B&B – Chapter Seventeen: "Beauty and the Beast"*
Finally! The chapter you (probably) have been waiting for! I took inspiration from both movies for this iconic scene. I personally think Emma Thompson and Angela Lansbury both did a great job and I can't just pick one! But you'll get to imagine whichever one you want to hear. I hope you like it!
"Well, I saw him in the ballroom and I said, 'You're making the place look beautiful. We should have a dance tonight.' I never thought he would actually say, 'yes'! Oh gods! What was I thinking?!" Astrid groaned, submerging her head under the water in the bathtub, partially hoping that she'd drown.
"No, no! My Lady, it will be perfect!" encouraged Ruffette, floating behind the screen. "The rose has only four petals left, so tonight you can tell Hiccup how you feel!"
Astrid remerged, dripping with water and gave her flattest scowl. "I feel like an idiot." She shook her head, reaching for her towel. "He will never love me."
"Do not be discouraged," said Ruffette, dodging falling water as Astrid shook off her wings and sat down in front of her vanity. "He is the one!"
"Would you stop saying that?" Astrid complained, "There is no 'one'."
"You care for him, don't you?" Ruffette asked.
"Well, I –" Astrid couldn't help but blush until she admitted it. "Okay fine! Yes! I care about him! I want him to be happy!" She buried her head in her arms on the vanity counter in embarrassment.
I want him to smile always, she thought to herself. And I'd love it if he liked me back.
"Well then, woo him with beautiful music and romantic candlelight," said Ruffette. "And when the moment's just right…" the feather duster giggled.
Astrid's face flushed again. "But… how will I know?" she asked, looking up from her arms.
"You will feel slightly nauseous," yawned Malarobe.
Astrid sat back in her chair, looked herself in the vanity mirror and sighed heavily at her reflection.
"Don't worry, my dear. You'll do fine," said Mrs. Potts, hopping on the vanity counter. "Just stop being so nervous and tell Hiccup how you feel!"
Astrid bit her lip and tried to smile. "Okay. I'll do it."
…
"Why, Master! Don't you look dashing!" said Tuffwick with a laugh.
Hiccup turned around multiple times, staring at himself in the mirror. "Are you sure this is how it fits?" he asked, "I'm not really used to wearing these kinds of things." He tried tugging at the collar. "It feels… kinda tight."
"I assure you, sir, it's the right fit," said Cogslegs. "But there is still something missing."
"Oh no, what's that?" Hiccup asked, a little afraid it would be something else he'd have to squeeze into. As it was, he could barely breathe with his diaphragm.
For the first time, Cogslegs gave a hearty chuckle. "It's just a simple cape. Nothing to be afraid of, Master."
"Speaking of which," said Hiccup, accepting the fur cape given to him from the coat stand. "Why are you suddenly calling me 'Master'? I told you, 'Hiccup' is just fine."
"Because tonight is special!" said Chip, excitedly. "We haven't had a ball in ages!"
"Quite right," said Cogslegs. "And… we wanted to show our appreciation to you."
"You know," Tuffwick picked up where the clock left off, "for saving our Lady's life and bearing with her after all this time."
"I wouldn't say that," Hiccup said with a little laugh, fastening the cape in place. "She's stubborn for sure, but… she's not terrible…"
…
Hiccup looked himself over once more in the mirror. This was by far the fanciest outfit he'd ever worn.
Hiccup wore a white tunic underneath a tight, broad-shouldered maroon vest; the collar still a little tight around his neck even as he pulled at it with his finger. Meanwhile, a thick leather belt circled around his waist and thick leather wrist bracers wrapped up his forearms up to his elbows. And below that, he wore olive-green trousers and a new pair of leather boots, (well, boot). Hanging over one shoulder hung a thick brown fur cape, almost covering his arm, the cord fastening the cape from his shoulder, tied across his chest and looping under his armpit. Although, Hiccup felt strange in the new getup, it wasn't quite as stuffy as he thought it would be. He supposed dancers had to breathe somehow.
He stood to one side of the grand staircase, trying to flatten his hair that refused to stay down. Why were they even bothering to dress up? It wasn't like they had to act for anyone else.
Hiccup glanced across the staircase and stared.
He never imagined seeing Astrid in a dress, and he didn't want to believe his eyes, but there she was. Her hair, for once, not in its braid, but hanging freely in long curls, cascading down her back.
Astrid wore a long and plain ocean-green frock dress, the hem brushing the floor. A very long maroon belt tied around her waist, the entire length studded with silver, and the extra slack left hanging at her hip. (Hiccup suspected it could also attach a sword sheath if need be.) A small shawl of white fur covered her shoulders and fastened to a large silver ring in front of her chest. She wore no jewelry. No earrings, no bracelets or rings. All she had was a simple leather choker matching the familiar studded leather circlet around her head. Although the whole outfit was simple, she still looked remarkably elegant. Definitely a woman that didn't need to compensate for her confidence with the way she dressed.
She, in turn, stared back at him.
They both stepped down the staircase to meet each other.
"I thought red was your color," she said, smiling at him.
He smirked and bowed to her. "Milady," he said, taking her arm.
He took her hand and she felt something like an electric pulse shoot up her arm. He looked into her eyes, seeming to silently ask if she was ready. Looking slightly up at him, she gently nodded, and they stepped down the grand staircase together.
Mrs. Potts smiled from afar and started to gently sing.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little sacred
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
Astrid stopped just inside the ballroom as though not sure what to do next. Hiccup drew closer and lifted her hand onto his shoulder, then gently put his other hand around her waist… pulling her closer to him…
Astrid could've pushed him away – the look in her eyes almost fearful – but she didn't say anything. She was simply letting him lead the way. For a moment, Hiccup was reminded of the time Astrid made him skate across the ice with her. Hiccup smiled.
"Don't look down. Look up at me, okay?" he said.
Her eyes went wide for a second, but then she smiled a little, realizing what he was remembering. "Okay," she answered with a nod. Then Hiccup gently led her to step into a waltz.
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast…
The two walked out of the ballroom and breathed in the fresh evening air.
Astrid panted a little, hiking up her skirt so she could sit on the stone bench, "I… haven't danced in years! I almost forgot the feeling."
There was a peaceful silence between them as they gazed out at the night sky. The rose garden was lightly frosted in white snow, which glistened in the moonlight. Even the frozen lake was shining.
"It's beautiful," Hiccup said, looking up at the starry sky, his breath slightly steaming in the air.
Astrid looked out and nodded with him. She smiled a little. He did look very handsome in the moonlight. Then she bit her lip, blushing. "I'm glad that… that you came here," she said, hesitantly.
Hiccup glanced at her and nodded. "Well…" he bit his lip and rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to answer, "I'm… sort of glad I came here, too."
Astrid brightened. "Really?" she asked, looking at him. "Do… you think you could be happy here?"
Hiccup paused, his smile faltering, then answered with a question of his own, "Can anybody be happy if they aren't free?"
Astrid became quiet. She tried not to let his words hurt her – he obviously didn't mean to – but it was the truth. He was still her prisoner, no matter how many liberties she gave him.
Changing the subject, Hiccup said, "My mom taught me to dance. I used to step on her toes a lot…"
"You must miss her," Astrid replied, comfortingly squeezing his hand.
Hiccup nodded, unable to hide his frown. "Very much."
Astrid bit her lip, thinking. Then her face brightened, and she asked, "Would you like to see her?"
…
She led him to the west wing, onto the balcony. Astrid carefully handed him the magic hand mirror. With simple instruction, Hiccup asked it, "I'd like to see my mother." At once the glass swirled and revealed Valka. But what Hiccup saw made him gasp.
"What is it?" Astrid asked.
Hiccup looked at her with worry written all over his face. "Something's happening! I don't know what, but she's in trouble! They – the villagers – They're carrying her away against her will!"
He clutched the mirror in his hands, wanting to tear his eyes away, but unable to. He started pacing the room. "W-What should I do?"
Astrid leaned against the table and gazed down at the rose. It looked so weak and withered already. It was going to die tonight. That much was certain. Now was her chance.
Just say it, Astrid! Say 'I love you'! End this curse for everyone!
She opened her mouth… but she couldn't speak. Looking away, Astrid pursed her lips and took a deep breath. "Then… you must go to her."
Hiccup looked up at her, confused. "What did you say?"
Astrid turned to him and pretended to smile reassuringly. "You must go and save her! Be the hero, dummy!" she said, "There's no time to waste!"
Hiccup just looked dumbfounded.
She laughed and punched him lightly on the arm. "It's alright. Go! I officially release you from your promise."
Hiccup didn't know what to say.
He tried to give back the mirror, but Astrid pushed it back in his hands. "No, it's okay. You keep it. Then you'll always have a way to look back on me…"
Hiccup stared at her, taking slow steps backward.
This was it? Just like that? He could go? Why did he feel… slightly disappointed?
All he could say was, "Thank you," before turning and running out the door.
Astrid watched him go, surprised to feel tears come to her eyes. As soon as he left the room, she immediately gripped the edge of the table to support herself. She felt like she could barely stand, her legs ready to give out from under her. She panted, feeling like there was a hole punched through her chest.
She did it. She couldn't believe she did it… She let him go… After everything… she gave it all up… but… did she do the right thing?