Author's Note: Sorry for the whole lot of nothing in this chapter. I promise the next one will have things moving the action along.

Choices

Carrying Niels to Weselton's docks proved to be an interesting challenge. Despite Mikelo's constant assurances to Hans that he was not a native to Weselton, his ability to navigate the streets of the seaport city they were in was… rather revealing, if Hans were to be completely honest with himself.

Mikelo knew the routes the merchants would make and thus the three of them should avoid those, which alleyways were relatively free from the prying eyes of people, where guards were often posted and how they made their rounds. Hans also made note of the fact that they avoided the direct view of rooftops, likely because Mikelo knew that some Order members would be around there. A simple informant? No, not with the other skills the count possessed.

They crouched low behind a pile of empty crates with the unconscious form of Prince Niels. Mikelo pressed a few fingers against the pulse of Niels' wrist, giving Hans a light nod that Niels was still fine.

Hans didn't exactly trust the nobleman to relay the status of his brother's life, but considering he himself couldn't do it with his gloves on, it was the best he could do.

"You weren't just an informant when you joined, were you," not a question from Hans so much as a statement of fact.

Mikelo looked to the wall of the alleyway they were hiding in.

"I used to be higher up, much like the Carpenter, but before the Order's intentions were known to me," the count replied. "Because of this, I assigned people to watch over my family while I was away doing reconnaissance for them, going around as an artist for royal families. Then when your brother and I found out about their treachery, they threatened great harm on his siblings if we didn't go with their plan to instate him as the new king of the Southern Isles. I didn't know they would go behind my back, the people I assigned to protect my family… they ended up being their kidnappers in the end."

Mikelo went to grab for the limp form of Niels, ready to make their next move towards the docks. Hans did the same.

"Whatever you do, Prince Hans," Mikelo said. "Whatever mess we're going to get into through this plan, promise me that if they make me turn on you or my family, I give you my express permission to kill me. My worth to the Order is diminishing, that much is apparent."

Hans only nodded, a silent promise to follow through.

"This is the ship," Hans said, recognizing the vessel from its distinct outline of the designs of the Southern Isles. It was empty, likely due to the crew being on land to resupply and relax from the voyage, though Hans knew there were a few people on board to ensure nothing bad happened to the ship. They didn't appear to be on deck.

Except…

There was one person, leading an animal by its reins atop the wooden deck of the ship in circles. A horse.

"Sitron," Hans whispered.

"Lemon?" Mikelo asked, confused.

"No, the name of my horse."

"Ahoy there!" the man leading around Sitron on the deck bellowed in greeting. The man's jaw gaped at seeing the limp form of Prince Niels and had to do a double-take when he recognized Prince Hans. He called for the others on the ship below deck as he tied off Sitron to the rail on deck.

The other deckhands emerged from the depths of the vessel, similar reactions upon seeing the state of the royals.

"What happened?" a deckhand said.

"There was an accident," Hans lied. "You need to bring him to the Southern Isles immediately. I'm going back for the bounty hunters that were with him. I'll sail back to Arendelle with them."

The shipmates took the unconscious prince below deck. Hans had no doubt they believed his farce.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Mikelo asked.

Hans stared at the doorway that the deckhands took his brother through, half wanting to join them and forego the plan.

He shut his eyes.

"Yes," he responded. "We didn't get this far to make a change of plans." He looked to Sitron, who shook in excitement upon seeing Hans. It felt like it had been an eternity since they saw each other last. "Though I believe I can make room for an additional accomplice."

###

Keep them away from the castle, Elsa had instructed them. Kristoff and Anna had to resist the urge to roll eyes at the headache that would likely turn out to be considering how well they were able to "behave themselves" in the privacy of the castle, but they didn't take their role in finding Hans lightly. If the king thought it best the others didn't know about his magical abilities, then so be it.

Kristoff had the option to help out, since he was the one who had a bit more experience with troll magic, but to leave Princess Anna alone with the misbehaved Westergaard siblings? Never mind that he wasn't able to walk anymore. He'd defy all medical science and get up off of his chair and set those "men" straight if they so much as asked her the wrong questions. After all, he wasn't a violent man, so that was saying quite a lot.

At the very least, it seemed that in public they knew how to watch their tongues. Sort of.

"I must say, your kingdom's ability to rebuild from so much destruction just a year ago is quite astounding," Prince Magnus said, admiring a peach from a market stall and giving the woman who attended it a few coins as payment for the fruit. He bit into the peach and wiped a bit of the juice from the corner of his mouth.

"They've been through a lot over the years," Anna responded. "If anything, they've proven again and again that they've been nothing but resilient people. Elsa and I can't ask for better people to serve."

"If it weren't for you two–" began Prince Jakob, but was interrupted by nasty looks from Magnus, Aleksander, and Kristoff.

"Shut up, Ib," Prince Christian chided and jabbed his twin in the ribs with his elbow. Prince Jakob winced and rubbed at the new bruise forming.

"My apologies, Princess Anna," Jakob said. "Ignore my slight."

Princess Anna rolled her eyes and continued to push Kristoff through the market square of Arendelle. She remained silent.

"Thank you for letting Rasmus help out at the hospital," Prince Aleksander said. "I know you don't completely trust him, but the work is really helping him get over Klaus' and Elias' deaths. He's… definitely taking it a lot harder than the rest of us, even though he doesn't show it."

"It's nothing," Anna said, her voice a little strained from what Jakob was about to say. She cleared her throat. "I'm just glad he's enjoying the work he's been given. I can't stomach any of the stuff he's doing on a daily business."

"Do… you think we'll be able to find Hans?" Aleksander asked. "I can't… it's just… losing two brothers within a few months of each other… I don't think…"

Kristoff and Anna exchanged glances. Kristoff was pretty sure they would, but the means of finding him would bear explanation. That is, if the spell worked as it was supposed to.

"We'll find him," Kristoff said.

"What if he's already dead? What if all those clues of his whereabouts weren't–"

"Don't talk like that," Magnus interrupted. "I say if they haven't found a body, he's not dead."

"What about Niels, Magnus?" Christian said. "Shouldn't we worry about him, too? He's going to Weselton. Last I remember, the Southern Isles isn't exactly on great terms with them. Not like Arendelle, but… maybe even worse."

"Let's just change the topic," Magnus said. "We're here to compile a report of how the trade is doing in the town for Queen Elsa, not to have a heart-to-heart session displaying all our insecurities."

"What, aren't you concerned for either Hans or Niels?"

Magnus gave a slight grunt of disinterest. "They're both men. They can handle themselves out there in the world. Unlike you, who clings to his brothers like he's still attached to them to some umbilical cord."

Aleksander's mouth widened in shock at the words, his face turning red. Jakob and Christian snickered impishly.

"Don't act like what I said isn't true," Magnus continued. "Out of the four of us here, you were the only one who clung to Mother and Father the longest, the one without a spine and ignored Hans when Klaus and Elias did years ago. You're also the only one who never showed any ambitions of starting your own life and family, besides King Pieter of course. But at least he's got a life started. You're just a leech."

Prince Aleksander's eyes started to well with tears, his face still frozen in shock.

Then, his expression turned blank, the threat of crying gone from his countenance.

"At least I wasn't a coward and fled from a battlefield without leave," Aleksander said. "And I was willing to lose fingers for my family. Unlike you, who at my age deserted the army because he witnessed a bit of bloodshed. What do you have to show for yourself? I know that sword you swing is just a mask, Magnus. It's time you get over yourself. No one cares."

Kristoff switched attention between the two siblings in worry, a hint of surprise at hearing the cold words from Aleksander. He never made indication in the past that he was capable of saying anything cruel like that. Kristoff always thought that out of Hans' siblings that were seeking refuge with them in Arendelle, he was the nicer one.

Then again, what kind of brother would choose to pretend a sibling didn't exist? Never mind that he wanted to make amends, it still spoke volumes of what Aleksander was capable of.

"Hey, hey, guys," Prince Christian diverted. "We're all hurt about our brothers' deaths, I get that. But is this really the best way to deal with it?"

"Yeah," Prince Jakob continued for his twin. "Two of us are gone. Two more have fates we're not clear about yet. And don't forget about the ones that have to deal with the madness going on back home, the ones that are also trying to balance watching over the kingdom and their caring for their own families."

Magnus and Aleksander stared each other down.

Aleksander spoke first, "Shut up, Ib and Ian."

The tension in the air released, despite the vehemence in the statement.

"Your Highnesses!" a servant from the castle cried out. "The Queen requests that you return to her immediately!"

###

Hans gave a once-over of Count Mikelo's work in the mirror, the inn that allowed them to "work on a project" providing them with one. He resisted the urge to touch the paint and dried lumps of clay that transformed his visage into one that resembled Niels'. Needless to say, it was uncanny to see his own brother's face looking back at him.

Count Mikelo Ludoviko of Gavallande, renowned artist? Worthy of the title, it seemed.

"I can sense that you're going to say the plan is stupid," Hans said. "Again."

Mikelo grunted in affirmation as he put away his paints in a wooden box.

"I'm only disappointed that you've given up on your plans to destroy the Order of the Lynx," Mikelo said. "They cannot get away with all they've done, and you were the only one who's actually posed a threat to them in ages."

"There were unforeseen complications," Hans said. "But I have not given up on that plan."

"It's impossible to do it at this point. If they catch wind of who you are…"

Hans shook his head. "Not all my cards have been played, Count Ludoviko. I still have an ace up my sleeve."

"You don't intend to raze this place to the ground, do you?"

Hans considered him for a brief moment.

"If it comes to it, I will," Hans said simply.

Mikelo was silent for a moment.

"Good," the nobleman responded. Mikelo closed his eyes and turned away. "They're going to put the pieces together. They'll know."

"I know that."

"There's no telling if your brother's going to come back to Weselton."

"If Niels believes that I'm dangerous, he wouldn't risk going back for me, thinking that people would die."

"How could you be so sure?"

Hans paused. Considered his answer, not because he didn't know the reason. No, it was because he understood. Despite how illogical and irrational he viewed them in the past, Hans finally understood.

"My brothers are good people. They care about others, unlike me."

Mikelo let out a soft huff of breath, reached out a hand and rested it on Hans' shoulder.

"You know that's a lie," the count said.

Hans shrugged off Mikelo's hand. He didn't need to hear any of this.

"Better get this act going," the prince said. "They're expecting the both of us back now."

The two of them exited the inn, Hans hoisting himself upon Sitron. Mikelo then helped him to tie his wrists and ankles together.

The next, most dangerous phase of this harebrained plan was about to commence.

###

The group returned to the throne room after retrieving Rasmus from his volunteering at the hospital, Queen Elsa on her throne and King Pieter standing beside her. Elsa's hands twitched as they were folded on her lap, nervous about the news she was going to deliver. Pieter looked like he was going to faint, either from exhaustion from trying to get the spell to work or the thought that another of his little brothers was killed or that the youngest was the one that killed him, she wasn't sure. Probably a combination of the three.

"Elsa? What happened?" Anna asked.

"It worked," Elsa said, unable to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

"Is he… dead?"

"No, he's alive."

"Then what–"

"We saw him kill Prince Niels," Pieter interrupted.

"Wait, what?" Aleksander said. "What worked? Who killed Niels?"

Elsa took a deep breath, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the throne room with her.

"There was a spell we used, one that would help us find Prince Hans," she said. "And with it, we found him and saw him in Weselton. We… witnessed the murder of Prince Niels in the process."

"What? No! That can't be! I thought he changed!"

"Spell? What spell?" Magnus said, latching on to a different detail of the news. "How do we know you aren't trying to dupe us, Queen Elsa?"

"Because I was the one who casted it," King Pieter said, about ready to collapse.

"My king, what–" Magnus said before interrupting himself to rush to the king's side.

King Pieter held up his hands to ward away his brother. "Don't. I'm still unwinding from the spell. You're only going to get shocked."

"You should rest, Your Majesty," Magnus said, looking torn between choosing to follow his king's command or to help to steady his older brother.

"I should, but not until I know you're going to aid Queen Elsa with her next task."

All eyes looked to the distraught queen on her throne.

"Queen Elsa?" Kristoff said in askance.

"We know of his location," Elsa said. "And we know he is a grave threat to humanity. I don't know if my curse to his heart made him the way he is, or if it's prevented the full wrath of the land through Prince Hans and these actions are an indicator that he hasn't changed at all; all I know is that he can't be stopped by normal men and women."

"Let my brothers aid you," King Pieter pleaded. "Allow me to accompany you as well."

"I've already told you before, he hasn't withheld his violence towards Prince Niels, what makes you believe he won't do the same to you?"

"And if my brother kills you, Queen Elsa, what hope do we have against him? What hope do we have against the Order of the Lynx? With all due respect, must I remind you that you are too valuable for you to throw yourself haphazardly into the throes of Fate? Think about your family."

Elsa looked up, locking gazes with Anna. Her little sister pleaded with her eyes; for what, Elsa wasn't sure. It hurt her to realize she wouldn't know how Anna would feel about this. She was cutting others from her life again.

King Pieter was right. She shouldn't expect the retrieval of Prince Hans to go easily. After all, she almost died the last time she saw him in Arendelle. She still had the scar on her side as a reminder.

But… something in her heart wanted to believe Hans wouldn't hurt her, at least not like he had with Niels.

Letting people in has only hurt you, her inner voice said. Shutting them out is safer, simpler.

Elsa clamped her eyes, cutting those thoughts off from taking over her judgment.

No, she will not let them take over again. Despite how much she wanted to keep others safe, it was never good to do something like this on her own.

"You may accompany me, King Pieter," Elsa said at last. "And whichever siblings of yours that would like to do the same. But remember that if you get killed, the same could be said of you and your family. You are much too valuable to throw your lives away."

"Then we've come to an agreement then, Queen Elsa?" King Pieter said.

"I believe we have."

Author's Note: Oh hey, look who found the time to work on another update, hahaha.

A.K.A., I have given up trying to understand quantum physics and decided to write this out because it's more fun.

Thank you so much for everyone who reviewed the previous chapter! Don't think for a moment that you guys didn't have any part in the continued inspiration for continuing, because that's 100% not true. You make my little writing fingers go on a typing spree :)