The Visitor
Hans lay on the floor of his prison cell in the dungeons of Arendelle Castle, staring in to inky blackness. The only source of light on most nights was the moon coming through the small, barred window set into the stone, or the dim glow of torches coming through the bars in the heavy iron door. Tonight, there was neither. The moon was hidden behind thick, grey clouds, and the guards hadn't bothered to relight the torches outside of his cell. Not that he cared much anymore. Hans had stopped keeping track of the days a long time ago. Or perhaps it had been just a few days. Time passed differently in a small prison cell, he'd found. And a person could only occupy themselves with just their mind for so long before they felt madness begin to slowly settle in on them. Hans didn't know if he'd gone mad or not. Of course, he wouldn't care if he had. Insanity had to be better than eternal solitude.
Before long, he heard footsteps begin to approach his cell. He sat up straight and listened intently, not daring to move or even breathe. The footsteps stopped outside his cell, but their owner carried neither a torch nor a lantern, and so their face remained hidden to him.
This was not the first time this person had come to him. It had happened dozens of times, and started soon after he was first imprisoned here. Even though he didn't know their voice, always the same person, and always the same question.
"Why?"
Hans didn't see the use in responding anymore. No matter what he told them, they never said anything else. They only listened. Still, he told them the same thing he had countless times before.
"I wanted to rule."
No response.
Hans scoffed bitterly. "Still not talking? That's fine." he said. "I didn't expect you to."
Still no response.
"I was going to be King. This kingdom, as well as my father's, would have been mine."
"Do you feel any remorse for the things you did?"
Hans was surprised. This was the first time the person had said more than a word to him.
"I... No."
There was a long pause, the silence broken only by the whistling of the wind and the scurrying of rats. Hans began to wonder if they had left, before his interrogator spoke again.
"You will."
They left him then, their footsteps echoing loudly in the stone tunnels. There was the creak of a door, then silence. Hans lay back on his meager bed of straw and closed his eyes, wondering how much longer he must endure his torture before Death saw fit to free him from it.
"Elsa, I don't know about this. Haven't we had enough trouble with them already?"
Princess Anna was sitting on the end of her sister's bed, dangling her feet over the edge while the Queen stared into her mirror, gently brushing her white-blonde hair. The day had been long, and full of boring appointments and meetings, and the Princess was voicing her disapproval of one of the most prominent issues Elsa had had to consider that day, and for several weeks prior; a new trade agreement with the Southern Isles.
"I know, Anna. But I have to try to make peace with them. We've practically been at each other's throats for the last two and a half years, waiting for the other to make the wrong move. This trade agreement might be just what we need to remove the constant threat of war." Elsa said, looking at her sister's reflection. Anna hadn't bothered to brush her hair after taking it down, and her wavy locks tumbled somewhat gracefully down her shoulders.
"I get that it's important, but it's just that... Whenever I so much as hear the words 'Southern Isles', it makes me think of him."
"I know." Elsa said. "And I'm sorry. But I need to make sure my kingdom is safe, and this is the only way to make certain of that. And besides, I've already signed the documents, so there's really nothing to do about it now."
Anna sighed. "If you think it's best, then I'm with you." she said sulkily. She crossed her arms and turned away.
Normally, Elsa would have been apologetic, trying to convince her sister that this was indeed the best course of action. Tonight, however, she had a different approach in mind. Very quietly, she set her brush down and climbed onto the bed behind Anna. She gently brushed aside the hair on Anna's shoulders, exposing her neck, where Elsa planted a soft kiss.
Anna shivered. "Hey, that's not fair!" she said. "You're not allowed-" She was cut off when Elsa planted another kiss on her sister's soft red lips.
"Cheater." Anna said as they pulled apart. "You're not allowed to do that to try and make me not mad at you."
"And why not?"
"Because I said so." Anna stuck her tongue out. "Besides, I have to go and put Kristoff to bed." She gave Elsa a quick peck and slid off of the bed.
Elsa pouted. "Well, should I be ready for you when you get back?" she asked playfully.
"Do you even need to ask?" Anna said with a wink. She left and headed toward Kristoff's room, which was a short way down the hall from Elsa's. When she entered, she found one of the maids trying to put him to bed, but he continually jumped up and ran around the room, laughing as he avoided the maid's grasp.
"Mommy!" he cried when he saw Anna. He ran toward her and jumped into her arms, shouting with excitement as she scooped him up and spun him around.
"Why aren't you in bed already, Kristoff?"
The maid cleared her throat. "He kept asking for you, Princess. He said that he wants a-"
"Story!" Kristoff shouted.
Anna couldn't help but smile. "Ok Kristoff, one story and then it's bedtime, alright?"
The little boy grinned and nodded. "Ok then. You can leave us now." Anna said to the maid, carrying her son to his bed. The girl bowed and left the room, closing the door behind her.
"Now, why don't you pick a book for me to read?" Anna asked. She climbed onto the bed and laid down next to Kristoff, who was holding up his choice of literature for the night. The book's cover was decorated lavishly with patterns of flowers and vines.
"Are you sure this is the one you want?"
He nodded.
"Alright, then." Anna said as she opened the book. "Once upon a time..."
Anna woke with a start as she heard the loud creaking of an opening door. Rubbing her eyes, she realized that she was still in Kristoff's room, which was still dimly illuminated by the small oil lamp set into the wall.
Looking over to the door, she saw that Elsa had poked her head into the room. Spotting her, she slipped inside and shut the door quietly.
"Sorry." she whispered. "I didn't know you were asleep."
Anna sat up and stretched. "It's ok, I should probably go back to my room anyway."
They left together, and once they were out in the hall, Elsa held up two pieces of paper. "So, uh... I've got good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"Good news."
"Rapunzel and Eugene are coming to visit. They should be here in the next few days."
"That's great!" Anna cried. "It'll be so good to see them again."
"Yes it will."
"So what's the bad news?"
Elsa sighed. "The Southern Isles are sending a representative to hash out the finer details of the trade partnership. Supposedly he's the chief adviser to the new king."
"Why send someone that important to oversee something like that?" Anna asked as they arrived at their respective bedrooms, which happened to be just across the hall from each other.
Elsa shrugged. "I don't know. But just to be safe, we should tread carefully."
"I agree. Now, how about we go in your room, and you can finish what you started earlier?" Anna said with a sly grin.
"Sounds good." Elsa giggled. She grabbed her sister by the hand and pulled her through the open door. "But why do we always spend the night together in my room?"
"Because mine is a mess, and your bed is more comfortable."
Elsa laughed, and kissed her. "That's true."
Anna shut the door behind her, and locked it.
a/n: Guess what? I'm back! Try not to piss yourselves with excitement. Anyway, this is obviously the first chapter of my sequel to A Frozen Wasteland. Now, from what I can tell, this one probably won't be as long, but it's still early days and I guess we'll see what happens.
Anyway, I should be updating more frequently. No promises, but yeah. Also, I just happen to be posting this on my birthday. Woo, 18! Happy birthday to me.
Cheesepuffs.