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CHAPTER 2

It took every ounce of control Elsa possessed to keep her from running through the castle but she couldn't contain her smile. With Henry happily babbling in her arms she hurried down the winding staircase that would lead her to the landing by the main castle door. Finally, after what seemed like forever, she reached the door and excitedly pulled it open to reveal the heavy downpour of cold rain. "Wait a second…" Elsa looked at Henry with realization, "I can't just run out there with you in my arms. You could get really sick." With a wistful sigh, Elsa reluctantly closed the door and took a seat on a nearby bench.

Several minutes later the door opened up and Elsa perked up expectantly only to see Gerda hurry inside and close the door behind her, "That is certainly one heck of a storm brewing."

"Is everything alright?"

"Oh!" Gerda jumped, "Your Majesty, I didn't see you there."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's quite alright, dear. What are you doing sitting by the door? You could catch a chill."

"Catch a chill?" Elsa smirked with one cocked eyebrow.

"Ah-right. Never mind. Sometimes I forget who I am talking to and the motherly intuition just kicks in." Gerda smiled at Henry, "Although the young prince could still catch a chill."

Elsa glanced down at Henry, "Oh! You're right." Elsa stood up and followed Gerda as she headed towards one of the many linen closets scattered throughout the castle.

"What were you doing on the landing anyway?"

"I was…" Elsa hung her head with a sigh, "Waiting for Hans."

"Why do you act so ashamed about being excited to see your husband?"

"It makes me look weak and dependent. I can't have my people see me as some clingy love-sick girl. They expect a fearless ruler who doesn't depend on anyone but themselves."

"Now where on earth did you get that idea from?"

"The council."

Gerda furrowed her brows as she collected some fresh towels from the linen closet, "Is this the same council that made you take a husband because they claimed you needed a man by your side in order to properly rule this kingdom? That council?"

"One and the same."

"Lord have mercy, I swear those men are only put on this earth to manipulate you and destroy whatever self-confidence you have." Gerda made sure the coast was clear before continuing in a lowered voice, "If you want my honest opinion, your father, rest his soul, assigned those men to the council shortly after losing his best friend, James Jagger. James was originally the one who was in charge of assigning King Agdar's council but when he supposedly 'died', the daunting task fell onto your father's shoulders. Everything was arranged in a disorganized rush and the result is the headache you are dealing with to this day."

Elsa leaned forward with intrigue, "So what are you suggesting? That I terminate their positions and create a council of my own?"

"Truthfully, Your Majesty, I am in no position of power to make such a suggestion. However, my husband who is also your royal advisor does have that power." Gerda gave Elsa a subtle wink, "I never would have pushed this on you when you first started out your reign as queen. But now your life is full of stability and support from your beloved family. I believe this once very daunting task could seem pretty harmless now." Gerda closed the closet and began making her way to another part of the castle that required her assistance, "Queen Elsa, in regards to Prince Hans, I believe that you should never feel ashamed of expressing your feelings about him. You love your husband and that is not a crime. Just because you are the Queen of Arendelle does not mean that you must hide your emotions all the time. Sure, you must keep a cool composure more often than most people, but you must not forget that you are still human."

Elsa smiled at her lady-in-waiting, "Thanks for everything, Gerda. I've got a lot of thinking to do." As they continued walking, Elsa noticed that Gerda was headed to another part of the courtyard, "Hey, Gerda?"

"Yes?"

"Is there any chance that I could take those towels to the courtyard for you?"

Gerda laughed, "Your Majesty, I have been waiting for you to ask that." Elsa handed Henry over to Gerda as she handed Elsa the towels, "I don't supposed Prince Henry has eaten lunch yet?"

"Oh God, I completely forgot!"

"I could tell. He has his hungry pout on right now." Gerda chuckled, "After I feed him, I'll run a hot bath for Prince Hans. He must be exhausted and soaked to the bone."

"Thanks." As Gerda turned to leave, Elsa pipped up, "By the way, when you said that I must keep a 'cool composure' more often than most people, by any chance was there a pun intended?"

"That is quite possible, Your Majesty." Gerda laughed as she headed toward the kitchen.

Elsa laughed to herself as she watched them leave. Once they disappeared around the corner, she turned on her heels and fast-walked to the courtyard. She opened one of the smaller side doors and stepped out into the refreshingly cold afternoon. Fortunately for her, the awning above her seemed to be holding well as she walked around the perimeter handing out towels to whoever needed them.

Just as she handed the last towel to one of the stable hands, she caught sight of someone walking through the gates…a very handsome red-headed someone. "Hans!" Elsa called out as she ran over to him with a smile.

"Elsa?" Hans looked at her in surprise as she threw her arms around his neck in a tight embrace, "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Elsa pulled away slightly, "I just missed you."

When she leaned forward to kiss him, but he leaned back in disbelief, "What's gotten into you? I thought you didn't want us showing affection in public?"

"I have decided that I don't care about that anymore. We love each other and who says we can't act like we do when we're around each other?"

Hans chuckled, "Wow, if this change of heart happened in the one week I was away, then I wonder what else would happen if I were to depart for a longer time span?"

"Just shut up and kiss me, Admiral Westergard."

Hans smiled, "Anything for the Queen of Arendelle." The two leaned in together and their lips met each other in the middle. Hans cupped her face with both of his hands while her hands rested on his forearms. They could have stayed in that intimate embrace forever if it weren't for the loud crash of thunder and increased downpour. "We should probably head inside. I was already soaked before I got to the castle and now you're soaked too and I don't even remember the last time I was completely warm and dried."

Elsa laughed as she grabbed his hand and headed toward the castle, "Come on. Gerda is running you a hot bath as we speak."

"Bless that woman. I swear, she is heaven sent." They hurried through the castle in order to avoid getting the floors all wet and made it to their room in record time. Hans immediately headed into the bathroom to change out of his wet clothes, "So how is everyone?"

"Well, Anna and Kristoff haven't returned from their honeymoon yet, not that I blame them."

"Me either, this storm is a menace." He walked out of the bathroom dressed in his bathrobe, "How's Annaliese and Henry?"

"Annaliese has the stomach flu. Henry is doing well though and William, Gerda, and I have been taking turns in watching him."

"Poor Annaliese. But it sounds like you had fun."

"I did." Elsa quickly changed out of her wet clothes and into her bathrobe, "Henry is such a sweet baby and he's always so cheery. You can't help but smile when you're around him."

Hans chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist, "Speaking of babies, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. Just a little tired but no nausea which is a relief." She sniffed at Hans and wrinkled her nose, "However, the smell of the sea on you might just make me sick."

"It didn't seem to bother you when we were outside."

"Outside has fresh air. Inside, not so much." Elsa giggled as she wiggled out of his embrace, "Now you better get in the tub while the water is still hot."

"Yes, ma'am." Hans chuckled as he walked back into the bathroom. Elsa used the warm towel sitting on the bed to dry her hair, smiling when she heard Hans let out a relaxed sigh as he slid into the bath.

"How did everything go with you and the fleet?"

"The men did well. I was impressed. You'd be proud of them."

"That's wonderful." Elsa finished drying her hair and started towards the bathroom to hang up the damp towel, "Hey, so I was thinking-" She stopped when she walked into the bathroom to find Hans' eyes closed, "Hans?"

"Hm?" He sleepily opened his eyes, "I'm sorry, were you talking to me?"

Elsa laughed, "Sort of, but it's not that important." She grabbed a stool and sat beside the bathtub, "You're pretty exhausted, aren't you?"

"Yeah, no, I'm fine." He sat up and splashed some water on his face, "Please continue."

"You know what? You've helped me out a lot with running Arendelle's military, why don't I do something nice for you?"

Hans lifted a naughty eyebrow, "I'm listening?"

"Close your eyes."

He did as he was told and in a matter of seconds he felt her fingers running through his hair. He instantly relaxed as she continued massaging her fingertips into his head, "What are you doing?"

"At the moment, I'm washing your hair."

"Oh." He let out a relaxed sigh, "You know I was expecting something else when you said that you wanted to do something nice for me."

"I know." Elsa smirked, "But I figured you needed this more." Once she finished washing his hair, she stood up, "You can wash the rest of yourself whenever you're done relaxing." She bent down and pressed her lips to his, "I'll be in the bedroom." She walked away with a smirk and even sashayed her hips a little bit before closing the bathroom door behind her.

She laid down on the bed and picked up a book as she waited for her husband, but she didn't need to wait long before he swaggered out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel around his waist, "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

Elsa laughed, "I haven't even finished reading a page." She scooted over and patted the spot beside her, "Lay down here. On your stomach."

"Okay." He did what she asked, "What are you-oh!" He was surprised when he felt her climb on top of him and straddled his waist, followed by her delicate hands pressing into his back, "Ooohhh…that feels amazing."

Elsa proudly smiled, "Your muscles were so tight. I figured that this would help."

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

Elsa laughed as she continued massaging his back and shoulders. After a couple minutes, she could feel Hans' breathing grow steady so she figured he was asleep. After thirty minutes passed, Elsa was so lost in her own thoughts that the sound of Hans' voice startled her, "You certainly know how to welcome back a sailor, don't you? Almost flawless."

"Almost? I'm pretty sure I nailed the welcome home festivity."

"Well, you did forget one thing."

"And what would that be?"

Hans turned over so that he could face Elsa, "A sailor returning home from a long voyage-"

"I hardly think that a week out at sea counts as a 'long voyage'."

"When I stepped through those gates, you acted like I had been gone for months."

Elsa shrugged, "Fair point. Continue."

"A sailor returning home from a long voyage usually would appreciate the company of a beautiful woman." He smirked as he realized that Elsa was still straddling his waist, "Fortunately for me, I have the most beautiful woman in the entire world right here."

"Well, to be fair, you've had my company for the last hour."

"I think you understand what I am getting at."

"Not a clue." Elsa teasingly smiled.

Before responding, Hans swiftly untied Elsa robe, revealing her finest lingerie, "Really? Not a clue?" He smugly smirked.

"Well, okay, maybe I had an idea but they're completely different-" She was interrupted when he promptly sat up and cut her off with a kiss. They don't know who made the next move, but before they knew it, their bodies were intertwined with one another as the teasing kisses turned passionate. With bated breath, Elsa smiled, "Welcome home, Admiral."


As evening was approaching, Hans and Elsa were getting dressed for dinner. Hans was almost done as he slipped on his boots while Elsa stood in front of the mirror trying to button up her dress, "Hans, when you're done could you help me?"

"Sure." Hans walked up behind her and started fastening the long row of buttons, "So I have a question for you."

"Okay?"

"And if it makes you uncomfortable you don't have to answer."

Elsa smirked, "Now I'm intrigued."

"The storm…"

"Yeah?" Elsa's smirked slowly faded away.

"Storms usually make you think about your parents."

Elsa nodded understandingly, "I see where this is going."

"You do?" Hans glanced up and looked at Elsa through the mirror.

"You're wondering why I was okay with you taking the fleet out in a storm eerily similar to the one that killed my parents."

"Well, yeah."

"The truth? I was not okay at all. Terrified, actually. But I wasn't going to let my fear stop you from doing what is best for our kingdom's navy." Elsa turned around and looked up at him with a sad smile, "I know that I'm a little slow at figuring this out, but I'm gradually trying to learn that I cannot let fear control my life."

"But you are trying and that's all that matters." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead, "I'm so proud of you. And I know your parents would be proud of you too."

Elsa gave him a small smile despite her increased heartrate as she thought about her strange dream with her parents. Suddenly, another sharp pain struck her stomach as she gasped and recoiled from Hans' embrace, doubled over in pain.

"Elsa, what's wrong?"

"My stomach…" She placed a cold hand on her stomach and instantly felt most of the pain subside, "Okay, that's better."

"How long have you been having these pains?"

"This was only the second time." She straightened herself up, "I think it means I'm hungry."

"Hungry?"

"Yeah earlier today when I got these pains, I was late for lunch…which I never ate. Therefore this must mean that I'm hungry."

"Alright. I guess that makes sense." Hans glanced at the clock, "We'd better get to dinner before any more hunger pains start up."

"Yes, I agree." Elsa glanced over at the small old family portrait on her nightstand before making her way to the dining hall.


"So then one of the men slipped on a puddle and promptly fell on his rear. His expression was hysterical but I couldn't laugh in front of the young man so I had to take a short leave in my quarters to regain my composure."

Elsa laughed as Hans retold many interesting and hilarious stories about his time out at sea, "Was he okay? He wasn't hurt?"

"No, fortunately his pride was the only casualty." Hans took a sip of his water, "Although I did warn the men to tread lightly knowing that the deck would be slippery."

"I'm sure he'll bounce back. He seemed young enough-"

"Excuse me, Your Majesties?" Kai stuck his head into the dining hall.

Elsa waved him in, "What is it, Kai?"

"Princess Anna and Prince Kristoff have returned."

"What?" Elsa glanced outside to see the rain continuing to fall at a heavy pace, "How is that possible?"

"Would you like me to inform them that you and Prince Hans are still eating?"

"No thank you, Kai." Elsa stood up with a smile, "I wish to see my sister." Elsa hurried out of the dining hall with Hans following closely behind her. Just as the main landing came into view, Anna and Kristoff burst through the front door. "Anna!" Elsa cheered in delight as she broke into a run and ran into her sister's embrace.

"Elsa!" Anna laughed as she returned the hug, "You're so cuddly! I love this!"

"Oh goodness, Anna, you and Kristoff are soaked! Why did you come back? The weather is terrible."

"I wanted to make sure you were okay." Anna looked up and spotted Hans walking over to them, "What are you doing here?"

Hans gave her a confused look, "I live here?"

"Yeah but you're supposed to be gone."

"I'm sorry?"

"You should be." Anna crossed her arms, "How can you leave Elsa here all alone while she's sick?"

Now Hans gave Elsa a confused look, "You're sick?"

"What?" Elsa looked between Hans and Anna, "I'm not sick. Anna, where did you get that idea?"

"Olaf told us."

Elsa furrowed her brows, "I still don't understand how he could've gotten that idea. What exactly did he say?"

"He said that you have been taking a lot of naps because you have been awfully tired."

"Okay?"

"You hardly ever take naps unless something is wrong, so I thought-"

"Olaf also told us that we didn't need to worry." Kristoff shook his head with a sigh.

"No, no. Something is definitely up." Anna curiously eyed her sister, "So what is it?"

Elsa looked at Hans and smiled, "I guess we could tell them now since all the wedding festivities are over."

"It's your choice." Hans grinned as he reached for Elsa's hand.

"Well, now you have to tell us." Anna's eyes darted between Hans and Elsa, "What is it?"

"Okay, well…Anna?" Elsa excitedly squeezed Hans' hand, "I'm pregnant."

Kristoff's jawed dropped as Anna squealed, "Oh my gosh! Elsa! Are you serious?!"

"Shh!" Elsa laughed giddily, "You can't tell anyone because nobody else besides Kai and Gerda, and of course Doctor Omsorg, know about this."

"Why would you keep this a secret?!"

"Hans and I just want to keep this to ourselves for now. Besides it won't be long until I start showing so until then let's keep this quiet."

"Oh my gosh Elsa, I am so happy for you." Anna reached forward and tightly hugged her sister, "This is amazing news. Congratulations." As Anna pulled away from the hug, she wiped her eyes, "This is just so exciting. I'm gonna be an aunt." She laughed as she glanced at Hans, "Come here, you." Anna wrapped her arms around his midsection, "Congratulations, Hans."

"Thanks, Anna." He chuckled as he returned the hug.

Kristoff shyly smiled, "Congrats, Elsa." He awkwardly leaned forward and gave her a gentle hug, which made Elsa laugh.

"Kristoff, you are going to have to see me as more than just a queen. We're family now."

Anna laughed as she wrapped her hands around Kristoff's strong bicep, "Baby steps, Elsa. You still intimidate him."

Kristoff sighed, "Too much information, Anna." He extended his hand towards Hans, "By the way, congrats as well."

Hans smiled as they shook hands, "Thanks."

"So tell me the details! How many months along are you?"

"About three months."

"Three months?" Anna's eyes searched her sister, "You can't possibly be three months along. You're not even showing."

"Different women show at different times." Elsa shrugged with a smile.

"Oh my gosh I just realized something!" Anna covered her mouth with her hands, "You were pregnant at my wedding! That's why you didn't drink any alcohol! I thought it was weird but I forgot to ask you about it." Anna furrowed her brow, "Wait, so if you knew by my wedding, when did you find out?"

"Well, the doctor and I had our suspicions but he didn't confirm it a couple days before the wedding."

"W-wow." Anna involuntarily shivered as she wrapped her arms around herself.

"I'm sorry, you two must be freezing. I'll send someone to run a hot bath for you. In the meantime, let's have you two stand by the fire in the dining room and get you something to eat while we're at it."

Anna giggled, "Already working on your motherly duties, are we?"

"Well it's pretty easy to do when you insist on acting like a child at times." Elsa lightly teased as she led her sister towards the dining hall.


It was late in the evening when Thomas Sullivan looked up as his visitor approached his cell for the third time this week, "You're sure that everyone is in position?"

"Are you telling me how to do my job?"

"No of course not. It's just…" Thomas lowered his voice a little more, "The guards are starting to grow suspicious."

"I wouldn't worry about it. I've got a man on the inside."

"So when do you think you can get me out of here? I'm sick of this place."

"If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." The visitor chuckled, "Or at least don't get caught."

"I had no intention of getting caught. If it weren't for those royal brats-"

"You underestimated them. That was your mistake. But unlike you, I learn from the past." The visitor cleared their throat, "Trust me, we will not fail this time."


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