Chapter 29:
The Apology
Elsa spent much of the afternoon after the trial signing paperwork with Judge Marek, which would formalize Arendelle's apprehension of Lionel over to their custody. After signing the last form with Gerbhard, Marek rolled it up, handed it to Elsa, thanked her for his "fascinating" visit, and then promptly returned to his hotel to crash into his bed, exhausted from the day's endeavors. This left Elsa and Gerbhard alone in his office. Before she could leave, Gerbhard asked "Your Majesty, a moment?" he asked.
To say Elsa wasn't surprised would be a lie, though she was expecting some sort of reaction before Weselton left.
"Of course" Elsa replied regally. Honestly, she wanted to put as much distance between herself and Weselton as possible, but she was queen and she had to be polite, even to her enemies... on most occasions anyway.
"I would like to apologize, on behalf of Weselton, for the actions of my uncle... both in the present, and in the past."
Elsa's eyes initially shot wide open in surprise, but almost immediately shook it off, trying not to show emotion. "Really?... I mean, you do?" she said as she crossed her arms.
Gerbhard looked to his side, shame written upon his face. He spoke slowly, hesitant to admit what he knew to be true. "My uncle was not only my head advisor, but also my family. I consider him to be the biggest influence in my life, and I trusted him with everything. To know now that he has been lying to everyone, myself included, is hard to accept."
Elsa was quiet. In all honesty, she was not prepared for an apology, particularly from Weselton, and from a king who thought highly of the man who tried to have her killed. "Well" she finally began. "I, accept your apology, Your Majesty" she finally said.
"I assure you, I will get to the bottom of this, both in this instance, the incident of your coronation, and much more I fear."
Elsa nodded. "Then I wish you well on your investigations, King Gerbhard."
Gerbhard was finished, not intending to say more as he politely bowed, then went to leave. "Perhaps..." Elsa continued, causing him to stop. "There is some hope of renewed alliances between our countries in the future?"
Gerbhard turned, surprised, with a light smile. "Perhaps, though there are many wrongs to right."
Elsa returned a smile, then extended her had. "You've already begun doing that, Your Majesty."
Gerbhard returned the gesture and shook her hand. This was an act neither expected to end this whole ordeal in; a hopeful reunion between Arendelle and Weselton.
Lionel's eyes shot wide open. He was surprised to not feel any pain in his side, considering it was occupying his mind up until he fell unconscious. Still lying down, he scanned the room, swinging his eyes back and forth. He was alone in a well-lit, homey room. There was a small night table with a vase of flowers on it, but otherwise, the white room was bare. He sat up, cautious about his surroundings. He was wearing a comfortable, green linen shirt, and light brown pants, but no shoes. He looked around, realizing the soft glow in the room, but there were no windows, nor lamp. He came to one conclusion...
"I'm dead?" he asked. "No, no, I can't be..."
"Lionel" said a soft, feminine voice from behind. He turned. Standing to at the foot of the bed was Lilly. He stood up, not believing the sight before him.
"Lilly?" he asked softly. She was wearing her favorite dark green dress, the one he usually remembered her wearing. He immediately got up and hugged her. "Lilly. What, what's going on?"
"You're asleep honey. You're just sleeping, that's all."
Lionel then took a step back, still holding her hands. "So this isn't real?"
Lilly smiled. "It is darling."
Upon realizing that this was indeed his wife, and not just another illusion conjured up in his head, he smiled, and then kissed her deeply.
"I've missed you so much" he said, holding her face in his hands. He couldn't be happier...
Then he wasn't. As he looked into her eyes, he was suddenly filled with disgrace, remembering the crimes he committed in her name. He then turned away in shame.
"Lionel, don't..." Lilly began, knowing where he was going.
"Lilly, I... I've done something, horrible..." Lilly closed her eyes. "I, I..." he started, having trouble finding the words.
Lilly then put her finger to his mouth, wanting him to be quiet. "I know... I know" she said, neither in shame nor horror nor comfort, but disappointment. "What you did was, awful..." Lionel kept his head hung low, not wanting to meat he gaze. Then, she pulled it up, meeting his gaze with a smile. "But you've recognized your crimes, and they have been forgiven. You've been given a second chance my love. Promise me that you'll take it?"
Lionel was speechless. For as long as he could remember, he has had nightmares of Lilly's horrified face at the revelation of his actions. But now, instead of shame, he found reconciliation. At long last, his deep fears have been both realized, and resolved.
Lionel nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, of course... of course I will" he said, a genuine, happy smile on his face. He went to kiss her again, but instead she gently pushed him away.
"I wanted to show you something." She stepped aside. Suddenly, a young girl appeared, wearing a light blue dress. She must have been no more than three years old. The young red haired girl smiled. Lionel stared at her, confused. "Her name is Jessica... She's our daughter" said Lilly.
Lionel turned his head back and forth, rapidly between both his wife and daughter. It took him a few minutes to remember that Lilly was pregnant when she was killed... the child he never got to meet.
"Jessica?" he asked. "We, considered that name, I remember."
Lilly nodded, glowing with pride. Lionel, awe struck, knelt down to get a better look. The girl wasn't afraid as she smiled and said "Papa!" She then leaned forward to Lionel, who was frozen in shock. Tearfully, he hugged her back, wrapping his arms around her. He then stood up, carrying her with him.
"She's beautiful" he said to Lilly. "Just beautiful!"
Lilly nodded, a wide smile on her face. "I know." She then joined in on the hug.
"Lionel?" Lilly asked.
"Yes?"
"Tell Luke his mother said hi."
Lionel smiled. "Of course." He continued to hold his two girls close, up until he woke up.
Lionel quietly opened his eyes, not wanting to wake up. His head hurt now, and he felt achy all over. He wished for all the world that his dream, if it was a dream, would never end. Then, as his mind caught up with his waking body, he could hear faint shouting. As he grew more awake, the shouting became louder and more unbearable.
"Women have no business being in charge!" said a loud, male voice in a Russian accent. Lionel's eyes shot open as the shouting became more and more discernible.
"Oh, so that justifies Ivan the Terrible?!" shouted an older, feminine voice. This time, Lionel leaned as a sudden pain entering his right side. He look down to see that his abdomen was wrapped in bandages. He was in Arendelle's main Hopsital, St. Vebjørnsson's, in a room surrounded by white sheets. Before him, an older woman and an elder man, a doctor, were both having some sort of argument.
"How dare you bring my homeland into this!" said the spectacled man.
"And may I remind you that our own ruler is a woman!?"
"Oh please, I'm referring to the science and knowhow of the human body! Such a discipline requires a much more keen mind."
"You're saying women don't have clear heads?!" shouted the woman.
"Um, hello?" asked the still weak, and confused Lionel. "Can anyone tell me where I am? Oh, and am I going to die?"
"Oh, just wait till I tell your wife what you just said..." said the woman, oblivious to the needy patient.
"No! Not Natasha!"
"Watch me!" she snapped.
"Mom!" screamed Jase, coming down the hall and coming around the curtain. "What's going on here?!"
Mom? wondered Lionel. He was having trouble seeing how the calm knight and the loud woman were related.
"This loon can't stand a woman who's better than he is!"
"Better? Ha! I've seen fisherman with more precision with a needle!"
"Why you..."
"Mom! Dr. Romanov! Don't you guys have other patients, you know, on the opposite sides of the hospital?"
"Oh, I suppose you're right" said Merriam. "Come on doc, let's go."
"Yes, of course. Do keep an eye on the patients my boy" said Dr. Romanov. With that, both doctors left, albeit they were still mumbling insults at each other until they were out of earshot.
Jase rolled his eyes and turned to see Lionel.
"So, mom?" Lionel asked.
Jase nodded, rolling his eyes over to the direction she came from in annoyance. "Yeah, she's, a sprightly one, I'll give her that. How's the side?"
Lionel nodded. "Hurts, which reminds me, am I going to die or not?"
Jase laughed. "Nah, you're going to be just fine, gave us a good scare though. Speaking of us..."
Suddenly, Lionel heard his name being called. "Pa?" it called. Then came Luke, pushing his way through the hanging sheets. "Pa!" Luke shouted and went to hug him. Upon grabbing his waist, Lionel was quick to push him away, the wound still needing to heal.
"Whoa, easy kid" said Jase was he went to pull Luke back before he could accidently damage the stiches. "Pa's going to need so peace and quiet for a while."
Luke nodded. "Pa, are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine son" Lionel said, grunting as he tried to get more comfortable. "Wait, Jase, what happened? I remembered the mist lifting, but not much else."
"Queen Elsa kicked that elf guy's butt!" said Luke.
"Wait, what?" asked Lionel.
"Yeah! She zapped him with her magic, then pounded him on the road! It was awesome!"
"Well, I'll have to thank her... wait, elf?" asked Lionel.
"Yeah, long story" said Jase, rubbing the back of his neck. "After you went unconscious, Anna managed to lift the fog, after which Elsa finally captured the Assassin, who turned out to be an elf."
"An elf?" asked Lionel. "You mean, that man who killed Lilly, my daughter, who kept me and Luke on the run all these years, is not even human!?"
Jase nodded. "I'm sorry."
Lionel sank back into his bed, shaking his head. "Why? Why would he pursue me with such determination?"
"I don't know" Jase said. "Right now he's the talk of the town. I mean, we've all know of elves from legends an such, and after Elsa's revelation that there is magic left in the world, the notion wasn't that far fetched. But as to what is capable of, or why he even ventured into our world is a mystery. I intend to find out though."
Lionel shook his head, anger building. "That hypocrite! Archibald! He claims that people like me are a danger to us all, and yet he sends someone who's not even human after me!"
"Oh, Archibald didn't even know himself. Which brings me to the trial..."
"The trial?" Lionel asked, confused. "I thought it would have been postponed."
"Normally it would, but given the Klydrun's identity, the elf's I mean, Elsa knew the Duke wouldn't have hired him if he knew what he was. So, she came up with a little scheme." Lionel leaned forward at this. "You see, she knew the Duke had a tendency to speak his thoughts out loud, and if the Assassin's identity was revealed in a public place, he might just convict himself in the process. Keeping the identity of the Assassin a secret was critical to getting a confession, and we couldn't wait for you to wake up, lest word traveled. So, we convinced the Judge to carry on without you.
After that, we put the hood back on the Klydrun before he woke up, then placed him before the court. After 'accidentally' pulling the hood of, the Duke sang like a canary. We did it Lionel."
"...You mean?"
"Yep. Marek placed you fully under Arendelle's custody."
Lionel leaned back, finally feeling relief. "So it's finally over then? We're free?"
"Well, there's still the punishment you have to face." Lionel's smile faded. In all honesty, he was so anxious to be free of Weselton's grasp, he wasn't even concerned about his ultimate sentence. Now that it was a reality, he couldn't help but wonder what punishment he would face.
"It's still being decided on" Jase continued. "Since you plead guilty, Elsa thought it best to come to a sentencing quickly. She's currently in council figuring out that now." Lionel nodded at this, followed by a small gulp.
"Given your experience, what is the normal penalty for a crime such as mine?"
Lionel raised his hands, slapping them on his knees. "For arson and involuntary manslaughter... no more than five years... Give or take."
"Considering what I would face in Weselton, I'm grateful." Lionel looked at Luke, then to the knight. "Thank you, for everything... I owe you, the Queen, everyone my life."
"I would thank Elsa solely. My instincts weren't in your favor, remember?"
"Yeah, right... still, you saved my life from that Assassin, and I thank you for that... speaking of which, where is he now?"
"Klydrun? Currently, in the dungeon under guard 24/7, surrounded by crossbows, blue crystals, a giant snowman and a snow wolf, neither of which willing to leave there posts until he has been safely escorted outside the city limits. We've sent word out to every kingdom this elf had been wanted for assassinations, and it was quite the list. Most likely he'll be serving a life sentence, possibly worse, depending on who gets there hands on him first."
Lionel nodded, then squinted his eyes out of curiosity. "Do you know anything him?"
Jase shook his head. "After giving testimony at the trial, he hasn't said much; tight lipped guy I guess. His clothing is Norwegian in origin, at least as far as I could tell. Found a variety of weapons on him, a few crystals and powders we're assuming to be magical... his sword was intriguing; not only is it one of the best made swords I have ever seen, but it had these ruins on it, like none I've ever seen. Wes has no idea what they are, so we asked Grand Pabbie to look at it."
"Who?"
"Oh, right, suppose I should explain..."
The next morning, Weselton left early, Duke Archibald holding his head low in shame. He didn't even try to defend his actions like he did last time. This time, he knew there would be no talking himself out of it, not when his more powerful nephew now knew the truth of his actions. When he got back, he would have much to answer for, and he was not looking forward to it in the least.
Elsa wasn't there to see them off, having to spend that morning with her council to determine a sentencing for Lionel, leaving only Anna, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf to see both Weselton and Marek off. Knowing of Gerbhard's apology, Anna polity waved goodbye to him as he waved from the ship as they left, though she gave the Duke a sinister scowl, one which sent shudders down the old man's spine.
"I hope they make exile him to a deserted island, surrounded by all sorts of dangerous animals" said Anna.
"Normally I'd say that is a bit extreme" said Kristoff. "In this case however, might I add killer bees to the list?"
"Oh you know me so well!"
"Well, that was simply a fascinating experience!" said Marek, walking up behind the group just as the Weselton ship left. He carried with him the same light bag and the same suit as when he arrived. He came just as he left, ready to return home to Scottsdale. "Never has a trial been so entertaining!"
"Really?" asked Anna. "Most people would never return after the week we've had."
"And this was one of our better weeks" added Kristoff.
"Yeah, you should have been here the time Elsa went all nuts!"
"Really? Well invite me to one of your worse weeks! I mean, I've been threatened in my own courtroom, witnessed a fight of ice and fire, saw an elf... I even saw a princess mutter the most horrid words known to man in one sentence... and if I might add two known only to meerkats."
Anna sank her head in shame, shrugging her shoulders.
"Wait, meerkats?" asked Kristoff.
"I don't know what meerkats are" said Olaf.
"Wait" said Kristoff, "when did you learn..."
"Hey!" shouted Wesley, appearing out of nowhere, as usual, behind Anna and Kristoff. Anna yelped in fright, jumping into Kristoff's arms. "Is my best friend about to take off without wishing me farewell?"
"Wesley Brawnstone!" said Marek. "And here I though you weren't going to see your commanding officer off!"
"Former commanding officer!" corrected Wes. "I am commanded by no one!"
"I'll say" muttered Anna as she stepped back onto the ground.
Wes extended his hand and shook Marek's with it. "Hey, tell Desere I said hi."
"Will do, though I'd probably give her a heart attack in the process."
"Oh come on, is she still on about your fifth wedding anniversary?"
"She was attached to the furniture your dingos chewed up."
"Hey, one of those dingos came back with stomach ache. It cost me my deposit!"
"I don't know what dingos are either" added Olaf between speakers.
"But we didn't even ask for...!" Marek began to retort back. Being a peaceful, logical man, Marek raised his hands, wishing to let bygones be bygones. "You know what, what's done is done." He then lifted his case and placed his hat on his head. "I'll see you around buddy."
"Oh..." Wes flipped out a single teleporting capsule, playing with it in his hand. "You will."
"Ah yes, teleporting pills, how could I forget." He then turned his attention away from Wes and to the royal couple. "Princess Anna" Marek said as he bid goodbye to Anna, bowing slightly. He promptly shook Olaf's hand, then Kristoff's. "Prince Kristoff" he said with a light chuckle.
"Ha ha! he called you prince!" said Wes.
Kristoff sank at the comment. "Oh come on!"
"Let it go Krissy" Anna said, immediately regretting that and covering her mouth.
Marek and Wes looked to each other, sharing a sly glance. "Krissy?"
Kristoff smacked his forehead. "Oh great."
"Oh, I am defiantly coming back now!" said Marek, lifting his case. Just then, the bell for his ship rang. "Alright, I better be going. Stay out of trouble, Krissy."
"Oh yeah, well, see ya… Marky?" Kristoff said in a failed attempt at getting back.
Marek was quiet for a moment, then burst out laughing, Wesley joining in. Olaf decided he wanted to join in as well, though he had no idea what was so funny. Kristoff turned to find Sven holding back a smile, much to his disapproval. "Ha ha! That's the best you can do?! Oh man, that's rich! Ha ha! I am defiantly coming back here!" laughed Marek as he walked onto the ship.
Kristoff just stood there, his shoulders hunched in annoyance, irritancy, and embarrassment.
"Sorry" said Anna as Wes continued to laugh his head off, rolling around on the ground as he risked laughing himself into asphyxiation.
By the next morning, Arendelle had finally returned to normal; the streets were cleaned, the panicked citizens finally calmed down, Lionel and his family were finally at peace, Weselton was gone, and Kyldrun was under maximal security.
Well, almost anyway. The matter of Lionel's sentencing was still up in the air, a matter that will be resolved soon. Still bed bound, Lionel was moved to a more secure, four walled room, where two guards stood outside, guarding the still imprisoned criminal. Currently, Luke had just arrived with his breakfast: Two burnt eggs and a bowl of dry, flavorless oatmeal.
"Ugh" Lionel complained as he took a bite of the eggs. "It's true what they say, hospital food is the worse." Luke giggled at the remark, which in turn got a smile out of Lionel. Then, a knock on the door. Before he could even answer, in walked Elsa, followed by Captain Dodgson, who stood at attention with his hat held his side. It was this moment that Lionel had been waiting anxiously for. "Yes?" he asked.
"Good morning" greeted Elsa. "How are you feeling?"
Lionel felt his side. It was still sore, and the stiches were itching, but all things considered, it really wasn't bad. "Better, thank you."
"That's wonderful. Well, I suppose we should get right to the point; we've come to an agreement regarding your sentencing."
Lionel made an inaudible gulp. "I see."
"Captain?" Elsa asked Dodgson. Upon request, Captain Dodgson stepped forward, unfolding a small parchment before him. "Lionel Leewell. Crime: Arson and involuntary manslaughter. Verdict: Guilty. Sentencing: 18 month imprisonment with menial labor. Parole possible under..."
"18 months?" asked Lionel, confused. "That's a little short, right?"
"Do you want it longer?" asked Dodgson.
"No! No I mean, it just, caught me by surprise is all..."
That's where menial labor comes in" said Elsa. "That means you will be working off your dept in addition to the jail time, which will give you time outside in the blacksmith shop just outside the castle."
"I, get to work in a blacksmith shop?"
"Let me explain" Elsa continued. "There has been many repairs and projects we have been meaning to get done: Maintaining the docks, shoeing the horses, mending the weapons, so and so. And given your gifts, we're expecting quality work with half the time."
Lionel blinked. He was not expecting anything like this. "So what you're saying is, I get to work for my crimes? At a job I so happen to enjoy doing?"
"Well, there won't be any pay mind you. You'll receive meals and such, but nothing more. Think of it as repaying your dept to society through work, rather than time. It's a new concept, one I'm willing to try."
"And Luke?" Lionel asked a moment later. Luke had been quietly standing at the head of the bed, listening contently.
"Well, there so happens to be a family who regularly watches children who are too old for the orphanage. They have offered their home to him if he will accept, and he will be allowed to visit you."
Lionel and Luke were quiet for a moment. Lionel knew full well that being in a prison cell, they would have to be separated for a time. Thought this was far more than he had expected, the thought of his son staying with another family still hurt.
"Luke, that sounds good, right?" asked Lionel.
Reluctantly, Luke nodded.
"Hey, it's only for a short while buddy" said Lionel. "When this is over, we'll move into a nice house and everything will be as it was, I promise."
Luke nodded again, a tear welling up. Sensing his distress, the father embraced his son.
"We'll give you some time" said Elsa, nodding to Dodgson to leave the room. "The doctor gave you four weeks before that wound heals, so you have that time before you begin your sentencing."
Lionel nodded as he held his son. "Thank you. For everything. I promise I won't give you anymore trouble. I am forever in our dept."
Elsa smiled. "No need. Just get well." She then left, closing the door quietly, leaving the two alone. Upon closing, she turned, seeing Dodgson wiping his eyes with his shirt. "Captain, are you, crying?" she asked the usually stiff, emotionless man.
"What, no!" he snapped, quickly putting his Captain's hat back on and retaining attention. "I uh, I was just, got bit by a spider... in the eye..."
Almost done! Just a few more chapters to go! As some of you already know, I already have a two part sequel planned, and it will be my last story for this Frozen continuity. So, get ready!
I'm surprised no one got my references in the last chapter: Thumper from Bambi, and Colonel Hathi from the Jungle Book.
Also, I would like to thank MayaLoveTheBigFour for the longest review I have ever received, let alone seen on this site (correct me if I'm wrong). She had some serious questions about the elf I have introduced and any other possible elves which may or may not show up, some of which I cannot answer because I don't want any spoilers for the sequel. I can tell you, however, that I will soon have a picture of him so you can see what he looks like. Once again, Comickergirl from the Tumblr page "Tis a Silly Place" has agreed to draw a commission for me, and this time it will be Klydrun. Hopefully it will be done before this story ends, so stay tuned!
Maya also went ahead and drew a fan art of Wesley! If you all want to check it out, I've posted it on my Tumblr page.
As some of you might have noticed, I have begun a new Jurassic World Fanfiction. What you don't know is that Wesley Brawnstone's in it! That's right, Wesley now has a counterpart in an alternate universe! He's slightly different, for obvious reasons; more rooted in reality (for the most part), more modern, but still all Wes. Check it out if you're curious.
-Batman
