"Here he is." The key keeper motions at the farthest cell. "Shall I open it, my queen?"

"Yes. Please." I add quickly, remembering my manners.

He inserts the key into the lock and turns it a few times. At last we hear a click and the door swings open.

I walk into the cell, ignoring the protests of Jack and the soldier.

Hans sprawls on a stone bed, his arm covering his head.

Only a few hours ago, his outfit was ironed and perfect like always. Now dirt clings to his pants. His shirt hangs unfolded around his waist. He's not even wearing his shoes!

"Hans." I grimace and nudge his shoulder. "Hans!"

"Leave me alone, Anna." He growls and flops over onto his side like a sullen child.

I blink. What could have happened between them in only a few hours?"

"I'm not Anna." I fold my arms.

"I don't care who you are. Get out of my cell. I am not in the mood for visitors."

Jack steps around me and jerks Hans to his feet. "You dare address the queen of Arendelle so irreverently!"

Hans glares at us through his stringy brown hair. A giant, red welt colors the skin around his eye.

A gasp strangles my throat.

"Oh, good, you're back already!" Kristoff's cheerful voice interrupts us. The large, smiling man walks into the cell. "How was your trip to the North's castle? I am sure there was plenty of ice there-"

I spin towards him. "How dare you attack the prince!" I press my fingers against my forehead, trying to ward off a headache I am sure is soon to soon to follow. "What will his brothers say when they hear of this?"

Kristoff opens his mouth, but I hold up my hand. "I don't know what Hans did that was so terrible, but there are always non-violent ways to handle every situation!"

Kristoff lifts his shoulders in a shrug. "I'm sorry, but-"

"You have no excuse!" I glare at him. He might have helped my sister find me, but he is nothing more than a peasant.

"Actually, he has a pretty good excuse. You see...Kristoff didn't do it." Anna steps into the room.

Hans mumbles, "Isn't it getting a bit crowded? I am sure that the guard said there was a one person per cell limit."

I am glad to see Anna safe and sound, but I can't believe she would defend the man who injured her soon-to-be husband.

I roll my eyes. "Then I suppose his reindeer hit Hans."

"Wrong again." Anna presses her lips together, as if to hide a smile. "I did it."

"You did what?"

"I hit Hans."

Kristoff corrects, "She didn't hit him. She punched him."

There is no way my sweet, even-tempered little sister could have hit anyone, much less the man she loved.

Jack bursts into laughter. Hans wearily falls back onto his stone bed and covers his face with his hands.

"I am very confused." I admit.

The soldier speaks up. "Perhaps it would be best if we let the prisoner rest and moved this discussion upstairs."

I nod. "Yes, of course. I have a feeling that it will take a while to explain everything."

Anna threads her arm through mine. The dim lighting and musty smell of the prison do not dim her smile. "Why don't we eat some dinner and I will tell you what happened."

"All right." I let her pull me out of the cell. "But only if we add chocolate to the menu. I think we could both use some."

"I've never been one to turn down chocolate." Anna laughs and walks out of the cell, her former fiancée still muttering angrily to himself. "Although right now, I think Hans is the one who needs chocolate the most. Too bad he won't be getting any." She smiles sweetly at him, then turns to me again. "By the way, I love your new gloves."

**

The noise in the dining hall is deafening. Laughter bounces off the walls. Combined with boisterous chatter and clinking silverware, I can barely hear myself think.

I wonder how long the guardians plan on staying with us and eating our food. Probably not for much longer.

Hopefully not.

I glance at Bunnymund. We are running out of carrots.

I set down my fork and poke Anna's side. "Enough stalling. Tell me what happened."

"Oh, all right, but not here." Anna stands up, her chair screeching across the wooden floor. She waves her hands for silence and to my surprise, even North quiets. "Thank you all for joining us for dinner tonight. If you will excuse us, my sister and I have something very important to discuss. I am sure you can all guess what. Kristoff has agreed to look after you this evening, so if you have any questions, you know who to ask."

Kristoff drops his half-eaten roll onto his plate. "Uh, no, I never agreed to that."

Anna pats him on the shoulder. "You'll be fine. Just be your usual happy, friendly self."

"I think that you are confusing me with you."

I follow my sister out of the room, still smiling at her sweet banter with Kristoff.

Anna was always too nervous around Hans. She wanted to be perfect. That is something that I understand all too well.

But it is better to see her like this, free to be who she is without anyone holding her back.