A/N I am so sorry for the delay with this chapter. I have no internet access for four days and I really didn't want to try and type out on my iphone.
Thank you for all your continued reviews and support.
Anyway this chapter will contain torture so please do not read if this is an uncomfortable subject.
Otherwise all I can say is Poor Elsa, everyone give her a virtual hug, she is going to need it.
Chapter Twelve.
Anna groaned as she slowly awoke. Dazedly, she glanced around her cell which was enveloped in darkness. Although her eyes were still groggy and her vision blurred, once she had adjusted to the darkness, she could just make out that it was a different room then the one she had been in before. It was empty though, save for a few rats scurrying around.
There was no window, so she had no idea what time of day it was. How much time had passed? she had no idea. Instinctively she attempted to push herself up off the dirt floor, when she howled out in agony. My arm! She sensitively touched it, but as soon as her fingertips made contact with the injury, she cried out in excruciating pain. It was throbbing, the pain unbearable.
Using her good arm, she managed to maneuver her way to the corner of the room, where she pulled herself into a sitting position and hugged herself the best she could. Keeping her broken arm clutched tightly to her chest, the other she wrapped around her legs, hugging them close to her chest.
She rocked back and forth in a soothing motion. Her stomach growled and her throat felt like sandpaper. Terrifying thoughts invaded her mind, that they were never going to leave this place, at least alive anyway. So she tried to think of Kristoff, Elsa, even Sven and Olaf. That cheerful, happy snowman who never failed to bring a smile to her face.
The Princess, however was brought out of her reverie when she heard the metal door open with a clang. Focusing on the doorway she recognized Hans standing there.
"Good morning Anna, I've brought you some food. I thought you might be hungry, seeing as you've been out for a good while." He took the plate across and placed it on the floor. "How is your arm?"
"How do you think?" she spat angrily.
He extended his hand hoping to take a look, but she retreated further into the corner.
"Stay away from me. Don't touch me!"
Hans guessed he should have been prepared for such hostility. "I was only trying to help."
"Why do you care? you did this to me. Why? haven't we suffered enough? Isn't this revenge enough for you?!"
The former Prince grinned maliciously. "Not by a long shot, Princess. See, you and your sister robbed me of a Kingdom, a throne, power, and a future as King. I have experienced immense suffering because of you two. So now you have to pay the price."
Anna was seething. "We didn't rob you of anything! It was never yours to take. And whatever you do to us, Arendelle will never be yours, ever."
"Maybe not. But at least it'll help me sleep at night knowing that you and Elsa will never have it either. All she had to do was bless our marriage. But instead, that stuck up bitch just had to ruin things, didn't she? And then to add injury to insult, you...you the klutsy, childlike, butter wouldn't melt in her mouth Princess, with no magical ability whatsoever, just had to be so damn self-sacrificing, didn't she? Ugh, it makes me sick."
He was angry now, his eyes blazing. "I could just kill you now, but you know what? I'm not going to. We're only just getting started on what I have planned. Although rest assured, once I think you and Elsa have suffered enough. I'm going to make you watch as I slit her throat. And then, I'm going to bash your husband's skull in, until whatever brains he has are littering the floor. Finally, when I'm through with them, I'm going to kill you nice and slow. Whilst you bleed out here utterly alone, you'll have a long time to contemplate what you've done. "
"You're sick and twisted," Anna choked out, trying to put on a brave face.
"Eat up Princess. I'll be back for you soon. It's almost time for another round of torture Elsa."
Elsa awoke to trembling pain raging through her body. She felt delirious and feverish. Externally, her body felt cool and clammy, but internally, it felt like it was still burning with a fiery intensity. She had been slipping in and out of consciousness for the past several hours. But now, after finally being awake and experiencing so much agony, she wished she could lie down, close her eyes and sleep forever. It was tempting, but she knew she couldn't give up. She had to be strong - for Anna.
The Queen winced further as her eyes flicked over the two burn marks which now marred her previously flawless skin. With the wounds not being treated, she knew it was only a matter of time before infection set in. Elsa had just been about to close her eyes once more when she heard the heavy footsteps approaching the room. She glanced up at the figure hunched in the doorway.
Hans smiled as he walked across to her, whilst whistling cheerfully. "Hello my dear," he greeted, stepping in front of her; his green eyes studying her intensely. "I imagine the pain you're feeling is not too pleasant just now, but believe me, it will subside in due time."
Elsa's only concern in that moment was Anna. "Where is my sister? what have you done to her?"
The former Prince lightly chortled. "Elsa, Elsa, Elsa. It truly amazes me that even when faced with such adversity, your first and foremost concern is for your sister. She really is special to you, isn't she? Your loyalty to each other seems to knows no bounds."
"I'd die for her," Elsa admitted, truthfully.
"How interesting?" he mused.
"Please, just tell me. What have you done to my sister? I just want to now how she is...please?"
Hans could see how distressed she was, and his expression softened momentarily. "Anna is alive, so there is no need to fret. She is also being treated with the upmost of care. I've fed her and everything. After all she is royalty. Now if you'd excuse me I've got some preperations to make. Don't worry about Anna, you'll be seeing her again real soon."
When Elsa next awoke she felt a surge of happiness at finding her sister hugging her in a warm embrace. Her familiar scent so comforting. "Anna?"
The red-head raised her head to look up at he sister. "Yeah, it's me Elsa."
"I was so worried about you. How's your arm?"
Anna glanced down at her broken limb. The pain had eased significantly, perhaps the body's coping mechanism had finally kicked in. "It still hurts a little, but it's much better then what it was."
Elsa cast her sister a sympathetic glance. "I wish I could use my powers. I could have tried to numb the pain."
"Don't worry about me. I'm more worried about you." Her gaze dropped to the injuries Elsa had sustained by her own hand.
Elsa cast her a dismissive nod. "It doesn't hurt much. I promise."
Anna continued to hold onto her sister. "I'm so sorry Elsa. I didn't want to do it. He made me do it. I should have been stronger. I should have resisted. I was weak Elsa...and for that I'm so, so sorry."
"Anna it's okay, really," Elsa assured her.
"No Elsa, it's not! he's going to make me do more bad stuff to you and it's killing me. It maybe physical torture to you, but the psychological torture is a hundred times worse for me. I'd never want to hurt a human being Elsa, especially not you."
"Whatever happens Anna. Just know that I love you. I will always love you, no matter what."
"Time's up ladies," Hans announced as he stood there accompanied by his three henchmen. He cracked his knuckles. "Christian, go fetch ice boy. Gunter, please keep an eye on the Princess. Wilheim, you can help me with the Queen."
Once Hans and Wilheim had freed Elsa from her current position, Wilheim grabbed her. His rough, calloused hands gripping her arm tightly. She was too weak to stand, so this resorted to him dragging her to the center of the room and tossing her to the ground. With her hands tied behind her back, there was nothing to break her fall and she heard a sickening crunch as her wrist snapped. Before she had time to recover, Wilheim kicked her back down onto her front, and shoved his knee roughly into the curve of her spine.
"Wilheim! do be careful with her," Hans roared, almost with a hint of empathy.
Anna wanted nothing more then to go to her sister. Watching her being manhandled like that was agonizing. "GET OFF ME YOU BRUTE!" she yelled at Gunter.
The thief restrained her more forcefully then he intended, putting pressure on her broken arm, causing her to cry out. "I'm sorry Princess," he quietly apologized.
Hans sauntered to the opposite side of the room and took from his satchel the object he required. "I think a good whipping is in order," he beamed as he moved closer to the Princess, smiling.
Anna gazed at him briefly, her blue eyes dancing with hatred.
"Let's begin," Hans said with a cruel smile across his lips. He then handed Anna the whip leading her over to her sister.
Christian had arrived on the scene with Kristoff in tow. "Where d'ya want him boss?"
"Sit him over there," Hans demanded, pointing to a spot where he would be sure to get a good view.
As Kristoff was pushed to the floor, his eyes flitted to the opposite side of the room. He gritted his teeth as he watched the scene playing out in front of him. The Queen was face down on the floor, with Wilheim leering over her, and Anna was in Hans' clutches with a whip in her hand. "Goddamn it Hans! what the hell do you think you're doing?"
Hans hauled Elsa to her feet, before giving a signal to Christian, who obeyed instantly.
Kristoff took in a sharp inward breath as a heavy boot collided with his own injured side.
"Master Hans would prefer not to have any further outbursts like that!" Christian barked authoratatively.
Blood seeped through his shirt as the wound reopened. Kristoff's whole body shook in uncontrollable pain, nausea slowly creeping in. He felt helpless, worthless and a complete and utter failure.
"Leave him alone," Anna demanded in a low, weak voice. "He has nothing to do with your little sick and depraved vendetta."
"Well not only did he come here uninvited, but he's also married to you. So sadly, whether you like it or not. He is just as much involved as you are." Hans then turned back to the other occupants of the room. "Now please, can we get back to business."
"I won't do it. I'm not going to hurt my sister again," Anna then blurted out as she threw the whip to the floor. "Do, whatever you want, but I'm not going to do it. Kill me. I don't care anymore." She sunk to her knees, head in her hands and sobbed.
Hans shrugged, "Pity. I was trying to keep you as unmarked as possible, Anna. But you leave me no choice." He quickly turned to Elsa. "Change her mind, sweet cheeks, otherwise your sister isn't going to look so pretty anymore."
Elsa knew she couldn't let Anna suffer because of her. "Anna, it's okay really. Just do it."
Anna was pleading now. "I can't do it Elsa. I just can't. I love you too much to hurt you."
Elsa's blue orbs met Anna's teary ones. "It's just a little pain, nothing I can't handle. I won't think any less of you Anna. No matter what, I will love you. Now please, just do as he says."
Anna nodded regrettably, before reluctantly picking up the whip and clambering to her feet.
Hans whispered menacingly into Elsa's ear. "Such a good girl."
Once Anna was in position, she was trembling. At least she was whipping her on the back, that way she didn't have to look at her whilst she carried out this latest method of torture.
"Now make her bleed, sweetheart," Hans barked.
Anna raised the whip and Elsa's jaw clenched waiting for the impact. The first lash though was tame and didn't even cut through the dress she was wearing.
Hans was furious. "That was feeble, Princess. Try it again, harder this time."
Anna brought the whip down a little harsher, causing Elsa to wince in pain. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she whispered, unimaginable guilt raging through her.
"Oh for Goodness sakes Anna, you're not even trying." Hans snatched the whip and slapped it across Elsa's back. It cut in deeply, causing red blood to seep through her dress. Another lash, and more blood began to trickle down her back.
Anna covered her eyes, not wanting to look at the pain being inflicted on her sister.
The next lash had Elsa in tears. She bit her lip attempting to stifle a scream as pain exploded through her entire body. Blood was now pooling at her feet and she felt like she was going to pass out.
Another blow, then another and then another, each one cutting in more deeply. Elsa was on the verge of collaspe before a voice rang out.
"STOP!"
Hans turned in the direction of Kristoff, who had given the order. "Aww, don't tell me you're getting squeamish ice boy?"
"No. I'm not sqeamish at all. But can't you see she's suffered enough."
Watching the ice master's concerned expression, Hans' face broke out into a smirk. "You seem awfully concerned for her wellbeing, ice boy. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you have feelings for your dear sister-in-law."
Of course I'm concerned. She's the Queen of Arendelle. Not to mention, Anna's sister. "That's ridiculous," Kristoff countered. He glanced across to Anna who was staring at him confusedly.
The former Prince's eyes glinted with malice. "I mean, let's face it. You work with ice, and Elsa here can control ice. So it only makes sense that you'd be much more compatible."
Anna chimed in angrily. "How dare you suggest such a thing!"
Waving his hand to dismiss her little outcry. Hans gazed back down at Kristoff. "Do you ever feel that maybe...just maybe you chose the wrong sister? I mean, look at her."
Wilheim and Gunter spun Elsa around to face him.
"Isn't she just the picture of perfection? Admittedly, she's not looking too hot at the moment, but once she's cleaned up, she'll be back to her stunning self. Athough, unfortunately she will bear a few scars. Anyway. Aren't you the least bit jealous that Elsa is gorgeous and Anna is so plain Jane, as so to speak?"
Kristoff lashed out. "I don't care how beautiful she is. I fell in love with Anna. She maybe a little klutsy, even naive and childish at times. But she is also kind-hearted, compassionate and selfless."
After hearing his explanation, Hans walked back over to Anna. "And what about you Anna? Do you ever worry that maybe your husband prefers your sister? Do you ever get concerned that he may find her more attractive? I mean let's be honest, what man wouldn't?"
"Kristoff would never betray me, and especially with Elsa. He loves me. He married me. You're just trying to..to-"
"Ah," Hans interjected. "But isn't it safe to say, Anna. That just maybe I've planted that seed of doubt in your mind?"
"NO!"
"Okay. Well if you trust him whole-heartedly. Let's put Kristoff to the test."
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