Chapter Text
Arendelle.
A baby’s cry is heard throughout the castle just as the dawn starts to come over the horizon, making the morning snow glitter.
The Snow Queen rises as well, knowing her babe is needing to be fed and comforted. She puts her dressing gown, slippers, and smoothes out her messy hair.
As she begins to open the door, she turns towards the bed to make sure her red-headed husband is still snoring away and he is, making her giggle then she makes her way towards the nursery.
Elsa begins her short journey to the nursery, she glances out the window, just wondering how much has changed in this past month. At the start, she was a young queen ready to give birth and at the end of it, she is now a mother to a beautiful baby girl with blond hair and green eyes.
Elsa enters the room with a smile on her face knowing her little princess is awake as well. She walks and leans overs to see her daughter, Eirlys*.
“Hello my little Snowdrop.” Eirlys gurgles in response. Elsa picks up the child with such care as if she was made of glass and holds her tightly against her chest, making sure to wrap the blanket around Eirlys to keep out the frigid morning air.
Elsa closes her eyes and gently rocks the baby, humming the same lullaby her own mother sang to her when she was this small.
Where the north wind meets the sea
There's a river full of memory
Sleep, my darling, safe and sound
For in this river all is found…..
Elsa opens her eyes to gaze at Eirlys, stroking her cheek oh-so softly with her finger. The door creaks open in the background but Elsa is too enamored by gazing at her baby.
“Hey, I thought I would find you in here.”
“Hans!” Elsa jumps a bit, clutching Eirlys tighter. “You startled me!”
Hans shuts the door and crosses the room to join Elsa and their daughter. “I'm sorry.” He whispers. “How are you doing this morning?” He wraps his arms carefully around her midsection to not wake Eirlys.
“I'm doing alright.” She whispers back and leans against Hans’ chest. “Just trying to wrap my mind the fact that she’s finally here with us now.” Elsa readjusts Eirlys’ blanket to make her more comfortable.
“It just feels like nothing has calmed down at all.” Elsa confesses.
The both of them think about the long and stressful journey it took to Eirlys’ birth. Elsa had been under a great amount of stress from her council who were trying to make her pass taxes and demand trade partners during her pregnancy. So much stress, that she almost went into a very early labor and almost lost Eirlys. Fortunately Hans, with the help of Anna, stepped in to help take charge of the kingdom and let Elsa rest from the pressure of ruling. But now her counsel is demanding more from her now even though she had just given birth.
“I know, but look on the bright side darling.” Hans said, placing his hands over Elsa to cradle his daughter as well. “You're here, she’s here, and both of you are healthy. That's what matters the most.”
Eirlys breaks their conversation with a cry, demanding to be fed, making both Elsa and Hans chuckle.
“It seems like that the little Snowdrop is hungry now.” Hans teases while making a funny face at his daughter. Elsa slightly jabs him with her elbow.
“Ouch!” Hans exaggerates. “That hurt!”
Elsa gives a coy smile while slightly turning to face him. “Well, you don't want to be even more hurt if you want to make it in time for the council meeting this morning, do you?”
Hans gives a side eye to the door and grumbles softly. “I wish.”
“What was that?”
“No! I mean no, sweetheart.” Hans snaps out mumbling. This makes Elsa laugh, shaking her head.
“Good. So why don't you go get ready for the meeting and I'll stay here and feed Snowdrop. Then I'll come by once we have finished getting ready.” Elsa gives a sweet kiss and walks over the rocking chair to sit down.
Elsa undoes her dressing gown with one hand, pulls down the front of her nightgown and brings Eirlys closer to nurse.
Hans crosses over the room to where Elsa sits and crouches down to stroke Eirlys’ chubby face. “Elsa, are you worried that she might have our powers?”
Elsa’s eyes shoot up to meet him. “Why would you ask that Hans?” She cradles Eirlys, rocking back and forth in the chair gently. Hans’ hand stops and he lowers his head, sighing.
“It's just I'm worried for her, Elsa.” He confesses. “What if people don't accept her the way they accepted you?” Elsa removes one of her hands from under Eirlys and places it against his cheek, giving him a soft smile at the same time.
“Hans, you and I both know that everyone has accepted her from the moment she was born. She has a family who loves her.” She says. “And they have accepted you as their leader as well.”
Hans places his own hand over hers and grasps it. “Thank you, Elsa.”
“Anytime, my love.” She leans forward to kiss him. “Now, time to get to that council meeting.” She says while he stands up and fixes his outfit.
Eirlys soon finishes nursing and is handed off to Hans for a moment to be burped while Elsa readjusts her nightgown and reties her robe.
While burping Eirlys, Hans hums and gently sways to keep her at peace. He gets a small burp out of her, making him quietly laugh.
“That’s my little princess.” Hans earns a light smack on his arm. “What?” He asks, slightly smirking.
Elsa gives him a glare then holds her arms out to receive Eirlys back.
“Oh, alright.” Hans places a big kiss on Eirlys’ cheek, making her gurgle with glee before handing her back to Elsa. Afterwards, he gives Elsa a kiss as well.
“I'll see you soon.” Hans says fixing his outfit once more then heads towards the door to leave.
Elsa rewraps the blanket around Eirlys and whispers back with a smile.
“See you soon.”
Then he is gone.
Elsa sits there for a few moments and soon after, she walks over the changing table to get Eirlys ready. She pulls out a simple light pink frock with purple stars sewn throughout. After, she brushes out Eirlys’ hair, smoothing out her curls. Elsa finishes dressing Eirlys by putting her tiny white socks with tiny frills lining the top.
Elsa gathers Eirlys along with her blanket in her arms and heads out of the nursery to get herself ready. She shuts the nursery door quietly and sees that the rest of the castle is awake as well.
Maids bustle down the halls opening the curtains and windows to prepare the castle for a new day. Elsa walks through the hallway with Eirlys nestled near shoulder with the blanket shielding her face from the bright sunlight. The maids curtsies when they pass by the young Queen, giving her a soft smile, with her slightly nodding in response.
Elsa opens the door to her and Hans’ bedroom and sets Eirlys in her cradle to prepare for the day. She decides to forego her usual ice dress and wear a simple violet frock lined with lace and deep pink rosemaling at the edges. She paired the outfit with light blue stockings and black flats. Afterwards, she heads to her vanity to touch up her face and hair.
While fixing her hair, Eirlys sneezes and a puff of white snowflakes fill the air above her.
“Bless you, Snowdrop.” Elsa says, not noticing the flurry from being too occupied with getting ready.
She places one last pin in her bun, checks over her makeup a final time, and then walks over to retrieve Eirlys.
“Oh, no.” Elsa whispers as she sees Eirlys playing her self-made flurry, giggling away without a care.
She starts to panic, balling her fists with a shocked expression taking over. Frost crawls up every inch of room, crackling at the same time.
Eirlys suddenly notices the change in her mother’s demeanor and begins to wail, freezing over the cradle in response. Her tears trailing down her cheeks, turn into miniscule drops of ice as well.
This makes Elsa snap out her stupor and quickly comfort Eirlys. She begins to hum the lullaby again, rocking her slowly to soothe her discomfort and it works. She retrieves the blanket out of the cradle and swaddles Eirlys to help her stay calm.
Soon, the frost around the room and in the cradle melts quickly as it appears.
Elsa lets out an audible sigh, trying to wrap the whole situation around her mind.
“What are we going now?” She asks the sleeping child, not expecting an answer in response. “I must tell your Father about this.”
A headache starts form as thoughts swirl around in her head, wondering how the council will take the news of the heir to the throne now has ice powers just like her.
All of a sudden, she remembers what she told Hans earlier.
Everyone has accepted her from the moment she was born. She has a family who loves her.
Elsa’s face changes into a look of determination, clutching Eirlys tighter, heading out to go meet Hans in the council room.
She arrives at the council room ten minutes later with a speech prepared in her mind to inform the council of Eirlys’ new ability. Her hand raises to knock on the door to announce her arrival when the shouting inside begins.
“Her Majesty has not approved any trade taxes since last month! I'm beginning to think she is incompetent as Queen!” Lord Conrad yells out muffled.
Her raised fist glazes over in frost at the comment.
“Her Majesty has been on maternity leave and has not been able to approve anything since then! And just watch your tone Lord Conrad, that will be considered treason if you keep pushing it.” Hans replies in an angry tone.
Elsa takes a deep breath and the frost dissolves.
In and out.
In and out.
She knocks on the wooden door and waits for the voices to cease.
They don’t.
She opens the door to find Hans and the council still arguing over her.
“Ahem.” Elsa clears her throat to diffuse the arguing. “Good morning gentlemen.”
All eyes land on her as they freeze in mid argument.
She straightens her posture and a neutral expression is set on her face but inside she is terrified. Hans breaks the silence in the room to ease the situation.
“My Queen,” He nods in respect. “We apologize for any disrespect.” Hans crosses over to Elsa to assist her into the head seat of the council table. While doing so, he leans closer to whisper in her ear.
“What are you doing here with Eirlys?” He whispers in a surprised tone, eyes focused on the council. “I thought you were leaving her with Gerda for the time being!”
“It is important, for her sake.” She replies, holding her baby as if she was a lifeline.
She lowers into the head chair and readjust the sleeping Eirlys. Hans stands behind her, preparing to defend her and their daughter from the council’s wrath. Once she settles in, Elsa begins to speak.
“Gentlemen, it has come to my attention that my daughter, Eirlys, has inherited my magical abilities.” She states. “I wanted to in-”
“This is outrageous!” Lord Conrad bursts out, interrupting Elsa on her decree. “This is truly outrageous! I hoped that you, Your Majesty, would prove me wrong but now with this unholy creature you've-”
“One more word out of you, Lord Conrad and you will be sent to gallows for treason. I promise you that I will-” Hans spits back, balling his fists with sparks growing beneath them.
“ENOUGH!” Elsa shouts to stop them going into a full out brawl. Everyone goes dead silent to pay attention to her once again. Her and Hans quickly glance at Eirlys to make sure that she is still asleep and thankfully, she is.
Elsa takes a deep breath and speaks. “I wanted to inform the council that if anyone dares to abdicate her right to the throne or take advantage of Eirlys due to her magic,” She throws a glare in Lord Conrad’s direction. “They will be tried and be put to death for treason.”
The councilmen stare at her in aghast at this deceleration. Hans places a hand on her shoulder to show his support of his wife. A small smile reaches the corners of her lips as he does this.
“Any questions?” Elsa asks the men. They all shake their heads in a nervous manner to agree. “Good. Lord Conrad can draw up the decree and have it ready by the next session. Council adjourned.” She stands to declare the end of the session, handing Eirlys over to Hans to fix her dress.
The council scramble to grab their paperwork and exit quickly to not endure her anger. All the while, Lord Conrad stands there, gaping and appalled by the Queen's order. “Your Majesty, I greatly apolog-”
She raises a hand to stop his blabbing. “Lord Conrad, I suggest you do as I tell you before I sentence you to treason after what you did to me when my parents died.” He shuts his mouth and swiftly exits with his tail tucked between his legs.
Elsa falls back into the head chair, resting her head in her hand. She closes her eyes and takes deep breaths in order to regain composure.
“All this morning, they were arguing over you.” Hans states. He bounces Eirlys to keep her calm while staring out the window.
Elsa peeks with an eye open. “They always argue over me, I'm their Queen.”
Hans strolls over to Elsa and places a kiss on her head. “They kept asking me when you were going to approve the tax trades and let Weaseltown back as our trading partner.”
Elsa’s eyes shoot open. “They know damn well that I am not going to have Weaseltown as partners again.” She sits up straighter and fold her arms against her chest.
“I know. That's what I told them.” He says. Elsa sighs and he frowns. “What's the matter?”
Elsa stands up, facing Hans. “I just wish the whole conversation about Eirlys went a lot better.” She brushes a finger against the baby’s cheek which awakens her.
She smiles sadly at Eirlys who gives a toothless grin in response. “She's just a baby and for Lord Conrad to call heran unholy creature, angers me.” Elsa whispers. "He has always been against me since I was born.”
Hans puts a finger under her chin and raises it to give her a kiss. “I know. It upsets me as well but we are a team and I promise you I will help you deal with him.”
Their foreheads touch, letting the warmth of sunlight bathe them. Eirlys coos at the closeness of her parents and reaches out to touch their faces.
“She is just so beautiful and perfect. I just hope that we can make her childhood superior to the ones we had.” Hans murmurs. Elsa softly nods in agreement.
Hans slowly shifts Eirlys into Elsa’s arms in order for him to retrieve his paperwork. Elsa prattles to Eirlys in a baby voice to keep her entertained. Hans collects one last paper before moving toward Elsa.
“Now Milady, time for breakfast.” Hans puts out his right arm to help her to breakfast. Elsa covers up her giggle with her left hand before hooking it through his arm and resting her head on his shoulder. “Why thank you, Milord.” She replies.
The new family walk through the door and into the hallway, making their way towards the dining hall to join the rest of their family and to start a brand new day.