Chapter 9:
Ice In The Wind
Weselton Ship, Iceland Sea
January 25, 1844
Time seemed nonexistent as the captives sat in the cell, four guards approached the cell. They couldn't tell if hours or days passed because they were captured with no way to tell what day it was.
Ragnar let out a bored and frustrated sigh as he looked up to the ships design. Too bleak for his custom as his crew sat near him.
Kristoff would occasionally check on Damien to make sure his wound wasn't infected and Hans was chucking nearby pieces of wood to the cells bars to keep himself entertained while he thought of an escape plan.
"You sure its normal for him to be sweating like that?" Asked Kristoff as he turned to Hans.
Damien had been sweating in and out of sleep followed by many grunts.
"He'll be fine. It's good he's sweating because that means his body is fighting off a dangerous fever and cooling himself." Said Hans as Kristoff turned to Damien still concerned.
"Kristoff Bjorgman." Came a voice suddenly as they all turned to follow it. "Stand up." Said the captain of the Weselton guard.
Kristoff's eyes widened at hearing his name but he complied. Hans stared with pressed and alarmed brows.
"Approach the cell door. Don't try anything stupid."
Kristoff did so and the guards quickly unlocked the cell door and Kristoff walked out, only for his arms to be grabbed by two of the guards.
"Hey, Hey! What the hell?!" Kristoff yelled as he resisted.
The captain then shackled Kristoff's hands. "Let's go."
As the fourth guard locked the cell door again, Hans ran up as he turned away.
"Hey! Where the hell are you taking him?!" He demanded.
"None of your damn business, Dane!" Replied the captain as they disappeared with Kristoff.
"Damn it! At least take me instead so I can get the fuck out of here!" Exclaimed Ragnar.
Hans growled as he watched them take Kristoff away.
North sea, near Arendelle
As the two longboats that had fled from the Valhalla quickly skimmed through the waters near Arendelle, The Arendellian soldiers, Hanna's shield maidens, Cassandra, and Bjorn were busy sharpening their weapons and preparing themselves for the fight that was certain to happen once they reached Arendelle. Hanna, however, was still worried about her twin brother and Damien.
"He'll be fine Hanna." Bjorn said suddenly to her. "Hans is smart and tough as nails."
"It's not just Hans that I'm worried about, Bjorn." Hanna replied.
It took a second for Bjorn to realize what Hanna meant. Cassandra stared at Hanna with a curious and concerning expression.
"The Lieutenant is to valuable of a prisoner for them to let die. I'm sure they'll patch him up first."
"Yeah... Maybe..." Hanna somewhat agreed.
Cassandra let out a snark as she looked away as she shook her head.
Hanna looked up to her friend with pressed brows. "What." She demanded.
"Oh nothing. I'm just surprised when it was that you became soft." She replied.
"Cassandra-"
"Save it, Björn." Said Cassandra cutting him off from saying anything. "You're sister is more concerned about an Arendellian than the rest of us."
"Jesus Christ.. Cass!" Exclaimed Torvi one of the shield maidens to try to stop her.
Hanna stared at Cassandra with no emotion as she continued to hear her rant.
"We have a mission to complete. One mission. And some people live and some people die. That's just the way things are. We cant stress ourselves over some Arendellian." Finished Cassandra.
The young Arendellians were quiet and uncomfortable at how at ease Cassandra was about Damien possibly being dead. He was too respected.
"You finished?" Asked Hanna with an eyebrow raised. Cassandra said nothing. "That Arendellian saved my life and the rest of his men from being captured or killed by Weseltons men. Now that may not mean anything to you but to me it shows commitment, bravery and respect."
Everyone was quiet as they heard Hanna speak with seriousness.
"Had it not been for him, you, me and everyone else wouldn't be on this boat away from danger." Cassandra was quiet. "So I suggest you have a little more respect for your ally. Got it?"
A long painful silence followed until Cassandra nodded. "Forgive me, princess. I'm just... worried about Hans is all."
Hanna nodded but Björn knew better. Cassandra was jealous.
He sighed before he looked at the horizon in front of them and his eyes widened.
"Oh no..." He muttered suddenly.
"What?" Hanna asked as she and Cassandra still stared at each other. Clearly both of them not convinced with one another.
When Bjorn didn't respond, Hanna looked where he was looking and she gasped softly. Everyone else on the boat looked ahead and their eye's widened too.
There in from of them was Arendelle and their village was on fire. You could see the once beautiful and welcoming landscape in chaos in front if them.
"Everyone get ready!" Hanna ordered. "This is gonna get messy real fast!"
The soldiers and shield maidens gave a "HAH!" chant all at once to show that they were ready. Even Cassandra.
All the while the boats quickly approached the fjord shore, much faster than normal thanks to Gale's assistance.
Weselton Ship, Iceland Sea
The door to the ship's meeting room was opened and two guards entered first, followed by two more, who were bringing in a shackled Kristoff, who was forced to his knees.
Kristoff growled angrily as he looked up at the guards as they spoke.
"Sir Kristoff Bjorgman, Your Grace. As you requested."
Kristoff looked up and saw the Duke of Weselton standing in front of his quarters windows with his hands behind him before turning to look at him.
Kristoff glared angrily.
"By God! Takes these shackles off at once! Those aren't necessary." Said the duke in his exaggerated usual tone.
Kristoff's glare slowly turned to a confused expression as the guards unshackled his wrist and his ankles until he was free.
They pulled him up to his feet as Kristoff pulled his arms back, refusing to be touched or helped.
"Leave us." Ordered the duke as Kristoff watched the guards bow and one by one leave the dukes quarters.
"I apologize for way they handled you. You must understand we're at war and all-"
"What do you want?" Kristoff asked with annoyance as he cut off the duke.
The duke walked to the large table that was set on his quarters and reached for a small bell.
"To dine with you, sir Kristoff." He raised it up and made the noise.
Immediately and all at once many of his crew came in with all types of food. The trays were full of pig meat, chicken and cow.
They brought glasses of wine and fruits of all kind. Kristoff's stomach growled. He hadn't seen this much food in a while. But his guard was up the whole time.
"Come. Let us dine together shall we?" Said the duke arrogantly as he took a seat on the chair at the head table.
"I don't trust you." Replied Kristoff in a threatening tone.
"Oh come on, sir Kristoff. I promise all this food hasn't been poisoned. See?" Said the duke as he pridefully took a bite of his meat.
Kristoff didn't reply. He only continued to stare angrily and alarmed.
"Fine." Said the duke as he wiped his mouth with a cloth before slamming it into the table. "Well if you're not going to eat at least have a seat so we can chat."
Kristoff growled as he pulled a chair and sat on the other side his eyes glaring into his with his plate of food in front of him.
"Now I'm not gonna ask again. What do you want." Said Kristoff bitterly.
The duke chuckled and shook his head as he took another bite. "It seems you have major trust issues young man."
"Yeah I do." Replied Kristoff with seriousness.
"Well that's a shame. You should trust more people in your life." Said the duke as he took another bite and pointed his fork at him. "You'll never know when you'll need an ally at your aide."
"An ally. Like you." Said Kristoff with a scoff.
"Of course!" Said the duke as he slammed his hand on the table with sureness. "Sir Bjornman I want nothing more than to help a royal family member of Arendelle any way I can. Why do you think I had my crew prepare this dinner for us?"
Something didn't sit right with Kristoff. He knew the duke was up to something.
"However.." said the duke as he raised his glass and took a sip of his wine. "You're not a royal family member, are you?"
Kristoff was silent and his eyes slightly widened as the duke took another drink.
"In fact word is that you and Queen Anna have broken your engagement." Said the duke as he began to cut his meat with a fork and knife.
"How the hell did you know that you bastard-"
"Please Kristoff." Said the duke as he chuckled. "Word travels fast when it relates to other royals."
Kristoff let out a frustrated sigh as the duke continued eating.
"It's a shame really. She really liked you." Said the duke as he grabbed his glass again and moved it in circles. "Then again... she had a tendency to fall for any man who gave her the time of day-"
"SHUT UP!" Exclaimed Kristoff as he slammed his fist on the table loudly making the table shake. The duke didn't react, he simply kept eating. "You don't know anything about her, in fact keep her name out of your mouth you disgusting old man!"
"Yes you're right. I am old but I am also wise. And one thing I would never do is align myself with that backstabbing traitor. I mean who would've ever guessed you and Hans Westergaard would be teaming up during this war." He said.
"You want to talk about backstabbing and traitors? Try looking your ugly self in a mirror." Bit Kristoff back.
"I never hide my sins, mister Bjornman. In fact I use them to my advantage. Just like right now. You dining with me alone." Said the duke as he took another bite.
"Is this the part you finally tell me what the hell I'm doing here." Said Kristoff as he leaned forward and snatched a warm and buttery bread bun from the basket that were full of them.
"I want to make you a proposition, Kristoff." The Duke replied as he sat his fork and knife down on the table.
"What, like a deal? Why would I want to make a deal with someone like you?" Said Kristoff as he took a giant bite of the bread before retrieving another one in his hand. It tasted incredible.
"Because you have nothing left to lose, but a lot to gain."
"What the hell are you talking about old man." Said Kristoff with his mouth full of bread and his elbows up on the table.
"You see this war isn't just a war of bloodshed. It's a political one." Explained the duke. Arendelle has dug itself a trench so deep that it'll be impossible to dig out unless it aligns itself with the right allies. Now to be fair, it was a smart move for Queen Anna to align itself closely with King Soren and the Southern Isles. They are of course the most powerful kingdom in Scandinavia. But at what cost?
Sweden is dominating this war. Not even the great King Soren can deny that. His son Prince Lars is always two steps ahead. Insomuch so that in two weeks time this war will be over and he'll be the only one to come out victorious." The duke explained.
"You act like you're so sure of this." Said Kristoff as he took another bite.
"I only speak facts, sir. Arendelle will suffer if they continue this war. They'll be left with no allies because they'll all be conquered or won't want to do business and trade with a kingdom that'll be left with no resources. Just think about the people. The women and children. Can you imagine him much they'll suffer through this awful winter when their husbands and sons are dead and don't return?"
The dukes words hit Kristoff's core. He didn't want to admit it but he was making sense.
"You're own people will want Queen Anna's head when they lose this war." He added.
Kristoff sighed deeply and frustratedly as he reached for the bottle of wine and drank out of it, completely ignoring the glass in front of him.
"But... if you help me and my men convince Arendelle to surrender, I will grant Queen Anna immunity from her war crimes of breaking her neutrality agreement with Sweden, and give you both a plot of land outside of Arendelle so that you two may live out your lives together as you had always wanted."
"Why do you assume that's what I always wanted." Replied Kristoff.
"Isn't that what you miss the most? The privacy of being your own person. No longer answering to duties or royal protocols. You would have no further obligations to any political or royal party whatsoever." He explained.
Kristoff didn't have a response. He thought about his offer as they rang in his ear.
"And the people of Arendelle will forever be grateful for a humble man such as yourself who was brave and smart enough to make this deal and spare them from utter destruction. And Anna? You will have her back, Kristoff. Together raising your children without any royalty, pressure or wars in the way!" Said the duke.
Kristoff thought long and hard as he ran his thumb up and down slowly on the glass of wine.
"Kristoff. You can finally, FINALLY matter."
Kristoff thought it over in his head. As much as he'd love to have a quiet, normal life away from Arendelle, he knew that if he did this, Anna would never forgive him.
And he would never forgive himself.
"No." Kristoff said as he looked down on the food and finally began to cut his meal.
"I beg your pardon?" Scoffed the duke.
"No deal." He added as he continued eating.
"Kristoff-"
"NO DEAL." He repeated, raising his voice this time.
"Lower your voice, Arendellian!" Snapped one of the guards as he walked in the cabins with another following behind.
The duke raised his hand and stopped the guards from saying anything else.
"It would be wise of you to rethink this through, Kristoff-"
"I have. And the answer is still the same. No deal." He said staring at the duke as he breathed out angrily. "Now leave Arendelle the hell alone. Before I kill you myself with my bare hands."
The guards drew out their swords but the duke once again stopped them again as he stared back at Kristoff with clear annoyance in his eyes.
"So be it then. But know this, Kristoff, once I've conquered Arendelle on my own, there will be nothing to stop me from having your precious Queen Anna hanged by her neck, her cursed witch of a sister burned at the stake, and your little Reindeer pet... Well, I'm sure you can guess."
"You son of a bitch-OW!" Kristoff cried out in pain as one of the guards hit him in the back of the head with the stock of his musket.
Kristoff faced the guards angrily ready to reach out and grab them by their necks but the Duke immediately demanded the guards to stand down and let Kristoff be.
"Throw him back in the cell with the other filth." The Duke ordered as he sat down on his chair again.
The guards then took Kristoff away but not before Kristoff snagged the rest of the bread rolls, his plate of food and a few other appetizers he was carrying.
The soldiers were ready to tackle him down and snatch the food from him but duke shook his head.
"Let him be. It'll be the last meal him and his mere friends will ever taste again." Said the duke as the guards pushed him out the door.
Hans quickly stood up on his feet when he saw Kristoff approaching.
"Kristoff!" Exclaimed Hans as he grasped the bars.
Damien was bandaged up and sound asleep as sweat continued to pour out of him.
They pushed Kristoff inside the cell as he almost tripped over himself with the rest of the food in his arms and a bread hanging from his mouth.
"Kristoff! Are you all right? Did they hurt you? Why the hell do you have all this food?" Hans asked a variety of questions.
"Long story." Said Kristoff as he swallowed the piece of bread and crouched down and set the food on the floor as everyone gathered around.
"Well we have time. So tell us." Said Hans as he and the rest of the men grabbed food to eat. Even saving a plate for Damien when he wakes up.
Arendelle, one hour earlier
"Set up a perimeter around the docks!" Exclaimed general Mattias as the guards and soldiers hurried to guard their kingdom.
Women and children ran to their homes for safety and hiding. Only the brave men stayed behind. Even retired folks, including Mr. Andersen himself from the bakery took up arms to try and help.
And it wasn't just the elderly. Young teenage boys offered to take the sword and help. Many felt more responsible since their older brothers or their fathers were at war.
"General!" Exclaimed Anna as she and Elsa came towards him on top of horses. Elsa was riding Sitron again.
"Queen Anna! I insist you stay inside the castle, it's dangerous!" Replied Mattias.
"This is it?" Said Anna as she looked around her people. "These are all the men we have left?"
"I'm afraid so, Queen Anna. Our best men are all gone." He replied.
There was a long pause of silence as everyone looked around and then at Anna as she pondered deeply of a plan.
"Anna, General Mattias is right. We need to get you to shelter—"
"And I suppose you're going to stay behind aren't you." Anna interrupted bluntly.
"You know that with my powers we might stand a chance. I need to stay behind and help our people." Said Elsa as Anna nodded and agreed.
"Queen Anna please, they'll be here any moment—"
"I appreciate your concern, General. Truly I do." Said Anna cutting him off before turning to look at the rest of her people. "But this is my home. And I won't let anyone bully our kingdom. They'll have to kill me first.
There was a long emotional silence until suddenly the sound of the horns played through the air. The announcement of the approaching ships.
"You're majesties please stay in hiding. That way they don't see you using your powers!" Exclaimed Mattias before turning to the rest of the men. "The rest of you ready your positions. Do not let one Weselton soldier step on our land!"
"YES SIR!" They all exclaimed at once.
Arendelle, Present Time
A viscous battle raged on. The Weselton ships had landed on the shores of Arendelle and the attack began shortly after.
There were barely enough guards and soldiers to depend on. Older men took up the sword to defend their country. As did the young men. Teenagers who had been inspired by their older brothers and fathers who were at war also took up the sword to help on the battle.
They had constructed forts surrounding the shores as the hundreds of Weselton soldiers embarked and charged at the brave men.
"Keep hold men!" Shouted the general as he blocked the sword that was coming down to strike him.
Meanwhile Elsa who had been hiding with Anna summoned her ice, manipulating her ice with her powers as many of the Weselton guards fell to the ground.
But there were too many Weselton soldiers as the continued to press forward.
Anna watching with press brows as she saw her people try their best and make sure they didn't go past the shores. Elsa stood next her as she continued to help the way she can.
But the Weselton soldiers were far too much that at this point no one could keep up with the amount of soldiers.
"Oh God.." whispered Anna under her breath. "We're our outnumbered.."
Elsa quickly grunted as the raised her hands higher and blasted a large ice to the shores creating a large barricade made of ice that blocked the entry.
But she could only do so the men could recover from their injuries.
"I don't know how long I'll be able to hold this Anna." Said Elsa grunting as she continued to hold her hands up. "Just say the word and I'll throw icicles threw them. Although I can't guarantee our men won't get hit too."
Anna stressfully closed her eyes and pondered about the decision. And just when she felt helpless they heard another loud horn.
"Oh God what is it now.. Swedes?" Said Anna.
Elsa squinted her eyes and than they widened when she realized who it was.
"Anna.. look." Said Elsa.
She followed Elsa gaze and there arriving at the shores was Hanna and her older brother Björn with a large number of Arendellian soldiers and shield maidens.
Her eyes widened. She hadn't expected Hanna of all people but she had come, with her eyes starting to glow and her sword drawn out ready to attack.
Even Cassandra and the rest of the shield maidens were assembled behind her.
They jumped off the boats and met the surprised Weselton army in the waters as shields and swords collided with one another.
Now it was an even match.
Mattias quickly gave orders to join Hanna and the Arendellian battalion in the battle.
Blood sprung out in air. The Arendellians fought with bravery to protect their home, their wives and their children.
But Hanna and her shield maidens fought the greatest. They fought in union and Hanna showed how skilled and powerful she could be.
Elsa lowered her arms at last letting the ice wall thaw as she began to throw sharp icicles through Weselton soldiers.
"They're falling back, general!" Exclaimed a young Arendellian.
"Let them run!" Exclaimed Mattias as he stabbed a selection soldier through the stomach before falling into the frozen water.
Anna and Elsa quickly met the army. The Arendellian soldiers cheered and applauded themselves for the victory as Hanna stared at the retreating Weselton with seriousness.
"Princess Hanna!" Exclaimed Anna as she vaulted her horse and jumped off.
"Queen Anna! Queen Elsa!" Said Hanna running to meet them with Cassandra and the general following behind.
"We have to barricade the stores and all the entries of the kingdom. Set up traps and armory at every corner—"
"What are you talking about they just ran away!" Exclaimed a young Arendellian soldier through the dying cheers.
"Trust me they're just getting started. They're coming back any minute with more Swedes and more backup." Answers Hanna.
"Swedes?" Said Anna.
Hanna nodded. "I'm afraid so. My brother Lars has sent them to reinforce Weseltons attack."
Anna rolled her eyes and paced frustratedly in circles.
"How much time do we have left you think?" Asked Elsa.
"One hour at the most. They're going to bring their whole rage with it. We'll be outnumbered again." Said Björn walking forward from the frows of soldiers.
Honeymaren blinked several times before they met each others gaze.
"Than we must not waste anymore time. I'll gather my men and give instructions. As well as send men to ask for more help around the kingdom." Said Mattias.
"Princess Hanna. Where's the rest of the army. Where's Hans?" Asked Elsa.
Anna could see a bit of concern in Elsa's expression but she didn't pay too much attention it when she realized Kristoff wasn't among them.
Hanna didn't say anything. Instead she was silent with her mouth speechless. Her eyes filled with worry.
"Princess Hanna?" Asked Anna now with concern as she stepped forward.
"I'm afraid… they've been captured, your majesties." Said Hanna.
"What..?" said Anna silently as Elsa gasped.
Weselton Navy Ship, Iceland Sea
*CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!*
"Come on, Come on, Come on! COME ON!" Yelled Kristoff as he kept banging on the iron bars of the brig of the ship they were being transported to Iceland on.
Ragnar groaned. "Will you quit that?! Those bars are pure iron, you're not gonna break through them! All you're gonna do is piss off the soldiers on the upper decks!"
"Yeah? Well at least one of us is trying to get out of here!" Kristoff fired back, now starting to slam his whole body into the bars.
"Kristoff, he's right. You're only gonna hurt yourself doing that and that's not gonna help anyone." Damien said as he grunted and held his side again.
"Oh you too, huh?! Well screw you, Lieutenant! I've been harvesting ice for years and have had much worse injuries than a broken arm or shoulder!" Kristoff said Boldy.
Damien's eyes widened at his attitude as Kristoff continued slamming against the bars for a few minutes until he was out of breath. Once he regained his breath he gave a yell and started punching the iron bars with his fists over and over again.
Hans had finally had enough of watching Kristoff hurt himself and stood and walked over to him, ready to restrain him if need be.
"Kristoff, stop! Just calm down for a minute and-"
"NO! I NEED TO GET BACK TO ARENDELLE NOW!" Kristoff exploded suddenly.
Hans actually recoiled in shock, not being prepared for Kristoff to suddenly shout like that.
Kristoff's face was full of anger, but it slowly fell into a face of realization of reality and he dropped to the floor on his knees.
Everyone in the brig was silent. They had never seen Kristoff act like that. Hans turned to everyone else and gave a gesture that told everyone else to look away. Hans then kneeled down to look at Kristoff better.
"What's going on with you, man?" He asked in a quiet tone that only both of them could hear.
Kristoff looked up at Hans, revealing his emotional face with tears building up in his eyes.
"I failed her..." He said quietly.
"Failed who?"
"Anna. I failed Anna. And I know that we're not engaged or even in love anymore, but I want to save her." Kristoff said, his voice breaking a little.
Kristoff laid flat on his back looking like a broken man. "Anna. I want to save Anna."
Hans didn't say anything.
"And I've had dreams... every night ever since we ended our engagement..." Kristoff added.
Hans furrowed his eyes. "What kind of dreams?"
"I don't know... I can't remember... I just know that when I wake up... I've lost something... I'm failing in my sleep... It's all I do... It's all I've ever done... Is fail her... Again and again..." Kristoff said, his voice was breaking much more now.
Hans remained quiet. He didn't know what to say to all that.
Suddenly, Ragnar spoke up.
"Ahem.. I umm. I think we're approaching Iceland."
"Why do you say that?" Asked Damien with furrowed brows.
"Because it just got way colder..." Said Hans as he stood up on his feet and looked out in worry.
Arendelle
"Make sure those booby traps are working perfectly. If you haven't tested them out yet now is the time." Exclaimed Björn as he paced through the civilians and soldiers who were preparing for the second wave of attack.
Through the crowd of busy and rushing people, Honeymaren had been watching Björn for quiet some time. Since he actually arrived which caught her completely off guard.
"Prince Björn, what shall we do with the east wing?" Asked an Arendellian soldier.
"You heard my sister, we have to make sure they're focused on one single area of attack. Insomuch that they won't even think about entering through the east side. We'll have men stationed there to draw them out and continue their "voyage" through the main area of—"
Honeymaren watched as he explained everything so assuring yet firmly. There was no ill intention in his eyes.
She slowly approached him as he continued to read over plans.
"You came back." She said.
He recognized the voice immediately as his eyes widened at hearing it. He turned around to her who was standing about six feet in front of him. Her hands rested to her side.
He smiled a bit.
"It seems I came back in great timing too." Said Björn.
Honeymaren said nothing but nodded as she then looked away and then back at him.
"What do you umm… what do you need from me." She said.
He raised his brows with a smug. "Well.. right now your presence is enough—"
"I'm asking as leader of my tribe." Said Honeymaren cutting him off as she rolled her eyes and shook her head.
He smiled again. Clearly he knew what she was talking about but still teased her.
He took three steps towards her but she didn't move.
"We need more reinforcements where the villagers live. I have a feeling they are going to try to raid the town. We must make sure they don't cause any harm to the women or children who are in hiding." He said.
"I'll tell my people and get right on it." She Said pressing her lips and then nodding. She turned around to walk away.
"Honeymaren." Said Björn as Honrymaren stopped and tuned around to face him.
"I'm happy to see you again." He said.
There was no sarcasm no silly remark in what he said. He looked at her with sincerity and honesty.
She didn't answer for a few seconds but then finally nodded as if she agreed.
"I am too." She said finally before turning back and walking away.
Leaving Björn smiling as he watched her leave.
Iceland Coast
At last, the Weselton ships had arrived at Iceland. Hans, Kristoff and the other prisoners were taken off of the prison ship and marched through the harsh, cold, Icelandic weather towards a large fortress ss the Icelandic guards led the way.
"Is that where they're holding the prisoners?" Asked Damien as he grunted and held his side.
"Yes." Replied Ragnar.
"I hope they're still alive. With how cold it is here, it'll be a miracle if any of them haven't lost any of their toes or fingers to the black." Kristoff said, still saddened from his emotional episode back on the ship.
"The what?!" Damien exclaimed suddenly.
"Frostbite, Lieutenant! I meant frostbite!" Kristoff clarified.
Damien stared at Kristoff dumbfounded.
"Enough. Look, all that matters is whether or not they're still alive." Hans said.
"Shut up and move!" Said one of the Weselton soldiers behind them as he gave Hans a shove.
The four men stopped talking after that. The fortress' gates opened and they were escorted inside as the Icelandic guards ordered them to go inside in their Icelandic tongue.
"How's your Icelandic?" Asked Kristoff to Hans.
Hans made a face and muttered. "Good not great.."
Kristoff sighed. "Well that's just fantastic.."
They were moved down further into the Fortress where the prison cells were.
Once they were in the prison, they were taken to a large cell by the Icelandic guards and were forced into it once it was opened up.
Once the last prisoner was in, the doors were slammed shut and locked.
"DAMN IT!" Shouted Hans, colliding his fist against the cell door.
"Uh... Hans?" Kristoff said.
"What?" Hans asked as he turned to Kristoff and his eyes widened at what he saw.
There, on the other side of the cell, were all the soldiers, both Arendellian and Southern Isles, who had been taken prisoner by Sweden. They were all freezing and battered, and some of them had, indeed, got hit with frostbite. But they were still alive and all looking at the new arrivals.
"Well, At least we know they're alive." Said Damien.
"Yeah. But for how long.." Said Hans worriedly.
Stockholm Castle, Sweden
In the castle's banquet hall, Lars and Judith sat in their usual spots at one end of the large, long table, while Kaleb and his brothers were seated at the other end across from them.
"This is very good food, Lars. We appreciate your hospitality." Kaleb said as he wiped his mouth.
"Do not underestimate me, Kaleb. I could have you all beheaded if I wanted to."
"But you wouldn't do that, would you, brother?" Kaleb taunted.
"No, but I would." Replied Judith, threateningly.
"Judith.." said Franz. We came here today, in good faith, hoping we could end this war before it gets worse."
"In good faith'?! You think you just pretend to be the good guys here after you invaded my country, burned our storehouses, killed more than a thousand of our soldiers, and traumatized my own daughter?!" Judith snapped.
"Judith, please..." Lars said, trying to calm his wife. "We must be diplomatic."
"Diplomatic?! After everything they've done?!"
Just then a door opened and a messenger ran in.
"I made it clear that I wanted no disturbances!" Lars scolded.
"Forgive the intrusion, your highness! But I bring news from the Duke of Weselton!" The messenger said.
Lars' eyes widened as his brothers murmured.
"Why am I not surprised you let that old snake join forces with you?" Kaleb said with sarcasm and dark chuckle.
"Silence, Kaleb. Well soldier, tell us, what message do you bring?" Lars said.
"He says he has captured most of the soldiers in Prince Bjorn and Princess Hanna's group, who were heading towards Iceland on a Pirate ship." Said the messenger with a concerned tone.
"Iceland?" Kaleb asked.
"Pirates?!" Exclaimed Judith.
"What do you mean 'most of them'?" Lars asked.
"He said he regrets to inform that Princess Hanna and Prince Bjorn, as well as a handful of soldiers evaded capture by fleeing on two separate longboats."
"Does he mention who was captured?" Lars asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yes, actually. Among the captured are Lieutenant Damien Mattias and Sir Kristoff, Queen Anna's Fiancé. As well as former Prince and your youngest brother, Hans Westergaard."
Kaleb furrowed his eyes as his brothers murmured again, while a smirk started to appear on Lars' face.
"Like I said, brother. You're going to lose this war." Lars said smugly.
"What, did you forget that Hanna and Bjorn escaped with some soldiers?"
"Irrelevant. The only place they could head to is Arendelle, and by the time they get there, it'll be too late. I've already sent reinforcements to join Weselton in the fight." Said Lars.
"If only that were the case, your highness." Said the messenger.
Lars' smirk faded. Kaleb sat forward paying full attention.
"I also received news today that Hanna and Bjorn's group already made it to Arendelle and have assisted Queen Anna's army with repelling Weselton's first battalion into retreat."
Lars growled, clutching the arm of his chair fiercely.
"Looks like I'm still in this war after all, brother." Kaleb spat as he stood up from his chair while the rest of his brothers did the same. "Thank you for the dinners, your majesty. But if you'll excuse us, we have a war to win."
Kaleb and Judith growled inwardly as they watched them be escorted out.
"Kaleb.. Kaleb wait." Whispered Franz as he sped up to catch up to his older brother. "But what about Hans? You heard the man he's captured as well. How are we supposed to make sure they keep him alive? What will father think-"
"As far as I'm concerned Hans was only fulfilling the kings orders. And if he dies in combat or in captivity. Well so be it. Not our problem." Said Kaleb darkly as they exited the castle.
Iceland
"AH! Ahhhh!" Screamed one of the Arendellian soldiers who had been captured prior to his homeland joining the war.
"I know! I know it hurts! But it's the only way to make sure you don't lose your foot!" Kristoff said as he wrapped the soldier's foot in fabric tightly.
As time went on, Kristoff, Damien and the other soldiers who were only just captured continued tending to the soldiers who had been in captivity longer and thus were in critical condition. The cold was seeping through their clothes and their skin would be next.
Even Ragnar and his men had begun to help the poor and fragile young soldiers the best that they could.
All the while Hans sat in a corner, wrapping his arms around himself to keep warm.
A short while later, Kristoff sat down across from him, rubbing his hands together to warm them up.
"This is horrible." Kristoff said suddenly.
"Which part?" Hans asked with a scoff.
"The part about how horridly these Icelandic assholes have been treating those soldiers."
"Well, I don't disagree."
"Are we actually gonna die in here?" Kristoff asked, shaking his head.
"Unless Arendelle can fight off The Duke and Lars' invasion force, have enough men to create a rescue siege team, and sail here quick enough, then I'm afraid the answer is yes, Kristoff."
Kristoff sighed, his breath visible in the cold air.
Just then a young Southern Isles Soldier walked over to Hans and knelt down to say something to him.
"Rygterne er sande. Den vanærede fyrste af de sydlige øer ... i kødet." The soldier said in Danish.
(English Translation: "The rumors are true. The disgraced prince of the southern isles... in the flesh.")
Hans rolled his eyes.
Kristoff, not fluent in Danish, furrowed his eyes in confusion. "What did he say?"
"Vi kan ikke stole på Arendellianerne. Vi skal væk herfra." Said the soldier in Danish again.
(English Translation: "We can't trust the Arendellians. We need to get out of here.")
"Vi skal ingen steder snart." Hans finally replied in his Danish tongue. "Så bare hold kæft og hold dig varm."
(English Translation: We're not going anywhere anytime soon. So just shut up and stay warm.)
The soldier growled lowly and spat on Hans feet, making him flinch slightly at the sudden denigration. Kristoff's eyes widened.
"Forræderisk kusse" The soldier said with venom before he went back to check on his comrades.
"Okay, seriously, what was that last thing he said? All I got out of that was the word Arendelle." Kristoff asked.
"Forræderisk kusse." Hans repeated. "It means 'traitorous cunt."
Kristoff's eyes widened again. Hans just hugged himself tighter.
Arendelle
The running became more intense as everyone quickly went to their positions.
"Ready the first battalion!" Exclaimed Hanna and she paced back to the village where the rest of her shield maidens were.
"Princess Hanna?" Said Anna as she walked towards Hanna.
"Queen Anna. We're about ready for the encounter." Said Hanna.
"Thank you for your help, Princess Hanna. I.. I wanted to inquire something with you privately." Said Anna.
"Anything your majesty." Said Hanna as she gently grabbed Anna's arm and tugged her away from crowds so no one would hear their conversation.
Anna took a deep breath. "Kristoff.. how is he. Was he okay? Did he look—"
"I am aware of your engagement ending, Queen Anna. At least I found that out through Hans." Said Hanna.
"Right.. wait what? You found out through Hans?" Said Anna with furrowed brows. How?"
"It's a long story, your majesty. But I can assure you Kristoff is doing the best he can. He's a good soldier. Lieutenant Mattias trusts him a lot and has basically become his right hand man." Said Hanna as her thoughts suddenly turned to his last words he said to her.
Anna pressed her lips.
"I know that you care for his safety even though you aren't engaged or together anymore. But he'll be okay. Hans is with him." Said Hanna.
"That's what I'm worried about.." said Anna as Hanna smiled at her.
Suddenly there was a loud horn that came from the shores. Everyone surrounded Anna and Hanna, even Elsa, as they all looked toward the shores where an Arendellian soldier was running up hill to deliver news to Hanna and Elsa.
"You're majesties! They've arrived!" Exclaimed the young solider.
"How many are there." Said Björn who walked through the crowd and gently brushed his arm against Honeymaren's shoulder.
"More than the first wave. About 6 ships." Said the young soldier as everyone gasped and murmured loudly within themselves.
"Okay.." said Anna to herself as she took a deep breath and than addressed her people and everyone else surrounding her. "Okay this is it everyone. The women and children must get to the shelters immediately!"
"Go! Quickly!" Said Ryder as he guided a young Arendellian girl to her mother as the soldiers started leading them through the city and towards the shelters.
"Everyone knows they're responsibilities. Do everything your captains and general say. I will be up in the city to provide as much aid as I can with my magic." Said Elsa.
"This is going to be a long morning. But if we work together we'll have a chance at saving everyone." Said Anna as she looked around her people who surrounded her and looked to her words and leadership.
"For Arendelle." She said firmly. In the same tone her grandfather the late King Runeard would say.
Everyone nodded in agreement and felt inspired.
"Let's go! Get to your stations. First wave with me!" Exclaimed Björn as everyone quickly separated and scattered away.
Björn turned to Honeymaren who was giving orders to her warriors with her Ryder next to her. He saw her and gave a nod at her and quickly followed Ryder as they left.
Honeymaren turned around where she saw Björn a couple feet from her as he flashed a smirk.
"Stay safe out there okay?" Said Björn to her.
"You too." She said as they stared at each other before she turned and followed her brother and the rest of the Northudlran warriors.
Björn turned his attention to the shores where the first wave were assembling and getting behind the forts. Loading their muskets with gun powder and sharpening their swords and spears.
Björn's blue eyes stared into the distance with focus.
Immediately a number of men came out of the bushes and hidden towns and shot arrows at them.
The Weselton soldiers cried as they were hit a numerous of times. But it did not stop the charging enemies as they trampled over those who perished by the arrow.
"AGAIN!" Exclaimed Björn as the men quickly loaded another arrow. "FIRE!"
Again they shot arrows again at them causing several of them to fall down. But once again it did not stop the charging Weselton soldiers.
Björn quickly drew out his sword as everyone else followed and jumped over the barricade as he, the Arendellian soldiers and several citizens both young and old met the Weselton to fight.
The other ships unloaded more men from each side. A large potion of them charged towards Bjorn's army but that's when they were stopped by a giant ice wall by Elsa from afar off that cut them off.
Immediately the Weselton soldiers wasted no time and cut around the wall and passed by a sector of trees but that's exactly where Elsa wanted them to go.
Several darts rang through the air as they landed on the Weselton soldiers necks and faces.
They exclaimed irritated by the darts as several more continued to be fired but they didn't know where it came from.
But by that point it didn't matter. The dart was poisonous and several of them began to fall as their face swelled up and they turned blue and began to foam out of the mouth.
They looked around in panic wondering where it was coming from. Than a loud native call was heard as the trees above them shook.
Honeymaren jumped down, landing on her feet with her spear in her hand and with ease as did Ryder who followed behind and several Northuldran warriors. The men's eyes widened but turned to rage. Honeymaren gave a yell again as they took out their blades and met the soldiers in battle.
The shores were covered with men fighting each other. Björn led the army alongside general Matthias. Honeymaren and her soldiers were not too far away either as they fought near the trees.
His brute strength and leadership showed greatly as he killed many and beat them with his own fists, even slamming them to the ground.
Elsa continued to throw ice towards the men to help but was careful because her people were there and she did not want to accidentally hurt them.
Iceland
The air continued to grow colder and colder. Everyone in the cell was struggling to stay warm. Hans and Kristoff were forced to huddle together to keep warm.
"So... what are you gonna do after the war if we make it out?" Kristoff asked suddenly.
Hans sighed. "I don't know if I'm gonna make it out of this situation this time, Kristoff. I think this is the end for me."
Kristoff was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. "You can't die, remember? You're hard to kill."
Hans scoffed and even laughed a little. "I don't think that's the case this time."
Kristoff got quiet again. "Hans, if I die... I need you to do me a favor-"
"Just because I said I'd die doesn't mean you will too." Hans said, cutting Kristoff off. "I'll get you out of here don't worry—"
"Hans, I'm serious." Said Kristoff. "If I die. For some reason… please tell Anna.. that I'm sorry."
"You're not gonna die kristoff—"
"Damn it Hans, just promise me will you?!"
Hans got quiet for a second as he stared at him and then finally nodded. "I give you my word."
"Thank you." Kristoff said as he reached into his pouch and pulled out the ring he proposed to Anna with and gave it to a confused Hans who took it into his hands slowly.
"Tell her... it always belonged to her... only her..."
Hans was quiet for a moment until he finally nodded and put it inside his pocket.
"So you chose to not accept Weselton's proposal, huh?" Said Hans after some time with a long sigh.
"Hmm." Said Kristoff as he turned to look at Hans. "What did you think I should coward away and let him threaten Anna and Arendelle-"
Hans laughed and shook his head. "You're decisions are only yours to make, Kristoff."
Kristoff sighed as Hans brought up his hands and warmed them up with his hot breath.
"But it was a good decision you made at the end." He added.
They were quiet again with only the cold breeze heard echoing the cell.
Arendelle
The battle raged on and sure enough the shores were filled with warriors colliding shield with swords and guns with death.
Honeymaren was fast as she slid across the snow and sliced a man's throat with her knife before going behind another one and wrapping her string of rock around a man's neck and pulling him backwards before stabbing him in the heart.
But then suddenly a Weselton soldier came behind her and wrapped his large arms around her neck before digging her down to the snow. She gasped for air, punched and clawed as hard as she could but the man's grip grew tighter around her neck.
She tried reaching for her knife but the soldier grabbed it instead and was nearing her eyeball as she tried to hold him off. She even thought for a minute this could be the end.
But then suddenly a miraculously a large arm bigger than the Weselton soldier wrapped around his own neck as he pulled him back and off Honeymaren who quickly rolled over and began to cough and gasp for air.
There in front of her was Björn strangling the man from behind before he snapped his neck clean with his own hands and died on the spot immediately.
Björn tossed the man to the side like some rag doll before approaching Honeymaren and rising her to her feet.
"Are you all right?" Asked Björn.
Honeymaren quickly shook off the question with a fast nod but Björn could clearly see she had almost lost consciousness there.
"Watch your surroundings and stay near me if you have to." Said Björn before handing her the knife back which she took into her hands as they rubbed skin to skin before he departed again and returned to the battle.
Several Weselton soldiers managed to break through the wall of ice and through the barricade of men and headed up towards the village. And a great number of them too.
Hanna was on top of the bridge with a few of her shield maidens as they continued to shoot a rain of arrows at the enemy. She saw them start to make their way up the village as she suspected and planned but than something caught her eye.
They weren't going to the route they had planned for them to go, they were going around. Hanna quickly caught into this and suddenly a rain of arrows was heading towards them.
"SHIELDS!" Exclaimed Hanna as every soldier including her shield maidens quickly raised their shields up to not be hit.
All while the enemy continued to make their way up the village while creating chaos on the way.
Björn sliced a man arm off before stabbing him as he turned around towards his sister. She wasn't in the spot where they had planned. The plan had backfired.
"Hold them here! Don't let anymore go up the village!" He exclaimed as the battle raged on.
"Inform her majesties they must get to safety at once!" Ordered General Mattias before stabbing a Swedish soldier thorough the heart.
The Swedish soldier ran up the snowy hill to do what he was told.
"You're majesties!" Exclaimed the Arendellian guard as he ran towards Anna and Elsa who was continuing to shoot her magic at them. "Weselton has broken through the barricade and are at the village. We must get you to safety!"
Anna looked at Elsa with worry but Elsa didn't hesitate. "Anna, we must listen. Go!"
Immediately they were escorted to safety and away from the approaching enemies. Meanwhile Hanna ran towards her shield maidens who had met the enemy and were in battle with them.
"Cassandra!" Exclaimed Torvi to her as she stabbed a man to death before turning towards her and Hanna. "We're in the wrong side!"
The shield maidens looked at each other with worry.
"What do we do?" Said Cassandra with worried eyes of her own at Hanna. Now all the shield maidens were staring at her.
"We need to think quickly. Hurry let's go!" Exclaimed Hanna as all the shield maidens and soldiers followed her through the battle.
They had to push through the battlefield and escape at the same time. Hanna ducked many times and killed many as they continued to run up the village and towards the main town.
"Separate! It'll confuse then!" Exclaimed Hanna.
They ran in groups through the city. Crossing several neighborhoods, alleys and even through peoples homes who were hiding in fear under the tables.
The Swedes quickly tried to keep up but lost their track. They couldn't keep up with them.
When they finally arrived to the main town square there was no sign of them but there was another barricade stopping them from entering.
They looked around and inspected several markets and buildings but there was no sign of them. In fact it was quiet.
Too quiet.
"Kapten! Där borta!" Yelled a Swede pointing towards behind the other side of the barricade. Which in translation means "Captain! Over there!"
There they saw a weaponless Hanna walking towards them slowly with only a torch in her hand.
"What is she doing?" Asked Anna with pressed brows. "Is she surrendering?"
Even Elsa was confused.
The Weselton soldiers who had made it to the barricade first were angry and shouted as they destroyed the barricade and made there way through, charging at a weaponless Hanna with no backup with her as they yelled while the Swedes followed behind.
Elsa gasped and quicky shot up her hands to send a large blizzard of ice, hoping it wouldn't strike Hanna. But suddenly Hanna very calmly threw the fire stick in front of her as it hit the snow and immediately a large pillar of fire came up and began to burn the Weselton soldiers alive.
Anna watched with widened eyes as the men burned to their death while the Swedes behind them were too afraid to do anything.
They watched as the fire took their comrades with Hanna standing on the other side of the fire staring at them burn alive.
She slowly raised her hands to the air calmly as if she was summoning a beast. And indeed it was, she summoned all her shield maidens as they surrounded Hanna and stood next to her with shield, swords, spears and arrows pointed at the enemy.
She had laid a line of gun powder on the snow.
Hanna outsmarted them.
She dropped her arms and immediately the shield maidens fired arrows and spears at the men in the fire and the men behind them, killing them and injuring a lot of the Swedes as they retreated.
Elsa and Anna were speechless.
When Björn saw this he smiled and turned to his comrades. "FINISH THEM OFF!"
They all yelled in union as they brought their sword down at the Swedes and the remaining Weseltons who were scattering and panicking.
Shortly after it didn't take long for them to succeed. They had all fallen or surrendered.
Björn yelled a cry of victory as everyone else followed and did the same. Even Honeymaren was grinning as her brother Ryder jumped up and down in excitement and shoved her.
Anna and Elsa watched in amazement as Hanna stared at the burning men coldly and with no emotion. Not at all bothered by the sight or the smell of the burning flesh while the rest of the shield maidens also cried in triumph.
Her eyes glowing emerald and beautiful. She had saved Arendelle.
Iceland
Hans and Kristoff were getting colder that they began started to shake from the cold.
COUGH-COUGH!
Kristoff coughed again as Hans looked up with with chattering teeth to see all the other men getting weak.
Hans looked at the Icelandic prison guards walking by their cell, making their rounds as they were warmed up with nearby fire just for them.
Then something came over him. He inspected them, studied them, memorized their movement patterns and started to come up with a plan.
"That's it. I am not going to sit here and freeze to death." Said Hans in between chattering teeth.
Hans then started to stand up slowly.
"W-what are you d-doing?" Stuttered a cold Kristoff as he looked at Hans as if he had gone crazy.
"Don't know if you've realized, but we're stuck in here." Hans said before he started banging on the cell door with a small pebble he found on the ground. "GUARD! GUARD!"
The sound of angry footsteps grew closer and closer.
"What the hell are you doing!" Hissed Kristoff.
"Yeah! What he said!" Argued Ragnar.
Hans turned to Kristoff and whispered to him.
"Pretend to be dead."
Kristoff's eyes furrowed in confusion. "What!?"
"Just do it damn it!" Exclaimed Hans.
He was hesitant but still played along, going limp and closing his eyes.
"This guys crazy." Whispered Ragnar to a confused Damien.
The guards finally reached the cell door.
"What do you want, Westergaard?!" Demanded one of the guards.
"One of my cell mates! I-i think he's dead!" Hans said in a panicked tone, though he was clearly faking it.
"So what?!"
"So get in here and check on him!" Hans replied.
"Forget it! We're not going in there!"
"Please! Please just check on him!" Hans begged.
"And if we don't?! What're you gonna do about it?!"
"Ef þú kemst ekki hingað inn núna og bjargar unnustu Önnu drottningar af Arendelle, mun ég persónulega tryggja að hún viti að þið hafið látið hann deyja!" Hans yelled in Icelandic at the two guards.
(English Translation: If you don't get in here right now and save Queen Anna of Arendelle's Fiancè, I will personally make sure she knows you two let him die!)
The guards eyes widened. They looked at each other and sighed before of them spoke.
"Alright, fine! Move away from the door and don't try anything stupid, ya hear me?!" Yelled the Icelandic guard back in his native language.
"Yes! Yes, please, just see if you can help him!" Hans said in fake relief as he backed away from the cell door.
The guards opened the door and and one of them immediately pinned Hans to the wall opposite of Kristoff's purposefully limp body. Two others were observing the other prisoners while armed with muskets. The one who had agreed to check on Kristoff did as he had said and shook him at first, before checking his pulse.
"Wait a minute, this one's not dead! What're you-"
SNAP!
The guards immediately turned to Hans, who had brutally snapped the neck of the guard who was pinning him to the wall. The guard's body dropped dead to the floor.
"You dirty, lying motherfucker!" Said one of the Icelandic guards with muskets as he pointed his rifle at Hans, prepared to shoot him.
BANG!
But just before he could Hans grabbed the barrel and forced it up so that when the guard fired it, it hit the celling instead. The guard eyes widened and Hans smirked as he ripped the musket out of his hands and started hitting the guard with the butt of the stock.
The other guard was about to shoot Hans as well, but then suddenly Ragnar slammed into him and forced him to the ground, allowing Ragnar to start punching the guard's face repetitively. The last guard was stunned but then reached for his sword, only to find it was missing from his scabbard. His eyes widened and he turned around only to be stabbed by Kristoff.
Once all of the guards were dead, Hans turned to the weak Arendellian and Southern Isles soldiers, who were all staring in shock, including Ragnar's crew and Damien who still held the side of his stomach.
The sounds of several guards on the other side of the prison could be heard making their way over to their cell.
"Hurry! We need to leave! NOW!" Hans exclaimed at all the soldiers.
"Haha! I told you he was crazy, didn't I!?" Exclaimed Ragnar cheerfully as he helped Damien to his feet.
Arendelle
The sound of cheering filled the streets of Arendelle as the both the army and civilians alike celebrated their victory over Weselton and Sweden's joint invasion force. Anna and Elsa walked through the village, watching their people celebrate in yells of victory and tears of relief. They approached Hanna, who was still standing in front of the burning fire she had created to burn most of the remaining invaders.
Her eyes were still glowing deep emerald as she stared into the flames.
"Princess Hanna? Are you okay?" Anna asked as she stepped into of Hanna's field of view.
"Queen Anna! I'm... fine. It's just... how are we supposed to get to Iceland now?" Hanna said.
"Iceland?" Elsa asked.
"Oh, shit, I forgot to tell you, didn't I?"
"Tell us what?" Anna asked.
"Before Hans and everyone else who was still on the ship were captured during the ambush, we were sailing to Iceland. There's a costal fortress in the southeast part of the country. That's where the Arendellian and Southern Isles soldiers who were captured are being held." Hanna explained.
Anna's eyes widened as did Elsa's. "So you think-"
"That Hans, Kristoff, Damien, and the others would be taken there too after being captured? I'd bet my life on it." Hanna said.
"I'll go."
Both Anna and Hanna turned around to look at Elsa in disbelief.
"What?! Elsa, no! You can't just-" Anna tried to say.
"Anna, I'm the only the only one capable of getting there quickly."
"I..." Anna tried to think of a comeback, but couldn't and sighed and nodded. "Okay. When you see Kristoff... Or, if you see Kristoff."
Elsa gave Anna a hug. "Don't worry, Anna. I won't let anything happen to him. I'll save them all, and bring them home."
Elsa pulled out of the hug and then went to the nearest shore and dipped her hand in the water to summon the Nokk, who appeared shortly after.
"Let's go, we've got prisoners to rescue." Elsa said as she mounted the Nokk. "Hyah!"
And just like that, Elsa and Nokk took off towards Iceland, with Anna and Hanna looking on from afar as the rest of Arendelle continued to cheer.
Iceland
A squad of Weselton soldiers who stayed in Iceland arrived to inspect the source of the gunshot with more Icelandic guards that had occurred a few mere minutes ago.
The captain of the Weselton soldiers entered the cell and found it completely empty, aside from the bodies of the four Icelandic guards who had been killed by Hans, Kristoff, and Damien.
The soldiers and guards moved aside and the duke of Weselton walked past them and into the cell with his captain.
"They escaped, sir." The Captain said to the duke.
The duke grit his teeth and grumbled before turning to one of the young Icelandic soldiers
"Captain, show this young man what happens when you say those words to me."
The captain then pulled out his pistol and pointed it at the young soldier, who gasped in fear.
BANG!
The captain shot the young Icelandic guard right in the head, causing his corpse to fall back onto the pile of the four dead prison guards.
The other Icelandic guards were surprised by the sudden execution while The Duke tried to figure out a plan to find the escapees. Just then two other Weselton soldiers ran up to the squad.
"Sir, they've been spotted heading towards the lower levels!" One of them said.
"They're trying to get to steal a ship... Gather all available soldiers and hunt them down!" The duke ordered.
"Yes my lord!" They all said.
Hans led the charge with the rest of the men. Lanterns in their hands and weapons in the other. They were met in the middle of the dungeon with a charging Icelandic guard.
They screamed in fury with swords clashing and fists thrown at each other. Little space with the walls surrounding them.
It was a battle of survival. It even came to extreme measures when a desperate young Arendellian soldier gouged the eyes of a Icelandic guard who screamed in panic as he bled from the eyes.
One of Ragnar's men was injured but still kept fighting.
"KEEP FIGHTING! IT'S EITHER THEM OR US!" Yelled Hans as he continued to punch the Icelandic guard. Kristoff slammed a guard hard before choking him out.
And just as soon as it seemed they were going to get out of it they heard more guards descending down the steps and running towards them but this time with Weselton soldiers.
They were a larger number this time.
Hans looked up at them and breathed heavily. It wasn't going to stop. But they had to continue to fight until their last breath. He looked back at Damien, Ragnar and Kristoff who looked at Hans with the same expression.
Hans grabbed a sword from the ground and held it with his two hands. Ready to strike all of them down as were the rest of the men until suddenly they heard a strong breeze in the wind. So loud and unique it's sound that it even grabbed the attention of the charging Weseltons and Icelanders as they stopped charging at them.
They all looked at each other and around at the mysterious noise.
"Go check!" Commanded the Weselton captain as several men went outside.
"Captain, come!" Exclaimed the soldier.
Soon enough everyone headed outside. Even Hans and the rest of the men who slowly followed behind but also cautious at the same time in case they were pulling a trick.
The blizzard was strong that the cold felt even sharper than before but it also felt different. Like no other blizzard they've come across before.
The guards look around for any sign of humans but no one was seen anywhere. Hans and the others peaked over the stairs towards the great blizzard at that unique sound.
"See anything?" Asked Ragnar but Hans couldn't answer because he couldn't find anything or anyone.
The Weseltons and Icelanders kept looking around as they took slow steps into the crunchy snow when suddenly the captain saw a mysterious figure standing within the trees several miles away.
As he got closer he could slowly see the shadowy figure of a person more clearly yet couldn't see their face, skin tone or anything for that matter. But they did see long hair blowing where the blizzard went.
Hans then saw it too. He slowly rose up with wide eyes as did Kristoff who was standing behind him.
Hans knew exactly who that was.
The captain took one more step and stopped. Even his heart sank at that moment when he realized who it was that was truly in front of him.
It was a women. He could see it now. Her curves naturally showing off and her hair smooth and waving in the wind. But it wasn't just any woman. It was the most feared woman in all of Scandinavia.
"Elsa…" Said Kristoff with wide eyes.
The legendary snow queen who all kingdoms spoke about stood in front of them, just 10 feet away from them. Her gaze was cold. Serious and cold.
She had no expression yet her eyes were glowing icy blue. The iciest blue Hans had ever seen. Her blonde hair almost looked white and her dress was an absolute pure white, and could only be described as majestic. The area around her shoulders and arms were see-through, showing the enemy that she wasn't afraid of the cold one bit. Her feet were even bare.
Hans also noticed that in addition to Elsa's own royal necklace, she was also still wearing his necklace with the Lion Crest, which he gave to her.
The sight was enough to actually make him smile just a tiny bit.
"RAGE FIRE!" Exclaimed the panicked Weselton captain as they all began to shoot at Elsa and throw arrows and spears at her.
But Elsa was too fast and immediately countered all the shots with her magic and destroyed it with her magic and she didn't even lift one finger.
More Weselton soldiers started to lineup and soon enough there were about 200 soldiers and 300 Icelandic guards aiming their shots at her and not one hit her.
"CHARGE!" Exclaimed the Weselton captain and immediately all 200 soldiers and 300 Icelandic guards charged at her as she slowly walked forward. The cold wind still blowing viscously.
They screamed in anger and all their might with sword raised in the air and muskets firing at her. She kept the pace until she slowly started speeding up and then suddenly met them in the middle with a viscous right hand.
Immediately dozens of icicles were created by her magic and hit many of the charging men who went down in agony and fell back crying as it pierced their bodies and face with blood squirting out of them.
The others that weren't so fortunate tried piercing Elsa but she Froze their swords and shattered them to pieces before sending them flying with her strong magic to the other side of the snowy mountain twenty feet away where they broke their bones or were injured.
The duke who had been watching from his ship growled angrily in disbelief.
They tried grabbing her and outnumbering her but she handled every one of them, even summoning all kinds of ice from the snowy ground.
Hans and others watched amazed. She was in her element. This was her playground and she was killing all of them quickly.
"She needs our help.." muttered Hans to himself before he turned to the rest of the crew and shouted the same thing again. "She needs our help! CHARGE!"
Immediately all the captured men followed Hans out to the battlefield. Even the Arendellian and Southern Isles soldiers followed Hans out as they all shouted.
They met Elsa in the battlefield as they started to attack the Weseltons and the Icelanders while Elsa continued fighting on.
Soldiers went to pierce her heart and her side but Elsa grabbed both spears with her bare heads and froze them solid before shattering them to pieces. Then she blew them away with her blizzard.
More men came to charge at her but Hans had her back as he fought them off and killed them instantly. Kristoff and Damien guarded the queen as well as they fought off the soldiers.
Kristoff took one of the soldiers shield and started using it himself.
A desperate Weselton soldier realizing they were losing turned to his captain.
"Captain! What do we do!?" He shouted.
The captain looked around. As well panicking until he finally had an idea.
"Ready the catapults!" He shouted as several Weseltons and Icelanders followed the captain up the prison to the roof.
They laid out several large boulders on the catapults before the Weselton captain ordered everyone to stay back.
"FIRE!" Exclaimed the captain. Immediately large boulders shot up into the air.
Elsa looked up at the approaching boulders. She quickly shot her hands up and created large snowballs herself that collided with the boulders in mid air sending them flying to misleading directions.
Many on the battlefield tried to run away from the boulders that were now heading into different directions. Even Hans and the men had to duck and cover.
Some boulders landed on the Icelandic guards crushing and killing them instantly.
"FIRE AGAIN!" Exclaimed the Captain. The Icelanders did as they were told and fired more boulders. This time double the count.
Kristoff, Ragnar and Damien followed but the rest of the men ran towards the trees where Elsa had been standing from the beginning to cover and stay away from the boulders.
Elsa summoned more large snowballs but there were far too many and the battle on the snowfield was still raging on. She hit maybe two thirds of the boulders sending them to different directions but she wasn't able to get the rest.
There were two boulders heading to Elsa's direction she quickly threw her hands up and was able to ricochet one but the other was still fast approaching.
Hans saw this and quickly shoved past several Icelandic guards that were trying to hold him back and ran to her as he tackled her and they rolled out of the way just before the boulder crushed her.
They were one of the few ones on the battlefield as everyone else tried to run away and not be crushed.
He was laying on top of her as he looked up again at the Weselton captain raising his sword up again to order another barrage of boulders.
"SHOOT HIM DOWN!" Yelled Hans to his crew.
One of Ragnar's men reached for a bow and arrow and pointed it to the Weselton captain but a Weselton soldier shot him on the left shoulder instead as he fell back and grunted.
But Damien wasted no time and picked up the bow and arrow and shot the Weselton soldier dead.
"Cover me!" He yelled at the men. They did as they were told as he ran towards the battlefield and pulled out the arrow from the dying Weselton soldiers chest.
He rolled forward and lifted the bow and arrow up to shoot at the Captain who was about to order another barrage of boulders but his aim was shaky and he held the side of his stomach in pain. It was still sensitive.
But he took a deep breath and rose the bow and arrow again. He concentrated again on his target. Took a deep breath and with shaky hands and arms he let go of the bow.
The arrow shot from a distance of twenty feet away and struck the Weselton captain on the throat as he fell backwards and chocked out for air.
With his dying breath he was able to mutter his final words.
"F-fire.."
And immediately the Icelandic soldiers fired one final time.
"Hans! Damien! Elsa! GET OUT OF THERE!" Exclaimed Kristoff.
Damien rose to his feet and ran back holding his side as the boulders were fast approaching.
Hans knew he wouldn't have enough time and so he covered Elsa with his body and held her close as the boulders came down.
Kristoff and Ragnar ran out to the battlefield and grabbed Damien as they helped him back to the trees were the rest of the men were hiding.
They dived forward to safety just before a boulder hit them. Kristoff quickly rose his head up and the final thing he saw was boulders coming down and crushing several soldiers and guards while Hans continued to cover Elsa with his whole body as she hugged him close for safety.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
There were more boulders than ever before and the snow filled the air that Kristoff couldn't see anything anymore.
Hans held her tightly shutting his eyes. Elsa quickly peaked and saw the rainfall of boulders coming down on them. She struck her left hand out while holding her other onto him and created an icicle shield to cover her and him.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Is all anyone could hear. Kristoff waited anxiously hoping nothing happened to them.
Finally it stopped.
The white snow dust and fog finally began to clear up. Kristoff and the men slowly rose to their feet and slowly walked towards the field.
"Hans? Elsa?" Called out Kristoff.
There was blood everywhere in the snow. Men were crushed and spilled into body pieces.
"Queen Elsa!?" Exclaimed Damien who also tried to look for her.
The snow cleared up even more and then that's when Kristoff and the crew found them.
Still in the same position with Elsa keeping her firm and shaky hand up. The ice shield still standing and covering them even if it had a several cracks.
Kristoff exhaled a deep sigh of relief as he hunched over in exhaustion.
Hans and Elsa were breathing heavily as they slowly opened their eyes. Hans rose his head up slowly to meet her gaze as she slowly brought her tired and shaky arm down and rested it on top of Hans broad and muscular shoulders.
They continued to catch each others breath as they stared at one another.
All while the duke growled angrily as he and the rest of his men sailed away in their massive warship.
"What now sir?" Asked one of the Weselton soldiers.
"Change of plans. We'll be attacking Arendelle sooner than we had planned." Said the duke as he walked away in disgust from the view in front of him and went to a hidden quarter in his ship.
He slowly approached the large spinning and glowing magical bomb as it flashed colors of neon and light.