Chapter 2: The Journey Begins

The French dignitary's ship sliced through the choppy waters of the sea, its sails billowing in the wind as it made its way back to the Southern Isles. On board, Hans, the would-be king of Arendelle, paced back and forth in his brig cell, his mind racing with thoughts of his failure and his future. The small, dingy room was a far cry from the grandeur he had once envisioned for himself. As he paced, Hans' thoughts turned to his past actions, and he realized too late that his ambition and arrogance had led to his downfall. He thought about the people he had hurt, including Anna, the woman he had once claimed to love. The memory of her face, her smile, and her laughter haunted him, and he felt a pang of regret. The ship's crew moved about on the deck above, their footsteps and shouts muffled by the thick wooden planks. Hans barely noticed them, lost as he was in his own thoughts. He was a man consumed by his own ego, and now he was facing the consequences of his actions. Days passed, and Hans' mental state began to deteriorate rapidly. He became increasingly despondent, and his pacing grew more agitated. The crew, concerned for his well-being, tried to calm him down, but Hans was beyond consolation. The air in the brig cell was stale and musty, and Hans could smell the sweat and fear emanating from his own body. He felt like a caged animal, trapped and helpless. His eyes scanned the cold, grey walls, and he felt a sense of desperation wash over him. As the ship sailed on, Hans' thoughts turned to his family, specifically his father, King Westergaard, and his brothers. He knew that they would not be pleased with his return, especially after his failed attempt to take over Arendelle. Hans' heart sank at the thought of facing his father's wrath. The sound of the ship's bell tolled through the vessel, signaling the passing of time. Hans lost track of the days, but he knew that he had been on the ship for several days. The journey was taking its toll on him, both physically and mentally. Hans' pacing became more erratic, and he started to talk to himself, muttering incoherent words and phrases. The crew grew concerned, and they started to monitor his behavior closely. They knew that they had to get him off the ship and back to land before he lost his mind completely. As the Southern Isles came into view, Hans' anxiety grew. He knew that he was returning home as a failure, and he dreaded the reception that awaited him. The ship docked, and Hans was taken off, his wrists and ankles shackled to prevent him from escaping. As he stepped off the ship, Hans was greeted by the cold, harsh wind of the Southern Isles. He shivered, feeling a chill run down his spine. He knew that he was in for a rough ride, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to face whatever lay ahead. The ship's crew led him away, and Hans caught a glimpse of his brother Lars waiting for him on the dock. Lars' expression was somber, and Hans knew that he was in trouble. The journey had only just begun, and Hans was already dreading what was to come. The dock was bustling with activity, with sailors and merchants scurrying about, loading and unloading cargo. Hans was led through the crowds, his shackles clanking against the stone pavement. He felt like a prisoner, and he knew that he was in for a long and difficult journey. As they walked, Hans caught glimpses of the Southern Isles' rugged landscape. The rocky shores and sparse vegetation seemed to stretch on forever, a barren and unforgiving environment. Hans felt a sense of despair wash over him, knowing that he was returning to a place where he was no longer welcome. The journey was far from over, and Hans knew that he had to face his demons head-on. He was determined to survive, no matter what lay ahead. But as he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into the abyss, with no safety net to catch him if he fell. Hans was led to a small, sparse room, where he was forced to rest. The room was cold and damp, with stone walls and a narrow bed. Hans lay down, feeling exhausted and defeated. He knew that he had a long way to go before he could recover from his ordeal, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to face whatever lay ahead. The darkness closed in around him, and Hans felt like he was drowning in his own failures. He knew that he had to find a way to overcome his demons, but he wasn't sure if he had the strength to do so. The journey ahead would be difficult, but Hans was determined to survive, no matter what lay ahead.