Festivities and banquets are nothing new in Berk, Hiccup and his people enjoy celebrating a whole lot, his people liked to gather inside the great halls, chatter loudly (and drunkenly) while they share their stories and eat. They would dance merrily and there was no designed moves or tunes for the songs. There was no such thing as etiquette, they did not need to dress up too fancy, a tunic, pants and boots would do. They would laugh and talk and get drunk, and though sometimes things got out of hand like when Acne almost got decapitated or when Snoutlout got too drunk and started getting into fights, it was enjoyable... Corona's royal banquet... Was a stark contrast.
Chatter and whispers continued to echo inside the room, some people eyed the chief warily across the dining tables, giving him a judgmental once over before they leaned down to whisper to one of the fancily dressed and important people while still narrowing their eyes at him. He usually didn't care about what other people thought of him, but with all the stares he was getting that night he couldn't help but feel a tad conscious. He stood a lot taller than any other person in the kingdom, his brunette hair was overgrown and braided slightly behind him, and although he thought of shaving his stubble, his odd choice of clothing contrasted from the formal and visibly tight ones the dignitaries and the staff wore. Hiccup shook his head to push back the thought of snapping at the rudely staring eyes.
"You look tense" A soft, melodic voice whispered, the viking chief looked up and met the princess of Arendelle's ocean blue orbs. Her freckled forehead creased in Hiccup flashed her a reassuring smile signalling that he was fine. Anna studied him for a moment before she nodded and leaned back to her chair.
After the terrible terror incident, he, Jack and Merida found the letter resting on the grassy ground. An invitation from the new Queen of Corona who - also turns out to be an old friend - inviting Dun Broch's Queen-to-be, the chief and the immortal guardian to her midsummer festival. An offer Jack had declined saying he would not survive an hour in the warm summer rays, Merida begged to differ recalling the previous summer they had spent and Jack did not even seem one bit bothered. The personification of snow and ice continued to give millions of reasons not to go while the red head provided with a couple million reasons he should. Hiccup didn't stay to listen to their bickering, an act he immediately regretted when he saw the dark bruise on the immortal's left cheek an hour after. Not because he felt remorse for not being there to be able to stop the flighty princess from kicking Jack's ass... But because he wanted to see it happen. The idiot had caused him enough hassle and definitely deserved the beating... Not that Hiccup liked violence at all.. He just.. Wanted to see him pay. Rapunzel strangely saved a seat for the absent immortal.. And so an empty seat stood as a barrier between him and the stoic Queen of Arendelle.
Hiccup did not realize he had been staring at the strangely pale woman until she turned her head and let her emotionless mask crack as she flashed him a sweet smile. The viking nodded in recognition.
"I hate royal dinners" Grumbled Merida as she tried stretching her arm through the tight blue fabric of her dress.
"No, you just hate being confined onto a seat for two whole hours" Hiccup hid his smile behind the glass of champagne he took a sip from.
A quiet giggle emanated from Hiccup's right where Anna sat covering her mouth, Merida - who was sitting to Anna's right - glared openly. Anna stopped giggling and turned her head to look at Dun Broch's heiress.
"So, I heard you have been seeing Lord Mcguffin's son a lot lately" she whispered, a small smirk spreading across her face as she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Merida rolled her eyes "No doubt my mum told ye"
"Maybe"
"I really dun want to talk about suitors right now"
Anna pouted childishly "Why not? At least you have them. I'm still single and I already turned 22!" Her voice rose a pitch higher, catching the attention of her older sister who shook her head in amusement.
"Don't look so smug, E" The princess of Arendelle warned "You're 25 and still alone"
"I prefer the term independent" The queen retorted, chuckling at the strange gazes her sister and Merida sent.
Hiccup coughed as if to remind the female friends that he was still sitting in between them. Elsa fixed her posture, Anna and Merida rolled their eyes.
The large doors opened, and walked in the royals of Corona. The guests stood up in unison, as they gazed at the couple. The new queen's arm wrapped around her husband's, a glittering crown sat atop her brunette head, her lavender gown flowed behind her elegantly, and she smiled politely at her guests. It wasn't long until her emerald green eyes caught the foursome's gazes and she grinned happily, despite the guests surprise at the queen's jubilant waving towards her old friends, Rapunzel only cared about her favourite people being there. Nothing else mattered, with the sparkle restored in her eyes after so long, King Eugene did not seem to mind.
"I can't believe you guys are actually here!" Rapunzel chirped cheerily, even if it was an odd thing to see, the queen was bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Anna excitement nearly matched hers as she scooped up her best friend in a bone crushing hug the moment dinner was over and they went out to join the common folk in the festivities on the castle courtyard. The group of royals stood in the terrace that over looked the castle courtyard, music played and people danced down below, creating a wonderfully happy atmosphere. The sun slowly set in the horizon, creating a breathtaking view of colors that painted the afternoon sky.
Rapunzel's grin faltered when she found out that one of her friends weren't present, she turned to look at Hiccup who was speaking to Eugene. She glanced at her female friends "where's Jack?"
Merida snorted "The lad was being a giant babe. He kept making excuses not to come- eh don't look at me like that Raps! I tried!" The red head waved her hands in front of her, Rapunzel had started to pout in disappointment.
Elsa shook her head, musing quietly to herself.
The brunette bit the insides of her cheeks, she had hoped to speak to the immortal boy, Jack had been her best friend and he always listened and comforted her in her dark hours. But after the loss of her parents and her miscarriage, Jack did not show up. His absence at her most depressing moment had only added to her feeling of hopelessness...
"It's alright, R" Anna gave the queen a side hug, Rapunzel forced a smile on her face. "Don't be sad, or I'll be sad" Anna pouted.
The queen chuckled, but it eventually dissolved.
They did not know of her miscarriage... Rapunzel contemplated telling them.. They were her friends after all.
"Rapunzel?" Hiccup's voice brought her out of her musings, Rapunzel laughed merrily, carefully masking her emotional turmoil.
She grinned "Remember when you asked to see the lanterns, Hicc?"
The viking chief nodded, vaguely remembering his question about the lantern show Rapunzel had lovingly described to him during a trading expedition to visit Berk's neighboring tribes.
"We're having one today!" She chirped happily, stretching her arms out wide and unintentionally hitting her husband. Rapunzel winced and cupped his face, over apologizing for the incident. Elsa laughed out loud, a rarity for the quiet queen, Anna and Merida chortled.
"You broke my smolder" Muttered Eugene, frowning in mock hurt.
