His eldest daughter had been born with the power of ice and snow.
At first, everything was perfect. He and his queen had marveled at the snowflakes and spirals of ice that would spin out of his daughter's fingers. Her hair was nearly white, and her face a pale porcelain. She had been beautiful, and they had named her Elsa.
She had been his pride and joy, her shy smiles the sunshine in his busy day. He had always set aside time for her, and they would sit together and little Elsa would make all kinds of beautiful snowflakes with a flick of her hand.
And then the queen gave birth to a second daughter. The family had never known such happiness. Her hair was coppery brown, and her cheeks were rosy with color. She did not posses the power of snow and ice, but they loved her anyway. She had been bubbly, and they had named her Anna.
Elsa and Anna had been the best of friends. Their giggles had filled the halls and they had always been together. Anna found Elsa's powers incredible, and Elsa had been all too happy to use them for her sister's delight.
The two had been well known for sneaking to the ballroom for midnight snow angels, ice skating, and snowman building. Though they had tried to keep quiet, their giggles had traveled up to the king and queen's room, and the soft sounds had warmed the hearts of their parents.
Life had been perfect in Arendelle.
Until it wasn't. Until the gates to the castle were shut permanently, and left the citizens of Arendelle wondering what had happened. Had they done something wrong?
You see, the king's eldest daughter had struck his littlest daughter in the head with ice.
It had been an accident, but it had nearly cost him his precious daughter's life.
It had awakened a fear within the king.
The trolls had said Elsa could learn to control it, so the king knew it could be done. He closed off the castle, reduced the staff, and limited Elsa's contact with people.
Even contact with Anna.
The king is pacing his room trying to decide what to do.
"Please, just be patient with her. She wants to see her sister." The queen tries to reason with him, tries to explain that what he's doing isn't exactly right, even though he has good intentions.
"Idun, please. I'm not letting Anna get hurt again. Elsa needs to learn how to control it before she becomes queen. Then she can see her sister." He gives her a look that reads we're done talking about this, but she presses further.
"How long will that be? Anna has already begun asking where her sister is. They miss each other."
"Idun, enough. You do not know the necessary qualities it takes to be a ruler. Elsa needs to learn control." The king's voice is firm.
"But, she can, with Anna!" The queen protests. She's never argued this much with her husband.
"Idun. I said enough." He leaves the room, taking the set of tiny gloves with him.
The queen sits at the window and watches the snow fall and remembers the days when snowflakes meant happiness.