Once Upon A Time Frozen Over: Shards of Secrets (Book One) [COMPLETE]

CHAPTER FIVE - THE SUMMER SOLSTICE

Arendelle

Eighteen Years Earlier

It was a warm summer night.  The blue-kissed night sky glowed with an angelic radiance.  The northern lights seemed to be dancing across the countless boats that were anchored in the fjord with their lanterns a glow, in celebration of the summer solstice.

The kingdom looked forward to this day every year, but this year it was an even grander occasion, due to the impending birth of the king and queen's second child.

Inside the castle, three-year-old Elsa sat on a green, velvet chair in the hallway just outside the queen's infirmary chamber.  Her feet were barely touching the ground.  She swung her legs making the heels of her feet slip out of her tiny, black shoes.  She couldn't stop thinking about how she was missing out on the celebration.

Every year on this day, her and her parents would go into the town to greet their people and enjoy cold peach cider and fresh baked honey cake.  She loved everything — the lights, the music, the smell of the newly bloomed carnations....The only thing she didn't like was all the people.  She was afraid she might get just a little over excited and accidentally turn the first day of summer into a wintery blizzard, or, bite into a honey cake that was a bit too hot, making her inadvertently launch a snowball into someone's face.

Once again, Elsa found herself thinking of a happy thought, only to turn it into something fearful.  Her thoughts drifted back to why she was missing out on the celebration.  She couldn't be more excited to meet her new little sibling.  Yet again, another fearful thought interrupted her happiness, haunting her mind.  Elsa thought, "What if I hurt it?  What if I'm helping Mama give the baby a bath and I turn it into an ice statue?"  Tiny snow flurries began to swirl all around her as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Just then, the door to the chamber opened.  She wiped her eyes and quickly waved her hand to make the flurries dissipate.

Gretchen was standing in the doorway with a jubilant look on her face.  "Princess, come here.  Come meet your new little sister," she said, her arm outstretched to take Elsa's hand. 

Elsa scooted out of the chair and adjusted the skirt of her favorite blue and black dress.  She hesitantly and carefully took Gretchen's hand, and she was led into the spacious chamber.  Elsa looked across the room and saw her mother lying on the bed with the newborn baby in her arms.  The baby's fiery red hair was peeking out of her green, knitted blanket.

Elsa heard her mother's ecstatic voice say to her father, "I've never seen a happier baby!"

"I never knew a newborn baby could smile," replied her father. 

Elsa squealed with excitement.  Gerda heard Elsa's thrilled squeals, looked up and motioned her to come closer.

"Elsa, come here!" she said excitedly.

Elsa ran over to her mother's bedside to see her new little sister.  Derik walked around the bed, picked up Elsa and placed her next to her mother on the bed.  Elsa reached for the baby, but stopped herself.  "I don't want to hurt her," she said quietly.

"Just stay calm, you'll be alright," her father told her in a reassuring whisper.

Elsa slowly twirled her little fingers through her sister's curly, red hair.  She giggled.  "I thought it would be hot."

Gerda, looking amused, asked, "What do you mean?"

"It looks like fire!" Elsa exclaimed.

Gerda laughed and said, "No, sweetie, that's just the color of her hair.  Your sister won't burn you, I promise!"

Elsa's countenance fell, "But what if I freeze her?" she asked worried.

Derik and Gerda exchanged a look of worry.  Gretchen set down the dirty towels on the wash table, bowed her head and left the room, knowing they needed a moment to themselves. 

"Elsa, there's no need to worry," said the king.  "We will help you control it.  You and your sister will be okay."

"You promise?" Elsa asked, looking at them both with desperation.

"We promise," Gerda reassured, putting her hand on her worried daughter's cheek.

Elsa let out a sigh of relief and asked, now with excitement, "What's her name?"

Gerda's eyes turned toward Derik.  With a smile on his face, he gave her a nod of approval.  

"Her name is Anna," Gerda said, gently pulling down the blanket off of the baby's chin.

As Gerda stroked the baby's chin, Elsa bent down, gently gave her sister a kiss on her tiny cheek and whispered, "I promise, Anna, I'll be the best big sister anyone could ask for."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

Sniff, sniff....how sweet! Someone give me a razor to shave all this fluff!  But, come on, wasn't three-year-old Elsa cute???  Still just as logical and refined as she is grown up, but still the cutest thing ever!  You wished you could have kissed baby Anna's chubby little cheeks too and you know it!  

Next chapter, no more mushiness (and yes that is a word!  I just googled it!!), fast forward to the present with a monstrous beast on the loose....and....drum roll please.... some MAGIC!!!

P.S. Be careful how you use "sniff, sniff" on social media, it might get you in trouble!  It happened to me!!!  Be safe and READ ON!