Love.
Love was all that kept Hans moving through the darkness. His greatest nightmare was to walk the halls of this ship, to face the terrors that haunted his dreams. He hated them, feared them, and, most all of was baffled by them. Who could hate as much as these beasts? They took delight in tormenting men into insanity. Whatever it took; fire, flood or fury, they wanted to push until any civilized man was driven insane into hate.
It was worse for women.
But that was what lead him here. The history of the Westerguards, a hundred years, all men, all fighters, all destroyed in one way or another. He wanted to out live the curse of the battlefield. Find a home, find a wife. He'd fought so hard only to find happiness was not fighting at all.
But he would have to fight nonetheless.
Baragor was alive. For the Black Spot pirates to work, they needed a leader, one to send the black spot on to their next target. Hans had been able to validate that the Black Spot himself had taken Anna, though in retrospect, that was just Baragor getting his brother out of his cell, and taking over Arrendelle.
Hans had no desire to keep killing. What was the point? Bloodshed, violence, it just begat more violence. He would much rather be at home, spending time with his queen.
Elsa.
She meant everything to him. And the last time they had seen each other... hadn't gone well. She knew he liked her, cared for her, but didn't know he loved her. Deeply, passionately. He was willing to fight for the opportunity to love her. So he would.
He knew she was unhurt, felt it. His training had taught him that feelings blinded men to truth, that to possess true power, one must be numb. But instead, he allowed his heart to search for her, even as he crept across the deck and down into the hold.
Only Elsa had the forgiveness to save Illyana. He would not have done it, then again, it was peculiar for the queen to have sent her away in the first place... he pushed that thought aside. He was here to save the woman he loved, not contemplate her life choices.
It seemed like a short eternity, when he had tried to tell her the truth. An eternity since he had tried so, so hard to let her know, let her see him. He knew she loved Anna, but perhaps there was room in her heart for one more.
It terrified him that perhaps she did not.
Anna had proof, ample proof her sister would do anything to save her. But Hans... was not as certain. Was her relationship with him out of selfishness? Was he deluding himself to think anyone that pure, that loving, would ever care for him?
He tried to think of something, anything he'd ever done that would make up for who he'd been, and came up with nothing. He'd been so angry, so power-hungry. So selfish.
And he'd been a fool to think she would ever care for him. He would never have guessed that he would come to care for her as much as he did, so what hope existed that the feeling went both ways? If, for no other reason, Elsa had a habit of cutting off those around her. Anna had a hard time accepting they could be anything. Even with her help, Hans began feeling like this whole trip was pointless. He couldn't save Elsa, he'd be lucky to save himself.
But the thought of leaving her here, to die, in agony, alone, was too much for him to accept. Even though she may never care for him, he would make sure she was safe. And, maybe, some day, he could...
It didn't matter. Despite all his fantasies, Elsa remained far, far beyond his reach. Clearly, she would bore of him soon, and demand his return to prison, Protector or no. And she would be right for making such demands. He had no power over her- not anymore.
But he could still tell her he loved her. Surely, no one would deny him that privilege.
Hans quietly snuck down the corridor, glancing left and right, quickly, quietly trying to find her. Then, something pale and blue struck his eye. Hans' heart stood still in his chest.
Elsa.
She wasn't moving.
Agony beyond agony ripped through his heart. He now understood hate. He could burn this ship down to the ground, destroy everyone and everything. Forsake his position, and hate all who ever had the audacity to love and be loved in return. It made sense now, these pirates. Some one had denied them their hearts, so they ripped-
Her chest rose.
Hans practically collapsed from relief.
Only Elsa, his Elsa, would be so unafraid, she would fall asleep on the ship of the Black Spot. What could have given her such confidence? How could she imagine she was not in his worst nightmare? How could she feel so, so, so...
Protected?
Hans gathered himself and walked forward. The shaft of light was small, but pirates were everywhere. All it would take was one wrong sound one wrong move, and he was over, done for.
He thought of his next move. Does he touch her shoulder? Whisper to her? How could he alert her to his presence, and not alarm the whole ship?! Blast that woman for sleeping through the absolute worst circumstances! Now, really!
Hans sighed wearily. Obviously she was here to save her sister. Approaching Baragor could sway him into releasing his 'Protector' status in the Isles. Then his mother might free Anna. She had great sway, the queen, could even marry him off if she wanted...
Another breath. He exhaled, praying she wasn't harmed.
Slowly, she turned, eyes closed gently.
She still took his breath away.
Even as they had been together, often, Elsa still felt like someone he had no right of knowing. She was so... perfect. So full of love. For Anna.
He reached out. There was no choice. Regardless of how his hand on her mouth would panic her, he had to keep her quiet. The shadow of his palm glided across the deck, onto the rough sheets until-
Her brilliant eyes opened.
Hans froze, embarrassed, like a small boy caught in the act.
She blinked, waiting.
"Uh..."
She smirked and raised a bawdy eyebrow. He blushed. There was no time for-! Well... maybe he could kiss her and... she... she was too hot for her own good and she knew it!
Focus Hans! Rescue, escape, then baby-making!
Before he could stutter out an explanation, she spoke.
"I knew you would come."
Hans let the relief seep into his bones. She knew. She would always have him. He chased her around and around, and it would be a far day in the future until he'd stop chasing after her.
He grasped her hands, pulling her into a sitting position, kneeling as if her were to propose. It was now or never. Once they were out of this, there would never be another chance. Without his mother's approval, they would only ever be just Queen and Protector. Once they were back in the Southern Isles Port of Arrendelle, it would be wrong for him to feel this way, ever. So he had to say it now, seeing the love of his life in the worst nightmare he could concoct.
"Elsa, I love you."
Her face relaxed as he drew close and kissed her, barely mindful of his surroundings.
"Oh Hans," She answered sweetly, stroking his face, "...if only someone loved you."
He barely felt the knife enter his stomach. Hans fell to the floor, confused and bleeding.
Elsa rose as the familiar chant started, "Happa Hans, happa Hans..."
By some kindness, she did not join in. She simply turned and walked away- no explanation, not dastardly laughing, just the slow, cold walk.
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"