Wait…no…please.

Elsa watches with heavily lidded eyes and a mind fogged with frantic desire as her savior disappears - shimmering olive green tail submerging under the white-capped waves before her. She is unable to stop the swirling storm of emotion inside, only escalating as he slips away.

Stop!

She knows she's been brought back from the brink of death, can still feel the icy pull of her own mortality inside her, but Elsa would face it all again to just to have him. Although she's no earthly idea who he is, her mind quickly questions if he might be a nøkken who has nefariously taken the shape of Prince Hans, beautiful and dangerous.

Why did he save me? Why is he leaving me?

Soft songs, just past her consciousness call her to follow him into the sea – to plunge back into the deep abyss that had just claimed her, no sense of danger or threat despite what she's just endured. She would, wander the call of this unknown force, if she possessed the strength to command her body once more. Instead Elsa finds herself helpless, even her voice refuses to cooperate when she tries to call out for her nøkken.

It's like a dream; one that the lucidity of reality is known yet one is incapable of intervening. A strange heat and sense of arousal surges through her, originating from every point on her skin that had been anointed through contact with the bare flesh of her savior; pooling deep in her abdomen and extending down to her toes like a force of magic. There is a terrible ache in her chest, almost worse than drowning - as if her heart has been stolen from her.

Or a hearts heavy burden…

Elsa feels consciousness slip away just as she becomes aware of the sound of boots heavy upon the rocky shore, deep voices bellowing as hounds bay, and desperate cries from Anna –

"Elsa! OH MY GOODNESS! SHE'S ALIVE!" Anna exclaims as she slides to Elsa's side, small rocks and sand shifting to accommodate her presence while she grabs for Elsa's hand and kisses her cheeks, tears streamed down her face.

"Oh, Elsa…that was the most horrible past few hours I have ever lived. I thought you were gone - I thought you were really gone and I feared you had died and I never got to tell you how much I love you because I really love you, and I never got to tell you how much you mean to me and…" Anna gasps, lightheaded having forgotten to take a breath, "…that was the world's WORST birthday. Am I right!? Explosives and highly flammable things on a wooden boat?! Doesn't the Royal Navy know that is not a good combination?! But OH MY, you are here and ALIVE and I don't ever want to have another floating birthday party again because… "

Anna trails off as she notices Elsa staring out at the sea and not looking at her. "Elsa, can you hear me?"

Elsa only blinks, as laborious as the movement is.

"Physician!" Anna yells, drawing Elsa into her arms. "Good Lord, you are freezing." Anna mumbles before shouting for a physician once more.

"The sea," Elsa manages finally, voice thick with anguish and desperation, "He's out there. I need him. please…"

Anna attempts to calm her, smoothing gentle fingers over Elsa's forehead. "I'm here and we're going to get you home – safe."

"Hans," Elsa breathes. The last coherent thought Elsa has as she lets herself go is that Anna sounds terrible as she shouts once more for a doctor with heart-wrenching fear.


Everything's better down where it's wetter was the most asinine statement to describe Hans' underwater prison, in the beginning.

There were certain strict conditions to Hans' punishment for his actions at the time of Queen Elsa of Arendelle's coronation, expectations and boundaries set forth in the agreement between his parents and his grandfather that he was to abide by or risk confinement to a prison cell or further punishment. His time was not to be spent enjoying a tropical, under-the-sea vacation, and that was abundantly clear. It was to be making retribution to Arendelle, to Queen Elsa and Princess Anna for his selfish and malicious actions; defending and protecting what he once tried to take for himself.

Excitement, adventure, danger lurking behind every door…that is if one has the luxury of exploring the ocean, or at least more than the sea that lies between Arendelle, the Southern Isles, and King Triton's castle.

Occasionally Corona.

Hans had been put in charge of patrolling the waterways in and out of the Arendelle fjords, which kept him incredibly busy. Guarding and protecting not just Arendelle's assets, but the sea-life below. "You will spend your time protecting what you once tried to take. One mistake, and grandson or not, I will destroy you, too", his grandfather had threatened, blue eyes turned red as the trident in his hand glowed as well.

Hans excelled at his task – his brilliant mind and keen sense of strategy and logistics finally being challenged in a way he never realized he craved. King Triton grew pleased, exceedingly proud of his youngest grandson who had risen above adversity, and thus over the years, most of these conditions of his punishment had become lax, or repealed entirely. Hans was eventually provided his own private rooms in the castle, eventually merited not just invitations to formal functions, but seating above what should have been his rank at feasts. He was eventually allowed to pursue courtship among the beautiful and highly desired mermaids of King Triton's court (he began to cultivate a bit of a reputation as time went on, certain young mermaids being quite taken with him, offering him their heart to discover he had no intention of returning it).

Thus became his new life.

It had become pleasant.

Except for two conditions: contact between Hans and the surface world was strictly forbidden (necessary to maintain the illusion of his death at sea) and he was to be supervised (to ensure that Hans abided by the first condition). But even the supervision had evolved from teams of guards - merman companions, generally some intimidating goon, to a less traditional ones, ones who could more easily go unseen or be less intrusive in Hans' day-to-day life, until he only required supervision while patrolling alone, as he was the previous evening. Joined by a single companion.

Fisk. A fish. (Hans actually really liked the fellow, a fast friendship had developed as odd as that sounds – friends with a fish, meant to guard him, a reminder of his past.)

So it would have been foolish of Hans to think that what had occurred with Arendelle's flag ship, and his subsequent intervention in what would have been Elsa's demise, would go unnoticed, or somehow not make it back to King Triton.

Hans suspected the reason he had privacy with Elsa during his trip to return her to the shore of Arendelle was not due to Fisk being unable to keep up with his quicker pace, but rather due to the fact Fisk was reporting back, ensuring the news of the accident made it back to the sea king's court (as subsequent talk probably spreading like wildfire throughout). Hans was unsure what to think of that, unsure if his actions would hold positive favor with King Triton – unsure how they would not, trying to untangle his mind enough to articulate himself about it all. Hans was uncharacteristically quiet as he returned to water, finding Fisk waiting for him. And Hans remained quiet as they began their swim back.

Of course, Fisk noticed.

(Fisk, Hans thinks wearily, notices everything. The very reason the haddock was chosen by Hans' grandfather to become his constant companion.)

They swim in awkward silence for quite some time before Hans can no longer stand it, the tension only adding to the uneasiness settling upon him.

"Go ahead." Hans finally sighs. Fisk contemplates Hans instead. Hans resorts to an impertinent gesture to prompt him.

"Hans," Fisk says with mild amusement, "Care to explain what all that was back there?"

"What?" Hans says playing daft, "The accident? I suspect there was an explosion in the storm. Likely caused by improper storage of munitions and supplies. Most unfortunate."

Fisk snorts. "Fine. Then the part after that."

"I would have to understand it myself, first, to give any plausible explanation. Or at least one with any value." Hans gives a faint smile.

There was something satisfying about Fisk's silence following Hans' admission of not knowing what the deuce is going on.

"How about just that last part, back on the shore." Fisk finally says. "Kissing that poor woman like her life depended on it."

"It might have." Hans says. Elsa did seem to become stronger for it, responding to the siren's magic.

"Being a touch dramatic, aren't you?"

Hans had already decided kissing the Snow Queen of Arendelle with reckless abandonment as they laid upon the rocky shore of her fjord was not the wisest thing he had done recently, but had been unable to resist the surge of magic that torn at him, calling him to her in that moment. She seemed to be a very eager participant as her strength returned. He wonders what would have occurred if they had not been so rudely interrupted by a search party. Hans shakes that thought off.

Hans shrugs slightly. He keeps his expression carefully indifferent, "I gave her my breath."

"You're not a siren." Fisk says, finally unable to suppress his laughter. "I distinctly remember hearing you were born with legs."

The truth was a bit absurd, even to Hans. But as he was unsure how else to explain it, Hans simply gives a hum of agreement. Fisk seems to be waiting for further clarification, staring at Hans in that odd way he has.

"How else would you explain the fact she was essentially dead, then wasn't?" Hans asks. "You were there, you saw it happen."

Fisk swims ahead of Hans, turning abruptly to halt Hans and look him in the eye. "You're serious?"

"Quite." Hans says matter-of-factly.

"So you're saying you enchanted her? Have you any idea the punishment for using the siren's magic?" Fisk grunts after studying Hans for some time, "Death, Hans. Merpeople who practice it are executed. Of all the irresponsible, idiotic –"

Hans shakes his head, "I don't understand what happened – I. I just know she's alive, and she's now safe. I owed that much to her."

"You didn't owe anything to her." Fisk says, voice almost a growl, "We don't have responsibility for the land-lovers when they take to the sea - they do so at their own risk! She was just an unfortunate victim of a disaster."

Hans scoffs. Fisk says, "It's terrible, but it is the way of the sea – we can't save everyone."

Hans' disbelief was palpable, "You've no idea, do you?"

Fisk sighs, "That you've lost your mind? You've gone soft?"

"She," Hans pauses as he feels a faint rush of magic once more as he suddenly recalls how she felt in his arms, the taste of her mouth, almost drunk on the vivid memory. "She is Queen Elsa of Arendelle." He clenches his fists tightly, fingernails digging into the meat of his palms as he attempts to contain the swirl of emotion that passes as quickly as it came.

Horror flickers across Fisk's eyes, "You mean. The one…"

"Yes."

"Wait until your Grandfather hears about this – and he will have by now. He's not going to like it." Fisk says, "Not one little bit."

"I don't like it either, if that helps at all." Hans turns away, continues his swim back to the castle. "And I am done talking about."

Hans could feel the magic trying to pull him back to the fjord, back to her. The steadily increasing persistence of his thoughts towards her, he had to admit, was somewhat alarming.

Sleep. I just need some sleep, and I will be fine, Hans thought wearily.

It would be a day later, a restful night's sleep, and things were getting worse. Having been summoned to King Triton first thing upon rising didn't help, Hans trying to explain the accident – how he found Arendelle's Queen and the madness he was now feeling.

"...but grandfather, I gave her my breath. I can no longer control the sun rising than my desire for her. And if I understand the gossip flying around this place, neither can she." Hans says. He feels almost frantic as he paces before his Grandfather, gesturing with restless hands that won't still as he speaks. "She was essentially dead; I couldn't let that happen. I am not the man I once was - I seek no throne, nor power, nor title. I only did what was right."

Hans spares a glance at King Triton, catches the shift in his expression to indifference. Hans hates himself for the passion in his tone as he presses on, trying to silence that look, "And before you say that her death would be seen as one less human to worry about, the moment you put me on patrol and in charge of ensuring the safety of her fjord and her ports she became the most important human to me outside of our family. She is my responsibility to worry about."

Fisk was right. Word traveled fast, rumors flying that Hans enchanted the Arendelle Queen like sirens from prior centuries...

King Triton had explicitly forbid such actions from the time he ascended to the throne, thus those who utilized this power were quickly handled. The courtiers of his court clearly expected a tantalizing scandal to erupt in the wake of the news, King Triton's beloved youngest grandson essentially sentencing himself to death.

"Hans," King Triton sighs. Hans recognizes that tone – it is the same one he uses with the little ones when he's grown weary of their giggles and games, "You couldn't have possibly enchanted her. You were born human. You are in the form of a merman because of my magic. I can't explain logically what happened, but I know you're no siren."

"You can't say…" Hans tries.

"NO. You couldn't possibly possess the magic necessary." King Triton says firmly, anger edging his words. "And even if you had cursed her, you wouldn't be feeling it. So whatever it is you are experiencing, these hormones, it will fade over time. It's nothing real." He shifts on his throne, waving a dismissive hand at Hans.

Hans groans, "Sir, no. With all due respect, I will not pretend that something's not going on. That I'm not somehow bound to her though some sort of magical curse. And what about her? She is probably confused, petrified right now, because of your magic."

Hans knows that it is outrageous to argue with him, but if there is any hope in helping Elsa (and himself), to disperse this magic, this curse - King Triton has to believe him.

"Not my magic, Hans." King Triton was now doing a poor job at hiding his irritation, "No, this was your mess. AGAIN. And I refuse to interfere..." He stops himself, sparing a glance at the courtiers who had made a ready audience. Triton draws a slow breath, softening his expression. "Like I said, this will fade, whatever this is."

Hans gestures, mostly to himself, "This will fade? This feeling that I will be burned alive if I am not near her?"

Somewhere behind him Hans can hear Fisk make some remark about being overly dramatic. The chatter from around the throne room escalates, Hans just now realizing how many had managed to gather.

Great.

The King considers Hans for a moment before declaring softly, "I will indulge you, Hans. You may visit her, Queen Elsa of Arendelle, daily from her fjord, perhaps find relief from being bound."

Hans can hear the humor in his grandfather's tone, faint snickers from the courtiers gathered, but as it grants him the first sliver of hope to find some sort of peace, Hans is not going to protest or demand he be taken seriously. King Triton continues, "But you are not to have any contact with any human on the surface...including her. Agreed?"

Disbelief of what occurred was not the response Hans expected.

"As you wish." Hans replies carefully, with a respectful nod. "Thank you. I shall make leave for the Arendelle fjord immediately."

Hans has no intention of avoiding contact with Elsa, even beginning to contemplate the likelihood of managing to call her to him once more. Perhaps simply being with her, near her like his grandfather has suggested, will end the madness that seems to be claiming him slowly.

As he passes Fisk, Hans directs him to make arrangements to stay in the fjord rather than in the castle.

Fisk nods, "You're going to become troublesome now, aren't you?"

They pass through the maze of halls silently before Hans says, "Define troublesome. We're simply taking a little trip to Arendelle."

"I have had nothing but praise for you since I began working with you. You've grown into an amazing leader down here and I know your Grandfather has been so proud."

"Thank you."

"You have other options, you know. Why don't you just have a little tryst with one of those beautiful mermaids you've stolen hearts from to distract yourself?"

Hans suspects that as time goes on, nothing will truly distract him. Hans frowns, "I. I need Elsa. This stupid curse is driving me mad."

Fisk appears skeptical of the curse part.

"She is beautiful," Fisk says instead, "But there are lots of beautiful ones here."

"It is not simply beauty…" Hans says.

"You can't sell that to me, Hans. I know you." Fisk laughs, "You pick the beautiful ones, not just because you like pretty things – and you do – but because it takes a certain kind of smug self-confidence to hand over your heart to someone and expect to get it back undamaged."

Hans does have a bit of a reputation in King Triton's court.

Hans realizes he needs to change tact.

"Only the pretty ones have that sort of conviction?" Hans manages with a faint smirk, "Isn't that what you've said?"

Fisk has always seemed to have a rather colorful opinion about Hans' romantic interludes, something Hans has found amusing.

"And there were plenty of them back there watching you suffer so artfully."

"It's not an act, Fisk." Hans says, truthfully somewhat offended. Although Hans knows what Fisk is trying to do, trying to encourage him to do the right thing by staying put in the castle, seek comfort in the arms of some mermaid (after all, Hans is a prize, his affections and favor highly sought after – something he could of never imagined in his former life). "And no. I don't want some silly mermaid raised on fairy stories, thinking that breaking curses is easy and painless, thinking that everyone with a pretty face gets a happy ending."

"They are misled by their vanity," Fisk says. "As are you."

"Something like that." Hans grins at Fisk's teasing, "Although I'm likely twice as vain, and just as pretty as them, but I don't go around handing my heart out and expecting to get it back."

Hans mocking words have some truth to them, he fears, and suspects he might have inadvertently given his heart to Elsa when he gave her his breath, leaving him now without one and going mad, and that was part of the problem.

Fisk follows Hans out into the courtyard where Hans pauses to look over at his constant companion. "I appreciate your advice, but you are not going to convince me that nothing is going on, and this will just fade. And I suspect this doesn't just affect me, but Queen Elsa of Arendelle, who has a kingdom to rule and a life to live that shouldn't involve being bound to me by some siren's curse."

"So you are going to be troublesome."

"I agree with my grandfather that this is my mess," Hans says, refusing to confirm Fisk's accusation. "So I have to find a way to break the bond. In the meantime, if staying near her will relieve some of the strain she feels, then that is what I will do."