Hey guys! Its me again! I wanted to thank you again for sharing your thoughts and giving me reviews
hiccstrid105: thank you so much! I'm really glad you're enjoying the story
Guest: thank you so much!
Anonymous Noob the 2nd: First of all I love your name! Secondly, yes! thank you! I promise you will find out Astrid's backstory VERY soon.
CajunBear73: I am so happy to read your reviews every time. Thank you so much! I am glad that you always analyse everything in such a deep level, it makes me wanna keep writing.
Guest 2: Well yes, Astrid's horse is faster than toothless and you will find out why very soon. Also, to her, Hiccup was a stranger (as you said) who was basicaly hunting her down, asking who she is and what she is doing. He had also just been in a sword fight with her and he was pointing his sword to her neck first. Furtheremore she wasn't exactly happy about his surprise when he found out that she is a girl but she obviously wasn't going to kill hm. She was showing him who the boss is and that he can consider her an equal opponent despite her gender.
now let's move on with the story:
The music was loud. A little bit too loud if you ask Hiccup. The noice of people talking and laughing was also too loud and the distance between the throne and those who were dancing was definitely not enough.
Just like every other ball he's ever been to.
He never really enjoyed these events growing up. The food the servans were serving was either too roasted or raw, the music made him want to cut off hiw ears and the people...well...the people were probably the worst part. Old men, usually kings and lords, drinking and eating untill their already overbloated bellies touched the floor, reaching a point were they can't move so they only watch. Knights, having their best time with the ladies. Not the princesses obviously, but the ones that their job is to please and satisfy every man's needs. As long as they payed of course. Then there were the nobles, who would sit at their tables for the entire night, discussing important politics and issues about their kingdoms. And of course the exact opposite of them. The dancers. Those who wouldn't let themselves sit on a chair until their legs wouldn't allow any further dancing.
Yup. A typical royal ball.
And just as any other, this was finding Hiccup sitting next to his father's throne, only waiting and praying for this misery to be over.
Queen Eeira was standing by the King's side, the opposite of the Prince, smiling and waving gracefully to their guests.
"Smilling a little bit wouldn't hurt anyone" King Stoick grinned through his teeth loud enough for Hiccup to hear.
"Neither does what I'm doing now" he answered leaning against his hand that was supporting his head.
The King only clenched his teeth in response.
"Why do you always have to be like that? Every time we go through this"
"Then it would probably be better if you stoped forcing me to do things that I don't quite enjo-"
"Princess Ruffnut and Prince Tuffnut of house Thorston!" the announcer yelled as a girl an a boy, quite hard to say who was who if there wasnt the dress, bowed in front of them.
You could understand that they were twins just by looking at them. The Prince had long golden locks falling down his shoulders. A quite revoluntary hairstyle for a prince. His outfit was no different. Dressed in shades of green and and orange as if he was some kind of jester, like those who were hired to entertain the crowds at festivals. His sister looked more royal than her brother but not royal enough for the world's standards. She was wearing a mint green dress that reveiled much more than it should, around the areas of her chest. Her long yellow hair could almost reach her knees and you could see her cunning thoughts only by looking at her half closed eyes.
"My King" the boy spoke first. "it is a great honour for me and my sister to be invited to this glorious, magnificent, majestic castle of yours!"
Hiccup raised an eyebrow and laughed. Tuffnut Thorston. The guy who had mastered the skill of flattering you to death. He could convince anyone to do anything he wanted them too, which...could be a little dangerous sometimes. Especially for a crazy brain like Tuffnut's. But fortunately for Hiccup, he also happened to be one of his closest friends growing up. He and his twin sister visited Berk really often, along with a few other descendants of the royal houses.
" Your Majesty!" Ruffnut curtsied in front of them too, MUCH lower than what was appropriate for a princess. "My brother and I are positive that our time here is going to be quite enjoyable, should I say...lovely" she winked at Hiccup which made him cringe.
Similar to her brother, Ruffnut was also giffted with the abbility of intimidating people using her charms. For every man with the least hint of knowledge, the Thorston twins meant one thing. Trouble. And sometimes, well most of the time, big trouble. They were known for their desire of causing chaos and spreading discord around them. And that was only when they were at their best behaviour. Which didn't happen really often. But Hiccup knew them. And he couldn't help but only love the way they were breaking the "order and silence" code of the boring world of royals. That would probably be the reason why he enjoyed their company so much.
"Well if it isn't my favourite twins" King Stoick exhaled and rubbed his forehead, thinking what kind of disasters he'll have to face in the next 3 months. " Please don't wreck my kingdom to the ground."
"We make no promises your majesty" the twins shared a sly look and walked away rubbing their hands together.
"Thor help us" The King sighed and the Queen squized his hand laughing. This was surprizingly amusing for Hiccup. If he was lucky enough the twins would come up with some crazy trick that would drive his father ensane. And watching him, not in control of everything, was a blast for Hiccup.
"King Oswald the agreeable, Prince Dagur and Princess Heather of house Berserk!" the announcer called again while King Oswald with his kids on his side approaced and King Stoick embrased him into a friendly hug.
"Stoick!"
"Oswald! My dear friend. Welcome to Berk. How was your trip?"
"Enjoyed every second of it your Majesty" Prince Dagur shaked hands with the King and then he did the same with Hiccup. "its good to see you again brother" Dagur, Heather and Hiccup would always refer to each other as siblings. They were the closest thing Hiccup ever had to a brother or a sister and he couldn't be more greatful for growing up with them on his side.
"Likewise brother" Hiccup returned his handshake and then turned to Heather. She quickly brought him into a tight hug. Normally it was inappropriate for a prince and a princess to have such close interuction but they didn't care. They were too close to each other that every formality rule they had to obey seemed weird to them.
"I missed you too sis" Hiccup returned her embrace with joy.
Heather was beautiful. Especialy today that she was wearing a silver-grey gown that looked stunning with her raven black hair falling over it.
"Sitting here alone, wishing you could cut your veins till you bleed to death again?" she joked and Hiccup rubbed the back of his head.
"You know him. He is never gonna change" Dagur put one arm around her waist, leading her on the dance floor
Hiccup was about to sit down again when a strong punch hit his right arm, causing an "Ow!" escape his mouth.
He didn't even need to protest. Because He knew exactly who it was.
"Cousin!Good to see you! Still a noodle I see" Snotlout laughed at Hiccup holding his arm.
But Hiccup was done complaining about his bulling years ago. He noticed Spitelout greeting Stoick and Eeira so he thought interupting them would only result in longer conversation with the Jogersons. And that would make the nightmare he was already living even more unbearable.
"Hey Snotlout its...nice to see you 've grown...stronger"
"Ha! Best warrior on Berk baby! You have him right in front of you! Ladies can't resist" he kissed each of his shouldiers making hiccup cringe for the second time today. "But you wouldn't understand would you? A lady wouldn't come near you if she was on fire and you had the only bucket of water in the world"
Hiccup only rolled his eyes and sat back on his chair. Everything was quiet for a moment until the announcer spoke again.
That man would never shut up.
"King Mikel and Sir Calder of Nephene!"
Oh great. King...
"Mikel the Magnificent!" King Stoick shaked his hand. "I've heard so much about you. It is an honour that you could join us tonight"
There were certain reputations about every house. The Thorstons were trouble. The Beserkers were deranged. The Jogersons were too proud and very fond of her reflection in the mirror. And King Mikel had a...very interesting story. He was the youngest in the line of 5 brothers. The royal family died at a horrible accident leaving him the only heir to the throne. Suspicious right? Rumours say that it wasn't an accident at all, and that King Mikel was the cause of his family's death.
"Thank you...uhh... How am I supposed to call him again?" he asked the man next to him.
"We refer to a King either as 'Your Majesty' or 'My King' as I've already told you 3 times on our way here." Calder informed his King.
" Right... King Stoick...can I call you Stoicky? I would like you to meet my loyal councilour Sir Calder. He is the reason why my kingdom isn't falling apart and he is the one who deserves all the credit fot it after my family..." he paused. He looked heartbroken thinking about his familie's tragety. He sobed and a tear had almost started to shape under his eye. " I'm so sorry...I still can't talk about that issue"
"We are deeply sorry for your loss King Mikel. We hope that spending your time here will help you recover"
"Thank you your Majesty" Calder said as they were heading to their table.
Something seemed off about all this. The whole atmosphere did feel right to Hiccup. He wasn't sure what it is but he didn't have much time to think anyway, because the announcer called another two names again.
Damn it, that announcer had a death wish.
Hiccup wished he didn't have to do all this. Greeting people all day and untill his cheeks hurt from smiling? Act like he is happy to be there? Faking literally every word he says to all these people and for what? Image? The worst thing was that he knew they were faking it too. Everyone in this room were less happy than they seemed to be. They were all trying to look happy, to "have fun" and "enjoy the party". What party? Was this supposed to be a celebration? Some unlucky prince and a princess were to be chose for an arranged marriage tonight. And the wedding was alrerady planed in 3 months by now. How happy could they be about being forced into marriage just to form an alliance that can already be formed anyway? And knowing that Drago Bludvist is out there right now, with his army getting stronger every day, a party seemed like the last thing someone should be doing right now.
"Queen Atali and princess Minden of the wingmaidens!"
If that announcer opens his mouth one more time...
-an hour later-
They were almost done with greeting their guests. Hiccup couldn't wait for this torture to be over. Then he could politely say goodbye to his father and Eeira and get the hell out of there.
"Thank you prince Viggo. I am glad I can trust you and your brother as my alies." King stoick shaked Viggo's hand.
"oh the pleasure is all ours your Majesty, isn't that right Ryker?"
"Absolutely" The Grimborn brothers shared a look and joined the dancers again.
Okay that was it. One more house and then he would be done. One more name call from that annoying announcer and then he could be gone from human sight. Oh he couldn't wait to disappear into the comfort of his bed and sleep untill those 3 months would finaly be over.
Oh how wrong he was. What Hiccup didn't know was that he was FAR from over tonight. Because when he saw those familiar ocean blue eyes approach him, the world stoped spinning.
"Duke Finn and princess Astrid of house Hofferson!"
oups! cliff hanger! hehe. Thank you again for reading so far. I had so much fun writing the introduction of the new characters in this chapter. Don't forget to leave a comment.
See you on the next chapter!