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Chapter Text

"Soulmates are those whose souls are joined together, but later get separated from each other. Though, no matter how far apart they are, they will always find each other. There are so many ways that you can connect with them, one of them is through your dreams.”

Queen Hilda of The Southern Isles

* * *

He was ten years old when he first had a dream of an unbearable cold. It was nothing like the past winters he had experienced in the Isles. He could almost feel it in his bones, and the numbness of his fingertips only added to the anxiousness gnawing at the back of his head. It felt nothing like when he was called to his father’s office after he accidentally knocked one of the King’s favourite vases over while he was running away from his older brothers, or his racing pulse every time he looked down from the tallest buildings.  

It was freezing cold, as if winter came early. But in the middle of it all, he saw a little girl, younger than him, crying herself to sleep. He heard her sobs, and the mutters of ‘I’m sorry, Anna’ once in a while.

Just when he was trying to reach out to her, he was abruptly pulled away, back to the bitter reality he called life. That night, he woke up abruptly. But unlike any other nights when he had a nightmare, the cold lingered on, leaving him to wonder if it was more than just a dream.

At least the girl in his dream didn’t seem to have twelve older brothers who constantly bullied her.

Chapter Text

“Queen Elsa of Arendelle.”

There she was standing, poised and regal, with an orb and a sceptre on each hand, facing the crowd as the bishop announced her new title. Queen of Arendelle. He could tell she was feeling rather uneasy, quickly slipping on her gloves as if she was keeping a secret. The thing is she was, and he knew it.

What a great choice of a future bride, as one of his brothers mocked that time they found out that he would like to marry the future Queen of Arendelle, but it would be a shame if she got a failure of a husband in return.

Those bullies he called brothers seemed to never run out of insults, and they told him that this young queen would probably get tired of him once she got to know him, that their relationship would probably never work out, even if she gave him a chance. It made his blood boil with rage at first, before he realised that he knew something they didn’t.

She is beautiful, he mentally noted, no matter how cold she can be, and he was intrigued from the moment he saw her in his dream after ten years. One particular dream which changed his life. Because for the first time, he had hope. A hope to be able to leave his life in the Isles and to find his place in the world.

Maybe to rule beside her, though he knew it was merely wishful thinking, at least back when he was twenty.

“Prince Hans of The Southern Isles.”

When Kai announced the guest, a prince from a faraway kingdom in the South, she was stunned. She recognised that name from a letter addressed to Her Royal Highness Princess Elsa of Arendelle on her 21st birthday, along with a snowflake pendant with a carving of her initial. But unlike any other Princes, who showed an interest in courting her, he was offering her a friendship.

You remind me of a special someone that I used to know, he penned in the letter.

But she had never had any friends before nor had she had any chance to meet one. All her life she was taught to conceal a big secret from the world, including her own sister. The idea of a friendship sounded unfamiliar to her, especially with her own powers she still needed to control and conceal, so she kept the letter and the pendant in her lockbox, and shoved the memory in the back of her mind. What’s so interesting about the letter anyway, except for the way he described loneliness and isolation sounded like something she would say?

The young queen thought she would forget about the prince and the gift, until tonight. After a few months passed, there he was, bowing down to her in respect and something like admiration. 

“Your Majesty.”

There was a sense of familiarity in his green eyes when their eyes finally met. She observed him closely, eyes darting from his auburn hair, his pointed nose, down to the lopsided smile on his lips. The Prince Hans of The Southern Isles from the only letter she kept—just in case she would consider the offered friendship in near future—finally had a face, but why was there a tiny voice, telling her that it wasn’t the first time she had ever seen such a face?

“Prince Hans.” Her hands were clasped in front of her, her lips curved into the faintest smile. “I hope you enjoy the party so far.”

“I do,” came his reply, “though it’s a little different than the usual party we throw in the Isles.” The prince looked around, before settling his gaze back to her. “I didn’t get to travel a lot, and this is my first time being away from home, but it’s been an eventful evening so far.”

“I am glad.”

She was debating whether she should keep it simple and short or confront him about the letter and risk having a longer conversation. It's only for today, she thought, tomorrow the gates would be closed and I wouldn't be able to say anything. But there were her powers she still needed to control, which she could feel in her fingertips, wanting to burst out. How much longer could she keep it to herself?

“It would be a pleasure if Your Majesty would save the next dance for me,” he said, ending the statement with a charming smile.

At the bold invitation, her eyebrows furrowed. Did she speak too soon—to think that this foreign prince, whose letter stood out among the others, isn’t just like the other princes?

“I don’t dance.”

The words rolled out of her tongue like an automatic response, only this time it was colder. She was waiting for some sort of disappointment on his face upon the rejection, just what she had seen the whole night. Instead, his reply was something she didn’t expect.

“Then I should hate to say that I remember differently.” The corner of his lips tugged upwards in a smirk, before he continued, “I played a Piano Sonata on your eighteenth birthday, and you,” he paused, blinking and holding her gaze gently, “I remember you were dancing, swaying gently, telling me that you just wanted to let it go.”

She let out a gasp, her blue eyes widened as a sudden realisation dawned upon her.

“Elisabeth,” he smiled.

They had met before, plenty of times, in her dreams. Even after years had passed, she could still briefly recall the memory. She hadn’t dreamed of him in the past three years but some of those visions were so vivid, leaving behind the lingering warmth that the memory brought. It made sense.

“Johannes?”

The soft melody from the piano was echoing in the dimly lit ballroom. A young princess in her baby blue sleeping gown had her gloved hand rested on the lid of the piano. Her eyes were closed as she enjoyed the melody, prompted by those skilled and talented fingers dancing on the tunes. There was a small smile on her face, and she pushed herself off the instrument to walk towards the empty space. She swayed gently, her body moving as to recall the muscle memory. She moved so elegantly, arms lifted delicately in the air like those wings of a swan.

“Oh, doesn’t it feel so good to just dance in a room with no audience?” She muttered, still with her eyes closed. “I have missed dance lessons that I used to take. Papa didn’t allow me to do it ever since I accidentally unleashed my icy problem and made a mess in the ballroom a few years ago.

“I remember you told me about that,” The young prince sitting behind the piano replied. “Must have been one hell of a cleaning.”

“Well, it was nothing like what the curtains of my bedroom had seen,” she said, before stopping. 

Her gaze landed on the big windows with a view of the garden under the dim moonlight. The ballroom she was in looked nothing like the one in her castle, and she scanned her surroundings, taking in the view before her. Letting out a sigh, she was reminded that it was only a dream, but she wished she could stay longer, especially with the company she had grown accustomed to.

“What is it?”

“It’s just,” she paused, turning to look at him before making her way towards him. The distance between them was so close, with only the grand piano in the way. “I’m tired of having to bottle up everything, having to conceal it, to not feel. It feels so exhausting, and I just want to hide or run away.” 

Seeing a tear rolling down her cheek, the young prince stopped playing. He looked at her with sympathy, understanding her struggles to some extent. After all, they had been meeting several times in this realm for the past ten years, and they had come to a mutual understanding about each other’s lives.

“Then don’t, Elisabeth.” He offered her a soft smile. “Maybe you don’t have to do that all the time. Maybe the reason why your powers keep wanting to burst out is because it wants to be set free, and it wants you to be free.”

“I wish, Johannes,” she pushed herself off the piano once again, and this time she was smiling. Twirling around, she said it out loud, “I wish I could just let it go.”

Seeing the dancing princess, Johannes continued to play. He eyed her movement, his gaze was soft and full of adoration.

“Then let it go, Elisabeth, just for one night,” he prompted, “it’s your birthday.”

Chapter Text

Elsa might be physically in the ballroom, but her mind was elsewhere. The young queen had never been this confused before. The prince she had met in her dreams turned out to be a real person, and he was somewhere in the room, in flesh. She tried to think of a possible explanation but so far nothing made any sense. Stealing a glance at the clock one more time, she silently prayed that time would pass quickly so she could be done with it. Her hands were clasped in her lap, fingers clenching and unclenching as she anticipated what was about to come.

“And so I scolded him. I said, ‘Sorry, Mister, but your reindeer was the one bumping into me, and you might want to keep him under your watch.’ But then he started to make weird noises, as if he talked on the behalf of the bloody reindeer! Can you believe that? That was the weirdest encounter I have ever had in the courtyard tonight! A guy talking for his reindeer best friend? Unbelievable! What’s next, snow in July?”

Eventually, Anna’s tale caught Elsa’s attention, and she was immediately called back to reality. Her blue eyes widened, realising what had happened, and she quickly turned to the young princess standing a few feet from her.

“Sorry, what?” Her eyebrows were furrowed. “What did I tell you about bumping into strangers? Did you really go out to the courtyard?”

“Well, yeah, but the party was so boring, and I thought why not sneak out to the courtyard? It’s not like I ran away to the fjord or something.” Anna frowned. “Besides, you have been standing here and giving me the cold shoulder when all I want to do is for us to have a proper conversation.”

It was clear to Elsa that her sister was upset, and she felt guilty for not listening from the beginning. But then again, there were so many things on her plate at the moment, trading proposals, partnership offers, and so many more, with Prince Hans’ presence as the cherry on top.

“I’ve been busy, Anna.”

“Busy rejecting these gentlemen who asked you to dance.”

Elsa glared at her sister. “I’m not going to argue with you.”

“Really? This is the longest that we have ever been in the same room, and is this what you’re doing, pretending that I don’t exist?” Anna raised her voice, perhaps a little too loud, as a few guests near them turned their heads.

Taking a deep breath, Elsa began to repeat the mantra in her head. Conceal, don’t feel. She could feel the familiar tingling in her fingertips, something she felt whenever she was nervous. But she had to hold it in, for she was in a room full of people. She couldn't just expose herself, oh, what a scandal that would be. It was bad enough having one stranger in the room know about her powers, she wasn’t planning to reveal it to more people, including her own sister. It’s for everyone’s greater good, she thought.

“I thought we could finally catch up after all these years of slamming doors in my face. It’s so,” the princess paused, rather dramatically, before she continued, “so unfair for me, your own sister. Do you know how lonely it is to be me? Do you know how horrible it is when you’re just the spare? That’s right, you’ve never known, because you’ve never had a door shut in your face when you’re kindly asking if you want to spend some time with your own sister. I can’t live like this anymore!”

“Enough, Anna!” Elsa snapped, and the room fell silent, as the attention was now focused on the royal sisters. “I need a moment.”

Ignoring those curious gazes, Elsa walked towards Kai and murmured, “I’ll be in my study, hosting a private audience with a guest. Please don’t let anyone come nearby, including Anna. Just tell them I’m retiring to bed and send them my best regards and good night. Thank you.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Anna had every right to be angry, and yet it was hard for the young queen to just cave into her sister’s favour. No, she couldn’t do that until she had a good control of her powers—a control that she could probably never master in reality. But she had to figure it out so nobody got hurt.

Right before the young queen made her exit, she caught the guilty look on her sister’s face. Not wanting to have a second thought and let her magic show, she quickly walked away.

“I can’t live like this anymore!”

“Enough, Anna!”

Hans looked up the moment silence was loudly echoing in the room. He watched closely as ‘Elisabeth’ came to approach the butler, before she made her exit.

“So, is that the woman of your dreams?”

He felt Frode, the only brother who was willing to tag along, nudged his side. He knew his brother was only joking, yet Hans couldn’t help but frown.

“Yes,” he replied firmly.

“Oh, what’s with the face, Hans? Sounds oddly familiar? I remember you used to run away from arguments, especially with Father–”

Hans didn’t let his brother finish his sentence and said, “Yes, yes, I know, is there anything important to add to the conversation?”

Frode grinned. “Nope, just the fact that you claimed that you’ve known her from your dreams, yet here you are, a stranger in her life still.”

It felt like a jab in his side, and Hans scoffed. Their first real meeting earlier didn’t go as he wanted. He thought she would be more accepting and welcoming towards him. She did recognise him, which was a relief, at least it wasn’t entirely one sided. Though, after observing her throughout the whole day, the impression that he got from her was that she was more of an embodiment of winter; cold, icy, and beautiful. She didn’t seem to be the ‘Elisabeth’ who longs for freedom, who told him he could always find a friend in her, who comforted him when he told her about his brothers. But like winter, the once cold hard ice that covers a lake eventually cracked, and there she was, having her mask slipped off, even for a little bit.

“She has changed.”

Or maybe his dreams hadn’t been so truthful to him.  

Doubts began to creep in, instilling hesitation inside him, challenging his determination to roll along with his original plan. He didn’t plan on blackmailing her about her powers, and he had probably scared her off that night, but he was desperate for a private audience with her, to talk to her face to face, to not let her crush his hope just like that. And even after they reached an agreement, Elsa was still as aloof, even though he could sense that she began to tremble under the surface.

The Queen of Arendelle was his way out of his miserable life in the Isles, that pretty much he knew. Now the question remained, how would he convince her?

It had been more than three years since the last time he met her in his dream, and he admitted he had gotten so attached to her and the comfort she offered. Without her in his dreams, he had tried to get to his brothers’ good sides to make life more bearable other than hiding in his library and reading various books Elisabeth recommended to him. Day by day, he was exposed more to the malice ways some of his brothers used to get what they wanted, and lately, the thought of going down that path had been so tempting to follow. Now he was contemplating whether he should just go there even if that would cost him his true feelings.

“Hans,” Frode said, waking him up from his thoughts. “Remember what mother said?”

“Mother said a lot of things.”

Frode smiled, shaking his head. “When the head can’t be reasoned with, it’s best to follow your heart.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Patting him on his back, the older Westergaard Prince replied, “I’m simply reminding you of your purpose to come here. It’s a long journey, and may as well make it worth it. Whatever decision you’re about to make, consider this.” Not waiting for an answer, Frode grabbed another glass of champagne from a tray nearby, and disappeared into the sea of tipsy guests. 

Hans glanced at the direction where the young queen had gone. It was as if he was pulled by an invisible force that he felt a strong urge to follow her. Looking around the room to check if anyone would notice, the prince then decided to follow her path.

Chapter Text

“Conceal it, don’t feel it.” With her eyes closed, Elsa repeated the words over and over again. “Don’t let it show.”

On her desk was an opened lockbox, the same one she got on her eighteenth birthday, where she stored many of her prized possessions. There were letters, drawings and small tokens from Anna that she often found on the floor near her bedroom door, quills and pens from various places, and the newest addition: a snowflake pendant with her initials engraved on it. Once she felt calmer, Elsa shakily took off one glove and picked the pendant from the box. 

Her blue eyes admired the piece of jewellery, and she held her breath, trying to contain her powers, not wanting to freeze it. It had been something she practised lately, especially before she met someone. Most of the time she ended up freezing everything, but this time it was different. Seeing no traces of frost and ice, she let out a long sigh in relief. One less thing to worry about. Besides, it wasn’t like she hadn’t met him before–if he really was the ‘Johannes’ from her dreams.

Three years, it was how long she hadn't met him in her dreams. Ever since her parents' death, he stopped appearing in her dreams as if he had disappeared. Burdened with grief and new responsibilities, Elsa shoved those memories to the back of her head, not wanting to be bothered by it. To her, Johannes was an imaginary friend, created by her unconscious mind to ease her loneliness, that was until tonight.

“Let it go, Elisabeth,” she could still hear him, “it's your birthday.”

It was the second to last time that she saw him, during the night of her birthday. She remembered when they were about to part, she extended her hand for him to take, thinking that perhaps that night they could eventually hold each other. But like any other night, the moment their fingertips were a few centimetres apart, she was abruptly pulled away from him, and everything around her disappeared, then she woke up in her own bed with disappointment.

Series of knocking on the door startled her, and thinking it was probably Kai coming to check in on her, she said, “Come in.”

The door swung open, revealing a tall auburn haired prince from the ballroom earlier. Realising who it was, the young queen quickly got up from her seat, coating the furniture with ice out of shock. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly, as she watched him turn to close the door, before he faced her with his index finger against his lips, gesturing to her to be quiet.

“I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I couldn't wait until midnight.”

Elsa stood her ground, guarded and cautious. She glanced back at the door, afraid that someone was behind it, eavesdropping. Her breathing was much calmer now, and she grabbed her glove from the desk to put it on.

“Did anyone follow you here?” She frowned.

“Not that I know of,” Hans replied quietly.

As if that would make her feel better.

She was tempted to check it out herself, yet a part of her wanted to just be done with it, so she shrugged it off.

“Fine, what do you want?” She asked, arms folded across her chest. 

Instead of replying, the prince walked around her. He spotted her desk and caught a glimpse of a familiar pendant with a folded piece of paper next to it.

He turned to her, the corner of his lips curved upward. “I see that you keep my letter and the gift.”

“I keep every letter,” she lied. Walking towards her desk, she quickly gathered everything and stuffed them back into the indigo box.

“In your personal lockbox?”

Elsa didn't have to turn around to tell that he just got an ego boost, and she rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“Doesn't matter,” she muttered, looking back at him, one hand resting on the desk. “How did you know me?”

Hans flashed her a smile. “Like I said earlier, we've met before.” He took a step closer. “I know you, Elisabeth, and I think you know me too. You even called me Johannes.”

Elsa scoffed. “That's not my real name.”

“And so is Johannes,” he paused, “not being my name, I mean.”

The young queen frowned, clearly not pleased with his responses. She let out a sigh.

“I'm sorry, Prince Hans, but if you're trying to play any games with me, I won't be here to entertain you.”

Hans didn't reply. Instead, he glanced at her gloved hands, before darting his gaze up to her face.

“Have you tried to let go?”

“Have you tried to mind your own business?”

“I have, thank you very much.” If the prince was taken aback by her attitude, he clearly tried to hide it behind his smugness. “In fact, that's why I'm here, as my current business is about representing The Southern Isles.”

Elsa was not having it. Who does he think he is? She could only assume that his confidence was a little too much, and it was probably a bad idea to have him there. She threw her hands in the air.

“You know what, I change my mind, I think you should leave Prince Hans.”

“You seemed alright with it the first time, Queen Elsa, or did you only agree because you feared that I would tell everyone about what I know?” 

Elsa raised an eyebrow. “You’re a foreign prince, nobody would take you seriously here.”

“And even though you’re their queen, you barely show up in public, what makes you think they trust you more?”

Ouch. Elsa couldn't believe the audacity.

The smirk on his face annoyed her a little too much. She could see some truths in his words, and it wasn't like she hadn’t thought about that possibility before, but having that opinion thrown her way when she didn’t even ask got on her nerves. But she knew, she had to swallow it.

“They are loyal to the crown.”

Which wasn’t wrong either, especially after his late father isolated their kingdom for thirteen years now thanks to the big secret they had to conceal and she had never heard any protest about it.

“Are they?”

“Why are you so persistent, Prince Hans?”

“You don’t get it, do you?"

“What?”

Elsa wasn’t that oblivious, she only acted like she was, because she didn’t want to come to terms with the possibility that—no, it’s not real! Those things are nonsense.

“Have you heard about the idea of soulmates?”

“I can’t say I haven’t, but they’re not real. They only exist in fairytales, and this isn’t one,” she stated.

Hans let out a chuckle, and nodded in something like amusement. “Is that so? Then how would you explain those dreams?”

If she wanted to be honest, she couldn’t make out a proper explanation. Before tonight, she thought Johannes was her imaginary friend, but no matter how much she wanted to deny it now, a part of her would still rebel against her will.

“Coincidence.” Though, Elsa wasn’t so sure.

“It is not, and you know it.”

The young queen frowned. She shook her head in frustration, before pushing herself off her desk that she had been leaning on to. Elsa needed to get a grip, so she made her way towards the window. The summer night looked beautiful, with the moon shining so bright with stars dusting the sky, it almost reminded her of another dream she had over three years ago, the last time she met Johannes.

What if it really is real? What if–

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” he said, surprisingly, more gently and less pretentious, prompting her to look up and see his reflection in the glass window before her. “But please, Your Majesty, hear me out. I'll tell you what my mother told me.”

Whether or not she wanted to listen to what he had to say, it would be up to her. Maybe she could try to see some sense in it, maybe she could eventually have her made-up theories about what was actually happening between them confirmed, or maybe she could just shut him out of her life just like she did everybody else.

Elsa took a deep breath, before turning around. Her hands were clasped together, as she made her way towards the long sofa in front of the fireplace.

“Please take a seat, Prince Hans,” she said, gesturing towards the other end of the sofa that she sat on. Seeing him take a few steps further, Elsa quickly added, “Not too close.”

Once they settled, she could feel his eyes on her, observing her briefly, before he looked away. A few moments of silence passed until Hans broke the ice.

“The first time I had the dream, I felt the cold nipping at my bones, then I heard you calling out a name saying you’re sorry.” There was a brief pause before he added, “Anna.”

Waking up feeling all cold, the little prince let out a gasp. He pulled his blanket closer to his body, trying to stop himself from shaking. It wasn’t winter, and where the cold was coming from, he didn’t know, all he knew was that he just had a strange dream about a little girl trapped in a freezing cold room. He didn’t know who she was, or why she cried, or even how it affected him so much in this waking moment. He pinched himself, something his mother told him to if he wanted to make sure that he was awake. It hurts, he thought as he rubbed the back of his hand that he just pinched.

Looking around, he realised that it was still dark in his room. He looked away, trying to avoid the dark corners of his own bedroom, afraid that the little girl with snowy hair would appear any moment to do whatever horrible things he could think of. Perhaps he should just go back to sleep and forget about it. But the moment he lied back under the comforter and closed his eyes, all he could see was his dream.

He got up, trying to shake off the weird feeling inside him. He contemplated whether he should go to his mother's room for comfort or not. His mother always knew what to say to make him feel better, but what if he got caught by any of his brothers? If word got out that Little Hans was wandering around in the middle of the night asking for his mother (he could already hear the taunting that would follow), they wouldn't leave him alone, and of course he didn't want that. But if he stayed and he couldn't sleep, he didn't want to risk falling asleep during the lesson next morning either.

After a while, he decided to see his mother. It was already late, so he was a little more confident that nobody was awake during this time. Sighing, Hans quickly put on his slippers, and sneaked out of his room. Just like he predicted, the corridor was empty, but he didn't waste any time to skive off to the North wing, where his parents' rooms were.

“Mother?”

Hans tried his best to be quiet when he sneaked into his mother's room. Since his parents slept in separate rooms, he didn't have to worry about waking the King up.

“Mother,” he said, this time a little louder, while he gently shook his mother's arm.

“Hmm?” The queen stirred in her sleep, before she slowly opened her eyes and immediately recognised her youngest son. “Hans, what are you doing here?”

“I had a strange dream,” he replied quietly.

“Oh, come here, child!” Queen Hilda shifted and patted the space beside her for her son to climb upon. Once the little prince settled, the queen gently stroked his thick auburn hair. “Would you like to tell me what it's about?”

Hans closed his eyes briefly, and he still had a mental image of the girl in his mind. His eyes fluttering open, and he turned to his mother.

“It's so strange, and it feels so real.”

“What is?”

“The dream, Mother. I saw a little girl crying on her bed. Her hair is white, just like the ice and snow that surrounds her. I think she might be trapped there.”

His mother hummed. “Did you recognise her?”

Hans shook his head. “No, but when I was about to reach out to her, I was pulled away, and then I woke up feeling cold. It's like the cold has followed me here.”

At the prince's explanation, the queen's gaze softened. She finally understood.

“Hans, have you heard about soulmates?”

Hans nodded. “From a story book, about a prince in disguise falling in love with a runaway princess who has a special mark on her wrist—well, they both do.”

“What if I tell you that soulmates are real?”

“They are?” He said, his eyes full of wonder.

“Mhmm, soulmates are those whose souls are joined together, but later get separated from each other. Though, no matter how far apart they are, they will always find each other,” Hilda explained. “There are so many ways that you can connect with them, one of them is through your dreams.”

“But I could just be dreaming about someone else, and not my soulmate,” Hans shrugged.

“That’s true, but when it comes to your soulmate, there’s a certain restriction. You cannot touch each other, and if you do, you will wake up.”

“But why?”

The queen sighed, still combing through her son’s hair. “I’m not sure, they never really told me. But one thing I know is that you will dream about them when either you or them experience a very strong emotion, like sadness, anger, or even happiness.”

Hans thought of the crying girl. Could it be that she was feeling so sad that he began to dream about her? He frowned slightly.

“Was the girl in my dream my soulmate, Mother?” It was only fair to ask about it.

“Maybe, but maybe I’m wrong.”

“So, she is not going to appear in my bedroom?”

“Of course not!” Hilda grinned. “But someday, maybe she will eventually appear in your life.”

Hans fell silent, thinking about the possibility of having a new friend, his soul friend. Maybe this girl would want to be his good friend, unlike his brothers or some of those children who had blatantly refused his friendship. He longed for that interaction, he really did, and perhaps if she would appear in his dreams again, he could talk to her, or maybe comfort her as that seemed to be one thing she needed at the moment, well according to his dream.

“Someday,” Hans repeated. Smiling to himself, he then looked up to his mother. “Thank you for the story, Mother.”

Hilda nodded, before pressing a kiss on his forehead. “Mhmm, do you feel better now?”

“A lot. Can I stay here tonight, Mother?”

“Of course you can, Hans.” The queen smiled. “Sleep tight, my child.”

That night was the first time in a while that Hans slept with a big smile on his face, but little did he know it would be the last time that he would ever feel his mother’s warm embrace as he did so.

Chapter Text

Elsa looked away, taking a deep breath with her eyes closed, not knowing what to say. When he described the details in his dream, of when he saw ‘her’ crying for the first time, she wanted to deny it. But of course she couldn’t, for it was what really happened that night. After she returned from the Valley of the Living Rocks, her parents told her of their decision to separate the two sisters, and they began to make the arrangement right at that time, moving her bed and all of her things to another room at the end of the hall. For the first time in a long time, she was sleeping on her own. The guilt almost felt unbearable that she cried herself to sleep, only to realise that even in her dream that night, she was still crying. The memory still left a bitter taste on her tongue, and she could sense that familiar guilt and anger begin to come back.

Out of instinct, she pinched her arm, making sure that it wasn't a dream and that she wouldn't wake up in her frosty room. When realisation kicked in, Elsa tried to bottle it up. Concealing her powers when she felt a sudden rush of mixed emotions was never easy, and she abruptly stood up from her seat and paced around the room. She couldn't let it burst out, especially not when ‘Johannes’ is there in the room with her.

Johannes.

Her hand flew to her mouth as she choked a sob. He is real, and he is here. And she didn't know what to do with the newfound information he had just told her. That they’re soulmates.

She shook her head, still in denial, before her knees gave up and she kneeled on the carpeted floor, palms flat against the rough surface.

Hans furrowed his eyebrows as he observed her reaction. He saw the way her face was filled with sadness with a hint of confusion, before it turned sour. She looked angry, he noted, and frustrated. The temperature dropped, and everything felt so familiar to him. That kind of cold was different from the one he felt in winter. That kind of cold was what made him even more sure about her.

She began to tremble and the moment she got up, he followed suit. He watched as she nervously bit her lip, before she let out a sob and sank to her knees. He was so quick to her side, and without thinking, he held her shoulders.

“Elisabeth!” He called when she began to breathe rapidly. “Elsa, breathe.”

Her blue eyes were wide as they stared deep into his soul, but her gaze softened almost immediately, when he kept murmuring, “That’s it, Elsa, breathe.”

Elsa grabbed his cravat, before moving to hold his shoulders and his upper arms. Her breathing was more steady now, and she darted her gaze towards where her gloved hands were. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her lips curved into a slight frown, as if she was thinking deeply. That was when he realised that they were touching.

Seeing her in such distress pained him. It made him feel uneasy, and Hans began to rethink his plans and ambitions. His mother’s words echoed in his head. Follow your heart. But Hans wasn't sure anymore about what his heart wanted. He longed for a better life outside of the Isles, he wanted somewhere to belong, someone who could accept him not because he was a prince with privilege. He had his goals and he planned to achieve them, whatever it takes.

And then there was Elsa, someone he claimed to know but was still practically a stranger to him, and him to her. He had seen her unravel before in his dreams, and now that the young queen's mask was off perhaps he, too, needed to do the same. Time seemed like some she needed at the moment, not a proposal. He sighed, pressing his lips together. He might have overpacked his trunk now that he realised it. The thought of going back to the Southern Isles tomorrow didn't sound exciting, but if that was something he must do, then so be it. One thing Hans knew was that he couldn’t possibly hurt Elsa just to fulfil his ambition.

“Maybe,” he said, taking her hand in his and feeling it tremble under his touch. 

Her hand was so stiff, as if she wanted to resist, but his grip was firm and steady. He rubbed his thumb over her covered skin reassuringly, and she began to relax just a little bit. Placing his finger underneath her chin, Hans then caught a soft pink tint on her fair skin upon the contact. He took a sharp breath, as he glanced at her with adoration.

“Maybe the reason why your powers keep wanting to burst out is because it wants to be set free, and it wants you to be free.”

Elsa was stunned. She didn’t expect him to comfort her— and held her close. Now their hands were joined, and it brought her something like relief. But she also wanted to scold herself for allowing a stranger to touch her, while she denied Anna an embrace, and even scolded her sister earlier simply for interacting with people. Talking about hypocrisy, Elsa.  

She felt her face grew warmer when she realised that he had his finger underneath her chin. Her gaze was nowhere but at him, and up close, his emerald eyes looked as if he was trying to reassure her. Then he said those words, ones she could recall from her dream, and she became more certain that it was more than just a coincidence. She smiled.

Deprived from physical touch for years, Elsa wanted to live that moment for a little longer, even her dreams didn’t allow her to, but something at the back of her head reminded her about her powers that she still couldn’t control. Besides, shouldn’t her sister be the first person she shares a physical touch with to make up for those lonely years of cold shoulder and closed doors—like she said earlier? Instead, there she was, allowing herself to be in the presence of a foreign Prince behind closed doors.

But Hans is not a total stranger, well, technically. She shook her head.

“I, I might hurt you,” Elsa said, pulling away from his grasp.

“But you won’t,” he replied, and their hands finally clasped against each other once again. “See? It’s alright.”

His voice was soothing, and Elsa wondered if he already knew what she was capable of. Sure she probably had revealed her powers before in her dream, but shouldn’t that have been a clear warning for him to keep his distance? Though, a part of her wanted to believe that at least she knew one person who wasn’t fearful of her powers. All her life she had seen how her parents feared her powers. They never said anything, but Elsa could tell from the look  on their faces. And having Hans there with her, she could feel something stir inside.

Looking up, she observed his face. The first thing she thought was that he grew his sideburns, and she reached out to trace her fingers over his facial hair. Stopping to cradle his head, she watched as the prince leaned into her touch, blinking slowly and smiling slightly. His green eyes were warm and inviting, and Elsa found herself leaning closer. Her gaze fell onto his lips, how they were pressed together, forming a small curve. She was drawn to him, but a part of her always knew that it wasn't the first time she had ever felt that way.

“May I?”

The prince sealed the gap between them with a kiss, answering her question with an action.

Her eyes were closed as she felt a sudden thrill of euphoria erupting in her chest. There was a strange feeling in her stomach, and she smiled against his lips when she felt his hand on her waist, pulling her closer. At that moment, she didn't care. She had longed for the warmth, and he had been kind enough to provide it for her.

Elsa felt as if she was eighteen again, celebrating her birthday, dancing around an empty room as he played some tunes on the piano. It also reminded her of their last meeting, when they had to keep their distance while lying on the soft grass as they did stargazing.

“Johannes?”

“Hmm?”

“If you don't mind me asking, what makes you happy?” Lying on her side, she asked him the question.

The prince thought for a while, rubbing his chin as he did so. “Hmm, there's hardly anything that makes me happy.”

“Nonsense!” She scoffed playfully. “I’ll start, then. The thought of my sister being safe and sound makes me happy.”

He smiled slightly. “You really love her, don’t you?”

“Well, she is my sister. I’m willing to make a sacrifice for her happiness, you know, to make up for what I'd done.” Her gaze softened, and she lay on her back, eyes gazing upon thousands of stars dusting the night sky.

“That’s very noble,” he said. “I wish I share the same sentiment with my brothers, except for Frode.”

“Johannes, they're so mean to you, have you ever thought about running away? The world is so vast, who knows what you’re gonna find.”

Johannes thought for a while, before replying, “You’re right, Lisbeth.” He turned to her, and for a while their eyes met. “Thank you, for always listening and being so understanding.”

“No, thank you , Johannes,” she smiled. “I would have been lost if it wasn’t for your support all those years ago. Thank you.”

It was in that position, where they were facing one another under the open sky, did they begin to move closer. Their hearts ached, realising that they were about to temp the boundaries they shouldn’t cross. But there was no denying that something was there, that if they didn't do anything about it, they would probably regret it.

So they leaned in, and just like those other nights, the closer they got, the more they were pulled away from the dream into the bitter reality they had to live with, with no way to return.

Chapter Text

“A friendship.”

Elsa finally let out, breaking the silence that had become too loud for her liking.

“Sorry?”

“A friendship is all I can offer right now,” she said, turning to him with a smile. “For now.”

Hans ran his hand through her braid which was now loose on her shoulder. He accidentally tugged on her bun when they moved to the sofa to share a few more kisses, enjoying each other's company, and needless to say, he liked this look on her.

“It’s more than I ever asked for,” he replied, trying to mask how hopeful he got after she said those words. 

His other hand gave her a gentle squeeze, but when he was about to pull away she clasped it in hers, tight. She turned his hand, so his palm faced the ceiling, before she traced invisible patterns over his gloved palm. 

“I still can't believe you're real. I thought I was going insane because every dream I had with you felt so real. But every time we were about to touch, you disappeared.”

“I guess longing keeps us curious until we do something about it. That was why I wrote to you. I wanted to know if you were real.” Elsa let out a sigh and nodded. “It's a lot to take in, so I need more time. I hope you understand.”

“Then take as much time as you need.” He flashed her a smile. “And if it turns out that it's not working,” Hans took a deep breath. “I won't hold you back against your will. There's another thing my mother said before her death.”

Elsa looked at him with her big blue eyes. “Yes?”

“That being soulmates shouldn't be the only reason why two people are together.”

There was a pang on his chest when he said it out loud. He had thought about that possibility, but to actually say it out loud did make a difference. It's like coming to terms that maybe he won't win her heart in the end, that maybe he won't be king through their union, and that maybe she wasn't meant to be his escape. He admitted, when he saw her persona, so aloof and cold, he had his own doubts. But after seeing past her facade, she was the ‘Elisabeth’ that he knew from his dreams, and he wanted to get to know her better.

“Your mother was a wise woman.” She said, her gaze was softer as if it reminded her of something—or someone.

“She was.” He nodded. 

Deep down, Hans missed his mother. Her tragic departure left a scar that was still healing. He wondered what her mother would think of Elsa, or if the two would go along so well. After all, they had been the ones he considered important in his life. 

“Do you think we'll make it work?”

For some reason, Elsa didn’t feel that familiar tingling on her fingertips, nor did she feel anxious. She felt content and rather calm, and warm . Warmth radiating from his gloved hand, and she found herself rubbing her thumb against the heel of his palm, before smiling to herself. It seemed like she had begun to get used to holding his hand. 

Hans replied, “I don't know. But there's no harm in trying, right?”

“Right.” The young queen nodded.

“I’ll go back home tomorrow, and then I'll write to you,” Hans said after a long pause.

“Oh, I was thinking about keeping you here for a while. I'm sure I can arrange something.”

Hans would be lying if he said that it didn't take him by surprise. He thought she would just let him go back home and they would probably move on with their own lives, but instead she offered him an invitation to extend his stay.

“That would be an honour, your Majesty, but I'm afraid I need to ask my brother about it.”

“Oh, right.” Elsa smiled. “What about you and your brother joining us for lunch tomorrow? And please, call me Elsa when it's just the two of us.”

“Elsa,” he repeated. It felt so strange to call her name out loud instead of her alias, and it certainly was something he should get used to. “I'll extend the kind invitation to my brother, Elsa.”

As if on cue, the two royals stood up. “Very well, then. I'll see you tomorrow,” the young queen was unsure whether she should call him by his alias that she knew or–

“Hans,” the prince quickly added.

“Hans.” Just like Hans, Elsa, too, felt that it would take some time to get used to saying his name out loud, but then again was the point not about reintroducing themselves? 

Bowing slightly, Hans kissed the back of her hand, eyes never leaving hers.

“Good night, Elsa.”

“I'll see you tomorrow, Hans.”

That night, before she went to bed, Elsa decided that some things must change. Looking over the fjord from her bedroom, she began to rethink the decisions that she had made and was about to make. She knew, she couldn't keep letting fear rule over her, and she needed to find a better way to control her powers. She had considered what Hans said about her powers wanting to be set free, but before she did that, Elsa felt like she had to be honest.

“Tomorrow, I'll have breakfast with Anna,” she muttered.

Her recent encounter with Hans made Elsa feel more bold about her powers. She knew that the more she repressed it, the stronger the will to unleash and burst out grew. Perhaps she should channel her emotions into creating something beautiful instead of bottling it up. She just hoped that Anna would understand and forgive her for everything she had put her through.

Walking away from the window, Elsa spared a glance at the snowflake pendant she put on the nightstand beside her bed. She picked it up to admire it, her thumb grazing over the carvings.

“Let it go, Elisabeth.”

Maybe it was advice worth following, she thought quietly. Smiling, she sat down on the mattress. So many things happened in one night, and so many things to process in such a little time. She closed her eyes, pressing the pendant to her lips, and her mind started to wander back to the kisses they shared behind closed doors. Her face grew warmer, and she quickly put the pendant back to its place.

Prince Hans of the Southern Isles was her soulmate, and although they had so much things to work on, Elsa was glad that he was quite willing to give her the space and time she needed. And she was looking forward to getting to know him.

By the time Hans arrived back on the ship, he found that his brother wasn’t alone in what seemed to be a private living room. His companion was seated next to him with a cigar in his hand and a glass of whiskey in front of him.

“How did it go, little brother?” Frode greeted him.

Hans nodded with a small smile on his face. “It went well, thanks. I need to talk to you in the morning, so please don't sleep too late, okay?”

“You know me, I'm a morning person.”

“Yeah, not when you have a companion,” Hans teased, before nodding at the other man. “Good night.”

Once he was in his room, Hans took off his jacket and undid his cravat. He settled down on his bed and let out a sigh. What a night it had been. He turned towards the window and smiled at the moonlight. He was glad he didn’t go down the road he might regret later. As much as it was hard to admit, Hans was pleased with how it turned out. There was still hope that whatever that was between them would grow into something more. Not just another wishful thinking, I hope, he thought quietly.

He thought about the kiss that still lingered on his lips. What did it mean to her? Did she have the same thought just like when we last met? So many questions filled his mind, but Hans knew to have all the answers it would take time. 

Queen Elsa of Arendelle was his soulmate, this very much he had known, but what the queen was actually like, he wasn’t sure he knew. Either way, getting to know her better was something he looked forward to.