A/N:
So . . . This chapter is just a LITTLE bit shorter than its predecessors, and I apologize for that, but I promise that the next chapter will more than make up for it!
I also want to take a quick moment to thank everyone that has followed and favorited me, or my stories. I'm still pretty new to all this, so it's nice to know that at least a few people think I'm worth reading. You guys make my world go 'round. :) Feel free to leave me comments or questions, as I am very open to feedback, (even if you aren't very nice).
ENJOY!
Chapter 3 ~LILY'S P.O.V.~
When her eyes first popped open the next morning, Lily definitely did not feel any better. If anything, this was surely worse than the previous day, but she did remember that Rasmus had returned from his trip last night, and that was worth something. Slowly, she pulled herself out of her oversized bed, testing out her sore limbs cautiously. How could she be so sore? Everything was so stiff and painful that the girl almost stayed safe in her bed where things didn't hurt nearly as much, but the thought of playing with Razzy after so long had her mind made up for her.
Little Lily didn't even bother to change out of her nightclothes before setting out in search of Rasmus. Slowed down from the sickness she chose to ignore for so long, it took her significantly longer than usual to make her way down the hallway opposite hers, and ended up at the door to her nearly-father's room several minutes later. But . . . He wasn't there. Strange. Next, Lily decided to check her mother's study, figuring that after a time apart, Rasmus would not be removed from Elsa's side except with brute force. (Possibly not even that; she'd seen him go toe – to – toe with the young queen's much feared powers). However, he wasn't there either. As a matter of fact, neither was Elsa.
That was truly odd.
Now coughing until her parched throat bled – ouch – Lily made her way back down the hall to her room, saddened that it seemed she would be going back to bed. Next door, her mother's room was eerily quiet, and Lily wondered if she might still be sleeping after attempting to stay awake with her all night. Without knocking, she peeked her head through the large doors, and strained to squint into the nearly dark room. The curtains were drawn, blocking the now late morning sun, but the girl managed to catch a peek of movement on the far side of the room. Her mother's form turned over in fitful sleep, her long pale arms wrapped around Rasmus, who was also fast asleep, despite the hour.
"What are you doing out of bed, Cutie?" Anna's voice sounded behind her, causing Lily to jump. She coughed into the sleeve of her nightgown – how Elsa would disapprove – before trying to answer her aunt, knowing full well that she was not to be up and about until the physician took her off bed rest. But Anna's little niece knew all too well her aunt's affinity for breaking rules, and hoped her sick puppy dog eyes worked just as well as the healthy ones.
"Razzy came home last night," she said, trying to sound equally pitiful and excited, while the latter simply spilled out of her without her permission. The words, however, came out sounding as though they belonged to a dying bullfrog.
"That's great!" Anna exclaimed, quickly sharing Lily's enthusiasm. "How about we go to his room then, and let your momma sleep?" There was that word again.
Lily pointed a tiny thumb behind her toward Elsa's room, confused.
"But . . . He's in there," she said simply.
That seemed to silence Anna . . . For the moment, anyway. She absently tucked a stray strand of ginger hair behind her ear, and screwed her soft features in obvious confusion, before peeking in Elsa's room herself. Awaiting the princess, was the shocking sight of her sister and soon – to – be brother – in – law, sleeping soundly in each other's arms.
Without clothes.
Anna closed the door as quickly as she could without disturbing the occupants, and turned back to her niece, stifling guilty giggles.
"What's wrong?" Lily asked, her tiny dark eyebrows pulling together.
"Nothing at all," Anna laughed. "But why don't we go get you back in bed before Elsa wakes up, and we'll eat breakfast there?" The little girl's eyes flew open wide at the heinous suggestion, and she smiled brightly.
"Even pancakes?" She asked, disbelieving.
"Especially pancakes," Anna said, gently guiding her away from Elsa's door . . .
~ELSA'S P.O.V.~
Anna greeted her sister with a look that morning, and a very odd one, at that. Elsa had never seen it before, and was far too tired to begin to deduce what it might mean. Instead, she simply tucked herself into the dining table, and gave Anna a pleasant smile.
"Good morning, Anna," she said quietly.
"It's actually afternoon, but I'll take it."
Elsa's eyes widened slightly at the news. How had she nearly slept the day away, and still awoke exhausted? Just as she silently pondered this question of herself, foggy, sleep – ridden memories of the previous night returned to her in an overwhelming gush. She suddenly understood all too well the smirk lighting up her little sister's face.
"Not a word, Anna," the young queen warned. Anna couldn't help but laugh at the serious line Elsa's pink lips had fallen into.
"Fine," she giggled. "It's not like I was going to ask you how it was or anything."
"ANNA!"
"I do however, think it's worth mentioning that your daughter caught you."
At this, Elsa froze – metaphorically, of course – though Anna did swear the temperature of the room dropped a few degrees.
"Oh God," Elsa sighed, her face in her hands.
"It's okay," Anna tried to soothe her. "She didn't actually see you doing anything as far as I know, and I don't think it's bothering her. You should probably try to talk to her about it, though. I'm not sure how much she . . . understands . . . If you get my meaning." The queen only nodded as lunch was placed in front of her. She was in silent awe of the princess's ability to keep such calm. It was so un-Anna, but a welcome shift, at least.
/ / / / / /
After the young royals finished their lunch, (Anna having to coax her sister repeatedly into staying and eating just a few more bites of her already meager meal with the argument that Lily was most likely still asleep), the pair ventured upstairs. Elsa knew the anxious feeling blooming in her belly would not subside until she spoke to Lily herself. Though she still wasn't sure exactly what to say, the queen prayed to any deity that would listen that she would have the words when the moment came.
". . . Please make her stop," a tiny voice came from behind Lily's door. Elsa had to stop herself from barging in at just those words, and noted with a small part of her mind that the small sound did not radiate trouble or pain, just . . . Annoyance. That was her girl, alright.
"I would if I could, kiddo, but I'm pretty powerless, here."
Rasmus.
His voice was like chocolate for her soul; it filled her up and warmed her in the most pleasant way imaginable. Elsa found herself grinning like a maniac simply listening to this beautiful symphony. She couldn't help but wonder how she's gotten so lucky to be favored this much as Anna opened the door to reveal two more of her favorite people.
"Mother," Lily whined, trying a new tactic, "please tell Gerda that I'm not a baby, and I can feed myself."
Sure enough, when Elsa took in the whole picture, she spotted Gerda at Lily's side. The head maid delicately balanced a small bowl of hot broth in one hand. The other, clutched a shiny silver spoon that was en route to Lily's mouth, which was now closed.
"Your Majesty, the poor thing is just too weak," Gerda said, sneakily managing to get the girl to swallow another spoonful. It seemed as though Elsa was not the only one guilty of enjoying 'baby time' with Lily, who was far past being babied, despite everyone's best efforts.
"Too weak to eat, but not too weak to back talk with every bite?" Rasmus interjected, doing anything he could to save the girl from Gerda. His smile was so honest and playful that Elsa couldn't help but giggle, though she attempted to hide it with a cough behind her hand. Rasmus just shot her a wink, unashamed.
"Gerda," Elsa said, regaining regal composure, "I'll take over feeding her. Could you please give us a moment alone?" Gerda smiled carefully, inclining her head just so with a short bow.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
A/N:
Hey there . . . Me again.
That wraps up this chapter! And if you thought it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger . . . You're right, and I'm not sorry for it. Coming up, is an awkward talk between family members, and not the one you're thinking. ;) STAY TUNED!
On a side note: If any of you lovely readers frequent Tumblr, check out what my small world is made of. I go by courtynicole09 on there.
Anywho, see you next time!