Jörmungandr skidded to a halt about fifty yards from the wagon and reared up on his massive hind legs. Bits of putrid ice spewed from the dragon's mouth as it wailed; they fell to the ground and sizzled, creating a horrible smell. It roared so loud that Anna had to cover the baby's ears, so much was her concern.

The beast lowered its body to all four limbs, and slowly slithered to the wagon, as it growled deep in its throat. The scaly creature's limbs shone blue, much like Elsa's legs had, while the rest of it shone various shades of gray; and it was huge, its body as big as an elephant, with an extremely long neck. The creature's wingspan was tremendous.

Anna held on to her son and scooted as far back in the wagon as she could go, afraid that the monster would try to harm her, and the baby.

Kristoff's eyes widened at the sight of the huge monstrosity, enormous as it was, and he had a hard time believing that a part of this creature was Elsa. "Oh, my God!"

Acting on instinct, the stags moved to the front of the wagon.

In the deep recesses of the dragon's being, Elsa existed, and she was struggling to break through the boundaries of the dragon's baser instincts. Jörmungandr stopped about thirty feet from the wagon and shook his massive head, because Elsa's essence was warring with his own. He lowered his massive head and groaned deep, and when his head snapped up again his eyes had turned blue.

Elsa flapped her wings, and the force of the wind it created knocked two of stags to the ground, and Kristoff lost his balance and fell from the wagon, landing on his arm and breaking it. He screamed and this drew the dragon's attention. Elsa crawled over to where Kristoff landed and roared at him, her anger mixing in with the dragon's rage.

But at precisely that moment the baby started crying again. Jörmungandr turned his huge head away from the mountain man and towards Anna and the baby. Anna saw the change in the dragon's eye color and knew that Elsa was partly in control, so she remained perfectly still as the massive head sniffed at her and then at the baby.

The dragon's wings immediately fell to the ground, and a strange sound emanated from its throat, sounding almost like a whimper. A huge tear rolled down its scaly cheek, and its tongue tentatively reached out to touch the infant. The baby seemed to look at the huge dragon, and the two locked eyes and held for the longest time. When Elsa looked away she was angry again, and so was the dragon. She had been denied the birth of her child, and Anna was thrust into a situation that could have ended tragically for both her and the baby.

Kristoff had crawled under the wagon but the dragon easily dragged him out by his jacket. This jarring motion snapped his broken arm again and he screamed, his arms flailing about, legs kicking. He managed to kick the dragon's nose, and this caused Jörmungandr to lift the mountain man off the ground and hurl him towards a nearby tree, breaking some of his ribs, but keeping him alive. The dragon whirled towards the man again and advanced towards him. The beast easily lifted Kristoff again and sent him flying once more; the dragon wanted to kill the mountain man, but Elsa was resisting.

"Elsa!"

Anna's scream caused Jörmungandr to stop and twirl towards her, his tail accidently swinging into Duraþrór, sending the stag flying into a different tree, and snapping his neck instantaneously. Dáinn gasped, and ran to his fallen brother, wailing. Duneyrr and Dvalinn, shocked and horrified, lowered their antlers—which had started to glow—and growled as they prepared to attack the dragon.

Anna saw all these events happen within seconds and cautiously lowered the baby to the blankets before leaping out the wagon and jumping in front of Jörmungandr. "Stop! All of you, stop what you are doing this instant!"

The stag's antlers stopped glowing and they halted their progression, and the dragon lowered his wings again to the ground, turning away from Kristoff and towards Anna. Jörmungandr collapsed in front of the princess, his massive eyes glazing over before they closed. Anna backed away from the creature as it started to putrefy; its skin shriveled up and disappeared altogether. The princess looked on in horror, and thought that Elsa was dying right before her, until the dragon vanished, and left only an outline of itself on the ground and a terrible smell. Amongst the fleshy material that was left over was the naked body of Elsa. Anna ran over to her immediately and tried to lift her, but she was weakened from just giving birth, and collapsed right next to her.

Anna brushed Elsa's wet hair from her face. "Elsa? Elsa can you hear me?"

The stags moved over to the fallen body of their brother, and mourned along with Dáinn.

The blonde started to stir, and she lifted a slimy hand to wipe off her face. "Anna…?"

Anna grabbed Elsa's hand. "Oh, thank God you're alive!"

Elsa lifted to her hands and knees, and then proceeded to vomit. She didn't notice that Anna had gotten up and walked over to the wagon. The blonde looked up and sat back on her heels just as Anna was coming back, a bundle in her arms.

The princess knelt next to Elsa and showed her the infant. "Look, Elsa, we have a son."

Elsa's hand went to her mouth as she looked upon her child, and noticed immediately the baby's wavy blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She reached out, but then abruptly withdrew her hand. "I'm filthy, Anna."

"Don't worry, so am I."

Elsa gently took her baby into her arms, and tears welled up in her eyes. She tenderly counted fingers and toes and then looked up to Anna and tried to say something, but words failed her. Her eyes locked with Anna's, and everything that she wanted to voice was exchanged between them in that look. After blinking, she looked down again on her son, her heart full of love and pride. "We…we did this."

Anna chuckled. "It appears so."

The blonde's smile faded as she glanced over her shoulder at the grieving stags. "Anna." She smoothly deposited the baby back in Anna's arms and stood up, disregarding her nakedness. "Dáinn."

The stags looked up from the fallen body of Duraþrór, their faces etched in sorrow. Dáinn stood and slowly walked towards the Queen, his ears flattened, and demeanor the same. "Yes, Queen Elsa?"

Elsa walked to the body of the stag and knelt down next to it. "I'm so sorry, Duraþrór. I have no words to express my sorrow." Her keen hearing picked up on a faint groaning from Kristoff, and her eyes hardened, and so did her heart. She silently got to her feet and calmly walked over to where the mountain man was lying next to a tree.

"Look at me!"

Kristoff opened his eyes, his arm and his ribs broken and aching. But he looked at the Queen defiantly, and offered no apologies. A trickle of blood oozed from mouth as he tried to speak, but couldn't.

"You could have killed Anna, and my son!" The Queen was furious, and sent spikes of ice over the mountain man's head. They imbedded into the tree he was lying under, a few of the shards hitting his face and cutting him. "What were you thinking? Answer me!"

Kristoff spit out blood. "I was… saving Anna… a war is coming…"

But Elsa wasn't hearing it; so much was her wrath. Kristoff had done the things she was looking forward to—delivering her own child, being the first to hold her baby—and it infuriated her and the dragon. She lifted her hands and sent giant shards of ice at the trunk of the tree Kristoff was under, effectively destroying it, and causing it to topple over. Several large branches fell over the mountain man, causing him to cry out.

"That's enough, Elsa."

Elsa lowered her arms and closed her eyes, feeling her ire extinguished, even if only for the moment. She coolly eyed the fallen man, her heart closed to him forever. "Look at what you have done, Kristoff." She indicated the fallen stag. "One of Anna's protectors is dead because of your interference!"

"…Hølje told me… everything…"

"I'm glad he did." Elsa tried to wipe the dirt and slime off of her hands. "Now that you are enlightened maybe you can understand this. You are banished from Arendelle, Kristoff. I'm sorry it had to come to this, but you really leave me no choice." She turned to walk away and nearly stumbled, but caught herself in time.

The mountain man turned his head toward the Queen. "Are you… going leave me to die?"

Anna gasped and Elsa quickly turned to look at her. As much as the dragon wanted to do exactly that she knew Anna would never forgive her if she did. "Of course not, Kristoff. Duneyrr?"

The stag trotted over to her immediately. "Your bidding, great wyrm?"

Elsa lowered her voice so only Duneyrr could hear. "What can you do for him?"

"I can heal his broken bones, but not his broken heart."

"Then fix him and send him on his way—to wherever the trolls are. Will you do this for me?"

"Yes, great wyrm." The stag turned and eyed the mountain man before making his way over to him.

But Kristoff wasn't done. "I know everything, Queen Elsa! How will you protect Anna when you are Jörmungandr?" He grunted as Duneyrr's magic began to work, his breath coming out in short spurts. "Who will hold her? Who will soothe her during all the fear and uncertainty?"

"That's enough!" Elsa whirled around to face the mountain man again. But then Óðinn's words came back to her, about the death of the great Midgard serpent at Thor's hands during the Ragnarök. Her heart was pierced with a flare of doubt for a moment.

The mountain man saw the brief uncertainty pass over the Queen. "You know what I'm talking about, don't you? Anna, please listen to me! I know—"

"Silence!" Elsa sent a blast of thin ice over to Kristoff, effectively knocking him out.

"Elsa, stop!" Anna stared at Elsa in disbelief, not quite believing what she was seeing. But when the baby started to cry she calmed down and turned her attention to him.

The Queen stood, rooted to the spot in fear and desperation, Kristoff's words ringing in her mind, distressing her beyond measure. He knew. Somehow Hølje had discerned the truth and imparted it to Kristoff, in order to save Anna, and she had stopped him. Her insecurities slammed into her with the force of a tidal wave, and she had to take several deep cleansing breaths in order to come back to herself. She was glad that Anna was occupied with the baby and had not seen, but Dáinn was watching her very closely.

The stag slowly approached Elsa, his keen intuition telling him several things. He bent down and whispered, "You haven't told Anna, have you, Jörmungandr?"

Deep inside Elsa, the serpent growled a warning. "About Thor and the Ragnarök? No, I haven't."

Dáinn shook his antlers. "Why not? She has a right to know about your impending doom."

Elsa lowered her voice. "How do you know? I haven't spoken of it to anyone."

"We know of the prophecies, and of your decision to take up the mantle of Jörmungandr. But we thought Anna already knew." Dáinn began to stamp his hooves. "This is surely not a good omen."

"I know… I know I need to tell her. But now with the baby here—I don't know how to do it."

"Would it help to have to her remaining protectors with you?"

The Queen looked up, her expression dubious. "I don't know, Dáinn."

Elsa turned back to Anna and hobbled over to her. "We need to get back to Arendelle, as fast as we can. I need for you and the baby to be completely safe." She gently took her son into her arms and indicated for Anna to get back into the wagon. When she was comfortable and secure Elsa handed the baby back to her.

"Elsa, do you think you ought to put some clothes on?"

But the Queen didn't hear, and was approaching the remaining stag. "Dvalinn, I need to ask you a tremendous favor."

"Anything, Jörmungandr."

"Do you mind pulling the wagon back to Arendelle? We don't seem to have any other option at the moment."

"I will. But I am going to take you to the nearest hot spring first."

Elsa sighed deeply. "Thank you."

Anna dipped a cloth into the hot spring, thoroughly soaking it, and then proceeded to clean the baby, who had been sleeping and was now awake and crying. The tiny infant's arms flailed about as his mother cleaned him, and she cooed at him at every opportunity, smiling at him and just loving him. "Hello, my sweet boy… how are you?"

Elsa looked over from the wagon and smiled at the two. She was still very much in awe of seeing her baby, and her heart was filled with love and devotion, even though in her heart there was also a fair amount of fear. But wasn't there always a certain amount of fear in every new venture, no matter what? The blonde felt her heart clench a bit at the thought, and knew that from this point onward her son would be at the center of her life. Her eyes wandered to the baby; the infant was so tiny, and seemed rather vulnerable. But she vowed to protect him, no matter that a war was coming, and she was still not sure how she was going to participate in the upcoming war. After gathering the clothes and towels they would need she walked over to her new family. My family… She knelt down behind Anna and put her hands on her shoulders, squeezing lightly.

Anna turned her head slightly. "What are you doing hiding back there?"

The blonde turned her head and kissed the princess' cheek. "I'm not hiding."

"Get in the water, Elsa, you smell."

Elsa kissed her again and then carefully dunked herself in the spring. The hot water felt good as it touched her skin, and it washed away Jörmungandr's filth and grime. She dipped her head in next, hoping to wash away most of her cares and worries, but it only partially worked.

Anna carefully placed the baby on a bed of blankets and then joined Elsa in the water. She groaned as her sore body hit the water, and she cleaned away the dried blood that was still clinging to her legs. When she was done she swam over to where Elsa was sitting. "I'm sorry… about everything."

The Queen's eyes snapped open. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"I'm sorry that Kristoff ruined our—special moment." Anna settled herself on Elsa's lap. "What could he have been thinking?"

Elsa placed her hands on Anna's shoulders. "I don't know, snowflake. Perhaps I ought to hold Hølje accountable for what Kristoff tried to do. Oh, Anna, I'm beginning to feel terrible about the whole thing, and we still don't know what's waiting for us back in Arendelle." Her head dropped to Anna's shoulder. "I should have found out what the shaman told Kristoff."

"Would it have made much of a difference?"

"In a way, it would have. As much as I am angry with Kristoff at the moment, my true anger ought to be towards Hølje. He must have manipulated Kristoff somehow. Because I can't think of any rational explanation for that ice harvester doing what he did."

Anna thought about it for a moment. "I would surely love to know what Hølje does; maybe it is something that could help us in the end."

"My instincts are telling me to seek him out—but I just don't have the time right now. Kai and the nobles must surely be in a panic, and I have so many things to do."

"Please, Elsa, you must be weary; relax, even if only for a few moments."

Elsa could feel her eyelids drooping, but then the baby began to make little noises, so she gently deposited Anna into the water and swam over to where her infant lay. The baby's eyes were open; he appeared to be looking around at everything with great interest, and squirmed about on the blanket. Elsa reached the rocky side of the spring and took her baby into her arms; and like before, was completely at a loss for words. She turned her son over and rested his little head on her shoulder, and then waded back to Anna. Her tearful eyes locked with the princess'. "I cannot begin to tell you how I feel about this, Anna, its all just so amazing. I am stunned and humbled by what you have given me—that we created a life, a little baby."

Anna blushed and lowered her head. It wasn't like Elsa to be at a loss for words, and now, even in her struggle for them, her eloquence remained. "I think you're doing just fine, Elsa."

Elsa gently patted the baby's back. "We need to choose a name for him, Anna."

"What would you like to name him?"

"Well, I would think it would be a mutual decision." Anna carefully placed her feet on the rocky floor of the hot spring and stood up. "What do you think about naming him after father?"

The Queen tilted her head and then thought for a moment. "Agdar?" She looked down on the younger woman. "But our father never liked his name, and I don't want our son to feel the same way."

"Oh, I didn't know that." Anna reached up and caressed her son's cheek. "Don't worry, we'll think of name. There's no reason to rush it."

"I agree." Elsa made her way over to the side of the spring and placed her baby on the blankets. "Are you clean, Anna? I think its time to go, don't you think?"

"I was hoping we could stay for a little while longer, my body is awfully sore, Elsa."

Worried, Elsa reached out and took Anna into her arms. "Are you in need of my physician, Anna?"

"Elsa, I just gave birth—my body is weak from delivering your son."

The blonde smiled. "Fair enough. Let me make a bed for you in the wagon." After she finished cleaning herself, Elsa dried off and then looked about the wagon for extra blankets. It seemed that Kristoff had prepared for an extended trip, and she found more than enough blankets to make a bed for Anna. She also found food and drink.

Anna took Elsa's hands and lowered herself onto the makeshift bed, and settled in for a much needed rest. "Oh, this is comfortable. Thank you, Elsa."

The Queen had put on trousers and boots, and stood at the back of wagon with the baby in her arms. But the little boy was squirming, however, and tried to suckle at one of her breasts. Elsa chuckled at that, and then bent down to give the boy to the princess. "I think he's hungry, Anna."

When Anna took the infant he immediately turned his little head and sought out her nipple. "He's so much like you, Elsa."

The Queen blushed, and had to turn away for a moment so that Anna couldn't seen her ridiculous grin. "Do you think so?"

Anna squirmed a little as the baby sucked vigorously, the sensation strange and yet oh so familiar. "Yeah, I'm sure."

Elsa reached for a shirt and put it on, and then climbed to the front of the wagon. "Dvalinn?" She looked beyond the hot spring to the area where the stags had been feeding amongst the brush, but they were not there. After a quick glance at Anna and the baby she jumped down from the wagon. "Anna, I'll be right back. I promise I won't let you out of my sight."

Anna didn't bother to look up. "Okay, sure."

The Queen looked deep within herself, searching for the instincts of the dragon to locate the whereabouts of the stags. Her head snapped up immediately and she sniffed at the air, and was impelled to head in an easterly direction. After a few short minutes she saw the red deer in a clearing not too far away, standing over the fallen Duraþrór. They lifted their heads to the sky and let out a deafening wail of sorrow, and then lowered their antlers to Duraþrór's body, touching him. Ethereal, golden strands of light emanated from their antlers into the fallen stag's body, causing it to glow. When they moved away from it the brighter it became, until it finally disappeared altogether. Elsa felt like she was intruding upon a sacred moment, and turned to walk away. But the remaining stags galloped over to her, coming so close that they almost knocked her over.

"Queen Elsa, we have come to a decision." Dáinn lowered his head to look at Queen directly.

Elsa stepped back a bit, and the dragon growled deeply within, on the defensive. "Yes?"

"We have reaffirmed our vows to Anna, and now we have vowed to stand by your offspring forever, even beyond the great war to come." Dáinn looked to his brothers. "Have we not?"

Dvalinn and Duneyrr nodded their massive heads in agreement, and Duneyrr stepped forward.

"What is the name of your offspring, Jörmungandr?"

Elsa breathed a sigh of relief; she was expecting a rebuke from the creatures. "We haven't decided on a name, yet. But I promise you will be the first to know when we do." She looked over her shoulder. "But, come, we need to get back to Anna."

Prince Hans of the Southern Isles was not a stupid man, even though there were a scattered few of his siblings that had a penchant for underestimating him, including Roman. But right at this moment he was not feeling particularly bright as he scanned the crew manifest for anything or anyone suspicious—or anything out of the ordinary, for that matter. He was so bent on his current task that he failed to notice his office door opening then closing, until an under butler was standing at his desk.

Aggravated, Hans looked up from his work. "Yes, what is it?"

"Your brothers, Your Highness, wish your presence in His Majesty's bedroom."

The Prince scribbled some notes on the paper he was reading. "How is the old man?"

"I am told that King Edvardt will not last the night."

Hans felt those words at the core of his being, and dropped his writing instrument. "What, from indigestion? Fingaard made no mention of father on his deathbed! When did this happen?"

"I'm afraid I don't—"

But Hans was already on his feet. "You are dismissed!" With those words he ran out the room. As he briskly walked to his father's bedroom his mind began to wander to all different possible scenarios, mostly having to do with his brothers siding against him and taking over the responsibility of the war. He fought down an irrational fear that thought produced, trying to maintain an air of optimism, but something was nagging at him. Something at the deepest part of his being, something that was telling him that this scare was somehow produced, just for him. When he arrived at the King's bedchamber he didn't bother to knock, and rushed into the room quickly.

Hans was not surprised to find all his brothers in the room, but what he had not expected was a very sick Edvardt, lying on the bed and laboring to breathe.

Fingaard looked up from his position at the side of the long bed. "Thank you for coming, Hans."

"As if I wouldn't?" Hans stepped up to his oldest brother. "What happened? Father was fine six days ago."

Roman, who was sitting on the bed and holding his father's hand, looked up. "He took sick while we were at Jonvar, Hans."

Roman's pointed look disturbed him, but Hans had more immediate questions to ask. He bent down to look more closely at the King, and noticed his extremely pale skin and sallow expression. "My God, what happened to him?"

"He complained about a stomach ache after dinner five days ago, and retired to his bed early that night. Ever since then he's been declining, and we can't figure out why."

Hans nodded at the doctor's words, and turned back to look at his father before turning his attention to Fingaard. "How does this change the war?"

Roman bristled at the question. "My God, Hans, show a little respect—"

But Hans was insistent. "No, I've come too far in my preparations to see them end!"

Fingaard slowly raised his hands. "Nothing changes, Hans. At least as far as I am concerned—keep up with your schedule, don't change anything at this point."

Hans was about to respond when the door opened and a royal messenger stepped inside the room. "Excuse me, Your Highnesses, but this message arrived from Weselton—"

Hans stepped forward and snatched the letter from the courier before any of his brothers could react. After dismissing the courier he quickly opened the envelope and read. It was not good news. "Our cousin is a lot smarter than I anticipated."

Roman let go of his father's hand and stood. "What has Magnus done?"

Hans didn't bother looking at him, but continued to stare at the letter. "He has executed General Voljor." He closed his eyes and resisted the urge to sigh, as he didn't want to appear weak in front of his siblings. But this was a blow he wasn't prepared for. Voljor had been providing him with critical information on Weselton's weaknesses. After folding the letter he placed it back in its envelope. "No matter, we have all the information we need to set our plans in motion—and, we sail in two weeks anyway."

Johnas, who was perhaps the most timid of the brothers, was also a skeptic. "I don't mean to interfere, Hans… but, what was the general providing you?"

"Voljor was making sure that Weselton's weakest officers were placed in key commands for the war's start, giving us an slight edge against them. But now that he's dead I am sure Magnus will carefully look over everything he did, and make all the necessary corrections. Like I said, it doesn't matter. When Arendelle is defeated we will turn our army against Weselton and defeat them." Hans patted Johnas' shoulder. "Don't worry, Johnas."

"Maybe he ought to worry."

All eyes turned towards the door the King's bedchamber. General Hilfred was standing there, a concerned look on his face. "I just received news that there was an accident at Jonvar, Prince Hans. A cannon exploded in one of our tall ships, catching it and an adjacent ship on fire, killing all in the vicinity. We lost over twenty men, and the pier is damaged."

Hans stared at Hilfred, and carefully measured his response. "Do we know how it happened?"

"There is really only one way it could have happened. Cannons just don't explode, Hans, someone has to ignite them."

"Don't… don't let it… stop you."

Hans quickly went over to his father's bed, and bent down to hear him more clearly. "Father, what did you say?"

Edvardt raised a shaky hand and grasped Hans' lapel, pulling him down. "I said… don't delay… the war…" His hand dropped with a thud, and he passed into unconsciousness.

Hans straightened abruptly and then looked around at everyone in the room, making sure to make eye contact with all. "Did you hear our father? He has told us not to change our plans, and I don't plan to. General?"

Hilfred stepped forward. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Please send our condolences to the dead men's families, and then resume your preparations." Hans waved the doctor over to the side of the bed. "Let me know if anything changes in his condition, and if he wakens, I want to know about it immediately."

Fingaard blinked, and then cleared his throat. "Hans, what are you doing? If anything happens to him I'm sure I'll—"

"Do you think I've been idle all this time, Finny?" Hans went to the door and motioned for the general to stand by him. "Just what do you think I have been doing? I have the backing of our navy and army; they look to me for leadership. I've arranged for it to be this way. If he dies…" Hans pointed to his father. "…who do you think this country will turn to? You?" He smiled at his oldest brother. "General, set the plan in motion."

"Right away, Your Highness." Hilfred turned around and left, barking out orders to the guards who were stationed in the hallway.

"What have done, Hans?" Roman glanced at the bewildered Fingaard.

"What does it look like, Roman? It's called a coup, and I've been planning it from the beginning." Hans stepped out of the bedchamber and closed the door, and then locked it.

ffdotnet did it again, this is part one of the larger chapter.