We know better.

"This is your finest idea yet."

Haakon nearly rolled his eyes at Gustav: God, he was such a slimeball! At least, today had given them something of value: the boy's blood.

The man looked in the crystal bowl, where he saw Hans angrily lash out to Elsa. The man grinned and moved his hand once more while incantating a spell. A darkish aura began to surround the prince, making his anger towards the girl grow stronger by the minute.

"When two dogs fight for a bone…the third runs away with it." They had forgotten to think in such simple ways. While they were doubting their friendship, the Order would simply snatch their magic from under their nose away.

They didn't need to brainwash him… they just needed to shift his perspective. And the agent who pulling the strings in the castle in his stead, will guide the boy to them.

Haakon smiled but it diminished a little when thinking of their lost little statue. The boy's essence was still in there. What if someone else took it for his own? The man shook his head; the ritual to do so was very old, and the knowledge of it had been lost to everyone except the Order.

No, the essence was safe inside it. They just needed to retrieve it. Briefly Haakon wondered if he should ask their agent to bring it to them… but that would be too risky. They were still cautious, they still felt the threat. Better was to wait until they felt comfortable once again in their mundane lives…

They had been patient for over 500 years after all. What were a few months compared to that?

"Why don't you 'reap' the magic out of the statue and back into Hans?" asked the King to the third prince.

Lars put his glasses off and rubbed his tired eyes. "I would if I knew HOW to do it." Spoke the prince frustrated as he ticked the statue in annoyance. "The spell for sucking it into the Goblon-"

"sorry what?"

"The statue." Verified Lars. "anyway, the spell to take magic away is well-known – it's a small variant on the Severing ritual. The opposite however…" Lars grumbled at not being able to help his younger brother.

"Speaking of magic… how come you suddenly can use it?" asked Agdarr.

Lars looked away, both embarrassed and a bit ashamed. "I uhm…" Lars coughed as to postpone his answer. "Three months ago, I rescued an Elf from being killed by a man. In gratitude, she granted me this." Lars moved his fingers and a little gust of wind came around in the room. "I didn't want to tell anyone and have been practising to control it on my own. I didn't want any more attention on our royal families then we already have. Today however, all the cards are played. She thought she granted me a gift… Yet it only gives us more headaches and worries."

"Yes" sighed the King as he picked the statue up. "The question is, what are we going to do with it? We can't smash it – it would cause Hans' magic to vanish. Who knows: perhaps we can find a solution and miss the chance to help him. But on the other hand… We can't just wait for the Heptagon Order to steal it back."

"Perhaps that's what we must let them do" said Lars.

"What?"

"We can use the Goblon ourselves to strip THEM from their magic." Explained Lars with gleaming eyes.

Agdarr's face stood hesitant. "I Don't know… If it fails and they retrieve the Goblon, they can take Elsa's magic away too." Spoke the man worried. The change in Hans' behaviour was so drastic: the boy seemed almost…empty inside. He couldn't bear to see this happen to Elsa as well. "Perhaps the trolls can help." Spoke the King his new idea to the prince.

Lars' mouth went thin at the mention of those creatures. "Your majesty, I have encountered them as well. But they aren't to be trusted. Especially when they know the gravity of the situation, they will bargain and try to strike a deal with you."

"Well what else can we do?" spoke Agdarr desperately. Every idea they came up with, didn't seem to be enough in order to stay ahead of their enemy. "We can't just SIT here! My daughter is in danger and I can't do a damn thing!" yelled the man frustrated. "I'd give my soul to the devil if I could see her s-"

Lars' jump out of his chair made the King stop mid-sentence – the prince was never the loud type, yet now…

"The soul!" whispered Lars as a grin came on his face. "That's it!" The prince looked back to the confused man. "I told you about magic being the part of the owner, as a part of its soul."

"Yes?" comfirmed Agdarr hesitantly.

"Magic always leaves a trace behind. Like fingerprints. If I can locate the fingerprint from a person's particular magic… It will lead us to his soul as well. We can locate them one by one…"

"You… know how to do this?" spoke Agdarr with a small hopeful voice.

"Well… the spell is complex and could take some time… But yes. I can" nodded Lars as he picked the statue in his hand. The man grimaced when he felt his magic react instinctively to the statue's aura. Everything in him screamed to get away from the bloody thing as far as possible, but the man ignored the throbbing feeling in his head. Slowly, Lars began to citate the incantation...

Agdarr watched with amazement and fright to the prince, who's breath seemed to become irregular. The man blinked again to make sure he saw alright: it was as if something white- silver went into the statue…

"Lars?!" With a gap, the prince let the statue go and Agdarr quickly caught the man before he could hit the ground. "Easy, I got you!" After helping the prince on the couch the King put the Goblon back under lock and key. "You're alright?" asked Agdarr concerned when he gave Lars some water to drink.

"Im fine, your majesty, just give me a few minutes" breathed Lars out. With a groan, the man pushed himself back up and gulped the water down his throat.

"So.. what did you… see?" asked Agdarr hesitantly.

Lars' mouth split into a grin. "I have managed to link myself to a few of the members.. In time, I think I can get through the older, more experienced ones, but for now… it's a start."

"Do you need help with searching them?" asked Agdarr. "I can lend you a few of my men when they are closely to Arendelle…"

Lars shook his head." Thank you for your offer, your majesty. But I think its best if I go alone. The less people, the longer our scheme stays unnoticed." Said Lars as he began to search for geography maps in the library. "I need to leave immediately." Went the prince on with haste. "Although I masked myself, I'm not sure if it kept myself cloaked for all of them. Can you tell Hans and Elsa that-"

"I will" nodded Agdarr. Lars smiled one last time to the King and disappeared out of the room.

"I recommend we remove all magic.. even memories of magic."

"What? No!" spoke Agdarr furious as he went with his hand through the cloud. The memory of his youngest daughter returned immediately back to normal. "We didn't ask for Anna to have her memory wiped out!"

"But your majesty-"

"No. You won't change a thing. They are children, and they make mistakes. Elsa will know better now that she has to be carefull with her magic. As will Anna." Spoke Idunn this time sharply.

"Very well, your majesties" spoke the Troll King grimly. "But beware that your actions will have consequences."

"What is that supposed to mean?" asked Agdarr suspiciously. "Is this a threat?"

"No. A warning." Spoke the Troll with equal suspicion back to the human king. Neither troll or human trusted the other – they had both been at such a unsteady armistice for decades. Trust was hard to be found. "My kind can see glimpses of the future. While not being completely set in rock, the interpretation often becomes clear after the prophecy is fulfilled."

"What is this prophecy?" asked Idunn with a fearful heart.

Before the troll could say, Agdarr pinched his wife's hand. "We don't need to know." Spoke the man as he felt himself fooled by the creature. Trolls never did something without reason…

"But your wife asked for it." Spoke Gran Pabbie just as sharply back. "So she shall have it." The valley seemed to darken, and Agdarr clutched his family as close he could to his chest, to somehow shield them from danger.

"Your future is bleak,

Your kingdom will splinter.

Your land shall be cursed,

With unending winter.

With blasts of cold will come dark art,

And a ruler with a frozen heart.

All will perish in snow and Ice,

Unless you are freed with a sword sacrifice."

"Elsa is not evil!" snapped Idunn offended. If she didn't held Anna in her arms, the Queen would have launched herself to the troll in sheer rage. "She's good… everything your people are not!"

Gran Pabbie's eyes darkened even further at the Queen's remark. "I do not make the words of time, your majesty." Bit the troll King as if he spoke an insult to her. "Leave before I regret to let you do so."

The fuming queen was held back by her husband. "Idunn!" sissed Agdarr as he noticed the hostility rise around them.

The safety of her children won the queen over, and the royal family fled quickly the valley of the living rocks to safety.

The next time Hans saw Elsa, she was completely different. Physically, she had grown a bit taller now, and the baby fat had begun to disappear, giving her more sharper features, while also still keeping the childish looks.

Mentally however was far more drastic.

Although the prince hadn't buried his grudge yet during all those separated months, it had decreased over time. Besides this, the prince had already been through this situation before. He knew the insecurity, guilt and pain that went with it – and he still remembered how he wished for someone to understand him.

"What happened?"

He knew exactly what had happened alright; he had read the detailed letter from the King of Arendelle. But he knew that Elsa needed to tell it in her own words.

"We were playing at night." Began Elsa as she fuddled with her gloves. Almost instinctively her hand reached for Hans' warm one, to have some support… but his temperature was almost just as cold as Anna's or her father's. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Said Hans with thin lips as their hands parted ways. It had become a habit to them as children whenever one of them felt uncomfortable with their powers. Now, even that familiarity was gone. "What happened next?"

"Anna was hopping on the snow columns I made" spoke Elsa with glazed eyes as she recalled the memory. "She was so excited… she didn't stop and then I fell on the ice and-" Elsa's eyes became blurry and she began to weep on Hans' shoulder.

Hans grimaced when he felt her cold temperature seep through his shirt. "It wasn't your fault" spoke the boy uncomfortable as he stiffened under her hug. He was 11, nearly 12 in 2 months – the age when you were considered a man. He shouldn't be so intimate with her. He was bethrothed to her, but that didn't mean he could do such inappropriate things! "It was no one's fault" said the prince as he gently pushed her away from his body. Hans looked away when he saw her hurt look. He hated when she looked with those big sad eyes of hers… "Now excuse me princess. I believe Lars is waiting for your lessons"nodded the prince as he stormed back inside, leaving Elsa dazed and confused.

She didn't know what to expect when they would met again – perhaps, a little less immaturity from his part. But it seemed that boy was as stubborn as a rock when it came to holding grudges; Elsa grumbled annoyed by Hans' behaviour, and did the same as him; storming off in an opposite reaction.

"Any news from the Heptagon Order?" asked Agdarr after he saw their children ran off into opposite directions.

"None… they seem to have quietened down…" spoke Queen Adrianne. "Perhaps they have just given up."

"Or perhaps they want us to feel safe." Added Agdarr, who looked to a running Hans. "He seems restless." Noticed the King when he saw Hans walk agitated around the little lake. The man rubbed his chin. Once he saw his daughter into the safe hands of Lars, the King walked towards the young teenage-boy. "Hans?"

The boy nearly jumped from his stone rock and quickly stood up. "Your Majesty! What can I do for you?"

"I was going to ask the same thing to you" smiled Agdarr to the young prince. "The Heptagon Order has kept themselves awfully quiet during these past few months. Its not like they don't know the location of you, Elsa or even the Goblon." Goblon, was the term that Lars used for the little statue that was almost capable of sucking all Hans' magic away.

"Yes." Nodded the prince. "They can attack anytime and now that I'm not special anymore, I can't even defend myself any longer!" Hans bit his lip in shame when he said those words. No doubt the king must think him vain and uncaring…

The King however nodded when he saw his suspicion comfirmed. "You don't feel safe without your magic… But there are more ways to defend yourself. Have you ever held a sword before?"

Hans' eyes travelled to his mother's fearful face, back towards the King. "No your majesty." Shook the boy his head. "I'm not allowed yet, since I'm still 11."

"Well, it seems we can make an exception on the age this time" smiled the King, ignoring the Queen's protesting sounds. "What do you think if I were to teach you swordfighting?"

The boy's eyes widened, and just when he wanted to answer the queen stepped in. "Agdarr!" sissed the queen worried about her son's safetly. "He's a boy! You can't expect him to be thrown in such horrible-"

"He's not a boy anymore." Said Agdarr with a stern look. "Hans needs to learn to defend himself against those… demons" spat Agdarr as an insult to the Heptagon Order. "Besides what good is a King when he can't protect his people by himself?"

"Agdarr, you can't really-" tried the queen to beg. Yet the blue eyes of the King stood just as unwavering as the sea. "Fine…" gave the mother worriedly in. "Do what you must." The mother went back into the castle to attend her duties, while Agdarr led the grinning boy towards the training square.

That grin was gone after their first training session together – Hans slumped down his bed, moaning as he felt his aching muscles protest at the slightest bit of pressure. Although it hurt, the prince didn't complain – he had experienced far worse pain before. Hans shuddered and pushed the memory of his magic being stolen, back into the depths of his mind.

Hans looked to the clock, which pointed 4 pm in the evening. Well, he still had some time left before dinner… thought the prince as he forced himself back up. He could as well visit Lars, now that a very nagging question buzzed around in his head.

"Hans!" smiled Lars when he noticed his youngest sibling come in. "To what do I own this honour?"

Hans' eyebrows went up. "Why so poetic? I thought you were only interested in magic, economics and history?"

Lars grinned and shook his head. "Knowledge is not one single aspect, Hans. Its art, it is nature, everything that there exist, that we create. Including poetry." Lars grinned when he saw his brother yawn fake at his remark. "So, why did you come to see me after such a long time? You've missed Elsa's lesson…."

"I had a question for you." ignored Hans Lars' question as he sat down the sofa. "Besides I can't be much of use without my magic."

"She cares for you, Hans." Spoke Lars softly.

Hans huffed at his answer and kept quiet as he didn't want to talk about this topic. He'd only just noticed now; as long as you kept quiet, people would move on to another subject to break the akward silence… interesting.

"Now, what was it that you wanted to ask me?" spoke Lars after a long pause.

"I want to help you fight-"

"No."

But you haven't even heard what I wanted to say!" spoke Hans frustrated.

"Because I know what you will ask. No Hans. I will not take you with me to fight the Heptagon Order." Refused Lars sharply.

"But I can fight now!"

"Hans, these people are thousands of years old! They will not be experienced in magic alone. You've just begun your training. We already have so much attention on our royal families as it is. I can't afford to almost lose you again.."

"I'm sorry." Spoke Hans ashamed of his reckless action at the glacier a year ago.

Lars waved his apology away. "Its in the past Hans." The prince now changed the subject, as he didn't want to dwell on the terrible memory of almost losing his brother. "But I have to say, its quite a surprise for me to see you sword fight today. I thought you didn't want to learn to fight?"

"Well, King Agdarr asked me if I wanted to be trained by him." Answered Hans shyly. "I.. I couldn't say no."

"Few could." Nodded Lars in approval. "He's one of the best swordsmen in the northern region. What moves did you learn today?"

"Well…"

The two brothers talked on till the moon disappeared.

Besides the small talk at the beginning, neither Hans nor Elsa talked much to each other, as they both had their own problems and duties to attend to. Normally the King would have brought Anna with him this year… but seeing how much difficulty both sisters had to come to terms with each other, it was for the best that they had some time alone.

While Elsa felt extremely guilty, Anna didn't realize what she had done wrong – at the age of 6, the young princess was used get whatever she wanted from her parents, her sister or the castle servants. So when her sister refused to perform her magic… well, lets just say that 'not okay' was an understatement for Anna.

"Elsa, do the magic!" yelled Anna with her arms crossed. "You always used to build snowmen with me!"

"Anna, no. I can't." answered Elsa as she kept her gloved hands in a fist. "I could hurt you again."

"Its just an accident" shrugged Anna as she pulled on Elsa's sleeve. "Play with me, Elsa!"

"No, Anna, I-"

"You always did that, you would always play with me! You MUST-"

"No. Anna!" snapped the crown princess annoyed by her sister's greedy demands. "I won't play with you. Not everything in the world centers around you, you know!" Elsa yanked her arm away from her little sister and watched midly satisfied when Anna FINALLY shut up. Honestly, it kinda felt… amazing to see her sister with wide eyes and open mouth. "And close that mouth of yours." Said Elsa, after which Anna immediately did as she was told. "You don't want any bugs in it do you?" Anna shook her head and Elsa nodded contently to her sibling before walking away with a smirk on her face.

She had always thought she could only control ice… but what if she could control people as well? Mused the princess in fascination.

"Come here you foul beast!" yelled Anna with a wooden sword in her hand as she charged towards her sister.

Hans rolled his eyes at the silly play. Even when Elsa was a such a young age, at least she still had managed some dignity. This princess stumbled over everything! His eyes locked with Elsa, who was just as annoyed by Anna's spirited energy, but who played with her for the sake of their bond.

"Come on Hans!" spoke the 7-year old Anna as she pulled at his clothes.

"No thank you princess. I'm far too old for these silly childish games." Retorted Hans with repulse. Now, with swordfighting on the other hand, he could DO something important! Then he could actually make his brothers see that he wasn't useless.

"Says the boy who is still a child himself" spoke Elsa with sharp amusement.

Hans pulled himself up to his full height, trying to intimidate the young girl. Not that it would actually – she had outgrown him slightly. "I'm almost 13, princess. I can't exactly mingle myself with babies anymore."

"Well, a man wouldn't talk to his future wife that way!" sneered Elsa as she poked into his chest.

"In 7 years a lot can happen, princess. Who knows, perhaps I'll try to marry your pathetic sister. No one can get away with you anyway." Scoffed the prince.

Elsa huffed at the thought and just wanted to retort when Anna came back. "You two are so much like Mama and Papa" giggled the girl.

Both Hans and Elsa glanced to one another and grimaced.

Since Anna doesn't loose her memory, there will be changes for both Elsa and Anna's personality. They are based on the first draft of the movie.

- Anna is going to be quite spoiled, while still keeping that naiveté.

- Elsa will be more in control of her powers and has therefore more confidence. But she'll be less fond of her sister though, thanks to Anna's spoiled immature behaviour.

- I wanted to make the Trolls more mysterious and a lot darker here as well. In original scandinavian folklore, trolls weren't exactly friendly rocks that you could cuddle at night...

I've also decided to speed up the time-line a little bit. Next time, Hans will be 14, Elsa 12. And BOY will those hormones break through between those two! XD