Melted [ Elsa x Jack Frost ]

Chapter 15

Elsa trudged along the icy path.
Nearly two days had passed since they first started trekking to find Aksel.
All in all it went by uneventfully, save for Jack trying to make her as miserable as possible.
Instantly she knew what he was up to when he began his floating thing and left her to climb over the tough terrain.
Fine, he was bitter she was slowing him down (minusculely) and that he had to take orders for once, that was to be expected.
What wasent expected was his running commentary he'd kept up the whole way.
"Must suck to have a younger sibling be better at everything."
"Wow your hair is down today, I thought you slept with that braid in."
"Your cheeks look red, are you getting sick?"
Yes, a few of his barbs hit sore spots, but for the most part they were harmless and impersonal.
If he couldn't be the bigger person, she would.
Every time she ignored him and every time they got worse and worse.
"If snails are just slugs who found shells, where do the shells come from?"
After two days, she was hoping she could still keep her sanity.
Already they re-passed through Northuldra, the damaged Ostrovian forest and had just begun the trek to the base of the Black mountains.
So far he was letting her lead, not bringing up the coastal path again.
She was glad she wore her royal blue cloak and a down-filled dress underneath, for the temperatures would soon begin dropping even further.
She may have untold powers when it came to ice, but it did not mean she didnt suffer from being chilled every now and then.
Just then an annoying and grating whistle passed through her ears.
She looked up to glare at Jack who continued to float lazily above her, whistling.
Along with carrying her satchel, she carried his as well since apparently the wind currents he rode could not handle an extra 5 pounds.
Shocking.
However she was still determined to prove to Jack that she was in her element... just as much as he was determined to prove she was out of it.
They came to a clearing in the forest and she called for a break.
Sighing, Jack landed on the ground as she tossed his bag to his feet.
"If we break every hour, we'll be lucky enough to arrive in a month."
Elsa bit back a retort.
She needed to remember that everything he said was a bait.
Turning, she unfolded the map Kristoff had given them and studied it.
Pointing to the east she said,
"If we continue going straight we should get there within 3 days time."
Jack rolled his eyes.
"Too bad I would have been there already if it weren't for the hold ups. At this point cutting to the coast so at least you could ride that horse thing would be faster."
Elsa reached her boiling point.
Whirling fast on a surprised Jack, Elsa stated firmly,
"I've had it with you and your whiny complaints. Yes, it would have been faster without me. Yes you have to suffer with my presence, and yes for once your not getting your way as soon as you want it. But guess what? This isn't about you playing hero. This about over 5 different kingdoms facing cataclysmic Circumstances, 2 of which involve me greatly. I get it. We both think the other is selfish and doing it for their own reasons which may-be true, but if you find it within you to deal with it for a few more days, so can I. Sound reasonable?"
Jack crossed his arms, he could tell she was close to the breaking point.
He felt bad but it needed to be done for him to focus.
"My way was better."
Elsa threw up her hands in exasperation.
"Fine. You go your way and I'll go mine."
Jack was already inwardly cheering but then stopped cold at her words.
Uh that definitely was not the plan he had in mind.
Sure he wanted to go their separate ways but that did not include her still seeking out Aksel.
Alone.
Already he was shaking his head.
"That's not a goo-."
But he was cut off with the wave of her hand.
"I don't care if you think it's good or not, I can't do this with you anymore, your intolerable."
With that, she grabbed her things then began walking away and Jack was left torn.
What to do?
He got what he wished for technically, he was free of Elsa and being slowed down.
He could begin flying right now and possibly get there by the next night.
However none of this sat right with him.
He couldn't just leave her to roam the dark forests alone, his mama would skin him if she ever found out he left a lady -scratch that- a princess no less to wander around.
As sexist as Elsa liked to claim he was, he was all for independent and competent women etc.
He also knew the difference between that and being reckless/stupid though.
Thoughtlessly, he began making his way to the coast as he originally wanted.
The wind currents there would be the fastest in the whole country as well as safer.
Still, guilt ate at him, right or wrong, he couldn't keep taking out his frustration on her.
He stopped and had just begun to turn around when he heard a bone-chilling scream.
Like a possessed man, he began tearing back towards the clearing he and Elsa had parted ways at.