A/N: I promise I'll keep this short, because this chapter is a long one. Sorry for lying earlier lol Buckle up and enjoy!

The morning of King Erik's funeral, Hans laid awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. He hadn't wanted to say goodbye to his father two days ago, he sure as hell wasn't looking forward to doing it again. Though gruff, Erik had been a fair father. He may not have been able to enjoy his family as much as he wanted, due to his royal duties, but he loved each and every one of his sons dearly.

Freyja on the other hand seemed to love all her children except Hans. Between his birth making her infertile and scarring his brother, she saw him as nothing more than a curse, a monster who could only destroy everything he touched. Just another reason why he didn't want to get out of bed – he now had to deal with her alone.

When he thought he would go crazy from the anxiety, he finally rolled out of bed and threw clothes on for lunch. From his window, he saw a strange ship in port. For a moment, he was elated, thinking it was Elsa. No, it couldn't be, not this soon. The wait was agonizing.

Hans came downstairs and his brothers were already greeting the visitors in the foyer. He recognized the auburn hair. "Vernon! I didn't know you were coming in."

"We sent for him as soon as Father get sick," Hagen explained.

"Looks like I'm too late," Vernon said, hanging his head. The dark girl beside him, his wife Mila, put a hand on his broad shoulder.

"Hey, you came as fast as you could," Hagen assured him. "Hans almost didn't make it back in time. He was just in Arendelle."

"Arendelle?" Vernon eyed Hans warily. "Are the rumors true?"

"What rumors?" Hans asked.

"That she's a witch!"

Used to his family shaming him, Hans had expected a much different answer. All of his brothers were looking at him now with varying degrees of fear and distaste. Only a few of them know that Hans had a similar talent to the Queen of Arendelle.

"She's not a witch, she's just...special."

Mila spoke up, placing a dainty hand over her heart. "We heard that last year, their entire kingdom completely froze over – in the middle of summer!"

"Yes, it's true, but it's not like that. Elsa has an interesting gift, but I can assure you that there will be no more accidents like that. Her coronation was...particularly stressful." No need to mention that he was partly to blame for her outburst.

"You were there?" Vernon exclaimed.

"Yes, and it really wasn't that bad. It was over in two days."

"And you tried to take over," Nikolai added.

"You what?" Vernon looked between his brothers, all of which knew that part of the story.

"That's a story for another day," Hagen said, coming to Hans' rescue. "I'm sure you're both exhausted. Let me show you to your room." He led Vernon and Mila away from the rest of the brothers.

"So she really does have ice powers?" Leif asked. "You saw her in action?"

"Yeah."

"That is so cool!" Leif was blissfully oblivious.

"It is pretty amazing, I'll admit."

"So then did you save her from the trolls, or did she save you?" Everyone turned to Nikolai this time. "If she's so powerful, couldn't she handle them herself?"

Hans shook with anger, knowing Nik was trying to get him to admit his own powers in front of the others. Since Hagen left, Nik, Henrik and Jakob were the only ones that knew, and they glared at him, waiting for Hans' guilty response.

"She was poisoned, I saved her, then we both defeated the trolls."

"Is that so?" Jakob challenged.

"Yes! I was the one who finished him!"

"Oh really?" Henrik added, crossing his arms.

Shit. Hans ego had gotten the better of him. "Yes, and if you don't believe me...you can ask her yourself," he blurted.

Fear crept into Jakob's eyes. "She's coming? Here?"

"Yes," Hans said without hesitation, though he couldn't be certain she would come. "She's invited to the wedding. You can ask her then if I was really a hero."

"Oh, I know I will," Nikolai said.

"I just wanna know if she has a single sister," Brandt chimed in.

"I already told you, no luck," Hans reminded him.

"Hey, I'm not picky, I can share."

"Have some respect," Henrik said, slapping Brandt upside the head. Hans was thankful someone else did it, because he would have left a mark...or a bald spot. How would the ladies like that?

"Mewling quim," the womanizer said, rolling his eyes.

"Take that back, you whorehound!" Henrik lunged for Brandt, but Bjorn got between them. Nik joined Henrik, but even together they were no match for Bjorn the Bear, who held each brother at bay with one hand.

"Now is not the time to be assaulting each other," Raoul said, stepping beside Bjorn. "Today is not about our qualms, but about-"

"What on earth is all this nonsense?" Queen Freyja snapped, suddenly appearing from her chambers in her robe, which was very unlike her. Though her expression was controlled, her face was red. Everyone froze under her steely gaze, none dared speak.

After taking in the scene, she ordered, "Hands off of each other this instant!" They all separated and stood at attention. "Now, you barbarians go wash up before lunch. Afterwards..." Freyja couldn't bring herself to say it. She struggled to find the right words, but nothing made the King's death any less painful. "Just don't be late." Her tone wasn't harsh, moreso defeated, and she closed the door with a soft click.

No one said a word as they awkwardly dispersed. Lunch was eaten in complete silence, which seemed to only bother Mila and Hans, though neither spoke. When they had all finished, they went to their rooms to change, then gathered in the foyer for more awkward silence.

Finally, Hagen appeared at the front door with Freyja, both head to toe in black. "Everyone, it's time."

No one moved for a long moment, though some shifted uncomfortably. Raoul was the first to fall in line behind Hagen and Freyja. The rest of the brothers reluctantly followed in order from oldest to youngest. They all walked down to the beach, but instead of veering left towards port, they turned right. They marched past the Mysterious Lagoon while the sun sank in the sky.

They reached what was called the Serene Shore, where the waters were caught by the land in such a way that this bay was always calm. The priest was already in place with a large torch beside the dead King. Erik was wrapped in a purple shroud, nestled in a small boat – just big enough to fit his body – with his favorite broadsword at his side. Subjects flocked to the shore, and when the sun touched the horizon, the priest began the ceremony.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to honor our fallen King, Erik."

Hans tuned out the old man's words. No sweet sentiments would bring his father back, so what was the point of this elaborate send off? It wasn't as if he would be back in a month to tell everyone stories of his adventures.

"He was a wonderful King, but an even better father." When Hans didn't recognize the voice, his head snapped up. It was Freyja, but her voice was softer, absent of her strict, motherly tone. He could see the vulnerability in her eyes behind her mourning veil. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine her as a young girl. "He brought warmth into my world, as well as many sweet children. Everything I do, I do it for him and our boys."

"Beautifully spoken," the priest said. "Hagen?"

"My father was a good man, a great King, and the best Father. He was fair, kind, merciful..." He looked at Hans. "I can only hope that I'll be half the King he was. I wanna make you proud, Dad." He choked on the last word, cleared his throat and bowed.

"Does anyone else want to say a few words?"

To Hans' relief, no one else did. The priest then asked if anyone wanted the honor of sending him off to the next world. Freyja seemed to shrink away from him. Since no one spoke, he lowered the torch and touched it to King Erik's feet. Freyja flinched, and Hagen put an arm around her. Hans had to look away as the flames snaked their way up his body, and the boat was pushed out to sea.

The boat grew smaller and smaller as the waves pulled him out. When Hans opened his eyes, all he could see were the flames bobbing on the water. The sun escaped the sky, and a blanket of blue swept over them. The citizens disappeared first, then the priest and some of his brothers, but Hans continued to stare at the fire in the distance, dancing on the black waters.

After a while, Hagen came up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "We're heading in."

Hans didn't even realize it had gotten down to him, Hagen and Freyja. "You go on ahead. I'll catch up."

"Are you sure you'll be alright?"

"Yeah, I just...need a moment alone."

"Suit yourself." They left Hans as he watched the fiery beacon flicker out as it was consumed by the hungry sea.

Under the cover of night, a single tear rolled down his cheek. For some odd reason, it angered Hans, and he wiped it away. Then more came, and he wondered where they were coming from. He got so angry, they started to sizzle and evaporate on his cheeks. He began to pace. Where was all this rage coming from?

Because his father was gone. Because he had to face his brothers and Freyja alone now. Because half of his own family hated his for a near twenty-year-old accident. Because he knew he could never redeem himself in their eyes. Because he was a monster. Because he was so far away from the one person in the world who understood him.

Hans screamed, throwing fireballs into the sea. The dark water bubbled and steamed, but his powers could do little else. He hated his family for hating him. He hated his father for leaving. Most of all, he hated himself.

Hans cried without tears, screaming at the world. He threw fire in every direction. The most he did was scorch the sand, but even that would be washed away with the tide, no trace left by the time morning came.