A/N: I had a review about Elsa's birthday from a few chapters back but I thought I would address it here, it goes to understanding the character's ages going forward. Here was my response and explanation: While it is correct that in the movie the Queen is being coronated because she has "come of age", Jennifer Lee has said on the record (making it cannon) that Elsa's birthday was the winter solstice. Now the year is under debate whether that is 1817 or 1818, I am going with 1817 because the law of Arendelle states the monarch must be 21 to be coronated. It is realistic to assume that Elsa turned 21 in 1817 but the coronation was postponed to the summer when the weather was at its best in Arendelle because many dignitaries would be coming from other nations. Queen Elizabeth II became Queen the day her father died but was not officially coronated for nearly a year. King Edward VIII was King for months before he abdicated before his coronation even occurred. It was not uncommon for a monarch to become king or queen in the eyes of the law long before the coronation occurred. It is often about logistics. As always I do not own Frozen or Frozen II. This is just for fun.
Changing Future
December 1844
The sound of retching woke Pieter from his sleep. It was the sixth time in two weeks that Elsa spent the night in the bathroom. She'd also been experiencing nausea randomly during the day for the last four weeks. The episodes appeared to be growing in intensity and frequency. Pieter dutifully rolled out of bed and moved into the bathroom, his heart went out to his wife, she looked beyond tired, her face and hair were sweating, her face paler than normal, and bags were forming below her eyes. She was leaning against the wall, a pail next to her. He slid next to her and pulled her into his lap. He calmly rubbed her back as she curled into him. A few minutes later, she quickly moved from his lap and began to dry heave into the pail. He helped hold back her hair and continued to rub her back until she finished. They resumed their former position and remained there for some twenty minutes; when no further episodes occurred Pieter lifted his wife and carried her back to bed. Next, he went to the door of their suite asking the on-call maid for a pitcher of water to be sent up with a cup of chamomile and ginger tea.
"You shouldn't have asked for anything," Elsa mumbled as he climbed back into bed next to her.
"You need to drink something, you could become dehydrated," He stated matter of factly.
She shrugged and rolled over to lay on him. "I won't be able to keep it down."
"We don't know that," was his reply as he ran his fingers through her wet hair. He had many thoughts running through his mind; however, the one at the forefront was his wife's health and her vomiting episodes. He had a good idea of what was causing them but was hesitant to bring it up to Elsa. He thought it important that she come to the realization he had a week ago; so far however she'd said nothing.
"I think you should have Dr. Olsen see you tomorrow," he hedged. He heard her groan before she rolled back and looked up at him.
There was fear and a small bit of hope in her eyes. "I know what you are thinking," she stated. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, his eyes locking onto hers, " You do?"
She nodded her head slightly, " The last time I was sick like this was with Astrid." She bit her lip and her hand moved down towards her stomach, "I am late two months."
Pieter couldn't keep the glee from his voice as he spoke next, "It would be a wonderful Christmas gift. Anna would be thrilled if we were able to tell her she was going to be an aunt."
Pieter felt Elsa stiffen and then she rolled away. He didn't allow it and rolled with her, gathering her in his arms again, "Talk to me Elsa, what plagues your mind?"
He felt her reach for his hand and slid it down to her stomach, he thought he felt a slight roundness to it, but it was far too early for that, it was mind playing tricks on him. "I can't lose another, I don't think I would survive it." Pieter wasn't sure he would either; yet, it was his job to stay positive, to hold Elsa's hand as they once again went along on the journey to parenthood.
"Nothing's been confirmed, we are just speculating, let's have Dr. Olsen look at you again to see if he can confirm it then let's worry about what-ifs. There is no point in spinning ourselves in circles until we know for sure you are with child; however, if you are I don't want you to worry. There is no reason for you to lose this baby, if you are pregnant, let us focus on the positive my love."
Elsa snuggled against him, "You are right. We should probably get some sleep, it's Christmas Eve tomorrow and there will be certain people very excited to celebrate."
"Chris and Renee?" Pieter asked, a smile coming to his face as Elsa smirked.
"Anna and Olaf."
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January 1845
In the month since Elsa, Pieter, and Dr. Olsen had concluded that Elsa was likely pregnant; her symptoms had only increased tenfold and she'd missed yet another menstruation. She was constantly fatigued, nauseous, and had begun to show. Anna had been required to fill in for Elsa multiple times a week; which is why Anna was now sitting before the council for the fifth time in three weeks, prepared to confirm what most of the castle had guessed but Elsa had refused to confirm until this point.
"Your Royal Highness, is the Queen unwell this morning?" Minister Christianson inquired as she entered the room and gestured for everyone to sit. Anna nodded as she answered, "Her Majesty is indeed feeling unwell this morning and Dr. Oslen has suggested that she rest this morning, if she is feeling better by the afternoon she will resume her duties."
"Has Dr. Olsen concluded what has been plaguing the Queen these past few months?" Prime Minister Marius questioned. His eyes were focused on Anna, she did her best to concentrate on the room and not just her distant elder cousin.
"He has in fact. While it is a little early, Dr. Olsen, the Duke of the North Mountain, and Her Majesty are confident that she is with child."
There was a pregnant pause before Minister Karldotter spoke, "Congratulations Your Royal Highness. Please pass along our congratulations to Her Majesty and His Royal Highness. I believe it is needless to say, but the council will support Her Majesty in any way we can and will be flexible in the coming months". Anna smiled at Minister Karldotter, Anna had always liked her yet it was moments like these that Anna appreciated the woman even more. It was always good to have another female perspective on the council.
"Thank you Minister Karldotter, I know Her Majesty will appreciate the council's understanding. As one can deduce from the Queen's frequent absences these past few weeks, that this pregnancy is proving to be more difficult than the last one. I will be filling in for my sister as she needs it; furthermore, it has been suggested by Dr. Olsen that meetings be as brief as possible. Her Majesty is quite fatigued and rest will be paramount for the health of this pregnancy."
"When will the announcement regarding Her Majesty's condition be made to the general public," asked Baron Brikeberg. Anna was sure he was thinking of the increase in revenues the news of the Queen's pregnancy would bring. When Elsa was pregnant with Astrid the people had been so ensured by the idea of an heir that they were more willing to spend money in the months leading up to the birth. There had been a significant drop-off in commerce when the announcement of the stillbirth was made. The economy had not quite recovered from it yet. Anna would always be bewildered how subconsciously the affairs of the Royal family and the state of the Monarchy would affect the economic habits of the citizens.
"The Queen would like to wait one more month before making her condition public knowledge. The Privy Council and the family are the only individuals to know the Queen is expecting. The Royal staff has been ordered to keep any speculation to the Queen's health within these walls until further notice." Anna said firmly. Elsa wasn't naive she knew that the servant talked and it was highly probable that rumors of her being with child were making their way around the city; there was little she could do about that, but Elsa wanted to be 100% sure before allowing the entire nation and world to know she was carrying the Crocus Throne's heir.
"Understandable." Minister Karldotter remarked. They then continued with the agenda of the meeting. It was a short one, Anna was thankful for that; therefore, she made her way to her sister an hour after the meeting had started.
Elsa was laying in her bed, the curtains drawn and a glass of water on the bedside table. Anna silently slid into the room and then beneath the covers next to Elsa. The first thing Anna noticed was that Elsa was running a little warmer than normal for her. Elsa was always slightly cool to the touch, but now she was slightly warm like Anna normally was. There was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead. Anna gently wrapped her arms around her sister's midsection, there was a clear bulge to her midsection. Anna wasn't sure what that meant. When she was pregnant with Renee, she began showing around her fourth month, which was a whole month before she'd shown with Christopher. Elsa hadn't shown much with Astrid until nearly six months, but now if Elsa was correct about her last menstrual cycle she was showing in her third month and quite a bit at that.
"How did the meeting go?" Elsa's voice filled the quiet room.
"Well, nothing major to report, normal updates," Anna replied as she snuggled closer to Elsa. She always felt so comfortable with Elsa, whether she was holding her sister or Elsa held her, it was calming to be in each other's embrace.
"The council's reaction to my news?" Elsa turned so she was facing Anna. She looked better than she had when she had called for Anna to come to her room.
"Cautiously optimistic I would say," Anna reported. There had been no exuberance as there had been when Elsa announced her first pregnancy. It wasn't hard to reason why the council was more reserved; no one knew if the assassination and miscarriage of Astrid had somehow affected Elsa physically in the long term. The unspoken fear was that Elsa would not be able to bear another child to full term. Anna prayed this was not the case, Elsa deserved to be a mother, to feel the joy and love Anna did every day when she beheld her children.
Elsa pushed herself up into a seated position, "They fear I will lose this child as I did Astrid." Elsa sounded defeated and resigned to the fact that she may indeed not see and hold this child. Anna would have none of that. "Don't, don't do this to yourself. Astrid's death was not your fault, there were extenuating circumstances. Dr. Olsen and Pieter both agreed that there is no evidence to support that you won't go to full term with this child as you were doing with Astrid before the assassination attempt. You need to be positive Elsa, the negativity is not good for you or my little niece or nephew." Anna accentuated her point by laying a hand on the swell of Elsa's belly.
Elsa moved her hand and laid it upon Anna's, both feeling the hardness below their fingers. "I know you're right, that Dr. Olsen and Pieter are right, but something feels different Anna, I can't explain it; I don't feel the same as I did with Astrid. I'm so tired all the time, I am more nauseous than ever, and when I am not feeling sick I have horrible reflux. It just feels all wrong."
Anna pulled Elsa into her arms, "I felt different with Renee than I did with Christopher, and Gerda told me that Mama was sick as a dog with me but not you. Every pregnancy is different Elsa, just because everything is more intense does not mean something is wrong."
Elsa sighed and cuddled into Anna, "I hope you are right."
"I am."
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March 1845
The messenger ran through the city of Arendelle from the harbor to the castle with all speed he could muster. The journey which by land would have taken upwards of four days took just two by ship. The missive he carried was of such vital importance that he'd been sent on the King's quickest clipper ship with the instructions to give the correspondence directly to the Queen and Prince Consort of Arendelle himself. He was then to wait for a reply from the monarch and return posthaste. The guards had given him little trouble when he presented his King's personal mark and was shown into a study far within the castle walls. The oak door behind him opened and he laid eyes upon the fabled Snow Queen and her husband for the first time. She was as stunningly beautiful as the stories foretold though it was clear to even a blind man that the Queen of Arendelle was with child. She had a slight waddle as she walked and was supported slightly by her husband, the Duke of the North Mountain. He was a tall man they were an imposing pair in height and appearance, for the Prince Consort was every bit as handsome as his wife was beautiful.
He bowed deeply and presented the letter to the Queen, "From His Majesty King Harkon." The Queen accepted the letter and gestured for him to sit, which he was grateful for. He did his best not to watch the pair as they read the letter but it was clear from their faces and reactions that the news was stunning and grave. They soon left the office, a guard taking their place, and then a maid brought him a sandwich and drink. He was unsure how long he was left in the office, long enough to be able to study the portraits of the kings and queens of Arendelle past, before the door opened again and the Prince Consort returned.
"I shall be accompanying you back to Oslo." He sounded grave as he spoke, his demeanor stiff and guarded.
"Yes, Your Royal Highness."
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Pieter was surprised to find his father already in Oslo when he arrived. Pieter had gone straight to his cousin's side as soon as he arrived with the court messenger. It was just as his previous visit to Oslo had been with Harkon leaning against the hearth. However, rather than Prince Tarben with him, it was Pieter's father Prince Issac. Pieter bowed to his cousin first, "Your Majesty, I am so sorry for your loss." Harkon just nodded before turning his attention back to the raging fire. Pieter moved to his father next and embraced him, "I did not expect to see you here so soon." Pieter thought his father would still be Vakertta just receiving the news and planning to return to Norway.
Prince Issac gave him a sad smile, "I arrived three weeks ago after Harkon summoned me. It was clear at that time that Tarbem would not survive long."
Pieter was taken aback by the news; his father had been in Norway three weeks and he had not known; nor had he known Tarben was ill. "What happened?"
Harkon pushed away from the fireplace and moved to the wingback chair before it. He sat and looked up at Pieter, "cancer, the doctors suspected it was cancer of the lungs and it was confirmed by the autopsy today. He'd been having difficulty breathing off and on during the summer but it was not until November that things became more serious. It was in February that we knew he would not recover so I recalled your father; there is much he must learn of Norway and our government as my heir even if it will be just until I have a child of my own."
Heir, there it was the elephant in the room, Pieter and his father went from being distant family members with little probability of sitting on the Norwegian throne to the heir apparent and second-in-line in a few short years. The political upheaval a shift in succession like this could cause was imaginable. It would be best for everyone involved if Harkon produced an heir soon.
"Your wedding is set for July, correct?" Harkon was engaged to the Russian Grand Duchess, a situation that neither Pieter nor Elsa had been thrilled about; however, now it no longer mattered; it was imperative that Harkon sire an heir.
"Yes, Karina is currently home in Russia; she will be arriving back in Norway in May. The council is trying to convince me to move up the wedding but I have informed them there is no rush and it would be too difficult to move a royal wedding up by two months."
Pieter nodded though he disagreed with his cousin. While it would be hard it was not impossible to move such an event forward. Harkon's disinterest in marrying Karina was the issue, he had dragged his feet on the courtship for as long as he could, he then purposely set the date of the wedding for a year after the proposal. Harkon did not want to marry, he did not want to marry Karina, and he would take as long as he could to fulfill this one duty. Neither Elsa nor Pieter could blame him, neither of them had been willing participants in their courtship, but they became friends and eventually grew to love one another. It was clear from Harkon's letters that he envied Pieter for finding a wife he was friends with; Harkon wanted to find what Pieter had; Karina was not that woman. There was, however, no time left for Harkon to look, he was in his thirties and king, the Norwegian people were aching for an heir, to secure the line of succession and stabilize their nation's political future. It was the same in Arendelle. The Privy council and citizens were all eager for Elsa to give birth to a healthy child, to know that the Arenfjord family line would continue for another generation, that there would be no dramatic shifts in the monarchy. People crave stability and when it was disturbed chaos could reign.
"Will you be attending my nuptials dear cousin?" Harkon asked with a smile, "I would be honored if you would stand as my witness."
"I would be honored to do so; however, Elsa is due in July so I am unsure if I will be able to make the journey."
"Understandable, the birth of an heir is an important event. How is the Snow Queen of Arendelle?"
Pieter sat across from his cousin and next to his father on the couch. "She is doing well, weary often, this pregnancy has been difficult for her; however, the daily sickness has subsided finally."
"She shares such information with you?" Harkon asked inquisitively. Pieter was not surprised; both his Norwegian and Vakrettian royal cousins were traditional and maintained many of the noble customs that forbade intimacy within daily living and amongst spouses. Pieter was relieved to discover the relaxed regulations in Arendelle, especially after spending much of his adult life as a "common" man; there was little room for formalities when attending a medical emergency. Elsa consciously cultivated a relaxed, familial atmosphere within the castle. The custodial staff and civil servants working in the castle followed the procedures and etiquette required in a royal palace dutifully, yet staff members felt more like friends and in some cases even family than employees and subjects. Even within the royal family, Elsa had done away with the strict hierarchy that other royal families such as the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's and Romanov's adhered to whenever possible, no family member, including Marius and Ingrid were required to call her "Your Majesty" or bow when entering her presence within the residential wings, there she was just Elsa, wife, sister, cousin, aunt. Pieter loved it.
"Yes, however, it is rather obvious so she hasn't had to inform me of anything I didn't already know. Elsa prefers a less austere atmosphere within the family unit. She may be the queen and matriarch of their family but we are all equal within the family unit."
Harkon nodded, "Interesting."
Pieter's father laughed, "It is indeed, I found my time there before the wedding refreshing. It is enviable the balance the Arendellians have managed between formality and approachability with their citizens."
Harkon rubbed his chin, "I wonder how our people would react to such an ethos."
Pieter rubbed his chin and leaned back into his chair, "are you planning sweeping progressive changes, my dear cousin?"
Harkon shrugged, "Perhaps. I fear Norway falling behind the rest of Europe and the world in modernization. Unlike your dear wife, I do not have absolute power to make the changes as I desire. Laws are drawn up and voted upon by our legislature, they require my signature to become law, but the parliament can push through a law against my veto with enough support. My position has become one more of guidance and persuasion than anything else. The one Godsend is that I am still the leader of the army and navy therefore the parliament can not enact war without my approval."
Pieter nodded his head in understanding, with every passing year it seemed as if more monarchies were transitioning from absolute to constitutional. It is a scenario that for now has been avoided in Arendelle, the aristocracy and the people are perfectly content with Elsa as an absolute monarch. This was not by sheer luck, King Haakan III, King Agnarr, and Elsa had all strived to work in harmony with the Privy Council and welcome the ideas of the people, none of the three monarchs had done anything to alienate the people.
Prince Issac stood and stretched, "If your Majesty would permit, I would like to retire for the evening."
Harkon gave his consent, "Of course, I am sure you would like to visit with your son in private, please both of you take your leave, I shall see you in the morning at breakfast."
"As you wish, sire." The two bowed and left. Pieter wordlessly followed his father to his room, which was across from where Pieter would be staying. Pieter's father fell into the chair before the hearth with a sigh the moment they entered.
"Father, are you well?" Issac looked exhausted, his eyes weary, his lips stern. Pieter had rarely seen such a look upon his father's face before. The last time Pieter had been 8 or so and his father still in the Vakrettian Navy, Issac had been called to active duty during a dispute with Weselton.
"No my son, my mind and heart weigh heavy with the loss of our kin over these few short years, first Magri, then Ivar and Astrid, now Tarben. I fear the assent of our positions within the Norwegian line of succession will cause much strife for yourself and Elsa shortly."
Pieter heavily sat across from his father, "Elsa fears the same. She has been very…." Pieter hesitated unsure how to describe his wife's mental state since the assassination attempt.
"Suspicious?" His father provided.
Pieter scrunched his face in response, "vigilant is perhaps a better term. She does not suspect the people around her or even the Arendellian people of ill intent; however, the assassination attempt was illuminating. She is very aware now that the world outside of Arendelle is not as accepting of her gifts as she and Arendelle once thought or rather hoped."
"That it is not. There will always be those who fear or even resent Elsa for her abilities. She is a strong and capable Queen, a brilliant politician, and a savvy diplomat, these characteristics would make any government stand up and pay attention to her no matter how small Arendelle is. The addition of unique and potential singularity magical powers and she is a person to be suspicious of." Issac looked at Pieter intently, his eyes studying Pieter closely as if deciding to say his next words. "Why do you think you were recalled from London? I know you believed it was my idea, it wasn't. Despite the success of Elsa and Anna's visit to Vakretta, King Christian was still concerned about Elsa's aspirations. In his eyes, to unite Arendelle and Vakretta through marriage was the best option. Clearly, he wasn't the only one to think in such a way considering the number of suitors that came to Arendelle."
Pieter was unsurprised by the information his father was providing him, he had long ago suspected it was not his father's idea to recall Pieter from London and essentially put an end to his medical career. "They fear she had expansionist aspirations".
"Expansionist, imperialistic. The term matters not," Issac leaned forward, "The continent, especially Scandinavia will be paying close attention now that I am heir to the throne. Sweden will not be happy with the idea of the Queen of Arendelle becoming the Queen Consort of Norway. The thrones of Arendelle and Norway falling to the rule of the same family will not sit well with many, especially if any of your children inherit Elsa's abilities".
Pieter couldn't help but rub his temples, "We are well aware father."
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Since its conception, the Arendellian Intelligence Corps or AIC had found it necessary to directly inform their Queen of potential threats to her person or Arendelle one time. That meeting had been to confirm the Rogaland Fire was deliberately started by foreign agents. The mercenaries responsible had thought hiding out in Northuldra was a good idea, they had been mistaken. The Northuldrian Honeymaren, the granddaughter of the tribal chieftain, Yelena had arrived two days after Elsa and Kristoff returned with news that the Northulda had two foreign men in custody who had been found hiding not far from the border with Rogaland. The men confessed that it was a diplomat that hired them; however, they did not know from which country. Furthermore, they had been paid in a combination of currencies from Vakretta, Corona, and Great Britain. It was clear that whatever government or organization responsible for the blaze did not want to be discovered and had cleverly used currency from Arendelle's allies to pay for the operation.
Admiral Pedersen and Minister Christianson now stood before their Queen with news they were sure would cause her much stress. The queen was in her fifth month but to many looked to be much further along. Dr. Olsen had ordered the Queen work just half days starting this week due to the extreme fatigue the Queen was experiencing daily. The Duke had left two weeks ago to attend family matters in Norway. The Privy Council had been informed of Crown Prince Tarben's death the day the Prince Consort left. This spawned Magnus and Fredrick to instruct the Director of AIC to send out agents with the specific assignment of uncovering the other European government's attitudes towards the shift in the Norwegian line of succession.
"Your Majesty, we thank you for seeing us at such a late hour this evening." Admiral Pedersen began. It was just after dinner, a time that was generally reserved for family.
"I was informed the matter was of the utmost importance." Her Majesty sat regally at her desk; however, Pederson could see how tired she was. It always amazed him how stunning the Queen appeared regardless of her physical or mental state, today was no exception. She glowed in her pregnancy and her simple yet refined empire-style dress was flattering to her condition.
"It is Ma'am. We have received word from the Director of AIC that the majority of nations are aware of the situation but are not concerned at the moment, though none are keen on having both the thrones of Norway and Arendelle under the house of Arenfjord. There are a handful of countries; however, that are extremely wary of the situation. Talks of finding a solution to the issue are beginning."
Elsa nodded her head, "I am sure I know which nations you refer to. This information, while important, could have been provided to me in my daily intelligence brief."
Christianson looked at the Admiral before speaking, "Alone Your Majesty you are correct we would have provided you with a brief; however, we have one unsubstantiated report that a plot against the Duke has been made." This caught the Queen's attention, she sat more rigidly suddenly. It was the only indication of her distress. "What is the plot?"
"As mentioned the threat has not been confirmed; however, the information we have is that His Royal Highness ship is to be intercepted by pirate mercenaries as they cross into Arendellian waters." Magnus watched as a thin layer of ice began to form at the Queen's feet as Fredrick spoke. He stepped up and began to speak softly, "With your Majesty's permission we plan to send a messenger to Prince Pieter. We think it best if he returns by land. We will send a caravan of soldiers disguised as merchants to the market next Sunday in Oslo. They would meet with his Royal Highness in Oslo and escort him home. This of course means Prince Pieter will be delayed in his return home by 10 days."
Admiral Pedersen watched as his Queen thought over the proposed plan. Returning by ship as originally planned would be significantly quicker; allowing the Prince Consort to return to the Queen's side; however, it would be too dangerous to sail home if the rumors were true.
"Proceed with the alternative plan for the Duke's return. Please keep me advised of the situation."
Magnus and Fredrick bowed deeply before exiting the Queen study, it was only upon entering the hall did either realize how cold the office had become.
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May 1845
Pieter quietly closed the door to Elsa's bedroom and joined Dr. Olsen and Anna in the lounge of the suites. "She resting now," Pieter informed the duo who were sat on the couch conversing quietly. Elsa experienced an extreme dizzy spell during a picnic with Anna; which, caused both Dr. Olsen and Pieter to be summoned. Dr. Olsen had examined the Queen, prescribing bed rest and some chamomile tea. Pieter had laid with her until she finally fell asleep.
"Dr. Olsen, what are your thoughts on her condition?" Pieter asked seriously as he took a seat on the yellow high wingback across from the couch.
"I believe strict bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy is prudent. The queen's condition has not improved, her ankles are swelling, and she is experiencing an increased frequency of dizzy spells. I further suggest a complete reduction of sugars and sweets from her Majesty's diet, she has gained a significant amount of weight these last few weeks."
"Do you think that is it, her diet, that has caused her to become so large?" Anna asked curiously. It was no secret that she had indulged liberally in sweets and snacks during her own pregnancies and had never grown to the size Elsa was at 6 and half months. "I've seen her meals, we all have, she isn't eating many sweets. She's done well eating mainly fruits and vegetables."
Pieter rubbed his nose forehead in thought before turning to the aging physician, "Is it possible she is carrying multiples."
"Wait what?" Anna asked leaning forward.
"His Royal Highness means twins," Dr. Olsen replied to Anna before turning back to Pieter. Pieter could see the concern in his colleague and friend's face; his lips were tight, he rubbed his hands together and looked away before answering.
"I believe it may be possible. If so it is even more reason to keep Her Majesty on strict bed rest. Your Royal Highness," Dr. Olsen addressed Anna, his eyes soft and gentle. "I believe it would be prudent to begin her Majesty's confinement period and for you to begin your temporary regency. I would also suggest you inform the council of the possibility of her majesty carrying twins."
Anna nodded but did not respond, she, like Pieter knew the dangers of childbirth, dangerous that only doubled with twins. No one would rest easy until the child or children were born healthy and Elsa was safe.
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Complete bed rest was not for Elsa, she hated it. Anna had stepped in officially as regent on Dr. Olsen's orders which meant Anna wasn't required to report anything to Elsa. Anna was free to make decisions on her own with no input from Elsa. Anna, of course, was giving Elsa briefs every day as a courtesy; however, Elsa was well aware she was keeping the more stressful information to herself. Having ruled Arendelle for nine years as either Crown Princess or Queen, Elsa knew the past two weeks were too calm for business as usual. It was difficult to argue with her confinement and bed rest as whenever she did leave her bed, for brief stints on the balcony, she experienced either dizziness or fatigue on 6 out of 10 trips.
Elsa felt like a gigantic beached whale. She'd lost sight of her feet a month ago, her back ached terribly, she couldn't find a comfortable sleeping position, and her child seemed to be moving non-stop within her womb. Elsa had come to realize that unlike her sister she abhorred being pregnant. Anna of course had nearly symptom-free pregnancies while Elsa's second pregnancy was proving to be even more physically taxing than her first had been. Elsa cringed, she tried not to think about Astrid these days, she was just beyond the point in which she'd lost her little girl and the memory of that loss was causing negative thoughts to creep into her mind.
Pieter and Dr. Olsen had informed her they believed there was a strong possibility she was carrying twins due to her size and intense symptoms. Delivery of twins was exceedingly more perilous than typical labor and delivery of a singleton. Elsa had spent hours reviewing the regency plan she, Anna, and Pieter had come up with during Elsa's first pregnancy. She double-checked that every stipulation was legal, that no loopholes could be found or exploited to the detriment of her child, Anna, or Pieter.
Elsa leaned back in her chair on the balcony and looked out upon the mountains, the sun was low in the sky causing streaks of bright orange and pink to dance on the clouds. She gently rubbed her stomach as it rippled with movement. "You're going to be an active one aren't you, like your Aunt," Elsa whispered fondly. There was a small kick in response and Elsa couldn't keep the smile from her face. It was these solitary moments when she allowed her mind to clear and focus upon the child growing within her, that pregnancy didn't bother her as much.
Gently she began to sing a lullaby her mother once sang to her and Anna; her voice carried upon wind wrapping around them like a warm blanket.
***"Byssan lull - boil the full kettle,
three wanderers are coming down the road.
The first one is limping,
the second one is blind,
the third one doesn't say anything.
Byssan lull - boil the full kettle,
three winds are blowing at sea.
One the great ocean,
on the little Skagerrak,
and far up on the gulf of Bothnia.
Byssan lull - boil the full kettle,
three sailing ships are sailing here.
The first one is a barque,
the second one is a brig,
the third one has ragged sails.
Byssan lull - boil the full kettle,
the treasure chest has three figures.
The first one is our faith
the second one is hope,
the third one is the red love.
Byssan lull - boil the full kettle,
there are three good things.
The first one is God our Father,
the second is his Son,
the third one is the mild Virgin Mary."
As she sang, her child was calm as if put to sleep by its mother's soothing voice. Elsa continued to hum the tune for a while longer. A strong yet gentle hand on her shoulder brought her out of her contented state.
"Your voice is that of the angels." Pieter remark as he leaned down to place a loving kiss on her cheek.
"Your child or children seem to only cease their play when I sing," Elsa gave him a playful glare.
"My child or children, aren't they ours?" he retorted, keeping his face serious.
Elsa shook her head, "Only when they are good are they the children of the Queen of Arendelle."
Pieter laughed jovially, "Perhaps we need to find a way to record your voice so we may play it all day."
"Now that would be an amazing achievement." Elsa motioned to the chair next to her and Pieter sat looking out onto the fjord and mountains.
"I do love this view. There is a tranquility about it." He took a deep breath then let it out slowly. Elsa could see the tension leaving his shoulders.
"Long day my dear?" She asked as she reached out and took his hand in hers giving it a gentle squeeze.
He gave her a small smile, "It still amazes me all the work you do. Whenever you are unable to work Anna and I split your duties, she deals with the politics and I the domestic duties. I am exhausted by mid-morning playing mediator."
Elsa laughed at her husband. "Years of practice Pieter, besides you exaggerate, you took over many of my domestic duties when we married and Anna runs the castle."
He shrugged, "You're still an amazing woman." He leaned over and placed a hand on her round stomach, "Now how is my child doing?"
"Your children are doing well. I believe you and Dr. Olsen are correct, I do not see how it is possible for one child to stretch me in two different directions at once."
Pieter smirked, "You'd be surprised, there is not much space in there and our child or children are growing larger by the minute."
That seemed like an understatement, Elsa swore they doubled in size every day. She took her hand and placed it over Pieter's, "10 more weeks Pieter, I don't know how I can last that much longer, I feel as if I am going to burst tomorrow."
Pieter slid off his chair coming to kneel next to Elsa, he leaned his head on her shoulder while he stroked her stomach gently then looked up into her eyes. She knew he could see her fear, fear that they would lose another child, fears that she may not make it through the delivery, fears that she would leave her child as her parents had left her. He reached up with his right hand cupping her cheek, his left remained on her belly. "I know Nysno, it is why you are on bed rest. The relaxation will help."
"You know or hope."
"A bit of both I guess, but it is a documented fact that rest has helped other women who appeared they may have their children early. Please try to relax Elsa."
Elsa bit her lip and looked out back across the fjord. "I will."
A/N: ****The site I found when looking for Norwegian Lullabies said this was a Swedish/Norwegian lullaby that was popular. It was collected/recorded by Evert Taube. Please be kind if my information is wrong and it isn't popular or even sang in Norway, but I liked it so I am using it. The link is from where I got the English translation from.
For the sake of my story and travel time mentioned between Arendelle and Oslo, I have placed Arendelle city and the castle roughly in the Flekkefjord/Abelnes area of Norway.
