Okay, here's this chapter definitely took years to release. Though I am asking kindly that you allow me this long author note before we proceed with the story... :)

Writing fan fiction for the Jelsa fandom has been one of the most precious things to happen in my life. This is because it was through this fandom that I met such amazing people, and from 2013 to this day, those guys are still my closest friends. We've never met irl (except one of you), but you all are as close to me as family. Therefore, Jelsa will always have a place in my heart because of these wonderful people. You guys already know who you are.

But with the good side of my involvement in this fandom, there also came the bad. When I just started out writing fan fiction, I never expected that one of my stories would be so alarmingly well received. Believe me when I say that I never expected such high praise. But in all that fandom fame, only then did I realize how hard it was for those famous fandom writers to continue investing in their fandoms. I admit that I fell out of love for Jelsa, not because of the ship itself, but because of the fans themselves.

I honestly don't mean to sound petty with the following stuff I'm going to say. But admittedly I've had enough dealing with these kinds of people. Most of you might not know it, but some of you readers went as far as to snoop me in pm and in Wattpad and Tumblr asking (to the point of demanding) for updates. This has been a consistent thing, even in the middle of my long hiatus. Others even tried to blackmail me by demanding for an update because they were "dying" (whether that is true or not, I do not know). One of you even went to the point of "posting a continuation" (which was NOT A CONTINUATION but A WORD FOR WORD COPYING of my fan fiction without even waiting for my response in spite of knowing that it's wrong) Even if you credited it to me, that does not excuse the fact that you posted without explicit permission. I didn't want to call you out on this through a note. I didn't want to, in all honesty. I understand why you did it. But a series of events lead me to this, and I refuse to be silent anymore.

Some people here asked to adopt the fic, which I did not allow because I am still hell bent on finishing this. Those people at least, were gracious enough to ask and wait for an update.

And my ultimate trigger was that one of you had the gall to defend a plagiarist. I was the one who told that user to take it down. I invested a lot of time writing those chapters in spite of my busy schedule back then, and to see someone disrespect that, whether willingly or unintentionally, hurts.

I spend hours upon hours honing my craft because I love to write. Even during the times of struggle, when I was driven by anxiety and hopelessness, I wrote and drew and invested lots of time and effort because it's something I love to do. And I am being blackmailed into giving my brainchild to another just because I couldn't keep up with a personal deadline. Did you not stop and think that maybe the reason was because I was sick, that maybe because I still haven't finished writing it, that maybe because I was still writing in spite of my being sick?

It hurts because of all the encouraging and telling me that they would wait patiently, they are upset with me for stopping someone who stole my work. Why? I don't get paid writing fan fics. I write them simply because I love to write. I don't owe you guys anything. I'm not begging you to continue reading my stories. Whether or not you continue I'd always be thankful for the time you spend to read my work... and that's it. I owe you nothing beyond that.

In fact I am this close to taking this story down. If not for the other readers out there who are patient enough and loving enough to send their genuine encouragements, I would have (I am still contemplating it though).

So anyways, thanks for letting me vent. I will not name names because I don't want you guys charging at them for what they did. All I ask that you readers be respectful to us fan fiction writers. Please appreciate the fact that, even though we don't get paid and are busy, still try to make time to write and bring joy to this fandom.

The following chapter is INCOMPLETE. This was the chapter I've been writing while I was sick, and because some people weren't patient enough to give me an allowance, I had to forcibly get this chapter out just to prove I'm determined to finish this. I am not satisfied with how this turned out, however I assume impatient readers would eat up anything that's free nowadays. Sigh...

I hate doing this, I really do.

I'll update this again once I'm less disgusted by the people harassing me from this fandom.

And without further ado...

Disclaimer: I do not own the Guardians of Childhood, Frozen, and Rise of the Guardians, and Snegurochka along with its characters and settings. I do, however, own the soul within Snowflake and the story of her family.

Chapter 30: Uncle in the Shadows

Jack had a nice dream. It was three parts tender, and two parts perverted (and he wasn't ashamed to admit that, even to himself). He dreamed of their heated kiss, and what came after it; how his lips mapped every inch of her skin, how her sighs tickled his ears, and how her nails raked over the cool, smoothness of his back as he went into her again and again. And all the while he could hear her whispering his name in loving affection. Jack rolled to his side, biting his lower lip as he shamelessly let his mind dwell in the dream. His arms found purchase in the cushions, cradling them to himself as he let out a satisfied sigh.

He took a deep whiff and smelled Elsa's lingering scent in the pillows. It smelled like soap with the slight sweetness of honey and the soft twinge of lavender. His smile dropped as quickly as it came, remembering how Anna barged into the room and ruined the moment.

Though perhaps it was for the best, Jack thought wryly. He was disappointed, yet relieved that things didn't progress well beyond their control. At least he was still free to fantasize.

He pushed himself up, feeling the slightly hardened frost on the sheets crack with his movements. The ice on his skin and clothes had spread to the mattress, its surface almost rock solid. For a moment, his teeth clacked and his skin trembled as it adjusted to its all familiar chill. Jack could still feel the remnants of his mortality linger, and it was quite an unpleasant feeling. He thought of how the servants would figure out a way to defrost the bed, scratching the back of his head in the process.

Wait, he blinked. Now that he was a spirit again, how was he supposed to face the Union?

There was a knock on the door, the sound jolting him to complete wakefulness. One of the sheets caught around his angle, making him lose balance. He stumbled to the floor with a loud thud, and before he could get his bearings, he heard a soft chuckle by the door.

"Good morning Papa," the voice giggled behind muffled hands. Jack couldn't help a goofy smile in spite of himself. He looked up, finding that he was staring at the snow child upside down.

"Good morning," he replied, groaning as he pushed himself up. "How was your evening?"

The child responded with a toothy grin. "It was amazing! I talked with Manny a lot, but auntie Anna said it was time to nap."

Jack observed her, tenderness in his eyes as he unconsciously began comparing the child's hair with Elsa's. He reached out and patted her hair, letting his fingers rake through the cool tendrils. They were soft, just like Elsa's.

"How was Papa's evening?"

Snowflake's query made him break away from his musings. Manny be damned if he allowed himself to be distracted by Elsa while he was in Snowflake's immediate company.

Shame on you, Jack Frost, he berated himself as he stood up and stretched.

"Papa?" Snowflake regarded him curiously. Jack fought an embarrassed grin, realizing he hadn't answered her question.

"My evening was amazing," he replied, putting more emphasis on the last word than necessary. "Is your mother up yet?"

Snowflake nodded. "Uh-huh. Mama had to go meet with the old people. Said it was important business."

"Ah," Jack said, a little disappointed. "Did you guys at least have breakfast?"

Snowflake grinned. "Olaf's frozen pancakes are amazing!"

Frozen pancakes? Jack raised an amused brow. "You have to let me try some of that."

"Yay!" Snowflake raised both arms and dragged her Papa out of the room with a joyful spring in her steps.

... ... ...

"Where is Mr. Overland?"

The queen had been receiving the same question all morning. It turns out that she wasn't the only one captivated by the American's charms. She let out an exhausted sigh as she politely dismissed her guests and told them that he was still spent from the events that happened yesterday.

Yesterday, when I feared you drowned and that I wasn't able to save you.

Elsa shook her head. Now wasn't the time to dwell on overly negative thoughts.

Think about the good parts of yesterday, when he kissed you and you kissed him and he was cold and warm and burning all at the same time-

Elsa shook her head, more furiously this time. Now wasn't the time on overly positive thoughts.

The queen felt a sudden shift in the air. Despite the cool winter wind, she felt something colder invade her senses. She was in the halls alone, and the sun had barely risen in the east. Cautiously, she summoned her power, letting frost trail across the carpets.

Her eyes glazed over the stone and ivory. Her frost trailed warily over the walls, cascading up the ceilings as if to check if there was an enemy there.

"Who's there?" she demanded. Her authority echoed through the halls, the chirping of the crystal snow trilling after.

The response to her question came in the form of a cloud of black sand, coating the walls then streaming into a pool of black shadow before her. The figure rose and turned into a man who reeked of cunning and darkness. He was a familiar presence, to whom Elsa owed her gratitude.

"Your majesty," the man bowed, although there was a suspiciously mocking droll in his tone.

"You were the one who told me about Jack," Elsa stated. "I appreciate what you did, but I'm not sure whether I should trust you."

"Why?" The man smirked. "Does my presence threaten you, or am I really that unsightly?" The man stood straight and glided across the floor, his presence towering over Elsa inch by inch. "Does it make you afraid?"

Elsa shook her head. "No," she admitted. But for some reason, I can feel that all you bring is trouble. "Who are you?!"

"I am merely an acquaintance, your majesty," the man replied. "I've come again to bring more news. It's definitely a lot more frightening than the last."

"What do you mean?" Elsa asked.

"You shall see."

"Elsa?"

Elsa turned around, finding Anna with her all-too-familiar, comically messy morning hair. The princess was still in her nightwear, though Elsa observed that she'd worn her summer pajamas instead of her wool nighties again.

"Who're you…" Anna let out a yawn, "… talkin' to?"

"Just a…" she turned around and was baffled to see the man gone, "an acquaintance."

"Mama!"

From behind Elsa, she found Snowflake sprinting towards her, leaving behind a disgruntled yet pleasantly amused Jack. The soonest their eyes met, Elsa's cheeks burned with shyness and admiration. With messy white hair, a blue frozen hoodie that crinkled during his sleep, and frost-covered skin that glittered beneath the morning light, Jack was a pleasant sight to behold.

Jack, seeming to notice this, returned her gaze with a wolfish smile. That grin was bound to make any girl swoon!

But then his smile quickly vanished the soonest it came. This left the queen confused at first, but when she turned around, she realized that Jack was looking at a dark patch of black sand from where the man last stood. She observed Jack's shoulders tense as he went to a sprint beside her and dragged her away by her elbow.

"Hey, wait! What's the matter with you—"

"Did you talk to Pitch?!"

Elsa was confused.

"What?"

"Did you speak with Pitch?"

Their conversation was short lived when they heard a blood chilling laugh.

…. … …

Author's Note: Again, I am really sorry if this fell short. But please note that this chapter proves I am not a quitter. This fan fiction is mine, and I love everything that is in it, in spite of its flaws. I'm sure I might get a lot of bashing after this (and part of me hopes that I would, just so I would have enough guts to take this down). If you still like it though, then... huh, good for you I guess. And thank you. Because I know your support is genuine.

Stay awesome, my kind and considerate reader friends.