8

Anna spent the next ten minutes trying to explain to Olaf why she had to bring Hans to Arendelle and Olaf finally agreed because he could see it was important to Anna but insisted that he gets to punch Hans this time as well. Anna advised him he would have to wait his turn as Kristoff had requested it first.

This sort of lightened the mood a bit, then Anna announced that they should make their way back to Arendelle. Elsa was staying in the forest with the Northuldra and walked Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven back to the four rock pillars of the Elemental Spirits. Brunei sat on her shoulder for the short walk and Gale flitted around them with her slight and gentle breeze.

"Thank you for taking me to Ahtohallan Elsa," said Anna.

"Hey, I promised I would take you so you could see your real memories, it's a shame that Pabbie can't reverse them."

"Well, that's how it goes, but at least he never erased my love for you Elsa, it is hard sometimes with you up here, but I know you're happy. Of course, I could have done without this Hans dilemma, but now I have to find out more, you know, my curiosity."

"I know Sis, I'm sure it's the right thing, with that one exception, you usually have good instincts, let me know how it goes, though I will be down again on Friday night for games again and don't worry, I'll bring Gale and Brunei with me when Hans comes."

"Yeah, but maybe leave the Rock Giants here, I know they will do no harm, but the rest of Arendelle maybe a little intimidated by them, maybe we should bring Marshmallow down."

"That's a good idea," pipped Olaf.

"Yeah, maybe so,' said Elsa smiling, "okay, you should be on your way, Gale will give you a smooth voyage back to Arendelle."

With that Anna and Elsa hugged, followed by Kristoff and Sven, then finally Olaf and they began the short walk back to the ship.

"Do you think Hans will even come?" asked Olaf.

"Yeah," started Kristoff, "I mean if I was him, I would prefer just to stay home." To which Sven gave an approving grunt.

"I know honey," replied Anna, "but I believe he will, if I understand him better now."

Kristoff and Olaf gave her a look of, 'are you sure of that.'

"Yes, I didn't understand or judge his character at all four years ago, in fact, my judgement was very poor, I know, but he is a bit of a narcissist and his curiosity of about why he got an invitation will be too difficult for him not to investigate. "

"Hmm," replied Kristoff, "that I can agree on."

"Kristoff, Olaf, he is those things I described, but deep down, he's broken, it's a shell he puts on. Once we're on board I'll tell you what Ahtohallan revealed about Hans's past."

"Well, it must be bad for you to want to do this Anna," said Olaf.

"It is Olaf, very bad."

They reached the beach and could see the ship just off shore, Gale breezed out to the ship to signal that they were ready to be picked up and quickly a shore boat was on its way to pick them up.

"Good evening your Majesty," greeted the First Officer, "please watch your step."

"Thank you" beamed Anna as she stepped into the boat followed by Kristoff, Olaf and finally Sven.

The sailors pushed the boat back into the sea and within ten minutes they were back on board and on their way home to Arendelle.

"We should reach Arendelle by tomorrow morning Your Majesty," said the captain.

"Thank you, Captain," replied Anna, "We'll be in my cabin."

"Very good."

Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven made their way to Anna's cabin and settled in.

"It's still strange leaving Elsa behind," said Anna, "I do miss her."

"I know honey," replied Kristoff, "but you still got us."

"I know," she said smiling and giving Kristoff a kiss.

"So, Anna," began Olaf, "how are you going to invite Hans back?"

"I'll send him a letter, when we get back, I'll organise it with Kai."

"You know," started Kristoff, "it has got to really annoy him that you're Queen now, I mean wasn't that the whole reason for the ruse?"

"Yes, it was, funny how things work out."

"Anna."

"Yes Olaf."

"Have you heard anything from him, or The Southern Isles since then?"

"Not really, we sort of cut diplomatic ties with them and Wesselton. I don't think they were very happy because the Southern Isles were a fairly close ally to us. I think my father and Hans's father were actually close. But Hans ruined years of mutual trust. The last I heard though was that his father died about a year ago and his oldest brother is now king."

"I hope he's better than Hans," said Kristoff

"Well, I'm not sure, he was in on that make Hans feel invisible thing, all his brothers were and they also constantly blamed him for their mother's death."

"Did you learn that at Ahtohallan?" asked Kristoff.

"Yes, it was hard to watch, Hans was once an innocent child, badly bullied by his brothers, that still doesn't excuse him from what he did, but I have an understanding of why he did it and that's why I need to talk to him, I need to see if he is still the same scheming, angry man, or if when faced with the truth of his past, he might show some regret and let that anger out."

"You know Anna, it may be an idea to talk to Grand Pabbie before you send the letter, he usually knows about these sorts of things."

"That's a good idea honey," replied Anna to Kristoff, "we'll head off as soon as possible after we get back."

"Oh, I do like visiting the Trolls," smiled Olaf.

Anna smiled at Olaf then turned to Kristoff, "I know this is hard for you Kristoff, but I promise I won't take any chances with him, you'll be there, Elsa with the Elemental Spirits, General Mattias and the Arendellian Guard, as well as Olaf and maybe even Marshmallow."

"It's okay Anna, I trust your judgement, but it is going to take a lot of self-control not to punch him in the face."

"That goes for me too," piped in Olaf.

There was also a grunt from Sven.

"I know guys, I know, hell I still want to punch him," she said smiling, "maybe he can feel what it's like having a frozen heart."

"Well, he probably won't," said Kristoff, "because I doubt there's an act of true love to save him."

"You got that right." Responded Anna, "anyway enough talk about Hans, how about we get some dinner."

"Good idea," said Olaf, "do you want some carrots Sven?"

Sven shook his head in agreement, as Anna organised their dinner before they settled in to sleep before reaching Arendelle in the morning.

The night passed uneventfully, like before, Gale gave them a good gentle breeze that gave them smooth sailing and calm seas. They all enjoyed a nice dinner and talked through until bedtime with the gentle rocking of the ship which soothed them into a deep sleep.

The next morning broke with brilliant sunshine and the captain knocked on their cabin door.

"Excuse me You're Highness."

Anna yawned as she woke with her hair in its usual mess after she has slept. "Yes Captain."

"You're Grace, we are just approaching Arendelle now."

"Very good, we will be out in a minute."

"Very good Ma'am."

Anna looked over to Kristoff sleeping peacefully next to her and shook him gently.

"Come on honey, time to get up."

"Huh, oh, is it morning already?"

"Yes, it is sleepy head, remember we have to go down to see Grand Pabbie today."

"Oh yeah that's right, you look lovely as usual in morning," he said kissing her, "I better wake up Sven and Olaf."

Anna smirked at him, "Yeah my hairs a mess, as usual, I'll get ready while you're doing that."

Kristoff, got out of bed and went to the cabin next door, while Anna, fixed her hair and got dressed. Soon the three of them were up on deck just in time to see the ship pull into Arendelle Harbour. On the dock was Kai, Gerta and General Mattias to welcome them home.

"Welcome back Queen Anna" said Kai as he bowed with the others.

Anna looked at them with some amusement, "Come on guys, no need to bow, except at official functions, you are just as important as I am."

"Very well" said Kai with a smile.

"So, Your Majesty," started General Mattias, "how was your trip?"

"Eye opening actually, before we head back to the castle, I need to discuss something with you quickly."

"Yes," replied Mattias, "what is it."

"Well, Kristoff and I need to go down and see Grand Pabbie as soon as possible, so I need you to look after Arendelle for a few more hours."

"Very well, not a problem." he replied.

"Kai," she said looking to him next.

"Yes, Queen Anna."

"I need you to draft a letter." She paused, "I need you to draft a letter to Prince Hans of the Southern Isles requesting his presence here in Arendelle."

Everyone's faces dropped in astonishment.

"Prince Hans, You're Majesty?" he enquired making sure he had heard right.

"Yes, and yes, I know it is a shock, but I discovered some facts about Hans's past that need to be answered and only he can do that and it is important that we get the answers."

"Very well, Your Majesty."

"You are talking about the same Prince Hans that left you to die Queen Anna?" enquired Mattias.

"Yes, the same one, I will make a final decision after our meeting with Grand Pabbie and if we go ahead, I want every precaution to be taken, Elsa will be here as well with some of the Elemental Spirits because we are not going to have a repeat of what happened last time."

"Damn right we won't," spoke a determined General Mattias.