Melt for me

Chapter One

"It's that goddam dream again," I mutter underneath my breath as I swing my legs over my bed.  Ever since the whole kingdom found out about my deep dark secret, that dream has been plaguing my night's sleep. I never remember much; expect the pair of bold yellow eyes that seem to pin me down in one place. I shiver, (which is odd for me considering that the cold doesn't bother me). Our Mother used to tell us that reoccurring dreams should not be taken lightly.   I haven't told Anna about the dreams. If I did, she would worry about me more than she already is. 

Apparently the whole kingdom is worried about me.  The council has been pressing the idea of taking a husband more and more frequently. Anna says it's because the kingdom wants to see me happy but I know better. What with me being so 'adventurous', they want an heir produced to insure that the line of royal blood counties. Which I think is downright absurd. Anna is perfectly capable of leading this kingdom but as the eldest it is my duty to.

I rub my eyes and face as I glance at my near by clock. I grab it and groan, its nearly 10:00!! I'm going to be late for that stupid council  meeting. I don't want to go at all but if I don't attend Anna will worry that I am shutting people out again. The things I do to keep my sister happy. 

I glance over a my  large wooden wardrobe in the corner of my room. I sigh as hop out of bed and fling open the wardrobes doors. I can't even wear what I want to wear. It has to be 'council  approved'. Apparently my beautiful ice gown, is not on the approved list. The told me it stood for my old self, the one who used to strike fear in the hearts of my subjects. I thought it stood for a new clean slate, a freer version of myself. As usual,  I am wrong.    I make a face as I skim through the dresses. Most of them are deep purple, light green and the odd shade of red. But none my preferable ice blue. 

After randomly selecting a dark purple dress (that very much looks like my coronation dress), I do my hair in my now signature braid. My fingers are nimble and quick as I do my hair. I smooth down the last remain strands of hair.  I don't need to look in the mirror to know what I look like. My eyes are probably cool and  calm, like the sea before a storm.  Not a single hair out of place, the perfect example of a what a queen should look like. Regal and calm.

But if they look closer I wonder if they can see the wild phoenix in my eyes. How it fights the chains and cold cell that imprisons it. It longs to be free, I long to be free.  That day on the mountain where I let myself go was.... life changing. It was like I could do anything. But then reality hit me. I can never truly be free when chains hold me to the ground. My own freedom is only an illusion, how can be free when the storm inside of me is forever kept at bay.

No, real freedom will never be mine.

A  timid knock on the door snaps me out of my thoughts. "Elsa?" Anna asks. I plaster on a queen like smile, one that says; "I am not afraid of anything. I am calm, I am normal."   "Yes?"    She peeks through the door, her blue eyes filled with worry.  "Elsa I think you should come see this."  My eyes brows pull together and I purse my lips.  "Show me," I demand.

Anna nods and quickly pulls me along. What is so important that it even got sweet Anna to put up a fuss?

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I blink as big white snow flakes fall from the sky.  Many subject stand in the place court yard, mumbling and looking up at me accusingly. They all whisper to each other, all of them remembering how I almost plunged the kingdom into internal winter. Children clutch there mothers skirts, their eyes round with confusion. Anna bites her lip and looks back fourth between the crowd and I. 

I hold up my hand up to silence everyone. The mutters die out as quickly as they started. "My dear people I assure you this is not my doing. It is probably nothing but a simple flurry that drifted down from the mountain side."  I look into the eyes of a young boy with little freckles sprinkled across his nose. I smile  at him. "Its okay, go play while it lasts."  The boy gives me a toothless grin. All the children quickly follow my advice as the through snow balls and make tiny snow angles. The freckle boys mother comes up to me. "Thank you my Queen. I pray for your happiness every day."

What am I suppose to say? Tell her that praying is useless that no one (not even myself) can give me happiness? I want to tell her not to waste a precious thing like a pray on a lost cause like me. But instead I reply with; "I am honored citizen that you chose me  to pray for," I say holding her hands in my own.  

Something white and blue filters across my vision.  Startled I look up and scan the sky.  I squint into the never ending blue horizon, confused at what I see.   I blink and then its gone. For a second I swear I saw... a boy in a blue hood. I rub my temples. All this stress is making me go crazy. 

"Queen Elsa, Queen Elsa can you pleaseee?"  Asks a girl with pig tails.  I smile. What she is asking me to do will make the council very angry.  

All the more reason to do it.

I take a deep breath and extend my hands, letting ice cover the ground where my subjects stand. Some shriek with delight, others back away like its witch craft.   "Elsa.." Anna says in a disapproving voice. I follow her eyes. All five council members are scowling at me with distrust.  This meeting is going to be joyful.