Disclaimer: I do not own the Frozen francise or it's characters, Frozen belongs to Disney and it's creators.

Chapter 2

Word that not only was the Crown Princess of Arendelle pregnant with her first child; but that the Queen herself was open to entertaining suitors spread like wildfire across Europe as soon as the announcement was made in Anna's sixth month of pregnancy. The summer was ending and the Queen was opening up the Arendellian court to foreigners for the fall months, no foriegn dignitary would be allowed to stay within the castle, a provision the Queen was insistent on due to her sister's condition; however, the royal family would be holding several social events each week to give any suitor ample opportunity to meet the Queen.

Arendelle was a buzz as the first ships began arriving in the harbor in early September; among them the British, Norwegins, Finnish, Swedish, and Verketts. The Earl of Trollmoen leaned against a shop wall as he watched the parade of aristocrats walk by as they took in the sights of Arendelle on their way to their embassies. None spared him a glance, though he wasn't surprised, Kristoff avoided wearing his "lord" clothing as much as possible and today he was in a plain pair of trousers, shirt, and vest. He had been on a craving run, bacon flavored chocolate, for Anna when the first ship sailed in. It was the British, he wondered who the suitor was, seeing as Queen Victoria was Elsa's age and had only infant children. Kristoff doubted the council would approve of Elsa marrying anyone but a high ranking prince. Next came Prince Harkon of Norway, Kristoff knew him on sight, he'd been drilled on the royal families of most of Europe but especially Scandinavia before he'd married Anna. Harkon was the same age as Elsa, many suspected he hadn't been betrothed yet because his father was waiting for Elsa to come to her senses and look for a consort. He was a tall man with caramel blonde hair and a short but full beard. He wore a naval uniform with the rank of Admiral. He was a very handsome man, Kristoff would admit, but there was something about the air around him that put Kristoff off, he shook his head, it wasn't good to judge anyone by first appearances.

It wasn't long before the Finnish and Swedish Princes walked by, they were talking animatedly together, Kristoff had learned that the two were close due to their mothers being sisters. Kristoff believed the royal families of Arendelle and Finland were distantly related. The Finnish Prince, Kristoff, recognized as the third in line to the throne, Prince Garreth, who was Anna's age. He was on the short side, Kristoff guessed to be about Elsa's height, with dark brown hair and a mustache. The Swedish prince,Oskar, was two inches taller than his cousin, with sunkissed brown hair and mutton chops. The second in line to the Swedish throne, was a year older than Elsa, and similar to Prince Harkon, was likely unattached due to his family hoping to arrange a marriage for him with Elsa. Kristoff had actually been surprised by the number of high ranking nobility in Europe who were not married because their families hoped to arrange a betrothal with Elsa. Similar to Prince Harkon the two wore military uniforms, though Prince Oskar's was a cavalry uniform and Prince Garreth's an Army uniform.

Kristoff realized he'd delayed getting Anna her chocolate long enough and began to walk towards the castle when he noticed another ship unloading. The sun was low in the sky so it was hard to see but he knew by the flag on the ship that it was from Vakretta. Two men were walking down the gangplank, the first of whom seemed to be extremely tall, thought Kristoff could not make out much more about him. He planned to stay and see who the men were when a guard came running up to him. "Lord Kristoff," Kristoff tried not to roll his eyes, he'd been married to Anna and an Earl for over a year now, but he would never get used to being referred to as "Lord". "Yes, private?"

"Her Highness requested I find you and remind you that she is…" the man paused and his cheeks grew red, " extremely hungry and if she does not receive her chocolate soon, you will find yourself back in the stables, though without Sven."

Kristoff felt his cheek warm to match the poor private's, Anna always a little too familiar, had become rather uncouth in her pregnancy. "Um… yes, I'll be on my way now."

Kristoff made it to his suites with Anna in recorder breaking time, she didn't even greet him when he came in the door, rather tore the box of chocolates out of his hand before dropping into the sette and popping a piece in her mouth. "What took you so long?"

"The first suitors ships arrived." That definitely grabbed her attention, Anna dropped the chocolates and sat straight up. "Wait what? Who?"

Kristoff held back his chuckle as he moved around the room taking off his vest and resting on the chaise across from her. "Some British noble I didn't know and couldn't pick out from his entourage, Prince Harkon" Anna rolled her eyes, "No way the Council lets Elsa marry him, he's the crown prince, they'd definitely be worried about Norway absorbing Arendelle". Kristoff felt his heart swell, Anna was much more keen on the politics of Scandinavia and Europe then others and even herself gave her credit for.

"Prince Garreth and Prince Oskar arrived soon after as well as someone from Varketta but I couldn't tell who it was before I was dragged back here by a guard for your needs." he smirked.

Anna rolled her eyes at him and took another piece of chocolate, once she'd finished she looked at him with seriousness in her eyes. "I hate this."

Kristoff sat up, reached over, and squeezed her knee, "I know, but Elsa knows what she is doing."

"She should get to marry for love, like me" she partly whined. It was well known and accepted by Kristoff that Anna lived to make sure her sister was happy, that she'd do everything in her power to make up for Elsa's loneliness and unhappiness during their childhood. Though Elsa lived to do the same for Anna, which sometimes put the two at odds. It was Elsa's desire to make Anna happy, to see that she got to marry Kristoff, literally rewriting laws and creating titles to make it happen, that directly led to Elsa having to marry for political advantage instead of for love.

"You heard Elsa yourself, feisty pants, that just because this will be a political match, doesn't mean she won't fall in love. Your parents are a prime example. Elsa is Queen, this is the one instance in which she gets nearly a hundred percent say in who she chooses, none of them can propose to her, she has to be the one to do it. The council will try to influence her, but you know she won't marry someone she can't at least be friendly with."

Anna leaned back down and rubbed her stomach absentmindedly, "I know you're right but I still can't shake the feeling that she is once again sacrificing her happiness for mine and all of Arendelle."

There was nothing for Kristoff to say to that, so instead he closed the distance between himself and his pregnant wife and wrapped her in his arms, hopinging in that moment, he could take some of her worry away.

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The grand dining room was filled, with ten different nations sending suitors; the etiquette advisor had been put through his paces, and they were expecting at least three to five more nations to arrive within the coming weeks. Elsa stood behind the large doors that separated the ballroom from the dining room. Anna and Kristoff were with her, awaiting to be announced to the crowd of dignitaries. The last time Arendelle had so many foreigners at court had been Elsa's coronation and that had gone just swimmingly; of course this time Elsa wasn't trying to hide her powers, but she was still nervous, in that dining hall could be her husband, and that terrified her. Having spent part of her childhood and the entirety of her adolescence separate from other people had made the already introverted little girl into a near hermit at heart. She'd really only begun being comfortable with the constant contact she had with her family and the castle staff, strangers though, they still sent her anxiety level through the roof. During the first Yuletide celebrations she'd had a particularly scary episode in which she'd been so nervous she couldn't breathe, it had taken an hour for Anna to calm her and help her return to the party. As luck or grace would have it the people of Arendelle seem to understand that their new Queen was not used to company and nothing had been said of the incident, would these foriegn nobles be as kind, should it happen again.

A pair of soft hands paused Elsa's own ringing hands. Elsa looked up into calm teal eyes and a gentle knowing smile. "Take a deep breath with me." Anna's soothing voice broke through the low hum in Elsa's ears. Closing her eyes and placing her hand on Anna's chest Elsa took a few deep breaths with her sister, when she opened her eyes the humming in her ears, the bounding of her heart, and the swirling of her magic were gone.

"Thank you." Elsa breathed out in relief.

"We won't leave your side." Anna reassured her.

"Introducing Their Royal Highnesses Earl Kristoff and Countess Anna of Trollmoen" the herald was heard through the door.

Anna rolled her eyes; "Except right now, see you in there and remember slow long breaths."

Elsa watched as a radiant Anna left thru the open doors, her gorgeous blue and black dress fit to not hide Anna's growing belly but not to accentuate it either. Many women would have avoided a party like this or at least hid their belly under layers of clothing in their last trimester but not Anna, she thought it was archaic to be ashamed of pregnancy, she wanted to celebrate it. Kristoff looked dashing in an honorary army uniform for which Elsa made him an honorary commander in. He also wore the traditional purple gold and green sash of the House of Arenfjord, only Prime Minister Marius would be wearing the same. Marius had argued against the honor at first stating the Kristoff was not of the house of Arenfjord; Elsa reminded the Prime Minister that Arendelle subscribed to absolute primogeniture not male primogeniture; therefore, Kristoff had married into the house and should be able to wear the colors. Anna and Kristoff would later have to decide whether their children would take Anna's family name or Kristoffs. Surnames as they existed in most of Europe did not exist in Arendelle or many other Scandinavian countries; each new generations last name was derived often times from their father's given name and then adding "son/sen" or "dotter" at the end or sometimes from the geography where they lived. Elsa had ordered a census during her first year of reign and this system of surnames had made things more difficult and confusing then necessary. She would be passing a law soon that all families in Arendelle would need to decide on a single family surname that would pass to each new generation. If at that time Anna and Kristoff decided to go with Bjorgmen then, Elsa would agree the family was no longer part of the House of Arenfjord. Elsa had yet to determine the "surname" for the royal family though it would only be used by her grandchildren who were not in the direct line of succession. Her top choices were Arenfjord, Arensen, and Agdarsen.

"Introducing Her Majesty Queen Elsa Ingrid Freja Nysno of Arendelle" broke Elsa from her tangent of thought on the new surname law. Straightening her back and pulling up her chin she entered the room with as much grace and poise as her nerves would allow. She'd decided to go with a traditionally made dress today instead of one of her ice dresses, it was far less comfortable for her, but she didn't want to flaunt her magic so soon in front of the suitors. Her gown was light lavender silk with amethyst colored embroidery and gems. It was a typical A-line dress though she had the hem slightly higher in the front and longer in the back so there was a small train effect. She forwent her usual cape or train. The neckline was low going straight across her shoulders just below her collarbones. She wore her hair in her traditional updo but allowed several strands to escape to frame her face gently. She wore her mother's whitegold diamond and amethyst tiara, a thin white gold chain around her neck, and a pair of amethyst drop earrings.

As she made her way to the head of the table for dinner everyone stood at attention, all eyes on her. Elsa detested the attention she received as queen, but it was pointless to ponder as there was nothing she could do about it. She was the leader of her country and with that came a great deal of responsibility and attention. The head of the table was actually the middle of the table in this situation. She sat with Anna to her right, Kristoff across from them, to her left was Prince Harkon of Norway, as crown prince he was the highest ranking foreigner at the table so it was his honor to sit next to her. Prime Minister Marius was across from Elsa, his wife beside Prince Harkon; from there her council was intermixed with the other princess and nobility who'd arrived descending from her position in accordance to a confusing etiquette that took in accordances rank and current political climate. Elsa did not begrudge Anna and the etiquette officials their job, it was harder and more politically volatile than trade agreements. After tonight her dinner partner to the left would change to provide each suitor a change to eat with her and converse. Elsa was thrilled.

Once at her seat she paused and looked down to the table to the right and then to the left. "We would like to thank you, our esteemed guests, for joining us this evening and for the next few months. We are honored at your presence and hope you find your time here in Arendelle pleasant." The crowd inclined their heads to her assent; she returned a demure smile and continued. "Please enjoy the meal." Once sat she daintily cut a piece of roast and placed it in her mouth, everyone commenced eating as well. It hadn't taken long for her to get used to other's meals starting and ending with hers; at first it was odd, and she worried she'd eat to fast and be finished before others had gotten their fill, but she soon learned that her natural pace of eating was on the slower side especially when engaged in conversation.

"Your Majesty looks absolutely radiant" Prince Harkon leaned in to say as he finished the bite he had taken. Elsa managed to contain the roll of her eyes. Compliments on her looks were nothing new to Elsa, she was not obtuse enough to not realize she had been gift in looks; however, the constant barrage of compliments on her looks had turned her previously shy humble reactions to internal irritation. She was a great deal more than her looks, she wondered if she'd ever be able to tell the difference between a compliment meant to butter her up and a true comment of affection.

"Thank you Your Highness; how was your journey?" she countered and moved the conversation to him.

"Quick, just a few days to get here from Oslo." Elsa nodded, Oslo was not too far Arendelle, three to four days sail depending on weather, on really good days as fast as two days.

"How is your sister?" Princess Margi had married a Belgian duke the year prior and was expecting her first child from what Elsa had heard, the young princess was just nineteen.

"She was in confinement when we last heard, I expect a letter any day on whether or not I have a niece or nephew." Elsa could tell he was generally excited about the prospect of having a niece or nephew, Elsa could relate, she was bursting at the seams in anticipation thought Anna, if she would even do it, was a good two months from confinement. "Well an early congratulations to you then." Elsa genuinely smiled for the first time.

"Does the Crown Princess have a preference on gender?" Harkon asked as the continued their meal.

"No, but I believe the Earl is hoping for a girl, one just like Anna." Harkon smiled and gave a small laugh.

"Arendelle is an absolute primogeniture if I am not mistaken." there was a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"Correct, even if I had a brother, I would still have become Queen." Elsa was quite proud of Arendelle's open mindedness towards women and their rights. Only Vakertta was the same in terms of inheritance rights for women. "It's a long standing tradition from the nine counties and the chieftains who ruled in equal right as their wives. My great ancestor, the first King of Arendelle, Olaf the Great's heir was his daughter Freja."

"Hmm, very liberal." was his only response. The small tenderness she'd begun to feel towards him due to his excitement over his niece or nephew dwindled completely at the comment.

"What one sees as liberal another as just." He glanced at her then turned back to his food; little was said between the pair for the remainder of the meal.

Once dinner and dessert concluded the dancing commenced. Elsa's dance card was filled and she knew she would have not a single moment of rest of peace until the ball was over. Her first dance was with the Duke of Birmingham's son, William Viscount of Bath. He was of average height with thick raven colored hair and full beard. He was a three years Elsa's senior. He was polite and courteous as they danced but rather reserved simply greeting her and then thanking her for the dance. Elsa wasn't sure if it was due to shyness or disinterest.

The Princes Garreth and Oskar were next, both were gentlemen as well, but rather talkative. She heard of their childhoods and their military prowess in the span of one song; she wasn't sure what made her more dizzy, the lively dances or their incessant chatter. Luckily Kristoff had managed to snag the next dance from her, and thankfully took her outside for a drink and some fresh air. She leaned against the private balcony, "Thank you, though I wish you'd waited for the middle of the night." While she cherished this reprieve she lamented the next two hours without another.

"No worries, I convinced the Prime Minster to sign your dance card for about four dances from now, then Fredrick four dances after that, Minister Karoline's husband volunteered for four dances from that, and you end the night with Thomas. Your Ministers were all rather amicable when I suggest that you may need scheduled breaks in your dance card." Elsa could have hugged and did hug him in that moment. "Thank you" she whispered in his ear.

"It was nothing, we all know this is way out of your comfort zone, I would have taken the middle or end dance but Anna is getting tired and we'll be retiring soon, I hope that is okay."

Elsa's hear momentarily clenched at being alone at the ball, but she understood, it was too much to expect Anna to stay all night, not in her condition. "It alright I understand, just say goodbye before you leave."

"We will, and Minister Karoline and her husband promised to stay to the end incase you need someone." Elsa thanked the Lord at least once a day for Minister Karoline. The woman was very good at her job, but she also understood Elsa in a way that many of the men simply couldn't. Arendelle may be more tolerant and free minded when it came to the rights of women, but it was still a man's world most of the time.

They were walking back into the ball room when two servants came rushing in, one to Prince Harkon and the other to Elsa. Elsa took the letter and read it quickly, her face falling then her eyes looking for the Norwiegin prince. She found him, across the ball room, his hand reaching for the wall for support, his eyes lifting and finding hers. Elsa quickly moved across the floor until she was beside the prince, she gently took his arm and pulled him out of the ball and into the Portrait Gallery.

"Prince Harkon, my deepest condolences for your loss, is there anything I can do for you?" The man seemed to look through her. "She was just nineteen, how, how could this happen?" His eyes suddenly found her's, Elsa knew all to well that feeling of loss and hopelessness when your sibling has died, though brief, those few moments when Anna was frozen would live with Elsa forever. "Your Highness, we have a ship leaving tomorrow, we can have it take you to Oslo if you'd like."

He blinked at her then his hand went his forehead, "No, could, could it take me to Belgium, I need to go to her, to them."

Elsa nodded, "Of course. I will let the captain know first thing in the morning, they are due to leave at 8 in the morning. I'll have my steward help you leave without having to go back through the ballroom."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Prince replied as Kia appeared, as always, when he was needed. Elsa leaned against the wall, a portrait of her grandmother to her right. Her grandmother, a woman she had never met, that her father had never met. Elsa squeezed her eyes shut, willing the terror building in her gut down. Her grandmother, like Princess Margi, had died during the everyday miracle of childbirth. How something so amazing could be so deadly was a mystery to Elsa. The letter had been from King Ivar, begging her forgiveness at his son's sudden need to leave the Arendellian Court. The princess had, according to the letter, experienced an unusually long labor; when the child, a boy, was born it was already dead. The princess was distraught and after falling asleep late in the night never woke again.

Elsa could see Anna's face in her mind's eye, she could see how happy her sister was at the idea of being a mother, yet Elsa now feared for her sister more than ever, Princess Margi's death viscously and mercilessly reminding Elsa that she could very well lose her sister in a few months time. Elsa was quite sure she would not survive losing Anna again.

"Elsa?" She looked up to see her sister and Kristoff standing at the door, Anna's hand resting gently on her stomach. "What's wrong?"

Elsa pushed herself away from the wall and approached her family, she wanted to lie to Anna, she didn't want to scare her, but it wouldn't be long before word of the young princesses death would make it's way around the court. Elsa pulled Anna into her arms, hugging her sister tight, drinking in the warmth, calming her very soul. She then pulled away but not before gently resting her hand on Anna's belly as well.

Anna's eyes were full of concern and curiosity when Elsa finally met them. "Princess Margi has died in childbirth, the child too. Prince Harkon is to leave first thing in the morning."

Anna gasped her hands going to her mouth, Kristoff instinctively pulled Anna closer to him. "That's horrible." Anna finally said, "She was so young, younger than I."

Elsa shook her head, "It was a hard labour apparently. The child was dead at birth." Anna shook slightly tears filling her eyes. "Go, you two, go to bed, get some rest." Elsa ordered.

"Are you sure?" Anna asked her, though Elsa could hear the unspoken words, 'I see your upset, I can stay.'

"Positive, go take care of yourself." The two nodded, exchanged kisses and left. Elsa moved back towards the ballroom, taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, she stepped back into the party. She would barely register the rest of her dance partners for the remainder of the night, and would fall into a sleepless sleep that night as her nightmares were filled with losing Anna during childbirth.