So much Hiccelsa in this chapter, so many things that are said and that also remain unsaid. I did consider cutting this short, but I posted all of it anyway so see it as a small treat!
Laidyx: I'm happy to hear your heart is healed and happy, but also that you found the last chapter funny! :D Haha Tuff is indeed a master of overreactions, so much that you can really go crazy with him! As for a direct approach, one needs to learn who you are approaching for that to work out well ;)
Noctus Fury: Haha I wish sometimes things were so simple and tension is indeed something you can have a lot of fun with hehe. Really glad you liked Eret/Brigitte and lord do I fear what went on among the maids, I don't even want to know!
Guest: Ohh I do hope you'll like it and know things will keep on happening, there is still a lot to be solved!
17
"And then he grabbed hold off my arm and…"
"And he tore it off, yes we know!" Ruffnut and Tuffnut said in chorus as Gobber glared at them.
"Ye two might, but it wasn't ye I was telling the story." Gobber answered, gesturing towards Elsa and Kai who was sitting next to him by the fire. At his sour expression Elsa smiled at the blond older Viking while Kai chuckled.
"You are still a very good storyteller Gobber." Elsa told him as Gobber laughed in response and thanked her before he started telling them the story about how he had lost his leg. When he began, Elsa threw a look at Hiccup who was sitting across the fire watching them with a small smile and when he met her ice-blue, Hiccup sent her an apologetic look which she answered with an amused smile before she turned her full attention back to Gobber.
"I like her." Valka said from her place next to Hiccup, having watched the whole silent exchange between her son and the Queen with a smile on her face.
"And you've decided that after simply a few hours in her company?" Hiccup asked, taking his eyes of the Queen to look at his mother with skeptical expression that caused Valka to laugh a little.
"I do. She seems to have a kind, understanding, heart. After all not many would've simply brushed off what Ingrid said before, even if the poor girl meant nothing ill with it. She is also polite and it's very clear she is highly intelligent from the way she acts. Besides, the dragons like her and I trust them." Valka answered, both she and Hiccup looking over at Toothless who was laying next to Elsa, with his tail behind her in a protective manner, while he listened to Gobber's story as well.
"They do." Hiccup agreed with a small smile at scene. "Though I think her control over ice and snow might partly be the reason why they trust her so quickly. I mean, both Toothless and Sharpshot noticed early on that something was different with her and the Bewilderbeasts use ice instead of fire." Hiccup told his mother, looking back at her with a thoughtful expression on his face. At his words a similar expression spread over her own.
"That's not impossible, though not even a natural born alpha can gain trust through his power alone. If the alpha isn't trusted, they can only rule through pure force to control the dragons around them. That means that despite their natural advantage, they still have to gain trust to reach full power." She answered, not thinking much about what she had said until she saw how Hiccup's eyes glazed over with darkness.
"No that's true." He answered shortly, his voice sharp and harsh, as he looked away from her to hide his sad expresson and so he could shut himself away from her again. Without a doubt, she knew that his reaction came from the fact that her words had reminded him about Stoick's death and she felt how the hopelessness and sorrow spread within. Suddenly feeling watched, Valka across the fire only to notice that Queen Elsa was silently studying them with a small frown on her face. For a second their eyes met and, while Valka didn't try to hide anything, the Queen's open expression was instantly replaced with a kind smile and unreadable eyes.
At first, Valka thought she had read the situation wrong and that the young woman had no intention at all to join them, but then the Queen suddenly excused herself to Gobber, the twins and her captain before rose and walked over to them with a her face as unreadable as ever. In fact, it had surprised Valka greatly how extremely masterful the Queen had turned out to be at hiding her emotions. It was almost a little uncanny how the other could completely turn into a perfect mask no one could see through, but she had not been able to hide everything since Valka had known what to look for. She had, since the Queen's arrival, seen clear signs of deeper emotions between the Queen and Hiccup.
What she had hoped however, had been that their emotions would've been so much clearer. Still, when she noticed how Hiccup looked up as the Queen approached them, she felt some hope that Queen Elsa would be able to do what she seemed to be unable to, and that was being someone her son could open up to.
Watching them closely as Queen Elsa sat down next to Hiccup, Toothless once again laying down next to her, Valka could see the exact moment their eyes met for they both seemed to relax while a genuine warmth entered the Queen's eyes, one that she only seemed unable to hide when she looked at Hiccup.
"I just wanted to thank you for inviting me tonight, I know this was more a personal feast than anything else." She told them, Valka seeing how the darkness in Hiccup's eyes faded away at her words as he smiled at her. In a way, it made Valka sad to see that what she had been struggling so hard to achieve for over two years, this other woman was doing with just a look and a few words. But then again, love was a mysterious emotion and there was a deep connection between the two she had rarely ever seen, an understanding of the other that was the reason behind their silent communication.
"I could hardly leave my guests to starve could I?" Hiccup replied to the Queen and, seeing how the other woman's eyes filled with humor, Valka knew her presence was already forgotten.
"Well you are Vikings, for all I know this was just one big plot to kidnap me to get a big ransom." The Queen answered, her eyes glittering slightly.
"And how do you know it isn't?" Hiccup asked, Queen Elsa smiling warmly at him while Valka noticed how extremely different this smile was from many of her previous ones. It wasn't forced or polite, it was real and genuine.
"Because the groom is far too nervous for this to be an imaginary wedding. Besides I think I have Toothless on my side." The Queen replied and, hearing his name, Toothless looked up at her with a content expression, nudging the Queen on the arm before he put his head in her lap. "See, I told you." She added proudly, laughing for the first time that evening. The sound caused many dazed eyes to turn to her, only for all of them to turn away just as quickly when her captain glared at all of them.
The one who didn't appear dazed though was Hiccup, instead there was a deeper admiration in his gaze that was well hidden as he glared at his dragon.
"Traitor." Hiccup muttered to Toothless, Toothless dragon simply sending him a smug look in reply.
Looking at the couple, Valka felt quite astonished at how she could literally she both of them come out of their shells the more they spoke to each other. Hiccup's eyes, that had been gloomy and burdened for so long, was slowly filling with life and they seemed even more alive since they reflected the light from the fire as he gave Queen Elsa his full attention. It was like watching a small flame slowly grow into a fire.
The Queen on the other hand, became more and more relaxed and, while her eyes were still piercing, there was a softness and affection in them that made them glow with warmth instead of shining with cold. The warmth also seemed to slowly spread through her, her regal air still present but more approachable, like the walls around her slowly started to disappear.
However, this wasn't the only way they contrasted strongly to each other. While the Queen seemed to reflect the moonlight, her white blond hair and light dress glowing with its cold light, Hiccup, with his dark hair and darker cloths, seemed to blend into the night. Only the flames from the fire lit him up slightly while they almost seemed be repeld by the Queen. Also, when they spoke to each other, Queen Elsa sat straight with her hands resting in her lap while Hiccup gestured lightly with his hands and leaned forward at times to rest his arms against his legs.
But they were also similar. They were both tall and slim with eyes that, despite the way they seemed fully at ease, carried more weight than anyone their age should. The more time they spent with each other though, the more dark seemed to dissolve and, watching them, Valka started to see the young man she had met two years ago and a Queen who was nothing but a young woman underneath.
It was extremely fascinating to watch, but also touching, to start to see the woman underneath the hard façade that she had built up and Valka felt more and more certain why the dragons, and Toothless in particular, so easily accepted the Queen. Just like her son, Queen Elsa appeared to have an old soul and a strong heart. It was clear that she could withstand more burdens than most and that she, strangely enough, seemed to share Hiccup's powerful combination, having the heart of a leader and the soul of dragon.
"I think I will head back, it has been a long day and it's starting to take its toll." Queen Elsa suddenly said, bringing Valka back into the conversation while throwing a look at her captain only to see that he was in a deep conversation with Gobber and Fishlegs. "Looks like I will have to interrupt them." Queen Elsa sighed reluctantly, her words giving Valka an idea that would give Hiccup and the Queen some more time together.
After all, they hadn't seen each other for a long time, they needed to catch up.
"I see no reason for that, Hiccup can follow you back, right Hiccup?" Valka therefore asked quickly, sending her son a pointed look as he glared at her slightly before he turned back to the Queen who was trying not to smile at the exchange.
"Would Kai accept that?" Hiccup asked her, throwing an uncertain look at the captain.
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides, it's not my fault he is busy and that you are a gentleman who only wants to make sure I get back safely." The Queen answered casually. At her response Hiccup chuckled as he rose and offered her his hand that Queen Elsa, to Valka's slight surprise, took without a second thought. Sure the moment she stood next to him they both let go off each other immediately, but it was the normalcy of the action that spoke so much more than words.
"Thank you once again for inviting me, it was very nice talking to you Valka." Queen Elsa said polity to her, Valka smiling up at the pair who stood close to each other without even noticing.
"The same Queen Elsa, though I hope next time we'll have the chance to share more than a few words." Valka replied, her son once again sending her a small glare while the Queen's defenses suddenly fell and she blushed slightly.
"Of course." She answered, composing her features once again while Valka only smiled at them knowingly. At her expression, Hiccup rolled his eyes before he, probably without thinking about it, put his hand on the Queen's back to show her that they should leave and the two walked away from the rest of the group quietly, Hiccup's hand falling the moment they started moving.
Looking after them, and Toothless who followed after them like a silent shadow, Valka saw that no one else noticed their quiet departure except for the trio on the other side of the fire. Two of them smiled at the scene while the last, Kai, sent her an angry look across the flames, but he didn't try to go after them. Instead she could see the slight defeat in his eyes as he looked after them once again to see them disappear in the darkness, all watchers knowing that both Hiccup and Queen Elsa had already fallen over edge.
The frost lay heavy over the ground as Elsa and Hiccup walked slowly through Berk, a comfortable silence between them as they simply enjoyed being in each others company. Around them they heard the sound of laughter coming from the different directions where fires were burning and where Vikings had gathered for the night, though most them had already gone to sleep.
"Your mother seems to be a very insightful woman." Elsa said, breaking the silence, a small frown appearing on Hiccup's face.
"A bit too insightful for her own good even. But at the same time she was the one who made sure Ingrid got her wish to see a Queen fulfilled so I'm happy she that she is and that stood her ground." He replied, looking ahead as Elsa wished she could see his eyes.
"You mean that it wasn't an idea that came from the Chief himself?" She asked carefully, dreading the answer a little as she looked down at the frozen ground. Hiccup had seemed happy she that was here, but now she once again felt very insecure. He had, after all, not said anything about her arrival at all even though he had had the chance all night.
"Unfortunately no, but the Chief is known for being an absolute stubborn fool at times. He is just happy that this mother and the Snow Queen has more sense than him." Hiccup answered her with slight humor and when she looked up at him, she saw for the first time since she had arrived that there was nothing hidden in his eyes. He was looking at her with affection, but also insecurity that made her realize that he was still as uncertain as she had been until a second ago. Strangely enough, this knowledge calmed her down as relief flooded through her and her own walls fell away as well.
Smiling at him, she felt her heart speed up when he smiled back at her and she had to look away for a second as the warmth she had missed so much spread through her like wildfire.
"I wouldn't say she has much more sense to be honest, she needed quite the reprimand from her old housekeeper before she changed her mind." Elsa replied, feeling how her skin started to burn from his mere presence as they both walked closer together, their arms almost touching. It sure was strange how much emotion a mere presence could awaken.
"At least she did change her mind, Vikings are impossible to when it comes to try and make them do anything." Hiccup told her with a grin, Elsa laughing as she realized how much she had missed the way he so easily could make her feel so light and happy.
"Right, because that time Mrs. Tomson banned you from the castle because she needed the maids to clean the third floor and she knew they wouldn't be able work if you and I was in my study was not her forcing you to do something." She replied.
"That was a banning, it's completely different from forcing someone to do anything. Besides, I didn't really complain." Hiccup chuckled, both remembering that he even been very grateful for the escape.
"Fine then Chief of Stubbornness, maybe you weren't forced, but not even you can deny that both Anna and Rapunzel forced you to dance with them on a couple of occasions. Not to mention that time Eugene paired you up Miss. Hernysson." Elsa said, laughing at Hiccup's horrified expression.
"Don't remind me, that was cruel even for Eugene. I have been scarred for life and will never dance again." He answered, shuddering as he remembered the young woman who had not let go of him for a whole night.
"Not even with a slightly less intimidating partner?" Elsa asked with humor, though she felt a small knot of hope inside that he would say yes, their first, and only real dance, in the royal gardens suddenly swirling in her mind.
"Only if she asked me first." Hiccup told her with a light smile, but at the look in his eyes she got the feeling he was remembering the same moment, and she had to look away as her heart flew like a bird's wings. How could so much have changed from that one dance, when they had been so close to each other without evoking any strong emotions, to that he with a simple glance could affect her so?
Looking away from him, her eyes landed on the strange large pillars of teal ice she had seen on many places around the Village and, curious about what they could be, Elsa left the trail and walked up to one of them as she started inspecting it closely.
"I was curios about these before, it is not ordinary ice." She said thoughtfully, turning to Hiccup only to see that the light in his eyes had died away once more and that the dark troubled expression she had seen earlier was back.
"It's because it was created by an ice spitting enormous dragon we call the Bewilderbeast." He answered her, his voice suddenly hard.
"Did it attack Berk?" Elsa asked, even though she pretty much could figure out what the answer would be. At her question, a pained expression entered Hiccup's eyes that made her heart go out to him.
"In a way." He replied shortly and sadly, looking away from her and out over the ocean. For a moment, Elsa wondered if she should ask what had happened, but there was something in Hiccup's expression that held her back.
She had both seen and felt this darkness in him before. It hadn't been often, but at times when they had entered into conversations about Berk back in Arendelle Hiccup had drawn away from her. Each time, she had wondered if she should ask what troubled him, she had wanted to, but the feeling that he had never been ready to tell her had held her back.
So she had never asked him, hoping that one day he would open up to her. Seeing his reaction now though, she could see that it was much stronger than ever before. It made her realize that whatever he was hiding, he would have to share with her before they could even consider being together. She would have to know that he wasn't hiding something that could possibly endanger her people, but, seeing his distressed expression, she decided to give him a little more time to tell her on his own. After all she was here to discover if something really could blossom between them or not, if it didn't she wouldn't have to know.
Therefore she turned her attention back to the ice that still intrigued her. It was impossible to see through, completely opposite of her own ice that was crystal clear, and it didn't seem as solid. Curious about how it would feel, Elsa reached forward to touch it unaware that Hiccup was watching her closely.
Seeing her reach out towards the ice, Hiccup suddenly felt a rush of panic go through him as dark memories flashed before his eyes. He saw the Bewilderbeast take control over Toothless, his fathers dead body and the ice that had rushed towards him and Toothless with the purpose of killing them.
At the memories, he suddenly felt a strong conviction that if Elsa touched the ice, it would somehow hurt her. She was pure from all death, and the fear that she would somehow be cursed, caused him to reach out and take a hold of her hand as he turned her away from the ice and towards him instead. At his sudden action, Elsa jumped a little and her wide eyes turned questioning when she looked at him, but she didn't look scared.
"Please don't." Hiccup told her, hearing how pleading and pained his voice sounded but he didn't care. She couldn't touch the ice, nothing but hurt had come from it and everything that was connected to it.
"Why not?" Elsa asked him, her face calm and wondering, but also full of affection as she, to his surprise, didn't draw back. Instead she intervened her fingers with his and, looking into her ice-blue eyes, Hiccup for the first time ever didn't see a person who demanded an answer. Sure her eyes were searching, and he could see that she wanted to know, but other than that they were simply calm and full of warmth.
Seeing her clam somehow made his fear settle within and he took a step closer to her as he reached out and stroked her cheek, his beating heart calming even more when she simply smiled and leaned into his touch.
"What if there is magic in the ice that will clash with yours, I cannot see you get hurt. It…" He finally whispered to her, hating himself for the fact he didn't know what to say, that he couldn't tell her about his dad. He should have told her before, he had tried, but just like now, the words had refused to come out and just like before, Hiccup also see that Elsa knew he was holding something back. To his relief though, she once again seemed to sense that he wasn't ready and he felt his affection for her only grow as she let it go.
And of course he wasn't ready, for how could he tell her he was a killer and possibly lose her again when he had just gotten her back? The thought was unbearable.
"I don't think the ice can hurt me Hiccup. You told me that dragons' powers aren't fueled by magic, so I don't think it has fueled this dragon's power either." Elsa replied with a expression that told him she wasn't going to back down on this and Hiccup suddenly regretted having told her about how different dragons fueled their powers.
"Still you don't know that." He answered pleadingly, wanting to drag her away from this place, his fear that Drago would hurt yet another person he cared for deeply much stronger than his rational side that told him Elsa was probably right.
"And neither do you." Elsa only said with a small smile, as if reading his thoughts, and giving his hand a small squeeze she then placed her free hand on the ice. For a moment Hiccup held his breath, his heart beating wildly, but nothing happened and after a little while Elsa took her hand off the ice with only a thoughtful expression.
Still, Hiccup felt the relief flood through him the second the moment was over and he thank the Gods nothing had happened.
"There is some kind of element to the ice that makes sure it won't melt, but other than that, it's just ice, nothing more nothing less." She told him, still studying the ice curiously, unaware of his inner turmoil.
"Do you know what that element might be?" Hiccup asked her, pulling lightly at her hand as he felt even more relief at the fact that she didn't argue and that they started walking away from the ice. Feeling a need to keep her close, Hiccup didn't let go of her hand though, instead he pulled her close so they walked right next to each other.
"I have no idea, I would have to meet the dragon who made it and study it." She answered with a thoughtful expression while Hiccup felt how the familiar tingles her presence sent through him finally made him relax once more.
"There are no dragons left of that species that I know of, we encountered the last one dead a little more than a year ago." Hiccup told her, Elsa looking up at him and squeezed his hand lightly when she noticed that his expression turned slightly darker again.
"That's too bad." She told him. "You know, Grandpabi wanted me to say hello." She added trying to lighten up the mood and, when Hiccup shook his head with a smile, she knew she had succeeded.
"At least you can get something out of him, the rest of us are always left to wonder." He told her.
"Don't be silly, he just wants everyone to figure things out on their own." She answered, Hiccup sending her a skeptical look. "He does!" Elsa laughed. "I think the only reason you think differently is because you still haven't fully forgiven the trolls for getting the upper hand when they stole your leg."
"I've said they caught me off guard, besides it wasn't Grandpabi who stole it." He chuckled, his eyes shining as they stopped outside her door and he looked down at her with slightly nervous eyes. "I suppose this means we'll have to say goodnight then, Queen Elsa."
"I think so, Chief Haddock." Elsa answered, feeling a bit disappointed when he simply let go of her hand and gave her a tiny bow. Still, not wanting to show her disappointment, she smiled at him and gave Toothless a hug goodnight before she turned and opened the door. Just as she was about to enter though, she took a deep breath and turned around, seeing that Hiccup looked at her with slight surprise.
"I just wanted to say…" She began, feeling very nervous suddenly under his intense gaze. "I just wanted to say that if you ever need to talk about anything, I will always listen and… well… thank you for following me home. Also I want you to know that… that I've missed you and I'm glad I decided to come." With those words she then took a step forward, gathered her courage, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before she hastily walked inside and closed the door behind her.
Staring after her for a moment, Hiccup let out a deep breath when her words finally registered in his dazed mind and he was unable to stop the huge smile that spread over his face as he stared up into the sky. She had missed him and she was happy that she had chosen to come! His fears had been for nothing, she still felt something for him!
The happiness that spread within was so powerful that he didn't even feel gloomy when he turned to walk up the hill and saw his father's statue looking out over Berk. Instead, Hiccup only heard her words repeating in his mind while he could still feel her cold lips against his cheek.
He would tell her about his father, he thought as he looked at his father's statue. Seeing it now he suddenly wondered what his dad would've thought about Elsa, would he have liked her? Hiccup thought he would've actually.
But, despite the fact Elsa still felt something for him and that she had missed him, Hiccup knew he couldn't allow himself to hope for too much. There was still the problem of them being leaders of different countries and, of course, that he hadn't told her the whole truth about his past. However, he now, more than ever, felt that if anyone could ever understand his burden, it was her and if he could ever find a solution to their problem, it would be with her.
It had, somehow, become only her.
Feeling a nudge in the side, Hiccup realized he had stopped and was standing still on the trail with a goofy smile on his face. Looking down at Toothless, who gave him a smug look, Hiccup, for once, only laughed.
"Are you jealous?" He asked his dragon who simply rolled his eyes and smacked a little with his mouth. "You got a hug bud, I didn't get that." Hiccup answered, Toothless sending him a tired look before hitting Hiccup in the head with his tail, clearly telling his rider that he wouldn't have gotten a kiss either if not Elsa had initiated it. "I don't want to push her." Hiccup answered irritated, knowing that he had wanted to kiss her, but it hadn't felt right because of Astrid and because he was still hiding a part of himself from her.
As a response, Toothless rolled his eyes and turned back towards the house that Elsa was staying in and began walking towards it. Hiccup didn't doubt at all that his dragon was about to wake her up to do cause trouble, so he threw his arms around Toothless' neck to stop him.
"If I ask her to come see the babies with us and Fishlegs tomorrow will you drop this?" Hiccup asked him, Toothless just glaring at him in response to tell him he had to offer something better. "Fine! I'll see if I can make sure it's just the three of us. Though Sharpshoot will most likely join." Hiccup said tiredly.
Toothless considered this for a moment before he looked a little pleased and, easily breaking free from Hiccup's hold, began walking up towards their own home once again.
"Stupid meddling lizard." Hiccup muttered after him, wondering why everyone was suddenly so set on interfering with his personal life. First his mother, then Gobber and now Toothless. The only thing missing was that Fishlegs started interfering as well.
"They sure are different people these Vikings, so much less refined then the people at home. Really I feel a bit like an outsider. I was so glad to be escorted by Kai and Robert this morning when I went to get your majesty's breakfast or I don't know if I would've dared to enter the Great Hall this morning."
Hearing Brigitte wait for a response, Elsa only hummed a little, but it was enough for the older woman to keep on talking while she continued braiding Elsa's hair. In truth Elsa was far away in her thoughts, thinking about the night before. She had barely slept all night since her thoughts and emotions had kept her awake, constantly reminding her about Hiccup's warm presence and that he had missed her as well.
A knock on the door downstairs caused Brigitte to stop braiding her hair as she frowned slightly while it brought Elsa out of her thoughts.
"Who on earth comes here this early in the morning?" Brigitte asked out load before telling Elsa she would soon be back. The moment her lady's maid left the room however, Elsa quickly finished the braid herself and threw on a cloak over her pale blue dress before she rushed down the stairs to the lower floor of the house, hoping that it was Hiccup who had come to call on her.
"I'll tell her that you're here, Chief Haddock." Elsa heard Brigitte say when she reached the bottom floor and looking towards the doorway, Elsa saw that it indeed was Hiccup who was standing in front of Brigitte. Feeling her heart beat a little faster Elsa composed herself, hiding her excitement, as she walked up to them.
"That won't be needed Brigitte, but thank you." Elsa told her lady's maid when she reached them, Brigitte looking a little surprised to see her down so quickly but she said nothing about it. Only giving Hiccup a curios look, Brigitte nodded her head to Elsa before she walked back upstairs to continue her work.
"So, what brings the Chief himself here so early in the morning?" Elsa asked Hiccup when Brigitte had disappeared from hearing-distance, Hiccup giving her a pointed look.
"If you're going back to using my title I must warn you that I'll send someone else to show you around the Village for I'll tire of hearing it." He answered, Elsa smiling at him.
"The horror, I will just have to do as you say then Chief Haddock." She replied, Hiccup glaring slightly at her as she chuckled. "I just have to see if Kai wants to come with…" Elsa began, but she was interrupted when Toothless, who had been standing next to Hiccup, leaned forward and grabbed a hold of the hem of her dress, looking up at her with huge eyes as he pulled at it slightly.
"Toothless wants to show you the dragon's nest as well, it can be good to know since I don't think Kai will appreciate that part of the tour very much." Hiccup explained to her and Elsa sent him a long look, wondering if she would call on her captain anyway. However, Kai was afraid of dragons and, to be honest, she didn't really want him to come with them so he could constantly keep an eye on them.
"I don't think so either, it would only bring him distress which is very unnecessary." Elsa therefore answered, making her decision as she quickly snuck out the door and followed Hiccup and Toothless into the village, Toothless walking strategically between them.
While Hiccup showed her around Berk, they fell into their usual easy conversation as he told her about the Village and its history while showing her everything from the arena to the blacksmith where they met Gobber who was completing the last of Snotlout's new axe. Walking around Berk though, Elsa couldn't help to notice how extremely different it was from Arendelle.
The houses were all built out of wood and, while they at first glance looked simple, they were all decorated with runes and small sculptures of dragons that should keep evil forces away. It was also clear that life here was simpler for, even though the wedding was about to start in only a few hours, children were running around freely while a couple of mothers helped each other to keep an eye on them. As they walked around, the Vikings they met were never afraid to approach them. Often they greeted Hiccup by name while he did the same, and there was a familiarity between them that she didn't have with her own people.
In a way it made her sad, but Elsa also knew that Arendelle's since population was so much larger it would be impossible for her to rule her land much differently than she already did.
But, while the Vikings were relaxed around Hiccup, it was very clear she made them very nervous. The Vikings all greeted her when they approached them, but while some of them shook her hand, others bowed to her many times while they stammered out a greeting. Hiccup however handled it all very well, watching their first attempts with humor before he broke in with a joke or a pat on the back that eased the tension and caused his people to relax.
Watching him interact with his them, Elsa got confirmed that he, just like her, was a master at adapting to his environment. In Arendelle he had been the one who had blended in with her people the best, but, seeing him now, it was clear this was where he mostly belonged, for, even if she could see that he wasn't the epitome of the classical Viking, this was his people.
For in each man, or woman, who came up and talked to them, Elsa could clearly see the deep respect and loyalty they felt towards their Chief. They trusted him and she felt that he was even more of a leader than had ever been to her own people. The Vikings had chosen him, that was very clear, but it also made her wonder if they therefore could ever accept another by his side? Especially if she was not from this world and would refuse to give up her life elsewhere?
Having met the Berkians, Elsa no longer held any doubt that Hiccup could fit into, and rule, both of their worlds. What she had started to doubt though was if she could do the same when she so clearly made the Vikings uncomfortable?
She was so lost in her thoughts that she only came back to reality when Toothless suddenly left his place between them and flew up into the air, leaving her and Hiccup alone just as they left the Village and headed into the forest.
"He is just going ahead of us." Hiccup told her when she sent him a questioning look, Elsa nodding in response as she realized this was the first time they had been fully alone since she had arrived at Berk.
"So what does this dragon nest look like?" Elsa asked, not wanting to think too much about the fact that she wanted Hiccup to reach out and touch her.
"If I told you it would ruin the surprise." He only answered with a smile, which caused Elsa huff.
"I don't like surprises very much as you know." Elsa told him, but when he only stayed silent she sighed, knowing he would never tell her. "Fine, if you won't answer then perhaps you can at least tell me why everyone back in the Village was staring at me as if they have never seen a human before?" She asked.
At her words Hiccup suddenly looked extremely uncomfortable, looking away from her for a moment as he seemed to ponder on how he should answer.
"It might be so that Fishlegs have told them everything about you, including everything about your power. Before you arrived however, no one really believed him much since he as a tendency to exaggerate. After seeing you yesterday though, they do believe him and they kind of think you have been touched by the Gods." He told her, looking even more uncomfortable when Elsa only stared at him, feeling extremely confused.
"What?" She managed to get out, Hiccup's expression turning slightly apologetic expression.
"They think you were blessed at birth by the Gods and that you, your power and your beauty, is a gift from them to this realm." He clarified, Elsa trying to process what he had just told her. Her power had been seen as a curse her whole life, not a blessing, and even though she had come to accept it fully now, it was strange to think anyone saw the whole of her a gift.
"That's… something." She finally said, not really what else to say. However a feeling of dreed suddenly filled her when a new thought entered her mind. "And what do you think? Do you believe the same?" Elsa asked Hiccup, feeling how her fear that his acceptance for her power would come from the same belief as his people was taking root within. What if all of his feelings for her in reality come from the thought that she was not human at all, but a something created by his Gods?
At the mere thought, Elsa felt how her heart began to ache with pain and she felt the panic rise within. The feelings soon died down though when Hiccup, who had seen the distress and fear in her eyes, placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her towards him so they stood still and he could look into her eyes.
"The thought had never entered my mind before it was spoken last night. I don't know where your power comes from and I don't care. Your power is a part of you, it makes you the person you are, and that's all I need to know." He answered, nothing but honesty in his eyes and looking into them Elsa felt the last of her fear die away as she was filled with warmth instead. "As for your beauty…" He continued, trailing off as his eyes took in her face with adoring eyes, causing Elsa's breath to catch in her throat. "It's like nothing I've seen before." He ended, offering his hand to her.
Without any hesitation, she gladly accepted it, his warmth closing around her. As they kept on walking in silence, Elsa knew that her cheeks were no longer only red from the cold and that the warmth within came from the feelings she felt for the man next to her.
Just walking next to each other, connected by a very innocent act, they both felt a sense of belonging that fill them. But then the woods started to open and they had to let go of each other. The feeling, however, lingering.
At least it did until Elsa saw what lay before them.
"Dear God." She whispered and she heard Hiccup chuckle at her stunned face, but she didn't care as she took in what lay before her.
They had reached the foot of the mountain and into the mountainside huge caves had been carved out. This however wasn't what caused her reaction, it was the huge amount of dragons in various colors, races and sizes that flooded the place. She had never in her wildest imagination thought she would see so many dragons in one place, or so many at all for that matter.
"This nest is smaller than that of the last Alpha, but it's still fairly large." Hiccup told her as Toothless came over to them with a proud look on his face.
"Fairly large?" Elsa asked with disbelief, looking up at Hiccup who smiled at her while a deep chuckle was heard from behind her. Turning around, Elsa saw a huge Viking who looked down at her kindly but nervously as he didn't meet her eyes.
"Queen." He greeted her with a nod before he turned to Hiccup. "Chief, I know you're busy, but if we could just be allowed to ask you a few things?" He asked, Hiccup nodding to him as the man gave her one last look before he turned to walk back to the few houses that stood near the edge of the forest.
"We have a few people who live out here to keep an eye on everything. I will have to see what they want, but I won't be long. Just stay with Toothless, as long as you're with him there is nothing to worry about. He has something he wants to show you as well." Hiccup told her, Elsa seeing that he had already entered his role as Chief, before he walked after the Viking.
Looking after him, Elsa then turned to Toothless who was looking at her with excitement.
"If you leave me for a second I'll never forgive you." Elsa told him and as a response Toothless only gave her look that clearly told her to stop being silly before he walked towards the cave. Not wanting to be left alone, Elsa followed him quickly as she felt nervous that she would meet wild dragons that had never been trained by, or lived with, humans.
But as they walked among the dragons, they only looked up to give her a short glance before they lost all interest in her and turned back to do what they did before. Feeling herself relax slightly, Elsa felt herself become curios about what Toothless could possibly want to show her and it wasn't until they reached the opening to one caves she found out what is was.
Staring mesmerized at the scene in front of her, Elsa took in the sight of countless tiny baby dragons of different colors and species. Looking at them frozen, Toothless finally nudged her carefully in the side and gestured with his head that she could approach them.
"Are you sure?" She asked him, feeling a little worried that their mothers would become angry. At her question though, Toothless only rolled his eyes before growling slightly which caused the baby dragons to look up at them with huge, curios eyes. For a moment they all only stared at her before a small baby Gronckle took the first step and, carefully, walked over to her since his wings were still unable to carry him.
Sitting down on the ground as he approached, Elsa reached out her hand to him and she smiled when the baby sniffed at it carefully before he jumped up into her lap. Seeing that she wasn't dangerous, Elsa was soon surrounded by a small army of baby dragons who were all trying to get her attention.
Laughing at them, Elsa recalled how Hiccup had told her that dragons were easily distracted by everything that glowed and, so she wouldn't drown in tiny dragons, she allowed a glittering snowflake to appear in the air. Seeing it, the baby dragons all stared at it in wonder before they started chasing it around. Laughing at their antics Elsa had soon conjured up about a dozen snowflakes that she moved through the air.
She had so much fun with the baby dragons that she lost track off time, she didn't even notice how their mothers looked at her with gratitude for freeing them of the tiny dragons for a moment. But when small baby Gronckle, the one that had first approached her, misjudged the distance at a jump and fell pretty badly to the ground, Elsa forgot all about the game as she reached out and picked it up so she could make sure it was alright.
"They're built to handle much more than a tiny fall." She was a little startled at hearing Hiccup's voice close behind her and when she turned around she could see that he was standing behind her, looking down at her with amusement.
"But he landed pretty badly and he is so small." Elsa replied with worry, Hiccup smiling at her as he sat down next to her, the small Gronckle in her lap already seemingly unfazed by his fall as he looked at them with curios eyes.
"First of all he is a she." Hiccup told her. "And if you want to check for injuries you can't be so careful, dragons are though creatures even when they're only babies." He said.
"But what if I hurt her?" Elsa answered, Hiccup sending her a pointed look before he did something that made her go rigid. He moved closer to her so he could reach around her and place his hands over her own.
"You won't, now just do as I show you." He said before he guided her hands and told her what they were doing as they checked the small dragon in her lap for any injuries.
At his close contact, Elsa felt how she could barely breathe and even less focus on what he was saying. Her mind was a racing while all she was aware of was his warmth around her and the way his warm breath tickled her cheek. When he finally drew back, Elsa could feel how her cheeks were embarrassingly red while all she wanted was that the shouting voice inside her, that was already missing the warm cocoon Hiccup had created around her, would shut up.
"So, are you feeling certain she is okay now?" Hiccup asked her kindly, but when Elsa looked at him she could see a slightly smug look in his eyes face as he took in her flushed state. Staring at him, Elsa felt how a mix of excitement and irritation spread within as she realized Hiccup had known exactly how she would react to him. He had done it on purpose! Strangely enough, Elsa felt the embarrassment die away as she felt the need for some sort of revenge.
"I do." Elsa therefore replied in a low voice, letting the small Gronckle go as she smiled warmly at him and leaned over so she so close to him their noses almost touched. "You know; I really want to thank the one who came up with the idea of showing me this." She said, seeing how he looked at her with slightly confused eyes. Giving him one last smile, she then turned to Toothless and gave him a kiss on the muzzle before she rose.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I think I have to return so I will be ready in time for the wedding." Elsa said, doing her best not to laugh at Hiccup's stunned expression, a feeling of power spreading through her as she turned to walk away before looking back at him. "And thank you for the tour Hiccup." She added, walking away with a smile on her face.
Staring after her, Hiccup turned to Toothless with a glare when his dragon sent him a smug look.
"Shut up." Hiccup muttered, Toothless only chuckling when his rider sighed deeply and lay down on the ground to stare up at the sky with a smile on his face.
Fluff, flitring and swirling emotions! I think that means some less favorable emotions need to enter now, don't you agree?
Until next time my dear readers!
/Lysistrate