It worked out well, all things considered. Throughout the day Elsa had felt dreadful, and that was not appropriate for a wedding. But now, her family gathered in a way she had only seen in her dreams. Anna was at her side as always, rubbing comforting circles on her back.

"You're sure it will work?" said Anna

By the fire, Kristoff sat cross-legged stoking the flames.

"Those old farts won't suspect a thing." said Kristoff. He rummaged through his coat and pulled out a vile which he handed to her husband. Egbert inspected it for a moment before smiling.

"Believe me, reindeer blood smells just like any other. And if they contradict her….well, I'll be there to raise a fuss!" The prince consort made his best scandalized look complete with a hand to the breast and said, "The shame! The shame! Did we forget to draw the curtains? They've seen us in our naked glory"

Elsa giggled along with Anna and Kristoff, but Hans was suspiciously sullen. He sat visibly tense, softly scratching the bare skin between sleeve and cuff.

"So, I bid you both good night. They will be here soon and we must prepare." said Egbert as he placed a chaste kiss on Anna's cheek and shook Kristoff's outstretched hand. "And my sweet wife-"

Hans wasn't looking at her, but Elsa felt it was deliberate. Could he be having second thoughts about this arrangement? True, it was unorthodox. Nobody but a selected trustworthy individuals could ever find out. It would be a charade that lasted their entire lives.

"Elsa?"

And was it right to never tell any of her future children their father's true identity? Egbert had been her friend and Anna's since before the incident that plunged her kingdom into an icy wasteland. She had no notion he would ever betray them because he himself had been living a lie. A lie for love. It wasn't polite to gawk at him, but surely he would give away some sign.

"Yoo-hoo! Elsa?"

When he finally returned her gaze the smallest snowflake broke her concentration.

"Elsa you're snowing!"
"What? Oh…I…I'm sorry."

Quickly, she brought her hands together till the ice collected in her palms. In a twinkling they disappeared.

"I will be outside till you need me." said Hans.
"Good night." said Anna. She embraced her sister and smiled at Kristoff as they followed Hans out the door.

She watched their retreating backs and nearly jumped when Egbert placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?" said Egbert
"Fine." said Elsa

The cotton nightgown was light on her skin and the silk ribbon at the waist cool to the touch. Egbert had managed to change into his own pajamas fairly quickly and helped her slip into an intricate lace robe. Elsa twirled and he nodded with approval.

"I'll return in the morning." said Egbert

Elsa licked her lips and gulped when three loud knocks came from the door.

"Enter." said Elsa

Father Elias -hair covered by a leather cap- came in with a retinue of clergymen and they surrounded the royal couple. Elsa and Egbert joined hands as they climbed into bed. The men in their holy frocks bowed their heads in unison, and began an ancient chant. Grey eyes glinting, Father Elias extended his hand over the couple.

"May the Lord bless you, and watch over you that no harm shall befall our queen and kingdom in this most sacred of duties."

The chanting became a drone pierced by the ringing of a single bell. Once more they bowed to the couple and in single file scurried out. Father Elias smiled at them like the kindest of grandfathers before he too departed. When the room was bathed in silence Egbert jumped out of bed and headed for the double doors that led to the private sitting room.

"You're leaving now?"
"I promised Jacob I wouldn't be long. He's probably waiting in the cold. Mind if I take the quilt?"
"No…."
"Great."

He wrapped it around himself like a toga, carrying the excess cloth in his hands.

"Good luck Egg." said Elsa

Halfway through the door, he peeked back to give her a wink then scampered into the night. She told herself he would be fine. Anna had shone them the secret passages and in any case she needed to brush her hair before bed. Quietly, she sat at her dressing table to unfurl her braid and smooth the curls. Elsa knew she wouldn't bleed, a childhood on horseback had seen to that, but for appearances sake they concocted the plan to smear the sheets with the blood Kristoff had procured from a leeched reindeer. Now, all that was left to do was get on with it. Yes. If she decided to wait any longer she would always be waiting. Elsa opened the door a fraction. In the dark she saw him flex his fingers before he noticed the light and turned around.

"Hans?"
"Elsa."

She gripped the door knob harder to steady herself.

"Come in."

She locked the door behind him and turned on her heel. Hans laid his coat on the chair closest to the fireplace then placed his sword and scabbard next to it. He didn't take his gloves off.

"Elsa, we don't have to do this now."

Whether from relief or nerves Elsa laughed. Hans pursed his lips and reached for his coat. She stopped him with a hand over his own. He bristled, and that wasn't a reaction she expected.

"Hans, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I'm just tired."

A dark aura settled over his features. His skin flushed pink to camouflage the freckles dusted across his nose. Gently, she stroked his cheek until he leaned into her touch.

"You don't have to tell me." said Elsa

The sliver of neck uncovered from his ascot made her pause until he said, "Would you like a massage?"

"Excuse me?"
"I need you to sit down for this." He held her hand as he guided her to the benched ottoman. "This is hard for me to explain."

"Hans, whatever it is I won't think any less of you."

He held her gaze without a smile or a twitch. Elsa struggled to ignore the sting that signaled her eyes beginning to water. She blinked demurely and turned her back to him. Their relationship had always been characterized by an ebb and pull. Queen and prince. Monster and hunter. What were they now? Surely she couldn't think of him as her lover. Not yet at least. One kiss. It wasn't real. She had simply felt overwhelmed by her emotions. The cushions puffed up as he took a seat behind her. What did he have to hide? She should've thought this through. But he had read her emotions so well! She should've discussed her feelings with Anna. She….

She moaned.

"There's a particularly hard knot there." said Hans. His breath fanned the hairs at the back of her neck. Rough fingers dragged along her collar bone then rested at the tops of her shoulders. A shiver went down her spine. Elsa kept her hands folded in her lap. That familiar sensation of heat radiated from his touch. Oh god. He never broke contact as he slid his hands down the expanse of her back. She wanted to see his face. She needed to see his face. It was a fever, an urgency to quench. Hans kneaded a spot between her shoulder blades and instinctively she arched into it. He stopped.

"Hans please…"

Her breathing was shallow, and she couldn't remember the last time she had felt this warm. Slowly, he embraced her and she sighed as he nuzzled the crook of her neck. The light from the fireplace had long died. In the dark Elsa imagined perhaps their hearts were in sync. She reached behind her to stroke his hair, but only managed to graze the softness of his ear lobe.

"I love you Elsa."
"Hans, what is this about?"

His grip on her hip loosened. Finally, he discarded one of his gloves.

"Watch."
"Alright."

It flickered then sprung to life in his palm. The smallest sunset in existence burning only for her. Elsa had never seen a more beautiful flame.