/* I'm glad you're all enjoying FTL! Thanks again for the reviews, it's always nice to get feedback. Without further ado – Here's Hans! */

Though Elsa had to walk up a tower of stairs in order to reach Hans' prison, there was no mistaking the fact that he was a prisoner. Guards were posted at the bottom and top of the stairs as well as at every full turn of the spiral. The door at the top had been reinforced and the hinges were on the outside of the door so they could not be removed from within and there was no place to hide when the door was opened. Because of her conversation with Niels, Elsa wondered how much was to keep Hans in and how much was to keep others out.

Despite King Robert and Queen Margrete's displeasure, Elsa had insisted on seeing Hans without them. With a show of resistance, she finally agreed to an escort when Niels offered. So she found herself standing at the top of one of the castle towers, waiting while the guards unlocked the door, chained Hans to the wall, then retreated down the stairwell to be out of immediate earshot for an average conversation, though still close enough to respond if called for.

Niels entered the room first and Elsa followed, so she and Hans were hidden from each other's view. She glance around the room quickly, noting the sparse furniture, lack of books, empty fireplace, and barred windows.

"Hans," said Niels and Elsa could hear the smile and suppressed excitement in his voice, "I sent your letter. It made it to Arendelle."

Elsa heard the shifting of chains as Hans moved, though she still couldn't see him. Hans' voice was rough from disuse, "Is there an answer?"

"Sort of," said Niels, "You have a visitor." He stepped aside to reveal Elsa.

Hans' clothes were dirty and worn, his hair long and disheveled, but what shocked her the most was the dead and hopeless look in his eyes. There was none of the confidence and life that she had seen at her coronation. Instead, he looked utterly defeated.

Hans jerked forwards in anticipation, then shrank back when he recognized her. Elsa saw the hope flare in his eyes, followed by confusion, then fear. "Queen Elsa?" he stuttered, "Why are you here?"

"I'm here for my sister," she answered, "To find out if your letter is true."

The fear faded from Hans' eyes and he sank back onto a bench by the wall, "I don't have any way to prove it." He laughed bitterly, "Seeing me like this probably is just going to convince you that I'm just trying to get out of a horrible situation." He sighed, leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.

Elsa glanced sideways at Niels and saw the concern in his eyes. Though she still wasn't sure about Hans' motivations, she had seen and heard enough to understand how it could be possible. She also did believe that Niels was sincere, and he clearly believed in his brother's motivations. Not sure what else she could do, Elsa decided her best chance was to ask questions and see what she could find out. "What happened when you came home?" she asked.

Hans didn't open his eyes to answer and his voice was monotone, "News of what happened is Arendelle arrived first, so I was met at the ship and brought straight here where I've been ever since."

At this news, Elsa looked closer. She quickly realized Hans was telling the truth: the clothes he was wearing, though clearly worn and dirty, were the same ones he had been wearing when he was banished from Arendelle. Feeling a stir of pity, Elsa let her eyes roam over him to see that he had noticeably lost weight. There were dark circles under his eyes, and his skin was a sickly translucent colour. "Why didn't they put you in the dungeon?"

Hans did crack open an eye at that question and gave her an ironic smile, "It sets a bad precedent," he said, "The story is that I have been simply 'confined to my quarters'. This way, if another person of royal blood is in trouble the standard has been set that royalty still demands respect. They are set up nicely in their room and just kept out of the way." Hans lifted his hands to gesture at his room and the chains clanked loudly, "It doesn't quite live up to the description."

"No, that it doesn't," said Elsa quietly. Hans had clearly had a long and tedious year. Still, she wasn't sure that she believed Hans' actions were completely motivated by love and desperation. She knew she couldn't leave him without an answer, but Elsa wasn't sure how to satisfy her uncertainties. However, there was reasonable doubt that he had been merely power hunger, and Elsa felt that she needed to let Hans know. She cleared her throat and straightened to a more regal stature, "I want to believe your letter Hans," she said.

Hans' eyes flew open. He stared at her for a moment, blinked, then slowly rose to his feet. He walked over as close to her as she could and started intently into her eyes. Elsa didn't flinch under the scrutiny, and as she stared back, she saw the faintest stirrings of hope. "You're considering it?" he asked, "I hoped– I mean I tried not to, but I couldn't help but hope–" he trailed off, then started over, "Why?"

Elsa resisted the urge to look away, "Anna spoke to the trolls and they confirmed what you said about her frozen heart. Seeing you here like this, I know you were telling the truth about knowing it wouldn't work when she asked you to kiss her: you've had no chance to learn since."

Relief flooded his eyes and Hans sank to the floor in front of Elsa, his arms stretched awkwardly behind him because of the chains, "Oh thank you," he whispered. Hans closed his eyes and tilted his head back. Elsa could see tears glistening on his cheeks, "Anna knows why I couldn't kiss her then." He opened his eyes again and fixed Elsa with a penetrating stare, rising back up onto his knees, "I couldn't take advantage of her. I wanted her to kiss me because she loved me, not because of a spell. She was so desperate, and if I had given her what she wanted she would have doubted my love when it didn't work. Queen Elsa, does she understand?" His voice was so desperate and intense that Elsa almost backed away from him.

She hesitated, then knew she had to tell him the truth, "Yes," she said, "Anna understands about the kiss and she doesn't blame you."

Hans sank back again, "Oh thank you," he whispered, "Thank you, thank you…" His voice petered off into a breathless whisper as Hans sank down onto the floor again. "It's more than I ever thought possible. I can be happy now. Thank you." Hans closed his eyes again and laid his head down on the floor, clearly exhausted by the intensity of his emotions.

Niels stepped to Elsa's side, causing her to jump. She had forgotten that there was another person in the room. He gestured for her to precede him out of the room, and with a final glance at Hans' now still figure, she left the tower and started to descend the tower stairs.