#abeautifulability

The first thing she did was have Gerda draw her a warm bath, which she then took her time enjoying, letting the warmth of the water wash over her and soothe the knots of stress that had formed during the day. When she had finished, she drained the tub and stood, wrapping a towel around herself and drying off before stepping out, dressing in a simple nightgown and robe, forgoing the pesky task of creating one with her magic, since she was far too tired and ready for a good night’s rest.

Taking her hairbrush with her, Elsa began to walk back into her chambers, combing the tangles out as she moved to sit at her vanity. After she was convinced that she had gotten all the tangles out, she brought her hands up and smoothed them over her hair, which rearranged into a loose braid, before brushing her bangs back, hands glowing slightly from her magic.

“Mother, how come you can do that, and I can’t?” came a voice from the doorway.

Elsa looked over to see a dark-hared, fair-skinned child, her beloved daughter, teetering towards her. She held her hands out to the child, catching her before she could fall and pulling her into her lap as she smoothed the dark locks away from her small, pale face.

“I don’t know, little one,” she admitted, pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of her head. “It’s just something I was born with, although it didn’t manifest itself till I was older.” I can only hope it’s not the same with you, dear heart.

The tiny child snuggled against her mother while being held, a content smile gracing her features. “Do you want me to be able to do the pretty magic like you, mother?” She looked up at her mother with innocent, pale blue eyes.

Elsa felt her heart lurch as she looked down at the child gazing up at her with eyes so like her own, only they were free of the weariness and pain that haunted Elsa’s own. She didn’t want to – couldn’t – lie to her own child, but she tried to be tactful. “They are beautiful,” she nodded, “But they are also a great responsibility. I don’t want you to have to carry that burden,” she explained, hugging her tighter.

 The child pouted slightly, and Elsa could tell that the child was struggling to understand why she was being held tighter, more protectively. But nevertheless, she snuggled closer, clutching the front of her mother’s nightgown for comfort and leverage to keep herself upright.

“If it makes you happy, mother, I’ll do my best not to have powers.” She nodded with all the determination that a three year old could muster.

Elsa’s heart broke a little more at the child’s words, so determined to do what her mother wanted. “Oh, my sweet…” she said, her cheek coming to rest on the girl’s head as she tried to fight back tears. “You shouldn’t try to be anything other than what you are. I would never want you to do that.”

The little girl nodded silently and stayed snuggled close to her mother, wrapping her arms as far around her as she could manage. “I love you very much, mother. Like the snow loves you!” She giggled softly and looked up at her mother again, complete and total adoration for her sparkling in her eyes.

“And I love you even more,” Elsa said with a fond smile, blinking back the tears as she looked down at her daughter. “I love you the most.” In truth, Elsa had been terrified when she had learned that she was with child, but her daughter was the light of her life, never failing to make her smile, no matter how sad or worried she was.

“I know you do!” The small child giggled and snuggled even closer as she gave a tiny yawn. “Mother…?” she asked quietly, waiting until she knew she had her mother’s attention before continuing.

“Yes, sweetheart?” Elsa asked, looking down at the child snuggled in her lap.

“Will you tell me a story? About the day I was born?” She yawned again, moving around a bit until she was settled comfortably with her head resting against her mother’s shoulder.

The day you were born. Elsa smiled. “You were a summer child – born on the hottest day of the year, and I had never been more grateful for my powers, for they kept me cool. You were almost a week late in coming, and I had begun to think you were never coming out. ” She giggled, tickling the girl fondly, and earning a soft giggle from her before she settled back against her. “But when you finally did, and I held you in my arms for the first time, I was the happiest person in the world. You were perfect.” She smiled, gazing off into the distance as she remembered the magical moment. “I knew I would love you always.”

“Were you scared, mama?” The child yawned again, and her eyelids began to droop as she found it increasingly harder to stay awake in her mother’s comforting embrace.

“I was,” Elsa admitted, nodding her head. Oh so very scared. “But my friends helped me through – they were there for me and held my hands the entire time.”  She laughed softly, remembering the day. “I had never been more thankful to have your aunt than I was that day. She stayed with me the entire time I was in labor. All twelve hours of it, she never left my side. Not even for chocolate. She was one of the first to hold you, after myself.” She looked down at her daughter, and could see her nodding off against her chest as she talked, and she smiled, kissing her forehead softly. She was terrified that she wouldn’t make a good mother, but this beautiful, dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty was the light of her life, and she would do anything for her.

The tiny child in her arms smiled sleepily and gave one final yawn before speaking, her voice very soft now. “I’m very glad to have you as my mama…” She snuggled closer and, a few seconds later, was peacefully sleeping soundly against her mother’s shoulder, one tiny hand still grasping the fabric of her gown.