So very sorry this took so long to upload. I'm a shameless procrastinator. Well here it is! Chapter 14! Just to warn you guys, we are coming up to the end so hang tight. Hopefully this bad bitch will be done by the end of the week! ;) Also, before I forget, if this chapter is crap in places (and I'm sure it is) it's because I have just pulled an all-nighter so I haven't slept in over 24 hours. Anywho, onto the story!

The next started with Hans and Elsa just making casual small talk. Their daily meal was served by Sierra, who gave them both a repulsed look before leaving without saying a word. It was only after they had eaten that Hans found a key to the cell door hidden within an old rag. Elsa's eye lightened as a hopeful grin spread across her face.

"Well, it seems she doesn't hate us too much," the prince deduced, "You're thinking about Anna, aren't you?" His sarcastic tone softened as he watched the Ice Queen's eyes glaze over in thought. Elsa only nodded, sparing him a small smile.

"I miss her. I know I shouldn't really, because I really haven't been here too long," she rambled slightly, and he felt the need to validate her.

"Time always seems to slow down when your fate is left uncertain."

"I can't wait to go home," she sighed – she seemed so young right now, so excited, "Last time you were there you didn't get the chance to fully experience the sights and the culture. When we get back, I'll show you the entire… city." The lightness in her voice dimmed as she saw the guilt in Hans' green eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but cut himself off, unsure of what to say. Elsa took a tentative step towards him, placing one hand over his heart. He looked down at her, but she didn't make eye-contact.

"I know you've changed. You don't need to say anything."

"Yes, Elsa, I do!" he yelled, suddenly becoming frustrated with himself, "I tried to kill you and Anna! Your sister! I deserve the death penalty! Not your forgiveness!"

"You don't have my forgiveness!" now it was her turn to yell, annoyed that he presumed such a thing, "I love you, but I will never forget what you did and I will never forgive you! The fact you would even think that I could! It's… you played my sister! You made her think you loved her! You left her to die alone! And you let me think it was my fault!" Her breathing was ragged due to her flaring temper and she didn't even know why she was so mad. Yes, everything she said was true. And yes, it would be by no means unjustified if she hated him with all her being. And yet, she still loved him. She still felt safe around him, but she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she could never forgive him.

"Then how in God's name can you still love me after all I've done?!" he yelled back at her, desperate for the answer.

"It's not the first time a princess has fallen for a criminal," Elsa's voice had softened to a mere whisper as she realized the absurdity of her statement. It was true, nonetheless – her own cousin had married a thief – but Hans wasn't just a criminal. He was willing to murder her and Anna for power. But she didn't really care about her life – it was the attempt on Anna that bothered her. That sweet little girl she threw her entire childhood away to protect. If he had just tried to kill Elsa, she might be able to forgive him. Soon after The Great Thaw, she had thought Hans a heartless beast – nothing more than a rabid animal. Because surely only a rabid animal could prey on, not a woman, but a girl – a child. Perhaps it was the fact that he had someone to protect, which made her love him. Perhaps the fact that Heidi loved her brother in return made her see he was not completely cruel. Or maybe it was something different entirely. Maybe it was simply because everyone deserves a second chance. She did. So why should the traitor prince be the exception to the rule?

She hadn't realized how long it had been since either had spoken a word. She bit down hard on her lower lip as she stared intently at the ground. She felt his strong arms wrap around her shoulders, and his warm breath on the top of her head.

"I'm so, so sorry," he choked out hoarsely, "For everything."

"I know."

It was the dead of night when Sierra bolted into the dungeon, waking Hans and Elsa with a start.

"Get up!" she screeched in a hushed whisper, "The revolution has started! You must leave now!" The two royals scrambled to their feet as the young wench threw a set of keys through the bars. "Those are for your restraints. Quickly!" Elsa unlocked her ankle chain without an issue, but no matter how many keys he tried, how many times, Hans was still bound to the cell.

"None of these work!" he growled, beginning feeling the pressure. He kept trying each key again, going through the set of twenty with shaking hands.

"My powers are returning. I can freeze the chain until it shatters," Elsa suggested, trying her best to remain calm, "I did it once before."

"Fine, yes. You do that. But I have to leave. There is no way in Hell I'm going to get caught helping the two of you," Sierra snarled, retreating from the dungeons, "The ship leaves at dawn!"

And once again, they were alone. Elsa's powers were working, but they still were not at full strength. Hans knew she was taking too long. They both jumped when they heard guard voices and the prince immediately directed Elsa's attention to his face.

"You need to go," he said, with a grim urgency in his voice, "They'll kill you if you stay any longer." Elsa shook her head vigorously and went back to her task.

"Elsa, I'm serious! You need to go now!" he barked.

"You're a fool to think I'd actually go," she spat, her voice raw with tears. She knew he was right and that's what broke her heart. She had a kingdom to go back to and run and she knew it would be selfish to allow herself to perish when people depended on her. And yet she could not will herself away.

"Elsa! GO!" Hans yelled, shoving her away from him. He saw the shock and hurt in her eyes but he knew it was for the best. When she continued to persist he had nothing else to do but push her away completely.

"I'm not sorry for what I've done and if I had the chance I would do it again! Leave!" he wasn't convincing at all and he knew it. But he was hoping at least Elsa would understand that she had to leave him behind.

"I don't want to lose you," she begged him, "Please don't make me go."

"I never loved you! Everything I've said over the past few weeks has been a lie," he heard footsteps in the distance, "Please Elsa! You need to go." She stood and he followed suit. She was crying as she hesitantly took a step back, towards the open cell door. She wrapped her arms around her torso as she turned on heel and fled. Hans watched her disappear from sight, only hearing her run up the stairs to one of the many halls in the Southern Isles palace.

He felt relief run through his veins, content to know Elsa had escaped. Or so he thought. Hans heard a sharp scream and glass shatter only to be followed by the sound of more movement. His breath hitched in his throat as he heard another weak, gasp of pain as Elsa was dragged back down the stairs by her hair. The once dangerous Ice Queen fruitlessly struggled against the guard that yanked her by her platinum blonde locks before throwing her roughly back in the cell beside Hans. The second guard unsheathed his sword, with a wicked smile plastered on his lips.

"Stay away from her," Hans snarled, prepared to die to ensure Elsa's safety. He spared her a glance – she struggled to sit up as her hand brushed over a long cut that travelled down her face. She looked like she might have fainted when she eyed the blood left on her fingertips.

"And what is the bastard prince going to do to stop us – without even a weapon in hand?" Hans knew the guard was right – he was dead and so was Elsa. His chest tightened as anger brewed inside him and he knew one thing for sure – he wasn't going down without a fight. He leapt towards the closest guard, knocking the sword out of his hand and landing a firm punch square in his jaw knocking him out. His partner quickly drew his blade forcing Hans back into the cell and dodge the sickeningly fast swings. Elsa had managed to crawl into the back corner of the small stone room as she tried to focus her weakened mind on summoning her powers. Hans continued to evade every blow from the sword, but when the first guard regained consciousness he was soon overpowered. One knee to the gut and another punch to the jaw – forcing his head into the hard wall – forced Hans to sink down in the ground. He readied himself for the swing of the sword – the piercing pain that would take his life. But it never came. As he slowly sunk into a sea of black void, all he felt, was cold.

Heheheheehehehee!