"What do you mean you found Hans?"

Even though Inger was alone when she returned, Elsa had been afforded no time to consider what happened to her son. His absence was the least of her concerns, until now.

"We were performing a sweep of the grounds when we came across him."

"Is he dead?"

"We thought so at first, but he's still breathing, barely. We were unable to rouse him."

"Where is he?"

"In the rose garden."

"Did you find anything else?"

"No, Your Majesty."

"Very well, thank you."

She looked at the Heart of Arendelle which sparkled in her hands. She was anxious to complete her examination, but it would have to wait. For now, she wanted it somewhere safe. If Inger returned, she'd make sure it didn't fall into her hands again.

"Please take this to the undercroft," she said, holding the heirloom out. "Put it under lock and key."

The guard took it with a bow.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As shocking as it was to have the Heart of Arendelle in her possession again, it wasn't enough to pry her mind away from Hans. The news of his discovery was troubling, not because he was still alive, but because this meant Inger would most definitely return. Considering how she reacted to what Elsa now knew to be her son's near-death experience, there was little doubt she'd come back for him. The relief that Elsa felt at the flight of Inger was once again replaced by the hand of fear.

"What are we going to do?" Anna asked.

"I don't know."

Her response hadn't inspired much confidence, she knew that. Everyone's eyes were upon her and she saw her own doubts reflected in them. She wished she could provide them with an answer, something that would put their minds at ease, but there was little she could say to give them peace.

Grand Pabbie stepped forward, and Elsa was happy to have their attention diverted to him.

"I understand he was struck by Inger's magic?"

"Yes."

"If he was not struck in the heart then I may be able to revive him."

"Or not," Kristoff said.

"He saved us Kristoff," Anna said. "Have you forgotten that?"

"Of course not, but he also tried to kill you on more than one occasion. I can't just forget that ever happened."

"He's the only one who can stop her," Elsa said, staring at the dark waters of the fjord which stretched out before her like black velvet. She could hardly believe her own words, but Inger was out there somewhere, and she couldn't stop her alone. How desperate they must've become, for her to even consider such a notion.

"What?" Anna said.

It wasn't misunderstanding that drove Anna's question, Elsa could see that. It was doubt.

"If Inger is going to be stopped, Hans is the one to do it."

"You can't be serious?" Kristoff said.

"She'd destroy us without a second thought, but if Hans is with us, she may at least hesitate."

"Do you realize what you're saying?" Kristoff said. "Do you realize what a dangerous gamble that is? He's a slippery traitor, totally unpredictable and beyond anyone's control. There's no telling what he might do if you bring him back."

"He's also our best chance. He's the only one who might be able to reason with her."

Elsa looked to the others for support, for some kind of reassurance the risk was worth taking, but all she saw were reservations.

"What do you think, John?" she said. "You know him better than anyone. Are we making a mistake by saving him?"

John appeared to give careful consideration to the question. He did know Hans better than anyone, but he was also his brother and that relationship, no matter how strained, might influence any advice he might give her. Despite this, she was anxious for his response.

"If he knows you're related, that you're part of the same family, I believe he won't harm you. Whether he can reason with his mother or not, that's another matter."

Elsa nodded her understanding.

"If you wish it to be," Grand Pabbie said, "I will take a look. If I can help him, I will."

Kristoff was right, it was a gamble and the odds of success weren't in their favor. But those odds were better than anything else she could come up with. Besides, she didn't have the heart to leave him dying in the rose garden, no matter what he'd done.

"Ok. Let's go get Hans."

"Elsa," Kristoff objected one last time, "are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, Kristoff, it's the only way."

Was that really true though? Was she blind to a more viable option? She didn't know, and that uncertainty only made her doubts worse. "But it wouldn't hurt to have a little more protection."

Kristoff looked to the castle, perhaps wondering if Elsa was expecting reinforcements. However, that wasn't her intention.

She searched inside herself for the burgeoning magic, digging deep, sensing that it was beginning to overcome her exhaustion. Her emptiness was filling, the magic rejuvenating within her, and with effort she found what she was looking for.

She turned and extended her arms, palms out, fingers spread. A bolt of magic leapt from each hand and struck the cobblestone with a crack and a hiss. Two churning masses of smoke-like clouds appeared, harboring little snowballs that grew, expanding until they resembled snowy boulders. Arms formed on each body with crystalline claws sprouting from their tips, and a head unfolded upon each one with glowing eyes, deep sockets of corresponding blue and yellow. Legs like tree trunks pushed the massive bodies upward until they rose to their full height, towering over the group that watched in fascination. The one with blue eyes uttered a growl and yellow eyes responded with a grunt.

"Marshmallow and Pumpkin!" Anna said.

"Will that do?" Elsa asked Kristoff.

He gave her a smile.

"Yeah, that'll do."

A snort and a neigh drew their attention to the castle where they saw an unhappy Sven trotting down the steps. He was clearly upset about being left in the castle alone, a displeasure which no doubt arose from his brave spirit and natural desire to help, but that unhappiness melted when he saw everyone gathered in the courtyard. His head snapped up and he bounded toward them where he was met by Kristoff.

"Hey there, boy," Kristoff said, scratching him behind the ears. "Sorry about that. I had to make sure it was safe out here first."

Sven grunted in reply, nuzzling Anna who patted him on the head.

"Ok, then," Elsa said. "Now that everyone's here let's get going. I don't know how much time we have."

Peder took the lead with the giant snowmen at the rear. They hurried around the south side of the castle, passing between the church and the south wing. Peder called to the guard who had returned to the wall.

"Anything?"

The guard shook his head.

"All is clear."

"Good. Don't take your eyes off that fjord!"

It was hardly a necessary command. Every guard was vigilant at their outpost, scanning the darkness for activity and listening for even the faintest sound that might signal the return of Inger.

The group continued toward the rear of the castle. Despite her insistence and John's affirmation otherwise, there was a nagging doubt that reviving Hans might turn out to be a mistake, but they had to take the chance, she knew that

"Why the rose garden?" Anna asked. "Why would she take him there?"

Elsa hadn't thought about that, but the answer occurred to her immediately.

"That's where she killed her mother. I think it must hold some kind of significance for her."

"How did she do that?" Kristoff asked.

"It was an accident, like with Hans. She had an argument with my father and lashed out with her magic. Her mother—"

"Our grandmother," Anna said.

"Yes, our grandmother, she paid with her life."

"That explains the rose garden," Anna said. "Maybe she has guilt issues."

"Perhaps, and that's why we need Hans."

They rounded the corner of the west wing and stopped before the gate that led to the rose garden. It was a stone arch, about two men wide, creating a break in the wall that ran between the battlement and the castle. Brown, withered vines snaked over the hewn stones which interlocked in narrow gaps of mortar. Beyond this, lying in the center of the path, was Hans. He was flat on his back with his hands folded over his chest, as if prepared for burial. There were no obvious signs he was still alive.

Pumpkin and Marshmallow couldn't fit through the narrow gate so Elsa commanded them to stay behind. Peder made a sweep of the garden, investigating blackened trees and empty benches for any sign they weren't alone. Elsa and Anna bent down together, studying Hans as if he were some kind of curious specimen.

"Don't get so close," Kristoff said, grabbing Anna's arm. "It could be a trap."

"It's not a trap," Grand Pabbie said. "He's in the grip of his mother's magic, he will not awaken on his own."

"Can you bring him back?" Elsa asked.

Grand Pabbie laid his hands on his chest, then pressed his fingers to Hans' forehead, concentrating.

"He was not struck in the heart or the head. If I remove the magic, he will revive."

"Think about this Elsa," Kristoff said. "You're bringing Hans back, the man who tried to kill both you and Anna."

"We have no choice. It's our best chance. It must be done."

Elsa could see the weight of her words hung heavy over him. The man who lay unconscious on the ground was the man who nearly murdered the woman he loved, and she understood how he felt; but something had changed in Hans. She didn't know what it was, not exactly, but in the courtyard, before his mother's brutal attack, she saw something different in him. It was as if he were…almost human. Then to sacrifice himself to save them, it was all so strange. Yes, there was something different about him, and it was something they might be able to use if they could get him to cooperate. If he refused, or became uncontrollable, there was always Marshmallow and Pumpkin to make sure he did no harm.

"Then shouldn't we tie him up first, or something?" Kristoff said.

"No, we need his help. Would you help someone who tied you up?"

She could see he knew the answer, he just didn't like it. His worry was reflected by Sven who stood a few paces away, sniffing at Hans like he was a heap of refuse. Even John seemed uneasy with their current situation and that was most troubling, for if Hans' own brother didn't know what to expect, how could any of them be sure how he'd react?

"You better stand back," Kristoff said, touching Anna and Elsa on the shoulder.

"I agree," Peder said, returning from his investigation and standing next to Grand Pabbie.

The girls obeyed, stepping away.

"This should only take a moment," Grand Pabbie said. He placed a palm over Hans' navel and the other on his chest and closed his eyes, concentrating and holding so still he looked a little like a statue. A green glow enveloped Hans' torso, alternating in intensity like a slow, rhythmic heartbeat. The light of the magic shone upward on Grand Pabbie's face, creating strange shadows above his eyes and mouth making him look like a ghost in the darkness. After a moment the glow subsided and Grand Pabbie stepped back. Hans let out a long exhale and a stream of blue mist twisted and curled from his mouth, rising like steam before disappearing.

"He should wake soon," Grand Pabbie said. "I felt him fighting the magic, his resistance was strong and it did not spread far."

A hush fell over the courtyard as everyone waited to see what would happen. Hans stirred and let out a quiet moan, his fingers unlacing from his chest and his arms falling to his sides. His breath quickened, the prolonged inhales and extended exhales becoming more regular. He groaned and pressed a hand to his forehead, then scratched it through his hair before letting it fall again. He blinked his eyes open and squinted into the darkness.

Peder drew his sword and pointed it at Hans' neck, but Elsa shook her head, urging him to step away. He was reluctant to obey but did step back, lowering his sword but not sheathing it.

Hans ran a hand down his face, his tongue clicking on his palate as he opened and closed his mouth; then he raised his head, gave a look at the people standing around him, and laid back down.

"Where am I?" he said, his voice a hoarse croak.

"You're in the rose garden of my castle."

"What am I doing here?"

"Your mother brought you."

He jerked his head up.

"My mother? Where is she?"

"She's gone. She left."

Hans sat up and Peder tensed, tightening his grip on his sword.

"Hans," John said. "Do you know what happened to you?"

Hans peered up at his brother, rubbed his eyes and then looked again.

"John, what are you doing here?"

"I'm trying to help you. Do you know what happened?"

Hans drew his knees up and swabbed at his lips. He bore such a look of resignation that Elsa almost felt sorry for him.

"Yes, I know what happened. My mother tried to kill everyone."

"But you saved us," Anna said.

Hans cast his gaze upon her, a look which made Kristoff uncomfortable but one in which Elsa saw no harm. Hans seemed to be coming to grips with the revelations that shocked them all.

Meanwhile, Elsa was coming to grips with her own anxiety. How was she supposed to feel about Hans now that they'd brought him back? Could one act of redemption wipe away all the evil he'd perpetrated, erasing all his scheming and attempts to kill them? She didn't know the answer, but when she looked in his eyes he seemed to be as confused as she was.

"Hans," Elsa said, "You must know how difficult this is for me. Before this evening it was your intent to kill both my sister and I."

"Yes, I know," Hans said looking at the ground. It was a long moment before he looked back up, and when he did his eyes were framed with sadness. "I'm sorry."

He offered no other words in his defense. Elsa thought he seemed truly remorseful, that his regret was sincere, but she also knew he was a master at deception.

"Do you know why you're still alive?"

Hans rested his forearms on his knees and stared at nothing.

"No."

"Grand Pabbie saved you."

She waited for his reaction, some sign he understood the significance of that, but he just stared into the darkness.

"Do you know you'd never have recovered from your mother's magic had he not?"

Hans nodded without looking up. He appeared deep in thought, as if he was considering a subject which required perfect meditation. Elsa and Anna exchanged a glance, neither wishing to interrupt his moment of reflection, and at long last he turned his attention to them.

"What do you want with me?" He appeared irritated. "Why'd you save me?"

It wasn't the response she expected, but what did she expect? Gratitude? A happy 'thank you' that revealed his willingness to accept their newfound compassion? Maybe she didn't expect something that dramatic, but some indication of his appreciation would've been welcome. Was she asking too much? Was he even capable of gratitude? It occurred to her that if he wasn't then this whole plan of hers could be lost. It was unsettling to think their lives rested in the hands of a man who was formerly, and possibly presently, of devious intent. Still, she felt they had good reason to believe he might be able to help them, and so she continued.

"Why shouldn't we have saved you?"

Hans seemed to resent the question.

"You know why."

"It's true, I don't consider your past actions lightly, but neither do I dismiss what you did tonight. I have you to thank, all of us, we have you to thank that we're still alive. That isn't something I'm quick to dismiss. I'm willing to accept your sacrifice for what it was, an act of mercy, and perhaps even an act of penance."

Hans' eyes went from face to face, examining the people who stood around him. Was he searching for evidence of deception? Or maybe he was seeing kindness for the first time and trying to understand it, trying to comprehend the events which led them to this place of compromise. Whatever it was, he seemed to be coming to terms with it, and he nodded.

"What do you want me to do?"

John extended his hand and Hans took it, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet. Peder frowned his disapproval and Elsa didn't dismiss his concern, but neither did she approve of any actions against Hans. It was a thin line to tread and she hoped she wasn't making a mistake. No matter what Hans said there was still reason to be wary and she wouldn't let her guard down.

"My request is simple. I want you to convince your mother to give up her attack on Arendelle. Appeal to her somehow, get her to see there's no reason for her hatred of Anna and I, that nothing good can come from her destructive rampage. Whatever you have to do, just make her stop."

Hans considered her, as if he doubted the seriousness of her request.

"So you believe she'll come back?"

"Don't you?"

"I don't know. At one time I could've told you what she'd do, but now, I have no idea what her intentions are. She's a stranger to me."

He was speaking a shred of truth. That was a good sign.

"Stranger or no stranger, it doesn't change the fact we need your help."

Hans was slow to respond. The way she saw it he was considering two courses of actions. First, he could be planning to take advantage of their sympathies, whether he found them genuine or not, in order to devise a way to make an escape. Second, and the one Elsa rested all their hopes on, he was leaving his past behind and accepting their appeal for help.

"Even if I agree, what makes you think I'll keep my word?"

That was the question of the day.

"I have no guarantees, Hans. I only know you helped us once and I'm hoping you'll do it again. I'm not asking you to risk your life, I'm simply asking you to negotiate, to lead a delegation to discuss the terms of an accord, an unlikely accord, I know, but an accord nonetheless."

"Ok," he said without further deliberation. "I'll do this for you."

A knot in Elsa's stomach came undone. But there were plenty of knots that still needed untying.

"Good." She nodded toward the archway. "Let's go."

Peder grabbed Hans by the arm, leading him forward.

"Where has she gone?" Hans asked.

"I don't know. She used the waters of the fjord to make an escape and I have no idea where she went or when she might return."

"Well, that makes things a little difficult," he said as they passed through the gate of the garden. If he was surprised to see the massive snowmen waiting outside he didn't show it. "I see you got your magic back."

Reading Hans was almost impossible and she couldn't tell how he felt about that. Was he disappointed? Concerned? Relieved? Based on his current demeanor she supposed he was willing to accept it, even though he'd played a major part in having it taken away. What she found interesting, though, was Hans agreed to help them before he knew she had her powers back. He was helping of his own accord, not under the threat of magic, and that gave her some confidence in her plan.

Had anyone asked her the night before, she would've insisted Hans was pure evil without a vein of good, and yet here he was, apologizing for his actions and agreeing to help them. She still had the nagging doubt he could be playing them for fools, but those doubts were being eaten away by his cooperation.

Pumpkin and Marshmallow fell in behind them. Together they passed the church and entered the destroyed courtyard, and this time Hans' couldn't hide his surprise. He stopped in his tracks, his head swiveling back and forth as he took in the devastation.

"Looks like I missed the party. Are you sure no one got hurt in this scuffle?"

"We survived without serious injury, if that's what you mean, but neither of us got away unhurt."

Hans looked first at the north wall, which lay in ruins, and then to the broken gates which had been blown off their hinges. His greatest interest, though, was the south wall, which now opened to the fjord, the dark waters illuminated by the moonlight until they disappeared into the horizon. He turned to Elsa, but Peder grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

"You have no reason to fear me," Hans said. "If you can't trust me now, you have no business asking me to help you."

"Just the same, I'd rather not take my chances."

"It's alright, Peder."

Peder let go, albeit reluctantly. She understood his reluctance, but to question Hans sincerity now would make him less likely to cooperate. Whether she liked it or not, they had to give him free reign over the situation.

"Do you still have those manacles?" Hans asked.

"Manacles?"

"Yes, the ones designed to blunt your magic. Do you still have them?"

"Yes, but I don't see how—"

"Please get them."

Elsa tried to understand his request, but his plan eluded her. Nevertheless, she called to one of the guards near the gates, sending him to retrieve the manacles.

"What are you planning?"

"What good will it be to convince my mother to surrender if we don't have some way of subduing her?"

"This device, it may not restrain her magic. You of all people should know that."

"I do. They may be more symbolic than anything, but I think they're a necessary cog in this contraption you call a plan."

Perhaps he was right, but it did nothing to allay her fears. If Inger wanted to use her magic there was no way they could stop her, or subdue her for that matter. This raised another ugly specter. Hans would have to control his mother, like some ringmaster taming a lion, until her own powers were restored to full strength. How long would that take? She didn't know, but she believed that when her strength returned she'd be more than a match for Inger. However, that didn't answer the question of what to do with her after she was stopped. No cell would hold her and no ship could carry her if she refused passage. Where could they send her anyway? She was obsessed with Arendelle. Perhaps ensuring the safety of her son would be enough to pacify her, but Elsa wondered how long that would last. It was a problem without a solution, but she would have to tackle that issue later.

"There's no guarantee I'll be able to persuade her," Hans said. "You know that, don't you?"

"All I can ask is that you try."

The guard returned with the manacles, their chain rattling as he ran, and he held them out to Elsa. Elsa motioned to Hans and Hans grabbed them, pulling the chain taut and inspecting the cuffs, which looked like stemless goblets.

No sooner had he completed his inspection than a blood curdling cry sounded from the south and west walls. It was a unified shriek of the guards, a chaotic harmony of terrified howls issuing from their outposts. Elsa thought it was a terrible sound, like the scream of a child who'd come face to face with the object of their greatest fear.

"QUEEN ELSA!"

She ran toward the broken wall where Inger had escaped, going as fast as her tired legs could carry her, a flurry of footsteps following close behind. Peder passed her and arrived first, his left shoulder smacking the flat edge of the jagged stone as he came to a stop, maintaining cover as he searched the harbor and fjord for danger. Elsa stood behind him, peering out into the moonlight softened darkness. Search as she may, she couldn't see the object of the guards' fear. She scanned the harbor looking for some sign of Inger, but there was nothing but ice encrusted waters. It wasn't until she raised her eyes to the open sea that she realized what so frightened them, and her jaw dropped in disbelief.

A massive wave approached from the south west, beyond the mouth of the inlet that led to the harbor, a black silhouette against the dark fabric of the sky. It could've passed for a distant mountain ridge had she not known better, as it was as tall as the castle was high, or taller. It hurtled toward them with unbelievable speed and stretched so far across the horizon the edges disappeared behind the mountains which gated the harbor. It was a colossal wall of water with the power to destroy all of Arendelle, and it would arrive in a matter of moments.

"Get back!" Peder said. "GET BACK!"

"Run!" John said.

The water in the harbor fled from the shore, recoiling from the docks as if a drain hole had opened up below. The surface ice cracked and crumbled, cascading onto newly-exposed rocks which had been submerged just moments ago. Martin's ship lurched as the water level dropped, its hull scraping along the bottom of the harbor.

The wave crashed into the mountains, its edges breaking upon their mouth sending a spray of white foam cascading over their peaks. The mountains chopped off the arms of the wave but didn't stop it, a portion escaping their guard and rushing into the harbor, gobbling up the frozen chunks of water and sending them flying through the air toward the castle.

Elsa raised her hands, hoping beyond all hope her magic would be enough to stop it. She'd never confronted something so large, so powerful, and she didn't know if there was anything she'd be able to do, but she had to try. She felt the power of the necklace burning through her chest and into her heart, helping her find what she was looking for, and find it she did.

Something swelled inside her, the pressure of the magic rising with such force it exploded from her hands in a white gushing stream that streaked over the harbor and slammed into the wave. It froze it in an instant, stopping with such suddenness that it appeared time had stopped too, preserving the last moment of its life for all to see. With its fearful surge arrested, it transformed from a devastating wave into a serene mountain of sparkling ice, a monument to its former power. The crust of the frozen fjord flew over their heads, sending a spray of white crystals raining down upon the courtyard, sounding like the crash of a thousand chandeliers.

Elsa fell to her knees, sitting on her feet and staring up at the star-speckled sky, her arms hanging limp at her sides. She had nothing left, every shred of strength had been drained out of her, and she felt like collapsing to the ground in a heap of wasted flesh. She struggled to catch her breath and looked once more at what she'd done. The giant mound of ice loomed over them, its curling crest of frozen water looking like a cupped hand preparing to smash down on Arendelle. How she'd found the power to stop it she didn't know, but thinking what might have been sent a chill down her spine.

Anna appeared at her side and grabbed her by the elbow, and Elsa allowed her to help her to her feet.

"That was incredible," Anna said, giving Elsa a hug she wasn't able to return.

Pumpkin and Marshmallow stood by. They hadn't flinched or retreated from the oncoming wave and showed no sign of distress, stoic reminders of their fearlessness. The others returned from their retreat, brushing chunks of ice out of their clothes and hair. Sven shook out his fur, kicking his hooves trying to dislodge the bits which clung to his legs. John returned to Elsa's side, joined by Kristoff and Peder, but Hans remained where he was, clutching the manacles with whitened knuckles and looking like a man who'd just seen a ghost.

"Get back!" Elsa said, struggling to find breath for her words. "Get back, she'll be coming!"

No one questioned her logic. Elsa stumbled but John grabbed her hand, supporting her as they ran toward the bridge where the gates once stood. Pumpkin and Marshmallow led the way and Hans joined them in their flight from the courtyard, but they were too late. There was a crackle and a hiss as a beam of magic zipped overhead and crashed like a bolt of lightning upon the exit they were fleeing to. A barricade of ice appeared, stretching from wall to wall over the opening and blocking their escape. Pumpkin and Marshmallow smashed into the ice with full force, their shoulders lowered as they threw all their weight against it, but the barrier absorbed the impact without giving way. They flailed with their fists and claws but nothing they did had any effect and they withdrew, realizing the uselessness of their assault. Elsa knew she lacked the power to break through it; she was spent, weak from exhaustion, and she could sense her magic was depleted by fatigue.

They turned to see a lone figure standing atop the crest of the mountainous wave, and though her features were shrouded in shadow against the backdrop of the starry sky, there was no question it was Inger. She flung herself off the icy spire, her form engulfed in a halo of blue light as she streaked toward the ground, leaving behind a comet-like tail. She hit the shore in a splash of magic and sped toward them, skimming across the courtyard with her fists shrouded in white pulsing light as if all her rage were concentrated in her hands.

Elsa knew they had no chance of escape, nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. There was nothing that could protect them from Inger's fury.

Or so she thought.

Pumpkin and Marshmallow flung themselves from the wall and bounded past them, their heads bent like battering rams, claw-tipped hands reaching to greet the attacker. They surged forward with a speed that defied their size, but Inger didn't flinch from their approach. She sent a blast of magic hurtling at Pumpkin, a bright ball of glowing ice that slammed into the giant snowman and burst into a shower of white sparks.

It should've toppled the beast backward, but it didn't, appearing that Pumpkin absorbed the attack. Inger sent another sphere of white light that crashed upon Marshmallow in a sparkle of fireworks, but it too had no effect.

The giant snowmen fell upon her like wolves on a rabbit, Marshmallow scooping her up with one hand and pinning her arms to her sides. The force of his grab knocked the wind out of her with an audible umph! that left her lips stroking the air as she tried to take in a breath. She struggled to break free from his hold but she was no match for the power of her captor, and he held her tight, turning to face the group of amazed onlookers. Inger realized the futility of her efforts and ceased her resistance, glaring at Elsa with such contempt Elsa could almost see the hate pouring out of her.

"Your rampage is over," Elsa said, hiding her surprise at what just happened. She hadn't a clue why Inger's attacks failed to affect Marshmallow and Pumpkin, but she didn't reveal this in her words.

"What sort of enchantment is this?" Inger said, after catching her breath. "Your monsters…what are they?"

It was an excellent question, one she doubted they'd ever know the answer to.

"They are made of ice and magic," Grand Pabbie explained. "Like trying to extinguish a fire with more flame, your powers are useless against them."

Had Grand Pabbie known this all along? She doubted it. He would've shared that knowledge if he'd known. He just had a way of reading between the lines of events and deciphering their meaning.

Hans approached his mother, the manacles jingling like chimes as he made his presence known for the first time.

"Hans! How could you let them do this to me? Help me!"

"Hello, mother."

Inger grew still, her legs dangling from Marshmallow's fist and her shoulders slumping.

"I thought you'd be more happy to see me alive," Hans said.

She didn't give an answer, not right away, a cycle of emotions flickering across her face as if she were searching for the proper response.

"Of course I'm happy to see you." She was gentle now, a mother appealing to the affections of her son. "I was afraid I'd lost you."

"Do you know what happened? Do you know why I'm still alive?" Hans paused, as if waiting for his mother to acknowledge the absurd truth. "They saved me." He gestured to Elsa and Anna. "The ones you're trying to destroy are the ones who saved your son."

Inger seemed perturbed by this, but not in a way that made her angry. It was as if her feelings were stirred by her son's appeal. Could it possibly be working? Elsa felt a rush of hope.

"Mother, you must give up this vendetta of yours. Nothing good can come from it."

"You can't trust them, they'll destroy you!"

"You're not listening. They saved me, and for what purpose? To destroy me again? I don't think so. You're the one who's trying to destroy. What will you gain from killing Elsa? Has she done anything deserving of death?"

Inger hung her head and sounded like she was sniffing back a tear. Elsa could hardly believe her plan was working so well. If she were honest with herself, she'd have to admit she hadn't really believed it would work. It was a last resort, a daring plan with little chance for success. But Inger must have a strong connection with her son and that appeared to be her undoing. Finally this affair would be over.

"I'm so sorry. What must I do to make it right?"

"Abandon this path of destruction. Give yourself up. Throw yourself upon Elsa's mercies; she'll no doubt treat us both with fairness and respect."

His mother nodded her agreement.

"Ok. What must I do?"

"Here." He held out the manacles. "Put these on, then we can discuss the terms of your surrender."

Elsa made a gesture, instructing Marshmallow to release his captive. He set her down and she held out her wrists.

"This truly is for the best," Hans said, as he grabbed her hand to put it on.

Without a word Inger pushed him aside, toppling him over, and in the same motion shot a beam of magic at Elsa, a long spear with a pointed head and a tapered tail. It slammed into Elsa's chest, knocking her back, then reflected off the gems of her necklace and returned to Inger, striking her in the heart. This time it was Inger's turn to stumble, shuffling backward as she clutched her chest, gasping.

Elsa teetered but was caught by Kristoff and John. Anna uttered a startled cry.

"Elsa!" she said. "Are you okay?"

Elsa took a moment to perform an internal inspection, massaging her chest.

"It burns a little, but I think I'm okay."

Inger's desperate shout drew everyone's attention. It was a terrible sound, like the yelp of a wounded dog. Her eyes were locked on Elsa as she swayed from side to side, her feet scraping across the ground as she tried to keep them beneath her.

"What have you done?"

Her hand was curled into a claw over her chest, her nails digging into her flesh as if she were trying to grasp her heart with her bare fingers.

"What have you done?" she said, in a terrified, howling screech.

Hans stood up, forgetting the manacles on the ground as his mother stumbled, trying to keep her balance.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?"

"You have ice in your heart," Grand Pabbie said, "put there by your own magic. If not removed, to solid ice you will freeze, forever."

"What?" Inger said in disbelief.

As if to confirm his statement, thin laces of ice swirled from the tips of her fingers and spiraled down to her palms. Inger held out her hands, examining them in shock as the ends of her fingers turned blue.

"No! You have to save me. You have to stop it!"

"I'm sorry," Grand Pabbie said, "I cannot. Only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart."

The blue crept down the length of her fingers, making them as rigid as icicles. Inger cried out in horror and stumbled backward as the ice devoured her hands and bled into her wrists.

"Hans! You have to help me!"

Hans ignored her pleadings, watching without compassion as she turned to him, her arms outstretched.

"HANS!"

A patch of bright blue appeared over her heart, spreading like a stain into her shoulders, neck and abdomen.

"HANS, PLEASE!"

Hans recoiled, backpedaling to avoid her touch. She took another step forward, but her stride was slow and labored, like a gear without oil. When her foot came down it crystallized into a solid block of ice, and she was unable to lift it again. She looked down and uttered a cry so awful Anna turned away, burying her face in Kristoff's arm.

"HAAANS!" she cried out, reaching for her son.

It was the last word she'd ever speak. The ice spread across the rest of her body, silencing her cry with the morbid crackle of hardening ice. When it was done, it left her as a glistening figurine, a lifeless sculpture that sparkled blue in the moonlight, her frozen arms extended out before her and her feet anchored to the ground, forever petrified mid-step. Etched upon her face was an expression of terror, her last moments of horrific realization forever preserved.

"Is it over?" Anna said, lifting her head.

No one answered.

It took Elsa a moment to process what happened, and she stared at the figure that was once a living, breathing soul. Her understanding of the event was preceded by disbelief, like the disbelief she'd felt after learning her parents were lost at sea. She had no love for Inger, but the mind wasn't designed to comprehend the concept of irreversible loss. She remembered thinking her parents couldn't be gone, surely they were mistaken. But there was no mistaking what happened to Inger, she'd watched it unfold before her very eyes. But even after the full impact of that truth struck her, it was still a shock to be confronted by the reality of this one realization:

Inger was dead.