Chapter eleven: A death and a secret
{8 years ago}
A ten year old Elsa was busy on a sunday morning. It was mother's day and she decided that she would make her mother breakfast.
The maids tried to stop her, but Elsa paid them no mind. And Kai was still asleep. She was going to make her parents some delicious pancakes.
The young girl grabbed the flour sack and a few eggs from the cupboard. She broke the eggs in a pan together with some of the flour. She didn't know how to make pancakes, but surely it wouldn't be too difficult, right?
"What is happening here?!"
Elsa and some of the maids shrieked when they heard the king's voice. Elsa nervously turned around to face her father.
Agdar looked very annoyed. Elsa saw that he was already dressed like her, but that his hair was still a mess.
"F-father! I...I was just..."
"Making breakfast?!" Agdar glanced at the maids. "We have servants for that!"
He then looked back at Elsa. The young girl took step back. Agdar walked closer to her. He grabbed her wrist violently.
"Why would you try to do this?!"
"Because...it's mother's day!" Elsa exclaimed.
She immediately shut her eyes, waiting for her father to scream at her or to hit her, but instead he released her and sighed. Elsa slowly opened her eyes again.
"Really..." Agdar made another sigh. "Why didn't you ask for my help?"
"Because you were sleeping...and I wanted to do something on my own. I can't always depend on others. One day I'm going to be alone.. and I need to do this myself! Otherwise it won't mean anything to her..."
"Right...then...at least let me help you."
"You want to help me?"
Agdar grabbed a pan. "You don't know how to make pancakes." He quickly glanced at Elsa. "And I cannot let you make another mistake. Especially not on mothers day."
"I don't always make mistakes."
"Oh you didn't?" Agdar snorted. He turned the heat from the stove on and put some butter in the pan. "Lately I heard that you had problems with taming your new horse. And I also heard that you accidentally froze one of Thiana's potions."
"It was an accident! And Thiana shouldn't leave her potions out in the open like that! It's her fault..."
"Elsa, don't blame other people for your mistakes."
"Sorry, sir."
Agdar made a mix from milk, yeast eggs, flour and sugar and a little bit of salt. He poured a little bit of the mix into the pan and put the pan onto the hot coals. It immediately sizzled and became a round form. Elsa was looking at his movements very carefully.
"This is how you make pancakes." Agdar looked at Elsa. "Make sure to turn it after the edge turns a little bit brown. But you should also smell it."
"Ah...I didn't knew you could cook."
"You didn't know?" Agdar smiled smugly. "Of course I can cook! It's the first thing my mother learned me...you should learn it too, Elsa. I'll tell your teacher to start learning you that."
"Why can't you learn me?"
"Because I'm always busy with meetings and I have to handle an entire country...when you get older then you might understand."
Elsa pouted. "Oh...okay...then...can mother teach me?"
"Perhaps. Oh look, we need to turn it." Agdar grabbed a spoon and flipped the pancake onto it's other side. Elsa stared at him in amazement.
"You are good at this...did you ever cook for mom?"
"For Idun?" Agdar nodded. "I did. The way to one's heart is the stomach, Elsa. When you get married to prince Hans you should remember that."
"I understand...but...what if the marriage won't go well?"
"Of course it will go well! I handpicked Hans as the perfect candidate for you! You might not like him now, but when you grow up you will surely like him."
"I can only hope, father. Oh! I almost forgot to ask; can I make the next pancake?"
Agdar nodded with a small grin. "Yes. But I will help you." He grabbed her arms and guided them. They put the mix into the pan together. They waited for a bit and then turned the pancake on his back.
"Whoa...and now we put it on top of the other pancake?" Elsa asked with big eyes.
Agdar nodded silently. He put the pancake on the other pancake which was laying on a plate. Together they baked a few more pancakes. And they also made some juice and put a few strawberries together with the plate of pancakes on a tray. Elsa grabbed a fork and spoon and together they walked to Idun's bedroom.
Agdar opened the door and Elsa walked up with the tray to her mother who just sat up with messy hair and sleepy eyes.
"Oh..." Idun yawned a little. "What is this?"
Elsa put the tray onto her lap. "Pancakes! And strawberries and juice! Happy mothers day!"
Idun lit up and smiled. She wrapped her arms around Elsa and hugged her little daughter tightly.
"Thank you sweetheart! Did you make all of this yourself?"
Elsa pushed herself out of her arms. She took a few steps back and straightened her back. "No mama, father helped me with the pancakes! But I was my idea..."
"He helped you, huh?" Idun raised her eyebrows and smiled mischievously. "I didn't knew your father cared so much..."
"He/she didn't!" Agdar and Elsa yelled in unison.
The two glanced at each other for a second before looking away with both a nervous look on their face.
"Well, thank you!" Idun made a small pray and grabbed her fork and took a big bite out one of the pancakes.
"And...?" Elsa nervously stared at her. Idun swallowed her piece and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Delicious."
"She liked it!" Elsa yelled with smile. She turned to her father who smiled down at her. She immediately went quiet. She almost never saw him smile at her.
"She did!" Agdar said. "Good work, Elsa, I love you..."
"W-what..." Elsa became flushed and twiddled with her thumbs. "Y...y...you...l.. me...?"
Agdar realized his words and turned his back on her.
"Just...just stay here with your mother! I'm going to check up on the maids. Don't follow me, young lady!" He yelled in a low voice and he stormed out of the room. Elsa stayed behind with a giggling Idun.
"Mother..." Elsa turned around to face her mother. "What did he just say?"
"Easy." Idun smiled at her. "He just said that he loved you."
"Right...of course...but..." Elsa put her hands against her chest. She nervously averted her eyes with a blush. "Father always hates me...it must be a joke..."
"Believe what you want to believe. But your father does love you...and he hates you...it's complicated, Elsa. Just remember one thing."
"And that is?"
"All the decision he makes are for your own good."
Days flew by.
Hannah was busy working. She tried not to think about the mess, but it somehow found a way into her mind. She tried to forget it by working as hard as she could...she did extra shifts, cleaned up more, did the laundry...but the thoughts came back to her head.
The thoughts of Kristoff leaving, Elsa kissing Jack, Jack kissing Elsa, the fact that she was the lost princess of Arendelle and that her father just beat up Jack so easily...it was all too much.
"Hannah?"
She looked up from her work to see Gerda worryingly looking at her.
"Are you alright? You have been cleaning the same spot for a while now." Gerda gently touched her arm. "Are you worried about Kristoff?"
"What?" Hannah laughed a little. She released the napkin which she was using to clean the table. "I'm not...I mean, he left just because...because we got into a fight! He told me he liked me, I didn't want to mess everything up, but he...he...he is the idiot! He told me that I only cared about Jack, which is not true, and that he only came here to rest and to get money..."
Gerda raised her eyebrows. "Oh really? He told me something completely different."
Hannah stopped rambling and looked a bit confused. "Huh? What are you talking about? Didn't he tell you he left to gamble in Corona and to extend his business?"
"Yes." Gerda nodded. "But the reason why he left was not only that..."
"Not only that? What was it?"
Gerda smiled a little bit. "It's that...it's something you know deep in your heart."
Hannah cocked her head. "What?"
"You know why Kristoff left. And it's not because of his business." Gerda turned around. "But I need to go! When you're done with the tables, then you can clean the bar!"
Hannah stared at the table while Gerda walked off. Her thoughts went wild. Was there another reason for Kristoff to leave? She knew he told her that he liked her, but it must just have been a simple crush. Geez, even a lot of her clients used to fall in love with her after spending a night...but still...he left. There was nothing she could do about it. Apparently their so-called 'friendship' was to weak.
Hannah grabbed her napkin again and walked towards the bar. She threw the napkin down onto the bar and sighed.
Everything she once had was broken.
The next day Elsa and Jack were practicing the princess's sword-skills in the garden.
Elsa was just blocking an attack from Jack with her sword. Her servant stared intently at her while he tried to push her back. Elsa stood her ground even though her hands were shaking.
Jack smirked and suddenly moved to the side. Elsa gasped and quickly took a step back. The young man moved quickly towards her with his wooden sword aiming for her side.
"J-Jack!" The princess quickly avoided his attack. She stumbled over her feet as she avoided him and almost fell down, but Jack reached out with one arm and managed to grab her by her waist just in time.
They both stared at each other in silence. Elsa's chest was rising up and down with each breath she took. Jack scraped his throat and spoke up to break the silence.
"Princess Elsa, you are as clumsy as ever."
He helped her stand straight again and released her.
"But you are getting better."
"I knew it!" Elsa smiled and gave him a small push against his chest. "One day I shall defeat you, mister!"
"I doubt it."
"You doubt it? Jerk. You know that my father is very skilled in sword fighting. And I am his daughter, so..."
"So? Maybe you are the complete opposite in that field."
Elsa took a step forward. She made a small snowball in her hands and an evil smirk covered her face. "Excuse me?! What did you say, Jackson?!"
Jack took a step back with a nervous laugh. "E...Princess! You wouldn't just hurt your dear servant, right?"
Elsa giggled. "I don't know about that...if you show me and beg for forgiveness..."
"I understand!" Jack grabbed her hand and pulled her a bit closer. She was just inches away from his face and immediately became flushed. Jack just grinned and said; "Princess Elsa, I know I'm nothing more than a mere servant, but I beg for your forgiveness!"
Elsa smiled a little bit. "A-as if...there is no way I can forgive you that easily..."
"I see...then...how about I show you a wonderful night?"
Elsa became completely red. Her heart was beating faster and faster and it slowly started to snow above her head. Jack slowly moved a bit closer. He slowly whispered into her ear with a low and husky voice...
"A night...where I can..."
"Can..?" Elsa whispered in a high voice.
Jack moved back with a grin. "A night were I can show you my true skills in cooking!"
"Eh?" Elsa blinked confused.
"Yeah! You told me to start to learn on how to cook meals, because a servant needs to have a lot more skills, right? So, I practiced with Kai and the maids and now I am sure that I can cook you a decent meal! Unless you can defeat me..."
An ice spike shot out of the ground between them. Jack was knocked back and fell down onto the ground. Elsa put her hand forward and a few more ice spikes shot out of ground around him.
Jack gulped and looked up at Elsa. "Uhm...princess? Did I say something wrong?"
"You are such an idiot!" Elsa yelled. She lowered her hand and glared at him. "As if I would ever care about your cooking skills!"
"But you asked me..."
"I don't care, be silent, damn boy...and here I thought that you were trying to suggest something else.."
"Something else?"
Elsa blushed and crossed her arms. She quickly avoided his gaze. "Forget about it."
Jack stood up with a confused smile. He quickly made a small bow. "I'm sorry if I offended you. I was just teasing you."
Elsa looked at him again. "What do you mean?"
Jack straightened his back again. "Elsa. I do wish to be with you. But you are a married woman. And with the title of 'queen' hanging above your head we cannot and should not try anything. For now we should focus on other matters."
"Other matters?" Elsa raised her eyebrows. "What..."
"Princess Elsa!"
They turned around to see Hans walking towards them. Jack took a few steps and quickly made a bow. Elsa quickly showed him a smile.
"Hans, what are you doing here?" Elsa asked. Hans seemed a bit nervous and had a strange look in his eyes.
Hans grabbed her hands and smiled nervously at her. "Nothing...just...honey, how much do you love your father?"
Elsa and Jack were both surprised at the question. Why was Hans suddenly asking her that?
"Hans...why are you asking me that?" Elsa pulled her hands back and put them against her chest. "Is it because of the fact that you couldn't dethrone him?"
"What?!" Hans took a step forward and grabbed her wrist violently. He looked her directly into her eyes. "Of course not! It was just a simple question, don't act so dumb!"
"I'm not dumb! And you are hurting me...release me!"
Elsa tried to struggle free, but Hans was too strong. Jack noticed it. He quickly grabbed his wooden sword and jumped forward.
He hit Hans in his side, who released Elsa immediately. Jack grabbed Elsa by her waist and pulled her against his chest with his wooden sword still in his hand. He put his sword forward towards Hans with an angry look on his face.
Hans straightened his back again while holding his side.
"You little..."
Hans stopped talking when he saw how to the two were standing. He chuckled a little and released his side.
"My...I'm sorry...I don't know what came over me..."
Jack glared at him and said in a low voice; "If you ever hurt her again, then I will step right in."
"Yeah, yeah, you are her servant...but, just a servant. So, you can release her now. I won't hurt her."
Jack carefully released Elsa. But he didn't release the sword in his hand.
When she was released Elsa carefully took a step forward and asked; "Hans, what is going on with you? You have been acting strange lately and now you ask me if I love my father while being aggressive..."
"Do you?"
Elsa narrowed her eyes and clenched her fist. "Yes. Now, don't ask me that again."
Hans smiled a little. "Right...of course I won't...but...why would you love him? He has hated you for a very long time. Don't tell me that you suddenly changed your mind about him."
"No. But I never hated him..." Elsa took a deep breath and opened her hand. "He might have hated me and treated me like I was nothing to him...but...even after everything, I don't hate him. He might scare me a bit at times...but I don't hate him."
"But, he treated you so bad. And he tried to get rid of you when you were little, separating you from your sister."
Elsa put her hands against her chest. "I know...and I resented him for that. Sometimes I still do. But...if Hannah stayed here, then I wouldn't have met Jack. And Gerda...maybe we wouldn't even have met. Maybe you would have fallen for my sister."
"I could never fall for your sister."
Elsa smiled a little. "Who knows..but all those things are in the past. All we have is the future and the present. And we need to make good use out of that."
"Elsa!"
They turned their heads to see Agdar marching up to them. He stopped in front of Elsa and grabbed her hand.
"Come along with me, I need to show you something!"
Elsa noticed Thiana standing in the background, leaning against a wall. She nervously glanced at Jack who shrugged his shoulders.
"But..."
"No buts. Come with me."
Agdar pulled Elsa along with him. But while they passed Hans he shot the young prince a stern glare. Hans seemed to pick up on it and when they walked off with Jack quickly running after them, he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.
"Dammit..." Hans whispered.
"Damn what?" Thiana suddenly appeared next to him which almost made him jump.
"Geez, don't scare me like that, woman!"
"Whatever..." Thiana smirked. "So, have you figured everything out?"
Hans glared at her. "What are you talking about, witch?"
"You know what I'm talking about!" Thiana gave him a small poke in his side. "Don't act as if you don't know!"
Hans sighed. "Yes, I know...I know that Jack slept with her."
"Aren't you going to do anything about it?"
"Not yet. I'll deal with everything later. Right now there is something more important that I need to take care of..."
"And that is?"
"Something that will shake up this country..."
Thiana stared at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Hans laughed. "Oh...you will see...but...in the end everything will be mine."
The young prince chuckled and walked off. Thiana knitted her eyebrows and folded her arms. She worriedly bit down on her lip..
That man was nothing but trouble...
Agdar took Elsa with him to the throne room. There he finally released his daughter.
"My poor wrist..." Elsa mumbled while rubbing her wrist. She looked at her father who was staring at the crown which was hidden under a glass case. She cautiously took a step forward. "Father...are you alright?"
"Elsa."
"Y-yes?!" Elsa quickly straightened her posture and put her hands behind her back.
Her father turned around. He had a dark look in his eyes and Elsa shivered. That look could only mean two things; either he was angry about something or he had some bad news that was somehow her fault...
"You do know the kingdom inside and out, correct?"
Elsa raised her eyebrows in confusion. "I know a few streets, yes...why?"
"And you do know how you need to speak against the council, right?"
"Yes...I don't need to let my guard down. Same goes for other queens and kings we meet at our parties."
"Good. And you do know how to defend yourself?"
"Yes. My sword lessons are going better...but why are you asking me these questions?"
"Because..." Agdar glanced at the crown. He sighed a little and turned his attention back to his daughter. "Because, I think my time is going to end soon. And when it does, you are the new queen."
Elsa took another step forward. "What...what are you talking about? You are the king...I don't think your time is ending soon.." She bit on her lip and looked at the ground. "Don't say such things...especially after what happened to mom...I can't lose someone else too...not now, not ever."
"Don't worry about it. You have Jack to be at your side." Agdar nodded towards Jack who was standing behind them, leaning against a wall. Jack quickly straightened his back when he saw the king looking at him. Jack heard what they were talking about, but decided to stay quiet.
"But...but...you would never give up your position. And as far as I understand, you are still healthy, father. Why are telling me those things...?"
"Like I said; my time is ending soon." Agdar walked towards her. "And you can not prevent it."
He stopped in front of her. Elsa looked down at the ground. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath.
"Then..." She looked up at him with fierce eyes. "What should I do? If I cannot prevent your death like mother's...then what should I do?! Should I just lie down and wait for you to die?!"
"Elsa, calm down..." Agdar noticed a bit of ice spreading around the room.
"Why do I always have to watch everyone around me perish?! And why do I always need to be quiet and agree to everything?! I can not let you die! Everything was perfect for once, I won't lose you like I lost my own mother-"
"Be quiet!"
Agdar suddenly slapped her hard across her cheek. The ice immediately stopped spreading.
Jack's eyes widened and he took a step forward. "King Agdar..."
"There is a reason for everything." Agdar moved forward and pulled her into a hug. Elsa didn't knew how to react and kept quiet. Agdar smiled and spoke further. "And I know that it hurts to see people die. But that is the life you're leading. You can't always prevent someone's death. Especially of a royal."
Elsa sniffed. "Father..."
"Elsa, you need to be strong. After my death everyone will come after you. The council, Hans...there is a possibility that people will find out about your powers."
"Then..."
"Yet...I believe that you will be fine. You will face every problem head on and you won't back down."
Elsa nodded. She felt tears prick behind her eyes. "Okay. I understand...I'll take the responsibility. And...I won't be weak. But you know that I also won't be like you. I might become a cold ruler, but I won't abandon my sister."
"Alright." Agdar released her and smiled at her. "But I never abandoned your sister."
"What are you talking about?" Jack suddenly asked from behind.
Elsa looked over her shoulder at him and said; "Jack, be quiet for now."
"Sorry." Jack nodded and closed his mouth immediately.
Agdar sighed. "I...I was angry with your sister when she called you a 'monster'. I understand her anger, but still...some things she said seemed out of line. She might have went too far. And back then I wanted to hit her, I really did. But...you jumped in front of her. Just like when you were a little girl."
Elsa kept quiet. She sniffed her father's scent. He always smelled a bit like some old cologne and a mix of flowers and dust.
"And I know that you will keep protecting her and the town...and I know that you will get through everything. Even on your own."
Elsa started to cry. "Th...then...then...I...I promise you. I'll get through everything. And I will make sure that my sister and everyone in Arendelle will be safe."
"Good girl." Agdar hugged her tighter. "I'm proud of you."
Elsa sobbed. She did her best not to shake. Agdar released her and took a step back with a smile.
"Now, then...I need a word with your servant."
"Ah..." Elsa wiped her tears away and beckoned for Jack to come. "Jack. My father wants to speak with you. Get over here, that's an order."
"Yes, yes..." Jack walked up to Agdar. The king gave him a small glare before turning towards Elsa with a smile.
"Honey, can you wait outside for a moment? I shall speak with you after my little...chat...with your...servant."
"Alright." Elsa made a small curtesy and left the room. Agdar stopped smiling and looked at Jack again.
"Jack." His voice suddenly sounded a bit lower and stern. "This will be the last time I shall speak with you. So...I need to tell you a few things."
"Alright..."
Agdar turned around. He let out a heavy sigh. "I'm actually not ready to die."
"Your majesty..." Jack nervously coughed. "Ahem...sorry, but you just seemed so confident."
"I only tried to soothe my daughter. If I break down in front of her, then what will become of her?"
"Oh...then...what will you do? You said that you did not wish to die..."
"I know what I said!" Agdar yelled and he turned around.
Jack swallowed nervously. Agdar took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"I..." Agdar sighed. "I know who is going to kill me."
Jack's eyes widened. "You do?"
"Yes, but I won't say who it is. It wouldn't change a thing, it would just make everything more complicated. Especially Elsa's life."
"Then...shouldn't you alert the guards? Or do I need to protect you?"
"No, you can only protect the princess...but...there is something that I request of you."
"Hm? What is it, your majesty?"
"I know when the little bastard is going to strike...so, I want you to come to my room at eleven pm tonight."
"Your bedroom?"
Agdar scoffed. "Of course, servant-boy. Oh, but don't tell Elsa. If she tries to stop this, then he might kill her too..."
"Ah...I understand."
Agdar sighed and walked past him towards the door. But he suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder at Jack.
"Oh and more thing...don't you dare to leave Elsa's side. Because you are all she has right now."
Jack nodded and he made a bow.
"Your wish is my command, king Agdar."
Agdar chuckled. He opened the door and Jack could hear him just say a few more words before he left the room.
"Goodbye, Jack."
Jack straightened his back and turned around to say something back, but the king was already gone. Instead he sighed and rubbed his neck.
That night it was quiet in the castle.
Elsa was already in her private room, probably sleeping and Hans might be in his room as well.
Jack was in his own room, sitting on his bed. He stared at the old clock in silence.
10.45 pm
Maybe he should walk to the room already...
10.50 pm
Jack shook his head and he whispered. "I'll wait five more minutes before I go to his room. It's a five minute walk after all."
10.51 pm
Jack swallowed nervously. What if he came face to face with the murderer? He should bring a knife just in case...what if the murderer was someone he knew? It could be anyone, even the princess...
He shook his head again. No, it couldn't be. Elsa wasn't like that...right?
10.55 pm
It was time.
Jack stood up from his bed. He grabbed a knife from his closer and put it under his belt. He nervously gulped.
"Okay...here I go." He whispered.
Jack walked out of his room with heavy legs. He walked down the poorly lit hallway. Sometimes he thought he heard a sound, but it was nothing...he continued to walk. And walk...and walk...he never noticed how long the hallway was. Was it always this long? Or was it just his imagination?
He slowly walked up to Agdar's room. He could hear heavy breathing and someone talking.
Jack slowly opened the door and his eyes widened.
Agdar was on the ground with a sword in his chest. He was bleeding heavily from his chest and was breathing with his eyes half open. Hans was on the other side of the room. His gloved hands were covered in blood. He looked with wide eyes at Jack.
"Jack! What are you doing here?!" Hans yelled.
Jack took a step forward. "Hans. What happened...did you kill..."
"What?! No! I came into this room and saw him on the ground! And then I tried to help him, but Agdar told me to find the culprit, but I saw no one! Jack, I swear, I didn't kill the king!"
Jack kneeled down at the king's side. He grabbed the king's hand and nodded at him.
"Your majesty, who did this?"
Agdar looked at Jack with half-lidded eyes. "Jack...I told you to come...you idiot...because...you...you...can see...who...who...did...it...h...h...he..he...he..."
"He? Who is he?"
Agdar squeezed Jack's hand tightly. "You...take...care...of...m..y...d...a...u...g..h...t...e...r..."
"Yes. Your majesty." Jack smiled forcefully at him.
"And...tell...my...m...daughter...that...I...love...her...and...that I...I...love...Idun...too...and...that...I...a...m...am...s...s...so...r...r...ry...I..."
"Your majesty?"
Agdar closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Jack felt his hand weaken. He realized that the king was breathing slower and slower. Jack panicked a little and pushed against his shoulder.
"Your majesty! King Agdar! Wake..."
Suddenly he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Okay, what is going on here?"
Elsa walked into the room. Her hair was loosely hanging over her shoulders and she was still wearing her gown. She yawned, but stopped. Her eyes went wide and she screamed loudly when she saw her father on the ground with a lot of blood.
"Father!"
She quickly kneeled by his side and looked at Jack. "What happened here?!"
"Princess Elsa...your father has been attacked. And he is dying."
"Dying?! No...I knew this would happen, but still..." Elsa started to tear up. "This...isn't happening..."
Agdar shakily raised his arm and put his hand against her cheek. "Elsa...look...at...me."
Elsa stared at him. The king smiled weakly at her. His breathing was ragged and a little bit of blood was draping from the side of his mouth.
"I...love...you...and...you...are...going...to...be...a...good...ruler..."
Elsa nodded silently while the tears fell from her cheeks.
"Do...not...worry...I'm...in...god's...hands...and...I'm...going...to...be...with...your...mother...forever..."
"Father..." Elsa hiccuped. "I-I l-l-love y-y-y-you too..."
"Snowflake...smile one last time for me..."
Elsa nodded. She did her best and put on a beautiful smile on her face. Agdar chuckled a little.
"Good girl...I'm...sorry...I...should...have...loved...you...more...Elsa..."
"It's fine." Elsa whispered. "I forgive you. These last days with you have been wonderful. So...rest...the pain will go away."
"Brave...just...like...your...mother...and...ah...everything...is...fading...I...can...see...her..." Agdar's eyes started to lose their lively color. His breathing became slower and slower. "Aah...Elsa...take...good...care...of...Anna...tell...her...that...I...love...her...too..."
Elsa sniffed and said: "I will."
"Good...then...I'll...go...to...her...Goodbye..."
Agdar's eyes became lifeless and he stopped breathing. Jack released his one hand and he stood up. Elsa stared at her father's dead body. More tears kept coming and she couldn't hold them back.
A few maids and Kai rushed into the room. One of the maids screamed when she saw the body and another fainted. Kai immediately wanted to call for a dokter but Jack stopped him.
"Kai." Jack put his hand onto his shoulder. "I think it's too late. The king is dead."
"What...but...why didn't...didn't he defend himself?"
Jack stared at the sword in the king's chest. "I don't know." He kneeled down at Elsa's side. "Princess..."
"Jack..." Elsa sniffed. "I know...I need to get away from the body..."
She closed Agdar's eyes and then stood up with the help of Jack who immediately pulled her out of the room. He dragged her into the hallway and there he put his hands onto her shoulders.
"Princess Elsa, please, you have to be strong for now." Jack whispered with worry in his eyes.
Elsa sniffed and rubbed her tears away. "Sorry...I know, I shouldn't cry...I'm sorry..."
"No, don't..."
"Princess Elsa!" Kai walked towards them. Jack quickly released Elsa and took a step back. "Are you alright?!"
"Yes..." Elsa nodded slowly. "I'm good...just a little bit shaken..."
"I don't blame you, but now that the king...king Agdar...is gone...we need to activate the protocol..." Kai let out a heavy sigh. "I know that this isn't the time, but you are the one in charge from now on...so...what should we do?"
Elsa swallowed. "I...I want you to clean my fa...clean the body and the room. Then prepare a casket to put him in...oh and make sure to interview every staff member. Even my servant."
"Hey!" Jack yelled.
Elsa glanced at him. "I'm sorry, Jack, but the rules are the rules. I can't let you off the hook, that will only trigger the other staff members. And Kai, I need to have an emergency meeting with the council...and...don't let the news about his death leave this castle yet. Anyone from the staff who tells about it, is fired."
"Yes...I will do that!" Kai turned around and left.
Elsa turned around. "Alright...now, I need to freshen up for the meeting..."
She suddenly stumbled over and Jack caught her just in time.
"Whoa...Elsa..." Jack pulled her safely against his chest. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine...I'm so sorry..." Elsa gently pushed him away. "I should be strong right now...yet I feel so weak and fragile."
"That's understandable. You just saw your father die...even though you two had a difficult relationship, in the last few weeks it really seemed like...you cared about him and he cared about you...so, I guessed that your true feeling somehow shined through to him..."
Elsa was quiet for a bit before she cracked a smile. Jack blushed a little and nervously scratched his head.
"Thank you for your kind words, Jackson...I..."
"Princess Elsa!"
They turned around and saw Hans walking towards them. His hands were now clean and his gloves were gone. He still looked stressed. Jack quickly took a step back. He made a bow, but Hans didn't pay him any attention.
"Elsa...I swear, he was bleeding when I got there...and then Jack came in..."
Elsa smiled a little bit at him. "Hans, how about you get some sleep? It's still late in the evening. I'll take care of some things with the council."
"No...I can not let you do that alone." Hans whispered softly. He grabbed her hands. "I'll come with you...just for support, I won't go into your way."
"Of course..."
"Princess!" Kai ran towards them. "The council is waiting for you in the council room and the maids are coming up stairs with cleaning supplies."
"Good, you can interview the staff...Hans, follow me."
Hans nodded and they walked together to the council room. Kai leaned closer to Jack and whispered: "Isn't Hans a bit too calm?"
"Kai...not now." Jack sighed. "I'll ask Hans some questions later, but first, let's interview the staff."
Kai nodded a little. "Yes. You are the first I need to interview, mister Frost."
"Really? Come on..."
"Don't whine. It will be just a short questioning."
Later Elsa was in the council room with the council and Hans.
The councilmen were all very nervous and Elsa could see it.
"The old king is dead!" One of the men said. "What do we do now?! We can't keep it quiet forever!"
"We won't. I'll tell the public myself. I am the one in charge from now, so I'll make sure to arrange everything."
"Alright." Said one man. "Then, after you told them about the king's death, then we should prepare for your coronation. And for the coronation of prince Hans. You are becoming queen and king. But the first in charge will always be princess Elsa. The second in charge will be prince Hans."
Hans furrowed his eyebrows. "Wait, why am I second in charge?"
"Because she is the daughter of the now deceased king. But people will also come to you, it's just about strategies and some minor decisions."
"Like what?"
"War-strategies, talking with other countries...things like those."
"Those are not 'minor' things."
The man sighed. "I'm sorry, but we can't change the rules. And you should have known before you married her..."
"Excuse me?! Who are you to order me around like some low-life..."
Elsa suddenly slammed with her hands onto the table, startling everyone.
"WILL YOU SHUT UP?!"
Everyone went silent and looked surprised at the princess.
Elsa took a deep breath and glared at the men. "You two need to stop this...Hans, we can discuss this all later. If you want to have some word over some of these 'minor' things, then that's good. But for now we should focus on telling the public. I am going to gather everyone and tell them in the morning."
Hans smiled at her. "Yeah...sure...I'm sorry for lashing out, sweetheart."
The council man sighed again. "I'm sorry too..."
"Good." Elsa stopped glaring and she smiled a little again. "Then, we should all get a little bit of sleep...otherwise I'll look horrible in the morning."
"Great idea. Tomorrow morning we'll take care of everything and discuss things further." Said one of the councilmen and they all left the room.
Elsa was about to leave the room too when Hans suddenly grabbed her hand. She turned around and saw that he was looking at her with a frown.
"Hans...is something wrong?"
"I was thinking...maybe it's a good idea to let everyone know about your powers?"
"No..." Elsa pulled her hand back. "They will hate me if they find out."
"But what if they find out on a much worser moment?"
"If I tell them while I'm also telling him about my father's dead, then it will really be a bad moment...I can't do it. Not tomorrow-morning, not tomorrow-evening...I will tell them another day!"
Elsa turned around and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Hans groaned and kicked against the table. He kicked again and again...and then suddenly stopped. He then closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
Anna...
Hey...wake up...
She could hear a faint voice. Who could it be? Her mother? It did sound familiar...but her mother was long dead...it couldn't be...
"HANNAH! WAKE UP!"
She opened her eyes and saw Gerda's face in front of her.
"Whoa!" Hannah almost fell out of her bed. "What the...I was sleeping!" She glanced at the clock. "It's seven am in the morning..."
"Kai is here."
Hannah looked confused at Gerda. "Kai? What for?"
"For you." Gerda smiled softly at her. "Come on, get dressed. We are going with him to the princess's announcement."
"Announcement?" Hannah stood up and walked to her dresser. She pulled a brown dress from the closet and started to dress. "What happened?"
"Well...Kai already told me..."
"Hm?"
"Your father has died."
Hannah stopped dressing herself. The dress was loosely hanging over her hips. She slowly turned around to face Gerda with wide eyes.
"Wait, what?!"
"King Agdar..." Gerda put her hands in front of her back. "Your father...has been assassinated. He died yesterday night."
"Yesterday...when I was sleeping...he died?"
"Yeah...I'm so sorry, Hannah."
Hannah held her hand up. "Nah, it's fine. I...I never got close with him...but Elsa did...how is she doing?"
"The princess? Fine, I guess. I mean, why do you care? Don't you hate her?"
Hannah sighed. She pulled her dress further up and pulled the straps of her dress over her shoulders. She grabbed a scrunchy from the makeup table and put her hair up in a ponytail. She then put a little bit of eye make up on.
"Hannah?" Gerda asked.
"Uhm...yeah...I...let's just go...we need to hear what the princess and that Hans-guy have to say."
Gerda nodded silently and opened the door for her.
The whole kingdom gathered together on the town square. Elsa, Hans, Jack and the guards were standing up on a set up stage made from wood. Hannah, Gerda and Kai just arrived. Kai excused himself and walked onto the stage as well. Hannah and Gerda moved forward to see what was happening.
"Why are we all here?!" One man in the crowd yelled and a few others yelled too.
A guard stepped forward and spoke up. "Princess Elsa is about to speak up, so I request of you to be quiet. This wil be important!"
Everyone immediately went quiet. Elsa stepped forward. She immediately told the guard to step back. The man did so and Elsa decided to speak up to the people of Arendelle.
"Dear citizens..." Elsa clenched her fist. "I am regretting to inform you that king Agdar has passed away."
Everyone gasped in shock. A few men and woman started to talk through each other. Elsa put her hands up and tried to calm them down, but it didn't work, so she just decided to speak further.
"So...I will be in charge from now on. The funeral will be held later today and we shall have a few days of grief."
"A week?!" Yelled a man. "Do we really..."
"Yes!" Elsa yelled, silencing the man. "We do need a few days of grief! Or do you have no respect for the dead?"
The man sighed. "Alright..."
"Good. Now, after the few days we shall have the coronation. If you have any more troubles, then please, feel free to ask me any-"
"Hold on!"
Hans suddenly stepped forward. He stopped next to Elsa with a small grin and clapped in his hands.
"Elsa, you have forgotten to tell something else to your people!"
Everyone looked confused at the prince. Elsa asked; "What have I forgotten? I am certain that I just told them about the funeral, coronation..."
Hannah, who was in the crowd, glanced confused at Gerda. "Gerda...what's happening?"
"I don't know..." Gerda frowned. "But I do not trust that guy..."
Hannah looked back at Hans and then at Elsa. Her sister also looked like she didn't knew what was going on. Just what was going on?
Hans chuckled. "You forgot about one thing, dear."
"What thing?"
He suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly and pulled her arm up. Elsa winched in pain and tried to pull her arm back.
"Hans, you're hurting me..." She whimpered.
Hans laughed a little strange laugh which Elsa didn't recognize. "Oh, do I now?"
"Hey!" Jack walked up to them, ready to pull his sword and get Elsa away from Hans, but Hans was quicker. He drew his sword and pointed it with his free hand towards Jack. Jack stopped in his tracks and froze.
"Not another step." Hans said. He swiftly glanced at the public, who were all looking shocked and worried, and then looked at Elsa. "Honey, how about you show them?"
Elsa knew what he was talking about and shook her head. "No way!"
"Els, come on." Hans pulled her arm even higher, making her wince in pain. A few of the guards took a step forward.
"Prince Hans!" Yelled a guard. "What are you doing?!"
Hans didn't acknowledge them and stared at Elsa.
"Show them what you can do..." He quickly turned his head to the public and yelled: "Don't you want to know why the princess is always wearing gloves?! Ask yourselves this; what kind of princess wears gloves all the time?"
He released her and Elsa stumbled a bit back. Hans chuckled again. The towns people seemed to become a bit suspicious about Elsa.
"He is right." One woman said. "Why would our princess and future-queen wear gloves?"
Another man nodded. "Yeah...it's strange...really strange. We've never seen her without those gloves. And we know that she isn't allergic to anything."
A few other citizens agreed with him. Hannah and Gerda both gave each other a look as they were getting intrigued as well.
"Elsa..." Jack wanted to walk towards her, but Hans still pointed his sword towards him. He gritted his teeth. Damn it all...if he moved then he would die...
Elsa sniffed. "Fine...I'll show them."
The crowd went silent. Elsa moved with her hands. Snowflakes moved around in her hands. Elsa shot it down to the ground and an ice flower grew out of the ground. Elsa stopped moving with her hands and they fell down at her side.
She could see everyone's shock. She also noticed Gerda and Hannah watching her and felt even more shame.
"See?!" Hans yelled. "The rumors were true! The princess has ice powers! Aren't they beautiful?!"
Elsa glared at Hans who put his sword back in his holster. Jack quickly moved towards Elsa. He pulled her up against his chest and put his hand on her head. He glared at Hans who was still grinning.
Hannah stared at the ice flower. Suddenly everything made sense. The ice spike she once saw in Elsa's room, her gloves, Jack being so mysterious about her...it all fell into place...
One man next to Hannah suddenly spoke up.
"There was never any witch...the princess was a witch all along!"
"Yeah!" Another man yelled. "And maybe she killed the king!"
Elsa started to shake a little. She felt like her whole world just collapsed.
The people she was supposed to lead were all against her. And even though Jack was holding her, there was no one who could stand up for her. Her parents were both dead and her sister hated her...
She had to do it herself.
TO BE CONTINUED