Chapter 25
Above the sea inside a ship with the symbol of Arendelle, a crew had departed along with the young princes as their fathers. Followed by the young Gerda and the advisor Kai they had insight the entire ride.
The royals sat on the bench together looking at Kai and Gerda, which had the lead of the current case, and listened to the experienced member of the kingdom.
„I'm really grateful for your offer to meet up with the queen to put on hold of the upcoming execution there at the Southern Isles. Although these weeks were meant for you all to get to know each other," Recited the adult making Gerda nod, then the Belgian king raised up his hand.
„I'm sorry for the interruption, but I just wanted to say we all together will do our best to have a peaceful conversation with the king," Commented King Felix making his son nod.
„We will do what's on our hand to avoid an argument and to spare this innocent farmer's life," Added Prince Hugo making Kai nod.
„This is what matters the most. You don't have to put your own kingdom's faith as well on his hand if this doesn't go as well as planned, "Commented Kai making the group nod. „I'll be going up to meet the captain and discuss the ride,"
„Has any of you got a map?" Questioned King Felix looking at Hugo, which shrugged his shoulders, then Rollan's father pulled out a card of his coat and opened it, then shared it with his son and Rollan placed his finger down at Norway pointing to the end of the country. „Here in the middle somewhere is Arendelle and we have to swim across the sea down here, towards the head of Denmark, pass over it and go down here at the third, large isle here and around them are plenty of islands and one of them is our destination. This is the only map I have with Scandinavia on it," Commented Rollan making the man nod.
„You sure don't remember exactly, what of this island is the right one?" Questioned Hugo making Rollan shake his head.
„Sadly I'm only familiar with the isles around the Iberian peninsula," Stated the Spaniard, then looked up at Gerda, which had walked towards the side of the ship to look out at the ocean.
„You've got something?" Questioned Hugo making Rollan shake his head.
„Couldn't there be a book with a better map?" Questioned Rollan making Hugo shrug his shoulders.
„Talking about books, I'm going up to talk with the captain and Kai. They sure have one map. We're not all sailing here without a map as if we were Columbus or Vasco Da Gama," Complained the raven-haired king, which got up to meet up with the adult, while Rollan stood up as well and stepped beside her.
„Is everything okay?" Asked Prince Rollan making Gerda nod.
„I'm fine, I'm just thinking about how my….biological mother told me, that I was originally from the Southern Isles. And here we are now going there and none of us knows exactly, which island is the right one,"
„We will find it out in time, don't worry," Promised Rollan placing his hand on the woman's shoulder making her nod.
„I know," Replied Gerda, then Rollan crossed his arms and leaned them over the board to look at the ocean. „Do you know what I think will be weird?" Asked Gerda watching Rollan look at her. „I'm literally returning to the place my mom had abandoned to make sure we could provide a better life,"
„No one there is gonna put a finger on you. They would most likely want to take me or the others from being royals. You have a lot of royal knowledge, but you don't have that legacy as I or Hugo do,"
„Being a Queen sure is a hard job, mostly when it's done alone. Elsa has the luck that Kai, I, and co. are there for her. Other kingdoms have both their rulers," Confessed Gerda. „You being the only heir in your family, you sure had it hard the past years," Commented the blonde making the raven-haired nod.
„I did what my father expected me to do. I believed it would have helped him out in one way or another. Honestly, I believe it did more of a favor to him than anything else I expected,"
„Usually doing someone a favor usually works contra-productive," Mentioned Gerda making Rollan chuckle.
„You're right, too bad I didn't hear that before I did all that," Spoke Rollan making Gerda chuckle as well.
„Rollan! We've got a map!" Shouted his father shrieking the boy, which looked back to see his father come along with Kai and he returned along with Gerda at the bench, where Kai hold up open a map of the Scandinavian peninsula, then pointed down at the islands between Sweden and Denmark.
„That one island here, this is the Southern Isles. It's one of the last ones counting from the side of Sweden. Eventually, we may be able to meet up with the Weselton airship. We were able to leave as soon as possible after the guard's message," Explained Kai making the group nod.
„Okay, this one solution has got itself solved. When we're closer we just need to figure out, how exactly the island looks like, where the kingdom is, and so on," Added King Eduardo making Rollan nod.
„When we know it, we can reunite again and discuss a future plan, if necessary we could come up with more than one. In case the first one isn't as good as we wanted it,"
„I think your son has a good point," Admitted Hugo's father. „We could all discuss the possibilities of how the island could look like and plan each scenario to be more prepared for tomorrow,"
„Weren't we talking about a peaceful option?" Questioned Hugo. „Or what exactly are you referring to with this plan?"
„We…..wait, we had talked before that we were going to talk with the King," Remembered the father making his son nod, then Gerda raised up her hand.
„But what if, we arrive in time for the execution?" Added Gerda. „Then it will be hard for anyone of us to talk to him,"
„Cierto, there it would be too late and we wouldn't be able to get in there," Warned Rollan making the group nod.
„Alright, then if we arrive there and the execution is about to happen in a moment, we discuss the variations of getting in there," Added the Spanish king. „If anyone has anything else in mind, we'll discuss it as well, if necessary,"
„We're good with it," Commented Hugo's father, then the group looked at the blonde prince, which had moved his arm up to tell a current idea.
Two dozens of hours later, the Weselton airship had been passing over the ocean and at the side of the ship stood queen Elsa along with prince Oscar using a glass to look at the sea.
„I can see in the far an island there, I think if we didn't get ourselves lost that must be the Southern Isles," Spoke Oscar watching Elsa put the glass down. „But no sight of a ship,"
„At least from Arendelle, but I think it could take them a while. The weather is clear, but we don't know about the rest," Concluded Elsa, then walked across the ship towards Anna, which sat in front of the pole next to the duke and his bodyguard. Anna had Donny lying next to her with his head lying over her lap to nap as she patted him on the back.
„We're getting nearer to the Southern Isles. It's just a matter of time now," Announced Elsa making Anna nod, then look down at the canine.
„The day both entered into my life and mentioned I was meant to come to Falsterbo only because of Oscar I assumed we would end up being friends or acquaintances only. But with the time I got to know him, we saw a few things we had in common and we bonded very quickly. I had learned a few new things and I don't know, I started to appreciate a lot more our time together and on our last day….I…...I can't get over the amazing time we had together there at the dinner,"
„The crowing end for a dreadful curse, that robbed our years of our teenhood. Yours mostly," Commented Elsa making Anna nod, then lean her forehead on her sister's.
„Garth?" Called Oscar passing by the group, then looked down at the women. „Have you seen him?"
„I think he's inside the cabin hugging a water barrel. He's got vertigo," Mentioned Anna, then Oscar moved towards the cabin and opened the door, shrieking as he spotted Osmon yelling at the moment the prince opened the door causing Garth to cover his hear.
„Close the door!" Yelled Osmon, then Oscar shut the door back and placed his fingers in front of his eyelids unsatisfied with the guard.
„Oh boy," Commented the prince, then heard Donny yawn and looked up at the princess, which smiled glad as the pup had woken up.
„Are we still on the ship?" Questioned Donny making Anna nod, then pass her finger gently over the covered injury of Donny causing him to yelp.
„Sorry!" Apologized the princess, then moved her hand up at Donny's head to caress him. „We will reach the Southern Isles in a bit,"
„How are we going to find Hans?" Questioned Donny. „Have we a plan?"
„Not yet," Commented Anna. „We first would have to look for the castle,"
„The other thing would be, where is the exact location for the execution. Is it located in the castle, at the jail, or somewhere in the free space?" Commented Elsa. „Ours is at the jail,"
„Must be the same, I'm not quite sure," Responded Anna. „Didn't one of the Falsterbo guards know anything?"
„Yanik must have known, but I didn't see him anywhere as we left," Spoke Oscar making Anna sigh.
„Alright. I think the first thing we could do would be to take a look from above the castle, then look out for the jail," Suggested the young princess.
„This might go out well for us, by my knowledge the island isn't as big as Arendelle. We could easily spot from above, the kingdom afterward just look for the jail or anything else," Commented the duke, making Anna nod.
„Thank you," Said Anna, then got up and took Elsa's glass to glimpse through it to look at the ocean, then placed an eye at the island, which is supposed to be the Southern Isles.
„Before that, if Hans is in danger, what's the plan?" Questioned the bodyguard looking at Elsa, which pondered about the man's comment.
Meanwhile, at the Southern Isles inside a jail room, Hans sat on the wooden board attached to the wall staring at the floor desperate about the future outgoing of his life.
A loud door creak rang across the hall, calling Hans' attention, and looked at the door, listening to two pairs of shoes clacking over the hard stone floor. Hans observed from his bed the open gap of the door, afterward, he saw a guard's helmet block his side to the outside making Hans get up and sigh, as his time seemed to have come. The door got opened back, then the guard stepped aside to reveal to the former prince a light-brunette woman in dark clothing standing there looking at the man, which dropped his mouth as he recognized the woman.
„Mom?" Questioned Hans, then the woman ran into the cell to embrace the son tightly.
„Min søn, jeg savnede dig så meget," Commented the woman sinking her face into the neck of her now taller son. „How much you have grown,"
„I wasn't expecting to see you again," Spoke Hans sensing his mother shove her hand through his hair to feel his locks between her fingers. „I'm sorry I just left without saying anything. What happened back then with Prince Miika was an accident. I tried to hold him back, but his shirt slipped off my hands and…..when you showed up and I saw your face I felt as you had believed I had caused it on purpose….I don't know, I just wanted to put an end to everyone's treatment, but I only made it worse,"
„I know you're not to blame, Hans. Runo and Runi told me so days after the prince was escorted back to Finnland. They know from that night, that I wasn't convinced with the accident,"
„And you weren't able to prove my innocence?" Questioned Hans making Dana shake her head.
„No one has ever listened to me. You know about that already, we never stood a chance with them," Spoke the queen making Hans roll his eyes aside.
„At least I could still see you again this one time," Commented the man making the mother nod, then she looked down at the ground with a sigh.
„You know, the day I received your letter, I knew I should have ripped it off in the first place or just gotten rid of it. I'm sure Magnus was the one who got the knowledge about it. He had shown up moments later after I had left and noticed the letter's disappearance,"
„Or I shouldn't have sent the letter in the first place," Added Hans making his mother shake her head.
„No, this was the best thing you've done to me."
„Well it was all thanks to my friend Anna," Stated Hans after his mother got off his arms, then held him by the hands. „She convinced me to at least tell you I was good and all. She's one of the greatest persons I have met after Gustav and Wilma, the ones who raised me while I was out in Sweden,"
„I'm glad you had the chance to get the needed love you weren't able to get here in our home," Commented Dana a little saddened at the thought, making Hans smile a little and he wrapped his hands around his mother to peck her on the cheek.
„You know, that from all the persons here in Southern Isles I have never forgotten about you. Du var altid min stjerne," Commented the son making the mother smile.
„Mrs. Westergaard, we have to let him go now," Warned the guard, then the queen looked back at the guard.
„Can I at least walk along with him to the stage?" Asked the queen making the man raise his left eyebrow questioningly. „I'm his mother, I haven't seen him in years. You have a son as well, you know how you or your wife would feel if she was in the same place as I?"
The guard sighed, then nodded at the woman.
„You're correct, your majesty. But you know if you or even him try anything to escape this, I'll have no choice, than ring the alarm," Mentioned the guard making the woman nod, then he stepped behind Hans and led him out at the corridor along with the mother.
Back at the sea, the ship from Arendelle Kai stood at the deck along with the captain and the Spanish king analyzing a map together. Down at the benches King Felix lied on the ground with the bag leaned against it sleeping with Hugo having his head lied over the man's lap and a few steps aside Rollan lied as well against the bench as well sleeping. Gerda lied on top of the bench facing the outside, yawning, and opened her eyes to look around and spot the two young princes still sleeping along with the Belgian king. Gerda looked down at Rollan, which had his eyes closed and she nudged him on the shoulder, making him grunt and move his head down on her stomach surprising her at his drop. Gerda chuckled at seeing the prince's head over her lap, afterward, she passed her hand above the bangs of the prince noticing his rather thick eyebrows making her grin at how fitting it seemed for his face. Rollan groaned softly, making Gerda move her hands away to observe him napping on her lap, then she looked above the ship to see in the far a ship come towards their direction, then she spotted on the top of the ship pole a black flag, making Gerda wide her eyes in shock, realizing, that they might be in danger. Gerda got up, letting Rollan hit his head on the ground, shrieking him up a little and Gerda looked up at the deck, then whistled to call Rollan's father's attention.
„King Eduardo! There's a strange ship over there. I think those are pirates," Warned Gerda making Eduardo look surprised, then the Captain used his glass to look through it to analyze the ship and noticed its black flag.
„It is a pirate ship indeed," Commented the captain, then looked at Kai. „Take the lead, we have to make sure we don't let them come any closer,"
Gerda went to open a door to a small room, then looked at the wall with the hanging swords and picked out two of them, then returned to the outside to lean them against the railing of the stairs leading to the deck and looked at the captain giving Kai a sign to turn. „I've got you here two swords," Warned Gerda, then Gerda returned to get two other swords and watched Prince Hugo get up from his father's lap to notice Gerda carrying the swords.
„What are you doing?" Asked the prince, then Gerda noticed the young man had woken up and handed him out the swords.
„There's a pirate ship in the near, we have to be prepared for the worst," Stated Gerda returning back into the chamber to carry out more swords while Hugo awakened his own father and got up to walk at the side of the ship to see if he could spot the pirates anywhere.
Gerda went down to shake off the Spaniard awake, shrieking him and Gerda moved the sword at the man.
„What's…...what's going on?" Asked Rollan grabbing the sword by the handle. „Did something happen?"
„It won't be long enough until it might," Spoke Gerda and moved the other sword up with both of her hands. „We have to watch and avoid our ship to be attacked,"
„Get down!" Yelled the captain noticing with help of his glass a cannonball being launched from the pirate ship towards them to hit on their ship's wall.
„I don't think, we stand a chance towards them," Commented Rollan glimpsing at Gerda, which pouted tragic about their low chances. „It's kind of hard to pull around them without going back into the ocean," „Mostly now that we were so close to the island,"
„Captain, we have no chance. They have cannons, they will put our ship down in no time!" Warned King Felix looking at the captain, which exchanged looks with Kai and King Eduardo.
„Move the ship towards the others, if we're lucky they will just seize our ship," Mentioned the captain making Kai nod, which moved the steering wheel to direct their ship towards the pirate hip and King Eduardo took the glass off the captain's hand to search for the pirate crew and encountered at the deck a young pirate girl steering the ship, while beside her stood a raven-haired woman smirking from looking down at the ship.
„I have never seen pirate women on the sea," Commented Eduardo looking at the captain, which shrugged his shoulders.
„There sure is a lot of things we don't know yet," Mentioned the sailor, then their ship was hit again by one cannonball, causing the younglings down on board to fall down on their knees making Kai a bit worried.
„The young woman there has brought us the swords. If each of us picks a sword and takes it with one pirate, it will be manageable. There I have no doubts,"
An hour later, all the ship inmates were taken by the pirates, which were all armed with fire guns and left the group no chance to even have a fight. All had been tied around the middle pole of the ship and the last one that was tied up was Rollan's father, that was placed between Kai and King Felix.
„Now I have regretted coming into this trip," Commented Felix making his son nod.
„The seas has always had pirates. We just had the misfortune to come across some," Mentioned Kai making the captain nod. „It could have happened as well as you came or arrived in Arendelle,"
„The last time I saw pirates our guards have hunted them out of the village. Rollan on that time was around 15 I think learning how to fight," Commented King Eduardo making Rollan nod.
„Too bad none of us had carried a crossbow with. I learned how to use one as well," Commented Rollan, then looked at the small pirate team, that stood at the edge looking at the royal-based people and Rollan noticed from the deck two women come down making Rollan curious.
„I have never seen women as pirates," Commented Rollan, then watched the young pirate take out her sword and got down to Rollan to approach him with its sharp blade on his neck.
„Have you also seen a woman cut off your throat before?" Questioned the young girl making Rollan move his head back to get distant to the sword.
„I didn't want to sound rude, just…..amazed to see women in such a kind of position, where we usually would expect men you know," Corrected the Spaniard moving his head aside at Gerda, which widened her eyes as well at the approach of the young girl.
„What do you all want from us?" Questioned Gerda. „You already saw, that we weren't carrying anything in our boat,"
„Keep your mouth shut, blondie. I'm talking to your boyfriend here," Scolded the pirate girl making Gerda frown.
„Boyfriend?" Asked Rollan curious.
„What? He's not?" Questioned the pirate girl making Rollan shake his head.
„Uh not yet…." Commented a little abashed, then felt Gerda nudge him with her leg.
„We're all wasting our time here. What do you all want from us?" Questioned Gerda, then the pirate girl got down and held her sword under Gerda's chin.
„The question is, what are you all doing here?" Questioned Alfida. „We're here at the waters of Denmark, not Norway. You sure heading to the right kingdom around here?"
„Well the Southern Isles is our destination," Spoke Gerda making the pirate girl roll her eyes.
„What's with all the people going there anyway?" Questioned the pirate girl getting up. „It's just a small island with rude people around,"
„You weren't quite polite with us as well," Debated the Spanish prince making Alfida wide her eyes annoyed and get down on her knees to hold her sword against Rollan's neck once again shrieking him.
„You have no right to judge us just like that," Hissed the girl scaring the prince, while Gerda got curious about Alfida's reaction.
„What's your name," Interrupted Gerda making Alfida wide her eyes, then glare angry at the blonde.
„I'm busy! If you wanna talk, wait a minute," Ordered the girl, then Gerda spoke up anyway.
„I had a father, that used to live there at the Southern Isles. He was executed by that kingdom because he stole the kingdom to help out the poor people," Gerda explained, then the mother of Alfida shut her eyes up as she felt like she knew about that story and grabbed her daughter by the shoulder.
„Alfida wait one second," Ordered the mother, then looked along with the daugther at Gerda. „Are you talking about Venling?"
„Yes, his actual name was Vegard," Pointed the originated Danish girl. „My mother told me he was sentenced to death for betraying the kingdom along with another man. I was a baby at that time and my mother took me to ran away from that place and we were split during the ride. Just recently I made it to find her again thanks to Rollan here and I got to know the exact reasons I was an orphan," Explained Gerda, then Alfida looked up at her mother, which nodded at the girl's history.
„Gerhardt was one of our pirates here. He was the toughest one of them all. By his looks, he didn't really seem that, this is what made him one of the best. One day we heard about the riches of the Westergaard castle and he offered himself to go there to observe the castle for a while. One of these days he had met this Venling and heard about his plan. Gerhardt thought about offering him help and he was accepted to help. On the said night he sent us a letter and we stood close to the island to wait for him, but he never got out. I assumed the worst and got into the island and heard from villagers, that two out of three thieves were going to be executed,"
„And one of those guys was my dad," Added Alfida making Gerda sad hearing about the faith of that pirate. „They have hung him along with the main man of that job and….."
„I came back and ordered the team to retrieve,"
„That's a horrendous end for such a sort of crime," Stated Gerda, then watched Alfida place her sword down.
„I'm sorry about my preconceptions. Despite theft not being something to be proud of in my opinion, it's also not a reason to strictly execute a criminal just like that," Commented Rollan. „The reason we're on this trip is cause an…... friend of ours is about to go the same faith as both of your fathers. We're heading there, cause we want to prevent it to happen,"
„I'm sorry about your friend," Commented Alfida, then Gerda had an idea.
„Oh Rollan, I…..I could just kiss you right now!" Cajoled Gerda looking at Rollan, which had just gotten confused at the blonde's comment, then shook his head and tried to look confident.
„Uh…..well, then go on," Answered Rollan moving his face at the blonde, making both girls look at the Spaniard confused.
„Okay….." Commented the pirate girl puzzled at his behavior. „Why that?"
„I'm not meaning, that I'm gonna kiss him right now or anything. I just thought that we all could get together and try to save our friend," Commented Gerda making Alfida tilt her head. „Well….I know you're pirates, but you know, that could be our chance to come across the one, who took our father's life and put him to talk…..or if you think you're capable of you could rob the place,"
„Not such a bad idea though," Commented Alfida, then looked up at her mother. „I'm not sure about how this will come, but I would really love to be able to punch this man into his face for having taken away father's life," Mentioned the raven-haired girl making the mother nod.
„Alright, is any of you familiar with the island somehow?" Asked the woman making all shake their heads. „Alright, I've been there, I know where we have to go exactly and what else is located around the place. All we need is a plan and I have been thinking about the following thing we could do…." Began the pirate captain earning the attention of the pirate crew and the arrested royals.
Hans Westergaard stood at the exit of the jail to its court, which had the door closed. Hans could see right in front of him the stage, where a guard stood beside a handle and a second guard was analyzing its rope hanging above a pole, then stepped aside to watch the second guard move the handle to see if the trap door worked. On both sides of the stage stood a crowd with villagers, that were present to witness Hans' execution. What didn't seem to surprise Hans at all, was the presence of all his older brothers at the right side of the crowd along with his father and one familiar face he used to know. The father of Prince Miika, which had been threatening the Westergaard's for a long time for the case in the past.
„Prince Miika's family is also here?" Commented Hans making Dana shake her head.
„Only his father. His wife and daughter didn't care to witness your execution," Spoke Dana. „They're aware, that this won't lead any of us anywhere,"
„It seems to do for the rest of our family," Commented Hans, then his mother placed her hand on his arm.
„They're still not the sons I have expected them to become, but I'm certain, that they're not going to mock you along this moment," Commented Dana making Hans nod, then the guard from the outside opened the door up and Hans was led out of the corridor at the court and he looked around at the number of people, which looked at him with a neutral face and the brunette moved to the direction, where he encountered his family, noticing that all of his brothers had all a serious face as they watched their youngest brother being led at the stage.
„M'lady, sadly I have to bring him up by myself," Warned the guard as they stopped by the stairs, then Dana's eyes got filled with tears and she embraced her son tightly, while he kept them behind his back due to the chains attached to his hands.
„Don't forget about me," Hans spoke, feeling his mother sink her head deeper onto his neck to whine.
After a while, Dana took away her arms then cleaned her eyes with a tissue and a guard coming downstairs held the queen by her arm to guide her back to the family as Hans was guided by the other guard upstairs at the stage, then Hans watched her mother being placed between her husband and the oldest son Caleb, which looked up at the stage a little sad from seeing the youngest brother up there.
Hans was placed above the trapdoor, then the guard grabbed the rope to tie it up around Hans' neck and the farmer looked at all his siblings look at him, while the mother kept crying into the tissue and the husband placed his hand on his wife's shoulder, then spoke at her in a little rough tune making Hans frown and look at the other guard, which was waiting for the comrade to finish his task.
„Viktor, is there a way, that I can have a last word with my father?" Questioned Hans making the man shake his head. „One sentence?"
Viktor rolled his eyes, then waved at the king, which noticed the guard call his attention, then the king moved towards the stage to look at Viktor.
„Hans would like to say something," Mentioned Viktor making Magnus shake his head.
„I don't need to listen to him again. I already told you how things are now. There's no way back now. Done it's done," Spoke Magnus, then returned back to the crowd making Hans frown.
„May he rot in hell, when his time comes," Spoke Hans earning Viktor's attention.
„You're literally the first criminal I can agree on with something," Spoke Viktor, then returned to the handle to watch the second guard check the rope around Hans' neck and jumped down to assist another guard to keep the crowd away from the stage.
„I'm quite surprised at the sunshine today. Not quite usual for a day like this," Commented Viktor watching Hans roll his eyes down at the ground to see the shadow of the building, then slowly an oval shadow slid up on the ground making Hans furrow his eyebrows confused at the shape of the shadow. „One last warning, whatever you try to do, I suggest you not do it. No jumping, no split, no tapping. You'll still be going to die no matter, what you try to do to avoid it," Warned Viktor making Hans nod shortly, then he closed his eyes and Viktor placed his hands around the handle, then he heard a whistle of a guard and looked up to see an arrow fly towards Hans direction and saw it cut the rope from above making Viktor drop his mouth.
„Who did that?" Asked Viktor sternly, afterward another arrow flew towards the pole, as Hans turned around his head to see, what was up and noticed the arrow on top with a rope attached to it.
„What is going on?" Asked Hans, then noticed beside him the ripped rope dangling beside his arm and got surprised from not noticing it. A voice yelled catching the attention of the two men on the stage, then Hans recognized Princess Anna sliding with help of her bow along the rope. Anna moved her feet up to kick the guard off stage, then landed beside the pole with a smirk from the successful hit.
„Anna? What are you doing here?" Asked Hans watching Anna turn around, then hopped at Hans placing her hands on his neck to press her lips on his making Hans wide his eyes surprised at her deed. Anna got off his lips with an amused smile, watching him still look at her dumbfounded.
The guards near the stage approached it, then held up their crossbows at the duo, then Anna and Hans leaned their backs to each other to observe the guards avoid them to leave.
„What's your plan?" Whispered Hans watching Anna pull the rope down to grab her bow, then looked at the crowd, where she spotted the Westergaard clan.
„Those there are your brothers, right?" Asked Anna making Hans nod.
„And my parents there as well," Added the man, then Anna placed the bow on the ground and looked towards the crowd.
„Dear King and Queen. I'm Princess Anna from Arendelle, the youngest daughter of King Agnarr and Queen Iduna. I would like to talk about the judgment of your son Hans," Began the princess, then the guards looked back at the family, then Magnus frowned at the woman's offer.
„I give you permission," Said a voice shrieking Magnus, which looked aside at his oldest son Caleb, which had answered the princess' comment.
„Who's that?" Whispered Anna.
„Caleb. He's my father's successor," Responded Hans making Anna nod.
„Okay, about the judgment...Hans deserves to have a real judgment session. This what happened years ago with Prince Miika wasn't caused by Hans, this was an accident. Hans went out on the roof, cause he was fearing his dad and on the roof, he was encircled to prevent him to jump down. Prince Miika had gotten on the roof as well and was the one, who got closer to Hans and helped him up. Afterward…..do you remember how it came to the fall?"
„It was raining on that night. A thunder had scared both of us, Miika began to lose his balance and I grabbed him on his shirt to hold him up,"
„Hans on that time was 14 and he wasn't strong enough to hold Miika back. Hans didn't run off, because he had committed a crime. He didn't do it. He ran off because he was sick of living in a toxic atmosphere he witnessed daily in his family, that night after the accident Hans was terrified and what bothered him the most at that moment was the fact the moment his mother arrived to see him he had assumed he was labeled in front of his own mother as a murderer, which broke her heart and this led Hans to act the way he did. It still wasn't the right way to handle the situation at that age, but Prince Miika's death never was caused by Hans. It was all just a big bad luck," Explained Anna, which had made half of the crowd ponder about her words along with king Caleb and a few brothers.
„Sent them here," Ordered Magnus, then Anna looked at Hans, which shrugged his shoulders and both went off the stage to get closer to the clan. „You two, just tell me one thing, how do you think that all this you did here makes any justice for what happened?"
„Would put Hans' life to an end bring Miika back?" Questioned Anna making Magnus frown at the princess' comeback.
„You think this is a joke? Do you have any idea how long his kingdom has been sitting on my back hoping to see justice for their son?"
„If you've been waiting so long, why didn't you go look for me?" Questioned Hans. „We weren't even so far from each other, The sailors literally knew I was from here,"
„We presumed you could have died during the time you were gone. Then a few days ago we found the letter the princess here sent," Explained Magnus making the queen frown.
„So you really knew about the letter?" Questioned Dana stern making her husband nod.
„And you had the idea to keep it for yourself although you knew about the threats we've been receiving over the years,
„You had the possibility to pay them indemnity all these years ago, but you preferred to go it the stingy way!"
„I did not go the stingy way. I've done other promises to keep them further from us, "Boasted the father. „I would put my hand on fire and prove you, that the execution of Hans would make Miika's family, at least his father relieved,"
„You mean you would feel relieved," Commented the queen making the king frown and slap his wife shrieking Anna, then Hans pushed his father hard causing a few other people behind the king fall down as well after his deed. Caleb placed his arm behind his mother shocked about his father's deed in the middle of the villagers, then watched Anna grab the woman's hand to take a look at the woman, afterward she shrieked as two guards had pulled Hans away from by his arms.
„Don't take my boy away!" Warned the queen making Anna gaze back sad at the guards, then got off to help Hans, but two additional guards appeared to pack the princess by the arms making her angry.
„Hey! That's no way to treat a princess!" Warned the Norwegian woman, watching the guard lead Hans up on the stage again, afterward, Anna remembered the bow she had dropped on the surface and looked at the guards beside her, then head bumped the guard beside her on the nose, causing him to lose the grip freeing Anna's arm, which she formed into a fist to hit the guard on the face afterward she jumped up at the stage to pick up the bow and prepared one arrow aiming the trio.
„Stop right there!" Ordered Anna hearing a whistle, which she ignored continuing to focus on the trio, then watched Hans move his head up and Anna looked behind to see up at the walls of the building three guards point their crossbows at the woman, then looked at the other two sides to see eight more guards and looked at Hans again.
„Anna, risking your life for me is not worth it," Hans commented watching Anna close her eyes and sigh, making the guards look at each other. Anna, which had the thread pulled back moved the bow down slow, afterward, she pointed at the trio, shrieking the guards, and launched it at the ground near the feet of a guard, which jumped aside leaving Hans' arm. Anna ran towards Hans, to push the man off the stage along with the other guard and the guards from the jail had launched their arrows as well, seeing it hit at the middle of the stage.
„Why is killing the only solution to some people?" Questioned Anna getting back on her knees, then grabbed Hans to help him and looked at the exit, which was diagonal to their position. „What's taking so long?" Asked Anna looking up at the castle to look for the airship she was dropped off.
„Who else came?" Questioned Hans, then heard a long, whistle calling the attention of everyone inside the castle and the duo observed at the top two guards look down at the outside, while the others ran into the towers disappearing into the building.
„Brand!" Yelled a Danish guard, which stood at the entrance to the building, then moved his hand up in the air at the Westergaard clan and Caleb moved forward to obtain the attention of the villagers.
„All run up to the west side of the court, move it!" Ordered the king watch all villagers obey him, followed by a few guards, which came to coordinate the case and Magnus ran in the opposite direction passing through the crowd.
Anna and Hans looked at each other, then one of the head guards passed by the duo to look up at the guards then exclaimed to get their attention.
„What caused the fire?" Questioned the leader watching one of the guards look down at the boss.
„Two men in dark suits," Answered the guard making Anna raise her hand, while looking at the farmer and Hans ran along with the princess at the door, passing by the guard, which ran back to the center.
„Your father is following us," Stated Anna taking an arrow out watching the friend try to unlock the chains attached to the gate. Anna moved the arrow against the father, then blocked the sight to Hans.
„You're committing a crime. Are you aware of it?" Questioned the king serious making the princess shrug her shoulders.
„I guess you'll have to hang me as well!" Commented Anna, then heard the gate open up and reveal the two men on the other side, which had put a big fire on the bridge.
„Let's get out of here!" Ordered Hans watching Anna release a bow shrieking the king, which didn't realize Anna had purposely avoided him to distract him, so she could go after the king's son.
Anna and Hans passed over the bridge, then raised her hand to sign the bodyguards to leave the place following the path down beside the villain leading towards the harbor.
„How are we going to leave?" Asked Hans watching the body point at the airship of the Weseltons. „The airship?"
„It will be safe for us, you'll see it," Promised Anna, then heard behind her water splashing, then noticed the guards had thrown off the building a water barrel to extinguish one part of the fire.
Along the side of the bridge came two horses, one of them ridden by the father of Hans, following the quartet down at the port shrieking the princess at the stubborn attitude of the man.
„Go faster! He's coming after us on horses," The princess warned, then the bodyguard whistled calling the attention of Oscar, which got at the entrance of the airship, then threw from out there a rope and held it along with the duke waiting for the four to arrive.
„Hans, you go first!" Ordered Anna making Hans shake his head and move his hand up to suggest Anna to go instead.
„Good manners don't matter on a pursuit!" Warned Oscar loud, making Anna frown and jump at the cord to climb the rope up, followed by Hans.
„I would like to have a word with you after this is over, Oscar!" Jeered the princess, then Hans looked back to see the last bodyguard wait for the first two to reach the top and as Anna got on top first, she waited for Hans and shrieked as she saw the second guard come along with a crossbow, then shot it towards the bodyguard, which jumped aside getting stung with the arrow on the arm yelping loud.
„Francis!" Shouted the bodyguard earning Hans's attention, which looked back to see the man in danger and looked down at the bodyguard, then the two set themselves in their heads to return and help their friend.
Both men jumped down to ran to help the bodyguard, in the meanwhile Anna had made it to the top and turned around to help the rest up, then shrieked to see Hans and the bodyguard head towards the fallen bodyguard. Anna took her arrow, then aimed at the riders and launched it missing them and took another one to try again, while Hans and Erik, tried to figure out, how to go up.
„Erik, Hans….You two shouldn't have," Hissed the injured bodyguard, then Hans along with Erik took the man by the arm to speed towards the rope.
„Erik, try to go up, I will try to distract them," Told Hans watching Erik pack his friend by under the arm, then along with him tried to climb up together the rope and Hans held his arms up, watching his father be the first one approaching him, then before he moved up his crossbow from up the ship was launched an ice ray, which froze the ground under the horses causing them to fall down with the riders, making Hans drop his mouth in surprise, then looked up at the ship to see Queen Elsa look down at him, making Hans smile relieved.
Oscar and Anna helped Francis up, followed by Erik and Anna looked down to see Hans get up on the rope as well making Anna smile, then pull the rope up along with Oscar, while Francis walked off along with his partner and Elsa showed up to help her sister out.
„Alright we just have to push Hans up, then we leave," Stated the platinum-blonde woman making Anna nod. Afterward, Hans had arrived, then climbed into the ship, followed by the two siblings to pull him up and Hans was attacked by the husky puppy, which was excited about Hans' well-being.
„You're here!" Raved the dog nuzzling Hans with his wet nose making the man laugh.
„I missed you too, little guy," Admitted Hans shoving the rope away, then Donny got onto Hans' lap, leaning his head on his body hoping for a chance to get caressed.
„The duke will pull the airship away, we'll be gone real soon," Mentioned Elsa, then was about to pick up the rope and noticed King Magnus ran towards the rope, which he grabbed to get up. „Pull it off! Pull it off!"
„Does this man not get tired of it?" Questioned Anna making Hans shake his head, then the trio watched the man climb up, while the airship turned around swinging the man around making Elsa bite her lips.
„Shouldn't we better help him up?" Questioned the queen. „I don't think he's stronger than all of us on the ship,"
Anna got down, then tried to pull the rope off along with Hans and Donny approached to watch the duo help the man, then Magnus shook his hand threatening the trio, while Donny began to growl at the man.
„Hold on! We'll get you up here!" Warned Hans watching the man look forwards and yell passing above a ship crashing against its sail and Hans got up to take a look at the place and noticed a black flag on its pole, then leaned on the wall seeing his father had landed on the ground.
„Is that a pirate ship?" Asked Elsa looking at the familiar flag, then Hans shrugged his shoulders.
„It looks like one, but it's down,"
Down at the ship, the king lied on the ground and sat up to see the number of people standing in the ship along with pirates.
„Is that the one we're looking for?" Asked Prince Hugo, which stood at the side of the ship along with his father.
„Yes and in person," Said a voice calling King Magnus' attention, which looked at the pirates confused at the female voice coming from the pirates, then between them passed through the female pirate captain making the king drop his mouth in surprise „A woman?"
„You've got a problem to see a woman in a leadership position?" Questioned the captain crossing her arms. „Perhaps you should leave your job to the queen for now,"
„Who are you even?" Questioned Magnus. „Who do you think you're talking to?" The king got louder, then all pirates raised their hands holding each a fire gun, shrieking the king and behind his back, he heard a gunshot, which startled him and he moved his head around slowly to see the teenage girl Alfida come along blowing at the front of the gun she had just pulled.
„You're talking to my mother there and no one, who spoke to her nor to me has ever made it out of here!" Bellowed the robber girl making the king swallow hard. „So you're the one who erased the life of my father around 17 years ago? Isn't it?"
„I don't remember to have executed any pirate," Confirmed the king, then Alfida took her knife and pulled the king by its collar down to hold the blade aside his neck.
„Gerhardt was his name. He helped a certain Venling robbing your castle to help the poor and you just punished them to death and according to some of our friends here we just made…." Commented Alfida showing him the guests standing in front of the cabin looking at the scenario. „Some who couldn't pay the taxes, ones who were caught stealing anything, betrayal. Simple things, that no one would even come to the idea to perform,"
I have to admit one or two could have ended with a prison sentence, but... the prisons were full….,"
„Alright, alright, we've heard enough. Boys, tie him up," Ordered the pirate captain, then Alfida took her sword away and watched three men go around the king to put a rope around him.
„What are you doing to me?" Questioned the king a little anxious, then the woman approached the king to grab the crown.
„Oh don't worry, we just want to make justice for every innocent and exaggeratedly punished villager, that had suffered in the hands of you,"
„But…..you know killing me won't make any justice," Said the man with a tensed cackle. „I l….learned it today with one of the inmates there,"
„I know and freeing you won't do it either," Corrected the captain making Alfida nod.
„Suffering is the best punishment for every sort of crime. Who knows, maybe you'll regret everything you've done in your entire life one day," Spoke Alfida with a mischievous grin, then watched the pirates accompany the king away making him cry in panic.
„Help me!"
