Of Frozen Bitterness
Chapter 3: What Now
AN: I apologize if this update is beyond late (for me, it is). I had to finish exams properly without any distractions. So I hope this chapter will compensate for my absent days of publishing. Also, I see that I've gotten a lot of... questions on the second chapter. Most of them will be answered in this chapter, while the rest is, well... I've only got one thing to say. This is a fan fiction story. Anything can happen and everything doesn't have to be nearly as exact as it is in the movie. So, I don't want to have a debate on this because I can be pretty word-y when it comes to such issues. It's better if I show the next chapter now.
PS. Best viewed in 3/4 option on the website itself.
The night was young as Elsa stirred in her sleep. Well, not really in her sleep, because she really couldn't put herself to close her eyes. It just didn't do anyone justice if she fell asleep, knowing that she's caused an eternal winter to go ablaze in Arendelle. If only she knew how to stop the winter, she would. She didn't know that her emotional fear would eat up the best of her and her kingdom. Only Pabbie knows everything. But if she were to consult Pabbie of getting rid of the winter, Pabbie would tell her that only she can do it. All of this mayhem wouldn't have started if she could have just concealed it.
With a frustrated sigh, she sat upright on her bed and ran a hand through her hair. Getting over things was going to be a lot harder than she could imagine. Sleep won't do anything any more justice. Elsa got out of her bed in her light blue pajamas. Even if she is Queen, she would rather have her regular sleeping clothes than one of those royal robes you need to get in for "luck" as her mother had taught her. She then slipped on her cotton-like slippers before exiting her room. When she was a little girl, she'd go to the library in the middle of the night whenever she couldn't sleep. Oftentimes, she'd just find herself waking up in the library due to her wandering cravings to read books. But right now, she just felt that the library would occupy her thoughts.
As she enters the dimly lit library, she catches a blonde man going through the shelves noisily. When he had dropped three books altogether on the carpeted floor, Elsa smiled sadly. She closed the door behind her, causing the blonde man to look up in surprise.
"Queen Elsa," Kristoff bowed clumsily. Even though it's been a month since every mayhem happened, Kristoff tended to wear the same outfit he did the moment Elsa met him. Sure, he'd let the maids wash his clothes; but he rarely shows up with the clothes Elsa had ordered the maids to let him wear and would often stick to his original clothes right after they were done being laundered. But right now, he was wearing the midnight blue pajamas the maids had set for him and a white shirt to go with it. Needless to say, he looks like he was just preparing for bed. "Um, good... evening?"
"Even I myself can't tell what time of the night or day it is." Elsa laughed generously as she took a seat on one of the empty wooden table and chair sets. "You can't sleep?"
"Home sick is what I'd like to call it." Kristoff said as he began to pick up the books that fell. "And what stirs her royal slumber?"
"Guilt." Elsa admitted as she played with her fingers. "And what Pabbie wanted me to do to that can thaw Anna before the month ends."
"Pabbie?" Kristoff asked, confused. He stood up and started piling up the books to where they came from. "But Pabbie said she'll be forever frozen."
"She will if I don't do what he wants me to do." Elsa bit her lip. "Frankly, I hadn't expected that I'd have to, well, get involved with the other person that might have killed Anna."
Kristoff looked at her, almost infuriated. "Hans?"
Elsa explained everything Pabbie had told her. From the moment Pabbie came to Anna's funeral up to the time she almost froze all of Arendelle due to her reaction upon knowing that she has to get involved with Hans. Kristoff wasn't as happy when he heard about such news. She couldn't blame him, though. The Prince was an insufferable waste of time and a heartless human being. To think, she'd have to make him fall in love with her and her with him in less than three weeks.
"Pabbie would never pick when it comes to true love." Kristoff crossed his arms on his chest, his expression grimacing. "True love is true love - so why would he choose Hans for you? I mean, come on, there's plenty of Princes or Kings or whatever type you want out there. But Hans? That's like you helping Hans cheat on Anna."
"They're not together anymore." Elsa found herself saying the statement rather defensively. She gasped and covered her mouth. Relax, she thought. You're defending Anna's stand, not Hans'. Kristoff arched a brow at her. "I mean, they aren't together anymore because I didn't bless their supposed marriage. It's not called cheating if they're technically not together anymore. If Anna is thawed, she'd want to throw Hans away like a law from the Arendelle book."
"Right," Kristoff said, prolonging the word awkwardly. "But you mentioned that it's only one month. So that must mean desperation. We get it. We all see that the guy lacks his own 'act of true love', but there's definitely someone else out there. You can't just stick to Hans - he's a demon."
"Exactly!" Elsa recovered, finally having someone say out loud what she's been thinking all this time. "It can't be just Hans... right?"
"Definitely." Kristoff agreed. "By any chance, it could be someone not as connected to you and Anna. We'll never know. But it'll have to be fast, though. I'd help you find someone, but then again, look where that got me."
"You did your best for Anna. All I know is that I didn't." Elsa stated sympathetically. "All I need to do now is... fall in love and make whoever the man is fall in love with me."
A door from the double doors of the library opened to reveal Olaf walking in, noseless, er, carrotless? His carrot nose was stuck on the keyhole and he grabbed it enthusiastically before nearing her and Kristoff. "Hey, you guys! Looks like I'm not the only night walker."
"It's actually sleep walker, Olaf." Elsa corrected with a small smile. "But it's close enough."
"True!" Olaf grinned as he jumped on the seat next to Elsa. He returned his carrot nose to its right position before asking, "So what are we planning here?"
"Elsa's lover... if we can find one, that is." Kristoff replied as he took a seat in front of Elsa. "That would be a problem."
"But I thought the troll said you need to fall in love with Hans?" Olaf asked Elsa, confused. "You're not gonna follow the troll?"
"Hans can't be the only one who lacks his 'act of true love'. It could be any guy." Elsa exasperated, shaking her head in frustration.
"Unless he really is the one." Kristoff shrugged with sudden realization and Olaf nodded in agreement.
Elsa's mouth went agape. "I thought you were encouraging me to find somebody else?"
"Elsa, you know... we know the guy's a menace. But let's try to face it. He might finally do some good deed being around you and all." Kristoff tried to explain. Elsa looked at him in horror. "Plus it's Pabbie. He's never wrong. But for your sake, I'll still help you find a different guy. But for the mean time, you have to stick with Hans."
"Can you promise that?" Elsa asked, sounding desperate.
"Oh, I heard promises are meant to be broken." Olaf interrupted thoughtfully to himself. "Or is it brokens are meant to be promises?"
"For Anna, since she wouldn't want you to get into anything involving Hans..." Kristoff went on. "It's a promise."
The day started glumly, as it had been any other days ago. Fortunately, she managed to get back to her bed after conversing with Kristoff and Olaf in the library last night. Elsa had allowed Kristoff to stay in the palace, since that's what Anna would have wanted and let Olaf remain. He'd never melt unless he's in a heated place, which Elsa taught him never to go into because he'll most definitely melt. Olaf took that off as a sad case, but he obliged anyway.
The staff was still very secluded and had closed off the gates after yesterday's funeral. Anna's frozen state is now posed near the photo of her parents covered in black, funeral cloth. Elsa couldn't put herself to look at her sister, so she decided to get rid of the thought of seeing her for just this day. Since it was a day of mayhem, she couldn't let Anna distract her from all that she needs to be doing. A current situation like the people of Arendelle losing their trust on their queen is running a muck and she'd have to make a few convincing actions to show them that she's not a danger, even though she is.
She wished that she could just be in her ice palace again. Alone, yet free. No pretenses from anyone at all. It made her feel safe. But Arendelle was hers to run and next to family is her kingdom. Hence, she has no choice.
As the snow continues to settle outside the palace, a knock resounded from the double doors of her royal study. Elsa looked up from her dozen paper works and ordered for whoever who knocked to enter.
Kai entered, bowed and said, "Good morning, your majesty. I'm sorry to have disturbed you at this moment, but you have a visitor."
"The gates are closed, Kai." Elsa frowned to herself. "I thought that made it perfectly clear that I don't want any other visitors coming my way unless I tell the guards to open up the gates."
"Yes, I am aware of that, your graciousness." Kai closed his eyes with a sigh. "But I believe this is urgent. Three of the Princes of the Southern Isles would like to have a word of you."
Elsa's eyes widened. "Is..."
"Prince Hans is with them." Kai answered before Elsa could ask anything, because he knew that the Queen had set off strict orders not to allow Hans back in Arendelle. "Would you like me to escort him out of the palace or?"
"No." Elsa's voice faltered as she rose from her seat. She caressed the creases off her velvet gown before saying, "He can... be here since his brothers are here as well."
Elsa was escorted by Kai towards the royal hall. As they walk, Elsa couldn't help but internally burst in anger. Small frosts were settling on the carpet and on the windows as they pass by. It seems that her anger was starting to act on with her powers. If she doesn't stop being angry, the palace would be in an eternal winter as well. Pull it together, she thought to herself. The frost stopped trailing behind her, but it still left marks that will take a while to remove by the staff.
As soon as she and Kai entered the royal hall, arguing resounded. There was also a great blow of cold air. Elsa wasn't sure if it was just her or she might have just basically frozen the insides of the palace. Standing before the steps of her throne were three men dressed in their royal coats and pants. Two of them, who Elsa guessed would be Hans' two older brothers, were throwing horrible words at each other. One that's much taller than the other had scorching green eyes, a lot like Hans' and jet black hair. He had a light complexion, similar to the person he's arguing with and he looked absolutely arrogant. She assumed he was the eldest among the three, the second being the one less taller with the same auburn hair as Hans but had blue eyes filled with conviction. This one, apparently, was more graceful in a manly way. Definitely apart from two of his brothers.
Kai cleared his throat, as if that would help stop the argument. "Your lords, may I present - Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
Upon the announcement of her name, the two stopped arguing and finally swerved their attention towards Kai and Elsa. Hans, who wore a different set for a royal attire, looked at Elsa with a smirk, like he was keeping some horrific secret and he couldn't wait to rub it in her face. It made Elsa's stomach twist in knots. Had he looked that dashing before?
The tallest one bowed, followed by the second, then Hans; who kept his gaze on her.
"Good day, your highness." The tall one greeted. "We apologize for intruding on this fine, cold, winter..."
"This marvelous winter." The second one interjected lightly as he smiled apologetically at Elsa. Elsa smiled back lightly. "But we wish to have a word with you, if her highness agrees. If not, then -"
"We can just leave." Hans cut in, crossing his arms. He then smirked at Elsa once again, causing Elsa to frown at him. "We wouldn't want to disturb her highness's duties."
"Oh, it's... remarkable how you finish each other's sentences." Elsa covered her mouth to laugh modestly. She walked up to her throne before taking a seat on it. "May your lords introduce yourselves?"
The tallest stepped up first before bowing, "Prince Anderson. I would have to be the... 10th of all 13 sons of King Hugh and Queen Maria of the Southern Isles."
"Prince Christian, your highness. That would make me the 11th." The second one bowed before turning to Hans. "And of course, I do believe you know Prince Hans. The, uh, supposed groom of your sister."
Elsa forced a smile once Christian made mention of Hans. "Quite a marriage they couldn't have."
Anderson eyed the tension between Elsa and Hans, so he cleared his throat before going on with their business as to why they arrived in Arendelle. Apparently, it was Hans' idea to help Arendelle due to its current state. Ever since she decided to decline trades with Weselton, the kingdom had grown drought due to its winter. The Southern Isles is well known for their supplies that can be traded with other kingdoms. While all other kingdoms don't wish to help Arendelle in fear of Elsa's control over the element of ice and snow, Hans volunteered to show that there's still a kingdom out there who cares.
Although she appreciates the kingdom's initiative, she still wanted answers; especially from Hans. It would have to take her a few days or a week to agree to this "trading" fiasco. If this was another way for Hans to get to Arendelle's crown... her crown, Elsa was bound to freeze Hans. As Christian tries to explain the process of the tradings, she couldn't help but glance at Hans from time to time. He acts so smoothly, like she hadn't thrown him out the window yesterday.
"...So, if by allowance of the Queen; I'd like to request Christian and Hans's stay in your kingdom for a number of weeks to settle the ordain of the trading." Anderson finalized, and Elsa wasn't even sure she understood the first few things that were said. She snapped herself out of it as she looked at Anderson briefly. "Your highness?"
"Ah, yes." Elsa nodded quickly. "That'll be absolutely fine. For how long is it?"
"A few weeks, no more than that. Just so they can give you an overview of what the Southern Isles has to offer. Of course, Arendelle would have to offer something as well. It wasn't called a trade for nothing." Anderson went on skeptically.
Elsa forced a smile. "As much as I'd rather we go on a different lane on that, I'm afraid Arendelle has very little to offer for now. But perhaps when the, ah, winter clears out?"
"Very well, your highness." Anderson nodded. "Christian and Hans will let me know if such an agreement is settled on the tradings. Their baggage will arrive by tomorrow. We're looking forward to be of service with you."
"Likewise." Elsa replied before turning to Kai. "Kai, would you please show our guests to their rooms? And please occupy them with fresh clothings until their personal belongings are delivered."
Elsa shook hands with Anderson, Christian and Hans before heading back to her office. She didn't know why, but this day was beginning to become a lot weirder than she deem it wouldn't be. With Hans back in the palace, who knows what other horrific things he can do. She'd have to ask the staff to have guards guarding the room where Anna is in case he does another heartless act like melting Anna or breaking her in the most horrific thaw possible. Just the thought of it made her feel bile rise up to her throat.
Just as she was about to turn a corner in the hall, she heard footsteps behind her. The pace of the footing was fast. Elsa told herself that it's just a staff running off in a hurry. But when the pace quickened even more, it made her turn. And it made her groan frustratingly as well.
"What does his royalty want?" Elsa asked, her mock formality left a sickening aura to it.
"A few words to clear up a freeze." Hans answered as he took a few steps forward to near her. "You can thank me later."
"I haven't agreed on the trade yet, Hans." Elsa spat icily as a few frosts settled on her palms. "Don't you ever think that I don't know what you're up to. You might have manipulated Anna, but you can never manipulate me. I'm not a fool."
"But there's always that once in a life moment when we truly act like fools." Hans pointed out with a devilish smirk. He was definitely emphasizing her choice of leaving Arendelle to be free of pretenses. "Isn't that right?"
"Anything more unwise to say before I head off to work on some laws?" Elsa asked, crossing her arms on her chest. The walls were beginning to have flecks of frost due to her sudden turmoil. If only she had her gloves on. Then she remembers that she threw it off the Northern Mountain while building her isolated palace. She ought to get some help in controlling her powers; which made her mentally note down to visit the Valley of the Living Rocks some time this week. It would do her good as well to let Pabbie see her "progress" with Hans, as if there was any.
"Quite the opposite, I should say." Hans shrugged. "Did you ask the troll about thawing Anna?"
"How do you even know about the troll?" Elsa pinned.
Hans raised a finger to halt her from saying anything further. "It seems as if her highness didn't learn her proper etiquette. I asked first."
Elsa rolled her eyes in the most graceful, yet sternly queen-like possible. "Yes, I did."
"And what did he say?"
Suddenly, Elsa felt as if she had suddenly frozen herself. There was no way in everything that is purgatorial was Elsa going to tell him. It had been deliberately frustrating enough that she had to fall in love with him and she didn't need him to overdrive his ego for the sake of... well, whatever his dubious mind is planning about.
"I believe that matter is between me and the troll alone, Hans." Elsa remarked as she cleared her throat. "But if you do pry it off of him, be my guest to tell me what you know."
"I will most definitely talk to him." Hans sounded like he meant it as a challenge, which tempted Elsa to roll her eyes yet again at him. But then, that would make her look like she won't get anywhere with anybody. Plus, it would do her and Hans a favor... well, mostly her, since she needs her sister thawed. "I am a man of persuasion, Queen Elsa."
"Aren't you, now?" Elsa faked a smile playfully before turning her back on him. As she began to walk away, she said, "I'll be in my office a lot more than in the throne room. If you need to talk about the tradings, I'm open any time."
As she further walks away from him, she heard the faintest call of his voice saying, "I haven't answered your question yet!"
Elsa turned and found that they were practically a hall away from each other. But since the palace was silent, their voices were slightly distinct yet clear enough to hear. "I'm flattered you haven't disregarded it! What might be your answer?"
"You're not the only one who has issues with the winter!"
Everything went on like a blur, as it shouldn't have been. However, there was no point in having to put some optimism in her kingdom, unless she thaws it. Of course, even if she does ask Pabbie how to thaw it, he wouldn't tell her. He was always the mysterious, yet straight forward type of helper. He likes letting people figure it out for themselves. It's always one sentence, but it doesn't mean it's only one sided, there can always be more. Which stems it towards her act of true love. Just because Pabbie said it should be Hans, doesn't mean it really has to be.
Leading up to her last conversation with Hans, Elsa wasn't sure what to make of his answer. Not the only person who has issues with the winter? Could it mean that such powers were embedded with Hans that it had been crucial for him to know about the trolls? No. It couldn't be. Hans lacked details and she was darn right going to get every detail, just not now. Maybe later or tomorrow. Needless to say, she really wasn't in the mood to play Sherlock Holmes on how Hans knows about the trolls. Perhaps such interrogation questions are meant to be asked some other time.
As Elsa travels up to the dining hall for lunch, she is joined by Olaf who came waddling out of the library. He smells of dust and ancient books, which she assumes that he might have gone through some untouched books and shelves that caused him to smell as such.
"How's your morning so far, Elsa?" Olaf asked cheerfully. How on earth had she made Olaf such an optimist was a mystery to her.
"Bleak. There's no other way to describe it." Elsa sighed as she rolled her shoulders to lessen the tension off of it. Ever since Hans and his brothers came, she felt like Atlas, who carried the Earth on his shoulders. Except the earth on hers was a burden beyond any other planet. "Hans and his brothers came here this morning. Apparently, they wanted to help Arendelle by trading goods with us. Well, it was Hans' idea, but I think you understand what I mean. Although I find the notion helpful, we all know how Hans can be. With my current state, I can never convince anyone at all that he's a demon behind all sorts of demons."
"You must really hate him, don't you?" Olaf furrowed his brows before smiling knowingly. "But! We all know that the more you hate, the more you love. It's just like what Pabbie wanted to happen."
"He partially killed Anna." Elsa shrugged as they entered the dining hall. "It's impossible to fall in love with him."
"Merciful Isles!" Christian yelped in surprise as he rose from his seat in the long table.
Elsa's heart leaped upon hearing Christian. She hadn't expected him to be in the dining hall that early. Christian looked as if he was ready to faint as he tries to recover while taking a drink from his goblet.
"Hello, there!" Olaf waved his twiggy hands at Christian. "I'm Olaf!"
"A talking snowman." Christian murmured to himself as he continues to stare at Olaf. His wild look finally turned towards Elsa. "I'm talking to a talking snowman. Please tell me I'm only dreaming."
Elsa bit her lip guiltily as she watched Olaf near Christian. "Good afternoon to you too, Prince Christian. And I apologize for the sudden intrusion of my, er, snowman."
"Hey, you look a lot like Hans!" Olaf recognized. "But you seem a lot nicer than him. Tell me I'm right, Elsa."
"Yes, you're right." Elsa smiled awkwardly as she began to pull Olaf away from approaching Christian. "But it's lunch time and you might have given Prince Christian a fright. So if it's alright with you, can you please give us a few moments?"
"Oh, so sorry about that." Olaf said apologetically as he headed for the doors. "I'll talk to you later! And you too, Christian!"
As soon as Olaf is gone, Christian finally composed himself before taking his seat. "Is that for real? Or is it merely a part of your powers?"
"More on both, actually." Elsa admitted as she took her seat adjacent to Christian's. "When Anna and I were children, we built a snowman. I named that snowman Olaf. In the process of my power's development, I unintentionally rebuilt him and didn't know that I had actually brought him to life."
"Interesting." He nodded, relieved that it cleared up the doubts. "I apologize if my brother can't join us for lunch..."
Please, I don't mind. Elsa thought to herself as she started on her mushroom soup.
"He sends you his afternoon greetings and mentioned that he will be using the library to cover up some research. I am, however, unsure of what charade he has in store. He's not really the "get out of there" type. He's cut off connection with us for quite some time since he was sixteen."
"Well, with a number of... how do I recall this, twelve brothers? It's not impossible for him to cut off communication. Perhaps he felt that there was too much of all of you and that it makes him feel small?"
"He's the 13th among us. I can hardly blame him, though. Max, Drew and Aaron pretended he was invisible for two years. That's saying a lot, since those three are the eldest. Needless to say, I know very little of what Hans is like since he really doesn't talk to me... or to any of our brothers."
"I'm sure that with his offer of help for Arendelle, he can be... acknowledged by your family."
They ate in silence as soon as the main course arrived. As she stared at her Lobster blankly, Elsa couldn't help but think of what Hans said earlier. It kept gnawing at her like splinters on skin. As far as her father taught her, the Valley of the Living Rocks only existed in some western part of Arendelle. Unless Hans was lying, his family must have been either desperate or bored that they needed to find the trolls and ask help from them.
"Prince Christian," Elsa called for his attention.
Christian looked up from his merriment in eating Lobster. She takes it that it's his favorite meal. "Please, your highness, you may call me Christian."
"Oh, well, Christian." She nodded as she bit her lip. If there was one thing that she hated about herself, it's that she can't shut her trap when she wanted answers. Oftentimes, it lead her to become pushy, which was a big no-no in the "Being Queen" rule book. "I was just wondering. Hans told me that he knows about, well, some trolls. Do you remember anything that might have involved such with him around?"
His face thought long and hard; and she thanked her lucky stars she was going to get some answers, practically decent ones from someone. He put his fork down and held his hands together. "When we were merely children, I tried to get along with Hans. In Summer, we'd play by the beach. In Autumn, we'd ride our bikes around the halls of the castle. Perhaps the best... and worst was in Winter. We were playing in the gardens, heaps of snow everywhere. It was his favorite season. Well, was."
She arched a brow, intrigued. "What happened?"
"Let's just say I did something horrible, unintentionally to him while we were playing. Accidents happen as they do say." This time, his face contorted in pain upon the memory. "When my mother saw the damage, she brought me and Hans out of the kingdom. We traveled through sea and somehow, had brought us here, at Arendelle."
"You've been here?" She asks, surprised. But then again, she wouldn't have known since she had locked herself up all those years to keep her from hurting anyone with her powers.
"Yes, we have. Although I believe the gates were closed and we couldn't fully introduce ourselves to you and your parents. So we went off to some western parts of Arendelle. Then we arrived at a wide valley full of rocks. Little did I know that these rocks are actually, well, trolls. They're, well, magical. Especially Pabbie." He pursed his lips. "That was the only time Hans knew about the trolls and nothing more. Unless, of course, he sneaks out and visits them. We never really talked after that incident."
Elsa found it surprisingly similar to her past situation with Anna. An accident was done and due to that, they went to the Valley of the Trolls. Communication was shut out between them to keep her from hurting her sister. It almost made her want to share that she's had the same experience, but then, that would open different boarders. Plus, even though they might relate with each other, Elsa doesn't know Christian enough to trust him with her stories.
"I'm really sorry to hear that." Elsa apologized as she looked at her lobster awkwardly. "And I apologize for asking. I didn't know..."
"It's alright, your highness." Christian nodded, knowing she meant well. "Some just need to let it go, right?"
"Yes, of course." She chucked her fork into her lobster before asking, "One last question. So you've told me that Hans doesn't like the winter now, and he told me earlier that... I'm not the only one who has issues with the winter. Do you have any idea what that could possibly mean? I mean, you being his brother and all. I was just... it's been irking me lately."
Christian smiled sadly as he placed his fork and knife at the side of his plate complacently. "You see, your majesty. We're very much alike."
"I'm confused."
"What Hans meant is that... you're not the only person in this dining hall who is gifted or, well, cursed with the power of the cold."
When Elsa swiveled her head from left to right, trying to search for someone else that might have shared her gift or curse that was in that very room; she found no one... no one, other than Prince Christian of the Southern Isles.
Oh.
To be continued...
AN: I hope this chapter is slightly satisfactory enough to make up for my long days of not posting. I think that this story will go beyond five chapters, so maybe I might go for seven or eight being my last chapter/epilogue. Reviews are appreciated and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned! ^^