This is my first ever dive into a disney story so I'm hoping I stay motivated enough to finish it. And I have to admit, I chose frozen, not because it's my favorite disney movie, but because Hans is one of my favorite disney villain. His entire character I feel was really unique and different from what we usually get. And I am also a sucker for angst and he seemed perfect for a story like mine.
So before you read this story, I would like to remind you that this story won't have too much fluff, or any light-hearted theme apart from a few moments here and there, majority of the story will be focused on what Hans went through and will go through and as for how Elsa fits in considering his is a Helsa story, you'll just have to read it alongside me.
So I hope you guys enjoy this and please tell me in the comments what you think about the story.
It felt strange, being back in this wretched place. Even though he had been gone for only a month at most, it felt like he was returning after years. The calamity in arendelle had almost stopped time for a few days. Hans didn't think things could go more right or wrong for him, then they went in arendelle. Considering how he spectacularly failed in his plan, he was more then a bit angry at how the events had transpired.
After sneaking his way to the ice queen's coronation, he thought he had every angle covered. He had done his research on the kingdom of arendelle, including the two princesses. He knew his only shot at leaving the hell that was his home was to seduce and marry into another kingdom, and arendelle with it's two unmarried young princesses seemed like the perfect target.
And when he had run into the young princess Anna, he had mentally thought that he had already completed his mission. The girl became so hopelessly infatuated with him in a matter of hours, that she was willing to go against her own sister for his hand in marriage. It was a completely unforeseen happening for him, considering he was planning to go after the elder sister, and the now-queen Elsa.
But when he saw just how ice-faced (no pun intended) and stern she looked, he knew he had to do something else. And when she revealed herself as a witch, he felt like he had succeeded. All he needed to do was stage an event which would lead to Elsa's death, allowing Anna to take the throne as Queen and him being her husband would ascend to the throne of the king of arendelle.
And for a while, when he had the queen in captivity and her younger sister almost frozen in the castle library, he thought that all he needed to do now was to deliver the somber news of their deaths to the people, and easily take the reigns as king. But then, everything started going wrong. Against all odds, Anna who was supposed to be dead, stopped the swing of his sword that would've chopped Elsa's head, resulting in his defeat.
He couldn't exactly remember much of what happened after that, all he could remember was being punched in the face by Anna, pretty sure she had broken his nose, and then he was thrown into the brig of the ship that would drop him back at his home kingdom.
Throughout his journey back home, his stomach convulsed in panic and a little fear, wondering just how his father would react after hearing of his thirteenth son's failure and actions. He knew that his family, specifically his twelve older brothers, were always looking for excuses and reasons to punish him, somehow or someway. But he had never made a blunder of such magnitude.
Fortunately for him, the ship had landed quite early in the morning, almost before dawn, which meant he could be spared of the stares of the people as he walked through the town hands and feet in chains, with about a dozen soldiers holding spears escorting him. A few citizens that were out reacted with gasps when they saw the dirty condition he was in, watching in amazement and shock.
But despite everything, he still held his head high and walked in a princely manner, his shoulders broad and back straight. No matter what had happened, he was still a prince, and nothing had changed that. He wouldn't be ashamed, no matter what these peasants thought of him, no matter what his family thought of him. He would come back from this defeat, and someway he would get his revenge from the tramps that had foiled his plans.
That he could swear on his life, he would return to arendelle someday and humiliate the queen and the princess, just as they had done him.
As he stepped through the gates of the palace, he was surprised to be greeted by all twelve of his brothers, all lined up and standing in his path that led to the throne room. He would never admit it aloud, but the sight of his older brothers always induced him with an unknown fear. Growing up in their shadows, their feats and accomplishments, and how they treated him, his heart and body grew fearful of them all. His body still bared the marks of their pranks and tricks, his skin never mended because of their acts.
The guards stopped him before the twelve prince's and bowed in respect, whereas Hans forced a small grin and mockingly bowed a little before his brothers.
"Greeting, brothers...I must say, it is an honor to have all of you welcome me back ho-" Han's words were cut short when the heir to the throne and his oldest brother, Caleb spoke with a deep voice.
"Silence your tongue, prisoner. Do not speak as if we are on the same level. We have received the news of your failures and actions in the kingdom of arendelle, Hans. Sabotaging the throne, attempting to murder their queen and their princess, spreading lies amongst their people and trying to manipulate them...The shame that you have brought on our kingdom, you're fortunate I don't have my sword with me right now." Han's went silent at hearing his brother's words, feeling sweat trickle down his temples and sideburns. He could hear a few of his brothers snickering and laughing at his ordeal, and he wanted nothing more then to shove their faces into the mud.
"I don't mean to argue with you, brother, but regardless of my failures and what happened in arendelle, I am still a prince. I believe calling me a prisoner is a bit exaggerating, is it not?" Han's smirked a little as he looked at his brothers. "Moreover, I tried to take over arendelle only to give it to father as a gift. A new addition to the kingdom of the southern isles. Surely I am not the only one who was tried to take over a foreign kingdom."
Suddenly the third oldest laughed, taking Hans by surprise. His name was Lars, and he was one of his brothers who had always taken every opportunity to humiliate him, as a child and an adult.
"Hansy, you sure know how to fuck-up spectacularly. And I applaud you for the fact that even when you know you have failed, you still have your charming wit about you...Well, I won't ruin whatever surprise father has in store for you, but I will enjoy seeing that smirk vanish off your face." A small shiver went down Han's spine as he saw the predatory smirk on his brother's lips. "Oh and even though you aren't the only one of us who has done something like this, the different between us is that when we did it, we actually succeeded in conquering the kingdoms."
"Enough, Lars...Men, the king is waiting in the throne room, take him." Caleb's voice was commanding enough to make the soldiers immediately hold him by his elbows and drag him through the kingdom gardens and rooms. While his brothers leisurely walked in-front. A part of him burned with rage and anger, when he saw how clean and proper they looked. All of them, dressed in royal robes and colors, whereas he, their own brother, chained and dirty, being dragged like a common criminal.
It wasn't long before he was standing in the throne room, looking up at his father and mother, the King and Queen of the southern isles. All of his brothers had also taken their seats alongside his parents, and all of them looked down at him with disappointment and disdain filled eyes.
"Hans." The queen spoke with a tone of disappointment and a bit sorrow in her voice, taking Hans's attention.
"Hello, mother...Have I made you proud?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, looking at the woman who he could remember, as a child filling the heads of his brothers with dreams and futures of them standing on the throne of a kingdom, all the while he quietly hid outside the room, listening to his mother's voice.
"Don't make this worse then it already is, child." She replied, narrowing her eyes.
"Define 'worse'?" Came Han's answer with a small grin on his lips.
"Enough!" King Westergaard's voice was loud enough for Hans to turn his attention back to his father, who looked at him from his golden throne as if he was nothing more then a bag of garbage, standing in his presence. "I will speak to the prisoner myself."
The room became quiet all of a sudden, as the king stared at his youngest son, the others stared at their ruler, waiting for his words. But before he could, Hans let out a chuckle, as he stared at his father with casual ease in his eyes.
"I really don't know what all this fuss is about, to be honest, father." Hans said, letting his eyes roam over his brothers.
"Do you not truly feel the gravity of your crimes, Hans? Wherever you go, or whatever you do, only failure follows you." The King's voice filled the room, his eyes lacking any sort of parental love or sympathy for the man in chains standing before him. And for some reason, Han's could not hold his words of frustration and anger.
"Heh, I went to arendelle, to rule their people and their kingdom as a benevolent ruler...just like you, father." He could notice the eyes of some of his brothers widening, probably surprised at his loose tongue, and even he was surprised that his father was taking it so well.
"All this nonsense, all these tantrums and witty remarks, just because little Hans desires a throne of his own." The king's mocking tone was slow and deep. But it was enough to set off the red-haired prince.
"It is my birthright!" Hans glared into his father's eyes without a shred of fear, chains clunking about each other. But suddenly the throne room came alive when the king stood from his throne.
"YOUR BIRTHRIGHT MEANS NOTHING! You are the THIRTEENTH in line for the throne! No matter what may happen to me or my heir, their will always be someone else who will take the throne, NOT YOU! So let me tell you this, Hans, your birthright is to ROT!...You should count yourself lucky, BOY, that you are even standing here alive right now!" Hans suddenly stepped forward, urging the guards to hold him. The room became more heated, as the princes saw their father grow more furious then they had ever seen him before.
"If I'm only here for the ax, then for mercy's sake, just swing it, your majesty!" Hans knew his fate would be worse then anything he could think of, but it was his fate and if it was already set in motion then he would say everything he never could say before. "And it's not that I don't love our little talks, father, but this is getting boring. So how about you get to the part where you order my execution and we get this over with?"
The king stared at his youngest for a few seconds, as Hans held his father's stare, before the king slowly sat back down on the throne with a sigh. "Well then, before I tell you your sentence, do you have anything to say, perhaps a plea or forgiveness?" Hans just snorted at his father's words, as he glared back at him.
"Such a strange question to ask, father...You speak as if my words will be enough to change my fate, which I'm sure is already set in stone. I don't know what you want me to say? Should I say 'I'm sorry' or that I made a mistake? Or that I swear I will redeem myself and better myself? Well I won't. I did what was right to me and I would do it again, given a chance. Arendelle belonged to me! I deserved to rule it, as it's rightful king!" Han's spoke with a voice full of conviction and underlying anger, knowing that if what his brother said was true, his father already had a punishment ready for him.
"Such bravado...coming from a man in chains, who was defeated at the hands of two women." The king replied in a slow tone, eyeing the young man.
"In my defense, nobody knew their queen was an ice-wielding witch. I am sure if it was any one of my dear brothers, they would've failed even spectacularly then me, father." Hans noticed how his words riled some of his brothers, but unlike him, they didn't dare speak up in-front of the king.
"Well then, I can see you have already made up your mind...Very well, allow me to state your sentence. As king of the southerns isles, I hereby strip you of all your assets, your title as prince, all and any property or money in your name." Actually hearing those words from his father's lips truly shook the young man, as he stared at his family with vindictive eyes. But it was the second part of his sentence that truly made Hans realize he was screwed.
"You will be spending the rest of your pathetic life in the dungeons, and cleaning horseshit, in the meantime, I will be sending a letter to the Queen of Arendelle, giving her full authority to decide what to with you. If she wills it, you will face the gallows. Either way, you're life and fate will no longer be of our concern, but whatever the queen of arendelle decides." The king's words were spoken in a tone of finality, and not one of his brothers or even his mother even flinched at the words. "And if, in some sorts of an act of benevolence, she does decide to forgive you, then you will live out the sentence I have given you."
In disbelief, Hans let out a scoff, his grin absent, eyes locked onto his father. He could hear some of his brothers snickering at his reaction, finding his situation amusing. "Really, you're handing my life over to that wretched witch?"
"Everything that is happening to you, Hans, you have brought it upon yourself." The king spoke, leaning back on his throne. "Prince Caleb, escort him to the dungeons, burn all his belongings, leave them to rot...he will never step foot in here again."
Hans slowly took deep breaths, staring down at the floor, as he allowed the words he had heard to settle in. And he was surprised, he had thought he would feel panic or fear for being sentenced, but instead, he felt relief and an unfamiliar sort of freedom.
The king noticed as the now former prince slowly let out a chuckle, as the heir walked towards him. Hans suddenly looked up at Caleb and brightly smiled, devoid of any sort of malice or suspicion.
"Dear brothers, it seems like your wish has finally come true...All my life, you humiliated me, beat me up, and did everything you could to make me forsake my own existence. And now, finally you are free of me...And the funny thing is...I'm not even mad." Hans's words were confusing the young princes who could not figure out what was happening. But as Caleb approached Hans, the disgraced prince spoke once more.
"Caleb, before you send me to the dungeons, can I get one final hug from my brother? Just for old time's sake." Caleb stopped and stared at the red-haired man, wondering what was his angle.
"Not another word, Ha-" Caleb's words were cut off when Hans spoke once more, in an even jovial tone.
"Oh come now, brother! For all the shit you put me through since a child, I think I deserve a hug! Now come here, you big oaf!" Anyone listening to Hans's voice would never believe he was a man who was just stripped of everything he had, but instead he had the tone of a man who was happier then anyone else.
Hans stared at his brother with a big smile at his face, his chained arms spread out, green eyes giving out nothing but a feeling of joy. Caleb slowly turned back to his father, who looked upon the scene with a look of amusement in his eyes. But he did give a small nod to his heir, who turned back to Hans with an irritated expression on his face.
Caleb let out a sigh, and stepped forward. "Okay, but don't get too clos-AHHH!" Several princes stood up when suddenly Hans headbutted the heir to the throne. Caleb's yelp of pain came when he felt his nose crack after it's contact with Hans's head. The guards immediately smashed the dull ends of their glaives with Hans's back and brought him to his knees.
"SEIZE HIM!" Came the king's voice, as Caleb fell due to the sudden pain. This time Hans growled and snarled as the guards held him tightly in place.
"Since I am about to leave, I must confess my feelings about you all! To all my dear brothers, you all can eat my shit and die! Mother, you are absolutely, without a doubt, the biggest and hateful sow I have ever had the displeasure of talking to, and I truly hate you with all my heart!" The princes stood up from the throne, shouting at the guards, some even running up to Hans to shut him up, the queen was shocked to hear such vile and crude words being spoken about her, and that too from the mouth of a son who had never been anything less then polite.
"BE SILENT, YOU BASTARD! I OUGHT TO RIP OUT YOUR TONGUE!" The king was shouting with all his might, but Hans just laughed and cackled at the height of his voice, and glared at the king.
"You are no longer my king, oh great one! And I have long since broken off any sort of respect I had for you as a father! As a matter of fact, your majesty, you can choke on my cock and die for all I care!" The guards gasped at his words, and suddenly Hans felt his face connecting with the floor as the guards held him down.
"TAKE HIM AWAY! I DON'T WANT TO SEE HIS DESPICABLE FACE A SECOND MORE!" King Westergaard shouted, his face red with rage.
"FUCK YOU, YOU OLD MAN! FUCK YOU AND THIS KINGDOM AND IT'S PEOPLE FOR FOLLOWING A MAN LIKE YOU!" Hans had lost all composure, and face against the floor he yelled to his hearts content, letting out the frustrations that had built up inside him for last 23 years of his life. 23 years of misery, and humiliation and pain, he felt free from all the confines of his wretched family and kingdom.
"THESE FUCKING FOOLS THAT CALL THEMSELVES THE PRINCES ARE NOTHING MORE THEN IMBECILES AND IDIOTS! IF I HAD A SWORD, I'D KILL ALL OF Y-" Just as suddenly, Hans was struck in the face with something hard, and the next moment everything went dark.
This was how Prince Hans Westergaard of the southern isles returned home to lose everything, but gain a freedom he never knew he wanted until he got it.
"Charades again, Anna? I love you but this is the third night in a row that we have been doing this." In arendelle, things had gotten much better after the great thaw had passed, and summer had come back, as the rightful season for the time of the year. For the royal family, no more closed doors remained, no more days and night were spent in loneliness.
The queen and her younger sister, along with their faithful servants had immediately gotten to working on matters of the state that needed attention, especially the matters of trade and food security, the two areas that were especially hit due to the disaster. But thankfully, the queen with the help of her council and her family had managed to work around their problems, and had started working on getting their kingdom back on track.
It had been about two months now, since the great thaw, and arendelle was now flourishing, with a loving queen at the helm and a just council of ministers, the conditions of the kingdom were better then ever. Even the people had gotten over their fear of the queen's powers, and had come to love her.
And as for Elsa and Anna, their lives were full of warms hugs and happiness, living in the castle alongside their snowman, Olaf, and princess Anna's boyfriend, the kingdom's ice-deliverer, Kristoff and his best friend, Sven.
Currently, they were in one of the castle's many rooms, where princess Anna was begging Elsa and Kristoff to play a strange new game that Anna had picked up from around town, where one person would act out some sort of an object or person or anything, while the others would have to guess it. Elsa didn't really want to hurt her sister's feelings, but she was really tired of the pointless game, especially after playing it two nights in a row.
"But it's so much fun, Elsa! Come on, please! Kristoff, back me up on this, will you?" Anna pleaded with a mischievous smile on her lips, before turning to her boyfriend who just stared between the two sisters nervously, an uneasy smile on his face.
"Um, well, Anna, if Elsa doesn't want to pl-" His words were cut off when suddenly the large door to the room opened, the three of their attentions turned over to the sound, and they saw the sight of Kai rushing in, with a letter in his, face showing worry and concern.
"My queen, I-I apologize for coming in without permission." Kai spoke as he stood in-front of the queen who had now stood up from the couch and walked closer to the older man, who was still panting and trying to catch his breath.
"It's no concern, Kai. What is it?" Elsa asked, her face a mask of composure, but inside she also felt a little nervous at seeing the man in such a state. Anna and Kristoff, who now stood at her sides, also waiting for an answer.
Kai thrust the letter forward, holding it with both of his hands. "A letter came for you, your highness. It came from the southern isles." A collective gasp sounded out around the room, with Anna's eyes wide and mouth open. While Elsa immediately took the letter and held it in her grasp.
As her eyes observed the seal on the envelope, showing the Westergaard crest, her mind went towards the treacherous man who had been in this castle a few months back, and had the audacity to try and murder both her, and her sister. She still couldn't contain the surge of anger and hate for the man that went through her each time she remembered his vile face.
Which brought her back to the present, making her wonder what the letter was about. Since the last she had heard from one of her minister's that the criminal would receive proper punishment at the hands of his father, and that he would never dare to plot against arendelle ever again. After which both her and Anna had decided to forget about the disgraced prince, and get on with their lives, instead of focusing on a man that wasn't worth their attention. And it wasn't hard at all, with Elsa, the matters of the kingdom quickly distracted her from Hans and his actions, while in Anna's case, she had the love of her life in the form of Kristoff to help her forget.
But now, after two months, the arrival of this letter was strange and confusing. But Elsa slowly took a small breath and gently broke the seal of the envelope, deciding to get this over with. All eyes were trained on her as she took out the letter inside and started reading it.
To her Highness, Queen Elsa of Arendelle
I hope this letter has made it's way to you. First, and foremost, as King of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, I would like to humbly apologize for the harm and damage that came to you and your kingdom, at the hands of my son, Hans. I wish I had the chance to do this in-front of you, but as you know, the kingdom waits for no man or woman. Therefore, I can only express my feelings through this letter and hope you find it in your heart to forgive my kingdom for the actions of a single man.
Now, as for the reason I am writing this letter, I want to inform you that the man who tried to assassinate you and the princess, has been punished accordingly. Hans has been stripped of his title, and all of his assets, and has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in the dungeons. And nobody can end his punishment, not while I am still breathing. He will pay for his transgressions against the kingdom of arendelle, that I can assure you.
But, what I want to tell you is that, in my kingdom, if a citizen of the southern isles commits a felony in some other country, then that country has a right to exact any sort of punishment as they see fit. Therefore, even though Hans is already sentenced, his life is still in your hands.
If you want him to spend his entire life as your servant, it shall be done, or if you want him to face the gallows, then even that is within your right.
With all that said, I hope you understand what is being asked of you. I will wait for your answer, Your Highness. Once again, I apologize for all that has happened in the past.
Sincerely,
King Westergaard of the Southern Islands.
Elsa was shocked, needless to say, after reading the letter. Her mind already mulling over the things she had read. She wordlessly handed the letter over to Anna, without straying her eyes towards her. Anna and Kristoff quickly read the letter, before coming to the end. The room was silent, as Anna looked towards her sister, who still looked lost in thought.
After reading the prince's punishment, Elsa thought she would've felt elated at knowing he would never get the chance to hurt anyone again, that he would never dare to do something like what he had done to her, ever again. But instead, she only felt a small feeling of relief and then a little pity, especially after reading how cruel and callous the words of the king were towards his own son. As for what the king had asked of her, she had already made her decision. Their would be no execution, neither would she be bringing that disgrace in her kingdom.
No, the sentence he had already received was enough.
"Elsa?...What will you do?" Anna asked in a small voice as she looked at her sister.
Elsa quietly looked up at Kai, and spoke her words in a calm and poised tone.
"Bring me the ink and parchment, Kai."