Authors note: Thank you for all the reviews. Hopefully you will all like this chapter as this one and the one to come will further explore the new lives which are being lead by Hans, Kristoff, Elsa, Anna and the rest, its not much, but will get interesting later on and there will be more as the chapters go on.
Anynway, hope you all enjoy it and please review when done.
Chapter 6
Grown up
Arendelle palace, many years later:
Mornings were usually almost always quiet as most of the staff was busy attending their things while the few guest that stayed in the palace were still asleep. Very rare was somebody wide awake at this hour, though Elsa was the one and only who was up at that time.
She unlike Anna enjoyed the mornings, she enjoyed the silence, peace and tranquility as she would take her time and walk around, enjoy a book or the fresh morning air as she strolled through the gardens of the palace.
Smiling she sighted before cringing at a foul noise,
"YOU WILL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!" she heard Anna's scream sound from the palace, soon there after the strawberry blond ran out the palace with her governess following her,
"Your highness, you need to attend to your lessons" said the governess exasperated as she tried to catch the princess,
"No I do not! I am not the heir so I do not have to attend lessons" said Anna as she hid behind some rose bushes, dodging the governess at every turn,
"Heir or not you have to learn!" scolded the governess,
"Elsa is heir, why is she not learning now?" whined Anna as she pointed her finger accusingly at Elsa who sat down on a bench, watching them in great amusement,
"Because she already finished her lessons, unlike you" snapped the governess as she was clearly at her wits end before she began to chase Anna around the rose bush before the two ran back inside nearly knocking the servant Gretel aside who was heading outside to check on the flowers in the gardens.
Covering her mouth Elsa tried not to laugh, but the whole situation was so funny it was impossible not to.
She knew Anna hated to study...or anything that has to do with royalty, though she did enjoy the dresses and parties from time to time, but it was becoming very clear that Anna was starting to desire a simple life, even if she was not fully aware of its hardships.
In its way, Elsa envied Anna, she always knew what she wanted and when her heart was set on something she would just go with it. While Elsa despite the fact that she has grown more independent, she still likes control and dislikes stepping out of her comfort zone as she likes the predictability that being an heir brought.
Her path was already pre-destined and planned and that was how she liked it.
"Well...almost" though Elsa as she placed a hand on her necklace, it was a gold necklace with sapphires and diamonds with the pendant being a mere white shell with purple freckles on it, which in itself was odd as people would ask why put something so strange and worthless among many expensive and rare jewels.
The answer was quite simple, the shell was not worthless to Elsa, it was one of the most precious things she possessed.
"I wonder where you are Ross" though Elsa before wincing when she heard a loud crash followed by her fathers angry scream and scolding.
Corona, early morning:
"Morning Master Hans" greeted one of the workers who was busy tending the herb patches which were close to the chateau,
"Morning Wes, how's the weather?" greeted Hans as he stopped to greet the worker back before continuing his way to the barn,
"Perfect, as it should always be" said Wes laughing then asked "Where are you going?",
"To visit Eugene and Rapunzel" said Hans "I promised the king and queen that I would teach them about the customs of the court",
"Good luck with that, Eugene needs all the help he can get" snorted Wes,
"Eugene is not that bad" said Hans defending Eugene, Wes just gave him a dead panned look, it took a minute or so before Hans cracked and said "Okay okay, I admit he is a little irresponsible...over the top...conniving... a bit vain...but he is not that bad and most of all he makes Rapunzel happy",
"The kingdom still says it should have been you that Rapunzel married" said Wes seriously making Hans mentally groan "Not this again" before saying out loud and extremely exasperated "I said it once and I will say it again, I do not love Rapunzel, I mean I do...as a sister...but that is all", Hans hated that he had to repeat himself constantly over the same matter.
"But she is a princess and you are a prince, her parents taught you and trained you, you were the obvious choice" Wes pointed out,
"To Rapunzel I was not" said Hans seriously "Eugene makes Rapunzel happy and that is all I and her parents care about",
"Tell that to your poor grandmother's grave, even in her death bed she swore someday you would marry a princess and become a king" said Wes,
"Then you really do not know my grandmother" said Hans "Even though she said that, what she wanted the most was for me somebody who I love and would love me back, she never really cared me marrying a princess",
"Alright fine, I see your point" said Wes,
"Thank you and if you so ever need me I will be at the Corona palace" said Hans before he turned around and left, making his way to the stables.
The stables were fairly large as it housed many cows, chickens, geese, horses and many other animals that called the chateau their home, walking pass the corrals a horse quickly pranced over, greeting Hans before he even arrived to the stables.
"Hello Sitron" greeted Hans as he stopped by the fence of the corral and placed his hand on the horses nose, stroking it, it neighed softly and nibbled his hand,
"Yes, we will be visiting Maximus today, I know how you two always like to chat" said Hans then added playfully "And don't think that I do not know how you two like to mess with Eugene", Sitron looked away as if playing innocent before he followed Hans back to the stables where his master opened the gate and saddled him.
Mounting the saddle Hans took off as Sitron ran out the stables and out the front of gardens before speeding through the man made road towards the palace.
Passing the forest he could have continued to town, but in a split decition Hans pulled on the reins and turned Sitron so they went through what Hans called the "Scenic route" which went pass the coast of Corona and its beaches.
Pulling on the reins again Hans slowed Sitron so instead of running the horse was walking slowly.
Sighting Hans took a moment to look at the ocean, where Agatha and Thor were sent when they died and it was also the day where his parents revealed the truth...
Flashback:
With a solemn look in his eyes Alexander made his way into the water, behind him was a group of people, all of them in mourning over the passing of Meline and Galen, once deep enough Alexander took out a pot of clay, from which he opened it and poured the contents inside of it into the water, letting the sea currents take the ashes of his dead parents out into the ocean.
Watching from the shore Hans cried to the point he began to hyperventilate, he loved his grandparents very dearly, never he though they would die, yes he knew they would die as everybody died eventually, but he did not expected them to die before his 10th birthday as he hoped that they would be still alive when he became an adult, got married and had kids so they would be able to meet their grandchildren.
Amelia brought Hans into a hug to calm and comfort him, she wanted to cry too, but dared not as she knew that if Hans saw her crying it would make things worse, she had to be strong for her little boy.
"It will be okay Hans" said Amelia softly,
"How? Grandpa and Grandma are gone and I will never see them again" sniffled Hans, Amelia gave him a watery smile before whipping his tears gently with her hand and said "Oh Hans, grandma and grandpa are never truly gone, in fact they are right here with you right now",
"Really?" sniffled Hans as he looked around hopping to see his grandparents,
"Oh no, not like that" said Amelia laughing a little, Hans looked at her between confused and hurt, was she playing a trick on him?
"They are here in spirit" said Amelia then placed a hand on his head, smoothing down his locks of hair as she explained "When good people die they become one with nature, they become part of the flowers, trees, water, air, where they watching over their loved ones so they are never alone in life",
"Will I see them again?" asked Hans softly,
"Of course, we will all see them someday" said Amelia,
"When their love ones are taken care off, their job is done and are allowed to go",
"Go where?",
"To heaven Hans, where there is no suffering or sadness or aging or sickness or death" said Amelia "And when they get there they will also be able to do what they love to do the most",
"Like visiting their friends, having parties and playing poker?" asked Hans innocently,
"Yes, that sounds like what your grandparents would do" said Amelia with a light laugh then it left when Alexander walked over, he had a somber look in his face.
Hans looked confused as Alexander and Amelia tugged him away and back into the chateau, all the while avoiding the crowd of people gathered to grieve the loss of Agatha and Thor.
Later:
Looking up at the ceiling Hans could not sleep as he tossed and turned in his bed, he felt conflicted, at one point he was angry that his grandparents were taken and on the other he hoped they were having fun wherever they were now.
In his mind he imagined them young and happy, like a sketch he found of Meline and Galen at their wedding day, doing poker with friends, having lunches or playing sports, ridding horses, all the good fun stuff that they liked to do.
"Or are they still watching me as spirits?" though Hans after a while, then felt silly about it, of course they would, he is their grandson, they loved him and he loved them.
They had many good times, like the time Galen and Alexander took him fishing and sailing, when Meline taught him how to ride horses and make her world famous fish soup.
"I had them for longer than most others..." though Hans "Maybe I should just focus on the good times we had...like mom said...I will see them again someday..and she is never wrong"
Then there was a knock on the door, Hans looked at the door, it opened slowly, for a moment he was afraid as he wondered if the person behind the door was the old hag who stole the lost princess from her parents. Was she there to take him away from his loving parents? Hans wondered in fear as he held his breath only to sight in relief when he saw it was his parents Alexander and Amelia.
"Papa, mama...you two scared me" he said relived,
"We are sorry...but..we need to tell you something...something important" said Alexander as he held Amelias hand, squeezing it gently,
"What is it mama?" asked Hans as he wondered, did he do something wrong? He was sure he did not as he had been in his best behavior since what happened in Arendelle winter festival.
Amelia looked at Alexander sadly, but he nodded before they both walked over, Amelia sat on the edge of Hans bed while Alexander remained standing.
"You remember how you always asked for a brother or a sister" began Amelia as she took his little hand unto hers,
"Yes?" asked Hans confused,
"Hans...we ask you to forgive us...for we have not been completely honest with you" said Amelia tearing up,
"I don't understand, what is going on?" asked Hans fear creeping up in his voice,
"We could never have children Hans, it was impossible" said Alexander,
"But..if you cannot...then how was I born?" asked Hans getting distressed, he did not understand what did they meant by it, how can they not have children? If they could not then how was he born?
Once he though that he knew the answer...
"I was adopted?" asked Hans, adopted he did not mind, a lot of people he knew were adopted into families.
"Yes and no...its much more complicated than that Hans" said Alexander sadly "You were given to us by your real parents",
"Given?" asked Hans, the words left a bad taste in his mouth, he may be a child, but he knew that you could you just give a child away as if it was an object.
"Yes, your parents, King Stephen and Queen Valhalla of the southern isle's gave you to us to raise" said Alexander,
"But that cannot be right, if the king and queen gave you to me than it-" Hans stopped as his eyes widen with realization,
"It makes you their son...and a prince..." said Amelia finishing softly,
"You are a prince Hans, you have a castle in the southern isle's with 12 brothers" said Alexander,
"12 brothers?" asked Hans shocked, he covered his mouth as he felt sick, if he had parents...and brothers...why was he not with them? and another thing bothered him...the most important.
"My name...?",
"We don't know...your parents never named you...but your last name is Westergaar" said Alexander,
"So we named you Hans, it means precious gift...which you are to us" said Amelia softly as tears came out "We love you Hans, we love you so much, regardless of your heritage or where you came",
"How do I know your not lying?" demanded Hans after a while, if they lied about being his parents then they could be lying about this too.
Alexander sighted as he reached into his bag and took out a vibrant green blanket, it was old, yet the color remained as new as the day it was made. Giving it to Hans he moved it so it showed the golden crest of the southern isles on it.
"This was yours when you were brought by the Duke" said Alexander,
"But why? Why if I have parents they send me away" said Hans as he looked at it upset.
"We...we rather not say.." said Alexander hesitating,
"Why don't they come and visit? Why don't they write or see me?" Hans continued to ask, both Amelia and Alexander stammered and hesitated, they did not wanted to say the truth.
Pausing Hans looked sad as he realized why, "They don't love me...",
"Hans" said Amelia,
"No! Its the only explanation for there is no other reason for them to give me away!" cried Hans,
"Hans...we love you" said Amelia as she brought the child over to a hug. Burying his head on Amelia's shoulder he cried as he held unto her, wishing they were his real parents instead of some king and queen he knew nothing about. He wanted to be Hans De Mointeiun, son of the Count and Countess De Mointeiun of Corona, not some Prince Westergaar of the Southern Isle's, son of a King and Queen who probably didn't even bother to name him.
Amelia continued to hold him as he cried, finally after a few hours he fell asleep, tucking him in Amelia and Alexander kissed him good night before leaving the room. Both were conflicted on what to do next, a part of them wished that they would have told Hans the truth sooner, but every time they though of telling him they always put it off for one reason or another.
As the night went on Hans slept, but it was troubled as his mind was tormented by the truth his parents told him, but as dawn approached Hans realized something.
If his so called "Parents" and "family" did not want him then good riddance! He did not want to be a prince or live in a castle or any of that dumb stuff! He was happy as he was now! He was happy being Hans De Mointeiun and in his eyes his parents are Amelia and Alexander! Nothing and nobody could ever change that!
Getting up Hans got out of bed and ran to his parents with excitement of what he will say.
Its been years since that, Amelia and Alexander were happy to hear that as they embraced, though afterwards Alexander insisted on Hans meeting the King and Queen of Corona whom he asked as a favor to teach him the ways of royal life.
Though Hans was taught he never fully enjoyed it, he preferred his time as a soldier eventually rising up the ranks and becoming a naval admiral and the times he has helped his father in his merchant business, frankly the only thing of royal life he enjoyed was the times he accompanied the king and queen and the princess with her boyfriend and in turn they saw him as family, many times referring to him as a nephew for the royal parents or cousin for the princess.
"I don't need my real parents...or their kingdom, I am happy right here" though Hans as he and Sitron made their way up the beach and to town "This is where I am meant to be".
Back in Arendelle:
Inside the many forest of Arendelle there was a huge hub as berries sprouted all over, seeing the amount everybody ran to the forest to pick and choose berries to take home.
Said berries would be made into jams, pies and many other things, so the race was on as everybody trampled one another to get berries.
Ellen smiled as she walked pass some of the people, she unlike them, knew the forest from top to bottom so yes, she knew where the best berries were and where to find them.
"And nobody knows but me" she though with glee as she walked back home with a huge basket of berries.
Arriving she placed it down on the table of the kitchen before deciding to start on dinner before Magnus and Kristoff arrived.
Taking out some fish she caught she began to prepare it as she sang an old hymn she heard as a child, not knowing that a dark figure walked into the cabin and slowly was making his way towards her, all menacing and holding an axe which he held up ready to...
"Don't even think about it Kristoff" Ellen said without even bothering to look behind her.
The dark figure aka Kristoff groaned as he dropped the axe and pulled off his coat, hanging it in a wall nearby before asking "How did you know it was me?" as he grabbed a pitcher and wooden cup to drink water,
"I am your mother, I know what you do, don't do and where you go" said Ellen then added with a smile "So how was your day with the princess?" making Kristoff spit the water out.
"You do know everything!" said Kristoff shocked making Ellen laugh just as Magnus walked in, he seemed tired and worn, which was very much unlike him as he was always strong and industrious, sadly it seems that the years have finally taken its toll on him.
Sitting down on a wooden chair he sighted, rubbing the back of his sore neck,
"Your working to hard father" said Kristoff walking over,
"I have to, I want you to have a better life then me and your mother ever did" said Magnus softly as Ellen began to set the table,
"I know father, but it means nothing if you wear yourself thin...please...let me carry some of the burden...me and Sven can handle it" said Kristoff,
"But Kristoff" said Magnus,
"Oh Magnus, just let the boy help, you taught him the ways of the ice harvester quite well" said Ellen with a smile, Magnus sighted as he looked down then said in defeat "Alright, I will let you and Sven harvest and deliver ice for 4 days, it should be enough for me to recover, then if you do a good job I will let you join me full time",
"Thank you father" said Kristoff happily, Ice was his life and now that he had a chance to work on it he was going to make sure not to fail or disappoint.
"While we are at it...how was your visit to your girlfriend?" said Magnus,
"Yes, we want all the details" added Ellen,
"Mom, Dad!" said Kristoff as he turned red in embarrassment,
"What? Its nothing to be ashamed, you love her and she loves you" said Magnus,
"Ohhhh I smell a wedding coming on in the nearby future" said Ellen, it was then that Kristoff decided to leave before he died of embarrasement.
To be continued...
Authors note: Hummmm...wonder what kind of trouble will happen next. lol... Hope you all enjoy this chapter, please review and stay tuned for the next one. Constructive criticism welcomed.
