Chap. 3

His Hand

That night, Kristoff made Hans stay in the barn. It was cold as hell, and he sank to measures that he never thought a prince would do. Piling all the hay that he could around himself to keep from freezing to death.

" Sven... in the hut... but leave the man in the cold..."

Hans muttered to himself angrily.

This was worse than what I could ever - do... He stopped himself in that thought. The pride, the anger... and realized that no. He nearly killed Elsa. A sister, a fighter and a queen. But within moments, the convicted prince was asleep. All of that hard work and travel took a big toll on him, and even as the sun was beginning to rise- he found no trouble in falling asleep.

Hours later, he woke up to a sack of carrots, launched as his side. The strike was hard, like rocks and he jolted awake with a growl, and moaned to the surface of the hay. Hissing at the pain and looking around.

"Wake-up sleeping beauty, it's breakfast...and we go" Kristoff muttered lowly, and walked off back to the hut.

Damn-it. What as asshole...

Hans rubbed the side of his rump, and pulled raw, whole carrots from the sack- and munched on them furiously. It had been hours since he last ate, and anything was like gold.
" God..." He moaned as the orange vegetable made it down his throat. " If this is all, I'm going to die..."

Hans was not so largely built like Kristoff. He was a bit more frail, a little shorter- tall none-theless, but short compared to Kristoff and his structure was a lot more lean. Long legs for grace and running. Fingers for diplomatic matters, and not... harvesting.

Hans was not sure what else was to be done, theyh arvested, didn't they? But no, that was only one part. The other was delivery. The selling- Hans wondered if Kristoff had made deals to deliver ice, or if he sold it door to door.

A little confusing, he couldn't see Krisoff going door to door with a sleigh of ice, and working his skills of persuasion to get customers to buy anything. The thought sort-of made Hans chuckle to himself, as he made it to his feet. Pushing past the now-warm hay, and out of the barn to greet the daylight.

It was actually a blue sky, and a nice one at that. But something was wrong- Kristoff running about, cussing madly and frantically tying together the load of... dripping ice.

Dripping ice.

Hans eyes widened. All that hard ass work to get that ice out of the lake, and now it's going to melt. Hell no.

Hans looked about and began to use his brain to help. Kristoff couldn't pay attention to the prince, since he was so desperate to save his money- but Hans ran off to look for some rugs, or light colored blankets.

Finding a few in the barn, He soaked them in water- and ran them out to the ice blocks.

" Kristoff, help me get these on the blocks- " Kristoff didn't question, or care. Obeying Hans he took one end, and together they managed to cover the ice-hopefully with no direct sunlight, this would help.

" We should go before it gets worse. " Nodding the harvester complied and pulled Sven to hook him up to the reins. Hans put his wrists out and held the rope to Kristoff, idly-

Looking to Hans, Kristoff gave him a weird dirty look.

-" What?"

" Don't you... don't you want to tie me? " Biting the inside of his cheek anxiously.

-" Heh-well. Hans, I ... for as much as I hate your fuckin' ass. You did ok. You earned the right to ride."

Hans blinked, a bit shocked. " Rea-?"

-" Come on, slow-poke" Kristoff beckoned, but grabbed Hans' arm a bit firmly and pulled him into next to him on the sleigh.

-" We have to deliver these to the town over, which should take no more than an hour to get to."

The prince nodded at Kristoff, and looked forward. Wondering what it would entail, but he'd be ready for anything.

With that, they went off. Traveling over snow covered hills, but following tracks and paths that lead to the next village. It was strange. But just this small accomplishment, and those words from Kristoff. That he did alright, he felt content with himself. It was odd, but Hans would accept it. Maybe it was the sunlight?

No matter. Hans believed that their relationship would only get so far. Eventually Kristoff would probably try to kill him or something. He believed that the harvester was that crazy, that he'd be extremely abusive-

As time went on, and the ride became bumpy- Hans managed to slide into Kristoff a couple times, and vice versa. A little awkward, Hans stuttered out

" S-sorry" And it was really weird because Kristoff didn't glare at him, like he'd thought.

Just repeat it back.

-"Sorry... ooph." Like he was a coworker, or maybe he was just too tired or focused to even care about punching in the Hans in the face for accidentally touch him- but no matter. Hans sortof liked it, because it meant for just a second he'd be warm.

His puny figure was still malnourished from prison and he still hadn't shaved- But hopefully that would turn around, and he wouldn't use the excuse to run into Kristoff on the sleigh as a cover for warmth anymore.

They soon arrived into town, and it seemed a bit humble.

The people were so nice to one another, they had no currency- and the children laughed and played in the street.

Hans wasn't nearly as recognizeable now, so no one hear knew who he was unless he said his real name-

Clearing the streets to allow Kristoff to come in on his sleigh, people greeted him nicely. He didn't cheesily grin back, just nodded and kept moving. These-these people knew him, very well.

And it made Hans wonder how could a normal person even begin to understand Kristoff, and see that he was nice beneath that harsh exterior? Because Hans barely could even see it himself.

Then, it caught him- Why doesn't he live with people? His parents? ... family? He couldn't figure it out- but Kristoff was getting off the sleigh to tie Sven to the post and pulled out a smaller more portable sled so to carry each block off at a time. Hans took his queue to help, and the blanket idea actually worked pretty well, which made Kristoff nod in acceptance.

-" Wow, by now the ice is usually diminished quite a bit. But the blankets, they kept them from melting dramatically."

Hans blinked and couldn't help but smile softly as he heled remove the first large block and set it on the sled. " I need you to take this to that baker over there-" Kristoff pointed with a mitten hand.

" Bak-er... OH!" Hans took the sled and pulled the block off to the shop. Bringing the ice to a hault just outside, he walked into the little dainty shop. A smiley man appeared to him.

" Oh- are you here for?" Hans hadn't recieved light kindness for a long time, considering his sentence. If this man even knew remotely who he was, or what he had done. He wouldn't be so willing of a baker to just ask and not shut him out the door.

The prince swallowed hard.

" Ice- I brought you ice?" Was that what Kristoff would do. The man raised his arms up.

-" Oh, Great! Thank you- now an eye for an eye..." The man snapped a finger to his apprentice who went out with a dolly to retrieve the block and came back. During that he bent down the counter-

" 'Scu-scuse me? " The prince repeated, wondering what the other had meant. The baker came to him with a sack of flour and eggs.

" Here. In return for the ice- oh! And here." The man gave Hans a smaller bag that had some pastries.

" Just because the nice day. Tell Kristoff I send my greetings." The man chimed.

He couldn't believe it. This man traded him goods for Kristoff's ice- Is this, is this how this works? How the harvester lives?

Hans gave the best smile he could, and ducked out of the shop. And turned around to see Kristoff out in the middle of the street. He had already take about 6 or more blocks to several of the other businesses, and was now playing tag with some of the kids, and Sven as well.

Eating one of the round frosting covered pastries, Hans watched in amusement as Kristoff slipped on the ground and managed to become it. in the little game the children were playing. Chuckling to himself.

A different part of the prince suddenly started to come out. The simple side that understood what life was about. Not power.

Not money. Not a crown... but ... just life.

Life is life. It's there for the best and worst times, and you must make the most of it.

Hans became sad from this thought- he looked over and drifted to the church nearby.

Kristoff just noticed Hans as they walked away- and he laid on the ground, puzzled to find Hans going into the church. Only returning to the little game he was playing. Or so it seemed.

Hans on the other hand walked into the sanctuary of the church- silent and beautiful. The whole place stood like a giant symbol for judgment. He felt so out of place to be here for his crimes... It was a bit overwhelming.

Once a place he felt at home to, now a reminder of his true nature- he didn't belong here. He belonged in hell. That is the only place they would ever accept the prince, and he turned on one foot.

Ready to leave- but noticed the confession box. So instead he chose to go in and sit by himself. Feeling that he was so alone, no one would notice if he just sat there to rot.

But as he did so, and became comfortable- a strong, yet soft, confident, but humble voice began to speak.

" I'm sorry, father-" Hans whispered back. He didn't listen to the one on the other side. He just felt like an intruder now and wanted to leave.

" I can't do this..." he muttered. Wanting to run away. Maybe he could- maybe it'd be better to be hunted down and killed.

" My son, there are so many things we aren't able to do- but that is only because our mind tells us so. We must open our hearts, and let the lord help us do what we CAN. So please, even if it is not direct. Tell me what it is that you wished to begin in the first place."

Hans bit his lip and sighed.

" There- there is something...

You see-"

As Hans started to speak, the door was opened so softly. No one could know, but it was Kristoff. Curious and wondering where the hell his prosner went, he was going to angrily talk towards the confession booth, when he remembered that this was a church. A place for respect, and non-violence. So instead he sat at the closest part of the confession box. Listening to what Hans had to say-

" I am... a terrible... awful monster- father."

Hans began. Did he really regret his decisions? Hans thought before that maybe it was better to deny his guilt. Holding on to his beliefs kept his dignity together, his respect for himself- but truly he hated himself. He couldn't believe how fast he snapped in that situation with ARendelle. His sanity snapped like a twig, and now he was trying to get back the sanity.. or something that was lost.

But that something was not his freedom from Arendelle- it was his freedom from the Southern Isles.

" Son... no human can be a monster, and by confession you are taking a greater step than any monster. A monster won't admit their defeat, and they writhe from hate and anguish- but you don't strike me as such a fellow. Even if you don't believe it yourself, my son. "

Hans lip quivered as he was amazed by these words. How a human could still believe in him. HIM.

" I did something very very bad- Father. I hurt someone, well actually a lot of people. And it was because I, myself, am a hurt person. It's a long story- but.

I regret it.

Greatly.

But for my crimes, I can never go back to before. Ever. And I reall do not blame others for their ill will against me, but I still regret and hate myse-"

"-HATE does not exist in this house, my boy. Only love and understanding. Even if you could do the worst thing a man could do- you are here.

You are making it up right here, right now- by admitting it. And that is all that God needs to see to recognize that you are pure of heart- Now, no need to go into detail. But I forgive you, and you are washed of your sins-"

" But father- how could I be?! How?! I've done horrible evil things, what could your words do to fix-"

" SON, YOU ARE FORGIVEN. In the name of the lord, and that is final. Do not question his word! Now, please- excuse me."

The man left hte booth, and Hans was breathing heavily-panting almost. A tear sliding down his cheek. Then, the door handle turned and opened.

Hans was still in a flurry of fright, shock, confusion- and hate for himself.

He looked up and saw the other. Kristoff.

Standing there.

Kristoff spoke nothing. Nothing at all, but stared at him a long moment, before place a hand to Hans' shoulder.

Was this comfort?