Coalesce by esse

Pairing: mainly Jelsa, slight pitchxelsa
Rating: T
Summary:The fear clung to Elsa's soul as she grew up. She has accepted it into her life in order to protect those precious to her. Her fear grows unless someone saves her from herself. Jack, who Elsa cannot see, wants to desperately help but as long as her ice powers are in control he is powerless. The ice will slowly spreas not just throughout the kingdom but other Kingdoms as well.

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"Daddy!" he woke in a beat and fell onto the hard floor upon hearing his daughter's scream from her bedroom. He scrambled to his feet, tumbling over the sheets, and rushed out the bedroom to go straight to see his daughter sitting and clinging to her blankets. Her face was red, puffy, and full of tears as he swiftly knelt down beside her with a firm hug.

"Sweetie, what is wrong," patting her back and holding her tightly to sooth her as she continued to cry. His knees began to already feel the blisters from the harsh and almost rotting wooden floor and tried not to move his knees around too much. He turned his head slightly to look back at his wife standing between the doorway with a small candle lighted, and with a motion of his head she nodded understanding before heading back to their room. The young girl with tangled black hair and light blue eyes continued to silently sob into her father's shirt, which he didn't want her to since his shirt was down right filthy, so he tilted her chin to face him. "It's ok. I am right here, tell me what is wrong. Please?"

She huffed and puffed breathlessly trying to form her words carefully, yet was still having a hard time but after a few more sniffs and sobs she was calming down. "I-I saw the B-boogeyman. He turned children into fearlings."

He smiled, picked her up and placed her on his lap at the edge of the bed before wrapping her flimsy blanket around her, "aww, is that all?" For a second he thought she had gotten hurt. Her face turned into a horrified expression from her own father's lack of concern.

"B-but h-he w-was r-really scary. I-i was scared and I remember a moon...and revenge," she wiped her nose against long musty gown sleeve and tapped her father's arm. This was a signal when she wanted her hair to be smoothed, which he happily obliged by simply using his hand to rubbed the back of her head. It always soothed her when she was upset about something.

"Now, what is wrong with being scared?" his knee that she was mainly sitting on began to build up a steady but small bouncing rhythm.

"I don't like it," he stopped moving for a moment in thought. She did have a point.

"No one ever does, but how about I tell you a story," he pulled her to her feet in order to slip into his daughter's bed and patted the space for her to join as well. Her face brightened up and she jumped into the spot as fast as she could, and he chuckled when she almost slipped a couple times before settling herself next to him. "he he, comfy," he asked and was replied with a rushed nod. He pulled the blanket over and tucked his arm around her shoulder, "When I was a little boy..."

"Aww, it's that kind of story," he chuckled some more seeing her make unrealistic upset expression while throwing in the crossing of her arms.

"Tomorrow, I will tell you an actual story," he went back to smoothing her hair with his hand before continuing,"me and my friends used to dare each other to do the stupidest things. I always had a hard time keeping up with them because I usually hesitated before taking their dares. One day we stumbled upon a dark cave with rocks inside and it was near the beach so we assumed that the ground behind the rocks was filled with water. Each of us dare each other to go inside, and each of them were able to make it a rock father than the other...except for me. I was scared so I refused and denied it when they said I was scared, but when I did that my friends never hung with me again after that. So when I wasn't doing chores or going to church I was alone. That was another thing I was always afraid of being...alone. Anyway, I always returned to the cave reasoning with myself that I wasn't scared, but ended up never following through. I kept telling myself over and over that I wasn't scared, but couldn't convince myself to do even though I didn't want to be alone. Then a man who happened to be walking by asked me if I was scared which I still denied and told him no one likes a scardy-cat. You know what he said? 'If you aren't brave enough to go step by step, then why not jump in at once and get it over with so you can get back to your friends' before leaving. It made no sense at first, but I thought I give it a try. Know what happened?"

"You jumped in?"

"And screamed like a little girl," she giggled and covered her ears as if she was about to hear it for herself," but I got to the top of the rocks and that is when I realized there was nothing to be really afraid of. Though by admitting that there was nothing to be afraid of, I would of had to admit that I was scared."

"So you admitted you were scared?"

"No, I still denied it regardless of my screams. I did manage to past all of my friends rocks and a few others, and soon enough I saw a light at the end of the cave which really boosted my courage. The only problem was that I couldn't swim, yet I wanted to go through the opening at the other end. I would have turned around but the rocks were actually more difficult going one way than the other so I couldn't. I was scared that I would not be able to leave and if I tried to climb back I would fall into the water and drown. I then thought that I could latch onto the rough walls and guide myself through the water. There was a chance it would not work and I would drown, but I felt there was no other choice. Know what I found out?"

"The water was shallow?"

"Wait, how did you know that," he looked at her completely dumbfounded.

"I thought it would be funny if that what happened," she giggled even more.

"Well yes, it was shallow and I felt so stupid I decided not to tell me friends...of course they happened to be on the other side. Apparently the cave exit led to the shallow water of the beach next to it. They all rushed at me when they saw me come out asking if I was scared. So I told them. Yes. They laughed at me but at that point I didn't care, because I also told them I wasn't afraid of doing it again though."

"Are you trying to teach me something daddy?"

"Nothing gets by you huh? No, I was. Being scared and having fears is not a bad thing, at least not always. Having fears comes from different emotions which lead to other different emotions."

"I don't get it."

"You know me and your mom love you right?"

"Yes."

"And we would be terrified if something happened to you, right?"

"Yes."

"And would do anything to protect you, right?"

"Yes."

"See? Fear comes from other emotions. Our being worried for your safety shows how much we love you, and the scary thoughts of something happening to you gives us strength and confidence that we can protect you. Though no one likes to be afraid, it is a part of us and our life. Imagine what it would be like without fear."

"You would tell old man Dalso to go-" she cheerily jumped in with her own idea of what the world would be like without fear.

"ah, ah, ah no-yes..no besides that," he covered her mouth and looked at the door hoping that his wife was not up or close by to hear of what he thought of old man Dalso. "People could get hurt. Remember when I told you not to climb that rotting tree and you fell and scraped both of your knees?," she nodded. "Well you weren't afraid of climbing it, which is fine, but you also allowed yourself into believing you couldn't be hurt. I was always scared because I thought I would get hurt very badly. I didn't, but I was afraid of the idea. If no one was afraid, people could get hurt or even hurt others."

"How can you hurt others," she asked and he silently wished he hadn't added that part. However, it was too late and he obliged in answering.

"If you are not afraid in hurting people or their feelings there is nothing stopping them. No fear means also no guilt. It is the same thing but a different degree. There is being worried, nervous,guilty ,shy, and scared," at first he thought he was throwing too much information on his little girl but he has been surprised by her in understanding a lot of things with or without being told.

"So if you are scared to hurt others that is good," he ruffled her hair and she mixed a giggled with a wine while trying to get him to stop.

"Yes, and sometimes bad dreams can be good. As long as you always know it is a bad dream, the next time you face it, it won't be so scary. When you look back on your nightmares do they seem less scary?"

She took a moment to think about it as she stared at the ground before looking back up, "i...guess a tiny bit, but they are still scary when I am dreaming."

"I know, but every time you wake up and see that it is not real, you must feel much better? Maybe I would dare say braver?"

"I...guess."

"Well yesterday, I heard some of the young boys chatting about their dreams and one of them had a bad dream too. The other kids just started talking about what they would have done if they were in his dream."

"Really?! Like what?"

"They said they would give them a piece of this-and that-and some of this too-," she laughed as he made goofy faces with punching movements to go along with it,"and then they would tickle the monster," without warning began to tickle her. She squealed in laughter and tossed and turned for him to stop, which luckily enough he did.

"A bad dream is only there to make you stronger, and help you grow up in more than one way. It is ok to not want a bad dream or even be scared of it, but that is all it is a bad dream. If you faced down that boogeyman and tell him you are not scared of him anymore, only if you admit to being afraid in the first place, he will never be able to touch you."

She looked around briefly which confused him for a moment; he watched as she got onto her knees over at the edge of the edge quickly threw her head to look underneath and let out a large,"boo, go away!"

He chuckled and shifted next to her to do the same,"boo, looks like you won't be scaring her any longer. Try old man Dalso instead."

"Ready for bed again," he pulled himself off the bed and helped her get tucked in nicely.

"So it's ok to be scared right?"

"Well, being scared is just not always a bad thing. If you can overcome it then it doesn't matter if you are scared or not. Besides even the King and Queen are scared of things."

"They are?!"

"Yep even princesses can be scared."

"Like of what," he thought for a moment deciding which example to use.

"Like when a princess wants to go to a ball and has to make sure her dress is the prettiest of them all. Not to mention choosing from all those jewelry about which one would match her beautiful dress."

She giggled and held her hands together, "I would just wear them all at once!"

"Now that would just look silly," he laughed, 'All those dress and you would not be able to move gracefully, and all those jewels and your probably would not be able to look left or right."

"What about the King and Queen."

"They worry for the entire kingdom. Making sure no one bad steals their land and the people with it. They also have to worry about their family and ensure that if they fail to protect the kingdom they can at least protect the ones they love."

"Then...What about the town being afraid of witches,I know you said they are not real" he froze not sure of what to say.

"Like I said fear is not always bad, but it definitely not always good. Those people are scared but not for the same reasons other people are scared. Fear is a powerful thing. It can be used for good or for bad. Their reasons for being afraid of witches are not good. I rather you be scared and do the right thing than get scared and do the wrong thing. No one is really a witch, just using other people fear to point fingers at others."

"Oh...If I do get scared again may I sleep with you guys?"

"Of course, I rather you wake me up a hundred times then have to bottle up any fear you might have," he leaned down to kiss her forehead, "goodnight Annabell."

She didn't respond since she was already asleep by then, and he made his way through the dark back to his and his wife's bedroom. He slid into bed beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist, "I hope you didn't mention about there being no such things as witches," ah, she was still awake.

"No Elizabeth."

"Good I-"

"I explained to her about that yesterday."

"Oh for Pete's sake Kozmotis. Don't feed her such lies," she sat up angrily and he joined her in sitting up as well.

"Elizabeth you and I know there is no such thing as witches."

"Don't let the village hear you saying such blasphemy things. I heard from sweet Abigail that she heard lady Crooks reciting the ten commandments and almost forgot the tenth one! I bet it is being she is too busy learning black magic."

"That is ridiculous! I know for a fact that Abigail has been jealous of the extra sheep lady Crooks owns. Call her a witch and steal her sheep that is all that it is."

"Don't say that! Abigail would never do such a thing. Besides that 'doctor' you had heal Annabell was caught practicing magic in another village."

"What? When did that- I swear these people are attacking innocent people for no reason. It is already nerve-racking at the thought of those people who can 'sense the witches' coming to our village tomorrow. What are we going to do?"

"We are going to go like everyone one else. We have nothing to worry about because we are not witches."

"It won't stop them from making something up," he thought of something before grinning, "they might call you a witch for being too beautiful," she smiled and pushed him teasingly.

"Not funny," he laid her down and pulled her closer to him.

"What? Apparently in one town witches are ugly like demons, but in another town they are beautiful enough to tempt innocent minds. I am sure you are not ugly. Not with that beautiful white hair," he tried to pull her in for a kiss but her fingers block his lips.

"Oh, I thought you married me for my eyes. Now my hair? Also my hair is blonde not white. What was it that you said to me? My eyes made the blue sky turn grey?"

"It did...considering it was raining," she elbowed him right into the stomach as he made a 'oof' mixed with a chuckle.

"Maybe I will tell them your a witch. Seeing you like to scare our daughter," she lifted an eyebrow curiously, but he could tell she was mainly joking...mainly.

"I was not trying to scare her. I just don't want her to think being afraid is everyone is afraid of dying, so we don' do stupid things that get us killed. Everyone is afraid of God and Satan, so we pray to God to go to heaven and avoid anything that seems remotely 'evil'. Fear is a conscious; it tells us what is good and bad about a decision. Fear may cloud a person's judgement but it also clears it as long as you accept it."

"Hm, well don't let them see how smart you are or they will think you are a witch."

"Maybe you should stay home. I wouldn't want any of the ladies getting jealous that you are married m-oof," she elbowed him again with a annoyed face that made him smirk.

"That was a terrible should be lucky, not me!"

"I am just teasing you sweetie."

"Nice try Kozmotis Pitcher," he groaned every time she used him full name. It was also used when she was serious, even though she clearly wasn't.

"Don't use my full name when you aren't being serious."

"I am just teasing you sweetie."

"I know. I just love you so much. I know you said no many people cared about you with your white hair, but I didn't need to look past your beauty to know you would be the right one. Sure you are beautiful, but you are kind, motherly, and know how to spot and avoid trouble. It is just a shame that our daughter didn't really inherit anything physically from you."

"She will still always be ours regardless of what she looks like."

"Yeah, besides personality wise she might be more you."

"Oh no, I think she got that from you as well."

"Really? I always thought she was clever as you?"

"Yes, but she loves to sneak out and adventure on her own. That is from you."

"Hm, well as she grows she will seem more like you than you think."

"We will see Pitcher. We will see."