A/N: I am sorry it has taken me so long to update. My wedding is fast approaching and my weekends have been stolen by various minor details. Thank you so much for the reviews and support :)
He felt a pressure against him and the scent of spearmint filled his head. He breathed deeper only to have the source of the aroma tickle his nose. He wiggled his nose as he slowly opened his eyes to find pale blonde hair and his heart went into his throat recalling the last time he awoke in bed with Arendelle's queen. Memories crept into his sleep fogged mind and he snuggled closer to the woman his arm was draped over. She stirred and rolled over to face him, "Good morning," she smiled as she kissed his nose.
He stared back with a love struck smile, "I could most certainly become accustomed to waking beside you every morning," he gently caressed her cheek. She snuggled closer and he felt her sob against his chest, "Is something wrong? Did I do something wrong?" he started to panic.
She raised her head and looked into his face smiling with tears on her cheeks, "I've dreamt of this for so long; for you to actually be here, to not wake up from a dream to find myself alone. I no longer have sleep wrapped in your coat," she chuckled, "I still have them; I kept a uniform coat from your winter here, it's in the closet along with the one Eugene had made for you. I also kept the one you had me wear the night of the storm," she blushed, "it smelled the most of you. That was also the night I realized you loved me."
"It took you that long?"
"I always attributed your behavior to something else, but when I saw the way you looked at me in the mirror when I had no makeup, no elegant gown, and my hair a mess, I couldn't deny it any longer. When I awoke in your coat that morning I decided we had waited long enough," she wiped the tear from his cheek, kissed her finger and pressed it to his lips, "you obviously were entirely clueless to my feelings."
"I still have trouble believing you tried to catch my attention."
"I never wore gowns that exposed my shoulders, showed any cleavage, or openly flirted with a man until you!" she playfully shoved him in the chest, "This is entirely your fault!"
A wicked grin graced his face, "Oh, so it's entirely my fault you're in bed with a prince covered in only a sheet?"
She wrapped herself around him and ran a finger down his back leaving an icy trail. He gasped and arched his back into her, "You are entirely to blame," she smirked and shifted her leg.
Hans bit his lip and took a deep breath, "I will gladly accept the consequences" he growled as he rolled them over and began to nibble on her neck, "As you seem eager for me to do so."
"And what would cause you to come to that conclusion?" she teased as she lightly frosted the tattoo that covered his right arm and smiled as his body tensed.
"Just a few subtle cues I've picked up on," he sunk his teeth into her neck and dropped his hips.
"Hans," she moaned as she gripped his arm and a burst of snow dusted the sheet, his uncovered back, and his hair.
"That would be a good example."
He took a deep breath before entering the small ceremonial hall. His mother and father stood at the far end directly in line with the door; the path lined by six of his brothers on either side. Hans had been present for all twelve of the previous ceremonies, but had never thought about being the one in this position. As custom dictated he entered the hall without a coat and was painfully aware of its absence under the gaze of all in the room.
He stood before his beaming parents; Elsa stood next to his mother and the wives of his brothers stood behind their respective husbands. His father stepped forward holding a beautiful black version of his dress uniform coat; all of his medals had been transferred from the one he had worn for the wedding, "Admiral Prince Hans Westerguard of the Southern Isles, my thirteenth and youngest son, today is your first full day as a husband. The House of Westerguard takes great pride in their members and their commitment to their spouses. A spouse is a partner for life and this commitment the family trusts you have not taken lightly. To dishonor your spouse is to dishonor your entire family. In this light, your wife will now present you with your black coat, as she has deemed you worthy of it."
Elsa stepped forward and took the coat from King Anders, turned to Hans and placed it in his hands. He lifted it, swallowed hard, and slipped it on; a black bicorn was placed on his by his uncle. Tears of joy slid down his mother's cheeks and threatened to venture down his father's as well. Elsa grabbed Hans by the collar and pulled him into a kiss; his brother's applauded and Hans coloured.
"I have entire kingdom to familiarize myself with, and after being apart for so long I would rather spend my time with you with the least amount of attempted distractions," Hans said as he undressed for bed.
"So you're certain you don't want to go anywhere for our honeymoon?" Elsa was rather thankful for his desire to remain in Arendelle. At home there would be no obligations of formal visits and outings to prevent them from enjoying each other's exclusive company.
"I have only ever been more certain of one other thing in my life."
"And what might that be?"
He came behind her, slid his arms around her waist and kissed her neck, "that I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
She leaned back into him and smiled, "You and that mouth of yours," she said with a little laugh.
He slid his hand down her nightgown so that it rested just below her navel and whispered in her ear, "I didn't hear you complaining about my mouth when I was…," a chill ran up her spine and a small moan escaped her mouth as he simultaneously pushed her hips back and slid his hand to her inner thigh to make his meaning undeniably clear.
With great difficulty she forced her mind to focus, "We need to discuss your coronation."
He pulled his mouth away from her neck and dropped his hands, "My what?"
Elsa giggled as she turned around, "Your coronation. I have a flower festival to attend with Anna in a month and I thought we could have it a few months after that to give you some time to acclimate and your family a break from travelling for a bit," she smiled at his slightly stunned countenance, "When I asked you to be my king what did you think I meant?"
"I really hadn't thought much of it. I was a bit overtaken by you asking me to be your husband," he pulled her to him, placed a hand on her backside and slipped his tongue into her mouth. She returned the fiery kiss despite wanting to actually talk about the event. He slowly and deliberately moved his tongue in her mouth dragging her thoughts exactly where he wanted them to go. He grinned as he pulled away, "and all that entails."
"You're making this conversation very difficult," she said as she stared as his mouth.
"You told me I could be as distracting as I wanted after the wedding," he returned his lips to her neck.
She buried her hands in his hair, "I don't believe I can honestly say I regret that."
Hans was still trying to adjust to calling Arendelle's castle home, and Elsa being gone with Anna to a local festival for a few days wasn't helping the matter. He found his way out to the stables and his faithful horse. Sitron lowered her head as Hans stroked her nose, "I figured it would be easier for a prince to get used to this."
Hans turned to find Kristoff leaning against a post, "One might believe so, but that isn't the case. Westerguard Castle in Baltia is much larger than this one, but with thirteen princes running around we all blurred together. Being so noticed is not something I'm accustomed to."
"Weren't you in charge of a fleet?"
"Yes, but this is entirely different. I commanded a fleet, but there was camaraderie. In a tavern or at a card table we were all just sailors," he let out a sigh, "Soon I am to be king. I am to rule an entire kingdom at Elsa's side. I will directly affect the lives of thousands. That's bordering the incomprehensible."
"Elsa wouldn't have married you if she didn't think you could handle it."
Hans smiled, "Thank you."
Kristoff shrugged, "That's just how it is."
"So, you were an ice harvester? How does one harvest ice?"
Kristoff grinned, "I'll get my sled. You'll need a coat."
Hans pulled the overcoat tighter as they approached the small frozen lake, "it stays this cold up here in the summer months?"
"How else are we supposed to harvest ice in the summer?"
"Point taken," he said as he stepped down and walked towards the lake. Kristoff took his tools from the sled and knelt next to him as he unpacked them, "What is all that?"
"Tools."
"Yes, I can see that much."
"Saw, chisel, peavey, tongs," he named each one as he pointed to it.
"I never thought there would be so many pointed objects involved," he lifted the peavey and stared curiously its sharpened hook.
"Still seems safer than hunting pirates."
"Less likely to freeze to death, more likely to be hit with a cannonball; the risk of drowning and impalement seem on par."
Kristoff took the peavey away from him and handed him the saw, "you'll need this first."
"So, I brought home a block of ice," Hans laughed as they entered the castle, "Elsa would be so proud."
"Only if she didn't know how many times you dropped it on your foot."
"That only happened twice," Hans dramatically turned his nose up, "I had never handled such equipment before…"
"Hans! There you are!" Hans turned to find Reinvald running towards him. He had never seen his brother in such a state; his clothes were tattered and spotted with blood, his face was dirty, his hair a mess, he looked as though he hadn't slept or bathed in days, "I must speak with you," he tried to catch his breath, "now."
"What could you have to say that I would want to hear?" Hans sneered.
"Please, I bet of you, give me a brief audience," the desperation in his eyes as well as his deplorable condition caused curiosity to override disdain.
"Alright, follow me," Hans nodded his head to the side indicating he wanted Kristoff to accompany him.
"Arendelle is in great danger," Reinvald paced the small study, "you specifically."
Hans grimaced as the pain in his head began to come back, "From what?"
"Pirates."
"It may be smaller than that of the Southern Isles, but the Arendellian navy can handle a few pirates."
"This isn't a few pirates; this is all the pirates of the region!" Hans raised his head to give his brother a confused look, but dropped it back down as the pain increased suddenly, "Hans," his voice held more sympathy than he ever heard from him. He walked over and knelt before Hans' chair, "look at me," Hans eyes were squeezed tight and his lips drawn trying to handle the pain, "you must look at me!" Reinvald roughly grabbed his chin and forced him to look into his eyes, the dirt on his face now streaked with tears, "It was me."
For Hans the world stopped. Memories flashed in his mind. The pain increased rapidly until it felt as though something inside him broke free. It slowly receded as the dark creature in his memories was replaced with the man before him. Reinvald loomed over him as he drove the small piece of glass into his eye. Reinvald ordered him to take Arendelle's throne. Reinvald took sixteen years of his life.
"You!" Hans roared as he leapt out of the chair and pinned his brother to the ground by sitting on him and wrapping his hands around his throat. Reinvald tried desperately to free himself from his brother's grip.
Kristoff dashed forward and pulled Hans off of him, "What is going on?"
"That sniveling waste stole sixteen years of my life!" With great effort he forced the raging redhead into his chair.
"If he's dead he can't talk and if he knows about a threat to Arendelle you need to know that first," Kristoff said holding him down, "then you can kill him."
Reinvald turned on his hands and knees rubbing his throat as he coughed and gasped for air, "I suggest you start explaining," Hans forced through clenched teeth.