Okay everyone, this weeks chapter is short, I know. However, after writing 6 different pieces for Iceburns week and working 70+ hours at my job, I'm very much exhausted. There is a lot stuffed in this waffle though, so please stay with me! Next week's chapter should be up on time and I promise, it will be longer. I really wanted this to be longer, but I'm so sleepy : Anyways, if this isn't enough Helsa for you, go check out some of my other pieces if you'd like. Enjoy, review! - marth
"We're lost."
"We aren't lost, Kristoff. We're taking a short cut."
"Have you ever even been to Corona?"
"Neither have you, so you don't have room to talk."
"I have a natural sense of direction, thank you."
"From years of living on the same mountain? I'm sure."
"I can't concentrate with you talking, just hush, Anna."
"Guys, I think we've passed that rock four times already."
"We're lost."
He was awake, but he kept his eyes closed. He needed a few minutes to himself while he could steal them. The queen had continued to train him, house him, heal him. She had no suspicions as far as he could tell. The cook was coming to his side; she trusted him completely. His jaw tensed at the thought of betraying the kindly old woman, but it had to be done. They were fools for trusting him in the first place. A cold swell of guilt settled in the pit of his stomach, but he ignored it. These were things that had to be done, regardless of the consequences. There were things more important to him than Arendelle's neurotic queen and her servants.
Hans opened his eyes slowly, the bright light of the room burning them. Confusion passed over his features for a moment before comprehension set in. She must have decided that his musty old dungeon was no longer fitting; he had been left to recover in a room fit for royalty. The cathedral ceilings gave way to tall windows that filtered the early morning sun, with a perfect view of the gardens below. He had furniture now, antique by the look of it, and a real four poster bed with sheets. Hans snuggled deeper into the comfort of his new bedding, resisting wakefulness for a few minutes more.
Now that he thought about it, he really didn't want to involve the old cook. She had been nothing but motherly, had been the only reason he had any feeling of being human left. This goddamned curse made him feel like he was more of a monster than ever; at least now he could empathize with Elsa a bit. But soon he would control his curse just as well as she, then he could take what he needed and continue his life. Hans tried not to dwell on Elsa too much, it was too confusing. Before yesterday, he had loathed her. Her contrived generosity, her awkward mannerisms, all of it bothered him. His mind had been set on exacting his revenge and moving on.
But she was interested in him, genuinely. It surprised him, but he knew he was right; he had spent his entire life learning to read people and she was no different. Elsa's prying into his childhood, questioning him about his interests, and allowing him time outside; she saw him as more than anyone else had. He lied to himself, tried to convince himself that she hated him too, that she saw him as nothing more than a way to pass time, but he knew better than that. He hated to admit it, hated her, but it was true. Hans was conflicted, and he hated it.
"I see that you're feeling better."
"That's true, your majesty. Thank you for your kindness."
She sniffed her wine glass, but did not drink. "You're welcome."
Elsa had allowed Hans to join her for dinner. In the nearly two weeks after their last lesson, she had hardly seen him. He had to rest and heal from the exhaustion of training and healing, but then her royal duties had taken up time as well. Anna and Kristoff were safely on their way to Corona, but the townspeople still had problems and neighboring countries still wanted private audiences. Loathe as she was to admit it, she was glad that her prisoner was back on his feet and able to eat with her. Elsa really needed the company, someone who didn't just want from her all the time.
"So, tell me about the Southern Isles." She toyed with a piece of squash on her plate and hoped he would continue the conversation.
Hans wiped his mouth before answering. "There's not much that you don't already know, I'm sure. Chain of islands, old family line, twelve heirs."
"Surely you had some playmates?"
Although his words were heavy, his face was nonchalant. "I had my horse, a governess, what else could I possibly ask for? As I got older, I had men who worked on my ship."
"Twelve brothers and none of them would pay you any mind?" This time, she sipped her wine daintily. "That seems rather cruel."
"That's brothers."
"No." The word came out much sharper than she meant for it to. When his eyebrows quirked in surprise, Elsa set her glass down. "Sisters can't be much different. I wanted nothing more than to spend time with Anna, and I couldn't." She watched for his reaction, but none came forward. "Brothers who would treat you like that, can hardly be called brothers."
His voice was cold as he lowered his fork silently. "I don't want your pity, Queen Elsa."
Her name coming from his lips nearly made her flinch. "You aren't worth my pity, Hans." But he wasn't worth her hatred, either, she kept to herself.