AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello fellow readers. I apologize for not writing an author's note on my first chapter. So back to the story. This story will of course have romance, drama, sibling bonding, and stuff like that, so be aware. Please forgive me though for any grammatical errors and such. Please bear with me. And now onto the story!
Chapter 2 Atticus and Martha
Elsa finally settled into her room. She took a glance to her surroundings, and noticed that her room is purple and green, like the colors of Arendelle. King Klaus said that his father built this room for the royal majesties of Arendelle, just in case if they happened to visit. Elsa smiled when she finally noticed the crest of Arendelle on the wall, the blooming crocus. She just happens to be curious of why would the late King George built this room.
Are we that special to him, she thought.
Elsa laid herself down to the comfortable bed, and looked into devoid space of the ceiling. She created a snow flurry, and snow started to fall down onto the bed and eventually the snow covered the whole floor. Elsa sat right back up, and gasped as she turned the whole room into a winter wonderland. With a flick of her delicate hand, the snow melted, and Elsa once again laid back on the bed.
With a frustrated sigh, she manage to say out loud, "What am I going to say to him?"
LINEBREAK
"I present to you her royal highness, Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
The large doors of the ball room suddenly opened, revealing a beautiful woman with her hair braided down, and wearing the ice dress she created during her time in exile in the ice castle. She stood tall like a perfect queen, as the people before her bowed in respect. Elsa scanned the whole ball room, and saw many diplomats, and nobles that are waiting to greet her and the royal majesties of the Southern Isles. She walked down the grand staircase, and turned to see the royal family standing before her.
"I present to you the royal majesties of the Southern Isles, King Klaus and Queen Agnes."
All of the people bowed including Elsa. As they stood back up, Elsa saw the 12 princes behind their parents, especially the tenth son who is in front of them along with his newly wed bride.
"Welcome friends and families! I'm very glad that you all came to celebrate the wedding and the 27th birthday of my tenth son, Prince Atticus. I'm so happy to see each of you here especially to those who have never been here before. So, please relax and enjoy your time in this happy occasion," The king announced.
After the introduction, everyone dispersed as they get their meal from the buffet or rather have conversations with each other. Some people chose to dance, while some chose to meet the beautiful Snow Queen of Arendelle. One particular couple approached her, and Elsa turned around to see Prince Atticus and his bride bowing before her.
"Your majesty, I'm so glad I finally get to meet you. Allow me to introduce my bride, who also happens to be my childhood friend, Martha," Prince Atticus greeted.
"I do too, your highness," Elsa countered with a smile. "Congratulations on your wedding, and also Happy Birthday."
"Thank you, and please, just call me Atticus. No titles or formalities needed. I rather be just a regular person than a royal."
"Oh, it is an honor your ma- I mean, Atticus."
Atticus chuckled, and Martha smacked his arm playfully, "Husband, you know it is impolite to laugh at the Queen. I apologize for my husband's manners your majesty. Atticus can sometimes be childish just like when we were kids. He can sometimes be dumb or smart."
"No apologies needed. It's fine. I'm used to it anyways since my little sister, Anna, can sometimes act like him, but a little bit more energetic. And please, do call me Elsa. As Atticus once said, no titles or any formalities needed in this occasion."
Atticus brightened up, and looked over to his wife, "Ha ha, see my dear? Elsa agrees with me. Come on loosen up a bit. Isn't this party for us?"
Martha laughed and nodded in agreement, "Yes, you are right dear husband."
The three of them laughed, and Elsa looked at the couple. Atticus has hazel-nut colored hair that is wavy like his father, and blue eyes just like his mother. Atticus is also tall, wearing his white-tailed suit with golden embroidery trailing at the sides of his clothing. His breeches were white as well as a golden line trailed down at his leg. His wife Martha is a little bit higher than Elsa. Martha has the same color hair as Anna but a little lighter, and bangs that are covering her hair. Two pieces of hair are sticking up to her liking. She wears a dress that has the same features as her husband, but it includes the crest of her noble family, the cherry blossom.
"So I hear you're here to pick up my brother after the ball, is that correct?" Atticus asked in a serious tone.
Elsa nodded and words came out of her mouth, "Yes, that is correct. Your father plans to send him to Arendelle but he fears he might escape during the voyage. So, instead of doing that, he invited me here so it will be easier for me to meet and obtain Hans."
Atticus just simply nodded and became silent. Martha did the same, but Elsa suddenly saw a pang of sadness washed over the couple's faces. Elsa was curious and finally made a move.
"Your majesties, if I may ask, what happened to Hans when he was little? I read over the letter your father sent to me, and he managed to include Hans' situation and childhood in the process of writing. Your father also told me you two are witnesses of this, but you never said anything."
The couple just stared at her and Atticus began, "Queen Elsa, I..."
"I apologize for my abrupt curiousity. This would just ease the anger that is in me after what he haddone to me and my sister and the whole kingdom. And it will also help me start a conversation with him once I meet him tomorrow."
"I'm sorry for my younger brother's crimes, but back to your question, I would rather tell you everything me and Martha had gone through over our younger years privately. Do you mind if we do it in the gardens?" Atticus looked straight into Elsa's big blue eyes.
"Why, of course your majesty. I prefer privately in fact," Elsa answered back.
"Then please follows us," Martha gestured over the glass doors, revealing the beautiful gardens outside.
Elsa followed the couple until they reached their destination. Once they are outside, everything was quiet and dark except the noises of an owl and the big, white moon that shining above them. Elsa looked around to her surroundings. Flowers were sorted out: Lilacs, orchids, sunflowers, and many more were planted. With the doors behind them completely shut, the couple suggested the table before them. As they sat down, Atticus gave a huge sigh.
"Where do you want me to start?" Atticus asked.
"Beginning sounds great," Elsa replied with a serious look on her face.
With her hands clasped together, Atticus began the story.
"It all started when me and Martha were seven years old. At that time, Hans was only three, and you, your majesty must be barely at one. So, overall, it happened 20 years ago. Our eldest brother, the firstborn, Prince Magnus soon-to-be King of the Southern Isles was 25 years old at that time. As you know, our mother, finally stopped having anymore children due to complications after giving birth to Hans. This of course, deteriorate my mother's health, and still is now. She manage to cover up her weakness when you greeted her, and it was pretty impressive of her to do so."
Elsa stared at Atticus as she carefully listened to the story.
"But.."
Martha looked over to her husband, and offered her warm hand to him as if nostalgia hit them both onto their faces.
"An incident occurred to the Queen, and it deeply affected Magnus."
"What happened?" Elsa asked.
"My mother suddenly collapsed and pain started to swell all over her womb. Hans was there with her when it happened and he just stood there not knowing what to do. All of us brothers came in to see what happened. Martha was also there, and called for my father. My father brought with him the doctor, and examined our mother. The doctor informed us that she is suffering from a mild, deadly infection in the stomach. Apparently, this infection has no name, but Doctor Kraik said that she may die sooner or later if she doesn't take the medication she was given. I've noticed that she hasn't taken her medications after the proclamation of her complications after giving birth, and so the infection declined our mother's health."
"But what has this incident had anything to do with Hans?" Elsa asked abruptly.
"I'm getting to that. When Doctor Kraik finished his sentence, we were all deeply shaken especially Magnus. Magnus loved our mother so much that the hatred in his heart bloomed, and uses it to blame Hans for everything. The rest of my brothers were also angered by this and soon blamed Hans too except for me and Martha, and the twins who were 5 years old that time. Their names were Henrik and Alexei. Henrik is the oldest, and Alexei is the youngest, in case if you're wondering."
"I, on the other hand, didn't do anything as I was ordered to go home to my family for the night. I, too, was deeply shaken of Queen Agnes's sudden intrusion, but I did not hate Hans. In fact, I pity him for he grew all by himself and always getting abused by his elder brothers. King Klaus did not notice this for he is always busy and only has time to educate the crown prince which is Magnus. The King doesn't know of Hans' situation," Martha suddenly said as she came her part of the story.
Atticus nodded his head in agreement while his blue eyes stared at the cobbled ground.
He opened his mouth, and continued, "As Martha said, Hans grew all by himself. Me, Martha, and the twins were just bystanders as he gets abused or getting laughed at. Magnus went even further as he nicknamed Hans as the 'Unluckiest 13th prince of the Southern Isles,' because thirteen is considered to be bad luck, or cursed. And so, Hans accepted the fact that he is indeed a curse, and would rather shut himself out from the rest of the family. He would always go to the library to read, or go to his room. My father noticed this, as you mentioned Elsa according to the letter you've received."
Elsa's face was overcome by grief as she remembers her younger self being in her room all alone, shutting out the rest of the world, especially her sister, Anna. A tear rolled down her cheek, but suddenly swiped it away as she continues to listen to Atticus's story.
Martha, again came to speak again her part, "Me, Atticus and the twins were trying to reach out to him, but Hans would always glare at us, and go to the library or to his room. We have never seen Hans this way before. Before he was a cheery, care-free lad but now, with Magnus' hateful influence towards him, Hans became cold, and stern whenever we pass him. I overheard, while walking down the hallways to play with Atticus and the twins, Hans muttered 'No one will ever love me, and I accept it.' I was shocked when I heard this and went to tell Atticus and the twins. They, too, were in shock and we all came to a conclusion that Hans literally froze his heart."
And with that, the story was finished, and silence took over them.
Atticus suddenly spoke up, "Elsa, I don't expect of you to forgive Hans right away after hearing his childhood. Please, hear out from my brother. Hear out his side of the story, and you are the only one who can determine his fate. If by any chance, save my brother from his hatred. His hatred is drowning him, and it's affecting his emotional and mental abilities. Me, Martha, and the twins care for him even though he doesn't see it for he is blinded with rage. Once you take him back to Arendelle, if you mind, we would like to visit to see if by any chance repair the chord that is detached from our relationship."
Elsa was amazed when Atticus made his request. It's true that hearing Hans' childhood would not bring forgiveness, but it was a good start for her to feel pity to the young prince.
Elsa swallowed her throat and opened her mouth, "I will do what I can to save him."
