"Good morning Queen Elsa," chimed Lena, Elsa's beloved servant, as she entered the queen's chambers. She carefully poured a cup of Elsa's favorite breakfast tea and gently placed it on her nightstand. As Elsa began to stir, the warm aroma of blackberry tea swirled with the scent of Lena's perfume and filled the air. Elsa could hear her soft foots steps on the wooden floor as she walked across the room. She gently pushed opened the thick, violet curtains, and the sun poured through the lofty windows illuminating the room in a warm yellow glow.
Elsa slowly stretched in bed and opened her eyes. It was a beautiful spring morning outside in Arendelle, but she didn't notice the town, instead her gaze fell upon Lena.
Lena's soft golden brown hair was tied up in a messy bun and a few loose locks of hair cascaded across the delicate features of her sun-kissed face. Her hazel eyes, illuminated by the sunlight, shined the most dazzling shade of golden green. And as she reached up on her toes to tie off the plush curtains, Elsa noticed the striking beauty of her delicately curving form. A few loose curls of warm brown hair fell carelessly on the nape of her freckled neck and grazed the collar of her emerald-green serving robes. Then, leaning over, Lena opened the window and a gentle breeze blew into the room. The crisp morning air ruffled her hair and Lena's ruby red lips formed a blissful smile as the wind brushed against her face. Enchanted by her effortless beauty, Elsa lost all track of time.
"Elsa? Is everything alright?" Lena's honey like voice filled the room with melodic notes.
Hearing her name, Elsa's attention snapped back to reality, "Oh, yes of course I'm sorry; I- I must still be waking up …" Elsa's face now turned beet red, as she realized just how long she had been gazing at her.
"No worries, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. You looked as if you were in some sort of trance."
Elsa let out an awkward laugh, but could feel her face growing redder by the minute and she quickly changed the subject. "It's so rude of me, I haven't even asked how you are today. You look particularly beautiful, is there a special occasion?"
"Oh, thank you," Lena's cheeks flushed with color and she tried her best to hide her excitement, but she wasn't doing a very good job. "Do you? You really think I look nice?"
Elsa meekly responded, "You always look beautiful to me Lena." Elsa's face burned bright scarlet, and she was sure that she had noticed.
But Lena was oblivious to both Elsa's response and feelings. She wandered over to Elsa's bed and excitedly plopped down beside her, "Oh, I really I hope I look nice. You were right, I do have something special planned, but I shouldn't say. It's not appropriate for me to tell you such things." She blushed slightly and looked down.
Elsa reached over and gently placed her hand on Lena's forearm, "Don't be silly, of course I want to hear your exciting news." Elsa let her touch linger slightly and slowly slid her hand off of Lena's soft arm; she didn't want her feelings to be too obvious.
"Oh, alright, I'll tell you …" Brimming with excitement, Lena could hardly contain her joy, "Eldon's going to ask me to marry him!" She squealed with excitement and eagerly pulled Elsa into a clumsy hug.
Elsa just hung there, dumbstruck. As she slowly processed the haunting words that lingered in the room, the news pierced her heart like a blade of ice. She could hardly breathe.
Lena had been her personal servant for three years now. She began serving Elsa shortly after her coronation, and over those few years, and many morning and evening chats, Elsa had fallen in love with her. Her bubbly yet shy personality, her intoxicating laugh, her reassuring words, and her sparkling eyes never failed to bring a smile to Elsa's face. And she secretly hoped that Lena felt the same way about her. Despite the fact that she talked of nothing but Eldon for the past year, the occasional stolen glances and more than friendly hugs gave Elsa hope. But now, any dreams Elsa had of a future with Lena were shattered.
Suddenly, Lena enthusiastically grasped Elsa's hands and continued her story, "I overheard him talking with my father last night; he asked his permission for my hand in marriage!" Her voice squeaked with joy, "I can hardly wait. We have special evening planned tonight, I think he's going to ask me then!"
"That's great Lena. I'm so excited for you two." The words fell reflexively out of Elsa's mouth.
She felt numb; almost cold.
"Elsa? Are you alright?" Lena's voice suddenly sounded very serious.
Still in a state of shock Elsa's voice was flat and monosyllabic, "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Elsa, you're as cold as ice."
"What?" Elsa gasped and a chill ran down her spine as she glanced at her hands. Crystals of ice sprouted out of her fingertips and ice spewed forth like a spear. They quickly scattered onto Lena's hands and pierced the girl's skin. Elsa recoiled in fear. Horrified, she stared at Lena's hands. They were now turning a ghostly shade of white and small droplets of dark crimson blood pooled on the surface of her servant's frostbitten skin. Consumed with fear, Elsa could hardly speak. "L-Lena, your hands, you're hurt."
"It, it's noting, don't worry," Lena was clearing in pain and was simply putting on a brave face.
"No, no it's not. Go warm up you hands, and if they don't get better right away go see the court physician. Oh Lena, I am so sorry, I don't know what happened …" Tears began to run down her face, but they froze before they could fall from her cheeks. This was the third time she had unintentionally hurt someone she loved. How could she ever trust herself. A familiar chilling fear was now quickly creeping back into her icy skin, but she tried her best to hide it. She had been able to happily control her powers for the past three years; her last outburst had been on her coronation day, she couldn't be relapsing. Not now. Not with Anna's wedding so close.
"Really, I'll be alright," Lena tried her best to hide her pain to keep Elsa calm.
"Please, just go …" Lena obeyed and she quickly left Elsa's room.
Now choking back tears, Elsa could feel the fear swelling inside of her. Ice encased her heart and consumed her mind. Her room was now growing colder by the minute; and just as Lena she exited the room Elsa sent a blast of ice at the lofty door, sealing herself in her isolation. And as the last corner of the door was encased in solid ice, snow began to fall from the ceiling.