First and most IMPORTANT note: 'elsaisabadass' I don't know who you are but you totally made my day with that awesome review. If you weren't a guest I would've PM'd you a reply. So instead you get a shout out from me here! THANK YOU! You are Legend! These reviews are what get me writing more story in one day than I could in a whole week. Keep them coming!
Just to clear a few things up because it is being asked by you readers a lot. YES there is a backstory to how and why Elsa became the Snow Queen of Arendelle when she holds no royal blood. That will all be explained in a later chapter and for specific reasons it is being delayed because it fits with the story. I'm sorry for all confusion now but it will make sense later.
NO people! This is not in any way shape, form or otherwise a 'Hanna' fic. No! It is Elsanna as I clearly stated in the character pairings. I'm sorry to anyone who had hopes up. I have nothing against that pairing if it's your cup of tea but I don't see them as a suitable couple personally so that is the way it is.
…Now Show Me What You'veGot
Elsa thought herself a rather patient person. She didn't feel the need to rush into any situation head on but rather wait for whatever happens to come to her. Time itself was her ally as it was her only teacher; true, strong and unforgiving. The festivities died after the announcement to which she didn't care. The citizens left the castle without fuss and returned to their daily activates around the town. Those who remained were an interesting bunch. The Royal Twins stood together before the platform, unwilling to move because of one mans need for vengeance. That is how Elsa saw that anger in his eyes. She has what he always wanted, the one thing he would never get and because of her claim now he believed he had a chance if given any opportunity to prove her worthless. A chance she would give him over and over again just to see that light in his eyes fade to nothing…
"I demand my challenge before high noon" Hans started before Irena tugged his attention away from the Queen.
"What are you doing Hans? Do you have any idea what you've just done? What do you think Vikes will do when he hears of this?" she was desperately trying to find some reason in his eyes. She couldn't.
"I don't care what Vikes would say. This has nothing to do with the kingdom or him. I'm personally challenging her, without my title if I must"
"Well it wouldn't be a Royal Challenge if you did that 'Prince'" Kristoff stepped forward to be between the man and the stage. "You must have your kingdom's house behind you if you're stating such a claim again the Queen"
"Now now, Kristoff. Don't scare the man off before he's had his fight" Elsa spoke with an amused tone over the blonde's head. "Though the rules are true, I care little for such traditions so you may challenge me in any way you wish Hans. What your kingdom hears of this outcome is up to you entirely. I wouldn't lose sleep over relations to the Southern Isles going dry"
"Elsa please, stop this" Anna stepped forward slightly as she shifted her eyes between two royals building the tense atmosphere. "Hans, take back the challenge. Please? I don't want anyone to get hurt over a small misunderstanding or whatever this…"
"There is no misunderstanding Anna. Hans wishes for your hand so he thinks he can win it. Let him try and fail" the blonde wound her arm around the slim waist to pull the younger girl against her side firmly.
"You presume much Queen. I will not lose" his small outcry had the Kristoff's men chuckle and snort from their positions next to the stage. Even a few of the remaining guests looked uncertain. While they themselves held a strong relation to the Southern kingdom in peace agreements and trade, they didn't wish the wrath of the dark magic or the kingdom upon them while they were so far from home. Prince Hans was on his own for now.
"Kristoff, show our challenger to the gardens. I think it the most suitable place to have this dual. I will be there momentarily. I must first speak with Anna alone"
"My pleasure your Majesty. Boys" his men snapped to it and surrounded the two siblings while Kristoff gestured "This way your highnesses" he lead the group off at a brisk march through the outer corridor of the castle. Hans gave one fleeting look towards the women standing on the platform but her back was turned his way. All he saw were two menacing blue eyes.
Irena had released his arm by the time they returned to the snow covered landscape. Every living thing in the garden still somehow retained it vibrant green hue as it made the area seem almost misplaced in time. Every fern, shrub and hedge worked together to create an intricate maze like illusion that made up the Royal gardens. Perfectly trimmed trees towered as focus pieces among their dwarf like cousins. Standing high on blocks of pillared marble were ice sculptures of all shapes and sizes, too beautifully detailed to be done by hand. A set of giant ramping reindeer welcomed the visitors to the central fountain, the water frozen in a swirl and flourish like state and yet, the only sound from the garden itself was the gentle flow of rushing water. If he wasn't so emotionally tense, Hans would've found the beauty in this near masterpiece. His last thread of sanity snapped however when he caught the eyes of a sculptured man cowering below that of what seemed to be a 'Heroic' figure dressed in armour, brandishing a mighty sword. The blood in his veins froze.
"I hope you are prepared, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles. I find these dealings rather tedious. Oh you have noticed my latest addition. I rather like that one. Ironic really, a powerful warrior striking down that of a weaker foe who deserves no less" Elsa smirked from where she stood; the opening of the gardens. "Fitting for the moment don't you agree?" she giggled to herself while a frown contorted into a scowl on the man's face. He had seen those eyes freeze over before him not yesterday as the man cowered for his life before the Queen herself snuffed it out. He realised the symbolic meaning behind the statue. The warrior was faceless and cared nothing for life. Much like a winter storm.
"Let us begin. Choose your weapon"
"Ah ah. I believe the challenger gets to choose the weapon first. I wouldn't want you to be at any disadvantage here Hans. It might have you looking bad" she stepped forward onto the gravel like stones surrounding the fountain where their dual was to commence. Two dark clothed men followed her carrying between them a chest. Opened it held a range of weapons to be used for battle. The Prince selected a longsword all the while still scowling at the Queen. She didn't even beat a lash before an identical sword materialised in her grasp made of shimmering ice. It was translucent enough to gaze through and by the look of the blade sharp enough to cut steel.
"Shall we your Highness?" he moved his gaze from her sword to her eyes.
"Of course, your 'Majesty'" he spat the words before lunging in with a thrust of his sword. He knew his blade wouldn't touch her but he had to assess her reactions, the way she held herself and her sword before he could fully begin the fight. The Queen didn't bother to raise it in defence, taking but a step to the left she twirled gracefully out of his way to stand at his right shoulder. A quick swing of his blade she moved once again to give distance between them, a smirking making its way across her face.
A dual would end after first blood was drawn from the blade. Hans had witnesses enough of these duals to know that getting that win was a challenge itself. Master swordsman knew how to keep their bodies angled enough to avoid nearly every attack thrown their way. They also wore heavy armour to keep themselves safe from the sharpness of steel. But as Hans gazed at the self-claimed ruler he saw only a woman. She didn't appear to be trained by her casual stance nor be strong enough to swing the sword with damaging power. But Hans wasn't a fool; Elsa held a longsword easily in one hand while it did nothing to way down her speed. He had to remain controlled and think about this carefully. The Snow Queen was wearing another of her ice dresses conjured earlier; taking in the material like any other the Prince assumed it wasn't going to save her from any strike. However his best option to win the dual quickly was to cut either her hands or any part of her open torso.
'Going for her neck would be too obvious, her chest would be open but difficult to reach' Hans was planning his actions while slowly circling his opponent. Elsa for her part merely watched the man with her cold piercing eyes. She was polite for him to make the first move. Again he stepped forward with a high strike aiming at her left side but only to hit air as the Queen twisted herself to stand just outside the blade's course. The tip drove itself into the earth as Hans rested his arm. This repeating action of swing and miss was going to set his nerves higher on edge and that was exactly what the Queen wanted. Raising his blade up before him carefully, Hans glared.
"You are no fighter. I bet you haven't fought in a real dual before. All you can do is avoiding the blade am I right?" his accusation only got more smiles.
"You are correct that I have never fought in such a battle with blades. Of course I have never had the need to or an opponent of worth. You Prince Hans are the first to openly challenge me in the anyway. It was intriguing, I couldn't let this moment pass without a little more insight. As for my abilities, why don't you find out what I can really do?" she finally lifted her blade to point at his heart, eyes hooded. He growled as he wacked away her sword to jab at her chest but the steel met that of ice as she blocked his attack with ease. Hans learnt quickly that his blade was heavier and he didn't have near the same speed as she but he had strength enough to force her down if he could lock the blade at the next encounter. His mind was telling him to finish the battle before she could torment him with her evasiveness.
Irena, like her brother had seen her share of battle's between knights fighting for both honour and wealth. She'd witnessed cheating, scheming and nearly every tactic the foes placed against each other to add to her vast book of knowledge on the subject. Unfortunately she has never wielded a sword so her mind was of little use here when it was her brother to face an opponent who was as cunning as they come. She stood silently as she watched her brother try to land a strike against the monarch. Swinging in a wide arc he tried to at least get the woman to block his blade but she just kept avoiding his blows one after the other. Hans was starting to lose his cool very quickly if the mist created from his heavy breathing was an indication.
"Hans, don't lose your head. You are a skilled swordsman and strategist, just concentrate…" she whispered under her breath trying not to wince at her brother's lack of grace in each movement. Elsa did lift her blade again and this time took a swipe at Hans. If he didn't move his head to the side as he did, more than just a few hairs off his side-burn would've been cut. The look in those blue eyes was nearly tormenting and that made Irena gasp quietly.
"She's playing with him"
"She is" looking over her shoulder the Princess found Anna standing there, her arms folded with a sorrow-filled expression on her face. She didn't appear sad for either of the combatants but rather the situation itself.
"She knows swordplay?"
"No" reddish blonde locks loosened from their woven holdings with the movement of her head. "She's only reading his actions and knows where he'll strike. Elsa's had no time for lessons in any weapons training; she doesn't need it with her magic. Agreeing to this dual is just entertainment for her"
"She treats this as a game? Someone can get badly hurt here Anna!" Irena squeaked.
"I know that! That's why I didn't want this to happen, but no one listened to me. I can't stop it now and neither can you. Whoever draws blood will be the victor. We'll just have to wait…" Irena didn't like the idea of her brother falling prey to the mental taunts of such a woman. 'A game. She thinks all of this is a game'. Shaking her head, the Princess went back to watching the exchanged blows, their blades clashed like thunder and send sparks falling to the ground. Hans seemed to try and get the Queen into a lock but she was using his momentum to her advantage and breaking his centre of balance at every turn. Irena couldn't help but silently pray. If the battle didn't end soon, someone might not come out alive.
Elsa was enjoying herself too much to actually take the situation seriously. The sight of her foe in a state of uncontrollable rage had her heart pumping quickly and her fingers twitching with anticipation. Oh how she would rejoice if allowed to release her magic upon the soul of this retched man and finally put his pain to ease. A cold dead ease. From the repetitive attacks against her she had yet to retain a single mark of disorder. Her hair was still pristine and woven in its intricate braid; her dress still sparkling in the light and in one piece. But Hans, his attire looked like it was to tear apart at any moment. After a series of attacks, the man hadn't done well enough to block her counters and tears were all over his person. While the Queen made sure not to cut deep enough to touch skin, the amount of flesh revealed was almost rivalling the size patches of cloth that weren't ripped. Elsa snickered at the thought of the man freezing himself solid before the dual was to complete.
Some moments ago she noticed her love had come to join the crowd of spectators. Before the match she took the girl aside for a word alone. The younger tried and pleaded for the dual to be cancelled and forget that the Prince made any insults to their announcement but Elsa refused. He had to be taught a lesson and she was the one to make the point. Anna was hers.
The Snow Queen said the girl could return to her room for the afternoon if she wished but seeing her beside the twin Princess only reinforced her theory. Anna cared for the man's safety but she didn't love him. There was a look those teal eyes sent her that had Elsa pause in her flurry of attacks. It was a silent plea to not drag the outcome they knew was inevitable. Exhaling in frustration the blonde turned back to the auburn haired man, her sword at her waist and shoulders back.
"Your stance is appalling, your skills needing and your only chance now revoked. You will never have Anna. She is mine"
"I will never give her up! You hear me witch?! She is not yours! I won't allow-" time stopped as Hans stood there shouting his last words. The crystal like sword had left its master's hand to sail perfectly over the distance between them, aimed at his head. Hans finally found his body unable to move for the first time, exhaustion taking hold. He had stared death in the face many times at the end of a sword but that was training in his homeland. He had been cut so many times he hardly felt the pain anymore, but in that painstakingly long instant that his life was but a lone thread ready to be cut against the edge of thin ice, he could've cried. Why was he to die like this...?
When instead of a powerful thrust, he received only a light sting to his cheek. Hans realised, he'd closed his eyes waiting for the death to take him. The sword was nowhere to be seen and he stood there on two solid feet; heart still beating. A hot, wet line ran down his cheek slowly, touching the liquid he found his own blood staining the material of his gloves. He'd lost. Not his life but the dual. First blood was drawn by the Queen and therefor he had to stand down. The male twin fell to his knees when a feeling of relief overwhelmed his body, the sword clattering to the gravel beside him as he still remained in a daze.
"You have failed. Anna is mine to do as I wish Prince Hans…" she wasn't even looking at him anymore. She'd done her duty; fought him as tradition states. She didn't however need to remain to watch the pathetic excuse of a man wallow in self-pity and dishonour. Said man didn't see it that way. With teeth clenched and crazed look in his eye, Hans grabbed his sword and launched it towards the Queen's back with a battle cry. If he had to bleed so did she!
The steel never touched its mark. Instead it drew the blood of the one who caught it in hand to save her beloved Queen. Hans was astonished that one person he fought so hard for would blatantly injure herself for that ice witch. Anna was standing at her love's open back holding the steel blade with nothing but wool gloves. Red droplets of life stained the snow as the liquid traced from her wound down the length of steel. She was hostile. Her eyes dark, her frown clear and a piercing gaze was tearing into the kneeing man.
"Is this what you wanted so desperately Hans? You wanted blood, there here it is" she chucked the blade back at his knees so he could look upon the horror he just inflicted.
"Anna no! Are you alright? I didn't mean to-"
"You didn't mean to attack my Queen when her back was turned? You weren't trying to kill her after you lost the dual? Tell me another lie Hans. Any other believable lie!" the strawberry blonde clutched her fists tightly, ignoring the stinging pain. She had never felt so angry before. Her stomach was knotted and her head clouded but she didn't care if her emotions were out in the open. Hans had betrayed her. Her trust and honour in him was gone.
"Anna…"
"No. you don't get to say my name. Not after doing us so much shame in your actions. Why can't you understand Hans? I love Elsa! I want to be with her, here in Arendelle. She's done so much for us all I can't leave her. Not now. This is my home. Please just accept that!" without a look back or any further recognition the trainer grabbed the blonde's hand, bloodied or otherwise she didn't care and lead the monarch back into the castle. The guards followed with Kristoff leading the pack and soon all the other guests who came to watch dispersed; leaving only the Prince to drown in his shame and his twin sister to pity him for it.
Man this was a hard one to write. I've done very little action like scenes before and this was my first sword fight so I am terrible sorry if it's not up to your standards! Please be kind to me here. It's been a long week. Again. Hopefully next week will be nicer to me.
Yes I know you all hate me for not killing Hans, (trust me I want to so so so badly) but if I did the story would end and then all those other planned chapters would be to waste. Plus my ending is what i wanted to happen in the movie but...So revenge will be delayed… I also apologize if the P.O.V in this one is confusing. It ended up being all over the place without clear markers. Read and Review please! Thanks again guys!