Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen

Rating: for minor, suggestive themes.

A/n: While travelling a few weeks ago, I found myself thinking of some fanfics I've read where Elsa (as an adult) worries about having, or doesn't want to have, children because she's worried she'll pass her powers on. Which raised an interesting question in my head (the question does happen in the fic) and this was my, wildly off-topic, attempt to answer it. By way of disclaimer, I have had very little experience with children under the age of 7 - most of my info comes from google (internet ads now think I'm pregnant) and may be wrong. Hope you enjoy.

Raising Elsa

I. Elsa is not yet born

The pregnancy feels no better and no worse than people said it would. She's big now, and she doesn't walk so much as waddle. Sometimes, the baby kicks. The first time it happened, it felt awe-inspiring. Now she wishes the baby would listen when she says, "Stop that."

They're almost decided on names. Edor for a boy and Elsa for a girl. She knows Agdar hopes for a boy but she has no particular preference. The baby will be whoever it is.

"And besides," Idun says one night, "it's not as though we have to stop at one."

Agdar smiles. "If the baby's anything like you, I'm not sure we'll have the energy for two."

II. Elsa is one minute and thirty-nine seconds old

It is late in the night of the winter solstice and a baby's wail fills the air.

Idun lies on the bed, panting after the three hour labour. Somewhere outside her field of vision, Agdar coos at something. She wants to sleep but her arms stretch out towards the cooing.

Agdar walks towards her, holding a small, wailing bundle. He smiles as a little hand reaches up.

"Take a look," he says softly, almost drowned out by the wailing. "Our little girl."

Idun looks into blue eyes and feels her weariness dissipate. "She's perfect," she says. "Elsa's perfect."

III.A. Elsa is two weeks old

"Agdar?"

"Hmm?"

"You know our daughter?"

"The one you gave birth to two weeks ago? I think I remember her."

"Without wanting to startle you, did she, ah, did she get the ability to create snow from your side of the family? I'm fairly sure it's not from mine…"

"Snow?"

"Yes. She's, uh, making a pile. Oh, no, that's two. Elsa, no. We don't make our own climates at bedtime. Or ever, actually. But definitely not at bedtime. Well, this explains why her covers have been getting wet."

"I assume you're joking because if you're not, you're taking this very ca- what on earth?"

"I did say."

"That's … snow."

"Yes, I noticed."

"Why is she making snow?"

"That's a wonderful question and one which I'm sure we can discuss at great length after we get her to stop."

"Stop being so snide and … why is she doing that? How is she doing that?"

"Agdar, either help me stop her or … oh, don't pick her up, I only just got her in there and-"

"Elsa, stop snowing on my head. Come on now. Come on. There's a good girl. Idun, stop laughing."

"I'm sorry. It's just, you look ridiculous. It's in your hair."

"But she's stopped now. Maybe all she wanted was a snowman."

"Well, in that case, you can be on snow patrol from now on."

III.B. Elsa is two weeks old

Elsa finally drifts off to sleep. Quietly, they tiptoe out of the room and stare at each other, panic in their eyes.

Finally, Agdar says, "I'm not dreaming, am I?"

Idun shakes her head, feeling her heartbeat finally begin to calm. "Not unless we're having the same dream." She lets out a shaky breath. "God above, that scared me."

"You seemed to take it well."

"When in doubt, retreat to sarcasm. That's what my mother taught me."

"What do we do now?" He frowns. "In stories, children with powers lose control. They lust for power. They never … parents usually…"

Icy fear stabs her heart. "No," she says. "We're not doing that." She looks Agdar in the eye, fists clenched. "I refuse to let anyone hurt her."

Agdar smiles and some of the tension leaves her. "Good," he says. "Because I would have killed anyone who tried."

IV. Elsa is two weeks and one day old

Elsa is very upset. She can tell that from the very small ice lumps forming in her cot.

"Oh, Jesus," Agdar mutters as he gingerly picks Elsa up. A pointy lump lightly tugs his sleeve. "Elsa, it's me. It's Papa. I've got you."

Idun catches her husband's eye. Elsa wails.

"She's probably hungry," Idun says. "Pass … pass her here."

She can't stop her hands from trembling until they hold Elsa. Agdar sighs in relief as Idun feeds her and she quietens.

"Keep hold of her," he says. "I'll chip off the ice."

V. Elsa is two weeks and two days old

She watches Agdar wipe snow from his face. Somehow, it's not as funny as it looks.

"I think we need to talk about Elsa."

He nods, hands rubbing at tired eyes. Neither of them has slept much. They should get a nanny but they wanted the first couple of weeks to themselves with their daughter. And now … how do they explain her?

"What are we going to do?"

He rubs his eyes again. "She doesn't always do it," he says. "I mean, she went the first two weeks without us noticing. And it's not as though she's making giant piles of snow or ice. I think maybe she's noticed she can do it now and…" He sighs. "I think, until she's old enough to understand that she's … the way she is, we should keep her in the castle. Make sure someone's always watching her. And invest in water-proof everything."

"You want to lock our daughter up?"

He raises his hands. "I want to stop her from hurting herself or anyone else. What if she makes a giant icicle and cuts herself on it? It would only be for a few months. Until she's old enough to understand when we tell her not to do it." He sees her look. "I'm not saying she can't do it. Just that she should do it with good manners."

The idea still feels repellent but she can see the sense in it. "Fine," she says. "But I want her in no doubt that we love her. And if someone wants to see her…"

"We'll warn them beforehand. I don't want to isolate her, Idun. I just want everyone to be safe."

VI. Elsa is two weeks and four days old

"Well, I've bought enough water-proof furniture to keep Eriksson and his descendants afloat for several generations."

"Very punny," Idun says, looking up from her book. Elsa slumbers nearby, tiny fingers twitching.

"Not intended." He places a hand on her shoulder and she leans her head against his arm. "How's the search for the nanny?"

"I'm meeting someone in two days. Rest assured, I'm blaming all of this on you."

"I still think there's something your family failed to mention in the betrothal negotiations."

"We're the Kingdom of the Sun. You're descended from people whose lives are ice. I'm not taking any responsibility for this."

He chuckles and kisses her. Elsa sleeps on.

VII. Elsa is two weeks and five days old

Elsa freezes her pillow and nearly freezes Idun's finger. Mothers aren't supposed to be terrified of picking their children up but her heart still beats a little faster every time she does.

VIII. Elsa is two weeks and six days old

She explains the situation as best she can to the prospective nanny. The woman seems to take it well until they walk into the nursery. Agdar is there, tossing Elsa's snow chunks back at her to amuse her. The woman pales and bolts. Idun runs after her.

"I'm sorry, your Majesty," the woman says. "I thought you were joking."

"You thought I'd tell you that the future monarch of Arendelle has magic ice powers as a joke?"

"Um…"

"Good grief."

IX. Elsa is one month old

Somehow, they settle into a routine. Despite being able to create snow and ice, Elsa is as dependent as any other month-old child. Idun spends much of her time feeding Elsa, holding Elsa, burping Elsa, changing Elsa. She still trembles when she picks the baby up but it's getting better.

Elsa doesn't always use her powers. It seems to be random and, in a way, that's worse because they have no way of guessing when or why she might do it. Although her powers don't appear to have a large range, she sometimes uses them quietly and for a long time before they catch her. In the two weeks since they noticed them, Elsa destroys four pillows, six blankets and one of Agdar's suits.

Luckily, apart from the magical powers, Elsa is a quiet child. They still haven't found her a nanny. Agdar spares what time he can to look after their daughter but she thinks she would have died from sleep deprivation if it weren't for two young guards who have taken to Elsa so well that they happily volunteer to stay in the castle for a few extra hours to watch her. Not many people know about Elsa's powers yet – Agdar wants to reveal it when Elsa is older and able to understand them herself – but neither guard seemed fazed the first time they saw them.

It might not be proper but she thinks their little family is ticking along nicely.

X. Elsa is one month and two weeks old

Idun and Agdar introduce Elsa to a nanny who doesn't bolt when she makes snow. Instead, the woman leans over the cot and says, "None of that now."

Elsa blinks and stops.

The woman nods, satisfied. "Just like any other babe then, except for the magic. Which side of the family is it from?" Idun and Agdar look at each other. "Well, if it's not you then who's the-"

She catches herself just in time but the damage is done.

Later, Agdar says, "Idun. About Elsa's powers-"

"She's yours," Idun says quickly. "Elsa is yours. I swear it."

Agdar hesitates. She knows she sounds guilty but that's the problem – it's much easier to prove an affair than the absence of one.

"OK then," he says. She can tell he isn't convinced but neither of them mentions it again. She wants to but she can't think of anything she can say that won't make it sound worse. She thinks maybe he's waiting for her to bring it up.

They hire the nanny.

XI. Elsa is three months old

She's playing with Elsa – the normal way, not the snow way – when she realises that Elsa is smiling and laughing. She's been doing it for a while but, somehow, Idun hasn't appreciated it before.

"You clever girl," she says, although it's not exactly an achievement. Elsa squeals back, something else that Idun's only now realising she does. She smiles fondly. "At least one of us is happy."

She picks Elsa up and breathes in her smell. She should spoil the girl more, she thinks. She's been too wrapped up in herself, Agdar's hurt looks and the silences that fall between them. She clutches Elsa tighter. Elsa makes a noise, indicating that she doesn't like the pressure.

"Sorry," she says to the baby. She kisses Elsa's forehead and puts her back down. "I love you, Elsa."

Elsa gurgles back.

XII. Elsa is three months and five days old

The nanny leaves for the day. Idun walks in to check on Elsa. Agdar is already there, making a tiny snowman from the snow pile that Elsa has made.

Idun doesn't say a word but Agdar turns anyway. Tentatively, she smiles. Agdar smiles back but she can still see that wariness in his eyes.

XIII. Elsa is three months and three weeks old

Idun walks into her room to find Agdar placing a teetering pile of dusty books and scrolls on the floor. She picks one up, coughing a little as dust flies into her nose.

"Magick Moste Potente?" she says, making sure to incorrectly enunciate all of the Es. "I'd ask if this is a magic book but it sounds like a cliché."

Agdar laughs – when was the last time he laughed like this at a comment of hers? – and says, "I bought it to try to understand Elsa's powers better. Since neither of us knows where they came from-" Here, they both try not to look at each other. "-we don't know how to teach her to use them. Or control them." He shrugs and gestures at the grimy tome. "Seemed like a good place to start. Unfortunately, Arendelle's literary community thinks I'm plotting to become an evil sorcerer king but that can't be helped."

She smiles at the image. "It's a great idea. I'll help."

"Oh good. Though, really, we only need to stay one lesson ahead of her, so we probably have ages."

XIV. Elsa is five months old

"You know, it's a good thing she's such a quiet child," Agdar comments one night in Elsa's room. Elsa is sitting in Idun's lap after coating her cot in thin ice. She doesn't appear to feel the cold and prolonged exposure to it seems to have no effect on her, but Idun is still wary. "At least we get some sleep."

They've started to have conversations like this. Proper conversations, rather than occasional comments. Idun snorts. "Imagine a rambunctious, ice-powered baby. We'd need an endless supply of coffee."

"Hear that, Elsa?" Agdar says to the baby. "Your mama loves you just the way you are."

It's not the first time they've made random comments to her but when Agdar says her name, Elsa turns to him, as though realising she's being addressed. There's something about this little development that warms Idun's heart. She's only five months old but she's growing so quickly.

XV. Elsa is five months, three weeks and two days old

Elsa cries and cries and Idun nearly slips when she enters the room. For a moment, she just stands there and then, unbidden, the wish that she could have given birth to a normal child slips into her mind.

She hates herself for thinking it but, somehow, she can't rid herself of the thought.

XVI. Elsa is six months, one week and six days old

They are sitting together when Elsa says, "Mama."

Agdar looks over at them. "Did she just-"

"Yeah."

Elsa notices the reaction. She repeats the noises.

They know it's just repeated syllables and that Elsa doesn't know who Mama is but Agdar marches over to hug her anyway. "She's going to be a genius," he says proudly. "Just you wait."

XVII. Elsa is seven months old

Elsa falls ill. The physician attends her and, after some time, proclaims that the only thing left to do is wait.

Agdar has to drag her away from the cot, her hands chipping off miniature icicles that Elsa is making in her distress.

"I need to watch her," Idun mumbles, eyelids heavy with weariness. "I need to-"

"Sleep," Agdar says firmly, but there's a tender note in his voice that Idun hasn't heard directed at her for a long time. "I'll watch her and then the nanny will watch her. We'll even get one of her soldier friends if that helps."

"You don't understand," she says, aware that her tongue is going ahead of her brain but too tired to stop it. "I kept wishing she could be normal and now she's ill and it's all my fault because I couldn't accept her and-"

"Idun, Elsa's the only one with magic in this family. You didn't cause it and Elsa knows you love her just as she is."

Idun sniffs. "If she gets better, she can turn her room into a snow globe for all I care. I just want her to be well."

Agdar chuckles softly. "You can let her know that after you've slept."

XVIII. Elsa is seven months and one week old

Although the fever is gone, Elsa is still weak. Even her ice powers seem to have diminished.

The nanny just shrugs. "The princess is a fighter," she says firmly. "She'll be fine. Wait and see."

XIX. Elsa is nine months, one week and five days old

The nanny tells her that Elsa's hair is beginning to grow. She was born with a small amount but it swiftly fell out. Idun doesn't understand the confusion on the nanny's face until she looks for herself. She manages to stay calm until Agdar walks in, a few hours later.

He glances at Elsa. "Hair?" he says. "Was that always th- Idun, what's wrong?"

She can't look at him. "It's blonde."

"Oh. Um. Yes." He pauses. "It … can change, can't it? So it would, uh, darken when she gets older?"

"I don't know." She closes her eyes. "Agdar, I know it looks like an affair. I know that. But I didn't. I swear it. I'll swear it on anything. I can't prove it, and I don't know why she has these powers or why her hair is blonde, but she's yours." She can feel herself becoming hysterical and takes a shuddering breath to try to calm herself but it hitches. "If you don't believe me, cast me out, ignore me, anything. Just don't … don't take it out on Elsa. She's just a baby. Please … just don't…"

Fingers gently touch the underside of her chin and move her head upwards.

"I believe you," Agdar says softly. "I think maybe we should have talked about this before. I … I did think maybe … but I just can't believe you'd do that to me. To us. And, I mean, some of the books say powers can come from things like the planets or even just trigger randomly. But even if you were lying," he says, his voice growing firmer, "I wouldn't cast Elsa out. I don't care if you were with the King of Germany. Elsa's mine."

She can't help herself – she kisses him, holding him so tightly that it must be painful. This is why she agreed to their betrothal. This is why she fell for him. Because even though he's bad with words and feelings, he's still the kind of man who would overlook scandal and embarrassment because he'd grown to love another man's child as his own.

That night, they hold each other closer than they have done in months.

XX. Elsa is one year old

They hold a small birthday party for Elsa. Idun can't help feeling a little sad at how few people are in the room: just Idun, Agdar, the nanny, a few friendly servants and Elsa's friendly guards. Elsa is starting to understand simple instructions – and the word no – but Agdar remains wary of letting too many people near her. Although there have been fewer incidents recently, the water-proofing that Agdar invested in so long ago has certainly had its money's worth.

Elsa doesn't seem to mind. If anything, she doesn't seem to like being the centre of attention and often staggers back to Idun, Agdar or the nanny. Eventually her soldier friends coax her away with some of her favourite games.

In the evening, Idun suggests that perhaps now is the time for Elsa to start playing with other children.

"Or at least seeing more people," she says. "We can have the nanny watch her. I just don't want her to feel isolated. Or scared of people."

Agdar strokes his chin. "Maybe," he says. "I suppose she can't live in a couple of rooms forever."

XXI. Elsa is one year, four months, three weeks and one day old

She watches Elsa play with a couple of other children. Strangely, she rarely uses her powers around them and even then, it's often no more than a couple of snowflakes. She saves her shows of power for when she's with her parents. Idun doesn't know if that's a good thing or not but when Elsa giggles with the other children, her heart lifts.

XXII. Elsa is one year, seven months and two weeks old

"Is it just me," Agdar says one evening as they're clearing some ice from Elsa's room (with a suitably chastised and slightly guilty-looking Elsa sitting nearby), "or does it feel like her powers are getting … stronger?"

Idun surveys the damage. Elsa occasionally throws temper tantrums, and those inevitably involve ice and snow. It's one of the reasons she is only allowed to play with a few select children, always under the watchful eye of either the nanny or one of them. But while she used to use her powers randomly and often, now she uses them less and, outside tantrums, it often feels like she has some design in mind.

Yet they are getting stronger. Icicles are bigger, sharper, more menacing. Snow covers more of the room. She seems able to make shapes that mimic some of her toys out of the snow and takes particular delight in snowflakes. Once or twice, Idun's even felt a chill wind blow through the room.

"I suppose it makes sense," she says slowly. "If she's growing, why wouldn't her powers?" She thinks for a moment. "You said one of those books you found said there are those trolls in the Valley of the Living Rock who know about magic? Maybe we should ask them for advice?"

Agdar considers it but shakes his head. "Trolls can be tricky creatures. Especially if you make an enemy of one. Elsa hasn't done much harm. Let's leave it for now."

XXIII. Elsa is one year, ten months and three days old

Idun brushes Elsa's hair before bedtime as Elsa quietly draws something.

"All done," she says to her daughter. "What are you drawing there?" She looks at the piece of paper. It's a load of squiggly lines. "Is that Papa and me?"

Elsa shakes her head. "Magic," she says.

She's not a talkative child but she knows more words than Idun would have expected of a child her age. Magic was one of the first she learnt, possibly because of how often she and Agdar say it near her.

Idun looks at the lines. "Your magic?" Elsa shakes her head again. Elsa isn't old enough to make full sentences yet. Idun tries again. "Is that your snow?"

Elsa shakes her head again. "Papa magic."

"Papa's magic? Papa doesn't have any magic, Elsa."

Elsa frowns slightly. "Mama magic."

"I don't have magic either, honey. Just you."

Elsa obviously doesn't think Idun understands because she claps her hands together and makes a block of ice that vaguely resembles her teddy bear (when looked at from an angle, with one eye squinted, and possibly on a foggy night) and then points to Idun. Idun moves to take the ice bear-thing but Elsa shakes her head crossly. "Magic," she says.

"I can't, Elsa."

Elsa claps her hands and points to Idun. "Magic."

"I can't do it. I don't have magic."

As Elsa looks at her, confused, Idun realises that she is still too young to realise that her power is unique. There's something about the fact that Elsa is sure Idun can do it but hasn't yet which makes her smile. An Elsa who believes everyone can do magic is likely to grow up into a better person than an Elsa who assumes she's more powerful than anyone else.

She kisses Elsa's head. "Come on, snow queen. Time for bed. You can show me more tricks in the morning."

XXIV. Elsa is one year, ten months, three weeks and two days old

They take Elsa outside for her first winter. Agdar has been careful about letting her outside but she went out in spring, summer and autumn.

Elsa's expression is one of pure delight as she sees the snow covering the courtyard.

"Magic," she says.

Agdar chuckles. "This happens every year, Elsa. It's just winter."

Elsa seems to consider this and then shakes her head. "No," she says. "Magic."

Agdar picks her up, whirling her around and laughing at her delighted shrieks. "Alright," he agrees as he puts her down. "It's magic."

XXV. Elsa is two years old

They hold a slightly bigger party for Elsa this year. The few children she's been allowed to play with attend. One of Elsa's soldiers has moved away from the city to live with his new wife but the other soldier attends. Elsa appears to enjoy herself, especially with the other children. Idun watches, feeling vaguely surprised that it's already been two years since Elsa was born.

"You know," she says to Agdar later, "Elsa likes playing with the other children."

"She's come out of her shell a lot over the last year," Agdar agrees. "You were right to suggest she meet other people."

Idun nods. "And she hasn't had any particularly bad incidents for a few weeks."

"You're saying that because it wasn't your shoe that got frozen."

"I know. I was just thinking…"

"Hmm?"

She already knows it's a bad idea but she says, "Maybe … maybe Elsa would like a younger brother or sister. Someone to keep her company."

Agdar rubs his chin. "I've thought that once or twice but … we already have to watch her around the other children. What if…"

Idun nods. "And I suppose there's … if it is genetic…"

"There is that," Agdar says. He shrugs. "Maybe when she's a little older we could talk about it again."

XXVI. Elsa is two years, one month, one week and six days old

One of the other children tries to steal Elsa's toy. Idun can see Elsa becoming visibly worked up and, suddenly, the room feels a lot colder.

She picks Elsa up, grunting a little with the effort, and runs outside of the room, just in time for Elsa to slam her hands against the wall. Ice spreads up it.

That could have been the little boy.

Idun shudders as Elsa begins to cry.

XXVII. Elsa is two years, five months and two weeks old

Agdar commissions a portrait to be made of the three of them. Elsa sits still for most of the painting and the artist compliments them on how well-behaved she is. Idun has a look at the painting before she leaves the room. Both Idun and Agdar are looking fondly at their daughter, rather than regally ahead. Elsa is sitting with her small smile on her face, hands clasped in front of her, and Idun can't help thinking she looks more like a monarch than her parents do.

XXVIII. Elsa is two years and eight months old

Elsa's powers are definitely stronger. She can now cover a whole room in ice – which Idun discovered last week – and she can make it snow for a few minutes. After she accidentally destroys a chair, Agdar tells her to be careful. She frowns.

"You do magic?"

Idun's told Agdar about Elsa's belief that they can do magic but aren't doing it in front of her. He looks at her carefully.

"No, honey," he says finally. "I can't do magic."

She turns to Idun. "Mama?"

"No, Elsa."

"Lukas?" When Agdar shakes his head, Elsa looks at her hands and then at the chair. "Just me."

She sounds so sad and lonely that Idun can feel her heart break slightly. "Yes, honey. Just you."

"Why?"

A question they've asked themselves often over the past thirty-two months.

Agdar's the one who answers. "Because some people are born to be special."

XXIX. Elsa is two years, ten months, two weeks and five days old

After the fifth day of vomiting, Agdar suggests Idun see the royal physician. He is very thorough and finally turns to Agdar and Idun with an expression that suggests he isn't sure how his diagnosis will be received.

"You might as well say it," Agdar says. "She's got it whether you tell us or not."

The physician nods. "You're with child, your Majesty. About six or seven weeks gone, I suspect."

Idun's hands fly to her stomach as she says, "Oh. Well that … wasn't what I expected." She looks down at her stomach. "Huh. I suppose that's not entirely impossible."

Agdar wraps an arm around her shoulders. "Thank you," he says to the physician. "I'd be grateful if you didn't spread the news just yet."

The physician bows and leaves. Agdar and Idun turn to each other.

"I thought we were being careful," Agdar says softly.

Idun looks away. "I think I might have forgotten once or twice."

Agdar thinks for a moment. "Same," he admits. They look at each other and then start laughing. Agdar holds her closer to him before snaking one arm down, to touch her belly. "I suppose that's that then. Another addition to our family." He pauses. "Isn't it?"

Just the fact that he's checking tells her that he is as uncertain as she is.

"It … what about Elsa? She might … I don't know."

"She'll be three and a half. She's getting better at her powers."

"But not perfect."

"Not perfect. But … I mean, she hasn't hurt us. We'll be there when she's with the baby. We can make sure she doesn't do anything."

"And what if this one has powers as well?"

"We'll be better prepared. We dealt with Elsa. We can deal with a second one. And Elsa will be able to tell us a bit as well."

Idun looks at Agdar and sees, beyond his uncertainty, that he already loves this unborn child. She closes her eyes, trying to imagine all of the horrible scenarios that could happen. Then she thinks of all of the moments she's had with Elsa over the past thirty-four months and nods.

"A new addition, then," she says. "What are you hoping for this time? Boy or girl?"

"Well, last time I hoped for a boy, I got a little girl who likes to snow on me. If I try again, I might end up with a child with fire powers." He grins suddenly. "That's an idea. Try and make it so this one has fire powers. That way, our children will cancel out. It's perfect!"

"Yes, because a baby who can set fire to their cot is a brilliant idea."

"It'd help Elsa control her powers."

"We are not using our daughter as some kind of fire extinguisher."

Agdar chuckles. "She might enjoy it. You never know. But let's wait until we're more certain you'll be carrying the baby through before telling her."

XXX. Elsa is three years old

They take Elsa to the winter festival for her third birthday, with a strict warning that she is not to use her powers. Her remaining soldier friend is her guard for the day, and a couple of her playmates also come. It's the first time that the general public are exposed to her. At first, she is overwhelmed and hides her face in Idun's dress, but soon enough, she is laughing and trying to see everything at once. As far as birthdays go, Idun suspects this might be the best one yet.

XXXI. Elsa is three years, one month and four days old

Idun is hungrier than usual. Elsa, sitting at the dinner table between her parents, watches her mother eat.

"You're eating a lot, Mama," she says. Agdar laughs even as red flushes to Idun's cheeks.

"I am," she says evenly. Elsa seems to realise that she's said something wrong because she looks down. Ice plays over her hands, something Idun recognises as Elsa's way of showing slight distress. She glances at Agdar who nods slightly. "We need to tell you something, Elsa."

Elsa looks between her parents. Ice coats the edge of the table. Elsa jumps slightly. "'m sorry," she mumbles as she tries to wipe it away.

Agdar clasps the little girl's shoulder lightly. "Don't worry. It happens."

"You see my tummy?" Idun says. Elsa nods. "It's bigger than usual." Elsa nods again, her lips drawn thin and her eyes looking at her with the same intensity that Agdar manages so often. Idun smiles to try to communicate that Elsa shouldn't be so worried. "There's a baby in there." Seeing Elsa's frown, Idun adds, "You're going to have a brother or sister."

Elsa reaches for Idun's stomach but hesitates, her eyes glancing at the ice on the table. Idun nods and Elsa's hand lightly touches her. "A baby?" she says. "Can I play with him?"

"When he or she is old enough," Agdar says. "But you'll be the oldest. You'll have to look out for him or her."

Elsa nods. She smiles up at Idun. "Can I pick his name?"

She has no idea why Elsa's decided she's going to have a brother. "Well, we wanted to call him Edor if it's a boy…" Seeing Elsa's face fall, she says, "If it's a girl…"

Elsa smiles. "Anna," she says.

XXXII. Elsa is three years, one month and five days old

"Do you know where she got the name from?" Agdar says.

"No idea."

"You'll love it. You know the soldier who sometimes babysits her?" Idun nods. "Told me today. He's just had a little girl. Her name's Anna." He smiles. "She loves that soldier. I think she thought if he thought Anna was a good name for his daughter, it's definitely a good name for her sister."

Idun squeezes his hand. "Elsa's growing up well, isn't she?"

XXXIII. Elsa is three years, three months, three weeks and three days old

Agdar shows Elsa the new nursery.

"Why can't the baby sleep in my room?"

Because Elsa still sometimes loses control.

"Maybe one day," Agdar says, surprising her. "But the baby will cry a lot and will wake you up."

Elsa shakes her head. "I'll stop the baby crying. I'll make him smile."

Idun laughs. Agdar says that maybe Elsa can add her own mark to the room, for the baby, and sends a servant to obtain paint from somewhere. Armed with a brush, Elsa approaches the wall with caution. After a few seconds of thought, she tentatively begins to brush. Once done, she steps back to inspect her work – a large, somewhat wonky, snowflake.

It doesn't fit at all with the rest of the room but, somehow, that makes it perfect.

XXXIV. Elsa is three years, five months, three weeks and four days old

"I'm scared."

"What of?"

"I know we've said it's fine but Agdar, what if … what if this one's … also got powers? Or, or what if we let Elsa near it and she accidentally freezes it? Never mind the baby, Elsa will have to live the rest of her life with that. And what if-"

"Shh. Shh. It's going to be alright. If the baby has powers, then we already know what to do from Elsa. And Elsa … I just can't believe she'd do that. She's sensible, for a toddler. We're going to be fine."

XXXV. Elsa is three years and six months old

The baby wails and wails as Idun lies on the bed. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, she holds her hands out as Agdar coos to the bundle.

She looks into the face of their newborn daughter and feels all of her fears disappear.

XXXVI. Elsa is three years, six months and one day old

Idun watches Elsa meet her little sister for the first time. Elsa's smile is so wide, Idun almost thinks her face might burst.

XXXVII. Elsa is three years, eight months and two weeks old

"It's been two and a half months," Agdar says, watching Anna, "and no sign of magic."

Idun looks at him. "You almost sound disappointed. She's loud enough that I think the lack of magic is a blessing. I swear Elsa didn't make this much noise when she was Anna's age."

He shrugs. "I bought so much waterproof stuff from Eriksson, he gives me discounts. Seems a pity not to be able to use it anymore."

XXXVIII. Elsa is four years, one month and two days old

Elsa comes into the nursery after her lessons and, as always, pokes her head over Anna's cot. Anna immediately reaches up for her, squealing as she does so. Idun sees Elsa surreptitiously check that her mother isn't looking before letting a few snowflakes descend on Anna. Even though Idun's heart beats just a little faster whenever Elsa does that, Anna seems to enjoy it, and Idun doesn't want to separate them.

XXXIX. Elsa is seven years, two months, one week and four days old

"Papa," Anna says one evening, "can I have a brother?"

Idun laughs as Agdar splutters a bit. "Where did that come from?"

"I just want a brother. It's not fair. Elsa has magic and you gave her a sister."

Idun looks over at their other daughter, who is trying to hide her laughter behind her hand. "They didn't give you to me, Anna," she says.

"But you get to boss me around. It's not fair!"

Anna and Elsa are very different. Elsa is generally quiet and studious while Anna is best described as a little ball of energy. Idun isn't convinced that Elsa bosses Anna around at all. To say that Anna has Elsa wrapped around her little finger is an understatement.

"Only 'cause you're the littlest," Elsa says. She claps her hands and makes a very small snowman. Idun has no idea where Elsa learnt to make things like this and on the occasions she's asked, Elsa has only shrugged and said, I just can. Elsa hands the snowman to Anna. "Here, boss that around."

Anna grins, delighted, before scowling again. "Stop trying to distr- tr- … it's not the same. I don't wanna be the littlest."

"Anna," Agdar says in his calm voice, "if we had a third child, I don't think your mother and I would ever sleep again."

"I'd help look after him."

"I know, sweetie." He smiles at her. "We'll think about it, OK?"

"OK!" Anna hugs him, delighted at the prospect, and runs to play with her snowman before it melts.

Elsa turns to her father. "Are you and Mama really going to have another child?"

Agdar exchanges a look with Idun. "Would you like another sister or brother?"

Elsa shrugs. "I guess. If they're like Anna."

Idun privately thinks that two Annas and one Elsa would probably be the end of the castle but she smiles. "Maybe one day," she tells Elsa. "We'll see."

XL. Elsa is twenty-seven years, two months, one week and four days old

She watches Elsa play with her son. The little boy is about two years old but already completely enamoured with his aunt.

Elsa glances up to see Anna watching, and smiles. She looks so natural there and so happy. Sometimes, Anna can't believe the woman here is the same girl who hid herself in her room for thirteen years.

"What are you looking at?" Elsa asks, eyes crinkled in a smile. "Do I have something on my face?"

"No."

"Must be my beauty then."

Anna laughs. "Being Queen doesn't mean you have to be bigheaded, you know," she says. "Not that your head is big, it's kind of average."

"Thanks?"

"I didn't mean it like you're average. Just your head." She pulls a face. "Never mind."

Elsa shrugs and goes back to playing with her nephew. Anna continues to watch.

"Anna," Elsa says, "no offence but you're starting to creep me out now."

"Sorry."

"Come on, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. It's just … are you sure you never want children?"

It's a conversation they've had several times before. As always, part of Elsa's expression closes down as soon as Anna utters the word children.

"Anna," Elsa says and she can hear the sigh in her voice. "It's … even if I can have children I … I can't risk passing on my powers. Look what I did when I was eight. When I was twenty-one." She shakes her head. "It really is safest for everyone if I just … don't."

Anna considers this. Elsa always gives this response and no matter what Anna says about how Elsa hasn't really done any harm, or how much better her control is now, or how Elsa would be a wonderful mother, Elsa will not give in. Even six years on, there is a part of Elsa that hates everything she is and does.

Maybe Elsa has a point. Maybe a child with Elsa's powers would be difficult to raise. Maybe it is a curse. She could be right.

"Elsa," she says thoughtfully, "didn't you once say that Mother and Father don't know where your powers came from?"

Elsa frowns, confused by the subject change. "That's right. Father told me once that when I was a baby, he actually thought Mother had had an affair and that I wasn't his at all." Seeing the alarm on Anna's face, Elsa hastily adds, "There wasn't an affair. He just thought … because of my powers."

"So it could be genetic, right?"

"Well, yes."

Anna nods and walks to the door. "I need to drop something off with Kai." She puts her hand on the door handle, knowing that Elsa is still watching her. She turns back. "But, you know, Mother told me once that I wasn't actually planned. So I was thinking. If your powers are so horrible to pass on – if raising a kid with ice magic is so dangerous … why didn't Mother and Father have me killed in the womb?" She smiles as shock crosses her sister's face. "It can't be that bad or they wouldn't have risked having me as well." She opens the door. "Just something to think about, Elsa."

Fin