Hoist the colors (HTTYD-oneshot)

Hoist the colors

AN: This story is made for one of my readers silentxmaniac I hope you enjoy it. XD

Hoist the colors

The forest was quiet as a lone carriage accompanied by three knights on horseback made its way down a well-beaten path. Inside the carriage sat a prim elderly woman and man as well as a young lady barely in her twenties.

"Straighten your back Astrid." The older woman reprimanded as she saw her daughter slouch a bit.

"Mother, we are in a carriage. No one is even looking at me." Astrid sighed as she smoothed her embroidered skirt somewhat in an attempt to keep her hands busy.

"Do not talk back to your mother Astrid." Her father warned in a no-nonsense tone as he glared at his daughter. "We would not even be making this long journey if not for your fickleness."

"Yes father." Astrid answered with resignation as her father went on a small rant.

"Honestly, to think that my eldest daughter would be the last one unwed." The man sighed. "We should not have been so lenient with you." Astrid's brow twitched as her mother joined in. "How could you turn away so many of your suitors. It is frankly shameful. When I was your age I was already married and had your sister."

"Mother, the suitors were not to my liking." Astrid stated.

"What was wrong with the Marquis of Hysteria?" Her mother asked. "He was a perfectly handsome man and was willing to marry you even though you were becoming a spinster."

"I have told you this before. I wish to marry for love mother." Astrid said with a sigh as if they had had this conversation before, which they most likely did. "I would rather marry someone for love when I am old than marry for influence when I am young."

"Nonsense Astrid." Her father spoke in a haughty tone. "We are part of the Gentry and have a certain status to keep. We do not marry for love."

"But father...."

"No buts. Just look at your darling younger sisters." The man muttered. "They have done this family proud. Alexi is married to a nice Baron and expecting her first child. Natalia is married to an Earl that took fancy to her and is giving us a second grandchild. And then there is you, nearing twenty-three and on the verge of becoming a spinster. You are lucky we have managed to arrange this engagement with the Marquis of Berk for you."

"You would subject me to the Marquis' hand." Astrid growled. "You both know the rumors. I will not be some woman he beats."

"They are just that Astrid. Rumors." Her mother huffed. "Now, no more of this talk. Everything has been arranged already. We are to arrive tomorrow at his castle and I expect you to be on your best behaviour."

Astrid bit her lip and nodded even though she knew that the only reason her parents had accepted the marriage was because the Marquis had offered them land and a title amongst nobility. Being of only the Gentry, her father would have never refused such a boon. All her life she had been nothing but a pawn, watching as her father introduced her to suitors after suitors of 'good stock' to further the family fortune and influence. Her sisters had fallen in line quickly and then proceeded to shun her as she found reason to reject all her suitors, wanting more out of life than being some man's property. Sometimes she just wished that she could leave this life behind and start anew.

Astrid caught a glimpse of the sea as the carriage entered the seaside village that neighboured the lands of the Marquis. When they stopped for a rest she overheard several village women gossiping. "....And he plundered the riches of the crown prince just weeks before." Astrid heard one of the women say as she walked past. This caused her to pause and turn. "Excuse me, of whom are you referring?" She asked with curiosity as there had been no news of any such robbery circulating.