A/N: Okay, so here's another Frozen fanfic. I'll be updating my other ones too, so no worries. In this fanfic, I've decided to mix Hunchback of Notre Dame (which is super underrated btw), Tangled, and Frozen together into this fire!Hans story. I've also put my own ideas into it!
Anywho, Hans is a prince but that's where the Tangled influence comes up. He's a lost prince, if you will.
I really love the idea that Pitch Black had some influence or part in Hans' character. I'd just love if in Frozen 2, Pitch Black pops up and says "It was me and Hans was my puppet all along!" XD
Pitch Black will be "Frollo" in this story...and I'm still wondering if this will be a helsa fanfic because I haven't decided whether Anna or Elsa will be Esmerelda...idk I'll figure it out! Anyway, enjoy!
When tourists look up to the beautiful church of Notre Dame, they stare at it and are unaware of the powerful story that took place within her halls. It was the story of a young man, who was kept in the belltower of Notre Dame because of his monstrous abilities. Or so his father told him.
Peter Black was a judge and his job was to keep the peace within Paris. One night, he spotted a royal carriage riding through the dark streets of Paris. The carriage broke down and the royal family stepped out to speak with the driver and footman.
Peter Black quietly got closer when he heard a baby crying within the carriage. Suddenly, a group of gypsies appeared. They frightened away the king and queen and killed the driver and footman. They robbed the carriage and set it on fire.
Unable to get help, Peter rushed to rescue the baby who was crying from inside the carriage. With major burns, Peter left it, laying in the snow.
"Poor child won't survive with injuries like this. Better to leave it alone to die." he said.
Suddenly, he turned when the crying stopped. He expected to the baby dead, but it had fallen asleep. The burns started to enter its skin and they were healed. Peter touched the baby, but it didn't feel damaged or burning hot.
The baby awoke from being touched and sneezed. Fire blasted and it caused Peter to rush away.
"A monster!" he cried.
Then, he paused. A baby with such abilities could be useful. He turned and smirked at the child. He picked it up and decided to raise it as his own child.
So, he named the child Hans. The child was given the middle name "Brent", which means burnt. A cruel name, no doubt.
Hans was raised in the belltower of Paris with the consent of the high priest. Everyday, he was required to ring the bells and clean parts of the tower. He never knew of his past and was taught to fear himself and the outside world. Yet, he longed to be a part of it.
Hans woke up and noticed the people were gathering for the Festival of Sparks. Every year, the people would gather and shoot fireworks into the sky. They would do it in honor of the Norwegian king and queen who lost their son years ago. The royal couple would come every year to watch the fireworks.
For a companion, Hans created a small fire being. She was his only friend and often kept him good company. Her name was Venn. She was merely a short flame of fire with bright, yellow eyes.
"Look, Hans, they're getting ready for the Festival of Sparks!" she said, pointing out to the city.
Hans nodded as he scrubbed the floor. "As they do every year."
"Oh, don't give me that glum look. You know you want to go down to the festival!"
"I know I do, Venn. But, I've had it with asking father about it. You know he'll say I can't go."
Venn sighed. "I know, but maybe-"
Steps from the stairs below caused her to stop talking. Hans gasped and stood up from the floor.
"He's coming." he said, quietly.
"Just try asking him. What have you got to lose?"
Hans clapped his hands together and Venn vanished into thin air. He cleared his throat as his father stepped into the room. Peter Black was pale and had dark hair. He wore a long black robe and had dark eyes.
"Good afternoon, Brent. Are you ready for your lesson?" he asked.
Hans cringed. "Father, I thought you said you'd call me by my first name."
Peter shot his head up. "I'll call you what I like. Now are you ready for a lesson or not?"
Hans lowered his head at his father's harsh voice. Then, he nodded and sat down in a chair. Peter sat down and cleared his throat.
"Now, give me a word that starts with the letter I say. We'll go through the alphabet." Peter said.
Hans nodded. "Yes, father."
"A."
"Ablaze."
"B."
"Burning."
"C."
"Catastrophe."
"D."
"Destruction."
"E."
"Eternity."
"Good. F?"
"Festival."
Hans bit his lip for answering so carelessly. Peter's eyes narrowed at his son's response.
"What?"
"I-I...flames. I said-"
"You brought up that wretched festival again, didn't you?"
Peter walked towards one of the balconies outside the room. Hans followed trying to explain himself.
"I'm sorry, it's just that..well, you go every year and I had it in-"
"I am an elected official. I must go, though I loathe the idea of it."
"But, father, I just-"
"Hans!"
Hans fell silent.
"You've forgotten everything I've taught you." Peter said, shaking his head.
"No, father, I just thought I-"
"Silence." he scolded. "You want to go out into the world, thinking they'll accept you. You know it doesn't work that way, boy."
Hans listened, saying nothing.
Peter looked down at his son's hands and noticed he had a pair of white gloves on. He reached and grabbed Hans' wrist. He held it up to Hans' face and gripped it tightly.
"I've done many things for you, and you still disobey!" he scolded. "I gave you these gloves to help you, but you only dream of going out into that world."
"Forgive me, father." Hans pleaded.
Peter continued. "The world is dark and selfish and cruel, Hans. If it finds even the slightest ray of sunshine, it destroys it. You are a ray of sunshine, boy. You have the same ability as the sun, for God's sake!"
The world is cruel, the world is wicked
It's I alone whom you can trust in this whole city
I am your only friend
Peter turned to Hans and gave him a slight shove.
I who keep you, teach you, feed you, dress you
I, who looks upon you without fear
He lifted Hans' chin with his finger and smiled down at him. Hans stared back at him with his emerald eyes.
How can I protect you, boy
Unless you always stay in here
Away in here?
"Remember what I've taught you, Brent." he said, walking through the halls.
Hans followed and cringed at that.
You are deformed
I am deformed
And, you are perilous
And I am perilous
And these are crimes for which the world shows little pity
You do not comprehend
You are my one defendor
Out there they'll revile you as
a monster
I am a monster
Out there they will hate and scorn and cheer
Only a monster
Peter went about Hans' room and shut all the windows and caused the room to go dark. Hans hung his head and only watched.
Why invite their calumny
and consternation
Stay in here, be faithful to me
I'm faithful
Ge grateful
I'm grateful
Stay in here
"It is late, I shall see you tomorrow. Think on what I've said." Peter said, leaving Hans alone.
"Yes, father." he muttered, not sure if he heard him or not.
Hans turned and reopened his windows. With each window, he stared outside for a moment. Several people passed by, gazing at the glorious church.
What have you got to lose?
He remembered Venn's words and shut his eyes.
Safe behind these windows and these parapets of stone
Gazing at the people down below me
All my life I watch them as I hide up here alone
Hungry for the histories they show me
All my life I memorize their faces
Knowing them as they will never know me
All my life I wonder how it feels to pass a day
Hans opened the last window and noticed a rope, holding a small swing. No doubt some construction had been done on the church again.
Not above them
But, part of them
He climbed through his window and stood on the swing. He tugged on the rope to lift himself higher.
And out there
Living in the sun
He began swinging and singing aloud.
Give me one day out there
All I ask is one
To hold forever
He smiled as the warm sun hit his face. Rushing through the halls, he felt air fly across it and his hair.
Out there
Where they all live unaware
What I'd give
He spotted children running below and he smiled sadly.
What I'd dare
Just to live one day out there
A flock of birds flew above the church, and he smiled to himself. He wanted to climb higher and be able to be as high up as the birds were.
As he climbed, he saw several townspeople bow and greet each other.
Out there among the millers and the weavers and their wives
Through the roofs and gables I can see them
Ev'ry day they shout and scold and go about their lives
Heedless of the gift it is to be them
A gargoyle was spitting water from a long stone, thin enough to hold the water's current. Hans walked across, kicking water as he marched.
If I was in their skin
I'd treasure ev'ry instant
Out there
Strolling by the Seine
Suddenly, he appeared on a large ship. He stood in the crow's nest and looked out beyond the waves. The wind blew across his face and he felt content.
Taste a morning out there
Like ordinary men
Who freely walk about there
Just one day and then
I swear I'll be content
With my share
Then, Hans climbed down the crow's nest and ran across the ship. Then, he was back inside the church, running through the halls. He climbed out a window and climbed until he reached the top of the church.
Won't resent
Won't despair
Old and bent
I won't care
I'll have spent
One day
Out there