[Chapter Twenty]
Preparations for the ball began late the next day, after Elsa and Astrid had a lovely simple morning together. Astrid asked Anna to help prepare for the ball—call on the attendants to decorate, prep the food, craft the announcements, figure out the music—and Anna was more than happy to oblige. They decided the ball would be held the next week, in the main hall of the castle, and yes, there would be a chocolate fountain.
The rest of the week passed in a blur of knowing smiles from Anna and Kristoff, mounting worry from Astrid concerning Hiccup and how he would react with the news of her new relationship, and growing anxiety from Elsa wondering if this was the right thing for her kingdom.
A week later and Elsa still worried. She strode up and down the hallway, just outside the dance hall. Music filtered through the crack in the door. Still, Elsa worried. Maybe using up a week's worth of resources wouldn't be the best bet. Maybe hosting a party was actually a bad idea. Maybe her people would be angry with her.
Gods, what if Hiccup didn't want to go through with their deal now that her and Astrid were seeing each other? It would not be the first time negotiations had gone sour because of relationships. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead and she waved her hand. A cold breeze froze and shattered the sweat away. Shattered the blush on her cheeks, too, the flush on her chest. The anxiety in her stomach.
One way to find out.
She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and threw open the doors.
Laughter slapped her like a hand to her face. Jarred her out of her worries. People bowed to her, curtsying and grinning. Drinking the mulled wine. Dipping bread into the chocolate fountain. Relaxing into each other as they danced on the floor. Having fun. As Elsa passed by, they thanked her for such a lovely night after the scare earlier that month. Thanked her for celebrating her sister once more. Thanked her for possibly finding a new city to share with them. Thanked her for bringing dragons into their lives, even. Thanked her for being a gracious queen. A good queen. No, a great one.
And finally, Elsa knew they spoke the truth. The knot that had twisted in her stomach since before even meeting Astrid untied itself. Her people knew she was doing her best. Knew she'd do anything to keep Arendelle being the shining gem of a kingdom it was. Knew she'd represent them in the best way possible.
They knew, and they believed in her. Elsa grinned. And she'd believe in herself, too.
She took in the ballroom. The entire room bathed in a gentle yellow glow from the chandelier. Tables of food and drinks lined one wall. Musicians played in the opposite corner. The hum of conversation nearly drowned out their playing but they didn't seem to mind. People milled about everywhere, gathered in groups by the food, chatting away by the floor-to-ceiling paintings. Couples swayed gracefully on the dance floor. Olaf took up another corner and entertained the children. Sharp laughter spiked through the air every now and then.
Orignally Elsa was looking for Anna and Kristoff, wanting to ask them when their first dance would be, but then she spotted Hiccup in the crowd, hanging out by the bowl of mulled wine and talking to Kristoff.
Now was the time to see if their deal was secure. Now was the time to see if all her hard work as delegator of Arendelle had paid off. Now was the time to be queen of this great city. She slipped through the crowd and put a hand gently on Kristoff's shoulder to ebb their conversation.
"Elsa!" Kristoff bowed. "You look stunning."
"Thank you, Kristoff, you're very kind." Elsa smiled. "Could I have a moment with Hiccup?"
Kristoff nodded. "But of course! I'll go find Anna."
He wandered away, and Hiccup and Elsa were alone. Or as alone as they could be with thousands of people milling around them, enjoying the event.
Hiccup leaned a little closer in order to be heard over the hum. "He was right, Elsa. You look gorgeous."
Elsa gave him a little bow. She'd chosen this outfit specifically, mainly for Astrid's benefits. Her white dress with blue trim hugged her curves, the necklace and earring set matched her eyes near perfect, and her crown sat lightly on a bed of soft wavy locks she hoped would be messy before the night's end. Still, she smiled. "As do you, Hiccup."
He did. Dressed in a fashionable white tunic that flowed to his elbows and knees, a cinched belt, dark pants, and equally dark boots, he looked like quite the handsome man. His blood-red cape drifted lightly around his shoulders and fell gracefully to the floor, completing the look.
"Thank you, Elsa." He gave a little cough and ran a hand through his hair, much like Astrid did when she was nervous.
Elsa's stomach clenched a little as she prepared to speak once more. Prepared to tell Hiccup about Astrid. About her feelings. Thoughts of the negotiations growing sour dashed through her mind. Her people believed in her. She had to believe in herself.
The words came out with a bit more fire than Elsa had originally intended. "I wanted to let you know that Astrid and I are seeing each other. I hope that doesn't hinder our negotiations in any way."
Hiccup took a step back, arms raised like he was trying to calm a dragon in front of him. A range of emotions filtered through Hiccup's face. Some she couldn't name. Others easily identifiable. Anger, maybe. Envy, possibly. Confusion, definitely. That's what he settled on. He rubbed his neck, straightened his cloak, and sniffed, all in the span of a heartbeat. As if he didn't know what to do with himself. Eyebrows knitted together, he cleared his throat. "You're…seeing each other?"
The pitch in his voice at the end made the confused statement into an equally confused question. Still, Elsa met it head on. "Yes, we're in love with each other and we hope to develop a lasting relationship. But I don't want that to sour the negations Arendelle has with Berk."
At that, Hiccup stilled, simply staring at her. Silence seemed to stretch between them, even as the music swelled. Hands twining into her dress, Elsa prepared herself for the worst.
Finally, he lifted his hand once more to her. An invitation. "Would you like to have this dance?"
The response shocked her so much she agreed, and soon they drifted back and forth on the floor, the others giving them a respectable, wide berth. One hand on the small of her back, the other cupping one of hers gently, Hiccup led them in a slow, simple dance. Elsa had placed her free hand on his shoulder, marveling at the softness of his cloak, and wondered if this was the type of dance they had on Berk. If so, she could get used to it.
After a few heartbeats, Hiccup met her eyes. His shimmered, with tears or because of the light, she didn't know. "Will you make her happy?"
"Yes," Elsa breathed.
Hiccup nodded. "Does she make you happy?"
"More than anything." Elsa swayed in his arms.
Hiccup tightened his hold on her for a moment. "And will you take care of her? Will you honor her? Will you protect her when she goes off and does something stupid?"
"Of course. As long as she'll have me. And she will do the same for me." Elsa grinned. "I'm sure of it."
The music dimmed, prepping to move onto the next song. Hiccup stepped away from her, breaking their contact and ending their dance a bit more abruptly than the norm. His eyes still glittered. A soft frown graced his thin lips. But he took a single, deep breath and said, "Then that is all I need to know. Our negotiations still stand. The paperwork is already signed and in your Council's hands." He looked past her and nodded. "And Astrid can serve as the ambassador between our two cities."
Elsa gasped. Ambassador? "Have you told her yet?"
Hiccup gave her a smile. "I'm about to. If you'll excuse me, Elsa."
He wove around her and that was it. The ballroom blurred around her, but Elsa grinned. Negotiations were still solid. She had just secured a new trading partner. A valuable one. And he seemed okay with their relationship, too. As good as he could seem, anyway.
Astrid wandered the ballroom, looking for Anna and Kristoff. This was their big night, after all. She wanted to know if there was anything she could do to help. To make it more special. But really, she wandered around because she figured if she stayed in the same spot, Hiccup would be able to spot her more easily. Not that she didn't want to talk to him, of course. She just didn't know what to say. Or, really, how to say it.
As if by magic, Hiccup appeared by her side, sweeping her into a dance move that curved wide before their bodies met once more. Astrid gasped and swore. She stared at her new dance partner. Much to her dismay, he looked sad. He tried to hide it behind a grin, but Astrid knew better.
"I take it Elsa's told you, then?" Astrid muttered.
Hiccup's smile grew wider. Faker. "Of course. I had hoped you would've told me that you found a new love first. But I'm happy for you."
"You're a terrible liar." Astrid clutched onto him as they spun faster to the upbeat music.
At that, Hiccup chuckled. A real chuckle. "Yes, I am. But I will be."
He spun her around and when they were face to face once more Astrid knew he was telling the truth. The dimple in his cheek. The glint in his eye. Yes, he would be happy for them. In due time. "Thank you, Hiccup. To be honest, though, I'm surprised you're taking this so well." She accentuated each word, making it clear she was talking about her newfound love for women.
Hiccup spun her around once more. "I knew far before you did that you swayed both directions."
Astrid felt her face grow cold. She must've made an odd expression because Hiccup gave a full-belly laugh. "It was one of the reasons we broke up. The Corona queen? You had your eye on her even before you snuck in to see her."
At that, Astrid laughed, too. She had been keen on the Corona queen, but she hadn't realized what her feelings had actually meant. "I'm glad I'm such an open book."
"Indeed," Hiccup whispered. I am happy for you, though."
"I know."
"I've made you ambassador between our two kingdoms. Berk and Arendelle. That way you can stay here, if you chose to, but you could also visit Berk as well."
Shock rippled down Astrid's spine. Ambassador? She didn't even know what that entailed. Still, she would get the best of both worlds. Here and Berk. "What…thank you for the honor. What does that mean, though?"
"You would travel between here and Berk, making sure our negotiations stay firm, our shipments get to their destinations. Our relations stay grounded. You could even put on some tours, leading people from Berk around Arendelle, and people from Arendelle around Berk. Stormfly would stay here, of course, and you could teach these folks how to ride them. I saw the huge white dragon on the way in. One of Elsa's creations, I guess?"
"Yes." Astrid's mind spun. She would get the best of both worlds, still be able to work for Berk but stay here in Arendelle. And Stormfly would stay here, too. And she'd still be working with dragons. Who knows what kinds of amazing dragons Elsa could create? It took her a moment to realize they had stopped dancing. Hiccup simply stood, holding her, giving her a soft, but truthful, smile. Astrid hugged him tight and grinned like a fool. "I accept! Thank you, Hiccup. I accept!"
She eyed Kristoff and Anna in the corner, playing with Icicle, and pulled Hiccup along toward them. Kristoff gave a small bow to Hiccup and Anna curtsied. That made Hiccup's smile broaden and he waved his hand at them. "No need for all that. We are in a partnership, after all. It would get too weird for everyone to be curtsying all the time. And isn't this your party, anyway?"
Anna drew in close, pulled Hiccup's hand up into hers, and said in a rush, "I'm so happy our kingdoms are working together. We have so many stories to tell each other. You have dragons! And I have a dragon, too. Two, if I count the big one my sister flew in last week." Then, she composed herself and turned to Kristoff. "But yes, this is our party. Our celebration. Astrid, do you mind if we take our official dance, now?"
"Allow me." Astrid smiled. She clapped her hands once. Twice. Three times and the room slowly fell silent. Conversation and music dimmed. "Everyone, please allow Kristoff and Anna to have their official dance. I promise I won't swoop in and ruin it this time."
There were a few chuckles and the floor emptied. An elegant melody started, and Kristoff pulled Anna into a dance. Their hands draped around shoulders or rested on waists. They exchanged soft whispers as they drifted around the floor. Gentle smiles. A kiss, or two. Romance at it's finest.
Astrid sighed and tore her eyes from the lovebirds, a familiar kick in her stomach, wanting to find Elsa. Suddenly, the music changed, grew a bit faster, not a lovebird dance. A dance of excitement. And Elsa appeared beside Kristoff's shoulder, tapped him twice, and pulled her sister into away from him (much to the laughter of the crowd). Kristoff bowed and pulled another woman into the dance instead. Soon, the floor filled with couples. Hiccup had even joined, hand in hand with a pretty redhead.
Astrid hung back, content to watch, happiness infusing her every being. Waiting for her turn to dance with the queen.
Elsa tightened her hold on her sister's hand and spun her around and around, twisting, too, as they danced. A flurry of arms and legs. Dancing like they did when they were children. Dancing like they did when the long winter had ended. Dancing like they did, as sisters.
When Anna grasped onto Elsa's forearm, the ring on her finger caught the light, forcing Elsa to look at it. Stare at it. Consider it, and all that it meant. Yes, her sister was getting married. Yes, her sister might leave the castle and live in some remote cabin with Kristoff. Yes, she might even create a family of her own. But that didn't diminish the relationship they had as sisters. It never could. And in that moment, Elsa realized that no matter what happened, that bond would always remain. Regardless of how far she went or how she tightened her hold with Kristoff, they were sisters. Blood. Best friends.
Anna squealed, calling her attention once more. Joy etched into every line in Anna's face, light-blue eyes sparkling, grinning so broadly Elsa wondered if it hurt. Then she realized she must look the same. Not as a queen. Not even as an elegant, regal, woman. As a sister, happy to be with her other half.
When the song ended, Anna hugged her tight and pushed her toward Astrid, muttering a simple, "Go get her, sis." Anna winked, and Elsa shook her head. Truthfully, she had been looking forward to dancing with Astrid the whole night.
Spotting her was like spotting the sun. A glow emanated from her. Her simple green dress sank past her ankles and flowed like water as she swayed gently on the spot, hiding the curves Elsa knew were there. The grin on Astrid's face sent chills through Elsa's body that had nothing to do with her magic.
The crowd drew away from them, some with wide eyes, others nodding and grinning behind their hands. Elsa didn't care. She knew her kingdom would respect her decision. Knew they would stand behind her. Her stomach still tightened with anticipation, not because of the crowd, but because she knew how it would feel to dance with Astrid.
She lifted her hand. "May I have this dance?"
Astrid pulled Elsa into her and whispered, "Always."
And they danced. They swayed in that spot longer than anyone else. Long after the crowd had left. Long after the music faded. Long after the lights had dimmed. And they danced again when Astrid officially moved to Arendelle and became ambassador to their two kingdoms. And they again when Arendelle became an even brighter gem and Berk shimmered, too. And again when she finally went to see Berk for the first time and met all of Astrid's friends. And again when Anna and Kristoff got married. And again when Elsa asked Astrid to marry her. And again when they, too, tied the knot. They danced long after the night came and went. Long after the winter drew the curtains back for summer. Long after they grew old.
They danced. And they were happy together and in love.
[The End.]
SQ: Well? How'd you like the ending? I was working on it for a while. I hope you liked it...let me know in the comments!
Also: Finding Hekate is officially in a bunch of online venues (Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Bella Books, etc.) and on the shelf in Powell's! If you like what you've read here, give it a try! You can find the link to it in my profile.
Thank you to everyone who stuck with me all this time! Until the next story!
Warm regards,
SerenityQuill