Chapter 4
Witchcraft
"So Hiccup did you like your reward?"
The smile plastered on Anna's face did not leave as she asked the million dollar question. Her cheeks held a small red blush but the young woman made no attempt to hide it. Elsa stood behind her sister, with her mouth gaping open. Unable to believe that her younger sister just placed her lips on the viking chief, yes Elsa realizes that it was just on the cheeks but that is not what matters. If Anna had just gave him a small peck and resumed her normal face then everything would have been fine, but that smile and blush she had on her face told the story of a girl in love.
Hiccup himself was coming to terms with what just happened, true this wasn't the first time he felt the lips of a woman but that was from an friend back at the village. This on the other hand was from a princess of a powerful kingdom. Hiccup's mind did not know what to say, fortunately the rest of his body knew exactly how it felt from receiving a kiss from a very beautiful woman.
"I...did thank you Princess Anna." The poor viking made a respectful bow even thought he was sweating bullets. He turned around and made his way to the exit but in doing so the smile on Anna was slowly leaving.
"Wait, Hiccup were are you going?"
That was a good question, Hiccup himself doesn't even know. He wanted to leave the room that much was sure but it seems that Anna could not get the message. Thankfully the Queen did and she was able to compose herself quickly enough to speak in a regular tone.
"The Chief is tired Anna as seen on his face, it's time to let him retire to his ship so that he can get some much needed rest."
"But..."
"No but's c'mon we still need to talk, and you need to let the Chief get some rest." The Queen wrapped her arm around her younger sister and began dragging her to opposite side of the garden and away from Hiccup. Anna was not happy about this scenario as seen by the pouting look on her face but Elsa was not going to change her mind.
"Chief Hiccup, in all seriousness you did my Sister and I a favor. One that we appreciate very much, I ask that you do not leave so early tomorrow so that we can give you proper thanks for what you did."
Hiccup only nodded in response to Elsa's request, he was too tired to give a response. The Queen soon excused herself along with her sister as Hiccup made his way to the exit at the front of the castle. Thankfully he knew his way out and did not require any assistance. As he walked through the empty hallways of the castle Hiccup's mind began to wonder on the kiss he received from Anna. It truly left him with many questions. Hiccup knew nothing of the customs and practices that the people did here in Arenedelle, for all Hiccup knew Anna's act could be their way of saying thank you.
The explanation was very sound yet Hiccup did not believe that was the reason. That blush she had on her face, is it possible that she...
Hiccup shook his head, he would not allow such thoughts to enter his mind. He was hoping that he was wrong, that the princess did not have any feelings for him. Political relationships are very tricky and come bearing many consequences if not done right and while Hiccup see's Anna in a favorable light he wouldn't go as far as to say he has feelings for her. If Hiccup would want to establish any sort of relationship with Arenedelle and the royals who reside in it, it would be one involving trade and resources. Hiccup was not looking for a romantic relationship with a woman from another kingdom...at least not at this moment.
Hiccup rubbed the temple of his forehead, this was neither the time nor the place to be thinking such things. What he need's to be doing is work his way towards the end of the castle so that he can get back to his ship so that his crew doesn't go on a hunt looking for him.
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"Elsa! what was that all about?"
Anna asked with frustration as her sister dragged her arm through the hallway and into Elsa's room or the Queen's chamber's as other's may call it.
"We need to talk Anna."
"Is it about the little kiss I did to Hiccup?"
"No, though now that you mention it we will have a talk about that stunt you did with Chief Hiccup at a later time."
"Why? All I did was give him a little kiss."
"A little? Anna the lipstick on your lips is smudged up because of how big of a kiss you gave him!"
Anna took a brief moment's to look in the mirror and saw that her sister was correct.
"Oh yeah...you think he noticed that there is a lipstick mark on his cheek?"
"I'm pretty sure Chief Hiccup was too tired to even notice."
"Why are you back to calling him Chief Hiccup? Didn't you call him by just his first name earlier?"
"That was a slip of the tongue, I did not mean to do that and don't change the subject." Elsa closed her door gently and locked it so as to keep any maids or butlers from entering in. Normally they shouldn't since it's so late at night but Elsa did not want to risk any one coming in while Elsa is having her personal talk with Anna.
"Fine what is it that you need to drag me away from our handsome guest?" Anna fell to the nearest chair she could find and began to relax on the soft cushion . She removed the string that held her hair in a bun causing her long hair to fall the her shoulders. Finally Anna removed her heel's which have been plaguing her fight since the dancing had started, unfortunately doing so caused the room to stink up with the smell of feet. A smell that did not bother Anna in the slightest though the same could not be said for Elsa.
"Anna, there is something I want...no there is something I need to tell you." As Anna heard those words she sat straight up on the chair. Her eyes were fixed on her sister who seemed nervous. Anna watched as Elsa began to take deep breathe's, her eyes were closed with her back facing Anna who could see her sister began to shiver from she guess were nerves. Anna watched as her sister slowly began to remove the glove on her right hand. Elsa turned around to face her Anna, her eyes now open and fixated upon her younger sister who returned her gaze with the same amount of intensity.
"Anna..." Elsa voice was nervous, fear could be heard from that one word. Anna herself could feel her skin getting goosebumps, to see her sister acting like this was putting Anna on edge. "This is why I was locked up for so long." Elsa mustered up all the courage that she could and gave small wave with her hand. In doing so snow appeared from nowhere and began to fall from Elsa's hand to the floor. Elsa then quickly slipped on her glove before she could perform any more magic.
There it was, no turning back. Elsa made the choice to reveal to her sister why she had to be locked up for so long. Now Elsa began to prepare herself for the pro's and con's that will follow through.
"Wha-wha-wha-WHAAAAAT!" Anna yelled out with top notch yelling, jumping from the chair and onto her feet. The young woman was shocked from what her eye's had just witnessed. SHe had so many questions but was unable to say them and instead just made noises and words that her sister could not understand for a good five minutes. Finally Anna managed to calm herself down and catch her breath which she lost for all that yelling she just finished doing. Elsa's watched with fidgeting hands,she was afraid of what her sister's response might be. Will she shun her and label her a monster or will she accept and love her just as she always has? The waiting was killing Elsa, so much that she could no longer stay silent.
"Anna...do you understand what you just saw?" Anna only gave a silent nod, the young woman was left silent and it appears she is going to remain that way for a while.
"Okay...were do I start." Elsa began thinking to herself. There was so much to say, Anna's memories being erased, the incident that caused this all to happen back when they were kids, her parent's telling her to stay locked up for the safety of herself and others. Elsa did not know were to begin, and Anna did not know what to say.
"Anna, the reason why I couldn't see you for so long. Why I had to be locked up, was because of this." Elsa raise her hand's and kept them apart with her palms opening and closing.
"This is why I didn't see you...for ten years?" Anna asked in disbelief, and her older sister only gave a painful nod in agreement. "Why?"
"Because ten year's ago we played together, you and I. You would ask me to do the magic and I would gladly do it. I even made you a snowman you called Olaf." Elsa hoped the pleasant memory would help lift the mood, but it did not for Anna did not crack even the slightest of smiles.
"Okay and then what, what happened ten year's that made you stay away from me?"
"While we were playing I...I almost killed you." Elsa once again turned away from her sister, she was to afraid to see her reaction. Anna herself was left speechless once again and for good reason. The princess could not recall any of this, her memory wasn't perfect but even she would remember Elsa having magic powers. Her sister knew her all to well because the next words that came from Elsa matched what Anna was thinking.
"I know what your thinking, your wondering why you can't remember any of this." Anna's eye's became wide from hearing that, she began to wonder just how much her sister was hiding from her. Still she could find out about her memories later, for now Anna's mind was too focused on sister and the power's she possessed.
"Forget about me, Elsa. How long have you had this? Does it hurt? Is that why your always so distant from everyone? Is that why your always wearing gloves. Are your hands freezing?!" The question's began to get a bit out of hand as Anna began to jump around and look for a fire place. "Don't worry Elsa, I'll light the fire place and will get you warmed up I won't let you freeze to death!"
"Anna!"
The princess stopped moving when she heard her name be called in that tone.
"No I'm not freezing, I'm fine actually. The magic doesn't hurt me in anyway and as for the gloves whenever my hands are covered I can't perform magic. I guess you could call it a loophole with magic."
"Why do you need a loophole?"
"Because Anna I can't control this curse!" Anna flinched from Elsa's sudden outburst, she had unknowingly struck a nerve with her question. "That's why I was away for so long because mom and dad were worried that I would hurt you or someone else with this stupid curse. They said that I wouldn't be able to control it until I became an adult but nothings changed! I Still can't control It!" Elsa feel to her knees, her eyes began to water as she stared at her hands with a look of shame. "I'm nothing but a monster Anna, a monster who hurts others." Elsa buried her hands's to her face and began to weep softly, she couldn't help it Elsa tried her best to put on a strong face for her sister but there was just so much pain buried in her. Anna, who couldn't bear the sight of seeing her beloved sisters crying walked to her did the only thing she could, she gave her a hug. A hug that she remembered from when Hiccup was comforting her, she remembers being on the verge of tear's herself but was stopped when Hiccup gave her a hug, a hug that meant so many things. Now she hopes that her hug will be able to help Elsa in more ways than one.
"Anna, wha-what are you doing?" asked Elsa as she wiped away her tears from her eyes.
"Showing you that your no monster, your my sister and you always will be."
"But my powers-"
"I don't care about that, your family. Your MY family."
"You...you mean that?"
"Or course, your my sister and I will always love and nothing will ever change that."
The crying of sorrow and self pity was soon replaced by tear's of joy as Elsa cried into her sister's shoulder who return deepened the hug between them. Her sister did not hate her, her worst fear was turned away. For Elsa nothing could ruin this moment, absolutely nothing.
"Your majesty."
A knock could be heard from the door followed by a female voice. A scowl appeared on Elsa's face, this was not time for interruptions. Whatever the maid is here for Elsa would just save it for tomorrow. Elsa rushed to the door and welcomed the young maid with a scowl and harsh tone. "What is it?" Elsa's voice cause the young maid to flinch back, she did not realize that the Queen was in such a fowl mood.
"My apologies your majesty I did not mean to interrupt you or the Princess but there is something that requires your attention."
"What ever it is it can wait till tomorrow morning." Elsa was about to shut the door on the maid's face but was stopped by said maid who was placed her arm on the door and applied some force to stop it from closing.
"I am sorry your Majesty, but this can not wait. Please I need you and the Princess to come with me." The maid's voice was slightly trembling, the poor woman was fracturing under the gaze of the Queen who was very pissed off. The long day plus the argument and the revelation with Anna has left the Queen drained both physically and emotionally. The Queen would have snapped at the maid but thankfully the young maid was saved by the princess.
"Thank you, Gwen please lead the way. Me and my sister will follow you." Anna slipped her shoes back on and was ready to go to this so called urgent thing that requires their attention. The maid, or Gwen nodded nervously and began to walk down the hallway with the Queen and Princess behind her.
"Were are we going Gwen?" The Queen asked, her harsh tone still not leaving her voice.
"Were the previous ruler's are located, your majesty."
The room were paintings for former ruler's could be found. Elsa and Anna had taken Hiccup here just a half an hour ago during the tour.
They arrived and upon entering Elsa and Anna saw a group of soldiers and staff at left side or the room. They were all gathered around a painting and discussion could be heard among them. Elsa dismissed the maid and began walking towards the group with her sister flowing in tow. Once the group spotted the Queen and Princess they all ceased their talking and bowed.
"Your majesty. Your Highness." The whole group spoke simultaneously and then raised their heads to see the Queen had slight red eyes and that the right shoulder of the princess was wet.
"My Queen, is everything alright?" One of the soldier's asked in worry.
"Everything is fine, I just had a little one on one talk with my sister. What is going on, why did you request me presence?" The group listened to their Queen and dropped the subject of her red eyes and began to focus on the reason they were all here.
"My Queen, one of the castles most precious treasures has been defiled by some unknown criminal."
Elsa and Anna walked past the group and saw that the solider was right, in front of them was a painting of a former queen who ruled in the past. Only her face has been scratched the point that their was no recognizing who this person was unless you had prior knowledge. Both Elsa and Anna wondered as to who would do this and for what reason. This painting was made a very long time ago, anyone who lived while under this woman's rule have been dead for decades. So the question that ran through everyone's mind is why would someone want to desecrate this painting and ONLY this painting?
"Did anything else happen or was this the only thing that was damaged in the castle?" Elsa asked her guest though she did not break her focus on the painting.
"This was it your majesty, no stolen jewelry, no broken vases. This was it." His answer left Elsa and Anna in a stump, the sister's looked to each other hopping that the other would have answer. While Anna had no answer, she did have a theory.
"Maybe this was someone who held a grudge over this woman?"
"With all do respect princess Anna anyone who lived during this Queen's rein would already be dead." Thus everyone was back to square one. Elsa sighed in defeat, her first day as Queen and already this is happening. Still nothing can be done at the moment which left Elsa no choice but to dismiss everyone to their rooms.
"We can ask more questions tomorrow morning. It is too late to do anything at the moment, all we can do is double our patrol so to see if we can catch anyone leaving the castle." The solider nodded in agreement and rushed to tell the rest of his men what the queen's order's were. The butlers and maids soon went to their own quarters in order to catch some sleep. Now just Elsa and Anna were left alone in the empty room, both were still focusing on the painting.
"Who is the Queen anyways Elsa? I can't remember her name." Elsa shrugged her shoulders for she did not know the woman's name either and both had forgotten to ask the rest of the group.
"We can find out tomorrow morning Anna, for now let's get some sleep. We've had a long day plus we need to get up early tomorrow to see Chief Hiccup before he leaves."
Truth be told, Anna still had more questions that involved Elsa's powers but she knew that those question's can wait. She was exhausted for all that has happened today and she can use some much needed rest and while she will never say it out loud she wanted to wake with enough time so that she could see Hiccup. So now the room was left empty once more, not a single soul remained in the room. Save for a raven that lied above leaving it out of sight. As the raven watched the two young woman leave, instead of following them it began to fly out of the castle through one of it's open windows.
The raven had completed it's task and now it flies back to it's master who is awaiting it's arrival...
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"Tired...so very tired."
Anna spoke with a defeated tone as she brushed her hair in front of her mirror. No longer in her green dress, the young princess has now don on a white nightgown as she sat on her comfy bed. Unfortunately for Anna sleep would not come easy for her, after leaving the ballroom with her sister she had to convince Elsa in letting her get some sleep. Her older sister was painfully set on explaining more to her younger sister but the poor princess had to call it a day. With the fight between her and Elsa, the reveal of the century and now the possibility that their was thief inside the castle even someone as energetic as Anna felt her fatigue slipping.
She placed her comb down on her drawer, deciding that her hair had been combed enough. She fell to her bed with her sore muscles making contact with the soft cushion that the bed provided. Anna made a comfortable groan as she let her body become mush, but while her body relaxed her mind was a completely different story. Her mind harbored thoughts on two things, one was Elsa's powers. There where still so many questions that plagued Anna's mind, one of the questions was why she wasn't able to remember anything at all. She wished that she could ask her parents but that was no longer possible.
The second thing that roamed her mind was none other than the viking chief, Hiccup. The young man has certainly left an impression on the princess who is competently enamored with him. His compassion that drives him to help her and her sister, his handsome looks that left Anna competently in awe and the way he presents himself, awkward yet cute. Anna loved it all and as she let sleep engulf her mind she made a metal task to win Hiccup's affection before he left back to his home.
Anna believes that he is the one, and tomorrow she aim's to prove it to her sister.
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Following the same action as her younger sister, Elsa laid on her bed staring at the ceiling in her room. The Queen as well had don a light blue nightgown and has finally removed her gloves from her hands. She decide that it was fine now that she was alone in her room. Well she decide that her body was fine, but just like her younger sister Elsa to was plagued by many, many thoughts.
One of them was the fact that she was now Queen of an entire kingdom. Elsa new this day would come as she remembers her parents preparing her for this day yet the moment the crown was placed on her head she felt a great weight on her. Thousands of lives were now her responsibility, her decisions would decide their fate. Elsa did not forget that both her and her sister were also single woman of royal authority. Other kings and princes would come asking for their hand in marriage, a request that Elsa would refuse. Some would be sensible and respect the Queen's decision to not marry any men at the time but others...they might take this as an insult, as an offense to their kingdom and next thing you know war is at hand.
Her powers also bothered her, with still no method of controlling besides her gloves Elsa was left in a stump. She began to think of places were she could learn about magic perhaps the library might hold answers with it's abundance of books or maybe the trolls could offer answers. Elsa has not forgotten about them, in fact part of her wondered if they could restore Anna's memories. If they could erase it, then surely they would have the power to restore it right?
There was also the case of the damaged relic in the castle room. Someone had come solely to damaged the painting of the Queen from the past. Elsa did not know what this could hold but it was not something she could leave alone. She is a Queen now and she needs to prove to her people that she is just as fit of a ruler as her parents and that means taking action.
Finally, Chief Hiccup.
Elsa did not what to think of that man. On one hand he helped both her and Anna reconcile after that horrible argument. On the other he is of viking heritage, a group of people so violent that their name alone was enough to put a kingdom to worry. There was also the fact that Chief Hiccup had learned a great deal about them and yet they know almost nothing about him. The only thing Elsa knew about Chief Hiccup was that he lost his mother while he was just a baby, it drew sympathy from Elsa as she understood what the man is going threw. Still thanks to Anna's outburst during their argument, the chief now probably thinks that there is some deep wounds within her family. Not to mention the fact that her sister was completely in love with the man even though she hasn't even known him for a day.
Elsa sighed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.
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It's been about 30 minutes since Hiccup left the castle and has started walking the dead streets of Arenedlle. His feet were tired and he could feel his knees ready to buckle at a moments notice. Only one thing kept him going and that was the fact that in his ship was a comfy bed that was calling his name.
"You know now that I think about it...what have those guys been up to?"
Vikings were never one to stay still for a long period of time unless it involved sleeping or eating. Hiccup eventually got his answer, as he approached the dock where his ship dropped anchor he could hear the sound of laughter and music. Hiccup could say he was surprised but that would be a lie.
"What are you guys doing?!" Hiccup yelled at the top of his lungs, he had to otherwise his voice would have been drowned out by the noise they were making.
"Yo Hiccup, what took you so long? We started without you."
"Yeah Hiccup, everyone he was getting restless so we decide to throw a party!"
Ruffnut and Tuffnut, the worlds most troublesome siblings. Keep your eye off of them for to long and there is no telling what trouble they could get into.
"I got occupied but never mind that. You two didn't cause any trouble while was gone did you?"
The two twins looked at each other and Hiccup could have sworn that he saw a smile flash between them.
"Trouble, what trouble could you possibly be talking about?"
"Yeah Hiccup, me and my sister have been on our best behavior."
The sarcasm did not go unnoticed.
"The fact that there is not a group of people coming at you with pitchforks is enough to make me believe you. Can you guy's lower down the bridge so I can get on?"
"Aye, Aye chief!"
The two twins then left to lower the drawbridge allowing Hiccup to get back on the ship. Once he got on he was greeted by the warm and loud welcome you would typically get from a viking. Hiccup did not mind, seeing his friends made him feel like he was back home the only thing that was missing was toothless.
"Eh Hiccup how was Arenedlle.?!"
"Did you bring us any cuisine?!"
"Any chocolate?"
"What were the Queen and Princess like?!"
"I heard that there the most beautiful women in the kingdom!"
"Hoy, don't let Astrid hear that!"
"Right, if she does then were going to have to find a new Chief!"
"HAHAHHAHAH"
Once again laughter ranged through the deck of the ship as all the vikings gathered around one other with food and drink in their hands. It's a wonder that there were no complaints from how loud they were.
"Sorry guys but I'll have to save your questions for later, I'm going to get some much needed sleep."
Hiccup was about to make his was to his quarters but was stopped by Ruffnut who grabbed him by the wrist.
"Um Ruffnut? Is something wrong?" Hiccup asked with curiosity for he wondered why the female twin would stop him from his sleep. Ruffnut gave no answer, she only fixated her eye's on Hiccup's cheek. Then a smile appeared on her lips, a smile that made Hiccup very nervous. With no warning Ruffnut began to drag Hiccup to the nearest lantern, all while holding the attention of both the chief and the rest of the vikings. Once Ruffnut found a source of light she held Hiccup's face and moved it directly under the lantern. The smile still set of her face despite that uncomfortable look Hiccup had on his face.
"Look's like our chief has been having some fun with the girls here..."
It was there that everyone saw that on Hiccup's left cheek there was a red lipstick mark. There was silence for a total of three seconds before everyone except Hiccup and Ruffnut erupted in a roar of questions and shock. Hiccup failed to realize that Anna had left a lipstick mark on his cheek and now the young chief was in a panic sweat. He began thinking of what to say to everyone who by no doubt have thousands of questions for him.
"Just wait a minute this doesn't necessarily mean..."
"WHO IS SHE?"
"IS SHE CUTE?"
"WILL YOUR FATHER APPROVE?"
"WHEN"S THE WEDDING?"
"EVERYONE SHUDUP!" The loud voice came from none other than Ruffnut. "The chief is tired, we can save his questions for tomorrow morning right now he needs to get some sleep. Come Hiccup I will escort you to your quarters." Surprising just about everyone Ruffnut grabbed Hiccup by the arm and began to drag him to his room. The vikings just sighed in disappointment as they wanted find out what exactly happened. Tuffnut however knew his sister well enough to know that she was planning something, something devious. Now normally the twin viking wouldn't mind when his sister is planning something mischievous, the only reason why he minds now is because she is doing it without him.
Hiccup entered his quarters and as he saw his comfy bed he almost cried tears of joy. He ran to his bed, jumped in the air and landed on the soft cushion with it's wool blankets. The man was going to get the sleep he deserved and nothing was going to stop him...
"Alright Hiccup, SPILL. I want to know everything."
Well almost nothing.
"Ruffnut, can't this wait until morning? I've been up all day." Hiccup replied with defeat as he pointed from Ruffnut to the door which was his way of telling her to leave the room.
"Nope, I saved you earlier and now I want payment." Ruffnut crossed her arms and sat on the nearest stool she could find. It was obvious that the young woman wasn't going anywhere much to Hiccup's dismay, it seems that the gods want nothing more than to deny Hiccup the sleep he so desperately needs.
"Fine but I'm only answering TWO questions, after that your going have to wait till tomorrow." Hiccup said while he buried his face into the pillow causing his voice to sound a bit muffled.
"Fine by me. Who was the girl who kissed you?"
"...the princess of Arenedlle."
If Hiccup had taken the time to unbury his face and look at Ruffnut he would see her mouth wide and open. The woman was in a state of shock, she didn't know what answer to expect but even so the last thing she thought she would hear was that their dorky Chief got a kiss from the princess of the kingdom they were visiting.
"Wha-wha-wha How, Why, when and-"
"Ah ah ah, remember you used one question which means you only have one more." Ruffnut stomped her foot in frustration and then paused and carefully began to think of what to ask next. She then began to pound on her head when she realized that 'thinking' was not her thing. The pound was then followed by a few unrecognizable grunts of what Hiccup can only guess as the sounds of frustration.
"ARGH! Are you getting married!...No wait I want to change my question!"
"Too late. The answer is no I'm not getting married, good night Ruffnut." If Hiccup wasn't the chief Ruffnut would have smacked him upside the head for that smart tone he was using. Ruffnut stomped her way out of the room all the while ignoring Hiccup who buy now was chucking in his bed. Not wanting anymore interruptions the Chief got up from his bed and locked his door so as to not let anyone else enter and wake him up. Finally done with this whole stressful event Hiccup slipped into his pajamas, laid down in his bed once more and let the sweet feeling of sleep take him away.
To be continued...
HOLY CRAP You guys are awesome! Seriously 67 reviews and only three chapter so far, I've never had a story get so many reviews with such few chapters.
Anyways I'm glad you find this story interesting and I hope you stick along for the ride. So did you enjoy this chapter, not much interaction between Hiccup and the girls but I'll fix that in the next chapter since Elsa and Anna plan to pay Hiccup a visit at his ship.
You know I was going to introduce the villain in this chapter but decide that it was still to soon and instead went with Elsa revealing her powers to her sister.
So uh that's all for today see you guys in a two to three weeks!
P.S. Avengers age of ultron released their first trailer! Any one else excited!?