Hans lived in a dreamworld between heaven and hell.

Distantly he could hear a voice, "He's alive!? What is that dog made out of?"

In the hellish world, he thought he'd been found out, and was slowly losing strength, while being tortured for his crimes. Dozen crowded around him to watch his suffering.

Heaven on the other hand...

"Stop. Let me see him.'

"Your highness please, this is no place for a lady."

"..."

"Yes, your majesty."

A soft glove lay on the furry flank opposite the area of the wound, "What is his name?"

"Shadow."

"...Shadow? No... it's not quite right," Her delicate fingers wove from the dark hair on his back onto the light snowflake-shape fur on his stomach, "He's far too- noble."

"Quite the prince, isn't he, your highness?"

"Yes... prince. I like that."

Hans liked it too. The doctor took him into a private room in the castle, and, in a moment of agony, split heaven from hell.

"Yooooooowwwwlll!" The bolt was removed. Outside, in the hall, Elsa bit her lip nervously. At the howl of pain, she split it, drawing a small amount of blood. Kristoff put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"She's just fine..."

"You don't know that," Elsa clutched her hands to her chest. Sounds akin to crying came through the door.

Kristoff said, jokingly, "I know that Anna can take care of herself. If I kidnapped her, I would return her within hours, she's so much trouble."

Elsa laughed.

Another low howl. She started pacing, "That dog..."

"Died protecting Anna."

Elsa's eyes filled with shock. Kristoff sighed longsuffering, "Look... he practically bled out on the mountain. He put up quite a fight but-"

"Let me have him!" Elsa stood forward, "I will take ownership; he will live with me, eat at my table, and be taken care of."

"What?! No! Come on..."

She put her foot down, adamant, "Look, I could do with some companionship and... he's a hero. "

"...He sniffs butts."

Elsa huffed, "How can you be so flippant about this? He fought for Anna!"

"Because... that animal is suffering."

The two stared each other down. The doctor took this opportunity to exit the room, "Well, he's a fighter, but if he recovers...-"

"Recovers?" Hope crept into Elsa's voice.

"IF! It will take him a great deal of time. He seems to have gone through a lot. Seen too much of the world. I recommend-"

Elsa interrupted, "I will take him."

"But-!"

"But-!"

"Sniff, buts," She turned from them, "He's mine, I will care for him."

She went into the room, shutting the door behind her. Prince/Shadow/Hans lay quietly on the table. Elsa wrung her hands together nervously.

"Uh... hi?"

The dog's breathing was erratic. She tentatively reached out a gloved hand, careful to stay away from the wounds. She rubbed the back of his head on the left side. "My name is Elsa. And... I'm kind of alone in the world. My only friend is my sister, and she's leaving me."

A low whining sound erupted from the dog's lips. She scratched his jaw where he hadn't wrestled it sore.

"I'm glad for her, really. But, now I'm alone again, and I need someone. I know it's you."

His eyes opened.

"I know that you have a good, strong heart, so please, don't give up, don't leave me. I promise that if you live, I will take care of you forever. You'll never have to be afraid again, and you'll always have a place with me. Always."

Hans fought for his life. Over the next few hours, he was hydrated constantly. The doctor managed to stitch him up, even stating that he'd never known an animal to sit so well-behaved during an operation.

He said this to Elsa who stayed the whole time. She insisted on even seeing the uncomfortable parts; cleaning out the wounds, and applying salves to the older damaged areas.

Hans almost laughed at how much damage he'd taken in the last... month? It had been just about that long. A few days at sea, a little over a week at Sophia's, and a couple weeks with Kristoff.

"Sh, sh, sshshshsh..." Elsa hushed him, drawing her hands over his head. He melded to her touch, trying not to think about why he was okay with her there.

"Well, the next few days will be very telling your highness. But overall, it looks good. He's stitched up, and he's still alive."

Elsa sat down, resting Prince's head on her lap, "He's mine now," She whispered, "He's part of the family. And as such, he'll help us find Anna. You may go."

"As you wish," The doctor bowed and left.

Hans fell asleep to Elsa gently brushing his fur.