Yes I just updated a few days ago and no I don't care haha. These next three chapters were technically supposed to be one, but obviously if I did that it would be so damn LONG. Thus I've split them up. So the next few chapters are already somewhat written and ready to go so don't be surprised if you see another chapter pop up soon.
I'm so excited for this chapter because I'm finally introducing one of my favorite OCs to write for! For my usual readers don't spoil the surprise!
On with the show.
Chapter 4: The champion's (part 1)
Ice glazed over the snow queen's knuckles as she balled them into fists. Sure fear made her powers wild, but anger made them dangerous. She had fought for so long to keep them in control, to keep them at bay, and in this instant she was ready and willing to forget all of that, especially when he meandered about the study as if he owned it. What was most frustrating was why he was here at all. Elsa was under the impression he would be in prison for his crimes in Arendelle for a long, long time. Perhaps laws were different? Perhaps one of his brothers commuted his sentence?
With the air tense and frosty, literally and figuratively, and the contempt clearly visible from the Arendellians, Dirgelaff asked. "Ah, I see you all have history. Please shed light on this mystery?"
Hans took a drink. "Correct. We have met before." He stalked closer to them, his eyes trained on Anna. "In fact the princess used to be my fiancé for a time."
Anna bared her teeth like a feral dog. "Yes, but attempting to kill me and my sister tends to dampen things."
He shrugged a shoulder, a grin still in place. "I guess, if we want to be technical, I wasn't the one that almost killed you." He finished his drink, moving the glass so that the ice clinked against it. "Isn't that right? Queen Elsa?"
Before she even had a chance to freeze him solid, Kristoff pushed passed them, knocking Hans back against the fireplace. He put his forearm into Hans's throat and began punching him in the jaw. He probably got one of two hits before chains crashed from the ceiling and wrapped around Kristoff's wrists and neck. They pulled him off of Hans and held him back with his arms raised high.
Elsa and Anna shrieked at the sudden commotion, and now that he was trapped they ran to his aid, but the chains wouldn't budge. Dirgelaff sauntered towards them, his pointer finger extended towards Kristoff and with each twist, the chains would tighten. All evidence of his excitable and joyous personality were now gone, replaced with hardened and callous expression.
"Now, I will not tolerate this one thing, violence outside my competitors ring." He twisted his fingers again, causing the chains to tighten further.
Anna clawed at the chains while Elsa pleaded with Dirgelaff. "Please, your excellency, let him go." She glared at Hans who was rubbing his jaw, but also pleased with himself. "Hans was goading us into being attacked."
Dirgelaff waited a moment, letting Kristoff choke on the chains a bit longer, before finally releasing him. He collapsed into Anna's arms, coughing and hacking to get oxygen back into his lungs. Dirgelaff straightened his robes and turned to Bernard.
"Take him down to the dungeons below, there he will spend one night. So come on lad, get up, let's go." Anna was about to argue with all the fiery rage the stereotype of her hair color would allow, but Elsa gave her a stern look that told her not to make matters any worse than they already were. "You remember this too my young prince," he turned to Hans, "no more goading or bullying this moment hence."
The two spoke to each other further as Bernard helped Kristoff to his feet. "Don't worry. This is a formality, just to be sure his rules are followed. You understand?"
"Yeah sure," Kristoff responded hoarsely.
Anna held onto his arm, as if willing him to stay with her, but Elsa put a hand on her shoulder and whispered. "Anna, go with him."
She whipped her head again, almost hitting her sister with her hair. "Wait what? You want me to leave you with—"
"—Anna, I'll be fine. Remember? My magic? Besides, he can't be violent, or he'll be thrown in the dungeons."
A mischievous smile came to Anna's lips. "In that case, let him make trouble so Kristoff and I can have some alone time with him." She attempted to crack her knuckles menacingly, but with the first pop of her finger she waved her hand with an "ow".
Elsa rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine, now go with Kristoff."
"Besides," Olaf took Elsa's hand, "I'm with her." He rearranged himself so that his bottom part was under his head, making it look like his chest was larger than it was, he also began to play with his face to try and make it seem as frightening as possible.
The sisters cringed, "Sorry Olaf, your still adorable." They gave him pats on the head, before Anna followed Kristoff and Bernard, but not before mouthing an "I love you", and "be safe" to Elsa. She mouthed the same words and before she knew it, she was alone with Olaf, Dirgelaff and Hans.
"Well that was some excitement I did not foresee," Dirgelaff pulled Elsa's attention to a serving tray at the other end of the study, "now would the queen care for a cup of tea?"
Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Hans, after refilling his drink, icing his jaw from the blow Kristoff dealt him. He deserves a promotion to ice master king, or something. She decided, instead of trading stares and malice with Hans, she would decide to be the bigger person.
She clasped her hands together and answered with a smile. "Tea would be lovely. Camomile?" Dirgelaff nodded, his radiant smile returning to his face, and motioned for her to sit on the couch. As friendly as he seemed, Elsa decided that she needed to be careful around him. She and Olaf took a seat on the large leather sofa beside the fireplace, as he went about making her tea. The serving tray was complete with a portable warmer and a variety of different teas, herbs and sweeteners, so everything could be done right there, were Elsa could watch him.
"Now seeing as you are the guest of the hour," once he had finished, he handed her a hot cup, "I would love to see a demonstration of your power."
She took the cup with a giggle. "You want an example of my power, look no further than Olaf here."
"That's right," Olaf bounced, "she made me all by herself."
Dirgelaff's eyes lit up. "Extraordinary!"
"Well that's not the limit of your power," Hans moved around the couch to take a seat beside Dirgelaff, "you left out the part about you plunging Arendelle into an eternal winter during the summer."
Elsa glared at him, her tea suddenly frosting over. Dirgelaff waved him off. "Oh pish tosh, those stories have traveled throughout the ocean blue," he leaned in closer to Elsa, "what I want to hear is about you."
She appeared taken aback. "About me?"
"Yes! Were you born with powers or blighted? Did you embrace them or was the idea of ice making you frightened? And why ice, that seems quite bizarre. Or is this just the limits you've noticed thus far?"
Elsa chuckled. "I suppose you would have a lot of questions I guess, and I have some for you, but if it's alright with you, I would like to retire for the evening once we're done visiting. We've had a long journey after all."
Dirgelaff nearly smacked his forehead. "Oh my, where is my head. Of course you've traveled far, you must be ready for bed."
Olaf let out a large yawn. "Yeah me too. Sleep sounds gooooood." And promptly fell onto Elsa's lap.
Besides Hans, they all shared a giggle when there came a knock at the door. "Enter!" Once the door opened, Elsa felt her heart skip a beat.
As she mentioned to Anna, she found men attractive, some more than others, and this man would definitely be in the "some" category. He was the very personification of "tall, dark and handsome", dressed in a complete black suit with high collared shirt and tailcoat, much like Hans. His face was covered with a light five o'clock shadow with black hair that was just the right amount of messy, and a small crook to his nose. His eyes were so brown they were almost black and slowly took in the room until they fell on Hans.
He appeared as if he had just emerged from the pages of a romance novel, where the helpless heroine would be swept away by the dark handsome stranger and into the night.
... not that Elsa ever indulged in such fantasies. No of course not.
He stood behind the couch, leaned forward to whisper into Hans's ear. Whatever he was saying, it brought a smile to the princes lips. Hans nodded in appreciation and waved the stranger away as if to excuse him.
Dirgelaff reached out to stop the dark stranger from leaving. "Oh come now prince Hans do not hesitate, I am curious in whom you affiliate."
Hans seemed reluctant, but the dark stranger moved passed him smiling a dazzling smile as he approached Dirgelaff. If Dirgelaff's smile could light up a barn, this man's smile could light up a castle.
He bowed low at the waist. "Your excellence, you may call me Landon." His voice was enough to make Elsa melt. He spoke with a smooth British accent that was like silk to her ears.
"Well you certainly seem lovely to meet, please introduce yourself to the queen on the other seat."
Her heart skipped again when Landon turned around to face her and flashed that smile. "Ah, I've heard tales of the infamous snow queen," they locked eyes, and for some reason Elsa couldn't look away, not even when he reached for her hand with his, "but what they didn't say," he brought her hand to his lips, "was that you are as beautiful as winter's first snow fall." And he placed a gentle kiss onto the back of her hand.
This had never happened to her before, Elsa was at a complete loss of words. Why couldn't she think of anything to say? Was her mouth hanging open? Did she brush her teeth? Focus!
Elsa tried to get her mouth to work, but instead found Hans scowling at the entire exchange. Breaking the eye contact finally gave her something to say, but it was with a smug teasing to her tone.
"Take notes Hans. Maybe you could learn something about how to charm a woman."
Hans appeared as if he would snort fire, Landon however seemed to enjoy the jab. "Oh behave."
"Landon!" Hans scolded, "you're dismissed."
Landon's smile twisted uncomfortably, his head tilting as if something was bothering him, an itch or annoyance. Besides Hans.
Landon stood up straight and growled between his teeth. "Of course. Your highness." But before he left he smiled back at Elsa. "I look forward to our meeting again."
Elsa watched him vanish out of the study, only more curious as to why someone who seemed to not like Hans was working for him.
"So what news did your associate tell? I'm sure Queen Elsa is curious as well?"
Hans chuckled. "Well if you must know. Mister Landon has found my champion."
Elsa's eyes went slightly wider. So he was there to compete. Dirgelaff's words from the arrow were now a warning. "A wish I'll grant." Instantly Elsa's mind went to the absolute worst scenario for her and her kingdom.
"Yes an eager warrior hailing originally from Bapharong, but now does freelance work."
"Splendid, excellent to hear, and what about you my queen? Did you bring a champion with you here?"
It was a pride issue now. There was no way Elsa was going to let Hans compete if she had anything to say about it. "Of course, and your looking at her." Dirgelaff appeared confused. "I, Queen Elsa, the snow queen of Arendelle, will be representing my kingdom in your competition."
The reaction wasn't anything she was expecting. Dirgelaff put a Hand over his mouth, appearing distressed and muttering something she couldn't hear, whereas Hans leaned back in his seat with a victorious grin.
"Oh dear, oh me. Oh dear, oh me. I'm sorry your majesty, but the champion cannot be royalty."
Her heart sank. "I'm sorry I don't understand."
He leaned forward onto his knees. "When you compete in my games, you must be level with the rest. You must prove yourself, not as a queen, but because you are the best. You would have an unfair advantage in these games, your powers aren't the issue, just the status you claim."
"Basically royalty can't compete, which means you and your sister are disqualified." Hans made sure to speak slowly as if he was addressing an infant, which only added to her anger pointed at him. "I wouldn't be too worried about it, I mean you have that mountain man with you." Elsa's teacup shattered from the ice she had covered it with. His condescending laughter made her to boil with an icy rage, causing her magic to reach over the room, creating a cold that would bite the skin.
"Now now there's no need to fret, you don't need a champion this very minute. Two days you have, to find the champion you need, once that is done then we will be able to proceed."
Elsa hurriedly got to her feet, throwing Olaf over her shoulder like he was a sack of flour. "Then I guess I'd better hurry."
—:0:—
Anna stuffed another piece of chocolate cake into her mouth, relishing the savory chocolate taste. "If this is the dungeon then I can't wait to see the actual rooms." True to their word, Kristoff would be comfortable for the evening, even going as far as to set up a table and bring dessert for he and Anna. Still neither of them were excited he would have to spend the night there.
Kristoff was barely listening, he was too preoccupied pacing the cell which was at least a comfortable space, and had been doing so for the last five minutes.
"Come on. One night in here won't be that bad."
"Oh it's worth it," he said as he rubbed his bruised knuckles, "finally got a chance to clock him, as I've wanted to for so long, but that's not what I'm worried about."
She swallowed, watching him intently. "What are you worried about? Hans?"
He shook his head. "Dirgelaff. Not only did he almost kill me, but, I just… I dunno this whole thing just stinks. Something's off."
"Yeah and it's name is Hans," she stabbed at the cake her fork scratching against the plate making an awful squeak. Probably imagining it was Hans's head she was stabbing.
Kristoff watched her curiously. He knew her moods well by this point, for example false angry, like whenever she lost a game and would pout for hours. Then there was real angry, like when she was mad at him for forgetting their six month anniversary. This kind of angry he saw rarely, but he still recognized it. Hurt angry.
He took a seat beside her on the small table. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
"We've already talked about it." Was her immediate response.
"Yeah, but that was back when we thought we'd never see him again." She stabbed into another piece of cake and was about to stuff it into her mouth until he grabbed her wrist. She sighed, Kristoff noticing a slight tremor of her bottom lip. "Anna I know—"
"—no, no you don't." She set her hand down, her watery eyes meeting his. "You don't know what it's like being alone for so long, thinking you've found love only for that love to shatter you and then try to kill you and your only family." She clapped her hand over her eyes. "I was so stupid."
He took her by both hands and guided her until she was facing him, but kept her eyes downcast. "Your right. I don't know what that's like, But I do know what it's like to have someone I cared about have their heart shattered, and then almost killed along with her only family." He used his index finger under her chin to guide her eyes back to his. "I almost lost you that day, and I can't imagine my life without you. So don't shut yourself off from me."
She laughed, whipping her eyes and nose. "Thanks. I needed that."
"What no matter what, I'm here for you. I won't let him hurt you again."
She laughed. "Well, there isn't much you can do about that being here." He rolled his eyes, but she continued. "If you think about it. It's kind of romantic. The hero imprisoned for defending his ladies honor." Her fingers gripped his tunic and pulled him close, her voice low and sultry. "And it's kinda hot."
His tone became playful. "Oh is that so? Well In that case." She squealed when he lifted her into his arms bridal style, and took her to the bed, The very comfortable bed for a prison, and began assaulting her lips with his own. She smiled into his kiss, as her fingers caressed his face and his hands traveled across her body.
"Hey! Are you guys having a sleepover!" Kristoff practically threw himself off of Anna, landing him with a thud onto the hard ground. Anna scrambled into a seated position, seeing Elsa and Olaf on the other side of the prison bars. "I wanna join!" Olaf tried to scamper into the cell, but Elsa held him in her arms and covered his eyes with her hands.
Being beat red, and mortified, she tried to explain. "Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt, um, anything."
Anna, although incredibly annoyed, waved her off with a heavy, unfulfilled sigh. "No, no, it's okay."
"Well—" She kicked Kristoff with her boot before getting to her feet.
"So How did it go?"
Elsa set Olaf down her proceeded to shuffle between the bars and into the cell. "We have a big problem. Hans is here to compete in Dirgelaff's competition."
Both of them now gave Elsa their full attention. "Well that confirms it!" Anna practically shouted, "now we have to compete. We can't give Hans the chance to win and get anything he wants. He could drawn Arendelle in the ocean if he wanted to! He could make us all mermaids or something! Actually that wouldn't be so bad—"
"—Anna," Elsa interrupted, "there's more. I can't be the champion for this competition. Royalty isn't allowed. It would be considered an unfair advantage."
Anna's jaw dropped. "But—but you woulda—that's not—what?!"
Kristoff got to his feet. "Well, I guess that means I'll have too."
"NO!" Both sisters shouted.
Kristoff held out his hands. "It's the only choice we have. I'm not royalty, so I have to do this. Besides why not me? You were fine when Elsa was going to do it."
"That's because Elsa has ice magic that would be able protect her," said Olaf, "you'd probably be dead as soon as you stepped onto one of those islands."
"Oh well gee thanks." He turned to the sisters. "You guys think I can do it, right?"
"Oh honey," Anna took cupped his face with her hands. "You can do anything you set your mind to. Just not this."
"But—"
"—you remember when you said you didn't know what you'd do without me? Well I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Besides," Elsa interjected, "Hans is using a warrior from some place called Bapharong. It sounds like a place that breeds killers and if any of the other competitors are anything like that, you'd surely be dead." Kristoff threw up his hands in defeat. "So now we need to find a champion in two days." Elsa continued. "Maybe Bjorn?"
"Why not do what Hans is doing?" The sisters looked at Kristoff confused. "You do know what he's doing right? You know what Bapharong is?" They exchanged puzzled looks. "Oh wow you don't!" He sat down in one of the chairs and threw his feet up on the table. He leaned back with his hands behind his head with a grin.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm soaking in this moment, where I know something you two don't."
"KRISTOFF!"
Anna kicked his feet off the table. "Okay, okay! Bapharong is one of the three Dragon Knight kingdoms."
Finally it began to click in the sisters minds. Anna raising a knowing brow to her sister. "And we just happen to know TWO dragon knights. Or is it technically one? One and a half?"
"Yes," Elsa clarified, "we know a dragon knight."
"Yay!" Olaf clapped, "who?!"
It helps to read "Hungry Moon" first, so if you haven't you need too to understand everything moving forward.
