Chapter 53
Disclaimer: I don't own Frozen.
Whoosh.
Splash.
Whoosh.
Splash.
The rowing of the men makes a sound each time the oars break the surface of the chilling water. A light snow falls above them, while the fjords slush under the boat, causing a mild alarm that Queen Elsa is prepared to raise a frozen hell on these boats
It's not time yet. Hans is here. The ships are here. Rowboats are carrying the Weselton soldiers into the port. The small number of men Arendelle has are waiting for them. Hans can see whatever citizens had dared leave their houses are terrified. Everything is in place to attack, but it's not time for his move yet.
This is probably the most difficult part for everyone. The waiting. Archers are prepared on both sides, but no one has the orders to fire yet. In fact, Arendele is scrambling to gather up the rest of their troops. They aren't ready for this battle. Not even close.
So each side sits and waits, Weselton still rowing quickly in a nearly complete silence, while Arendelle messily creates a meager defense of guards.
Hans allows a small grin to appear when his gaze settles on the shore where he sees the princess, and not the queen, out on the front.
So it seems Elsa has left the city. Perfect, he thinks, smoothing his hair back. If anything, he was most concerned about that. Thankfully, for him, her fear has won over. If it hasn't, the fjords and all of the ships would have been frozen in place. The snow that they all see is exactly that. Snow, pure, and natural.
"She isn't there!" Hans shouts to those around him. "Queen Elsa is gone!"
"Gone?" He hears each of the soldiers question. The news echoes among them. Boat after boat, person after person, word that the infamously powerful Snow Queen, whom they were all dreading to face, is no longer an opposition to them, spreads like a wildfire.
And does it begin a burning passion. Before, where there was nervousness, there is now excitement. Queen Elsa was really the only thing they were worried about. They greatly outnumber the troops Arendelle has. This will be easy. They will succeed. Hans will succeed.
It's amazing what a little confidence can do for an army.
"Gone? Queen Elsa is gone?" The general shouts, not at Anna, but at the situation itself.
Anna nods curtly. "Yes. Gone," she states in a formal fashion.
"We must make due without her assistance then," the man says urgently. "Do you have an estimate as to when she will return?"
"She had a matter she needed to personally attend to outside of Arendelle hours before we had news of Weselton," Anna tells him, habitually adjusting one of her braids. "If my memory is correct, she will be backintwodays." She rushes the last part.
The man stares, trying to register what she said. She narrows her eyes and stares back, trying her best to remain looking confident.
"We've been attacked before," he begins to speak calmly. "We have fought and succeeded. However, not against a country so large."
"Can we do it?"
"My men are good, and very skilled," he continues. "And although we are a small nation, without nearly as many troops as Weselton, we are strong-willed. And we will fight." He is a tall, older man, slow to anger, but it doesn't take much for him to shout. He's been around as general for as long as Anna can remember.
"Good. I have faith in you. Just like my parents did before me," Anna says.
"Thank you." He rests his arms behind his back. "Now, as for strategy. The opposition can only enter by the fjords, the mountains and forests providing natural barriers for us on all other sides. Moreover, they are coming in rowboats, meaning it will take for them to get here and because of the ice in the water, it will be difficult for them to maneuver," he tells her. "I propose we conjure a line of archers to be ready, should things turn violent. They'll be like sitting ducks."
Anna frowns. "But..." She senses there's more.
"Yes," he says, sighing. "There is a catch. We are grossly unprepared. Our men are scattered everywhere."
"So none of the soldiers are ready..." Anna finishes for him.
"We do have a few groups out by the fjords, and more are joining them constantly, but yes. The majority of them are not ready, my princess. If we begin firing now, they will retaliate and take out whatever we already have mustered up," he says. "But make no mistake I am working in the quickest and most organized way that I can to ensure survival."
"I trust you and the other commanders are," Anna agrees nodding. She did notice he said "survival" instead of "success," so his confidence is shaky. "I would like to see who we have prepared," the princess adds. "And also a glimpse of what we're up against, if it isn't too much trouble. Besides, you should get back to your troops."
"Of course, your highness. Follow me." He waves his hand slightly, intending on leading her from the castle personally. "However, I must stress that you stay out of sight. With Queen Elsa gone, you are responsible for Arendelle and must stay safe."
"I understand," the princess replies. "Now let's go. We have to hurry."
They begin to make their way from the castle to the docks. Anna looks at all of the houses and shops, normally so busy and full of life, now stand quiet, doors and windows shut tight. It's depressing. She does occasionally see a guard or someone similar rushing to get to where they need to be. Still... it's so empty.
Elsa... We'd really like to have you here, the princess thinks, looking up at the sky, somehow hoping that her sister can miraculously hear her thoughts and return to Arendelle as quickly as possible. She sighs. But... that's not likely. Just keep running, Anna.
She knows now why her sister is gone. Brandr and his newly found sister Laila (Or was it Alexandra? She's still not clear on that.) have explained all they knew of the situation.
And Hans.
Oh, it made Anna seething mad that Hans was still out to get Elsa and herself! Why can't he just get over it? She also can't believe that Elsa let herself become scared enough to do whatever he wanted! Although the idea of people sneaking in and out of the castle without being noticed did disturb her, it's not like Hans had any real power or threats against them!
Except for being able to convince Weselton to invade Arendelle and all.
As much as Anna loathes to admits it, that stupid jerkface prince was very charismatic. But it's not fair that he gets to win this way! So Anna is going to everything she possibly can to make sure that he doesn't wins this battle. Or any other battles with her and Elsa. Or any battles at all!
Anna and the general stop at the beach, Anna nodding encouragingly at each soldier there, hoping to give them a little strength. The general immediately goes to examine what defense he has, leaving Anna to herself.
Look at him, she thinks, somehow finding Hans in the midst of boats and snarling in his direction. There are dozens of boats! No, more than that! Too many for her to count right now! But right in front, she can see Hans. It doesn't take long for her to see him meet her gaze and grin. He shouts something to those behind them, and in turn, they yell it out to others. All of a sudden, their rowing increases, and they start to speed up.
"Um, general!" Anna says in an almost panicky tone, not able to tear her eyes away. The general was speaking to a few other men, instructing them where to go. Anna finally turns and runs to face him."General, they're moving faster!" she explains.
"What?!" The man turns to see what she means. "NO!" he yells. He moves and picks up a bow of his own.
"We aren't ready yet!" one of the bowmen shout, struggling to string his bow. He looks awfully young.
"Well, now we have to be!" The general rips the weapon from the boy's hand and strings it for him. He faces the fjords, now holding his own bow, getting ready to shoot. "We can fight! But princess, you need to leave, NOW!"
Anna hesitates, but then moves away, thinking it's probably best if she is out of the way and out of sight. Of course, she still would like to see and know firsthand what happens, because after all, it's her kingdom too. She can provide moral support too. Yeah, she's great at that.
Whilst hiding in an alleyway, the docks still in sight, Anna can see that the general doesn't want to fire yet, not until he has a few more soldiers. He doesn't want to be the one to start the onslaught of arrows, because if he does, they will be crushed. Thankfully, more and more people, both commoners and guards, men and even some women, rush to aid those on the front.
Then, it happens.
The first rowboat reaches the shore, granted, a good deal away from where the majority of Arendelle's troops were, but it's here. And then, slowly at first, but rapidly increasing, more and more boats begin to reach the land.
Can we attack now? Anna thinks impatiently as she watches more and more Weselton troops gather on Arendelle soil. This can't be good.
She stares, anxious and scared almost beyond reason, watching the enemy draw their weapons and aim towards Arendelle soldiers, waiting for their cue to attack at will.
Finally, Anna watches as the general looks around, seeming somewhat sated with who he has, and opens his mouth, about to give the order to release the arrows before any more rowboats get to the beach.
"WAIT!" A loud voice rings throughout the fjords, silencing the general. "DO NOT RELEASE YOUR ARROWS! DO NOT ATTACK!"
Anna, and everyone else search the crowds to find who shouted these words. Her eyes widen as she finds the source. She'd never have believed it if she wasn't watching.
Hans said it. Seriously. And held at knife-point in his arms is the duke of Weselton.
"P-please!" the duke cries out in a scared voice. "Do as he says!" The man desperately tries to pull himself free, but the ex-prince holds strong.
"Hans!" another gruff voice shouts with a considerable amount of surprise. Anna recognizes this man from her princess training. He's the king of Weselton!
"What are you doing?!" the king yells. "This is treason!" The man approaches Hans, whom all of the archers have now directed their aims at.
Hans points his sword at the king. "Do not come closer! Not until you listen to me. Not until you all listen to me!" He looks around at everyone, drawing the attention of both Weselton and Arendelle people. "I realize that what I'm doing, what I'm saying, is beyond insanity, and will likely end badly for me, but it's something I have to do. I ask of you all only one thing. Just look at yourselves! Look at what you're about to do!"
His strange request puzzles everyone. The soldiers look at each other doubtfully, and then back at Hans, but they all remain silent for him.
"This was never what I wanted," he continues, still holding the duke tight in his grip. "Thousands of good, honest people lining up side by side in the name of honor, respect, and love for their kingdoms, their homes, only for them to be slaughtered! And I ask for what? You stand for your kings and queens, and die for them, all because they cannot sit down and discuss the issues themselves!"
Murmurs of agreement rustle throughout both sides. Anna slowly realizes what is happening. At this point, Hans lets go of the duke, allowing his life to be taken should anyone decide to shoot.
But they won't. Anna knows this, and Hans definitely knows this. He's captured their interest.
"I ask you, as good people of two strong kingdoms, to look around," Hans proposes, calmly walking to the center of both armies. "Look into the eyes of your brothers and your sisters. Look into the eyes of your enemies and see. See that they, your brothers and sisters and enemies, they are just like you." He pauses, allowing them to hear his words. "They only want to succeed. They only want to live. Would you take that life from yourself? From your families? No! Because you are good. So why take that life from those who are the same as you?"
"Yeah! Why?" One person shouts, fueling Hans's speech.
"You are good because each of you is willing to fight to protect your homes. But you all can be better by not killing at all! This, fighting, is not the way to succeed! Not for an issue as trivial as trading!" Hans shouts passionately. "War is not the way to victory! Because in war, there is loss of life, and where there is loss, no one wins!" light cheers begin to form. "Man, woman, child, king, queen, we are all but humbled together under the premises of the inevitable journey that is death! So why must we be so eager to shorten the journey for others?"
"Let the king speak with Queen Elsa and discuss the problems!" Hans shouts above the ever-growing support. "Where is she?" Hans turns to the Arendelle troops, scanning them for a leader.
The general steps forward. "The queen left on urgent business this morning," he confesses.
"Business!" Hans laughs dryly. "And what business is that?" he wonders, a smirk on his lips.
"That is... undisclosed," the general falters, realizing the word trap Hans has laid out for him.
"What a surprise!" Hans shouts, turning to the Arendelle troops. "As you wait here, prepared to fight for your freedom, your supposed queen is hiding away in fear!
Arendelle royalty cowers, while you brave the storm."
Anna can't take it anymore. "That is not true!" she shouts, revealing herself and her location.
"Oh?" Hans asks, actually looking glad to see her. "It isn't? Then by all means, tell us, what is she doing?"
To be honest, Anna didn't think this all the way through. "I don't know," she admits. "But I do know Elsa. You know Elsa. She wouldn't abandon us! She left before we knew about the attack! You know what else? I'm here! I'm here to show you all that even though I'm a princess, I will stand by you and fight if I have to!" states firmly, earning her own round of respect and applause. Anna places her hands on her hips, feeling pretty good about what she said too.
Until she sees Hans's expression.
The man shakes his head disappointedly. "Do you hear that?" he says, his voice harsh and judgmental. "Despite clearly being here to witness my pleas against the needless bloodshed, Princess Anna is actually encouraging you to fight! How do you stand for it? This is unacceptable!" he yells, stomping his foot into the ground.
More applause erupts in Hans's favor, completely blowing what Anna received away. The auburn haired man raises one arm to silence it. "So, in this moment, I have a proposal." His voice is quieter, but still demanding of the same attention it had before. "My name is Hans Westerguard and I propose we all drop our weapons and refuse to fight each other. I propose we settle this like civilized people. I propose unity!" He shouts, throwing his sword at his feet, the cheering of the soldiers completely swallowing the previous silence.
Following suit, soldiers begin to toss down their weapons. This pattern continues until every man and woman on that shore stood unarmed, in the name of peace. Everyone except the king of Weselton, and Arendelle's general.
Hans smiles and looks around, approving of the turn of events. Anna can hardly believe it. Almost everyone, on both sides was empty handed. No one was going to fight today. No one wanted to.
And that is how Hans Westerguard singlehandedly ended the war between Weselton and Arendelle, without the loss of a single life.
To most looking at the situation, he's a hero. But to those who really know them, like to Anna, he's a disaster waiting to happen. He's ruining everything. And by the way Hans is looking at Anna, he has the same opinion of her.
Did that really just happen? Anna thinks. She'd better watch her back.
Hans needs to do something about Princess Anna. He didn't realize she could inspire the people quite that much.
"Oh thank you, Sir Hans!" One older lady takes his hand.
"I was only doing what was right," Hans replies in a kind voice, briefly patting her palm, and then moving forward.
Anna could be a wildcard. As might that fire-boy, Brandr. They could disrupt everything he's been working for.
"You truly are a hero!" another person comments.
"I am but a humble man," he says back, still walking.
While some of the Weselton troops remained to speak and mingle with those of Arendelle, there was still a fair amount of bad blood amongst everyone and the majority went back to the ships.
"Are you to stay in Arendelle?" one girl wonders.
"That is a possibility," Hans says to her.
Hans, however, is on his way to the Arendelle castle to finish some business. Tie up loose ends and risky variables. But earlier, he did an excellent job performing his speech. He saved thousands of lives. Wouldn't Nora love that?
"Hans," a stern sounding voice calls his name. The former prince pauses his task.
"Your majesty," Hans turns and addresses the Weselton king, falling into a kneel.
"Hans." The man stares down at Hans. "You directly defied myself and my country," the king tells him.
"I did, your majesty." Hans doesn't deny it.
"You showed a fierce attitude that only fools posses," the king continues, still talking down on the man. "However, you are no fool."
"I... beg your pardon?"
"To your feet, Hans," the king commands. Hans rises up from the ground. The Weselton native man places a hand on the other's shoulder. "Today, you have shown wisdom and courage only few have. Yes, the courage was of fools, but it is also belonging to those of extraordinary capability. You spared the lives of those who had wronged you. Not every man can do that."
"It was never the people of Arendelle who are to blame for my misfortune," Hans clarifies. "I only wish them to be in the place they can thrive in."
"Perhaps Queen Elsa is doing good here."
"Perhaps." Hans nods slowly. "Perhaps not, though. I will stay in Arendelle to ensure things continue to go well later on. Just to care for the citizens and possibly keep an eye on the queen."
The Weselton man smiles. "You care so much. I believe you have the makings of someone who would be a fine king."
"Thank you, your majesty," Hans says appreciatively. "I only try to do my part."
"And you do it well," the king tells him. "I may be needing to appoint someone to run Weselton one day, should I not be able to remarry and produce another heir," he hints, clapping Hans on the shoulder. "You'd be a considerable option."
Hans smiles and nods. Perfect. "Thank you, your majesty. I will not fail your expectations."
"Nothing is set in stone, yet," the king reminds him. "But it isn't unlikely either. I will allow you to return to whatever your task was."
Hans bows to king and watches as he takes his leave. This is perfect. Should things work out, Hans may be ruler of two kingdoms.
Now, time to tie up those loose ends. The princess, and the flaming street orphan. Maybe a little misplaced blame. He can envision it now. Hans was minding his own business, seeking the princess when he comes across her corpse, charred and cut. Hans apprehended the assassin, but it was too late for the princess. The murderer will of course claim innocence, but who would believe a magical freak like him?
As long as Hans remembers to clean his sword, he will be fine.
Elsa pushes her fingers through her hair, pacing back and forth, her high heeled shoes clacking against the cold floor of her ice palace with every step she takes.
It's been six hours since she received the letter. Six hours since left Arendelle. Six hours since she fought with her sister. And six hours of nothing to keep her busy, except for the torture from her own mind.
"Elsa still sad?" the snowman named Marshmallow asks Elsa in a very deep, but still innocent sounding voice. The creature takes Elsa's silence as a yes and once again leaves her alone.
She breathes sharply, turning to pace in the other direction. How could she have allowed things to get so out of hand between her and Anna?
Breathe. Turn. Walk.
Why did Elsa have to react so panic-like?
Turn. Breathe. Walk.
Why did Anna have to be so pushy?
Breathe.
Why can't Elsa just stop hiding from everyone?
Turn.
Why does Elsa always run away?
Walk.
Why can't she just tell Anna about what her problem is? Anna will understand.
Turn.
It will be safer for Anna if she knows there's a danger.
Breathe.
What is Elsa still doing here?
Stop.
That's right. What is Elsa doing here? She can better protect Anna if she's there by her side.
I'm not a child! Anna's words come to mind. Anna's right. Elsa should be able to tell her anything. As much as Elsa would like to deny it, her sister isn't a child, and she doesn't need to be sheltered the way Elsa has been trying to do.
What Anna said about Elsa still not being accepting of her powers strikes up some thought too.
Am I still afraid? she can't help but wonder. Is it because I'm afraid that I ran away again?
How could she have left Anna so abruptly? So rudely? Why is Elsa so scared?
But no more fear now. It's time for Elsa to be brave, for once. She's going to go home, sit down and tell her sister every little detail she's been hidind. And she's going to apologize for leaving things the way they were.
Life's too short to have any more regrets, she thinks. I wish that I had been there for her long ago, but there is nothing stopping us from being there for each other now. Nothing except myself.
She rushes down the icy steps of her castle and out the door, about to face more stairs.
"Is Elsa not sad?" Marshmallow asks hopefully.
Elsa shakes her head. "No, but there's something I have to do."
"Elsa leave?" His expression falls. Elsa stops, and walks back towards him.
"I promise, I'll visit you soon," she assures him. Anna can wait a minute. It's not like she's in danger. "You're doing a great job of keeping my castle safe, big guy. Thank you," she praises, causing Marshmallow to give a toothless grin.
Elsa nods and turns. See? She can fix issues. No longer will she run away from problems. Now she's running to them.
I'm coming, Anna, she thinks, beginning to run. She didn't want the horses to have to endure this North Mountain cold, so she came on foot. I'm going to make things right with you, about Hans, before the trouble starts.
