Author's Note; I apologize for any confusion in the last chapter. Hans has not said 'I love you' yet. That was only in his mind. Speaking of which...
Hans sat in Anna's cell. It was currently occupied by his queen.
Fun fact about their political arrangement; the Protector could substitute one prisoner for another, but Her Highness could order him to guard any prisoner she deemed necessary, and she deemed herself necessary of his attention.
"Come on, Elsa," He whispered, trying not to attract the attention of the guards. She let out an indignant 'harrumph' and ignored her. Her Protector stared at her back, "You cannot seriously blame me for saving your life!"
More silence.
"What do you want me to do?" He said through gritted teeth, trying not the snap at her, "I... care about you."
"HMP!"
"Would you stop that?!" He hissed. Hans took a breath, controlling his anger, "I know you're disappointed..."
Her arms crossed over her chest. This was getting old, quickly. The ex-prince circled her front, only to have his lover rotate on him. He circled again, only to have her continue her defiance. Briefly, he considered forcing the issue, but, between the guards, and the fact that Arrendelle women were really stubborn, he wisely decided against it.
"What do you want from me?!" He finally snapped. She made him wait for a few more moments in silence before allowing him to hear from her.
"Nothing."
Hans swore and circled the cell, "I have always, always," He pointed at her accusingly, "Done what was best for Arrendelle, even when you wouldn't. I've proven my fealty, and my personal bias- and now you're telling me that after all the times Anna put you first, I'm not allowed to do the same?!"
Elsa grimaced. Hans insisted on using Anna as a weapon.
"I don't know, why don't you ask her opinion?! Unless; you two agree on something!"
Hans started ripping his hair out. This woman was beautiful and he loved her, but sometimes he wished he'd never met her. She was under his skin.
"You cannot be allowed to meet with these pirates; it's against the law!"
"Whose? The Consortium?"
Hans sighed, running his fingers through his hair, "...the queen's..." He muttered, self-consciously, "And I cannot remember the last time the Southern Isles Queen forgave a crime..."
"I do," Sniffed the brunette, "And if you let me save her, I can save someone... I care about very much," She looked him in the eyes, "Someone who ought to be forgiven of their crimes." Slowly, his queen rose, and took her hands in his.
"Elsa, I can't... she would never..."
"If you let me save her, she'd grant me any boon, I just know it!" She whispered excitedly, "I've been reading Westerguard history... and I came to an interesting conclusion; it's his story not her story. You men are always at each other's throats, but your women-"
"Stay home," He said pointedly.
"We love our Protectors," She blushed, "And if one were to, oh, I don't know, save his queen from vicious pirates..."
Hans looked away guitily, "Emotions are a weakness; she won't bow to that logic."
Elsa pushed a finger into his chest, "She's not one of you- she's like me! She'll save us!"
Hans squared his jaw, "I hate this plan."
Elsa smirked, "Don't worry; I have a plan to save Arrendelle!"