A hard days work

[Jack Frost]

Jack Frost awoke from the previous nights slumber long before the sun ever dared think to rise. As he sat up he heard the soft feminine groan of his fiance as she too awoke. He ran a pale hand though his silver hair as he turned to face his soon to be betrothed. "Good morning Jack" she mumbled rolling over to face him. She had deep emerald eyes that sparkled lightly. Her skin was pale like ivory, her face slightly covered by golden strands of hair. Jack bent over and pressed his slightly blue lips against her full red ones in a soft kiss. "Good morning Jen." He said as he pulled away, a soft smile playing across his lips.

She took a moment and appraised her soon to be husband under the cover of darkness. His silver hair that once naturally stood in spikes now hung loose, whatever spell they had been under that had been under having faded. It now hung in bangs that partially covered his eyes and forced him to brush it out of his face. His facial features were strong, and his face did not hold any scares or birthmarks. Nor did the rest of his body for that mater. She watched as he rose from his bed roll, and got dressed in his trousers, and dawned his black leather jacket.

She too rose from her bed and clothed herself in a leather skirt with a tight fitting top and knee high boots. The outfit was what most of the elvish hunters wore. It also highlighted her curves and body. Jack gingerly placed a hand on her ribs as she slid her feet into her boots, and she in turn leaned back against him, shivering slightly at the cold touch of his hand. She leaned her head back, staring into his teal eyes as he peered down at her. "Evraste Mas*." She said smiling. "Evraste Mas" Jack repeated. Then they kissed and Jen Gale departed from the tent that they shared.




* "Evraste Mas" is a a phrase from a very ancient elven dialect no no longer commonly spoken. Haven been taught in the traditions of the old elves Jack is fluent. The phrase itself is similar to "I love you"

[Jack Frost]

As Jack dawned his furred boots and emerged into the dark early morning air he took a second to remember how he had gotten to where he was now. His father, a strong man by the name of Vane Root, had found Jack as a baby in the middle of a snow storm, and rescued him. As Jack grew up most people would avoid him due to his aura, or the fact that he was not a true elf...

Because of this Jack grew up alone, except for his father and his mother. Both of which died due to plague when Jack was ten. That was when Eldress Crowe took Jack under her wing. She took care of Jack and made sure the rest of the elves accepted him. It was then he met Jen. She was the only one who was not deterred by his cold aura or skin. In fact, she was quite curious about him. Soon, Gabriel Gale, Jens father, took Jack in as well.

By the age of fourteen Gabriel had confronted Jack, and told him that he consented to Jack courting her daughter. The next day Jen professed her feelings toward him, and she and Jack began their romance. It was also around this time Eldress Crowe announced that she would take Jack on as an apprentice, and when she passed, he would become her successor as the keeper of knowledge.

Jack quickly began his studies, and she began to send him out on errands to visit other elven clans. He would study under them for a few days, then return. By the age of twenty one he could do every elven ceremony, recite every folk tale, and even traditional recipes, all from memory. After a few years Jack proposed to his love, and they moved in together. Nothing interesting happened until just a few weeks before Jack's wedding, the very moment Jack stopped to recall his past.

Both Jack and Jen would be busy this day. Jack would go to the deepest part of the forest on this day to consult with a hermit, his last mentor, while Jen would be on a hunt with her father and brother. She would have to slay a large wolf and bring it's pelt back to show proof that she was a strong hunter.

Jack sighed, focusing back to reality, and walked mindlessly to the center of camp, he would need to talk with Eldress Crowe before he left.

[Jack Frost]

The elven settlement of Underwood was a small camp about a half hours walk from the town. Being close to the town their ways of life had begun to modernize. Yet there were still some key differences. While at town no one would dare be awake at this hour, the elves were already moving. Hunters were preparing their bows, gatherers were grinding dried herbs collected the day before. Everyone eyed him suspiciously. An outsider made an Elder. It was unheard of.

Jack could smell the ground spices the oil the hunters used to preserve their bows. He could also smell the sweat of the workers as the moved barrels of goods around, getting them ready for the morning market in town. The hunters' dogs yapped and yowled as they got pumped up for the days hunt.

Jack strode past all of this to the largest campfire in the middle of the camp. The flames roared brightly, and several young elves managed the flames and kept a close watch on them. The light given by the conflagration cast a dim glow over most of the camp. The areas behind the tents were swallowed in abyssal darkness. Above the stars shone brightly, and the moon was at the horizon and beginning to sink below. Around the fire sat seven old men and women. Each in the same fur robes.

The Elders each grinned at the apprentice. "Jackie boy!" Eldress Crowe called out. "Today's your big day!"

[Jack Frost]

The seven Elders all stared at him intently as Jack knelt before his mentor. "You know your task?" Eldress Crowe asked, a smile playing across her face. "I am to go to the depths of the forest to speak with a crazy old man?" Jack replied somewhat sarcastically. The Elders laughed, they loved Jack like a grandson, and to see him finish his training and getting married would be similar to watching their grandchild do the same.

"Elder Lookoo is not crazy" Eldres Crowe said suppressing a laugh. The other Elders laughed and then dismissed Jack to begin his journey. As he began his slow track down a pitch black trail to the future. He then promptly tripped and fell forward, being caught by his future wife. She smiled at him, and he back at her. They then began their way down the dark path unaware of their future.