Heart of Ice

The Punishment

I woke up the next morning and got a sharp pain in my back. Ugh. I'll order the maid to get me a new mattress. I went to the bathroom to fix my hair and freshen up. Once I got changed, I went downstairs to see my parents holding a bag that had my name on it. "Good morning Mother and Father. What are you doing with that bag?" I asked. "You will be going to the mountains on your own to hone your ice powers after what happened yesterday." Father explained. "I didn't mean to..." I grumbled. "You may return once you have fully mastered your powers. Until then, you will remain there until we think your ready." Mom said. "Is that clear young lady?" Dad asked. "Yes sir." I said with my head down. "Good because you're leaving right now." Mom said. I grabbed my bag and left the castle for the mountains.

Once I left, I walked the trail that led to the mountains. I tripped several times on some cracks and slipped on mud. Ugh. This is horrible. I can't believe I have to walk all the way there by myself. What felt like days was actually hours. Why am I so stupid? Then, I felt a drop on my head. I looked up and the clouds were black and rain was drizzling. This isn't so bad. Then it started to pour. Hard. Great. Me and my big mouth. I ran to a cave and stayed there. Ugh. It's not clearing up. I laid down on the cold hard ground watching the rain fall.

The next morning, it was cloudy and the ground was wet. I walked in the mud hoping that I wouldn't slip. When I looked ahead, I saw a house. I walked over to it, and all of a sudden, I was in the mountains. Huh? How did I get here? "Hello Princess Julia." a sweet old lady voice said from behind me. "Oh! You scared me." "That's alright dear. The King and Queen informed me on what has happened with you." I bet they did. "Let me see you make snow." She asked. I held out my hands and a snowflake started to fall. Breath, Julia. Breathe... More snow was starting to fall and the old lady was staring up at the sky not saying a word with a straight face. Then a large pile of snow fell on top of me. "Ouch." I said muffled under the snow. "Poor dear. I had a feeling this would happen." The old lady said as she took some snow off of me. She held her hand out and said, "Come now. I'll make some hot cocoa." I took her hand and she walked me back to the house. Well... It could've been worse.

***

As I was cuddled up in my warm blanket, the old lady handed me hot chocolate with an old smile. "Here you go dear. It's nice and warm." I accepted the drink and sipped on it scalding my tongue. "Ow! That hurts." I jumped in shock. "That's alright dear. You need to warm up after all that snow fell on top of you." She smiled at me again and urged me to drink more of the hot cocoa. She rocked in her rocking chair examining me closely as she was making little snowflakes. I stared in awe as she looked in control while I'm still inexperienced. "See dear? It's all about control. If you let it know you're in charge, then it will do what you want." I nodded my head as I just kept staring in amazement. "But whenever I try, it ends up going awful." "You're not in control yet, Princess. Do not worry. In a few years of my teachings, you'll be doing this in no time. Maybe you might teach your children if you find a suitor." She smiled again. I could tell she was tired, but she seems so nice and happy. "Please teach me." I begged. "It will take a lot of hard work and dedication. Are you ready for it?" "Yes. I am."