A/N: I'm proud to present to you the finale. Had it not have been for each and everyone of you, I probably would have given up, and this story would have gone unfinished. This finale would not be here on your screen, but still in my own imagination, never to be read, had it not have been for your support and kindness over the past year. With endless respect and love I dedicate this epilogue to you my dearest readers. Thank for giving me so much more courage than you could ever imagine.
Three years later...
Three years later, the couple laid in bed. The only sounds that could be heard were their breaths and subtle snores of her, and he couldn't have been more at peace. Elsa laid deep asleep in her light blue slip, pressed against Hans' bare chest with his arms wrapped around her. Hans laid awake staring at the ornate grandfather clock across the room from them. It's two minutes until midnight He thought to himself in bed. He remembered all that had happened since his new life began over the past three years. All the emotional turmoil he powered through and all the moments of perfection he was lucky to have shared with her. It's been exactly three years since she decided to come all the way to the Southern Isles to reconcile with me. He mulled this over inside his mind. Three years since she came and rescued me from my prison. Three years since I stopped being that man riddled with demons, and started my new life as who I am now. He laid in bed holding her tighter as he stared at the clock. He broke his almost mesmerized gaze with the hands ticking away to look over his Queen.
He gently brushed the stray strands of hair away from her cheek with his nose to deliver a small loving kiss to her pale cheek. This is all I want. This has been the best three years of my life, and I need this feeling forever. He pulled his Queen closer. Elsa, I'm ready for forever. I hope you are too. Hans let himself stop thinking for the night, and drifted off to sleep with his safest haven in his arms.
Fueled by six hours of sleep and devoted love for his Queen, Hans awoke. He got himself dressed before giving his still sleeping Elsa a kiss on the forehead before leaving. He knew he only had a few hours to get so much done. He knew that at this time of day Kristoff would be at the stables preparing for a day of work at the ice fields. He had hoped that his wife, Anna, would be there to see him off. Upon entering the barn, Hans saw Kristoff on his knees with his hands holding the protruding pregnant belly of Anna. Kristoff then gave Anna's belly a gentle kiss before standing to finish hitching his sled.
"I really wish I didn't have to work today and leave you and the little fella behind." Kristoff said slightly solemnly, turning to say goodbye to Anna.
"We don't know if the little one is actually a boy or not, Kristoff. However, you are the Ice Master. You could just decide to not go into work today." Anna reminded him with her hands on her little belly.
"I know I could, Anna, but I am a leader in the ice fields. What would I be proving to my men if I just don't show up at work when I felt like it?" Kristoff replied apologetically. "But..." Kristoff walked over to Anna and kissed her. "I will be thinking about you and our little bundle of joy the whole time I'm gone, and I promise I will return to you."
Anna gave Kristoff a hug to his words. "Just promise me that you'll be safe."
Kristoff hugged Anna as close as he could over the little one. "I will my Princess." Kristoff then knelt down and gave Anna's belly a gentle kiss. "and you, my little Prince."
Hans edged himself into Sven's barn. "Glad I caught you before you left." Hans gave Anna and Kristoff a smile and nod.
"Hey Hans! What brings you to our little stable at this hour of the morning?" Kristoff welcomed Hans as he wraps his arm around Sven's mane.
"Well, Kristoff, I actually have something very important that I need to ask you. Both of you." Hans said sheepishly as he finds a seat on a bale of hay.
"What is it Hans?" Anna asked a little more concerned to Hans' tone of voice.
"I just wanted to say that I know I've done some heinous things in my life, and that is no exception, no, doesn't begin to describe what I've done to Elsa. I know I've done awful things to her, and that's unforgivable." Hans started looking down at the grain in the wood on the floor before looking back up between Kristoff and Anna.
"Hans... I know you feel horrible for what you did, but I forgive you. I think I can speak for Kristoff to in saying we forgive you. You've changed so much over these past few years, and you make my sister so happy. I could never have a bad thought in my mind about you. You're an incredible man!" Anna promised Hans with a very honest tone.
"Thank you Anna, and if you agree as well, thank you Kristoff." Hans looked at both of them, the nervousness can be easily seen in his grassy green eyes. "The reason I bothered you like this is about Elsa. I know this is what she would want, so I wanted to come to you both with a very important question." Hans stood up and approached the couple awkwardly wringing his hands together, obviously incredibly nervous to his next words he's chosen very carefully. "Elsa has turned me in to the man that you both seem to have accepted as a friend, and for that, I am beyond in debt to her. I just hope that my eternal love for her is enough to make up for everything she's done for me. That is why I wanted your blessing... to ask her to marry me."
Hans' eyes flickered between Kristoff and Anna's faces. Anna's open mouth was covered by her hands. Kristoff's face, on the other hand, was in a full smirk of support. "I think you should've popped the question a while ago man. Good for you!"
"Yes! Of course you can, Hans!" Anna brought her fists up to chest level and excitedly twirled them.
"Thank you both so much!" Hans' posture instantly straightened and his voice gained significant enthusiasm
"When did you plan on asking her, Hans?" Anna asked Hans with a grin on her face.
"Well I would love to ask her today. That's why I came to you both first before I started planning anything."
"Well maybe I have a reason to stay home after all!" Kristoff responded.
"Sounds perfect!" Anna smiled.
Hans confided in them his exact plan for the day, and they listened with open and excited ears.
...
Aksel Sorrenson sat in his study. He was supposed to working on planning an conference with all the countries of the Element Alliance to take place in six months. However he was a little distracted by the cute brunette sitting beside him. She spoke with a soft happy voice, "But if I'm being realistic I don't think I'll get off until somewhere around six." Her elbows rested on his desk and her chin was on her palms, and she looked at Aksel with big brown doe eyes.
Aksel returned her gaze, "That's alright. I have to write letters to eleven kingdoms within the next day or two, and I don't have a rough draft to go off of."
"It sounds like you've got alot on your plate."
"I do, and I will for the next month or so I'm afraid my dear Rebekah."
"Don't get so focused on your work that you forget to come home tonight."
"I won't, but you should probably start heading out."
"Alright." Rebekah leaned in and gave Aksel a kiss, "I love you, Aksel."
"I love you too Rebekah."
As she walked out of the office, she nearly bumped into Hans, whom was standing in the doorway.
"Oh, sorry sir!" she said sheepishly.
"It's alright." Hans grinned.
As he approached Aksel's desk his grin grew bigger. "Was that the missus that you took two weeks off to get married to."
Aksel smiled back, "Rebekah Grace has given me the best year and a half of my life, I know we've only been married a month but it doesn't feel much different than just being with her. Except now if she suddenly realizes how much of a loss I am it'll be harder for her to leave me." he chuckled a bit.
"I'm glad you're enjoying the married life."
"I'm loving it. It makes me realize how pathetic my years of pining away for Elsa were. I thought I loved her, but it doesn't compare to how my wife makes me feel."
"That makes me very happy to hear." Hans took a seat beside Aksel.
Aksel laughed, "So, what can I do for you today?"
"You can tell me what our beautiful Queen has scheduled for today."
Aksel began shuffling through the papers on the desk, "Well." his tongue clicked against the roof of his mouth. "What is she doing today..." He looked up at Hans, "I know she didn't have much." He glanced at a piece of paper and lifted it up, "Uh huh, here it is! Elsa is meeting with Kristoff Bjorgman, Ice Master and Deliverer at about five thirty this evening to discuss ice quality and how well trade is predicted to be this coming winter, and at nine she is supposed to approve my first draft of the conference request letters, which at the rate I'm going may not be ready, so she's basically free today."
Hans smiled so wide at his good fortune, "Perfect!"
"Would you by any chance be planning a nice date day with Elsa?"
"Not exactly." he paused for a second, "I'm going to ask her to marry me."
Aksel gave the most genuine smile he has ever given to Hans.
"I wanted to wait for the perfect time, you know? I needed to be sure of everything, and I needed to know that she'd be sure. I don't know if she is, but I sure am. I want forever with her."
"Go do it then, make this one of the happiest days of her life!" Aksel said looking into Hans' eyes.
"Thank you Aksel!" Hans hugged the scrawny adviser he could now call a friend."
Aksel felt a surge of tenderness for Hans and patted his back once, "You're welcome."
...
"Good morning gentlemen!" Hans greeted the guards outside his and Elsa's door.
"Good morning Mr. Evansguard!" one of them replied.
"I have a surprise planned for Her Majesty Queen Elsa today, and I have spoken with Aksel Sorrenson and he has cleared her schedule for the day. It would mean a great deal to me if you would simply let Queen Elsa sleep in."
"How late should we let her sleep?"
"As late as she needs, and when she wakes up give her this." Hans handed the guard right outside her door an envelope.
"We will."
"Thank you gentlemen!"
"You're Welcome Hans."
Hans turned down the hallway to finish up everything that needed to be done.
For the best day of their lives, so far.
...
Elsa rolled over and pulled what she thought was Hans closer to her. As she pulled it closer it folded into her. Opening her eyes, Elsa realized that her bed was void of any inhabitants other than herself, and she was only pulling blankets closer to her.
She sat up and looked around the room, expecting to see Hans sitting his chair reading or pacing about the room as he got dressed. However, the tall auburn haired man was nowhere to be seen.
"Hans?" Elsa called out softly. Giving the room one last scan her eyes then became fixated on the clock. Ten eighteen? I never sleep this late.
She felt slightly annoyed, and she couldn't quite pinpoint why. Perhaps it was because her lover had left the room without telling her, or that the staff had allowed her to sleep for such an ungodly hour for a queen.
Pushing herself out of bed, Elsa got dressed quickly not even paying attention to what she was putting on. Still in rush, she ran a brush through her long white blonde waves. Once her hair was untangled she braided it off to the side, a look that had become signature to the queen both her work days as well as her casual relaxed days.
She glanced herself over once in the mirror to make sure that she was presentable. She was in a long sleeved white button up blouse, which she wasn't so sure if it belonged to her or Hans, a black corset with dark blue and white rose-mailing trimming it, all paired with a full dark blue skirt and black flats. For being done in a hurry, her braid was tight and well in place.
"Gentlemen." Elsa addressed the guards as she opened her bedroom door.
"Good morning Queen Elsa." one of the guards replied.
"Attila, why has no one come to wake me yet?"
The guard tried to conceal a slight grin, "Sorry ma'am, but we were given specific orders from Mr. Evansguard not to wake you, and to allow you to sleep."
Elsa was taken aback by this. Shaking her head with the initial shock and arching an eyebrow she asked, "Did he say why?"
"No Your Majesty, but he did tell me to give you this." He handed the envelope he had been holding at his side for the past few hours.
"Thank you Attila." Elsa carefully tore open the unknown message.
...
Dearest Elsa,
Good morning my love. I hope you slept well. Last night I came across some business that I urgently need to attend to, so unfortunately it's going to be a while until I can see you. However I did leave a little surprise for you in the dinning room, and Aksel will be there to discuss your schedule for today, same as always.
All my love,
Hans
P.S. I don't know if you knew this, but it's been exactly three years today since you saved me from the Southern Isles and myself. Thank you for that!
...
Elsa closed the letter smiling, but confused. She found it absolutely wonderful that he remembered the exact day that they decided to get to know each other, which ultimately lead to them becoming a couple. It was Hans saying that he had work to attend to left her confused. The only work that Hans had been attending to over the past few years was helping out the palace staff, or on occasion assisting Elsa with governing the kingdom when she asked for his advice.
Looking up from her letter, she glanced over at the team of four guards who watched over her door while she slept, "You gentlemen are dismissed for the day." she smiled brightly at them.
"Thank you, Queen Elsa." Attila spoke as began to stretch out his arms.
"You're welcome." The queen replied. She then turned down the hall towards the dinning room. In the dinning room, Elsa's senses were greeted with a warm delicious scent.
"Mmmmm." She hummed, turning toward the kitchen to get herself a helping of whatever it was that smelled so heavenly.
"You can't go in there." Aksel's familiar voice informed her.
Startled by the sudden voice, she whipped her head around to face him, "Aksel."
"Yes?" Aksel sat at their usual table. His elbows on the table, and his chin resting on his fists, he had a wide eyed smile that seemed off to Elsa.
"Good morning." There was obvious confusion in her voice. She pulled out a chair across the table from Aksel and began sitting down.
"Good morning." Aksel had a grin on his face that looked like there was a lot going on behind it.
Using her thumb to point behind her and turning her head to the side she asked, "Why am I not allowed back there?"
"You'll see later today." Aksel assured her.
"Alright... fair enough, so... uhm... Do I have anything new planned for today?" Despite her palpable confusion, she and Aksel had actually starting getting along much more comfortably in the past year. Elsa knew that Aksel had definitely moved. She had seen him with Rebekah, and she knew that Aksel had not once ever looked at her the way he looked at Rebekah.
"Actually there has been a change of plans, but it's not that any tasks have been added to your to do list."
"Wait what?"
"Kristoff had a sudden engagement that needed his immediate attention, so you won't be able to meet with him today. And to admit my own irresponsibility I don't have a draft prepared for you to review, and due to my own engagements I don't think it'll be ready until tomorrow at the earliest." Using the term "engagement" as a subtle hint was Hans' idea, and Aksel tried his hardest to keep from smiling while saying it. Luckily Elsa gave him a look of disappointed authority which broke his smile.
"Does this commitment of yours involve Miss Rebekah?"
"No ma'am. A friend of mine is celebrating a hopeful accomplishment tonight, and I'd like to be there for him."
Elsa sighed, "Oh alright. Aksel you've taken a lot of time off recently, and I know a lot of it was for your wedding to Rebekah, but please don't fail me. I really do need you, you break my hectic schedule down, and make it seem less daunting."
"I know Elsa, and I am sorry."
"You're quite alright, but did Kristoff say what he was going to go do, or what it was that came up?"
"Not a word, all I know is that he came in this morning and said the meeting had to be postponed."
"Okay, it's just that Hans' is busy too... I don't know where either of them went."
"I'm sure they'll turn up." Aksel said in the most nonchalant voice he could manage.
Before she could respond the kitchen door opened, and out walked three maids of the kitchen staff. Each maid carried a silver tray and they were all smiling. "Good morning Queen Elsa." one of the maids spoke politely.
"Good morning Carlotta, what's all this about." Elsa inquired about the trays.
"We received specific instructions from Mr. Evansguard to serve you this morning." Carlotta smiled as she set her tray in front of Elsa. One of the other maids set her tray down on the table as well.
"Well thank you, but really you didn't need to do this. I really do apologize for Hans asking this of you ladies."
"Oh no Queen Elsa, we wanted to do this for you." the third maid spoke sweetly, still holding her tray, which was much smaller than the other two.
"Oh, well thank you very much." Elsa looked at the contents of the trays. On the first tray there was oatmeal with berries, extra berries in a little bowl, and two chocolate muffins. The second tray had a cup of peppermint tea, two pieces of toast, and a small tray of butter." All of her favorites on one table. She almost felt emotional in a way, she knew that Hans must have told them exactly what to make. He knew her favorite breakfast foods, something that she had never outright told him. It was silly, but it meant a lot to her that he had picked up on those little details over the past three years. She looked up at the maids, "Did Hans tell you why he wanted you to do this?"
"All he told us was that he wanted you to feel special because he wasn't there to be with you when you woke up."
"Nothing else?"
"Nope." the third maid replied, "But he did tell me to give you this." she handed Elsa the third tray.
Underneath the tray was another envelope. Smiling, Elsa looked back at the maids, "Thank you ladies."
"You're welcome." One of the maids spoke as all three of them went back to the kitchen.
Stirring her tea, Elsa opened the envelope.
...
Dearest Elsa,
I hope this breakfast fills you up, and makes you day a little bit better. I know that your plans for today were cancelled, but I still have something I kindly request you do for me. When you've finished eating, there's something I left up in your study that needs your attention. It's nothing urgent, so please take your time, and enjoy your breakfast! Happy Anniversary.
All my love,
Hans
...
She felt a mix of flattery and confusion, but she ultimately decided to obey Hans' request and try to enjoy her herself. Looking over at Aksel, she picked up a muffin and offered it in his direction, "Here. take this."
Aksel looked at the muffin, and then up at Elsa, "I probably shouldn't I still have a draft that need to be started."
Elsa looked at Aksel and felt empathy for him, she knew what it was like to have so much to do you felt like drowning because you didn't even know where to start. "You know what? I think the draft can wait a little longer. Take some time to just enjoy yourself." She offered him the muffin again. "It's not often that we get to talk in a way that isn't professional, so why not stay and keep me company until I'm done? You can tell me all about the trip to Hosklsa that you and Rebekah took after the wedding."
He picked up the muffin and gave Elsa appreciative eyes, "Okay."
...
Hans craned his neck backwards in an attempt to look out the tiny window in the door that lead to the dinning room. Half focusing on the pot he was scrubbing and half focusing on looking out the door, Hans turned to one of the workers, "Is she still out there, Kaja?"
The maid adjusted her neck to see out the window, "Yes."
"What's she doing? Does it look like she'll be done soon?"
"She's eating and just talking with Aksel, and she doesn't look like she'll be done too soon."
"Okay, thank you!" Hans looked back down at the sink.
One of the older members of the kitchen staff walked up beside Hans and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, "You've done enough here Hans. I think we can gladly handle the rest of it. Go finish the rest of the surprise."
"I'd feel really bad if I left you with this mess I made."
A younger girl, she looked about seventeen, spoke from where she was sitting on the counter, "Hans it's really not a big deal. Cleaning up the kitchen is what we get paid to do. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome that you wanted to make Elsa a nice breakfast and clean up the mess on your own, but you're going to propose to her. I think you should be focused on a few things other than a dirty oatmeal pot."
The older worker looked back at Hans, "Rachel has a point. You should be getting ready for the rest of your life, not in here with us."
Hans looked down and around then back up at her, "Are you sure?"
"Let us handle the clean up."
Hans sighed, "Okay, Thank you ladies so much. Every single one of you. I really couldn-"
"We don't need a speech Hans, just go!" Rachel said.
He chuckled a bit, "Okay, okay I'm going."
...
After breakfast Elsa was following Hans' request and going up to her study. Aksel was walking along side her, mainly because he needed to get to his office to start drafting the request, and his office was just across the hall from hers. Stopping outside the door to Aksel's office door Elsa thanked him for eating breakfast with her. Once in her own study she right away noticed the envelope and vase of flowers on her desk. The flowers were white roses, which were Elsa's favorite. The envelope was sitting neatly beside the vase, propped up by a book. Elsa ripped open the envelope as she looked at the flowers.
...
Dearest Elsa,
I hope you enjoyed breakfast! Anyway I need you to stop by the tree house. I think I left something there last time we were up there. You'll know it when you see it.
Love,
Hans.
...
Elsa closed the envelope and sat it back down on her desk. What is Hans doing so urgently today? And if he's so busy, then how was he able to prepare all these surprises for me? And what could he have left at the tree house? We haven't been there in months.
Elsa pocketed her thoughts and decided it would be best to find whatever Hans had lost right away. On her way down the stairs to the ballroom exit, Elsa met a guard stationed there.
"Hello, Annaton, Hans has left something at the former Chief of Staff's house, and I will be heading out to retrieve it. I hope to be back soon."
The guard looked at the Queen with his most convincing unaware stare. "Okay, my Queen, would would like me to inform Aksel to prepare his drafts upon your arrival?"
"That will not be necessary, Annaton, Aksel and I already spoke earlier today about any paperwork that would need done."
"Of course, my Queen, please be safe in your travels."
"Thank you, Annaton, I will."
...
Elsa arrived at the familiar opening in the trees where she saw the tree houses before her. She started make her way up into the nearest treehouse where she saw not an item, like she was expecting, but she saw him.
Hans.
The treehouse was occupied by Kristoff, Anna, Aksel, Olaf, Sven, and Hans."W-what is everyone doing up here?" Elsa smiled brightly but spoke with confused curiosity.
Hans grinned, "Well today is a very special day, but I didn't think we should have it all to ourselves. I thought maybe we could celebrate this most important day with those most important to us!"
"I see your point!" Elsa chuckled, "Well, what's the plan from here?"
"I have an excellent lunch packed in the house, but before that..." Hans paused. The others got very quiet with much anticipation.
Olaf's voice broke the silence with a hushed but loud whisper. "Is he gonna do it?" He cocked his head up towards Anna.
"Olaf, Shhhhhhhhh!" Anna tried her best to reach past her baby belly and cover Olaf's mouth.
Hans let out a shaky nervous laugh. "Uhm, Elsa?"
"Yes Hans?"
He started fumbling in his pants pocket. "Elsa, my love. I..I...I know I have done terrible things in my life. I know I've hurt you, but I know that when I start to talk about things like that you tell me to stop, you don't want to talk about that part of our past. You always like talking about our future more. And that's what I want to talk to you about." He let out another nervous breath. Gripping the ring box in his pocket he gathered his words. His heart pounding in his chest. "Elsa, I have loved you for three years, and yet it feels like an entire lifetime. Everything I've felt with you. In this instant, in this small fragment of my life, has been magnitudes greater than anything I ever felt in my old life. I guess, all I can say is..."
Hans slowly dropped to one knee. He slowly began pulling out the ring box. Looking her in the eyes he breathed out his question.
"Elsa Valeria Cecilie Karoline Ahlström Queen of Arendelle, will you marry me?" He opened the box to reveal a silver band with a bright blue gem on it.
His eyes were tearing up, and so were hers.
Elsa looked into the eyes of her soulmate. She then glanced at her sister and her husband. She thought about how happy they were. She looked at Anna's little belly, the excited look in Olaf's eyes, the leaves blowing in the wind, the castle in the distance. Her heart was pounding, her head was spinning. Time had slowed down, yet everything was happening so fast.
She knew that all eyes were on her.
She knew what she wanted to say. She couldn't have stopped herself if she tried. All that was left to be said was one word. One single word between them and the next chapter of their lives. One word that she couldn't hold back. A word that danced it's way out of her lips. One word that she spoke with so much confidence.
"Yes!"
A/N: That's it. We've finished Follow Your Frozen Heart. I've gained so much from this experience. I truly love writing FanFiction, and writing in general. Over on my Facebook I'll be publishing a playlist of songs that I really believe capture the essence of this story. I will also be working on a preview for my next Frozen fan fiction, I wish you all the best of luck in the new year, and I hope you stick around for my next story.
Endless love, PrincessGabrielsa.