Chapter 7: Discussion part 1
Meanwhile back in Arendelle, Prince Hans was trying his best keep this unexpected situation under control, which was easier said than done. The royal palace of Arendelle was fortunately built so it could host most of the people of the town during a time of crisis, which made it a little easier for him. He tried to make people feel better by giving them warm blankets and food, but he knew that these things would only give them temporary relief. The people of Arendelle would not be content until this winter was permanently dealt with.
Anna told him she could fix this problem by talking to her sister and convincing her of thawing the kingdom, he on the other hand wasn't too sure if the situation was this simple. Anna reassured her that Elsa would never hurt her and he could only hope it was true. He was not so stupid as some of the more gullible people around here to believe Elsa was an evil witch simply because she had magical powers. If she was evil she would not have been afraid of her powers or someone getting hurt by them. It was a little reassuring that she would not intentionally hurt her sister, or anyone else for that matter, but he still had doubts in Anna's plan. If Elsa was afraid of her powers, it was obvious that she could not control them, so she could easily hurt people around her. Or struck her kingdom in an eternal winter. He only prayed that the eternal part wasn't true.
Said prince was currently in the stables, checking on his horse to make sure he was in warm. When the animal saw his rider heading towards him, he acknowledged his presence with a happy whine. Hans smiled at his steed.
"Hey, boy." he greeted the animal, softly petting it's snout. "How are you doing?" The horse just huffed and softly rubbed it's snout into Hans' paw. He would cherish a moment like this, together with his loyal horse, who was mostly his only companion back in his kingdom, away from his problems. The royal guards were currently taking care of the people while he used this few minutes to calm himself and think this whole event over. Since Anna left him in charge, he was responsible for Arendelle at the moment, but even he needed to stop for a few minutes to catch his breath.
The thought of his bride caused him to narrow his eyes in thoughts. He hoped Anna could do something about this winter, he really did. Whether the princess wanted to admit it or not, Elsa was responsible for this winter, intentionally or unintentionally. And if she could not reverse this whole thing she caused, he would have to use a little more drastic measures to ensure Arendelle's survival. And he wasn't sure everybody in the kingdom would like that.
...
Prince Hans of the Southern Isles felt like he had never been tasked with a more difficult task. Being the thirteenth of the sons of his father, he was usually forgotten and the important jobs were all handed to the princes between the second and the seventh in line. The first born was the king for a while now and was ruling alongside his wife. The only reason of him being sent on this coronation event was that his oldest brother considered it a minor event and sent Hans to attend to it because of it.
Hans never really minded being a spare for his older brothers, at least he could do what he wanted without worrying about the kingdom's biggest issues, but it also meant he wasn't really prepared for something like this. But come to think of it, he believed that none of his brothers or anyone else would be prepared for something like this to begin with. Taking care of the citizens of Arendelle and the kingdom itself was not really a big challenge. But reassuring everybody about a situation like this was something different. It was difficult when even he had no idea what the heck was going on. He's never seen magic before and he wondered if anybody did before.
Fortunately for him, he had found two helpful companions in the Prince and Princess of Corona, who were more than willing to help him keep the people in warm and also deal with some people who were not so patient with this situation as others. The people who were just afraid and losing their hope were being kept encouraged by the ever so optimistic and joyous Princess Rapunzel, while the people who were angry at their queen and kept saying they should do something about this winter in a more violent way were put to their places by Prince Eugene, with a little help of Hans of course. Hans could understand them, but they didn't have to use drastic measures to end the winter, not yet.
Said prince was currently residing within the library trying to warm himself next to the fireplace that was blazing alive with wild flames, but at the moment, even that did not seem enough to reduce the feeling of this terrible cold. Hans himself never thought that cold would ever feel so bad, so weakening, so intense or so forceful, but it was different to actually experience it.
Suddenly the door of the room opened and Rapunzel and Eugene entered the room. They didn't seem to do any better. Rapunzel could barely manage to find herself a small fur coat to put over her light dress she was usually wearing. The poor woman probably wouldn't have lasted much in it alone. Her husband was pretty much feeling like Hans. They didn't pack any winter clothing for this trip, but their current clothes kept them at least a little bit warm.
Hans quickly helped them to the fireplace. Rapunzel eagerly reached out, trying to suck up as much warmth as she could while her husband just quickly warmed himself up.
"Is everything done?" Hans asked the other prince. Eugene nodded.
"Yes. Every person the castle could support are brought in, the rest of them were brought into the more stable and more warm places in the city. The royal guards will take care of them." Hans nodded back. The people are taken care of, but this damn winter still didn't want to stop. And he had a feeling that it will only get worse. Never in his life did he feel so helpless.
Anna said she will find a solution to this problem, but she has been gone for hours now and there was still no change in the weather. If Hans wanted to be honest with himself, he started to worry. He started assuming the worse. Seeing the concern on his face, Eugene had a pretty good idea about what he was thinking of and he tried to reassure him.
"Look, I know you are worried about her, but there will be no problem, she's a though girl. I can see that from a mile." he smiled. "Besides, she is looking for her sister. She is the only family she had left and I don't think she would let a little cold stopping her from bringing her back."
"I think your wife would disagree with you." Hans remarked, gesturing to the brunette, who was still shivering next to the fireplace. She was still cold, but she managed to get enough energy back to respond.
"About the cold, definitely." she said weakly as she got to her feet. "But he is right about the sister thing. Family is one of the most, if not the most important things in life. Especially if you have only one family member left. She will make it. I'm sure." she said with confidence. Eugene smiled and put his arm around her to pull her close. Hans on the other hand, thought differently. He did not have much pleasant experiences with family, but more unpleasant ones. To him, family was not the first thing to come into his mind when he thought about things worth fighting for. He could not understand the true depth of it.
"I'm not sure." Hans groaned and sat down in an armchair with a defeated sigh. He had to think of something. He was left in charge of Arendelle, which meant that the residents' well-beings was his responsibility. And that included the princess too. This was a great chance for him to show that he could be a good leader, he could not ruin it. The other two did not know what to do with him. He was so very different than them, and not exactly a good different.
Before they could make any further attempt to reassure the prince, the library's door was opened and three turned to see the Duke of Weselton walk in, followed by his two men. Hans let out a frustrated sigh. He really wasn't in the mood for the old man and it seemed like the pair from Corona weren't really big fans of him either.
Rapunzel was wary about him ever since she saw his reaction to Elsa's magic. She couldn't help but wonder what he would say if he knew about the magical glowing-healing hair she used to have. Back home, she and Eugene only told about it to her parents so far, they didn't think it was necessary to tell anybody else. They probably wouldn't believe it anyway. Sure, the ruffians from the Snuggly Duckling and those little girls saw her parading with her seventy feet long blond hair, but they didn't know about it's abilities. Rapunzel thought it was probably for the best. Most people would probably think she's crazy.
Eugene could see this man was bad news from a mile. Back when he was a thief, he had done many jobs for men like him. He didn't really like to remember back to it, but his life as a thief allowed him to pick up a few smarts. Not to mention that the duke probably wasn't enthusiastic when he heard about a common thief marrying into a royal family.
"Prince Hans, may I have a few words with you?" h the duke asked in an impatient way.
"What is it now?" Hans asked, as he slowly stood up to face the little man.
"I don't see the point in you handing everything Arendelle has away, while the kingdom is stuck in this winter!" he complained, Hans narrowed his eyes,
"The princess left me in charge of Arendelle, that means I get to do things the way I see fit." Hans stated forcefully. "I will make sure the citizens of of the kingdom and the delegates of foreign kingdoms are safe."
"And how do you know that the princess isn't with the witch and just left you in charge so she could have someone back in Arendelle she can control; or may be dead at the feet of a Viking!?" his face suddenly became dubious. "Maybe we shouldn't trust you."
Eugene had heard enough. He was about to remove the old man from the room in a little violent way, not caring about the fact that he was protected by his two gorillas, but Hans put his arm up to stop him. "Don't bother, he's just a delusional little man. Save your energy for the task at hand."
If the Duke had something to say about Hans calling him delusional. He never get the chance to say it, as the door of the library was suddenly slammed open and two royal guards entered.
"Prince Hans! Quickly, you have to come to the town square!" one of them said, panting heavily-
"What happened? Is it one of the citizens?"
"No, Your Highness! It's about Princess Anna." That got his attention. The guards gestured for him to follow them as they rushed out of the building, followed by Hans, Rapunzel, Eugene, the Duke and his men.
They made it to the town square, where some other guards were trying to calm a panicked horse. Hans instantly recognized it. It was Anna's horse.
"It's Anna's horse, but where is she?" he asked one of the guards.
"We don't know, Your Highness. The horse came back without her." he replied. The horse was still panicking, running around on the square, knocking the guards out of his way and nothing seemed to calm him down. Everyone just stood in one place, wondering what to do, when suddenly Rapunzel stepped forward and slowly started to walk towards the rampaging animal.
"Princess Rapunzel!" one of the guards yelled. "Don't!" he was about to go after her and bring her back to safety, but Eugene stopped him.
"Don't worry." he said with a confident smile. "She knows what she's doing."
The princess cautiously approached the animal, which did not seem to calm him down. The guards managed to corner him at a wall, even though it was obvious that he could break out of their ring. Rapunzel gathered all her courage and fastened her pace towards the horse. When the guards trying to restrain him saw her, they went to take her away from there, but she gestured for them to let her come through. The guards, unsure about what should they do, glanced at each other, then at Eugene and Hans. Upon seeing Rapunzel's husband nod at them, Hans did the same. The guards slowly and nervously backed away, allowing the Coroninan princess to walk up to the animal. She got closer and closer while silently praying that her plan will work fine. The horse just stared at her, obviously still frightened – and Rapunzel couldn't blame the poor thing. - and ready to make a run for it, but Rapunzel's charm that she used on animals so many times before seemed like they wouldn't fail her now.
"It's alright." she reassured the horse. "Everything will be fine." at this point, she felt like she was reassuring herself rather than the horse. The horse looked like he was about burst out again. The guards were ready to throw themselves in to protect the princess, but when she saw them move, she quickly gestured for them to stay put, then turned back to the horse.
"It's alright. I'm here to help you." And suddenly, as if she just cast some sort of spell on the horse, he started to calm down. Upon seeing this, Rapunzel smiled. "It's okay. Calm down." Rapunzel slowly extended her hand and before she knew it, she was stroking the rough fur of him. The horse finally relaxed. Seeing this, the guards moved to take him away. He started to get nervous about it, but Rapunzel reassured him again. "It's okay. You are safe." she smiled. The horse relaxed and allowed himself to be lead away.
Rapunzel was rather proud of herself after this. And apparently, her husband was too.
"I have to admit, that was an interesting stunt you pulled there." Hans said, looking genuinely impressed with what Rapunzel did. But his expression turned to a frown just a second later. "But now, I should focus on the more important task, I'm going out to find Anna." Eugene looked at him like he said that the sun changed to blue. But to be honest, after this day, even that wouldn't surprise him.
"Out there?! Are you serious? You're gonna freeze to death!"
"My bride is out there! I have to go!" Hans replied. He then turned to a guard. "I'm going out to look for princess Anna. Find me volunteers who are willing to help." The guard nodded and left.
"We are going with you." Rapunzel said, much to Eugene's surprise.
"Are we?" he asked and his wife gave him a look in return. "Of course. Not a question." he said in submission, but Hans shook his head.
"No. I need you to stay here and look after Arendelle." Rapunzel obviously wasn't happy with this answer.
"But we..." she started, but Hans cut her off.
"The people need someone to took care of them and hold the hope in them. You two are more capable in that than I." Rapunzel opened her mouth to argue again, but Hans beat her to it once more. "This is the best way you can help me." he said firmly. The princess, though reluctantly, but agreed with a nod.
"Prince Hans." they heard the duke calling from behind them. "I offer my two men for this job." All three of them narrowed their eyes in suspicion. The last person they expected to help was the duke, but Hans knew that he doesn't have too many choices.
But the duke then spoke quietly to his bodyguards. "Follow him, and if you you should encounter the queen or the Viking. You are to end them."
Back to the subject...
"Fine." he said. Eugene and Rapunzel did not expect this.
"What?" Eugene exclaimed. "Are you willing to let that two come along? I don't think that's a good idea." he said, making sure that the two goons didn't hear it. They kind of reminded him of the Stabbington brothers and Eugene didn't like to be reminded of them.
"I know, but the more men I take the bigger my chances are. I don't trust them either, but beggers can't be choosers." Hans replied and Eugene realized that he was right.
"Just keep an eye on them." he warned. Hans just nodded and left to take volunteers to this quest.
"I don't trust him." Rapunzel said.
"I know. I have dealt with these kind of guys before. I wouldn't trust him with one coin." Eugene said, looking at the duke, who was murmuring something to his men that he couldn't make out, but he knew he was up to no good.
"No." Rapunzel shook her head. "I mean Hans."
"Hans." Eugene asked in surprise. "What on Earth do you think is wrong with him. He helped the people and the city with devotion and has been leading well. And in a time like this, that IS something."
"Being a good leader is not the same as being a good man, Eugene. There is just something about him. I can't put my finger on it. But I think he isn't as sincere as he makes himself look." Rapunzel replied firmly. Rapunzel was wary of most people, which, after letting herself being fooled by her kidnapper to think she was her mother, was understandable, but Eugene thought Rapunzel was just being paranoid. Not like he would ever tell her that. He sighed.
"I hope you are wrong, Rapunzel. I really do."
Towards the North mountain...
"So, let me get this straight; this dragon of yours, is called a Night Fury?" Kristoff asked. Spidey sighed in agitation.
"For the fifth and final time, yes." Spidey said angrily, with his cape completely shrouding his entire body except for the head. Anna smiled at the two men discussing. Spidey, Kristoff, Sven, Toothless, Bladewolf, Claire, Gardevoir, Reneamon, Agumon, Guilmon, Gabumon, Biymon, Terriermon, Tentomon, Palmon, Gomamon, Patamon, Gatomon, Dojo, Pryus Fusion Dragonoid, Skyress, Monarus and Sirenoid, anyone is small were on Spidey's shoulders, walked through a small patch of trees, loose icicles making sound of wind chimes as they clicked together.
"I never knew winter could be so beautiful." Anna said. The group nodded in agreement. Sven had managed to wrap several of the icicles around his antlers, shaking his head to make them jingle. Toothless would admire the way they would make the entire gang looked buff or fat when he looked through them with one massive emerald eye.
"Yeah," a voice said behind the group. They looked back, half expecting the sound to be coming from Toothless or Sven. But it wasn't neither of them, especially not the others. "It's all white, but could do with some blue, maybe some crimson, and yellow! Oh, not yellow; yellow and snow, ugh." A snowman steeped in front of all of them, and they all stared at it. "Am I right?" It asked. Anna screamed and punted the head so hard that a Viking would've been proud. The head flew into Kristoff's arms. "Hey!" The head said cheerfully.
"You're creepy." Kristoff said as he threw the head to Spidey. The webslinger looked at the head, and then the body, and a sly/mischievous smile found its way to his lips.
"Yo, Toothless! BATTER UP!" Spidey said as he got into a baseball pitcher stance and winded back his throwing arm and threw the head to Toothless. The Night Fury reared up on his hind legs and kicked the head towards the body, sending it crashing into the ground with a sliding style. Amazingly, the body stood back up, only the head was upside down on it.
"Wait? What am I looking at right, why are you hanging off the earth like a bat?" The snowman asked. Anna rushed over and flipped the head over so it was on right. Anna looked at the snowman for a moment and then started rooting through her bag, as the snowman was observing the rest of the group with a smile that could only be explained as optimistic, Anna found a carrot. As he turned back to face Anna she accidentally shoved the carrot almost completely through his head. "Whoa! Head rush!" The snowman said.
"Are you okay?" Anna asked.
"Are you kidding? I am WONDERFUL!" The snowman shouted. "I always wanted a nose; it so cute, like a little baby unicorn." As he turned around, Anna pressed the back of the carrot forward, forming a normal snowman style nose. "Oh, I love it even more!" The snowman smiled. "Ok let's start this again; I'm Olaf, and I like warm hugs!" He held out his arms as if expecting a hug.
"Did Elsa build you?" Anna asked. Olaf nodded, and was looking at Anna expectedly. When the silence was becoming more awkward and uncomfortable by the second, Olaf spoke again.
"And you are..." He left the question hanging.
"I'm Anna." Anna finally said. Ola turned around, looking at Spidey, Toothless, Bladewolf, Claire, Gardevoir, Reneamon, Agumon, Guilmon, Gabumon, Biymon, Terriermon, Tentomon, Palmon, Gomamon, Patamon, Gatomon, Dojo, Pryus Fusion Dragonoid, Skyress, Monarus and Sirenoid.
"I'm Spidey, and this is Toothless, my girlfriend Gardevoir, my friends: Wolf, Claire, Reneamon, Agumon, Guilmon, Gabumon, Biymon, Terriermon, Tentomon, Palmon, Gomamon, Patamon, Gatomon, Dojo, Pryus Fusion Dragonoid, Skyress, Monarus and Sirenoid." Spidey said, pointing to himself, to his gang and the dragon in turn.
"And who's the funky looking donkey over there?" Olaf asked, his smile slipping for the first time. Anna, thinking that he was referring to the reindeer, answered.
"That's Sevn."
"Uh ha, and who's the reindeer?" Olaf questioned. Kristoff recolied slightly in surprise, and Spidey, Toothless, Bladewolf, Claire, Gardevoir, Reneamon, Agumon, Guilmon, Gabumon, Biymon, Terriermon, Tentomon, Palmon, Gomamon, Patamon, Gatomon, Dojo, Pryus Fusion Dragonoid, Skyress, Monarus and Sirenoid suppressed a snicker.
"Also Sven." Anna answered.
"Oh, okay, makes things easier for me." Olaf said, his trademark smile back in place. Sven attempted to eat the carrot that served at Olaf's nose. "Oh, look at him trying to kiss my nose, I like you too."
Spidey look around the area for a few seconds. "Wolf, come here." Bladewolf turned to Spidey and sat on his hunchs, as the webslinger detached the gun scabbard from his swivel-arm track system and held it out to his companion. "Here...I might need you to hang onto this for now."
Bladewolf's metal jaws opened. He took the heavy weapon and clasp it.
"I need to change into something." Spidey leapt from the ground and over the tree and land behind it.
A few minutes later...
A heavy stomp as looks like a heavy tatical black boot with metal cletts on the edges of boots and back heel, as the boots stepped out from the Batpod that Spidey has brought out of his black and red sling, stepped into the snow, crunching under the weight or sorts of looks like it, the familiar black cape fluttering from his back, on the forearms were three metal ice pickes, as the figure looks like bunky and the suit looks like the Batman suit, as the cowl with white eyes, a sensor visor faceplate closed over Spidey's mouth, on the chest was a symbol of a bat.
As several areas glow with orange heat due to built-in heat coils, Spidey cracks his neck and knuckles, this is the Extreme Enviroment Suit, as the heat coils debrighten, Spidey walks back to the group, the Batpod and backpack vanished in a flash of magic.
"Olaf." Spidey's voice sound more robotic and more like an underwater diver due to a oxygen tank in the cowl for underwater breathing as he stood in front of his group, catching the snowman's attention, and including Anna, and Kristoff too. They turned toward to Spidey, they were surprised at the sudden new outfit and Spidey was wearing now. "We're trying to reach Elsa; can you lend us a hand; we kind of need to return summer before this storm gets any worse."
"Sure!" The snowman shouted, "Queen Elsa is this way; let's go bring back summer!" He began running, all of them running to catch up except Kristoff.
"He doesn't know what happens when he experiences heat; someone has to tell him." Kristoff mumbled.
