Chapter Text
The Elite Elves
Another Child!
The next day? Frieren and Dagoth find the small mansion deep in the forest of Red Mountain, where Leticia is. "Do you think she's in that house?" Dagoth asks, his eyes narrowing as he studies the small mansion.
Frieren frowns, her expression tense with worry. "It's possible...but we need to be careful. Who knows what we'll find inside."Frieren and Dagoth watch as the demon maid exits the house, their eyes fixed on her every move. There's something off about her, and they can sense a strange energy surrounding her. Frieren's eyes narrow with suspicion as she watches the demon maid disappear into a secret room underground. There's something strange about it, like there's more to this mansion than meets the eye. "We have to check that room," Frieren whispers to Dagoth, her voice filled with determination. "She might be hiding something important in there."
Frieren and Dagoth tiptoe through the cave, their footsteps eerily quiet as they follow the demon maid. The tunnel is dark and damp, and they have to move slowly to avoid making any sound. As they move forward, they take note of their surroundings. The cave is dimly lit by torches that line the walls, casting eerie shadows on the rough stone walls. The air is cool and stale, and the feeling of being watched hangs heavily over them.
The demon maid begins to move a stone wall, a secret passage opens up for her. Frieren and Dagoth pause, their eyes wide with surprise as they watch the demon maid push open a hidden passageway in the cave. They exchange a look, both wondering where it leads.
"Mama! Papa!" Leticia's cry can be heard from inside the secret room!
"That's Leticia's voice!" Frieren hisses, her eyes narrowing with determination. "She's in that room! We need to get to her now!"The secret passage closes. Dagoth tries to open it with his strength….but to no avail. He tries again. But no matter how hard he pushes, the stone wall doesn't budge an inch. It's as if it's been magically sealed shut, and there's no way to open it from this side.
Frieren's mind races as she watches Dagoth struggling with the stone wall. Suddenly, a thought occurs to her. "Wait! I have an idea," she says, her eyes lighting up with hope.
Dagoth looks at her, panting from exertion. "What is it?" he asks, his breathing ragged.
"I'll fortify your strength." Frieren says. Her hands glowing blue.
Dagoth nods, understanding what Frieren is suggesting. "Alright, I'm ready. Do it." Frieren places her hands on Dagoth's shoulders, her fingers glowing with a deep blue energy. The energy flows from her hands into his body, strengthening his already impressive physical abilities even further. Dagoth gets the room open and they see their daughter lying on a stone table.
"You probably wondering what this room is?" The Demon Maid exits from the shadows. Frieren's expression darkens as the demon maid emerges from the shadows. Her eyes narrow with suspicion, and she instinctively moves to shield Leticia from any potential danger. "The demon children here were just humans~ and your daughter is next for my test subject." The maid licks her lips.
Frieren's blood boils at the demon maid's words, her hands clenching into fists. "You...you're planning to use her as a test subject?!" she says through clenched teeth, her voice filled with barely contained fury.
"She'll turn into a demon like the others here and I'll be her new caretaker." The maid smirks.
Frieren's anger flares even higher as the demon maid smirks smugly. "You'll turn her into a demon? And you're going to be her caretaker?" she hisses, her voice filled with disgust. "Over my dead body."
"You won't touch her!" Dagoth shouts at the maid.
The demon maid sneers at Dagoth, her gaze cold and mocking. "Oh, what are you going to do about it?" she taunts, her voice dripping with smug superiority.
"Frieren? Take Leticia out of here. I'll deal with this demon." Dagoth tells her.
Frieren glances at Dagoth, concern etched on her face. "Are you sure you can handle this on your own?" she asks, her voice laced with worry.
"She's not powerful…." Dagoth pops his knuckles.
Dagoth nods, his expression hardening with determination. "I will," he replies, his gaze fixed firmly on the demon maid.
Frieren carefully picks up Leticia, cradling her tenderly in her arms. She shoots Dagoth one last concerned look before cautiously exiting the room, leaving Dagoth alone with the smug demon maid. Frieren exits the cave and comes face to face with Malia, the demon child. Frieren freezes, startled by the unexpected encounter with Malia. She instinctively tightens her grip on Leticia, her protective instincts kicking in.
"Hey! That's my friend! Let her go!" The demon child shouts.
Frieren glares at Malia, her expression filled with anger and protectiveness. "She's not yours," she snaps, her voice hard. "She's coming with me."
"You're her mother huh?" Malia asked.
Frieren raises an eyebrow at Malia, surprised that she guessed correctly. "Yes, I am," she replies, her voice firm and resolute. "And I'm not letting anything happen to her."
"Whatever! I'm still taking her to my room for our tea party." Malia steps closer.
Frieren stands her ground, her grip on Leticia tightening even further. "No way in hell," she snaps, her eyes narrowing with protectiveness.
Malia's expression hardens at Frieren's refusal, her eyes glinting with stubbornness. "I'm going to have my tea party with Leticia," she declares, her voice firm. "Whether you like it or not. I'm also going to take her magic suppression ring. I find it cute!"
Frieren's eyes narrow at Malia's words, her protective instincts flaring up even further. "Absolutely not," she snaps, her voice hard as steel. "That ring stays on. And there will be no more 'tea parties' with Leticia. You're not going to lay another finger on her." Frieren sees the anger flaring in Malia's eyes and braces herself, preparing to defend Leticia at all costs. "You're not taking the ring or Leticia, and that's final," she says firmly, her voice leaving no room for negotiation.
"YOU'RE JUST AN OLD ELF! YOU CANT TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Malia shouts and summons her magic stick!
Frieren stands her ground, her expression hardening further. "I'm old enough to know what's best for Leticia. And I'm not going to let a child like you make decisions for her," she says firmly. "Now put away your magic stick. You're not doing anything stupid." Malia fires a small bolt of lightning at Frieren's leg. Frieren grunts in pain as the bolt of lightning hits her leg, but she grits her teeth and remains standing, her grip on Leticia never faltering. "You... little brat," she hisses, her voice tinged with pain but still filled with determination. Malia charges at Frieren head on!
Frieren stands her ground, bracing herself for Malia's charge. She knows that she has the advantage in terms of experience and magic. Despite her growing anger, Frieren keeps a cool head and prepares to defend herself. Frieren swiftly dodges Malia's kick, her years of training and experience allowing her to move with fluid grace. "Is that the best you can do?" she taunts, her voice tinged with condescension. "You're too predictable." Frieren effortlessly dodges each of Malia's kicks and punches, her movements quick and precise. She seems to be toying with Malia, letting the younger girl expend her energy in a futile attack. "Tsk. Pathetic," she scoffs, her voice dripping with disdain.
Malia becomes increasingly frustrated, her anger bubbling up as her attacks are effortlessly dodged. "Why can't I hit you?! You old hag!" she screams, her voice filled with childish outrage.
Frieren smirks at Malia's frustration, her expression smug and condescending. "That's because you're too slow, and too predictable," she taunts, her voice dripping with mockery. "You lack discipline and control. You're just a tantrum-throwing child. You're no match for me."
Frieren glances down at Leticia as she suddenly stirs awake, her eyes widening with relief and concern. "Leticia," she whispers, her voice filled with tenderness. "Are you alright?"
"Hey! Leticia! How are you?" Malia spoke up.
Frieren's expression hardens at the sound of Malia's voice. She tightens her grip on Leticia, her protective instincts flaring up once again. "Step back," she snaps, her voice sharp and authoritative. "Don't come near Leticia."
"Mama? What's going on?" Leticia is confused.
"Hey! Ugly eyes! Let's go do our tea party!" Malia shouts.
"No! Leave me alone!" Leticia shouts back.
Malia rolls her eyes at Leticia's defiance. "Come on, stop being stubborn," she complains, her voice tinged with frustration. "We were supposed to have our tea party. You can't just say no!"
Frieren's eyes widen in surprise and concern as Leticia suddenly jumps out of her arms and charges at Malia. She tries to reach out to stop her, her heart racing with worry. "Leticia! No!" she calls out, her voice filled with alarm. Then? Frieren watches in horror as Leticia and Malia tumble down a nearby hill, their small forms rolling and bumping against the rough terrain. "Leticia!" she cries out, her voice filled with fear and desperation. Leticia hears her mother's cries….before she goes unconscious….
Leticia slowly opens her eyes, groggily coming back to consciousness. She groans softly as she feels the aches and pains all over her body, the remnants of her recent injuries still lingering. She tries to sit up, but pain shoots through her body, causing her to wince and lie back down. It's the next morning. The door to the room creaks open, and Frieren quietly peeks in, her expression filled with worry and relief. "Leticia? Are you awake?" she whispers, her voice soft and gentle.
Leticia tries to focus her bleary eyes on Frieren's face. "Mama...?" she croaks out weakly, her voice hoarse and raspy.
Frieren hurries to Leticia's bedside, kneeling down beside the bed. "Shh, don't try to talk too much," she says softly, brushing back a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "You need to rest and let your body heal."
"Where is papa?" Leticia asks, coughing.
"Shhh, your father is out gathering supplies," Frieren replies, her voice soothing and reassuring. "He'll be back soon. Just rest now, okay?" She gently pats Leticia's head, her touch filled with a mother's tenderness.
"What happened to….Malia? And that demon maid and mansion?" Leticia wonders.
Frieren's expression turns serious as she recalls the events of the previous day. "Malia and the demon maid are no longer a concern," she replies, her voice firm. "You don't need to worry about them. Just focus on resting and regaining your strength." After a moment, Frieren continues. "Leticia," she begins, her voice gentle yet filled with excitement. "Your father and I have some news for you. We're going on a trip soon. It's a special trip, just the two of us. A honeymoon, to be exact."
"What's a honeymoon?" The girl asks.
Frieren chuckles softly at Leticia's question, finding her innocence quite endearing. "A honeymoon is something that couples do after they get married," she explains, her voice warm with affection. "Your father and I are going on a little vacation together, just the two of us, to celebrate our marriage. It's a special time for us to spend alone together and enjoy each other's company," she continues, her tone filled with a hint of excitement. "We'll do lots of fun things together and make lots of happy memories. But for now, you need to focus on getting better, okay? We need you healthy and strong for when we get back."
"Will Fern and Stark take care of me while you are gone?" Leticia asked.
Frieren smiles fondly at Leticia's innocent question.
"Yes, Fern and Stark will take care of you while we're away," she confirms. "They'll make sure you're well fed and safe. You'll be in good hands, I promise."
"When are you and papa leaving?" Leticia asks.
Frieren glances towards the window, taking a moment to calculate. "We'll be leaving in about two days," she replies softly. "So you'll have plenty of time to rest and recover. We should be back within a week or so."
"But in the meantime," Frieren continues, her tone becoming more authoritative, "you need to rest and let your body heal. No running around, no playing outside, no climbing trees or causing any trouble. Do you understand me?"
Leticia nods weakly, too tired to argue or protest. She knows that her mother is speaking out of concern and love, and despite her usual energetic nature, she understands the need to rest and recover from her injuries. "I understand," she whispers, settling back against the pillows.
A few days later? Frieren finds out she's pregnant again. Frieren stands in front of a mirror, her eyes fixed on her reflection. She runs her hand over her flat stomach, a mix of surprise and disbelief filling her. A soft gasp escapes her lips as she realizes the subtle changes in her body – the slight rounding of her waist, the tender sensitivity in her breasts. "Dagoth," she whispers, turning to find her husband leaning against the doorway.
Dagoth raises an eyebrow, curiosity in his eyes as he steps closer. "What is it?" he asks, gently placing a hand on her waist.
Frieren takes a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I think...I think I might be pregnant again," she confesses, her voice tinged with both nervousness and excitement.
Dagoth's eyes widen at her words, a mixture of surprise and joy evident on his face. "Pregnant?" he echoes, a tender smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Are you sure?"
Frieren nods, placing a hand over her stomach once more. "I've been feeling a little nauseous and sensitive lately, and my body feels...different," she explains, her voice tinged with wonder. "I just have a strong intuition that I'm pregnant again."
"I'm gonna have a sibling!?" Leticia gasps.
Frieren turns to find Leticia standing a short distance away, her small face filled with curiosity and wonder. "Yes, Leticia," Frieren confirms, a soft smile playing on her lips. "If my suspicions are correct, you're going to have a new sibling."
Leticia's face lights up with excitement, her eyes wide with awe. She takes a few steps closer to Frieren, her hands instinctively going to the slight bump of her stomach. "A sibling..." she repeats softly. "I can't wait!"
Frieren chuckles softly at Leticia's enthusiasm, her hand finding its way to rub her stomach. "It'll be a while before the baby is born," she cautions gently. "But yes, you'll have a sibling to play with and love soon." Dagoth holds Frieren close. She leans into Dagoth's embrace, her heart swelling with love and contentment. She rests her head against his chest, her eyes closing briefly as she basks in his warmth. "I can't believe we're going to have another child," she whispers, her voice tinged with awe. "It's a wonderful and slightly overwhelming feeling."
"But we can handle it," Dagoth replies, his hand gently rubbing her back. "We have each other, and we have Leticia. We will be a strong and loving family."
"And Vulkan will not win against us….no matter how many times he attempts…." Frieren says, looking into her husband's 3 eyes.
Dagoth's expression hardens at the mention of Vulkan. "You're right," he agrees, his voice firm with determination. "No matter how many times he tries, we will stand strong and united as a family."
"Vulkan?" Leticia tilts her head.
Frieren looks down at Leticia, her expression softening. "Don't worry, Leticia," she reassures, gently patting her head. "Vulkan is someone you don't need to worry about right now."
Dagoth's grip on Frieren tightens slightly. "Just know that we'll keep you safe, no matter what," he adds, his voice filled with protectiveness.
Later that day, Frieren finds Cayna in the garden in her backyard, tending to the plants with her usual calm and graceful manner. She approaches the woman with a gentle smile, her excitement and anticipation barely hidden beneath her composed exterior. "Cayna," Frieren calls out softly, catching the woman's attention. "There's something I'd like to tell you."
"What is it, my best friend?" The high elf goes to Frieren. She sits next to her on the bench.
Frieren takes a deep breath, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "I'm pregnant," she finally reveals, her voice filled with both excitement and a hint of nervousness. "Dagoth and I are going to have our second child."
Cayna's eyes widen at the news, her hands instinctively flying to her mouth. "You're pregnant?" she gasps, her voice tinged with surprise and joy. "That's wonderful news, Frieren!"
Frieren nods, relief washing over her as she sees the joy and support in Cayna's eyes. "Yes, it is," she affirms, her hand unconsciously going to her still-flat abdomen. "We're excited and nervous, but mostly just happy to be expanding our family again."
"I'll let the other Elite Elves know." Cayna smiles.
Frieren grins, grateful for Cayna's support. "Please do," she replies, a sense of warmth spreading through her. "I know they'll be just as happy and excited as you are."
"Zelda, Ellenoar, Rayla, Yao and Sylphiette have moved to the South….they'll be there for a long time…" Cayna says and sips her tea.
Frieren's expression sobers slightly at the mention of the Elite Elves' relocation. "Ah, I see," she responds, a touch of melancholy in her voice. "It's a bit disappointing that they've moved so far away, but I understand that they have their reasons."
"Guess Elite Elves is splitting for a while. No big deal." Cayna gives tea to Frieren.
Frieren takes the offered tea, the fragrant steam wafting up from the cup. "You're right, it's not a big deal," she agrees, taking a small sip of the tea. "The bond between us all remains strong, even if we're physically apart for a while."
"And besides," Cayna adds, a small smirk playing at her lips, "it'll just make the eventual reunion all the more special when we see each other again. Tuka, Emilia and Marcille are staying with us, we are group 1 after all." Cayna smiles.
Frieren nods, a sense of reassurance settling over her at Cayna's words. "That's good to know," she replies, taking another sip of tea. "I'm glad that Tuka, Emilia, and Marcille will remain here with us. Group 1 has always been a close-knit team, and it's reassuring to know that we'll still have our core group together."
"Say Frieren? You think you'll have a girl or a boy?" Cayna asks.
Frieren chuckles softly at the question, her hand unconsciously moving to rest on her stomach. "Honestly, I don't have a preference," she responds honestly. "A boy or girl, it doesn't matter to me. Dagoth and I are just grateful to be blessed with another child, regardless of gender."
Cayna nods, a warm smile on her face. "That's a wonderful way to look at it," she praises, her gaze filled with genuine happiness for her friend. "You're going to be an amazing mother again, Frieren. And I know Dagoth will be an equally loving dad."
"And you? You'll be another great godmother to my second child." Frieren smiles.
Cayna's eyes light up at Frieren's words, a radiant smile spreading across her face. "Of course I will," she responds, filled with affection and gratitude. "I'll do everything I can to be the best godmother to your second child, just as I have for Leticia. I'm honored that you trust me with this role."
"And let's be honest," Frieren adds with a soft chuckle, "I could use all the help I can get with another little one running around. Having you as a godmother will undoubtedly make things both chaotic and enjoyable. Frieren watches as Cayna disappears back into her cottage, a sense of contentment settling over her. She takes a final sip of tea before rising from the bench, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. "Another little one," she murmurs to herself, her voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. "We're going to be a family of four soon. Dagoth and I will give our children all the love and support they need. And I know that Cayna will be there for them as well, just as she has for Leticia."
Frieren steps into the cozy confines of Cayna's cottage, the familiar scent of herbs and tea filling the air. She shuts the door behind her, and her eyes immediately fall on Cayna, who's bustling around the kitchen, preparing some dinner. "Say? You staying for dinner? Or would you like me to give you a to go box?" Cayna asks Frieren.
Frieren smiles warmly at Cayna's invitation, her stomach growling slightly. "I think I'll stay for dinner, if that's alright?" she responds. "A homemade meal sounds delightful, and I'd love to spend some more time catching up with you."
Cayna chuckles softly, her hands still working on the cooking. "Of course, you're always welcome to stay and join me for dinner," she replies, glancing over her shoulder at Frieren. "I've got more than enough food to share. And I've missed our chats, anyway."
"I've missed them as well," Frieren admits, taking a seat at the small kitchen table. "I have been so busy lately that I don't think we've had a chance to sit and just talk like this in a while."
"Leticia is alright? From that demon mansion she got taken too?" Cayna looks at Frieren.
Frieren nods, a mix of relief and concern etched on her face. "Yes, Leticia is fine," she reassures Cayna. "She's recovering well and should be back to her old self in no time. Although I must say, that whole situation was quite... stressful."
"I hope she doesn't do that again….go with a demon child her age for fun….." Cayna looks at the pot of meat.
Frieren sighs softly, a hint of worry crossing her face. "Me too," she echoes, "but you know how adventurous Leticia is. She has a curious and fearless nature that sometimes gets her into trouble. But we'll make sure to keep a closer eye on her from now on and prevent any future incidents like that."
"And hopefully, she'll learn to be more cautious and think twice before following some mysterious child again," Frieren adds with a hint of exasperation. "I swear, that girl will give me a heart attack one day…."
Cayna chuckled softly, understanding the familiar struggles of parenting. "I can imagine," she sympathizes, her tone lighthearted. "Children have an uncanny ability to worry and frustrate us, but they also have a way of bringing so much joy and love into our lives."
"Absolutely," Frieren agrees, a warm smile on her face. "Despite the worries and frustrations, being a parent is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experiences. And Leticia has brought so much happiness into our lives. We just need to keep teaching her to make better choices."
"Not to mention, she'll surpass us in magic power one day…." Cayna adds salt and pepper to the meat.
Frieren nods, a mixture of pride and concern in her eyes. "Yes, Leticia has shown remarkable magical potential for her age," she remarks, her voice tinged with a hint of awe. "Her affinity for magic is formidable, and she could undoubtedly surpass us in magical power one day. We just need to make sure she learns to wield her powers responsibly and with wisdom."
"And I'm glad I found a solution for her unstable magic power….that suppression ring is the best for her until she learns to control her power. I know she hates it…. But she needs it." Cayna says.
Frieren nods, acknowledging the necessity of the suppression ring. "You're right. Leticia may hate it, but the suppression ring is for her own safety and well-being," she emphasizes. "Her magic power is exceptionally strong, and until she can control it properly, the suppression ring is crucial. It's for her protection and for the sake of others around her. She'll understand eventually."
"I hope your second child won't have this problem….but they probably will due to the side effects of The Heart Of Lorkhan." Cayna sighs, thinking about that idea.
Frieren's expression becomes serious as she ponders the possibility. "Yes, sadly, there's a high chance our second child may inherit the same instability in their magical power due to the Heart of Lorkhan," she admits, concern lacing her voice. "It's something we have to accept and prepare for. We'll need to ensure our next little one receives the same support and guidance just like Leticia."
"Then? I'll just create a second suppression ring, no problem." Cayna tastes the soup.
"You're always so efficient, Cayna," Frieren praises, a small smile playing on her lips. "Your skills at creating magical items never cease to impress me. If our second child does indeed require a suppression ring, we can always count on you to craft one."
"Hey? Think the soup needs more salt?" Cayna asks.
Frieren takes a spoonful of the soup and considers the flavor thoughtfully. "It's actually quite good," she compliments, savoring the taste. "But a little more salt wouldn't hurt. It does add a nice touch and helps bring out the other flavors."
Cayna nods, taking the feedback into account. "You're right," she agrees, reaching for the salt shaker. "Just a pinch more should do the trick." She sprinkles a small amount of salt into the pot, giving the soup a final stir. "There we go. That should do it."
Frieren chops the meat into small, even pieces, her knife skills honed by years of experience. As she works, a comfortable silence settles over the kitchen, broken only by the sound of the knife on the chopping board and the gentle bubbling of the soup pot on the stove. Frieren's mind starts to wander as she concentrates on her task, her thoughts drifting from their conversation to the upcoming birth of her second child.
With the meat taken care of, Frieren moves on to the carrots, slicing them up with practiced ease. The rhythmic motion of chopping becomes almost meditative, a familiar and soothing routine. As she chops, she finds her mind wandering to thoughts of her pregnancy, her hand unconsciously resting on her slightly rounded abdomen.
Frieren carefully adds the diced meat and carrots to the soup pot, stirring them in gently with a wooden spoon. As she does so, she takes a moment to appreciate the rich, savory aroma that wafts up from the bubbling liquid. The meat and vegetables simmer together, infusing the soup with even more depth of flavor. Frieren can feel her stomach starting to grumble with anticipation at the scent of the nearly finished soup.
"It's coming along well." Cayna chuckles and stirs.
"It certainly is," Frieren agrees, a hint of pride in her voice. "The meat and vegetables are simmering nicely, and the soup is starting to take on a rich, savory flavor. Your cooking skills never cease to impress, Cayna."
"Think I'm better than Dagoth Ur?" Cayna smirks.
Frieren chuckles at Cayna's playful challenge. "Oh, you're quite the cheeky one," she teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Dagoth Ur is no slouch in the kitchen either, but between the two of you, it's a tough call."
"The two of us should have a cook off then!" Cayna has sparkles in her eyes.
Frieren grins, her competitive spirit stirring. "A cook-off between you and Dagoth Ur? Now, that does sound interesting," she responds, her tone filled with anticipation. "I'd love to see the two of you going head to head in the kitchen. It would be quite the sight and the food would undoubtedly be absolutely delicious."
"I'm sure I can handle your husband no sweat." Cayna winks.
Frieren snickers at Cayna's confidence, her competitive side now fully engaged. "Oh, really now?" she challenges with a smirk. "You're that confident you can outcook Dagoth, huh?"
"And Leticia will be the judge." Cayna pours the soup into two bowls.
Frieren grins at the suggestion. "Sounds like a fair idea. Leticia has quite the discerning palate, so she'll be the impartial judge we need," she agrees, eyeing the bowls of steaming soup with anticipation. "But be warned," she adds, a sly glint in her eyes. "Dagoth takes his cooking quite seriously. He might have a trick or two up his sleeve."
Cayna chuckles at Frieren's warning, her confidence not wavering. "Don't worry about me," she replies, a cocky grin on her face. "I've got a few tricks up my own sleeve. Dagoth might be good, but I've been known to pull a few unexpected surprises myself."
Frieren smirks at Cayna's determination, knowing that this cook-off will be one for the history books. "Oh, I have no doubt about that," she concedes, her tone filled with respect. "I've seen you work your culinary magic before. Dagoth won't know what hit him."