I can't believe I'm saying this, but this is the final chapter. A Warm Blizzard, which is oddly enough the exact same amount of chapters as another story I wrote last year, is over. I thank you all for supporting me and leaving your wonderful reviews, favorites, following and PM messaging. It was all wonderful. This was a great experience for me and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

PLEASE give your opinion on this: It was suggested in a PM by a reader that I do a mini series (like 2-5 chapters or so) on Hans and/or Rowen. Like their back story up until the fanfiction. So, I wanted to ask those of you who read this, would you read something like that? Please respond in comments or PM messages. If I get enough feedback, I'll start drafting up a mini-plotline and post them when I can. :3

Anyhow...I guess this is...goodbye? No, no, not goodbye...more like a, "thanks for watching, be back soon" sort of thing. I'm not done writing fanfiction for Frozen, so I can't say it's a goodbye. From this story...pretty much. From the fandom and this pairing? No.

So, so long, my dearest readers, and enjoy the rest of your day, week, month, etc. I wish you all the very best.

-Kitty M. Smith

Hans smiled. He crinkled his bare feet around the ground, gripping the lush, green grass with his toes and tugging it out of the ground. Across from him, at the other side of the clearing, was Dai. The child had grown several inches in the last four years, becoming a bit tall for his age of 8. His hair had darkened slightly and swept around his eyes and ears in confused chunks that didn't know whether they wanted to be wavy or curly. He was looking at his mother as she knelt beside him, giving him a bit of a pep talk. He'd just started magic training, prompted by his mother. Today they were practicing combat. He was to use defense spells his mother had taught him to block blasts of fire Hans would throw at him. Hans planned to make them very small and weak for the nervous youth's sake.

"Hans won't be harsh, love."

Rowen smiled at her son and then stood. Having calmed over the years, she now spent most her time in loose pants and shirts with badges on the shoulders. Elsa had put Rowen in charge of training the guards and the small military force Arendelle possessed. She was also Elsa's adviser and wore a uniform when she attended meetings with her.

"Ok Momma." Dai bit his lip and turned towards Hans, wringing his hands.

"Ready?" Hans asked.

Dai timidly nodded and then set his brow and took a determined stance. Hans refrained from chuckling, less Dai loose his spontaneous confidence, and punched out a ball of flame. Dai quickly mumbled an incantation and threw out his hand. The fire hit an invisible force, rolled like it was in a bowl, and then vanished.

"Good!"

Hans grinned and fired again. Dai blocked it with his other hand. Hans fired two and Dai blocked both. The boy grinned widely and bounced. Hans glanced to Rowen with a questioning look, and she nodded. Hans took both hands and blasted out a spout of fire. Dai jumped back in surprise a moment before throwing out both hands and deflecting the streams of fire. He stared in amazement at his feat as his mother clapped, but Hans didn't let him stare too long before firing more. Dai jumped up and blocked. Hans began giving him a harder time, giving him three blasts of fire instead of two, or one long blast that challenged Dai's ability to hold a shield. He didn't do anything too hard, but he did give the boy a challenge.

"Alright, you two." Rowen stepped in between them, waving her arm as fire spiraled toward her. It burnt out inches from her face. "I've got to get back to work, and there isn't a snowball's chance in hell I'm letting you practice alone."

"Aw, but Momma!" Dai stuck out his lower lip and let his shoulders droop.

"You can practice more tomorrow, Dai." Rowen patted his head and slid her hand down to his shoulder, turning her head to Hans. "Besides, I know Hans has things he has to attend to as well. Like his coronation rehearsal with his wife." She gave the young man a very pointed look, and he smiled back sheepishly.

"Right, right." He slung his shirt over his shoulders and buttoned it quickly. "Do you know where she is?"

"She didn't tell you?"

"Nope."

"Well no, I don't, actually. I assumed you would know since it's your rehearsal."

Hans shrugged and ruffled Dai's hair. "I'll figure it out. See you later, Rowen."

"See you later."

Hans waved at the mother and son and then turned around, heading out of the forest. The summer air felt lazy and calm; it effected the rest of the forest, who's tree leaves blew gently in the breeze and animals made small little chatters of idle conversation. The ground was warm and soft, the creek trickled gently with no pressing matters forcing it to go faster. The overall placidity had an easing effect on Hans. He was nervous. Beyond nervous. He'd agreed to help Dai train today in hopes that he could avoid the rehearsal, postpone it until the next day, or week. Or year.

It was a never ending source of anxiety for the king-to-be. Since he and Elsa had married two years prior he knew it was coming. He knew, eventually, he'd have to step up and take the throne beside the lovely queen. What he had always wanted, what Hans had made his life goal from the time he was a little boy until he nearly killed the woman he now called his wife, and the woman he now called his sister-in-law. That day-that year, really- had all been one big calamity. A giant, violent, epiphany that smacked all the little bits of Hans's ambition clouded brain back into place. And, after discovering himself again, he'd wanted nothing more than to not be king. He was terrified of being king, especially over Arendelle. He thought somehow it would twist his mind again; that he'd become mad with power and not be able to fix it; he'd loose Elsa and Anna and everyone he'd come to care for. He couldn't afford that.

Of course, he didn't let Elsa know about this. Actually, the only two people who knew he had any reservations about becoming king was Anna and Rowen. Anna knew he was a bit bothered by it, but Rowen knew the full story. She knew he'd woken up in the night due to nightmares, slipped out of bed, and padded down to the library to read until he was too tired to keep his eyes open. She knew he drank stronger-than-strong coffee to keep himself up during those consecutive days of little sleep and much activity, and she knew that his biggest fear other than becoming king was that Elsa find out.

When he entered the castle, Hans was jarred from his anxious thoughts by two little hands smacking onto his pant leg. He looked down and smiled upon seeing his nephew. The boy had russet red hair and brown eyes, and more freckles than seemed humanly possible to fit on such cute little cheeks. His name was Kristoffer. Anna had meant it as a joke when the child was born, but after looking at him, she decided the name actually fit quite well and made it official. Kristoff, to give the child some sort of saving grace in his mind, gave him the middle name Boone, which is what everyone but Anna tended to call him.

"Hey buddy, where's your mama, huh?" Hans picked him up and bounced him slightly. The toddler cooed in response.

"His mama is right here." Came Anna's relieved voice. She jogged up to Hans and seized her offspring, tapping his nose. "Naughty little boy ran away from Nana Fanny."

"She's here already?" Hans inwardly groaned. The woman had pestered him and Elsa to have children since the wedding, and continued to mention it every single time they came in contact.

"She's been here since yesterday, Hans." Anna smirked. "Trying to find you. Said something about the "joys of procreating" and a special herbal tea that helps with it."

"The woman is mad for great grandchildren."

"Not mad, dearie, absolutely insane." Nana fanny said, coming out of the hall. Her Chinese style robes trailed after her, the silk trail picking up whatever dust particles had previously settled there. "There really is so much good with the creation of babies! I mean, making the baby is the fun part, but-"

"Nana!" Anna stared at her grandmother in disbelief, mouth ajar.

Nana Fanny blinked and looked at her. "What? Like you can disagree with that little bundle." She pointed to Boone, who seemed glad to have the attention. "If it wasn't fun I don't see why you married the fellow. Well, he is quite nice, but really, personality only goes so far-"

"Fanny, please tell me you're highly intoxicated." Hans interjected, nearly retching.

"It's an idea. Did you know alcohol leads to babies? I think you and Elsa should try drinking a couple bottles of wine and-"

"Do you know where Elsa is?" Hans swallowed hard to keep from yelling at the old bat.

"Uh, hiding from me, I think." Nana Fanny looked around, tapping her rouge lips with one long, manicured nail. "I'd try the library. Or that one up in the tower. She always goes there; still such an unsocial girl, you know. I think she should work on that. Love her to bits, but-"

"Thanks." Hans cut her off, shooting Anna an apologetic look before abandoning her and traveling down the castle halls to the tower library that Elsa often escaped too. He climbed the stairs, briefly thinking of his room on the other side of the castle. They'd refitted it, giving it a rather lovely bed and closet, as well as a vanity and wash basin. It was used as a guest room, now. Hans knocked at the door when he reached the top of the stairs.

"Nana, my womb is perfectly happy being empty." Elsa called.

"It's me, the one who is perfectly find with the lack of occupation in your womb." Hans said.

"Oh, Hans!" Elsa sounded immediately cheerful. "Come in, honey."

Hans entered, smiling at his wife. She was reclined in a large leather chair, books in haphazard stacks around her. Papers with notes stuck out of them at various angels, and small trinkets lined the windowsill and other surfaces. A bird that stuck its beak in water, a set of steel balls that perpetually swung back and fourth, powered by the vibrations traveling through their brethren. Prisms that cast rainbows on the floor and dream-catchers that turned gently where they hung from the ceiling. Pictures and bottles and statuettes. Each one from a different place; France, New Orleans, Spain, Italy, China, and more. All of them marked somewhere Elsa had sailed with Hans since their marriage. They were all fond memories, and Hans smiled at them.

"Where have you been?" Elsa asked, patting the footrest in front of her. Hans took his seat.

"Out helping Dai train. He's getting pretty good at his shields." Hans scooted his seat up to Elsa's chair so that he could lean on her armrest. Elsa patted his hand.

"It's good you helped him. But we have work to do, you know." She chided lightly, smiling. Elsa had changed over the years. She was still Elsa; shy and strong, patient, elegant, capable and sassy when she wanted to be. But she'd also become far more confident, and even more so soft spoken. There was something about the way she spoke that was more captivating than ever; she drew everyone towards her with her smooth, clear words and silk soft edges to each one spoken. She was well respected by many world leaders, and watched over her country with caution and care.

"I know." Hans smiled sheepishly. "How much is planned?"

"Nearly all of it. We just need to finish up what will be served at the after party, and the tailor needs to fit you for your clothes."

Hans listened quietly and nodded. Elsa continued, speaking about some other minor details and elements to the party and the ceremony. She didn't talk about them with much enthusiasm; but then again, she'd never been a party person. She did, however, get a bit of a twinkle in her eye when she started talking about Hans being king. She was excited about it, and he knew. Him agreeing to be king was a step in their relationship; they would be united as both lovers and rulers. Something Hans knew Elsa had wanted since before their wedding day. Eventually Elsa stopped talking and looked straight into Hans's eyes.

"You don't want to do this." She said without warning. It was given more as a fact than a question. "You don't want to become king."

Hans was quick to defend his years old semi-secret. "Of course I do, Elsa. I love Arendelle, and you. I'm just a little nervous is al-"

"I know you go to the library during the night." She interrupted, glancing at the books around her. "I know you can't sleep. I didn't know why, and I didn't say anything because I know you don't like me fussing too much but...that's it. You don't want to become king-you-you never have, have you? All this time..." She stood up. Hans tried to say something as he followed, but she wouldn't let him. "All this time you've just been...pretending. Why, Hans? For me? Anna, someone else? Arendelle? Why don't you want to-are you afraid the people won't like you? They love you! You've gained their trust, their admiration-praise and love and-they think you're great Hans! Word never stops on when you'll take the throne with me; everyone has been waiting for two years!"

Her hair, which was currently down, seemed ruffled. She waved her hands around as she spoke and her cheeks were hot looking as her flustered brow remained creased. It came crashing down on Hans that Elsa had suspected this for awhile; perhaps since he'd said he thought they should wait before he became king. That they should just have the wedding, make it simple. Maybe it was him suggesting a new trip to somewhere nearly every time she proposed planning the ceremony. Maybe it was the nights she apparently knew he was sneaking off to the library. The nervousness, the avoiding of the conversations. Looking back, Hans realized he could have been far more stealthy. He'd been oblivious to her inner suffering as she bit her lip and tried not to express her concern. She'd concealed the frustration and doubt so well...

Hans reached out his arms and put them on Elsa's shoulders, twirling her around to face him. Though he wouldn't have said it out loud, he kept his hands on her shoulders to keep himself upright. He thought if he let go, his knees might give way. "Elsa, darling...darling..."

Why was he so out of breath? He moved his hands down her arms, hoping her icy sleeves would mask the heat pulsing through them.

"I'm so, so sorry. It's...I'm scared, alright." The word felt like copper in his mouth. Scared. It was so...weak. "All I ever wanted was to become king, and that...that's what nearly cost me you. What nearly cost me...me everything..." His voice grew quiet as he continued. "I don't want that to happen again. I don't know what it is..or was. It took me over, the lust for power. It took all those days working in the grounds, wandering around alone surrounded by people who hated me and weren't afraid to say exactly why...that's what broke me of it, that and you."

He forced himself to stand straighter. He looked down at Elsa, and she frowned up at him.

"I don't want to go back to that, Elsa. I know it's...it's stupid, and maybe a bit crazy, but I just think somehow having...the title, the official power...might...bring whatever that was, back."

The silence after that was unbearable and ringing. Hans's heart pounded in his ears as he came to terms with the truth: He was scared, and now Elsa knew.

It seems she didn't know what to do for awhile. She was thinking, and it made Hans worry. When she finally did react, she didn't speak. Instead she reached her hands up and put them on Hans's hot cheeks, standing on her toes as she pulled him down just a titch and kissed his forehead. Then she moved her arms around his shoulders and hugged him, pressing her head against his chest.

"Hans Westerguard," she began, tilting her head up. "You are the most brilliant, kindhearted man I know. You freed me when no one else could, and you've helped me realize I don't have to be scared of anyone anymore." She put her hands on his cheeks again, brushing her thumbs over his eyebrows and smiling gently. "And now I'm going to return the favor. I promise you don't have to be scared, and if you are...I'll always be there for you, like you've been for me."

Slowly, Hans smiled. He kissed Elsa and then leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you, Elsa."

"I love you too, Hans."

The glass was red hot in his hand. He watched the water in it boil and then observed the glass slowly starting to melt in his fingers, sizzling as the water washed over the spaces that began forming. He went to the window and held his hand out of it, listening as the glass fell from the second story and seared through the leaves of bushes outside. He went back to the chair sat in front of the table at the wall and gazed up at the portrait of Elsa's father, holding the royal symbols in his hands.

"I can't do this." He whispered to himself, looking at the mock items on the table before him and the scorch marks on the table where he'd set the hot metal down. He couldn't. He'd turn, he'd burn the place down. He'd do something stupid.

"Hans?" A small hand was placed on his shoulder. If Elsa hadn't said anything first, he might have burned her.

"Yes dear?" He turned his head to her, breathing deeply. Elsa blinked slowly and walked around Hans, her dress trailing behind her. It was crimson and black, entirely made of ice, but it didn't look it. She'd gotten quite good at coloring her dresses. She bent down in front of Hans so she was looking up at his slightly slumped form. He wondered how she managed that in heels without tipping over.

"Are you alright?" Her voice was gentle and kind. Hans felt a little bit better.

"No." He sighed.

"I appreciate the bluntness."

Hans rose and turned away from his wife, lightly marching to the other side of the room and looking at the painting that had been added a few years ago: Elsa, looking nervous but brave, wearing her crown and holding the slightly frosted items in her hands. "Are you sure...I mean...should I really be doing this, Elsa? Is it...too late to-"

"Hans, the ceremony is within the hour. Yes it is too late to change your mind." She came over beside him and took his hand, looking at the painting as well. "I can't believe that was...what? Four, five years ago?"

"Six." Hans murmured.

"Six." Elsa breathed deeply. "Seems longer."

"Always does."

"It was hard getting used to that, having power. Being queen. Especially after I nearly destroyed my own kingdom. And the murder plot didn't help either."

"Heh, sorry dear."

Elsa wrapped her arm around his and patted his shoulder. "But even after everything was fixed, I was still scared out of my wits. Took few months before I sort of had a handle on things, and even then I didn't really know what I was doing. But I got better with time, and no one was affected to badly if I made a mistake. I was the first queen to figure things out on my own, without my parents to help teach me those last few years...but I didn't pretty good. And now we're all doing really good. Arendelle's never done better, not in a hundred years. And that's because I'm not alone on this." She smiled up at Hans. "I have you, Hans. And you have me. I know I can't tell you to just not be scared, but I can tell you I'm here, and if you need someone to keep you standing, then I will."

Hans looked at Elsa and realized that she was the strongest woman he'd ever had the pleasure of meeting, and the best wife the world could give. He kissed her and smiled when they parted, forehead to forehead. He didn't need to say thank you. He didn't need to say he loved her, he was thankful she was there. Because she knew, and now he knew that as he walked up the isle of the church, as the choir sang above the pews and the cardinal stood with the pillow that held the royal scepter and orb, he knew as he stood there holding the ceremonial pieces that he didn't have to be afraid, because he wasn't alone. He wouldn't be ruling alone. They would be ruling.

Together.