A/N:

Three consecutive updates in a week so far! Aren't you lot lucky?

A guttural growl escaped Hans's throat and his lips curled into a snarl. He poured all his emotions into the swing; every ounce of hatred he harboured against himself, to the woman who so effortlessly thwarted his every move and proved herself so much worthier of ruling a kingdom. Why wouldn't Elsa concede defeat? Why was she so adamant on defending a kingdom that has done nothing but groom her into a weapon of mass destruction? Why would she place her own life on the line when her predecessor paraded her around like a prized trophy? Why was she so damn selfless in a world where only the fittest survived?

Twice, Elsa had spared his life when she had every reason to take it. Twice, Elsa had unknowingly condemned him to a pitiful existence where every day was a struggle to prove his worth. Gone were the days where he could stare for hours into a mirror, now he could barely even look into the eyes of his own reflection. After all, he would only see failure and self-doubt reflected within his green orbs.

No more.

He will be free from his internal prison. With Elsa dead, he will no longer have to be reminded of how inferior he really was.

His sword closed the distance, the blade glinting beneath the sunlight, thirsting for blood. His eyes were focused on his target, the pale skin of Elsa's exposed neck where his sword will slice through. It will all be over soon. With this, he will finally be able to look at himself, gain some semblance of the man that he once was.

Elsa turned around, eyes widening in surprise. Her hands came up reflexively to shield herself, her katars crossing over her face in a defensive posture.

His sword made contact, frost forming across the blade and shattered to pieces.

Hans's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared down at the sword still clutched in his hands, all that was left of his blade was a jagged shard of metal still attached to the hilt, the remaining fragments falling to his feet. Baffled, he looked up to meet Anna's eyes, full of equal surprise, the ice sword still held up from blocking his blow.

A chilly blast wave erupted, catching Hans across his abdomen and flinging him backwards. Elsa's powers had activated in self-defense albeit a moment too late. Turning to face Anna, Elsa touched a hand to her raised arm, gently urging her to lower her sword.

"You saved me." Elsa murmured appreciatively into Anna's ear.

"Of course. It was my turn." Anna managed to respond, still in shock that she had even intervened in time.

Elsa stalked towards Hans who was struggling to his feet. She released her katars, the ice blades falling to stab into the ground. She glowered with unadulterated fury at the man cowering pitifully. She should have killed him all those months ago during the tourney. Such scum did not deserve to live.

"Wait." Anna called out and Elsa stopped in mid step. "He's mine." Anna voice held a dangerous tint as she stepped in front of Elsa.

Elsa opened her mouth, about to protest before thinking the better of it and pressing her lips together. She stepped away reluctantly; understanding what Anna needed to do for closure despite disagreeing with the notion.

Flipping the sword in her right hand, Anna sank its blade halfway into the soft ground before Hans's figure.

"Get up." Anna demanded, swapping the ice sword from her left hand to her right.

When Hans made no motion to move, Anna jabbed the tip of her sword against his throat.

"I said, get up." Anna hissed.

With the sword tip still indenting his skin, Hans slowly rose to his feet.

"Pick up the sword." Anna backed away, pointing her weapon at the sword in the ground. "If you defeat me, you get to walk away from this with your life. If you lose, well, I'm sure you know what awaits you."

"What makes you so certain I'd even accept such terms?" Hans sneered. A valiant attempt considering how pathetic he looked, a fallen prince covered in mud.

"Because you are afraid of dying." Anna responded with a casual shrug.

"I commend your astuteness." Hans inclined his head in Anna's direction. "But you have no chance of besting me in combat."

"Do you ever stop talking? Pick up the damn sword and prove that you are not just empty words."

The word 'prove' ignited an unbridled anger within Hans and he snatched up the weapon. Swinging wildly in rage, he lunged towards Anna. His blows were checked one after the other, metal clinking against ice. When his swings were repeatedly parried, Hans aimed a kick to Anna's side, his boot connecting loudly against the redhead's armour and sending her staggering. With Anna off balance, Hans leapt forward, closing the distance, his sword held high above his head, the tip pointing downwards in preparation of stabbing through Anna's neck.

The early afternoon sun casted Hans's shadow on the ground and by sheer luck, Anna evaded the descending blade, the edge grazing lightly across her cheek, drawing blood. Hans's sword plunged into the soft dirt, missing its target. In a flash, Anna braced her weight on her hands in a somersault that allowed her to hook a knee around Hans's neck then using her weight and momentum to force him face first into the ground.

Before Hans could recover, Anna had yanked him to his feet, her left hand balling around a handful of his chainmail as her right fist caught him in the jaw. There was a satisfying sound of her knuckledusters crunching against bone before Hans howled in pain; his free hand pressing against the bleeding gashes where Anna's spiked knuckleduster had ripped through skin. As he stumbled back from the punch, Anna pivoted on her left foot in a roundhouse back kick that connected solidly against the side of Hans head.

Hans flailed around, his sword swishing wildly through the air in a desperate attempt that one of his swings would find a fleshy target. Anna lazily checked each blow, knocking aside Hans's sword with casual flicks of her wrist, deliberately closing the distance between them.

Anna caught Hans's wrist as he swung his sword toward her neck, stopping the blade in mid swing. With a thumb digging into the inside of Hans's wrist, Anna twisted Hans's arm sharply, easily disarming him and his sword sloshed into the mud.

Hans grimaced as he leaned towards his right, trying to alleviate the pressure against his shoulder as Anna wrenched it further in an awkward angle. His face was warming despite the cold as he gasped in pain under Anna's restraint, pain shooting up his arm.

"You wouldn't kill me." Hans sputtered, spittle flying from his mouth.

Anna stared down into desperate green eyes as she leaned in close to whisper. "You are wrong."

Anna thrust her ice sword upwards. Frost began creeping across Hans's breastplate as the tip of Anna's sword made contact with the metal, ice crystallising in leaf like patterns, forming a layer over the armour. The cold emanating from the ice was so extreme that cracks appeared in the metal and the ice sword pierced through the broken protective gear, plunging itself into Hans's heart.

Hans stared down in shock at the sword protruding from his chest, the coldness from the magically crafted weapon already beginning to spread through his chest. His mouth parted, opening and closing like a gaping fish out of water as he struggled to form coherent sentences. His eyes were bulging out of their sockets, green orbs filled with disbelief as he met Anna's impassive gaze.

"That's for my parents." Anna whispered, her voice lowered so only Hans could hear her words. "And this," Anna twisted the blade, causing Hans's body to jerk. "This is for hurting Elsa."

Bracing her free hand against Hans's shoulder, Anna rose to her feet and wrenched her sword from Hans's chest with a fluid motion. Bright crimson blood spurted from the wound, coating half of the ice blade in red that steamed from the differences in temperature. Anna watched emotionlessly as Hans fell to his knees, swaying momentarily before flopping onto his back, empty eyes staring blankly.

Anna had thought Hans death by her hands would bring about some form of relief. Where was the overwhelming rush of emotions that came from avenging her parents' murders? All she felt was emptiness. Killing Hans had not accomplished anything; it didn't bring her parents back, neither did it undo the injuries he had inflicted on Elsa. Killing Hans had accomplished nothing except to cause guilt threatening to swallow her whole. Sure, it wasn't the first life she had taken today and it probably wouldn't be her last. Surely she could take some comfort in the fact that the world now has one less sociopath to worry about?

"Anna. It's over."

Elsa's voice breached through her hazy mind, pulling Anna out of her reverie. Elsa's hands pried her fingers away from the sword still clutched in a vice like grip, the weapon dispelling away into a shower of frost that drifted onto the ground, glistening against the mud.

"Anna…"

"I'm alright." Anna squeezed Elsa's hand in reassurance. "I'm alright." She repeated more for herself than for Elsa's sake.

Elsa nodded in acknowledgement, unconvinced yet understanding that Anna needed time to process. Stepping away, she fashioned a large wheelhouse, roughly the size of a cottage from ice, even adding eight pairs of ice horses to draw the carriage. The walls were translucent, providing a clear view of the interior segregated into three cells separated by criss-crossing bars of ice. It was essentially a prison on wheels.

With a flick of her wrists, two mounds of snow rearranged in large clumps to reform her golems. The menacing creatures prodded at the prisoners, herding them up the ramp of the wheelhouse and into the cramped cells within. Each man was forced to past Hans lifeless body before they were shoved roughly into the ice prison, the translucent walls of the wheelhouse ensuring they still had a clear view of their dead prince. It was a deliberate arrangement on Elsa's part; the need to inflict psychological trauma and ensuring the prisoners of war no longer had the will to fight. Not that there was much will to break that Elsa could see; the Southern Isles soldiers were definitely relieved to surrender. It was partly the reason for her magnanimity, that and she did not want to take any more lives than was necessary.

The last soldier climbed on board and the wheelhouse ramp folded up, melting then refreezing into a seamless wall of ice, enclosing the prisoners within a transparent box with hardly enough room for the hundred or so men to stand comfortably.

"All clear." Kristoff announced as he returned from checking the buildings in the outpost for any remaining enemy forces that they might have missed.

"Good." Elsa turned to her ice horses standing still as statues. With a silent command, they came to life, sunlight rippling over their perfectly chiselled frames as they broke into a trot, pulling along the prison wheelhouse.

"What are we going to do about him?" He jerked his chin in the direction of Hans's prone body once the wheelhouse disappeared into the trees.

"Death is too good for him." Anna muttered bitterly. "He deserves to rot in an unmarked grave."

"I quite agree. Regardless, he's still a prince. Or at least he was a couple of minutes ago." Elsa commented disdainfully.

"I want him gone." Anna glowered at Hans's body as if she could somehow set him ablaze with a heated glare.

"Kristoff, send out a team when we get back to clean up the area. Burn the bodies and arrange for scouting parties to resume their duties. As for Hans, we'll send him back to the Southern Isles. There's no reason why his death can't serve as a warning to our favourite neighbour. Show them that prince or not, we will cut down any who dares invade our kingdom." Elsa pursed her lips, massaging her temples gingerly.

The effect of the adrenaline that her body had been solely running on was wearing out and Elsa could feel soreness settling into her muscles. With the amount of magic that she had been channelling in the last twelve hours, she was surprised that she hadn't pass out from sheer exhaustion yet again. But there was still more to be done and she could not afford to falter now. Her brows furrowed as she concentrated, frost forming a large snowflake on the ground several feet away. The oversized ice crystal, as wide as one of her golems began revolving and a funnel of rapidly spinning frost and ice formed in its centre, growing upwards and outwards steadily. Elsa had her eyes squeezed shut, focusing on a mental image, allowing her imagination to come to life through her powers.

The unnatural ice tornado dissipated, revealing a twenty-foot tall ice dragon. The creature unfurled its wings, light catching and reflecting off the many facets of ice crystals within. Its eyes were dark, holding a glint of intelligence as it stared unblinkingly at Elsa.

Anna gasped in amazement. "Elsa. Your ice griffins and snow leopards were amazing but this… this… this is just out of this world." Her voice dropped to a hush whisper.

Elsa was blinking rapidly, stunned by her own creation. "I didn't realised I could create something of this scale either." She admitted. "I mean I had it in mind, but I didn't think it would actually be this big."

"Your powers must be growing. Did you take some magical potion or something?" Kristoff commented, unable to take his gaze from the creature that was now staring down at the humans with what seemed like amusement.

Anna and Elsa shot each other knowing looks, quickly concluding that the boost in Elsa's powers must be attributed to the blood bond that they had invoked. They had much to discuss but it would have to wait.

Elsa stepped towards her dragon, running her hand against its snout when it lowered its large head. She'd like nothing better than to keep the creature but it was created for a sole purpose. Sighing gently, Elsa backtracked, giving her creation room to move.

Its large talons drew deep gorges into the soft ground as it scooped up Hans's limp body in its forelimbs. Rearing back on its haunches, the dragon leapt into the air, wings flapping as it ascended, breaking through the overhead forest canopy and into the sky. In a flash, it was gone, leaving only muddy footprints in the ground.

"Let's go home." Elsa held out her hand to Anna who took it gratefully.

"Yes… it's over…" Anna murmured, a smile of relief spreading across her face before her features shifted into one of concerned.

"Elsa?" Anna called out, her tone laced with worry as Elsa went rigid.

Elsa's eyes were glassy as she swayed, almost crumbling to the ground had Anna not caught her weakening body. Little black spots appeared in her vision and it was a struggle just to focus on Anna's face.

"Elsa!" Anna cried in alarm, pulling Elsa's body against hers.

Elsa flailed weakly, her hands grasping blindly at Anna's forearms, trying to find purchase against the metal bracers. Anna's voice sounded muffled and distorted, as if from a very great distance away when in reality, she was right in front. Her vision began swimming in and out of focus, Anna's concerned expression twisting into blur. She felt like she was floating, as if she was on a ship rocking on choppy waters; the world tilting at odd angles.

Elsa's eyelids fluttered shut and she slumped limply against a panicking Anna.

"Elsa!"

It wasn't supposed to end like this. They were finally safe. They could finally begin their lives together. This couldn't be happening. Any moment now, Elsa was going to open her eyes and smile that half smile at her.

"No. Elsa, wake up. Please…" Anna begged, desperately shaking Elsa's motionless form. "You can't leave me like this. You can't…" Anna was sobbing now, tears streaming unchecked down her face as she sank to her knees, Elsa clutched close to her chest.

"Elsa…"

Anna's world was crumbling down around her as she pressed her forehead against Elsa's, her body wracking with silent sobs.

xxx

Else blearily opened her eyes, her eyelids felt like they had been glued together and it didn't help that her muscles felt sluggish. Her right arm was numbed from resting on her side, pins and needles running along her muscles. Blinking slowly, her vision finally adjusted to the dimness of the room, illuminated by a single candle that casted a weak orange glow from the dresser across from her. Her eyes travelled around her surroundings, recognising the large four poster canopy bed that she shared with Anna in the royal chambers, although how she got here, she had absolutely no recollection whatsoever. The material of the silk chemise was cool against her skin and the weight of the quilt pulled over her shoulders comforting, enclosing her within a warm cocoon that was luring her back into slumber. Her eyelids had grown heavy and Elsa was about to drift back to sleep when the itch on her back started, jolting her awake from the persistent sensation of a billion ants crawling over her skin. Rather awkwardly, she reached back with her left hand to scratch at her lower back only for her fingers to come across swaths of bandages and gauze. Gritting her teeth in annoyance, she squirmed about on the soft mattress, the covers slipping off her torso as she tried to get at the growing itch that had spread along her spine.

The door swung opened on well-oiled hinges and Elsa froze, her arm twisted behind her back in mid-scratch. The candle held aloft by Gerda reflected off startled cerulean eyes before the housekeeper lowered the flame and beamed happily.

"Just stay right there, dear. I'll get the Princess." Gerda pulled the door shut behind her, leaving Elsa alone once more.

Barely a minute passed before the door flew opened, a characteristic entrance by Anna as she burst into the room, eyes wide in panic.

"Elsa!" The relief was palatable in her voice and Anna's tensed shoulders visibly relaxed as her eyes landed on a very awake and shocked Elsa.

Settling on the edge of the mattress, Anna clucked her tongue in disapproval when she noticed Elsa absentmindedly clawing at the bandages. Taking Elsa's hand in her own lest the blonde did any further damage, Anna brushed her lips against Elsa's knuckles affectionately.

"How are you feeling?" Anna asked quietly when a small smile graced Elsa's features.

"Itchy." Elsa's voice was hoarse and scratchy from unused.

At that, Anna chuckled lightly. "I should hope so. It's a sign that you are healing."

"You seemed to be taking a little too much pleasure at my discomfort." Elsa scowled, mildly irritated.

Anna chuckled again, relief apparent on her face that Elsa was well enough to be making snide comments. "I'm just glad you are awake." She murmured, her eyes moist with tears.

"You make it sound like I was in a coma." Elsa grumbled as she repositioned her head to look up at Anna.

Anna averted her gaze, the motion causing Elsa to blanch as she tried to recall her fuzzy memories before she woke up in her bed.

"How long have I been asleep?" Elsa asked apprehensively.

"A week." Anna muttered, still refusing to meet Elsa's gaze. She had assumed the worse when the royal physician failed to rouse Elsa from what was beginning to look like an indefinite slumber. It wasn't as if there was any known literature about individuals with ice powers that they could refer to. But the pain of never being able to see Elsa's cerulean eyes gazing at her with adoration or never hearing Elsa's melodious voice had been overwhelmed by her guilt. If she hadn't resolutely refused to evoke the strange magical bond that the trolls had spoken of, they would not have walked into Hans trap and Elsa would not have suffered so many injuries under Hans's hands then buckled under the strain of channelling so much magic. If Elsa never opened her eyes again, Anna doubted she would have the will to continue living.

"Anna. It is not your fault." Elsa, despite her poorly functioning mental capacities had somehow sensed Anna's distraught and recognised her wife's self-loathing. Maybe the blood bond they had forged allowed Elsa a far better grasp of Anna's emotions; she could almost feel Anna's presence within her mind, much like how she could sense the existence of her sentient creatures. Anna's consciousness had been ingrained into her in some manner and Elsa intended to test out her theories eventually.

"You saved me, Anna. You saved us all. And if the consequences were just a week long slumber, I'd say it's well worth it. I certainly needed the bed rest." Elsa smiled in jest.

"I should have listened to you. If I had agreed earlier, Hans wouldn't have gotten his hands on you. Gods. I am such a fool." Anna berated herself.

"No, Anna. The outcome could have been a lot worse if you had. Besides, your kindness and faith in others are traits that I absolutely love, Anna."

"That doesn't make me feel any better." Anna sighed in resignation, internally berating herself that despite Elsa's severe injuries and having just woken up, she was still causing her wife worry. Elsa was just too good for her.

"We'll have to work on your forgiveness. Don't be too hard on yourself." Elsa rubbed soothing circles against Anna's palm with her thumb.

"Ah, there you are, Anna dear. We've been looking all over the castle for you." Gerda interrupted, causing both women to tear their gazes away from each other and glance to the opened door. Gerda smiled warmly and reached in to grasp the polished door knob. "I'll give you both some privacy. I'm glad you have awaken, Your Majesty. Princess Anna has been worried sick." The door was pulled shut gently, cutting off the faint lighting from the hallway.

"Hmm…" Elsa hummed in thought. "Gerda didn't send you here?"

"No…?" Anna raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"Was there a particular reason why you nearly broke down the door earlier then?"

"I guess I sort of sensed that you were awake? I don't know how else to put it, but ever since the whole blood mixing thing, I've somehow been more attuned to you? Wow, that really sounds stupid and weird. Just forget I said anything." Anna clamped her lips shut.

"It doesn't sound stupid at all." Elsa reassured, lacing their fingers together. If anything, Anna's admission suggested that their strange emotional bond wasn't entirely one-sided.

"It doesn't?" Anna asked timidly.

"It doesn't." Elsa reiterated. "We'll have to discuss this eventually. But first things first, what have I missed the past week? I'm guessing you've been busy sorting out the kingdom's affairs." Elsa reached up to trace the dark circles beneath Anna's eyes with her thumb.

"You just focus on getting better. I'll keep your throne warm till you are well enough." Anna pressed a kiss against Elsa's palm before tucking the blonde securely beneath the heavy quilt.

"I am well enough to listen." Elsa protested, struggling to sit up.

"Not unless the royal physician says so. Knowing Gerda, he should be on his way shortly."

"Then at least keep me company till he arrives?" Elsa asked hopefully, raising the quilt in invitation.

Anna stared at the bed in longing, chewing on her bottom lip as she considered the offer. She was still in her officer's uniform, having literally run out of a meeting with several advisors, acting upon a gut feeling that had paid off when she found Elsa awake. Surely Kai had been informed that Elsa had regained consciousness and would arrange for the meeting to be adjourned. Besides, Anna doubted she would be able to focus even if she had returned to the antechamber.

Kicking off her boots and removing her officer's jacket, Anna crawled beneath the covers. She draped an arm over Elsa's hip, careful not to touch the bandages on Elsa's back and snuggled closer into Elsa's chest.

"I've missed you." Anna murmured, sighing in content. "I thought I'd never get to hear your voice or see your smile again." She admitted.

"I'm not going anywhere." Elsa stroked Anna's head in assurance. "Not even death can stop me from being away from you."

"I'm not sure I like the idea of being haunted by a ghost." Anna chuckled teasingly.

"Good thing that wouldn't be happening then."

A/N:

The original Anna/Hans fight was a lot shorter... but based on your reviews, I thought it was necessary to make him suffer a little more. Though I doubt its enough but it'll have to do for now...