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Five knocks in Anna’s signature rhythm sounded on the door, and Elsa turned from where she had been gazing out the window over the snow covered mountains.
“Elsa?” Anna’s voice was faint through the door but unmistakable. Elsa walked across the room and kneeled by the door to better hear Anna. Even if she couldn’t open the door, Elsa still liked when Anna talked to her. It had been so long since they’d been able to talk face to face, and Elsa missed Anna every day.
But surely it wouldn’t be that much longer? Elsa’s parents had said that once she got her powers under control, she could be with Anna again. Surely she’d be able to control it soon. She imagined how good it would feel to open the door and find Anna waiting for her. To be able to hug her again at long last, and build a snowman together.
“Elsa?” Anna’s voice brought Elsa back to reality. “I just wanted to say, um… happy birthday. If you’re listening.” Elsa blinked in surprise. She had actually forgotten that today was her birthday. All the days blended together when she spent most of her time alone in her room. She was nine years old now. Nine. That sounded pretty grown up. Surely nine-year-old-Elsa would be able to control her magic better than eight-year-old-Elsa could.
“I got the cook to make you something.” Anna continued. “I’ll just leave it out here I guess.” Her voice broke and she sniffled. The sound brought tears to Elsa’s eyes that froze as they ran down her cheeks. “Unless you want to open the door?” Anna whispered. Elsa was so close to reaching for the doorknob until she was struck with the memory that seemed to haunt her every moment these days. Anna’s scream, her hair changing color, her skin that was stiff and cold. Elsa drew her hand away from the door.
“I didn’t figure so.” Anna’s voice was dejected now, and guilt clawed at Elsa’s heart. “I hope you have a happy birthday anyway.” Her footsteps were slow as she walked away from Elsa’s door.
Elsa waited a few seconds before cracking the door open to see what Anna had left her. It was a chocolate cake arranged in the shape of a snowman, with a bright orange candle for the nose. Elsa’s heart swelled.
Elsa glanced down the corridor and saw that Anna was about to turn the corner. Before she could convince herself not to, she called out. “I love you, Anna.” Elsa quickly pulled the door almost closed, so she could only see through a tiny crack.
Anna turned back, a smile lighting up her face. She met Elsa’s eyes through the cracked door. “I love you too, Elsa.” Then she turned and walked away, a bounce in her step for the first time in forever.