They spent the next few weeks catering to all of Anna's whims. It was impossible to see one without the other. He escorted her around town, they went out horseback riding, and spent endless hours laughing in the gardens. It was now just a few short days before Hans to leave again, and Anna couldn't bear to be apart from him for more than a moment.
"Hans, do you truly have to leave? I would like you here so much more," Anna pouted for the tenth time just this morning. They were sitting in one of the smaller dining rooms eating breakfast together, like they had done every morning after that first day. Hans took her small hand in his and lightly kissed her knuckles. Anna blushed slightly, even though she'd grown accustomed to his touch. She loved spending all of this time together with him, and she could feel herself falling more and more in love with him every day.
"Try not to worry yourself with the future as much," he smiled softly and returned to his breakfast. After taking a few more bites, he laid down his silverware to excuse himself, "I will see you later in the morning."
Anna rushed to stand up and walk with him. He never went anywhere without her, and it suddenly dawned on her that maybe he was tired of her.
"Where are you going?" She was quickly walking next to him, forgetting her half eaten breakfast. He chuckled softly and held her hands.
"It's a surprise for you," he said, "Don't make me spoil it by telling you. I'll return within the hour."
Anna gasped in delight and relief, "A surprise? What kind of surprise is it?" She was thankful that it wasn't because he was bored of her. Hans just held his finger to his lips in silence before kissing her hand a final time in farewell.
"One hour," he reminded her with a glint in his eye. Anna conceded with a matching mischievous smile, unwrapping her needy hands off of Hans' arm.
After Hans left, Anna went back up to her room and tried to patiently wait for him to return. It only took a few moments before Anna gave up on that endeavor. She paced by her window while constantly looking out for Hans. Anna couldn't control how much her mind was wandering in wonder of what Hans' gift was, so she looked to distract herself. She started to dance lightly around her room to a song she was making up in her head. A grand finale involving Anna twirling and jumping around was happening, when some bright thing caught her gaze out the window. Rushing over gave Anna a better look at the scene, and she recognized it as Hans steering a bright yellow carriage with one of the horses from her stable. She immediately rushed down to greet Hans. Surely, it was an odd gift, but Anna had admired the bright carriages every time they passed them when they walked around the town. It was certainly thoughtful of him.
Hans had barely dismounted when Anna came barreling outside and flung her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"Is this my present, Hans?" she asked, "It's so unique." She continued gushing over the carriage, petting and admiring it. Hans simply wore an amused smirk and let her carry on for a few moments before clearing his throat.
"Anna," he called for her attention, "This is only part of your surprise." He teased her with a knowing smile and, leaning nonchalantly on the carriage, refused to answer her questions.
Anna pleaded, "You can't keep me in the dark forever!" She leaned against him and gave him her best puppy dog eyes in an attempt to crack him.
"Well, I was about to show you the second part, but you seem too needy. Patience is a virtue," he tutted, and feigned packing things away to go inside. Anna blocked him with her body and begged him not to.
"I'll be better, Hans, I promise," she swore to him. He relented from his teasing and acting, and put on a bright smile instead.
"Well, are you ready to go off for the day?" he asked. Anna decided that she was, so he helped her up into the bench on the front of the carriage. After making sure everything in the back was securely packed, he also mounted the bench and took hold of the reigns. Even though they had yet to leave the courtyard in front of the castle, Anna still began looking around in excitement.
Hans was taking them somewhere remote. After circling the town square, because he knew how much she loved seeing it busy with the townsfolk, they had left the city limits and continued down a worn dirt path. Despite her best queries, Hans still refused to crack just yet. Anna couldn't figure out where they were going, so she eventually let the topic drop, instead focusing on making other small talk to pass the time. Sometime around noon, Anna figured out where he was taking them, and she giggled in excitement. He was taking her to the waterfall that she loved, and in the back was a large picnic basket for the two of them. They stopped at a small grassy bank near the foot of the waterfall. Hans helped Anna down, and led her under a tree.
After laying out a blanket for Anna, he helped her sit down. His attentiveness caused Anna smiled to herself. She leaned up against the trunk of the tree, and she turned her focus to the sound of the waterfall crashing into the shallow pool beneath it and the scenery around her. She remembered when they had found this spot when they were younger, and how she would climb up onto the rocks around the small fall. There was one long rock that jutted out right between the split waterfall that Anna would always climb up to and lay out on. Her thoughts were interrupted by Hans joining her again and setting out some of the food.
"What would you like first?" he asked her as he started pulling out plates from the basket. Hans had a whole spread of all of their favorite foods, and every time Anna thought that they had finished the food, he would pull something else out that had her mouth watering again. They spent most of the afternoon eating and talking under the shade of the tree. Anna finished off her second sandwich, sighing in content as she pet her belly.
"Please tell me your magic basket is empty now," she groaned, "I don't know if I could eat anymore."
"There's a few things left, but its not all food," Hans answered mysteriously, "Are you sure you can't find any room for some chocolate covered strawberries?" He brandished the box out of the basket, and Anna found her stomach grumble for some, or was it just her digesting? She carefully chose the ripest berry, and slowly savored the flavor as she chewed. She licked her lips clean and gave Hans a cheesy smile.
She thanked him as she settled more deeply into the pillows and tree, "That was all so good, Hans, but I don't think I could even eat another strawberry. I just want to lay down now."
"As you wish. Do you want to lay here?" he asked, fluffing up some pillows for her. She thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"Let's go lay out on my rock," Anna suggested. She rolled upright and began walking up the side of the waterfall. Hans grabbed a few of their things before following after her. They settled onto the blanket laying side by side and looking up at the sky. Anna hummed quietly to herself while imagining figures in the clouds above them. Hans watched Anna out of the side of his eye, not wanting to be too obvious. Anna noticed him, and turned her head to smile at him. Her face was so full of love and trust, it made him ache. She snaked her hand out to intertwine with his, and she gave him a reassuring squeeze before going back to looking at the clouds. Soon enough, Anna had dozed off, which left Hans at liberty to gaze at her some more undetected. In the high afternoon sun, her hair seemed to glow around her face, and her soft, resting face only added to the angelic look. She stirred in her sleep, which disrupted Hans from his observations. With little more than a soft sigh she settled back into her sleep. Hesitantly, he reached out to tuck a few stray hairs from her face and lightly kissed her temple. Hans stayed there for a long time, deep in thought. He knew he had to do it tonight. He had kept this hidden from her for almost all summer, and he thought it was finally time. Hans finally got up to put his plan in action right before the setting sun. He knew that would be the perfect time for it. Before waking her, he went back down to the tree, first checking on the horse, and then packing almost all of their belongings back into the carriage. Straightening his clothing, he carried the basket back up with him and finally woke Anna up.
He spoke softly while nudging her shoulder, "Anna, the sun is setting. We should go soon." Anna stirred and slowly propped herself up on her elbows. She rubbed her eyes while trying to suppress a yawn.
"Why did you let me sleep so late?" she asked sleepily. Anna fully sat up, and began to register the change in the sky for herself. Hans adjusted himself so he was sitting across from Anna and looking into her eyes. Losing some of the courage he was slowly building, he looked to the side and rubbed his neck in embarrassment.
"You looked too peaceful to wake up."
She scrunched up her nose in a teasing face before kissing him on the cheek. Over the summer they'd become use to exchanging small shows of affection where no prying eyes could see them. Hans brought her back to him, bringing her lips to meet his. They moved together perfectly now. He teased her by lightly nipping at her lower lip. They had practiced plenty since the evening of the ball, and Anna wanted more each time. She started moving her kisses from his lips to his jaw, down his neck, where she started licking and sucking just above the hollow of his neck. Hans gently brought her face back up to meet his, but he only gave her a single kiss. Anna groaned in protest, and leaned in for more, but Hans held her shoulders.
"Anna, I have something I've been meaning to talk to you about," Hans confessed. Anna was confused how he could switch from kissing to talking so easily, so she was stunned silent for the moment. Hans swiped off some imaginary dirt from her shoulders and stood up. He wanted to pace back and forth, but managed to stand still with his hands concealing his nervousness.
"We have been close since we were young, but I didn't realize how important you were to me until I came back to Arendelle," he began. He paced back and forth slightly, but he was already too focused on his words to correct it.
"You have always been a strong, amazing person, Anna, and you've blossomed into a wonderful woman. Every day this summer has been the best day I've ever had," he paused to gauge her reaction to what he was saying, then he knelt down before her.
"Because I've been with you." He paused again to enjoy the fierce blush that was burning on her cheeks and revealed the small box that he had been clutching.
"Princess Anna, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he asked with a brilliant grin. Hans revealed the bright ring and began to put it on her finger. He stopped when he realized she hadn't answered yet.
"Anna?" he called slowly. Of course he hadn't thought that this wouldn't blow up in his face. Anna looked frozen in place. She didn't react to anything, but her eyes were fixated on his hand putting the ring on her finger. She slowly blinked, processing the information. Before Hans had time to pull back, Anna jumped on him while showering him with kisses.
"Yes!" she squealed, "A thousand times, yes." Anna grabbed Hans and crushed his lips against hers. Shifting so she straddled his lap, Anna's tongue probed Hans' mouth, making the kiss deeper. Hans pulled her in by the waist as she tugged at his collar. She started a path of kisses along his jaw, and Hans used the opportunity start lavishing down her neck toward her collarbone. Anna began running her fingers through his hair, slightly tugging, as Hans was lightly massaging her waist and back in order to melt her into the kiss. Anna was quickly a puddle of moans and cooing, all but putty in his hands. Once again he abruptly stopped, much to her chagrin. He looked down at the forgotten ring and presented it once again to her.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly as he slipped the ring on her finger. she nodded silently with a wild grin as she watched him place the ring.
"Elsa is going to be so happy for us!" she smiled and gripped his hands giddily.
