What a pity, Hans thought as he delicately raised Anna's chin and gazed into her wide, expectant eyes. The glow from the fireplace highlighted the streaks of white in her hair- a telltale sign of the curse now freezing her from within.

Anna was, after all, everything he wanted in a wife: heiress to a kingdom, naive, congenial, and beautiful enough to bear comely heirs for his succession.

Hans would have made a wonderful husband. He would have taken care to provide the affection and attention Anna so desperately craved. She would have been quite simple to please, really. And because Anna was impulsive and ditzy, the kingdom would naturally look to him, the mature spouse, for thoughtful, steady leadership.

It would have been perfect, a true "happily ever after": a stable, contented couple ruling over a stable, contented kingdom. But, for all that he wanted her, Hans did not love her. All the charm and ability he possessed would not reverse a spell that demanded an act of true love.

Anna was doomed. Once again, he would have to adapt.

Hans leaned in for the futile kiss, taking his time, his mind racing for an excuse to offer when it failed. For a moment he hesitated, his eyes opening slightly to flick over her trusting face.

Why should he have to play a defeated, incapable fiance? This was the end for her. He wanted Anna to know, to understand what he had attained, to be in awe of him. Hans wanted to be recognized as the victor, not a failure. Never a failure.

His brother, Reginald, once told him, Hans, there isn't anyone out there who actually loves you. Well, he could certainly adapt that line to this situation- with far more wit and to greater effect. Smiling slightly at his own cleverness, he breathed, "Oh, Anna…"

He paused again, warring with himself. Even with victory in sight, Hans could not risk showing his hand. There had been too many surprises thus far for him to take anything for granted. No, his pride would have to yield to expediency.

Anna looked up at him, and with great tenderness, he kissed her.

Anna smiled shyly as her true love withdrew from their kiss. "Oh... That was... wow."

Hans grinned back. His hands clasped around hers. She could barely feel the press of his gloves, her own fingers were so chilled.

"How do you feel?"

She hesitated, waiting a few moments before admitting, "I don't feel different. I...Hans, I don't think it's working."

"What? That's not possible." He kissed her again, with increasing urgency. Drawing back, he anxiously scanned her face, but her shivers betrayed the fact that she was not any warmer. "Why isn't it working? Anna…" The look he gave her was heartwrenching. "Anna, do you really love me?"

"Of course I do!" she burst out, aghast. "Hans-"

His expression immediately became contrite. "No, forgive me." He smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead. "I shouldn't have asked such a foolish question." He removed his jacket, draping it over her, before grasping the chaise and pulling it closer to the fireplace. "I think we've misunderstood the cure for the spell. But I have an idea." He put a gloved hand to her cheek. "I will save you, Anna. Just...hold on. Please."

He left with haste, the sound of his running footsteps receded down the hall. Anna shivered again, and drew his jacket tighter around her. It was designed more for fashion than warmth, but at least it smelled like him. She smiled and tried to take comfort in his obvious care for her. Hans wouldn't let her down.

When he returned, one of the royal clerks trailed in behind him. Hans immediately strode to her side, crouching down and resting his gloved hand gently on her cheek. "Anna, you said that only an act of true love could save you. We thought it meant a kiss, but," he sighed, shaking his head, "Well, what is a kiss anyway? What does it really require? No- a real act of true love is to devote yourself completely to another person."

He turned and beckoned the clerk over. "Anna, let's exchange our marriage vows."

"What, you mean, now?" she asked, stunned.

"Well... yes." He offered her a tentative smile, his eyes hopeful. "I didn't want it to happen like this, either, but I...I would do anything for you. I wish I could give you the wedding you deserve. With soup, roast, and ice cream, of course."

She smiled at his reference to her words at the Coronation Ball. Hans, meanwhile, continued to ramble about the wedding they should have had. "With all our friends and family in attendance. And music and dancing, chocolate cake and sandwiches, and you in a gorgeous gown. I'm sorry to take that away from you."

"Oh, Hans, none of that matters," she said soothingly, clasping her shaking hands around his arm and adoring the way his face lit up at her words. "If we have each other, then that's enough for me."

With the clerk as their witness, the two said their marriage vows. Anna could tell that Hans was elated, and she was feeling giddy herself. They kissed for the first time as husband and wife.

Still she felt cold, barely able to raise herself from the chaise. Hans' eyes darted over her. "Is anything happening?"

"I don't know. I don't feel different." Anna shuddered. If anything, the chill was getting worse, biting painfully through her. "Hans, what am I going to do? Why isn't it working?"

"Who claimed that love would reverse the spell?" Hans asked suddenly, sounding suspicious. "Was it Elsa?"

"No! It was the trolls," she said defensively, disliking the implication that her sister would have misled to her.

"Trolls?" Hans repeated, exchanging a surprised look with the royal clerk. "What do you mean? Where did you find creatures like that?"

"On the mountain. Well, I didn't exactly find them, Kristoff introduced us," she explained breathlessly. "I thought he was crazy at first, because they looked exactly like rocks...the trolls, I mean. But then they showed themselves, and can you believe they wanted me to marry Kristoff? They tried to perform the ceremony and everything! Oh, it was so awkward. I mean, poor Kristoff, he was really embara…"

"Wait, wait. Who's Kristoff?" Hans demanded, brows drawn and a note of jealousy in his voice.

"He's an ice harvester I met on the way," Anna explained, her energy failing her fast. "He helped me get up the mountain to...to find Elsa. But when she...when she struck me… he took me to the trolls for help."

Hans looked her over, his gaze softening. "You're tiring, Anna. Save your strength. I think I understand, now." He shook his head slowly. "I think the trolls are wrong about the way to break this spell. I mean, just look at Arendelle. Only Elsa can end this winter, and only Elsa can thaw your heart."

He stood quickly, and faced the royal clerk. "I want you to fetch guards and servants. Have them bring blankets, hot compresses, and soup. Keep the fireplace burning high. Keep my wife as warm as possible. Protect her, and don't let any outsiders get near. Especially not trolls." His expression darkened. "And if Kristoff shows his face at the castle, have him arrested immediately."

"No! Hans, Kristoff is my friend-"

"I don't trust him, Anna," he said curtly. "He allowed you to get hurt, and then he brought you to the trolls, who tried to force you to marry him. What if that was his goal all along? What if he wanted to charm and impress you by offering to help? What if he's really after your kingdom?"

"No." She frowned, pushing herself up on her elbows. Accusing the gruff, introverted Kristoff of trying to charm her was laughable. After he'd hazarded his life and lost most of his possessions helping her, he did not deserve to be maligned. "That's not at all-"

"Please Anna, save your strength." He halted her struggle to sit up, and pressed her gently back down to the couch.

"You're not listening to me!"

Hans winced. "You're right. Forgive me. I'm just worried." He kissed her softly before she could reply. "I don't want to lose you, Anna. One way or another, I will break this spell."