Author's Note: Finally! After a weeks wait, the newest chapter is here! Seemed liked forever, huh?

Chapter XIII: The Assassin

"Any last words?" Cade asked the King of the Southern Isles as he took out his sword.

Hans stood behind Cade with an evil smirk on his face and arms crossed. He was tapping the floor with his toes; waiting impatiently for Cade to do the job. Hans was waiting for things to not go his way as it was inevitable since it did seem to good to be true for him. He planned this for quite a while and now he was finally executing it. He worked closely with Cade and Lilith for the past few weeks, making sure everything would end up well for the three of them.

Hans glanced back over his shoulder to make sure that the three of them were alone in the throne room. Not a single other person was in sight and that was great for Hans and Cade. They couldn't have anyone interfering, and if anyone did, they would have to suffer the same fate the King was about to. Hans looked back over at his father who was giving Hans a confused yet frightened look. Hans tried to not meet his father's eyes since it would make things harder for him.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The King asked.

Cade raised his sword in the air, above the poor King's head. "Poor choice of last words." Cade said. Cade swung down at the King but Hans ordered a halt right before the blade made contact with the King. Cade looked back at Hans with an annoyed look.

"I'd like a word with my father very quickly." Hans said. Hans stepped forward while Cade took a step back.

"Well, hurry up, Hans. The guards could enter any second." Cade said.

That gave the King an idea. It was a mistake for him to order them out, but knowing his guards, they couldn't be far away. If they heard the slightest sound of danger, they would come rushing into the room immediately with spears and swords in the air. Right now, that was the King's only chance of survival. He opened his mouth, ready to cry for help, but in the blink of an eye, Hans took out a long piece of cloth, like a large hanker chief, and gagged his father. The King tried as hard as he could to get the gag off, but Hans tied it very tightly and expertly. It was almost impossible to get it off.

"That's going to keep you quite." Hans said. Hans prepared for this moment since he knew his father wouldn't just give up easily. That's a trait Hans received from the King. Hans wouldn't give up easily on getting the revenge he longed for for those years.

The King wouldn't stop fighting there. He refused to let anyone bully him and was not ready to lose. He realized that his hands and feet were still free. He had a fighting chance. He stood up quickly and punched at Hans, but he was not quick enough. Hans sidestepped the punch and delivered his own blow to the King's face. Hans' father fell back into his chair, putting his hand over his face. When he took them away, he found blood on where he had touched his nose. His face was stinging even well after the punch.

"I didn't want to do that." Hans said. "Who am I kidding? Of course I did!" The King had no idea how much Hans wanted to hurt him. All of those years of neglecting Hans bit back at this moment.

"Father..." Hans said while getting closer. "You must know that this day was coming. It was inevitable. Want to respond to that?" The King just stared at Hans angrily, knowing that Hans was just fooling around with that last question.

The King was thinking about how foolish he was. He should have just listened to Christian and Ander and not have trusted Hans at all. He just had to be the good King. He promised himself that he would never make that mistake again, but looking at the position he was in, he wouldn't live long enough to make another choice.

"This could have been avoided if you had only given me a chance as I grew up." Hans continued. "Ander was always they favorite child. Everything was about Ander with you. You didn't think about poor little Hans."

The King wanted to scream "That's not true!" but, in a way, Hans was right. The King realized how much he ignored Hans now, and for that, he was sorry.

"Now, here we are." Hans said. "Unfortunately, this is how it had to end. This could have been avoided if you only just kept the war going. We had to of things the hard way, right father?"

Hans took a step back which told Cade that he should take a step forward. Cade spun his sword around, intimidating the King.

"Sorry." Cade said. "It's nothing personal." Cade then looked up at the ceiling as if he was thinking of something and then he looked back at the King. "Well, maybe it is a little personal. Your entire life you've sat high in a castle, looking down upon people like me. People who struggle just to get by." Cade pointed the tip of his sword at the King's chin who moved his head back.

Cade turned his head towards Hans.

"Kill him." Hans ordered.

Cade took the sword away from the King's chin and jabbed it into the King's chest. Blood spread around his entire chest and spread down his body. They could hear the horrible sounds coming from the King's throat. Hans just watched in disappointment as the life drained away from his father. He was disappointed because he had to get his hands dirty. The King had never felt so much pain in his life. He's never been harmed like this so he didn't know how to handle the pain. Cade took the sword away from the King's chest and wiped the blood off of the blade. The King's "screaming" died down, and his eyes became heavy. His vision blurred as the pain grew less intense. Then, the King's vision went black and his breathing ceased. Small drops of blood were dripping on the floor.

Hans walked closer to his father's corpse and examined it. He had just ordered the murder of his father. He felt no remorse since he felt justified for this action. Nothing would get in the way of his revenge. He would do anything to get his revenge. Anything.

"A little sloppy." Hans said.

"Well, next time, you can do it yourself." Cade said. "You said you wanted him dead if things went sour, so I did the job. You didn't specify the way you wanted it done."

"If you're going to work for me, then-"

Cade punched Hans in the face and pushed him down on the ground. Cade then placed his foot over Hans' chest and pressed down hard, making it harder for Hans to breath. Then, Cade took his sword and slashed at Hans' face, leaving a huge cut on his cheek. Hans didn't know what had gotten into Cade. Cade put his sword on the ground next to him, and knelled down, with his knee on Hans' chest. He then took out his dagger and put it against Hans' throat.

"I am not working for you." Cade said angrily. "I will never work for you. It would be good for your health if you understand the difference."

Cade got off of Hans, letting him catch his breath. Hans coughed, but he tried his best to keep it quite. He couldn't let guards in now.

"You didn't hire me." Cade said as Hans got up. "This is a temporary partnership."

They met each other a few weeks ago. It was actually Lilith who went to Hans first. She and Cade were the ones who came up with the plan against Arendelle, and they needed Hans to execute it. So, they would have secret meetings with each other, planning what and how things would go down. Everything was thought out carefully, and they always had back up plans if things went wrong.

Hans knew what he had against Arendelle, but he didn't know what they had against Arendelle. Hans never dared ask and he just accepted the fact that they had secret reqsons.

Hans wiped the dirt off of his shirt and looked at Cade angrily. He was about to speak out, but decided against it since he knew that keeping his mouth shut would probably be better for his health.

"What about Ander?" Cade asked.

"What about him?"

"Think about it. We take him out too and that makes you the only person who can rule the Southern Isles. You lift a finger and war will happen."

"To them, it's all too good to be true for me. They'll be suspicious if I'm king, and they won't trust me. I won't have any power if they don't give it to me. My best chance is to convince Ander to declare war."

Cade walked and stood in front of the King's corpse. He removed the gag and threw it to Hans. From his pocket, he took out a small bottle and opened it up.

"What are you doing?" Hans asked.

"Making things easier for you." Cade answered.

Cade tilted the King' head so that it was flat on it's side. He poured liquid from the bottle over the King's face. The liquid had a yellowish color and smelled awful. Cade then put the bottle back into his pocket and took out a matchbox. He took out a match and lit it. Cade brought the match closer to the King's face and it made contact. He quickly took the match away, blew it out, and put it in his pocket as the fire spread across the King's face.

They just watched as the flames died down and saw the King's face horribly scarred and red.

"What was that for?" Hans asked.

"Like I said... Making things easier for you." Cade answered. "The guards will come " in and see his face. You tell him that it was Kai from Arendelle who killed him. You know? The guy with the fire."

"So, if Ander thinks that Arendelle sent an assassin here..."

"He'll be enraged, and war will break out."

Hans nodded. "That'll work."

Hans was excited that everything was going his way. He was so close to his prize and he couldn't wait any longer.

"I'll call in the guards and Ander. I'll tell them about this little incident with Kai." Hans said.

"Sorry, Hans, but it won't be that easy." Cade said while spinning his dagger around his fingers.

"What do you mean?" Hans asked.

"Do you think they'll just believe that Kai killed the King and left you alone." Cade asked.

Hans closed his eyes. He knew where Cade was going with this. Hans prepared himself for the pain that was about to come. He had to make an attack from Kai believable, and this would be the best way to do it. Not necessarily the most safe and nice way, but the best. It would assure Hans' innocence, and innocence was a trait that others did not see in Hans. He needed to make them see it.

Hans put his right index and middle finger over his cheek and found blood where Cade had cut him. He then felt a bruise on his nose. Hans looked like he was just attacked. And that would be helpful.

Cade pointed Hans toward the wall behind the King's throne which was against the wall. Hans walked to the part of the wall next to his father and sat down, his legs sticking out and hi back against the wall.

"Just do it." Hans said.

Cade took out a small knife he had hidden under his upper clothing and put the hilt into Hans' mouth. That way, Hans wouldn't scream as loudly and the guards would not hear it. It would give Cade some time to escape. Hans bit down hard on the handle and closed his eyes.

Cade took up his dagger and stabbed Hans' shoulder. The blade went through the shoulder and into the wall behind Hans. Tears ran down Hans' cheek and his fists clenched. The pain was unbearable but it was necessary. The white clothes over his shoulder soon became soaked in blood.

Cade took his hand off of the dagger and ran. He looked back at Hans one more time before he disappeared into the shadows.

Hans dropped the knife from his mouth and screamed in pain. "HELP ME!" Hans yelled.

Immediately, Ander and many guards rushed in through different doors. Hans' voice echoed throughout the entire castle, meaning everyone heard it.

Ander looked in horror at what was in front of him. He knelled in front of his father, with his hand over his father's heart. He felt no beat. Ander looked down at the small blood pool in the ground and saw drips of a clear liquid drop down into it. Ander realized that he was crying.

He clenched his fists and looked over at Hans. Two guards were at Hans' aid. One of them removed the dagger from his shoulder and dropped it on the ground. Ander stood up and walked to his brother.

"What happened here?!" Ander asked Hans angrily.

Ander knelt in front of Hans and grabbed his collar. Ander then raised Hans up against the wall. Hans wound hurt much more now and he showed it in his face. Ander's eyes widened, realizing what he was doing to his brother. He gently let Hans down and stepped back.

One of the guards pushed his hand over Hans' shoulder to try to stop the bleeding, but it was just causing more pain.

"We were... He talked about how he would agree to send troops to Arendelle." Hans lied. "Then, out of nowhere, a man jumped in between us. He had red eyes and black hair. Fire was in his hand. I recognized him. It was Kai from Arendelle."

"The man who can control fire? I heard that he was missing at sea. Presumed dead." Ander said.

"Didn't you hear? The great Captain of the Guard has returned!" Hans said sarcastically.

"Are you sure it was him?" Ander asked.

Hans nodded. "He stabbed our father in the chest. He then took out his sword and sliced at my face, but I was lucky enough to dodge it, but I was unfortunately cut." Hans pointed to his cut. "He punched me in the face and that pushed me back. To make sure father was dead, he shot a blast of fire at his face. Then, he was to deal with me. He carried me to the wall and pinned me. He stabbed me in my shoulder, and I screamed. As you guys came in, he ran away."

Ander believed Hans. His rage had taken the better of him that it clouded his judgment. Ander looked over at his father and stood up. Arendelle had ordered the assassination of the King, as Ander thought, and that meant war. Ander was determined to avenge his father's death, and if he were to see Kai, he would give Kai the same fate.

"You're the King now, Ander." Hans said. "We're waiting for your orders."

The pressure was on Ander. All of the power he had been promised was now his, though the way he received it wasn't necessarily the best. Ander knew the first executive decision he were to make. His first order would be his father's last.

"I want the castle searched! Kai could still be skulking around!" Ander demanded.

Hans knew that the true assassin was long gone by now. He would be on a small ship to Arendelle by now.

"Keep this place secure! Also, I want the navy ready!" Ander continued.

"What for my lord?" asked a guard.

"We're going down to Arendelle, and we're having this war!" Ander answered.

Hans rejoiced in his mind. Finally, things were official. Things were going is it as he had planned.

The guards were thinking that Ander was acting strange. Usually, Ander kept a calm mind when it came to things like this, but now fire was visible in his eyes. It was obvious how angry he was, and anger clouded his judgment. He was making blind decisions, but he didn't care.

"By the time Hans is patched up, the navy along with Hans and I are leaving!" Ander yelled.

Guards rushed around the room and coming in and out of it. They all seemed rush to do their tasks. Some had gone to prepare the navy while others patrolled every corner of the castle. It was chaos.

"What shall we do with the King?" asked a guard.

"I want him buried." Ander said.

"Would you like me to arrange a funeral?"

"No time."

The guard rushed away to get others to bury the body. Ander turned back to Hans.

"Great... First, our brothers are kidnapped. Then, our father is assassinated." Ander said, putting his hand over his forehead.

"I barely made it out." Hans said.

A thought danced around Ander's mind. It kept telling him that it should've been Hans who was killed instead of their father. But, Ander couldn't think so negatively. What's done is done. They cain't change the past, but they can avenge and honor their father in the present and future.

"We're leaving right when we get you bandaged." Ander said. "You'll get that war you wanted."

Hans didn't smile since that would've made things look bad for him, but if he could've, he would've.

That same morning...

Elsa sat in her study wearing reading glasses and a book in her hand. She was trying to forget all of the stress brought upon her that day. Usually, a good book took her mind off of things. When she was growing up isolated, she was always reading. It was better for her to be lost in a fantasy world as a child instead of the real one.

She heard Kai's voice loudly coming from the courtyard. She put her book down, took off her glasses, and walked toward her balcony. When she looked out of it, she saw Kai standing in front of a large group of her guards. They all stood straight and organized with their weapons sheathed. Some of them had packs and satchels filled with supplies.

"Men!" Kai said. "Today, you will set off on a journey that will determine the fates of those who were kidnapped. Your job is to bring all of them back."

Elsa hoped that they could achieve their goals. The leadership of many countries depended on them. She hoped that Kai would be able to install more courage in these men. They needed to be motivated in order to work hard.

"Do you all know where to go?" Kai asked.

The guards nodded. The night before, they were all given the coordinates and learned where they had to go.

"Be cautious that these coordinates may be folly." Kai said. "So, be on your best guard."

A guard raised his hand to speak to which Kai gave him permission. "What if it is a trap?"

"Then I'm sure the elite guards of Arendelle know how to fight." Kai answered.

The guards whispered among each other. Some were getting unsure of whether they were coming home but if Kai had faith in them, they believed they could get out of any sticky situation.

"The enemy you might face is nothing you've ever seen before." Kai said. "If you do come across him, work together to defeat him. It's your only chance."

Kai wasn't sure if he believed himself when he said this. If Kai and Elsa combined was not enough to defeat Cade, how could these men defeat him? Kai knew he was sending these men to a possible death trap, and he couldn't bear it if they did. These men trusted Kai with their lives and Kai would blame himself if anything bad happened to him.

Kai wanted to go badly. He knew that Elsa wouldn't allow it and he's not one to question her orders. He's made her mad before, and it never ended well. During one of their arguments a while back, Elsa made Kai's room freezing cold for a week. He tried to keep warm by using his powers, but it always got colder.

"I pray that you all return with the kings, queens, and nobles." Kai continued. "Now go!"

Elsa stayed on the balcony to see the guards leave. They got out of their organized order and jogged to the gate to the stone bridge. Soon, they all left. That left Kai standing alone in the courtyard.

Anna was watching the guards leave from her window in her room. She didn't believe that this was enough. She wanted to help in whatever way she could but Elsa didn't give her that opportunity. All Anna ever wanted to do was be useful in the past few days but that was a wish that didn't come true.

Rapunzel was also watching the guards from her guest room. Like Anna, she didn't believe that these guards would prove mighty against Cade. By the way Kai and Elsa described Cade, he was the most dangerous man Rapunzel "knew".

Rapunzel was going to help, and no one was going to stop her. Not even Eugene. She knew that Eugene would never allow her to put herself in danger like that, so she had to leave when he wasn't noticing. Also, she couldn't just join the guards as they would surely bring her back to the castle. She would have to leave on her own time. Night time was her window.

Kai looked up from the courtyard and at Elsa on her balcony. Kai waved his hand and Elsa responded by giving a small wave.

"I had a feeling you were watching." Kai said. Kai jumped in the air and shot streams of fire from his hand onto the ground. He launched up into Elsa's balcony and landed next to her. When Kai landed, he winced and grabbed his hurt shoulder. Elsa saw the pain he was in and helped him into her study.

She sat him down on a couch and moved the collar of his clothes to reveal his bandage. Most of it was brownish color, the color of dried, old blood.

"We should replace these bandages." Elsa said. "I think I have a roll in my desk."

"Why?" Kai asked.

"Don't ask." Elsa answered. The reason for it was kind of a long story.

Kai took off his jacket and then his shirt as Elsa grabbed the bandages. She walked and knelt in front of Kai. She then slowly and carefully unwrapped his bandages revealing his wound. It still hadn't fully healed. On his shoulder, there was a red spot which looked like what used to be a hole surrounded by pink markings.

"Ouch." Elsa said.

"Yeah..." Kai said.

Elsa began to wrap the new bandages on Kai.

"Where'd you learn to do this?" Kai asked.

"When you're locked in a room for those many years you have a lot of time to learn stuff." Elsa answered while wrapping the bandages. She wrapped in silence for a few moments.

"Do you really think they're going to get them back." Kai asked.

"I can't think otherwise." Elsa answered. She could only think on the positive side about it. She didn't know what horrible things were to happen if her guards failed.

"Anna seems upset about this entire thing." Kai said.

"She'll get over it." Elsa said.

"All she wanted to do was help, Elsa. Maybe you should've-"

"Don't tell me what to do!" Elsa said. Elsa stopped wrapping, sighed, and looked down at her knees. Then, she looked back at Kai's shoulder and continued to wrap. "Kai... Anna is part of my family, and I would do whatever it takes to protect my family. Even if it means hurting their feelings."

Elsa couldn't risk neither Kai or Anna's life. She would be a complete mess like she was when she thought Kai died.

"Kai," Elsa continued. "your disappearance opened my eyes on things. I won't be too reckless on any of your lives anymore."

"I get it." Kai said.

When Elsa finished wrapping the bandages around Kai's shoulder, he got up and rolled his shoulder around. The pain was faint but it was still there. He kept a straight face since he didn't want Elsa to worry any more about him. He sag back down on the couch and then lay down on it.

"I haven't had any sleep at all last night." Kai said. "I was too busy preparing the guards. Do you mind?"

"Not at all." Elsa said.

Immediately, Kai closed his eyes and fell asleep. His mouth was open with drool coming down the side of it. He snored loudly which was unlike Kai since he usually never snored.

Elsa walked back to her to her desk and put on her reading glasses. She picked up her book and continued where she left off. But, she found Kai's snoring annoying. She covered her ears with ice, and that blocked off the snoring.

But, she still couldn't focus on her book. She couldn't shake off a bad feeling she had about the guards. They were in danger, and it would be Elsa's fault.

Author's Note: Forgive me if this chapter wasn't as on par as the others. I'm a little rusty becuase I haven't written anything in a week. Ciao.