"Someone has to look out for the people who have no one on their side." - Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
It was November, and it was going to snow. I would be the first of the year (if you don't count the fiasco that occurred that summer) and though no one but Elsa was aware of it, she was certain, today was the day.
She always knew when it was going to snow. Ever since she was a child she would wake up and feel it. A heaviness, in her bones and skin, and she would stand outside on one of the palace balconies and wait for the cloud to release their burden. It would be a long process, sometimes she would wait all day, but the moment that first flake fell it made the whole thing worthwhile. She would feel the weight lift from her and be replaced by a light, airy bliss. She would spend the rest of the day with her head in the clouds. Anna would recall that if she did she her sister on these days she seemed so happy, but she never quite knew why.
Though things had changed since she had become Queen, Elsa still awoke before the sun. the same heavy feeling on her skin. She dressed quickly, almost unable to retain her royal grace through her joy, and rushed out to the balcony. She pushed open the doors and took a great breath of the crisp morning air. She smiled and conjured herself a chair out of ice, and began her wait.
Four hours later Elsa's vigil was interrupted by a loud banging on her door. She barely had time to call "Come in, Anna." before her younger sister, all bedhead and mussed night clothes rushed into the room.
"Is it today Elsa!? Is it going to snow!?" she shouted, nearly tripping over herself. Elsa noted that her sister had haphazardly donned a pair of boots and a winter coat that look suspiciously like it belonged to a certain ice harvester over her night clothes.
"Yes Anna today's the day."
"Yes!" Elsa smiled warmly at her sister's enthusiasm. Even though they had spent a majority of their childhood separated, Elsa had always tried to pay attention to her sister's likes and interests. Whether it was through Gerda, Kai, her parents or her own investigation she kept herself very up to date on Anna and her preoccupations. And one thing she knew Anna loved to do, was play in the snow. Elsa always felt bad that she never could join her sister, though her sister would often beg 'Do you want to build a snowman?' through her closed door, but now that they could have their first proper winter together, Elsa was just as excited as Anna.
Leaning over the rails of the balcony Anna asked, "Do you know when?"
"No, I'm sorry", Elsa admitted, pulling her sister back from the edge a bit, "I only know that its going to snow, not when." Anna pouted. "Don't worry," Elsa answered with a laugh, "It will be today, just be patient."
"You know I'm terrible at that."
"Theres a first time for everything."
"Can't you just, you know, make it snow? Just a little? Please?" Anna got down on her knees, "Pleeeeeeease?"
"Anna" Elsa pulled her sister back up to standing with a laugh, "You know I can't do that. Nature needs to have its way with the weather without me always interfering."
"Aw alright." Anna's shoulder slumped as she slouched down on the banister.
"Don't look so glum, you'll get your snow soon enough." Elsa pulled her sister away from the ledge and into her room. "Come on, why don't you go get dressed and cleaned up and we'll have breakfast. Besides, I think Kristoff will be missing his coat." Anna blushed beet red.
"Oh we weren't! I mean no not so soon! Well, see he's leaving soon for Ice harvesting and I...well was lonely and I mean he just...we didn't...-"
"Anna, I'm just teasing."
"Right, right well I'll be, yeah Im just gonna...ack! Yeah ok...bye!" Anna all but dashed out of the room again, her face still a burning shade of crimson, and nearly smashed her face into the wall before closing the door behind her. Elsa let out a laugh at her sister's antics. She was well aware of Anna's blooming relationship with the ice harvester Kristoff. Though she knew that they were practically made for each other, she often worried that her sister would take things a bit too fast with her new sweetheart (as she had done with past suitors). But knowing of Kristoff's lack of people skills and Anna's relentless awkwardness she reassured herself that things would be fine between them.
Elsa turned again to the sky. The bulky clouds hung low and she couldn't help but stare longingly at them for a moment. 'Soon', she told herself, 'Just a bit longer.' She tore her eyes from the sky and turned back to her room, reminding herself that as Queen she could no longer spend all day staring listlessly at the sky. Just as she slipped her shoes on she was once again interrupted by a light rapping at her door.
"Anna, I said I was coming." She called as she opened the door to find Kai. "Oh, Im sorry Kai. I thought you were Anna. She's been rushing around all morning, excited for the snow."
"All is forgiven Your Majesty("Please call me Elsa", she interjected, but was ignored.) I just came to alert you that there is news of a boat docking today, upon further investigation we have learned that it is a royal boat from the Southern Isles."
"What?"
Elsa stood in her study just off of the throne room. Secluded and simply designed, the room held all of that was required for meetings with dukes and kings, but was not overbearing or lavish. It was her father's design, and though the room was now hers to do with as she pleased she couldn't bring herself to change it. Often, when she was nervous during meetings with foreign dignitaries she would focus on the sent of the room, polished wood and leather, and imagine that her father was standing behind her, encouraging her and helping her through the conference.
Today though, the feeling of her father did little to comfort the Queen. Elsa now had almost full control over her powers, but the memory of all that had happened those months ago still made her nervous, and she had already accidentally frozen over an inkwell and two stacks of paper.
"What could they want?" She muttered to herself, pacing the floor. Perhaps it was just news telling of Hans' fate, jail time or the like, but she wondered why they could not just send such a thing in a letter. "I suppose it does require a meeting..." she muttered.
"My Queen?" Elsa jumped at the sound of Kai at the door and ice shot out of her hands and froze over one of the leather chairs.
"Ahh! Oh, Kai...yes Im sorry, what is it?"
"They have arrived."
Elsa's face took a solemn look, and though she was shaking she took a deep breath and moved out into the throne room. She took a seat in her throne, this one of her own design, covered in ice carvings and quite lavish. She felt the hard ice against her skin and it soothed her, if only slightly.
Putting on her best regal face she called out, "Let them in."
The large doors swung open to reveal a group of men. A short somewhat bulgy one stood to the front and entered first, followed by four royal guards who to Elsa's distain, harbored a man she hoped she would never have to see again.
"Prince Hugo of the Southern Isles!" The Court Marshal called out and the men bowed instantly. Elsa nodded in their direction and the men stood and walked closer to her. Elsa began to freeze up, her eyes locked on Hans who thankfully was staring intently at the ground. Kai, who had been standing behind Elsa at the time caught sight of Hans as well and looked livid.
"What is the meaning of this!? You dare bring...HIM, back here!? To this kingdom, to the person he almost murdered!?" Elsa stared at Kai in disbelief, hardly thinking he would step out of place so (though secretly she was grateful for it) but when she caught sight of the men's confused and slightly offended expressions she stood and stepped in.
"Kai, its alright." As Kai, looking still outraged, returned to his post Elsa took a step forward.
"Please, I apologize for that, but do tell, what business do you have here?"
The man who was announced as Hugo bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, I do apologize for any inconvenience this unexpected visit may have given you. My Father thought to write but even the shifting weather and how dangerous it can be to sail in winter we did not have time to rely on the usual pleasantries."
"I see", Elsa said, still standing.
"You see, Your Majesty, after Hans was returned to us with news of what he had done to you and your family we were prompted to act immediately. After meeting, my Father and Brothers have decided that Hans, now a traitor and attempted murderer will no longer be considered a part of our family. In the past months a long and difficult task has been placed on my family's shoulders, that task of course being the trial and verdict involving our brother."
Elsa again looked over at Hans. He was, she now noted, wearing peasant clothing and had his hands bound in cuffs that reminded her too much of the ones she herself was forced into not so long ago. He stared at the ground, avoiding looking at anyone or his surroundings. As she looked at him she also saw that he looked skinnier and his hair mussed and dirty. Part of her almost felt sorry for him, being treated like this by his own family, but she soon shook those thoughts from her mind. 'He's a murderer Elsa. Remember what he did to you, to Anna. He doesn't deserve your pity.'
"Yes, I can see how that would be hard on you." Elsa nodded, but she was uneasy. Something about Hugo was putting her on edge.
"Indeed, and I thank you for your condolences. While my family and I have not yet reached a full verdict we have decided that a full apology is in order. So we have brought Hans here, so that he can fulfill this part of his penalty and offer penance for his actions."
Hugo then turned to the guards surrounding Hans and nodded. The pushed him forward roughly, and he was forced down onto his knees.
"Apologize you ungrateful swine," Hugo all but shouted at his disowned brother, making quite the show of it, "Tell the Queen that you regret your actions." Hans didn't move, his eyes locked on the ground. Hugo looked increasingly irritated at his brother's stubbornness and moved to shout something else, when a voice, raspy with disuse was heard.
"Im...sorry."
"What was that, boy?" Hugo threatened, moving in closer to his ex-brother.
"I said...", Hans then snapped his gaze up and made eye contact instantly, "Im sorry, Your Majesty, there is no excuse for my actions."
Elsa was stunned by this and stood frozen, unable to look away. Hans looked different to the point where she could hardly recognize him. Any light or kindness she had ever seen in his eyes was gone replaced by cold loathing. But it was not malice she saw in his gaze, but something more close to anger and regret. His malnourishment was more apparent now, with his slightly sunken cheeks and the dark bags under his eyes and once again Elsa felt herself feeling a bit of pity for him. She wondered how his family could be so cruel to simply cast him away without a pang of remorse or sadness. He was a malicious man who had done horrible things, but family is supposed to at least care for you no matter what, right? Elsa didn't know what to think, and the more she looked into his steady gaze she was sure she saw something buried under the rage. Fear. The grieving kind that you see in creatures that know their lives are over but not quite when or how, that they are in danger but know they can do nothing to stop it from coming. She didn't have to wonder why he felt like that.
"You call that an apology?! Those words weren't even worthy of rats you wretch!" Hans flinched as Hugo reached back a hand to beat another apology out of him Elsa all but jumped forward.
"No, please, Prince Hugo, that will be fine." The Prince looked confused at first, then quickly returned to his previous flowery tone.
"Ah, yes. As long as Your Majesty is pleased that is all that matters."
"Yes, yes." Elsa nodded, "I thank you for this, Im sure I shall sleep sounder now knowing of this man's...remorse for his actions."
"That was the goal Your Majesty, I know how someone can react when faced with such a horrible ordeal as this and only hoped to quell any fears you may have."
"Thank you. Now, I know you may be eager to return to your home in The Southern Isles but would you perhaps consider joining me in my study for tea? I have some questions about this trial and the fate of this criminal."
"Ah, Your Majesty knows my weakness, I cannot turn down such an offering", Hugo then turned to his guards, "Keep careful watch over him, I don't need to tell you what will happen if he gets away."
The guards saluted and tightened their grip on Hans' chains, as Elsa guided Hugo to her office and asked Kai to bring them some tea.
Closing the door behind them she said, "Please do take a seat." She turned to find Hugo staring at the chair that she had accidentally frozen solid earlier and chided herself for forgetting about it. Hugo, seeing her looking quickly sat in the normal chair and began pointedly ignoring the other one. Elsa sat down behind the heavy wooden desk and asked, "Now, though I am as close to this issue as your family is, I am sad to say that I am quite ignorant to why Hans would attempt such a thing. My sister Anna made friends with him before the whole ordeal, but she was reluctant to share many details with me. She was quite shaken by the incident as you can imagine."
This was, of course, a complete lie. About a month after the 'incident' as she called it Elsa, curious about Hans' motives and past had sat down with Anna and gotten as much information as she could. Anna herself hadn't known much about Hans either, having only known him for a day, but they had been open with each other and she was able to tell her sister that Hans was the 13 child with 12 older brothers. He had spent a majority of his time alone and some of his siblings even outright ignored him, but Elsa knew that royal families were strange and often so rooted in customs that they were less like families and more like a business arrangements. She knew it couldn't have been easy for him, being last in line for anything, not power or land, and no chance at the throne of his homeland. And, it was no far reach to say that someone who wished for power but knew it would never come without work would find another way to gain it. She also felt a pang of sympathy for his loneliness, she knew the feeling all too well.
But from the way that Hugo was talking and acting she supposed it may have been much harder on him, and was very curious to know how his family saw the whole thing, and more than that, what fate they had in mind for him.
"Yes, well it came as a shock to all of us. Hans, was always the quiet one. He would just sit by himself and think or read, never seeming to crave attention from others. We tried to step in but he never seemed to want any help. We never thought something like this would come from him, but all that time alone can do strange things to a person. I suppose his mind was fragile and one day he just snapped."
Hugo's speech was interrupted by a quick knock at the door. "That must be Kai with the tea." Elsa said, "You may enter."
Kai walked in holding a tray with two cups of steaming tea and some biscuits. He set them on the table and as Elsa excused him he quickly left, closing the door quietly behind him. There was a silence as Elsa and Hugo helped themselves to the warm drink. After a while Elsa spoke, "Indeed...everyone does handle being alone differently..."
"Though you needn't worry, Your Majesty, my family and I have come up with a few suitable punishments for such actions."
"Ah yes, that was going to be my second question. What's to be done with him?"
"There are a few options we have looked at, Your Majesty, life in prison of course, then there is the slave trade or servitude, but we have found these to have many weak points, possibility for escape and such. While they are not off the table we are looking more at this being a matter of execution, as is normal for treason."
Elsa nearly dropped her cup. She knew that execution was, as Hugo said, the most common action taken in these situations, but how could he talk so casually about putting his own brother to death? She knew that something was had been making her distrustful of this man the whole time and she was wary of the contradicting nature of everything he did and told her. He was kind to her but needlessly cruel to his brother. His story of Hans' past not only was far from everything Anna had told her, but seemed hasty and dismissive, as if his brother's whole past was something that didn't matter and could be covered up like a stain on a carpet.
'Not that it isn't a possibility...' She told herself, but she still didn't trust Hugo. He gave off an air of malice and self-interest. She supposed it must run in the family.
She tried to regain her composure and said, "Execution, yes that is the custom, but does it not seem a bit cruel? He is your family after all."
Hugo looked down, as if the question made him uncomfortable. He opened his mouth to talk but then closed it again without saying anything. There was an unbearable silence that was finally broken when Hugo seemed to recover his cavalier tone.
"Majesty, we wanted to assure you that you have nothing to worry about with such a dangerous man loose. Things will be set right taken care of, and you shall not have to soil your delicate hands with such a task. No bad blood shall exist between our kingdoms and this whole ordeal shall be put in the past."
Elsa looked again at Hugo and the pieces all fell into place. And she was furious. 'So that's it!? His whole family is willing to just disown and kill off one of their own simply so that I won't go to war with them!? Thats...that abhorrent! They don't care about him at all, no wonder he wanted to take over the kingdom at get out, I would too if my family treated me like I was just...just some spare piece in their puzzle!'
Elsa fell silent as her thoughts raced. She was still angry at Hans for all that he had done but now she felt that she understood a bit better. And although he had tried to kill both her and her sister Elsa knew she couldn't just let him go back to his family to be killed himself.
"Your Majesty?" Elsa was snapped out of her thoughts by Hugo's questioning voice. She looked up to see him eyeing her teacup uncomfortably, and it only took one glance before she realized she had accidentally frozen it over in her anger. She swiftly replaced the cup on the tray and stood, Hugo clumsily following suit.
"Well, I do believe that answers all the questions I have, but there is one more thing I must ask."
"Anything, Your Majesty."
"Would it be agreeable if I held Hans here for a while?"
"What!? Here? Why, forgive me, Your Majesty, but why would you want to do that?"
"Well as you say Hans is a villain through and through, and I wish to administer my own punishment. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a bit of labor. I suppose since he did strike against my kingdom and I it is my right to have a go at him? It would just be until your family comes to an agreement on what should be done. Then you can come and get him, I shall even commission the ship myself." Elsa tried to retain her realness but could feel herself slipping in her haste.
"Well...", Hugo answered, "I suppose, if it is as you say just until the trial. But Your Majesty are you not worried that he will try to escape or exact revenge against you or your loved ones?"
"I would be lying if I said I was not wary but fear makes us cautious which is whats needed in this situation. Arendelle has some of the harshest winters and I highly doubt he would get far unaided. I have guards and some of my own means for keeping him here and in line." At the mention of her powers Hugo quickly glanced at the frozen cup and nodded.
"Well yes, you do seem to have strength and durability, I suppose you would be fine. Well, it is a bit unorthodox but I'm sure the family would agree that you should, how did you say...'Have a go at him' since he did strike out against you and your land. I will return in a months time to return him to his fate, the deliberations should not take much longer than that."
"Excellent." Elsa said, "Now, it is a long journey back to your home in The Southern Isles, and I think that you should like to be on your way before the snow sets in."
"Yes, yes, that would be best."
Elsa and the Prince exited the study and crossed the room to Hans and the other guards.
"Alright, Hans, looks like you are going to be serving out some of your time here in Arendelle under the watch of Her Majesty, Queen Elsa." Hans looked between his brother and Elsa, clearly confused and unsure though he said nothing. His face eventually settled into a scowl as he glared at Elsa, who refused to meet his gaze.
"I suppose your guards can take him from her, Your Majesty?"
"Yes, of course." Elsa called over the two guards at the door and they quickly took hold of Hans' chains.
"That seems to be everything", Hugo and his soldiers bowed before Elsa, who returned the gesture with a small nod. "I wish you luck, Your Majesty, and be warned, do no let down your guard."
"Im sure I can handle it, but thank you for your concern. I wish you godspeed on your trip home."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Hugo and his men then departed. Elsa stepped over to one of the windows and waited until their carriage was outside the gates before turning to her guards.
"You may release him." The guards looked at Hans and back at their Queen, confused and worried.
"I said, you may release him." The guards unlocked Hans' chains and he stood a bit straighter, rubbing his wrists. The guards tightened their grip on their weapons. "I want you to return to the barracks and set up a guard schedule outside the guest room on the third floor. I will take him from here." The guards were once again wary but did as they were told. Elsa then turned to Hans, who was eyeing her with confusion and mistrust.
"That must be better. I don't mean to offend but your but your brother...I don't like him. Anyway, like he said you will be staying here until the trial is over. You will be treated as a personal guest of The Queen, but your room will be guarded and don't think I'm defenseless." Elsa conjured a few snowflakes out of her hands for emphasis. "Now, how about I show you to your room?"
Elsa walked to the door and when she heard the footsteps of him following she continued into the hall. "I hope you have a good time here. I may have lied to your brother a bit, so don't worry, you will not be made to do any labor or be tortured while you're here."
Elsa turned to look back at him, and saw him glaring at her again. "What?" She asked.
"What are you doing?" Hans stated, he voice still rough from disuse.
"What do you mean?"
Hans stopped walking. "You know exactly what I mean. You are allowing a convicted traitor to your kingdom to live in your castle for the next month. I could escape, yeah, what would you do then? I could try to hurt you or your sister. I could burn the castle down. Not to be rude, my queen, but this is honestly just idiotic."
"Im trying to help you."
"I didn't ask you for help, Elsa."
"Honestly, don't be so immature. Even iff you could actually manage to kill me it would just add your own problems and I don't think you want to do that right now. You could escape but you forget that I am the Snow Queen and I doubt you would make very it far in this weather." Elsa gestured out the window to the overcast skies and cold landscape, "And really, could staying in the castle here being treated like a guest be worse than how your family was treating you? It looked like they were beating you!"
"Yes, it can be!"
"They are thinking about killing you!"
"You don't think I know that!?"
Elsa met his gaze again. His eyes were filled with rage, but she could still see that bit of fear underneath it all. 'I couldn't just let them kill you.' Hadn't he said that to her once? When everyone was against her, convinced that she was a monster? Perhaps Hans had been wrong about her, she didn't think she would know if she was a monster. And perhaps she was wrong about him, but she knew that people were never as evil as the world painted them, or even as their actions showed. Life had given her a second chance, who was she to deny that right to others?
She glared right back and then turned and continued on to the guest room. They walked the rest of the way in silence and when they reached the door Elsa was pleased to see a guard on hand. She opened the door and walked in. Someone must have told the maids that a person would be using the room, because it had been cleaned and a fire blazed in the fireplace, quickly warming the air.
Elsa turned to Hans, "You may do what you want in here, but if you want to leave you need to ask the guard or myself to accompany you. If you need anything ring the bell on the wall there and a maid will be on hand." Hans quickly crossed to the fire and stood there, not saying anything. Elsa let out an exasperated sigh and walked to the door.
"Lunch is in an hour, if you don't want to eat with us then ring the bell and and maid will bring you your food. Goodbye for now."
Elsa closed the door behind her and walked off. She found herself standing near one of the windows and looked again at the clouds. Suddenly, she felt the light tingly feeling replace the heavy one and right on cue the snow started to fall. Elsa smiled and let the feeling wash over calming her down and comforting her. 'Things will be ok, don't worry about it, let it go for now.' She gazed at the snow longingly and considered going out for a walk, but as she looked over the courtyard she heard a loud, joyous shriek and saw Anna and Kristoff run out into the fresh snow. The peaceful feeling was scared out of her as she stared at her younger sister and was reminded that she still had to break the news of their new guest to her. And she didn't imagine it going over well at all.
'Today is going to be a long day...'