=Bolverk's POV=
(Saturday; 6/15/2020-3:00 pm)
(Archian Isle; School Stables)

After Astrid left my room, it didn't take long for Stoick and Valka to come in. The two whole-heartedly thanked me for saving their daughter, and I told them not to thank me because it was my fault she went to Outcast Island in the first place, to get me back, and I rejected her. I didn't go into detail with them, and left it I felt it was best for Astrid and Archian Isle that I leave. I was asked, a second time, if I would be staying and admitted that I hadn't decided yet. Friday morning, I'd never been more sure of my choice, even if it hurt me to leave Astrid because she deserved better, someone who was the more that I couldn't be. Astrid needed a strong partner, someone who could rule beside her and take care of the kingdom and it's people. I didn't feel that person was me. But here I am now, over a day later, and trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Stay on Archian Isle, or go back to Outcast Island. After Stoick and Valka left me with the hope that I'd stay, and if I did leave, the invitation was always there to return, my friends came into the room to talk to me next, but I just asked if they'd please leave me be for a while. Thankfully, they respected my request and obliged.

Since then, I've remained in my clothes from Outcast Island and sitting in the stables with my dragons. I was laying against Toothless, and Sharpshot was in my lap. It was almost weird not to have my father with me too after the odd bonding or comforting thing he was doing on Outcast Island. I couldn't quite make sense of it, but it was also not the biggest thing I had on my mind to figure out. The royal ball was tonight, at 7:00 pm. I had no idea why it was set so late, but hey, I wasn't in charge of it. If I attended the event, and chose to stay on Archian Isle, I would become a lord of the court and Astrid's intended to become betrothed, and married. If I chose to attend the event, but not stay on Archian Isle, I would have to formally leave Astrid. Or I could just not go to the ball and evacuate to Outcast Island. In reality, there were a lot of ifs in this matter and an equal amount of aftereffects to go with those what ifs. So, I'm really no closer to a decision than I was two hours ago after being forced back because Astrid's parents made the barrier inaccessible from both sides, going in and coming out.

I'm almost certain it was done because my friends told Stoick and Valka that I left because I felt like I didn't fit in or belong on Archian Isle, but they also knew I left before Astrid and I could talk about the fight we had Wednesday night. So, I personally believe that this closing off the barrier thing was to give Astrid and I a chance to talk, and perhaps fix things. The only thing Astrid and I discussed was how she was wrong to compare me to Dagur, and that her idea to give chances to other outcasts was great, but she needed to watch who she invited because some actually didn't deserve it or needed to earn it first. Other than that, we didn't talk about the fight and why I left. On Outcast Island, I rejected Astrid, telling her I needed to remove myself because it was what was best for her and Archian Isle. I let her go. I love her enough not to hurt her because I only fit in if I'm being someone I'm not. And to me, it feels like she wants me to change to better suit her life because if we stay together, that's the life I'd be living too.

"Hey…" Olivia's voice reached my ears as I looked up to see her coming closer with Heather, Soren, and Eret.

"We know you asked to be left alone, but we felt as your friends, that we shouldn't ignore you as we're walking by and see how you're doing," Heather stated softly.

"You know you can talk to us," Eret informed.

"We've all been through a lot together, on Outcast Island, and here…" Soren mentioned.

"What we're going for is that we're like a family, Bol…And unlike our biological families back on the island…We're here for one another," Heather reminded.

"Whenever we've had problems, you're always the first one to jump in and help," Olivia smiled.

"Sometimes very sarcastically, but you're always there to help and cheer us up," Eret chuckled.

"So now that you're the one dealing with someone, let us be here for you…" Soren offered.

I sighed and laid my head back on Toothless, as he crooned sadly to me. "Come on, lay it on us," Heather insisted.

I picked my head up and looked at them. "I don't know what to do," I said. "I know what I want to do, but it's…Impossible,"

"Keep going…" Olivia invited.

"I want to stay here. I want to be with my friends, and…I want to be with Astrid, but I don't know if I can." I closed my eyes. "It's not that I don't care about her, but we're not gonna be an average couple. She's the queen, and if I stay with her, as it's been revealed…I'll end up her king this time next year," I sighed.

"Is that really such a bad thing?" Eret inquired.

"No, and…I always figured that it could happen, but…It's the pace that everything is moving. Astrid and I have only been together five months since becoming an official couple after defeating my father. But after that coronation party…Everything just changed, and it's not like I expect her to shirk her royal duties as queen for us…And that's just it, though. She's more than doing what she's supposed to, and where I figured I'd be left to the mercy of her available time, learning the royal life or whatever for such a time where we could get married…I was instantly pulled in and I'm being throwing into so many things that I realized I wasn't in control of my life anymore…And I thought that's why we decided to stay here, be good…To live our lives the way we wanted, not how our parents wanted…" I explained, looking at them again.

"And it didn't help that Astrid never told you that the ball was also going to double as your formal joining of the royal court," Heather frowned.

"What didn't help is that after the coronation of her becoming queen, nothing was discussed about what happened from that moment we started dating. Aside from being a couple, we never talked about anything. It was just Astrid being queen, going about the life she's grown up in and prepared for all her life. And I figured if we were together that I'd have to learn that life, for a time that we could end up married…But I assumed it would be much farther off than just a year…And that's one of those things I feel we should have talked about…Because it was thrown on me when she made the announcement to the press, and I didn't even know what becoming her lord meant until that day you and the others said something…That's what put the pressure over the top for me," I leaned my head back again, looking up at the stable ceiling.

"Having to do so much in so little time?" Soren questioned.

"Overwhelmed with the sudden expectations?" Olivia wondered.

"Both of the above," I responded. "And somewhere in all that, I realized that I wasn't even me anymore. I don't mind being with Astrid, learning to be royal, and all that other stuff. Truthfully, I don't. I know I can learn it over time, be able to live it…But," I paused.

"Does doing all that mean you have to stop being who you are to play the role of someone you're not," Heather stated softly.

"Yeah…" I nodded. "It feels like she doesn't want me to be myself, and…That's problem for me because she told me the day of the coronation when I realized the spell wasn't even in effect anymore, and mentioned she had just been faking everything, that since the date in the Enchanted Cove…She hadn't been faking her feelings for me," I revealed.

"But her actions over the last five months show otherwise as she and many others know who you are and feel you can be more, better…Possibly reshaped to suit the role you'd be taking on as king," Olivia pointed out.

"And like I said, I don't mind being in the royal life with her…But I want to be able to be myself. Sure, I could put the act back on, but that's not me and I don't think that if she wasn't faking her feelings for me, she would want me to change from the person she believed in. That's what gets me. She said she didn't see evil in my eyes, or feel darkness in my heart. She said she knew I didn't want to be bad…So if the person I was on Outcast Island not who I really am, and the person I am now is supposed to be the real me…Then why do I need to change into something I'm not again?" I looked at them now.

"So let her actions speak louder than her words, Bol," Heather put her hand on my knee and smiled. "Listen, and this is for all of us…" She paused. "We will always be the kids from Outcast Island. Okay? I tried to forget it, pretend like we didn't live that life because we all ended up being good five months ago and not doing what we were told. But I can't. You can't…None of us can. Maybe we don't live there anymore, but that is where we're from and we can't lose that part of us. We've all been trying to make it here, fitting in…Maybe easier for us than Bolverk because more eyes are on him than us, but that's not the point. Outcast Island is our roots, so we're always going to be different from everyone else here. And that's okay. It's perfectly fine. We did what we had to do to survive, and it made us who we are today."

"Heather is right, and we can't fake it either. You don't need to change for anything or anyone," Eret nodded.

"I thought we already said that her actions aren't proving her words?" I asked.

"No, listen," Olivia began. "You don't need to change for her. For anyone. None of us do. You be yourself, Bolverk. Talk how you wanna talk. Dress how you wanna dress. I mean, keep it appropriate for whatever the event is, but make sure it's still you,"

"Exactly. If Astrid doesn't love the real you, then she's not the one," Soren agreed as I looked at each of them, nodding in agreement. "Give her the chance to prove her words,"

"I like that," Heather mentioned. "And taking it in…Olivia and I are going to go make some changes to your suit," She added.

"And then if you decide to come tonight, only if you want to…It will be waiting in your room for you by 6:00," Olivia promised.

"Thanks, guys, and girls," I replied.

"Any time," The four responded before they all patted my shoulder or put their hand on mine before heading off to get back inside the school. After my friends left, I closed my eyes again and leaned back against Toothless to sigh out.

"Bol…" I looked to see Eret there. "Don't make this hard on yourself," He continued as I stared at him. "You can't debate and debate all the choices, but the bottom line is that you will never know until you just do it. So come to the ball tonight and get your answer. It may or may not be what you want, but at least you'll know," Eret smiled, putting a hand on my shoulder. "If Astrid isn't smart enough see that the real you is ten times better than any stuck up prince," I laughed a little and Eret chuckled. "And you can't stand another day here…I'll take you back to Outcast Island tomorrow myself, and I'll stay with ya too because there's no way I'm letting you have all the fun against Dagur," Eret lightly and playfully punched my shoulder as I nodded to him. Eret connected his hand to mine, then he headed off after the others before they noticed he was gone.

I took a breath and let my thoughts take me once more. I had just four hours to decide what I wanted to do, maybe under that because if chose not to go or even stay; I'd need to tell Astrid, and her parents. Gods, I hated decisions like these because now with what Eret just said, I know what I have to do.

. . .

=Normal POV=
(7:00 pm)
(Archian Isle; Castle Courtyard)

The royal ball was being held in the palace's courtyard, much like the coronation had been five months prior. Everything was all decorated and well lit. Tables were set up inside the castle, along with food and staff to help. There were guards inside and outside, everyone had arrived except for Bolverk and Astrid. Heather was there with Fishlegs, Eret wasn't with anyone, but Ruffnut had sort of inserted herself on his arm or shoulders and Eret didn't fight it. Snotlout and Tuffnut were soloing it while Soren had sucked it up with help from Flare, and managed to ask Camicazi to be his date to the event. Eret, Soren, Heather, and Olivia, in a show of support for Bolverk about being himself, decided to shift their outfits for the ball to represent themselves. And now the four hoped Bolverk would come and that everything would work out.

The music was going, people were dancing. Stoick and Valka were smiling, watching everything at the base of the stairs which led up to inside the castle. As the song ended, the horns sounded, meaning that Astrid, or someone else of importance had arrived. Gobber stood proudly at top of the stairs as the person who came out was Bolverk, by himself. Dawned in his modified suit, Bolverk tried to keep his composure with all eyes on him. Bolverk wore black boots with a few straps and buckles, black, slightly baggy pants that had square studs down the sides of legs, a dark red shirt, black tie, and of course, the infamous leather jacket he always wore, modified to be longer like a suit coat. Bolverk even wore his red fingerless leather gloves.

"The future Lord Bolverk!" Gobber announced as everyone began cheering and clapping. Bolverk subtlety let out the breath he'd been holding in. Gobber leaned closer now. "You go, laddie. First time the area has ever been brought to silence without Stoick having to use his king voice," Gobber informed as Bolverk couldn't help but chuckle a little.

"Gobber!" Stoick glared at his friend.

"What, Stoick? You know it's true. You yell and the whole kingdom, including Outcast Island can hear it," Gobber leaned on the post attached to the railing.

Stoick sighed, dragging his hand down his face. As Bolverk started his way down, people still clapping as he reached Stoick and Valka, offering a bow to both. "We're glad you decided to come, son," Stoick said with a smile, shaking Bolverk's hand.

Valka held Bolverk's hand and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "You look wonderful, dear,"

"Thank you. Credit to Heather and Olivia," Bolverk replied.

"Astrid apologizes for being late, but she is on her way," Stoick stated.

"Okay," Bolverk nodded before Heather and Olivia shifted from their spots to get to Bolverk, offering a bow to Stoick and Valka first, then hooking their arms on Bolverk's to lead him to where the rest of them were.

"Remember," Soren started.

"You'll never be alone," Heather hugged him.

"Thanks," Bolverk replied as the horns sounded again and everyone faced the stairs as Astrid walked out wearing something formal and fully representing that she queen of Archian Isle.

"Queen Astrid!" Gobber called out as everyone began to clap and cheer again.

Bolverk was captivated by Astrid's beauty as Heather gave Bolverk a push from behind. "Go get her, brother," Bolverk started to move to meet Astrid and offered a bow once at the base of the stairs and Astrid gave one back.

"Bolverk…I didn't know you'd be coming tonight," Astrid said softly.

"You know me and my last minute decisions," Bolverk smiled. "Ready?" He offered his arm to her.

Astrid gave him a gentle look, but didn't make a move to accept as another door opened, closed and Astrid smiled, turning her head to look up. Bolverk looked and saw Dagur standing there in a formal suit, appearing like a prince. "I wish I had more time to explain," Astrid stated as Dagur smiled and came beside Astrid, offering his arm, which Astrid took. Bolverk gasped, much like everyone else around watching this.

"My queen," Dagur gave a formal bow, kissing the back of Astrid's hand as Bolverk could see Astrid's ring on Dagur's finger. Astrid giggled a bit as Dagur continued to lead her down. "Hi, sis," Dagur greeted Heather.

"I'm sorry, Bolverk," Astrid got Bolverk's attention. "It all happened so fast. Something happened to me when I was on Outcast Island with Dagur, a connection…" She looked into Dagur's eyes lovingly.

Bolverk tried to keep himself composed. "What do you mean?"

"She's saying that it's love, brother. Love at first sight," Dagur enlightened as Astrid nodded her head wildly.

"Yes…It didn't hit right away because of everything happening, but I realized how alike, Dagur and I are," Astrid informed.

"We really are," Dagur agreed smiling. "You're so beautiful,"

Astrid blushed, still looking into Dagur's eyes. "Astrid," Bolverk said, but she obviously didn't hear him. "Astrid," He said louder as Astrid looked over at him. "After everything he did…Did you go back to Outcast Island for him?"

"I-," Astrid started.

"She didn't have to, Bol…" Dagur cut in. "I jumped through the barrier before it closed, hid under the bride until you all made it across before swimming across," He admitted as Bolverk's eyes widened. "I was hoping to talk to her, apologize for what happened on the island…But I found her upset and worried about you not coming tonight, so I offered that way she wouldn't have to come alone," He explained.

"We admitted our feelings too," Astrid reminded with a smile. Dagur looked over at Bolverk again before gently letting go of Astrid's hand and facing Bolverk fully.

"Bolverk," Dagur put his hand on Bolverk's shoulder. "I just…Really have to thank you," He smiled, leaving Bolverk to stare at him in shock and anyone could see the hurt. "For everything…" Dagur added before pulling Bolverk forward into a hug, patting his back. "You're the reason Astrid and I met, so thank you. You're an amazing friend. No…Brother. My brother, just like always," Dagur finally let him.

"I understand now, Bolverk," Astrid put her hand on his. "And it's okay, I'm not upset about anything between us. You always knew that we weren't meant to be," Bolverk stared at her, attempting hard now not to lose it with grief, or anger because of grief. "That's why you never said I love you back to me. You left me because knew we didn't have a true love and walked away to let me find who I belong with," Astrid smiled before Dagur led her to dance in the open area that everyone was currently standing around. Bolverk just stood there in shock, definitely hurt, and maybe anger. But more hurt than anything else.