Queen Idunna smiled watching her children wondering why the gods choose her to watch over such unique creatures. Anna the embodiment of summer and happiness itself laughter personified. Elsa kissed by Skadi, and Freyr the most surprising addition to their odd family. She chuckled as Anna whined unable to pry a long ice stick from her jaws. Elsa came up behind her and created one for her younger sibling. Freyr looked on after them and attempted to pull the stick from her mouth but failed since the ice stuck to her tongue. The girls laughed as they watched Freyr shake her head in a silly fashion drool dripping from her jowls. She tried using one of her claws to get a grip on it but slipped continuously. She looked to Elsa pitifully croaking. The blonde child took mercy on her freeing her jaws to which she happily chirped bouncing off awkwardly transitioning from two legs to four with the way her body was changing.
"Children come now time for your lessons." The queen clapped, her daughters groaned solemnly walking to their mother. Freyr nuzzled Elsa's hand earning a pet. "I don't know why we have to go to these dumb ole lessons anyways." Elsa chuckled at her sister's protest. It was always the same. Freyr loved lessons when Elsa subconsciously made little ice flurries to bite at plus laying in her lap made the quiet time nice.
Only staff knew of Elsa's powers and Freyr's existence. It was difficult for the king to not boast of his magnificent children. His eyes churned with plans and schemes when he watched Freyr move about chasing his daughters.
Elsa squeaked with laughter as she created an ice slide which Freyr pushed them along at a rapid speed creating a screaming Anna. A servant audibly gasped as they zoomed by. "Sorry."
"This is amazing Elsa! Faster Frey!" Freyr pumped her legs quicker to meet her princess' demands nearly knocking into end tables and statues but Elsa knowing the castle back to front steered them clearly out of the way of obstacles. Another servant turned the corner, the princess inhaled sharply her powers faltering sending the siblings into a heap pile of snow at the base of the stairs. A deep chuckle sounded from beneath the snow. "Let's go ride our bikes down the halls." Elsa fixed her hair and flicked snow off of Freyr's head. "Wait Anna mama and papa said we're not allowed to do that since you broke your arm on the knights' armor." But her sister was already gone. Exasperated Elsa threw her hands up and went in pursuit of the redhead.
Days in the castle seemed to fly by and soon so was Freyr having grown into the size of a horse, she now stayed outside much to the dismay of the princesses, they got to play with her less and even less with each other as if they were each being groomed for something. Idunna hated her husband's decision to keep their beast in the stables like a...well beast. The creature showed far superior intelligence and deserved better treatment. When she entered the stables the scent of putrid meat assaulted her nostrils. She tightened her cloak around herself approaching her stall. There sitting in the corner was Freyr eyeing the new food that was introduced to her just tonight in an attempt to get her to grow bigger.
"Come on Freyr eat now can't have you starving yourself." Freyr whined her usual whine and approached the meal but something was missing from it but she couldn't pinpoint what it was. So she decided to take a bite. Idunna took notice of how her sweet eyes turned to slits a growl rumbling from her chest as she began devouring more and more flesh. Concerned the queen opened the stable door and began drawing closer. A desperate screech sounded from her as if in some kind of warning the queen did not heed instead continued approaching in a mother's worry.
A scream pierced the stable boy's ears as he dropped the feeding pale having had witnessed the King's beast lash out and strike the queen's abdomen drawing blood. Luckily it retreated back into the corner devouring more meat. Idunna having recovered saw the boy's fear as he ran. "Wha-Wait!"
The royal couple had been arguing for days creating an uneasy air within the castle. "She's my child Agnarr you have no right to bring her into our lives just to take her out. Think of the girls." The king opened his mouth to answer but instead was interrupted by a cry sounding from the throne room. The king inwardly groaned, it never ended.
"Elsa. Psst. Elsa! Psst." Elsie groaned as her sister Anna plopped her body onto her own bouncing like a rabbit in spring. "Wake up. Wake up. Wake up!" Anna urged shaking her.
Elsa's mind screamed for her to awaken yet her small tired body argued against the notion. "Anna, go back to sleep." They could play in the morning, yeah right! If Elsa could say one thing about the younger redhead it was that her baby sister never gave up. The thought was confirmed when she felt the girl throw her weight back in an attempt to crush her sister bemoaning dramatically.
"I just can't. The sky's awake, so I'm awake, so we have to play." Finally having enough, Elsa shoved her off the bed suggesting she go find entertainment elsewhere. She was going to stay in bed like good gir-"Wanna build a snowman." Elsa half smiled knowing her sister had hooked her.
They raced down to the ballroom where Elsa created their own personal winter wonderland. It was when Anna began daringly climbing the snowbanks that Elsa's anxiety started to grow. "Gotcha!" The older princess weakly laughed.
"Again! Again!" Anna cheered hurrying her jumps. Elsa's tiny fingers moved as quickly as possible to ensure the younger did not fall. "Slow down!" Elsa warned, it became harder and harder to break her sister's fall.
Next thing the young girl knew was herself cradling her baby sister calling out for their parents. It all moved in a blur as if she was watching behind a screen.
The trolls were strange creatures that easily fixed the damage she had inflicted upon her best friend. Her parents sat her down with a particular one named Bulda as they went off in the distance, probably to discuss big people matters that she and Anna were not allowed to hear sometimes, but her mama and papa seemed to arguing. Elsa lightly chuckled at her silliness, mama and papa never argue not like she and did sometimes.
When they were done her mother and father spoke to the troll known as Grand Pabbie, the older one's face grew grave as he glanced at the still unconscious Anna and Elsa. After a heavy sigh, Elsa watched him sigh then slowly nod. Despite the wonderful news that Anna would be alright her parents still for some reason looked solemn.
"Elsa?" Her papa called kneeling done in front of his daughter. He reached out to take her hands but she snatched them away in fear. The king grew saddened by this looking back at his wife who nodded. "Elsa, you know that mama and I love you very much right?" Elsa glanced at her mother who gave a small grin then back to Agnarr replying in a small nod. "I love you too." She said in a tiny voice.
"Well we came up with a solution, one that will allow you to live happily and never hurt anyone with your powers ever again. Anna will be safe and you will be safe as well." Elsa turned her gaze to her hands examining with a frown. "Is Grand Pabbie going to take my powers away?"
"Sort of. Come now." Agnarr nodded his head to a small rock slabs where Idunna had laid Anna. Her father ushered her gently to lay down. The rock was uncomfortable but Elsa knew she would not be there long. Her azure orbs looked up to her father who placed a firm hand on her stomach while her mama kissed her forehead. The princess caught sight of a single tear going down her mother's cheek.
Grand Pabbie held a musky blue jewel he waved reciting words in a language Elsa could not identify. When it came to be Elsa's turn fear surged through her as strange sensations of sleepiness took control. "Papa?" she sobbed softly. The man comforted his daughter with a warm expression. "Don't worry sweetheart when you wake up everything will be okay for both you and Anna. You will no longer be able to hurt anyone anymore. I promise you that when you open your eyes, everything will be set right." She nodded trusting her papa completely, allowing her heavy lids to drop close.
Elsa opened her eyes at once. She sat up rubbing her lids. The young blonde looked out the window, the sun had yet to rise, swinging her legs around the cot which creaked in strain, she stretched out her back. "May as well get to started on my chores now."
Grabbing a small pail Elsa slipped her woven shoes on making her way outside to the trough located at the side of the small shack she resided in. Being careful not to wake her family up she returned to her room removing the worn white gown, rinsing her face and body. Pulling her usual beige smock over her head she tightened the laces in the back.
Elsa took her usual basket from the shed humming to herself as she made her way to her family's small field. In the small village of Arden everyone had roles, her family's role was to provide the produce, egg, and wheat quota that would go to the royal family, the also disperse what is left in trade to others.
Maiden looked up from collecting eggs upon hearing slurred cursings then returned to her work. "Good morning papa." She greeted softly. The large man waved her off taking account of their hens. "If you wake up this early today, you wake up this early every day." He mumbled, he had a soft soothing accented voice despite his attempts to sound gruff and hardened. "Yes papa." Elsa answered respectively, she held back a giggle from the sight of feathers littered in farmer's greying beard.
"Check the eggs for soft tops, the ones we give to the queen's guardsmen will be the largest, then second best for trade, if any have soft tops set them aside for dinner." Elsa nodded moving her hands hurriedly. She flinched when a firm hand gave her a stinging pat to the back of the head.
"You will answer me when I speak to you." He informed calmly. Elsa knew best not to argue so she simply replied. "Yes papa, I'm sorry."
When finished, she stood ready to leave the coop to sort the eggs, when a her father's hand clutched her bicep pulling her back. He licked his chapped lips looking around sneakily then pulled a book from his waistband hurriedly handing it Elsa. "I gave up a bottle a whiskey for it, so you better read it a hundred times over." He whispered, Elsa smiled happily hugging him.
"Yes, okay alright get off." He pushed her away then poked her collarbone. "Ma catches you with it you are on your own." Elsa chuckled leaning in a hushed tone. "I didn't get it from you." Her papa suppressed a grin nodding. "Now go on, you will not even take a peep until all the work is done." He swatted her rump shooing her out.
Stepping over the mud piles Elsa caught the eyes of the neighboring pig farmer who was the brother of the village huntsmen. He waved at her smiling, she waved back, how she envied the young man. Her family did not have the luxury of owning lavish animals like pigs, to feed them alone meant that one would have to have leftovers. Elsa turned back to her chores when a funny feeling took over her. She whipped her head back to see if the pig farmer was still watching her but he had returned his attention to his pigs. Her gaze scanned around until she caught sight of a black hooded figure watching her, their face was obscured by the cloak but green eyes with odd shapes made themselves known.
Even after being caught the stranger did not turn away, instead their stare intimidated the girl enough to cause her to put her head down. Then wanting to steal another peek Elsa peered in the stranger's direction but they had vanished. She walked to the front of the yard to see if they went down the road but there was traces of anyone in both directions.
"Elsa!" The strong bark made Elsa jump back turning to the house to see her mother standing in the doorway not looking pleased, was there ever a time she was pleased? Elsa wondered walking back.
"Have you not sorted those eggs yet?! Were you flirting with that pig farmer again?" The woman raised a brow putting her hands upon her hips, casting her daughter an accusatory gaze. "N-no mama, there's a green-eyed stranger among us." Elsa's explanation earned her a doubtful head shake from her mother.
"A green-eyed stranger? Ah! Elsa, you and your girlish fantasies." Elsa followed her mama back inside to the grey wood house, placing the eggs on the rickety table her mother brought a wet cloth to her face while forcing her to sit down.
"You missed a few spots." She mumbled gently washing her daughter's face. "Mama, I don't know if it's a man or woman they were in a black cloak."
"Elsa, we both know well that the only ones who pass through Arden is either ne'er do gooders, traveling traders or the queen's guardsmen to collect the taxes and rations. If you doever happen to stumble upon a stranger, you run your little legs home and find papa as fast as you can."
Elsa frowned scratching her front scalp. "How come mama?" The question resulted in a sharp whack to the head.
"One because I said so, and two though not as important as one is because you are a pretty little thing and any men who meet you will want one thing and that is to hurt you." She explained heatedly.
"But mama I do not know them why would they want to hurt me?" Elsa curiously asked. The woman sighed her face turning soft. "Because that is how the world is, papa already works so hard swatting away prying men and perverts who come sniffing about. You are to do one thing Elsa and that is to get married and have many children who look like you to make this village a lot less uglier." Elsa bit her lower lip. "Not sure I want to marry." She mumbled, her mother gave her a warning stare that could melt the bone off a bear.
"I'm kidding mama, it's an aspect that doesn't really matter to me." Elsa eased the woman who nodded. Before she could return outside her mother called after her while dusting.
"Oh Elsa? You are to not read that book until all the work is finished understood?" Elsa's eyes widened like a guilty puppy caught chewing slippers.
"How do you know?" Her voice quivered with worry but her mother simply shrugged.
"I've always known, see your father, stubborn thing, likes to do the opposite of what I tell him to do, so I make it seem like I don't want him buying you books because then he gets his rebellious thrill, in true word I prefer him buying you books than buying that awful ale and whiskey." Elsa chuckled exiting the house. Her suspicions were confirmed, no one was as clever as mama.