The moon hung above the twinkling night sky, glowing ethereally. The palace courtyard glowed an orange light, a stark contrast from the rest of the kingdom's dimly lit town. Townsfolk had continued to celebrate after the stunning lantern show Rapunzel herself arranged, she still adored watching the light floating over the dark sea, a favourite memory of hers was when Eugene himself freed her from her secluded life the tower and brought her to see them up close for the first time. A stunning show in which she would willingly enjoy watching for the rest of night if she still wasn't hosting the midsummer festival, the new queen reluctantly followed her people back to the courtyard after the lanterns had started to fade away. Anna seemed to enjoy the display, her eyes sparkling in awe as she stared at the glowing lights. Merida refused to admit she enjoyed it as well, her lame excuse of simply watching lit papers fly away went against her reaction of the equal amount of awe in her face Anna had displayed herself.
When the docks cleared, the Queen of Arendelle decided to linger for awhile. Simply staring out into the dark sea where few lanterns still glowed faintly from afar. Enjoying the feeling of the breeze that swept against her face, she closed her eyes, listening to the waves that crashed against the shore, inhaling the scent of the sea. Elsa couldn't remember the last time she felt fully at peace... Her duties and responsibilities being the Queen of the land of the midnight sun, being the role model to all her people and especially her sister, putting up with all the political big wigs she discussed the trade agreements with. The same people critically and unnecessarily judging her short comings... Things like not being able to marry, or produce an heir. They also indirectly insulted the princess for being naive to choose to marry the deceitful thirteenth prince of the Southern Isles after thirty minutes into engaging a conversation with him albeit Elsa herself was still slightly disappointed Anna had made such an irrational decision. Then again, she did curse her own land into a never ending cold and killed her sister.
Elsa winced inwardly at the memory. So lost in her own thoughts she did not notice the creaking of the dock's wood or footsteps that slowly got louder as they approached her. Only then did she realize she wasn't alone was when she felt the presence of another person behind her did she spin around to face the said individual. She found herself momentarily taken aback at the beautiful pair of forest green eyes that gazed at her with a smile. Elsa blinked out of her trance and returned the gesture, Hiccup offered her a glass of what she guessed to be white wine. She eyed the mug of bubbly substance in his other hand.. No doubt it was mead. Elsa shook her head to politely decline,
"I don't drink"
Hiccup cocked a brow at the pale woman, he didn't look like he believed her. "If I remember correctly... You drink. A lot" he emphasized the last word by waving his hand in a semi circular motion.
The queen furrowed her brows in fake innocence, perfectly masking the embarrassment of the memory he obviously referred to. "That was once"
"'Twas twice," the corners of his lips played a smirk. "You threatened to choke Jack to death if he called you edgy one more time"
Elsa crossed her arms, desperately praying the warmth on her cheeks weren't flushed in crimson red, also hoping the darkness of the docks made them hard to see. Her efforts were in vain for Hiccup's smirk only grew "You also tried to–"
"I don't drink" she deadpanned, using the tone Anna had playfully referred to as 'the venomous voice of the intimidating snow queen'
The viking chief shrugged, "Don't lie to yourself, you said you didn't dance and yet you danced with Mer and Raps during Astrid's wedding"
"You are provoking me now, Haddock. Hold thy tongue when speaking to the Queen or thy tongue shall be held for you."
"Oh scary" He retorted with heavy sarcasm. The pair ended up staring each other down before Hiccup sighed. "Fine then, more for me I gue-"
The playful smirk reappeared on his thin lips when the woman grabbed the glass and swallowed the whole glass down. Elsa swayed light headedly, wincing at the immediate effects of the alcohol - the warmth in her stomach and the dizziness it brought.
"You're such a stinker" Hiccup laughed at the way Elsa glared at him with her piercing ice blue eyes.
As much as she hated to admit it, she adored the sound of his laughter, Elsa's glare immediately dissolved into an awkward smile. Hiccup continued to grin, he shook his head and took a sip from the mug of mead on his hands before he sat down on the docks. Elsa slowly followed his actions and sat down herself, her legs hanging off the docks and swaying. The pair stared at the misty sea in comfortable silence, Hiccup hummed quietly and Elsa tried to ignore the feelings of de ja vu.
They had sat down here... Once upon a time. It was so long ago one would faintly remember the memory, but not when it was a memory that changed both the way they looked at each other. A wave of sadness washed over Elsa as she reminisced on that vague memory. It wasn't their best moment, not the worst either.
Elsa turned her head to glance at the lean viking, reaching out to touch his cheek, she ignored the mocking voice in her head saying the worst possible things that could happen if she did something as stupid as hurting him. Her finger caressed his cheek tenderly, Hiccup closed his eyes and smiled faintly.
She would never admit it that she missed him, Elsa would choose to swallow poison before admit that. Hiccup raised his hand to take her cold palm and intertwine his calloused fingers with her slender and smooth ones. After a moment silence, Elsa abruptly pulled her hand away, she grit her teeth in anger and mentally cursed herself for daring to do such thing as touch him. She saw a flash of hurt cross his eyes before he masked it with a neutral expression, line pressed in a straight line, his forest green eyes cold.
"Why" Hiccup spoke softly, even if he tried to even his voice she heard it break.
Elsa shook her head, "It's the alcohol, it didn–"
She never got to finish her ridiculous excuse, both their heads snapped to look towards the palace, a spine chilling shriek echoing throughout the land.
