"The queen's storm is finally over. The last thing we need is you running around and causing confusion. Snowballs in summer are not acceptable!" A gruff, heavily accented voice rings through the inner courtyard.

"Aw, come on, kangaroo. A little fun never hurt anyone." A younger, louder voice teases.

I walk as quickly as propriety allows. Rapunzel kicks off her shoes and flat out runs in front of me. Eugene laughs and easily catches up with her.

They are the king and queen of Corona? Their country is doomed!

I walk into the outer courtyard and stand next to the fountain.

Panic strangles me. I froze that fountain when I was running away. Memories flash through me.

Monster. They called me a monster.

I wonder where that Duke of Weselton is now.

The sun streams over the outer courtyard, its warmth dispersing the cold inside me. Never again will I take the sun for granted.

My thoughts trail off when I see the strange group in my courtyard. Are these odd creatures the guardians?

A large, red-cheeked man stands in the middle of the group. His blue eyes sparkle in the morning light. They are half-hidden under his generous black eyebrows. His white beard falls halfway down his chest. Strange markings cover both of his arms. Arms that could easily tear me in half.

A small golden man stands next to him. His bright hair spikes above his round face. His yellow skin seems to be made out of...sand?

A hybrid of woman and peacock flies around them. Her dress and feathers are a brilliant blue and green. She mutters without pause. At first I assume she is talking to herself, but then I catch sight of the tiny fairies hovering around her.

A bunny hops past me. He must be the 'kangaroo'. He stands on hind legs. His long, gray ears twist above his head. A belt crosses over his white, fluffy chest. I never thought that a bunny could look fierce, but it is not the first time I have been proven wrong.

It is a good thing I already believe in magic.

But where is Jack?

I don't see him at first. But then a snowball flies out of nowhere and explodes across the bunny-man's shoulder.

"You!" The rabbit shakes his fist in the air. His small eyes catch on me. "Jack!" He hisses. "She's here."

"Who?" A tall, slender boy drops onto the ground in front of me. He twists a staff in one hand and shoves his other hand into his pocket. His hair is snow-white, but even more startling than that are his eyes.

I have never seen such a deep shade of blue.

"Are you-?" I almost say his name, but then I remember that I shouldn't know it yet. I haven't told Anna about Pitch and I am not sure I should.

What good would it do? It would only alarm her. She's already stressed enough.

"According to the moon, I am Jack Frost." His bright, alert eyes study me.

I tilt my head upwards. "I am Queen Elsa and this is my kingdom-"

"I figured as much." Jack rolls his eyes at North. "I don't have time to entertain a snobby royal. I have places to go, snowball fights to start-"

The sand-man rolls his eyes and drops his head in disbelief.

North glances at the small man. "Sandy is right. No snowball fights, Jack."

"You are no fun at all."

I step toward them. Snobby royal? Who do these guardians think they are?

"Excuse me!" I take a deep breath as every pair of eyes focuses on me. "I don't know why Anna or Rapunzel sent for you, but as you can see, the storm is gone and the snow has melted. Thank you for your time. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I believe it would be better for everyone if you would leave Arendelle."

Bunny-man throws his hands up. His ears flop to one side. "See! What did I tell you?

"Wait-" Anna runs through the door and stumbles into the courtyard. "Wait, please." She leans over and plants her hands on her knees as she catches her breath.

I grit my teeth. "Anna, why are they here? All of this is unnecessary."

Hans walks around Anna. "I agree." He folds his arms and raises an eyebrow as he looks down at my out-of-breath sister.

"But we need their help!"

Kristoff leans against the wall next to the door. "Anna is right, we cannot do this on our own."

"Do what?" asks the bird-lady. "How do you want us to help you?"

Anna smiles at her. "Your feathers are beautiful! I love the colors. Oh, sorry, ahem-we need to make sure that Elsa's powers don't get out of control again."

"Whoa, hold up, are you saying that she is the one who covered everything with snow? It was her storm?" Jack circles me once. His eyes secure on my white, lacy gloves. He raises one eyebrow. "We have got to get together sometime."

The overly large bunny groans and flops his head toward North. "I told you we shouldn't have picked him up. This Jack Frost or Spirit of Winter or whoever he claims to be-is more trouble than he's worth. He won't take anything seriously. I am already sick of him and it has only been a few days!"

"But he's the one who is going to help Elsa!" Anna cries, drawing the attention of the group back to herself. "It was Rapunzel's idea as soon as she heard about him."

Rapunzel nods from her place next to Eugene. She smiles softly. "I thought that maybe Jack could teach Elsa how to control her powers. I mean, he seems to have a pretty good handle on his and he's only had them since the storm hit."

Jack was created during my storm. Isn't that what Pitch said? So does that mean that it is my fault that he lost his memories?

"Why would I help?" Jack holds out his hand. A gentle, intricate snowflake dances above his palm. "Why should I care what happens to her or this kingdom?"