23

Hans settled himself on his balcony to enjoy his dinner, which he thoroughly enjoyed in the evening air. He brought a light out with him so he could continue reading the book that Olaf had brought him about the Northuldra and Ahtohallan. He was absolutely fascinated by the Northuldra people and the stories about Ahtohallan.

He poured himself a glass of wine and thought, 'well it's still a prison, but it is a very comfortable prison.' Plus, he had spent a whole day without any snide remarks from his brothers who were hundreds of kilometres away and as far as he was concerned, that wasn't still far enough. Plus, he was quite pleased himself with the progress he believed he made today.

He had clearly upset Elsa and hopefully pushed her a few steps towards taking out some of her anger on his brothers. He was honest with Olaf before, he didn't want to hurt anyone in Arendelle this time, just his brothers in the Southern Isles, then once that is done, he will leave to somewhere on the other side of the ocean.

Hans got up and looked over the edge of his balcony and said to himself, "that is a long way down, no way I could jump that without really hurting myself."

There was also his plan B that he had to think up, but nothing was coming to him yet, except the thought of sailing the Queen Elsa, which he would really like to have a chance to do. Maybe if he plays his cards right, they might let him. He actually thought that if he could join the crew, he would guarantee that, that boat would beat any other boats in the nearby kingdoms in any competition.

Then there was a familiar knock on his door and he heard the unmistakable voice of Olaf and he was actually quite happy to hear it as he had become rather fond of that little snowman.

"Come right in Olaf," he called out, "I'm on the balcony."

Olaf came into the room and went to the balcony.

"Good evening my little friend," greeted Hans.

"Good evening Prince Hans," replied Olaf.

"So, I imagine you discussed what we talked about this afternoon with Anna and Elsa?" implied Hans.

"I, wait what," stumbled Olaf somewhat taken aback.

"Oh, it's okay Olaf," responded Hans smiling, "I have no qualms about you talking about what we talked about with Anna and Elsa, in fact, I figure it might be helpful with whatever they are trying to do with me while they have me here."

"Well," started Olaf, "they hope to turn your heart away from revenge."

"Oh," said Hans a little surprised, "how noble of them."

"Yes,' continued Olaf, "they're also trying to figure out what made you do what you did?"

"That, I have sort of figured out," responded Hans, "and I imagine by now they have a fair idea, tell me something Olaf, Anna and Elsa were separated during their childhood, why and how did that happen?"

"Anna and Elsa were playing one night and Elsa accidentally struck Anna in the head with her powers, that's why she had that white streak in her hair." Olaf answered

"Oh," responded Hans, "well that explains that, so Anna knew about Elsa's powers?"

"Yes, she did," answered Olaf, "until Grand Pabbie, the head rock troll removed her memory of them so as to protect Elsa and herself."

"Hmm, so she was telling the truth when she told me she didn't know about Elsa's powers. I gather the memories haven't come back?" asked Hans.

"No," replied Olaf, "apparently Grand Pabbie can't reverse the spell."

"That's a shame, I imagine, from what I gathered from my talks with Anna on the night of Elsa's inauguration party, that being separated was quite painful, for both of them."

"Oh yes, Anna and Elsa had and still do have a deep sisterly bond between them."

"Hmm," started Hans, "you know for me, if I was separated from my brothers at that age, I would have thought it was heaven. No more taunting, no bullying, no making me feel like I am invisible or that I killed my mother. I would have been at peace being by myself."

"That's actually quite sad Prince Hans." Said Olaf with a sad expression.

"It is isn't it," replied Hans, "tell me something else Olaf, do you consider Elsa to be your mother, so to speak."

"I suppose I do, she made me, brought me to life and she has always looked out for me, given me warm hugs, though of course lately, she spends her time up north a lot more, but Anna fills in for her."

"You're lucky Olaf," said Hans now with a sad expression on his face, "you're lucky to know your mother, I have no recollection of mine, I don't know what she sounded like, what she smelt like. Don't remember any warm embrace, nothing. My father was cold and my brothers abusive."

Olaf expression towards Hans became even sadder.

"Yeah," said Prince Hans a little loudly, "here I am Prince frigging Hans of the Southern Isles, probably the worst Prince in all the lands who is only known by what I did here. Maybe my brothers are right and I am pathetic."

"Prince Hans," spoke Olaf softly, "you are not pathetic, you just need someone to love you and all will be fine, I promise."

Prince Hans looked at him and gave Olaf a sarcastic smile, "yeah, like somebody is going to love me, my father couldn't even arrange a marriage for me because nobody wanted me. I don't think I am capable of love; I have no idea what it is."

"Love is putting someone else's needs before yours." Replied Olaf trying to be comforting.

"That's a nice simple explanation Olaf," answered Hans a little sarcastically, "I wish it were true for me, but right now my needs are to exact some revenge on my brothers for what they did to me, as far as I am concerned, nothing else matters."

"I am so sorry to hear that Hans," said Olaf, "I can only hope somewhere, sometime, you can find something better for you."

Hans looked at him and chuckled a bit, "you know, you remind me of Fritz back home, the two of you are probably the closest thing I have to friends. I do Olaf, I do wish that I could find something better. Hell, for a short time four years ago, I was almost content enough just to marry Anna and be happy with that, but my lust for revenge got in the way and of course Elsa freezing her heart which I would not have been able to cure because I didn't have true love's kiss. But that ship has sailed a long time ago, anyway, I think I might go to bed, so, thanks, and I mean it, thanks for listening, good night."

"Well," started Olaf, "I don't think you're all evil, I can see some good in you and I will keep trying to make that good come out in you, goodnight."

Prince Hans smiled in gratitude towards Olaf as he left the room then laid down on the bed and said to himself, "thanks little snowman, I hope you're right."

Elsa was getting ready for bed and thinking of the day ahead. But for now, she was thinking of her room, the one she had had since her parents separated her and Anna all those years ago. There were many sad memories in here, but also many happy ones.

She was wearing her purple nightdress, which was her favourite as she just loved the colour. In many ways, her wardrobe was full of her memories and she remembered each outfit and when she wore them. Of course, she loved her Fifth Spirit outfit, but every now and then she just needed a change.

She looked over and saw Brunei happily asleep on her bed, with her as the Fifth Spirit he had learned how turn his fire on and off when it was appropriate plus he enjoyed travelling with Elsa.

Suddenly there was a familiar knock on her door.

"Elsa," spoke Olaf in a hushed voice, "are you still awake?"

"Yes Olaf, come on in."

Olaf entered the room and Elsa saw straight away there was a worried look on his face.

"Olaf, something bothering you?" she asked.

"It's Hans Elsa," he replied, "I am worried about what he might do."

"What do you mean?" said Elsa in a slightly concerned voice, "did he say something to you?"

"More than something Elsa," responded Olaf, "I'm worried we won't be able to change his heart, I don't think Hans knows how to love."

"I am not all that surprised with that Olaf." Replied Elsa with a serious tone.

"Elsa," began Olaf, "he hates everyone, even himself and that's very, very worrisome. I do believe him when he says he doesn't want to hurt you or Anna, but I'm afraid his hatred for himself means he might still indirectly."

"What did he say Olaf?"

"Well, he asked if you were my mother," answered Olaf looking up at Elsa, "and I sort said that's true. He then told me how he had no recollection of his mother and that made him very sad and bitter. He also said that he wished he had been locked up like you were, that to him that would have been paradise because he wouldn't have had to deal with his abusive brothers."

Elsa was quite shocked by this and commented, "he can't be serious about that?"

"Oh, he is," replied Olaf, "he even started self-abusing himself by saying he was the most pathetic Prince in all the lands. He is dead set on getting some sort of revenge on his brothers though he did say that he thought he only had two friends in the world, some guy called Fritz and me."

"You!" spoke Elsa surprised.

"Well, yes, I suppose because I listened to him," he answered.

"Well, you are a good listener Olaf," smiled Elsa

"Thank you." Smiled Olaf back

"So how do you think we should play this tomorrow?" asked Elsa

"Very carefully, I don't think he's a bad person Elsa, but he is a person capable of doing bad things because he doesn't know any better. Maybe that's what we need to do, we need to show him better."

"That's easier said than done Olaf," responded Elsa, "remember he left Anna to die and tried to kill me, that's something you can't easily forgive."

"Well, you did throw Anna, Kristoff and I out of your Ice Palace," replied Olaf a little bluntly, "which wasn't nice, but we understood why and we forgave you because we were trying to show you something better."

Elsa looked at Olaf with understanding, loving eyes, "sometimes I wonder if I made you too smart."

Olaf blushed, "only as smart as you."

"Oh sometimes, I think you're smarter," said Elsa with love, "I'll bring it up with Anna in the morning."

"Thank you, but please be careful, even though I think there is some good in him," Olaf paused, "but he is also dangerous."

"I'll remember that, Olaf."

"Elsa?"

"Yes"

"Are you, my mother?" he asked with warm eyes.

Elsa had to think for a fraction of a second, "well, I suppose I am, I gave you life, I protected you at first with your flurry then with your permafrost and of course I do love you, and you do treat me like a mother."

"I do," said Olaf with a smile, "how do I do that."

"Well," began Elsa as she walked towards her wardrobe, "you give me warm hugs and do you remember this?"

Elsa pulled out the dark navy-blue outfit that she wore for the first Christmas celebrations the kingdom had after her coronation and the opening of the gates for everyone.

"Yes, yes I do, that was my first Christmas," responded Olaf

"That's correct," answered Elsa with a smile, "and like a loving son, when you heard Anna and I didn't have any Christmas traditions you went out of your way to try and find some for us."

"Yes, but if I remember, that turned into a bit of a disaster," he answered.

"Actually no," smiled Elsa as she touched his carrot nose, "because we found out that we did have a tradition, which was you and it begun a new tradition for the kingdom. Plus, when you got lost, we searched for you like you were a missing member of our family because you are part of our family."

Elsa then motioned Olaf to come to her for a warm hug which he did.

"Elsa," started Olaf.

"Yes Olaf."

"I can't imagine going through life without these, no wonder Hans is so bitter towards everyone and himself."

"I see your point Olaf," she answered as she released Olaf, "tomorrow, we'll see if we can do as you suggested and show Hans a better way, there must be something that can be done to change his heart."