A knock on the door snapped Prince Tomas out of his misery.
"Prince Tomas, we are about to dock at Arendelle!" A crew member called out. Tomas quickly tried to regain his composure as he stumbled out of the washroom, holding a hand over his mouth. He ran a hand through his ginger hair, and took in a deep breath of salty, sea air.
"Thank you. I'm feeling a little better now anyway." He said, walking over to the edge of the ship. Tomas leaned over, watching the solid anchors pierce through the crystal blue waters. As the ship pulled into the harbor, Tomas wobbled off onto the much sturdier docks. His advisor, John, pulled him along the walkway, chatting his ear off.
"Now remember, Sir, stand tall. You needn't worry about your sea legs here. We need to impress the queen to stay in the kingdom's good graces." John spoke, trying to ignore the prince's eye roll.
"Yeah," Tomas shrugged, "We'll see how that goes." He looked over the town, nervously eyeing up the grand castle as they reached the front gates.
On a balcony overseeing Arendelle, Queen Elsa sighed, surveying the people arriving into the harbor. She could feel her anxiety building within her stomach, and she tried to calm herself.
"Conceal...Don't feel…" She mumbled, turning around to face a window, of which she could see her vast ice castle up in the mountains. How she longed to be able to feel free once again! A quick rap on her bedroom door signaled that there was no time for fleeting thoughts.
"Your majesty…" One of the members of the guard stood in front of her, shifting nervously from foot to foot, "The brother has arrived for Prince Hans."
"Very well. Thank you." She replied curtly, and slipped on her turquoise gloves. Just in case, she told herself. Conceal, don't feel...Elsa looked up to see her sister Anna sliding down the spiraling staircase.
"Come on, Elsa! The sooner we get the slime ball out of here, the better!" She laughed.
"Anna, I know you're excited, but don't be so naive, you goose. Prince Hans is still part of their family; we have to be respectful." Elsa teased, pinching her cheek briefly.
"Yeah yeah, I know. But isn't it supposed to be quick? They get here, they take him, they leave." Anna clung to a nearby suit of armor and hung upside down; clearly unaffected by the seriousness of the situation. "I have plans with Kristoff after this…"
"From what I know, yes." Elsa stood up straighter and brushed off her purple silk dress, "You'll have the rest of the day after this," she smiled.
"Ugh," Anna groaned. "I wonder if the rest of 'em are just like him." Anna moved closer to Elsa now, frowning. "Say, why are you wearing your gloves?" She asked. Elsa looked down at her hands and sighed.
"Anna...I know that I won't ever try to hurt you again...b-but, if I hurt someone else right now, the kingdom would go into disarray again…" She mumbled.
"Why would that ever happen?! Everyone loves you! You're not alone anymore, Elsa." Anna grabbed one of the turquoise gloves, folding it under her arms. "You know that you can use your powers for good. WE know." She looked at the gates, then back at her sister. "Now, give me your other glove, and let's go let them in." Reluctantly, Elsa complied, handing the other glove to Anna. She nodded at the guards, and the sisters walked to the men near the gate.
Two men were standing at the entrance ahead of a group of guards dressed in white. They were talking quietly with one another, and only stopped to look up as Elsa and Anna approached.
"Welcome to Arendelle," Elsa forced a small smile, "I apologize for the circumstances that we have to meet under." One of the men, presumably an older brother of Hans's, bowed politely with the rest of his party following suit.
"Thank you, your highness, but it is really my kingdom that should be apologizing." He stood up straighter, and offered out a gloved hand. "And so I apologize before introducing myself, as Prince Tomas of the Southern Isles; the twelfth brother." As Elsa cautiously placed her hand in his, a small current shot up her arm. It felt as though she had shocked her hand, and she quickly pulled it away.
"Geh...m-must be static in the air, huh?" Tomas coughed nervously, glancing down at his glove. There was a small smolder mark in the palm, and he tucked his arm behind his back. "My apologies again. Now, not to be rude, but would you rather us collect the prisoner and set out right away? Or is it not too much to ask for permission to stay in town for a night to give my crew some rest?" Both Elsa and Tomas chewed on their lip nervously, but Elsa shook herself out of her daze.
"My sister is the one to ask for terms relating to Hans. If your crew needs the rest, you are welcome to stay." She folded her arms, tucking her hands into her sides to try and hide the frost growing up her arms.
"Oh, right, the princess!" Tomas turned to Anna, bowing once more in courtesy. "It is you of all people that deserves the biggest apology. I am deeply sorry for my brother's behavior. And it is entirely up to you as to how far you wish to extend your good graces."
He extended his opposite hand to her, and she took it hesitantly; looking towards Elsa for guidance. From her neutral glance, Elsa concluded that her sister had not felt the same shock that she had.
"It's your choice, Anna." Elsa said reassuringly. "If it at all helps, he can stay in the guarded prison for the night while his crew rests. Tomas coughed and shrugged his shoulders. "If it makes you feel better, I can stay there too. Though, I assure you that I do not share a mentality with my brother." Anna's mouth twisted up in thought before she spoke again.
"Hans can survive another night in his cell; Your men can stay here. It's not like we have guests very often anyway, and I won't be here much until the evening as is." She released Tomas's hand and smiled warmly. "Though, the innkeeper has his hands full with all the celebrating going on...and it's even less common to have guests in our palace…" She paced around in thought, "So I guess plans are that you'll stay with us. Is that okay, Elsa?" The older sister chewed on her dainty fingernails briefly before smiling as well.
"It will be the most fun we've had in a while, at least since the last ball. So why not?" She giggled.
"Yeah! Exactly! I'll even bring Kristoff back for a big dinner." She playfully punched Tomas's arm, who smiled wide.
"Thank you so much! We are eternally grateful!" He laughed, glancing over at Elsa.
"The guards will show you the way. If you'll excuse me please…" The queen turned off in a run, heading back inside the grand castle. Tomas turned to his own group.
"Please inform the crew of the situation, and bring our things to wherever directed." He slowly turned back to Anna. "Now your highness, if you please, I would like to briefly speak with Hans to deliver a message."
"Yeah, yeah, the guards can show you there too!" She waved back with a smile and took off after Elsa. Tomas exhaled, running a hand through his crimson hair. Great…
Near the castle, Elsa clutched at her hand; pacing madly back and forth. Her eyes frantically looked over the cool ice forming in her palm. What in the name of…- She looked up worriedly at Anna, who heaved breathlessly from running.
"I...I told you, Anna! Something happened!" Elsa growled, snatching her gloves back from Anna's dress pocket.
"What are you freaking out about? He didn't do anything weird...Was it because he's attractive?" She teased, grabbing Elsa's shaking hands. "I mean, I'm personally over redheads, but he isn't bad looking." She chuckled and squeezed her sister's hands gently, laughing as Elsa's cheeks flushed.
"Anna...no. We touched and there was a...a spark, or something…" Elsa yanked her hands away.
"Right?! That's exactly how I feel with Kristoff now whenever we hold hands." Anna giggled. "Granted, I thought I felt that way with Hans too...maybe that's it. Hey, should we see what they're talking about?" Elsa groaned and tugged at her white braid.
"Anna...just...nevermind. Go play with Kristoff or something."
"But one of us should at least be there to hear what they're saying. What if we can't trust Tomas?" Elsa raised an eyebrow at her sister; who for once spoke with some hint of responsibility.
"You're right," shrugged Elsa; chewing the inside of her cheek, "You go. Dinner will be at sundown." She shoved Anna's shoulders playfully, smiling.
"Really? Thanks Elsa!" Anna grabbed her sister in a crushing bear hug and turned to leave, but stopped and snickered. "I mean...your majesty." She bowed, laughing all the while. "Seeya!" Elsa rolled her eyes and turned back towards the prison, her gentle smile fading. You bastard...you'll be lucky if I don't freeze your icy heart here and now for what you did to such a sweet girl.