Chapter 2

4 days had passed since Trader Johann had left Arendelle with a royal message for Berk. And each day Elsa watched the port for Johanns tiny ship. The situation with supplies in Arendelle was becoming serious. There was no shortage of fish and meat. But many other commodities that the townspeople depended on were running low. In the palace courtroom, Elsa, Anna and Kristoff worked hard to find other sources but it was clear there was only one solution. To free the trade route of these viking pirates.

"AARGH!" Elsa yelled, "This is so aggravating! I never realized just how much Arendelle depended on outside trade."

Anna agreed. "I know. Even our diamond supply is no help if the goods can't get to us. It almost looks like this is all some sort of plot against Arendelle."

"You don't think Weselton's part of this, do you?" Kristoff mentioned.

"No chance of that," Elsa replied. "King Gregor values our new trade contract too much to risk losing it like this."

Anna commented, "We've been beating on this for 5 hours now. Maybe we need to walk away from this for a while. Clear our heads."

"That's a great idea." Elsa replied. "I could use some fresh air. My head is killing me."

With all in agreement, Elsa, Anna and Kristoff went out to the courtyard for a break.

Even though fall was on its way, the day was still warm and comfortable. The sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. Elsa sat on a bench, eyes closed, enjoying the suns warmth on her face. Anna sat in the grass, cuddled up to Kristoff, snoring. Kristoff just sat, looking out over the beauty of the courtyard. It was hard to believe there was so much trouble in Arendelle when looking at such a sight.

Reality came crashing back in.

"MONSTERS!" someone screamed. Instantly Elsa, Anna and Kristoff were on their feet, looking for..."What are we looking for?" Kristoff exclaimed.

"THERE!" Elsa called out, pointing to the sky. Sure enough, there were 5 frighteningly unusual creatures flying high above, and circling down towards them. Elsa and Anna braced themselves, ready to defend against whatever these creatures were.

"Anna, don't fire till I say so, but be ready. Just because they haven't attacked yet doesn't necessarily mean they won't." Anna nodded in reply. The 5 winged beasts circled around before passing over the courtyard wall and, one by one, touching down just in front of the queen and princess.

They were the oddest creatures Elsa and Anna had ever seen. One was completely black, resembling something straight out of a nightmare. Another looked like a giant, spike covered chicken. Another was green with 2 heads. The next one looked like a big pile of boulders with wings. And the last defied description, other than to say it was red. But one point that they all had in common stood out the most. There were people on their backs.

Anna and Elsa pointed their open palms toward the beasts, angry but determined looks on their faces. Kristoff could only stand to one side and watch as his fiancé went eye to eye with whatever these things were.

"Well. This is a warm welcome." One of the riders quipped sarcastically.

The rider of the black beast jumped down, removed his helmet and cautiously walked towards Elsa. She raised her hands in response, yelling "IDENTIFY YOURSELF!"

"My name is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, leader of the Dragon Riders of Berk! We come in peace!"

"BERK!?" Anna exclaimed, "Then you are Berks reply to Arendelles message?"

A second rider walked over, this one female. "That's right! I'm Astrid. We figured if you were going to try and fight vikings, then you'd need all the help you could get."

Elsa and Anna looked to each other, then lowered their hands.

"I am Queen Elsa of Arendelle, and this is my sister Princess Anna. Allow me to apologize for our rather poor response to your arrival. We've never seen such creatures before."

"No problem," Hiccup replied. "Happens all the time." He waved his hand and the remaining riders came over.

"You've met Astrid. This is Fishlegs, the twins Ruffnutt and Tuffnutt and.."

"And I am Snotlout the Great! Your grace." Snotlout proclaimed, kissing Elsas hand.

"Um...A pleasure." Elsa nervously replied.

Hiccup and Astrid gave a frustrated groan. Then Astrid grabbed Snotlouts shoulder and forcefully pulled him away from the queen.

Anna whispered to Elsa. "What have I gotten us into? These people are NUTS!"

"Manners, Anna." Elsa whispered back. "They're simply an unusual people."

"OH, WOW! WHAT ARE THESE?!"

Everyone's attention turned to the snowman running across the courtyard towards them.

"Perfect timing as usual, Olaf." Elsa smiled. "These are the Dragon Riders of Berk. Hiccup, this is Olaf, our royal advisor." Olaf shook Hiccups hand.

Astrid whispered to Fishlegs, "Their royal advisor is a snowman?"

"They are an unusual people." Fishlegs whispered back.

Anna waved Kristoff over. "And this is our Royal Commodities Director Kristoff. Anything to do with trade in Arendelle, he's the man to see. Kristoff, this is Hiccup. Leader of the Dragon Riders." Kristoff shook Hiccups hand firmly.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." He said pleasantly.

"Please, Director. Just Hiccup will be fine." Hiccup asked. Kristoff nodded.

"Well, "Elsa announced, "Now that the introductions are complete, may I offer you and your people some lunch?"

Hiccup smiled brightly. "That would be great. Could we trouble you for some fish for our dragons as well?"

Elsa waved her hand and an attendant appeared from seemingly out of nowhere. "See that our new friends' dragons are fed and watered." She turned to Hiccup. "Will one bushel of fish each be enough?"

"More than enough, your majesty." He replied happily.

As the nervous attendant left to fulfill the queens orders, Anna asked Astrid, "Your dragons won't eat our attendant, will they?"

Astrid giggled, "No. They don't bite the hand that feeds them. Usually."

Anna cringed nervously.