Chapter 20

The church bells chimed as Anna and Kristoff walked out of the chapel, arms linked and smiles bright on their faces. Flower girls formed an aisle and petals were thrown up in the air. Cheers of joy and congratulations filled the air, the whole kingdom of Arendelle at the doorstep of the chapel to congratulate their princess and new prince.

Sunlight shone on the newlyweds, causing Anna's white dress and Kristoff's white suit to glow radiantly. The air was filled with shouts of happiness and Anna had to fight back tears of joy. Kristoff lovingly put a hand on Anna's cheek, which caused a chorus of 'aww's to erupt from the crowd. The couple couldn't help but chuckle slightly at that.

Almost immediately after they took their place in the centre of the courtyard of the castle, a queue began to form. Distinguished guests, royalty of other kingdoms and common people lined up to congratulate the newlyweds. There was nothing but utmost joy in the atmosphere of the courtyard.

Elsa stood by the side, watching the couple with a soft smile. She still remembered when she and Anna were playing as young girls, and now Anna was getting married. The feelings of nostalgia almost overwhelmed her and she brushed a tear away. Hans seemed to notice, for he came from behind her and stood next to her in the shadows. He didn't even have to hold her or to say anything for Elsa to feel comfort from him. There they stood, in silence, as everyone around them chattered in excitement. Despite the noise, there was a sense of peace between the two, knowing that they were next to each other.

"Queen Elsa." She turned around to see who had called her. "And Hans." Two men, both dressed in formal clothes of the same colour, approached Elsa and Hans. Hans turned around as well and a warm smile formed on his face.

"My brothers." Hans' heart swelled at the sight of his brothers as he stepped forward and embraced them tightly. "It's been far too long. I've missed you so much."

Hamlin smiled and playfully punched his arm. "I've missed you too." He opened his mouth to say something more but closed it again with a smile. There were things better unsaid, he reasoned, then turned to Elsa He gave a bow. "Your highness, it's a great honour to meet you again."

"Likewise, Prince Hamlin. It's always a pleasure to have you in our company," Elsa replied with a customary curtsy. Turning to the other man, she curtsied again, this time with her head bowed. "You must be King Heinrich, the king of the Southern Isles and Hans' eldest brother. It's an honour to meet you."

Heinrich gave a polite smile and bowed in return. "Please, your highness, the honour is all mine." He paused and glanced at Hans. "Thank you for taking Hans into your kingdom, your highness."

Elsa smiled and shook her head. "I think it should be the other way around. Hans saved my life. I am forever in his debt."

"Your letter about Hans was filled with nothing but praise. Though I am slightly bewildered about the stark change of events, I will leave it be." Heinrich smiled at Elsa, before turning to Hans and putting a firm hand on his shoulder. "I'm very proud of you, Hans. I know how we parted wasn't the best, but I want you to know I did all I could to lessen your punishment. If it were up to me, I would acquit you and get rid of the exile completely."

"But it isn't entirely up to you," Hans pointed out.

Heinrich nodded. "I'm afraid not everyone is as forgiving as Queen Elsa. A few of the councilmen and our brothers objected, which is why I could only lessen the exile, not get rid of it entirely."

"Thank you," Hans said simply, though he wished he could say more than two mere words to express his gratitude. When he had left, he was angry at Heinrich, but at that moment he realised how foolish he had been.

There was a short pause which signified the end of their conversation. "We should go congratulate Princess Anna," Hamlin spoke up, looking between his two brothers and the queen of Arendelle.

"Of course," Elsa replied, the civil manners she had been taught coming through. "Thank you once again for coming."

Heinrich and Hamlin nodded and bowed at Elsa before patting Hans' shoulder affectionately. Then, they disappeared into the crowd, walking side by side.

Hans remained there, standing by Elsa's side with a smile on his face. He was glad that he got to see his brothers. There was so much to tell them, so many feelings he wished he could express. He only wished that they could speak freely, without the mask of formalities. Today all of them played the role of princes. He was only hoping that when he returned to his home, they could be brothers again.

Elsa seemed to know how he was feeling and she snaked her arm around his, her head leaning on his strong shoulder.

That satisfied peace came to Hans and he smiled even wider, both of them standing in their bubble of silence amidst the throng and bustle of the whole kingdom.

_._._._._.

Elsa gazed at the clear gleaming lake, the full moon reflecting in the water. She smiled, enjoying the peace from the solitude she had found. Behind her was where the party was, where all the guests were dancing or eating or chatting. She had already done her part as queen, so she decided to take a break from all the formalities. She took in a deep breath and sighed. It was a lovely night and she wanted to take the opportunity to enjoy it. Her elbows rested lightly on the railing, and a cool breeze rustling her teal dress.

"I thought I'd find you here." Elsa knew who it was instantly. "I brought you some chocolate." Hans walked over to stand next to her. He held out a plate with the said dessert. "Anna really went all-out with the chocolate. I knew she liked chocolate, but right now I think there's more chocolate than actual food."

A melodious laugh erupted from Elsa's lips. "Thank you," she said, taking a piece of chocolate and putting it in her mouth. She hummed softly in satisfaction. "It tastes great."

There was a moment of silence as the two appreciated the peace which they had. An icy breeze blew past. "Aren't you cold?" Hans asked, noting the change of temperature at the natural transition of the seasons. Elsa was about to answer, but he didn't let her. "Right, sorry, that was a silly question. It's just that it's warmer in the south."

"We could go back in, if you'd like," Elsa suggested, taking his hand and turning to go.

"No," Hans replied, almost a little too quickly. He recovered after only a second. "Let's stay here for a little longer. I'm not ready to go and socialise with people who are trying to pretend not to hate me." It was meant to be a joke, but it came out much more bitter than he had wanted it to.

Elsa nodded and complied, her heart pained to hear of Hans' misfortunes. Sometimes she thought that everyone in the world was so stubbornly foolish not to know that he had changed for the better. She turned back to face the glistening lake, her fingers brushing against Hans' lightly. "It's a lot more peaceful out here," she pointed out. "No one bothering you, no eyes judging every move you make."

Hans smiled in agreement. "I've been thinking," he said abruptly. He paused for a moment and Elsa looked at him expectantly since he didn't continue. He was acting strange, in her opinion. She didn't exactly know what but there was something off. Finally, he continued. "A lot has changed since I first met you. Then, I would do anything to take the throne, including put you in harm's way. But now, I would do everything I could to save you and have you remain in your place as queen." He clenched his jaw. "Sometimes I just think of the past and I just feel so..." He trailed off, trying to find the right word.

"Don't do this to yourself, Hans. I know why you did it. If I were in your position, growing up the way you did, I might have done the same thing. Besides, it's all in the past. Everything is forgiven. Like you said, you're a new man now. You've changed. So stop this Hans." Her voice was both firm and comforting at the same time and Hans looked at her in wonder. It filled with conviction that Hans almost believed it himself too. He gazed at her, smiling, which didn't go unnoticed. "Hans, is something the matter?"

He immediately looked away. "No, nothing. Sorry," he said. His eyes glanced over at Elsa before looking at the lake, remaining quiet. The peaceful silence now turned into an awkward one, the tension in the air between the two rising.

At last, Elsa could not bear it anymore. He had been acting strange the whole evening, which would have been alright if he had told her what was going on, or if he didn't think her foolish enough not to notice. "Hans, you know if there's something wrong you can tell me, right?" she said pointedly, more of a statement than a question. She looked at him, her soft look disappeared and being replaced with one of both impatience and concern.

"There's nothing wrong," Hans denied, obviously a lie. He nearly rolled his eyes at his conspicuous actions. He glanced up at Elsa, wishing that she somehow bought it.

Elsa narrowed her eyes and frowned. "I thought you said no more lies, no more secrets. Obviously that was a lie too." She sounded more hurt and disappointed than angry, and that pierced Hans' heart even more. "But since nothing's wrong, let's just head back to the wedding dinner."

"Wait!" Hans reached out and gripped Elsa's wrist. "I'm sorry for lying, Elsa." He couldn't understand it. He could lie to her for so long about wanting to overthrow the kingdom but he couldn't keep up his pretense for one night about this. It was because he was nervous, he realised. Previously his heart was ice-cold and he felt nothing. So much had changed. "I just wanted to wait until today was over. I guess I couldn't." He glanced up at Elsa.

Her brows were furrowed in confusion. "Hans, what are you talking about?"

Hans shrugged and let go of Elsa's wrist. "Like I said, I've been thinking." He paused for a second. "I only have less than a year until I regain my title and honour as Prince of the Southern Isles. I will be back in royal clothes and I will return to my royal duties." He paused again, but this time he didn't continue.

"So, what does that mean? You're moving away?" Elsa guessed, trying to understand where he was going.

"I...I'm hoping I won't have to. But that depends on you."

"Me? What do I have to do with this?"

"You have to say yes."

"Yes? To what?"

Hans' heart beat nervously in his chest. He reached into his back pocket and knelt down before her, opening a box and revealing a ring. "Queen Elsa of Arendelle, will you marry me?"

He couldn't help but think to the last time he asked that. It was out of malice, wanting to seize the throne. This time it wasn't. This time he really wanted to marry Elsa. The last time Elsa had said no. He didn't know what she would say this time.

Elsa's face was stoic, taking in everything that was happening. Hans began to feel even more nervous at her silence.

After what felt like eons, she finally gave her answer. Her fingers reached out and touched Hans'.

"Yes."

Not even a second passed before Hans jumped up and slid the ring up her finger. He held her tightly in his arms and Elsa held him just as tightly.

"I know being a queen is tiring and there are some things which you have to do by yourself, but I want to be here for you. I want to be there to share your joy and to wipe away your tears. I will be beside you until the end."

Elsa smiled into the embrace. Her mind drifted to when they had become a couple, two parts of one whole. It felt like a lifetime ago. "Lonely but not alone," she whispered, recalling the words he had once said to her.

Hans nodded in agreement. "Lonely but not alone."

And so the story comes to a close. I did say I'll finish it by the end of this year, even though it is the last day of 2014. I suppose it was sort of appropriate, because this whole story takes place over a year or so. Thank you all for sticking by this story despite the seemingly endless waiting. In all honesty I thought that this story would be a lot better if I had more time or more muse. But I suppose it turned out all right in the end.

I hope you all enjoyed it!

Farewell,
DBT