Chapter Two
Chocolate and Nightmares
Several hours later, Elsa knocked on the door of the guest room. How strange now that she's the one knocking. The door opened, revealing Hans dressed in a new shirt, pants, and slightly damp hair. Elsa felt her pulse quicken at the sight of him. She noticed the stubble that still adorned his face. It's probably best to keep sharp objects away from him. She thought. A quick glance at his neck, Elsa noticed the dark bruises that went down pass the collar of his shirt. It wasn't until she heard his voice that she realized her gaze lingered a little too long. "Yes?" He inquired. Her eyes went back to his face. He looked at her knowing he caught her staring. She noticed that for a brief moment his mouth pressed into a tight line. His eyes looked to hers again and given her curious expression, his face softened. Blinking a few times, she regained her senses. "Would you like some dinner? I know it's way past dinner time but I thought you must be hungry."
"Starving" He replied with a slight grin. Elsa felt her heart beat faster.
Once they were done with dinner Elsa lead Hans back to his room. "Thank you for accompanying me at dinner. It was nice not eating alone for once." That caught Elsa off guard. She thought back to the thirteen years of eating her meals alone in her room. Hans took in Elsa's worried expression. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Elsa blinked, looking back at Hans. "No, it's fine..." she paused before adding. "I know what it's feels like to eat alone." Hans was looking at her with the same expression he had back in the dining room. Before she could ask what's wrong, he placed his thumb on her cheek. She felt ice moving up her palms again. His skin felt rough as he wiped away something from her face. "Sorry, you had a bit of chocolate on your cheek." Turning her head slightly he could see his hand. They were calloused with scrapes and small cuts. Elsa couldn't imagine what must have happened for his hands to appear that way. She muttered a "thank you" as he moved his hand away. Her pulse quickened. "Goodnight, Elsa." he said gently then went into the guest room. Leaving Elsa alone in the hallway. She let out a breath and went to her room. Closing the door, she pressed her back against it, closing her eyes for a moment. Deciding it was time for bed, she used her magic to conjure up a light blue nightgown. Pulling the covers back, she flopped into her bed with a sigh. The whole day had been a whirlwind of events. This morning she was hugging Anna goodbye wishing her a safe trip the next her enemy was sleeping in the room right across from hers.
Sometime in the night Elsa heard distant whispering. It took a few moments to slip out of her dream state. When she finally awoke she could tell the voice was coming from the room across hall. She pressed her ear against her doorframe. The voice sounded like they were in distress. On instinct she went across the hall. The rest of the castle was still asleep. Elsa's light footsteps the only sound. Once at the door she knocked softly. No answer. She tried again a bit louder this time. Careful not to disturb anyone else. Still no answer. She grabbed the door handle and opened the door. Surprised it was unlocked. Stepping inside and closing the door behind her. She turned facing the room. Hans was laying in bed. His eyes still closed. A sweat broke onto his forehead. Mumbling something incoherently. All Elsa could make out was "father... I failed" and so on. He must be having a nightmare. She thought.
She approached him carefully. Her footsteps not making a sound. "Hans?" She whispered. "Hans, wake up." She placed a cool hand on his shoulder. His voice getting louder. He was saying something about his brothers. Elsa shook his shoulder once more but no luck. Thinking fast before Hans wakes the whole castle. Elsa placed herself on top of the bed beside Hans. Her knees pressing into the comforter. She shook him more forcefully. "Hans, please wake up!" she said her voice louder than before. Hans jolted awake, his eyes opening focusing his attention towards Elsa. His eyes looked like they were still in a daze.
Are you an angel?" He asked sounding out of breath. "You must be. Only angels are as pretty as you." Elsa blushed at his comment. Thank goodness it was dark. His eyes still unfocused. "Are you here to rescue me?" Elsa placed her hands on his shoulders leaning forward. "Hans it's me, Elsa." She didn't notice she was hovering over his face now. His eyes slowly regained focus. As if the sound of her name broke him out of a trance but not before saying. "Beautiful Elsa..." before trailing off. In a fleeting moment he came back to his senses. Looking at Elsa's face. They were so close she could feel is warm breath on her skin. "Elsa?" His eyes searched her face questionly. "What are you doing here?" He asked. His hand lightly touched her arm. It was in that moment she realized he wasn't wearing a shirt and her hands were now placed on his bare chest. Her breath hitched at the realization. She slowly moved her hands away. She could feel her blush deepen.
"Something woke me up. You were talking in your sleep. You seemed very upset. I came in here to wake you." He looked at her again. The same look from before. As he sat up, Elsa moved to sit at the edge of the bed. "What did you hear?" He asked his voice sounding more rasp than usual. "Nothing really. Something about your father and your brothers but I didn't get any details."
"Anything else?" his expression didn't change. Elsa was pretty sure her blush reached the tips of her ears by now. She pressed her lips together for a moment. "You asked if I was an angel." She answered sheepishly. Hans gave her once-over. Elsa can see his eyes move their attention from her face down to the hem of her nightgown. Hans' look changed to one of... embarrassment. Hans embarrassed? Never thought I'd see the day! Elsa thought. She noticed his Adam's apple moved as he gulped. She looked at him confused. He held out his blanket to her. "Cover yourself." Was he repulsed by her? She pulled the hem of her dress down. Grabbing the blanket from him to cover her front. Her eyes not leaving his face. "It is not ladylike for an unmarried women, much less the heir of Arendelle to be in the same bed with a stranger."
"I'm sorry, you must be disgusted by me." She blurted out. Clutching the blanket closer to her. He looked at her concerned. "What? It's not that at all." He reassured her. His eyes looked over her again. "It's actually quite the opposite. It's taking all myself control not to move closer to you." Elsa sat there, staring blankly. Heart hammering in her chest. She noticed Hans' forehead still covered in a sheen of sweat. Without thinking she moved toward him on her hands and knees until she was beside him near the edge of the bed. "Elsa?" Hans questioned. Elsa placed her hand on his forehead a light covering of ice spread across it. Hans let out a sigh of relief. "Better?" Elsa asked searching his face. "Much" He closed his eyes and tilted his head back on the headboard. As Elsa got up, smoothed out the hem of her dress and started moving away from the bed. Hans gripped her hand in his. "Thank you. My beautiful angel." There was amusement in his voice but it didn't sound forced. "You're welcome." She replied. Slipping her hand out of his grasp. She continued for the door. Crossing the hall quietly she returned to her room. She let out a sigh and went towards her bed, slipping under the covers. She turned to face the large window. The moon shone brightly in the night sky. She tried to not thank about her heart beating rapidly against her chest as she tried to get to sleep.