Disclaimer: I own nothing from Frozen. Rights belong to Disney Studios and Hans Christian Anderson.

Prologue

Prince Hans of the Southern Isles leaned against the bars of his cell as the foreign dignitary's boat rocked back and forth on the waves. He had been stuck in confinement the entire week-long journey so far. The vessel wasn't a speedy one, and for the disgraced royal, it was both a blessing and a curse. Hans never did take sea travel with much enthusiasm, and being locked in his small cell didn't help much. Without the ability to stretch about on the deck, his long legs were starting to feel cramped and his stomach was turning from a mix of unpleasant food and sea-sickness. He rubbed his hands over his mouth, his skin feeling rough with growing facial hair.

First thing I'm doing once I reach home…shaving. The last person I want to look like is Frederick. And can't this boat move any faster? Ugh. Where's that darn bucket…?

On the other hand, sitting around with nothing to do allowed himself time to reflect on the recent events in Arendelle. His adventure had started off so unexpectedly well. His chance encounter with Princess Anna couldn't have worked out better for him. He couldn't help but smile at her fumbling as they tumbled around in the rowboat. There was something unique about her that drew him in. She was beautiful of course, and sure they did share similar lonely childhoods, but there was something more that he couldn't really put his finger on. They seemed to connect so easily, especially at the Coronation party that evening. Proposing to her was too easy, but he wasn't complaining: one less thing to worry about in his journey to the throne. At the time he didn't truly love her, certainly not the way she thought he did. Kingship comes first. Love could blossom later….

Then Queen Elsa happened.

She refused her blessing for their marriage and everything went downhill from there. Her ice-power-reveal and Anna's quick rescue departure left him worried. Her safety was important to him. Anna was his key to the throne. She had left him in charge, but it was only meant to be temporary. He took full advantage of his chance to win over the citizens of Arendelle as they suffered through the harsh blizzard. Sticking to his plan was simple. They saw the prince as a caring fiancé to the young princess and her people, and it all helped further fuel his deception. And when he led a rescue for his missing princess and returned with the Queen, well…he just saved her life. Perhaps she would change her mind about him. Elsa was not nearly as gullible and naïve as her sister.

"Hans…you have to kiss me…n-now!"

Oh Anna…if only there was someone out there who loved you…

The image of Kai and Gerda hurrying the frozen princess into the library played over and over in his mind. Everything changed. She needed that kiss…his kiss. Hans knew well enough what they had wasn't true love. In time it could have been, but right then and there, he felt merely friendship for her…friendship that he had taken full advantage of. They barely knew each other after all, and here she was, clinging to his jacket, trying to pull herself up to reach his lips. He knew his kiss wouldn't work, why try it? Locking her in that room seemed the best option. She was going to die anyway. The privacy the servants and dignitaries allotted them only worked to his advantage.

Leaving her there to die…that was the biggest mistake. I should have known she'd find a way to stop me. For such a clumsy princess, she sure had a strong will…resolve…heart.

The prince was jolted from his thoughts as the ship anchored at the docks of the Southern Isles. The time had come…to face the King… and his older brothers.

I'm sure by now word has gotten out of my disgrace. Oh this will be fun… He sighed and stood as the guard unlocked his barred door and led him off the ship. He noted as he walked from the docks through the town square that his guard merely walked behind him as was regular protocol. He wasn't shackled, he didn't appear a prisoner. Hans glanced at the townspeople. They all bowed to him as he passed. How cute, my people bowing down to their resident royal murderer. I guess word hasn't gotten out yet. Coincidence or damage control? As soon as Hans and his escort were through the gates to the royal grounds, the doors shut behind him and his guard roughly grabbed his arm, hurrying him into the castle.

Wishful thinking… Hans sighed.

Hans was led into the throne room, there sat King Alexander of the Southern Isles: Hans' father. The monarch was a heavyset man dressed elegantly in navy blue robes with gold trimmings. Like Hans, he had green eyes and auburn hair, though his had grayed mostly with age. He didn't have long sideburns like Hans; instead he sported a scruffy beard. King Alexander was a stickler to rules and traditions, and over the years, became a man of many faces. To his allies, a man of the deepest camaraderie; to those in neutral standing, one who may appear genuine, but would also use facades to conceal his political motives. In theory, his greatest weapons were his many sons, for Alexander knew that political marriage was the easiest way to gain strong influences in a foreign kingdom-even a complete take over, if the situations were ideal. After all, who would suspect a wedding based on dotting romance to lead to turmoil? Now, if only he could encourage his princes to actually woo foreign royal women.

The king was surrounded by four younger impeccably dressed men. Hans immediately recognized them as his four oldest brothers. The tallest, and oldest, Frederick, had blue eyes and also sported auburn hair, though his was slicked back rather than parted like Hans. He also sported a small, scruff goatee. Frederick was the kings' favorite of all of his sons, being the heir to the throne. The man also inherited his father's ruthlessness. Next were the second and third sons. Twins Viktor and Georg both sported green eyes and long wavy brown hair, held back in ponytails. Identical in every aspect, down to the color of their socks, the twins enjoyed tricking most of the royal household, including the servants. Although Viktor was the older brother, they agreed that should anything happen to Frederick, they would both rule the Southern Isles together, since no one could tell them apart. The final brother in attendance was Ludwig, the scholar. His brown hair was wavy to just above his shoulders. Ludwig spent most of his time in the castle library, and was the oldest brother to have gotten married and started a family thus far. Being fourth in line, the king granted his son's request of marrying an upper class aristocrat out of love instead of a royal pre-arrangement, figuring Ludwig wouldn't be one to inherit his throne, or any other for that matter. Of all of the thirteen princes, Ludwig was the most shy and preferred spending his time with his young children than attending public functions.

"Your majesties, Prince Hans," The guard bellowed, gathering the attention of the five royals before him.

"Ah yes, Hans!" Alexander acknowledged, waving his hand for the guards to exit. Once the royals were in complete privacy, the king jumped off his throne and stomped towards his youngest son. "What on earth were you thinking?!" Hans had to lean back as his father stood inches from him.

"I'll tell you." Frederick sneered. "Thinking 'how can I disgrace my family more than I already have in my 23 years'?"

"Me, a disgrace?" Han scoffed, glaring at his eldest brother. "Who's the one who almost led us to war with three different kings because you seduced and ruined their daughters! Tell me, Freddy," Hans used that name knowing it would anger the man, "How many children have you sired since I left for Arendelle?"

"Why you son-of-a…"

"ENOUGH!" King Alexander hollered. "You're not here for your petty squabbles with your brothers!" He started pacing back and forth, his gloved hands clasped tightly behind his back. "Arendelle has been one of our greatest trading partners for years, Hans! GENERATIONS! And you…in the course of three days destroyed the mighty alliance we have held dear!"

I guess they know…

King Alexander pulled a piece of parchment from his robe pocket. The back held the royal seal of Arendelle. Hans swallowed, yet held his straight face as his father began.

"Queen Elsa charged you with treason and attempted murder! Regicide! Are you mad?! I sent you to there to celebrate her coronation and to earn your place in their royal court! You were supposed to rise to the throne and strengthen our alliance!"

"Hansy as king?" Viktor chuckled.

"Too funny," Georg agreed.

"Silence" Alexander hissed.

"That is precisely what I was doing, father. You have no idea what went on in that kingdom, do you?"

The king returned to his throne, thrusting the parchment into Frederick's hands. "You have something to say in your defense? Speak up."

Hans began recounting the events with both truth and his own slighted spin. "…her frozen abilities were freezing the kingdom. Her people were sick, frozen. Queen Elsa was out of control! Princess Anna couldn't even save her, and she was attacked by her own sister for her troubles! When the princess finally returned to me she was already dying. There wasn't anything I could do. It was decided that Queen Elsa had to be stopped before she destroyed everyone and everything! Since Princess Anna placed me in charge, I had to be the one to carry out her sentence! I didn't try to kill her to get her out of my way; it was to save Arendelle from their frozen tyrant!" Hans conveniently left out the part where he left Anna to die and lied to the dignitaries about their marriage.

"Wicked…" Viktor and Georg uttered simultaneously.

King Alexander studied Hans for a long while. The silence in the room was making Hans uncomfortable.

If you're going to sentence me, just do it already. I'd rather rot in a cell than have you all stare at me like this.

Alexander then burst into a light chuckle, bringing a shocked expression to every son in the room, including Hans.

"Father, are you…alright?" Ludwig asked.

Frederick couldn't believe his eyes. "Father, are you condoning what he's done?"

"Oh no, of course not. As honorable as your actions may have been, Hans, you have still disgraced our kingdom in Arendelle's sights. Because of you, I will have to fight to regain their trust and to maintain our treaty. We need their trade, especially with winter coming just a few months away." The King stood. "Until I feel you have redeemed yourself in my eyes, you are hereby forbidden to leave the grounds of this castle. I can no longer trust you to represent our kingdom at any formal function. If I find you have broken my command, you will be severely punished." He waved his hand. "You're dismissed." With that, the king left the throne room to his private chambers to brood.

Hans stood in place, stunned. His sentence was much more lenient than he was expecting. How much did Elsa tell him, anyway? If he truly knew the whole picture, I'd be in a hangman's noose by midday…

Frederick and the twins approached Hans with looks that could kill.

"I can't believe this." Viktor said.

"You and me both, brother." Said Georg.

Frederick leaned into Han's face and growled. "Don't get too comfortable, Hans." With a quick flick of his wrist, he struck Hans in the face. "Father may have let you off the hook, but I intend to make your life a living hell. When I'm through with you, you'll wish you were back in Arendelle."