Hi Guys! I know it's been about a month since my last update so I attached the ending of the previous chapter in case you would like a refresher on what is going down. Thank you for your kind words, patience, and support. You are all amazing and it is a privilege to write for you. I hope you enjoy the next chapter and finally, Happy Reading! :)


Previously...

"I understand the reasoning for you leaving but what happens if Vortex tries to attack Arendelle while you're away?"

"Anna, just because I'm leaving doesn't mean the Arendelle military is leaving. The men and their fleets are stronger than ever. Arendelle is in good hands. Besides…" Hans wrapped an arm around Elsa's waist and gave her a smile, "We've got the most powerful queen in the world on the throne."

Elsa returned Hans' smile before facing Anna, "Trust us, we've thought this through. If everything goes to plan with Hans in the Southern Isles then we may put an end to Vortex for good and leave all of this behind us."

Just then the rapid sound of knocking sounded on the door. Hans hurried to the door and opened to reveal a stressed-looking Annaliese, "Annaliese, what's wrong?"

"Where have you been?! I've been looking for you and Elsa everywhere?!" Annaliese pushed her way into the room and closed the door behind her, "I ran into Klaus in the hallway and he told me you were going back to the Southern Isles."

"Wait, you talked to Klaus? Did he ask about Kendrick?"

"Yes, so I had to tell him about Sperca-"

"What?!" Hans and Elsa both exclaimed at the same time.

"What exactly did you tell him?" Elsa stepped forward with intrigue.

"I told him that rebels attack the palace and that Kendrick and I escaped to a safe house but when I left the safe house to get water they attacked and killed Kendrick."

"You didn't mention anything about Elsa and I being there?"

"No. I lied and said that Kendrick and I received your wedding invitation before the attack and once Kendrick was killed I travelled to Arendelle to seek refuge."

"Does he know about Henry?"

"No. I told him Kendrick and I had no children." Annaliese anxiously wrung her hands, "But there's something else." Everyone silently waited in anticipation, "I'm coming to the Southern Isles with you."

Hans and Elsa looked at each other in bewilderment while Anna sighed, "So was this a part of the plan?"


Chapter 6

"Woah-okay-hold on there, you're coming with me?"

"Uh-huh." Annaliese nodded.

"How did this happen?"

"I may have volunteered to go on Kendrick's behalf."

Hans furrowed his brow, "Annaliese, why would you do that?"

"I don't know. Klaus was asking too many questions and I panicked."

Elsa rubbed her forehead, "I'm surprised he actually agreed to this."

Hans shrugged, "Well she has a lot of insider knowledge about the people in the kingdom. It makes sense to bring her along."

"There may have been another reason why I volunteered." Everyone looked at Annaliese and waited for her to continue, "I wanted to protect you."

"Me?" Hans blinked, "Why?"

"Hans, you and I grew up in the castle together. I saw how they treated you. Heck, I even tended to most of your injuries. And I know you're a grown adult and you can probably take care of yourself but I also know that you're keeping this big Sperca secret from your entire family and if that should slip out, I can't imagine what they would do to you."

Anna crossed her arms and shrugged, "What's the big deal with this Sperca secret? Why's it even a secret to begin with?"

"I don't exactly trust my brothers, Anna. Some of the events that happened there would raise questions about my allegiance to them. Since I'm in a highly trusted position, if they should doubt my loyalty, I could get myself, along with you guys, into some serious trouble." Hans regarded Annaliese warmly, "Having you along might actually help me keep my cover."

"You're welcome." Annaliese smirked.

"But we'll have to make sure we keep our stories straight. My brothers may act like animals but they're also pretty smart."

"I know. We've got a three day journey to prepare though."

"True. Are you packed?"

"Not yet. But I'm on my way to do that right now." Annaliese's expression saddened, "Then I have to say goodbye to Henry." She looked at Elsa, "I know I'm really pushing my luck, but would it be possible-"

"I'll take care of Henry." Elsa warmly smiled, "Consider it returning the favor for you taking care of Hans for me."

Annaliese rushed forward and hugged her, "Thank you, Elsa." She realized what she was doing and immediately dropped the hug, "Sorry. I'm just so grateful for having friends and family like you. You guys are so amazing. The Southern Isles princes could learn a thing or two from you."

"Hey!" Hans feigned a hurtful expression.

"Nothing I wouldn't say to your face, Hans." Annaliese grinned as she headed for the door, "Thanks again! I need to go pack!"

Once Annaliese left the room and the door audibly shut, Anna looked around at everyone, "Sooo…that just happened."

Elsa pursed her lips, "Anna? Kristoff? Could you give us a minute?"

"Uh sure." Anna grabbed Kristoff's arm and lead him out of the room.

Elsa followed them to the door and firmly shut the door behind them. She stood facing the door with her hand still resting on the doorknob.

Hans anxiously fidgeted, "Elsa, I know what you're thinking-"

"No, I'm pretty sure you don't." Elsa turned around to face Hans, her eyes deeply filled with concern, "We're going to have to change the plan."

"W-what?" Hans was genuinely surprised, "I thought that you'd be concerned about Annaliese and I travelling together-"

"I told you that I let that suspicion go a while back. Unless you think I should be worried about the two of you?"

"No. Absolutely not." He stepped forward and gently took her hand, "I only have eyes for you. My heart only belongs to you."

Elsa gave him a half-hearted smile, "That's sweet, but save it, Westergard. You leave in an hour and we've got more work to do."


It was half past eleven as several crewmen carried the travelling trio's luggage to the ship and everyone was gathering at the main entrance to say their goodbyes. Klaus was the first one at the landing and calmly paced with his hands tightly clasped behind his back, occasionally checking his pocket watch.

"Impatient, are we?"

Klaus looked up to see Hans and Elsa walking towards him, "Punctuality may not mean much to you, but it means plenty to me."

"Funny, I thought we were not leaving until noon?" Hans jokingly quipped.

"Don't be a hindrance, Hans."

"This whole trip is a hindrance, my dear brother." Hans smirked, proud that he was visibly getting under his brother's skin.

But before Klaus had a chance to respond, Elsa jumped in, "Prince Klaus, I just remembered that I have a letter I want you to give to your father. It's in my study, if you wouldn't mind accompanying me?"

"Absolutely. But I must insist that you call me Klaus. We are family after all, Elsa."

Elsa tried not to visibly cringe at the informality, "Yes, well, come with me." She glanced at her husband, "You can stay here and wait for everyone else to arrive."

Hans nodded as Elsa and Klaus disappeared around the corner. After a short walk through the castle, Elsa opened the door to her study and the two walked inside. Elsa sauntered over to her desk and pretended to pull the letter out of her desk, even though she was already carrying the letter with her. She studied Klaus as he meandered around her office, examining every nook and cranny, "Looking for something?"

"Not really. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"About why you dragged me all the way to your office to retrieve a letter you already had…" He finally rested his eyes on her with a smirk, "You're not as slick you think, Elsa."

"Okay, you caught me." Elsa crossed her arms, "If you're so smart, then why don't you tell me why I brought you here?"

"Is it not obvious?" Elsa cocked an eyebrow as sign for him to continue, "You don't trust me."

"You haven't given me a reason to yet."

"Listen, I'm sure Hans has told you all about his traumatic childhood-"

"Being verbally and physically abused every moment as a child is pretty traumatic. I've had my own share of mental abuse as a child and it takes its toll."

"But don't you want to hear the truth?"

"I don't know. Are you actually going to be truthful?"

Klaus chuckled, "Yes." He stopped walking and stared out the window, "Truthfully, I never abused Hans. I was already a teenager when he was born and it would have been cruel to hurt someone so much younger than myself. It was mostly the younger five that would find provoking Hans entertaining." He turned and gave Elsa a serious stare, "But I never laid a harmful hand on my youngest brother. Ever."

Elsa returned his serious stare, "But you knew what was going on and still did nothing about it. What does that say about your integrity?"

"Elsa, I never knew how serious it was, I swear-"

"What about pretending that he was invisible for two whole years-"

"Again, not me. That was the middle three. I was hardly ever around while Hans was growing up so I honestly had no idea what was going on-"

"I'm sorry but if you cannot even keep track of what is happening within your own family how am I supposed to trust you when you are dealing with a master assassin and perhaps an even greater danger?" Elsa waited for him to retort but when he didn't, she continued, "You either knew about it and didn't do anything, which would make you knowledgeable and cruel or you didn't know about it which would make you clueless. Pick one."

Clearly put out with this younger woman trying to corner him, Klaus resorted to something he wish he didn't have to do, "I'm not a monster. Not like you." A flash of lightning followed by a loud clap of thunder sounded as he regained his composure, "I may have messed up some things in my past but I never killed Hans. Unlike you and Princess Anna." He clicked his tongue, "Tsk tsk, freezing to death by the hand of your very own sister. What a horrible way to go. Lucky for you that Hans was power hungry and tried to kill you or else your dear sister wouldn't be here right now, would she?"

"Don't push me. You have no idea what I am capable of." Elsa growled as another round of thunder and lightning occurred.

"I have some idea. When you returned Hans to us after the incident, he told us all about your ice palace and your angry snowman bodyguard. Impressive to say the least." His cocky demeanor faded, "I'm sorry, Elsa, I didn't want to bring up the past but in all fairness, you started it." He leaned against the wall beside the window, "What were you hoping to accomplish by this?"

"I wanted to warn you."

"Warn me? Of what?"

"That if anything should happen to Hans or Annaliese during this whole endeavor…" Elsa sharply outstretched her arm and shot an icicle toward Klaus only to have it narrowly miss his throat as it pierced the wall an inch away from his neck, "You will answer to me. Do I make myself clear?" The flash of lightning casted an intimidating shadow across her face.

Klaus nervously gulped, "Crystal."

Elsa motioned her hand toward the door, "You may go." Without another word, he hustled out of the room and hurried down the hall. Once he left, Elsa let out a cleansing sigh, "Well, that went well." A low rumble of thunder responded followed by the sound of heavy rainfall.


Elsa slowly walked through the halls as she made her way back to the front entrance of the castle to meet up with everyone before saying her final goodbyes to Hans. Although she and Hans thoroughly discussed what to expect and how to handle the situation, there was still a chance that everything could go wrong and that she would never see him again. Despite her attempts to assure herself that he would be fine, there was no absolute guarantee and that worried her. But she put on her usual brave façade as she approached the group waiting at the entrance, "Everyone here and ready to go?"

"Yes, it would seems so." Hans wore a smile that Elsa could easily tell was fake.

"I still can't help but feel as though you should stay. You know, for weather reasons." Anna pouted, "But I guess you're determined to go so…" She threw her arms around Hans, "Take care of yourself. And please remember to come home."

"Thanks, Anna." Hans returned her hug, "Take care of Elsa for me."

"Absolutely."

Hans walked up to Kristoff next and outstretched his hand, "Well, looks like you are now the man of the castle. I know you won't take the responsibility lightly."

Kristoff smirked as he shook Hans' hand, "Take care, Westergard."

"You too, Bjorgman." Hans returned the smirk before facing his wife, "Elsa, I…I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything." Elsa smiled as his face loamed just inches from her, "Just remember the promise you made." She closed her eyes as he leaned forward and planted a delicate kiss on her lips, making her heart yearn as she could feel his hand caress her cheek. She had to break the kiss before she let herself get too swept away in the moment, "I love you."

He rested his forehead against hers, "And I love you."

A small sad smile played across her lips, "Don't forget the plan, but above all else, come back home."

"As you wish, my Queen." He brought her hand up to his lips and gently rested a kiss upon the top before turning away to join Klaus and Annaliese who were already halfway out the door. Anna, Kristoff, and Elsa walked down the steps that led to the courtyard and watched the trio disappear into the heavy rainfall.

"They'll be okay, right Elsa?" Anna turned to look at her sister, "Elsa?"

Elsa snapped out of whatever trance she was in, "Um…yes. Yes, they'll be just fine." She looked back toward the gates, "I hope."


"You know, starting a journey when it's raining is considered to be bad luck. Or is that getting married?" Annaliese shivered as she hung up her wet coat on the hook beside the entrance of her on-board suite.

"Here, let me find you a blanket." Hans searched in one the dressers until he found a thick quilt, "This'll work."

"Thanks." Annaliese smiled as he draped the quilt around her shoulders, "Aren't you cold?"

"I think you forget that I'm married to the Queen of Ice and Snow. Besides…" Hans sat on the bed beside Annaliese, "The cold doesn't bother me, anyway." He smiled at his wife's famous words.

"Perhaps, but still…here." She threw half of the blanket over Hans' shoulders, "You'll be no use to us if you catch a cold."

"Thanks." Hans chuckled, "I think it's getting married."

"Huh?"

"The bad luck when it's raining superstition. I think that's about getting married."

"Oh…" Annaliese humorlessly laughed.

"What?"

"When Kendrick and I got married it was raining." She looked at Hans, "I guess you're right."

"So much for just being a silly superstition."

"Well, don't you two look cuddly?" Klaus smirked as he stood at the doorway, "We barely pulled out of the Arendelle docks and you two are already getting chummy. What would Elsa say if she saw this?"

"Elsa wouldn't say or think anything of this. She trusts me Klaus. Unlike you."

"Yes, she made that perfectly clear in her study." Klaus sinisterly chuckled.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh come on, Hans, don't act like you didn't put her up to trying to scare me with that whole ice trick charade."

"What ice trick?"

"You know the whole 'if anything should happen to Hans or Annaliese' threat with the icicle barely missing my throat." He rolled his eyes as he spoke.

"Klaus, I didn't put her up to that."

"Okay, now I know your joshing with me."

"I'm serious, Klaus. I didn't even know she had that conversation with you, let alone show you her powers." Hans' confused expression was genuine which concerned Klaus.

"Uh-huh. Well…" Although Klaus tried to shrug it off, Hans could tell that he was slightly unnerved, "I think I'm going to change into something warmer…" He stumbled out of the suite and closed the door behind him.

"You are such a liar." Annaliese quietly quipped with a smirk.

"No. I honestly didn't know about the icicle threat."

"But you knew she was going to talk to him."

"Oh yeah, I was completely aware of that." Hans chuckled as he stood up.

"You are an excellent liar, my friend. Which both astounds and worries me."

"I don't lie to you." He turned around and smiled as he headed towards the door, "I can't lie to you. You know all my tells."

"And don't you forget it." Annaliese laughed as she adjusted the quilt around her shoulders.

"I'm going to go change but I'll be right back. We have to go over our stories."

"Yeah…I should change as well."

Hans threw her a casual smile and wave before stepping out into the rain and closing the door behind him. Annaliese stared at the door for a few seconds before realizing that she was smiling in way she hadn't in so long. Her heart swelled as she tightened the quilt around her, remembering the feeling of Hans' strong arms around her when he gently placed it on her shoulders. She quickly wiped the smile off her face as she threw the quilt off, "This is going to be a lot harder than I originally thought."


Hans stepped inside the suite that he was sharing with Klaus and shook the water off his jacket, "I still can't believe we're going to travel in this storm. This is a horrid idea."

"You don't trust my men?" Klaus frowned as he sat on his bed and slipped on his boots.

"Well, they're not my men so…yeah." Hans grunted as he picked up his luggage from its place on the floor and tossed it onto his bed.

Klaus carefully studied Hans, "If I ask you a question, will you answer it truthfully?"

"I can almost guarantee it."

"Hans." His brother's voice dropped an octave, something he does when he is being serious.

Hans noticed his voice change and tiredly crossed his arms across his chest, "Alright. Go."

"Did you or did you not put Elsa up to threaten me?"

"I did not." Hans dropped his arms and sighed, "Look, I know you're my brother but I don't exactly trust you. So you can be sure that I would not willingly let you have alone time with my wife."

"That's what I thought. I just can't believe I could ever be scared of a woman."

Hans chuckled as he took his shirt off, "Believe me. Neither did I. But I feel safe knowing that we are on the same team now." Hans paused as he caught sight of himself in the mirror, he forgot that his scars from Sperca were still clearly visible and he didn't want to even begin to explain, or more likely lie, to Klaus about them. He quickly grabbed one of the towels resting on the bed and wrapped it around his upper body, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Okay?"

Hans curiously cocked his head, "How's he doing?"

Klaus stopped what he was doing and looked up at Hans, "He misses you. He's getting older but he's still active and healthy." His brother smirked, "Is that the only reason you agreed to come?"

"You know that he was my only friend growing up. Other than Annaliese."

"I know…" Klaus thoughtfully paused, "I have another question I want to ask you."

Hans adjusted the towel, "Alright?"

"Do you love Elsa?"

Hans slightly hesitated as he bit his tongue from slipping out a 'yes'. It was such a simple question, but he almost forgot that he had to be the old Hans, "She's…tolerable." That's the best Hans could do at the moment and that was difficult enough.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Klaus smiled as he stood, "You're a good actor, Hans. I almost believed that you cared about them. The whole 'I've got a life here' spiel was gold. You even had me worried when you said that you'd think about it."

Hans chuckled, "Well, there's a reason why father was adamant about me returning home. I'm the cream of the crop as far as deceiving goes."

Klaus slapped Hans on the back, "You've really grown up, Hans. I'm proud of you." And with that, Klaus headed back out into the rain to keep tabs on his crew.


"Are you sure you're going to be okay? I could sleep here tonight if you want-"

"Anna?"

"Yes?"

"I'll be fine. Besides…" Elsa adjusted her sleeping nephew in her arms, "I've got Henry here in case I feel lonely."

"I just don't understand how you can act so calm about all this."

"Worrying is not going to bring them back any sooner." Elsa glanced at the clock, "Speaking of worrying, you told Kristoff that you'd be back at your room by ten and it's already past eleven. You need to go to bed, Anna."

"Ugh. Fine." Anna quickly hugged Elsa goodnight before she headed for the door, "But if you feel any sort of uneasiness throughout the night, you come get me. I don't want you going through this alone."

"I will. I promise." Elsa smiled, "Thanks for being so supportive."

"Well it was either be supportive or complain about something I have no power over so…" Anna shrugged with a laugh, "Goodnight."

Once Anna closed the door, Elsa sat on the bed with Henry cradled in her arms. She leaned back against her pillows and closed her eyes to allow her to think clearly. As she thought about the events of the day, she found it strange that the idea of Annaliese going with Hans actually comforted her. She knew that Annaliese and Hans were close and that she would prove to be a helpful ally in a hostile environment. With the small snoring of Henry in her arms, Elsa began to drift to sleep. But it didn't take long before someone knocked on her door, "Your Majesty? Are you awake?"

Elsa immediately recognized the voice, "Come in, Gerda." As Gerda stepped into the room, Elsa opened her eyes and sat up, "I'm sorry to ask this of you but could you watch Henry for a couple minutes? There's something I need to do."

"Of course." Gerda scooped Henry up into her arms, "Is it anything I can help you with?"

Elsa straightened out her clothes, "Oh no. It's shouldn't take long."

As Elsa headed for the door, Gerda pipped up, "Are you going to meet someone?"

"What?"

"I know it's not my place to say but…" Gerda examined Elsa's clothing, "You haven't changed into your sleepwear. That must mean that you're going to meet someone in a formal setting."

"Yes. You'd be right." Elsa put a tense smile on her face, "A monarch's work is never done." And with that, she left. She briskly walked through the corridors until she reached the front entrance. She cracked the door opened and made sure that no guards were walking by on their route at the moment. Once the coast was clear, she stepped into the courtyard and stayed close to the shadow covered courtyard perimeter as she made her way to the prison. Before she turned the last corner to reach the prison entrance, she knew she had to get the two guards on watch to leave their posts. So with an expert flick of her wrist, she shot a cold wind across the courtyard and managed to knock over some stable equipment. As the guards left their post to check on the commotion, Elsa hurried into the prison. Similar to when she first exited the castle, Elsa waited until there were no guards walking in the direction she needed to go in. Finally, when the moment was right, Elsa snuck further into the prison and hurried down the walkway.

Elsa slowed her steps as she approached Arendelle's only prisoner, "Mister Jagger…" She had to keep her voice down or else a guard would come check on the noise, "Psst…Mister Jagger…" Elsa pursed her lips as he continued sleeping. She glanced around to make sure the coast was still clear before wiggling her fingers as she sent a chilly breeze in his direction, "James…"

"Huh?!" He immediately sat up, "What the-?" He glanced over at Elsa, "Oh. It's you. That explains it." He rubbed his eyes with a yawn, "What can I do for you, Elsa?"

"It's Queen Elsa and I need your help."

He perked up and leaned forward with intrigue, "I'm listening…?"


Thanks for reading and please review! I love to hear what you guys think! Also if you have any comments, ideas, or interactions/scenes you would like to see, please send me a private message! Thanks again for everything and have an awesome weekend! :)