Morning came and Elsa was slowly feeling the effects of last night's events. Her entire body feels like it's burning. Luckily the ointment they got from some magical beings would expedite her healing. Sure, her arms and parts of her body were still damaged, but nothing too intense.

Moving still proved to be difficult, but nothing she couldn't handle. Elsa pushed herself and tried to get into a sitting position ready to embrace the day. However, that was proven impossible as her body cried in agony when her skin was stretched. She got back in bed and placed her arm on top of her eyes covering what little tears of pain seemed to seep through.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Elsa drank some pain relievers resting near her bed. Once finished, she tried again to push her body up to get into a sitting position. The weight on her arms, as she held her entire body in place, was agonizing. After three minutes of futile efforts, she gave up opting to ask for assistance when their caretaker arrived.

"Papa will be mad for sure." Elsa turned her head towards the sound of the voice. Her little sister, Anna, slowly and haggardly got out of bed. Her usual cheerful attitude is gone and replaced with... Elsa couldn't decipher.

Seeing her sister's waking reaction, she forced herself again to get up. "Don't". She felt small hands helping her into a sitting position. "Don't push yourself please," Anna begged with unshed tears locked behind her eyes. Pain washed in Elsa's heart as she saw her little sister suffering. Anna shouldn't suffer, she was just five years old. She should be having fun, worry-free, running with the wind in her hair. Not like this, not this scared little girl crying the moment she wakes up.

Elsa pulled her sister closer and trapped her in a warm hug. "I'm sorry." At least the pain relievers were doing their job. The pain was still evident but mobility is possible now.

"Sorry?" Anna broke out of the hug and carefully looked at her elder. "Why are you saying sorry? You did nothing wrong. I... I should be..."

"You did nothing wrong sweet sister. If anyone is to blame it's me. I should have paid more attention to you and prevented the incident last night. Our parents shouldn't have seen that. Papa shouldn't have seen that. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."

"I don't blame you, not one bit. Not everything is your fault!? You need rest too. I heard Gerda tell you that not sleeping can be bad. You've been staying up for 3 nights now. You needed rest and I... I couldn't even... these powers. Why? I..."

As Anna continued trying to voice her thoughts, she was once again pulled into a hug. Ignoring the guilt she was feeling. It was her job as the elder sibling to ensure her little sister's safety. Last night was completely her fault, she should have paid more attention. Or so Elsa thought. "Don't worry about me, okay? As long as you're okay, I'll be fine?"

"I'm sorry... I… hurt you." Anna buried her face in her sister's chest. Elsa's scent always calms her down.

"You didn't hurt me. It doesn't hurt. I promise... Your magic don't resent them. We just need to practice control." She sandwiched her little sister's face in her hands and looked into her eyes trying to communicate her emotions. "You are the princess of Arendelle. Do not fear your power. Be proud of your lineage."

"You're a princess too."

"Yes, I am." She confirmed. But I don't deserve to be one. What kind of Princess has ice magic? If I had fire magic too, I could teach Anna better control. Instead, I got this power that no one seems to understand. But at least I can contain my sister's power with it.

"You should be proud."

"I should?" Elsa whispered more to herself.

A knock on the door broke their conversation. Both girls sat frozen afraid of who might be on the other side of the door. "Just me." Their caretaker said peeking her head through the door. Anna immediately detached herself from her sister and lunged towards the intruder. "Carry me, Gerda."

"That's Ms. Gerda, Anna. Respect your elders."

"That's quite alright, Ms. Elsa. I'm a mere serv..."

"Regardless..." She cuts her tone a little hurt. "We pay you to help us. You are still human and an elder at that."

There was no winning against the elder princess. It was good that she wanted to show respect, but sometimes she forgets she's of royalty. Elsa would often be seen tidying their room, sweeping, moping, fixing the bed, and sometimes even cleaning the toilets. That was their job not of royalty. Not even of a child who barely has enough time to rest busy taking care of her younger sister. Gerda decided to change the topic. "Your father requests Princess Anna's presence for breakfast. Princess Elsa may eat here in the room considering..."

"NO! NO! NO!" Anna was suddenly. "No, he'll... I... No..." She dropped down to her knees hugging herself and rocking back and forth.

The elder sibling quickly got out of bed ignoring the intense pain she felt. She knelt beside her sister and slowly rubbed Anna's back. "Don't worry. Just relax Breath with me.. 1... 2...1...2...1...2. That's it keep going."

Anna soon relaxed but fear still evident in her face. Elsa looked at their caretaker. "Tell father I will be down in a few minutes." Placing emphasis on the word "I".

"But..." Both Gerda and Anna said at the same time. "You're hurt Princess. Look blood is already..."

"No disrespect, but please do not frighten my sister with your lies Ms. Gerda." She looked at their caretaker wanting to get her thoughts across. It was true she was hurt, with every movement she made, she wanted to cry in pain. But she had to remain strong, for her sweet sister. Her sister would blame herself for all the injuries her fire caused. That's why Elsa tried to hide her injuries as much as she could. Anna's fire outburst was not her fault and she refuses to let her sister blame herself for something that's out of her control

"Apologize, princess. Was just preparing for Halloween."

Anna tilted her head like a puppy when it heard uncommon sounds. "But that's months away?"

"Best be prepared little princess. If you'll excuse me, I'll inform His Majesty that you'll be down."

When Gerda left, Elsa slowly stood up and offered a hand to her little sister. Anna held the hand but didn't used it to get up afraid of further hurting her sister. "Gera... Ms. Gerda is right. You should rest. I..." At the thought of her father, Anna started trembling.

"Hey hey. Shhh. I'm here okay. I won't let him hurt you. Just stay here and lock the door. Don't let anyone in."

"NO!" This caught Elsa off guard. Her sister has never contradicted her orders ever. "You're hurt."

"I'll be fine, I promise." She smiled and soon her little sister calmed down. "I'll be back quickly. Rest." She placed a kiss on her sister's head before leaving the room for breakfast.

When the door locked, Anna sat down in front of it her back resting at the door as she pulled her knees close to her chest. "This isn't right. She shouldn't get in trouble for me. She's always there and I thank her but... It's just not right and I can't do anything." She then placed her head on her knees and let the tears fall. "This guilt? I deserve it for letting my sister take the fall. Again."

Outside their room, Elsa heard everything her sister say. It's not your fault at all, you should not feel guilty for anything. She decided to keep her own thoughts to herself for now. Their father is expecting her and making him wait might trigger a violent response yet again.

Descending the stairs as quickly as Elsa can, she forced the pain back and pretended to be completely normal, with no injuries at all. Showing any sign of her wounds would indeed trigger their father's wrath.

As she entered the dining room, an awkward silence filled her presence. She carefully took her seat and grabbed an egg and placed it on her plate.

"Where's your sister?" Her father asked while inserting a spoonful of egg into his mouth. "I thought I told you to rest?" He continued while swallowing his meal.

"I'm completely fine..." She wasn't fine, she was hurting and didn't want to move. Every small movement causes the burn marks on her body to ache. But that had to be pushed aside for now. An act, that's all she needed. Act and pretend to be perfectly okay. Nothing happened last night. "Anna is still tired, she should rest."

"And so should you." Their mother told her, but was quickly cut off by Agnarr. "If she doesn't come down then no food for her. You know the rules."

Elsa nodded. Yes, she did. If they missed the time then no food. It was their father's way of teaching them discipline. "Can I eat in my room?" The question was simple. Yes, they are allowed to bring their meal to their room, but they to appear in the dining room first.

"Of course, baby." Their mother replied with a sweet and caring voice. The exact contrary to their father's response. "But only for one person. Just you. One egg, and one piece of bread." he wasn't angry, but his voice was so flat and serious it was clear this was a punishment too.

But Elsa doesn't mind. Her sister gets to eat and that's all that matters now. "Understood papa. I'll be in my room. I'll have Ms. Gerda take my plate once I'm done."

Agnarr nodded. "And tell Anna we will talk about last night's events later." Talk? No! He was going to punish her little sister for sure. It wasn't Anna's fault, she lost control because she lacked training. It wasn't fair.

"Just tell me and I'll relay the message to her instead. She's still tired and would need days to rest." Elsa could only hope days would be enough to quell their father's anger.

"You'll relay? Are you telling me what to do dear child?" Agnarr's wrath was slowly showing now.

"Just a suggestion papa."

"Thought so. I will speak with her later."

"N...no... you will not. She... she needs to rest." Was she really going to defy her father? He was already at the tip of his fury. Defying him would definitely result in an all-out anger. But she had to. She had to protect her little sister consequences be damned.

"No?" His voice was quiet. Too quiet.

"No." Elsa repeated firmly. No longer scared of her father's reaction.

Agnarr stood up quickly, his chair falling behind and the table shoved aside. He rushed to Elsa and placed his big hand on his daughter's neck pinning her to the wall. His grip was tight, too tight that Elsa could no longer breathe. Her control over her powers was losing as well, the walls were starting to freeze.

No, control it. Hold it in. Focus on that. If I lose control, he'll be angrier and might punish the both of us. No. Control it. Hold it in. Focus. How can I when I feel like my head is about to explode? I need air. Doesn't matter. Do it or Anna gets hurt.

The walls were still frozen but it stopped. Elsa willed her powers back.

"Do not defy me. Got it." Agnarr further tightened his grip on his daughter choking the little girl. "You're lucky you were able to control your powers. This semi loss of control resulted because of your sister. Had you completely lost control I would punish her." He then released his grip and back-handed Elsa, causing the latter to fall on the ground coughing and sucking in as much air as possible. "Take your food and go. I'll let last night's incident pass."

Elsa got up quickly and took the plate. "Thank you, papa." She said before marching to the exit.

"Do not defy me again child or next time I might whip you into submission."

His daughter smiled at him as if expecting that response. "I will do it again if it will save my sister." She didn't wait for a response and immediately head to their room.

"Was that really necessary, Agnarr?" Their mother's voice was filled with concern. Concern for her daughter.

He pinched the bridge of his nose while moving his head sideways. "I just want them to understand responsibility. Who knows what will happen? They might get killed."

But Elsa is already responsible. Too responsible for her age. Their mother thought but decided not to voice it out. "Just remember they are just kids." She wanted Agnarr to stop abusing her daughters.

His way of discipline is too much. Truth be told, he's just probably scared because he doesn't have powers. He wanted his daughters to obey him out of fear. But that's wrong and their mother knows this. But she needed to stay alive to do damage control, if she defies the King she will be executed. This was the only thing she can do to support her daughters for now.

"Kids with powers. I know."

Meanwhile Elsa entered their shared room making sure not to trip when Anna launched at her hugging her sister. "Calm down. I brought you food." She noted that her sister was slowly getting back to her usual self. The guilt was gone. She decided not to reraise the subject.

"Got you egg and a bread, hope that's enough."

Anna sniffed the plate and smiled. "Yum. Have you eaten?"

"Of course, those are just leftovers. I told them I was really hungry and would eat the rest in my room." She wasn't lying. Elsa was indeed hungry, but so was her little sister and Anna's needs are far more valuable than her own.

"What are those?" The bruises on Elsa's neck were starting to darken.

"Nothing. Just eat. Okay?"

Anna stopped whatever she was doing and started tearing up. "Did I? Did Papa do that? Cause of last night?"

No, her sister shouldn't feel guilty, it was not her fault. It was never her fault, had she been trained properly, none of this would have happened. She softly smiled at her sister. "No. It was an accident. I spilled some eggs earlier and Papa..."

Their father wasn't that kind of man. Sure, he was known to abuse his daughters whenever they lose control of their powers, but that was it. Only when their powers were involved would he be violent. Any other times and he'll just shout at the worst. It was a horrible lie, one that Elsa wished her sister would believe. She didn't.

"But Papa doesn't hurt us for spilled foods?" She tilted her head waiting for an explanation.

Elsa was trapped. Why couldn't she think of a better lie? "J-just eat, okay? Food will get cold. I-I'm taking a bath." Sure, that's a good way to avoid answering other questions. "If you behave and finish your breakfast, I might sneak you up some ice cream later."

The light in Anna's eyes suddenly brightened. "What flavor?"

"Chocolate what else?"

And with that the question was forgotten. The rest of the day was uneventful. Anna still hesitated leaving her room and her big sister volunteered to go down and bring up her meal instead. Of course, this meant no food for herself, but she didn't care. It didn't matter to her as long as her little sister had something to eat. She was happy.

Author's notes: Thank you for all those who has taken an interest in giving this a shot. I plan on updating weekly hopefully I am able to. Reviews and comments will be appreciated.