Kristoff took Hans deep into the mountains, almost as far deep in as the ice castle had been.
"Welcome home," He said cheerfully. Hans trotted up to a half-completed home. It was a bit junky, but, if it was home...
Home... Hans thought to himself, feeling sick. He'd just started to used to Sofia, and now here he was, plucked away again. Kristoff went on about having a girlfriend, and how he wanted to start their life together up here. He pulled a line of rope with a stake attached out of the sleigh.
Aw, no you don't... Hans thought, so help me Kristoff, if you attach that blasted thing to me, I will hunt down and maul all of your descendants! I will serious mess you up!
Ten minute of wrestling later, Hans was tied down in the man's front yard. Another insult to his pride. He put it on the list of things to complain about the next time he saw the enchantress.
If my brother's could just see me now he thought to himself, what would Anna think, me tied up to some yokel's home? Pathetic.
As days passed, he became increasingly irate. It was bad enough that he had to live like a dog, but it was worse now that he was isolated from anyone of sufficient culture.
Kristoff was a country hick; no excuses. And worse, he was a blasted smart one too. He knew to tie up Hans, and to check on him constantly, rewarding good behavior, punishing bad, and controlling the food rations. It was just like being in the navy, really.
He was a good master, but Hans was growing impatient. Troops were landing in Arrendale, Sophia was still under that brute's roof, and Elsa...
Hans shook his head. Now was not the time for that. He had to get out of here. His homesickness was getting worse. It took him only a couple of days to adjust to life around the cottage.
Outside the wooden fence was a definite no-no zone, but inside he was allowed to roam around. There had been a confusing couple of hours when Kristoff insisted on following around his pet waiting to clean up after him, only to discover that the dog knew how to use an outhouse. That had been awkward, but funny.
Even more concerning was the peace Hans found. Away from the prison, away from the drunk captain, away from the allure of the crown... was a calmness the young prince had never realized he craved. The chill mountain winds held no salt like the ocean. The only salt in the whole area was an abandoned mine, but Kristoff insisted he would never go into the salt business; he preferred ice.
Peace... was difficult to fight. Hans' anger felt distant to him now. What was a crown compared to the glory of the mountains? And (assuming Sophia freed him) what of murdering two girls? It's not like that would undo the blemish on his name. Little by little, the dog gained control over his actions. He became relaxed, allowing its natural love of fun to comfort him.
He felt at peace, at home, and surprisingly well-adjusted. The enchantress' warning about not getting too comfortable rang in his ears. But... it was hard to resist. As a prince, he would never inherit the throne, nor, likely, marry into one. But as a dog, he found something he'd never had before; a place to belong.
Shadow had it better than Prince Hans.
It had been almost four days since he'd been sold, and, finally, something interesting happened. Kristoff was running about his house, nervously preparing for someone's arrival.
"She's coming, she's coming!" He yelled, "Where are the pancakes?!" he smooshed his head against Sven, "I don't have any pancakes ready! I don't think I've ever actually had pancakes ready ever!"
Hans watched the thing with a growing sense of condescension.
Please, you're trying too hard, man. Be cool; let her come to you. Women like a man in control. Be assertive, but allow her to express herself.
He snorted in disgust, walking away. If he were human, this would be easier. Kristoff was a mess. He'd even forgotten to tie Shadow up. The dog-brain was fine with that, but Hans was between two worlds; revenge and peace.
His choice had been made for him, really. He swore to save Sophia, and... he wasn't going to ignore a promise to himself. After leaping the fence, the dog trotted away from his new home.
Seem like everywhere I go, I lose my home, he thought to himself. The wind picked up carrying the smell of fresh flowers and cream.
Whaaaat...?
His eyesight was poorer as a dog, but the blurry figure approaching the cottage was one he was... intimately... familiar with...
ANNA!
Hans snarled, and raced up to her. The world slowed as he leapt into the air, aiming for her throat. For one, brief second, he saw the shock and fear cross her face.
Right before his jaws clenched on soft flesh. He ripped and tore at her ferociously, all that anger and shame and pain coming coursing back into his mind.
The hate overcame him. But not the dog. It was confused. This was home, and she was an intruder. Why was there no barking?
Thud.
A couple hundred pounds of reindeer collided with the dog. Shadow got up, snarling. It was time for human ingenuity. He feigned left, dodged right, went between the legs, and leapt for Anna's throat again. She was so busy clutching her arm, she didn't see him coming.
But Kristoff did.
The air sounded with the swish of a leather whip. The ice-man had no need to use it on Sven, but he saw what was happening, and decided to test its strength. Shadow/Hans screamed in pain, but got a good hold on Anna's foot.
"Kristoff!" She screamed.
Swish, thwak, swish, thwak.
Blow after blow landed on the dog.
I have to end her!
The world went dark as Kristoff and Sven T-boned him.
Nooooooo!