A/N: Hey everyone, sorry I'm late! Had a bit of... I wouldn't call it writer's block. More like a writer's hiccup, and it threw me off schedule. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the next installment! Love you all!

The next day was very quiet, too quiet. Most of Hans' brothers stayed in their rooms for the most part, only coming out for meals because they were dreading the funeral. At lunch and dinner, Freyja was still absent.

Queen Freyja only came out of her chambers, dressed in all black, where Hans and his brothers gathered in the foyer, along with Fiona, Mila and Elsa.

Upon seeing the striking blond, Freyja paused, then noticed she stood next to Hans. "Forgive me, but who is this?" she asked her youngest son.

Hans took a deep breath. "Mother, may I introduce Queen Elsa of Arendelle."

"Ah, yes. Welcome to the Southern Isles," Queen Freyja said, extending her hand.

"Thank you. I am so sorry for your losses," Elsa said genuinely, taking it.

A chill ran down Freyja's spine as she shook Elsa's icy hand. She eyed the Northern Queen suspiciously. "Thank you. Forgive me for my absence. I did not realize we have guests."

"It's alright, I completely understand."

She nodded. "It is time," Freyja said to the whole group. They filed out the door, again making the trek to Serene Shores. The priest was waiting, Garth at his feet in his boat, covered in purple.

The colored fabric reminded Hans of his purple face when they had discovered him, so he looked away. Averting his eyes did nothing to muffle Freyja's sobs. Two send offs in one week was two too many, even for Hans.

He focused on Elsa, who had never before seen a Southern funeral. She was eyeing the boat, as if afraid Garth would pop up and yell, "Surprise!" The Southerners knew better.

Hans got lost in the way the sun's rays shone on her, the warm hues of sunset contrasting with her pale skin and shimmering navy dress. She was absolutely stunning.

In the reflection of her cool blue eyes, Hans saw the torch flare to life. He turned and watched as the flames engulfed Garth feet first. The foreign Queen winced, but her eyes followed in wonder as the boat was pushed out to the tide. Everyone witnessed the boat as it bobbed out to sea, a tiny beacon within the surrounding blue.

After the crowd of commoners dispersed, the first of the royal family to leave was Vernon and Mila, followed closely by Henrik, Nikolai, and Jakob. The next wave consisted of Bjorn, Lief and Raoul.

When the sun sank and the last few rays desperately fought against the darkness of night, Hagen approached Hans. "Are you ready to head back, or do you need another minute?"

"We'll stay here for a little while, if you don't mind."

"Not at all. The sea is soothing. Elsa, I'll see you tomorrow." Hagen then took Fiona and a broken Freyja by the arm, leading them back to the castle.

Brandt trailed behind them, winking at Hans as he passed. "Get some."

Hans rolled his eyes at his older brother's immaturity. Once everyone was out of earshot, he turned to Elsa. "Now that we're alone... Teach me how to control it."

Elsa gave him a blank look, still mystified by the ceremony. Her eyes darted to the spark of fire still bobbing in the waves.

"The curse," he clarified.

She wriggled her lips in thought. "I wouldn't say control..."

"What would you call it, then? You seem to be more in control of your powers than you were a year ago."

"Thank you, but it's really more of...acceptance."

"Acceptance?" Hans repeated, incredulous. He began to pace. "You want me to accept that I'm a freak? I have to accept the curse in order to break it? That's absurd."

"It worked for me, didn't it?" she challenged, crossing her thin arms.

Hans stopped short. "Yes," he grumbled.

"Step one is letting it go. The second step is accepting your gift."

"Some gift," he muttered.

"I know it doesn't look that way now. Just try it," she said encouragingly.

Hans sighed, then released a volley of orange fireballs. Elsa was unimpressed. "Is that all you got?"

Hans growled. She knew exactly what she was doing. He thought of Garth and King Erik, how neither of them had to die. It wasn't fair! The next fireball he threw was green, like the eyes Hans inherited from Erik.

"That's better. Focus it. Let it out."

"But what about-"

"Everyone is safe. Now, show me what you got. Think of who you hate the most, if you have to."

Oh, the list could go on. Grand Pabbie, that weaselly Duke, even Kristoff for snatching up Anna. But that wasn't enough. Green balls of fire sizzled as they hit the water. He thought of Henrik, Nikolai and Jakob, how they hated him for his "gift" as Elsa insisted on calling it. The next fireball was blue.

"Good! Closer, a little bit more..."

Freyja popped into his mind, and he released a jet of blue flames into the black water, which boiled on contact. He roared as he launched fireballs into the water, thinking of all the years she had been cold to him. She expected him to control the curse, as if it was a pet or something. She blamed him for what happened to Jakob and for her own infertility. She should've never had that many children to begin with! His fire stayed blue, his power plateauing. It only made him angrier, but even that didn't help the color shift.

Hans heard a yelp, and he stopped what he was doing. When Elsa came into focus, she was clutching her arm. All of Hans' anger drained, and he rushed to her side. "Elsa!"

She looked up at him, her blue eyes wide. She tried to hide her arm behind her. "No, don't stop!"

"Are you kidding me?" he asked, grabbing for her arm so he could see. He gripped and pulled, revealing an angry red mark on her white arm. "I hurt you..."

"I'm fine, I promise. Keep going," she pleaded.

"No," he said flatly, crossing his arms and turning away from her.

Elsa winced as she reached out her injured arm. "Please, Hans, you can't give up." Her crystal blue eyes welled up with tears, both from the burn and the pain of seeing him so broken.

Hans retreated into himself, becoming numb. He couldn't bear to touch, or even look at Elsa. He was ashamed he hadn't been more careful. Freyja was right. All he could do was hurt those he loved. With his back to her and his arms at his sides, he said, "We should head back to the palace."

Elsa reached out her good arm to touch his shoulder. "Please, just one more time."

"No," he said, roughly shrugging off her cool hand. "Let's go." He walked off towards the castle, knowing she would eventually have to follow or be left alone in the dark.