Here's another chapter for my dragonite fellas! *weird dancing* well I am really curious to see your theories and predictions after this.
Enjoy ;)
The Haddock castle was huge.
Thousands of stairs, endless doors that lead to rooms, halls that you'd need a lifetime to walk, giving the impression of a labyrinth. But the most magnificent and stunning place in the castle was the Great hall. The room on the second floor, right above the Throne room where the King has all his important meetings.
And right now, it was quiet. The huge round table at the center of the room was covered by maps of different areas around the kingdom along with papers with strategics and war plans.
Around it, the Kings and Queens of the royal houses are sitting, completing the royal council, patiently waiting for the meeting to start.
After they were all there, King Stoick cleared his throat.
"I want to thank you all for coming. It is a great honor to have all the royal houses together-
"blah blah blah...We know the poem Stoick. Can't we skip this Kingish stuff and go straight to the point? I have things to do." Ruffnut's and Tuffnut's father and King of the House Thorston seemed annoyed. He was so much like his kids. Patience was definitely not his forte.
"Jugnutt you need to remember that as a King it is my obligation to keep the protocol. Its part of the royal deal remember?" he tried not to sound very annoyed. He knew his friend very well to feel offended by his interruption.
"Yeah yeah you're right your Majesty..." Jugnutt crossed his arms.
"You're always right your Majesty." Mikel rolled his eyes almost like he was saying this ironically but King Stoick pretended that he didn't notice.
"Thank you King Mikel" he only gave him a side glance.
"It really is a great honor for all of us to be here my King. Your castle is beautiful and more magnificent than ever" Queen Bertha smiled kindly.
"Yeah! Maybe YOU should be called 'the magnificent' instead of me!" Mikel scoffed annoyed.
"I wouldn't think such thing King Mikel" Stoick. exhaled. "You earned that title when-"
"when my family died? So I have no actual reason to be called that way by anyone? Is that what you say? That I haven't done anything important in my life? That I'm too young and immature to be King?"
"No, I-"
"Well guess what. I've been hearing this since I became King. No one seems to believe in me. No one thinks I can make it. But I don't care what they think. I am doing this for my family. To honour them while they're..." he started to sob.
An awkward silence filled the room for a few seconds until Calder tried to be the voice of reason.
"My King... I'm sure King Stoick did not mean such thing"
"That is correct. No one on this table questions your rulling abilities at any point. I personally knew your parents and I know you will honour them the best way possible." King Stoick stood from his cair.
King Mikel flinched on the last one and raised an eyebrow at the King.
"Thank you. I appreciate it" he half smiled.
"And...your palace really is beautiful" calder added.
"Ah it really it! These walls hold many memories. I remember our kids playing here for years...it was hard watching them grow up...time passes quickly" King Spitelout said looking around, admiring the sublime of the castle.
"Since you brought that up, shouldn't we acknowledge the elephant in the room? Shouldn't we start taking about the issue that matters?" Queen Mala asked followed by Prince Ryker.
"Yeah! This is the reason why we are all here after all!"
"I am aware my friends" the King informed them "And I assure you that I deeply desire to discuss this as much as you all do."
"The suitors seemed to get along tonight." Queen Attali stated.
"Yes I noticed too. Did anyone else see Prince Hiccup and Princess Astrid dancing?" Queen Mala asked.
The King's eyes sparked at what he was hearing.
Their voices faded away as he was lost on his thoughts. Did that really happen? Stoick thought it was just his imagination playing games. He couldn't believe his son was finally getting somewhere with one of the princess. The King was so happy for his son, he had to swallow a huge excitement scream down to his stomach.
"Ya should give more credit to your son. He has his way with the ladies." Gobber winked at him.
"I am sorry but may I express my opinion on this?" everyone stopped and turned their attention to Prince Viggo who seemed quite unhappy.
"Yes of course Prince Viggo. Please go ahead" Stoick gave him permission.
"I don't think that letting them choose themselves is the best option for us."
silence.
Whispers and gasps filling the room.
"And what makes you say that?" Queen Bertha looked at him suspicious.
"I believe all of you will agree with me when I say that some of us..." he paused and looked at his brother "...some houses have different needs than the others. We are not all on the same level right? As much as you hate to admit it, it is the sad truth. Some of the houses don't even have a King or a Queen. My brother and I specifically. I think we need this wedding, this alliance, more that the rest of you do."
"I disagree!" Spitelout slamed his fist on the table"You might not have a King but your army is not the strongest one in this room. How do you suggest that you survive Drago's armada?"
"I'm with Viggo." Oswald said causing everyone to look at him "Leaving the choice to them is unwise. They are just kids."
"Hey!" King Mikel frowned. "I'm not a kid! I turn 18 this January!"
"my point exactly" Oswald half smiled and Mikel resisted the urge to growl at him crossing his arms.
"Wasn't this exactly why we are letting them make that choice themselves in the first place?" Queen Bertha spoke " Wasn't letting them fall in love the whole reason why we brought them together?"
"Love is a privilege royal people like us don't have. Stoick you know this better than anyone else." Spitelout gestured to the King who had a blank expression under his thick beard.
There was silence in the room until he finally spoke.
"It is true. Our number one priority should be to keep our kingdom safe."
"You mean your kingdom." Mikel snapped.
"Excuse me?"
Calder widened his eyes and looked at King Mikel questionably.
"I'm just saying. You're the King above all houses. You're the one who's rulling the kingdom. No natter what we say it is YOUR word that matters in the end."
"shhhh! My King you're going to get in trouble." Calder whispered but Mikel ignored him like he wasn't even there.
"You're right King Mikel. But I have proven more than enough that I am willing to put my personal needs aside in order to protect our kingdom. God knows I tried to sacrifice myself during the battle against Grimmel."
"Good thing I was there to save him. hehe." Gobber lauched.
"Which is why no one can doubt weather you're worthy to stand on that position your Majesty." Calder tried to save the situation. "Please forgive King Mikel he is really new to being a King. He is so young he is still learning."
"I can do 'being a King' just fine!"
"Why don't we go back to the point of this meeting? Queen atali tried to soothe the atmosphere. "I believe princess minden got along with your son Spitelout. Maybe there is something there."
"Oh great...so house Jogerson will get to be part of the royal union AGAIN?" Ryker seemed annoyed.
"if you have something to say, say it to my face!" Spitelout growled at him.
"My friends! Lets not fight each other right now. Don't forget that the real enemy is out there. Drago is getting stronger every second we spend on arguing."
Silence fell in the roon after the King's words. The real threat was coming soon and they all knew it. Which is exactly why they needed this alliance. Two houses joining their forces for the good of the kingdom, just like Stoick did 20 years ago. Even if this means their children need to get married against their will.
"But the Grimmborn brothers are right." he caused Gobber to look at him confused.
Viggo and Ryker smiled at each other as the King was continued.
"Love is a privilege that is not included in royal life."
"What are your orders my King? Do we change the deal? Do we call off the wedding?" Jugnutt asked.
"We cannot change the deal. The union remains as it is with only a slight change...They don't get to choose.
We do."
Dun Dun DUUUUUNNNN!!!!
*hides under rocks*