~HHH~
Coming over the Northern Mountains, Toothless signaled the dragons hiding at the lake to flock to them. Hiccup kept an eye out for any Arendelle forces. The small group of dragons hovered around the mountains, while Hiccup thought of a plan. There was no way these new dragons would hide in the barn after being locked in that ship for gods knows how long. Then there's the little war he might have accidentally started with those hunters. Whoever they may be.
"Okay Gale" Hiccup said motioning to the Deadly Nadder. "Keep everyone down at the lake until me and Toothless get back." The Nadder nodded before leading the dragons back down to the lake. Toothless and Hiccup, on the other hand, flew back to the farm. When the two arrived, the farm was empty, giving the two a clean landing. Heading into the house he built, the Rider started to work on Kristoff's gift for the Princess. Something to clear his mind.
He grabbed all the pieces he'd need to make a necklace at his workstation. Nothing like making something in his hands to think clearly. Something he needed. That hunter ship was large, made for transporting numerous dragons. No doubt those men had more ships behind them. All he can hope is that they don't know that it was a Dragon Rider who stuck them. But he has no idea what to do with those dragons. The barn is for all of their secrets, but those dragons may not take kindly to that. He may have to do the unthinkable. Reveal dragons to Arendelle. After all, if they accept a magical queen, surely they would accept dragons. Hopefully.
~HHH~
The city was a lovely place. The little cottages were warm with streets full of life. Being away for so long was terrible enough, but it quite felt like home. Nowhere has. As he traveled through the streets, people smiled and waved at his return. No doubt Steen and Kari would hear and rush to the store. When the Rider reached his store, he unlocked the building finding his shop in good condition. Walking through, he thought of all of the years of lies. None of these toys were based on legends, just his enemy-turned-friend. Now he was placing everything on the line. If he fails, what would he do?
As questions roared in his mind, the shop's door opened revealing Steen. "Hey boss. Had a good trip?" the young boy and Hiccup put on a smile to mask his worries.
"Yeah. Mind delivering something for a friend of mine?" Hiccup asked, pulling a necklace from his satchel. "Deliver this to Kristoff Bjorgman. He's the Ice Master and Deliver. I reckon trying the palace first if not there, try the market." he added, handing the boy the necklace. The boy nodded before running off while Hiccup picked up a Night Fury toy. Memories of hiding out in the woods, taking shelter under Toothless wings, both fending off wolves and keeping the other dragon calm. They all worked together to just live. But all they've done is hide. Now he was planning on revealing the truth.
~EA~
From the towering palace, Elsa watched as ships continued to sail to and from the port. Arendelle was still thriving thanks to new traders seeking a profit. Showing that the Duke of Weselton's threats of financial ruin were misguided. Everything was going well for her. As she started to daydream of bringing smiles to her people, the sound of footsteps caught her attention. Looking over, she saw two guards escorting a young boy through the halls.
"Your majesty. This boy is asking for Mister Bjorgman. Do you know where he might be?" a guard asked timidly. Elsa sighed. Kristoff took Anna for a picnic in the afternoon.
"I'm afraid he is not in the palace. But perhaps I could be of service?" Elsa said, looking down at the boy. "What do you need young man?"
"My boss, Mister Haddock of Haddock Toy Shop, asked me to deliver something to Kristoff Bjorgman. That he might be at the palace." the boy said and Elsa's heart skipped a beat at the name of his employer.
"I'll make sure that it makes it to him." she promised and the boy handed her a beautiful necklace. For Anna no doubt. As the guards started to escort the boy away, the queen stopped them. "Young man, can you tell Mister Haddock that he is invited to dinner with me and my family tonight." the boy nodded and Elsa walked away to keep the necklace safe for Kristoff.
~HHH~
With the shop reopened, people flooded the small building, buying toys for their little ones. Hiccup helped Kari man the front desk as orders kept flooding in. The toy maker enjoyed this part of his job. Interacting with the people and making sure they are cared for. As he gave a young girl a small wooden Terrible Terror toy, Steen appeared at the counter. "I delivered the necklace Hiccup." the boy said and the toy maker grinned.
"Thanks." Hiccup said, but before he could say anything else, the young boy leaned over as far as he could. The toy maker leaned down.
"Also, the Queen invited you to dinner tonight." Those words made Hiccup gulp. It had been so long since the Thaw and since he received a Medal from the Queen. Only one question went through his mind, why did she invite him? But he thanked the boy and asked him to handle stocking the shelves, before helping the next customer. Trying to keep himself distracted before tonight.
~AA~
So tonight was the night Anna would get a proper meeting with Hiccup. Not just a stranger with a flaming sword who saved her. She would have met him long before if she knew that Hiccup was Kristoff's friend. But better late than never. Looking over at her boyfriend, who was sharing a carrot with Sven. She couldn't help but grin, he may be odd, but he was hers. Turning to her sister, Elsa was fidgeting her fingers. She was nervous, but why? Before Anna could think more of it, the doors opened.
"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third has arrived for dinner." Kai greeted as he and Mister Haddock walked inside the Hall. The young man was dressed in a fine suit. He bowed in respect. Before the man could say anything, Kristoff walked over a hug him.
"How was your trip? Didn't get into too much trouble did you?" Kristoff asked in a joking manner. Both men chuckled.
"Only the good kind of trouble." Hiccup joked.
"Let me introduce you to Princess Anna." Kristoff said, gesturing to her. She waved at them. Before he could continue, Hiccup stopped him.
"I already meet the Princess and Queen Elsa." Hiccup remarked before patting Kristoff's shoulder.
"Hello, I'm Olaf, I like warm hugs." The little snowman introduced himself. His arm extended out for a handshake. The man accepted it. Kai would lead the small group to the dining chamber.
~HHH~
The dining chamber was elegant with an unnecessarily long table and glistering tableware already set around the table. It reminded him of the Great Hall back on Berk. But this was made for a single noble family, not a village full of thick headed Vikings. The group sat down and the servants brought out the food. "So Hiccup. How did you and Kristoff meet?" Princess Anna asked before the food was even on the table. Both men chuckled.
"Well, sometime after I arrived in Arendelle, I set up a cart in the market right next to the ice harvester and his friendly reindeer." Hiccup started and the Ice Master jumped in.
"I saw his toys and was impressed by the strangeness. I had never seen anything like them." Kristoff said followed by Sven snorting. "Yeah, and then he asked for help understanding our coin."
With that, everyone chuckled. Hiccup shrugged as he cut himself a piece of turkey. "In fairness, I had only started trading." he added, getting a chuckle from them all. Stories were shared of old trading times, how Hiccup rose from a simple cart to a Toy Shop. It was nice to remember the good old days. But everything changed with one question.
"So, Hiccup where did you come from?"
~EA~
Elsa watched as Hiccup tensed up at Olaf's question. Up until then, he was calm, but now there was something in his past he didn't want to talk about. Looking over at Kristoff, she noticed he also spotted his friend's tensing. Being the diplomat, she spoke up. "You don't have to tell us if you don't want to." she said and the man took a drink.
"It's okay. I just don't talk about Berk often." Hiccup said, setting his cup down. His movement was slow, yet calm. "Berk was an amazing place and so very much different from Arendelle. We were a warrior people." he added twirling his fork in his hands. "Our homes were small and our largest building was built into a mountain. Whenever someone needed help, there were a dozen men and women lined up. And there was always something to rebuild."
He chuckled, at the confusion of Elsa. What needed to be rebuilt? "That sounds lovely." Anna remarked and Sven mumbled.
"So why did you leave Berk?" Kristoff asked, before taking a large bit of the turkey. The Toy Maker sighed.
"Well, I was the Black Sheep of Berk. Everyone was a great warrior while I was just the scrawny screw-up whose little inventions caused more damage than any raider could." he said and Elsa felt empathy for him. After everything he has done for Arendelle, he hid his dark past.
~HHH~
Letting out a sigh of relief, Hiccup felt better. He never told anyone in Arendelle about Berk. Only bits of unremarkable experience. Kristoff placed his hand on the Rider's shoulder. A gesture of understanding and empathy. "Well, I think that Berk lost their greatest men. After all, you did save me from Hans and got Elsa back." Princess Anna said. He smiled at the memory. "Not everyone could do that."
The rest of the meal went well. More stories were told and laughs were made. When it was over, Kai escorted everyone out of the dining chambers. In the hall, Kristoff took Princess Anna away for a surprise. Sven and Olaf took the halls. Kai started to escort the Rider away, but Queen Elsa stopped him. "Allow me."
"Of course your majesty." Kai said before walking off and the Queen escorted the Rider through the grand halls.
"Thank you for the dinner, your majesty. It was lovely and great to catch up with Kristoff again." Hiccup said.
"You're welcome, but please call me Elsa." she asked and he nodded. "Something was bothering me, during my Eternal Winter, you were talking about my fear of my powers, pushing everyone away." Hiccup's face heated, remembering that conversation all too well. "You said you know what it felt like. What did you mean?"
He sighed. He was such an idiot then. "I told you about my home, but I left out the truth that Berk was constantly being raided for nearly 300 years." he said and the Queen raised an eyebrow. "But we were stubborn and stayed, fighting off the raids. They killed hundreds of us and we killed thousands of them. After one raid, I found a wounded and trapped raider in the woods."
~EA~
Elsa's heart nearly skipped a few beats in Hiccup's tale. His people were proud and it took some root in him. She listened closer as he talked about a wounded raider. "He was just there. I could have killed him and made a name for myself aside from the village's screw-up. But I saw this look in his eyes. He was afraid. Like me." As he talked, she couldn't help but hold his arm, offering some comfort. "I freed him and we even became friends." His words were quiet yet proud. There was no hesitation. "I couldn't stay in Berk, knowing I couldn't be a great warrior like they all wanted. So I left and sometime after I made my way to Arendelle."
His tale was dark and yet shows so much more about him. He wanted glory, yet he made himself something more. Something better. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that Hiccup." she said as they entered the Great Hall. She let go of his arm and he walked to the doors. But she couldn't help but have on last question. "What happened to your friend?"
He stopped, turned, and smiled. "He travels. But I do get to see him."
"Perhaps I could one day meet him." she said and he nodded.
"I hope so too."
~J~
This ship smelled of sweat and blood. But with such savages, he couldn't expect less. Entering the Captain's Quarter, Viggo Grimborn and Krogan were looking over a map. Johan didn't raise his mask, only showed his distaste for these men. "Well Krogan. You can tell your master that the Snow Queen is just a folktale taken too seriously." he said, walking over the map. Showing all of Viggo's hunting grounds.
"Well, then Johan. Perhaps you can help us." Viggo said, before pointing to his Southernmost hunting ground. "Ryker rescued a crew here after a Dragon Rider sunk their ship." Now Dragon Rider. That is just interesting. But not as great as the Snow Queen.
"Perhaps, I'll check the outposts, getting anything I can." the Trader lied.