As it Was (Book 1)

Chapter 4

Elsa, unsure on whether she should continue, looked at him.

His eyes were filled with curiosity as he leaned forward showing his excitement to what was coming next. Seeing him like that was enough for Elsa to convince herself to give him what he was asking for.

"A few years back, Arendelle was sent into a panic. We got word that we were being ambushed." Elsa began.

"The entire town was running, gathering as much as they could before the made their escape." She took a deep breath.

This was something she hadn't had time to heal from, mainly because it was still the reality she was living in.

Hiccup stayed silent, eager for her to continue. He took note of her reluctance, but didn't say anything. She would stop the story on her own if she wasn't ready to talk about it yet.

"Most of the townsfolk were able to escape, but some were not. They still reside there as we speak." She continued.

"King Grimmel arrived after the beginning of the ambush finished. He started yelling at people to go inside their houses and not come out until it was over. He needed people in the town to rule over, and they obeyed, afraid of what he'd do to them if they didn't comply."

"What made you stand out from the rest?" Hiccup interrupted, sitting back up.

"Pardon?" Elsa asked, shooting him a look of question.

"I mean, he took control over you, right?" Hiccup asked. "There had to be some reason he chose you over everyone else. Were you the first person he saw?"

Elsa didn't know what to say. If she said she was the Queen, he would know of her magic.

"Certainly not the weakest person he saw." Hiccup continued, noticing her silence.

Maybe he was a little too straight forward with his question. He wanted to know more about her, but he didn't want to push her. He'd be cautious too, he was a stranger who kidnapped her after all.

"I'm not sure exactly why he chose me to control. I guess I was an easy target."

"Nonsense." Hiccup stated. "Far from easy." He let out a small laugh.

"It took me a while to convince you to come with me here, I can only imagine what you said to him."

"I didn't agree to come with you, you took me, remember?" Elsa said, slight playfulness behind her words.

"Ah, that I do." Hiccup said, nodding his head playfully. "I remember it like it was yesterday."

"That's because it was." Elsa stated.

"I'm being sarcastic." Hiccup said with a smile. "It's one of my many likeable traits."

He closed his eyes, put his hand on his chest and held his chin up high, as if he were showing pride in this statement. Of course he was joking, he just wanted Elsa to feel comfortable by lightening the mood.

When he opened his eyes, he caught a glimpse of her as she watched his embarrassing, but comforting actions play out in front of her.

She wore a smile, one that looked genuine.

Though he just met this woman, he felt drawn to her. Maybe not in a romantic way, but a platonic way. He couldn't fall for her this fast, considering it would be hypocritical of his own words when it came to the Princess of Arendelle and her ordeal.

He wished he had his sketchbook so he could capture that moment. Her first real smile since he first laid eyes on her. She look so beautiful, so perfect. She wasn't filled with fear or anxiety. For once, she seemed calm, something he wanted to see more of.