Hey everyone!
Finally a chapter right on time! It seemed everyone was interested in the speech, I hope it's to your liking.
Enjoy!
Where is he?
I'm in the hall next to the doors leading to the balcony. Two maids stand at the ready to open the doors, but Hans isn't here yet. A group of guards are situated nearby and I strangely wonder if they are here to watch me or protect me. I'm not sure either is comforting. I continue pacing back and forth. I practice the speech I had just been verbally told, nervously. What if the people don't listen? What if they still demand I be locked up? What if my powers act up again? I stiffen. What if there are crossbows at the ready?
"Elsa. Calm down"
I turn to see Hans walking up smiling. He places a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"I can see all the cogs on anxiety spinning from here."
I offer a weak smile.
"Sorry, Hans. I just want to make a good impression. After all the hard work you did, I don't want to mess any of it up." I confess.
Hans chuckles.
"As long as you recite exactly what I told you, then everything will be perfect."
I nod feeling slightly better.
Right, my brother took the time to come up with this speech. If I knew how I could've written my own speech. Another reason my brother is clearly meant to be king and not me.
A guard comes up and salutes my brother.
"Your Majesty, the people are gathered in the courtyard."
Hans nods placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Thank you."
He looks at me with a smile.
"Alright, let's bring this to an end finally."
I smile and nod and he turns to the maids.
"Open the doors."
The doors open, and we step out.
Anna's POV
I can't believe we were stuck in the dungeon for so long!
After Hans left with my sister, we had to hide in that dingy cell till guards came to "wipe away all proof "of Elsa being down there. They spent a good thirty minutes with torches and hacking away at the ice. If not for Kristoff, I'd probably have taken them down myself. Hans has the audacity to lock my sister down there and then wants to pretend it never happened? Now there are guards everywhere and I can't get to Elsa. So, Kristoff is posing as a guard while I climb up onto the roof. It took a lot of convincing but my boyfriend finally gave in after I reminded him that I used to climb it all the time growing up. The south side is easy to climb even without the pully system I used to use, I make it to the top safely. I carefully walk across the roof and peek around the edge since I don't want anyone to spot me. Looking down, I'm surprised slightly to see everyone from town taking up the courtyard.
I frown.
I notice how uncomfortable they all seem to be. There are guards posted everywhere…including at the gates. Nobody really looks like they wanted to be here. My gut twists.
What exactly is Hans up to?
After a moment or two, I crouch down and move further around the corner so I can see the balcony. I can't see the whole thing, but I can see enough if someone steps up to the railing at least.
Suddenly, everyone's attention is on the balcony and I stiffen when I see Elsa stepping up to the railing.
Elsa's POV
The sun is bright.
Too bright.
I can't help but squint and I'm unable to move.
Is it because I was in the dungeon?
I can hear Hans clear his throat impatiently.
"Step forward and do the speech."
I nod and stand up straighter. He's right. I need to fix what I've done. I force my feet to start moving and my eyes to open fully. I step up to the railing as my eyes finally adjust. I look down to see what I can only assume is the whole town. Many of them are huddled together as if they think I will strike them down for being alone. A pang hits me.
Despite Hans' efforts, they still see me as a monster.
Come on, Elsa! Just remember the speech!
I swallow and take a deep breath. It's time to begin.
"Many of you remember the traitor during the coronation a year ago. Thanks to them, we all faced heartache and misunderstandings, and for that, I apologize. "
I pause, letting that sink in. Anna framing Hans at his coronation was the most traitorous thing to happen in our kingdom. Anna hurt everyone, especially my brother. I see some of the people nodding. I swallow back tears as I continue.
"As your protector, it was always my job to keep such things from coming to fruition and I failed. I know…" I falter here.
What if this isn't enough for them? I was supposed to take down people like Anna, and I failed. My Father intended for me to be a weapon and I couldn't even do that right. I try again.
"I know most if not all of you, have witnessed my powers at their worst and feared them. I am almost certainly many of you are not happy with the changes that have been implemented in the law."
Changes that make it where they can't hunt me down as a monster….
"I am also aware that questions about the past few months have been passed through all of you and I am here to reassure you that all will be answered by this evening."
Here it comes, the part everyone will cheer for…
"I hope to gain your forgiveness and rectify my many mistakes. Starting with stepping down from the throne." I hear gasps as I step to the side and gesture a gloved hand to my brother who now walks up beside me as I continue; "Prince Hans has returned to rule as he should. Thank you."
I offer a bow to him and step back.
To my surprise, the people aren't cheering…no, they sound angry.
Did everyone catch the double meaning?
Thanks for reading!