Little Things (Helsa)

A Ray Of Hope

(HANS)

I risked a glance at Elsa once I was walked in. She looked happy to see me going off to court. I couldn't believe how wicked she was. She had purposely played with me to get information and now that she found out what she could she was going to dispose of me. Now I understood why she didn't want me to starve myself; she had used me. I would never trust her again, and I would make sure she would never use me if it was the last thing I did.

I was put in a chair in front of the judge and looked around the court room. There was a table in front of me with a single piece of paper and a pen on it. The judge's stand was very simple-looking but had the feel of power. The walls were covered in designs and patterns. The room was full of people; not a seat left unclaimed. Every single man on the jury looked at me with disgust. Every citizen in the back of the room looked at me with disgust. Only the judge himself held his composure and did not give his opinion away. And yet Elsa still looked somewhat positive about the situation, like it would go in her favor, and of course it would; she was the queen. I had no defense and nothing useful to plead my case. All I could do was sit quietly while others controlled my fate. I started imagining what it would feel like as my wrists were tied behind a post. My feet would be forced to hold up my body on splintered wood. Then the fire would slowly creep up the pile and towards my toes. The flames would start to lick my feet and I could imagine screaming in pain as-

"Prince Hans, are you going to make a case for yourself or not?" I snapped out of my terrifying day-dream and looked up to see an impatient judge giving me a chance at life. He must have seen the look in my eyes and known that I had almost given up. He sighed and started to lift his gavel, but I quickly stood up and said, "Wait!" I looked down at the table in front of me and studied it for a good ten seconds. I took a few deep breaths and noticed something forming on the table. I swear I saw a snow flake in the wood. Was Elsa trying to encourage me? I broke from my thoughts and started talking. I had no plan of what I was going to say or a mental check of points to make. I just poured my heart out and went for it.

"I came to Arendelle to become part of your beautiful country. Most of you will probably think I'm just trying to save my skin, but it's true. I had heard from my people in the Southern Isles that Arendelle had the most trade, excitement, and love from its people. My kingdom was lovely, but my family hated me and blamed me for the death of my mother. It had never really been a home for me. I sought to start a new life here. I will admit, I did court Princess Anna in the hope of still being royalty, but I just wanted to come to this land and live a life worth living. I had considered courting Queen Elsa but then heard she was very quiet and locked herself away all the time, I didn't think I'd have a chance with her. This didn't matter too much to me because I wanted to explore the mountains. Sail through the harbor. Discover your delicious chocolate. Start a family. Then of course, Coronation Day passed and my situation had changed completely."

"Princess Anna entrusted this kingdom to me to protect it. When she did so, most of this kingdom's council believed Queen Elsa to be a monster, and, we all know she is not. They implied that if she were to show up, she should be arrested and put on trial for treason. I had still believed in her innocence at that time, but then Princess Anna went missing. We sent the search party and found the queen. At her ice palace we encountered a snow monster she had created to keep enemies out. Two of the Duke's men sneaked off and later we found them attacking Queen Elsa. She was then arrested. The princess came back, but she was cold as ice. She told me only true love's kiss would save her, and as I was holding her, I realized, I didn't love her. We were good friends at that point. I would have grown to love her, but we had only known each other for two days. I knew I couldn't help her, so I tried to make her suffering short. I played the bad guy because I couldn't watch her die, so I locked her in and left her."

"At that point I knew that Arendelle needed a strong leader, so I decided to step in. And, again, the council suggested that the queen be tried for treason. As far as everyone knew she had technically killed her own sister, even if by accident. So I went after her into the storm to give Princess Anna justice. She wouldn't stop the storm and when I told her the princess was dead she collapsed. I figured it'd be the perfect time for me to just end it; the wind had stopped and she was blinded with sorrow. I felt bad for her though. I couldn't bring myself to do it at first. But then I realized I was wasting my chance to save Arendelle. So, I started to swing my sword. Just as I would have swung down on her Anna showed up and froze right in front of me. I was knocked out and the next thing I remember Anna punched me in the face and I was thrown into a cell and shipped off to the Southern Isles. No one gave me a chance to explain that I did what I did for Arendelle. I love Arendelle and even if it meant I couldn't be royalty I wish I could have lived here all my life. I understand everything looks like I did it for power and greed, but I did it to lessen people's suffering and to help sustain this country."

(ELSA)

I was speechless. Not one sound was heard after Hans finished talking. The judge then asked if anyone had anything else to add before the jury voted. No one moved a muscle. He said, "Alright. Well, if the jury would please go into the deliberation room and vote, we will end this trial."

The room was kept waiting for almost three hours. The jury came out and sat in their seats. The judge asked, "What is the verdict?" A man stood up shamefully and said, "Your Honor, there is a tie. Seven men have voted guilty, and seven have voted innocent." The room broke into chaos. The judge hit his gavel several times to get silence. He sat there for a minute, trying to think of the laws in place to deal with ties. He then suddenly looked in my direction and said, "In the case of a tie of the jury votes the deciding vote goes directly to the monarchy, Queen Elsa." I felt every single eye on me in the room. Except for Hans, who was still sitting in his chair as if he knew what I would say.