Day 4

扫一扫收听英文朗读

“Elsa!” Anna called out hopefully. She took a few steps into the room. “Elsa, why are you in here? Come back to our room! I know Mama and Papa said it's ...” Her voice trailed off as she caught sight of her sister's expression. It was cold as ice.

“Go to your room, Anna,” Elsa said, frowning. “You can't be here.”

“But ...”

“I mean it!” Elsa shouted, her voice cracking. “Go away!” Walking forward, Elsa reached to push Anna out of the room. But just before she touched Anna's trembling shoulder, Elsa recoiled as though she had just remembered something terrible. That hurt Anna more than any of Elsa's words had.

Anna walked slowly into the hallway. As she turned back for one last glimpse at Elsa, her sister slammed the door.

Anna stared at the closed door for several long, sad moments. What had just happened? Why was Elsa suddenly being so cold to her? Why was she leaving the nursery? Sadly, Anna turned and walked back to their—her—bedroom. She had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that something had gone terribly wrong. She just didn't know what. She could only hope that Elsa would warm up and talk to her again ... soon.

Ten years later ...

“Elsa? Elsa, I know you're in there. I'm heading to the stables. Do you want to come?” Fifteen-year-old princess Anna stared at the door to her sister's room and waited. She knew it was useless. If Elsa even responded, which happened about once in never, the answer would be no. The answer was always no. Why did Anna think that Elsa would suddenly decide to break ten years' worth of silence?

“Elsa?” she called again.

Nothing.

Gently, Anna placed her hand on the door, as though she might feel Elsa's presence that way. Then she pulled it back angrily. What was the point? She had been in this spot countless times. Ever since that night all those years ago when Elsa had slammed the door in her face, it had been just one long series of closed doors and disappointments.

Anna pushed open her own door, kicking aside the stray pieces of clothing that littered her bedroom floor and making her way over to her vanity. Sitting down, Anna began to pull her hair into a loose bun. As she worked, she softly touched the streak of white hair that framed her face. Then she gave it a hard yank. She had lost count of how many times she had sat in this very spot, staring at the white hair. She had had the streak for as long as she could remember, but it always felt out of place, like it wasn't supposed to be there. But trying to figure out why the hair felt so strange was as futile as wishing Elsa would open the door and talk to her.

Anna pulled on the streak again, this time ruining her hastily made bun. She sighed and blew the loose strands of hair out of her eyes. Well, that won't do,Anna thought. Even if there wasn't exactly anyone to dress up for, Anna still liked looking her best. It gave her something to do, at least.

The morning after the sledding accident, Anna had awoken to find the castle much quieter than usual. She hadn't heard the laughter of the maids as they scurried between rooms, dusting the shelves and lighting fires in the many hearths. When she had ventured out of her room, she hadn't heard the clanging of pots from the kitchen as Cook prepared the morning meal for the royal family and the rest of the household. Nor had she heard Kai, the royal handler, issuing his daily instructions to the chamberlain to ensure proper care of the Great Hall.

The whole place had felt abandoned. And, for all intents and purposes, it had been. Her parents had closed the gates to the castle. Almost the entire staff had been dismissed, and any contact with the outside world had been forbidden. And Anna had no idea why. Ten years later, she still had no idea why.

The king and queen of Arendelle had been gone on a trip for nearly a week, and despite Anna's hopes, their absence had done nothing to make Elsa more social. If anything, her sister had grown even more reclusive. Elsa had all her meals delivered to her room and took her lessons with Kai privately. If Anna saw her at all, it was as a glimpse of a thin shadow slipping behind a door.

Still,Anna reminded herself now as she made her way along the royal gallery, I have three weeks to go.“A lot can happen in three weeks, don't you think?” she asked, looking up at the portrait of her great-great-great-grandfather. He gazed back down at her, his expression stern. Anna smiled and nodded as though the portrait were speaking. “What's that? You lost all your hair in only three weeks?” She took a step back and peered up at the man. His bald head gleamed in the candlelight. “I think it makes you look very dignified, Great-Great-Great-Grandpappy.”