Her head was covered with shame. She sat next to the priest. She would confess her sins. They were eating her alive. How she had let things get so far... And do nothing about it whatsoever.
"It's not my fault... I didn't know what to do... I was Bewitched..."
You could hear faint whispers of a woman crying in the church. The walls bounced her confessions. The very priest who blessed her marriage nodded and listened.
She was crying now, he would be the only one outside of her trustees to know.
"What can I do father?" She asked between sobbs.
The man stared blankly into the empty church. "My queen..."
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It had been three years already that queen Elsa had banished Hans from Arendelle. Three years that she had denied her daughter and the child's right to a mother. He had not re-married, he could not forget her, the church in between, he would not ever.
Gretel was a fine child. She was thin and lively. She knew of her mother but she was not told why they were away from her, and she was eager as ever to one day meet her.
Her powers had grown as she had, naturally. With the help of her grandmother she would go into hiding them when anyone was around. She did not fear her powers. She didn't need to, on the contrary when she was scared she could not use them. They would not come to her. She was a beautiful little one, happy and healthy just like any other child. Naturally gifted with the charm her mother and father were gifted with.
She had been moved to a bedroom of her own, she would soon turn 4, and her grandmother decided that it was time for her to start sleeping sepreatly from her father. She would soon become a young lady.
She was in training to be a princess. Queen History would not take a no for an answer. Even though she was just a young child, queen History knew she understood things perfectly she was clever and quick to learn. She was just that. A perfect princess, and if anyone tried to tell her otherwise she would defend her. Hans was a proud father, though his brothers comments of his "royal seed" being have waisted on peasant blood did not go past him. He would be angry at times, but for the convince and safety of Elsa he would not retort.
Hans, on the other hand, still missed Elsa. His daughter was a daily reminder of her. Queen History however, had lost all respect for the queen of Arendelle. She did not know how a mother could deny her own family, and not even secretly ever send a letter to see how they were. She would constantly stop her son from trying to go on after her. Reminding him that it was not just him who could travel the seas to see her. If she cared for them then she would come after them.
It wasn't until one day they received a letter addressed to Hans himself that chaos errupted through his heart once more over the queen. He made sure to not tell his mother, after all he was married to the queen and did not need to report anything his wife sent him to his mother.
It read about her devistating situation, and even if her kingdom was prosperous she missed them dearly. She would go see them and she would not take no for an answer she would say. She wanted to meet her daughter and see what could be done to be together once more.
Soon Hans and Elsa wrote to each other in secret. He addressed his letters being from his brother, and she addressed her letters to him as Frederick the gaurd that had become his friend.
The year passed and she had not gone to see them yet but she promised that soon enough they would see one another. She spoke to him about her constant marriage proposal and how she refused each and every one of them. She spoke about leaving the throne to travel the seas with him, but he always advised against that.
It wasn't until later in the year that the king and queen of the Southern Isles were invited to the princesses Anniversary ball. There was nothing that could stop Prince Hans from going to see her now. He did not care that the alliance between the two nation's were at stake.
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"You will not go Hans, I don't care that you want Gretel to meet her." Queen History reasoned with her son in a harsh whisper, "you will face penalties the moment you set foot on that ground, gaurds will be ready to take you away."
Hans shook his head, "mother I don't plan to get taken to prison." He smirked suddenly, "I plan to see my wife."
There was defiance in his eyes, that defiance that reminded her of her late father, she knew that somehow if she denied he would still manage a way to set foot on Arendellian soil.
"Father will not come, it will be a true feast mother. Only Heaven, his family, and us three as Royal members of the Southern Isles in the vessel, once we arrive I will depart and soon after I will return to the ship. Maybe I will stay in Arendelle, but that's until the queen aknowledges me as her husband. I promise this will be the last time mother."
Her eyes were serious towards the prince. "What good will it be... You will still find a way to come along with us... Without my constant stopping you, you would have years ago chased after Queen Elsa."
There was a smile once more much to the Queen's annoyance. "Last intent mother."
"Let this be the last chance you ever give the queen to repent about her decision, Hans." She held a finger to his face, but the prince was as calm as he could ever be. "Have some dignity."
He nodded his head and turned to the door to walk on out and see his daughter.
"I do not agree to this Hans."
The prince nodded his head with a twinkle in his eyes. "When do we leave mother?"
The queen closed her eyes and lifted her chin slightly, making sure he knew that he was dealing with the queen. "In one week."
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"Really, papa?" She looked at her father with big blue eyes, her little face brightened with a smile. "I'm going to see her, my mother!?"
"Yes you are." He smiled fondly at her.
"I have a present for you too."
"A gift!?" She furrowed her little brows together and looked to him. "What is it papa?"
Hans knocked three times on the door and a maid walked in with a blue dress.
"I want you to be on your best behavior when you see her." He smiled kindly.
She suddenly saddened. "What if she doesn't like me?"
"She will Gretel." He kneeled in front of his daughter and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Will we finally stay in Arendelle with Elsa?"
"Maybe." He didn't know if his plan would work.
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Elsa held on to her head, the pounding headache she had did not do her any favors. Especially when she could see the vessel of the Southern Isles being so close to dock.
He had informed her that he would be coming. And her stomach churned at the very thought of anyone seeing him. They had talked about a change and now that reality was taking place she did not want it, she did not fear the reaction of the council... But she worried about what her sister would think of her, the very person she loved above anything else. Everything had gone smooth up until this moment. Everyone had forgotten about the incident of Berry Van Buren, and no one ever spoke about the subject. Not even Anna. So it was frightening for Elsa to bring him back, and as no other than Prince Hans.
There was a bottle of you liquor on her desktop table for show, she was not one to drink but it was indeed tempting to be drunken now.
It wasn't that she didn't want him back, it was the contrary, she loved him so, the years only helped her confirm that.. It had been too long. She did want to see him, she wanted to hold him, kiss him... And meet her little princess above all.
She smiled suddenly at the thought of finally seeing her. After such a long time of only reading descriptions of her from Hans. She imagined her as Anna was as a child, bubbly and fun.
There was a knock at the door from Kai. He let himself inside the office and along with him was his trusted man, Matthew.
"Queen Elsa?" He stood at the entrance of the door and Matthew was behind him inclining his own head in the presence of the queen.
"Yes, Kai, Mathew, good afternoon." She looked at him hopeful.
"We're ready, the carriage is waiting for you. They will dock in approximately 20 minutes."
She nodded and walked out with both men behind her. She would be there to formally greet her guests. She did not know what would be of Hans. He gave her no instructions. Did he just plan to set foot on Arendelle? To get taken away to prison? She would stop them. This time she had to... For Gretel.
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The ride to the docks was awfully quiet, the queen was lost in thought and Kai was nervous himself.
Matthew casually guided the horse and it's carriagr. He greeted the people with a big perfect smile. He was a peoples man with charisma.
They reached the port and the big ship was as close as it could be, soon it would dock and important Southern Islers would unboard the ship. They would be formally greeted, by Elsa... And much to her worry, be welcomed officially by non other than Anna and Kristoff.
There was other important kingdoms already in Arendelle, Prince Eugene and Princess Repunzel from Corona.
Prince Eric and princess Ariel along with their daughter, Princess Melody; from Jutland.
King Fergus and his wife Elinor, along with their daughter Princess Merida, and their three prince's; From Scotland.
Prince Adam and Princess Belle from France.
Prince Charming and Princess Cinderella, from Clovis.
Even The Sultan from Agrabah, Prince Aladdin and his wife princess Jasmine.
Princess Elena and her younger sister Isabel from Avalor.
Even the Duke of Burgess had returned, prince Jack Frost only this time he accompanied by Duchess Isla from Italy.
All which which were hosted by Arendelles castle.
So many guests had already arrived and more were expected to celebrate along with the prince and princess of Arendelle.
Elsa thought she would throw up when she saw that the very first Southern Isles royal gaurds began their way through the creaky wood of the docks.
She was formally greeted by the men and they bowed low, one introduced Prince Heaven and his wife with his child, and when they were greeted by Elsa, he spoke again. "King Hansel and Queen History of the Southern Isles."
There was a look of worry in Elsa's face, but when she say that Hans was not announced nor her daughter she relaxed. If he was there though...
She formally greeted the king, but the queen on the other hand nodded her head and quickly and viciously looked away from her. And that stung Elsa's heart. It meant Hans had told her everything.
"Queen History, it is very nice to see you." She quickly tried to get the older queens atenttion, but the woman would only look to her with raised brows. "I am sure queen Elsa it is a pleasure."
King Hansel looked to his wife and quickly made to tighten his grip on her arm, he slowly began to walk with her, holding a smile to the queen. "Excuse us my queen, the voyage was a rough one."
Elsa nodded her head but kept her eyes on the vessel, hoping that he would come down just as the rest of his family had.
"Were you expecting someone else, queen Elsa?" The older queen bitterly asked. "Because if you believed that I would risk my son and my GRANDDAUGHTER in these lands, then you are going to be surprised."
King Hansel pulled on her arm very roughly and without looking towards Elsa he began walking away.
So there was nothing to have been nervous about. She released a sigh, so Hans had not come in the end. Maybe it would have been for the best.
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"Are you sure prince Hans?" The royal gaurd assigned for the smaller ship carrying the prince and his daughter looked to him. "Because we have enough resources for one entire month."
Hans took in a deep breath, the moon shined brightly and he knew that it had to be this way, if he wanted to not risk his daughter.
"Yes I'm sure Gus." He took the wheel of the ship and gently and professionally guided it away from the docks. He would enter Arendelle illegally, but safely.
"It will be two more hours, not that we've changed course. If you wish to rest then do it now. Because it will be your job to take care of this ship until my father leaves the country."
Gus sighed and began out towards his bunk. He would rest then, he had a full month to tend to the ship anyways.
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Hans stepped on Arendellian soil, and just as he had predicted, as dangerous as the waters seemed, nothing had happened. These parts of Arendelle were in true explored less. There was no gaurds in these docks, yet the castle was nearby. He looked around cautiously either way. Just because this part of town was forgotten it did not mean they did not gaurd them.
He quickly returned inside the ship and went on to grab his horse that and clothes for him and his daughter. He was testing his luck now.
Once the horse was readied and his clothes were packed he went on to his daughters bunk and gently shook the girl to wake. "Gretel," he smiled as the little girl opened one eye and then closed it again.
"Go away papa."
"Gretle, we're here."
She quickly and without warning sat straight up from her sleeping position on the bed. "We're in Arendelle papa?" She pushed the sheets to the side running past her father and quickly made her way to the door.
Hans sighed tiredly, as much as he lovesd her, he could not keep up with her energy sometimes. What did one compare the stilth of a 5 year old with a 27 year old.
Nonetheless he began out towards his daughter her boots in his hands. "Gretel... Put on your shoes." He handed the small girl her shoes and went one to grab their hoods.
"We have to go. Be quiet and no using your frost."
The girl visibly saddened at the idea of not using her powers but she went along to ride the horse with her father. "I have not seen her yet papa, but I think she will be real pretty!"
"Hush child."
Gus nodded his head towards the prince and as soon as the royal steed reached the docks he pulled the anchor of the ship, beginning it's journey back to the calm waters of Arendelle. Where he would wait for the royal vessel to depart from Arendelle. He had the hardest task. If any Arendellian ship neared him and asked him what he was doing he would have no idea what to answer to protect the prince.
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Anna smiled at the king, queen, prince, and wife. "Please, come!" She walked them through the long corridors of the castle and properly lead each couple into a bedroom. "We will have breakfast in the morning, as for now, we have served dinner in each room. Welcome to Arendelle, excuse me."
She smiled softly and walked away to her husband who was away at the far corner of the hallway.
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"Mama?" The young prince called out towards his mother, his long blonde hair getting in his eyes. There was so many people in the castle, all in the rooms he would usually be forbidden to play in. He could not find the queen nor his mother anywhere. Much less his father.
"Mama?" He called out once more but there was no reply. He did not want to go to bed yet. His papa had not even told him an ice harvesting story for bed. How could he fall asleep?"
Gerda huffed out a slightly frustrated sigh and went on to grab at the young princes hand. It was the third time she had explained to him that his parents were to formally welcome the guests. "Prince Agnaar, please come to bed. Princess Anna will come see you as soon as she can. She has guests to welcome."
"I never told her to invite so many people. She forgets about me when people are around."
Gerda closed her eyes and smiled. "No young prince, it's not that. You'll understand when you're older." With a pout on his lip he nodded. "I don't want to be king..." He was genuinely worried about it.
A laugh errupted from Gerdas lips and she shook her head. "There is no choice prince Agnaar."
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"Papa?" Gretel settled down in the small hut her father had made and just under his arm she lay.
"Yes, Gretel?"
There was a pause before she went on. Her eyes glued to the sky and her body under the big quilt her father had brought along. Indeed Arendelle was colder than back home.
"You think I will be queen of Arendelle one day?"
Hans almost choked at the question she threw at him. "Gretel..." His eyes locked on hers. "I can't promise you what will happen here... I can't promise you we will see Elsa... I can't promise you you will be queen..." She began to nod. "I know papa." Her eyes were suddenly closed.
"What I can promise is that I will always love you, and so long as I live I will not let anyone hurt you." Not even Elsa...
There was a smile on her face, even if her eyes were still closed.
"Goodnight papa..." She grabbed his hand and placed three kisses on it.
"Goodnight Gretel." He replied with a kiss on her small shoulder.
"I love you Papa."
He was sitlent for a moment, making her think that he had fallen asleep already.
"I love you more."
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