Unforgivable (Helsa)

Chapter Eight

"We lift the lives of those lost in the ambush...we pray for healing for the families who have lost their loved ones for those orphans, for those widowed, and for those who have lost a friend...", the priest says placing holy water over the covered bodies of the victims of the ambush.

Elsa tries to hold it together but seeing the faces of those who were broken, alone, and afraid. To see them mourning the loss of someone they loved broke her heart into a million pieces. But she held onto her sister and brother in law trying to keep herself upright. She needed to be strong for her people.

But she never thought she'd have to do this, a mass grave was something she had never imagined as queen. But it happened and she needs to do everything she can to help those who lost someone, to help rebuild her kingdom and not lose this war. She was going to back down without a fight.

This was her people, her land, and her kingdom. Wirech will not seize her kingdom no matter the circumstance.

After the mourning and burying each body, Elsa went straight to the castle where she began handing out blankets, food, and even let the women and children into her castle to stay. Some people were even kind enough to open their doors and let those who lost their houses stay in the castle.

She had Admiral Jensen guard the seas more now. She couldn't risk another attack or Elsa herself would join in and freeze the ship herself. Elsa went to the ward right after, to check on the people. As she walked down the ward, there were people dying, families grieving the pain of their loved ones, and people crying out in pain. It hurt her to see them like this but when Elsa caught sight of Hans.

He was awake, looking away as a nurse was cleaning his wounds. Elsa stopped for a moment. He looked so weak, so vulnerable. She has only ever seen this side of him once before he masked it with the cold, stoic facade that he carries around.

Elsa hesitated to approach him. What was she going to say? Thank you? She didn't know...she still doesn't trust him. What if it were all a show? And that he's still planning to take over the kingdom and murder both her and Frederic?

"H-Hans", she says, approaching him slowly. He looked up and was about to force himself to stand up but Elsa quickly stopped him. "It's alright. No need to stand up."

"Your majesty", he addresses her. He had that same look in his eye, all those years ago. Elsa hated it and quickly looked away.

"I-I", Elsa stammers. She was tongue-tied yet again. At a loss for words. "Hans...I just wanted to...thank you for saving those lives and for...fighting for my country."

Hans nods with a smile. "It's nothing, your majesty...it's the least I can do after all I've done here."

Elsa nods her head, unsure of what to say but moments after, Hans then asks. "Your majesty, I know what I've done here is unforgivable and that I trespassed into Arendelle but if I may ask, will I be sent back to the Southern Isles?"

"I've not made a decision yet...", Elsa replies, swallowing a lump and Elsa saw the panic and fear in Hans's eyes.

"Alright...", Hans nods. "But if I do get sent back, can you do me at least one favor?"

Favor? Elsa wonders. What kind of a favor did Hans need? She was apprehensive but she was curious and replied with, "alright, what is it?"

"If I were to be sent back to the Southern Isles", he says, the fear in his voice was clear. He was shaking by just the thought of it. "Can you please take care of Helena, my daughter?"

The moment he said that, Elsa froze. She was frozen with shock. She didn't expect that from him at all. It seems to her that he really loved and cared about his daughter and for a moment, she felt her heart ache for him but she quickly stopped herself.