Chapter 18

The Ball

Hans awoke to an empty bed.

Although he was relieved on one hand, since he knew that her absence in her own bedroom chamber would only cause alarm and complicate things further. However, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness to see the empty space beside him. It was an poignant reminder of what would never be.

He got up, dressed, and hurried down to the kitchen to start on breakfast; there was going to be a lot to do today in preparation for the ball that evening, and very limited time to do it in. He had definitely shirked his duties over the course of the last two days, what with Elsa's arrival and all. His mind had been too preoccupied to focus on the tasks at hand, so he was relieved that Marguerite had done a swell job at covering for him in the kitchen without making it too obvious that he was missing half of the time.

To be honest, he was dreading seeing Marguerite. Lately he'd been really good at dodging her incessant questioning about his 'torrid love affair,' (as she called it), which he had neither confirmed nor denied up until this point. However, he knew that he could only avoid the conversation for so long. When he entered the kitchen, she was by the door, ready to pounce.

"Are you ready to talk about it yet?" she asked, her round face hopeful. Hans sighed, although nothing about her eagerness surprised him. She had developed a habit of mothering Hans regularly, and he could only keep her satiated with 'I'm fine, really,' too much more before her tactics got a little more aggressive in pulling it out of him.

"No, but I don't think I have a choice," he muttered as he walked past her. "Although I hardly think now is the time, wouldn't you agree? We have a ball to prepare for, remember?"

"How could I forget, I'm putting it together by myself!" she lamented, looking quite worn. Hans paused, realizing that he'd really been taking her kindness for granted with all the other things floating around in his mind. He swiftly pulled the frazzled woman in for a quick hug.

"Yes, I know. And thank you, Marguerite. For everything," he spouted off, sincerely. She eyed him carefully, noting the forlorn sadness in his eyes.

"I have a feeling you're not just talking about the kitchen duty," she mused, her eyes squinted in speculation. "Alright, out with it. I have had enough of your cryptic comments and sulking around. I want to know what is going on!" she demanded, heatedly. Hans smirked, happily taking her nagging as a sign that she cared. She reached out her chubby hand to take him by the arm, dragging him towards the privacy of the pantry, out of the eyes of the bustling servants.

"Marguerite, this is really-" he was interrupted by her shoving him inside the pantry, shutting the door behind them. "unnecessary," he finished, flatly.

"Now," she said, striking a match and igniting a rusty old lantern. "How can I help you? Let me help you," she practically begged, gripping onto him with both arms and lightly shaking him.

"Marg, I appreciate the sentiment, you know that," Hans sighed, shrugging sadly. "But I am afraid there is nothing you can do, even if I wanted you to."

"You fell in love with her, didn't you?" she asked, her eyes misty, her hand clasped over her heart, the other over her pouted mouth. Hans nodded and her eyes widened. "And her… with you?" Hans smiled weakly, giving a little shrug.

"I mean…I think so. She snuck into my bedroom chamber last night," he confessed, shyly. "But Marguerite, she is engaged to Kristoff. And Elsa is never going to forgive me-"

"I seem to recall you believing that Anna would never forgive you as well?"

"Yeah, but this is different. Elsa and I don't have a history like Anna and I do. I was such an idiot for allowing myself to fall-"

SMACK

Hans was interrupted by a swift smack against the back of his head, Marguerite shaking her head, scoldingly.

"Don't you dare give up so easily. I have watched you go from a spoiled little brat to a real man in the course of the last few months, Master Hans. A man your mother would be proud of," Hans felt his chest tighten at the mention of his mother. Would she have been proud of him? He wasn't so sure. "I am proud of you. And Anna loves you. This was meant to be," Marguerite stressed, her face pink and her eyes expressive. "You have to fight for her, Hans. You can't make the same mistake as before. This might be your only chance-"

"Marguerite, I might die in a week's time," Hans said sadly, slowly, resting his hands on her shoulders. She shook her head, disbelief washing over her face.

"I refuse to believe the King would-"

"If Elsa testifies against me, I wouldn't be shocked if that's my sentence. I tried to murder her, Marguerite. I have come to terms with the fact that my fate may not be up to me," he choked. Marguerite's eyes brimmed with tears, spilling over quickly. She shook her head, yet again, her face becoming panicked.

"No," she breathed. "No, it's not going to happen that way," she insisted. "I-I can get the servants to help me, we could help you escape," she offered. "I have family in Corona, they could take you in-"

"And risk your own lives as well?" he said, brushing the idea off quickly. "You know the sentence for harboring a criminal," he said morosely. "But thank you," he added, pulling her in for another hug. He took a moment, letting the woman sob into his chest. He patted her head lovingly, placing a kiss upon her crown. "As long as I stay away from Anna, Elsa may show me mercy," he conceded. "I have to let her go."

"I really wish you'd reconsider," Elsa said quietly as she fastened Anna's long, silky hair to the side of her head an elegant and elaborately jeweled pin. Of course, she was referring to the ball, which was to begin soon. Anna simply stared past her sister, examining her own reflection in the mirror; her wan complexion left her looking tired, her skin almost transparent. There was no denying that she was ill, but her lack of sleep and her ever-breaking heart were not helping. She couldn't eat, she couldn't sleep; her thoughts were consumed with worry as the trial date grew closer and closer.

She shakily picked up her blush brush, sweeping the pink powder across her rounded cheeks in hopes of bringing some color back to her face.

"I want to go," Anna replied, her voice detached. "Besides, the ball is in honor of you. What kind of sister would I be if I didn't attend?" she asked, a slight cattiness in her tone. She was not excepting to receive a reply. Elsa pursed her lips together, mostly to keep from scolding her sister ant further. They'd really not spoken much since the day before, when Elsa refused to entertain Anna's conversation about Hans. She hated hurting Anna, but she knew it was for the best.

Her little sister was naïve, even still. Her torch she seemed to be carrying for that criminal only seemed to confirm it. She always saw the good in people, which was her best and worst characteristic. It was her job to protect her, even if it meant Anna would be sore at her.

Elsa reached down and placed a gold and emerald-stoned pin in Anna's loose waves, taking a step back and examining her work. Her own hair was pulled into a tight, formal bun, her dress white with gold beading. She smirked to herself.

"We clean up well, don't we?" she admired. Anna tried to smile, but it was a faint one. "You look beautiful," Elsa complimented, taking a good look at her sister's empire-waisted, royal purple dress.

"Thank you," Anna said quietly, almost inaudible. Elsa hated seeing her sister like

this. She was beyond frustrated that Dr. Roahl gave Anna clearance to attend the ball; she should be in bed. But the medicines had kept the fever away, and she was told that as long as she took breaks staying seated and stayed hydrated, she should be fine. Still, Elsa could hardly wait for the trial to be over and for them to get Anna home to her own doctors, her own kingdom.

"Anna, I know you think I'm being unfair…unreasonable…" Elsa began quietly. Anna stared down at her hands in her lap, averting her eyes away from Elsa's softened, earnest face. "But I promise you, I am only trying to protect you," she insisted, gently.

"You don't have to protect me, Elsa," Anna responded, her voice meek. "I can protect myself. I have taken care of myself my whole life, it's… not your responsibility." Both of the women couldn't help but notice the shift in their positions, Anna being the one closed off and Elsa trying to break through. "And besides, Hans isn't anyone you have to protect me from, anymore. He's changed, really." Elsa sighed, knowing that this was yet again another useless attempt at reaching Anna, helping her realize that Hans was not worth all of this anguish. She stood, stopped by Anna's soft hand taking hold of her arm. She glanced down at Anna, who stared back at her, intensity shining through her dulled eyes. "I love you Elsa, but I don't think you can change my mind on this."

Elsa's eyebrows furrowed, her face falling into a frown. Anna retreated her hand as she felt her sister's skin grow cold instantly under her touch. Elsa opened her mouth to speak, interrupted instead by a knocking. The ladies jumped at the quiet rapping at Anna's chamber door. Elsa and Anna exchanged glances, unsure of what to expect. Elsa quietly walked towards the door, opening it slightly to peek out.

"Oh," she said, bearing a forced grin. "Hello, Kristoff," she said, opening the door widely for him to step inside, slightly relieved at the interruption of the sister's intense moment.

"Good evening," he greeted, a crooked grin on his face as he eyed the Queen. "You look lovely as always," he complimented. He then glanced past her, his eyes widening at the sight of Anna, standing by her vanity, a picture of beauty. She smiled meekly, leaning against the vanity for support.

"Good evening," Anna greeted, trying her best to be in better spirits around him. She had realized that he didn't deserve the cold shoulder she'd been dishing out, which had mostly just been a result of her own guilt. She may be marrying this man, after all.

"Wow, Anna, you look great," Kristoff grinned, nearing her slowly. He reached his hand out to her, she eyed it nervously. She looked him up and down, examining his more formal attire; a pair of blue slacks and a buttoned shirt, complete with a royal jacket that Elsa had most assuredly bestowed upon him. She took his hand, hesitantly, forcing a smile. Her thoughts naturally veered to Hans, the fact that it was he who promised to be her date that evening, and she tried her best to conceal her disappointment.

Kristoff's large, strong hands were not like Hans' long, slender ones. His broad shoulders and stout, strong legs were not lean and trim like Hans'. His arms were not like the ones she'd fit so perfectly in, the ones she'd grown accustomed to. She tried her best not to be making these comparisons, but they came without her permission, whether she welcomed them or not.

"Shall we?" he asked them both, offering his large, stoney bicep towards Anna. She picked up her feathered mask and took his arm, her glances evading his love-filled stares. She and Elsa shared one more tension-filled glance before she put on her best smile.

"We shall."

The ball was far more lavish than Hans had anticipated; Marguerite and the wait staff had really outdone themselves. The ballroom, itself, was unrecognizable. Colors of all shades and hues were strewn about, dressing the walls and window coverings with festive, beautifully decorated elegance. An orchestra played, the room illuminated by dimly lit candled chandeliers, setting the ambiance for the party.

It was a masquerade; a brilliant idea proposed by Marguerite that would allow Hans to slip in and out of the gala unnoticed after she learned he was not going to be allowed to attend.

"Oh, Pish-posh," she'd uttered, waving a cavalier hand. "Your brothers will be so overwhelmed with colors and wine, they won't even notice you," she'd insisted, putting together a feathered mask to conceal his identity.

She was right.

No one in attendance was even slightly recognizable to him, and so far he'd yet to spot even a single brother, aside from Elias, who sat at a throne overlooking the entire party. Although he felt silly donning a black and gold mask that Marguerite had fashioned for him, he was just happy to be able to blend in the with the crowd, without drawing too much attention to himself. He knew that it was unlikely that he would even get some time alone with Anna, but just the slight chance made it all the more worth it. He was already in trouble as it was, what did he have to lose? As long as Elsa didn't catch wind of their rendezvous, he should be just fine..

He took a spot staked out by the grand entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Anna when she got in, but hidden enough out of view that no one spotted him. He clutched his glass of wine in his hand, tipping it back and refilling it regularly, just hoping that he could bring himself to go to her, even if it was only for a moment.

In all his years, Hans had never found himself this crazy, this neurotic, about something. He knew and stood by what he'd told Marguerite earlier that day, that he needed to let her go, but something inside him just couldn't keep himself away, and just like it had been since the day he'd met her, the incessant pulling towards her outranked what he knew was right.

There was a lull in the music, and Hans' eyes averted to Elias, who stood next to his beautiful Queen, at the head of the room.

"My friends," his deep voice bellowed in a tone he used only when trying to appear jovial and welcoming even though Hans knew better. "Thank you for your presence this evening. It warms my heart to see you all enjoying yourselves on behalf of our honored guest," he announced. He lifted his hand, gesturing towards the large doors in the front of the ballroom, opening slowly. "May I present to you Queen Elsa of Arendelle."

The crowd murmured, their muted claps filling the room as Elsa came into view, poised and proper as always. Hans stared at the door, awaiting Anna's entrance trailing behind. Lo and behold, she walked in only a few steps, and Hans found it hard not to feel jealous when he saw her linked, arm in arm, with Kristoff.

She was the picture of perfection, as he suspected she would be. Her long, strawberry blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft curls, her purple, sheer-skirted dress fit her svelte figure like a glove, leaving very little to his imagination. He could see her lips curled into a weak smile, her eyes shining, even though her face was mostly concealed by her elegantly decorated mask.

However, he could also see though that mask, to the worry and the anguish. He didn't have to talk to her to know that she was struggling, not unlike him. How could she not be, when just the night before she'd shared his bed? Begged him to hold her while she drifted off to sleep?

Hans stood back, watching her from a distance. Every movement she made seemed loaded, melancholy. Even at her most sick and weak that he'd seen her, she'd never lost her spark, her light. But this Anna….she seemed as though her light was flickering, to be snuffed out at any moment. He wasn't sure if she was getting sicker, or perhaps his absence was taking a toll. He hoped that neither of those things were the case, and that he was simply mistaken.

Anna stared around the room, trying her best to not show the desperation in her face. Her sister, whether she wanted to admit it or not, could read her like a book. She'd done a good enough job of getting Elsa worked up since she'd been there, she didn't dare want to unleash Elsa's fury upon a party of innocent patrons.

Still, her eyes searched for him, knowing full well that they should not.

She glanced up at Kristoff, looking slightly uncomfortable in his own skin; these things were hardly his forte. She couldn't blame him, however, given that he was raised by trolls in a forest for most of his life. But oh, did he try. She smiled sympathetically at him, knowing how hard he was trying to be what she needed right now, to prove to her that he could be everything and more to her.

Anna couldn't shake the feeling that she was always perpetually getting Kristoff accustomed to life, and yet it was so unnatural for him to be here, around all these people. She thought back on the Coronation, how well-read and regal Hans had been, charisma simply eluding from him in every way. She thought about how this night was supposed to be a night they could be together, to relive the night they first met, but with even better results.

"Are you having a good time?" Kristoff asked in her ear, nervously. Anna simply nodded, although it was getting harder and harder to mask her disappointment every time a man passed by and she realized that it was not Hans. "Would you like to dance?" Kristoff offered, trying to hide the reluctance in his voice the best he could; she appreciated the effort, chuckling a bit.

"You don't know how to dance," she teased, "and I know you don't want to," she added. He exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Thank God," he laughed. "I would definitely embarrass myself and you," he assured, his big brown eyes staring down at her lovingly. She loved and hated the way he looked at her like that, like she was the only girl in the room. Like he loved her.

She did love him, too, in a way.

She owed a huge debt of gratitude to this man. He was the best man she'd ever met, Hans included. He was selfless, giving, loving and strong. He loved her with a tenacity that couldn't be matched. He'd been her rock and her best friend, and that hadn't changed even after she'd dragged him through the mud over the course of the last few months, refusing to give him an answer. If his heart was hurting over her even a fraction of how much hers was over Hans, she knew she owed him an apology.

And yet, after all of that, he was still here by her side, unwaveringly.

"Thank you, though," she said, smiling up at him sweetly. He leaned down towards her, as he had dozens of times, placing a gentle kiss upon her lips. She tried to loosen up, but she stood rigidly. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt wash over her, as though she were being disloyal to Hans at that very moment. She graciously took his kiss, as to not hurt his feelings, but peered past him towards the crowd. She watched as the crowd parted, a man coming into view, watching the couple stoically from the other side of the room.

He wore a black and gold mask, but she knew who he was almost instantly.

Hans.

Kristoff parted from her, none the wiser that Anna had been staring past him at the man she couldn't forget, the one she had given her heart to months ago, only to have it handed back to her in pieces. And although Kristoff had done his part to slowly put the pieces back together like a jigsaw puzzle, it wasn't his heart to fix. She reckoned it never would be.

Through their masks, from one side of the room to the other, Anna and Hans were locked in a stare down, his sad expression unmistakable even if concealed. She knew it had to hurt for him to see Kristoff kiss her, however innocently, but she didn't know how to juggle this façade she'd been balancing since the moment Kristoff and Elsa arrived. She felt anxious, nervous.

"I am going to go get a drink, do you want anything?" Kristoff asked a dazed and preoccupied Anna. She shook her head, wordlessly, and he left her alone to go towards the refreshment table though the crowd.

Anna's gaze at Hans was unwavering, she had to go to him. She took in a sharp breath and a determined step forward, only to feel herself pulled back. She turned to see Elsa standing next to her, gripping onto her arm tightly, her eyes worried.

"Anna. No," Elsa cautioned quietly, looking out towards Hans as well. Anna knew from the look in her sister's eyes that she knew exactly who Anna was staring at, and just what she was trying to do. She looked at her sister pleadingly.

"Please, let me go," she retorted, attempting to pull her arm away. Elsa's grip remained locked onto Anna's arm, her fingertips digging into her sister's skin, her desperation growing. The women struggled for a moment, trying hard not to draw too much attention to themselves.

"Wh-what about Kristoff," she stuttered. "Don't you even care what this will do to him?" Anna turned back towards Hans as he shot Anna one last forlorn, longing glance before bowing his head and walking away, disappearing into the crowd. Anna wanted to run, shout out to him across the room, but Elsa held onto her tightly. She whipped around towards Elsa, her eyes filled with tears, the lump in her throat almost painful.

"You have no right to dictate to me how to live my life, Elsa!' she fired passionately at her sister. Elsa went to open her mouth, but instead Anna ripped her arm away from Elsa's grasp. "Stay out of this!" she said sternly

"Anna!" Elsa called out after her, watching helplessly as Anna trudged through the crowd, desperately searching for Hans among the faces. Elsa began to breathe heavily, wringing her gloved hands together and trying her best to keep herself from overreacting, but she could feel an uncontrollable storm brewing inside of her.

"Where'd Anna go?" Kristoff asked, returning to where he'd last left them, a drink in hand. Elsa stammered, unsure of what to say to him, trying to remain calm.

"Uh-uhm…I'm…not sure," she relented, realizing that Anna had now completely disappeared amidst the sea of people.

Anna examined all of the masks as she veered through the crowd, all dancing and drinking wine from one side of the room to the other. She tried her best to navigate though all the people, but was getting pushed around by clumsy and tipsy party-goers, making it increasingly difficult. Suddenly, she was shoved forward, falling into a man's arms. She glanced up, staring at a slightly recognizable face behind a green and silver feathered mask.

"Throwing yourself at me, Princess?" the voice asked, arrogantly. He lifted his mask to expose his perfectly chiseled face, and Anna instantly recognized him as Prince Isaak.

"Hardly," she mumbled, her irritation growing by leaps and bounds. She tried to pull herself away from him, but he gripped onto her tightly, clutching her to his chest against her will.

"Such a tease," he growled as she struggled to push the prince away from her, his breath reeking of alcohol.

"Get off of me," she seethed, using what little strength she had to shove him away from her.

"What's the matter, Anna? You don't like to dance?"

"Not with you," she spat.

"Oh, that's right. You prefer my idiotic, weakling of a little brother, don't you?" he groaned. "How about you let me show you what it is like to be with a real man," he suggested, crudely. Anna had heard enough. In a swift movement, she threw her arm back and slapped the egomaniac clean across the face, knocking him back a bit.

"Hans is a million times the man you will ever be," she said through gritted teeth as he took a moment to collect himself, his face shocked. Anna slipped away, back through the crowd, before exiting the ball and standing, shakily, in a nearby sitting room. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she recounted what had just occurred. She glanced down at her reddening hand; it burned from striking Isaak, but she hardly cared. She was more than happy to do it again, if the occasion called for it.

What an arrogant, conceited…

"That was quite a hit," Anna heard a voice whisper hoarsely in her ear from behind her. She couldn't help the smile from creeping across her lips at the recognition of his voice, his breath hot on her neck, sending chills throughout her body.

"That's two out of twelve Westergaard Princes that I've had to get violent with. I'd say I could bust out the rest in the next year, if I try hard enough," she teased. She glanced over her shoulder to see his smirking face, his green eyes unmistakable behind his mask. Relief washed over her as she realized that he was really here, that they were alone together. "Hi," she smiled. "I'm glad to see you," she added, her voice sweet and sincere.

"Me too," he smiled. Her smile began to fade.

"Hans, about Krist-" she began, suddenly remembering that he'd witnessed Kristoff's kiss just moments earlier. He leaned down, pressing his lips softly against hers, silencing her.

"That doesn't matter right now," he whispered, staring intensely into her eyes. "Besides, I think I owe you a dance," he added, before taking her by the arm and turning her towards him, smoothly pulling her out of the side room and back out into the crowd of waltzing guests. They swayed to the music, not unlike the first night they'd met, but this time was so much different. He held her close to his chest, twirling her about the room as though she were weightless.

"I've missed you," Anna confessed, her breath shallow as he spun her around. She gripped onto him tightly, her other hand clasped onto his as he held onto her waist. "I can't believe time has flown by so fast," she added, sadly.

"I know," he replied, his sadness in his voice matching her own. "At least we have tonight," he said, comfortingly, leaning his forehead to hers. She didn't respond, simply leaned her head against his shoulder, taking in his scent, feeling his heart beat against her chest. Oh, how she wished things could be different, that this moment could last forever.

She sighed, opening her eyes. Instantly, Anna spotted Elsa, who was staring at the pair twirling on the dance floor, her face distraught. She looked up at Hans, panic in her eyes. She began to near the couple, her determined steps propelling her towards them.

"We have to get out of here," she insisted, gripping onto his hand and dragging him through the crowd. Anna could hear Elsa calling out after her, but she ignored the Queen's words.

"Where are we going?" he asked, puzzled as she pulled him forward, still unaware that the Ice Queen was hot on their trail. Anna trekked forward, exiting the chaos of the ball with Hans in tow. Once they made it to the quiet of the hallway, Anna quickly ushered him down the winding corridors, searching for a room to seek solitude in.

"Hurry!" she demanded. Hans did as he was told, following the princess as her job turned to a sprint. He could hear the faint sound of Anna's name being called, and began to realize that someone was following them; he didn't have to think to hard to realize just who it was. They hurried down the hallway, before Hans opened the door to a vacant sitting room, pushing the frantic princess inside and shutting the door behind them.

"What is going on?" he asked through his staggered breaths. Anna was even more winded than he, trying to piece together a coherent sentence. She ripped her mask from her face, tossing it to the ground. Hans followed suit.

"We need to leave," she demanded. "Tonight."

"What? Why?"

"I-I can't do it, Hans. I can't marry Kristoff. I can't let you go on trial…we need to get out of here, we need to run away together," she insisted, tears pouring down her cheeks. She hadn't even realized she'd begun crying. He neared her, pulling her in for a long embrace.

"Anna, we can't run from this," he said sadly. "You can't just leave your kingdom…your sister, she loves you."

"I know," Anna sobbed. "But I…I can't lose you. I want to be with you, Hans!" With those words, she pulled herself up to the prince, her lips clashing violently against his, throwing herself upon him. He gripped onto her tightly, his intensity matching hers easily. She pressed him up against the wall, the desperation in her movements increasing by the second. Hans ran his hands up her back before becoming tangled in her hair. He couldn't help it, the feeling was so intoxicating. He wanted more than anything to ease her aching heart, to heal his own.

"Anna, no," he breathed as her lips trailed down to his chin, his neck. His protestant words lacked any kind of conviction as he felt himself succumbing to her touch, her lips. "Anna, we can't just-"

"Get away from my sister!" the words echoed throughout the vacant room, Anna and Hans separating instantly, startled by Elsa's loud voice. Hans and Anna turned to see Elsa standing in the doorway, one of her hands now ungloved, a glowing mass of frost hovering ever-so-slightly above her palm, ready to strike the prince.

"Elsa, no!" Anna yelled as Elsa inadvertently shot off the frosty blast, Hans ducking out of the way just in time. Elsa had clearly startled herself, her eyes wide and her face shocked that she'd actually fired. Hans lay upon the ground, only narrowly having eluded the Queen's powerful strike. "Hans!" Anna gasped, throwing herself down near him, running her hand across his cheek. He opened his eyes, slowly, groaning as his hand reached for his aching head. "Hans, were you hit?" Anna asked, nervously. He shook his head.

"Get away from him, Anna, I'm warning you," Elsa tried to say sternly, but her voice quivered.

"Or you'll what, Elsa? You'll hit me with your ice? Again?" she snapped. Elsa's eyes narrowed.

"I am not the bad guy here! I am just-"

"Quit trying to protect me, Elsa!" Anna demanded, standing and facing her sister. "Don't you get it? I love him!" Anna took in a sharp breath when she realized she'd said it aloud. She glanced down at an equally surprised Hans, pulling himself up from the floor.

"You…you do?" he asked, his voice laden with awe. A weak, embarrassed smile formed across her face.

"I do," she reiterated. She looked back towards Elsa. "I know you can't possibly understand, but I love him Elsa. I didn't expect it, I didn't-"

"ENOUGH!" Elsa bellowed, her body emitting an icy wave that shot through the room, once again barely missing the star-crossed couple.

"Elsa, if you would just listen-" Hans tried, attempting to calm the explosive Queen.

"NO!" Elsa yelled. "You listen to me," she growled, nearing the prince angrily. "I will NEVER approve of this!" she spat angrily, as Anna watched on, her heart sinking. She glanced up and noticed a crowd had gathered in the hallway, watching on as Elsa cornered the Prince. "You will not speak to my sister anymore! You have been nothing but a burden on my family since the day we met you."

"Elsa, I'm sorry-" Hans attempted. Elsa's face twisted into a look of disgust. Hans looked in front of him and realized that he could see his own breath, the room cold as Elsa held her hand up, the glowing call of ice dancing above it.

"You're sorry!? You tried to kill me, take over my kingdom and break my sister's heart and you're sorry? And now, you go through the trouble of brainwashing her into believing that she loves you all over again? No, Hans! You don't even know what sorry feels like," she growled, menacingly.

"Elsa, stop," Anna plead desperately, watching on helplessly. She fell towards the ground, her breathing staggered as she began to feel faint from her illness. Too much was happening, too much turmoil. She felt herself fading quickly.

"Elsa, look at Anna!" Hans shouted, gesturing his arm out towards her weak and flailing sister.

"No, Hans. You look at her. You did this. If she hadn't felt it was her duty to come here, to come to you, she never would have gotten sick in the first place!" Elsa reasoned. "And now she is dying, and it is all because of you!"

"What is going on here!?" Elias' strong voice bellowed as he made his way through the crowd. He approached the doorway, his eyes widening in surprise as he caught sight of the scene unfolding: Hans was backed into a corner with a powerful, seething Queen Elsa in front of him, Anna collapsed upon the floor nearby. "What is the meaning of this!? Your majesty," he yelled, nearing Elsa cautiously. "Has my brother done something-"

"Yes, King Elias," Elsa said, her glower unwavering as she stared into Hans' eyes. "He has attempted to defile my sister. I demand that you take him to the dungeon until his trail. I will not stand idly by as he is given another opportunity," she commanded. Elias' glare grew to a scowl.

"Certainly, your majesty," he agreed, all-too-happily. He snapped his fingers at the guards standing by.

"What?" Hans uttered, his face confused, panicked. "No, no I didn't!" he interjected, as the guards neared him. Anna watched in horror, attempting to speak up for the prince, her cries going unnoticed amidst the turmoil. Anna reached out towards him, her fingertips grasping at nothing.

"Hans," she sobbed. "No!" Hans shot one last glance at Anna.

"Anna, it's okay," he yelled out towards her. "I promise, it'll be alright. I will see you soon," he assured.

"Don't count on it," Elias snarled as Hans was led out of the room. He turned towards accumulated crowd, a fake smile plastered across his face. "Nothing more to see here," he announced. "Let's go back to the ball, shall we?" he said as he turned and ushered the prying eyes away from the room, leaving an distraught Anna sobbing on the floor, her sister watching on sadly, wishing she hadn't had to do anything as drastic as what had just occurred.

"Anna?" Elsa said quietly, her voice much calmer. She kneeled down, sighing. "I know you're angry…but…one day, you'll underst-"

"Get out," Anna whispered through her uncontrollable weeping.

"Anna-"

"GET OUT!" Anna screamed, her face red, her tears falling from her cheeks freely. "I will never forgive you for this." Elsa swallowed hard, backing away slowly, her heart in pieces, leaving her sister alone to mourn in peace.

A/N

WOW. 14 PAGES LATER…. Whew! I underestimated how hard this chapter was going to be to write. And how emotional!

This is probably one of the darkest chapters I've had to write. I hate hurting these characters, but it has to get worse before it can get better.

I can promise you all a happy ending, but you're going to have to wait a few more chapters to get it. Coming up next: The Trial. (DUN DUN DUN!)

Special thanks to all my readers, and those of you that have taken the time to let me know that you're liking the story.