A/N: I promise I'm going somewhere with this!
The book Hans' is reading from is The Marble Faun by Nathaniel Hawthorne (it was the book on my desk at home).
Hugo, Matilda, Penelope, Hildegard, and Amber are from Sofia the First, again my crush on Cedric manifests itself.
Hans sat in the window seat with Elsa in his lap relaxed against his chest; he had one arm around her waist and held the book he was reading from in front of them, "'Gaze into my eyes! Gaze into my soul! Search as deeply as you may, you can never see half the tenderness and devotion that I henceforth cherish for you,"' he paused and gently kissed her ear. He opened his mouth to read again, but was distracted by the tiny snowflakes that rose from her body and popped a few inches from it, "What are those about?"
"Hmm?" Elsa opened her eyes and lifted her hands observing the odd phenomena, "I'm not entirely sure," she smiled, "but I believe they're an expression of happiness and contentment."
He hugged her tighter, "You will never cease to amaze me," she turned her head and he lightly touched her lips with his.
"You seem quite fond of Prince Hans," Prince Hugo of the Principality of Albuquerque said that evening to Elsa after Hans was escorted back to the tower, "but so are many women since he become a naval hero."
"He and I are quite close," Elsa eyed the prince with suspicion. He was thin, just shorter than Hans, and handsome with perfectly coifed dark hair, hazel eyes, and a confident smirk that never seemed to leave his mouth.
"I have never heard of him actually courting a woman, which seems rather odd for a man of his age and status. I understand that before he took to the waves women generally ignored him entirely, being thirteenth in line for the throne, but now that he has the additional prestige he has his choice of eligible ladies. Queen Matilda, Princess Penelope, Princess Hildegard, and Princess Amber all seem quite taken with him."
"I fail to see what this has to do with me."
"His reluctance to openly court any of them just seems to support his reputation as a philanderer."
"He has such a reputation?" It was all Elsa could do not to laugh in his face.
"Unwed princes and sailors are notorious for such behavior."
"You include yourself in their numbers, then," she tried not smirk.
"I once did, but I have outgrown such trivial pursuits," Prince Hugo smiled, "I caution against any serious attachment to a man like him as I doubt he could ever return the sentiment."
"I appreciate your concern, but there is nothing to fear in regard to my relationship with Prince Hans," her patience was wearing thin.
"Your majesty," Prince Reinvald bowed before Queen Elsa, "Prince Hugo."
"Ahh, Prince Reinvald, I was just informing Queen Elsa of your youngest brother's scandalous reputation."
Reinvald raised an eyebrow, "I believe you will have to inform me of it as well."
That was not the response Prince Hugo had expected, but the almost imperceptible twitch at the edge of his mouth gave the only indication of it, "I am referring to his refusal to openly court one women, and instead allow multiple women to shamelessly pursue him."
Reinvald gave a haughty laugh, "Prince Hugo, you misunderstand my brother entirely," he looked to Elsa; "Please pardon my bluntness, your majesty," he turned back to Hugo and swirled the wine in the glass he held, "Hans appears clueless, because he is clueless. He has no idea that these women are interested in him; he wouldn't even know what to do with a woman if he was left alone with one that was wearing only a smile," Elsa cast her eyes to the floor trying to hide the heat she could feel rising in her cheeks, "I apologize if my language has offended your sensibilities, your grace."
"It's quite alright, Prince Reinvald," Elsa's blush deepened.
"If I recall correctly, you had such a reputation before your marriage," Hugo grinned.
"Oh, yes, but unlike my dear, innocent brother's, mine was rightfully earned."
"You willingly admit to being a libertine?" Hugo feigned shock.
"No, I willingly admit to enjoying the company of beautiful women," he gave Elsa a charming smile that helped explain how he had earned his reputation.
"Reinvald," a gentle voice begged his attention. He turned to face the woman who so lovingly spoke his name. She was beautiful, only slightly shorter than Elsa, with tawny skin, masses of raven black curls cascading down her back, pale amber eyes set in her heart-shaped face; her small nose set above her smiling full lips. She was thin and wore a soft pink gown that accentuated her delicate figure.
The smile he returned to the petite doll-like woman was filled with so much love and adoration she could see the smile Hans had given her in the mirror in his face, "Queen Elsa, this is my wife, Priscilla."
"It is an honor to meet you, your majesty," she gracefully curtsied before her, "but I fear I cannot stay."
"The honor is all mine."
"Reinvald, dear, I must retire," she turned her head and covered her yawn, "I awoke far too early this morning."
He gently kissed her forehead, "I will join you soon, my beloved," Priscilla curtsied again and departed.
"I remember in a letter you wrote you told me that you believed Reinvald felt his wife just a trophy," Elsa said to Hans as he perused the shelves for a book he hadn't read yet.
"Yes, I believe I did say that, and at one time I believed that to be so, but I cannot say I see it the same way now. They have both changed significantly in the past three years. I felt Priscilla to be empty headed and vain; she is merely shy and insecure. As for my brother, I may despise his arrogance and vanity, but I now do not doubt his devotion to her," he pulled a book from the shelf only to slide right back, and drum his fingers on the spine, "I don't really wish to start a novel knowing you depart in the morning."
Elsa took his hand, "We'll be together again. If you cannot visit Arendelle, I will return as soon as I am able." He held her chin, ran his thumb along her bottom lip and tenderly kissed her.
Hans sat in the window and watched as the royal flagship of Arendelle disappeared over the horizon. It pained him that he was unable to walk her to the ship as he had done the last time Baltia had been graced with her presence. He no longer had anything to look forward to and didn't know how long it would be until he would be able to see her again.
"Anna, may I speak with you?" Elsa knocked on the door of her sister's cabin.
"Anytime," Anna opened the door smiling, "Kristoff is up on deck trying to help his sea sickness." Elsa sat on the bed with a contemplative frown, "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just have something I want to ask you and I'm unsure of how to put it into words."
"Alright, you can just trying saying whatever words you need and I can try to make them make sense." Elsa couldn't help but return her sister's smile.
She took a deep breath, "How did you find it so easy to accept my feelings for Hans?"
Anna sat next to her, "I spent a lot of time with Kai and Gerda and listened to them talk about the mirror. Kristoff and Pabbie talked about it a lot too and I came to understand that the guy we met that night never really existed," she smiled at her sister, "I also realized what I was really in love with was the idea of a handsome prince coming and sweeping me off my feet."
HRH Queen Elsa of Arendelle,
Without you my days locked in this prison are all but unbearable. I have only the hope we will eventually be reunited to keep me from completely losing my sanity. Klaus visits when he can, but he has a family and other obligations he must attend to. Wolfgang, Gemma, Asta, mother, and father visit as well, but less frequently.
I find myself spending far too long staring out at sea. I realize I am useless again. I am unable to advise Uncle Ansgar from within this cell and there is very little chance I will be permitted to take command of a fleet again upon my release. Other than your absence, the worst aspect of this confinement is not knowing when or if it will end. When I said I would rather haunt these halls forever in white, I did not mean that I wished to do so literally!
What little has been written has been the work of several days. My routine does not change, so I have very little to write. If men have ever perished from boredom I may yet be counted among their numbers.
Your Eternal Servant,
ADM Prince Hans Westerguard of the Southern Isles
"Have you received any word from Queen Elsa, dear brother?" Reinvald asked one evening after dinner.
"No."
"Perhaps it is for the best. You were growing far too attached to her."
"When did you become concerned with whom I form attachments?"
"We have our differences, but you are still my brother. Your attentions may be flattering to her, but do you really think she could ever care for you beyond friendship? And even if she did develop deeper feelings for you, Queen Elsa is responsible for an entire kingdom, she must be very careful whom she chooses as her royal consort; the man who tried to take her crown doesn't seem a wise choice."
Reinvald's words caused his mind to begin venturing to places he didn't want it to go and the headache didn't help. He watched the sun set over the harbor and doubts crept in. They had never addressed what their relationship was. Did she plan on keeping him as a paramour? He didn't believe Elsa to be a woman who would do such a thing, but she had never directly said she loved him. Was he just a mistake in the heat of the moment? Did she realize that when she returned to Arendelle? He readied himself for bed, but stared up at the dark canopy waiting far too long for sleep to take him.
HRH Queen Elsa of Arendelle,
It has been nearly two months since your departure. I do not wish to sound pathetic, but I would sincerely appreciate some type of correspondence from you. At this time I know we cannot be together, but just your elegant script on the page would be enough to sustain me until we are.
Klaus was kind enough to rotate out the books. He also brought me paints and an easel. I appreciate the thought, but all I have created are large messes I have had to clean. Rapunzel makes it look deceptively easy, but I suppose that's what happens when one has such talent.
I believe the guards grow weary of hearing my voice. I have not been gifted with the soul of a poet or the hands of an artist so I spend many hours practicing song (the only instrument I play is piano, but transporting one up the stairs is not practical).
Your Eternal Servant,
ADM Prince Hans Westerguard of the Southern Isles
He did not do well with his only company his demons. The continued lack of contact from her led him to believe Reinvald was right. The heaviness set in his chest again and he found himself staring into the night watching the moonlight reflect on the water. He may have been tired; he was losing the ability to tell. Sleep meant nightmares and with the next day bringing no change he was in no hurry to meet it.
"I'm worried about him," Klaus said to Gemma as they readied for bed, "He's just not himself. Haven't you noticed he hasn't been down for a meal in over a fortnight? He doesn't speak much, doesn't smile. The guards say he stopped singing weeks ago. His mood reminds of when he had thoughts of taking his life."
"He's trapped in the tower with nothing to do and no one to talk to for most of the day, the woman he loves had to leave and he doesn't know when he will be able to see her again. I would be depressed too."
"I just worry about his isolation and despair making him irrational."
"Once he's able to come down for the tower I'm sure he'll bounce back."
"I hope you're right."
King Anders, Prince Klaus, Prince Wolfgang, Prince Reinvald and Queen Adelaide waited in the drawing room for Lars, the Captain of the Guard, to bring them the news they were told he had. Lars was a mountain of a man with chiseled features, a large Roman nose, dark eyes and light blonde hair, "Your majesties," he bowed, his deep voice rumbled through the room, "We have a man in our custody that was overheard claiming to have tried to kill Prince Hans."
"That is excellent news!" King Anders slapped him on the back.
"Do you know why?" Klaus asked.
"No, I plan to wait until he sobers up in the morning to interrogate him. Alcohol may have loosened his tongue, but he is in no state for questioning."
"Hans will be pleased," Wolfgang smiled at his father.
"Yes, but it seems best to wait until after the interrogation to let him return from the tower. When we learn this man's motivations we may discover there are others involved."
His last letter concerned her. Elsa had written to him several times since they had parted; she had sent multiple letters since she opened the last one over a month prior (the one saying he not received any from her) and had received no response. She had been trying to find the time to take another trip to Baltia, but her schedule refused to allow it; meetings, visits, and negotiating the terms of the newly reopened trade with Weselton barely gave her time to think.
"Dead? What do you mean he's dead?" King Anders' voice cut through the room. All fell silent and turned to the source of the sound.
"He was found dead in his cell this morning, your grace," Lars said apologetically.
"Of what?"
"There are no marks on him; we are left to assume he drank himself to death."
"How will we know if there any others involved now?"
"Father, the man was most likely hired by pirates. Our dear Hans was probably targeted due to his involvement in hindering their deplorable actions. As long as he is not involved in hunting pirates, either on the water or in assisting Uncle Ansgar, I doubt there will be little else to worry about," Reinvald offered.
"What is your opinion, Lars?"
"Prince Reinvald may be correct, or he may not be. We have no way of knowing now."
"Hans can't be kept in the tower for the rest of his life due to uncertainty," Klaus pleaded.
"I must concur with Klaus, father, Hans is at his wits end already," Wolfgang added.
King Anders sighed, "Alright, he may be returned to his room this evening, but," he turned to Lars, "I want your men to keep watch for anything odd, no matter how trivial it may seem."
"Yes, your majesty."
"Your majesty," Kai's voice jolted her from her thoughts, "I didn't mean to startle you," he handed her a pair of letters and a small box, all bearing the seal of the Southern Isles. She opened the one from King Anders first:
HRH Queen Elsa of Arendelle,
A man claiming to have been the one responsible for the attempts on Hans' life was recently captured; he died in custody so his motivations may never be known.
The reason for this letter is to plead for your assistance. Hans was released from the tower and has since disappeared. He left all but a few items of clothing. The only note he left was placed with a pocket watch and were instructions that it should be returned to you.
I believe he may have gone out to sea. I implore you to ask your men to watch for him (I have sent letters to Corona and the other surrounding kingdoms beseeching their assistance as well). If you hear from him in anyway please inform me.
Forever in your debt,
King Anders of the Southern Isles
She was stunned and ripped Hans' letter open in the hopes of an explanation, but the tear stained page offered no comfort.
HRH Queen Elsa of Arendelle,
As I have received no word from you since you departed, I am left to assume you do not wish to receive word from me.
I love you. I realized I was yours the moment you held that stick to my throat and demanded my unconditional surrender; my surrender to you was sincere.
The last thing I wanted to be to you was a mistake but it seems that is all I am capable of being. I wanted to be the man to take you in his arms and be let into the parts of your mind you keep hidden from the rest of the world. I wanted to be the man that had the honor of learning how to comfort you. I wanted to be the man to share your burdens. I wanted to be the man to memorize every curve, every freckle, and every scar that graces your skin. I wanted to be the man to share your bed and experience every noise, every shiver, every subtle movement of your body. I wanted to be the man to hold you until you fell asleep and feel the joy of waking next to you every morning. I will always want to be that man even though I know I never will be.
Farewell.
Your Eternal Servant,
ADM Prince Hans Westerguard of the Southern Isles