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Chapter Text

Chapter: 1 The Lost

Innocence is in the eyes of the beholder. For some, the boisterous laughter of youth heralds tranquility. For others, it is a cacophonous mess of mischief. Taunts and cheers echo throughout an expansive forest. The high trees are so thick with foliage, that the summer sun can hardly peek through. Leaves crunch and bushes rustle as a group of children scurries by. Their energetic silhouettes race through the woods and dart between shadows. What little sunlight emerges from the trees can barely reach the boys. It occasionally glistens against their various tresses and finely-pressed uniforms. Stomps ring out as they wrestle and leap around. While their ventures carry on, a woodland sparrow flutters by. The pudgy bird bounces atop a branch, spreads its wings, and basks in what little sunlight it can find. It chirps with delight and preens its chestnut, speckled plumage.

All but one of the boys ignores the songbird's melody. Its chirps are earnestly a relief to his ringing ears as he tries to catch his breath. While keeping up with his twelve older brothers has always been a challenge, it doesn't stop this young prince from trying. Nevertheless, he gives himself a moment to rest and leans against a nearby tree. He peers up at the sparrow as it glows in the sunlight. Whatever shimmer remains finds its way to him and sets his auburn locks ablaze. The boy's emerald gaze is wide with curiosity as he observes the sparrow lounging about. His lightly-freckled cheeks rise with a blissful smile and he remains enamored by the bird.

"Hans!" a voice calls out from the shadows. "Hans!" Such a strident tone is enough to startle the sparrow and snap Hans out of his trance-like state.

"Huh?" Hans bumbles and turns toward a shifting bush.

He flinches as a mop of disheveled, blonde hair pops out from the shadows. A pair of white-gloved hands part the loose locks and reveal bright blue eyes. "There you are!" Hans' older sibling huffs. "I thought we'd lost you already. Damian's telling the others that a wolf ate you." He tumbles out of the bush and rolls beside Hans. "What are you doing back here anyway?"

"Oh you know, Ben." Hans quips and jokingly feels the grassy ground. "Just searching for the rest of your mustache. No luck yet."

"Hey!" Ben chortles and playfully tousles his little brother's hair. "It's growing in!" He nervously dabs his fingers against a trio of whiskers on his upper lip. "I think..."

With the sparrow scared off by Ben's arrival, Hans realizes that his moment's rest is over. "Thanks for checking on me," he says as they hike towards the others. "I was fine, but I appreciate the thought."

Ben dramatically flips his hair and nods to Hans. "Someone's got to keep an eye on you, lucky number thirteen," he says.

"Thanks, twelve." Hans teases back.

"Okay, but for the record..." Ben boasts and withdraws a slingshot from his back pocket. "If a wolf was attacking you, I would've definitely killed it. One shot between the eyes. Wham!"

"Yeah okay," Hans chuckles. His pleasant demeanor fades as they trek deeper into the dark forest. The sounds of his spirited brothers echo beneath a massive oak tree. While some of Hans' siblings scale its grandiose trunk, others race each other under its shadows.

"Benjamin!" one of their oldest siblings snarks. Ben and Hans watch as a black-haired teen slides down from a branch. He twirls a pair of sticks in his hands and says, "Still think you're the better duelist?"

"Pft," Ben scoffs. "I know I am, Rowan."

"You gonna take that, big guy?" the third eldest sibling teases.

"Shut up, Damian." Rowan grumbles. "And you!" he snaps and tosses a stick to Ben. "Think you're all that, blondie? Come prove it!"

Ben flashes a daring smirk and flourishes his stick like a sword. "With pleasure," he decrees.

"Let's take him together," Hans suggests.

"Ah ah ah," Ben intones with a wave of his hand. "This is my moment, little brother. I have to be the one to shut him up. Go have an adventure with this or something," he mumbles and tosses his slingshot into Hans' hands.

"Right," Hans sulks as Ben leaps into action. While their duel commences, Hans is left where he typically is: on the sidelines. At eleven years of age, the prince can't remember ever fully being included. Sure, Ben checks up on him...but it always seems to be out of obligation. Like a typical prince of the Southern Isles, status is everything and they all have something to prove. Hans feels more like his brothers' stray pet than their actual sibling. Still, he sees today as yet another opportunity to make himself known to them.

With Ben occupied, Hans looks for a chance among his other older brothers. Much to his to predictable dismay, the rest of them are where they always are. Hans understands that Anton gets his own special privileges. But while he might be the first born, it doesn't seem necessary to worship the ground he walks on. Yet still, all of Hans' brothers hang on every word Anton utters. Hans might not admit it outloud, but Anton is everything he wants to be when he gets older. The first born has well-groomed, auburn locks just as he does and a set of green eyes that command respect. Unlike Ben's futile whiskers, Anton's scruff is robust and regal. If Hans' parents passed away within the hour, Anton looks as though he could easily rise to the throne and protect the Southern Isles. Big Brother Anton is a stoic hero in Hans' eyes. One who's always been an inspiration...yet has never given him the time of day.

Even after so many years, Hans continues to blame himself for Anton's neglect. He tells himself that he just has to do something remarkable to get noticed. What is it that Father's always lecturing us to do? Hans thinks. Right. Strategize...Analyze your target. Get to know them. Then strike.

Hans has watched Anton for years. He just needs to appeal to him. The rest of his brothers look like disciples gathered around a messiah as Anton speaks from a tree branch. "When I'm king," he says. "I'm gonna travel the world and share Southern Isles greatness everywhere!"

His words garner applause as Hans struggles to speak up. While a whirlwind of doubts urge the youngest prince to stay silent, he resists them all. "That sounds amazing!" he blurts and his body instantly stiffens. Hans swallows hard as Anton suddenly pauses.

Rather than look at Hans, his oldest brother peers upward instead. His eyes list through the trees as if searching for some kind of specter. "Did...did you hear something?" he asks, already getting snickers out of the others. "I can't quite figure out what it was." Hans' heart races as Anton's spiteful words continue to claw at him. "It sounded like some kind of desperate sniveling or something," Anton concludes.

Wasting his final shred of dignity, Hans dares to raise his voice. "I said that sounds amazing, Anton!"

"There it is again!" Anton shouts. "My lord. It...sounds just like a person!" Hans' face reddens as his brother's commentary sparks uproarious laughter.

"A useless one," Damian adds and spurs even more chortles.

A person can only take so much neglect as Hans clenches his fists. He feels the wooden handle shake in his palm and glances down at Ben's slingshot. Determined to prove his worth and make himself seen, Hans angrily scoops a stone from the ground. His hateful eyes notice a hollow spot in the tree just above Anton's head and he furiously takes aim. "Look at me," Hans hisses between gritted teeth. "I said...LOOK AT ME!" he roars and launches the stone. The slingshot twangs and fires its projectile over his siblings. Anton ducks as the stone darts into the hollow and a daunting screech sounds.

The agonizing shriek is enough to have all of Hans' brothers freezing. Even Ben and Rowan halt their duel and turn towards the excruciating sound. Hans gets what he wants as all eyes briefly look at him. His brothers then turn to Anton as he examines the tree's hollow. Whatever his oldest brother finds inside is enough to sicken him to the core. He purses his lips, drops back down, and actually looks at his youngest sibling. "Hans," he utters. "What have you done?"

Hans is at a loss for words as his brothers take turns checking the hollow. He's never been this noticed before, and now each prince looks upon him with disgust in their eyes. Anxiety gets the best of Hans as he scrambles towards the tree. "I don't understand," he frets. "What did I-" Hans' stomach drops as he peeks within the hollow and gasps. Gone is the sunlight that once set the sparrow's speckled plumage aglow. Its petite feet twitch beside a bloodstained stone. Every painful squeak it emits has Hans shrinking back. "N-...no," he whispers as sweat drenches his brows. It splatters as he repeatedly shakes his head towards the others. "It, it was an accident! I swear!"

And just like that, none of Hans' words matter again. His brothers' cacophonous jeers become a blur as they all talk over one another.

"You sick, twisted little-"

"What the hell is wrong with-"

"Why would you-"

"Shame on you for-"

Anton looms closest to Hans amidst the verbal barrage. The youngest prince hugs himself for comfort and utters, "I'm sorry. I just wanted you to see me."

"Well...we see you!" Damian scoffs. "Happy?"

Hans tries to ignore his comment and focuses on Anton. The young man looks down at him and says, "Unforgivable, Hans." Those words alone shake the prince to his core. As Anton departs, so too do the rest of the princes. While Hans hangs his head, he notices a pair of boots lingering beside him. Ben stays behind, but is left at a complete loss for words. He's about to reach down to Hans when the second eldest brother stomps over.

"Benjamin," he intones and the blonde hesitates. "Leave him. He got himself into this mess. He can deal with it."

"But Marcus," Ben pleads.

As the second born, Marcus' steely blue eyes command nearly as much authority as Anton's. "I said...leave him," he demands.

"Ben?" Hans worries. "Please don't go. You said you'd keep an eye on me."

"I-" Ben chokes while Marcus remains imposing. With a resigned sigh, the twelfth brother makes his choice. "I'm sorry, Hans." He recovers his slingshot and departs with Marcus.

"Ben!" Hans shouts haplessly. Panic sets in as Hans is left alone in the dark. Unwilling to leave the wounded sparrow, he ascends back towards the hollow. "Um," he worries. "Um..." His heart thunders as he observes the ailing songbird. Lost and desperate, Hans resorts to whimpering while he scoops the bird into his hands. Holding it close, he flees the forest while screaming, "Mother! Help! Please! Mother!"

A summer sea breeze blows across grandiose sets of blossoming, floral decor. The castle gardens are truly a sight to behold for any guest of the royal family. Servants usher freshly-baked pastries over to a jewel-encrusted table. Elegant dresses glimmer and gleam while glasses clink from their cheery wearers. Despite the vast array of headdresses and formalwear, no one garners more attention than Queen Briella of the Southern Isles. Her navy blue gown flows like the waves along her kingdom's coast. Dark red curls dangle from her bun while a regal tiara resides atop it. Her vibrantly green eyes squint with her chuckle as another one of her jokes lands flawlessly. Briella has every maiden at her table giggling and snorting. She takes a pink handkerchief to her scarlet lips and wipes them free of cookie crumbs. With a snap of her fingers, the queen has one of her servants scurrying to fetch more wine. Briella's about to share another story when she notices one of her guests looking concerned. At first, she thinks she's missed a spot of crumbs on her face. But her brows furrow when the woman across from her gasps.

Without losing the slightest ounce of composure, Briella slides in her chair. She glances over her shoulder and sees her youngest son hobbling into the garden. He's a sweaty mess and is hunched over with bloodied gloves. Briella doesn't waste a moment and turns to her guests. She might be smiling, but her cheery demeanor is long gone. "Leave us," is all she has to say and every maiden at the table practically flies. Glasses rattle as they hurriedly scramble to depart. Even servants take those two, dreadful words to heart and flee the scene. Briella watches those around her, and only drops her twitching smile once she's sure they're gone.

Hans gulps as the queen's glower deepens amidst the silence of their garden. "What did you do?" she asks sternly. Her son can hardly find the breath to speak up. He feels as weak and frail as the sparrow in his hands. Hans' lips barely part and Briella already runs out of patience. "What did you do?" she yells and slams her hand on the table. Hans' body trembles like the delicate plates and silverware.

Although his legs feel cemented together, he forces himself to walk up to her. Hans gingerly unravels his fingers and reveals the wounded, writhing sparrow. "It was an accident," he says. "I swear."

Briella frowns at the ailing bird and directs that disgust to him. "It's dying," she says.

"Mother?" Hans inquires, trying to hold back tears. "Can't we get it medicine or-"

"You struck its chest, Hans." Briella intones and he winces. "Look at the gash. You've probably damaged its heart too."

"But we have to do something," Hans pleads.

"Not we," Briella huffs and clutches her handkerchief. "You." She shakes it free of cookie crumbs and offers it to him. His bewildered look irks her. "Well go on," she grumbles. "Finish it."

"W-...what?"

"For God's sake, Hans." Briella murmurs. "Wrap this on its head and break its neck." She rolls her eyes when Hans gasps. "Don't look so frightened. You started this creature's suffering, so finish what you started."

Hans' worried eyes dart between the cloth and the sparrow. "I-I can't."

"Don't be a coward, Hans." Briella asserts and forces the kerchief into one of his hands. "Do it."

The prince's hand shivers as he clutches the cloth. While he's able to lower it towards the sparrow's head, its painful squeaks keep him from going through with the deed. He hangs his head, shuts his eyes, and braces himself for Briella's response.

"Why am I not surprised?" his mother gripes. "Look at me," she demands and Hans immediately peers up. "Do you know why we have the kingdom that we have? Why you and your brothers get to frolic about in the woods in the finest coats money can buy?" She pinches his sleeve as she says so. "Because of me," she growls and jabs a polished nail at her chest. "Because I don't hesitate! Do you think your lack-witted father could've achieved anything without my ambition? The Southern Isles were dungheaps before I was married into the throne. Everything you own...everything you are...is because of me. The least you can do is stop hesitating. Because as long as you do, you'll never get anything that you want in life." The sparrow squeals and Hans looks down at it. Irritated by the distraction, Briella lunges forward. "Enough," she growls, taking the sparrow and her kerchief. In a swift motion, she smothers the bird and tightens her grip. She looks Hans in the eye, maintaining a straight face while quickly snapping the bird's neck. The tiny crunch is nauseating to her son as he flinches.

"I'm sorry," Hans sniffles and hunches forward.

"Oh stop with the 'I'm sorry' tripe," Briella scoffs. "No one wants to hear it." Tears roll down Hans' cheeks as he struggles hold them back. "And stop crying," Briella demands. When Hans keeps sobbing over the dead bird, Briella angrily slaps him across the face. Her open palm strikes the child with enough force to have him losing his footing. "I said stop it!" she scolds as if he's the castle pup. She seizes him by the chin and waves a finger in his face. "You're a prince of the Southern Isles. Act like it! You pathetic little-"

The nearby door creaks open as a servant worriedly peeks out. "Your majesty?" he mumbles.

"What?" Briella snaps.

"The guests are asking for you," the servant winces.

It's as if a switch has flipped within the queen as she straightens her posture. She forces Hans to stop slouching and pats his head, completely disregarding the handprint she's left on his cheek. A fraudulent, political smile returns to Briella's lips as she whispers. "Run along now, Hans. Mother has work to do."

As she departs, Hans is left alone in the royal garden. Fear keeps him from shedding another tear as he rubs his stinging cheek.

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER...

Winter's icy winds bring a chilly sting to Hans' cheek. Not even his scruffy, auburn beard can offer safety against the harsh climate. Yet still, Hans kneels before a snowy oasis. The forest around him is blanketed in layer upon layer of powdery wonder. He sighs deeply and lets the wind blow frigid fractals into his wavy locks. He's about to shut his eyes and embrace the coldness when a sudden chirp reaches his ears. That melodious sound amidst such bleakness is oddly comforting. As Hans peers up at a dead and frosted tree, he watches a sparrow bounce atop its branches. Fresh snow coats its plump body as it tilts its head downward. The creature's innocent, marble-like eyes shine atop the wintry scape. The sight should bring a smile to Hans' face...but how could it ever again? For when he looks upon a sparrow, all he can think of is-

Snap!

Hans' head swivels towards a crunching sound in the nearby clearing. While he initially shudders, he hardens his resolve with a deep breath. The sparrow flees as Hans creeps beneath the tree. A robust silhouette travels along the treeline and occasionally dips to meet the bushes. Propping himself up against the dead tree's trunk, Hans discreetly readies his bow. While his tense, gloved fingers steady themselves along its grip, he gently retrieves an arrow from his quiver. The arrow's pale feathers bunch up in his palm as he pulls back on the bowstring. Hans tries to keep his breaths as steady as his aim. The tip of his arrow traces an invisible path from him to the traveling silhouette and merely awaits his order. With a deepening glower and twitching eye, Hans releases the projectile. He holds his breath as the arrow zips through the air and a fearsome puncture sounds.

Hans lowers his bow as a painful bleating confirms his shot. He lowers his head and follows the sound towards his prey. His heavy boots shuffle through the snow until he reaches an ailing mass of fur. "Damn it," he whispers, hoping to have killed the creature in one shot. Its hoofed legs kick up snow while it writhes and squirms. A majestic set of antlers now scrapes against the ice while the rest of the deer remains pinned. Hans kneels beside it and observes the arrow piercing its chest cavity. Blood seeps from its tan hide and forms a puddle close to his knees. As the deer wails again, Hans looks into its weary black eyes. Its stare is as innocent and helpless as the sparrow's.

Hans would apologize, but what he's done is unforgivable anyway. Still, the words nearly escape his lips as he reaches for his hunting knife. With a resigned sigh, Hans unsheathes the blade and raises it high. The sound of pulling his knife out triggers a memory, one of which he can't seem to forget. The knife rattles in his trembling hand as he listens to the deer's mewls. Its agonizing whimpers remind Hans...of her whimpers.

"Your sister is dead," he'd told the Queen of Arendelle. "Because of you."

She'd fallen before him and broken down in tears...all over a despicable lie he'd forged. And as Queen Elsa lay there drowning in her own sorrow, he had the audacity to unsheathe his sword and raise it to her. To strike from the back like the coward he was.

This deer is no different in Hans' eyes. He'd fired at it from a distance and now stands over its suffering body. It's flailing, innocent body.

"You started this creature's suffering, so finish what you started."

There's his mother's voice again. Gone from the physical world but never departed from his mind. It feels like Queen Briella lives on Hans' shoulder, hissing in his ear and reminding him of every failure he's achieved. Her voice is at its loudest today as Hans' hand shakes. Sweat trickles down his temples and he winces, as if actually hearing Briella scolding him.

"Do it! You pathetic coward. You're a prince of the Southern Isles. Act like it!"

"I-" Hans utters.

"You failed to kill the queen. You failed to kill the princess. You are failure after failure after-"

"Hans?" a voice beckons betwixt the winds. A real voice. One with enough strength to quiet the prince's mind, even if only for a moment. The snow crunches behind him as a fur-clad woman approaches. She sets her bow down and pulls up her hood. Wavy black tresses cascade against her shoulders and vividly contrast against the snow. The huntress stands beside Hans and worriedly rubs his back. There is care in her soft, emerald eyes as she observes his shaking hand. "Hans," she calls again in a softer tone.

"I-...I can't do it," he whispers while staring at the deer.

"You can," she assures. A jeweled ring twinkles on her finger as she shifts her hand to relax his shoulder. "You must. The deer is pain and it would be unfair to leave it like this." Hans swallows hard and it's as if the huntress already knows his response. She sighs sympathetically and unsheathes her own knife. Hans has to look away as she descends on the deer and puts it out of its misery. Even as he averts his gaze, Hans still watches the deer's hooves go limp.

"Don't beat yourself up about it, my love," the huntress says while wiping her knife. "After everything you've seen...all you've been through...We'll get there eventually."

All of her remarks make Hans feel worse and yet he answers with a "Yeah." He looks to the huntress and mumbles, "Thank you, Lynn."

"Of course." Lynn faintly smiles and grabs their kill by the antlers. "On the bright side, this is one hell of a buck. It could feed us for a week or longer if we conserve it properly." Hans huffs while helping Lynn heave their kill. "Do you ever miss all that prim and proper castle food?" she asks between pulls.

"Not at all," Hans begins. "Too clean and perfect. That life was never for me."

"And all it took to see the other side was getting exiled," Lynn quips. She furrows her brows amidst Hans' ensuing silence. "Oh come on. I'm kidding. Mostly. But it's just another reason that I love you. You're not one of them."

"Well I love you too," Hans replies.

"I'm serious," Lynn continues and takes a break from pulling. "Hans, I know you aren't perfect. But isn't everyone a cracked plate in one way or another? If your family couldn't see you the way I do, then you're better off out here. Their loss." A familiar whinny catches the couple's attention as their horses appear in the snow. "Sitron! Athena!" Lynn hollers and the horses snort. "We're back with dinner!"

"For us anyway," Hans snarks and Lynn playfully nudges him. They load the deer atop Lynn's bulky, chestnut mare. Once it's secure, Hans makes his way over to Sitron. "Hey boy," he whispers. The stallion shakes snow off of his black and white mane before leaning into Hans. Despite all that's happened over the years, Hans has always found comfort in stroking Sitron's dun-colored hide. "Let's go home, hm?" Hans mutters and his horse snorts in agreement.

"Race you back!" Lynn teases while Hans is still mounting up.

"Does everything have to be 'go, go, go' with you?" Hans huffs. "Can't we just enjoy the ride?"

"We could...if that was even possible for you," Lynn says and spurs Athena into a canter. "You're always so tense, dear. I'm still trying to help you lighten up. What's getting at you?"

"Nothing," Hans replies and instantly winces. He peers ahead to see Lynn giving him 'the look' from over her shoulder.

"Just because your family's full of deplorables doesn't mean you aren't allowed to miss them," Lynn considers. "It's been what? Three years since you stood up to them?"

"Almost four," Hans murmurs and guides Sitron onward.

"That would mess anyone up. Well I've said it once and I'll say it again. I'm proud of you for standing your ground. You don't need them, Hans. And I don't know about you, but I'll take the silence of our island over the bustling capital any day."

"You and me both," Hans replies as they traverse a babbling stream. Their horses' hooves kick up chilly droplets until they reach the opposite side. Once they pass through a forested slope, the duo glimpses a snow-covered cabin.

Lynn picks up the pace and eagerly guides Athena into a cozy stable. She and Hans look upon the structures with prideful eyes, having built them together from scratch. Noticing Hans' extra unease, Lynn dismounts and pats their kill. "Why don't I skin the deer?" she suggests. "You just go inside and rest."

"Are you sure?" Hans queries while getting Sitron inside. "Because I can-"

Lynn lunges over and steals a kiss against his lips. She's gone before he can fully savor her touch and says, "I'm not asking. Now go rest." Hans smirks at her and reluctantly obliges. "And Hans," she adds and he stops in his tracks. "Never forget that you did the right thing and that I admire you for it. Don't ever doubt yourself."

Hans swallows hard, feigns a smile, and nods. While she readies her knife to skin the deer, he heads into their humble cabin. He seals the door behind him to keep out the howling winds. Hans takes a moment to observe the lounge. Pristine pelts have been fashioned into carpets, blankets, and seat cushions. Each serves as a constant reminder of how resourceful Hans' fiancé has always been. They also remind Hans of the lie he's been living every single day.

"Never forget that you did the right thing and that I admire you for it. Don't ever doubt yourself."

Each of her words is like a dagger tearing him apart from the inside. He opens the door to their bedroom and feels oddly cold. This freezing sensation has his hand trembling as he struggles to release the doorknob. Why? he asks. Why is everything so...cold?

"You won't get away with this!" a voice echoes within his mind. It's as youthful as it is aching.

"Oh," Hans reiterates. "I already have."

He stares down at the doorknob as it locks into place. Gone is the warmth of his cabin as he stands in the halls of a foreign, yet familiar castle. His coat has been replaced by a princely uniform. Hans steps away from the door and stands in darkness as someone approaches from the other side. "No please," a weakening voice begs as the knob jingles. "Somebody...help."

Hans just stands there, waiting for the knob to stop moving as whoever's trapped keeps suffering. His heart sinks when another voice asks, "Hans?"

His eyes widen when he turns and sees his fiancé standing in the hall. "L-...Lynn?" he chokes and staggers back.

"What's behind that door?" Lynn asks. "Is everything okay?"

Hans stammers and struggles to find a proper answer. "Yes...of-of course it is. There's nothing even in there."

Lynn suspiciously tilts her head until he steps past her. "What's going on?" she queries. "Please tell me."

"Everything's fine!" he fires back, matching her desperate tone. He runs a white-gloved hand through his disheveled locks. "Just...stop. Trust me. I have to do this."

"Hans?" she calls to him as he storms down the halls of Arendelle castle. "Hans! Where are you going?" He refuses to answer and quickens his pace until her shouts fade away. He's descending towards the dungeon now and eyeing the furthest cell.

Hans glances at the frost-coated windows and huffs. With a furious twist, he opens the cell door and finds a frightened blonde. The chains on her shackled hands rattle and her ice dress shifts with her rapid breaths. Queen Elsa's bright eyes widen as Hans unsheathes a sword and stares her down. "No," she utters. "Please...don't do this."

"Finish it, my son." Queen Briella's whispering voice is like a hissing viper in Hans' ear. "Don't hesitate this time. Make your mother proud."

Even as ice creeps across her chains, Elsa remains trapped in her shackles. She tugs in desperation as Hans closes in. "No," she pleads and collapses into the corner of her cell. Hans raises his sword and Elsa's helpless expression reflects off the blade. The queen's ensuing scream is blood-curdling.

Hans' reddened, groggy eyes shoot open as he unleashes a blood-curdling scream. He awakens from his nightmare and can hardly feel his body. All is numbed as he flails and roars atop a cabin couch. His hysteric glare sways across the blurred room and he feels like he could faint. Hearing his distress, Lynn nearly spills her stewpot and comes running over to him.

"Hans!" she calls and tries to steady his body. She gently grips his shoulders even as he tumbles to the floor. "You're safe," she assures. "It's just me. Look at me." His wild eyes find her amidst his panic as she caresses his sweat-soaked beard. "Shhh." Hans' breaths slow while Lynn speaks softly. "Just a bad dream. No one can hurt you." Being no stranger to Hans' panic attacks, Lynn follows a routine of stroking his hair and helping him sit up. "That's it," she reassures. "Slow, deep breaths."

Hans wants to tell her that he's sorry, but he wouldn't even know where to start. Sorry for the bad dream...or for so much more? As if any apology would ever matter, he thinks and leans into Lynn's touch. "Thank you," he whispers to her as she kisses his forehead.

"I've got you, my dear. Just take your time and it will be alright." Hans whiffs a smoky scent and eyes Lynn's stewpot. "Dinner's just about ready," she tells him. "Why don't you try eating a little?"

Hans subtly nods and she helps him up. He slouches into a rickety seat while she pours him some venison stew. An assortment of vegetables swirl around chunks of shredded meat and get Hans' stomach growling. Lynn chuckles at the sound while he takes the first bite of her masterpiece. The stew is like warm medicine on his dried throat. He's only started to savor each unique flavor when a series of gallops echoes from outside. Hans lowers his spoon and turns towards the nearest window.

The gallops louden as Lynn peeks out from one of their curtains. "What is it?" Hans asks her, leaning from the dining table.

Several riders trot out of view while a white stallion is hitched to a nearby tree. Lynn's eyes narrow on the winged, Southern Isles emblem embroidered on its saddle. "Royal horses," she whispers. Her eyes widen at the sight of footprints trailing away from the stallion and towards their cabin. Snow crunches near the door as the rider swiftly approaches. "Stay down," Lynn tells Hans. "I'll handle this." Lynn grits her teeth while strapping a quiver of arrows to her back. Gripping her bow, she opens the door and aims it before a white-gloved hand can even knock.

The rider slowly retracts his hand and raises it in surrender. "Woah," he chuckles nervously. "Is that anyway to treat a future brother-in-law?"

"You tell me, Benjamin." Lynn murmurs and tightens her grip on the arrow.

"So formal," her guest retorts. "You know you can call me, Ben." His thick, curly mustache quivers when Lynn doesn't relax. His curious, blue gaze lists over her shoulders and spots Hans at the table. "You picked a good one, Hans."

"Hey," Lynn snaps. "Leave him out of this. He's done serving the crown, so if you think he's going back to the capital-"

"Relax, Lynn." Ben insists and angers her further. "We're not here to end our little brother's...vacation." Lynn starts to lower her bow, but keeps an eye on Hans' older brothers in the distance. "But we do need his help. May we come in, please?"

While Lynn is hesitant, she hears Hans rise from his chair. "Sure," her fiancé says. "But only you, Ben."

"So be it," his big brother answers and enters the cabin. As he steps in, Hans observes how much the twelfth Prince of the Southern Isles has grown. The wild tresses of Ben's youth have been tamed into a long ponytail.

"No haircut for you anytime soon, hm?" Hans mumbles.

"Are you kidding?" Ben chuckles. "As the only blonde prince of this nation, I must don these majestic locks with honor!" He dramatically swishes his ponytail before taking a seat at the dining table. His proud grin falters as the grievousness of his visit returns. "Now I know you're probably wondering why I'm out here with the 'Big Three'."

"To get in good with them?" Hans scoffs until Lynn stops him.

"I'm don't follow," the huntress says. "Big Three?"

"Marcus, Damian, and Rowan." Hans says. "The three oldest siblings after Anton. They practically worshipped him, becoming this egotistical triumvirate trying to replicate his success."

"Wait a minute, Hans." Lynn realizes and peers out the window. "Are those the three creeps who pretended you were invisible for two years?"

"Unfortunately," Hans replies and Lynn scoffs.

"Alright," she tells Ben. "If you're not here to drag Hans back into your venomous lifestyle but you're working with some of his abusers...you'd better start making sense or-"

"Anton's missing," Ben blurts. Lynn looks to Hans as he raises his brows. The twelfth prince solidifies his claim with a nod and says, "Whether you love or hate him, you cannot deny his results. Anton always sees things through, which is why this case is most peculiar."

"Where was he last seen?" Hans inquires.

"Anton was out on a diplomatic mission," Ben explains with a shrug. "Nothing he hadn't done before. Only this time, he returned to the Southern Isles sooner than expected. In fact, he'd aborted the mission entirely. His ship docked in the capital late one night and all we had were crew members to explain the situation." Ben shakes his head as he recalls the bizarre encounter. "They said he appeared ill. That he had a mad look in his eyes, but refused treatment. They said he mounted a horse and rode off into the night." Ben sighs. "That's not our calm and collected Prince Anton. He's not a runner."

"Any idea where he could've gone?" Lynn queries.

"Father had us scouring the capital and surrounding isles all week. Our soldiers are practically sleepless because of it. That's when a search party was established for the northernmost isle." He gestures to the snowy woodlands outside their window. "Initially, Father was only going to send the Big Three. But knowing you and Lynn were here, I didn't want them giving you a hard time. So I volunteered."

"How noble," Lynn murmurs.

"We hunt and travel out here every day," Hans says. "If you're asking about Anton, we haven't seen him."

"I figured," Ben laments as a furious knock comes to the door.

"Get on with it!" Marcus barks.

"Yeah, yeah!" Ben hollers back before calming himself. "Perhaps he was just flaunting his wealth, but Anton always had to give us something to aspire towards. He had a private estate built on every one of the Southern Isles, including this one. Have you been up to the mountain pass as of late?"

Hans and Lynn shake their heads at each other. "We stick to the woods," the latter answers.

A glimpse of hope twinkles in Ben's eyes. "Then there's still a chance that Anton could be here. Hans, I know he was a bully to us growing up." His younger brother glowers until Ben corrects his statement. "A bully to you. But we have to find him. Father is old and cannot handle anymore heartbreak. Not after Mother."

Before Hans can answer, Lynn places a soothing hand on his shoulder. She tilts her head over and brings her voice down to a whisper. "You don't owe them anything," she reminds him.

While Hans nods, he still chooses to rise from his seat. "I'll go with you," he tells Ben. "If our brother's lost, you'll need as much help as you can to find him."

"Hans?" Lynn asks, growing concerned.

"It's alright," he assures. "This is...the right thing to do."

His fiancé sighs and plucks a satchel from the nearby rack. "Well you're a fool if you think I'm not coming with you." She slams the satchel down and starts stuffing it with supplies.

The Big Three are as impatient as ever, spurring their horses beyond the woods and deep into the mountain pass. "Not even so much as a hello," Hans remarks while steering Sitron. "Some things really never change."

"Maybe you're still invisible to them," Ben quips. "Try not to take it personally, little brother." Hans' glower has Ben wincing. "At least not this time," he defends. "They're just worried about Anton. We all are."

"Are you?" Lynn whispers from Hans' right.

"Family's family," he huffs and rides onward.

As Hans flees the conversation, Lynn directs Athena towards Ben. "Even after everything-" she begins. "-he's still willing to stick his neck out for you people. The others might be too foolish to see the truth, but I hope you know what kind of brother you have."

Ben bites his lip at Lynn's comment. He fidgets with his mare's reins and ultimately answers, "Hans sure is an angel, isn't he?" Lynn leers at him before catching up with her fiancé. Ben shakes his head while watching them both. "You know," he whispers to his horse and scratches her neck. "Satan was an angel too."

Marcus leads the group up a winding passage. Snow clusters atop his auburn locks and heavy coat. In many ways, Marcus' clean-shaven visage reminds Hans of his earlier years. If it wasn't for those steely blue eyes and that prominent, aquiline nose...it may have even been hard to tell them apart. As the second oldest prince, he feels most responsible for finding his big brother and keeping the others in line.

The years have not been kind to third brother Rowan. Any bold black hair that he could boast of has receded. So much so, that Hans figures the snow is probably freezing Rowan's bald head, although no Southern Isles prince would dare show weakness. Rowan hides any discomfort behind a regal beard. It's as if all of his hair has fled that destructive mind of his in an effort to try and seal his troublesome lips.

Damian trails behind both of these brutes. The lanky royal knows that being fourth in line lacks the promise of a throne...but still lets him flaunt wealth. Dark circles plague Damian's sleepless eyes while his burgundy goatee still reeks of ale from his last party. He glances back at Lynn, offering her a flirtatious smirk.

"Pig," she scoffs.

Despite the princes' vast array of successes, none of them have been married. Successfully anyway. From Anton to Ben, the brothers have actually made a competition out of who can ruin the most marriages. Hearing that Hans was engaged had sent them all into tizzies. Especially when they found out Lynn was real.

Marcus brings his horse to a stop and throws up a hand. The rest of the group halts behind him as they arrive at a grim and eerie scene. Icy winds pelt Anton's unkept, private estate. Curtains cover the already frosted windows while jagged icicles extend down from roof singles. A dead tree's branches barely stand amidst the winds, reaching out like a corpse's withering hands. There's a consistent and unsettling slamming in the air. Unlocked and nearly unhinged, the front door swings at the wind's mercy.

"Anton!" Marcus shouts, his voice going unanswered. "Anton!" The constantly slamming door prompts him to dismount. The others watch with bated breath as Marcus slowly steps towards the entrance. His boots crunch snow until he finally steadies the door, putting an end to its violent slams. As soon as Marcus pulls it open, an inky mass comes darting at his face. This small, feathery blur caws in Marcus' ear and has him stumbling back into the snow. "Damn it!" he blurts as a raven flees the premises.

"Nice one," Damian jests.

Marcus glares back at him before recomposing himself. He steps into the estate's vacant and shadowy foyer. Narrow and vacuous corridors lead towards even darker rooms. The others dismount and enter behind Marcus. "Spread out," he says. "Search for clues...anything."

"I'll check the kitchen," Damian volunteers with an exuberant snap of his fingers.

"Hans," Ben beckons and motions for him and Lynn to search upstairs. While they ascend a winding set of creaky stairs, the Big Three scour the lower levels.

"I hate to tell you this-" Lynn mumbles. "-but I doubt your brother's here. This place looks abandoned."

"All leads must be pursued," Ben replies. "Or else Father will have our heads."

"I'd laugh, but I don't know if you're joking." Lynn huffs. "Then again, those consequences sound right coming from your family."

Her remark has Ben pursing his lips. "Hans," he murmurs and scratches his head. "Can I talk to you...alone?"

"No," Lynn asserts and defensively grips her fiancé's arm. "Whatever you have to say, you can say to both of us."

"Lynn," Hans assures and sets her hands down. He steps aside with her and says, "It's okay. Trust me."

"I trust you," she intones. "It's them that I-"

"Let me hear him out," Hans says. "Look, you're probably right about this place being abandoned anyway. I'm going to see what Ben wants and then I'll keep searching with you, okay?"

Lynn sighs and looks into his deep, green eyes. "Okay," she relents. "Just be careful. I'm gonna search these bedrooms."

Hans takes his time and watches Lynn head down the hall. He watches her enter a bedroom until Ben guides him into the study. Once his big brother closes the door, it's as if a veil has been temporarily lifted. All he has to do is look at Hans and he feels like he might collapse. "How long are you going to keep this up?" Ben asks.

"What do you mean?" Hans retorts.

"Oh for God's sake, Hans." Ben whispers sharply. "You look terrible. When's the last time you got a full night's sleep?"

"I couldn't tell you. The night terrors still hit me in waves."

"But it wasn't always like that," Ben remarks. "Not this much. You've always been honest with me, little brother. You know that it's been worse since the engagement."

"Lynn loves me."

"Lynn doesn't even know you," Ben snaps, his voice straining as he tries to keep it down to a whisper. "The real you. I knew you were quite the thespian after that stunt you pulled three years ago, but good lord...you've got her good. You've got her wrapped around your-"

Hans suddenly snaps to match Ben's intensity. "Stop it," he growls. "Don't you dare act like the moral superior here. Father set the plan in order for the good of the Southern Isles. We all agreed to my exile, but don't blame me for doing what it takes to survive."

"What it takes to-" Ben can hardly find the words and merely shakes his head.

Hans sighs and sulks towards his brother. "This gave me a fresh start," he laments. "If I told her the truth...the unforgivable...I'd lose everything."

Ben places a gentle hand on Hans' shoulder. His mustache rises with a sympathetic smile as he says, "But even with this fresh start...concealing the truth...are you happy?" Hans swallows hard and remains unable to answer.

While Marcus and Rowan overturn illustrious lounges, Damian rummages through the kitchen. "Come on Anton," he gripes to himself. "Don't hold out on me." Damian glimpses a half empty bottle inside one of the cabinets. "Now we're talking," he rejoices and flashes a toothy grin. Caring little for the type of alcohol, he snatches the bottle and eagerly chugs it. Damian only gets two gulps in before noticing what's behind the beverage.

The crashing bottle sends Marcus and Rowan jogging into the kitchen. The former quickly notices Damian's wet lips and smacks him upside the head. He's about to scold him until his lanky sibling points towards the cabinet. The Big Three inch their way over and discover a cluster of rat corpses. Their mangled, furry bodies lay strewn atop one another in a malodorous heap.

Rowan scowls and dares to reach in. He plucks one of the rodents by its scraggly tail and drags it out. "Ugh, Rowan!" Damian groans. "You're so damn disgusting. What are you gonna do? Eat it?"

Rowan peers down at the rat and flips it over. "Something already did," he says and points towards a series of bite marks.

Marcus squints at the markings and observes their circular curvatures. "Or someone," he considers.

"What the hell?" Damian mutters and slowly backs away.

Lynn pushes open the door to the final upstairs bedroom. "Last one," she says to herself. "Glad Hans could come and help me...not." Although she's worried about him, she just wants to get the search over with so they can leave. She looses a resigned sigh and observes the grandiose bedroom. Tied, bulky curtains perpetuate the darkness while slivers of sunlight creep in. There's just enough light for Lynn to see herself as an ominous silhouette in the vanity mirror. "Well that's terrifying," she remarks and immediately goes to the curtains. "No thank you." With a mighty heave, Lynn liberates the drapes and coats the room in fresh sunlight. An antique grandfather clock ticks beside a dusty closet door. Lynn smiles at her now fully-visible self in the mirror and says, "Much better."

Before Lynn can check the rest of the room, her eyes wander to a red-speckled and black laced journal on the vanity. "Is this...blood?" she wonders while examining the dried substance. She cracks open the journal and her heart sinks with each passing page. Entries range from wild ramblings to hardly coherent text that runs off the page. As she flips further into the notes, the inked entries start to dry and fade. Instead of stopping, whomever wrote in the journal had switched to a darker...crimson substance.

As Lynn reaches the final pages, she quietly reads them to herself. "Must see this through. Never give in. Complete the mission. Finish it." Lynn turns the page and finds a daunting body of text.

Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it. Finish it.

Lynn flips to the next page, but all of the text is smudged and smeared. The odd scent of fresh blood makes its way to her nose. What's left of the bloody page drips to the floorboards, revealing a set of dark red footprints leading towards the closet. Lynn lifts her head and watches the closet's knob slowly turn in the mirror's reflection. Steadying her breaths, Lynn sets the journal down and slowly turns around. The closet door creaks open as she does so and the huntress is left staring into a shadowy void.

The light barely touches the closet at that angle, leaving much to her imagination. She's unsure whether or not she's actually seeing a figure standing in the doorway. Either way, Lynn eyes the exit and instantly decides to leave. She gets to take one step before a being comes sprinting out of the shadows. As the closet door swings open, the force sends the grandfather clock toppling over and blocking the exit shut. With arms stretched and scraggly hair obscuring its face, the figure is an insidious blur. It emits a belligerent roar and tackles Lynn into the vanity.

The mirror's ensuing crash has Hans and Ben dashing over from the study. "Lynn!" her fiancé worriedly shouts.

Lynn writhes as her savage assailant throws himself on top of her. The impact sends arrows spewing out of her quiver and clattering across the floor. Dried blood coats her attacker's beard while sweat trickles from his temple. His pupil-less, white eyes are almost otherworldly. Enough to have Lynn yelling and fighting to repel him.

"Lynn!" Hans yells as he and Ben reach the door. He tries to push it open, but the grandfather clock is obstructing the doorway. "It's stuck!" Desperation overwhelms Hans while his fiancé struggles inside. "Hold on!"

Finding an open spot between her assailant's legs, Lynn furiously knees him in the groin. He doesn't back down and she has to keep him at bay with one arm. Using her other hand, the huntress stretches with all of her might and snatches one of the fallen arrows. With a wild grunt, she thrusts the projectile into his shoulder and kicks him off.

"Together!" Ben urges as he and Hans rush the door. They smash through its frame and trip over the clock just as Lynn backs up. "Oh my God," Hans utters while pulling her into his arms. "Is that-"

"Anton?" Ben realizes as their big brother staggers back. The first born is like a twitching and cornered animal. His lower lip quivers as he alternates between growls and whimpers. "Brother?"

"Stay back!" Anton bellows and haplessly swipes at the air. "All of you! Get...get out! Out of my-" Ben and Hans exchange nervous glances as Anton tugs at his disheveled hairs. "Get out of my head!"

"Who?" Ben asks softly and takes a step forward. "Who's in your head, Anton?" The older prince drops to his knees and sobs hysterically. His broken and demented visage reflects in the various pieces of shattered glass. "I can help you," Ben insists and kneels beside him. "But you have to talk to me. What's-"

In that instant, Anton clasps a shard from the mirror and swipes it at Ben. Fabric tears and the younger prince drops with a hiss, clasping his bloodied bicep. "Ben!" Hans calls and runs to his aid. Lynn recovers her bow and aims an arrow. "No!" he tells her, only to narrowly avoid being stabbed. Hans backs up as Anton swings the shard again. Seeking only to protect her fiancé, Lynn fires a warning shot. Her arrow smashes the glass in Anton's hand and forces him back. "Don't kill him!" Hans warns while tending to Ben.

"That depends on his actions," Lynn says. She recovers and readies another arrow while the Big Three arrive.

"Anton!" Marcus gasps, horrified over his state.

With so many eyes on him, Anton's condition only worsens. His senses are a scrambled mess as he looks across the room. As his eyes flutter rapidly, Anton's knees buckle forward as if he's about to lunge. "F-...finish it," he whispers and snaps his head towards the window.

"No!" Marcus yells as Anton sprints for it. No matter how fast anyone runs, no one can stop the jump nor the deafening crash. The window shatters and snowy gusts bombard those inside. They shield their eyes until any spewing shards clear out. As the winds howl through a disturbing stillness, Marcus runs to the broken window. "Anton!" he yells and leans over the sill. His broad shoulders stiffen at the grim observation below. Marcus purses his lips, drops back down, and steps away to take a moment.

Hans is at a loss for words as his other siblings take turns checking the window. Anxiety gets the best of Hans as he scrambles towards the window. His stomach drops as he peers down and sees Anton's contorted body. The first Prince of the Southern Isles lays against a frosted rock as scarlet puddles soak the snow beneath him.

Ben lingers beside Hans, looking down in horror at their fallen sibling. They're still reeling from their encounter and trying to make sense of it. Lynn takes Hans' hand and hopes to grant him whatever comfort she possibly can. He remains frozen in shock, staring at Anton's body until a curious thought crosses his mind. "Ben," Hans murmurs. "You said Anton was out on a diplomatic mission before this happened." He turns to his big brother and asks, "Where?" Ben swallows hard and cautiously shakes his head. His eyes drift to Lynn and it's enough to make Hans let go of her hand. "Where was the diplomatic mission to?" Hans asks again, being much more aggressive this time.

Ben sulks and dreadfully raises his brows. With a resigned sigh, he looks up at Hans and answers, "Arendelle."

Chapter Text

Hans doesn't have many fond memories associated with snow. In truth, it hurts him that he cannot fully enjoy the sight of snowflakes blissfully plummeting from the sky. Such wintry wonders remind him of "The Great Freeze" which transpired all those years ago. He's tried to forget about those days, but every lie to hide those wounds has merely opened up another. Snowfall should be a tranquil sight granting solace to the people of the Southern Isles. Instead, it will forever serve as a grim reminder of the ensuing royal funeral.

Daunting bells ring out from the capital's prestigious cathedral. It's been far too long since Hans has returned, and yet he welcomes each clang like an old friend. He'll take as much familiarity as he can on such a somber morning. Feeling Lynn's gentle touch grants him a sliver of calmness. He links arms with her and joins the rest of the royal family. Adorned in inky, dark uniforms, the young men lead a mournful march through the kingdom. Its subjects clear the bricked pathways, bow their heads, and toss flowers against the frosted pavement. The sight of such submissive subjects leaves a bitter taste in Hans' mouth. He wonders if they pay their respects out of true appreciation or if it's fear that spurs them. Regardless, Hans keeps Lynn close and faces forward. Anton's body has been cleaned from his horrendous state. The oldest princes carry him in a casket as white as the snow itself. Golden accents line its polished hinges as they haul him up an incline.

A silver crown shimmers from just behind the casket. Its metallic tint matches the dreary clouds above and lays nestled in wavy, greying tresses. Black hairs fight to remain relevant, reminding all that King Victor was once youthful too. The tribulations of his restless kingdom have taken its toll on the old king's complexion. Thick bags droop from his time-faded and misty eyes. His regal beard trembles as he struggles to fight both age and tears. As if the death of Victor's wife hasn't been hard enough over the years, he now struggles to carry the burden of his lost son. He can hardly look at the casket, for doing so permits memories of his aspirational firstborn to invade his mind. His lost laughter is like an brutal specter, filling his heart with pain and regret. Victor can barely stomach the sight of reaching his wife's hill.

A gentle layer of frost coats the seaside slope as the group approaches Queen Briella's grave. A spot has been sectioned off for Anton beside her as his brothers lower him in.

"We commend unto thy hands of mercy," an elderly deacon presides. "Most merciful Father, the soul of this our brother, and we commit his body to the ground." Each of the deacon's words have tears streaming down King Victor's cheeks. "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes...dust to dust."

"My son," Victor ultimately cracks. "My son!" His outburst prompts the Big Three to move in and console their father. Hans is surprised to see Ben so close as he too joins in. Even after his mother's passing in Hans' earlier years, he's never had the closest relationship with his father. While he's never been entirely ignored by Victor, it's almost as if the king's treated him as a stray dog. He's acknowledged Hans' presence but consistently left things at that level.

When Victor finally speaks, his words are breathy and broken. "Anton...was my star," the king utters through trembling lips. "My shimmering beam of hope in this world of turmoil. There were never any like him nor shall there ever be." Victor clenches a fist as if attempting to reel in his grief. "And I will carry this gaping hole in my heart for the rest of my days." Victor fights to hold back tears as he looks upon the grave with reddened eyes. "His kind soul shall never be forgotten. May he rest in peace beside his kindly mother...my darling wife...and our family's loving guardian."

Hans can't help but subtly shake his head. No amount of years have changed his opinion over the late queen. He finds it ironic that Anton would be buried next to a woman who was the exact opposite of 'kindly.' Hans is snapped free of such thoughts when Victor breaks down again. Contrary to all that's been enforced on the princes, the king succumbs to his emotions. Rather than sob, Victor emits a series of grieving mutters and scoffs. Hans observes the sight until he's taken aback by an unfamiliar face.

A middle-aged gentleman steps towards the king. Hans is used to Ben being the only blonde in the royal family, so this man's presence throws him off. His freshly-pressed suit and distinct gloves give off the impression of servitude. The stranger bows his head and offers a kerchief to Victor, who graciously accepts it. "Thank you, David," the king says.

"David?" Hans whispers as Ben leans over.

"Father's personal aid," his big brother explains.

"He got a new one?" Hans practically blurts. "Again?"

"You know how quickly Father tires of his staff," Ben mumbles. "These days, David and his wife Naomi are the ones serving the crown."

"And where is she?" Hans inquires. Ben's prolonged silence prompts the youngest prince to raise a brow.

"The last we'd heard of her-" Ben begins. "-Naomi had accompanied Anton on his mission to Arendelle. Only...she didn't return with him."

Hans scoffs at the thought and exchanges a perplexed glance with Lynn. "I don't understand," he whispers. "Why wouldn't she come back?"

"This just gets weirder and weirder," Lynn murmurs as the king beckons his congregation.

All heads turn to Victor as he says, "Your big brother dreamed of a better future. Not just for our kingdom, but for those around us." Hans' heart sinks as their father's words drive the others to stare at him. Victor clenches his fist and looks at Anton's grave. "My only wish is for us to fulfill Anton's dream of prosperity. Like his mother, he always believed in seeing things through. And so we must complete his mission."

"Father?" Marcus queries while standing at attention.

Staying true to his affirmation, Victor declares, "We must go to Arendelle and fulfill his call for peace." While Lynn is mostly perplexed by the king's proposition, she worries why Ben is glaring at Hans so much.

Her fiancé remains on edge until they return to the castle courtyard. As Victor calls a meeting in his throne room, Hans is left pacing across the snowy cobblestone. "What's on your mind?" Lynn asks and is determined to get an answer from him.

Hans can hardly look her in the eye as he waves a hand. "D-...do you mind if I look into this meeting?" he asks.

"No," Lynn assures. "I'll come with you. We can-"

"Actually," Hans interrupts with such surprising abrasiveness. "I was thinking I could meet you out here. I'll only be a moment."

"I don't understand," Lynn confesses. "After everything your family's put you through, why go alone? Let me help you-"

"Because," Hans sighs heavily. "I need to prove it."

"How many times do I have to tell you, dear?" Lynn intones. "You don't have to prove anything of yourself to them."

"It's not for them," Hans continues. "It's...for me."

Lynn looses a resigned sigh. "Alright," she murmurs. "I'll wait here but just please be careful. You're the only royal I trust in this 'Court of Snakes'."

Hans struggles to hide his wince. He shoves all of his pain behind a fraudulent grin and proceeds inside. As he seals the doors behind him, Queen Briella's voice returns. His mother's words are as irksome as the clacking doorknob when she speaks. "Now this is a familiar sight," she says. "Then again...you're no stranger to shutting women out. Are you, son?" It's as if the queen has crawled out from her grave and latched herself onto his shoulder. "I will say this," Briella continues. "Just when I thought you couldn't disappoint me further, you still manage to make it happen. At least that first girl of yours was a princess. What kind of fool do you take yourself for? Trying to appeal to this common, forest drudge."

Hans clenches a fist. "Stop," he whispers under his breath.

"Never," Briella asserts. "Someone has to keep you in line because you sure as hell won't. Everything you are is because of me, and still you mock all that I worked for. Everything I sacrificed."

"No..."

"You dishonor my legacy and shame this family. Seeking to elope with this woodland filth."

Hans shuts his eyes as sweat droplets line his forehead. "Please..."

"She'll never really love you. That swine of a peasant isn't even fit to shine my heels-"

"Your majesty?" a voice beckons and Hans gasps. He turns to see the king's new servant peeking through the doorway. "Are you alright?"

Hans swiftly wipes the sweat from his face and recomposes himself. "Oh...oh yes. Fine. But you really shouldn't grace me with such a title anymore. I'm not sure if my father's mentioned it, but I've been exiled."

"He has," David replies while escorting Hans to the throne room. "But I don't think that should matter. After all...current circumstances don't just erase the past now, do they?" Hans slouches at the servant's words, especially as he continues. "Once a prince, always a prince."

While he appreciates that David probably means well, the servant's remarks only stress Hans out further. They enter an elongated chamber and find the rest of the princes congregating around their father. Despite the sadness of Anton's demise, his death has left a power vacuum for those closes to him. Hans watches as his oldest brothers ramble over one another.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Ben remarks and steps beside Hans. "It's like they think that talking louder will somehow shut the rest of them up. And as long as everyone keeps shouting, no one will be heard."

"Idiots," Hans mumbles.

"Hey," a strident voice snaps at both of them. Hans and Ben turn to see their stout, yet muscular sibling. The oldest after Ben, he does his best to emulate a stern gaze. "Show some respect," he scolds. "I don't see you jokers coming up with any plans."

"Didn't you hear, Leo?" Ben quips. "Father already has a plan. He wants to finish Anton's diplomatic mission to Arendelle."

Leo scowls and glares at Hans. "As if that's gonna be easy after what this guy did," he taunts and Hans' heart sinks. "I thought you were messed up when you killed that bird, Hans. But after what you did to Princess Anna? What you were gonna do to Queen Elsa?" Leo smirks and thrives on Hans' discomfort.

His little brother sinks back until Ben interposes himself between them. "That's enough," the blonde prince says.

"Oh, right right." Leo snarks. "Where are my manners? Hans is our little angel after all."

"Leo," Ben asserts in a deeper tone. "You're not one of them," he says and gestures to the Big Three. "So stop acting like it." Leo snorts at both of them and trudges over to their father. "Oh big brother!" Ben hollers. "Don't forget your lipstick!"

Leo peers over his shoulder and snaps, "What?"

"You know...for all the kissing up you're going to do," Ben jests before cracking up. Leo departs in a huff as Ben shares a laugh with Hans.

"Thanks for that," Hans whispers as Ben rubs his back. Their moment is short-lived as Victor calls his twelve sons to order.

"Completing this mission is the best way to honor Anton," the king says. "And it may provide some clues as to what exactly went wrong."

"He did tell us to 'finish it'," Marcus adds. "I believe he was referring to his assignment."

"Those words were also written repeatedly in his journals," Ben mentions. "What exactly had you sent him to do, Father?"

Victor reclines in his throne and strokes his greying beard. "As you all know-" he begins. "-the Southern Isles are on the brink of economic upheaval. Raising taxes was meant to stabilize us, but instead led to unrest. You've all witnessed it firsthand on the Crescent Isle."

There's something about Victor's comment that shifts the room's energy entirely. While Hans has never been to the Crescent Isle, his siblings' expressions are enough to keep him from ever wanting to go there. While his eldest brothers squint their eyes and scoff, Ben bites back an unspoken statement. Although he's perplexed about their reactions, Hans keeps listening to his father.

"Anton never stopped believing in Southern Isles greatness," Victor continues. "And he sought to strengthen our legacy by smoothing out our...rough past with Arendelle. His mission of diplomacy was meant to usher in a new era of trade and prosperity. If we go to Arendelle, we can see his vision through. We can form an alliance and in turn, save our own kingdom from economic turmoil."

"I will stand with you, Father." Marcus declares and the siblings closest to him are quick to concur.

Victor offers a grateful nod. "We'll all go as a show of good faith," he says. "And explain what's become of Anton to the queen ourselves."

"Hold on," Damian blurts. "All of us?" Hans is already bracing as an invisible target materializes on his chest. "Even the one who ruined things for us with Arendelle in the first place?"

"Keep your voice down," Victor scolds. "How many times must I tell you boys? Our loyal subjects are hanging by a thread as it is. Do you have any idea what would happen if they learned of one of their prince's crimes? There'd be even greater riots in the streets! We'd be usurped! Investigations wouldn't stop at Hans."

Damian rolls his eyes and glares at Hans. "We should've just locked you in a dungeon to be done with it," he whispers before flashing a sadistic smirk. "Then that bright-eyed filly of yours could've been mine for the taking."

His remark about Lynn makes Hans' blood boil. He fantasizes about wringing Damian's liquor-filled neck right then and there, but resists. Only the king's voice is enough to pry him out of the infuriating moment. "Hans," Victor says. "Arendellian decree stated that you were to be banned from ever setting foot in their kingdom again. Perhaps it's best if you stay behind."

"Think of it as one less thing you can ruin," Leo jeers. Like a jester appealing to his superiors, he grins when the Big Three laugh at his comment.

"Your majesty," David suggests at the king's side. "Perhaps now is a time for all of us to embrace change. It's been enough time for young Hans to learn his lesson. Why don't we give him a chance?"

Victor grumbles over the servant's words and peers over at his youngest son. Hans doesn't need to return to Arendelle, for he goes back to it every night. The horrors of his actions return like ravenous wolves and gnaw at his very essence. They shred another piece of him away each day, and this pain only solidifies every time he looks at Lynn. Right now, all he wants is to be back with her as he storms out of the room.

"Hans?" Ben worries while the other siblings cackle.

"Can't rely on that one for anything," Rowan guffaws.

Hans hangs his head and returns to the foyer. He opens the doors and finds Lynn patiently waiting for him in the courtyard. Her smile hurriedly fades once she notices his deepening distress. Lynn's brows furrow and she immediately turns defensive. "What did they do?" she growls.

"It's fine," Hans murmurs. "Let's just go home and-"

"It is not fine," Lynn asserts and caresses his face. "Talk to me, Hans. What happened?"

His fiancé's eyes are alight with compassion. He bites his tongue until he feels like it could sever at any given moment. And yet, like every day since they've met...Hans perpetuates the suffering. He looks into her wide, trusting eyes...and lies. "They've chosen to return to Arendelle and complete Anton's diplomatic mission without me," he says. "They believe it would be best for the kingdom. But truly, it's alright. I just-"

"Like hell it is," Lynn snaps and peers over his shoulder. She looks as though she could barrel through the Southern Isles army itself.

"Dear," Hans intones and grasps her shoulders. "Just leave it."

"No," she asserts. "I've heard enough about this abuse and it ends today." She wriggles out of his grasp and stomps into the castle.

"Wait, Lynn!" Hans hollers to no avail. His heart pounds as he chases her inside. "Stop!" he worries and reaches for her hand.

"You don't deserve this treatment," Lynn retorts while lunging away from his reach. Her eyes dart to the king as he exits from his throne room. "King Victor," she declares with zero formality. She doesn't bow nor does she even flourish a hand.

The elder raises a bewildered brow and observes the huntress. "Hm?" he grumbles, not even humoring her with a full word.

"Why is Hans being denied this chance?" she scolds at a volume few use towards the king. "He has done nothing but honor you and put up with decades of abuse amidst it all. Yet now...even as we stand in the wake of your firstborn's funeral, you won't give him a chance. Why?"

All eyes look to Victor and expect him to explode. They await his iron-fisted wrath to come crashing down upon this 'commoner' as he glares at her in astonishment. He subtly grins to her instead. "I admire your spirit, young lady," he says. "You remind me of my Briella." His comment makes Hans sick to his stomach, for his mother was nothing like Lynn. Victor looses a resigned sigh and looks at Hans. "It appears that your betrothed and my servant, David see something that I cannot. Perhaps there is a chance for you to help us make things right, Hans. But I'll leave that choice up to you."

Hans gulps as all pressure falls to him. While his kin know the truth, they look upon him with vile stares. Meanwhile, Lynn's blissful and hopeful eyes are all the more preoccupying. She takes his hand in hers and whispers, "You can make things right. I believe in you."

Hans thinks over the mystery of his fallen brother and wonders what happened in Arendelle. Peering into the opportunity Lynn has opened for him, he cautiously accepts. "I will go," he affirms much to the unease of his brethren.

Suddenly, an idea sparks within Lynn and she turns to the king. "I wish to accompany Prince Hans on this mission."

Any security Hans feels comes crumbling to pieces at his fiancé's request. His eyes widen as the king thinks over her words. He wishes he could telepathically tell his father to reject her, or at least try to sway Lynn's thoughts. All he can do is nervously squeeze Lynn's hand. His grip only tightens as the king decrees, "Wish granted." Hans feels like he could faint at any given moment. While Lynn stands supportive of his endeavor, she cannot understand why he still looks so nervous.

"Are-" Hans stammers. "Are you sure that's a wise idea, father?" Lynn's concern has him rushing to justify his question. "I mean, Arendelle may be surprised with so many visitors."

"It's like David said, son." Victor replies. "Perhaps it's time for us all to embrace change. Maybe even the new Queen of Arendelle will as well."

Hans' eye twitches. Wait, he thinks to himself. New? Elsa's no longer queen? What happened to her? But if she isn't leading Arendelle, then that means...

ONE WEEK LATER...

The kingdom of Arendelle is known for its majestic sights and sounds. No other land can compete with its glistening fjord, chiming clocktower...and snoring queen. The resounding echoes of her slumber emanate from deep within Arendelle Castle's walls. Anyone passing her intricately-painted door might think a bear had taken up residence. But if they were to enter, they'd find someone feistier than any creature.

Queen Anna of Arendelle is truly a sight to behold. Her body's twisted like that of a ragdoll's and shrouded in multiple blankets. Every bedsheets has been pried from its neatly positioned corner and wrapped around her like she's a human pastry. Her auburn tresses are beyond disheveled. They're a chaotic and bushy mess that obscures half of her face in a web of locks. The rest of her freckled cheek lays smeared against the damp mattress. A puddle of her drool increases in size with each blaring snore. And betwixt this lively observation...her fiancé has never been more in love.

His broad-shouldered silhouette looms over Anna's bedside. Her hands twitch beneath the covers as a tray clacks against her nightstand. "Wha-" she mumbles. "Who?" The queen's blue eyes start lazily fluttering open as a hand brushes away her hair.

She giggles as her lover plants a gentle kiss on her cheek and whispers, "Good morning."

Anna whiffs one of the crispy delights on her nightstand and slowly awakens. "G-good morning, bacon," she whispers. "Is that Kristoff?"

Kristoff chuckles over her bumbling words and jokingly holds a bacon strip up to her. In that instant, Anna chomps on the delectable morsel and hums with delight. She rolls over and collapses against his torso with an amorous sigh. "Ur lurv yur," Anna says with her mouth full.

"I love you too," Kristoff laughs and runs his fingers through her hair. The romantic moment is cut short when his fingers get tangled in that wild forest of knots. He carefully escapes the ensnarement and says, "I let you sleep in so-"

"Wait, what?" Anna blurts as her groggy eyes shoot open.

Kristoff gulps. "Well, you'd been working so hard and I-"

"Honey," Anna intones as her calm demeanor falters. "What time is it?"

"It's-" Kristoff hunches forward and shuts his eyes. "Nine."

"NINE!" Anna screeches and has him staggering back. "Kristoff! You know I've been getting up at five all of this week!" She flails in her blankets until they unravel.

"I know," Kristoff says as Anna practically inhales her breakfast tray. "But we've been watching what it's done to you and thought you could use a break."

"We?" Anna mumbles while stumbling out of bed.

"Kai, Gerda...all of us." Kristoff says. "We worry about you, Anna."

"Well don't worry about me," the queen insists before lunging towards her dresser. "Worry about Arendelle! Getting up early is the only way I can stay on schedule! If I finish legislation early enough, I can go out for my daily observation by sunrise, then back to legislation and just in time for-" Anna stresses herself out just by talking about her itinerary. "How the heck did Elsa manage all of this?" she groans while pinching the bridge of her nose.

"I don't have all of the answers," Kristoff assures. "But what I do know, is that Elsa didn't manage Arendelle by running herself into the ground."

"Who's running into the ground?" Anna retorts and glares at her fiancé. "I know I'm not," she says as one of her eyes twitches. She emerges adorned in her queenly attire. Fabrics of the finest purples and blacks line her dress. Her hem is comprised of an elegant green, one of which would be more visible if light was in her room. Kristoff dares to draw the curtains and Anna instantly flinches. "I'm fine," she assures and places a gleaming crown atop her head. "I've got this." She merely turns towards the nearest mirror and realizes she hasn't put makeup on. "Oh for the love of-" Anna huffs. "Kristoff, can you please tell Miss Naomi that we're still on for noon. I'll be down shortly."

"Of course," he says and heads off.

"Hey," Anna beckons before he fully leaves the room. "Thanks for letting me sleep in," she professes as he softly smiles.

"You're a better queen than you think you are," Kristoff tells her. "You're doing amazing, but cut yourself some slack."

Anna gently nods as he shuts the door behind her. Stillness fills her room as she rushes to get her makeup on. Anna has never been a fan of silence. When she was younger, she could've attributed such a dislike to her fear of loneliness. But now, the quiet gives her too much time to think. It lets her idle mind wander into the familiar and unfamiliar. As Anna stares at her own crowned reflection, she is reminded of the legacy on her shoulders. It's almost been a year into her rule, and no amount of reassurance can stop Anna from questioning her resolve. Everyone sees the smiling, brave Queen of Arendelle. To many, she's the hero who smashed the dam and helped free the Enchanted Forest alongside her sister, Elsa. She wants to hold on to that bravado, so that the people of Arendelle will always look to her as a pillar of strength. But in truth, Anna's own pains pry at her from within.

Before she was queen, Anna was a notoriously lengthy sleeper. Now she's forced herself to rise before the sun even has. She needs to keep moving...needs to keep working. Because maybe if she does, the silence will never return. She'll be exhausted enough at night to avoid it altogether. Years may have passed, but the horrors of what took place during Elsa's Coronation Anniversary have never left her. Anna still sees the bloody tears and hears the gut-wrenching screams. There are still nights in which she refuses to walk the castle's shadowy halls. No amount of new furniture and wallpaper can undo the atrocities that Anna experienced. As she finishes touching up her makeup, she unclips a case on her vanity and reveals a bronze necklace. Anna sighs as she runs her fingers against her father's old cross. Passed down from King Agnarr's mother before him, the cross served as both Anna and Elsa's salvations.

Anna shudders as she recalls holding the cross against an otherworldly creature. "Furcas!" her voice echoes from that night. "By the power of God...I condemn you back to hell!"

Anna wishes she could say that was the last time she encountered a supernatural being. But a demon was only the beginning and she'd go one to discover the spirits of the Enchanted Forest years later. At least they had no interest in possessing her sister. Yet in a way, they had taken possession of her. Anna misses her sister dearly. And while she understands that Elsa has her own responsibilities as the Fifth Spirit, it doesn't stop her from missing simpler times. Olaf, the snowman Elsa created, had always been a pleasant reminder of Anna's big sister. But even he wouldn't be gracing Arendelle's halls with his kindly waddle for a while. That snowman was getting smarter every day, and he was staying with Elsa for a week to learn all about Northuldra culture. Although he was irksome at times, Olaf's presence was much appreciated on stressful days. Anna wishes he was around to tell her a random fun fact, and get her mind off the Southern Isles.

She thought she'd seen the last of that kingdom. It had been wishful thinking anyway. Prince Anton of the Southern Isles had arrived months after Anna's coronation and was met with mixed responses from the locals. Thanks to Prince Hans' deeds, no one had a single pleasant thought about the Southern Isles. Yet being the benevolent ruler she was, Anna had been willing to hear Anton out. He'd arrived with the quiet woman now sitting across her council chambers. This older blonde always looked as though she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. And while she identified as Anton's servant, Anna still worried for Naomi's safety. Perhaps it was the queen's own experience with Southern Isles men that drove her to fear for Naomi's wellbeing. It took severe encouragement from her sister, Elsa, to walk a thin tightrope. Anna had been constantly teetering between the benefit of the doubt and all out suspicion. But as Anton's stay continued, his intentions appeared noble. He spoke ill of his brother Hans and made sure Anna knew he was exiled. There had been desperation in Anton's voice as he sought to form an alliance with Arendelle.

While Anna had been too young to understand her father's many sayings, King Agnarr had reminded her that "Desperate leaders spoke for desperate subjects."

But just when Anna started to deduce that the Southern Isles was in an economic bind, Anton fell seemingly ill. They were just starting to progress on potential treaties, and he was hardly able to sit still. Before Anna knew it, Anton was exasperated to return home and set sail without a word. What made his departure even more unsettling was the fact that he'd completely abandoned his servant in Arendelle. But determined to still prove herself to her kingdom, Naomi had stepped up.

While she isn't the most politically skilled, the servant sits tall across from Anna. The queen watches as she tries to make sense of Anton's partially completed treaties. The two briefly make eye contact amidst the quiet chamber. While Naomi nervously grins, all Anna can do is humor her with an impatient smile. The queen appreciates that she's trying, but feels like they aren't making any progress. Instead, Anna proposes a new idea. "You know," she considers. "I can have General Mattias prepare a galleon to take you home."

"So I can fail Prince Anton?" Naomi sputters. "I-...I can't accept that." Her hands scramble over the treaties while her frantic, teal eyes scour each page. "I think this trade deal should be reduced."

"By how much?" Anna inquires and watches Naomi try to comprehend the numbers. She sighs and extends a hand across the table. "Naomi," she says. "I think it's very brave that you're trying to do this for the Southern Isles. But if you really want to help Prince Anton, maybe you should go see him. It wasn't right for him to leave in such a hurry."

"I can't just give up," Naomi insists. "Let me try to understand these treaties again."

Anna huffs. "Well, you're persistent...I'll give you that. You remind me of myself." The queen's cheeks puff as she conceals a yawn. "Excuse me," she mutters.

"It's alright," Naomi assures. "I can tell how hard you work to maintain this kingdom. That's why I was only trying to make things easier. You're so busy, that perhaps an alliance between our nations should be put on hold."

Anna finds Naomi's proposition curious. "It took a lot for me to trust your kingdom," she says. "I'd be lying if I said I fully did. But Prince Anton appeared to be a visionary. One trying to right the wrongs of his younger sibling's past. In the end, I suppose we're all just trying to move forward."

Naomi bites her lip at the queen's final remark. "Your majesty," she begins. "If I may be so bold, what does 'moving forward' entail for you? From my understanding, your sister now protects the northern forest and has an entirely new group to look after. As the crown falls to you, so do those responsibilities." She smiles faintly. "You and that Kristoff fellow are a wonderful pair. I'm sure he'd make a great father."

Anna blushes and fidgets with her taut bun. "He would, wouldn't he?" she concurs.

"Have you thought about children?" Naomi asks.

Anna chuckles. "From time to time. When I was younger, I imagined this dashing prince sweeping me off of my feet. I saw myself getting married and having enough kids to fill every hall in this castle. But now...after all I've seen and done..." Anna simpers and clutches her father's cross. "I'd be happy with whatever I was granted. And any child that blessed these halls would be given every single ounce of love in my heart." Anna's smile falters when she notices a tear dripping from Naomi's cheek. "Oh I'm sorry," she utters.

"No no," the servant insists and wipes her tear. "It's alright. It's just that...no force on this Earth will ever surpass a mother's love," she laments.

Anna's brows furrow at her tone. "Why do you say that so sadly?" she worries.

Naomi lets her lips curl up into a smile once more. "Oh I just get emotional about new parents. So much love. It's the eccentric poet in me."

Anna cautiously nods. "I see. Well, I'll give you time to look over and familiarize yourself with Anton's treaties. In the meantime, I must tend to village legislature. But...shall we meet up later?"

"Of course, your majesty." Naomi concurs and bows. As Anna departs, the Southern Isles servant's grin drops in its entirety. She's left standing in the darkness of the conference room and looming over the dimly lit treaties. As her eyes scour each scribbled word, Naomi runs one of her fingernails across the stamped emblem of the Southern Isles.

Several slams echo from Anna's study. Their swift and cacophonous cadence has Kristoff stealthily peeking in. There he finds his fiancé, flipping through page after page of laws awaiting her approval. Once the papers are to Anna's liking, she clutches a bronze stamper and slams it down. The bold, crocus crest of Arendelle seals her authorization as she stamps away. Kristoff can tell his love is agitated, for each stamp is heavier than the last. Anna's practically attacking each page as she brings the stamper sailing down. As exhaustion pries at the young queen, Anna delivers a mighty slam on the final page and catches her breath. "There," she pants...only to notice Kristoff across from her desk.

"Wow," he teases. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think there was an Earth Giant stomping in here."

Catching on to his jest, Anna glances at the stamp in her reddened palm. "Oops," she chuckles and nervously sets it down. "Hey," she quips. "This thing's great for stress relief."

Kristoff hums in thought and rounds the desk. Before Anna knows it, her man's firm and tender hands are gripping her shoulders. "Know what else is great for stress relief?" he whispers ever so softly.

Anna coos with delight and sinks back into his loving massage. "What's that?" she asks and bites her lip.

"Sledding," he says. While she was hoping for a much more intimate response, Anna welcomes his goodheartedness.

She leans against one of his arms and runs her fingers against it. "If only I had the time," she laments.

"Maybe we could find some time," Kristoff suggests. "You've been working so hard and I'd really like to treat you. Arendelle's Western Gullies are great for sledding this time of year. The perfect blend of snow and ice makes for quite the romantic ride." Anna blushes as he leans in and kisses her cheek. "We'll pick an evening for just the two of us. We can travel the gullies...watch the sunset..."

"Snuggle under the stars?" Anna adds as she faces her man. His cheeks flush with red and the queen's gentle hands caress them.

"Anything for you," is all Kristoff can whisper before their presence gets the best of both of them. Anna finds the ultimate source of comfort in her beloved's lips as she pulls him in for a kiss. She sighs amorously as Kristoff slowly turns her chair to face him. Anna wraps her arms around Kristoff just as he descends to kiss her neck. The queen bites back a soft moan and runs her fingers through his blonde locks. Both she and Kristoff's eyes shoot open when the door knob jingles ahead of them.

"Your majesty," Kai beckons and hurriedly opens the door. "You-" The servant stiffens, for no amount of Anna and Kristoff's rearranging can keep him from deducing that he's interrupted something. "Apologies."

"It's alright," Anna bumbles while fixing her bun. Kristoff's a mess trying to wipe the lipstick from his cheeks. "What's going on?" Anna asks. "Usually you knock."

"I know but this is urgent," Kai insists. "A single vessel is approaching our harbor. A Southern Isles vessel." Kai's explanation puts Anna back on edge as she rises to her feet.

Bystanders watch from across the harbor as Arendellian soldiers scramble into action. Their bulky, green uniforms shine in the sun as they await further orders. "Standby," their leader commands. He stands at the dock closest to Arendelle Castle and is prepared to defend his kingdom at all costs. Greying hairs do little to prevent him from joining ranks alongside younger recruits.

"General Mattias," Anna calls as she approaches the dock. Kristoff, Kai, Gerda, and Naomi all urgently trail behind her. "What's the situation?" the queen queries.

"It's a Southern Isles ship alright," Mattias confirms and passes his telescope to Anna. She peers through and notes the winged symbol of their neighboring kingdom.

"Only one ship," Anna remarks. "Certainly not an invasion force." She gets a closer look and observes several uniformed men atop the ship's deck. "They look like dignitaries of some sort."

"Prince Anton?" Mattias theorizes.

"I don't see him," Anna says and hands the telescope back. "Maybe they're looking for him. Or they're here to take Naomi home. It's my wishful thinking anyway."

"What are your orders?" Mattias asks and awaits her command.

"Maintain a safe perimeter," Anna decrees. "Our priority is protecting the people above all else." She glances over at Kristoff and nods. "The three of us will handle this," she tells says.

The chilling fjord is eerily calm as the vessel closes in. A thin veil of silver clouds accompanies its dark sails while the royal crew prepares themselves. Normally, the salty sea air is a pleasant sensation for Prince Benjamin. But he can't help but feel tense upon seeing Arendelle's soldiers standing at the ready. While his father and older brothers make preparations to disembark, Ben descends below decks. Hans sits with Lynn in their personal and cramped quarters. There's a sense of foreboding in the air as Ben knocks and peeks in.

"We're approaching Arendelle," he informs them. As much as he wants to phrase things differently in front of Lynn, he speaks for Hans' safety. "It's probably best if you stay below decks."

"Why?" Lynn asks.

Her inevitable question has Ben glaring at Hans. He mentally urges his younger brother to make up excuses for his own mess. Swallowing hard, Hans ultimately speaks up. "Just because my father let me tag along doesn't mean he'll let me interfere with his plans."

"For diplomacy?" Lynn scoffs. "Please. After how your father treated you, you'll be medicine for the Arendellians."

Her comment almost makes Ben and Hans choke. "I'm not ready," Hans says to shut her down. "Can we just...stay down here and see how this goes?" He takes her hand in his and stares longingly into her eyes. "Please? Besides, Sitron's in the hold and we should check on him."

His fiancé sulks, but ultimately squeezes his hand. "Alright," she relents. "But we've got to work on your confidence, dear."

The ship docks and Arendelle's finest soldiers stand ready. Anna remains a steadfast symbol of refined regality. She doesn't budge as the ship's ramp clacks before the hem of her dress. King Victor is the first to disembark. He selects only the Big Three to accompany him while the rest of his sons loom over the railing. Anna squints at each royal and combs their expressions for deception. Relief takes her when she doesn't see her ex among them. They all seem as concerned as Naomi has been.

"Queen Anna," the royal elder greets with a bow. "I am King Victor of the Southern Isles. These are my oldest sons...Marcus, Rowan, and Damian."

Anna raises a brow and glances at Mattias. "I thought Prince Anton was your oldest," she sternly inquires.

Victor's faint grin comes crashing down as he shuts his grieving eyes. "He was," the king whispers.

"Was?" Anna asks while Naomi peeks out from the line of Arendellian soldiers.

"Sadly, my firstborn seems to have fallen ill before or during his return to the Southern Isles. He...died shortly after." The confession takes a toll on Victor and Marcus rubs his back for comfort. The news sends a chill running down Anna's spine while Naomi gasps.

"We were hoping that you could provide us with an explanation of some sort," Marcus says. "At least some sort of clue to grant us closure about his death."

"You traveled all this way for answers," Anna realizes. "Anton and I had just begun arranging treaties. Discussions were made to move forward with a potential alliance. One that would undo the errors of your youngest." Victor's guilt-racked eyes trail off as Anna mentions Hans. "But then, he just departed. He left us and his own servant without a word." As Anna gestures to Naomi, her husband emerges from the upper deck.

"Darling?" David beckons and lunges towards the ramp.

His sudden motion has several soldiers readying their swords until Anna raises a hand. "It's alright," she assures while Mattias clears a space for Naomi. The servants dart between the royals and hold each other in a tender embrace.

"David," Naomi rejoices. "I was so scared. I tried to carry on but-"

"It's alright," he says and strokes her blonde tresses. "I'm here."

Victor sighs at their reunion and looks to Anna. "Your majesty," the king utters. "These recent days have taken a grievous toll on many of us. We're all just hurting and searching for answers. Perhaps we can help each other and finish what Anton started." The queen's silence leaves Victor pursing his lips. "I promise you that none of my other children are like...him. They strived to be like Anton instead. And while Hans' exile is well deserved, it could be time for our nations to move forward together."

"My parents had always seen the best in people," Anna finally responds. "I want to do the same, but that trust goes both ways. Can we do the next right thing together? Or will our nations divide again? The choices are in our hands."

"These are not choices any of us want to waste," Victor assures. "I stand ready to make this right. Not for myself, but for my son."

"For Anton," Marcus adds and gets his brothers to reiterate those solemn words.

"So be it," Anna says. "You and your sons will be permitted to stay as we formulate peace treaties. No rooms will be offered and you can stay on your ship. These are my terms."

"And I humbly accept them," Victor replies.

"Soldiers," Anna commands. "Stand down. And Kai, have our chefs prepare a banquet in the Great Hall. Tonight, we honor Prince Anton's life. We celebrate his efforts to bring us together and the promise of a greater future."

Victor flashes a teary-eyed smile before returning to his other sons. Meanwhile, Kristoff and Mattias look as though they might faint. "Anna," her fiancé whispers as they depart from the docks. "Are you sure this is a good idea? I could understand if just the king came...but so many of his sons are here."

"I have to agree with Kristoff," Mattias adds. "We should send these guys packing."

"Prince Anton tried to restore a connection between our kingdoms," Anna says. "I'm giving his father the benefit of the doubt. However, I'd never overlook a potential 'stone in the snowball'." The queen's phrase has Mattias widening his eyes in realization.

"Understood," the general whispers and subtly salutes her.

"Stone in the snowball?" Kristoff questions. "Care to let me in on the plan?" Anna locks arms with him and leans against his shoulder. Only then does she whisper her secret meaning.

In the years following Elsa's coronation, Arendelle Castle has hosted a multitude of events in its illustrious Great Hall. While most gatherings had been met with joyous excitement from all involved, the night's banquet provokes uneasiness. There's tension in the air as Kai and Gerda finish laying out an assortment of platters for their sudden guests.

"I hope the cooks didn't poison these," Gerda gripes.

"They wouldn't dare," Kai remarks only to second guess himself. "Would they?"

"Years might've passed, but the wounds are still fresh for some of us." Gerda mumbles. "We embraced Prince Hans with open arms. Trusted him just as Anna did." Kai shudders when Gerda slams a tray down. "And then he nearly kills them both. The very girls we've been caring for since they were bundled in cloth diapers."

Kai places a soothing hand on her shoulder. "What that man did was beyond despicable," he says. "But we cannot blame an entire kingdom for the actions of one royal."

"I know," Gerda sighs. "It's just that...none of this feels right. Between that prince trying to make peace before mysteriously running off. But then he ends up dead before-"

A sudden cough has Kai and Gerda turning towards the door. Naomi inches her way into the Great Hall and she cautiously waves. "C-can I help at all?"

"No," Gerda shuts down the foreign servant. "We've most definitely got it." As Naomi steps away, Gerda brings her voice down to a whisper. "Redeemed or not," she tells Kai. "I'll find my peace when all of our guests return to the Southern Isles."

Kai validates her sentiments with a nod and motions to the nearby guards. "We're ready," he tells them. The guards ensure that every wall-mounted lantern is set aglow. Then they open the doors as Queen Anna and Kristoff lead their guests inside.

King Victor's eyes widen at such a bountiful and festive display. "The stories don't do your Great Hall justice," he lauds. "It truly is a sight to behold. Right boys?" By the time Victor glances over, his sons are already seeing to the banquet. Damian pours himself the biggest glass of wine possible and chugs it. Embarrassed, Victor tries nervously laughing it off. "You'll have to excuse my sons. They're...grieving."

"Uhuh," Anna affirms and helps him change the subject. "Believe it or not, your late son had suggested a banquet like this if our alliance was ever solidified. The lanterns were actually his idea." Victor raises a brow as she points them out. "Eight proud lights. Seven to represent each of your islands, and one to symbolize Arendelle. All unified around these festivities."

"That's-" the king pauses as if a barrage of thoughts has cascaded over him. "-beautiful," he strains himself to say while thoughts of Anton are still fresh in his mind.

As he remains protectively close to Anna, Kristoff keeps a keen eye on their surroundings. His gaze sways over each of the Southern Isles royals, but ultimately falls on Naomi. While the servant has appeared skittish over the last week, one would think she'd feel more comfortable among her own people again. Instead, Naomi looks as jittery as ever. She can hardly stir her tea as Kristoff traces her frantic stare across the hall. She's eyeing David, whose calmness lays juxtaposed against her nerves. With a swift tilt of his head, he silently beckons her to meet him elsewhere. Kristoff watches as Naomi sets her tea down and speeds down the hall.

"Dear," Kristoff mumbles and Anna leans over. "I'll be right back. I'm gonna check on a possible-" He lowers his voice and whispers, "Stone in our snowball." Anna subtly nods as her fiancé departs. She keeps mingling with King Victor while Kristoff tails Naomi from a distance.

Seeing Arendelle Castle aglow from the ship's hold takes Hans back to Elsa's coronation. No amount of years on his mind nor scruff on his face can shroud the pain dwelling within. Memories race by as if they've only just occurred. And yet he stands idly by...trapped between two stagnant worlds. Lynn nudges him until he snaps free of his thoughts. "Hey," she whispers. "What are we waiting for?" He tilts his head in bewilderment until she continues. "Oh come on, love," the huntress asserts. "We didn't sail all the way over here so you could mope around in here. No offense to Sitron," she adds while petting the horse. "Don't you see? You're still letting their influences get to you."

"What are we supposed to do?" Hans grumbles, hoping to dissuade her. His question only challenges her further and he knows it. "Oh no..." Hans warns.

"Oh yes," she urges. "You're never going to break through your limits if you keep wallowing in your doubts."

"Lynn-"

"Don't you trust me?" she asks. That single question has Hans hanging his head. Lynn brings a loving hand to his cheek. "I trust you with all of my heart," she tells him. "But I need the same from you, my dear. Forget your family's rules. It's about time you made your own mark. We'll do it together-"

"Dear," Hans calls to her with grimness in his tone. "No," he affirms.

His fiancé pouts, yet teases a subtle smirk. "Fine then," she jests. "Guess I'll have to go by myself."

"What?" Hans gasps as Lynn heads for the upper deck. "But-"

"I refuse to stay cooped up in here while the others have all the fun," she asserts. "Even if I must go alone."

Hans' heart races as he imagines every possible discovery Lynn will make without him present. Unable to handle the thoughts any longer, he reluctantly chases after her. "Hold on," he resigns. "I'm coming."

Lynn grins back at him and takes his hand in hers. "I knew you'd see things my way," she jests. "I'm sure the Arendellians won't mind two more guests."

Every step off of the ship's deck makes Hans' feel like he's walking on hot coals. His heart pounds as he observes the kingdom's iconic pier and the memories arrive to plague him.

"Prince Hans, of the Southern Isles."

"Princess Anna of Arendelle."

The greetings haunt him as he winces in dismay.

"I'd like to formally apologize for hitting the Princess of Arendelle with my horse...and for every moment after."

Every moment after, Hans thinks to himself. Anna had no idea what was going to happen. She just-

"Hans?" Lynn beckons from across the quiet dock. "Are you coming?"

"Y-yes," Hans mumbles and hurries to catch up with her.

"Wow," Lynn utters as she peers across an expansive and stony bridge. "Now that's a castle." Hans can faintly make out the green-capped guards stationed at its gates across the way. Knowing his truth will be unveiled if they go straight ahead, he instinctually snatches Lynn's wrist. She notices his forceful grip and urgently looks back at him. "Are you alright?" Lynn asks.

"N-no," Hans mutters and tries to pass his protectiveness off as timidity. "Maybe we shouldn't go to the castle." His eyes trail off towards the moonlit kingdom. "What if we did something better instead?" Lynn raises a brow as he forces a smile. "Your turn to trust me," he insists.

Kristoff cautiously follows Naomi down Arendelle castle's darkened halls. In an effort to remain undetected, he hangs back and glimpses her turning towards a storage closet. Kristoff presses against the nearest wall and leans in. He squints as the faint sounds of a debate echo from the closet. Daring to peek over, Kristoff catches a glimpses of David and Naomi gesturing to each other. They both seem irate, yet Naomi's aggressions turn to pleas. Concerned about her safety, Kristoff decides to put his espionage aside and intervene. He's nearly over to the closet when he overhears David's next statement.

"I thought you cared," the servant grumbles.

"Of course I do," Naomi scolds. "How dare you question my love."

"Then we see this through," David asserts and snatches something from her hands. "For them."

He's about to head out when Naomi takes his arm. "Please," she weeps. "Maybe there's another way."

David sighs and pulls her into a passionate kiss. As they part lips, he wipes the tears from her eyes and says, "I love you." As David departs, he bumps shoulders with Kristoff and quickly bows his head. "So sorry, sir. My wife has just been very stressed with the commitment she's taken on in Prince Anton's absence. She's prone to have such...breakdowns." David rushes off in a hurry and leaves Kristoff to check in the closet.

Naomi's still wiping her tears when he asks. "Is everything alright?"

The servant forces a smile and hurriedly nods. "Yes," she assures. "The last week has just been very difficult. Especially after learning of Prince Anton's passing. I should freshen up in the washroom."

"Mhm," Kristoff mumbles as Naomi heads out and sniffles away.

Lynn's feet wobble as Hans covers her eyes. Her shoes scrape against oddly-wet stones as she hears roaring waters cascade. "Can I see now?" she asks impatiently.

"Not yet," Hans teases and guides her up a jutting stone. "And...now." He lifts his hands and Lynn goes wide-eyed. He's taken her to a rock formation just beneath Arendelle's scenic waterfall. From there, they can see the entire village resting along its glistening fjord.

"Hans," Lynn says and holds him close. "This is beyond beautiful." Her eyes are fixated on the stars above as her jaw drops. "How did you even know about this place?"

"I'd read about this legendary and rather romantic spot in a traveler's book," Hans falsely explains. As he keeps his fiancé captivated, he cannot help but recall how he truly learned of the sight. During Elsa's coronation, a lovestruck Anna had taken him on a tour to all of her favorite spots. She'd guided him up to this very ledge...where he'd sprung his plan into action.

"Can I say something crazy? Will you marry me?"

The words of Hans' past sting him to his core. Yet there stands Lynn, completely mesmerized by the sight as if it were new for both of them. "This is so thoughtful," she says. "I-" As Lynn turns to kiss her fiancé, she suddenly gasps.

"What?" is all Hans can utter before a sword's pommel strikes his head. General Mattias' hit is as stealthy as it is swift and Hans drops to his knees.

"No!" Lynn screams and dashes to her fiancé's aid. Hans can hardly see straight as Lynn lunges at Mattias. Her fist doesn't travel far as another guard snatches her arm. "Let go!" she growls and jabs at his ribcage. It takes two guards to hold Lynn down as Hans realizes what's happening.

"S-stop," he grumbles through his daze as Lynn is taken away. "Leave her alo-" Another guard yanks Hans up by his collar and forces his arms behind his back.

"We were warned about another," Mattias says while staring Hans down. "You must be the Hans her majesty's told me so much about."

"I know this looks bad," Hans stammers. "But please, that woman had nothing to do with anything I've done. I was only trying to look after h-"

"Take him away," Mattias intones as a guard shoves Hans forward.

Hans' knees are numbed by the time he's been dragged into Arendelle Castle. He's hauled beside a confused Lynn, who's just relieved to see him alive. "Hans," she whispers sharply "What-"

"Dearest," Hans interrupts. "Listen to me now more than ever. No matter what these people say. No matter what you hear. It's all lies-"

"Shut up!" the guard moving Hans barks.

As Mattias pushes open the Great Hall's double doors, all look upon the arrival of Arendellian troops. Kristoff is just about to report his findings to Anna as heads turn towards the spectacle. "Queen Anna!" Mattias announces. "You were right to be suspicious. We've found your stone in the snowball!"

"The what?" King Victor sputters and sets a chalice of wine down. "What is the meaning of this?"

Anna stands tall alongside Kristoff. "A snowball fight is all fun and games," she begins. "But appearances can be deceiving and not everyone likes to play fair. I learned that years ago." As Anna says such, the last thing she expects is for Mattias to bring an actual example from her past. No amount of facial hair can shroud a face that still haunts her worst nights. Her fists clench and blue eyes widen as Prince Hans of the Southern Isles is thrown before her. While his arrival prompts shock from even his own kin, none are more astonished than the queen herself. Anna feels like she's living a nightmare as fear swirls amidst anger. Her nostrils flare as she leers down at the captive prince.

Hans is frozen in shock. Once again, so many unwanted stares remain fixated on him as he gulps. Lynn can feel the rising heaviness as she becomes all the more confused.

"Queen Anna," Victor rushes to plead. "I assure you that we had no idea-"

Anna silences the king with a wave of her hand. In all of her years since punching Hans into the fjord, she's often thought about what it would be like to see him again. Yet now that he's at her feet, she wants to say everything and nothing at the same time. Realizing her people are looking to her for a response, Anna clears her throat. As she opens her mouth to speak, someone yells from the upper balcony.

"Royals of the Southern Isles!" David bellows from upstairs. As if his declaration isn't odd enough, those below are unsettled by the lantern in his hand. Anna quickly checks the hall and realizes one of the eight lights has been removed from its wall hook. Naomi can hardly watch as her husband raises the lantern and declares, "Let your sins be paid for in blood! By tooth and claw! Fur and fang!" Anna's heart sinks as David raises his offhand and opens his palm. As he does so, he reveals a smooth stone with intricate claw marks running across it.

The sight has Kristoff staggering back in disbelief as he utters, "Anna...is-...is that a-"

"And from my infernal offering-" David declares as tears run down Naomi's cheeks. "-unleash the beast!" In that instant, David brings his hands together over his head. As he does so, the lantern explodes against the mysterious stone...and sets his body ablaze.

Chapter Text

"And from my infernal offering, unleash the beast!"

Anna doesn't have the best history when it comes to fire. Seeing such a raging flame makes her think back to her first adventure in the Enchanted Forest. Before being quelled by her sister, Bruni the Fire Spirit had set the woodlands ablaze. In the process, Anna had nearly been engulfed by the inferno. The very fate she'd once avoided now willingly befalls David.

She and the others watch as flames consume his body. Though he's hesitant to scream at first, it's only a matter of time before the involuntary wails ensue. The fire incinerates his flesh until he becomes a dark blur beneath it all. The smashed lanterns crack beneath his twitching boots until he collapses towards the railing.

"Get back!" Mattias warns and instinctually ushers the queen away. Kristoff is at her side as David crashes through the balcony. His fiery body plummets like an insidious comet and thunders against a banquet table. Plates and silverware spew out in multiple directions. They crack and clamber to the ground as David's remains set the table ablaze. Its fine cloth ignites and is about to spread to the carpeting.

Where's Elsa when you need her? Anna thinks before rushing into action. The last thing she wants to imagine is Arendelle Castle burning to the ground. "General!" she commands. "Secure the traitors! Kristoff, Kai, and Gerda...help me put this fire out!" At the queen's command, Kai is the first to spring into action. The older servant pries a cloth from the opposite table and tosses an end to Gerda. She proceeds to hand the rest of it over to Kristoff and Anna.

"If we move quickly enough-" Kai yells over the crackling flames. "We could blanket the fire and snuff it out!"

"Together!" Gerda urges as they hurl the elongated tablecloth as one.

Amidst the chaos, royal guards haul Lynn and Hans back under Mattias' command. Although still dazed, Hans watches as his father and other siblings move against the guards to approach the flames.

"Your majesty!" King Victor beckons. "Let us help!"

"Stay back!" Anna grunts while heaving the cloth with her companions. "General Mattias, I want them all arrested!"

"We had nothing to do with Hans nor this fire, I assure you!" Victor pleads. "As a show of good faith, let us help!" He and his sons remove their tailcoats and work to snuff out the flames. Their progress steadies beyond the tablecloth as one of Hans' mustachioed siblings closes in.

"It's working!" he rejoices while rigorously patting his coat.

"Save some fire for the rest of us, Jakob." Damian teases. As Jakob proceeds towards the fire's epicenter, his body suddenly stiffens. His tailcoat falls into the flames and a profound hissing fills the air. Heads turn as Jakob starts painfully convulsing. Damian rubs his groggy eyes in disbelief and utters, "Brother?"

In that instant, what remains of the fire starts to simmer in favor of a charred limb. Eyes widen as David's scorched hand can be seen reaching out and snatching Jakob's wrist. Steam emanates from the alleged corpse's knuckles as it tightens its grip on him. Onlookers are frozen in disbelief, and drop their extinguishing materials when the arm pulls Jakob into the flames.

"Son?" Victor utters while the others watch in sheer terror. Prince Jakob's screams are muffled beneath the cacophonous sound of crunching bones and shredding fabric. A demented silhouette forms behind the flames and tears into Jakob's remains. A hunched frame looms over the flickering walls while dreadful claws cast shadows across the princes. Anna dares to squint her eyes for a closer look and glimpses a pair of glowing orbs. A pair of ferocious, pupilless eyes sway briefly before disappearing behind the inferno. Her heart races as a monstrous roar booms throughout the great hall. It generates a strong enough shockwave to systematically smash every window in the hall. Each wall-mounted lantern explodes while glass shards plummet across the carpeting. Although onlookers duck and scream alike, Naomi doesn't waver. Instead she somberly stares at the creature's hulking silhouette. Tears slowly streak down her cheeks as she backs away into the rising shadows.

With a mighty leap, the beast disappears as ominously as it had appeared. It claims every fire with its departure, leaving everyone trapped in total darkness. The silence is deafening as wind whistles through each of the castle's broken windows. Anna has come to appreciate the benevolence of Gale, the Wind Spirit. But these winds are eerie and emotionless. A sliver of moonlight barely reaches the queen's frightened visage as she steps back towards Kristoff.

"Your majesty," Kai whispers. "What just happened?"

Anna rigidly shakes her head while coming to terms with what she's witnessed. "I-...I don't know."

"Jakob?" King Victor calls out into the darkness. The wide-eyed elder's still in shock and doesn't realize another son has been so swiftly taken from him. "Wh-where are you, my boy? Jakob!"

Marcus rubs his back to help him comes to terms with the loss. "Father-" is all he can say before a series of patters strike one of the prince's shoulders. Marcus glances over and observes his younger sibling's dampened shirt in the moonlight. "Gabriel," he calls. "What is that?"

Prince Gabriel presses his glasses closer and worriedly examines his undershirt. The stain persists as another bulky droplet plummets from above. Gabriel furrows his brows and slowly looks up to investigate. When he does so, a bubbly ooze drips against his spectacles. As he moves to wipe them, he slowly glimpses what's looming above. The shadows obscure most of the creature's lumbering figure. However, its jagged maw is dipped forward as the moonlight shines against its fangs. Globs of saliva continue to drip as Gabriel's jaw drops. The prince is utterly speechless even as the surreal beast extends a limb. Its clawed digits rival Gabriel in size as it pulls him up towards the ceiling. Only then does he unleash a blood-curdling scream.

"No!" Marcus shouts for his brother and haplessly throws a plate. His younger brothers follow suit, nervously throwing whatever they can get their hands on. Betwixt the darkness, it sounds as though the creature could be coming from anywhere. It lunges and leaps with supreme agility, becoming a blur in the night.

Although he has orders to secure the traitors, Mattias finds himself conflicted with the queen. When her father Agnarr was just a boy, Mattias had been tasked with protecting him. Although the future king ended up being saved by Iduna, Mattias blamed himself for not standing by Agnarr to the end. Unwilling to make the same mistakes with Anna, Mattias leans towards Hans. He yanks him up by the collar and angrily whispers, "What matters most to you?" Initially confused amidst the circumstances, Hans remains silent. Low on time, Mattias angrily pins Hans against a wall. "Answer me!" he demands.

Hans swallows hard and ultimately answers, "Lynn. The woman you've arrested as well."

Mattias' gaze intensifies. "Then swear to me on her life that you have nothing to do with this."

Hans firmly nods as he too is trying to understand the gravity of their situation. "I swear," he affirms.

Mattias drops Hans upon hearing his answer and says, "Go." Choosing to prioritize protecting Anna, he reiterates his command when Hans doesn't budge. "Get out of here!"

The monster's roars echo throughout the castle halls as Mattias reaches Anna. "Your majesty," he asserts. "We must get you to safety."

"We can't just leave!" Anna intones until another roar sounds.

"Respectfully, we don't know what we're dealing with." Mattias says. "I must insist that we make for the cliffs. It'll get us closer to the Enchanted Forest. If we can at least evacuate the castle and isolate that thing in here, maybe your sister can help us."

As much as Anna doesn't always want to rely on Elsa, she cannot argue with Mattias' reasoning. "Prioritize the staff," she asserts. "Clear the stables and get everyone out. Hurry!"

"We're gonna need a speedy getaway," Kristoff realizes and stares Anna down.

"My thoughts exactly," she assures as her fiancé rushes into action.

Royal guards scramble in multiple directions, each trying to evacuate staff and avoid the creature. While they do so, Kristoff dashes towards the royal stable and nearly trips over himself in the process. A pair of antlers and fuzzy ears perk up as he arrives. The reindeer's proud snort bring Kristoff comfort amid the madness. "Sven," he pants. "We gotta go."

"Keep moving!" Kai hollers as he and Gerda stand at the main gates. They offer to be the last ones out and guide fellow servants to safety.

As they do so, Gerda glimpses a lone figure standing on one of the castle's upper balconies. "Kai," she mutters. "Look." The duo peers up together and observes Naomi as she quietly and emotionlessly watches the chaos.

"Jakob! My Gabriel!" Victor wails as it takes Marcus and Rowan to restrain him. The horde of surviving princes rushes across the bridge while Lynn and Hans hurry to catch up.

"Get to the ship!" Marcus commands.

"Wait for us!" Hans yells over to little avail.

Back in the courtyard, Mattias slides to Anna's side. "That's everyone," he reassures her. "No casualties."

The queen breathes a sigh of relief as an iconic set of hooves stomps towards the main entrance. Kristoff brings his sled to an urgent halt and beckons his love over. "Get in!"

While Queen Anna gets in the sled, Mattias mounts his steed alongside multiple royal guards. "Here's hoping it stays walled off here in the castle," Mattias mumbles.

Suddenly, a pair of claws smash through one of the shingled layers of the castle's roofing. The creature's snarling screech echoes beyond the courtyard as Mattias gulps. "You had to say something!" Anna snaps. "You just couldn't keep it to yourself!"

"Just go!" Mattias blurts and rigorously spurs his horse.

"Faster, Sven!" Kristoff pleads as the reindeer picks up speed. It becomes a mad dash across the stony bridge as the creature gives chase. It's absolutely tremendous under the starlight. Its hulking and furry stature twitches as it scrapes the cobblestone beneath its claws.

Noticing that the creature is heading directly down the center of the bridge and towards Anna, Mattias draws his sword. "Protect the queen!" he orders. At his command, several guards launch their crossbow bolts towards the beast. Their simple projectiles don't even hinder its speed as it continues to chase them down.

One of the younger princes is the first to race across Arendelle's docks. Prince Oliver's thin face is drenched in sweat as he reaches their ship's deck. "Come on!" he pants and frantically waves for the rest of his family to hurry. His youthful agility proves to seal his fate as the monstrous being pounces from across the bridge. Setting its sinister sights on the ship, it lands on the deck and swipes a claw across Oliver's body. The rest of the Southern Isles guests freeze at the unsettling sight. The creature's slashes are deep enough to travel beyond Oliver's flesh and sever the mast behind him. His diced figure topples in the shadows while the mast crashes downward. Boards splinter as the ship starts taking in water.

"Stable!" Rowan shouts and points towards a nearby village structure. The surviving princes pour in with their king and steal whatever startled horses they can find.

Meanwhile, Hans and Lynn find themselves at an impasse as they observe the sinking ship. A sharp and frightful whinny has Hans gasping in alarm. "Sitron!" he shouts and holds a hand to Lynn. "I have to get him."

"Not alone you don't," she insists and runs alongside him. Together, Hans and his fiancé dive into the freezing fjord. They swim their way just under the fractured boards and discover Hans' steed in the hold. A bulky beam keeps Sitron from breaking free as Hans and Lynn clasp it together. The horse snorts profusely as they heave together. Hans grits his teeth until the waters rise towards his neck. As he holds his breath to pull underwater, his mother's words arrive to haunt him.

"You couldn't save the sparrow," she says. "You can't save him."

No, Hans speaks within and tries to silence her voice.

"What do you think you can possibly do?"

Not me. Us, Hans affirms. With a mighty pull alongside his fiancé, they manage to dislodge the beam and give Sitron enough room. The horse quickly rises as his rescuers cling to his back. The trio breaks the water's surface with a collective gasp and hurriedly makes for the docks.

Back in the village, the ensuing ruckus has citizens peeking from their homes to investigate the commotion. "Stay inside!" Anna orders as her sled speeds by. "Everyone! Lock your doors and windows!"

Anyone she passes swiftly obliges as the queen observes a peculiar sight. King Victor and his sons gallop beyond them. Riding stolen Arendellian horses, they flee for their lives and head for the cliffs. Before Anna can address them, a daunting crunch sounds from the rooftops above. "It's back!" Kristoff warns while mushing Sven onward.

The beast springs down from the nearby rooftop and resumes its chase. It cracks an entire section of cobblestone beneath its taloned feet while guards hopelessly shoot at it. Despite Sven's stout speed, those on horseback are significantly faster. With the beast closing in on Anna and Kristoff's sled, the couple braces themselves. Mattias tries swiping his sword, but the monster merely shoves him aside. As the general takes a tumble into one of the village shops, a set of rapid gallops sounds in the darkness.

Spurring Sitron onward, Hans dares to ram into the beast and makes it lose its footing. The setback temporarily gets the creature away from Anna and Kristoff, but makes Hans lose control. Without a saddle, he's flung off of Sitron's neck and lands on the Arendellian sled.

"What was that?" Anna gasps and spins to check the sled's bed. Her initial surprise turns to spite as her eyes narrow on Hans. "You," she growls.

"Hold on, Hans!" Lynn shouts and steers Sitron in close. "I'm coming!" Once in range, she leaps from the stallion to be with her fiancé.

"What's going on back there?" Kristoff blurts after hearing a second thud. As he glances back, he instead sees something far worse than a pair of Southern Isles stowaways. The monster has returned in full force and is charging on all fours. There's no time to argue as Kristoff mushes Sven out of the village. "Come on, buddy!" he begs as the reindeer huffs.

Lynn screams and tucks her legs back as the monster bares its fangs and closes in. "Must go faster," Hans impulsively frets. The creature takes a swipe over their heads and Hans accidentally leans against Anna. Infuriated, the queen shoves him back. Despite Sven's best efforts, their pursuer's speed is unmatched. It launches alongside the sled and digs its talons into the terrain. With a mighty roar, it clutches the sled from its underbelly and slashes against its freshly-lacquered frame.

"Oh come on!" Kristoff mourns as painted wood chips sputter out. Sven collides with what remains of the sled as they spin out of control. As those aboard brace for an inevitable impact, they feel a sudden lack of terrain beneath the sled. The beast's ferocious strike sends them careening off a rocky slope and deeper into the surrounding forest. Having already been damaged by the creature's claws, the sled's frame continues to sever with each terrestrial hit it takes. Finally, a jagged and jutting stone splits the sled down its center.

The force of such an impact has the queen's hand slipping out of her fiancé's. "Anna!" he shouts and desperately reaches into nothingness.

"Kristoff!" Anna pleads until her half of the sled slides downward. While Kristoff and Hans crash amidst an assortment of trees, Anna and Lynn continue to fall. Everything is moving so quickly betwixt the shadows of the night, that Anna can hardly see what's happening. Shadows dance around her as Sven's panicking grunts are muffled by the crash. Despite her attempts to brace, Anna feels gravity's wrath as she plummets into a rushing river. Its chilling waters take her as she plunges beneath the surface. As Anna descends into the darkened depths, the creature's roars can still be heard from above the surface.

Chapter Text

Anna's life has become a blur. What was once a struggle beneath surging rapids is now reduced to nothing more than bubbling darkness. She's neither seeing nor blinded...dead nor alive. The young queen's mind wanders throughout a vacuous void. In which the sound of her heartbeat thumps louder than all others. Echoes of a world left behind try to reach her as Anna feels a pressure against her chest. A slight tingle pries at her lips before the rhythmic pressures return. And then...Anna is pulled from such spacious blackness. As she opens her eyes, she finds herself gasping and choking for air.

Sensation returns to Anna's fingertips as they clench clusters of loamy soil. River water bubbles and seeps from her mouth as she coughs it up in globs. Her face is drenched as her body quivers against Arendelle's wintry winds. She shudders at first and observes a distorted silhouette as it leans away. As Anna coughs and wheezes, her vision slowly starts to return. She focuses intently on the black-haired being until a woman's face takes shape. Lynn catches her breath as they sit beside the river. She's just as soaked as Anna is and raises a calming hand.

The queen's ears are still ringing when a set of bold hooves stomp towards the downed queen. While Anna's still recovering, she can faintly make out an exchange as Lynn backs away from Sven. Ever the loyal reindeer, Sven stands guard over Anna and snorts at Lynn. He flails his antlers at her as her muffled words are barely audible to the queen.

"Easy," Lynn urges. "Easy!" She's forced to raise her voice when the reindeer doesn't back down. While Lynn's merely trying to be heard, her outburst only makes Sven more defensive. "Hey," she sternly intones as Sven tilts his head. "She was-" The reindeer's profuse snorting makes Lynn raise her voice again. "She was drowning!" she snaps. "I just saved her life." Much to Lynn's surprise, the animal appears to actually understand her. His nostrils stop flaring as he worriedly looks at Anna.

The queen weakly pets Sven's hoof and whispers, "It's...true."

Further concerned, Sven lowers his head to give Anna a gentle lick across her cheek. She smiles softly and scratches under his chin. Clasping his antlers for support, Anna holds on as Sven helps her to her feet. Lightheaded and nauseous, Anna takes her time to fully stand. She then glances over at Lynn and whispers, "Thank you."

The huntress nods, only to immediately take cover as a monstrous roar echoes throughout the woods. "What the hell is that thing?" Lynn shivers as the coldness catches up with her. In an effort to make up for his defensive hostilities, Sven steps closer to Lynn. He offers his damp fur for whatever warmth it can offer her and Anna.

As the women hold on to Sven, Anna thinks over Lynn's question. "I have no idea," she says. "But frankly, I'm confused about a lot right now. I had a feeling the Southern Isles was up to something. But I expected thievery...forgery...I don't know! I would've considered mail fraud before a Southern Isles servant lit himself on fire and turned into a monster." Anna leers at her rescuer from head to toe. "Who are you?"

"You can call me Lynn," she answers.

Feeling cautious, Anna clenches Sven's fur and asks, "And what was your purpose for coming to Arendelle? Are you a princess? A diplomat of some kind?"

"No no no," Lynn is quick to respond. "I'm a huntress back on the isles. I came to be supportive of my fiancé."

Anna notes the silver engagement ring glimmering on Lynn's finger. Its noble beauty fades as a dreadful realization dawns upon Anna. She considers who Mattias brought Lynn in with and who she'd jumped aboard their sled with as well. "Wait," the queen utters. "Wait wait wait...she is your fiancé-" Anna can hardly even bring herself to say his name. She almost doesn't want the obvious to be true. "Is-...are you engaged to Hans?" Anna chokes more on his name than the river water she was drowning in.

"I am," Lynn proudly affirms. She knows not what lies King Victor has spread about her future husband, but she has nothing to prove to anyone. Instead, she stands tall beside the bewildered queen. Anna's eyes teem with concern and astonishment as Lynn carries on. Thinking of their survival, the huntress runs her fingers across the icy terrain and observes their surroundings. "The river carried us for some time before I was able to get you out," she says. "We could head back towards the initial crash site, but that risks whether or not Hans and your sled driver are still there. It also leaves us exposed and open if this creature's still lurking about."

At first, Anna doesn't answer. She instead keeps staring at Lynn with the utmost befuddlement. "You're engaged to Hans? How long has it been?"

"For the love of-" Lynn scoffs. "Nearly a year now, your majesty!" Anna can practically feel the woman's defensiveness radiating off of her. "It's not our fault that he was exiled and we've chosen to take our time before a ceremony. But I don't see how any of this is relevant to our current situation. Respectfully, we should be focusing on survival."

Anna's thoughts about Hans race. She's actually engaged to him? the queen thinks. Even if he was exiled, how can she overlook everything he's done? Unless he's changed in all of these years. But that doesn't explain Mattias' arrest. Something doesn't feel right. Her thoughts subside as she considers where Kristoff could be and if he's alright.

"We should keep moving," Lynn suggests. "We'll need to find shelter."

"Kristoff can't be that far behind," Anna suggests and hobbles in the opposite direction.

"Queen...Anna is it?" Lynn speaks up to stop her. "Surely you know as well as I do that we can't help anyone if we're dead. You said it yourself, you have no idea what that creature is and neither do I. But if we want to stand any chance against it, we need to find shelter and supplies."

Anna reluctantly agrees while stroking Sven's fur for comfort. She can tell how concerned he is for Kristoff as well. "I know a place," she says and observes the trees around them. She traverses the woodlands surrounding Arendelle and longs for much happier occasions. With a heavy grunt, Anna hauls herself onto Sven's back. "Get on," she beckons until Lynn follows suit. Once they've both mounted the reindeer, Anna leans in and says, "Get us to Oaken's." At her command, Sven moos and dashes off into the night.

Rather than hold on to Anna, Lynn clutches at Sven's sides. She tries to compose herself while letting her mind wander. Although the huntress appears calm, she can't help but worry or not Hans is alright.

Hans feels as though his body has been folded into pieces. It's as if each limb has been tied into a knot as he awakens pinned beneath wooden wreckage. The remnants of Kristoff's splintered sled shuffle above him as he slowly crawls his way out. Aching muscles and a throbbing headache plague him with each movement. As he claws his way to safety, several dislodged planks collapse behind him. One of the snapped boards points towards a groaning Kristoff, and Hans is quick to move in.

The mountain man is just as burly as Hans remembers from all those years ago. Whatever strength he's imagined Kristoff having is realized once Hans rolls him over out of the wreckage. From the moment he regains consciousness and glimpses Hans' visage, Kristoff immediately clenches a fist. Just feeling Hans' hands gripping his shoulders is enough to have him throwing a ferocious punch. Kristoff strikes with enough force to get Hans off and send him staggering back. As if he wasn't in pain already, now Hans clasps his cheek as the world briefly spins around him.

"That's...for Anna," Kristoff huffs and scrambles to his feet.

Hans throws up a hand while Kristoff braces for a brawl. The blonde is all the more perplexed when Hans utters, "Please...I don't want to fight."

"After all you've done," Kristoff scorns. "How you've still come despite the laws against you. How can I possibly believe that?"

"Because I don't want to be here," Hans intones. He struggles to stand as his cheek reddens from Kristoff's punch. "My fiancé insisted and-"

"F-f-fiancé?" Kristoff stammers. "You actually-"

"We all moved on, okay?" Hans snaps. His outburst puts Kristoff back on the defensive as he raises his fists. "I'm not here for you nor Anna. I don't want your damn crown if that's what you're thinking." Hans lowers his voice and leans against a toppled tree. He feels as broken as its trunk as he sighs, "Besides, it looks like she's doing just fine as queen."

While Hans' words are meant to placate Kristoff, all they do is anger him further. "Doing fine?" he murmurs. "You weren't there for the weeks...the months even...following the Great Thaw." Kristoff shuts his eyes as if recalling each dark detail. "Anna and I were still getting to know each other, but your wounds were still fresh. She tried to not let anyone see past her smile, but they weren't around for the sleepless nights. The nightmares where she'd wake up screaming, thinking she was about to freeze to death in the room you locked her in." Each of Kristoff's accusatory words has Hans shuddering back. The fallen prince braces against the tree and angrily clenches a broken branch. Still, Kristoff continues to unload his frustrations. "So don't you dare say 'we' moved on to excuse your crimes. I've seen the damage it's done to my fiancé, and it's unforgivable."

Hans feels like Kristoff's punched him twice more without even raising a fist. From what he can recall, there had been some closeness between Kristoff and Anna. But to finally hear the word 'fiancé' leaves Hans feeling like a hollow shell of himself. Kristoff has who he could've if he'd only set aside his selfish desires. He is giving Anna everything Hans could never do, all because of those 'unforgivable' actions. Like the sparrow he'd murdered, Hans' hands are stained with the irremovable scum of his crimes. As he embraces such mental suffering, his hand continues to clench the broken tree branch. He lets its sharp bark pierce his palm as Queen Briella whispers in his ear.

"It just isn't natural," his mother says as if she's leaning on his shoulder. "A filthy peasant such as him marrying the Queen of Arendelle. And how weak you are to let him speak to you like this." Hans' grip on the branch tightens until he starts wincing. He glares at Kristoff as his mother continues. "You are stronger than him, my son. Make me proud. Take the branch in your hand and skewer this insolent swine! Remind him of his place!"

Kristoff's eyes sway to the branch as Hans is practically convulsing. Sweat trickles down the prince's temple until he finally exhales. Resisting his mental temptations, Hans releases the branch and reveals how much it's pierced him. Blood trickles from the scrapes lining his palm as he whispers, "You are right to hate me. Perhaps none of us have moved on. But either way, something is out here beyond any of our understandings. And our fiancé's are lost somewhere in these woods. Think what you want of me, but all I want is to find my Lynn." Despite his best efforts to remain stern and calm, Hans is panicking within. His heart races as he imagines Anna with Lynn in this very moment. The mere thought of her learning the truth is enough to make him shiver.

To Hans' surprise, Kristoff takes a step back and peers beyond the wreckage. "We should get moving," he says. While Hans nods to him, Kristoff throws up a hand to warn him. "Don't mistake this cooperation for trust. Once we find our fiancés and Sven, we are going our separate ways."

"Wait...Who's Sven?" Hans can't help but ask.

His question coaxes a frustrated huff out of Kristoff. "My reindeer," he groans.

"Right then," Hans mutters. He awkwardly scratches at his beard before following Kristoff through the snowy woodlands.

There is sheer panic below the forested summit. King Victor and his surviving sons flee deeper into the shadows before collectively collapsing in a clearing. As they fight to catch their breaths, it isn't long before the group erupts into utter chaos. "They're dead-" one of the older princes frets. He tugs at his auburn tresses, ruining whatever gel his profuse sweating hasn't. "They're all dead!"

"Quiet down, Cedric." Marcus intones.

"Quiet down?" Cedric blurts. "Tell that to Jakob...or Oliver! They're gone, big brother! All gone!"

"Will someone shut him up?" Damian gripes.

A lankier prince whose managed to keep his hair looking sleek approaches Cedric. "Hey," he says softly. "You've got to calm down."

"Not while that thing's out there, Otto." Cedric panics. "It's coming for us! Coming to-"

"That's it!" Rowan growls. Fed up with his younger sibling's worrying, the brute grabs him by the collar and shoves him against a tree. "Shut up!" Rowan roars as sweat coats his bald head. "Shut up! You hear me?" Cedric hangs his head and breaks down into a series of hushed whimpers. Disgusted by his little brother's sniveling appearance, Rowan throws Cedric to the snowy ground.

Marcus shakes his head at the display. As the the oldest living son, he turns to check on his king. "Father?" he inquires while Victor sits on a log. "Father?" he reiterates when the elder remains silent.

"Perhaps it was a mistake to come here," the king says. "To try and finish Anton's mission. Perhaps...I was wrong."

"Don't talk like that," Marcus assures. "You're always right, father."

Victor winces at his son's touch, for it only makes him think of those he's lost. He's still reeling from the deaths as he whispers. "I can only take so much," he whispers.

"But you need not carry this burden alone," Marcus assures while gesturing to Damian and Rowan. "We can bear it with you."

"This has to do with the Arendellians," Leo proposes. "They did something to Anton and they did something to David! I know it! They already had a snow queen."

"That's enough," Ben mumbles.

"It's not!" Leo fires back. "Who knows what other supernatural secrets they're hoping to use against us here? This is all Hans' fault!" Leo accuses. "Arendelle wants revenge because of his actions!"

"While Hans has indeed complicated things-" Victor tries to speak over his sons. "-we must leave Arendelle be. Anton just started reforming relations. How can we possibly break them down now?"

"It-it-it's too late," Cedric stutters as all gazes fall to him. "Too late for all of us."

Rowan rolls up a sleeve to punch Cedric when Otto holds him back. "I'll see to him," the lanky prince insists and puts an arm around Cedric. He walks his sibling away from the group to help calm him down.

Although she's riding Sven with Anna, Lynn can't help but keep checking their surroundings. Perhaps it's the huntress in her that keeps her so vigilant. Her rapid twists and flinches have Anna glancing back. "Are you alright?" the queen asks.

"Fine," Lynn assures. "Just keeping an eye out. Watching every shadow."

"You remind me of my Kristoff," Anna mentions. "He just has these certain instincts when it comes to the outdoors. It's admirable really."

"Then he's a survivor too," Lynn replies as her eyes scour the treelines. "Illness claimed my parents when I was just a girl, but they'd taught me to fend for myself and live off of the land. You quickly learn what you can eat and what wants to eat you out here."

Sven's ensuing snort catches Anna's attention. Both she and Lynn look beyond their snowy hill and observe a cozy cabin. A warm glow emanates from the log structure's windows and beckons the travelers closer. "This is it," Anna says. "Wandering Oaken's Trading Post." Sven moos and gestures to the cabin's lower sign. "And Sauna," Anna mumbles. As they dismount, the queen directs Sven to the same storage room he and Kristoff once slept in. "Best keep out of sight," she says.

While Sven goes to hide, Anna and Lynn enter the cabin. Bright-eyed, bearded, and eager to serve new customers...Oaken himself emerges. "Hoo-hoo!" is all he's able to greet them with before he drops his spiel entirely. He grows concerned at the sight of two disheveled ladies, especially considering that one of them is his queen. "Your majesty?" Oaken worries. The tall and bulky vendor rushes over from beyond his desk. "Whatever happened to you and this lass?"

Anna rubs at one of the scratches on her face while Lynn feels her bruises. "It's kind of a long story," the queen answers. "But it's an emergency and we need your help."

If there's one thing Oaken has come to learn amidst Elsa and Anna's reigns, it's that the royals are always getting into trouble. Given Anna and Lynn's harrowing appearances, he knows better than to start pitching one of his special deals. Resisting every urge to add a fee, Oaken relents in the name of better judgement. "Take whatever you need. Desperate times, yes?"

"I promise I'll pay you back," Anna assures as Oaken nods graciously. Lynn gets to work, darting down aisles and scouring them for vital supplies.

"So who's you're new friend?" Oaken asks and Lynn instantly freezes. "Never seen her around these parts." The huntress is starting to gather that there's some form of deep-rooted animosity between Arendelle and the Southern Isles. She deduces that such discontent was likely spurred by King Victor.

"She's-" Anna answers and nervously bites her lip. "-an explorer! From...um...Corona?"

There's a daunting pause as Oaken observes Lynn. His eyes suddenly widen with his grin as he says, "That's fascinating! I've heard wondrous stories about your kingdom. So beautiful. So surreal."

"It's something alright," Lynn plays along while grabbing a pair of hunting bows.

"I heard a rumor," Oaken adds. "That the kingdom once fell under a terrible curse. One in which the dead rose to attack the living. Sounded a little too unbelievable for my tastes."

"After what's happened in Arendelle-" Anna replies while plucking a pickaxe from the wall. "-nothing's unbelievable to me." Her remark unfortunately takes her back to all which occurred with Elsa. She recalls the horrors of demonic possession brought on by a powerful runestone. Anna paces for a moment and ponders about David. She visualizes the clawed stone he held before setting himself on fire.

Could that have truly been another runestone? Anna asks herself. Her heart sinks when she remembers that Olaf even brought a runestone home from Oaken's all those years ago. While she, Kristoff, and Elsa had smashed it to pieces...Anna still wonders if there were others.

"Oaken," the queen beckons. "I know it's been quite some time, but that stone you gave Olaf when he stayed with you. Were there any others?"

The vendor has to sit down and take a moment. He hums in deep thought and shuts his eyes in an effort to return to the past. "Now that you mention it, ya." Oaken says. "There was one more. I found it along with the other I gave to your little snowman."

"Where?" Anna asks as she leans against the counter.

Her intensity catches Oaken off guard. "Well," he frets and drums his fingers. "I had been traveling the countryside at the time and met up with some other wandering traders. They found them at a viking burial I believe, and said the stones granted good fortune."

Oaken's words have Anna staggering back. "What?" Lynn asks. "What's wrong?"

"Those things bring anything but fortune," Anna laments. "I've seen it firsthand. I knew we should've spoken out-" The queen pinches the bridge of her nose and huffs. "That's why we rid ourselves of the first stone. That's why we smashed the one you gave Olaf!" Oaken gasps as Anna's exasperation increases. "This third one," she queries. "Did it have...scratches? Claw marks on it?"

Oaken gulps. "I think so, ya."

A shiver surges through Anna as she barely utters, "And...who bought it off of you?"

"I never forget my customers," Oaken assures. "It was a fair-skinned lass. Short blonde hair and light eyes. Looked a little older than me." Anna's heart pounds with each added description. "I get a lot of regulars, but she was new."

"Because she's not from here," Anna realizes. "Naomi," is all she can utter before something rumbles outside of the shop. There's a brief pause before the rumble returns and all eyes fall upon a jar of lutefisk. The chopped fish within bobs when something causes an impact tremor. Another heavy stomp sends the lutefisk liquid rippling across the jar.

"Oh god," Lynn utters. "It's coming."

"W-what's coming?" Oaken asks.

Without wasting a moment, Anna dashes to the nearest lantern. "Get the lights!" she whispers sharply. Lynn darts to the opposite end as the stomps get louder. Smaller trinkets and knickknacks rattle from their shelves as Oaken worriedly locks his door. As Lynn blows out a candle, darkness consumes the cabin. "Get down!" she urges before dropping against a shelf. Despite being such a huge man, Oaken collapses behind his counter and crosses his arms. Anna doesn't make it behind cover in time as the stomps echo from just beyond the door. A heavy snarl makes the queen turn away from the window and strike an elegant pose.

The moonlight shines through the frosted window and illuminates Anna, who's desperately trying to pass as mannequin. She holds her breath as she can already feel her aching muscles tightening up. Just when she starts to slowly exhale, a monstrous silhouette emerges in the window. Anna's heart rate escalates as she struggles not to budge. All she can do is stare at the floorboards and observe the figure just outside the window. Colossal claws scrape at the ceiling as the creature snarls and snorts.

Sweat droplets strike the moonlit boards and Anna swallows hard. Her knees ache from the poorly placed pose she's struck. Anna's racing heart feels like it could explode out of her chest at any given time and still the beast doesn't depart. It lingers by the window, sniffing and growling.

Anna's stomach drops when the backdoors to Oaken's sauna suddenly creak open. A member of his family emerges to figure out why all of the lights have been turned off. "Hoo-hoo-" is all he can say before Lynn lunges for him. She aggressively throws her hand over his mouth to shush him. Any alarm disappears when he notices his husband also hiding behind the counter. Oaken urges him to quiet down and the creature's roar is enough to have him fleeing back into the sauna.

While her spirit is willing, Anna's achy body is tiring. She can't hold the mannequin's pose for much longer as the creature sniffs about. As she feels herself about to slip, a sudden scraping echoes from beyond. The creature's head angrily turns away, buying Anna time to duck down out of cover. She and Lynn poke their heads out towards the window sill and discover who has caused the distraction.

Having emerged from the storage room, Sven finishes scraping his antlers against a nearby tree. He moos profusely before dashing deep into the woods. Lured by such bizarre sounds, the monster gives chase. Its massive, furry blur lunges back into the shadowy forest.

"Sven," Anna worriedly whispers. "No..."

"If we hurry, we can help him." Lynn insists and tosses Anna a bow.

"I'm not the best shot," the queen admits.

"Never too late to learn," the huntress adds while gathering a bushel of arrows. As if thinking alike, Anna and Lynn shred the hems of their dresses. With their legs freed for greater mobility, they unlock the door and head outside.

"Thanks for everything, Oaken." Anna says before they head out. "Stay indoors."

Oaken shakes his head in disbelief as the women depart and track monstrous footprints in the snow. All Oaken can do is uncap a bottle of his finest liquor and pour a much needed cup. "Hoo-hoo indeed," he grumbles.

Sven has raced across frozen fjords and forest fires. He's braved being chased by Earth Giants, and yet none of his experiences compare to the creature on his tail. It's following the sound of his scraping antlers...or at least it was. By the time Sven looks back, the reindeer finds himself all alone in a quiet clearing. The air is frigid as his hooves kick up snow. The silence is pulse pounding as two possibilities cross Sven's mind. He's either lost the creature, or it's merely hiding and waiting to pounce. Both are equally terrifying as a twig snaps behind Sven. The reindeer's ears twitch and he spins in alarm. To his surprise, he finds himself in the company of a startled stallion.

Sven and Sitron snort at one another before realizing that neither is the beast. They look each other over and slowly step closer. The animals are like a mirror's reflection, tilting their curious heads in unison before sniffing each other's tails. Sven snorts and Sitron whinnies, and it's as if they're speaking their own intricate language.

Cedric stumbles through the snow as Otto tries steadying him. "Slow down," his older brother insists.

"You heard David!" Cedric pants before collapsing against a tree. "He said our sins will be paid for in blood. By tooth and claw! Like what happened to Jakob, like-"

"Get a hold of yourself!" Otto asserts while shaking his younger brother. "We are free of sin."

Cedric whimpers and slowly shakes his head. "You know that isn't true. All that we've done-"

"Was for our kingdom," Otto assures and helps straighten Cedric's posture. "Stand with me, brother, and hear what I say now more than ever. We did our duty to the Southern Isles. Our action were just. Say it." Cedric stares into Otto's dark eyes, but cannot stop sniffling. Otto's calm demeanor fades as he angrily shakes Cedric. "Say it!" he demands.

"Our actions...were just," Cedric snivels.

"That's it," Otto responds and brings his voice back down to a whisper. He pats his brother's head as one would a trained animal. Suddenly, Cedric's body goes rigid. Tears drench his cheeks as Otto rolls his eyes. "For heaven's sake, little brother. Men of the Southern Isles don't cry. Mother taught us better than-" A persistent growl has Otto's breath shortening. Only then does he realize that Cedric is actually frozen in fear. He follows his younger sibling's gaze to the tree above them, where a set of branches have started descending. As they creep into the moonlight, any hope of them being branches fades into nothingness. Daunting claws extend and the beast lays perched against the trunk. "Run," Otto gasps and shoves Cedric away. "Ru-" The beast scoops a hand downward, impaling Otto's back with several of its claws. His dress shirt dampens with thick scarlet splotches before the creature claims him.

Screaming for his life, Cedric sprints away and immediately tumbles down a slope. Snow collects within his vest, making him pick up speed before he crashes into an icy pathway. The commotion brings Hans and Kristoff running over as they glimpse the fallen prince.

"Cedric?" Hans blurts.

The prince has reverted to a cowardly state. One of which Hans has never seen any of his older brothers display. There is fear and brokenness in Cedric's eyes as he slowly raises his head. In an effort to make himself believe, he reiterates Otto's words. "Our actions were just," he weeps. "Our actions were just." Hans and Kristoff freeze as a titanic silhouette lurks behind the trees. As it closes in on Cedric, he raises his hysteric voice. "Our actions were just! Our actions were just!" With tears on his cheeks and blood trickling from his nose, Cedric raises his hands as if to beg for mercy. "Please!" he screeches until his throat runs raw. "Our actions were just!"

The beast lunges upon him, substituting claws for its jagged maw. Cedric flails as the monster chomps down on him. Fresh crimson splotches paint the snow as Hans and Kristoff make a run for it. Once the beast is done mauling Cedric, its horned silhouette rises. With a mighty lunge, it charges after Hans and Kristoff.

"It's on us!" the latter warns.

"Just keep running!" Hans shouts as they flee down the icy pathway. Every step feels like their last as their heels skid across the glazed terrain. Their legs are giving out on them as a set of familiar hooves has them looking across the slope. To the mens' amazement, Sven and Sitron come sliding downward. Having been drawn in by the commotion, both animals dash to their respective owners. While Kristoff is able to mount Sven, the creature catches up with Hans. Sitron screeches as the beast lands in front of them and impulsively rears. While Hans tries clinging to Sitron, a white-feathered arrow strikes the monster's arm. Although it doesn't harm the beast, it does serve as a distraction.

"Up here!" Lynn hollers from the slope's adjacent side. She fires a second shot, trying to lure the monster away from her fiancé. As the arrow strikes its thigh, she buys just enough time for Hans to mount up and speed away.

Anna sets up beside Lynn. Taking aim with her bow, she launches an arrow across the slope...and into a tree. "Told you I wasn't the best shot," she gripes.

"Anna!" Kristoff calls to her and guides Sven upward. Just seeing her love and Sven alive sends a wave of relief over Anna. As he rides towards her, he lends a hand to help her up. Lynn keeps shooting, turning the beast's forearm into a fuzzy pincushion for her projectiles. In a similar fashion to Kristoff, Hans rides by and scoops Lynn onto Sitron.

The men spur their mounts as the creature gives chase. Lynn doesn't let up, shooting her arrows from atop Sitron. "Where are we going?" she shouts.

"Away from that," Hans blurts.

"I've got an idea," Kristoff says and steers Sven leftward. Hans follows him through as they enter Arendelle's Western Gullies. Jagged, icy ravines provide a unique maze of cover as the riders speed through. The monster persists, pouncing between each gully's opening. It's still a rapidly traveling blur, one of which Lynn struggles to get a clear shot at. As the group races through the gullies, the monster's claws smash through ice overhead. Each impact sends icicles spewing out from overhead. Lynn observes the creature's clawing pattern and times its next jab. Once its palm smashes through the gully up ahead, Lynn launches an arrow directly into it.

"I don't think it's working, dear." Hans laments.

"Yeah, well it makes me feel better." Lynn insists and keeps shooting where she can.

As they exit the final ravine, the group is surprised to find the creature waiting to pounce. "Turn! Turn! Turn!" Anna blurts as Kristoff quickly obliges. Both Sitron and Sven slide out of control while their riders narrowly avoid the beast. "Go left!" Anna yelps.

"Towards Oaken's?" Kristoff frets. "Are you sure?"

"It may be our only chance to hide now," Anna intones.

Back at the trading post, Oaken and his spouse have just finished reorganizing the shelves. "What was that thing?" his husband asks.

"I'm not sure," Oaken replies while relighting a lantern. As he does so, he catches a glimpse of two riders outside. "Now what?" he fears as they close in.

Oaken cautiously cracks his window open to see Anna practically falling off of Sven. "Turn your lights off!" she yells.

"Again?" Oaken sputters.

"Just DO IT," the queen asserts as an ear-splitting roar sounds from the forest. It's enough to send even a pack of wolves fleeing as trees topple over. Oaken reluctantly douses all candles and lanterns. He hides with his spouse again while the others seek refuge in his storage room.

A single lantern swishes from a hook as Anna gets Sven deeper into the room. Hans ushers Sitron back as well before helping Kristoff shut the door. "We need something to barricade that," Lynn says. As the creature's stomps intensify, so too does the swaying lantern, producing a harrowing strobe effect. "Quickly!"

Hans' eyes dart towards a nearby set of roped barrels. "There," he says. With a mighty grunt, Hans starts heaving the barrels in front of the door. Kristoff is about to reluctantly assist him when the monster's fist comes smashing through. Both the door and barrels splinter on impact. Insidious claws accompany the frigid chill as the creature reaches inside. Hans backs away and searches for anything to defend himself. While Lynn fires another arrow, Anna swings her pickaxe. As the queen does so, a bronze item plummets from her dress pocket. The beast remains relentless and continues to reach within. Running out of options, Hans unhooks the nearby lantern and smashes it against the ground. To the group's surprise, the creature emits a profound hiss as flames spew from the lantern's remains. It retracts its claws and flees back into the darkness from whence it came.

All is silent apart from the ongoing crackle of flames in the doorway. Once they're confident that the creature is gone, the group moves in to douse the fire. Kristoff snatches a nearby water bucket and pours it over the broken lantern. As the flames extinguish, Hans and Lynn shove a crate to temporarily barricade the doorframe. Catching their breath, the couples rejoice betwixt their survival.

Kristoff holds Anna in a tight embrace and plants a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Are you alright?" he worries.

"I'll live," she mumbles. "You?"

"That was too close," Kristoff laments. He and Anna glance over at their Southern Isles company. Watching Hans and Lynn hug leaves a bitter taste in Anna's mouth. "It's weird, isn't it?" he mutters.

Anna shakes her head at the sight as Hans squeezes Lynn. "Good to see you're still in one piece," the huntress remarks.

"Did anything happen?" Hans blurts. His concerned tone has Lynn furrowing her brows until he continues. "With Queen Anna or anyone for that matter. Did they try and-"

Lynn calmly takes Hans' hands in hers. "Breathe, my love," she assures. "There were some suspicions at first, but it's alright. I think whatever this creature business is just has the queen on edge."

"But she didn't speak of me?" Hans questions.

"Not really no. She was just surprised that we were engaged, but that was it." Hans nods while breathing a subtle sigh of relief. "However, I did overhear something about a runestone. The queen thinks it's somehow connected to someone named Naomi." Hans scratches at his beard while Lynn continues to explain. "All I know is that those lantern's flames were promising." She raises her voice so that the others will hear her. "It appears that the creature's repelled by fire. And if it can be repelled, it can be killed."

"What are you proposing?" Anna asks as Lynn approaches the doorframe.

The huntress moves the crate to give herself just enough room to slip out. "We defeat this beast the same way we would a bear or troublesome wolf," Lynn explains. "We lure it into a trap. I need to get back to the trading post," she adds. "We'll need as many flammable materials as we can find."

While Kristoff sees to Sven, Hans steps away for a moment. The prince's break is only hindered by a heavy bump beneath his heel. Hans' raises a brow and kneels down to investigate a bronze stamper. He plucks it from the charred flooring and runs his fingers across its bold, Arendellian crest.

"That's mine," Anna intones and Hans stiffens.

He briefly bumbles in the queen's presence as his eyes wander across the room. "Right," Hans murmurs. "Of course." He hands the stamper back and she swiftly snatches it.

"I never put it away," Anna admits. "Between all of the multitasking these days, it's better to just keep it on me."

Hans firmly nods. "It looks like you're ruling well."

"You're damn right I am," Anna can't help but blurt. Her scoff becomes a brief chuckle as she shakes her head. "You know...I always kinda hoped you'd find out I was queen someday. Just to see what you lost...what you failed to seize."

"Anna," Hans tries to placate.

"No," the queen asserts. She squints and sternly approaches him. "You don't get to just move on from what happened."

"Why not?" he asks. "You did."

"It's not the same-" Anna angrily purses her lips. Her frustration catches Kristoff's attention, but she assures him that she's alright.

As he returns to Sven, Hans dares to speak up. "If you think there weren't consequences for my actions...there were. I was exiled."

"Hmmm...I don't know why it's so hard to trust you," Anna jeers. "Is it because you came here with your family or because you almost killed my sister and I the last time I did?" Hans winces at her tone and glances outside. He's relieved that Lynn is still out of earshot and conversing with Oaken. "But maybe you were exiled," Anna considers. "I mean...that would explain the fiancé, right?" Anna shakes her head in disbelief. "You'd have to go through some serious reconciliation to even dare to pop the question again." The queen's blood suddenly runs cold. Any wishful thinking stems from her childhood self and the storybooks her mother would read to her. But as she looks at Hans' face, a sinister apprehension takes hold. He barely makes eye contact with her after mentioning Lynn. "Unless-" Anna utters and Hans' eyes widen. A wave of shame crashes down upon Hans as he looks up at the queen. "She doesn't know anything," Anna realizes. "Does she?"

Chapter Text

Author's Note: Happy Halloween, dearest readers! I hope you enjoy the thrilling conclusion of "Haunted Arendelle 2." It's been a pleasure to write this story for all of you and I look forward to future adventures here at GoldenHeart Stories.

Long Live Imagination,

~ Michael

Chapter: 5 Trial by Fire

There's a frigid chill in the air. The kingdom is eerily silent in the wake of such a devastating and beastly awakening. Per Queen Anna's orders, Arendellians remain worriedly sealed within their homes. A blustery breeze rattles their locked windows and brushes against the cracked, cobblestone streets. The monster's colossal footprints lay scattered throughout the village and trace a destructive path back to the castle. The fjord is hauntingly calm as the remnants of a Southern Isles galleon drift across its surface. A fallen mast and sail lay partially submerged as the occasional wave batters against them. Arendellian banners hold strong, but the castle itself looks as though it has been ransacked.

Ransacked is an understatement as a gaping hole in the roof sends moonlight glistening through. Such moonbeams illuminate savage claw marks along the castle's walls and carpeting. The castle appears entirely devoid of all staff, as if it's become nothing more than a hollow shell of itself. And yet betwixt the vacuous and chaotic void, two figures wander the halls. They step forth, venturing down corridors they've long since taken care of. As the moonlight briefly shines against their faces, Kai and Gerda remain steadfast.

"We shouldn't be here," Gerda shivers and hugs herself for warmth. "That...thing could come back. Anna and the others are still out there!"

"I know," Kai confesses. "But we need answers. I need them." He ascends to the castle's second level and cautiously approaches the grand balcony. His heart sinks when the moonlight casts another shadow against the wall.

Gerda gasps, for Naomi is still within the castle. In fact, it's as if she hasn't budged since the incident. As Kai and Gerda step out towards the verandah, they find her staring towards the shoreline. She just sits on a toppled cabinet, letting her battered heels grind against glass and other fallen debris. Naomi's in a trancelike state, spinning her wedding ring over and over and over again.

Kai is the first to approach the Southern Isles servant. "Naomi," he beckons. She doesn't reply and instead twists her ring even quicker. Kai nervously glances at Gerda before getting closer. He clears his throat and speaks up. "Naomi," he asserts. She shudders, yet remains lost in her own world. Only when Kai kneels beside her does she stop fidgeting. "Hey," he whispers.

"I-is it over?" Naomi utters and slowly glances at him.

"You tell me," he murmurs while shrugging at Gerda.

Naomi scoffs and turns her face to the woods beyond Arendelle. "Does it matter?" she grieves. "I've lost them both anyway." Kai's brows furrow as she continues. "My David. He's never coming back."

"Naomi," Kai intones. "What's going on?"

"You wouldn't understand," she mumbles.

Hearing such words sparks a fury within Gerda. "Now you listen here," the servant says and drops to Naomi's opposite side. "We've seen more within these walls than you know, so don't question our capabilities. We all saw what was in that other man's-...your husband's hand. What was he doing with a runestone?"

Naomi's lips curl confusedly. "H-how do you know about runestones?" she asks.

"Like Gerda said," Kai explains. "We've seen our share of...well...strange happenings."

"Focus, Naomi." Gerda questions. "What was David doing? Where did he get the stone?"

"He didn't get it," Naomi confesses. "I did." Kai and Gerda look to one another as Naomi continues. She looks down at her wedding ring and says, "Tell me...are either of you parents?" They shake their heads in her peripherals and she sighs. "I see," Naomi says. "But I suppose raising royal princesses felt just as special. Enough for you to know that when you have a child, you do anything for them. Because all you want to do is give them every ounce of love you have. You want to keep them in your arms forever, wishing that the wiles of the world were nothing more than a myth." She looks to Kai and Gerda and asks, "Is this not so?"

Upon listening to Naomi's words, both servants are taken back to fond memories of raising Anna and Elsa as children. They can almost hear their blissful laughter lighting up even the darkest of days.

"My-" Naomi stammers briefly. "-my son's name was Lukas. He was fifteen when they came for us." Kai and Gerda's gazes intensify as Naomi swallows hard. "David and I didn't lead the easiest life on the Crescent Isle, but our Lukas made everything worth it. Even as the King of the Southern Isles continued to tax us for everything we were worth. It was only a matter of time before the people decided that they'd had enough. So we protested, crying out for equality louder than any other island in our kingdom." Naomi's brief exhilaration fades when a grim memory returns to her. "And King Victor responded in the only language he knew..." Naomi scowls and struggles to utter the final word. It's like venom is spewing from her lips as she hisses, "Violence."

Naomi winces and twitches. Her fingers curl as if she can still hear a chaotic symphony of screams. "They came upon us at dawn," she recalls. "The royal, winged crest of the Southern Isles was set ablaze with the rising sun...just like our homes. Led by the king's very sons, his soldiers descended upon our towns. Torches smashed through windows and infernos ignited. They cut down any who stood in their way, and my priority became my family." Naomi's eyes wander just as they did on that fateful morning. She can almost smell her burning farm all over again. "They rounded up our fleeing cattle while setting fire to the barn. I remember holding David and Lukas so tightly...terrified of what the future had in store. But at least we had each other." Naomi's lower lip quivers and she looks at her trembling hands. "That's when I felt him slip away. Despite our rigorous shouting, Lukas shoved past both of us. He couldn't stand to see his home being burned to the ground. David and I rushed to stop him...screaming all the way. But youth made him nimble. As Lukas desperately tried to stop a prince from destroying our home, a-...he-..." Naomi knits her brows and hunches forward. Kai brings it upon himself to rub her back as tears stream from her eyes. "They shot him!" she growls. She breaks down into a fit of raw sobs. "He was just a boy, and those animals took him from us!"

"I'm so sorry," Kai barely has time to utter as Naomi composes herself.

She angrily scrubs the tears from her cheeks and says, "I wanted to kill them all right then and there. With means and strength I knew I didn't possess. But David held me back as we fell beside our child...cradling his body amidst the inferno. After that brutal morning, the Crescent Isle fell into the king's submission and never retaliated again." Naomi grits her teeth and clenches a fist. "But David and I...we wouldn't stop. We wanted justice, even if the rest of our island was willing to just surrender. But whatever torment we'd enact in return would have to be worth it. We wanted King Victor and all of his sons to suffer beyond what we had to endure with Lukas. So we bided our time, playing our submissive roles. Through the royals' own arrogance, they accepted us as servants in the coming years." Naomi shakes her head and scoffs. "My how many methods crossed our minds. To kill them in their sleep...poison their food...set the castle ablaze. All of them still felt too good for the likes of them."

"But then why come to Arendelle?" Gerda asks.

"Many stories pass from kingdom to kingdom," Naomi explains. "During one of my ventures to a marketplace, I encountered a feather-hatted explorer who spoke of mystical stones in Arendelle. The concept intrigued me, so I found myself delving into the ancient texts of our library. God knows none of those ignorant princes read. Betwixt all of my searching, I uncovered a book detailing the powers of these different stones. With many dismissing it as simple folklore, the text was easy to steal. My investigation was made complete when Prince Anton proposed a diplomatic mission to Arendelle. I was sent as his advisor, which gave me enough time to look deeper into these runestones." Naomi notices how befuddled Kai and Gerda appear. "Don't look so betrayed," she jeers. "I never meant any ill will towards your kingdom. In fact, I should thank you. For learning of your region allowed me to find Wandering Oaken, where I purchased his final runestone."

"We should've sought out and smashed them all," Kai murmurs.

"But why?" Naomi inquires. "Why destroy supernatural gifts to humanity? Powers bestowed to the powerless? Using the stolen book, I learned that the runestone in my possession was the "Stone of Fenrir."

"Fenrir?" Gerda queries. "As in the ancient wolf?"

Naomi nods ominously. "And with each unique power comes a heavy price. An incantation alone wouldn't be enough to awaken the spirit of Fenrir. Sacrifices were demanded. Biding my time while Anton brokered treaties with Queen Anna, I had letters sent back to David in the Southern Isles. Thank you for sending them, by the way. It was easy under the guise that they were nothing more than sweet nothings to a husband across the sea." Gerda shakes her head in disbelief as Naomi continues. "Once David learned of the plan, I only needed to set it in motion. The first sacrifice would be that of the sinful family. A single relative would do. Sneaking the runestone under Anton's pillow, I whispered the text's incantation." Naomi bites back a disturbing chuckle. "I almost didn't think it worked...until he started writhing. Before I knew it, Anton was descending into feral madness. It was slow and painful, just as I'd wished. He fled back to his kingdom, consumed by the spell of Fenrir. You see, he was supposed to turn into the beast. Not David. The royals of the Southern Isles were to be slaughtered by one of their own, and yet Anton resisted." Naomi scoffs. "Resisted long enough to take his own life anyway."

Naomi clenches her fists and rises from the toppled cabinet. "When the rest of the royals arrived, I thought I was finished. That was until David and I reunited. He spoke to me of sacrificing himself in Fenrir's name. To enact revenge for our Lukas...for me. I argued with him to find a different way, but David wouldn't carry the burden any longer. And so...as a willing participant...he offered his soul to become the beast."

Kai has to take a moment to process all she's told him. "I truly am sorry for what happened to your son," he says.

"You aren't the one who needs to be," Naomi hisses.

"Regardless," Kai asserts and gestures to the wreckage. "Look around you. How many more will suffer because of this? How do we stop David?"

Naomi takes her time turning towards Kai with a twitching lip. "You can't," she replies. "In his new form, David has cursed himself to walk this land until King Victor and his sinful line have been wiped from existence."

"There has to be another way," Gerda insists. "This is wrong! You're insane!"

"Don't debate morality with me!" Naomi suddenly snaps. It's as if all of her energy has been poured into that single outburst and she drops to her knees. "You've never lost a child! Had that serpent Hans succeeded and murdered the royal sisters of Arendelle...then you'd understand."

While Kai remains collective, Gerda dares to challenge Naomi. "You're wrong," the older servant declares. "I may detest Prince Hans for his actions, but it would not have been my place to enact justice. Especially not like this!" Her furrowed brows soften as a mournful thought crosses her mind. "And while they we weren't bound by family, we did lose two children. You would've heard of them as King Agnarr and Queen Iduna, but to us they were youngsters we'd raised just the same."

Naomi huffs and steps towards the ravaged balcony. "It doesn't matter what you've felt," she says. "What's done is done. David's given up his soul, and this night will only with more death."

"She doesn't know anything? Does she?"

Hans feels like all of the blood has been drained from his body. Anna's question shakes him to his core. Horror and disgust clash across her face...and it's still nothing compared to how Hans thinks Lynn would react. Any hope of redemption in the queen's eyes...any inkling of a chance fades amidst the silence. "Wow," is all she can utter.

"Anna-" Hans chokes. "Queen Anna. Please-"

"Some things really never change," she scorns and stares him down.

"I have my reasons," he whispers.

"To try and kill her next?" Anna hisses until Hans throws his arms up.

"Please!" he begs as she barges out of the storage room. His heart races when the commotion sends Kristoff trudging over. Anna pauses and looks Hans over from head to toe. He's a trembling mess as his eyes keep listing towards Wandering Oaken's. Lynn's silhouette can be seen inside as she inquires about flammable supplies. Hans gulps and speaks to Anna in a broken whisper. "She's...all I have."

Anna squints at him inquisitively. While she can tell he's physically distressed, he'd put on a similar act during The Great Freeze. Still, Anna notes the desperation in his tone and hastening breaths. She too glances at Lynn and says, "Even if that's true...how real is it?" Hans' hands slowly drop as Anna continues. "How much does that ring on your finger mean if she doesn't know who you actually are? What you've done?" As Hans hangs his head, Anna's next words leave an aching sting. "How can she really love you?"

"If only there was someone out there who loved you."

Hans winces as his own words to Anna become a whisper within. They haunt him like a dreadful echo, and arrive spoken by his mother. Brielle's voice is a merciless hiss in Hans' ear.

"No one could ever love you."

Hans dismisses such painful thoughts with a frantic shake of his head. When he finally gathers the breath to speak, he clears his throat and says, "I know that you have no reason to trust me, but I'm..." He sighs and bites his lower lip. "Begging you. Please just let me start over. I mean no h-"

Something rumbles from beyond the treeline. It's enough to have everyone's heads snapping towards the sound as they worriedly back away. "It's coming back!" Kristoff warns. "Get inside the-"

A horse's whinny brings an end to their suspicions. Despite her exhaustion, Anna's eyes light up at the sight of Arendellian crests. General Mattias and his search party ride out from the forest. "Queen Anna!" he rejoices and hurriedly dismounts from his steed. "Thank heavens you're alright."

"I've been better," she groans. "That thing was just chasing us."

"Secure the area," Mattias commands his soldiers before addressing Anna once more. "Your majesty, we must get you to safety. If we hurry, the village is a straight shot down the slopes from-"

"No," Anna intones. "If that creature chases us again, I am not leading it back to where others could be harmed."

"But we must find you a proper shelter," Mattias insists. "And riding towards the Enchanted Forest could put us at even greater risk. That monster could attack us on the northern roads. We'd never make it."

Anna huffs frustratedly. "I really wish Gale was here right now," she says. "We could get a message out to Elsa. And maybe some answers on how to beat this thing."

"What if we send a messenger?" An Arendellian guard proposes. He pensively scratches at his mustache before raising his voice. "One of us could ride out to the Enchanted Forest and tell Lady Elsa what's happened."

"While the Fifth Spirit could speed back here on the Nokk-" Mattias responds. "-you could not, Tomas. In fact, you might reach the Enchanted Forest by dawn. But that'd be without stopping and if the creature didn't get to you first."

"Respectfully, general. We have to try," Tomas pleads and looks to his queen. "Your grace, send me to contact your sister. I'm the fastest rider in the Arendelle Guard!"

"Let's just stop for a second," Anna snaps and stressfully rubs her temples. "Let's think about what we're doing here. I'm not about to get Arendellians killed on a risky ride."

"Plus a lot could happen during the trip," Mattias tells Tomas. "We need you here, soldier."

"We're underestimating ourselves," Lynn asserts while setting an oil barrel down. She steps out of the trading post to address the group. "We've learned that fire repels the beast. We can undo it with the very element it spawned from," she declares and raises an arrow.

Mattias' glower deepens as he glares at Lynn. "And what exactly are you proposing?" he queries.

"We set a trap," Lynn declares to an assortment of troubled reactions. "We have a big enough group here," she says. Noticing Mattias' skepticism, Lynn focuses on appealing to Anna. As the huntress speaks to the queen, Hans' heart races. "We've seen firsthand just how relentless the creature is," Lynn explains. "If we don't fight back, the killing won't end here and you know it."

"Queen Anna is capable of making her own decisions," Mattias intones and stares Lynn down.

The huntress doesn't shy away while Anna's gaze trails off. She weighs her options while observing the idle troops around. Anna can't help but think about how useless their weapons were against the monster, and fears Lynn's trap means the death of her soldiers. She also can't bring herself to just leave and let the monster roam the surrounding woodlands. Gale must be with her sister, for the Wind Spirit travels periodically between their dwellings. Regardless, Anna realizes that she and her people can only hope to last the night. Any doubt Anna has is at least suppressed when Kristoff rests a hand on her shoulder. His gentle touch reassures her that she isn't alone in whatever decision she chooses.

"Lynn saved my life," the queen says as Mattias raises a brow. "Now I know things seem...bizarre. Especially with this creature originating from a Southern Isles servant. But if Lynn wanted the Queen of Arendelle dead, all she had to do was let me drown." She looks at Hans' fiancé and asks, "What's your plan?"

Lynn nods as all eyes turn to her. Rather than shy away from pressure and judgmental stares, the huntress owns her position. She raises her voice to the group and says, "Like dealing with any large predator, our first priority is minimizing casualties. We need to lure the monster away from the kingdom and get it out in the open where it can be destroyed. Without any place to hide and fire on our side, we'll actually stand a chance. Queen Anna, is there a remote location closer than the Enchanted Forest you spoke of?"

As Anna considers what they're all about to face, she can't help but shudder. Even Hans is perplexed by her reaction as a wave of memories clashes within her. These traumas stretch beyond Hans' misdeeds and take Anna back to a surreal moment in her life. She still remembers the thick mist on that rainy morning. Elsa's screams echo within as Anna recalls their mother lunging to save her.

The queen shakes herself free of such dark memories and utters, "I know where to go."

"Odin's Torch?" Mattias inquires as his group follows Anna. The royal guards keep a vigilant eye on the surrounding woodlands. Moonlight shines down on their group as they ride onward. "Are you sure about this?"

Anna nods while riding on Sven with Kristoff. "The lighthouse has been abandoned for years," she replies. "Even its caretaker lives in the village now. It's more of a relic than anything else and frankly-" Anna quivers as memories from her childhood and the first runestone return. "-I've never been a fan."

Following the same route she took to save Elsa years ago, Anna leads a caravan to Odin's torch. Several soldiers haul barrels from Oaken's while Hans and Lynn observe from Sitron. "Do you really think this trap will work?" he asks his fiancé.

"It has to," Lynn affirms. Her raven locks swish as she leans towards him. "Well, that and I don't have another option," she grumbles.

Hans' softening smile fades when he notices something beyond Sitron. He tightly grips the reins and brings his steed to a halt. "Wait," he whispers and squints through the trees.

Anna furrows her brows at the prince's gesture and taps Kristoff to stop Sven. "What is it?" she asks, growing impatient when he doesn't respond. "Hans?"

"Dear?" Lynn inquires as he dismounts from Sitron. The guards remain suspicious until he crouches on a nearby slope. The surviving royals of the Southern Isles can be seen congregating below. Several of their stolen horses have been scared off and they're trying to get a hold of those remaining.

"It's my family," Hans says.

He's about to descend when Mattias rides over to stop him. "That's far enough," the general asserts. "Either you're with us or them. There's no in between here."

"But they can help us with the trap," Hans insists. "The more men you have-"

"Every moment the queen spends out in the open puts her at risk," Mattias intones and peers at Anna. "Your majesty, we don't have time for this."

Anna's eyes dart between Hans and her general. She observes the soldiers' tired and nervous faces as they haul Oaken's crates. Her stressed hands cling to Kristoff's coat as she comes to a decision. "I can't chance heading down and then back up, Hans. You want to get them, go for it. But we're continuing to Odin's Torch."

Hans swallows hard as Lynn drops from Sitron. "You don't owe your family anything," she reminds him.

"I know that," Hans huffs. "But despite everything they've put me through, I'd still never wish death on them. If not for anyone else-" Hans places his hands on Lynn's shoulders. "I've got to at least try and get Ben."

"Then I'll come too-"

"No," Hans blurts and nervously squeezes her shoulders. "They need you to set the trap. I'll catch up. I promise." He glances at Anna and asks, "How far is Odin's Torch from here?" While Hans seeks an answer to his question, he hopes the queen will see the desperation in his eyes...and keep his secret.

Anna gestures to the stream along the slope. "Keep heading east out of the forest," she says. "You'll see the lighthouse on a cliffside."

"I'll be there," Hans reaffirms to Lynn.

"You'd better be," she urges. They pull each other into a brief kiss which leaves Anna unsettled. "I love you," Lynn says as Hans looms over the slope's incline.

"I love you too," Hans replies before sliding down.

Jutting stones and twiggy soil prod Hans during his descent. What he initially hopes would be a soft slide through snow becomes a burning mess of scraping mayhem. Hans winces and hisses while delving deeper into the forest. He lands betwixt the darkened shrubs and trees. Leafy branches blanket the area in shadow, hindering all moonlight from reaching him or his family. They have become nothing more than blackened blurs wandering aimlessly through the night. As Hans inches his way forward, he overhears belligerent bickering.

"Where even are we?" Prince Rowan gripes. "We've been wandering in circles!"

"And whose fault is that, Magellan?" Damian jeers. "You're the idiot who insisted on heading north."

"Quiet, both of you." Marcus growls. "Has anyone seen Cedric or Otto?"

"Not yet," Leo murmurs.

"Cause they're dead," Damian blurts.

"We don't know that for sure," Ben says.

"Has your optimism ever done anything for you, blondie?" Damian fires back until Marcus shoves the drunkard.

"I said quiet!" the eldest prince decrees and stomps up to King Victor. "We'll find them, Father. They've got to be out there."

The grief-stricken king hangs his head in silence. His time-faded eyes widen when something rustles from the bushes. "Wh-what's that?" Victor gasps.

"Cedric?" Marcus inquires as the figure approaches. "Otto?"

"Jakob?" A bright-eyed prince queries and all eyes turn to him.

"Jakob was incinerated, Eli." Rowan grumbles.

"Well..." Prince Eli bumbles. "Maybe he survived somehow."

"Just...shut up, Eli." Damian snaps as the figure approaches.

It's too small to be the creature, but the royals still brace themselves. A symphony of simultaneous groans sound when Hans steps into view. "For the love of..." Leo scoffs. "Not this fool again."

"Hans," Ben rejoices, running past the others to pull him into an embrace. "You're alive!"

"Barely," the youngest mumbles.

"Where are the others?" Marcus questions. "Have you seen Cedric or Otto?"

Hans grievously shakes his head. "Cedric didn't make it." Those four words are enough to have Victor burying his face in his hands. "I don't know about Otto, but I do know a way to end this. A...potential way," he mutters.

"Since when have you ever had a plan?" Leo scorns. "A good plan."

"I say we hear him out," Ben suggests.

"As if you have any power here," Marcus berates his sibling and glares at Hans. "Speak, little brother," he commands as if he was a pup.

Odin's Torch is as ominous and dreary as Anna remembers. No amount of starlight can eliminate decades of death and depression from its walls. As she and the others dismount, she can hear the waves crashing beneath the harrowing cliffside. She can still recall Elsa almost plummeting from that jagged ledge as a child.

"You alright?" Kristoff worries and rubs her back.

"Fine," she insists and reels herself back into the moment. "I'm ready for this night to be over." As if she wasn't overworked already, dark circles plague her eyes betwixt the eternal night. All she can do is stare out to sea and yearn for the sunrise. "Maybe it'll melt," she considers.

Kristoff raises a brow. "Huh?"

"The beast," Anna elaborates. "Maybe all we have to do is hold out until the sunrise. Then it'll burn up and melt or something." Anna sighs. "Wishful thinking I suppose."

"This will do fine," Lynn declares while examining the old lighthouse. "Let's get those oil barrels down and into position. I'll tell you where." Her steely eyes focus on the hesitant guards and soldiers. "Well come on!" Instead of listening to her, they look at their hesitant superior.

"I took an oath," Mattias sternly whispers to Anna. "I swore to protect the royal family at all costs. I couldn't be there for Agnarr and-" Mattias sighs. "Every time I look at you, I see him. If something were to happen to you on my watch, I couldn't forgive myself." He glances at Lynn and leans towards Anna. "What if this is a trap?"

"General Mattias," Anna reassures him in a hushed tone. "We can trust her. I know our history with the Southern Isles is...scarred. But out of every surprise that's come from that boat of theirs, she's been the most sincere." With a deep breath, Mattias gives the all clear for his troops to assist Lynn. In turn, the huntress gratefully nods to Anna.

The Arendellians get to work, following Lynn's commands to set up the trap around Odin's Torch. While they labor away, Anna can't help but notice how well the huntress performs under pressure. In many ways, she reminds the queen of herself. Unfortunately, not every relatable quality is wished upon. Whether that's having lost both parents...or beyond unknowingly betrayed by Hans.

Lynn's overseeing the trap's construction when Anna approaches her. "Thanks for all of your help," the huntress says.

"Thank you," Anna insists. She can't help but notice Lynn constantly looking back out towards the forest. Anna fidgets with a strand of her loose bun and mumbles, "So...you're really worried about Hans, huh?"

Realizing she's visibly concerned, Lynn shakes it off. "Sorry. I'm usually better at burying those things."

"Don't," Anna insists. "As someone whose sister buried plenty of emotions, I promise that it doesn't help."

Lynn sighs, letting her emotions permeate her hardened resolve. "Hans is a mess," she confesses. "He's trying to do right by so many, but that family has him wrapped around their fingers." Lynn chuckles to herself. "But once a mess, always a mess I suppose. At first, I would've thought all of our princes were these arrogant brutes. And then I find Hans, stumbling over himself in our northernmost isle. You should've seen him. They'd just exiled the man, but I'm pretty sure his family meant for it to be a death sentence. He was scaring away all of my deer...trying to foolishly build a fire with nothing more than two stones and a twig. He was hopeless."

"Yeah," Anna whispers. "...hopeless."

"But it showed me a different side to Southern Isles royalty," Lynn admits. "And how cruel those in power were willing to be towards their own. Helping Hans with that fire opened my eyes to that. From there, I taught him to live off of the land and decently shoot a bow. And with each passing day-" Lynn nods to herself as the blissful...simple memories returned. "-we grew together. I got worried when he briefly traveled to one of the other isles beside the capital. I feared he'd left me." Lynn raises her hand and peers down at the ring on her finger. "But he was getting me something else." Lynn smiles while caressing her ring. "We didn't need anything fancy. He proposed in the doorway of the very house we'd built."

Lynn's recollection leaves a bad taste in Anna's mouth. No matter how many years have past, the queen still thinks back to her younger encounter with Hans.

"Can I say something crazy? Will you marry me?"

"Can I say something even crazier? Yes!"

The words haunt Anna until she shudders. The idea of Hans being any form of romantic towards Lynn would feel bittersweet to her...had he not been lying. In fact, knowing the truth about Hans and Lynn's unknowingness seems even crueler to Anna.

"Lynn," Anna says and knits her brows. "If I may ask...did Hans ever tell you why he was exiled?"

"Yes," Lynn affirms beyond a shadow of a doubt. Anna is both shocked and bewildered until the huntress continues. "He spoke out against King Victor and the other princes when no one else would. He called out their corruption, but the kingdom wouldn't listen. Instead, his own father had him exiled from the capital."

Anna involuntarily shakes her head to deny the claims. No, she speaks within. No no no. All she sees when she looks at Lynn is herself at Elsa's coronation. And while the huntress isn't giddy and lovesick, she is a victim nonetheless. With her suspicions against Hans confirmed, Anna feels like she's about to vomit. Her nostrils flare as she says, "Lynn...about Hans."

"Can we please just focus on the trap?" Lynn insists and puts her walls back up. "I'm already worried enough as it is."

"But-"

"General Mattias!" Lynn hollers. "I need another barrel down this-"

"He's lying to you!" Anna blurts and Lynn's body goes stiff.

"Not you too!" Lynn fires back. Her raised tone prompts the royal guards to rush towards Anna. "I get it! You have a problem with the Southern Isles! With every rumor, every ill word! But whatever the king has done to slander Hans' name...let it be done! Can't we all just move on!" Lynn snaps and angrily grabs a barrel.

Anna recollects herself while Kristoff comes to her aid. "You alright?" he asks and puts an arm around her.

Anna's still processing all that's happened as she whispers, "Kristoff...do you think all of us deserve to move on?"

"Maybe," her fiancé answers. "The real question is, how are said people moving on?"

"This is a terrible idea!" Leo rants while Ben rolls his eyes. "Guys, we can't put our lives in Hans' hands. Hasn't he messed things up enough for us?"

Marcus looks among his father and the other siblings. The others turn to him as he says, "Let me get this straight, Hans. The Arendellians have a plan, not you."

"Lynn has a plan," he corrects.

"But the Arendellians are there," Marcus asserts and glances at King Victor. "The queen? She approves?"

"Yes," Hans answers. "Why do you care? Do you really think so little of Lynn?"

Hans' comment goes unanswered as Marcus nods to his father. "Alright then," King Victor says. "We'll go to this lighthouse and-" A sudden rumble catches him off guard. He raises a brow and glances towards the stream nearest their spot. As the rumble returns, it causes an impact tremor across the shallow water. The surface ripples with each monstrous stomp and Hans' eyes widen.

"My god," Ben realizes. "It's coming."

"Run," Hans asserts. "Follow me. Now!" The Big Three scramble to get their father on his feet and race westward. Ben keeps peering back as the stomps seem to be coming from all around them.

"Where is it?" Hans shouts frantically.

"I don't see it!" Ben yells back to him.

They dash onward as Marcus commands, "Protect Father at all costs!"

Leo notices that he and Eli are falling behind. While no one else is looking, he subtly trips up his big brother. Eli tumbles face first into the snow and painfully clutches his ankle. "Wh-what are you doing?" he winces.

"Protecting father at all costs," Leo pants. "I never liked you anyway. Slow that thing down for us, will you?" Leo flashes a sinister grin before running to catch up with the others.

"Leo?" Eli sputters. "Leo! No! Don't leave me-" The prince's shouts are drowned out by a series of chaotic stomps. As if he wasn't already shrouded in darkness, an even inkier shadow looms over him. All he can do is turn and scream until his throat runs raw. The beast swipes its claw and blood splatters across the nearby tree trunks. It strikes Eli with enough force to dislocate his neck. Rows of gaping claw marks are embedded in his skull while his corpse rests in a crimson puddle.

Leo reaches the others as they flee the forest. "There's the lighthouse!" Hans yells and guides them along the shore.

"Where's Eli?" Marcus asks Leo.

"Didn't...make it," the younger brother huffs. "I tried to save him."

As the surviving royals dash to the lighthouse, an Arendellian guard observes them and reports back. "Queen Anna!" Tomas hollers. "General Mattias!"

Anna, Mattias, and Lynn head over to observe the sight. "It's behind us!" Hans' voice echoes towards them. "It's coming!"

"Hurry!" Lynn yells. "Get in the circle! Behind the barrels!"

"Soldiers!" Mattias shouts beside her. "Make ready!"

Out of breath and frightened out of their minds, the Southern Isles royals reach the inner circle. Lynn pulls Hans into her arms and can feel his pounding pulse. "I was so worried about you," she sighs.

"I'm fine," Hans assures before hurriedly looking back. "But we need to-" His exhausted gasp echoes throughout the chilly air. "What the?"

"I thought you said it was behind you." Mattias asks while gripping his sword.

"It-it was," Hans asserts. "I heard it." He desperately gestures to his tired kin. "We heard it!" Hans and Ben stare out towards a quiet field in utter disbelief.

While some soldiers keep their crossbows aimed towards the treeline, others lower their weapons in bewilderment. "It just...disappeared into thin air," Ben laments. "Leaving nothing but wind and waves."

"Waves," Hans mumbles and squints suspiciously. The roaring sounds of waves beneath the cliffside obscure all as a dreadful realization dawns upon him. Hans' eyes follow the ridge as it connects from the forest to the shore. The sight sends a shiver down his spine and he slowly turns towards the nearby cliffside. "It's not coming from the forest," he whispers as a series of scrapes echo amid the waves.

"Oh no," is all Anna can utter as she catches on.

Lynn's eyes shoot open when something snarls from beneath the ledge. "Cliff!" she shouts and draws her brow. "Cliff! Cliff!" A pair of monstrous claws rise from the cliffside. Each blood-stained digit digs into the rocks and paves the way for a pair of furry limbs.

As the creature flanks them, Mattias yells "Take it down!" At his command, Lynn's trap is sprung into action. The Arendellians set their oil-tipped crossbow bolts aflame and open fire. Several barrels serve as fiery ammunition stations while the initial barrage goes off. The scorching projectiles puncture the beast's forearms, making it roar into the moonlight. Flames scorch its fur as it continues to pull itself over the edge. As its body ignites and its horned silhouette shines beneath the stars, the creature looks like that of a hellish demon.

"Keep up the fire!" Lynn shouts and launches an arrow. "Pin it down!" While their projectiles keep it aflame, she starts backing up towards the lighthouse. "General, I'm going to take the high ground. Can you hold here?"

"We'll buy as much time as we can," Mattias assures.

A set of barrels have been placed on the lighthouse's upper level to await Lynn's arrival. Hans is about to follow her when Anna stops him. "Hey," the queen says. Hans freezes up, worried for whatever Anna might tell him betwixt the chaos. She suddenly shoves her bow into his hands and says, "I hear you're decent with one."

"Thank you," Hans says earnestly before running after Lynn.

"Stay behind me!" Mattias shouts to Anna and Kristoff.

"We've almost got it!" Tomas grunts and shoots his crossbow. The beast has become an infernal pin cushion, enduring shot after shot. It writhes and collapses forward with a painful snarl. Hans and Lyn reach the lighthouse's upper railing to fire from above. With each hit, the beast hunches even further. "That's it!" Tomas cheers. "Almost got it! Almost got-"

Suddenly, the creature starts rapidly convulsing. The flames around its body intensify with each added projectile as it snarls. Its claws dig into the terrain and it gathers strength from its hind legs. With an ear-splitting howl, the beast throws its head back and extinguishes the flames on its body. Every projectile embedded in its thick hide snaps off, shattering the Arendellians' morale.

"Holy fjords," Tomas blurts and drops his crossbow in disbelief. In that instant, the creature retaliates by lunging forward and swatting the flaming barrels away. One of the barrels almost strikes Tomas, but Kristoff tackles him out of the way just in time. As the barrels collapse, fires spread across the disheveled terrain.

"The line is broken!" Mattias yells over the roaring flames. "Regroup!" His blood runs cold when the beast barrels through several soldiers. Arendellian men and women tumble in all directions, clutching their aching bodies.

Anna feels like she's in the Enchanted Forest all over again. Flames are spreading just as they did when Bruni set the trees ablaze. Only this time, her sister isn't around to extinguish them. "Kristoff!" she shouts beyond the inferno.

"Anna!" his voice echoes from somewhere within the smoke.

She wants to reach him, but the flames are rising. As the fires spread towards her, Anna has no choice but to enter Odin's Torch itself. She barges into the lighthouse and shuts the door before breaking into a coughing fit. The monster's screeches reverberate from outside and she takes a moment to lean against a counter. The quiet instance away from the chaos lets her observe a series of empty display cases. While Ruben may have moved to Arendelle, he's left most of his old home just as it was.

Her eyes initially light up when the door opens behind her. Any hope of it being Kristoff fades when six figures reflect against a dusty display case. Anna turns to see King Victor being ushered to safety by his sons. "Shut the door!" Marcus coughs and Leo quickly obliges. As he seals them away from the flames outside, the royals move further inside. They sit Victor down in the nearest chair and observe their surroundings.

"What the hell is this place?" Damian huffs. "Some kind of museum?"

"At one time," Anna replies and the princes glance at her. "I never imagined that it would turn into a shelter," she admits.

"Who else is in here?" Victor wheezes and clasps at his strained neck.

"Hans and Lynn are upstairs trying to bring that thing down," Anna replies. She observes Prince Marcus, whose gripping an Arendellian sword. "Where'd you get that?" she inquires.

"One of the guards dropped it after she was shoved by the beast," Marcus explains. "I found it laying in the snow."

"You were right to recover it," Anna lauds. "Although I doubt it'll do much good against that monster. I mean, you saw what it did to our arrows."

The elderly king catches his breath. "Where are the others?" he inquires. "Are they trapped outside?"

Anna peers out one of the lighthouse's windows, but she can't see past the flames. "Yes," she answers. "But we're not going to be in the best spot either unless we find another way out. I saw Hans and Lynn go upstairs," Anna explains while gesturing to the decrepit clutter around them. "Search for a rope or something we can tie together! Then we can meet up with them and try lowering each other down."

Despite Anna's efforts to include the princes, she can't help but view them as incompetent. Rather than search for tethering supplies, they break an abandoned chair into pieces. Meanwhile, Victor just blankly glares at her the entire time. Frustrated, Anna decides to tell them off. "Hey!" she snaps. "Did you hear me? I said things to tie together. Chair legs aren't going to-" Anna feels suddenly sick to her stomach as the men stare her down. Rowan, Damian and Leo each clench a wooden chair leg as if it was a club. They don't budge at her stern words and any hint of benevolence fades with Prince Marcus' words.

The eldest brother raises his stolen sword and gazes into its steel. While Anna's reflection appears to him, the flames outside cast a hellishly red hue on his face. "Oh Queen Anna," is all he has to say to have her backing away. "Your...benevolence is charming." She backs up until she bumps into Ruben's dusty old counter. "Charming, but still pathetic." As Marcus talks, his younger siblings slowly spread out like ravenous predators. All but Ben take their positions.

"What is this?" the queen hisses and loses her temper. "We've got a monster outside to deal with! What are you getting at?"

"Still so naive," King Victor remarks from his seat. His raspy cough is all the more unsettling as he continues. "We're simply finishing dear Anton's mission, my dear. He was very charismatic, yes?"

Anna staggers back as her nervous hand pats the dust-filled counter. "You've got to be kidding me," she scoffs.

"I'm afraid not," Victor adds. "You see...even through his failure in Arendelle, Hans showed us an opportunity. Your kingdom could be a viable asset under our banner. My wife, may she rest in peace, used to say the same. We'd just have to be smart about how we acquired it this time."

"Our invasion would've been subtle," Marcus continues. "Much more strategic once Anton finished brokering treaties with you. But fate had other plans."

"And we men of the Southern Isles always get what we want," Rowan growls.

"It really was such a shame that this lighthouse burned down in the chaos tonight," Damian murmurs as a sadistic grin creeps across his lips.

"Pity that Arendelle's beloved queen didn't make it out of the fire," Leo cackles and closes in.

"You kill me and you'll still have to contend with the monster," Anna jeers while sliding her hand across the counter.

"We'll survive," Victor boasts. "We always will." He peers up at his eldest son and says, "Do it."

"With pleasure, Father." Marcus affirms as he and the others advance on Anna.

Fear fills Anna's eyes as the burly Rowan takes the first swing. Once she has him in position, she drops her timid act and swipes her arm across the counter. An immense dust cloud puffs forward and blows into Rowan's eyes. While he's disoriented, Anna notices a gap between his legs and delivers a ferocious kick to his crotch. Rowan buckles forward, howling in pain as Anna shoves him into Damian. A swing from Leo barely nicks Anna's shoulder before she topples a display case over to block his path.

"I'll kill that bitch!" Prince Rowan snarls. His eyes are scorching red as he clutches his aching groin.

"Idiots," Marcus grumbles and flourishes his sword. "I'll get her, Father." he assures King Victor before passing the final chair leg to Ben. "Benjamin," he orders. "Go upstairs and deal with the other two."

Ben's mustache quivers. "But Hans is one of us."

"Then make sure he's on our side," Marcus scolds.

"His fiancé won't be," Ben insists and Marcus grows impatient.

The elder prince angrily taps on the makeshift club in Ben's hands. "Then you know what to do!" he yells before chasing after Anna. Ben is left to reluctantly stumble up the stairs while King Victor oversees all.

"Anna!" Kristoff haplessly shouts. He hasn't felt this desperate to find her since she nearly froze to death on the fjord. "Anna!" Sven grunts alongside him while the madness carries on. Flames rage across the cliffside while screams and roars obscure all else.

Ben slowly creeps upstairs until the smell of smoke and ash returns. He can hear Hans and Lynn calling out to one another as they fire arrows from the balcony. While he watches them work together, he can't help but contemplate what he's about to do. Despite all that Hans has done, Ben has always strived to take it easy on him. The elder brothers have never made life simple for the thirteenth prince, and yet here he is. Although living a lie, he stands beside a woman worth fighting for. In Ben's eyes, perhaps it is enough. Any thought of negotiating with Hans flees his mind. The idea of even striking Lynn is nonexistent as Ben's weapon plummets to the floor.

The ensuing clunk has Hans and Lynn spinning around. "Ben?" his little brother worries. "What are-" Hans freezes up. While annoying, his big brother has always been a symbol of dashing confidence. Hans has never seen Ben so broken and distraught as he lurches forward.

"H-Hans," he utters. "There's no time. I'm...so sorry." Lynn raises a brow as he pleads to them. "Father and the others," he nearly chokes on the words. "They're going to kill Queen Anna."

"Hold still, damn it!" Rowan shouts and takes another swing at Anna. The queen uses the environment to her advantage, knocking over anything that isn't nailed down. In an effort to flank her, Damian charges in from the left. Anna weaves just in time and the brothers collide with each other. "You drunken fool!" Rowan grunts and shoves Damian off.

Anna dashes back towards the first room now that the door is clear. While there may be flames outside, she'll take her chances versus the killer princes. On her way back into the room, she notices King Victor still sitting patiently. His smirk is brief and his eyes dart slightly beside Anna. Before she can comprehend what he's looking at, a tremendous thud sounds. At least that's what it sounds like for Victor.

To Anna, all she feels is a sharp sting amidst an explosive bang. It's as if someone has cracked a whip and struck her with a sled all at the same time. She stumbles forward with a wail and impulsively clutches the back of her head. Whatever's hit her has done so with enough force to make the world spin around her. King Victor becomes a cackling series of anomalies in her dazed vision. Waves of insurmountable, throbbing pain crash against her head until nausea takes over. Unable to stand, Anna collapses against a display case and sends it crashing down with her. She lays dizzied among a pile of shattered glass. The ceiling boards spiral above her while an incessant ringing torments her ears. A nearby prince's cheering is muffled to her senses.

"I-I got her!" Leo rejoices and raises his chair leg victoriously. Determined to prove his worth, he deepens his voice to boast towards the eldest prince. "Big brother! Big brother! I got her! I waited around the corner and bashed her over the head with-"

"Out of my way," Marcus scoffs. He shoves Leo back as if he were nothing more than an irksome peasant. Victor chuckles from his seat as his eldest son steps towards Anna.

All the queen sees is an ominous blur lurking towards her. Each of his colossal stomps blast against her ears as she faintly makes out his sword. Even though she's disoriented, Anna desperately feels across the floor and clutches a piece of the broken display case. She raises the glass shard and dizzily raises it towards Marcus.

"What are you gonna do with that?" the prince mocks. She can hardly point it at him as he laughs. "A fighter to the end," Marcus brings his voice down to a malicious whisper. "I'll make sure that's on your epitaph." As he raises his sword to finish her off, an arrow zips through the air and punctures his shoulder. Marcus howls in pain as the others gasp in alarm.

Lynn is done with warnings. She's finished playing politics with the scum of the Southern Isles. Without hesitation, she fires a second shot towards Marcus' head. Her arrow narrowly misses because something makes the prince hunch forward. Not only does he have an arrow in his shoulder, but Anna has driven her shard into his calf.

"Got...you," Anna grunts through her dazed state.

Marcus leaps for cover in the other room, leaving a trail of blood behind. Victor bolts from his seat while the other princes form up. "Benjamin?" Victor stammers when he sees him alongside Hans and Lynn. "What are you doing?"

"This is wrong, Father!" Ben decrees. "I won't go down this path any longer!"

Infuriated by all that's transpiring, Victor descends into madness. "Then you are no son of the Southern Isles," he growls while staring him down. With a swift wave of his hand, he issues a daunting decree. "Kill them."

Those blindly loyal to him charge just as the others come down. Hans and Lynn launch their arrows while Damian and Leo take cover. Meanwhile, Rowan tackles Ben into a wall. The blonde kicks his burly opponent back and flourishes his chair leg. A scowl forms on Rowan's beard as he does the same.

"Looks like it's time for a rematch," Ben quips. Rowan lunges as their makeshift weapons collide.

Leo and Damian dodge enough arrows to get in close. The former tackles Lynn and makes Hans gasp. "No!" he shouts until Leo swings at him. Hans narrowly avoids the club and jabs with his bow.

The malodorous stench of alcohol descends from Damian's lips as he pins Lynn. He forces his head towards her ear and whispers, "It'll be a shame to kill you. You could've been my girl-" Damian's cocky bravado falters with his rising screeches. Leaning into Lynn only gave her full permission to bite down on his ear. His screeches only make her bite harder until he's forced to back off. While he's still recovering, the huntress delivers a headbutt to break free. The maneuver disorients them both, but buys her time to get away.

Hans strikes Leo across the head with his bow, but his big brother recovers sooner than anticipated. He uppercuts Hans with his club and takes a moment to compose himself. While Hans is down, Leo notices Anna barely make it upstairs.

Damian angrily rubs his throbbing forehead. "I'll-I'll get you for that!" Before he can run at Lynn, Hans punches him across the face. As the two wrestle, Lynn scrambles to recover her bow. Once she takes aim, she struggles to get a clear shot with her fiancé in the way.

"Get off of him," she asserts with an arrow steadily drawn. "Hans! Get off of him!"

"Regroup!" General Mattias orders again. His routed soldiers reassemble as he asks. "Where is Queen Anna?"

"We lost sight of her somewhere in the fire," Tomas reports. "Sir, we can't keep this thing back. It's barreling through us!"

Mattias peers across the inferno and barely spots Anna's fiancé. "Kristoff!" he hollers.

The mountain man turns towards the call and guides Sven leftward. "Mattias!" he shouts back and flails an arm.

"Have you seen Queen Anna?" the general asks until he notices Kristoff's frantic state.

"Behind you!" the young man warns.

Mattias quickly spins to see the beast surging through the flames. His troops brace themselves, but Mattias interposes himself between them all. Any effort to swing his sword is futile as the monster scoops him into his claws.

"No!" Kristoff cries out.

"General!" Tomas screams and prepares to retaliate. Before he can do so, he suddenly observes a befuddling sight.

Rather than tear Mattias to pieces, the beast simply holds him. Its ominous, glowing eyes stare down at him before it roars in his face. In fact, the creature appears more frustrated with Mattias than anything else. It furiously squeezes his body, only to throw him down. The other soldiers are prepared to attack when Mattias raises a hand. "Hold!" the general commands. His troops are quaking in their boots as the monster towers over them.

While it doesn't attack, Mattias whispers to Tomas. "Is...everyone in our company accounted for?"

"I believe so sir." Tomas realizes. "Some of us were knocked around but-"

"It's not killing us," Mattias realizes. "Even during the attack in our castle. It merely shoved me when I got in the way."

Kristoff catches up alongside Sven to observe the bizarre phenomenon. "But...it chased us," he says.

Mattias shakes his head as all becomes clear. "The servant went on about Southern Isles sins before turning himself into that thing. As far as we know, it's only killed princes from the Southern Isles." Mattias' eyes shoot open. "Kristoff. Who was in the sled with you and Anna during that chase?" Kristoff gasps as Mattias issues a new order. "All troops, stand down. Our new priority is finding Queen Anna."

As his soldiers cautiously oblige, Mattias glances up at the creature. While they don't speak to each other, it's as if they've reached some form of surreal understanding.

Anna's head is pounding as she crawls up the stairs. Smoke billows up towards the clouds while she reaches the lighthouse's upper level. The railing sways as she observes it a few feet ahead of her. If I can just get to the edge- she urges herself. -I can call for help.

Between the smoke and her aching head, Anna feels like she could pass out any moment. A sudden clang from her neck has her looking downward. It's her father's necklace...the very cross that's been her family's salvation. She can still hear his words to her.

"Your Papa gets frightened just the same, especially for you, Elsa, and Mama. And my mother would get frightened too. But, she'd hold on to this and it would help see her through the most trying of times."

Agnarr's words grant her courage as Anna grits her teeth. She sternly grips the cross in her hand and rises like the queen she is. "Come on," she grunts, limping towards the balcony. "Come...on." Anna stumbles, using what strength she has left to fall against the railing. Catching her breath, she looks down and searches for others among the fire. With faith on her side, she spots Kristoff with Mattias and the others. A faint grin of relief takes hold as she raises her arms to alert them. Yet as she prepares to scream their names, something stops her.

It's as if her voice is ripped away by a stinging sensation. It's different from her aching head wound as she suddenly feels several fingers tighten their grip. Anna's head is abruptly thrown back when Leo pulls her down by the hair. Kristoff looks up towards the lighthouse mere seconds after Anna's been dragged away.

Leo throws her to the floor, perpetuating her head pain. Dizziness returns as he rants over her. "I caught you," he hisses. "And they still treated me like nothing? I'll show them. I'll show them all." He throws himself on top of Anna and savagely seizes her throat. "Once I kill you-" He flashes a toothy grin. "-they'll have to respect me."

Anna feels his grip tightening as she wheezes for air. Realizing it's useless to try and pry at his arms, Anna fights to reach his face. He uses his weight to keep her down as her hands desperately try to claw at his eyes. With an unwavering leer, Leo lifts his head just out of reach. Anna haplessly scratches at his chest and shoulders, but her strength is dwindling. Her heart races as she grows teary-eyed, struggling to fend him off. The queen's legs flail beneath Leo. He cackles when her movements slow down.

"That's it," he hisses. His dark hair dangles just above his soulless gaze. "Just let it happen."

Anna feels drained as she stares into her assailant's eyes. He's no different than the demon she'd faced years ago. For evil is but a choice, and those who act upon it are ever-willing. Anna's experiencing every pain and nothing at the exact same time. Memories speed past her as she considers her demise. She imagines what could wait beyond this heinous act. An eternity of regret? A reunion with loved ones lost? Elsa and Kristoff's voices become faint whispers in her mind. Joyous and broken murmurs of people that she may never see again. She focuses on what memories she still has of her parents. Agnarr and Iduna's benevolent faces pass like angelic visages within. They stand in a glistening doorway beyond the shadows. Its frame is adorned in celestial intricacies as Agnarr and Iduna extend their hands through the darkness. It's them. The real them...calling Anna home.

Mother...

Anna's hands stop clawing at Leo and fall to her sides.

Father...

Leo tightens his grip on her neck.

I'm sorry...

As Anna's right hand falls, her numbing fingers touch graze a smooth object. The likes of which has fallen from her pocket.

I'm sorry...but I'm not ready to go home.

Anna's bloodshot eyes sway towards Leo. With her final ounce of strength, she recovers her bronze stamper and jabs it upward. She strikes with all of her might, fracturing her attacker's windpipe on impact. Shock and terror fills Leo's eyes as he instinctually reaches for his own throat. Once his hands leave Anna, she coughs and wheezes for air. Her attack leaves a bold and bloody, Arendellian crocus embedded on Leo's throat. He stumbles back towards the railing, raspy and mortified. As he struggles to figure out what's happened, a beastly claw rises from behind the balcony. By the time Leo turns, the monster is already reaching for him.

Screaming only strains his fracture further as the monster drags him down. When it grips him by his arms and legs, Anna hurriedly averts her eyes. While she does so, Leo's silhouette is ripped in half and tossed into the flames. A dreadful silence follows and the queen is left graciously clutching her father's cross.

The monster's brute exertion causes it to strike the tower and dishevel those inside. Lynn rolls as wooden boards come undone. While Hans wrestles Damian, Rowan and Ben are locked in a deadly duel. Their clubs clack against each other thrice. By the third strike, Rowan breaks through Ben's chair leg, causing it to splinter. "Come on then!" Rowan taunts. "Is that all you've got!" He knees Ben in the gut and clubs him to the floor. "Is that it?" As he raises his arms to strike, he falls right into Ben's trap.

His younger brother weaves away and jabs upward. By breaking his weapon, Rowan has unknowingly turned Ben's club into a spear. He proceeds to skewer Rowan in the chest before sending his body toppling over. "Yeah," Ben huffs. "That is it."

In that instant, King Victor emerges and pulls Ben into a headlock. "Disgraceful traitor," his father hisses and puts a dagger to his neck. Ben reluctantly drops his weapon just as Hans punches out Damian. "You!" he calls to Hans. "Surrender or I kill Benjamin."

"Like hell I will," Hans scoffs. He snatches a glass shard from the ground and dips it to Damian's neck. "Stop this, Father!"

"You lost the right to call me that!" Victor barks and shakes Ben. "You were always a problem, and still I gave you a chance."

Hans lowers his voice. "You're not gonna kill your own son," he says.

"After what you two have done-" Victor murmurs. "-I'll make an exception." He lets his dagger knick Ben's flesh. "You on the other hand. You won't kill Damian. Your mother was always right, Hans. Only the strong endure and you don't have it in you. You never did. Even after everything she gave you."

"Mother was a monster," Hans utters.

"Spoken like a true weakling," Victor taunts and observes the prince's trembling hand. "You're shaking, boy. We both know that you're not going to slit Damian's throat. So unless you want Ben's blood on your hands for-"

In that moment, an arrow darts from the second room and stealthily strikes Victor. The elder collapses with a yelp and Lynn emerges from the shadows. Ben clasps his freed neck and gulps. "Nice shot," he tells the huntress.

While King Victor writhes on the ground, Hans steps away from the groaning Damian. All Hans wants to do is embrace his fiancé, but a rising shadow has his heart sinking. "Right..." he whispers. "-the monster."

The beast smashes one of its claws through a window. The lighthouse's foundation rattles as the creature forces itself inside. Bricks come tumbling down while the remaining window panes burst. Those inside are exposed to the open air as the monster pulls its way in.

"Run!" Ben shouts and urges his companions to flee. Eyeing Damian first, the beast surges forward and chomps down on his leg. The prince screeches and flails until his attacker flings him into the rising flames. The creature's bulky head snaps towards Hans and swipes its claw.

"Hans!" Lynn gasps and holds her fiancé tight.

"No!" Ben shouts and throws himself in front of Hans. The youngest prince shudders as the creature's claws dig into Ben's torso. The strike is brief as Hans and Lynn quickly pull him back. As they drag the wounded prince upstairs, the beast sets its sights on Victor.

The king can hardly remove the arrow from his shoulder as the monster approaches. A nearby shuffling has Victor peering leftward. Badly injured but far from dead, Marcus hobbles out of the second room. Blood dampens his shirt and pant leg. "M-Marcus!" the king pleads. "Help me, son! Save me!"

Marcus glances out of the lighthouse's gaping hole before turning back to Victor. "Sorry Father," he says with a shrug. "But someone has to rule once you're gone."

Shock and betrayal fill the king's eyes as he watches his so-called loyal son depart without him. Such a painful sight will be his last as the beast digs its claws into his shins. Victor screams in agony before the monster drags him towards its sharp and merciless fangs. The creature hurriedly bites into King Victor's frail body and pursues Marcus outside.

The eldest brother can only limp so far, and immediately finds himself trapped behind a wall of fire. "No," he grumbles while hunching forward. His eyes desperately scour the terrain for an escape route. "No! No!" His heart skips a beat when the beast stomps behind him. "Not like this," he panics, losing all sense of bravado. "Not like this! I am Prince Marcus of the Southern Isles! Future king and-"

He isn't even worth a clawing or mauling to the monster. Instead, it raises one of its clawed feet and stomps on him. With a rigorous and crunchy twist, his muffled cries are silenced. The beast squashes Marcus like an insect and then returns to the lighthouse.

Back within Odin's Torch, Hans and Lynn continue to drag Ben up the stairs. Profuse amounts of blood seep from his gashes and soak the flooring. "You're gonna be alright, brother!" Hans assures even as Ben's body weakens.

"Set me...down," his big brother whispers. His gentle gaze falls upon Hans as he knows to take him seriously.

"Lynn," Hans says. "I spotted Anna heading up here during the fight. Make sure she's okay and keep an eye out. I still haven't seen Leo and he could be springing a trap." The huntress nods and dashes upstairs while Hans sets Ben down. "Hold on, brother." Hans urges and takes Ben's hand in his. Blood dampens their palms as Ben shakes his head.

"It's...too late for me," his big brother coughs. Blood trickles from the corner of his mouth and stains the tip of his mustache. "Too late for...any of us."

"No, you're going to be fine. I'll-"

"Hans," Ben asserts even as he lays dying. His wavering gaze steadies on Hans when he continues. "We're a family of sinners. S-s-serpents in God's garden."

"But-" Hans chokes up. "-you weren't like the others. Not like me. Surely you've proved that tonight. What have you done wrong, Ben?"

As Ben clings to his frightened sibling, he's taken back to a time long before.

The air is dark and ashy as flames ascend with the sunrise. The screams of those dwelling in the Crescent Isle echo far beyond its waters. The young and old flee for their lives while the less fortunate are cut down. At their king's command, the soldiers of the Southern Isles burn homes and slaughter all who oppose them. Led by King Victor's sons, the raid sends a fearsome message to all who should further question his rule.

Prince Anton tramples a patron beneath his steed and thrusts his hand towards a farm. "Marcus," is all he has to say.

"I'm on it," his brother assures and leads men into a barn. Marcus torches the structure while soldiers round up fleeing cattle. Anton glances over at a family of three and observes the fear in their faces. Realizing it's their home, Anton smirks and raises a hand. A soldier gives him a torch and he rides towards the family's dwelling. Every intricate piece of floral decor means nothing as Anton stomps up to the porch. Unbeknownst to him, one of the family members is charging forward. Fury replaces fear as the young man boldly shoves Anton from behind.

The prince is caught off guard and the farm boy wrestles him for the torch. Suddenly, the youth's strength fades just as quickly as it ignited. His head hangs and his body collapses with a crossbow bolt in his back. As Anton recovers, he sees Prince Ben aiming his crossbow and nods.

"Nice shot, Benjamin." Marcus admits.

Ben is in a daze. He doesn't hear a single compliment from Marcus nor any of the other siblings. All he hears...is a mother's cries. Naomi's chaotic and agonizing cries. He just stays there...watching as the parents drop to their child. Naomi cradles his corpse while Anton sets her home ablaze. Her haunting screeches blaze their way into Ben's mind. "I was protecting Anton," he tells himself in an effort to block out her wails. "I was only protecting my brother."

"What have you done wrong, Ben?" Hans asks while cradling his brother.

Ben snaps himself back into the present moment. Despite excessive blood loss, he musters his strength for a final breath. And with it, he whispers, "I...justified it."

His grim words make Hans tremble. Ben's head falls back and the light leaves his gentle eyes. "Ben?" Hans murmurs while still clutching his hand. A single tear drips from his freckled cheek. Hans wants to tell himself otherwise, but like so many things...he knows the truth. His brother is gone and the guilt is ceaseless. As Hans ascends the stairs, he can hear the beast approaching. When he discovers that only Lynn and Anna are present, he faces a cold realization.

I'm next, he thinks and his instinct is to reach for Lynn's hands.

Anna is still recovering next to the balcony, but she can hear the creature climbing. The entire foundation shakes as Hans holds his fiancé close. "Lynn," he blurts. "I love you. I love you more than anyone. More than anything." His eyes keep darting back towards the approaching creature.

"Hans?" Lynn worries. She gasps when he runs towards the rising beast. "Hans!"

Its glowing eyes narrow on him as it opens its jagged maw. The creature's colossal claws dent the railing as it pounces at Hans. Time seems to slow when the monster descends upon him. Realizing there's no going back, Hans clenches his fists and braces himself. "I have sinned!" he yells. While the creature lurches forward, it snatches him up instead of going for the kill. Still, its claws remain inches from his throat and prompt Hans to speak quickly. "I have sinned!" he screams even louder. The beast roars in his sweat-drenched face. "I betrayed everyone," he confesses as Lynn's brows furrow below.

"What?" the huntress whispers and Anna holds her breath.

"This is not my first time in Arendelle," he admits as the claws dangle near his face. "I came long ago for Elsa's coronation. And of my own free will, I sought to claim Arendelle's throne as my own. Through my efforts-" Hans hangs his head in shame. "-I almost killed both her and her sister."

Lynn's eyes widen as she slowly turns to Anna. All the queen can do is grimly nod.

"I was exiled for my crimes against Arendelle," Hans continues as the creature's grip loosens. "When I returned to the Southern Isles, the political situation had only worsened. In order to avoid further publicity against my family, I was sent into exile. My misdeeds were covered to shroud all weakness and scandal in our family." Hans' ensuing silence dissatisfies the beast and it tightens its grip once more.

Realizing there's no escape, Hans exhales. "I met a woman," he confesses. "And I fell in love with her so deeply, that I wanted nothing more than for her to be my wife. And yet I couldn't bear the shame of my past, knowing I'd never stand a chance with her...or anyone if I told the truth. Because all which I had committed is unforgivable. So I lied to her...and I lied...and lied. I have nothing left to hide," he utters through broken breaths.

To Hans' shock, the creature's forearm relaxes. He can fully breathe again as it drops him to the floor and rises towards the railing. Unable to harm a fully repented individual, the beast's directive is fulfilled. It raises its claws to the moon and emits a resounding howl. The likes of which extinguish all flames and quell the very seas below. Its body then flakes apart, ascending like a lunar essence. Betwixt the floating particles, Hans can faintly make out an ethereal, human figure. David's spirit travels to regions unknown and fades into the night sky.

A heavy silence fills the air. "It's over," Hans whispers. As he remains on his knees, the sudden shuffling of boots catches his attention. His stomach drops when he sees Lynn behind him.

"It would appear so," the huntress answers. Any hint of endearment is gone as she coldly stares at him. She doesn't kneel nor sit beside Hans, for she's done lowering herself to his level. Despite her efforts to hide any brokenness, Hans can see the pain festering in her eyes.

The sight drives him to tears as he says, "Lynn...Lynn please...I swear that I truly love you."

"And yet you lied," she answers. "Over and over. All of those sleepless nights...all of those panic attacks were rooted in guilt, not trauma. And I dared to take pity on you."

Only when Hans hangs his head does he feel the tears streaming down his cheeks. "I was afraid," he pleads. "I was terrified of the truth and what it meant for us." Hans can barely find the strength to rise and meet her. Lynn doesn't budge as he stands up and says, "I'm...sorry."

She softly shakes her head and replies, "I would've stood by you, you know. If you had just come clean from the start." There's a hint of sternness as she adds, "We could've moved on together!" Lynn huffs when her temper causes Hans to shudder. She raises a hand to dry the tears from his cheeks and says, "Hans...I know you're sorry. And I do believe that you can still find happiness in this world." He faintly smiles as she takes his hands in hers. Any rekindled joy fades when he feels an object press against his palm. His resolve shatters as Lynn returns the engagement ring. "Just not with me," she says and closes his fingers around it. "Goodbye, Hans..." she whispers and slowly steps back.

"Lynn?" Hans stammers as she walks towards the stairs. "Wait, Lynn. Please don't do this. Not you. Please!" Although her eyes are filling with tears, the huntress never looks back. "I can't lose you too!" Hans sobs and drops to his knees all over again. Still, Lynn stays true to her resolve no matter how much it breaks her heart. Hans is a teary wreck as her head disappears beneath the stairs while Kristoff emerges.

"Anna!" he rejoices and pulls the queen into his arms. He's taken aback at first, for Anna's blankly staring at Hans. For the first time in possibly ever, she truly feels sorry for him. There weeps Hans...the sole surviving royal of the Southern Isles.

ONE WEEK LATER

Winter's beauty is best experienced away from the wiles of civilization. Yet Hans can't be bothered to focus on any of it. He stands amidst a gentle snowfall, letting his dark boots sink into the powder beneath him. His grief-stricken eyes remain fixated on Lynn's engagement ring as he rolls it in his palm. He lets the frosty air chill its metal and sting his hand...just so he can try to feel something. He waits before a forest like no other. And while its trees bear no leaves, they glisten with fresh layers of frost. Four tremendous monoliths tower ahead of the woodlands. Unique symbols lay etched across each as they stand guard over the mysterious territory. Hans runs his fingers across the ring, as if trying to savor any sensation of Lynn's.

"I hated you," a voice remarks and snaps Hans out of his trancelike state. Snow clings to his beard as he glances beyond his ebony collar. Kristoff finishes feeding Sven a carrot and locks eyes with Hans. "I put your name and face on every struggle Anna endured. I used to tell myself that only a truly heartless being could do those things. But-" Kristoff sighs. "I was wrong. To think you'd always be heartless, anyway. For what it's worth-" Kristoff murmurs. "-I wish you well."

Hans offers a subtle nod as twigs snap beyond the monoliths. Donning a magenta coat, Anna emerges from the treeline. "Hans," she declares. "It's time."

Hans takes a breath and pets his stationary steed. It's as if he's asking Sitron for strength before following Anna into the expansive woodland. Hans still can't believe that he's setting foot in an Enchanted Forest. But after everything he's experienced, reality becomes easier to sink into. Anna and Hans' boots crunch the snow along their trek.

The queen glances back and notices him fidgeting with the engagement ring. "She's gonna be alright," Anna assures. "She and Naomi left for a fresh start in Corona."

"Even Naomi?" Hans mumbles.

"The whole situation is a tragedy, but I've seen what those runestones can do to a person. Even before all of this. Arendelle will rebuild, just as they will rebuild their lives."

As Hans listens to her benevolent words, he is reminded of her poise and dignity. "That's good," he says. "They deserve fresh starts."

Anna pauses amid a frosted clearing. "We all do," she adds.

Hans starts shaking his head in self-loathing denial when something chitters in the trees. "What was that?" he asks as Anna remains silent. Hans looks up to see several leaves swirling in a surreal formation. They spiral downward and joyously wrap around Anna. As if possessed by an unseen force, the blustery leaves chirp in her ear before darting away.

"Thanks Gale," Anna tells the departing breeze as if it's signaled her.

"What in the world?" is all Hans can whisper before a mighty chill falls over the clearing. An icy breeze has Hans clenching his coat while Anna slowly backs away. A new sensation of fear pries at the prince when the winds pick up. His breaths hasten as a series of tumultuous gallops echo throughout the woods. It sounds as though something is stomping from all around him as Hans braces himself. "Anna?" he worries and turns to find her gone.

A sharp whinny makes Hans snap his head forward. He gasps when a luminous entity rides in atop an icy steed. She is unlike anything Hans has ever seen. Sunlight streaks through the trees and shimmers against the fractals on her pale dress. Intricate symbols flow across the hem and rest against her valiant mount. The horse's eyes glow like its rider's gleaming, platinum blonde hair. The frigid air has those free-flowing tresses cascading down her shoulders. From where she stands, the sunlight leaves a saintly, celestial glow behind her head. Her skin is as white as the snow itself. Her essence is truly one with the wind and sky. And despite each of these wonders, Hans can never forget Elsa of Arendelle.

It's her eyes that have him gasping. Those bright blue pools are as inquisitive as they've always been. Yet unlike the ones in Hans' plaguing memories, Elsa's eyes are now relaxed. Her thin brows hardly furrow as she dismounts and approaches Hans.

As she descends to his level, Hans drops even lower. Elsa's eyes briefly widen when he collapses to his knees. She thinks he's going to bow, but instead the disgraced prince breaks down. Hans can hardly utter a word as he falls forward and grasps at the snow. He's a whimpering mess as he clutches the very edge of Elsa's dress and buries his face in it. He weeps into her garment, ashamed to have even looked at her with his corrupted eyes. "I'm sorry," he murmurs. "I'm so sorry." Hans trembles until a cold palm meets his shoulder.

"Hans," Elsa says calmly. When he shakes his head in shame, she squeezes his shoulder to guide him upward. As he nervously lifts his head, Elsa says, "Sit with me." Her elemental horse stares Hans down while she guides him to a snowy log. "Don't worry," she assures. "The Nokk won't hurt you."

"Maybe it should," Hans says before cautiously sitting next to Elsa. "I've tried to find meaning in all of this," he laments. "But all I've discovered is that the world is better off without me. Everyone's moved on. I mean...look at you." Hans gestures to her very essence. "Anna tells me that you're the fifth...fifth-"

"Fifth Spirit," she answers for him.

"Practically a goddess among us," Hans mumbles. "And your sister's an amazing queen." Hans huffs. "I'm sure she's told you everything about me by now." Elsa nods and he sighs heavily. "I thought the truth would set me free, but all it did was prolong this curse."

"Curse?" Elsa queries.

"Living with the consequences of my actions," Hans answers. "I'll never be free."

Elsa purses her lips and ponders for a moment. "Perhaps telling the truth did set you free, Hans. Maybe you just can't see what it set you free of yet."

Hans painfully furrows his brows as if the burden is physically crushing him. "I've lost everything," he says. "My family, no matter how messed up...is gone. And I cost myself the only woman who ever truly loved me. What could I possibly have left?"

Elsa squints as if searching beyond Hans' tired eyes. He cannot get over how calm and collected she's become. "I know it may be hard to see right now-" she begins. "-but you haven't lost everything. You still have yourself, and you alone are enough. By telling the truth, you are no longer a prisoner of your past. Now only you get to choose what happens next. Whether you grow yourself into something new or not is completely up to you."

Hans thinks over her words and looks across the snowy forest. "I wish I could believe that," he says and rises from the log. "But there's no going back."

"But that's just it," Elsa says and stands up with him. "You're right. There isn't any going back to who you were. For now you can begin anew. You are all the Southern Isles has left, Hans, and they will need a king to lead them out of darkness. The question is...will you be that ruler?"

Hans briefly shuts his eyes at her words. When he does so, he envisions a shadowy field. The ethereal embodiments of his parents and brothers stand before him, all of which tote judgmental glares except for one. Amidst a sea of spite and strife, Ben stands tall. He looks at Hans with a gentle and hopeful gaze. And while the late prince doesn't say a word, his undemanding and bold smile declares: "Be better."

Hans opens his eyes and says, "The Southern Isles should be free of serpents. Its people deserve prosperous lives."

Elsa nods to him. "That just depends on the future that you build for them."

In that instant, Hans' body tenses up as Elsa kindly embraces him. Her gentle arms slide and wrap around him like an angelic entity. As she pulls him closer, Elsa whispers something that the prince has never heard in his life.

"I forgive you, Hans."

Every reiteration of 'unforgivable' melts with the Fifth Spirit's words. Hans feels his mind cleansed with each tear that flees his widened eyes. In that instant, Hans dares to hug Elsa back and weeps against her shoulder. His sobs are muffled as he cries harder than he ever has. Elsa's chilly palms pat his back while she adds, "Now it's time to forgive yourself."

He sniffles as they part from their hug. "I'll try," he whispers and scrubs the tears from his cheeks.

Anna waits for Hans as he emerges from the clearing. There's a newfound calmness to him and his bold nod speaks volumes. As Hans steps out of the Enchanted Forest, a lively blur darts between the trees. Its speckled feathers contrast vividly against the gentle snowfall. "A sparrow," Hans rejoices to himself. He slowly grins upward as the bird spreads its wings to the clouds above.

"Do you...hear that?" Hans asks as he traverses the snowy field.

Anna and Kristoff exchange a bewildered look. "No," Kristoff says.

"I don't hear anything," Anna concludes.

Their answers solidify Hans' blissful smile. "Exactly," he says. Gone is the voice of Hans' inner demon. Queen Brielle fades into the past where she belongs. Hans lets the engagement ring slide out of his hand and into the snow. He then unbuttons his coat and drops it behind him. A refreshing, winter breeze blows against his white undershirt. Like the sparrow spreading its wings, Hans extends his arms to catch the wind. As he basks in the tranquil sunlight, he whispers, "Isn't it beautiful?"