Hans' POV
I ran over to where Elsa was standing. The book she was holding was falling apart. I began reading thepage she has the book opened up to. 'Thousands of years ago, there was a witch and a wizard. The wizard had the power to summon fire, while the witch could create snow and ice. The wizard was know as The Fire Prince, and the witch was known as The Snow Queen. The Snow Queen ruled over the north keeping the land cold and frozen. The Fire Prince ruled over the south keeping the land warm and alive. When The Snow Queen traveled, bringing her icy cold with her, to The Fire Prince's land. The Fire Prince, loathing the Queen's cold, tried to reason with her about going back north. The Queen, however, would not. It was then the battle between hot and cold, fire and ice, began and, in legend, created the seasons. Their battle lasted years, and stopped when they could fight each other no longer. The Snow Queen and The Fire Prince, then made a prophecy, when they felt their ends drawing near. The prophecy is no longer known to man, but known to the trolls that live in The Valley of Living Stone in the country of Arendelle.'
I looked at Elsa when I finished. She was standing perfectly still, a skill I never had. "Do you know where the Valley of Living Stone is?" I asked her.
"Yes. We'll go when it's dark, until then you may roam around the castle, or stay here. However, we are having a party tonight and you must show up. Alright?" She replied while walking out of the library. I nodded, even though she wouldn't see the movement.
Elsa's POV
I found Kai where he usually is. "Good morning, your majesty. Why are you back so early?"
"The discussion of trading was shorter than expected. Everything went well, and the first shipment got in today," I said simply. Kai nodded, probably already knowing where this was going. Anna and I had a million reasons to celebrate, some better than others. "So, around midday, could you go and announce to the citizens of Arendelle that there shall be a party tonight, celebrating my safe return and the first shipment of food and cotton."
"Of course your majesty," Kai said, bowing. I walked out of the room, and went to do some work in my study.
~~~~~[<•❄•>]~~~~~
The time for the party rolled around fast. Anna had been ready since lunch, when I told her. Kristoff had come back about an hour ago and was ready as well. I had finished getting ready moments ago. Anna, Kristoff, and I were waiting for Hans so we could tell him the details. He came out of his room looking down at his feet. "Alright so, Anna and I usually begin the party be telling the guests why we're having a party. That's when I'll mention your second chance. Until then, you will be standing mirror image of where Kristoff stands. In other words, of to the right side of the platform where the throne is." Hans nods in understanding.
<•❄•>
We stood at the front of the room, while the guests came inside. I smiled seeing how happy they were, and honestly hoped they wouldn't freak out about Hans. I could already tell a few guests had noticed him, standing as out of sight as possible. When the doors closed, I knew it was time to explain. "Welcome everyone. As you know this party is to celebrate my safe return from the Southern Isles, and the new trading between our kingdoms. However, while I was in the Southern Isles, I saw a well known man, Prince Hans. I decided to bring him back here with me to give him a second chance. Many of you are probably thinking your Queen's gone mad, but I have only given Hans a second chance because I know what it's like to get a second chance. All of you have given me a second chance even after I froze the summer. I hope you will all try to forgive Hans for his crimes." I finished and looked around the room. The facial expression range from admiration to disgust, but thankfully, more admiration than disgust. The music started playing then, and people started talking and dancing. Anna dragged Kristoff onto the dance floor and they started dancing, Kristoff being very cautious, since he still want used to formal dancing.
The sound of someone cheating their throat got my attention. I looked over to where Hans is currently standing close to me than previously. He wasn't that close, but close enough for us to have a private conversation. "You and Anna know how throw a party," Hans says quietly.
I reply with a simple "Thank you."
"So, seeing as I'm the man whose getting a second chance, it would only be fitting if I were your first dance of the night," he says nervously, seemingly afraid that it might be offensive to offer me a dance.
I laugh slightly before replying. "It would be. Only I don't dance."
"Why not?"
"I can't dance," I say quietly, as slight heat rises to my cheeks.
"You can't dance? How about I teach you?"
"Not right now. Maybe tomorrow though."
"Alright."
"Come on, let's go greet some guests," I say almost dragging Hans into the crowd.
Hans' POV
Elsa and I quietly talked in the library after the party ended. It was around midnight when we left the castle. It took a while to get to the Valley, and I wasn't prepared for what I saw.
"Rocks?" I said as Elsa and I dismounted our horses. "Just rocks? Are we in the right place?"
"Yes, no hush," Elsa said rather abruptly before saying with a more polite tone, "Yes, now just stay quiet, and follow my lead." I nod my head in response as I followed her to the center of a circular 'crater.'
"Pabbie, it's me Elsa. We need your help." Elsa said with confidence. I don't know who Pabbie is, and I'm not sure I want to find out. I didn't think anything was going to happen, and was about to make a comment to Elsa, when the rocks started moving and rolling towards us. A gasp escaped my lips as my widened. 'Rocks arent supposed to move.' Not even a moment after thinking that, the 'rocks' unravled, so to speak, to reveal human like features. The troll, I'm certain the rocks are trolls now, that seemed to be the eldest spoke first. "Elsa what is it I can help you with?"
"Pabbie, do you know the propecy of the Snow Queen and Fire Prince?" Elsa asked the troll, Pabbie, while kneeling down to get to his level. I followed Elsa's actions, and knelt down aswell.
"Yes," Pabbie replied simply.
"Could you tell us?" Elsa asked. Pabbie nodded, before turning around and illuminating the sky, creating simple images out of the light.
"It was forseen that a male and female monarch will be born during the sixteenth century. One hailing from the south and will embody fire. The other will hail from the north and embody ice. Both the monarchs shall be considered monsters for their powers to create fire and ice. The monarchs will meet and, despite their differnces, will endlessly proctect each other. It is during this protection that emobiment of fire shall sacrifice their life to save the embodiment of ice. The embodiment of ice will mourn greatly over the embodiment of fire, something most will not understand, along with the beautiful yet dangerous reltionship they share, for fire and ice make something great."
Elsa remains silent for a moment, before saying, "I'm the embodiment of ice, aren't I?"
Pabbie nodded, "You are. If I knew who the embodiment of fire was, I would tell you."
Without really thinking, I removed one of my gloves, held my palm out and summoned a small flame. "I think I know who does embody fire," Elsa says looking at the flame. The trolls surrounding us notice too, and a few gasp. I close my hand into a fist to snuff out the flame. "We should head back," I say to Elsa turning my head to look at her, the woman I'm eventually going risk my life to save.
Elsa nods standing up, "Thank you for the help Pabbie."
"Your welcome, and feel free to visit at any time you can," Pabbie says as we begin walking to the horses.
"I'll visit whenever I have time. Goodbye."
At that Elsa and I begin the journey back to the castle...
