Shadow/Hans screamed in frustration as the wave of water hit him. He had been so close to getting her free!
The blast of water sent him hurtling away into the dark depths of the cavern. But he had come too far to give up now; he'd swum forever coming here, gripped onto life when he'd been shot, and now he positively refused to give up when the love of his life was on the line!
...he also refused to admit he was deeply in love with a woman who hated his guts. What? He's a man trapped in a dog's body, he should be allowed a certain amount of self-denial!
(a.n. sorry, ranting. Back to the story.)
Hans spun in the air/water. His jaw snapped as gently as he could to Esla's left leg, pulling her back.
No! You're living, so help me!
The prince dove under the surface, all four paws digging into the soft silt. He pawed through it, determinedly marching back to the hole. A backlash hit him, sent him tumbling away from her. He swore vehemently. It meant nothing to him to get out alive if Elsa wasn't there too.
...a soft hand grabbed his collar. Through the murky half-frozen water Hans could see Elsa grasping his collar, putting her faith in him to lead her to safety.
It touched his heart, that trust. He had done nothing to deserve it, really. Of everyone on the planet, he had been the one to do the most to lose it. Nevertheless, the man/beast trudged through the swirling mud back towards the hole. Or, at least, where the hole was. It would take a miracle for him to get there...
Fortunately, a small light illuminated the edge of the exit. Hans could practically feel the annoyance of the sorceress for having to help him again. That was fine, he could eat more humble pie if it meant getting Elsa free.
He marched, feeling the blackness of death fading in again. It felt like an old friend. Finally, he reached the hole.
Freeeee...!
...but it collapsed on him
NO!
Hans wiggled as much as he could, but was trapped. The gentle hand on his collar disappeared. He was going to die a failure after all...
Until that hand reappeared behind him, pushing him free. Shadow/Hans exploded into the air, gasping for breath.
Elsa! Elsa!
He turned back towards the hole, losing all sense of calm. He bit hard into her right arm, pulling the queen out behind him. But it was for naught. He had been freed because he could fit out, and had help. But Elsa...
Through the water, he watched her life fading away, like a setting sun. No thoughts came to his mind, not even denial. Her eyes... told him 'goodbye' in a language he didn't know he understood.
Hans swallowed at her last act of mercy. Her hand stroked the back of his head, then went to the collar that enslaved him.
Then she set him free.
Agony ripped through his body. Her fingers fell away as his bones crunched, his muscles squelched, and his organs shifted.
"Raaaghoooowwwwnnnooooooo NOO!" Hans grabbed her fingers, forearms half-man, half-beast, "NOOOO!"
Those weak fingers grabbed his out of reflex.
"NO!"
Hans tugged as hard as he could, still in pain from the metamorphosis. "It can't end like this."
Her eyes were closing, the pulse in her fingers getting weaker...
Hans gasped for breath, now fully human. He leaned down to her.
Taking a lungful, he pressed his lips against hers.
C'mon, Elsa, you're a smart girl, figure it out!
He sealed her mouth with his, breathing into her as powerfully as possible. Then he pulled out, took another puff, and went back in.
She coughed.
"Yeeeees!"
Again and again, he fed her dying body just enough air to keep her alive. The whole time he was digging her out. By the time he'd freed her, she wasn't moving any more.
"NO!"
Hans decided in that moment that either love, or screaming 'no' is a good way to keep going. And since he was in denial to the former, the latter would have to suffice. He took another full breath, and pumped it forcefully into her lungs. Elsa's chest inflated, and she jerked up, coughing out a lungful of muddy ice water.
"...yes. Thank you. Thank you..." She rolled on her stomach and groaned. Her eyes were shutting, but she was breathing steadily. Hans took a second, just for himself, to appreciate the sight before him; Elsa, lying restful, safe and sound. And stunningly beautiful.
...
"Well done," Commented the enchantress. Hans shrugged.
"Thanks?"
"...you're welcome."
He sighed, "I was... I don't even know..."
Thankfully, she held up a hand, "I know."
He sighed again, "I just..."
She stood silently for a second. The enchantress hated these stories; the hero does everything right and still doesn't get the girl. The world was so unfair.
"I see you've bared your soul," She giggled.
"Ahem," He said, now aware that he was naked, "Could you...?"
She shrugged, once more donning him in his princely garb.
"I'm not... popular... with, well, anyone. Could you go get someone to help her?"
"Sure," the enchantress turned, but stopped, "What will you do next?"
"I have one more errand to run."
"Oh?"
"Time to be Prince Charming."