Of dead and winter

Chapter Two: Aftermath

The grand hall of the palace was eerily quiet, save for the faint, lingering echoes of the earlier chaos. Elsa stood at the entrance, her heart pounding, the memory of Anna's terrified face and the shocked gasps of the gathered nobles still vivid in her mind. Her ungloved hand, now resting at her side, tingled with residual frost.

She didn't wait for the murmurs of the crowd to escalate. With a determined stride, she left the ballroom, the heavy doors closing behind her with a definitive thud. She needed to be alone, to think, to process what had just happened. She had revealed her powers in a moment of fear and frustration, something she had sworn never to do.

Elsa hurried through the palace corridors, the familiar walls closing in around her. Her footsteps echoed off the marble floors as she made her way to her private chambers. Every guard and servant she passed lowered their eyes, their faces a mix of confusion and concern. She could hear the whispers trailing behind her, but she ignored them. All she could think about was the look on Anna's face.

Finally, she reached her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She leaned against it, breathing heavily, trying to steady her racing heart. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess of guilt, fear, and regret. She had promised herself she would keep her powers hidden, that she would protect everyone from the danger she posed. And yet, in a moment of weakness, she had failed.

She crossed the room to the large window overlooking the courtyard. The sight that greeted her was disheartening. A thin layer of frost had already begun to spread, creeping over the stone walls and the lush greenery. Elsa clenched her fists, the cold seeping from her hands and spreading up her arms. She needed to get control, to contain the ice threatening to overwhelm her.

As she stood there, staring out at the frozen courtyard, a soft knock on the door broke her reverie. Elsa turned, her heart skipping a beat. She wasn't ready to face anyone, least of all Anna. But the knock came again, this time accompanied by a familiar voice.

"Elsa, it's me. Please, let me in."

Hades. Relief flooded through her. She crossed the room and opened the door, finding him standing there, his expression one of gentle concern. Without a word, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. His presence was a calming influence, a reminder that she wasn't alone in this.

Hades reached out, taking her trembling hands in his. The warmth of his touch contrasted with the cold seeping from her skin, grounding her in the moment. "Elsa," he said softly, "what happened back there?"

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I lost control," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Anna... she pushed me, and I couldn't hold back. I let my fear take over."

He nodded, his blue-flamed hair flickering softly. "Fear is a powerful thing. But it's not too late to make things right."

Elsa looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "How? Everyone saw what I can do. They'll never trust me again. Anna will never trust me again."

Hades squeezed her hands gently. "You're stronger than you think, Elsa. You can still show them that your powers don't define you. That they're a part of you, but they don't control you."

She wanted to believe him, but the weight of the past few hours hung heavily on her shoulders. "I don't know if I can," she confessed.

Hades pulled her into an embrace, his voice a soothing murmur in her ear. "You can. And I'll be here to help you every step of the way."

For a moment, she allowed herself to relax in his arms, drawing strength from his presence. But the reality of the situation was inescapable. She pulled back, her resolve hardening. "I need to talk to Anna," she said firmly. "I need to explain."