Honeymoon Viking-style

9.

The tension between the three was evident. They hardly spoke or looked at each other during the day. They just dedicated themselves to preparing for what they were about to do, dedicating a few needed words to each other.

At dusk, the three of them were on the outskirts of Arendelle, sheltered by darkness.

"Before we start... well, I just wanted to tell you I'm really sorry... for everything," Elsa said, crouching behind a tree, her voice shaking.

Nobody said anything for a few seconds. Then Hiccup sighed uncomfortably.

"Let's focus on the task before us. We will have time to talk."

They all agreed and Elsa shook her head to clear it.

"It's fine. Let's do this."

Taking advantage of the darkness and Elsa's knowledge, they moved through the city, from alley to alley, until they reached the foot of the castle. They came across very few people, so it was easy to leave them behind unseen. Once there, Elsa created some ice steps so they managed to scale the wall. Luckily, they didn't find any guards there.

"Well, what now?" Astrid said, ax in hand.

"I'm going to see Anna," Elsa answered firmly.

"Let's find Toothless," Hiccup said at the same time.

The two looked at each other, between awkward and defiant. It was clear that each had their own motivations in this raid and they didn't want to postpone them.

"We would better split," Elsa suggested at last.

"I agree," Hiccup said, relaxing. "See you at camp?"

"Yes."

"I don't think it's a good idea to split up," Astrid said. "C'mon guys! We don't know what's happening, and let me remind you that we've already been kicked our ass once. Together we're stronger."

"But now we're the ones with the surprise factor on our side," Hiccup argued. "We have to take advantage of it."

"I agree," Elsa seconded.

"But..."

"Be careful, Elsa," said Hiccup who, despite his anger, was fond of her.

"You too."

And, without wasting a second, Elsa ducked inside the castle while Hiccup launched to climb up a ledge.

"Hiccup! Elsa!" Astrid said, trying not to raise her voice too much, but neither of them paid any attention to her. "Now what do I do?"

* * *

Elsa made her way through the corridors as stealthily as she could, heading straight for Anna's room. If she still knew something of her sister, she would be there. On the way, she met only two guards whom she outwitted without difficulty until, finally, she found herself in front of that door that she knew so well.

Instinctively, she started to knock, but then, remembering the assault on the Northuldra camp, the fury within her revived and she slammed the door in.

When she opened it she saw Anna sitting by the fire, in a dressing gown, enjoying a glass of wine. She was wearing her pajamas, but her crown still rested majestically on her head.

"Hey, Elsa! Where are your manners? You have to respect the furniture!"

Elsa stopped, bewildered. Anna didn't seem surprised to see her.

"Come in and close, the heat is leaving."

* * *

Astrid, not knowing who to go after, finally decided to take a tour of the castle to ensure the exit. She wanted to make sure it wasn't a cheat. Thus, she walked the wall controlling the movements of the guards that were prowling there. Nobody seemed to have noticed their presence and everything seemed to be in order, so she decided to go back to the place they had entered and see if either of them had returned.