Hey everyone. It's been a long while since I've touched or even looked at this story, but I 've decided that I'm ready for a fresh attempt. I know I said in my most recent author's note that I wouldn't be writing anymore multi-chaps, but the truth is, I miss writing for you guys. You have been so supportive, and I don't know what I'd do without you. I've been so inactive lately, I feel I don't deserve such a dedicated following. But I'm willing to give this story another chance, if you're willing to give me another chance. DISCLAIMER: I do not own Frozen or any of its characters; just my OCs.

Prologue: A New Dawn

Bright and colorful lights danced across the inky black sky that covered the sleepy little village. Apart from the gentle waves lapping against the wharf, all was quiet. Not an animal or a human stirred, not even the lone figure standing on the royal balcony of the castle. At first glance, one would guess it was a young woman, for not a line nor a wrinkle marred her alabaster skin. But this particular woman was anything but.

Elsa stood alone on the balcony, dressed in nothing but a sheer, icy blue nightgown. Her hair had come loose from its usual braid and was fluttering gently in the light summer breeze. Her eyes were closed as if in thought. It had been twenty-one years since she had started her new life. Twenty-one years. And to think it had all started out so horribly wrong.

It had started with her coronation as the new queen of Arendelle. Thankfully, the ceremony had gone exactly as planned, but the celebration ball afterward had ended in complete disaster. She and Anna had had a fight, upsetting Elsa and causing her to accidentally release some of her ice magic. Afraid for Anna and her people, she had fled to the North Mountain, and in her frightened state, had frozen the entire kingdom. It was only after watching her little sister, her one and only friend, sacrifice herself right before her very eyes that she finally figured out the key to controlling her magic: love.

From that day on, she had vowed to make a better life for her and Anna, starting with rekindling the friendship they had shared so many years before. She regretted not being able to see Anna grow into the beautiful young woman she had become. Even though she felt very undeserving, Anna had forgiven her for everything. The past was in the past, and it was time to move forward.

And move forward they did. Over the next year, the sisters had grown closer than they ever had before. Anna had also become closer to a certain ice harvester. Shortly after, to Elsa's great happiness, Kristoff had asked her for Anna's hand in marriage. Elsa had been only too happy to give her consent to the mysterious young man who had captured Anna's heart.

A year later, they had welcomed a new member to the family, Anna and Kristoff's eldest daughter, Kirsten. But their happiness was short-lived when, just a month later, Kirsten was kidnapped by their old enemy, Hans Westergaard, former prince of the Southern Isles. Fortunately, with the help of another young prince, Fredrik (one of Hans' older brothers, to be exact), they recovered Kirsten within just a few short weeks. Elsa had surprised herself by falling for that young prince and was now proud to call him her husband.

Two years later, she and Fredrik welcomed their first child into the world, their daughter, Bella-Grace. But another year later, their happiness was shattered when Bella came down with a strange and mysterious illness. Elsa had been despondent for days, never leaving her daughter's side, until she had made the decision to visit the best magical healers, the rock trolls. Through careful instructions from the leader, they were able to nurse Bella back to health.

Over the next few years, things returned mostly to normal. Anna and Kristoff welcomed two more children, their younger daughter, Susanna, and their son, Nikolai. Elsa and Fredrik also welcomed another child, their son, Dominik.

But once again, their happiness came crashing to a halt, for something else happened that shattered their perfect world.

When Nikolai had been about three years old, Anna had made the happy announcement that she was expecting her and Kristoff's fourth child. Their older children had been ecstatic about the prospect of a new sibling, but none more so than Nikolai, who had wanted a brother to play with, in addition to his cousin Dominik. Soon after the announcement, however, Anna came down with a severe case of morning sickness, confining her to her bed for the first few weeks. After it had passed, she felt relatively back to normal.

But then one night, about halfway through her pregnancy, Anna had woken up to sudden, sharp pains in her abdomen and a pool of blood on the sheets. In a panic, she had woken Kristoff and had him send for Dr. Olsen, the family physician; Greta, the midwife; and Gerda, the head housekeeper. They had shooed Kristoff out of the room while they tended to Anna. Once she was cleaned up and checked over, Dr. Olsen let Kristoff back in and delivered the sad news: Anna had lost the baby. Naturally, Anna had been devastated, and was inconsolable for the next few days. Though she had made a full recovery, the miscarriage had weakened her, and she didn't have as much energy as she used to. They buried the tiny baby boy next to her parents' memorial stones, and had visited the grave every year since. After a few weeks, she was able to put it behind her, and now when asked about it, she talked about it as a life experience, and said that she and Kristoff were blessed to already have three beautiful, healthy children.

At almost eighteen, Kirsten was already the spitting image of her mother, with her wide blue eyes, turned-up nose, and abundant freckles. But the one thing that set her apart from her mother was the light blonde hair she had inherited from her father. Another thing that made her just like her mother was her personality. She was free-spirited and very independent, and she made friends easily. Many young women in the kingdom had the good fortune of knowing the princess.

Her fifteen-year-old sister, Susanna, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Quiet and a little more withdrawn, she took more after her father (and maybe a little bit after her aunt, too). With her soft-spoken words and soothing voice, she had made friends with many of the animals. She also looked like her mother, with the same strawberry-blonde hair and upturned nose. The subtle features that were different were her lack of freckles and her amber eyes, which she had inherited from her father.

At thirteen, Nikolai, the youngest, was the spitting image of his father, from his blonde hair all the way down to his big feet. One of his favorite things to do was climb trees with his cousin. But more than anything, his dream was to one day become an ice harvester like his father. He liked being a prince, but he hated dressing up and always squirmed when being dressed in formal clothes. He would then protest by ruining them while playing with his cousin. The royal seamstress was always kept busy making new outfits for him. He had ruined more outfits than his sisters and cousins combined. Understandably, Anna was at her wits' end.

Elsa smiled. Thinking of Anna's children made her think of her own children. She and Fredrik were also lucky to have two beautiful children of their own.

Like Anna and her two daughters, Elsa's sixteen-year-old daughter, Bella-Grace – or Bella, as everyone called her – took after her mother in looks, with the same clear blue eyes and fair complexion, but had her father's thick, curly, dark brown hair. She was a little withdrawn, but she had her mother's commanding presence. Whether it was her regal stature or because she had her mother's magical gift, was unclear. What made her different, though, was that she rarely used her magic, especially in front of people who weren't her immediate family.

And then there was Dominik, their only son and heir. Elsa considered him to be their biggest blessing. When he was born, some mucus had become lodged in his throat. A couple of good smacks had cleared it, but it had left him with a mild respiratory ailment. At fourteen years old, he was already the spitting image of his father, with the same wide smile and bright green eyes that always twinkled with mischief. What set him apart from his father was the platinum blonde hair that he had inherited from his mother. He had also inherited his mother's mischievous spirit. He loved playing pranks on his sister and cousins, often helped along by Nikolai, whom he considered his best friend.

Elsa was so lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't hear the soft footsteps behind her or feel the strong arms wrap around her waist.

"Hey," came the deep voice of her husband, Fredrik. "Can't sleep?"

Elsa leaned back against his chest. "Just thinking," she said.

"About what?" Fredrik asked, starting to kiss her neck. Elsa smiled and closed her eyes. Even after seventeen years of marriage, his light kisses still sent shivers down her spine.

"About our family," she answered. "Bella and Dominik and our nieces and nephew. They're growing up so fast."

"I know," said Fredrik, sighing. "It seems like just yesterday that Bella was first learning how to walk, and now she's a teenager."

"I know, I can't believe it, either," said Elsa. She broke away from his embrace and turned around to face him. Looking at him in the dark, one would guess he was still a young man, but Elsa knew better. His dark brown curls were starting to gray at the temples and he had light laugh lines, but Elsa thought they only made him look more handsome than ever. She smiled and placed a tender kiss on his lips.

"Then let's enjoy it while we can, huh?" Fredrik asked and smiled back.

Elsa nodded.

"Come on, let's go back to bed," said Fredrik, taking her hand and leading her back into their bedroom.

They settled themselves back into their bed. Fredrik pulled the covers over them and then pulled her into his arms. Elsa snuggled against his chest and within a few minutes, felt herself drift into peaceful oblivion.

For a short time, there'll be two versions of this story: the original that I started over a year ago and this "new" version. The old one will stay up for any edits I need to make after posting, after which it will be deleted.