A/N

Okay, so this takes place right around a year or so after the Thaw. I'm kinda hopping in tight in the middle of the story, but I'll be filling in all KINDS of blanks soon! This may end up taking a turn to becoming a series of one-shots, but who knows? Enjoy!

"Are you alright, Sweetie?" Gerda asked as she passed the girl wandering aimlessly down the long hallway.

Lily nodded silently. In truth, she was quite alright; full from lunch and spent from daily lessons, the girl somewhat relished the free time she didn't know what to do with. Gerda, however, did not seem placated. This poor little thing roamed quietly much too much like the ghost she remembered Anna resembling for the woman's comfort.

"Your momma is in her office," she offered gently. "I'm sure she'd love to see you for a bit."

Momma.

Lily played with the word in her head as she smiled in silent acknowledgement of Gerda. This word wasn't necessarily new; she'd been adopted by the young Queen of Arendelle nearly three months ago, and had been staying there twice as long before that. They insisted she use this word, as that was what Elsa was to her now, but Lily still had trouble. Sure, she'd had a momma before, but that was a long time ago. She couldn't even remember her anymore, well, besides the perfect green of her sparkling eyes. But . . . Lily was grown now. She hadn't had a momma for far too long, and couldn't help but wonder if this was still the appropriate term for someone who was her mother. She compared the childish word to her mind's picture of the regal Queen, but was immediately overwhelmed with different images; ones of Elsa's smile as they played together in the snow, or her gentle hands combing through the girl's hair after a long bath . . .

Yes, perhaps it was the right word, even if she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.

/ / / / / /

Gerda had been right. She usually was. Elsa . . . Mother, no . . . Momma was in her office, but Lily did not dare go in and disturb her. She was far too busy to be disturbed at the moment; she hadn't even taken lunch with her or Aunt Anna like Lily was growing accustomed to. Though, in all honesty, that may have been a good thing that particular day. Aunt Anna had gone riding a new trail that morning, not bothering to clean up for lunch. And while this didn't bother Lily in the slightest, she knew the Queen would have been less than pleased with her sister – the Crown Princess of Arendelle for god's sake.

The thought alone had Lily stifling giggles as she made her way to the castle library. She knew Aunt Anna typically only ventured to this magical, foreign land when Momma was here reading, but since she was caught up in 'queenly business' Lily had the vast room to herself. She casually grabbed a thick leather-bound book without bothering to glance at its title, and made herself wholly comfortable on a couch nearest the far wall, lined with windows.

/ / / / / /

Sometime later, as the midday sun began to relinquish its hold on the world and gave way to the gentle pinks and purples of sunset, Lily found herself stirring awake. When had she fallen asleep? Perhaps it had been somewhere in the first few pages of the heavy 'Modern Architecture' book now lying open over her chest. The thought was not unreasonable.

Lily . . .

Her brain still heavy with sleep caused the girl to be sure her name was being called, but she quickly dismissed it, and attempted to get comfortable again.

"Lily . . ." There it was again, closer this time. Perhaps it wasn't a figment of her overtired mind?

"Lily, dear?"

This time as the voice drew closer, the girl realized not only was the voice actually calling for her, but she also knew who the soft peal of bells belonged to. Her mouth and throat were far too desiccated from slack-jawed sleeping to respond, so she willed her stiff muscles to life. It took her a few moments of attempting to stand with fierce might before her equilibrium cooperated, and she stumbled to the door, as the voice drew closer still.

"Lily, hvor er du min lille en?"

Though she was not familiar with this language that was still fairly new to her, Lily got the distinct impression she was being looked for. And the way her momma had said 'little one' let her know she wasn't in any sort of trouble.

"In here, Mother," Lily croaked opening the large double doors.

Elsa had taken only a few strides past, but quickly back-tracked to take Lily's small face in her pale hands. The Queen's smile was small, but it comforted the girl in her delicate grasp. Secretly, Lily didn't exactly mind that Elsa often made up for the fact she never had a child to be 'small' with, as Gerda had once said, and sometimes treated the girl as if she were slightly less than seven.

"I've been looking for you, kjæreste." The pet name fell from Elsa's lips so naturally, Lily never questioned it. It had been one of her first – no, the first – Norwegian word Lily learned, as it was her momma's new favorite.

"It's a term of endearment, child," Gerda had explained when Lily had been too embarrassed to ask the Queen. "She's calling you 'sweetheart.'"

She loved it immediately.

"I'm sorry," Lily said, looking down at her sock-clad feet. "I've been . . . Reading." The Queen ran her cool thumbs over Lily's cheeks with a knowing smirk.

"I think the word you're looking for is sleeping, kjæreste. Are you feeling well?"

Now that her mother had mentioned it, Lily was suddenly aware of just how unwell she felt. It was with great suddenness she felt flushed beyond reason; Elsa's hands uncomfortably cold now on her face. She felt the world spinning beneath her feet as a wave of unexpected nausea rolled over her, and the Queen caught her without thought as Lily began to slump to the floor. The sunset that filled the castle halls quickly turned to the blackest night as Elsa called out:

"Gerda! Get the physician!"

A/N

Alrighty! There's round one! Please read and review, even if you don't have anything nice to say, I like feedback.

OH! And for those of you not familiar with Norwegian:

"Lily, hvor er du min lille en?" means "Lily, where are you my little one?"

Thanks for reading guys!