The air hung silent and still as Elsa went about her day. In the quiet of the library of her palace she resided, passing the time with a map. It was embedded in a table made of ice, as every other furniture was. It was a map of the known world, and although Elsa had fled the kingdom of Arendelle along with her dominion, she had taken an oath to be Queen. Even now, she cannot bear to neglect them. Here she tried to figure out the best routes for ships, maybe even establish an official transport to the people who wish to visit. In addition to that, Elsa picked at the countries near the peninsula Arendelle was located. Trade partners were always a boost to the kingdom’s economy, and her kingdom was always abundant with the resources native to it.
Marshmallow stood sentry at the doorway of the room, and though Elsa appreciated its effort, the giant’s company was beginning to gnaw at her patience. An empty room was better than a bustling hall, and right now she only wanted time at peace, alone here with her map. No matter how many times she tells Marshmallow to go away, it wouldn’t budge an inch, and so Elsa endured the silence with its behemoth presence.
Elsa was about to pin down final plans on her map with pins made of crystal when a sharp noise that sounded much like breaking glass interrupted her peace. She lets go of everything she held at that moment and stood still. Nothing followed, and it drove her caution as high as it would go. “Marshmallow, go,” she shooed it away with a wave of her hand. “See what seems to be amiss. I fear we have unwanted company at our doorstep.”
For once, and at long last, it finally obliged.
The hulking frost giant hobbled to the Great Hall of the palace. It was not far, but the footfalls of the giant threatened to bring down the hanging chandeliers. It responded to a knock at the front doors, and threw it open. Marshmallow grabbed the figure standing there, and with a terrible loud voice, it shouted:
“Leave!”
The voice reached Elsa, and she stood waiting, for her fears came true.
Watching the ice palace doors open, Jack stepped back, even more nervous than he had been earlier. It was then her realized that the ground was shaking. Almost as if a giant had lived in the castle.
He had never been so upset to be right. For what stood in front of him was a twenty-foot - or so it had seemed - snow monster, which grabbed him as if he were light as a stick. “Hey!” he shouted, banging on the knuckles of the creature. “Let go of me!” Without his staff, his powers were as good as gone.
Leave!
He leaned back, bracing for impact as the air that came from the giant’s breath brushed roughly against his face and hair. When it finally stopped, he wriggled in the giant’s grip, desperately trying to go free.
“Is anyone out there? Help me!” he called out, though he wasn’t sure if he was calling out into the open, or into the castle’s interior. For all he knew, more giants lived with the one that was holding him up in the air. Gathering up as much voice as he could, he called out again.
“Help! Anyone!”
Realizing that no one would probably come to assist, Jack faced the monster, his eyes turning from hopeless to angry. Frost began to cover the giant’s fist, and gradually it got colder, and colder. Until it was cold enough to shatter into pieces. Jack broke free and drifted up in the sky, far enough so that the giant wouldn’t reach him.
He brushed off bits of snow and ice from his shoulder. Bits of the giant’s hand. “What was that for?” he asked accusingly, preparing himself in case the giant had any more tricks up its sleeve.
