Once the royal family returned to the castle, The king carried little Anna, who was sound asleep, into the castle. Elsa had her hands grasped behind her back, looking around the courtyard with a sad expression. She understood it was for the best, but it still wasn't easy. She would miss a lot of things. But more than anything, she would miss Anna.
Bright and sunshiny little Anna had been more than just a sister. Anna was her best friend. All the early mornings of playing together, turning the ballroom into their personal winter wonderland. They did just about everything together. They even shared a room. Being apart was about as awful to her as losing an arm.
But it had to be done. She knew it. She couldn't control her powers. And it seemed they only got stronger every day. Keeping away from everyone, hiding her powers from the world... it was the best choice.
"Come now, Elsa. You need to come in. It's not safe out here anymore." Her mother beconed from the large castle doors.
Looking up at her with her icy blue eyes, she chewed her lip a little before begging, "Please, mother... please... I know it's for the best but please... just... couldn't I stay outside... just for a little while? Before I have to hide away forever?"
Her mother looked down on her sadly for a moment, then picked up her skirt and descended down the steps once again. She then knelt down in front of Elsa and brushed her bangs away from her pale forehead.
"Oh, darling. It will not be forever. Just for now. Until you learn to control your powers." She then planted a delicate kiss on her forehead before saying, "I suppose just a few moments couldn't hurt... but please, don't leave the courtyard and be careful."
Slightly relieved, Elsa wrapped her little arms around her mother's neck and whispered a gentle "Thank you."
"I love you, Elsa. I only wish there was more I could do to protect you."
"I know, mama...I love you, too." She fought back a little sniffle before letting go of her mother and walking towards the fountain in the courtyard center.
"Not for long, dear. Come in very soon, alright?" The queen then stood and walked back towards the castle, glancing back at her daughter one last time before slipping inside and closing the door.
Everything had happened so fast. It was all so overwhelming. She never meant for any of it to happen... it just did. It was all her fault. Anna could have died because of her. She was only trying to catch her... to keep her from falling... She never meant to strike her.
Thinking about everything... she couldn't help but be upset. It was all so hard... too upset to hold it in anymore, she knelt and rest her head on the fountain, and let the tears fall. She had only been there alone for a few moments when a cold gust of wind knocked her in the side. She gasped, shivering a bit as she roughly brushed the tears away. But before she could go back to the castle, she noticed ice forming on the fountain stone. With another gasp, she quickly pulled away.
"No... no! No more ice... no more snow... no more..." She was near to crying again, eyes locked onto the appearing ice with pure fear. But suddenly she realized... this ice was different. It kept appearing, even though she was no longer touching the fountain. Not only did it keep appearing, it was forming into shapes. Little frosty rabbits.
"But...Wha-? How? How is this-?... This isn't me!" Nervous, she took another step back and looked around. She saw no one else. "Who...W-w-who's there?" She called shakily, unsure she wanted the answer. There was a lighter gust of wind, and right before Elsa's very eyes, the frost bunnies stood up on their hind legs and looked at her.
Believing she was seeing things, she rubbed her eyes and looked again. They were still the air. In fact, they were frolicking through the air, chasing each other as normal bunnies would. Elsa found herself giggling, in spite of confusion. How silly it was to see little frost bunnies come to life, playing in the sky before her.
With a yet smaller spurt of wind, the little bunnies drifted off into the sun. There was something different about the wind that time. It felt... warm. Like a breath of air. And it came from right behind her. Elsa quickly whirled around, hoping to catch the source of the mischief. But what she saw caused her eyes to widen in amazement. There in front of her was a lanky young man. His hair was white and messy, and his eyes were as blue as her own.
"Well, I guess you figured me out, didn't you?" He laughed and took a bow before leaning against his staff. "Hello, princess Elsa."
"Who are you?" Elsa stared at him, intrigued. "Did... did you do all that? The little bunnies?"
"Jack Frost, bringer of Winter. At your service, my dear. Of course it was me!" He laughed again, enjoying Elsa's confusion.
"You... You can make ice and snow!"
"Of course I can! I wouldn't be a bringer of Winter if I couldn't, now would I?" He casually sat down on the edge of the fountain, crossed his legs and propped his chin on his hand. "The question is, how can you make ice and snow?"
"What?" She panicked for a moment, stepping back. "How did you know that?"
"Relax, kid. No need to panic. I saw you. You and your family running out of the castle off to the woods, anyway."
"Oh... That..." Elsa bit her lip, turning to study the ground. "I didn't mean for it to happen... we... we were playing... and she was going to fall..." She sniffled, tears falling again.
Hating to see children sad, he instantly got up and knelt down in front of her. "Oh, hey now, hey. I know you didn't mean it. It's okay."
"It's not okay!" She stomped her foot. "Don't you see? I'm dangerous! I'm just going to hurt people!"
"Look, Elsa." Jack grabbed her chin gently, looking her in the eyes. "Sure, it can be dangerous. That's why you have to learn how to control it. It just takes time."
Elsa hastily pulled away, still not sure about trusting a random stranger. "Just leave me alone. I don't even know you. Besides, once I go inside, I have to stay there. To keep everyone safe."
"Alright, I see how it's going to be." Jack stood back up, thinking for a moment. "Well, you know I have ice, too. So at least you know you can't hurt me. I'll be back around. You might need the company." And with a quick wink, a solid blast of winter wind hit fast, and Jack was quickly swept away. Without a moment's hesitation, Elsa ran across the courtyard, up the steps, and into the castle, slamming the door behind her.