Chapter 4.
In Alexa's tree palace, the three young women talked for a long time. Elsa and Anna told Alexa the story of their childhood and Alexa listened with great interest.
"…so you see, we really suffered more than we needed to. You can learn to control your powers and don't have to worry about hurting your sister. I'm sure she misses you." said Anna as she finished the story.
Alexa said, "That's not why I left."
"What?" Anna questioned, not quite sure she heard that right.
"I know I can learn to control my powers. I left because my sister hates me and because my people hate me. She'll be better off without me anyway, people will eventually trust her." said Alexa with a heavy hearted sigh.
A look of understanding flashed across Elsa's face. Of course! It wasn't her powers so much that she was afraid of, it was putting her sister in danger through her reputation! Elsa wondered just how bad the public reaction had been to convince Alexa that her sister hated her and would be better off without her.
"Well, we told you our life story. How about you tell us yours?" said Elsa, looking kindly at Alexa.
Alexa sighed again. "Ok. But it's a long and tragic story." she said before beginning.
"I was born at 7 o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, August 8th, in the castle hospital ward. My parents, upon learning that my 'condition' of wings and magical powers was permanent, decided it best for my own protection to keep me locked in my room until I was 'ready' to be out in the world. From my first memory I was imprisoned, my windows were all barred, the door was reinforced and locked from the outside, and the walls, floor, and ceiling were reinforced as well.
From the first I was told, 'No flying. Conceal, don't feel. Don't let it show.' And always it was, 'For your own good, Alexa. For the good of the kingdom, Alexa.' All I wanted was to be free, to feel the wind in my face and the sun on my back…
But then, when I was three, Hannah was born on October the 25th at 2:00am in the morning! She was a feisty little bugger, squalling away like there was no tomorrow as soon as her lungs filled. She was also very pretty, with blond hair and green eyes like emeralds. And she was always, always, always getting herself into some form of trouble or other." Alexa chuckled, remembering her sister's antics, which she could usually hear the crashes of, no matter where in the castle or immediate grounds Hannah was.
"Anyway, we hardly ever saw each other, only having brief and closely supervised contact with each other, but I loved her and still love her with all my heart! I would do anything to protect her from harm. In truth, despite our parents strongly discouraging it, we would talk together for hours through my door and so, we did get to know each other somewhat. But we lived in different worlds, though in all honesty we were both prisoners of our parents' fears. Many of those fears were superimposed onto me and I developed a true dread of hurting my sister or someone else and being thought a monster, as my powers grew stronger faster than I could control them through suppression alone. And so, I became a recluse.
After my parents' death, when I was sixteen, I became too numb with pain and grief to talk and eventually, Hannah stopped trying. We grew apart over the next five years and didn't even speak to each other until the coronation party. It was awkward, seeing each other for like, the first time ever, more or less, and neither of us really knew what to say. I started a conversation with her and she seemed to enjoy it, in an awkward kind of way. Afterwards, she went to join the dancing and I watched her. Until that night, I had no idea that clumsy, klutzy, Hannah could dace so well!
She was like a great pink butterfly in her pink satin gown with her hair done up in the latest fashion and her green eyes sparkling. When she stopped to catch her breath, I semi-tricked her into dancing with the Duke of Weselton. I couldn't believe how bad his dancing was and when Hannah got back we had a bit of a laugh over it, but then, a tension fell between us. She left to get some punch and when she came back, she demanded to know why I hated her. I tried to explain without revealing my secret, but she was stubborn and would have the whole truth. She accidentally pulled my cape off that I always wore to conceal my wings, when I started to back away from her.
When my cape fell away, everyone gasped in shock and horror! Then the crowd started to turn on me, calling me demon and monster. I panicked, for I feared they would kill me and instinct took over. I don't really remember anything after that except throwing my crown off and running out of the castle. Next thing I knew I was flying and the rest you know or guess." said Alexa, finishing her tale just as her stomach let out a rumble.
Alexa colored a very little bit in embarrassment, but then Elsa and Anna's stomachs let out hungry rumbles too. As the sisters chuckled nervously, coloring visibly, Alexa laughed out loud.
"Well, it looks like I'm not the only one who feels it's time for a meal. Come, you are my guests and I must feed you like a good host." she said grinning from ear to ear and leading them to the dinning hall.
When they entered, the sisters gasped in awe at the place! There was a long table made of branches that grew from the floor and intertwined in a hopelessly complex pattern and chairs of similar design, only not growing out of the floor so they could be moved. The ceiling was high and vaulted with flying buttresses of branches that were in full bloom, spreading the sweet perfume of fresh spring flowers throughout the hall. Even Elsa was stunned by the beauty of it all and almost wished she had the spring powers Alexa so clearly possessed.
She and Anna were snapped back to reality by Alexa's voice saying, "Wait here. Sit down wherever you like, but wait here. I'll be back."
She disappeared a moment later out a side door. Elsa and Anna looked at each other, then sat down across from each other at one end of the long table. About half an hour later, Alexa appeared carrying two large trays of food and setting them down on the table, along with wooden plates, cups, and eating utensils for her guests that she had balanced expertly on her head. She retreated out the door again and came back a moment later with two more trays and a plate, cup, and utensils for herself.
After setting her place, Elsa and Anna were somewhat surprised when, instead of sitting down like they had expected her to, she began to serve them generous helpings of what she had obviously prepared. There was venison and quail, mashed potatoes and gravy, a huge bowl of garden salad and another of fruit, fresh bread, butter, and cheese. To drink Alexa had fresh juice and water.
Anna and Elsa were amazed that she was able to hunt, gather, clean, and cook all the things they saw before them and Alexa, catching their amazed looks, said, "My powers encompass the four elements, the four seasons, healing, and protecting." she said sitting down at the head of the table (with Elsa on her right side and Anna on her left) and helping herself to the food.
"Ah." Elsa and Anna said at the same time, sort of understanding now how she was able to work so quickly.
"So, your kingdom does trade with Weselton?" Elsa asked, trying not to sound disgusted by the name.
"Weaseltown is more like it." Alexa snorted. "I disliked that pompous peacock of a Duke the moment I laid eyes on him. He is a man not to be trusted." she said, a threatening glare in her eye as she took a drink of water.
Elsa thought she had offended Alexa, but after a moment saw that she wasn't glaring at her but the memory of the Duke.
Anna however seized the moment to be funny.
"Weselton! It's Weselton you fool!" she exclaimed in a surprisingly good imitation of the Duke, even mimicking his offended expression very well.
"Anna! Please!" Elsa exclaimed mortified.
But Alexa burst out laughing saying, "Yes, it technically is Weselton, but to the rest of the world it always and forever will be Weaseltown, for it is full of weasels. Elsa, you need not stand on ceremony, nor worry about being proper with me. I couldn't care less about the strict rules of royal etiquette, but no food fights. I can't stand to waste food." she added the last part because Anna looked like she was about to toss some mashed potatoes at her sister, but instead stuck them in her mouth with a sheepish look on her face.
Elsa, sensing something of a story behind this asked, "And why is that?"
"Because my metabolism is ten times faster than that of the average human. My wings, powers, and superhuman strength put a much higher energy demand on my body, so I tend to need to eat more often and in larger quantities than the average human. Also, I just don't like wastefulness." Alexa said with a pointed, yet playful look at Anna.
"Hey! I never started the food fights when we were kids! That was always Elsa!" Anna exclaimed pointing at her sister.
"Anna! That's personal!" exclaimed Elsa, coloring quite nicely.
"Aha! So it is true! No fear, Elsa, children will be children. I understand. You were what? Four? Five? It doesn't matter. That's all in the past. Anyway, what do you two like to do in your spare time?" asked Alexa, helping herself to some more fruit and garden salad.
"Building snowmen!" Anna exclaimed promptly.
Elsa chuckled and, having heard the underlying question, 'what's it like to spend time with your sister?' answered, "Yes, Anna loves to build snowmen with me. She's always loved my powers, but that's not why she loves me. She loves me because I'm her sister and I love her because she's my sister, even though she's a little trouble maker who tends to pester me when I'm working." Elsa shot Anna a playful glare.
Anna just rolled her eyes and shamelessly asked, "What's for dessert?"
Elsa just rolled her eyes and held her head in her hand, shaking it in embarrassed exasperation.
Alexa looked stunned that she was ready for dessert already, despite the fact that she had just said her own metabolic rate was ten times faster than the average human.
"Uh, um, are you sure you're ready for dessert? Already?" she said, scratching her head and looking confused.
"You just said your metabolism was ten times faster than ours. Why are you so surprised?" said Anna.
"I knew that in theory, but you have to understand, I've only ever shared a meal with my family a few times in twenty-one years. It takes a bit of getting used to." said Alexa, standing and heading into the kitchen.
She came back with a large chocolate cheese cake, topped with fresh homemade whipped cream and strawberries. She promptly served Anna a huge piece. Anna's eyes sparkled as she took a huge bite of her dessert. She hummed with pleasure at how sweet and delicious it was.
Alexa cracked a smile and said, "I'm glad to see you like it. Elsa? Dessert?"
"Oh, sure, why not?" said Elsa with a shrug. "Oh, my! This is delicious! Where did you learn to cook like this?" she asked with her mouth full, completely forgetting her royal etiquette in her surprise at Alexa's skills.
Alexa grinned wider as she sat down and said, "I read a lot of cook books while I was locked up. And apparently, I have a natural knack for it. This was only my second time cooking. The first being early on my coronation day just for the heck of it."
Elsa and Anna's jaws dropped! Fortunately Elsa had already swallowed her cheese cake and Anna's fork froze half way to her mouth. They recovered from their shock a few moments later.
Anna asked, "Why would you want to learn to cook? I mean, didn't you have servants or something to cook for you?"
Alexa smiled and started to sing,
"Make me a servant,
Humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up,
Those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be,
Make me a servant,
Make me a servant,
Make me a servant, today."
"Why would you want to be a servant?" Anna asked in disbelief.
"Be cause it keeps things in perspective. And, in truth I am a servant…"
"A servant of the people." said Elsa, finishing Alexa's thought.
"Yes, but unfortunately, they hate me and will not have me, so I can't go back." said Alexa, looking sad.
She didn't have time to be sad for long, because at that moment both she and Elsa sensed the approach of Marshmallow, Elsa's former snow bodyguard. Marshmallow had crawled out of the gorge he had fallen into when Hans had attacked Elsa's palace a month ago. It had taken him that long to regrow his lost leg and now he made his way towards Elsa's ice palace. When he saw what had happened to it, he became enraged and roaring, charged the palace!
Alexa, Elsa, and Anna all jumped up and ran to the front doors. Elsa actually beat Alexa to the entrance hall and stood in between Marshmallow and the others.
"Stop!" she cried, holding up her hand and stopping the creature in his tracks.
Marshmallow froze, confused as to why his mistress would be defending the person that had taken over her ice castle. But, she was his mistress and he had been created to protect and obey her, so he stopped. Marshmallow retracted his spikes and stood down, sitting on his haunches. Elsa lowered her hand and walked up to him gently laying a hand on his arm.
"Good. Marshmallow, this is Alexa, she's going to be living here for now. You are to let her be. Ok?" said Elsa, looking kindly at the giant snow creature.
"But, Mistress, where will you stay?" the loyal creature asked.
"I live in Aerendelle now, where I belong. No, you can't come with me Marshmallow, you'd scare the poor people half to death, and I don't think you'd fit in town anyway." said Elsa.
"But then what do I do? I was created to protect you." the beast said sadly.
Elsa thought for a moment before saying, "Come." and walking out the doors.
Marshmallow stood up and followed her, with Alexa and Anna following close behind. Elsa led them to the eastern side of the mountain. There she created another ice castle, this one smaller and 'stockier' than her first castle, but just perfect for a house for Marshmallow.
"There! This shall be your home and you will guard the mountain from intruders for me. How do you like your new home?" she said.
"It's perfect, Mistress, like everything you do. Oh! Before I forget, here. I found it in the gorge." said Marshmallow holding out Elsa's gold crown that she had thrown away after she finished her ice castle.
"Thank you, Marshmallow. Now, go explore your new home." said Elsa smiling as the snow guard gently set the crown on her head.
Marshmallow bowed and happily ran to check out his house.
Alexa, who had been hovering with her wings this whole time, landed and walked up to Elsa, laying her hand on Elsa's shoulder and saying, "That was a very good thing you did."
"Well, I made him. I couldn't very well just destroy him and I couldn't take him with me or let him run loose. This was the best solution I could come up with." said Elsa.
"Yes. Come, it's late. You two should stay with me for the night." said Alexa, for the sun had set and Anna started to shiver in the cold mountain air.
Elsa walked over and wrapped her arms around her sister.
"Yes, I believe you're right." she said seeing that Anna wouldn't make it down the mountain at night.
Alexa walked over and took Anna in her arms, wrapping her huge wings around her like a blanket. Anna was surprised at how soft and warm Alexa's feathers were. She was soon quite warm and cozy as Alexa carried her back to the castle, since she was only wearing summer apparel. Anna actually fell asleep on the way back and was tucked up in a comfy moss covered bed by Elsa once they got back.
Alexa then led Elsa to the room next door, which was identical to the room Anna was in, with a window looking south towards Arendelle. The bed was intertwined branches growing from the floor, with a thick mattress of soft springy moss, a pillow of the same, and a wool blanket. There was a washstand growing out of the opposite wall, with a wooden basin, pitcher, and soap dish, and a soft wool towel hanging on the side. Below the window was a table growing out of the floor and a non-rooted chair beside it. All in all, it was a sparsely furnished, but comfortable room and Elsa was soon snuggled under the blanket and drifting off into the realm of dreams.
Author's Note: I do not own the lyrics to Make Me A Servant. I don't know who does, I just know it's a worship song that I like and that I thought would fit the moment. No copyright infringement intended.