A/N: Hey, guys. A quick update from me this time. I don't even remember when I wrote this. I know it happened eleven hours ago but it honestly doesn't register. Anyways, it's gotten to that place where the ball starts rolling with this fanfiction, so I need to know that I have an audience to write for. Well, here's the chapter, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen or the Frozen franchise.

Madolen

"Oh thank goodness you're here!" I steal Gala into my room and swing the door shut - silently albeit speedily. I press my back to the door, nerves buzzing.

"What is it, Madolen?" Gala fixes up her now dishevelled hair. "What happened?"

"It's a day to the last day, Gala!" I whisper, in denial of how quickly time has flown. "And… I found this note from Hans a while ago." I come up to my friend and hand her the parchment. "He says that he wants to see me in an hour. He wants to show me something."

"An hour? But it's still dark out?" asks Gala, wide eyed. "When did you get this?"

"An hour ago."

"Oh my heavens, Mads, he wants to propose!" Gala squeals, jumping up and down twice.

"I know, I know," I attempt to calm my breathing. "I know. I'm just… overwhelmed. I can't believe it's time to decide already."

"No, it's not. Not yet," says Gala, steering me by the shoulders to my vanity table. "Have a seat, Madolen. You can't go see somebody who might propose to you looking like that." Gala goes about doing my hair. "Pick out the yellow flowers - and only the yellow ones - from that vase." Gala gestures to the vase full of blossomed fresh flowers next to my mirror on my vanity table.

"Gala, I think my everything is sweating," I say, plucking the heads off of the yellow coreopsis, black eyed susans, and daffodils.

"That's a good sign," says Gala, weaving the yellow blossoms into the braded crown she's in the middle of. "If you hated him, you'd be calm and collected and reciting words of rejection."

I laugh nervously but appreciatively. "You're right. I'm just… scared."

"It'll be over soon, don't worry," giggles Gala.

"I know it will. But what if it isn't what I expect?" I glance at my friend through the mirror, eyes flushed with concern. "I didn't have any high hopes for Hans before he got here. But now… now everything's different. Now my heart wants him to propose. Now my heart wants to say yes. Now… my heart is terrified he's only asking for me to let me go." Gala slows as she listens to my outpour, finishing the braid. "These two weeks were for Hans to impress me. To prove that I should marry him." I wring my hands for a moment, eyes glued to them before I look back into Gala's leaf green eyes. I stop my fidgeting as Gala puts her soft hands on my shoulders. "What reason or proof have I given him to have any interest in me?"

"Where is this coming from?"

I shake my head. "I can't do any of the things that normal princesses do. I don't know how to ride, or sew, or play the organ, or cook or craft or anything. All I'm good for is being a brood who reads more books than I know to do with."

"Oh, Madolen, that's such nonsense," Gala rubs my shoulders. "You're full of sense except when you must apply it to yourself. When will knowing how to do any of that benefit to kingdom? Will we need you to play the organ to save a life, or will we need you to advise us based on the books you've read so much? Will we need you to sew to solve a conflict, or will we need you to decide and rule based on the wisdom you've got harboured within you from a place no one knows? I don't think we'll need you to craft us a book of memories when the plants drown in a few weeks' time."

I smile at Gala through the mirror. "Why do you always know just what to say?"

"You don't make it easy sometimes," Gala laughs. "Madolen, you always ask hard questions."

"I can't let them sit there inside of me for too long," I laugh. "That never ends well."

"It doesn't," Gala says. "But tonight will. I'm sure of it." She backs away and I stand up to hug her warmly. "You've got nothing to worry about, alright." We part and she smiles a sisterly smile. "Have fun, okay?"

"I shall," I smile back.

…

"You called for me?" I step out onto the cobblestone path under the star cluttered sky.

"I did," Hans takes my hand in his. "I have something… a little crazy to show you."

I look back at the castle a moment before giving Hans a questioning look. "Would my parents approve?"

He gives a huff of a laugh, "Don't worry. They're well aware you're with me tonight. Jasper's going to be at the sight with us." Hans leads me down the path faintly illuminated by the golden fire from the lampposts.

"Where exactly are we going?" I step closer to Hans, slightly unfamiliar with the path.

"The shores. There's something unusual happening there tonight."

"It's so glamourous out here at night," I start, plucking a grape from the vines. "I owe it to the people of Casmont to be out here more. Not under the coat of night, but in the sun. Smelling the bread and watching the potter at work and chatting with the florists."

"It's been a busy two weeks for me, Madolen," Hans says. "I'm sure it's been a busy seventeen years for you. It's not easy to manage a small, private kingdom."

"It's not," I smile. "I'm proud of them – the people of Casmont. They're truly what makes all the effort worth it."

We reach the docks and find a rowboat bedazzled with an arrangement of bright smiling sunflowers. Inside the boat is two sacks full to the brim with nuts and plush red cushions and ripe red apples and apricots. "This way, Madolen," Hans steps into the boat and offers me a hand. "Come with me."

I hurriedly take Hans' hand, before my mind can talk me against it. "Okay, let's go." I reach for the oars in the boat.

"Relax, Madolen," Hans intercepts, taking the oars before I can. "I'll handle it." Hans leans back and begins rowing, taking us out into the sea, away from the waves.

"Why'd you want to do this so late at night?"

"This happens to be the best time to do it," Hans says. "You'll see why."

I grin at Hans, leaning my elbows on my knees and pluck an apple from a sack besides me. "So," I bite into the apple, "Hans. You haven't really told me much about you. I've had to gather all I know by myself and my intuition."

"What do you know?"

"That you're twenty-five and the last born from your family," I say. "That's what you've told me. What I've gathered is that you're very good with words and getting people to do what you want them to."

"What makes you say that?" Hans cocks a brow at me with a toothy grin.

"I don't have any solid proof, just a gut feeling."

"Could I get a bite of that?"

I reach my arm out and Hans leans forward for a munch of my apple, stealing away more than half in one motion.

"Hey!" I laugh at the monstrous bite Hans took from my fruit. "You said a bite." I quickly eat away at my apple before he asks for another 'bite'.

"I did take a bite, Madolen," Hans chuckles with a full mouth. He swallows. "A big bite doesn't make it any more or less of a bite."

I purse my lips to one side in an effort to fight a smile, but my gleeful eyes sell me out on my lie. "What are these bits of bread for?" I nod to a basket full of broken up bread.

"For my gut feeling," Hans stops rowing as we approach the shores.

"You get those too"

"All the time," Hans says, taking the now naked apple in my hand. He starts eating the core.

"Like when?" I quiz, almost surprised that someone else shared the same sort of foresight I have.

Hans

"Like now for example," I lick my fingers, getting rid of any evidence that an apple was ever here. I pick up the basket of bread bits and sprinkle them into the salty water. "Come see."

Madolen comes over to my side to see a school of fish bob up for the bits of bread. As they stir the water, it glows a luminescent blue. "Whoa…" marvels she at the glittering of the water, dark eyes alight with wonder. She squeezes her eyes and nose in an almost snarl of curiosity as she leans her face closer to the water for further examination. A bright orange fish rushes up to the surface and kisses her smack on the lips, causing her to jump back. I snatch the fish.

"Ha!" it wriggles, ballistic, in my clutches. "Gotcha. These little guys stir up the plankton."

"The plankton glow as a defence mechanism to attract bigger predators," Madolen says, coming to study the fish in my hands. "But none are coming."

"The sharks haven't been around a while," I tell. "But that's not the only weird thing that I suspect will take place." I hand Madolen the flipping fish and she smiles sweetly at it before putting it back in the ocean. "Here, Madolen. Look." I guide Madolen's sight to the skies that tinge with reds, not solely from the rising sun. A gathering of scarlet Cockatiels fly overhead. "Pass me an apple." Madolen passes me the red fruit and I stand. For a while, the birds seem disinterested, but a brave, blushing cockatiel swoops down and lands on my bare forearm. It pecks at the juicy fruit in my hand. "Come here, Mads." Madolen nears me a look of awe plastered on her face.

"Cockatiels," she mumbles, entranced by the bird.

"Cockatiels!" screeches the blue bird.

Madolen and I laugh together at the zest of the feathered creature. A new cockatiel perches on Madolen's shoulder, then another, and another, followed by many more.

"Do you want some grub? Yes, you do," Madolen sits down and reaches for the seeds. She offers it to them in the palm of her hand. The army of birds peck contently from her palm. The seeds that fall to the ground are soon swept up by others of the birds. "I haven't seen them so close up." Madolen smiles. "They don't really come around these parts."

"Neither do flamingos."

Madolen searches the sky and finds a flock of flushed flamingos soaring our way. "Neither do flamingos," she repeats, dumbstruck.

The cockatiels seem to notice the pink birds now and they set sail into the sea of sky, fleeing. All but one. The very first cheeky cockatiel hobbles over to Madolen's now empty shoulders.

"I think he's taken a shine to you," I say, taking a seat again.

"I'm not complaining," Madolen nuzzles against the bird. "No, I'm not, boy."

The flamingos come to a stop in the shallow water, some on the shore. "I wonder why all this is happening. Why would flamingos come here only to stop in the ocean?"

"It's the storm," Madolen says. "Call it an educated guess, or spit ball, but I think the change in weather is messing with their systems. A storm this big that lasts this long must've been festering, coming with the winds from around the world only to park right on top of Casmont. It's no wonder they're all so confused." Madolen strokes her newfound companion.

"That would explain the flamingos doing that."

Madolen turns her attention to the parading birds. They're gathered in a group, strutting flavourfully across the small waves. "They're looking for mates." Madolen tells, coming to the edge of the boat to watch them, hands on the edge of our vessel. "The males pageant around in a dance to impress the females." She smiles at the jive the flamingos partake in.

"You're quite learned about a lot," I say.

"Yeah," Madolen says bashfully. "Honestly, I don't like learning about so much. Surprise, surprise," she pulls a smile. "I only do it so that I know all I can to help Casmont when a time of need arises. If there was one book on how to rule well, I'd read that and be satisfied."

I grin at Madolen. "This is a time of need."

She looks at me quizzically. "What do you need?"

"Are there any oysters in these beaches?"

"I… yes, there are," says Madolen. "You aren't planning on diving for some?"

I stand, kick off my shoes and pull my short sleeve shirt over my head at once. "How else will you remember this day?"

"Hans, wait-"

Madolen

Before I can finish my sentence, Hans dives into the blue, in search of oysters. I exchange a glance with my birdy friend before leaning over the boat in an effort to locate Hans. My feathered companion releases a long low whistle, seeming to understand that Hans has been gone for quite a while.

"It's alright," I rub the bird's Mohawk in an effort to console both him and me. "He'll be back… He said the sharks weren't around."

Hans breaks the surface beside me, pinching his nose once or twice before looking excitedly at me with his green eyes. "Here, Madolen," he throws his arms over the side of the boat and pulls a knife from his belt. "Let's see if we're lucky." Hans pries his blade into the oyster's mouth, wiggling to snap it open. Its mouth yawns open and low and behold, a flamingo pink pearl sits in the cushion of its mouth. "Viola." Hans offers me the beauty.

"It's gorgeous," I say, cupping the oyster in both palms.

"Lemme see if I can't find another," Hans says before delving back into the ocean.

My cockatiel friend tries to peck at Hans' find. "Non! Non! Don't eat it, darling." It gives me what seems like an apologetic look. "Say 'I'm sorry'".

"Say I'm sorry," says he.

I giggle. "You're forgiven."

"You're forgiven."

"I'm going to call you Fabrice, yeah?" I say. "You are quite crafty, aren't you? You are, my Fabrice."

"Fabrice, Fabrice!"

I smile adoringly at the gorgeous yellow thing. I set down the oyster in one of the sacks to rub my fingers against Fabrice. Then, Hans pops up and puts his arms over the edge of the boat again. "Mads, I didn't find any oysters this time."

I come to Hans' side. "That's alright," I start. "Please come back into the boat. I don't want you to get caught by a shark."

"In a minute," Hans says. "I did find this." Hans unbuttons a pocket on his pants to pull out a shimmering gold ring, starring a rose quartz. "And I did find you. I think it's meant to be yours, if you're meant to be mine." Hans looks at me seriously, hopefully, until a small smile spreads on his faintly freckled face. "What do you say?"

"You… you want me to be yours?" I question.

Hans nods at me. "I do."

"And you want to be mine?"

Hans' smile spreads further. "If you'll have me, Madolen. That's what I want."

I nod, "Yeah. Yeah, that's what I want as well."

"So I have to ask," Hans takes my hand, "will you-"

I tackle Hans as I leap into the water, sending the rowboat rocking at my departure. When we surface I wrap my arms around his shoulders and kiss his face, trying to match the amount of spots on him before stopping on his lips. I pull away after a moment to catch my breath, panting hard in excitement. I wipe the salt from my face. "I'm, huff, I'm sorry, huff. I don't, huff, know what happ-"

"Marry me, Madolen," Hans finishes his prior sentence in more of a desire than a request. He looks at me with thoughtful and profoundly strong eyes, brows showing intense focus on only me.

"Yes. Yes! Oui! Oui! And oui ma plus chère!" I nod, almost crying.

"Let me put this on you," Hans smiles at me. I raise my hand and Hans slips the ring onto its designated finger.

"Hans, we're sparkling," I say, only noting now that the plankton are pressed to our skin, making us shine in spots of blue. "I've never been happier. This night's perfect, Hans." I kiss him again, holding him closer. He pulls me nearer, almost competing with me.

"Det er den, Madolen," Hans says as we pull apart, smiling at me. "Jeg er sa glad."

I grin delightedly, ready to squeal when someone else does it for me.

"Ah! My best friend is getting married!" yells a voice I know for sure to be Gala's.

Hans and I both look to the shore to see Gala racing about joyfully across the beach. A man follows after her, "Gala! Get down! You're ruining their moment!"

"Jasper? Gala?" I look to Hans. "What are they doing here?"

"Well," Hans wipes a hand over his face. "I did tell you Jasper was going to be here. Gala, however… you've got me there." I lean into the bend where neck turns to shoulder, almost sure Hans would disappear should I let go. Hans plants a kiss atop my head as the sunlight makes an appearance.

"Woo! Married!" comes Gala's shrieks of ecstasy.

A/N: So that's that. Please do leave a review if you're reading. I value correspondence more than one might think. The wedding will be featured in the next chapter. Take care!