***Quick note: Line breaks will be indicated by the -.-.-.-.-.- symbol because FF decided to be stupid and not give me the line break button***

Chapter 11

It. Was. Hell.

All of the nobles had gathered in the ballroom to gossip about this-or-that, mainly the Princess' behavior, but also about Hiccup. I waited alongside the Head Knight, Dour, as the night's proceedings began, staying in a corner as far away from the women's wandering eyes as possible. Every once in a while I'd catch a glimpse of a servant with whom I had worked earlier, and would give them a small wave. The kitchen ladies got a hoot out of this, and would send small waves my way as well. Little did they know it would probably be the last time they would ever see me.

The wait was killing me. I tapped my foot on the ground faster than the tempo of the music. The plan for that night was to go through with the ball until everyone had retired for the night. I'd already eaten plenty in preparation, but Hiccup hadn't even entered the room. I grew restless, pacing back and forth. The end of the night would not come quick enough as I feigned interest in a conversation with an earl that had an unsightly nose and large feet. Where was Hiccup?!

Sighing heavily, I leaned up against the wall. The room truly was lovely, and for all their rough-and-tumble ways, not even the terrible trio had disturbed it much. The girls wore fine silk gowns and perfumes that mingled with the scent of roses which lined the room. Through my memory, I recalled the smell of the pine salve Hiccup had made me when I'd cut myself on the rose bushes, so much sweeter than the different scents the women had doused themselves in. The past few days had been like that. It seemed as if everything triggered some sort of memory, flooding my mind with anticipation for what would occur later that night. I'd be running again, only this time, I'd have Hiccup by my side. The thought brought a small smile to my face as I grabbed another goblet of wine.

"Ahem… May I have everyone's attention please?" A loud, booming voice called out through the ballroom. The room quieted down immediately, facing a red-faced King Stoick. "It's time to welcome the guest of honor this evening, High Prince Horrendous Haddock III!" He called, to which the room gave light applause. From a staircase entering the ballroom, Hiccup finally appeared. He entered as soft as a breeze around the corner, his large green eyes visible all the way from where I stood. For a moment, my heart nearly stopped. He was dressed in rich and vibrant finery that graced his shoulders lightly, tucked in at his thin waist, and flowed down his slender hips. It wasn't as if Hiccup had ever looked bad or anything, he always dressed very nicely, but it was somehow different. A feeling of nostalgia washed over me once more as I remembered the first time I'd met Hiccup while he was out on his morning ride. My prince was still as radiant as ever. Pulling me from my thoughts, Hiccup stood at the top of the stairs for a moment, searching the crowd, when his eyes finally caught mine. A small smile pulled at the corners of his lips as he descended.

Beside me, I could hear gasps and whispered sounds of amazement coming from the other guests. I stayed at my place on the wall, awaiting the prince's arrival, but it seemed like each time he would manage to end a conversation with one noble, another would come up immediately after. I promised myself I would be patient, however, leaning against the wall in mild annoyance. No wonder Hiccup wasn't a fan of the other nobles, they were awful. Eventually, he escaped the crowd and found his way over to where I was standing. The dim light of the evening poured in through the tall glass windows, making his eyes glisten. "I'm sorry it took so long Jack- er- Sir Frost." He laughed nervously, "I suppose I'm still not used to calling you that." He said. I smiled, "It's nothing to worry over. I doubt I'll be considered knight-worthy after tonight anyway." I told him. He nodded, draping himself on the wall beside me.

"…Thank you." He said. I twisted to see his face, "For what?" I asked. He looked up at me, "For not leaving."

If I had thought no one was watching, I would have taken his hand, but I knew better than to trust the wandering eyes of a crowd. Instead I looked at him warmly, "You wouldn't have let me go even if I had." I told him. He nodded with a smile, "No, probably not." He said. The band struck up a waltz, and all around us people began moving to the center of the floor. Oh Gods…

"Prince Horrendous!" A girl called out a short distance away from us. Another girl walked up beside her, "Good Evening, Prince Horrendous… Sir Frost." She said, looking up at me through her lashes. How awful. I glanced over at Hiccup, who had quickly plastered on a very "princely" smile. It wasn't his real smile, but those fairy-tale chasers wouldn't be able to tell. Still, it made me rather nervous… but nervous wasn't quite the right word.

Ah… I supposed that wouldn't be nervous, but jealous.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Jack looked put out of sorts by the whole situation. He'd never been to a formal ball before, of course, so that might have been his problem. Looking from the two girls back up to him, I gave a small nod. "Good evening, ladies. Is the party agreeing with you both?" He asked, simply for the sake of forced politeness. "Oh yes, it's a most beautiful ball! Certainly fitting for the occasion!" The first girl replied.

This whole charade went on for a while until we were both forced to face the inevitable and dance with them. It wouldn't have been so bad really if that had been the only dance we'd had to put up with, but alas, after that dance more and more girls came up just as soon as the band began playing again. On and on the night continued like this until our feet were sore and we begged a rest from the girls. We skulked down in a corner, attempting to remain as unseen as possible in two chairs as we sat down.

"I'm glad that our later business isn't to be carried out by foot." I said, rubbing at one of my ankles. "Ah, that would pose quite a problem, wouldn't it?" Jack replied, leaning back into his chair to stretch out the small of his back. Later he would tell me that he almost questioned his abilities. Usually something like that wouldn't have made his feet ache to that extent. After all, he had walked much farther (and with no shoes, at that) than he had just danced. I shrugged it off, telling him it was merely making use of different muscles than he normally would.

Jack looked splendid. I could understand why the girls were after him so. Though he was not in full armor, he was still clearly distinguishable as a knight. His broad shoulders fit nicely into the uniform, which was had been made specifically for him, as he was to be seen as an attendant of Dour. It still puzzled me how he had climbed to such high esteem in the High Knight's eyes in such a short amount of time. Dour was somewhat unapproachable, and not easily impressed. Just which skill of Jack's had caught his eye, exactly? Jack had many, of course. I'd already seen his talent in archery, sword fighting, and thievery (though I doubted the last one had been seen by Dour). Quite honestly, I believed Jack capable of almost anything aside from immortality. And even then, who knew?

The sun had set a good while ago and the hall was lit by large ornate candelabras and lamps. The light flashed off of Jack's stark blue eyes every once in a while as we talked, surprising me though I knew them well. "Hiccup?" He asked, turning to face me. "Yes?" I replied, looking back up at him. He twisted in his chair a bit as he prepared to stand. "If you could, would you dance with me?" He asked.

I blinked in surprise as I felt my cheeks flush at the unexpected question. "A-ah… I suppose I would, yes?" I answered shakily. Jack's eyes crinkled at the corners with a smile. "Good. Now, what if I told you we actually could?" He said, a mischievous look painting his features. I lowered my eyes, "What are you going on about now?" I asked him. "Oh, just answer the question!" He pressed, a childlike giddiness to the words. I sighed, "Very well... If there was a way, then yes, I would." I said.

At this point Jack stood up (getting to his point, I supposed), before he leaned down to me, "Then would you please allow me the honor of dancing with your highness?" He asked, bowing slightly as he looked down upon me. I shook my head, "Like I said, yes. But anyway, what are you getting at? There's no-"

"Ah, but there is." Jack interrupted, pointing over to an area behind us where a corner had been draped in a tapestry. "Come along, your highness, it will be fun." He said, pulling lightly at my sleeve. I looked up at him in disbelief for a few moments before breaking out into a laugh. "You… you are something different, Jack Frost." I told him, standing up. Jack smirked, "I'll take that as a compliment." He said. I rolled my eyes, "You make take it however you like." I told him as we began our way over towards the tapestry.

Making doubly sure no eyes were cast upon us, we slipped through the side of the tapestry and into the space behind it. It was actually quite roomy despite its looks, and I was surprised never to have found such a place before. Then again, Jack had a particular eye for those kinds of things. We had made it just in time for the next song to begin. It was an upbeat waltz, with a light, happy sound. Jack's eyes lit up. "Ah! I've danced to this before." He said. I raised an eyebrow, "Oh, really?" I asked. Jack grinned as he took my hand and placed it on his shoulder. Looked as if I was I the girl's position, then. "Yes, though it was played more like a folk song than a waltz at the time." He told me.

"Haha, did you dance to it well is the real question." I said, smirking up at him. Jack only let out a small click of his tongue, "Of course I did! Have you ever seen me? I'm the best dancer North of Yerk." He said, beginning to sway in time to the music. "I'm sure..." I said, following his lead. He was very good, actually. We slid across our small expanse of open floor in uniform steps. The dim light which seeped in from underneath the tapestry's edge bent with the coming and going of the guests as we listened to the merrymaking on the other side.

"So have you said anything of a goodbye to Aster yet?" He asked, surprising me. I looked at the dark blank wall beside us. "No… I had assumed it wouldn't be safe to breathe a word to anyone." I told him. Jack continued swaying back and forth with me before giving me a small smile. "That old rabbit would never say anything, he's too stubborn… and I'm sure he already knows anyway." Jack said. I looked back up at him, "What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"I mean he's no hypocrite." Jack said. I was only more confused by his answer, but decided to leave it be. If Jack could trust in Aster, so could I. In truth, it was a huge weight off my chest to know I wouldn't be leaving without any word of goodbye.

The song came to an end, as did our mischief. We decided it would be better to sneak out from behind the tapestry early rather than to be caught together behind it. Such a thing wouldn't bode well for our travels that night. We rejoined the party as if nothing had ever happened and enjoyed the food and drink while we still could. All too soon a life of riches would be replaced with one of rags… but I was not sad in the least.

More girls kept on asking me what I thought of Princess Merida. I couldn't rightly say. "Well, she certainly thinks for herself, yes? We have quite a bit in common actually." I told them, thinking ,"Well, neither of us wish to be married to a stranger, anyways."

The night continued on much like any other ball I'd ever attended, yet unlike any one before it in the same breath. Something in the air seemed to spark. It was like a small itch in the back of my throat, but I chose to ignore it. I danced a while longer, ate some more, and watched as the ball continued on until I got a spare moment and Jack joined me once again. "If you don't want our cover broken you should look less tense." His voice rumbled beside me. I shook my head back and forth a few times, trying to clear it. "Sorry, Jack. It's just this nagging feeling…" I told him, exhaling shakily. Jack tilted his head to the side with a gentle smile. "'It's alright to be nervous, you know." He said, ruffling the hair on the back of my neck nonchalantly. I smiled up at him, "It's not that I'm nervous, really… It's more like-"

"Ahhhhh!" "Oh my!" "King Stoick?!"

To my left a string of gasps and shrieks struck up from the crowd. "Father…?"

I pushed my way through the hordes of people coming in to see what the commotion was. As I neared, I noticed that men were barking out orders from inside the center of the swarm. "Everyone stay clear!" "Here, lift his arm…" "Don't! Here, this first." "Your Highness? Can you hear me your Highness? King Stoick?"

Finally I pushed through the last wall of people to see what the commotion was all about. There on the floor laid my father, splayed out on the ground in a deep stupor. A trickle of blood slid down his chin, dripping down onto his ermine collar. "Father?!" I yelled, immediately dropping down beside him. "Prince Horrendous, keep back!" Dour commanded as he led a few men to carry my father's large form from the room. I followed close behind them in a frenzy, my mind alight with questions until a grip on my wrist paused my pursuit. Jack spun me around, effectively stopping me in my tracks.

"Let me go, Jack! This- He's-!"

"Listen, Hiccup! Calm down. There's nothing you can do. If you follow them, you'll only crowd the room." Jack said, gripping both of my hands firmly at my side. I caught my breath after a few moments, and not caring much who saw me, I leaned my forehead against Jack's chest. He led me out of the public view down a long hall and into a room I hadn't seen before. "Where?" I choked out. Jack pulled me to the side of a bed where he sat me down. "This is my room." Jack said. Despite the dire situation, my heart gave a leap at that.

Jack wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Just take a deep breath. Everyone will be watching you later, so gather yourself for their sake." Jack said, rubbing my shoulder a little bit. I let go of a huge sigh, allowing my shoulders to droop a little. "I knew something was going to happen. I should have-" "Shhh." Jack said, moving both hands to massage soothing circles around the base of my neck and shoulders. We sat in silence for a while as his hands relaxed the tension away. Eventually I let my mind go numb, refusing to let anything in. Focusing only on breathing, I let myself sink into Jack's side.

After a while Jack ruffled my hair, "If you're alright now, they'll be wondering where you got to." He told me, leaning down to kiss my forehead. I nodded against his ribcage, breathing in his scent before sitting up straight again. Jack stood up and offered his hand to me. I took it and we left the room. At the first sight of me, two other knights told me my presence was requested in the King's quarters. I rushed into the room, leaving Jack behind with the other guests.

I walked up to the side of the long bed with an odd sense of déjà vu. "Father?" I asked, noticing his eyes were still halfway open. He made a choking mumble, and with his hand, beckoned me weakly over. I came to his side and gripped the hand which had called me forth.

"H-Horrendous…" Father started, my name coming out garbled through his scratchy voice. "Yes?" I asked, leaning on the edge of the bed so he wouldn't have to speak very loud.

"Horrendous, I must… apologize." He said. I shook my head, "Don't speak, please. All is forgiven, I swear so rest your-" "Horrendous, listen… to me. Your mother… I meant none of those things I… I really… lo- Arrrccahhh!" Father fell into another coughing fit as more blood spattered up onto the comforter. Attendants swarmed as he ran himself out of air by coughing and fell back onto the bed in a writhing mess. Somewhere through the commotion I was pushed away from the fray in a confused and frantic state. "Let him speak!" I demanded, still trying to look at where my father lay through the throng of servants.

Then all was still.

I was then only vaguely aware of the ballet of assistants that twirled about the room to try clean up my father. My feet moved numbly out of the room, my stomach heavy behind me. As soon as I left the room, I was surrounded on all sides by anxious royals. "What's happened?" "Prince Horrendous? Are you alright?" "Which misfortune has befallen the King?" "Say, are you feeling unwell?"

"Enough! You repulsive creatures! Leave. Me. Be!" I shouted, much to the astonishment of everyone in the room.

I pushed my way through the crowd without so much as an "excuse me". Tears stung the back of my eyes as I all but ran to my room. Slamming the large oaken door behind me, I collapsed on the footboard of my bed. I stood up, leaning against the board and all I felt I could do was scream, but no sound would come out. I heard the door behind me open.

"Leave!" I commanded, not turning to face the intruder, "I beg of you… please go…" I pleaded, my voice shaking. I heard footsteps creeping towards me and I flipped around to meet them face-on, "Didn't you hear m-! …J-Jack?" I asked, unprepared to see him in front of me. "Horrendous," He began, bringing his arms up as if to embrace me. "No!" I said, slapping his hands away as I turned back towards the bed. "I'm fine so would you please just… just…"

Arms wrapped around my shoulders as my last strand of control wore thin. "Please go…" I begged, my voice small. He replied with a gentle squeeze. "It's alright. You don't have to pretend for me."

And with that, a tear rolled freely down my cheek. Silent sobs shook my shoulders as I gripped tightly at the board. Jack's hold around my shoulders loosened, and he brought a hand forward to turn my face towards his. I tried to hold any further tears from coming by squeezing my eyes shut, but it only ended up forcing a few more out. Feather-light kisses trailed their way down the wet paths of my cheeks as they traveled to my lips. My eyes opened slightly, gazing at Jack's long eyelashes in front of me. My eyes slid shut once more as my grip moved from the footboard to the collar of Jack's tunic.

"He didn't hate her… he didn't…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I held Hiccup until he could breathe properly again. He had been strong for much too long, that much was obvious. He looked like a snapped string. I pulled away from his lips and led him to the side of the bed where we sat down. I rubbed soothing circles into his shoulders while he tried to calm down a little, the muscles there pulled tight as a bow. His eyes were far away, his mind someplace distant beyond the castle walls. It gave me some time to think myself. Our plans had been thoroughly foiled. If Hiccup left, there would no longer be an heir. He was the last of the royal family, the only one who could possibly take the throne. If Hiccup was gone, the country would be left wide open to invasion. Hell, with the death of King Stoick it was already on unstable ground.

My thoughts were ended by the low droning of mourning church bells. The sound echoed off the stone walls like the crying of ghosts, drawing Hiccup's attention back to the waking world. "Jack… I'm not ready to be a king…" He said, pressing his folded hands up to his lips in thought. I rubbed the ever-present tension from his shoulders as I thought of what to say.

"Hiccup… I've travelled to more than twenty countries during my life and never, not once, have I seen a kingdom as beautiful, peaceful, or as prosperous as Berk. And I think there's a reason for that. All my life I grew up believing that monarchs, nobles, and all of your kind were simply corrupt, money hungry dogs. To be truthful, in the beginning I believed you would be like that as well… but you weren't. Your smile was warm, and you had thoughts that were all your own, and a large heart for your servants, and a dislike of sword fighting, and you were everything I thought a monarch wasn't."

I turned on the bed to face him, taking hold of his hands, "Believe it or not, your father is …was… the exact same way, though I'm not so sure you ever noticed. While I had my training under Dour, your father was always coming in and out, speaking with people and checking up on things. I noticed things about him that were very much like you. Like the way you treat everyone you see with a high regard, how you don't give up until you've thought of every possible solution… you're very much like him, I think. So, if he could do it, I know for a fact that you can as well, possibly even better." I said, stroking his hair.

Hiccup thought about that for a moment before sighing, "You say all these things, Jack, but the truth is… he's not even my real father." He said, a wrinkle forming on his brow. I shook my head, "That doesn't matter. Just because you were born of the blood of another does not change the fact that you were raised by King Stoick. It doesn't change your morals, your thoughts, or the way you act, it merely affects what you look like… and for that, you had your mother." I told him.

Hiccup stayed silent for a while after this, once again slipping into a daze as he took in everything in. You could hardly blame him after all, the man's father had just died right in front of his eyes and Hiccup was suddenly expected to take over a kingdom he had only just barely begun to think about inheriting while he was supposed to be running away with his forbidden lover the night before his wedding.

Oh… the wedding.

I…

…Maybe I really should have left earlier.

"Thank you, Jack."

I held his hand tighter in mine. No, leaving wouldn't solve anything. I doubted if I even could leave him at that point. It just wouldn't be possible, I'd come right back. I placed a kiss into the palm of his hand, "They'll be wondering where we are, and you must wear a brave face for everyone else. After all… you're the King now." I said, the fact still sinking into my own brain. Hiccup took a deep breath to steel himself against what would surely seem like a tidal wave of nobles. Once we decided he looked presentable, we stood up and made for the door.

Surely enough, when we entered the main corridor the nobles flooded Hiccup with even more questions, which he merely gave vague answers to or avoided entirely. He made his way swiftly across the hall, looking for Head Knight Dour. Once he had been found, we all retreated to a small side room where Dour began to explain how everything from that point on would work. Hiccup seemed as if he would collapse at any given moment, so I pulled out some chairs for us to sit on. We had begun discussing Hiccup's coronation when there came a strong knock on the door.

King Fergus, without waiting for our response, appeared from behind the door with Queen Elinor at his side. "Pardon my interruption. However, I would like to speak with you about the wedding." King Fergus said. My stomach flipped. What was that? Even though Hiccup had already lost his father, the king of Kerk was still going to force Hiccup to marry the day after? My eyes glowed with anger as I forced myself to look away. Hiccup looked surprised, as if he had completely forgotten about it. "Oh… I see. Take a seat please, King Fergus, Queen Elinor." He said, and they did.

"The queen and I were discussing this earlier, but we believe it would be in good taste to postpone the wedding. At least until a few days after the funeral. It would not be good to have such an event looming over the occasion." King Fergus said. Hiccup nodded his head quietly, looking out the window. His eyes held the same concentration as when he had proposed that we should elope. "Ah… yes." He said, his brow twisted.

His expression did not go unnoticed by King Fergus. "I suppose I shall take my leave, then. These things can be discussed at a later time. I'll go announce the postponement to the other guests before retiring for the evening. And please, do try to get some rest as well, Prince Horrendous." King Fergus said, bowing his head slightly in goodbye.

"Wait a moment, please."

Hiccup had come out of his trance, and was suddenly out of his chair. What was he up to? I glanced at him in question, but he ignored me with a small wave of his hand. King Fergus turned back to face him, "Yes?" He asked as Queen Elinor turned her head in intrigue. "I… would like to propose something a little different before that." Hiccup said, gripping the back of his chair. Queen Elinor replied, "Go on."

Hiccup gave me a glance so fleetingly I was just barely sure I had even seen it. He cleared his throat, "Yes. Well, then…" He said, taking a breath before continuing,

"I would like to call off the wedding."

-.-.-.- end of chapter-.-.-.-

Hey hey hey.

Just one more chapter left! I can say I will be really sad to end this one. There were so many scenes I wanted to write but didn't because they didn't fit or whatever. Anyway, as I've been saying, keep on the lookout for the new story HoneyBeeez and I will be putting out before too long.

Also, I've already started on a short little Jack x Hiccup x Hiro fic that's turning out super fun.

AND ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE DRAWING! (Details can be found on the update before this chapter)