Frozen: Sacrifice and Forgiveness

La Stella Luminosa

La Stella Luminosa.

Not the most eloquent name for a ship, but he'd seen worse. The Italian words revealed where the foreigner was from, and the vessel was how he'd arrived.

Of course, Leone had already answered these and many more unasked questions without so much as pausing for a breath. Hans hadn't concentrated on the man's ramblings, instead lost in his own contemplations of why this stranger had come to his aid and the consequences of being discovered. Luckily, they hadn't seen another soul since beginning their slow trek. The ex-prince wondered if his new companion had scared everyone off with his boisterous enthusiasm. After all, it'd be foolish to choose a victim who can be heard clear across the harbor.

"Not much of a talker, are you?" Leone commented after Hans let another inquiry pass in silence. Rather than be annoyed, Leone grinned. "You'll get along great with my sister!" He released Hans' arm as they reached the base of the gangplank. "It's too narrow for me to stay beside you, but I'll be right behind you to help you balance!"

Hans considered the possibility that this was all a set-up and he would be ambushed upon his ascension to the deck. Granted, that was a tad illogical, but so was everything else that had happened today.

He must have telegraphed his thoughts — again — since the other man gave his shoulder a reassuring pat.

"There's no need to worry, I promise."

A horrified gasp emanated from above them. Their attention snapped upward to see a middle-aged woman fly down the gangplank, her cocoa-colored irises glued to her target.

"Leone! Where have you been?! Who is this?! What happened?!"

The flurry of questions stunned their guest, but the young man had expected such a greeting.

"Well, I was coming back from dropping off the trash when suddenly—"

"Never mind, I don't want to hear it," the woman groaned, instantly dissuaded by the beginning of the tale. "The least you could do is avoid dragging innocent folks into your messes—" she scrutinized the filthy pair, "—literally."

Leone chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry, Mamma."

His mother sighed and smoothed her maple hair. "Well, I suppose there are worse things than dirt." She studied the two again and shook her head, removing a damp dishcloth from her apron pocket. "At least the Lord gives me the ability to deal with these situations. I had an inkling that something else was going to need washing tonight." She handed the rag to Leone and wordlessly indicated for him to wipe his hands. "Natalia's just finishing setting up a hot bath, and I was about to start a bit of laundry. Go on up, now." She stepped aside while motioning toward Hans. "You first, naturally. Oh, but don't be slow drying off, or you'll catch a cold in the night air."

If it were all a ruse, it was an exceedingly complicated one performed by superb actors. Still, he couldn't help but brace himself as he stepped onto the ship.

Illuminated by both moon and lantern, he was greeted by an innocuous scene. Sheets were strung up between the twin masts and a freestanding pole to create a private area. One linen was pushed aside as a young woman emptied a pot into a large washtub. Her bunned hair was the same shade as her brother's, but her olive complexion was paler than both his and their mother's. She must spend more time indoors.

Hans' steps alerted her to his approach. She looked up anticipatively, but her deep-brown eyes widened in shock at the sight before her.

"W-welcome! The bath is ready." She gestured behind her as she peered at the stranger. "Would you like me to fetch a cool compress?" Her soft voice held a note of concern.