Ice and Fun: Love and Fear

Jack awoke to the sound of faint whispers and the soft padding of footsteps echoing down the castle halls. For a brief moment, he thought it was still part of a dream. The fire in the hearth had died to embers, casting flickering shadows across the room. He rubbed his eyes, his mind sluggish from the exhaustion of the day.

It had been another long session of training and study, and Sir Edric's words from earlier rang in his ears: "A single lapse can undo everything you've worked for." Jack had promised himself he'd rest for only a moment, but the heavy blanket of sleep had wrapped around him, refusing to let go.

Now, as he sat up in his chair, the weight of guilt settled on his chest. He was supposed to be on watch tonight, keeping an eye on the halls while the rest of the castle slept soundly. He couldn't afford to slip up, not even once.

Then, a sudden crash broke the quiet, shattering Jack's drowsiness. His heart leapt as he sprang to his feet, his boots barely making contact with the cold stone floor before he dashed toward the sound. The noise had come from the east wing—a quieter part of the castle where Anna and Elsa's chambers were located.

As Jack rounded the corner, his worst fears took shape. Anna lay crumpled on the floor near a towering bookshelf, clutching her arm. Books and papers were scattered everywhere, and the wooden ladder leaned at a precarious angle.

"Anna!" Jack called, his voice cracking with panic. He dropped to his knees beside her, his eyes scanning for injuries. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Anna winced but managed a weak smile. "I… I just wanted to get a book. I thought I could climb the ladder myself. I didn't want to wake you up."

Jack's chest tightened as her words sank in. He had failed her. His exhaustion had kept him from doing the one thing he had sworn to do: protect the royal family.

"Let me see," he said, gently prying her hand away to inspect her arm. A bruise was already forming, but nothing appeared broken. Still, the sight of her in pain made his stomach churn. "I'm so sorry, Anna. I should have been there."

Anna's brow furrowed as she looked at him. "It's not your fault, Jack. I… I didn't mean to scare you."

But Jack wasn't listening. He scooped her up carefully, cradling her against his chest as he carried her down the hall. The infirmary wasn't far, and every step felt like a weight pressing on his shoulders. Anna stayed quiet, her small hands gripping the fabric of his tunic as he walked.

The castle healer, a gentle woman named Marga, examined Anna with a practiced eye. "Nothing serious," she concluded, applying a cooling salve to the bruise. "Just a bit of rest and she'll be good as new."

Jack exhaled a shaky breath, the tension in his chest easing slightly. But the guilt didn't leave. As Marga finished her work, he knelt beside Anna's chair, his head bowed.

"Anna, I…" He struggled to find the words. "I'm so sorry. I should have been awake. I should have been there to stop this."

Anna's hand found his, her touch light but grounding. "You're always there, Jack. You do so much for us. I… I just didn't want to bother you."

Her words were meant to comfort, but they only deepened Jack's resolve. He tightened his grip on her hand. "You're never a bother, Anna. Never. From now on, I'll make sure this doesn't happen again. I promise."

The next morning, Jack stood before King Agnarr and Queen Iduna in the great hall, his head bowed low. The early sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the stone floor. Despite the warmth of the light, Jack felt cold.

"Your Majesties," he began, his voice steady but quiet. "Last night, Anna was hurt because I wasn't there to protect her. I take full responsibility for what happened."

Iduna's expression softened as she exchanged a glance with Agnarr. "Jack," she said gently, "Anna told us what happened. You can't be everywhere at once. You're only human."

Agnarr stepped forward, his gaze steady but kind. "We trust you, Jack. And we know you're doing everything you can for this family. Don't let one mistake weigh you down."

Jack nodded, though the weight of his guilt remained. "Thank you, Your Majesties. But I… I won't let it happen again."

That evening, Jack returned to the training grounds. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the only light came from the torches lining the walls. He picked up his practice sword and faced one of the wooden dummies, his jaw set with determination.

Every swing of the blade was precise, every movement calculated. His muscles burned, but he pushed through the pain, his mind replaying the events of the previous night. The crash, Anna's voice, the sight of her on the floor—it all fueled his resolve.

By the time he stopped, his breaths came in ragged gasps, and his arms hung heavy at his sides. But he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He wasn't just training for himself. He was training for Anna, for Elsa, for the royal family that had taken him in and given him a home.

As he gazed up at the stars, Jack made a silent vow. He would never let exhaustion or doubt cloud his judgment again. He would be the protector they deserved, no matter the cost.