DeFrosted

Chapter 34

(Kristof's POV)

I was awakened by the sound of metal clanking against metal. Visions of the brown haired girl fade as I rise and walk to the window. Down below I am surprised to see that Hans had already assembled the troops. He was down there right now, putting a saddle on his own horse.

Across the room fresh clothes and armor has been laid out for me. I wash my face in the basin and begin putting on the blue and silver Arendalain officers uniform. I furrow my brow at the armor. So many pieces of polished metal and leather straps laid out on the table in front of me. I pick up what look likes a shoulder piece and examine it carefully.

10 minutes and a confused headache later Hans pushes the door open. "Ready yet delivery boy?"

"No..." I grumbled in annoyance, struggling to strap together the misassembled chest guard around myself.

Hans begins to chuckle, but then that chuckle turns to absurd laughter. "Stop that!" I growl. "This isn't funny."

"Oh how you are wrong!" He slaps his knee. "How you are so very wrong. Have you never worn armor?" He questions before remembering who he was asking. "Well no, of course you haven't."

"Lover, not a fighter, remember?" I say in a mix of sarcasm and annoyance. I really didn't feel like dealing with his inflated ego so early in the morn.

"Apparently." He said through gritted teeth.

"Here, let me..." He walks over and begins adjusting the pieces around me. "What are you doing?" I ask in surprise. "Fixing this." He answers like I'm stupid.

"You see the chest plate goes on first, then the shoulder guards." He instructs tightening the straps behind my back. Next he straps a well forged metal plate to my shoulder. "No what I meant was why are you doing it? Why do you care?" I question, still not fully comprehending the fact that this royal was dressing a commoner.

"Because there is no time to fetch an aid. That is all. Just let it go, Ice Boy." He rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Fine then." I shrug. "Thank you... I guess."

"Very well, if you must know..." He sighs after several moments of tense silence. "I cannot very well charge into headlong into battle if the man who is supposed to have my back is to busy clambering around In a backwards suit of armor." He shakes his head. "And you know what they say, If you want something done right..." He begins strapping on the other shoulder guard.

"You know... I've never helped anyone with this before." Hans tells me. "I mean, my older brothers used to do this for me when I was younger, But I've never..." He smiles, reminiscent.

The room is silent as he expertly tightens the rest of the armor.

"I need you to have my back Kristof, as I now have yours. Now I don't usually play well with others, but with whats at stake..." he pauses with a look of worry. "By God am I willing to try." He steps back and holds out my sword to me." His cold eyes, which often reminded me of a venomous snake, now read what appeared to be, blatant honesty. "I can't do this alone. You know you can't either."

He was right. As much as I hated him, he was right. I take the sword from him. I look down at our reflections in the polished metal mirror. With the exception of the different colored officers uniforms beneath the armor, standing beside each other, dressed alike, we looked... Like equals.

"Thank you for your help your highness." I see his slight surprise at me addressing him by his title. "I still don't trust you. I don't think I ever will. But right now I don't have much of a choice. I'm not stupid, I know I need your help. This is me excepting your help. Now lets go save the queen!"

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Sorry for the long wait. Also sorry it's such a short chapter, but I promise the next one will come soon. Quick question, does anyone here draw? Would anyone be interested in drawing this scene, of Hans helping Kristof? I'd love to see it!
-geekpower1-