A/N: First of all...My deepest, DEEPEST apologies! I had been sitting on about a third of this for a while now but…Well, my Summer didn't exactly turn out as I wanted. Another...Financial...Thing...Came about, and I was stuck at home for most of it. Although I did manage to get out and do a little fishing. It wasn't nearly enough as I would have liked.
Thankfully, there's a few things coming up. A something in the pipeline, and hopefully...By late Spring/early Summer, I'll have everything sorted out. I'll just have to be patient, and not do anything crazy…
There's a tiny silver lining to this black, black cloud...This was between 2,500 to 2,700 words. In the last week or ten days, it has become what you see before you. I hope you enjoy it. More is sure to come, much, much sooner that this one!
Please read and review. Your words will serve to motive me even more!
Chapter 4
She made her way quickly down the hallway. There were still meetings to attend. There had been a problem with some fixtures in one of the upper level guest rooms. It couldn't be helped, she guessed. She trusted her staff, but she really wanted everything to be perfect. Choices were given, decisions made...She just hoped there was enough time left.
So she, no...they had convinced King Haddock to come down. She wasn't sure how, but the letter had come some weeks ago. Now the castle, and most of the kingdom was bustling with activity. Banners were cleaned new ones sewn. Streets cleaned and doors polished. The excitement was building. She could almost feel it. Like something tangible. It nearly matched her own.
But why? Why was this different from any other visiting foreign dignitary? She had entertained many such guests over the years since her coronation. Some from as far as Mongul and Siam. True, she wasn't as comfortable with it as her sister. Anna was surely the Minister of Meeting New People. She had gotten better. She chuckled to herself. She would have to forward that title to her and see what she thought…
Still, it bothered her. She was willing to meet anyone for new trade deals...nearly anything to expand Arendelles' influence. But this was different...somehow. Maybe it was meeting this man herself, or could it be some distant call of the unknown? She had spoken to Captain Hansthrope a few more times since his return. But not much more information could be gleaned from their conversations. A handsome, unmarried...at least, as far as they knew...A King from some distant land...Who was smart on a few different levels...That they knew nothing about...She shook her head. No, it was probably Annas' incessant teasing most likely…It was somehow affecting her brain...For some reason…
She sighed, no use fretting over it now. Wheels were in motion, plans made...She would just have to wait and see...She entertained a small thought, but dismissed it as soon as it took root. She still had much to do. She rounded the corner and made straight for her office. The guards bowed as they opened the doors for her. As she suspected, they were waiting at the large table. Her council all stood and bowed as one at her arrival. She offered her own and a small apology.
"Forgive me, but something came up..." Nekoline Farbount, Head of staff waved a hand.
"Absolutely none needed, your Highness. We have all been busy as of late!" Nods of agreement made their way around the table. She sat and folded her hands in her lap.
"So! What do you have for me?" She asked, plastering a smile on her face. Hopefully there was nothing else pressing. General Burghaum cleared his throat.
"Your Highness, the Royal guard has been briefed, and it's ranks have been added to for extra security!" She nodded. Admiral Kreig tipped forward.
"...And extra patrols have been sent out, to ensure nothing is amiss. Also, they have been tasked to provide escort to King Haddocks' ships, once spotted!" She nodded again. Elenus Fraime, Prime Minister straightened in his chair, turning slightly.
"Some of our guests have already arrived, The rest should all be here by weeks' end, Your Highness! I have been assured that there are more than enough rooms to accommodate them..." Nekoline nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, your Highness! We are just now preparing the last of the upper floor rooms. They will be ready, day after tomorrow, although..." She frowned a bit, then leaned forward a little.
"Is there still no word on the size of King Haddocks' retinue?" She had turned her head to address Elenus. who shook his head.
"Nay! I had forwarded the question a few times, but the answer I got was just seven..." It shocked her a little. Surely, there were more? Courtiers, Ministers, Staff...Servants...Only seven? It was highly unusual. But still, they knew nothing even now...The secrecy was maddening. She could understand the need somewhat...They would have to wait until the King arrived…
"We must remain flexible...Secure rooms for the seven, and make sure there is adequate housing available for any staff that should arrive as well." They all nodded. She cast her attention to Claas Steenhaus, Minister of Finance.
"And how is the budget in all this?" She asked. They had discussed this, and had been talking about it for some time, but some of the other council members had raised concerns...He smiled a bit coyly.
"All is indeed well, Your Highness! 'Tis but a small strain...Easily recovered...And a few of our closest allies are recompensing some of the expenses with food and a bit of gold." She nodded. A few around the table seemed relieved as well. She couldn't exactly understand, but well...Her eyes flit from face to face, gauging if there was any more that need said. After the appropriate length of silence, she stood and addressed them.
"We must all be careful, especially in the first few days...We know next to nothing about King Haddock and his people. We must not offend them...Their customs, their way of living...May be completely different from ours...We must be gracious, and willing to serve. I ask you all and your staff, to keep an open mind, and please, bring any questions or concerns you have directly to me!" They all nodded.
"Now! If there's nothing else...You are are dismissed!" They all stood and bowed with the exception of Elenus. He remained in his chair seemingly deep in thought. She was about to clear her throat, when he looked up. A look of horror slowly crept across his face as he seemed to finally realize his blunder. She raised a hand to save him.
"Is there something, Elenus?" His face twisted slightly, and his frown deepened. He stood and started lightly pacing. He stopped in front of her. She knew him to be loyal and trustworthy. He had been one of few who restlessly wrangled support for her early on, when she had taken the throne. He seemed unsure here though. He finally spoke.
"I received a message from an...associate of mine. A Messier Probius Del Lacquois. He, he helped in our securing support from the northern Frankish Kingdoms?" She nodded. She remembered the difficult negotiations… "He also helped with other agreements, Mostly in the South and East..." Again she nodded, if anything to get him on track…
"He has said not to trust this King Haddock. He is a brutish Viking, as in the tales of old, who wants nothing more that to expand his territories! To pillage and plunder, and burn innocent villages and people to the ground!" He frowned and grabbed his chin in thought, pacing back and forth a few times. She herself raised an eyebrow. This sounded nothing like what the Captain had reported. From what he could tell, they lived peaceably...But then, they had kept him and his men basically prisoners. Elenus stopped and rubbed his mustache, staring hard at the floor.
"Although he has helped us, I cannot say I exactly trust him...Word has reached me of some...Dealings he was involved in...Especially in the East...Some, rare and exotic goods, obtained by...Questionable means...Either directly, or indirectly involving these Zarpathians that have been mentioned. I have sent messages to my contacts, but I haven't received a reply as of yet. And Messier Del Lacquois says he will arrive here, and provide proof...But he may not get here in time for the talks..." He frowned again, and after a minute, raised his eyes to hers, she must have been still disbelieving. The corner of his mouth curled slightly.
"It...Doesn't exactly add up, does it?" He said as a matter of fact. "Indeed! From the reports I received, all interactions with King Haddocks agents, including two from his own staff have been pleasant and cordial." She grumbled to herself. She shouldn't be giving things away so easily. Elenus continued.
"...And they all, to a person, talk very fondly of His Highness. Almost...familiar, I'm told." That certainly spoke volumes, but still…
"So what are you saying, exactly?" She asked him. He looked again after a moment, his frown softened.
"I thought you should know...I know we are being careful. I, I can't help but think there may be something else going on...Either to disrupt the talks or..." He trailed off. She appreciated his concern.
"Thank you Minister! Plans are in place, in case something goes wrong. I can assure you!" He nodded, and smiled wanly. His features changed again after a moment.
"That being said..." He stopped himself, opening and closing his mouth a few times. He went on a bit nervously.
"Please, your Highness...Don't...I ask you...Do not be upset..." Her Papa had spoken to her about these sorts of conversations...You're likely to be upset either way...Try not to let it show too much...In truth, she could see his next words winding up in just two conversations...Neither of which she was willing to entertain. Especially now, with so much going on…
"If, if this King turns out to be...Well, compatible...Would you, I mean...Could you, at least...Think about...Making him an offer?" He visibly winced, and for good reason. Her anger bubbled immediately, they had had this talk before...Several times...She was about to open her mouth to give her reply when she remembered another conversation. With General Burghaum...a weapon like no other…To find out what it was, and try to counter it. This would surely be one way...But, if this Hiccup Haddock was not what he seemed...The worst kind of person...Just looking for an opening to expand southward…
No, it didn't make sense. If he was, surely they would have heard about it by now. With such a weapon, He would be knocking on their doorstep, if not knocking it down entirely...And did she not just tell her own staff to keep an open mind? Perhaps she would follow her own advice. She sighed heavily, and took a deep breath.
"Minister Elenus! I believe we have talked about this before..." She paused slightly, finding the right words…
"But in light of the circumstances...I will think about it...After we have met face to face!" That was all she was giving. She was perfectly happy running her kingdom by herself. She had no need of a man. Especially after most of the ones she had seen. Always grabbing for more lands, more gold...More power...Only interested in their own goals or needs. Hmmph! She had sent more than one of them packing in her day…
...But still, sometimes...As she watched her sisters' and Kristoffs' romance bloom. She had secretly wished for someone like him. Strong, brave, and true. Someone who loved Elsa...Not Queen Elsa, nor the Snow Queen. Just, her...For who she was...It seemed like a fools' wish, especially with what she has seen. But still...She could hope, couldn't she? And there was also the...Main idea, the...Objective, of, of getting married was...having...Children...Little ones, to, to continue her line...The idea was so abstract right now she couldn't even...Every time the thought came up, she immediately flushed it away. Even though, that...was the reason…
"I see! Very good, Your Highness!" Elenus' voice brought her back. -That, and the fact it was now snowing...She shook her head and huffed...Mostly to herself. His slightly worried expression dissipated with the snow. He tipped his head respectfully.
"I shall see you at court, Your Highness!" She nodded, and Elenus turned on his heel and left. She really needed to stop that. While her council knew, and could easily brush it off. To do such a thing in front of the Viking King...Well, she couldn't see how it would be good. Her powers could be seen as a weapon too, but she dared not think of them that way. She was not afraid. But she couldn't forget that day, when she used them, -not out of choice, against those who would harm her…The power that had surged through her body...And something else had crept up her spine...A feeling of giddiness, a joyful release...All she would have to do was…
She shook her head again. Too much to do to get lost in such thoughts. Another thought crept in but she slammed the door on that too. Good thing, because her stomach rolled and rumbled. Reminding her it was getting on in the day. She left her office and headed for the private dining room.
Up a flight of stairs, down a hallway, and she was at the door. She went in to see only Anna, thankfully. She was a constant support, and a reminder of what was really important. She rose, and gave her a small dip of respect, before she rushed over and all but tackled her. After extracting herself from her tight embrace, Anna took her hands and they walked together the rest of the way across the room. She was her typical cheery, bubbly self…
"Elsa! How is it? I went to the kitchens, and most of the stuff we ordered has arrived, there's still more food arriving, and our dresses are almost ready...Oh! Madame Najma said she wants us to come by and try them on...last minute things...Have you spoken with Norfred? He's one of the gardeners...Said there was a problem with one of the ponds...Lilies, I think...or somethingorother...Have you met the people from Trémont? Wierd bunch, although, I must say..." She prattled as they walked, not even stopping as they sat down. She folded one arm in front of her, resting her chin on her hand. Watching her, she couldn't help but be amused.
After a long minute and a half, she finally stopped herself. Somewhere between lemon cakes and frogs' legs. She turned a bit red, tucking her hair behind her ear. She bit her lip and looked down. She herself had to suppress an eye roll.
"Sorry." She muttered. She looked so guilty and sad. She reached out and placed a hand on her arm just as she was about to speak again.
"It's alright, Anna, really! I'm glad you're helping! The Gods know, I could use it." She seemed to brighten a little. She was helping in her own way. When they were younger, it always seemed to end up in disaster. Things had improved as of late, with only a few ruffled feathers, and fond smiles. Another thought seemed to have grasped her attention.
"So! Any more word on this King Haddock?" She grasped her hand firmly, nearly painfully. Her eyes were bright and eager. She looked as excited as she was, but probably for different reasons. She shook her head.
"No, nothing yet. We only know he should arrive within the week. And we still don't know how many people he's bringing with him. I, I hope we have enough rooms for them all...The staff seems to think so, but you know...I would really like to be sure..." She was bombarded again by another flurry of thoughts. So much going on...She looked up. Anna was biting her lip, an indication that some teasing was on the way...That, and the way her eyes lidded slightly…
"Elllsaaaa...It will be OK! It'll all turn out! If anything we could..." She was saved, or interrupted by the servants as they brought in the food. She turned her head to look, when she turned back, Anna was biting her lip again. She scrunched her face and her shoulders, giving her hand a squeeze. She then let go, innocently placing her napkin in her lap. She raised an eyebrow at her, which only served to launch her into giggling.
They turned to their meal, engaging in conversation about other goings on in the kingdom. The preparations, the festivals coming up. It served to distract her a bit from the pressure, and a gnawing thought she'd had for a while. She had been able to dismiss it, but as the time drew closer, she couldn't help...Even though she knew security had been increased...She worried for Anna. She was always trusting...too trusting, of people in general. The thought of her getting lured into a trap, -or worse...It sent shivers down her spine. She looked up after a moment. That, that look was on her face again…
Anna smiled a bit coyly, tilting her head slightly as she speared a piece of chicken. She put it in her mouth, trying to chew, and not smile so wide it would fall out. It looked hard...She managed, but just barely. She grinned.
"So! I noticed you looking awfully hard at that Andalusian the other day..." She tilted her head slightly. They had been at the stables. A little bit of down time between meetings. The stud had been brought from a neighboring kingdom on his way to be sold. He was beautiful! She wanted him badly, but couldn't justify the expense. And besides, they...She...Hardly had any time to go out riding. And any more, it was just a short trip around the kingdom to meet with the local magistrates, or governors. Just for work as it was...She looked up, Anna was grinning widely.
"Not to worry dear sister! I'll get him for you!" He heart leapt! Oh! If she had him, she would look for excuses to take him out! Riding down the roads over the pastures, just as fast as he could go! She started imagining several other places they could go…
"IF..." She stopped cold. All the images in her minds' eye vanished in a blink, revealing cold castle walls, and her sisters' grin.
"If...You kiss King Haddock while he's here!" Her jaw dropped. She was surprised it didn't hurt, It surely hit the table on it's way down to the floor...It was more than a few moments before she could even…
"What!...I…You...How..." Anna only grinned wider.
"And no peck on the cheek either! Him kissing your hand definitely doesn't count!" Her mouth opened and closed...a few times...At least, she thought it did...Words refused to spill out.
"I mean full-on mouth-to-mouth kissing! With some spit-swapping involved! Use of your tongue is optional!" She was equally chagrined, and flushed at the thought...Kissing a man...Who was handsome, and a King...Who...Who she didn't even know….The conflicting thoughts caused a war to flare up inside her...The thing that bothered her most was the fact that, it didn't bother her as much as she would like. Still…
Anna was full-on laughing now. Hugging her middle. After her initial shock subsided...And those...Other...Thoughts...She couldn't help it...She was wiping her eyes after a minute. Another thought came to her. She tried to manage a pout, but it was very hard…
"That's SO unfair sister! Making me choose between a man or a horse!" It only served to deepen her laughter. Tears leaked out of Annas' eyes, she nearly fell off her chair. She managed to wrangle it after a few long minutes. But started giggling again…
"I'd go with the horse! -So much easier to manage!" This started them off again but not as much. She had another thought, feeding off of her sisters' mirth.
"I would say, the man would be the better kisser although, I could be wrong..." It set them both off once more. It was a good long while before they were able to wrest it down to mere titters. She looked at her sister shaking her head. She was about to speak when Anna took one hand, then the other in hers. She looked down, then pinned her with a look.
"Elsa?" She paused, looking away, just for a moment. She worried her lip a little.
"I...I just want to see you happy...Like Kristoff and I...I, I know it's not easy...but..." She looked away again, then back. She shrugged her shoulders, tilting her head just so...No words were needed. She was only looking out for her. She knew that...She just...Wanted more times like these. Just being sisters. After so many years…
But it seemed, duty and responsibility were quietly taking over. Anna only wanted her happiness, but her council was also right. Hard as it was to admit. She had a duty to her family name. A responsibility to marry and have children. To carry her name and her legacy into the future. She sighed mostly to herself and came to a decision. She would spend as much time as she could with Anna until that time came.
And if this...King Haddock proved to be, at least, -compatible...Well, she would at least...seriously consider it this time. She had caught herself more than a few times wondering about him. At first, she believed it was because a foreigner was coming that they knew nothing about, who was at war with another country. It was a huge risk. Not only from the standpoint of letting a potential hostile through their gates...But also from a political one. This could be viewed by outsiders as a show of support...Not that she cared a great deal. Arendelle carried a great amount of influence. She had seen many times in meetings, when she was hanging on to her anger by a thread, the looks of fear and shock. Both her allies and her, -not allies were none to interested in upsetting her. She was also confident in her abilities to defend her country.
-But still, in recent weeks as the letters and proposals started being exchanged. As the reports and meetings happened, she found herself wishing and hoping King Haddock was indeed a decent man. For reasons...She wasn't exactly sure of anymore. There was so much she didn't know, and yet...Was, was it because he was a King himself? Already established? -Not like a prince or a Lord who was looking...Was it because...Maybe, -deep down…
She was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. She looked up to see Anna with a curious look on her face, and a slight bit of worry in her eyes. How long had she...Their food had grown cold, and as she saw it, there was only one solution…
"Elsa?" Her sister asked tentatively. She mentally shook the last of the foreign thoughts for now. Thinking back on why their food had gone cold in the first place, she smiled. She looked down at their plates.
"Well! This simply will not do!" Anna tilted her head, a frown creased her brow.
"There is simply no other choice!" She saw out of the corner of her eye that Annas' eyes were narrowing. A curl came unbidden to her own lips.
"Dessert!" Annas' face lit up like fireworks.
"Which means…?" Anna asked leadingly. They both answered as one.
"CHOCOLATE!"
oooo0000oooo
"You've talked to them?" He asked. A heavy sigh was the first response.
"Aye!" They'd been over it a few times already, but he wanted to be sure.
"The Rudeboys? And the Murderous too?" He'd had a gnawing feeling, ever since...Well, ever since they'd voted on this Gods-forsaken mission. It had only gotten worse as the day for leaving drew closer. Another heavy sigh, much like the first, but the old smith ran a hand completely down his face.
"Hiccup..." He could hear the exasperation in his voice. See the disappointment...He was used to it...Had been used to it most of his life. And any more, it was back with a vengeance.
"Gobber, I want to be sure! We're in a situation here, and since I can't call this off, it's going to have to happen while I'm gone..." His voice raised all on its' own without his consent. They had gotten some more reports. At first, it was only rumor. But now it looked like something they could use to bring this to an end. Gobber took a healthy swig from his tankard hand, putting it back on the table with a little more force than necessary, in his mind anyway.
"Hiccup! Ye nae think we can 'andle this? Oi! I been lookin' o'er this village since I was younger 'n ye! We'll take care of it!" He wanted...no, he needed to be here when it ended. To look them in the eye and tell them it was over. Not just for himself or his kin, but for every single one of them. Every person they killed or dragged off...Every dragon they killed and skinned. Every. Single. One!
"-'Sides, we've already talked it over..." He stopped. Not quite sure…
"What, what do mean you...Who Gobber? Who did you..." He couldn't help the little stab, a sharp sinking in his gut...But this was Gobber. His fathers' most trusted friend and ally. A man who raised him nearly as much as his own father.
"What? Me, Thuggory, Toejam, and Dogsbreath talked it o'er yestiddy. We're gonna send a team tomorrow or the next. The twins left last night." It sounded like a plan, but still…
"I need to know Gobber! What's going on out there. Slow them down, delay them as much as possible until I get back!" He sighed again, although a little less heavily.
"Hiccup, There may be no time...If what we 'eard is true, we may not be able ta wait..." And there was the crux as it were, and it frustrated him to no end.
"I KNOW GOBBER! Wh, why do you think I've been trying to put his off! It was a bad idea from the start! This, this only proves my point! I've tried talking to everyone, but none will listen! What? Stop the war? Noooo, instead, let's all go on some stupid, hair-brained trip to expose ourselves, and put everybody, and the dragons in even more danger! Yes, that's the more sensible course! Why not?" He was seething by now. It was like he was fourteen again. The mere thought angered him so much! Nobody was listening. He still couldn't grasp why.
The older man sighed again, reaching up with his good hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. He squinted hard. A bit of guilt crept in. He didn't deserve to hear that, and it wasn't like he was directing that at him. He was just there, and there was no one else who'd listen. He drew a deep breath himself, letting as much of the anger and frustration out as would. Gobber released his grip, and gave him a pointed look. A bit more guilt seeped in. He looked so old at this point.
"Hiccup..." He released a breath before continuing. "...Just...I'll do wha' I can, ye know tha'. And you do what ye can ta get back 'ere quickly. I'll send word if an'thing 'appens." He shouldn't doubt...He shouldn't. But...Gobber stood and made his way towards the door. Stopping as he grabbed the handle.
"Hiccup?" He paused again for a breath. "While yer out, try to relax a bit aye? Enjoy yerself just a little? Ye need a break, from evr'thing." Yeah sure, he thought. Rest and relax while he had a whole archipelago of vikings and dragons at war...While he was hundreds of miles away, powerless to do anything if, no...When something happened, he spared the old man the tirade. He was feeling quite tired himself. He managed half-heartedly.
"Yeah...Sure Gobber." The look he gave him told him of his failure. But to his credit, the smith gave a slight nod, pushing the door open, and heading out into the night. A soft croon and warble at his elbow signaled his dragons' assent. Just everyone had to disagree with him, didn't they? He absently dropped his hand, rubbing along his crest. Traveling back to scratch behind his ear flaps. Toothless winnowed his head into his lap and relaxed.
Yes, he could admit, he needed a break. And he was planning to take one, as soon as this conflict was over. He'd known for a while actually...But he never suspected they'd be at it for so long. He never imagined it would be so stressful. A rumbling purr shook his legs. The dragon was right, he should stop thinking so much…But if it wasn't the war, it was this, -this...trip they were undertaking. And if it wasn't that it was…
Another rumble shook him again. Toothless was giving him the beady eye. He scratched him, putting more of his mind on soothing his friend. It had an abstract effect on him sometimes too. He knew this. It was just...Arrgh! He took a deep calming breath. And focused on the dragon again. He wasn't sure how he would do with this trip, but somehow he knew it would be OK. He was probably going to have to do months of fishing to placate the big scaly, spoiled reptile.
He was struck with a thought. It hadn't really dawned on him, well, it had. But it was a thought shoved aside for later. Now it was later. And aside from certain looks he was given time to time, well...It hit him full force. He was meeting a foreign Queen. And that meant...A few subtle and not-so-subtle hints had been dropped as to what he might be expected to...No! He wasn't thinking about that! His issue with Astrid aside, how...how was he even...expected...to...With someone he didn't even know? All the while trying to keep the dragons hidden and safe? He wasn't sure how that could be done.
He tried to picture her in that moment. Probably large, soft, and unattractive. Trying to snag a husband because there was no other way anyone would have her. He gulped dryly, as he thought his council was right. He was getting on in years. He was surpassing twenty. Many years past the time he would normally be expected to marry. He gulped again. If there was no one else...He was pretty sure Astrid didn't want him anymore. Not with how he'd been, treating her as of late.
Heather was an option. But then again, it would be too, awkward, and weird. They were good friends sure, but marriage was a lot more than friendship. It was sharing, and partnership...and, and...yeahhhh. He just couldn't...see. That. Camicazi…Wasn't an option. Sure, she might want him to sire her an heir, but that's where it stopped. A condition of the treaty was that they remain as they were. No men allowed, nor to rule. That only left…
He only ever saw himself marrying her, for the longest time. Until...Well, he really couldn't say when or how that changed. Even now, she was ever in the background. Both in his life and in his mind. But, his mother...He was truly happy to have her back. It was clear she was struggling, especially at first. But he was confident it would work out. But then the first blood in this war had been drawn, that seemed to tip the scales. Heated discussions turned into shouting matches. When it had finally spilled into the council meetings, that's when the rift waned wide.
When she left, some part of him died. The one person who was supposed to be there, just took off. Just like that. His father had died in battle, he had made his peace about that. After all, he was trying to save him. But his mother made a choice, and that made the bite all the more harsher. He closed himself off and just focused on the one thing that made any sense to him...Winning the war.
Toothless warbled again, not as insistent. It brought him back to the present...mess. Ahhh, I guess that's what I get, he thought. He rubbed and scratched the dragons head, receiving a contented huff in response.
"Bud? I don't know how this will work out. Marrying some horrid southerner, and keeping you guys safe..." Toothless crooned and warbled, a bit indignant.
"I know, I know...You don't need protecting. You've only been doing it for thousands of years yes?" He huffed and barked, shaking his head slightly.
"Well, you've only had to deal with a few thousand smelly, violent vikings up until now. There are millions of people living in the south now from what I hear. I'm, I'm not sure you'll do well against all that." Yes, millions of people. Most of which were only interested in material things. Or too caught up in merely surviving, to care about much else than themselves. Toothless warbled his dissent once more.
"Oh? I remember a certain dragon who was afraid of a fourteen year old nobody who couldn't lift an axe!" He received a tail to the back of the head for his trouble. It was only because he was anticipating it that his head didn't bounce off the table in front of him.
"Ow! Hey! Stop that! Or I may forget that the Baby Skrill incident was just between us!" The dragon lifted his head, nearly flipping the table over. He glares at him, but relents quickly. They'd found him all by himself on a small island near the swallowing sands. He was just so cute! With his large, eager eyes and wobbly gait. Toothless had taken a shine to him. Then the little guy started electrifying the sand they were standing on...Then the kids' mother shows up...Well, it wasn't pretty after that. He'd never heard Toothless wail like that. Well, there was that time...Just before he lost consciousness, falling into a massive ball of flame…
Toothless' ears twitched, and he caught it as well. A muffled conversation going on outside. Not entirely unusual, especially as they had been starting to place guards outside his hall. Totally unnecessary, in his mind, when you have a two-ton, black-as-night dragon sleeping right next to him. They were only looking out for him sure, but he felt the manpower would be better spent watching the horizon. He strained a bit. The voice was vaguely familiar, but through the wall…
He picked himself up from the table, placating the grumbling dragon with a few more scratches. He needed to finish packing. Needed to think on his speech. Some of the other Chiefs and their Generals had shown up to see him off. He expected most of the village would be there too. They were split about fifty-fifty on whether this mission was a good thing or bad, mirroring his own thoughts. Words were needed to placate both sides. He really should write it all down, but he was out of time.
He reached for the piles of clothes and started placing them in the trunks. He'd been presented with four of them as gifts from the carpenters of the Peaceable country. He never really needed them, usually carrying what he needed in saddlebags attached to Toothless, or a spare Gronkle or Nightmare. But they were well built, ornately carved, he couldn't refuse.
He had gotten two piles of clothes into a trunk when he heard the door creak softly. A questioning croon from Toothless was followed by excited huffing and soft barks. His claws scratched the floor. He could both hear and feel the thumps as the dragon hopped. He smiled, mostly to himself. He could see in his minds' eye what was happening. He'd been on the receiving end of that draconic greeting so many times...It never failed to bring a smile to his face. He prayed to all the Gods that it would always be so.
"Hello, Toothless!" He froze. As if someone had dumped a whole barrel of ice water on his back. That voice...That, voice. Why, what...The imagined cold seeped into his blood to his very bones, pooling at his feet. Why, why was she here? It had been months since…
He knew she occasionally stopped in the village. But with his current duties, they rarely, if ever saw each other. She would get supplies, talk to a few folks and then leave. Every now and then, Astrid or Heather would speak of taking injured or sick dragons to her nest for healing. But their reports of her health or well being fell on deaf ears. The Gods knew, there was always something to distract him. He needed the distraction, because anymore when he thought about it…
He straightened and turned slowly. He really didn't have time for this. He needed to finish packing. There was that speech too. Also some papers that were lying on a shelf. Had been for a while. He needed to take care of those too. There was a compelling urge to turn back around and finish the task at hand. Something, just something made him complete the turn.
She was crouched down to the dragons' level. Rubbing his head making clucking and clicking sounds with her tongue. What passed for a human-dragon greeting in their own language. She was also, he noticed, giving him a quick examination. Looking at his eyes, his scales. Running her hand over his jaw to his neck. It irritated him. Did she now think him incapable of taking care of his dragon? The anger started welling up from some dark pool inside him. Heat and flame and fire. And what was really irritating him was…
Her smile. She was smiling at Toothless, fully enjoying their interaction. Sure, it had been some months, but still...She was smiling as they once did at each other. Happy to be reunited, happy in their shared interest in the dragons. Happy to be family again. It had been a long time since that was directed at him. She scratched Toothless a few more times on his neck and his jaw and stood.
She turned and faced him. Their eyes met just briefly. He noticed them travel down to his feet, then slowly up. Examining him, he realized. It, it angered him so! So now he neither could take care of his dragon, nor himself? The boiling pool threatened to burst forth. Just, just who did she think she was? This was the woman who birthed him, nursed him, who raised him for a short while. He felt, he...felt…
His own eyes took her in. Still tall, arms thin but strong. There might have been a slight curve in her spine now. A few more streaks of white in her hair. A few more lines on her possibly thinner face. He could see the attraction, hard as it might be to admit. His mother was still a striking woman. Especially when she wasn't actually striking...Someone or something. He knew she was smart too. Possibly smarter than he, but that may just be due to her age and experience. Their eyes met again. Piercing green like his own. He felt…
Cold...Just like another bucket of water had been dumped on him. Like he'd been dropped into a deep, deep snowdrift. Like a too long winter that had started now to stretch between them in their silence. That, he realized, was it. The one person, in the whole world, who was supposed to be there. To help him, to guide him. He'd been dropped. Because she'd made a choice. She'd chosen to stay away all those years. Just as she'd chosen to leave him, drop him. Just when he'd needed her. Just when he'd started to adjust to having her again.
Cold. Their eyes met again and held each others' for a while. That cold stare. The one she'd started giving him after he'd made his choice. To have the dragons help them end this quickly. It was the right choice in his mind. After all, the dragons had a stake in this as well. Even if they didn't realize it. Maybe they did...He would never be sure. Most of the allied Chiefs and their Generals agreed. There were some who disagreed, including her. But in the interest of ending this quickly, and keeping their fragile alliance together, he'd made the choice.
"Hiccup..." Her brow had creased into a frown. He could guess what was coming. The same points, the same arguments they'd had before they had spilled out into the public. The chill in his blood turned colder, and a lump formed in the back of his throat. This is so wrong he thought. He seriously considered giving her his back. He still had so much to do. He swallowed slowly, and was just about to turn around…
She blinked, then looked down. Then back up again, into his eyes. Her brow unfurrowed, then peaked. A worried and concerned look started to take over her features for a moment, before her eyes darted around the room again. She shifted her feet, slightly exchanging her weight from one foot to the other. Their eyes met again. Though this time it was much different.
"Hiccup? I, I hear you're leaving..." He nodded slowly. What did she hope to accomplish? He gave no answer. The whole archipelago knew this. She shifted her weight again.
"I, it is said, you've been invited south...By a Queen..." Again he nodded. A bit of the arctic chill started to dissipate, but slowly. Her head turned side to side slightly, then down. She then snapped her gaze to him and took a few purposeful steps toward him. He stiffened, the chill crept back in. She sensed it then stopped. She raised a hand tentatively toward him, then froze. She dropped her gaze, looked side to side again then back. Her hand dropped to her side. There was a pleading look that melted the chill slightly.
"Why Hiccup? Wh, what do ye hope t' accomplish? This, this will only expose the dragons...US!" She corrected. "Th, this will only expose our world, their world, to everyone! Ye canna see this isn't a good idea?" This made his anger bubble forth again. Ice and fire, coursing through him all. Over. Again…
"I KNOW!" He shouted. He didn't really...But maybe he did mean to. Let it go...Let it out. He thought for a flash of a moment on the irony of it. They had actually agreed on something after months. But he stuffed it down in favor of releasing some more of the frustration.
"I know it's a bad idea! I've been telling them for weeks! Hel, I told them when I'd first got the letter! Bu, but someone thought it better to call a vote! I argued against it, but they wouldn't listen! So now, I'm going on this stupid trip, to meet with a bunch of stupid foreigners, who haven't a clue. To keep their stupid arses out, so they don't get them burned off by the dragons. Who we're trying to keep hidden!" Seething again. A red haze seemed to cloud his vision. He barely noticed Valka(his mother), something deep inside corrected, took a half-step forward. Her hand rising slowly.
He noted the movement. His anger and frustration made him spin around forcefully. He took several deep breaths. He, heard? Felt? A very faint rustling of cloth. Toothless crooned worriedly from a corner. He started to curl a little but no, he…
"Hiccup..." Her tone was softer, gentler. It irked him again in a way but, -also soothed. Strangely enough. He drew in a deep breath, releasing it slowly.
"So...So, in the name of being a good chief, -a good king..." He nearly spat the word. "I, decided to, to take on this...journey" He was being nice. He realized being king didn't mean always getting what he wanted, but still...He thought he detected movement, a slight change in the air around him. He was suddenly so very, very tired. He wanted to climb into his bed and sleep for a week, but…
He thought he detected something on his shoulder, just a wisp. Like a leaf had fallen there. It trailed lightly down his back. It, soothed again slightly. More of his anger left him. Silence hung for a while longer. It suddenly felt a tiny bit warmer.
"Hiccup..." It came slightly above a whisper, even in the silence. Something else, in her voice...Choking. He felt the air change around him again. Heard her boots softly scrape the floorboards. She was walking towards the door, he knew, or felt. He couldn't, -didn't turn around. He heard Toothless warble and gurgle behind him. There was a bit more silence…
"Hiccup? I, I'll stay close t' the village while ye' gone. And...And I'll, we...We will make patrols..." He nodded once. Still with his back...It seemed like it would take so much energy just to turn around...He felt so drained, and empty, but he still…
The door opened, it hung there, letting a chill breeze waft through the hall. He thought he heard her boots scrape the floor, but no...It was different, like, like a soft, ragged intake of air as if someone was...He drew in a deep, deep breath, forcing it out of his lungs. He looked around the room. Still so much to do, and even though he felt drained, he didn't expect he'd get much sleep this night...