Authors note: Welcome to the next chapter. I want to thank all of my lovely readers. I am happy that you are all enjoying the remake so far as I worked hard to make sure this was as perfect as possible.:)
I will not tell a summary of what to expect in this chapter as I want to keep the rest a secret, a secret which I hope will delight all of you lovely readers. (Wink). Any way on with the new story, please tell me what you think and what improvements I can make on it as your opinions matter.
Picks in hand, shovels and seeds of grain, the men and women went to the field to have it ready to plant, grow and finally harvest.
Digging holes Hans checked the soil, digging his hand into it he pulled out a handful of dirt and moved it around his hand, feeling for texture, he frowned when he saw it all clumpy and hard, kinda like pebbles.
"Not good at all" though Hans, he had only seen this once before, one time in the southern isles there was a series of bad frost which made the ground hard, when it thawed out people thought they could start preparing the ground only to find the dirt underneath was all hard and clumpy, not good for anything.
Dropping the ground Hans looked around as he wondered why the ground was like this. There had not been many sudden frosts... right?
Looking at the other workers he noticed they noticed the same thing too. But unlike him they seem to know what caused it.
"This is getting more and more interesting by the minute" though Hans as he went off to work.
The day he spent it like any other day, working, checking the old man, throwing dead carcasses of animals into the forest and more work. So much running he swore he wore a hole in his already broken down shoes.
By the end of the day he was tired and was glad to return home when half way he stopped as he remembered Anna and Kristoff.
Turning around he made his way to their home, it was a modest, ground level home, not too big or too small. As he got closer he realized there was a barn on the back, but no reindeer.
It only took one look for Hans to realize what happened, Kristoff probably had to sell all his reindeer and tools as he would be unable to use or care for them in his state.
"Poor guy, wonder what happened that left him in such a state" Hans though as he approached the door, knocking on it he waited and while he did he though off different theories.
Non of them made any sense, for example he though maybe Kristoff fell while climbing, but knowing how careful the guy is there was no way that was possible. Then he though maybe a machine accident as Kristoff is pretty old fashion and at times refused to use modern machinery to make work easier, but that too made no sense. Lastly he though of an animal attack, but that also did not seem possible. So Hans was at a loss at what had happened.
Suddenly he heard the door open, taking off his hood in respect Hans waited till Anna opened the door. With a bow he said "Princess Anna",
"Please John don't bow" said Anna with a smile "I am not a princess anymore", this surprised Hans but he kept it to himself as Anna said "Please come in",
"Oh I rather not, don't want to dirty your clean floors" he said.
"Please, I insist" said Anna, giving in Hans walked inside and looked around the spacious area as Anna led him to a parlor where Kristoff was waiting, in his lap he had several containers and a jug of something.
"Good afternoon John, hope you are well" said Kristoff with a nod,
"I am, but what about you and your wife? Hope you are both well" answered Hans with another bow,
"Please and yes, we are fine" said Kristoff then gestured with his head to the container "My wife and her cook spent a long time with this, hope it's more than enough",
"It is too much, I cannot accept" said Hans as he got closer and noticed the amount of food prepared,
"Please, we insist" said Anna,
"Thank you" said Hans as he took the food, Anna escorted him out then as Hans left he heard "Wait!".
Turning he faced Anna who stared at him intensely, he felt cold dry sweat coming down his back as her face analyzed his face then asked "Do I know you from somewhere?",
"Hu?" Hans replied dumbly before Anna shook her head and said "Sorry, I must be mistake" then a sighted "You see... we lost somebody dear to us... not that I think he knew..." then looked up and added "It's been years now and I still hope that one day he will come back... but I am not deluding myself, I know he will never come back and to be honest" she sighted sadly "He is better off not coming back as he is definitely happier elsewhere... not here... I guess I want him to come back to let him know that I did forgive him and I was sorry for not letting him know that I really did wanted him with us" shaking her head she smiled at Hans and said "Sorry, I tend to blabber on and on... not sure how Kristoff puts up with me from time to time",
"He loves you" said Hans "You do anything for the people you love..." to this he felt guilty even though he knew he did the right thing.
"Yes" hummed Anna as she though then asked "Can I ask you a favor?".
"Favor?" asked Hans unsure, looking behind her Anna closed the door behind her and said "I need you to quit your job and work for me",
"Pardon?" asked Hans as he wondered if he heard right, why would Anna want that? Did she know?
"Call me crazy, but... I have a feeling that it's not a coincidence that you are here" said Anna mysterious "You are here for a reason and... I think fate brought you here to help me and my husband",
"I.. I am sorry your highness... but that cannot be right, how can I?" asked/stammered Hans as he tried to keep calm, had she somehow discovered his identity?
"It's not anybody who would have done what you did selflessly" said Anna then added "You are different John... and I am sure you will be most useful to me and my husband",
"Princess-",
"Anna please" corrected Anna,
"You are mistaken, I am not different" insisted Hans,
"Trust me you are and that's why I need your help" said Anna then added "Like I said I need you to quit your job and work for me, don't worry about what the farmer will say as I will handle it, I will provide food and shelter for you and your father, but in exchange I ask you one thing".
Hans though, that was a generous offer but he still did not understand what Anna was getting at so he asked "Which is?",
"My husband, since what happened it's only been me and him... I fear he is growing depressed as days goes by" asked Anna, her voice trembled a bit in sorrow before adding "I feel some more company will do him a world of good",
"But are you not worried your husband will not like this" asked Hans,
"I got it planned out, I will hire you under the pretense of restarting my husbands reindeer ranch" explained Anna "That will provide a distraction for him and work for you".
That was really brilliant in Anna's part Hans admitted but frowned and said "I don't know much about reindeer, but I am willing to give it a try",
"So it's a yes?" asked Anna hopefully,
"It is more than a yes, it is an honor for me to do this for you" said Hans with a bow. Then grew tense when Anna hugged him "Thank you" before letting go, turning around and saying "I will inform your employer and have you move in as soon as possible",
"But where shall we stay?" asked Hans slightly worried about that detail,
"There is a guest house on the back, where the ranch is, you and your father can stay there, you also will have permission to garden and farm the land around the house, so long as you let me know" said Anna,
"That is more than generous, thank you" said Hans,
"No problem, we need some change and maybe having you and your father around will do a lot of good" said Anna with that she went inside and closed the door behind her.
With a nod Hans hurried up back to the barn where the old man was waiting. "I am back" said Hans as he walked in.
"I know, I heard you" the old man said as he sat in front of the fireplace then added "That smells nice",
"Looks nice too" commented Hans as he place the containers down and began to look over the items, in truth he began to drool a bit looking over the food that was inside.
"I bet I can guess what's for dinner today" said the old man with a cheeky smile,
"I bet you cannot" said Hans playfully,
"Oh I can and will prove you wrong" said the old man in an overconfident voice,
"Then prove me wrong" said Hans.
The old man paused, seemed to smell then said "Hummm my favorite farikal ... but smells like it needs a bit more pepper", amazed Hans looked at the first container he opened and said "Yes! Your right, how did you know?",
"Being blind gives you a great sense of hearing and smell" said the old man,
"Please, beginners luck" teased Hans,
"Want to try another one?" asked the old man,
"Alright" said Hans but feeling a bit like a trickster he opened up several containers except one.
The old man smelled and said "Oh you cheeky devil, though you can fool me Hu? Well you cannot, I smelll... Sodd with extra carrots it seems, Fiskeboller and lefse",
"You are right, that's incredible" praised Hans,
"Thank you, now want to try desert or will you serve me a plate already" said the old man in a playful tone.
Hans chuckled to that and made a plate before bringing it over. Sitting down in front of the old
Man Hans let him know and began to feed him. First the soup with the lefse in between.
As he ate the old man sighted and said "This is embarrassing, I am a grown man and I have to be fed like a baby because" he sighted sadly as he bend his head down, moving the stumps where his hands were supposed to be.
"I am sorry",
"Don't be... I deserve what happened... if anything I am greatful for you" said the old man "You don't have to put up with me, yet you do" there was a pause then asked "Why?",
"Why what?" asked Hans,
"I am a burden on you, not your blood or responsibility, yet you took me in and care for me... why?" asked the old man,
"I guess" Hans hesitated before saying "I guess it's because I have been there before... and nobody helped me... nobody was there to help me up or help me at all",
"And?",
"And I did not like it, so I decided to never make another person feel the way I felt before" explained Hans.
"Oh" said the old man softly. The rest of the dinner was quiet. Yet despite this it was truly a wonderful and taste meal which put both Hans and the old man fast asleep.
A week later:
It was nice, easily one of the nicest accommodations Hans ever stayed in. It was a simple house, looked very much like a version of what the Vikings used to live in, but with all modern accommodations such as indoor plumbing and bath.
They did not have much, just a bag with them so the move was easy.
Upon stepping in Hans helped the old man unto a chair.
"This feels nice" said the old man as he sunk into the obviously soft chair.
"Someone is making himself at home very quickly" said Hans playfully as he left to get some firewood. Coming back he made a fire, once everything was secured Hans left to start his duties.
Walking down a stone path which led to the stables next to the home he was staying in Hans opened it up and looked inside. He frowned a little as it was clear that this place was not used in a while.
"Wonder if there is any damage" though Hans as he proceeded to clean and prepare the stable as new reindeer would be delivered next week.
When done he made his way over to the main house where he found Anna and Kristoff talking a walk around the house. Anna pushing Kristoff on his wheelchair.
"Good morning John" greeted Anna,
"Good morning" said Hans,
"So, what do you think?" asked Kristoff,
"The stables are okay, I cleaned it and put some hay, should be good, now about the-" Hans paused when Kristoff and Anna began to chuckle a little.
"He meant the guest house, is it to you and your fathers liking?" Anna specifies,
"Why yes... thank you, you both are extremely generous" said Hans,
"Were glad as finally that house has some use" said Kristoff then added "So what else were you going to say?",
"I was thinking if possible to do some landscaping for both of you, a combination of flower and ornamental garden with some vegetable and fruit patches if possible while we wait for the reindeer to be shipped here" offered Hans.
"Alright" said Anna nodding,
"Great, will show you the plans when ready as I fully intent for the garden to be fully functional to both of you" said Hans and with a bow he turned and left. He had in mind what he wanted to do.
The seat of power, that was where Elsa stood, she was in the highest point of power her ancestors would ever dream of.
As queen of a united Scandinavia she rule with an iron but fair hand. Nobody dared to challenge her and those who did she made them regret it quickly.
Her paintings were paraded around, her statues were displayed. She was seen and even almost worshiped as a goddess with unparalleled beauty.
"A goddess... I am compared to Freya or Aphrodite..." though Elsa sadly "But I feel like Echo..." as she listened, trying to hide the need to yawn in boredom as the embasadors before her praised her and spoke to her, saying all the right words to try and get her to agree to the offers their royals sent to her in exchange for her hand in marriage.
She almost scoffed at them and resisted the urge to show them the door in the least polite way possible. Luckily her guard Ulrik was more than happy to do it for her.
Once they left Elsa though "Finally!" before getting up, deciding to call it a day. No more meetings or anything till tomorrow morning... maybe noon...
Getting up from her silver and diamond encrusted throne, a gift from the Tsar of Russia... a sort of please do not invade gift... Elsa made her way to her room. Stopping at her door she looked around before entering and closing the door, locking it behind her. She tested the knob before walking to her desk where a box sat. It was guarded by a tiny ice dragon of her creation.
Seeing her the little dragon turned and left the top of the box allowing Elsa to access what was inside.
With a sad sight she reached and opened the box from where she took out a pair of gloves and a glass bottle full of a clear liquid. Holding them close she walked to her bed, sitting on it before stroking them. As she did memories resurfaced.
"Why did you do that?!" a yell rang through the room. Kristoff never stood up, never yelled or anything, but this time he was too angry not to.
He stared at Agnaar, Anna and Idunna stood by Kristoff, ready to try an grab the man in case he tried to do anything as it looked like Kristoff was ready to strangle the man.
"Its only fair" said Agnaar non chalantly "Hans owes Arendelle this and more for what he did, he is not deserving of this medal",
"He almost died for Arendelle!" Kristoff screamed at him "He is more deserving of it than me!".
Agnaar looked at them in anger then turned to Elsa who stood by, she looked torn between her father and Kristoff, but said nothing.
"Elsa, do you believe Hans is deserving of it? I personally do not think your would be murderer deserves it... but I want your opinion since he almost killed you" said Agnaar "Your not like your mother and sister, your my wise little girl... right?
Elsa looked between the two, conflicted and did not say anything and if she wanted to... Agnaar did not let her speak as he said "See? She agrees with me",
"She has not answered! I want to hear it from her!" said Idunna sternly,
"She knows what is best for Arendelle" he turned and asked in a sweet yet cold voice "Right? You would never choose anything over your own father and Arendelle, right?"
Still not saying anything Elsa could not meet her families eye, her shoulders were shaking a bit as she tried keep herself together.
Anger filled Idunna as she growled "Anna... kristoff... take Elsa to her room",
"But mother-",
"Now please" said Iduna in a sweet sick voice.
Reluctantly Anna did as she was told, but deep inside she wanted to hurt her father personally. With Kristoff help she slowly helped Elsa out of the room as they knew that Idunna was more than ready to give Agnaar a piece of her mind.
Walking back to where the party was being held Elsa looked around and frowned. Hans was nowhere to be seen, she asked around and nobody had seen or even seem to notice him.
Worried Elsa left the party and made her way to Hans room. Trying the door she frowned it was locked, he never locked the door. Knocking on the door she waited for a response, but heard nothing. Pressing her ears she heard light snoring, he was asleep. Moving so her head was against the door she whispered "I am sorry... I promise I will make it up to you".
"I never got a chance" whispered Elsa.
She did not mean it, she just was so angry. She did not mean what she said about the throne, she was just frustrated. Why could he just not forgive her already?! Why did he ran away like that?!
That though ran through over and over through Elsas head as she waited for news from the search party she sent to find Hans.
Elsa looked hopeful as she saw the door of the throne room open, but it dropped in disappointment when she saw Agnaar and worse when she saw the worried look on his face.
"Whats wrong?" asked Elsa softly even worried, rubbing the back of his head Agnaar said "I am sorry my daughter, but we have to stop the search"
"Why?" asked Elsa baffled, how could he say that?!
"Because I saw the bastard running away with another woman" said Agnaar "I saw the bastard running off with some loose woman"
Elsa stared in shock, no... that was not right... it could not be...
Elsa wished she had reacted faster, she knew it was a lie, but she just could not believe it! Agnaar was her father! He would never lie to her! Sadly the truth came too late.
Agnaar has destroyed what little Hans and what little was left of him. There was no pictures left, no memtos.
All that she had left of him was his gloves, she confiscated from Lars when she took over the isles and his cologne. She had tracked down the perfumer who made Hans cologne and had him make a bottle of Hans personal cologne for herself.
Taking the bottle she opened it and smelled it. It smelled somewhat like him, it was missing something though.
Agnaar had lied, he had lied horribly!
Elsa stared at her father who was being held down by two guards, while near them was Kristoff who was in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the neck down, Anna was next to him, holding his hand, tears in her eyes. She looked absolutely distraught and was not alone, on the corner was their mother Iduna, sobbing uncontrollably into her hands.
The lies and how far Agnaar had gone to get his way... it was something out of Elsas own nightmares. He had manipulated them! All of them! He made them think that
Hans had not changed, forcing them to do these test in the hopes of either killing or breaking Hans under the pretense that he needed to prove he had changed, stole and hid Hans papers to make them think that Hans was bluffing about breaking the engagement and was just manipulating them.
All this was a plan of Agnaar's and it worked, he had them all fooled, Hans was gone and Agnaar would have gotten rid of Kristoff, almost did, but it seems divine intervention or cruel fate made it so Kristoff would not die that fateful day, rather become paralyzed.
Looking back at her... no this man was not her father... he is a monster she whispered "Why? Why did you kill my love?",
"I had to! It's for the good of our country! Why can't you see that?! That bastard is no good!" Snarled Agnaar, in his mind he was justified in his actions.
"He almost died for Arendelle, he passed all of the test, he was going to change his last name and was not going to get the throne or any power, he wanted nothing but to spend the rest of his life with me" whispered Elsa as the situation set in.
"I don't care! He and that..." he glared at Kristoff "Bastard are unworthy! They are filth! If I could I would-",
"Shut up!" It sounded.
Startled Anna, Kristoff, Iduna and even agnaar looked in shock, Elsa sounded furious, looked furious as she rose from the throne and shouted "How dare you?! You who have caused us so much harm! Stole some much of us! Is there nothing else you want to take!"
She paused then looked at the guards before ordering "Remove his hands", this shocked the guards, one spoke "But your majesty he is-",
"Dare question me?" said Elsa as she turned and gave an icy glare to the guard "Your queen gave you an order as for this... thief... will be punished".
Agnaar seeing she was serious began to struggle against the guards grip as he shouted "You cannot do this! I am your father!"
To which Elsa replied coldly "I have no father"
Her order was carried out and from there Agnaar was banished, never to return or else he would be put to death. Not that it mattered, not that Agnaar would survive so long without his hands.
But still that did not satisfy Elsa, she was angry, she was hurt, so she made a vow.
The people wanted the perfect queen, then fine, they will have her, a cold, calculating, perfect queen she became. Ruling alone over a united Scandanavia which she made possible. Making and sending portraits and statues through her and other kingdoms, showing herself off as an incarnation of Frigga, Freya, Sif, Skadi, Athena and Artemiss. Reminding those who dared to oppose her who was the one with the power, never marrying or letting anybody close as she did not want to share power with anybody... at least anybody she could not trust... which was almost nobody since the stunt her father and council pulled in the past...
She was fine on her own, though she missed Hans and sometimes would wonder all the what if's. Not that it would change anything, but she had hope that when her time was up in the world of the living she would be reunited with him... much like Orpheus was reunited with his lover in the underworld...
Placing the gloves to the side she curled up in bed, sometimes wishing that the gloves would be a his coat, to wrap around herself as she slept, so she could pretend that he was there even if he was not.
Closing her eyes she felt tears of ice fall from her eyes as she slowly drifted away into a dreamless sleep.
Months later:
Paradise, it was something everybody looks for but hardly never find. Hans could not go out to find his own, but he could try to bring it to Kristoff and Anna.
It was hard work, but it was well worth it seeing it pay off.
The ranch came to life in a pasture of greenery and artificially made river and pond which Hans was able to make by tapping into an underwater river in the area then creating a canal and pond interconnected which helped keep the water fresh and clean.
He then, with the help of Varian, Heidi and Aisha through letters made a series of small canals around the area of the garden which would serve as a irrigation system followed by the use of mirrors and magnifying glasses that would keep the area of the fruit, flower and vegetable patches to make sure they got the best produce and flowers, sometimes even off season.
Gathering the flowers Hans placed them in a wicker basket as these would be sold in market to create perfumes.
As he worked Kristoff watched from the wagon and looked on before asking "Is it done yet?",
"Just about" said Hans as he loaded up the last basket before closing the wagon and getting on the drivers side. To which Kristoff sighted "Once upon a time I would be the one driving".
Hans turned to ask what happened but decided against it, instead he though and said "You still can",
"Pardon?" asked Kristoff surprised,
"Watch" instructed Hans as he got up and pushed Kristoff gently to the driver side before jumping behind with the reins, he placed part of it on Kristoff hands, moving and accommodating the useless hands to make it seem he was holding unto the reins while Hans held and control them from behind Kristoff.
"Watch" said Hans as he moved the reins a bit causing the reindeer pulled cart to move, as it did Kristoff looked down then up front. Smiled a little, it was nice, sure he knew he was not driving, but this was really close to it.
Arriving to town Hans stopped the cart, jumped out and entered the shop of the chemist.
After selling the flowers Hans unloaded it, before going back and driving the wagon back home.
Arriving there he helped Kristoff down and unto his wheelchair before pushing it over to the inside of the house where Anna was.
She was busy so Hans bid his good bye and left. Just as he left she turned and jumped a bit surprised "Kristoff, you surprised me",
"Sorry, did not mean to, me and John just got back" said Kristoff,
"Really? And he did not stay for dinner?" asked Anna a little insulted,
"He said his father was waiting" said Kristoff,
"That won't do" said Anna as she turned and entered the kitchen before coming out with some containers.
"Stay here" said Anna,
"Not going anywhere" chuckled Kristoff as Anna stormed off.
As she marched through the garden, pass the reindeer Anna arrived to the guest house, but just as she was going to barge in she stopped.
Gasping she dropped the containers before she turned around and ran away.
To be continue...
Fun fact: Hans face did not change much, his facial bone structure is the same, all the dwarfs did is an equivalent of a facial reconstruction, only magical of course. If Hans were to shave his beard off, cut off his hair, dye it to auburn red and close his eyes (his eye color is now silvery blue due to the healing magic used permanently changed his eye color) he would immediately be recognized.
Using gods as inspirations for portraits was very common in royals. If you look at the portraits you see them be painted as god like or like emperors and such.
Authors note: Hans is working for Anna and Kristoff, but it seems that Anna may have almost discovered Hans real identity. Any way hope you all enjoy the chapter of this story! It was long and hard work! Please review to let me know what you all think, but for now I bid you adue and will post the sequel of this story as soon as possible. Take care.