world. They left because they wanted to protect you, not because of your powers."

"But I couldn't stop them," she said, her voice muffled. "I couldn't…"

"Sometimes, we can't stop the people we love from making sacrifices," Jack said gently. "But that doesn't mean they're gone. They're still with us, in everything we do. And you… you have so much strength, Elsa. More than you know."

Elsa lifted her head, her tear-streaked face illuminated by the moonlight. "Do you really think so?"

Jack nodded. "I know so. And I'll be here to remind you every day, for as long as you need."

For the first time in days, a small, fragile smile touched Elsa's lips. "Thank you, Jack. For everything."

As the weeks turned into months, Jack settled into his role as protector and guide. He worked closely with the council, learning the intricacies of governance while ensuring that Elsa and Anna had the support they needed. He led with quiet strength, earning the respect of those around him.

One evening, as he stood on the castle's balcony overlooking the snow-covered valley, he thought of the King and Queen. Their absence was a void that could never be filled, but their legacy lived on in the daughters they had left behind.

"I won't let you down," Jack whispered to the night sky. "I promise."