Authors note: I want to thank you all for reviewing and reading the last chapter. Hearing your opinions means a lot.
The last time we left off it seems that Firebird has found a friend in Anna and he has helped Elsa a bit. Still she does not seem to like him. But who knows...maybe in time she will grow to like then love him...maybe...lol
For all those who have read or like the concept so far, hopefully this chapter will not disappoint. So please read on, enjoy and review when done as I would like to know how you all like it so far or if you have any questions. :)
As days turned to weeks, and weeks into months, any hope Hans had of ever escaping the witch's clutches and returning home had faded away. Try as he might, there was just no way out. Every escape he attempted always ended in failure, each one worse than the last.
To further wound his pride, no one from his family even bothered to look for him, much less rescue him. Of course, he had expected as much from people like his parents and eleven brothers, but to have Lars abandon him like that – the pain was almost too much to bear.
Tears pricked at his eyes. The witch was right. There was absolutely nothing to look forward to if he returned home, and Lars' betrayal just cemented that fact. Disconsolate and demoralized, he cried himself to sleep.
Although he was being held against his will, Agathe, the witch – or enchantress, as she preferred to be called – did not seem to be of the bad sort and treated him well. Even though it was she who had cursed him into this form, she still took good care of him, which was much more than what Hans could say about his birth mother; and in time, he gradually got accustomed to his avian form and his new life.
A year and a half had passed since that fateful day and as the seasons changed, so did his body. One by one, the fluffy red feathers began to molt as flaming feathers of red and gold took their place. He was much bigger now, about the same size as a turtledove, and he had developed this strange urge to fly.
Day in, day out, he would flap his wings, and each time he could feel them getting stronger. Of course, this brought forth a new set of problems.
At first, it began with his inexplicable need to jump off his perches, only to drop like a rock. Then he had learned to hover, but his stamina was far too low, so he could only stay in the air for three minutes at most. It did not help that he was still growing, and his fluctuating weight also affected his ability to fly.
Apparently, his physical changes had piqued Agathe's interest too because one day, just before she was about to feed him, she suddenly picked him up. Startled by the sudden contact, he screeched and struggled to free himself from her grip, but she held fast. With a gentle hand and utmost care, she turned him this way and that, checking his feathers, and measuring his wingspan.
"You're ready," she observed, setting him back down.
He cocked his head, peering up at her confusedly. "Ready for what?"
"To fly, of course," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Your primary feathers have grown." She pulled up a chair and sat down, studying him intently. "Now that I think about it, you remind me of someone I once knew…" she mused, "…a prince, to be exact.
"He was quite similar to you– no, worse even," the enchantress went on. "He was entitled, selfish, and angry at the world. As punishment, I cursed him with a transformation spell and he was turned into a hideous beast."
Green eyes widened at that. "You mean to say, I'm not the first person you cursed?"
She laughed, the sound smooth and elegant. "Child, I may not look like it, but I am over five hundred years old. There have been countless others before you that have shared a similar fate. Some learn their lesson, some do not; but do know that I do not, have not, and will not cast these spells on a whim."
"And what of the beast-prince?" Hans asked.
"He had a happy ending, I can tell you that much," Agathe replied, "However, he had to work hard for it. Many times, had he almost given in to despair.
"But like you, I knew what he could be, the potential he had… He was lost and needed guidance– something that I was more than happy to provide. A little push in the right direction, and he was able to discover who he was meant to be."
"Oh sure, because turning people into animals is the most effective way to teach them a lesson," he scoffed.
She gave him a light flick on the forehead. "Don't get smart with me, Brat!" she scolded. "When I cast my spell on you, I was quite surprised when you turned into a hatchling. The cursed form varies from person to person, but it's usually a beast or a toad; so this only reinforces the idea that there is much potential in you, even more than the usual."
"Wait, what?! You mean to say I wasn't supposed to turn into a bird?" Hans exclaimed.
Agathe nodded in affirmation. "That's right. When the curse hit, it must have triggered some innate magic buried deep within you, which in turn resulted in some… …extraordinary developments."
"Wh-what do you mean?" Hans asked. "What developments? Come to think of it, just what exactly did I turn into?"
She chuckled. "You're an inquisitive one, aren't you? But worry not, Little Prince, all will be revealed in due time." She set down a bowl of mush and pushed it towards him. "As for now, eat up. Growing birds need to eat, and you're going to need all the strength you can get." Having said that, she got up and took her leave, leaving Hans to ponder on what he had just learned.
Hans stared in disbelief at the sight before him.
'Do my eyes deceive me? Is that an open window I see?' Ever since he had learned to fly, Agathe only opened the windows whenever she was in the room, so to have one open while he was alone was quite the surprise.
He flew up the sill and poked his head out, relishing the cool breeze and warm sunshine. From where he was perched, he could see the turrets of Westergaard Castle. His thoughts immediately turned to his family.
'Do I still want to return home?' he wondered. Now that he thought about it, even though he was technically a prisoner, life at Agatha's household hadn't been too bad, given that he wasn't being bullied or abused on a daily basis.
But as awful as his family was, they were still bound by the bond of blood. And there was the matter concerning Lars, who, aside from Agathe was the only one in his life to ever show him any kindness. At the very least, he wanted some closure regarding his situation.
Having made up his mind, he spread his wings and took flight.
It was now close to a month since the Firebird had come to live in Arendelle Castle, and during that time, he had become a familiar face to its inhabitants. So far, he had already managed to warm up to just about all of the castle's residents. All except one…
Although she had gotten used to the Firebird's presence, Elsa still could not help but feel somewhat vexed at the fact that he chose to stick around despite her frigid attitude towards him. She had hoped that perhaps if he saw the worst aspect of her personality, he would give up on this fool's errand of winning her heart. But much to her dismay, the Firebird was a lot more tenacious than she gave him credit for, and he gave as good as he got.
That morning, as she woke, Elsa noticed that the Firebird was still fast asleep. Usually, he was up before sunrise, so he must have been quite tuckered out to still be in bed at this point. Suddenly, a devilishly wicked idea came upon her. Grinning like a Cheshire Cat, she stealthily crept over to bay window where he was sleeping. She then grabbed the edge of his blanket nest with both hands and yanked it with all her might.
The Firebird hit the floor with a yelp. Dazed and groggy, he flailed about, trying to right himself. Once he managed to haul himself to his feet, he glared at the laughing queen. "What was that for?"
She flashed him a narrow smile. "Consider that as payback for the last wakeup call you gave me."
The Firebird's beak quirked up into a matching smirk. "Ah… So the queen does have a playful side…" he purred, "I like that."
"I'm just in a good mood, that's all," Elsa said, chuckling lightly.
"I think it suits you, and so does your laugh," he told her. "It really adds to your beauty. Which reminds me, have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"
She turned away and cast him a sideways glance. "Sweet nothings this early in the morning? Really?"
He wiggled his brow. "But I know you like it."
"I do not!" she protested.
"And yet you're blushing," the Firebird pointed out.
"What!?" Quickly striding over to her dressing table, she was mortified to discover that she was indeed blushing.
The Firebird chuckled. Elsa was just too adorable, to the point that it was almost impossible not to tease her. But what he said was true. Elsa really was a beautiful woman, even more so when she let her emotions shine.
"So," he began, flying up to meet her eyes, "What's the agenda for today?"
"Why do you ask?" Elsa inquired.
"I'm just trying to be a supportive husband," he replied.
"I don't need you to be, I'll manage fine on my own," the queen told him as she tried to swallow down her chagrin at the thought of him becoming her husband.
But despite the blatant rejection, the Firebird was undaunted. "Very well, but can I at least have the pleasure of accompanying you?"
Elsa acknowledged his request with a stiff nod. As much as she wanted to say no, she knew by now that the Firebird was a persistent creature and he would most likely just follow her around regardless of her answer.
The morning routine proceeded smoothly, much to Elsa's relief. After an uneventful breakfast with the Firebird and her sister, her schedule mostly consisted of some paperwork and an audience to settle some minor disputes.
After lunch, both Elsa and the Firebird then proceeded to the council room where the queen would be discussing the national budget and the fund allotment for the various government programs. When they arrived, the council lords were already assembled and it did not take long for the meeting to begin.
From his perch by the bay window, the Firebird quietly observed the proceedings of the conference. He could see that Elsa was struggling to get the Folkesthing's approval, which was sad in itself, as she truly was a capable monarch; but the council's gender bias was making it difficult for her to be taken seriously.
He wanted to help her, he truly did, but he also knew that given her near-pathological need for control, Elsa would most likely not take it well.
Time ticked on and by four-o-clock, the meeting had concluded, but instead of leaving for their estates as they normally would, the council lords, led by the Duke of Weselton decided to stay awhile to address one more question.
"When is the wedding?" they asked.
"By next spring," the Firebird quickly replied, before Elsa could even protest.
"Sorry to disappoint," said the Duke. "But I'm afraid you'll have to postpone your plans. Until you prove your worth by completing three trials of our choosing, there won't be a wedding."
The Firebird narrowed their eyes at him. Judging by the look on the old man's face, he had to be planning something, and whatever it was, it couldn't be anything good. 'Well, two can play it that way.'
"Ah, I see…" he said, nodding. "Very well then, let's hear it. I've always liked a good challenge."
The Duke's unpleasant smile grew even more unpleasant still. "That's good to hear. Now listen well… When Agnarr was courting Iduna, he presented her with a beautiful jewelry set and crown. Since you are courting their eldest daughter, it is only fitting that you do the same."
"Really? A jewelry set and a crown?" the Firebird scoffed, "Couldn't you have come up with something a bit more difficult?"
The Duke's moustache bristled. "As if we'd allow for such an easy victory. We expect to see the crown and set by tomorrow morning. Should you show up empty-handed, your betrothal along with that of Kristoff Bjorgman will be considered null and void and both the queen and princess will marry noble princes of our choosing."
"Alright, I agree to those terms," said the Firebird with a calm nod.
All this time, the queen watched them, silently fuming. Never in her life had she felt so angry. It was quite demeaning as to how they were bargaining over her and her sister as if they were nothing but livestock at the market. If looks could kill, both the Firebird and the Duke would have been dead a thousand times over.
Once Elsa was ensconced in the privacy of her room, she finally let her anger, frustration, and shame loose, all of which was manifested in a swirling mass of ice and snow.
"How could you!?" she yelled, glaring poisonously at the Firebird, who was calmly seated in his nest. "How could you accept such an impossible task! You're just going to embarrass us both!"
"And how would you know that, my dear?" he asked in a rather cocky tone.
"Don't call me that!" she snarled. "There's no way anyone could procure a crown and a jewelry set in such short notice. It's impossible!"
The Firebird snorted. "Impossible, you say? You have ice powers and you're speaking to a me, a living, breathing firebird, none of which are supposed to exist."
"And what does that have to do with anything?" Elsa spat.
"Everything, really," he replied. "If your powers exist, and I'm not a myth, then who is say to I can't make the finest jewelry set and the daintiest crown a queen could wear?"
"Even so, they want it tomorrow," she pointed out, "It's impossible for you or anyone else to make a jewelry set overnight." In her anger, she began to cry. "It's bad enough that I have to marry you, and now I'll be an even bigger laughingstock if I show up with nothing tomorrow. You said that I won't regret marrying you, but I do!"
Overwrought with emotion, she threw herself onto her bed, weeping bitterly. She no longer cared if he was watching, for if he dared to mock her or even be sarcastic in any way, she would freeze his feathers off one by one.
Watching Elsa weep, the Firebird could not help but feel sorry for her. Nobody, especially one as young as she, deserved to undergo such turmoil. He flew over to her and gently stroked her head. "Believe me when I say you won't be disappointed tomorrow," he said soothingly. "I promise you that all will be well. All I ask is for you to trust me."
But despite his best efforts, Elsa was inconsolable as she continued to cry at the hopelessness of her situation. Eventually, her sobs died down to quiet heaving, and then nothing. Peering down at her, the Firebird soon noticed that she had fallen asleep.
Once he was sure that she was fast asleep, he spread his wings and quietly flew out the window. Exiting the castle, he made his way towards the town. He circled around for a bit, until he came across the goldsmith's workshop.
He dove into the chimney, stealthily making his way into the workshop. He then carefully checked his surroundings, taking great care to ensure that he was completely alone, and once he was certain that there was no one else with him, he immolated himself in a pillar of fire.
The flames raged on, consuming the Firebird's form; but strangely enough, there were no anguished screams. And from this curtain of fire, a figure stepped out – not the Firebird, but that of human male, tall and well-built.
He was a handsome young fellow, somewhere around his early twenties, with auburn hair and sharp green eyes. He was dressed in fine garments befitting of royalty, which was then shrouded by a hooded cloak with flame motifs. All in all, he cut an imposing figure, for this comely youth was none other than the Firebird's true form, the long-lost thirteenth prince of the Southern Isles, Hans Westergaard.
Around the same time the young man made his appearance, out of nowhere, dozens of tiny blue lights – will-o'-the-wisps – flickered into being. They gathered around him, chattering happily.
Gently, he shushed them. "I'm happy to see you too, but we must be quiet; we don't want to wake the neighborhood."
"We're just worried Hans," they chorused. "Everyone is."
He smiled, grateful for their concern. "There is no need to be. They're treating me very well," he told them. "Nonetheless, I'm glad you came because I need your help. I need you to bring me some fairy gold– yellow and white, as well as emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds."
Once the will-o'-the-wisps came back with the requested items, Hans set to work. Taking off his cloak, coat, and gloves, he began the process by heating the furnace with a wave of his hand, controlling the temperature with his pyrokinesis.
They were sorely underestimating his abilities if they thought that procuring the set and crown would be an impossible task. To a lesser being, perhaps; but he was the Phoenix and very much capable of going beyond the impossible.
He put the gold in the four separate crucibles and heated them in the furnace. Once it had melted completely, with a gentle wave of his hand, he eased it out of the crucible; and as the molten gold floated about, he began shaping them into the desired pieces.
He first began with a set inspired by the element of earth. With a flick of his wrist, he formed the gold into filigree with leaf designs, whilst the will-o'-the-wisps helped with the smaller details as well as setting the gems.
And as he worked, he began to sing:
"I need no brush or paint to make
A picture for my true love's sake,
For it is crafted from my heart."
"For it is crafted from my heart," chimed the will-o'-the-wisps.
"Verdant leaves, blooming flowers
Twinkling stars, meteor showers
Come create the truest art."
"Come create the truest art."
Once Hans had finished the first set, he then moved on to the second set which was inspired by the element of fire. Taking the rest of the yellow gold, he wove them into delicate shapes, all the while chanting:
"Every star and constellation
Brings forth the sweetest inspiration,
Joy and light to banish my sorrow."
"Joy and light to banish my sorrow," chorused the will-o'-the-wisps as they inserted the cut rubies into the jewel set.
"Help me put what's real and warm
Into this small but heartfelt poem,
With love to last beyond tomorrow."
"With love to last beyond tomorrow."
Now that the second set was complete, he then picked up the white gold and the sapphires to form the third set inspired by the element of water.
"A mighty ship led by a ray of light
Sailing in the dead of night
Brave and true across the sea…"
"Brave and true across the sea…" sang the will-o'-the-wisps as they set the sapphires into their respective jewelry.
"And if our paths should ever part
May the cherished bond that joins our hearts
Bring my true love back to me."
"Bring my true love back to me."
With three sets complete, Hans now set to work on the final set inspired by the element of ice. With magic, he poured out the remaining white gold, carefully crafted the pieces as he did.
"One thought remains to picture here–
The thought my heart holds most dear,
As it transcends through time and space."
"As it transcends through time and space."
As he worked on the crown, he made sure to put a lot of snowflake patterns in the scrollwork and filigree. To enhance the effect, diamonds were added, making the piece shimmer. Truly, it was a crown fit to be worn by the grandest queen.
"One image remains, yet to be seen,
My beloved Elsa, Arendelle's queen–
A name, a face time cannot erase."
"A name, a face time cannot erase."
He smiled, happy to have finished all four sets. He then snuffed out the furnace and transformed back into his avian form. Taking the jewel sets, he then exited the workshop and returned to the castle, hoping that they would be to Elsa's liking.
After a night of fitful sleep, morning came too soon, much to Elsa's displeasure. Her eyes were dry and puffy from having cried so much, and she could feel a migraine pounding at her skull. Her entire body was stiff and sore, and to add to her discomfort, she could see the Firebird calmly sitting in his nest, studying her with his emerald gaze.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
Elsa blinked, surprised. It was not the first time he had asked her such a question, far from it; but he had often voiced it with a sarcastic tone that hearing it being said so sincerely was rather jarring.
"Not really…" she mumbled, rubbing her stiff neck.
He placed a comforting wing on her arm. "Elsa, when I said all will be well, I meant every single word. Nothing bad will ever happen to you, not while I'm by your side… So please… Just take courage and don't lose hope."
"But–"
"Just trust me on this," he assured her, "Everything will work out, you have my word."
Despite the Firebird's repeated assurance, Elsa could not help but feel a sense of dread. Even Anna and Kristoff's company could not alleviate the negative emotions that roiled within her. Arriving at the throne room, she glared at the smug looks and snide asides being directed towards her and her sister.
"I see that your fiancé is absent today," observed the Duke of Weselton as he strolled over to the royal sisters. "Don't tell me he has already conceded." He sighed in mock disappointment. "A shame too, as I was looking forward to see the crown and set."
"And you will," declared the Firebird as he entered the throne room, followed by four servants, each one carrying an ornately carved box. "As promised, here are the jewelry sets you asked for."
Hushed whispers could be heard among all those gathered and the smug expressions turned into those of shock as they ogled at the boxes being brought in. Did the Firebird say jewelry sets? As in more than one? The Folkesthing had deliberately chosen this task because they knew it was impossible to accomplish, so to see the Firebird go the extra mile by presenting not one, not two, but four jewelry sets was a great blow to their ego.
Brimming with confidence, the Firebird then turned to Elsa. "Why don't you open them, my dear? I'm sure they will be to your satisfaction."
Mechanically, Elsa reached for the first box, made of oak carved with many intricate leaf patterns. Carefully, she opened it to reveal a beautiful set of gold jewelry – a choker, ring, and earrings with filigree leaf patterns molded over glimmering emeralds.
Attached to the inside of the lid was note penned in an elegant script. It read, "Inspired by the vast forests of Arendelle and its thriving timber trade. May this set remind us of the harmony of life."
'Is this an illusion?' Elsa wondered, staring at the ornaments in disbelief. But it could not be. Each item was as real as could be, tangible proof of the Firebird's grit and gumption.
She then moved on to open the second box, this one made of ash with a sunburst motif. Inside was a pendant, ring, and earrings, all exquisitely designed to look like miniature suns. They invoked power and grace, the effect further enhanced by the rubies that adorned them.
Just like it was in the first box, there was also a note attached in this one. It read, "Inspired by brought on by Arendelle's summer sun. May this set bring light and warmth into your hearts."
By now, even the nobles of the Folkesthing were awestruck. Once again, murmurs could be heard from among their number, praising the quality of the jewelry's craftsmanship; though this time, their tone was decidedly a lot more genuine.
The third box was made of cypress with stylized waves carved on the lid and sides. By now, Elsa's hesitation had dwindled considerably. She even felt, dare she say it, eager to see what lay inside.
Opening it, she was glad to see that the contents did not disappoint. Sapphires cut like water drops adorned the pendant, ring, and bracelet; the latter of which, was also embellished by a repoussé of an Arendellian merchant ship.
Picking up the note inside, she read, "Inspired by the merchant ships that ply Arendelle's fjords. May this set help build camaraderie and friendship through openness and trade."
The Duke harrumphed. "Yes, yes, they're all elegant pieces… But without the crown, none of these matter."
"There's still one box left," Anna argued, pointing at the servant carrying the intricately carved pinewood chest.
Nodding, Elsa opened the box to reveal the last set, whose theme was inspired by ice and snow. The white gold necklace and ring with their snowflake motif, accentuated by glittering diamonds, gave it an air of opulence; but what really got everyone's attention was the crown itself.
It was delicately wrought with filigree shaped like snowflakes, and the diamonds that adorned it shone like stars. Never before had there been anything like it. Truly, it was a piece worthy of the grandest queen.
"Inspired not only by ice and snow, but also Arendelle's queen and the ice harvesters who toil in an element of beauty and danger. May this set inspire all to regard others with a clear mind and a pure heart."
A soft smile graced Elsa's lips as she reread the notes. Not only had the Firebird successfully complete the first trial, but he did it in a way that incorporated all of the important aspects of Arendelle's culture and paid tribute to them. Now that she thought about it, it was actually quite clever on his part. Whenever she wore any of the jewelry, the people would know that she would always have their best interest at heart.
"Indeed these are the most beautiful jewelry that I have ever seen," she declared, "And it's not because of the gold or precious gems, but because they represent Arendelle, its culture, and its people. The Firebird has not only succeeded in making the crown and sets, but he has also given us a reminder of what is important, and for that I thank him."
From the corner of her eye, she could see the Firebird puff his chest in pride as he basked in her praise. Normally, she would have scolded him; but for now, she would let him enjoy his victory. Given that he had done what he had promised and more, it was the very least she could do in return.
"So you've passed the trial, but it's not over yet," huffed the Duke, glaring at the Firebird. Despite his attempt to sound intimidating, the slight tremor in his tone indicated that he was quite shaken by the Firebird's success. "There are two more tasks to complete before we can deem you worthy of Queen Elsa's hand." Having said his piece, he, along with the other council nobles then made their exit.
"Sheesh… What a killjoy!" Anna remarked, sneering at the tiny man's back. "But I'm happy for you," she added, turning to the Firebird. "Only two more trials to go, and we'll be in the clear!"
"I don't think it's wise to count your chickens just yet," Kristoff piped up.
Anna gave a most unladylike snort. "Bah! What are you, the Duke? Don't be such a moment killer!"
Elsa had to giggle at that. After everything that happened, that moment of levity was a repose most welcome.
Just then, she felt a sudden chill, as if someone was watching her. She turned to see the Firebird staring at her intently.
"Well? I'm waiting," he said.
"For what?" Elsa asked, confused.
"I believe a proper 'thank you' is in order," he drawled. "Something along the lines of being allowed to sit and eat next to you should do very nicely."
Elsa huffed, irritated by the brazenness of his request; but then again he did help her out, so perhaps she could give him some leniency. "Fine… Just take care to mind your table manners this time."
His beak stretched into a thin smile. "Don't worry my dear wife; I believe you'll soon find my manners to be up to standard."
Beta and cover image: Nightrain and Brownstone
Authors note: Lol I will let the chapter speak for itself my fellow readers as I hope you all enjoy this chapter and please review to tell me what you all think of it and stay tuned for the next one. :)