A/N Hello everyone, welcome to my very first Frozen fic. I'm not usually that good at multi-chapter fics but I'm trying a very different style than the ones I used to write my previous stories. For finally, I am out of my hibernation and I'm ready to breathe in the spring air. I'm not very sure about how everyone feels towards Hans and Elsa, but the portrayal in this story is from my opinion. You may or may not agree with it. I suppose I sort of empathise with the characters, but in a weird fangirl/writer sort of way. Anyway, please do enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen. And the cover image is from deviantart, by eminaytor. That doesn't belong to me either.

Title - Lonely But Not Alone
Pairing - Hans/Elsa (Helsa)
Summary - Hans - traitor of the Southern Isles and exiled prince. Lost and confused, he goes to the only place he knows, Arendelle. Inevitably, he met Elsa the Snow Queen, who is still trying to win the fight against her own demons. Two drifting souls finally find each other, but can they find healing? Or are they already too broken? -Elsa/Hans-

Chapter 1

Dawn was approaching, and the few beams of sunlight emerging from the horizon lit up the land and sea. An expectant aura was hanging in the air. A brother, a kingdom, a disgraced prince.

"We're almost there, your highness." Hans turned around to face the guard, anxiety hidden well behind his cool exterior. He nodded grimly, wordlessly. The guard bowed slightly and disappeared to prepare for the arrival. The prince was going home.

He was curious why they let him out of his tiny prison of the ship, but he wasn't complaining and he didn't question. They hadn't returned his royal quarters to him, though. He was just grateful that he was able to walk on the decks, enjoying the fresh air. He despised the looks of hatred and condescension from the crew so he kept to himself, walking the decks in the early hours of the morning and returning to his prison to sleep during the day.

But he of all people would know that the journey would come to an end. He would have to face his brothers, his king, and his people. He would have to reveal his treacherous actions and evil deeds. As the cool morning air rustled his brown hair, he wondered what the confrontation would be like.

His reactions were well within his control and he considered the different attitudes he could give. He could humble himself and apologise, making the punishment much less harsh. He could retaliate all the way, spouting hurtful words and go down with a fight.

The thoughts ran through his mind, thinking and calculating all the way until they landed onto shore. Guards escorted him through the town and to the castle. Hans watched the people casting him respectful glances, bowing at him, making way for him. He couldn't help but think that it would all change once his actions were revealed.

Hans was led straight to the throne room, where his brother and his wife were waiting for him. At last, the hour of reckoning had arrived. They looked eager, interested to hear about Hans' trip to Arendelle. Hans bowed to them in respect, the guards behind him kneeling.

"Hans!" the king spoke as he and his wife stood from their seats. "Welcome home, brother." He reached forward and embraced him as the queen hovered by his side.

A guard cleared his throat for attention and the king looked at him. "Sorry for interrupting, your highness, but we come bearing bad news." The king had a puzzled look, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Prince Hans, would you like to explain?"

Prince Hans hid a smirk. So, they were letting him say his side of the story. Hans nodded and took a step forward. Then, he spoke. He spoke of the coronation, of his engagement to Princess Anna, of Queen Elsa's powers. He spoke of his actions, his decision to leave Anna to her death and his attempt to kill Elsa. He spoke until his throat was dry and the sun was high in the sky, but he left nothing out. This was his decision on how to react. He chose to be honest.

The appalled look on the faces of the king and queen were enough to send waves of guilt through his body. Silence hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity.

Then, the king spoke. "I will take the day to think about this. We shall speak tonight," his voice trembled and cracked as he fought to keep the emotions in.

"Will you tell the rest?" Fear gripped his frozen heart as he thought of his brothers and how they would torment him, isolate him, treat him like he was nothing. Once they found out, they would do it again.

His brother nodded. "I must." He thought for moment. "Tonight, at dinner. I suggest you eat in your room tonight." Hans let the words sink in before bowing to him, turning to go.

As he left the throne room, he felt the weight of his actions pull him down. He nearly shouted, he nearly cried, he nearly wanted to jump from the tower. Instead, he put one foot in front of the other and walked to his room.

_._._._._._.

A knock came from Hans' door. It seemed as if the king was early. Resigned, he opened the door to reveal the second in line for the throne. "My brother Hamlin," he greeted, surprised.

He nodded and entered the room, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Is it true?" he asked, his voice no more than a whisper.

Hans felt his heart clench. "You know it is."

Despite the large age gap, Hamlin was the closest to Hans. He was the one who would look out for him as a child, always ensuring the others didn't bully him. He was the one who cared the most, who treated him as an equal. Out of all his brothers, Hans loved him the most.

The tension in the room was so great that Hans felt like throwing up. Even though they fought constantly, the two brothers never had a rift this big.

"I never knew you were capable of such a thing."

"You never knew me that well, brother."

Hamlin's eyes flashed angrily. "I stood by you no matter what, and this is what you say to me!"

Hans remained composed. "I didn't say you were a bad brother."

Hamlin's anger disappeared as quickly as it came. "What did I ever do wrong?"

"You did everything you could."

"Yet you turned out like this."

"It isn't your fault."

There was a pause. "Why did you do it, Hans?"

"I wanted to rule." His answer was quick and sure, almost rehearsed.

"You lie and kill so you can lead a kingdom. Throne would suit you ill, brother."

Hans chose to remain silent, though his green eyes were filled with emotion. "You weren't the one who was ignored for the whole of your life."

"This is your way to get back at them?"

"This is my way to prove I exist."

"You exist to me."

There was another pause. Longer this time, and heavier. So many words to be spoken, yet none being voiced out.

"I think you should go." It was too much for Hans and the night had just begun.

Hamlin stood up and looked his brother in the eye. "Hans, if I don't get the chance to see you, I want to tell you that I love you. Even if the rest don't, I do." He interpreted Hans' silence. "Do you believe me?"

"You've never lied to me."

"I'm not lying now."

"Good." He paused. "I love you too."

Hamlin leaned forward and brushed his lips against his brother's cheek. With that, he turned around and left the room, closing the door behind him.

_._._._._.

From his room in the castle, Hans heard the town bells ring. He counted along with it: 1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9.

There was a knock at the door. How expected of the king to be so prompt. He opened the door, allowing his brother to enter. "Your highness," he greeted as the king sat on the large armchair.

"There's no need for such formalities, Hans. We're alone now."

Hans took a seat opposite the king. "Very well, brother. I'm ready." He faced his punishment with much more courage than he had expected to. Perhaps Hamlin's visit had given him more than he thought.

"This isn't easy, Hans. I hope you know this." The king looked at him, his eyes as haunted as his soul. He hated that he had to do this to his own brother, his own blood. But no matter how much he cared for his brother, he couldn't overlook this crime.

"I will take whatever punishment you deem fair." Hans picked up on the king's hesitation easily. He wondered if his eldest brother really did care for him, despite the years of ruling over him throughout his childhood. Do you love me as Hamlin does? he thought.

The king took a deep breath in. "I talked with your brothers and we decided on this together. It was the fairest yet kindest decision I could make." He was prolonging this, evidently. He didn't want to say it as much as Hans didn't want to hear it. But if he overlooked things he didn't want to do, he would have failed as king.

He heaved a deep sigh and looked Hans in the eye. His voice came out strong and firm, though it trembled ever-so-slightly. "Prince Hans, with the power vested in me as king of the Southern Isles, I exile you from the kingdom for five years." He paused, letting the words sink in. "You must leave by tomorrow. I'll arrange for a ship to leave in the morning, to wherever you want to go."

Hans looked stunned. He had not expected this. Where was he to live? What was he to eat? Anger surged through him. The king had promised this was the most merciful, but this seemed like he was out to get him.

Treat him like he didn't exist, watch as he made a mess of the kingdom then get his revenge by banishing him. That was the life of Prince Hans of the Southern Isles. His brother didn't really care for him. It was just an act.

The king stood from his seat and laid a firm hand on Hans' shoulder. "I'm sorry, Hans. I did my best."

Hans hid his emotions behind a tight smile. Conceal, don't feel. He said nothing as he watched his brother go. The exile was revenge against him, but Hans was resourceful. He would use this to get his own revenge. He would get back at those who put him in this situation in the first place.

He began packing immediately, his mind whirling. He knew where he wanted to go, what he wanted to do. By midnight, all his clothes were packed. The food he gathered from the kitchen was stuffed in his bag. He had collected his hunting equipment and fire-starting kit.

He was ready to survive in the wild, to brave the icy mountain of Arendelle. He was ready to exact his revenge.

I do sincerely hope you enjoyed the first chapter. More to come, of course. Fav/follow/drop a review if you would be so kind. Feedback is always good, yes? I'll do my best to update once a week, but that all depends on my speed of thought and typing, as well as how much time life offers to give me. Well, thanks for reading!

Until next time,
DBT