Prompt 053: Destination
Rapunzel clutched at her scarf as the wind threatened to snatch it away. The streets of Corona were empty and the crisp autumn air sent leaves dancing down the deserted alleys. She shivered in anticipation as she waited for the tell-tale clatter of hooves against the cobblestones.
She didn't have long to wait. Rapunzel smiled and brushed a finger over the familiar horses' white manes before greeting the footman. He bowed, deep and formal, and his voice was soft against the sharp silence of the night.
"Welcome to the Knight Carriage, my lady. Do you have a specific destination in mind?"
Rapunzel offered a polite smile that soon morphed into a wide grin.
"Hogsmeade, kind sir, if it pleases you."
"Ready, Toothless?" Hiccup asked as he finished tightening the buckles on the black dragon's saddle. Toothless gave a steamy snort of agreement, tail flicking back and forth out of impatience. "Good, me too." The brown haired Viking hoisted himself into the saddle and nudged the dragon with his foot. "To Hogsmeade, and to our friends."
With a quiet murmur, dragon and rider launched themselves into the still night.
Merida held the reigns tightly, the worn leather caught in a white-knuckled grip. Darkness pressed around horse and rider, and Merida repressed a shiver of fear. The night held nothing that could hurt her but the Scottish girl still quickened Angus' pace. The soft blue glow of the wisps, faintly illuminating her path, urged her on toward Hogsmeade.
Merida wiped cold sweat from her brow and leaned forward into the night air. She would not allow a bit of fear to hinder her journey.
After all, Hogwarts was waiting.
Jack slid through the winds, brushing his slender fingers across the ground. A silver trail of frost spread beneath his touch, leaving a shimmering trail in his wake. The Scottish countryside gave off the tangy scent of autumn, but Jack could faintly smell the minty fragrence of winter underneath. Soon snow would cover the ancient trees and ice would glaze the hidden lakes. But Jack was not concerned with the changing of the seasons.
A grand castle awaited him, filled with friends and memories, memories that could fill his blank past. Jack could taste the excitement on his tongue as he glided through the air, the winds carrying him to the only place he had ever called home.
In the distance, the blinking lights of Hogsmeade beckoned him forward.