Late. Again. But the longest chapter yet and it's well, the one everyone has been waiting for. There's always a chapter in a story where both the readers and the author are equally excited to see it go up, and this is one of those chapters for me. It's the idea that began this wholeeeeeeeee thing :)
Thanks to my reviewers: Katarina Aguilar, dimkaxoxo, shugokage, Crystal12, reader, NA 12A, Hospitaller1080, isabel, DiyyaRazali, Guest, Naruto Son of Artemis, and MasterofChaos.
Katarina Aguilar: I totally understand. I used to not like little kids when my siblings were around that age too. But I seriously hope by the end of this fanfiction that you'll love Ophelia :) And the link is on my bio page! I can't post it via the chapter because it would delete itself, so just look on there.
Crystal12: Yes, let's see :)
reader: Yay!
isabel: I think you're seriously underestimating the power of an Omphalos. They were created by Gods. So...I'd say no to the witch from Brave too. I know there's all this conspiracy (and I do enjoy it sometimes) about her timetraveling and all, but I think they're looking WAY to far into that. Also, I'm not going to do anymore crossovers with this story so even if she were powerful enough (and I'm gunna say the only thing as powerful as an Omphalos is an Omphalos) I'm not going to be putting her in the story.
DiyyaRazali: I've really made y'all wait for it eh ;) Hope you're not disappointed
Guest: Being a person who rarely reviews, I know the kind of person you are, so it means the world to me that you're reviewing! I hope this doesn't disappoint you!
"I'm getting married today." Elsa said the words over and over to herself in the mirror, watching the lights behind her flicker and morph her reflection. She couldn't believe it; it was almost surreal. Whatever gods they worshiped, it didn't matter…this was forever. She would live and die with Hiccup, however long that may be.
And strangely? She was not just resigned to this, but okay with it.
Despite everything that she should have been frowning about; being trapped a thousand years before her time, the possibility of never seeing her sister again, her parents not being here to walk her down the isle, Elsa did the improbable. She started to smile.
Her clothes were simple and not as ornate as usual. If she had been at home, her wedding dress would have been white and beautiful and full of gems or glitters or something. Anna, for being a princess, hers was almost funny to look at. For that she did have to be glad. For here, they did not wear anything special, for this was just another day. Another beginning.
There was a long light blue simple dress with a purple covering, and an assortment of necklaces from beads and other traded goodies laid out next to the chair. She almost braided her hair but did not, for she was supposed to keep it down today, and it was an unusual feeling. The cool air did not prickle along the back of her neck per usual, but instead was met by a sea of hair keeping her warm. There was a beautifully decorated cape, though, one fairly reminisce of the one that a thousand years from now, Anna would wear to find her sister in an ice castle.
Elsa's fingers shook as she clasp it. As horrible as those memories were, she would have never connected with her sister, never been who she was today. The castle would still be closed, and her sister would still be unwed. There would be no Ophelia, and even if her presence here was temporary, Elsa could not imagine loving another child (and Ophelia was not even her own) as much as she did. She couldn't imagine the strength of a mother's love, if this is how she loved a little girl who would one day- when she got home- sit on the throne of Arendelle.
Elsa couldn't imagine saying goodbye.
As Elsa walked down the stairs, she was giddy, almost. She hadn't seen Hiccup since they touched down and dismounted their dragons yesterday, but the idea of seeing his smile made a warmth spread from the tips of her fingers to the soles of her feet that she could not ignore. Was he thinking the same things, right now?
She had at first insisted that he stay at least one more night in his childhood home, and she could always bunk in with Kari at her house, but Valka had none of that. Hiccup, instead, stayed at their new house to arrange the finishing touches. She had no idea what to expect for a house. Hiccup was inventive, true, but could he really build a house? One that wasn't going to collapse?
Yes, perhaps she should have had more fate in him, but still she worried. It was natural, considering his own mother seemed a little uneasy about it too. She hadn't seen it either. Camacazi said she had, but she was unusually zipped-lipped. Of course, the one time her guilty conscious told her not to gossip.
"Getting cold feet?" Camacazi teased, looking as if she had literally just rolled off the couch into the waking world. She emphasized the word cold, the irony not lost on Elsa. Elsa stuck out her tongue.
"Perfectly warm, thank you very much." Elsa shot back, and Camacazi yawned.
"My god, this kid is already taking up my sleep and energy." She complained, and Valka hurried into the room, carrying things and looking frazzled.
"Your child is not yet behind it," Valka said, rolling her eyes, "If you had not insisted on staying out so late last night…." Valka said, turning with hands on her hips to shoot the young Viking a tired look, "You wouldn't be yawning."
"Naw, I still think it's the baby." Camacazi waved her hand, sitting down at the kitchen table to attack her long mane of hair- that she still maintained a chalky black color- with a brush. It was like watching someone wrestle with a tiger, and the sounds she made confirmed the image. Still Elsa bust out laughing; never before had she a friend so utterly silly and fun and not her sister (She loved Anna, but Anna was still a sister, a forced friend from the beginning). Anna would never swear in front of small children, nor be so bold and sarcastic as Camacazi was. To think that in a different world, perhaps Hiccup would be the father of her child.
But they would kill each other before they even got to sleeping together, so it was more of a wistful though on Helga's side. Camcazi gave a literal shudder everytime she imagined it.
And, she thought, had she arrived with Hiccup already been the one to make Camcazi pregnant, she could have lived with that. She wouldn't have felt anything, wouldn't have felt guilty, and would have probably still became friends with the Bog Burglar for it was clear that Hiccup had no intention to pursue Camacazi or vice-versa. But the idea of that happening now filled Elsa with a storm of protectiveness. Hiccup was hers. The idea of him with anyone else would simply not do.
"Breakfast?" Valka asked, and Elsa turned, her fingers playing with her loose strands of hair.
"I'm so nervous, I don't think I can eat." Elsa admitted.
"I can." Camacazi said, sitting down, "Give me two plates of your best stuff, ma'am." She said, and Valka sighed. She set down her wooden spoon.
"Elsa, would you go and get Ophelia? She was supposed to be up, by Odin it's past sun-high already!" She said, peering out the window.
"Of course." Ophelia said, going up to the loft to what used to be Hiccup's bedroom. She noticed since she'd first slept in here, he had evidently gone and gutted out what he needed, leaving only sparse furniture- the table, the bed, and the chair.
Ophelia was already up, staring out the window with Hubert on her shoulder.
"Ophelia, put Hubert on the floor. He's going to get your nice dress all dirty." Elsa said, picking up the little dragon. He spat a cloud of warm air; seeming to have a mini-panic attack the moment that Elsa took him off of her niece's shoulder. Ophelia absently reached down to pet his head and calm him down, but didn't turn.
She looked up finally, her deep brown eyes glimmering with sadness. "I remember mom talking with dad about your wedding, long time ago. She was so excited for it, before you had anyone." Ophelia said, "She wanted to be with you."
Elsa sighed, crouching down to be at Ophelia's level, "I wish she was here too. She would have taken everything over and made it perfect."
"Just like she said you made her wedding perfect." Ophelia said, giving a small smile.
"Her wedding was far from perfect," Elsa sighed with a roll of her eyes, sighing in the memory. Someone had gotten a little too drunk and knocked over the chocolate fountain that Elsa had set up, Sven had accidentally got a little too excited to be inside (per Anna's instance on Kristoff's behalf) and he'd torn the trail of her gown, and one of the servants had let the doves go way before they'd said their vows, and one of the doves had smashed into the stained glass, unable to find it's way to the open window. Hardly perfect.
"Mom says it was perfect." Ophelia said, shaking her head, "She told me a lot."
Elsa smiled; she was sure her sister had said it was perfect for her daughter's benefit, not because it actually was. Reguardless, she sighed.
"Come down and eat, dear. We're going to be leaving soon." Elsa said, and to urge her to come, grabbed Huburt. He still looked quite unsettled at being touched by anyone but Ophelia.
She dropped Huburt on a seat and Ophelia raced down after him, setting him on the counter.
"Ophelia, no dragons on the table." Valka said without turning away from the steaming pan.
"But Huburt is having a crisis!" Ophelia said.
"Oh?" Camacazi asked, staring at him, "I can't tell what way he's looking- left, or right?"
"He looks both ways." Ophelia said, gently petting him. He let out another pathetic little puff of air.
"He can survive on the floor." Valka said sternly and Ophelia slowly and meekly lowered him to her skirts, but Valka did not lower her glare until the dragon was on the floor. He curled his whole body around her chair.
"Are you sure you don't want anything?" Valka asked, looking one last time at Elsa.
"My stomach will hold until the dinner." She assured, for this was more brunch and already it felt as though she'd eaten a thousand cookies that were suring upward. She was nervous beyond understanding.
Too soon, or not soon enough, it was time to leave. Valka was brushing bits of dirt and food off Ophelia's dress and Camacazi was suddenly magically looking beautiful; hair under control, dressed, bags from her eyes gone.
They all left, leaving Elsa in the house. They said that Ragnar would be the one to walk her to the traditional site, for the person who gave her the sword to gift to Hiccup led her, and Valka didn't feel right havening anyone but the person who made it be the one. She would be glad for her new friend's support too. She had invited all the leaders- except Unn, she didn't care if he was upset- even those she wasn't in an alliance in. Wether they would attend or not was still to be seen, but she hoped that at least for today they could set their differnces aside and rejoice in a happy occasion.
In the time, Elsa walked slowly around the house. While she knew she'd be coming back here, she wanted to remember the way everything was, in this moment, when she was still unwed and still here. She wished she'd done that with the castle, but it was impossible to have known that this would have happened. Unthinkable, more like.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but soon there was a knock on the door. She opened it, and saw Ragnar dressed in sleek looking clothing, some reminiscint of another time. Like the suspenders she saw peeking out.
"Ragnar!" She teased, and he knew exactly what she was talking about, "Couldn't help it. Sometimes it's nice to have a little reassurance. You're not telling me that nothing you're wearing is from your time?" He asked slyly.
Elsa rolled her eyes. "Well, if you must know, perhaps I am wearing the petticoat that I feel through wearing. It's just a bit cold you, you know?" She asked, smiling to raise the ruffles to show the white fabric. He was correct; small comforts.
"Shall we go? I believe there is a handsom, young chief waiting for you eagerly." He asked, offering her his arm.
"And the sword?" She asked. He patted a sheath at his waist.
"Perfect, like all of my creations." He assured. Elsa took him for his word. It was for sure fall, the leaves were falling at an alarming rate and a bitter chill blew in across the lake, but the sun was out and it seemed perhaps the world was going to grant her one more warm day.
"So, as a child did you ever imagine marrying a Viking?" Ragnar asked, looking out, giving a quiet chuckle.
"Did you ever imaging leading a tribe of them?" She replied.
"I dreamed of it. This is like a little girl becoming a princess, which I suppose you already were. Didn't need any fairy-godmothers there." He chuckled.
"No, I didn't. I thought I would stay Queen of my lands and then one day marry a duke or another prince or something." She admitted, shrugging, "I suppose that it all works out, though. I would have never married someone like Hiccup."
"And you love him?" He asked, looking at her.
"I…" Elsa paused, and Ragnar noticed her hesitation, so he changed the subject. But it wasn't hesitation. It was something else entirely.
"Unn isn't here, as far as we can see." He said, lowering his voice.
"He shouldn't be." Elsa sniffed, raising her chin.
"He might still try. We're all, the alliagnce, watching out for you. Even some of the others came, surprisingly."
"Really? Who?" Elsa asked, fairly sure that she could guess at least one, for Ragnar still didn't know (and wouldn't know) about her and Gnaw's talk.
"Well, Wolfen, who's not a bad guy, but I still understand why he's not with us in the league. And Hogsag I think I saw, but he may have left. Looked…itchy. Oh, and Gnaw and his wife. But I swear, it's like Hilde thinks this whole day is just begging to hear her opinion!" He said, rolling his eyes and coughing then raising his voice to a falsetto, "Do you see those flowers they choose? They're already wilting. Odin, I would castrate the guy who did that! Gnaw, do you see the sky? It's going to rain. I think it's a bad omen. I think we should leave. Ugg, I think they're serving pork. I'm going to barf. Don't they know that it makes pregnant woman feel sick? The nerve! They're doing it just to annoy me."
Elsa couldn't help but laugh. "Oh yes, if I was trying to piss anyone off, it would be her. I'm serious. Thank god she's miserable."
"Gnaw looks annoyed. I'm beginning to wonder if their marriage is really as good as she says it is."
"She's pregnant." Elsa shrugged.
"Yeah, and looks ready to burst." Ragnar shuddered, "I think she may be secretly hoping to go into labor during your wedding and steal your thunder." He said.
"Even she's not that smart." Elsa rolled her eyes.
Elsa knew they were getting close from the commotion that slowly grew louder. She began to see shapes of people milling and sitting, laughing and waiting. Her heart thud a thousand beats a minuet, and for a second she was tempted to turn and run. Ragnar saw her expression, and he gave her a reassring smile.
"No going back now, you'll be okay." He said.
Someone must have noticed their approach in the back for the crowd grew deadly silent, even before Elsa could see the front. When she turned the bend in the path, she found herself at the back of the seats and she paused at once. She was positive both her and Hiccup took a sharp intake of breath at the same time. Hiccup stood up by the front, leaning on the sword that would go to her.
And he was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen; damn the fact males weren't beautiful. Because he was. For once, he was not in all his usual black and red armor he wore usually, just in a simple long-sleeved shirt and pair of pants. And the smile he gave her was the most wonderful thing she'd seen since arriving here. And this assured her on.
Ragnar nodded to her, and she took a step. Together they walked up to the front, through everyone. Elsa was astounded at the turnout. It was as if the whole side of the world showed up! The back, or what she thought was the back, was not really the back for if you had a set, you were lucky. There were people who peered through the trees yards away! She heard Ophelia squeal in delight, and that, along with Hiccup's eyes that only looked at her, made her sure of what she was doing.
At the front near the platform adorned with flowers everywhere, Ragnar carefully handed her the sword. He bowed, and went to sit next to Asgar, who gave her thumbs up from three rows back.
Elsa ran her finger along the careful construction of the hilt, and Hiccup's ring that rested on it too. She came up to him. He smiled.
"Hey." He whispered, his words for her ears only, despite the fact that probably more than a thousand eyes looked on.
"For you." She said, her arms shaking as she held out the sword. Hiccup looked surprised; not to be receiving it, but surprised at the detail. The hilt was a dragon, an exaggerated Night Fury that curled around what looked like a glass colored orb. Lower down was the crest of Arendelle, per tradition, which was a fancy 'A' in a snowflake, newly designed since the previous crest for her city had been lackluster. On the ends of the handle, on one side had Hiccup's initials, and on the other held Elsa's.
"I wish yours was as cool." Hiccup said, and handed her the one he held, a sadder look leaking into his eyes, "My father's…" He said, but then a light replaced the sad, "For our first son."
The hope in his eyes said it all. Elsa, if not being watched, would have leapt at him and kissed him at that very moment. Carefully, they slipped their respective rings on. They were not as plain as Valka's had been, but shaped into little dragons. It seemed as though Dragons would become Hiccup's reign. He had started something incredible and so life-changing that Elsa couldn't have been prouder.
Elsa laid her hands on the hilt of his new sword, and he laid his hand over hers. She realized he was shaking and sweating as much as she was. They said the vows, Hiccup starting first. Elsa had an excellent memory, but she'd taken the time to learn Hiccup's more native and rural language, and tripped over the pronunciation more than once. She supposed that it held up to Frigga, though, and the townspeople for as soon as she finished a loud, deafening cheer rose above the crowd.
And out of the crowd- she was sure Camacazi started it- an off-beat 'kiss!' chant begun. She didn't even have time to think as Hiccup grabbed both of her arms, grabbing her close to him. She didn't hear the sword clatter to the ground as she wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him pick her up in his passion. She has literally now been swept off her feet by a man.
When they broke apart, lips bruised and cheeks red, the cheering was only louder, more raunchy. Hiccup seemed more put-together than she saw, and gave a smirk.
"Race ya." He said, and she was still trying to process his words. By the time she came to, he was already racing to the celebration building, and the crowd was laughing at her dumbstruck look.
"Damn you, Hiccup!" She called after him, pretty sure that world-shattering kiss had half-been to distract her. And it worked. She grabbed her skirts in one hand, her ancestral sword in another and tore after him. While she caught up a bit, she didn't catch him. Not by a long run. When she got there, he was casually and ever so evily leaning against the wood of the wall, as if he hadn't just run halfway across the town.
"Fancy seeing you here." He said.
"How can a one-legged guy run so fast?" Elsa heaved; catching her breath, to which Hiccup just broke into a smile.
"Years of practice. Trust me." He said, holding out his hand, "Now to lead you over the door and into your new life." By this point the whole crowd was pushing to watch. Elsa knew the superstistions- if she stumbled at all, it would be a sign that their marriage would stumble too.
She literally begged any god that was watching that ouf of all the unfortunate times that they chose for her to be clumsy, this was not one of them. The whole group held their breath as he stood with her at the door, and they both stepped up and into the house. Even though it was such a simple, quick task the anticipation was like a tsunami. And thank Odin, she chuckled, she didn't trip.
She saw marks on the wood, some deeper than others, reminding her that now it was Hiccup's turn to use the new sword and thrust into the support beam. The deeper the cut, the stronger their marriage would turn out to be. While Elsa was a firm believer that they the people, and not the curses or whatever, made things work or not, she hoped that Hiccup's sword at least broke the wood, a bit. When the sword went just as deep as most, she could tell she was not the only one surprised.
He turned, and was not offended at her look of shock. As he led her over to their seats of honor, and people came forward to examine the mark, he explained. "Years ago, the little me that first discovered Night Furies, wouldn't have been able to do that. Now? Well, Dragon taming and riding is not for weak muscled." He said, and rolled up a sleeve to show her his arm.
While it was skinnier, it was all muscle. His muscles weren't over the top, not like Snoutlout who was already flexing from where he saw, but it was still enough to impress her.
"I know, I look skinny." He said.
"That kiss." Elsa finally spoke, "You were trying to distract me from the race!" She accused playfully.
"Hey, worked, didn't it?" He asked, "Could you imagine the shame if I lost the race?" He asked.
"Oh yes, poor you." Elsa rolled her eyes.
They watched the people who had been invited to the feast trickle in. The other towns people would have to be content with their own food, and they would no doubt take out their finest, for it's not everyday that the chief gets married. But they could not feed everyone who attended.
Valka was helping and Elder roll over a barrel. Ah, the honey ale. Two metal cups were set in front of the newly married couple, and Elsa knew that she was to serve Hiccup his ale.
Before she set it down, she paused, clearing her throat to speak. "I know that usually the wife would speak here, in your native tongue, and I apologize that I did not learn it. While I have been excused, I feel as though I should say something." She turned, as the words were usually for the husband, and Hiccup tilted his head in interest, so she continued, "Hiccup, when you first found me, and in those days after, the only thing I wanted was to go home. I came into this marriage for I twas the most reasoble choice, as a Queen has taught me to think. But even though I was a queen back home, I never fit. I never fit anywhere. But I do, I fit here. And I feel today as something in this world has been righted, as if our marriage dislodged a stone blocking the stream, so now the river of time and fate is flowing freely, as it is supposed to. I love Berk, I love it as much as my old home, and I promise to treat it like my children and my responsibility, and do things for the sake of her health. But more than that," She paused, shocked she was saying what she'd realized last night, but kept silent to everyone until now, for they were words that he should hear first, "I also love you. I love you more than I thought I could ever love anyone else. I have not only found my home, where I'm meant to be, but believe me when I say I think I've also found my soul mate."
Elsa set the ale in front of him, and a poured a glass for herself. Then, without looking at him, they both took a drink and the crowd went wild. Now, they were officially married.
After, food was served and Hiccup and Elsa were left in their own world, as others talked with each other and laughed and got drunk, no longer quite as interested to watch their every move.
"You love me?" Hiccup asked, taking her hand and squeezing it, "Really?" He asked, leaning forward until his forehead was touching her own.
"Really." She said, squeezing back. He gave a smile.
"Can you say it again?"
"I love you, Hiccup." Elsa obliged, and Hiccup seemed to melt into her words.
"I am the luckiest guy on the face of the earth. I love you, Elsa Haddock." He said, and a chill went down Elsa's back. Elsa grinned, running her fingers along his knuckles. This love wasn't like the usual loves that was talked about in books; she didn't scribble 'Elsa Haddock' all over her notes and such, didn't tack on his last name to hers at every thought. Therefore it was a weird thing, to hear those two titles together, because just so short ago they had been so separate of ideas- a Snow Queen and a Viking, yet here they were, fused as one.
For as much as men always claim to do, in a marriage, it's really the women that shows the marks of every union. The women mergers their names. The woman merges their lives and creates something, something small and helpless but Odin he could one day seize oceans or lead the whole island to victory. He could build a ship or a skyscraper or travel to the ends of the earth. And in that moment, Elsa knew that whatever their children would do one day, it would be great things. How could they not, when they would have a father like Hiccup?
The newlyweds then thereafter continued into their quiet piece of perfection. Yet not was all perfection. Ragnar watched the whole hall with eyes of a hawk. He was adamant on making sure nothing in the world would ruin Elsa's happiness tonight, or Hiccup's for that matter. Someone like her, a person who came here through time and was willingly staying, was someone he related too, and he knew that if she could only ever be happy with this one thing, it could be enough to keep her from going insane. Being a leader of a tribe creating swords and other metals was enough for him, he couldn't imagine doing anything else. Granted, had he just been a regular old Viking, perhaps it would have been different. Didn't mean he didn't keep up to date on Omphaloses that appeared, learned to pick out those that were like him, as he was sure others did. Eventually, Elsa would be able to see it too. It was what happened when you were one of 'em. It was like knowing someone had an addiction or a disorder because you had it yourself. Soon enough, the signs were like a giant blinking sign.
From the corner of his eye, when the sky was now dark and the festivities were in full swing, Ragnar saw a nervous looking guard slip in around the people, heading straight for Hiccup and Elsa, who were so engrossed in their selves and the people around them, they didn't notice. And he wouldn't let them.
He got up, and Thuggery saw him rise, noting the guard. A silent motion passed between them; they had shared the same sentiments. Whatever it was, they could deal with the problems. Let Hiccup worry of them tomorrow, not tonight.
"Sir." Ragnar nodded, "Are you heading to tell the Chief something?" He asked. The guard's face was pale and he was sweating.
"That's nothing to tell you of." He scoffed, trying to back up, but found himself against the large chest of Thuggury.
"Why don't we go outside?" Thuggury asked, clapping him on the back, seemingly as if he was making a friendly gesture, but Ragnar saw the tension on the man's shoulder.
"I really-you're not even-Hic-," He began to rise his voice but Thuggury clasped his hand over the man's mouth. Hiccup looked up, but Ragnar sidestepped into the view and pretended to laugh with Thuggury for a second. Once Hiccup's attention was turned away, they slipped out without much notice through a back door.
"Seriously? You're going to bug Hiccup on his wedding night?" Ragnar asked once the door had closed behind him.
"It's very important!" The guard still looked very shaken.
"If it's a house burning, it can wait. So unless you're going to tell us that we're under an invasion right now…" The man suddenly became even shakier.
"Odin, you're joking." Thuggury took a sharp intake, he didn't have to look at Ragnar to know who. Unn…
"Why should I even tell you?" The guard suddenly snapped out, "You, as far as I know, are enemy tribes. Perhaps you're helping orchestrate it!" He growled.
"I think we would have killed you by now," Ragnar said, "You can trust us. Really. We have an agreement with Hiccup and Elsa. But please, repeat. Attack? Why are we just standing here?" He said, pulling out his sword from the sheath.
"Well, it's not exactly an invasion." The guard said, and Ragnar poked his sword into his stomach.
"Talk. So it's not an invasion but you find it urgent enough to disturb the happy couple?"
"A couple Outlaws came ashore. They said that they need to see Hiccup now, that he needs to give himself up, or else they're going to kill Ophelia. There's only five of them, I didn't see her, but-,"
Ragnar jumped back into the room and came out a moment later, eyes wide, "She's not there." He whispered, "Damn, damn, damnit." He cussed.
"Only five?" Thuggury said, taking out one of his multiple knives, "Me, you, and Tore…we can probably take them out. Between your weapons, my skill, and Tore's strategy."
"But if the girl dies!" The guard squawked.
"She won't." Thuggury said, "We'll tell Hiccup later. He would be…he wouldn't think clearly in such a high risk situation anyway, it's better he does not know yet. If they actually attacked, then this could start war, and we're on your side. It's better we know."
Ragnar watched the guard while Thuggury went inside and came in a moment later with Tore following, a dark expression on his face.
"I'm in." He said, nodding, and Ragnar handed him an extra weapon, "Lead us? C'mon." He said, and the guard glared at them, but when three chiefs were pointing sharp things at them, you didn't disobey.
He led the group of leaders down to the water's edge, far from the festivities, where it was relatively un-guarded. It was a difficult place for Dragons to land regardless, and the ocean on this side was often unpredictable and dangerous, therefore anyone who attacked from this side had a chance of being taken out by the rocks before they even got to the shore.
"They're in there." The guard said softly, pointing to a cave precariously close to some nasty waves, "They found her wandering around outside." He whispered, "One of them talked to me and gave me this." He said and handed them a piece of ribbon.
"Shit." Ragnar sighed, "Looks like what was in Ophelia's hair." He said and his heart sank. What if they were too late? Tore crept around, trying to gauge the situation the best they could. They were hardly into a discussion when a fifth person crept up to them.
"Are you going to save my friend?" A small child's voice asked. All four men jumped to find…Ophelia.
"Ophelia!" Ragnar gaped, "Aren't you supposed to be caught? In there?" He asked, dumbfounded. Tore turned to glare at the guard.
"They think it's Ophelia then." The man stuttered.
"How do we know it's not an ambush! And you're working with them?" Thuggury asked, a very valid question.
"They have my friend." Ophelia reminded them softly, worriedly, "Sigrid."
Ragnar narrowed his eyes, thinking back to the feast. Ophelia with her two friends had been wearing nearly identical ribbons in their hair, and now that he looked at it, the ribbon he held was a slightly darker shade of Ophelia's. They all also wore similar dresses, made by Valka. One of Ophelia's friends was dark haired and skinned all over, but there was a girl that looked almost like Ophelia. They were about the same age, and she had slightly curly hair that was golden and the same chubby face. He supposed, if someone had never formally seen Ophelia and only been told her description, it would have been easy to mistake them.
"Thank Odin it's not really Ophelia." Tore sighed, relaxing.
Ophelia frowned, "You're going to save Sigrid!" She demanded, a little loudly, and all four men shushed her.
"Yes." Ragnar said, holding her shoulders, "But you need to go back to the wedding, and trust us, okay? Don't tell Hiccup yet, let us get these bad guys, first, okay? I'll come and get you when Sigrid is okay, but she'll probably need to go home after that." He said.
Ophelia seemed upset about keeping quiet, but her bows creased. "Okay."
"Now go." Tore said. She looked at their swords, and scurried off.
"Okay." Thuggury said once she was out of sight, "Got a plan Tore?"
"Of course." Tore gave a lopsided grin, "It's been awhile since I smashed some heads." He quickly filled them in, "Are we good?"
"Let's do this."
Back at the wedding, Ophelia slipped into her seat, and she tried her best not to look upset. For as young as she was, she understood the graveness of the problem, but also that Hiccup and her aunt looked so happy that she didn't want to upset them. Besides, she trusted these men. They seemed really nice, and in her six-year-old mind she had no doubt that they would save Sigrid.
Camacazi had seen her slip in though, she'd been outside getting some air as the commotion was making her a bit woozy, but didn't think much of it. She'd been considering telling Elsa good-bye and making some crude comment to Hiccup and then heading home to treat her sickness when she heard a surprised noise.
"Camaczi?" Her heart skipped a couple beats, "You're here? You're Elsa's friend…I mean, of course."
"Jari." She swallowed hard, quite sure that she would never see him again. She took a step and her head swam. She hardly registered her step faltering until she felt Jari leading her over to a patch of grass where she could sit.
She collapsed, moaning in slight embarrassment and slight pain at her now pounding headache. She ran her hands up her face, wincing. When she looked up, Jari was crouching next to her with concern in his eyes.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Peachy." She snorted with sarcasm, rubbing her head, "What are you doing here?"
"Besides saving pregnant chiefs?" He asked, cracking a small grin, and she did too for she had missed his casual humor, "Elsa sent me an invitation yesterday. Said the first one must have gotten lost via dragons since she had never heard my RSVP."
Camacazi narrowed her eyes, then threw her head back and laughed, "Elsa…" She shook her head.
"Huh?" Jari asked.
"Nothing." Camacazi smiled, and then faltered, "So…you've probably heard by now." She said. Jari sat, and stared at her stomach.
"Yep." He agreed with a longing sigh.
"I thought I'd be more excited." Camacazi admitted, "But I just feel sick and empty." She admitted with a curl of her lip.
"Well, we did become quite connected." Jari said, twirling some grass between his fingers, and at Camacazi's surprised look and blush that spread, he continued, "I think we both knew that you were pregnant for a while, but we continued what we did. It was enjoyable, but we also spent a whole lot of that time not doing that. Eating, laughing, what have you."
"I suppose so." Camacazi agreed, a claw squeezing hard on her heart, "And now?"
"Is it bad to hope it's a boy, so perhaps we get a second trial?" He asked.
"Is it wrong I hope so too?" She asked, and together they looked at each other, and then Jari laughed at their sudden awkwardness.
"We've seen each other naked, and now we're reduced to giggling and embarrassed looks?" He asked.
"Well, we didn't admit these things before." Camacazi said, and Jari gave a hum of agreement. Their admittance went unannounced, but neither needed to say it in words.
"You know." Jari said, "Things on Berk have really turned upside-down since Elsa arrived. Lots of new changes coming, I can feel it. Slowly, tradition is sailing away on a flaming ship." He said.
"Oh?" Camacazi asked, curious to where he was leading.
"Ten years from now, who knows where all our old rules will be. Do we want to be blindsided by the time it get to that point, where we then have to star all over again?"
"Are you suggesting…" Camacazi began softly.
"Something that a Bog chief has never done before? Yes. Let their children know both their parents. In secret if we have to." He said.
"Children. Plural." Camacazi said, and Jari shrugged.
"I'm optimistic on a change of tradition." He said, winking, "Now I'm going to kiss you. Because you know, screw tradition."
Camacazi snorted. "I think you already have." She winked, patting her stomach.
Hiccup and Elsa were blissfully unaware of all the commotion everywhere but in the house. Soon, Valka tapped Hiccup on his shoulder and told him they had stayed an appropriate amount of time and that he could leave with Elsa.
Hiccup had been looking forward to that moment all night.
They left with catcalls and dirty jokes being thrown in their direction, but everyone was assured that the party would still continue in full swing, hopefully to keep peeping toms from attempting to see in on their private night.
As Elsa left, she noted some key people not in the crowd to say goodbye. Jari and Camacazi for one, but she took that as an optimistic sign instead of just a coincidence. She was a little hurt Ragnar was nowhere to be seen, as his support in such a moment would have been nice, but she wasn't all too offended, not when Hiccup was holding her hand so gently and kissed her forehead lovingly.
When Elsa first came upon the house, she laughed. "A tree?" She asked, "How very Hiccup." She decided. There was a sort of enchantment, magic she hadn't felt since a small child in the fact that she'd be now living in a tree house. This made her feel giddy.
Hiccup watched her bemused and smiling face and took it as a good sign. He wasn't sure what she wanted to do, not that she was free from certain activities with him at the moment, so he was going to let her take the lead. There were candles lit in every window for her arrival so the house didn't seem dark and unfamiliar. He stepped into the first walkway, and closed the door.
"So Elsa, what do you wish do to tonight?" He asked, "Eat? Sleep? Tour?" He asked, trying to gauge her feelings. She seemed completely interested in the spiraling entranceway, the strong oak and the smell that reminded her of the woods back in Arendelle. She finally registered that Hiccup had asked her a question.
She pondered it for a moment. She almost laughed; all her fears of what this night was supposed to be had suddenly vanished. She saw Hiccup, so accepting of whatever she was up to, and took his hands in both of hers.
"Well, a tour, I suppose." She said, and Hiccup, thinking innocently at this point to be a gentleman nodded, until she continued, "And I think I'd like to start with our bedroom. But since we'll be sleeping and living there, I daresay it needs more than just a look around. It think the room, and the bed in general, needs a trail run."
The look on Hiccup's face; Elsa wished dearly she had a camera.
"Trail…run?" He repeated.
"Yes, maybe two or three. If I'm not satisfied or on the opposite, quite satisfied." She said. It seemed as if Hiccup's jaw was not connected to his face, it would have hit the floor. He was absolutely frozen.
"Well, aren't you going to show me? Give me that tour? I don't know this house?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am." Hiccup finally gasped, blinking out of his shock, then grinned, "Of course." Swifter than she could think he threw Elsa over his shoulders. She laughed, her laugher filling the house better than the seemingly million candles he'd lit. He went straight through the house to their master bedroom, but once the door shut, he set Elsa down, now being extra cautious. This was, on the list of everything he expected to happen, probably the last thing. On the lists of things he wanted to happen, it was undoubtedly number one. He wondered if a God, just for shits and giggles, somehow exchanged the two lists.
Well he hoped they were laughing for Hiccup had never felt more unprepared for anything in his life.
Elsa was very carefully running her fingers around the room, humming in approval for the most part. Finally, she sat on the bed, and undid her outer-cape, letting it fall on the floor.
"I love it, although this," She patted the bed, "Is my favorite."
"Elsa...Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked, sitting next to her, "I just…I don't want you to…regret something." He said, "I don't want to force you."
"Hiccup, I wouldn't be dong this if I didn't want it." She said.
"But are you sure?" He asked, and Elsa shot him a funny look.
"Are you feeling ill? Do you not want me, for from what I've gathered, you're acting quite unlike the usual boy." She teased.
"Elsa!" He groaned, "Of course I want you." He mumbled, "But you just admitted you loved me…tonight. If you want to take things slow I'll-,"
"Hush." Elsa cut him off, "This is what I want." She assured, slowly taking over layer-by-layer, "I've loved you for a while now, I just, it's hard to admit it. It wasn't positive. But you, I want to be with. I want everything love has to offer, and we are married. We should be husband and wife in everyway." She said, leaning forward to kiss him. Hiccup, against every male hormone in his body, pulled back.
"We shouldn't do it," His breath hitched as Elsa kissed his neck, "Because of 'shoulds', Elsa. We can get there soon enough. I want you to, Odin…" he momentarily lost his train of thought, then shook himself out of his day-dream, "I want you to do it for the sole reason that you want to. So I'll ask you again, are you sure?"
Elsa gave a frustrated sigh, laying back against the pillows. "Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third, if you do not get over her and ravish me right now, I swear on Thor's Hammer-,"
She didn't even have to finish her threat, for every willpower Hiccup ever had suddenly vanished. By morning, he was pretty sure neither complained about that.
At morning's light, hardly after the break of dawn, someone was already knocking on their door. They both groaned in the light, and Hiccup became strikingly aware of their…nakedness. He hardly had time to recollect on their adventures before the knocking became more urgent. Elsa lazily rolled over.
"What the?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.
"I'll get it." Hiccup sighed, throwing on a pair of pants, "Probably my mother or I don't even know…" He sighed. He was surprised to see Ragnar, Tore, and Thuggury standing on his doorstep. At first he assumed they were here to poke jokes or something but then he noticed their grim expressions.
"We came as soon as it was a decent hour, but there's something you need to hear." Ragnar said.
"Well…would you like to come in?" He asked, because Thuggury was already pushing past, so he may as well offer an invitation. He popped back into the room to tell Elsa about their visitors, in case she liked walking around naked or something, and also said that they wished that she would join them. She shot Hiccup a sort of glare, but grudgingly got dressed at a quick pace. She pinned her hair back up into a braid, and went to meet with three chiefs.
"We apologize, but something happened last night…" Ragnar and quickly filled them in.
"And you didn't think to tell me?" Hiccup said, standing and slamming his morning drink against the table, "When Ophelia was at risk, even if she actually wasn't?"
"We handled it. We wanted to give you your one night." Thuggury began but Hiccup stormed off. Elsa was upset, but she finally calmed Hiccup down. When they returned to the kitchen, the men were still there.
"We…erm…ascertained information from the Outlaws we captured." Tore said, side glancing Elsa, as if she didn't know he meant 'torture', "They swore they did it without Unn's knowledge, that it was a singular group effort, that no invasion is being planned." His voice dropped off, as if he was going to continue and say 'yet' but thought better.
"What now?" Elsa asked, "If they tell the truth, how can we be sure?"
"One of the men we captured is Unn's right hand man. If they were truly working without he knowledge, no one will come to get them. If someone does, I suppose that's going to be dealt with then." Ragnar shrugged.
"Then we just hope?" Elsa asked icily.
"We don't need or want a war." Tore sighed, "It's the only option we have. They wanted Hiccup, though. For what? We don't know."
"We'll leave you now." Thuggury said, nodding to them both, "I hope we'll be in contact soon."
"Be careful Hiccup." Ragnar said as he left, "Something's beginning to stir."
When the left, Hiccup gave a laugh. Elsa threw him a sharp look of confusion. He chuckled. 'Telling me to be careful. Like I haven't been my whole life." He rolled his eyes, "It's all part of being chief." He murmured.
He came over and hugged Elsa, "But I promise. He won't hurt you, my wife. Over my dead body." The hardness of his words scared Elsa; not the intensity, but the promise. She had a foreboding feeling that he may be more correct than he thought.
I hope you all really enjoyed that. If you did, be sure to review :) If you're a person that this is literally the chapter you feel like you've waited your whole life for (ok jk, that's a little extreme) and you've never reviewed before, don't worry...I'm nice to people :)
Also, I'm considering doing a M-rated scene of their wedding night. Is anyone interested in seeing the lemony details?