"You're failing me, Elsa."
I spun around, looking for the source of the voice. "Where are you?" My voice shook.
"I worked so hard," The voice continued deeply and darkly. "And for what? All I got was you."
"What are you talking about?" I cried to the darkness that engulfed me. I felt strangled and smothered by the heaviness of it. "Who are you?"
"You're a failure!" He continued, his voice getting sharper and louder with each word. "You're weak! Worthless! You can't control the power I've given you!"
"No! Stop! What do you mean? The power you've given me?" I was crying now. I sunk down to the floor, curling into myself. "Who are you," I whispered. A dark, low laugh came from the darkness.
"Oh, Elsa… You'd better wake up. You don't want to miss the spring ball."
"Queen Elsa?" Knocking persisted at my door. "Elsa, it's time to get up." I recognized the voice as Catharine's.
"I-I'm up, Catharine. A moment please."
"Of course," She replied sounding concerned. "I'll be back in ten minutes to help you get ready."
"Y-Yes, Thank you." I tried to stop shaking. It was just another dream. That's all it was.
And yet…
It hadn't seemed like a dream. It seemed so real. And this dream was different than the one's I'd had in the past. I frowned and touched my face. I had been crying in my sleep. Strange. I wasn't one to cry. I wrapped my arms around myself like I had in my dream. It was already beginning to fade from my memory, but one part still stood out.
You can't control the power I've given you!
The power I've given you.
What was that supposed to mean? My mind reeled with questions, while my heart pitched with fear.
I worked so hard, and all I got was you.
Me? Who was that voice? I rubbed my arms, feeling cold just remembering the sound. What did he mean that he gave me my powers? That was ridiculous! Everyone knew that I was born with my powers! My father and mother both told me that when I was young.
But… What if…
No! Stop it, Elsa! I chastised. That's impossible! Preposterous!
"Elsa? Did you fall back asleep, silly?" This voice was Anna's.
"You have to get up! We have to have you ready in an hour! I mean, I work well under pressure, but this is cutting it a bit close!" Catharine called in. I got up and dashed over to the door.
"Sorry! What time is it? I didn't realize I slept in so late!"
"No, it's fine," Catharine sighed.
"We just didn't want to wake you," said Anna. Anna, I could see, was already ready. She was wearing a sage green dress that flared out at her knee. It was not unlike the dress that she wore to my coronation. Her red hair was down in her traditional two braids, but small white flowers weaved in and out of the twists contrasting with the red. She looked beautiful.
"You look beautiful," I smiled at her.
"Thanks! I would return the compliment, but your hair is a bit mussed…." She giggled. My hair was indeed sticking up.
"Alright, Catharine, let's get this day over with." I sighed. She dragged me to the chair in front of my vanity, and spun me around.
"Alright, let's do this." She pushed and pulled at my hair, braiding and twisting, then unbraiding and starting over. She occasionally made little grunts of satisfaction. Finally she smiled and turned me around. My hair was wrapped elaborately around my head, and trailed down my shoulder in a side ponytail. My bangs curled and escaped from the pony tail, and framed my face. It looked intentionally messy. Sparkling white flowers weaved through my hair.
"Oh, Catharine, it's beautiful," I breathed.
"Thanks! Oh, could you do one thing? I really think it would add a finishing touch…"
"What?"
"Freeze it," She grinned.
"Freeze it? My hair?"
"Yes," She squealed! "It'll be all sparkly and gorgeous!"
"Oh, I don't know…"
"Please," She begged. Anna came and joined in. "Please, please, pleeeeease?" The whined together.
"Alright! Alright, I will." I tentatively touched my cascading hair, not sure that this was a good idea. Frost coated my hair, and Anna and Catharine gasped.
"Oh," they sighed. I turned towards the mirror and smiled. My curls sparkled in the light, and my bangs were frosted. It certainly did add a finishing touch.
"Yes, I love it! Alright, let's get you dressed!" Catharine brought out my ice gown, and helped me pull it over my head, carefully avoiding my hair. She smoothed out my sleeves and skirt, and then stepped back.
"Hmm, well… That'll have to do; we're out of time. William wants you in the ballroom in ten minutes. The doors to the palace are scheduled to open in half an hour." She turned on her heel and skipped out of the room. I smiled. Lately, Catharine was seeming like a friend, rather than a ladies maid. I enjoyed her friendship, and didn't know what I would do without her.
"Elsa… You look beautiful." She smiled in awe at me. I wrapped my arms around her, careful not to wrinkle her dress. She pulled me in tighter. "I love you, sis," she whispered into my bodice. "You know that?"
"Yeah. I know. I love you too."
"Well!" Anna pushes back, ruining the loving moment. "We had better get on with today! The doors open soon!"
"Alright, I'll go meet William, and see you later." I smiled and strode out of the room. William, who was walking down the hall, saw me and called out.
"Your majesty! Everything is prepared for the ball today! The main course is being prepared as we speak, the ballroom is decorated, as is the courtyard, and the gardens. Ice skating is scheduled for 3 o' clock today, and that is going to be happening in the courtyard. The musicians are ready and prepared to play after the spring feast."
"Yes, yes, William, it all sounds wonderful! Thank you so much for helping with the preparations."
"Of course, your majesty. May I just say that you look ravishing today?" He flashed a white smile.
"Thank you, William. Is there anything else that I need to do before the gates open?"
"Er, well, your highness… The prince of Soire is here today. He is third in line in his kingdom, and he is highly eligible…"
"No," I said firmly. This was sounding waaay too much like Anna's situation with Hans. "I am not looking for a suitor today. Cannot this just be a time to celebrate the coming of spring? Must we soil it with matchmaking?"
"O-of course, queen. Excuse me," He bowed apologetically, though I could sense he was annoyed with my behavior. "However, it will be expected of you to dance with the dukes and princes of other kingdoms, as you do every celebration."
"Yes, I am aware. Now," I ended the topic, "What else needs to be done?"
"Nothing more," He replied. "Just go and wait with you sister outside the ballroom doors. In roughly 15 minutes, the gates will be opened, and we will announce you and Princess Anna to the guests. Then you must begin the feast."
"Yes, I understand." Usually, the queen was the only one who was announced and made a big entrance. However, I refused to allow them to announce my arrival and not Anna's. It wasn't fair, especially since Anna was the one who loved these parties the most. And she does so much for me... She derserved a grand entrance far more than I deserved one. I turned and walked to the ballroom. Up ahead, I could see Anna bouncing nervously on her toes. Anna loved the parties; absolutely adored them. She loved the people the most, but she still got nervous before each ball began. I understood. My hands were shaking, partly from the nerves, and partly from excitement.
"Are you ready?" I asked her as I approached.
"Yeah! You know I am! I was born ready!" She bounced up and down, and I giggled. I could hear chattering voices of villagers, and royals, dukes, and duchesses. A loud voice boomed throughout the ballroom, slightly muffled by the big doors that concealed Anna and I.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting Queen Elsa, and Princess Anna!"
Here we go.