We are finally on the 4th chapter, and I'm having a lot of fun writing this story. I enjoy just reading it over and over again tbh. And I'm hoping all those who are reading this are also enjoying it, even if it is really depressing and angst filled.

But this chapter officially kicks off the first main arc of this story and I should also let you guys know that I have been a disney fan since like I was 6 years old, which is I think 18 or some years ago. But anyway, my point is that I can't resist not adding other disney characters or objects like Belle's mirror, in the story. So you will probably see many easter eggs of other disney movies as well.

And just for the story sake, in this universe, all the major disney movies are taking place at the same time or just a little before or after their stories in the movies.

So with all that said, enjoy.

"This was a mistake."

She repeats the line in her head like a mantra. Over and over and over again. She has left the room where she witnessed it all, and she has hidden the mirror back in it's rightful place. She is not even sneaking anymore, she's safe in the privacy of her room, under the weight of her warm blanket, and yet, she can't seem to stop shaking. She's been to the highest and coldest mountain in Arrendelle, and didn't bat an eyelash at it. But right now, here in her room, where she is surrounded in comfort and warmth, she can't seem to stop the tremors spasming through her body.

She had thought she was obsessing over the traitor before, when Kristoff first told her, but now she realizes it was nothing compared to the state she has put herself in. The ice queen doesn't try to close her eyes, and just keeps staring at the darkness, because she knows the moment she does, the tortured and beaten face of Hans Westergaard is going to haunt her. Even just thinking about what she saw mere minutes ago sends shivers down her spine.

For the longest time after she had sent him back to his own kingdom, she was comforted in the fact that he would be punished for the sins he had committed to her people and her family. She knew from stories and rumors that the royal family of the southern isles were not one to shy away from dealing harsh punishments even if the person in chains were connected to them by blood and she had faith that Hans would be tried in court as a normal prisoner and not as a prince.

But...But never in her dreams or thoughts did she imagine they would be so cruel. Never did she imagine that a father would be so remorseless when it came to his own flesh, his own blood. And his brothers, how could they treat their own younger brother like that? Like he was nothing more then a punching bag, only there for them to take out their frustrations. She hadn't seen any more then one of Hans' brothers, but what he did and what he said left no doubt that this was a habit that they all had. On random days, at random times they would come and do whatever they felt like to their own brother and nobody ever did anything to stop it.

She did not like Hans, not one bit. But even her heart crumbled in sadness when she saw what kind of a state that man was in. No longer the dashing and charismatic prince that she had seen at her coronation. He wasn't even a mere shadow of that man.

He was weak, nothing more then a sack of bones just arranged together with little to no meat on them. From the mirror she had seen the years of wounds and bruises that had been left on his gaunt face, and she couldn't even put it into words what she had felt. They were treating him as if he was a lowly street mutt, no, not even that. Even animals were treated better then what was happening to him.

His cell was much smaller then the cells in Arrendelle, it barely had any space for him to take more then a few steps before hitting the wall. How was he even still alive? The Arrendellian queen could feel the ice creeping out as her thoughts became more and more dire and dark, all towards the fallen prince.

And then he had started talking. To a person only visible to him. She had been told by Kristoff, but it still shocked her when she heard her name leaving his lips. His face turned towards the small sleeping place, he had spoken her name as if she was truly there, and for a second she was scared that perhaps he was really calling out to her. And not soon after, he completely lost his composure, and she watched him break down into crumbled mess. She watched him cry out and scream out his pain and anguish at someone who wasn't even there. She immediately realized that years of confinement had led to his brain making up these delusions and hallucinations, and that realization only made the tears in Elsa's eyes grow.

But it was all over now. The mirror had gone dark, Hans Westergaard had beaten himself into an unconscious state in a prison far, far away and Anna would never find out what she had seen. Those thoughts did nothing to calm her mind which was in a frenzy of emotions. She had seen something she shouldn't have and now that she had, she had to deal with the repercussions.

And the first clear thought that came to her mind was a thought that immediately made her back-track.

'If only...If only there was a way...A way I could help him'

In an instant she realized that not only was an idea like that treasonous but also a bigger mistake considering the man she wanted to help was so far gone in his desire to destroy her and everyone else, that she didn't think he would ever accept her help. No, for a man like him, pride was the only thing he had left and he would never accept the help of the woman who had a hand in putting him in the position he was in.

She had no doubt that if he was given a chance to kill her right now, he would leap at it with all he has. And not just her, but all those he believed brought him to this low. That included his own family, and her family, which consisted of only Anna and for all the sympathy she had for him, she would never allow that to happen.

And yet, it made her heart tremble and shake when she thought about what was happening to him. Even if he wanted to kill her, even if he wanted to hurt her sister and everyone else, she still couldn't stop the tears from falling, nor could she stop her heart from wanting to help him, somehow ease his pain.

"Elsa?"

A sharp gasp left her lips as she heard her name being called, in an instant she sat up and readied to let out her power at the intruder who was at her door, but the moment her eyes fell on the lovable little snowman, she let out a sigh of relief and slowly wiped her tears before turning to Olaf.

"Olaf, what are you doing at this hour? You're supposed to be sleeping." She was thankful it was only Olaf who found her at this moment, if it was Anna she would break down in an instant before. The living snowman just waddled closer and with a small jump got up on the bed.

"I don't really know why. I was about to sleep but then I felt a strange feeling in my chest, and I felt like wanting to be near you." Olaf spoke in a small voice as he put his hand on the place where a heart is supposed to be, not at all like his usual energetic self. Elsa immediately felt bad at what happened. She knew Olaf was linked to her due to her magic keeping him alive, and because of that he had also felt some of her raging emotions.

"Are you sad, Elsa? Do you need a warm hug?" A few tears rose in her eyes at hearing the child-like innocence in Olaf's voice, she lifted the blanket and made space for the snowman and patted it slowly.

"Come, Olaf. I could really use a warm hug tonight." She had to try not to let her voice quiver as she smiled a smile full of sorrow. But Olaf didn't notice that and immediately a huge smile grew on his face and waddled closer to here and embraced the ice queen as hard as he could. For Elsa, she desperately needed the physical comfort, as she squeezed tightly around the snowman's torso and allowed a few of her tears to fall on his snowy skin.

"It'll be okay, Elsa. Everything will work out just perfect, just like it always does."

She didn't know how her little snowman knew just what to say, because those words were what she needed as she thought of the broken man and what she wanted to do to help him somehow.

As the night moved on, the stars shined brightly down the castle of Arrendelle, the snowy plains and towns bathed in the glow of the bright white heavenly body, while in the queen's room. The young queen allowed herself to let go of some of the anguish with her magical creation, which made it possible for her to get a few winks of sleep.

Not knowing the next few days would bring more surprises and events which would made her beg for these days of peace and tranquility among her loved ones.

"Still as disrespectful as ever I see, Hans."

"A bit hard to respect you when I'm standing in a cell, while you're not." Hans said with a cruel grin on his lips, as he stared through the small slot in the cell door, standing before him in a royal gown, was the queen of the southern isles, his mother.

It was a surprise considering he hadn't seen her in months, not since he was sentenced. He woke up in a miserable state, expecting his brothers and yet, to his utter surprise, in came the queen instead of any of the princes. He hadn't bothered with any greetings, nor was he about to hold back any of his retorts if she tried to bother him. He had always had very little amounts of feelings for this woman, but now they were non-existent. He hated her just as much as he hated the rest of his pathetic blood.

"You know very well who's actions put you here. You can hate me, or your father, or your brothers as much as you like, but always remember that it was you who did this to you." She spoke in a very calm and controlled manner, just like he remembered. Somewhere in his heart, he had hope that maybe after seeing the conditions he was in, she would perhaps show her motherly side and comfort him. But he was wrong to hope, she stood steadfast and unnerved without showing a hint of pity or sympathy.

"Hate you? No, no, no..." A chuckle left Hans' lips as he looked deep into her eyes, as his chuckles died, leaving a menacing frown on his lips. "I loathe you."

"Be that as it may, my words still stand." Came her reply as she stared at the sad excuse of a prince that she once called son.

"My actions put me here? My actions? Who was the woman who always told us all that we were all destined to be kings? That being kings and conquering kingdoms is in our blood?" His words came out in an tone filled with undersealed anger and pain as he glared at the woman before him. "No, I was merely giving truth to the lies I have been fed my entire life, that I was born to be a king."

"A king? A true king admits his faults. What of your sins you committed in Arrendelle?" The queen asked as she stepped even closer to the door, surprised at the words she was hearing from the former prince.

"A mere handful compared to what your husband has probably committed himself!" Hans said as he started walking around the cell, getting more and more frustrated at the things she was saying.

"Your father-"

"HE'S NOT MY FATHER!" The rage filled shout filled the entire dungeons, as the prisoner trembled in rage, seething in anger. While the queen did not so much as flinch at his outburst.

"Then am I not your mother?" The queen asked calmly, a warm undertone in her voice, trying to control this walking ball of rage and anger. But her words immediately stopped the former prince in his tracks as he suddenly glared towards her.

"Where was my mother when Franz and Erik tied me to a tree and left me in the courtyards while it rained for three days, huh? Where was my mother when Caleb lost in a sparring match against Lars and then took out his frustrations on me by beating me until I lost consciousness? Where was my mother when I would spend entire nights crying from nightmares, calling for help and no one would come, huh?! Shall I continue, mother?" The queen heard those words and she had to admit, she had been a terrible mother to her 13th son, but then again, she had never even wanted a 13th son. She had been hoping for a girl and his birth left her bitter and angered, left her in a condition where she could not give birth to another child. And the only target was the wee babe, Hans Westergaard.

She was about to speak up when he again cut her off and started speaking of events that for the first time shocked her to her core.

"Where were you, mother? When I was teased, and beaten, and tricked, and pranked throughout my entire life?... Where were you when...when they threw me in this cell...when they tortured me? When they starved me and left me for days without water or food? Tell me, mother! Why didn't you or anyone came when they came in the night, huh? Where were you when they took my dignity as a man!? YOU WEREN'T HERE! NONE OF YOU WERE! SO DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE ASK ME IF YOU ARE MY MOTHER! I DON'T HAVE ANYONE AND I DON'T NEED ANYONE!" By the time he stopped, the queen was left wide-eyed with tears in her eyes at hearing the horrors that her son had suffered through. Hans panted as he slowly dragged himself back to his sleeping space and leaned his head against the stony floor.

"H-Hans...Tell me. W-What did they do to you?" For the first time in her life, the queen's heart trembled in sorrow for her 13th son. A feeling rose in her, a feeling that made her want to go past the cell door and just hold her son. What he was saying, he couldn't mean what she think he meant? How could she have let this happen? She wasn't a good woman but how could she have allowed such an evil act to take place and not do anything.

"Just state your business and then leave." Came his exhausted reply as the former prince laid down and closed his eyes, trying to force the nightmares away that never stopped haunting him. The queen was left speechless at the revelations her son revealed. She had come to him for an entirely different matter but this, this made her forget completely about that.

"Please, boy...Tell me what happened? I won't let who did this walk free, I swear it." Her voice trembled as she placed her hand on the door and walked as close as she could, keeping her eyes on the tired man before her. For the first time in forever, she felt protective of her 13th son. She knew she had been a terrible mother his whole life, but hearing what she was hearing now, it was a blow to her being.

"Enough! We never bothered to talk before and I am not going to start now! So you can drop this façade, woman. Say what you want and go!" Came his gruff reply. She knew she would not get anywhere with him, not in the state he was in but she hoped he would comply the next time she visited him, so she brought up the reason why she was here.

"I-It's Halfdan. His engagement ceremony is set a few weeks from now. The king wanted all of his sons to be present for the guests to see, so he asked me to tell you that you will be free from the cell for a mo-" She tried to speak to him in the most gentlest tone she could muster, but he cut her off with a scoff.

"Tell your king and those pathetic princes that they can take this gracious gift and shove it up their bums. I would kill myself before standing next to you all in kinship and as for you..." He got up from his bed and walked towards the door with a menacing glare directed at the queen.

"Get the Hel out of my face." He said in an ultimatum as he closed the small slot that connected him with the outside. He panted slowly as he leaned his head against the door, listening to the woman's breathing before he heard her walking away.

He cursed the woman softly, for bringing up memories he tried to forget each night he went to sleep. From the feeling it arose in him. Like something slimy and disgusting, taking a hold of his body, slowly crawling up his bare feet legs, corrupting his skin and everything with it. He hated them. For making him suffer such a debauchery, such acts of vileness. So she could take any goodwill she had and go to hel with it. He hadn't let any of it destroy his spirit when it happened, only further fuel his need and thirst for revenge. And he would get it. One day, he would make them feel the suffering he had been dealt.

"Mummy dearest came for a visit, did she. Sure took her time to visit."

With a sharp gasp, he turned around and saw himself leaning against the wall near the small window, showing an evil grin, dressed in the fine uniform of the southern isles army. His shock wore off quickly since he had gotten used to these delusions, letting out a soft sigh he walked near his bed and sat down.

"What do I need to do to get some quiet around here?" the former said to himself in an exhausted tone.

"You and I both know that the calm you desire will only come for you on the day you take your last breath, Hans. Until then, I'm not going anywhere. So talk to me, tell me what's in that head of yours."

"I have spent far too much time in solitude." said Hans as he stared ahead at the walls.

"You have. But if you think this is too long, then I'm excited to see your condition after a few years in this stuffy little cell."

"You didn't let me finish...I have spent more then enough time in here, wasting my life away. It is time to get out of this Odin damned hole! I have suffered long enough at the hands of these animals...No more." He had had enough of all of this. Being helpless, without any direction or path to take. He wanted to break out of this damned place, and do what it took to get his revenge, and that meant leaving the cell, which is what he was going to do, one way or another.

"Really?! Now this is exciting! I have been wondering how long your going to mope after taking beatings! And if you ask me, I have been hoping to see some action from your pathetic bones! Tell me everything!"

His counterpart was quite literally giggling in excitement at hearing his words. His words were filled with amusement but his tone was mocking. As if he was just playing around like a child, throwing words and ideas that wouldn't amount to anything.

"What's this I hear about a breakout?"

Both their attentions were suddenly diverted to the female form standing near the door, dressed in an icy white gown, the crown of a queen on her head, and hair made into a sophisticated bun. Hans was surprised to say the least. He had been seeing both of these hallucinations for months now but this was the first time he saw them both at a single time.

"Queen Elsa, lovely to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you from our mutual friend, but to see you in person, it's an honor. And I must say, you definitely do not look like a witch."

Hans sighed as he stuffed his hands in his hair as he heard himself speaking in a sleazy tone to the ice queen.

"It pains me to admit this but you are possibly even worse then the Hans I know, and please refrain from speaking to me, I am not here to indulge in conversation with you."

"Enough! If you two want to argue, then at least go somewhere else! I have had my fill of talking for today, and if you don't mind, I need to think about my escape." Hans said in an aggressive tone, not bothering to stare at them.

"As you wish, prince Hans. And I apologize to her majesty, I meant no offense."

"Hans, tell me something, are you in such a hurry to get yourself killed? Because if it's death you desire, you should just call your brothers and they'll gladly grant your wish."

The queen ignored the other Hans' remarks and turned to the real one sitting on his bed, lost in his own thoughts.

"You may find it hard to believe, your majesty but I have no plans of meeting Odin anytime soon! Not until you and all the others have paid for all you have done!" Hans glared up at the queen who stared him with unwavering eyes.

"I might have to take the queen's side here, Hans old boy. Only death waits for you outside that door. And even if by some miracle you do escape, what then? You have no resources, no allies, no friends. Your nothing but a sack of bones held together by sheer will. You'd be dead the moment a strong breeze hits you."

"You're not wrong...But I can't give up like this." Hans said in a soft voice as he slowly got up and dragged himself towards the window. As he gazed outside, he could feel the wind coming from the ocean, the soft scent filling his nostrils, filling him with hope and will. He couldn't give up after going through all he did. The two outsiders stared him as his eyes wandered as far as they could. As he spoke, his soft words were filled with hope, of all that he dreamed.

"I have often dreamed of a far off place, where a hero's welcome will be waiting for me. Crowds will cheer when they see my face, and I will finally realize that that is where I am meant to be. I'll be there someday, if I can go the distance." His words were soft, not like his usual self, consisting of strength and determination. Even the two voices were quiet, listening to him as he spoke.

"I will find my way if I can be strong. And I know every mile will be worth my while. I'll finally be right where I belong...It might take me a lifetime but somehow I'll see it through. Once I escape, I won't look back, I'll stay on this path...I won't accept defeat." Tears softly escaped his eyes as he spoke, envisioning all that he believed he could become.

"No matter how tough it gets, I won't stop till my journey is complete. In every legend, a hero's worth is measured by his heart, and my heart won't give up. I will face everything they throw at me and I will move forward." He felt their presences behind him, and suddenly he could feel the weight of their hands on his shoulder. But unlike before where they would bring dread, they only brought more strength.

As peaks of the sun broke through the hazy clouds, for the first time in a long time, a bright and hope-filled smile bloomed on the lips of Hans Westergaard.

"I will search the world, until I find my hero's welcome waiting for me."

"The King is hosting a party, Smee. Where he will be inviting all the nobles from kingdoms close and far! And for us, this gives me the greatest chance I have ever had to get my hands on the Snake Staff!" A thin man grinned menacingly, with long black hair, a large hooked nose, a thin black handlebar mustache that angled upward sharply, and a large chin. Dressed in a frilly white cravat underneath a fine red coat with gold lining and red cuffs. But where his left-hand should've been, instead he had a silver hook.

"Oh-Oh yes, Captain. You are exactly right. Shall I ready a party to depart?" said the first mate with a smile, a diminutive, portly gentleman with an odd, hourglass-shaped head. The captain chuckled, as he looked towards his first mate.

"No, no party this time! Ready the Jolly Roger for battle! For Captain Hook is coming for the Southern Isles!"

So much revealed. So much to unpack. Elsa's hopes. Hans' untold torments and events. His mother's newfound feelings for her son. Hans' escape plot. A wedding where many royals will be invited. Plus we have Captain Hook also entering the fray. But I hope you are liking the story so far.

And please tell me your thoughts in the comments.