Angel in the Snow, Demon in the Shadows 2: Scourge of the Seas

(A/N: Second Frozen story I've posted, and sequel to Angel in the Snow, Demon in the Shadows. I was surprised, and really happy, with how well my first seemed to go over. I asked my readers if they wanted a sequel and they did, so here it is. Hopefully it's as enjoyable as the last, or if not as enjoyable, at least still enjoyable. It starts about two months after the first one, and the princes have returned to Arendelle to discuss political relations, as per Elsa's request. It will, theoretically, be the last time Hans is allowed on Arendelle's soil. The first half of this story focuses mainly on Hans and his brothers. The second half focuses in on Hans and Elsa. The last few chapters focus on both aspects and delve into both angles a bit more. The first chapter or two is relatively tame and uneventful, but after that it picks up. Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy.)

Compromise

Screams echoed loudly on the passenger vessel as the cannonballs struck its sides. The laughter and cruel taunts of pirates echoed as the scallywags boarded the helpless ship, killing any who dared stand against them. Fires burned the deck. Women screamed as they were seized and bound to take as trophies, their husbands killed or captured and their children taken prisoner. Perhaps, if they were fortunate, the little ones would be disposed of. Otherwise, their doom was to be used as slaves for god only knew what. Through the smoke a figure could be seen. A pirate clothed in dark robes and a dark hat. A scarf covered his face from eyes down, and with steely and merciless, almost taunting, eyes, he watched the misery and plunder. Soon all that was left of the ship were planks floating in the seas and fires burning on the wood. The pirate turned to take in their plunder and their captives.

"Strip them and lock them below deck," he commanded coldly. Immediately his men moved to obey as the innocents pled for mercy. The captain observed the items they'd won and chuckled darkly. "It seems we struck it lucky, lads! Lock it away and treat yourselves for a battle well won." The pirates cheered and obeyed this order also. The captain turned to survey the ruins in satisfaction.

"Captain Meilic, the princes of the Southern Isles have become wary of you. They will launch a counter, after news of this atrocity reaches the King," the first mate stated to the captain.

"Let them come. I relish it," Melic answered.

"They will not easily be dissuaded," the first mate warned.

"Good. I want them subject to me," the pirate answered. "Imagine the plunder to be taken off their ships. Imagine the riches capturing them would bring. The gold earned from ransom, or the silver earned from selling them to an enemy nation as slaves, would set us for life. Yes, let them come… I will have the heads of whoever dares face me, and they will know beyond doubt that this sea belongs to me. King Moren will beg at my feet by the time I have finished with him and his brothers." Turning away from the ruins of the ship, Meilic walked back to tend to his own.

1 Week Later

"Elsa, the princes are here! The ships, they're pulling into dock!" Anna called, racing into Elsa's throne room grinning excitedly.

"What? Already? They're early! Nothing's ready," Elsa said, worried.

"I'm pretty sure they won't care as long as there's food and warm beds," Kristoff, following Anna, said as he entered with a smile.

"That's not the point, Kristoff," Elsa replied. "It's an issue of principle."

"Your majesty, Gerda and I will deal with all the preparations. You just worry about your meeting with them," Kai said, smiling fondly at Elsa.

"Thank you, Kai," Elsa said with a sigh, calming herself down.

Frozen

As they had on their first arrival, the royal family of the Southern Isles approached in the shape of an arrowhead to come and kneel before the queen, all as one, heads bowed low. Only the King remained standing, but he bowed at the waist to her. "Queen Elsa," he greeted.

"King Moren," she answered, curtseying in turn. Anna and Kristoff, as usual, were at her side, and this time Olaf was there too. Anna followed her sister in curtseying as Kristoff knelt.

"Franz!" Olaf excitedly said, heading immediately towards the 'party prince', as Anna had affectionately taken to calling Franz. Franz's eyes lost the serious look and lit up with the usual laid back and fun-loving glint.

"Olaf, there you are!" Franz greeted, hugging the excited little snowman as Olaf waddled up to him.

"I'm always here," Olaf replied brightly. "It's so great to have you back!"

"It's great to be back," Franz said. He looked up, grinning, and caught Moren's icy glare. He tensed, grin immediately vanishing. "Err, we'll talk later, Olaf. Moren's in business mode."

"Riiight, gotcha," Olaf said, winking. Hurriedly he waddled away from the princes and back to his friends.

"Welcome, all of you. The same rooms that were at your disposal before are at your disposal again. You'll be served dinner there, so you can have a chance to rest up. Tomorrow we will discuss political relations between our lands," Elsa said, smiling.

"As you wish it," Moren agreed. He motioned for his brothers to rise. They did so and followed their sibling, and Arendelle's royals, inside.

Frozen

It was early the next day, only just after breakfast, and no time was being wasted in getting to the matter at hand. "What are your demands, King Moren?" Elsa questioned, pacing back and forth in front of him and her throne coolly. It was all business now, and she was in intimidate mode. Anna and Kristoff sat in smaller thrones to either side of her own, and the servants stood by them, adding to the force behind her. Unfortunately, Moren didn't seem about to buy it. Though he stood lower than her, and though her walk certainly was unnerving and cold enough to scare off most, he stood calm and strong, unmoved by the play for dominance and control. It also helped that the force he had behind himself was greater still. All of his brothers—including Hans, who really was only here because it was obligation and he'd have to suck it up—sat in the arrow pattern, watching silently.

"I have no demands, Queen Elsa. Only propositions and questions," Moren answered.

"I'm listening," she said.

"Where do you see relations between Arendelle and the Southern Isles in the wake of my brother's infamous treachery?" Moren questioned, gesturing to Hans. Hans cringed, glancing away.

"Frankly? My first thought was to cut all ties with the Southern Isles. But then I had already cut all ties to Weselton. Cutting out our second most powerful partner in trade, as well as the first, would be disaster for Arendelle, so I am open to remaining trading partners. Military allies, on the other hand, I'm iffier about."

"For what reasons?" Moren questioned.

"Because if the King of the Southern Isles has the same streak buried within him as his baby brother, keeping you as military allies could end in disaster for my people," Elsa answered. After all, if Moren had the mind to, he could call a retreat and have his armies turn tail, fleeing in a battle and leaving her own men to die.

Moren smirked. "Touché," he admitted. "But to lose the Southern Isles as a military partner will be disastrous for us both regardless. Especially when it comes to the waterways and our fleets and trading ships. For us to remain trade partners, we must remain military allies as well."

"For what reason?" Elsa asked.

"For the simple reason the dread pirate Meilic has been waging subtle but deadly war on trade routes between our two nations, boarding and sinking ships, taking numerous lives, captives, and prisoners, relentlessly pursuing special cargo ships until plunder is taken from them, etc," Moren answered.

"Why has Arendelle not felt it so badly?" Elsa questioned.

"Because of our military alliance. The fleets of the Southern Isles have kept Meilic at bay. Most notably the fleets Hans heads. He was appointed Admiral for a reason, my lady. After Jürgen, he is the best sailor of us all and it shows. His task was to defend the border between the Southern Isles and Arendelle, and to keep Meilic as our problem, not yours. There was fear that a pirate attack in your waters might be misconstrued as an act of hostility from us. Meilic, you see, sails with the techniques of the Southern Isles, and uses the boats most often seen among them. Not to mention the fact that his so easily terrorizing your waters could be viewed as an act of negligence on our part, and a breaking of the agreement to defend the lands of our allies and keep them safe. Meilic was at first the Southern Isles's problem alone. Now he has migrated, and soon enough your waters will be terrorized as much as ours have been," Moren answered. "What was once a vendetta solely against the princes of the Southern Isles has become a play for control of the whole North Sea. Perhaps beyond."

"What do you propose we do, then?" Elsa questioned. "If this pirate, Meilic, is going to prove himself to be trouble, there must be something you have in mind."

"Hans has taken to the seas again as Admiral of our fleets. There is no better record of keeping Meilic down than his," Moren said.

"I don't like where this is going," Elsa replied suspiciously.

"Grant him permission to cross into your waters as well. Your fleet may be great, Queen Elsa, but Meilic is another brand altogether, one they will not be prepared for. Agree to give Hans some measure of authority over your fleets as well. If not control, then at least supervisory or consultant duties. Perhaps even grant him permission to train them. He has the experience. More than anyone else. Least loss of life, least near-death experiences, least loss of ships and cargo," Moren said.

Frozen

"What?" Elsa hissed, eyes narrowing.

"What?!" Hans sharply repeated, shooting to his feet.

"What?!" Jürgen exclaimed third of all, outraged at the idea of Hans getting that much power back.

"You heard perfectly well," Moren said.

"No!" Elsa shot in outrage.

"Forget it!" Anna echoed, just as furious at the suggestion.

"I knew it. I knew you were going to punish me worse than just stable duty and military obligation!" Hans bitterly said.

"Hans…" Moren began.

"Don't even! I was a fool to think for a second that you had pity enough in you to withhold a death sentence from me!" Hans snapped.

"How is this a death sentence, little brother?" Kelin-Sel demanded. "Of us all, you have the most experience. You may well be the one opponent Meilic can't defeat."

"His luck is bound to run out one day. Sooner than later," Jürgen said.

"I will not allow Prince Hans any such power in my kingdom," Elsa said.

"Did he not rule benevolently in your absence and Anna's?" Moren challenged. It was his turn to pace now.

"For all you know it was all part of his ruse!" Anna heatedly insisted.

"The way he treats the men under his authority, the way he once pled for a sickly and orphaned foal's life, the way he was willing to die for a brother he despised, and the determination with which he carried a dying queen he hated to safety, all beg to differ," Moren answered, looking meaningfully at Hans. Hans was stunned. Was his brother actually standing up for him? Elsa visibly cringed at the memory that it had, indeed, been Hans to save her life.

"How do we know what was a lie and what was an act?" Iscawin asked, taking Elsa's side. Not for disloyalty or disagreement with Moren, but for argument's sake. The Queen and Princess needed a bit of help in this. Not because they couldn't handle it, but because if no one with a bit more experience in these sorts of dealings wasn't speaking on their side, Moren would be able to manipulate it to his advantage. In political games his brother was merciless; and if you didn't know or suspect Moren's tricks and cheats, he would hold the control.

"Your faith in me is so reassuring," Hans sneered at Iscawin.

"I agree with Caleb. Err, Moren," Iscawin said, frowning. He turned to Moren. "This isn't siding against you, your majesty, but if we're going to convince Queen Elsa to at least think about this deal, your tricks have no place here. You need to be blunt, you need to be brutally honest. Do you think they're fools? They will know when they're being manipulated."

"If they are being manipulated, it will be into a deal they can't risk refusing for either of us," Justic argued.

"If that's so then blunt honesty will get the point across just the same. Dishonesty and tricks and word play are not what we need right now to repair relations between our nations. It makes us no better than Hans was. No offence, little brother," Iscawin defended. Hans rolled his eyes. Of course there was offence taken. Not that he didn't know it was well deserved.

Elsa gave Iscawin a grateful look. "Thank you," she said, nodding. He smiled gently and nodded back. Franz made a gagging motion to the triplets. Coth snickered, Calcas sighed, shaking his head hopelessly. Connyn was hiding a smirk.

"Then blunt it is," Moren relented. "If Hans is not given power to act as he pleases in your waters, Meilic will come, and you will lose many men, goods, and income. Your waters will be taken over first, and then the Southern Isles' territory will fall shortly after. There will be nothing either of us can do on the sea without Meilic's knowing it, and we'll be the ones enslaved to him."

Elsa cringed and looked uneasily at Iscawin. "I wish he was wrong," Iscawin admitted. "But he isn't. However, there can be compromise."

"And there will be. Hans will not be allowed anywhere near your borders or your waterways unless one of us is with him. Namely Justic," Moren said.

Frozen

"Yes, he… Wait, what?" Justic asked, sharply looking at Moren, eyes wide.

"I would see them both hang first!" Jürgen snapped.

"You are not king!" Moren barked at his sibling.

"Why me?!" Justic demanded.

"Because you are the ambassador, and you can keep Hans in check," Moren said.

"Unless I have him tossed overboard!" Hans shot.

"If you do, rest assured you will come back only to your execution," Moren threatened.

"I am doomed to die under this order! Now you've doomed us both, Justic and I!" Hans shot.

"You've lost your mind, Moren!" Justic agreed. "To send two of us out there is throwing up a flag begging Meilic to come and take hostages or hold us for ransom or kill us or rob us or god knows what else!"

"It will be done!" Moren yelled at Justic and Hans both, who cringed back, eyes wide.

Hans's shock quickly turned to rage. "You… Oh I knew you hated me bad enough to do this, but Justic too? That you would sentence him to this fate with me... Two threats out of your hair, Moren?" Hans sneered.

"You will not speak to our brother in such a manner, boy," Rhun growled threateningly at Hans.

"What's he going to do? Have us stoned?" Hans asked, scathingly glaring at the king.

"It would be no surprise, I suppose," Justic scoffed, siding with Hans.

"Nothing happens without Elsa's agreement in the matter," Iscawin sharply said.

Moren turned to Elsa. "Constant contact between you, Hans, and I, Justic's continuous supervision, the promise of my hand falling hard on Hans should he defy or disobey me, and a guarantee of safer waters, continued trade, and continued military aid between our nations. If you wish even I will sail with them, or send one of the others to, on occasion, to make sure all is going accordingly."

Frozen

Elsa was silent. "Elsa, don't," Anna whispered to her. "For all we know this is a plot against all of Arendelle."

"But if it isn't, can you take the chance that King Moren is right and the pirate king will come?" Kristoff asked. Anna cringed uneasily.

Elsa was quiet. She didn't know what to do. "My lady, may I speak?" Iscawin murmured quietly to her so the others wouldn't hear.

"Speak," she answered.

"Take the deal. Add some amendments, perhaps. For instance, Hans not being allowed to get closer than a day or two away from Arendelle. That way, when messages are sent between you, you can judge by the time it takes the pigeon to return how long it's been and how far he is. In a way that will help you keep tabs on him as well. Perhaps even a raised tax on the Southern Isles, sort of like an insurance policy. Or even demand a price is paid. Such as one of us remaining behind to 'ensure' that the deals are kept."

"Wow, that's cold," Kristoff said, a little taken aback by the veiled meaning behind the words. Namely a prisoner or captive or slave.

"Business is," Iscawin dryly replied. Kristoff nodded in wry agreement. To be fair, though, he was willing to guess Iscawin would gladly become an insurance policy it if meant staying by Elsa. Probably the only reason he'd brought it up.

"I would never ask that," Elsa said. "But the limit as to how close he can come sounds promising, and the raised tax." It seemed beneficial to Arendelle more than it was beneficial to the Southern Isles, but that in turn made her suspicious. Was Moren hoping for just that? If so, why? What was his long-term plan that she couldn't see it? Apparently Iscawin couldn't see it either, because he looked equally uneasy. She couldn't keep silent anymore, though. She looked to Moren. "If he ever comes less than a day's journey away from Arendelle, he will not come back, Moren. His punishment will be life imprisonment or death." Death would spare her the trouble of meddling with taxes, she noted… Before she realized what she'd just thought. Had she really just stooped to threatening death simply because it was easier than the paperwork it would take to get a tax change to accommodate an imprisoned prince through? Well, in her defense, she really, really, really hated paperwork. It took all day and sometimes into the night. She was no huge fan of Hans's either.

Frozen

Moren was quiet, thinking the amendment over. His brother's life was not a light term. "Unless otherwise specified, or unless invited, he will not cross nearer to Arendelle than twenty-four hours," he finally promised.

"My fleets will be watching," she cautioned.

"Should a storm come up and blow the ships closer?" Hans questioned.

"The rule isn't beyond reasonable, Prince Hans," Elsa answered, looking coldly at him. "Should some accident like that befall you, so be it, it can slide; but if you near for any other reason, you've nulled the arrangement." She looked to Moren. "Well, are the terms acceptable?" she questioned. He had agreed Hans wouldn't come within a day of Arendelle, but he hadn't agreed to the terms of what would happen if he did. She had caught that trick, at least.

Moren was silent. "It isn't my life on the line, my Queen. It is my brother's. That choice is Hans's to make," he finally answered.

Hans started, looking at Moren in shock. After a moment he turned back to Elsa, quiet. "Fine," he finally relented. "It's agreed."

Elsa started in surprise, blinking. "Good," she finally said, nodding her head.

"Good," he replied, frowning at the attitude he perceived but may or may not have actually been there.

"Good!" she shot. Ugh, they were doing it again. She took a breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. "If that's all, you're excused," Elsa said to the King.

"Should I think of anything else that should be discussed with you, I'll be sure to let you know," Moren answered, nodding.