When Anna had told Elsa that she was pregnant, she had also told her that she would be happy of Elsa was present during the childbirth together with Kristoff. But Anna had also expressed her understanding if Elsa wasn't too enthusiastic about this idea. And indeed, Elsa had rejected this offer even though she had told Anna that she was very grateful and honored that her sister would want her to be there when she gave birth to the child.
But Elsa didn't want to see her sister like that. In pain and with blood all over her probably. She knew that a childbirth was the most natural thing on earth actually and she had talked to Northuldras about her sister's pregnancy who had told her that a childbirth was a beautiful and almost magical event and that it was marvelous to witness but Elsa didn't think so.
She was convinced that it wasn't good for her as the older sister to be there but that it would be better to leave this moment to Kristoff and Anna as a couple and as the parents of the child.
And she was too afraid the emotions would be too much for her to handle anyway. She thought that being present during the childbirth would increase the risk of her setting herself under too much pressure and hurting the baby.
Hence she had agreed with Anna and Kristoff that Kai would send her a letter as soon as Anna was in labor and then Elsa would immediately set off to Arendelle to see the newborn as soon as possible.
When she now came back to the camp she saw Yelena standing by a tent.
The older woman observed Elsa as she came back to the camp. Yelena had a mildly worried look on her face.
When Elsa was close enough the older woman asked: "Are you alright?"
Elsa smiled a little bit. "Yes. Have you received another message? From the castle? Is everything going well?"
"We haven't received another message, Elsa. Which I consider to be a good thing. I'm sure everything is going well."
She put a hand on Elsa's shoulder and smiled at her confidently.
Elsa nodded slightly. "I'm going to get ready now to go to Arendelle. I will be gone for a few days probably. Maybe longer."
"Of course. Enjoy your time with the young family. And pass on the blessings and congratulations from the whole camp to your sister, her husband and the newborn."
"I will. Thank you, Yelena.", Elsa said with deep gratitude in her voice.
The two women looked at each other for one moment more and then Yelena turned around and went back into the camp.
Elsa walked a few steps away and stopped in front of the small river running next to the camp.
She smiled at Bruni whom she still carried in her hand and gently put him on the ground.
She then looked at the river.
"Hey, Nokk? You wanna go for a ride?"
She smiled as the huge water horse emerged in front of her. Elsa gently put a hand to the side of its head, brought her forehead to its nostrils and it transformed into ice.
She swung herself on the horseback and set off to Arendelle.
When she arrived at the castle she jumped off Nokk's back and bowed slightly to the horse.
"See you soon, my friend.", she said softly.
The horse disappeared in the water again and Elsa turned around and looked at the castle.
She sighed and then swallowed. Her throat was dry and her hands were still shaking a little bit. She was worried about her sister and prayed that everything was going well. And she was worried about what would happen afterwards when she would finally be able to see the baby for the first time. She knew that she would have to wait probably for a long time in the castle before everything was over as approximately only an hour had passed since she had received Kai's message.
She set off towards the courtyard when she already saw Kai rushing out of the front door. He had seen her riding towards Arendelle.
"Your Majesty.", he said as he was close enough and bowed to her. He had never stopped addressing her that way, even though she wasn't Queen of Arendelle anymore.
"Kai!", Elsa exclaimed.
"How is everything going?", she asked worriedly.
"Everything is going fine, Your Majesty! No complications so far! But… the baby is taking its time. But nothing to worry about, Ma'am."
"Thank God."
Elsa exhaled. She was relieved.
"Are you going to be with them?", she asked.
"No, Ma'am. I figured it would be the best for the mother and the father to have as much privacy as possible. Only two midwives with them. One of them keeps us updated every half hour."
"That's great!", Elsa said.
"And Her Majesty, Queen Anna, has already asked about you, Ma'am. She expressed the wish to immediately be informed the second you arrived in Arendelle and she repeated that she wants you to be the very first person to visit them right after the birth."
Elsa nodded. Again, fear spread in her chest.
Kai went on talking to her. "Until then you can wait with me and all the maids in one of your old study rooms. We are all very excited and it is out of question that we are not able to carry on with our usual work today.", he added with a smile.
"Thank you, Kai." Elsa took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. "That would be great."