Chapter 12:
Princess On The Run
The Southern Isles
King Soren was furious. That in itself was an understatement. He paced back in froth in front of the fireplace with his hand firmly crossed behind his back as he muttered every curse word imaginable under his breath.
Hanna had been sitting in the middle of the couch with all her brothers looking over her, awkwardly staring at her as if they were expecting her to give an explanation, as if only she knew why the queen of Arendelle wrote to her in the first place.
Which she did know.
"Requests. She requests my daughter?? Pah. I'm king of the Southern Isles, I decide who goes, not some young girl who wears the crown of Arendelle on her head. Who does she think she is?? Agnar would be ashamed to have such a disrespectful daughter like her!" He murmured repeatedly.
"I agree with you, your majesty. It must be the queen of Arendelle doesn't know her place. Surely this is due to the fact that she's young and inexperienced, even to suggest someone as young as Hanna to represent our kingdom." Said Caleb pridefully and arrogantly as he stood up to his feet.
Hanna snickered and rolled her eyes with boredom. "Young yet wise brother. Don't forget that part."
The king stopped dead in his tracks as he turned his gaze to his daughter. His eyes firm and serious, his anger rising inside him.
"Hanna." He finally said after a while. He walked forward towards her, his heavy boots echoing the room as their brothers stood up from the couch and backed away one by one, giving their father space. "How long have you been speaking with Queen Anna."
Hanna furrowed her brows. Her posture firm yet unimpressed with her arms crossed in front of her. "Speaking with the Queen of Arendelle?? Never! I haven't spoken to her once! This is literally the first time I received a letter from them."
Much like Hans, Hanna was also a fantastic theater performer when she needed to be.
"Don't believe her, father. Hanna is a gifted liar. Once she convinced her childhood friend, Águeda, that I was born with three belly buttons." Said William the eight oldest.
"Okay first of all your belly button could look like it has three heads, let's not leave that out there." Retaliated Hanna as she urned around to face her brother.
"It's a genetic problem!" Exclaimed William
"And secondly I lied to her for the sake of her accepting a night with you in your quarters. God knows she would have been just another victim of your promised love, and to wake up next to you the morning after is already traumatizing as it is." She added.
"Okay, enough." Snapped Soren before turning his attention towards his daughter again. Not giving William a chance to retaliate or even think of anything to say. "Hanna, I need you to be sincere with me--"
"And I am." Groaned Hanna as she rose to her feet. "Look it's obvious Queen Anna is telling the truth. Even our own council has been telling us that winter would be brutal this year."
"So why would she write to you." Retaliated Caleb with his arms crossed in front of him as his brothers came and stood behind him.
"Uhh, hello. Weren't you paying attention!?" She exclaimed with the letter high on her hand." The queen doesn't trust any male in the Westergaard family. It's obvious she reached out to me because she feels it's the only person she could entrust such a pleade with."
"She could have written to me." Retaliated king Soren.
"Yes, she could have. But she didn't." Said Hanna walking towards her father. "But father this is great news, we have reason to celebrate! Arendelle wants to establish trade with the Southern isles again. That means you'd have another kingdom at your dispense in case of an attack."
Soren breathed in heavily.
"And let's not forget that we could use Arendelle's ice harvesting business all year long. Even doofus here can agree with that."'said Hanna singling out her oldest brother who only scoffed.
"What I don't agree with is sending you. It's obvious that you are the wrong person to do negotiations with." Said Caleb.
"That's not up to you now is it, Caleb?" Retaliated Hanna with her eyebrow raised in sass.
"You're right. It's not up to Caleb. But it's also not up to you either, Hanna." Said Soren stepping forward once more. His gaze serious as always. "I shall send a representative of our kingdom to Arendelle, but it won't be you."
Hanna eyes widened. That's exactly what she didn't want to hear. "What, why!?" She exclaimed.
"You have no business at all being in Arendelle. And I will not permit that my only daughter sails there by herself." He added.
"Who said I was going by myself? I was thinking about taking Cassandra and some of my shield maidens anyways!" Retaliated the hot headed princess.
"Hah! You were going to take your ridiculous band of girl warriors over our guards?? Please, don't be pathetic." Said Caleb with an exaggerated eye roll as his brothers joined in laughter with him.
Hanna's glare grew angrily before she suddenly found the nearest object she could grab, and in this case it was an apple that was inside a fruit basket.
She then hauled it towards Caleb so fiercely that the average person would confuse the swing coming from a man, but at last, it was Hanna.
The apple splattered into pieces, even knocking the wind out of Caleb as it collided his chest and sent him falling backwards. Had it not been for his brothers behind him he would have hit the floor.
"Ah! Are you insane!?" He exclaimed furiously.
"ENOUGH! All of you!" Shouted King Soren as he stormed forward, getting in between his daughter and her glaring brothers. "You're all acting like children."
"She started it father--"
"I don't want to hear it, Caleb!" Retaliated the king before turning to Hanna. "And as for you, you are not to reply to the Queen whatsoever."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Time out. She wrote to me, remember? And she's requesting my presence in her castle father! ME!" She exclaimed louder as she pointed to her chest. Her body language as dangerous as that of a man.
"I don't care what the Queen of Arendelle wants. If she wants to become trading partners again that's fine, but I will not let my only daughter travel to Arendelle just cause she deems it worthy in her own delusion brain." Said Soren angrily as he turned away.
"But Father if you just listen--"
"I am the king!" Exclaimed Soren loudly as he turned around to look at Hanna with his deadly yet angry glare. "And as king I have the last say! ME!"
Even she had to admit that she was taken back by how loud her father had gotten. The large king was as stressed and as serious as ever. She hadn't seen him this upset since Hans returned from Arendelle.
"And it's time you start learning your place, Hanna..." he added grudgingly.
Hanna held in her tongue and said nothing. Only breathing in heavily as she stared into her fathers eyes with disappointment not once blinking or turning away.
He then turned to walk away as all her brothers soon thereafter followed their father and did likewise. Not before Caleb gave Hanna one final glare before storming off the room.
She let out a strong and stressful exhale, now that she was finally alone. She looked out towards the sky just out the large window. It was full of stars tonight and the clouds seemed to be gone. She stared out as disappointment still lingered in her chest.
She tried to be reasonable. She tried explaining the benefits in this trip but as always her father only listened to his own voice, or Caleb's. And for that she hated him.
But she knew what she had to do. She knew that her fathers reaction would be inevitable, despite how horribly he reacted to it. And so Hanna had a plan, as always. And a plan that none do her brothers or her father will be prepared for.
"All right then, father." Said Hanna lifting her chin up and her brows furrowed with purpose as the crackling fire grew louder. "Then you leave me no choice."
Northuldra
He was still hurting and that was no surprise to him as he finished putting his dark tunic over his bandaged and bruised body while holding back his grunts as to not wake anyone up.
The sun wasn't even up yet. He could assume it was probably around four in the morning by the way the cool and light air lingered in the nights fog.
Norway had lighter fogs compared to the heavy ones Denmark usually had. He wasn't complaining, it was easier to breathe through especially when going on a early jog.
He finished strapping on his dark boots and then rose to his feet, ready to meet up with the rest of the league. Not before taking his ancestral battle axe and then his grandfathers dagger. Light but dangerous weapons nonetheless.
He strapped the axe on his belt and the dagger behind his waist. He then turned to put on the large hooded coat over him. He looked the same as he did when he encountered Elsa the first time.
When he stepped out of Elsa's hut he found Tadashi and the rest of the men stretching out their legs, arms and back, just about fifteen feet away from the camp.
"There you are." Said Alexi rising to his feet. "We were thinking you'd never show up."
"Well, I'm here." Replied Hans without emotion as he approached the men. They all walked towards Hans, nodding their heads hello to him. All except Tadashi that is, who continued to sit criss crossed on top of the Boulder, his eyes remaining closed as he continued to meditate deeply, with his hands encircled into one.
If there was anyone out of all of them who was a true ninja by heart, it was him. Both in spirit and attitude. He descended from ninjas after all.
His eyes slowly opened, immediately falling upon Hans. "It's about time." He said rising to his feet and jumping off the boulder.
"You said early in the morning, you didn't say a time." Retaliated Hans as he started stretching out his own legs. "Regardless, I'm here aren't I?"
"For now." Replied Tadashi darkly before turning around towards the empty but large forest in front of him. "If we're going to train you then it'll be the same way we were trained as young shadow assassins."
"I figured." Sighed Hans popping his neck before making his way next to Tadashi. "So where are we running to then?"
"I don't know, you know this forest better than I do." He replied emotionless.
"Well, there's the old cave where I used to hide and live in thats just through the forest and up those Rocky Mountains." Said Hans pointing outwards into the darkness.
"What's the distance?" Asked Mohammed coming from behind with the rest of the men.
"About six miles walking distance. But four if you're sprinting." Replied Hans.
"That'll do then. Lead the way, and as for the rest of you, you know the rules." Said Tadashi turning to the rest of the men who were lining up next to them and getting in position, ready to sprint off. "You either keep up, or you are left behind. There's no mercy here."
Hans smirked and shook his head as he positioned himself. "Just like old times."
"Go!" Exclaimed Tadashi as he and Hans sprinted forward, leading the way as if they were two fast wolves in the wild.
The Southern Isles
"Yah!" Exclaimed Hanna loudly as she raised her shield above her head, blocking the blades impact from meeting her face before proceeding to counter several fast attacks from three swords, all at the same time.
Three of her young shield maidens had been training with her as they went against her in combat. It was three against one but Hanna always loved the challenge.
One of the shield maidens was fast, moving her blade in perfect rhythm, but Hanna was faster as she quickly saw an opening and kicked the young women's stomach roughly, sending her sliding backwards.
She was a natural born fighter. She moved elegantly with her sword and was more flexible than any women in the Southern Isles. She also possessed the strength equal to her older brothers, so she always had the upper advantage when going against other women. Cassandra, who was watching with the rest of the large group of shield maidens, gave her somewhat of a challenge at times at least.
One of the remaining two shield maidens came quickly charging towards her from behind, hoping she would be able to knock Hanna from her feet without her knowing. But Hanna quickly raised her shield next to her face and blocked the other shield, making a loud clanging noise that rang through everyone's ears.
Hanna was so strong that she didn't even budge. Her nose flared in concentration and with deadly brows she pushed her shield forward, sending the other young woman flying to the grass. Then with her right hand still holding unto her sword, she blocked another surprisingly strong sword coming down to her side by the remaining shield maiden, the largest out of all of them who stood at a whopping six foot two, she was the same height as her own twin brother, Hans.
Granted Hanna was five foot ten, she knew she was tall, but she'd never met anyone as tall as her, not a women at least.
The large women yelled with pride as she started driving her sword with as much power as she could. She was strong, Hanna had to admit that. Her height and build gave her a lot of advantage.
The blades connected loudly, the ringing even reaching the guards nearby. The large shield maiden went for a quick side stab but Hanna being the flexible person that she was, arched her back backwards and the sword missed her stomach, even passing through the bridge of her nose.
Hanna quickly straightened herself again and blocked another large strike that was coming down to her head. With the blades now connected towards each other, Hanna quickly lifted up her heel and kicked the sword out of the women's hands.
The sword flew in the air and stabbed the soft dirt in front of the large and shocked shield maiden and there stood Hanna victorious. Her sword in her right hand pointed to the young women's throat and two of her other shield maidens on the floor, holding their bruised ribs and armsas they looked up at their mistress.
The rest of the young shield maidens who were watching with Cassandra were in awe at Hanna's performance as they clapped and talked with one another about her greatness.
Hanna slowly lowered her weapon and stood back as the two other women rose to their feet again. By the way they were standing it was obvious they were going to feel it in the morning.
"Great job, ladies." Said Hanna retreating her sword in her side again. "You did a lot better in keeping up with me this week. But there is still room for improvement."
She looked at each of them, one by one and started naming attributes she liked while at the same time giving them suggestions to improve on.
"Lagertha, I really admire the speed you displayed with your shield and sword, you were able to keep up with me which is something not many people can do. Just work on your footing and make sure you're feet are always planted to the ground."
"Thank you, Princess Hanna." Bowed Lagertha thankfully as she moved her braided blonde ends away from her sweaty face.
"Torvi." Said Hanna turning to the other blonde shield maiden. "You're getting better every week. I'm glad that you are tackling your insecurity. If you keep doing that you'll be able to get just enough confidence to knock me off my feet."
"Yes, Princess Hanna." Bowed Torvi respectfully.
"And Gunnhild." Smiled Hanna looking up at the tall and mighty brunette. "You're strength is unlike any other I've seen before. You had me there for a moment, I must admit. Just work on your speed and you'll be beating me in no time."
"Thank you, Princess Hanna. You're words mean a lot." Bowed Gunnhild.
"All right, get back to your training." Smiled Hanna at all of them before turning around.
"Yes, Princess Hanna." The lionesses said in union again as they turned around and ran back to the other large group of shield maidens who began to do drills with one another.
Hanna walked past Cassandra who still had her arms crossed over her as she watched the rest of the shield maidens train. Cassandra could tell something was bothering Hanna today, she was serious, she wasn't smirking like usual and her smiles were very forced. In fact she was behaving exactly like a Westergaard. Too exact for her likening.
"Keep that shield above your waist, ladies!" Shouted Cassandra to the women as she walked towards Hanna. "So ... you're quieter than usual." She said joining Hanna's side who had begun unstrapping her the buttons of her tunic.
"It's an unusual day I suppose." She replied while removing her shield maidens cloth from her body, only wearing simple leggings and a sleeveless tunic with her strong, olive and defined arms flashing the cool Scandinavian breeze.
The princess of the Southern Isles was unlike any other princess.
"So I assume everything went perfectly well with daddy then, right?" Smirked Cassandra.
Hanna reached for her head and began to take out the beads and pins from her hair, letting her auburn and Viking inspired braids fall next to her face, one by one.
Hanna rolled her eyes and sighed. "You would assume a stubborn king would be okay with negotiating with a potential new ally but noooo. He had to be a Westergaard of course."
"So he didn't appreciate Queen Anna requesting the lovely princess of the Southern Isles then? Gee, I didn't see that coming." Replied Cassandra sarcastically with a smirk.
"He doesn't want me to be the one making negotiations with Arendelle, even though the queen herself requested me!" Exclaimed Hanna frustratedly as she struggled to undo the final braids form her hair.
"Honestly should you be surprised though, it is your dad after all." Sighed Cassandra as she moved behind Hanna to retrieve and unbraid the rest of the braids from her head.
"No, I know, trust me. I had a feeling he would do this." Sighed Hanna as she crossed her arms in front of her. She was silent for a moment as if she was examining her answer for a while. The Southern he finally muttered the words. "That is why I have to escape the Isles..."
Cassandra immediately seized the second she heard Hanna slip those words from her mouth. Silence hung in the air, all except the sounds of blades and shields clashing together from the rest of the shield maidens.
"You're serious aren't you?" Said Cassandra moving in front of Hanna. Her brows arched in worry. "You're actually going to escape?? Hanna--"
"I have no choice, Cass. You know how my father is, he won't let me step a foot outside of the Isles. That's why I need to leave. And I need to leave soon." Replied Hanna just as serious.
"Okay... but how in the hell are you going to escape your own kingdom? You're the princess, not some commoner. The second you go missing from the castle for more than fifteen minutes there will be a literal search party after you throughout all of Denmark.
I should know, okay? Corona would go insane whenever Rapunzel set a foot outside the castle and believe me her dad was not as bad as yours. We're talking about The Southern Isles, easily the most powerful militia in all of Scandinavia with Soren Westergaard as their king." Declared Cassandra.
"Why are you so worried? I'll figure it out. Besides, I was the one that helped Hans escape, don't you remember that? That was all me." She retaliated.
"Yes of course but this is you we're talking about, Hanna. You're a princess and you tell me I shouldn't be worried? You are the most valuable piece of asset to your dad--"
"Cass." Said Hanna cutting her off again, this time reaching for her shoulders and staring directly at Cassandra's serious yet worried eyes. "Are you with me or not?"
Cassandra sighed and rolled her eyes her lips pressed together. "What a stupid question. You know I'm with you, always." She replied.
"Good. Then do exactly as I say and wait for my instructions." Replied Hanna just as serious as before she started walking towards the castle. Not at all caring that she was flashing her bare arms and stomach.
Cassandra shook her head in unbelief before she followed with a deep and stressful sigh. "And what exactly are your instructions anyways?" She called out.
"You'll find out soon. Until then, be prepared." Shouted Hanna before she crossed the guards who bowed to her before she made herself into the castle.
Arendelle
"Well, what do you think?? I think we may have a winner here." Asked Elsa as she appeared from the out of the changing screen for what seemed like the billionth time. She had been trying on many dresses for Anna's wedding. All types of different designs and colors. She had basically been giving her sister a whole show all morning.
"Mmm, I-I don't know..." Said Anna after a while as she inspected the dress on Elsa's skin. Gently feeling the pearls and designs of the carefully knitted dress while rubbing her chin as if she was their father. "I feel like the auburn doesn't go with my theme of the wedding."
Elsa sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. She knew her little sister would be a control freak when it came to her wedding. The girl had been planning her wedding since the first time she saw a boy. But she never would've expected her to be this picky. "It's the darkest color I have! Any darker and I'd have to go attend a funeral."
"I'm sorry it's just that you stick out like a sore thumb when you wear light and snowy colors!" Retaliated Anna.
"Why? Because of my pale skin??" Replied Elsa sarcastically.
"Annnddd you're platinum blonde head! Just... not a good combination for my wedding. All eyes would be on you. More than they usually are." Explained Anna stressfully.
"And that's a bad thing?" Smirked Elsa at Anna with a devilish wink.
"It is when you're trying to marry the man of your dreams!" Yelled Anna. "Any other day you can dress up like the goddess you are, but it's--"
"It's my wedding, trust me, I know I know." Replied Elsa with a friendly eye roll as she turned back to the changing screen. "What about kristoff? Did he find a suit worthy to match mother's wedding dress?"
"Don't even get me started on him." Said Anna rolling her eyes and reaching for the bridge of her nose. "This morning we had a fight because he tried arguing with me, insisting that he should wear some part of his furry ice harvesting clothing to the wedding. Can you believe that!? What's next?? Is he going to insist Sven marries us off instead of the bishop of the church!?"
Elsa chuckled as she started stripping off the beautiful dress and hanging up on top of the screen before hoping to a new one. "Seems like that wasn't the only thing you two were arguing about."
Anna sighed. "No it's not... He's still upset about the Southern Isles alliance treaty and meeting with Princess Hanna. God saying that name gives me chills..." she responded with furrowed brows.
"Can you blame him?" You already know Kristoff loves you dearly, having a family member of a ex fiancé who tried to murder you would bring anyone discomfort. Let alone his own twin." Said Elsa as she started tying the new dress tightly.
"I know it does, believe me. But he needs to learn to trust me. He can't keep acting like this, especially in front of all the council. I'm doing this for our kingdom. Do I want to meet his sister? Hell no! But I'm doing it for our people." Argued Anna as she sat down on Elsa's bed.
"And that's the right kind of mentality to have." Said Elsa stepping out of the changing screen as she extended her arms out gracefully and proudly like she was in her ice castle from the north mountain again with her hips popping side to side. "Well, how about now?"
She was wearing a beautiful cyan dress with pure white sparkles running down her sleeves, snowflake patterns leading up to her neck while her family crest shined beautifully in front of her.
"Oh, Elsa! That's perfect!" Exclaimed Anna happily as she rose to her feet and taking Elsa's hands in hers.
"You like it?" Smiled Elsa confidently as she twirled in a circle elegantly. "I added a touch of my magic too. I know you said that you would prefer I didn't but--"
"No, no! It's perfect, Elsa! Don't ever listen to me again, this will go perfectly with my wedding dress." Gleamed Anna excitingly. "Oh! Which reminds me, i have to remind Gerda that mothers veil may need some few stitches to patch the holes."
"Already ahead of you, your majesty." Came the sudden voice from the head maid servant who popped her head in the door with the beautiful veil in her hand.
"Gerda! You are a miracle worker!" Exclaimed Anna happily as she ran up to Gerda and smacked her with a big giant kiss on the cheek before gently took the veil into her hands.
"Seriously, Gerda, you're the best." Smiled Elsa as she walked forward as well.
"Oh it's nothing, your majesty. I'm just as excited for this wedding than you are. Perhaps I'm more excited that I get to see this beautiful wedding dress at full display again." Smiled Gerda as she gestured to the neatly hanged wedding dress that was hanging on the closets door.
"Last time you saw it in full display was at our parents wedding, wasn't it?" Smiled Elsa with bitter sweetness.
"Oh yes, that day your mother looked like an angel descended from heaven. Your father couldn't keep his eyes off her, even the bishop had to remind him to repeat his vows because he was lost in your mothers eyes."
Anna and Elsa giggled together, there smiles just as bright and wide when they were little children.
Anna's eyes slowly drifted back to sadness as her smile slowly faded she turned to the portrait that hung just a few feet from Elsa's bed where their father stood tall and proud like the king he was and their smiling and beautiful mother next to him.
Elsa smiling softly with her gentle eyes and Anna sitting on top of a little bunker where she was looking up at her older sister like she always did her whole life.
Anna remembers that day like it was yesterday. The artist had to redo the painting more than five times because Anna couldn't stay still, being the energetic child that she was. At the end though, her father insisted the one of her looking up at Elsa was good enough.
"I wish they could be here to witness this. Especially mother." Muttered Anna softly wither brows arched in sadness. Even Elsa pressed her lips together from the sad memory..
"Oh she'll be there, darling. Believe me she'll be there." Smiled Gerda lovingly as she gently held Anna's arms. "Iduna lives in you."
Anna and Elsa looked up, meeting Gerda's gentle smile. "She lives in both of you. And when everyone sees you walking down the aisle, I guarantee everyone will see Iduna again."
The sisters were smiling brightly once again, Anna's eyes slowly watering up before she quickly blinked them away. "Thank you, Gerda. That means a lot."
Gerda curtsied respectfully. "Is there any other way I may be or service, your majesty?"
"Actually, there is one thing." Said Anna turning around back to face Gerda as did Elsa, wondering what her sister was going to say. "Can you send General Mattias into my office? I need to speak to him about an important manner."
"Of course, your majesty." Curtsied Gerda before turning to the door and leaving the sisters to themselves.
"Is everything all right, Anna? Do you need General Mattias for something??" Asked Elsa as she approached her with curios brows.
"I was just thinking that if Princess Hanna and the Southern Isles are going to be entering our waters, then I want our militia to be prepared at all times." Said Anna crossing her arms below her chest as her serious expression returned.
Elsa pressed her lips together. She was somewhat surprised by how Anna was tackling the whole situation head on.
"And I'm going to need someone I can trust." She added.
Northuldra
The men dashed through the forest and up to the mountains with such speed that it's as if they were a pack of wolves, hunting for their next prey.
The trees and bushes swifting right pass them like the speed of light, and barely any exhales or tired breaths from the individuals.
Hans and Tadashi had been running neck in neck, trying to outrun the other as they led the group in front. They had always been competitive with one another.
Regardless of his injuries, Tadashi had to admit that he was taken back by the inner strength and speed of Hans. He was able to push through the pain, almost as if he was feeding of it.
They finally reached the top of the giant four peaks Hans had mentioned to Tadashi. They started slowing down their pace, each of them adjusting back to normal speed after running for an hour straight uphill.
In the moment they were fine, but after finally slowing down, their bodies caught up to them as the exhaustion took over them. Some of them spitting on the floor while other fell to the ground to catch their breaths.
"You have five minutes to drink your fluids and rest. After that we immediately begin working on the core." Announced Tadashi as he walked towards the giant waterfall before taking out his own canteen and filling it up with the pure and clean water, while trying to catch his own breath at the same time.
The rest of the men did the same, even Hans as he walked forward with his hands on his head, trying to control his breathing and his heart pace.
He splashed his face with the waterfall, taking smalls sips and even wetting his long hair, combing it backwards with his hands.
He looked out towards the grand view in front of him where he could see the whole forest. It's been almost two weeks since he had been up here, he had to admit the he had missed the view.
"Hey, Hans. That wasn't so bad for someone who took a beating from us." Chuckled Isla as they watched Hans finish wetting his long auburn hair in the waterfall.
"Yeah, in fact I think you've gotten faster." Ahmad with a spit.
"You can thank the navy for that. They practically had us run circles around the castle every morning." Said Hans as he squeezed the remaining water out from his hair with his bear hands.
"You've definitely gotten faster, that's for sure." Said Tadashi rising to his feet, his eyes of determination fixed on Hans. "But now it's time to see how much stronger you've gotten."
Hans inhaled deeply before taking one final and long drink from the cool waterfall. He knew what was coming next.
"You all know the drill, strip and line up together!" Exclaimed Tadashi as he turned towards the nearest tree behind him.
Each of them did as they were told, stripping themselves from their jackets and dark tunics, even Hans started doing the same. With rolled eyes of course.
His defined yet bandaged body shined under the rising sun as he struggled taking off the final part of the neck collar, his left shoulder still wasn't able to move a perfect degree angle and his ribs were still sensitive from the sharpness of Tadshi's sword.
Tadashi watched as Hans grunted and clenched his teeth before finally removing it away from his body. He turned and joined the rest of his group with an already stripped and strong Tadahsi standing before them, shirtless and with a large wooden rod on his hand that he broke off the tree. His muscles were more defined than any other man.
"Get in your positions!" Exclaimed Tadashi as each of the men did what they were told, each of them fell to the ground and positioned themselves on their backs, even Hans who bit his bottom lip and carefully laid flat on the leaves.
Tadashi with the rod in his hand, walked towards his men and Hans, watching them in seriousness as he started to walk around them in circles, it was clear he was preparing his own inner strength.
"Ready formation for crunches." Exclaimed Tadashi again as Hans, Alexi and even the rest of the men put their knees together and raised them up, ready for the one of the many crunches they were going to do.
But Hans knew very well this wasn't any other crunches, he could tell what they were really going to do, because he too did this as an admiral.
Tadashi walked in front of them with the rod wrapped tightly around his hand. "In three... two..." Tadashi announced the countdown before reaching Hans and staring at his determined stare. "Are you sure about this?" Whispered Tadashi with serious brows.
"Shut up and hurry up." Retaliated Hans with his fiery attitude.
"One! Sit up!" Exclaimed Tadashi, and not even half a second later all five of them, including Hans, sat up and did they first crunch, holding their core tightly.
And then Tadashi picked up the rod towards his height and with single blows began to smack the men's stomachs with the rod before reaching Hans.
Smack!
Hans grunted and clenched his teeth harder, the stinging of the wooden rod echoing through his abdominals and his bruised areas.
But he didn't fall back, instead he remained in that position, waiting for the second crunch to be announced. All while Tadashi stared, taken back by Hans's tolerance for pain.
"Second sit up, go!" Exclaimed Tadahsi as the men in union fell back to the ground and quickly rose their heads again before getting smacked by the wooden rod in their stomach once more.
All while Hans fed of the pain and was ready for the next thirty.
Smack!
The Southern Isles
Knock-Knock
"Come in, Kristina." Exclaimed Hanna as she finished stuffing her second pair of nightgown into the luggage. She had been packing ever since ending her conversation with Cassandra.
She had gone directly to her room, skipped her shower and begun separating dresses, shoes, towels, anything necessary for staying a month or two in Arendelle.
She had even sent Kristina to go to the nearest market and fetch for more shampoo and conditioner. As well as oils and essentials, everything that the princess of the Southern Isles used on a daily basis.
Kristina quickly entered the room with a large box of products, each wrapped in carefulness and flowers. Hanna could tell that the people in the market had packed a lot more than she had expected or even requested.
When the Southern Isles princess wanted something, her people were sure to give it to her, even extra at times. They loved Hanna.
"I.. brought the t-things you requested your highness--" The large and heavy box was slipping through Kristina's tender and small hands. Her eyes widened with fear but Hanna was quick to retrieve the box from her arms. Hanna carried the heavy box as her trained and toned arms grabbed it with ease.
"Oh... thank you your highness." Said Kristina sitting up straight and massaging her lower back, red in the face and completely out of breath.
Hanna sat the large box down on her bed and quickly began to scan the each of the shampoos and essentials, making sure everything was there. "Perfect. We have everything."
"Anything else you might need, Princess Hanna?" Asked Kristina politely as always.
"Yes, I actually will need you to head downstairs and pack A LOT of my favorite snacks into three bags." Replied Hanna as she quickly started packing the essentials, shampoos and oils into another briefcase.
Kristina agreed and bowed respectfully before turning to the door. But she quickly furrowed her brows and turned to Hanna once more. "Umm, your highness, if I may ask..."
"Ask away." Replied Hanna as she kept her head down and focused on separating each item with its correct form.
"What exactly are you packing for anyways, my lady?" She asked.
The auburn haired princess stopped immediately when she heard the obvious words anyone would ask at seeing the amount of items and clothes in her bed. What sane person wouldn't ask that? She was just hoping she wouldn't.
But it was in that moment Hanna realized that she needed Kristina. She is the only capable person worth trusting and that could help her.
"Kristina, you have to swear me that you won't say a word." She said slowly approaching her.
Kristina's eyes widened. "I-I don't like where this is going--"
"Swear to me, Kristina." Demanded Hanna a little more sternly now.
Her lady in waiting took a giant gulp before nodding her head. "Okay."
Hanna took a deep breath of her own before looking at her again and answering. "I'm going to be sailing to Arendelle to negotiate trade with Queen Anna, per her request."
Kristina's eyes widened. The look do fear spreading across her face in only a matter of seconds. "Your highness--"
"Annnddd you will not say a word, Kristina, you know why? Because you're going to help me escape." Added Hanna.
"Oh, your highness. I can't be trusted with this! With all due respect your father--"
"I know what my father said!" Exclaimed Hanna suddenly, the frustration obviously ringing in her voice before she sighed and held the bridge of her nose. She walked up to Kristina and gently grabbed her shoulders. "That's why you won't say anything to him."
"No... no I can't, my lady. I can't betray the king!" Said the terrified young girl.
"So will you betray me then?" Said Hanna removing her hands from her shoulders and stepping backwards now. Her eyes fixed on her with seriousness.
"I.. I don't know." Said Kristina crossing her arms rubbing her forehead nervously. "I don't ever want to betray you, your highness but--"
"But what?"
Knock-knock
"Hanna?" The young servant gasped with fear at hearing the deep and familiar authoritative tone. "Hanna, are you in there?"
"It's him! It's the king!" Whispered Kristina fearfully as Hanna grabbed her shoulders again.
"Just calm down, relax." Hissed Hanna.
"Is someone in there with you?" Asked her father.
"Uhh, just Kristina, father. She's just helping... prepare my bath. She'll get the door." Said Hanna before turning to a fearful Kristina again. "Just relax and go get the door."
Silence lingered in tha air as her father continued to knock the door. The king was about to knock on the door again before Kristina opened it and stood before him. Her expression filled with fear as Hanna stood behind her.
"Your Majesty, I apologize for the wait. I was just leaving to uhh..." she quickly glanced back to Hanna who have her a look before turning back to the king again. "To put up princess Hanna's dresses to dry. Please excuse me."
She quickly curtsied and without a second thought she walked past the king, his hands on his back as he turned to see the timid maid servant dash across the hall.
He turned his curiosity back towards his daughter who still stood in the same spot with her hands folded in front of her, waiting for her father to speak. She wasn't going to be the first one.
"Is she okay?" Asked Soren.
"Can I help you with something, father? Asked Hanna, completely ignoring her fathers concern he had raised. It was clear Hanna wasn't pleased in seeing him.
He cleared his and wrapped his hands behind his back once more. "I was wondering if I may request an audience with my daughter?"
Hanna furrowed her brows and raised one up mysteriously and with seriousness. Did she just hear what she thought he just said? "The last time you've been to my room was when mother died."
He pressed his lips together and breathed from his nose heavily. A small glimpse of sadness running through his face before he looked up at her again with his seriousness. "May I come in."
It was more of a demand than a question at this point. "Sure." Said Hanna turning around as she continued separating the clothes with the correct tone of color.
"You must be packing to run away." Said Soren with his hand behind his back still as he inspected the large amount of clothes spread throughout her whole bed.
"Unfortunately not." Said Hanna with an obvious lie and sarcasm, all at the same time. "I'm just... organizing my room. It's how I get my mind off things.
"You're still upset at me." Replied Soren.
"Gee, you think?" Replied Hanna sarcastically with her back still faced to her father as she finished adjusting the final dresses into the pile.
Soren sighed deeply before adjusting his posture again. "I want you to know, Hanna that I don't regret my decision."
She immediately seized and the bones in her body became as stiff as hardwood. Her eyes disappointed and angry all at the same time. She couldn't even look at him right now.
"What the Queen of Arendelle requests of our kingdom is a slap to my legacy. The legacy of the Southern Isles. And believe it or not, even you." He said poetically as Hanna stood still, still refusing to turn and meet his eyes.
"But not to worry, we shall make amends with Arendelle and we shall become trading partners once again. In fact I'm thinking of sending three of your brothers to meet with her instead. We must show Arendelle that we are the ones who call the shots, not them."
He nodded respectfully, almost as if he was excusing himself. He was about to step out the door until Hanna spoke up.
"Mother would disagree." She said bitterly as she returned to the packing of her luggage, the anger descending from her skin like smoke from a fire.
Soren said nothing for a few seconds as he quickly finished healing the sting in his ego from Hanna's reply.
"Your mother would want you to be safe at all times, your mother would want you to fulfill your duties as princess." He fired back with his serious tone.
"And yet you prevent me from going to Arendelle, giving me no choice to fulfill my duties, even when the queen herself requests my presence." She replied darkly and arrogantly with her back still faced to him. Even scoffing at his comment.
"Arendelle is not your business, Hanna. Neither is it your duty. And quiet frankly, it shall never be your duty." He replied just as darkly.
Hanna said nothing, she had no reason to, she was going to Arendelle with or without his permission. Her mind was made up.
"One day you'll thank me." He added before stepping out of her room and closing the door behind him loudly with nothing else to say, leaving Hanna staring at the window in front of her as the cool winds blew threw her kingdom.
This was her duty, and she knew it.
"No, father. I don't think I will."
Arendelle
"So far we have all nine kingdoms of Norway coming to the wedding. I plan on inviting our neighboring Swedes whom we still have an alliance with in their kingdoms, the smaller kingdoms of Iceland and Corona of course. Our cousin, Rapunzel, was practically begging to be a bridesmaid along with you." Said Anna as she wrote all the kingdoms in her large notebook.
Elsa was sitting on top of the Annas large study desk, the one that used to be hers and their fathers prior to that as she gently dangled her feet in the air.
"Will there be enough space for our people in Northuldra?" Asked Elsa.
"There should be. I plan on having the backside of the castles garden open anyways. Just to give people more room to walk around and take a breather if necessary." Replied Anna as she leaned back on the large chair and crossed her arms.
Knock-knock
"Come in." Said Anna lifting her chin just loud enough for the other side if the door to hear.
The door slowly opened and Gerda stepped forward, curtsying at the two sisters as always. "Your majesties, I have brought General Mattias, as you requested."
Gerda stepped aside and in came the gentle yet firm man, their fathers former amd personal guard. The former Lieutenant and newly appointed General of the Arendellian army. He stepped forward with his hands behind his back and a small smile teasing the end of his lips. Polite as always.
"Thank you, Gerda, that'll be all." Said Anna as she sat forward while Elsa rose to her feet.
Gerda curtsied once more before turning to the doors and leaving the queens of Arendelle alone with the general.
"Your Majesties." Said Mattias as he bowed deeply, his hands behind him respectfully.
"Hello, general, thank you for sparing a moment of your time. I apologize for the sudden intrusion." Said Anna laying her hands on top of the desk and crossing them together.
"No apologizes needed, your majesties. I was just around the neighborhood anyways." Replied Mattias with a wink.
Anna chuckled while Elsa smiled. "Well I'm glad you came because I favor to ask of you."
"Anything, your majesty." Replied Mattias stepping forward.
Anna sighed and began to explain. "Well, as you are aware, Arendelle's trading business hasn't been the same ever since we departed from two of our greatest alliances."
"Yes, of course. Due to the actions of that viscous prince." Replied Mattias.
"Then you're also aware that this winter will be a fatal blow to our people." Said Elsa.
"I am aware.." Sighed Mattias with head hung low. "In fact, there's talk that many of our farmers are planning to migrate and move to the northern parts of Norway."
"What?" Asked Anna with widened eyes. The news hitting her with obvious shock.
"Some say they want to move to Sweden. They feel their priorities aren't being attended." Added Mattias.
"B-but we are we're... Elsa?" Said Anna turning towards her sister. The fear and shame lingering in her turquoise eyes.
"It's just talk, Anna. Nothing to worry about, okay?" Said Elsa walking towards Anna.
"But they feel I'm not attending to their problems. Insomuch they want to move away? What do they even believe I'm doing here, sitting back and enjoying them suffer??" Replied Anna a little louder as she threw her arms up in frustration.
Mattias pressed his lips awkwardly. Perhaps he shouldn't have said anything.
"Anna, there will always be talk about you. Same as their was with me as queen, even still to this day. It comes with the crown you wear. But you shouldn't worry, you're actions will speak greater than their words." Explained Elsa firmly but calmly.
"Okay, you're right." Said Anna shaking her head and taking one deep breath before turning towards Mattias again. "General, I'm going to need you're men to strengthen their defenses across all of Arendelle. Including the smaller towns and cities."
"All of Arendelle? Are we expecting an attack, your majesty??" Asked Mattias with furrowed brows.
"Not an attack, general. Nothing of that sorts but... we do have an old trading partner visiting our kingdom in a few days." Replied Anna.
"The Southern Isles to be more exact." Added Elsa.
His eyes widened, not in so much surprise that he would make it obvious, but anyone could see the concern in his eyes.
"Your majesties... but I thought--"
"Things changed, general. And right now our people need all the help we can get. We have invited princess Hanna, the youngest and only daughter of King Soren to stay with us in the castle and negotiate a deal for both of our kingdoms."
"And are you're majesties sure she won't be planning to deceive or perhaps take over Arendelle?" Asked Mattias with his concerned face still.
Anna said nothing but only breathed in heavily. She didn't know what to respond with, so instead Elsa spoke. "I know she won't."
Mattias nodded his head and adjusted his posture. "Then I shall go and prepare my men for the princesses arrival. And I'll be sure to put my men on patrol, day and night throughout the kingdom, even the neighborhoods."
"There is one more thing, general." Said Anna rising to her feet.
"Yes, your majesty?" Replied Mattias.
"We will need someone to be present with Princess Hanna at all times. Someone that'll be able to keep her safe if she chooses to travel round out our kingdom. But also someone you can trust that is able to retrieve any strange behavior or unusual activity coming from her or her party." Added Anna.
"I see... someone who is able to keep his ear to the ground then." Said Mattias.
"Precisely. Someone that will be reporting to Queen Anna at all times." Added Elsa.
Mattias hummed for a few seconds before smirking gently again. "I think I may have just the right man for the job, your majesties. In fact he's actually just standing outside, waiting for me to finish my meeting with both of you."
"Please bring him in if you could." Smiled Elsa as Mattias bowed and quickly stepped outside. There was small chatter outside the door and whitin a few seconds Mattias stepped back inside, and this time accompanied by young and handsome man who seemed to be around the age range as Elsa and Anna.
"You're majesties, you remember my nephew, Damien? Said Mattias gesturing towards the young solider.
"Of course! We hired him the beginning of this year, how are you Damien?" Asked Anna.
"I am doing well, your majesties. Thank you for asking." Said Damien as he bowed deeply. His skin was light, not as dark as Mattias but you could see the resemblance in their faces. His eyes were blue; and they stuck out like a sore but beautiful thumb. Tall and slender and his hair curly, only not as curly as Mattias.
"General Mattias tells us you are the man right for the job we want to assign." Smiled Elsa.
"I only wish to serve Arendelle the best way I can, Your majesties. Regardless of the duty." He replied.
"That's what I like to hear!" Exclaimed Anna happily. "We have an important job for you, Damien."
"Anything, your majesty." He replied with a gentle smile.
"You see we have the princess from the kingdom of the Southern Isles coming to Arendelle in a few days."
"The princess of the Southern Isles, your majesty?" He asked with raised brows.
"Yes, we're trying to establish a new trading partner for this upcoming winter. The Southern Isles is the only capable kingdom we can negotiate with. So we decided to invite princess Hanna here in order to negotiate with us and hopefully make peace." Explained Elsa.
"She'll be our welcomed guest, and we'll need you to serve and be at her side as much as you can, make sure she's safe at all times, especially if she chooses to walk around our kingdom. At the same time, we need you to be attentive of any strange or unusual activity coming from her and her camp." Added Anna.
"You want me to be her personal guard and spy, your majesty?" Asked Damien.
"Only temporarily, at least till she returns to the Southern Isles. Can you do that for us, Damien?" Added Elsa.
"I will do everything I can to make sure the princess is welcomed. And I shall keep my ear to the ground at all times, in case the princess is planning something." Replied Damien with a deep bow.
"Good." Smiled Anna as she and Elsa looked at each other, small smiles appearing in their lips. Everything seemed to be going according to plan.
Northuldra
It was their third day of training and everyday was a different body part they would train on. Different stretches and even different drills of fighting.
Today for example, they each had a grappling contest to see who is able to escape Alexi's firm and powerful grips as it slowly crushed the ribs. Hans barely managed to escape, he swore if he hadn't he probably would have died that same hour.
Of course they would always end the trainings with abdominal strikes. Hits as If Tadashi would strike them with the rod harder and harder each day.
They ran back down to the camp where everyone was still sound asleep and the sun was barely starting to rise.
That was always the plan, to make sure Hans was able to sneak them out and bring them back without anyone knowing at all, or even suspecting of their departure.
They separated and went their different ways while Hans snuck quietly through the sleeping camp and quickly entered Elsa's hut and where he closed the flap behind him and fell to floor face first and groaned out loud like a little child.
His legs felt like jelly and his every part of muscles were aching like they were on fire. He rolled to his back while still groaning as he pulled up his tunic over his body and stripped it off. His whole stomach was covered in deep and red rod marks from the blows he took to his abdomen.
Even his ribs were deeply marked by Alex's brutal strength.
"Ughhh." He groaned again and dropped his head to floor, closing his eyes as the unbearable soreness overtook his body.
"Well good morning to you too." Came the sudden voice.
Hans eyes shot wide as he quickly rose to his feet and turned to the direction of the voice. There on Elsa's bed was Honeymaren, sitting upright with her legs crossed together and one hand sustaining her balance behind her.
Her face was blank, no expression whatsoever. But her eyes were as demanding as ever, she was staring at him with no amusement.
"How the hell did you get in here!?" Exclaimed Hans. "Everyone's supposed to be asleep."
"You're right. But I figured something was off the day you and Tadashi spoke. So my gut told me I should wait it out and see what you do and how many times you're going out. It was only a matter of time until I found out what kind of schedule you were running in." She eyes his tones but bruised body up and down blankly. "And my gut was right."
"How long have you been waiting." He demanded.
"Since the time you left." She replied dryly, still holding her gaze to his.
"And let me guess, you want me to tell you what I've been up to." He replied darkly.
"Well, given you're sore and bruised body on top with the exhaustion coming out of your mouth, I figure there's only two logical explanations. One, you're having intense love making with your boyfriends--"
"That's not--"
"Orrrrr, you're training for something." Hans quickly closed his mouth as the intense and awkward tension floated in the air. "I think I'm going to lean with the second accusation, since it seems you've gotten as quiet as a guilty child."
"And what if I don't say anything at all." He retaliated.
She stood up to her feet and walked towards him, her stare still focused on his as she studied his emerald eyes carefully, looking for any tick to catch his lying. "Fine, you don't have to say anything." She said turning to leave.
Hans brows furrowed. Did he just hear that correctly? "Whoa whoa, hold on. Just like that, you don't care at all anymore??"
She didn't even turn around, she just continued her way towards the closed fap of the hut. "I'm going to find out eventually, Hans. If not me then it'll be Elsa who does when she returns. Or do you forget she's the fifth spirit of this forest already?" She said before turning to leave.
She was just about to step out before Hans rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. "Wait." He called out.
She froze and turned her head back to him. He was staring alright at her. "Fine, I'll tell you."
The Southern Isles
Today was the day. Saturday morning. The day Hanna and the rest of her chosen crew would escape the Southern Isles. At last the day had come.
Late in the night Cassandra climbed up the castle and snuck into Hanna's room with the great news that she was able to bribe a small crew of The Southern Isles sailors that would be willing to sail one of the many kingdoms finest naval ships to Arendelle in secrecy and with no one in the kingdom knowing. Not even the admiral.
Cassandra made sure that they swear on their lives that they tell no one, not even their commanding officers. She even had them swear that they would heed to Hanna's every order. Of course it was a lot easier for them to agree to the terms once Cassandra showed them the large bag of money Hanna had entrusted her with.
She had to admit that she had nerves running through her body. She'd never in her life had left her country before. She's never even been to any of her neighboring Scandinavian kingdoms.
Except the Northern Isles, the kingdom of Jutland, the Faroe Islands and the borders of Sweden. Even if that counted at all.
Nevertheless, there were no doubts crossing her mind. She knew that she was in the right, and more importantly she knew that her mother would have approved of it too.
She was calm yet reserved, waiting for the final knock from Kristina to inform her that her family was waiting for her at the dinner table. All her weapons had been stuffed in a special luggage that Cassandra had taken back with her last night.
Her mother always said that her weapons would never betray her and they would always be her best friends in every circumstance.
She stared deeply into her reflection, her emerald eyes popping out like minerals from the outer cosmos. She breathed in deeply. She was her mother. She could clearly see her own mother staring right back at her.
She had taken so much from her, not just physically, but also spiritually. She was her mothers daughter, and her mother was living in spirit through her. She was strong like her, courageous like her, adventurous like her and even beautiful like her.
There were however few personality traits that she could so clearly see in herself that she retrieved from her father. For one, his hands. She and Hans always possessed her father's strong yet warm hands. Even her feet were her fathers, of course nothing close to a size twelve and thirteen like what he, Hans and the rest of her brothers wore.
Instead there were ten inches, which was still rather large for a woman if she was being honest with herself.
And although Hanna possessed her mothers sass, she also has her father temper and his unpredictable instincts, something she was very well known for doing. Such as today, where she was going to be fleeing the Southern Isles despite her fathers orders.
She took in a deep breath as she adjusted her simple dress. From the outside it looked as if the princess was wearing a simple dress, but in reality, she was wearing her shield maidens gear underneath, even her boots were strapped on and ready to go.
Knock-knock
Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly turned to the door. It opened and in came Kristina with her nerves running down her spine. "Y-your highness--"
"Kristina. Shut the door." Demanded Hanna quickly. Kristina swallowed nervously as she quickly did what she was told before hugging her arms again.
"Well, have you made a decision yet?" Asked Hanna as she stepped forward.
"No... no I-I haven't--"
"Kristina!"
"I'm sorry, your highness! But this is very nerve wrecking for me. You're asking me to lie to the king!" She hissed nervously.
"Yes, I am. But I'm asking you to do it for me, Kristina. Please, I need you to cover for me and give me just enough time so we can depart from the ship.
"But the king could find out and--"
"He won't, Kristina. Not unless you give us five minutes to distract him. Can you do that?" Said Hanna.
Kristina's eyes grew wider and more frightened as did her breathing. "I... I--"
Knock knock
"Hanna?" Kristina gasped as both women quickly tuned to the door where the deep and echoing voice came from.
"That's father." Swallowed Hanna before turning to Kristina again. "It's now or never, Kristina. What will it be?"
Kristina's heart ran faster. The poor girl was turning pale in the face.
She quickly adjusted her nerves and flattened her dress before walking to the door. She glanced at Hanna one last time as the princess stared at her in return, eagerly waiting for her final decision.
With one final deep breath she grabbed the door knob and flew the door open where the king was standing over her, his hand extended and ready to knock for a third time.
"Ah, Kristina." Said Soren retrieving his hand before folding both of them behind him. "I'm looking for Hanna, is she there?"
"Hanna is umm..." she turned behind her where hanna stood in a posture that was ready to run regardless. "...Hanna is just about done cleaning herself up, your majesty. I'm making sure she's presentable for dinner."
Hanna's eyes widened as she quickly adjusted her back again, she was in complete shock, Kristina actually did it, she lied for her.
"Really, is that so?" Asked Soren with his eyebrow raised in surprise himself.
"Uh, y-yes, father. I'm just... trying to adjust the corset on my--"
"Okay, all right, I've heard enough. You're brothers and I shall wait for you at the dinner table." Said Soren quickly before taking his leave as his large boots echoed down the large hall.
Kristina turned to a surprised and speechless Hanna. She had to blink couple times to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
Before she could even open her mouth, Kristina quickly took her leave and headed down the hall.
Several moments of silence passed by until Hanna realized that she wasn't moving. She quickly shook her head and ran to the window where she flew it open.
Then she quickly reached down under her bed and pulled out several sheets of beds she had tied together as a rope. It was as long as Rapunzels hair.
She thrusted the sheets down the window until it dangled a couple feet from the ground. Then she quickly jumped over the window and immediately started climbing down with such ease and power.
There were two guards patrolling from her side of the window. She had no time to wait and instead kept climbing down and much to her surprise the guards couldn't seem to spot the princess at all.
She was about ten feet away to the floor when she let go of the sheets and dived to the ground, landing gracefully on her feet before she stood up and started making her way through the large crowd of people, trying everything she could to get the docks as fast as she could.
Cassandra was already waiting there, anxiously pacing back and forth because they had the instructions to not depart without Hanna's signal.
Her luggage and the countless others were already on board, as were the rest of the ten shield maidens Cassandra had personally picked for the voyage, along with the sailors who would be assisting the seas.
The remaining ten other shield maidens were commanded to stay and look over the castle, make sure they follow the script when the king finds out about Hanna's disappearance.
"What's taking her so long?" Asked Lagertha, one of the many shield maidens on board who were ready to leave just as anyone else was.
"Perhaps she's changed her mind." Said Gunnhild, the tallest one out of all of them. "This voyage is a dangerous one. Especially when the king finds out--"
"He's not going to find out." Bit out Cassandra as she turned around staring at all of her fellow sisters on board. Her eyes frustrated and impatient.
"But why is she not here--"
"Princess Hanna has never let anyone down. Are we going to act as if she'll do so now?" Hissed Cassandra more angrily this time. None of the lionesses said a word, they all looked at each other nervously and ashamed as they let Cassandra's words pierce and humble their hearts.
Cassandra turned around again and returned to her pacing, still as anxious as ever and she could clearly see several citizens murmuring with one another at the strange woman on board the large naval ship.
"Come on, Hanna. You need to hurry..." whispered Cassandra under her breath.
"What's taking Hanna so long? She can't just expect us to wait and starve while she takes her time." Said Axel. He, his brothers and his father had been in the large dining room table with loads of elegant and delicious food on display.
Even most of the brothers wife's had come to sit down at dinner. The grandchildren were all there too, loud and energetic while their mothers gossiped with one another like they always did.
"Come on, who are you kidding. It's Hanna, that woman never listens to anything father says." Added Caleb arrogantly as he took a sip of wine.
"Enough. I'm sure she'll be here soon enough." Sighed Soren as he lifted his own cup to his lips.
But Kristina was the one shaking inside as she stood round about the dining room with rest of the servants. Her anxious lie eating at her slowly as her heart beat faster.
Cassandra sighed and reached for her bag to pull out her clock, but her brows furrowed when she started hearing a loud but muffled sound ringing in her ear.
It wasn't till she squinted that she could clearly now see the auburn haired princess sprinting through the crowd like she was a wolf, jumping over fruit stands and people elegantly.
Her eyes immediately widened, she turned to the rest of the women and immediately began to yell out orders. "Everyone get in your positions! Hanna is here, let's go go go!"
The shield maidens quickly did as they were told, immediately helping the rest of the crew members leave the ports as quickly as possible.
When Hanna arrived at the docks she immediately began to tear her dress away, even stripping it off gracefully, not caring how ripped up it was becoming as the citizens around her gasped in seeing the princess go from a graceful dress to a shield maidens armory.
It was like she was a different person, even undoing her hair and letting her long and braided ponytail hang to her waist.
"What took you so long!? I was just about ready to call the whole thing off!" Hissed Cassandra as she dashed towards Hanna.
"I know, I'm sorry but I'll explain later. Right now we have to go, NOW." Exclaimed Hanna as she slapped Cassandra's arm before they both started sprinting to the naval ship.
Caleb had been tapping his finger on the table anxiously, he was getting tired of waiting and the anger in his chest was building.
"Ah! This is ridiculous. Where the hell is Hanna, Kristina!" Exclaimed Caleb as he stood up on his seat. His voice silencing the screaming children immediately.
Kristina swallowed nervously. She had nothing to say, and she couldn't even think of making up anything at the moment.
"Kristina..." Said Soren suddenly as he leaned forward. His eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. "Where is Hanna."
"You're majesty!" Came a sudden servant coming down from the grand stairs that led up to Hanna's room.
Just in the nick of time to because Kristina's mouth was dry.
"What is it." Demanded Soren.
"It's Hanna... she's-- she's gone, you're majesty."
The whole family in the table gasped. Even the children. Caleb stood up straight with his brows pressed deeply together.
"What do you mean gone." Demanded Soren with heated eyes as he slowly stood up to his feet. The rest of the brothers likewise did the same, their expressions just as confused as the next one.
"She wasn't in her room. We called out for her but there was no answer. And her window was barged open with several bed sheets tied together in a rope that led to the ground outside." Explained the guard.
Soren's eyes furrowed as did Caleb's. "She's escaped..." muttered Caleb shockingly.
"You're majesty!" Came one of their guards barging through the dinners doors.
"Now what!?" Exclaimed Caleb.
"Apologies Your majesties, but we caught one of our naval ships being manhandled. There are several sailors aboard the ship as if they are ready to set sail with many of Princess Hanna's warriors."
"Oh it's not being manhandled. It's being woman handled..." retaliated a Caleb as he began pacing forward.
"Take me to the docks, now!" Exclaimed Soren as he stormed off the doors where he took the nearest horse available in the stalls. And it wasn't too long before Caleb and his brothers chased after their father as they passed through the busy townsfolk.
The princess wife's had to come along too since practically all of the grandchildren started following their fathers and grandfather down the great town, excited to see their aunt escaping on a ship.
"Make way for the king! Out of the way!" Exclaimed the guard leading the way in front of Soren. Even Kristina was running from behind as if she was making sure nothing would happen to Hanna.
When Soren arrived at the docks with his sons, he quickly jumped out of his horse and ran to the edge of the docks. There in front of him he could clearly see with his own eyes his own daughter aboard the ship with the many shield maidens and the naval crew members.
Cassandra was the first to spot the king. She quickly slapped Hanna's back and she quickly turned around where she could see them all glaring at her, her father the worst of all.
"Get that ship back in the harbor!" Exclaimed Soren loudly.
"Sire, forgive me but the waters are in their favor and they are too far out." Said one of the guards.
"Then swim there if you have to damn it!" Exclaimed Caleb as he glared a towards Hanna.
Meanwhile her nieces and nephews only watched in amazement as their aunt drifted further and further away. They even began to cheer for her, waving farewell to their beloved aunt.
"What do we do, Hanna. Do we turn back?" Asked Cassandra who came and stood next to her.
Hanna shook her head, while at the same time staring into her brothers devious and angry glare. "Nothing, keep sailing north."
Caleb was the angriest towards her as he continued yelling out demands. All while Kristina watched Hanna sail little by little.
"You." Hissed Caleb as he pointed to a nervous Kristina. "You're coming with us."
Caleb didn't even have to give the order because soon enough him and his brothers started circling around her as she took steps backward in fear.
Hanna's eyes widened and the anger inside her stared building.
"No, please..." she pleaded fearfully. But they didn't listen, instead they started chasing after her, even the guards. Kristina escaped their grasp only to fall over the docks and into the sea.
SPLASH!
"Help!" Exclaimed Kristina gasping for air. "I-- I can't swim!"
"Stop the ship!" Exclaimed Hanna as the sailors on board quickly did as they were told.
"I'll get her!" Exclaimed Cassandra who dove off the ship and into the ocean. She quickly swam back to the docks where she wrapped Kristina around her arms and pulled her out of the water.
It was a dangerous move. There were several guards already ready to five in and pull up the two women in the docks and Caleb and his brothers were ready to restrain them.
But Hanna was already way ahead of them.
"Archers!" She exclaimed suddenly. All the guards and even her family looked up where they saw Hanna in front of the ship, hugging the point with one arm while the other was held high in the air.
Behind Hanna all her shield maidens were lined up in a perfect order. Each If them with archers in their hands, extended and ready to fire at command.
"Loose!" She exclaimed. Immediately she brought her arm down and all the shield maidens let go of the arrows string.
The arrows flew up in the air and landed directly in front of her brothers and father. Even the rest if the guards, surrounding all of them in a perfect circles as the arrows trapped them all from moving even an inch.
The people gasped at seeing all this unfolding directly before their eyes. The princess of the Southern Isles had gone rogue.
Soren was speechless. His mouth hung open like he had just seen a dragon spit fire in front of him. Rudi and Runo looked at each other in complete silence, unable to even say anything. Their own sister just fired at them.
Cassandra quickly took advantage and pulled the now shivering servant towards the ship where Gunnhild and Lagertha extended their arms and helped the two women up the ship.
"Continue sailing forward!" Exclaimed Hanna as she turned back to her family who grew smaller and smaller the further ship sailed away.
Although it was harder to see, Hanna could clearly feel he fathers emotion riling up in many different ways as he watched Hanna drift further and further away.
"I'm sorry, Father." Exclaimed Hanna loudly so he could hear her voice. "But I have to do this. I have to help, the queen is waiting for me."
Soren's eyes weren't even angry anymore. Instead they were soft and emotional as he watched his only daughter drift further and further away.
"I promise I'll make you and the Southern Isles proud!" She exclaimed louder.
Soren breathed in heavily as his eyes lingered to what remained of her. "I know you will..." He whispered to himself as he watched his daughter drift further and further away until the ship disappeared into the sun.
His soft eyes then quickly grew dark again as he turned his heels and pushed his sons out if the way before marching back to the castle.
The people immediately backing away and making room for the fired up king as his guards followed along.
Caleb in the other hand was not heading to the castle yet. He grabbed the nearest guard by the collar and pulled him up to his eye level.
"Listen to me. I want you to round up ever single shield maiden that my sister trains with and I want them all interrogated. They are to not leave the dungeons until every single name involved in Hanna's escape is dropped, you hear me!?" He yelled loudly and viscously.
Calebs large hands were now wrapped around the guards throat harshly and the man was sweating bullets as his feet dangled in the air. "Y-yes... your majesty..." he barely breathed out.
Caleb let go of the man rudely as he fell on his back. He quickly rose to his feet and dashed towards the remaining guards to do what they were told.
"I... I can't believe she just got away with that." Muttered Günter the fifth oldest.
"She can't get too far, before you know it she'll come running home to daddy like the spoiled brat she is." Spat Ralph, the sixth oldest.
"Perhaps we can ask Lars to keep an eye out for her. I'm sure the Swedes would come to our aid and make sure she is returned to us immediately." Suggested Axel the twelfth oldest.
"You really think Lars would be on our side, brother?" Scoffed Franz the fourth oldest whom was the closest of age to Lars.
They grew quiet once again before Jurgen the second oldest decided to step forward where Caleb was still glaring out to the sea, his fists still clenched angrily and his back still facing the rest of his brothers. Not once did he turn around.
"What do we do, Caleb?" Asked Jurgen before pressing his lips together. Caleb said nothing. Instead he stormed off he dead into the castle without another word more.
All while Hanna and her crew sailed further and further to Arendelle.
Kristina had been shivering and was sitting down in front of the ship, trying to control her breathing as she continued to hug herself.
Gunnhild was kind enough to wrap the young servant in a blanket so she can warm herself better. Then all of the shield maidens practically surrounded her and watched as the nervous servant began to run her arms repeatedly.
They viewed her differently now. What she did for princess Hanna, their beloved dresser the adored so much was courageous to say the least and they earned a new level of respect to her for it.
Hanna was on top of the captain log where she was watching Kristina. Her body leaning on the fine wood as she bit her apple again while Cassandra watched a few feet away.
Hanna had never been more at peace. Now she understood why her brother loved sailing in the middle of nowhere. Because he could taste and feel free, something Hanna could clearly taste and feel too.
"Captain Henderson? Said Hanna as she and Cassandra approached the elderly captain steering the ship.
"Ah, Princess Hanna. Great to see you!" Replied the captain with a view as his other shipmates did the same.
"I wanted to thank you and your crew, captain for your service, and being able to take me to Arendelle. You have no idea how much this means to me." She said.
"The pleasure is all mine, your highness. I'm just glad I could be of service to a daughter of the Greta and beautiful Queen Nora." Replied the captain with a smile of his own. "You look very much like her, your highness." He added before turning to the ships wheel again.
Hanna couldn't help but smile.
They had made it and were on their way to Arendelle. Cassandra snickered and even made a vow that same day that she would never doubt princess Hanna ever again and Hanna was having fun owning the moment.
"You dry yet? Asked Hanna as she approached the now warm enough Kristina as sat in front of her with her shield maidens standing behind her. The cool Scandinavian winds blowing their hair magically.
"P-partly." She muttered with shivers.
Hanna smiled at her and leaned forward. "I wanted to thank you Kristina, I know it wasn't easy for you to lie to my father but at the end you proved my faithfulness before anyone even him. You have no idea how much that meant to me."
Kristina pressed her lips sadly. "I'm happy I could've beenod service, even if it means I won't have a job anymore." She said.
"Oh don't you worry about that, I'll make sure nothing happens to you." Said Hanna smirking she rose to her feet. "But for now we have to get you out of this dress before you get hypothermia.
Her shield maidens giggled in union.
"I--I brought no clothes, your highness. I wasn't expecting to be here with you today if I'm being quite frank." She replied with furrowed brows.
"Don't worry about that at all, Kristina, there are tons of dresses in my luggage. Just pick one out." She replied as she rested her hands on her hips.
Kristina's eyes widened. "Oh, I mustn't, your highness! They are your dresses and --"
"Kristina, look around! We're in water, not land. There is no need for the Royal protocoles!" Exclaimed Hanna with her smile as Kristina watched her with her timid eyes. "Now go change."
Kristina quickly did as she was stood and headed inside of Hanna's quarters to pick out a dress until Hanna called for her one final time. "Oh, and Kristina?
"Yes, your highness?" Replied Kristina turning to face her.
"Please, just call me Hanna." She smiled at her as the young servant said nothing, only politely excusing herself as she entered Hanna's quarters.
Hanna walked forward to the front bow of the ship where she raised her foot on top of the edge and overlooked the great seas splashing in front of her.
Cassandra stood next to her as her shield maidens followed and stood behind both of them, overlooking the beautiful view their leader, Hanna was watching.
There was a giant and satisfied grin on Hanna's face. She loved the seas and she had never felt more connected to Hans for a very long time then like she did now. She could feel her brothers presence and his love for the sea.
Hanna was happy. Truly happy. She was free. And more importantly she was on her way to aid Queen Elsa and Queen. To establish peace between the two great kingdoms.
And more importantly than that, she was going to see her beloved brother once again, after all these years. And she was going to hug him to death not before punching him across the face of course.
"So, next stop Arendelle." Said Cassandra pouring a glass of wine for her and Hanna to which she took and raised their glasses in the air.
Cling!
Hanna breathed in happily as she raised the cup to her lips while the Scandinavian winds blew her auburn hair magically in the air as the beautiful view in front of them shined brightly to a better future.
"Next stop Arendelle." She smiled and raised the glass to her lips.