Happens before Frozen 2. Kind of a silly one.
Helpless
A short break in the mountains should have been an uneventful, relaxing hike. As the royal sisters home in on what sounds like an animal crying, Elsa can't help but feel a sense of dread creep through her veins. She wants to help the creature just as much as Anna does, but something isn't right.
"Anna, be careful," the queen stops quickly. She reaches behind, placing one hand onto Anna's collarbone. "I don't think we're alone."
Anna nods. She's picked up the feeling, too. Cautious, but determined, she walks at Elsa's side until they finally reach the source of the cacophony.
There's a tiny, winged creature on the ground. Its sharp green eyes nervously scan its surroundings, and the shattered remains of its egg litter the ground around it. The lizard-like being is yellow in color, with orange wing membranes. Its tiny mouth is open, plaintive wails from deep within its throat carry through the air.
Ever the animal lover, Anna's first instinct is to rush over to the creature, pick it up in her palms, and try to console it. Elsa is helpless to simply watch her bull-headed sister act on this impulse.
"Hey, it's okay, little one," the princess strokes the creature's back. "Shh, don't be scared."
"Anna...what is that?" the queen can barely keep her ice under control from the nerves twisting her gut.
"It's a dragon!" the redhead squeaks, and she lets out a giggle as the little beast curls itself up in her palms, seemingly relaxing. "He's so cute and tiny! Can you believe it? I thought they died off hundreds of years ago."
Elsa has no words. She simply stares open-mouthed at her sister, eyes roving from the dragon to Anna. Of course they would just happen upon the spawn of a species thought to be centuries dead. Of course the princess would be utterly infatuated with it.
"He must have lost his mommy," the princess supposes with a pout, checking their immediate surroundings for any signs of a parent. "She's gotta be around here somewhere."
"And when we find her, we are leaving," Elsa places a firm hand on Anna's shoulder.
"Well, yeah, obviously," Anna tilts her head. "I wasn't gonna try to take him home."
"Thank goodness," Elsa mutters, just low enough that Anna doesn't hear.
A nearby cave that smells of charcoal and meat is the most obvious place to check. Neither sister is too thrilled about the idea, by the apprehensive looks they give each other.
"Well, good thing I've got flint with me," Anna transfers the hatchling to one hand and flips open her travel bag. "Hey, Elsa, can you keep an eye on him for me?"
"W–why me?" Elsa stammers, nervous eyes trained on the helpless infant. "Why can't you hold him?"
"Because we need a light source," Anna retorts. "I know you don't like fire, so it's either you hold him or you hold the torch."
Elsa's lips form a thin line. She's not infatuated with either option.
"Give him to me," she sighs, holding both palms out.
Anna transfers the baby to Elsa's hands, takes the flint and a nearby stick, then sets the wood alight. The sisters journey further into the cave, moist air pressing down on the pair. It's not even five minutes, and they're already panting as though they'd been running.
"Ugh, it's disgusting in here," Anna swipes her sleeve across her forehead. It's seconds before Elsa does the same. The air is almost too wet to breathe.
"And what is that smell?" they simultaneously ask.
A damp burst of air answers their question. Anna's torch illuminates two cavernous, twitching holes and two green orbs, split by hard black lines. The firelight dances across saliva-soaked, sword-like teeth. The baby in Elsa's hands begins reaching with its tiny feet. Elsa kneels to let the little creature be on its way.
As she rises, what Elsa hopes is the mother dragon gives a low growl, sniffing the hatchling. The baby squeaks, reaching up to its mother's nose. The dragon scoops her nose beneath her child, gurgling softly.
"Okay, he's back with mommy," Elsa nudges Anna's shoulder. "Let's get out of here before we melt."
Anna nods, snickering at her sister's choice of words. They walk backward at first, to keep their eyes on the massive mother. As ever, Anna manages to find the one thing in this cave she could trip on, a tiny rock. She falls backward with a startled cry.
"Anna!"
A deep rumble gets Elsa on the ground, pulling her sister to her feet, then dragging her away as quickly as her tired legs will take her. A droplet of sweat stings her eye, rendering only one usable. Once Anna regains her senses, she starts running to take the burden off of Elsa.
"We're almost out!" Anna yells. "You go left, I'll go right!"
"Okay!"
The sisters reach the mouth of the cave and veer off in their agreed upon directions. They look back at the same time, then join each others' sides when there's no angry mother dragon snapping at their heels. The princess braces her hands on her thighs, gulping air. Elsa brushes sweat-soaked bangs out Anna's eyes and sends a cooling burst through her flushed cheeks.
"Ahh, that's better," Anna sighs. "I'm gonna need a bath as soon as we get home."
"That makes two of us," Elsa rubs the back of her neck, her nose scrunches up at the slick sensation. She creates a miniature snow flurry above her head. Rather than a dusting, a mound of snow dumps itself on top of Elsa. Anna barely stifles a snicker.
"So, uh...maybe we shouldn't be trying to reunite baby dragons with their mommies in the future?"
The princess finds herself wearing an identical snow 'hat' as her sister.
"Okay, you'd made your point."
"Good, just making sure," Elsa smirks. "Can we have just one outing that doesn't end in a near-death experience?"
"Where's the fun in that?"
More snow is dumped on Anna's head.
"Hey, that actually feels good."
"You're impossible," Elsa rolls her eyes.
Anna shrugs.
Closing notes: Dragons are cool. Really, that's the reason for this one. Anna is a cinnamon bun who would totally cuddle a baby dragon, while Elsa would step up to be the responsible one/wet blanket. Hey, someone's gotta do it.
