Linnea: A tale of the Snow Queen

Chapter 5, Awakening

I don’t remember what had happened during the time I was passed out. I only remember what I was told. I remember waking up to the darkness in my room. It seemed normal. It was no colder than normal. I got up and saw Ingrid in her bed. She was still asleep and covered in multiple blankets. I lit a candle and went to my mirror. In it I saw someone I recognized vaguely. My hair, as white as snow. My eyes, as blue as ice. My skin, pale like normal. No one could tell the difference from my normal appearance though. No one ever noticed the change in physical appearance after my metamorphosis. I sat and waited in the dark. Waited for the light to peek through the curtains.

I sat and waited for ages. Then I opened the curtains to see the sun on the horizon. The light glistened on the snow. It brought a smile to my face. I went to wake up Ingrid “Ingrid. Ingrid. Ingrid get up. I want to show you something.” I said
“Linnea, you’re awake!” She replied
“Look outside the window. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Why is it so cold in here?”
“What do you mean?” I asked. I turned around to see Ingrid shivering. Her breath showed every time she talked. I didn’t open the window. How could it possibly be this cold? I didn’t feel cold. I was fine. Nothing felt different to me. Everything was normal, at least to me it was.

That’s when I put together my outfit for that day. That day I felt like wearing green. I helped Ingrid with hers first. We had decided to match that day after we officially became sisters. We were going to match everything that day. After I finished Ingrid, she helped me. We tied my corset and helped me with the dress. That’s when we got to my hair. Ingrid was shivering the entire time during the process of getting us both ready. She grabbed my hair and then let go of it “Ow!” she exclaimed
“Ingrid are you okay?”
“Your hair… it’s really cold.”
“I’m so sorry…”
“No, it's fine. I’ve been cold all morning. It must be from yesterday.”
“Here. Put your mittens on. That’ll help your hands warm up.”
“Thank you Linnea.” she replied. She put on her mittens and continued with my hair. At first it didn’t bother me. I had been in that snow for quite some time. If it caused my sister pain then it was an accident. I didn’t mean to, it just happened.

We both came down to breakfast. Everyone was relieved to see me awake. Aksel as always had his head in a book. Astrid greeted me with a smile. Markus was playing with his food. Everything was just as I left it. My father and Agnes had smiles on their faces. Lucas looked no different than normal but that’s just the way he is. Ingrid and I both sat in our places at the table. Agnes and Father looked at the two of us “You girls look radiant this morning.” Father said
“That green complements you both quite well.” Agnes said
“Thank you mother.” We said in unison. I don’t remember when I started to hate the people I loved. It started very slowly. It would take months for my transformation to be complete. Lucas just watched me at the table. He could tell that something was off. That’s when something strange was pointed out to me “Is it just me or is it colder in here?” Aksel asked
“I suppose it is chillier dear.” Agnes replied
“I was freezing this morning.” Ingrid said
“I’ll have the staff fill the fireplaces and light all the lights. That should warm things up a bit.”
“Whatever makes you warmer dear.” my father replied
“I don’t understand how you all are freezing.” I said. Lucas looked at me confused. My brother knew me better than anyone. He could tell, something was off.

I walked out of the room after I was done. Lucas followed suit. He followed me to the drawing room. I didn’t understand how everyone was cold. I actually felt warmer than usual. He caught up to me as soon as I got to the room “Linnea, something isn’t right with you.” he said
“Lucas, I’m perfectly fine.” I replied
“Look, the three of us made a pact not to tell anyone how we found you. That way they wouldn’t worry as much. Now tell me what happened.”
“The mirror. It broke as soon as I touched it.”
“That’s not possible you’re lying to me.”
“Lucas, would you stop interrogating me!” I exclaimed. That’s when ice pointed itself at him. From nowhere it just appeared from my hands. The both of us looked at each other. Then it went away when I touched it. I looked at my hands “Linnea, Linnea I…” he said
“What was that? I didn’t know I could…”
“I don’t think we should tell anyone. They’ll kill you if they know.”
“Okay. What am I going to do?”
“I don’t know.” He replied. My awakening had begun. The minute I touched that mirror something unnatural had occurred. My body changed in ways that I cannot explain. But with these powers come consequences. My heart was freezing over. In time I would become heartless, careless, a monster.