Thank you to everyone for the awesome reviews! To answer a few questions: No Anna is not brainwashed in any way. Yes I will continue this story until it's done. It's the main thing I'm focusing on at this time. Is it Hans centric? Kinda, maybe? It's mostly from his POV because if I did it from others, too much might be given away too quickly. I can change it about some more if you guys want. I'll throw in Anna's view and maybe Elsa's in this chapter to see how it goes. Let me know if it works.

Falling on Deaf Ears

The falling snow was building up in his hair and on his clothing but the Prince didn't seem to notice His eyes were glued to the statue sitting there on the other side of the wall. Only inches from where he was a man died. A very slow and painful death.

"She just…" the sound of his own frightened voice snapped the man out of his stupor to launch himself backwards from the barn wall and into a small pile of snow. Stumbling to his feet, Hans tried to calm his breathing and rapid heartbeat.

"She killed those men…like it was nothing. That woman is a monster how could she just…?" Hans was clutching his head tightly trying to organise the thousands of thoughts racing through his brain. The look on her face as the blood froze slowly followed by his body. The way she seemed to flourish in the feeling of fear her victims gave her. Shaking his head repeatedly before punching his fist into the wood, Hans clenched his teeth to shake off the pain. The positive side was he now had his head back on straight.

"She admitted it. Without knowing but she admitted the King is gone. She killed him. I knew it. But I need proof" he kicked powdered snow into the air. That woman was sending him into a state of mind he never thought himself possible. Where was the intellectual Prince when he was needed most? "She admitted it. There has to be someone who…" it began to click in his head, all the pieces coming together. "Those rebels were part of a larger group…she obviously wants them gone because they know she killed the King" he went silent again remembering the events that passed. "It's all a ruse. She didn't care for anything related to what Arendelle was suffering. She wanted the crown to cover her lust for blood. Killing people off like ani…" Hans snapped out of his frustrated rant as he turned back towards the fields, thoughts on the one person that was too close to the centre of it all. One person standing in the middle of the bloody pool that if they take one step out of line; their life forfeit.

"Anna…"

"Good, yes. Keep going…okay and stop! Excellent! Finally some progress. I was losing hope for this group after that last mishap. But today was good!" Anna clapped her hands. "Okay you boys can put them back in the stalls now. They deserved their rest"

Anna sat still on her trusted mount watching the last of her reindeer complete the course she'd set them for the morning. Normally she would have them active the whole day but she felt that today wasn't going to be normal. When Eirlys started getting angsty Anna promised a quick run around the field to award her for her patience when all the others were away in the stables.

"Show me what you got girl. Think you can do better than the others? Let's go" nudging the girl on, to run faster down the long stretch of fence line before heading towards the last of the course that tested the animals agility. Anna leant in to follow with the swift actions of the reindeer's movements; last thing she wanted was to fall off going at this speed. Twisting through the polls then a final log jump Eirlys came to a skidded halt, breathing heavily out her nose while Anna patted her on the neck.

"Well done girl! Who's the best reindeer ever? You are! Yes. How about a treat ae? You want a nice carrot or something else…" Anna cut herself off with her baby talk when she saw her cousin making his way to the fence just ahead of them. Eirlys caught the action and without much encouragement walked over slowly.

"You're putting them away early. That isn't how we do things Anna"

"I have my herd and you have your own. You're just down because you don't have the time to train. You could ask Elsa to give you a little slack" Anna rested her hand on a slim antler while watching Kristoff try to settle himself. "Kristoff calm down. Everything is fine. I'll have them out against before dawn tomorrow. They'll be ready. You think I can't do it?" she smirked when Eirlys gave a huff to the blonde man in agreement. He held up his hands.

"Alright, alright. I'll leave you two alone. But they need to be ready in two days. Hear me?"

"Or what? You going to throw me in the haystack again?" she chuckled. Kristoff just smirked at her.

"I'll leave Elsa to handle you" Anna gulped silently before giving a hesitant smile.

"No complaints here…he he…I'll have them ready" the young woman released a breath when the gruff man walked away. "Even after growing up with him around he still has that scary side. Ae girl?" Eirlys gave a head toss in reply to which Anna just ran her finger through the white fur.

"I see your habit of talking to animals is still present. Stronger than ever it seems" snapping her head over her shoulder Anna couldn't help but grin at the sight of a certain Princess making her way over the light snow.

"Irena! I was wondering where you got to. I found Hans earlier…well actually Hans found me cause I was in the stables working and then he walked up and scared me. Well not exactly 'scared' me but I didn't know he was there until he said something and I then I asked where you were but now I don't actually know where he went…" Irena watched at the teal eyed young woman scrunch her face in confusion.

"I wouldn't be too worried. I'm sure Hans can handle himself, but I was aware of him coming here. He said he wanted some time with you after the distance. He never forgot about you, you know. Ever since we heard that you disappeared Hans was so frantic, sent out ship after ship with hope some word would come back" Anna looked down as she played with the leather strap in hand. Her mind gone off in thought.

"Well I've been fine, with my family and friends. You both don't need to worry about me anymore. Elsa and Kristoff have been taking care of me and I'm really in love with Arendelle. It's all I imagined it to be."

"You know don't you Anna?" Irena saw the look behind those teal eyes as they locked onto her own. It was obvious and yet the younger woman didn't admit it; no, she wouldn't admit it.

"It wasn't hard to miss…I don't know what to do Irena. I don't want to hurt him"

"The only way you can hurt him is by not telling him the truth. You've been our friend for a long time; we expect the truth from you always"

Eirlys distracted them when she suddenly gave a jerk backwards, nearly displacing Anna from her perch. The rider soothed her a bit before noticing what her girl got unsettled from. Hans was making his way towards them at an uneven jog, something neither of them had seen him do in years because the Prince had never been in a hurry to get anywhere. As Hans got closer Irena could see something wasn't right.

First and only Princess of the Southern Isles had in many times in life hated her twin brother for a variation of things, most of them related to their competitive nature but never had she been embarrassed by him so much when he suddenly grabbed her arm, dragged her away from the fence and Anna without so much as a word.

"Hans what is wrong with you?! First you leave the ship with undermining intentions and now you do the opposite while being incredibly rude!" Irena near yelled at him in a whisper like voice, her irritation very much noticeable. Hans didn't seemed to care as he quickly looked around before whispering in return.

"You have to trust me on what I'm going to tell you and cannot tell another soul understand?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw her. I saw her and that oaf man in the barn; they killed them right in front of me. I knew something wasn't right about her but what she just did wasn't human Irena, she is a monster. Everything we heard about her powers are true"

"Hans, speak clearly here. Who are you…? You mean the Queen don't you?" she frowned at the thought.

"Yes! She killed two men without a second thought. I saw it!" Irena winced when he grabbed her shoulders tightly.

"Alright I hear you. Just let me go and will you calm down?"

"How can I calm down after that? She kills off anyone who gets in her way and she's keeping Anna in that castle with her. How can you not understand how much danger she is in?" two sets of green eyes were glaring at each other intensely trying to get their own message across.

"She is in no danger Hans. She's right there and perfectly fine. Whatever the Queen is up to for whatever reason, Anna has nothing to do with it" she turned her brother to see what she meant. Anna was sitting on the fence happily brushing the reindeer's fur oblivious to the twins looking her way. "Anna is still Anna. I doubt anyone can change that"

"You're right" Hans turned back to his sibling with a small smile. "Anna is still the girl I fell in love with. She'd never choose someone like the Queen over friendship. Not over us"

"Hans, that wasn't what I was…" Irena gave up. Her brother wouldn't listen, not even to her. She tried and she failed. Hans would have to deal with the consequences of his actions. Watching him walk off with the strawberry blond back to the stables she hoped at least his heart wouldn't be torn in two.

"It's alright Hans. It happens all the time around here, trust me. One minute you're happily talking to your 'cousin' and the next he runs off because someone put the wrong saddle in the wrong stall. So stop apologizing" Anna giggled as she locked Eirlys in her stall. Her gear was placed aside for now.

"But it was rude of me so I feel you deserve a formal apology at least." Anna couldn't help but smirk at his charming smile.

"Well it's in the past now so let's move onto the future, alright? You still haven't told me about your brothers. How is everyone? And don't talk harshly cause I know how much you really care for your brothers. All twelve of them"

"But that would take so long..."

"Then it's a good thing I have lots of time right now" she grinned. "So how's the King?" Hans shook his head and chuckled.

"Vikes is doing well, he is a father now. To a little boy and girl"

"Aww that is so adorable. You're an uncle? You didn't tell me this!"

"I'm sorry, it slipped my mind. The others are also well. Yorick has been traveling the seas since you left and Cobus has become a monk in the city temple"

"I would've though Alfons the more likely to…"

"So would I but he's a scholar for the council along with Wiebe and Felix. Xandrijn hasn't left his home to visit in a while so I'm not sure how he's fairing" Hans scratched his chin at the thought. The two were strolling along the fence by one of the further fields to where Anna was training earlier. "But Damian has finally accepted his gift and now helps out at the ports with his new inventions he comes up with every other day."

"That sounds amazing. But what about Ernst? And Gerard?" teal eyes looked up with curiosity.

"Gerard keeps to himself most always now. He's become quite a skilled painter believe it or not. As for Ernst, he's taken to a much easier lifestyle. Left his title behind to settle down on a farm outside the city, he says it's much nicer than the castle"

"That's excellent. I never thought he'd be one to stay. Too much spirit; like me" they chuckled.

"Yeah just like you. But he's not the only one that left. Bartholomeus is gone too"

"Gone? As in…?" Anna looked horrified.

"No. Not dead, just gone. After Zephier left to marry that Princess across the sea, he was intended to another but instead of following father's wish to marry a princess, he ran away with a maid. We haven't heard from him in months."

"That's romantic. Eloping to be with the one you love. It almost seems too dream like to be real ae Hans?" she giggled while taking a seat on the fence, the view of the North Mountain was breathing taking from their location. Her eyes traced its beauty all the way up to the peak, but she didn't notice Hans shuffle a little at her side.

"Marrying someone you love would be the best feeling in the world. I don't know if I could live without such a person, at least not without asking first…" he looked to her. "Even time and distance wouldn't change my feelings towards her. Nothing would"

"Hans, please don't"

"But why not Anna? You should know my feelings for you. I really want to ma..."

"I do know but I can't accept them" she closed her eyes tightly "We are best friends, you and Irena were my first real friends I ever had but we're too different. I can't be want you want me to be; I can't change my feelings towards you either. I'm sorry" jumping to the ground she took off the way they came. Hans momentarily hesitant, took on after her but wasn't accustomed to running through snow like she was. By the time he got to the stables, she was well ahead of him up the pathway to the castle.

"Anna wait! Please! Let me…" something came out of nowhere to strike Hans across the face sending him to the frozen ground. Clenching his throbbing jaw in pain he looked up through watery eyes at familiar faces.

"I warned you Prince. Now you get what you deserve"

Blue eyes were focused on the twisting swirls the ice make as it wove its way from her fingers. No purpose or intent needed but the feel of the cool power made the blonde almost sigh in pure ecstasy. A curse, a gift; no matter what it was called it was hers and hers alone. And now because of this power much more was now hers too. A kingdom, throne, respect, loyalty and that small entertainment of instilling fear were at her fingertips. But nothing could compare to her greatest treasure. The teal eyed girl who was the reason for it all.

Doors slamming broke the fond memories and caused the flow of ice to frost the glass where the Queen was gazing out. Turning round to know who dare enter her chambers she hesitated at the appearance of the younger woman breathing heavily against the door.

"Anna" said woman turned around quickly.

"Elsa, I'm so sorry. I didn't think, I just…"

"No more. There isn't a door within this castle you cannot enter freely. Especially my own…" eyebrows furrowed as the Queen took in the state of the trainer. "What happened?"

"Nothing, I just came running back from the stables. Didn't want to miss lunch with you" the strawberry blonde tried to give her charming smile but the returning glare made her think otherwise. "I was with my friends. Things were said that I didn't want to hear, so I left" she shrugged as a last thought. Curling her fingers into a fist, Elsa closed the distance between them to stare down at Anna who looked away from her eyes. This only made her further unhappy.

"Change, I won't have you come from those animals and then eat with me" a nod was replied and she smirked when Anna moved away to do as instructed only to be caught by a firm hand. "I never said you could leave. Undress for me Anna, right here"

Anna always blushed when her Queen ordered such things from her and Elsa's ego only swelled further at the thought only she could get that look, that expression from her darling little one. But the ruler was a kind one; she'd assist with the task of course. She undid the belt holding the fur parka down while Anna discarded her gloves. The process was a familiar routine for the two and soon layers were tossed to the floor one after the other leaving her in thin under clothes just covering her modest parts. Arms crossed over a bare chest were tolerated for now.

"I like you better without clothes, but fur does have an appealing thought if it were the only thing you'd wear" blue eyes sparkled when the younger woman shivered at her seductive tone.

"Unlike yourself, I do get cold from all the ice so I must again refuse your suggestion my Queen" Anna gasped when she was grabbed from behind, her back touching the ice dress of its creator.

"You refuse? This isn't like you…Something did happen today didn't it Anna? Your friends…that 'Prince'; he said something to you didn't he? Something you didn't want to hear." Elsa spoke coldly into a reddening ear "Was he toying with you? Lying to you? Tell me Anna…and I can make it all go away" Elsa traced her ice nailed fingers higher over her freckled skin with each word. Goosebumps followed all the way to Anna's collarbone where the ice came to rest just above her heart.

"He told me the truth… How he felt about me…Ouch!" Anna flinched away as the ice sliced itself into her flesh, leaving a cut along her chest. Elsa reacted immediately to hold the girl in place.

"Turn around Anna"

"But…"

"Turn around" she did as told. The arms loosened enough for her to change direction and face the pale shoulder of her Queen. She winced when Elsa grabbed her arms almost bruising tightly.

"Elsa, I'm sorry I didn't mean to…I just don't want him hurt. Please, leave him be. He doesn't know…"

"Then I will tell him" she leaned down to lick the single blood trail escaping the wound. Anna gasped at the feel of the hot tongue on her skin. "I hate having you bleed"

"Sadly it happens too often with me huh?" Elsa smirked before locking with those delicious teal eyes.

"Too often indeed. You'll stay here for the rest of the day. I don't want anything else to happen to you because of that 'Prince'"

"But what about lunch?" Elsa wasn't surprised by the train of thought.

"I'll have the servants bring it here. First, you are to wash. I want you clean and fresh before I take what is mine" the Snow Queen grinned as Anna shuddered with anticipation.

Hans coughed dryly after another swift kick to his gut. His whole torso was aching and his lungs were on fire trying to breathe in air he so desperately needed. He didn't know how long he had been kept there taking their beatings but his fingers were going numb from the cold; he assumed a while. The five men had kicked and punched him repeatedly against the wooden stall one after the other as Kristoff stood by observing with a small smirk.

"Don't touch his face. We wouldn't want the pretty boy to be disfigured so soon" was all he said when the men dragged him in. Green eyes were watering with the pain and the Prince knew his chest would be coloured from all the bruises but he still tried to glare at the men above him.

"Is that all you can do? Hit a man when he's down?" he had to cough out the words more than speak them. Kristoff stopped his men to kneel down to Hans' level.

"We'll do whatever needs to be done to get the point across. You didn't listen the first time so a little more force was needed to get through that thick skull of yours. Stay away from Anna" Hans was clenching his teeth wanting to retort but he was shoved back against the wall hard enough to see black spots take over his vision leading him into unconsciousness.

"You'll be staying away from Anna, Prince Hans. Unless you wish to see us again"

Hey guys. Sorry for the slight delay but another chapter just as I promised. I've changed the rating in case cause things will be getting a little worse for wear later on. Again I'm not too sure on how exactly dark this will turn out so bear with me. Any questions feel free to ask away and I love Reviews! It's all helping my writing improve for your guys. If anyone figures out the name 'situation' I did regarding to the Royal family, cookies all round.