A/N: I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed time with family and friends. Thank you for the kind reviews of the last chapter. I did get some comments about the practicality of triplets. As I was writing I just knew that Elsa would have triplets, it felt right, I did however research the probability of scenario, and while it was indeed rare at this time for the survival of triplets and their mother it was not unheard of. I found cases in the US and England of mothers a triplets surviving during this time period, so I went with my gut feeling here. I hope you enjoy this next chapter, it's on the shorter side I admit. As always please consider leaving a review. Thank you for reading, I

Dilemma and Family

October 1845

"Absolutely not," Anna yelled as she slammed down a letter onto Elsa's desk causing the sturdy furniture to shake slightly. Kristoff stood to her side, his eyes darting between herself and Elsa. "How dare you even consider this." Anna seethed. She saw her sister pinch the bridge of her nose, an attempt to alleviate a growing headache as much as to calm her nerves.

Elsa leaned forward, "I don't like it any more than you do; however, as queen, I must consider the proposal." Anna hated it when Elsa used her formal tone with her, it meant she was not speaking to her sister but rather the Queen of Arendelle. While inhabiting the same body they were completely separate entities; with the Queen, the Crown came first with Elsa family was paramount above all else.

"Then marry off your son, not mine!" Anna declared desperately, a feeble attempt to bring her sister into the conversation; she would not win with the Queen. She watched as Elsa sat back in her chair, her eyes going to the new small portrait on her desk that depicted her three babies. It was a welcome back gift from Anna when Elsa resumed her duties last month.

"They have not asked for an arranged marriage between Aren and the princess, they've asked for a union with Christopher; and before you say another word, yes, if they'd requested a marriage between Aren and the princess I would consider it the same as I am for Chris." Elsa was sitting a little straighter, the brief moment where her sister emerged gone.

"You are not his mother, it isn't your decision." Anna shot back. She felt herself beginning to breathe heavily. She did not want this, she didn't want an arranged marriage for her son, for any of her children, sure it had worked out for her parents, her Aunt and Uncle, even Elsa and Pieter; but Anna had married for love. Her relationship with Kristoff, the journey from strangers to friends to lovers was the most amazing adventure she had ever been on. She knew what true love was and she would die before she allowed politics to take that away from her children.

"Actually it is, I am the Queen. I am the matriarch of this family furthermore by law any marriage within the family must be approved by myself. It was required for father to approve of cousin Sigrid's marriage and I consented to both cousin Marius and Robert's unions." Anna internally cursed, she remembered Lady Sigrid's sons, Elsa and Anna's third cousins on their father's side had come to request Elsa's blessings to marry their wives. Anna had thought it risible then that the distant cousins were required by law to obtain Elsa's approval and she believed it just as ridiculous now.

Elsa stood and rounded her desk, Anna resisted the urge to pull her hands away when Elsa took them in hers. Her elder sister ducked her head to look into Anna's eyes; "I asked you here to discuss this matter not just because you are Christopher's mother but because I value yours and Kristoff's advice. This union; between ourselves and Finland could be very advantageous for us. You know the rumors, Finland is standing firmly with Sweden. The Swedes are anxious about the situation in Norway, the longer it takes for Harkon to sire an heir the more dangerous it becomes for us. This arranged marriage could help pull Finland's loyalties in our favor, it could stop a war."

Anna sighed and pulled away to walk across the room to the balcony which overlooked the gardens. She could see Christopher, he would be four this November; he was running after little Renee who had turned 2 in September. Their nanny was sitting on the picnic blanket yelling for them to come for lunch. Anna yearned to join them. "Why Christopher?" Anna asked, turning back to her Queen, "He is no longer second-in-line, I am no longer Crown Princess. Would it not be more advantageous for Finland to request a marriage between Aren and the princess?" Anna asked again. She did not understand why it was her son; that must be, subject to such an antiquated tradition.

Elsa gave Anna a tight smile, "No one believes the triplets will live to see adulthood. The circumstances of their birth are well known by now and many believe I will be unable to bear any more children. They all foresee Christopher as the next King of Arendelle." Anna could see the words physically hurt Elsa as she uttered them.

It was Anna's turn to squeeze her sister's hands in comfort. "It isn't true, any of it," she muttered quietly, she was still upset they were even having this conversation.

"Perhaps; however, the matter before us is that the Crown Prince is requesting an agreement of marriage between Chris and his second child, Princess Kaarina. It may be foolhardy to dismiss it."

Anna took a deep breath and moved over to Kristoff who pulled her in close. "You know as well as I do that these royal marriages do not always prevent war. If Finland decides it's less risky to support Sweden they will go to war with us regardless of whether Chris is betrothed to the princess or not. Please, Elsa, this situation scares me, don't put my son, your Godson in the middle of it."

Elsa walked over and enveloped Anna in a hug. "Oh, Anna."

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"I've written to the King and Crown Prince that we will not be entertaining marriage proposals until Christopher's 16th birthday," Elsa told Pieter as she sat down leaning against him. She smiled as she saw Sloveig asleep in his arms. Aren was currently at her bosom, the boy was ravenous these days. Haakan lay in the bassinet having just finished his feeding from his mother. Her youngest son had made leaps and bounds in growth since the christening and was now just a pound smaller than Aren. He was eating easily from both nurses and Elsa which made him stronger, both he and Aren were starting to look around and lifting their heads when on their bellies. Solveig was still the runt of the litter trailing behind her brothers by three pounds; however, she didn't appear to be struggling as much with her breathing which made everyone feel a bit more at ease. Dr. Olsen just wanted her to gain another pound and he too would feel better about her survival odds.

Elsa loved this time of night, it began the first night after she returned to full duties as queen. Pieter as always knew what she was thinking; knew she missed her babies terribly after a day jam-packed with meetings, so he requested the nanny bring the children to the royal suites. Elsa was beyond over the moon to find her children with their father waiting for her. She would then feed two of the three while relaxing by the hearth with her husband recounting the day. It was the decompression time she needed at the end of the day.

"Is that wise? You heard what Admiral Pedersen and Minister Christianson said at the last securities meeting, the stability of Scandinavia is waning. Sweden and Finland are not happy that my father is the new Crown Prince, they grow more and more anxious with every day that passes without Harkon producing an heir." Pieter, despite having spent his adult life as a physician, had quickly picked up the nuances of geopolitics.

Elsa stood as she began to burp Aren, "I honestly don't know the best course of action here. Anna wasn't wrong when she pointed out that royal marriages between countries do not always prevent war. This whole situation with Norway could resolve itself in a few months or it could drag out for years, I don't want to enter a war in 14 years with my nephew and godson on the other side; however, Finland may be less willing to back Sweden if they are connected to us."

Aren let out a loud burp which caused both Elsa and Pieter to laugh, Pieter moved to one of the empty bassinets and placed Slovieg in it as Elsa but down a drowsy Aren. Pieter pulled Elsa into his arms and led her to the sofa. He drew her down with him so that she lay between himself and the back of the sofa; she snuggled in and sighed contently as he began to scratch her head lightly. "I know these decisions are complex and stressful; when you have to decide between the well-being of your family and your country."

"It's the hardest part, Anna was so mad at me when she found out that I was considering the proposal. You know how she feels about arranged marriage." It hurt to see Anna so furious with her, but some situations called for Elsa to be queen first and sister second. Arranged marriages among the royalty were the norm, not the exception, Anna knew this as well as Elsa.

"Hopefully, just putting off the conversation and not outright refusing them will help." Pieter offered.

"I pray you are right." Elsa breathed in Pieter's scent of pine and mint as she nestled closer and closed her eyes, the decision was made now she could only wait to see what the consequences would be.

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December 1845

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly!" Kristoff shook his head as Olaf sang loudly next to the Christmas tree. Christopher and Renee were giggling as they held hands making circles around the tree. Elsa, Anna, and Gerda were sitting on the sofa each with a gurgling and cooing infant in their arms, smiles on all three women's faces as they laughed at a story Anna was telling. Kia and Pieter were on the balcony indulging in a Christmas cigar.

This Christmas the entire family was carefree and relaxed. The triplets were a miracle for Elsa in many ways though to Kristoff it was how their birth crumbled the last vestiges of her emotional walls. She was unfettered by her old desires to keep her emotions at bay, to conceal not feel, she was open with her feelings as she had never been before. Kristoff was positive he'd seen her genuinely smile more times in the past 6 months than she had in her entire life from age 8 on.

"Papa, Papa" Christopher came running over with Renee, " Tell us the story about when Julenissen came to the Valley of the Living Rocks and Sven tried to fly away with the reindeer!" Kristoff smiled at his son and daughter as they jumped up and down in excitement.

"Alright, but should we bring Sven up to tell it with me?" Christopher and Renee screamed with enthusiasm. Sven was getting older and did not come into the castle as much as he once did but Kristoff was sure that his old friend would make the effort to join the family this Christmas. Kristoff feared it may be Sven's last one, he shook his head pushing the thought from his mind.

Kristoff moved towards the door to get Sven when it opened and a young page boy entered. "Your Majesty," he bowed when he reached Elsa before handing her a letter.

Kristoff moved towards Elsa, curious as to what the note could say. It was rare for letters to come over the Yule, the castle, like many other royal and noble homes, ran on barebones staff during Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after to allow the staff to take turns at home during the holiday season.

A smile grew on Elsa's face, "Rapunzel's given birth to a baby girl earlier this month, she is requesting permission to name the child Iduna after mother."

"How lovely, of course, she can, right Elsa?" Elsa nodded in assent to Anna's question. Kristoff would not be surprised if a visit to Corona would occur in early spring. He hoped he would be able to accompany his wife and sister-in-law on this voyage. He had yet to be to Corona and was looking forward to seeing it with Eugene as his guide.

"Aunt Arianna and Uncle Frederick must be beside themselves with a third grandchild to spoil," Anna commented as she placed Haakan in the bassinet and scooped up Renee who was rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"I believe it is nap time for a little Princess." She cooed to Renee who shook her head fervently.

"No, Papa tell story." Kristoff held a laugh back as he approached his two girls. He lifted Renee into his arms, "How about I take you and Christopher down to Sven to tell the story, but once it is done it is a nap for you both."

"Oh Papa no, I'm bigger," Christopher whined. Kristoff just guided his son to the door, "You are but you still need a nap, there is to be a big ball tonight, and if you wish to stay up for the start you must nap now."

"Okay," Chris replied though he dropped his head and dragged his feet as he walked. Kristoff could hear Anna giggling behind him. He turned and winked at her, perhaps he could convince her to nap with him before the ball.

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"You look absolutely stunning," Pieter whispered into Elsa's ear as he came up behind her wrapping his arms around her thin trim waist then he moved his hand down and over the wider hips, she'd retained from pregnancy. He groaned as her backside pushed gently into him. A small giggle escaped her lips as she turned in his arms, looking up at him her eyes sparkled, a sparkle that developed after the triplets entered their lives.

"We are being announced in mere moments, my love, you'll need to contain your excitement." She subtly rubbed their centers together as she tiptoed and kissed him gently on the lips. "You look handsome as always." She murmured as she stepped away and began moving down the hall.

"That is not fair." He whined, he was getting very uncomfortable. They had not been intimate since the triplets' birth, they'd tried once but it had been instantly too painful for her. Pieter hoped her teasing was a sign that she was willing to try again tonight. He saw her turn so she looked over her shoulder, her hips swaying alluringly back and forth, "I'm Queen, I don't have to be fair."

He outright laughed at that and ran at her, she got one step away before he pulled her into his arms, quickly he looked down the hall, there was no one. He pushed her up against the wall in an instant trapping her lips between his. He felt and heard her melt into him. His right hand moved to cup her left cheek while his left hand firmly grasped her bottom. He grinded into her. She pushed him away, "We'll be late."

"Queen's are never late." He responded. He continued to kiss her deeply until the old grandfather clock down the hall chimed the hour. He felt her push him away again. She looked as aroused as he felt; at that moment, he wanted to take her against the wall; demonstrate his want for her in a deeply primal way. He'd loved her for years now, but there was something different about her in the last few months that made him desire her; love her in a way he didn't know he could. He gazed down upon her as she looked up at him with hooded arctic blue eyes. This was the mother of his children, the woman who gave him everything he ever wanted in life and even more. He rested his forehead against her, giving her the gentlest of kisses, "I love you my Nysno."

"I love you my darling, my strength." Pieter smiled, she'd begun using that term of endearment once they'd discovered she was pregnant with the triplets. He never grew tired of hearing it. "We do need to go though."

She said it with the firmness of a wife to a husband, a queen to a queen consort. He relented but not before kissing her deeply one more time. "Fine, but you are mine later."

"As it should be," she smiled as she took his hand and made her way to the doors to the ballroom's entrance. The page boy opened the door as the herald announced their arrival. Pieter watched in awe as the room fell silent, all eyes on his wife. She was a goddess in a gold silk gown with red rosemaling embroidery around the hem and bodice. Her collarbone and shoulders were bare, showing off the length of her neck which was adorned by a golden pendant with a ruby at the center. She wore ruby pendant earrings, in her platinum locks which were up in an extravagant braided updo was a golden tiara with diamonds and rubies. She glowed with a warm and inviting air as she crossed the dance floor to the center of the room. She stopped in the center. He stopped as well, bowing deeply to her before taking her hands, the string quartet in the corner began to play. Pieter swept her up into the familiar dance. They moved as one around the floor; soon, others began to join them, the party had begun. Pieter couldn't wait until the evening's end when he could take his wife, his best friend, his love into their marriage bed and become reacquainted with her body in every way.

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