A/N: Not much jibber jabber from me today, just that I hope to finish this fanfiction before the release of Frozen 2. I don't think I'll be able to write it if it doesn't make sense and fit in with the new knowledge of the Frozen sequel. But otherwise, do read and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen at all.

Chapter Two

Madolen

"So... this Hans fellow," starts my closest friend and handmaid, Gala, "he's kind, right?"

I look up from the thick tome I'm studying, "I…don't know actually. His family seems overly nice, so perhaps he has some shred of likability to him." I proceed to whisper under my breath, "He's probably as pretentious as they are."

"What was that?" chirps Gala, her shimmering green eyes smiling at me from her position amongst my large excessive pillows at the headboard of my bed.

I shake my head, brows high, "Nothing. I'm mumbling about this book."

"What's it about?"

My lips twitch into a frown before returning to a neutral state, "How to be a good wife."

Gala scrunches her brows, "Really?" she crawls over to me, in a corner of my bed where my back rests on one of the four posts assigned to each vertex, to get a snippet of my tome.

I snort a loud laugh, almost reeling back and falling off my bed, "Hahaha! No, silly, of course not. I'd rather eat my toes than read something as… demeaning as that," I raise a cheeky brow at my ebony haired friend, her hair kept back in a loose low bun. "I'm almost insulted that you believed me."

Gala rolls her eyes dramatically as she drops herself carelessly on my large comforters and snuggles against the pillows – her playthings. "Do you think he's handsome?"

I smile, dropping my book. "His family is certainly handsome."

"You'd have such beautiful children!" she gasps. "I'm so jealous! How is it that you get to marry when I'm the one with romance on her heart every hour?"

"I'd like romance," I say putting both hands to my heart in insult, "an arranged marriage isn't love."

"…Fair enough," says Gala. "All I'm saying is, don't overlook the good in this opportunity."

"I'm not… I'll be doing a good service to Casmont in marrying Hans," my eyes dart away from my friend. "You'll all be safe and secure."

"Okay, can you please forget about me and the rest of this kingdom for a moment," Gala shoots up from her reclined position. She takes both of my hands and energetically preaches to me. "You're getting married…"

"…It's not that serious…"

"…this is a big thing," she continues on. "Not for Casmont, not for your parents, not for me, for you! You not signing a peace treaty, Mads, you're committing to a man for life." She squeezes my hands, a sisterly smile on her lips, "Let that sink in, okay? Don't just look at Hans as a possible candidate for us, he's gotta work for you too."

"Look, Gala, a match like that just doesn't happen. He can't be a good king and a rescuer and a good husband." I smile oddly, shrugging my shoulders. "Good match or not, I have to marry him or we'll suffer."

Gala sighs and grabs my head in both her hands, "You are so stubborn!" she shakes my head side to side, stirring a giggle out of me. She stops, her grasp still firm on my skull. "I know you tend to be pessimistic…"

"…I'm a realist, Ala…"

"…but indulge in your expectations a little," she urges. Gala sighs through the nose. "He might be awful. But he might be great! Might even be the love of your life, Mads," she smirks at me coyly. "A one percent chance is still a chance, right?"

"A small chance," I look to the ceiling to fight back tears. "A really, really, small chance."

"But a chance is a chance is a chance," Gala releases my head and drops her hands on her lap.

I sniff, tears brimming, "Heh, yeah," I rub the back of my hand.

Gala smiles kindly at me before bringing into a warm affectionate hug, "It could be magic, Mads."

"Or a mess," I tightly clutch at my friend. "I don't like thinking about it. I just torpedo into a pool of worst case scenario. What if he's a monster? All I want is for Casmont to be okay… and I'd still marry him but… would I survive?"

"No, you'll conquer, Mads," Gala pulls back to cup my cheeks. "You don't think you can handle a monster? Should I remind you how many troglodytes you've put to shame in the High Court?"

"Haha," I laugh a genuine laugh, "This is different, Ala. If I don't like him and send him packing we won't make it through the storm. I'll have to put up with him forever."

"Your parents would have to be dead a million years before they let anyone mistreat you, Madolen," says Gala. "And so will I. You say the word and he's out of here and… and we'll find another way to handle the storm, okay? You're a person, not collateral damage. Hey, maybe we won't even need him and his fancy family. Maybe all we need is to restructure the way we work around these next months."

"You're the best friend from the heavens, Gala," I smile, embracing her once more.

"I know, I know," we share a giggle at her words. She tightens her grip around me, "I'll be right here for you, Mads. I adore you."

"I adore you more," I pull back and wipe away my tears. "Look at me, such a wreck. Hans will hotfoot it out of the castle doors if he sees me like this."

Gala leans in and whispers with her hand cupped around my ear and her lips, "I've prepared for such a scenario, don't worry."

I snicker at her. "Seriously, I need to get dressed and wash my face before he gets here."

There's a firm rasp at the door, "Madolen, dear, the Westegaard ship's been spotted on the horizon," chirps my mother before opening the door. She notes my red eyes and nose. "What's the matter?"

"I'm alright, Ma," I laugh lightly. "I was just worrying about something silly."

Mother smiles at me, lips pressed together. "Is that so?" she comes to sit between Gala and I on the edge of the bed. "Are your worries sealed and delivered elsewhere, never to pester you again?"

"I hope so," I smile optimistically. "I know that this marriage is big deal."

"So are you," Mother presses a kiss to my forehead. "I'll kick him out myself if I must."

"Thanks, Ma," I look between my mother and Gala. "You and Gala being around fixes me right up."

"Oh, my dearests" starts Mother, taking both Gala and mine's hands in respective hands of her own. "You can never be broken." She stands proudly and smirks at us both, "Let's go prove that very statement, my diamonds."

Gala and I share a smile and stand proudly in unison, just as my mother did. We link arms and strut out of the room towards the Throne Room with elegant fire.

Hans

"It's everything I never imagined," I breathe as I hit the harbour of the shimmering kingdom. Everywhere your eyes can venture, the kingdom glows with multi-coloured lights from windows of homes and establishments.

"Good evening, Your Majesty!" greets a beaming man from the surprisingly pristine docks of Casmont.

"Good evening, good man," I smile coming down from the ship. "Your kingdom is something magical."

"That it is!" says the man. "The king and queen have arranged horses for you to witness more of the shining kingdom on your way to the castle." The man looks over my shoulder and notes my luggage being drawn out from the vessel. "Your bags will be delivered to the castle before you should ever need them."

"Why wait around then?" I grin. "Let's ride."

"Right this way," says the large haired man. He leads me to a pair of strong mares. We mount them and head up the hill. As we do, I note little children running around the cobblestone path that carves its way to the crest of the hill, watching me with awe and bewilderment and even admiration. Shopkeepers and stall tenders clap at my crossing, whistling and waving their hats in the air. Heads pop out of colourfully curtained homes to catch a glimpse of me in the golden light of the powerful lanterns that are draped with blooming grape vines that hang heavy with harvest.

I smile with a reserved smile, holding back the elation that bubbles within me at such a reception. "They're… awfully happy to see me."

"We've admittedly talked excessively about you since there was news that you might be marrying Madolen," smiles the dark eyed man. "The name's Jasper," the man extends his hand and I shake it firmly.

"It's very nice to meet you, Jasper," I nod after the words, affirming it to be true. "You and your people honour me."

"You honour us," Jasper grins.

We reach a wide path lined with soldiers on either side of the road garbed in red and gold. They salute us as we strut through until we finally end up at the dark doors of the Casmont Castle. "Thank you, Jasper," I slide off of my horse.

The doors fly open as I step towards them and a lavishly dressed family stands before me.

"To His Majesty King Wiatt, Her Majesty Queen Nancy and Princess Madolen, I introduce Prince Hans of the Southern Isles," comes the booming voice of an announcer somewhere in the room.

"Your Majesties," I bow discreetly, hinging at the hips. "You privilege me with such an opportunity and a welcome."

"Now, there's no need for all of that," says Wiatt. "You're doing us a great service yourself by opening up such a partnership.

The large doors shut behind me and I rise, only now noting the young princess eating me with her large eyes. We lock gazes for a moment before I politely turn back to King Wiatt. "…It's a service I do gladly, Your Highness."

"You've come a long way," starts the Queen. "You must be tired."

"The voyage was long but well worth it," I grin. "I suppose this is the lovely princess Madolen."

Madolen blinks at the mention of her name, smiling after a second to process my words. "It's so good to finally meet you, Prince Hans."

"I hope I didn't make you wait too long," I smirk with the slightest tone of flirtation.

The princess straightens, clearly hiding her flustered reaction from those around her, "You arrived just in time," she smiles.

Wiatt eyes his daughter, a chuffed smile on his lips. "Well, we'll have dinner ready in a moment, Prince Hans," Wiatt starts. "Perhaps you'd like to freshen up and get better acquainted with Madolen before dinner? Maybe she can show you where you'll be staying."

"I'd very much like that."

The king and queen begin to climb the wide stairs a ways behind them and I approach Madolen.

"I hope you had no trouble coming to see us," she smiles up at me, extending a small hand.

"None," I securely take her hand, almost totally encasing it with my own before raising it to my lips to press a kiss to it. "Your people made me quite welcome."

"We've eagerly waited for you," she informs. "Let me… let me show you your room."

"After you."

Madolen starts towards the stairs, throwing a curious glance back at me whilst fiddling with her hair (put into a playful pair of French braids) once or twice as I follow behind her. "I'm not going to lie," she starts as we reach the top of the steps, "I'm wary of you, Prince Hans."

"Just Hans will do, Your Majesty," I tell.

She stops and looks back at me, analysing me thoroughly before continuing down a hall to our right. "Well, in that case, call me Madolen."

"I'll do just that, Madolen."

"Casmont isn't a popular nor large kingdom," she says pressing through the hall, past the red draped walls and the up high, glistening chandeliers and magnificent-looking doors that could only lead to magnificent rooms until she finally stops at one. "Why help us?" she looks back up at me seriously, waiting for a response.

"Is this my room?" I question.

Madolen seems to still want a response but tosses aside the thought before she nods, opening the door and allowing me to step into the room spewing splendour. From the large bed to the spotless, colossal windows, to the scented candles to the thick rugs to the brick fireplace, the room screamed of home. On one of the bedside tables sits a bottle of wine paired with a wineglass and a basket of fruit.

I pluck the bottle and glass from the table and head back to Madolen. I nod to the end of the hall where a mammoth window seat brags a good amount about the view. She understands my hint and heads to the seat. I set the wine and glass down on the seat and arrange the already present velvety cushions comfortably for the pair of us. "Why help anybody?" I start, returning to the question Madolen asked. She has a seat and gazes up at me, surprised that I came back to her inquiry but eager to hear me out. "Wouldn't it be easier to just care about myself?" I pop the cork of the wine bottle and pour the dark mixture in the glass before I hand it to Madolen.

"Wouldn't it?" she echoes, taking the glass with a word of thanks.

I huff through my nose with a smile before I sit on the window frame. "It would. But I don't like doing things the easy way."

"You like the honest way?"

"I like my way," I say. "Sometimes my way is honest, other times it isn't. But it always makes sense to me and it's taken me this far – to this beautiful kingdom in need."

Madolen smiles setting down the now empty glass between us, "What about the way of the people?"

"More?"

"No thank you," Madolen shakes her head.

I pour myself a glass and quirk my eyebrows up quickly in a thinking mannerism, "People change," I take a swig of the rich, pungent wine. "Although I change to accommodate them, I don't become them. I'm always aware of me. Me and my way."

"You don't find that selfish?"

"I do," I say, pouring another glass. "And it is. But who else will watch out for you if not yourself? At the end of it all, everyone is out there loving themselves and sleeping happily. But someone like you," I look out the window a moment, choosing my words carefully. I look back at the pensive princess. "Well, let's just say you don't sleep so easy." I down this glass in a seamless motion wincing a bit at its richness. "You won't last in a world full of people who sleep happily, much less rule them."

Madolen is taken aback. "Quite the opinion you have there, Prince Hans."

"Just Hans, Your Royal Highness," I drown the last terms of entitlement with emphasis that I want Madolen to be plain with me.

"Hans," she looks at me clearly and sternly, saying my name slowly with the slow decent of her chin as if to prove that she finally gets the point. "Quite an opinion you have, Hans."

"Much better," I smile. "Do you know what it means?"

"Your opinion?" she raises her brows, a hint of annoyance in her demeanour.

"My name: Hans."

"It's a son of the name Johannes," she tells. "But in some places it's recognized as a name in itself, in which case it means: gift from God."

"There you have it," I say, leaning back against the cushions. "Maybe you should take my opinion as a token of advice, a gift if you will. It's not as if I blatantly spat in your face."

"You still have time," Madolen adds.

"You expect me to?"

Madolen looks me over once. "I can't say I'd be surprised if you did."

"Madolen," I lean forward, my elbows on my knees as I pinch my nose once. "You're a young girl. Pensive, probing and beautiful – so beautiful," I whisper those last words and pinch Madolen's chin between my thumb and pointing finger to direct her face to the natural light outside. "But beyond that, what are you? I'd say you need someone who isn't afraid to spit in people's faces or give painful advice where necessary."

"I didn't ask for your help."
"That's true," I start, "but I'm pretty sure that you think I'm right and you're going to apply what I've said."

Madolen scoffs and rolls her eyes before admitting. "Well… you… you are right and I am going to apply your help. Even if I didn't' ask for it." She looks up at me with agreement in her eyes. "I think we could learn from each other. I could try to teach you about self-sacrifice and you could make me more in touch with myself, if nothing else."

"I don't plan to stop at knowledge," I smirk, picking up the bottle. Madolen bashfully looks away as I pour another glass. "More wine?"

"Mads!" comes a cheery voice. A tall, fair skinned girl comes towards the princess and me. "Dinner is ready," she says, coming to a stop in front of us. "Good evening, Your Highness," she dips into a curtsy, acknowledging me.

"A good evening to you as well," I smile.

"Thanks for telling me, Gala," says Madolen. The pair of girls have a lively conversation between their eyes, obviously about me. Gala shoots a smirk at Madolen who quirks a snarky brow at her before Gala takes her leave. "I think that's our cue," Madolen looks up at me.

I rise and offer Madolen a hand, "Let's take the stage then." she takes my hand and she guides me through the winding halls of the castle to a warm dinner.

A/N: Alrighty folks! Hope you enjoyed reading, lemme know what you think. Take care!