Sophia trembled in terror under the rage of her step-father. Apparently the 'out-of-towners' canceled their plans, and nobody was getting paid. Therefore it was all her fault, and she had to be punished. Her right eye was already black. She'd been called some horrible, unspeakable things.
"...and another thing, you women," his eyes got distant for a second, and dangerous, "I guess you are a woman, aren't you? Close enough...!" His voice trailed off into a direction any adult would recognize as inappropriate.
"Stop, fiend!"
Sophia gasped as a picture right out of a storybook appeared; a handsome prince, full astride a white horse, had drawn his sword.
"Unhand that young maiden!" Hans leapt to the ground, keeping his sword on the man, "I am his highness Prince Hans Westerguard of the Southern Isles, and I promise you swift justice if you so harm a hair on that innocent young lady's head!"
The old sea captain knew exactly who he was dealing with, and, therefore, felt a good amount of fear. He retreated back into his house.
"Begone!" Hans played it up. He then helped Sophia to her feet, telling her everything a young girl should hear from her father, then put her onto his horse.
"You'll be safe now, young lady. No harm shall ever come to you whilst I draw living breath. Remember this always; as long as vile men steal away love, so shall there be righteous men, beating back the darkness, and bringing the fair folk into the light!" On cue, his horse whinnied and bucked upward, "We must away to the castle!" He had no idea why he was using such old-timey speech. Still, he felt good doing some real good.
Meanwhile, Elsa was in a meeting to determine exactly what should be done about Hans. Warden Busby was demanding money to keep up the patrols. But her mind was elsewhere; on a black and white dog with brown eyes...
"The problem is that there's no way to find him. He could be anywhere!"
The clip-clop of horse's hooves interrupted the meeting between Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Gunther. Busby was there as well, gasping at the sight. Never had a prisoner rode into the castle; the very place all his enemies were.
Hans bent low and whispered to Sophia, "Now, remember what I told you; talk to Anna, she'll take care of you, I'm sure of it."
He then put her down and galloped up to the queen. Once Anna had clutched Sophia into her robes protectively, Hans leapt down, and made a proclamation.
"HA! I have surprised you! Exactly as my plan dictated!"
For an awkward second, everyone froze.
Hans smirked then pulled his sword. Elsa's face drew even paler in fear.
Then he dropped his sword, "I surrender!"
The collective gasp made him roll his eyes. Elsa looked at Hans, then his sword, then to Sophia, then to Warden Busby.
"...why?"
Hans blinked sadly. It was fun to surprise everyone, but really... he wanted to stay here, with her, but he knew where he was going. "Because... I know where I belong now; prison."
The queen looked at him curiously, clutching his collar in her right hand. She reached out with her left and accepted his surrender.
"So... you give up?"
"Yes."
"I don't believe you. Guards!"
Hans sighed. Why did she have to make this so hard?! Immediately, a group of soldiers surrounded him.
"Really?"
"Yes, really," She narrowed her eyes, "What's the plan, Hans? Where's the trick."
"Me," He gasped self-righteously, "Trick?"
They stood there in silence for a moment, staring into each other's eyes. Then everyone turned to see Prince Gunther inching his way towards the exit.
"Wait," He said, "There's no trick?"
"None?"
"No double-cross?"
Hans sighed, "No, now can we get on with this or...?"
"You haven't poisoned everyone in this room, or have a dagger, or..."
"NO!" Hans yelled, "I surrender, okay? Isn't it your job to throw me in a cell or what?!"
Busby cleared his throat, "I think... we would all feel better I suppose is the term, if we knew what your plan was."
Hans stared in disbelief, "Is it so hard to believe that I'm giving up?"
"Yes," The group chorused.
"FINE!" He turned to the queen, "I'm here to...usurp you."
Elsa drew her clenched fists to her chest. He had a flashback of when he'd slept with her, protecting her from any threat. He hated that she felt threatened by him.
"Goodbye, my queen," he whispered. Elsa clutched his sword.
"...aren't you going to attack me?"
Hans just fell to his knees, "Just... take me away. I beg you."
He was lead away in chains. Gunther threatened to kill him, and Busby was interested in the tales of his escape, but Hans stayed silent.
They, therefore, left the young prince alone in his cell at the bottom of a ship.
Right before they were about to shove off, Hans heard the light footsteps of the sorceress. Of course she would have some sort of last-minute speech to deliver about humility or something. He prepared a sarcastic remark in preparation.
"You know, I'm not sure-"
He was cut off by the sight of a beautiful young queen.
"Elsa..."
The two just stared at each other for a moment. She broke the silence, "Umm..." She clenched her eyes shut, looking for something he couldn't understand. She opened them, "I was wondering if I could ask you a question."
Closing his mouth, he nodded once. Hans stayed as still as possible so as not to frighten her. Elsa held up the cursed collar.
"I was wondering..."
His eyes lit up with recognition, "Shadow is gone. I'm sorry."
She stepped back, inhaling sharply. He watched her keep her emotions in check.
"Oh."
They stood for a moment.
"I... suppose this is yours then." She offered him the collar. He stepped away, not wanting to repeat the experience.
"NO, NO!" He cleared his throat, "He was yours."
Her expression turned to confusion.
"I assure you, my queen, Prince was always yours."
She shed a single tear before turning, and heading back up the steps. Hans watched her go with a sad look on his face. In the corner of the room was a chessboard. He picked up the white queen, staring for it for a moment, before letting the moment pass. He set her back down where she belonged.
Busby approached the cell, confused by the whole confrontation. The last couple of months had not gone according to plan; Gunther had this elaborate plan to rid himself of Hans and kill the women who shamed the Westerguard name. Now...? What was left?
"Another game?" Busby ventured.
Hans allowed himself a small smile, "Of course... but I'll be black this time."
Busby's eyebrows raised, "Change of heart?"
"No... but sometimes I should give others what they want," Hans said. The two sat and played.
"You won't be get getting what you want; this queen," He said, tapping the white figure.
Hans smirked, "Well... we'll just have to see about that, won't we?"
The end.