Magic of the Pegasus

A Cold Polar Bear

Annabeth started her birthday doing her favorite thing: ice skating. She could hear the music in her ear even though there was none. She spun and leaped, feeling the flow in her feet. Annabeth felt the fresh, frosty air that she never got in the castle. She felt the castle was more of a prison than her home. Annabeth didn't know what her parents deal was with the outside world but they kept her inside.

Behind her, a small polar bear copied Annabeth's every move on the ice until snow under it broke, letting it slide down onto the frozen lake. It slid closer and closer to Annabeth, bracing for impact. Before Annabeth knew it, she tripped over the polar bear and fell onto the ice. Annabeth laid there, watching as the polar bear landed in the snow.

She stood up and skated over to check if it was alright. Annabeth looked over at the snow to see that the polar bear vanished. Suddenly, the polar bear's head popped out of the snow, hitting Annabeth with pieces of snow. She laughed, "There are easier ways of introducing yourself."

"Here, let me help you," Annabeth put out her hands to pick up the polar bear but before she could, it shivered.

She backed away a little bit before saying, "Don't be afraid."

Annabeth picked up the bear that still shivered from the cold. It shook the excess snow off, spattering Annabeth. She only chuckled in response, "Don't tell me you're cold."

The bear nodded, gritting its teeth and bearing the cold.

"A cold polar bear?" Annabeth questioned. "Do you have a family?"

The bear made a sigh and shook its head, still trembling from the weather. It kind of reminded her of her old tutor, Mrs. O'Leary, no matter how many layers she had on, she always complained about how cold she was and shivered.

Annabeth brought it closer to her chest, "Well, now you do. My name is Annabeth and I think I'll call you, Mrs. O'Leary."

She brought Mrs. O'Leary to her chest as she began to skate across the frozen lake towards the castle. Once she got into the castle, Annabeth snuck in, hoping to not make a sound so her parents wouldn't notice her new friend in her arms. She ran up the steps as quickly and silently as she could which wasn't much with her ice skates on her shoulder, banging against each other. She got to the second set of steps until she heard a voice, "Annabeth? Is that you?"

Annabeth sighed, recognizing her voice as her mother's, the queen, Queen Athena.

"Eh, mother!" Annabeth responded before hiding Mrs. O'Leary behind a wall, hiding her from her mom.

"Oh! You're safe! Safe!" Queen Athena stepped down the left staircase to the shared, resting place in between the left staircase and the right staircase Annabeth was on.

Annabeth went down the stairs to meet her mother. Queen Athena hugged her like she was gone for an eternity. On the left staircase, Annabeth's father, King Frederick ran down to meet his wife and daughter.

"What happened?" he shouted. "We've been looking everywhere for you!" Annabeth sighed, "I'm fine, father, really!"

"We were worried sick!" Queen Athena cried. "How many times do we have to tell you? Don't leave the castle-"

"Without our permission!" King Frederick finished the sentence with his wife, to ensure that Annabeth understood the seriousness of their rule.

"I was just skating," Annabeth shrugged.

"Again?" Her father complained.

She questioned back, "Why do you always worry so much? Nothing is going to happen to me."

Suddenly, a "woah" was heard behind Annabeth as Mrs. O'Leary slipped and fell down the stairs, right in front of her parents. Annabeth guessed her new friend wasn't a secret anymore. She shrugged, sighing.

"A bear?" her mom gasped in fright.

Annabeth replied, "I made a friend."

Mrs. O'Leary made noises and smiled at the Queen and King as Annabeth exclaimed, "Isn't she adorable?"

"Oh, such a cute, little face!" Queen Athena pressed her hands together and gleamed.

Then, her expression changed. The worry came over her and she screamed, "But, it could bite you or scratch your eyes out!"

King Frederick nodded in agreement as Mrs. O'Leary sneezed, disapproving the queen's theory that she was a frightening monster.

"And the germs! Have you thought about all the germs it might have?"

King Frederick added on, "This is what comes with leaving the castle."

Annabeth snickered, "What do you want me to do? Sit in my room all day?"

"Yes!"

"I'm not a baby anymore!"

Queen Athena responded with a quiet tone, "We know...We know. It's just that-"

She was about to say something when King Frederick interrupted, stepping forward and saying, "I'm sorry. Your mother and I can't take this constant worrying. Our job is to keep you safe and there's only way to do that. No more ice skating!"

"What? But, I love skating."

King Frederick stated, "It's for your own good."

"Father!"

The sadness swept into Annabeth. At first, she was baffled, surprised those words came out of her father's mouth. Her parents knew her true love was skating, a place where she was free, a place where she wasn't a princess.

She begged her mom, "Mother, please!"

Her mother crossed her arms, defending her husband's decision. King Frederick held out his arms, waiting for Annabeth to place her skates in his hand. Annabeth looked at her skates, not wanting to let them go. She screamed as she gave him the skates, "It's not fair! You don't understand anything!"

Annabeth ran up the stairs, crying. Her only love was taken away and her parents weren't giving her the chance to explain why it was a stupid decision. She turned around and stopped once she got to the top, "You're ruining my life!"

Mrs. O'Leary followed as Annabeth turned back, sobbing as she ran in the direction of her room.