Xxxxxx
Arendelle was beautiful. Hiccup walked the roads, arm in arm with its queen, taking it all in. It felt bizarre; he kept expecting to see dragons cruising through the air, crashing through buildings, the roars and noises of bustling activity. But Arendelle was quiet. The only ambiance was the chatter of people and the sea breeze as it blew through the trees.
Anna lead the way, giving Hiccup and Elsa some minor privacy. He was trying to work up the courage to speak to her again, but each time he lost his nerve. It didn't help that Jack had disappeared. Since the spirit could fly whenever he wanted, he tended to take off as he saw fit without explanation.
"It's beautiful." He finally managed to say.
Elsa gave him a smile. "Thank you."
He glanced up ahead at Anna's back. "Your sister is, uh, quite something. She'd made a great queen as well."
Elsa hummed in agreement but didn't respond. Hiccup mentally smacked himself. Stupid! He kept reminding her that she was being taken away from her home when he was supposed to be comforting her.
"Sorry. I guess I'm not very good at this." He said.
"No, I just...have a lot to think about." Elsa responded and tightened her hold on his arm. "Oh, this here is the sweets shop. And here, they sell gemstones from our mines more inland."
Hiccup glanced over the displays as the two sisters began gushing over a particular gemstone. He paused, an idea forming in his head. He smiled to himself and looked around discretely for Jack. He found the spirit in the rafters, watching them back. When they met eyes, Jack playfully blew him a kiss, forcing his face to turn red.
"I'll be right back, I see something." Hiccup told Elsa and quickly met up with the other man a few displays down. "Hey, I need you to do us a favor."
"Of course, what's going on?" Jack asked.
"I'm going to use our secret weapon. Can you get to the ship and get it for me?" Hiccup explained in a whisper, not wanting anyone to overhear.
Jack grinned. "I really like her too."
"Oh hush you."
He playfully shoved him, Jack laughing before he reached out and grabbed Hiccup's chest plate. With ease, the spirit pulled Hiccup close and left a peck on the edge of the other man's nose. "Try not to miss me."
He flew off, heading for where the ship had docked. Hiccup sighed, waiting for his face to turn back to its normal color before he went to catch back up with his betrothed. Hiccup noticed he was receiving plenty of stares as he limped through the streets. Elsa seemed to attract a crowd with her presence, her people loving her and eager to talk to her.
"What do these people want with us, your highness?" someone was asking her as Hiccup walked up.
"The Vikings are here to create a new treaty." Elsa lied easily, motioning towards her sister. "Anna and I were in talks with them today. Should things go smoothly, we won't have to worry about the safety of our ships."
"Yeah! So nothing to worry about." Anna told them, waving them off.
"I hope we don't overstay our welcome." Hiccup said.
Elsa perked up at seeing him, making him feel a bit more confident. Even if Anna shot him a glare behind her sister's back. "There's much we could learn from you, I'm sure."
"Learn? From us? Unless you wanna know how to kill something, or how to throw axes..." Hiccup shrugged. "Though I guess we're the only people to tame dragons so there's that."
Elsa giggled at that. "Must be more to you than killing if something as magnificent as a dragon takes to you."
Anna huffed in disagreement but her older sister ignored her. Hiccup swallowed roughly. While he appreciated Elsa's silent support, he was feeling on edge with Anna's displeasure. It hit too close to home. Reminded him of darker times.
"Next shop is Oaken's. He sells a little bit of everything." Elsa explained as they walked to the next building's display.
"I'll grab us each a sandwich!" Anna yelled at them before taking off.
Alone, the pair watched her go a moment. Elsa cleared her throat. "She's overprotective. I'll talk to her."
"No! No, I mean...it's fine. She loves you. And, and we had a small misunderstanding." Hiccup explained.
Elsa frowned at that. "Then I'll ask that you talk to her yourself. I can't have my sister angry at the man I'm engaged with."
"Speaking of." Hiccup began, seeing Jack out of the corner of his eye. "Close your eyes."
"What? Why?" Elsa asked, laughing.
"Trust me, just do it okay?"
She hesitated before sighing and doing so. Her eyes closed, Hiccup tested her briefly before motioning to Jack. The frost spirit flew over, handing a medium-sized box over. Hiccup gave him a nod. He was nervous now. He was rushing things. But he wanted Elsa to know what it meant, to be a true Berkian.
"Open them." He said.
Elsa opened her eyes, looking confused at the sudden appearance of the box. It was black leather. Insulated, Hiccup's own design. He offered it, but put his hand over hers when she went to take it.
"This bond. It's special. There's no backing out once you start." He explained.
She glanced down at the box before meeting his eyes. "A-are you sure?"
"Of course."
She took it, carefully opening the box. Her eyes widened when she found a pearl. No, not a pearl. It shook briefly, shifting in place now and then. She was holding a dragon egg. The realization made her knees weak. A real dragon egg. For her.
"What are you going to name it?" Jack asked, making her jump. "Sorry."
"I...don't know." Elsa whispered, still in awe as she stared at it. She began running a hand over it carefully and it shook in response. "When will they hatch?"
Hiccup questioningly held out his hands and Elsa nodded. He picked up the egg, carefully turning it around in his arms. "With it being this big, any day. That's why she keeps shaking."
"Any day, and...I can raise a dragon..." Elsa repeated, a smile spreading across her face.
Hiccup smiled back. "You're beautiful when you're happy."
Elsa blinked, and her face turned bright red. Before she could respond, Anna came running out of the shop behind them, carrying a bag of sandwiches. Jack dodged her before he could be run through again. Seeing the moment happening, she hesitated.
"Uh, hey guys! I'm back." She greeted them. "Wow, is that a pearl? Is this what you guys give for an engagement? It's huge..."
"No, it's an egg." Hiccup replied, wondering if Anna disliked him enough to attempt to poison him.
"A dragon egg? I hope it likes ice." Anna teased, giggling.
Elsa gave her a look but Hiccup pretended not to see. He just was confused. Ice? Did...Elsa somehow tell Anna about Jack? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she knew, but that would only make Anna hate him more. Taking her sister away was one thing, but forcing her to marry two men was on a whole different level.
"Here you are, Hiccup." Anna offered him a sandwich that was longer than his arm. "I wasn't sure what you liked so I grabbed the chef's special."
"Thank you." He said.
"Elsa, your favorite." She cooed at her sister, smirking knowingly when Elsa perked up. "Of course I remembered."
"You wrote it down, didn't you? Cheater." Elsa teased her.
"I won't tell if you won't." Anna shot back, grinning.
It was mid afternoon when they began heading back for the castle. As time went on, Anna lost her ice shoulder and began warming back up to Hiccup. She was gushing about her fiance as they approached the castle gates. Hiccup listened as best he could, but was thoroughly distracted. Elsa was staring at her egg, carrying it carefully like a baby in her arms.
"She'd made a good mom someday." Jack whispered in his ear.
Hiccup shared a look with him, hoping she didn't overhear. He had to agree though. Elsa was endlessly patient, and it seemed children weren't an exception. They had been stopped numerous times by kids, and Elsa always had some gold pieces on her for them to get candy or toys.
Anna suddenly leaned over, trying to be sneaky. Thankfully Elsa was distracted. "I've never seen her like this before...You really won her over."
"Well, that was mostly the plan." Hiccup said.
"Hmm...you know, I wanted to apologize for before. Elsa told me I was overreacting, and, apparently there are different customs and cultural differences and..." She hesitated. "We never thought our parents would ever do something like a treaty like this."
Hiccup nodded. "Apology accepted."
Anna smiled. "Good. Then, what are the odds I can get me one of those?" She teased.
The Viking laughed, finally getting Elsa's attention. "Maybe. I'll see what I can do. But your palace isn't exactly dragon-proofed."
"Maybe a smaller one, like that uh..." Elsa frowned, trying to remember the name. "In your book, Hiccup; Terrorizing Terrors or something."
"Or maybe I'll come visit and get one." Anna offered, looking excited at the idea. "I can see Berk, get my own dragon, and I can finally travel outside of Arendelle."
Elsa shuffled awkwardly as she did anytime leaving Arendelle was brought up. Anna noticed, corners of her mouth tipping down briefly before she gave her sister a tight hug. Elsa blinked, surprised, before hugging her back.
"I'm fine." Elsa said automatically.
"You aren't." Anna argued softly. "It's okay to not be happy all the time, you know. Especially with what's going on."
Elsa smiled at her. "You always know what to say."
"It's my special power I was born with. Sorry I never told you, Dad made me swear not to tell you." Anna teased her.
The two sisters laughed. Hiccup watched them. It was a sweet moment he didn't want to intrude on. Next to him, Jack watched, leaning on his staff. Hiccup sighed.
"What if she hates Berk?"
Jack took a moment to respond. "Then we gotta make her love us more than she hates Berk."
"Do you know any love spells?" Hiccup asked him dryly.
Jack snorted. "Only the one I put on you."
"Must have been one hell of a spell then." Hiccup mumbled, face pink when Jack laughed.
"She'll love it there. Know why? Cuz you'll be there. And perk of being mostly invisible is, no one pays attention when you're around. I've seen the looks she gives."
The brown haired man felt oddly hopeful at that. Maybe the feelings were mutual then. Elsa was beautiful, smart, patient, poised. He was lucky fate had picked her. And if Jack was to be believed, than she might feel the same way about him.
"Hiccup? Are you alright?" Anna asked suddenly, walking through Jack unknowingly. "Come on, the chef's should be preparing dinner! Have you ever had our special? You'll love it, especially the way we make it."
Hiccup followed them, surprised when Elsa reached for his arm. He felt his face grow slightly warm but hoped it wasn't obvious. Arms linked, they walked through the castle and made their way inside to the throne room.
"I have to see a few adviser's before dinner." Elsa said. "Would you like to sit in with me? I've been told you're quite the diplomat."
He perked up at that. "I am. Where did you hear that?"
Elsa hesitated. "Your father. We talked briefly before tea."
"O-oh. Uh, what, what did you guys talk about?" He asked nervously.
"Mostly you. He wanted me to see your good sides, to ease my mind about you." Elsa said. "But everything he said made me just hate you more. So I had to see for myself how you were."
Hiccup nodded. "I can't blame you. I know I'm not exactly on your rank."
"That's not it." She frowned, looking wounded. "Rank means nothing to me. Or benefits like land or titles."
"Sorry, it was more of a joke." Hiccup explained. He ran his hand through his hair nervously, sensing he had hurt her feelings. "At my expense. I didn't mean..."
The queen shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I guess I'm still not used to your humor. Especially like that. Why wouldn't you be?"
"Uh, well because Berk is a tiny island full of ruthless, rude Vikings. Not nobles or people with manners."
She managed to smile at that one. "Okay that one I got."
"See? You're a fast learner."
Hiccup nudged her playfully, which definitely caught Elsa off guard if her expression was anything to go off of. Maybe he'd shoved her a little too hard. He needed to remember she wasn't Astrid. Astrid could always give back more than he could give.
"S-sorry, are you okay?"
"Fine, fine." Elsa laughed, fixing her hair. "You keep surprising me, Hiccup. I...like it."
He blushed. Fixing her hair, nervously glancing over at him like that, Elsa looked ethereal. Hiccup wanted to kiss her. Maybe he could sweep her off her feet, kiss her, or just kiss her hand like a true romantic. Fishlegs liked those kind of books.
"Can I kiss you?" He blurted out instead, and his face turned a deeper shade of red.
Elsa hesitated. She was silently fighting with herself, he could see it in her eyes. Before he could laugh it off and salvage his pride, she let out a deep breath. "...yes."
He went slow in case she changed her mind. Part of him wondered if she said yes because of their engagement. He hoped not. Not wanting to put too much pressure on her, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Elsa jumped at the contact. Her eyes widened, face red, not expecting that. But she realized why. Hiccup didn't want to rush her. Part of her felt a rush of relief. She could barely touch people, much less kiss them. And yet a part of her wanted to get it over with.
So she turned her head. She kissed him.
It was brief. She didn't want to completely overwhelm herself. But Hiccup looked dazed, a small grin on his face. She felt a rush of something for him. Affection perhaps. She smiled, wanting to say something but Kai interrupted them.
"Your highness, they're ready for you."
She and Hiccup went into her throne room. Her throne was made of ice, looking like crystal or glass. She hesitated, not wanting to tell Hiccup yet about her powers. Else she'd make him one. But for now, Hiccup stood to the side as she sat in her throne.
"Your highness, what is this nonsense of you having a betrothal?" One of her adviser's demanded as the three men came into the room.
"It's those damn, nasty Vikings isn't it? They think they can sail here in their savage boats, pretending to be ships!"
Hiccup shifted behind her. Elsa wanted to roll her eyes. "Gentleman, please. They had signed a treaty with my parents before my birth. Stoick showed it to me. I know their signatures."
"But you never stopped to think of why now?" Higs, Brand, and Edeth motioned towards her servants, who brought her a parchment. "Your highness, we have gotten word that they're sending their Princes to fight the arrangement."
"Berk has no advantages!" Higs added. "It's tiny, far, and they can't even keep their own buildings safe from weather, much less other Vikings."
Elsa began reading, finding the two letters identical. She frowned. It was as they said; both were sending their sons to meet with her to fight the arrangement and ask for her hand. Odd that they weren't asking, but she had a sneaking suspicion that was very much on purpose. Arendelle was a large kingdom but nowhere near the size of Corona.
"...Were you aware this was happening?" Elsa asked Hiccup.
He frowned. "No? We're not in alliance with those places so I never have contact with them."
"Why now?" Elsa wondered softly. "Your father had the near exact timing."
Hiccup frowned at that. She had a good point. His father might have heard rumors and decided he'd been patient enough with Hiccup. But that meant Stoick was preparing for a fight as well. Perhaps that's why he'd insisted on so many ships with them.
"Your age, perhaps?" Higs mused aloud.
Elsa stiffened, offended, and Hiccup swallowed back a laugh. Thankfully Edeth cut the other man off. "They've heard Princess Anna is marrying, your highness. That makes you Arendelle's only available lady of renown."
"Who's west of you? The Scots?" Hiccup asked.
"No, Corona. They're more advance than us, but equally large." She explained.
"We cannot go to war with them, my queen." Brand said. "We'd be massacred."
Elsa shook her head. "We won't. I'll meet with their sons and we'll come to some kind of agreement. Whether it be new treaties or new sanctions."
"And you have Berk's full support." Hiccup said confidently.
Higs blanched. "What good is your tiny island?"
"We raise great pets for one." The Viking pointed out.
Elsa relaxed slightly at that. She'd almost forgotten; Berk's dragons. If it was truly like Hiccup had described, then she wasn't worried. But that meant needing those dragons here. In Arendelle. Where they currently weren't.
"We'll need them." She whispered to him.
Hiccup nodded. "I'll have a ship return to Berk and get them."
Edeth cleared his throat. "We ask that you reconsider, your highness. Surely a prince from Corona would be more appealing to you?"
Hiccup glanced at them but stayed silent. She gave him credit for his restraint. Elsa shook her head; while her adviser's meant well, they were also somewhat greedy. They had gotten worse as the years went on, and Elsa worried perhaps they were working against her, and with another kingdom.
"I refuse to start a war between Arendelle and any country." Elsa told them. "If they reject my answer then..."
"We'll deal with that as it comes." Hiccup told her, hand on her shoulder.
She relaxed slightly. "Yes...Well, then, if you'll excuse us."
She stood, grabbing on to Hiccup's arm. He walked her upstairs to her room, where Jack was sitting on her bed, holding her dragon egg. He perked up at seeing them but stopped at seeing their expressions.
"What's wrong?"
"Apparently some other kingdoms don't like me swooping in and marrying her, so they're sending people to fight it." Hiccup explained as Elsa sat down.
She took the egg from him, cradling it and stroking the smooth surface. "Why now?"
"Hey there's nothing to worry about anyway! You got us. Hiccup can show them you're taken, and I can mess with them and think they're crazy."
"Jackā¦" Hiccup gave him a look.
"It worked perfectly when Tuffnutt was giving you a hard time, didn't it?" Jack shot at him, looking smug.
"No, what needs to happen is I'm sending some people home to get our dragons." Hiccup explained. "I knew I should have brought Toothless..."
"No, I knew you should've brought Toothless. You said he needed the separation." Jack reminded him. He then turned serious. "Hey there really is nothing to worry about, you know. Berk has some of the strongest warriors this side of the red sea. Plus an army of dragons with those warrior Vikings?"
She nodded. "So long as Arendelle's safe..."
"No, so long as you're safe." Jack corrected her sternly. "You mean something to me and Hiccup. We'll protect you, whether it's from a pompous ass prince or an army."
Elsa made a face at that. "We've only just met though, Jack."
"Maybe, but when you see as much as I have, you learn to focus on who matters. And right now, that's Hiccup for me." Jack explained, twirling his staff expertly. "And I can read Hiccup like a book. He likes you. And I like you."
Elsa flushed at that. Having the spirit of winter tell her she mattered to him was...incredible. It made her feel warm and perhaps even safe. Relaxed. It was a rare feeling to have for her.
"Thank you." She said.
"I can read you too, mister." Hiccup muttered dryly.
Jack grinned, mocking him playfully. Elsa giggled at the scene. But she paused, quickly looking away when Jack kissed Hiccup, feeling her face burning. She hadn't wanted to make a big deal out of it, but Hiccup had been her first kiss. She'd never had the chance before. And knowing she'd marry him, it seemed obvious it would happen eventually. But with Jack, it was different. She felt no rush, no impending time he'd want her to be affectionate with him.
Plus, she'd never seen two men kiss before. More than that, she felt no jealousy. Just more of a curiousness of what it would be like, in the future, loving two men. Because she didn't doubt she could grow to love them. Hiccup and her clicked instantly despite having no contact before their engagement. And while she didn't know Jack as well, barring any horrible tenancies, she felt like they were very similar.
She looked back to see them pressing their foreheads together. Jack whispered something to the Berkian, and she made sure not to listen to it. She gave them their privacy. Instead, she focused on her egg. The pearl like egg was so smooth, the shell glistening in the sunlight. She wondered what type it was. She'd mentioned liking a certain kind to Hiccup, but what were the chance he'd have an egg for that type?
"I can't wait to meet Toothless." She said softly to break the silence. "Or this little one."
"Better think of names you want. It's important." Jack said. "Uh, actually...is it just me or did it crack?"
Hiccup hurried over, analyzing it as Elsa looked it over. "I think so...Come on, we should give her a moment. The first few minutes is...special."
Elsa looked at him, slightly panicked. "You can't leave me alone with it, what if I don't know what to do?"
"Hey, breathe. Once it hatches, it'll look for its mother. That's you. Just, hold them close, let them imprint on you, and make sure they're warm. Jack will go grab some things you'll need." Hiccup explained before heading for the door. "Trust me, you'll do fine. And I'll be right here listening if you need me."
Elsa let him go with that. Swallowing, she got comfortable on her bed, wrapping her blankets around the both of them. She'd read about how birds had eggs, and the hatching of those eggs. But she had no idea how similar a dragon egg would be. From the way Hiccup described it, they were; the dragon needed to imprint on her, and she'd raise it.
"Guess that makes me a mom..." She whispered to the egg. "This is sudden, but I'm ready if you are."
It shook in her arms. The tiny crack Jack spotted split further. She saw white scales underneath. As the egg broke apart, Elsa saw an eye open and swirled to look at her. She smiled back. Its eyes were a deep amethyst with cat-like pupils. She helped it break the last bits of egg, cradling in her arms a snow white baby dragon.
They had rounded ear-like sensors on her head, sharp claws that glistened like diamonds, and fins on their tail. Elsa recognized it immediately. She gaped in amazement. She was holding a baby Light Fury. Her baby Light Fury.
"Hello..." She greeted it softly, stroking its scales. It sneezed, snorting some kind of purple fire. Hearing her voice however, it perked up and nuzzled her chin. Elsa felt her eyes getting watery. The dragon was so small, and while it could likely defend itself just fine, she felt incredibly protective of it already.
"Elsa?" Hiccup's voice came in through her door.
"Come in, we're ready for you." She called, cuddling the dragon closer.
Hiccup came in, smiling at the sight. "Most people cry the first time."
She laughed, wiping her eyes. "I can see why."
Jack flew into the room with a few towels, handing them over. Elsa winced at how warm they were, but the dragon lunged for it instantly. It curled up against the hot sheets, purring in content. Elsa smiled. She couldn't describe the feeling she had for the small dragon but from the look on Hiccup's face, he understood.
"Female." He informed her. "A female Light Fury. Most of them have blue eyes."
Elsa hummed, thinking. "I'll name her...Freya."
Jack perked up. "Beautiful name."
"I think Freya herself would approve." Hiccup said.
Elsa smiled proudly, stroking the dragon's scales. "How big do they get?"
The two men shared a look. Hiccup grinned, pulling out his book. Elsa took it, curious what he was going to show her. The dragon was small now, but she didn't doubt she'd grow quickly. Hiccup had opened the book on to a set page, one about Toothless.
"...this...is how big?" She gaped, seeing that Hiccup had drawn a human next to a Night Fury. "Even her?"
"Females tend to be larger." Hiccup shrugged. "Plus there are variants, health plays a factor, what you feed her, if you let her shed, things like that."
Little Freya snorted more fire. Elsa cooed at her, scratching under her chin and watching in amusement as it made the dragon purr and swoon. Jack laughed. He came closer, offering a hand.
"Can I?" He asked Freya.
Elsa watched, feeling protective as the baby dragon allowed the spirit to pet her. "...thank you, Hiccup."
"It's nothing, really." Hiccup blushed. "I'm happy to bond people with dragons, and they're the most loyal, loving creatures I've experienced yet. One of the Light Fury's had a batch of eggs, but most of them didn't make it. They're shells are too fragile."
"What does she eat?" Elsa asked next.
"Fish. Lots and lots of fish."
She nodded. Jack was playing with Freya, making her chase his staff in little circles. She then realized something, furrowing her brow. "Wait...you have more dragon eggs with you?"
"We keep the fragile ones, and keep them safe." He said.
"The dragons all trust Hiccup more than anyone else." Jack explained. "Toothless is the Alpha of the Berk dragons, and Hiccup is his rider. So, that makes him special."
"I am not." The brunet grumbled, face red.
She tucked that information away. Wrapping one of the warmer sheets around her like a swath, she then gently grabbed Freya and put her into it, keep her close to Elsa's chest. Freya cooed at her body warmth and fell asleep.
"Well then. Now that I have two mouths to feed, shall we get to dinner?" She offered, practically beaming.
Xxxx
