Morning came. The events of yesterday still fresh on little Anna's mind. She slowly rubbed her eyes open and looked at her sister. Can't give her a moments rest? She literally jumped into the fire for you, starved herself to death, and took a harsh punishment while you remained unscathed? What kind of a sister are you? Anna's thoughts were all over the place. The guilt of everything slowly catching up to her.

Anna unconsciously hit her chest as the guilt building up was too much to bear. I should have learned to control this. I should learn to stop depending on my sister. What if she dies trying to protect me? Can I stand knowing I caused her demise? This was not the first time she took a punishment for me. No this occurs occasionally and these stupid powers are always the cause of it. I need to get stronger.

"You have to stop that." Anna heard her sister who was now beside her taking her hand into hers. When did she get up? How did she get up? Anna looked at her hands, then her sisters. Elsa's hands were bandaged and blood could be seen sipping through. Yet Anna's hands were perfectly fine. How is that fair?

"Stop hurting yourself, it hurts me to see you hurting yourself," Elsa told her little sister with a smile.

"How is that fair?" Anna accidentally voiced out her inner thoughts.

The elder sister tilted her head as if trying to come up with a response, but failed to do so. Instead, she opted to rub the back of her younger sister's hand with her thumb. "You're not hurt while I was gone?" She did not answer the question.

Anna wanted to lash out at her sister. She asked her if she was not hurt. Of course, she's not, how could she be when her older sister took the pain all to herself? Again how is that fair?

"It's not." Elsa finally responded. Of course, she would eventually find it unfair. Of course, she would one day get fed up with all of Anna's power mishaps and get punished for it. What their father did to Elsa was short of torture. And to have experienced it multiple times already is just plain insane. To stand in front of the line of fire is way more insane. Anna knew it would be a matter of time before her sister stopped with the insanity. It was selfish of her to wish for her sister's protection forever. A part of her wanted to be protected, but another part of her wanted her sister to let go. To end her sister's suffering. Maybe now is the time. Maybe now that her sister has given up on her. Maybe she should start looking out for herself.

"It's not… to you." The response shocked little Anna. How is this not fair to her? She immediately looked at her elder sister and saw tears falling down her eyes.

"Wh-why are you crying?"

"Because I can't protect you properly." Can't protect her properly? What happened the past week was not protecting her properly? What kind of mindset is that? Anna just can not understand her elder sister.

Elsa wiped her tears and smiled at her sister. "You know for a five-year-old, you're very smart. You think like an adult." Of course, she would change the subject. Typical.

It's time Anna addressed the issue. It remained for such a long time now. "You almost died three times in one week, for me. I don't understand why you say you don't protect me properly."

"You're hurting still. You're blaming yourself when you should not." Elsa bowed her head and let her tears fall. "It hurts. It's selfish of me to act hurt, when you're the one in pain."

Gerda was right outside their room, hearing the girl's conversation. She can't help but cry at what she just heard. Elsa is not acting hurt, she is hurt, physically. It was clear that the elder princess was referring to emotional pain, but it's not selfish of her to act hurt. She is hurt.

"I'll do better, Anna. I love you so much and I don't want to see you in distress. I'll do better. I'll protect you better I promise."

Anna's eyes widened at what he just heard. She was the one feeling sorry for not being able to stand up for herself and yet, why was her sister the one apologizing? It's wrong.

"You have a life sis. You can't live it injured." Anna finally said it. It's time to push her sister away. She needs to be brave. "Next time I have a power mishap, let papa teach me. You don't have to protect me anymore. I can take care of myself. I'll be six soon anyway."

"ABSOLUTELY NOT! Are you insane? Papa will kill you if I let him do what he wants."

"So it's alright for him to kill you for something I did?"

Yes. Was what Elsa wanted to say. She made it her dream to give Anna a life of peace. A life where she could just be herself. Elsa's life now lies in her sister's safety. If she has to die to give that happiness to her sister, then she will not think twice and commit suicide. All that matters to her is her sister. She exists to be her sister's shield and nothing more. That was her self-imposed role. But of course, she can't say that out loud.

"We will control your powers together. Okay?" Elsa cupped her little sister's face. "Don't worry as I've said I'm completely fine." She then gave Anna a final gentle smile. "Forget about him. Focus on you."

Anna was about to respond but was interrupted when Gerda entered their room. "I got the bath ready Princess Anna. Would you care to bathe first before breakfast?"

Elsa nodded at her sister and the little one flew off into the bathroom and prepared to take a bath. "I'm old enough to bathe myself. Go get ready." She knew her sister wanted her out of the room to get treated. And Gerda needed to be there to administer the treatment. Anna would enjoy the bath and give her elder sister the space she needed.

"Your Highness, if I may." Gerda was asking permission to undress the princess and treat her wounds.

"Please lock the doors first, I don't want my sister to see me in this state." Gerda did as told.

The princess slowly crept out of her sister's bed and took small gentle steps towards her bed. Every step was excruciating, the wounds on her back felt like it was being reapplied with each step. Truth be told she just wanted to lay in bed until her injuries got better. Moving was absolute hell. But, her needs only come second her sisters. She needs to be with her sister now more than ever. Who knows what their father would do to them?

As the princess got undressed and laid on the bed, with her belly touching the bed, Gerda took out the wet cloth and prepared to clean the Princess' back. The sight of her back made Gerda shake. It looked like a total mess. She's surprised to see the princess moving about like nothing is hindering her. Gerda placed the damp cloth on the Princess's back and she felt the latter tense up.

When the cloth touched her back, Elsa felt like acid was being poured on her back. It was horrible. She gripped the sheets as tight as she could ignoring the searing pain on her burnt hands. She was extra careful not to accidentally release her powers or she might end up hurting their nanny.

"It'll be over soon." Gerda hastily treated the princess' wounds so as not to torment the young girl any longer. Once finished the Princess' back and arms were completely bandaged and so as her hands.

One thing Gerda noticed though was Elsa's fever. She did not want to discuss this with the princess as she knew the elder princess would just dismiss it and use her powers to regulate her body. If she does, Gerda will have no way of knowing if Elsa's fever is getting better or worse.

"I know Ms. Gerda, I have a fever. I've been trying to regulate it."

What?! She's already regulating it and she's this hot already? This is bad. "Princess could you let me take your temperature, you're actual.."

"That won't be necessary I'm fine. Or at least I will be."

"But we need to…"

"It's just the effects of the past week's events. I'll be better soon." Given the injuries she's sustained coupled with the lack of food in her body, Gerda doubts Elsa will be okay. But she knows better than to question the princess. The princess will just hide her sickness and pain more. Gerda just decided to keep it to herself and monitor the little princess.

A few minutes passed and the treatment was done. Elsa's entire body, arms, and hands were all covered in bandages she looked like a small mummy. "I hope you heal soon."

Elsa gently smiled at her caretaker. "I'll be fine. Always has been. Always will be."

"I sure hope so." The nanny whispered as she unlocked the door.

Knocking was soon heard and Anna rushed in. She quickly ran to her bed and hid under the blankets. Concerned, Elsa immediately asked what happened.

"Papa, I saw Papa coming up the stairs."

Just the sight of their father causes this much distress to her little sister? That's not normal. It's unfair. "He won't hurt you I promise." Elsa tried to reassure her sister.

"Promise me he won't hurt you either."

That is something she simply can not agree to. Luckily, she did not need to respond as their father opened the door. Anna started to shake like a leaf under her covers which brought deep concern for the elder.

"Just coming up to check on you girls. Breakfast is ready, come down when you can." He was in his usual cheerful self, completely forgetting the events that unfolded last night.

"We'll be down in a minute papa," Elsa responded quickly to avoid any unwanted arguments.

The king gave her a gentle and caring smile. "You can stay here if you want to dear, especially considering last nights…"

"I'm fine papa. Just give us a minute."

"See you both down."

When the door closed, both girls breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad your father is in a good mood today. That probably means no more punishments until…" Gerda was cut short when the elder princess shot her a death glare. Had their nanny continued, Anna would definitely feel bad again.

"Until my next power mishap?" The younger sibling finished for them. "I get it. I'm the cause of all…"

Before she could finish the sentence Elsa already pulled her into a big hug. "No, not at all, and don't you think that." Anna is just a kid, why must she carry this heavy burden? Why can't she just be carefree like most girls her age? Are their powers really just a curse? No, if they were just given the proper training they would not be having this problem. If they were just allowed to practice and train their powers control would be easy.

The elder princess pulled her sister closer and was thinking of a better to train her younger sibling. But nothing is coming to her. "Let's go get breakfast."