Authors note: Welcome to another chapter of the Asher. The wheels are turning as fate is drawing close. Very interesting things will happen. Hopefully...lol

guest: Its okay, you don't have to worry about that. The truth is that right now I guess that in movies and books the whole "being chosen" is being re-written or better explained, back then it was it happened cause it happened, or luck or being in the right place at the right time. Now it has reason as whenever somebody is chosen there is always a specific reason or they are put through trials (without them even knowing) before becoming chosen or the chosen one.

Any way I hope you all enjoy this chapter...please review when done.


Arendelle palace:

Never had Elsa refused chocolate, not once, not ever, yet her stomach was in knots, her arms and legs hurt as if boulders had been dropped on her. Everything just seemed to hurt so much and for no apparent reason or at least no reason she or her doctors could find.

"You alright your majesty?" asked Gerda worried as she noticed Elsa had barely touched her food, even winced in pain every now and then as she walked or moved.

"Yes" said Elsa in a forced voice as she tried not to wince as she felt a new flash of pain through her abdomen, she had never been punched, but if she had been she would describe the pain to be like that, as if she had been punched by a person who wanted her to hurt.

"But you barely touched your food" commented Gerda as she gestured the barely touched chocolate cake desert,

"I don't feel hungry, please take it away" said Elsa surprising Gerda as she never though she would live to see the day when one of the Arendelle royals would say that they do not want a chocolate cake...or a chocolate anything...

"She must certainly be ill" though Gerda as she took away the plate and left on the way she decided to call the doctor and have him check Elsa as she was definetly sure that Elsa was ill.

When gone Elsa doubled over, placing her arms in her stomach as she winced and tried not to cry out in pain, it was so horrible, she was sure that she was being tortured by some invisible force.

It has been like that for months and what is strange is that the pain would come and go, one day it would disappear only to reappear weeks or months later. How she was able to keep it hidden from others, even on meetings when the visiting nobles or the council would pay attention to every single detail was beyond her.

"I must be stronger than I think" decided Elsa as she stood up tall and composed herself before walking out of the dinning room, she had a meeting to discuss future investments of Arendelle's people and no pain would stop her from it.

"I am to be queen, I must stand tall against all adversities" though Elsa as she walked, ignoring the pain which seemed to get worse by the minute.


Southern isle palace:

Pain, it was all Hans felt as he fell to the new tiny cell he was given, this one was so tiny it was that he barely had space to lay down, curling up on the cold damp stone ground Hans gritted his teeth and breathed harshly, every breath he took made his pain worse. His brothers, no, brothers is not the word, more like torturers, took pleasure in beating him up as "Punishment" for defying their "parents" wishes.

As time passed the beatings got worse, at first it was once a month, then a week now it was completely random to the point Hans could not tell when he was going to be torture and it was not just beatings, plus to make matters worse he was slowly being starved as the last time he got some food thrown into the cell was the first day he was placed in the cell, after that he was not given food or water.

The few times he got food or water was from either Karen who snuck it in by hiding it under her biggest baggiest skirts of her dress or from servants who got the courage to defy orders and sneak him food and water.

That kindness was one of two things that kept Hans steadfast in his decision as he continued to refuse to give into Stephen's and Valhalla's demands.

"Hoot, hoot" he heard, lifting his head a bit and wincing at the pain Hans looked and saw Eira fly into the cell with Pascal gently being carried on her claws and what looked like a crusty roll in its beak.

Landing the owl let go of Pascal and hopped closer to Hans, offering the roll, smiling a bit Hans took it and said "Thank you" before breaking it into equal pieces and sharing it with Pascal and Eira.

Eating the roll slowly Hans savored it, Eira did to, though Pascal did not enjoy it as much as he preferred his fruit, but never the less ate it with no complaint.

When done the trio did nothing much, though there were talks here and there, the cell brought up little or no conversation as there was nothing to do but just to wait and see what happens.

A times Hans found himself day dreaming of the past, his golden childhood, his loving parents and grandparents, uncle Frederic, aunt Arianna, Rapunzel and Eugene...they were the second reason why he refused to obey.

The sun rose, set and rose again, time passed, each day that passed Hans wondered if he will ever escaped...and seemed that day came soon..


Days? Weeks? Hans was not sure anymore how long had it passed since he was first thrown into a cell, but he was sure it was a long time as he now had a full beard.

Then there was a loud clank as the cell doors opened, quickly Hans hid Pascal in his pocket while Eira quickly flew away, the guards came in and shackled him before dragging him off to who knows where.

At first Hans began to fear as he though he would be sent to be beheaded by sword or hanged till he died, frankly if he had to choose, he would choose hanging as it was quicker and more humane than being beheaded by a sword...seriously if done the wrong way or the sword missed it could be the worst kind of death, very slow and torturous.

If it was that Hans was mentally ready as he knew what he was getting into when he refused to lead an attack to Corona,

"I will get to see my mama and papa again, even my grandparents" though Hans, that very though brought some degree of comfort as he was brought to the throne room where Stephen and Valhalla stood.

The two looked, Hans said nothing, he would glare angrily but they were not worth his effort or energy, like uncle Frederic had said, those two were beyond any talking or reasoning.

"Hans, we have a task for you" began Stephen,

"I already made it very clear when I said that I would not lead an attack Corona" said Hans firmly, interrupting Stephen,

"Its not that you stupid boy!" snapped Valhalla surprising Hans as he though they were going to demand that he lead the attack against Corona, so if they did not want that...then what did they want?

Getting up from the throne Valhalla walked over to a large family portrait and stroke it before saying "Your brothers went on a hunting trip, its been days and they have not returned",

"Maybe they took the long way?" Hans suggested innocently but though in his head "Maybe they found some village to terrorize, pilfered and steal women",

"No you stupid boy! We checked, they wandered off of the laid path, why we are not sure" snapped Stephen "Thank God that Rudi and Runo were too sick to go or else we would have lost them too",

"Either way, we want you to go and find them, after all you were a military admiral, you should have been taught how to track" ordered Valhalla, Hans stared unsure for many reasons, the first being that he was not familiar with the forest of the Southern isle's, the second was that Karen had told him all about the forests around the Southern isles, she claimed that it was haunted by all manner of evil creatures and if you left the path they would find and kill you, lastly if it was true what she said then he would be risking his life for his brothers whom had done nothing but bring him misery and pain.

Seeing Hans look Valhalla said "If you find and bring back your brother then maybe we will let you return to Corona",

"Return to Corona?" echoed Hans hoping he heard right,

"Yes, only if you bring your brothers back" said Valhalla confirming what Hans heard.

Thinking Hans wondered for a moment if they would keep their word, but his wish of returning home was everything he wanted so he said "Yes, but first I need some things, supplies for the trip",

"Make a list and we will provide it" said Stephen in a bored tone,

"And Sitron, ridding on horse back will make things go faster" said Hans,

"No, we will give you supplies and that is all" snapped Valhalla,

"Okay, but...when I return with my brothers...I want to go back to Corona...with Karen" said Hans,

"Katarina?!" said Valhalla outraged,

"That is the deal, I promise to care for my niece properly" said Hans.

The two stared angrily, more Valhalla than Stephen as she did not want to loose her little doll, but knew that this was a deal breaker for Hans so she said "Alright, only if you return with your brothers..alive...".

Nodding Hans let the guards unshackle him, when they were off Hans rubbed his sore wrist before following the soldiers.

"Good riddance" muttered Stephen with an evil grin once Hans and the guards left,

"Right so husband" said Valhalla as she took out a compact from her cleavage and opened it to admire her reflection "Prepare the rope and tree for when he returns, I want him hanging by his neck before sundown".

Gregorio, the servants even some guards stared shock at what they heard,

"My queen, you don't really mean that do you?" said Gregorio shocked, turning Valhalla looked at him angrily and said "Do you want to join him on the tree too?".

There was no answer, so she assumed that she got her way, but she was far from the truth.

Turning Gregorio eyed at the servants and guards, the group nodded in agreement, the time had come...the revolution...it was on tonight.


Southern isle forest:

Darkness surrounded the area, snuffing out all the light, the further Hans went the darker it seems to get as he started hearing things from branches breaking to howls making him panic.

It was cold, the lantern he got provided little light, he was greatful to have Eira who lead him through the forest, being his guide as she could see and get around better than he could.

Pascal crooned nervously as he hid in the pocket,

"Its okay Pascal, nothing will get us" said Hans though he was not sure if he said it to comfort the chameleon or himself, maybe both.

Finally they came to a clearing in the middle of the forest, there was nothing all around but a single tree which had long since been dead and hollow. Sitting on its branches Hans decided to rest as he opened the bag which was given to him. It contained measly rations such as stale bread, water and some meat strips.

Taking some water from the jug he drank it before offering some to Pascal and Eira who gladly drank.

"Okay, been resting long enough" though Hans as he got up to leave only to stop when somebody said "You seem down on your luck young man".

This was one of the many times Hans wished he had brought a sword, ready to run in case of danger Hans turned around to find it was an old lady, very old as she was small, frail, hunch back, she wore a plain worn grayish green dress with a black cloak and white dirty stockings, her hair was white and a bit wild, but that was to be expected if she lived in the forest.

After starring for a while he briefly relaxed, after all what harm can an old lady bring to him.

"Yes, but could be worse" said Hans, she smiled a toothy grin before saying "How would you like to change that?",

"I would, but I don't know how to do that now" said Hans,

"Well I do...if you are willing to listen and do me a tiny favor" said the old woman, Hans looked suspicious, even more when Eira seemed to puff up a bit as if threatened.

"Inside this tree there are 3 doors, each one has a chest full of riches beyond your dreams" said the old lady,

"There is a catch, I know that" said Hans crossing his arms,

"No catch, but you do need to avoid touching the chest till you get to the last room where there is a little one, no bigger than a thumb, take her and bring her to me, when you do you are free to take all the riches you can carry" said the old lady.

"Little one? No bigger than your thumb?" said Hans confused and wondering how those went together,

"Go in and find her, you cannot miss her" said the old lady "You see she is mine and I would like to get her back".

Hans narrowed his eyes, but thinking, if there were riches then he can get it and with it he can buy back his home when he got to Corona.

"Alright...I will bring her" said Hans before walking to the tree and climing into a hole he found, carefully he climbed down the dark tree trunk where he reached the ground which was much deeper than he though as the bottom of the trunk was revealed to be a large cave of sorts.

Holding up the lantern Hans looked around before freezing as he felt something cold and scaly run against his leg,

"Pascal...please tell me that is you" said Hans freezing, Pascal looked up confused from his pocket, only for the two to yell/shriek when they saw the floor had snakes and lizards, but not just any snakes and lizards, the snakes were common vipers which were very poisonous so Hans and Pascals reaction were expected.

Jumping Hans grabbed a root, tearing it out making a make shift club before holding it up ready to squash the snakes till they were good and dead till he heard a strange chirp making him stop.

Soon in his line of sight was a bird, a very unusual one, a swallow if Hans memory served him right, but different coloration as its feathers were blue with gold and white. It chirped and fluttered in his line of sight as if trying to tell him something desperately while the snakes and lizards made their way over, but slowly and keeping space in case Hans decided to attack again.

Holding out his hand Hans let the swallow land on it and it continued to chirp desperately,

"You know, your a strange little guy, your colors kind of remind me of..." Hans eyes widen as his voice trailed off, the swallow chirped confirming what Hans though,

"Lars?" said Hans shocked, the bird nodded then flew around the snakes and lizards, holding out the lantern Hans noticed the different strange colorations on the snakes and lizards, they were all the colors of the coats his brothers wore.

"God...God...you all turned to animals!" yelled Hans in shock while they glared at him as if saying "And it took you this long to figure it out!?".

"How did this happen? Who did this to you?" said Hans as he looked around in case something or somebody was still around that could turn him into a snake or lizard or bird. He is a big believer in magic ever since he met Snow white and its not just her, his mama Amelia and papa Alexander were huge believers in magic and magical creatures too, going to as far as Alexander claiming he had befriended mermaids/mermen on his trips and Amelia saying how fairies would always go to the garden and hold their parties there. Whether it was true what they said or not he was not sure, but what he did know is that now there was something magical that turned his brothers to lizards, snakes and a bird.

Just as he did he noticed the clothes of his brothers and that around it were gold, silver and copper coins, remembering the old woman's warning Hans looked and said "They took the treasure right?", Lars nodded and glared at the snakes and lizard as if saying "Its their fault this happened!" and the reptiles winced a little as they that Lars was telling the truth, also because right now they were at Hans mercy, he could stomp on them if he wanted and leave them for dead.

"It does not matter who's fault was it, how can I explain to Stephen and Valhalla you guys turned reptiles!" said Hans in worry, Lars looked insulted, "And a swallow" added Hans as he paced back and forth, rubbing his hand over his face before sighting and saying "Okay, first thing I got to get this...thumb person...then we can get out of here, back to the palace and try and find a way to reverse the spell, curse, whatever it is you guys have".

The brothers turned reptiles and bird seemed to sight in relief knowing that Hans would help, while Pascal glared at them, sure they will help, but he was not going to be nice about it.

Taking off the bag Hans opened it and allowed the snakes and lizard to enter it before closing and putting the bag on before continuing his way with Eira following.

Just as the old lady said there were 3 doors, each door was bigger than the last, inside each room were chest, like the doors each one was bigger than the last as if to tempt Hans with their contents.

Hans moved quickly, not looking at them twice in fear that he would cave into temptation like his brothers did, finally he reached the final room, opening it he found no chest or bare cavern room, but a magnificent cavern garden full of all sorts of strange flowers, fruits and trees which were in vibrant colors of light blue, purple, pink and green which glowed and lit up the dark room with amazing light.

"Wow" said Hans as Pascal stared with wide mouth, Eira flew in quickly, Hans followed till they reached a particular flower bush, what was unusual about it is that all of the flowers were green, except one which was white.

Eira moved her wings as if saying "Be gentle",

"Okay?" said Hans unsure as he moved the flower a bit before backing away when it moved to reveal the tinniest girl he had ever seen.

By tiny, he meant it, like the old lady said she was no bigger than his thumb, had long flowing blond hair which reached her ankles and billowed like a cape, her dress was made out of pink petals and other materials he did not know, her sandals were silver and matched the circlet she wore on her head with a single purple stone, fisically she seemed to be 5 years old, but her golden eyes betrayed her age as they were much to old and wise.

"Hello?" said Hans, but she screamed and turned to run away,

"Wait, don't run! I am not going to hurt you" said Hans as he chased the tiny but fast as she dodged him at every turn, running to a lake she jumped on the lilly pads and hid on a flower when she found herself trapped.

Stopping Hans slowly approached where she was hidden and said "I am sorry" hoping this approach would get her to trust him,

"Excuse me?" she said confused, her voice sounded like little bell chimes,

"I am sorry...for scaring you..." said Hans softly as he slowly sat down on the ground, hoping to make himself less frightening towards her,

"You...can understand me?" she said in awe,

"Yes, why do you say that?" asked Hans confused,

"Most big don't, only animals do" said the girl,

"Well, guess that makes me special" joked Hans then added "What is your name?".

The girl though, her face seemed to squint in confusion before saying "I don't remember, but an evil old woman called me Thumbelina",

"Thumbelina? That is most unusual" commented Hans,

"Yes, now your name please" said Thumbelina,

"Hans" answered Hans,

"Precious gift, whoever gave you that name must have love you a lot" said Thumbelina,

"They did.." said Hans then looked worried, the evil woman Thumbelina said...was it the old woman? If she was then Thumbelina was not safe.

"Thumbelina, how would you like to see the world?" asked Hans,

"I don't know, the world is so big and scary, very dangerous too" said Thumbelina unsure as she looked down,

"Not with me, I can protect you, I promise" said Hans,

"Will you keep your word?" asked Thumbelina skeptically,

"Yes, my mother always said that if a promise is broken then an spirit of the air cries and for every tear is shed one day is added keeping them away from heaven" said Hans,

"You would never bring harm to another?" asked Thumbelina,

"Sometimes I think of it in anger, but it stays in my head as I know the consequences such negative actions can bring unto others and myself" said Hans,

"Alright then, I shall come with you Hans" said Thumbelina leaving her hiding place of the lilly flower.

Placing his hand down Hans let her climb in before he placed her on his pocket,

"Hans! There is a frog in your pocket!" he heard Thumbelina say, he covered his mouth in an effort not to laugh when Pascal came out and sat on his shoulder, looking quite angry about people confusing him for a frog.


With a grunt Hans managed to pull himself up and out of the tree trunk where the old woman was waiting, very very impatiently as she tapped her foot as if she had been waiting for hours.

"Well?" she demanded,

"I got Thumbelina" said Hans, he heard Thumbelina gasp from his pocket, while the old woman looked quite desperate as she ran over demanding "Where is she!? I must have her! She is mine!".

Holding out his arm Hans kept her away as he demanded "No, not until you tell me why do you want her",

"Its none of your business! The curse is lifted, you can take all the riches and go!" growled the old lady,

"I want to know, so out with it now!" threatened Hans as he placed a hand on the sword he "borrowed" from Richard "Or it will be worse for you",

"And I said, give it to me!" growled the old lady, her voice sounding distorted towards the end as she summoned a ball of flame in her hand and threw it at Hans.

Reacting quickly Hans dodged it, the ball hit the tree turning it to ashes in a matter of seconds.

Slowly getting up he heard the old lady say "Not so brave now Princey" as she walked over, charging some kind of energy "Time to join your brothers fate! Ahhhhhh!" she screamed as Eira attacked her with her claws and beak, scratching and hurting whatever she could get her claws on.

"You left me no choice witch" said Hans as he took out his sword and advance towards the old lady, with a swift swipe he cut off her head, once it was off her body dissolved to ash leaving nothing but her dress as evidence that she was even there.

"Is she gone?" Hans heard Thumbelinas trembling voice say from his pocket as he slid the sword back into its scabbard,

"Yes she is, your safe" said Hans then asked "Why did she wanted you so badly?",

"I don't know, I don't remember much of my life" said Thumbelina sadly, even Pascal and Eira looked sympathetically towards her.

"Well, maybe being out here will help jog some memories" said Hans as he began to walk back to the palace then mentally groaned as he remembered his snake, lizard brothers and bird brother, how will he explain that to the king and queen?

They will think he is nuts, if lucky.

"I am starting to consider that I am cursed...I can hear it now...Hans the unlucky 13th" though Hans in desperation, if this does not get him executed then he did not know what will.

As he walked he felt heavier with dread as he left the forest, but upon leaving he saw a terrible sight...

The Southern isle palace was on fire!


Arendelle palace:

Entering the office Elsa sighted as she wondered what was causing so much frantic panic at such early hours in the morning. Rubbing her eyes she yawned gracefully before pushing the doors opened where a flood of nobles all talking to her frantically and at the same time, so much so that she could not decipher what they were saying.

"Wait, wait, one at a time please" said Elsa in a calm yet firm and authoritarian voice, seemed to do the trick as the nobles stopped and stayed quiet, looking at one another as if waiting for one to speak.

"Now Lord Caron, mind telling me what is going on" said Elsa as she pointed to Lord Caron, an English gentlemen quite tall with a pointy nose, wore black suit which was simple with gold buttons.

"My dear princess, we have terrible news" said Lord Caron rather flamboyantly "The Southern Isle's have fallen to a revolution, the entire royal family was slaughtered by the revolutionists",

"Oh my, that is terrible" said Elsa horrified, she did not like the royal Southern isle family, nobody liked the family quite frankly, but there were children involved and they were innocent of their parents doing, they did not deserve death.

"Were there any survivors?" asked Elsa feeling sad for the innocents who lost their lives,

"Yes your highness, only 5 survivors" said Lord Caron as he took out a list from his pocket along with his reading glasses, putting them on he looked over the list and read "Queen Valhalla, her sons Prince Rudi and Runo, their niece Crown Princess Katarina and a manservant from Corona whom they did not bother to write his name".

Elsa looked, she had hopped for all of the children to have been spared, but was glad that at least one was spared, "Your highness, What shall we do? They are asking for Asylum here in Arendelle".

Pausing Elsa though before deciding "I shall grant them asylum, but of course I shall put conditions, if they are violated then they will have to find somewhere else to give them asylum",

"Splendid decision your highness, I shall draw up the papers" said Lord Coran, even the other Lords agree with it before they left, as they did they bumped into Agnarr.

"She is doing wonder my king, you must be very proud" said Lord Coran to Agnarr before leaving him and Elsa alone.

The two stared silent, Elsa felt a bit of anger as she stared at her father, she blamed him a bit for her mothers passing, yet she breathed as she made sure to keep her ice powers in control. Agnarr said nothing as he turned and left, yet if you look closely you would see his eyes light up in pride.

To be continued...


Authors note: ...this is depressing...but I guess that things have to happen in order for the story to move along...:(

Hope you all liked it, please review and stay tuned for the next one.