A/N: Reviews, how I love them. The support I have received has been phenomenal. Thank you :)
I warn, this chapter is rather fluffy.
Fob - The hook on the end of a pocket watch.
Her fingers were sore from gripping his lapels for as long as she had, and she could still feel the gentle pressure of his lips. Elsa didn't know what to do with herself as she descended the stairs; she would have loved to stay longer and would have if the guards at the bottom hadn't known she was there. Walking past the guards and acting natural was one of the hardest things she had ever done, but she knew that regardless of their established friendship two young, unwed people of the opposite sex alone in a room after dark could cause rumors of scandal.
"Where have you been?" Anna asked entering Elsa's room. Elsa threw her arms around her sister and giggled, "Must have been someplace good, you're giddy!"
"We kissed," Elsa blushed, but couldn't control the grin on her face.
"Really? How was it? Is he good? Did he slobber? Kristoff used to do that a little. Thankfully, that's over."
Elsa let out a dreamy sigh, "It was amazingly sweet and romantic."
"Didn't go past closed mouth?"
"What? No. Why?" Elsa looked confused.
Anna laughed, "You'll find out."
Elsa patiently sat through Queen Adelaide introducing her to all the other ladies in attendance; ensuring to point out the unwed. Elsa hadn't been so uncomfortable with a situation since the day of her coronation, but she had no idea how to tell her or when she should.
Queen Adelaide escorted her to the bottom of the stairs, "It's terribly inconvenient having him locked away during his own birthday celebration week, but I can't stand the thought of losing him. I know it may sound selfish, but I feel I have so many years to make up for. I may seem pushy with trying to find him a bride, but I just want him to be happy. If he loves a commoner I won't care; Gemma was a governess, Asta worked in a bookstore, and Hedvig is a fisherman's daughter."
"I'm sure you'll learn he's found love sooner than you expect," Elsa said turning away to hide the heat rising in her face.
"I do hope so," Queen Adelaide approached the guards, "Queen Elsa will see Prince Hans," she turned before she walked down the hall, "and she doesn't need to be escorted by one of us, neither does Prince Eugene."
"Your mother just introduced me to every lady in attendance."
Hans chuckled, "is that where you've been all day?"
"Yes, she made sure I knew which ones were unmarried. It was rather awkward," the sparkle of something outside of the window caught her eye and she went to look out, "This view is amazing."
"It's the highest point in the city. If you look out the window next to the desk you can see the harbor, next to the bookshelf you can see the market, from the bathroom you see the bailey, and from the bed you can see the gardens."
"What's that?" she pointed in the distance.
He came over and stood next to her, "What's what?"
"That."
"That's the naval barracks"
"Did you ever have to stay there?"
"When I initially trained, yes,"
"Were you a proper cadet?"
He laughed, "Oh, no. I was awful. I was disobedient, disrespectful, and generally made life as difficult as possible for my superior officers and fellow cadets. I knew there was nothing they could really do about it since I am a prince and my uncle is the fleet admiral, so I took full advantage of it. I didn't take my naval rank seriously until after the glass was removed. Remembering it all clearly now, I really owe the instructors an enormous apology," he turned to her and found her closer than he expected. His breath quickened as they both timidly leaned into each other until their lips met. She slipped her arms around his neck and he held her to him; his lips were soft and his kisses gentle and insecure.
"I'm sorry," he blushed as their foreheads touched, "I had never kissed anyone before you."
"I had never kissed anyone before you, either," she smiled, "Anna did say there was an awkward stage."
He chuckled, "That seems to be a good term for it."
Elsa leaned in so that her lips brushed his as she spoke, "she also said practice makes perfect."
"Are you alright?" Gemma asked Hans as he stared down at his food smiling.
"Huh," Hans said looking up startled, "Yes, I'm more than alright," he smiled brightly. With all the guests the seating arrangements had him seated far from Elsa, but that couldn't dampen his mood.
Gemma smiled, "I would say so," she followed Hans' smitten stare to Elsa. "Have you seen the cake your mother has for your party?"
"No, did she overdo it again?"
"That's putting it mildly. It's easily as tall as you are; she probably spent a small kingdom's yearly budget on it," she laughed at Hans' displeased expression, "You are still her baby, whether you like it or not, and after the events of the past year, can you really blame her?"
"I suppose not," he sighed.
"Besides, the cake is the least of her plans."
"Please elaborate."
"Representatives of all the kingdoms you've aided have expressed the desire to honor you at the party."
"Oh, fantastic, an evening ostentation and awkwardness."
Gemma had not been exaggerating. Hans was stupefied as he stood in front of the cake that towered over him as it sat on the table that barely held it. Each tier was an elaborately painted scene of ships or naval combat; a scale model of the Absalon sat atop the massive confection.
"Wow, that is a big cake," Anna said as she and Kristoff entered the dining hall, "is it chocolate?"
"I have no idea, I'm afraid to touch it," he said turning to face them.
"You don't wear all that on a ship, do you?" Kristoff laughed.
"If he fell overboard he'd sink," Eugene added as he and Rapunzel joined the party, "made you wear the whole thing, did she?"
"Actually Uncle Ansgar insisted I wear every award I ever received for tonight," Hans sneered. The chest of his white dress coat was barely visible, a deep purple sash crossed over his waistcoat and the Sun Seal of Corona hung around his neck.
"Well, every one but the one Elsa wears," Eugene added with a grin.
Hans colored a bit, "Yes, all but that one. Mother did insist on the feathers in the hat," he said puffing one out of his face.
"It's entirely unfair that two people should be able to produce this many beautiful sons," Gemma said as she watched Elsa looking out into the sea of handsome men in black coats. The other twelve princes were having a small family gathering before entering the dining hall, "You've met Wolfgang, his wife Asta is wearing teal," she pointed to the group of wives near them, "she's a bit of a recluse, but she's a great person. That's Naatan, his identical twin, his wife is Falda, she's the one in blue; I was the governess for their son Gerhart. There's Cyprian he's married to Zarya, she's the tall one, and his fraternal twin is Elvar who's married to Brenna, she's the one in green. Gael and Istvan are also fraternal twins and are married to Carlyn, she has the exceptionally long hair, and Iona, she's in grey. Jerik and Haskell are identical twins, and strangely enough so are their wives Lyall and Dagny, they're both wearing purple. The one talking to Klaus is Torvald who is married to Eydis, the short one, and his fraternal twin is Vigo, the one with the eye patch, he's married to Hedvig, she's in yellow. You've met Reinvald; his wife is Priscilla. She's the one dressed in pink. Don't worry, I'll write it all down for you," she smiled knowingly at Elsa.
"Do all of them have four names?"
"Yes, and none are the same, but I couldn't tell you what they all are."
The room quickly filled and Hans searched the crowd for Elsa, when he finally spotted her his lips parted and the air quickly left his lungs. She wore the deep red dress Anna had brought for her from Corona, and the necklace he had given her. Her platinum blonde hair hung loose over her bare shoulders, her bangs framed her face, and her crown sat behind them. Her face lit up when their eyes met, "You look magnificent," he said with a goofy grin.
"So do you," he blushed as she stood in front of him and brushed dust off of his coat. When she was satisfied she stood next to him and stealthily laced her fingers in his.
The typical seating arrangement was altered for the evening, since the whole point was to celebrate Hans' birthday, which pleased both of them as they were now seated next to one another. Hans would periodically place his hand on Elsa's knee earning him a censuring stare; he would play innocent and she would try not to smile and fail.
"We thank all of you for attending," King Anders stood and his voice easily silenced the crowd, "As you know we asked you here to join us in celebrating the anniversary of our youngest son's birth. We have received so many requests for the opportunity to address him regarding the affect he has had on various kingdoms, that we open the floor to any that wish to speak."
With each testimonial Hans grew more uncomfortable and slid farther down in his seat as praise was heaped heavily upon him. Elsa held his hand under the table and listened intently; enjoying knowing that he deserved every bit of it.
"…and for his efforts he was awarded the Sun Seal, Corona's highest honor." Rapunzel said with a smile.
"Oh, and if you haven't heard this man sing, you're missing something," Eugene concluded. He and Rapunzel returned to their seats and much to Hans' surprise Elsa slipped her fingers out from his and took the floor.
"For those who may not know, I am Queen Elsa of Arendelle. I'm certain everyone here is aware of my kingdom's second winter. This unfortunate event damaged Arendelle's crops severely and my people would have starved if not for the aid sent in the name of Admiral Westerguard. When I received this aid I did not know who he was, but I knew Arendelle was eternally in his debt. It wasn't until two years later that I had the pleasure to be acquainted with this man of honor, intellect, kindness, and wit, and now I am personally indebted to him as well. His advice has been invaluable in improving Arendelle's trade and diplomatic relations. He is also the heroic prince that rescued me from my own prison," Elsa smiled lovingly at him, "Thank you, Admiral Prince Hans Westergard, you are my hero."
Hans was torn between tears, blushing brightly, and grinning like a fool; he tried to prevent all of them, but failed miserably on all accounts, "I'm sorry," he laughed to the guests as he wiped his eyes with the handkerchief Elsa handed him, "I can get a bit overwhelmed." he was horribly embarrassed by his inability to control his watery outburst, "It'll stop in a moment, I promise." She sat next to him, placed her hand on his knee, and smiled at him.
"I didn't mean to make a fool of myself," Hans whispered into her ear as they danced.
"You didn't, it was beautiful."
He laughed, "I'm glad you think me completely humiliating myself is something attractive; I do tend to do that quite often."
The song ended, "I'll be back in a moment," Elsa vanished down the hall.
"I hope you aren't trying to hide anything there, Captain," Eugene said with a grin.
"I have no idea what you could be talking about," Hans attempted to keep a straight face.
"Now you've at least kissed a woman."
Hans' eyes widened, "Wha…" he lowered his voice, "how do you know?"
"I'm not a sheltered prince," he let Hans start to panic and laughed, "Elsa told Anna, Anna told Rapunzel and Rapunzel told me."
"Did she complain? Was I bad? What did she say?"
"Relax, Admiral, she said it was 'sweet and romantic," Hans sighed in relief, "which tells me you two kiss like you're fourteen."
"Unlike you, I've never been a 'ladies man.' I have no idea how to kiss; this is all new to me."
"I'd offer lessons, but you're not my type," Eugene grinned.
"I know; you prefer brunettes."
"I do know quite a few guys with a thing for redheads if you want."
"Can we please stop having this conversation?" Hans covered his face with his hands. Eugene was unable to control his laughter. Hans removed his hands and looked at him with narrowed eyes, "There are moments when I believe I call you my friend merely because you know too much."
Elsa returned carrying a small box, "May I speak with you alone for a moment?" She had wanted to give him his gift in a more private setting, but as she had been occupied with one thing or another throughout the day this was her last opportunity to give it to him on his birthday.
"As you wish," he smiled and offered her his arm. He escorted her to an unoccupied corner of the room.
"I wanted to give you your birthday gift," she presented him with the box.
"Your majesty, you've already given me more than I could have ever hoped for," he smiled tenderly as he held her chin in his hand and ran his thumb along her cheek."
She smiled and rolled her eyes, "Just open it."
He took the box, lifted the lid, and inside found an amazing gold pocket watch. Arendelle's crocus was inlaid in silver on the cover; the chain was intricately braided gold strands. He opened it to find the face was embossed with the crocus and each numeral was accented by a diamond, "It's beautiful," he ran his gloved fingers over the crocus on the cover.
"It was my father's."
He looked up at her in surprise, "I can't accept this."
She smiled, "I don't plan on giving you a choice," she took the watch from his hands, delicately placed it in the pocket of his waistcoat and looped the fob through the button hole. She put her arms around his neck, and whispered in his ear, "Happy birthday, Admiral Freckles."