A loud and chilling thunder clap resonated around Elsa's room, the heavy rain and howling wind outside accompanying it. It wasn't exactly soothing, especially at night, but for some strange reason, Elsa wasn't disturbed by it.
The small, timid knock on her door was drowned by the pelting rain. Elise quietly turned the knob, peeking first before sneaking in. Christine, her doll, was currently in a vice grip and when she saw a flash of lightning, she clutched the doll tighter, trying not to yelp out in fear.
Elise closed the door behind her as quietly as possible and walked up to Elsa's large bed. Right when half of her body was dangling from the edge of the bed, she heard an especially loud thunderclap. Surprised, she fell to the floor with a thud. She whimpered quite loudly, a few tears escaping her eyes.
Elsa squinted with her eyes closed, hearing the thud through the strong rain. Someone might've snuck in, Elsa thought. Forcefully opening her eyes, she quickly sat up on the bed, her arms in defense position. When lightning flashed from the large window, she heard a small whimper from the side of bed. She peered down and saw none other than Elise in a fetal position, holding Christine to her chest.
"Oh, darling," Elsa breathed, her guard going down. She got up from the bed and went over to her, picking her up from the floor and holding her as if she were a baby. When Elise felt herself being lifted up, she immediately buried her head in Elsa's shoulder.
Elsa set Elise down right next to her on the bed, tucking them both under the warm duvet. Another thunderclap. Elise jumped, whimpering again as she wrapped her arms around Elsa's middle, burying her head under the covers. Elsa held her daughter closer, her hand rubbing circles on her back to calm her down.
"Make it stop, Mama," the three year old whispered, more tears escaping her eyes, staining Elsa's nightgown. Elsa leaned down to kiss the crown of Elise's head.
"I would if I could," Elsa whispered back. The two were silent for a short while, the only sound present was the rain hitting against the roof. Elsa ran her fingers through the little girl's hair, untangling the slight curls.
"Mama?" Elise voiced out, sniffling. Elsa made no hesitation to wipe the tears away with her thumb.
"Yes, Elise?"
"Why are you not scared?" Elise asked in a timid voice, playing with the ends of her mother's hair. Elsa slightly shook her head, a small smile appearing on her face.
"I can't be scared," Elsa stated simply. In all honesty, if it were someone else, she would've said that she was indoors and that the rain would never reach her. She would've said that she liked the sound of the rustling trees and the water pouring down. But, she had to appease her daughter. "I have to be brave for the both of us."
Elise nodded, her eyelids feeling heavier. She yawned cutely before snuggling closer to Elsa, closing her eyes. Elsa hummed a simple tune, watching her daughter fall asleep as she brushed stray hair from her face. She whispered a reminder to Elise before falling back asleep.
"I love you, Elise."
There was a large dragon with three heads, fire, ice and smog respectively coming out from each of the heads' nostrils. It was around twenty, maybe thirty feet tall, the dragon's claws as tall as sharp as knives and as tall as Elsa, who was currently trying to protect Elise.
"Stay away!" Elsa yelled, blasting the strongest ice she's ever conjured up at the monster. The encased the dragon's feet in ice, trying to thicken it as to further paralyze the dragon, but it only held it for a little while because with a lift, the dragon's foot was free from the thick ice.
Enraged, the dragon lunged forward. The head that was breathing fire leaned down and grabbed a running Elsa by the waist. Elise, who was in her arms while running, was thrown to the ground in an attempt to save her. The dragon lifted Elsa up, the sharp teeth piercing through her skin.
The three-headed dragon looked directly at Elise, as if to challenge her, before clenching its jaw and crushing the body in its mouth. The sound of breaking bones resonated through her ears, making her scream the loudest she ever had.
During this, Elise's eyebrows furrowed, beads of sweat starting to form all around her body. She was stuck in her vivid dream, trying to figure out if it was really happening or not. Her heart raced, more drool started to escape from her mouth, and unconsciously, her hands clenched into fists and aimlessly punched the air, managing to accidentally jab Elsa in the stomach.
"Ungh," Elsa, though extremely drowsy, groaned, awoken by the unexpected gut blow. She rubbed the sore spot as she muttered, "We don't hit people awake, Elise."
She sat up when she heard Elise yelp, almost maniacally. Despite the dim atmosphere, it was clear enough that her daughter was in distress. She squinted her eyes, trying to adjust to the darkness and saw that Elise was drenched in sweat, her arms swinging at the air.
"Elise, open your eyes," Elsa said, wiping off the sweat from her face with her hands. She wasn't used to seeing her daughter in this state, since this was the first time that had happened. When Elise was still wasn't budging, she pleaded louder, slightly shaking her. "Don't make me worry, Elise. Please, wake up."
Elise immediately opened her eyes, sitting up abruptly. She was panting, as if she had been running for hours. When she saw Elsa right next to her, she wrapped her little arms around her neck in a vice grip, sobbing openly into her nightgown.
"Mama," Elise hiccuped, trying to talk through loud sobs. "You're here."
Elsa wrapped her arms around her daughter tightly, not at all caring if she was sweaty or covered with drool. She kissed her sweat drenched hair before replying. "Of course I am. I never left."
"Mama, you died!" Elise cried out, hugging Elsa tighter. "Monster got you and, and-," Elise tried to continue, but she started to hyperventilate, choking on her own sobs.
"Breathe, love," Elsa instructed, holding her and guiding her as she tried to make Elise relax. Once Elise had started to breathe normally, she fell limp in her mother's arms. Elsa shifted Elise so she would be cradling her in her arms.
"It was just a dream," Elsa soothed, gently rocking to and fro so as to appease her daughter. "I'm here. Mama's here."
Elsa never referred to herself as 'Mama' unless it was completely necessary, but right now, it was the only thing that could calm both Elise and herself down. It reminded her that the little girl in her arms was actually, genuinely hers.
Elise was extremely tired from her little episode, but she refused to sleep since she was afraid of having a nightmare again. When Elsa saw Elise trying to force herself awake, she started rubbing circles on her stomach with her thumb, making her even drowsier.
"Sleep, little love," Elsa whispered, not at all releasing Elise from her cradle hold. Elise slightly shook her head, forcing her heavy eyelids open.
"I don't wanna," Elise argued, yawning as she did. "I don't wanna lose you 'gain."
"You're not going to lose me," Elsa reassured, kissing her forehead. "If it makes you feel safer, I'll hold you while you sleep. So you'll know that I'm just here."
Elise saw nothing wrong with this agreement. She snuggled even closer to Elsa, making herself comfortable in her mother's arms before closing her eyes. Elsa sighed, knowing that she wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep since she had to stay up to fight off the dragon in Elise's head.
This was the first time Elise had come into her room for comfort, and at the back of her mind, she knew that this wasn't going to be the last.
I know a few of you wanted a nightmare chapter, so I tried to deliver. This one was requested by Relentless Wind and turtleneck. I hope it is to your liking. I tried my best.
And dear goodness, thank you for the responses and the ideas! I will be trying to incorporate those in future installments.
Please do tell me what you think. Wishing you all the best!