Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to Disney or characters of Frozen.
VII
In the royal chambers, Queen Idun looked down at the small bundle in her arms. She couldn't help smiling. When her husband entered the room, she was glad to see him. She was relieved that he got there in time. He arrived in time to hear their daughter's first cries.
"Agdar, I'm sorry, I should've known better …"
"Shh, please don't worry about it. Everything worked out. How are you feeling?"
The Queen winced slightly as she shifted. "I'm still a little uncomfortable but I can handle it. I'm glad this little one didn't take as long as Elsa did. I don't know what I would have done if I had to go through another long childbirth. I'm relieved the guard found you it time. Those women were so helpful but I wanted to know you were near."
Agdar looked lovingly down at his wife and new daughter. "Like I said, everything worked out all right." His expression suddenly became one of concern. "Any signs of anything unusual?"
Idun studied the days old infant in her arms. Every fiber of her being hoped that they'd never have to worry about their new daughter like they did with Elsa.
"Idun? Is there anything wrong?"
"I'm sorry. No, I haven't noticed anything but could it still be too early?"
"I don't think so, by the time Elsa was this old, we knew something was wrong."
A soft knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Looking at the door, they saw Gerda. A little blonde head peaked around the door frame into the room. "Excuse me, Ma'am, Sir," said Gerda, "I think someone wants to meet the new princess."
"Come here, Elsa. It's all right."
The little girl hesitated. She looked uncertain. "Mamma?"
"Mamma is all right. You can come see her," said her father. Little Elsa looked at her mother and father then at Gerda.
"But Mamma sick?"
"No, sweetie, your Mamma's right as rain though I'd bet she's a little tired. Go on, go see your Mamma and sister."
"Sissy? Mamma and sissy?"
"Yes, Elsa, come see Mamma and your sister."
Elsa hurried to her father but was shy of her mother. She was still a little afraid. The last time she saw her mother, things were chaotic and scary for the small girl. All she knew then was her mother was very sick and hurting. But if Papa said everything was all right, then it must be safe to see Mamma. Papa wouldn't lie. Once Elsa was with her parents, Gerda closed the door. She wanted to give the young family some time together.
Elsa held her arms up to her father. "Papa, pick up, p'ease?"
Agdar picked up his daughter. He tried to have her stand on the bed but she held tight to him as she studied her mother. To the little girl, she looked all right. Like Gerda said, maybe she was a little tired. Her mother did look a little different, then Elsa realized what it was. Idun had her dark hair down in a long braid. Elsa smiled, it was pretty. She'd never seen it like that. She was so glad her mother was safe and sound. "Mamma, I love you."
"I love you too, sweetie. Meet your new sister, Anna."
Elsa's blue eyes traveled down to the newborn in her mother's arms. Her face lit up. She seemed surprised to see the infant. "Baby sissy? Baby Anna, mine?"
"She's your baby sister and you'll help take care of her. You'll be a good big sister and watch over her, won't you?"
Elsa nodded. She was enthralled by her new sister. Wanting to get closer, Elsa knelt on the bed with Agdar supporting her. She'd never seen a baby before. She didn't understand how or why her sister was here. The tiny sister looked small like one of Elsa's dolls. But she wiggled and made soft noises. How could a person be so small? "Baby Anna tiny."
"Yes she is. That's why you have to be careful around her."
Again, Elsa nodded. She tentatively reached out to touch Anna's hand. She looked to her parents for permission. Both Idun and Agdar smiled warmly as they nodded. They hoped for their daughters to have a strong bond.
Elsa touched Anna's tiny hand and gasped. She smiled as she looked at her parents. "Soft," she whispered. She was in awe of her little sister. Anna looked like a doll but she was a real little person. Elsa giggled when Anna sneezed. It was so cute and funny.
The blonde girl's smile faded and she covered her ears when Anna started crying. How could something so small make so much noise? What was wrong? Elsa was worried, did she do something to hurt her sister? She didn't want to do that. She'd only known Anna a few minutes but she loved her dearly.
"Papa? Mamma? What's wrong? Did I break Anna?"
Agdar smiled tenderly at his daughter, "No, sweetie, that's just how Anna tells us she needs something. She's probably hungry. Let's leave your mother and sister alone."
Elsa didn't understand why they needed to be alone but she was glad to leave the crying. "I love you, Mamma. I love you, Anna."
"I love you, Elsa and Anna loves you too." Idun kissed her blonde daughter's head before Agdar picked her up and set her down.
As father and daughter left the room, Idun untied the top of her nightgown. Nursing her newborn, she couldn't be happier. They had two adorable daughters. It didn't seem like Elsa was jealous of her sister. In fact, Elsa seemed to be protective. Idun was so proud of her little girl. She and Agdar had a perfect little family.
The royal family stood on the balcony. It was a perfect summer day. All of Arendelle and then some stood before them. It was time for Anna's formal presentation.
"Presenting Princess Anna Kirstin Ingrid Rosa of Arendelle!"
Big sister Elsa covered her ears and baby Anna giggled and cooed as the bells chimed and the crowd cheered. The Queen and King smiled at one another. So far they hadn't seen anything unusual with their new daughter. It looked like their prayers had been answered. They still didn't know why or how one daughter had powers over an element yet the other didn't. They couldn't help hoping that one day Elsa would outgrow her powers.
Once the bells stopped, Elsa uncovered her ears. She leaned closer to Anna and her mother. Agdar shifted his oldest daughter so she was closer to them. Elsa kissed her baby sister on her forehead. That sent the crowd into more cheers and applause. Arendelle adored the young royal family.
Anna's blue eyes were large with wonder. There was so much to take in. She may have been only two weeks old, three hundred and fifty hours old to be exact, but she was so alert. Idun noticed Anna was much like her sister in that way. Both of her daughters were alert and eager to learn.
A few weeks after Anna's presentation, Anna was supposed to be asleep but the infant princess didn't want to sleep. She didn't want to miss out on anything. Elsa was also supposed to be sleeping but she woke up when Anna started crying.
Elsa climbed out of her bed and toddled over to her sister's bassinet. After pushing a chair closer to the bassinet, Elsa climbed up. Anna stopped crying when her older sister peaked over the edge of the bassinet. The break in the crying was short lived. Even as a baby, Anna knew Elsa couldn't do what she wanted. Elsa couldn't pick up the infant. Anna resumed crying.
Elsa didn't know what to do. As far as Elsa was concerned, crying meant you were sad and she didn't want that for her baby sister. What could the young princess do? She wondered, what made her happy when she was sad? Elsa got an idea. Snowflakes made her happy but could she do that for Anna? Deciding it would be all right since Anna was family, Elsa made a few simple snowflakes. They danced above the bassinet.
At first Anna didn't notice. She was too busy crying. "Anna, look." Anna opened her eyes as Elsa formed a few more snowflakes. The baby princess stared in amazement. She'd never seen anything like that. Forgetting about why she was upset, Anna giggled and cooed as she reached for the small, simple flakes.
Their parents entered the room and were shocked when they saw the snowflakes. They were terrified that Anna was creating them. What were they supposed to do with two daughters who could control the wintery elements?
They were received when they realized Elsa was the one who was making the snow. Their relief didn't last long. Both were hit by a new fear. Would Elsa harm Anna?
"Mamma, Papa, look! Anna like snow." Elsa sounded so proud of herself.
The King and Queen cautiously went over to their daughters. They didn't want to startle or alarm Elsa. The little girl stopped making snowflakes when their parents came over. Agdar picked up Elsa while Idun checked on Anna.
"Anna not sad now. I make Anna happy." Elsa smiled. She was proud of herself for finding a way to help.
Idun let out a sigh of relief, "Anna's all right. The snow didn't bother her."
Agdar was also relieved. He hugged the daughter he held. "Yes, you do make Anna happy, but you have to be careful. You don't want to make Anna cry, do you?"
"No, Papa. I not make Anna sad. I make Anna happy. I good sissy to Anna."
"All right, just remember you have to be careful."
"Yes, Papa."
"That's enough play for now," said Idun, "I know there are two little girls who need to be asleep."
As time moved on, everyone was healthy and happy in the humble kingdom. The King and Queen never saw any signs of Anna having anything like Elsa did. Much to their relief, Anna was a happy, normal little girl. There was no controlling any sort of elements, winter or otherwise.
After the new year, everyone was often tired but that was to be expected with a three-year-old and a six-month-old to keep track of. The two princesses seemed to have endless energy. They were sometimes mischievous but for the most part, they were good girls.
Elsa had become very interested in books and stories. Even though she was only four, the King and Queen had started teaching her letters and numbers. The little girl didn't know how to read but that didn't stop her from pretending. She liked to help take care of her sister. Sometimes, while the Queen or Gerda were tending to the baby princess, Elsa would "read" her a story. Often Elsa had the book upside-down but she was serious about reading. Mainly she told the story from memory or made it up.
Once Elsa was old enough to understand and recognize letters and simple words, she would actually read to Anna. Sometimes, Anna would sit next to her. Anna was amazed by her older sister. As far as she was concerned, Elsa could do anything. She looked up to her big sister and wanted to be like her when she got older.
Other times, the two-year-old girl would toddle around her sister as she read. There was so much to see and do. For Anna, sometimes one day wasn't enough time to do everything she wanted to do. Anna seemed to have an endless source of energy.
Weeks turned to months and months turned into years. One night after the girls had had a full day of playing in the courtyard, the two girls were very tired. They were supposed to be asleep but Elsa couldn't sleep. She'd realized something that bothered her. Worried, the little girl climbed out of bed. She quietly snuck out of their shared room. Elsa tiptoed down the hall to her parents' room. She softly knocked on the door. "Mamma?"
Idun was surprised to see Elsa at the door. She hoped she didn't have an upset stomach. Idun was aware after the fact that her girls had snuck out extra sweets. "Are you all right?"
"Mamma? Can I, um, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, you can always ask me anything. Come here, what is it, Elsa?" Idun was alarmed and worried when she saw the tears forming in her daughter's eyes. "Elsa, what's wrong?"
"Anna can't make snowflakes." Idun understood. Her eldest was worried because her youngest didn't have her ability to create snow. Elsa had no way of knowing that their parents worried that the opposite would occur.
Idun gathered her daughter into her arms. "It's okay. Anna isn't supposed to make snowflakes."
"I can." Elsa's tears fell steadily from her blue eyes. "No one else does but I can. Is, is there something …wrong …with me?"
"Oh, Elsa, no." Idun hugged her hurting daughter tightly. She hated that Elsa doubted herself, that she thought something was wrong with her. "There is nothing wrong with you. You are my perfect little Elsa. Just as Anna is my perfect little Anna. I wouldn't change anything about either one of you."
"Then why can I make snowflakes but no one else can?"
"You are a very special little girl. I don't know why you can make snowflakes but even if you couldn't, you'd still be special to me and your father. We love you and Anna very much. You know that, right?" Elsa nodded as she nuzzled against her mother.
"Anna shouldn't worry about not being able to make snow like you do. Like I said, your Papa and I love both of you very much." Idun silently wiped away her own tears as she rocked her growing girl back to sleep.
One night when Elsa was almost six and Anna was three, they were playing in their room. The King and Queen entered the room. "All right, you two, it's time for bed." That statement was met with a couple of frowns. "Oh, enough of those frowns," said the Queen. "Come on, scoot, you two. Let's get ready for bed. There will be more time for playing and fun tomorrow."
As each princess was helped into their nightgown, the girls chattered about what fun they'd had that day. They also chatted about what they'd done tomorrow. The King and Queen took turns tucking in and kissing each daughter good night.
Agdar had to shake his head when his youngest told about her day. Anna seemed to be fearless. Many times a day he'd have to get her off a bookcase or a suit of armor that she'd climbed onto. Even if she fell, it wasn't a big deal to the little girl. She'd cry some over a scrapped knee but the tears quickly dried up and she was on her next adventure. The King wondered many times if fearlessness was Anna's power like Elsa's was the ability to create snow.
Even though the girls had protested bedtime, it didn't take long for them to fall asleep. Obviously, they were more tired than they realized.
About an hour after falling asleep, Elsa heard her name. "Eltha? Eltha, are you awake?" It was Anna.
"Anna, go back to sleep," said a tired Elsa.
"Eltha? Eltha, pleath wake up," said the three-year-old in the next bed. "I'm thcared."
That woke up Elsa. She also sat up. "Why are you scared?"
"I had a bad dream. A thnow monthter wath chathing me. I don't like thnow if it maketh thnow monthterth."
"You don't like snow? Not even my snow?"
The younger princess shook her head. "No. Thomeone might make a thnow monthter from it."
"Anna, it was just a bad dream. It's over now. It wasn't real. Go back to sleep and think happy thoughts."
"No, it wath big and thcary and had loth of big teeth."
Elsa got an idea. "Would you be scared of a snowman I made?"
The young redhead wasn't sure so she didn't answer. Sensing her sister's hesitation, Elsa climbed out of bed. She went to the middle of the room, between their two beds.
Elsa closed her eyes as she thought about creating snow. It didn't take long for a small pile of snow to form. Elsa had to think hard to create the small, simple snowman. While she did that, Anna watched with amazement and curiosity.
Elsa was proud of the small snowman she'd created. It was only a little over a foot tall but she was excited. That was the first time she'd done something like that. With sparkling eyes and a smile, Elsa turned to her sister. "Do you want to build a snowman?"
Forgetting about her dream, Anna clapped and giggled then got out of bed. She ran over to her sister and hugged her. "I love you, Eltha!"