Xxxxxx
"You have five second to spill."
Hiccup looked up from his map for the second time that night. First seeing Elsa off, his fiance in her killer dress and hair done. Now because Anna was glaring at him, hands on her hips and looking ready to fight him. Which he didn't doubt for one second.
"Well-" He started but Anna cut him off.
"Elsa never wants me to touch her hair. Ever. She does her own hair. But she asked me to help, so I thought that meant you were doing something special. But she's not in her room and here you are. So now. Four seconds."
Hiccup nodded. He suspected she'd check Elsa's room already. He could lie, but Hiccup was notoriously bad at it. "Remember when I slipped up before?"
She nodded curtly. "Of course, when we first met and you lied to me."
He winced. "Well I couldn't explain before telling Elsa herself, so first, I'm sorry about that. Second, I...I have a friend. And he wanted to take your sister out. For the night."
"You're letting some friend of yours take my sister out for the night?!" Anna nearly whispered it, blue eyes alight.
Oh, okay he'd chosen the wrong choice of words. "No! Not like that, she chose to!" Freya got up at the raised voices, hissing. Hiccup quickly grabbed her. "Oh don't you start too."
"Hiccup Haddock, where is my sister?" She demanded.
"On a date with Jack Frost." He said dryly.
She paused, looking mildly insulted. "You think I'd believe that for one second-"
"He's telling the truth."
Hiccup didn't recognize the man with blond hair, but Anna did. She perked up despite herself, smiling at the man. "You're back! But what do you mean, Kristoff?"
Kristoff took her hand and gave Hiccup a nod in greeting. "The Trolls saw him flying around when the Vikings came in. Jack Frost usually doesn't visit Arendelle in this season, but he does make visits."
Anna stared at him. "Jack Frost is...real? And is on a date with my sister?"
Kristoff looked confused. "I dunno about that last part, but I do know he's real and I've seen him before. But why's he hanging out with Vikings?"
Hiccup decided to chime in anything else could be said. "He's...with me; he's my best friend, besides Toothless."
"You're the dragon rider?" Kristoff asked.
"I am. And you're familiar with Jack Frost then?" Hiccup asked back.
The blond man nodded. "Of course. He's know Papi Troll for years."
"Jack Frost, the mischievous trickster, has my sister." Anna repeated hotly, staring holes into Hiccup's head. "You think because you own her you can set her up with someone else?"
"Whoa, wait a minute-" Kristoff began the same time Hiccup said, "Now, wait right there-"
They both were stopped by Elsa herself, gently moving her would-be brother-in-law. "Anna, is there a reason you were interrogating my fiance?"
"Elsa!" Anna seemed overly relieved, grabbing her before pausing, staring at her dress. "You were out in that?"
Elsa flushed slightly. "I, I was. I thought I'd try something different was all..."
"Oh no, it's gorgeous, I'm just surprised..." Her sister stopped, realizing she hadn't answered her question. "Uh, you weren't in your room and you were all dressed up but Hiccup was still here so..."
Elsa sighed, but didn't seem really annoyed. "It's as Hiccup said. I was out with Jack Frost, the spirit mother used to tell us about."
"But...but you and Hiccup...Was that still working out?" Anna looked shocked; she couldn't believe her sister would willingly date anyone right now. But the actual spirit of winter? "Did he sell you into this?"
"Excuse me, I think my reputation's had enough ripping at." Hiccup grumbled. Behind him, Freya snorted but went back to sleep stubbornly.
The blond women shook her head fondly at him. "Anna, I will explain it to you. But I need a moment alone with Hiccup. Please."
Anna hesitated but after a tense moment, she finally nodded. Kristoff took her by hand off into the hallway, and Elsa saw them off from the door frame. Once they were gone, she closed the door and sighed before facing her fiance.
"I'm sorry for her."
He shook his head. "She doesn't mean any harm, just a bit overprotective."
He was surprised when she walked over and eagerly took his hand. "You have to tell me every thing about him. Please."
"About Jack?"
It was a stupid question; it was so obvious from the way her face was lit up, unlike before. Her eyes, her smile, her posture was different. She was glowing in a way he hadn't seen before. She was beautiful like that, and it was infectious. He smiled.
"He took me flying, and...we landed in the woods, but then he made them into this beautiful wintry setting...and I don't like dancing, but we danced for awhile and...And..."
She hesitated, checks pink. Hiccup almost rolled his eyes but refrained if only because she was acting so cute. "He kissed you didn't he?"
"Yes!" She gasped, looking shocked at both herself and him. "It was...amazing, Hiccup. He's unreal, he can't be real."
Hiccup chuckled, seeing how smitten she was. "I thought that too. So much so I thought I was hallucinating."
"...am I?" Elsa asked.
"No. You're just crazy in love with my boyfriend." Hiccup teased her dryly.
She deflated but only slightly. "But...now I understand. How can I tell Anna when she can't see him? Or my subjects, my advisers or these princes coming here."
He nodded. "It hurts a lot, doesn't it? You want to share what you feel so badly but they'll just look at you like you lost your mind. And then...then you have to admit to your girlfriend that maybe you're not straight either because no Chieftain can be...be..."
Elsa watched him carefully, her grip on his hand tightening. "I'm so sorry, Hiccup. That must be hard."
"It was. But then you get over it." He said, clearly wanting to change the subject.
She hesitated, but couldn't bring herself to further touch him. She'd been tapped out in her ability to handle being touched beyond simple, every day things. Her heart was hurting though; It clearly hurt the young man deeply. Did his cousin know? His friends?
"But I'm not, not really." Hiccup said suddenly. "I mean, I loved Astrid for most of my life. And Jack, he was my friend first. We were best friends, he was like a secret I got to keep to myself that made me special."
"You just happened to fall in love with him." She offered.
"Always came to Berk, since we're so cold. I saw him the first time when I was out making..." Hiccup hesitated. "We used to kill dragons, you know. I would make these machines, trying so hard to kill a dragon; that's the only way you could be part of the clan. And everyone at the time hated me because I couldn't, and I was weak and I was...was Hiccup."
Elsa frowned. "I happen to like Hiccup."
He managed to smile at that. "Thanks. I guess I was just too soft. Maybe those machines were made to not work, you know? But when I was making one, this boy shows up. He looks at it, and I thought he'd make fun of me like everyone else. But he just keeps talking to himself. I thought maybe he was just weird."
She smiled, laughing with him. Hiccup sat down, petting Freya as Elsa sat next to him. His hand where she touched felt oddly cold and tingly. He waved it off though. She had been out with Jack and had likely been cold. Jack had to be reminded about human frailty when it came to cold weather.
"But he noticed one of my pins was off and was wondering if it would work. So I told him thanks, for helping me. And he just got spooked. Like no one had...ever talked to him before."
Elsa pursed her lips, knowing very well what that felt like. Having no one in her room for years other than maybe the occasional visit from her parents. Knowing that no one would be able to talk to her either; she had been too dangerous.
"He talked my ear off at first." Hiccup smiled at the memory. "What Vikings did, where we went, how we fought. How did we get along, did I enjoy winter, what weather I liked. He memorized it all too, effortlessly. I think Jack has remembered every word I said to him."
"That's pretty impressive." Elsa said.
Hiccup nodded. "He had to go often, so I saw him now and then. But then I met Toothless, and after that, Jack could stay around more. He said it was something to do with a 'mission' he dealt with, now he knew he could stay more. So he did, and then I fell for him. Sometime during my teenage years."
"You have cute dimples when you smile." Elsa commented suddenly, smiling when Hiccup turned pink. "Don't hide it, it's cute!"
"I spill my life story and you are busy staring at me." Hiccup teased back. "I'm more than a piece of meat to ogle you know."
She laughed, shaking her head. "Well, there's a reason I headed straight here. I had to know more about him, but I wanted to see how you'd react too. I don't want to be in the middle of anything."
"Elsa, thank you." He said sincerely.
"And you, for introducing me to him." Elsa hesitated briefly before standing up. "I haven't been honest with you. About me."
He looked surprised, but nowhere near as surprised as when Elsa waved her hands and whipped up a small ice statue of either a night or light fury. It was small but detailed. Hiccup stared at moment, brain failing to comprehend. He was a man of science and gadgets.
"I've had powers since I was born." She explained. "My powers, they aren't just some snow and ice. Sometimes I can create buildings. Sometimes I can make a person."
"A sentient person?" Hiccup asked, shocked.
"I gave Anna her own...well, I guess the best word is son honestly." She went on. "Olaf is alive, with his own mind, and growing every day."
Hiccup stared a moment. "Wow...guess we both had secrets to share with each other."
She disappeared the statue to Hiccup's sadness. He liked the little statue. Hiccup took a moment to comprehend his fiance having magic, and magic in general, but since dragons were part of his every day life it wasn't too far off. There were rumors of clans that could speak to spirits and were assisted by their magic back in the day.
"I should go speak with Anna." Elsa said.
"Right. Uh, here's Freya. She mostly just slept and I had to feed her once." Hiccup gently picked up the baby dragon and offered it to her mother. "She'll do that until she sheds."
"Is that why she's shedding scales?" Elsa asked, noticing a pile of beautiful pearl like scales on Hiccup's bed.
"Yeah, getting ready for it. You might need to help her, scratch her here and here sometimes. It'll help and she might want more attention. She'll get needy."
Elsa hesitated as she gathered Freya into her arms. She then pecked Hiccup on the cheek. "Thank you, Hiccup. I'll see you in the morning."
Xxxxxx
Anna was pacing her room. Elsa came in and gently closed to the door, not surprised that Kristoff was sitting on Anna's bed watching her. The pair looked up instantly, Anna rushing over.
"What's going on, Elsa?" She asked her desperately.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you when I found out, but Hiccup explained everything to me." She began, letting Anna interlock their hands. "He's...he's courting Jack Frost, and wants me to marry him as well."
Anna stared before nearly snarling. "That two timing, self, greedy bastard's getting it."
Elsa shook her head, calming her down. "Anna, stop. I've decided I'm accepting his request."
There was a moment of silence. Anna stared at her older sister in shock. "...what?"
"I'm going to marry him and go to Berk." She repeated it softly but firmly. "I want to join them."
Anna looked wounded. "You...want to go?"
Elsa hesitated. "Yes. I think Hiccup is a good man. And after going out with Jack, I can actually see a life with them."
"W-what about the princes coming here wanting war? Or your kingdom?" Anna demanded. "You're just leaving everything behind for some dragons? Or is it because of the spirit?"
"Anna, I'm not abandoning you." Elsa said. "I'll only be a ship ride away. And I think you'll be a great queen, since you have a way with our people that I don't."
Anna sat on that for a moment, glancing over at Kristoff. "You really think I'd be a good queen? Or are you just saying that because you're leaving?"
"I wouldn't lie to you about this." The blond woman told her. "I want you to meet Jack, Anna. See what he's like. I think if you believe in him, you'll be able to see him."
"Sounds made up." Anna grumbled.
"Uh, I have a question." Kristoff spoke up. "I don't...don't need to be a king right? I can just keep my nice, small role and-"
"If you plan to marry Anna, that makes you King." Elsa explained for him. Kristoff paled slightly. "But don't think I made this decision lightly. I had been thinking on this long before Hiccup came here."
"You've been wanting to leave?" Anna looked even more hurt at the idea.
"I think so..." Elsa admitted.
The pair fell silent at the admission. Anna nodded slowly, mind going over the confession. "I...I should get some sleep, we have much to do tomorrow!"
"...right." Elsa nodded and went for the door. "Good night."
"Goodnight, Elsa."
Xxxxxx
Elsa had vivid dreams, but couldn't remember them. Freya woke her by lightly pawing at her face and licking her. She felt exhausted still, but got up. Today was the day the princes should arrive. With her only knowing Hiccup for a few short days, it'd be hard to explain why she'd marry him.
She wore a high collared, broad shouldered outfit, one for movement. She worried if fighting broke out, she might need to be violent and mobile. Sighing, she did her hair and put in some crystal like earrings. She felt like she was going out of her way to pretty herself up, but then reminded herself she had someone to impress still.
Hiccup didn't love her, just as she didn't him. Not yet. This was a duty to him and for her, it was an alliance. Against Corona's Prince, against her title she no longer needed to feel worthy, against the idea of being insane because at least someone else saw Jack Frost too.
She was caught by Mattias almost immediately, her Guard looking stern. "Corona's ship has breached the horizon."
She nodded. "Get Hiccup."
He hesitated. "Are you sure you want to trust him in here, your highness?"
"I trust Hiccup." She said honestly. Mattias just nodded. "If I'm going to lead his Berk Vikings, then I want him in here leading with me as an Arendellian."
"Can...you explain why you have a pet dragon now?" Mattias asked instead.
"Bridal gift."
Xxxxxx
Hiccup pulled himself up on to his ship, limping over to where Astrid and Heather were talking. "We don't have much time, love birds."
"You're one to talk." Heather shot back.
"My dad?" Hiccup asked, looking around for said man.
"He's waiting for the first couple of scouts." Astrid said. "What's Corona's deal?"
"Very fancy. Very mean." Hiccup explained easily. "They recently found their lost Princess daughter, and the King has gone a bit overprotective. And they certainly don't like us."
"Well, rumor around port side is Arendelle has a bad history with strangers." Astrid motioned towards the castle. "Like murdering plots bad history. Your new girlfriend almost got herself killed by some Prince."
"Which explains her panic attacks." Heather grumbled.
Hiccup ignored her. "Corona isn't going to like losing this to Vikings. We might have a fight on our hands."
"What about the other Prince?"
"I'm not worried about the Scots or the Isles." Hiccup shrugged it off. "Whoever else they send with Corona, they'll like concede to them first before us."
"Think they'll attack before the dragons get here?" Heather asked.
"Not likely."
"I can hear them on the wind, they'll be here soon." Jack whispered towards Hiccup. "Toothless will be here first."
Hiccup gave him a subtle nod so no one else saw. Toothless arriving first didn't surprise him, his Night Fury was the fastest in the clan. And protective. He'd been separated from Hiccup for too long and both of them longed for the other's company again.
"I'll head back, she's likely looking for me." Hiccup hesitated. "Be safe out here. Keep out of sight."
"Surprise them with our numbers." Astrid agreed with him.
He quickly headed back for the castle, his limp stopping him from hurrying. He was hesitant to even leave the castle at a time like this but he needed to make sure the other Vikings were on the same page. Stay out of sight, don't attack first. Those were the two rules he was hoping to keep by the end of the day.
"They aren't sending much, but definitely a few body guards." Jack began saying, flying overhead.
"They aren't expecting a horde of us." Hiccup said confidently.
"Or a clan of dragons. This might turn out far more peacefully than you're thinking." Jack offered optimistically.
Despite his own confidence, something was bothering Hiccup. Something like he was forgetting a detail of huge importance.
"Why do you think my dad picked now?" He asked.
"You think he knew? Could be. But what can you do about it now?" Jack pointed out.
Hiccup paused at that. "Good point."
Jack flashed him a smile. "You're overthinking it again. You've planned for this already."
"Yeah...yeah, you're right. I'm just overthinking it."
He went into the castle, seeing Jack fly off. Likely to meet Toothless and guide him. The wind always favored Jack, and it would give them some time against the sails of ships heading this way. He was stopped almost immediately by Elsa's head guard, Mattias.
"We've been looking for you, sir." He greeted him. "Please, the Queen wants you in the War Room."
"Sorry, of course."
The War Room was a very sophisticated room of tomes, maps, sea charts and a tense looking Elsa. She barely noticed him coming in, too busy staring out her window at the ships. Hiccup hesitated before offering a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, startled.
"Hiccup! We've been searching for you, you weren't in your room..." Elsa greeted him somewhat sheepishly.
He paused. She had done up her hair and wore earrings. It brought out her sharp features and freckles. He felt his face turning red. "Viking meeting. My Dad is waiting on some scouts to come back from the ocean."
"They certainly aren't beating those ships here." Mattias said.
"They aren't sailing." Hiccup corrected him.
Elsa nodded. "I have some stipulations I'm adding to our marriage I'd like to discuss with you."
"Is that how it works?" He asked dryly but didn't argue.
"I want some dragons here. If Corona sees I have them, but I leave and so do they, they'll think my kingdom defenseless and start a war."
Elsa had a point, and Hiccup couldn't think of a real reason he'd disagree. "Compromise: we raise a few here. Find a few trusted that can start training people here to raise them."
She looked surprised but smiled. "You're a good negotiator."
His face went further red. "A-anyway, while we wait for them to arrive...what can we do?"
"We're waiting on reports from my men on when they'll touch ground. The Queen should rest herself and do something else." Mattias said it as though he'd been arguing it for awhile.
"Mattias, if things are going to happen I want to be right here."
"Can I show you something then?" Hiccup offered. "Got a training hall?"
Her curiosity pulled her away from her duty. Elsa guided him towards the heart of her castle, finding a huge training hall and full army's worth of men. Hiccup found the weapon wall, where several weapons were hung up on it and shone from being oiled and primed.
"Know how to throw an ax?" Hiccup asked her.
Elsa looked slightly uncomfortable. "Can't say I do."
Hiccup took said weapon off the wall and brought it over. "Perfect time to learn. Here."
She took it weakly, nearly dropping it. "I'm more of a sword person."
"You can't throw swords." Hiccup moved behind her, helping her find where to put her hands. "Just, listen to me and try. Worst thing, you lop off another leg of mine-"
"Hiccup!'
"-and best thing, you learn a new skill to defend yourself."
She made a noise but didn't argue. Smiling, Hiccup began showing her the many forms to throwing axes. It was easy to ignore the eyes on them from her men when Hiccup had someone like Elsa pressed up against him. She smelled of chilled roses. Her body was cold. It made him feel like a cold morning in the summer.
"This seems almost stereotypical." Elsa mused.
"Vikings and our axes." He agreed, winking at her.
She flushed at that. "And throwing them means I'm part of the clan?"
"Something like that, yeah."
She had trouble over-hand throwing, given her muscles weren't used to the motion. He'd been taught since he was crawling, how to hold and throw an ax properly. But the constant motion got her mind off the coming ships, and her men seemed rather invigorated from seeing their Queen training with them. But best of all, Hiccup thought, was having Elsa in his arms as she laughed, missing the target again, her voice like a bell to him.
He was crushing hard on her.
"I swear my aim is better." She promised him.
"How about archery?" He offered instead.
She perked up, unconsciously forming said items in her hands of blue, perfectly shaped ice. Hiccup was impressed. His fiance could make weapons from nothing; somehow his crush got bigger.
"I've been trained in sword fighting and archery. It's just ax throwing I'm out of practice." She laughed it off easily, notching her bow.
Hiccup watched her, seeing her stiff, regal form. It was so unlike the way he handled his own bow; loose and familiar. But Elsa clearly wasn't trained for battle, not like he had been. Even so, she clearly had talent as her arrow barely missed the bullseye.
"Wow." he whistled, impressed.
She handed him the bow. It felt like glass to the touch. "I'm also a bit out of practice. Arendelle has been at peace for years now, we're a trading post, not some war zone."
Hiccup nodded. "For years we were at war with the dragons the flew in from the edge of the world. It's only recently we've managed to reach peace with them."
He notched the bow, taking in a deep breath. He wanted to impress her. Aiming, he shot it, watching nervously as the arrow cut through the air. Elsa let out a gasp when it hit dead center, her blue eyes wide.
"Wow, Hiccup..." She gave him a warm smile. "My fiance has some hidden skills."
He flushed at the praise. Or maybe because she called him her fiance. Either way he went red and just managed to chuckle nervously.
"Your majesty." Mattias suddenly called. "The ships have landed on the port."
Elsa lost any hint of fun and mirth, her face steeling instantly. Hiccup wanted to comfort her, but he heard a familiar noise. Smiling, he reached out and grabbed her hand. She stiffened at the touch. But Hiccup barely noticed, too caught up in the moment as he motioned her over to a window.
"He's here." He told her excitedly.
Elsa looked confused a moment before she remembered. Looking curious, she opened the window and peered out. Only to throw herself back when a large, black scaled reptile stuck its head into the window, cooing and baying at Hiccup. The brown haired man beamed.
"Toothless!" He cooed back, reaching out and scratching at the dragon's neck. "Hi buddy, I missed you too."
The dragon preened under the attention and attempted to pull itself in through the window. Elsa watched in amazement. The scales, the eyes, the smell of burnt wood. All of it made it very real. Her small dragon was nothing compared to the large beast in front of her.
"He's beautiful…." She said, eyes wide.
Toothless looked at her, curious. Hiccup smiled. "Isn't he? Toothless, this is Elsa. Elsa, meet Toothless, my best friend."
She smiled, dusting herself off and hesitantly offering her hand. Toothless hesitated, eyes narrowing as he smelled her. She allowed it, going slow as she reached out. His scales were surprisingly cool to the touch despite the strong smell of cinder from his mouth.
"Hello, Toothless." She greeted him, awed by his presence.
Toothless warbled out a noise, his intelligent eyes understanding what Hiccup was saying. Elsa smiled, feeling relieved already having the dragon there. She glanced at her fiance, seeing him cooing over the black dragon as he tried to stop him from crawling in the window he didn't fit in.
"We should have him inside." She offered, laughing as the dragon purred. "He's come a long way. Surely he'd like something to eat."
Hiccup grinned at that. "You're right. Come on buddy, not through the window, this isn't home."
Elsa opened her mouth to say something, only for Hiccup to begin crawling out the window to his dragon. "Hiccup, you better be careful."
"With this guy around, I'm fine." He answered her carelessly, winking before he jumped. Elsa ran over, watching him dive out the window and easily on to Toothless' saddle. The pair flew off, leaving the ice queen behind. She smiled; Hiccup seemed more at peace with his friend.
"He's a show off ain't he?" Jack suddenly said, surprising her.
"It worked. I'm impressed." She teased.
Jack laughed, twirling his staff among his fingers effortlessly. He then playfully offered her an elbow, motioning towards her throne room. Elsa linked their arms together and the pair headed out. She got a few odd looks, since it seemed she was walking on her own, but she ignored it. Jack was cool to the touch, and yet touching him sent a fire through her chest.
"You ready for this?" He asked as they approached her throne.
Elsa hesitated. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Xxxxx
For all the rude, homophobic comments: I'm continuing out of spite :3
