I Grant You Mercy, Traitorous Innocent

(A/N: Last chapter of this story. Final A/N at the end of the chapter. Thank you for all your reviews and support. I've loved them all.)

Again he knelt before a throne, but this time it wasn't the thrones of his brothers. This time it was the throne of Arendelle, and seated on it was a grieving and betrayed princess. No, Elsa wasn't dead, but she was certainly out for the count, and the way Anna was acting, you'd think the queen had died. She was acting regent now, in her sister's absence, and he knew from the moment they'd reached him and Elsa in the snow what his sentence would be. He didn't hang his head in shame. There was nothing to be ashamed about. His expression was stony, he hadn't spoken to anyone. There was no point in doing so. They wouldn't hear him.

"You are a despicable excuse for a man. In fact, you're a poor excuse for a human being. I'm starting to wonder if you are at all. Or was it hell that spawned you, Hans?" Anna said, voice wavering in anger and dismay. He said nothing. "You betrayed us. Again. Your own brothers. The one who was willing to help you… I don't even know what to say. What can be said…? Hans Westergaard, this evening you will be executed by firing squad for all the crimes you have committed in the past, all the crimes you committed over this last week, and all the crimes you will commit in future if you're allowed to live. Your brothers have already volunteered to be the ones pulling the triggers. If I'd had my way, your death would have been far less dignified than firing squad. Burn in the pit from whence you came."

Hans's jaw twitched but he remained silent. Roughly he was dragged up by Duach and Rhun and brought away from there. "Your majesty, what if he's innocent? What if we're all reading too much…?" Iscawin began.

"Don't say anything more, please. There is no good in your brother," Anna said, folding her arms and looking angrily to the side, eyes closed. "There never has been, there never will be."

"You can't make that judgement," Iscawin said.

"Well I did, so there!" Anna retorted. "Just… just go… I have to check on my sister." She rose and quickly moved from the throne room.

Kristoff, eyeing Iscawin warily, said, "What do you mean? Why are you still protecting him? You saw the look in his eyes."

"You know, Rhun and Franz were right to doubt I'd pickpocketed those keys… I didn't. Hans slipped them to me," Iscawin stated.

Kristoff started, eyes widening. "He what? But-but why?" he asked.

"I don't know. Maybe because he wanted us to go free? Maybe it was only Elsa he wanted dead, but Anna was the one who ruined everything even more than Elsa did, so why he'd want her free… I don't know… But she's wrong. There is still something of my brother left in the shell he possesses. I know there is… There has to be…" He turned and left, following his brothers. Kristoff remained still, suddenly looking uneasy. What if Iscawin was right? He remembered what Hans had done when he brought the prince to the trolls. Taken his brother's place, nearly died for it. What if there was still something of a man hidden beneath the monster that was the thirteenth prince? If Anna ever found out that was so… She'd never forgive herself… He took a deep breath. He'd try to talk to her, but… but he doubted that at this point anything less than Hans's life would work to quell her anger, hatred, and hurt.

Frozen

Evening neared. Preparations were being made. He would be shot in the courtyard. By his own brothers. Aye, there's the rub, he inwardly scoffed. Honestly he was less than surprised. Less than surprised they were being so cruel and spiteful as to practice their aim right outside of his cell window, too. He heard someone coming and turned sharply. The person came to his cell and he blinked in surprised. "Kristoff?" he asked, completely puzzled as to why the ice harvester, of all people, would be here.

"I… I tried to talk to Anna… She didn't hear me," Kristoff said.

"Why? Why did you speak to her for me?" Hans asked.

"Because… because Iscawin…" Kristoff began. He took a breath. "Because Iscawin said you slipped him the keys… What happened there, Hans? What happened that you aren't saying? If it could save your life…"

"There's no life to be saved," Hans answered, turning to the window again. "And even if I'd spoken, they wouldn't have heard me. They never have."

"They might have," Kristoff said.

"Them, maybe, if luck was on my side, but Anna wouldn't, and my final fate was in her hands… I guess maybe not telling… It spared them pain. My brothers. Spared them guilt," Hans murmured. It was probably the reason Iscawin hadn't spoken about what had happened either.

"What did you do?" Kristoff asked.

"It doesn't matter now," Hans stated. He turned to the ice harvester. "The queen, how is she? Will she make it?" Kristoff was quiet. "Kristoff, please… I have to know… I have to know I was good enough to save her."

Kristoff grimaced and shook his head, drawing a hand through his hair frustratedly. "Anna ordered you're to hear nothing of Elsa or her condition. She doesn't want you to have the satisfaction," he said.

"Great. So I die innocent of the treachery she thinks I committed and I die without even getting to know if Elsa made it," Hans said, beginning to turn to the window again.

"She'll make it," Kristoff said. Hans started, turning back. "Hey, I can risk Anna's wrath," Kristoff added with a small smirk and shrug. His smile fell. "Whatever this 'good enough' nonsense means, you were good enough… You say you're innocent of the treachery, but the way you looked at them, at us, at Elsa…"

"Chameleon Prince," Hans said, shrugging with a smirk. "Masks are what I do… It helps when inside of you, part of you wants to be genuinely doing the deplorable acts."

Kristoff nodded. "I'm sorry… For all of this… Good luck, Hans," he said.

"Luck is a lie," Hans said. Kristoff shook his head hopelessly and left.

Frozen

The sun was setting as they led him out into the courtyard, bound tightly. They brought him against the wall and turned him to face the firing squad. His brothers. Anna sat on a throne farther back, Kristoff at her side. Her eyes were so cold, merciless… Could he blame her, really? He looked away from Kristoff and Anna and focused on his brothers. None of them were looking at him. Of course not. Why would they? "Your body will be food for the dogs," one of the soldiers placing him said in disgust. "There will be no burial or burning for you. You don't deserve that honor."

"What does it matter to me? I'll be gone," Hans replied. The soldiers harrumphed and left. He turned to his siblings. Now they were looking. The pain he saw in their eyes, the hurt and confusion… At least in some… In others there was no expression, no giveaway. In yet more you could almost think the idea of doing this tickled them pink. He shook his head but stood straight and tall. He would face this death bravely. Anna probably wished he would be a snivelling, crying, blubbering mess. Oh she'd love that, wouldn't she? He wasn't going to give her the satisfaction. He would die with all the dignity he could muster at this point. Which was very little. He hated them, her, everything and everyone. He hated that they wouldn't hear him. He hated that Elsa probably wouldn't recover in time to stop this. He hated the wicked troll, he hated society, he hated himself. He wanted to claim his innocence. There would be no point. But still, even now, he wanted to do something other than stand here and die without at least some measure of satisfaction.

"…by firing squad," he heard someone—a crier?—finish. What, no 'may god have mercy on your soul'? He supposed he wasn't too shocked at that. Probably Anna's order. So it began. Not even a question of if he had any last words. He scowled at the call of 'ready'. Glared scathingly as his siblings loaded the rifles without so much as looking at him. At the call of 'aim' they obeyed, and not one of them looked about to back down. He wanted to laugh at them. "Fire!" the order sounded… But nothing came. Hans blinked, a little taken aback. Now there was hesitance. As they looked down the barrels of their rifles at their baby brother, there was hesitance. They would, of course, see it through, but for now, at least, there was time.

"My blood will forever be on your hands and on Anna's!" Hans dared shout to them. "I'm not an innocent man, but there is no guilt in me for what you've sentenced me to death for, do you hear?! I die with a clear conscience! I hope these actions haunt you all for the rest of your lives!"

"Fire!" came the order again. The brothers hesitated again, now visibly uneasy. Even Anna looked a little shaken. What was Hans trying to say? He… he was guilty. They'd seen the look in his eyes, heard his words… He was guilty… "Fire!" the order came again. There was no more hesitance…

Frozen

Elsa groaned softly, eyes flickering open. Where was she? In her room, she realized. In Arendelle. What had…? On remembering she caught her breath, sitting bolt upright.

"Your majesty, please! Move slowly. You're badly injured," Gerda's voice said, pushing her lightly down again.

Elsa looked quickly over at her servant. "How long have I been here?" she demanded.

"Not long. Only a day or so," Gerda answered. "The prince Mael fought fervently to save your life. He succeeded. Oh thank the gods!"

"Mael? Where is he now?" Elsa asked.

"He and his brothers are in the courtyard armed with rifles. The traitor and would-be murderer, Prince Hans, has been sentenced to die this evening by firing squad. They volunteered to be the squad. You will never have to worry about him again, your majesty. He will be gone. Isn't it wonderful?"

Elsa's expression reflected anything but gladness. She was horrified at this news. "D-die? Tonight? I acquitted him!" she exclaimed.

"For his original treachery, yes, but not for this one or his attempted murder of you. Don't you remember?" Gerda asked, puzzled.

"Attempted what?!" Elsa exclaimed. "Gerda, he wasn't the one who tried to kill me! He didn't betray us!"

"Are you feeling alright?" Gerda asked.

"No!" Elsa exclaimed, throwing off the covers and staggering up. This wasn't happening, this couldn't be happening. "It was all a trick. Anna's condemned an innocent man, and his own brothers will be the ones to kill him!" She didn't think so! They would never be able to live with themselves after they heard the truth.

"Elsa! Elsa!" Gerda called after her, but the queen was already running.

Don't let it be too late, please don't let it be too late!

Frozen

She raced down the halls, passing shocked servants and ignoring their calls. "Elsa…" Kai began as she was passing him.

"How much time do I have to stop this execution?!" Elsa demanded.

"Your majesty, if it goes as scheduled he's either already dead or will be by the time you reach them!" Kai shouted after her. She nearly shouted a curse before biting her tongue. She sped up. This couldn't happen, it couldn't. There was the balcony she was trying to reach, the doors wide open. She could hear the order of 'fire'.

"Hans!" she cried out. She knew odds were he couldn't hear, or any of them for that matter. When no gunshot sounded out she could have cheered. The princes were hesitating to kill him! She still had a chance. The second call of 'fire'. She nearly had a heart attack. Every increment of time passing was another she didn't have! She reached the balcony as the third call went out.

"Fire!" the voice called a third time.

Frozen

The princes pulled the triggers and the sound of the guns shattering the twilight rang out. Anna's courage failed and she screamed, turning away and shutting her eyes tight as Kristoff pulled her into is arms and shut his eyes as well, looking away with teeth gritted. There was the sound of a collective gasp. Heart pounding—what had she done?—Anna slowly looked up, expecting to see the prince's body lying still and soaked in blood. What she saw instead… She and Kristoff gasped, mouths dropping. The princes looked equally as stunned.

Hans opened his eyes. He hadn't been shot? He saw immediately why. The bullets were frozen in place. He could feel one of the frozen projectiles pressing against his forehead. Another he could feel digging into his skin, right above his heart. The other shots were equally as close, the farthest from him being hardly a centimeter. He blinked and looked up. There, on the balcony, stood a mortified looking Elsa, hands outstretched. He felt his shoulders sag in relief as he let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. A smirk dared part his lips.

Once her heart stopping pounding out of her chest, Elsa took a deep and shaky breath to try and calm down. She'd stopped it, she'd been on time, he was still alive. Everything was good. "I have not had time to discuss Hans's sentence with King Moren of the Southern Isles, but I believe I ordered the prince acquitted of death!" she declared, once a few moments of silence had passed, long enough for all spectators to process what had happened. "And if this execution is for his perceived treachery, if this execution is for his perceived attempt at murder, then I'm stopping it now. Prince Hans of the Southern Isles is innocent of all the crimes levelled against him."

Anna whipped around, eyes wide. They filled with hope and happiness and excitement. Her sister was okay! "Elsa!" she cried out, hardly hearing the rest. She ran towards the balcony. Elsa's lips turned up into a loving smirk, and she crafted an ice staircase up to the balcony. Anna raced up them and threw herself into her sister's arms, tears of happiness slipping from her eyes. "You're alive! You're okay!"

Elsa grinned, hugging her sister tightly and rocking her gently before pushing her back. "I am, Anna," she stated. "I am." She looked back down. Kristoff was now running up the staircase. Hans's brothers looked unsure of what to do. Soon, though, Iscawin threw down his rifle and raced to his brother, immediately unbinding him and pulling him out of the way of the frozen bullets as if he feared that at any moment the ice would give out and they'd finish the job they started. He blinked at a taken aback Hans, who looked confused at the swift action, then dragged him into a hug.

Hans started, unsure what to think about this. He shoved his brother back. "Iscawin, what are you doing?!" he demanded, looking a cross between appalled and unsure, maybe even a little longing.

"Shut up and take it, little brother," Iscawin replied, pulling him back into a hug. Hans frantically tried to process this but couldn't manage to come up with any satisfactory answer that made sense as to why his sibling was hugging him. He gave up trying and sighed, sagging into his older brother's arms. He suddenly processed how weak and exhausted he felt and closed his eyes. He just wanted to pass out and forget any of this had happened… And then he was surrounded by the rest, all baying for and demanding answers, some checking him over and some looking a cross between enraged and totally mystified. Well, so much for passing out, Hans dryly realized.

Frozen

They were all gathered in the throne room now. Elsa had only just finished explaining what had happened at the troll king's lair, explaining it was her idea for Hans to play the traitor, explaining the logic behind it, explaining that rather than attempting to murder her, he'd done all in his power to try and save her. Needless to say, Anna was stunned mute. Even Kristoff was still struggling to process it all. As were Hans's brothers. It would take time, but eventually it would sink in. "I grant you mercy, traitorous innocent," she said to Hans softly, finishing. He bowed to her silently. She nodded and turned to Moren. "As things are, death is not a sentence even in the cards for Prince Hans. If not for his original treachery, he would be lauded. As it is, that isn't so, and the Prince still needs to face sentence for his original crime against Arendelle," Elsa said, taking a page from Moren's book.

"I agree," Moren stated. Hans tensed, frowning in annoyance.

"He will be banished from this land. Never to return to it, never to look at it. I want him nowhere near me or my sister or my people ever again," Elsa said.

"It will be done," Moren agreed. He looked at his brother. "I would have stripped you of even your title if not for your help in the matter of saving us all." Hans looked down, eyes dark. He didn't look at his sibling. "But a good dose of humility and manual labor should curb you a bit."

"Bite me," Hans replied.

"Consecutive military terms, most lenthy. No more a choice of yours, whether to sail or not, but a requirement. You will take to the seas as Admiral whenever something threatens us," Moren said.

"That's supposed to be a punishment?" Hans scoffed. It got him away from them, at least.

"You will be on the front lines," Moren deadpanned. Hans stiffened, eyes widening slightly. Soon, though, he sighed and nodded. Fine. He could handle the front lines. More or less. He hoped. Moren turned back to Elsa. "For now that is the base of it?"

"For now," Elsa replied. "I have no affection for your brother, no desire to keep him safe from whatever militaristic action you'd have him take, and he has no affection for me." Though… perhaps there was something of a question now… It just wasn't enough. Hatred, mistrust, unease… It all served to keep it from being anything more than a question, a fleeting thought of 'what if there's more to him'. It was a question she wasn't inclined to seek the answer to. Or was afraid to. "I won't forgive you for what you did to me and to Anna," she said, looking at him.'

"I wouldn't ask you to. Some things can't and shouldn't be forgiven," Hans coldly answered, crossing his arms. "Time doesn't always heal all wounds."

"Then the terms are understood," Elsa said. "Goodbye, prince of the Southern Isles."

"And good riddance," Anna added. Elsa gave her an irritated glare. Anna cringed and backed down.

Elsa turned to Moren again. "Political relations between our nations are yet to be discussed. In two months' time, once things have been settled on your end, return. It's the last time Hans will be allowed on Arendelle's soil, and we can finish up discussing political matters in the wake of his treachery then."

"As you wish," Moren said, bowing to her. "Thank you, Elsa. For everything. Your mercy, your understanding, your help… We owe you our lives and freedom."

"You're welcome. May your voyage home be safe," she said in response, bowing her head to him in turn. Moren nodded. He and his brothers turned to leave and prepare the ships for departure.

Frozen

Elsa leaned on the balcony the night before the princes were to leave, looking down into the courtyard. Anna and Kristoff were there, exchanging sweet nothings, holding hands. They would be married soon. When all matters of the issues around it were settled, that was. After all, royalty and a peasant? It would be scandal if things weren't smoothed out first. That kind of drama was something they didn't need so soon after all of this. It would be dealt with eventually. Review a few laws, work things out… It would all be okay in the end. She hoped. She wanted her sister to always be this happy. As she watched them, for a moment she felt empty. It wasn't a blessing she was fated to have. Not given her powers, given who she was… Any marriage would be a marriage of convenience and nothing more. It couldn't be anything more. And the last thing she'd want from one was for there to be touching. But maybe with Mael's help… But would she even see him enough, from here on in, for him to teach her how to control these powers completely? She sighed, leaving the balcony. She would go down by the sea to walk the beach.

Soon enough she was at her destination. She could see the princes making their last minute preparations to leave. She folded her arms around her, watching solemnly. Some of them spotted her, Iscawin and the triplets. "Queen Elsa!" she heard them call merrily to her, waving. She giggled a bit and waved back before turning and walking the other way. She heard a splash and turned quickly, eyes wide. Iscawin had jumped off of his ship and into the sea?! She blinked in disbelief as he swam towards her and the beach.

"Are you out of your mind?!" she called to him in alarm as he pulled himself onto the shore and went to her, grinning.

"For you? Yes," Iscawin answered.

She smirked, shaking her head hopelessly at him. "You're getting too bold, Prince."

"You're worth it," Iscawin answered, grinning. "Couldn't leave without one more goodbye." He took her hands in his and boldly pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Goodbye, Elsa. I hope our next visit here won't be our last. I'd very much like to see you more often."

She smiled softly. "Me too," she answered. "All of you," she added. She didn't want to lead him.

"Except Hans?" Iscawin asked, frowning worriedly.

Elsa sighed, drawing a hand through her bangs. "I don't… really want to go into that now."

"I'm sorry," Iscawin said.

"It's okay… Frankly I don't even know what to think of him anymore," she said.

"You're not the only one," Iscawin said. "None of us have ever been able to figure him out… Not that we really tried all that hard. Not even for each other... It's hard to get Hans to open up about anything or show any real vulnerability. That's kind of our faults. Showing vulnerability was a sign of weakness, showing weakness was to have our brothers or father descend like vultures. And that went for each of us, even Moren… I'll miss you, Elsa."

"I'll miss you too," Elsa replied, smiling.

"Iscawin, hurry up!" Franz was heard calling. "You still have things to do on deck! Quit tail chasing the queen!"

Iscawin blushed. Elsa giggled. "Um, I've got to go. Bye," he said.

"Bye," she answered. He turned and hurried off. She watched after him, smirking.

Frozen

She felt the presence of someone nearby and turned, frowning curiously. Hans was there, leading Sitron. He watched after Iscawin then turned to her. "He cares for you," he noted. "Very much."

"I know... It's sweet. He's sweet... But I'm not looking for anything like that now," she said. Maybe not ever. "I don't want to hurt him, but..."

"I know," Hans said. A courtship wasn't what she wanted right now, and even if she did, at the moment she didn't feel the same about Iscawin as he felt for her. Sensing she wanted to drop the subject, Hans turned to her. "He's reluctant to leave. I can't say I share the sentiment," he remarked.

"I know you don't," she replied. Hans was petting Sitron, looking lost in thought. She frowned. "You came here for a reason," she noted.

"Yes," he replied. She said nothing. He'd speak when he was ready. He always did. "I'm grateful… That you listened, that night on the cliff overlooking the palace. That… that you could bring yourself to look at me again... For what you said…" he muttered. He wouldn't thank her, but he was grateful for it. At least.

"Is this a thanks?" she asked.

"Don't bet on it," Hans replied. "It's just… It's just a statement."

She nodded. She wasn't surprised. "I'm grateful you showed that side to me… If you hadn't, I don't know if I would have found it in me to save you from the wicked sprite."

"I think you would have, but I can't say I'd blame you if you hadn't… Part of me almost wanted you not to…" Hans said.

"Hans…" she began.

"Don't. Please. I don't need to hear it. I get it. I've heard it all before," he said.

"Maybe you should start believing it," she answered.

"Maybe…" he agreed. He turned to her. "Goodbye, Elsa. And the next time we meet, it will be goodbye forever." He smirked and chuckled. "I can only imagine the celebration you and Anna will have."

"Will it compare to your own celebration?" she asked, smirking back.

"We'll see," Hans replied. He mounted Sitron and rode towards his own ship. Not once did he look back, and as the ships departed from the docks, heading back to the Isles, Elsa watched silently after them.

"You've drawn me to you… All of you…" she murmured after them. "Make it home safe." Turning her back on the sea, when the ships were out of sight, she returned to her palace and her friends and family.

(A/N: So that's the conclusion of my Frozen story. I have all sorts of ideas for sequels/continuations, if people are interested in seeing any. Just kind of worried they won't be as good, but who knows? It's a long road that I have planned for the Royals of Arendelle and the Southern Isles. Lots of challenges, lots of complications, lots of turn coating, lots of character development, etc. If people are interested in reading more, let me know. Already working on a sequel, and have segments for future stories planned out, and some written up.

Some information tidbits: The names I took for Hans's brothers were based in the semi-canons of Once Upon a Time-which I've never watched and only looked up to see if there were any kind-of-canon-but-not-really names for the brothers-and the tie-in book Frozen Heart. A good portion of the brothers' appearances, with some [read a lot of] creative liberties to fit more with genetics and the animation style, were taken from Once Upon a Time, as were the names Franz and Jürgen, the only two named brothers in the show. The names Caleb, Lars, Rudi, and Runo, and the fact Rudi and Runo are twins, come from the tie-in book, as well as a bit of their appearance and early attitude. Hence the reason I say those names were their given names but they took the names I've given them in the wake of their father's death.

Thank you for all the reviews and support. I honestly wasn't sure if this story would go over very well, and I'm glad it did. Again, if sequels are something readers are interested in, let me know.

And to guest reviewer Jenn, I only wish. Truth be told I kind of even took on Disney style to write this. Wanted to make it a believable sequel, more or less. Of course with liberties in length and language and some things that happened. T rating, after all. Unfortunately, I don't think Disney looks at fanfics for inspiration and probably wouldn't hire somebody who wrote one.)