It had been three weeks since Prince Hans had arrived in Arendelle under Elsa's extreme hospitality. In that time, he had gotten rid of the formality of a tailcoat at all times in favor of just a shirt and trousers and had tried his best to keep to himself and stay out of people's way. He would take Sitron out for a ride most mornings and spend his afternoons in Elsa's library. On some days, the guards would indulge him in a little sword play for some physical activity. But he did find himself enjoying the moments he had with Elsa most of all. Most days it was just meals because of her busy schedule but there was the rare occasion when she would join him on his morning ride or they would share in a book. While it was just the two of them in the castle, it was easier to keep the mask down but he was undeniably nervous for when Anna returned.
From his bedroom window, he could see the village bustling with activity. They were setting out pumpkins and fall flowers and decorating the whole town. It wasn't just the town that was filled with activity but the castle as well. It was something he would need to ask Elsa about.
Hans made his way down to breakfast and saw that Elsa had beat him as usual. "Good morning, your Majesty," he said warmly as he sat down and helped himself to the food on the table. "What is all the activity about?"
"They are making preparations for our fall festival. It's Anna's favorite time of year so I will not be surprised to see a ship from Corona entering our harbor today. In the village, there are games and dances and some of Arendelle's finest treats. We will be having a ball at the castle tomorrow night as part of the festival," Elsa explained.
Hans blanched a bit at the mention of Anna's return, not expecting a warm reception. "And what am I to do during this?"
"I would hope that you would wish to partake in the festival and the ball," Elsa stated with a bit of confusion.
"I do but I wasn't sure I was invited," Hans replied.
"You are not a prisoner here. You are my guest and I would love for you to see Arendelle's beauty," Elsa told him bluntly.
"My apologies," Hans said with a bow. "If I may be so bold to ask, do you have an escort for the festivities since I'm assuming the ice master will be escorting your sister."
"Kristoff has been requested to come back for the event but I do not have an escort. Most find me dull since I don't dance," Elsa replied.
Hans smiled. "You don't like to dance?" he asked with an idea brewing in his mind.
"I never learned because I was always fearful of freezing my partner's hands," Elsa stated as she blushed a bit with embarrassment.
"I could teach you," Hans offered. "I am quite sure that you won't freeze my hands but you may step on my toes," he laughed.
Elsa laughed. "I'll try to limit the damage I do since I would need you to be able to stand on your own if you are to escort me."
Hans was wondering if Elsa had caught his hint even though he was not allowed to ask. "I would be honored to serve as your escort. That won't ruffle any feathers?"
"I don't care what people think in most cases. I make my own decisions," Elsa countered. "Now, perhaps we should go to the Great Hall for my dance lesson? I will need a great deal of practice."
"As you wish, your Majesty. I am at your command," Hans replied as he stood and formally offered his hand to her to escort her to the ballroom.
Once in the ballroom, Hans walked Elsa to the center of the room to allow the servants to do their work without interruption. "First, you need to stand and face me," Hans instructed as he spun Elsa to face him. "I'll put my hand upon your waist while you put your left hand on my shoulder and your right hand in mine. The waltz is a four-step and I will lead. Just follow my steps."
Hans started to hum a waltz and took a step back to start the dance. Elsa was looking down at her feet at first to try to follow the steps until Hans lifted her chin. "I won't let you fall."
Elsa looked up into Hans' eyes. "Giving up authority is not something I can easily do."
"Well, I am the one who has taken dance lessons since the age of five and the only place I would attempt to lead you now is a dance floor," Hans said as he lead her around the floor since she was distracted. "My job as your escort is to make sure you are at your best. Despite how much I don't want to be second fiddle, I understand my place. I won't let you fall even if you step on my feet all night long."
"I'll provide you some ice afterward to get your swollen feet out of your boots," Elsa joked as she heard the clock chime. "I would love to continue this but I have a council meeting to attend to."
Hans bowed. "Then I will see you this evening."
In the early afternoon, Kai interrupted Elsa in her study to inform her that the ship from Corona was in the harbor.
"Thank you, Kai. Has Kristoff returned from the mountains yet?" Elsa asked as she tried to finish with her papers.
"I was told that he is greeting Princess Anna at the dock," her steward responded.
"Good, that should keep them both busy until dinner. Where is Prince Hans?"
"I believe he is asleep in the library, my Queen," Kai responded dutifully.
"He's asleep?"
Kai nodded. "Yes, my Queen. More often than not as of late, he has taken a nap in the library in the afternoon. It's quiet, warm and hardly anyone would disturb him there. It's happened so frequently lately that Gerda has started leaving a warm quilt and pillow in there for the prince."
"That's very sweet of you and I am sure it is appreciated," Elsa stated.
"A little bit of kindness can go a long way, your Majesty," Kai nodded. "Do you wish us to wake him?"
Elsa shook her head. "Let him sleep. It will give me time hopefully to explain the situation to Anna before they stumble upon each other."
Kai nodded. "And the ambassadors from Corona?"
"I will take their audience in the drawing room. Thank you, Kai."
It was near dusk when Anna and Kristoff returned to the palace. Kristoff had only returned for the festival and then he was back to the mountains for more ice harvesting just after it so they wanted to spend as much time together as possible. They were the first to the dining room, knowing that Elsa was meeting with the ambassadors before they set sail again.
Hans awoke in the library to his stomach growling. He hadn't realized it was so late and he hoped that Elsa was not waiting for him. He ran a few fingers through his hair and headed to the dining room. When he walked into the dining room, Hans stopped dead in his tracks. Elsa was not there but Anna and Kristoff were.
Upon seeing the sight of Prince Hans walking into the dining room, Anna became enraged. She pushed back her chair, strode right up to him and backed him against a wall.
"Princess Anna," Hans said with a bow.
Anna threw her fist as hard as she could into his stomach. "How dare you set foot," she said as she stomped on his right foot as hard as she could with her boot, "in my sister's kingdom," she continued as a hard punch was landed to his nose and as he doubled over in pain, Anna landed a hard knee to Hans' groin which sent him to the floor in agony. "Guards!" she cried out as Kristoff pulled his little feisty pants back.
Hans coughed painfully to try to get air back in his lungs but even the slightest movement made him feel like he was going to throw up. He put one hand over his mouth to try to stave off the nausea while the other was wrapped around his warring and wounded stomach as he curled up on himself. He only pulled his hand away when he felt something warm and wet on it to find it slicked with blood from his now bleeding nose.
Two guards came running into the dining room only to be surpassed in speed by Elsa.
"What is going on here?!" Elsa roared as she took in the scene. Kristoff was holding Anna back and quite literally lifting her off the ground while Hans was on the floor, trying to get to his knees and bleeding.
"What is HE doing here?!" Anna spat as she pointed to Hans.
"Anna, we will discuss this in my study," Elsa commanded before she turned to the two confused guards. "Would you please gently help Prince Hans to his room and make sure his valet is summoned to get him anything he needs?"
"Of course, your Majesty," one guard replied as they bent down to help Hans off the floor and give him someone to lean on to get back to the privacy of his room.
"His room! What is going on!" Anna cried out.
"My study...now!" Elsa ground out.
Anna stomped off to Elsa's study and crossed her arms and turned angrily at her sister. "What is he doing here?" she demanded once more.
Elsa closed the door behind them before she spoke. "He is here at my request and you owe him an apology," she ordered.
"I owe HIM an apology!" Anna screamed in shock. "Have you completely forgotten what happened?"
"I have not forgotten and that is the precise reason why he is here," Elsa said coldly as the room began to frost over.
"Did he not get enough of a punishment in the Southern Isles that you wanted to up it?" Anna demanded.
"Anna, sit down and listen to what I need to tell you," Elsa said in a calm but chilly tone.
Anna pouted but conceded to sit. "Why is Prince Hans here?"
Elsa sighed. She knew this would be difficult. "Have you every heard the expression 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer'?" Anna nodded. "Good. He is here because of several letters I have exchanged with his parents. I informed them immediately about what happened several months ago and they were kind enough to keep me informed about what happened to him. Despite how much it hurt them to do it, King Fredrick and Queen Wilhelmina dealt out justice to their youngest son by sending him to a prison labor camp. His mother wept as he was shipped off and his father was physically sickened by it. They still love their son and they want him back. They begged me to help in finding his redemption and I agreed.
"But why us? Why here?" Anna asked.
Elsa sighed. "I have been reading our parents' journals and in them I found that Hans had come with his parents and two of his brothers when he was a small boy. Both our parents and his said that he and I were inseparable from each other and his parents hoped that memory could be tapped into once more. I requested that Hans be sent here so that I can learn who he truly is and find the means to trust him and hopefully find some good deep down that his parents hope is still there."
"So he's to live with us?" Anna questioned.
Elsa nodded. "Until the spring when he will ship out to sea as part of our Navy."
Anna's eyes widened in shock. "I do hope you're joking."
"Not in the least," Elsa replied. "He is an accomplished naval commander and not only have I verified this with his parents but King Thomas of Corona and Prince Eric of Faroe have both sung his praises. In that case he is a valuable asset and it is in that way he will cement our trust in him." Elsa could see the utter dislike in her sister's face. "Now, I don't expect you to like this one bit but while he is here, he is our guest and will be treated as such. He has been nothing but a complete gentleman since he has been here."
"And if he tries again..."
Elsa smiled. "Hans looks out for himself and he knows with no uncertainty that it is his best interest to stay a good boy because if he sets even one toe out of line, he is back to that prison camp or worse. I have already given him a preview of what could happen to him if he crosses me."
"What did you do?" Anna asked.
"I almost froze his bath water with him in it," Elsa replied with a smile that did not last. "That being said, I am going to go check on him to make sure he is alright. Enjoy your dinner with Kristoff and I expect you to apologize to Hans by breakfast, either privately or publicly. That's your choice but I will know if you have or not because Hans will tell me. Good night."
Hans laid on the bed in his room in utter agony after what Anna had done to him. He had stripped down completely save for a strategically placed bag of ice between his legs and another on the bridge of his nose. His valet had placed a basin on the nightstand next to him which unfortunately Hans did require the use of when the nausea got the best of him. The fire in his room was burning brightly and the warmth was lulling him to sleep when a knock at his door brought him back to full wakefulness with a painful jolt. "Who is it?" he called out as he frantically tried to pull the blankets up over himself.
"It's Elsa," she called through the door. "May I come in?"
He knew damn well that it was futile to say no, especially after the bath incident. Hans pulled the blankets up to the middle of his chest as he laid back on the pillows. "Come in. Forgive me for not standing, your Majesty."
Elsa slowly opened the door, gasping slightly when she saw what had happened to Hans. His eyes both were blackening with the bruising from his nose and she could only imagine what else. "How are you doing?" she asked as she pulled a chair over to his bedside.
"I'd be lying if I said anything less than horrible," Hans replied as he shifted to try to get comfortable. "I think the ice harvester taught your sister a few new tricks."
"I am truly sorry about that," Elsa confessed. "Anna's actions were entirely uncalled for."
Hans reached out for Elsa's hand. "It's by no means your fault. I probably deserved it after what I did."
"Not like that," Elsa countered as she rubbed her thumb gently over his hand. "But I didn't stop her either and that is my fault."
"It had been done and I was on the floor before you had even gotten there. Please stop blaming yourself," Hans told her before trying to hide a yawn. "I'm sorry."
Elsa could see he was tired. "Can I get you anything? Something to eat? More ice?" she asked with a small laugh.
Hans smiled slightly. "I'm afraid I haven't able to keep much down yet save for a little broth thanks to how hard your sister hit me and more ice would be great but I doubt either of us would be comfortable with you putting your hands where it would be most effective."
Elsa laughed. "I meant the bucket," she said with a smile as she pointed to the small bucket filled with rapidly melting ice.
Hans blushed slightly in embarrassment. "That would be helpful. Thank you, your Majesty."
Elsa flicked her wrist at the bucket and filled it with ice cubes. "Get some sleep. We have a ball tomorrow and I wouldn't want my dance lessons to go to waste."