CHAPTER TWO: UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL
Hans stood on the docks waving at his family as their ship sailed away. Anna was so happy to see Hans smiling. He noticed her smiling at him and chuckled questionably, "What?"
"Nothing. It's just nice to see you happy and reconnected with your family," Anna replied, "Especially after everything you've told me at Elsa's Coronation Party and in the parlor after the Great Thaw."
"It is good," Hans agreed, "Since I have you and my family, I feel like I can handle anything that comes my way, because I know I'm not alone. Not anymore." He held Anna's hands and looked at her lovingly.
Anna looked down, "I wish I was as confident as you. I've been Queen of Arendelle for three years and I still hear whispers from citizens that they wished Elsa was Queen. I sometimes find myself wishing the same thing." Hans's expression became more sympathetic as he continued listening to his concerned wife, "I don't blame them for not approving of me. Elsa's perfect. She has magic, I don't. She's beautiful and has the bearing of a regal queen I could never have, because I'm…just me."
Hans reached up and lifted her eyes to his by the chin and chuckled softly, "Just…you? Don't take what others say about you. You are Anna of Arendelle, NOT Elsa. Don't compare yourself to her. It is true she's an amazing ruler…but so are you. You can be an even greater Queen than your sister."
Anna smiled and teared up slightly, "How?"
Hans's hand cupped the side of her face as he leaned in closer. "By being the best you that you can be. Don't ask yourself what would Elsa do. Ask yourself…What would I do? Your love could hold up the world. You have been waiting years to do something great for Arendelle. Now is your chance. Share your heart with your people. There are people in need in this kingdom that need you, Anna, more than you can possibly imagine. You'll win the hearts of Arendelle and I'll be right there catching the radiant and glorious rays coming off of you."
Anna began to tear up more with tears of joy at her husband's uplifting words and buried her face in his chest as she continued weeping.
Arendelle was at peace, but the Northern Woods, which Kristoff and his family were now in was not. They laid in their tent. Elsa had to sing Gerda to sleep with the same song her mother sang for her and Anna long ago and stroke Gerda's nose like Mother did to Anna. Before they knew it, their daughter was asleep and so was Olaf who cuddled with Gerda. That was hours ago and Elsa was still restless about the sword in Kristoff's wagon. She laid with her back to Kristoff who cuddled her from behind. He became concerned when he could feel her heart racing anxiously.
Elsa calmed slightly when she felt his warm hands move her long hair aside to expose the back of her neck and the kiss the skin softly. "What's wrong Elsa? Please talk to me."
She was hesitant to mention the sword. As long as she known Kristoff, he only relied on his hands to solve problems and never owned a weapon of any kind. Why he secretly had a sword was a mystery. "Elsa?" she heard Kristoff whisper, "I need to tell you about the sword I know you found in the wagon. I can explain."
"Not now. Gerda's asleep. We'll talk tomorrow," Elsa assured him, but that answer didn't satisfy Kristoff. He pulled away from her and she laid on her back to see what he was doing and blushed as he got between her legs and loomed over her in an intimate position, looking into her eyes.
"I can't wait that long. Please, Elsa," Kristoff begged as one of his hands stroke her cheek gently.
Elsa was silent for a moment or two, before she nodded, "I'm listening." Her hands stroke his chest as she gazed into her husband's hazel eyes.
"After you told me about this voice, I became…worried and talked with Hans. He gave it to me to protect you and Gerda," Kristoff confessed.
Elsa smiled and stroke his tired face, "You don't have to worry. Gerda and I aren't in danger. The voice is good, I promise. Trust me."
"I do, Elsa. I trust you with my life, but I don't trust this voice," Kristoff replied.
"Kristoff-" Elsa spoke up but Kristoff spoke up more, "If there is a slight chance, we are walking into something dangerous, I will do what I must to protect my wife and daughter."
Elsa stared at him and sighed, realizing it was hopeless to convince him otherwise so Kristoff defended himself from her silent chide that he recognized too well when she looked at him like that. "I love you, Elsa and I love our daughter. I can't lose either of you. Please respect my wishes and let me be a man."
"You don't need to ask for my blessing to do that," Elsa smiled at him and he recognized the redness in her pale cheeks and smiled back before getting closer.
"We shouldn't do this. We might wake up, Gerda," Elsa said, but Kristoff ignored her and went in for the kiss. Elsa closed her eyes and focused on who it felt. Soft. Warm. Tender. She bit her lower lip as Kristoff pressed into her slowly. She gripped her blanket with a shaky clenched fist as her skin trembled with pleasure. When she started to groan, he covered her mouth before raising her dress to run his lips down her slim body. As she ran her fingers through Kristoff's hair as he continued, traces of her magic rose form her body and into the Northern Woods, partially freezing the bark of trees. As it traveled deeper and deeper, it began catching the malicious sight of evil spirits that roamed the woods and tormented peaceful people that lived there, known as the Northuldra.
A dark spirit spoke to another, "Inform the others. SHE…is here."
"They all already know."
The woods became filled with cries of malice and rage as the spirits all screamed into the air. One spirit quickly flew through the tent and through Elsa, causing her behavior to quickly change for the worse. She pushed Kristoff away and left the tent, causing Kristoff to follow her.
"Elsa, wait. What's wrong?" he asked, quickly taking his wife's hand.
"What's wrong?!" Elsa replied and looked at him like an angry, cold and regal queen. "You secretly bring a sword and then claim its to protect me and Gerda! I know why you brought it! You don't believe in me or love me! You only came out here to betray me. You are plotting to kill me and take Gerda away from me!"
Kristoff couldn't believe what he was hearing. "No, Elsa! I love you. I would never do anything to hurt you-"
"Silence!" Elsa commanded, her magic erupted from her, causing him to fly back onto the ground. He looked up at Elsa who approached him with icy footsteps.
"Gerda is mine! I won't let you take away Gerda!" Elsa raised her hand to kill Kristoff with her ice magic by creating an ice spear.
Gerda woke up and quickly ran to her mother when she saw what was going on. "Mama, please stop!"
Elsa didn't listen and was about to attack them both.
"MAMA!" Gerda cried and a huge Snowflake appeared in the sky. Elsa's eyes reacted to it by glowing slightly and then she passed out after the snowflake in the sky disappeared.
"Elsa!" Kristoff quickly crawled over to Elsa's unconscious body and held her in his arms. A horn blew all around them. He quickly grabbed both Elsa and Gerda and went over to the wagon and placed them both in the wagon before pulling out the sword before turning to see they were all surrounded by people wielding staffs.
"Stay away from them!" Kristoff growled through his teeth as he raised his sword.
"Halt!" a woman's voice yelled and they all made way for an older woman with white hair.
"Who are you?!" Kristoff demanded, holding the sword out at her to keep her from getting closer.
"My name is Yelena and your wife is the only one who can save us," she replied.