Little Things (Helsa)

The Unwelcome Welcome

(ELSA)

I sat on my horse, Willow, as I watched the harbor. She and I walked back and forth on the docks as I thought of what may happen next. She knew I was agitated, and was trying to distract me from my thoughts as we waited. I wanted to make this exchange as peaceful as possible, as I did not wish to lose trade with the Southern Isles over one man. But I knew I would not back down in my principles nor in my authority in this kingdom. The docks were lined with soldiers on either side of me. I could feel how tense they were as we waited in the setting sunlight. At last I saw the ship coming into the harbor, and as it came closer I glared at it with all my might. The ship finally docked, and a plank was put down for the captain. He walked out alone, and spoke to me.

"Your majesty, my humblest apologies. King Rovan sends his gratitude for returning his brother to him, but has sent him back in exile. Hans is now a gift to you, to do what you will with him so that your people may be pleased. He also sends ten of his finest horses and one thousand pounds in tradable goods."

The captain bowed after speaking, and I told him to rise. I thanked him for coming all this way again, and accepted King Rovan's gifts. I saw a slight smirk at the corners of his mouth, as if he thought I hadn't seen what they were trying to do. My irritation only grew, but I maintained my composure. I then ordered my soldiers to help with the unloading of the ship, and told my captain of the guard to load several blocks of ice in return for all the goods given to us. He nodded and started walking away, but I called him back.

"Make sure the prince is taken down to the dungeon and locked in a cell. I'll decide what to do with him when I've had time to think..."

I turned my horse around and headed back to the castle. I tried to think. So, the King thought he could bribe me into taking care of his dirty work. How dare he. Maybe next time I'll send him one of my guilty criminals and see how he likes it. I wouldn't allow anyone to be executed, no matter what they had done. I did not want anyone else's blood on my hands, especially with what I had put Anna through her whole life. I had almost killed her, and I could not live with the guilt if she actually had died. To order someone else's death would actually make me the monster I feared to be, and I would not allow myself to even consider it an option. Even with Hans, and all he had done. I'm sure now with how things turned out he was regretting his recent life choices, maybe he was also having a change of heart. That was something I'd have to find out for myself. I had been wondering if he regretted any of it, and maybe now I'd have a chance to ask him. He went from being my sister's fiancé, to leaving her to freeze to death in the course of two days. Those are two very opposite extremes, and I'm sure there had to be some train of thought going on there.

When I got to the castle I took my horse to her stable and made my way to the throne room. I looked at the empty hall and I remembered my coronation night. I had been so shocked at Anna meeting a man. I was hoping she'd find someone to be close friends with, like we had been before her accident. I made my way to the front of the room, looking at the throne. My father had always lead well, and had been wise beyond his years. I wished I had his guidance for my dilemma. I sat on the throne for a long time. So Hans was back. How was I going to handle this? I knew my people would want him executed right away, but I wanted to take my time and learn everything I could about what actually happened; I still didn't have all the facts about what happened those few days. I knew Anna and Kristoff had come to visit me, and later I received a visit from Hans and a group of guards. But in between that and everything that happened in Arendelle was a mystery to me.

I knew Hans had been actually helping my people while both Anna and I were gone. For that I was grateful. It embarrasses me now to think I made an oath to protect my people and then immediately after ran out on them. Then again, at that time I didn't know how to control my powers; I thought leaving everything behind was the best option. But Hans had stayed and helped my people. For that I owed him a debt. I would try to repay that debt by helping him live, and hopefully only giving him a life sentence. I hoped that would be the outcome on its own, and I would not have to intervene. I decided I would give Hans a real trial. He would be treated like any other prisoner, and given no special burial if the outcome was death. Yet, I couldn't help but feel bad for him. He had been cast out by his own brother. He would never again see his family, his people, or his land. He might not even be alive in a few weeks. On top of all this, I'm sure he knew it was true. He had no hope, and nothing to live for. That's why I felt bad for him.