Early November, 1851
Halsten Castle,
Southern Isles
She stood upon the beach, hands cradling her belly, relishing in the feel of the breeze on her skin as the waves crashed before her, dashing up to paint her toes before scurrying back into the sea. It was nice to get away.
Her thoughts returned to breakfast that morning, and the visit from the midwife not long after. There was no real need for the visit, other than confirmation; she had missed her last bleed around the eighth, and had noticed the signs not long afterwards. The midwife had checked her over, declaring that she would bear this new child the coming July. Hans had entered their bedchamber not long after the midwife finished, going to the bed and pecking her softly on the head.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty." He had furrowed a brow at the midwife, as though forgetting the reason she was there. "Her Majesty carries a new babe within her womb. It should arrive three weeks after the summer solstice." He'd merely opened his mouth to respond, before snapping it shut and turning to her.
"If you would control your appetites, dearest, I would not be in this position."
The midwife had merely chuckled, and promised to return at the end of the first three months. Because this was her fifth pregnancy, she was showing sooner, something the midwife had assured her was normal, because her body was used to pregnancy.
She looked up, hearing the sound of laughter in the distance, to see her children dashing towards her; Anna and Lord Bismarck were in the library, deep in conversation over coffee. Milla held tight to her father's hand, and the child waved at her mother. "Mama!" After a moment, she waved back; the breeze yanked at her skirts, pulling the material back against her body, revealing her condition as the children got closer. Milla stumbled to a stop, glancing at her mother's belly before looking up at her. "Mama? Again?"
After a moment, Elsa knelt before her daughter with a chuckle. "Yes, my Milli-met. Again. If you wish to blame anyone, blame Papa." The girl turned to her father, who glared at his wife.
"It's not entirely my fault, mitt lille hjerte. It takes two to make new life."
In the coming months since the family had returned to Arendelle, things had settled down, and Elsa and her council had managed to put several new laws into place, including expanding housing for low income families and unwed mothers, as well as creating several children's homes for orphans. The queen kept her fifth pregnancy secret, even though she began to show sooner, as all subsequent pregnancies did, and it wasn't until she was twenty weeks along that she even mentioned anything to her sister. Anna had been stunned that her sister managed to keep her pregnancy hidden for so long, but she knew that Elsa had her reasons, and so didn't begrudge her her choices.
It was during one of Hans' 'diplomatic' visits, over breakfast one morning in their private chambers, that Elsa was handed a letter from Kai, who quickly left with a soft nod to the young king and the royal children. The queen quickly broke the seal, unfolding it and letting her blue gaze skim over it.
"What is it, darling? Good news, I hope." Hans set his butter knife down and took a bite of his toast, gently reaching over to gently tap three-and-a-half-year-old Anja on the knee, reminding him to sit up.
"It's from Victoria. They're doing fine; Vicky has been corresponding with Prince Frederick of Prussia; she seems quite taken with him, despite the age difference."
"What is the difference?" Hans asked, taking a sip of his coffee. Elsa quickly scanned the letter, finding the information.
"Eight years." She looked up, as her husband quickly set his cup down, covering his mouth with a napkin as he choked on his drink. She stood moved to stand, but he held up a hand.
"I'm okay, darling... promise." It took a few minutes before he was able to clear his throat. "Eight... years? That would mean Vicky is... eleven going on twelve and the prince..."
"Nineteen going on twenty." Elsa finished for him.
"That's unacceptable. He's old enough to be her older brother." He ignored the exasperated look his wife shot him across the table, and Anna snorted softly, glancing at her nieces and nephews. During the visit to England, Hans had developed a soft spot for Victoria, the Princess Royal, and viewed her as another daughter. Perhaps it was because she and Camilla shared the same birthday, despite the four year difference, or perhaps it was because she was an absolute dear and had absolutely adored baby Sofia, but either way, Hans had told her the day they left that if she ever needed to speak to someone other than her parents about something that was bothering her, she could always write to him. The girl had been relieved, and given him a hug before they left.
"If they both consent to the match, then it is no one's affair but theirs." She replied, making her way towards him and holding out the letter. He took it, skimming the contents.
"All I'm saying, is when the time comes, I don't care who requests Milla's hand, if he's old enough to be-"
"Her father?" Elsa suggested, and he glared at her.
"Then he's too old for her." He smiled softly. "She's requesting to visit Arendelle with Albert and the children. Would you like to write her or should I?" He asked, folding the letter back up and handing it to her. She sighed, resting a hand on her belly.
"Perhaps you should. We can tell them our good news when they arrive."
He reached up, gently covering her hand with his. "You know Victoria will be hurt you didn't tell her sooner."
"Annalei was hurt that I didn't tell her right away, and she's my sister." Elsa glanced at the woman in question, who shrugged.
"I know why you did it, and I don't blame you for it, Lise."
"And Her Majesty does not mind being in condition again?" Anna shook her head as they made their way down the hall. Not long after Elsa got out of meeting with her council, she went in search of Hans, while Lord Bismarck went to find Anna in the library. Over the course of the last few months, the pair's little experiment as Hans referred to it, had started to become much more, and they found themselves sneaking around the castle in order to avoid being caught by the rest of the court, wishing for a few moments alone together. Nothing more than conversation was exchanged, for the pair did not exactly know what to do after that day back in September, when the princess had thrown herself into his arms in tears after hearing her sister and brother-in-law's argument.
"Hans and Lise are parents first, and rulers second, especially when together. They discuss and debate and craft laws for both Arendelle and the Isles with the thought of their children in mind- if a law would be good enough to help their children, it is good enough for their people. Though they do not sit side by side on the thrones of Arendelle and the Isles, they very much help to shape how each country is run. And I know that when they are together- either here or there- the rumors swirl among the people and the courts that there is something going on between the King and Queen." She sighed. "As for her condition... they cannot help themselves; devoted to each other, my sister and her husband. Though she has not said anything to me, I know that they get carried away-"
She shrugged, and Bismarck nodded. "They do make quite the striking couple."
Anna nodded. "And the children are quite beautiful; they are the... gorgeous products of a union that must be kept secret, for neither Arendelle nor the Isles would allow it if they knew. This is not like Mary Tudor, who married Prince Phillip of Spain and kept her crown; he came to England, he gave up his throne, she didn't. Elsa would have no choice- an Arendellian cannot wear the crown of Arendelle and the crown of the Southern Isles at the same time; it isn't done here. Arendelle is secluded to herself. She is still very wild in many of her ways, no matter how advanced she becomes. This is clan blood in the monarchy, Viking blood. The House of Westergård has been the mortal enemy of the House of Bekkerdahl since we were clans fighting over this land centuries ago, and nothing will change that- not an alliance, not trade agreements, not a secret marriage, nor children born of Westergård and Bekkerdahl blood. We will always be enemies, even if we fight together instead of against each other now."
"Despite a child of each house falling in love- forbidden love; how very Shakespearian of them."
"It's very Romeo and Juliet, but hopefully this will not end in tragedy." She agreed with a sigh. "I know it pains them both to be apart; as devoted to each other as they are. Given the choice, I truly believe that both would walk away from the crown if they could, but they can't. Hans is the last of his family to take the throne, and Elsa is the rightful heir to Arendelle; I would never want to be Queen. I don't have the strength my sister has to shoulder what she does. To be honest, I am glad to be the second born. I cannot imagine being queen; Elsa is much more suited to the throne than I would ever be." She paused. "Though, *I for one, hope to one day live to see a child of Bekkerdahl and Westergård blood sit upon the thrones of both countries, but I don't believe it will ever happen in my lifetime. Regardless of whether Lise has changed the council or not and whether they work with her or against her, the people will never accept it, and it is the people who hold my sister's fate in their hands. the rumor that came out of Britain after that kiss? The people refused to believe it was true, because that would mean the Isles could be trusted-"
"But your sister's built up an alliance with the Isles-"
"An alliance will keep the Isles in check. As long as they're in check, they can't attempt to take Arendelle for their own."
"An attempt to take the country as Weselton tried to do?" Anna nodded.
"It's... complicated. As long as she has them as an alliance under a strict trade agreement, the Isles won't attempt to take our land. If the people found out they were married, it would be like handing the throne to Hans; just because we are allies doesn't mean we trust one another. My sister has to be careful; they both do. As long as the people believe she only has an alliance with the Isles, she's safe. As long as she and Hans keep their marriage secret, she's safe. And the children- all the people know is that they're Lise's and that she chooses to keep them as far removed from the court as possible and they respect that. But one wrong move, and she could very well end up like Marie Antionette- without her head."
The sound of laughter and voices caught their attention, and Anna grabbed his arm; they ducked into the gallery, watching as Milla rushed past, Annes followed behind, holding tight to Anja and Sof's hands; the nearly two-year-old little girl toddled after her brothers, before the six-year-old prince came back, scooping his little sister up and taking Anja's hand. "Millie, wait for us!"
The nearly-eight-year-old Crown Princess rushed back, kneeling in front of Anja. "Piggy ride?" The boy nodded, and wrapped his arms around the girl's neck, as she held onto his legs. Adjusting her hold, she dashed down the hall, her brother following behind with his sister in his arms.
"Camilla!"
"Vær forsigtig!" The child slowed down, letting her brother and sister catch up. The pair watched from the shadows of the gallery as the objects of their discussion- and the owners of the voices- walked into view; arm in arm as a leisurely pace, -stopping not far from where they were hiding. "I wish I didn't have to return to the Isles at the end of the week. I get so few moments to spend with you and our children. And before I know it, this little one will be out and in your arms, and our others grown-"
He was stopped by Elsa's fingers against his lips. "Hush, my King. You and I both know that we cannot put duty before our family. Our duty is first to our kingdoms and then to our children. How would it look, if you were to put us before the Isles? Or if I were to put you before Arendelle? It would only spell disaster for us- it would be similar in downfall to the French Court at Versailles all those years ago. We can't risk it; we won't risk it. Not for our countries and not for our children." She removed her hand, reaching down to caress her belly. "Not our daughters or our sons, nor this baby growing strong and healthy within my at this very moment, nor any other children who come along later. We will do what we have to, for both our kingdoms, and when there is time to get away and be a family, then we will." She rubbed her hands over her belly absentmindedly, thoughtful. "Besides, Victoria and Albert and the children will be visiting in April, and you will be here then."
"And by then, we will only have two more months before this little princess arrives."
"It is a prince, my love."
He shook his head. "No darling, it is a princess." They watched as Hans gently took Elsa's waist, pulling her close, his hands moving to cradle either side of her belly. "Gods alive, Eliza, how remarkable you are." He leaned down, nuzzling her nose with his gently. "I do not deserve you or the heart you so willingly handed me all those years ago." She reached up, caressing his cheek gently. Even from where they hid, Anna could see the deep love the pair shared, and it made her yearn for her own passionate love, a love like her sister had found.
Anna had to admit that Hans- despite his thin frame, standing roughly between five foot eleven and six feet- cut quite the opposing figure in court regalia, but here, in the halls of Linnea Castle with his wife and children, he cut a different figure- quite the dashing one in a simple pair of dark trousers, white button shirt, black jacket and boots, his auburn hair styled well and tumbling over his forehead in curls, sideburns kept neat. Elsa, by comparison of her small, five foot stature, was looking radiant in a gown of her own creation- short puffed sleeves, an off the shoulder scooped neckline and bodice with a flowing skirt that hid the growing swell of her midsection- or tried to, it was evident to all who saw her that she was again in the 'family way' as the servants referred to it, and with each subsequent pregnancy, she showed sooner and sooner.
Though considered quite improper for a woman of married status- especially one of such high rank as Elsa- to have her hair not pulled up and off her neck, but down about her shoulders, she had chosen to fashion her hair into a loose French braid; it tumbled down her back, the ends brushing just at the backs of her knees- when free of constraint, it brushed the floor, something which Anna was always envious, for her hair never grew past the small of her back- and it shone in the shadow of the hallway, freshly fallen snow in the sunlight. They stared at each other, an entire conversation passing between them without a word being said, before finally, the queen breathed,
"I wish... I wish... oh... I wish that I were an ordinary woman, Johannes, so that I may love you and be by your side always, as you deserve."
He shook his head, pulling her closer. "No. An ordinary woman could not do as you do every day." He brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "You were not born to be an ordinary woman, Eliza, my love." He whispered, kissing her deeply. Slowly, he broke the kiss, resting his forehead to hers. "You were born to be so much more."
She reached up, resting her hands against his chest, eyes closed. "I don't know how I will be able to face this world when you are gone." She whispered; he gently caressed her cheek, nuzzling his nose against hers, knowing that she worried for him whenever he returned to the Isles, and the fear of assassination, or an attempt- because despite all the good he'd done over the years, like other countries, there was always someone displeased with the progress made.
"By the time that happens, my darling, we will both be old and grey, with many grandchildren to spoil, and an empire that stretches far beyond the borders of both our countries."
"And our love?" She breathed, meeting his gaze as her eyes opened. He shook his head.
"Our love changes, as we must change. We are not the same now as we were that long ago night at the Tercentenary, nor are we exactly the same as we were the night we married. As we change and grow, so does our love; it matures as we do. Nothing wrong with that. I think, if anything, it just makes our love stronger." He kissed her once more, before they continued on, following the children out of the castle towards the gardens.
Once they were gone, Anna stepped into the hallway, tugging Bismarck with her, still holding tight to his hand. She glanced at him, a blush coming over her cheeks, though they didn't let go. Oh Lise, you are not the only one who wishes she were an ordinary woman.
