Chapter 25: Before the Storm:
The Dukes had decided to switch his flag to another ship instead of wait for his to be repaired. He was impatient with what he believed was his destiny to defeat Elsa and claim Arendelle for himself and Weselton.
In the cabin of his new ship, he and his advisors are looking over a map of Arendelle and preparing themselves for the next phase of their attack, plus reviewing the Battle of the Southern Isles.
"We lost a total of 7 ships, including my own correct gentlemen?" he asks.
"Yes My Lord" responded one of his advisors.
"And they lost all of theirs except three and we decimated their Royal house to where there's only Hans left who is probably in jail in Arendelle." says the Duke rubbing his hands gleefully.
"That is correct My Lord" is the response again.
"By now gentlemen our forces should have gotten through the Sigvard Pass and making their way to Arendelle to await our arrival."
"But My Lord, what if Arendelle has placed forces there?" asks one of his advisors.
The Duke smirks:
"Firstly, Arendelle believes that the mountains behind them are impenetrable and secondly, even if they did I suspect, they simply don't have the forces to properly defend it and the city as well."
"What of the Snow Queen?" asks another advisor?
Duke, still smirking:
"Oh she may make it snow, but that won't be a problem for our men, and if she freezes the harbor, well Vulcan will make short work of her ice."
Suddenly another soldier enters the cabin with urgency:
"My Lord, were approaching Arendelle, but I think you better come out and see this."
"See what my good man?" responds The Duke
"The Snow Queen knows were coming."
"Does she now" he says with determination, "okay let's see what she has done to welcome us?"
The Duke exits his cabin, to the port side of the ship where there was sea for as far as the eye could see and to the starboard side were the mountains of Arendelle which were now covered in snow.
"Snow, so what I expected as much." He says with a bit of disappointment
"My Lord, directly ahead." responds the soldier.
The Duke looks forward and then catches it just above the horizon and getting bigger as they approach, a great ice wall over 100 feet high blocking the entrance to Arendelle.
"Clever girl," he grits. "Damn Snow Queen, even with Vulcan, this will slow us down."
He turns to look for Vulcan but can't see him anywhere.
"Where's Vulcan?"
"I believe he's still asleep in his cabin." Comes the response
"Then wake him, this is exactly what we bought him here for, also send message to the fleet, once within range, they are to start blasting that ice wall."
"Very good your Grace."
The soldier moves quickly towards Vulcan's cabin as the ships move closer to Elsa's massive ice wall which dwarfs the Dukes' ships as all on board stare up at wonder at its' colossal size.
Meanwhile up in the mountains of Arendelle, Kristoff, Sven, Hans and Herja continue on their way back to Arendelle trying to get there as fast as they can.
"Hey Hans," says Kristoff, 'got to say that was a good thing you did back there."
"Thanks, I hope someone might have done the same for me?"
Kristoff smirking a little:
"Well, I got to tell you Hans, after what you pulled last year, I don't know."
"What you would have let me get shot?" replies Hans angrily.
"Well, considering where you get shot, probably yes," says Kristoff smiling, "but anywhere where it would have done more damage, well, probably not."
"Kristoff, he did save my life." speaks up Herja.
"Yeah I know," replies Kristoff to her, "but he tried to kill Anna and Elsa last year, so there's a lot to make him, well, better in my eyes."
"Hey look," barks Hans a little angry, "I get it, I did a really bad thing last year, I was a contemptible toad, I admit that and I am sorry for it, but I lost family yesterday, I got shot, at least Herja here is taking care of me." He says with a charming grin. "Ow!, Hey watch the bumps!"
"Sorry about that, this path can be a bit bumpy." smiles Kristoff not really sorry.
"Yeah, I can imagine". Says Hans as he turns to Herja and smiles charmingly. "Once again thanks Herja."
Herja, realising what Hans is doing:
"Hey pretty boy, I am grateful for you jumping in front of me, but turn off the charm, I am immune to it."
Hans, with the grin disappearing:
"Oh"
"We should be in Arendelle in an hour or so, c'mon Sven faster." Commands Kristoff.
"Good," says Hans with a determined look, "I want to get this arrow out my ass, and I want to see Queen Elsa take on that fire demon. Do me a favour; just make sure I'm there to see the Duke surrender."
"I will do my best Hans, but no killing." Responds Kristoff
"Yeah I know, at least I got to punch one of his guards, you know they tried to kill Queen Elsa last year and I stopped them."
"I know, I know, why did you do that?" asks Kristoff.
"Well, if I had let them kill Queen Elsa, how could I have confronted Anna and keep my plans going. However, in hindsight, I am glad my plan didn't succeed, and I do mean that sincerely."
"I must admit I am looking forward to meeting the Queen," says Herja with respect, "those giant snowman and little Olaf, are just so amazing."
"Yes, Elsa is good and Anna is just wonderful." Beams Kristoff.
"You have got a thing for Anna haven't you Kristoff?" asks Hans with a cheeky smile.
"Yes I do, and after this I am going to ask her to marry me."
"How does Queen Elsa feel about that?" asks Hans.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
"Tell me about it, this all started when we asked her."
"Well at least I haven't known her for just a few hours."
"Touche'" responds Hans laughing a little.
Suddenly, they hear the Battle Horn from Arendelle and the sounding of bells, Kristoff looks at both Hans and Herja.
"The Dukes' fleet has reached Arendelle," he then turns to Sven, "faster Sven."