Here is the next chapter! I am quite pleased with how it turned out! I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Reviews are always welcome and to the people who have - THANK YOU! You make the writer's block less... blocky.

Hans' sleep was interrupted by the sound of soft crying and whimpering. The cries soon became hysterical as he focused his gaze upon Elsa. Her hands gripped tightly to the thin straw filled pillow her head rested atop of and even in sleep, tears slipped down her cheeks. He knew he really shouldn't care that disturbing images intruded her slumber, but somehow… he did. He dragged himself off the stone bench he called his 'bed' and knelt before Elsa.

"Hey," he shook her arm gently, "Hey wake up. Elsa wake up, you're having a nightmare." His was soft, but it was just firm enough to wake her up. She sat up immediately, eyes wide open and scared. Her hands shook as she pressed her back up against the wall and shook violently. She opened her mouth as if she was to speak, but all that came out were terrified whimpers.

They did it! It was their fault!" she cried suddenly, her voice broken and hollow, "It was them! They killed them! It was their fault they're dead!"

"Wha- who's dead? Who's fault is it?" Hans asked, trying hard to hide the concern in his eyes. He had completely forgotten about the conflict they had had that day – his only priority now was calming the frantic woman before him.

"My parents… they weren't supposed to die! The ship didn't work… it didn't work!" She sobbed, resting her head on Hans shoulder. She was completely exhausted and barely awake, not even realized whose comfort she was receiving. Hans held her for a good five minutes, racking his brain as to how he was supposed to eventually kill her. He had promised himself revenge. He had promised himself her blood. Do I even want that now? He thought. Could I really kill her after all of this and... prove her right? And disappoint my sister… again. 'Don't be the monster they fear you are'. He had told her that once. He had saved her from the guilt of two dead men by her hands. She had lived her entire life trying to prove to the world she was not a monster. He had told her that! For God's sake he should have been talking to himself! He felt her pushing away from him – hastily taking to her feet. Tears still streamed down her face as her wild eyes scanned the room. Her gaze finally narrowed on Hans and he stood as she reached into her bodice and produced a piece of paper.

"Read it," her voice was shaky but firm and he did as she asked. He took it, and read it. And his jaw dropped as he read it again, making sure he wasn't imagining things. Guilt hit him like a crashing wave and he found himself lost for words. His brother – Thomas – was responsible for King Agdar and Queen Idun's death?

"Elsa… I'm so sorry. I… I didn't know," he stammered.

"But it's just so you isn't it!" she snarled, her tone angry and sad all at once, "Causing someone's unending suffering just to further your own position in power!"

"How could killing your parents possibly further Thomas' position as king…" he asked, slightly confused. Nonetheless, he realized what she was saying – whether referring to leaving Anna to die alone or attempting to kill Elsa as she mourned her sister.

"The second Mother and Father died… a treaty was signed between Arendelle and the Isles, stating that 'in times of war, our armies shall merge'. Your brother wanted them dead so he could overthrow any kingdom he desired! He killed my family for damn land and money!" She screeched in a howling rage, attacking Hans by clawing and hitting him although his defense was impeccable. He tightly wrapped his arms around her – just below her shoulders and locked her against his chest. She fought relentlessly against him, until exhaustion took over and she found herself sobbing in his arms. He lowered them both gently to the ground as he whispered soothing words into her soft blonde her. Her skin was cold under his hands – something to be expected – and his grip on her became stronger… more protective.

What are you doing?

Shut up.

Is this Ice Witch really getting to you?

She's not a witch…

You're supposed to kill her… remember?

I'm… I'm not sure I can.

Are you seriously falling for this bitch? The second she gets her chance, she'll lock you up again… except this time, you'll be in Arendelle.

It's not like I don't deserve it.

What about your sister?

She'll be safe… she is so much like her.

She. Is. Nothing. Like. HER!

I can't kill her.

You have to.

No.

It wasn't long before Hans realized Elsa had fallen back asleep. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, immediately scolding himself for being so foolish. It's only four more days, he thought, and then I never have to see her again. Only once the thought had passed through his mind, did he realize he would miss her company – miss the way he brought out the worst in her. He picked her up carefully and placed her down on her bed. He looked at her sleeping face – her features were now relaxed and her pale skin radiated from the soft moonlight. He could feel himself slipping – further and further into a deeper pit. Ever since the flogging, he had changed somehow. He had realized that no matter how many times, one could beg for mercy and kindness, the pain would not end until someone snapped. He had snapped when Isabelle died – no matter what he said to Thomas, or how much he begged Viktor to 'talk some sense into the king', his first love was still murdered ruthlessly. He had felt grief before – he had gotten to know it quite well in fact, with losing his mother and father to illness – but not the kind that ripped into his heart, and removed all the reasons to remain breathing. When a limb is too damaged beyond repair, it is amputated to save the rest of the body – Hans, had done so with his soul. He wondered if that's why he hated Elsa so much. Because she was like Isabelle – strong but kind, pure yet wicked at times, regal no matter what the circumstance. He knew Elsa had snapped, and that he had had a part in that. Even though Anna was still alive, the prospect of a loved one's death is heart breaking to say the least. But instead of closing off to the world and turning into a monster, she remained true and kind. She didn't throw her life away, hell-bent on revenge – for Anna or her childhood. He knew he had to make it up to her and it still annoyed him that he wanted to.

You love her, don't you?

Is it the worst thing that could happen?

Answer the damn question.

I'm not sure… maybe. Wha-what do I do? How do I know?

You'll know.

Light was just beginning to peek through the small barred window – the only glimpse of the outside world. His eyes stung from tiredness as he realized he had been up for most of the night. Hans sat down on his bed and read the letter that sealed two monarch's fate.

"I will be eagerly awaiting my payment,

The Duke of Weaselton"

That little worm, Hans thought, if only I could get my hands around his neck… He knew loving Elsa was not going to be easy. She wouldn't make it easy at all. But unbeknownst to Hans, taming the burning hate inside the Ice Queen would be the least of his troubles. It would be struggling to keep afloat once the next 24 hours transpired…

Ehehehehe! Cliffhanger!