~HHH~
While painting the stable's landing deck, a gentle breeze drifted over Hiccup and Toothless. The stable had been his project for several weeks now, and it was coming along well. Already, some of the dragons had begun settling into the open space. There was still a long road ahead, but the people of Arendelle were growing more comfortable around dragons. Soon, they might even help care for the gentle creatures.
As he finished the last of the painting, the dragons suddenly flapped their wings loudly, not in a threatening way, but more like a nervous call. Looking over, Hiccup spotted Kristoff, Sven, Anna, and Olaf approaching. Sven still looked uneasy around the dragons, while the others were calm. Olaf, of course, was overjoyed to see them.
"Hello, friends," Hiccup greeted, walking over to Blare, a Monstrous Nightmare he had rescued long ago. He gently petted the dragon's red snout as his friends looked on in awe. "What brings you up to the stables?"
"Well, I was wondering if you'd heard the news yet. Anna and Olaf also wanted to see the dragons," Kristoff replied.
Hiccup tilted his head. "What news?"
Sven quickly nudged Olaf's mouth shut before he could spill anything, and Anna spoke up instead.
"Then I suggest you meet with Elsa," Anna teased, walking out onto the landing deck overlooking the city.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Hiccup said, following behind her with the others in tow. Anna nodded.
"It's okay, I guess." he added. He didn't think, he just said the words. But what followed was a question he didn't expect.
"Can you teach me how to fly on a dragon?" Anna asked.
Hiccup blinked, stunned. Sure, he wanted to show Arendelle the truth about dragons, but teaching someone how to fly? That was another challenge entirely. He was lucky to have learned with Toothless. Still, a curious voice in his head pushed him forward. One he could never ignore. A decision was made.
"I can try," Hiccup replied, then turned to the others. "What about you two?"
Sven snorted at the very idea. Olaf shouted with glee, while Kristoff simply shook his head.
"Sven's enough for me," the ice harvester said, scratching the reindeer's head.
The Dragon Rider nodded in understanding.
"Well then, training starts tomorrow at dawn," Hiccup said with a smirk. "But first, I better go see Elsa."
He made his way over to Toothless, who gladly rose from his nap, ready for even a short flight.
~AA~
Watching Hiccup and Toothless fly away, Anna thought about what she had asked him. She was actually going to ride a dragon. A real dragon. Something only the child in her had dreamed of years ago, as part of a fantasy. But this was real. As she kept going over the idea in her head, Olaf began to exclaim with excitement.
"Oh, I can't wait for tomorrow! Oh! I wonder what dragon he'll pick for me to ride?" the snowman said, his words bubbling with joy. Kristoff held Anna's arm, a gesture of comfort to the princess.
"Well, I guess dragon riding is going to be the new norm for Arendelle," Kristoff teased. Anna smirked at the idea.
"Maybe it is," she teased back, kissing his cheek.
The group turned to leave the stables, the dragons either eyeing them curiously or resting peacefully. Anna couldn't help but feel sympathy for some of the creatures. Hiccup's stories about how many of them had been victims of hunters stirred something deep within her.
~HHH~
The flight was short, as expected. Hiccup and Toothless landed in the palace courtyard, drawing little attention this time. The guards were used to the pair now, a comforting change for everyone. Dismounting from the Night Fury, Hiccup noticed the guards at the palace doors stood a little straighter. More cautious, perhaps. Still, he waved politely as he passed, and Toothless huffed a friendly greeting. The palace was large and impressive, but Hiccup already knew where Elsa would be.
The Council Chamber.
Finding it wasn't difficult. The last time he had been there, he'd witnessed Anna turn to ice, then thaw, ending the eternal winter. That memory still amazed him.
Entering the room, he saw Elsa speaking with Minister Ivar, likely discussing trade.
"I hope I'm not intruding," Hiccup said, drawing their attention.
Elsa smiled warmly at the sight of the Dragon Rider, while the Minister remained politely neutral.
"Not at all. But give me just a moment," Elsa replied. She turned back to the Minister while Hiccup took a seat. Toothless curled up comfortably nearby.
"I'm sure the Scots will be glad to benefit from our trade," Elsa said. "But we should send word to the Irish as well."
Watching her in her role reminded Hiccup of his childhood, watching his father negotiate with Johann, Dagur, and the other tribes who were willing to talk. He never thought he'd see such diplomacy again, let alone from someone so close. The Minister rolled up a few scrolls and took his leave. Hiccup stood and walked to Elsa. The two embraced warmly. As they pulled apart, he wanted to kiss her but hesitated, uncertain if he should.
"What brings you here so early?" Elsa asked, curious. Normally, Hiccup would be working at the dragon stables. But today had taken a different turn.
"Kristoff and Anna told me there was news, but they didn't elaborate," he replied.
Elsa's eyes lit with realization. "Of course. I should've guessed the rumor would reach them." She chuckled lightly. "I was hoping you'd accept the rank of Captain in the Royal Guard."
The words stunned him. The Royal Guard was Arendelle's elite force. Hiccup wasn't a soldier. He knew how to ride and train dragons, sure. He could hold his own in a fight, but these were the best-trained warriors in the kingdom.
"I understand if you refuse," she said gently. "But the men you would lead are prepared to fight the Hunters, to protect dragons. You wouldn't stand alone."
That struck him. She wasn't just offering sanctuary anymore. She was offering swords.
He smiled. "Of course."
Her smile matched his and then she kissed him. A gentle kiss that lingered. Her lips were soft like water and warm like a summer breeze. But the moment was shattered as the chamber doors burst open. The two straightened instantly as Kai rushed in, breathless.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but you need to hear this," he said between hurried breaths. Toothless lifted his head, alert.
"What's wrong?" Elsa asked, tension tightening in her voice.
"The King and Queen of the Southern Isles have been murdered."
The room fell into stunned silence.
"And the royal family," Kai continued, "have either died under mysterious circumstances… or disappeared."
It didn't take Hiccup a second to understand what that meant.
"Prince Hans is to be crowned king in a month."
Hiccup glanced at Elsa, whose face was stricken with horror. He couldn't blame her. He had seen firsthand what Hans had done and what he had nearly done. Now, with a kingdom at his fingertips, who knew what he would do next? Whether it was vengeance or ambition, Hans had the power to act on it.
And Hiccup would be ready to stand in his way.
"He sent an invitation to the coronation," Kai added. "What should we do?"
Before Elsa could speak, Hiccup stepped forward.
"I'll go."
She opened her mouth to protest, but he gently held her arms.
"I'm not as important as you or Anna," he said. "And I think seeing me and Toothless will throw him off." He brushed his hand along her cheek, and she leaned into his touch. Her fingers closed around his hand, her eyes full of worry. She understood. And she knew… he was right.
~HW~
Standing in the library of his ancestral home, Hans couldn't help but smile. His family was gone, but they had given him nothing but cruelty and the work of a peasant as punishment for daring to seek a crown. Now, he would have one. The Southern Isles would enter a new age of greatness. He was savoring the thought when the creak of a door ruined his mood.
"I asked not to be disturbed," Hans snapped.
"Is that any way to speak to your allies?" came a sly voice.
Hans turned, and there stood Johann, the mysterious stranger who had promised much and, so far, delivered. But now, with the coronation fast approaching, Johann was nothing more than a pawn the prince no longer needed. Hans offered a thin, wicked smile.
"Of course not. What do you want?"
"My side of the bargain," Johann replied smoothly. "In a month, you'll be crowned king. I need you to invite the royals of Arendelle."
Hans let out a sharp laugh at the absurdity. Arendelle? They hated him and the feeling was mutual. Sure, they would learn of his recent "good fortune," but he had no intention of dealing with them. And Johann? A loose end. One that needed cutting.
His hand slid toward the hilt of his sword.
"Now, now, Your Highness," Johann said, casually taking a seat beside Hans's goblet of wine. "What would Bjorn think of such brash behavior?"
Hans froze.
Bjorn. The twelfth prince. His elder by a single year.
"What are you talking about? You killed him too, didn't you?" Hans demanded, voice rising with anger. Johann picked up the goblet and took a slow drink. As he set it back down, he offered his answer with maddening calm.
"Why would I kill your entire family, only to let you kill me before I get what I want? That would be... remarkably stupid."
Hans gritted his teeth.
"Bjorn is my reassurance," Johann continued, his tone cool and firm. "A reminder that you'll be a good boy."
A good boy.
The words stabbed at Hans's pride. A future king, treated like a dog by some peasant? But if Bjorn was alive… the crown wasn't guaranteed. It could all slip away.
Slowly, Hans sheathed the sword and sank into a chair. He had no choice. Not yet. Finish the bargain. Give Johann what he wants.
"Why Arendelle?" he asked bitterly.
Johann handed the goblet back to him.
"My needs aren't your concern," he said as he stood. "Just bring them here. Once they arrive… I'll tell you more."
And with that, Johann left the room, his hold on the prince stronger than ever.
Sorry this came out later than expected. I am doing some research on an old subject of interest. One that is long, boring, and frustrating. I can't say much more than that for now, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
