Chapter 22

Bring Back What Once Was Mine

"Am I too late?"

"Wh-what are you doing here?" Elsa asked, her eyes as large as saucers. She stood quickly and closed the distance between herself and her beautiful cousin, pulling her in for an embrace, desperately. If she hadn't been so horribly distraught, she would have been happy to see her, but she instantly remembered the gravity of the situation, and without waiting for a response, she uttered, "Rapunzel, Anna's-" She stopped though, choking on her own words, unable to let them escape her lips before she fell against her distant cousin's chest, violent sobs ripping through her once more. She was colder than ice, the jagged ice growing across the cold, marble floor with an audible crackling sound.

"How…how long?" Rapunzel swallowed as she simultaneously pried Elsa away from her and hurried over toward the bed. Elsa wobbled a bit, nearly falling from Rapunzel's sudden lack of support. She steadied herself, watching on as Rapunzel rushed the bed, and realized quickly that it wasn't a lack of sympathy, but seemingly more a lack of time. Rapunzel's eyes darted to her deceased little cousin, Hans hovering beside her.

"It just happened," Hans whispered, smoothing the princess' hair delicately, tears continuing to pour from his eyes.

"Back up," she demanded, her tone stern.

"But-" Hans began to interject, unwilling to leave Anna's side.

"Move it!" she shouted, pulling on him by the collar upwards and away. He obliged, albeit puzzled by her assertiveness - there was no doubt now that she was related to the fiery and spunky princess that lay before him. He stepped away from the bed, walking over to Elsa and placing a hand sweetly upon her shoulder. Even as little as a few days ago, Elsa surely would have shrugged it off and scrubbed the part of her he'd touched, but she was surprised to find, instead, herself comforted by the gesture. She glanced up at him, equally puzzled, but thankful.

Rapunzel knelt before the princess, her huge eyes studying her intently. She brought her hands to Anna's pale and lifeless face, placing one on each cheek. She leaned in, her face to Anna's, placing a small kiss upon her forehead, ever-so-softly. She let her lips linger for a moment before her face faded into a look of sadness, opening her now-tearful eyes and pulling away slowly.

"Oh Anna," she breathed. "I am so sorry I didn't get here sooner" Her voice wavered with emotion, and then she took in a sharp breath. "I just hope this still works."

"What works?" Hans whispered over to Elsa. She glanced at him for less than a second before her eyes averted back to the scene unfolding before them.

"Shh!" she ordered. The room fell eerily silent…and then…

"Flower gleam and glow, let your power shine," Rapunzel sang softly, her voice shaking. Hans and Elsa leaned inward, slowly, trying to hear the princess' soft whispers. "Let your power shine." The room suddenly began to glow with a golden, warm light, surrounding the bed. "Make the clock reverse…"

"What the-" Hans whispered, his mouth hanging wide open.

"Shh!" Elsa hushed once more, her wide eyes watching in amazement.

"Bring back what once was mine…what once was mine…" With those words, a single, shimmering tear fell from Rapunzel's eye, landing upon Anna's nose with a faint, delicate drip.

The glow turned into a blast. Everything was bright as though it were on fire, the light pouring around the room, filling every dark crevice and corner. It was so bright that Hans and Elsa had to shield their eyes, turning inwardly towards one another. In the midst of the blast, Hans opened his eyes, looking at the queen facing him, her face scrunched, her hair gusting in the burst of wind wildly. And then, as soon as it had started, and yet what felt like an eternity, it all settled, and the room grew silent once more.

Hans turned, peering over towards the bed where Rapunzel still sat on her knees, her breath staggered, her chest slightly heaving. He rushed towards the bed, Elsa right behind him, staring down at Anna. The first thing he noticed was the color that was back in her cheeks, something he'd not seen since he'd last seen her in Arendelle.

The next thing he noticed, even more exciting than the first, was the way her chest was slowly raising and falling, and it took a moment to process the fact that the princess was, indeed, alive. Elsa clutched her hand to her heart as the realization set in, a sharp, loud gasp escaping her lips.

"How did- wh-what?" he stuttered, the pure astonishment painting his face. He lunged forward, his hand falling upon Anna's chest, feeling for the sweet, comforting beat of her heart. When he found it, he could hardly contain his own heart; he felt as though it may burst right then and there. He leaned his head down, pressing his ear to her warm, moving chest. Music to his ears.

Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub dub…

"I-I-I… can't believe it," Elsa breathed, her eyes filled with tears of joy as she looked down at her baby sister, breathing on her own. Her eyes then fell to Rapunzel, staring back up at her with a warm, bashful smile. Without warning, Elsa flung herself at her older cousin violently, hugging her as tightly as humanly possible. She pulled her away, unable to shake the excitement. "Why did you get the good powers?" she asked hysterically through tears, walking the line between laughing and sobbing.

"How did you know Anna was…I mean, how did you know to come here?" Hans asked, at Anna's side upon the bed once more, holding her hand in his, which was now peachy and warm and full of life.

"I got a letter-" Rapunzel shrugged, tucking a chunk of her dark hair behind her ear.

"From who?" Elsa asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"From me," a voice rang from the doorway. Their eyes followed the voice to be greeted by Kristoff, standing in the doorway awkwardly, his gaze unable to meet theirs in return.

"Kristoff, I thought you left!" Elsa breathed. "And how did you even know?" He cleared his throat, taking a step into the room.

"Yeah, so…Anna told me about her cousin Rapunzel that she met at your coronation and about how she'd told her about her healing powers. When I heard she was sick…" his words trailed off with very little confidence to continue his sentence. Kristoff shifted uncomfortably from their eyes upon him, before he finally looked up at their thankful, awestruck faces. "Okay, can you guys just…stop looking at me like that? It's weird. And creepy."

Elsa rose, crossing the room slowly, her eyes fixated on the bashful and humble mountain man. She neared him, paused for a moment, as if unsure how to proceed. She finally stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his neck and hoisting herself up, placing a soft kiss upon his cheek. She broke away from him, trying not to notice the goofy smile or the redness in his cheeks.

"You saved her life, Kristoff," she whispered, her eyes deep pools of gratitude.

"No, I just wrote a letter. Rapunzel saved her life," he stated humbly. "Anyways, I figured it was a long shot…I didn't expect you to make it in time, honestly," his eyes finding the tiny brunette still crouched beside the bed.

"I came as soon as I heard," she said, standing.

"When…is she going to wake up?" Hans asked, his attentions tuned back towards the unconscious princess. As if on cue, Anna began to stir, her eyes opening slowly.

"Hans," she breathed, a smile spreading clean across her round face. He leaned down close to her, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss upon it.

"Hi," he whispered, his smile uncontrollable at this point. "Welcome back."

"Did I ever leave?" she asked, her voice bright again, her face vibrant.

"You are never leaving again," Elsa ordered, nearing her sister and falling down upon her, Anna uttering an involuntary 'oomph!'

"Elsa, get off!" Anna groaned through giggles, a quick flashback of all the times she'd climbed upon her slumbering sister when they were little rushing back to her.

Ya wanna build a snowman?

Anna glanced up and met Hans' loving and appreciative gaze, then around at the smiling and relieved faces, so much love in one room.

And they were all in the same room.

And there was no ice, or frost…not even a chill.

"What happened?" she asked, her eyes darting from face to face. "And how did you get out of the hospital?" she added, staring suspiciously at her love.

"Elsa got me out," Hans stated simply, looking down at the Queen with a grin, who smiled back in return. Anna's eyes widened.

"You did that? For me?" Anna asked, lovingly stroking her sister's face.

"I love you," Elsa responded. "And it came with a heavy cost, too. I have to take this criminal back to Arendelle with us, apparently he's my responsibility now…" Elsa said, a tease in her tone. Hans chuckled, and Anna beamed.

"You get to come home with me? I mean, with us?" she stammered, as though they were discussing a stray puppy they'd found in the street. Her eyes fell back to her sister. "And you're letting him?

"It appears so," Elsa said.

"Jeeze, how long was I out!?" Anna asked rhetorically, trying her best not to burst into giddy laughter. "Or… is this Heaven? Are you sure I came back?"

"You're back alright. But, I didn't really have much of a choice," Elsa sighed, although it was becoming increasingly clear that she didn't care half as much as she'd thought she would. "King Elias stripped him of his title and demanded I take him to Arendelle in return for his approval to remove him from the institution…what choice did I have?"

"I know it couldn't have been an easy one," Anna swallowed.

"It's getting easier," Elsa admitted. "But to answer your question…you did die, Anna. Luckily, Kristoff wrote Rapunzel weeks ago and she just got here in time to help heal you. Which reminds me!" she exclaimed, her voice raising. "Why didn't you tell me that Rapunzel has healing powers?"

"You never asked," Anna shrugged, shooting a sly look at her cousin. "Thank you, Rapunzel. You came all this way…"

"That's what family is for. Now, if I could just get you two to visit…" she laughed.

"And you," Anna's eyes found Kristoff, and he slunk under her narrowing gaze. "Get over here," she ordered with a smile. She pulled herself up with ease, more strength and energy than she could remember having in quite some time. She pulled herself loose from Elsa and Hans' simultaneous grips on her and got out of bed, her feet finding the floor with ease. She lurched towards him before she pulled him in for a tight hug, glancing up at him through long lashes. "Thank you," she said quietly, standing on her tiptoes and placing a kiss upon his cheek. "I will never be able to repay you."

"There's nothing to repay," he said, cracking a smile at the princess. "It was just the right thing to do." He glanced up at their watching eyes, uncomfortable by the attention once more. "Anyways, if you'll excuse me…I have a ship back to Arendelle to catch in a few hours, so… I'm gonna go," he announced. Anna reached from him as he pulled away, her face worried.

"Kristoff, wait!" she called. He turned towards her once more.

"What? What is it?" Anna bit her lip nervously, wringing her hands together.

"Can… we come, too?" she asked hopefully, wrinkling her nose. "I wanna go home," she laughed, a huge exhale escaping her lips. Elsa slinked up beside her sister, draping her arm lovingly around her shoulder.

"Yes," Elsa sighed, equally relieved. "Let's go home…" She peered over her shoulder at Hans, watching them from afar, his crooked, half-smile reminiscent of the first time she'd ever met him. Harmless. Selfless. Flawed, but trying. "All of us," she added, her hand reaching out, extended towards the forgotten and denounced price. Only a few hours and he would be rid of this place for good, minus a couple of small pit stops on his way out.

And as he looked at the waiting eyes, on him this time, he saw the promise of his future…his family. He vowed then and there that his sole purpose in his new life was to protect these people, who'd each gone out of their way to protect or help him, even though he didn't deserve their forgiveness or redemption. They'd saved him. He'd spend eternity returning the favor.

He reached forward and took Elsa's waiting hand.

And it wasn't even cold.

"Enter," King Elias' loud, booming voice came from the other side of his study door. The door cracked open and Hans entered, standing taller than he usually demonstrated in his brother's presence. The king glanced him, his glare turning dark and a scoff escaping his lips. "What are you doing here?" he asked, peering back down at his work. "I thought I told that frigid queen to take you off my hands, or else."

"I came to say something."

"I don't associate with commoners," he hissed, before glancing up at him, the words he'd uttered registering in his own mind. "Isn't that poetic?" he mused, "you're finally, truly a commoner. Like your mother." Hans gulped down the urge to scream, shout, bellow, anything. He wanted nothing more than to destroy his brother, but it would do no good.

It will only land me in the sanitarium again. Shut up, Hans. You're still on his soil.

"I came to say goodbye," Hans reiterated, his head up high and his gaze intense. "And thank you," he added, bowing. Elias' curiosity piqued and he faced his youngest brother, leaning back in his chair, casually.

"What for?" he asked, his tone suspicious and his eyebrows low. Hans cleared his throat, suddenly unsure if he should continue. Did he do it? Did he tell his brother everything he wanted to before he left? Did he tell him how his years of torment and ridicule helped play a specific role in his fall from grace?

"Thank you for allowing me to leave the sanitarium," he began.

"Well, it was win/win, actually. You're Arendelle's problem now. Seems like poetic justice, doesn't? Going back to the place you tried to overthrow with a queen that hates you? Your precious princess, dead…" he chuckled darkly. Hans smirked, shaking his head.

"You're wrong," he challenged.

"Excuse me?" The King growled, standing to appear more menacing and intimidating than before. "What did you say?"

"I said, you're wrong," Hans repeated simply. "Elsa does not hate me, not anymore at least. And Princess Anna? She's alive," he clarified. The King's face twisted into a scowl, clearly unhappy that Hans was going to get somewhat of a happy ending after all.

"And what, pray tell, is it you have to thank me for?"

"For stripping me of my title. For helping me realize what is really important in life…and how I never, ever want to be," he said quietly but with a punch. "Because even as the lowest commoner, I am still happier and better than you, oh wondrous King Elias." Elias slammed his fist down on his desk, as a toddler would throw a tantrum. Hans didn't flinch, relishing the feeling of crawling around under his brother's skin.

"I suggest you get out before I change my mind," Elias glowered, seething. Hans strode over to the door, a perpetual smile on his face. He'd lost almost everything, but for once in his life, he'd felt like he'd won.

"Oh, Elias. We both know you don't have any real power. Ceremonial monarchy, remember?" he snickered, leaving the King's study, satisfied that the last look he'd ever have of his brother was a look of defeat.

Marguerite had cried, but it was a decent dose of happy and sad tears. Hans was certain that he'd never received so many kisses in his life, the way she fussed all over him when she saw him walk into the kitchen to say his goodbye.

"You know, I am sure they'd love a chef like you in Arendelle."

"But who would take care of the rest of the Westergaard brats?" she reasoned. She relented though, offering to visit if she ever got the chance. Hans knew, deep down in his heart, that he would most likely never see her sweet, round, happy face again. And it hurt, but at the same time, he knew that some bonds never broke, even with distance and time. He'd never forget her and all the love and lessons she'd given him.

"You know, none of this could have happened without you," Hans sighed, holding her tightly to his chest. "You made all of this possible in so many ways, all that true love nonsense." he said, kissing the top of her head lovingly.

"Didn't turn out to be such nonsense afterall, did it Hansy?"

Hansy.

He never realized he might miss that name. Perhaps Anna would adopt it… His gaze caught Edvard's; he gave him a simple nod.

"And you. I will miss you, brother. Out of the twelve remaining Westergaard sons, you are surely the best. I hope I can be like you, one day.

"Oh Hans, you sell yourself short. You already are. Maybe the best of all of us," Edvard complimented, rewarding his brother with a strong pat on the back. "I will surely be visiting you in Arendelle soon; I've never been, I hear it's lovely."

And that was about it for the goodbyes.

He'd never get to revisit the place he called home, and while it was sad, it was also a bit….refreshing.

That new life, the one he'd set out for months ago, the one he saw in the eyes of a beautiful girl, had all been restored to him, and he didn't even falter in realizing that it was she and she alone that made this all possible. She was his light, his purpose. She was the worst yet best thing that had ever happened to him. The plucky, insatiable drive to redeem him was what he hated about her at first, but realized was his reason for loving her.

Hans stood on the back of the ship, watching the Southern Isles pass him by. He had the clothes on his back and a few carriable possessions, but other than that he was the stark and bare version of himself that he'd longed to be. He wasn't even sad that he was no longer Prince Hans; the title that only seemed to weigh him down.

The air was cold, practically arctic, but nothing in comparison to the winters he would now need to get used to in Arendelle. It was no matter; he loved that Kingdom, and he hoped it was just as warm and welcoming as it had been before.

Goodbye, Southern Isles. Goodbye, Prince Hans.

He thought somberly to himself. Goodbye torment. Goodbye past.

Say goodbye to the pain of the past, we don't have to feel it anymore…

It was over, and something about that comforted him rather than terrified him; although was quite scared about what lie ahead of him. He was a man now. Just a man, but a man, nonetheless.

"Think you'll miss it?" A voice rang from behind, interrupting Hans' thoughts. He glanced over his shoulder to see Anna standing behind him, a sweet, toothless grin on her face. And for a moment he saw her exactly like he did the day he met her; on the docks of Arendelle, finding herself lost in his eyes with that goofy, adorable grin. She was bundled in her purple cloak, her mittened hands clasped together in front of her. He couldn't help but smile at how lucky he was, just to have her once more.

He turned his body towards her, his back to the Southern Isles, which was slowly and thoroughly fading away in the distance. He reached a gloved hand out, extended towards the lovely princess; his princess. She blushed slightly - oh, how he'd missed the color on those cheeks. She eagerly took his hand and he roughly pulled her into him, flush against his chest. She stared up at him, her big, oceanic eyes shining brighter than ever. He reached down, carefully tucking her vibrant hair behind her ear and away from her face, revealing her soft, delicate neck to the chilly, sea air. He leaned his head down, laying a kiss upon her exposed skin. She leaned in towards him, happily feeling his warm breath on her neck.

"I didn't really like The Southern Isles that much, anyways," he said lightly into the crook of her neck, trailed by another kiss.

"Are you going to miss being a prince?" she clarified, an amused smirk on her cherry-red lips. He stood up, staring into her eyes once more.

"Am I going to miss being the forgotten, 13th prince?" he mused, his fingertips grazing her collarbone, much more interested in her than the conversation at hand. She nodded, her eyes sympathetically expectant. He shrugged a bit. "Well, here's the thing," he said, his hand lightly trailing along her lower back, a wry smile on his face. Even through the various layers, Anna couldn't help but shudder at his delicate touch, especially now that she was alive enough to truly appreciate it.

"What's the thing?" she purred, her eyes heavily lidded as she stared up at the man she was crazy about, intoxicated on this moment, warm and safe in his arms.

"I hear…and this is just what I hear, so don't shoot the messenger…"

"Yeah?"

"That if a commoner, like me, marries a princess, like you…he gets the title of prince…" he hummed through a cocky but enticing half-smile, feigning surprise.

"Marrying me for a title again, are you, Hansy?" she teased, an eyebrow cocked. Hansy. Yes. He liked the way it fell off of her tongue so much more, almost erotic. A term of endearment.

"I didn't say anything about marriage, did I?" he asked suddenly. Anna laid a gentle smack on his shoulder.

"Hans," she warned. "You just said if a commoner marries-"

"Oh boy, what did I get myself into. You know, I just don't know if I'm ready for that kind of commitment. Do you think it's too late to ask the captain to turn back?" he muttered, trying in vain to keep a straight face. "Although it would be nice to be have a title again…"

"But…is that title ever going to be good enough for you, Prince Hans ? I know you have this king complex to feed," she mused. His eyes intensified, his mischievous smile growing into that of a more genuine, love-filled grin.

"I would be farmer Hans if it meant I had you to roll around in the stables with," he laughed.

"Oh, that's not even close to true," she snorted, blushing at the imagery, imagining him with hay in his hair, her nose crinkling at the thought. Then, she let a loud 'ha' burst from her lips at the mere image of Hans plowing a field. Insanity.

"I would!" he defended, feigning offense. "It is all I pictured in that dungeon…running off with you and living on a farm…with chickens and dogs and horses," he listed, playing with the ends of her fiery hair. He bowed his head a bit, sheepishly. "maybe a few dozen children…" he murmured. Her eyes widened farther than she ever thought possible.

"Children!?" she exclaimed, nearly choking on the words. "I, uh,-" she sputtered nervously. Surprisingly, it wasn't the word dozen that scared her This was a man from a family of thirteen, after all. "You know, for someone so concerned about marriage commitment, you sure have planned out our future pretty intricately," she thought aloud. He laughed again, leaning down and pressing a kiss into her hair, his grip on her tightening as he hugged her closely to him.

"Oh Anna," he sighed. "If only there was someone who wanted to marry you," he teased. She glanced up at him, her eyes narrowed. "That's not funny yet? No?"

"You are pushing it," she glowered.

"Ok fine," he said, letting out an exaggerated sigh. 'It's me. I want to marry you."

"That's better," she smirked, happily.

"So, will you?" he asked, his smile fading.

"Will I what?" she asked, her tone sudden taking a serious turn.

"Will you marry me?" Anna said nothing, her eyes watching him with incredible certainty. "I love you, Anna. You have saved me, over and over again. I cannot imagine my life without you…and although I have this sneaking suspicion that you feel the same about me…" he uttered, his hand finding her bare and round check, "I want to be with you forever."

Anna opened her mouth to speak, then closed it once more. She couldn't help but think she looked like a fish. Hans' gaze was unwavering, although it was getting harder to await her answer without feeling like fool.

"I'll think about it," Anna finally uttered, coolly.

"What?" he exclaimed. "Anna, after everything-"

"You know, you're not as smart as you look," Anna chuckled. "Was there ever any other answer than yes?" she asked. Hans sighed, pulling her in tightly, his lips finding hers with ease.

What life awaited him? He wasn't sure.

All he knew, was that it was better than anything he'd ever imagined for himself.

The End...

...or is it?

a/n

Wow. The End.

I am not going to lie to ya'll….I don't want it to be. Not going to lie, my heart hurts having to end this.

I have the basic outline of a continuation plot, one that might involve some more…adult themes and material, you just gotta say the word.

Leave me a review if you're interested in a continuation and I will heed your request.

I hope you enjoyed this half as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you all for your support and love, I could NOT have done this all without you. Thank you thank you thank you.

But really.. I feel like this story is NOT over.

Xoxoxoxoox

Morgan