A/N: Prepare yourselves, readers. I apologize for the delay but I was so sick recently I had no desire to write for a very long time. (Btw if you don't follow my tumblr you should check it out if you wonder about updates/etc- sakumefrozenheartsdottumblrdotcom). Thank you to all my reviewers new and old; put on your gowns and enjoy the ball!

Chapter Fifteen

The Winter Gala Masquerade Extravaganza

"Come onnn, lift your arms up and give us a turn now," Heins wheedled, making a small circle motion with a finger. Hans raised his arms above his head and gave a slow, small turn in obedience, letting his arms down to his side and standing up straight as his brother clasped both hands to his chest and beamed proudly. "It's perfect."

"I can hardly tell it's on at all," Hans marveled as he ran a hand over the material, "it's so light. How do you do that?"

"Ah, ah, ah, little brother," Heins tsked as he waved a finger back and forth, approaching him and straightening Hans' collar, "trade secrets, acquired after studying methods of the best designers, from Maldonia all the way to Andalasia." He brushed a hand across the shoulders of the suit and stood back with a great smile. "Oh, just wait until the ladies see you tonight! You're going to turn so many heads everyone is going home with whiplash. Now take it off and hang it up for anticipation."

Hans laughed and cocked his head as he began removing his suit, doing so very carefully to keep his brother placated. "Hey, where's your outfit? The gala is tonight; you never miss an opportunity to show off what you make for an occasion like this one."

Heins turned away and walked to a changing screen he'd made with makeshift piece of cloth in the corner of the attic, sliding the cloth away to reveal a nearly-completed suit in his size, straightening the outer jacket piece. Golden-colored stitching ran neatly in embroidered design along the edges, the inner piece of the suit a soft light blue coloring which shifted into darker tone the further it ran along the edge of the jacket. "It's almost done. I just need to add a few finishing touches. The purple has to be done along the inside of the jacket, the tailcoat needs to be extended, and the sleeves have to be hemmed properly."

"That's odd. You've had two weeks to work on it, and you're usually so well-prepared for this kind of thing. Are you going to be done by tonight?" Hans asked, hanging his suit back up next to his brother's.

"Absolutely. It's just been busy in the store, and… I have other things." A smile flickered over his face and the shop bell below the attic floor rang out, a friendly sing-song voice accompanying it.

"Hamish! Hamish, are you awake? It's the last day of work before the ball and we have a lot to do! Hurry up and get down here!"

"Coming!" Heins shouted down, his smile suddenly so large it hardly seemed to fit on his face. "Hans, I have some more work to do today. How about we start to get ready at five? People are saying the gates will open at seven, so that leaves us plenty of time to make sure we look perfect. Maybe you can get some food gathered and talk to Kristoff or Anna about plans after the ball."

"I think that's as good a plan as any," Hans replied, opening the attic door leading into the store for his brother. "I should rehearse my… " He raised his fingers for air quotations, "''lines' anyway." His eyebrow rose at the sight of Heins' face lighting up the room, noticing his brother wasn't paying his responses the least bit attention. "Well, well, well… she has got you under her finger, doesn't she? What's got you so interested in this one? Is she really all that special?"

Heins paused before facing his brother. "You have to understand, Hans… I've never felt this way about anyone. She's as beautiful as any princess I've ever seen, and her spirit is so kind, and she's not afraid to be herself."

"That I know." Hans shot his brother a sideways glance. "Anna still worries about what she did to insult her so badly the last time she was here."

"She may have… flaws, yes, but everyone does." Heins said softly, offering his brother a gentle look of understanding.

"For instance," Hans pointed with a smirk, "People say you're too naïve."

"No!" Heins remarked as he suddenly stopped halfway down the attic ladder, blinking innocently. "Do they really say that?"

Hans just chuckled and shook his head. "Nevermind. Go on. I'll get out of your hair until tonight."

Pursing his lips for a moment and giving Hans a suspicious look, Heins maintained it for a moment before it broke into a smile once more. "Great, see you then!" Unable to wait for an answer from his brother, Heins scurried down the unfolding ladder below into the store just in time to see Helena walking behind the counter. He snagged her hand in his own and offered a slight wave to Egil, who was unlocking the front door and giving the two of them an odd look. "Helena! Helena, come to the back; I have to show you something, right now! Come on, come on!"

"Okay, I'm coming!" she replied with slight exasperation, following him as he pulled her along excitedly. They reached the back where they were out of sight, but, apart from looking unusually clean, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Helena waited a moment, looked around with raised eyebrows, and finally gave Heins a confused look. "Okay… we're here… yay! So… what's so important?"

"Don't you see?" Heins waved an arm around them. "The backup orders, all the work you said you'd never finish in time…"

She blinked and focused her attention on the outfits hanging up in seamlessly perfect order, the tags marked and ready for pickup. Her face slackened. "They're… all done."

"See? You said you'd go to the ball if the work was all done. Well, it's done!" Heins exclaimed, giving her hand a little squeeze.

"How did you… when…" she stuttered, waving a hand as if trying to pull words out of the air.

"I came back down after we'd close shop every night, and stay to do extra work." Heins waved his own hand with a nonplussed look. "It was worth it."

"I've been wondering why you have those little bags under your eyes…" Helena said softly, a quivering smile breaching her lips. "You did that for me?"

"Yes, for you. I told you already; it was worth it. So what do you say, will you come with me to the ball tonight? Oh, say you will, Helena." His green eyes widened in eagerness.

Helena slipped her hand out of his and walked over to the line of finished work hanging up, sliding the orders from one side to the other one by one. His work is always so flawless, and these are perfect… just… perfect. "I… Hamish, that's so sweet of you… to work so hard just so I can go with you. I know it must mean a lot, but…"

"But?" Heins' hopeful expression faltered.

"But I don't have anything to wear, remember? I can't just go like this…" She gestured to her tattered work apron and simple dark blue frock. Don't you see? She looked truly sympathetic towards him as she bit her lip, forcing a laugh with underlying disappointment, fanning out her frock as she took a seat behind the sewing machine and resting her chin on a hand. I want to look beautiful for you… and like this… I'm not. She fiddled with the sewing machine and the needle, adjusting it. "Oh, well… what's a winter gala masquerade, anyway? After all, I'm sure it would be awfully dull, and, and boring, and completely… "

"Wonderful?" Heins took her hand in his and lifted her out of the seat. "Only with you… close your eyes."

She cocked her head at him and frowned a little, suspicion lacing her features. "Why?"

"It's a surprise." He chuckled and put his hand over her eyes. "Now keep them closed until I say." He lifted his hand to find her doing as he asked.

Helena heard him scuffling about, partially thrilled for the surprise, and partially worried Egil would pop in for an irritating quick check of their progress. "Can I open them?"

"Not yet," she heard him say, the squeaking of a wardrobe giving his position away.

She turned towards the sound of the wooden door banging open and heard a faint swishing noise, like something rustling. "Now can I open them?"

"Alright… now," he whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.

Helena opened her eyes and lifted both hands to cup her gasp. "It's… it's my…"

"Surprise!" Heins held out a gown gripped gingerly by the sleeves. The ruffled bottom fanned along the floor, drifting on an unseen breeze. The exterior of the long-sleeved dress was a lacy, delicate, light-blue color of periwinkle, studded in sequins. Underneath the exterior, which came together from either side at the bodice, the dress texture turned into a dark blue silky charmeuse, giving the illusion of stars glistening among a smooth, seamless night. As the sleeves came to the wrists, dark blue sheer chiffon fell along the hands to cover them. A bright, gleaming bodice was complete with a diamond star brooch pinned at the center, sequins glittering under the daylight streaming through the back window.

Helena managed to gasp out a few words. "Wh…I never dreamed it…." It's our dress… my mother's and mine… the one we designed together… the only thing I ever designed with her… and you brought it to life…

"Do you… do you like it?" Heins ventured, concerned over her response and hands covering her mouth, wondering if he'd done the right thing.

"It's wonderful." She dropped her hands and stepped forward, reaching a hand out and hesitating a moment before she stroked the gown delicately. "How can I ever… oh, thank you… thank you so much," she whispered, raising glistening eyelashes to meet his gaze.

"You must try it on right away!" Heins handed it over to her, and she turned with it in a small circle, watching the bottom fan out gracefully. "I insist!"

She held the dress out to admire it, her fingers tensing as she heard a familiar voice out front, one which was rather hectic and loud… and female. Glancing to Heins with a puzzled look, she murmured. "That's the princess... Princess Anna."

"I wonder what's going on." Heins stepped out and hesitantly, against her better judgment, Helena followed. "We only just opened shop not five minutes ago; it must be important."

"-I know it's tonight, don't you see, that's why I've got to get her something before then!" Anna whirled on heel from her pacing to face Egil, strands of hair undone, face set in panic, Hans beside her with a hand on her shoulder and a sympathetic look of concern on his face.

"Don't you have anything in the back? Anything at all?" Hans asked, doing a double-take as he saw his brother approach.

"What's wrong?" Heins asked, automatically invested in the problem.

Anna visibly sagged with a breath of relief when she saw him. "Oh, thank goodness… it's Elsa. I was just helping her get ready for the ball, and sampling some of the food while she had her hair done, which I know I shouldn't have done, but I did it anyway because I've been kept away from the buffet all day, and when I saw the fondue, I… I couldn't help myself! I had to try some, and… and I tried to bring her a plate of desserts, you know, on the side, and… and I tripped and it went all over her ballgown! It won't come off and I have to find her something else to wear before she freaks out!"

"Okay, step one in any trend emergency. Don't. Panic." Heins held both hands out and made slow, gentle waving motions. "Everyone calm down." He faced Egil, chewing the inside of his lip. "We're out of everything on-hand… aren't we?"

"I've been trying to find something, your highness," Egil sputtered to Anna as he hefted out a catalog-style book and flipped through it, examining numbers scribbled next to designs. "We just don't have anything to spare which doesn't already belong to someone."

"But I have to have something! I can't go back without a dress; I can't!" Anna tensed her shoulders and grimaced. "This is supposed to be a special night for Elsa, one of the first nights she's had out in public since the whole winter in summer thing. I can't ruin it just because of her dress!" Stripped of hope, her face crumpled and she broke into a bout of tears.

The next few seconds seemed to last an eternity as everyone tried to console the distraught Anna, looking at one another helplessly above her bowed head. The commotion was broken by a timid voice from behind Heins. "… would this do?"

All eyes turned in surprise to face a pale Helena, who reluctantly held out a dark blue ballgown sparkling faintly under the store light.

Heins' jaw dropped in shock and he frowned fiercely at her, but Egil's eyes glittered with greedy anticipation. Anna wiped her eyes of tears and gasped in relief. "Oh, my gosh! It's beautiful… It's perfect! Of course it will do! I'll take it right away! I'll take it! The price doesn't matter!" She started forward to accept the offering, but a hand shot out in front of her to block her way.

"Wait!"

Anna paused and took a step back, stunned by Heins, who looked from Helena back to Anna, his voice stricken.

"Wait, don't take it!"

Anna blinked a few times. "Why… why not?"

"Because… because…" Heins looked to Hans as he stammered, running his hand through his hair and blurting, "because I can make something better! Um… It wouldn't flatter her complexion, that is, the color isn't right for her." For a moment everyone in the room was stunned into silence, and none of them seemed to know how to respond. Desperate lines creasing his forehead, Heins turned to Anna. "Please, princess, let me make something else, I beg you. Just give me an hour and I'll have something I guarantee you will even outshine something Heins would wear himself."

Anna opened her mouth, but before she could get a reply out, Egil snagged Heins' arm, tugging him roughly back towards the tiny room behind the front counter. "If you'll just excuse me one moment, your highness. I have to have a word with my young… artisan." Brusquely pushing Heins forward and shutting the door behind them, leaving the two of them alone in the little storeroom, he thrust a finger in front of Heins' face. "What are you trying to do, bankrupt me? We're talking about the Queen of Arendelle, boy. Do you have any idea what a good word from her could do for my business? How much money I could earn after this purchase? You listen to me; I will not let you ruin this for me just because you feel like being the hero."

"No, you listen to me." Heins growled under his breath, taking Egil's accusatory hand and forcing it down to his side. "I can make her this outfit."

"How do you expect to do that? You're going to make her a Heins outfit within an hour? That's impossible! I admit your copies have been… stunningly accurate, and you have talent with sewing, but making a new Heins design within an hour? You couldn't do that even if you were Heins him… himself…." Egil's words turned into a jumble of babbling sounds, and he took a step back, eyes scanning Heins up and down. "B… but that's… that's not possible…"

"It's true." Heins narrowed his eyes, his voice low. "Listen to me, Egil. You are not to tell a soul. I can make the Princess Anna something I design especially for Elsa, and I will."

Egil frowned, eyes darting to the left as if he were trying to think of something to say. Finally, with a resolved sigh of bitterness, he faced Heins. "I suppose you want the profit."

Heins' lip curled in slight disgust and he shook his head. "No. I don't want anything from it. You…" His lips parted and his expression became thoughtful. "you can keep the profit, all of it."

Egil reacted with a jerk of surprise, blinking a few times. He swallowed, a hand going to his bulging pocket where he rested it over the coins settling there. Finally, he cocked his head with a glower of skepticism. "What's the catch?"

Heins kept his voice low, a secretive sparkle in his eyes. "There is one thing I want in return… and only one thing."

Egil, maintaining his conspicuous stare, gestured with a jerk of his head. "What's that?"

#

Hans knew well enough to leave his brother alone with his work, and Anna needed his comfort in the meantime. Egil was too busy figuring out what he could charge the princess while maintaining a good relationship with the royal family, but Helena was entirely focused on Heins. "How are you coming along?" she timidly asked as she entered the back room, still holding onto her dress as the minutes ticked by endlessly. The race to finish a new gown had reached a halfway point.

"Fine." Heins slid the scissors through the blue clothing material and re-stitched with the sewing machine, fingers working overtime to undo knots made in haste. "I told you I didn't want anyone here to distract me, Helena. Go back out front." His green eyes focused on the material in front of him, his lips set in firm lines of apathy.

"… you're unhappy with me." She seated herself lightly in a chair across the way from him, on the other side of the room, stroking her dress. "Please don't be mad."

"I'm not angry." Heins' eyebrows furrowed and he slid the scissors again through the material a different way, reaching behind him and taking a new spool of thread.

"Hamish, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but you have to believe me, I didn't mean-"

The sewing machine made a convoluted grinding sound as thread caught and Heins threw his hands up, knocking away the spool of thread and facing Helena across the way, green eyes flashing. "What? What didn't you mean? I worked for weeks to make you the most breathtaking ballgown I could so you would finally go to the ball with me!" He dropped his eyes to the work in front of him sternly. "I'm not angry, Helena, I'm… I'm confused… and… frustrated."

Helena bent over and retrieved the fallen spool of thread, walking over to him and putting a supportive hand on his shoulder, setting the spool down on top of the workspace. "I didn't want to give it to her, Hamish… I promise you."

"Then why did you offer at all?" Heins shot her a hurt expression.

"Because… I saw her there… I saw the heartache she was feeling. I felt that pain before, the way it feels when you've lost all hope for something. I felt that way every night when my father died… and for a long time when I was on my own. I just… I feel like the hate I've kept for the royal family has gone on long enough… it needs to stop." She picked at a knot in his thread, working it free. "I'm sorry I offered her the dress you made me… I should have realized how it would make you feel."

Heins looked at her for a long moment and slid his hand over hers. "I've never heard something so honest before… so giving… you really are amazing."

"Then you're not angry with me?" Helena asked hopefully.

"Of course not." Heins squeezed her hand and offered her a tired smile. "But I do have to finish this dress before the next half-hour, so… if you don't mind, I need pure concentration."

"Oh, I see. I'm a distraction." Helena smiled in return and slid her arms around him for a hug before she let go and retreated towards the door, still holding her dress.

"In the best way," Heins replied, watching her go and focusing his efforts on the construction of the dress before him, the ticking of the clock echoing as time slowly ran out.

#

Exactly one hour from her dropoff, the bell rang wildly as Anna charged through the front door, Hans trailing close behind her. Anna wildly slapped at the little bell on the counter as Egil emerged, but Hans pulled her back by the shoulder with a pat, murmuring soft reassurances to her. "Don't worry, Anna. My brother is the best of the best. He'll have something."

"Oh, please, please." Anna gripped her hands, interlacing her fingers. "Please…"

"That's the magic word!" Anna and Hans looked at one another before whirling to see Heins emerge from the back, grinning. He extended his hands, carrying a flowing ballgown with varying shades of blue, lined in golden thread embroidery. Hans tilted his head, trying to figure out why it looked familiar. His brother must have used a similar color for his own suit. He nodded with a wink to Heins, who was beaming at Anna's expression of awe. "I told you I'd have something for you! This gown will go perfectly with the Queen Elsa's skintone, and the way the material moves… it's probably one of my best creations… will it do?"

Egil grinned as Anna accepted the dress. She looked to Heins with tears gathering behind her blue eyes. "It couldn't be better."

#

"I have to say, Heins… you really saved the day back there. If Mother and Father knew, I think you'd be the talk of the town for weeks," remarked Hans, brushing some lint from his collar and examining himself in the mirror. He'd always felt at ease dressed in finery, unlike some of his brothers, and attending parties came just as naturally. "Aren't you going to get dressed, too? It's almost six now. I have to be sure you don't outshine me, don't I?" he joked, turning back to face Heins.

"I think you should go get us a carriage for tonight, before they're all taken, sir-smooth," Heins volleyed with a smile of his own.

"Alright, alright." Hans started down the ladder, and his brother followed. "I'll be back in a few minutes, and I expect to see you in your finest!"

"Oh, go on," Heins waved his brother off, drawing his gaze down to the ground as he left and heading to the back room where he leaned out the window with a long, deep sigh. The stores had all long since closed, meaning Egil had followed suit, and he could see people already heading from their houses towards the castle in the distance.

"… how do I look?"

The soft, feminine voice drew Heins' attention away from the window and he gazed at Helena entering beyond the doorway with a slow exhale. "I…" He took a few steps over to her, her long ebony hair trailing over one shoulder in the twining braid, interlaced in three different colors of blue ribbons. The dress framed her curves beautifully, the nape of her neck smooth and graceful, her bare skin glowing by the offset of the dark blue gown's sheer material. She bowed her head, and he tilted her chin up with a few fingers. "I can't tell you in words how lovely you are… no one's going to be looking at any other woman… they'll only be able to see you."

Helena's cheeks burned with a blush, but for the first time, she didn't attempt to hide it, her smile bright as she stroked her braid. "I… I'm so glad to think so… I've never been to a gala before, and… none of it would have happened without you." She blinked once or twice and laughed. "Where's your outfit?"

"I… I'm not going to the ball." Heins dropped his gaze.

"What are you talking about? Stop playing around, of course you're going… aren't you?" Helena looked concerned, eyebrows furrowing.

"I can't."

"But… why not?" she asked, her face washing over in disappointment.

"I… don't have anything to wear," Heins said, staring at the floor.

"But didn't you make anything for yourself? You only made me my dress, is that it?" Helena knelt beside him.

"It's not that…" Heins twiddled his fingers as he continued, in a low voice, "I had a suit once… but… but I had to use it…"

Helena's lips parted and her jaw fell as realization struck her. "You used it to make that ballgown for the Queen, didn't you? So I didn't have to give up the dress you made for me…"

Heins nodded silently.

"Oh, Hamish…" Helena bit the inside of her lip, rested her hand on his shoulder, and leaned over his shoulder. For a moment she simply remained there, a comforting presence, and then she stood up, taking his hand to hoist him to his feet. "I have something for you."

"Something for me?" Heins asked, stunned, but obviously still stricken about not attending the ball. "What is it?"

"Just wait here. Wait here and close your eyes."

"This sounds familiar," the prince remarked, a smile taking over his face as he obeyed. "You're not going to surprise me with a suit, are you?"

"Just keep your eyes closed." Heins tilted his head towards the sounds of Helena leaving the room and returning a moment later. "Ready? Open."

He opened his eyes to see Helena holding her arms out, which were clutching a pair of leather boots, engraved with an "H" on the heel. "Wha… these…" My boots… my best boots…

"Look…" Helena held her gift out to him, pushing the pair of brand boots into his arms. "I don't care if you have a suit or not… I want to go with you no matter what you wear. You could wear a barrel and I'd be honored to be your date. Besides, everyone knows it's the shoes that make the outfit."

"You're just saying that." Heins ran his fingers over the familiar material of his boots.

"No, really," Helena exclaimed with a wild nod, "I heard this story about this girl who was attending a really important ball and running down these stairs and she lost one of her shoes completely in front of everyone! Believe me, you want to have comfortable shoes that fit."

"How did you manage to get these?" Heins asked, looking them over with a careful hand.

"Well, I wanted to do something for you after you went through so much trouble to make my dress, and I thought, well, I remembered what you wanted the first time we met. I knew we'd never be able to get a new pair for you before the ball tonight, but then I checked the size and… I found out that these are elevens! Just like what you wear! And they even have the same initial as your name… H. I thought it was too perfect to pass up. You do like them, don't you?" she asked, shrugging one shoulder hopefully.

"Like them? I love them!" He swooped her into his arms and, before he could comprehend his actions, pressed his lips to hers in a firm kiss.

"Mm!" Helena stiffened in his arms, eyes widening.

As if realizing what he was doing, he dropped her and backed a step away, tucking both hands holding his boots behind his back. His cheeks flushed a bright red, and he shook his head wildlly. "I… I'm sorry, Helena, I didn't mean…"

Helena blinked, broke into a grin, and threw herself against him, pulling him back into the kiss.

Heins tightened his arms around her as the two hugged one another, released his breath in a little moan of pleasure, and dropped the boots with a thunk.

#

"It's simply unbelievable what someone can do with unused curtains, a ream of burgundy satin, and a little ingenuity," Heins remarked, holding an arm out to help Helena down from the carriage. The rental of a carriage had been mostly for show, a helping hand to boost them from those who would be restricted to courtyard and those who would be allowed in the inner chambers where the Queen awaited.

"You look very fine." Helena remarked, her mossy eyes sparkling behind her simple mask emblazoned with starry jewels to match her dress. She stroked his chest appreciatively as she accepted his outstretched arm. "Thank you." She let her hand linger, her fingers playing with his sleeve, as the two waited for Hans to follow.

The youngest prince of the Southern Isles could not remember a time when he'd felt more nervous. His green eyes had taken on their hazel coloring in the streetlamps, darting back and forth, wondering if any of the faces hidden behind masks would recognize him even through his disguise. What do I say to her when I meet her? Will she even be open to talking to me?

"Are you coming?" Heins asked his brother, gesturing. "If we're going to get into the courtyard, we have to make our way there now, before the crowd gathers."

Hans nodded and followed his sibling through the people, weaving effortlessly between the couples, finding the spots where he could inch his way across the bridge and finally, into the castle courtyard itself. It was clear only a specific number of people would make it into the castle itself, judging by the guards posted at the doors. He was vaguely aware of his brother saying something, but his attention was settled fully on the balcony doors opening overhead, and a male voice speaking loudly.

The man speaking was a rotund fellow with a bald scalp but red hair growing about the back and sides, and a large nose to match his ears. He held out both arms to appease the cheers of the crowd, and Hans tried to remember what relation he was to the royal family. He could remember seeing the man at the coronation and perhaps once or twice afterward, so he assumed the man had to be of some importance.

"Greetings to citizens of Arendelle, visitors to our fair country, welcome one and all to the Winter Gala Masquerade!"

Heins crossed his arms and blew a strand of his hair back with a chuff. "He forgot extravaganza."

"And now I present our Queen, Queen Elsa of Arendelle!"

Hans trained his gaze on the balcony overhead as the man stepped aside and the queen appeared, dressed in his brother's design, a sheer lacy shawl draped gracefully over her shoulders. Those who may have dared to continue talking amongst themselves during the servant's speech immediately fell silent, and Elsa's lips spread into a majestic, understanding smile.

"Good evening, everyone." Cheers rang out from people below, some pumping fists into the air and the littler children waving. Elsa held a hand up and waved until her subjects died down again. "I'm very happy to welcome you all to the first Winter Gala Masquerade! I would like to take this time to-what?" She leaned away from the balcony and as Hans squinted, he could make out Anna saying something to Elsa through a cupped hand. Elsa chuckled and raised her hand once more. "I'm sorry, I stand corrected, Winter Gala Masquerade Extravangaza!"

"Hah!" Heins exclaimed, pushing Hans with an arm. "Told you."

"I would now like to officially begin the festivities! Those of you who are not joining me in the great hall, I thank you all for your continued support and I hope you enjoy the gala and the refreshments provided!" Elsa said, lifting her hand for another wave, her entire attention focused on her subjects below her.

She really does look like a queen. Hans had always thought Elsa had a genuine heart for her people, and it was clear from the resounding cheers around him they felt the same about her. You're so close now, Hans. All that's left is to reach her.

As it turned out, getting into the castle was not as hard as Hans had expected. Most of it was thanks to Helena, who, Hans found out, was an excellent liar. All it took was a few flaps of a fan in front of her face, some elusive eye-batting and swishing of her elegant gown, and her claims that her chaperones were from a land the guards could not possibly pronounce without insulting them. Sharing looks, the guards decided whatever trouble they might encounter upon refusing the masked visitors wasn't worth it.

Hans led the way to the grand hall where he was sure they'd find Elsa, and it didn't take long to distinguish her among the rest of the crowd. He turned to face his brother, who was clasping his hands and sighing wistfully.

"Doesn't she look fabulous wearing my dress? She looks gorgeous, just gorgeous! What I wouldn't give to see her wardrobe, and to touch that shawl she's wearing, it shimmers more brightly than ice itself! Do you think it's really made of ice? What if it is? Can you imagine what she could make? She's so fashion-conscious!" His smile turned wry and he gave Hans a gentle push with his elbow. "Go on, then… go talk to her."

"What about you?" Hans asked.

"Just look for my costume when you're finished; I'm sure I can keep myself busy," Heins replied, putting his other hand over Helena's with a pat. "I have a wonderful dance partner right here."

"D-dance partner?" Helena sputtered. "But I-"

"Come on, you can do it!" Heins dragged her off amidst the throng of people just as the musicians were warming up.

Hans was left alone.

#

Following Elsa wasn't hard, but it did make Hans uncomfortable. He wanted to speak to her alone, but actually getting her alone was another matter entirely. He stalked her for about an hour, but every time he thought he found an opening, he was beaten by another person who slipped in and rattled off the same inane comments about the party or the food or the queen's gown.

Still, he waited patiently, through one song, and then two. By the time the fifteenth song ended, he was beginning to despair about ever getting Elsa alone.

"Hey, there."

Hans turned and saw a bright, smiling strawberry-blonde wearing a silky green mask over bright blue eyes. Anna. "Hello."

"You look… uh... nice." She uttered a soft sigh and followed his gaze to Elsa. "No luck, huh? I thought you could use some help."

Hans raised an eyebrow, even if it wasn't visible beneath his mask. "What makes you say that?"

"I know how hard it can be to get Elsa alone, believe me. I've got an idea. Come on." Before he could say something, she took his arm and led him over towards her sister, waving. "Hey, Elsa!"

At the sound of her sister's voice, Elsa turned, her eyes sparkling. "Anna?"

"Elsa, I want you to meet someone. He's been dying to meet you." Anna gestured from Hans to Elsa and smiled. "So this is my sister, Queen Elsa. I'll let you talk, but I'll be right over there if you need me." She gave Hans a little jab with her elbow and jerked her head to the side, meeting his eyes with a sharp gaze. "Right over there."

As Anna left, Hans stood grounded to the floor as stiffly as if he were one of the suits of armor lining the walls, just staring at Elsa. The last time he remembered seeing her, she looked a wreck: a terrified, pathetic shell of a woman who'd lost all hope to go on, right before he'd drawn his sword and… no. He steeled himself against the memories.

"I'm so pleased to meet you."

He blinked, realizing she was speaking to him. "Hi?" he hadn't meant to sound questionable, but he was too stunned at the swiftness with which events were unfolding. Whatever he'd rehearsed or imagined saying, he couldn't remember; his mind was wiped blank.

"My sister likes you, I think." Elsa glanced in Anna's direction, her feathery white mask twinkling with periwinkle gems studded around the eyeholes. "It's nice that she has friends."

"It's a very nice party; I'm glad she invited me," Hans said, rocking on his heels slightly as he kicked himself mentally. God, that's so boring. That's something a boring person would say.

"Thank you," she accepted the compliment with a simple smile.

Try again. "Your people are lucky to have you as a ruler." He could have sworn, for a moment, there was a flicker of warmth generating beneath her pale skin, but suddenly there was a silvery tray held in front of them by a familiar face.

"Something to eat, your majesty?" asked the servant woman, offering a tray out to Elsa.

She smiled and politely declined with a shake of her head, gesturing back to one of two thrones at the podium of the great hall. "Thank you, Gerda, but no. I still have the specialty the cooks made for me earlier."

"Then something for you, sir?" the servant asked, tilting the tray towards Hans, who inspected the contents with mild curiosity.

"What is it?" he asked, careful to be tactful and not rude.

"Pickled egg sandwiches, sir," she responded.

The mere mention of pickles made Hans feel sick, but he noticed Elsa was watching him, so he forced a smile and accepted one of the tea sandwiches with a napkin. Oh well, he mused, it's not as if I have to eat the thing. As the servant curtsied, distracting Elsa, he reached behind him and slid a hand along his pants until he came to a pocket in the back. Thank you, Heins. He slipped the sandwich, napkin and all, into the confines of the pocket, and returned to his original position before Elsa could turn back. The next step is to get her away from all these people. Thinking fast, Hans gestured to the hall. "If your majesty isn't too busy, perhaps she wouldn't mind accompanying me for a leisurely stroll around this small piece of her kingdom."

Elsa took a moment to make sure the party was going well, scanning the room, and then nodded to him. "I would be happy to oblige. I've shaken so many hands my fingers are stiff and my cheeks are sore from all this smiling."

Partially out of instincts forged through years of etiquette training, Hans offered her his arm. When she accepted, he felt himself smile a little larger. The first step was done, and somehow, even if he wasn't sure how to say what he had to say, his inhibitions melted away. He'd made contact.

#

They must have talked about every aspect of Arendelle Hans could imagine: economy, weather, trade specialties, and, of course, how it was to be queen. It was enjoyable enough as far as small-talk went, but Hans was getting nowhere fast on his mission. They'd circled the entire great hall, occasionally stopping so Elsa could greet someone, and now they were back to the podium and the two thrones sitting upon it. Behind the podium was a great portrait, one Hans didn't remember seeing the last time he was here.

The painting depicted two people, a man and a woman, her arm linked on his. The man wore a crown, and the woman, a more refined tiara as well as a purple dress with a black shawl faintly embroidered in gold design. The man's coat, shimmering in medals, reminded Hans of Harald too much for his liking. As he stared at the man's stiff posture and the woman's gentle eyes, eyes that were so similar to Elsa, he could almost hear voices.

Well, he looks like a strapping young man!

What a handsome boy…

Hans shook his head, massaging his temples, and spoke in a soft voice. "These must be your parents."

"How did you know that?" Elsa asked, turning to face him.

Hans blinked, fumbling for an answer as his headache was soothed. How DID I know that? He shrugged a shoulder, gesturing to the crown atop the man's head. "An educated guess."

"Well, you're right." The queen gestured to the two thrones beside one another. "Let's sit down to continue our talk, if you don't mind. I need a moment to rest my feet." Hans had begun to obey and sit when he remembered, with a bolt of panic, he had a sandwich in his back pocket.

Elsa was giving him a strange look, but they were interrupted again by a rather timely servant offering the queen more food. Thinking fast, Hans removed the tea sandwich from the back pocket of his pants and glanced to the side, trying to find somewhere else to put it. A platter entered his line of vision and without thinking, he set the sandwich aside on it.

"I'm sorry," apologized Elsa, watching his reaction as she turned back to face him after talking to the servant.

"Oh, no, that's quite alright," Hans assured, his lips spreading into a smile to help reassure her.

Elsa's lips parted and she tilted her head, her eyes squinting together in dubiety. "I know it's a masquerade, but… you look familiar. Have we met before?"

"No! No, never, your majesty…" Hans shrank back from her penetrating gaze, reaching over and groping on the tray until he brought the sandwich to his lips and took a bite. He was dreading the taste of the relish, but was utterly surprised to find the sandwich was sweet and creamy. He chewed and took another bite, enjoying the taste. Chocolate.

Elsa shook her head. "It must be all the masks. I think everyone looks similar to me tonight."

"Must be," replied Hans, down to the last bite.

Elsa reached over to take a sandwich from the plate, and it was only then Hans recognized the napkin wrapped around it. He started to speak but she took a bite before he could say anything, wrinkling her nose in surprise and looking down at it.

"I… um… I think this is yours," Hans said, holding up the remaining bite meekly.

"Oh!" Elsa re-examined the sandwich in her hand and laughed. "I knew it tasted odd. I'm… surprised you like it, most people wouldn't be so eager to try chocolate banana coconut, but it's sort of a childhood dessert thing."

"Do you… I mean, you didn't want the rest, did you?" Hans asked, swallowing, unable to rid himself of the strangely familiar sweetness in his throat.

"No, no, that's alright," Elsa replied, hiding her laugh behind a gloved hand. "You go ahead and finish it. I'll finish this one." As Elsa finished the rest of Hans' finger food, she looked up. "I know this song." A sweet, calm melody similar to a waltz floated out over the great hall.

Now was an excellent opportunity, and he had to act fast. Hans stood and offered her a hand. "Would you care to dance, your majesty?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I don't dance." Elsa began to scan the crowd. "But my sister does…"

"But, your majesty, I…" Hans remembered his brother's last advice given when he had been nervous about talking to Anna. Just be yourself. "Dancing is easy. Anyone can do it."

Elsa shook her head. "No, really, I…"

"I even know a dance where we don't have to touch at all!" Hans blurted, biting his lip. Did that sound too excited? Where did that come from?

"Really?" Elsa questioned, smiling, tilting her head. "What's that?"

Why did you have to mention it? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Hans stared at the ground studiously for a moment and shook his head. "It won't work here. We have to go somewhere with less light, more focused light." He turned and caught sight of the balcony across the way. "There, that will do. That is, if you're willing to continue to indulge me, your majesty."

"Oh, yes. I'm curious about this dance of yours," Elsa responded with her pretty, pert smile, allowing him to lead her across the floor.

It was sickeningly surreal to be heading for the exact same place he'd seen with Anna on the night of the coronation, but it was as quiet and peaceful as he remembered. The need for a moment alone with Elsa simply outweighed his discomfort of the memories tangled within his past. The lights of the town of Arendelle glimmered below him, dimmer than he remembered, probably because most of the citizens were attending the winter gala masquerade. Extravaganza, he tacked on in honor of his brother. As he looked out over the kingdom, he saw himself, hearing his voice.

I've been searching my whole life to find my own place…

His gaze dropped, glued to the ground as he led her out into the open air of the balcony, a sweet smell of flowers he recognized breaching the air. "Is this lilac?" he asked, examining one of the purple trails of flowering draping along the pillars of stone.

"Yes. My mother liked lilac. It was a gift from a friend of hers. It began as just a tiny shrub, but it grew and she transplanted it here, where, as you can see, it spread." Elsa held one of the sprigs in her palm and let it fall.

"It's very appropriate for royalty," Hans remarked, "my mother loves it as well; it grows all over back home." He plucked a small piece of a bloom and paused, gesturing to her hair. "Permit me?"

Elsa just smiled and nodded once.

Hans leaned over and tucked it behind her ear, the purple a compliment against the queen's platinum blonde hair bun. For a moment, as he stared into her eyes, the words started to come. Elsa… I have something to tell you. I have to beg you for your forgiveness… I have to say so much more than I'm sorry…

"So this dance of yours…" She tucked her hands in front of her, cupping them near her waist. "Tell me how it goes."

Hans moved to the balcony doors, and watched the floor as he shut them a little at a time. He stopped after they were about halfway closed, waving a hand with Elsa watching, intrigued. "I think we're ready. See?" He pointed to the floor and the queen followed his gesture.

"I see your shadow," she commented with a little smile. "Is that… what I'm supposed to see?"

"Right." Hans brushed his ear against his shoulder and turned away from Elsa for a moment. "When I was really young, I wasn't so good at dancing. One of my brothers suggested I practice with my shadow, to see how I could improve. Or I guess he could have wanted to get rid of me, too. Either way, it's a way we can dance without touching. I called it a 'shadow dance'."

"Shadow dancing…" Elsa repeated, glancing at the ground to see her own shadow extending before her. She extended a hand towards his shadow, watching the darkness mimic her. She held out her hand so the shade overcame his hand, experimenting to get the reflections to meet.

"It's… silly, really," Hans grunted, clenching his fists.

"No… I think it's really… fun." Elsa held out her other hand, her eyes glued to her shadow to be sure the shadows met correctly. "I think this dance I can do."

The song still playing in the background, Hans held out his hand and they slowly circled in an ever-rhythmic step, as elegant and nimble as the music itself. They floated over the floor for the rest of the song, Hans unaware of everything except for how mesmerizing Elsa looked in the swathe of moonlight.

Elsa's eyes were focused on him, from the moment the music began, until the moment it ended. As the last notes floated out onto the balcony, almost as if she were dreaming, her hands slid up, forming a "v" shape, her wrists meeting one another.

Hans moved just as vaguely, his fingers curling, hovering over her shadow to form an "m". Together, their shadows combined to form the shape of a dark heart. He looked at her with a penetrating gaze, his head pounding.

"Elsa!" A bright, excited voice shouted, and a blur of white burst out onto the balcony. A snowman, eyes shining with life and grin wide as the horizon, waved his stick arms wildly as he skipped out to the queen, one gripping a mug with brown, steaming liquid sloshing over the corners. "There you are! They're serving hot chocolate inside; I brought you some so you can stay nice and toasty!"

Elsa's eyes looked weary, but there was a sparkle of amusement behind them. "What did I tell you about staying out of sight tonight?"

"I know, but I couldn't let you catch cold!" The snowman faced Hans and waved his stick arm not clutching the mug of hot chocolate. "Oh! Hello! I'm Olaf-"

"…and you like warm hugs." Hans said in a hush, the hair on the back of his neck sticking straight out with the chill he felt.

Silence reigned for a few moments and the snowman blinked, his large eyes looking puzzled, gasping dramatically. "Have we met before? Do you know Sven?"

Elsa's hands dropped, and she faced Hans, backing away from him, her eyes squinting, forehead lined in deep creases. Her hand groped and touched the railing of the porch behind her, sliding along the smooth, polished wood. It came to a sudden stop at a strange notch, and she turned to see it. At first the markings looked like scratches worn by time, but as she looked closer, she could make out that they looked like letters, an H and something like a backwards E. Lifting the hand and gasping, looking up at Hans with shock, she studied his green eyes, the shape of his face, and the color of his hair. Her voice came as a whisper, her blue eyes wide.

"I know you."

A/N: Hello, Olaf! Hello, Elsa! In response to the very unhappy "hates this story" reviewer, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it (if you're truly being honest), but I think you were being a little overdramatic. In any case, thank you everyone for your support and your patience over the long wait. Next chapter, it begins to get very interesting. Mysteries are beginning to come into the light.