In the end, Arendelle ended up absorbing Weselton into it, expanding her lands. Once the battle had finished, Elsa had given the surviving Weselton soldiers a choice; return to a country that was no more and face an unknown fate, or convert and come to Arendelle; it was almost instantaneously understood that the soldiers of Weselton's army had only fought on the duke's orders. Upon speaking with their general, Elsa learned that those who served in the army had no choice; in the scheme of things, it was considered the 'highest' of paying jobs, which in reality was a lie. They could barely support themselves, let alone their families.

And it was the same all across the duchy.

"They're starving. The people of Weselton are starving while the duke gorged himself."

"You did them a favor." She cast her husband a look that screamed that she knew that, before turning back to the map upon her desk. "Are they willing to convert?"

The royal couple were in the library, looking over a map of Arendelle and the surrounding countries, debating the merits of Arendelle absorbing Weselton and allowing the people to become Arendellian citizens. In the two months since the battle, Elsa had been placed on 'watch' by the midwife- meaning her sister and husband- when Hans was there- were to make sure she paced herself and got rest.

Thirty-four weeks into her third pregnancy, and her belly protruded, nice and round. Hans had spent the nights they were together talking softly to her belly, and he kept a close eye on her. Milla and Annes stayed close to their mother when allowed. Annes no longer nursed at her breast, as he'd turned two in January, and Milla, at three-and-a-half, preferred her thumb- something her parents were trying to break her of. The little girl's snow-white hair had started to tinge red, and there was a debate as to whether she would possess her mother's snow white curls or her father's fiery red ones.

"Majority of them are, yes. There are a few outliers, but there are outliers everywhere." She sighed, tilting her head back with a sigh. Her hands moved of their own accord, working on stroking the roundness of her belly, and Hans watched, smiling softly. Gently, he reached over, resting a hand over hers.

"Put it aside for now. We have more important things to focus our attentions to. Come on." He stood, helping her to her feet. Once they'd left the library, he slipped his arm about her waist, leading her back to her chambers. She stopped not far from the door, releasing a breath.

"I do not remember either Milla or Annes being quite so... rambunctious when they were growing within me." He chuckled softly, opening the door and letting her enter first. Once the door shut and locked softly behind them, he helped her to the bed, sitting behind her and working to remove her hair from the elaborate twist she'd had it put in that morning. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For... looking out for me, no matter how I detest it sometimes." He chuckled softly.

"I live to serve my queen," He kissed her head. "and I love you."

"I love you, too."

Nothing but the sound of her hair being worked out of the twist could be heard in the silence, before, "I still haven't forgiven you for going into battle, though." She froze. "I'm not sure if I'll truly ever be able to forgive you for putting yourself and our babe at risk." She swallowed, digesting his words. She knew why he was upset; it had been incredibly stupid of her to do such a dangerous thing, and she didn't blame him for being angry. She didn't blame him for hating her, for not forgiving her for it.

"I know." She met his gaze. "And I accept it." His green eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite identify. "And I mean it, when I say that I am so terribly, terribly sorry for going ahead with it without fully consulting you first. I know that's no excuse for what I did, and you have every right to be terribly angry with me. You have every right to hate me-"

"I don't hate you, Eliza. I could never hate you. I couldn't imagine hating the woman I love, hating the woman of my children... I don't forgive you. Refusing forgiveness is different to hating. I don't think I'll ever forgive you for going into battle six months pregnant, but I don't hate you for it. Eliza," He finished with her hair, lowering his hands and reaching to take hers as she shifted to face him. "I love you. You're my wife, you're the mother of my children. I was terrified; I was certain I would lose the woman I love and the child she carried. And I was powerless to do anything because you wouldn't allow me too." He reached up, taking her face in his hands. "Don't you ever do such a stupid, dangerous thing again, you hear me? And especially not when you are carrying our child."

She reached up, covering his hands with hers. "Hans-" His lips brushed against hers softly, pleading, and she nodded, reciprocating with another soft kiss.

"Must you go?"

He returned to the bed, taking a seat beside her. He'd made another secret trip to Arendelle, to spend time with her and the children before the babe arrived in a week's time. Unable to leave the castle due to the advanced state of their mother's pregnancy, the small family had spent time in her quarters; and Milla and her brother had listened with wide eyes as their Papa told them stories of the mermaids said to swim in the seas around the Isles, promising to take them to the north beaches the next time they returned to the Isles.

He was set to return to the Isles, leaving in the dark of night. As he watched his wife, saw how heavy with his child she was, he felt his heart constrict, and kissed her. "I wish I could stay, my love, but I've been away from the Isles for too long. But I'll return soon, I promise you I will." He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing gently. "And when I do, we will be a perfect family of five. Just hang in a bit longer, darling, for you haven't long to go."

She sighed, lifting the fabric of her nightdress. Her belly protruded, round and smooth with marks from the stretched skin decorating it like fractals of her ice. Her naval had popped, and it was evident that she was uncomfortable. He gently stroked her belly, feeling her hand move to cover his, and after a moment, he met her gaze. "Soon, my darling. Our little one will be here soon."

A soft, familiar rap upon the door interrupted their kiss, and he sighed, resting his forehead to hers with a soft groan of annoyance. "Go." She pushed gently against his chest, and kissed her chastely, once, twice, three times before deepening it briefly. "Go, so that you may return to me, to us." He took her face in his hands, studying her gaze briefly before kissing her deeply once more.

"I will return to you as soon as I can, Eliza, darling." And with that, he was gone, returning to the Isles.

With great difficulty, Elsa climbed out of bed, making her way towards the mirror in her room. She stood before it, studying herself. With her nightdress up and tucked beneath her breasts, it was easier to see the great swell before her. She could breathe easier, and it appeared as though her belly was lower. Her hips had loosened, and she walked as though she were imitating a duck; which Milla found funny.

Another soft knock sounded, and she quietly bade them entry. The midwife and her apprentice entered, with Anna, and after a moment, Elsa returned to bed. Once settled, she lifted her legs and allowed the midwife to check her. Quiet filled the room, before, "The waters are showing much more now than two weeks ago when they first appeared."

"Is that good?" Anna asked, holding tight to her sister's hand. Elsa turned to met her sister's gaze.

"Yes, Annalei, that's good. It means baby's due to come soon. Right?"

The midwife nodded, as she continued her examination. "It appears that you are more than half opened and you've dilated quickly- halfway abouts. Should not be long." She finished and gently patted Elsa's knee.

"It could come today?" Anna asked, and the midwife nodded.

"From your mouth to the ears of the gods, Princess."