Dog eyes blinking wearily. Shadow was settled by the door of his newest owner's house. It had been years since Han had been here- as a dog, anyways. It had not been that long since he'd been here in his mind. The young king found himself in this room, in this moment often. Especially when he was feeling particularly lost.

And he was lost.

Kristoff was playing a horrible tune. Not that he was a particularly bad musician, but to dog ears, it was pretty bad. Even if that dog is half dead.

Hans felt the usual sensation of total weakness. This was right after... after his darling niece had saved him, taken a beating for him. And after going through all that, she still lost him. It was while he still contemplated killing the sisters. Yet here he was, on the floor of his ex's boyfriend, listening to the man play on his banjo, singing a duet. And no, it wasn't really a duet.

There were two 'people' singing; Kristoff and Sven. Well, as long as you counted Sven in the 'people' category, which Hans did not. He also contemplated not allowing Kristoff into the 'people' category either.

As a matter of course, the young vicious prince contemplated gaining the strength to kill his new master. Not only would it hurt Anna, but it would allow 'Shadow' to go back to his darling young owner. Something soft thumped in Shadow's heart, something he did not recognize; the desire to protect someone.

"Join on in, Shadow!"

The dog was barely strong enough to lift his head, let alone sing. To add to his humiliation, Hans had to be force-fed food because he wasn't strong enough to feed himself. Yeah, not his best memory.

But he was reliving it for a reason.

Saving Hans from having to do anything, Kristoff started howling in a way the dog part of Shadow's mind found very offensive. He put his ears back and made a whining sound. Kristoff noticed this and stopped howling, deciding instead to find a way to rhyme, "I dig that Anna girl, like I do a bone," with, "Me and Sven and Shadow are all best buddies... you've known? Hmmmm..."

"Enough," Hans said through his dog mouth, "I know you're here. I know this is a dream."

The dream paused, and the Enchantress appeared. She was less than pleased with his attitude. He bowed his head in respect, something he knew she deserved.

"I haven't forgotten this lesson," He said earnestly, "I haven't forgotten what it was like to be weak, alone..."

She narrowed her eyes, willing him to be silent, "You have forgotten my lesson, indeed, foolish prince."

He knelt as obediently as he could, "I am trying to do the right thing."

The Enchantress strolled about the dreamscape, looking about Kristoff's things, "Grand Pabbie will never understand why I insisted on interfering in your life. I did so because I saw something in you; love turned to hate. I knew you could be a good man. Why are you doing this?"

"I have no choice."

"People will die by your hand, does that make your choice the right one?"

"People die anyways, that doesn't make my choice wrong."

She was silent for a moment, "You have Elsa's heart. Do you know that?"

He was silent, "I am blessed... and very, very happy to have the most... everything woman on the planet. But I have to do this. I thank you for your help, but..."

The Enchantress sighed. For all her knowledge on love, this was slightly beyond her, "When you wake up, you will be in the Southern Isles. They will try to kill you there. It's chaos."

"I have to," Tears poured from his eyes, "Oh, mighty Enchantress, please," He was even willing to beg, "If you have a solution, please, please give it to me!"

She was silent, "...I'm sorry," She finally answered, "I'm afraid... war isn't my area. I wish you the best, Hans."

"If something happens to me, please... make sure Elsa is happy.

The Enchantress gave a ruthless laugh, "I doubt... that is within my power. For you are her happiness."

She left Hans back in the dream. But he wondered now whether the powerlessness of his situation was about him, or about those he left behind.

a.n. To be concluded in Dark Hunter Hans.