Yay! Another chapter. And things start moving here, too! I'm very pleased with this one, and I decided to post a day early since I was late last week. Enjoy, review! And I have a few more Helsa related things posted now, so if that interests you, go check them out! - marth

The first day of Anna's absence was not as bad as expected. Elsa walked around for longer than normal in her nightgown, she had more than her fair share of waffles at breakfast, she didn't worry about singing off key while she organized her study. Being completely alone but knowing that company was just around the corner was comforting, and her natural introspection took over. In the back of her mind, she felt a touch of remorse for letting Hans stew in the dungeons. But then she sunk her mind deep into one of her father's journals and her prisoner was forgotten.

By day three, however, the silence was grating. Anna being in Arendelle and Anna being in another kingdom altogether was unsettling; the young queen felt exposed without her cheery human shield. She hadn't realized how often the princess had stepped in to speak to the townfolk when she was busy hiding in the study. Helping others with their problems was rewarding, but petty grievances were the norm. It was only mid afternoon when she finally gave in to her weary mind and politely escaped the throne room. She avoided the study; the kingdom's account books and charters could be looked over another day. What she really wanted was something warm and comforting, and maybe a familiar face. Elsa made her way towards the kitchens.

Grethe was no where to be seen, but she was heard. "Now, now, just hush with that talk. You just go back to your room and I'll bring you lunch, hmm?" Elsa followed the noise to where the cook and Hans were facing off, his arms crossed over his chest protectively.

"What's going on?" the queen asked, her shoulders tensing. Confrontation was not something she looked forward to, especially with the stress she already had.

The stubborn old woman propped a hand on a hip and gestured with the other. "Your majesty, this young fool here likes to think that he's invincible. He needs rest, he can't be under my feet all day. I won't have it." A glare from the queen shot in Hans' direction, but Grethe continued. "He's in pain, dear."

The explanation caused Elsa's eyebrows to rise, and she inspected the former prince. Despite his cleanliness and poise, there was a slump to his shoulders and his breathing seemed a bit labored. Her features softened when she noticed him clutching at his abdomen, and pursed her lips. It had been a few days since their healing session and there was much to be done. She released the breath she had held unconsciously and looked back to Grethe.

"Very well. I need to train him today, so kindly bring the mid day meal out to the gardens in an hour or so." She flashed Hans a look and started walking.

They settled in the center of the royal gardens, far away from prying eyes and the noise of the castle. Elsa sat primly on the edge of a large fountain and watched as Hans collapsed in the grass in a very unprincely manner.

"Grass! Sun. Now all I need is water and this will be perfect," the red head rubbed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair. "What possessed you to allow me this freedom, your majesty?"

Her slender hand played in the cool water of the fountain as she tried to come up with an excuse. "I was tired of being indoors."

He let out a short, dry laugh and closed his eyes. "Good enough for me, then."

The silence was pleasant, and soon the warmth of the sun coaxed her into relaxing on the stone ledge. She couldn't help her mind from wandering as her eyes watched her prisoner. It was maddening, really. This intelligent, charming, and as much as she hated to admit it, handsome, prince was a real piece of work. Family drama, emotional baggage, and a silver tongue. As much as she tried to hate him with every fiber of her being, her empathy won out and she wanted to help him. Her parents' ignorance and her own fear had nearly turned her into a monster; ironically enough, he had been the one to stop her right before she had killed someone. No one had been there to stop him, no act of true love could save Hans from becoming a monster. She almost laughed, true love? Hans couldn't love, not sincerely, she thought. It wasn't in his nature. But she could keep him from using his powers to harm others.

Could she really? The sudden thought came like a jolt of lightning and her eyes closed in frustration. Once he stopped being her prisoner, he could do whatever he wanted. Elsa's forehead wrinkled with the realization. She couldn't keep him here against his will forever, and she couldn't refrain from teaching him; an uncontrolled curse was much more dangerous than the alternative. Anna's face rose to her mind, and she remembered her sister talking about trolls in the valley and how they had helped her understand how to thaw Arendelle. Love's a force that's powerful and strange. Well, she certainly couldn't love Hans. Her ears burned a bit at the thought, and she glanced over to the dozing prince. No, she couldn't love him after all that he had done. She couldn't even trust him, for the most part. A sigh escaped her lips and she sat up; compassion and empathy would have to do for now, until Hans could prove that he wanted to be better.

"Hans."

The redhead jerked awake. "Your majesty?"

She hesitated. "Why is your horse named Sitron?"

He sat up and rested on his forearms, his eyes lost in thought. " I was fifteen. He was yellowish, and a real mean thing. Bit everyone who tried to touch him, so he was given to me since I'm the runt. Bitter temperament and bright color? Sitron just made sense." Hans looked up at Elsa, a quirk in his brow. "Why do you ask?"

She shrugged. "Just trying to understand you better. What other princely activities were there besides riding?" Now she was genuinely curious; being locked away from others for so long had kept her ignorant of many things as well.

Hans rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I always enjoyed sailing. My brothers were more fond of sparring and weaponry."

"Sparring? Didn't that hurt?" she asked and folded her hands in her lap neatly.

"Yeah, but it's great exercise. And good for letting off steam." He stood and dusted off his linen pants.

"Interesting," Elsa mused quietly before standing as well. "We should try it."

Hans looked down at her incredulously."Excuse me? I don't think that's a great idea, your majesty."

A devious little smile caught her lips. "Why not? Fire versus ice, the eternal debate." She started walking quickly now.

"Maybe because the last time I fought you, I nearly froze to death? Or because if I harm you, I'll probably be executed? These are all wonderful reasons not to do this." Hans matched her pace effortlessly.

Her smile grew. "I can handle myself very well, thank you. Besides, it will be great practice for you." She took a few more steps before nonchalantly flicking a hand in his direction, showering him with harmless snowflakes. When he flinched away from them, she had to stifle a giggle. For years she had been so afraid of hurting people, of letting people know about the curse. Now everyone knew, and here she even had someone who could understand.

Hans brushed the snow from his hair before taking a deep breath. "If you insist, Queen Elsa." A moment of concentration later and his hands were producing tentative flames.

"Let's take it slow, shall we?" the blond woman said before tossing a snowball to him. He caught it gracefully before it disappeared into hissing steam. Hans was attempting to lengthen the flame when another snowball was lobbed at his head. This one met its target, and the exiled prince sputtered for a second before moving quickly towards Elsa. He darted towards a shrub and she followed; the game of cat and mouse invigorated her. Her chest heaved with shallow breaths, her muscles felt tensed, they felt good. Hans ducked and dodged most of what she threw at him, before he turned on her sharply.

"Flames don't lend themselves to long distances well," was all the warning she got before she felt his hands on hers and their fingers intertwined. Elsa could tell he was trying to hold back; she may have better control of her magic, but she was physically no match for the much bigger man. They struggled like that, hand in hand, pushing back on the other to see how far they could take it. She held eye contact and refused to look away from the green twins in front of her. A moment later and she saw a glint of fear in them; her ice had overcome his hands and was now creeping towards his wrists. She relaxed and released his fingers, the ice dissipating in seconds.

Hans bent over, his hands resting on his knees while he tried to catch his breath. "I didn't, get much, practice in," he got out between breaths.

Elsa took a minute to compose herself as well. "Well, I did." She ran her hands through her hair, smoothing it back into place. "You'll maintain better control when you can use your magic with emotion, as opposed to keeping them separate." She watched him straighten and stretch; his shirt lifted just enough to show a sliver of pale skin, and she averted her eyes quickly.

The young queen started for the pathway back to the castle when Hans moved in front of her.

"Please, your majesty? Can we stay outside for a few minutes more?" the tired prince pleaded. Her heart softened and she consented with a nod, and went to resume her perch by the fountain. Unbidden, Hans sat down beside her, a respectable distance away.

"We should do this more often. It's a nice change of pace from flagstones and grumpy cooks," he remarked as he rolled his shoulders.

Elsa sighed and observed the beauty around her; staying indoors all the time wasn't fun for her, either. "Perhaps," was all she answered.

"Do you ride?"

The question made her hesitate. "No. I was too scared that I would hurt someone in the process, so I always rode with my mother in the carriage." She pulled her braid in between her fingers and twisted.

Hans stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. "It's good stress relief. You should try, now that you can control your powers. I'd love to go sailing again, but fire on a ship isn't very sensible."

His tone was wistful, even pained. Elsa looked openly upon him; "Eventually, you will be able to. And maybe I'll learn to ride."

Birdsong filled the silence and she made to move, but a warm hand on her arm stopped her. Elsa almost glared, but instead she looked puzzled. Hans seemed desperate to stay outside a bit longer. "Could you... would you mind working on my chest? I feel more calm out here, I promise I won't make a sound."

She bit her lip. "Aren't you exhausted? You worked in the kitchens all morning, and then had sparring with me. It might not be safe."

His eyes were serious. "I'll be fine. Please?"

"It's your body. Go ahead, then."

Hans pulled off his shirt and started to gingerly tug away the bandages that still covered his torso. The scar looked just as grotesque as it last did, but at least now it only extended from his collar bone to his hips. He took in a deep breath and tensed his stomach muscles, then nodded when she looked to him.

Elsa pursed her lips, but still formed the thick glove of ice around her left hand. This time, she placed her hand over his clavicle, pressing hard. She glanced up at Hans; his eyes were squeezed shut and his face was turning red, but he barely whimpered.

The queen moved her hand down a scant inch before her prisoner went limp, collapsing against her. His heavy body nearly pushed her into the fountain, but instead he rested against her.

Panic flooded her senses, while she simultaneously cursed both Hans and herself. Elsa just prayed that the guards would hear her calling from so deep in the gardens.