Chapter 1: Savior
Hans stood in his cell. Although his execution was only a day away, he couldn't wait to get out of this cell. He looked disheveled, unkept, and weak. He'd barely eaten in the past month. He'd begun to miss all the things he'd taken for granted before. Like sunlight and bathing, or even a simple shave. Not to mention the isolation. He didn't particularly miss his brothers, and he was quite certain they hadn't been missing him either. After all, in the passed twenty or so years of his life, it always seemed they were just waiting for this to happen. However, the silence quickly became maddening. Being stuck in silence only makes you realize how deafening it actually is. Hans came to find the longer he was alone, the louder the thoughts in his head became. He wouldn't break though. No, he was a prince. If he was going to be hanged, at least he can leave with the smallest bit of dignity he had left.
He was startled out of his thoughts by the sound of the cell door opening. Standing before him was his oldest brother, Richard. The Westergards' had little in common. They often squabbled amongst each other and only seemed to agree on their distain for their youngest brother. However, they all acquired an unmistakable resemblance. Richard was considerably taller than the rest of his brothers. He had fair skin and adorned the same auburn colored hair. He was trim and had quite an impressive build. He was clean shaven without the Hans' signature sideburns. The most impressive were his eyes, they could catch the beauty of a deep ocean glittering in the light of the moon. They normally seemed so warm and inviting, but not this night. They were startingly intense, like a storm on a dark night.
"Hans." Richard acknowledged.
"Richard." Hans hadn't been expecting company. What could his eldest brother possibly gain from meeting with him a night before his execution?
"You're set to hang in the morning."
"So I've gathered."
"Have you anything to say in your defense?"
Hans let out a harsh laugh, "Defense? I wasn't even given a trial before being sentenced to the noose. Do you think anyone wants to hear my side? Don't be a fool, Richard."
"Father heard enough. All of the Southern Isles wants to see your head on a spike. The only chance you have is to beg for forgiveness. Repent for your wrongs. Don't lose your life over pride, Hans. You'll regret it."
"Don't expect me to get up on that platform and attempt to feign innocence. I'm not going to tell you I'm sorry because I'm not. I did what I did because I wanted the throne. I left princess Anna to die because she was no longer useful to me. I wanted to behead princess Elsa because it was in my best interest to obtain Arendelle. I did what I did for my own self-interests and for nothing else."
Richard could no longer contain himself. He grabbed his little brother and pinned him against the cold stone wall. "Now you listen to be, baby brother. Like everyone else, I'd already heard the horrors from Arendelle. I didn't want to believe. It for once I thought you may be an arrogant, obnoxious, and annoying little shit but you were no monster. You've proven me wrong. Very wrong. Once again, you've made a complete mockery out of our family. I only came tonight out of respect for our mother. She was a beautiful woman and despite her never living long enough to see your monstrous face, I know what she would've wanted. She would've wanted someone to at least attempt to save your soul before death. But you're beyond saving Hans. You've been a thorn in our sides for years. I'll at least have some solace knowing you're finally getting what you deserve." He loosened is grip and stormed out of the cell, once again leaving Hans to his deafening thoughts.
Hans had a difficult time sleeping that night. He knew just what everyone thinks of him. He's known his entire life. The little monster that murdered his mother before he even came into the world. Unlike the rest of his siblings, Hans never had a chance to have a mother. All he'd ever known was the harsh treatment of his father and brothers. He was the last to be given a chance to prove himself. Once the prospect of Arendelle came, they all knew Hans couldn't resist. It was his one and possibly only chance to escape. Well… at least his execution was a different kind of escape.
Before he knew it, the sun blazed down on him through the cold steel bars and he was being dragged away in chains. It was strange. Although something horrifying was about to take place, the morning was absolutely beautiful. The sky was a stunning shade of blue, the air felt perfectly warm with a soft breeze, and he'd never realized how… bright everything was.
"What a beautiful morning."
The guard escorting him was not amused. "Be silent, traitor. It will be over soon enough."
So much for friendly conversation.
Hans took a quick scan of the crowd. It surprised him how crowded it actually was. For being the most unknown out of all his brothers, people were quite happy to see struggle for breath. As he grew closer, all he heard were the whispers.
"Traitor."
"Murderer."
"Monster."
Monster was certainly a popular word for him. Although he didn't feel like one. Monsters were dangerous, intimidating, angry. And at that moment, he didn't feel like any of those things. He felt calm and indifferent. Not really aware of the platform and noose growing near. He finally worked up the nerve to look up at his father and brothers. His father and eldest brother refused to meet his gaze. Some stared with disgust and hate, such as Nicolas, while others looked with horror.
"Father, don't do this. I'm begging you." The second eldest, Fredrick, pled for mercy in vain.
"Silence, Fredrick. If my son wishes to ask for leniency or confesses to his crime, I will consider it accordingly. Stand down and join your brothers." Fredrick stepped back in defeat as he watch his brother stand in front of the hateful crowd.
The king stood from his throne and addressed the people. "We are here today to witness the execution of Prince Hans Westergard for his crimes of treason in the kingdom of Arendelle."
"Murderer!"
"Traitor!"
"Monster!
"Hans Westergard, do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"No, thank you."
"Is there anything you wish to be forgiven for."
Hans snorted, "Are you capable of forgiving me?"
The king quickly grew tired of Hans' cool attitude. "I curse the day you were ever born. I shall never understand how someone as beautiful as your mother could've given birth to such a monster. You are a curse to this world. You have no sense of honor, nobility, or mercy and I have never been so ashamed to have raised such a thing. You are no son of mine. You shall never again bear my name and have been stripped of any and all ties to this family. You've disgraced me for the final time, boy."
"Has anyone have anything to say on this criminal's defense? Does anyone wish to postpone his rightful fate to the gallows, to be united with his own kind? Is there any possible soul that still believe this monster can be redeemed? Does anybody vouch?"
The crowd remained deathly silent.
The king attempted to regain his composure. "I'd imagine not. Release the trap door."
A large man adorning the executioner's robe and hood stepped forward. He places his hands on the brass lever, his face devoid of any emotion. Hans closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to calm himself before the inevitable rush of air beneath his feet.
This is it. No turning back now.
The crowd looks on in anticipation when an unmistakable voice rings out in the dead silence.
"I do."
There were many looks of confusion and whispers as the executioner turned to the king, unsure if he should proceed with the task. The king stands once again, "Do you understand the consequences of your request?"
"Yes. I vouch for Prince Hans."
Author's Notes: Hi, everyone! So I understand this plot may seem a little familiar. I was inspired to write this from another fanfic called Too Little, Too Late. I am in no way claiming to be the original writer and I'm trying my best to really make the story my own. I was always such a huge fan of the plotline and was so disappointed when the writer didn't continue. So here I am trying to do it some justice. Obviously I do not own or have any rights to the original story. Hope you enjoyed!