The woman entered the room while she kept her eagle eyes upfront. Every guards she passed bowed their head. No one actually dared to glance at her. Her floor length dress trailed behind her. There was something in the way she moved that clearly sent a message that she didn't want to deal with everybody's nonsense. She held the air of intimidation everywhere she goes. The unpleasant atmosphere that always surrounded her was enough to make her overall appearance seemed frightful for her minions. Once she arrived at her destination, she flicked her wrist subtly. Just like that, the door in front of her opened by the sudden gust of wind she conjured. She went inside and everyone stood up in an instant. Her eyes looked around the room and landed on the person who was lying on the bed.

"Leave! All of you!" she commanded. Her voice was sharp as a dagger.

Without waiting any second, everybody in the room cleared away. It was so obvious no one wanted to get on her bad sides.

Once she was left alone with the man who was still lying in bed, she let her shoulder loosened up a little. The dark haired woman sat at the edge of his bed. The man gave her a look of confusion. By the deep frown that grazed upon his face, she knew inside his head contained lots of questions.

She smiled at him. "Hello, Bernhard."

"Who are you?"

The woman gave him a sympathetic look. "Of course, the doctor told me to expect this. My name is Regina. Yours is Bernhard."

"Why can't I remember anything?"

"Because you've been in a terrible accident. You were in a coma for eleven years."

His eyes widened as if it would come out of the socket.

"Eleven years?" His breathing started to pick up and became frantic in seconds.

Regina put her hand on his shoulder. "I know you're scared, but you're safe here. The doctor said you might get your memories back when you recovered fully, hopefully. You just regained your consciousness and I know you're confused. I can tell you everything about who you are. But right now you need to get more rest."

"Do… do you really know who I am?" his eyes flashed a glint of cautiousness.

"Better than anyone."

"What really happened to me?" he raised his voice. The panic in his voice was evident.

"The short version of it, you were on a journey to visit the Kingdom of Corona and your ship sank because of a huge storm. But there's so much to the story then just that. I'll tell you the rest of it once you recovered, because it's going to be too overwhelming if I tell you now."

His breathing gradually became calmer. Then he looked around the room and looked at the woman beside him. She dressed in a fine clothes and he could tell it looked fancy.

"Where am I?"

Regina gave him another smile. "You're in my castle, in the Kingdom of Bergen, to be exact."

He went silent. Why is that name sounded familiar to him? It felt like that name should meant something to him. He just couldn't figure it out. There's also that sense of familiarity in this woman. He did not remember who she was exactly, but there was this feeling that told him he knew her. He let out a sigh and finally decided to follow his instinct. Maybe she really could help him.

"I feel like I know you." he said reluctantly.

"That's because you do, you just don't remember."

"In your castle, that means you're a Queen?"

Regina nodded after she stood up from where she was sitting. Her hands clasped together in front of her. "I know everything seems so confusing for you right now, but you're going to be okay."

When she saw him nodded weakly she got out of the room. A wicked smile stretched across her face while she fastened her steps back towards her throne room. There she was greeted by a dark haired man who shared the same eye colour as her. He looked at her expectantly.

"How was it?" he asked.

"Everything is perfect, Rolf! It works! He doesn't remember anything."

"Then we can proceed to the next step."

Her smile grew wider. "Definitely, but I want to take my time with him. This time, I will get what I want!"

The man rolled his eyes. "Don't indulge yourself too much, Your Majesty. You'll risk destroying everything you worked so hard these past eleven years."

"Don't worry about that, dear big brother. I'll be very careful. Besides, I'd never get to have my fun with him all those years ago."

The older man didn't say anything and just looked at his sister. He wasn't sure what kind of force had turned his once lovely and innocent little sister into this cunning, obsessive, ruthless, and evil woman. It had been almost thirty years since she decided to spare him his life and not kill him like she did to the rest of their family. Almost thirty years she held him under her grasp, while he foolishly believe he could knock some sense into her. But it seemed, the little sister he once knew all those years ago, was long gone. This woman had no good left in her. He'd seen it firsthand what she was capable of and the extend of her powers. How much destruction she could caused. He was even sure that she could wipe the entire human existence if she wanted too.

He tried for years to get through her, to resuscitate what was left of her little sister, but always failed. With the years that passed by, his faith on her crumbled down slowly. He gave up the idea of trying to get the old Regina back. It was all going to be useless. So, he just played his part while kept analysing the way out for himself. If she could be manipulative, he could too. All he needed was time and the right moment. She was even more powerful now than ever. He doubted that anybody could match her, not even her primary target, the infamous Snow Queen of Arendelle.

Two weeks after the ball, Hans's was finally settled with his new routine. His job as one of the servants in the castle was to help Marius, the stable boy with the royal horses. It wasn't something new to him. Back in the Southern Isles he did the same thing, cleaning up horses's poop was something he got used to do. The only difference was, in here, he wasn't under a watchful eyes of his brothers who usually would mess up with him by throwing him into the pile of horse shit just for their amusement. He silently felt grateful because they weren't around anymore.

Surprisingly, when he first got to the stable, he was greeted by a very familiar figure. Sitron. His horse that he left in Arendelle after he was shipped off back to the Southern Isles eight years ago. Somehow it made him felt so good that he finally reunited with him. Sitron was the only friend he had ever been close too. For Hans, the stallion had always been his loyal companion and had more manners than his eleven bully brothers. He got Sitron as a present from his late mother for his thirteenth birthday. The stallion was only a baby back then but ever since that day, the bond between them was inseparable.

"How are you today, boy?" the former prince asked while he rubbed Sitron's nose gently.

The white stallion neighed a little before nuzzled closer to him. Hans smiled a little. Even though it had been eight years since their separation, he could still understand what the horse tried to say. This time, Sitron was letting him know he missed to galloped in the open with him.

"I know. I want it too, but I can't. They'll shot me if I do that." he answered.

Just as he was finished, he heard a familiar voice called his name. He turned around and found the Queen of Arendelle herself was walking towards him.

"Your Majesty." He bowed his head to her.

"Mr. Westergaard, I want you to prepare the horses for my departure tomorrow. Frostie and six other horses. Bring Sitron if you want."

"You want to bring Sitron with you?"

"No. I'm telling you that you can bring your horse for this journey."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand."

"You're coming with me."

For a second his mouth gaped slightly. Was she being serious right now? He looked at her and found nothing on her steel expression. Damn! Why is this woman so hard to read?! He used to be able to do that eight years ago with the fear that was always projected in her icy blue eyes. She used to be an open book to him. But now, she became completely impenetrable.

"Why me? Marius can do that?"

She put her hand on her hips, looking extremely irritated.

"First, you are in no position to ask any question. Second, it's an order. Third, Marius is in charge with the royal stable. He is needed here, while you're not. Fourth, I need someone to take care of the horses throughout the journey. Lastly, you were the one who had ever laid eyes on this Regina witch, you might be useful to me at finding her."

She could wear that steely facade very well, but he knew there were other reasons. Something clicked inside his mind. He smirked slightly and walked closer to her. She stayed firmly where she stood and never showing any sign to back away.

"No. You're afraid I might try to finish what I started eight years ago. With you gone, it would be easy for me to plot another devious plan to overthrow Anna." he told her. Couldn't help the victorious feelings with the fact that he still frightened her somehow.

The ever so regal Queen of Arendelle looked up to him. She cocked her head a little while her expressionless face didn't budge at all. "Isn't it obvious? You're still my prisoner, I want to keep a close eye on you. I'll be damn if I ever let you get near any members of my family."

He maintained his smirk. "Well if I didn't know better, Your Majesty, I'd think you became rather clingy to me."

Hans felt another twinge of satisfaction when he caught a flash of annoyance on her frigid face.

"You should learn to watch your tongue when talking to the Queen, Mr Westergaard. Other monarch would not hesitate to cut it out of you. Consider yourself lucky, I'm not among them." Elsa retorted back then turned around to leave him where he stood.

Hans snorted while he watched her walked away. That woman was impossible!

Once Elsa stepped in into the castle she rolled her eyes and stomped her feet a little hard on the floor. Clearly annoyed by Hans's remark. The nerve of him! She wasn't sure she could bear being near him for the entire length of the journey for an uncertain period of time. She let out a huff. Still, including him on this journey was a better option than letting him stay in Arendelle. She told him the truth about not wanting his presence near her family. It was too risky letting him out of her sight. Besides, she still needed to assess him personally for the agreement she made with the Northern Alliances.

Later that night after dinner, Anna insisted that they spent some family time together in the drawing room. Elsa couldn't agree more. She was going to embark on a long journey, and she couldn't be sure when she would be back to Arendelle, if she would make it. She told Anna about that she would only going to Grindevald Fortress to master her powers, but what she didn't tell her, was that she might also be looking for her parents. Elsa knew sooner or later she was going to face this Regina. From Hans's story, it was very clear that this woman specifically targeted her and Anna. Which was why Elsa needed to go and try to confront her first before she had any chance to invade her home and put her family and people in danger. She felt a lump on her throat when she thought about the possibility of her never coming back home at all. This might be the very last night she spent with the people she loved most. She shook her head and dissipated that thought immediately. Negative thinking would get her nowhere, she had enough problem to deal with and couldn't afford room for those negative thoughts.

Once she entered the drawing room, her lips curved a smile. Kristoff was busy animatedly telling story to Alek and Adeline. The little prince and princess listened intently and nodded occasionally as they anticipated what will happen next. Anna on the other hand was sprawled on the sofa not far from them, too engrossed with the book on her hand while she devoured a box of chocolate on the table in front of her. Elsa walked towards her sister and snatched some of the chocolate. Elsa's face scrunched up slightly when the sweetness hit her palate. Too sweet for her taste. "It's cloyingly sweet! How could you eat this?"

"How could you eat dark chocolate? They tastes bitter and nasty!" Anna retorted back and made a room for her sister to sat beside her.

"They're not nasty! It's an acquired taste, sugar ruins the essence of chocolate."

The princess rolled her eyes. "Always the ever so sophisticated Snow Queen! I think they're boring."

The older sibling narrowed her eyes playfully. "Did you just say I'm boring?"

Anna averted her gaze from her book to her sister. "I didn't say that! I said dark chocolate is so boring."

"Oh, no, you're not going to get away with that one." Elsa warned.

Before Anna realised what her sister meant by that, a pile of snow appeared out of nowhere and hovered above her head before it dropped. "Hey! That's cheating!"

The Queen laughed. "Well, I'm the Queen, I do whatever I wish." She said smugly.

The strawberry blonde ruffled her hair, trying to clear the snow. "Just you wait, sis. Payback is not going to be sweet."

Elsa turned to the direction of her brother in law, nephew and niece who were still too occupied with the tales. "Let me guess, another story about the tales of Flynnigan Rider? How many times is it now?"

Anna chuckled. "I lost count. Ever since Eugene introduced them to the book, they wouldn't stop asking to be told that story over and over again. Kristoff's penchant for dramatic story telling, just doesn't help at all. I just hope none of them grow up wanting to be a thief like their uncle."

The platinum blonde giggled when she remembered their cousin in law.

They went silent for a while and watched as the young father continued his tales. Both Elsa and Anna could only smiled and sometimes snickered when Kristoff did some silly gestures for dramatic effect.

Anna turned to her sister and her smiled died instantly. This is the last night she spent with Elsa before she embarked on her journey tomorrow. She still wasn't really fond with the idea of separating even though Elsa said it was not for a long time. She would still miss her badly when she's gone. These past two weeks, Elsa had helped her to settle with her role as Princess Regent in her absence. But Anna noticed that Elsa pushed her harder than usual. The Queen included her in every state affairs and every nitty gritty details about Arendelle that she thought would not necessary for her to know.

"Elsa, can I ask you something?"

The person in questioned turned her attention to Anna and smiled gently. "Of course. What is it?"

Anna bit her bottom lip. "Why did you include me in every state affairs these past two week?"

Elsa frowned. Confused with the question. "Because, you're going to be regent while I'm gone."

"I know that. What I meant is, the nitty gritty details. Was it really necessary? I've been regent before while you embarked on your state visits, but you usually just kept me informed of the recent situation. I didn't have to know everything like the total number of Arendellian armed forces, or every battle strategies from previous wars."

Elsa knew Anna would suspect that. The reason was simply because she wanted Anna to be prepared for everything should the worse happen. She knew what it felt like to be shoved into the responsibility of being a monarch. She wasn't prepared when the weight of the crown landed on her head eleven years ago. If it wasn't because of Lord Solberg who acted as regent and also mentor to her, she probably would've muddled the whole thing.

"Here's the thing, Anna. You're not only the princess regent. But, you're also the crown princess. Those nitty gritty details are important for the crown princess to know. I had to know all those stuff when I was fifteen, you know." Elsa was hoping Anna would understand.

The princess didn't buy it though. She squinted her eyes suspiciously at her sister. "No. I think there's another reason, isn't it?" A moment later, something clicked inside her head. She realised something. "You were preparing me for the worse, weren't you? You think you would never coming back. Elsa!"

Elsa cringed a little but then sighed. "Listen, Anna. It's not only that. The thing is, by now, the probability of me getting married and produced an heir, is very slim. That means, you're my heir. I have to be realistic, it's not simply because of this journey. If something happens to me in the future, I don't want you to be unprepared. This job, is not an easy thing to do. I just want to help you while I can."

Anna didn't want to hear it! She didn't want to think about the possibility of losing her sister forever. She wrapped her arms around Elsa's waist while resting her head on her older sister's shoulder. "Just promise me you'll come back! Promise me, Elsa!" she demanded.

For Elsa, that was the promise she was afraid she couldn't keep. She embraced her baby sister tightly while rubbing her back to soothe her worries away. "I promise I will do anything in my power to come home safely. Don't worry, Anna." She landed a kiss on top of Anna's head.

"Aunt Elsa, play and sing for us, please!" Alek had climbed into the sofa next to his aunt and mother.

The platinum blonde glanced towards the piano forte that sat behind the sofa. Contemplating for a little while. But when she saw her entire family seemed eager to hear her sing, she didn't have a heart to deny it. "Alright. I'll play."

Anna released her sister from her embrace and smiled. It was not something new for Elsa to play and sing for them. The rest of the family loved to hear her sing. Elsa had inherited their mother's talent in music. She remembered when they were little, long before the incident in the great hall, Elsa would sit in the piano with their mother and both would play for her and their father. She even joked once to Elsa that if she weren't destined to be Queen, she probably would become a successful musician. Anna tried to have a piano lesson with their mother, but she just didn't have the patience for it.

Elsa looked down to the black and white keys before she let her fingers danced across the keys producing a beautiful melody. She started singing along while glancing to every faces in the room. Her heart warmed at the sight, she couldn't ask for a better farewell than this.

How does a moment last forever?
How can a story never die?
It is love we must hold onto
Never easy, but we try
Sometimes our happiness are captured
Somehow, our time and place stand still
Love lives on inside our hearts and always will

Minutes turn to hours
Days to years and gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on

Maybe some moments weren't so perfect
Maybe some memories not so sweet
But we have to know some bad times
Or our lives are incomplete
Then when the shadows overtake us
Just when we feel all hope is gone
We'll hear our song and know once more
Our love lives on.

How does our happiness endures?
Through the darkest of our troubles
Love is beauty, love is pure
Love pays no mind to desolation
It flows like a river through the soul
Protects, persists, and perseveres
And makes us whole

A/N: Yup! We finally got to see another glimpse of what Regina is doing. Can you guess who is this Bernhard guy? (not that hard to guess, really) :D

The song that Elsa was playing is How Does a Moment Last Forever originally sung by the legendary Celine Dion, obviously a major reference to the live action Disney Beauty and the Beast! I watched it a few days ago, and it was amazing! I just feel like the song fit with the farewell situation. And also because the song kinda stuck in my head along with Evermore. It's totally an oscar worthy! Kudos to Alan Menken and Tim Rice!

The adventure will begin in the next chapter!

What do you think about this one? Reviews, Follows, Favourites! :) :)