Chapter 16

4 days had passed since the Sisters of Arendelle, the Dragon Riders of Berk and the Allied Kingdoms had obliterated the Berserker clan. And yet Elsa felt that had been an easy task compared to preparing for the victory ceremony and ball. So many worthy men, so many honors to mention, so many medals to award. But her mind was stuck on 6 individuals whom she hoped would be there to receive their honors. Hiccup had said they would, but she knew plans can easily change when so many depend on you. Still, she kept hope alive as she went over her honors list. Until the sound of her door opening broke her concentration.

"Haven't you memorized that list yet?" Anna jested.

"Oooh! If I see one more new honor name, everyone's getting ice cubes!" Elsa joked. "How's the arm doing?"

Anna flexed her arm. "All better! Except for the burn. But Doc wants me to keep it uncovered for a while to let it heal better."

"It looks nasty." Elsa commented. "Does it still hurt?"

"A little. But nothing I can't manage."

"You're just happy about the scar it's gonna leave." Elsa quipped, "I swear you've become more viking than you think."

"Um..About that. "Anna asked, "Have you given any more thought about joining the Hooligans?"

Elsa smiled. "Actually I have. And as appealing as it would be, I think we're best to stay where we are."

"Are you sure?" Anna asked her. "It seemed like such a good idea at the time."

"Yes it did. And it still does." Elsa explained. "But the fact is that Berk already has the Dragon Riders to protect it. You and I are all Arendelle has. What would happen if we left?"

Anna thought for a moment. "Hmm. I hadn't thought of that."

"And could you really walk away from Kristoff? Let's be honest. He's tough, but he wouldn't last 5 minutes as a viking." Elsa added.

Anna put her hands to her cheeks. "OOOH! I can't believe I didn't consider that! He's way too sensitive for the viking life. And I couldn't just leave him behind!"

"Exactly!" Elsa stated. "And as much as I'd love to toss my crown again and go live in the wilds, in my heart I know I can't abandon Arendelle. We have our place in this world. And it's right here where we're needed."

Anna slumped her shoulders. "You're right. But I was looking forward to seeing Berk again."

"You will." Elsa giggled. "I don't think Stoick will mind us coming to visit now and then. Besides, where else will our battle scars be so appreciated?"

Both girls broke out laughing.

A few hours later Elsa and Anna stood before the delegates and captains of the Allied Kingdoms in the main ballroom. The time Elsa had been dreading had arrived. The victory ceremony. Now she had the honor of bestowing medals on the men who deserved recognition for their contributions to the success of the North Sea Campaign. And there were so MANY that did.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Allied Kingdoms, welcome to Arendelle." She began. "7 days ago we all banded together with a common goal. To free the North Sea from the tyranny of the infamous Dagur the Deranged, the leader of a clan of fierce viking warriors known as the Berserkers. This clan of renegades was hijacking trade ships from all of the allied kingdoms and adding them to their armada. We, with the assistance of the Dragon Riders of Berk, sought out the lunatic viking. And by working together we sent his powerful dragon fleeing into the sunset and his thousand ship armada to the bottom of the North Sea, with minimal damage and zero loss to our own fleet!"

The crowd cheered loudly.

"Yes everyone! We have great reason to rejoice this day. And we shall, I promise. But first there are many noble warriors who have earned special recognition for their efforts. When Director Kristoff calls your name, please step forward."

One by one, Kristoff called the names of the distinguished, Anna handed them a commendation or pinned a medal on them and Elsa offered Arendelles thanks.

For 3 hours straight. Kristoffs voice was starting to crack. Annas fingers were starting to callous from the constant medal pins sticking her. And Elsa had repeated 'Arendelle thanks you for your outstanding service' so many times that it was now coming out automatically. Elsa and Anna both saw Kristoff turn the last page on his list and breathed a quick sigh. Almost done. But between awards Elsa kept looking towards a small box of medals she had commissioned herself. She had hoped the warriors she made them for would be here, but Kristoff had made no mention of them to her or Anna.

Finally Kristoff announced to Elsa and Anna, "That completes the list, your majesties."

Elsa stepped back to the podium and began to speak, but a familiar booming voice rose from the crowd. "HOLD PLEASE, YOUR MAJESTY!"

As Elsa and Anna watched, the crowd parted in the center of the room, revealing the massive form of the aptly named Stoick the Vast. The sisters fought to contain their pleasure as he made his way down the aisle, stopping and bowing in front of them.

"Your majesties," he said elegantly, "my apologies for our tardiness. I'm afraid it has taken my people a little longer to prepare than expected."

"Prepare?" Anna asked

Stoick winked at Kristoff, who returned with a thumbs up sign. "Your graces, see for yourself."

At Kristoffs signal, the valet opened the doors and called out.

"MASTER HICCUP HORRENDOUS HADDOCK III AND LADY ASTRID HOFFERSON OF BERK!"

All eyes, including the Sisters, went wide as Hiccup and Astrid entered the room. Hiccup was dressed in a burgundy suitcoat with gold adornments, black pants and, to Elsa and Annas surprise, 2 mirror shined boots. And on his arm was Astrid. Her hair was styled up, showing diamond stud earrings and an ornate diamond necklace, and she wore an elegant deep green strapless ball gown that went to the floor, revealing only hints of her gold high heel shoes. As they walked down the aisle towards the queen and princess they held their heads high, maintaining a regal form to rival any nobleman. At the front of the room they took their place to one side. Then the valet called out again.

"MASTER SNOTLOUT JORGENSON OF BERK!"

Snotlout strutted in, sporting a similar outfit to Hiccups, but in a deep purple. And his normally scuffed hair was neatly coiffed and tied back in a ponytail. He too made his way to the front in complete regal style.

"MASTER TUFFNUT THORSTON, AND HIS SISTER, LADY RUFFNUT THORSTON OF BERK!"

Tuffnut was wearing a royal blue suit like the others, his hair also neat and tied in a ponytail. Ruffnuts hair was styled so that it hung neatly down her back, and her flowing yellow ball gown glittered with sequins as they walked.

"MASTER FISHLEGS INGRAM OF BERK!"

Fishlegs had a unique body form, making traditional attire rather difficult. Even so, the ruby red gold adorned tunic, black pants, shined dress shoes and neatly coiffed hair made him seem far more nobleman than viking. But he still couldn't hide his shyness as he walked to the front.

With all the Riders now standing before the podium, they all bowed and in unison said, "Your Majesties!"

Elsa and Anna were completely amazed. Could these really be the same brash people they had come to know and love? They wanted so much to compliment the Riders on their incredible transformation. But now was not the time.

"Dragon Riders of Berk," Elsa began, "In recognition of your fine service to the kingdom of Arendelle and its allies, it is my honor to bestow upon you Arendelles highest honor. The Star of Arendelle."

As Elsa stood at the podium, Anna moved from one to the next, pinning the medals to their outfits. As she did, she fought herself to keep protocol and not engage them in conversation. Luckily for Anna, 'Thank you, your highness' was all they said to her. After she pinned the medal on Fishlegs, she retook her place beside Elsa.

"Dragon Riders of Berk," Elsa announced smiling, "Arendelle thanks you for your outstanding service!"

The room erupted in cheers and applause. But Elsa raised her hands and the room silenced.

"The Riders of Berk have also earned another honor. When this campaign was first conceived, we knew nothing of vikings beyond rumor and hearsay. We asked Berk for information, and Berk sent us these fine people."

She looked to the Riders.

"Riders. When this battle was being planned, the alliance initially wanted to leave the whole thing on Princess Anna and myself. But even though Berk wasn't a member of the alliance, you stood beside us. This is a gesture that neither of us will ever forget. And for the record, Queen Elsa and Princess Anna of Arendelle are proud to identify the Dragon Riders of Berk as good friends."

More cheering from the room. Elsa nodded to Anna, who then picked up the small box beside her and opened it. Contained within were 6 diamond encrusted snowflake shaped medals.

"The newly commissioned Queens Snowflake medal is presented to those who earn the queens personal gratitude in the performance of their service. And it is my great pleasure to personally award these honors to the Dragon Riders of Berk!"

The Riders stood proudly as Elsa approached each one, pinned the medal to their outfit and kissed their cheek. Which went well until Elsa got to Fishlegs. When Elsa kissed his cheek, the soft hearted viking fainted. The room went dead silent.

Then Anna joked aloud, "This is why you're still single, Elsa. You're too hard on men!"

Everyone, noble and viking alike, broke out in uncontrolled laughter.