The Snow Queen and The Woodsman

But, as we all know, Queens are never truly free, and neither was our little Snow Queen. For she was the monarch of the Land of Snowflakes, the snowy woods where the first snow and winter began so many ages ago. Every winter since, winter would start right there, in the Winter Kingdom, and all Snow Queens and Kings stretching back to the beginning of time raised their Snowflake wands and uttered the magic words to begin the winter months:

“Say goodbye to the long dark night, but don’t dare be affright, for though the days are short and cold, winter harkens, with love, warmth, and the greatest stories ever told.”

But the Snow Queen sighed and came to a stop. A snowflake landed on her little nose. She crossed her eyes, looking at it, and slowly wiped it off. As Snow Queen, she never got cold. She never had to lift a finger, for her servants, ladies in waiting, and grenadiers (this is a fancy name for a kind of soldier) with their tall bear fur hats protected her and did everything for her.

Except for one person.

The Woodsman. Unlike everyone else, the Woodsman, who watched over the forest all year round, barely said a word to her. He never fussed over her. He didn’t call her “Your Majesty” or “Highness” or “Queen.” He simply said, “As you say, so it will be.”

And on this day, the day our story begins, the Snow Queen had run away.