Another's Note: Started writing this in March 2020 and for certain reasons, lost motivation to complete it.
Was inspired by the song "As Long As You're Mine" from Wicked the musical.
Story will remain incomplete.
As Long As You're Mine
Chapter One
Homeward Bound
Elsa reached fjord's edge dismounting the Nokk, she gently petted the horse's muzzle before the water spirit retreated back into the sea. Elsa stretched her arms out wide. The hem of her dress whirled gently as she spun. She took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of the crisp morning air. "Home, sweet home" She smiled. A gust of wind swirled around her, signaling the arrival of the wind spirit called 'Gale'.
"I'll be back before you know it. You'll look after Enchanted Forest while I'm gone, won't you?" Elsa asked. The wind spirit fluttered in response, whisking her hair around. "I'll be fine, I promise. What's the worst that could happen?" She paused, "Wait, don't answer that."
This was the first time Elsa had left her dwelling in the Enchanted Forest to return home since abdicating the throne making her sister Anna the new Queen of Arendelle. Elsa had received a letter from Anna asking her if she could watch over the castle while she and Kristoff visited a neighboring kingdom for business inquiries. Elsa said goodbye to Gale and headed for the castle. Passing the docks, through the courtyard and then past the open gates, she arrived at the front door and knocked a few times. The wooden door opened with a slight creaking sound revealing her sister, Anna. Her red hair was in the same intricate hairstyle Elsa and their mother had also worn, her crown resting neatly on her head. Freckles dusted across the bridge of her nose. Her gown had a black bodice embellished with intricate gold detailing and sleeves that went down to her wrists, the skirt of her dress showcased various shades of green. She looked positively regal. Anna's eyes widened with excitement at the sight of her sister, "Elsa!" Anna exclaimed.
"I'm so glad you agreed to take care of the castle on such short notice."
Anna tugged on Elsa's arm and brought her inside. "We're running a little behind. We have to get to the docks before they leave without us." Anna said as she nearly dragged Elsa by her sleeve toward the main staircase. "They're not going to leave without us, Anna." Kristoff reassured, Anna's fiancé, as he passed them, carrying his and Anna's luggage for their voyage. Once they reached the top of the steps, Anna headed down the hall and passed by a series of large doors with Elsa in tow. "We had your room cleaned for your stay. Not that it needs cleaning or anything. You were always so neat and tid— here we are."
They had reached Elsa's bedroom door, the same one Anna knocked on all those years ago. After the Great Thaw, Elsa decided to take their parents' room and then Anna took it when she became queen. Anna grabbed the doorknob and pushed the door open a little too forcefully, almost hitting the wall. "Ta-da! See? All clean." Anna twirled around the room.
"Thank you but you really should get going. Kristoff and the others are waiting for you." Elsa reminded her. Anna's eyes widened "Oh, right!" She pulled her sister in for a hug. "I love you."
"I love you too." Elsa replied as Anna pulled back. Elsa squeezed her hand gently and Anna smiled, "Thanks again." her sister declared as she moved toward the door.
"Alright, have a safe trip and don't have too much fun while you're away." Elsa teased, knowing Anna understood what she meant. Anna's eyes widened, a blush forming on her cheeks. She laughed it off and dashed out the door. "I'll be back soon!" she insisted as she went down the steps, the click of her heels echoing loudly behind her.
Elsa heard the front door open and shut in the distance. Silence filled the room. As much as she loved Anna dearly, she could be overzealous at times. She sighed and looked around her room. Exactly the same as it was from her childhood. How things have changed since then. Elsa thought. Still glancing around the room, she noticed something on her bed. Sir Jorgenbjorgen, a knitted penguin with button eyes and one of Elsa's gloves when she was a child as it's cape. A note laid beside it. "Too keep you company." Elsa read aloud. It was in Anna's handwriting. She must have brought it down from the attic. Elsa held the plush penguin to her face and smiled thinking about how kind it was for her sister to remember such a thing. She sat on her bed and wondered what she was going to do in a large castle all by herself.
By nightfall Elsa was sat at her vanity brushing her white-blonde tresses. She spent her day outside the castle gates taking in the nature and fresh air. The citizens of Arendelle all greeted her as she wandered about. One of the vendors made her a crown of purple heather, her favorite! She was still combing out pieces of the flowers when there was a knock at her door. "Queen El- I mean, your Highness," It was Greda, a servant who's been helping taking care of the castle since she and Anna's father, King Agnarr's reign. The castle's staff often accidently still referred to her as Queen. "Yes?" She answered as she plucked a petal from her hair. "There is someone at the door asking for you." Greda replied. Elsa's eyes widened in confusion. Who would be asking for me at this hour? She thought. "Who is it?" She asked curiously. "I think you should come and see for yourself." What does that mean? She thought to herself. She glanced at the mirror in front of her, making sure she looked presentable. She may no longer be queen, but she still represented Arendelle, even more so now that Anna was away.
She put down her hairbrush and headed toward the door. Her hand trembled slightly as it hovered over the doorknob. Why would someone be asking for me? For a brief moment she thought someone must have known she'd be here. Would they try to harm her? "It's okay. I'm more than capable of handling myself." She reassured herself. Pushing the thoughts to the back of her mind, she opened the door and headed for the stairs. On the way down the steps she saw the castle staff standing by the door. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Who's asking for me?"
"What's going on?" she asked. The staff turned to face her as she headed towards them. "Who's asking for me?"
Kai, the castle's trusted advisor, was about to speak until they heard shouting from the other side of the doors. "Please, I need to speak to Queen Elsa! I mean her no harm!" Elsa thought the voice sounded familiar but she couldn't quite place it. The guards outside shouted, "You're not welcome here!" She couldn't make out what the other person said If they had even said anything at all. She hesitantly stepped closer to the door, but still kept her distance. Suddenly the doors burst open, causing Elsa to stumble back startled. She could feel ice tingling at her fingertips. The next thing she knew someone landed on the floor in front of her. She gasped in shock. There on the ground, mere inches from where she stood was the last person she'd ever expected to see again. Prince Hans Westergaard of the Southern Isles.
I came here for you." He admitted sharply. Elsa looked at him slightly stunned as he continued. He cleared his throat before he spoke again. "Queen Elsa, I came here to ask for your forgiveness and pledge my loyalty to you." He pronounced; his breath labored. Probably from trying to get past the guards. He lowered his head, staring at the floor as he waited for her reply. She paused, taking in what he said. Why now? After all this time? She should have him locked up in manacles for what he had done, just as he did to her. Instead only one word escaped her mouth.
"Why?"
He looked up at her again, his mouth frowned. "To make up for what I've done and to leave behind my horrid family." It was eerily quiet as she thought of what to do. The only sound being her pulse thumping in her ears. "Please, I can't go back there. Not back to the Southern Isles." Hans begged, snapping Elsa out of her thoughts. He continued. "Please I'll do anything."
His voice cracked on the word anything sending an odd sensation down Elsa's spine. Her mind was reeling, repeating: this was all a bad idea. She pushed the thought away and straightened her back as she clasped her hands in front of her. "I agree to your terms on one condition. If you try to hurt me or Anna or anyone. I'll send you straight back to the Southern Isles and thereby exiled from ever stepping foot in Arendelle ever again." Probably not the best suited punishment, given what he had done, but Elsa was never going to have someone's life on her hands. She was no monster. Hans looked at her as if he didn't expect her to agree. Elsa ordered her guards to release him. "Thank you, your majesty. I promise to do whatever you ask. You will not regret it." He attempted what she could only assume was a bow but he grimaced in pain. She glanced down at his clothing again. She noticed they were worn, covered in dirt and what looked like dried blood. What did your brothers do to you? Her mind questioned. For the briefest moment she felt sympathy for him. She shook her head slightly, trying to suppress the thought. "You may bathe as you wish. I'll have one of the staff bring you some fresh clothes."
"Thank you, your majesty." He replied graciously. "I assume I'll be staying in one of the guest rooms." Unknowingly she took a step forward again.
Unknowingly she took a step forward again. Their faces were only inches apart. "You'll be staying in the guest room across from me." Hans looked at her face in disbelief, his mouth slightly agape. "Guards, please show Prince Westergaard to his room." With that the guards brought Hans to his room across from hers. The castle staff looked shocked momentarily, then dispersed and resumed their duties. Elsa stood alone in the grand room.
What have I done?