A/N: Reviews are more addictive than caffeine! I have gone back through the previous chapters and made more corrections. Someday I will find and correct all the typos, missed words, and malapropisms in this work!

The book, again, is The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe for the same reason as previously (it currently resides in my desk drawer).

By "collar length necklace" I mean one that is about 12" to 14" in length and is worn higher on the neck than a choker.

The medal was inspired by Dannebrogordenens Hæderstegn (Cross of Honour of the Order of the Dannebrog).

Sydlig Sol - Southern Sun in Danish (I think)

Aristotle's Compleat Master-Piece - Yes, that is spelled correctly. No, it's not actually by Aristotle. It's a manual on sex and pregnancy from 1684 that was popular through the 19th century.

The Solstice Celebration is a partially inspired by old Norse traditions. I will explain the meaning of lighting the fire later.

"'I now remind you, for the last time, that you are a stranger, in a foreign country,'" Hans said in his best Italian accent which was absolutely terrible, "'and that it is your interest to make me your friend; you know the means; if you compel me to become your enemy – I will venture to tell you, that the punishment shall exceed your expectation. You may know I am not to be trifled with.'" Elsa laughed as he tried to sound both intimidating and Italian and came off as neither.

He looked down at the beautiful woman that lay on the couch with her head in his lap, "Do I amuse you?" he asked fighting a smile.

"Even when it isn't your intention," she reached up and tapped the tip of his nose with her index finger, "Your accents are terrible."

His nose wiggled in reaction, "Do you wish me to stop then?"

"Oh, no, please continue," she giggled, "accents included." She hadn't planned on ending up in this intimate a position, but in no way regretted it. He had begun reading earlier with her seated next to him, but when she yawned she quickly explained that she was slightly weary, as to not leave him room to assume she found him boring. He had offered to move to a chair and allow her to lie on the couch, but she insisted she needed a pillow and since none were available he would have to do.

He kept reading, but she was no longer really paying attention. His scent was nearly intoxicating and it was laughable how much she wanted to roll over, wrap herself around him and bury her face in his waistcoat; she considered pretending to be asleep to give her an excuse to give in to the urge. The events of her coronation seemed so distant as she lie there enjoying the warmth of his body and the sound of his voice. Two and a half years ago she would never have imagined she would be laying with her head in his lap while he read to her, and that she would feel that if she had the choice she would do it all again just to end up exactly where she was.

"Surprise!" Anna yelled as she flung open the library door. Elsa quickly sat up knocking the book out of Hans' hand.

"I wasn't expecting you back until spring!" Elsa said as she rushed to embrace her sister.

"I know, but I couldn't stand the idea of not being here for the Solstice Celebration," Anna hopped away from Elsa, "I have so many presents!" Hans smiled as Anna took Elsa's hand and drug her from the room. He picked the book back up and hunted for the page he had been on. "Are you coming?" Anna asked poking her head back in. Hans looked confused. "You didn't think I was just going to leave you out, did you?" She ran in, grabbed his wrist and pulled him from the couch.

Hans sat next to Elsa who was almost buried in the dresses Anna had brought her, "Oh and Eugene picked this one out, which was a little weird, but it's pretty!" The dress she held out was a deep red, with a low off the shoulder neckline, laced up the back, hang straight at the waist, and looked as though the skirt would just touch the floor. Of course it was red; Eugene knew Hans loved the contrast of Elsa's fair skin against the intense colour, "The king and queen of Corona wanted to give you this," Anna handed Hans a gold medal bearing the Sun Seal, "it's their kingdom's highest honor. They wanted to give it to you in a ceremony, but said you would try to find a way to get out of going," Anna handed him several pairs of beautifully crafted white leather gloves that flared slightly as they went midway up his forearms, "I didn't know what to get you from Corona since you spend a lot of time there, so I got you these. They're the kind the royal guards wear; you had left a pair of gloves last time you were there and I had them used as a pattern."

Hans was humbled by the gesture, "You didn't need to get me anything, your highness, but they're wonderful, thank you."

"Oh, and Eugene told me to give you this. He made me promise I wouldn't open it," she handed him a wrapped package. He took it from her and eyed it suspiciously before carefully opening it. Inside the paper he found a black tailcoat with gold epaulets and a red collar and cuffs that were accented with gold, "Whoa, that's beautiful! Can I see it?" he handed the coat to Anna who showed it to Kristoff.

When he lifted the coat a small book fell into his lap. He picked it up, Aristotle's Compleat Master-Piece, and blushed terribly when he realized what it was, "I really don't know why I'm friends with him at points," he mumbled under his breath as he quickly tucked the book in his coat before anyone noticed it.

"Why did he send you a black tailcoat?" Elsa asked with a smirk.

"Prince Eugene has a strange sense of humor. Apparently he enjoys sending me clothes I'll never wear," he sighed, "When I return to Baltia I'm sure Klaus can have it resized."

Hans stood and watched as the few ships that remained were lifted from the water in preparation for Arendelle's intense winter. It was the final sign that he would not be returning to Baltia for several months. If anyone made another attempt on his life it would all but impossible to leave the kingdom now; he still didn't believe the poison had been meant for him. He neither had much influence on the affairs of the Southern Isles as the thirteenth in line for the throne, nor held a place in his father's cabinet. He was no threat to pirate activity to on land and he doubted his uncle Ansgar would give him a fleet when he returned. The only reason he could think of that anyone would target him was if they thought he was still a threat to Arendelle.

The Solstice Celebration was fast approaching and it dawned on Hans that he was completely unprepared. He had had no way of anticipating that he would be in Arendelle for this holiday and the traditional gift giving would be rather awkward, "Prince Kristoff plays the lute and Princess Anna loves chocolate," Siegfried offered as he accompanied Hans through town, "As for Queen Elsa, well, I'm certain you will be able to think of something."

"I only have a fortnight to think of something," he scanned the market until he caught sight of a jewelry shop, "perhaps I can have something crafted."

The sun rose and the smell of sweet baked goods permeated the air. Just outside the castle gates, in the village square, the citizens were assembling the lumber that was to become the night's great Solstice Celebration bonfire. The castle was buzzing with activity as the staff prepared for the evening's festivities. It was Hans' first winter solstice away from Baltia and more than ever he was reminded that he was a foreigner; the celebration was similar, but he knew he didn't belong there. He tightly closed the drapes in his room and hoped he would be forgotten for the day.

Anna was giddy as she practically danced around the castle with Kristoff in tow, "Isn't it great?"

"Wonderful," Kristoff said with a mouthful of pastry, "Wow," he stood in awe as they entered the bailey. Delicate ice crystals hung from every available surface casting shimmering rainbows on the cobble stone.

"I know! Elsa really outdid herself this time," Anna drug him out to the village square, "You have to see what she made out here!" As they stepped through the gates they were faced with a monumental ice sculpture of the sun; the ice formed flames that came off of the central sphere and looked as though they should melt the very thing they were part of.

They found Elsa still decorating the buildings surrounded by dozens of children cheering at every new addition, "You're going to wear yourself out," Kristoff commented as he watched her shoot icicles down the roofs of a row of shops.

Elsa smiled, "I may take a nap when I'm finished."

It was after lunch before Elsa made it back to her room for a much needed rest. On her bed sat a small box and a note.

HRH Queen Elsa of Arendelle,

I don't suspect this shall be found until after the evening's festivities are over. I have purposefully made myself scarce during this event as not to intrude on such an intimate family holiday. As you know I was not expecting to be in your kingdom at this time, and thus I feel I must apologize for the novelty of my gifts; by this time Kristoff will have received his painted lute and Anna her box of chocolates because I lack creativity.

Your Eternal Servant,

ADM Prince Hans Westerguard of the Southern Isles

She opened the box and inside found a necklace. It was a collar length necklace of three strands of black pearls. In the center of the necklace was an even armed cross with a crown in the center, crowns connecting the arms, and topped with a "W" that wore a crown; on the reverse "ADM Prince Hans Westerguard" was engraved. She recognized it was a medal of some kind, but knew he was far too sentimental to pick one at random; the nap would have to wait.

"Just leave the tea on the desk," Hans said in response to the knock at his door. He lay on the bed tossing a small ball up to catch it as it descended.

"Sorry, I didn't bring any tea," Hans sat up and winced as the ball came down on top of his head.

"Your majesty, this is a surprise."

"I know, I read your note," she sat on the bed next to him, "what is this?" she asked showing him the medal.

"That is the Cross of Honor of the Order of Sydlig Sol. I received that just before your visit," he sat next to her with his elbows on his knees.

"What did you receive it for?"

"I received the wound in my shoulder defending my injured men the night we were boarded."

Elsa looked at the small silver cross in hand and found herself at a momentary loss for words, "it's beautiful," she gently ran her fingers over his engraved name.

"I had absolutely no idea what get you," he smiled at her, "you're rather difficult to choose a gift for."

"I don't know if I can accept this," Elsa said nearly in tears.

Hans lifted the necklace from her hands and clasped it around her neck, "I don't plan on giving you an option."

Elsa took a deep breath and composed herself, "Did you honestly think I would let you stay in here tonight?"

"That had been my plan."

"Well it's not anymore. I would be honored if you would hold the ceremonies with me, Admiral" she gave a coquettish grin and batted her eyelashes.

He rolled his eyes and tried suppress a smile, "You're going to make me wear the uniform again aren't you?" She just grinned wider and triumphantly left the room.

The gown she chose was shimmering silver, she had planned on wearing a green and gold one, but she wanted to wear something that would complement Hans' gift. She placed her tiara in her hair and checked her makeup one last time. "You ready?" Anna asked from outside her door.

"I think so," Elsa said straightening her skirt.

"You look great!" Anna said as she opened the door, "Ooh, new necklace?" she examined the pearls around Elsa's slender neck.

"Hans gave it to me," she smiled, "it's the medal he was awarded before I went to Baltia." Anna smiled and rolled her eyes at her sister's continued reluctance to acknowledge his affections.

"Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf are out taking children for rides so he'll meet us in the square. We just need to find Hans."

Elsa smiled and held her head high when she saw him standing with his back to her in his white dress uniform coat and trousers, with his hands behind his back and his feathered bicorn perched atop his head, "Do you know what is to be done?" she asked as she approached him. He stood stunned for a moment when he turned to face her. Her silver gown sparkled; her tiara sat perfectly in her braided her, her fair skin contrasted amazingly with the black pearls of the necklace and the black cape that trailed behind her.

He blinked a few times before he recovered, "You will take a piece of tinder from the previous year's fire and use it to light this years."

"Yes, and I would like you to light it with me," she asked fully aware of the implications. Anna was surprised at her sister forwardness, but doubted Hans knew what she was asking.

"I would be honored, your majesty," he smiled and offered her his arm which she gladly took.

Twilight was beginning to settle when they gathered in the bailey. Hans stood next to Elsa, Kristoff and Anna behind them. Silently, a priest lit the torch that had been made from the wood of the previous year's fire and handed it to Elsa. She took it and held it in front of her and moved it to so it was in front of both her and Hans. She looked at him expectantly and he timidly placed his hand on the torch as well. They proceeded towards the constructed cone of timber through a silent crowd, stopped in front, and slowly lowered the torch setting the entire structure ablaze. Cheers erupted from the crowd and musicians began to play. Hans and Elsa walked away from the fire and she was immediately bombarded by children wanting her to use her magic.

"Does he know what she just did?" Kristoff whispered to Anna.

"He has no idea," she said with an amused smile.

The festivities lasted far later than Hans had expected and there were eleven more days to go, but they would be more subdued. He had assumed after the fire was lit there would be dancing and the like, but not the giant flaming wreath they rolled down the hill, or the gifts the four of them handed out to the children, or the amazing ice show Elsa had for the closing. He was just as awestruck as the children when the square filled with large snowflakes suspended in midair. Elsa had laughed at him when he stared mouth slightly agape at the intricacy of each snowflake's pattern.

He took off his hat, ran his hands through his hair and tossed his coat to join his hat; it missed and landed on the floor with a heavy thud; the coat could stay there until morning. His cravat joined the pile and his waist coat was about to when a knock at the door halted his undressing. He yawned as he opened the door, "I know it's late, but I wanted to give you your gift." Hans stepped aside to allow Elsa in. She pulled a small box from behind her back and presented it to him.

"I honestly hadn't thought about anyone getting me a gift," he said gingerly taking it from her. He lifted the lid to find a round, hinged, gold object with a snowflake engraved on the front and Arendelle's crocus on the back. He pressed the release and it opened to reveal itself to be a compass. He smiled, "It's wonderful, thank you."

She took his free hand and gently squeezed it, "I best be getting to bed, goodnight, Admiral," she released his hand and glided out the door.