How To Be Brave

The speech

We looked over the stone we were hiding behind at the castle. Dad quietly growled and walked off. "Dad!" I hissed. "Do you have a better idea?"

Dad pulled on the metal fence that led to the secret entrance of the castle. Finally it came out. "That'll do."

We slipped past the guards and came to the door that led to the bedrooms. And unfortunately, also to the throne room.

"No more talk! No more traditions! We settle this now!" I heard chief Hofferson roar.

"You're the second in lead! You decide which of our daughters your nephew will marry!" Chief Agreeable shouted.

"None of your daughters are fit to marry him!" Gobber responded.

"Then our alliance is over! This is war!" Chief Unbreakable concluded. I winced. This wasn't the meaning at all.

"They're gonna murder each other", I said, drawing back from the door opening. "You've gotta stop them before it's too late!" Dad growled, gesturing to his dragon body. Crap. "I know, I know! But how do we get through there and up to the tapestry with the lot of them boiling over like that?" Dad shrugged. Jack bit his lip. Great. Dad's eyes cleared up and he pointed to us.

The tribes were about to start a fight. I walked in, Jack following me. I tried my best to imitate dad the first time the tribes arrived. Apparently, it worked. Everyone fell silent. We walked over to Gobber.

"What are you doing, lads?" He asked us.

"It's all right, Gobber", Jack hushed him. I turned to the tribes.

"I... I have... Well, you see, I..." I struggled with the words. For the first time I wished I had paid attention in dad's lessons. "I have been in conference with the King."

"Is that so?" Chef Unbreakable asked, leaving his spot behind the barricades.

"Yes, it is", I answered.

"Well, where is he then?" Chief Hofferson asked.

"He..." I started.

"How do we know that this isn't some trick?" Chief Agreeable questioned.

"I'd never..." I protested.

"This is highly irregular."

"What are you playing at?"

"Where is the King?"

"We will not stand for any more of this jiggery-pokery."

"That's right, let's see him." I completely lost it.

"SHUT IT!!!" Everyone fell quiet. Gobber chuckled. "Well, I..." I paused mid-sentence, staring at dad, who tried to sneak behind some guards. He made a gesture to go on. "Once, there was an ancient kingdom."

"What is this?" Chief Hofferson asked.

"That kingdom fell into war, and chaos and ruin", I carried on.

"We've all heard that tale", chief Agreeable interrupted me. "Lost kingdom."

"Yes, but it's true. I know now how one selfish act can turn the fate of a kingdom."

"It's just a legend", the chiefs protested. I looked at Jack, who rolled his eyes.

"Legends are lessons. They ring with truths", I quoted dad. "Our kingdom is young. Our stories are not yet legend. But in them, our bond was struck. Our tribes were once enemies. But when invaders threatened us from the sea, you joined together to defend our lands. You fought for each other. You risked everything for each other." I gestured at the chiefs. "Chief Hofferson, my uncle saved your life, stopping an arrow as you ran to Unbreakable's aid."

"Aye, and I'll never forget it", the stunned chief said.

"And, chief Agreeable, you saved my uncle's life, when you charged in on heavy dragon and held off the advance." Named chief looked flattered. "And we all know how chief Unbreakable broke the enemy line."

"With a mighty throw of his axe!" Chief Agreeable agreed.

"I was aiming at you, you big tumshie!" Everyone laughed.

"The story of this kingdom is a powerful one. My dad rallied your forces, and you made him your King." I looked at Gobber. "It was an alliance forged in bravery and friendship and it lives to this day." Everyone cheered. From the other side of the room, dad gave me a proud look. "But I have been selfish. I tore a great rift in our kingdom. There's no one to blame but me." When I was done speaking, I let my head down. "And I know now that I need to mend my mistake and mend our bond." Dad looked sad, as if remembering something. "And so, there's the matter of my betrothal." Jack grabbed my hand and softly pinched it, telling me he knew it was the best. "I've decide to do what's right and..." I stopped to see dad signing me things. "... and...." Dad repeated his movements. "...break tradition." Shocked murmurs rose. Dad gestured to himself. "My father, the King, feels..." Pointing at the heart. "... in her heart that I..." Dad shook his head. "... that we be free to..." Scribbling. "... write our own story..." One paw followed the other. "... follow our hearts, and find love in our own time."

"That beautiful", one of the chiefs sobbed.

"The King and I put the decision to you, dear chiefs. Might our young people decide for themselves who they will love?"

"Well, since your obviously made up your minds about this, I have one thing to say", chief Agreeable spoke. "This is..."

"A grand idea!" His daughter called. "Give us our own say in choosing our fate."

"What?" Her father asked.

"Aye, why shouldn't we choose?" Mala spoke up.

"But he's the prince", her father protested.

"I did not pick him out. It was your idea", she huffed.

"And you... You feel the same way?" Chief Hofferson asked his daughter.

"It's just..." She switched to the weird language again. "Good?" No one said a word. I chuckled.

"Well, that settles it. Let these lasses try and win his heart before they win his hand. If they can."

"I say, the wee Mala has a fighting chance."

"Fine then, for once we agree. It was my idea in the first place", chief Agreeable spoke. Everyone laughed.

"I'm sorry to break it into you, but I'm afraid someone has stolen my heart already", I smiled and pulled Jack closer. It was quiet for a moment.

"I'd say you picked a good one", Mala smirked, making everyone in the room laugh. I sighed in relief. Gobber placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Just like your mom. You devil." I grinned.

"Let's take that as a compliment."

"Good speech", Jack murmured. I smiled and turned to give a look at dad. One guard had gotten suspicious and examined him closer. Dad prenteded to be a stuffed dragon. The guard nudged him with the spear. "Quick, come up with something", I whispered panicking in Jack's ear.

"Everyone, to the cellar! Let's crack open the King's private reserves to celebrate!" Everyone cheered.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa", Gobber tried to hush them. "Bring the tiny glasses", he told the servants. When everyone had left, I ran to dad, who finally didn't have to pretend he was a stuffed dragon anymore. I did a small victory dance, dad smirked.

"Oh. The tapestry."