A Feast for Peace

Right now, guests for the peace summit were still arriving, so, for now, everyone was to meet and greet. Though the guests getting the most attention wasn't Liry, much to her fury. It was those blasted Haddocks and the girl with them.

Right now, Hiccup was currently engaged in a lively conversation with King Toothless. Liry was attempting to get closer so she could eavesdrop on it.

"So, I'm graduating with honors, Toothless. I know I've always been smart, but to know I'm valediction? Well, I wasn't expecting that one."

"I fail to see why you are so shocked. Again you've always been quite the little genius. From what I learned of your first life and your current life? And what I know of my other self?"

"Yeah, I guess you are right about that. I mean, in the broken timeline that Frigga showed us, I did find ways to make you fly again. But in the proper timeline, I showed off my brains."

"You were always so clever, Hiccup. I'm glad we are soul mates. Before you say anything, I do not mean in the romantic sense. I mean, our souls are forever bonded in an unbreakable bond of friendship and brotherhood."

"Thank you for saying that. I'm not sure where I heard it, but I clearly remember someone very wise once saying some bonds can transcend lifetimes."

"Well, I'm sure Crown Prince Hiccup, my mother might know more about that," came a kind voice to their right. Hiccup and Toothless looked delighted to see Prince Aaron Morningstar.

"Aaron! How are you, buddy? Are you happy to be back home?" Hiccup inquired after they hugged each other.

"Yes, it's good to be home where I belong. I still hope one day you and your family can visit the Realm of the Eternal Sun. Mims hopes one day to see your world as well."

"How are your wife and daughter doing?" Toothless wanted to know anxiously.

"Well, as you very well know, time passes differently between all our Realms. So what only been a year for you down here in the Dragon Kingdom been six years in my home.

Morning Star is a vibrant and talented child. She's excelling in her studies, and just like her mother, everyone is happier when she's around."

"How is Mims adjusting to being royalty?"

"Well, my mother and I were talking to her about that, Hiccup. Mom wants Mims to take on a royal name while my whole family and I've tried to assure Mims she belongs."

"Royal name? Dear me, I didn't think people still performed that tradition," Toothless remarked in surprise.

"Excuse me. I may be sounding a little clueless here. But what the heck is a royal name?"

"The simplest of terms it's your title. My royal name is Morningstar. It's not the last name but my title. Just as White King and Silver Queen our my parents' titles but not their names."

"Wow, I wasn't expecting to hear that! So what are your parents' real names then?"

"I will tell you in a more private place, Crown Prince Hiccup. A person's true name holds great magic and power. Most cultures do not realize this, but one must always protect their true name."

"Well, back in my first life, there was a rule my godmother Kara followed as did her sisterhood. Valkyries cannot give up their true names, or else the person they reap will belong to them forever. So I guess I can understand that."

"Why don't we get off the topic of names and talk about how our loves are doing? Did you know mine and Moon Shadow's anniversary is coming up?"

"Really? Didn't know that at all, buddy! How many years have you guys been hitched?"

Laughing at his friend's words, he informed the two princes. "We will have been married for sixteen wonderful years!"

"Wow, that's truly impressive, buddy. I often wonder how exactly Astrid and myself will do being married when that day comes."

"Did you not tell me before Crown Prince Hiccup you were married in your first life with three children? A daughter and two sons? Did your younger brother not have the same? And your sister had three daughters and a son?"

"Well, yeah, that is true, Aaron. But that still a different time and place. Don't forget we still are regaining our memories of our first life. Not to mention, there were a lot of changes for all the souls reincarnated."

"Do you mean your mother's best friend? I believe in one of your letters you mentioned that in your first life, your mother lost her best friend when she um..."

"Yeah, my mom lost her best friend, Frigha, to suicide. I know it's a delicate subject to discuss. But in our new lives, Frigha married Alvin, and they have a kid now. Frigha is a therapist now and seems to be doing well."

"Well, aren't we all lucky to have a second chance?"

"Agreed, Aaron. So is there anything else I should know, Hiccup?"

"Well, I know this wasn't part of the original plan, but Moon Shadow did approve and has asked Azure for a favor."

"What is the favor, exactly?"

"My parents wanted to come this time. They've never been here before, and they need a mini-vacation, so to speak. Azure didn't say when she could open the portal again.

But I'm hopeful they'll make it in time for the welcoming feast and the subsequent ball. I know your royal seamstresses will have something ravishing for my mother, and something equally elegant for my father when they arrive."

"Well, I hope they do arrive on time."

While the King and two Crown Princess were talking, Queen Moon Shadow was chatting happily away with the Crown Princesses Astrid and Mims."

"You certainly know how to tell a tale, Crown Princess Astrid. I never knew the life of teenagers could be so amusing. So what are your educational plans after you graduate?" Queen Moon Shadow inquired curiously.

"Well, Dragon City does have its own college. Most people go there to attend college. And since its inside our city, we don't have to leave our parents unless we wish too."

"I'm impressed with how the Earth education systems work. I'm sure no schooling can be easy. Morning Star has several tutors that teach her everything from history to calligraphy.

Though she also has several lessons in the arts. You know dancing, singing and playing music.

Sometimes I think its a little too much. But my mother-in-law says its nothing out of the ordinary for those of royal blood."

"Well, we don't have to study all that in high school, Mims, but I'm sure college will work us to the bone all the same."

"I will agree that having a proper and well-round education is imperative. I'm happy now that both humans and young Draco Beings have attended the same school.

Soulwings is a wonderful and wise man. So at least the Palace children have the best tutor there is."

"That's wonderful to hear, Queen Moon Shadow, but who is the normal school teacher for those who dwell outside these walls?" Astrid piped up curiously.

"Well, we spared no expense with making a wonderful academy for everyone to attend, children and adults alike. We've multiple teachers, both human and Draco Being, of course. We want to teach them not only textbook lessons. We want to again teach them about acceptance and equality. The ways of peace and harmony."

"I'd love to see the school for myself. It will surely make my in-laws happier to know that myself or Aaron at least visited the schoolhouse and, of course, the church."

"Yeah, how is the church doing, by the way? Is Sister Pearl still head of the church?"

"Yes, Sister Pearl is still the leader of our church. Hookfang's sister-in-law is quite devoted to doing her job of upholding our faith. All the guests are to attend a special sermon before we begin the peace talks."

"Well, I feel that strongly a good idea. Do you wish me or Aaron to say something at the sermon?"

"I'd love that, but you'll have to arrange it with Sister Pearl's first Mims."

Elsewhere Boden and Una were having their own talk wit their dragons Draco Being counterparts and their families."

"So tell us again, Stardust? How is it fairing with your new husband? Are you any closer to having children of your own? And Yvaine? Has there been any advancements in your job of controlling the weather?" Prince Boden was inquiring to Stardust and her parents.

"Well, in terms of technological advancements? We are seeking to take into account natural disasters while furthering our studies in weather and environmental changes." Yvaine replied as she showed him some documents.

"Wow, you have been taking it seriously the threat of climate change. And what can be done to prevent further decay from it? I only wish humans were more committed to protecting the planet from climate change."

"Well, you only get one world to live on, Prince Boden. So we must be sure to protect it at all costs. My wife and I, along with the rest of the Silver Phantoms, have been working night and day studying climate change," Draco informed the young science genius.

"I can tell. These test results and experiments are mind-blowing. It makes my eighth-grade science fair project seem silly in comparison," he confessed to the family of Silver Phantoms."

"So you enjoy science? Is there anything else you find enjoyment in your studies?" Stardust asked her bonded human.

"Well, even in the days of being a Viking, I've been a science wiz. I understood physics quite well. So all fields of science interest me. I mean, I was able to create the Dragonbolt no problem from my understanding of energy."

"Considering the period and understanding of science at the time that is quite the achievement, Prince Boden."

"Thank you, Stardust. But where is your husband?"

"My husband is currently working with the other scientists of the Dragon Kingdom. Since we have a mix of science and magic here, it's not always easy to blend the two.

But my husband is currently with the brightest of minds at the Academy of Sciences. Even with the peace talks going on, we cannot fall behind in other areas of research and development."

"True, but any luck becoming a mom yet?"

"No, not for lack of trying. I'm sure one day Silver Queen will bless me. But that day has not come yet."

"What about you and your family, Nightrainbow? Are they still running both the Palace lessons and teaching at the Academy of Arts?" Una wanted to know.

"My parents Aria and Spectrum have had their talons full in educating younglings in the arts. Mother actually been working overtime here at the Palace because of the peace talks."

"Let me guess because Toothless and Moon Shadow asked her to provided the entertainment?"

"You are so clever and observant, Una."

"Thanks, I try, though now that we are on the subject of observation care to answer a question for me?"

"Of course, what do you wish to know, Una?" Nightrainbow seemed too eager to tell his bonded human anything she wanted to know.

Una was known for her blunt honesty. She was straightforward and to the point. Even if feelings got bruised, she instead gets to the point and avoids otherwise unnecessary bullshit.

"What can you tell me about the girl with the pigtails? I've never seen her before, and something about her isn't right?"

"Oh, you mean Lady Light Fury? Yes, she from the lost clan of Light Furies. She's here for the peace summit. Bandits attacked her on her way to the Palace.

Thankfully Hookfang's parlor was able to intervene and save her. Why do you ask?"

"Light Fury? From one of your previous letters across the dimension, didn't you mention all Light Furies are supposed to be extinct?"

"Well, as far we knew, all Light Furies were used as sacrifices during the last holy war to appease the demons of the Pit of Black Flames. But there was always a chance that some survived."

"Sis, what's your problem? Why are you acting like she's the enemy?" Boden wanted to know. He never saw or heard his sister speak like this or why she was giving Lady Light Fury a death glare.

"That woman isn't what she seems, Boden," Una replied cryptically as she excused herself for a moment.

Una's psychic powers had served her well in both her first life and her second. She also knew she was naturally intuitive, and she, abilities including her danger sense, only heighten that.

But she didn't know if it was because of those powers she now had a new ability. Una had always been able to tell if someone was honest and truthful.

But that was more to her understanding the science of sound. And despite the fact she had Asperger s Syndrome, which hinders her in some areas, it was because of her intense therapy. She had to learn to read people's body language so she could respond appropriately.

So right now, while everyone else was seeing a beautiful woman with snow-white hair in a ravishing dress, that not what Una saw. She wasn't about to let anyone know what she saw, but she was able to see Liry's true form. Not the mask she wore.

Years of saving the world taught her when it was best to keep things to herself. Still, she had to try and get some information without appearing to do so.

So take a deep breath, she walked over to Liry and smiled politely. "Hello, I couldn't help but notice you were all alone. And that doesn't seem quite right during cocktail hour."

"Cocktail hour? What do you speak about, little girl?" Liry was confused about what the little brat was talking about."

"Right now. Since this is a formal dinner and ball, the first thing that happens is a cocktail hour.

Right now, everyone dressed to the nines and mingling while the kitchen staff gets the main courses for dinner prepared. I know there are many courses at a formal party.

Also, as is proper manners, King Toothless and Queen Moon Shadow are meeting and greeting their guests like excellent hosts. So while they finish putting the silverware and tables together, we mingle.

Though they are at least kind of enough to give people a choice between liquor or a non-alcoholic beverage, it's either water or fruit juice for those who do not want brandy or wine."

"I wouldn't know about all that. I'm surprised a child such as yourself knows anything about manners."

"My parents are significant back home in Dragon City. My father is the leader of the Berk District. So this isn't the first formal dinner my BBBFF and I have attended."

"What is BBBFF?"

"It stands for Big Brothers Best Friends Forever, though I should mind my manners and introduce myself. I'm known here in the Dragon Kingdom as Princess Una, and who do I have the pleasure of meeting tonight?"

"I'm Liry. Though my title is Lady Light Fury," as she shook Una's hand, she wasn't aware that when she shook hands with Una that she had become a trigger object.

Una didn't have the same powers as her brothers, with Hiccup's skills to absorb and recall memories. Or Boden's emphatic abilities. But when something or someone had a lot of spiritual energy around them, it triggered Una's powers.

Not that Una understood all she saw and heard in her mind. She has to get her brothers to help her sort it out later. Still, she made a little more chitchat with Liry before she left.

Liry didn't know why but something about that brat was making her feel slightly uneasy. She just couldn't put her finger on it.

With only twenty minutes left in cocktail hour, a servant announced the last of the guests had arrived. Looking up at who could be the recent guest, Liry found she was more enraged when she saw who had to be those brats parents!

Hiccup and his siblings couldn't believe how perfect their parents looked. Their father was wearing handsomely made tuxedo of navy blue. Their mother was in a stunning gown of dark red.

King Toothless and Queen Moon Shadow went immediately over to properly greet their last guests. They also were eager to meet their human friends' parents in this world finally.

"Is it just me, or does the lady with the pigtails seemed jealous?" Astrid comments softly to her boyfriend. He then finally noticed Liry, and she seemed to be giving his parents death glares.

"I don't know why she'd be jealous of my parents. Though I won't disagree, she doesn't seem happy to see my parents. I wonder why?"

"I'm wondering that as well. When I tried to talk to her earlier, she wouldn't let me touch her at all. She acted like I was the plague or something!" Aaron remarked as he and his wife came over.

"I think she's just a snob. This may be the Dragon Kingdom, but that doesn't mean there's not jerks and snobs," Mims gave her opinion on the matter. She didn't like the woman either.

All the girls had noticed all night that Liry had acted very cold, anti-social, and seemed to be a slightly sour person. Most of the men appeared to find her attractive, but the girls didn't like her.

Stoick and Valka were excited to be here and made sure to thank their hosts. Soon after, the dinner bell was rung, and everyone was lead by their partners to their tables in the dining hall.

It appeared Toothless, and Moon Shadow had done their best when it came to the seating arrangement. They made sure to mix people of both races and different social standings.

The only ones who were seated at the royal table with them were the Royal Holy Family and the Haddocks and Astrid. Liry had to sit at a different table with Soulwings, Cloudjumper's family. Also seated at the table was Guard Astrid and her four adopted siblings Bloodfire, Birger, Ria, and Larkin.

King Toothless stood up and tapped his glass to get everyone's attention. "Welcome one and all to our humble home. I know we all must be tired and need some much-needed rest after a long journey.

Though I hope we can hold off on that long enough to enjoy tonight's dinner and the ball welcoming all you here.

My family and I hope by the end of these peace talks, we will have made new everlasting friends, and our work will continue our dreams of eternal peace as well.

For now, enjoy your dinner!"

For those who had never been to a formal dinner, there are a few things one should know about the does and don'ts. Food is served on a hot or cold plate. A plate's temperature will be appropriate for the food they contain

Dishes are served and cleared from the left side and one at a time. When a used plate is removed, the butler simultaneously slides a fresh plate in its place. As both hands are involved in this process, plate removal at formal dinners is done one plate at a time.

Beverages are served and cleared from the right side. The goblet and wine glasses remain on the table throughout the entire meal. Only the sherry glass is removed at the end of the course it accompanies.

With your permission, the butler will remove the wine glass if you inform him that you are allergic or prefer not to drink. If the same wine is offered over consecutive courses, it is served in the same glass.

Many formal dinners fete honored guests. If there is an honored guest, that guest is served first. The man of honor sits to the right of the hostess, and the lady of honor sits to the right of the host.

While the host escorts the lady of honor to her chair and pulls out the chair on his right and seats her, the hostess is accompanied to her chair by the man of honor, but the gentleman on her left pulls out her chair and seats her. Once the honored guest is served, service begins with the lady of honor and moves counter-clockwise.

Because the number and type of courses vary, so too will the place setting. In the most formal of settings, the dessert fork and spoon are brought to the table for the dessert course. For less formal settings, the fork and spoon are placed on the table above the plate, fork pointing right, spoon pointing left. When more courses are going to be served, the table is laid only for soup, fish, and meat.

A formal dinner is designed to last for hours, and the course timing accounts for this fact. Compote dishes remain on the table throughout the dinner, and guests may freely help themselves, usually between courses. A sorbet "intermezzo" may be served at the midway point of more substantial meals.

First-course Appetizer: Shellfish, with oysters being quite famous. Second-course Soup: The soup plate is filled in the kitchen and laid on the service plate. Or served from a cart that is rolled around the room. Third course. Fish: Fish may be brought on a platter, and each guest serves herself from the tray. At formal events, a bone dish will be provided. It will be placed between the bread plate and the charger plate and removed once the fish course is completed.

Fourth-course Game: Wild game indigenous to the region in which the event takes place may be served. Squab, elk, rabbit, quail, buffalo, venison, and wild boar are popular choices. Fifth-course Roast. A meat platter is filled with the main course and other vegetables, namely a roast, starch, vegetables, and garnish. Vegetables may also be offered separately, one or two bowls at a time. The butler will present sauces and condiments after the completion of the platter service.

Sixth-course salad or fruit and an optional cheese platter: A prearranged salad is served and may be followed by a cheese platter. Cheese is a digestif. An assortment of cheeses may be offered after the salad. Three different consistencies of cheese are usually served: hard like Cheddar, Parmigiano or Pecorino; semi-soft like blue-veined cheeses or mozzarella; and soft cheese, like brie, Camembert or Neufchâtel.

Seventh course Dessert: Firm dessert, such as torte, is per-sliced and served on a platter. Soft dessert, like a parfait, is preserved in tall, narrow glasses and brought to the table on a tray. The dessert utensils are laid on the dessert plate. In a more informal formal event (at a private home), the dessert utensils may already be on the table.

Eighth course: Fruit (and Cheese): The fruit plate is laid before the guest, along with a fruit fork and a fruit knife. Guests help themselves to fruit from the fruit bowl. But if the fruit bowl is inaccessible, the butler presents it to the guest. The hostess may also request sliced seasonal fruit passed on a platter. See above for how cheese may be served.

Ninth course Nuts and Candy: After the fruit course, compotes of candy and nuts are passed.

By the time one got through all nine courses, the adults at the event were offered after dinner drinks ranging from brandy and demitasse.

Since no-one at this event smoked, they could skip offering people such things after the meal had ended. Traditionally entertainment followed formal dinners and included activities such as dancing or card playing.

If such activities occur at your formal dinner, a late-night snack will be offered to revive you. A service of water and tumblers will also be provided throughout the remainder of the evening.

For tonight everyone was heading to the ballroom to dance. Well except Liry, who had done nothing during the dinner except sulk. It was proper manners to have a conversation and listen to others.

The girls felt Liry likely was leaving because she wasn't the center of attention. Instead, everyone found their parents and waited until the King and Queen opened the ball with the first waltz.

Soon afterward, everyone was dancing and having a grand time. That was till the ballroom doors were nearly blasted off their hinges as Liry returned. But everyone was staring at her because of her outfit.

Her ballgown had a rather tight corset, and the voluminous skirt with a shawl draped over her arms with elbow-length fingerless gloves. The ostentatious attire was a mix of garden pink, gold, royal purple, and azure blue. She wore rather large accessories of silver.

If that outfit didn't get everyone's attention, nothing else would. Smiling, she finally showed up these nobodies she glided across the ballroom till she was in front of the King and his Queen.

"If I may not be too bold, would it be wrong to ask for permission for one dance with the King?"

Moon Shadow was about to object when Toothless gave her a look. He could tell she was very much annoyed with this guest, but he told her with his eyes, that one dance would at least be polite.

"Very well, I'll honor you with one dance Lady Light Fury," as the rest of the guests backed away to allow the King and the Lady more space for one dance.

The women were all gathered together, talking about how much audacity Liry had. There was no doubt she was crushing on the King and attempting to do all she could to get herself a married man!

"She not at all subtle, is she?" Astrid whispered to her future mother-in-law. "No, she not being subtle at all. She thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread."

"If someone made moves on my husband like that, I'd do something about it. I wouldn't tolerate any woman going after Aaron. I can't believe Moon Shadow didn't just kill her for making Toothless dance with her!" Mims raged.

"Lady Light Fury is more trouble then just trying to get someone else man for herself. She had a dark agenda," Una whispered, and it was then her mother and the other girls felt Una was hiding something.

"Una? Is there something you wish to say?"

"I'm not sure if I'm seeing things or not, Mommy. But tell me, what do you see when you look at her?"

"Well, I'm not sure if I'm losing my mind or not, but when I look in her eyes, I feel like I'm seeing her thoughts, and I can see different colors coming off her body."

"Really, Valka? Have you ever had anything like that happen to you before?" Mims asked suddenly, and the beautiful woman shook her head. "It's my children who have always been blessed, not myself or Stoick."

"Funny, that sounds like one of my mother-in-law blessing. She often grants special gifts if there is a crisis coming."

"What sort of gifts does Silver Queen bestow a person?" Una asked curiously.

"Mostly gifts that suit one's nature. For your mother, it seems that her strength lies in being a mother. She has inner knowing and sees auras. In other words, she sees who someone is on the inside."

"What about me? Do you think Silver Queen will bless me?" Astrid wanted to know.

"I'm sure she already has, but your gift hasn't manifested yet because the right time for it has come about."

"So can we all agree to keep an eye on Lady Light Fury and also keep my brothers and father in the loop?"

"Aaron and I will be kept in this loop as well. But for now, let us not let on we suspect anything."

With that silent agreement between them, they watched as the dance ended. Liry seemed to want more, but Moon Shadow collected her husband, and everyone else resumed dancing with their partners.

While Liry stood standing alone, she clenched her fist. No, she wouldn't fail. One way or another, Toothless would belong to her. No matter what it took, he belongs to her!