This Is The Last Time (HTTYD)

Chapter Fifteen

"This is hot and itchy." Iren complained. He stood in front of a three panel mirror and on top of a box.

"I've never seen a chief wear all of this for their coronana." Zephyr examined the heavy velvet cloak.

Viggo was leaning against a nearby column, painfully admiring his brother. "Coronation Zephyr. And Chiefs don't wear this stuff, but kings do."

"And what's the difference?"

"Nothing really, just the culture."

She shrugged and let go off the cloak. "I'm going to find some food. Maybe Miss Heiress of Germaphobs won't find me there."

"Lady Myra? She's really nice!" Iren told Zephyr who gave an ugly face.

"She wants me to wear something called a corset."

"Oh." Viggo chuckled. "Yeah your aunt doesn't like those too much either. Don't worry it'll only be for a few hours."

"A few hours without breathing and I'll be dead!" Zephyr exclaimed as she opened the door, but screamed when she saw a skinny woman in her mid twenties.

"There you are!" she tried to snatch Zephyr, but she simply slipped out of the woman's grasps and dashed down the hallway. The woman huffed and brushed aside some of the hair that had fallen out of her black bun. "I would complain, but I'm getting some well needed exercise."

"Just be careful, she can run for hours."

"Maybe I should just call the dog catcher." she joking said, then took another deep breath before sprinting off after Zephyr.

"She's heading towards the kitchens!" he called after her, wondering if she even heard him.

"Do I have to do this?"

The question caught Viggo off guard and suddenly all the humor had faded. "What do you mean?" he sincerely asked, sitting down on the floor and offering a seat to his brother.

Iren gratefully sat down on the stool and rested his head on both hands. He looked tired and depressed. "I mean, why should I do this? You're much more suited to this stuff."

"I'm not Monrides true born heir."

"Why does that matter?"

He sighed and patted Iren's knee. "I don't know. Traditions, maybe."

"Traditions are stupid." he muttered, messing with the cloak. "We should do it like in Xedous. The ruler has to be twenty one before they have to be crowned."

"Niki was younger. She was thirteen when she was crowned. And don't think that being three years older makes it any better, or being an elf. It doesn't. At least you don't have to fight a war."

Iren looked up at him, his eyes boring with pain and the clear message of resentment. "I really don't want to do this. I'm not ready, I want to be able to play with Zephyr, not sit in a stuffy room while others tell me what to do."

"You seemed so happy before I left."

"That's because I thought you were going to be here with me. But you're not."

Viggo raised his eyebrow. "I'm here right now."

"But you're leaving once the Dragon Riders get back."

He paused and looked out the window. The thought crossed his mind at every waking moment, especially as immediate preparations for Iren's coronation began to take place. His allegiance was sworn to the Dragon Riders, the past twenty years of his life had happened in that world. Five more than the first fifteen he spent here. Iren expected him to stay and rule beside him but Hiccup would hate him mercilessly if he left the Dragon Riders behind.