Hans woke with a heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach. He wiped away the sleep from his eyes as someone knocked on the door. He recognized the rhythm instantly. "Come in," he called.

Elsa stepped into the room, her beautiful blue dress sparkling with the morning sun. She seemed to glow like an angel. She gave Hans a small smile. "It's time."

Hans glanced at the door where guards were watching. He sighed. "Is all this really necessary?"

"Some of your brothers seem to think so."

Hans rolled out of bed and put on a shirt. "Nothing will change. I just hope it's over in time for the wedding. If we can even go."

Elsa put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you want to be there for Hagen. I'm sure he'll be on your side this morning."

"If the fear doesn't win out," he muttered.

"And what's stronger than fear?" she asked. When he didn't respond, she answered for him. "Love."

Hans kissed her forehead and followed her outside to the waiting guards. They escorted them downstairs to the throne room without handcuffs. His family had already gathered.

"We all know how this goes by now," Hagen said once they were settled. "Elsa, Hans, how do you respond to repeated allegations of treason?"

Not well, Hans wanted to say. He was so frustrated by his family, maybe a part of him did want to silence them all for good. However, he forced himself to remain calm. "We were framed. We were being spied on at questionable times, and last night, we were nearly tricked into becoming fish food."

"I am aware of that," Hagen said calmly. "In fact, Henrik gave us a confession."

Guards brought a surprised Henrik to the center of the room. He didn't typically get in trouble despite being close with Nik and Jakob. His green eyes were wide with panic. "Wait. What?"

"And who helped you, again?" Hagen asked coolly. "Nikolai and Jakob, for sure. Didn't you also mention Vernon and Mila?"

One by one, Henrik's accomplices were seized by guards and brought to trial in the middle of the room. They were all shocked.

"You all stand accused of treason," Hagen announced, standing. "How do you respond?"

"It was Nik's idea!" Henrik claimed.

"We were trying to protect the family," Nik corrected.

"This isn't fair!" added Jakob.

Hagen sat back down, settling in for the oncoming argument. "Oh, but it is. Whether you like it or not, Hans is part of this family. Turning against him is no different than betraying me." Hans smiled at his eldest brother.

Freyja grabbed Hagen's arm and leaned into him. "You release your brothers this instant," she hissed.

"No, Mother. They will stand trial just like Hans. I will end this once and for all. Vernon and Mila, I did not expect this from you."

Vernon wrapped an arm around his terrified wife. "I beg your forgiveness and your mercy. We had no idea what the outcome would be. The small part we played, we did it out of fear. Their powers are too strong!"

"Their powers, shall I remind you all, were what saved our mother from the mermaids," Hagen pointed out.

They all turned to Freyja, who seemed surprised. Those that hadn't witnessed the scene last night looked incredulous. They waited for the flustered Queen to speak with bated breath.

"Mother, is this true?" Raoul asked.

She hesitated, looking at each of her sons. "Yes."

"It was with the combined efforts of Hans' fire powers and Elsa's ice that they were able to save her from a dozen feral mermaids," Hagen explained to the room. Those who weren't there dropped their jaws. "If it wasn't for them, she'd be dead."

"Perhaps their powers aren't as dangerous as we thought," Raoul said.

"Oh, yes they are!" Jakob protested.

"Mermaids are worse," muttered Hans, rubbing his neck where she had bitten him.

"Was she at least hot?" Brandt asked.

Before Hans could begrudgingly answer, Hagen cut them off. "If you don't mind, we have a wedding to prepare for." He looked at his bride-to-be and smiled. Fiona smiled back, but was fidgeting with her hands under the table. She was excited, but also nervous.

Hagen turned back to the middle of the room. "Vernon and Mila of the Southerlands, accomplices to treason, do you have anything else to say in your defense?"

Near tears, Mila said, "I swear we had no idea what they were planning. Nik only asked us to write letters." Vernon comforted her. The remaining council of five unanimously pardoned them, and they walked off to the side.

"Henrik, Nikolai and Jakob, sons of Erik and admitted traitors, any last words?"

Jakob looked to Freyja, begging with his big blue eyes. Nikolai narrowed his green ones, glaring at Hans and Elsa. Henrik was the only one who spoke. "Our intentions were to protect the family."

"In doing so, you endangered the Queen. Bjorn, your verdict?"

"Guilty," he grumbled.

"Technically, they are indeed guilty, but I would be willing to pardon them on the grounds of good intentions and first offense. Plus, no one got hurt," Raoul explained.

"They are innocent," Freyja insisted.

"Hans is family, too. They're guilty," said Fiona.

The color drained from their faces. Nik, Jakob and Henrik hadn't expected to stand trial themselves, and things were going downhill fast. All eyes were on Hagen.

"Raoul has a sound argument," Hagen relented. "Very well. You three are pardoned. Do it again, though, and I won't be quite so merciful."

They expressed their gratitude and scurried to the side. It was again down to Hans and Elsa in the center of the room. His stomach began to churn with anxiety.

Hagen sighed, leaning back in his chair. "This is the second time this week you have been brought before me. Hans has a history. What do you have to say for yourself?'

"Personally, I feel like I'm always set up," Hans said. "The trolls controlled me in Arendelle, and now my own brothers are framing me!"

"You've been nothing but hospitable since I arrived," Elsa said kindly. "I would never betray your generosity. I do not want your throne. I've only wanted to teach Hans how to control his powers after I determined his innocence in Arendelle. He's amazing! But he is not a traitor."

Hagen studied them a moment. "Bjorn, what say you?"

"Innocent," he bellowed.

"Raoul?"

"They are incredible! And innocent," he added, adjusting his glasses.

"Fiona of Kiel?"

"Innocent."

Hans' face lit up, then fell when he realized Freyja was next. She would certainly find a way to override their majority. He just knew it. He closed his eyes.

"Queen Freyja of the Southern Isles?"

"Innocent," she said quietly.

Hans' eyes snapped open. He glanced at Hagen, who was just as surprised. They smiled at her, but she kept her expression serious.

"So we're all in agreement?" Hagen asked, beaming. "Hans and Queen Elsa are innocent?"

Queen Freyja gave him a stiff nod.

Hans scooped up Elsa and spun her around. She squealed with glee.

"I think saving the Queen should pardon you of any accusations. No one will question your loyalty again," Hagen promised. "Now, everyone is dismissed. The wedding is in three hours."

Hans and Elsa ascended the stairs together, sighing with relief and avoiding the bustling servants. Hans turned to go to his own room, but Elsa stopped him. "Before you go... Did it work?"

Hans froze. He hadn't even tried. His temper hadn't flared during the trial, so he hadn't even noticed if he was without powers. He closed his eyes, held his breath, and snapped his fingers.

.

A/N: Teehee please don't hate me XD We'll find out if he loses his powers on Wednesday, so stay tuned! Love you all