Loved - Dinner with Mother

Dinner with Mother

Elsa waited quietly with her hands in her lap as Kai placed dinner before her and her mother.
Mother was with her today, her parents took turns so they could spend time with Anna and herself.
Elsa felt it was stupid to do it this way, but then she was the one to ask to do it this way. She always became so scared when she was with Anna. If Anna ever learned that she had hurt her. Elsa was certain Anna would hate her forever, and she didn’t want that. Elsa loved her sister so much. Yet every time she saw her sister she had to run away to her room, to keep her safe. But there was no way to make Anna understand, because she couldn’t tell her or anyone she had powers.
Kai placed plates of cod in butter sauce, sauerkraut and roast vegetables in front of her mother and herself then retreated from the dining room.
“You may take off your gloves dear. Your hands need to breathe.”
“Yes, Mother.” Elsa said.
After taking a sip of her wine, Mother asked, “How was your lesson with the tutor today?”
“Good.” Elsa said as she poked a beet with her fork, pushing it around her plate a little.
Mother frowned, but Elsa was sure if it was her answer or the beet.
“Did you learn anything interesting?”
“Yes, we finally started talking about the history of China instead of just how much iron, rice, salt and other goods they produce. That was so boring. But their history is fascinating. Did you know a girl once stole her father’s armor, destroyed a Hun army, saved the emperor and married the general?” Elsa finished excitedly.
“Why no, dear, but that sounds very brave.” Mother said with a wonderful smile, then she glanced down and frowned. Elsa’s insides clenched, there was layer of frost over her silverware and the beet on the end of the fork was frozen solid.
“I’m sorry.” Said Elsa as she dropped her eyes.
“I know, dear.” Mother came to her side of the table and wrapped her arms around her.
Elsa put her head on her mother’s shoulder. “I just get excited or something. Can I put the gloves back on?”
“No. Not yet. I know the gloves help but you really should try to do it without them. I know you can.“
“I’m trying. I’m trying so hard, but I keep forgetting sometimes.”
“I know, but that is why you have to practice controlling it without them.”
“Okay.”
“Just until dinner is over, at least. Come eat up.”
Mother went back to her meal as did Elsa.
Elsa didn’t really feel like eating, but ate anyway. By the time dinner was nearly over the beet she had frozen was thawed enough to eat, though the middle still crunched nicely between her teeth.
Elsa gratefully slipped her gloves back on. She did need to learn better to control her powers, but sometimes, most of the time now, she was needing the gloves to keep her powers concealed.
“Go read for a while, your father and I will be in to tuck you in later.” Said Mother after another hug.
“Okay.” Elsa replied as she went to her room, alert for her sister lurking about. Elsa moved quickly down the hall and quickly shut the door behind her, but not before seeing Anna coming around the other corner. Elsa kept her back against the door for a while until she was certain that Anna wasn’t there anymore. She took up her book and sat. Reading didn’t help much but it filled in the time.
Elsa wished she could sleep but she had to control her powers and they slipped out sometimes at night, so she tried to sleep as little as she could. It was bad enough waking up with her bed filled with snow, but sometimes she would have a nightmare and her whole room would be covered in ice and snow.
No, she had a duty to protect her family and her kingdom from herself. Losing a little bit of rest is a small price to pay.