Heins

Six months later….

"Elsa! Elsa, come on out here!"

"Go away Anna!"

"No, we will not, everyone is waiting! Come on!"

"Leave me alone!"

"Not gonna haa-pp-en!", Anna sang. "Now let's go. NOW!"

A heavy sigh came through the door. "... fine."

Kristoff, Anna, and Heins stood in the hallway outside Elsa's study, wearing their Queensguard armor as Elsa's official guards for the day, waiting for the reveal of the Queen. She was holding her first public audience today since her ordeal half a year ago, where any citizen could come forward for mediation from the queen, and she was incredibly nervous to reveal her scars to the public. For the past six months, she had been resting and recovering, delegating to Anna the task of running the kingdom with Elsa as advisor, a task she took to with great enthusiasm- and a profound lack of success. Anna was not cut out to be Queen, and she was in with Elsa every single day, struggling to keep the kingdom afloat until her sister could resume her duties.

Heins had sworn fealty to Queen Elsa the moment they arrived back in Arendelle, vowing to make amends for what he and his family had done for her, officially renouncing his status as a Prince of the Southern Isles. In response, Elsa had granted him a knighthood, naming him Sir Heins of Arendelle, and appointing him to the Queensguard, which was now a permanent unit reporting directly to Queen Elsa. Heins had been at Elsa's call without fail since their return, even though every moment near her was torture. No matter how much Heins cared for Elsa and regretted his actions, neither he nor her could seem to move past the wall between them. For the millionth time, Heins cursed the fate that had led him to someone he loved, only to put such an insurmountable obstacle in her path.

His only solace was Anna, who had been acting as a liaison of sorts between Heins and Elsa. The cheerful redhead, the eternal optimist and self-admitted hopeless romantic, had been pulling for him for months, saying that she knew Elsa cared about him a lot, and couldn't bear the thought of him not being around, but she also just needed time to move past her experiences and heal on her own. It fell to Heins to just wait. He and Anna had spent many sleepless nights together, staying up until dawn just talking- about anything and everything. Kristoff had initially been uncomfortable with the two spending so much time together, but soon relented when he realized how much pain Heins was in and how much Anna was helping. Heins had even seeked out Kristoff to beg his forgiveness for stealing Anna so much. Kristoff had shrugged off his apology, saying he knew what it was to see the ones he loves in pain, and that if Anna helps with that, then so be it.

The door creaked open in front of them, and Elsa stepped through timidly, head down and arms clutching around her stomach. She wore a gorgeous forest green backless dress and simple snowflake earrings, revealing her scars for the first time. She lowered her arms to the side and averted her gaze, fidgeting. "Well…?", she asked hesitantly. "What do you think?"

"What do we think?", Anna said incredulously. "You look incredible, as always, Elsa."

"But… the scars…"

"Oh, who cares about those, anyway?", Anna said impatiently. "You look amazing. Carry yourself well, no one will care about the stupid scars." Elsa was plainly not convinced, and Anna turned to her husband. "Kristoff, help me out here."

"Elsa, you do look amazing. Wear the scars proudly as symbols of your strength and bravery, and your people will respect you for it."

"Thank you, Kristoff," said Anna. "Now, we should get going. The first dispute is…" As Anna continued to speak, Elsa's gaze locked on Heins', her eyes boring straight through him. Woah… what is that about? Why does she still look so sad? What else does she want to hear? Realization dawned. She wants to hear from you, you fool.

"Your Majesty," he called. His throat was dry and his heart was pounding, but he began to move forward, determined, every footfall reverberating around the silent hall. Elsa picked up her head, an almost hopeful look etched upon her face. It nearly broke Heins' heart. "Queen Elsa… Elsa. You look as beautiful as the day we first met. No, even more so. Your kindness knows no bounds. I arrive after my brother tries to kill you, and you do not hold it against me. I have caused you more pain than anyone should endure. I do not deserve what you have given me, Elsa." He stopped in front of the Queen, whispering now. "But I swear to you, if you let me, I will spend my entire life trying to live up to it." Elsa looked up at him, eyes bright.

"Okay," she whispered. "I'll hold you to that. Just- don't ever leave, okay?" She sounded so frightened that Heins wrapped his arms around her gently, stroking her hair softly.

"I won't. I promise. Now, my Queen. Your people await." She nodded and pulled away, glancing at Anna and Kristoff, who were both determined to avoid eye contact. Heins flushed- he had all but forgotten they were there.

"To the throne room," Elsa commanded, all waver gone from her voice, standing straight up with her shoulders back, now radiating confidence. The difference was astounding. "What's first on the list, Anna?"

Several hours later, Kristoff and Heins stood flanking the throne, and the final conflict had been resolved, one of a farmer's dogs eating another's chicken. Elsa sagged in her chair, exhausted. Anna had just begun to announce the closing of the public audience when a gentle knock came at the door. Great. One more. Hope Elsa's up for it. Glancing at the throne, he wasn't quite sure if she was- Elsa looked exhausted, but no- she was signaling for Kristoff to let them in. The door opened, and a young girl, no more than seventeen entered. She had coal black hair to her shoulders and wore a modest gray dress. She approached the throne and curtsied.

Elsa leaned forward, looking alert and attentive despite her fatigue. "Yes? What troubles you?"

"Nothing, Your Majesty. I come bearing gifts and information, if you will hear it."

"Of course."

"Thank you. May I approach the throne?"

Elsa looked slightly uneasy, and Kristoff and Heins sidled closer to her, hands going for their weapons surreptitiously. "Very well," she said.

The girl curtsied again and strode forward, speaking as she approached. "Your Majesty. I know what befell you six months ago. I know of the Dreamwalker and what he can do. He will return. I can help."

Kristoff snorted. "You? What are you going to do?" Elsa silenced him with a look.

"Do you trust me, Your Majesty?", the girl asked.

"Not even slightly."

"That's good. You'll live longer that way. Give me your hand."

"Excuse me?", Heins challenged. "State your intent."

The girl glared at him. "I can help you. But you have to trust me."

Heins started to reply, but Elsa cut him off. "Very well." She leaned forward and extended a hand. As soon as the girl's skin made contact, Elsa's eyes went wide and she gasped.

"Elsa!", cried Heins, and he and Kristoff drew their swords.

The girl paid them no mind, instead glaring at Elsa. "Call them off! Now!", she barked. Elsa waved her free hand, and Kristoff and Heins withdrew ever so slightly, waiting. Elsa didn't seem to be in any pain, but whatever was going on, if it didn't stop soon, Heins would stop it himself. He saw Kristoff reach a similar conclusion, and judging by Anna's drawn bow, she had similar thoughts. Right when Heins decided to strike her down, she released Elsa's hand and stepped back, frowning. Elsa was gasping as though she had just run a mile.

"What did you do to her?", demanded Anna. "Speak!"

"Nothing permanent. Queen Elsa, tell your people to lower their weapons."

"Do as she says," Elsa commanded, with such authority that the three Queensguard immediately complied.

The girl stepped back and stretched her arms out wide. The temperature began to drop. Bursts of snow shot out from her fingertips, spiraling around the room, twisting and turning around the stunned Queensguard. She smiled.

END OF PART I