"Yet he clearly understood that the realization of his dream would most likely be impossible. All because of the deceitfulness and treachery he committed, when he substituted the love he already had for a kiss of a young lady who, as she thought ventured into the icy palace in order to save her dear friend. And as it usually happens in a struggle between two women over a man, youth had prevailed. Reflecting on the complexity of the forthcoming obstacle he cheered and inspired himself with one thought, that everything that had happened back then was not so unique, as most of his subsequent relationships followed the same pattern. And in all such cases he was normally forgiven after some minor sacrifices were made. And stands before him a difficult, yet an achievable task. His goal is to go back the icy citadel and present her with a gift, which would help her recollect who he was, or perhaps even persuade her to forgive that little boy, who obediently played with tiny pieces of ice, butting small bits together into one infinite word: ETERNITY."

 

 

There were numerous elements to the old Hans Christian Anderson tale that made it fascinating to readers both young and old as it examined man’s fragility and his propensity to do great evil as well as his desire to perform great good. In Ylotana’s DANCE FOR THE SNOW QUEEN we are given a peek into the life of an older Kai and where his journey led him after his rendezvous with the Snow Queen. In DFTSQ, we see that Kai is far from feeling relieved about leaving the palace; in fact, he and his childhood friend Gerda are no longer acquainted. In this peep into the Anderson’s male protagonist future, Kai is now an old man filled with regrets. Currently living in Copenhagen Denmark, he often sits in front of his computer as he writes a song about his continued love for the Snow Queen.

 

The song Kai writes is both a lament and a gift to win the heart of the one woman he still adores. Indeed, his memories have been glorified a bit as time wore on, like the idea of a childhood home that, once revisited, does not seem quite as quaint. Or is he simply longing for what he cannot have simply because he does not have it? Interestingly, even though Kai is older, one cannot help but think he is still a child in many ways. The grass is always greener for some and when women reveal themselves to be as imperfect as any man, love loses its luster for the unrealistic. Is Kai, an old man who writes a song to capture the attention of a woman who may have long since moved beyond her own love, really sincere in his quest? A person who often chases after two birds within a bush is never made happy in any relationship. Should he acquire his Queen, will he once more grow weary, tossing her aside as a child would toss a toy and seeking greater amusement elsewhere? Perhaps the shard that flew into Kai’s eye when he was a child left its mark, creating in him a thirst that will never be sated, neither by mere mortals or Goddesses.

 

The Dance for The Snow Queen’ can be taken in two different ways. There is one interpretation that could be taken literally. The other interpretation could be looked at from a metaphorical point of view. From first glance this story is about grown up Kai (from The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, published in 1845) who has realized just how much he has loved a woman from his past – the Snow Queen. The term ‘dance’ romantically symbolizes the way that the memory of this beautiful woman paces throughout his mind. Essentially, it was better to love and lost, than to have never loved at all. But Kai was foolish enough to betray his Queen by running off from the Icy Palace with his friend Gerda. Nothing could remind him more of his long lost love and how beautiful she was than the pure white snow, that so gracefully covers every single tree, mountain and lake in his home town. Out of his heart comes the fondest of memories of his lost love that was truly the love of his life and queen of his heart.

 

Kai recollects the times, when he was still young, when he was happy and full of energy. It was a time when time seemed to be frozen, never really passing by. This is why he realized that during his ‘icy captivity’, it was the only time where he was really happy. It was the only time where he could live life care free, with no worries, without any limitations or regrets. Well, this time had passed and all his deeds, good or bad were catching up with him like an avalanche. It is a tale, which too many people have told and retold over and over again. Our lives are but a flicker of light on the vast seas of eternity. And many people often wait until the ‘winter of their lives’ to realize that the unlimited potential that they have always had has never been truly fulfilled. Yet, no matter what our friend is determined to get things right by going back to the Icy Palace and beg for forgiveness.