Lars introduction post!
..bc he is never mentioned ever in either movie. My explanation/characterization derives from “A Frozen Heart”, but likely strays from canon (as I have made him a bug horse).
also it’s secondary to the art, I mostly wanted to post some pictures
🐎❄️.
Who is this ‘Lars’?
Lars is the third oldest prince of the southern isles, being at least ~14 years older than Hans (5 year gap between children 3 and 4, 10 babies thereafter). He is bookish and the main scholar of the royal family, handling most documentation himself. He has passion for history (being able to recall the full history of the Isles to the first king) and is a bit..socially inept.
🐎❄️.
Why is Lars sympathetic towards Hans?
Growing up, there was a period of 5 years where the queen of the isles was unable to conceive, leaving Lars to face the harassment reserved for the youngest. Not many other brothers had an elongated period where they were the default punching bag, having a new, younger, and less important brother take their place the next year — until the birth of the youngest and final prince of the Southern Isles. Hans would face this torment throughout childhood, festering into darkness.
🐎❄️.
How is Lars less present?
Hans is not Lars’ top priority. Lars becomes engrossed in his current work, be it research or ensuring decisions of the oldest prince do not throw the kingdom into shambles. Lars will also partake in long historic rants while registering little of the real world, of which Hans is the usual audience.
🐎❄️.
What drove the brothers apart?
Lars is a poindexter who, once married to Helga, had a child (eventually children) of his own to take care of. Helga was herself shipped to the Isles like a product to be taken as wife, resulting in a deep resentment from her towards the Westergaard family. Sympathetic towards Hans’ situation, Helga emphasized the importance of Lars being more involved in his daughter’s life — even if that meant neglecting Hans more.
🐎❄️.
How does that all..go?
Bitterly.
Lars, being familiar with their surrounding kingdoms, informs Hans upon the death of Arendelle’s King and Queen that the two had an unwed daughter. If Hans could connive his way through the ranks and ensure he had a seat at the coronation, he could marry and begone of the Isles for good.
After the birth of Lars’ first daughter, Hans continued to slip through the cracks of attention, festering alone with his goal of power and freedom. Hans is less sympathetic to Lars’ situation. Convinced he had one chance to escape, he poured his all into his future role as the Isles’ ambassador to Arendelle.