~J~
It has been weeks since the so-called Eternal Winter was thawed. But most importantly, was that Weselton lost trade with the Kingdom of Arendelle. Giving a lone voyager a chance to broker a deal between him and the Kingdom. Not of need of wealth, but of getting access to a much greater fortune. As the longship sailed through the waves, he held a simple child's toy of a Razorwhip. A dragon only known within the Barbaric Archipelago. Far from the lands of Arendelle. Johann knows it was likely just an explorer making a small fortune out of the Archipelago, but it was wise to see if they would be an ally or foe. As well as this Snow Queen.
~HHH~
Sparks flew off as the hammer slammed the heated metal. Hiccup was making little shields for his latest series of warrior toys. As he made them, he thought of Berk. How during the dragon raids his father would leave the house to kill some dragons. The toymaker detests that idea now, but he does miss his father. As he finished the first set of toy shields, a young boy entered the back of the workshop. They held a bag of coal. "Here's the newest delivery." they said, dropping the coal into a basket.
"Thanks Steen. How is Kari doing at the front?" Hiccup asked his newest employee. His store was growing and people wanted his products. He had to expand or be overwhelmed.
"She's doing well, but the Nightmare Gel is running low again." the boy said and the toy maker sighed.
Placing his tools down, the man had only a few options. He only had Red Blaze, the only Monstrous Nightmare at the farm and his supply of the Gel was getting slimmer. Hiccup took over the dirty apron and hung it. The toys would have to wait. He grabbed Inferno and some papers from his desk to place them in his satchel. Hiccup ushered Steen out of the back and to the front where Kari was trading with some locals. He waited until she was done to talk.
"Okay, you two. I'm going to be gone for a few days. Keep the store running for the day then close everything up. I'll reopen when I get back. Got it?" Hiccup asked and both of them nodded. "Good. See you soon." he said walking out from behind the counter. "Hopefully." he smirked. Exiting his store a friendly face caught his eye. "Kristoff!"
"Hiccup!" the Ice Harvester yelled back. Both men locked arms in greeting.
"So how is the new Arendelle Ice Master and Deliverer?" Hiccup teased as they both walked along the street.
"Oh, very busy. Always making sure Ice is coming down from the mountains down to the markets." Kristoff said with a chuckle. "So uh Hiccup, I know you don't make jewelry often, but I was wondering if you could make a necklace for someone." he said awkwardly. Hiccup couldn't help but smirk.
"Yeah, I'm certain Princess Anna would enjoy a necklace." Hiccup teased and his friend blushed. "So how did an Ice Harvestor meet the Princess of Arendelle?"
From that, Kristoff began his story from Coronation Day. How the Eternal Winter ruined business and his journey with Princess Anna. Both men shared laughs and in no time, they reached the stables. Hiccup entered and grabbed his horse. "Anyways, I won't be able to deliver the necklace for some time. I'm heading up North to find help a few people and hopefully they'll help me."
"North. As in homeland North?" Kristoff asked, concern in his voice. Hiccup shook his head.
"I'm not going that far North. But thanks for caring." Hiccup said before riding off to the farm to prepare.
~EA~
The duties of a queen are high. Budgets, trade, military, and maintaining peace were just simple duties. But with Elsa's well-known powers, much of it becomes more complicated. Good people will follow her, but not all people are good. New traders are always coming to fill the gap from Weselton. Many of these traders only wanted Arendelle's coin and viewed her suspiciously. But none of it bothered the Queen. They haven't tried to threaten her, which is good for now. As the traders left one by one with a deal, Elsa grew tired of negotiations.
"Are there any more traders for the day?" She asked Kai.
"Just one more my Queen." Kai answered. The chamber's doors opened revealing a man in strange attire. "Trader Johann of the Barbaric Archipelago." This Trader Johann bowed in respect to Elsa.
"Thank you for having me in your beautiful kingdom young queen." the trader said before rising. "I hope we can achieve a mutually beneficial trade deal today."
"Thank you, Mister Johann. I hope we can come to a deal as well." Elsa said, but questions were floating in her head. "If you don't mind me asking, where is this Barbaric Archipelago? I have never heard of it."
The trader chuckled. He reached into his satchel, pulling out a sheet of parchment. Unrolling it, he placed the map on the table. It showed many small islands scattered throughout. "This is the Barbaric Archipelago. A simple land with many tribes scattered throughout. Good for dealing with rare items to trade for a fortune." Johann said as the queen examined the map. She has heard of none of these islands or seas.
"So you seek to trade rare items to our merchants for gold to continue trading with this Archipelago?" Elsa asked, wanting to understand this man's intentions.
"Of course. As well as purchase some merchandise to trade with them and others."
"If you have been trading with the Archipelago, why trade with Arendelle now?" she asked and he chuckled.
"Simple. For a better price." His smile was one of a businessman, something to expect. With a sigh, they began negotiations.
~HHH~
Loading a basket of supplies onto Toothless's back, Hiccup was ready for a risky trip. He wanted to take this trip for years but didn't have the time because of the store. Now to keep the store he has to go up North. Find some dragons and bring them down South. They would be protected and safe. Climbing onto the Night Fury's back, the rider looked at the few gathered dragons. "Remember everyone, stay up the Northern Mountains. We'll be back soon." With that, they launched into the sky. The wind blew past his flight suit as the air turned from a warm breeze to a cold wind. Hiccup looked down towards Arendelle, seeing the city, he thought of everything he built. The life he made.
Crossing over the Northern Mountains, the dragons glided to a lake far from civilization, while Hiccup and Toothless flew North. This will be his hardest challenge yet. But no matter what, he was prepared.
~J~
Now with the deal set with the Snow Queen was a noble lady, far from the woman Johann had to deal with. While he hopes to see her so-called powers soon, he has other business to attend to. Haddock Toy Shop was where the locals said it was. A grand surprise to see such a familiar name. The Trader admired the design. Stained glass with symbols of dragons and woodcarving dragons. Walking inside, he was memorized by the interior. All kinds of merchandise filled the store, from simple carpenter goods to toys more complex than anything he had seen. The toy maker was quite skilled.
Examining a metal toy of a Terrible Terror, Johann admired the attention to the smallest detail. Each individual scale was carved into the metal. As he examined the wings, a young boy walked over with a crate of little metal dragons. It's not as complex as the toy in the trader's hands. "Excuse me, young man. But may I ask where the maker of this toy is?" Johann asked, setting the toy down. The lad looked up.
"He's out and won't be back for a few days." the lad said. The trader silently cursed to himself. The mystery of the toy maker may have to be solved another time. For now, Johann examined the merchandise, chose the best ones, was surprised at the cheap cost, and bought them. They would make a great profit when he resells them to the fools in the North. But next on his list is to see the queen's powers himself.
~EA~
Dinner is a happy time for the royal family. Elsa ate her roast, enjoying the conversation of her family. "Then it landed in the water and watched as it floated away." Olaf recounted his story of a rose petal. The little snowman was always curious about the world. Sven snorted.
"Yeah, I know." Kristoff replied to his reindeer friend.
"How was your day Kristoff?" Olaf asked before eating part of an onion. The Ice Harvester coughed a bit before looking up.
"Oh, just met up with an old friend." he answered before filling his mouth with roast. His cheeks blushed. Anna, always inquisitive went for more questions.
"I thought Sven was you only." Olaf remarked.
"Who is this friend?" Anna asked immediately after. Kristoff shook his head.
"Now don't laugh, but his name is Hiccup." he said, Anna of course chuckled. Elsa remained composed, surprised that Kristoff knew Hiccup. But she shouldn't be too surprised. It seems Hiccup knows everyone "Yeah, I laughed too. But he is an amazing toy maker and craftsman."
"Yes, I've met Mister Haddock on Coronation Day and he is a great man." Elsa remarked and Anna gasped.
"Wait, the man who saved me from Hans was your friend." she said, turning to her boyfriend. Kristoff nearly choked on his drink.
"I did not know you two met, much less he saved your pretty face." he said with a smirk and Anna blushed. Elsa was happy that her little sister had found someone to love. After all that this little family has been through, she deserves love. Olaf raised his hand and Elsa chuckled.
"Olaf, you don't have to raise your hand to talk." she said.
"I know, I just like too." the snowman replied.
There was a moment of silent, everyone staring at him. Then it clicked in his head.
"Oh, right. Maybe we should invite Hiccup. He, Hiccup." Olaf said before saying Hiccup in different tones. Sven snorted, pulling the snowman back. "Ah, sorry. We should invite Hiccup to dinner."
Anna, Kristoff, and Sven quickly agreed to the idea, but Elsa was hesitant. There was just something mysterious about the Toy Maker. But he is smart, proud, and braver than most. As she thought about him, she felt something strange in her stomach. It was unlike anything she ever felt. There was no description of it.
"Elsa." Anna said to bring the queen back into reality. "What do you think?"
"I think it's a good idea." Elsa answered, smiling. Hiding her true feelings. An act that brings guilt to her. Lying to Anna once more.
I have returned.
Sorry, I've been gone for a while. I wasn't in the best place mentally or financially, but I am in a good place. I still have some work to do, but I hope to keep up writing fan fiction. Writing out this chapter was great for me. Thank you all for following and leaving reviews. Once again, sorry for being gone.