"What are you so nervous about?" Aster had been watching his prince pace back and forth in front of the study fireplace for the last hour, muttering to himself and wearing a bare track in the rug. On closer inspection, the prince's face also had a light sheen of sweat despite the fact the fireplace wasn't even lit. "Yer Highness? Jack?"

Jack's head snapped up on hearing his name. "What? Oh, s-sorry Aster, I wasn't listening."

The councilor leaned back comfortably in his chair. "Anything I can help ya with?"

The nervous prince resumed pacing. "I have to do something that I am scared frostless to do, and I have to at least look like I'm completely calm the entire time."

Aster stifled a chuckle. "The great Prince of Frost scared? My, my, that does sound serious. What do ya have to do exactly?"

"Just... ask for something from someone I don't know. Someone who I've heard is very big and could very easily flatten me with one hand."

Aster sat up straighter in his chair and fingered the hardwood boomerangs he carried for weapons. "Are ya goin' to be in danger? If this is part of yer big secret plan, then I humbly volunteer my services to escort ya."

Jack blushed and shook his head. "I'd rather do this myself, that way if I fail miserably I'll only have to face Hic-CUP! Oh man! I er, er, the uh, ohhh crumbs!"

Jack had backed himself into a corner as his councilor stood and slowly walked toward him. "Anything ya'd like to tell me, Yer Highness?"

Jack's voice rose an octave and he squeaked, "Do I have to?!"

"As your councilor I would advise discrete confidence; as someone who has a good twenty years over ya and has always been there for ya when ya needed it, I strongly suggest complete and instant honesty. Now, which will it be?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No."

"Will you tell my father?"

"Not if I don't have to. If this your own personal business, then no. If it's a matter of state then I might need to; but I promise to listen to all you have to say and discuss it before I do."

Jack sighed and moved to sit in the window seat and gazed out at the barn where his stable boy with the green eyes was right now. "I found my heart song."

Aster had seen the years of misery the prince had been through searching not only for a song but the one heart that perfectly complimented his. The grey haired man was ecstatic. "That's wonderful, Jack! When did this happen?"

"A few nights ago; I never knew singing felt as amazing as that. The thing is... I fell in love with the person I sang with; I proposed, well, we sort of both proposed, and they agreed but now I have to ask their father's permission."

Aster smiled at his young friend with the expression of a loving father. "That's great, so what's the problem exactly? I don't know who wouldn't want their daughter to marry the prince. Is the man unreasonable?"

Jack rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous chuckle. "Not that I've heard; i-it's Captain Haddock."

Dark grey eyebrows knit in puzzlement. "I didn't know he had a daughter, I thought he only had the one son- Ohhhh Jack, you didn't..."

Blue eyes looked heavenward for solace but only found ceiling tiles. "Yep. I am in love with the one and only Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third."

"He's a stable boy."

Jack gave his companion a slight glare. "I never took you for a snob."

Aster rolled his eyes. "I'm not; I'm only saying it's impossible for ya to legally marry him."

The prince smirked mischievously, "Wanna bet? I've checked the law books forwards, backwards, and sideways, and nowhere is there a law preventing me from marrying Hiccup."

Aster opened his mouth to argue but every time he thought he had something, he snapped it shut again. Eventually he slumped back down in his chair with a surprised little huff. "Huh! Ya know something? You're smarter than ya let on, Frostbite!"

Jack laughed and hopped up to do a flourishing bow. "Thank you, Bunny! Now what wise advice do you have for asking a sea captain for his son's hand in marriage?"

The imperial councilor sat up and folded his hands on the tabletop, once again all business. "The first thing I would do..."

Later that evening, Stoick watched his son nervously juggle crockery plates as he washed up the supper dishes. When he cleared his throat to begin asking what the problem was, the boy yelped and sent the dish in his hand flying with A loud crash and skittering shards of pottery caused them both to jump. Stoick bent down to pick up the broken plate at the same time as his son and they ended up banging heads. "Oww! S-sorry, dad, l-let m-me get it."

The red haired giant held out a hand the size of Hiccup's head. "No. You go stand over there away from anything else breakable and tell me what's wrong with ye. Yer as jumpy as a girl who's father is about to meet her boyfriend."

Hiccup gripped the door frame for support as the room started to spin. "Yeaaah about that... Um, y-you aren't to far off with that actually. Someone is coming to visit you tonight a-a-b-bout m-m-marrying me!" The last bit had come out in such a squeak, Stoick only just heard it.

"Is that so? Well that was quick I must say. I hope there's nothing else going on besides being in love." Grey eyes narrowed at the boy but he looked so genuinely confused Stoick decided to let that thought go. "So, am I to expect the girl's father or the young lady herself?"

Hiccup's shaking hands grabbed for something, anything, to hold on to and eventually found a metal object. "Uh, uh th-the p-prince, Prince J-jack."

A slightly surprised expression crossed the man's face momentarily, but soon passed. "Ah, so she's a palace servant. The prince is kind for helping her with the arrangements, most of the palace servants are orphans of course; His Majesty, Emperor North, wanted to be sure everyone could support themselves if they had no next of kin; a very wise man as well as good hearted. So, the prince and your young lady are coming here to ask my permission for ye to marry? Well after I meet her I'll give ye my answer, though I'm sure anyone ye've chosen must be pretty special."

While his father had been talking, Hiccup's hand had been tightening on the object to the point of unknowingly turning it, and the sudden knock on the door made him yell and jump away. If he'd only let go of the doorknob in his hand, Jack wouldn't have tumbled into the room and fallen flat on his face at the feet of the one man he wanted to make a good impression on. Oh floor, swallow me now! Stoick offered a solicitous hand to the prince. "Are ye alright, Yer Highness? I apologize for the door opening like that, my son is a bit nervous tonight."

Jack politely declined the offer and stood up. He's not the only one... "Thank you, Captain Haddock, no harm done. May I come in?"

Hiccup closed the door as Jack and his father sat down at the table. Once the prince was seated, Stoick sat opposite him. "I understand ye came to make some marriage arrangements for a young lady my son wishes to marry. I thought it was usually customary for both parties to be present though?"

Jack nodded slowly and hoped the imposing man wouldn't sense his nervousness. "Yes, that is customary, though this case has slightly different circumstances."
Both boys jumped when Stoick slammed a boulder-like fist down on the table and turned angrily to his son. "I knew it! No one gets married that quickly without a reason. Hiccup, I'm very disappointed in ye, I didn't want grandchildren that soon!"

"OH MY GODS! DAD, I DIDN'T-!"

Jack waved his hands placatingly. "No, no, no! Captain, please, I assure you it's nothing like that! The circumstances are difference of class!"

Giving his son one more warning glare, Stoick turned his attention to the prince. "Difference of class, how much difference are we talking about, Yer Highness? I was under the impression the girl was a palace servant."

Jack quirked an amused eyebrow at Hiccup before continuing. "No, sir, actually the person's rank is somewhat, er... higher."

Stoick folded his hands and gave Jack something along the lines of a fatherly look. "Yer Highness, allow me to give ye a little advice. When ye've got something to say, it's best to just stand up and say it."

Silently rising to his feet, the prince stood and pushed in his chair, far past caring if Stoick saw him white knuckling the back of it. After clearing his throat, Jack squared his shoulders and bowed. "Captain Haddock, would you allow me the honor and privilege of asking for your son's hand in marriage?"

Stoick stared at him like he was waiting for something else. "On... who's behalf?"

Jack looked over at Hiccup; the brunet was still gripping the door for all he was worth and seemed on the verge of either passing out or crying. This sight gave Jack all the courage he needed to face his challenge and he stood taller.

"On behalf of myself, sir. I am requesting permission to marry your son."

Jack gulped hard as Stoick slowly rose on his fists to lean over the table, mighty knuckles clenching and cracking as they pressed into the wood, and a low rumble like a storm at sea reverberated through the prince's skinny body. "What game do ye think yer playing, boy? I've known yer father long enough to recite a list of yer pranks by heart, and ye can be sure he'll hear of this one!"

Hiccup hurried over to plead with his father. "Dad, this isn't a joke, I swear! Jack does want to marry me, and I want to marry him; what do I have to do to convince you?!"

"Ye can't convince me that something as harebrained as this isn't a trick!"

The younger Haddock growled in frustration and on a sudden impulse grabbed the prince by his shirt and kissed him. Stoick gave a derisive snort. "I've seen more convincing kisses given to mermaids; yer not helping yer cause any."

Jack unhappily watched the two Haddocks glare at each other when a sudden lightning bolt of inspiration hit him.

"I'll swim and sail on savage seas, with ne'er a fear of drowning, and gladly ride the waves of life, if you will marry me." Jack was breathing heavily with emotion as he stared Stoick square in the eye. "Does that convince you of my intentions, Captain?"

Stoick stared at the prince with mouth agape; and for one of the few times in his life was speechless.

Jack gazed at Hiccup as he laced their fingers together and looked steadily at his father. "Dad, I'm Jack's heart song."

Hiccup's father gestured for the boys to sit down and sat silent in his own chair for some time before attempting to speak again. "Does yer father know about this?"

Still holding Hiccup's hand in his lap, Jack shook his head. "No, sir, not yet. I felt I should ask you first."

Stoick nodded and was quiet again. Hiccup nervously fidgeted with a loose thread on his pant leg with one hand while Jack comfortingly squeezed the other. Eventually Stoick cleared his throat and both boys sat up a little.

"I have a few questions before I give ye my final decision. Are ye going through with yer coronation this week?"

Jack nodded. "Yes, sir; that is, if my father accepts my decision."

"If he doesn't, what do ye plan to do?"

"Councilor Aster has offered me the position of apprentice law scholar many times, and I have no doubts he would readily do so again. Hiccup would want for nothing either way."

Stoick merely grunted and crossed his arms across his chest. "Have ye both thought this through? Unless I'm mistaken, ye haven't known each other long. Yes I know the song is important, Hiccup, but I'd be happier if ye waited until ye were sure."

Hiccup sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I don't know how to help you on that one. When you find the right person, you just know. You just knew with mom, I just know with Jack."

Stoick leaned forward to narrow his eyes at Jack. "One more thing; is this legal?"

Hiccup covered his mouth in an attempt to keep himself from laughing and Jack barely swallowed a grin. "Yes, sir. Completely legal, sure hearted, and well thought out."

Hiccup squeezed Jack's hand again as they waited for his father to pass judgment. "Alright; ye have my consent on one condition." Here the giant man rose to his full height, and the boys stood together on the other side of the table.

"Ye hurt my son just once, and I don't care if ye're the Emperor or Thor himself, ye will answer to me. Is that clear?"

Jack grinned broadly and squeezed Hiccup's hand. "Yes, sir!"

Stoick came around the table to fold the boys in a crushing hug. "I know yer a fine lad, Jack, and I'll be proud to have ye for a son-in-law. I'm happy for ye both."

Hector was getting extremely suspicious of his young stable hand. He had requested to take over Fernfrost's care entirely, which the arthritic old man didn't mind, but the way that horse shone was like coronation day every day! And that curious bunch of mint braided under her mane, hidden almost; and that song! Hector covered his ears to block out the incessant, repetitive, off key whistling that hadn't stopped since he'd walked through the door.

"HICCUP!"

The boy froze with a brush poised midair. "Y-yes, sir?"

The older man walked stiffly over to where he was grooming the prince's horse and pulled aside her thick white mane, revealing the braid. "What is this exactly?"

"Uhhh, mint, sir."

Hector raised one eyebrow and held a leaf under the boy's nose. "I am aware that it is mint, what I don't know is why it has recently made an appearance in this horse's mane. The prince's horse, more specifically."

Hiccup resumed brushing to hide the fact that his hands were shaking a little. "Ohhhh, well, um, h-his highness mentioned that he really likes mint, so I just thought it would be a nice gesture."

"Uh huh, and what about the extra effort on her coat? Another nice gesture?"

Something in the man's accusatory tone was beginning to rankle, and Hiccup decided he wasn't going to take any more of it. Quietly setting down the brush, the brunet plucked the leaf from the other man's fingers and replaced it in the horse's braid before turning to face him. "Yes, I always attempt to do my best work every day, and unless I've actually done something wrong, I would appreciate being left in peace to do my job."

Determined green eyes met surprised grey as the boy stood with the dignity of a man twice his age. Hector nodded once and retreated to his own tasks, that boy certainly had changed...

In the palace, Jack was running from his adoring fans. As coronation day dawned, the palace doors had been opened to all who had traveled from distant edges of the emperor's lands for the occasion. Nobles of all ranks and their families filled bedrooms, side rooms, and hallways though there still seemed to be plenty of room to spare in the enormous palace. Unfortunately every family seemed to have been blessed with at least four daughters each, meaning one prince cursed with unusually good looks was having a hard time finding a safe place to hide. One such group of girls with madly fluttering fans and eyelashes prowled the halls in search of their white haired prey. The prince in question quickly dodged from behind a suit of armor to slip into the folds of poinsettia red drapes seconds before the chattering group passed by him. As soon as the last lace encrusted skirt swished around the corner, Jack bolted down the opposite hallway and behind the closest door he could find. As his eyes adjusted to the sudden darkness, he discovered he was in a stairwell that led downward. Always one for exploring, the prince made a short spiraling journey that ended with another door. After hearing nothing from the other side, he silently entered a dimly lit room. "Huh, I guess I know where the pantry is now." A sudden clamor in an adjoining room sent the prince back behind the door but he left it open a crack for observation. A loud bellow from the head cook clearly carried through to the stairs. "Don't even think about trackin' that muck through my kitchen! Take your boots off, dust your clothes down, get what ya need, and get back outside!"

Even though the reply was muffled, the clearly snarky tone was followed by a laugh and a swatting noise.

The pantry door swung shut behind the person and Jack heard a familiar nasally voice muttering to itself. "I swear that guy eats sour grapes for breakfast..."

Jack stifled a chuckle as he silently opened his door and waited for Hiccup to notice him. The brunet was standing on a small crate leaning into a deep barrel; as he stretched farther down to reach, the crate slipped from under his feet leaving him draped over the edge of barrel with his backside in the air. "Oh great. Now how am I supposed to get out?"

Still vainly holding back chuckles, Jack leaned casually on the barrel and cleared his throat. "I could always help you, but it would be such a shame to waste the view."

The half body slumped dejectedly and a groan echoed inside the barrel. "Jack, just get me out; I need to get back to work."

"Hmm, and what would I get if I do?"

"I know what you want but you won't get one if my lips are down here."

"Ah, good point." Jack replaced the crate and Hiccup levered himself up with a few apples.

"Phew, summer apple barrels are always a pain; only those hard little green ones are left. So what are you doing in here?"

Jack nodded toward the stairwell. "Hiding from about a million girls all trying to get piece of me."

Hiccup snorted at the grumpy look on his prince's face. "Well you are pretty sweet, they must have mistaken you for an angel cake."

Jack raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Oh really? Does that make you a devil cake then?"

Hiccup shook his head and smiled. "Sorry, I am but a humble applesauce cake, a little sweet, a little spicy, and little nutty, but the kind of cake that will keep you warm on long winter nights, and satisfied on whatever journey life takes you, and once you taste it you know you're home."

Jack felt himself falling in love all over again and he wrapped Hiccup in his arms. "I've never had an applesauce cake but I'm glad you're mine."

The stable boy kissed his prince softly before they parted to their separate duties. "As soon as fall brings us some decent apples, I'll make you one."