Every five years all the leaders of the land meet together in one kingdom to discuss important issues. Many rulers come from all over just to argue their point across. For Kings, Queens, chiefs and lords this is an important time, but for the children it is nothing but a big boring formal gathering.
Hiccup hated these things, true this was only his second one but he still hated them. The first year he had been too shy to talk to anyone his age and spent the entire meeting hidden under a table in the banquet hall. This year he couldn't hide the whole time, for one thing he was far too big to subtly tinker in a corner (a fact he was still adjusting to); and also this year he had promised his farther he would at least try to socialise. "For Thors sake Hiccup, you can't spend all day planning out how you're going to kill a night fury. You need to get out there, make some friends" Hiccup did his very best to hold in his annoyed sigh as he sat down at the 'future rulers table'. This was going to be so boring.
He and his farther had arrived earlier than normal in Corona, so he was stuck entertaining himself until every one else showed up. Which was fine by him, taking out his sketch book Hiccup began to sketch one of the fine statues in the grounds. If one thing could be said about this place, there was beautiful art and plenty of it. "Wow, you really captured it", Hiccup was so surprised by the voice from over his shoulder that he fell off his chair. "Thanks… I guess" he said with an awkward smile. Hiccup looked up to meet worried eyes "oh my, I'm so sorry here let me help you up" a beautiful girl wearing a pink dress and jewelled tiara helped him stand up. "I didn't mean to startle you, I just thought your drawing was very good" the girl shyly played with her hair. Hair! "Oh my God it that 'all' her hair!" Hiccup thought staring at the 50 ft. trail behind the girl of golden locks. He must have been very subtle abbot it because the girl blushed deeply, Hiccup realised how rude he must seem. Bowing down in the most gentlemanly manner he could, but judging from the girl's hysterical laughter he must have looked ridiculous. "Erm… Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third" he said once again cursing his Farther for his name. He looked up and saw the girl trying very hard to hide her laughter "Oh come on, It not that bad of a name" he said defensively and rising up to his unimpressive full height. The girl stopped laughing and instead smiled kindly "it's not that I found your name funny, I just always assumed I had the worlds strangest name, but now I believe sir you have robbed me of my title" she held out her hand, Hiccup wasn't sure if he was meant to kiss it, high five it, or shake it. In the end he went for the third option, "My names Rapunzel-""and I'm Merida" Hiccup was once again knocked to the ground from surprise, what is it international scare the life out of Hiccup day? The loud girl, Merida's hair gave Rapunzel a run for her money, it was red as embers and as crazy as the twins. She sat at the table and slammed a bow down. A visiting queen shot her evils from across the room and by judging from how fast she put it on the floor, Hiccup guessed that she was her Mother. "So how about we get out of here, and Punzie here could show us the sights" Merida whispered to us. Though he didn't like the idea of spending three days straight just sitting around doing nothing, he hated the idea of going off anywhere with this obviously deranged girl even more. "OOOO! That sounds like fun, I can show you all the best places, like the square, or the village, or the lake" Rapunzel said excitedly" Hiccup was about to suggest how sneaking off may not be the best idea but Merida beat him to it "So its settled then" she said with such determination that what courage Hiccup had drained away as the two Princesses dragged him out of the castle.
Merida very much liked Hiccup. He was a funny guy, all scrawny and small but still try's to act all big and tough. In all honesty he wasn't just funny he was hilarious. The way he kept slipping on the frozen ground and acting like it never happened, it really cracked her up. "So Punzi. Where you taking us" Merida asked the blond princess as she led them out away from town towards the forest. Not that she was complaining, Merida loved the forest, it's one of the few places she can really be herself. "The weathers perfect to go to the lake, this time of year its frozen solid and we can skate on it" the blond said excitedly increasing her speed. "Erm we don't have any skates" Hiccup said quietly. Rapunzel stopped in her track. She turn around and gave the pair a knowing smile "don't worry. I know a guy". Hiccup and Merida exchanged concerned glances, who on earth could she be talking about. Was it another royal? No that couldn't happen they were the only ones around their age at the meeting.
After about an hour of walking the trio came to a frozen lake. Calling the sight beautiful was an understatement; the willow trees hung low creating a crystallised curtain hiding the lake from the outside. A thick layer of snow covered the grass giving the area a soft and fragile effect. But what caught their eyes most of all was the lake its self. It wasn't as big as they had expected, about the size of four of the large banquet tables pushed together. The frozen water reflected the sky above like a mirror capturing the white-grey snow clouds forming overhead. "Wow" Merida and Hiccup said at the same time. Rapunzel dashed in front of them smiling madly "I know right! And you still haven't seen the best part" she pointed towards the trees where a boy about their age if not a couple years older was sitting. He was turned away from them so all they could see was his mop of brown hair, pale skin, and cheap clothes that hung off his slender frame. "Jack" Rapunzel called. The boy turned is head to the trio and grinned. Merida felt her heat skip a beat, she may not be interested in marrying anyone but she was still a teenage girl and even she had to admit that he was to put it simply 'hot'.
Jack swung down from the tree branch he was sitting on, and for a moment Merida thought he would fall. She moved towards him to help only to be stopped by Rapunzel resting her hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about him. Jacks a bit of a joker, but he knows what he's doing" as if to illustrate her point Jack leapt from the tree and landed perfectly in front of them. He bowed deeply to the three of them "My fair ladies, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company" his eyes danced with a mischievous light as he kissed each of the girls hands, when he came to Hiccup the taller boy shook his hand as if they were equals. Hiccup looked stunned by this monetarily but then a huge dorky smile spread across his face. "So what Kingdom are you from?" Merida asked trying to figure out if he was a royal or not. Jacks cocky smile momentarily wavered. "Ah, well you see red this is my Kingdom" he said spinning around "everything in this little clearing belongs to me, Godly here gave it to me when I saved her from being mauled to death by squirrels in a tree she climbed". Rapunzel turned as red as Merida's hair but laughed along with the others any way. "So Jaaaack?"Rapunzel asked in a sing song fashion. He raised an eyebrow at her "I take it you guys want to go ice skating?" three head nodded. Jack grinned as he led them to a hollow tree where he had hidden five pairs of ice skates. Hiccup stared at them "Why are they in a tree?" he asked as he took a pair and put them on like the others. Jack laughed "well let's just say there not technically mine" Merida stared at him shocked "you stole them?!" this made him laugh even harder "I guess you could say that, the black smith that made them threw them all into the street calling them useless pieces of garbage, so I picked them up and took them here." "That doesn't explain why your hiding them though" Hiccup added trying to stand up, falling over with every attempt, Jack expertly stood and helped him to his feet while Rapunzel did the same for Merida. "I hid them so that if he ever changes his mind and comes looking for them, he won't beat me black and blue for having them" he said as he led the three of them to the ice. "Would he… would he really hit you Jack?" Rapunzel asked timidly thinking about how big the black smith was compared to skinny little Jack. "He would, but you know me. I can take a few hits, and give some myself" Jack winked at her putting her mind at rest.
The four of them spent hours skating, talking, laughing together until sun set. The three hurried off back towards the castle promising to meet him there tomorrow. Jack waved them off before heading home himself. He hoped she hadn't been too lonely without him today. Jack opened the door and was greeted with an aggressive hug from his little sister. "Jwack your bwack!" she said excitedly "I thwought you had run off and weft me" tears filled her big brown eyes. Jack kneeled down to her level and place both hands on her shoulders "Hey, Hey. No tears now squirt. What did I promise you that time I got sick?" the little girl whipped her eyes "thwat you would always be thwere to protect me" the girl sniffed and hugged her big brother "I wove you Jack". He smiled and hugged her back "I love you too squirt".