Authors note: I want to thank you all for reviewing and reading the last chapter. Hearing your opinions means a lot and they also help if I need to edit or make something better.
guest: Elsa yes, the fateweavers...maybe not...
Guest: You have no idea...
Dreamsandimaginations: For more than one reason, she might need to hibernate in order to recover all the sleep she lost.
Any way, hope you all enjoy this new chapter of the firebird, read on and please remember to leave a review when done, opinions are most welcomed.
Seeing him flee Elsa ran after him while the guards who were called in by Anna spilled in to take care of the council.
Left and right Hans ran through the halls of the castle, keeping up with him Elsa chased him down, turning a corner she saw him barge into the door, the portal he had made to the Underground Kingdom.
Acting quick Elsa ran towards the door and followed quickly as she had an idea of where he was going.
The home was quiet and dark, anybody would think that there was nobody home, but Elsa knew better, Hans was there in the house, hiding somewhere inside, Elsa knew it, exactly where in the house she did not know, but he was there.
Walking in Elsa looked around the large home, entering the bedrooms, kitchen, everywhere, double checking over and over to make sure she was checking any possible hidding space.
"Where is he?" muttered Elsa as she looked.
Then there were whispers, "here" she heard over and over as the will o wisps showed up.
Looking Elsa saw more will o wisp appear, one by one, creating a path.
Nodding Elsa followed them to the indoor gardens, going down the stairs, towards the 3 level she saw the trail ended at large weeping willow.
"Thank you" said Elsa as the will o wisps vanished. Walking closer she parted the hanging branches and looked inside.
Sure enough Hans was there, his back against the tree trunk, knees pulled close and his head burried on them, the cloak and hood were pulled over him acting like a security blanket.
Relieved to see he was okay Elsa walked over, "Hans?" asked Elsa as she reached but he pulled away.
Not giving up Elsa sat next to him and reached again, pulling his hood down she ran her hand gently through his tear streaked face.
Looking at her Hans quickly tried to wipe his tears with his hand in an attempt to hide the fact that he had been crying.
Saying mothing Elsa pulled him to a comforting hug, he clung unto as she ran her hand through his hair and back in a smoothing motion.
"Its okay to cry, I won't judge" she said softly.
Looking down at his hands Hans whispered "I am sorry... I lost control".
Elsa gestured to try and touch his hands only for him to move so she could not.
"Why?" asked Elsa a bit hurt about his actions.
Sighting Hans said "I am sorry... its an ability I have..." turning he gestured, holding out his hand "Give me your hand"
Confused Elsa stared unsure.
"Its just best that I show you" he said, looking Elsa hesitated before placing her hand on his, closing it Elsa felt the back of her neck stand as what was like currents of electricity passed through her hand giving off a strange tingling sensation.
Soon her sight blurred as colors and shapes formed. She saw a man and a girl, very young, but it was not a happy scene.
It was pure horror as she watched what the man did to the poor girl, felt her fear, her pain as if it was her own as the poor girl was mutilated in the hands of that man whom she recognized as one of the council man.
"No!" yelled Elsa as she pulled her hand away, once she did the vision ended.
"That is what I see" Hans said softly then added "That is what I saw among other things from them".
"Was that why you lost control?" asked Elsa softly,
"Among other things" said Hans as he looked at his hands "My gloves were enchanted, they were a kind of power limiter",
"Why? You don't have a problem with your magic, not like I did" said Elsa confused,
"Its because of what I showed you, I have empathetic abilities, all of the fateweavers have it, but mine are more potent because I died once" explained Hans "Without the gloves I can see and feel the past, the people, everything, its almost as if their suffering was my own" taking a pause he breathed before he added "I can see into people souls, see whether their good or bad, the deeds they committed...",
"It must be depressing" said Elsa,
"You have no idea" said Hans then added "I am sorry I did not told you before, its something I do not like talking about, but rest asure I never once used that ability on you".
Shaking his head Hans let out a laugh before saying "I am sorry, I am really messed up" the next few moments he spent it completely opening up about his past, his family, what he went through, how he came to be, everything, whether it was because he was upset or because he could not take holding in the pain anymore without sharing it he did not know. But he admitted that he felt a little better after he finished, a bit lighter, as if a weight he had been carrying for years had been removed.
He looked down, not able to face Elsa after what he said, he knew she had to know, but with what happened and such surely she would not want to be with him anymore, not that he blamed her, she deserved better than a person who was in pieces on the inside.
"Its okay" whispered Elsa placing a hand on his shoulder and surprising herself, after everything that happened Elsa was sure that it would have been the last straw, but it was not.
Quite the contrary really, she understood more as everything made sense and it was quite sad really.
Having to live such a life of a fateweaver was very depressing and definetly not a life anybody would want. Which was no wonder people treated them in such a way and were held in such a high regard, they deserved it for all they do and suffer in silence and in Hans case she doubts that all the luxury and riches in the world will make up for what Hans went through and what he lost.
Hans was a Russian nesting doll, that she had known for sometime, but never how much.
He was many layers of many things yet deep inside all the layers hid a person who was very broken and in pieces.
It did not matter how much time had passed or that he had friends, wealth and power...
Non of it could ever heal the hurt and burden he carried on his shoulders.
That gadfly act he had when they first met was just that... an act... it was to hide all the hurt, the pain and heart aque.
"I am sorry...I really am a monster" said Hans again,
"It was not your fault" said Elsa "And your not a monster...You did what you did to protect Anna, Kristoff, me and Arendelle... and after seeing what you saw I do not blame you for what happened for I would have done the same thing too"
Saying nothing Hans rested his head against her, tears of relief as he lay there for a bit.
Elsa just held him, she knew he needed it even if he said nothing.
Soft cries and wails could be heard coming from cells, such cries were ignored by the guards as the people inside was the council, now criminals. They were criminals! the council though over and over as the events replayed in their minds. How could it have gone so wrong?! The plan was foolproof!
"So, I see your all here" they heard, turning they glared in anger at the dark figure resting against a wall,
"You! You tricked us!" yelled the Duke as he blindly reached to find and harm the man, who scoffed and said "I did not, I gave you all what you wanted, Queen Elsa will not marry the Firebird",
"But were in jail!" yelled one,
"A fitting end if I do say so myself" said the man as he stood up "I would wish you good day, but I don't feel like you deserve it" with that he vanished in shadows leaving the council to cry and beg for mercy they will never get.
Things were calm, the sun was shinning, there was silence, which was much needed after that ordeal with the council.
"I never realized how good it feels to just enjoy a stroll under the sun" said Kristoff as he limped a bit while he walked next to Hans who he managed to convince to let out for some much needed fresh air.
"Ya, feels good" said Hans as they walked, nodding Kristoff said "Thank you for saving my life again",
"No problem, you would have done the same for me" said Hans then after a while he asked "Have you seen Anna?",
"Anna? Yes, she visited me this morning, why do you ask?" said Kristoff confused as to why he was asking,
"I have not seen her in a while, I feel she has been avoiding me for a while" said Hans with a frown, Kristoff shared the same look, though it did not surprise him that Anna was avoiding Hans after what happened and the hurtful things she said even if she did it with good intentions.
"I am sure she will turn up eventually" said Kristoff shrugging then added "What about you and Elsa? How are you two?", Hans looked down then after a while "I don't know",
"Why?" asked Kristoff,
"I messed up big time" said Hans,
"Its probably not that bad" said Kristoff trying to help the situation,
"You want to bet? I just lost control, killed one person, almost killed another and Elsa and burned the castle down" Hans listed,
"Okay, its bad" said Kristoff wincing,
"Yes, I fear that I have lost whatever chance I had with her" said Hans sadly,
"I am sure not, if you did then she would have asked you to leave weeks ago" said Kristoff,
"Thanks" said Hans, but he was not convinced, who would want to stay with a person who acted like a monster?
They continued their walk before heading back to find Anna waiting, she seemed nervous as she was playing with her thumbs,
"Hello Anna" said Hans quickly hoping this would make her stay and not run away,
"Hello...was just wondering if you were okay" said Anna,
"I am fine, thank you" said Hans, looking between the two Kristoff said "I will leave you two alone" before limping away on his own, leaving the two to talk.
"Anna, its okay, I am not mad at you" began Hans hoping it would help calm Anna down,
"Really? After all the things I said?" said Anna,
"You did it to protect Kristoff and in all honesty I would have done the same thing if it would have been me in your shoes" said Hans softly "Your a caring person, that's how I knew something was not right",
"But still does not make what I said right" said Anna sadly before facing him and saying "I want to say that I am sorry for what I said",
"Don't be, its not your fault" said Hans as he summoned his soulstone to give it to Anna before she shook her head and said "There is no need",
"I made a promise",
"You kept it" said Anna "You have earned my trust and my blessing to marry my sister",
"Thank you, it means a lot" said Hans then added sadly "But I don't think I will be marrying her",
"Why?" said Anna shocked,
"I messed up big time, I lost control and almost ended up killing your sister" said Hans as he briefly looked at his hands before shaking his head "I don't think your sister would want to be with a monster like me",
"Hans your not a monster and I am sure Elsa will still want to be with you, she loves you so much" said Anna,
"I am not sure..." said Hans as he turned and began to walk back inside the castle "If she does not then I can't blame anybody but myself",
"Don't loose hope, I am sure everything will turn out fine" said Anna softly, hoping everything will turn out alright in the end.
Hans nodded his thanks, giving her a weak smile, he appreciated her efforts to cheer him up, even if it not, then after a while Anna said "Hans, I have a question...",
"Yes?" said Hans,
"Its about your soulstone, ummm has it glow strangely to you before?" asked Anna,
"Strangely? What way?" asked Hans confused,
"While you and Elsa were in the Underground Kingdom it sometimes began to pulse and glow, kinda like a beating heart, it would also be very hot to the touch, other nights it would glow so bright that it lit up my entire room" said Anna then muttered "Not letting me sleep",
"That is odd" said Hans baffled as he looked at his soulstone "It has never done that before",
"Never?" asked Anna,
"No, but maybe its nothing, it seems to be okay now" said Hans as he placed it around his neck and hid it under his shirt,
"You sure?" asked Anna,
"Yes, but if it makes those weird glows again I will go and have it checked by the other fateweavers" said Hans,
"Alright" said Anna unsure,
"Well, now that were friends again I may or may not have discovered where Gerda is hiding her secret stash of chocolate" said Hans then added with a cheeky smile "Fancy a chocolate raid?", Anna eyes lit up and said "Don't have to ask me twice!" before grabbing his arm and dragging him elsewhere. She was happy for the chocolate, but what made her even more happy was that she did not loose her friend.
While Hans deep inside was thinking, maybe it was just for the best he left for good.
Elsa looked over the papers over her desk. The council had been arrested and will be brought to trial for the kidnapping and atremtive murder of Kristoff, high treason, among other numerous crimes.
For that they would be put in prison for the rest of their lives, if they live long enough to serve a part of it as many of them sustained grave injuries.
While the ones involved because they were forced would serve a lesser sentence and have their tittles, riches and lands stripped from them.
"Hopefully we will be able to start anew from this point foreward" though Elsa when she heard a knock on the door.
"Enter" she called as she looked up as the door opened, there she found it was Hans.
"I am sorry, are you busy?" he asked softly,
"No, no I am just finishing" said Elsa as she put the papers away.
Nodding Hans walked over and said "I just finished healing Kristoff, he will be bed ridden and limping for a week or so, but will be okay",
"Thanks good, thank you" said Elsa softly, swallowing Hans sighted then said "I wanted to say good bye",
"Good bye?" asked Elsa shocked, he nodded and continued "Also to apologize for whatever problem, pain or anything you had to endure because of me and my presence, I also thank you for your hospitality, for letting into your home, family and kingdom, it was a real pleasure" as he placed a book "Some advice and ideas to help in your rule, you can keep and use them if you want".
Lifting his hand Hans hid the sorrow as he removed the ring Elsa gave him and placed it back on the table "Your ring",
"But I though you wanted to marry me" said Elsa as she picked the ring up and held it out, he shook his head and said "What I want more than anything is your happiness Elsa, you mean much more to me than my own life" with a bow he back away and said "With your permission I will take my leave"
Elsa looked down as she though, her heart raced with sorrow, yes they started on the wrong foot, yes he hid secrets from her, but they moved passed it, he proved to her he was genuine about his feelings for her over and over.
In the past she wanted nothing more than to get rid of him, but now... she could not imagine her life without him by her side.
"No" said Elsa as she stood up surprising Hans.
"No?" asked Hans wondering what she meant by that.
"Hans... what if I don't want you to take your leave now..." said Elsa carefully as she walked over,
"If not now then when?" asked Hans confused,
"Never..." said Elsa softly as she reached and took his hand "I want you to stay here in Arendelle, with me...",
"Elsa you do not have to, you deserve better" said Hans softly.
"I want to Hans... I want nobody but you" said Elsa softly as she wrapped her arms around him, he did the same and they held each other in a hug.
Then came those words, they were simple and sweet, yet were more powerful than any other speech or spell Hans ever heard.
"I love you" whispered Elsa.
Those words brough tears into Hans eyes, not sad, but happy tears as he never though he would ever heard them being spoken by the person he fell in love with.
"I love you too" said Hans as he leaned over and kissed her softly.
She returned the kiss.
Sure they had kissed before, on a dinner, but this kiss, it was something else, it was different, what exactly was different from it neither Hans or Elsa were sure of it, but regardless it was enjoyable.
They stayed like tha for a while before Elsa pulled away and said "Lets get married",
"If that is what you want it shall be done, for you, I will be the msot loving and devoted spouse, there will be nobody else I will love more than you and if there is, they will be the children which we will have" he said softly,
"I promise you the same, I will be your wife, your friend and if you leave I will never want anybody else that is not you" whispered Elsa.
With those words of vow they pledged themselves to one another, with a bond so strong that not even death itself will break and said bond and vow was sealed in the night.
Sitting down on the bed Elsa extended her hands gesturing Hans to come to her.
Which he did, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. He kissed her back close as the kiss deeped. They spent a good time like that till they had to pull away to get a breath.
Running her hands gently on his chest, undoing the clasps of his cloak before pulling it off, letting it fall to the ground before whispering "Take your clothes off".
It was a slow start, but Elsa did not mind as she slowly sat up from her bed.
Yawning she rubbed her eyes amd ran her hand through her wild bed hair.
Judging by the position of the sun it was late in the afternoon. This surprised her, she knew she was not a morning person, but she had never slept in that long before.
Turning to her side she was surprised to see Hans still asleep. It was odd as he was always up before the sun was up.
He was sleeping on his stomach, no sheets as it seems he kicked it off sometime during the night leaving him completly exposed. Not that Elsa minded though.
Scooting closer Elsa took his arm and placed it over her while she curled up closer against him.
Breathing Hans moved, pulling her closer to his body and resting his head against her head.
Smiling Elsa pressed her head against his neck, breathing in the smell of his colone or at least she thinks its his colone as he always had this pacticular smell about him, he smelled nice, warm and a bit spicy, maybe cinamon, she was not sure what it was but regardless he smelled good.
Moving she pressed her lips against his. It was at that moment that Hans woke up.
Eyes blinking still tired Hans looked at her, kissing him again Elsa ran her hand through his hair. He smiled against it and said "What a lovely way to wake up",
"So long as its just for me" said Elsa as she ran her hand through his hair again only to jump back, her eyes widening in fear.
"What's wrong?" asked Hans confused, she said nothing as her hand went to her mouth, her body trembling as she stared.
To be continued...
Authors note: Hummm curiouser, why do the Fateweavers say that? What are they hiding?. Any way I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Well you will have to wait and see...so please leave a review to tell me what you think.