Only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart. The kingdom of Arendelle learned this lesson just in the nick of time. Princess Anna's actions prevented the land from becoming stuck in an endless winter. Now, all rejoiced: snowmen sang joyous tunes, reindeer munched happily on freshly grown carrots, Arendelle's new ice masterwas preparing to pop the question - and most importantly, Queen Elsa and Princess Anna came to an agreement. They would never let anything come between them whether it be magical powers or long kept secrets. Overall, the entire kingdom was in good sprits. For the first time in forever, all was well in Arendelle, but perhaps this celebration was premature. An enemy of Arendelle's royal family still had a few tricks up his sleeves.
Prince Hans of the Southern Isles was returning home, broken and humiliated. How dare those sisters make him feel this way.
I am the rightful ruler of Arendelle, he thought to himself. I am much more suited to the throne then either of those feeble minded sisters. The carriage carrying a broken man to his family's castle was creaking through the gates.
Anna is dumber then a box of hair. She would probably trade away all the kingdom's goods in the name of chocolate. Even so, she looks like an ideal ruler next to her older sister. The creaking wheels broke the silence of the mist-laden meadows. The sun hadn't yet reached mid-day.
The horses grew tense as they approached the looming castle.
Elsa is moody and unpredictable. Those powers made her danger to everyone around her. She will make other kingdoms uneasy. The horses neighed as they were commanded to stop, and the carriage rolled to a halt. None of the servants or family were out to greet their youngest's arrival. Hans knew what the reception would be like before he'd left port in Arendelle.
I bet she will start a war by accidentally sneezing icicles on a foreign ruler during a diplomatic meetings. Hans gasped, "That's it…"
The door to the compartment was opened by driver. Hans' mind was reeling. The only way to win the throne of Arendelle is through war. And the only way to have war is if I use Elsa's powers to my advantage. Hans suppressed an evil laugh.
The driver cleared his throat. "Um, sir-"
Hans wordlessly leapt out of the carriage and stormed towards the seemly lifeless castle. I must write to the Duke of Weaselton at once. He will back up my story without question! The wheels kept turning in Hans' devious mind as he swung open the doors to the Great Hall. 12 figures stood in front of him. He had been brought before his brothers' for judgement.
Hans looked around at his brothers. Some bore scowls on their faces, others refused to even make eye contact.
The eldest brother, now the King of the Southern Isles, cleared his throat. "You have disgraced us all." His voice echoed through the empty halls. "How do you think I felt to receive a letter from Queen Elsa that informed me that my brother attempted to murder Arendelle's princess?" his voice shook in rage. "The one time we send you outside the kingdom to represent our nation and you manage to make a mockery of us all." he paused, letting the castle fall into a deadened silence. "Why did I think you could do this? This one simple thing? I feel like I'm talking to monkey. A big stupid monkey namedHans. And do you want to know something else? I never liked your sandwiches. Never!"
Hans shed a tear with no remorse. It was time to put on a show. "It's not what you think, brother. I've been framed. Everything Queen Elsa wrote to you is a lie. She's using me as a scapegoat because she doesn't want her citizens to know the truth."
"The truth?!"
"Yes. Elsa's whole life is built on a foundation of lies. I'm sure by now you're all aware of her ice powers."
"Aren't they fantastic!" exclaimed the brother closest to Hans in age. "I wish I had cool powers like Queen Elsa. She's like a walking ice skating rink. And who doesn't love ice skating?"
"I'm surrounded by idiots." the oldest brother muttered under his breath. "We are well aware of the Queen's special abilities. She's the talk of all of Scadanavia. It is rare to have both a magical and royal birth in one. Well, if you have no information for us Hans then I'm afraid your sentence must be carried out."
"Not so fast, brother. You haven't heard the real story yet." Hans took a deep breath. He had to tell a tale so believable that no one would question its authenticity. Lying to a naive girl like Anna was one thing, but these were his brothers, the people who knew him better then anyone else on the planet.
"I never tried to harm Princess Anna. Her own sister was the one who tried to murder her."
All the brothers let out a collective gasp. The eldest silenced them. "How do you know this?"
"Queen Elsa confessed everything to me while I had her locked in the palace dungeon." Hans replied. "At that point she had frozen the entire kingdom. I was pleading with her to bring back summer, but my begging fell on deaf ears. Queen Elsa said she would only bring back summer if I gave into her demands."
"What demands?"
"Elsa told me that I must bring Princess Anna to the cell so that she could freeze her younger sister's heart. After that, I would have to falsely confess to killing the Princess. Then, and only then, would Elsa be willing to end the winter."
"But why would the Queen want to kill her only family member?"
"I asked her that very same question. She told me that all she cared about was power. Elsa wanted absolute power and was willing to use her magic to freeze anyone who got in her way. Her parents discouraged her from using her powers which infuriated her. That's when Elsa summoned the storm that took her parent's lives. Now she wants to get rid of her sister because Anna is more beloved by the populace. Elsa is afraid that Anna will one day make a bid for the throne and the people of Arendelle will support her."
"I still don't understand something," one of the brothers spoke up. "If Queen Elsa was so desperate to get rid of her sister, then why is Princess Anna still alive and well."
"Because thankfully, not everything went according to the Queen's evil plan. Elsa is a monster - void of any feelings except for greed and ambition. She didn't factor in the power of love when devising her schemes."
"Love? What's any of this have to do with love?"
"Brother, this has everything to do with love. While in Ardenelle, I fell in love with Princess Anna." Hans' voice cracked with faux emotions. "After her sister froze her, I was able to give Anna true love's kiss, which is the most powerful form of magic. The kiss undid Elsa's curse on Anna and Ardenelle. But before the first snowflake melted, Elsa had already found a way to blame all the troubles on me. She convinced everyone that I was responsible for Anna's near death. And they all believed her." Hans cried. "Even Anna."
The eldest brother put his on Hans's shoulder. "Hans, I'm sorry for ever doubting you. I see you have been through much. I can't even begin to comprehend the pain your eyes. Loosing Anna must have broken your heart, but don't worry, brother, we are going to make the ice witch pay for all the pain she's caused you. She must be brought to justice. Queen Elsa is a danger to all of Arendelle."
"Not just Ardenelle." Hans replied gravely. "Before I left, Elsa threatened me. She told me that if I ever spoke a word of the truth that she would personally make sure everyone in the Southern Isles freezes to death. And she might not stop there. I fear Elsa's ambition will only grow. She won't stop until every kingdom is covered in snow."
All of the brothers except the eldest expressed feelings of outrage. The King merely nodded.
"This means war. We must notify all the other kingdoms so that we can unite against Queen Elsa," one yelled.
"Queen Elsa deserves to be burned at the stake!" another agreed.
Hans watched, concealing a triumphant grin on his face as the room descended into chaos around him. He had done it. Soon Arendelle would be his. Hans made a silent vow to himself: he was going to make Elsa regret the day she was born.