She sat there on one of the benches next to the ring, watching that man. That wonderful, -wonderful man, giving children lessons on interacting with dragons. Her man! Her future husband and King, or Chief, or whichever title they deigned to give him. And there was absolutely no doubt in her mind now… She loved him!
Yes, She loved him. She loved him more than she had ever loved anyone in the world. The only exception was Anna. But she was her sister, that was different. He filled her very soul. All she ever wanted to do in life from now on was to be with him.
There had been doubt. She doubted herself that she did. It was all so new to her. To have a need to be with someone, to talk to them. Share ideas and thoughts, and dreams with them. Even just the bare act of, -being with them. She wasn't as positive as she had been what she felt for him.
She had not been sure, right up to the time he came back to her that night in Arendelle. After she had pushed him away out of fear… As she had thought about it, maybe it wasn't just the fear of his dragon. Maybe, it was also fear of these feelings. The fluttery butterflies, all over her body every time she saw him, or heard his voice. The feelings that would wash over her, when she just thought about him. She would feel sometimes as though she was drowning. It was a bit frightening to her. Perhaps that was an underlying reason she had pushed him away.
As soon as she did, as soon as she realized what she had done, she knew it to be wrong. And then, all she wanted was for him to come back. For him to just, be with her, -always. She had let him down twice, -and he had come back to her. It was then, at this act of coming back to her, she realized her feelings were returned. It was the recognition of this that was the tipping point. She knew, then and there, She loved him.
Then he left, he left to come back here. To his home, to his family. But she loved him, and he loved her. It made his leaving a bit easier to take. For just as she knew she loved him, she knew she would see him again. It was only a matter of time… Her love would hold her, even in her darkest days at sea, missing him. It would hold her, until the time they were together again…
Perhaps, being in this place where she didn't have to be Queen, -not yet, anyway. She could just be, -Elsa… Well… She had time to focus on herself. Her feelings, her desires, her, -needs. Perhaps it was this that had made the feelings intensify. Made her more sure of what she felt for this man.
Oh, and it did help that being in this place, she saw, -him. Not the person she knew him to be in Arendelle. Just a visitor, a person she happened to…"bump into" one fateful evening, in a forge in her country. She saw HIM . She saw him being Chief. She saw him caring for her, and the people of his tribe. -And his friends and allies. She saw him caring for the dragons as well. She saw him being assertive, protecting her honour, making decisions to determine the future of his tribe, -and maybe even the whole of the archipelago! Yes, that did help greatly!
And last night, when they were together. She wanted more than ever to give herself to him. She, -needed- to make him feel as she felt. The haze of passion, the feeling of, -completeness, after they, or rather, she, finished. Rapunzel had told her that it was different for a man. What they felt, as a result of, -sharing pleasure. But she had said it brought their feelings for one another to a different level. It was something she needed to do. Even though she didn't know what to do. Rapunzel had given her some ideas, and she wanted to try. He had turned her down, but she was determined to try… at their next… meeting…
She shook those thoughts from her head. She began to feel quite heated on the idea. She watched the children. Sitting on the floor of the arena, legs folded, backs straight. Listening in rapt attention as he told them how to approach a dragon, how to get its' attention. He was firm, yet yielding. Patient, and kind. She was struck with another thought. Sometime, in the not-so-distant future, one, -or maybe more- of these children could be theirs. A little prince, or princess, learning the ways of the dragons. It made her earlier, -racier thoughts more acute.
Her eyes idly scanned the ring. She noted racks of weapons, and targets standing here and there, but something was missing… Toothless was there just a moment ago, napping behind Hiccup… She heard a croon and a squawk behind her. She turned just in time to see Toothless and Hulda go into an elaborate greeting dance. Bobbing and shaking heads. Wings splaying and folding. Grunting, huffing, chirping, and crooning. Four steps one way then back. Tails swishing and curling. She wondered if it was out of respect, or affection. maybe both, as their greeting seemed longer than his greeting of the Changewings.
She turned back around to see a child standing apart from the others, Hiccup stood behind her. She held up a small fish to a group of Terrible Terrors. They immediately started clamoring to get to the fish. A tiny but firm NO! Came from the little girl. The dragons stopped their advance, but were still eager to get the meal. She pointed to one of them. An orange colored Terror stepped out, and as soon as it settled, and sat, it was given the fish. Hiccup patted the little one on her head, smiling.
Some, -thing nudged her in the side, nearly bowling her out of her seat. She turned. Toothless was vying for some attention. She complied, scratching him under the chin.
"Good Morning, Toothless!" She said, smiling brightly. She turned all the way around and stood, scratching him in earnest. She brought up her other hand and started scratching his neck. She looked back towards the ring. Hiccup was still instructing the children. She moved her other hand idly down his jaw, still scratching vigorously. Reaching the point of his jaw, she moved her hand a little lower, still scratching. Toothless let out a contented yowl… and immediately flopped on his belly, then rolled slightly.
"Toothless?" His eyes were closed, his mouth partly opened. He… he wasn't moving. She started to panic. HE. WASN'T. MOVING! Dear GODS! What, WHAT HAVE I DONE? "HICCUP!" Her insides dropped completely out of her. Merciful Gods! I've only been here a few days, and I've managed to… to… "HICCUP!" This was bad, so very, incredibly BAD!
He came upon the scene and looked at Toothless, then her. His eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open.
"What… what have you done? What did you do to my dragon?"
"Hiccup? OH GODS! I am so, so -sorry! I, I don't know what happened! Is, is there anything that can be done?' She looked upon the dragon. His body twitched. "I, -I was just… Scratching him, -and he, -he just… OH HICCUP!" Her eyes started to sting. She turned back to Hiccup. There was a curious glint in his eye. the corners of his mouth started to… curl? He, he… She just killed his dragon, and he was… He started chuckling. He bent over, supporting his weight on his knees with his hands. Toothless let out a yowl, his legs twitched. Hiccup was full-out laughing now. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"He's… he's not dead… is he…" Hiccup shook his head, still laughing. She'd been had… He took a few steps over to Hulda. He scratched her along her jaw. Reaching the same point she had, he moved his hand lower. Hulda took a few wobbly steps, her eyes rolled. She groaned, then flopped on her side. Her legs kicking. By now, they had a small audience, they were all laughing. She was so embarrassed! But she couldn't have known… It, was kind of funny when she thought about it, but… Ooooh! That MAN!
She folded her arms behind her, and walked towards him slowly. Step by step.
"Gods! You… You should've seen… seen your, -your face!" She smiled sweetly at him. He was still laughing. She got within arms' length of him, stood there for a half-second… Then hauled off, and punched him in the gut, -HARD! The air escaped his lungs with an 'Oooof'. He went down on his knee. That may not have been necessary, but… She took a deep breath, and exhaled. She felt so much better now! She threw a shrug and a sheepish smile over her shoulder at their audience, who were laughing even harder now. She straightened, rolled her shoulders, and headed back towards the village.
Walking across the main square, she noticed A blonde-haired woman, incredibly large with child. She was carrying a basket, but one of the loaves of bread had fallen out. She stood there a moment, as if contemplating whether to try to bend over and pick it up. She decided to help. She walked over and picked up the loaf, after brushing it off, she handed it to her
"Would you like me to get you another?" The woman eyed her a moment or two.
"Nah, He wouldn't know the difference. Besides, a little dirt never hurt no one." She smiled.
"I am Lady Kirsten, And you are?" She eyed her suspiciously.
"So, you're the one everyone's talking about. Huh!" She looked her up and down.
"Ruffnut, Ruffnut Ingermann." She said. She recognized the name.
"You're Fishlegs' wife!" She said. She nodded.
"So! A southern Noblewoman huh? What exactly brings you here other than Hiccup?" She fixed her with a pointed look.
"Please, -let's get you inside, you look like you're about to fall over."
"Nothin' doin'! I've been stuck in that Gods-forsaken house for two whole weeks! I gotta get out!" She took her arm firmly.
"Well then, let us go to your hall, and I'll drag a chair outside for you, yes?" Ruffnut glared at her. She glared right back. She reluctantly gave in, and allowed herself to be led back.
"Don't you think for a moment that just because you're going to be the Chiefs' wife, you think you can order me around." She muttered under her breath. She was mildly shocked.
"And don't you think that because I am, or may be, that I won't try! Even if it is to look out for you!" She stopped, what, what did I just… Ruffnut fixed her with a knowing look. Oh Gods! This is all Hiccups' fault.
"Uh huh, thought so… So when is the big day? Or are you two going to just run off and do it? Or maybe, you have done it, and ran from whatever kingdom you came from? Don't spare any details sister!" She chastised herself.
'Please Ruffnut! We, -we can't speak of such things just yet." She huffed
"Well, half the village has figured it out by now, and the other half is trying to figue out why you two haven't said anything yet." Huh… well…
"Hiccup still thinks there's something still not figured out, something, -missing from this that doesn't make sense. Please! We can't speak of it just yet. And he doesn't want Gjaflaug sent away right, -now." Ruffnut nodded.
"Well, alright, I don't see why they don't after what she did when she got here…" She said.
"I have spoken with her, and she is very sorry. Hiccup wants her to learn, and I need her to help me, with an, -idea I have…" She left it at that. She smiled.
"So! Going behind his back already! I like you! Like, -a lot!" They shared a giggle. They went inside, and put on water for tea. She drug out a chair, and they sat in front of the hall. Ruffnut told her more of their childhood. She had already heard some of it, but not from one of his peers yet. They chatted about village life and her family and her country. Before long Fishlegs came back from his duties for lunch. She said her good-byes, promising to come over for supper soon. She made her way to the Chiefs' Hall. She'd not seen Hiccup since their "incident" this morning… Maybe she should apologize.
Hulda met her along the way, and settled into the stable as she went inside. Valka had a tiny lunch prepared, if it was… for both… of them. She started rooting through the cupboards when Valka appeared.
"Ahh! There you are child!" She walked over to a corner of the kitchen, and produced a saddlebag and a fur. It was so soft and supple!
"Here ye are! Go have yourself a picnic!" Well, this was, -unexpected. She opened the bag. There was dried fish, bread and cheese. And a jug of, something. She spoke before she thought.
"Valka? Have you seen Hiccup?" She immediately regretted it. Valka merely threw a coy look over her shoulder.
"I haven't dear, not since this morn'!" That was… not helpful…
"He did mention goin' out to the nest one of these days…" She trailed off. She wondered.
"H, -Hulda will know the way, -right?" Valka walked up to her, taking her hands. She squeezed.
"Yes, dear! I suspect she would!" She smiled widely. She then turned and walked towards the table.
"Just, -be careful child! And be back before nightfall!" She smiled and thanked her. She went upstairs and changed. There was a brand new deerskin jacket on the bed. It was lined with fur, and very finely made.
"Valka? Where did this jacket come from?" She came to the bottom of the stairs.
"It's a gift for you dear! Some of the families wanted to show their support. They feared you might be a bit cold up there." It was cold up there, but it was a relief! It didn't bother her. But it was a very nice gesture. It would be rude not to accept.
"It's very beautiful! Please give them my thanks!" She nodded and smiled. She finished dressing, then came down. She was just about to head out the door, when she stopped. She then strode over to the table, bent down, and gave Valka a warm hug, and a peck on the cheek.
"Thank you Valka, f, -for everything!" She smiled warmly, then made a shooing motion with her hands.
"Off with you! GO!" She smiled back at her then went into the stable. She had Hulda saddled quickly, and was in the air.
"The nest girl. Do you know where it is?" The dragon squawked twice and bobbed her head. "Would you take me there please?" Again, she squawked twice. She turned north, and settled into a pace.
Berk was still very much in sight when she heard a voice behind her.
"Oi! Lady Kirsten!" She slowed Hulda a fraction until he caught up. He was younger than her. His hair was black as was his beard. Short and a bit on the scruffy side. He was riding a bluish-red Monstrous Nightmare. His saddle was set so he rode on the dragons' shoulders.
"Where might ye be headed, My Lady?" She recognized him. He was one of a group of others that had been talking with the council. Him and Freybjorn…
"Oh, Nowhere in particular. Just, -out for a flight!" She chose to be careful.
"Would the Lady be needin' an escort?" It didn't really come out as a request.
"No, no thank you! I'm not going far." She thought she detected a slight scowl. He continued.
"I'm afraid I must insist! The Lady shouldna' be off by herself. It could start rumors" That it could, but…
"I really don't pay much attention to rumor, nor do I give them much weight. Especially when I don't know where, or whom they're coming from!" That's it! Show yourself…
"Ah! F'give me! Nicolaus, -Nicolaus Baredvetten! Son of Fólki. My family owns three fishing boats, and has some interests in the mines." She nodded, and said nothing. Make him sweat a little. She turned and looked ahead. After a minute, he cleared his throat.
"I'm afraid I must insist again on escorting the Lady. It would be a shame if something were to happen…" Yes it would, but would he be the cause of it? Hmmm…
"That's a lovely Nightmare you have!" She said innocently. He preened a little… MEN!
"Thank ye, My Lady! His name's Tindr! He's a fierce little lad!" She caught the dragon rolling his eyes. She had to bite the inside of her mouth to keep from laughing. Tindr huffed and grunted. She got an idea… She directed Hulda over to them.
"Steady girl!" She chirped. She stood on her back as they came up to Tindrs' head. She wrapped an arm tenderly around his neck and spoke softly, scratching his jaw.
"Tindr? Be a good boy and take him back to the village please? And if he insists on following us? Please give him a bath, won't you?" Tindr growled his assent, and licked her. "That's a good dragon!" She gave him a tender scratch, then let go. She dropped onto her saddle.
"Let's go girl!" She flattened herself. Hulda grunted, and with a powerful sweep of her wings, they took off. Nicolaus' spluttering and shouting growing faint in the distance. They flew on. At least a couple of hours had passed before something strange came into view. It looked like an island, but it was the strangest she had ever seen. As she got closer, it looked like a giant drop of water had fallen from the sky, and had frozen at the time of impact. Hulda made a turn around the outside. The bottom half was made up of rock. The upper part of ice. It looked like no other she had seen before, but yet, strangely, -familiar.
They dropped down and flew around the base. She looked about, at all the spikes and spires of ice. It was a particularly beautiful sight. She may have to spend some more time here. The ice was a translucent blue-green. Like sea water that had been frozen in-place. There were two dragons ahead flying towards the island. A Nightmare and a Snafflefang. Hulda squawked and chirped. The two dragons roared in greeting.
They ducked into a large opening in the side of a cliff. It was completely dark for more than a few moments. Hulda was ducking, and banking hard. She had to concentrate. Because she couldn't see, she had to pay attention to her dragon. She was a bit anxious at first, but she had learned to trust Hulda. She wouldn't let anything bad happen to her. She felt her rising, or leveling off. There was light up ahead. She could now make out the tunnel they were flying through. It seemed a bit small, but Hulda was managing just fine.
A couple more twists and turns, they were then flying up. The tunnel opened up into a huge cavernous space. The roof was at least two hundred feet above their heads. It was supported by columns of ice, or rock, or both. Dragons of all shapes and sizes clung to them. There were hundreds, maybe thousands of dragons here! All manner of colors and species, all living here. It was quite the sight!
There was a body of water covering most of the floor under them. It followed around a huge shoulder of rock standing from it. In the rock face, she noticed several openings in it. A wisp of smoke was coming from one of them. Flying around this formation, the cavern opened up into an even greater space. And there, lying in one end of this great pool of water, was Jórunna. She seemed to be resting. At least, she couldn't, -feel any reaction from her.
There was a roar and a screech behind her. Hulda answered with a screech and a squawk. She turned her head, and there was Toothless and -Hiccup! They were on a rock ledge that overlooked the water. Hulda turned without being asked. Her insides fluttered madly as he stood and waved. Here they were, alone… Well, except for the dragons. A smile crept across her face. They landed close by. After sliding off the saddle, and shaking some of the blood back where it belonged, she walked towards him.
"Well! Look what we have here! A Southern Noblewoman! Pray tell me, what brings a Lady such as yourself up this far North?" Ahhh, this man and his games! She could get used to it! She smiled.
"Well… I heard a story, and I wanted to find out if it was true." He smiled that smile… Gods !
"OH? What kind of story?" She started walking towards him slowly.
"Well, I'd heard that a Viking Chief had flown his Dragon down South, and had stolen the heart of a Queen…"
"Wow! He must be quite the specimen! To perform such a deed!" She laughed. This man!
"Yes! I heard he was very, very handsome, and powerful!" She was nearly in his personal space now. He didn't move. -Good!
"Well, handsome is a matter of opinion and, -context. But powerful? No, -nobody around here fits that description." She stopped a half-step away from him. She brought a hand up. Tracing his armor with a finger. She looked up at him innocently.
"No? You, -you're -quite sure?" She fluttered her eyelashes playfully. His throat bobbed as he swallowed. She laid her hand flat on his chest. His eyes searched her face. His gaze faltered, he took a half-step back. Was he… did he, -doubt himself? "Hiccup?"
"I uhhh, -we… we should be, -careful, Elsa. I, -I don't want to, push you too far…" He looked down at his feet.
"Hiccup? There's no one here is there?" He looked at her and shook his head. His gaze returned to his feet. Something was wrong, she should press… But would she? She chose not to, -for the moment.
"Your mother packed a lunch… And I'm hungry." She turned and walked over to Hulda who was sitting on her haunches, half-asleep. She untied the bag and the fur. She spread it out next to the spot he was standing. She sat, and started unpacking their food. After a moment, he sat down next to her. They enjoyed their food in comfortable silence. After a bit, she leaned against him. He didn't move.
"So how are you liking it here?" He asked.
"It's wonderful Hiccup! The people, -well, most of them. The dragons, Everything here is so, -natural and unspoiled… I, I'm enjoying myself very much!" She told him. He kept looking in the distance, and only nodded. He seemed to snap out of his thoughts for the moment, and smiled.
"Not quite the elegance and refinement of your home I'll say. But here, I… don't…" He stopped, and opened and closed his mouth a few times. "There's, -not really anything expected of me. Sure, I'm Chief and all, but, I couldn't help feeling that in Arendelle, I was expected to act a certain way, and think a certain way… Here, it's just… me!" He looked at her with a questioning look. She agreed.
"I know! And that's another thing I love about being here! I can be Elsa, and not Queen. Not the Great-great-granddaughter of Oskar the Great! Or blood relation to Finngeir the Bold! Just, -me!" He smiled that smile, and locked eyes. She felt warm inside. He looked away again, but it didn't seem he was as troubled as he was. She busied herself, packing the saddlebag and tying it shut. Maybe she should, push a little…
"Hiccup? What's wrong?" He didn't look. After a moment, he sighed. His shoulders sagged.
"I can't make any sense of this. If they meant to close the gap, with Gjaflaug, why didn't they just come over and talk? -Well, maybe they did talk, but not to me… And, DO they want to talk, or are they just, -setting us up for an attack?" Hmmm, she could see… but she didn't quite know enough to say either way.
"This, -person, who is supposedly taking over the Beserker tribe… He's, -related to one on the council?" He nodded.
"Yes, -Reifnir! He's Ansels' youngest son. He's a few years younger than me. He, -their family doesn't even have a dragon! Not that that's entirely bad, but it tells me they're still sort of, clinging to the old ways…" She thought for a moment.
"So, you marry Gjaflaug… Relations are, -improved between your tribes… And… This, -Reifnir gets supported by the Lavalouts?" She forwarded. He furrowed his brow for a moment, then nodded.
"That would make a little sense, but they would be the only ones. -Well, maybe the Murderous tribe too. They would do so to stem any conflict… The other Chiefs, the Heirs, they wouldn't support him. I wouldn't…" He frowned again.
"Maybe we should go over and talk to them… See what they say… Find out what's on their minds." He cocked an eyebrow at her, glaring a little.
"I'm really not in favor of you going over there Elsa. I, -I'm not even sure how you intend to pull it off. And… I, -I don't want you getting hurt." His face fell.
"Hiccup!" She admonished. "If I am to be their Queen, it is MY job to meet with them. To see what they want. Is it not?" He nodded slightly. "You can let me handle this! I plan to take Gjaflaug with me. With her there, there would be a lesser chance of them attacking, Yes?" Again he nodded. He still didn't look convinced. "And she can help me when I visit the other tribes too. She knows your customs, and she knows the islands. She can be a great help." He looked away, thinking hard. He fixed her with a look.
"Just-" He sighed, "Be, -be careful. I, -I love you, and I don't… want to lose you…" She smiled.
"I love you too Hiccup! And, then- there's always the backup plan!" He cocked an eyebrow.
"And what plan is that?" He asked.
"I can freeze them solid, or bury them in snow so deep, They'll be digging themselves out for months!" He seemed to think for a moment.
"You could make it snow there, -every day! For a year!" She chuckled.
"Well, I don't know if I'd go that far…" He smiled that smile.
"A month then, just to get your point across." She nodded.
"Hiccup? You haven't told anyone have you? About my powers?" He shook his head, and looked down.
"No, I… I still haven't figured it out yet… I -I don't know how they'll take it. -Aside from the whole… Lying to the whole archipelago… thing…" She nodded.
"That's bothering you too? Isn't it?" He nodded, and looked out over the pool. "Hiccup, That -sadly, is part of being a leader as well… Some things must be kept hidden if only for a while…" He nodded again and sighed.
"Well, I don't like it. I, -I know you're just trying to help, but… It makes me seem no better that those others… and, I -don't want to lose you that way either." He took a deep breath, then released it. "If it comes down to it, we'll leave the islands, and go back to Arendelle… Live our lives there!" Ohhh! This man! She turned her whole body, and wrapped her arms around him. Her legs went across his lap. She hugged him fiercely. She kissed him on the point of his jaw, and buried her face in his neck. She wanted to claw that Gods-forsaken armor off him right now and… yeah… She could, -she wanted to… But no, she had to focus. That didn't seem. -Right.
"Hiccup? I, -I don't think that's what you're meant for. You have… this… gift. With the dragons… It, it -means something! I'm not sure what my part could be in this, but… The world is, -changing Hiccup. I believe you are meant to, -play some part in it…" She wasn't sure, but it felt right. They sat for a few more minutes in comfortable silence. She straightened, and considered his armor. She needed to figure this out…
"Do you, -feel anything? From, -Jórunna?" She locked eyes with him and shook her head. There was a buckle there…
"She seems to be resting…" There! Now that strap wraps around… The shoulder plates come off…
"Fishlegs still hasn't come across anything yet…" His arms came up mechanically. Either he didn't mind… or, it didn't register what she was doing…
"I hear there's an extensive library at Pottsmouth, in the Anglish Isles…"He trailed off. She could only hmmm in response, she was trying to figure this out still. She scooted and turned, curling her leg in front of her. A tie here… and here…
"I heard that Iskandoria, in Ajipt, has the largest library in the world!" She told him. He nodded absently.
"We should go there someday." He said. There! She took one of his arms, he gave it. Turning it over, she went to work…
"Maybe… After?" There! One arm down, she took the other. He nodded, Still looking over the water. A flock of dragons flew by. He looked up and watched them fly past, as did she. They locked eyes. He smiled, she was glad to see it. She returned it. She took his other arm-guard, and laid it aside. Reaching around, she took the saddlebag and fluffed it a bit. A dragon cawed in the distance. He turned his head in the direction of the sound. She placed a hand on his chest, and gently pushed. He started lying down. All of a sudden, he started. He sat up, and looked at himself, then the the armor laying beside her. A look of shock came over his face.
"What did you… Wh, -what are you doing?" She glared at him, making sure her eyes flashed.
"Shush you! -Now relax!" He lidded his eyes, and tried to frown. It didn't work.
"So! Not my wife yet, and you're ordering me around! -Again!" She felt her cheeks heat, but she wasn't taking no for an answer.
"Indeed I am! So, obey me!" He smiled that smile. GODS! This man! If she came out of this with… that still intact. She would be lucky… or not… She didn't care.
"As My Queen commands…" He said. And uunngghh! She immediately felt flushed to her core. Her insides were all in a rampage. He laid down slowly, not taking his eyes off her. He hooked his hand behind his head. She wiggled an arm underneath him and laid against him. This was something she'd not experienced yet. It was hard to focus. She tried to get comfortable. In the end, she decided they were both here, comfortable with each other. That was enough to focus on right now… She hooked her leg over his, but -Ohhh- NOPE! That would just… Because her… That- would be against him and..She laid her head on his chest, and brought a hand up.
"So? Has MiLady figured out this story yet?" She smiled. Her hand traced a path down. She felt him squirm a little.
"I don't know, I'll have to… find more evidence…"
She stood there at the bow of the ship looking out over the open water. Just a little while longer, she would be back in the Barbaric Archipelago. The air already held a recognizable crispness to it, a taste she was familiar with. It already felt like home.
Heather sighed heavily, she hadn't heard from anyone in quite a while. She hoped her friends weren't mad at her. With her rather, -abrupt, send off. She had finally gotten through to him that the old ways wouldn't do. They had to look at things differently if they were going to survive as a tribe. She had gotten Dagur to stop his crazy schemes. There were no hidden powers within the dragons themselves. Only by bonding with them could their true potential be gained.
She had started to see him change. He was more focused on the good things. Caring for the dragons, and his people. Building relationships rather than more ships for an already too large armada. He had started talking more of gaining trade from outside the archipelago. Which had brought her here. He had sent her on a mission to talk to some of the kingdoms and tribes outside their islands. To talk trade and alliances. And to not come back unless she was successful. She had been in nearly constant contact with Dagur for a while. Then, all of a sudden, she heard nothing for almost six months. She had heard nothing from her friends since she left. Even though she sent a Terror. It never returned. Then, almost as quickly as it stopped, she started receiving messages again. But it was different. His letters were stunted. He kept suggesting she stay gone for a while longer. It was… strange…
She had been successful. She had gotten proposals from Schnact, as well as Gawl. She had even went as far south as the Frankish coast. Traveling across the continent, she visited many kingdoms, large and small. He would be so proud of her! Hiccup probably hadn't even thought of this yet!
Ahh, Hiccup… And Astrid. She missed them dearly. Especially Astrid. She wondered if she would have at least one child perched on her hip when she returned. Gods! It's been too long! She couldn't wait to see them again! She had some tales to tell. The girl had been unsure about her feelings for Hiccup. But she had been able to help her sort it out. The day they wed was both happy and sad. She had kept a small hope that maybe she and Hiccup could… but it was clear how he felt about that. Deep down, she was happy for them.
Something wasn't right…
Every other Captain they talked to, every other port they spent the night. There were stories. Troubling stories. The vikings were fighting amongst themselves. But who? Which ones? They either didn't know, or couldn't say. The closer they got to the archipelago, the more disturbing the rumors got. A great battle! Or two, or four battles… A whole tribe wiped out! Another burned to the ground. But who was involved? Could this be why she hadn't heard from her brother? Or her friends? Had someone come from the outside and caused trouble? Or had her brother… NO! He had changed! She saw it! There was no way he could be involved! She desperately wished she had Windshear with her. She would be home within days, not weeks.
And the messages… He was assuring her that all was well, and that she should stay and talk to the leaders of Gawl, and try to hammer out a deal. It was like, he didn't want her to come back… She had sent messages… Why hadn't she heard from Astrid? Or Hiccup? Even Fishlegs hadn't wrote her back. It made her more determined to get back. She had to get this sorted out…
She strolled along the path, going nowhere in particular, but still trying to find a way down to the pool of water. To get closer to Jórunna. Hiccup had left a little while ago. They still couldn't be seen as being together yet. Her heart clenched a little. She wondered how much more they would have to endure. Some part of her just, -knew, that, -yes! It would be worth it! Especially after their recent, -activities. Some few months ago, she may have been horrified. But now, it felt like a -natural progression. As she learned his mind, and his, -body… And he learned hers. Leading to the point where they would be one, -joined. Where it would all come together, and make sense.
And speaking of making sense… Why did it feel so, -right to be here? With Hiccup, and the dragons? And Jórunna, how was it that she could feel her as she did? She looked at the ice surrounding her. It was much like her own, but different. Could this be why? Her powers over snow and ice… somehow, -connected her with the Bewilderbeast? But the dragons… She felt they were very, -accepting of her. Biscuit, and Tindr… She hadn't really, -bonded with them, but they somehow knew she was someone to be heeded. Someone to be listened to, and obeyed… It was strange. She had never encountered a dragon before…
Could there be some, -divine… something involved? She could not presume to know the Gods plans. They did things in their own time on their own schedule. With her powers, she knew she was, -different. She could say special, but she knew she was mortal. She had gotten older and had aged, -a little. She knew she could be hurt, or killed… She knew she was human, except for… that. And Hiccup. He had this… whatever he had with the dragons. A trait… shared? With his mother? Valka was older than he. She had spent so much time with the dragons. Hiccup was much younger, but he somehow, -knew what the dragons were thinking. Valka could have learned this, but Hiccup…
She found herself at the edge of the water. Jórunna was some distance away. She called up her magic, and created a pathway for her to walk upon. She got closer. The great dragon stirred a little. Her lip quivered, the spines atop her head twitched. She didn't want to startle her. She got closer still. Jórunna then blinked her eyes. and shook her head a little. She pushed her arms down, and created a pillar of ice, and brought herself up to eye level with the dragon.
Jórunna tilted her head and shuffled. Elsa found herself under the now piercing gaze of the great creature. She felt herself being analyzed piece by piece. Not threatening, but curious. After a few long moments, Jórunna drew in a breath. She let out a puff of frosty air that enveloped her. It seemed to dance around her, in tune with her magic. She brought her arms up. The frost continued to dance around her.
It felt, -different. When she used her powers, the ice and snow, -came from, -somewhere… naturally. This was created inside a great creature. She brought a hand in front of her. A ball of frost formed above her palm. It congealed, but didn't actually, form anything. She concentrated harder. There was… something, she felt it. Something barely grasped on to, only to leave again as quickly as it came to her. She would have to spend some more time here.
But now the light was beginning to fade. She needed to get back. Jórunna considered her.
*ANCIENT ONE* She remembered.
"Hello Jórunna! How are you?" She looked aside with her eyes for a moment, then back.
*MASTER?* It was strange. Like she knew, but at the same time, different, -familiar? She couldn't help but feel…
"The Master has gone for now. His name is Hiccup." It seemed maybe she knew as well, but… Her eyes searched again.
*JOR, -JÓRUNNA-* She came under that piercing gaze again.
"That is the name the Master has chosen for you" She seemed to consider it.
*MASTER, FÓKLHAGI, DREKI, MANNLIGR, GIVES US A NAME?* What? Leader -dragons… and humans? There was something there. She grunted, and settled back into the water. She seemed to be, -thinking. Something… This meant something to her, but what? Jórunna considered her again.
*JÓRUNNA FOLLOW, FOLLOW DRÓTTNING* She stirred.
"NO! -No, -you must, stay here, -and look after the dragons." She thought for a moment. "The Master and I, we need you to stay here, and stay hidden. Others may come… other, mannligr… They won't understand… neinn skilja ríki… They, -they may try to harm…" How could she explain? What did, or could, Jórunna understand? She wished she had more time…
* RÍKIR HITI ǪNDÓTTOR VIGAMAðR, -SHE IS NEAR* WHAT? Great, flying, -fiery… Could this be the dragon Hiccup was worried about? Near… But where? She needed to tell Hiccup, and she needed to get back.
"Rest now Jórunna, I will return in a few days." She hoped so. So much she needed to find out… She rolled up the fur. She would have to clean it now, or maybe she could just leave it. No, That would possibly make it -more obvious. She tied it and the bag onto her saddle. She considered Jórunna once more. She seemed to be deep in thought. She stirred and looked at her.
*KONUNGR, DROTTNING, JÓRUNNA FOLLOW ONLY THEM* Hmmm! Interesting…
"Yes, good! But stay here for now. Varða dreki, Jórunna. We will return…" Jórunna settled back into the water. She climbed into the saddle, and they were off…
She had gotten about a third of the way back, when she noticed she had company. First, a great dragon. About twice the size of Hulda. He had two legs, and huge, owlish eyes. His two horns stuck out to the side from his forehead. A frill of spines. The second was very long. Its' skin looked like… metal! Four short, stubby legs. The claws on the ends of its feet looked very sharp. Its' eyes were very… green. She directed Hulda over.
"Hello! Who might you be?" She… It felt like it was a she… Shied away a little. A chirp from Hulda, and a grunt from the other dragon… She flew underneath. She reached up and, -wow! It was metal! Incredible!
And this other dragon, it was huge! Aside from a Monstrous Nightmare, or the Bewilderbeast, it was the largest she'd seen! It was almost copper-brown in color, except for its' belly which was sandy brown. It gurgled and grunted as she passed underneath. She ran a hand across his neck and chin. She gave a scratch as she finished her pass. To which he grunted and cawed.
The sun was nearly to the horizon as Berk came into sight. It was going to be another glorious sunset. She wished she could share it. Soon, she thought. Soon they would be able to spend time together, and not hide. Spend time… like they had this afternoon. Only more, well, more! She tried not to think about it too much. But, Ohhh! She definitely wanted more of… that. She was sure Hiccup was still holding back. And after, he seemed to, -distance himself, -a little. Maybe it was because they weren't official yet, or maybe because they weren't married… yet. Then there was the issue of this talk they need to have. What could it be? With all that was going on, there wasn't a lot of time. She resolved to make time each day. Were they could not be interrupted.
She made a turn around the village. She didn't see Hiccup. She guessed he was busy elsewhere. She and her escorts landed in the square in front of the chiefs' hall. She took notice of a group of four people standing at the door to the Great Hall. She couldn't tell who they were. Whether it was the dragons, or her they were looking at, she couldn't say also. She offered a hand to the silver dragon. She seemed nervous. She suddenly started, then cooed…
"W, -Windshear?" She knew that voice. She turned. He stood at a distance. He looked a little pale. The dragon bounded over to him. He offered a hand which she accepted. He seemed to know her as well.
"How? -Where… where did you find her?" He was still in… shock? Was there something…
"She followed me from the nest Hiccup" Windshear cooed and gurgled happily under his attention. He looked her over as he ran his hands over her neck and jaw.
Then she saw it. The light left his eyes. He drew his lips into a thin line. He winced a little, and his head and shoulders sagged. There, -there was something about this dragon…
"Hiccup?" What was it? Would he tell her?
"Windshear… She, -she is, or at least, was -Heathers' dragon…" Now she understood. Should she?
"Hiccup? What happened there? What happened on Berserker Island?" After a moment, he finally looked at her. The darkness had seemed to fade a little. He opened his mouth, then closed it. He looked down again. She felt a cold dread creep upon her.
"Elsa, I…" He looked again, then down. This must be a truly painful memory. It was, -after she thought a little. Astrid was taken from him that day… and the baby. But there was also something else… He sighed heavily, and rolled his shoulders.
"I… You, you must understand… Dagur. He, he bullied me most of my life. If he wasn't out to kill me, he was after the dragons. He, -he killed his own father so he could take over as Chief! Heather… she, -she tried to change him, but she… left. We figured he sent her away, but why or how… the why be, -became obvious. As soon as she left, he… started making trouble. He went after the dragons. He, -wiped out and entire tribe Elsa! One hundred and eighty men, women, and children! Pe, -people from the Lavalouts and Murderous tribes… They wanted to change… So, so they left and started their own tribe! -He, he killed them all, and took their dragons." He slumped again. He looked so defeated. She wanted to wrap her arms around him. He took a deep breath and continued.
"We, we managed to catch them as they returned to their island. We, -the allied tribes, we destroyed half their fleet, and released the dragons… We, we thought that was the end of it, but… He, he set a trap for us…" This part he had told her. He winced slightly again.
"He, -killed… Astrid -at the outset… I, I was upset and, I… I -lost control… I -was overcome…" He closed his eyes tightly. She took a couple of steps toward him. He opened them, and looked down.
"I, -pinned him to the ground… so he could watch as I… I" He winced once more, as if physically stricken.
"I called the dragons, and we… I, -burned… everything…" WHAT? Did, did he just say…
"The soldiers… The rest of his fleet… The village… Everything on that side of the island…" His whole body shook. He turned slightly and looked up, out over the sea. His eyes seemed to be welling. She was shocked! She couldn't believe… HE had done this? Hiccup? But, He was so… So, -not like this! Not that she had seen anyway…
He blinked twice, tears fell. He drew in a ragged breath. His voice faltered as he went on.
"I, -the… the village had been evacuated… But, there, -was nothing left… Everything… Burnt to cinders… I, -I burned the very ground…" He closed his eyes, more tears fell. She knew war to be terrible, but this, -this was beyond… While she had never actually been involved in a war, she had read books, she had heard the stories. She knew there was something left out… but…
"I, I'm very sorry it happened. I, I have nightmares… sometimes…" He trailed off. His body shook again. He drew in a breath…"A Chief shouldn't loose control… Shouldn't let his emotions govern, -his actions… I, I tried to make amends… tried to help, them, rebuild…" He shook his head and looked down. This was troublesome. She didn't know what to say… it was…
"Hiccup! That's… horrible! I, -I don't… How… Why…" She, she didn't know what to make of it. He finally looked at her. Something in her expression made him wince. She tried to fix it, but it was too late… He turned away from her. His head dropped, his shoulders sagged…
"I have to go." He shook his head. Go? Go where?
"I, I'll understand if you… If you, If you don't… want…" He rolled his shoulders. "If, if you're -gone when I get back…" He glanced over his shoulder, but didn't really look at her. He then strode away purposefully. She wanted to call after him, but… Toothless bounded up to him. He sent a happy look her way, then to Hiccup. The dragons' expression dropped. She heard him croon. Hiccup placed a hand on Toothless' head. He then hopped in the saddle, and they were gone. She wanted to stop him, she really did, but the words never made it past her throat…
She felt a presence at her side after a few moments. Gjaflaug stood there looking at the sky after him same as she.
"Kirsten? Where is he going?" She shook her head. This was -troubling. More troubling than… He, he had kept this from her… On purpose? -No, he tried to tell her just the other night…
"Kirsten?" She forgot she had been spoken to.
"He, he didn't say where he was going…" Where would he go? And why? This needed discussion… But she wasn't… Valka walked up. She had a warm smile on her face. It quickly dropped to a look of grim concern as she got closer.
"What is it child?" She asked.
'He, he told me about the, the Berserkers. What had happened that day." Valka nodded, as did Gjaflaug.
"I had heard stories, but no one would ever say exactly what happened." Gjaflaug said. She paused. "That Dagur killed his wife, and her dragon… All in front of him. He went mad, and became infused with the spirit of the dragons. He burned the whole island to the ground. Nothing was left but ashes and smoke. They say it is haunted by the dead. Dagur himself was cursed by the Gods, and walks there as a draugr, an undead corpse…" Valka nodded.
"Yes he did kill Astrid. We only now just found out she was with child when she was killed." Gjaflaugs eyes went wide. "Aye, But he didn't… He called the dragons to him, and they burned all that opposed him on the field. Aye! And the fleet too! They burned the village, but no one was there at the time." Gjaflaug nodded. It seemed possible that her people had been told that to maintain the fear… the fear of the dragons… And thus, keep their dragon-killing ways alive. Keep themselves in power… It made sense.
"Valka? Wh, where would he go?" She shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm not certain child." She fixed her with a look. "But I suspect he'll be back before too long. I don't worry as I did before…" She understood, but this was… different. All those bad memories. Part of her wanted to seek him out. But she also felt the need to… work this out. For the first time in a while… she doubted…
"Come! Let us get something to eat!" She was hungry, but she didn't know if she could eat right now. So many questions… They went into the hall. She opted to sit with her men. She wasn't much for conversation this night. Even when prodded. Especially by Eret. He was good enough to leave her be after a bit.
She finished her meal and excused herself. She left the hall, and walked slowly towards the Chiefs' hall. Someone came up beside her. It was Captain Verschtop. They walked in silence. After a few moments, he spoke.
"Highness? Is, there something…" She broke.
"He burned them! With, -with the dragons… After, when he defeated… after that, man… killed his wife…" He nodded, his face turned grim. They took a few more steps.
"Highness, war is a terrible, nasty thing. Sometimes men, do. things… To change the outcome. To, send a message… To any others who might want to make trouble. To secure a lasting peace, after…" She nodded, but…"I am surprised, I -really didn't see that in him…" Neither did she.."I imagine he was heartbroken with his loss… Not that it, excuses his actions… But war sometimes brings out a side in a person that will surprise even them, a side that only war or strife will bring out… Songs are sung. Politicians thump their chests, lauding the brave, mourning the dead… But those things stay with a man, -haunt him, for a long, long time…" She nodded absently. Her mind working.
"I, -know… It has been a long time since we've had a full-scale war. Up here, they seem to have… thrived on it. For, -for a very long time… I, -I don't know… I'm not sure if I…" She couldn't find the words. He placed a tender hand on her shoulder.
"You're not sure abou' yer feelings for him… Having found this out. Havin' seen this side of him…" That was it! Or, was it? Was there something else? He gave her shoulder a gentle shake.
"Highness, you're th' only one who can answer that. Take some time, ask yerself the hard questions… Find the answers for yourself!" He was right! She locked eyes with him. There was nothing but kindness and compassion. He was so getting that promotion… as soon as they got back! When… ever they got. back… She offered him a small smile. She felt a little better. Now that a small bit of this was off her shoulders, she felt very tired. She said good night to the Captain, and went inside.
She washed and got ready for bed. Valka offered some kind words, but sensed her inner turmoil, and left her to it. Sleep didn't come easily, nor did it stay very long…