Chapter 2: Stand it Any Longer

"And now, gentleman, to turn our attention to the Spring Festival..." Elsa was saying.

Röbert bent over his pad, scribbling as he took copious notes. He had never had the education that his wife and his sister-in-law had been privileged with as royals, but he was erudite enough to provide a clear record of every minute in Cabinet meetings.

If only his Queen wasn't so particularly... bewitching today.

Elsa could rarely sit still when she spoke, strolling around the conference table as she mused on one topic and then another. She maintained a very regal facade, yet her voice was passionate, her hands expressive as she laid out her plans for the Festival.

Elsa paused at one point between two chairs, giving Robert a full view of her dress - and the curves underneath. Heaven help him!

After Annabelle was born, Elsa had been deeply upset when her figure had not bounced back to what it had once been. Robert had tried to console her, saying she was gorgeous no matter how she looked; she didn't seem to believe him.

Robert took a deep breath and tried to focus on his notes again. But not before his wife caught him staring. She shared a shy smile, and blushed, nearly trailing off in the middle of a sentence before getting a hold of herself and finishing her thought.

"Now, gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I must see to my daughter. I believe it is time for her nap." She crossed for the door, pausing to kiss her husband on the cheek before departing.

"Excellent. While we are in a repose, let us discuss a matter with you, Your Majesty," the Secretary of State suggested.

"Hmm?" Robert hummed absent-mindedly, still staring at the door through which Elsa had left.

"The royal family from the Southern Isles has requested a summit with us in their country," the Secretary of the Treasury elaborated. "We thought, Your Majesty, that we would send you on your first diplomatic test."

Robert was surprised. "I'm honored, gentlemen, but... the Southern Isles..." He had heard the stories from Elsa. Held her after a few nightmares.

"Oh, Your Majesty, it is perfectly safe. We have very few dealings with them outside of essentials, and the traitor, Prince Hans, will rot in prison. His brothers - the ones in power, anyway - are much more above board. You will have an honor guard accompany you. We know you will work in the best interests of Arendelle and live up to our expectations. You only need the opportunity," the Secretary of State espoused.

Robert leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "Maybe... maybe so... can I discuss it with the Queen?"

"Of course, sire. I think that's wise," the Secretary of the Treasury dipped his head in deference.

Robert then dismissed the Cabinet.


The King Consort found his wife in her study, pouring over documents. Underneath her icy dress, he could see cleavage, and he wondered if she had worn the ensemble just for him. His heart did a crazy tap dance.

Elsa looked up, hearing him enter. Then she noticed the hooded look in his eyes. "Robert...?"

"I can't stand it any longer," Robert growled, his irises dark with lust and love. "Do you realize what you do to me in those meetings? You're so... beautiful!"

Elsa blushed, though her eyes were sad as she looked down at herself, shaking her head. "No, I'm not..." He knew she was self-conscious about things like stretch marks.

Robert crossed to her and took her in his arms. "You are," he insisted, his voice filled with fire.

Elsa dared to smile. All right, she'd play along. Flirt back. "It's only because I'm so in love."

Robert laughed. "No. No, it's because I'm so in love with you."

Elsa blinked, gasped dramatically. "Then, love has blinded you?"

"Hopelessly," Robert hissed.

Elsa beamed. "Then, it's probably true."

Robert attacked her neck with kisses, Elsa leaning in with wide eyes, draping her arms across his shoulders.

"Ann... Annabelle..." she gasped.

"Won't wake for another few hours," Robert answered. "Freeze the door?"

With a wave of her hand, Elsa froze the door handle, sealing them in and keeping unwanted intruders out. The royal couple fell back onto a couch by the fireplace, kissing furiously.

"I can't believe you want me," Elsa moaned as her husband undressed her.

"I'll always want you, my love."

"Then, prove it," Elsa begged. "Make love to me. Please."

"My Queen commands, so I obey. As you wish." And Robert swiftly entered her. Elsa's breath hitched and she clamped her legs around him, egging him on. "Yes... God, yes! I love you, Robert!"

"I love you!" Robert groaned. "I always have!"

"So strong..." Elsa swooned with admiration. At last, with a tiny whimper, she came, her husband spilling into her moments later. Flushing, the couple cuddled together naked and blissful.


Robert waited until the post-coital high wore off to tell Elsa of the Cabinet's request. Naturally, the destination of the Southern Isles left Elsa deeply worried, but no one wanted to see her King succeed more than her. When the promise of an Honor Guard was mentioned, she gave her permission. Robert's boat was to leave that very night, and the Cabinet was pleased he would be on it.

The night was still as the King and Queen said their goodbyes.

"These are good people, Elsa. I'll be safe."

A sad and somewhat still worried Elsa could only cry plaintively, "Robby!" - her pet name for her lover - as she flung herself into his arms and kissed him.

Robert kissed her goodbye in return with the promise, "I won't be long." Then he boarded the ship, keeping his beloved Elsa in his sights until the last.


"Arendelle ahoy!"

"Drop the mainsail!"

"Land ho, you bilge-rats!"

"Halt! The King is on deck!"

The clamor and noise of the sailing ship abruptly faded away as the sailors stood at attention for their King. Robert emerged from below decks into the morning sun and nodded quickly. "At ease," he commanded. He would never get used to people showing such reverence to him, not with the humble roots he had well into adulthood.

The Southern Isles was a strange enough kingdom, even without addressing their murderous tendencies and past misdeeds. The negotiations had gone on for nearly a month, but Robert had obtained them. The passage home was even less pleasant as the one away had been, for sleeping in the hold had left Robert chilled and haunted by bad memories. Memories of a little girl - the girl who would become his niece - threatened. Himself tied up...

"Your Majesty," the captain reported. "Arendelle is in our sights. We will dock in the fjord, just off the Children's Pavilion."

Robert waved his hand in approval. "Well done, Captain."

"Sleep well?"

Robert shook his head. "I just want to see..."

"Her Majesty?" The captain grinned sympathetically. "Aye. That you will, sire. That you will."

The ship came into port at last, and Robert disembarked with his Honor Guard. Kai, Elsa's Chief of Staff, received him.

"Your hard work has ensured Arendelle's safety for decades, my liege," Kai praised. "The Cabinet is anxious for your report..."

But Robert was only half-listening. He kept scanning for one face in the crowd, but was denied it.

But then he noticed... the faintest hint of frost on a pillar just off the Children's Pavilion. In spring...

"Excuse me," he interrupted.

"Certainly," Kai said to his back.

And rounding the pillar, there he saw her, looking immaculate in her ice dress, her hair hung down just the way he liked it. Elsa ran into his arms, and spinning her around, Robert forgot about everything else.

"Thank goodness you're back," Elsa breathed. "I'm whole again." She smirked in amusement, curiously caressing a hand along her husband's face. "Whiskers? That's new."

Robert smiled. "The negotiations left me little time to shave. And anyway, I wanted to surprise you. Do you like it?"

"I love it!" Elsa beamed. Standing on tiptoe, she whispered in his ear. "It's sexy."

Robert grinned. "I missed you, Elsa."

She shivered in the circle of his arms. "There were rumors... that you'd been killed. I've been living with unbearable dread." She clung to him, as if to assure herself that he was real.

Robert gave her another easy grin. "I'm all right." He clutched her hands in his. "I've given my life to the kingdom of Arendelle," he said slowly, meaning every word. "But I'd only give up my life for you."

"I wouldn't like that," Elsa grinned. "I wouldn't like that at all." He reached for her, but she twisted away teasingly. "Patience, my handsome blacksmith. Come to me later."

But not even Elsa's ice powers could keep him away. Trapping her against a column, he held her close and kissed her, and when the shock of their meeting faded, Robert could see his wife was trembling. "Are you all right?"

Elsa's eyes brimmed with tears. "Something wonderful has happened." At his confused frown, she searched his eyes, squeezing his hand. "Robby... I'm pregnant again."

Robert's mouth fell open. His tongue got in the way until he finally got out, "Oh, my love... that's... that's wonderful."

Elsa settled against him. "What are we going to do?"

Only then did Robert remember. The warnings from the trolls. About how Elsa's age and powers made a second pregnancy too great a risk, to the point where it could threaten her life. Though Robert had always been skeptical of this assessment (he meant no disrespect to his brother-in-law Kristoff's family), he and Elsa had always been careful.

Until that time in her study.

Robert banished any foreboding thoughts from his mind and kissed Elsa gently. "We won't worry about that right now. This is a happy moment and we will treat it as such. Let's go tell your sister and the kids." And he led her back to the castle.