Rifiuto: Non Mirena

A/N: I know, I know, it seems rushed, but political marriages often were, especially among monarchs, but remember, Hans and Elsa have been corresponding for three years, longer than most royals couples did at the time.

Also, a note on the second half of this chapter: In 1839, Victoria proposed to Albert (because she was queen, Albert could not propose to her) and so the same applies here- though with a slight difference. Elsa proposes to Hans, not because she is of higher rank than him- remember, he is King of the Isles- but because it is within both Southern Isles and Arendellian law that monarchs of the Southern Isles cannot propose to Arendellian monarchs and vice versa (though only one country counts it as high treason resulting in death, the other counts it as high treason resulting in banishment); they normally look outside each others' borders for their spouses.

She moved through halls on swift, quiet feet, the hem of her nightdress barely brushing her toes. Her long, snow white hair tumbled down her back in curls, and instead of a lantern, a single snowflake floated within her palm, illuminating the immediately area in front of her with a soft light. The castle was silent as all its occupants- both servant and royal, including visiting royal alike- slept.

All but one.

After several minutes, she finally reached the stairs to the servants quarters, and, with a tight hold on her skirt, hurried down them, listening for any sign of someone else being up and about. It had been so long since she'd gone sneaking through the halls of Linnea Castle in the late hours of the evening, and it brought back memories of the Tercentenary celebrations- when her parents still sat on the throne, and she had simply been the Crown Princess, having clandestine meetings with the youngest Prince of the Southern Isles.

Finally reaching the bottom of the stairs, she stopped to relax, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves in the darkened kitchens-

And jumped, letting out a squeak at the hand that grabbed her wrist from the shadows. "Shh." She turned towards the voice, relaxing at the glittering green eyes that came into view from the darkness surrounding her. A smile graced her features, as he released her wrist and took her waist, tugging her towards him and into the shadows he hid within. "I thought you'd never arrive."

She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck, the snowflake vanishing with a wave of her hand. "I'm sorry, darling. Anna insisted on spending some time together as sisters, and I had to appease her."

"Ah, having to appease members of the court. Such an exhausting existence for ruling monarchs." He grinned, and she raised an eyebrow, shoving him gently, knowing that he was kidding-

Their lips met in a kiss as she pulled him down towards her, and as the kiss deepened, he slipped his arms tighter around her waist, lifting her up. She giggled softly, breaking the kiss slowly as he set her back on her feet and nuzzled her nose with his. They stood in silence for several minutes, before she finally pulled away and took his hand, tugging until he was following her through the kitchens and out the nearby servants' entrance. "Where are we going?"

"Shh!" The cool brush of air against their skin once they stepped outside seemed to liven both, and once free of the palace, they took off running. It had been years since he had been back at Linnea Castle, and so he trusted her to lead the way; holding tight to her hand, he followed as they dashed through the gardens, past the fountains and carefully tended gardens, towards a door in the high garden wall. Now stopped, he caught his breath, watching as she reached into the bodice of her nightdress and removed the chain that hung around her neck; dangling from it was a key-

In minutes, she'd used it to unlock the door and yanked him through, shutting it softly behind them before replacing it back within the bodice of her nightdress. Now on the other side of the wall, he found himself standing not far from the banks of a small inlet of the fjord. "My grandfather had the door built into the wall for my grandmother; she loved the fjord, but with children, a household and a kingdom to oversee, she could not just escape to the fjord whenever she wished, so he routed a small portion of it to this inlet, and had the door built into the wall so she could get away whenever she wished. My mother gave me the key before she died, knowing that I would use it more than Annalei."

She had moved down to the water's edge as she'd talked, and now stood ankle deep in the water. A moment passed before he followed, removing his slippers and joining her. They waded in the water for several minutes, before settling on the beach, and he turned to study her in the moonlight.

Her snow white hair tumbled down her back free of restraint in the most gorgeous of tangled curls, her skin shone in the darkness, profile highlighted by the light of the moon. In this moment, she seemed much younger, and yet, so much older than her eighteen years. Not even having worn the crown of Arendelle upon her head longer than a day, and already, she was feeling the weight of its countenance. He could see it, in the faraway look she wore, in the way the ice crawled over her small hands, and down the skirt of her nightdress. After a moment, he reached out, taking her hand and she turned to him.

"I'm scared, Hans." She swallowed thickly. "I am no queen, I am barely a girl of eighteen, and they expect me to rule Arendelle... to take the weight of my country onto my shoulders... those men... who did not stand against my mother because she had my father's hand at her back, but I am alone upon the throne. I will never have a king, I will not marry a foreigner, and then hand my throne and crown to him. Arendelle is my country, I will not allow her to fall into the hands of a man of foreign birth through my marriage to him, especially one who does not have my or Arendelle's best interest at heart." She stopped, and he reached up, gently brushing the tears away. She stood, moving to wade into the water. He stayed silent, allowing her to work through her thoughts. "Besides," She turned back to him, and he saw the tears dripping freely down her cheeks, slowly turning to ice crystals. "I want no man but you as my husband. I want no man but you as my King. You understand the laws of my country, just as I understand the laws of yours-"

"We will be fine rulers together, Eliza." He stood, going to her, and tugging her into his arms.

"A love like ours-" She stopped, biting her lip. Did she love him? What a silly question, of course she did. She had loved him from that long ago first meeting. She had dreamed of a betrothal, the chance to make a life together; for three years, they had corresponded and shared their deepest secrets, hopes, dreams and desires. She was meant to be with Hans just as he was meant to be with her. Not for thrones or crowns or countries, but for each other; for their hearts and souls were entwined- long, long ago, some distant god had decided they would one day be together.

"A love such as ours will burn down a city-" He finished for her. She shook her head.

"No, a love such as ours will make the entire world burn, Johannes." He tugged her close, trapping her within his arms. Gently, he reached up, stroking his knuckles across her cheek.

"And it will build empires, and alliances and start revolutions, Elisabeth. You are the flint and I am the steel, my darling. And together we will set the very fabric of our monarchy alight." He kissed her deeply, taking her gently by the waist and lifting her up, until she'd wrapped her arms around his neck.


"It is a most proper political advancement; the Southern Isles are our neighbors; they are our allies, it's only right that Arendelle joins with them." The next evening, after the rest of the guests had retired after dinner, the sisters had invited Hans to the library for coffee and tea, and had spent the last couple hours talking and catching up. Elsa had informed Anna that afternoon of her discussion with Hans, and the princess had been thrilled- but as the day had worn on, she had become more and more concerned.

Anna tugged on her sister's sleeve as Elsa took a sip of her tea. "What about the law, Lise?"

The couple shared a glance, confusion written over both their faces. "What law, Anna?" Hans asked, as Elsa slowly lowered her cup, racking her brain for whatever law her sister was speaking about. Anna glanced at her sister.

"The law- the law that... that declares high treason against... against any ruling monarch who dares marry into the Isles and therefore abandons their crown." Elsa stayed silent, unaware that Anna had stood, going to a nearby table as Hans joined her. She gently tugged open the heavy volume, pointing to the section she'd marked. "I found it this afternoon; I just... you told me and... I wanted to make sure. I remember Papa saying something once over dinner that Lise would have to look for a husband outside of the Isles, because some ancient law forbid marriage. So I went hunting today."

Hans leaned close, gaze darting over the words, even as Anna read aloud, "'Any ruling monarch of Arendelle, regardless of sex, is forbidden from marrying of the monarchy of the Isles to the South. The monarch whom marries the Isles to the South shall be branded a traitor of Arendelle and brought upon charges of high treason and abandonment of the Royal Crown of Arendelle to cavort with thine enemy of the Isles, and thusly sentenced to death for crimes against the Arendellian crown.'"

"We have a similar law in the Isles, only with exile as the punishment, not death. When was this put into place, Anna?" Hans asked softly; Elsa hadn't moved from the sofa.

"Not long after the monarchy of Arendelle was put into place. It was put in because Arendelle and the Isles were... were rival clans. It has stood all these years, which is why Arendellian royals have always looked far beyond their borders for royal mates." They both turned back to Elsa, who was staring at the frost slowly coating her hands. "Oh, Lise," Without another word, Anna hurried back to her sister, returning to her seat and taking her sister's hand. "Don't cry, it'll be okay."

The young queen met her gaze, reaching up to take the hand the princess laid against her cheek. "I'm okay, Annalei. I promise. I just... I never thought... I completely forgot about that law."

A moment passed before Hans glanced between the sisters. "Anna, will you leave us for a moment?" The princess narrowed her gaze, turning to him.

"Why?"

"There's something your sister and I need to discuss."

"Then we can discuss it in front of Anna." Elsa spoke up, barely giving the princess time to open her mouth to reply. "Annalei is the only family I have left. Whatever you say to me, Hans, you can say to her."

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face as he made his way towards them. "Please, Anna. We won't be long, but I wish to speak to your sister alone-"

Anna glanced between the pair, confused. She had merely brought up a concern, and now they were going to discuss... what, exactly? "I don't understand, did I do something wrong? I simply wanted to make sure you both-"

"There's nothing to understand, Annalei," Her sister replied, squeezing her hand reassuringly as Hans sighed. He understood the gravity of the situation. "And you did nothing wrong, I promise."

"Eliza, you're only making it worse by coddling her."

"I'm not coddling her!"

"Eliza!"

"I didn't bring up that law so you two would fight, I simply wanted to make sure you both knew about it." Anna glanced at Hans. "I want to know why first." The young Southern Isles king sighed.

"Because I'm going to be starting a fight with your sister, and I rather you not witness it."

"I'm sorry, I didn't bring up that law so you two would fight, I simply wanted to make sure you both knew-"

"I know," Hans cut her off softly, smiling gently. "you had the best of intentions." Anna glanced at Elsa quickly. She looked between the two reigning monarchs, one who had reigned for near two years or was it three? and one who had just taken the throne of her kingdom the day before, putting the pieces together.

He's trying to protect you. He doesn't want you seeing him raise his voice at her. "Oh." She quickly stood. Elsa tightened her hold on her hand, but Anna squeezed back reassuringly, before releasing her. She glanced at Hans as she passed, and nodded. Once she'd slipped out the door, he turned back to his love, both unaware that the door was still ajar slightly and that Anna stood behind it, listening.

Now alone- or so they thought- he returned to the table where the book holding the law sat, gaze going over it. He sighed. Anna was right; the law was blatantly clear- high treason and death to any Arendellian monarch who dare abandon the throne and country for the Southern Isles. He has known of the bitter rivalry between the two clans, but had assumed that as the centuries had passed, the rivalry had quelled and any animosity between the two countries had been cast to the past. And in the Isles, it pretty much was, from what he could understand; he knew though, that Arendelle was not as old as the Isles, and that many of the old traditions and ancient ways still held root in the country. He just hadn't expected it to be such a cut and dry law. "As much as I long to make you my wife, Eliza, you know that's not possible. Not with this law in place. We can never rule together as long as we sit on opposing thrones."

Elsa stood, moving around the low table by the sofa towards him. "Yes we can, Hans! Anna can rule in my stead and I will join you in the Isles as your wife and queen-"

"I don't want to be queen." Anna whispered softly, though she understood why Elsa suggested it.

"No, Elisabeth!" Anna stopped, hearing Hans raise his voice. She peeked around the slightly open door. "A ruling queen of Arendelle will be accused of treason and executed, and I will not have your blood on my hands, no matter how badly I want you ruling by my side. Ancient law or not, this still stands; Arendelle comes first, especially since you have just been crowned."

"So all because of some stupid, ancient law Annalei found, we cannot marry? This has not just been some passing fancy between us, discussion of marriage has been going on between us for three years!" She choked on a sob, slamming her hands against the table; ice dashed across the surface, down the sides, across the floor and up the walls, creating beautiful fractals in its wake. "I love you, I want to be with you!"

"And I love you, Eliza, I want nothing more than to be with you as your husband," He turned the book around, sliding it towards her before moving around the table and going to the fireplace. "But perhaps it is better this way." Her gaze drifted over the law, drinking in the words, before she turned to him.

"What?"

He leaned against the mantel, gaze locked on the flames. He wasn't too proud to admit- if only to himself- that these last couple days had been heaven. He had planned on proposing to her before he returned to the Isles, but Anna's discovery had put a wrench in that plan. Even if he was only a figurehead in the Isles, he would not abandon them, not until he could properly turn to caring for his people, and he would not have her walk away from her throne or Arendelle. Her people were too important to her. They were monarchs first, before they were a couple, regardless of the years they had been corresponding, regardless of their courtship- for Hans considered the last three years a courtship, even if they had not given it a name. "Perhaps... this is for the best. Then you can marry a man who will be able to rule by your side and love you as you should be-"

She shook her head, turning her gaze from him to the ice that covered the far wall. "No. I want no man but you, Hans. I love you."

"And I love you, Eliza, more than I ever thought possible, but... Eliza, think of your people! Think of Arendelle!"

She rounded on him; he hadn't moved from the fireplace. "I do think of Arendelle!" Her scream made Anna jump, for she'd never heard her soft, sweet-voiced older sister lose her temper as she just had. The rustling of her skirts reached his ears and soon he found himself staring at her as she grabbed his arm and tugged him to face her. "From the time my parents boarded that ship, I have had Arendelle's best interests at heart! They left me to rule in their stead until they returned, as 'practice' so that I would be prepared to take the throne some day, and I fully expected them to return. I have been an unwitting queen since they left Arendelle and died in that sea, the only difference now is that I am crowned."

He winced, hearing the pain in her voice. He knew that she had taken on a great deal after her parents' deaths, as her father had trained her- for even when the reigning monarchs were away, there was always someone to make decisions in their stead at home- it was something he knew well. It was common practice among both the Southern Isles and Arendelle to have the oldest child take over duties while the parents were away on diplomatic visits- with help of the monarchs' council of course, in order to prepare them to understand the burdens of ruling.

"I do everything for Arendelle! I have been since their deaths! Ruling my country, caring for my people, signing treaties and accepting diplomatic visits, creating alliances and working my charms on every King, Queen, Emperor and Prince that I come in contact with because I understand the value of building strong connections between monarchies and countries- all for the good of Arendelle! Since the end of February, when they left, I have taken their place, all for the good of Arendelle! But not once- not once- have I done anything for myself!" She choked on a sob, reaching up to caress his cheeks. "Hans, I love you. I want to marry you. I want to be your wife in every way I can be. Whether that means I sit on the throne of the Southern Isles or not, does not matter. I would walk away from Arendelle, from all of it, if only I could be your wife. Even if only for a day."

He took her hands, pressing kisses to the knuckles. "Gods, Eliza- if only I could tell you that I don't love you, that I will willingly find someone else to become my queen," She shook her head, choking on a sob. He reached up and grabbed her face. "I can't, Eliza. The thought of another woman in my arms makes me sick. They belong to you. I belong to you." He rested his forehead to hers, taking a deep breath, before pulling away and returning his gaze to the fire.

Taking a shaky breath, Elsa turned from him, glancing towards the door. She saw her sister peeking around, but didn't say a word. Instead, she was calculating. Calculating the risk she was taking by even entertaining such a marriage, the risk to her country and kingdom, weighing the pros and cons of such an alliance, the dangers Arendelle's standing would be in in regards to her allegiance with other countries- the pros and cons of having him forever in her life, and Anna's- for the teenager saw Hans as a brother, and Elsa couldn't take that from her- and after a moment's hesitation, she decided.

They had been corresponding for three years, nearly, and had fallen in love with each letter exchanged. Whirlwind, Anna would call it, and whirlwind it was, indeed. But she could not imagine her life without him, nor could he imagine his life without her. The mere thought was killing them both. Slowly, she turned back to Hans, her mind made up.

Taking a deep breath, she knelt before him, the sea blue skirt of her gown looking like the waves 6crashing upon the fjord. Catching the movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned, shaking his head as realization of what she was about to ask dawned. "Eliza-"

She shook her head. "I'm not kneeling before you as a queen, Hans. Arendelle has no importance in this matter. Nor does the Southern Isles. This is strictly a matter between us, not our countries." She sniffled. "I'm asking not as a monarch, but as a woman- a woman who has tasted the sweetness of your love and wants to drink of it for the rest of her life. Please, Hans. Say you will."

"Eliza-"

"Marry me. Not Arendelle, not the throne, me. Please."

Anna watched through the crack in the door as the young king turned from her sister, gathering his thoughts, and she heard Elsa take a shaky breath. The young queen struggled to keep her composure, casting her blue gaze to the floor, before she lowered her head, taking his silence as his answer. She swallowed thickly. "Very well." The words choked on their way up her throat, and she slowly gathered the layers of her skirt as she moved to stand, tears turning to ice upon her cheeks.

A hand under her chin tugged her gaze back, and she found herself looking into Hans' green eyes. He knelt before her, now at her level, tears glistening in his own gaze. "This has never been about the throne, my darling, either throne."

She swallowed. "You mean-"

He nodded, capturing her mouth with his. When slowly they broke apart, he replied, "I will never kneel before you as a king, Eliza; I will kneel before you as merely- a man, deeply in love, and desiring to spend every moment I'm allowed at your side as your husband. My throne, your throne, our kingdoms, the old laws of our countries..." He shook his head. "I will never kneel before them as willingly as I'm kneeling before you now." He took her hand, pulling her, threading their fingers and squeezing. "No matter what happens, or where our reigns take us, I will always kneel before you as a man with his heart for your offering. I am merely a man, felled by the love of a marvellous woman, and longing to make her my wife."

"Yes?" It was choked, small. He nodded.

"Yes, my Eliza, yes."

Anna choked on a sob, watching as her sister let out a squeal, throwing herself into Hans' arms, her mouth finding his. They tumbled backwards, until he lay on his back in front of the fire, her small body on top of his, mouths meeting in a deep kiss. As quickly and quietly as she could, the princess left, shutting the library door silently, leaving the two reigning monarchs to celebrate their engagement by the light of the fire, arms wrapped around each other in a loving embrace.