Sorry about the late update. Final exams complete!
Once again, the one with the frozen heart gives an Act of True Love, instead of receiving one!
To answer the question, the alternate ending won't be continued. At first, I was planning on having Elsa become pregnant by Henrik's assault. She would commit to loving the baby and raising him to be a good man. That way she can break the vicious cycle & prevent another Westergard child from growing up like Hans.
While I believe this would be a powerful testament of healing and forgiveness, there was no way of getting around how distasteful the context would be.
Over the next few weeks, I will also get to work on editing Brotherly Love & Playing Dirty. In light of recent events, it is my sincere conviction that stories meant to be a Gospel reflection cannot contain such vulgar language and humor.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." – Ephesians 4:29-32
Even though men hated Jesus, called Him a liar and lived in rebellion, He never stopped trying to reach out to thaw our "frozen hearts" from the curse of sin. Though we rejected God's rightful authority over our lives, His love never failed. He died on the cross and rose again on the third day, victorious over sin. His offer of salvation remains open to all who will accept it with a believing and repentant heart.
I take no credit for Frozen, or for the message of Christ that inspired me to write.
Chapter 28:
Henrik gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath, as he stumbled through the thick undergrowth. He was on the run. Betraying his useless brother had bought him some time, but he still had to act quickly. The witch wasn't stupid. In fact, she was one of the only people whom he even considered an intellectual rival. Any moment, she would be sending men after him.
The King of the Southern Isles laughed out loud as he remembered the stricken look on Hans' face. Oh Hansie, you're such a tool. Always have been. Desperate, insecure little boys are soooo easy to manipulate. He vaulted over a large boulder and continued trekking along the mountain path. Poor, stupid little brother. Did you really think I was your friend? Henrik's eyes briefly scanned over the landscape. He was less than ten miles away from Arendelle's northern border. If he made haste, he would be in the neighboring kingdom before nightfall. There was no shortage of bustling ports and idiot longshoremen, whom he could easily bribe into transporting him back to the Southern Isles.
Arendelle was a weakened nation, just recovering from a terrible disaster. But the witch would have them rebounding soon. So Henrik had to be quicker.
The eldest Westergard cackled vindictively, as his mind filled with images of his impending victory. Hans or no Hans, Arendelle would be his! Henrik drew his cutlass and hacked some branches out of the way, clearing up the path. Salty rivulets of perspiration trickled down, soaking his rust-colored sideburns. He continued muttering to himself. "The witch won't recover for weeks, and by then it'll be too late. Tomorrow I'll come back with an army of ten thousand men, and Arendelle will be mine!"
Elsa knelt by the bedside in the castle infirmary, with tears streaming down her cheeks and both hands clasped in prayer. There was no question about it. Kai was dying. The strong, selfless man who had been there for her since the very beginning, who had stood as a pillar of strength in her darkest days, would soon be no more.
"He's not going to make it," the nurse sadly confirmed. "The poor man took a savage beating at the hands of that monster. That disgusting monster Prince Hans stomped on his chest and stomach with steel-bottomed boots... massive internal bleeding. People much younger and fitter have died from less."
Gerda embraced both of the royal sisters. "Kai loved the both of you as his own daughters."
"Kai, please…" Elsa choked through her tears. "We need you… Don't leave us…"
Kai feebly reached out to squeeze her hand. He had served the royal family since Adgar's youth, and cared for both royal sisters since infancy. He fed them, bathed them, changed their diapers, and rocked them to sleep whenever their mother was busy. At least once a week, he would chase the pint-sized miscreants all over the castle, as they sneaked out of bed for midnight chocolate escapades. As the years passed, Kai watched with helpless despair as their childhoods came to a tragic end. Listened as they cried themselves to sleep night after night, on opposite sides of a closed door. Rejoiced at the miracle of love that brought them back together. Became the proudest man in the land, as they served the kingdom with selfless love and diligence.
Elsa may as well have been his own child. Seeing her cry tore his heart to pieces. Kai had watched as she evolved from a carefree little girl into a traumatized adolescent, and finally into the most strong, wise, capable and compassionate individual to ever bear the crown of Arendelle.
"If your mother and father were here today, they would be so proud of the women you two have become…" he rasped. "I've watched as one tragedy after another threatened to destroy this family. But through it all you persevered. For years I've hoped and prayed that this day would come, when the two of you would be together again as sisters. And now here you are. It was a pleasure to serve you."
"Kai, don't talk like that," Anna pleaded. "We've said a million times before. You're not our servant… you're our family. And family has to stick together."
Kai cracked a weak smile and lifted his opposite hand to stroke her pigtails. "We will always be a family. Mama, Papa and I will be watching you from above, where there will be no more pain. No more sorrow, no more good-byes. Someday, we will all be together again…" Kai's voice trailed off as he coughed violently, spraying flecks of blood all over the sheets.
"Wait a minute!" A familiar voice called out. Everyone turned to see Brian standing in the doorway. The royal physician was in full gear, and had his medical bag clutched in one hand. Determination and resolve were etched into every line of his handsome face. "This isn't over. After all we've been through, we aren't going down like this."
"Brian!" Elsa shrieked hysterically. She flung herself at the doctor and wrapped both arms around his neck in a strangulatory grip. "Please! There has to be something you can do! You have to save him!"
Her anguish tore his heart to pieces. The physician wanted to say something to assuage her fears, but he didn't want to offer any false hope. There was no point mincing words. Kai needed nothing short of a medical miracle. He had suffered extensive bruising to the internal organs, and blood was leaking into his lungs. This operation would be no easy task. A most spectacular feat, that even the brightest minds in the scientific field had never dared attempt. Brian hugged Elsa close to his chest, and rubbed soothing circles into the small of her back. "I'll do what I can."
"No!" Kai suddenly croaked. His breathing was becoming more and more erratic, and blood was trickling out of his mouth in steady streams. "Not worth it!"
"Not worth it?" Anna repeated incredulously. "What do you mean?"
Kai's face contorted in agony, and sweat poured down his ashen cheeks. "Leave me," he panted. "It's for the best. Go find Henrik. Don't let him escape."
"What are you talking about? We have plenty of guards and soldiers who can go hunt down Henrik!" Brian protested.
As Doctor Helmholtz stepped closer and knelt down, Kai tried to push him back. The dying man clenched his jaw stubbornly. "Incompetent traitors, the lot of them…" he wheezed. "You and Kristoff… go! I trust you. If Henrik gets away, thousands die..."
"Kai, think about what you're saying!" Elsa whined, tears glistening in her eyes. "Arendelle won't collapse just because we're a few days late in apprehending Henrik. But you need medical attention right now!"
When Kai remained unconvinced, Elsa rose to her full height and looked him straight in the eye. The tender pleading was replaced by a steely command. "Kai, as Queen of Arendelle, I order you to accept this treatment. End of discussion."
"But—" Kai started to protest irresolutely.
"No buts," Elsa interrupted. "I've had enough treason for one week." It was terribly uncharacteristic of Elsa to speak to anyone in such a manner. She never used her title to make anyone yield to her will, instead preferring to win people over through reason and diplomacy. But this was an emergency. I shouldn't have spoken to him that way. I'll apologize later.
Anna whooped triumphantly. "Yeah sis, you show him who's the boss!"
"Very well," Kai gasped. He could hardly breathe through the pain, as blood continued dribbling down his chin. "Three hours. Not a minute longer. Before Henrik gets away..."
"Three hours? Deal." Brian opened his bag to retrieve his trusty scalpel, and several other strange-looking contraptions. Without another word, the physician got to work; cutting, stitching and suturing at lightning speed. Everyone stood transfixed as they watched. Brian was a true magician at his craft. His fingers and instruments moved so quickly and fluidly, as if they were obeying his thoughts. Yet they never slipped out of place, even by a hair's breadth. Elsa's eyes could barely keep up as he juggled between a dozen bottles of medication at lightning speed and precision. Never did he vacillate or lose track.
Elsa couldn't help smiling, as she felt her downtrodden heart swell with hope. Though the prognosis was bleak, at least Kai had a fighting chance. Brian was truly a miracle worker. How blessed she was to know him not just as a doctor, but also as a friend. Someday, she hoped they could be more.
Seven years ago, as he was retiring, the former royal physician had declared to Adgar, "I'd rather have Brian Helmholtz operate on me through a blindfold, than any other man with perfect sight." Elsa agreed with him one hundred percent.
But nothing was guaranteed. Saving a man's life was no easy task. Elsa's stomach was in knots as she silently excused herself from the hospital ward, and gestured for the others to follow. Anxiety knotted her stomach and sweat ran down her brow, as she tearfully prayed for yet another miracle.
Prince Hans of the Southern Isles was no stranger to disappointment. His childhood of loneliness and neglect had taught him to never become emotionally attached to anything or anyone. Because all he ever felt was pain, he rid himself of the ability to feel anything at all. He'd lost count of how many times his innocent entreaties for friendship with his brothers had been cruelly denied. How many times his heart had been torn to shreds by their snide comments reiterating his worthlessness. How many times he'd run crying to his nanny, knees scraped and nose bleeding, clutching a broken toy in his trembling fists.
For many years, he had reminisced upon the pain of his past with cold indifference and impassive vengeance. Hardened by his wounds, Hans had adopted a cold and ruthless disposition that left no room for any sliver of humanity. In fact, Hans had forgotten how to grieve. How to feel. How to love.
But Henrik's betrayal had broken through every barrier he'd erected. Betrayal was only possible if it was preceded by love and trust. The deeper the love, the deeper the wounds wrought by its subsequent betrayal. And Henrik was the only person Hans had ever truly loved, after all these years. It was for this reason that Hans lay sprawled on cot in his dungeon cell, with his tears drenching through the mattress.
Henrik betrayed me. Hans repeated silently for the millionth time, still struggling to rationalize what had happened. Confusion and denial clouded his thoughts. Henrik betrayed me. Henrik never cared about me at all. Henrik was only pretending to be my friend. Tears continued streaming down his cheeks as he sobbed violently and wished he could disappear.
The jingling of keys in the door caught his attention. Hans quickly tried to compose himself and hide all evidence of his emotional meltdown. With fumbling fingers and flailing limbs, he stuffed the mucus-drenched sheets out of sight, desperately trying to salvage what little dignity he had left.
The door swung open. Hans silently cursed his rotten luck, as Elsa stepped gracefully into the cell. Great. The last person I wanted to see.
"What do you want, Frosty?" Hans growled with as much edge as he could manage. But his reddened nose and puffy eyes revealed the vulnerability within.
Elsa took a deep breath and seated herself opposite of him. "I feel sorry for you, Hans," she whispered.
Hans raised his eyebrows in confusion. "You do?"
Elsa nodded, her eyes thoughtful and somber. "You sold yourself out to a world of lies. You put your faith in the wrong things, and it destroyed you."
You put your faith in the wrong things. Those words resonated sharply. No truer statement had ever been spoken. In fact, those words were not merely pointing out his acts of folly, but they were denouncing his entire lifestyle. Hans hadn't simply made mistakes. His entire life had been a mistake. His entire life had been spent in mindless idolatry of someone who only pretended to love him.
Hans felt his stomach clench. "That lying, backstabbing traitor! I'll kill him! He lied to me!"
Elsa leaned in closer, resting her elbows on her knees. "We tried to warn you, Hans. We told you that following Henrik would be your downfall. That night we spoke, I was really hoping you would listen before it was too late. If you turned away from Henrik, we could've helped you find a job and a home here in Arendelle. You could make a new life for yourself, outside of your brother's shadow."
"You can still do that!" Hans pleaded. "Look, I'm sorry! I'll be good from now on, I promise!"
For several minutes, all was silent. Elsa stared wordlessly at the cold concrete floor, lost in her thoughts. Finally, she spoke.
"Hans, Kai is dying right now."
"Wait, what?" Hans was only half-listening, as he began once again drowning in the misery and heartbreak of Henrik's betrayal.
"Kai is dying," Elsa repeated softly, both eyes welling with tears. Her heart crumbled to pieces as that dreaded realization dawned upon her. "You kicked him in the stomach, stomped on his chest, and now he is coughing up blood and can hardly breathe. He was my dearest friend, and practically a second father to me."
"Henrik made me do it!" Hans protested.
Elsa shook her head. When she spoke again, her voice was laced with anger. "Hans, you're a grown man with free will. You made your own decisions, and now you must pay the price."
"No, you don't understand! It's not my fault! Henrik tricked me!" Hans whined. "Please, I beg you, don't kill me! Give me one more chance! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
As Elsa saw the tears glistening in Hans' eyes and heard the pain in his voice, sympathy flooded her heart. Though Hans had behaved despicably, she couldn't help feeling sorry for him. After all these years, he was still that frightened little boy who was so desperate for companionship, he was willing to associate with anyone, and became easy prey to evil influences. She thought of three year-old Hans being tricked into eating rodent droppings. Five year-old Hans being beaten into a pulp. Seven year-old Hans being forced to eat spoiled food, until his tiny body exploded with vomit and diarrhea. Elsa's heart ached for that poor, downtrodden child who had grown up deprived of love. Hans had clung to Henrik out of a desperate and sincere desire for the love he had never known… only to have the door of betrayal slammed in his face yet again.
"I accept your apology, Hans," Elsa responded softly. "And I forgive you."
Hans' heart leapt in excitement. "You do?"
The blonde nodded dolefully, her bright sapphire eyes brimming with tears. "I can forgive you for everything you've done to me. However, I can't let you go without consequences."
"No!" Hans sobbed. He dropped to his knees and clutched at the hem of her dress. "I was so blind, so stupid. I was wrong to follow Henrik! Please, give me another chance, and I'll prove it to you! I can change!"
Elsa's heart broke for the poor wretched man who was now pleading for mercy on bended knee. Gone was the cocky, swaggering Hans that she knew. The thirteenth Prince had been reduced into a blubbering, incoherent coward. It was a piteous scene. But she had to remain firm.
"Hans, if you truly are sorry, you would understand why we can't let you off. Half of our population was nearly killed because of you and your brother. People will be traumatized for life. You had a million chances to turn around and leave Henrik, but you didn't. You also chose to murder an innocent man." Elsa swallowed hard and willed herself to speak. "I was hoping to never go through an execution during my reign… but that is the penalty for murder."
"No, please!" Hans wailed. "You can't do this to me! Henrik, my brother, my flesh and blood… whom I loved more than anyone in the world, betrayed me and left me to die. Haven't I been punished enough already?"
Elsa found herself at a loss for words. Part of her wanted to wipe his tears, hold him tight, erase the scars of the past, and tell him that everything was all right. But everything was not all right. Justice had to be served. Though she could truthfully declare that she had forgiven him, and harbored no more hatred or bitterness towards Hans, the time for leniency had run out. The man crucified with Christ repented as he was dying, and received forgiveness for all his sins. But although his soul was saved, his life was not. He could not escape his crucifixion. That was the just reward for his crimes on earth. Forgiveness did not preclude justice.
"I'm sorry," Elsa whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I wish it didn't have to come to this. I was going to spare you… but you crossed the line by murdering Kai in cold blood. Now you must pay the price."
Elsa turned to leave the cell. "Good-bye, Hans. May God forgive you… and show you the love and acceptance that you couldn't find on earth."
As Elsa rounded the corner and stepped out of sight sight, her back hit the wall and she sank to the ground. The raw emotion was overwhelming. Ever since she learned the truth about Henrik, she had known this day would come. The day Hans finally realized that in his quest for power and riches, he had gambled away his humanity. The day Hans finally realized that his love for Henrik was based on false pretenses. The day when Hans would weep bitter tears of remorse. How she wished that Hans had seen the truth, before it was too late!
Finally, she could handle it no more. Elsa buried her face between both knees, and wept for Hans.
More to come! Stay tuned…
