Diana looked around at the faces of the spectators, and then allowed the fair stranger to help her onto her feet. He seemed to be a bit ashamed or embarrassed, based on the flush of his pale face. He was as pale as her, and with white hair. His eyes betrayed the pattern. They were neither blue nor grey, they were green. Green and kind. He was dressed in a grey suit, with a baby blue bow tie. Once Diana was on her feet, she continued to stare until the boy cleared his throat.

"Thank you," said Diana, snapping out of her reverie. She felt like an idiot, and so said the first thing that came out of her mouth. "Nice bow tie."

"Bow ties are cool," said the boy. He had an accent, one that Diana had never heard before. Then again, she'd never heard an accent before, though Solaris had exhibited the British and French accents. "I think your family is waiting for you."

"Yes, yes," said Diana. She brushed off her skirt and turned to leave. Before she took a step, she turned back. "What was your name?"

"Liam," said Vanessa, continuing alone down the blue carpet. She smiled. Liam bowed and stepped away from Diana. Vanessa put her hands on Diana's shoulders and looked her up and down. "His name is Liam. Prince Liam Williams, envoy of the Cloud Kingdom. Son of Queen Nuvola, and Tyson Williams, innkeeper of the Featherpillow Inn."

"The first words you ever say to me, and you waste them telling me who he is?" asked Diana sarcastically. Vanessa only heard Jack in her voice. Diana pulled Vanessa in for a hug and looked over her shoulder at Jack soaring over the ground to join in on the hug. Diana furrowed her eyes at the tan-skinned girl standing at the steps to the palace. Now, why was she there? Diana broke free of her parents embrace. "Who's she?"

"Oh, yes," said Vanessa. She turned her head and looked at the girl. The girl seemed to remember herself and came to join the others. "Diana, this is Cornelia Frost, our daughter."

"I've heard all the things they know about you," said Connie, curtsying. "Welcome home, your highness."

"Your daughter?" asked Diana. She looked between the two pale figures and then to Connie. "But she's…"

"Adopted, your majesty," said Cornelia, her purple eyes no longer distant but a bit vindictive. "I didn't need a reminder."

"Sorry," said Diana, putting her hand up in surrender. "What's with the formalities? I take it you didn't miss me too much if you can greet me with a stiff hug, no tears, and 'you highness'. Honestly, I expected a bit more."

"We're royalty. We don't have emotions in front of the masses," said Vanessa. Diana and Vanessa looked up at the sky upon hearing what sounded like a roar. Diana dropped her jaw in awe as she saw six dragons swoop down from the clouds. She looked to Vanessa, silently asking why the dragons were there. "Those would be the Vikings. Everyone, make room for the Haddock family!"

The crowd parted as four black dragons landed, followed by an oddly shaped blue one, and a large brown one. From their backs climbed three men and three women. Two of each were full grown, however two were teenagers, same as Diana. The thin man took off his helmet, revealing a wide grin, a crop of brown hair, and bright green eyes. Jack let out a whoop and gave the man a bro-hug. Diana was taken aback by the realization. Her father was friends with a Viking.

"Oh, Jack, good to see you," said Hiccup. He looked over at the others and made a mocked startled face at Vanessa. "Whoa. Big dress. Haven't seen one like it since your wedding."

"Nice helmet, Hiccup," said Vanessa said sarcastically as Hiccup pulled her in for a hug. "Are those Sagitta and Toothless' hatchlings? Can't be, they're too big."

"It's been a while. They're officially housebroken," said Hiccup, releasing Vanessa he nodded to Cornelia and turned to Diana. "Whoa. You aren't much like I imagined you. You're prettier."

"I bet you are too," said Diana. Hiccup laughed and pulled her in for a hug. "Good to finally meet my dad's bro."

"You've gotta meet my twins," said Hiccup. He pulled back and turned to the others. "Enya! Hugo! Come meet Diana."

Vanessa went over to join Jack and Connie in welcoming the burly man, the ginger woman, and the brunette while the teenagers, who were most likely twins but didn't appear to be, made their way to her. The girl had freckles, her father's green eyes, and his brown hair, braided and thrown over her shoulder. The boy had crystal blue eyes and curly orange hair (the loud ginger had to be their mother) and a bow slung over his shoulder. The arrows were in a quiver around his waist. Diana looked quizzically at the weapons.

"Are you expecting an attack?" asked Diana. The boy laughed a hearty laugh. The girl rolled her eyes as though she were used to the question. "Why else would you bring a bow and arrows to a party?"

"My brother never leaves that thing at home," said Enya, putting a hand on her hip. "Even when he really should. You look different. We were expecting something else. White hair and blue eyes maybe. Both your parents have 'em."

"Well, not me," said Diana. She looked over the shoulders of the twins and saw a man, woman, and teenage boy rushing out the front doors of the palace, a young woman following them at a much slower pace. "And who's that?"

"Sir Jamie, Dame Thimble, and their kids, Twine and Derek," said Hugo. He laughed. "Best to get out of their way. C'mon, sis. Let's make sure Sugar and Loki don't zap anybody."

With that, they walked off to attend to their dragons. Jamie acknowledged Jack with a high five, and then went to see Diana.

"Wow, you look like your mom, before she got all frosty," said Jamie. Diana looked him over. He had brown hair, big brown eyes, and a boyish grin. His wife, Thimble, had auburn hair, emerald green eyes, and wore a green dress, with a bow on the side. "Nice to meet you. Your mother has spoken of nothing else since last month."

Before the auburn haired boy made it all the way to Diana, Cornelia, arm looped with a black-haired boy, went to her side.

"Diana, there is someone who wants to see you," said Cornelia. Diana started to say that it seemed everyone wanted to see her, but Cornelia spoke first. "It's Ziggy. He's…"

Cornelia's voice caught. That's when Diana saw that the boy's eyes were brimming with suppressed tears. Vanessa crossed to Diana and took her hand. Vanessa's eyes were tearful as well.

"Ziggy is a close friend of mine. He used to be the tailor. He made my wedding dress," said Vanessa. Her voice caught as well, but then she pulled herself together. "Diana, he's dying. His granddaughter has been watching over him, but… He wants to see you before he goes."

Diana followed without question. In the center of the palace grounds were two rows of shops. On one side of the street were foods and clothing. Vanessa led Diana into the shop called 'Ziggy's Threads and Needles'. Diana looked around at the beautiful clothing in the shop, and noticed the doorway to what must have been the changing rooms. They walked past that and to a set of stairs that led up into the house portion. Diana walked with her mother to the bedroom. When the door opened, she saw two African-Americans in the room, one kneeling next to the bed, the other laying in it. The old man in the bed laughed upon seeing the women.

"Vanessa!" said the man. Vanessa smiled despite the tear rolling down her cheeks. She joined Ziggy's granddaughter, Sarah, at his bedside. He put a weathered hand on her cheek and laughed again. "Did that man o' yours finally come out of his room?"

"I slapped him," said Vanessa, giving a laugh of her own. Ziggy smirked. "I gave him a good smack, just like you said to."

"Is that her, then?" asked Ziggy looking at Diana. She smiled politely and Vanessa nodded. "Come here then, girl. I can't bite you, don't have my dentures in."

"Hello, Ziggy," said Diana sitting on the edge of his bed. "I suppose this isn't the most convenient time to meet you, is it?"

"I never much cared for convenience," said Ziggy. He took Diana's hand and smiled. "Last time I saw you, you were a newborn. I was one of the only ones who got a chance to see you. I saw you about five minutes after you were born. Your Mama was some sad. I knew why. But, I swore I'd take it to my grave, and take it I will. You're gonna be something special, girl. You're going to rattle the stars."

"You don't even know me," said Diana, her voice choking up. She wasn't exactly sure why her throat was tightening. She didn't know him. "The one time I meet you, and you're dying."

"S'only right, Princess," said Ziggy. He smirked again. "I was there when your life started. Now, you'll be here when mine ends. I was just holding on to see you. It's time to let go."

Diana bowed her head as his last breath rattled out of his mouth. She added her tears to Vanessa's and Sarah's. She didn't think she'd have much of a good time, when her birthday party started with a death.

In Loving Memory of Dan 'Ziggy' Jones, father, tailor, and friend.

Contrary to what you likely believed, Ziggy was a real person. He was friends with my mother and made her wedding dress. He came to the hospital when I was born. He was married to Eudora, the nicest woman I've ever known, and was father to Zachary, Amelia, and Raven, grandfather to Sarah and Maddie. Born August 12th, 1934. Died January 6th, 2014. Thank you, Ziggy, for always telling me I could be anything. Time to let go.