Hans started to wake up, he saw the Queen sitting next to his bed. In her lap was Anna, sound asleep. The Queen saw him stir. "Hello Prince Hans. Are you feeling okay?"
As Anna began to wake Hans remembered all that had happened, well at least from the time he was hit. He wasn't sure how he'd gotten to this bed. "I'm okay. What happened?"
Anna got out of her mother's lap and said, "It was an accident. You got hit by Elsa's powers."
"I remember that part. What after that?"
The Queen took it from here. "We took you to the valley of living rock, where the trolls live. They reversed the, well the magic."
"Trolls?"
Anna interrupted. "Yeah, trolls, they look like rocks and then I thought they were going to crush us, but they just unrolled and were little people. And we met a boy there too."
In her infinite patience the Queen resumed talking to the young man. "Yes, just as Anna said. We've been tending to you since we got back."
Then a thought occurred to Hans. In a panic he blurted out. "Please don't tell my father about this. He'll never let me come back."
Queen Idun held up a hand to tell the boy to be quiet. She said, "We have been talking about what to say to your father. On the one hand, we want to be honest, but we don't want unnecessary strife with other Kingdoms."
"He won't let me come back," Hans said in desperation.
"Well, I guess that's the tie breaker," Idun said. "Alright, we'll keep this between us."
The next morning a juvenile reindeer brought two young riders into Arendelle. The children on his back talked and laughed the whole way.
When they got Sven comfortable in the stable Elsa invited her friend to the palace. They entered to be met first by Kai. "I will inform your parents of your arrival." He told them.
"Remember what I told you about royal protocol Kristoff."
"I remember Elsa. I won't embarrass you."
As they waited for the King and Queen, Anna and Hans came out to see them. "You're looking much Better Hans," Elsa said.
"Thanks." Then they turned to Kristoff with a puzzled look. Elsa told him, "This is Kristoff Bjorgman, my friend from the troll valley."
Hans was puzzled. "Doesn't look much like a troll to me." That got a laugh from Anna.
"I guess I've been adopted," Kristoff said, slightly annoyed.
"Oh, Kristoff," Anna asked. "Is Sven here?"
"He is. I was hoping to get some carrots for him."
"Can I give him some," Anna asked.
"Sure, you can."
Just then the King and Queen walked in. They knelt down to hug their older daughter. The King asked. "How were things with the trolls, sweetheart?"
"They went fine papa. I already feel like I have better control."
"And I see this young gentleman saw you safely back home." He gestured toward Kristoff.
"Yes, he did," Elsa said, doing her best to sound like a proper Princess.
The King found it a little concerning to have an eight-year-old boy responsible for his daughter's safety. But the trolls knew what they were doing. This time he wouldn't object. Although the boy was in for some education, if he was to be so entrusted.
"Mama," Anna pleaded, "Can I feed Sven some carrots? Please."
With a small laugh Idun said, "Yes, you may. I'll get some and bring them to you in the stable."
The children ran out to the stable with Kristoff leading the way. When they got there Anna ran up to the reindeer and threw her arms around his neck. "Hi Sven!"
Kristoff turned to the other boy. "Well, I guess you can see this is Sven. My only friend until I met Elsa." He added, "And now you and Anna."
Hans was amazed. Not only these girls but this boy, this commoner boy, were so accepting. Something he only got from his parents and his oldest brother back home. The rest of his brothers just seemed so hostile to each other. He'd begun to realize, it's because they saw their brothers as rivals for power in the Kingdom.
The Queen came out with carrots for Sven and gave them to the kids. Anna quickly went over to offer one to the tiny reindeer and giggled when he chomped it off in her hand.
Next Kristoff offered one. Sven was clearly enjoying both the attention and the food. He took another bite, leaving half the carrot behind. Kristoff looked like he was about to bring the rest to his own mouth when Elsa spoke up. "Kristoff..."
"Oh, sorry," he said sheepishly, as he offered the rest to Sven again. Elsa put a hand on Kristof's arm in a gesture of approval.
The Queen laughed. "Well done Elsa. You'll make a Prince out of this young man yet."
"Your turn," Kristoff said as he tossed a carrot to Hans while the very happy reindeer looked to him in anticipation. The two girls stood on either side of Sven each with an arm around him, as the younger, yet larger, boy slapped a hand on Hans back to lead him over to offer the carrot. He walked over and extended the carrot. Sven quickly took it and licked Hans. "You have Sven's seal of approval," Kristoff said to the applause of the Queen and Princesses standing there. Hans smiled and reached for another carrot. Silently he prayed. "Please let me trade. Let these people be my family."