…Back in Fairy Tale Land…
"Elsa? Elsa are you in there?" asked Anna knocking on Elsa's bedroom door. "Can I come in? I've got exciting news!"
Elsa was looking out her bedroom window onto the courtyard of guests coming in for her coronation. Anna caught her deep in thought. At the sound of her sister's knock she frantically slipped the fitted gloves back on her hands. "Conceal, don't feel. Conceal, don't feel." Elsa thought nervously to herself. She can't let her sister know. She can't harm her like she almost did years ago. No one can help her. No place would accept her. Not even her sister. "Hold on Anna!"
Elsa managed to fit her gloves back on just when Anna callously entered the room. "Elsa," Anna exclaimed, elated and excited at the same time, "I'm in love."
"Really? With who?" Elsa asked skeptically. Bombarded by the randomness of the news.
"Hans."
"Hans…" she paused, looking over at Anna who was staring off into the canopy of her bed, obviously on cloud nine. She looked at Anna incredulously, "…does this Hans have a last name?"
"Hmm I never asked, but he's a prince with a title and everything!" Anna said obliviously tapping knocking her toes excitedly on Elsa's bed. Elsa, hating to ruin her excitement, hesitantly said,"Anna… I-"
"His name is Prince Hans from the Southern Isles," she said cutting Elsa mid sentence, "and he is absolutely handsome. You'll love him too, I just know it!" Anna leaps up from the bed with a spring in her step and makes a grandiose exit toward the door.
"He's coming to the coronation, you can meet him then. And oh,…" said Anna holding onto the door before leaving, "I think you should go with the black and green dress for the ceremony. It's very flattering and appropriate. Don't worry. Not only will you look great, you'll be great. You'll make a fine Queen. I'm so excited for you. See you soon?"
"Mmhmm…" nodded Elsa in concurrence. Anna left in such a hurry that the door was left slightly ajar. Elsa turned facing the window again. She looked down and meticulously took off her right glove. Worry and nervousness consumed her. With her right hand exposed, she exhaled releasing the tension and anxiety with a small snow flurry in her bedroom, freezing the window and the entire wall that encompassed it. She felt alone, unknowingly being witnessed through the cracked door…
… …
A hooded figure entered the sordid pub. He looked around searching for a particular individual. He strode through the room casually and gracefully, trying not to look conspicuous.
"If you're trying to not be noticed, you're doing it quite poorly!" shouted Rumplestiltskin from across pub. The hooded figure looked up toward the direction of the sound.
"How could you tell?" said the handsome individual pulling down his hood looking at Rumplestiltskin curiously.
"Only a prince would have the proper upbringing to stride elegantly through a room like you just did, and with such grace I might add. Am I right, Prince Hans?"
"What can I say? Old habits die hard. " Hans sat down at the vacant seat in front of Rumplestiltskin. He paused, suddenly realizing that the golden creature before him knew his name. "How do you know who I am?"
"Well, I am a trafficker of names. Call it a gift. What do you want?" demanded Rumplestiltskin, cutting straight to the point and taking one last swig of his beverage.
"So much for pleasantries," Hans remarked to himself, "I have heard that you are quite the remarkable enchanter; a wielder of magic. Making the impossible possible."
"If you are here to flatter me, I'm not in the receptive mood," said Rumple staring into the bottom of an empty mug.
"Ah, yes. You recently lost your son. I understand your bitterness. However, if you are still looking for your son, I may know of a sorceress that could help you in your situation. In fact, what I'm bartering for may work out in both our favors."
"What are you suggesting?" asked Rumplestiltskin, now intrigued.
"Well, as you know, I am the last of eight sons heir to the crown of my kingdom. The likelihood of my being king is very slim. I am currently engaged to a princess who is next in line to be Queen for her kingdom. However, her older sister's coronation is tonight."
"Well it sounds like you got engaged to the wrong princess."
"Yes, well… Anna, my fiancé, was so desperate for attention she fell in love with me quite quickly. Not too many princesses fall into your lap every day, at least, not as easily as this one."
"Go on."
"Her sister, Elsa, has an unfortunate disposition. If she were to be tutored," Hans emphasized the word 'tutored' by physically gesturing air quotes, "perhaps you could learn what you can of her magic and do… well, whatever it is you want with her, but get rid of her."
Rumplestiltskin pondered over the Prince's suggestion. The Prince, seeing that Rumple wasn't completely convinced in taking his offer, continued, "Look, you're a man who likes power. I can see it. I know it because that's what I want as well. The power I strive for is in the form of royal politics. Yours comes in the form of magic. When two people want something the other has, a deal can always be struck."
The last phrase struck a chord with Rumplestiltskin. With Rumplestiltskin and his new abilities of foresight, the phrase seemed like a clandestine echo from his future. It rang into his inner core as if he knew from that moment on, he would be destined to use that phrase in the future. He became rather amused by the notion and gave a childlike giggle over the irony. Rumple replied with a sinister smile, "If you can get her outside her kingdom, I can take it from there."
And the deal was struck.
… …
Kristoff was in the stables going through his daily chores. First, sweeping. Next, feeding then brushing. Kristoff moved over into Sven's stable brushing his coat thoroughly when he could hear a loud scuffle drawing nearer to the stables.
"Kristoff! Kristoff!" shouted an excited Anna before entering the stables where Kristoff was working.
"Princess!" exclaimed Kristoff in a hushed tone, "How many times have do I have to explain to you the decorum of entering the stables. You'll spook the horses."
"For the bajillionth time, don't call me Princess. We've known each other since we were kids, I think it's safe to address each other informally."
"Yes, well… easy for you to say… Princess. The repercussions for your socializing beneath your class are far less dire than my own."
Anna, still catching her breath from her excitement, leaned up against a nearby post supporting the weight of her body. "Kristoff, I'm in love! I'm engaged!"
"What? Who? When?" Kristoff paused his tedious brushing and turned to face Anna.
"Oh please, you're no better than Elsa," said Anna with exasperation.
"Look, I want to be supportive, but… this is the first time I'm hearing of this… gentleman. Did you just meet him today?"
"Yes! His name is Prince Hans of the Southern Isles and we're in love! I just know it!"
"Well, excuse me for being frank, but you can't marry a man you just met."
"Well I'm not marrying him today, silly. Today is my sister's coronation. And besides, it's true love!"
"Mmhmm," replied Kristoff disapprovingly, resuming his brushing.
"What is it? Why are you acting this way?" asked Anna in a frustrated tone awaiting his reply. When he didn't respond right away, she replied for him, "Oh you are so honest with me before, but now you have nothing to say?"
"I… I just think you're being naïve. For once, I agree with your sister."
Anna, now upset and disappointed, decided to change the conversation since she wasn't going to get the approval she so desired from him, "Look, I'm going to tell Elsa of my engagement tonight. I would really like it if you could come and support me. It would be nice to see a familiar face."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not much for the pomp and circumstance. I've got the horses to tend to," he said bitterly.
"Oh," she said in surprised disappointment. She honestly thought that he'd be inclined to dress and dine with the upperclass. "Well… I'm sorry to have bothered you."
"Another shut door to the face" she thought. She turned away and sulked as she walked back to the castle. He kept his back to her as she left the stables. He stopped brushing Sven and walked away from the horse. He tossed the brush on the ground and walked dejectedly over to an empty bucket. Head facing the ground he stared at the bucket, his feelings of anger stewing within him. He then became so angry that he took his frustration out on the bucket and kicked it, causing the object to fly all the way towards the other end of the stables. All the horses jumped and a few whinnied at the sudden movement.
He wondered, "Why am I mad? Why do I feel hurt? Am I jealous? Why would I feel jealous?"
He slumped down onto a bench that was against the wall, defeated. What could he possibly offer to a Princess that she didn't already have? He loved her. She was way above his class, and he knew it. It would never be possible to have a relationship with her. He should just let her go. It was something he understood he could never get. Still, he felt blessed to have her as a friend. If it wasn't for her generosity taking him in as an abandoned child, he would never have had food in his belly or a roof over his head. He wouldn't have survived as long as he had. Even if the feelings weren't reciprocated, he would still be thankful for her constant generosity. The truth was, he needed her friendship as much as she needed his. He took in a slow relaxed breath before picking himself off of the floor and walked calmly back over to Sven. He spoke gingerly to the horse, "Hey, Sven. Easy, easy. I'm sorry about my anger earlier. It was uncalled for."
The horse looked back at him as if understanding and accepting his apology.
"Thanks Sven. I can always count on you. Hey, wanna go for a ride?"
The horse seemed to nod in excitement, and Kristoff smiled at the small connection. He reached for the saddle that was nearby and started lacing Sven for an evening ride.
… …
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Hundreds and hundreds of people somehow managed to fit inside such a confined church. Elsa stood at the altar facing the sea of her people's faces, all come to witness such a grand spectacle. Elsa was beyond nervous and it was evident by how pale and sickly her face appeared. But still, she was able to carry on through the coronation ritual. She gulped and looked over at Anna's happy supportive face in the front pew, gesturing a look that suggested 'Go on! You can do this I know you can!'
Elsa looked down at the priest signaling her cue to remove her gloves and hold the symbolic items. She looked down at her hands and took an anxious breath before quickly removing her gloves and setting them on the pillow a servant next to her offered. She held the sacred royal items signifying her duty and loyalty to her kingdom. She could literally feel the weight of both the emblems and her kingdom in her hands. She needed to focus, now more so than ever. Conceal, don't feel. Conceal don't feel, she repetitively thought to herself. It was all that she could remember as child from what her parents taught her. If only they were here, she wished. No, I must focus. She needed to keep her composure because the well-being of her kingdom was at stake.
All she could hear was a drowned murmur of the priest reading through the final passages of his book continuing with the ceremony. She couldn't think of anything else holding the objects and staring blankly into the crowd. Her anxiety was about to take hold of her and the sacred items started to frost over. Before she knew it, the priest proclaimed, "Long live Queen Elsa!" A thunderous applause broke out and she quickly returned the items that were in her hands and exchanged them for the safety of her gloves. After what felt like forever, Elsa finally exhaled her anxiety away and she smiled nervously at her audience.
Queen Elsa walked as gracefully as she could down the aisle, trying desperately to not trip or make a fool of herself. The crowd stood on their feet applauding her and her new anointment. She smiled gratefully and nodded courteously to her followers in their pews as she left the church. As soon as the little bit of her train escaped the building, she quickly entered her carriage. Her royal guard opened up the doors to her carriage and she sat down immediately. Grateful for the seat, her heart pounded within her body. She briefly succumbed to her miniature anxiety attack and the sudden rush of blood to her head made her dizzy. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to find a reclusive spot as quickly as possible, but the carriage only moved so fast.
… …
Citizens of the kingdom and many invited guests poured into the ballroom. Each one wearing a fancier garment than the next. Queen Elsa sat on her throne and her sister Anna sat by her side being the welcoming receptors of compliments and flattering gifts. Time passed and the music from the orchestra cued the party members that it was time to dance. An elderly gentlemen, who only appeared to move slow from all the medals and honors that weighed on his uniform like an elaborately decorated Christmas tree, offered his hand to Anna to dance, "Queen Elsa, may I have the honor of dancing with your sister?"
Anna looked nervously back at her sister who seemed to enjoy and almost revel at the goofy moment. Anna gave Elsa a pleading look practically saying, Elsa! Save me! Before Elsa could let out an amused giggle, she managed to say, "Of course, dear sir. I know how much my sister loves to dance."
Before Anna could think of a creative excuse to escape, the elderly man whisked her off her feet and they danced as best they both knew how. All of his moves were overly exaggerated by the ridiculous extension of limbs, ill-timed tapping of toes and obnoxious spinning. While the gentleman may have thought they were dancing wonderfully together, the attention of the crowd was mostly drawn to his awful dancing. Anna looked over at her sister who was beside herself in laughter.
"May I cut in?" Hans asked the decorated elderly man. Affronted, the elderly man reluctantly consented letting out a low cough and handing Princess Anna off to Prince Hans. As soon as they were within safe dancing distance of the decorated gentleman Anna let out from her lips, "You're my hero."
"Hmmm," Hans chuckled to himself. "We'll see about that. Have you told your sister the good news?"
"Well," began Anna as she continued her more conservative dancing with Hans bowing and spinning occasionally at appropriate speeds, "I did tell her about you."
"But not of our engagement," he retorted, cutting her off.
"Let's tell her now," suggested Anna. She grabbed his hand and led them out of the dancing circle of the center of the ballroom. "Elsa… This is Prince Hans of the South-"
"-Southern Isles. Yes, I remember you telling me this morning."
"Your majesty," He bowed toward Queen Elsa taking her gloved hand. He never broke his gaze from the Queen as he kissed her hand lightly, as decorum would have it. The way he looked at the Elsa disturbed her slightly, like there was more than what he was leading on. Like a hawk staring at its prey before the attack. He saw the concern and skepticism break out on her face and continued, "Congratulations on your successful coronation."
"Yes, well…" she said taking her hand back. Why couldn't she shake this funny feeling about him? "If it were up to me, I would have just had an intimate ceremony."
"But don't you see? Now it is up to you."
Before Elsa could make another thoughtful judgment about Hans, Anna blurted out what she had been waiting so long to tell her, "We're engaged!"
Elsa, suddenly caught off guard, became flabbergasted at the surprising news, "What?"
"We're going to get married. I was hoping that on an exciting evening such as this that I might catch you in a happy disposition and ask for your blessing."
"Anna…"
"He's got seven other brothers and they all could stay here…"
"Anna, slow down. Nobody's brothers are staying here. And no, you do not have my blessing."
"What?" Anna suddenly taken aback.
"You asked for my blessing and I'm saying, 'no'. You do not have my blessing. Now if you would please excuse me…" Queen Elsa said turning her back on Anna and heading toward an empty private room at the corner of the ballroom.
"No! Don't do this to me! You're always shutting me out! Why won't you talk to me like you used to? I thought you would understand me and support me."
Elsa paused only to listen to Anna's last statement before continuing her path to the room and closed the door.
"Allow me," said Hans looking at Anna's heartbroken face. "I won't be long," he said kissing the top of Anna's hand and followed after Elsa to her room. He approached the door and knocked, "Your majesty?"
"Go away please. I wish to not be disturbed right now."
Hans opened the door and entered the same room as Elsa, closing the door behind him. He released the knob thinking the door was shut all the way, but the door popped opened slightly. "I will marry your sister," he said confidently and with a low sinister growl.
"Excuse me?" replied Elsa insulted by his inappropriate approach to her and determined insinuation. She clutched her exposed hands by tucking them underneath her arm pits.
"I will be king and you will do your kingdom a favor by leaving it."
"And who do you think you are telling a Queen what to do in her kingdom?"
"I know your secret. I know that no one knows but me. I know that if your sister were to find out, she'll be disgusted by your hideous disposition. Not to mention, if word were to get out of your magical temperament, kingdoms would lose trust in you and become dissuaded in performing commerce with your kingdom."
"No!" cried Elsa, crumbling before Hans. Tears and worry consumed her. Hans bravely stepped closer to a fallen Elsa, standing over her in a threatening position. "Leave. Leave now and save your kingdom. You know Anna couldn't love a creature like you."
"NO!" shouted Queen Elsa and a giant pulse of snow and ice burst forth from her hands freezing Hans completely where he stood. Anna, having heard everything, now bore witness to Elsa's abilities for the first time through the cracked door that suddenly flew open from the small snowstorm. The door exposed Elsa and her abilities. The guests that were once dancing stopped in the tracks and saw what had happened.
"Witch! The Queen is a sorceress!" shouted a guest from within the ballroom.
Queen Elsa, devastated and scared, bolted from the room. The ice that had surrounded Hans began to quickly proliferate, spreading and freezing the walls of the room within seconds. With every step that Elsa took ice expanded, freezing everything that it touched, including the guests from her coronation ceremony. "ELSA!" shouted Anna calling after her sister. Anna looked down, curious as to why none of the ice affected her. Elsa was freezing their entire kingdom. Anna ran after her sister's ice trail. "Elsa!" Anna called for her again. Elsa's ability to manipulate ice and snow seemed to also help her escape at an unnaturally fast pace. Anna chased after her sister and onto the now frozen harbor. By the time she set foot onto the ice harbor she slipped and fell, defeated. Elsa was already just a black speck in the distance. She needed a horse to catch up to her. Kristoff! she thought. Hopefully he had escaped the kingdom's frozen curse.
I did my best blending the Frozen story into the Once Universe. But I think I did a half-way decent job. Just a few more of these chapters and we'll be back in Storybrooke before you know it. Hmmm, what do you think so far? Review this chapter and let me know. Thanks!