Chapter 10
Queen Elsa returned into the castle along with Prince Hugo, then encountered Kai waiting there along with another servant waiting for the queen's arrival.
„It was a nice walk," Commented Queen Elsa making the prince nod.
„I enjoyed it too. Arendelle is a quite fascinating place. It's quite rare for me to see a kingdom located at the fjörds," Commented Hugo making Elsa nod. „We're in the middle of the villages,"
„Yes, that's different, there you're right," Commented Elsa then waved at Kai, which bowed down at the queen.
„Your majesty, dinner is ready. Everyone else is up there waiting for you," Kai declared making Elsa nod, then follow the servant stairs up.
„As you know I've got Prince Rollan and Prince Ulrich in front of me to get to know them. I'll talk to all of you three on a later point of the week,"
„Sure your majesty," Responded Hugo following the queen, which waited for Kai to open the large door leading to the dining room, where all the guests were sitting waiting for the last two. Hugo walked across the room to the free spot beside his father and Elsa took sit at the first chair right at the entrance, where she had beside her young friend Gerda and vice versa sat Prince Rollan next to his father.
„Tomorrow after lunch I'd like to invite you out on a walk, Prince Rollan," Asked Elsa making Rollan think about the words, then he shrieked as his father elbowed him.
„That's a perfect time," Answered Rollan.
„Super," Answered Elsa making Rollan grin embarrassed, then Kai gave the blonde a thumb up and moved towards the kitchen to get the dinner. „How was Gerda's guidance?"
„It was very informative," Answered Rollan. „I enjoyed mostly the story of your grandfather I think. King Runear was the name,"
„He's a good listener I noticed yesterday. Not all do give the amount of attention to something as he did," Commented Gerda making Rollan scratch the back of his neck abashed.
„I'm fond of stories, mostly legends like the one from your grandfather,"
„I'm glad you enjoyed it," Responded Elsa, then looked at Gerda who smiled at the taller friend.
„Could you tame the two princes while I was gone?"
„Actually Prince Ulrich went out to the bar to his father instead. Prince Rollan stood back by himself. He's not a drinker,"
„Interesting," Commented Elsa glimpsing at Rollan, which filled his cup with water from a jar of the table.
Kai appeared holding up the door for the kitchen staff to walk out carrying towards the table the food for the guests, then Elsa watched the chef place in front of her a plate with various cut parts of cod, making Prince Rollan lift his left eyebrow at recognizing the fish sort.
Prince Ulrich and his father exchanged happy faces as in front of them was placed a large grilled pig.
„Wow tonight we got a quite large menu," Commented Gerda looking at Elsa, which nodded.
„We don't have this every day," Confessed the queen picking up the large fork beside the table to pick up one part of cod to place it at the table.
„I've seen a few pictures of your younger sister on the portrait hall," Commented Prince Rollan. „She does resemble your friend Gerda a lot to me,"
„It's funny I know," Responded Elsa picking out for Gerda a bit of fish. „She used to be in an orphanage down the village and I befriended her when I encounter her at a school theatre,"
„You were an orphan?" Asked Prince Rollan curious making Gerda nod.
„It's a long story," Commented Gerda neutral making Elsa look down at her table.
„I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Gerda," Commented Elsa making her smile a little.
„I know, just odd to remember this," Pointed Gerda out. „The most important fact for me is, that I've got a place now to stay. All thanks to you, Elsa," Confessed the dark-blonde girl making the queen smile and place her hand on the table over the friends.
„Anyone else wants mashed potato?" Offered Hugo's father passing it away from his son up at Rollan's father, which moved it up to the queen, which moved her hand up offering the guests their turn.
After the dinner was over, most of the guests had disappeared into their guestrooms to rest and queen Elsa stood at the end of the corridor looking out of the window at the village. Gerda left the bathroom dressed in her nightgown, then noticed Elsa looking out of the window and she got closer to her, placing her hand on the woman's arm.
„Have you heard anything new of Anna?" Questioned Gerda making the queen shake her head. „Don't worry, you'll receive a letter from her. You always did,"
„I know, I know. It just my worry grows with every day that passes. Next year is her last chance. If she doesn't make it until June it's over,"
„She's going to make it, Elsa. Just stay positive. I know, that this will work out," Gerda recited patting the adult on her shoulder.
From the other bathroom came out the Spanish prince, which shrieked to encounter the queen there along with Gerda, then chuckled a little embarrassed.
„Prince Rollan, you can pass by normally. No need to be worried," Spoke Elsa making Rollan nod, then Elsa showed Rollan the view to the village and Rollan took a look from it to see the houses in front of the castle.
„Oh cool," Commented Rollan making Elsa smile.
„This is the only window you can see the village, well of course you can do the same from the bathroom, but that's another topic,"
„Each side of the castle you have a different great view. My favorite is the one you look to the sea, that flows between the mountains," Commented Gerda. „This is the one you can see from the side of the ball hall,"
„I could take a look sometime," Commented Rollan, then felt Elsa place her hand on his shoulder and on Gerda's.
„Look you two, I'm going to bed. Enjoy the rest of the night, stay awake the time you wish," Foretold Elsa walking away leaving her friend back with the prince.
„Good night," Wished Gerda, then looked at Rollan which was looking at the village, then Gerda looked back to see Elsa get into the bedroom and Gerda had an idea.
„Hey….Prince Rollan," Spoke Gerda earning his attention. „In the bedroom I overnight there's a great view as well to the sea. Would you like to see it?"
„I could take a look," Responded prince Rollan, afterward followed the girl into the room, that used to belong to princess Anna and both stopped at the window, where they could see the bridge leading to a small island with a few houses on it and another leading to the hills. Beside the hills there was a waterfall, which between there had a rock ledge looking out of it. Rollan whistled from seeing the waterfall's height and nodded as he looked at Gerda admiring the place as well.
„The place there upon the trolltunga, you can actually go up there and take a look at Arendelle. I've been there once. It's amazing,"
„Maybe I got the time to go there, during the time I'm here,"
„Maybe Elsa will take you there, you know. At the walk tomorrow,"
„We'll see," Commented Rollan neutral. „I'm still a bit nervous about it,"
„If you get to know her you'll see she's a great person. You're not the only one nervous about this,"
„I'm kind of stunning how in fact she has her sister locked up in that one castle, because of the curse and she has only a couple of months to break it, she can be this strong and keep a straight face,"
„These years after her parent's shipwreck kind of made her harder," Commented Gerda. „I don't even know how this must feel,"
„Your parents have…..disappeared a very long time ago, right?" Asked Rollan making Gerda nod.
„I barely remember. I think I was like a year old or two when I lost them,"
„You know…..it's not the same, but my mother had passed away when I was 9," Commented Rollan. „She suffered a hemorrhage during birth and didn't make it. Neither did my future, little sister,"
„Oh shoot, that's horrible,"
„That really was a shocking event for us and our city," Commented Rollan. „I feel like over the years my father hasn't been the same, he's stricter about this political business,"
„Deaths have a big impact on certain people's lives. There's nothing we can do about it," Commented Gerda making Rollan nod.
„You know what Alicante and Arendelle have in common?" Questioned Rollan. „They both have a large harbor with ships,"
„Alicante must be really amazing," Commented Gerda interested making Rollan shrug his shoulders.
„If you want me to be honest, Arendelle is far more beautiful, than Alicante. I was surprised the first time I got here,"
„Elsa will like that thought," Commented Gerda making Rollan cackle.
„I'm sure she will," Commented Rollan. „Tomorrow I will have another point of view. Hopefully, I won't be a nervous trainwreck tomorrow. I don't have any problem talking with people, but this situation with getting to know each other just tickles me so much in my stomach,"
„You will master that. You have a good chance. I know you've got a 50% chance to get through," Assured the blonde making the Spaniard nod.
„Gracias," Responded Prince Rollan turning around along with Gerda. „I will go to bed, see if I can rest,"
„Sure, come I walk you out," Offered Gerda walking the prince out of the bedroom towards the door of his bedroom. „Will you be okay?"
„Sure, don't worry,"
„Otherwise you can call me or any one of our castle," Commented the girl making the prince nod.
„Thank you, Gerda," Commented the raven-haired opening the door.
„Good night, Prince Rollan," Wished Gerda making Rollan smile.
„You can call me by my name only. I'm fine with it," Noticed the prince making Gerda nod, then Rollan returned into his bedroom closing the door causing Gerda to smile enchanted afterward she walked back into the bedroom closing its door as well.
Hans, Anna, and Donny had stopped at the outside of the forest and had made a campfire to grill on. Over the fire, Anna held over the fire a pan with cut slices of vegetables on it and Hans sat beside her observing her grilling them.
„You have never done this in your life?" Questioned Hans curious making Anna nod.
„It's strange I know, but there was always someone there to do that," Pointed out the princess. „You know the royal life is far different from the ones that live like you,"
„I wasn't so young when I learned it. I was around 17, when I started," Commented Hans, then chuckled. „I remember the first time I was at the kitchen with my mother Wilma. I had burnt down twice the Rattatouille I was making my first time," Explained Hans making Anna laugh.
„That must have been annoying,"
„A little. The cubes weren't that thin, but I still managed to cause them to get burnt," Commented Hans. „It's not even such a difficult task, it was just a matter of focus, which I wasn't using at that time,"
„You can do more things, than just this sort of meal? I know we obviously don't have all the ingredients, but out of curiosity,"
„I do know many sorts of meals. I've got at the farm also one of my mom's recipe books, where she noticed certain details to some meals she made differently…...oh you know what's the best meal she used to make? Fish soup,"
„Fish soup?"
„Yes. Besides the fish, we added shrimp and a few spices into it and some vegetables I can't remember by memory. But I know the way she made it, it tasted wonderful," Stated Hans. „I wish I was able to make it the way she does, but I never had success and now after she's gone and I'm all on my own it's not worth the time to make it only for one person,"
„The way you described it for me makes me really hungry for that," Commented Anna making Hans smile glad about her interest in it.
„When we're back in Falsterbo and you have time, I would really love to offer you a scoop or two from that soup. It would mean a lot to me,"
„I'd be happy to give it a try," Commented Anna, then shrieked and removed the pan from the fire, then moved the vegetables with her stick making Hans snicker and look at the vegetables to see how they were done.
„Don't worry, they look better than mine when I first tried," Spoke Hans making Anna smile and drop on each plate the meal, then she dropped it beside the fireplace. The two grabbed their plates, then noticed from the other side of the fireplace where Donny lied he getting up to approach the two, which were about to eat.
„I've got a few remains there on the pan, Donny. Just be careful it's still hot," Warned Anna.
„Otherwise, I left on that napkin back there a few unused vegetables you could eat instead," Offered Hans, then Donny leaned his head on Hans' arm making him smile and pat the dog on his neck. „No problem, go and get it before an owl or a fox or anything takes it away from you instead," Warned Hans making Anna laugh.
„You're mean," Pouted the canine at the joke.
„I'm being serious. Could actually happen,"
„While we're here?"
„I'm not sure about the fox, but an owl would definitely just pass by and grab it,"
„Go on Donny, he's just joking," Commented Anna watching Donny get up to take the food Hans talked about and lied down to eat it.
„Doesn't taste bad at all," Commented Hans. „If we had any salt and pepper, we'd be able to get a better taste,"
„Yes, that definitely would," Agreed Anna taking with a small stick a slice of aubergine into her mouth as Hans did the same afterward with tomato. Anna looked at Donny, which she could hear chew with his back teeth, then smiled amused at how funny it sounded to her. „
„Sounds louder, than it seems," Commented the brunette making the princess nod.
„It's kind of adorable," Commented Anna watching the canine eat, thereafter she thought about making a conversation with the farmer, curious to find out more. „You told me a while ago, your life got better after you were 14. What exactly did you mean by that?" Questioned Anna watching Hans chew his food, then swallow it and stay silent pondering about the question.
Donny sat up curious to see, what was going on between the two adults, and approached the duo carefully waiting for their conversation to happen.
„This is a long story. I don't even know where to start,"
„Is it so bad?" Questioned Anna making Hans shrug his shoulders.
„Each of us have a different sense of bad. Just the experiences I had on those times felt unbearable,"
„Maybe it is like that because you didn't have anyone to talk about your problem or if you had they didn't quite understand it,"
„There was my mother I could trust with everything, but it wouldn't help much in the future,"
„What about your father? You spoke well about him?"
„You know, the parents I talked to you about, Wilma and Gustav….They're actually not my real parents. They have adopted me, I had run away from home and landed in Falsterbo, where Gustav once found be while going to buy manure,"
„Where did you come from?" Questioned Anna. „From Stockholm? Malmö?"
„Well, I didn't come from anywhere from Sweden. Actually, I came from Denmark. I'm Danish, except for Gustav and Wilma,"
„And what made you run away from your home?" Questioned the princess. „Did they mistreat you?"
„I've been the youngest of my brothers. The weakling according to my father. I…..was young. I couldn't know from day one how to defend myself from my brothers or their words or deeds. One time or another my father witnessed their actions towards me, but what did he do? Can you guess it?"
„Blame you?" Questioned Anna making Hans shake his head. „Cheer?"
„He praised them. Because according to his words, the stronger ones should conquer the weak ones. In his eyes, the way they treated me was a sign of strength and power,"
„He really said that?" Asked Anna shocked.
„Was one thing he used to say to my other brothers and sometimes even me. As the years passed by, life remained the same. I had grown to despise almost everyone in my family, besides my mother, the only person, that was there for me. Even though she was the mother of us all, she had done everything, speaking to everyone, my father even to the servants, but nothing of that helped me. I believe none even listened to her. My father didn't, my brothers mainly listened to him and the servants wouldn't dare put a finger in their education. It's as if everyone there was a lost cause,"
„That's hideous," Stated Anna making Hans nod, then he moved his arm to Anna while pulling the sleeve back to show a small dark-brownish scar on the skin. „How did you not…..."
„This here. I've cut myself here years ago but got caught by my mother. I don't even remember why I had done that. It was her birthday, I had my head filled with negativity caused by my brothers and suddenly I found myself cutting my arm, seconds before my mother got into the room,"
„I can't believe how you got through this all on your own,"
„Well my mother was there and that's practically the only friend I got there. I had no one else in the castle to be friends with. Lars was okay once in a while, but still, I didn't always trust him as much as I would my mother,"
„Was Lars the second youngest one?" How many brothers are they actually?"
„Yes, he is. Also, I have twelve older brothers. It does sound ridiculously exaggerated, but that's the truth,"
„Woah, that sounds like a lot of work for your parents….or mother I'd guess," Commented Anna making Hans smile a little.
„I barely remember anything of my life before. I remember some of the good moments I had with my mother. The very last moment I have of her, which I regret is to see her inside the room looking at me with a shocking face before getting tears in her eyes. I've lost her. All because a deed of mine lead someone to fall into his doom,"
„How did he fall?" Questioned Anna carefully watching Hans put away his plate, he had only finished by half. „Where you standing near a cliff or something?"
„I run into my room, then escaped from my father up at the roof and some of my brothers came up on it as well followed by a Prince, which was visiting with his family ours. He had saved me from falling from the roof. Afterward, he had lost his balance and I tried to help him, but I couldn't and he slipped off my hands. I wasn't as physically strong as my brothers and at 14 I wasn't as tall as them. My growth spurt had come on a later time,"
„Did your family believe it was an accident?" Questioned Anna making Hans shrug his shoulders.
„I feel like they didn't believe it or at least most of them. Eventually, the fact I just ran away from there on that night, might have turned it worse. I know I'm not guilty of his death. I wasn't expecting him to follow me at the roof and have an accident afterward. I was desperate and the only thing that came into my mind on that night was to run away,"
„For your sanity, this was probably the best thing you have done back there," Spoke Anna earning a single nod from the man.
„And by the way, now that we're talking about this…..there was a wanted poster back there in the village, which had a caricature of me on it. It doesn't really resemble myself a lot, just a few details. In case we run into guards or anyone else who could recognize me I thought it would be great if you had aknowledge of it,"
„Didn't you know it before you were wanted?" Questioned Anna curious making Hans shake his head.
„To be honest I had expected to be wanted, but over the years I had seen no poster, so I assumed nothing was made of what happened on that night. I'd like to apologize for telling you this just now. I've been thinking in waiting longer, cause I didn't want there to be any weird tension between us or worse,"
„Alright, I'm glad that I got to know you a bit better. I admit I wasn't expecting such a dark moment coming from you. You look totally fine for what happened to you in the past,"
„Perhaps I still grew stronger in a way or another. I even believe the change to a life on a farm helped me out more and of course Gustav and Wilma, the couple that took care of me,"
„Nice,"
„We've become great friends with a time as well they began to see me as their son and so felt I as well. Wilma was the happiest about my existence in her life. She had suffered years ago a couple of abortions and was considered barren, so after she found out about it she was feeling down and Gustav couldn't do much to help her out, besides being there,"
„They sure were great parental figures to you. The ones you couldn't have," The princess commented making the man nod.
„Parents and friends. It's been a while since I had anyone else as a friend," Stated the brunette man, then he noticed the woman place the plate beside his and held out her hand.
„Sounds like it's time for us to become officially friends," Offered the strawberry-blonde princess watching the man, which got surprised by her offer. „What do you say?"
Hans grinned at the woman, then gave her his hand to shake it.
„Great, this is great now….It's also a bit obvious, but I haven't had anyone as a friend as well besides counting people from inside my family,"
„Now that you're out of the castle, you're up to make the number of friends you need.
„I don't need to have many friends. Just like Olaf used to say, the most important is to have true friends, that are there for you, when you need them the most," Commented Anna making Hans smile,
„True that," Agreed the man, then watched Anna pick up her plate again to resume her dinner making Hans smile, which joined a few moments afterward. What seemed a little hard after such disastrous events, finally gave him the chance to befriend a new person.
