Astrid leaned against the door, trying to keep her breathing steady, The full impact of what they were about to do was hitting her hard, and she began flexing her fingers in a useless attempt to calm herself down. She checked her phone, which showed a text message from Hiccup, asking which lady royal position she wanted to take. Sighing, she closed it and stuffed it back in her pocket. After tonight, she'd either be a princess or a criminal. Not a lady royal.
"Got everything?" she asked Ruffnut, who had been packing materials in a backpack.
Ruff nodded, and Heather mumbled, "Let's go, then."
At that moment, an incessant ringing blared through the hallways. The loud alarm reflected Astrid's gut, screaming and saying to run away from a fire. She swallowed hard. Ignore, ignore, ignore.
Vanellope opened the door. "Fire drill, fire drill, there's no time!"
"Single file, in a line!" Taffyta finished behind her. They ran off, along with the other students.
Stormfly held up a clipboard. "Huh. That's funny, I don't see a fire drill scheduled for today."
"Let's just go," Astrid said, "Hopefully this will be quick."
As they walked down the hall, they saw Rapunzel come out of her room. She had changed her uniform as well, she was wearing a light purple dress that looked very nice on her and made her seem more...innocent. When she saw them, she opened er mouth, but Astrid brushed by her without listening. Her fake apologies could wait.
"Alright," said Astrid, after every last student was gone, "How much time did we lose?"
"Twenty minutes," Ruff answered, then sighed, "Not to mention an extra five minutes untying Anna from the tether pole."
Now was not the time to worry about Anna Arendelle, no matter how much she wanted to. "Let's go."
They did not take two steps before they were facing Stabbington. He leered at them threateningly.
"Those girls are criminals! Arrest them!"
All three girls turned around to see Gothel, Tooth, and Rapunzel. One who was sneering, one who was looking apologetic, and one who looked as though she'd rather not be here right now (Gothel, Tooth, and Rapunzel, respectively).
"What?" Heather asked, "Criminals?"
They had been about to break into the palace, but they hadn't done it yet, so what in the world was she talking about?
"Thieves!" Gothel went on.
Toothiana sighed. "I'm sure it's a mistake, but Dame Gothel believes you stole her jewelry."
"No!" Astrid gasped, aghast, "I would never! They would never!" She gestured to her friends.
"Lies!" Gothel thundered, and the bubble of hate Astrid had for her rose to an explosive bubble, "My daughter Rapunzel saw you!" She turned to her uneasy daughter. "Didn't you say that you saw Astrid poking around in my office the other day?"
Everyone looked to the princess, who cleared her throat. "I - I don't remember for sure…"
Gothel glared at her.
"Yes. Yes I did."
"Check their rooms!"
"What?"
"Girls, it's procedure," Tooth explained sternly, "If you've got nothing to hide, then there's no reason to be afraid."
They made their way into the dorm room, where Stabbington went to Astrid's bed. She watched him rummage through her bag before producing a ruby necklace. "Look what I found."
Astrid gaped. "That's not - I didn't put that there!"
"Here's another one," he said, digging one out underneath Ruffnut's bed.
"No way!" Ruff protested.
"And another." And of course, this time it was Heather's drawer which it came out of.
"We didn't steal anything!"
Tooth gazed at Astrid for two seconds with a rather sad expression before sighing. "With the witness and and the evidence, I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for now. You must be detained until we can investigate further."
"Wait, detained?" Ruff's mouth fell open. "During the coronation?"
"I'm afraid so."
Gothel snapped her fingers. "Stabbington!"
The girls were led out by the burly guard, and as they were leaving, Astrid locked eyes with Rapunzel. She was looking at them with a pitiful expression, and Astrid's heart clenched. "Just help us!" she wanted to shout but they were out the door before she could get a word in to the petite, pretty, and completely sorry princess.
Aw, poor Punzie...