A/N: I hope you like this chapter, it took bit to get started writing but once I did it just came into place. A lot happens here, so hold on tight :). Thank you for the kind reviews last chapter I really do like seeing your reactions. As always I do not own Frozen or Frozen 2. Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts. Have a great day!

Trollmoen

June 1846

Preparations for the triplet's first birthdays were in full swing. The entire kingdom was in a celebratory mood; however, while the kingdom planned for the celebration Elsa was reviewing the final draft for the betrothal agreement between Christopher and Princess Kaarina.

Anna had yet to set foot back in Arendelle Castle. Kristoff was acting as the middleman between the two sisters. Elsa felt extremely guilty, Kristoff appeared more and more ragged each time he returned from his and Anna's estate. Elsa ran every proposed term of the agreement by Anna who replied with her affirmation or negations in short nondescript responses. Their correspondence was strictly business and it was slowly killing Elsa.

After her episode on the day Anna left, Elsa's magic had been on the fritz; if startled she'd release a small spurt of ice, the temperature of a room would fluctuate based on her emotions again, snow fell during the night as she had nightmares of her fight with Anna. Anna had been her primary touchstone, the first love that anchored Elsa's magic, without her constant presence, Elsa felt off balance. It was taking some time for her to regain full control of her powers again.

Elsa spent April and part of May composing and finalizing the betrothal agreement between Aren and Iduna, hoping that given time and seeing Elsa was agreeing to an arranged marriage for her own son; that Anna would calm down, see reason, and come home. While Anna had sent a short letter agreeing to the arranged marriage two weeks after their fight, she had stated she was unsure when she would be coming home. If her initial letter was to be taken at face value then apparently the manor house and grounds in Trollmoen were in great need of attention. Elsa highly doubted that was so. The steward of the estate was an extremely good one, his financial reports to Elsa before the Trollmoen Earldom had been transferred to Anna and Kristoff were impeccable. Furthermore, Anna and Kristoff frequented the estate regularly since their wedding, if the estates had been in such bad shape Anna would have addressed it years ago. Elsa chose to ignore these facts and let Anna's pretense stand. She could only hope her sister would return for the triplet's birthday. Though there were some rumors about a family rift due to Anna's long absence from the castle, her current condition could account for it; however, to miss the triplet's birthday would be a royal scandal the likes of which Arendelle had not seen in decades.

Elsa had sent Anna the first draft of the betrothal agreement in mid-May. It stated the desired dowry, a military alliance agreement stating that Arendelle would come to Finland's aid should Finland enter a war in which they were not the aggressor, and a mutually beneficial economic agreements such as decreases in taxes on imported and export goods between the two countries. Anna had immediately requested the clause that made the entire agreement null and void should Finland be in any way part of an attack against Arendelle. Elsa promised to put such a clause in the final draft but did not want to put it in an early draft. She didn't want to tip Finland and Sweden off that she knew they were conspiring. The final draft was now in her hands, with a stroke of her pen and her signature affixed at the bottom she would be officially offering her godson up for an arranged marriage. She'd signed such an agreement for her son not a month ago yet this seemed harder, perhaps because Anna was so against the marriage, maybe because Aren was now betrothed to family, a young girl Elsa knew would be raised with the same values as she had, Elsa knew very little of the Finnish royal family, just that they were willing to go to war because they feared her powers and ambition. Elsa sighed and leaned back, she didn't need to sign the agreement today, she wouldn't be sending it out nor Aren's betrothal paperwork until the end of the week when the royal mail ship had returned.

Elsa stood and walked to her office balcony which overlooked the city of Arendelle. It had grown much since her coronation, despite her reputation of being a sorceress, there had been an influx of immigrants to Arendelle's shores. Industry was thriving, particularly shipbuilding, and the city's boundaries were pushing closer and closer to cliffs that sheltered the harbor. Soon there would be nowhere to grow within the harbor and the immigrants would be forced to move inland to the nearby towns and villages. Elsa realized it was time for her to visit the towns and villages further inland again. She would have to make a note to inform Kia that the royal family would not be summering in the summer palace this year, they would instead go to Thor's Hunting Lodge at Knaben, it would be easier to visit the villages and towns near the Norwegian board that way.

The sound of the castle gates drew her attention, she saw the royal carriage leaving, Elsa smiled, Olaf had begged to take the triplets for a picnic in the orchards, the little ones had yet been outside of the castle walls, other than their short trip to Corona. Elsa had relented and agreed to a short picnic. Pieter was going with them and Elsa hoped to join them once she finished her meeting with the Ambassador from Chathos.

There was a knock at the door and Kia entered, "Your Majesty, the Ambassador is here." Elsa took a deep breath, took one last look at the carriage carrying her family from her, and turned, "Show him in please."

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Anna stared at the portraits across from her desk in her office. When Elsa had granted the Earldom of Trollmoen for Kristoff and herself, Anna hadn't seen herself spending much time at the estate. While the manor house was impressive, old, but stately; it didn't feel like home. Arendelle Castle was her home, it always had been and Anna had always thought it would be; the past six or so weeks was testing that belief as nothing ever had. The portraits that adorned the walls were gifts from Elsa, reminders that Anna would never truly be alone or away from her family. The first was a replica of the family portrait that hung in the castle, Anna's father stood regally yet there was a warmth to him, an eight-year-old Elsa stood before him, hands clasp, a glint of mischief sparkled from the corner of her eyes even as she stood shyly with her hands clasped before her. Their mother sat, graceful and loving as she held a five-year-old Anna in her lap. Little Anna beamed brightly full of energy and ready to bolt from her mother's lap. The artist was truly gifted to be able to capture the true personalities of his subjects. The second portrait was new, Elsa had it commissioned in honor of Anna and Kristoff's wedding. Instead of being posed in rigid formal stances, the quintet was pictured out in the Royal Orchard among the apple trees. Kristoff was painted standing in his traditional ice harvester clothes next to Sven who was pictured pulling Kristoff sled, both looked much more at ease than their first official portrait that hung in Arendelle castle. There was an ease to their smiles and happiness to the mountain man's gaze, which was towards Anna. Anna and Elsa sat on a picnic blanket with Olaf between them. The trio sisters had laughter in the corners of their mouths, their gaze focused on Olaf as if he'd just said something crazy or humorous. The lightness of the portrait, the family air made it Anna's favorite for the longest time. Now however it only brought a twist of pain in her gut.

Anna couldn't remember a time when things were worse between herself and Elsa, and that included the years of exile. Anna had missed her sister, and there was an ache to be with her big sister, but now the ache was not a dull pull but a sharp stab. Anna knew what it was like to be with Elsa every day, she knew what her true laugh sounded like, that her left eye twitch when she was particularly upset or angry, that in addition to chocolate Elsa had a great love for architecture and drawing. She knew all these things about her sister, which she had not when they were first separated, and it made the pain all the more intense, coupled with the fact that the estrangement was completely self-imposed.

Anna was well aware that her behavior in Elsa's office was impulsive and completely inappropriate. When Kristoff had arrived at the estate two days later and had informed Anna of Elsa's episode, guilt over her reaction had seeped into every pore of her body. She had very nearly jumped into a carriage to return home to check on her sister, but then she thought of why she'd left so abruptly, and she'd stop herself. While she knew it was irrational, Elsa was the queen, her main priority was the well-being of the country, Anna felt betrayed. Elsa had promised to put off any betrothal agreements for Christopher until he was sixteen years old. Anna thought that would give herself enough time to be okay with her son being used as some type of political bargaining chip. Though only a few months later, Elsa reneged on her promise and was actively working on an arranged marriage with the Finnish. Anna knew Elsa thought she was being considerate, offering an olive leaf, by including Anna in on the development of the contract, but every time Anna received a new letter she spiraled down the rabbit hole of betrayal again. Elsa's main priority may be Arendelle, and perhaps Anna's should too, but it wasn't, Anna's children, her family was number one by a million miles. Anna wanted her children to be happy, to be loved, to be free to do as they wished, and she'd do all she could to give that to them, even if it meant fighting with her sister.

Anna sighed and placed her head in her hands. A light knock on the door drew her attention, "Come in." The door opened a tall thin man with graying brown hair and beard, hazel eyes, and thin long nose stepped in. Mikkel Danielsen was the steward of the Trollmoen as was his father before him and his before that. Anna was almost confident that the Danielsen family had served the masters of Trollmoen since the first Earl of Trolmoen centuries ago, though she may be wrong about that. It was neither here nor there though, Mikkel was exceptional at this job and was the sole reason the estates had been in such good condition when Anna and Kristoff inherited the estates. When Anna or Kristoff was in residence he acted as a chamberlain, like Kai, when Anna and Kristoff were gone, he continued his duties as steward. Anna had felt bad for claiming the estate was in bad shape in her letter to Elsa, but she had needed an excuse for not returning home after three weeks. Anna knew the pretense was weak, Elsa was too smart to believe it, yet just as Anna had anticipated Elsa had taken the excuse at face value and wished Anna luck on straightening things out.

"May I help you Mikkel?" Anna asked informally, Mikkel had at first been caught off guard by the less than royal manor in which Anna ran the estate; though he quickly adjusted.

"I came to remind Your Highness, that if you wish to make it back to the capital in time for the triplet's birthdays, you must leave in the morning. Should I have the maids prepare your and their Highness' things?"

Anna took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she sat back in her chair; this was the moment she'd been dreading, the moment where her duties as Princess of Arendelle and aunt to the princes and princess of Arendelle were no longer avoidable. She must return home for the triplet's birthdays not only because her absence would cause a scandal of epic proportions across Arendelle and probably the continent, but because she was Aren, Solveig, and Haakan's aunt and she loved them dearly. It didn't matter what issues there were between Elsa and her, she needed to be home for her nephew's and niece's birthday.

"Please and Mikkel, has the nanny returned with the children?" Anna asked as she glanced at the clock, it was nearly four in the afternoon, the nanny had taken Christopher and Renee out for a picnic around one.

"Not to my knowledge, Your Highness" Mikkel responded, "Should I send some of the guards out to look for them?"

Anna thought for a moment and shook her head, "No, I'll go, could you inform Kristoff and have him meet me in the stable?"

"Of course, Your Highness." Mikkel bowed before turning and quickly heading down the hall. Anna stood and held her growing stomach, she felt uneasy and prayed it was just her unborn child protesting her sitting so long.

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The Trollmoen gardens backed up to the forest behind the manor house. The forest gave way to a small clearing near a small pond about two hundred yards from the edge of the forest. It was a favorite picnic spot for the children. Christopher could fish while Renee played in the wildflowers and made daisy chain crowns. The duo and their nanny once again lost track of time and it wasn't until their sole guard mentioned the low position of the sun in the sky that the trio decided to make their way home. It was a decent walk, perhaps a mile or so, back to the manor house, though not a difficult one; however, with a four and a half-year-old and two and a half-year-old it was a slow walk.

Christopher walked cheerfully beside his Nanny Agnetha who was carrying a sleepy Renee. He loved lazy summer days; much like his parents, Christopher preferred to spend his days outside. His favorite thing to do was go for rides on Sven, but the old reindeer was asleep when they'd headed out today. Christopher heard a snap of in the woods before he heard a loud bang and grunt. Startled Christopher didn't see the guard fall to the ground. He fell to the ground at the loud sound then looked over as she heard his Nanny scream his name. She was reaching for him, then he was in her arms and they were running. That was when Christopher saw the guard motionless on the ground and the two men running from the bushes after them. The men were fast, much faster than Nanny Agnetha with two children in her arms. Suddenly Nanny Agnetha stopped behind a larger tree that was hallow. She pushed Christopher in and then Renee. "Stay here, be quiet, and do not come out no matter what. Only come out for me or your parents." Then she was gone, staying low he saw her pop up maybe twenty yards from them and start running. He heard screams and loud footsteps. A small whimper came from Renee. Nanny Agnetha's words rung in his mind and he placed a hand over Renee's mouth and whispered to her quietly, "Shh Neh Neh, it will be alright." Christopher wasn't sure if his words were true or not, he just had to believe in them.

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Kristoff knew something was wrong the moment they stepped into the forest. Sven was more alert than he had been in years, his movements erratic, as if he was trying to tell them something. Then he heard it, a scream coming from deeper in the forest. "Stay here." Kristoff told his wife firmly, as she opened her mouth to argue he shook his head firmly, "No Anna, you are pregnant and if there is something wrong, you can't help right now. Stay here." Kristoff then turned to one of the two guards who had joined them (at Kristoff's insistence). "Stay here with Her Highness, and in this instance, I don't care about royal ranking, I am telling you do not let her in this forest."

Anna hmphed but said nothing more as Kristoff moved forward quickly with the second guard and Sven. They were about 100 yards into the forest when a crashing sound and groan drew their attention. About ten yards to their left two men had their backs to them and were focused on something before them.

"I won't ask you again, where are the prince and princess?" The taller of the two men asked in a thick foreign accent. He was a broad man with long jet black hair. He was dressed as a hunter. The second man who was just to his left was two or three inches shorter, perhaps 5'7" with a lithe build and short blonde hair. Kristoff's heart stopped at the mention of a prince and princess, it was clear that the man was speaking of Christopher and Renee.

"Piss off," came a garbled feminine voice. It could only be one person, Agnetha. Agnetha had been hired as the children's nanny not only because she was well qualified for the potion but because she was tough, the only daughter of a sergeant in the royal guard, she'd been taught to fight by her father. It was why Anna and Kristoff felt comfortable only assigning one guard to the children when they were out, Agnetha was like a second guard."

The man grunted in frustration, then Kristoff heard a sickening crack sound. "Fan out and look for the little brats, they can't be that far from here." The dark-haired man ordered. Kristoff turned to the guard, "We need to split up and take one each at a time and preferably alive." The guard nodded and pointed to the smaller of the two men. Kristoff nodded his understanding, while Kristoff was a larger man, he wasn't a trained fighter, it would be better for him to go after the smaller man.

With Sven behind him, Kristoff quietly followed the blonde-haired man. Kristoff was never so thankful for the years of hunting experience he had under his belt. The duo had learned young that they needed to move with stealth or have their prey hear them and run. As they neared Kristoff motioned for Sven to charge the man, he hoped it would put the man off then he could jump the man and knock him out before the man could register what was happening.

Sven took off and charged the man with antlers down. The man was more agile and quick than Kristoff anticipated and he just about managed to dodge Sven. He was off center and Kristoff took his chance, swinging as hard as he could he punched the man in the stomach knocking the man's breath out. The man stumbled back, Kristoff advanced and punched towards the man's face. His fist stung as he made contact with the man's nose. There was a crack and the man fell. Kristoff smiled turning towards Sven when suddenly Sven was charging him, Kristoff felt himself fly just as he heard a loud bang. He hit the ground hard, the breath escaping him.

Kristoff shook his head, looked towards where Sven was to yell at the senile reindeer but the reprimand caught in his throat. Sven lay on the ground, blood coming from his side. Movement in the bushes pulled Kristoff's attention from his injured best friend. The dark-haired man was approaching as he reloaded his gun. Kristoff pushed off the ground and ran at the man tackling him before he could finish loading.

The two exchanged blows back and forth for several minutes before Kristoff was thrown off the man. The man stood wiping the blood from his mouth. "I wonder if I'll get a bonus for killing you? They only wanted the children, but it can't hurt to remove an extra obstacle. I doubt Her Highness or Her Majesty would recover from the loss of two children and their beloved mountain cur."

Kristoff stared at the knife the man pulled out from his boot. He had no weapon, his only hope was to try and dodge the man's thrust and knock out the knife. Kristoff waited on the balls of his feet, hoping the man would attack too enthusiastically and he could use the man's momentum against him. The moments between the man's taut and his attack were agonizingly long for Kristoff, yet the man did as Kristoff hoped and slide to the side, a burning sensation slashed across Kristoff abdomen; Kristoff ignored it and brought his arm down on the man's wrist, the knife fell to the ground, Kristoff moved for it, a boot to the head stopped him. Kristoff fell to the ground. The man was above him. Kristoff scrambled back, pure madness stared back at him, Kristoff knew this was the end. The man lunged, there was a bang, a thud. Kristoff hadn't realized he'd closed his eyes. He looked up to behind where the man had been; there stood Pieter, a gun in his hands pointed towards where the man had been. Kristoff looked down and saw the man dead before his feet.

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Anna frantically looked through the forest, she couldn't believe what was happening. Two men had tried to kidnap her children, her husband was beaten up, and Sven, Anna couldn't think about Sven at the moment.

"Christopher! Renee!" Pieter yelled from her side. Pieter and his guard had shown up at her side at the entrance to the forest sometime after Kristoff and the guard had gone in. They heard a gunshot and Pieter sprinted into the woods a gun in his hand.

The next thing she knew, the guard had returned, telling Anna's guard to go for help. Pieter's guard let Anna to Pieter and Kristoff. Kristoff was bleeding from his shirt and his face was black and blue. Anna ran to him, "What happened?"

"Two men, after Chris and Renee." Kristoff informed her.

"We have to look for them, where's Sven?" Anna had asked. Kristoff motioned further into the woods where Anna could see the unmoving body of the reindeer. "No, he can't"

Kristoff looked away, it was then that Anna noticed his red eyes and tear tracks, "He saved my life," he said solemnly followed by a firm, "we must find the children."

The reinforcements had located Nanny Agnetha who was luckily alive though extremely hurt. She was able to inform them that she stashed the children in a hollowed-out tree before passing out again.

Anna now found herself scouring the forest looking for her babies. "Christopher! Renee," she echoed Pieter. They'd been looking for a half-hour with no luck. Anna's feet were aching but she barely noticed, her mind solely on her finding Chris and Renee.

"Christoper! Renee! Answer Mama!" Anna paused listening for a response, a second later there was a rustle just to her right. Anna turned and saw a larger tree, ferns in front of it were moving. Anna rushed towards it, Pieter behind her. Anna let out a cry of relief when she saw Christopher's little head pop out from the brush.

"Christopher!" She yelled, calling his attention to her. His eyes lit up upon seeing her, "Mama!" Chris shot out of the bushes towards her, Anna fell to her knees and wrapped him up in her arms. She kissed his face over and over again before pulling away, "Where's your sister?"

"Here." Anna looked up to see Pieter cradling a sleeping Renee.

"I rocked her to sleep, Mama. She was so scared and crying but Nanny Agnetha told us to be quiet and to only come out for her or you and Daddy. I did as she said Mama, I promise."

Anna pulled him back into her arms, "I know you did, I know you did. You did good My Little Prince. Mama's so proud."

Pieter came over and placed the sleeping Renee in Anna's arms. Anna felt the tension, the terror leaves her body. She pulled her children closer and sent a thank you up to God for keeping her babies safe.

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Elsa glared at the three men before her, she'd been raging since the messenger boy had brought Pieter's letter. The moment she'd read the accounts of what had happened at Trollmoen she'd been reeling. She'd demanded the presence of her three advisors immediately and not that they stood before her; she had to restrain herself from firing all three and charging them with some crime due to their complete negligence in their duties.

"Tell me how two men could get close enough to the royal family; that two guards are dead, a nanny seriously injured with a cracked skull, the Earl of Trollmoen beaten, Prince Christopher and Princess Renee so traumatized they won't leave their rooms, and I am personally preparing to go to the funeral of the most loyal reindeer this country has seen?" She boomed, her icy gaze piercing into each man before.

"We apologize for our failure, Your Majesty, and will willingly tender our resignations," her Spymaster offered as his head bowed.

"While I may consider accepting your resignations, that is not what I want at this moment, I want to know how this could happen? How could two men get close enough to be able to nearly kidnap a Prince and Princess of Arendelle?" Elsa walked around her chair and stood behind it, mainly to hide the fact that her hands were sparkling with magic. This entire event was plucking at her already frayed emotions and control. "We created the Arendelle Intelligence Corps for the specific goal of preventing such events from happening. Now tell me where the failure happened."

Admiral Pedersen spoke first, his voice deep and gruff, "We are unsure Ma'am, none of our informants heard a murmur about plans to kidnap the prince or princess. We've sent orders for our agents to try and uncover who may have ordered the attack."

"Whoever orchestrated the kidnapping is a professional to be able to keep the plans so quiet that not even our informants heard a sliver or a whisper. We've double the guards here and at Trollmoen. We also suggest teams of now less than 4 guards accompany any royal family member from now until we discover who was behind the kidnapping." Minister Fredricksen report.

Elsa was not happy with their responses, "I want a full inquiry into this matter. I want to know where any potential breakdowns in our network could have occurred and solutions, do I make myself clear."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the three men responded in unison.

"I will accept nothing but perfection from each of you and your departments from this moment on, the next error you make will be your last at your position." The trio bowed and left at the clear warning and dismissal.

Once they were gone Elsa slumped into her chair. She felt her hands tremble with adrenaline and anger. It was clear to her that whoever wanted her off the Arendellian thrown had no reservations going after anyone in her family. The danger was mounting and she was no longer the only one in the line of fire. It was days like this when her mind yelled at her to abdicate, to give the crown over to Anna, to disappear into the far reaches of the kingdom and live her life away from everyone. Her mere existence put her loved ones in mortal danger. Would she be the best mother she could be for her children by leaving them, with her gone, the fanatics in the world who feared her would turn the sights away from Arendelle, their family would be safe. It would be so easy, she could walk out of the castle through one of the many secret passages to never be seen again.

Her heart warred with her mind, reminding her that love was key to everything. Her love for her sister got her through their years of separation, Anna's love for her melted Anna's frozen heart and their kingdom, Pieter's love warmed Elsa's cautious heart, preparing it for the love she'd feel for their children. Their family love, her love for her country, it would carry them through just as it always did, they would endure and preserve, together. Elsa was Arendelle's rightful Queen and she would remain so until her last breath left her lips. Elsa looked up towards the portrait of Anna and her family that sat on her desk next to one of the triplets with Pieter. She was the matriarch of this family, her family needed her to be strong, so Elsa stood, wiping the tears that were threatening to fall. She would go to her sister and be the rock Anna needed, she would comfort Kristoff as he buried his first and oldest friend, she would calm Pieter's nerves, and she would banish her niece and nephews fears, fore she was Elsa, Snow Queen of Arendelle, and she yielded to no one.

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Anna stood by the door to the nursery, the voices of her sister and son floated to her ears. Elsa arrived an hour or so ago but Anna was tending to Agnetha and Kristoff upon Elsa's arrival.

"You did everything you were supposed to Chris, we are all very proud of you," Elsa said softly.

"I wish I had ice magic like you," Chris exclaimed firmly.

"Why?" Elsa prodded.

"So I could have frozen those men before they could hurt Nanny Agnetha and daddy or kill Sven. If I had powers no one would ever hurt me or my family." He sounded vulnerable yet confident at the same time. Anna heard Elsa let out a gentle sigh.

"Christopher, having magical powers can't prevent others from getting hurt." Anna risked cracking the door open slightly, it gave her a view of her son sitting on his aunt's lap as she rocked them back and forth in the corner rocker that looked out towards the Valley of Living Rocks. Christopher was curled up in a ball, his little head resting on Elsa's chest just under her left clavicle, his head tilted to look up at her. Elsa ran her long thin fingers through his fringe. Everyone who met Christopher called him Anna's mini-me and as Anna looked upon her sister and son she could see herself in the same position with Elsa stroking her red hair in the same manner.

"It can't," he asked, surprised by Elsa's admission.

"No it can't, magic is very powerful indeed and it can be used for great good and evil, to protect and harm, but even magic has its limits. Believe me, if I could use my magic to prevent you and any of our family and countrymen from being harmed I would have long ago. All we can do, even me, is look out for one another and do our best to do right by one another even if our choices are difficult and cause our loved ones to be angry with us."

"Like how Mama is mad at you now?" It was such an innocent question but it struck Anna in heart, she'd done all she could to hide her anger from the children.

"Who told you your Mama was mad at me?" Elsa asked the question on Anna's mind. Christopher shrugged his shoulders.

"Well we've never been away from Arendelle Castle this long before and I've heard Mama and Papa arguing about you and something about a princess." Anna rolled her eyes, she should have known her mini-me was just as adept at sneaking around and eavesdropping as she had been at his age.

Anna watched as Elsa leaned her head down and rested her forehead on Christophers, "Your Mama and I did have a disagreement, and it may appear that we are angry with one another but we aren't. We both love you so much but sometimes my position as Queen means I have to find solutions to impossible situations." She paused a moment before kissing his head, "Christopher, I love you as I love your cousins, I promise that no matter what happens I will never make a decision that would cause you harm. I will always protect you."

Chris reached his little hand up and caressed Elsa's face, "I know that Tante." He said it as if it was the obvious thing in the world. Anna turned and leaned against the wall beside the door. Her four-year-old son had absolute confidence in his Aunt to protect him, why couldn't Anna afford her sister the same courtesy. Anna pushed herself away from the wall, heading to nowhere, in particular, her mind on the events of the past two months.

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They buried Sven on a ridge by a large oak tree that overlooked the Valley of Living Rocks. Grand Pappi, Bulbba with the rest of the trolls joined for the memorial. They raised a beautiful quartz headstone from the ground that would later be engraved with Sven's name. Kristoff was stoic as the family said goodbye to their dear friend. Olaf held Christopher's and Renee's hands as he gave a touching eulogy and lead them all in a rendition of Sven's favorite song.

Pieter was aware of the small army that guarded them on the hill. Elsa had mentioned something about increased security when she arrived earlier that day. It was clear that their days of relative freedom were gone. The kidnapping was a reminder that not only Elsa but all of the royal family were in grave danger from some still unknown malevolent group or groups.

After dinner the four adults found themselves in the library, it was the first time they were all together alone in nearly two months. There was a heaviness and awkwardness as the two couples took seats across from one another. In the past, Elsa and Anna usually started intertwined on the sofa before migrating to their respective spouses. The formal sitting arrangement was discerning to Pieter. They'd just buried Sven, Chris and Renee had nearly been kidnapped; they should be supporting one another, healing together.

No one said anything for a while, finally, it was Elsa who broke the silence. "I understand if you want to stay here longer and miss the triplet's birthday celebration on Friday. You've experienced a harrowing event and a devastating loss. It is understandable if you'd like to remain here and heal as a family." Her tone was somewhere between business-like and familial, a clue to just how lost his wife was with their current predicament.

"We've," Kristoff said shortly.

"I'm sorry?" Elsa questioned looking at her brother-in-law with confusion.

"We've had a harrowing experience, we've all had a devastating loss. Sven was family to you as well. We are all family and I think it is about time that we remember that." There was desperate anger in his voice. "You two are sisters, sisters who've been through more together than most sisters ever have." Kristoff stood and walked over to Elsa, he took her hand pulled her to her feet, and pulled her towards Anna. Once to her he pulled Anna up by her hand, "You are my wife," he told her, his eyes filled with so much emotion it threatened to spill out, "I love you more than anything and I know you only want what is best for our son, but you've been acting horrifically as of late. Elsa is Queen, she has to make decisions every day that we would never want to have to make, you've been regent enough to know that to be true. Elsa loves you and our kids and I believe she would not put Christopher in a situation that was truly dangerous for him." He then turned to Elsa, "You may be my Queen but you are my sister first. We know you struggle to balance your duties as Queen with your familial duties, but you're too quick to shut down and hide for us. You need to keep talking to us when we disagree with you and if we step out of line, you need to call us on it. This betrothal mess will not be the last time you have to make a decision as a Queen that affects us as a family and if we go running from one another every time that happens this family will not survive."

Pieter had never heard Kristoff say so much at one time nor so eloquently. He was right and Pieter knew it, so he stood and walked up to Anna, "I know you were afraid for Christopher and reacted as a mother and not as Princess. I've been so angry at you for what your actions have done to Elsa." Anna looked at him, tears filling her teal eyes, "I just want you to know that I understand where you are coming from and I ask you to put yourself in Elsa's position. I love you Anna and I am sorry for holding onto my anger for so long." He pulled her into a hug before releasing her. "I think Kristoff and I will go for a walk, we'll see you two in a little while."

Kristoff nodded his head before kissing both Anna and Elsa on the forehead. Pieter followed his example then walked out the door with him. "Do you think they will work it out," he asked Kristoff.

"Yeah, they need each other."

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Elsa watched as Anna bit her lower lip with her top teeth. "I'm sorry," she said just as Anna said the same. They looked at one another and smiled. Elsa gestured towards the couch and they both sat. Elsa took Anna's hands in hers squeezing them," I am so sorry for what happened to the children. I've already spoken with my intelligence advisors and expressed my extreme displeasure that such a despicable action could be planned without our knowledge. The fact that we did not hear murmurs that a kidnapping was planned leaves them to believe it was devised by a very capable individual, likely for an individual or individuals with very deep pockets and high places."

"Is this the type of danger you wanted to prevent with agreeing to the marriage proposal?" Anna asked quietly, her eyes staring at their intertwined fingers.

"Yes and no, I had an idea that the group who tried to kill me were not finished, that they would try to get to me or destabilize my position as Queen somehow, I just never thought they would go after our children."

Anna nodded, "Do you think Sweden or even Finland is behind the kidnapping attempt?"

Elsa shrugged and looked over to the window, a bluebird flew by on the invisible wind. "I don't know, it's possible. The Russian's are involved now, so it could have been them. It is also possible that whoever orchestrated this has no connections to a foreign government."

"I just don't understand why they came after my children, they aren't the heirs." Anna looked at a loss for what was happening around her.

"Anna, although the triplets are turning one on Friday, no one believes they will live much longer. Even if they do survive, everyone knows how close we are, and kidnapping your children would be the same as kidnapping mine. I would raze heaven and earth for those two as well as this little one." Elsa said as she laid a hand on Anna's stomach. "The best way to put me under another's control is to control my family. You are all my greatest weakness and that is no secret to the world." Elsa was not exaggerating in the slightest, if someone took one of her children or her niece and nephew Elsa would give them anything to keep the children safe. She would willingly step down as queen or go to war if it meant the safe return of the children.

Anna shifted and leaned into Elsa, the first demonstration that their fight was forgiven, "I know. I'm so sorry Elsa, I was out of order. I never should have blown up like that or insinuated that this entire situation was your fault. It isn't. I hope you know that. Those who are of you, it's their issue to deal with not yours. You've done nothing to give any person or nation an indication that you have any expansionist or imperialistic aspirations. You're an amazing queen and an even better sister, aunt, wife, and mother." Anna sat up and took Elsa's face in her hands, they were so warm, comforting, it was like coming home, "Never let anyone tell you otherwise, not even me. I've been a horrible sister to you."

Elsa shook her head," No, you were acting as a mother."

Anna shrugged, "An immature mother who forgot that she was royalty and that her first duty was to her county."

Elsa pulled Anna into a tight hug, "I wish it didn't have to be that way for you or the kids, I wish you could just be you and never have to think about the Crown."

"Me too, on the bright side, my grandchildren won't have to worry about Crown duties, no one cares what cousins Sigrid, Marius II, or Robert do." Elsa laughed, it was true other than the occasional extended family dinner semiannually (Christmas and Easter), no one remembered that technically the Akenfjord family was royal. It was likely due to Arendelle's historically small peerage.

In a generation or two the house of Trollmoen would be the same as the Akenfjord; a junior branch of the royal family with an Earl or Countess as the head. The remainder of the family would be private citizens. They lived in the present; however, Anna as well as her children were princes and princesses of Arendelle; their lives and futures were dictated by noble traditions and royal duties.

They sat in silence for a while before Anna asked, "Will you still send out the betrothal agreement?" Elsa sighed, "I feel I must unless my sources can bring me concrete evidence that Finland had a hand in this latest attack." Elsa sent up a quiet prayer that the kidnapping had not been devised by Finland or any foreign nation because if it was then nothing would stop Elsa from going to war.

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Pieter felt lighter than he had in ages as he watched Elsa laugh carelessly at the triplets who were stuffing cake into their little faces as if they would never eat again. It was their first experience with cake and all three were addicted to the chocolate cake instantly. Their little faces, no bodies, were covered with cake. Olaf came up with the idea to give the triplets their own cake to eat. They placed the cake on a picnic blanket in the living room. At first, the three siblings started at the cake with curiosity but it did not take long for Solveig to take an experimental taste, when she smiled and went for more her brothers followed suit. Pieter was not sure where the cake ended and the children started.

The whole city celebrated the triplets' birthday with a carnival. Pieter was apprehensive about joining the public celebration; but Elsa had insisted they join in the jovial party, "I will not allow these terrorists to frighten me into hiding. My parents let fear rule them and I will not do the same. We've established ourselves as an accessible royal family, one with our people, I will celebrate my children's birthday with the people I am sworn to protect. We will triple the guards, we will have half-dressed as citizens, and we will have a good time."

Elsa of course was right, the people of Arendelle, both young and old, rich and poor, were delighted in commemorating the triplets' birth with the royal family. The citizens were equally as happy to see their beloved Queen and Princess once again together and clearly happy within each other's presence; any rumor of an estrangement between the royal sisters was dispelled that afternoon. Pieter was grateful for the relaxed and jubilant atmosphere of the cities party, it was a much need boost of energy that would prepare Pieter (and Elsa) for the more stately ball that was going to be held later that night with the Arendelle aristocracy, gentry, and foreign guests who had come to observe the triplet's birthday.

Pierre turned away his thoughts of tonight's ball and focused on the private family party he was currently enjoying. The attendants of the real birthday party were strictly family and those thought of family. The Akenfjords were in attendance (Elsa was really attempting to incorporate the distant branch back into the family) as well as Kia and Gerda, the triplet's Nanny, Tara, and children's wet nurses. It was intimate and just how both Elsa and Pieter preferred it.

Christopher and Renee had decided to join their little cousins in their feast and were now covered in cake much too Anna's begrudging, "Well have to give you another bath," she admonished half-heartedly.

"This is perfect," Elsa said coming up to him. She tip-toed and gave him a gentle kiss on his lips. He smiled down at her.

"It is. Have I thanked you, today, for giving me the best family a man could ask for?" He wrapped his arms around her waist as she leaned against him.

"No, but there is still time." Pieter could feel her smile as she mumbled her response into his chest. He pulled her closer, "I will be sure to be very grateful," He whispered to her. An image of a pregnant Elsa flashed before his eyes, was it too soon to wish for another child? He kept his thoughts to himself, that was a discussion for another day.

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