29
"They have?" exclaimed a surprised Hans. "You're kidding aren't you Olaf?"
"No Prince Hans," replied Olaf cheerfully, "it was my idea and I convinced them to do so."
"Well," smiled Hans, "aren't you just the best little snowman friend a Prince could have, Thank you."
Olaf went a little coy and then replied, "it was nothing, I just reminded them that they needed to show you better, to treat you better than your brothers did. However, I am still angry at you for what you did to Anna and Elsa four years ago."
Hans sighed, "I know, I know, I have a lot of work to do in order to make up for that and I doubt there's enough I could ever do to do that."
"As long as you try Hans and don't attempt anything again to hurt or upset Anna and Elsa." Spoke a serious Olaf.
"I will do my best Olaf, as I have said, it is not my intention to hurt them this time." He replied trying to look as honest as he could.
"Okay,' replied Olaf looking satisfied with Hans's answer, "so what have you done so far today?"
"Well," began Hans happily, "I had a walk with Elsa, and we talked, I think we clarified our positions pretty well, though we are, I believe a long way off trust, well her trust of me."
"I think it's going to take your very best for a long time for Elsa to trust you Hans," replied Olaf seriously.
"I know, I know," Hans responded, "believe it or not, I wish things were different, and I don't mean my fantasy that she answered my letters and we were living happily ever after. No, just that there would have been no reason for what happened four years ago, that I was just there to be the Southern Isle's representative for her coronation and just went home."
"What about Anna?" asked Olaf curiously.
"Who knows," said Hans shrugging his shoulders, "I wouldn't have been seeking a relationship to prove something to my brothers. I wouldn't have deliberately bumped into her; we may have never had met officially. But, then again, maybe we would have met and we may have started a romantic relationship, but I would have never had proposed to her that night, that's if I would have ever proposed to her because it may not have developed into anything."
"it's funny how things happen," said Olaf, "I mean, if you and Anna hadn't upset Elsa where she exposed her powers, I probably wouldn't be alive."
Hans smiled at Olaf, he really did like him, "well at least some good came out of what I did little buddy."
"Yeah," smiled Olaf, "anyway, dinner is at seven, I'll see you there."
"Okay Olaf," smiled Hans back, "you enjoy your day now and thank you for getting me invited."
"You're welcome," answered Olaf as he left the room.
"You did what!" yelled Kristoff.
"We invited Hans to dinner tonight," replied a nervous Anna knowing she had upset her husband.
"Why?" came Kristoff, "why would you do that?"
"Because Olaf," she paused, biting her lip nervously, "because Olaf reminded us that we have to show him better, that if we show him some kindness, that may change his heart from revenge."
"Since when does Olaf make policy?" said Kristoff a little sarcastically.
"When he's right," responded a little annoyed Anna.
Kristoff looked at Anna and saw she was determined to do this and his expression changed from anger to acceptance.
"Yeah," he started, "that little snowman reminds us sometimes of what is right. Okay, but don't seat me to close to him because I could follow your example of four years ago."
Anna smiled, "You're a good husband and you will be sitting next to me, I'll let Olaf sit next to him at the other end of the table."
"What was Elsa's reaction to this?" he asked.
"Oh, she wasn't too thrilled either, and to be honest honey, I'm not either, but we have to do it, I can't afford him doing something that might bring this kingdom into disrepute. So far, all the other kingdoms support our stance with the Southern Isles and Wesselton. It would be a disaster if we did something that lost us that support."
"You really are a good Queen," responded Kristoff smiling, "not to mention a really good wife, you have such a knack for this diplomat stuff."
"Oh, I do have some great support," she said putting her arms around Kristoff, "you give me a lot of good down to earth advice honey and I love you for it."
"Do I now," he responded and then kissed her.
Just then Olaf walked in, saw Anna and Kristoff and just smiled, "are you guys making a first-born daughter?"
Anna and Kristoff immediately broke their embrace a little embarrassed and virtually simultaneously said "Olaf!"
"Sorry guys," he answered, "hey, I've just seen Hans and let him know about the invite, he's very touched by it I believe. Anna, you did well."
"Thank you, Olaf," she began, "hey, do you mind sitting next to him at dinner?"
"Don't mind at all," Olaf answered enthusiastically, "I seem to be getting on well with him, though I don't completely trust him."
"That's good Olaf," said Kristoff, "there's a lot there not to be trusted, though, as you said, maybe by showing him some kindness he might change his heart."
"Exactly," jumped in Olaf, "look how positive things helped you, Elsa and Anna."
Anna looked at him with warmth, "you're right, yes we still have some little disagreements, but we always work things out."
Anna paused and saw the positive looks from Kristoff and Olaf which just reminded her how lucky and happy she was and how good things had turned out for her.
"By the way General Mattias will be joining us for dinner too," she said, "and I'll tell Hans's guards that they can leave us with him during dinner. Maybe by making him a little more comfortable we might be able to open his emotions up a bit."
"I promise," started Kristoff holding up his right hand, "that I will be on my best behaviour, however, if he tries something, well that pledge goes out the window."
Anna giggled a bit, "that's if I don't beat you to it."
The day moved slowly at the Arendellian castle; Anna went about her duties. Elsa went outside and enjoyed the spring time air with Brunei and Gale. Olaf followed Kristoff and Sven as they did their rounds around the town meeting and greeting with the people.
Meanwhile Kai supervised the kitchen to make sure they made as good a meal as they could by spit roasting a generous portion of beef, made soup and chocolate plus a selection of vegetables to go with the meal. He also made sure that the finest mead and wine was available for the meal. He didn't really understand why they were making such a fuss about Prince Hans, but he trusted Queen Anna to do the right thing.
Her and Elsa had been fine Queens, steering Arendelle to the greatest prosperity it had ever known. They treated him and the other staff with dignity and respect never looking down on them. In many ways it was a very informal relationship with Anna insisting that they only use formal titles during official business with foreign dignitaries who visited Arendelle. It made working at the palace more like being part of the family than a job.
Kai treasured his time at the palace which began at the time King Agnarr turned eighteen and he watched him become a great king. He remembers his love for Queen Iduna and how they had been childhood sweethearts since he came back from that terrible day in the Enchanted Forest, though no one really knew where Queen Iduna originally came from as she just appeared in the local orphanage not long after the events of the Enchanted Forest.
One of Arendelle's oldest families adopted her soon after and she managed to meet Agnarr not long after she was adopted and they became very close from that moment, it was almost like they were destined to become a couple. Of course, with the return of Anna and Kristoff after their recent trip to the Forest, the truth about Queen Iduna was revealed and very much celebrated because it was her that saved Agnarr that day and won his heart as well.
He was also remembered when Elsa was born and how her powers manifested themselves early, but by the time she was three and when Anna was born, she had some control and understanding of them. Kai and a few of the senior staff knew about her powers and she used them only to amuse herself and Anna, though she was mischievous with them from time to time like how she would sneak into the kitchen and play havoc with the preparation of food, especially the soup.
She would also use them to speed up the making of her favourite food, chocolate ice cream. More than once her and Anna were caught with their faces covered in chocolate ice cream after Elsa had snap frozen the process of making it and then helping themselves to the finished product.
He smiled at the thought of that and continued supervising the preparations knowing that whenever they made a meal like this, Anna and Elsa always made sure there was enough for the staff to enjoy as well. In fact, it had been this way for all the years he had served here.
He looked up at the time and realised that it was getting close to dinner time and double and tripled check that everything was in order for the evening. Then, as per usual, Anna and Kristoff arrived well before everyone else. Anna was dressed casually, but wearing her crown, while Kristoff was wearing his semi formal suit, which was casual enough for him to be comfortable in.
"Queen Anna, Kristoff," greeted Kai while bowing, "everything is in order for tonight's dinner."
"Thank you, Kai," she answered, "would you like to join us for a quick drink before dinner?"
This had sort of become a tradition started by Elsa for the senior staff to enjoy a drink with them before the official guests arrived.
"Thank you you're Majesty," said a grateful Kai, "I think a little mead would be nice, Kristoff?"
"Thank you, Kai," replied Kristoff, "considering our guest, some mead would be helpful."
"Some wine for you queen Anna?" asked Kai holding up a bottle.
"Yes, thank you," responded Anna holding a wine glass.
About that time, Elsa entered the room. "Evening everyone, oh I see you have started; I think I might have a glass of wine as well."
They all enjoyed their drink with a bit of small talk seemingly avoiding the topic of Hans. Once Kai finished his mead, he excused himself and continued with his duties. As he was leaving General Mattias entered the dining room in his dress uniform and suddenly felt overdressed.
"Oh, so this was an informal dinner," he commented.
"Sorry General," apologised Anna, "I thought it would be more comfortable this way, but you do look handsome sir."
"Thank you, your Majesty," he smiled, "I see our guest of honour isn't here yet?"
"No," said Elsa, "but I'm sure he'll be along shortly, Olaf said he was quite excited and surprised by the invite. Which reminds me, where is Olaf?"
"Last I saw he was with Sven," spoke up Kristoff pouring himself another glass of mead, "I'm sure he'll be here soon. Something tells me we'll need him to help lighten the mood."
"You can say that again," commented Mattias as he helped himself to a glass of wine.
"Well," began Elsa with concern, "let's just hope this doesn't turn into a disaster, maybe we should talk about things other than Hans's past and why we brought him here."
"Agreed," responded Anna, "who knows, he might open up a bit to us if he's more relaxed, I know he's not happy about staying here."
Olaf than entered the dining room, "hey guys, sorry I'm late, oh" he stopped noticing that Hans wasn't there yet," I see Hans hasn't arrived yet."
"Well, it is only six forty-five," answered Anna, "we did say seven o'clock."
"Oh, I'm sure he will be down soon," started an optimistic Olaf, "I must admit though, at moments like this, I wish I could eat and drink like you guys."
"I'm sorry about that Olaf," smiled Elsa at him, "if I can ever figure that out for you, I will do it."
"I know you will Elsa," he answered, "but it is okay, I am very happy the way I am."
It was then that Hans entered the room, in full dress uniform as he thought it was formal, but when he saw the others, he actually smiled and was relieved it was informal.
"Good evening your Majesties," he said bowing to Anna and Elsa, "Kristoff, General Mattias and Olaf, well I see I'm overdressed like you General, but that's okay, I'm glad it is more informal."
The others sort of grinned, then Anna greeted him, "good evening Prince Hans."
"Before we start," began Hans, "may I first say thank you for inviting me, this appears to be so much better than sitting alone in my room."
"Thank Olaf," said Kristoff, "it was his idea."
"Yes, I know Kristoff," replied Hans, "and I did thank him before, but thank you all for taking up his suggestion, I know it would have been a difficult decision to make considering our history."
The others just nodded and before they replied Hans continued.
"If I may, I would like to make one request for this evening?"
"And what would that be Hans?" asked Anna.
"That we talk about anything else other than my memory," he replied, "or what we have been discussing for the last few days about why I did what I did four years ago."
"Actually," answered Anna with a smile, "we had that same thought."
Hans sighed and looked at the table, "I think I could use a glass of that mead as well."