"Absolutely not. Why would you even want it?"

"Because I care about you. And whatever is in that letter greatly upset you."

I try to pull away from him. His hands are mere inches from the letter. His fingers do not move from my wrist.

He is strong enough to take it from me.

But I know he won't.

Maybe I could get the needle from him, but only if I used my power. But I do not want to hurt him.

I twist my wrist out of his grasp. We stand face to face. The levity of the evening long forgotten.

The party will end in less than an hour, but for now the people of Arendelle continue to sway and dance, oblivious of the war waging in my soul.

"Give me the needle." I grit my teeth.

Jack holds out his hand. "The letter?"

Without disconnecting my eyes from him, I flex my fingers around the letter in my hand. Ice twists around the fragile parchment.

"I promise that I will give it to you."

Jack pulls the needle out of his pocket. "What is so important about this needle anyway?"

"I don't know." And it is true. I only know that it was stolen. If I return it, I will get another chance at life.

I won't need gloves or a trainer. I won't need anyone.

I will be stronger without ice writhing inside my veins.

Jack holds out the needle. I snatch it from him and slip it into my pocket.

"Thank you." I turn on my heel.

"You promised."

I look over my shoulder. "And a queen always keeps her promises." I toss the frozen ball of paper at him.

Hurt flashes through his eyes, but I force myself to run away.

I hurry through the crowded garden. Couples spin around me.

"Excuse me, excuse me." I mumble.

The chaos of voices and laughter crescendos as I work my way through the crowd. The words of the prophecy tangle through my mind.

Your future is bleak.

Tears veil my vision. I stumble forward, my hands pressed against my stomach.

Your kingdom will splinter.

My kingdom, my people, my home will be torn apart because of me.

Jack calls after me, but his words are lost in the downpour of fear filling my head.

Your land shall be cursed with unending winter.

There will be no easy way out this time. Summer will be gone for good.

I can see it...the dead flowers, the skeleton trees, the children with red cheeks and no coats.

I struggle through the crowd. Why is everyone still dancing? Don't they know that Arendelle is about to fall apart? They've seen my power. Why don't they hate me?

They never should have crowned me queen.

With blasts of cold will come a dark art and a ruler with a frozen heart.

I am that cursed ruler.

Tears stream unchecked from my eyes. Those around me finally seem to notice their crying, broken queen.

They pull away from me, leaving me an open path out of the garden.

Every nerve inside me stands on end. I need to run away. But before I can escape, a small, gentle hand locks onto my wrist.

"Elsa?"

I hear Anna's voice, but I don't see her. My tears blur my vision. And like a fateful bell, the last line of the prophecy rings through my head.

Then all will perish in snow and ice unless you are freed with a sword of sacrifice.

**

Anna shakes my arm again. "Why are you crying?"

"Elsa, wait!" Jack runs up to us, oblivious of the people curious onlookers.

Anna glares at him. "Did you do this? Did you hurt her?"

"No!" Jack stops in front of me. Even through my tears and fear, I can see the confusion in his eyes. I hear the pain in his voice. He doesn't look at Anna, he looks into my eyes as he says, "Anna, I would never hurt your sister."

I glance at the crowd watching us. Yet another ball I ruined. I doubt I will be invited to Anna's wedding.

"Please, let me go." I whisper.

"Not this time." Anna tightens her hold on my arm. "Tell me what is wrong!"

I tear my arm out of her grip. I step away from Anna and Jack and everyone else. My gloved hands come up in front of me.

"I am what is wrong."