Guys. I'm sorry this took so long. It just wasn't flowing right, and I didn't like it, so I changed it. I have a notebook that I take to work with me to write down what I'm thinking about and outline things. It looks like a serial killer wrote it with its nuts looking handwriting because I was trying to write things down quickly between my guests at the bar. Legit it looks awful. I wish you guys could see it. I also kept getting writer's blocks on this chapter, so I wrote the outline for five and part of chapter seven. Seriously, I'm a mess. Plus, weirdly, a lot of math has gone into this story, and gotta admit…kinda hate that, but I had to space out twelve punishment over four years and a thousand cuts over the same timeframe. IT HAS BEEN SO MUCH MATH. I hate it. *sigh* I'm just so old and cold and tired… *snuggles into my mountain of blankets* I just never want to move again.

But you aren't here to listen to my woes. Enjoy the chapter. I'm personally very proud of it. Thank you, guys, for your lovely feedback and all the favs and follows. Warms my little dead heart.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the stuff I create, and to be honest, Disney owns most of the things I love anyway.


Broken

Hans picked up another rock and skipped it across the stream, hearing it hit the rock behind the waterfall.

"Just because it didn't succeed doesn't mean that all is forgiven. Who does she think she is?" Hans mocks Elsa's earlier pleas while chucking another stone, the satisfying click of it hitting the wall causes him to pick up another, "she knew what they might do. She's just as guilty as them." Click. Hans was angry. He had every right to be. Click. He had endured four years of physical and mental torture. Four years of hard labor. Click. Elsa could have stopped it all, but instead, she had thrown him into the lions' den. Click. However, Hans twisted his newest stone in his hand. She hadn't done anything but send him home, which, Caleb and his father would have insisted on anyway. Caleb had taken a special kind of glee out of the punishments, and he would have never wanted to have missed out on the opportunity to cause him more pain. Click. Hans steps forward to grab another rock, but he feels his foot not hit solid ground. Hans' foot falls through the opening of a trap's hole, and before he can catch himself, he feels the sharp edges open the fragile burn wound on his left inner thigh. Hans lets out a yelp before he claws his body out from the hole. He flops down on his back and lets out a hiss of pain before looking down at his wound. His pants are ripped and are slowly darkening from the blood seeping out. Hans feels an overwhelming sense of grief wash over him. Tears sprang from his eyes, trailing down his face to mix with the blood-soaked snow. He didn't know why he was weeping. Probably over himself. His future. His past from his childhood to his overwhelming sense of guilt from his attempt at regicide to his words said to Elsa mere moments ago.

"She's no monster…" Hans laid his head back, hoping death would finally pity his weary soul, "but I will always be one."


Hans sat quietly in his cell, writing yet another note that will be unsent to the royals of Arendelle, begging for forgiveness. A reprieve from his suffering and servitude.

"Hansy boy," Hans flinched as Runo entered his cell. The physical pain that Runo had been inflicting day by day with his single cuts was nothing compared to the mental torture of waiting for the next punishment. A quick, shallow cut across the back of his neck causes Hans to let out a low hiss, but he refuses to let any sort of cry come from him, "four-hundred thirty-seven. Rudi is waiting for you, so get a move on." Runo knocks him out of his chair causing him to hit the stone with a harsh thud. His leg still hadn't fully healed from beating four months ago and the doctor was pessimistic about him being about to walk without a limp again, but Hans didn't want to be seen as weaker than he already felt like. With gritted teeth, Hans pulls himself up off the stone and follows Runo to his next punishment. There was no need for cuffs. It's not like he could run. As Hans and Runo walk silently down the halls of the palace, lined with red and gold, Hans spies a face he hasn't seen since he returned home almost a year. His mother. Her blue eyes lock with his green, and he could see the deep emotional pain she was in.

"Hans," the small red-headed woman approached him, pulling him close. "My baby boy,"

"Let go of him, Mother,"

"Runo Westergaard, you might be thirty-seven, but I am still your mother and you will not take that tone with me," Her blue irises boring into her elder son, "I will hold my son if I feel like it,"

"Father gave an order…" Hans tunes the two of them out and breathes in his mother's comforting scent. She always smelled of roses and spices which brings Hans back to his youth. Between his brothers' many cruel tricks, he remembers crawling onto her lap while she read him fairy tales from Corona. Hans is pulled away from her warm embrace as Runo rips him from her grip, and he feels a great sadness fill him when he looks at her sad eyes.

"Be strong, my little prince." Hans looks back at her one last time before he is shoved into the door leading to the forgery.

"What took so long, Runo?" Caleb rolls his eyes as his two brothers enter the room. Rudi had his back towards the three, fiddling with something in the fire of the forge.

"Mother," Caleb snickers.

"That woman just doesn't know her place," Hans clenches his fist.

"That's Mother you are talking about!" Hans lunges at the eldest but is quickly grabbed by Runo.

"And as a woman, she should know her place," Caleb takes Hans' jaw into his hair, "which is silent and under her King. Britta understands that, and she knows better than to baby our four sons as Mother babied you. We both want strong men. You know? Nothing like you." Caleb smirks, backing away, and turns to Rudi, "Rudi, are you done?"

Rudi turns with a smile and a hot branding iron, "yes, Caleb. Now I was thinking our family crest should go under his rib, so with each breath, he remembers his betrayal," Runo rips Hans' clothes from his body while his twin approaches him.

"Make sure it's upside down," Caleb smiles cruelly at them from his vantage point on the stone wall, "to show he is in distress." The minute the red-hot iron carrying the diamond centered sigil surrounded by two laurel leaf branches to signify the ambition and success of the Southern Isles, Hans finally lets out a scream. The burning wasn't the problem after a while, it was the pressure that Rudi kept pushing. The room filled with the smell of burning flesh and the sound of Hans gasping for breath. All the brothers smile when they see the tears fall from Hans' eyes. Runo quickly grabs the other branding iron waiting in the forge before handing it to his twin. Hans watched as Rudi drops the other iron with his own sickening smile.

"Now for this last one, I was thinking," Rudi twirls the iron in his hand, "the snake should go on the inner thigh so any woman who pities him enough to bed him will know what a traitor he is."

"Perfect." Caleb and Runo laugh as they hold Hans to the floor while the next iron pattern is burned into their younger brother's skin. The pain from the searing flesh and shock his body was falling into causes Hans to blacks out. When he comes to, the three other redheads look down at him.

"And just think, Hansy," Rudi pinches his brother's wet cheeks, "I'm going to be doing this every time they start to fade because I don't ever want you to forget what you are. Won't it be great? We're going to have so much fun," Hans feels one last tear roll down his face as he is dragged back to his cell.


"A traitor and a disappointment that no one will ever love," Hans repeated Rudi's words from just a few weeks ago, "don't forget what you are, Hansy." Hans lifts his leg out of the hole and flops down next to the river with another cry.

"Hans!" Hans' eyes snap open when he hears Ryder call his name. "Hans! Where are you? It's been two hours and I'm tired! How are you better at hiding than Elsa? Hans!" Hans watches as the soft glow of Ryder's lamp inches closer.

"Ryder," Hans softly croaks out. Ryder's light turns in the other direction, "Ryder!" Ryder's light whips around and comes into view. Hans smiles when he sees his friend's face before he lays down.

"Hans!" Ryder's voice goes into a panic as he runs to his friend. He throws his pack to the ground and looks over the man lying on the ground, "oh man! Elsa and Honey are going to kill me," Ryder grips his hat's brim in his distress before frantically grabbing at his pack. "I'm so glad that Honey threw this at me before I left. I know it has to have some healing stuff in here. It would be stupid if it did…AH!" Ryder pulls out some cloth and medical herbs, "now…" Ryder takes the lantern and scans Hans' body to see where he's injured.

"My leg," Ryder moves his body to see the blood seeping down Hans' leg.

"Oh god, they're really going to kill me," Ryder cuts the remaining fabric with his knife to reveal the patterned skin, "a snake?"

"To let everyone know I'm a traitor," Ryder looks at the man with pity before taking some cloth and wetting it before wiping the wound clean. Hans grimaces as Ryder cleans and bandages the wound with some medicinal herbs.

"You aren't a traitor, Hans,"

"Yes, I am. I always will be. No matter how much time has passed," Ryder purses his lips and silences himself knowing that there is no point to argue with the man.

"What happened?"

"I fell," Ryder rolls his eyes and helps Hans up into the sitting position, "through that trap over there," Hans points to the hole in the ground.

"That was obvious, but I meant what happened with Elsa. You left pretty quickly,"

"It doesn't matter,"

"It does," Hans looks at Ryder's suddenly angry face, "because when I left the camp, Elsa was absently weaving a protection wreath while muttering something about shepherds and valleys of darkness while crying, so yes it does matter. Elsa is Honey's best friend and has become like a sister to me, so whatever you said…"

"I called her a monster," Hans put his head in hands, "told her that it was all her fault. That she was the monster, not me,"

"Why…?"

"Because I felt like it!"

"But Elsa isn't a monster!" Hans quickly looks up to glare at the other man.

"Of course, she isn't! I am! I just wanted to hurt her, and I knew she hated when Weaselton called her that," Hans goes to stand, but quickly falls back down. Ryder goes to help but Hans brushes him away.

"Hans, you need to sit for a minute,"

"I want to leave,"

"You can't. We have to stick together that's what family…"

"You aren't my family, Ryder!" Hans looks at Ryder, and he can see the inner turmoil that the young prince is facing, "now just go back to Elsa and Honeymaren and Yelena and everyone, and forget you ever met me,"

"Hans…"

"It's better for everyone. Elsa never has to see me again, and no one will have to worry about the broken man who washed ashore again,"

"Hans," Ryder kneels next to Hans, "the good thing about broken things is they can be mended," Hans meets Ryder's warm brown eyes.

"I'm beyond fixing,"

"None of us thought so or we wouldn't have spent so much time on you. Elsa didn't think so,"

"What?"

"Yelena let her choose whether to let you stay or go when you first got to us," Ryder places a hand on Hans' slumped shoulder. "She chose to let you stay so you could start healing and find a home. She stayed by your side, day in and day out. No one else was allowed near you unless it was to change your bandages," Ryder laughs, "she was pretty squirrelly about seeing you without clothes on,"

"Elsa doesn't have a lot of…experience when it comes to the body of the opposite sex," Hans smiles softly as Ryder's face returns to a serious expression.

"She feels terrible about this, Hans, I don't think she stopped blaming herself,"

"She didn't do any of this despite what I said to her. Her hands are clean. She did what she thought was right,"

"The thing about Elsa though," Ryder lets a breathy laugh, "she always places the burden on herself if she thinks she could have prevented it. She froze Arendelle and then thawed it, but she focuses on that first part more than anything. She saved Arendelle from being washed away, and she still talks about it like the whole town is gone. Elsa believes in you, Hans Westergaard, it's time you start to,"

"I don't know how to,"

"It's okay," Ryder helps him to his feet, slinging his arm around his shoulder, "we've got you until you do,"

"Why?"

"Cause that's what being a family and a tribe is all about. Being a support system even when the world is crumbling,"

"I've never had that before." The two men start heading back towards camp.

"Well, you do now, so get used to it," Ryder laughs, "and fast because you're heavy." Hans finds himself joining in on his companion's laugh.


Night had crested over Enchanted Forest many hours ago and no one had seen heads or tails of Hans or Ryder. Honeymaren sits close to the fire, trying to warm herself from the crisp November air. She turns herself to look back at Elsa, who hadn't moved from her spot since Hans had stormed off, with both concern sadness in her eyes. Elsa hadn't stopped reciting her prayer or weaving her wreath, not even once. She had undone and redone it with silent tears glittering her face. Honeymaren reaches up to still Elsa's hands. Elsa jumps slightly from the sudden intrusion from her thoughts.

"Elsa…" Honeymaren smiles warmly up at her friend, "you can stop now,"

"I can't," Elsa scoots her hands away and continues her wreath, "I need to make sure he's okay,"

"The wreath can't save him, and I am sure that the boys are on their way back."

"You don't know that!" Elsa grips the branch of the wreath tightly and a sharp layer of ice coats the talisman. "This wreath is all I have right now,"

"You have me,"

"You didn't hear some of the things I said to him," Elsa waves her hand to defrost the circle before taking the end of the string back into her hand.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Elsa,"

"I told him I wanted him to suffer," Honeymaren watches Elsa's body curl slightly into itself, "I told him I wanted him to feel the pain that he caused me. I caused all of it…"

"You didn't want what happened to him,"

"His blood…"

"Is not on your hands," Honeymaren watches as Elsa ties off the last of the string before tying five strands to the bottom where she conjures ice crystals of the five elements at the end. "His brothers are the monsters here, not you,"

"I could have…"

"No," Honeymaren clutches onto Elsa's arms, causing the blonde to finally take a good look at her friend, "neither of you are the monsters here, so stop blaming yourself for the pain caused by others." Honeymaren sees out of the corner of her eye, Ryder and Hans emerge from the forest, and she breathes a silent sigh of relief. Elsa's gaze drops as she nods absently while putting some ice beads on some of the weaves. Honeymaren sighs before going to join her brother as Hans limps to the Snow Queen, but as she passes him, she takes his arm into her hand.

"Hurt her again, Westergaard, I will flatten you so fast that your head will spin."

"Well, then, I'll let you know if you or Anna has the punch." Hans smiles and Honeymaren can't help but smile back at her friend. She walks to stand shoulder to shoulder with her brother, and both keep a close eye on the two figures.

"Stay a safe distance away?" Ryder whispers to his sister.

"But close enough to hit him if he's stupid." The two siblings nod as they watch.

Hans reaches up to still Elsa's hands. Elsa looks up and smiles widely at him before setting down the wreath and throwing her arms around him.

"Hans!" Elsa buries her face into the crook of his neck, and once he is over the shock of the connect, he pulls her close, threading his hands in her blonde tresses. Unlike his mother, Elsa smells like the morning after a fresh snowfall and the sweet smell of lavender. It's different, but weirdly enough, just as comforting.

"It's okay, snowflake, I'm here,"

"I thought the worst…" Elsa's eyes travel his body, checking him over, and they fall onto the ripped pants and bloody bandage, "you're hurt," Elsa places a cool hand on his wound causing him both relief and slight discomfort because of the placement. Hans clears his throat, taking her hands into his.

"Elsa,"

"I'm so sorry, Hans, if I had just…"

"It's not your fault, Princess Elsa Agnarrdatter Førdendal Nordberg," Hans places a kiss on her knuckles, "I forgive you even though you have no reason to be forgiven,"

"If I had just kept you in Arendelle…"

"My family would have insisted you return me. They probably would have claimed I was a citizen of the Southern Isles and needed to be punished according to their laws,"

"Your pain…"

"Is not your fault. You had nothing to do with what my brothers did. Your hands are clean," Elsa and Hans' eyes look down at her pale hands, "see? Clean as a whistle," Elsa flexes her hands, watching her muscles contract and retract.

"They don't feel clean," Elsa feels a blush creep up her cheeks as Hans' thumb caresses the exposed skin of her wrist.

"Then I will spend a lifetime trying to show you how wrong you are," Elsa eyes him with suspicion.

"You seem…different,"

"Different, you say? I suppose. Four years of isolation, humiliation, and pain does that to you. Puts things in perspective,"

"Anna said that you fooled her with your words, and well we both know the end of the story,"

"I did fool Anna; I won't deny that. She was very easily persuaded, you…not so much. I, however, had an ulterior motive with that. With this…" Hans lets out a deep sigh, "I don't know. I just want a home and friends for once,"

"You don't want the crown anymore?" Hans smiles up at her smirk before dropping his eyes once again to her delicate hands.

"I just want to live now," Hans once again grips her hands, "so thank you,"

"For what?"

"Letting me stay,"

Elsa is taken aback by his words, and finds herself a little flustered, "I…you know…I…it wasn't my choice,"

"That's not what Yelena or Ryder told me," Hans get up off the ground with a grimace, and Elsa scoots over to give him some space to sit on her stump, "Yelena said that she gave you the choice to keep me here or let me fend for myself,"

"I couldn't just let you…"

"But you could have, but instead you gave me a home," Hans' eyes scan his new settlement. He might have only been here consciously for a week, but it felt more like home than the walls of the palace ever did. "And I am going to spend my life paying it back to you. I may never have your forgiveness, Elsa, but I will try to earn your respect,"

"And I…" Elsa laces her fingers with his, "will learn to trust you,"

"You don't have to,"

"I want to,"

"That will take time,"

"Good thing we have a while." Elsa looks back at his leg, "now let's go have one of the healers look at that,"

"I don't know," Hans looks at the bandage, "I think Ryder did a good job. I can hardly feel it anymore,"

"That's probably because he wrapped the bandage too tight," Elsa looks down at the wreath and hands it to her companion, "here. To keep the nightmares away," Hans look down at the present. His fingers trace the weave and the beads.

"What are these?" Hans lifts the ice crystals at the end.

"The elements. The pink one is fire," Elsa runs a finger over the elemental crystal, "purple is earth, blue is wind, and the teal is water,"

"What about this one?" Hans gestures to the four-pointed star in the middle.

"It's me,"

"Ah, the mysterious fifth element that binds our world to magic," Hans laughs and locks eyes with Elsa, "well not so mysterious anymore from what my brothers' taunted me with. I heard you were doing great things as a Queen,"

"I was, but it wasn't where I belonged,"

"You belonged here,"

"Yes," Elsa places her head on his shoulder. Her eyes flicking up towards the star-studded sky, "like you."

"Yea…" Hans looks down at Elsa and feels his heart flutter. "I guess I just have to get used to belonging somewhere." Elsa smiles as Hans' cheek rests on top of her head. Her eyelids flutter shut when a sense of peace washes over her.


The morning sun shines through the large triangle window, but it does nothing to startle the young Queen from her bed.

"Your Majesty," Kai's soft knock does nothing either, "Queen Anna!" Kai bangs on the door.

"Huh? What? I'm awake," Anna jolts up, drool gathering at the corner of her mouth, "just finishing up. I'll be right down,"

"I'll send your ladies in, your Majesty." Kai's eye roll can almost be felt through the door. Anna feels her eyes start to fall again as she lets out a large yawn.

"Sounds good, Kai." Anna hears her doors click open and suddenly she is pulled from her bed to be prepared for the day. "I hate that a job requirement of being Queen is having to be up so early."


Anna settles herself at her desk to begin her tasks for the day when a red envelope catches her eye. She takes it into her hands and sees the familiar crest of the Southern Isles on the wax seal. Her hands begin to tremble in a subtle rage as she uses her letter opener on the delicate paper.

Her Royal Majesty Queen Anna Agnarrdatter Førdendal Nordberg of Arendelle,

Late last month, my brothers; Runo, Rudi, and Tomas were escorting the traitorous Prince Hans to the Northern Isles to live the remainder of his life in isolation under the watchful eye of our cousin, King Christoffer.

However, upon entering the treacherous Dark Sea, Prince Hans was washed overboard. Despite a desperate search conducted by those aboard, he was not recovered.

I know it will bring you no joy to know that he will not suffer for the injustices that he committed against you and your sister. Please know that his actions are in no way condoned by my father, my other brothers, or I. I hope his death can bring a new dawn to an alliance between our two kingdoms. I eagerly await your response, your Majesty, and may God save the Queen.

Sincerely,

His Royal Highness Prince Caleb Westergaard of the Southern Isles

Anna looks in disbelief at the elegant script of the letter.

"Hans is…dead…" Anna places the letter on the desk, leaning back in her chair. The places her hand over her mouth and silences the world around her. Her former fiancee and would-be killer was now presumably at the bottom of the Dark Sea. Anna revealed in the poetic justice of the situation. The sea that had claimed her parents, robbing her of her family, had chosen to take the life of the man who had tried to do the same thing.

"Anna…" Anna looks up to see the smiling face of Kristoff.

"Hi, honey," Anna gives a small smile as he approaches. Kristoff places a soft kiss on her lips, but he pulls away he notices the conflict in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Kristoff places himself on the corner of her desk, leaning back to study her face better.

"I received a letter today," Anna once again picks up the letter from Prince Caleb.

"Who has you this distressed? It isn't that Weaselton guy is it?"

"No," Anna lets out a breathy laugh, "it's from Hans' oldest brother, Prince Caleb,"

"What does he want?" Kristoff's tone changes to one with a dark undertone at the mention of the man who had tried to take his true love away four years ago.

"He wanted to tell me Hans is dead," Anna looks up at Kristoff with a sad smile, "lost at sea,"

"I mean…that's good right," Kristoff takes her hand in his, "he won't bother you ever again,"

"A man is dead, Kristoff," Anna stands, her hand leaving his as she walks to the balcony door overlooking the fjord, "no matter what Hans did, he didn't deserve to die,"

"I think he did,"

"Kristoff!" Anna spins quickly looking at him with shock.

"What?" Kristoff walks over to grip her shoulders causing her to look at him, "he tried to kill you, Anna, and Elsa. In my opinion, he didn't deserve the luxury of breathing another breath because he tried to rid the world of the two most amazing people in the world," Anna's eyes fall in sadness as she turns back to the windows. Kristoff wraps her arms around her, allowing her to lean back into his warm embrace.

"I know I should be happy, thrilled even, but I can't help but feel like…"

"Like what?"

"I feel bad. No matter what he did, Kristoff, he still was a person with a soul. It deserved to be saved or even found,"

"I guess you're right," Kristoff kisses her temple, "what are you going to do?"

"I don't know," Anna sits in silence as she contemplates her options, "I'll write Caleb back at least," Anna untangles herself from her fiancée before returning to her desk.

"What will you say?"

"Give my condolences, obviously," Anna takes a sheet of paper out, "Caleb asked for an alliance, so maybe I'll extend an invitation to come to Elsa's birthday party,"

"Shouldn't you ask her if she's okay with that since you know…it's her party?" Anna lets out a comical sputter with a wave of her hand.

"Like Elsa will care, she doesn't even like parties all that much especially ones all about her,"

"Still…"

"I'm sure she won't mind. She didn't like Hans either because you know the whole telling her I was dead thing,"

"And the whole trying to behead her thing,"

"Yea, yea sure. I know that when she was Queen, she always said that having alliances with our closest neighbors is be a good thing, and the Isles are our closet neighbors. It's a sign that it's time for a fresh start,"

"If you're sure…" Anna puffs a stray hair from her face and rolls her eyes.

"Kristoff, the terrible thing about being Queen is that you are never sure of what you do until you do them. Just trust me, please, I just need someone in my corner on this,"

"Always," Kristoff places a kiss on her lips. "I'll always believe in you,"

"I love you,"

"I love you, too. I'll let you get to your letter."

"Thank you." Kristoff smiles and takes his leave. Anna sighs and dips her quill in the ink.

His Royal Highness Prince Caleb Westergaard of the Southern Isles,

I may have not been your brother's biggest fan, but I am sorry for the loss of your brother. Arendelle's prayers are with you and your family in your time of mourning.

I have considered your offer of an alliance between our two kingdoms, but I hope you understand my hesitation in anything without meeting in person. I, however, do believe with Prince Hans gone that we can begin anew. Next month, we are hosting a ball to celebrate my sister's twenty-sixth birthday and the start of the yule season. It will be a small ordeal since winter is not an ideal time to travel, but if you are able to I would like to extend an invitation to you and your kin. I don't know what the future holds for our kingdoms, but I would like to try to mend the bridge between the two.

May the seas treat you kindly

Sincerely,

Her Royal Majesty Queen Anna Agnarrdatter Førdendal Nordberg of Arendelle

Anna smiles down at the letter, and she rereads it as the ink dries.

"I should let Elsa know about Hans and the possible party guests." Anna quickly drafts a short letter to her sister before folding it into a bird. She goes to the balcony and sings the little melody to call Gale. The small wind spirit twirls around the Queen, tossing her cloak over her head causing Anna to laugh. "Hello, Gale, can you take this to Elsa, please?" With a whistle, the bird and wind were gone. Anna smiles before turning back to continue with her day.


The paper bird soared into the large community tent onto a sleeping Hans' chest. He is startled awake by the quick breeze brushing over his face. He turns under the blankets to see Elsa curled on her side next to him on top of the bed of furs, fast asleep. Hans smiles softly. I could get used to this. Hans gently runs the back of his index finger over her relaxed face.

"Elsa," Hans gently whispers causing the blonde's eyes to slowly flutter open. She softly smiles at him, and a soft blush travels over her face by their closeness. She sits up and looks everywhere except for him, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and clearing her throat.

"Good morning, Hans," Hans props himself on his elbows, picking up the small bird. Inspecting it before handing it to Elsa.

"I'm pretty sure this is yours," Elsa takes it from his hand, "I don't think any of my brothers would write me, let alone care enough to look for me,"

"It's from Anna," Elsa unfolds the bird and quickly reads over the letter. Hans watches Elsa's face falls and soft snow starts to fall around them.

"Elsa, what's wrong?"

"Anna received a letter from your brother, Caleb, today," Han pulls himself up, the furs falling from his bare chest, and takes the letter from Elsa. Elsa's eyes roam his top half rather unwillingly as a soft bubble starts to form in her lower regions quite rapidly, especially when she remembers her past dreams. She chews on her bottom lip as her mind drifts while Hans reads the letter.

"He says that I'm dead," Hans hands the letter back to his companion, "makes sense since that was supposed to be my final punishment from him,"

"I can't believe Anna is inviting him to my party,"

"What party?"

"My birthday party. It's on…"

"The Winter Solstice?"

"Yes, how'd you…?"

"Lucky guess, snowflake. Write her back and tell her that you don't want them there,"

"That would be a terrible move on both of our parts. The Southern Isles' navy is much larger than Arendelle's," Elsa sets the letter down, "but you already know that," Hans nods.

"Tell her to be wary," Elsa's eyes meet his, "Caleb never enters anything without something to gain or something up his sleeve. My guess is that he is coming for you,"

"What do you mean?"

"You'll be turning twenty-six and are still unwed. His eldest son and my nephew, Vlademar, is twenty-nine. He'll probably ask for a marriage pact as one the terms of an alliance,"

"Anna would never…"

"She might not have a choice," Elsa flops back down onto the bed, staring up at the tent's top, Hans follows suit. "Caleb takes after our father in terms of negotiations," Elsa turns her head towards his, taking in his profile.

"How so?"

"Threats, mostly. He nearly went to war with Corona over an agriculture trade, and Caleb takes the same approach,"

"I don't want that to be the reason I get married,"

"What is the reason you want to get married, Princess?" Hans looks over at her, their eyes locking.

"Love," Elsa smiles at him, "my parents got married because they loved each. Anna is marrying for love. I just want the same thing,"

"That's not always the luxury of us royals,"

"You never thought you would marry for love?" Elsa's eyebrows knit together.

"No," Hans sadly smiles at Elsa, "my father just didn't care enough to arrange a marriage for me like he did my brothers. The unlucky thirteenth. However, I knew I couldn't marry just anyone,"

"Would he have approved of Anna?"

"Most definitely. The heir to the kingdom of Arendelle, he probably would have been very proud of me, and even more now that she's Queen,"

"But I was preferable?" Hans laughs.

"Of course, but now…"

"What?" Elsa and Hans turn to face each other.

"I just want to feel like I'm a part of something." Hans and Elsa softly talk to each other, exchanging stories of lonely childhoods and mischief, before slowly drifting back to sleep.


Okay. Okay. Let's talk about those last names, so like, they TECHNICALLY don't have any, that we know of, so I had to look into Norwegian last names because LET ME TELL YOU my basic as fuck Norwegian/Swedish last name of Anderson is UNHELPFUL. I mean sort of. It was common for sons and daughters to receive their father's name as their first last name, therefore, Agnarrdatter (Daughter of Agnarr) is one of them. Also, looking at the current Norwegian royal family…they have about half a dozen last names, so I wanted to roll with that idea, and a lot of Norwegian last names have to deal with regions or farms. Førdendal, I believe…if my childhood isn't lying to me, means Fjord Valley, which is where we know Arendelle lies. Boom! Last name number two. Nordberg means North Mountain, which is a significant landmark to Arendelle (also to our Elsa). So there, I explained those last names. I feel validated in my heritage and like I'm not copping out by giving them the last name Arendelle, which was also a LARGE possibility because I was getting so fucking frustrated with them.

Okay, that rant is done. I hope you guys liked the chapter! I'm sorry it took so long. It felt clunky for a long time, and I wanted to make sure it was perfect for you, and I kept changing how close I wanted Hans and Elsa to get in this chapter. Twas a process.

So, review! Favorite! Follow! Make me feel the love!

Love,

KMA