Okay so I'd like to make a note - in chapter 1, I said that Viktor killed Thomas just before Elsa's coronation an this story is set 6 months after the end of Frozen. I'm going to change it so Viktor offed Brother Tom two years before the events of Frozen. So, just making that clear. Also, if anyone is wondering Heidi is 16 and so is Sierra. In this story, Hans is ten years older than his sister (I have no idea how old he really is :P). A tiny little spoiler, I am trying to incorporate Punzie and Flynn into this fic... not sure when though so bare with me. And lastly, if you see any spelling or grammatical mistakes, do tell me and I will fix it. Okay, I think I've flapped me gums enough - on with the story! :D
"Anna?" Kristoff said, opening the door to Elsa's room slightly, "Anna, are you in here?"
"Yes," the young princess's voice was shaky, as she turned to face Kristoff, "I feel closer to her in here." Her voice was quiet and broken and tears stained her cheeks from crying.
"I had a thought – what if Elsa is in the Southern Isles?" Kristoff proposed as he swept his thumb over Anna's face to collect any stray tears. She smiled at him sadly before opening her mouth to speak.
"I already thought of that," she inhaled deeply, fighting back a new wave of tears, "I told the council that we should send a search party there… causes it would make sense her being there! I mean, obviously she was kidnapped because she would have told me if she was going anywhere and the Southern Isles are the only real country that Arendelle is not friends with. Or allies… whatever!"
"So? Are they going to send a search party?"
"No! They're not! Those balding meanies think it's a suicide mission because the Isles are on the brink of a civil war! They won't even try! Kristoff! What if she's… she's…" Anna's voice trailed off as she flung herself into Kristoff's arms, allowing sobs to possess her small form. Kristoff felt his heart ache as he watched the once carefree redhead crumble before him. Her whole world was being ripped apart and all he could do was stand by and watch.
Heidi cautiously opened the heavy wooden door that led to the prison chamber. It was the dead of night, and if she was caught in the dungeons without a tray of food in her hand… she was done for. When she reached the bars she saw her brother and Queen Elsa lying on their respectable stone beds. She got a key out of her pocket and tapped it on the bar – just loud enough to wake them up. Hans stirred but didn't wake up so she did it louder. Elsa was the first to wake up.
"Heidi? What are you doing here?" Elsa asked giving the young girl a skeptical look. Her voice was quiet and hoarse from tiredness and exhaustion was evident in her eyes.
"I've found out more about the poison they've been giving you. It's meant to give you a fever off some sort so that when you try to use your powers you overheat," Heidi gave a shy smile, "Something like that. I don't really know a lot about science and everything I hear is by eavesdropping."
"That's okay," Elsa said reassuringly, "You've done so much already. May I just ask – where are you getting all of this information from?"
"Magnus. He's third in line to the throne – second after Thomas was killed. He's Viktor's personal lap dog, so he hears everything… and he's a soft touch – blurting out everything he hears whether it's a secret or not. All I have to do is serve him tea once a day and I hear the entire kingdom's news." She tucked a strand of curly red hair behind her ear and smiled, "I'm sorry if he's causing you any trouble," she said gesturing to Hans, "He wasn't always this… hostile."
"What do you mean?"
"He used to be so kind to everyone – always trying to avoid a conflict, and quick resolve one if it had started," Heidi smiled sadly, "Everything changed after mother died."
"I heard good things about her. She was a kind and benevolent queen. The king as well," Elsa said.
"Yeah, Mother and Father would always keep everyone in check – always keeping us from ripping each-other apart. I was six when she died… and father was a mess. He could barely take care of himself, let alone his family and kingdom. He stepped down and let Thomas take over. That's when all hell broke loose. If it wasn't for Hans keeping me away from those rabid dogs I call 'brothers' I surely would have been eaten alive." Elsa observed the young – former – princess as she spoke; her mannerisms, her hand gestures, the way she laughed when she was embarrassed or sad. It didn't take the Ice Queen long to realize that Heidi was a lot like Anna.
"How did you forgive him?" Elsa asked abruptly, "Royalty or not, he tried to kill two people." She had realized how rude that had sounded only once the words had left her lips, "I'm sorry… that was –"
"No, no, it's fine your Majesty. He's my brother and I could never hate him. I hate his actions, and the fact that he's capable of that is… disappointing. But I know that everything he does, he always has my best interests at heart. He's my only true brother." Elsa still couldn't quite grasp how this purely innocent soul before could still see the good in someone like Hans, but she supposed it was for the same reason Anna hadn't given up on her – persistence. People like Heidi and Anna were too damn stubborn to give up on the people they looked up to, no matter how misplaced that faith and respect was.
"What you doing here Heidi?" Hans spoke suddenly, startling both of the young women.
"Just telling Queen Elsa what I've found out about the poison Viktor was giving her," she gave Hans an annoyed look, "I tried to wake you too but I guess your beauty sleep is more important." The prince's ankle chain rattled as he stood, completely ignoring his sister's sarcasm,
"You shouldn't be here. If the guards catch you talking to us without a valid reason, you could get in serious trouble. You know how unreasonable Viktor is. And you know he'll do anything to try to incriminate you for something."
"Why?" Elsa asked, immediately feeling like a nosey child when Hans rolled his eyes exasperatedly.
"Because she wouldn't allow herself to be married off to some unknown lord from Weaselton – I already told you that."
"That still isn't reason enough to strip her of her title and delegate her to a palace maid," Elsa retorted.
"It is when it's the condition of an alliance between two of the most powerful military oriented countries in this region," Heidi added, in a considerably more polite tone than Hans, "Apparently I was selfish for wanting to fall in love with the man I'm supposed to marry. Thomas resented me even more after that. He could have been the leader of the biggest and strongest army if it wasn't for me. I don't regret it though – that power would have gone to his head. Thomas was ruthless but Viktor is bloodthirsty."
"And that's why you should leave before you get caught," Hans ground out through gritted teeth. Heidi rolled her eyes, but obeyed. Once she had left, Elsa turned her attention back to Hans.
"You don't deserve a sister like her – she's too good a person."