Author: Chapter 4 has arrived. We're back to Anna for this chapter. Enjoy!


It's been two months since Mama and Papa passed away and winter is on its last month. While the castle is making progress at getting back to what everyone's used to, we're still going to take some more time before really recovering.

One of the big changes is that we've become even more shut in. Our staff has taken another dip, and we've decreased how many people actually work here, not just for the kingdom. The people of Arendelle haven't seen any of us since the last month passed; no one has complained yet, but I wonder what they might be thinking.

Sliding into a plain pink dress, I step out of my room. It's later in the morning and the halls are quiet and empty. With a sigh, I make my way down the hall, noting each closed door. Along with the windows, it seems like nothing is open anymore.

About seven doors down, I come across Elsa's room. Her door's designs are really lovely, decorated in various shades of blue. If I look carefully enough, I can find small heart, flower, and snowflake designs adorning it.

Memories buzz through my head, from when we were younger and played together so often. A smile curls onto my face and I raise my hand to knock, but then pause just before my fist raps against the wood.

"Elsa…" I let out, in spite of knowing better. "Are you in there?" Unsurprisingly, I get no answer. In an instant, I can feel my smile drop.

With another sigh, I turn away and continue to drag myself along. Down the hall, I see a door slowly open and a dark-cloaked Gerda walks in, carrying a small basket with a light blue cloth over it. Forcing a pearly smile, I wave and hurry over to her. She's frowning, but I feel like it's because I saw her rather than…the obvious reason.

"Hello Gerda," I chirp, keeping up my happy demeanor. "How are you?"

"Good morning, Princess Anna," is her nonchalant reply. "I'm fine, thank you."

Pointing to the basket, I have to question it, "Is that for Elsa?"

"Yes," comes the empty reply.

"Do you need me to—?"

"No, thank you, Princess," she hastily answers me, before I can even think of what I was going to say. Nodding, I step aside and watch her travel down the hall, entering the room nearest Elsa's. Part of me debates leaving now, but I decide to wait.

Looking to the closest window, I peek outside to the courtyard. Elsa is out there, in a dark purple coat, reading. How she can stand the temperature is beyond me. And there's still snow and ice all around, so she really shouldn't be out there.

"Princess Anna?" My head jerks up and I spin about to face Gerda, who is walking back over to me. "Is everything all right?"

"Oh, yes," I lie. "It's just…why is Elsa outside?"

"Is that where she is?" Gerda asks, and I'm surprised that she doesn't know what my sister is up to either. "I was told that she needed to practice for her coronation in a few years." She glances out the same window and nods. "Ah, that's her. Once Elsa is of the proper age to inherit the throne, she'll be more than prepared. She's a sharp one, your sister."

"Yep, she sure is super," I agree with a little cheer, but my smiled lips hide my clenched teeth.

Gerda put a small grin of her own on. "I'm sure your parents would be so proud of her. You're both so wonderful. Oh, do excuse me, princess; I must continue my work." And then she strolls right past me, wiping away a small tear and shutting the door behind her.

Blinking, I look back out the window. Elsa's gone, with just a mound of snow around where she sat. Backing up, I take a deep breath in and slowly exhale.

That's how I feel like my life has been. Everyone notices my perfect older sister, Elsa. They see that she's smart, pretty, mysterious, graceful, and all around flawless. What no one notices is that she's so shut in, reclusive from the rest of the world. Hiding from even me.

Yet, somehow, she's always seemed so much more important. My parents always fussed over Elsa, keeping her away from me, and catering to her, as they needed, perfecting their first born, their heir.

No one really explained to me that I would just be a spare.

My parents told me that I was more, but some days, I just couldn't believe them. And now that they're gone, I can't help but wonder: were they just lying to make me feel better? Has the entire kingdom known about Elsa's brilliance, and would her importance always outshine me?

Did…my parents love me as much as they did her?

No, no, that's crazy. Of course they did. Glancing a couple of doors down to what used to be their bedroom, I feel myself suck in air. They must have loved me as much, right? They couldn't give everything to just one sister, right?

Elsa may seem perfect, but she can't even find time to see me now that they're gone. She might not be as flawed as me, but there are a few holes in her majesty.

A gasp escapes me. My eyes shift around the hall, as if someone new will walk in. No one does, of course. Still, I feel guilty for that thought, and for trying so hard to compare myself to my sister.

We're not enemies. She's not evil. Sisters may not see eye to eye often, but we should still love each other. Even if it has been years, Elsa and I used to be so very close, before she shut me out.

The truth is that I really want that back. I want my sister to pull me outside and help her become the queen, to just talk to me, and to watch the snow as it falls.

I just want her to notice me again, or at least to open a door.

Shaking my head, I turn back and exit the hall, making my way to the ballroom. Quietly, I step inside, imaging people all around me. My eyes close and I step around, picturing myself meeting different people from far away places. They share the stories of the world and I could listen for hours.

"Please, do go on."

Eventually, a man asks me to dance and we step to the middle of the room. Carefully, we flow about our bodies moving swiftly and elegantly to the music. And I open my eyes, spiraling about the room on my own.

"You don't need me," the imaginary man would say.

I would disagree, "Oh, but I do. Please show me more." He would, but it's late, and he needs to leave. Pouting a bit, he makes me giggle and bids me a farewell, giving me all the time in the world to say goodbye and take in our last moments.

Why can't that be real? My eyes wander to the door again, where he would slowly trudge out, wishing to stay. And then out the door he would…wait. Purple coattail?

Running over to the door, I stumble and fall. Pushing myself off from the floor, I take it in stride and leave the ballroom, looking around.

For a minute, I almost could have sworn she was there.


Author: And that was Anna's shout out to younger siblings that feel inadequate under their older siblings' spotlight.

The royal sisters of Arendelle are great when they love and look out for each other, but I wanted to put a little realistic check on that. Elsa's poised to be queen and Anna just rolls with it? There has to be some mixed feelings in there. Maybe a little jealousy, but probably more of a little isolation. Feeling like a spare is part of that territory.

More importantly, I wanted to get Anna questioning her parents' love for her. And in her case, it's pretty fair: we saw the king and queen spent an awful lot of time helping Elsa, but their moments with Anna are scarce. Taking the film at face value, I'd like to think that Anna sometimes felt her parents may have favored their first born over her, regardless of whether it's true or not. Coupling it with her lack of attention from Elsa, it's easier to understand why Anna would sing about trying to change her "lonely world" at the end of "For the First Time in Forever," especially with so many closed doors.

That's all for this one. Next time, maybe we'll see the other side of the coin: does Elsa feel any jealousy or resentment toward Anna? Is there something her younger sister doesn't quite get? Perhaps. Anyway, if you'd like, send your comments and criticisms to me. Thank you once again for your continued reading!