For the first time of that day, the queen had a spare moment to herself. Finally alone, Elsa entered the study and dropped into a seat, groaning softly to herself as she roughly shoved a hand through her bangs. How am I going to do this? The busy week of learning the responsibilities of running a nation left Elsa drained and filled with self doubt. True, Arendelle was a modest little kingdom, but a handful nonetheless. What if the people don't trust me? What if I cause another devastating winter? I'm only one woman, and a hopelessly inexperienced one at that! Who am I to lead this nation -I have no right!

Tendrils of frost slowly crept up the walls and wrapped it's delicate spirals around the furniture. The candles in the room were extinguished by a cool gust of wind, and the fire shrank back from the biting cold. I'm not ready for this. Oh, Mama, Papa, why did have to leave me so soon? I can't do this alone...I can't do this at all. I can't.

For the first time, Elsa suddenly realized the icy state of the room and closed her eyes ruefully. Conceal. Conceal, don't feel, don't let it show. The frost recedes a bit, but an image of her younger sister forms in Elsa's mind, giving her a skeptical look. Elsa could almost hear her gentle scolding; Are you kidding? Feel it, go ahead. Just don't let it get to you! Elsa gently smiled at the image of her encouraging sister, and felt the room's temperature stabilize, the fire's merry crackle resuming.

She let out a relieved breath. "Thank-"

"Don't mention it, " a voice from behind her cut in.

"-goodness." she finished, twisting around to smirk playfully at her sister. "Were you there the whole time?"

"Yup. What would you do without me?" the redhead replied smugly.

"Mmm...I'd certainly be a lot worse off." Elsa agreed soberly as she pulled Anna into a tight embrace. "I love you," she murmured into her sister's side.

"And don't you forget it," Anna responded, dropping a kiss into Elsa's soft, blonde hair, then pulled back to look her in the eyes. "So, what's wrong?"

"Oh, its nothing that important." Elsa glanced away, trying to dismiss the matter so as not to dump her troubles on her carefree sister who was huffing her displeasure.

"Oh no you don't, I want to know what's going on. Now. Princess's orders." the young royal demanded. Her voice softened as she tilted the queen's chin up to look at her. "Come on, you promised. No more shutting me out, right?"

Elsa's shoulders slumped forward as she confessed quietly "I'm not fit to rule this country."

"What?!" Anna burst out. "What do you mea-"

"Anna, look around you," Elsa exclaimed, gesturing around the room, glistening with water droplets. "What kind of ruler am I if I can't even keep myself in check, much less a nation! How can expect my subjects to trust me if all they can see is a -a failure? How can I rule with the constant fear that I may bring down Arendelle single-handedly at any given moment? The people deserve better than that. They deserve better than me." The queen drew in a shuddering breath, slumping back in her chair as Anna stood above her in a stunned silence.

"Hey," Anna began, her brow furrowed with worry. "Come here for a second." She grasped Elsa's hands in her own, intertwining their fingers, and lead her gently to the window overlooking the castle grounds. "You see that over there?" She pointed at the courtyard; a permanent winter wonderland that Elsa had created as a gesture of goodwill. Children were playing as their parents watched on, some even joining their children's frolicking.

"They're happiness came from what you created, Elsa."

Elsa gazed passively down into the courtyard, refusing to let herself believe what seemed too good to be true.

"Uhg, fine." An exasperated Anna dragged her sister out of the study and down the halls.

"Wait, hey, where are we- Anna!"

. . .

"Princess Anna!" A child cried out with glee, gaining the attention of the everyone else in the area. A hushed silence fell over the winter playground as they realized who was accompanying the princess. The children stood with their mouths agape, their parents looking on in horrified shock. Elsa felt her cheeks flush heatedly in embarrassment. Oh no, I knew this would happen. They're terrified of me. Sure, my powers are nice, as long as I'm not actually around.

One boy recovered from his stunned state, dropping into a deep bow. Hurriedly, his companions followed suit. Anna let out a giggle, biting her lip when she caught Elsa's mortified stare. The group of youngsters went back to their play, leaving their parents still in a dumbfounded state. One lass ran up to Anna, tackling her in a hug.

"Have you come to play with us today?" she asked excitedly.

"Not today, sweetie, I'm just trying to teach my sister a lesson," Anna gestured towards the blonde. "Elsa, this is Brigitta, Brigitta, Elsa."

The girl gazed up at the queen in unabashed adoration before throwing herself at the queen, clutching her skirts. Elsa let out a soft gasp, and the child let go of her dress hastily.

"Sorry," Brigitta apologized, a blush creeping across her face. "I just wanted to say thank you. For the snow?"

Elsa glance over at her sister, who gave an encouraging smile, before stooping to look Brigitta in the eyes. "You really like it?" she asked.

"Oh, yes! We like it a lot!" the girl gushed. "uhh..can I hug you now, miss-your majesty?"

Elsa was startled into a nervous smile. "Of course," she barely got out before the girl threw her arms around the queens neck, feet dangling a few inches off the ground.

"Oh, thank you, miss Elsa!" She exclaimed.

Elsa tentatively wrapped her arms around Brigitta and felt her reserved smile turn into a wide grin at the openness and trust the little girl was giving her. "It's my pleasure, miss Brigitta," she responded, earning herself a giggle from the small lass.

"Uhh...Elsa?" Anna nudged the snow queen gently, gesturing to the rapidly melting snow.

"Oh, oops. Sorry," Elsa blushed, fixing the situation with a wave of her hand.

The other kids had started to gather around the princess and the queen, and at Brigitta's display, began vying for the attention of their queen as their parents looked on with bashful smiles.

"See," Anna gloated, giving Elsa a wink. "The people love you, they just need the chance to see why."