The Snow Queen and the Nephew: A family Secret
On the island of Berk spring was the time when life was returning to life and everyone doing the things one could not do during winter time, in the past however it was the problem that this was also the time when the Dragons were returning to do raiding, that was of course in the past, it was not the case now with them living with them and helping around. It was also the fastest way to travel, such was in the case of Hiccup the son of the chief, who just recently returned from a visit from Arandelle where he visited his aunts Queen Elsa who is also the Snow Queen and Anna the Princess of Arandelle. Despite knowing them for a short period of time since he visited them the first time he could not help himself but to deeply care for them at heart. And so do them, Anna of course was very happy to see her distant Viking nephew who had grown up a bit not much since his first visit from a year and a half ago. When he returned to Berk he was given a crate with 6 bottle of wine to celebrate an Arandelle celebration when the castle was built.
"It is great the two gave you those bottles, we will surely enjoy this evening." Gobber the blacksmith Viking said as he took the crate to get them inside the house of the chief.
"Anna and Elsa wanted for me to celebrate the event with the others here. They consider any celebration should be among close people, especially Anna." Hiccup said as he lead his dragon Toothless to his house.
"He-he, she surely inherited her kindness from her mother and father." Said Stoic the Vast, the very large, muscular chief of the Hooligan tribe, with a smile to the memory of their mother and father.
"I believe the celebrations there were also nice."
"They were, I had to wear an Arandelle style suite also." He started before making an awkward face "not the best part for me." He murmured. "But one can't deny the castle is not a wonderful place to look and live in. King Runard really had taste." Hiccup said.
"In some cases, but after what he did, not so much." Stoic said with gloom and bitterness in his voice as they entered inside where a fire was lit, dinner been prepared. However the food was the last thing Hiccup now thought about after hearing the voice his father had when he mentioned the king.
"What do you mean by that?" Hiccup asked as he took a seat but Stoic only took a metal shovel to go though the hot embers his face now saddened.
"Ooh it's not quite the best of events what happened." Gobber started as he place the crate near as Hiccup turned to the father.
"What happened?" Hiccup asked as Stoic looked at his son now with a melancholic look.
"Did they told you what happened to king Runard?"
"They told me, that he was their grandfather and he died during a fight."
"A fight, of his own making that brought his downfall." Stoic started as he went to the table in deep though, Hiccup already knowing what might be the case.
"Do you know something that Anna and Elsa don't?"
"You must understand son that some events have a deeper story to it." Stoic started as he looked to his son "Near Arandelle to the north there is a forest tribe called Northulda, an ancient tribe that worship and are linked to the spirits of nature in an Enchanted Forest, they are a peaceful people who live in harmony with Arandelle, until Runard out of his own paranoia made things otherwise." Stoic started startling his son.
Thirty-two Years ago
Stoic's Pov
When I was your age I was also going from time to time to visit Arandelle mostly on behalf of my father to keep our family ties linked, when I was went there of course I had to be like anyone there despite people knowing when one is a Viking even when they wear their clothes. Never was too fond of the fashion.
"Urgh this coat will surely not last long when I return home." I said adjusting the long sleeves and the buttons at the coat white at a table having lunch.
"I do admit that it is not quite best suite also, cousin." My young good nature cousin Prince Agnarr said, despite our first encounter in my first visit had been a bit rocky for him we do get along pretty well.
"We live in two different worlds Agnarr, fashion like this one from where I am will never be something one should wear, much less getting used to."
"I do wonder how it is when you have to fight dragons so often." He asked as he cut a piece of chicken meat.
"It is not happening on daily basis but I am sure it will not be the place for someone as good natured as you." I said with a soft smile "But it does have the benefit of knowing ways to teach one how to survive."
"I do hope it will come in handy at some point." He said as we continued to eat, one thing I was doing of course when I came there was not just to learn how to behave around other cultures but it was also with the purpose of learning tactics and also teaching from my own experience how one could survive a possible attack, and not necessarily from dragons. In most cases Agnarr was one who wished to know how one could survive such encounters and I taught him with his father's permission who was none other than Runard, although he had reservations of his own. After we finished our lunch each of us went to some areas of the castle Agnarr of course was preparing the next day to visit a village with his father the next day and had to read some things from it. Me on the other hand was going to the training grounds, I sometimes spent time among the soldiers and guards learning their ways of doing battle, from them I saw that machines could also be good way to defend Berk from dragon attacks. Walking the corridors I watched around admiring the castle till…..
"I hope the plan to weaken their connection with the elements will suffice if not. The other option will do." I heard Runard talking, the corridor where I was walking lead to his office, I hid myself the best I could behind a suite of armor when the door burst as he walked outside his office, I hid myself the best I could not making any noise of course he could have seen me if he came in my direction which was not case that time, breathing with relief I went inside the room to see what was the situation, the office had of course contained the view towards the main courtyard and the city to the distance, the interior had Arandelle style furniture all around along with portraits which and book shelves. What caught my attention however was the map that was on his desk, it was a detailed map with the miniature 'dam' I heard he constructed that was actually met with suspicion and questioning rather than enthusiasm and agreement. However the kind of map it was on the table was not a map merely for construction but also for military strategy and near it were note about what will happen. The plan was actually not to use the dam to 'bridge' the people between them, it was actually a way to damage the forest and the tribe that was living there going through what was written I had realized what his ideas were.
"Stoic?" I was abruptly turned around to be face to face with Runeard who did looked not very pleased by what I was doing. "I did not expect you to be here." He started as he went towards the map where the dam was sketched.
"A fine project don't you think, dear nephew?"
"A fine project, if it was meant for the good of others." I started taking a few steps back from him.
"I do not know what you mean." He tried to play the fool.
"Don't try to play innocent. I saw the notes; the dam is not for any so called 'prosperity' why would they need it if they need the forest to be undisturbed." I stated with an angry look towards him as he switched to a sterner glare, realizing that I wanted answers.
"Why you do this?"
"You saw the notes, this tribe is connected to magic, well magic makes could make one feel too powerful and entitled. Making them defy the will of a king, I believe it could be the same when it comes to a chief as well if it were the case."
"And was it the case for them, did they ever defied you? Or you are just presuming things." I argued.
"I would not call presuming a possibility as something one could not overlook for it to happen." He said.
"BUT it did not HAPPENED! You could very well come to an understanding with this tribe, for us Vikings people that know mysteries of spirits of natures one could use that knowledge for healing purposes, this now is the real benefit. Just because it is something you don't understand it doesn't meant it will be used for ill intent right away."
"But are they willing to do it, to use it for good intent?"
"If you don't threaten them they surely would. Why would they be a threat now if they haven't been for years?"
"It is like the case with the dragons that you mention, those beasts that are also a threat when it comes to your tribe, you didn't know of them until they started to appear, it would have been much easier to attack them before they started." He said trying to reason things with me, of course his reasoning was too flowed for me to follow.
"There are two things different here, dragons are the ones that attack first and they are beasts not people. This tribe on the other hand are people who you can reason and never attacked Arandelle in all those years, despite them knowing where it is. You are not doing this to protect anything."
"On the contrary as I mention with such knowledge they could easily defy the will of a king if left unchecked by using their powers. They could easily attack at some point."
"They didn't do it so far. But what you do is simply giving them a good reason for them to defy you. What you do will actually lead to absolutely nothing else but to the thing that you fear." I had tried to reason with but to no avail.
"Not if the famous Viking tactic is applied if something goes wrong. From what I know it had some effect against some people." He said which caused me to clench my teeth.
"This tactic is not meant to destroy the people living in a place. And I doubt the spirits of that forest will not come to stop what you intend to do. Even with this dam that you built one should never play with such things especially when they don't know or rather don't want to know."
"And I believe this conversation had run its course nephew." He started indicated for me to leave but I merely clenched my fists I would have actually wanted to punch him in the face if it were not for two Arandelle guards that came in, Runeard was indeed prepared if I would have tried something, could I blame him in some way for a viking to respond to him in our fashion, not at all. Still angry I went for the door to leave but not before turning my eyesight to him in any case I knew what he wanted will go totally not his way.
"There is a saying that we have: 'Ill it is to abandon honor and integrity in exchange for injustice and greed.' What will happens tomorrow might erase all the good name that you have for the actions that you did so far for this kingdom. Only because you became obsesed with power." I said as I left banging the door behind me.
Present
"So their grandfather wanted to destroy the tribe?" Hiccup asked perplex by this revelation.
"Ay, he wanted. And those preparations were made in time. The dam he constructed was already making difficulties for the forest, they had asked him for help which I doubt he had given."
"What happened after the conversation?"
"My boat was supposed to arrive to get me after 2 more days." Stoic started.
Flashback
I had stayed for some time in the library reading about the enchanted forest and the people Runard wanted to attack giving me some understanding of how they are, they in essence only worship the spirits of nature and have knowledge of magic but they don't have it on them. When the next day came for them to depart I knew after last night I was not welcomed but I could be able to at least talk to Agnarr who wanted to go.
"You know cousin I know you surely have to wait for the arrival of the boat to take you home but I would have wished to have come as well." He said with a shy voice, that is what I liked about him he was always good natured and kind at heart.
"I don't think your father would appreciate." I had said before placing my hand on his shoulder "However I wish to give you an advice."
"What kind of advice?"
"I have taught you about how to survive in a thought situation, you must know that if something comes out of sudden that is not supposed to happen. Do only what you can to get out of there and come back here, and I mean everything." I said in a pleading voice for him to get the message.
"I will." He said as I smiled to him before passing by the then captain of the guard Mattias Destin, he was a good soldier who I developed a respect for him as a warrior, his loyalty to his men and his land something one could only admire he was also Agnarr personal guard as well as friend.
"You know it will only be a simple visit." He said.
"It will seem like that, I know what duty you have as a guard, but you should also remember that in case of danger the Prince will be more important than anything."
"You think something will happen."
"Something that will be orchestrated by one you would not expect." I started as I went to the door.
"On the horses' men." Runard called as all obeyed as I looked the group departing at Runard only a resentful glare while the rest a look of concern till they were no more. I had stayed at the castle and also went outside for a walk around town in a sense I knew something would happen because no one from the group had returned which caused concern for me. Despite the next day my boat arriving I simply could not leave without knowing what could have happened, and at least not knowing if Agnarr was safe or not. I took 2 members of the crew to look for them along with 2 guards the royal counselor lend and went outside toward the forest.
"Once we arrive by the forest we have to look carefully what could have happened." I said to the men.
"If by Odin we are able to enter that forest now. If it is enchanted I doubt we will be welcomed, such things one should not trifle with." Said Gunar.
"We can't let the king and prince been trapped there." Said a guard.
"Would not rule out the spirits been displeased if something happened, we might need Thor's hammer then." Said Bjorn as we continued before we heard a branch cracking and we prepared our swords in the direction behind the trees.
"Who goes there? Show yourself!" I called and from behind the trees I saw Agnarr coming out with a girl and immediately placed my sword away in my sheath.
"Cousin, good thing we found you I was worried."
"I know." He said before turning my gaze to the little girl.
"Hello, who are you?" I started with a calm welcoming voice towards the shy girl.
"My name is Iduna."
"She is a friend." Agnarr said.
"Your highness where is the king?" Asked a royal guard.
"He is dead, it happened very fast." He said still confused.
"We will talk about this later, let's get you home." I said as we returned back to the city. I was glad that I had managed to find them, during the road back Agnarr had explained to me that Iduna was a commoner who was simply there of course I didn't said anything about this. So we simply returned to the castle as we talked a bit about what happened. Runard from what I could tell was surely dead, a fitting punishment delivered by their god or by Thor for what he surely did and because Agnarr was still young he could not take up the ruler-ship of the kingdom, so regency was established. Luckily the advisor was a loyal friend and a competent man.
"I am really sorry for what had happened at this event. But I don't think it is the fault of the tribe in this situation." I said to Agnarr.
"Maybe, but unfortunately many don't think that way, you just saw and heard of what it is told around." He said and I could not deny it, the death of the king was something not seen well by the people of Arandelle, the murmurs and talks on the streets was very obvious the negative view.
"No one wanted anything like his to happen." Iduna said very disturbed.
"Maybe it is not all lost; at some point later there will be a mending of the relations." I said placing my hands on their shoulders with a smile, we had made a promise to meet each other again before I boarded the ship. However while the ship was departing I made another look towards the two but also especially towards Iduna, somehow I felt back then that the two will be joined for life from now on.
"So in essence after this, there is no reason one should celebrate especially after what Runard did." Hiccup said with disappointment and also a feeling of sorry for his aunts, even Toothless came to him to console him.
"The ill intent that Runard did had spoiled his good name true, but it doesn't mean the whole kingdom or the people are at fault for what had happened. And officially it is the workers that built the castle, not Runard." Stoic explained.
"Still what happened to the men that accompanied him and Agnarr?" Hiccup asked.
"That forest Hiccup I told you it is enchanted due to the spirits that live there, disturbing the forest is doing harm to her and could make her weak. But when Runard's made his act the spirits had from what I know sealed the forest in a deep mist trapping the people that did not managed to get out. Just like with our magicians and our gods in our Viking understanding one should never try to challenge or provoke them with malice. The magic of nature is a powerful thing and in order for one to be blessed by it you should always have respect that will reward you. Runard was one who never understood this and for sure never wanted to understand this in the first place."
"I see." Hiccup said with deep thought "But how do you know Runard died?"
"I was told by one who was there, and that someone was none other than Iduna." Tracking Hiccup's attention.
"How come?"
"You think a simple commoner girl from the forest was there only by accident to save the prince?" Stoic said making Hiccup realize an aspect.
"That means she was a member of the tribe?"
"She was." The Viking chief said now with a melancholic voice "The two of them were hid themselves in a cart to escape the chaos, she saw how Runard died, by falling off a cliff. A shameful but a fitting end deliver by either the god of Arandelle, the spirits or by Thor and Odin or all of them for that matter for what he did."
"I had figured out myself when I returned to the castle to hear what the arrangements will be for Agnarr and I managed a conversation with Iduna just between the two of us."
Flashback
"I shall come soon to the port, there is only a few things to finish around, will not take long." I had said to Gunar and Bjorn.
"We will be around." Bjorn said as the two went outside.
"Let's go to the inn, I had sold a pelt and made some coin. Wish for a drink before departing." I overheard Gunar as I went inside and walked the corridors before meeting Iduna near the library.
"Ooh, Stoic I though you will leave."
"I was about, need to do something before that and before bidding goodbye." I said to her although I had noticed that she was nervous a bit.
"Y-you know Agnarr told me some things about you, I never expected him having a Viking cousin to be honest." She started.
"We are second to third grade cousins actually, what did he told you?"
"Nothing bad, he did told me that you are a tough one but also a fair and good person, taught him some survival skills." She said as I chuckled.
"I do believe cousins should teach each other useful skills, one thing I like about him is how good mannered he is always one to see the good aspects even if shy at first." I said as I entered the library.
"I do regret what had happened to his father however."
"Odd to say from a member of the tribe of Northulda." I said tracking her attention and making her nervous.
"I-I…." She wanted to say something before placing my hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to be afraid I will not tell anyone even Agnarr. In fact there is a reason why I came here." I stated as I took the book from a shelve in the library that was about her people and immediately went to a ladder to hide it right atop the book shelve in the section about the land knowing no one will come there.
"Now no one will realize anything I hope."
"Why do you help me keep this secret?" She asked confused.
"Because I know it is not your tribe that is to blame for what had happened despite what many think now. In any case one like you who saved Agnarr should have a good home despite been different from what you knew in the past."
"Thank you." She said gratitude in her voice. "But how did you realize my secret."
"I read in that book about your people and from where I am who is taught to watch your back always one tends to suspect things. Plus the pendant that you have is a bit of a giveaway. But despite all that I believe that you and Agnarr will manage to repair the damage done at some point in the future."
"You think that will be possible?"
"You do care about Agnarr don't you? What do you think of him?" I had asked.
"He is a good boy, I know he is 2 years my senior but he is very kind hearted and when we were in danger it was the two of us that managed to get away from the trouble. For me he is a good friend and I don't want to lose him now."
"Your friendship and your feeling that you have for him I am sure will lead to something better in the future. You will not have to tell him now or too soon in the future, tell him when you consider when the best time is. I wish only you to know that you have a friend in me as well." I said with a hand on her shoulder with an encouraging smile.
"Thank you." She said with a smile.
"Also you should hide the pendant or get rid of it, who knows if there are others that might figure out if they see it." I said to her.
Present
"And my prediction was right, as they grew older their friendship became love and the two married, despite been seen as a commoner in official declarations she was in essence I would consider as noble as any royalty there is. Because out of their love Elsa and Anna were born, those two are not only their children, they represent reconciliation and even union between the two people. The hope for repairing what Runard broke." Stoic started with a smile.
"I can't disagree with this." Hiccup started still thinking "I wonder if I should tell Elsa and Anna about what you told me right now about their mother and her tribe and what their grandfather did?"
"It will not solve anything son. You remember how it was when I saw you and Toothless the first time, not even wanting what you want to say and that was due to how I thought of dragons since I was young. I only realize the truth when I saw the Red Death and how you fought. You remember that." Stoic said with a voice of regret about what he said to Hiccup about not been his son.
"I remember that can't say it was the best memory I got." Hiccup said.
"This is what I want to tell you now son. Sometimes people that grew up with an idea is hard for them to change it, and it is not only my case. They are surely many others, in order for one to believe in what is the truth, one has to see it for themselves and that will be the case for two ladies." Stoic said which made Hiccup ponder.
"This will be quite a disappointment finding out this aspect about their grandfather."
"What he did was regrettable, but it doesn't mean there is no way to mend things." Gobber said as he came with three drinking horns in a support as he poured wine in the three.
"Didn't I brought some glass cups from Arandelle?" Hiccup asked.
"Aaah they are too small for Vikings now." Gobber said giving Hiccup a drinking horn.
"Somehow I don't feel quite comforting to drink now to a celebration for one who did what he did." Hiccup said.
"He might have built the castle and founded the kingdom but it doesn't mean we celebrate the ill he had done." Gobber said.
"We celebrate the good Arandelle has."
"That is right son, just because one made a bad things it does not mean that we should not be happy and celebrate your aunts and their parents. Because as I said what their parents represent and what the two girls represent are more than anything, besides Iduna was considered a commoner to hide her origin, in reality her personality made her equal to any noble lady there could be no matter the rank." Stoic said with a smile as Hiccup made a smile.
"For their parents Iduna and Agnarr and reconciliation between the two represented by Anna and Elsa." He said as he raised his drinking horn.
"For their parents and the future they ensured." Stoic said.
"For the two and for Arandelle." Gobber said as they all cheered before taking a sip of the wine.
A bit later
"Well that is not one of the best news." Astrid said as she and Hiccup were sitting by a cliff with the others.
"I know, I really am feeling sorry that my aunts don't know of this event and the truth about their grandfather for what he did." Hiccup said.
"It isn't like anyone would like to hear such news like a member of their family wanted to kill off an entire tribe of magic worshipers that live in an enchanted forest because they turned paranoid and think they will overthrow them." Astrid said.
"And the magic that they worship it probably cannot even be done, forest and elemental magic is not something one could use for ill purposes, it must a harmony with such magic." Fish Legs stated.
"With the forest sealing off in a mist after what had happened trapping the ones that were there like in a prison. It is probably the case." Hiccup said.
"The only positive aspect is the fact that Runard was given a fitting punishment from Odin for what happened. Although I admit I might have done the same if they were plotting something for real." Snotloud commented.
"Which was not even the case; I wonder what they will do when they will figure out this." Hiccup said.
"The best thing they could do is blow up the dam their granddad made." Tuffnut said.
"That is what we would do for sure." Ruffnut said as he poured the wine in their drinking horns.
"Whatever they will do I am sure your aunts will succeed to repair what their grandfather did. You know how they are, don't you." Astrid said with a smile as Hiccup chuckle.
"I know." Hiccup started with a chuckle before Astride give him a cup with wine.
"I thought you would take the drinking horn?" Hiccup asked.
"What can I say sometimes I like fancy, for Arandelle." Astrid said lifting her cup.
"For Arandelle." All the riders said with their drinking horns and cups up.
Author's Note: Hope you will all enjoy this short story, a continuation of The Snow Queen and the Nephew.
As a historical reference it is accurate that Vikings were allowed to drink at around 16 or 17 years. I am not very familiar of course with the Norse partying habits.