The Dragon Master and the Frost Queen: A Frozen-HTTYD Crossover

They were walking across the courtyard towards the palace. Elsa, with her hands clasped in front of her, Anna hanging off her arm. Thats what she wanted to believe. In truth Anna was practically dragging her. Elsa would cast her eyes toward her sidelong. Her eyes were wide, she was biting her lower lip trying to stifle the giggles that would escape anyway. Annas' face was lit with pure joy. There was no doubt, Elsa was in for it…

They made it up the stairs without stumbling, Thank Goodness! She tried to maintain a facade of dignity. Anna wasn't making it easy. They went inside. It was then that Anna dragged her sister into the nearest room and shut the door behind them. She let out a high-pitched squeal.

"OH! Oh… Elsa it, -it's happened! FINALLY! Oooooh, YES! Elsa, Elsa! I'm sooo happy for you!" She couldn't contain her excitement, it burst forth like fireworks.

"Wait,… WAIT! -Anna, slow down! You're not making any sense…" Yes, the gig was up. But she had to gain control of the situation, so maybe they could start to sort this out…

"Anna, please, -just. calm. down!" She was starting to glare at her sister. She didn't seem to notice… Anna was bouncing on her feet, and clapping her hands excitedly. Babbling to no one in particular about dinners together, horseback rides, picnics,… a moonlight walk along the water… Neither of them noticed the temperature in the room drop sharply, nor the snow falling around them until Elsa shouted. "WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP!"

It was the first time she really shouted at her. She didn't mean it, really. Anna looked at her in shock, then backed away a half-step cowering "-Elsa?"

"I'm… I -I'm sorry Anna." That look of fear on her face… She could feel her eyes starting to sting. She didn't want to see that look on her face - ever! The last time she lost control like that, she almost lost Anna. Elsa reached for her hand and squeezed.

"I… I'm -just, so, -so confused! I, I don't know why…"

"He got to you, didn't he?" She asked. "I could tell.… Elsa, there isn't an easy answer… it, just sort of, happens. Sometimes it happens in an instant. Other times it takes time." Elsa could feel her pride stinging a little. Anna was younger by a couple of years, and here she was getting counseled. Her pride be damned! She needed help with this… who better than her sister.

"I, I just don't know… I've never felt this way before… I mean, sure! He's handsome and all, but I can't help this feeling… that there's something else, Anna. Something drawing me to him. I know it's crazy, because I only just met him… you know last night, and then…" Elsa stopped… and mentally face-palmed herself. She was sure scholars would have to search for years to find a new word to describe the shade of red her face was becoming. She was truly in for it now.

"I know! Ruggedly handsome, and his eyes! Oooh and his jaw… Wait,… you, you met him? Last night?! " Anna looked away slightly, searching for a thought, or a memory…"Wait! Ohhh… NOW I understand!" Elsa was confused.

"Understand what?"

"Now I understand why you've been so… distracted!" Anna said. "I -can't say that I blame you-" She cocked an eyebrow at her, a small smirk on her face. Elsa had to give it to her… Anna wasn't being as merciless as she thought… yet. "So! Tell me about this meeting of yours…" She gave Elsa her full attention.

She started telling her of going to the Blacksmiths' shop. Thankfully not prodding her as to why she'd gone there in the first place. She thought about leaving out the most embarassing parts, but this was her sister, she would tell her everything. Annas' face went through a whole range of expressions. First shocked, then amused at both of their little "accidents". Then wistful fondness, as she told of looking in his eyes the first time. The way he shielded her. Then rather suggestively as she told her of his parting 'goodnight'. She told her of all she was feeling, and thinking. Not holding anything back. She felt strangely relieved to get all of this off her chest. When she finished, Anna spoke up:

"Fear not ! Fair sister! I shall save the day!" She proclaimed. Elsa rolled her eyes… a little, she wasn't entirely convinced.

"What? Do you think I wanted to show him around just to spend time with one of the most handsomest men in town? - Elsaaa- I saw what was going on. I thought you were doing the same to him too! I know what you're thinking… He's definitely not Hans! We'll get him sorted soon enough!" She grabbed Elsas' hands and gave them a squeeze.

It wasn't enough for her, as Elsa pulled her sister into a tight hug, her eyes stinging. A couple of tears fell, of… joy?… relief?… happiness? She didn't care, she loved Anna. She would do anything for her, travel to the ends of the earth… They moved apart, Elsa grabbed Annas' face and placed a kiss on her forehead. Leveling their eyes, she told her:

"You're the bestest sister ever!" Anna gave a fond smile, her eyes brightening. She placed a hand on top of Elsas', tilting her head into the touch.

They moved toward the door. Upon opening it, Elsa told Anna of her arrangements for lunch in the gardens. Anna agreed it was a great idea, especially since she thought of it first. Elsa scoffed, indignant but amused. They walked arm in arm through the castle and out to the gardens. They found a small table prepared for them in the shade of a large tree. Their food was served, and the girls ate and talked of business within the castle. Elsa would drift off, thinking of Hiccup, only to be teased by Anna. They had time to relax before court, to which Anna grudgingly agreed to sit in on. It was payment for skipping out on the meeting earlier.

They talked for a little while longer, then made their way through the castle to their rooms. When they were prepared, Anna met Elsa at her door. She noted that she was dressed in a particularly regal dress, and was also wearing her own crown. They walked side by side towards the throne room. Anna seemed deep in thought.

"You look rather fetching Anna, it looks good on you!" She thought she would break the silence.

"What? Oh yeah, got to look our best in front of everyone!" She answered. She glanced at Elsa for a moment, then went back to looking forward.

"What's on your mind? You seem -distracted." With Anna, it could be almost anything.

"I was just thinking of where to take Hiccup on our tour. Do you think he'll be suspicious? Should I try for a direct approach, or…" Elsa looked at her fondly, She was putting a lot of thought into this. She was very grateful.

"I'm sure you'll think of something. As far as him being suspicious, he seems pretty smart judging by the look of that foot of his. He may be wary as to what this is about. I think I would be subtle as first, then see what happens after…" Elsa explained.

"OK! Got it! Don't worry sis, we'll get him figured out! A- and I… I hope I'm right about… him."

"I hope so too. -And Anna? I want to hear about it as soon as you get back!" Anna nodded her head in agreement, smiling.

They were at the entrance to the throne room now. Catarin walked up to them, and greeted them respectfully. After a quick check to make sure their apperances were immaculate, and some last minute notes, Elsa nodded at the guards. The huge carved wooden doors were opened and they were announced. She cast a quick glance at Anna, she was standing board straight, her chin up slightly, and a neutral expression on her face. Elsa was so proud of her! Mimicking her sisters' stance, they entered. This will be an interesting afternoon she thought.

Hiccup watched the girls as they walked away. He was deep in thought, or just plain dazed, a half-smile on his face. Whether it was from Annas' antics during her stay, or his slight realization that maybe…

"-cup!? Hiccup! Oi lad! Aren't you listening?" Petter was there, giving him a flat look. And he noticed that Valdor had joined them too. When did he get here?

"What is going on here?" Valdor asked the both of them. Petter let out a chuckle.

"It seems our Master Hiccup has found something else to loose his focus with!" Valdor craned his neck a little and managed to get a glimpse of the Queen and the Princess walking across the courtyard. As if on cue, both men gave him a suggestive look, wiggling their eyebrows.

"What… what are you looking at?" Was the only response he could muster. The older men gave each other a knowing glance.

"Oh… nothing! Nothing at all! Come now lads, let's get some lunch ourselves!" After a quick cleanup of their tools, and a few jabs at his distractiveness, Hiccup and the two older men made their way out of the courtyard and through the gates. They would take their meal at a tavern nearby. They'd only gotten about one third of the horses done. It was going to be a long afternoon…

The food was served, the men started to tuck in to their meal. Hiccup took a few bites, savoring the flavor. It was sumptuous, and smelled divine… sure wasn't anything like what they had back home. Home… he'd have to head back soon. Back to his duties, his responsibilities, his friends, and his mother. The tribe that looked to him for their answers and directions. He didn't take them lightly, only he needed time away. There was something else in the back of his mind, but he couldn't grasp it. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he noticed the two men giving him flat looks.

"I say laddie! You goin' ta eat, or just will the food to your stomach?" Valdor was grinning at him, while Petter was wiggling his eyebrows… again… Gods! I should just… STOP! He could feel his face burning. He tried and failed to hide it.

"It seems the boy is quite stricken!" Petter said. Both men were laughing uproariously.

"We'll be lucky to get any more work out of 'im for the rest of the day!" Valdor said.

"Aye! The rest of the week even!" Both men were laughing merrily again. Hiccup tried for nonchalance.

"No no! Just thinking of the rest of the horses, -and the shoeing -thing." Was he that obvious? He needed to stop, such. talk. He was thinking of later, and his tour of the town with Anna. Was he going to be under questioning? Or was she just being nice to a foreigner? He had grown fond of her in the little time they spent there in the stable. Her quirky behavior and sense of humor was quite endearing. He thought it might just be something she was doing to be nice. Why did women have to make things so complicated? He decided he would just see what happened. And maybe find out a little about Elsa too.

"The Queen seemed, -interested in you! I guess you've made an impression lad!" Valdor told him. This took Hiccup a little by surprise.

"She,… she was? How? Wh, what did she. say. exactly?"

"Oh, just wanted to know who ye were, were you came from. What I thought of you. That sort of thing…" Valdor waved his hand in dismissal. "I told her what I knew of ye, which isn't much by the way…" Valdor cocked an eyebrow at him, opening the table for more discussion.

"I -aaah, I'm just, umm, -me! You know, Hiccup Haddock! World traveler… ah, heh, Nothing, ahh, not much more to aaah, say!" He wasn't being very convincing, but thankfully the man didn't press. They finished their meal in spirited conversation. Petter got up first, saying he had some business to attend to, assuring them he'd meet them at the stables shortly. Valdor and Hiccup took a roundabout path towards the castle gates. The elder man recounted Arendelles' ancient history. Legends of how the kingdom was started and of their ancestors.

They wound up at the waterfront and stopped to watch a great three-masted ship pull out of its' berth, then turn towards the harbors' entrance. After a comfortable silence, Valdor put his hand on Hiccups' shoulder. He spoke softly.

"I told the Queen you're a fine young man. You're talented, and a hard worker. Honest and true, with a good heart. I'll not press you, I imagine you've got your reasons. But, lad, if you're to win her heart, there'll be no keeping secrets… It's always better if the truth comes out of you, before it comes out on its' own." Hiccup knew this to be true, having learned the lesson the hard way.

"I, uhh… it, -it's complicated, and I'll be leaving soon. And I, just needed to relax." He looked at Valdor, a glint in his eye, a small smile on his lips. Hiccup hated being decietful, but he had a tribe to go back to, a best friend to protect. "I promise, before I go…"

"Very well, lad! Now, let's get back ta work. We've got horses to tend to, and You have a princess to see, -after!" Hiccup felt a bit uneasy at that last statement, but he quashed those feelings immediately. He felt bouyant after their conversation, and was looking forward to meeting the princess again. He was thinking it would be a great afternoon.

Hiccup felt as thought he'd been hit by a whirlwind. The Princess had shown up a little late, citing buisiness at court. She proceeded to all but drag him all over the town. They visited all manner of shops in their travels. From one end of town to the other, Anna was constantly talking about where he could find what. Conversation flowed easily between them, the princess telling him about the more recent history of the kingdom, while Hiccup provided some stories about some of his travels.

By the time they were done they had wound up by the docks. Hiccup was surprised that it was nearly sunset. Anna guided them towards one of the walls guarding the entrance to the harbor. They found themselves walking along the top, and after selecting a spot, Anna climbed on top. Hiccup sat next to her, their feet dangling off the edge. They watched the sun slowly begin its' disappearance below the horizon.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Anna spoke up. "So where are you from exactly, Hiccup?" He considered for a moment, before giving his answer. He thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent at the stables. And after her little tour around the city, he found himself even more fond of the princess. She had a seemingly unbreakable spirit of cheer. If he were to have a sister, He hoped she would be just like her.

"Ah, well, it's an island far to the north. It is one island of a whole archipelago of islands." He said. He mused half to himself "It's twelve days north of hopless, a few degrees south of freezing to death." Anna hummed in wonder, not completely satisfied with his answer.

"Any brothers or sisters?" She asked. His answer was immediate this time.

"No, -no brothers or sister. -I have a cousin though." He thought of him in that moment. He had matured after the death of Hiccups' father. Even more so after the battle…

"I have Elsa, of course. But it wasn't always that way…" She told him of her and Elsa as children, playing together, causing mischief. Then she told him of their accident, and their subsequent separation. Hiccup scowled at this, and it grew while she told him of her attempts at getting her sister out ot play. He was indignant for them as she told him their separation remained, even after their parents' deaths.

She then told him of Elsas' coronation, Her meeting the scheming Prince Hans. Her and Elsas' argument, and the revealing of her powers. The winter that almost destroyed them. Annas' sacrifice to save her sister.

"We've been proper sisters ever since!" Anna said proudly. Then her expression turned sad. "I -I worry about her though. She, she's always working… She, never has time for herself and…"

"Yes, the duties and responsibilities of a ruler never run out!" Hiccup said. "They're there when you wake up in the morning, and when you go to sleep at night. And just when you think you have all the issues taken care of, ten more rise in their place!" He knew this well…

"I've been trying to help, but it's just so much! I don't know how she does it! I mean, meeting with this ambassador or that one. Which treaty or agreement to sign, which one to sit on… I've been trying really hard, but…" Anna trailed off…

"It's not the life we've chosen…" He was looking out towards the horizon, wistfully. "It is one that the Gods, or Fate has willed upon us. All we can do is make the best of it. Try to make the best choices for the people, to do right by them." He turned to Anna, "And at the end of the day, going to bed knowing that you did your best to help them become better." This was what he tried to do for his people, every day, every waking hour. Anna was looking back at him fondly, and… was that smugness too? GODS! He'd said too much…

"I see! You sound like you've had experience…" YEP! Busted!

"I aaahhh, well, that is, I -observed!… some in my, my travels! Rulers! That is, and it, umm, jus -just what it seems like to aaahh-me!" He was angry at himself, also probably blushing angrily too. The princess, bless her, didn't press further for the moment. She scrunched her face in thought, then a look of coyness on her face.

"Sooo, any wives or sweethearts waiting for you back home?" He couldn't help the frown. He heard her gasp slightly. He closed his eyes tightly. Lips drawn tight into a flat line. He turned his head quickly, at the base of the wall they were sitting on. Then out towards the water. He opened his eyes after a moment, drawing in a breath. It was another moment before he answered.

"No,… no wife, or… or sweet… sweethearts…"

"I'm s… sorry Hiccup! I, I… shouldn't have… been nosy… I…" He continued to look out, stamping down the memories. After a moment he looked at her. The look on her face was something he felt didn't belong there. She appeared terribly worried. She bit her lip. And in her eyes he could see that she was truly sorry.

"It's OK, You didn't know. But I would really not like to talk about it… now…" He looked down at the water, then back to the horizon. They sat there together in half-comfortable silence. He wasn't angry with her. She was honestly curious. She looked upset with herself that her directness spoiled the mood. She looked at the horizon, a little sad. He too noticed that it was getting darker…

He got to his feet, stretching his legs and back. The clink of his left foot seemed to draw her attention. She started looking at it curiously. He looked down at her noticing her gaze at the metal contraption. He smiled fondly.

"Another story for another time Anna." His voice snapped her out of whatever thoughts she was having.

"OH! Right… yes!" She looked up at him meekly shrugging her shoulders and biting her lower lip. He offered his hand to help her up. She glanced at the hand, then his face. She was slowly making to take his offer. It reminded him of his first meetings with dragons. Slowly offering a hand, unsure of whether or not to trust.

She took a lot less time than most dragons he mused, as she smiled widely and took his offer. He grabbed her other hand to steady her as she shook her legs awake. She brushed the dust off her skirt, and looked upon him again. He offered his arm to the princess, which she took with a small laugh. They walked along the waterfront towards the causeway that led to the castle gates. Anna regaled him on her antics on some of her more adventurous outings. Hiccup related some of his when he was a child, clumsy, never listening, causing disasters every other time he turned around. They could barely hold a straight line from all the laughing.

They reached the gates and stopped. Hiccup lightly took hold of her left hand, and turned her to face him. "Thank you for the tour, Anna. I had a great time."

"Oh, it was no trouble at all… and, I -I'm sorry if I…" She was trying to find the words, she was trying to apologize for her forwardness. He brought his other hand on top of the one he was holding drawing her full attention.

"It's ok, really. You were curious, and I, I haven't been… forthcoming… about myself. It's just…" He frowned and looked away, searching for the words…"I, I don't mean to deceive you…" Again, searching, Opening his mouth, then closing. He caught a glimpse of someone in a window of the palace across the courtyard. Dark dress, light colored hair… it could be -her…"It's… it's complicated." It was all he could get out at the moment.

He felt badly. He hated doing this. But it wasn't just about him. Sure, he could tell her he was a chieftain of a powerful tribe of vikings. Upon which, he would be dragged into the castle, to be honored as royalty. Offered a stay in the castle, pampered and primped. A whole staff of people to see to his every wish. The prospect didn't sound too bad, actually, but one thing stood foremost in his mind amid all of this… Toothless.

The big lizard could take care of himself well enough. There would be no sneaking out of the castle at any hour to spend time with him, let alone go flying. And if he was found, he was sure these people would kill him on sight. It was not worth all the feather beds, fine clothes, warm baths, and hot meals in the world. No, he was not willing to let that happen. He looked upon Anna, who was looking him in the eye, searching. She finally spoke.

"Ok… Hiccup. I, I trust you…" Not completely, he could see that in her eyes. She brought her other hand up, and placed it on top of his. He could tell, a little, she felt a fondness for him as he felt of her. He uncovered her hand and bowed, planting a peck on it.

"Princess Anna…"

"Goodnight, Hiccup…" It looked like a thought crossed her features. She opened her mouth to speak, but didn't. She only smiled and waved, turning around to pass through the gate. Hiccup turned on his heel, walked across the causeway and out into the town. He realized to his chagrin that all the stores and shops were closed up and he hadn't gotten Toothless his fish! He wouldn't be happy, Hiccup thought. But then it gave way to a good excuse to go on a flight together. He needed time to process all that went on this afternoon, especially his conversation with Anna.

Sure enough, Toothless wasn't pleased. He started pacing around the cave, moving his head side to side. Letting out low growls, punctuated by indignant huffs. He wound up flopping himself on the ground then rolling on his back, whining pitifully.

"Oh! Stop being such a big, scaly baby!" Hiccup rolled his eyes, walking over to a corner of the cave where he kept his gear. As soon as Toothless saw what he was up to, His mood changed immediately.

"That's right Bud! It gives us an excuse to go out, doesn't it?" The dragon was now hopping about playfully. Rounding on Hiccup nudging him in the chest. It was then he caught a scent. Toothless made another full circle around his human sniffing from head to foot. He wound up in front of Hiccup, and plopped down on his haunches, cocking his head to one side and raising an ear flap.

"You smell her, yes? The girl I met the other night? That's her sister!" Toothless let out two short barks. "She showed me around the town, and we had fun, we also talked some…" Toothless narrowed his eyes an let out a questioning croon.

"What? NO! We. just… talked!" The dirty minded lizard. All this time spent together, and he still couldn't grasp the basics of human courtship. He couldn't blame him, and sometimes envied the dragons' rituals. They seemed so much simpler…

They had just finished a session of their regular aerobatics, and a thought crossed Hiccups' mind. He turned Toothless towards the fjord, flying out over the water a bit. They then turned again. This time, headed towards the castle. The moon hadn't risen yet, and he knew a Night Fury was impossible to spot from the ground at night.

They made a few circles around the castle. Hiccup saw two figures sitting on a balcony at the higher levels. Hiccup directed him down, speaking softly that they needed to be quiet. They were close enough for Hiccup to make out their features, but far enough so the girls would not be able to detect the wing-beats of the dragon. He pulled Toothless into a hover, and looked upon them.

They had their backs toward the boys. He couldn't hear the conversation, but he could tell from Annas' animate gestures, that Elsa was under full-scale assault. Anna raised her hand as if offering it to someone, the other hand rising up to the side of her face. Elsa drew her hand to cover her mouth, and turned her head away. At which point, Anna was rocking back and forth on the bench, obviously laughing hard.

"That's them Bud!" He spoke softly. "The one with the red hair is Anna, and the one with the white… hair… is, Elsa." He wasn't sure if the dragon could tell one color from the other, but he felt it bore distinction. They watched for a few more moments. The sisters then stood, and hugged each other. His own heart gave a twinge. So that's what it was like to have a sibling, he thought. They so obviously loved each other.

He thought back of his conversation with Anna, about their childhood, their separation, the death of their parents. They had come through it all, and their bond was stronger for it. He wished, and maybe… hoped? he could be a part of their lives too. But it was a long, and possibly insurmountable road ahead, issues not withstanding. He watched as the sisters walked hand in hand through the door of the balcony and inside.

He took that as their cue. Toothless needed his dinner, and he needed to think. "Toothless? Let's get you something to eat and head back to the cave yeah?" Toothless warbled his assent, and turned in the direction they came.

About two hours later the boys were settling in for the night. Toothless had saved him a fish! Granted, he'd swallowed it first, then regurgitated it at his feet. The gesture would never get old for Hiccup, for it reminded him of their first meeting, and the bond he wouldn't trade for all the treasures on Midgard and beyond…

He was propped up against the dragon, who was comatose from his meal. He'd gotten out his notebook, and was writing, and sketching too. He drew Annas' face, a beaming smile attached to it. Also some details from some of the buildings in town. Ideas he'd like to try once he returned…

He thought of returning, of staying. Of Elsa, Anna, Her cheerful, fearless heart. He could come to no conclusion. He closed his journal and sighed heavily. Rather than crawl over to his own bed, he grabbed a blanket, and snuggled into the dragons' side. He dreamt of gently falling snow, and soft melodious laughter…