Hans walked around his cottage looking for something to do. Something to pass the hours until he could see Elsa again. He spent the remainder of the day fixing the disrepairs of the cottage. There were some holes in the wall and ceiling. Finally it started to get started to get dark out. He climbed up to the tree house and observed the palace lights. The lights were all off except one. He knew what room it was. It was Anna's room. Hans sat in the tree house and waited patiently for the light to go out. About twenty minutes later it finally did. He climbed down from the tree house and started walking to the castle.

Meanwhile, Elsa stood in her room getting herself ready to see Hans. She looked upon her reflection. The bodice of her dress resembled Anna's coronation gown. With a little work Elsa had managed to make it dark blue. At her waist was a small ribbon made of pale purple ice. The skirt then flowed down ending right at her ankles. She then unbraided her hair causing long white blond wavelets to flow down her back. Using her magic she conjured up a small delicate snowflake to pin a piece of hair out of her face.

Hans entered the ballroom where Elsa and Anna had played many times when they were little. "Elsa?" Hans looked around the immense room. He then got the sensation that someone was watching him. Oh no! Oh no! If someone finds me here who knows what they'll do to me! Hans thought to himself. He walked cautiously forward. Unbeknownst to Hans, Elsa was standing behind one of the columns in the grand room. Hans' careful stride made her giggle. She quickly covered her mouth, hoping Hans hadn't heard it. He didn't hear the laugh, but he was starting to worry. Where is she? Then from out behind her column Elsa ran up behind Hans. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around his chest and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Not that it was any surprise to her, but Hans had only stumbled a little bit then managed to keep his balance. She didn't know why she did this, but it made her laugh. Hans looked up at her, "Well hi there!" He said looking up at Elsa, who was still on his back. He brought his arms up to support her. It almost looked like he was giving her a piggyback ride. "Hello, Hans!" Elsa said resisting the urge to kiss him again. She didn't want to go to fast. Hans gently set her down.

"What do you want to do Elsa?" Hans asked.

"Well, if we're going to be friends we have to get to know each other, and in order to do that we have to talk."

"Talk about what?"

"Anything!" Elsa said.

Hans and Elsa walked around the throne room over and over again for several hours. They talked about their pasts, their hopes for the future, and little things about themselves: hobbies favorite things, and other random details. Somewhere in all that talking they ended up hand in hand.

"Do you know why Anna didn't know I had ice powers?" Elsa asked knowing it was a rhetorical question.

Hans chuckled a little "Because you never told her?"

"I didn't have to."

"What do you mean?" Hans stopped walking.

"When Anna and I were little we were close because of my powers. I was always using them to try to impress her. She loved my powers and so did I." Elsa started.

"You mean she knew?" Hans asked not following.

"Yes she knew until she was five. Then I made a mistake. One night we snuck out of our bedroom to the ballroom, like we had for countless nights, to play. I would make it snow and we would build snowmen and slide on the ice."

"What happened?"

"One of Anna's favorite things to do was have me blast huge mounds of snow. Each one taller than the last one. She would jump from pile to pile. She would get up high enough to touch the ceiling some nights. On this particular night I slipped on ice and Anna was going to fall so I struck her head with my powers. That's why she had that white streak when you met her. My father rushed Anna to the trolls. They said they could save her, but they wanted to remove all magic even memories of magic."

"That's awful! Why would they do that?"

"I didn't understand it either! My parents told me to stay away from Anna until I could control myself! They fired dozens of palace staff members because of me! They closed the gates because of me! I felt horrible. I spent the years trying to hide who I was. Trying to be anyone but me! I learned to let go but I still feel bad for the people who lost their jobs to this day." Elsa said. Hans saw the ice formulating in her palms. He saw how upset recounting all of this was making her."

Hans wrapped his muscular arms around Elsa's small waist. She immediately buried her head in his chest and shuddered as she began to cry. Hans stroked her hair "Are you okay?" He asked.

Elsa tried to sound convincing "Yes!" she immediately she began to cry again.
"You're tears betray you." Hans said. He held Elsa in his arms a few minutes more. "This wasn't your fault. Your parents didn't see the beauty and grace of your gift! However if your willing to accept it I have a suggestion."

"What is it?" Elsa asked, started to calm down.

"What if you offered those who lost their jobs them back if they want them? It might help you feel better and move on."

"How would I do it? I don't know who all was fired!"

"Ask an older staff member!"

"Actually that's a good idea." Elsa smiled at Hans.

They continued walking throughout the palace. Hans noticed a mandolin in a glass case.

"Wow! This is beautiful!" Hans said in admiration.

"It was my father's" Elsa explained "He would play for me and Anna when were little."

"May I?" Hans asked indicating he wanted to hold it.

"Do you play?"

"I do… a little." Hans said nervously.

"Play something for me, please." Elsa smiled

"Oh alright." Hans took the mandolin and started to play a joyful little tune. Elsa listened for a few seconds Soon she started to dance a little. Hans set the mandolin down and bowed before her.

"May I have this dance Your Highness?" Hans asked

Elsa looked down "Well, I can't dance."

"What do you mean 'can't'?"

"I mean, unlike most princesses I didn't learn to dance. My parents were too busy teaching me to control my powers."

"Come on it's easy! Dance with me Elsa!" He grabbed Elsa's hands. He wrapped one arm around her waist and grabbed her hand with his other hand. Elsa wrapped her remaining arm over Hans' shoulder. They danced around the room to no noise other than the sound of their hearts beating in perfect harmony. Hans dipped and twirled Elsa around. He lifted her and spun her around in the air. Neither of them had been this happy in a long time. As the dance slowed down Elsa put her head in Hans' chest. She noticed there was a small notch between his pectoral muscles the perfect size for her nose. It's like we really were made for each other!

"You better be getting back." Elsa said looking at the clock "It's almost midnight."

Hans sighed "I don't want to leave you!"

"I don't want you to go!" Elsa said hugging him tightly.

Elsa walked Hans to his cottage. "Come back tomorrow night!"

"I thought you'd never ask!"

"It can be our secret!" Elsa grinned.

Elsa kissed Hans on the cheek once more. She wanted more, but she wasn't ready…yet!"

Elsa went to bed and dreamed of Hans, and for the first time in weeks she didn't wake up in tears.