Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen nor its characters, nor do I own any characters from other Disney works. Disney owns everything - including my heart, soul, and wallet.

Chapter 12 - Mama Jules

"Girls, please be quieter. You might disturb the patients," Iduna said, glancing at Jules sitting with her eyes closed as the machines whirled around her. Iduna knew she wasn't sleeping, but the treatment wasn't pleasant. Jules had gotten much paler in the last few months, her cheeks were beginning to sink in from a lack of appetite, and she was more lethargic than ever. Agnarr was working later each night trying to find a new treatment for his wife, so Iduna was left to stand by her best friend's side in her fight.

"Sorry, Mama Ida," Elsa whispered, also looking at the blonde in the treatment chair. While her mother held a calm face, Elsa could still see the small signs of discomfort; the way her hands worried at the seams of the heated blanket on her lap, the small crease between her eyebrows, the straight line of her usually smiling lips. Despite the adults sheltering her and Anna from the details, Elsa knew that her mother was getting worse and she was growing concerned.

Elsa looked back to Anna and saw that she had the same worried look as her godmother. The girls were spread out on the rug at Jules' feet. They were supposed to be doing the homework they'd brought with them to the appointment, but kept getting distracted from their work, talking and laughing. Iduna wondered how their teachers ever got through a lesson having both of them in class together.

Anna suddenly stopped and looked at her mother with a thoughtful expression. "I thought your name was Iduna, Mama?"

"It is, little duck."

"Then why does Elsa call you Mama Ida?"

Jules shifted in her periphery and Iduna caught her eye. They smirked at each other before Iduna turned to her daughter. "It's simple really, Anna. Elsa couldn't say Iduna when she was smaller. It always came out as Ida, and so it's stuck."

"I can say it now," Elsa said, looking up at her godmother. "Should I call you Mama Iduna?"

"No, little fawn," she answered and picked Elsa up, setting her on her lap and giving her a kiss on the nose. "I rather like your name for me."

"Okay," Elsa giggled. Suddenly, her eyes lit up with excitement. "Mama Ida! Can Anna and I go to the cafeteria for some ice cream?"

"Elsa, it's really not a good time. I can't take you girls right now," Iduna started only to be interrupted by her best friend.

"Oh, Iduna, let the girls have their ice cream. They've been stuck here for hours," Jules said from her reclined seat, machines beeping as they did their jobs. "Plus, they're ten years-old now and have been coming here for years. The staff knows who they are, and to whom they belong. I think they'll be fine."

"You know I cannot deny you on days like this," Iduna said quietly. Jules gave her a sympathetic smile and the brunette turned to Elsa. "How about I take you to the cafeteria? We'll get ice cream for everyone while Anna stays here and keeps your Mama company"

"Okay," Elsa quickly agreed and hopped off her lap.

"We'll be back. Can we bring you anything?" Iduna asked Jules.

"Chocolate ice cream," Jules said. Iduna raised a questioning eyebrow at her because they both knew she wasn't supposed to eat during her treatment. "It's not for me."

"You spoil them so."

"While I can," Jules whispered.

Sadness flashed across Iduna's face, but she quickly school her features before smiling down at Elsa. She offered the young blonde her hand, which she took readily. "Keep an eye on your godmother, little duck."

When Iduna and Elsa left the room, Anna looked over to Jules who gave her a small smile. The woman could tell that Anna had been having a hard time lately. Elsa was always the more cerebral of the two, so both Iduna and Jules expected her to pick up on what was happening despite all their efforts to shield them from the truth. However, Jules had noticed it might actually be Anna that was more acutely aware of the situation. They had neglected to remember how empathetic the little fireball could be. Though the young girl outwardly was as energetic as expected, Jules found more quiet moments around her than normal. She beckoned Anna over to her, but when Jules patted her lap, the small girl shook her head.

"I don't want to hurt you, Mama Jules," she whispered.

"Nonsense, little duck," Jules said with a small smile. "You would never hurt me."

Anna, as gingerly as she could, crawled up into Jules' lap and allowed her godmother to wrap her arms around her as much as all the tubes and wires would allow. She hated seeing her godmother like this. Jules was always a force to be wary of, both elegant and authoritative as a queen. This frailty brought about by her condition did not suit her and it made Anna's heart feel like it was gripped in a frozen vice.

"You'll get better soon, right? You must, Mama Jules," Anna whispered.

"That I do not know, my darling. I will fight every day to stay with you and Elsa for as long as I can. Believe me that," Jules answered.

Anna pulled back a little and Jules let her arms fall to her sides. The young girl tenderly put her hands on either of her godmother's cheeks, they felt cold under her touch. "Fight hard, Mama Jules. I don't know what I would ever do without you."

"You will always have me, little duck. Even if it's only in here," she answered, pointing to Anna's chest just above her heart. Then a serious look fell upon her face. "Can you promise me something, my dearest Anna?"

"Anything."

"Be strong for her," Jules said. Anna wasn't sure if her godmother meant Elsa or her mother, but she guessed it didn't matter. "And be strong for you. Remember that you are the Sun. Bright and brilliant. Share your light with the world."

"Miss Arendelle, are you feeling quite alright?"

Anna broke out of her reverie. Since making up with Elsa, these memories that she guessed she had repressed started flooding back to her every so often. She shook off the thoughts and looked over at Elsa sitting in the front row. Her shoulders were hunched and she was resting her forehead in her left hand. She watched as Elsa took a deep breath and sat up.

"Yes, of course, Ms. Beaufort. My apologies," said Elsa eloquently. She was feeling slightly dizzy and her nerve endings felt like they were being burned with dry ice, but she'd be hard pressed to admit so. Ms. Belle Beaufort's English Literature class was her favorite and she'd be remiss if she left it early. Her teacher gave her a concerned look before continuing their lesson.

Whatever Ms. Beaufort was talking about though, Anna couldn't begin to tell you. She spent most of the lesson watching as Elsa slowly sank further into her seat over time, shoulders eventually hunching again and head held in her hand. She was surprised when the bell rang, nearly jumping out of her skin at the sudden noise. Quickly gathering her things, she made her way to the blonde. Elsa hadn't gotten up yet, still sitting with her head in her hands and Ms. Beaufort was leaning down to her.

"I really think you should go to the nurse and have your father pick you up," their teacher said softly as she rubbed gentle circles on Elsa's back.

"He'll only worry." Anna heard the girl whisper as she approached them quietly and the movement caught Ms. Beaufort's attention from the corner of her eye.

"Miss Noruldra, might I ask you to take Miss Arendelle to the nurse?"

"Um… I have Mr. Weaseltown's… I mean Weselton's class," Anna said, eyes widening with fear as the students' nickname for their least favorite history teacher slipped past her lips.

Ms. Beaufort only chuckled lightly. "I'll write you both a pass."

That's how Anna found herself walking slowly next to Elsa, allowing the ailing girl to set their pace. She thought about offering to carry Elsa's bag, but she was pretty certain that she'd refuse anyway. Elsa had always tried to be strong when she got sick as a kid, which was much more often than Anna. She always pretended to be well when she clearly wasn't because she hated missing school. Elsa always called it determined. Anna always called it stubborn. She heard a small hiss behind her and looked back to see Elsa had stopped to lean against the wall a few steps back.

"Are you okay?" She asked, coming back to stand next to her. She put a hand to Elsa's forehead to feel for a fever. What she felt instead was a familiar chill that Anna couldn't quite place. "Did you catch the flu or something?"

"Or something," Elsa said with a soft smile, eyes closed as she focused on steadying her breathing.

"Do you want me to call your dad?"

Elsa shook her head. "I just need to make it to the nurse. Give me a moment."

Anna waited patiently as Elsa took a few deep breaths and finally pushed herself away from the wall. Without a word, Anna took Elsa's bag from her. It looked like Elsa was going to protest, but instead she gave Anna a sad, grateful smile and, with a nod, they continued on their way. Anna walked very slowly, keeping an eye on Elsa. When they finally made it to the nurses office, there was instant commotion.

"Oh, Miss Arendelle," the school nurse clucked. "You really should have come sooner. I'm guessing you refused to leave class again?"

"You know me so well," Elsa said lightly.

"I'll take it from here, dear."

It took Anna a second to realize that the nurse was speaking to her. It wasn't until Elsa gave her an amused look that she turned to the nurse and handed Elsa's bag to her.

"I'll meet you out front at the end of the day," Anna said to Elsa who nodded her understanding. Anna turned to leave but stopped at the door and turned back around when she heard Elsa call after her.

"Thank you, Anna," Elsa said.

Anna gave her a small smile. Just before she turned around again to leave, she saw the nurse return with a medical kit marked with Elsa's name on an official looking prescription label. She frowned, but didn't feel she should ask about it and left to head to class.

"Nice of you to show up, Miss Noruldra," Mr. Weselton chided as she walked into class. She didn't even bother responding and just handed him the permission slip from Ms. Beaufort before heading to her seat.

It's definitely not a flu, she thought to herself. Elsa looked so terrible today. Well, not terrible. Elsa was always beautiful, even when she was under the weather. Her pale skin and bright blue eyes paired with her elegant features and platinum hair made her appear almost ethereal. No, what was striking was her posture. Elsa was always poised and moved with a gracefulness that any royal would envy, as if she was always gliding perfectly across a smooth surface of ice. Today though, Elsa was slumped and staggered. Her movements, while still languid, seemed more due to a lack of energy than to practiced poise.

The bell rang once more and Anna was so startled that she was surprised she hadn't fallen out of her chair. Well that's another class today in which I heard nothing, Anna thought despondently. She grabbed her bag and made her way to the front steps after stopping at her locker. Elsa was already there, sitting on the low garden wall and Anna made her way over to sit next to her.

"Feeling better?"

"Much," Elsa said, not turning fully to look at Anna.

"Did you make it to last period at all?"

Elsa nodded. "Only within the last few minutes. Just in time to get any assignments I need to make up."

"Only you would make that sound like a good thing," Anna said. "If it were me, I'd use feeling sick more to my advantage."

"Well you were always the one more likely to push her luck," Elsa said and laughed. Anna smiled at the familiar conversation. This was a banter they'd had many times before. A honk ended their chat as Iduna's car pulled up to the curb. Anna jumped up and turned around to take Elsa's bag, but she had already retrieved it.

"Thank you, but I really am feeling better. I've got it," Elsa said. Anna nodded and led the way to the car, both girls climbing into their usual spots.

"How was school today, girls?"

"Ugh. Long, but at least I got to miss half of Mr. Weaseltown's class when I helped Elsa to the nurses office," Anna said. She saw her mother stiffen in her periphery and turned to look at her. "What's wrong, mom?"

Iduna didn't answer though. She turned around to look at Elsa instead. "Are you alright? Should I take you to Dr. Proud?"

"I'm fine," Elsa said quietly. When Iduna gave her a calculating look, Elsa continued. "Really, I'm okay. The nurse is very capable."

"Okay," Ida said slowly. "But we're telling your father."

Elsa only sighed in response. Anna turned around and gave her an apologetic look, but Elsa was looking out the window already as the car pulled away from the school.

Anna ran through the hospital. She didn't care that her mother was calling after her. She didn't care that a nurse tried to slow her down. She didn't care that a security guard told her not to run in the halls. All she cared about was getting to her as fast as she could. She needed to get to her as fast as she could. She only slowed her pace when she reached the long term care ward and approached the door she'd been visiting for months now. Despite her determination to get here quickly, she faltered for a second.

Be strong for her, her godmother's voice whispered in her mind. Anna took a deep breath and pushed the door open slowly.

The first thing she saw was her godmother lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to so many machines she wasn't even sure what they could all possibly be meant to do. She saw Elsa's ever stoic father, sitting quietly next to his wife and holding tightly to her pale, delicate hand. Anna's eyes scanned the rest of the room quickly and they finally fell on the girl sitting on the armchair in the corner. Her best friend. Her sister.

Elsa looked up when Anna opened the door and immediately jumped up and ran over to her. The smaller, ginger girl opened her arms up and met her halfway, wrapping her in the tightest hug she could muster. She could feel Elsa's tears soaking into her hair as the blonde girl broke down with silent sobs. Anna could not keep her own tears from falling, but kept whispering 'I'm here. I've got you" as she held the other girl.

"How much time?" she heard her mother say. She must have entered not long after Anna had come in, but she was too busy comforting Elsa to notice.

"The doctor said he'd come at eight. Elsa and I have already said our goodbyes," Agnarr said, his voice tightly constricted in his throat. "I can leave you and Anna to say yours, but I don't think that Elsa can…"

"It's alright. You both can stay," Iduna said gently when Agnarr trailed off, but he shook his head.

"I think I need to gather myself for a moment. I'll be back when… when the time comes."

He walked out and Iduna sat on the bed next to her oldest and dearest friend. Anna decided to give her mother space, and pulled Elsa back to the armchair the blonde girl had been occupying when she'd first entered. Anna held her best friend as she cried, continuing to whisper words of comfort in her ear, though she was sure that Elsa wasn't hearing any of it over her despair. She looked over at her mother gently crying as she stroked the flawless, platinum blonde hair of her best friend. Jules was everything to her mother that Elsa was to her. Anna looked back at the girl whose head was cradled in her lap and knew that she didn't envy her mother at all. She couldn't even begin to imagine the anguish it must be.

After many long minutes of whispered goodbyes and silent promises that neither young girl could hear from their small corner of the room, Iduna gestured for Anna to come closer. Anna gently untangled herself from Elsa. She wiped away the blonde's tears before taking her hand and pulling her over to Jules' bed where they both clambered up on one side while Iduna remained in her spot on the other.

When her mother had gotten a call during dinner, Anna immediately knew something was wrong. Iduna had frozen on the spot as she listened to the voice on the other end of the phone, tears welled in her eyes then her cell phone fell from her hand. Anna was scared, but she didn't know what to say. Then her mother told her to grab her shoes and her jacket quickly, and Anna knew the worst was happening.

Anna looked at her godmother and couldn't help but think that, even now, she was stunning. It wasn't fair that someone so beautiful and heavenly both inside and out could be taken from the world, and from her, so young. She placed a hand on her godmother's cheek and was slightly shocked at how warm it felt. Mama Jules' skin was always cold to the touch. The realization hit her then that this would be the last time she'd see her godmother, her second maternal figure, warm and alive. She placed a quiet kiss on her Mama Jules' lips.

"I love you, Mama Jules," she whispered, uncharacteristically quiet and graceful. "And I'll keep my promise."

Anna felt terrible. Dinner had been quite the ordeal when Agnarr had learned that Elsa hadn't felt well at school today, but then failed to call him. He said she was being irresponsible and that she needed to take more care. Elsa just sat there, eyes fixed on the table in front of her, nodding her understanding as her father berated her on end. Anna wished she'd never said anything in the car about Elsa feeling ill.

When they were both finally dismissed from dinner, she walked side by side next to the blonde as they made their way upstairs. They turned down their shared hallway and Anna placed a hand on Elsa's arm to stop her before she entered her bedroom.

"I'm sorry, Elsa," she said. "You shouldn't have had to deal with that. I'll remember to keep my mouth shut in the future."

"It's okay, Anna. You didn't know he would react that way."

Anna nodded. She knew that, but it didn't make her feel any better. "He's been like that before?"

"Ever since…" Elsa started. After a pause, Anna gave her hand a small squeeze to let her know that she understood; that Elsa didn't need to finish her thought. "He's been very concerned with my health since then, but he's right. It was irresponsible."

"But you're fine?" Anna asked. Elsa nodded in agreement. "Then he was overreacting. He's only projecting his fears since you're healthy."

Elsa looked away for a moment and Anna frowned. The blonde wasn't usually one to shy away from eye contact, at least not with Anna. Though when she turned her gaze back up, she gave Anna a small smile.

"I'm a bit tired. Still feeling a little under the weather. I'm going to head to bed now," Elsa said before turning and shutting herself in her room.

An old, but familiar tightness gripped her heart as she stared at the snowflake door. Today had felt too oddly familiar, but she tried not to read into it too much. She shook her head of such desperate thoughts and turned to head to her room when she remembered to do one last thing.

Knock. Knock. Knock-knock. Knock.

"Good night, Elsa," Anna said through the closed door.

Just as she was about to close her own, she heard a sound from behind her and turned. Elsa had opened her door a small crack.

"Good night, Anna," Elsa said, and then she smiled again. It was small, but it was enough to quell her anxiety. Anna returned it with a brilliant smile of her own and waited for Elsa to close her door before heading to bed.

Anna had been dreaming of talking snowmen and dragon slaying knights when her alarm sounded. She smacked at the clock on her side table, but it wouldn't shut off. Why is it so damn loud? And why… does it sound different?

Anna squinted at the clock, eyes bleary from sleep, to see it had barely passed midnight. The sound wasn't coming from her alarm. She heard hurried footsteps and muffled shouting from the hallway and shot out of bed. She ripped her door open and found that the sound was blaring from Elsa's room, the snowflake door thrown wide open. Her attention flew up the hall as her mother tore down it, pulling on a sweater.

"Anna, put on a jacket and shoes. Quickly!"

"What's going on?" Anna shouted just as the alarm stopped sounding.

She was shocked when Agnarr stepped out of Elsa's room carrying the girl in his arms. Through the doorway behind him, Anna could see several machines that looked like they belonged in a hospital room. Fear constricted her heart in its icy grip as she noticed that Elsa was shaking and it looked like she was having a hard time breathing. Anna watched as Agnarr hurried down the hall toward the staircase, doing his best not to jostle his daughter too much in his arms.

"Now, sweetie. We must hurry," her mother encouraged her to move.

Anna ran into her room. She grabbed her new jacket and stepped into a pair of slip on Vans. She was about to head downstairs when a thought suddenly came to her. Anna ran through the snowflake door and grabbed the snowman stuffie from off of Elsa's side table, thankful that the girl still had it.

"Anna, hurry. We must go," she heard her mother call up from the foyer and the teen downstairs as fast as she could. The two of them locked up the front door just as Agnarr pulled his car around. "Get in the front, little duck. Quickly."

Anna did as she was told and buckled in. She turned around and saw her mother gently lifting Elsa's head into her lap as Agnarr sped down the long, winding driveway.

"It's okay, little fawn. You're going to be just fine. Just keep breathing with me," she heard her mother whispering softly. Suddenly, Anna was ten years old again watching her mother do the same thing for Mama Jules and the realization hit her.

No, please. Not her too, was all that kept running through Anna's head.

A/N: I'm sorry. Please don't hate me…

As always - thank you for reading.