Disclaimer: I do not own any characters.
Author's Notes: Love reviews. Whether its critiquing, praising, or just ranting...new writer, love reviews to help me grow on writing. Thanks.
Whoever got onto me for misspelling Hans! I corrected it for youuu!
To Grow Up
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"Prince Hans of the Southern Isles and your Princess Anna," Elsa smiled as she clapped her gloved hands together.
Clapping erupted over the entire audience. Hans, Elsa, and Anna stood on the balcony together, Elsa by the ledge as she addressed her people. It was a speech filled with words like "forgiveness" and "moving on" and "a new chapter." Whatever the Queen said, the people ate it up and knew their Queen would lead them with wisdom.
"Come, Anna," the Queen said silently. She motioned for her to stand in front of their people. Stepping aside, she grasped her sister's shoulder tightly as if trying to encourage her. Anna looked at her sister. The Queen's eyes were filled with emotion. "You can do it."
Faces of all shape, size, and color were focused on the princess. Anna wiped her clammy palms on her new outfit. Every single face that looked at her had a smile on their face. Not a trace of doubt or even fear of what had just been announced. Well, Elsa really knew how to give a speech. Or was Elsa right? Was this really a wise decision for their kingdom?
"My friends," she started,"I'm so..." Reluctant? Horrified? Scared? "...honored...to have your support in this decision." She was lying through her teeth! She would rather be anywhere than right here! "We look forward to what the future holds..." Anna couldn't breath anymore.
Kristoff. There he was. In the back. His hat was on, his trusty reindeer by his side with a sled loaded. It looked as if they were going on a trip? Her eyes scanned his sleigh. Yes, a long trip. He had several bundles tied down. Was he going up to the mountains? Why didn't he tell her? Kristoff, why won't you save me?
"We look forward to uniting two kingdoms for peace. And I'm honored to marry such a dear lady," Hans immediately stepped forward. His hand wrapped around Anna's waist, his face now showing a smile. He could feel his fiancé tremble beneath his touch. What had caused her to freeze so suddenly?
The crowd once more erupted into applause. Anna's eyes widened and looked up at the man who supported her. She didn't say a word. Couldn't say a word. What did she see in his eyes? Compassion?
"Anna, let's go," Elsa motioned as the giant doorways were opened from the balcony. Anna, somewhat in a confused daze, allowed Hans to escort her.
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"Come on, Sven!" Kristoff pulled the reigns tightly to his trusted pet. The heavy beast refused to move with his load. His eyes seemed as if they were wide with anger. Normally, Kristoff would speak for his reindeer, but not right now. He didn't have the energy nor the desire to speak what he knows what his animal was thinking.
Sven sat. Kristoff, tired of coaxing the animal, sat down in frustration. Pulling out a carrot, he offered it to him. "I know, buddy, but it's not that easy...she has too...there is no other way...so we will leave for a bit...I-I want to see grandpappy anyways..."
The reindeer grunted as he continued to chew on the carrot.
"If she loves me..." The strong iceman bit his lip. Didn't finish. Even I'd she did love him...would she even have a choice?
Leaving was for the best. He would be with ice and would be able to swing his pick around and take all of his frustration out on the ice...no problem...he knew that it was just a dream for awhile anyways...he didn't deserve to have a princess. He was too common. Anna needed a prince. She needed Hans. "It is what's best..."
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Elsa stood before Hans and her quiet sister. The crowds would probably be near the gates for the next few hours celebrating. She was sure most of the town would be drunk this evening. Arendale was a wonderful city, but even a celebration caused great people to indulge in drink.
"You are not to go out tonight, Anna, it will not be safe. You will stay here." Elsa turned with grace. She looked at her sister with care. "Why don't you show Hans the garden? I'm sure he will enjoy the fresh air."
Hans looked to a very rigid Anna, then to Elsa. The sisters looked as if it were a staring match. Elsa lifted her chin higher and pointed towards the door. "It is alright, I am rather tired, I will-"
"You will escort your fiancé to the gardens and enjoy fresh air..." Hans bowed.
How horrible could his life get? So many mistakes he made and all he wished to do was vanquish them! He was fine at hiding! Rupert seemed to find entertainment from making him gravel or making him live in his past failures. All for what? So he could be king.
Hans was very familiar with the way power crept into your heart and made you do things you never thought you would do. Anything for the power and the wealth. Anything to get recognized. He had plenty of eerience with that.
His hands clasped open and shut. It was as if he could still feel the sword in his hands. How easy it was to crave power so much he would even kill for it! His eyes involuntarily went to Elsa. She had been watching him the entire time.
"Anna?" He turned and opened his arm for her. The young princess huffed as she took it.
Hans couldn't help but smile. His Anna was still so full of life. His Anna...he shook his head. No, it wasn't his Anna. Even after the short time they had been away, there had been a very big change to the innocent princess. She seemed more grown up, more burdened. Not as silly as she usually was.
A part of him cringed when he looked at her from the corner of his eye. Anna looked miserable. And in his heart, he knew he had done that. Pretended to be her Prince Charming and fooled her into believing he loved her all for power. Why was she to trust him now?
The two strolled slowly. Anna spouted off the different fountains and flowers like A Rehearsed play. The Prince of the Southern Isles looked up. A large bay window was open and light poured all the way to the grassy garden. Elsa, her hands holding her face delicately, watched the two closely.
"Youll get use to it. She is always watching me like a hawk. She is probably watching your two timing, lying, pig headed-"
"I know what you think of me, Anna, please don't remind me," he whispered. His eyes looked to Elsa once more and she looked away quickly as if she was looking at the stars. Hans took Anna by the hand and guided her to a stone bench.
"I don't know how to apologize to you," he murmured. Anna sat silently on the bench. Hans turned from her with flamed cheeks. His hands went into his hair, dragged his fingers through his locks as if it would relieve some tension.
Anna barked,"Nothing you do or say will ever make me forgive you. You come here with a threat of war unless I agree to marry you? That is low, Hans! You won't hurt Elsa, I will keep my eye on you all the time! You will never hurt her again! And you will never be a King-"
"Enough!" He turned in frustration. As if to emphasize his words, his hands were thrown up in anger. "I did not come here on my own free will! I was ordered here! Trust me, this is the last place I wish to be!"
"Then, why are you here?" Anna was sitting tall. Her eyes wide. Was there really more to this evil man than she thought? Had Elsa been right?
"My eldest brother, Rupert, had a very large influence on that decision." Both of them were now sitting on the stone bench. Crickets sang while the silence between them stretched. Hans lowered his eyes,"My father is ill and my mother currently resides over all of the decisions regarding the crown. It could be any day father passes. I was trying to regain favor with my parents by trades. I was successful. Rupert didn't like that. So, a long story short, he placed an idea in my mother's head that Arrendale needed to be an alliance in case..."
"...in case the scary Snow Queen blasts you out of the water," Anna smiled for the first time since he had arrived.
"Rupert doesn't like me. Before my father grew ill, you could say I was his favorite. None of my brothers liked that. There's more to the story, maybe one day I will tell you." The princess sat beside him quietly. So there was more than she thought. This Hans seemed more like a victim than a tyrant. Was that why he had come to Arendale so desperate? to escape?
Hans, looking her in the eyes, lowered his voice,"Everyday, I wish I could take back what I've done to you, but I can't. I don't expect you to even like me. Please know, I am not here on false pretenses. I am here because I am under order. It was either this or treason..." Two of his fingers slipped beneath his collar. It didn't even sound appealing to lose his head.
"I can't love you, Hans."
A sad smile formed on his lips. "I don't think love was written in the stars for us, Anna. The only thing I can offer you is my friendship, my loyalty, and a promise with an alliance once this marriage takes place."
"You are right, Hans, love wasn't written in the stars for us." Her eyes drifted upwards. She was wondering where on earth her love was right now...
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The weeks passed by quickly. The wedding was only a few days away. Anna stood on a short stool as still as a tree. Shelly, the seamstress, poked and prodded thr young princess and inserted several needles to hem her wedding gown.
It was a beautiful gown. Anna couldn't help but smile as she looked at it more closely. it had taken time, but she finally decided that if she had to marry a man she didn't love, she would still have a perfect wedding. The dress was white, beautiful, and covered with an Irish lace. Yes, she felt beautiful in this dress.
"Is this too lose?" Shelly questioned Elsa.
"I think it should be a tighter fit around her waist. Look at how slim she is." Elsa inspected the dress and lowered her book. Who would've thought her sister would be getting married first?
Anna spoke up,"No, no, no. I am not going to suffocate in my wedding dress. I want it lose. I finally decided what foods I want at the banquet. If I have to marry someone against my will, I will get what foods I want and I will enjoy them..."
Elsa smiled. Her sister had turned into a much better sport. She was proud of her. The months had passed and the tension in the home seemed to melt away. Something had changed that night in the garden between them. Whatever was said, Anna has finally reached a growing point as a princess.
Had Hans told Anna about Rupert? Or about the dungeon? Did he tell her about the time they left him in his room for three days with no food or water just to hear him cry? A frown replaced her smile.
Hans had become very open about his life over their late night talks after dinner. All of them would sit by the fire and read. Anna would leave to eat dessert, but they would stay. They would talk about their lives, their struggles, their innermost feelings of pain.
They had become close friends. Elsa laughed. Friends! Who would've thought she would befriend a man who tried to kill her? He was different. So different. Insecurities crept in her mind. Did Hans tells Anna about all of the things she had told him?
What did it matter? Anna was marrying him, not her. They should share secrets. Right? So why did it make her heart feel so heavy?
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This wasn't right. It didn't feel right. A feeling of shame rushed over him. Hans, throwing on a shirt and trousers, decided it was time to get out of bed and quit dreaming. Dreams caused him to feel things he shouldn't...thought things he never should entertain!
I am marrying Anna in three days...so why is it I wake up every single night dreaming of her?
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