Author's Note: I would like to offer my apologies for the long delay, it was never my intention to release it after so many months past the original due date. For most of you liked my chapters, posted reviews, and gave me thanks and yet I still made you wait for over half a year.
I am still far from finishing this story, at least six chapters or so. And my schedule remains busy but I swear to you all that I will finish my story. It may take me months, even years to finish it; but I will finish it. I have spoken to R-dude and Red Star and they assured me that they have no plans to abandon their respective stories and will finish them in due time. I hope that you all will continue to read my story and continue to post reviews, and thanks for reading.
I extended the coronation scene to include a few hymns, prayers and actual texts. I watched the coronation of King Harald V of Norway from 1991 on YouTube. It was very informative.
Warning: There is a brief fight scene and a hint of lime in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Disney's: Frozen or DreamWorks: How To Train Your Dragon. I also do not own the Nicene Creed, the Te Deum Laudamus, or the Royal Anthem of Norway.
Chapter Fourteen
Long Live the Queen
"Your Highness? … Your Highness? … Princess Elsa?" Marie asked a little louder this time towards the young monarch who was currently staring off into space. There was only a month left of preparations before the coronation of Princess Elsa was to take place. Official replies were still coming in on whether that kingdom would come or not. A menu was being looked at, wines and champagne were being tasted and allergies were being noted. They did not want to cause an international incident this early into their future queen's reign.
Elsa snapped out of her daze at the mention of her name. Looking down she saw that she had been listing things she intended to change when she became Queen. Only recently did the council her father assembled allow her to see unrestricted files of the economy and state of Arendelle.
She was less enthused after seeing the documents; taxes had not been raised to flow with the economy, domestic spending was down and from what she could tell, the infrastructure was slowly deteriorating. Reports of roads, ports, and bridges breaking down from lack of upkeep were in the hundreds. She was about to inherit a massive mess. "What is the council doing with all the tax revenue? Perhaps I will ask Birger to take a small vacation and review some of these reports." Elsa thought scanning over another broken bridge published over a month ago, in a village up in the northern frontier.
She brought her wine glass to her lips and tilted upward but nothing came, looking down she noticed it was empty. "Marie, refill my glass." She said then placed it next to the open bottle as she looked over at her picture of Hiccup that he had drawn of himself and had given to her as a gift.
"Your Highness, this is your third glass, perhaps you should slow down." Marie said quietly, wanting to make sure she put it as delicately as possible. She truly cared about the well-being of her future Queen and wanted to make sure she made it to that day.
Elsa slowly turned her head and looked at her courtier, "and perhaps you will do as you are told and refill my glass. I did not ask for your backtalk." Elsa snapped at the young woman; she was stressed from the reports and wanted to drink, not have a conversation on her health.
Marie flinched under the order, she gripped the bottle and poured the rest of its contents into the glass. "Good, now bring another bottle."
Marie excused herself and left the room for the wine cellar.
Hearing a faint knock she called for whomever to enter. It was Gerda.
"Whatever is the matter, Elsa? The poor girl looked horrible coming from your room." Gerda asked as she came to stand near her charge.
"Marie quipped that I should slow down on drinking, it is not her concern how much I drink, just that she refills my glass when ordered to." She said then sighed back into her chair and looking up at the ceiling. "I had years to prepare, and yet I feel no more ready than I did three years ago, I'm scared and anxious about what my reign will bring me."
Gerda put her hand on Elsa's shoulder, "you are not alone Elsa. All princes and princesses have felt this way. Just remember that you have me, your council and Hiccup to look after you."
Looking around and finding an empty leather tube on the ground she noticed Hiccup's letter on her bed. "Is there something else troubling you Elsa? Perhaps regarding Hiccup?"
Elsa sighed once again, "You know me too well. I just received a letter from Hiccup in which he stated that he will not be able to start full trading till after I become Queen because the council put his tariff at forty-five percent of the value of the declared items. Which he says is ridiculous and he believes it is because he is a Viking and not 'good enough' for them. That is why I am irritated and consuming my weight in wine." Taking another sip from her glass to prove her point.
"The council is only doing what they think is best. They have been ruling in your stead for almost three years now. In less than a month you can change whatever laws or tariffs you want."
Elsa nodded her head to this. "Which I will, because forty-five percent is way too much. We only charge twenty-five percent to the Kingdoms of Weselton, Sverige, and the Southern Isles. I don't know why the tariff was set at such a high point. Doesn't the council know of the contract?"
Gerda raised and lowered her shoulders. "Possibly not, I believe your father only told a few select people. Perhaps it is time to visit your parent's chambers and read their notes and letters."
Elsa looked over her shoulder at Gerda who was still standing near her nightstand. She then turned back to look out the window at the mountains. "Has it really been nearly three years?" Elsa asked no one.
"It has Elsa and I believe going into their chambers might give you some closure or at the very least answers to unsolved questions."
A few moments of silence passed before Elsa got up. "Okay, let's go." They made their way down a few hallways and up a set of staircases before coming to her parent's door. "I will be waiting outside, call for me if you need help." Gerda said as she moved to rest against the far wall.
Steeling her nerves, she turned the handle down and moved into the old room, a light coat of dust blanketed the furniture. Remembering the layout of the room, she knew the door to her right led to her father's and mother's personal study. Moving through that door brought her to two desks one at different ends of the room, on the left her mothers and on the right her fathers. After a few moments of opening drawers and flipping through pages did she find a lone copy of a letter from her father to Stoick. She set that letter aside for reading later. Turning around to go to her mother's desk, she found a letter written to the council informing them of the contract, it was dated nearly two decades ago.
"So, they do know; does that mean they think Hiccup is not good enough for me or that they wish to gain more money from him because they believe he has boundless limits of wealth that he could have gotten from my father? Or maybe they just forgot about the contract. No, it can't be all that, they must have the original and no one can forget about something this important; well maybe Stoick but that's beside the point. I will find the true answer at our first meeting the day after my coronation. Hiccup will be with me and they will give me an answer." Elsa thought to herself.
Turning back to the letter addressed to Stoick, she pulled out a chair and sat down to look over its contents. After a few minutes, she dropped the letter stunned at its secrets. "So, my father wanted to use the dragons to settle an old score with Weselton. I can't believe he asked if it was possible to use the dragons as weapons, thankfully Stoick rebuked at the idea and instead promised to annihilate the dragons but send their teeth and scales as a gift. I must not let Hiccup ever find this letter; he would lose the image of my father that kept him going when his own father ignored him."
After folding the letter and putting everything back in its rightful place, did she finally move out of the study. Finding the key to the door she locked it and held onto the key. Making her way back into the hallway to see Gerda sitting on a nearby chair down a few paces from the door.
"Find anything of interest?"
"Yes, a few questions have been answered, while a few more have not. Have the maids clean the room, I don't want to see my parents room in such a sad state again. Oh, and make sure no one goes into their study, and I have taken the key for safe keeping."
Gerda nodded her head, "it will be done, your highness."
"Thank you, now I will retire to my room to finish my list of things I want to accomplish once I become queen." Turning around she left Gerda to her duties and moved down the hall till she reached the bottom of the stairs where she gave her parents the last hug she has ever given them. "Now I only have Hiccup left. I hope he is doing well."
"Shit. I have really done it now. Stopped to help my fellow Vikings who turned out to be assassins, just my luck. On the one day, I let Ruffnut have off… Was that coincidence or were they watching me?" Hiccup thought as he eyed the three formerly in distress Vikings who recovered within seconds to knockout Toothless and put him on the defensive.
Hiccup glanced over to Toothless, his head still oozing blood. Anger boiled in his body, but he pushed it down. Better to fight smartly than brazenly.
Thinking back to how all this started, he and Toothless were patrolling an unnamed island and saw a distress signal and two Vikings trying to move a log off another Viking's leg. They descended and moved to help the three, and before he could blink a trap was sprung and Toothless was knocked out by a falling tree limb. Looking at his circumstances he was in a grave situation; his smoker broken in pieces in front of him from a carefully thrown spear, and now he was outnumbered with only a dagger and shield for defense. The three assassins were in varying distances from him; one with a spear was the nearest, behind him was one with an ax and the furthest he could see a bow. "I will not die, I will marry Elsa, lead my people and live on!" he said then thought of a way out of this mess.
But before he could come up with a suitable plan they attacked. The nearest one rushed towards him with a spear, he deflected and shattered his opponents weapon with his superior dragon shield that was strapped around his left arm and before he knew what he was doing Hiccup drove his dagger into the throat of the Viking.
A problem presented itself when he tried to pull his dagger out of the man's now blood spewing throat; it wouldn't budge. There was the sound of a low whistle and suddenly he was on his knees with his ears ringing and his helmet thrown to the side.
Rolling over and recovering he dodged a swipe of the ax, just grazing his face with a light cut. The massive Viking swung again and Hiccup angled his shield so that the ax bounced off and buried itself into the ground. Giving him only a few seconds to act, Hiccup smashed his shield into the face and chest of his enemy. He heard a crunch of metal and bone. Pulling back, he saw that he had broken the nose and jaw of the ax wielder, blood flowed out of the orifices and onto the ground.
He had expected the Viking to peddle back, but instead, the giant merely grabbed his shield, smacked it to the side and landed a solid left hook into his stomach.
He dropped to his knees coughed into the air before he was kicked over onto his back and glanced up to see the ax-wielding Viking poised to make the final strike with his ax. Too confused to try and defend himself he resigned himself to his fate. "I'm sorry Elsa and Toothless; I tried." He thought and closed his eyes.
He heard the man give out a grunt signaling he was bringing the ax down onto him.
"Hiccup!" He heard Elsa yell. His eyes snapped open and just in time brought his shield up to stop the ax from killing him. He visibly saw the ax make a dent on the underside of his shield, pushing the shield and ax to the side he grabbed his enemy's dagger that was strapped to his leg and drove it into the unprotected groin of his enemy. The man yelled out, dropped his weapon, and doubled over in pain. Moving quickly, he withdrew his emergency dagger that was tucked away on the side of his prosthetic. Hiccup pierced the man's chainmail and thrust his knife into the man's chest; another down.
As he was getting up, he felt a stinging pain glance his side then the sound of footsteps filled his ears and as he was turning around the last assassin threw himself onto hiccup forgoing any weapons and proceeded to choke the life out of Hiccup. "I will make you suffer for killing my comrades, you piece of filth."
Hiccup brought his hands up to the man's chest and tried to push him off but he would not budge. His vision was losing focus and darkness were closing in around him, he could see the hatred in the man's eyes, a small sadistic smile forming on his face. And then it was gone, replaced with a mist of red blood, and pointed white bone.
The man's headless body rolled off him and looking to his right saw a puff of steam coming out of Toothless' mouth.
"Nice shot Toothless," Hiccup yelled over to his friend, he released an exhausted breath relieved that the battle was over.
After getting up and retrieving his weapons from the fallen enemies, he moved over to his friend and proceeded to give him aid. Placing a small piece of gauze on his forehead and subsequently applying a coating of dragon saliva to make it stick did he allow himself to look back at the carnage. Blood was still streaming out of the fallen bodies coating the ground with brown and red ooze. Hiccup looked down on his own person and saw it too was coated in blood; he would worry about that later until he shifted to his left. Mind blinding pain coursed through his stomach.
Glancing down he saw an opening the size of a coin in his lower abdomen. "Dammit, that last Viking hit me with an arrow, thankfully it just grazed me. But my sewing kit is at home, what to do?" If he didn't stem the bleeding, he could get an infection and die. Hearing a small whine, he looked over to Toothless, he had his mouth open.
"Smart idea, bud." Reaching in and swiping out some saliva he placed his coated palm on his wound. A small jolt of pain reared its head again. "Oh, Thor does that hurt." He cautiously wrapped his wound in gauze and slowly stood up straight only to fall to his knees in pain.
Looking over to the fallen men, several thoughts coursed his head. "I just killed someone, those men possibly had families. They were someone's father, brother, son, friend, husband or even lover. I can't believe this happened, I just tried to help them and they attacked me… who, why? Who would hire someone to kill me? Was it Drago or some new enemy? I need to find out soon and make changes."
Taking one last look at the headless Viking he felt hot bile rise from the depths of his stomach course up through his throat and out of his mouth onto the ground. He choked back tears as more bile came out till he was just dry heaving. Crawling over to his flight pack that was strapped to Toothless' side he reached for his water sack, uncorking the top he released its contents into his mouth. The first mouthful was used to rid himself of the remaining bile and the second to ease his burning throat.
Looking back over at his best friend, "I guess we're not children anymore, we are grown up. What a horrible way of becoming a man." Toothless grunted softly to the agreement of his friend.
Placing the water sack back in its rightful place he moved over to the dead and searched their bodies. After finding coins, daggers, and a letter addressed to them from an unknown writer, Hiccup placed all three men on top of one another. Dribbling some fuel onto them that he usually used for starting a fire, he stroked a piece of flint against his dagger causing a flame to ignite the fuel and started to consume the decomposing flesh of his enemies.
"These men don't deserve a proper funeral. Striking from the shadows on someone who came under false notions of helping their fellow man." Hiccup whispered as he turned around and mounted Toothless, mindful or both their injuries.
"What a wrong decision to give Ruffnut the day off. But I can't have her working twenty-four, seven; she could lose her edge. Perhaps I will have Astrid protect me when Ruffnut needs time off. Just long enough for her to stop bugging me that I am ignoring her; which I think I am doing."
After an hour of flying did they finally touch down onto to familiar soil. He tried making it to his home unnoticed but failed when Fishlegs spotted him.
"Hiccup, I mean Chief what happened? Why are you covered in blood and limping? Were you attacked?!" He said that last word a little too loud, garnering the attention of several Vikings.
Moving into his home with Fishlegs in tow, he moved to sit down on his favorite chair. The same one his father had always used when he had a stressful day.
"Fishlegs, I want you to gather my inner circle and bring Gothi here immediately. There is something I need to say. Go now."
Fishlegs nodded his head and left to gather Gothi, Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout, and Eret. Several moments passed before he could hear several concerned sounding conversations taking place outside his house. A second later his front door burst open nearly causing it to fly off the hinges, and the large group streamed into the downstairs.
"Hiccup what is going on and why are you covered in blood?" Ruffnut blurted out.
Hiccup told them what happened including everything but the feeling of regret and vomit part. He didn't want to appear weak in front of his friends.
"Who would dare send assassins after you?" Astrid questioned.
"We must find whoever orchestrated this and destroy them." Eret voiced, Tuffnut and Snotlout nodding their heads in approval.
Ruffnut dropped to her knees and bowed her head in shame, "Hiccup forgive me for asking off, I will not do it again. I will protect you no matter what, day or night till my time comes." She said in an unwavering voice steeling her resolve for not being there for her Chief when he needed her the most. Damn her body for making her feel ill.
Hiccup placed his hand on her shoulder and patted her in a silent forgiveness.
"It is not your fault Ruff, you need time off to sleep and rest from watching my back so often. I will continue to entrust my safety to you now and always. And when you need time off, I will have Astrid look after me." Glancing over to Astrid, she had grown a little, but still had her customary ax strapped to her back. "Are you up for it Astrid?"
Giving a small smirk, "Always Chief." Then gave her traditional punch to his arm.
Taking out the bag of coins, daggers, and the lone letter, he dropped them onto a nearby table.
"Fishlegs, I want you to look over these and find out who ordered my assassination."
"Right Chief." Fishlegs took the items and exited the house to take them to his personal study located in the library that had been recently built from all the new construction.
"Snotlout send out messages to all our patrols on the sea and tell them to be on alert for possible incursions into our waters. If they feel threatened they have permission to defend themselves." Snotlout nodded his head and left, moving toward the carrier dragons located next to the stables.
"Eret and Astrid have all future flying patrols pair up, no more lone watches. I want around the clock scouting of our waters and claimed islands. If they do find something have them send back a Terrible Terror with a message of their position. Understood?"
"Yes Chief," they said in unison before turning around and moving toward the stables.
"Tuffnut, I want you to make a sweep of the island and bring back a list of any Vikings we don't personally know, I want to make sure there are any more assassins or saboteurs in our home."
"Right Chief, but one question," Tuffnut asked quietly.
"Go on." Hiccup voiced back.
"What is a saboteur?"
Hiccup ruffled his own hair, looking embarrassed at using words too complex for some. He needed to tone down the rhetoric in the presence of his friends. "A saboteur is a person who deliberately destroys or damages a building or area for a military or political advantage."
"Okay, sounds good. I will make sure there are no more of those people around." Tuff said grinning then moved toward a group of Vikings and recruiting them to his new mission.
This left only Ruffnut and Gothi in the room.
"Gothi an arrow grazed me, can you sew it back up?" Hiccup gripped his shirt and drew it up to show the now oozing open wound. The gauze was missing and his skin was tinted bright red.
Bringing out a needle and thread, Gothi prepared the wound by rinsing it with water, a hiss escaped his lips at the feeling of the cool water flowing over the open wound. Ruffnut moved into the back of the house and a moment later with a bottle of ale. Uncorking the top, and tilting the open end towards Hiccups mouth, the ale flowed into his mouth and down his throat in long gulps. After consuming enough to make him somewhat braver, Ruffnut brought out a leather-wrapped stick and placed it in his mouth to bite down on.
"Ready?" Ruffnut asked. Hiccup nodded his head, teeth sinking into the leather in anticipation.
A shot of pain coursed through his body and he was about to jolt but Ruffnut put her weight on him to keep him in place. A groan seeped out through his closed lips. The ale had done nothing to ease the pain, but after a few moments a sense of calm had enveloped him and allowed Hiccup to relax which permitted Gothi to complete the procedure in relative quickness.
Moments later he felt Ruffnut carrying him to his bed, "she is a lot stronger than she looks." Hiccup thought and allowed her to unshackle his boot and leg.
"I hope Elsa is doing good, I need to pray to the Gods more; she needs all the help she can get." A few seconds later sleep consumed him allowing his body to begin the long healing process.
Ruffnut stayed close by, not wanting any more damage to come to her Chief. "I will protect you Hiccup no matter what, even if it costs me my life."
Elsa had the sudden urge to come to the chapel where she was to be coroneted in and make a quiet prayer for Hiccup. She sensed Hiccup was in danger from the long shiver that coursed down her spine, and immediately set out for the second most private spot beside her room, the third being the library.
Kneeling on the floor and crossing herself with her right hand, "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." As Elsa was looking up at the small cross that was placed on the table in front of her, where the body of Christ was distributed into bowls for every mass a thought ran through her head. "I need to come here more often, it is quite peaceful."
"God, I know I don't pray as often as I should, but I was wondering if you could look after Hiccup for me? He may not believe directly in you, but he does believe in a different version of you."
Looking around at the lighting and the glass art, she felt a wave of sadness wash over her. The last time she was in here was the night after her parents were buried. She didn't come out of her room for too many people were in attendance in the church, plus Anna was there and she just didn't want to deal with her. It was selfish, but she did not care at that moment. She somehow felt like they died because of her. Looking down at her hands, "If I didn't have these stupid powers, none of this would have happened."
Looking back at the cross, "why did you curse me with these powers God? What did I do to deserve this?" She said angrily, her powers beginning to coat the inside of the church and pews. As she realized what she was doing, she chanted her mantra. "Conceal don't feel, don't let them know." After a few minutes, the ice disappeared and the church looked just like it had been when she first arrived.
"That was close." She thought, before turning back toward the cross and dipping her head. "Sorry about that God, and I am also sorry for not coming more often but, as you know I don't want to accidentally freeze this church from an unforeseen circumstance. If you could do what I asked I would be grateful. I promise to come every week and pray, it is the least I can do."
Elsa crossed herself again and left the Church with Birger in tow, "have a good prayer, your highness?"
"Yes, thank you for asking. How are we with the preparations?"
"Everything is going well; all the invitations have been returned with their respectful correspondence. Everyone who we asked to come will be attending, there will mostly Dukes and Lord's, but the Southern Isles is sending their youngest prince in hopes of updating their trade deal with us. The current deal will expire next month and I can imagine they will try to lower the tariff."
Elsa nodded at this, she imagined most of the representatives attending would want to talk to her about relations and trade deals. "As long as they don't ask me to dance I will be fine; that is reserved for Hiccup."
Moving down the familiar hallway towards the room, they stopped at the door, she could sense Birger wanted to ask her something but was hesitant to ask. "What is it, Birger?"
"Your highness, when do you plan to announce your engagement? Gerda is already making plans and preparing invitations for the engagement party. None of the maids or other guards know, but we are anxious to know what your intentions are."
Elsa was silent on the matter for a few seconds before she spoke up.
"I intend to announce my engagement a month after my coronation, when everything has been settled and I have grown accustomed to being Queen, then I will send out the announcement. Are there any other concerns?"
"None your highness." Tipping his head in respect.
"Then I will take my leave, good day Birger." Elsa said moving into her room.
"Good day your highness." He said as the door closed.
Moving over to her desk she noticed a leather tube with a note attached, "Arrived while you were attending church," it was signed by Gerda. Uncorking the tube and allowing the letter to slide out she saw that it was from Hiccup. A smile came to her face, taking off her slippers and discarding her coat she moved to sit with her back against the pillows on her bed. Unfurling the letter, she started to read but stopped. Something was off with this letter, it was only a little over two pages long and a sense of dread enveloped her, usually his letters were multiple pages long. Plus he always put "to my beloved" at the start of the letter, but this time it just said her name. Taking a deep breath, she read on.
"Dear Elsa, I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to give you a small update as to the goings on of Berk. Berk has forged new alliances with other Viking tribes, and we have claimed islands as our own in hopes of providing resources for future generations and more land in case we need to move off Berk if the need ever came up. We are spreading outwards, something my father would never have done. But since I am chief, I believe this is necessary to survive. And with expansion comes new problems and … enemies. A few years ago, we agreed that there would be no more secrets between us, that there would be a sense transparency. And about a week ago, something happened." Elsa felt her teeth chatter in anticipation and worry about what had happened. Taking a breath and letting it out, she glanced downward and felt her breath sucked out of her. "I was attacked by assassins." Her mouth dropped open and her brain went into overload status. "Who, why, and how? Where was Ruffnut, when all this was going on? And what happens next?" She thought in the matter of a few milliseconds.
"Now, you are probably wondering who, why, how? And where was Ruff? Well, I had given her the day off, for she needed it. Working nearly sixteen hours a day for six days straight would make anyone start to lose their edge. And for the who, why, and how. I have just been given the answers from Fishlegs who poured over pages and books of writings and letters to compare handwritings. It was Drago's doing. His handwriting matched the letter that I retrieved from the bodies."
"Bodies?" Elsa asked herself.
"And yes, I did kill two of the men. Toothless killed the other, and I feel horrible for it. But at the same time, I know I must be ready to take more lives in the future. For many kingdoms and groups will not respect our union. They will try to break us and may resort to violence to keep us from marrying. A woman with ice powers and a man with dragons at his call would make quite a formidable couple. You must prepare yourself for this, I have sent off letters to Gerda and Birger telling them about what occurred and to take any measures as they see fit to ensure your safety after you make the engagement announcement. I know that this can be a little overwhelming, but you should know that I will not let anything happen to you. I swear it. I love you and will always love you no matter what happens between us. I have asked for volunteers willing to stay in Arendelle as a precaution. I have half a dozen willing, but they will only come if you give the word.
It is getting late and Johann is about to leave, so I must wrap this letter up. In regards to the attempt on my life, do not worry about it. I know I am asking a lot but I have changed the way things are done on Berk to catch any assassins that come. I assigned Astrid to my side when Ruffnut needs off, so someone is always watching my back. And Toothless sends his love. I love you, Elsa, I will see you soon and don't forget about that dance you promised me.
Under the context was his signature followed by the crest of Berk.
A wave of emotions coursed through her body; sadness, relief, anxiety, worry and finally anger. She felt mad at herself, "how can I be so stupid, how could I think that our marriage would be nothing but rainbows and sunshine. Of course, there would be people who did not see things her way and would try to break them apart. Why does everything have to be so complicated", she started to crumble the letter but stopped at the sounds it made.
"Breathe Elsa, just breathe. I think I will take a nap." She said as she got under the covers and let her mind drift to what the next days might hold, "hopefully they will be stress-free." But she knew they would be anything but.
"Everyone ready?" Hiccup asked his team as they were readying their dragons in the cliff side stables.
"Yes, Chief!" Fishlegs and Astrid shouted out as they attended to their dragons. Ruffnut was going to fly with Hiccup on Toothless, for Tuffnut, Snotlout, Eret and Valka were staying at home to watch over the island.
"Toothless stop moving so much bud, I need to secure this new harness. I designed it so two people can fly, but you can still fly on your own if you want. Hey, Fishlegs? Do you have the gifts I asked you to bring?"
Fishlegs turned around after taking a moment to tie his satchel to his saddle. "Yes Chief, I brought the dragon scales and steel, the gold and the book of dragons. They are spread evenly across all three dragons to balance the weight out."
"Good job Fishlegs."
Astrid moved from Stormfly over to Toothless to calm him while Hiccup secured the final straps.
"Hiccup what is my purpose on the trip?" Astrid asked as she smoothed out some wrinkles on the saddle.
Standing up straight, Hiccup looked over at Astrid. "You asking me that now? I already told you a week ago, Ruffnut will be my guard, Fishlegs my advisor when it comes to negotiating the trade deal and you will be gaining any information you can from these new kingdoms. You like to hit on men, just be sure not to do it so literally this time." Hiccup chuckled at his own joke but failed to dodge the familiar punch to his arm. "Ow!" He shouted as her fist contacted his arm.
"You know at this rate, I will have a purple bruise there forever."
Astrid smirked at his response, "Well maybe if you weren't such a smart ass, I wouldn't have to knock you down a peg or two."
"Oh, ha-ha."
Both turned at the sound of Stormfly, Meatlug, and Toothless cackling. "Oh, yes please everyone laugh at my pain."
"Son. Hiccup!" Valka shouted as she walked over to the dragon trough. She dipped her hands into the water to rinse off the mud and sweat she had gained from cleaning Cloudjumper.
Turning around he looked at his mother who was cleaning her hands and waited for her to come over. This gave him a moment to marvel at his success in building a true dragon hanger. He had been in here hundreds of times, but he still caught himself looking at its beauty. The hanger was built onto the side of the cliff, while the stables were carved into the hill with an additional exit bored into the back of the hanger and exiting out into the main square. Water was brought in via the aqueduct and food was brought in via a wench from the ceiling. The fire lit torches brought a homely feel to the cave and from all the body heat and closable storm shutters, the cold was a mere afterthought. This was perhaps his crowning architect achievement; for the moment, at least.
"Yes, mother?" Hiccup asked as she walked over.
"Do you have everything? Is there anything else you need? Are you ready?" Valka asked her son in quick succession.
"Yes, no and yes. Mom, please calm down. I have flown there before, by myself and through a massive storm all without injury. We are flying there with plenty of time to spare and should land in Arendelle a full day before the ceremony. So please don't worry."
"Hiccup we're ready to go!" Astrid yelled. Hiccup looked over his shoulder to see Astrid and Fishlegs on their respective dragons and Ruffnut waiting in the passenger seat behind the main saddle. "Alr…" Hiccup started to say but was cut off for his mom enveloped in in a massive hug.
"Take care son, and give my love to Elsa." She said then kissed him on the cheek.
"I will." And at that, he turned around and hooked himself onto Toothless and waved at everyone in the hanger. "Let's go guys." Moments later they were on their way to Arendelle.
The sounds of a wooden spoon hitting the inside of a pot were heard as Hiccup made dinner for the group. Chicken stew with bread and ale to wash it down. He was rather proud of the fact that he was a decent cook. He hoped one day that he would make breakfast for Elsa and serve it to her in bed.
"Dinner is ready everyone!" He shouted to his friends, he moved to one of the baskets and threw a few baby Halibut towards the dragons.
Bowls were handed out and everyone grabbed their bread and dipped it into the stew and ate with fervor. The sounds of satisfaction and approval followed soon after.
Once their stomachs had stopped grumbling, they had gotten out their mats and blankets ready for an early sleep. "Hey, Hiccup?" Fishlegs asked too awake to go to bed just yet.
"Yes?" Hiccup replied only a blink away from sleeping.
"What is your vision of Berk's future? I mean what do you have in store once we get back from Arendelle?"
Hiccup laid back down on his mat and looked at the stars for a few moments, pondering a suitable response.
"Well, for starters it won't be named Berk anymore."
At the sound of this everyone shifted onto their elbows or sides and looked at Hiccup.
"What do you mean, Chief?"
"It will be renamed as the 'Kingdom of Berk'."
No sounds were made as everyone contemplated the idea of Berk as a kingdom.
"Not to put a hole in your idea Chief, but to be a kingdom, it must have providences or territory. We have claims but that is all. I know that you are expecting Elsa to ratify or recognize your claim on those islands when you two marry, but that won't be for another two years at the least." Fishlegs inserted.
"Yes, that may be true, but during the meantime, I intend to forge more alliances and annex more islands. First being Itchy Armpit, it is unclaimed and no one lives there except for a few hunters. It has more than enough resources to sustain us for the near future, and most of all it has living space for us to expand into in case we run out of room on Berk."
"That is definitely different from what your father had in mind." Ruffnut quipped in.
Hiccup was silent for a moment before responding. "My father believed in hiding from the world, I believe in showing the world that they have nothing to fear. If we can show other kingdoms that dragons can be tamed and controlled, then they need not exterminate them like we tried to."
"Then what will stop them from taming dragons and using them like Drago did, for war?" Astrid gave her opinion at Hiccup's idea.
"Then we will make sure that we prevent that from happening, we will put an embargo on all trading of dragons. We will make sure the only kingdoms that possess dragons are the ones that promise not to use them for an offensive war. But enough of this, I know you all have questions and I promise to answer them later, but first, we must catch some sleep. We are only three days from Arendelle and the coronation starts in three and a half days. Everyone go to sleep." Hiccup said then turned on his side and promptly closed his eyes, ending any chance of continuing the conversation.
Astrid got up and moved over to Stormfly, "I will take first watch. Ruffnut I will wake you in a few hours."
Ruffnut nodded her head and went to sleep, followed by Fishlegs.
Astrid looked up at the stars and contemplated Hiccups vision, "Is it possible for his vision to come true, can everyone coexist together in harmony?" Astrid chuckled at the ridiculous thought. "No, but we can at least try to make it so. It is the least we can do, we owe him that."
"Damn, we are going to be late!" Hiccup shouted in frustration. The moon had risen long ago and now they were flying in the dark with only an occasional plasma bolt or small flame to check his map.
"Sorry Hiccup, but you know Meatlug is not known for her speed but for her ability to hover an…" Fishlegs retorted but was interrupted.
"I know her abilities, and it's not just her it's all the dragons. I forgot to factor in the added weight of all the supplies and gifts."
"When do you think, we will arrive?" Astrid asked as she maneuvered Stormfly closer to Toothless.
Hiccup took a moment to look at his map, now illuminated by the full moon nearly at its zenith and at the ocean flying by below them.
"I think in about twelve hours, we will have three hours to spare."
Hiccup felt Ruffnut loosen her hold on his stomach, "three hours is plenty of time to get ready." She felt Hiccup tense up at the mention of the word 'plenty'. "Isn't it Hiccup?"
"Not really, I calculated that number without any more stops for food or going to the bathroom. We should arrive at nine o'clock and in that spare three hours, we must land, unpack, hide the dragons away in the cove, carry the sixty pounds of gear for each of us the three miles to the castle and then change clothing for the ceremony. It will be very close and if there are any more delays or breaks I won't be able to keep my promise to Elsa."
"Don't worry Hiccup, I have faith in the Gods that we will arrive with time to spare."
Hiccup looked up at the clouds for a moment, "you sure? They haven't been very kind as of late."
"Come on Hiccup." Astrid encouraged. "Your father is up there and maybe he will give us some winds to help us."
Ruffnut felt Hiccup tense up again but didn't say anything. She did see him look up at the clouds once more. "Yeah maybe." Hiccup whispered back.
Silence hung in the air for a moment as everyone thought of Stoick.
"Hiccup look!" Fishlegs shouted. Everyone snapped their gazes forward.
The sight of land with green forests followed by white mountain peaks became bigger and bigger as every second passed.
"Good, good. Okay, everyone, we must ascend and fly over the mountains then we can glide down into the cove once we see the castle." Hiccup clicked his prosthetic into position causing Toothless to rise. Everyone followed suit.
A sudden gust of cold wind sent them up quicker than he would have liked.
"Wow, did you feel that!" Ruffnut shouted out.
"I sure did. Rather cold for July." Fishlegs replied.
Hiccup looked around at the starry sky. "Dad?"
Three soft knocks brought Elsa out of her slumber and into a sitting position. "Enter." Elsa replied softly towards the door.
The door swiftly opened to reveal Gerda, Karin, Janne, and Lucia. "Did you sleep well, your highness?" Karin asked as she turned on a nearby gas lamp illuminating the bed chambers.
"Not really, I mostly tossed and turned and woke up every hour on the dot. I guess my nerves are getting the best of me, is everything ready?" Elsa asked as she turned over the sheets to reveal her light green nightgown to her handmaidens.
"The rest of the staff are making the final touches, we just need to start with you; your Highness," Gerda said back as she brought a hot cup of tea and biscuits to the side table near the window.
Getting up and moving off the bed, she walked over to the table to drink her favorite tea, calming her immensely. "What time is it?" Elsa asked as the sound of running water announced itself.
"About five o'clock; your Highness. The ceremony begins in seven hours and we have much to do." Janne replied as she prepared her combs and braids to arrange Elsa's hair in the traditional royal manner, a Fransk braided crown twist bun.
Turning around she watched as everyone was preparing to get her ready for the coronation. Karin was getting her bath ready, Janne setting several different shades of eyeshadow and lipstick down on the table in front of a large mirror and Lucia who was smoothing out the wrinkles which had accumulated on her royal teal dress. This was going to be the greatest amount of material she had ever worn. Accompanying the dress was the black long-sleeved turtleneck blouse with red and teal crystal prints, a magenta cape, dark brown flats with gold outlines and teal stockings and lest she forgets her future tiara crown.
Gerda moved forward and brought up a pair of gloves and laid them down in front of her.
Elsa took them in her hands and examined them, "they are new. Did you make them, Gerda?"
"No. They came a few days ago, from Trader Johann with a message written to me. It said to give them to you when you wake up on the morning of your coronation. You should try them on and make sure they fit. Try on the left one first; just a suggestion." Gerda said as she moved to check on the dress.
Doing as Gerda suggested, Elsa moved to insert her hand into the glove but stopped when she felt paper. Grasping the paper, she brought it out of the glove, to reveal a small note.
"Dear Elsa: I made these gloves especially for today. I will see you soon. Love Hiccup."
Elsa felt tears come to her eyes as the love from Hiccup coursed through her body. She blinked rapidly not wanting anyone to see the tears. "Thank you, God, for giving me such a good man." Elsa whispered to the glass window. Tucking the note back into the glove, she moved to finish her tea allowing the caffeine to fully wake her.
"The bath is ready, your Highness," Karin announced through the open door moving to set a fluffy towel down on a nearby stool.
Turning around she moved into the water closet and took off her nightgown revealing herself fully to the cool air and Karin.
Karin extended her hand which Elsa grabbed to steady herself as she brought up her leg and swung it over the tub and set it in the slightly hot water. A moment later she was submerged up to her neck in water and bubbles. "Ready?" Karin asked as she brought up a bucket full of warm water.
Elsa nodded her head and shut her eyes, the water was poured onto her head. A shiver ran down her spine as she was fully soaked. She stared into space as Karin bathed her, first her hair then her body, running a soapy cloth over nearly every inch of her skin. She caught a glimpse of Karin, she must have been only a few years older than herself. Brunette hair just like Hiccups, with a slender build and tanned skin. Karin and Hanna were the only two young handmaidens she had. Everyone else was Gerda's age but slightly slimmer.
"Where are Alexandra, Hanna, and Theresa?" Elsa asked suddenly, causing Karin to stop her rubbing of soap into her back.
"They are preparing for the arrival of Chief Hiccup and his council. I believe Birger will meet with him and suggest a bath, I would think after days of being aboard a ship that he would smell and the possibility of ridding himself of unwanted odors would be too good to pass up."
Elsa nodded and laughed a little. "A ship? I know for sure that Toothless will be landing in the cove in a couple of hours. I just hope that they are not caught, I really don't want to explain to my people or the other kingdoms why my fiancée is riding a thing that was only read about in fairy tales."
"Are you ready for the oils Princess Elsa?"
"Yes, please proceed."
Karin nodded her head once more as she poured generous amounts of oils on her back and arms, then moved to rub them in. By the time the bath was drained and she was in a fluffy soft robe, she felt like a greased fish. Karin came up behind her with another towel and dried her hair for her. Moving into her bedroom she saw Lucia waiting for her with a corset and undergarments. Taking off her robe, she put on her undergarments and allowed Lucia to help her into the corset.
Elsa had long ago accepted the fact that her handmaidens would have to see her in her natural form in order to fully accept them into her life. She had trained herself for hours on end not to freeze the water when she took baths alone. She could now take baths without her gloves on because she fully trusted these women not to mention anything when they saw her lips move and not ask what she was saying.
She relaxed her breathing as the final knot was tightened on the bottom of the corset.
Sitting down on the prepared seat, Janne spent the next three hours setting her hair into the correct position and then putting on a layer or two of makeup.
Lucia guided her into the dress and smoothed out any wrinkles that popped up. Gerda attached her cape and slipped on her flats.
Moving over to the table, she put on her right glove followed by the left, she maneuvered Hiccup's note to rest against the underside of her wrist under her black sleeve. Turning around she put her left hand on top of her right and rested them on her clothed abdomen. Elsa looked up at her handmaidens and Gerda in full regal mode, "how do I look?"
"Like a future queen, your Highness," Karin said softly and bowed, which was followed by all the women.
Gerda moved forward and took Elsa's gloved hands into her, "your parents would be proud and Hiccup will faint at the sight of your beauty."
Elsa looked up at Gerda's face, "thank you for your kind words Gerda, you always know what to say. What time is it?" Elsa asked as she moved away and looked at the sun peaking the mountains.
"It is a little past nine o'clock," Gerda announced as she looked at a nearby hallway clock.
Elsa looked closely at the window, for just a split second she saw Hiccup and two other dragons with their respective riders fly by weaving between the mountain tops and then down into the forest.
Turning back around with a smile on her face, "right. I will be going to the library to practice holding the orb and scepter."
"Of course; do you want me to tell the Guards to open the gates to let the people in?" Gerda asked.
"No, not yet. I will give that order in an hour or two."
Gerda nodded her head and bowed.
Elsa moved out of her room, down the long hallway and into the library, closing the doors behind her. Moving past the model of a Viking ship, a gift from Stoick to her father after their signing of the marriage contract. Slowly she stepped in front of the large painting of her father at his coronation. A look of dread, fear, and realization settled on her face as the present caught up with her. In less than three hours she would be the queen of an entire kingdom. Over a million citizens would be looking to her for guidance and stability. She could feel her hands and teeth start to shake in anticipation of the coronation.
She delicately took off her gloves and grasped the orb and scepter and held them up as she whispered the words the bishop would say in the chapel. Slowly the orb and scepter started to freeze over as her fears got the best of her. "Dammit, Hiccup where are you?"
"Come on everyone pick up the pace, we have a little over two and a half hours till it starts!" Hiccup yelled to the Vikings who were lagging behind, mainly Fishlegs who was huffing and puffing as he mostly dragged his gear and supplies through the countryside.
"Coming Chief, I need to work out more." Fishlegs said, whispering the last part to himself.
"Hey, Hiccup do you think the dragons will be okay by themselves?" Ruffnut asked, moving to walk beside him with Astrid on his opposite flank.
"I do. Toothless has been here before and knows to stay out of sight. And since he is the Alpha, Stormfly and Meatlug should follow suit. Your dragon can follow orders, right Astrid?" Hiccup asked casting a gaze at his dragon academy teacher.
"No doubt, Chief."
"Good, then in thirty minutes give or take, we should arrive at the extended wall gate where Birger said he would be waiting. He will usher us in and take us to separate bed chambers where we can freshen up and then we will be led to the chapel. You three will wait outside, where you can partake in the festivities and local food. The shops and food stalls should be plentiful if you want to buy something be sure to exchange our coins for theirs at the currency exchange vendor." Hiccup stopped and turned around to look at his friends and inner council members.
"I cannot stress how important today is to us and our people, at this coronation my fiancée is becoming a queen who will open up so many new beginnings and opportunities for Berk. We must be our best behavior," he said looking at Astrid, Fishlegs and Ruffnut individually before continuing on. "If anything were to happen to Elsa or us in front of the representatives of the other kingdoms it could spell disaster before our alliance could bear fruit. Swear to me that you will do nothing to jeopardize this ceremony for Elsa."
Astrid, Fishlegs, and Ruffnut swore in unison to do nothing that would jeopardize the ceremony.
Hiccup smiled and turned out on his good foot to continue the trek toward the castle. The three Vikings cast a gaze at one another as the castle came into focus ahead of them. Their eyes widening at the scale and beauty of the building. A sliver of envy coursed through Astrid's veins at the thought of Elsa living here year round.
Birger was growing anxious with every minute that passed when Hiccup did not show up on time. To relieve his nervousness, he started to pluck gray and white hairs off his green hat, courtesy of Folgesvenn who had managed to trip up the captain and cause him to lose his hat. Folgesvenn then snatched it and ran off with it, he then spent a good half hour running up and down the halls after the dog, if it wasn't for princess Anna he would still be running.
Hearing a twig snap he snapped his gaze toward the sound. Hiccup and his friends were walking with a purpose toward him. Securing his hat on his head he pushed himself off the castle wall and toward the four Vikings.
"Hiccup, there is only two hours till the coronation. Why are you so late!" Birger yelled when they were in earshot.
"I know. I'm sorry. We had flight issues, and the added weight slowed us down. Where is Elsa?"
"Princess Elsa is in the library practicing holding the orb and scepter. But enough talk, we need to get you inside, bathed and changed. You all smell of fish and sweat. How are you all doing by the way?" Birger asked Astrid, Fishlegs, and Ruffnut.
"Good, fine, tired." Were the responses he got from the three Vikings. Stopping in the middle of a four-way interchange of the main hallway three handmaidens met them; Hanna, Theresa, and Alexandra. All three bowed toward Hiccup, who in turn nodded his head in respect.
"Hiccup, it has been too long. We will catch up later, but first, you need a bath. Theresa will help Fishlegs while Alexandra will attend to Ruffnut and Astrid." Hanna said directing Theresa and Alexandra to guide his friends toward prepared rooms.
"Wait." Hiccup said before anyone went their separate ways.
"Ruffnut, Astrid and Fishlegs, do you have the change of clothing I told you to bring?"
The three pulled out their clothing that was carefully packaged in brown paper and tied up with string. "Yes." They replied in unison while rolling their eyes. "Good, carry on." The three nodded and were led away be their respective handmaiden.
"What was that about Hiccup?" Birger asked when the others were far enough away.
"I had those three make a special version of their clothing, one that looks less hostile meaning no skulls or pointy edges in the most basic sense. Representatives of other kingdoms will see us and I want Berk to look good in front of them and that includes erasing the old image of bloodthirsty Vikings dressed in skulls and sharp stones." Hiccup said out of breath, the multi-day trip catching up with him.
"Smart man," Hanna said as she led him to his old room.
"Do you want to see Princess Elsa before the coronation starts?" Birger asked before Hiccup moved into the room.
Taking a moment to think, Hiccup replied "No, I wouldn't want to interrupt her process of getting into the right mindset before becoming the leader of an entire kingdom. I do not want to throw her off balance this early."
Birger looked at Hiccup for a moment trying to process by what he meant by that last statement, but let it go in favor of checking on his men.
"As you wish Hiccup. See you in a bit." Birger replied before setting off towards the gardens.
Hanna tapped Hiccup on his shoulder, snapping him out of his gaze. "Come on, we only have ninety minutes."
Hiccup nodded and dropped his gear on his old bed, while Hanna drew hot water into the tub.
Shirking off his armor pieces, laying them out carefully on a nearby table he then proceeded to discard his cloth pants and shirt, folding them, and putting them near the armor. Walking into the bathroom and sitting down on the stool near the tub, to which he proceeded to take off his prosthetic. Clothed now in only a loin cloth, he stood on his only foot and leaned heavily to his right to counteract the loss of weight on his left.
Hanna held out her hand to which Hiccup grasped and was guided to sit in the tub.
"Well, you're no longer shy nor skin and bones," Hanna said with a small smile, a blush of pink dusted her face.
"Glad to see it is not just Elsa looking at my physique and blushing." Hiccup replied with a smirk and glance of his eyes.
Hanna, in turn, blushed heavily at being caught. "Right, let us proceed." She gripped a bucket full of water and proceeded to slowly dump the warm water on Hiccup's head.
Within a half hour, he was cleaned and dried.
"I will take my leave and check on the status of your friends, I suggest you get dressed and get down to the chapel. Your seat is almost at the front on the left."
Hiccup nodded and moved to turn around before he swiveled back. "Thank you, Hanna, and I must say, you look wonderful."
"You too Hiccup, now hurry." She replied then closed the door and walked down the hall. Her heart was beating a mile a second. "Mercy of God, why did he have to look so damn good? Why couldn't he have been ugly? Just standing there with a towel around his waist. Uhh, if he was single I would have… wow, settle down Hanna." She whispered and took a calming breath.
Making a left turn at the junction and moving toward another bedroom where Ruffnut and Astrid should have been put. Knocking on the door she heard a faint 'enter' from Alexandra.
Pressing the handle down and pushing the door open revealed her fellow maid brushing Astrid's hair, she noticed several braids around Alexandra's wrist in preparation to begin a hair style.
Hanna took a moment to look at Astrid's new clothing, as Hiccup instructed there were no spikes or skulls, just a leather skirt, fur on top of the metal shoulder pads and her traditional leggings and a red cloth shirt, but this time with long sleeves. Much less intimidating than from what she wore less than an hour ago, she just hoped Astrid would keep the ax here instead of strapping to her back again.
"How are you doing Astrid?"
Astrid cast her eyes to the right and took in Hanna, "I am well. Alexandra gave me a bath, helped me into my outfit and is now about to braid my hair. It feels wonderful to be pampered once in my life." She said with an honest smile.
"Glad to make you feel better, where is Ruffnut?" Hanna asked as she cast her gaze around the room.
"She is still in the bathroom. I was hoping you could braid her hair, she has way more than Astrid does and we only have an hour."
"All right," Hanna responded as she moved to open the door and was about to grab a comb from the sink when she saw what Ruffnut was doing.
"Ruffnut, what the hell are you doing!" She shouted as she could hear a faint 'huh' coming from the other room from Astrid.
"What?" Ruffnut replied innocently from the floor where she had kneeled.
"Why are you drinking water out of the bidet? That is where you clean yourself. If you wanted water, you should have asked Alexandra to get you a bottle." Hanna said flabbergasted, bringing up her hand to massage her temple.
Ruffnut got up from her knees and looked down embarrassed, "I'm sorry I didn't know."
"It's all right, let's get you ready." Hanna said as she took Ruffnut be her shoulders and guided her into the bedroom.
After nearly forty-five minutes of running around and getting everyone ready Hanna, Alexandra, Ruffnut, and Astrid met Theresa and Fishlegs down in the courtyard.
Hanna called over Theresa and Alexandra to have a little chat.
"So how was Fishlegs? Did he behave his curious nature?" Hiccup had once relayed to her what his friends were like the last time she gave him a bath. And true to form, he had described them accurately.
"Well, not really. I caught him playing with the toilet, by continuously pulling the plunger which released the water down into the toilet." She said with a chuckle but then continued. "He was very respectful and even kept on his underclothes. He filled the tub to the brim with his body and he might have cracked the tub from his weight alone. We will need to send an engineer to the bathroom to check the tub."
"That sounds like Fishlegs. Astrid and Ruffnut were very nice, albeit a little naïve to their new surroundings they are completely loyal to Hiccup. I couldn't get anything out of Ruffnut when I asked her about Hiccups day to day life. And what surprised me the most was…" was about to say but was interrupted by Astrid.
"We can't find Hiccup." She said short of breath, coming to a stop in front of Alexandra.
"What do you mean, you can't find him? He should be in the chapel, there are only ten minutes to go before Princess Elsa arrives at the chapel." She said as the others looked around throughout the empty courtyard.
"Well, we didn't sleep a lot when we were on our dra…ship. We all know Hiccup is very stressed by what this trip means to him and Princess Elsa. Do you think he fell asleep?" Fishlegs pointed as if it was obvious. The realization of that idea made all their eyes go wide and looked back at the castle.
"Dammit Hiccup," Hanna whispered. "I will take care of it, you three enjoy yourselves in the capital." Hanna said as she walked quickly to the front of the doors. She was about to open the doors, but they were thrown open by Anna who was running at top speed to the gates which were just now being opened by the Guards. She watched as dozens of townsfolk, foreign diplomats, dukes, lords, and military officers filtered their way into the courtyard.
Snapping out of her gaze at the gates being open and having an unbroken view of the capital on the other side, something she had not seen since her youth. Hanna turned back towards the door and went in search of Hiccup, whom she hoped was not in fact sleeping.
Running toward the bedrooms she caught a glimpse of Princess Elsa walking down the main staircase toward an exit which would take her to the chapel minus the chance to be looked at by curious onlookers.
Forgoing the usual knock, she opened the door to reveal Hiccup on his back in half of a Viking uniform sleeping just like Fishlegs had said. Releasing a snort out of her nose and a twitch of her eye, she moved over to the bed and jostled Hiccup awake.
"Hiccup wake up!"
Hiccup bolted awake and whipped out from somewhere she did not know a dagger. "Wow Hiccup calm down, it's me, Hanna!" She yelled as she back peddled toward the bathroom, hands instantly raising in surrender.
Hiccup's head whipped around the room for what she believed was confirmation of his surroundings and to make sure there were no enemies.
"What is wrong Hanna?" He said groggily.
Hanna moved back toward the bed and gripped his shoulders, "Hiccup the coronation is about to begin. The gates have opened and people are already being seated in the chapel! We need to get you dressed and into your seat!" Shaking him intently.
Hiccup's eyes went wide at the realization that he had gotten here was about to break his promise to Elsa because of his own stupidity.
"Right, help me with my armor."
Elsa felt her emotions fluctuate with each person who bowed their head toward her. Birger was to her right, Gerda to her left and her handmaidens in tow behind her. She was looking toward the chapel counting down the seconds until she had to walk down the aisle and assume her responsibilities. Elsa flexed her hands in order to do something with them, silently hoping that it would take the edge off her. She felt her teeth chatter, her heart race and mind taking in all her surroundings down to the various pebbles that lined the back of the garden.
She felt Gerda come up beside and move to whisper in her ear.
"Just think your Highness, you will be taking these same steps in a few years to marry Hiccup in this very chapel."
Elsa looked to her side and gave a soft smile at Gerda in recognition of her statement.
"I just have to make it to that day."
Birger walked down a stone path that was lined with his men to protect his future queen from any spectators that were near the chapel.
"It is the time your Highness."
Elsa nodded, took a deep breath, released it, and began walking down the path. Upon coming to the entrance of the chapel she was greeted by Finn Hagebak, the Bishop of Arendelle. He crossed himself and did the same for Elsa. "The Lord bless your going out and your coming in now and forevermore."
She bowed her head at the statement and walked behind the bishop to the high altar.
Elsa saw everyone stand and bow their heads in recognizing the future Queen of Arendelle. She saw tenors stand in their balcony on the second floor. While moving slowly down the aisle she had seen Anna standing off to the side on the right and had anticipated seeing Hiccup as well, but for the life of her, she could not see him anywhere. "Did he make it in time? Where is he?"
She was guided to her seat to the right of the altar where she sat down and nodded toward Bishop Finn to continue. He bowed in return, recovered, and looked upon everyone as they continued to stand.
He signaled toward an altar boy who brought out the Holy Bible, the Bishop kissed the cover and opened to a marked page whilst the altar boy continued to hold the holy book up.
Raising his hands, palms up he began to read the Nicene Creed:
"I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made;
Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,
And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father.
And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead:
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, The Lord and giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe one Christian and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. Amen."
"Amen." The audience replied in unison. They seated themselves in near silence, except for the creaking of weight on the benches.
With the end of the creed came a short hymn from the choir,
"We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim: continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Hosts;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty: of thy glory."
The altar boy closed the Bible and placed it on the Holy Table, who then bowed and stood off to the side. Bishop Finn brought out a small bowl of holy oil. At this Elsa rose from her seat and walked toward the steps but stopped in front of them, then turned around and knelt in front the altar.
"Are you willing to take the oath?"
"I am." Elsa responded raising her head to look at the Bishop.
"Will you maintain and protect the kingdom?"
"I will."
Bishop Finn anointed her with holy oil on her right forearm and then her forehead in the shape of a cross.
"As your father, before you were anointed a king, you too have been anointed, blessed and consecrated queen over the people of this kingdom. To rule and govern in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen."
"Amen." Elsa whispered.
Softly telling her to rise, he brought out the royal tiara. Her heart quickened at the sight of the crown.
"Hiccup come on it has already begun, I can hear the Bishop announcing the Nicene Creed."
Running and nearly tripping over a large stone in the garden the two made it to the Chapel in near record time.
Birger was positioned at the front near the doors.
"About time you showed up Hiccup, they already started. Come on, I need to sneak you in through the side entrance." He said as he guided Hiccup to the secret doorway hidden into the side of the church. Moving into the back of the church through a small hallway which was usually used by the choir to move without being seen. They came out near one of the pillars at the very back left of the room.
"Where is my seat?" Hiccup whispered.
Birger looked for a second then whispered back to Hiccup. "It seems like the Duke of Weselton is in it. Well, you wouldn't be able to sit there anyway because you would draw too much attention to yourself just trying to get there. Just stand here and don't move. I will see you when the mass ends."
Hiccup tipped his head as Birger took the same way out as they took to get in. He watched as Elsa kneeled and then proceeded to be anointed by the Bishop.
After a short prayer and blessing from the Bishop, Elsa rose and watched as the Bishop took the tiara and prepared to place it on her head. She bowed forward and felt him place the tiara on her head. Elsa recovered from her bow and watched Bishop Finn swivel around grabbed a green pillow with both hands which held the orb and scepter.
Releasing a soft breath, she proceeded to grab the orb and scepter but was interrupted by the Bishop. "Your Majesty, the gloves." He whispered softly.
Realization dawned on her that she would not be able to sneak by with her gloves on, but would have to do it bare handed.
Slowly she took off her gloves one by one and laid them in-between the two showpieces of power. She saw her hands tremble as she grasped the orb and scepter then proceeded to turn around and face the representatives of foreign kingdoms and her own people alike. She drew a strong breath and held it as she heard Bishop Finn say the official hymn to make her queen.
"Hun holder hellig egenskaper og er kronet i dette hellige stedet,…"
The audience stood and smiled at the young monarch.
Elsa, on the other hand, was not smiling, she was trembling with fear. She felt cold in her hands and glanced down to see ice slowly creeping up from the bottom of the orb and the middle of the scepter where her hands were gripping them. Taking a deeper breath she looked up and glanced at the back of the church, she caught the sight of a mess of brown hair. Glancing down slightly she locked eyes with Hiccup. He smiled at her and mouthed the words, "I love you."
Warmth coursed through her body as her confidence increased tenfold. The coldness in her hands disappeared and she could hear the final words to the hymn. "Presentere jeg deg Queen Elsa Andersen of Arendelle."
Elsa slowly turned around and gently placed the orb and scepter on the green pillow. She confidently put her gloves on, smiled and turned back toward the audience as they, in turn, responded with "Queen Elsa Andersen of Arendelle" as an acknowledgment of watching the young princess become queen.
Taking a step forward Bishop Finn recited a short hymn meant to close out the coronation ceremony.
"God bless our dear Fatherland and let it like a garden bloom. Let the light of thy peace gleam from mountain to beach and the intelligent fire the pending summer sun. Let people live together as brothers and sisters, as Lutherans who could be themselves.
Our homeland long laid in darkness and obliviousness hid the light. But God, thou in mercy to us sang, thy love for us was not overlooked. Thou sent thy word to Arendelle's mountains and light flowed over the land."
He gave a quick nod to the choir up top, who began to sing the Royal Anthem.
"God bless our good queen. Bless her with strength and courage, bless home and castle. Enlighten her with thy Spirit, Tie with thy strong hand the holy bond of fidelity between people and sovereign.
Loudly swears the man of Arendelle, each in his calling, his station, faithfulness to his sovereign. Faithful in life and death, brave in war and need, Arendelle's lot was always, God and his sovereign." The choir and the congregation voiced in unison, the foreign diplomats reading off the provided cards which had been laid upon their seats.
Once the anthem was over, Bishop Finn moved forward and proclaimed;
"Long Live the Queen!"
"Long Live the Queen!" Bishop Finn and the choir voiced.
"Long Live the Queen!" Everyone except Elsa declared.
They clapped and Elsa smiled. "Perhaps this won't be so bad after all." Elsa thought as she maintained eye contact with Hiccup, only occasionally looking around so as not to be rude.
She slowly made her way down the three steps and walked passed everyone, including her fiancée who continued to clap. Stepping out of the chapel and into the warm breath of day, she took in a massive breath of air and exhaled in gratefulness. Elsa was then guided to the front entrance by her Guards, where she proceeded to a private room at her request to steady her nerves and eat or drink something if she felt the need to.
"Gerda, do you mind giving me a private moment?" Elsa asked her lady-in-waiting.
"Of course, your majesty, I will be outside if you need me." She bowed and left the young queen to her own devices.
Hiccup, on the other hand, had quickly left the chapel and went to check in on his friends, he wanted to give Elsa a moment in peace to collect herself. He had seen the ice slowly decorate the bottom of the scepter and from what he saw only he and Elsa saw the same thing, everyone else has concentrated on her specifically to which he was thankful for.
"Hey, Chief!" He heard Fishlegs yell out over the conversations of everyone else in the courtyard.
Turning towards Fishlegs yell, he moved between the crowds and groups of families who came to see if they could get a glimpse of their new queen.
Arriving to see Fishlegs eating a whole lambs leg, something he had somewhat expected. What he did not expect to see was Astrid and Ruffnut making idle conversation with Hannah and Karin, about hair from what he could make out.
Breaking off her conversation with Karin and Hanna, Astrid moved towards Hiccup.
"How was the coronation?" She asked as the other four moved to stand by her as well.
"It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, Elsa looked amazing in her dress and everything went smoothly. I will see her in a moment but wanted to check in with you all. How did you spend your hours in the capitol?"
"Well we went out of the courtyard, crossed the bridge and got something to eat, Fishlegs is still eating his share. Three hours and he is still eating that lamb leg." Astrid said pointing a thumb to Fishlegs.
"What? I like to look at things, and having never been here, there are a lot of things to look at." Fishlegs said in mild offense.
"Fine. I and Ruffnut got the national dish, they call it mutton stew. The sheep in it were very delicious and I managed to get the recipe."
"Though their ale does need some work. I am on my fourth mug, and yet to feel any bad effects. It's like water with a hint of alcohol." Ruffnut said then downed the last bit of her mug full of ale. Smacking her lips together in satisfaction and let out a breath of air.
Hiccup saw the last bit of sunset beneath the waves of the ocean. Day turned to night and the guards lit the lamps and torches positioned throughout the courtyard. Looking around he saw children play games and the adults make conversation with smiles on their faces. It seemed everyone was truly happy that Elsa had become queen. He just needed to make sure Elsa did not stay in the castle permanently, what good is a queen if she does not see her kingdom or her people?
He also needed to make sure everything went smoothly with Anna, there was no way of getting around that issue. They are going to meet and they are going to talk, he just hoped it would not end like the last time, from what Elsa had told him that night changed everything.
"We better get you three inside, the party for Queen Elsa will start soon and the royal representatives are probably being announced right now. Luckily for us, they announce kingdoms in order of how long they have had a relationship with Arendelle. Berk having a relatively young relationship with our kingdom will most likely be last." Hanna said as she gave Hiccup a nudge towards the door.
"That is a weird way of doing things." Fishlegs voiced as he followed behind Ruffnut, tossing the remains of his meal into a nearby waste can.
Hanna raised and lowered her shoulders at his statement, "I know, but I guess we wanted to reward stable relationships with other kingdoms. As to why everyone wants to have good trade relations with us, we tie with the Kingdom of Weselton in terms of trade output."
"You sure know a lot about Arendelle's trade system, Hanna." Astrid quipped.
Hanna smiled over her shoulder at Astrid, "well my father works for the trade offices, so there is always something to talk about at the dinner table on holidays."
"Halt." A Royal Guardsman voiced as the six approached the entrance to the great hall.
"Do you have your invitations?" A Sergeant Major asked Hiccup as he came out from behind the one guard. "Hannah and Karin, you can head inside."
Hiccup retrieved his invitation from under arm straps and gave it to the Sergeant. Said guard took it and eyed Hiccup and his friends. He then brought out a long list of names and scrolled through them.
Hiccup looked at the young Sergeant Major. The twenty-something man had reddish brown hair, with an angular face and a tall build. His hair was cut to the military guidelines and he looked like a model soldier. Funny he never saw him before, perhaps he was a transfer from another unit just for tonight.
"Here you go Chief Hiccup." The Sergeant Major said as he handed Hiccup back his invitation. "And you three?" He said pointing towards Ruffnut, Astrid, and Fishlegs.
"They are with me." Hiccup said moving to stand with his friends.
The Sergeant Major gave Hiccup a pointed look. "This invitation entitles you to only one guest Sir. Choose one."
Hiccup raised his eyebrows at this. "Nowhere on the card does it say that. I have been coming to this castle for years and know everyone but you it seems. Isn't that right Karl?" Hiccup asked looking at the Guard who told them to halt.
"That is right, Mr. Hiccup is good friends with the Queen and Captain Birger." Karl voiced then snapped to attention keeping an eye on the entrance.
"Personally, I don't care if you are friends with the Captain and our Queen. I am telling you to pick one guest or move on and stop wasting my time." The Sergeant said, his voice becoming rougher.
Out of the corner of his eye, Hiccup could see the subtle movements of Astrid and Ruffnut slowly inching their hands towards their hidden daggers.
"And if I ask for Captain Birger?" Hiccup asked in an innocent sounding voice.
Hiccup could see the Sergeant grind his teeth together become talking. "The Captain is too busy at the moment and you are not going to go inside to look for him, now choose or leave and if you don't I will remove you peacefully or physically if need be." He said then put his gloved hand on the handle of his sword.
Seeing this Ruffnut, Astrid and Fishlegs put their hands on the respective daggers ready to protect their Chief.
Karin looked around for Hanna, the young woman had seemingly disappeared. Though she now looked at the standoff between Chief Hiccup with his Vikings and the young Sergeant Major who refused to back down. The two men refused to take their eyes off one another and only vital breaths were taken.
"What is going on here Sergeant Major?" Voiced an irritated Captain Birger with Hanna in tow.
"Chief Hiccup is allowed only one guest but he wants to bring three along, I told him that but he won't back down." The young man said taking his eyes off the Viking to look at his Captain.
"I understand your frustration Sergeant Major, but this man has been coming to our castle for over eighteen years, he is my friend and he is courting our queen." The Sergeant Major's eyes widened a little at that remark.
"Hiccup will most likely marry Queen Elsa and perhaps even become our king if Queen Elsa has her way. And if he wants to bring in three guests then that is fine by me. The Duke of Weselton brought in two bodyguards and you didn't say anything about that. Now let them inside." Birger said moving till he was toe to toe with the Sergeant Major.
The Sergeant Major bowed his head toward Hiccup and saluted Captain Birger. "Yes Sir, please head inside Chief Hiccup and I apologize for your wait."
Hiccup and his group moved inside away from the Sergeant Major who went back to checking invitations for other guests.
"Who was that Captain Birger?" Hiccup voiced once they were far enough away.
"That was Sergeant Major Adolf Hansen, an ambitious young man who wants my job. He has been stationed in the frontier but has quickly risen through the ranks to become the youngest Sergeant Major in our history. He has a small group of men including non-commissioned officers who want Arendelle to expand its territories for the sole reason to try and bring about war, I guess they want glory, honor and all that."
"I experienced a brief bit of war, and it was not glorious." Hiccup voiced thinking back to the battle that killed his father.
"I understand, but these young men crave for the idea of glory without thinking about what it truly brings. Which are death and pain. But enough of that, your fiancée is on the other side of this door and I will take your subordinates to the entrance of the ballroom where they will wait for you." Birger said giving a smile.
Hiccup nodded his head and looked at the door, he could briefly smell the scent of lavender.
Birger moved away for a moment before turning back. "You're not going to stare at the door all night, are you?"
"No, but who told you what was going on at the entrance?" Hiccup asked looking away from the door for a moment.
"It was Hanna, that young woman has your back. Now hurry up, they are going through the list of kingdoms, and will most likely arrive at Berk in about fifteen minutes."
Hiccup smiled at Birger and waved him off, looking back to the door he knocked and heard a faint "Don't come in." Ignoring it he opened the door, moved inside, and closed it behind him.
He saw Elsa taking a drink of water from a golden chalice. He could only see the back of her head and magenta cape, but she still looked beautiful.
"I said not to come in. Now please leave until I am ready." Elsa said not caring to look behind her.
"You look beautiful." Hiccup said knowing she would turn around for him.
She slowly put down the chalice and looked over her shoulder to see a smiling handsome Hiccup.
"Hiccup." She whispered.
Turning around fully, she gave him one of her most truest of smiles, one that stretched from ear to ear. One that he returned in kind. She swiftly walked into his arms and hugged him, taking in his forest smell, one that made her forget her surroundings and relax.
"I missed you so much Elsa, I counted the days till I would see you again." Hiccup said as he brought up his hand and tilted her chin up to make her look into his eyes. Looking into his forest green eyes, she became mesmerized by his face and features. Taking advantage of her state of awe, Hiccup brought his lips to her own.
Snapping out of her trance, she returned the kiss in kind, running her gloved hands through Hiccups hair. Feeling emboldened Elsa pressed her body against his, filling in every crevice with cloth and body.
Hiccup felt his body temperature spike and blood flow faster through his veins and extremities. Wrapping one arm around the small of her back and the other around the back of her shoulders, he moved his lips to her neck where he carefully peeled back the dress to reveal her skin.
He nipped the skin, which caused Elsa to feel light headed and nearly collapsed in his arms. Hiccup swiftly picked her up and sat her down on a nearby table, moving in-between her knees he continued to kiss her with ease. Pushing him back a little, Elsa was able to catch her breath and account for her surroundings. Laying her head on his chest and looking to her left, she rested for a moment, listening to the rhythm of his heart beats. Hiccup did the same, but laid his head on hers and looked at the opposite wall.
She felt Hiccup tense up for a moment.
"Elsa why is there a wooden bust of a man's head on the top of a cake?" Elsa heard Hiccup say as he continued to hold her but loosened his grip to allow her to look. Turning her body and head, she saw that Hiccup was telling the truth. There was a wooden head sagging into the top of a blue cake, looking right at them. Observing the room, she noticed a pillar was bare.
"How much do you want to bet Anna was in here?" Hiccup asked then chuckled.
A bubble of laughter came out of Elsa's mouth at the thought of her sister being happy, though it quickly went away as she knew she would have to talk to Anna tonight.
"Are you ready for tonight?"
"Yes and no, I have been practicing for this night for years, but still feel unprepared."
Hiccup chuckled and smiled down at Elsa. "That is normal, how do you think I felt? My village was in ruins, my father had died saving me and I had nearly lost everything, by contrast, your coronation is going very smoothly."
Thinking back to that day of battle she remembered Hiccups letter and how he was caught in an ambush, looking down and running her hands over his stomach till she caused him to flinch and back away.
"By Thor's beard." He said with a grimace.
Jumping off the table and moving over to him, she tried to touch him but he moved away again.
"No Elsa, don't."
"Let me see it. Now." She demanded wanting to make sure he was all right.
Looking back at her, he tried to stare her down. Not wanting her to worry about his injury, he tried to outlast her.
Elsa stared right back at him, she crossed her hands in front of her and rested them on her stomach. Controlling her body and breath, she was the image of a regal queen.
"You won't win Hiccup, I have been practicing controlling my powers for over a decade which has allowed me to be able to stare and look at people without giving myself away."
Reminded of the life that she has had to endure, Hiccup looked away saddened at the thought of Elsa having missed so much out of life. "Fine."
Lifting his armor and shirt, he revealed the wound. There was a black and blue bruise around the cut, which still had stitches in. The skin was puffed up and looked painful."
"Hiccup it has been well over a month, why are the stitches still in?"
"I tore the wound open when I accidentally rounded on a tree branch too quickly. It doesn't hurt that much and I have needle and thread in case something happens." He said then tucked his clothing back into his pants.
"Are you all right?" She asked moving to him, "I can get Doctor Aaron to look at it." Placing her hand on his face and using her thumb caress his cheek.
"No, tonight is all about you. Maybe tomorrow I will see him. Though I must say I can't wait to marry you. To have you in my arms when we wake up will be the greatest feeling in the whole world." Hiccup said as he brought his hands around and hugged her gently to him. "Though of course, we will have less clothing on, which will make it even more enjoyable." A smirk appeared on his face and Elsa sucked in a breath at the realization of his remarks.
She lightly swatted his chest at his playfulness.
"I shouldn't talk, I too have thought about those types of nights and mornings. And I too can't wait, anatomy books can only show so much. I always wondered how big…"
"Elsa, Elsa?" She heard him ask.
"Hmm, what is it?"
"You were looking at me funny again like you did when we were children, the one where you just smiled at me."
Pink came to her cheeks at the recognition of her previous thoughts.
"I was just thinking about what my wedding and you would look like. That's all." She replied with a smile.
Hiccup returned the smile with a heart-pounding kiss.
After nearly a moment he pulled away. Elsa had to take in a deep breath to regain enough oxygen to think straight. "Well, that was certainly a kiss to make a person forget their name…" Elsa thought for a moment and then jumped back, which caused Hiccup to become confused at her sudden display of energy.
"The names; Hiccup you need to go before they call your name. You don't want to embarrass Berk when they call for you and you don't show up." Hiccup eyes widened and he nodded his head.
"Right, I will see you in a few minutes, remember you promised me a dance." He said then gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Turning around and walking toward the door he stopped when he placed his hand on the door handle.
"That reminds me, we will need to come up with a few name choices for our children. Good luck and I will see you in a bit." He said not looking back, opening the door, and closing it he disappeared into the hallway.
Had he turned around he would have seen the Elsa rooted to the floor, with a blank expression on her face. Ice was spreading out from her feet and the temperature in the room had dropped slightly. "Children." Elsa said with an emotionless voice.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed chapter fourteen. Chapter fifteen will be released when it is ready. I will try to have it out before the six month mark. Try to drop a review if you have the time or favorite/follow my story. Once again thank you for reading and have a wonderful day.
