A.N. I want to thank every reviewer; you make me smile, and it's a constant encouragement to see someone who enjoys my work. With the exception of 'Breaking a Princess' and 'Frozen Maleficient Crack'.
There is the chance I have not got enough chapters left to finish the story, or too many, making it bloated. So far, I've written a few ahead, trying to keep up with the reviews. But, as you all know, this story is coming to an end. And we begin this chapter with Hans...
Hans stared at the water reproachfully. He had watched Elsa leave the safety of her ship and board the Black Spot vessel. He had come to respect Elsa's fire (ironically) and personality. No one could order her if she didn't really want to be ordered. Nevertheless, it was times like this that he found her basically stupid.
"How could she be so stupid?!" He growled. Hans lowered the boat over the side of his ship. Illyana was dragged from her crucifix to the Arrendelle vessel. Elsa watched her go past, ignoring what it indicated about her future. Baragor smiled fiercely and led her to the hold.
Hans let out a variety of swears in multiple languages. This had to be why Westerguard men were in the histories. The women had a way of getting themselves butchered! Perhaps his mother would live to explain how they had managed all of these years. Until then, Hans was determined to keep his queen alive!
"Sir, what are your orders?"
The Protector sighed. No doubt his men had released Elsa out of some stupid sense of self-preservation/loyalty. He had spent so much time teaching them to respect her, he had not spent enough time explaining what to do if the girl completely lost her senses!
"Stay, and, if at all possible, keep an eye on An-"
He was cut off as the red-head stomped up to the life-boat and started lowering it with him.
"...you're not doing this alone," She explained briskly. As angry as he was with her, and he was certainly angry, it was a nice gesture. Facing the Black Spot pirates alone was a nightmare of his. Having someone along, even someone like Anna, helped.
"You're sure?" He asked. But there was no doubt about it; wherever Elsa ran, Anna followed.
"Completely," She answered.
Hans lowered the boat into the water, letting it bob gently when it touched the surface.
He rowed as close as he dared, walked to the back of it, and started hyperventilating. Anna's eyes rose in surprise. Her mouth opened to ask him if he was okay when he threw down his coat, boots, and gloves before taking one, last, deep breath, and slipped over the side. So surprising was the move, she could hardly believe he'd done it.
The ex-princess sat dumbly waiting for an explanation. Then, she turned around and realized that the Black Spot pirates were watching her boat. She stood up, and flicked them off. The boat, of course, tipped under her and dumped her into the water.
"AH!"
Her lack of grace was not terribly surprising, but her lack of Hans was. How long could he hold his breath? A minute ticked by, then another. She righted the boat and searched the waves. Finally, something broke the surface by the Black Spot pirate ship.
Hans.
He burst up, gasping for air. It took him a full minute of gasping before he could gather his wits about him. Swimming that far, underwater, with no air, had almost killed him. His head was spinning and black spots popped in and out of his vision. Finally, he was back to normal. Although, come to think of it, he didn't really want to be here in the first place.
"The things I do for love," He muttered to himself, glad he could finally get the words out. He would break onto the ship, kill anyone in his way, rescue the love of his life, and then promptly scold her for being so stubborn in the first place.