Chapter Twenty-Six

The castle of the royal Westergard family had the loveliest view of the sunrise. Elsa couldn't help but find herself gazing out the window as pinks and blues glistened in the early morning sky, the late autumn cold crisping the air. While Jørgen and Hans spoke of travel- if they left on time, they could reach Blackblood Bay tomorrow afternoon- Elsa allowed her mind to wander, watching from the window as workers loaded the ship with what little supplies they needed. She wondered if they had enough for a return trip, and darkly thought there might be no return trip.

Princess Bhmui's cryptic letter revealed nothing and raised more questions than it answered. Elsa nearly wished the letter had never been found; they wouldn't be going to Blackblood Bay to seek answers. Maybe if this mystery was never answered, they'd all be alive in the end. Sailing right to Bhumi didn't guarantee anyone would be safe.

The former queen turned her gaze from the waterfront to the men in the room, holding cups of breakfast tea and murmuring about something. Elsa noticed that they were sitting in tall chairs seated next to each other, and leaning their heads in, as actual brothers might do. Though neither smiled, they were talking together without yelling, and that was enough to warm Elsa's heart. Not every sibling could have the relationship she did with Anna, but this was progress.

Hans looked up to Elsa, as though he could hear her thinking about him. He smiled at her, a glisten in his eyes that was familiar and strange. She'd rarely had the chance to see him out of a jail cell and it made all the difference. Elsa smiled back, blushing and looking down into her own tea on the table, steam dancing in the frigid morning air.

She pulled her soft covering tighter around her, biting her lip and sneaking another quick glance at the youngest prince. Why was she blushing and sneaking? She'd already won his heart and he hers. But there was something so much different about their relationship. In the jail, a little part of both of them knew it was only because of proximity and usefulness that they'd ended up clinging to each other. Now that they were out in the real world, everything was different. Hans now owed Elsa nothing. And Elsa couldn't offer kingship anymore; she'd been stripped of her crown. Had he known that she was no longer Queen Elsa, would Hans have been so determined to find her?

Her mood fell slightly, doubt tugging at her lips. No, she couldn't think like that. Not after everything that had happened, and whatever mysteries awaited them at Blackblood Bay. She looked back to the sunrise, clouds adding texture to the painted canvas. Bursts of color filled the world, and Elsa sighed. For now, at least, she was safe. For the next few minutes, she'd have this castle and this steaming tea and the sunrise and Hans who smiled at her almost shyly. Everything was fine in the world for a moment, and she savored every sweet drop of it.

No more than half an hour later, Anna- half dressed and hair in ratted tangles- wandered in sleepily and told Elsa a woman had come to dress her. The former queen left with her sister, but not without glancing to Hans again, who nodded after her. They'd hardly said a word since their reunion, and Elsa wondered when they'd finally begin to speak again.

The dresses that were given to them were two of Queen Carol's, the woman of the castle who had gone missing months ago. The maid who handed them off hesitated slightly, but said that it was Jørgen's idea, and since he was the next in line given the circumstances, there was really no other choice.

The missing queen's dresses didn't fit Elsa; it was far too big. Anna filled hers better, only because of the princess's fuller figure, but it still had the effect of a draped curtain. But they were lovely dresses, even if Elsa did have to constantly pull up the bust to remain decent.

By mid-morning, the brothers, the sisters, and Kristoff were ready to board the ship. Elsa noticed the brothers looking back at their castle extensively. They knew the risk they were running by sailing to Blackblood Bay. There was a high chance this was the last time they ever saw the castle. But soon the ship had left shore, and they drew further and further away from the princes' home

They sailed east, opposing the sun's path as it climbed higher westward. Anna and Kristoff made brief small talk with Elsa, but all she wanted to do was stand out in the cold and watch the sea. So she spent most of the day silently looking out to the ocean and thinking.

It was entrancing, the water. Calm and untamed at the same time. Now, it splashed at the boat, friendly, and she couldn't believe this same saltwater could have swallowed her parents whole. She stared into the face of her parents' killer and felt very little fear. She wondered if Hans would be able to do the same tomorrow.

And all too soon, the sun was painting the sky a second time, this time in oranges and reds that were like a distant burning in the heavens. Anna had joined her outside, shivering in her shawl and complaining that it wasn't fair that Elsa didn't feel so cold. Many of the small crew had assembled above the deck to watch the sunset- what some knew might be their last. Elsa saw Jørgen and Kristoff speaking together about something, the mountain man laughing politely at something that may or may not have actually been funny, but he was too kind to do anything else but laugh.

"What do you think will happen tomorrow?" Anna asked quietly, teeth chattering as she hugged herself tighter. "Are you scared?"

Elsa looked out across the crowd, scanning for that head full of hair that burned nearly crimson, but saw nothing. A fearful vision came to her; what if the killer had struck Hans? But as soon as the thought entered her mind, she knew it was stupid. And yet, the fear that beat in her heart was real. What if by tomorrow, her vision came true?

"I'm terrified," Elsa muttered.

Anna looked to her sister and bit her lip. "Yeah."

The sun fled the sky eventually, leaving a ghost impression of light on the horizon. The water darkened to a swirling dark indigo. Anna kissed her sister goodnight, following Jørgen and Kristoff to where their rooms were; five of the six rooms were given to them, in which they'd already settled. Elsa looked down at the sea one last time before following after the already dispersed crowd to head to her chambers.

But when she reached her door, her fingers hovered over the handle. She wanted to talk to him. Her hand clenched into a fist above the knob and she retracted it. Elsa was terrified of the coming day. The next time she'd see the sun, Hans might be gone. And so soon after she learned he was genuine. She had to talk to him.

Quietly, she snuck to his room. She couldn't have the crew see her enter the prince's chamber at night. She soon reached his chamber door and knocked solidly on the wood. From inside, she heard him mumble, "Come in."

Upon entering, she saw him sitting at a desk, pouring over a large map with pins stuck in it. He was dressed in fresh clothing, a cloak keeping the chill from his skin. He had one hand in his hair, running it though those fiery strands. His utter concentration broke when he looked up, eyebrows raising. He sat up straighter and stared as she stood in the doorway, still holding on to the door.

"Hi," she said with a tiny smile.

He stared back, finally returning, "Hi."

Hans kept staring until he finally cleared his throat and stood up. "Uh, come in, please," he offered, gesturing to his chair.

Elsa closed the door behind her, but declined the chair. Hans took his seat again at the table.

"I, uh, I'm just working on... a chart," he said, stammering. Why was he so nervous?

"On what?"

"Well, I'm placing a pin everywhere my brothers were," he said, nodding at the map. "And another in Arendelle for every body found. I'm trying to see how it was possible for Bhumi to have gotten the bodies there so quickly without rot."

He was relaxing a little more with every word. "I just can't figure it all out. How did she know I was in prison when everyone thought I was dead? And why would she try to frame me for all the killings? It doesn't make sense."

"Maybe everything will become clear tomorrow," Elsa offered, standing with her hands together.

He looked up at her, eyes glimmering. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow."

She pursed her lips and shook her head. A cold silence fell over the room as they both looked to the floor.

She finally said, "Thank you. For taking care of my sister."

"You should be thanking Kristoff," Hans brushed it away. "He stayed with her the whole time."

"But you easily could have left them. You said you were going to sail away to somewhere new, and... but you were never going to start over, were you? You only said that to me, didn't you?"

He looked bashful, that blush taking over his face. "I... I couldn't have let you believe I was going to seek out the killer. It killed me to be so cold to you, Elsa. I wanted to beg you to come with me, but I knew it was impossible and dangerous and... well, here we are now. Lying never really gets me where I want, does it?"

Elsa smiled a little, shaking her head no and tugging at her braid. "My world came crashing down that day."

He winced as if she'd slapped him. "I know. There's no apology I can make. I understand if you wish to remain platonic."

Elsa's smiled dropped. "What?"

Hans blinked. "That... that is what you want, right? I mean, after all this trouble I've brought you into-"

Elsa began to laugh and Hans immediately shut up, astonished.

After she settled herself, she smiled and said, "Here I thought you wouldn't want me anymore because I lost my crown. I don't know why I've been so worried."

"What?"

"Hans, it's been so long since I saw you. Do you think I haven't been just dying to kiss you again? Not after you were the first person I ever felt something for. Not after you said you wanted me, because nobody's ever wanted me like you do. And I've never wanted anyone like I have you and-"

Hans had been staring, gaping at Elsa as though she'd sprouted wings. Without breaking eye contact, Hans stood from the desk and strode to her, grabbing her face in his hands and shutting her up with his lips.

Elsa's entire body was lit on fire. And she couldn't have been happier to burn, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling herself closer. He held her so tightly, hands wandering from her face to her sides, pulling her body to his. She couldn't get close enough, and pressed herself tighter.

He eventually gasped for air, having forgotten about the need for air.

"I love you," he breathed, diving down to kiss her again, but with wide eyes Elsa pulled away just as his mouth touched down.

"You what?" she asked, aware of her beating heart.

"I... I love you," he said, then blushed. "I'm sorry... is that, is that too-"

"You love me," Elsa said, unable to hold back her smile. "You love me. You only ever said you wanted me."

Hans shook his head. "I love you so much, Elsa. I wish I'd told you sooner."

Elsa couldn't stand being separated any longer and closed the distance between them again, closing her eyes and focusing on only him. Only Hans, only the man who didn't just want her, he loved her.

They fought each other, pushing further and closer and stepping to keep balance, but suddenly Elsa misstepped, and with a small yell, found herself caught by the cabin's bed. She stared at Hans in surprise, who had fallen above her, arms propping him up and placing the two in a compromising position. A massive blush was spread across his cheeks.

"I'm- I'm sorry, I-" he tried to stand and apologize, but Elsa grabbed his shirt and pulled him down, not letting him out of her grasp and not letting her lips go bare for a second.

She let him go finally, breaking for breath. A crazy thought entered her head- one that made her blush. It wasn't like she hadn't already been thinking about being with him so many times before. Back before they'd even kissed, Elsa had thought about it and quickly dismissed the very idea.

But now... now things were different. Hans wasn't locked in a cell anymore, and Elsa didn't have a reputation to tarnish. There was very little to lose by following the instinct that was just burning her icy body. This might be our last night, her mind whispered, and the idea of one last chance was enough to encourage her.

"Do these doors have locks?" she said breathlessly.

Hans' face was red as his hair. He looked down to her, wearing the most serious, most anticipating, most hungry mask.

"But... Are you sure?" Hans asked. "We don't have gloves, and we don't know what would happen if-"

"To hell with consequence," Elsa said quietly. "My only concern is whether or not the doors have locks."

If Hans had anymore objections, he certainly didn't bring them to attention. "Do... do you want me to check?" he asked, gaze frozen on her. He had responded to the question Elsa didn't ask.

She nodded, feeling her heart beat five times its normal speed. Hans bent down once more to meet her lips- there was already a change in attitude, she could feel it- before he stood and walked to the door.

As it happened, the door did have a lock.

There it is folks. My apologies for not delving into their night activities; but there's not nearly enough sex in this story to really put it in the M section, it would only be a disappointment. But hey, there are some really good M pieces with these two, so I know you're all capable of the imagination to know exactly what went down that night. (It's Hans; Hans went down that night)

Also, some exciting news; I got excepted into University! So I've just gotta complete senior year, and then it's the college life for me. Wow, that's like... huge. So my life has gotten all the more hectic. But I'll always make time for this story, even as we begin to draw it to a close.

Continued thanks to everyone!