A/N: I need review pom poms...seriously. I had to split this chapter into three chapters, but I will post them all today, so don't kill me! I've gone back and given the chapters relevant titles. The reason for this is so that I don't get confused when I edit and accidentally overwrite the wrong chapter. Also, if you are so inclined, I am on Tumblr with the same moniker.
He felt it was truly ridiculous, all the preparation now required for him to simply take his horse out for a ride. The stable master had informed him that he was not permitted to take any horse out without expressed permission from either his mother or father, and then it took him another half an hour to convince them he didn't need an escort to ride the trails of the forest near the castle. He shoved the signed paper into the stable master's hands and took Sitron's reins, "I wish I hadn't named you with the mirror in me. You deserve better than to share your name with a fruit," Hans patted his horse's neck.
The well worn trails were quiet and the shade provided a needed relief from the midday sun. A light rain shower found him and he stopped a moment to fish a two apples out of the saddle bag. He heard the soft sound of hooves on a nearby path but thought nothing of it. He gave the first apple to Sitron; as he raised the second fruit to his mouth there was a sharp pain on the side of his head, he dropped the apple and his hand went up to where the pain originated. His hair was wet and warm. He brought his hand down and found blood on his glove. There was a quiet whistle before the crossbow bolt hit the tree in front of him and he felt a greater pain on the top of his left shoulder. Red bloomed from beneath the tear in his tailcoat. He sharply turned Sitron's reins and raced back down the trail; he could hear the hoof beats of the other rider close behind him. The rain began to fall heavier and the whistle of the crossbow bolts became impossible to hear, but a pain in his right calf told him whoever it was had not stopped firing. Sitron turned swiftly down a narrower trail; Hans hoped the dense foliage would hinder his attacker, or at least their shots. He squeezed Sitron's body tighter and the great horse galloped as fast as she could through the trees.
"You really need to more careful," Queen Adelaide chided as the physician cleansed the wound on his head.
Hans winced at the pain, "Yes, mother," he said through clenched teeth.
"I have a large party planned for your birthday this week, and I cannot have you bleeding all over the ballroom," she smiled.
"I will do my best to keep my vital fluids contained, and what do you mean a 'large party?'"
"There will be a welcoming ball, of course, and at the end of the week an even bigger ball and a feast. I have invited all the royalty of the region and any eligible ladies of nobility, and have received positive responses all around. All of your brothers will be attending," she said excitedly, "Oh! I must see that the staff remember not to put roses in Cyprian's room or he will be sneezing his entire visit!" She quickly left to see that her son's allergies were not forgotten.
"So, what really happened?" Dr. Jensen said dabbing the wound on his calf, "I know what made these and it was not a fall in a thorn bush. Your shoulder will require a few stitches."
"I took Sitron for a ride through the woods and someone began shooting at me. I cannot tell my mother or father. Ow! If I did they would probably lock me away for my own safety."
"True," he said threading the needle, "but I cannot blame them for being protective. I've had to stitch you back together more than my wife has my daughter's favorite doll," Dr. Jensen pushed the needle in, "Given the recent past I doubt this was an accident. Attempted murder is something that shouldn't be taken lightly, Hans. I am not comfortable keeping this information secret."
"What will it take to ensure your comfort?"
Dr. Jensen sighed, "It's not blackmail. I have been mending you and your brothers since you were children and as a parent myself, it doesn't seem right keeping this from them," he said as he snipped the thread of the finished sutures, "I cannot promise that I will not tell them the truth if you come back with more injuries like these."
"Am I injured enough to avoid my mother's gatherings?"
Dr. Jensen laughed, "No, but Gita will not be able to ride on your shoulders for a few weeks."
"Fantastic," Hans said with almost tangible sarcasm.
The great white city shone brightly in the afternoon sun. Even though she had seen it before Elsa still couldn't help but stare at the shimmering metropolis before her.
"That's Baltia?" Anna asked surprised, "and I thought Corona was big."
"So did I," Kristoff stared at the buildings that seemed to go on forever.
"It is the most powerful kingdom in the region," Elsa said.
"What's the big wall for?" Anna asked as they docked.
"Everything beyond that wall is the palace," Elsa said leading the way down the gangplank.
"That's the palace!?"
"You haven't seen the inside," Elsa smiled.
"I have a feeling I should have stayed home," Kristoff said as a footman helped them into a gleaming white carriage.
Klaus greeted them as they arrived in the bailey, "Queen Elsa, so glad to see you again," he said with a sincere smile.
"Thank you, Prince Klaus; this is my sister Princess Anna and her husband Prince Kristoff."
"A pleasure to meet you both; I deeply regret missing your wedding, but my son fell ill right before we were set to depart, and I couldn't leave him in such a state," he turned his attention back to Elsa, "Hans would have been here to greet you himself, but Jens asked him for a lesson in swordsmanship and Hans can't say no to my children."
Elsa smiled, "So I've noticed."
"The representatives from Corinthia, Friezenburg, Corona, and about half of my brothers have already arrived; the rest are expected before the day's end. Tomorrow there will be a ball to welcome everyone, of course, and at the end of the week an even bigger ball and feast with a ludicrously lavish cake. Much to Hans' displeasure, even more than the large parties, mother and father plan to allow any representatives that wish to address him to speak at the feast."
Elsa chuckled, "has he tried to feign illness yet?"
"He managed to get himself rather banged up yesterday; fell into a thorn bush while out riding Sitron."
"Does he have to be injured every time we see one another?"
Klaus laughed, "That does seem to be a nasty habit that needs to be broken."
"Good! Come at me again," Hans said to his ten year old nephew as he blocked his swing.
Elsa watched the young, chestnut haired boy take a swing that Hans easily avoided and pressed his sparring sword to the boy's back, "you need to complete the movement or you leave your back exposed."
"Hi!" Jens said as he noticed Elsa. He walked to her and bowed, "Prince Jens Westerguard at your service." Hans rolled his eyes and smiled.
Elsa curtsied, "Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
"Whoa, you're the Snow Queen!"
"Jens!" Hans yelled to correct his discourtesy.
"It's alright, Admiral," she held out her hand and floated a large snowflake above it, "I've been called that," she bent and blew it forward; it disseminated as it touched Jens' nose.
"Wow, can you do anything else?"
"Jens, Queen Elsa is not here to entertain you," Hans scolded.
"I can make snow men," she created a snow sculpture of Jens, "I can create ice," she stepped and froze a circle around her, "but what's really fun is this," she formed a snow ball in her hand and threw it, hitting Hans in the face. Jens laughed until he nearly cried.
"Haven't we played this game before, your majesty?" Hans asked with a smile as he wiped the snow from his face and coat.
"Of course, how could I forget forcing the surrender of the Southern Isle's greatest naval hero?" she grinned.
"Admiral Prince Hans Westerguard never surrenders!" Jens was shocked.
"I'll explain it to you when you're older. Shouldn't you go get ready for dinner?"
"Alright, I'm going," Jens pouted as he headed back inside.
"So, you fell into a thorn bush?" Elsa asked with suspicion.
"That's what I told everyone, yes."
"Your injuries are never that simple."
He sighed, "I did take Sitron out, but the wounds were caused by a crossbow."
"A crossbow?" she gasped.
"I don't know by who, or why, but the bolts only grazed me."
"Bolts? How many hit you?"
"Three, the first grazed the side of my head, the second my shoulder, and the third scraped my right calf."
"Why did you lie about another attempt on your life?" Her furrowed brow and pursed lips expressed her displeasure.
"It took me nearly an hour to receive permission to take Sitron out; I don't want to imagine what other restrictions I would have put on me if they knew the truth about my injuries," he let out a sigh, "I wish I knew why I was being targeted. It doesn't make any sense. I had assumed it was because someone felt I was still a threat to Arendelle, but then why would I be attacked here?" he ran his hands through his hair and made a mildly disgusted face when he felt a bit of moisture seep through his gloves, "I need to ready myself for dinner. I'm sorry you had to see me like this; I didn't realize I had sweat so much."
"I'm so happy with the turn out," Queen Adelaide smiled at Queen Elsa as they sat at the dinner table, "It's wonderful to have all of my children in the palace again, and with so many unwed ladies present I pray Hans will find one he connects with," she let out a small sigh as she looked down the table at Hans as he laughed and swapped stories with his brothers, "I have had so much trouble finding that boy a bride. Every woman he is introduced to, he believes is only interested in him for a political advantage by marriage. That has been true in several cases, sadly, but he thinks so little of himself that he cannot see how a woman could want him for who he is. I feel partially responsible for his jaded view. If I had listened to Klaus so many years before Hans wouldn't have had to suffer," Queen Adelaide ran her finger around the rim of her glass and stared down at her plate despondent, "He is such a sensitive, caring boy he deserves to have someone give him as much love as he will give them. I just worry that he will become so disheartened that he will accept a marriage that is not for love, or be fooled into falling into the arms of a woman who would use him for her own political gain or, since he is a handsome boy and entirely inexperienced with women, her own carnal desires."
"He is made of stronger stuff than that," she assured Queen Adelaide.
"As a mother, I only want to see my children happy, and Hans I do not believe will be happy spending the rest of his life as a bachelor," she looked at Elsa with pleading eyes, "I'm sorry to burden you with this, but as his close friend I was hoping that you may be able to convince him of his true worth."
"I will gladly try," Elsa smiled.
"Given the unfortunate past with you and the unexpected bond that came out of such a horrendous situation, I don't understand how he can still see himself the way he does," she sipped her wine, "With children you spend your time adoring them or trying your best to refrain from causing them bodily harm; sometimes both."