The next morning after breakfast, as Ulfric and Galmar were preparing to attend their planned meetings, Arne caught Hilda and asked her if she would do him the honor of going out with him again.
"I would love to!" Hilda said. Then, suspecting this would throw off the plans for the day, she asked with a grin, "Why don't we bring Signe along? She seems so delightful, and I haven't really had the opportunity to get to know her well yet." Arne paused, and opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, Hilde continued. "And besides, I haven't purchased anything to wear to tonight's party yet. A woman's eye would be most appreciated in this endeavour. Fashion isn't really my strength," Hilda said, gesturing to the dragonscale armor that she wore nearly every day of her life. Another pause, and then, "The dress that Signe wore when she came to Ulfric's room last night was simply magnificent!" she said, savoring Arne's uncomfortable expression. "I trust that she will not guide me wrong in choice of party apparel."
"I'll find out if she can come with us." Arne said, resignedly. He then went over and spoke with his father, instead of Signe. Neither of them seemed too pleased, but Arne returned with Signe. Hilda, Calder, and the two Strong-Shields set out to do some party shopping. Hilda chatted with them in a casual and friendly manner, as if she hadn't just interfered with the Strong-Shield family's scheming. It seemed as though she was intended to spend her free time with Arne, and Signe had been set aside for Ulfric.
Signe ended up helping Hilda find an outfit that she was not entirely displeased with. Signe started by suggesting "a dress", Hilda started with the idea "dressy armor", and they met somewhere in the middle - a base of leather, slightly thicker in the more vulnerable places, but lush, flowing fabric draped across the majority of it. They ate lunch at a tavern, picked up the last few things that were needed for the party, and then went back to the house.
Hilda tried to rest once they got back to the house. She thought that a nap would be good since she was probably going to have a late night, but was unable to sleep with all of the looming excitement. Eventually, she gave up and started doing what she could to get ready. The party was to begin in the evening. The idea was that the guests would eat their dinners at home, and only light refreshments would be served at the party.
Late afternoon light filtered through the window. Hilda had fixed her hair in the mirror on the dresser and laid out her outfit and jewelry, and was restlessly trying to strike up idle conversation with Calder to take her mind off of her nervousness. She had always been intrigued by the thought of going to a formal party like this - who hadn't? But now that it was getting closer to time to attend, she was getting a bit nervous. She was not from the same class of people as the guests would be. She knew she was going to mess up socially somehow. Concerned, she stared at the outfit she was to wear.
"Maybe I should just wear my dragonscale armor? Don't try to present myself as anything other than what I am?" she mused to Calder.
"The outfit you got for the party is fine. It is beautiful and practical." Calder responded.
"It is, but I really don't know what I am supposed to do - how I am supposed to act. Why not just go in armor and be myself, rather than trying to look like I belong? You don't have to dress up, and my purpose there isn't much different than yours in reality." Hilda said.
"All of this morning's efforts and coin would be wasted if you didn't wear it. And besides, you will be attending with Jarl Ulfric. You should dress in a manner respectful of that honor." Calder said. While he was speaking, they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Calder opened the door, and Arne came inside.
"Thank you," he said to Calder as he stepped in, and then, "If you would give me a minute?" he asked, gesturing Calder towards the hallway.
"Calder can stay," Hilda said, understanding what Arne was trying to accomplish.
"I will be in my room," Calder replied, and headed to his sub-room within Hilda's room.
Arne seemed to accept that compromise. "Are you getting excited?" he asked Hilda, looking at her new outfit laid out on the chest at the end of the bed.
"Excited and nervous," she admitted. "This isn't really my thing. Fighting dragons is more my comfort zone."
Arne's eyes sparkled with a smile. "Few people consider anything about dragons to be comfortable, but you don't need to worry. I will be there to guide you through the process."
Hilda tried to determine if this was him saying that he planned to escort her to the party, or if he was simply stating that he would be there. If it was the former, she needed to correct his assumption. If the latter, it was a kind offer, and mildly reassuring.
"I am glad to know that there will be some familiar faces in the crowd," she responded.
"I actually came to ask you if you would do me the honor of going out with me to dinner before the party begins," Arne says. "There's a place in one of the most beautiful parts of the entire city. It would be a lovely prelude to a night of splendor!"
"That sounds like a delightful offer, but I will have to decline," Hilda replied. "I need to be here when Ulfric is ready to leave."
"I was planning to take you straight to the Palace after dinner. Lord Ulfric need not arrive at the party alone. Signe has been most eager to accompany him." Arne grinned mischeviously.
"I will be accompanying Lord Ulfric. The reason he brought me to Solitude was to attend the party with him." Hilda informed Arne.
"I see. Well, good luck with the rest of your preparations." Arne replied, and hurried out of the room as if he were on a mission.
At this point, Calder came back out of his room. "Probably going back to report in," Hilda said.
"They seem quite set on inserting themselves into your lives." Calder replied.