The expression of shock that had previously been on their faces—particularly Anna's—quickly gave way to disappointment. Although several years had passed since their last conversation, his betrayal was still fresh in her memory.
"What are you doing here?" Hans and Anna both asked the same question. Was that a joke?
Their foolish "synchronization" was nothing more than a delusion that Anna so foolishly believed in. Anna held the sword with an extraordinarily steady hand, despite her shock.
Hans, on the other hand, could not express surprise at this fact. The otherwise kind princess had punched him, sending him overboard.
"Oh, look who we've got here!" Hans muttered, acting as concerned. The local people looked at him puzzled.
"Do you know these people?" An old woman named Yelena asked Hans, but he didn't find it necessary to provide her with an answer. Even though he should have known by then that he shouldn't ignore the Northuldra leader's requests.
To Yelena, Hans was still the guy who had mysteriously entered the enchanted forest. She accepted him into their tribe, nevertheless, in part because he lacked an army and any secret powers that he could use against them.
Perhaps the other cause was more significant than she herself had thought. Hans appeared to appeal to Cloe, her only daughter.
On the other hand, all these new people. Especially that young blonde woman. There was a mysterious aura around her that Yelena found disturbing.
"The ice gang is back!"
With her hand outstretched to him, Elsa stood next to her sister, prepared and eager as ever to turn him into a detached, emotionless, icy figure.
"Ice gang? Wow, didn't see that coming. That was really witty!" Ryder, a young man among the locals, commented, causing Anna to roll her eyes. Who was he that had the audacity to comment about something so personal?
"Thank you, Ryder." Without averting his gaze from his competitors, Hans answered.
"What the hell are you doing here? How do you always appear on our way?" Elsa asked the former prince, making Kristoff and her sister gasp at her indecent utterance. One thing was for sure. They didn't see it coming.
Hans contented himself with a small smirk before answering her, "I'll make it simple for you. I'm the one who always shows up, and you're the one who always leaves and never comes back. Your sister knows that from experience."
Elsa didn't like the fact that he had the audacity to talk about their past in front of strangers. She wanted to use her powers so badly and had a tone of reasons to use them against him, but a look from her sister followed by a hand on her shoulder told her to give it a second thought. They didn't come all the way here to cause a conflict. What they sought were answers.
Before anyone could register the situation, Hans had grabbed Anna, and by the threaten of her own blade, he dared Elsa to be her true nature.
"What are you doing?" Elsa asked angrily.
"Get your hands off of her at once. You will regret this!" Kristoff said, grabbing a sword from a soldier nearby.
Hans laughed hard at this.
"So, you did find your true love, darling. That's so sweet!" Anna was trying to free herself from his grip only to realize that it was in vain. Since when has he become this strong?
"Don't call her darling!" The blond man yelled at him. He had no idea of the depths of his love for Anna. Hans eyed him curiously.
"I will do whatever the fuck I want, peasant." The locals and the soldiers looked at each other puzzled. They had no clue of what was going on.
"Although he's not that familiar with swords. But that can be taught." He said placing his hand around Anna's throat prevented her from breathing. Kristoff took a step back, not willing to risk Anna's life. That idiot was deadly serious.
"You, bastard. Let go of her!" As he was about to attack him with his sword, Elsa blocked his way.
"Kristoff, please. Let me handle this!" He protested at first, but then he gave it a second thought and realized that Elsa was the one who could finish this pathetic excuse of a prince with ease.
He stood back as Elsa raised her hand, summoning her powers. Soon enough, Hans had to let go of Anna as he felt his right hand numb. He was wincing in pain, and before he could process it, his right hand was frozen.
"She's a witch. She needs to be destroyed." One of the locals screamed at the top of his lungs.
Kristoff ran to her at once, wanting to make sure she was okay. Anna just gave him a nod in return, trying to catch her breath. Elsa was about to do the same, but Hans' next words stopped her from doing so.
"And the best one in her own kind, may I add." Hans said, looking straight into Elsa's blue eyes. It was right then that Elsa understood his intentions. He pushed her buttons because he wanted them to leave the forest.
"Now it's clear how you managed to enter the Enchanted Forest. The remaining question is, What are your intentions?!" Yelena said making her way through her people.
"Of course it is. I mean, look at me. I can express myself verbally." Olaf chimed in, gaining the attention of everyone around.
"Um, what's the deal with this snowman?" Mattias asked in a whispering tone.
"We're not looking for any trouble. My sister and I are here to protect our people and find some answers." Elsa explained calmly.
"Your people? I don't say anyone else around." Yelena explained gesturing around.
"They're at Arendelle, our kingdom and they're safe for now." Anna replied this time, finally regaining her strength and stood next to her sister.
"Did you say Arendelle?" Mattias asked clearly confused.
"Yes, I did." Anna assured him.
"What's your connection with the royal couple?" The sisters looked at each other puzzled. And why were those uniforms so much like those back in Arendelle? Could there be a chance he knew their parents?
"King Agnarr and queen Iduna are our parents." Anna explained.
"That is, were." Elsa added, her face darkening as she finished her sentence.
"What do you mean?"
"You know, my friend, it is not right to ask people you just met about their back stories and traumas, speaking of which, I have a great story of that kind to share with you."
"Not now, Olaf." Kristoff cut him off, knowing that this kind of conversation was better left unsaid.
"They've passed away." Elsa said calmly.
"My condolences!" It was a great loss for Arendelle and Mattias was fully aware of it.
"Oh my God. I can't believe it. You're Agnar's daughters. How could not I see the resemblance in your faces?" He exclaimed and hugged them.
"And you seem quite familiar to me. Oh, of course. I've known you from that portrait in our study." Anna said happily. Someone was on their side, and she couldn't be more grateful.
"I'm so sorry. Where are my manners? Lieutenant Mattias is the name." He finally said, bowing to them.
"But wait, what happened to your parents?"
"I'm glad you found each other, but you can't stay here. This kind of sorcery, that is, your magic is not acceptable here." Yelena announced in an authoritative tone.
"That's correct. This is the part where you leave and never come back." Hans also said, knowing that Yelena and himself shared the same opinion on this topic.
"So that's what you were trying to achieve? Force us to leave?" Anna asked him angrily, unable to hide her emotions.
"Easy tiger, easy. And yes, that's exactly what I achieved. I'm so sorry you have to leave so early." He replied in a sad tone.
"Hans, I've had enough of your nonsense. Now, if you don't want to find yourself out of here, please let me handle this." Yelena's words seemed to have an effect on Hans, as he stood back and simply said,
"As you wish."
"There's nothing that needs to be handled, Yelena. They're my guests, and they will be treated as such." Mattias replied instead of the sisters, taking them by surprise.
"But her powers-"
"I promise not to use them unless I dim it necessary." Elsa cut in.
"Should I be relieved now?" Yelena asked Elsa, not trusting her.
"Come on now, Yelena." Mattias tried to reason with her.
"Didn't you just hear her?" Yelena said, gesturing at her.
"It's ok, mother. Come with me! You need to relax!" Cloe interrupted them, taking her mother by the hand and walking to their tent.
"Where do you think you're going, young man?" Hans stopped walking and remained motionless when Jelena yelled in a tone that was clearly angry. All he wanted to do was head to his tent and consider his next course of action. She walked slowly and determinedly toward him, and when she stood in front of him, the young guy stared at her with a seriousness that filled his entire existence.
"Well?!"
He looked at her clearly puzzled.
"Well?!" He echoed back, in a tone that provoked her anger. Did he take her for a fool?
"Don't you think you owe me an explanation?" He exhaled deeply. This was a conversation he preferred to avoid.
"So who are these girls? And why did they get all flustered when they saw you?" He closed his eyes, his hands shaking into fists. They were to blame for his current situation, for his downfall and humiliation.
"You didn't come across as very friendly. What's the matter?" Determined to find out everything she could about the relationship between these three, she asked him.
"You also don't feel very friendly toward strangers. You probably don't want them to remain here." He said back, turning his back to her. He knew that Yelena was a person who knows how to impose herself, who knows how to extract the answers she needs, who knows better than anyone else the wonders that nature hides. He knew that the leader of the Northuldra did not believe in coincidences, only in tangible, simple elements like nature. This last one he also wanted to know.
"Something very bad must have happened between you two." Hans was well aware of the reason. But since his life had taken a turn for the worse, he was now certain that being honest would not help him.
"You are aware that I dislike being disregarded, Hans. If you continue to behave in this manner, then—"
"Nobody likes each other, ok? There's nothing more to tell!" He answered her sharply, unable to withstand the pressure she was putting on him. His failure cost him dearly, and the sadness and anger were clearly reflected in his eyes. Jelena saw the desperation in his eyes and understood.
"What have you done to them?" This question hurt him beyond explanation. Was that the impression he gave others when they saw him? He made no attempt to hide his displeasure and looked at her with the same surprised look, trying to salvage what little dignity he had left.
"Chief, I know you won't like what I'm about to say, but honestly-" The sudden fall of a trunk caught their attention. Jelena let out a scream of terror when she saw a wave of purple fire coming from afar.
"Quick, abandon your tents!" The Northuldra did exactly as he instructed and grabbed their most valuable possessions and began to run as fast as they could.