Hans' Snow Queen

Chapter Two⎮Breaking the Ice

"Welcome to Arendelle," greeted Queen Elsa.

A glittering navy-blue cape trailed gracefully behind her on the grand staircase. Even at midnight Elsa managed queenly elegance. The temperature dropped and Hans remembered another setting. Fjord frozen over...the piercingly cold hilt of his sword held firmly in gloved hands...her crumpled, grieving form...monster...

"I hope you enjoy your stay," continued the real queen. "We have much work to do tomorrow."

Erik began introductions but a snowman burst in on a reindeer. Hans stomach twisted as Princess Anna joined her sister, shadowed by a sheepish, blonde man.

Elsa pointed to each. "This is Princess Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf."

"Hi!" Anna waved and grinned. "Welcome to Aren—oh, did Elsa already say that? Oops."

A late dinner came afterward and Hans was careful to avoid anyone who might recognise him. Fortunately, being disguised as a mere merchant allowed Hans to sit further from the royal family. Elsa brought the otherwise pleasant evening to an end and Erik beckoned to Hans.

They searched for their room throughout lengthy halls. When their breath turned to visible fog Hans knew the queen had followed.

"Prince Erik of the Southern Isles?" A frosted letter shook in Elsa's trembling hands. "How is it that...How did a murderous criminal escape your country?"

"Sorry?" Snow fell. "To which are you referring?"

"Your brother," she snapped. "Hans Westergaard of the Southern Isles. Surely you recall he attempted to take my and my sister's lives."

Hans gulped and studied his brother carefully. Erik rubbed his scarred wrist.

"This is grave news to me. I would discuss it but—" Erik nodded to Hans who lifted their luggage. "If you'll excuse me, Your Majesty. I've had a long day."

"We discuss it now," demanded the queen. Their gazes met—ice against storm.

Erik sighed. "If Hans dares harm this kingdom or any of its subjects, I will be the first to join efforts to stop him."

The Snow Queen crumpled her letter as they walked on. Hans shuddered. He once attempted to murder this woman in cold blood. Now Hans was a fugitive completely at her mercy.

Two days later, an orange sun sank below fjords and ocean beyond. The dramatic light cast long shadows and glittered off Erik's gold buttons. The elder prince unfurled a map of Arendelle and surrounding area.

"Listen carefully, Hans," said Erik. "During your mission, we'll need some way of communicating. I know you may not have...the fire...under control, but you must trust—"

"No."

One look at Erik's scars was all the reason he needed.

"It's the only way."

Hans realised this and relented. "My messages can only reach you if you're by a fire."

"At dawn, I will light my hearth."

Cool shadows replaced vibrant, orange rays in the library. Hans nodded solemnly. "All right. What if something goes wrong? What if you don't answer my messages or I can't contact you? We need a rendezvous."

"Along the way to Queen Elsa's ice palace is the Wandering Oaken's Trading Post."

They examined the map in silence and Erik carefully marked their rendezvous with a red x. The reality of the situation set in with this action.

"How do you plan to conquer Arendelle?"

Erik observed stars forming in a dusk sky through the library's large, diamond-paned window. "We planned it long ago. Before you had even stepped foot here."

"We?"

"A dangerous idea...the daydream of four foolish brothers," continued Erik. "We raised a secret army in the Southern Isles and Arendelle symbolised by a two-faced lion. The only obstacle was Queen Elsa. But you changed that, Aleksander had said. Isak, Magnus, and I agreed."

Anger replaced anticipation. "This is Aleksander's idea. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you would resist being used by him. But you trusted me." Erik showed no sign of emotion, save a slight tremor in his voice. "Finish the mission, Hans, please. Then claim your reward and vanish. It does not matter under whose authority I operate."

"It matters," growled Hans. "What happens if I decide not to obey?"

"I will not clear your charges. You will be a fugitive forever."

Hans knew better than to bluff. "You two-faced bastard."

Erik's impassive facade crumbled as a pained expression marred his handsome features. Hans' brother left without so much as "good night."

As Hans retired on an armchair, Queen Elsa entered the library.

"Mr...Anderson." A book titled with runes was tucked under her arm. "Hi. Sorry for my behaviour a few days ago. I shouldn't have lashed out at Prince Erik."

Hans winced at his brother's mention. "I-It's fine."

"Good, so—are you planning a trade route or just interested in cartography?"

"Neither. One day I hope to tour Arendelle."

Elsa set down her book which resulted in a cloud of dust. "As lovely as it is, the Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and Sauna would not be my first destination."

Hans glanced at the x. They laughed. It felt good after his tense conversation with Erik.

"Where would you go then, Your Majesty?"

"Call me Queen Elsa. I prefer the North Mountain but, unless you like freezing to death, Western Forest is nice this time of year."

Candles all around shrunk to stubs as they discussed landmarks in faraway places.

"Do you leave tomorrow, Mr. Anderson?"

The slightest amount of anxiety resurfaced. "Yes, Queen Elsa. Rather unfortunate. Arendelle is a beautiful kingdom." BzaGF0dGVyZWQgaGVhcnQNClRoZSBzaGFyZHMg

She checked a grandfather clock. "Then you should rest! By the way, have we met before?"

"At your coronation." Which was true. "It's understandable if you don't recall."

Elsa studied him. "Well, I should get going. Nice talking with you. Good night and farewell."

Hans watched her leave the library and predicted their next meeting would not be as friendly. Under the desk his legs rested on a bag packed with food, clothing, and supplies for survival.