13
After receiving Hans's answer and sending her letter to Elsa, Anna immediately organised a meeting with General Mattias, Kai and Kristoff to discuss how they would handle Hans's visit to Arendelle and what security measures would be needed. The first order of business however, was for Anna to make a proclamation to the citizens of Arendelle that Hans was returning and why.
There was surely going to be some hostility towards him and she wanted to be open and honest with her people. She knew this was a big gamble and that it could backfire. Kai immediately organised some flyers to be placed around the kingdom that afternoon and that Anna would hold a public hearing in the castle's forecourt to address any fears the population may have.
"General Mattias," she asked, "where would you suggest Hans stay while he is here?"
"Well, Your Majesty, preferably the dungeon." He answered.
"No, no," started Anna, "I don't want him in the dungeon, well not yet. No, he will be treated like any visiting dignitary to start with."
"Well, Your Majesty, may I suggest the State Room on the second-floor Northwest corner. There's only one way in and out of that room. There is no access to any other balconies and if he wants to escape through the windows, or balcony it's a 20 metre drop straight down to the ground."
"I agree," replied Anna, "Kai?"
"Yes Ma'am"
"Can you get the room ready please."
"Consider it done Your Majesty."
"Anna," spoke Kristoff, "how do you plan to greet him when he gets here?"
"Hmm," Anna thought, "Well, I think you and I as well as Elsa and Olaf should wait for him in the throne room, General Mattias, you and a detachment of the Arendelle Guard will greet him at the dock."
"Very well Queen Anna," replied Mattias, "and don't worry, he won't get away with anything this time, you can rest assured of that."
Just then a gust of wind entered the meeting room and a piece of paper floated through the air into Anna's hands.
"Thank you, Gale," she said, "oh good Elsa is on her way and she's bringing Brunei with her. I think that's about everything"
There were nods around the table.
"Okay, let's get ready," said Anna with authority.
They all got up from the table and Kristoff made his way to her.
"Are you sure you're up to this?" he asked caringly.
"To be honest Kristoff, I won't know until he gets here, I'm thankful you're here though, I know you will be by my side and that makes me feel more confident honey."
"That's what I'm here for, I imagine Elsa won't take long to get here?"
"No, I expect she'll be here in an hour or so, she can really move on the Nokk," Anna sighed, "I suppose I better get ready for the people; I imagine they're going to want some answers."
"You will do fine Anna," encouraged Kristoff, "the people love you like I do."
Anna smiled and kissed him, then laughed a little, "maybe we should get Olaf to explain it to them like he did to the Northuldra about us being in the Enchanted Forest, remember that?"
"How can I forget," smiled Kristoff.
The public address was scheduled for eight in the evening, but people started gathering an hour before it started. Many of the citizens were frankly quite shocked that Prince Hans was returning to Arendelle as they felt he was banished for life and couldn't understand why their Queen was bringing him back to the Kingdom, unless it was to put him in trial for crimes against Arendelle.
There were lots of whispers in the developing crowd and spirited exchanges as to why he was being brought back, nothing nasty, in fact, mostly light hearted and humorous as bursts of laughter broke out every now and then amongst the crowd.
Anna looked out through the balcony window at the crowd, but every now and then towards the fjord. It was a warm evening and the windows were open and the sounds of the crowd filtered through to her.
"You'll be fine Anna," said Olaf with a smile, "if you like I could go out and talk to them."
"Thank you, Olaf, but that won't be necessary," replied Anna while touching his face warmly.
Then Anna then heard a familiar sound, and her head spun around to look out at the fjord. The sound came again, this time a little louder and more distinguishable. It was Nokk and sure enough she could see it with Elsa riding on it at full speed towards Arendelle.
"She's here," she sighed in relief, "Elsa's here."
With that, her Kristoff and Olaf made their way down towards the fjord to great her. They took the back way so they wouldn't have to go through the courtyard, it took them a few minutes, but they got there just as Elsa was approaching the shore.
The Nokk stopped just as they got on land and she dismounted the water horse who then morphed back into the water of the fjord.
"Elsa, I am so glad you are here," said an emotional Anna.
"I came as soon as I heard, so he's due the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, yes, I just hope I'm doing the right thing."
"Anna, it will be the right thing however it turns out, if you did nothing after what we saw, you would be forever asking yourself the questions you want to ask him."
Anna smiled, "I suppose so, but right now I need to address the people of Arendelle and I could you use your help with that."
"Certainly, always glad to help, you always helped me when I was Queen." Replied Elsa.
They returned to the castle and moved towards the doors that led to the main courtyard, the same courtyard that Elsa ran into frightened when her powers were first revealed. The courtyard where Elsa organised Anna's birthday which didn't go quite to plan when she caught a cold and created all the snowgies.
The courtyard where they stood every Christmas since then to ring the Yule Bell to signify the start of the Holiday Season. Good memories, they could only hope this would be another one. Anna gave a nod to Kai who opened the courtyard doors and Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf all walked out on to the steps so all could see. There was a gasp in the crowd when the people saw Elsa and they realised that it must be something very important if Elsa was there as well. Plus, there was relief, Elsa would provide extra protection in case Hans tried to do something similar to what he tried before.
"Good evening Arendelle," started Anna, "I am sure you have all read the pamphlet I distributed earlier today regarding the return of Prince Hans of The Southern Isles and I imagine some of you have some questions for me and Elsa.
Let me assure you that this decision wasn't taken lightly and we are taking all precautions to make sure Prince Hans does not attempt anything like he tried four years ago,' she paused.
"Okay any questions?"
I person in the middle of the crowd put his hand up and was acknowledged and moved to the front of the crowd.
"Queen Anna, why did you request him to return?" he asked.
"I'm glad you asked," responded Anna, "as you know I recently visited Ahtohallan with Elsa and as you know Ahtohallan can reveal things about the past. Well, we discovered some very disturbing information about Hans's past there, things that required further investigation so as to help us better to understand why he took the actions he did four years ago.
There were some very disturbing images regarding his childhood and his motives regarding his actions, of which, may have been heavily influenced by how he was treated by his twelve older brothers. This will have to be taken into consideration before we can consider reopening trade relations with The Southern Isles."
Another hand went up in the crowd and Anna acknowledged it.
"Why should we consider trade relations with The Southern Isles after Hans tried to murder the two of you?"
"That's a good question too," answered Anna, "before the incident with Hans, Arendelle had very good relationship with The Southern Isles, I am hoping that Hans doesn't reflect the attitude they have to us, we cannot condemn a whole country on the actions of one individual."
"And what if it does?" she replied.
"Well," responded Anna, "we won't be entering into a new trade agreement, next question yes."
"What precautions are you taking to ensure Hans does not attempt to try and usurp the throne again?"
"Can I answer this one Anna?" asked Elsa and Anna nodded, "well for one I have full control of my powers as you know, also I have brought some help from the Enchanted Forest like Brunei here."
Brunei appeared from beneath Elsa's hair and slipped down to her hands, she then walked out to the centre of the courtyard where she placed him on one of the fountains.
"Show them what you can do." She smiled at him and instantly Brunei turned to flames and the crowd gasped. "Okay Brunei, time to cool down."
He turned off his flames and walked into Elsa's hands so he could cool down.
"Plus," started Anna, "General Mattias will keep him under constant guard and he will be staying in a room in the castle where the only way to escape requires him to jump from a window on the second floor to the ground. Now are there any other questions?"
The citizens seemed content with what they had been told and didn't ask any more questions.
"Okay," started Anna, "now I know many of you will have strong feelings about Prince Hans, I know I do and to be honest I'd happily punch him like I did last time." There was smattering of applause when she said that, "however, I hope you will treat him like a visiting dignitary the best you can. Just be polite and respectful even though you might not like him and let's show him how good a Kingdom we are, thank you."
The citizens broke into applause and then started chanting Queen Anna to show their love towards her which made Anna blush and smile.
"You did well sis" beamed Elsa.
"Well, we'll find out when he arrives." She replied.