Chapter 7

Hans

The sun hid behind the clouds that morning, not giving much hope about a clear and sunny day. Rain clouds lingered on the outskirts of the village. Hans figured they wouldn't be able to escape the rain, but he had to use the day to his advantage anyways. He had sent a letter asking the princess if she was free for a ride through the village, and a message had promptly returned she was more than happy to go with him.

Early that morning he had hired a carriage and went off to the front gates of the castle, the guards waving him through as he approached. It was sheer luck he and Anna got along so well: she was so desperate for friendship. Hans couldn't lie to himself as Anna was lovely, and easy to get along with. She had spunk and was like a breath of fresh air which was exactly what he needed.

He thought of home and the stupid noblewomen who threw themselves at his feet. They were desperate as well, but didn't offer what Anna did. They didn't own a castle, nor rule a kingdom. No – Anna was exactly what he needed.

"Prince Hans!" he heard her shout, and he looked outside his carriage window. She stood there with her hair in braids, wearing a simple brown bodice and skirt embroidered with flower rosemaling. She looked like she was positively glowing.

He broke out into a wide smile and opened the carriage door, stepping down the one step, the heel of his boot clicking against the pavement. He had chosen to dress a bit simpler as well – while white was his favorite color to wear, he chose dark hues of blue with a light jacket, trousers, and black boots.

"And how are you this morning?" He asked, holding out his hand. "I couldn't wait for today."

"I couldn't either," Anna replied, taking his hand, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. "I have so many things to show you! At least, the places I know of – I haven't explored the kingdom much myself. How are you?"

"Better now." Together they moved into the carriage, sitting on the seat side by side. He had chosen this carriage with care: it demonstrated wealth, with gold etched wood, carved with nature designs. He wanted to make Arendelle remember who he was - whether or not they saw him as something other than a pompous prince was something he would have to adjust to and make them see him differently.

Arendelle loved their princess, and any man she loved would have to be loved by Arendelle as well. There wasn't any room to falter: he would have to be the best prince one could think of.

Anna wasn't hard to convince - Elsa would be the true test. He would save Elsa for another day; another feat to win over. Sooner or later, all would be as he saw fit.

"What're you thinking about?" Anna asked, fiddling with her braided hair.

"I ran across this little shop yesterday, full of chocolates and treats. I was thinking we could visit there after lunch. Here, sample this." Hans grabbed a small cloth bag he had brought with him that morning. "It's a day old, but, I'd thought you like it." A small piece of chocolate filled with caramel sounded good, but Hans wasn't one to divulge in chocolate. It wasn't his favorite treat.

"Oh, thank you!" Anna took a slow bite, savoring the taste. Her eyelids fluttered and she sighed. "This is divine."

"I wasn't able to have a bite of that one, but it looked delicious."

"Here," she offered, holding out the half bitten chocolate. "You can have the rest."

Hans leaned back and opened his mouth, not bothering to take it from her. Taking the hint, she leaned in close and put the chocolate against his lips, and he chewed while nodding at the flavor. "It is quite good." She settled back in her seat, looking pleased with herself.

"I'll have to bring some home for my sister."

"How are you two doing, by the way?"

Anna looked out the window and onto the fjord, currently dark and grey despite it being mid-morning. The rain clouds were threatening to come closer. Their carriage had crossed the bridge and was now headed through the village, passing a random assortment of people and their small shops.

"Elsa's… Elsa. She's still warming up to the fact that the gates are open and she has everyone else's feelings to consider. She still avoids me during mealtimes, you know. I've sent her letters - you would think it's stupid to send letters to someone who lives in the same house as you, right? But no! It's the only way she would know that I care. And I do."

"I think if you keep at it, she'll eventually realize how much you matter to her. Don't give up, Anna."

"At least I ran into you." Anna bumped her shoulder with his. "You've made me realize how much I was missing."

"And same to you." Hans pushed a loose bang to the side of her head, arranging it with all the other strands of hair. "There." He let his hand fall down. He didn't want to move too fast in pursuing her. "I hope you're hungry. Yesterday I found this fantastic little shop - they make the best eggs and potato mix."

"I'm famished!"

The carriage halted just as she said the words, and the driver hopped down, quickly opening the door for the two of them. "We have arrived, prince Hans, princess Anna."

"Thank you, good sir," Hans said, stepping out and held out a hand for Anna. "Here we are."

"Oh. It's cute!"

It was a smaller building at the edge of the street corner, a small wooden sign scribbled with the words 'Flying Ducklings' hanging on a post just outside the door. There were small wooden tables placed around the door, but with the threat of oncoming rain, the two of them decided to head inside and claim a table.

The villagers' mouths dropped when the two of them entered the tiny breakfast parlor, somehow instantly recognizing them the two of them to be royalty. Anna more so than Hans, who looked like any other nobleman. But Anna was well known to the older villagers, having been seen outside the city gates when she was just a little girl.

Hans pulled out the chair for Anna, then he moved to sit next to her. The waiter, an older, graying man with an apron tied around his large belly, hustled over with anticipation.

"Would you be princess Anna?" he asked, his eyes flickering. "We're so honored you've come to visit us, my lady!"

"Well, prince Hans here was raving about how delicious the food is here! So bring me the potatoes and eggs and I'll be sure to come back," Anna grinned up at the waiter.

Hans had to admire her way with people. She never failed to break her smile or her cheery demeanor; it was something he was beginning to like about her. She always looked for the best in people. "And I'll have the same," Hans said.

"Coming right up," the waiter cooed and went to go bring the order directly to the cook.

Men and women sat around the breakfast parlor, taking peeks over their shoulder at the royalty. Their children huddled behind their skirts of their mothers, taking their own peeks every now and then. The parlor itself was well lit with candles, decorated with fine rugs on the stone floor and paintings hidden here and there.

The door open, a bell ringing at the same time, and a young, bulky man entered the room. He was dressed in light wool, looking to be a man of not much wealth. Hans was trying to remember why he seemed to recognize him. The man took off his hat and dusty blond hair fell out, and Hans remembered. Ah yes, this was the ice man he had talked to the day before.

The ice man instantly saw him then quickly looked away, sitting at a table. He snuck a look back at Hans, then focused on Anna, an almost dumbfounded expression on his face.

With pride, Hans turned his attention back to Anna, pleased to be the one of status in the room who could speak with her without any trouble. "So what do you think?"

"I like it. It's nearly how I imagined it."

"So you've never been to a parlor like this before?" Hans questioned her, leaning on his arms and closing in on what little distance was between them.

"No. Our cook always brought up meals to my room. I would always eat with my parents, but once they passed, I had to eat alone in my room. The servants had deemed it too improper if I were to eat with them, so…" she shrugged.

"That sounds lonely."

"Oh, it was. But I got used to it, and I had Elsa's coronation to look forward to. I knew I was destined for more than just waiting around, doing nothing." Their food was brought out just then, a steaming plate of eggs, potatoes, ham, and bread. "Oh, this looks delicious! Thank you!"

"Yes, truly, thank you," Hans chimed in.

"You are quite welcome!" The waiter said. "I am pleased you chose our little parlor instead of others. Oh, if only the queen were to grace us with her presence..!"

"Eesh. I don't know about that," Anna giggled once the waiter walked away. "One small step at a time. Maybe in a few years!" She stuffed her face full of potatoes.

"I was thinking we could just travel around, maybe take our horses up to see the sights of Arendelle," Hans said after a small bite of his own food. "There's just so much to see."

"I would love to take you! There's the waterfalls - I know there's a path to get up there somewhere. Oh, it'll be so wonderful."

Hans noticed the ice man was leaning casually their way as if he were eavesdropping. In fact everyone seemed to be focusing their spare attention on the two of them, and he decided to use it to his advantage. "I've written to my brother's about you - they would be utterly fascinated to meet you."

"You should invite them, then. And we shall have dinner together. What do you think?"

"Well it seems like I have a reason to stay, now. So I shall invite them in due time."

He made his intention clear, and anybody overhearing that wouldn't hesitate to turn that into gossip. He was going to be the talk of the town, of that he was sure. It made him feel ever more confident in the next days to come. He had come to Arendelle for his future, and Anna was it.

It would have been better if it had been Elsa he had run into, but alas, he had to work with what he was given. They chatted about small things here and there, laughing at small jokes and childhood memories. Hans told the good childhood memories he had, but there wasn't many. He made sure to keep asking about her past, and found their past was a bit similar. They had both been ignored and often times forgotten.

They ended their meal and left in the carriage to go explore the market, where people happily waved and bowed to the royalty as they passed. Children chased each other through the streets, merchants called out their wares, and everyone just continued out their day. Hans and Anna stopped by the chocolate shop and purchased several chocolates for themselves, then continued on their way.

The marketplace was full of tents ranging in different colors, with strings of flags connecting to each building. Smells of leather, food, horses all mixed together in the market square. In the middle, a tall water fountain was nestled, a short brick foundation surrounding it, making it easy for people to sit around and hang about.

Anna sat next to the market fountain, putting two fingers down in the cool water. She looked up to Hans. "Living in the castle, it was hard to imagine what this market was like. What people were like, and I have you to thank for that Hans. I really appreciate you taking me out for the day."

"Oh, it's much better than this!" Hans took her hand and pulled her to stand, wrapping his other hand around her waist, and pulled her around in a waltz even though there wasn't any music. "Just think of all the balls we're to have! Nobility take pride in throwing balls. I can take you around, introduce you to new people."

Anna let herself be glided around, her feet stepping in fluid motion with his. "I would love that. I know Duke Goran's sons throw balls, but I have never met them. Could we find out when we could go?"

"Of course. For now, let's go take a ride up to the waterfall."

"We can take horses from the castle stables. Let's go!" Anna pulled him towards the carriage with glee.

An hour later, fully equipped with riding gear and horses, the two of them set out, riding up the mountain path of the hill. The rain clouds were now closer than ever and Hans's plan of them being caught out in the rain looked like it would make it through. Anna hadn't seemed to notice the weather at all, chattering away about how she had always dreamed about coming up the mountain path which overlooked the village.

It took a good thirty minutes on the horses to reach the waterfalls, and in that instant it began to sprinkle. They dismounted, the crevice behind the waterfalls actually offering protection from the rain. They tied their horses near the back of the crevice and crept up to behind the falls.

"It's gorgeous," Anna sighed at the sight, despite the fog and clouds creeping into the village. "Imagine this on clear, starry night. It would be absolutely beautiful."

"Perhaps we could come back tomorrow night," Hans mused, moving a hand to settle on the small of her back.

"It wouldn't be proper that late at night," Anna teased. "What would Elsa think?"

"She wouldn't have to know."

Anna shrugged. "If there's one thing I don't like doing, is lying to to my sister. So we couldn't."

"You're right, of course."

"Though it isn't entirely appropriate we're here now."

"I don't know. I think we deserve this little peace and quiet."

Just then thunder crackled and lightning flashed across the sky. Rain began to pour not a second after, coming down in thick sheets. Anna startled. "Oh, no! We didn't even bring rain gear!"

"We could wait out the rain," Hans soothed her, rubbing his hand on her back soothingly.

"It's mid afternoon, right? It should clear up soon," Anna reasoned.

Together they moved to the back of the crevice and sat on a wooden log someone must've brought up for that very purpose. Hans put an arm around her shoulders; it wasn't cold, but the rain brought more than enough reason for him to get close to her. They silently watched the rain pour, huddled in each other's arms. Anna had finally relented and laid her head against his shoulder, holding his gloved left hand in her own.

"I've always wanted to do this," she said in a small voice. "You came just at the right time, or else I was going to go crazy."

"I must admit I wasn't looking for anyone, but one could hardly ignore your pretty face. I love your eyes and the way they sparkled when I first ran into you. You didn't seem to mind that my horse ran into you, either."

"I was flustered, and you were gorgeous." Anna hid her face in his shoulder.

Ah, Anna. So innocent, Hans thought.

The rain continued on for an hour, then another hour, and the two of them talked here and there, until finally Anna moved to sit up. "We better brave the rain. I don't think it's going to let up, and night is falling. One of the servants would have told Elsa I hadn't returned yet, and I don't want them to worry."

"Then let us make haste," Hans sighed, and they mounted their horses. "This is going to be a wet ride home."

Anna stretched her arms and cracked her neck, then turned a wicked smile on him. "Well, let's make it a race. We'll go as fast as we can, and whoever wins gets to choose the next place to visit."

"Deal."

"On three. One, two, three!" The two of them kicked their horses sides, and they were off down the hill. The rain was bitingly cold, splashing against Hans skin in cold darts. Anna was laughing despite all this. The forest trail was harder to see in the fading daylight, and the rain had turned the path into a muddy mush.

Perhaps it wasn't entirely smart of them to be rushing down a steep hill on horses. Hans was about to call at Anna to slow down, but the sight of her horse slipping and sending Anna tumbling forward head over heels caused him to yell her name instead. "Anna!" He halted his horse as quick as he could and hopped off, his boots sinking into the mud.

Anna lay in a pile of mud, not moving. He sank on his knees beside her and rolled her on her back. "Anna?" he leaned down to see if she was breathing and sighed in relief. She was breathing just fine, but the side of her head was covered in a nasty bloody gash. He looked down the path and knew they were only a few minutes from the village.

He tenderly picked her up and headed down the path at the fastest pace he could make. He didn't think he could have made it on horseback with her without help. The rain kept coming down, not making it any easier for him, nor was the muddy path.

His muscles were screaming for release when he reached the royal stables. All the villagers had moved into their homes which meant he hadn't met anyone on the path who could've helped him. With an angry kick to side door of the castle, it was quickly opened by a servant.

"Princess Anna fell off her horse!" he said in a worried voice. "Please, let me inside."

"Oh, no!" The woman servant said, then motioned him in. She turned to the other servant at her side. "Go get the royal physician and lead him to Anna's room!" The girl nodded and shot off, leaving the older maid to guide Hans. She led Hans through a series of well lit hallways, up several flight of stairs and into what he determined to be Anna's room. The fireplace was already built, casting the large room in a pinkish-orange glow. He laid Anna down on the bed.

Several other servants entered the room, apparently having heard the news already. "Wait outside," the older servant said to Hans.

"But-"

"This servant will lead you to one of our prepared rooms, and you will stay for the night. I'm sure the queen will want to know your part in this. Now, please leave, while we take care of Anna."

Hans turned to Anna and squeezed her hand, then leaned in to plant a small kiss to her cheek. "Heal swiftly, my dear Anna." He left the room, following the servant to his temporary quarters, deep in thought. His plan hadn't gone out the way he thought it would - Anna getting hurt was certainly not his plan, and this might work against him. He suspected the queen wouldn't like his part in the story, but perhaps he could turn it around to his advantage. Anna would be on his side; he just had to figure out how to get the queen on his side.

He thanked the servant when he arrived at the room and shut the door quietly behind him. With a tired sigh, he sat on the large chair beside the fireplace and waited for further news.