Anna's heart crumbled. She didn't know it was possible to feel colder. For as long as she could remember she'd been freezing. It was almost like she was slowly icing over. The streak of white in her hair had gotten thicker. Everyone told her that wasn't true but she knew it had been about an inch thick last week. Now it was almost an inch and a half.
It was a strange thing to worry about. The maid gently wove Anna's hair behind her head as she slipped on her black clothing. Her parents were dead… What could she do now?
She took a shuddering breath and tied her cloak around her neck. With as much bravery as she could muster she walked into the hallway and prepared to face the people of Arendelle. Many of them worried about what this meant for the kingdom. Would Elsa rule? Both of the princesses has barely seen the outside world for many years. As she walked by her sisters room she considered knocking. Surely her sister wouldn't miss the funeral?
The wind barely fluttered the ties of her cloak as she stood alone in front of the crowd. People whispered words of comfort that didn't help the icy loneliness in her heart. In truth, she had felt alone for many years. Her sister wouldn't speak to her and now her parents were gone.
Some of the people asked questions. Her stomach twisted in knots with the answers she couldn't give. Slowly, she walked home with tears running down her face.
This time, as she passed her sisters room, she gently tapped on the door.
"Elsa? Please… open the door. I'm trying to be brave but… I need you with me. Everyone is asking where you've been."
Behind the door Elsa listened with frozen tears on her cheeks. There were so few that knew her secret, and now she was alone in the world. She couldn't tell Anna. She still had years to go before she would remember her magic. Gently, like a knife in her gut she heard her whisper through the cracks, "Do you wanna build a snowman?"
As Anna entered her room again she dropped her cloak on the floor. She didn't care that it might get wrinkled. Nothing mattered at the moment. A thud next to her window managed to bring the first small smile to her lips in days. Slowly, she turned to find Kristoph standing with a look that told her he wished he could help, but didn't know how.
Without a word she flung herself into her friends arms and sobbed. He held her close and tucked her head under his chin. He wished for a way to help her; anything that could help dull the pain. He sank down to the bench on her window and let her cry until she had no tears left to shed.
Finally, numb from it all, she asked, "How did you get away so early?"
He scoffed, "Like anyone could keep me away."
Again, she smiled the tiniest amount. Kristoph was her only friend. She saw him a few times a year when he sold ice in the village.
"People are asking what Elsa has planned. I don't know what to tell them."
Again, Elsa's secret gnawed at Kristoph from the inside. It was the hardest thing he'd ever done not to tell Anna what he'd seen that night.
"It's the only way to keep her safe," the trolls always insisted.
Sighing, he said, "Give her time. She'll come around."
"When?" Anna asked, wiping her eyes with her palm. "She didn't even come with me today."
His mouth opened and closed. No excuse would help.
"Want to come feed Sven?"
She shrugged, "I don't want to do anything really."
He squeezed her for a moment. "Okay."
"Tomorrow," she insisted.
Leaning back, he was serious as he caught her gaze. "Tomorrow."
She nodded half heartedly.
"No really, Anna. Tomorrow. I won't let you loose who you are. You have to stay strong."
She sniffed, covering her heart with her hand. "I just feel numb."
His warm him covered her small one and he smiled, "I won't let you grow cold. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," she nodded as she leaned against him again.