Authors Note: Yay something out of my normal stories! I had this started for awhile unsure where to take this and just decided to finish it as per my only New Years resolution to finish my unfinished stories. Since I have picked out all of the names of Anna and Kristoff's kids awhile ago I figured finish it before I change the names again.
Happy reading and let me to know what you think.
It was a cool spring afternoon as Anna slept later and later in the afternoon. She had insisted on staying up with her son and she was going to do enjoy it. Anna sat up exhausted as she blinked herself awake before remembering that she really should get out of bed. She peered over to see that Kristoff was already up and out of bed as she grumbled. Straightening up she went over and looked at the infant at the bassinet near the window.
"Hi Jeremias," she said as cooed over him. "I can't over how perfect you look, you're perfect." He was still sleeping as she sighed not wanting to wake him up. Instead she adjusted the blanket over him before going for her wardrobe for a fresh dress. Oh, who cares, she thought, as she went to grab her dressing gown instead.
It wasn't like they had visitors, she thought to herself, and she had ways to get down to the kitchen without being seen. Her slippers eased on her feet as she thought out loud to herself again.
"Guess I should go and get some breakfast," Anna said that more to herself, she glanced at the clock as she saw that it was nearly one o'clock in the afternoon and nearly fell over. "I guess more like a lunch then?" Then went over to the bassinet to see that he was still sleeping. Perhaps she should take him and feed him before thinking better of it.
"I will be back for you in one hour."
With that she went out the doors and found Gerta to watch her son. It was a quiet day in the castle despite five other children running around the castle. If anything, it made it easier for her to get around as she leisurely took her time. Everyone was probably in the playroom giving her peace after how late she was up last night.
She yawned as she stopped at the playroom doors. She peeked in to see it empty of all children. Huh, thought Anna, maybe they were with the nanny or Kristoff. Shaking her head, she was on a mission for lunch first and then play with her kids. Stopping at the steps she was unsure if she should use the servant's doors or just go down in her dressing gown.
Quietly she waited until she was sure it was silent. Satisfied Anna descended the steps as she headed straight toward the kitchen. She had a quick meal before hopping down the steps. It was quiet in the castle, too quiet.
"Kai where is everyone?" she asked turning to him.
"I believe that they are outside," said Kai as Anna went to go change.
Gerda was kept an eye on the baby and bundled Jeremias up too. Sticking him in the carriage did she make her way across the still open gates. Her children were around here somewhere… Keeping a sharp eye out she heard the giggling first and then glanced up the tree.
Up in the branches was her eldest, Prince Harald, who sheepishly waved down at her. Anna put a finger to her lips and pretended to zip it closed.
Every king and queen needed an heir. One child to carry on the family legacy, make sure that no one killed each other, and the succession passed on easily. Two children were the most desirable, in case something happened to the first kid.
She and Kristoff had six.
"Mommy!" shouted Princess Marta running over to her. "Everyone's playing hide and seek, and I haven't found Harald yet. Can you help me?"
"Of course, sweetie," she said pushing the carriage in front of her and parked it before picking up her one year old. "Nobody left the square right?"
"Right! Just like you said,' said Marta giggling.
"Perfect and just in time for your aunt to come and visit," said Anna making a face and slung the baby on her chest. Winking up the tree they turned and started to look around the square for her children. Maybe would find Kristoff.
Taking her hand, they went and looked under the tables of a party being set up. No kids. Then turned a corner to peer down an alley way. Nobody there.
Then a quick familiar giggle from a nearby shop and the tingle of the door shutting. That wasn't cheating but it was very sneaky since they had to stay in the square. Anna leaned down and whispered something her daughters' ear before making their way over to the shop.
Glancing into the window she looked down and smiled at the four-year-old.
"Mama!" he said before running out and buried his face in her skirt. "You found me."
"Of course, I did Karstan. Now the home base is the tree run," she said before Marta started to run after him to tag him. If she caught him then he had to search for everyone else. They shouted for each other squealing as they went to not get tagged.
Hmm, her blue eyes glanced at the chocolate shop and then around her to make sure that she was not being watched. At least not too closely moving closer and closer to the door. She watched as Rebekka and Lianna were found together. Perfect all five of them were within her sight and the door almost within her reach. Just a few more steps and she could already smell the chocolate.
"I see you," said a voice behind her.
Jumping nearly a mile she swirled around quickly to see her sister standing there. Elsa stood there in her usual white outfit with a glint her eyes knowing what her sister was about to do. Elsa just hide a smile as best she could and put on her best stern sisterly look.
"Ahhh why surprise me like that?" asked Anna her eyes darting around the courtyard looking at the kids. They were all still chasing each other oblivious to what was going on. Even Linnea even thought she was only two years old.
"I thought that there was a rule that you could only hide in the square," asked Elsa with a small smirk on her face, her eyes narrowed playfully. "Unless it is okay to hide in the chocolate shop."
She was just about to retort that she found her son hiding in a shop when the kids all looked up and started to run to them. Oh no and then swarmed Elsa, Karsten throwing his arms around her waist for a hug. This was her chance as Anna turned and took the three strides over to the door. Perfect she was just about to get what she wanted since she laid eyes on that shop.
The baby on her chest snuggled close to her and pulled at the loose hair around her face. Okay ow that hurt by now she should be used to it but nope. It hurt every time before she felt a tug on her skirt.
"Momma are we getting chocolate?" asked Marta who had pulled away from her aunt. Elsa making gifts for the kids at her insistence.
"Of course, come on sweetie," she said taking her hand. Jeremias feeling heavy before she unwrapped him and switched sides.
"Anna!" called a voice behind her and before she could even go inside Anna threw her free arms up and turned to see Kristoff standing there.
He had Linnea on his shoulders, Karsten hanging off his back, and Rebekka trying to get him to do something. Only Harald was still talking to her sister. The nanny was trying to get their attention to listen to her, trying to exert some control. Honestly it was kind of a funny sight. She was holding Marta's hand and had Jeremias wrapped around her chest.
"Momma I want chocolate," said Marta tugging at her skirt.
"That's it," called Kristoff and clapped his hands three times.
That was the signal that they all needed to pay attention to them and to stop whatever they were doing. Which seemed to work. They all straightened out and then looked at their parents expectantly. Anna passed the baby to the nanny, a woman named Airin, who gladly took him. Thankfully she wasn't swamped with them.
"Now," said Anna having their attention. "We are all getting some chocolate and then we're going to have to go back to the castle."
"Aww really?" asked Harald.
"Yes, because Queen Rapunzel is coming to visit tomorrow and you have lessons," she said reminding them. From the looks of it two of them needed a bath. "Plus, it's game day with Elsa we need to set up for. You want to show off your new game that you made up, right?"
They nodded eagerly as Anna strolled into the shop and ordered two boxes for them to share. Then ordered a small extra box for herself. She was queen and deserved a little something extra occasionally. With that they dug in savoring their pieces until desert tonight. Then started to head back to the castle. Marta and Harald eagerly fighting for Elsa's attention.
Finally, when they were back the older kids started their lessons. The two youngest, Karsten at 2 and Linnea at 4, were to take their baths. Kristoff went to prep for their game night. Leaving Elsa and Anna alone. They were in Anna's room while she was tearing apart her closet looking for something for Elsa.
No, no, no, muttered Anna throwing dress after dress on the bed. Elsa just smiled at her sister glad to see her so happy.
"Anna, I didn't know you were having visitors tomorrow I wouldn't have come," said Elsa finally her voice soft.
"Elsa when have we ever canceled game night?" asked Anna tossing another dress on the bed.
"I can name a few times" she said thinking of the day one of her children was born. She was there of course, but they weren't playing games.
"That doesn't matter. You'll be here before dinner for the first time in forever," said Anna finally finding a gown that would be perfect for Elsa to wear tomorrow.
"Anna I was here before dinner last week," said Elsa patiently.
She just scoffed and started to put everything back in her closet. "As I said forever. Besides there's instructions on to the game you'll have to learn. You could help me pick out a dress for tomorrow. This one is for you if you want to stay. The kids can show you how they'll introduce themselves!"
"Introduce themselves?" asked Elsa picking up the dress that Anna chose for her.
That seemed to be the trick as Anna light up and bounced happily in her spot. "They have this cute little dance. Harald doesn't like to take part anymore now that he's 12 and "grown up" but the others love it. Queen Rapunzel is bringing her twins for the first time. It'll be fun, and you'll enjoy it. Please stay?"
"I'll stay the night but no promises that I'll be here when they come tomorrow," said Elsa with a sigh. She really did like the dress that Anna chose for her.
They must have talked for several hours before dinner was finally served and eaten. Since they were making smoked salmon with a variety of sides tonight was the night to have Kjøttkaker. Their fried meat cakes with potatoes and carrots. Once dinner was out-of-the-way did, they make their way to play this game.
Their game room had a series nine chairs in the middle of the room. Anna and Kristoff were giggling about something or another. Elsa close to Harald with him eagerly telling her about his lessons and this new book that he read.
"Alright someone has to play music," said Rebekka patiently, "and then when the music stops, we have to find a chair. Whoever is not in a chair is out and then we take another chair away until only one person is sitting, that's the winner. We have to dance around the room to the music so the race to the chair is more fun."
Sounded easy enough and they played Elsa just watching as Linnea just ran around the room to the music as best she could calling it dancing.
Elsa spun around Anna while Kristoff had dipped Rebekka. Then the music stopped as they all raced for the chairs. The game seemed to go on for hours until the kids were starting to get tired.
"Anna" said Elsa. "Would you like me to help put them to bed?"
Eager to have her sister with her Anna nodded already carrying Jeremias in her arms. Kristoff had Linnea and Marta in his arms.
"You didn't see our dance," protested Marta. "Or hear our song, it goes Harald is twelve and the next king, you'll find him in the trees with a book on his knees. Rebekka is nine and she finds it a crime not to wear her favorite color yellow. Marta is six and wears her hair in braids and a jade dress. Oh, Karsten what a fellow for he is four can you not guess? Linnea is two who cannot say a lot. What a crew!"
It really didn't rhyme and sounded like it was made up on the spot, but Elsa just grinned at the song. It sounded so cute and with a dance to go with it? Her nieces and nephews seemed so talented. She was fortunate to see them grow up right before her eyes. It was like yesterday Harald was born. Kristoff took her to her room leaving Elsa with the two eldest.
After making sure Harald got to bed and Rebekka next. When she got to the youngest rooms when she heard it. Stopping at the door Elsa peered in to see Anna and Kristoff at the edge of the bed where Anna was telling a story. Two lone candles lite up the room.
Karsten was trying to keep his eyes open and listening to the story.
"And then the rock monsters…" said Anna telling the story.
"I was trying to find your mom anywhere," said Kristoff.
It struck her that they were telling their story about how the dam was broke. That didn't seem like an appropriate bedtime story but that didn't seem to matter. The little boy wrapped in his mothers' arms almost asleep trying to keep his eyes open. He looked so much like Anna with her hair color and freckles across his face. His eyes were all Kristoff though.
It was like the nights where they would listen to her mother's songs and stories. Watching them she could see Kristoff laid him down his head no the pillows and kiss his cheek.
"We love you," said Kristoff his voice just above a whisper but she could hear him clear as day. Stepping back from the rather intimate moment Elsa watched as they headed toward the door and made the rounds to check on their other kids. They always said I love you, a kiss, and fixed their blankets for them. She was spying on them, but it was sweet and she could just imagine her mother doing the same thing.
Elsa heard a whimper from down the hall and went to check on Jeremias getting fussy in his crib. Anna and Kristoff still had at least two more kids to check on. Helping them out she picked the baby up and walked straight toward the rocking chair.
"Want to hear a song?" she asked keeping him calm. Rocking him and closing her eyes herself the familiar lullaby. "Where the north wind meets the sea. There's a river full of memory. Sleep my darling safe and sound for in this river all is found. In her waters deep and true lie the answers and a path for you. Dive down deep into her sound but not too far or you'll be drowned. Yes she will sing to those who hear and in her song all magic flows…"
Her eyes closed a smile on her face.
Anna and Kristoff opened the door and headed to the crib. They caught sight of Elsa and Jeremias on her lap.
She watched as Kristoff pick up the baby from her lap before Anna laid the blanket on top of her sister. "Aww it's like Elsa is our baby."
"I'm not burping her," said Kristoff plainly.
Giggling Anna gently woke up Elsa. Kristoff put Jeremias in his crib and gave him a kiss.
"Come on Elsa, let's get you to bed," she said. "And this time I'll sing to you."
She nodded and agreed to get up and head to her room. They had memorized the familiar path long ago and headed back. They had all night together.