James laughed at Berrie, when the lad came dripping wet, his hood plastered all over his face. "Boy, I'm pretty sure something is up with ye, I won't pester, I'll just simply wonder in silence."

Hans couldn't help but laugh at the man's comment. What he'd done now was completely suspicious, and his new acquaintance wasn't aware of his reasons. Maybe next time he heard uprising things he wouldn't rashly take on decisions.

For now though he wouldn't worry, he had to know what was going on.

"Sir James, is there an inn I can find around here? A place maybe that can host me?"

The salesman thought long, there was a few places he could stay, but his best option was the castle. When Elsa fully took over the reign she had opened the castle doors to any Arendellian and foreigner. So perhaps Berrie could stay there.

"Well lad, I heard that the queen has her castle open to anyone, 'course with limitations, but you can give it a try."

Hans furrowed his brows together, that wasn't an option, he was presumed dead, though maybe presenting himself wasn't too bad of an idea. But what if the lord was protecting him of something? His curse was lifted, and it looked to be that now everything he'd done was for the better. "The castle seems a bit too much for me... I wouldn't know how to act, should I ever encounter the queen..."

James chuckled loudly, his big belly juggling as he did so.

"Alright boy... I will offer you my home."

To this the Prince bit his lip. He was trusting a stranger?

The big salesman rose a greying brow and gave him a hard look. "I warn you lad, I am the father of twelve beautiful young ladies. If I catch ye doing something to ANY of my beloveds, I'll have yer head."

Hans suddenly had the urge to cough, but tried against it.

He needed to be near now, and also get close to the ice harvester... that giant Anna married. He needed answers.

"Sir?" Hans held at his sword when the coming person spoke up behind him. He was tense.

The big bellied man rose his head in defiance, "what do you want now?"

Hans turned to see a frail thin man, with eyes so dark they seemed cursed, and long blond hair holding a small basket of flowers. He relaxed his stance and moved up to the right side of James.

He didn't seem like a threat.

"Please sir... Heidi... and I love each other... let me marry your daughter."

The Prince turned to look at the man who'd offered him his home, and suddenly realized why he'd done so.

James placed his hand over the covered princes shoulder and boldly presented him. "This is my daughters fiance. His name is Berrie. He comes from far east of Arendelle, and he will take her away from here in three weeks time."

I cannot let you marry my daughter. He is the son of a noble and could offer Heidi what she truly deserves. Happiness. Wealth... children!"

The young blond looked towards the ground. All people in town knew of his story, when he'd been a child a horse had trampled over his manhood, leaving him incapacitated for a few years. Though the bearing of children was yet to be tested.

"Whether you like it or not she will be my bride." Angrily he shook his fist towards the man. Looking at Hans he pointed at him, "and you... you will have to marry her over my dead body!"

Townspeople began to stare at the scene the young man was causing.

He sprung quickly at the prince making a crowd surround them.

Hans pushed the old man to the side, pushing him to the ground but effectively saving him from a punch, and dodged the blonds swing.

He pulled on his cloak tighter against his face, trying desperately to not go uncovered.

"Amos! Stop it!" James grunted as he stood from the ground, calling out to the flower boy.

Hans shoved the thinner man making him fall to the ground. The red head jumped over him and mounted him his fist high in the air ready to strike the kid.

Two royal guards broke the crowd apart their swords in hands.

"What's going on here!?"

Hans lifted his hands lowering his head and stood.

Jet Rhyus suddenly showed up, with a few more guards.

"Stop! The boy was just defending himself!" James struggled to get through to the Prince.

"You know this troublemaker?" The head swordsman looked at the merchant.

"Yes, I know him, he simply defended himself. Amos on the other hand attacked him like a madman!"

Said man stood from the ground holding his head.

Jet grinned towards the blond man, "take him away, we've gotta teach this man a lesson."

Two guardsmen quickly caught the blond by the wrists and tied him up, taking him away towards the torture chamber.

"Thank you, Jet."

Said man nodded and turned to look at the Prince, "and you... stay out of trouble."

The merchant answered for Hans, "he will," and gave the official a bag of fruits. The dark haired guard nodded and turned to walk away.

"Looks to me luck is on your side lad... he always takes all who cause mayhem." An old man with a shiny bald head commented to the Prince.

Hans nodded and turned back to James who was readying himself to leave home. "Help me son, and I'll explain everything on the way."

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

"Elsa... this really wasn't your fault. Causalities happen."

Tears were stricken down the queens face. Now in her chambers she let her emotions run loose.

Casualties? Was that what Anna wanted to call the death of someone who might've been her hero?

"In all my father's reign; not once did he settle things with death!" Elsa sobbed quietly.

Her redheaded sister closed her eyes, guilt heavy in her stomach. Why had she placed the bounty?

"Elsa, are you even sure it's Hans?"

The queens voice began to break, "Anna, I saw him with my own two eyes..." Elsa stared at the wall tears still falling freely.

"Queen Elsa, I need you to sign the death certificate."

The Heiress couldn't believe it, the same man who had tried to kill her just a year ago, was laying there with soulless eyes wide open. He had died in the same waters he had tried to kill her.

For a second Elsa couldn't recognize him, he looked different. A rounder face and swollen lips, somewhat a button nose, and darker slightly brown hair.

Maybe it was the fact that he'd most likely drowned that his appearance changed, but again there was no denying it was him.

She stepped back a little trying not to cry. All that rage she'd had against him, all the desires of him rotting in prison, left her. How she now wished she'd been able to give him a second chance. Forgive him for all the damage he'd done to them. Have him answer all her questions. Now it was all too late.

"Elsa, are you ok?"

The queen shook her head, shaking herself back into reality, no matter how much she would forgive him, he wasn't going to come back.

"Yes Anna... I will be."

The princess stood and placed a kiss on her sisters forehead, "I have to go, Elsa, I promised Kristoff we would visit Grand Pabby today, had I known this would occur-"

"It's fine Anna, I'll be fine."

The redhead gave the queen a reassuring smile. "Don't over think your majesty... that's what makes you sick."

"Of course."

Anna skipped out of her sisters room, it hadn't affected her as much as it had Elsa. Secretly the queen wondered if Hans death caused her sister somewhat joy, after all he'd done, she wouldn't really have blamed her.

Without much thought Elsa stood from her bed and walked straight into her office. It was only fair to let his family members know of the tragedy. Maybe she would ship his body to the Southern Isles. It would be so much easier.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Kai stared intently at the corpse that now lay in the coffin. It was pale with thick purple lips. They had placed a blindfold over it's wide open eyes.

To Kai this wasn't prince Hans. This man he saw looked shorter, thicker. He had seen the clan Westergaard, they were all tall thin, with very thin lips, and all had raging red hair. Some even like princess Merida of Ireland.

This man laying ahead of him was not a Westergaard, much less prince Hans.

"Had enough staring at your beloved prince?"

Jet stood at the foot of the door with his arms crossed. "I don't understand why you're so fond of him... You being so close to the royal family and all."

Kai stepped back from the coffin and began towards the door without saying a word.

Jet grabbed at the plump man by the arm. "I know you're after the crown... I'll find you in your tracks old man."

Kai roughly snatched away from his grip. "Not everyone is like you, guard..."

The butler stared angrily at Jet for a few moments before walking away. His thoughts of the corpse and the differences it had to the Prince, also the similarities, fresh in mind.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

The Prince swiftly lifted the pallets over his head, dropping them to the man's garden.

They had arrived to a big ranch, there in the middle of it all was a big white house, with crops surrounding everywhere. Hans had never seen how commoners lived. But if this was their life style then the royals had nothing on them.

James pulled out the last wooden pallet from the cart of his horse and proceeded to walk into the house.

"Follow me boy!"

Hans did as told and walked in behind his host.

Before Hans knew it he heard loud rumbling noises, almost like the sound of horse hooves running through the pavement.

With no doubt the man had not lied when he said he had 12 beautiful daughters. They had all ran up to their father and each one just like the other hugged their father and greeted him warmly.

Behind the rest of them all came an elegant woman, with long flowing brown hair, and a streak of white already showing from age.

Hans covered his face more with his hood as he noticed he had caught attention.

"Who is this father?" A brunette with striking green eyes asked, holding at her beige apron.

"Ah, yes!" James as loud as he was, turned to the Prince smiling.

"This is Berrie."

The mother of the twelve girls furrowed her brows together. her husband had never brought strangers to her home.

"and Berrie is?"

James held at his stomach, a big smile on his face. "A boy who defended my honor. And he will be staying in this home for the time being."

Margaret, the mother, stared at her husband in horror, but accepted his decision.

"Ladies, go upstairs."

The girls began off, each one right behind the other.

"Heidi... you stay."

twenty two pairs of eyes stayed glued on said girl. "Ladies upstairs now." James ridded of his daughters.

They all disappeared up stairs, leaving behind a short petite girl, no older than 19. She had long dark eyelashes, hazel big eyes, a small nose, and lips full and red. She wore a long dark brown dress, and her hair was long and black grabbed back by a loose hair-tie.

"Berrie will court you."

Hans eyes widened, this wasn't part of the deal.

"Excuse me Sir James... I can't... I mean-"

"Hush now."

"James what is the meaning of this!?" Margaret finally spoke out. Had her husband lost his mind?

The merchant turned to his exasperated wife, "this way Amos will leave her... after what his father's done I can't allow Heidi..."

The girl simply stood there, her hazel eyes glued to the floor.

"Sir," Hans tried, "you're not understanding-"

"Do not worry Berrie, this will only be a matter of time, while my brother comes for her. I am going to send my daughter to Corona, in three weeks time. You have to do this for me lad."

Tears formed in the pretty girls eyes. "You will send me away father, but Amos will always be the love of my life! I will not be courted by any other than him! I have grown up, why don't you just accept it!?"

Margaret closed her eyes. "The girl is right James. Had I listened to my father..."

"No!"

Hans cringed at the man's tone. He would accept the deal for now. He trusted the lord. Perhaps destiny existed...

Margaret turned to Hans, as if barely acknowledging him. She lifted her nose high I'm the air and rose a brow, she was arrogant.

"And what will you do about... him?"

James looked to his wife with stern eyes.

Hans simply stated at her with a stoic face. If she'd known he was Prince Hans Westergaard of the Southern Isles, she would have all her daughters presented to him kissing at his feet. But alas, he wasn't going to blow his cover.

For now James walked with him outside, some blankets and pillows in hand.

It was already getting dark, so the merchant wanted to get the kid settled up.

They stopped ahead of a small built home, it was well maintained.

"This was supposed to be my son's home."

Hans turned to look at James, fully expecting to see him emotional, but much to Hans' surprise the man had wide grin on his face.

"But I had all daughters!" The big man laughed loudly and strikes Hans in his back.

"Thank you Sir James."

"Don't mention it lad... though I do have a question that I'd like the answer to, if I may?"

Hans stayed silent, his green eyes suddenly drowsy, he hadn't realized he was tired.

"What are ye doin out here, far west of Arendelle?"

The redhead tightened his cloak, it was a sign of anxiety. "I guess I came here for a new beginning..."

James smiled at him, his teeth so pearly white, they contrasted against his dark beard. "Well then, welcome to Arendelle."

Hans smiled softly and walked into the little house, maybe not being royal wasn't too bad.

"Tomorrow morning, around 5:30 we live to set up shop. If yer willing to work with me."

The Prince nodded and bid his goodnight to the man.

xoxoxoxoxoxox

Elsa sat erect at her desk, again she had piles of papers to look after, and the stressing news of the King and Queen of the Southern Isles themselves coming along to pick up their sons body kept flooding her mind.

Though it was an accident, she knew that simply because he died of Arendellian soil, anything could erupt. War, that's what worried her the most. Anna never thought things through. She never thought of the consequences.

The blonde grunted in irritation, and tears began to spill again down her cheeks. There was only so much a person could keep it together.

Had she not listened to her council, none of this would've happened.