A sigh of relief escaped the queen. A hand over her heart, a smile tugged at her lips. She was safe. For now.
Her head raised to look at Hans. There was something…sad on his face. Elsa made a mental note of it, but didn’t comment. It wasn’t her place to comfort her would-be murderer.
“I would rather like to make myself familiar with your ship,” she said. “I will have my own cloak fetched - if only for your safety." I don’t need a mob as soon as people see me with him.
Hans nodded, willing to allow Elsa a tour on his ship. After all, she was doing much more on her part, allowing him to stay despite the consequences. Not only were they heavy, but they could damage the fragile link between the sisters. Maybe, they weren’t so different after all in family prospects.
❝You might want a very plain cloak. They never attract attention, even when buying groceries.❞ He said, referring to the many trips (not many, but as much as he can count on hand) he had done when replenishing their food source.
“Very well.” Her voice was tight, and she wondered if she had made the right decision. A sense of foreboding settled in her stomach as she looked the prince over once more. “Tell me,” she said, standing from her throne. “How did you even get here without a mob following you?” It was an odd thing - surely the sight of this particular prince would not have been welcomed? Or was there still some resentment against Elsa - one she was unaware of?
❝You’d be surprised at how well cloaks can be used to disguise a face.❞ Hans said with a small smile. It was true, all he had to do was take a cloak with a slightly larger than needed hood. Once he covered his head with it, it was almost as if he was invisible. No one paid any extra attention to him. He was just another empty face amongst many others. Nothing special.
“You said you have a ship, didn’t you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “But should that not suit your needs, there is a tavern in town. I will request they allow you to stay.” How her people would react to him was another story. The queen planned on keeping him a secret from Anna for a while. Until she herself had decided what to do with him.
Hans almost forgot about his ship. It was suitable for a short term stay and hopefully by the time it had outlived its purposes Hans would have already had the Queen and the Princess forgive him. ❝I think it will suit for now, Your Majesty. There is no need for the request. I’m quite sure your people won’t pertain my visit after what happened.❞
Elsa was quiet in thought for a moment. She couldn’t let him remain in Arendelle - not after what he’d done. Anna would be furious with her. She would be furious with herself. Finally opening her eyes, she nodded. “I’ve decided you can attempt your apology, whatever form that might take. But you are not to enter this castle without my express permission, and you are not to seek out my sister. Understand?”
Hans nodded. It was a start at least. It fared much better than having to go back to the Southern Isles and return to face the mocking and taunting. ❝May I ask, Your Majesty, where I rest? Considering I didn’t bring much money…❞ He glanced towards the Queen, hoping to convey as much pity as he could.
“I can quite imagine,” she replied quietly. “To feel unwelcome in one’s own kingdom…is a dreadful thing.” Why was she even still talking to him? She owed him nothing - he was a traitor, a twice attempted murderer. But without him, she would have her sister back, or control of her powers. “Have you a ship?”
Hans nodded. “I’ve already had it docked, Your Majesty.” Unsure of what to say next, he stood, almost regally as we waited for her response. Hans had already expected a no but still decided to ask and to attempt to convince the Queen to give him another chance. It wasn’t like he was going to murder anyone anymore, not after the threat he had received.
“You - what - here?” Elsa stuttered out, a little lost for words, forgetting to correct his informality. Surely she had misheard him. “You must think me mad if you assume for one second I’d even consider the idea of allowing you to stay here.”
"Well, not necessarily here but anywhere that isn’t the Southern Isles. It’s difficult there. Not that you would know, Your Majesty.” Hans said, standing straighter despite feeling a small overwhelming sense of fear if Elsa didn’t even consider it.
“It’s no less than you deserve,” Elsa was quick to snap back. “And I don’t want any apologies from you. Nothing you can say would make up for what you nearly cost me.”
“Elsa, please, I know now. I know what I did was wrong and the punishment I received was fair. But everything’s alright now. You have Anna with you and a perfect life in the court; all I ask is that you offer me the same.”
“I asked what happened to you. Since you’re not exactly looking all too pristine. Next, I will be asking what you’re doing back here.”
“Prison is what happened to me, Elsa. After you sent me away.” Hans replied duly, arms by his side. “I’m back here by orders to apologise. Not that it looks like you need it.”
