Chapter Thirty-Five: The Inquiry

For a long moment I stood frozen by the door without moving. I couldn't decide what to do. Should I come out, confront them and demand they tell whatever it is they're keeping from me? But what if they just deny it? Or give me some other lie? Admiral Westergard did say they were keeping me in the dark for a reason.

I kept silent and waited for anything more from them. For a long time, I heard nothing. It was either they weren't speaking or were doing so in such low tones I could no longer hear. A disturbing thought entered my mind that they were silent for another reason: that their mouths were engaged in a more intimate activity. If they were... well I didn't think I could live through the embarrassment of walking in on them.

"I'll see you tomorrow Elsa," Admiral Westergard finally spoke to my immense relief.

"Yes, I'll see you." Her tone sounded normal enough... not breathless or anything indicative of anything happening in the other room other than talking. "Hans, don't be too hard on her. She's just a girl after all. She makes mistakes. This hasn't been easy on her."

I was almost sure they were speaking of Isabel and he confirmed it with his next words.

"I know. Despite what she did, I still believe in her. She just needs guidance, a mentor."

"No, what she needs is a parent," my aunt said. "Who needs to tell her when she's wrong, but cares enough about her to understand what she's feeling."

"And right now I'm all she has." He heaved a sigh. "It's not easy being a parent, especially to a Westergard. You have it easy with Fredrik."

My aunt laughed. "I'm not Fredrik's mother, Hans. Anna and Kristoff raised him."

"But you helped a lot. And you're really good at it. I'm just stumbling through this one."

"I can help if you want," Aunt Elsa offered. "I did have an almost a similar experience. I can talk to her."

I wondered what that meant. Maybe she was talking about her failed romance with King Eric which would mean Isabel's little romance with that mysterious Southern Isles boy was at an end. My selfish heart couldn't help but feel triumphant at the idea.

"That would mean a lot to me Elsa. Thank you."

"I'll speak to her tomorrow then. Send her to me after dinner and we'll have a little heart-to-heart."

"Thanks, I appreciate it. I should go now. Goodnight, Elsa," he said softly that I almost didn't catch it.

"Goodnight Hans." Aunt Elsa's tone was just as low."

The door creaked open then closed. I ran back to my cot, tucked myself in and shut my eyes. I made it just in time before my aunt entered the bedchamber. I felt her come over me and felt her lips on my forehead.

"Sweet dreams, Fredrik. You don't know how lucky I am with you."

I couldn't help but feel touched by my aunt's gesture and in that moment I forgave her. Whatever was happening I didn't blame her and I was willing to give her a chance. I decided I'll wait a few days for her and Admiral Westergard to come clean with me on their own. If they didn't, I'll confront them about it.

I fell asleep after that. I woke early the next morning and joined the rest of the Arendelle contingent at breakfast where I related the same safe version of the assassination. There were various speculations on who possibly did it but most thought it was King Sigurd. It was easy enough to hire an assassin to enter the castle. Aunt Elsa and Admiral Westergard were unusually silent throughout the meal and I noticed they ended it rather hurriedly and excused themselves to tender to their duties.

As the entire kingdom was still on the alert, the day's conference proceedings were cancelled and the Coronan guards told us we were to stay put in our wing. As I had a free day and with nothing much to do, I joined Aunt Elsa in her sitting room chambers. She had some letters to write, while I resumed reading Admiral Rochport's diary…

14th of April

Yesterday, I made a startling discover while I was reviewing the list of names of applicants for military service. Hans Westergard was in one of them. His papers were all in order and he already took up the initial tests for application. His written exams were almost perfect, his physical ones exceptional. My officer in charge of recruitment said he was the most impressive man to apply for the service despite his age. I had no doubt he would pass the final set of tests that can make him qualify as a cadet but I was more interested in his motives. I requested my officer to move up Westergard's interview the following day.

He reported this morning looking smart of dress even if his clothing was obviously of cheap quality. He greeted me politely with a stout salute and I offered him a chair which he sat with the posture of a trained officer.

"So you've applied for military service, may I ask why?"

"As a new citizen of Arendelle, I would like to be of use in a profession that I believe I can excel in. The navy was always something I've loved being in and I've had previous training before. If you find my qualifications suitable, it would be an honor for me to be of service to Arendelle."

His answer was expectantly diplomatic but I was interested in more than that.

"Westergard, we both know even with your more advantageous training, your past actions here in Arendelle is going to go against you from being accepted in the military."

"I know that Sir," he replied humbly. "And I don't expect you to accept me. I will understand if you don't. I just wanted a fair chance. I am sorry for my actions in the past and I know I can never take those back. But if you let me have this chance, I would willingly work as the lowest crewmember on any of Arendelle's ships and serve as best as I can."

He sounded sincere enough but I wanted to know more about his life prior to coming to Arendelle for the second time. "What makes you merit being here, Westergard? Tell me honestly, and consider this not an interview but a casual conversation between acquaintances. What happened after you were sent back to the Southern Isles?"

He gave a deep sigh. "I think you know initially what happened. My brother King Sigurd would have sent reports and they're fairly accurate. The moment I reached the shores of the Southern Isles I was handed to him in chains. He gave me a long talking to, probably the worst that he ever gave me on the consequences of my actions, before he sent me to prison."

I did read the reports that King Sigurd sent over on a regular basis. However, there were some parts of Westergard's punishment that were unclear to me. "I read that you were not confined to a cell but were sent to do labors under guard," I said. "Why is that?"

"It's not a special treatment," he replied. "I was supposed to be kept in a cell and for three days I was. Until one of my brothers, Reidar decided I deserved a beating for my act of treason. I was half dead when the guards found me the next morning and Sigurd was livid when he discovered it. He had me nursed back to health and had Reidar placed in my cell for the time I was recuperating." He paused and I noticed a sad smile graced his lips as he probably recalled the incident. "Sigurd's fair that way and I supposed I can him give credit for that. But it also meant he wanted me justly punished. He sent me to work under guard in the stables for the rest of my confinement while awaiting trial. He did it partly so none of my other brothers will have an opportunity to beat me up again and partly he said so I would be able to realize what I had that I just threw away."

He stopped again and I could see that this was something that pained him.

"So he had you doing hard labor?" I asked.

He shook his head but he refused to meet my gaze. "It wasn't that hard… I mean not physically. But it was humiliating… so much that when my trial came in four months later I was almost relieved. Sigurd's quite efficient and he had my trial completed in just two days. He had everything from Queen Elsa's affidavit to witness testimonies that were sure to damn me. I expected to die. Treason is punishable by death through hanging in the Southern Isles. After all the embarrassment I endured, I welcomed it. "

"But Sigurd commuted your sentence to exile. Why?"

"I'm not sure," he replied. "I didn't ask it from him and his council even protested it. But he was firm on that decision. I suppose it gained him a reputation as a merciful man and it earned him plus points with his subjects but I think deep down he just couldn't stand to spill his own blood." He shook his head. "He didn't give me an easy time though. He sent me out of the Isles by one of his ships and I was dropped off at a busy port at the coast of Glowerhaven with nothing but the clothes I had on and a soiled reputation all across Europe."

I knew about that. Sigurd wanted to assure Elsa that even with a commuted sentence the punishment was still severe enough for the attempted murder of a Queen. "So what did you do after?"

"The only thing I can do," he replied. "I found work as a crewman on a ship with a shady reputation. It was the only ship that would take me. No respectable merchant would employ a regicide anyway." His expression changed to a faraway look. "The first few months were hell. The crew knew who I was and bullied me daily for being a pampered prince. I got into a lot of fights just to prove I could be one of them. After more than a year, I supposed I did become one of them—in the worst ways possible. I fought viciously when we took over ships, slept with a whore every chance I got, drunk myself into unconsciousness when I had money and starved when I didn't. One time we encountered another pirate ship. This one was a known a privateer with a commission from Gormund. I switched sides immediately. I left my old crew to their fates and joined the new crew. I thought it was justice for all the abuse my old crewmates gave me. In this new ship, I changed my name so I no longer carried my previous background. I've learned the habits of mercenary men enough to pass myself off as a man with humble origins. It helped because now it was so much easier to advance my position on the ship."

"So you've been to places?"

"A lot," he nodded. "I've circled the waters of the Caribbean and I've been to the Americas twice. The haul there was so much more profitable than the ones in Scandinavia although the dangers were also more daunting. We encountered numerous skirmishes and each time I came in fighting like a mad dog." He stopped and stared at me seriously.

"I won't deny it Captain, I've been a butcher for part of my life and I'm not proud of it. While the men in my crew were motivated by money, I think I just lived for the thrill of the battle. For a number of years, I suppose that was my only comfort. Not even the drink or women ever satisfied me anymore. I think I just wanted to die in the most violent way possible because nothing really mattered anyway. I came close to it. I've been shot thrice and stabbed more times than I can recall. I also caught Malaria once. But somehow, to my fortune or misfortune, I came out alive from an inch of death. My crewmates renamed me the 'Immortal One' for they believed I had some guardian angel protecting me from death. In some ways my crewmates benefitted from my exploits as we made Prince Karl of Gormund a rich man with the haul of treasures we took back each expedition."

I've known Prince Karl as a blackguard and there were rumors that Gormund's sudden economic rise over the last decade was due to his employment of privateers. This was sure confirmation of it. One of the rumors I've heard surfaced in my mind and I just had to ask. "Wait, are you familiar with a ship called the Dark Maiden?"

Westergard nodded. "I was its first mate."

He said it as if he was ashamed which was strange for based on the rumors I heard, the crew of the Dark Maiden had accomplished something few sailors can boast of: the conquest of the heavily armed Spanish vessel Doña Milagrosa. From what I heard, the Doña Milagrosa was caught in a sudden storm in the waters of the Caribbean and their main mass was crippled by it. Out of the confusion, came a smaller ship with friendly colors of Spain that offered to tow it to safety. The larger vessel shouted over in Spanish in an attempt to discern if it was indeed one of theirs and was rewarded by someone who spoke their language just as fluently and was giving off common signals. Driven perhaps by desperation and the assurance of the familiar, the Doña Milagrosa threw in a line. By the time they realized their error the smaller ship already maneuvered into a position and quickly opened its guns. The boarding party had no difficulty in subduing the rest of the crew and taking its cartloads of treasures.

"It was you," I said. "You're the one that took the Doña Milagrosa."

"Yes," he admitted. "I knew the Spanish colors and their signals as a boy. It was something of a pastime for me while I was growing up to learn about other nations' naval backgrounds. I was also fluent in the language as part of my early diplomatic lessons. I was even better at it after various trips to the Spanish-speaking colonies. I used it to our advantage."

"You don't sound proud of it," I said.

An expression of sadness mired his face. "I got my first serious argument with my captain after the takeover. He wanted all the remaining crewmen of the Doña Milagrosa tortured to death so they'd reveal to us other Spanish merchant ship routes. I didn't see the point of doing so. We already got what we needed and I could read their logs well enough. The Captain just wanted it for sport. The night before they were to be tortured, I let the prisoners escape in a small boat. If you've heard about this story then I'm sure they made it back."

"Yes, I have. But not just from rumors. I've spoken to a Spanish ambassador once and he told me a strange gentleman on the crew of the Dark Maiden was said to have been compassionate enough to not just let the prisoners of the Doña Milagrosa escape but also provided provisions for them."

Westergard looked away and I knew it was him.

"What happened after?" I urged him on.

"We returned to Gormund and Prince Karl rewarded us handsomely."

"I'm guessing you took home quite a hefty pay in that endeavor, why didn't you just leave piracy behind?"

"I did try. I received more than enough from that conquest. I was richer than I've ever been since I was exiled. For almost a year, I rented a small cottage in Gormund in the outskirts of the city where no one knew me. One of my neighbors had a boarding house and school for young boys. I got along very well with the young men there and I even took time to give them lessons in fencing and languages. It was the most peaceful moment of my life. For a time, I was resigned to a quiet life in that village and I became a teacher in the school. But then my reputation caught up with me. One of the boys was the son of nobleman and he recognized me when he visited. I was immediately fired and declared persona non grata in the entire village. That was the end of the little life I rebuilt. When my captain came with news of a new commission from Prince Karl, I accepted it."

"So you went back to piracy just like that?"

"You must understand Captain Rochport, I didn't do it for the money. I had no place in this world and no opportunity to gain a reputable position in society. Not in Gormund or anywhere else. I felt that being with the scum of this earth was the only place I can be. People already treated me like that anyway so maybe they were right."

I remembered the look of longing I saw in him once when he was watching the Arendelle navy recruits and I was reminded again of what this man lost.

"In our next expedition, we took down about three more ships but we gained nothing of value with the same level as the Doña Milagrosa," Westegard continued. "I supposed after a haul as rich as that one, my captain was expecting more and Prince Karl also demanded the same. Things went sour between me and my captain daily. He blamed me for letting those prisoners escape. He said if I just let him have his way we could have information and we'd come back richer than ever. Maybe he was right. I guess I would never know. I supposed it could have saved me from my next fate."

"You mean as a slave?" I asked. "How did you end up being in that cursed ship?"

"I knew you'd ask. After three ships of poor rewards, my captain decided it just wasn't enough to please his and Prince Karl's expectations. He thought of a new way to make better profits. The next ship we encountered was a small passenger ferry from Antalona. Normally we would leave such small ships alone as they carried nothing of value. To my surprise, my captain ordered it taken."

He paused and the pain in his face from the telling was evident. "It was carrying families. There were women and little children there and they only had meager possessions. I knew immediately what my captain planned and I couldn't stomach it. I didn't know why. I've killed men before, but the thought of selling innocent people to be slaves was more than I can bear. I know you might think it odd, Captain that I can grow a conscience after all this time but somehow I did and I can't explain it myself."

I looked at this man and remembered the love he had shown an innocent little girl and I knew such things happen only through divine grace.

"God works in mysterious ways Westergard and to a man of faith like me, it's nothing really strange," I said to him.

"I know nothing of God or religion Captain Rochport," he replied. "But I guess if there was a bit of humanity left me in, that time it rose to the surface. I told my Captain that I was not going to be a part of this and he replied that I didn't need to be. He sent me to the brig and the next time I came out of it, I was transferred to a slaver with the rest of the poor victims of that little ferry. I was there for three months. I think you know the rest."

So he was betrayed by his own crew. It was not a surprising turn of events. Greed did things to a lot of people.

"This is an interesting story Westergard. But let's go back to the subject at hand, your application. And I need a straightforward answer. Why do you want to serve in Arendelle's military? You have other talents and as you've known by now the people of Arendelle are more accepting of your past. You could live your life here in other ways."

"That is true, Captain, but even through those years I think being at sea was the only thing that kept me sane. It was my first love and given a choice, that's all I want to be in. I know you have your doubts and I'm not asking for any special treatment. Just a chance."

Even though he kept his expression even, his voice betrayed his desperation. This man could have remained silent about his past but he chose to tell me all the grisly details of his life—both the good and the bad. Such honesty I felt deserved some credit. And I couldn't deny that he would be an excellent recruit.

"Very well, I'll consider it and it is subject to the Queen's approval."

"Thank you," he replied before I dismissed him.

This evening I reported to the Elsa everything he told me. I can tell she had her apprehensions about this.

"I want you to verify his story," she said to me. "Ask around, maybe among the former slaves for any clue that he's lying."

"And if he's not?" I asked.

"When he passes the exams, let him in. Anna granted him citizenship so I can't exactly deny him this equal privilege to join the service without appearing bias. But keep an eye on him for me. If he does as much as do anything that can harm us, he's out."

"Understood Elsa," I said. When I left her, I informed my officers of the situation so they can start their covert inquiry. If Westergard is lying, we'd bound to find out. Though secretly I hoped we wouldn't. Something told me Westergard was the real deal this time. He was among my nightly prayers before I went to bed.

There was an urgent knock on the door and I closed Admiral Rochport's diary just as my aunt answered it.

"Your majesty," General Sauer acknowledged my aunt. "Prince Heinrik is requesting for a word with Prince Fredrik in aid of the investigation of last night's incident. If you would allow, we will escort him to the conference room."

My aunt shared a knowing look with me and I nodded.

"Of course," I told Genereal Sauer and readily followed him.

The conference chamber was unusually empty save for the Southern Isles contingent and members of the Coronan guards. Prince Heinrik was there waiting along with Prince Eugene. We made our round of greetings before we sat together on the comfortable chairs provided. Prince Heinrik spoke first

"Prince Fredrik, I would like to express my gratitude for your quick thinking last night that saved my life. General Sauer has graciously relayed to me your statement but I must ask you further if you have noticed anything, anything at all that might give a clue as to who the assassin might be."

I shook my head. "Nothing," I replied calmly. "I can't recall anything further than what I've told General Sauer."

"Of course," he replied. "I'm sure the General has been quite thorough at the time but I have a few questions of my own, if you don't mind?"

"Not at all," I said.

"Very well, I'm rather curious about the arrow," said Prince Heinrik. He brought out a piece of cloth and unwrapped it to reveal the arrow fragments which were now broken into several pieces. I quickly looked away from it only to stare at the suspicious gaze of Prince Heinrik.

"Do you recognize it, your highness?" he asked.

"It's the arrow from last night," I said calmly.

"Yes, you're right, how did it come to be broken like this?"

I decided that short truthful responses were the best way to answer him. "It crumbled when I picked it up."

"You picked it up," he said evenly, though I can tell he was thinking hard about that and his next question unnerved me. "Why did you pick it up?"

"I was curious about it."

"Of course, and may I ask what you noticed about the arrow—before it broke of course?"

This was it. It was a direct question that I cannot evade without concealing what I knew. I shrugged. "It was just an arrow."

"You do not find it in anyway familiar?"

"What do you mean by familiar, Sir?" I asked in return.

Prince Heinrik carefully picked up a part of the arrow. "I have taken the liberty of having this examined by an expert. You see all arrows are not made exactly the same. Some artisans do like to make their own little marks on them." He held up a part of the broken shaft. "Although this little piece is quite broken, my expert found a little mark that makes it identifiable, right here."

I stared at it and was horrified as I realized I was staring at a tiny broken crocus—the symbol of Arendelle.

"So tell me Prince Fredrik," Prince Heinrik said. "Why was an arrow from Arendelle used to try to kill me?"

"I… I… don't know…" I stammered. I was suddenly grateful for not knowing anything for Prince Heinrik suddenly launched a barrage of questions and all I could do was stutter back.

"So who else knows about that meeting last night Prince Fredrik? Did Queen Elsa knew?"

"I… don't know…"

"You said she sent you to that meeting?"

"No, she didn't…" I uttered before I could think. My heart was hammering too fast and there were flurries appearing around me that I tried in vain to dissipate but they just kept reappearing.

"So you lied!"

"I didn't… I don't remember…"

"Why were you there? Don't you find it odd that the attacker would be there just as you and I were alone in the garden?"

"I was just passing by… I swear, I just got lost in the gardens and came upon the meeting…"

"I find that hard to believe!"

"That's enough Prince Heinrik!" It was Prince Eugene who spoke. "Prince Fredrik is a diplomatic guest here only for an interview in aid of this investigation. He is not being interrogated."

Prince Heinrik pulled back and looked calmly at Corona's prince. "Of course, my apologies. However, you may want to consider the new evidence in this investigation."

"That arrow doesn't tell us anything on who shot it?" Prince Eugene replied calmly.

"The arrow is from Arendelle," Prince Heinrik pointed out. "That's a lead right there that tells you how to narrow your questioning to a specific contingent."

His meaning was clear. The entire Arendelle contingent would soon be under investigation for this and I was afraid of what they would find.

I braced myself for Prince Eugene's order to have our party be called in for questioning. But instead he just shook his head. "I hate to disappoint you Prince Heinrik but that arrow doesn't narrow our list of suspects down by a lot."

"What do you mean?" Prince Heinrik asked. "The arrow is from Arendelle."

"Yes, but Arendellians are not exactly the only ones that have access to arrows from Arendelle."

Prince Heinrik stared at him with a puzzled expression. I was also curious about this but I said nothing.

"You see," Prince Eugene explained. "Arendelle and Corona have been trading partners for quite a long time and a lot of goods come and go between our nations. That includes weapons like Arendellian bows and arrows. Of course, you're quite aware that Corona's port is quite the hub of commerce and we do retail some of our surplus imports to well…" he paused and made a careless gesture of his hands. "Well practically every nation in this region, maybe even beyond it."

I was quite aware that we've traded a lot of goods with Corona, but I knew our weaponry was not one of them. We never exported our arrows to Corona or any nation for that matter. So Prince Eugene was just outright lying. I remembered what Admiral Westergard said that Prince Eugene would ensure the truth doesn't come out because his son is involved. But whatever this secret is, I was willing to go along with it, if it meant the protection of Arendelle and my aunt.

"Is this true Prince Fredrik?" Prince Heinrik asked.

"Yes," I said almost too quickly. I had my hands gripped together behind my back for I was afraid of unleashing my powers unintentionally that would indicate proof of my lie.

"And do we have documents to support this export of Arendellian arrows to Corona?" Prince Heinrik continued to address me.

"Of course we can dig up the paperwork should you wish to see it," Prince Eugene answered for me. But I must warn you that there is quite a lot of goods transfer through the blackmarket. It's really such a challenge keeping track of all goods with the illegal trading going on."

It was a good excuse as any for the moment and it seemed to satisfy Prince Heinrik for now.

"Very well, I would appreciate seeing those documents just the same."

"We'll have them as soon as we are able. Now if that is all, I must take Prince Fredrik back for his safety. For all we know, he and not you could be the target of the assassin."

"And what makes you think that?" Prince Heinrik asked. His tone hinted of a challenge.

Prince Eugene didn't seem fazed by it. "At this point Prince Heinrik, I don't really want to speculate and neither should anyone. Let's just wait until this investigation runs its course."

"Of course, I leave that in your men's capable hands," the Southern Isles Prince answered though I didn't believe it one bit. He would definitely try to root this out his own way and so I had to be wary of him.

We all gave polite bows and Prince Eugene escorted me with two other guards. I have never felt so relieved in my life when we left the conference room. We walked in silence though I was aching to ask Prince Eugene why he covered for us. When we were nearing the Arendellian wing, Prince Eugene put an arm on my shoulder and whispered to me.

"You did well. Just avoid Heinrik and any of the Southern Isles representatives as much as you can and don't let your Aunt be cornered by him either."

"Okay," I said.

"That's a good lad," he went on. "I don't know how much you know, but I want to tell you to trust Elsa and Hans on this. Just do what they say. They'll explain everything when it's safe."

I didn't know what to reply to that so I just nodded. We headed directly into the Arendelle apartments to where my aunt waited in her sitting room with Admiral Westergard.

"Go inside, Fredrik," my aunt said. "We just need a moment with Eugene."

There was nothing I can do but follow her. I entered while the three of them went outside to speak at the corridor. Despite their reassurances, I couldn't help feel a bit put off that they weren't telling me anything.

I threw myself carelessly into one of the enormous couches but jumped back up when I felt something hard that I almost sat on. I checked and found a small oval-shaped, silver-gilded hand mirror. I stared at my reflection and I could see the flurries of snow forming around my head that indicated my mood. I've never felt so down in my life and I wish there was someone I can talk to.

"I wish I can see Mama," I said without thinking.

The mirror suddenly sprang up with green light that I almost dropped it. But then, an image formed and I can clearly see my mother on a rocking chair with baby Agnar in her arms. She was humming him a little tune and both her and my brother looked the picture of quiet bliss.

Wait a minute? How was the mirror doing this?

Then I realized what this was: it was Admiral Westergard's magic mirror. It's the same one that was previously owned by Prince Adam that can show anyone the user asked for. I decided to test it.

"Show me my Papa," I said to the mirror. The image changed and I can see my father going about his work of cutting ice with the other harvesters. He was whistling an ice harvester's tune while his companions harmonized along with him. I should try it again.

"Show me Olaf," I said. The mirror obeyed and I was now looking at Olaf picking flowers with my sisters in the castle garden. This was amazing.

"Can I see Sven please?" Sven magically appeared. He was stealing carrots from my father's supply bag. I couldn't help but laugh at his antics. Well my entire family seemed to be going about their usual business. That was a relief at least but what else can I do with this mirror?

A sudden naughty idea came to my head and I whispered. "Show me Isabel Westergard."

The mirror returned to its state as a looking glass. Maybe it didn't hear me right so I repeated: "Can I see Isabel Westergard please?"

The mirror continued to reflect my face.

"Show me Admiral Hans Westergard's daughter."

Still nothing. It was just a mirror.

And then I remembered the stories I heard about the mirror. It doesn't show someone who's dead! A feeling of dread enveloped me and my mind drifted into the various possibilities of what this meant. What if Isabel in her grief over her lost love killed herself in her room like a tragic Juliet?

The horrid thought ran over and over in my mind as ice began to form around the room. I shook myself out of my stupor and ran for the door. I flung it open before it froze completely shut.

"Fredrik! What's going on?" Aunt Elsa said as she saw the ice chasing after me.

"Isabel's dead!" I muttered.

Shock and fear morphed into Admiral Westergard's face before he bolted down the corridor to his daughter's room. Prince Eugene chased after him.

Aunt Elsa ran and hugged me. "Calm down! Calm down Fredrik! Tell me how you know this."

It took several deep breaths before I could say another word. My aunt took the time to dissipate my snow.

"The mirror," I finally whispered to her as I handed to her the object. "The magic mirror won't show her to me. Didn't you say it can't reveal anybody who died?"

My aunt took the mirror from me but continued to hold me close. "You asked the mirror for her? You said her name?"

"Yes, I asked for Isabel Westergard and the mirror remained just a mirror."

"It's alright," she said. "Just calm down. Let's go check. This may all just be uhmmm… a mistake." I couldn't understand how Aunt Elsa could sound so calm about this. But I followed her and we walked slowly to chambers where Isabel was staying. We found Aunt Elsa's ladies standing around in a confused state around the outer sitting room and I expected the worst. Prince Eugene however, seemed to be attempting to get control of the situation.

"Everyone please," Prince Eugene said. "Nothing's wrong, it's just a false alarm."

But I pushed past the frightened ladies and didn't stop until I came into the inner room.

Admiral Westergard was seated on the edge of one of the beds. And in his arms to my intense relief was Isabel who appeared very much alive and unharmed.

"I thought I lost you," Admiral Westergard cried while he clutched at her and pressed kisses on his daughter's head.

"It's okay. I'm alright. I'm here. I'm okay," she whispered faintly back.

Author's Note: I have to thank Cassio for pointing out I should give a bit of background on Hans as a pirate. She made me think really hard about all the details of Hans. It's not exactly a lot but at least you now have a more or less picture of what happened to Hans in those years before he came to Arendelle.