Chapter 2: Strange Magic

Anna watched as her husband prepared for bed. Kristoff was very methodical as he removed his boots, hung up his ice pick. Hung them both in the closet. Unloaded his Flintlock flare gun - as far as Anna knew, he had only needed to discharge it once, very early on in his career. An avalanche had come upon Kristoff and Sven without warning and caught them unawares, nearly burying them both. He had been just a teenager then; his troll family had found and rescued him. And by the time they and Sven had helped to dig him out, he was barely alive.

In the years she had known him, Anna had marveled at Kristoff's ability to sleep just about anywhere. In a barn. In a field. Early on in their marriage, Kristoff had proven himself adept at lying comfortably on the floor as well as the mattress, and had even struggled in becoming accustomed to sleeping without Sven by his side.

"I'm glad you're home," Anna sighed happily as Kristoff crawled into bed with her. He pecked her lips once.

"It was just a jaunt up to the Trading Post. No big deal."

Anna smirked. "Oaken try and sell you his sun balm again?"

"I knew there was a reason I hated that crook," Kristoff mumbled into his pillow. Husband and wife both laughed, though the former's felt forced. And Anna noticed.

"What's wrong?"

Kristoff bit his lip. He could never lie to Anna. He had found himself fibbing to his sister-in-law with difficulty, but to lie to his wife? No way. "I... had an audience with Elsa today."

Anna blinked. "How is she? Did she request it? Receipt of subjects is usually on Saturdays."

"No, Elsa bumped it up on the schedule. I heard the staff whispering about how she was antsy in her cabinet meeting. Didn't take long to find out why." Kristoff swallowed heavily, moved. "She's worried about us. About how we haven't had a baby."

Anna's reaction was unexpected. She burst into laughter. When Kristoff gave her a funny look, she settled down and shook her head.

"It's just Elsa being my older sister. I think it's sweet, but you heard how we handled everyone asking about it at the Fall Festival. All good things to those who wait."

"No, you don't understand - she was really upset about it. Like about-to-burst-into-tears upset about it. She seemed almost paranoid."

"Awwww..." Anna crooned. "She's a sweetie. What did you tell her?"

"I told her not to worry."

"Exactly what I would have said." Anna pecked his cheek and turned out the light. "Elsa's always been protective, Kristoff. I've learned to just embrace it."

Kristoff nodded once, then settled down beside her.

It was late at night when Elsa departed on her horse from the stables. Arendelle slept soundly, and the only person who knew of her departure was Kai.

"I should be back by morning," Elsa had told her Chief of Staff as she readied her saddle.

"Your Majesty, surely you think it's wise that I accompany you? At least allow me to send an honor guard!"

"I'll be fine, Kai. I have my horse, and my powers. And... this is personal. Family matters."

Kai had nodded. "As you wish, milady," he acquiesced. "But I strongly disagree."

No one could ever say that Kai wasn't loyal. But if he had his own counsel, he would give it to you, unsolicited.

Elsa galloped fast and hard into the mountains, a thin trail of frost blanketing the chilly grass in her wake. The grass soon turned into rocky terrain, punctuated by boulders growing larger and larger in size. When Elsa spied the first hot springs, she knew she was getting close.

At last, the Queen reached the familiar clearing, and dismounted. "Grand Pabbie!" she called tentatively. "I wish to have a word!"

For a moment, there was silence. Then the surrounding boulders began rolling of their own accord, forming a circle around the royal. The boulders soon unfolded and gasps went up from the mountain trolls. Elsa knew her brother-in-law had been raised by trolls, but the sight never ceased to amaze her.

"It's the Queen!"

Bulda, Kristoff's adoptive troll mother, knelt at Elsa's feet. "Your Majesty! Such an honor it is! How does my son fare?"

Elsa frowned. "He hasn't visited you?"

"Not for a few weeks yet; his travels don't take him up this far at this time in the year. When the fjords freeze," Bulda promised.

Elsa nodded. "Kristoff and Anna are well. But I must speak with Grand Pabbie."

An elderly troll, the de facto leader, approached through the parting crowd. "To what do we owe the pleasure, Your Majesty?"

Elsa gulped. "Grand Pabbie, I am concerned about my sister and brother-in-law's inability to conceive. I fear that... magic might be at work."

Grand Pabbie's brow furrowed, and he waved his hands. Lights appeared in the sky, flashing shapes that were barely decipherable to Elsa. Grand Pabbie was searching for something, it seemed. An image of two young women, in an embrace that Elsa recognized all too well. And then - nothing.

Grand Pabbie turned back to the Queen. "Elsa... I fear that when your sister's heart froze, it altered her ability to be fertile."

Elsa's own heart nearly stopped. No... her sister was unable to have children... and once again, it was all Elsa's fault.

"It is not your fault," Grand Pabbie countered her, as if reading her thoughts. "And your sister will surely not lay the blame at your feet. But... I am afraid a baby will not be possible."

Elsa racked her brain. If what Grand Pabbie said was true, Anna would be unable to carry a child to term. But...

"What if someone else did?" she blurted the question out, and the trolls looked to each other in confusion.

"Your Majesty?"

"What if someone else bore the child?" Elsa asked. "Grand Pabbie... if I asked you to use your magic... to place a baby of Anna and Kristoff inside of me to carry, could you do it?"

"I feel quite confident of it," Grand Pabbie assured her. But his eyes betrayed that he was wary of the idea.

Elsa squared her shoulders, her heart alight with hope. Her mind was made up. "I will bring Anna and Kristoff here soon, and we can arrange it. May it be done to me according to your will."

Grand Pabbie bowed his head, the die cast. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

And with that, Elsa galloped furiously down the mountain for home.