Loved - Snowman

Mama and Anna came in the gates as the guards encouraged the last few people out. Mama was carrying Anna who was asleep on Mama's shoulder, her little thumb pulling down her lip and Mama's basket was full on her other elbow.

Elsa turned away from the gates as they closed again. They had been open for a couple of hours to deal with important business. Papa was still king and needed to do king-y things. Mama and Anna had gone to the market while Papa and herself listened. Papa judged the cases brought before the court.

Everyone looked at her, few spoke to her while proceeding continued. Everyone knew there was very little time and the magistrates made sure to bring only the most difficult cases before the king. They plead their cases quickly, and passionately because it would be weeks before the gates were opened again.

Papa stooped next to her. "How do you feel, Elsa?" he asked.

"I feel okay, that went well."

"Yes, it did, though it did seem to get chilly when we were talking to the Egyptian delegate. Was that you?"

Elsa looked down, she had felt the magic a little. "Yes, I think so. I didn't like the way he was looking at me. He gave me those compliments but they just made my insides twist like … something bad was going to happen."

"Hmm. Yes, I don't think we'll be opening trade with that country anytime soon." Papa looked away.

Elsa looked up at Papa. "Because of me."

Papa looked back, "Yes, but only because I was not comfortable around him either."

Elsa bit her lip.

"Elsa, it is very important to trust your feelings." Papa touched the place over his heart.

"Most of the time I decide as best as I can using my mind." He touched his head. "But there times my feelings have told me something different from my head and more often then not, my head was wrong."

Elsa wasn't sure about that advice. Her heart kept telling her to do things that would be dangerous. Like playing with Anna. Elsa ached to play with Anna again. Anna kept offering but Elsa couldn't it, hurt too much to see the white streak in her sister's hair, and the reminder of how she had hurt her little sister she wanted to, had to protect so much.

Mama stopped as she reached the father and daughter, and Anna woke up. Anna looked around blearily and then saw Elsa.

"Elsa! Elsa! I got you something from the market." Anna wiggled down and dug into the basket. She took a few steps toward her sister, but as Elsa looked around for an escape route, Anna stopped and out it down on the ground, then retreated back to Mama. "I'm tired and can't play anymore. I need a nap."

"Of course, dear." Mama picked up her youngest daughter and turned to walk into the castle. Anna waved before putting her head back down on Mama's shoulder and her thumb in her mouth.

Elsa waved back as she felt the ice leave the inside of her gloves, but wasn't sure if Anna saw. Then she looked back down at the present.

Elsa licked her lip as she bent and picked it up with her gloved hand. It was a little wooden snowman, cut from a thin pine board. A little slot and another semicircle of wood let it stand upright.

"Oh how sweet. Your sister loves you very much." Said Papa.

"Yeah." Elsa said quietly. It was fall now, but winter would soon be here. And with winter came a question, every time it snowed. A question that hurt so much to answer the way she had to. It felt like icicles in her guts.

Author's Note: The doors had to open sometimes for the kingdom to function properly. I don't think Elsa and Anna were shut away all the time, at least until their parent's die. Then I can see that happening because Elsa's grief is so profound.