Chapter 1
Young Mikkel Erikson sat bewildered in the large rooms of the castle. Being only six years old, his imagination ran wild with what adventures lay within this massive structure. His long brown hair kept falling over his chubby pale face despite his mother's attempts to keep it combed back. His green eyes wandered the room taking in the sights of suits of armor and paintings. He could no longer resist his temptation to go up to a suit of armor and touch it.
"No touching Mikkel." His mother, Analise Erikson scolded as she pulled him back. She was a young woman with long flowing brown hair and green eyes. She had been struggling to raise Mikkel by herself ever since her husband died from plague five months ago. She truly treasured her child as he served as testimony to the great man his father was. His father, Soren Erikson, had been a great warrior and soldier in the Arendelle Army. He had led Arendelle to numerous victories and defeated many great armies. Despite his skill in battle, no man can fight deadly disease. She could still remember the pained look on his face as he wanted to hold Mikkel one last time but couldn't for fear of infecting him with the disease.
Five Months Ago.
Captain Soren Erikson coughed violently as chills shot up his body. His fever making him sweat profusely. His enlarged lymph nodes beneath his armpit burned with a sharp stabbing pain. He though it was pathetic really, He, the great legendary Captain Soren Erikson, would be killed by a bacteria. Oh how he would have preferred death on the battlefield over this. His once powerfully built muscular body now nothing more than bones due to his decreased appetite and inactivity. His strong chiseled face now bone thin resembling a skeleton. His green eyes had sunk back into his skull as his brown hair had begun to thin and fall out.
"How is he doctor?" Analise asked holding a crying Mikkel's hand.
"I'm sorry." The doctor said. "The plague has spread too far, he will most likely not last the night."
"No." Analise said gasping as her heart split in half. "Please no there has to be something!"
"If there was I would do it but I just can't." The doctor said. This was definitely the part of his job he hated the most. Having to tell someone they or someone they loved were dying. Analise squeezed her eyes shut as tears rolled down her face.
"Mama is papa gonna be okay?" Mikkel asked. Analise's heart broke seeing the sad innocent look on her son's face.
"Papa is going to be with the angels now." Analise said embracing Mikkel in a tight hug as the little boy began to wail in tears. Soren saw this and wanted nothing more than to embrace the two as tight as he could one last time but knew he would spread his disease to them if he did.
"I-I love you both so much." He said weakly yet his voice was full of love. "M-Mikkel?"
"Yes Papa?" Mikkel asked wiping tears from his eye.
"You need to take care of mama now, papa has to go to sleep." Soren said as he was attacked with a violent coughing fit. Blood and mucus spattered on his chest. Soren let out painful grunts for what seemed like hours till he stood completely still and made no noise.
"Papa? Papa? Wake up!" Mikkel cried. Soren did not respond, he was dead.
"I'm sorry." The doctor said somberly as he pulled a blanket over Soren's body.
Present Day
Analise shuddered at the terrible memory. The funeral had been even worse as Soren's body had to be burned in order to kill the bacteria that was in him. His sword and medals were all displayed on the mantle piece of their home. Analise missed her husband so much but knew her son needed her. Ever since Soren died, Analise had taken a job as a server in the local tavern. They were by no means wealthy and they were living day to day but Analise was always able to keep a roof over their head a put three meals on the table.
"Mama will we see the King and Queen?" Mikkel asked excitedly as he smiled revealing the large gap between his front teeth.
"Yes we will." Analise chuckled as she brushed her son's hair out of his face. King Adgar and Queen Idun had heard of Analise's struggle to provide for Mikkel and decided to offer a job in the castle where she and her son would receive room and board. Since Soren had served under the crown very bravely, the King and Queen sought to make sure his wife and son were taken care of. Analise waited patiently as the door opened and in walked a rather chubby man in a suit.
"Welcome to the castle milady, my name is Kai and I am the King's personal servant." Kai said.
"Its nice to meet you Kai." Analise said. "This is my son Mikkel."
"Hello there my boy." Kai said in a friendly voice. "How old are you?"
"Umm." Mikkel said as he held up his fingers to count. "I am six years old!"
"Six years old? You certainly are a big boy aren't you?" Kai said. "You know Princess Elsa is six years old too."
"There's a princess?" Mikkel said with an adorable confused look on his face.
"There are two my boy!" Kai exclaimed. "Princess Elsa and Princess Anna who is two years old."
"Wow! Mama two princesses!" Mikkel said excitedly.
"Who knows, one of them might to decide to marry a handsome fella like you." Kai said smiling ruffling Mikkel's hair.
"Ewww gross!" Mikkel said sticking his tongue out much to Analise and Kai's amusement.
"Mikkel? Mama has to talk to Mr. Kai here about her new job." Analise said as she turned to Kai. "Is there somewhere he can go and play?"
"Well I suppose he could go into the ball room,- Actually I have a better idea." Kai said. "Mikkel?"
"Yes Mr. Kai?" He asked.
"Would you like to meet Princess Elsa?" Kai asked.
"Yes!" Mikkel said happily. "Mama can I? Can I? Can I? Please!"
"Of course you can sweetheart." Analise said. "Remember though this is the castle so you must listen to what every says okay?"
"Ohhh okay!" He pouted. He didn't like having to listen to people.
"Gerda my dear could you come here for a minute?" Kai called out. In walked a young woman in a servants dress. "Could you take this young man to see the princess?"
"Is the King and Queen okay with it?" Gerda asked. She was hesitant to let strangers near the princess.
"My dear he is a six year old boy." Kai said laughing. "Besides, the princess is at the age where she should be making friends."
"Okay." Gerda said coming up to Mikkel. "This way dear."
"Bye Mama!" He said taking Gerda's hand as she walked him away. Analise smiled as she waved to him.
"He looks just like his father." Kai said. "I am very sorry to hear about your husband."
"He was too good for this earth." Analise said. "It's been so hard without him, I remember the day Soren fell ill Mikkel kept asking me why his papa wasn't coming home." Kai's heart ached for the poor boy, it is so hard to lose a parent at such a young age.
"Well on a brighter note." Kai said pulling out a piece of paper and a quill. "As long as you serve the royal family you and your son shall receive free housing and meals along with the other servants. He will also be educated along with the other servant's children. You just need to sign here."
"Thank you so much!" Analise said placing a hand over her heart. No one knew how desperate she was growing for extra income. If she had not gotten offered a job at the castle she would have had to resort to prostitution to support her son. Analise quickly signed the document and handed it back to Kai.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Kai asked.
"I'm okay for the moment, I'll let my son play with the princess for a bit." Analise said smiling. Mikkel held tight onto Gerda's hand as she walked him to Elsa's playroom. Mikkel was very shy and was nervous about meeting someone new, a princess of all things.
"Wait here dear while I get the princess." Gerda said as they stopped at a door. Gerda knocked on the door three times. "Princess Elsa? May I come in?"
"You can enter Gerda." A deep male voice said. It startled Gerda as she was expecting Elsa's light sweet voice. She realized it was the king and looked back to Mikkel who was shaking out of nervousness.
"Are you ready to meet the king?" Gerda asked. Mikkel gulped and nodded. Gerda smiled and opened the door. The first thing Mikkel saw was a bin full of dolls and balls. He never had many toys of his own so he was impressed. He then turned to see a small girl looking at him. She had blonde hair and big blue eyes and had a doll cradled in her arms. He looked up to see the King and Queen sitting next to her. The queen was holding a small child, no more than three years old.
"Your majesties." Gerda said bowing. Mikkel didn't know what to do and quickly fell to his face to bow earning a chuckle from everyone.
"Princess? I have a new friend for you to play with. He is the son of one of the servants. He is six years old just like you!" Gerda said. Elsa walked over to Mikkel who was now hiding behind Gerda's leg. Mikkel peeked and saw Elsa standing staring at him.
"Oh your highness!" He said as he dropped to the ground and hit his head on the floor. "OW!"
"You're funny!" Elsa giggled. "What's your name?"
"This is Mikkel Erikson." Gerda said. Upon hearing the name the King and Queen immediately stood up and walked towards Mikkel.
"The son of Soren?" Queen Idun asked as she placed Anna over her shoulder.
"Yes your majesty." Gerda said. Agdar walked over to Mikkel and knelt down so he was face to face with the child.
"Your father was a brave man." Agdar said sincerely to the young boy. "He was the finest soldier in our kingdom's history."
"Thank you." Mikkel said wiping a tear from his eye. "I miss my papa." Agdar immediately regretted mentioning it upon seeing the child's tears. He looked to Idun who gave him a shrug not knowing what to do. Adgar looked back down to see Elsa giving him a toy ball.
"Here you can have this." She said smiling revealing her little baby teeth.
"A-a-are you s-sure?" Mikkel sniffled.
"Yup, I got plenty." Elsa said. Agdar and Idun smiled with pride at their daughter's generosity.
"Thank you so much!" Mikkel said taking the ball and hugging it. Elsa looked at the boy in front of her for a long time. She thought he was very cute with his long rustled hair and big gap in his teeth. Idun noticed the look her daughter was giving him and turned to her husband.
"Aww I think Elsa has her first crush!" Idun whispered to Agdar who stiffened at hearing this. If any man ever try anything funny with his daughter he would send them right to the noose. He quickly pushed these thoughts out of his head. This was a six year old boy for crying out loud!
"Elsa why don't you show Mikkel your little sister?" Idun said as she put Anna on the ground.
"Oh come here!" Elsa said grabbing his hand and dragging him as fast as her little feet would allow. Elsa brought him to a little girl no more than two years old sitting on the ground with doll. She had strawberry blonde hair with turquoise eyes, freckles dotted her chubby baby face.
"Her name is Anna, she's the bestest little sister in the whole world!" Elsa exclaimed throwing her hands up. Anna looked to Mikkel and began waving her little arms around in excitement as he began to rattle off excited gibberish. "I think she likes you!"
"Hi Anna, I'm Mikkel!" He said holding his hands out to her. Anna got and slowly walked towards Mikkel who had his arms outstretched. When Anna got to him she tripped and fell into him. She hit her head on his skull and let out a cry.
"Oh no! I'm sorry!" Mikkel said as Idun went to pick Anna up to calm her down. Mikkel slowly backed away in fear knowing he just hurt the princess.
"Don't worry Mikkel, accidents happen." Idun said sweetly as she rocked Anna in her arms.
"You aren't mad at me?" He asked.
"No silly!" Elsa laughed. "She's still a baby! Babies cry all the time!"
"Mikkel? There you are!" Analise said as she barged into the room not noticing the King and Queen. "Oh your highness!" She yelled as she bowed. "Forgive my intrusion, I was looking for my son."
"Do not worry Analise, Mikkel is playing with our daughter." Agdar said. Analise looked to see her son rolling the ball to Elsa who in turn rolled it back.
"I just want to thank you again your majesty." Analise said. "I didn't know how much longer I could have held out."
"Soren was a dear friend, its the least I can do to make sure his family is taken care of." Agdar said placing his hand on her shoulder. He looked at the grandfather clock and noticed it was late into the evening. "Oh would you look at that? Elsa time for bed!"
"Oh but we are playing!" Elsa whined. "I'm not even tired!"
"It's already twenty minutes past your bedtime young lady." Idun said.
"Mikkel it time for you to go to bed as well." Analise said.
"But mama!" Mikkel whined.
"You can play with the princess tomorrow." Analise said resulting in a pouting Mikkel.
"I never get to do anything." Mikkel pouted angrily.
"Good night your majesties." Analise said bowing. "Mikkel do you wanna say good night to the princess?"
"Oh yeah!" He said walking over. "Good night princess!" He said as he began to yawn.
"Good night Mikkel." Elsa giggled waving to him as his mother picked him up and carried him to bed. After Mikkel and Analise left, Agdar went and picked up Elsa.
"I think its time for you too!" Agdar yelled as he picked up Elsa and spun her around resulting in Elsa's laughter filling the room. Idun smiied as she carried Anna and Agdar carried Elsa. They arrived at the room the two sisters shared and placed them each in their respective beds. Idun sang a sweet lullaby to her two year old daughter in her crib as Agdar read a story for Elsa.
"Which one do you want to read?" Agdar said pulling out a bunch of books.
"Ummm." Elsa said putting her small hand on her chin to decide. "This one!"
"The Princess and the Pirate?" Agdar said holding up the book which featured a handsome pirate swinging on a rope with a beautiful princess in his arms.
"Yeah!" Elsa said excitedly.
"Okay." Agdar said clearing his throat. "Once upon a time there was a beautiful young Princess named Violet." Elsa listened to the story and marveled at it. Princess Violet was lost at sea and was rescued by a pirate named Pegleg who fell in love with her but Pegleg was sentenced to death for being a pirate and Violet saved him. Elsa fell in love with the story, she dreamed of meeting a dashing young man to sweep her off her feet.
"And they lived happily ever after." Agdar said as he closed the book.
"That was a great story!" Elsa said happily. "I have to show Mikkel!"
"You like Mikkel huh?" Idun asked walking over.
"He's cute!" Elsa said before putting her hand over her mouth as her cheeks flushed red. Agdar and Idun smiled as their daughter tried to hide her embarrassed face.
"No courting for you yet my love." Idun chuckled.
"Ewww! Mama I wouldn't marry him!" Elsa said. "Thats like a million years away!"
"Goodnight Elsa.' Idun said as she and Agdar placed a kiss on her forehad. They blew out the lanterns and shut the door. Elsa rolled around into her bed excited to play with Marcus tomorrow. Analise had been taken to her and Mikkel's quarters. It was a single room with two separate beds. It had a fireplace and a large window overlooking the fjord. All of the few possessions they owned had been moved in including Soren's sword and medals.
"Wow mama its so nice!" Mikkel said running and jumping on the bed and bouncing causing the sheets and blankets to get totally ruined. Analise smiled as she walked over and picked Mikkel up and placed him on the bed.
"You got too much energy." She said.
"But I'm just so excited! I can't wait to play with the princess!" Mikkel said.
"First you need your sleep child." Analise said kissing him on the forehead. "Goodnight Mikkel.'
"Mama?" He asked.
"Yes?" She said.
"I love you!" He smiled.
"I love you too sweetheart." She said as she blew the lantern out and went to bed.
What do you think? Leave a nice fat juicy review!