A/N: I apologize for the long wait, my work started up again, my kids are becoming very busy, and I started a grad class, needless to say I don't have much free time theses days. I attempted to use my free time to at least finish book two and have a backlog of chapters to publish more regularly, alas that is taking longer than thought, so here is one of the chapters I did manage to finish. It was really hard to write, I hope you like where I took it. As always reviews are much appreciated and I do not own Frozen/Frozen II or any of it's characters. Frozen is owned by Disney and it's creators. This story is not for profit, just a little fun. Enjoy and have a wonderful day.

Succession

August 25, 1845

The Archbishop of Arendelle stood patiently in front of the cathedral waiting for the ceremony to begin. It had been a long time in coming. The past two months had been those of intense emotions; there was still much trepidation surrounding the royal family and ceremony that was to take place today. The Archbishop looked towards the Crucifix above the altar as he closed his eyes thinking back to the events of two months ago. He said one last prayer before returning his attention to the door to the cathedral opening.

June 25, 1845

The tightness in her lower back that had been nagging her all day gave way to an intense pain sometime in the early morning. Elsa shot up as the wave of pain moved from the top of her stomach down to her private. Once it subsided she turned to her husband only to realize that in her unbearable discomfort she'd banned him from her bed last week. Groaning Elsa rolled to her side, pushed herself into a sitting position, and placed her feet on the ground. Stopping a moment to catch her breath she looked towards the door, Pieter's bedchamber was across the lounge, a distance she once never paid mind to but now was comparable to a marathon. Gathering her courage and strength she stood and began to waddle towards her husband. She was beside Pieter a few minutes later, she'd need to take a break halfway through the lounge to catch her breath again.

"Pieter," she gently shook his shoulder. Nothing, he didn't even stir. Elsa tried not to be miffed, he'd been working hard and was likely very tired. "Pieter." She growled out again. There was a small stir and groan this time. Exasperated, she shoved him hard and called out again. "Pieter!" As she did she felt something wet rush down her leg. She looked down to the floor and saw a puddle at her feet. Looking up at Pieter she was consumed by fear, she knew what the water was, she knew what it meant. Swallowing, she whispered to her husband, "It's too early."

Pieter flew into action after that. He jumped from his bed, swung Elsa into his arms as if she still weighed only 110 pounds, and rushed back to her bedroom. He laid her down as another wave of pain ripped through Elsa's abdomen. "That was a contraction, was it your first?"

Elsa shook her head, "I had one earlier, it was what caused me to come for you," she admitted. Fear was seeping into every fiber of her being, the room became colder and colder.

"How long between them?" He asked quickly as he looked over at the clock on her mantle. It was 1:30 in the morning.

"I don't know 5 or 10 minutes." She was beginning to panic. She was in labor, she knew enough to know that, she also knew it was way too early to be in labor, she had approximately 5 more weeks before she was full term, there was no way Pieter and Dr. Olsen had gotten her due date this wrong.

"Okay. Elsa, I need you to stay calm and breathe. I am going to throw on my robe and have the maid call for Dr. Olsen."

"Anna and Gerda, I need Anna and Gerda." Elsa pleaded. She needed her sister and the woman who had always been like a second mother to her.

"I know we'll send for them too, but I need you to be as calm as possible". He leaned down and kissed her brow, "I love you my Nysno, all will be well."

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All would not be well, Pieter was freaking out as he told the maid to first fetch Dr. Olsen and then retrieve Anna and Gerda. It was far too early for Elsa to be in labor. He was trying to not do the math but he had to, 5 weeks, the baby was going to be 5 weeks early. It was not impossible for a child to survive being so preterm nor was it common either. His mind fought with his heart as he quickly got changed and retrieved his medical bag from his closet. His mind was thinking as the physician he was, whom he trained to be, but his heart, his heart was that of a husband petrified for the wellbeing of his wife and child.

He was at Elsa's side as another contraction overcame her, he looked at the clock 1:38, 8 minutes between her contractions. That with the fact her water had broken was a clear indication that Elsa was in active labor and there was no way to stop the child from coming.

He held her hand as she tried to breathe through the contraction but her breath hitched. "Short breaths like this." Pieter showed Elsa after the contraction had subsided, "The next time one comes I need you to try and do it like that okay."

She nodded, "Okay. Pieter, I'm scared." She looked so fragile and vulnerable at the moment that Pieter knew he had to be strong for Elsa. He may be petrified as well but he could not let it show, it was his turn to conceal it and not let it show.

"I will be with you, I promise," he declared as she kissed her hand, "we'll do this together".

"You're not supposed to be with me." Elsa reminded him. It was true even as a physician he wouldn't be allowed in the room.

"Do you want me?" He checked with his wife, he was sure she needed him, he could see her fear already taking over and her unconscious grip on her powers waning.

"I do." She admitted her voice, low and small. Once again leaning down he smiled, "Then just let them try and throw me out."

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Gerda had been an attendant, helping the midwives and doctors at the birth of four royal babies yet none had been as this one was. The room had a thin layer of frost on the walls that began to melt and then refreeze at random intervals. Snow would begin to fall upon their heads and then stop with each of the Queen's contractions. The room was filled with two midwives, Dr. Olsen, Anna, and Pieter. It was nearly unheard of for the father of a child to remain in the birthing room though in this situation it was unsurprising considering the Prince's previous profession. Dr. Olsen had tried to clear both Anna and Pieter out of the room on two separate occasions in the last four hours but neither had budged; their refusal and the moderate squall that had engulfed the room when Dr. Olsen had tried to pull the doctor card on them had settled the matter. It had gone unsaid by all in the room, but everyone was wary of how the Queen's powers would manifest as the labor drew on and her stress increased. If Anna and Pieter's presence could give Elsa the smallest amount of comfort and love to help keep her powers in check then tradition be damned.

Currently, the two physicians and the head midwife were huddled by the hearth deep in discussion while Anna sat Elsa's side, their hands clasped together, their fearful eyes on the doctors. Gerda shook her head as she walked towards the group. "I know I am not a medical professional like you three; however I have raised the Queen from a babe and I know that nothing increases the Queen's stress level than not knowing what is happening. Your little huddle here has caused this room to drop at least a few degrees." Gerda left with that, hoping the threesome would realize their demeanor was doing Elsa's state of mind no good.

Gerda retrieved a warm wet cloth from the bowl near the hearth then quickly made her way to her charge. The queen and her princess would forever be her charges, she may no longer be their Nanny in title but she would care and protect them to the day she died. She used the cloth to wipe off Elsa's sweating forehead, the rest of the room's occupants may be cold but Elsa was warm from the exertion of labor, or so Gerda hoped.

"Thank you, Gerda." Elsa sighed as she leaned into Gerda's hand. It made the old maid smile.

"Anything for you, Your Majesty."

"Please just Elsa tonight." Gerda nodded in agreement. Though it was rare there were moments when Elsa would request this of Gerda, preferring to interact with the woman as family rather than staff. Gerda knew Elsa was yearning for her mother; since that was impossible Gerda would happily step into the role.

As Elsa experienced another contraction, she reached for Gerda's hand which was given willingly. Gerda squeezed Elsa's hand back sending as much love as she could through their physical connection. She would be the anchor her little girl needed.

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Anna bit her lip as she stood beside her older sister, their fingers intertwined as a contraction rolled through Elsa. It had been 10 hours since Elsa had entered active labor. Everyone in the room was now donning winter sweaters as the temperature had dropped and remained low for the past two hours. Anna could tell Elsa was getting very tired. She could relate, her labor with Christopher had taken over a day, which still amazed her considering how exhausted she'd been by this point in her labor, knowing she'd continued for another 18 hours before Christopher had been born was mind-boggling now.

"It is time to push." Dr. Olsen stated once he'd finished checking Elsa. "On your next contraction, I need you to push, Your Majesty."

"Okay," Elsa responded, she had barely a moment to collect herself before the contraction began. Anna winced as Elsa squeezed her hand hard. Pieter was on Elsa's other side, his free hand caressing Elsa's hair. Anna was beyond grateful Pieter had come into her sister's life. Anna had been adamantly against an arranged and political marriage for her beloved sister, it hadn't been fair; after years of isolation, of having no control over her life, the most important decision in Elsa's life was essentially taken from her. She would not be able to marry for love as Anna had been, Anna wasn't naive, she knew that it had been her fault, that if Elsa hadn't moved mountains to allow Anna to marry Kristoff, that Elsa could have married Anna off for political gain and then been free to marry for love herself. She felt so much guilt during the months the suitors were in Arendelle, but then Pieter had emerged as an unforeseen possibility. He was a gentle and kind man, so unlike many of the suitors. While he carried himself as any other well-trained Prince, he did not act like a prince, he was more grounded, worldly, and aware. It was refreshing to see Elsa form a friendship with someone new, who wasn't family or one of Elsa's creations.

It had been beautiful to watch her loving and selfless sister slowly fall in love with the man, to see their relationship grow from mutual respect to friendship to familial love, and finally romantic love. Her sister deserved to be loved the way Pieter loved Elsa, unconditionally with all his heart and more the next day than the last. They balanced one another perfectly, they gave each other space to grow, and they challenged one another when it was required. Pieter was more than the Queen's Consort, he had become her companions and partner in every way. He knew his place by Elsa's side, was to be her rock, her sounding board, and when required the voice of reason. Anna had held the role before Pieter, and to a degree she still was, would always be, but Pieter had stepped up to take some of that burden from Anna. At first, it had hurt to see Elsa turn to someone other than herself, that feeling faded in time, now Anna was grateful, she was not alone in the fight to keep Elsa from killing herself from overwork or a desperate desire to be everything to everyone all the time. Anna could be Elsa's sister first and foremost for the first time since they were reunited all those years ago.

"Good Ma'am" Dr. Olsen encouraged, "just like that on the next contraction." Wetness on Anna's nose alerted her to the fact that it was now steadily snowing the room, Elsa had lost all control of her powers at this point. Anna thanked the Lord that a blizzard hadn't begun, just a steady snowfall.

"I can see the head, one more big push." Dr. Olsen instructed.

"You've got this Elsa," Anna added. Pieter leaned down and placed a kiss on Elsa's forehead just before the next contraction came. Then Elsa screamed, pushing up and down in a valiant attempt to bring her child into this world.

There was a pregnant pause as Elsa flopped back down the mattress, silence filled the room, Anna held her breath, her eyes looking down at her sister who was gasping on the bed while her eyes desperately searched the end of the bed for what her heart yearned to see and hear.

Then Anna heard it.

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It was the most beautiful sound Elsa had ever heard, the purest sound of her baby crying out into the world for the first time. She had feared that no child of hers would survive birth, that she was too cold or something, and that her children would all be born still and silent angels. This child was not a silent angel, no it screamed for all the world to hear and Elsa laughed uncontrollably at the realization that her child was alive.

"It is a boy." Dr. Olsen announced as he handed the child over to the midwife who was waiting with an extra warm blanket. Elsa watched as the midwife wrapped the child up tightly before bringing it over to Elsa.

"A beautiful prince if I may say so, Your Majesty." The older woman smiled as Elsa accepted the child into her arms. He was perfect Elsa thought as she gazed down upon her son for the first time. His eyes were a bright blue, his mouth small, his nose like so many babies but cuter Elsa thought. A love Elsa had never experienced before washed over her, it was beyond anything she'd ever felt, her heart hurt with love. A gentle brush on her forehead brought her eyes up upon her husband.

"Thank you." was all she could think to say as she gazed upon the man who had given her the greatest gift in her life, her son. Elsa knew from that moment on she would do anything to protect her son, her family.

"No thank you," Pieter responded as he leaned down and kissed her fervently. Elsa was left breathless when their lips parted. Pieter shifted and kissed their son on the forehead just as he had so many times with her. "He is beautiful, Nysno."

Elsa smiled and was about to say something when a familiar tightness began to build in her abdomen again. She groaned and looked up at Pieter, fear returning to her. "Take him now," she grunted. Pieter looked confused and didn't move, a different pair of hands quickly swooped in and removed the baby. Gerda pulled the baby close as ice suddenly formed on Elsa's hands.

The contraction had taken Elsa by such surprise and with her diminished strength, she'd been unable to hold back the ice as she had been during labor. Dr. Olsen moved over quickly and Elsa felt him examine her.

He looked up at her and Pieter, "We were correct, there is another, I can feel it shifting into place."

Another child, Elsa bit her lip, could she go through labor a second time? She had no choice in the matter, her second child needed to be born.

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Pieter held onto Elsa's hand firmly, active labor had begun 15-minutes ago and yet the second child had not been born. Elsa's fatigue was palpable to all in the room and Pieter knew the second child needed to arrive as soon as possible. "You're doing amazing," he whispered into Elsa's ear and kissed the side of her head.

Elsa groaned in response, her eyes closed as she tried to reign in her powers while enduring painful childbirth. Pieter feared that she would not have enough strength to push when the time came again from all the extra energy she was expelling trying to keep her powers at bay.

As the contraction subsided she looked up at him, her eyes echoing his own fears, "I'm tired," she admitted quietly to him. He leaned down and cupped her cheek in his. "I know you are but you can do this, it's almost time."

"You said that five minutes ago." She reminded him. He smiled down at her. "Then I must be correct this time." He saw her roll her eyes and then groan again, this contraction was only a mere thirty seconds after the other. Pieter turned to Dr. Olsen who was looking up from consulting with the midwife. He nodded at Pieter.

"Elsa it's time. I need you to push on the next contraction." She didn't verbally respond but as the next contraction came she pushed with all her might. The snow came down even heavier this time. Pieter held Elsa's hand and willed his strength into her through their connection. It was a few more contractions later that Dr. Olsen stated he saw the head. Pieter bent down and found his wife's eyes, "This is it one or two more pushes and it's all over."

Elsa was breathing heavily but nodded in response. "Ahhh," she yelled as she curled up pushing hard. She then flopped back down as a whine filled the air.

"A girl, Your Majesty." Dr. Olsen informed the exhausted queen. Pieter's heart swelled, he had a son and now a daughter, one he hoped would look just like her mother, who would have her mother's determination, grace, compassion, and strength.

Pieter gazed upon his new child, she was impossibly small, even smaller than her older brother was, and he was very tiny. The midwives had weighed him at 4lbs 10oz. Smaller than any baby Pieter had ever delivered before. Pieter was actively pushing his concern that his children would be too small to the back of his mind, Elsa needed him now, they could worry about their children after they rejoiced in their arrival.

The little girl was placed on Elsa's chest just as their son had been. The wonder and love on his wife's face made his heartache with love for her and their daughter. The little girl had blue eyes just as their son had, upon her head was a little tough of light hair.

"She's beautiful my love," Pieter said quietly.

Elsa gave him a tired and small smile, her eyes drooping. "She is." Pieter leaned down kissing both of his girl's foreheads before taking the baby from Elsa who was clearly on her way to the land of dreams.

Pieter moved towards Dr. Olsen, Anna remained by Elsa's side holding her hand gently. The midwife took his daughter as Dr. Olsen began to speak. "Her Majesty has done well, we just need to wait for the afterbirth to be delivered." Pieter glanced back at the senior midwife who remained at the end of the bed monitoring Elsa.

The junior Midwife returned with his baby, "4lbs Your Highness. She feels a bit cold and her breathing seems to be a little labored." Pieter's chest tightened as he looked down at his daughter, her skin was slightly more transparent than he'd seen in babies born at term.

Dr. Olsen took the baby from the midwife and over to the table to examine. Pieter waited anxiously for what the seasoned physician had to say, with the labor finished Pieter's mind could begin to focus on other things, like his years of medical training and practice. His children were born extremely early; 5 weeks so. Pieter only knew of one child surviving its first year being born that early, and the child had been a singleton, not a twin, so it had weighed 5lbs 5oz at birth, that extra few ounces to pound could make a world of difference in a child's survival odds.

Dr. Olsen had finished his examination and was wrapping the child up when a groan was heard from the bed followed by the junior midwife's voice. "Dr. Olsen come quickly, the after birth arrived but something seems wrong, Her Majesty is in pain."

Pieter rushed over to Elsa's side with Dr. Olsen, Anna was looking up at him with confusion and fear in her eyes, "Pieter what is going on?" Pieter said nothing because he did not know. Dr. Olsen was examining the still unconscious Elsa, he then turned to the senior midwife and gestured for her to check. The midwife quickly examined Elsa as well before turning to Dr. Olsen and speaking urgently with him. Pieter was torn between joining the conversation and staying by his clearly distressed wife's side.

"Dr. Olsen, what is it?" He demanded firmer than he had ever before in his life.

Dr. Olsen looked down at Elsa who groaned in pain before addressing Pieter, "There is a third child."

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"Anna has been cursing you all night, mumbling how you always have to do things above and beyond, never easily," Gerda stated as she took a seat next to her surrogate daughter's bedside. "I just about managed, with Lord Kristoff's help, to convince Her Royal Highness and His Royal Highness to get some sleep, they were both desperate to stay by your side." Gerda sighed as she took Elsa's thin long hand into her own short stubby one. She remembered well the days when the pale hand fit into her own like a baby doll's; when it would grab her and pull her excitedly through the town square; when it would cling to hers in a desire to feel something other than fear. Now it lay limp as it had too often over the past few years.

"Triplets, my dear? You know you didn't have to so convincingly secure the royal line in one go right?" Greda tried to laugh at her quip but it was difficult. Three hours ago she thought she'd seen those beautiful arctic blue eyes for the last time as they rolled back in Elsa's head as she gave one last push to bring a second prince into the world. There was too much blood after the third child was born; Dr. Olsen had the midwives forcibly remove both Princess Anna and Prince Pieter from the room, Gerda had been allowed to remain to take care of the three infants who were wrapped up in thick blankets next to one another in the bassinet. Gerda had forced herself to watch over the new princes and princess to make sure that none slipped away before they were even an hour old.

It was unsurprising that Elsa had passed out from exhaustion after giving birth to the second prince. They had just about been able to wake her so she could give birth to him. After 10 hours of active labor, Elsa had been required to give birth to three babies in 45 minutes. It was a miracle she'd had any strength to push out the second little prince.

Gerda took small peaks as Dr. Olsen and the midwives did all they could to stop the bleeding coming from Elsa. There was so much, the last time Gerda had seen so much blood during labor had been with Queen Iduna when she'd given birth to Anna, they had nearly lost the queen that night and the aftermath resulted in King Agnarr and Queen Iduna being informed that the queen would likely not be able to bare any other children. Eventually, the commotion died down and Gerda braced herself for the inevitable news that Elsa had passed as too many women did in childbirth. The news did not come, Dr. Olsen allowed the distraught Anna and Pieter back into the room and informed them that Elsa had lost a lot of blood, that she'd used a lot of energy giving birth and holding back her powers, that her body was spent but she was alive. He explained that Elsa was not out of the woods; the next 48 hours would be crucial, but as of that moment the Queen was alive.

It was decided that those closest to Elsa would take turns remaining by her side at all times monitoring her condition for any signs of childbed fever. Gerda leaned back in the teal and gold high back chair she sat in and sighed. "Your children are tiny, Elsa. The girl is the smallest at 4lbs, the eldest boy is the largest at 4 lbs 10oz and your second son weighed 4lbs 8oz. I've never seen such tiny babies, they are so beautiful though. I won't lie to you my dear, there is much concern that children will not survive. Your daughter is showing some difficulties breathing and your second son is having difficulty feeding from the wet nurse, Dr. Olsen has them expressing their milk and feeding the two youngest with spoon drops. Your eldest is the strongest, he is feeding rather well in short spurts. We've had to call in an additional wet nurse to manage. You need to regain your strength, my dear, your children need you." Swallowing Gerda moved closer to the bed, she cupped Elsa's cheek with her right hand and caressed it with her thumb before laying a motherly kiss on her other cheek, "I need you, my dear. You are my Queen; yet, in my heart, you have always been as close to me as a daughter. Fight as you always do and come back to us." The old maid returned to her post pulling the silk-lined blanket over her shoulders, setting into her watch over her queen.

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August 25, 1845

Kristoff could not believe they had made it to this day, that he stood beside his wife as the godfather to Arendelle's new Crown Prince. It had been just two months ago that none were sure if Elsa, let alone the little princes and princess would survive. There were days when Anna wasn't sure if she would become Princess Anna again, remain Crown Princess Anna, or Queen Anna.

The weeks following the birth of the triplets were a proverbial roller coaster of emotions. Anna had once again taken over as regent during Elsa's convalescence. Kristoff turned his attention to his sister-in-law. She stood to the side leaning into Pieter. The two months since the triplets' birth had been difficult on everyone, especially Elsa. She'd just barely survived the birth of her children and was bedridden for nearly two weeks before she had the strength to get out of bed. Once she was well enough her attention had shifted to her children.

A gurgling and cooing brought Kristoff's attention back to the baby in his arms; the new Crown Prince was a happy baby, at least according to Gerda. Kristoff and Anna had not seen their niece and nephews since the day after their birth. The babies were so small and exhibiting health issues that it was decided to reduce the number of people who had access to the children in an attempt to decrease the chances of the children picking up an illness. Other than Elsa and Pieter, only the two wet nurses, Dr. Olsen and his assistant, and Gerda, were allowed in the nursery. This had not sat well with Anna, especially when Elsa had been bedridden, her old insecurities of being shut out and rejected surfacing briefly. She desperately wanted to care for her niece and nephews when Elsa couldn't, but once Dr. Olsen explained over dinner one night just how fragile the triplet's health was; she came to understand the distance truly was in the triplets' best interest.

The Crown Prince had been the strongest of the siblings from the beginning and was now a healthy 10lbs. He was a handsome baby with green eyes and a tuft of auburn hair upon his head, he was currently chewing on his little fingers.

The Archbishop's voice brought Kristoff back to the ceremony taking place, "Will you pray for them, draw them by your example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?"

"I will," Kristoff responded along with Anna and King Harkon of Norway; the third godparent to the young prince.

The Archbishop motioned for Kristoff to bring the prince over. "I christen you Aren Agnarr Bjorn in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit." Aren was not happy with the anointment and began to cry. Anna quickly took Aren from Kristoff and began to rock him as the ceremony continued.

Pieter's sisters Princesses Sofie and Mary as well as their cousin Prince Charles were Aren's brother's godparents, they made the same promise as Kristoff had before the Archbishop anointed Aren's carbon copy. "I christen you Haakan Issac Odin in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Haakan had not been as healthy as Aren despite physically looking the same as his older brother. Haakan had a difficult time nursing even to this day and while he'd gained weight was still significantly smaller than Aren at 8lbs. He fed best from the wet nurse Miss. Jorgen, much to Elsa's dismay.

Last to be christened was the little princess, her godparents, Rapunzel, Eugene, and Prime Minister Marius's daughter, Lady Sigrid brought the tiny baby toward the Archbishop. The princess had the most difficulty over the past two months. She had difficulty feeding as well as still struggled to breathe at times. She was 7lbs now and looked like a doll compared to her brothers. Her eyes were a stunning grey color and her hair appeared to be a fine strawberry blonde. A rare smile formed on the Archbishop's lips as he gazed down at the little princess. "I christen you Slovieg Liv Anna in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

Today was the first day that anyone other than Elsa and Pieter knew the names of the Princes and Princess, within an hour the heralds were to be dispatched with news that Crown Prince Aren, Princess Solveig, and Prince Haakan were Christened before God. The country which had been holding their breaths since the news was released that the Queen had given birth to triplets would finally let their breath out slightly. Everyone knew that the triplets had a long road ahead of them, the mortality rate of babies was higher than anyone liked to admit, and that rate was even higher for multiples. Kristoff sent a prayer to the heavens that his niece and nephews continue to grow into healthy children and then adults. He was tired of losing people in his family.

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Elsa sat in her lounge, Rapunzel, Anna, Sofie, and Mary across from her. They were talking about everything and nothing at all. Elsa was only partially paying attention, which was not a new occurrence. Since the birth of the triplets, she often found her mind wandering to her children when she was meant to be giving her attention to other matters. Anna had been acting regent for the past two months and would continue so for another few weeks.

Rapunzel must have read Elsa's mind as she asked Elsa about her time away from her duties, "Are you enjoying your convalescence? Is it refreshing having time to relax and not worry about matters of state?"

Elsa leaned into her chair, a cup of tea in her hand, "I actually do, with the triplets' health in question I am grateful for this time to focus on them."

"How are they doing? Solveig was not doing well not long ago?" Mary asked from her place across the room. Elsa nodded, her mind going to three weeks ago when she thought she was going to lose a second child.

"They are well right now, Dr. Olsen is still concerned about Haakan and Slovieg's eating and Slovieg's breathing but no further incidents since the Solveig episode three weeks ago." Elsa noticed Anna wince at the mention of Slovieg's episode. It was still fresh in Elsa's own mind as if it had just happened; she'd gone to check on her babies and found Solveig was not breathing. She remembers panicking, not knowing what to do as she called for Pieter. She still didn't know what possessed her to do it but she began breathing into her little girl's mouth, praying that her breath would give her daughter life again. Pieter had come in just as Slovieg gasped back to life. Elsa pulled her daughter against her chest so they were skin to skin and wrapped themselves in warm blankets. Dr. Olsen called it a miracle when Elsa recounted what happened. Anna thought it was Elsa's magic that revived the child, Elsa didn't know if it were a miracle or magic, she just knew she'd never been so scared in her entire life.

A knock on the door interrupted and Gerda stepped in. Elsa smiled at her old nanny, her surrogate mother. Gerda had temporarily become the triplet's nanny, once again caring for royal babies just as she had all those years ago when Elsa was born. Dr. Olsen had wanted to restrict those who had access to the triplets and there was no way Elsa would trust anyone but Gerda to be her children's primary caretaker. "Your Majesty, it is feeding time for their Royal Highnesses, would you like to join the wet nurses?"

"I'll be along in a moment, could you tell them I'll feed Solveig today?"

"Of course Ma'am" Gerda bowed and left. Elsa turned to her companions, "You don't mind if I step out for a moment?" Elsa knew not many royals or aristocrats breastfed themselves.

"No, we don't mind. I didn't feed my children but Mary did, we understand" Sofie smiled kindly. Sofie and Mary were just like their brother, it was clear that kindness was a cornerstone of their upbringing.

"Thank you, I won't be long." Elsa excused herself and went to the nursery, she found Ms. Jorgen already feeding Haakan and Mrs. Larsen had Aren at her bosom. The Privy Council was against Elsa breastfeeding, it wasn't proper for a Queen to rear her children, Elsa didn't care about propriety or tradition for once. She'd seen the contentment Anna felt when feeding her children, the physical and emotional connection that formed between Anna and her children each time Anna was able to feed them. Elsa wanted the same with her children, she knew because of her duties she'd see her children less than Anna saw hers so she wanted to capitalize on every moment she could.

Elsa smiled as she lifted Solveig from her bassinet, her daughter was a gorgeous baby. A feeling of love surged through Elsa just as it did every time she saw or held one of her children. She hadn't been expecting twins let alone triplets but she could not imagine her life without her little miracles. The labor had been brutal, she'd come close to losing her own life, but Elsa would not change anything even if she could.

Solveig was hungry and frantically searched for Elsa's breast bobbing around before finally latching on. She had been doing better with her latching as of late which made Elsa beyond ecstatic. It meant her little girl was growing stronger.

"Hungry my little one?" Elsa laughed as she rested back in her chair and began to hum a lullaby her mother would sing to her. These were her favorite moments of the day. Solveig would finish feeding in a few minutes and Elsa would return to hosting her sisters-in-law and cousin but part of her heart would always remain with her children.

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