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(A/N: I'm finally back with another installment in this series. It's not finished yet, but I have a good start on it and I've kept my readers waiting long enough for the next one. For those interested, I've found a way to fit Frozen 2's canon into this one. It was easier than I expected it to be. That will be addressed later, but for now suffice to say it fits in before pretty well everything in this series happens. So pre the first book in the series. I'm really sorry for how late I've been on updates and postings. Life is kicking me when I'm down. Constantly. It's been hard to even have the time let alone the motivation to do anything. Thank you for sticking with me, though, and I hope you all enjoy. This isn't the strongest start of a story I've ever come up with, but it's setting the stage at least. This ramps up pretty fast later.)

Angel in the Snow, Demon in the Shadows 12: Life and Death

False Labor

"It was a week before the due date. Hans was having a panic attack outside after false-labor happened again with Elsa. Dr. Jekyll was there looking concerned and soothingly speaking to him trying to calm him down. Kai was there as well. And Sir Kay too. Alisander had taken Soredamer to Orkney with him on his return there, though she hadn't remained long. She'd stayed about a week, and then she had returned with Sir Kay who had said that after Alexander had informed Lot of what had almost befallen his daughter, and after the man's initial outrage and brief freak out, the interaction had been something like this:

"One of you will return with her as her bodyguard," Lot said.

"It will of course be me!" Alisander, indignant, said.

"You're staying right here! I have uses for you. Kay, you're going," Lot said.

A bark of laughter. "I'm what?" Kay asked incredulously.

"You're officially Soredamer's bodyguard," Lot said.

"Excuse me?" Kay demanded.

"Excuse me?!" Alisander echoed.

"You know I'm going to make the moves on her the whole way there, right?" Kay bluntly demanded.

"I also know you're going to keep it in your pants," Lot answered.

"What about the others?!" Kay demanded, gesturing to the rest of them.

"Dinadan won't," Lot said.

"Hey!" Dinadan protested.

"And he's needed here," Lot added. "Hoel is too socially awkward…"

"That doesn't stop me from doing my job!" Hoel protested.

"It stops you from bursting into a woman's room without asking questions first, which could be costly to my daughter," Lot said. "Continuing on, both me and Alexander are staying here whether he likes it or not, so it was between Menw, Selices, and Kay."

"Why not Menw or Selices then?!" Kay demanded.

"Because it's mating season. Menw, like Dinadan, won't keep it in his pants," Alexander bit for Lot.

"Menw started and looked offended. "What is your problem with me?" he demanded.

"In the absence of each others' rivals, you become my rival. Congratulations," Alexander said.

"What of Lot?" Menw testily asked.

"How crazy do you think I am?" Alisander asked. "I'd think, given you're almost equal parts animal and man, that you'd realize how stupid a plan it is to make a rival of the alpha."

"Menw glared before grimacing, shifting uncomfortably. Of course Alisander would have to be right about that. He was all too aware of how stupid it was to take on the alpha in a rivalry. "What was your problem with Selices then?" he asked Lot, relenting.

"He's only newly arrived and still needs to become acquainted with all we've been doing here," Lot answered. Selices who, upon seeing the elf, had caused them all to break down into absolute messes and swarm him. Many tears had been shed in that moment. And platonic kisses given. Even still they all stuck to him like glue from their joy, and his promise it wouldn't be too long until Mabon discovered them had brought them even further joy. They supposed they should have guessed that the two who never aged, one of which was pseudo-immortal and the other of which was nigh-immortal, would still be here; but hearing it confirmed, seeing it in Selices, made it that much more real to them.

"Fine," Kay grumbled, knowing immediately he wasn't going to win this.

"So now here he was looking vaguely annoyed as he watched his pupil having a panic attack in the garden while a middle-aged doctor and an elderly butler tried to soothe him by going into detail about what false labor was. Kay was of the opinion Hans was just pathetic and had half a mind to burn him to smarten him up, except Hans' element was flames so presumably that wouldn't work too well.

"Eventually, Hans' breathing evened out. "It's okay, it's alright, I'm fine now. I'm just fine," he said finally.

"Thank goodness," Kay bit. Hans frowned at him, a bit put out.

"You're sure you're alright now?" Kai asked, patting his back gently.

"I'm breathing, so yes," Hans replied. "I'll be alright, Kai." He differentiated between Kai and Kay by calling Kai by just his name and Kay by 'Sir Kay', which was probably more proper than using his plain first name anyway.

"Then I would suggest you go back inside and hug your wife," Kai said, smiling at Hans affectionately. "Save her from the hovering Duke of Weselton. He's become very anxious about the pending birth." In fact, he'd determined to stay here for the duration until the child was born. "She could use the breathing room. Between the Duke, Olaf, Anna, Soredamer, Gerda, me, plus numerous servants, she's quite smothered, I think. Some space would do the both of you good."

"You're right. I'll take her for a ride or a walk. Goodness knows how little time we've had to spend alone together recently," Hans said. "I'm starting to feel like we're practically strangers again. That's not a good feeling."

"No doubt. Especially with a baby on the way," Kay said flatly.

"Hans gave him a vaguely annoyed look and rolled his eyes with a sigh. He looked at Kai. "Direct any inquiries or emergencies to the Duke of Weselton. He's doubtless capable of handling crises if they happen to arise."

"Very good sir," Kai replied, nodding his head. "Enjoy your time with Elsa."

"I will enjoy it thoroughly," Hans replied, leaving Kai and Kay behind.

Frozen

Elsa was reading through an edict in the library, proofing it for any loopholes that could cost them. Suddenly her eyes were covered from behind and she paused a moment, surprised, before smiling a little. "Well hello, stranger," she said. She turned around with a grin draping her hands over his shoulders and looking up at him.

"We should go for a ride. Just the two of us. Get you away from the hoverers and give us some time to be reacquainted with one another," Hans said.

"Mmm, it sounds wonderful. But who will hold things down here in our absence?" she asked.

"The old man is capable enough," Hans replied.

"I heard that!" the Duke of Weselton shouted from a couple of rows over.

Hans frowned then ruefully smiled, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. He grinned at Elsa. "See? Sharp as ever," he said.

"Alright, let's go then" Elsa relented. "But we need to take it easy. Too much jarring and the baby might decide to come," she half joked. "You're many things, my love, but a doctor isn't one of them."

"Agreed," Hans replied. She placed the edict on a table and linked her arm through his. He smiled down at her and guided her out of the library and through the halls, making for the stables where Sitron was housed, as well as Elsa's Ice Mare; which Sitron was of course fawning all over. It was strangely fitting Hans supposed.

"He was mating her yesterday," Elsa said.

"Hans started, looking at her in shock. "Can she mate?" he asked.

"I guess we'll see," Elsa answered, smirking.

"Did you chastise him?" Hans asked.

"If he's anything like his owner, it wouldn't have done much good," she replied. "Besides, she was receptive and I'm curious if anything will come of it."

"Fair enough," he said. "It would be a mare of yours. He has good taste." Elsa smirked, playfully slapping at his arm. He grinned at her.

They went out to the stables where their horses were. Hans helped Elsa up onto the mare. The size of her belly made it hard to do alone. Once sure she was securely in place, he went to Sitron and tried to mount up. Sitron decided that was a good time to try and show off his defiance and independence to the mare and adamantly refused to be mounted easily. "Hey, behave you!" Hans snapped at him, holding tight to the reigns even when Sitron reared up with a whinny and tried to jerk away. "Get down here!" Hans shot, pulling him back down and looking into his eyes. "Behave or you get put in a different stable away from her!"

Sitron snorted and went to bite at him. Hans forced him to move backwards and, in annoyance, began doing groundwork with him until he was behaving properly again and recognizing he was the horse and Hans was the master. When finally he stopped resisting, more or less, Hans attempted the mount again. Sitron snorted and pawed but allowed it this time. "You need to teach me some of those exercises one day," Elsa said. "Well done."

"Thanks. Good boy," he praised Sitron, patting the neck Sitron snorted in acknowledgement. The two rode out from the stables and down towards the beach.

Frozen

As they rode along the shore in contented silence, Elsa said, "This is nice. To just get out and get some fresh air. It's a beautiful day."

"You're begging for a cliched flirt," Hans replied, smirking a bit.

"That it pales in comparison to my beauty? Writer of Fairy Tales, you're more creative than that," Elsa said.

"Sometimes you can't beat clichés," Hans answered, laughing a bit. "Hmm… how about, it compliments you? Or, it reflects its queen."

"Not bad, though despite the fact I encompass winter, to say I'm its queen is a stretch," Elsa replied.

"Is it now? I don't think so. You encompass winter and it's a beautiful winter's day, so I rest my case," Hans said. She grinned at him fondly then grimaced and made a sound of discomfort, arm wrapping around her abdomen. He frowned in concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, riding alongside her and placing a hand gently on her shoulder.

She smiled at him, uncomfortable but reassuring. "False labor again," she replied. "Ooh." He grimaced, teeth clenching. He reigned in the horses so they were still, giving her a chance to recover and gently massaging her. It helped her with her pain most of the time.

"You're sure its false?" he nervously asked. There was still a month to a month and a half left to go!

"I'm sure, Hans. I'm sure," Elsa reassured. "Don't worry, okay?"

"You honestly think telling me not to worry is going to stop me from worrying?" he asked. She gave him a hopeless but fond smile.

"After a moment she said, "I'm okay now."

"Should we head back?" Hans asked.

"No. Let's ride just a little further," Elsa replied.

"Are you sure?" he pressed in concern. She smirked, rolling her eyes, and rode onward without answering him. He blinked after her then frowned, following her quickly.

Frozen

Hans and Elsa returned to the palace in the evening, gone longer than either of them had planned to be. Hans had brought her to his secret cabin in the woods and they'd lit a fire and cozied up there. And done other things there on a bear rug in front of the fireplace. Arendelle was sleepy and quiet. The palace was being shut up for the night. They grimaced at one another, fully expecting a lecture to be coming their way from the Duke of Weselton, Kai, and probably Gerda too. Hans would likely be lectured for keeping Elsa out so late in the cold when she was in her condition, Elsa would probably be lectured for letting him keep her out so late in the cold. They stabled their horses and hurried to the palace doors holding hands and grinning at one another like children, giggling and whispering. They looked ahead and stopped dead, catching their breath and looking for all the world like two naughty teenagers being caught trying to sneak back home late. Standing in the doorway were the Duke of Weselton, Kai, and Gerda, just as they'd expected.

"And just where were you two off to?" the Duke demanded testily.

"Hans and Elsa exchanged looked and grinned softly at one another. Elsa turned back to the Duke with a smile. "Dear Duke, we were just spending some time out at Hans' cabin. It was getting cold, for him, so we went there and lit a fire and stayed a while so I could get some proper rest and he could get warmed up," she replied.

"Elsa, you shouldn't be out doing things like this so late in your pregnancy," Gerda chided. "The cold may be well and fine for you, but what about for the baby? Come. I'm going to draw you a warm bath an we'll get that chill out."

"Gerda, I'm not chilled!" Elsa protested.

"What about the bundle of joy you're carrying?" Gerda demanded.

"Inside my womb? Where it's a literal incubator?" Elsa asked. Gerda gave her a stern look and Elsa winced. She glanced sheepishly away. "Alright, you win," she relented. She looked up at Hans and gave him a seductive look. "Maybe you should join me," she all but purred to him.

His eyes lit up excitedly and mischievously. "I think not," Kai huffed. "You two have had quite enough excitement, I suspect. It can't be good for the baby, playing the games you doubtless played out in that cabin." Both of them flushed deeply. "I'll have a separate bath drawn for Hans and in the meantime lecture him on proper duties during pregnancy."

"What's there to know? I keep emher/em alive, she keeps baby alive, everyone's happy," Hans replied bluntly. Kai's dark glare immediately cowed him. He winced and sighed. "Fine," he said.

"While we're at it, it's best I prepare you for when true labor emdoes/em come," Kai said with a sigh, rolling his eyes. "You're going to need to know how to coach her through it."

"And I'll give her tips on how to properly birth a baby," Gerda said, smiling at Elsa.

"Well what in blazes am I supposed to do?" the indignant Duke demanded.

"Visit Anna and Kristoff in town, Dear Duke. Read a story to precious little Gerda," Elsa said with a smile.

The Duke frowned then sighed. "I suppose I shall have to," he said.

"You're wonderful, papa," Elsa teased. She bent, kissing the man's head before leaving with Gerda, waving her fingers seductively at Hans who watched after her really wishing he wasn't stuck hanging out with Kai.

"Come along, Hans," Kai said. Hans sighed and followed.

Frozen

Elsa sat in the bath, humming and washing herself. Gerda sat nearby doing needlepoint. Just in case Elsa went into labor and she had to do some emergency coaching. "Tell me the truth, Gerda. How close was the Duke to sending out Matthias, Sir Kay, and a battalion to search for us?" Elsa asked.

"If you hadn't come back when you did, he would have. He was heading out to the barracks to find Matthias and Sir Kay, in fact, when you returned. Kai and I were half-heartedly trying to talk him down, but we were concerned as well."

"Is Soradamer sleeping?" Elsa asked.

"She was concerned for you too, and she's self-appointed herself your lady's maid, so no," Gerda replied. "By the time you get to your room she'll have your night things laid out and be ready to help you with your hair and nightclothes.

"I wish she wouldn't," Elsa said with a sigh. "She's an Empress for goodness sakes! What is she doing waiting on a Queen?"

"She was an Empress, my dear. That time is long, long passed now," Gerda replied with a fond smile. "She wants to make herself useful, not lounge around the palace doing nothing. She has no duties here. You do! What could she even do, really? So, she must busy herself. Being your lady's maid gives her a sense of purpose. If you're so perturbed at it, then every so often remind her of her once-status and play at being her own Lady's maid too."

"That's a good idea. Treat her to a day of pampering by the servants, perhaps. Maybe invite the Ice Maiden along. She doesn't think I notice her lurking around watching over me, but I do. It's about time Hans and Vertigo reconnect anyway. Hans has become quite the social butterfly lately. The comradery that was started up between him and Vertigo during the whole Ice Maiden incident has been sorely neglected as of late," Elsa said.

"An excellent idea. Maybe throw a party, my dear. Or a little gathering," Gerda said. "Nothing big. A few close friends and allies," Gerda said.

"I'll think about it," Elsa said, nodding. Rapunzel, Elaina, Ice Maiden, Soredamer, Louise, Sophie Orsted, Mari, Anna… And that was just to start. She should probably get to know her sisters-in-law better too. She'd gotten along well with Jurgen's wife, at least. Most were gone, as depressing as that was, but those that were still there she could get to know. Wow. She had more friends and acquaintances than she thought she did. She drew in a sharp hiss of breath, leaning forward a bit.

Gerda frowned, glancing over. "False labor again?" she asked in some surprise. Elsa had told her she'd had a bout of it only earlier today. She laid down her needlepoint. "I'm not sure you should be getting it so often," she added in concern. "You should make an appointment with Dr. Jekyll again. Get him to look into it."

"Sounds like a plan," Elsa replied, grimacing a bit. The pain passed and she sighed, leaning back. "Everything hurts," she moaned. "This bath is glorious."

"Yes, your back will hurt a good deal. Doubtless you've been emptying your bowls much more often too. It's pressing against your bladder," Gerda said, smirking.

"And I hate it," Elsa said. "I can barely last an hour without having to go!"

"That's a bit of an exaggeration I think," Gerda teased.

"Maybe a bit," Elsa replied, smiling. She took a breath and ducked under the water, wetting her hair. She came up for the soap, washed it, then ducked under once more. In a little while she was back up again. "I'd like a towel please," she said.

Gerda placed her needlepoint to the side and took one, walking to Elsa with a smile and offering it. Elsa rose, wrapping it around herself. "This is so very exciting. Having a new baby in the house after so long? I can hardly wait," Gerda said, smiling at her. "I hope Hans never forgets how lucky a man he is."

"Even after all this time, Gerda?" Elsa asked with a sigh.

"I didn't mean for it to come across like that, Elsa. Though I suppose now that I'm going over my words in my head, I see the prejudice that slips in. It's difficult to keep it at bay, I hate to say. It will always embe/em difficult. I know what his father was like. What his brothers were like. I know what they became."

"Even his brothers have toned down since then," Elsa said. "And his father is gone, thank goodness. I wouldn't want that man without a country acre of my child."

"Good on you," Gerda dryly said. "Now, off to bed with you. I'm sure your husband will be there with you shortly."

"What happened to the lessons on how to birth this baby?" Elsa asked with a smile.

"Perhaps those are lessons best taught by a midwife or the good doctor," Gerda replied with a rueful smirk. "I never had children of my own, recall. I'm not the best coach."

Elsa's expression softened. "Thank you, Gerda," she said. "And for what it's worth, you and Kai were always like second parents to me and Anna. I think Kai's probably a second father to Hans." She giggled a little at the thought.

Gerda smiled. "Thank you, my lady," she said. "Now off to bed with you."

"Goodnight Gerda," Elsa said with a smile.

Frozen

Elsa walked out into the bedroom. Hans was there, searching for some papers and looking concerned. Apparently whatever Kai was lecturing him about required notes. He paused on seeing her and smiled a bit, looking her over. "I'm tempted to rip that thing right off of you," he suggestively growled at her.

"You'll get your chance after the baby's born," Elsa said with a smile.

"He huffed. "We weren't hurting it," he snorted in derision, crossing his arms in something of a pout.

"Look at it this way. In a couple months you won't have to worry about a belly bulge between us to be gentle around," Elsa replied.

"Fair enough," he answered with a smile.

She smiled back and looked at the notebook he'd pulled out. "Coaching lessons?" she asked.

Hans grimaced. "I'm getting more and more nervous each lesson he adds," he said. "Doubtless Jekyll will suggest more too."

Elsa nodded. "I'm going to go see him tomorrow," she said, determining it was probably best not to keep the false labor issue from her husband. This was really freaking him out, the whole situation. As long as he was kept in the loop, he was reassured he wasn't overlooking something. Gods forbid something happen to the baby and he blame himself for it because he wasn't aware of something she had been aware of.

Hans frowned, stiffening a bit. There was a beat. "Why?" he warily asked.

"Gerda is afraid the false labor pains might be more frequent than they should be," she confessed seriously.

Hans covered his face with his hands. "Elsa why?" he groaned as he did so.

"I'm telling you now. I never realized it might not be a good thing until she mentioned it," Elsa assured, dropping a hand on his shoulder lightly. "I know you have a lot on your plate already, so try not to worry about this too much, alright Hans? Jekyll's going to figure it out and everything's going to be okay." He hopelessly nodded. It was all he could do. She smiled at him. "Now go get your lecture done with so I can have my husband's warm body to curl up to tonight. Take the chill away," she teased. He smiled at her, taking her hands gently and kissing her fingertips soft.

"I'll be back soon," he promised before taking the notebook and a quill and leaving.

Elsa smiled after him. As Hans left, Soredamer entered and watched after him with a curious frown. "He seems distracted," she said.

"My false labor pains might be more frequent than they should be. At least Gerda thinks so. I'm going to get Jekyll's opinion on it tomorrow," Elsa said.

"Ooh… It's early," Soredamer said in concern.

"I know," Elsa replied with a grim expression. "Here's hoping its nothing." She went to her nightgown and took it, moving behind a divider and throwing the towel over it as she changed. Soredamer took the towel away. Elsa soon came out and sat at her vanity. Soredamer smiled and picked up a brush, going to her friend and starting to comb out her hair before braiding it up for the night.

"Loose tonight or braid?" she asked.

"Braid," Elsa replied. "Loose hair is a treat for him," she added with a playful smirk. "It usually promises intimacy. I gave him that earlier today."

"Gentle I hope," Soredamer said.

"Is it really that dangerous for the baby?" Elsa asked, looking a bit concerned.

"I wouldn't know. Me and Alexander always played it safe," she replied. "I cut him off during the fourth trimester. It's something to ask Dr. Jekyll about. He would know better than we did."/

"You didn't ask your father or mother about it?" Elsa asked.

Soredamer grimaced. "Alisander didn't have the guts to ask my father about whether having sex with his baby girl while she was late-term pregnant was okay. I just felt weird about asking him. And mom…. Well, I was never very close to mom. Her response was 'live and learn'. I chose not to 'learn' if 'learning' was going to cost me my baby. She never elaborated either and I honestly doubt she gave anything to my dad during her own pregnancies, so, you know. Whatever. She probably didn't know anyway."

"Sorry," Elsa sympathetically said. She couldn't imagine having that… twisted of a mother or that shaky of a relationship with her own.

"It's fine," Soredamer said with a shrug, finishing braiding Elsa's hair. "Anyway, I'll let you get to bed now. Goodnight, Elsa."

"Goodnight, Sora. Sleep well," Elsa said. Soredamer smiled and nodded, then left. Elsa watched after her with a worried frown then got up and went to lay down in bed to wait for Hans and read a bit. Namely read 'The Nightingale'. For the thousandth time. She never tired of it. Written to and for her… It was among her favorite stories of his. It was the topper, actually. She loved it to be frank.

The door opened. She looked over and smiled when she saw him entering. She lay the story aside and brought up her knees, wrapping her arms around them as he started to undress. "Go slow for me, baby," she cooed flirtily to him. He paused and smirked a bit, back to her. He chuckled and slowed down a good deal, making something of a show of it. Not anything elaborate, just taking his time and every so often stretching out or rolling his muscles as he went. She nibbled her lower lip, smiling. He turned to her and crossed to the bed, leaning over her. She lay back, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him tenderly. She settled his head on her chest and let out a sigh through the nose, closing her eyes and coming her fingers through his hair. He made a contented sound.

After a while, he pulled back, kissed her again, then stripped off his trousers. He slipped into the bed next to her and pulled her close to him. "You're going to be a mommy," he said in a quiet but excited voice, saying it against her head.

She grinned. "And you a daddy," she replied with a laugh at how sappy it all was. "I feel like we're never going to get tired of saying that to each other."

"Oh we will, guaranteed, neither of us are much for 'corn', but it's fun for now," Hans replied with a chuckle. "Goodnight Nightingale."

"Goodnight Emperor," she answered. Soon enough they were both fast asleep.