#shardsverse

[frozenprocedural]

Handmade

Rating: K

“I need you to teach me how to knit.”

Kristoff turned from the stack of crates, one eyebrow raised. Alarik fidgeted, realizing how the sentence sounded. 

“Um… please teach me how to knit. I'd like to try to make something for Elsa's birthday. My funds are more or less tied to Elsa, so that makes buying her a gift… well it would be her paying for it and…”

“Elsa's birthday isn't for another six months.” Kristoff spoke in a flat tone, his eyebrow raising even higher. 

Alarik grimaced. “Yes, well, knowing me, it would probably take me that long to make something. Or at least, make something I wouldn't immediately want to burn.”

Kristoff remained quiet for so long, Alarik was certain he would be refused. 

“I'll try. It should be interesting, at least.”

…….

It was Neta, not her father, who ended up doing most of the teaching. 

Not that it was Kristoff's fault. They both agreed that Alarik had been wise to start so early. It took him a month to learn the technique, and to keep the stitches on the needles. More than once, Alarik believed it certain his brother-in-law would snap the needles in frustration. 

Fortunately, Neta had found them one evening in the stables- one of the areas of the castle Elsa would be less likely to walk in on them- and took over almost immediately. Both men were equally relieved.

Neta proved to be a far more patient teacher, clearly finding Alarik's blunders more amusing than frustrating. They kept to a simple project- a pale blue scarf- but even that provided Alarik with a challenge. It took an agonizingly long time to get to a length that Elsa could wrap around her neck. Worst of all was its appearance- a lumpy mess, with holes peppering the uneven surface. It even lacked a straight edge, with parts bulging out or curving in. 

Still, Neta refused to let Alarik quit, sitting at the door to his lab (it had gotten too cold to remain in the stables, and Elsa was growing suspicious of his trips there), keeping up her own, far superior, projects and coaxing him to finish just a few more rows. Eventually he got to the point of binding off, but one look at the misshapen product only solidified Alarik's certainty that he would never horrify his wife with its presence. Despite Neta’s protests, he tossed it in the corner of his lab, and left, feeling defeated and despondent. 

His departure meant he failed to notice Neta picking up the scarf and placing it with her knitting.

…….

Elsa's birthday was a quiet affair, as it most often was, particularly with her pregnancy having been officially announced only two weeks prior. Save for the ringing of the Jule Bell, she'd remained inside the castle and out of public view- not that Alarik blamed her.

Still, she was smiling and cuddled close to him as she opened the gifts, and he hoped it had been a good day for her, one where her fears could be put aside. As the last of the wrapping paper was swept aside, he settled deeper into the couch, intending to spend some time simply enjoying his wife's closeness. 

“There's still one gift left, Aunt Elsa!” Neta looked up at them, holding a lumpy paper parcel. 

“Oh, thank you Neta! Although you've already given me so many wonderful gifts!” Elsa gestured to the small pile of knitted and carved items her niece had made.

Neta handed the parcel over with a grin, waiting until Elsa began to tear it open before adding, “It's not from me! Uncle Alarik made this!”

Alarik blinked, momentarily confused, until he caught sight of a familiar shade of pale blue. He jerked, feeling the color drain from his face.

“Neta! Oh no, no, no, no, no, no!”

But it was too late- Elsa pulled the scarf free, holding it up so every hole and misshapen stitch was on display. 

“Alarik, what-”

“I tried to knit you a scarf, but… you can see the result. I don't… Neta, why did you keep that!?”

“Because you made it for Aunt Elsa! That's the important part! That's what makes it special!” Neta's chin jutted out stubbornly, her glare as fierce as any her mother could give. 

Alarik opened his mouth to retort, but Elsa's soft voice cut him off. 

“She's right.” 

Elsa wound the scarf around her neck, running a finger over the yarn. Alarik noticed that the imperfections had become far less noticeable, and the color suited Elsa. She caught him looking, and reached over to cup his cheek.

“You made it. That makes it special. Thank you, Alarik. And thank you, Neta, for not letting him get rid of it.”

Neta grinned, jumping up to hug them both. 

[naturepointstheway]

number 12? 👉👈

Elsa leaned her elbows on the table, watching Alarik hard at work on sorting the rock display for the next gaggle of freshly-minted-out-of-high-school first year geology students. There was a growing pile for sedimentary rocks, greatly outnumbering the metamorphic and igneous rocks combined. Elsa didn’t know much about geology, but she recognised the beautiful obsidian rock from Alarik’s bedroom, and the gneiss from the one corner of his lab where he kept his favourite geological specimens from the field. 

“Admiring my rocks?” Alarik asked with a wink, catching Elsa watching.

“What? I mean...yes, yes, you have beautiful rocks.” 

“Got a favourite one?” 

“Probably that one with the little red things in it.” 

“Ooh, garnet mica schist! She’s a beauty, but not as beautiful as you. Anything else you would like to ask?” 

“So you’re a geologist, then.” 

“And very proud to be one.” 

“So...you lick rocks for a living?” 

Alarik chuckled, throwing her a mysterious grin. “Sometimes. You should try it someday.” 

Elsa wrinkled her nose at the thought. “Not a chance.” 

“I’ll convert you to it soon enough. Now...how about that coffee date we were talking about?” 

[12daysofelsarik]

North- Part 2

Day4

Dec 24- All is Found

Okay, so this may or may not be the only TDOE 2019 fic NOT set in the Frozen 2 AU verse, this one is the part 2 of North, which is of course, the sequel to Homeward (message me or reply here if you want the link to either North or Homeward!)

Alarik, Jenny, and Dag belong to @patricia-von-arundel :D

Rated M for bedroom activities towards the end of the fic after they put the kids to bed :P GET IT ELS, GET IT

and I have NEVER IN MY LIFE been more nervous about putting up a fic, so if you’ll EXCUSE ME I am off to hide under my bed, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE, ONE AND ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.

*****************

“Mama, when is Papa coming home?” Jenny asked, walking into the room I shared with Alarik. She was rubbing a knuckle at her eyes, green and blurry from sleep, her red hair tousled. She did so look like her father. 

“Pa?” Dag said, trailing behind her, dragging his well worn stuffed rabbit behind him. I scoop Dag up, as his little two year old legs can’t quite reach the top of the bed, and Jenny climbs up onto the bed as well.

I had missed this. I had missed them. Both Jenny and Dag now slept in rooms of their own, and Alarik had been in England for the better part of the month, and I had been sleeping in the room by myself. 

“Papa will be home soon,” I told them. Although that was what I thought for my parents as well. I thought they would be home soon. I thought I would get a chance to see them again. I could be wrong, Alarik might not make it home, a storm might come, he might get lost at sea, he might-

“Mama, are you okay?” Jenny asked, crawling towards her and looking up at her. Even little Dag had a look of quiet seriousness on his face- Alarik liked to call Dag “lilla gubben” - little old man.

“Of course,” I say, forcing a smile on my face. “Would you two like to sleep in mama’s bed tonight?” I ask them.

Jenny’s face breaks out into a wide smile, and all I see is their father, and my heart just sinks. But she says “yes!” and Dag echoes her sentiments.

I let myself laugh. “Alright, cuddle close, scooch in,” I tell them.

Dag lays his head on my lap, while Jenny cuddles by my side. I sing to them the same song Mama used to sing to me and Anna.

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

As Jenny’s fingers intertwine with my own, playing with my wedding ring, I stroke Dag’s nose as I sing to them. I see Dag’s eyes slowly begin to droop, and I know sleep will come for him soon, although Jenny looks up at me still. Even so, she begins to yawn, it being long past both their bedtimes.

In her waters, deep and true

Lie the answers and a path for you

Dive down deep into her sound

But not too far, or you'll be drowned

I barely get the word “drowned” out. It comes out almost a whisper. But it doesn’t seem to bother my children, as Dag as fallen asleep, and even Jenny’s eyes are heavy lidded. 

Yes, she will sing to those who hear

And in her song all magic flows

But can you brave what you most fear

Can you face what the river knows

I tuck the blankets past Dag’s chin, and he is soon snoring softly, his curls flopping over his head, much likes his father. Jenny though, is staring out the window, seemingly transfixed by the Northern Lights outside. I carry her to the window, careful not to jostle, as she’s already half asleep.

I reach the window, and look out into the fjord. Suddenly, Jenny sits up in my arms, and gasps, pointing out at the window. Out on the horizon, sailing towards the harbor, is an Arendellian ship. Not just any Arendellian ship, the same ship Alarik took to England.

“Papa!” Jenny squeals, hands tapping at the windowpane.

 Dag suddenly sits up on the bed. “Pa?” he asks, dazed.

I keep Jenny in one arm, and carry Dag in my other arm, and run out of the room and down the stairs of the castle, not even stopping to put some slippers on. I feel my heart beating a quick staccato as we make our way to the fjord. Just as we reach the docks, I see him. All auburn curls and green eyes and that smile, and before I can do anything else, Jenny leaps out of my arms and runs towards him. 

He walks towards us, and Dag reaches out towards him, squealing “Pa!”. Alarik hoists Dag on his shoulders, as Jenny runs around with the new toy he brought her.

“Darling,” he says to me, smiling. “I-”

Like I always say. Never shut me up with a kiss. Although I do it to him.

He didn’t seem to mind.

*******************

Where the north wind meets the sea

There's a mother full of memory

Come, my darling, homeward bound

When all is lost, then all is found

I finish singing the song as I watch Alarik tuck both the children into bed. 

Once in the hallway, I approach him from behind, lean my head on his shoulder. I bury my face into his hair, and it still smells like the ocean breeze. “I missed you,” I tell him, playing with his curls.

He wraps his arms around me, holding me close, and it feels warm and safe and right, even after so many weeks apart. I feel myself tremble, just a little bit, and he rubs his hands down my arms.

Alarik leans down, his forehead against mine, and closes his eyes. 

“You’re not allowed to leave for that long ever again,” I tell him.

At that, he opens his eyes, grinning as he cups my jaw. “As you wish,” he murmurs against my lips.

I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing against him, whining my need. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed him. 

He pulls back slightly, eyes dark and dilated. “Darling?” he asks.

I can only nod.

At that, he lifts me in his arms and begins to run towards our bedroom, much like that rainy autumn day that eventually led to Jenny. Miraculously, we make it to our bedroom, and he opens the door, kicking his shoes under the bed.

He places me on the bed gently, and I pull him down towards me. He pulls at the sash of my nightrobe, revealing my silk nightdress under it. He’s still wearing his travelling clothes, and I quickly begin unbuttoning his shirt, and he fumbles with the ties on my nightdress, his hands shaking, unusual for him.

“Let me,” I tell him, and as I finish the last of his buttons and deal with my own nightdress.

“Elsa, let me...I-” he begins, but I already have my nightdress off.

“You’ve been away nearly a month, min gås,” I say, silencing his protests with a kiss. “If you think I’m going to wait another moment more,” I tell him, pulling at his trousers, “you’re quite mistaken…”I say as I pull his body down towards my own.

He smiles softly as he positions himself above me. Alarik places a hand on my cheek. “I’ve missed you, my darling.”

I smile up at him. “I missed you too…” I tell him. I pull him down for another kiss, my fingers twisting into his hair. His lips work against mine, before they venture towards my neck, suckling gently. “Alarik!” I gasp. 

His lips find the spot behind my ear, and as he kisses it, I feel the heat pooling in my center already. His hands find my hips, running up and down them, and I feel myself shiver.

He positions himself above me, “ready, darling?” he asks. I nod breathlessly.

Alarik slowly thrusts deep, and I groan at the way he fills me. My legs wrap around his waist, and I pull him closer, urging him deeper inside me. "Ooooh, oh Alarik…"

"Elsa…" he moans as his thrusts deepen.

"Alarik ...please…" I pant, "I need you…"

He pulls out, and then thrusts back in. His lips move from behind my ear down, down towards my breasts, kissing one gently, then the other, and I bite my lip to keep from moaning.

I feel the warmth pooling in my middle, the pleasure building, warm and good. "Yes...yes...ALARIK!" I shout in ecstasy. He thrusts deeper and faster inside me until he releases deep inside me, and I arch into him, before sinking down into the mattress, trembling.

He rolls us over gently to our sides, so that we still face each other. Alarik pulls me closer to him to press his lips to mine, and whispers “jag älskar dig, min älskling”.

“I love you too,” I murmur against his lips. We spend a long time like this, in each other’s embrace, and from the window I can see that the twinkling of the stars. 

And the North star that pointed his way home to me.

[birger-wuvs-elsa]

A Newborn Phoenix

Apparently, the Neta X Birger fic I once promised a long time ago...never bloody happened. Well! That changes today! It’s probably not what I had planned to write back in the day, but I’m still quite proud of this. I accidentally made it parallel a certain other fic, but it’s all right. It’s still very much it’s own thing, and I am quite pleased.

Happy birthday, Neta! @thesciencegoose

@patricia-von-arundel

“You won’t hurt her, you know.”

Elsa watched Birger paced wildly and gnashed his teeth, but didn’t respond. He had all but worn a trench in the stone of the courtyard by now. He’d grown, large and fluffy and mighty, his antlers well on their way to becoming a proper rack. Birger’s growth had all but become a mythical visual marker for everyone else’s, it seemed.

As, after all, her baby sister had just had a baby, herself.

You don’t know that, Elsa.

She frowned and crossed her arms.

“Don’t I?” She shook her head. “Come now, Birger, you know better than to succumb to such a pitfall.”

I could hurt the pup by simply breathing on her, Elsa. I shouldn’t be allowed near her, not yet, maybe not ever.

Elsa sighed and brought a hand to massage her temple. Though Birger had been a great source of support as she struggled to tame her own anxieties, dealing with his were an entirely different beast. His self-loathing was oddly sharp and secular, focused harshly on his being a dragon, living in a land of humans. When it came to the humans he cherished, specifically, Elsa noticed that Birger’s fears worsened.

And now, one of his most cherished humans had a child, one that he clearly saw himself as a danger to.

“Birger, please, you are no more or less a danger to Neta than…” Elsa paused, and took a deep breath before she finished. “Than I am.”

He whirled on her, then, his pacing swiftly ended as he brought his great head down and glared at her.

You could never harm the pup.

Elsa simply glared back. “And neither could you.”

Birger snarled, great white canines and molars shining in the sunlight, his sabers their twin cornerstones.

I am a dragon! A beast, a vessel of feral magic and rage! I am fully capable of harming her, and I would prefer the risk to be avoided all together!

Elsa’s glare strengthened as she stepped close to his nose, and poked it hard.

“Then you will find a way to tell Anna to her face why you refuse to meet her daughter.”

His snarl froze, all growls and hisses gone, as he stared at her then.

…I…cannot.

“You will.”

No.

“She deserves an explanation from you.”

She deserves the world, not me.

“She wants you to meet Neta.”

What she wants is impossible.

“You’re the one being impossible!”

You’re the one who won’t listen!

Elsa grabbed his nose, then, and forcefully pushed it earthward so that his eyes were closer to hers. She shouldn’t have been able to manipulate the dragon so, but Birger was always weak when it came to the woman who shared his heart. Ironically, he melted at her touch, and let her bring his face close. Even if it meant coming so near to her furious glare.

“You know full well that I always listen to you. I’m the only one who truly can, and you’ve always done right by me and listened in return. Now, you will be silent, and you will hear my words and feel my heart. Do I make myself clear?”

Birger gulped, but obediently said nothing and kept his heart open.

Elsa sighed then, and took a moment to gather herself.

“You have had every opportunity to cause me and Anna harm. So many moments, don’t you remember? When your wounds healed, and you pulled me and Anna to your chest? You rolled onto your back, and pinned us against your fur.”

Birger felt more than heard Elsa’s silent command, and slid a paw up to settle beside her. She rested her hand on it, and smiled.

“With these great big paws of yours, tipped with mighty and sharp claws. You held us both close, and did anything happen to us?”

Birger meekly shook his head, eyes still locked on hers.

“Exactly, you did not. Even when you sensed Alan’s intrusion, and rolled back onto your belly, you still kept us safe. Even when those wolves ambushed Anna later, your rage never came near me.”

His ears pinned back at the memory of that painful moment, but she simply stroked his nose and sent warmth and love through their bond.

“Birger, you could never hurt us, and you will never hurt Neta. You will be just fine, and she could be no safer than in your very paws.”

Birger was silent for some time, and Elsa patiently waited. She could still feel him, open and bare, and how he agonized. It was better than before, now, at least. Now, he agonized over convincing himself, over accepting her words and taking in the reality of them. Finally, he heaved a great sigh, and nuzzled his nose to her.

Very well…I concede, my heart.

Elsa smiled, and let a burst of frost sparkle in his fur. She turned away, then, and called out to the nearby castle door.

“Anna! He’s better now, you can bring her out.”

Elsa felt more than heard Birger’s surprise, as he backpedaled away. He clearly hadn’t expected for the subject of their discussion to have been waiting nearby that entire time. The doors were opened by guards waiting on the inside, and Anna emerged and approached them.

She was dressed lightly, no doubt still somewhat in recovery, though it had been a couple of months. Anna bore a great sunny smile as she neared the frosty pair. In her arms, tightly held and protected, was a blanketed bundle. Though not too terribly cold outside, it was far nippier than any baby would like.

Birger stood ramrod straight before them, head drawn high and back by his great neck. His ears, at least, were high and at attention, and his wide azure eyes were locked on the bundle in Anna’s arms. His tail swayed about slowly behind him, almost like a focused cat’s, and Elsa struggled not to giggle at the sight.

Anna smiled gently up at him, and carefully hefted the silent bundle as she nodded to him.

“Are you ready?”

Slowly, carefully, Birger lowered himself and laid down. He hovered his head near, ears still high and eyes still wide. His tail swung around to settle beside them, its long and fluffy length easily doubling back along his form. Anna, almost too excited to wait, bounced happily as she carefully pulled at the edges of the blanket.

Elsa almost stumbled at the sheer force of the pride and adoration that struck her through their bond.

Birger brought his large, fluffy nose close to the bundle as he looked at the wee baby nestled in them. The little one, her so dark now but with promise to brighten, stretched as the close confines of the blanket were loosened. The dragon simply watched, enthralled, as little bright eyes blinked open. To his shock, ears pinned back, those little eyes looked right up to his great big azures.

Birger stared, and Elsa could feel him get antsy, could almost feel the tension in his legs as he prepared to vault away as if they were her own. He held, though, to Elsa’s pride and satisfaction, Birger held his ground and brought his nose ever closer. Little Neta, for all her too-much youth, reached out and clumsily gripped the fur of Birger’s nose.

Anna laughed, even Elsa couldn’t help a giggle, at the sight. It got ever sweeter, though, as Neta seemed to pull on the fur. Though her mother stayed close, and stepped closer to allow her baby to get near the great fluffy beast. Birger’s ears flicked impossibly more forward, and Elsa could feel him relax and settle as he began to thrum.

The deep sound thundered out of his chest, and the sisters could all but feel it in their feet. Neta seemed to just adore it, little high cackles of a baby breaking the gentle silence of the moment. Birger’s thrum strengthened, its note higher, as a close-mouthed but wide grin took to his lips.

The pup is warm, my heart. She is a phoenix like her mother, burning and strong. Her father, for what it’s worth, has only made the little one all the mightier.

Elsa smiled, gentle and proud, and glanced over at her sister. Anna was beaming, herself, as she held up her little girl still to Birger’s great nose. The deep thrums of Birger continued to rumble from his chest as the three of them simply stood there, together, and basked in the joyous sound of a little Neta’s happy laughter.

[warriorof-sun-light]

sound off if you’re alive! - from Thancred {@daggerintheflame-ff14} (o/ Hi!)

» Critical Role Sentence Starters

Eyrilona Koelwyn did not fall. She was sure of foot, and agile a Miqo’te as they came. She had climbed the cliffs of Long Climb, over half the spires of Limsa Lominsa, and Ishgard besides. She just did not fall.

She could, however, be inclined to stepping on loose stone in ancient temples deep in the Rak'tika Greatwood and loosing her footing when the floor collapsed. Two totally different situations, to be sure.

“Aaaaye…” The drawn out groan came a decent few yalms below him, accompanied by a less than convincing thumbs up as Eyri pulled herself up off the ground and brushed stray earth off of herself.

“Oi… careful ‘round that hole. Came outta nowhere, it did.”

@daggerintheflame-ff14​

[twotonedechoes]

shards-verse replied to your post: //That last chat exchange hit me in the feels… and...

“Fine, I’ll help you. But I’m going to -complain- the entire way.” sounds like the start of a great redemption story.

//Yes! Exactly! Just dragging him around, making him help out with basic adventurer jobs. 

[patricia-von-arundel]

The annual Jenny birthday drabble is finally here! (I had work today, I wasn’t home. Sadly.)

“Can you get me the red book, Eldig? The big one, right there.”

“Uh-huh.” Jenny hopped down from where she’d been swinging her legs on the stool, watching him work. “This one?”

“That’s the very one. Thank you, Eldig.”

She just nodded, returning to the stool, now sitting with her elbows on her knees and her chin on her hands. It was both breathtaking and amazing, really, to watch her run across the room, loose hair bouncing, one stocking crooked, able to walk and talk and climb on stools. Five years before, she’d been so… so new, so tiny and helpless. 

She was certainly not helpless now. That had been apparent for a very long time. 

And since Dag was born, she’d spent a lot of time being helpful, in the lab. Alarik knew why - and understood - but he wasn’t about to complain. The company was rather nice. 

“Did Mama wish you a happy birthday at breakfast?”

Jenny’s shoulders slumped visibly, and she looked away. “No. She wasn’t even there. Neither was Aunt Anna. All because of Dag. It was only Neta. She let me have extra cream, though. She said not to tell Mama.”

“Ah.” He shouldn’t have asked. “Well, I’m sure she’ll see you later on.”

“No, she won’t. She never does. She’s always, always, always with Dag.”

“Well, we’ll just have to go find her later.”

“I don’t want to.” She turned away, sitting up to cross her arms, sulky now. 

He definitely shouldn’t have asked. But he was trying to remember now - was Dag sick again? He’d been fine the night before. Unless that was the night before that? But no, Elsa had been asleep before he was, and up before him as well, and there had been no hint of commotion over Dag’s health. Dag had been doing well, honestly - eating better. He was almost ready for solid foods. 

Which made Alarik think of Jenny discovering the taste of blackberries, the sweet tartness, and the shocked expression on her face…

“Would you like blackberries later?” he asked. “With extra-extra cream?”

“What’s this about extra cream?” 

Elsa’s voice - and Jenny jerked around, eyes going wide. “Mama?”

“I’m afraid she can’t have blackberries, though - or perhaps at dinner?”

“But I want them!”

Elsa came into the lab - with none of the usual irritation in her expression at Jenny backtalking, either. She was, instead, smiling - that warm smile that still lit up her whole face. “Later, I said. I was hoping you would do me the honor of spending the day with me.”

“Huh?”

“Anna has agreed to take care of Dag, but only if you’ll let me spend your entire birthday with you. She was rather adamant about it.”

“What’s adabant - what’s what?”

The smile again. “Nevermind. Are you ready to go? You need to dress for outside, please. That means jacket. And boots!” Because Jenny was already racing off, her footsteps shockingly loud against the stone for someone so slight. “Boots, Jenny!”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes, which made Alarik grin. 

“I kept it a secret and everything,” he said. “Neta did, too.”

Elsa reached out, and he wrapped her hand in his. “Thank you.”

“Go find her, darling. Or she’ll be halfway to Denmark before you catch her.”

Elsa looked out the window, as if she might see just that. She was still smiling. When she spoke, her voice was hardly more than a whisper: “Happy birthday, Jenny.”

[stcllify]

@daggerintheflame-ff14​

“I’ll have you know I’m quite an adept songwriter, and to boot, I’m not half bad at singing them!” the hyur returned, a finger in the air to emphasize that last point. The truth of the matter was, he’d had a drink or three and without Urianger or Y’shtola present to coddle him about it, he could get away with a touch of letting loose. That said, it -had- been awhile since the man had regularly counted alcohol as something he could handle in great volumes, and it -showed- in the flush across his face and the slight sway in his balance; …or he was just playing it up. It was rather hard to tell when Thancred was genuine or putting on a show.  

“Do I need to demonstrate?  I-I can demonstrate!”  he said, hazel eyes having caught the gaze of no less than four seemingly interested maids at his slightly slurred chatter, as he turned to gaze upon his friend with mild challenge in his eyes.

Oho, Thancred seems absolutely thrashed! And while she has yet to get to such a point, still nursing her first drink as she is, far be it from Etoile to be the one to deny some harmless drunken shenanigans! The smile playing upon her lips widens into a grin from behind her drink, and the miqo’te rises to meet his challenge with the raise of a single delicate brow. Setting the glass down gently, she runs a finger over the rim and hums a note of uncertainty as she makes a display of appraising the man before her.

“So you saa~ay...” She begins, drawing her words out melodically and adding a bit of fuel to the fire in the process. “But I dunno, Thancred, I can’t say I recall hearin’ anythin’ of a musical note comin’ from you before. If you’re really that confident, then go ahead an’ show me what you’ve got?~” 

[frozenprocedural]

Storms

A very, very happy birthday to the one and only @bepoets! I hope it’s a great one!

This is set in @patricia-von-arundel‘s Shardsverse. Alarik and Jenny belong to her. This is just pure fluffiness.

Storms

Rating: K

The first time Alarik witnessed Elsa's fear was during her visit to Leisalla. 

They were eating together- Knut, Beata, Elsa and himself- when lightning lit the hall so bright it seemed to be mid-day. Less than a second later, thunder roared, shaking the windowpanes and causing them all to jump in their seats. 

Alarik laughed with Beata and Knut, but after a few seconds, he noticed that Elsa had not joined them. Instead, she stared at the windows with wide eyes, and Alarik thought he could see her shaking. As soon as she noticed his gaze, however, Elsa schooled her features, carefully placing her fork by her plate and excusing herself, stating exhaustion. 

Alarik almost rose to follow her, but then remembered Elsa's rebuke from after the trial. He didn't know her. 

He remained where he was, hating the helpless feeling in his gut as he watched her disappear down the hallway. 

……….

The second time was during Alarik's early visits to Arendelle- still a stranger then, but somewhat more familiar with Elsa than he'd been in Leisalla.

He was coming back from the library, so focused on his studies that he almost ran into Elsa in the hallway. He opened his mouth to apologize, but was interrupted by a rumble of thunder. Elsa leapt back, and he saw a coating of frost encase the paper she was holding. 

"Elsa? Are you…"

She stepped back, eyes wide as she shook her head. Frantic, jerky movements that made him think of a trapped prey animal, terrified and ready to run. He took a step back of his own, giving her space, trying to find the right words to say, something that may provide her with a measure of comfort. 

He could find nothing. 

"Elsa? I'm here."

Anna stood beside Alarik, giving him a meaningful jerk of her head. He caught the hint, leaving the pair as Anna continued to talk to Elsa in tones too low for him to hear. 

Hours later, Anna found him in the library. He couldn't sleep, still replaying the event in his head, Elsa's terrified face haunting him. He hated how he couldn't help her, couldn't provide even the smallest amount of comfort.

"How is Elsa doing?" Perhaps it was far too familiar of a question, but he needed to know. 

Anna took a seat on the couch beside him, running a hand over her face. There was exhaustion there, and a look of profound sadness. 

"As well as to be expected, I suppose. The worst of the storm's over at least. Still, I doubt she'll sleep much tonight."

Silence stretched between them, but Alarik once more lacked the ability to come up with something to say. He didn't have to, as Anna broke the silence.

"Neither of us do well with storms. Not since our parents died." She cast a sidelong glance in Alarik's direction, and he nodded in understanding. 

"I think it's something Elsa's never been able to come to peace with. I remember her asking them if they…" Anna's voice broke, and Alarik saw a tear running down her cheek. Taking a chance, he offered a hand and she took it, squeezing hard. 

"She asked them if they had to go. And… they never came back. Elsa… I'm sure she thinks it's her fault, no matter how ridiculous that is. But she… well.."

Anna looked away, and Alarik could hear her quiet sobs. He patted his pockets, wishing he had a handkerchief to offer.

"I'm so sorry…" What more was there to say?

Anna sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve, giving a rueful chuckle. "Don't tell Elsa- she hates when I do that."

She sighed, standing up and clasping her free hand over his. "Thank you. For caring." 

He only wished he could do something more. 

………..

The third was a decade later, when he faced his truth and admitted what needed to be admitted. When he and Elsa both finally accepted that the feelings between them were something far more than just a friendship. 

Anna, Kristoff and Neta had taken a trip to the summer lodge, while he and Elsa remained behind to finish various projects. Alarik was in his lab when he heard the first clap of thunder. He was deep in his work, hardly able to be distracted by the weather, but something kept niggling at his mind. 

When another thunderclap shook the windows, he remembered instantly. 

Elsa!

He was out the door in seconds, leaving his notes behind, rushing as fast as his feet could carry him. He heard a few startled cries from the servants as he dashed past them, but he didn't stop- not until he reached the door to her study.

Only then did he pause, making himself take several deep, steadying breaths. He needed to be calm. For her. 

Once his heart rate and breathing slowed, Alarik tapped on the door with his knuckles. 

"Elsa, it's me. May I come in?"

"I'm f-" Her voice cut off at another roll of thunder, and he could hold back no more. Alarik pushed the door open and felt an immediate drop in temperature. What he saw inside made his heart sink.

Elsa was still sitting at her desk, but she was curled in on herself, flinching with each flash of lightning. Her desk was coated in a thick rime, and a small pool of ice sat at her feet. She was shaking- not from the cold, he knew well.

"Elsa." Even his gentle tone was enough to make her start, spikes of ice forming on the desk. She shook her head, scrambling off the chair, putting more distance between them, and he stopped. Another boom of thunder, and she yelped. 

"Elsa," he tried again. "I'm here." Repeating those words Anna had spoken so long ago. "I won't come any closer. Not until you're ready. But I'm right here. You're not alone. I'm right here."

Elsa watched him with wide eyes, but after a moment, she nodded her permission. He stepped in- slowly, gauging her reaction- and held his hands out. He kept up a stream of murmured reassurances, and when lightning flashed again, Elsa let loose a sob and collapsed into his arms. He pulled her close, running a hand through her hair. 

Some tiny part of his mind brought forth the idea that this wouldn't be proper- him holding her in what could be considered an intimate manner before their marriage, but just as quickly as it arrived, he mentally swept it away. Propriety be damned- Elsa needed him. 

So he held her tight, heedless of the cold, hoping that his own warmth would help. He lost track of how long they sat there- certainly long enough for his back and joints to start aching. But he made no effort to ease the pain.

Eventually, as the storm quieted, so did Elsa. She sniffed and shifted, and he released his hold enough that she could sit back, although he remained close enough their legs still touched. Elsa pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes and nose. Alarik couldn't hold back a small smile, remembering how Anna had used her sleeve those many years ago. It dropped when he saw how exhausted Elsa looked.

Elsa glanced around the room and sighed, closing her eyes. The ice around her desk began to recede, dripping onto the floor, but she clearly lacked the strength to dissipate it fully.

"There go the last three hours of work. At least they were documents I was writing." Elsa's voice was more resigned than upset.

"I'm sorry." Alarik got to his feet, wincing at his sore muscles, then offered Elsa a hand and helped her to her feet. She wouldn't meet his eyes.

"No, I'm sorry you had to… deal with that. It's not fair to you."

"Elsa, no." He took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. "There's no 'fair' in this. And it's nothing I have to 'deal' with either. I love you, and I am here for you. No matter what."

She finally looked up at him, and he used his thumb to brush away the tears at the corner of her eyes. After a moment, she nodded, and rested her head against his chest. He could just barely hear her whispered "Thank you."

Alarik pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I'll walk you to your room, if that's alright."

They left the study hand in hand.

……….

When Jenny was three years old, everything changed. 

Alarik was jarred awake by a roar of thunder that rattled thr windows. He blinked a few times, trying to get his bearings, and recognized the drumbeat pattern of heavy rain. 

And something else.

A whimper, so soft he almost missed it. But it drove away the last vestiges of sleep more effectively than the thunder had.

"Elsa."

She was still asleep, but her face was tight with fear, her body jerking with small, sharp movements. He could see small semicircles of frost surrounding the tips of her fingers. He stroked a finger down her shoulder, trying to wake her carefully so as not to cause more panic. 

It didn't matter, because that moment, the loudest crack of thunder caused her to jolt awake, her hands clutching the sheets that had frozen beneath them, and scream. 

"Elsa! It's alright! I'm right here. You're safe." Alarik kept his hand on her arm, hoping the contact would help calm her down. Elsa cast a wild glance around the room before her eyes landed on him. She whimpered, curling away from him, but before he could speak, another scream sounded. But not from Elsa.

"MAAAAMMMAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!! PAAAAAAAPPAAAAAA!!!!!!!!"

Elsa straightened and leapt out of the bed, dashing to the door and throwing it open. Jenny stood there, clutching her stuffed rabbit and bawling. Elsa scooped her up into her arms, holding her close. Jenny buried her head in Elsa's shoulder, and even from where he was, Alarik could see she was shaking. 

"Shhhh, little one, shhhh. It's alright. We're here, and you're safe."

Elsa carried Jenny back to their bed and climbed in, nestling her between the two of them. Alarik reached out and smoothed a stray curl away from Jenny's face, and used his thumb to brush away a tear. 

"Did the storm scare you, Eldig?"

Jenny nodded, then ducked her head with a muffled shriek when lightning flashed yet again. When thunder followed it, Alarik snuck a quick glance at Elsa, expecting to see signs of fear. To his surprise, while he did see lines of worry on her face, it was clearly due to Jenny's distress rather than the storm. She pulled Jenny closer, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.

"Storms can be scary, little one. Even to me."

At that, Jenny's head shot up. "You're scared too?"

Elsa's eyes flicked to the window, then back to Jenny. "Yes, little one. But I am surrounded by people who love me and are brave. Your Papa, of course. And Aunt Anna and Uncle Kristoff."

"And Neta! Neta's very brave."

Elsa chuckled. "That she is. And there is one other very important person who helps me."

Jenny wrinkled her nose in confusion. Alarik noticed that neither she nor Elsa flinched with the next flash of lightning. 

"Who?"

Elsa kissed Jenny's forehead. "You, Jenny. You help me so much."

Jenny's face lit up, then fell a bit. "But I'm still scared!"

"And that's alright. Just being here helps me."

"Oh." Jenny yawned, laying her head down on Elsa's pillow. "Okay. Love you Mama." Her voice was thick with sleep. Within moments, she was snoring softly, one hand clutching a handful of Elsa's night shirt. 

Alarik tucked a blanket around Jenny, even though he knew it wouldn't stay on her for long. Catching Elsa's questioning look, he nodded and wrapped an arm around the both of them, feeling his own drowsiness grow. 

"Let's let her sleep here tonight. It will be good for all of us."

Elsa turned her head to kiss his fingers. "Thank you," she whispered, so softly he almost missed it. 

"You're welcome, min älskling. Sleep well."

He fell asleep, happy to know that Elsa's fear was abated. 

[bepoets]

ok I know the answer to this already, but i also want the WHY ;D 💖 +Shardsverse Frozen OCs

I’m quite literally falling over myself to have the opportunity to talk about how I would die for Jenny.

I have made it VERY well known since the first time @patricia-von-arundel wrote a fic with Jenny in it (I cant remember what the first real Jenny Fic was now I’m sad) that Jenny is my absolute favorite. I cant even think of words to explain the why oh my god I’m getting too excited the words won’t formulate!!!

I think, one of the reasons I love Jenny so much is that I find she comes to me easily. When reading about Jenny I can see her doing things and saying things with ease it’s so easy to visualize. And being able to turn those fictional words into a reality in my mind, for a character that we had really hardly met at that point, felt very special to me? And then to add to that I felt like she was so easy to write. Until I wrote fics about Jenny I had only ever written fics with Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff and that was the extent of my fanfic writing and while yes those are SOMEONES characters it’s not the same as an OC? Especially considering It was a friends OC and being allowed to use Jenny in a Fic felt like the greatest gift to me and I was so scared I’d write her poorly. Or that it would be too hard and difficult and I just wouldn’t be able to find her voice. It the thing is, she WASN’T. She was easier to write than Anna or Kristoff and a hell of a lot easier to write than Elsa. I felt like I knew her. Like I was writing about someone I knew and loved dearly. And that isn’t far off because Jenny so much as breathes and I can just see my little sister.

So that’s why I love Jenny so much.

Because I know her. She’s my family.

[thesciencegoose]

It's my birthday! I get to blogsit! And the askbox is OPEN! :D

-Anna

[birger-wuvs-elsa]

Моя пещера, твоя пещера.

I actually wrote this one up early and scheduled it, just in case my forgetful mind lost this day in the midst of sleep, work, and school. ;3 @shardsofarendelle

This uh...got...longer than I planned...Birger had input, it would seem.

Elsa was in the midst of filing paperwork when she felt him. Her dragon, Birger, had ever so gently brushed her mind; over the years, their bond had grown, and the ways they were able to connect varied as they strengthened. Even when Alarik’s arrival came about, and all the...unique situations that entailed, and the pair’s own bond was tested, all came out well. They didn’t need questions or permissions with one another, and to outsiders, it would seem as if the queen and her fluffy companion were as one unit.

So it was with a perplexed frown that Elsa set down her pen, and absently glanced at her window. There were no words to Birger’s contact just now, no clear cut thoughts or anything. It was merely a feeling...a subtle guide to meet him outside. Elsa hesitated, as she knew that Birger understood she was in the middle of work. He normally respected her “foolish duties”, and their importance; so why on Earth would he disturb her now?

The queen stood from the chair, and walked around her desk as she approached the window. It was cool outside, and the nippy temperature beyond the castle’s warmed walls caused a conflicting fog to cloud the glass. But she didn’t have to be able to see through the windowpane to know that her dragon sat just beyond it, in the castle’s vast courtyard, which was just barely able to contain his now grandiose form.

Come...

A word, this time, to come with that same soft caress to her spirit. She could feel more to it now, a warm beckoning...he wanted to take her somewhere. Out of habit, out of instinct, her body moved to go out and meet him. But as she thought of her family, of Alarik, and the thought of letting herself be spirited away without warning...she hesitated. But no sooner then she did so, and the doubt began to prick at her heart, had she felt an even warmer, soothing balm come from her dragon.

Fear not, heart...please, come...

Elsa only remained still for the briefest moment before she continued her original path. Before long, she was garbed as her dragon strangely requested her to, and met with Birger in the courtyard. The large, fluffy beast near reverently crouched down as she approached, one foreleg held out to make her climb up his fur a less harsh angle. Hood up and mask on, Elsa nestled in the teal mane that pooled between his shoulder blades as the huge beast bounded out of the city. Though Birger said nothing, and his heart betrayed nothing, Elsa knew immediately where he was headed.

She could never forget the way to her dragon’s cave.

As the icy pair approached the clearing that, to this day, held fast against the forest, Elsa noticed something odd. The large, gaping hole in the mountainside—carved out by expert miners and Birger’s own paw to accommodate his growth—glowed from deep within by was seemed to be flickering firelight. The blonde frowned and tilted her head; there should be no one here, Birger would’ve told her if there’d be a plan regarding his cave. As she thought so, the strong form beneath her began to shake with clear laughter.

Elsa looked up just as Birger had turned his head down to meet her gaze.

You were not told the plan, for it was not mine to tell, heart.

Elsa frowned, pulled back her hood, and tugged down her mask. “What...Birger, what do you mean by that?”

He didn’t answer, merely smiled, and crouched down to allow her ease to dismount. As she did so, Elsa heard boots in the snow, and looked up at the cave’s entrance. Her eyes widened and she gasped softly, as the last person she expected to emerge from Birger’s cave did so.

“Hello, min elskling.” Alarik said, and smiled from beneath the furred hood that protected his magic-less body from the cold.

“Alarik...” That was all Elsa could manage to say before the stun was too great, and she turned to stare, shocked, at Birger’s smug grin.

You two are in dire need of some quality time, heart. You need somewhere quiet, secluded; and, well...

His grin shifted to a gentle smile.

Mоя пещера, твоя пещера.

It was one thing that Birger dared to allow himself to share Elsa, his heart, with Alarik. But that he would share his very cave, the place where the dragon and the queen first met? Tears pricked at Elsa’s eyes, and almost as if in expectation, Birger had already brought his head down. She threw her arms around his mighty snout, and the beast thrummed softly.

Stay here with him, enjoy your time together unbothered and unburdened. I promise you won’t be gone long, but you two deserve this. Stay here, and cherish one another...I will keep watch, as always.

Elsa nodded into his fur, and didn’t so much as make a sound when she felt gentle hands on her shoulders.

“Honored guardian, if I may have this lovely lady’s precious time?”

As Elsa released his snout, Birger lifted it to brush the tops of both their heads at once with his large chin. The smitten pair laughed at the gesture, and the blonde queen eagerly followed the redhead gentleman into the dragon’s den. The inside was, as always, comfortably prepared should Elsa stay a night with her dragon. But on this night, it was softly lit, densely cushioned, and overall terribly romantic. Shocked for the third time in just a few short hours, Elsa turned to her husband, speechless, as he smiled bashfully.

“I uh...I might’ve had this planned out for a while. Thank goodness Anna’s a very proficient interpreter for your dragon, or I might’ve never–”

He was able to say no more when Elsa hugged him fiercely about the shoulders, and before he could speak again, captured the would be words in a kiss. The utterly twitterpated pair’s world quickly shrunk to the confines of the cave. Neither of them paid any heed to the crackling of ice being sparked to life at the cavern’s entrance. Not a one of them noticed the shift in the air as a wall of ice, thick enough to be opaque but with slits in the top where it met the rock, settled into place and safely ensconced them within. They certainly did not hear the thuds of heavy steps that steadily grew quiet as a certain someone made his way to the opposite end of the clearing about the cave’s now sealed entrance.

Even the sun’s rising the next morning went unnoticed...

[patricia-von-arundel]

Shards of Life: Chapter 8

Rating: T

Summary: There is magic in the world - perhaps there always has been. But the world is changing. The wielding of magic is changing.

There are those who seek to control it. Those who seek to destroy it. And those who seek to understand it… whatever the cost.

Winters in Arendelle were long and harsh, something the open gates could do nothing to alleviate. Even the city seemed to have hidden itself away from the cold – the market stalls empty, shops closed until spring thaw, windows shuttered tight and snug against the falling snow. To Anna, it felt almost eerie, so still and empty and quiet, the only sign of life smoke spitting from the chimneys. She knew some of the shopkeepers kept winter hours, and taverns would open in the evening, but nonetheless, standing in the empty market square, she felt a kind of blooming loneliness, deep inside herself.

Still, though, she had always liked winter, and exploring outside of the castle grounds proved just why. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Kristoff, she wanted to explore every nook and cranny of the season – at least as much as the short days and her quickly-numbed fingers and toes would allow. Hidden glens now frozen in perfect, pristine splendor. An icy stream where water became sculpture as it turned solid over the rocks beneath. Once, Kristoff shushed her and brought Sven to a halt, and they crept quietly closer to an open expanse of fresh snow where two young foxes were playing, rolling and pouncing and chasing after one another.

One of the reasons she preferred going with Kristoff – he noticed things like that. The other reason, of course, was to snuggle close and warm against him. He knew where they were, and where they were going, and the whole world was beautiful, and Anna felt content in a way she had never realized was possible. She was still trying to figure out what they were together, but in those moments, it didn’t seem to matter.

“Winter is so amazing.” She said it at dinner, just her and Elsa, the words spoken without a thought.

Until Elsa paused, just looking back at Anna for a long moment. She managed, finally, a sort of half-smile. “You’ve always loved winter.”

“How did you –“ Then it came back to her – what Elsa had told her last summer. It was a strange thing to forget, though it all still felt more like a story, or a memory of hearing someone else’s memories, rather than ones that should have been her own. And being reminded of it always brought with it the little drop in the pit of her stomach, so that now her own smile felt strange and forced. “Wait, never mind. Of course you know that.”

Something must have shown on her face, because Elsa looked down at her plate. “I’m sorry, Anna.”

She shouldn’t have mentioned winter. Stupid. “Elsa, no – it wasn’t your fault.”

“I caused it.”

“Elsa, stop. It’s over now. You’re fine. I’m fine. There’s a really good-looking mousse for dessert, I saw it this afternoon.”

But Elsa pushed up and away from the table. I might have some later. I’m… I’m sorry.”

“Elsa –“ But she was already gone, even as Anna rose to follow. Gone again, and the door closing behind her. Because Anna didn’t think before she spoke. Still. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

She sat again, though she no longer wanted mousse, either – it was just that the dining room seemed as good a place as any to think. Because that’s what she needed to do – for Elsa’s sake, maybe what she had to do. Or she was going to watch doors close for the rest of her life.

Except… maybe she was going to see doors close for the rest of her life. Much as she might hate it, what if Elsa truly needed some time to herself, hidden away, not for years, but just until she felt in control again? Because that was what it was, wasn’t it – when she got upset, she grew scared of losing control. Because it had happened before.

And how many times? Not like in the summer – smaller incidents. How many hundreds of times? Crying over a scraped knee or a dropped piece of cake as a child. Or the times, as a young teenager, Anna had heard her, dimly, through the walls, shouting at their parents? Even if she mostly had control over it now, how difficult must it be for Elsa to trust herself when she got upset?

So she needed to take herself away.

What do you think this is all about? It’s about protecting you!

Being patient had never been Anna’s forte. But if Elsa needed her to be, she’d do her best to learn.

She was in the library, trying to read but mostly fidgeting on the soft because her mind was more focused on her continued patience than the story (which was pretty vapid anyway), when the knock finally came – Elsa’s single, soft, hesitant knock. The door was open, it was the library, but still, she knocked. “Anna?”

“No one can ever call me impatient again.”

“What?”

“Never mind. And you can come in, come on.”

Elsa sat on the end of the soft, and Anna forced herself not to scoot closer. Elsa still had that look on her face – like all she wanted to do was bolt. She was chewing on her lower lip, her hands pressed firmly one atop the other on her lap.

She was staring down at them. “Anna, I’m sor- “

“Stop. Don’t say that word. That word is banned.”

“But – “

“No arguing. Banned.”

That earned her a hint of a smile. “I am, though.”

“I know. But – just listen. You shouldn’t be. Not for getting upset, and not for needing to be by yourself when you do. It’s all right. As long as you know I’m here when you don’t want to be by yourself.”

“I do know that. And… thank you.” Elsa started to look up, hesitated. Her hands curled around one another. “It’s… Can I tell you something?”

Anna couldn’t resist, now – she reached out and placed her own hand over Elsa’s pushing down gently until they finally relaxed. “Of course you can.”

“I… I had a dream that April had come, and… and winter hadn’t ended. And I knew somehow that it never would. And… I know it’s ridiculous, but… I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“You’ve worried about this all day? Oh, Elsa…”

But Elsa shook her head, shoulders hunching her further over herself. “I had the dream in October. The first night it snowed.”

“Elsa…” And suddenly so much made sense. The increased retreating. Elsa’s odd behavior around Saint Lucia Day and Christmas, her lack of enthusiasm and interest. She’d been afraid. Anna tightened her hand over Elsa’s. “It’s not ridiculous, but it’s also not going to happen. This is normal-winter, not you-winter.”

The smile seemed to come a little easier, now. “I know. But I’ll still be glad when it’s over.”

“You and everyone else but me. And I’ll try to remember not to talk about it. I’m sorry.”

“I thought that word was banned?”

“Oh, hush.”

A true smile, now – finally. “But… please don’t stop talking about it. You look so happy, and… and it makes me happy to know how much you love it.”

“All right – I’ll tell you how amazing winter is if you’ll stop apologizing every time you need some time to yourself. Deal?”

Elsa looked up, then, and nodded. “Deal.”

“And… do you want to talk about it anymore? The dream?”

“I guess…” Her eyes left again, then found Anna’s – then closed, and Elsa took a deep enough breath that Anna could hear it. “What do you think would happen, if… if the dream were true?”

“What do I think?” Still a surprise, always, to be asked for her opinion. “Well, uh… I haven’t even thought about it, but… we’d figure something out. There were all those ice ages, like a million years ago. People survive. We’d survive.”

“But would we? Would…” Elsa squeezed her eyes still more tightly shut. Her hands, beneath Anna’s, were almost painfully cold. “Would I?”

“Yes.” Anna squeezed those hands – cold or not. “Of course you would. You think I’m going to let anyone get anywhere close to you? Because no. I’m not.”

Elsa forced a smile, but kept her eyes closed. “I wish I could believe it would be that easy.”

“It is that easy. And it’s true.”

“Anna…” She sighed, and opened her eyes. “I… I wish I could be half of what you are.”

“Being me has its ups and downs.”

That earned a smile – as Anna had hoped it would. “I’m sure it does.”

“Do you remember your dreams? I mean – not just bad ones, but good ones, too?”

Elsa looked away, towards the window, thought it was shuttered and dark. She moved her hand from under Anna’s – gently – and raised it to brush aside an errant strand of hair, escaped from its braid. “I remember some of them.”

With her hand back, Anna leaned forward, over her knees. “Will you tell me about them? The good ones?” Because maybe distraction was the way to go.

There was still so much she didn’t now.

But she was learning – that’s what she had to keep reminding herself. She was learning. And she would keep learning until she understood: Elsa, and how to help her.

And this seemed to be working – Elsa had a distant, almost dreamy look, but the fear was gone from it. “There was one… I had it a lot. It was always night in the dream, too, after everyone else had retired to bed. And somehow, suddenly – I knew that the magic was gone. It would come back, but just for that night, it was gone.”

“So – what did you do?”

Elsa turned back from the window, her smile a rare easy one. “I went to find you.”

“Me?”

Elsa nodded – she looked happy; eager, almost. “I somehow knew that was all right, too – just for that one night, I couldn’t hurt you. We could do all the things we should have been able to do: play games, sneak around the castle. Eat cakes and tell stories. Dress up and pretend to be knights.”

“I remember doing that!” A distant, fractured memory: Elsa tying a tea tray over the front of her dress – her armor – and finding her a fireplace poker to serve as a sword. It got too heavy and she had dragged it – making the most awful, delightful racket against the floor.

“But not the snow dragon…” A hint of wistfulness returning to Elsa’s voice.

“There was a snow dragon?” Anna pushed up to her feet. It took all her willpower not to grab Elsa and drag her. “No, I don’t remember, but you can show me now, come on, right now-!”

Elsa cocked an eyebrow. “Get your poker, first.”

There were secrets, still, but Anna did not believe they were usually intentional ones. Elsa was trying – trying so, so hard, and Anna wished she had the words to explain how proud it made her feel.

But with those secrets also came emotional blows, some far harder to dismiss than others. Like finding out about what Elsa kept hidden away in her room – and who had known about it before Anna did.

A morning routing had developed. (A routine! They had routines now! They could have habits and traditions and nostalgia and things Anna had all but given up even dreaming about!) Elsa, up earlier, worked or read in her room until Anna woke and came to find her, and they went down to breakfast together.

Elsa’s door was always open when Anna arrived. Always. And the day Anna found out was no different. A cold day, but the sun was out for its few winter hours, casting streams of light and warmth into the room. It was usually chilly in Elsa’s room; she rarely allowed a fire to be lit.

To Anna’s surprise, she found Elsa sitting in that sunlight – cross-legged on the floor. There were books beside her, but she wasn’t reading them. Instead, she seemed to be trying to decide how to arrange them in the wood crate before her, so intent in this strange behavior that she didn’t seem to hear Anna’s footsteps.

“Elsa?”

She looked up, and smiled. “Oh! Good morning.” She sounded fine, at least.

“Is that work?”

Elsa looked at the book in her hands for a moment as if she’d forgotten already that she was holding it. “It’s… No. Not really. I just haven’t had the time to get it all organized again.”

“That tells me exactly nothing.” Anna went closer, squinting to try to read the cover, but the letters were too small. She could see now it wasn’t a book – a journal, maybe? Anna had bought them a few times, from the bookseller’s stall in the marketplace – the ones that promised true stories of starcrossed lovers or gruesome crimes, neither of which seemed likely to appeal to Elsa. Though the one she held bore no lurid cover illustration either, so it was likely safe to assume the subject matter was also quite different.

“I suppose not.” Elsa turned the journal, twisting it between her hands. “It was Father’s collection, originally. I’ve added to it, when I have time.”

“You’re being cagey, Elsa. Collection of what?”

Elsa looked up, then away. “You… I’m afraid you might be rather unhappy about that.”

“Elsa.” She went close enough to sit next to the crate, reaching out: “Can I see?”

Elsa hesitated, then handed over the journal. Her hands immediately found one another, twining over the dark fabric of her skirt. She looked down at them.

Her fingers had left fine creases in the cover – it was thicker than the covers of those Anna had bought, and covered in lines of text: titles and names. But the larger print at the top was what caught her eye: Annual Review of Advancements in Theories of Magic, following by a string of Roman numerals.

“Magic?”

“Yes.”

“All of this?” Anna looked in the crate, leaning to see. Stacks and stacks of things: more journals, books, pamphlets, bundles of letters tied with string. “It’s all about magic?”

“Yes. There’s more, going back… going back around nineteen years.”

The pain in Elsa’s voice was explicable – until it hit, fast and sure as a punch. “Because of me?”

Elsa’s eyes were squeezed shut, her shoulders hunched. “I think… There are letters. He was worried you… you might…”

“That I might have magic.”

Elsa nodded. She didn’t say anything for a long time, her hands still folded tightly around one another, and when she did speak, the words seemed forced, slow and painful, from her throat: “He… wanted to understand. What it happened. If… if there might be a way to… to fix me.”

“Fix you?” Anna knew the feelings bubbling up: frustration, the fain beginnings of anger. “How can you be fixed if nothing is broken?”

Elsa smiled a little, though her eyes remained closed. “Thank you, Anna. He… didn’t use that word, no. He asked about removing it. The… the magic.”

“I guess that’s a little better. Could it be, though? Removed?”

Elsa finally opened her eyes – they once more had that faraway look. “No. Or if there is a way, no one’s found it yet.”

“Good. I like your magic.” Anna looked in the crate again. “And how do you get magic? Could I have gotten it?”

“You really want to know all this?”

“Of course I do. Don’t pretend you don’t believe me. I want to know everything, Elsa. I want to try to understand, even when I really can’t. Because… because it’s part of you. I want to know everything about you.”  She tapped the cover of the journal. “Tell me all about this.”

“Over breakfast?”

“Sure – over breakfast.” She put the journal back in the crate, pushed to her feet, and held out a hand.

Elsa took it.

As had become part of their beautiful new routine, Anna piled her plate with eggs and toast and cheese and berries, while Elsa settled for salmon on toast, two neat slices. (If there was fish, Elsa was going to eat it, Anna had noticed even when they were children. She remembered having a rather unkind thought, once, that it was fitting for someone as cat-like as Elsa – aloof and unapproachable.)

Now, she forced herself to allow a few bites – still intend to master more patience – but after swallowing a hearty mouthful of toast and egg, she said, “So – magic – how do you get it?”

The look Elsa gave her over her tea up was almost mischievous. “Nobody knows.”

“What? All those papers, all that writing, all those smart people droning on in all those books and things, and they still don’t know?”

“It was surprised, too – and a little disappointed.” Elsa put the cup down, one finger finding the edge of her toast, but she made no attempt to pick it up, just pushed it idly a quarter-turn against her plate. “There are theories, of course. Some believe it comes from a curse, for the way man have treated the Tsandskiyi. There are apparently Tsandskiyi prophecies and poetry that seem to allude to magic in humans. Including one that Father thought…” Elsa turned away, her hands disappearing beneath the table, and whispered words Anna could barely hear, much less understand the meaning of: “Only in her death can seasons change.”

“What? What does that mean?” Anna pushed her chair back, readying to round the table. “Prophecies?” Thoroughly confused, but Elsa was upset again, and that was all that mattered.

But Elsa just sighed as she turned back to Anna. “He seemed to believe one was… about me. There are letters about it. Diary entries.”

“What did it say?”

“I… I don’t know. I had only just learned of its existence, read it, when…” Anna could see her swallow hard. “It disappeared while I was… gone. Per said Prince Hans requested the third floor keys. “

“Hans took it?” A moment, then the larger truth hit: “Hans was in your bedroom?”

“And likely yours, as well.”

“I don’t care about that. You do. And next time I see him, I might just beat him to death with one of those enormous books I saw in that crate.”

Elsa almost looked like she wanted to smile at that. “We’ll see.”

The strange feeling of another uncomfortable revelation had Anna in its grip again, the remaining food on her place lost of any appear and what she’d already eaten suddenly very heavy. Not only the thought of Hans in Elsa’s room, going through her things, taking them – but also, more selfishly, the realization that Hans had been in Elsa’s room before Anna had.

It must have shown on her face – it was Elsa’s turn to reach out, laying her hand flat on the table, as close to Anna as she could get. “I know,” she said softly. “I know.”

Anna forced herself to sit up straighter, shake her head as thought shaking it off – the feeling remained, but she didn’t have to dwell on it. She’d deal with it later. “All right – back to magic. And forget prophecies, that’s just fairytale stuff.”

Elsa raised an eyebrow. “Like magic is?”

“Clearly not. Anyway – what about me? Why don’t I have it?”

“The universe realized the very idea is terrifying.”

“Very funny. But really – why not?”

“Magic only shows up in… well, in waves. I suppose that’s the right word.”

“Waves?”

Elsa nodded. She seemed to have forgotten her breakfast – Anna reached out and pushed her place a little closer, but still, she ignored it. “It’s… very strange. It’s been happening for a long time – over a century. Every ten years, roughly, children are born with magic. There will be a cluster born very close together – close in both time and location – and then it appears to radiate out over the next several months. And then it stops again.”

“Does anyone know why?”

“No. Well – there may be more developed theories now. I don’t have time to keep up with all the research, and… and I don’t want to risk doing what Father did. Letting it consume me. The whole subject… it’s consumed enough of my life.” She glanced to one side, towards the clock above the fireplace, and grimaced. “I’m afraid I have meetings to attend. We can talk more about this later, if you… if you’d really like. I’m sorry, Anna.”

“Go on. I’ll see you at dinner?” Where I’ll make sure you eat, unlike those two tiny bites of breakfast.

“Of course.”

Elsa was almost to the door when the next thought occurred: “Oh, and Elsa?”

She turned, hand on the frame. “Hm?”

“Could… could I maybe read some of them? The books on magic?”

A pause – then Elsa smiled. “Of course – I’ll try to find time when I can. Perhaps tomorrow morning?”

But when Anna went to her room for her mittens – Kristoff had finally agreed to take her ice fishing for lunch! – she found a stack of books already waiting outside her door.

That night, she began to read.

[stcllify]

❝ I’m a very valuable investment. ❞ - from Thancred @daggerintheflame-ff14

@daggerintheflame-ff14

The miqo’te bites back a laugh at the hyur’s display of confidence, amusement glittering within the depths of her mismatched eyes. Oh, she knows very well that he certainly is adept at the sort of things he puts his mind to, whether it be exchanging sweet words with women at the bar in the middle of the night, or whether it be lurking under the enemy’s window, mere bells prior to frolicking at the aforementioned bar... but she cannot help but tease.

“S’at so? An’ what’s this investment y’speak of, Thancred? Perhaps a career in song writin’? Y’do know, I’m pre~tty fond o’ music an’ poems.”

[frozenprocedural]

TDOE Day 12!!!

For the first time, I did it!!! My first TDOE with a story for each day!

Thanks to @couragedontdesertme​ and @bepoets​ for all your support!

This last one stem’s from @couragedontdesertme​‘s story of Elsa becoming a grandma. Told from a Elsa’s perspective. Eira belongs to her. Dag, Jenny and Alarik, as always, belong to @patricia-von-arundel​. Many thanks for letting me continue to play with these marvelous characters.

Without further ado...

It’s a Wonderful Life

Rating: T

Elsa frowned at the trade document, wondering for the fifth or sixth time why so many people felt the need to write with tiny handwriting. She wouldn't voice that thought aloud, of course- Alarik would insist on her wearing spectacles. She certainly didn't need those. 

A sudden pained gasp broke her out of her musings. Elsa turned to find Eira in the doorway, one hand clutching the frame with white knuckles, the other wrapped around her heavily swollen middle. 

Elsa was out of her seat in a second, rushing over to Eira's side. For the briefest moment she hesitated, and then placed a hand on her daughter-in-law's shoulder, feeling her shake. 

After a few more seconds, Eira let out a relieved sigh, relaxing somewhat, although she was still trembling. "That… ah… that hurt," she said as she straightened up. Elsa could see unshed tears gathering in Eira's eyes. 

"I take it the baby's coming?"

Eira nodded, and then let out a sob. Elsa pulled her in, rubbing gentle circles on her back. "Shhhhhh, it will be alright."

"I'm so scared," Eira whimpered.

"I know, I know," Elsa whispered back. Oh, how she knew. Even though it had been over two decades since the last time she'd given birth herself, she still well remembered the fear. Particularly with Dag's birth.

"Mama, Eira? Is everything-oh."

Jenny stood in the hallway, her eyes wide as she took in Eira's obvious distress. 

Elsa stepped forward, taking Jenny's hand in her own. "Jenny, please go get your brother. I'm going to help Eira to her room."

Jenny dashed off, and Elsa went back to Eira, offering an arm. Eira took it, only to hunch over with moan, her fingers digging into Elsa's arm.

"Breathe…" Elsa murmured. Eira took several shuttering breaths before straightening. 

"You might want to go after her." Eira nodded in the direction Jenny had gone. "She's been telling him I've gone into labor for the past month to get a laugh."

"Ah," Elsa replied. "Let's get you to the room and I will take care of that."

………..

Ten minutes later, Elsa returned to the birthing room, this time with Anna in tow. She was relieved to see that a fire had been built, with a large pot of water warming over the flames, and next to it, a wash bin half-filled with water. Towels, blankets, string, bandaging, a knife and a water glass were placed neatly by the door. Elsa blinked when she saw those, remembering the same items at Jenny's birth those decades before.

A harsh groan drew her attention, and she made her way to where Eira- now wearing her nightgown- was standing, hands clutching her abdomen. Elsa offered a hand, and Eira took it, squeezing hard. Elsa murmured encouragement, rubbing Eira's back until she relaxed. 

"You're doing amazing, Eira," Anna said. She'd taken a position by Eira's other side, rubbing her arm. "Do you want to try to walk around the room for a bit?"

They made two circuits of the room before another contraction hit. This time, Eira cried out, and before either of them could speak, there was a pounding at the door. 

"Eira! EIRA!" Dag's voice was panicked, and Elsa worried he might break the door down. Eira's eyes went wide, and she frantically shook her head.

"No, he can't, don't let him, he needs to leave…"

"I've got it." Anna strode to the door, while Elsa led Eira away from sight.

"Your wife said you need to leave." 

"But-"

"Yeah, I know. I hate closed doors too."

Eira wailed again. "TELL HIM HE NEEDS TO GET OUT!" 

Elsa focused on holding Eira, trying to calm her down. Anna closed the door moments later, pausing by the hearth to wet a towel. She used it to dab the sweat off Eira's forehead, and Elsa let the smallest of breezes fly from her fingertips to cool it.

"Thank…you…" Eira gasped. "I- AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Her wail seemed to go on and on, tapering off into a startled gasp. Eira looked down at her legs, and Elsa understood. 

"Your water broke?"

Eira nodded, fresh tears filling her eyes. Anna went to grab a fresh towel, kneeling in front of her and lifting her dress to clean her legs. As she did, the tears broke free, and Eira skittered back, curling around herself.

"I can't do this, oh God, I'm so scared."

"Eira." Elsa let a firm note enter her voice. She took Eira's face in her hands, brushing the tears away with her thumbs. "You can. And you will. It hurts, and it's scary. But Anna and I are right here. We won't leave you. You are strong, and you are brave."

Elsa released her face to open her arms. Eira sank into them, burying her face in Elsa's shoulder. 

The moment didn't last long, however, as another contraction made Eira's knees buckle, Elsa only just managing to catch her before she fell. Anna was at her side, helping Eira to her feet.

"We need to get you to the bed, Eira. Now." Anna's voice held a note of tension, and Elsa immediately saw why. Blood marred the carpet below Eira's feet. It was no where near as much as had been present at Dag's birth, but Elsa had to look away quickly. 

She and Anna helped Eira to bed, settling her in and trying to help her get comfortable. Anna set a towel on Eira's forehead, and Elsa cooled it as Eira strained once more. 

"You're doing so well, Eira. The baby will be here soon enough." Anna said. 

It took several more hours. Eira screamed and cried. She begged them to make it stop, cursed Dag, clung to them desperately as each contraction came. Anna took charge of checking her progress, encouraging her each time, never flinching when Eira cursed and sobbed. 

"Eira, it's time to push."

Eira threw her head back onto the pillows at Anna's proclamation, her face twisted into a grimace. Elsa took her hand between both of her own. 

"This is it, Eira. It's time to meet your baby."

Eira locked eyes with Elsa, and Elsa could see the determination on the young woman's face. Then Eira curled in on herself, howling, and Elsa knew she was pushing.

"That's it. You're doing so well Eira. So brave." Elsa kept up a soothing mantra, letting her hand be squeezed to the point of losing feeling. She used her other hand to keep the towel on Eira's forehead cool. 

Again and again, Eira bore down as Elsa and Anna encouraged her. At one point, Anna called out that she could see the head, and Elsa felt a shift in Eira. She tucked her chin to her chest and yelled…

A new sound filled the room, a high-pitched cry followed immediately by Anna's joyful proclamation.

"It's a boy!"

Eira sat up, laughing through tears as Anna held up the squirming baby. 

"Let's get the cord cut and get him washed, Eira," Anna said, already reaching for the knife and string. Elsa got up to fill the washbin, and got the baby clean before laying him in Eira's waiting arms. 

"Oh, hello." Eira ran a trembling hand through the baby's golden curls. 

"Shall I get Dag?" Elsa asked. When Eira nodded, still enraptured by her son, Elsa went to the door and opened it.

Alarik was the first she saw, grinning widely- he must have heard the news. She smiled in return and continued looking until she found Dag sprawled out on the floor. She wondered how many times he had fainted.

But his head was coming up, eyes meeting hers. "Mama?"

Her smile widened. 

"Do you want to meet your son?"

…………

Nightfall found her and Alarik in their room, after an evening spent with their son and grandson.

Grandson.

She was a grandmother. 

It made her sit, gazing out the dark window. There had been a time in her life she believed such a title impossible. True, up until realizing she was pregnant with Jenny, Elsa had never believed herself capable of conceiving. But not only had she brought two children into the world, but now she was a grandmother.

"May I ask what you are thinking about?"

Elsa jumped slightly at Alarik's voice, but gave him a smile as he came over to sit by her. In the lamplight, the lines on his face appeared more pronounced, the grey in his curls more evident. And yet, to her, he was all the more handsome for it. 

"I was… I'm… we're grandparents. There was a time in my life- a long time- I would never have believed that possible."

Alarik held out an arm, and she snuggled into his side, resting her head on his shoulder, breathing in his comforting scent. 

"I used to believe that as well. I am very happy we were both proven incorrect." He pulled her a bit closer, kissing the top of her head.

"It’s a wonderful life to live."

[bepoets]

elsarik: baby shoes, Jenny, ribbon

See I saw this and I went “this screams some more familial fluff” and then I thought “what if I made it angsty instead” oops

————

An AU where Elsa is queen of Arendelle, residing in the palace with her husband Alarik and their daughter Jenny. (Shards kinda Pre-Dag essentially). They’re happy. There is no war and no danger and no one trying to harm the kingdom. Everything is as it should be and at peace. Jenny’s growing up so fast, she’s stubborn as can be and follows Neata around every where. She’s four and prefers stomping around it boots like the palace guards, she stumbles and falls since they’re usually just a tad bit too big on her, but she doesn’t have to wear baby shoes anymore so Jenny is thrilled. She wears green and purple ribbons in her hair. For Arendelle. And she loves them. Her little fingers pushing her hair back out of her face and into a ponytail, tying it back with a ribbon in the same colors as the flag that flies outside her window. Usually when she ties the ribbons herself they fall out, not being able to quite get the knots right. So Elsa does it. Gentle and nimble fingers pulling the ribbon right and securing the auburn curls in place. Everything as it should be.

And then one day Elsa has to take a trip. Trade negotiations at a neighboring kingdom. Alarik and Jenny try to tag along but she assures them it won’t be long. She’ll be gone a week, maybe two. They wave and cheer and blow kisses to her as she boards her boat and sails away.

They begin to worry when two weeks pass and there’s been no correspondance from the queen. No sign of where the ship is, no communication from their allies.

A month passes and now the townsefolk are getting worried.

Three months pass and palace advisors are talking about naming Jenny-four year old can’t even tie a ribbon herself-Jenny as interim queen of Arendelle.

Five months in they officially declare Queen Elsa of Arendelle as missing. Anna steps up as interim queen. Bypassing laws of succession for what they know is for the best for Jenny.

Six months pass and everyone walks around with heavy hearts.

Eight months pass and the townsefolk start to move on. Going about their days.

Ten months in and Jenny wakes up from a nightmare. Worried that one day they’re going to forget about Mama.

A year passes and Jenny cries for hours. Inconsolable. Because no one can tie the ribbons in her hair like Mama could.