Summary: Viking appear on the horizon, and a long-forgotten treaty is brought to light. Either Queen Elsa marries the Chief's heir, or they wage war on her kingdom. If that wasn't enough, Elsa is seeing things. A person no one else seems to see but her...and her new betrothed. IceFrostcup
Chapter 1;
Xxxxxx
The first boat appeared in the morning, the sun still sleeping blissfully. Elsa was in her room reading a book in bed when a servant knocked on her door. Quickly welcomed, her old nursemaid, Ira, rushed inside.
"My lady, Mattias reports that there are a fleet of ships. Heading right for Arendelle."
Elsa paused, hands freezing in place from turning the page. A fleet? Her heart skipped a beat.
Quickly she was on her feet, waving a hand and her clothing changed into her daily wear. "Is he here?"
"Right outside, m'lady."
Elsa nodded. "Wake Anna. Get her ready in case something happens."
With that, Ira ran off and the queen was ready to meet with her Head General. The tall black man was waiting patiently outside her door, giving a bow. She nodded back. She and Mattias were very close now, her Head Guard taking his duty of protecting her kingdom diligently. She followed him down the long corridor to her rarely used War Room.
"What's going on?" She asked immediately.
"Ships. More than we could count." Mattias began and started moving pieces of small wooden boats on the large map spread out in the middle of the room. "They're waving a flag, but none of us recognize the insignia. They were approaching with the tide, but now only a handful are coming into our shores."
Elsa paced, thinking as she listened. "They're sending either scouts or messengers."
Mattias nodded. "Messengers. First contact. We have to be ready for war, my Queen."
Exactly what she feared. She frowned, pursing her lips as she thought. "I want my sister somewhere safe. Have her and Kristoff go into the woods, find the Trolls, we might need their alliance anyway..."
"She'll resist. You know how she is." her Head Guard said lightly.
She smiled despite the situation. "She will...but if anything were to happen to her, then I'd ruin the entire kingdom for her. I can't take that chance."
Xxxxx
The ship brought attention. As they docked, Hiccup watched the faces of the townspeople greeting them rather heartily. Some were wary, taking in the dark armor and leather, but it was the huge ax his father carried that was causing the most stares. He swallowed. He was getting nervous. He'd been arguing against this the whole ship-ride here, but he knew when he was outmatched. Now that it was all but settled, part of him was beginning to worry.
"Stop. You're doing it again." Astrid nudged him roughly. "For all you know, this whole thing could fall apart. Or maybe you'll get the girl of your dreams."
"Or maybe I'm happy the way I am." Hiccup argued.
She gave him a look. "It's not just what you want anymore, Chieftain." He winced, but didn't dispute it. It was the same line his dad had used too. He was going to be the Chief soon. His dad was getting on in his years, fought wars against humans and beasts, and this could potentially be his last war waged if things went poorly.
"This is still wrong." He whispered to her but Astrid pretended to not hear him.
Hiccup limped off the ship and took in the port town of Arendelle. Only one ship had docked, with a handful of them meeting at the castle. Hiccup noticed Snotloud was left behind and was thankful for small victories. Astrid pointed out a few stalls, mumbling to herself about what Heather would like back on the ship. The brown haired man rolled his eyes at her and got punch to the gut for his troubles.
"He understands, you know." She told him but Hiccup ignored her.
Stoick led them towards the castle, along with the handful of warriors. Hiccup and Astrid were herded in the middle, likely so he couldn't run away, he mused silently. Stoick probably told everyone about his son's doubts. Even if he and his father were closer than ever, the man was still headstrong about whatever he decided, when he decided.
"This place is...peaceful." Astrid commented as they passed a group of children. They were playing with a very lifelike snowman.
"Time to ruin it." Hiccup joked dryly. He managed to move this time when she tried to punch him.
They approached the vast castle. It towered over them, beautiful and regal. It was so unlike home. Hiccup felt the worry gnawing at his gut return. He couldn't handle some...pompous bratty princess. Or someone that would be cold and hate him. And there was so much he'd need to explain to her about what his life was like. Did these people even know about dragons?
"Before we go in, lads." Stoick suddenly addressed them all. "You all know my sign. Hopefully things go peacefully, and by winter, we'll be back home."
Hiccup stared up at the castle. It was so foreign to him. Cold. Unwelcoming. Stiff. So unlike the wood and stone of home, that was always so welcoming. And he felt oddly homesick, but he knew it wasn't home he was missing so desperately.
Finally they were stopped by a troop of armed men. They wore steel armor in green and purple, with swords drawn on them. Heading them was a man with black skin and bright amber eyes. He eyed them all carefully before he gave a brief nod in greeting.
"Can we help you, gentleman and lady?"
Stoick took front. "I am Stoick the Vast from Berk. I am here to meet with the King or Queen, as they are to fulfill a treaty they promised my family."
The man eyed him before nodding. "I see. I am happy to invite you inside then, but I ask you place your weapons with my men here. Arendelle is a place of peace. We have no need for drawn swords here."
The few men with them grumbled, but Stoick silenced them with a simple look. They handed over their weapons, but Hiccup knew it was a front. Even he kept his sword handle on him, just in case. Thankfully they had no idea the old handle was anything to suspect.
"Follow me please." The guard man told them before heading into the castle.
Hiccup limped with Astrid, glad she was here even if she wasn't the most understanding person. They went through the huge castle, seeing a large, impressive staircase that seems like it was made of ice or glass. A throne that looked like it'd been carved from crystal or snow. It was beautiful.
"Queen Elsa, of Arendelle." The guard announced and stood straight as the queen entered the room.
Despite himself, the worries and the feeling of some kind of betrayal, Hiccup stared. She was...otherworldly. Pale skin like he'd never seen before, but freckles dotting her cheeks. Light blond hair braided into crystals and gems. He never thought himself as a shallow man, but if looks were all he had to go off of, he wondered if perhaps things would work out.
She didn't sit, respectfully standing. "Stoick the Vast of Berk. Forgive me, had I known of your coming I'd have prepared something more proper for you."
"No need, my lady. Us Vikings have no need for proper parties or rules." Stoick said. "I believe your men have told you why we've come."
"They have. But forgive me again, as I've been the queen of Arendelle for nearly six years and you have never reached out to my family. Also, there is a matter of having no copy of this treaty you've mentioned." Elsa pointed out politely.
Hiccup frowned at that. Her parents hadn't told her? His father mentioned it a few times as he grew up, giving him time to find a partner of his own. He needed to continue the family lineage after all. But for her father and mother to keep it hidden made their sudden visit even worse.
"I have it here, of course. You'll find your father's signature on it." Stoick reached into his armored pockets and produced a piece of parchment. It was rolled up and tied with a bright gold ribbon.
Elsa hesitated a moment, so her guard came forward and took it for her. "Thank you, Mattias."
She sat down in her throne to read it. Her eyes quickly scanned the paper, her pale skin going paler each line. She hid it well, but her hands were shaking. Hiccup forced himself to look away. He felt horrible now, as if this was his fault.
"I…I see."
It was all she could manage, it seemed.
"You've heard the tale, haven't ya, my lady?" Stoick went on, though he was more softspoken than before. "Of the Eastern Wind?"
She nodded. "My mother told me the old tale. What does that have to do…?"
Stoick grunted. "Back then, we were hit by a hard winter. But the frozen water caused your kingdom to nearly collapse. No fish were found, nothing grew in the fields, and your livestock withered in the cold. In return for saving your Kingdom's livelihood, Agnar and I promised our first borns to be bethrothed."
Elsa re-read the paper but nothing had changed. Instead, she handed it back to her guard. "...You have to understand, my father passed away suddenly before I could be properly...informed. Had I known...rather, I need some time..."
"I understand, your highness. We can give you time." Stoick said. He gave her a bow of his head. "I have some things I must ask of you though, while we are waiting."
Hiccup froze up. Astrid next to him was also tense. This was it. Either things were peaceful after this, or things would go very very poorly. He didn't want to hurt anyone here, in their own homes, but he was a Viking. He had a duty to his own people.
"You have until the turn of the moon, your highnes. Then we have to get back to Berk." Stoick explained. Elsa's eyes widened slightly but otherwise kept up a perfect facade. "I ask that you allow my son to stay here with you, so you two can be properly introduced. Your father thought it best you knew the man you would marry first."
"...how kind of him." Elsa said but it sounded almost nasty. "You're giving me a timelimit to how I can put arrangements to be made? Do you not understand I run an entire town? An entire portside?"
Stoick nodded. "I can only give you so much time, my lady."
When she struggled for a response, his father suddenly grabbed Hiccup's arm and dragged him forward. Hiccup nearly tripped over his prosthetic but thankfully kept from humiliating himself. Instead, he stood in front of Elsa and she finally saw him.
"My son, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III."
He panicked, so he gave her a bow. "Nice to meet you, your highness."
To his utter shock, she managed a smile. "You as well...Hiccup Haddock."
xxxxxx
"You can fight it." Were the first words out of Anna's mouth when Elsa returned to her room.
"Anna. Please." Elsa sighed, her head already throbbing at her temples. "I can't right now."
Anna ignored her and marched over. "I can't believe you tried to send me off! Kristoff is handling the Trolls, and I'm going to stay here and help you figure out how to get out of this ridiculous thing-"
"There's nothing we can do." Elsa cut her off gently. "I looked it over. Father...signed it back before we were born."
Her sister bristled. "You can't be serious! Elsa, you're the Queen! Fight them! You can't just let these people haul you away because of some piece of paper Father was too pigheaded to know better. After all the things they've done to us, you can't let them get away with this too!"
The words hurt because they were true. It was bad enough their parents had ruined their childhoods and teenage years, but now they were ruining her future. She had no idea what rules or traditions the Vikings followed. She'd heard stories of them, waging war and shedding blood everywhere they explored.
"...Anna..." She was surprised when she choked up, tears welling up in her eyes. She was suddenly sobbing as Anna held her tight. "What am I going to do?"
"Hey, it's okay. We're going to figure this out, okay? Maybe there's a way we can pay them back without you marrying their son." Anna said, gently hushing her and running her hand through her sister's hair.
"He's only giving me so much time though." Elsa tried to wipe away the tears, embarrassed, but Anna helped her. "There's so much I have to do now. I have to prepare the guards, the staff, the townspeople-"
"Elsa, you're not going." Anna told her hotly.
"I'm not making them fight a war with Vikings, Anna." She snapped at her. "Haven't you heard the stories? They usually leave nothing left, just one person to tell their stories for them. I'm not allowing my people to pay for my selfish wants."
"It's not selfish to not want to marry someone you don't know or love." Anna said.
It was so earnest that Elsa smiled. Her sister was so bighearted. But she knew she could never ask her people to fight a war for her. Perhaps there was a way around this, and she only had so much time to both find it, and prepare herself in case there was indeed nothing she could do.
"I just need some time alone, please..." She asked Anna softly.
Anna looked wounded but didn't argue. Instead, she gave her a tight hug and left. Elsa stood there a moment, staring out her window as her mind raced. Her mind went back to Hiccup Haddock. He was a handsome boy. She was instantly smitten with his eyes; he had wild, firey green eyes. She'd never seen anyone like him before.
The armor, the braids in his hair, the scars and obviously battleworn callouses. And the way he had looked at her. She wasn't sure what he was thinking but she was curious. She wanted to talk to him. Perhaps this was something good then? Maybe she had an ally against this strange betrothal.
"Hey, don't be scared. He'd never hurt you."
Elsa looked up, confused, but there was nothing in her room. She was alone, just like she'd wanted. Frowning, she sighed and began undoing her braid. "It's not me I'm worried for, though..."
The wind didn't respond. Disappointed, she went to her balcony. It was windy today but still a bright, sunny afternoon. She looked over her kingdom but the large ship docked in the bay kept getting her attention. It made her stomach sink each time.
One of her favorite pastimes, ruined then. By the ugly ship in her beautiful bay. Feeling frustrated, Elsa sighed and went back inside, wanting to get some tea and maybe something for her head. She missed the breeze, the wind whispering at her back.
"We'll take good care of you, Elsa. You just have to give us a chance."
Xxxxx
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