Chapter 11:

Heart to Heart

Guest: To answer your question about how long until they discover that Anna and Hans are alive, I'm not sure just yet. I plan on writing a couple more chapters with them on the island before they are rescued, in order to develop their relationship, but the story won't be longer than twenty chapters. And to answer the second Guest's question, Hans' father's name is Daniel.

PS: For those of you reading my story "Passionate Vengeance" I've decided to put that on hiatus until I've finished this story. I want to give each one 100%, and that will require me to work on them one at a time. Once I'm finished with this, I'll get right back on it!


Hans stood back and admired his finished work: a painting of a ship sailing off into the sunset. He had been working for days on the project. It was his mother's day present. Hans discovered not long ago that he had a real talent for painting. Since then, he spent most of his days painting various things that caught his attention like the maids cleaning the rooms or the people in the town square. He knew that his mother would love the picture he painted for her; she loved everything he gave her. The young prince put his brush away, and went off to find his mother. He was going to surprise her with this one.

As he searched the palace for her, Richard happened to walk by Hans' room. The door was wide open. He looked inside and saw Hans' painting of the ship. That must be his mother's day present, he thought to himself. It looks nice, but it could use a little something. He went into Hans' room, picked up one of the brushes, and started painting on Hans' finished worked.

When Hans found his mother, he pulled her by the hand, leading her to his room to show what he had created for her. He was so excited that Aubrey had to tell him several times to slow down. By the time they arrived at his room, Hans was nearly out of breath, and sweating profusely.

"Happy mother's day!" he said, swinging open the door. Upon entering, the smile on his face quickly disappeared. There on his finished painting, the one he spent days working on, was a large black X in the center. Hans knew instantly that one of his brother's had done this. Now his painting was ruined, and so was his mother's day present.

Hans fell to his knees, and started to cry. He had worked so hard on this project, making sure every detail was just right, and his brother's had ruined it. Now he had nothing to give his mother for mother's day. Aubrey saw the wrecked painting as well as Hans crying on the floor. She too knew that one of his brother's had destroyed it, and she swore to find out who later. But right now, her youngest son needed comfort. Aubrey knelt down beside Hans and wrapped her arms around him.

"I love it, sweetie," she said.

"But it's ruined!" Hans cried. "Half the painting has a huge X through it!"

"I understand that, Hans, and I promise to find out whoever destroyed your painting, but it's OK. It's the thought that counts the most. The fact that you spent days making me something is touching enough as it is. Thank you so much."

Hans hugged his mother, crying softy on her shoulder. He was surprised at how she had reacted to the damage done, but he was grateful nonetheless.

"Come on now, dry your eyes," Aubrey said, handing him a handkerchief.

Hans wiped his eyes with the handkerchief, and handed it back to his mother. Aubrey smiled down at him, hoping that he would do the same. Hans did so, and once again hugged his mother tight.

"Happy mother's day, mom!" he said. "I love you."

"Thank you, sweetie. I love you too."


It was a rainy day on the island, which kept Anna and Hans confined to their cave for the time being. The two hadn't spoken to each other since yesterday when they came down from the mountain. Anna was clearly still upset at the comment Hans had made; the look on her face said it all. The princess sat at the far corner of the cave, rubbing a stick across some stones for amusement. She glanced up at Hans at the other end who just lay back, looking up at the ceiling. Since they were stranded here, Hans had changed a little in appearance. His once short hair was much longer, and he had grown a beard as well. Truth be told, he looked like a wild man, especially with the dirty clothes he was wearing, but she herself didn't look any better. Her dress had managed to hold out for the most part, except now it was filthy. She ripped off the skirt so that she would be able to move around easier, and used it as a makeshift pillow. It wasn't the best, but it was better than laying her head on cold, hard rocks.

The fire Hans had built was still going strong, basking them in its warmth. Anna stood up and walked toward it, holding her hands out in front. Hans noticed her movement, and watched her quietly. The two exchanged glances briefly, but didn't say a word to each other.

Hans thought about what he had said yesterday to Anna on the mountaintop. What could have possibly made him say such a thing? This was Anna, his enemy, the one who he had kidnapped, and planned to hold for ransom. Was it the lack of interaction with others? After all, Anna was the only human contact he had for the past month, maybe his instincts were just getting to him. But then why did it feel so good? On the mountain Hans had felt better than he had in a long, long time. Not since his mother was alive did Hans truly feel at peace with himself. The thought of his mother caused tears to form in the prince's eyes. He missed her so much.

Anna noticed Hans crying, and asked him about it.

"What's the matter with you?"

"I just miss her so much," Hans sobbed.

"Who?"

"My mother. She died when I was thirteen."

Anna could tell that this was deep subject matter she was walking into so she proceeded with caution.

"I'm sorry. I miss my parents too."

"We had so many good times together, and then one day, she was gone," Hans cried.

Anna nodded, keeping her eyes focused on the fire as she spoke. "I remember when I was little my mother and I used to play chess together. I was never good, she won every time, but it was always fun to play with her. After every match, we would go down to the kitchen and have a huge bowl of chocolate ice cream. Moments like these I miss dearly. Mother and father were my only real contact all the years Elsa remained isolated from me. When they died, that's when I truly felt alone. Without them, and Elsa still shutting me out, I had nobody. Sure there were plenty of servants around, but it's not the same as having family to love you. So I know what you're going through."

"When she died, I truly had no one as well," Hans explained. "She was the only one who was ever truly kind to me, the only one who really loved me."

"I'm sure your father and brothers loved you too, Hans," Anna said.

Hans shook his head. "I was never good enough for them. They always saw something wrong with me, and never gave me the love that my mother did."

For the first time, Anna felt sympathy for her captor. Despite all that he'd done, she actually felt sorry for him. No wonder he turned out the way he did.

Anna got up and sat beside Hans, who was still crying heavily. She wrapped an arm around him, and gently patted his back. "It's OK. Losing a loved one is hard."

Upon feeling Anna's touch, Hans quickly stopped crying. What was he thinking? Exposing his vulnerable side to Anna? That was stupid. He dried his eyes, and glared at the princess. "Well, you know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," he said. "So in a way, some good came from my mother's death. It made me into the ambitious, good man I am today."

Anna frowned at him; the feeling of hate instantly returned. "Ambitious? More like selfish, and murderous!" she snapped. "Your mother would be ashamed of you if she knew the things you've done to me and my sister. You don't care about anyone but yourself, and you're willing to harm others just to get what you want. You're as far from being a good man as humanly possible. Hell, it's generous for me to even call you a man."

She stood up and marched back to her original spot. "You're a sick human being, Hans. I guess some things never change."

Hans didn't bother responding to the princess's tangent. There was no point in it. She was already mad as it was, no need to make it worse.

That night, Hans lay awake thinking back to what Anna had said to him. Would his mother really be ashamed of him? Wouldn't she be proud that he'd taken control of his own life, and was shaping his own destiny? After all, she always told him to do his best, and that was what he was doing. He looked over at Anna at the other side of the cave. She was sleeping softly, not a peep out of her. He knew that she was just trying to comfort him today, but he didn't need it. Compassion was the enemy, it did nothing to make him a better man. Yet, part of him was drawn to Anna's sentiments. He had never really thought that she too had went through the same pain of losing a loved one. Unlike him, Anna had no one after her parents died. Hans still had his father and brothers, even if they didn't treat him right. And after all that she went through, somehow Anna remained an energetic, happy-go-lucky, girl. How was that possible?

Anna had also been unusually kind to him there for a minute. The kindest he'd seen her since the night of Elsa's coronation. It was as if for a moment all of what had happened between them disappeared, and she saw him as a completely different person. And he had to ruin it by opening his mouth. What an idiot! Anna was Hans' only companion on the island, and despite the history between them, he knew that they had to make the best of it. He didn't know when they would get off the island, but until then, hostility only made things worse not, better. Hans sat up and walked toward Anna. He gently nudged her awake.

"Anna, are you awake!" he whispered.

Anna opened her eyes and looked at Hans sitting next to her.

"What do you want?" she asked groggily.

"I just wanted to thank you for comforting me earlier. That was very thoughtful."

"You're welcome," Anna said in response, closing her eyes again.

"Hey! If it's not raining tomorrow would you like me to teach you how to spear fish? It's actually not as hard as it looks," Hans asked.

"Sure, whatever," Anna said.

"Great. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Anna."

"Goodnight, Hans."

Hans went back to lay down; smiling at his accomplishment. He had already started to improve his relationship with Anna, and tomorrow, it would get even better.


A/N: And the relationship takes a new turn. Will it blossom into something more? Stay tuned to find out.