A/N: As always I do not own Frozen or any of its characters, they belong to Disney. Please review and let me know how I am doing and what you think. Thank you.
Shaking of his shoulders woke Pieter with a startle. He looked up to see his valet standing over him, a loud clap of thunder filled the air followed by a bright flash of lightning. "Thomas, what is the meaning of this?" It was clearly still dark out.
"My apologies, Your Highness, but you didn't hear my knocks, and you are needed urgently at the castle." That caught his attention, the word that Princess Anna had gone into labor had filtered into the city earlier that morning, or yesterday morning Pieter thought as he looked out his window again.
"The castle? Why?"
Thomas moved away from the bed and began gathering Pieter some clothes, "I am not sure, Your Highness, the page boy only said that Dr. Olsen was requesting your presence and that you bring your medical bag with all the supplies you have with you."
Now Pieter was moving, there was only one reason Dr. Olsen would have broken their arrangement of keeping Pieter's profession a secret, and that would be that Princess Anna was in need.
He was racing through the early morning streets of Arendelle on his horse not twenty minutes later, the rain that was drenching him suddenly shifted to snow as he reached the castle gates. The guards took one look at him and threw the doors open. The chamberlain, Kia, was waiting for him at the main door, "They are expecting you, Your Highness, follow me, we must move quickly."
Pieter nodded and followed the surprisingly fast older man up the main steps leading towards the wing that housed the royal residence. Pieter had yet to be there but he didn't register any of the decor, his mind focused on getting where he was needed. His heart pounded in anticipation of what was awaiting him. They made a right turn and Pieter was struck by the sight of Queen Elsa pacing in front of a larger set of white doors. Sitting on the floor next to the doors was the Earl of Trollmoen, head in his hands barely moving, Olaf and Sven flanking either side of him. Pieter's eyes returned to the Queen when he heard his name gasped from her lips. She was paler than he'd ever seen her, her eyes red, tear tracks trailing down her cheeks. She was an unrecognizable mess. "What? Kia, what is going on?"
"I'm here to help, I'll explain later," Pieter answered for the old servant while he slipped into the room beyond the doors.
The room was filled with midwives moving around gathering water, passing around towels and blankets. Dr. Olsen at the end of the bed focused his attention on the woman on the bed.
"Ughhh." a low scream came from her, Pieter could tell by the volume and hoarseness that she was exhausted. Princess Anna flopped back onto her pillows, her face deathly pale, she was drenched in sweat, her eyes closed.
"Dr. Olsen," Pieter called the older physician. The man looked over, relief filling his face at the sight of Pieter. The man looked nearly as tired as Princess Anna.
"Dr. Jannsen." Dr. Olsen stood up walking over, "thank you for coming."
Pieter nodded, "How is she, the baby?" He asked as he put down his bag. Dr. Olsen moved so his body blocked the rest of the room, his voice low as he answered, "She's been in labor for twenty-six hours. The baby was transverse at first, we were able to turn it. Since then her Highness's cervix has slowly enlarged, finally made 10 centimeters two hours ago, but her contractions are not productive. She is tiring fast and I fear for her and the baby's lives."
Pieter nodded, "How can I help?"
"You mentioned you've been studying under Dr. Thompson and that he has developed new longer forceps that may be used with delivered in which the baby has not descended low enough in the birthing canal?"
"I have, he's developed many new techniques for assisting along in non-progressing labors. I have a pair of the forceps with me." Pieter had spent all of his adult life dedicated to the medical arts, but he was most interested in labor and delivery and finding a way to make it less dangerous for mother and baby.
"I know forceps are not often used for days, but the Princess seems to be fatiguing quickly."
Pieter nodded, "One of the techniques Dr. Thompson has been trying to push is earlier use of forceps, he believes that prolonged labors beyond 24 to 48 hours are too detrimental and assistance should be attempted earlier in prolonged labor."
Dr. Olsen turned to look at Princess Anna who was resting for the moment then at the window where snow could be seen. "I believe in this case, it is best to agree with Dr. Thompson. I don't only fear for Princess Anna and the baby but what the loss of her Highness would do to Her Majesty." Pieter couldn't help but agree, he'd been told on his way to Arendelle that the Queen and her sister were close, but now that he'd been here, he'd seen that the sisters were more than close, they were to a degree codependent on one another. If Princess Anna were to die, he was sure the Queen would not recover from the heartbreak.
"We can start immediately." He then walked over to Princess Anna, she turned to look at him, her exhausted eyes confused. "Pieter?" He smiled at her.
"I thought it was time to let you in on my secret," he whispered to her as if they were conspiring. "I am a doctor and have been practicing for years now, I work a lot with women having babies and Dr. Olsen has asked for my help. Is that alright?"
Princess Anna looked at him, pausing as another contraction rippled through her. She slumped back again. She looked unsure, "I can talk Dr. Olsen through it if that makes you more comfortable."
She nodded, "Please."
Pieter quickly moved to his bag taking out the long forceps his mentor had created. He handed them to Dr. Olsen and then felt Princess Anna's belly, " Your right Dr. Olsen it hasn't descended very far yet. I think we might need to wait a little longer, I don't believe the forceps will reach yet." So they waited, Pieter suggested some new herbs to help with the progression of the labor that an old midwife had shared with him years ago. Two hours later, the baby had moved.
"It's time," he told Dr. Olsen. Pieter talked Dr. Olsen through the maneuver and into position and then he went to speak with a tired Princess Anna, "Anna, I need you to push as hard as you can on your next contractions, okay."
"I don't know, I'm so tired." she murmured.
"Okay, I'm going to help, I'm going to sit behind you and you can lean on me, when the contraction comes I will help support you, okay."
"Yes."
Pieter had the midwives help Anna sit up and he moved behind her. A minute later she had a contraction, she sat up pushing and Pieter leaned in with her. "Pull now." He told Dr. Olsen. They repeated the process two more times, and then he heard it, a loud cry. Pieter slumped back with Anna leaning back on him. He smiled down at her, "Congratulations Your Highness."
"What is it?" she asked looking for her child. Pieter moved from behind her and the midwives helped her sit up on her pillow.
"A boy." Dr. Olsen smiled as he walked over and laid the baby in Princess Anna's arms. He was so small, it always amazed Pieter how small infants were, yet they could be so resilient at the same time.
Together the two doctors left the room, on the other side of the door, the hall was freezing, frost creeping in vines all over the walls.
"Dr. Olsen?" Queen Elsa exclaimed as she spotted them. Lord Kristoff shot up from his seat and the two moved forward with Olaf and Sven behind. Dr. Olsen smiled warmly at the Queen and took her hands as he looked at the Earl. "It's a boy."
"How is he, Anna?" Kristoff asked looking at the door, it was clear where he wanted to go.
"Both are doing well at the moment. Her Highness is tired, but I believe with Dr. Jannsen's help we were able to help the labor along before her highness or the baby could become too distressed."
Pieter was surprised to feel the temperature in the hall begging to rise and the frost dissipate, glancing at the window he could see the snow turn back into rain. "Can we see them?" Queen Elsa sounded so small so unsure.
Dr. Olsen stepped away from the door, "Of course." The Earl and Queen rushed through the doors. Dr. Olsen turned to Pieter and smiled as he reached out his hand, which Pieter took. "Thank you for your help, I am not sure either Her Highness or the baby would be doing so well if it hadn't been for you."
Pieter shook his head, "I didn't do anything, you saved them. I just happened to have the tool you need."
"You are too humble, Your Highness."
Pieter refrained from rolling his eyes, "Oh please don't, I preferred it when you were calling me Dr. Jannsen."
Dr. Olsen laughed, "You are a good doctor, Sir, I am honored to have your help and would welcome it anytime."
"Thank you, I feel the same." Pieter looked out the window again, the sky was warm oranges and pinks, the morning new. He yawned. "I should probably take my leave. Please let me know if you need any more assistance, though I pray not."
Dr. Olsen shook his hand again, "Thank you again."
Kia was there and nodded respectfully to Pieter before leading him out of the residential wing of the castle, again Pieter was oblivious of his surroundings, his bed calling to him. Though as he mounted his horse and looked back at the castle, he couldn't help but think of how the Queen looked upon hearing her sister and nephew were alright, he'd never seen her look so human, he liked it.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Elsa stood at the doorway, the past twenty-eight hours or so had been the longest in her life, even longer than the three days after her coronation. When she'd been told Anna was in labor she was so excited, but as the hours ticked by and Dr. Olsen's aged face looked more worried, and no news of a baby came, she began to feel dread fill her soul. She couldn't help but think of Princess Magi, how could she not. Kristoff became silent, sitting like a rock troll sleeping, Olaf even grew solemn. Then Prince Pieter arrived, which Elsa still hadn't processed yet, and now she was staring at her new family.
"He's so small." Kristoff was sitting on the bed, the little baby in his arms. His smile shone brighter than the day he married Anna. Anna for her part was looking adoringly at the men in her life. Elsa's heart soared and hurt at the same time, no matter what Anna said, Elsa knew that from this day on, the new little prince would be number one in Anna's life, as it should be. It hurt though because Elsa had just gotten her sister back, at least she could share in her sister's new life, and she planned to be the best Aunt ever.
"Elsa, come see him." Anna was reaching out to her. Elsa smiled and moved forward. Kristoff was right; he was so tiny. She leaned down and kissed Anna's forehead, "He is beautiful."
"The most beautiful baby ever born." Anna glowed. Elsa shook her head, this child would be so spoiled. "Do you want to hold him?" Elsa glanced over at Kristoff who was completely ignoring them.
"I don't think either of us is getting him away from proud papa over there." Elsa winked at Kristoff who just then looked up at them.
"He has too, I'm the food," Anna's face turned in disgust, "wait, that didn't sound right." Elsa could only laugh, her sister may be a mother now but she would always be Anna. A yawn followed and Anna laid back, "Kristoff give Elsa our baby."
Kristoff humphed but complied. Elsa hesitantly accepted the baby, he felt so light in her arms, she wanted to hold him tight but she didn't want to squeeze him. "You won't hurt him, Your Majesty, hold him closer to you and firmly." The senior midwife said as she came by to check on Anna again. Elsa looked at the woman who nodded at her, Elsa pulled her nephew closer. He really was beautiful, his little eyes were blue, his nose a small button, and he had a tuff of dark hair upon his head. He seemed to be staring at her and then he shifted seeming to snuggle in closer to her. Elsa fell in love, it was pure and simple, she was in love. "Hello little Prince, I'm your Tante Elsa and I will always take care of you."
After a moment she handed her nephew back to Anna who settled the baby onto her chest. "Will Your Highness be nursing or should we call the wet nurse?" asked the head midwife.
"I and a wet nurse will be." Unfortunately due to her status as Crown Princess, Anna could not solely take care of her child as she'd so desperately wanted. It had hurt Elsa to tell her sister she'd need a wet nurse to supplement for her because as soon as she could Anna would be needed for her royal duties.
"Then let me help you, that child will be hungry." Elsa turned away, not wanting to invade her sister's privacy, after a moment she heard Anna calling her. "Really Elsa, you're my sister."
Elsa shrugged as she turned around, "What can I say?"
Anna rolled her eyes before turning her attention to her child. Kristoff himself moved off the bed and over towards Elsa. She laughed, "You're the father, you shouldn't be uncomfortable."
"I'm not." Elsa raised an eyebrow.
"Fine, I am but it's…." Elsa took pity on him and changed the subject, "Did you two settle on a name?"
Kristoff smiled and looked at Anna who nodded. "Christopher Aric Olaf Bjorgman." Elsa looked over towards her nursing nephew, Prince Christopher, it sounded right.
XXXXXX
For the second time in twenty-four hours, Pieter found himself being awakened by his valet long before he was ready to rise. The man had knocked several times before the banging registered in Pieter's consciousness. He stumbled out of bed and to the door. "Thomas?"
"My apologize, Your Highness, I know you asked to not be distrubed, however, Her Majesty is down stairs calling upon you."
Pieter was shocked, from what he knew, Queen Elsa had not made a personal visit to any of the suitors' homes. This was highly out of the ordinary and protocol for the Queen.
"Yes, thank you, Thomas, come quickly and help me get ready."
Pieter was walking down the embassy steps fifteen minutes later, he felt his heart pounding in anticipation, he was unsure of why the Queen would be paying him such a surprise visit. In all their interactions he'd always gone to the castle or to the event location.
He paused at the sitting room doors before taking a deep breath and pushing the large oak doors with the Vakretta crest open. She was standing by the window, the light from the early afternoon sun shining down on her illuminating her presence, she seemed to sparkle. He took a moment to take her in, she was stunning. She wore a light orange dress with brown and yellow rosemaling on the hem, the sleeves long as he was accustomed to seeing on her, there was no cape or train this time, her hair was pulled up into an elegant twist of braids accenting her long neck. Even being unaware of his presence she had an air of grace and regality.
He cleared his voice to gain her attention, she turned slowly with all the control of a practice Queen. "Your Majesty, this is an unexpected but truly welcoming visit, how can I help you? I hope her Highness is doing well this afternoon."
She smiled her eyes filled with love as she answered, "She was sleeping with the new prince cuddled snuggly on her chest when I left; both are doing very well, I believe I have you to thank for that."
Pieter crossed to her and shook his head, "I did very little, I just happened to have an instrument, the good Dr. Olsen already knew he needed." She gestured for him to sit as she did in the chair across the way. "That is not how Dr. Olsen explains it. He is most adamant that he is not sure her Highness nor the baby would have survived if it were not for you. I believe he mentioned not only the instrument but the idea that he should intervene earlier than what traditional practices have done in the past."
Pieter was appreciative of the doctor's praise but he truly believed that Dr. Olsen already knew what needed to be done, he was merely looking for a second opinion from Pieter. "I'm just grateful that I was able to help in any way I could. It is always my goal to prevent maternal and infant deaths when possible, it is too prevalent in our society."
Elsa tilted her head slightly to the side as she looked at him, "It is clear you are passionate about your profession, a profession that never came up in all of your conversations, I might add."
Pieter swallowed, he could tell by the tone in her voice she wasn't thrilled with his secret-keeping. "Ma'am I apologize for not being more forthcoming with you about my profession."
"Were you concerned I would react in a negative manner in regards to your chosen profession?" She had her hands placed delicately in her lap, her voice low, almost hurt.
Pieter sighed, "No, My Queen. I wasn't forthcoming because it is hard for me to speak about the reasons I entered my specific field of study." She remained quiet; an invitation to continue.
"As I informed Your Majesty some weeks ago, that I was previously married and lost my wife early in our marriage, I did not however inform you of how she died." He glanced at her, her face unreadable. He steeled himself and began, "I was already studying to be a doctor when we were married, I'd always wanted to help people growing up, and I couldn't think of a better way than helping people when they were ill. Harrettia went into labor with our child two weeks early. It was a difficult labor, the child was breech and the doctor had a difficult time turning it. He was born dead, the umbilical cord had wrapped around his neck. Harrettia was devastated, she developed a fever later that night, and passed two days later." Pieter closed his eyes to hold back the tears, it still brought him to his knees whenever he thought of his Harrettia and his son; his heartbreaking in grief all over again. A cool hand on his brought his attention to the Queen knelt before him, arctic blue eyes radiating empathy and sadness for his loss. How could she look the loveliest he'd ever seen her now?
"I threw myself into my studies and began to focus on gynecology in addition to general medicine. My father was scandalized but my mother was supportive. Whenever I can help bring a child safely into this world or save a mother's life, it's as if I'm honoring them." He paused and looked down at her. "My father had advised that I keep my profession secret from you at first, he didn't believe a Queen such as yourself would consider a man who spends his days delivering babies." He could tell that she felt affronted by that remark as she had pulled her hand away from his and began to rise. He placed his hand back on hers calling her attention back to him. "That is not however why I didn't tell you. I could tell from the moment that I met you that something like that wouldn't sway your opinion of me to the negative. I didn't say anything because it hurts too much to remember, to talk about. My heart is torn from my chest whenever I replay those few days in my mind."
There was a pregnant pause as the Queen, still kneeling, looked at him, he could feel her searching within his own soul, she then rolled back on her heels and stood, he thought she was going to leave but instead she sat beside him. "My heart grieves for your loss, Your Highness, I can not imagine the horror of losing one's spouse and child so abruptly. I believe your wife and child are proud of you, of the man and the physician you've become. What you do, it is an admirable profession that I am sure is full of both highs and lows." She reached over and clasped his hand in hers again, "I am beyond grateful that you were here in my family's hour of need, however much you helped little or big. You saved my sister and nephew's life. I am in your debt."
He began to object but she raised her hand and he let his words die on her lips. "I will not lie, I do wish you had been honest with me earlier, but I can understand why you didn't. I very much feel as you do when I think of my parent's death or Anna's, however brief, death." She then rose and walked to the window again, her hand going to the window sill, "I find myself in an unfamiliar and frightening situation, Pieter." She looked at him in the eyes as his name left her soft read lips for the first time, his heart fluttered at the sound. "I find myself having feelings for you, I can't name them, and I don't know what they mean, but for the first time in my life, I can honestly say I see someone outside of my family and close staff as a friend. I don't know if what I feel will ever be more than that, but…" she paused as if she was gathering her own strength, "I would like to find out, to give these feelings a chance to grow. I was forced, as you and the Viscount and likely most of the suitors, into this charade. I was not ready to find a consort, and I resigned myself to the face that I may not marry for love as my sister has, but I do want to marry a man who can be my friend, my companion, and my partner, a man that maybe one day I could grow to love and who could grow to love me, as my parents had with each other."
Pieter held his breath, he had an idea where she was going with this monologue and his emotions began to rage, but hadn't he wished for what she was in the wee hours of the morning when the loss of Harrietta didn't bury him in grief. Hadn't he prayed the Lord would send him a woman who he too could be friends with, who would respect him as he did her, who would give him another chance at being a father.
"I've thought for the past few weeks you could be that man, but I fear that your love for your wife and now the grief of the loss of your son will prevent you from being open to developing more than the blossoming friendship we have now." She had turned while speaking to face him, her back against the window. She was a vulnerable foal in front of him. He was sure that she'd never been as honest with her feelings to anyone, maybe even herself, as she had just been with him. She was trusting him with herself. At that moment he knew what he was meant to do.
He stood and walked over to her, as he approached her he reached for her hands, he paused giving her a chance to withdraw, she didn't, he took them in his. They fit perfectly. He looked down at her and smiled. "I will always love Harrietta, I will always grieve the loss of my son;" she looked away from him, he lifted one hand while the other still held hers and placed his index finger under her chin and lifted her eyes back to his, "But they are my past, and before me now is my future, a that could be brighter, fuller, and happier than it could have been before. My Queen, I wish to trust you with that future, with my whole self. You have become my friend and I like you desire to know if it could be more, and if not, I would be content in having you as my friend for the rest of my life. With your permission, My Queen, I wish to enter an official courtship."
He could see a single tear glistening in her eyes. "You may have it." Feeling elated he pulled her in close and hugged her, he felt her stiffen and then her arms wrapped around his larger frame and returned the embrace. Pieter felt happy.
