A/N okay people once again I do apologize to those who were expecting the wedding in this chapter. Sadly I have to delay until the next chapter as I really wanted it to take up an entire chapter and there was still a few things I needed to write beforehand.

Oh and thank you to all the wonderful reviews for the last chapter, I was truly touched. Also thank you to the reviewers who have decided to give The Hans/Elsa relationship a chance I promise he will redeem himself eventually.

*****I would like to warn that in this chapter there will be one use of bad language****

Chapter Ten.

News of Hans' heroic rescue of the Queen had traveled rapidly and well beyond the castle gates. The smiles, the endless multitudes of praises and gratitude he had been receiving had only fuelled his desire to become King even more. As he admired himself in the full length mirror, his face twisted into a malicious grin. Just one more day. One more day and I will be getting married. One more day and I will have what my heart truly desires. A kingdom, a throne, a crown. Everything was falling into place, except for one thing. Elsa. He just hadn't anticipated the effect she was going to have on him, and it made him sick. How could I have been so weak? I came here with one purpose, to become King and to make her suffer.

As he collected his thoughts he realized that he had made a terrible mistake. I was so weak. I let my heart rule my head. I let myself open up to the possibility that I could love her. Now I realize it can never be. She is clearly a pawn to be used and abused in my little game. Once I am King I will use her to conquer the Southern Isles. Bring its people to their knees. Watch my brothers faces when they see that their useless little brother is capable of so much more. I'll watch as my father begs for mercy when his pathetic mistake of a son destroys the entire kingdom.

"Hans?"

Then there is was, that soft, angelic voice. Who could mistake it. "Elsa?"

"I didn't realize we were on a first name basis," she replied scornfully.

"I'm terribly sorry. Would you prefer your Majesty or Queen Elsa of Arendelle, or Queen Elsa. Perhaps I could even throw in more of my favorites like sweet cheeks or darling, or love-"

"You can stop now!" she demanded. "Queen Elsa is just fine."

"What are you doing in here anyway?" Hans reminded her. "If I'm forbidden to step foot in your bedchambers then what gives you the right to step into mine."

"I'm... sorry... would you rather I go?"

Hans lowered his eyes to the floor. "No stay, you're okay."

"Look I came because I personally wanted to thank you for yesterday. I was just a little embarrassed by the situation. No-one has ever seen me that way before, not even Anna. But I see now that if you hadn't of been there, then I would have died."

"Well what kind of man would I be if I let you drown. And besides if anything happened to you I don't think I would have been winning any popularity contests anytime soon."

"It wasn't your fault, about what happened. You weren't to blame. I slipped and fell, it was an accident."

"But I'm your fiancé and future husband. I'm supposed to protect you." Only I don't want to protect her, do I? I want to hurt her.

She narrowed the gap between them. "Did you mean what you said before.. about being concerned for me? That compassion overruled your hostility towards me?"

"Don't flatter yourself sweet cheeks. I was just putting on a show, so you'd warm up to me, trust me, and by the looks of it; it seems to have worked a treat."

"So you didn't mean it!" She secured her arms tightly across her chest. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Just face it Elsa, you're nothing more then a means to an end. You're alive for one reason, so you can marry me and I can be King, nothing more."

"Hurt, anger, fear, it tore at her very soul. "But you-"

"I'm just not a very good guy, Elsa," Hans interjected. "I'm nothing more then a disgrace! a mistake! an abomination! a laughing stock...!" he trailed off as he fought to get a grip on his emotions.

"And here I was thinking-"

Hans grabbed her by the arm pushing her onto the bed, pinning her wrists as he climbed on top of her. "Don't think Elsa. There is and never will be anything between us. Just like there was nothing between me and your stupid little brat of a sister."

At the sound of Hans' insult against Anna she felt a surge of energy flow from her hands. Hans shrieked out as he found both hands encased in ice. "What the-"

Elsa pushed Hans off of her. "And to think I was starting to think you may have changed. That maybe, just maybe there was an ounce of humanity inside of you. But you're just the same, your soul is tainted by darkness, your heart is completely frozen. I don't know what my sister ever saw in you. "

"Well at least she wasn't a frigid bitch like you."

Elsa gasped at his harsh choice of words. Crystal tears rolled down her face.

Hans casually checked his pocket watch. "Wasn't your appointment with the dressmakers like five minutes ago?"

"I-I guess it was," she sniffed.

"Maybe you should run along then. Oh and don't worry if the dress doesn't show enough cleavage. I have your flawless curves and much more to keep me occupied whilst I'm waiting at the altar."

Elsa turned in disgust. She didn't know whether to scream or freeze him to death, but she settled for the former as she hurried from the room.

After she was gone Hans noted the stinging pain in his wrists, before realizing his hands were still trapped in ice. "Hey sweet cheeks," he yelled after her. "Some little help here would be appreciated. "So I take it you aren't you going to unfreeze me then?" Okay then, whatever.He turned back to the mirror staring back at his reflection. "Is my heart really that frozen? Is there really no humanity left inside of me? Is my soul really tainted? Oh my God what is happening to me?!

Prince Alfred couldn't believe his luck. His crew had come down with a mild case of food poisoning and his departure had been delayed once more. He had thought about seeing Elsa again, for some reason he felt drawn to her, only after their last encounter he wasn't sure if he should attempt another visit.

The tavern he now sat in was quite cheery. The main topic of conversation seemed to be the Queen's upcoming wedding. Alfred sipped his mug of ale listening intensely to the friendly banter.

"I bet she's going to look beautiful," said one of the male villagers.

"Yeah like a goddess," another piped up. "That Prince Hans is one lucky man, I can tell ya. I even heard he saved her life yesterday."

"Wow really, what happened?" another asked curiously.

"Seems she slipped in her bathtub, knocked herself out good and proper. Would've most likely have drowned to if it wasn't for Prince Hans. He was her knight in shining armor.

Some of the village women swooned at the thought.

A taller, stout man with dark hair and a beard joined in the discussion. "Well he certainly needs to prove himself to the Queen after what happened the last time."

Alfred's ears pricked up, and he couldn't help but join in with a question of his own. "Sorry I didn't mean to intrude, but did you say the last time?"

"Yeah what's it to ya," the man replied, eyeing up the stranger wearing fancy clothes.

"It's just I'm very well acquainted with Queen Elsa." Alfred announced half heartedly.

"Not acquainted enough by the looks of it," another villager chimed in.

"Well maybe you nice people could fill me in then. There's a mug of ale in it for you if you do." That soon got them offering up information left, right and center. Although he wasn't quite sure he was ready to hear what they had to say.

So six months ago this so called Prince Hans, attempted to murder both the Queen and Princess. That can't be right surely? Why would she be marrying someone like that...unless of course she has no choice. She did seem awfully upset the other day, perhaps that was why. This piece of information was vital and gave him the motivation he needed to pay the Queen another visit.

Kristoff was just dozing when he heard a soft knock on the door. He didn't even get the chance to answer before the door clicked open and Elsa stepped inside. "It's just me," she whispered.

Kristoff stood up from the chair. "Oh hey."

Elsa approached the bed and sat beside her sister. "How is she?"

"She's been better...actually so have you, if you don't mind me saying." It was true she had dark circles under her eyes and she looked pale, too pale.

"I've had a lot on my plate," she admitted.

Kristoff nodded in agreement. "Yeah I can imagine."

The Queen stared down at her sleeping sister and gripped her hand tightly. "It's okay Anna. After tomorrow this will all be over. You're going to be well again..I promise."

"So you're really going to marry Hans then?" Kristoff asked.

He knows! "Anna told you?"

"Yeah she told me everything."

"She never was any good at keeping anything quiet," Elsa chortled. "But to answer your question, yes."

Kristoff sat down beside her. "I'm not going to pretend that I like what you're doing, but I can understand why," he explained.

"All I've ever wanted to do was keep her safe. All I've ever tried to do is to protect her, but this time it wasn't enough, was it?"

Kristoff placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You weren't to know that Hans was going to try something like this."

As she brushed the back of her hand across Anna's forehead she broke down. "What..scares me the most...is he knew my one weakness. He knew...exactly how to get to me."

"Shhh." Kristoff wrapped his arms around Elsa, embracing her gently. She buried herself in Kristoff's chest as she sobbed uncontrollably.

They were interrupted by another knock at the door. "Your Majesty?"

Elsa composed herself swiping the tears. "Yes Kai."

"There is a Prince Alfred here for you, he says it rather urgent."

"Tell him I'll be right there." She turned back to Kristoff. "Please let me know the minute Anna wakes up."

Kristoff gave her a smile. "Of course."

Elsa met Alfred in the council room. "Prince Alfred. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Alfred bowed before her. "Your Majesty."

"I have to say I wasn't expecting to see you again.. Didn't you say after your ship was repaired you would be leaving Arendelle."

"It's a funny thing, your Majesty. But it seems that for some strange reason every time I try to leave, something keeps holding me back. This time it was my crew, sick as dogs they were."

"I'm sorry to hear that," she apologized as she took a seat at the table. "So what can I do for you Prince Alfred?"

He cracked his knuckles which made Elsa wince. "Well maybe it's more what you can do for me. Like perhaps starting with the truth about your fiancé, Prince Hans."

Elsa was confused. "I don't know what you mean. What about him?"

"Well you see I was in the village tavern earlier and I overheard something interesting, something which most certainly gained my attention. At first I couldn't believe it, because I thought to myself, why would the Queen of Arendelle be marrying a man who only six months ago tried to kill her and her sister? I was also told this engagement was very swift and definitely one that was not foreseen. So that got me thinking back to your sister's party. You never told me you were to be married."

"I didn't think it was necessary, we only engaged in one dance," she replied rather defensively.

"Does this happen to have anything to do with what happened with the Princess?" he suggested.

Now she felt paranoid, that line of questioning had caught her off guard. "What do you mean?!"

"Suddenly your sister gets sick and then you're marrying a psychopath who tried to decapitate you. Just tell me is he forcing you to do this? Because I couldn't tolerate a man taking advantage of someone as lovely and delectable as yourself," he remarked suggestively.

"Not that it's any of your business, but he is not forcing me to do anything. And I can assure you that whatever you heard was only half of the truth. Six months ago I froze my entire kingdom. I put my own people in danger, and I almost killed my sister. Prince Hans was put in charge in my absence. He was simply protecting the people, nothing more. He accepted what he did was wrong and so have I. Besides he's a changed man. Did you hear that only yesterday he saved my life?"

"So I heard. How very noble."

"He's a good man who has made a lot of mistakes, but then haven't we all, myself included."

He placed his hand on her arm. "Look I'm sorry. It's just I care about you, and would never forgive myself if anything happened to you."

She moved his hand away. "You don't know anything about me Prince Alfred. And I find you questioning the motives of a reigning Queen highly distasteful. Now I think you should go."

"Are you sure that's what you want your Majesty."

"Yes, it is."

"Very well then. Goodbye your Majesty." She's not going to get rid of me that easy. I need to keep an eye on this Prince Hans.

After Kai had escorted Alfred out of the castle, Elsa addressed the older servant. "Kai?"

"Yes your Majesty."

"You've been like a second father to me after Mama and Papa passed away."

"I like to think I did my best your Majesty."

"So I was hoping you...you would be the one to walk me down the aisle tomorrow."

Kai was speechless. "Your Majesty I-I-"

"You don't have to if you don't want to."

"Want to? I would be honored to be the one to give you away tomorrow. I'm just sorry your father isn't here to do it himself."

Elsa smiled. "But if it had to be anyone I know he would have wanted it to be you."

"Thank you your Majesty," he said as a tear welled up in his eye. "Oh please excuse me if you would."

If Papa could see me now, he wouldn't be so proud of me.

Elsa was utterly exhausted as she strolled back to her room. She was just rounding the corner when she caught sight of Hans leaning lazily against her bedroom door grinning smugly.

"There you are Queen Elsa."

"What do you want?" she asked gruffly.

"Why I came to to apologize for earlier. What I said to was totally out of order."

She really had no energy to argue. "Your forgiven Hans."

"Just like that?" he quizzed. "No witty remark from her Majesty."

"I don't make witty remarks, that would be you, remember. Now if you can remove yourself from my door I'd like to get a decent nights sleep before tomorrow."

Hans smiled. "Yes tomorrow, and I am so looking forward to seeing my beautiful-bride-to-be walking up that aisle."

Elsa felt her cheeks warm as she blushed with Hans noticing. "See you do enjoy my compliments."

She ignored him as she reached for the handle. "Please step away from the door Hans," she ordered. Instead though his hand reached out for hers pulling it away as he rested his hands on her shoulders.

"You are extremely tense darling. Let me see if I can do something about that."

"Prince Hans!"

His hands moved to her waist, his body brushing up closer to hers. "C'mon Elsa, like I said yesterday you want me as much as I want you."

Elsa struggled from his grasp until his hands roamed from her waist to a little further down, until they were resting on her thighs.

She forced herself to breathe more evenly. "PRINCE HANS!" she roared as she pried his hands away.

Hans smirked. "Elsa don't be such a tease." His face was close to hers now as he moved one hand to her hair. He loosened her braid letting her hair flow around her shoulders. He entangled his fingers in her soft platinum locks. "You really need to lighten up a little, you might just enjoy it."

He held the back of her head pulling her in closer until there lips were merely inches apart. Then before she knew what was happening their lips crashed together. At that moment she felt ice instantly spreading to her hands. A layer of ice began forming thinly on the walls and floors, so she quickly pushed him away.

"How dare you!" Elsa seethed.

"What?" he asked confusedly

"You kissed me!" she retorted tartly.

Hans looked offended. "Me?" his eyes widened in surprise. "Don't you mean, you kissed me!"

Elsa stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean I kissed you, as if I would."

"Don't try and deny it," he taunted.

"I most certainly did nothing of the sort. That would be entirely inappropriate. We're not even married yet."

"Mmmm, so does this mean you maybe open to doing more when we are married?"

"No!"

He fluttered his eyelashes. "Really?"

"Yes Hans, now goodnight."

Hans walked happily away. Yep she wants me.

A/n I Have to say that both Hans and Elsa are truly conflicted with their feelings for one another. Okay next chapter will be the wedding and there will be another opportunity redeeming act for Hans.