Chapter 4

Decision

Tobias sat across from the nervous Ulfric, His face emotionless as he stared at the fidgeting Viking King.

"So please explain to me where this idea of your son marrying my daughter came from?" Tobias asked coolly.

The King gulped. "Five years ago I have heard rumors about two girls that have been giving slave traders, bandits and mercenaries trouble. At first I scoffed at the mere idea that two girls were causing this much trouble so I dismissed the rumors as nothing. Until one day two years later, one of my very own men has come in contact with them. He came to me and reported that all the rumors that I have been hearing were true as he had seen it for himself. My son and nephew had walked into the throne room and heard this they became intrigued. "

He released a sigh. "I have never seen my nephew take interest in any of the other women here and my son has always had a different maiden to satisfy his urges. But when I had seen the gleam in their eyes when they heard about two females doing these things I had thought finally my son would have a wife. For the next three years whenever he and Hunter heard about where they were last seen they would ride out hoping to catch them, But always missing them until about a few days ago when they finally caught up to them. When they were brought to me I believed that I had them but they were fiercer and proved me wrong, especially the one they call Ice Princess."

He shook his head. "I shouldn't have underestimated them. I believed that they had no one and that because I was King they would have to listen to me. After I stated that the Ice Princess and my son were engaged she put up a fight. I had thought she was being stubborn, unreasonable and had a nasty temper."

Tobias shook his head. "My youngest Christiana has the patients of a saint and is calm as water itself. But you and your son have pushed her too far with your plans and thoughts of the future. Any suitor that has come for their hand had a belief that they were meek, weak and very submissive. But they were proven wrong. No ordinary men can hope to ever tame my daughters. All your son and nephew, even you, have proven is to be just like all the others who came before."

"How?" He pleaded. "How can we make this work? Your daughter is the only chance I have at my son finally having a wife and I know you want your daughters to be happy too Tobias."

Tobias knew this was true. His one other daughter is spoiled, rotten, cruel and heartless. She has tried time and time again to get rid of him just to take his throne for herself. That girl would never make a good queen, but the girl never learns her lesson. She was nothing like his youngest daughters. They both were kind and gentle to others. They even help whenever they can. His People loved them. And he wished he could find appropriate suitors for both of them, Suitors that would understand what they had and cherish them and not take them for granted.

Tobias sighed at that. "The only way this has any chance of working is for your son and nephew to treat them as equals and not like some dim-witted princesses who only worry about their looks and nothing else. My daughters are warriors and have fought in many wars and protected our Kingdom from those who wished to concur it and slay our dragons. My youngest has tamed a dragon that many fear and would die upon facing it."

Tobias stared the King in the eye looking very serious. "Your son and nephew must understand that my daughters are not like other maidens they have met. They have strength; they have skill and are willing to use it if forced too."

The King nodded. "I will speak with them immediately."

"Good see that you do."

Tobias nodded then got up from his seat and head towards the door.

"Thank you."

Tobias stopped and turned to him slightly.

"Don't thank me yet. Should your son or nephew do or say anything wrong then this agreement is over." Tobias stated.

Ulfric nodded. "I understand."

Tobias nodded satisfied. "Good make sure you do."

With that said both men left the study and went in search of their children.

{…}

"WHAT?!"

Tobias flinched at his eldest daughters yell.

"What do you mean you've come to an agreement?"

Tobias sighed tiredly. "All I'm asking is give them a chance. It's just one year. If it doesn't work then you can leave and never come back here."

His daughters looked at him ready to refuse.

"Please…for me." He pleaded.

Sookie huffed. "Fine."

Tobias nodded in relief before looking at his youngest. "Christiana?"

The brunette huffed.

"Fine but if he so much as touches me wrong I'll gut him." Christen commented seriously.

Tobias chuckled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

He hugged them both tightly.

{..}

Eric and Hunter stood before the king wide eyed surprise written all over their faces.

"What do you mean he won't let us marry them?" Hunter asked his uncle.

Beside him his cousin looked just as angry as he was. Ulfric sighed tiredly.

"Tobias won't allow the union as long as his daughters are unwilling." The king stated.

"This is outrageous. He can't do this. I won't allow it." Eric roared angrily.

Ulfric snapped his head in his son's direction and glared at him. "You're not king yet Eric and that man will murder you if you so much as force it."

Eric growled.

Hunter looked worried. "Then what must we do uncle?"

The king released a sigh as he sat on his throne. "It's simple. You must treat them as your equals and not like those dim-witted maidens that are usually in your presence. These two are not like other maidens they are warriors. You both have witnessed their strength and skill. They are the only two I know that could and will stand up against you two and not back down."

Hunter and Eric reluctantly nodded.

"Also you must respect their dragons." The King added.

"Why? They are beasts that should know there place." Eric commented.

Ulfric frowned at his son. "That they should but aren't you a little bit curious as to what dragon Tobias's youngest daughter was able to tame."

This got the attention of both males as they turned their gazes to the king.

"You've seen the eldest's dragon the little fire-spitter." The King stated.

They nodded. They have seen the little white and pale blue dragon.

The king stood up from his throne and walked towards the throne doors. "Then follow me and see for yourselves.

The cousin's shared a look before following the king. It wasn't long before they came to a stop. They were outside on one of the stone balconies. It had the best view of the forest and a river.

The king nodded to the left. "Look over there."

They followed the king's direction. They found Tobias's eldest daughter with her dragon wrapped around her shoulders sitting in the shade of a few trees, smiling and laughing at her sister as she played in the water. However what shocked them the most was what was in the water with the youngest daughter splashing and chasing her around.

"Night Fury." Hunter spoke in disbelief.

The king nodded. "In all my years I've never seen nor heard of anyone being able to tame one. It makes you think what she could have done to earn its trust and loyalty."

His nephew nodded. But as for Eric it made him want the woman with the unique eyes more. He desired to have her, all of her. She was perfect. She was his equal in strength, power and skill. And to be able to tame the most deadliest dragon of all just made her more special. So with a smirk Eric came up with different plans as he watched his future wife have fun splashing the night fury.

{…}

The next morning saw both Christen and Sookie seeing their father off. It seemed that there half sister Clarissa, was up to her old tricks again. It seemed that in their father's absence she tried to take over the kingdom and execute anyone in her way.

"Do we really have to stay here?" Christen asked sadly.

Tobias sighed. "Yes my daughter. I know it may seem bad at first but maybe you'll learn to love it here."

Sookie scoffed. "I highly doubt it."

Tobias chuckled. "We will see. Take care you two. Please write and I'll see you both in a year."

"See yah soon, papa." Both chimed.

He gave them a small sad smile before getting upon his horse and galloping away. Both girls released sighs as they watched him get further and further away.

"So what do we do now?" Sookie asked.

Christen sighed as she wrapped her right arm around the blonde's shoulders. "For now we make the best of it."

It was silent between the two. They were broken out of their thoughts by someone clearing there throat. Both girls turned and stared at the entrance to the castle. There standing was Eric and Hunter looking smug. There smug looks had the girls narrowing their eyes.

"Eh, what are you so smug about, Ka sanka-mono no gaichū (peroxide pest)?" Christen asked with her eyebrow raised and her arms crossed.

Eric's smirk grew. "Nothing. Just that we'll have a whole year together getting to know one another before we marry that's all."

Sookie scowled at him. "What makes you so sure will even agree to marry you two?"

Hunter shrugged his shoulders his smirk growing. "You two won't be able to help it. You'll fall for us eventually."

Christen released a snort. "Don't count on it bub."

"Whatever you say." Eric commented.

Both he and his cousin turned and walked back inside leaving behind two frustrated young women. They huffed before crossing their arms.

"They are so sure of themselves aren't they, Sook?"

"That they sure are, Chris."

Both girls turned and faced the other.

"This is going to be a long year isn't?" Sookie asked.

"Yup."

They both released sighs before they began walking towards the castle.

"Let's go and face our fate." Christen spoke up.

Sookie nodded.

With that both girls entered the castle with the doors closing behind them. Where they will stay for a whole year.