Flighty music danced through the large hall as people flickered around the room. Near the entrance door, clutching his father's red coat tight, a young, white-hair child scanned the room. A large hand thumped on top of his head. "Are you alright, my boy?"

The five-year old look up into his father's dark, blue eyes with a trembling smile. "I'm fine."

He gave a hearty, belly laugh as he patted his son's back, nearly throwing him to the ground. "That's my boy." Moving carefully, he wrapped his son's hand with his own. "Now, let's go great our hosts."

The two weaved their way through the crowd with people politely bowing as they passed by. They grew closer toward the thrones, elegant but simple, with a small, green crib arranged in front when a booming voice cried out. "NORTH!"

Another large man wrapped his arms around North, his purple cloak nearly enveloping the small child, and heartily slapped his back. North returned the hug with just as much enthusiasm. "It's been a long time old friend."

They separated but kept their strong grip on each other's forearms. "That it has." The large man turned to the child, now hiding behind his father. "And who is the wee lad?"

North chuckled again. "Stoick, may I present my son, Jack Frost, prince of the North." He gently pushed Jack around him to the front. "Jack, this is King Stoick. A longtime friend of mine."

"Hello." Jack gave a small wave as Stoick knelt down.

He raised a hand to ruffle the boy's hair. "It's a pleasure to meet you Jack Frost."

Jack laughed as he softly pushed against the hand. The two adults laughed before they returned to conversing with each other. He walked around Stoick, eyes glancing around as he jogged to the banquet table at the far wall. A few adults would smile at the small boy but Jack kept his distance. At the table, Jack stretched his pale hands up.

He grinned widely as he pulled down a small, meat sandwich which he took a giant bite out of. Turning around to stare at the crowd, Jack ate his food. A lot of people mingled near the center of the room, with a few moving around in circles. Jack wrinkled his sensitive nose at the harsh smells emanating from a few of the men near him. Their hands limped above their heads, waving around metal mugs that splashed out honey-like liquid every now and again.

Jack snuck closer to them. He scooped up some of the liquid with his finger before sticking it in his mouth. Almost immediately, he spat out the foul-tasting stuff. He tried to wipe it off his mouth but it lingered at the edge of his tongue.

Jack stuck out his tongue to scratch it off when a gentle voice rang above him. "I see you don't like mead."

He quickly turned around, tongue retracting back into his mouth, to find an older lady towering above him. The lady smile, her brown hair tied neatly into a braid, as she knelt down. She offered him a small glass of water. "You're not in trouble. My name is Valka."

"Jack." He took the cup as ice crystals painted themselves on the glass.

Valka laughed softly, one hand covering her mouth. "I see you have a wonderful gift there Jack."

Jack blinked a couple of times before smiling with her. "Um-hm. Father said that mother gave it to me before she left." His pale-blue eyes closed as he took a sip from the cold water. He missed the small shift in mood from Valka.

When he finished his drink, Jack returned the glass to Valka. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She placed it back on the table before turning back to Jack. "Would you like to meet my son?"

She laughed at Jack's excited nod. "Alright." Valka reached out her hand. "Take my hand and I'll take you to him."

He slipped his cool hands into her warm ones as she stood up. The two carefully weaved back through the crowd. Jack spotted his father near Stoick and waved at him. He thought he spotted him waving back but the crowd surrounded them too fast for him to be sure. They walked back to the thrones, this time heading over to the crib.

Valka carefully wrapped her hands on Jack's waist and lifted him up. "Jack, this is Hiccup."

Inside the crib laid a small baby, green eyes observing Jack. He gave a bubbly laugh as he reached up toward him. Jack laughed back and took one of the baby's hands. "Hi Hiccup."

Hiccup shook his arm, causing Jack's to move to, before pulling himself up into sitting position. Valka smiled at the two boys. "Oh, look at you Hiccup. Aren't you so clever pulling yourself up like that?"

Jack carefully flipped his hand around, so that the palm faced up, and slowly created a small snow storm to appear. Hiccup laughed as he clapped his hands.

"I see you're enjoying yourself Jack."

He turned his head to smile at his father. "Sure am."

"That's good." North reached one hand out to lightly scratch the top of Hiccup's head. "And aren't you a cute one."

Hiccup tried to grab his finger but ended up falling on his back. Tears built behind his eyes as he began to whimper. Valka softly smacked North's arm after she put Jack down. "Look at what you did."

He raised his hands, eyes going wide. "I didn't do anything."

Jack rolled his eyes as the two adults continued arguing before looking down at his feet. Cool winds gathered beneath him, lifting him up so he could lean over the crib wall. Hiccup still whimpered, slowly growing louder when Jack pointed his finger in the air. Small snowflakes started to dance in the air to fall on top of Hiccup's nose.

His tears still stained his cheeks but his eyes turned from tears to wonder as the flakes sprinkled around him. Hiccup giggled as he reached up in an attempt to grab one. Jack started laughing as well, moving the small storm directly about his head. Hiccup clapped his hands together, causing small white sparks to jump up into the snow.

Neither of them noticed their parents behind them, smiles spreading across their faces. Stoick snaked an arm around his wife's waist. "I see that they're getting along well."

They watched as Jack let go of the storm to create a single, large snowflake on an icy ribbon and tied it on the top of the crib. None of them noticed an unusual shadow detach itself from the wall behind the thrones and shifted out of the room.

Jack suddenly covered a yawn, the wind slowly lowering him back to the ground. Rubbing his eyes, Jack walked back to his father to softly grip his coat. North tenderly patted his back. "A little tired there Jack?"

"Um-hm." He felt his feet leave the ground as his father lifted him up.

North cradled him as Jack yawned again and curled up into a ball. He laughed as quietly as he could as Jack's blue suit began to rise and fall. He turned to Stoick. "Is there somewhere quiet that I can set him?"

Valka brushed back a few stray strands of white hair. "Here North, I'll take him."

North carefully passed his son over to her, guiding his head to fall limply against her shoulder. She rubbed her fingers through his hair as he stirred. "Hush, little one. I'm only taking you to bed."

She walked across the floor, staying at the edges of the crowd, and opened a small room near the hall. North smiled as he turned back to Stoick. "I think that the union will be good for him as well as for the kingdom, even if it may be a bit unusual."

"Agree, though I don't know how Hiccup's going to react to it."

An excited voice exploded behind them. "Well, if things go the way I saw them go before, which usually is the case anyway, I'm sure that Hiccup will be more than pleased with the union."

Both men jumped slightly and quickly turned around. Behind them, floating a few feet off the ground, flew a human-sized fairy wearing a multi-colored robe. Beside her hovered Sandy, who gave both kings a small wave. Stoick bowed. "Excuse me but"

North interrupted him. "Tooth! Sandy!" He wrapped them both in a giant hug. "Good to see you again my old friends."

The fairy, Toothania, gave an awkward pat on his back. "North, it's good to see you to but would you mind? You're crushing me."

"Opps, sorry about that." He released them quickly. Sandy gave a sigh of relief while grains of sands created a scolding finger. North scratched his head with a quiet chuckle. "I already said I was sorry Sandy."

"Did you already got into the eggnog already North? You know how that affects you."

"I've done no such thing. Besides, Stoick here didn't provide any."

Stoick rolled his eyes. "Because the last time I did, you somehow managed released a herd of reindeer into the great hall calling out 'Let the Christmas Games begin!'"

"They were freezing out there."

The group laughed at North's appalled expression before Toothania bowed toward Stoick. "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Toothania, leader of the fairy folk though most people just call me Tooth." She motioned toward Sandy. "And of course you would remember Sandy, my friend and advisor."

Stoick clasped her hand, tears threatening to break. "Aye, I remember Sandy. To which you have my deepest gratitude."

"The honor was mine." Tooth removed her hand to fly over to where Hiccup was. She chuckled as he waved at her. A wave of her hand caused little fairy shadows to dance above him. "I sense he's going to be very important once he's grown."

"Important or not, it doesn't matter to me." Valka joined Tooth, pulling her son out of his crib. She held him close. "So long as he's happy, I am too."

Tooth smiled as she softly stroked his head. "They're really something, aren't they?" She hovered away slightly. "A little while later, I would like to present a few gifts to him, if I may?"

Valka bowed. "I would be honored."

Sandy shrugged his shoulders as the two kings turned to look at him. He joined Tooth over at the banquet table, who was enjoying the berry salad. Stoick turned to North, one hand motioning toward the pair. "Dare I ask?"

"Oh Tooth and I go way back. She actually took reign over my kingdom when…when I was unable too. Sandy there actually taught Jack a bit about magic too." North slapped a hand on Stoick's shoulder. "Any gift she'll give will be the best Hiccup will receive tonight."

"Well anything has got to be better than bucket of fish from Spitelout Jorgenson."

North burst out laughing. Stoick tried to remain straight-faced but lost the battle at the memory. Wiping away tears, North slapped his friends back. "Now how about we enjoy ourselves till Tooth presents her gift?"

Hours passed within the hall. The mass of bodies dwindled as the guards escorted those who can no longer tell the difference between friendly conversation and rowdy yelling. Valka wove through the crowd (silencing an angry retort, turning a scowling expression into a content one) as she introduce them to her sleeping child.

The two kings could be found in the middle of a large crowd, arms wrapped around each other's shoulder. In their hands waved two glasses, red wine splashing over the sides. Sandy hovered nearby in an attempt to keep North from singing.

Tooth flitted around the room, sometimes engaging in conversation but mostly observing. Those who could hear her laugh at her quiet admirings. "Oh look at those teeth, all white, straight, and perfect." She spotted Jack walk out of the room, awakened from the yells of the drunks, and quickly scooped him into a giant bear hug.

Somewhere in the corridors a small bell echoed. At the twelfth chime, Tooth returned to Hiccup's crib. A heavy silence hung in the air as people turned to watch. Her eyes dance above her smile as she looked up at Valka, her wand raised over the sleeping child.

"The first gift I give is the art of the craftsmen." Light showered from her wand, floating down in the shapes of hammers, pencils, and nails. "With practice you'll created both sturdy and elegant pieces."

Stoick beamed in his half-dazed state as the lights showered on his boy. His eyes glazed with unshed tears.

Jack snuck through the crowd as Tooth granted her second gift, an uneasy pit forming in his chest. "The second gift I present is the gift of observation."

Jack tugged on his father's arm while the second spark of lights showered down. "Something doesn't feel right."

"Nonsense Jack." North swayed slightly on his seat. "Ya just ate something funny, that's all."

He returned his attention to his drink while Jack looked back to Tooth. "From the smallest of that people can miss to the greatest fault of a plan, you will see."

Out of the corners of his eyes, Jack noticed a black shadow work its way around the room. He tugged on Sandy's arm, pointing to where he saw the figure. Sandy's eyes grew large, sandy bells ringing above his head, as he moved toward Tooth. She had just raised her wand to grant her final gift.

A sudden burst of wind slammed the large, entrance doors open. Some got tossed to the side as the wind raced around the room. Jack crawled over to his suddenly aware father, his swords aimed at the far walls.

Valka gathered Hiccup into her arms as both Tooth and Sandy surrounded them. Her eyes trembled as dark, shadowy horses galloped into the room. Stoick began ordering everyone but the guards to leave the castle.

Over the screams and neighing, Jack's voice cried. "What's going on?"

North scooped him up, allowing him to wrap his arms around his neck. He readjusted his swords. "Podacha's coming Jack. And I don't think he's happy."

Frost drifted from Jack's fingers as he dug his head into his father's neck. In the middle of the floor, a large pile of black dust gathered. It stretched and warped as the last few civilians rushed out the door. Stoick slammed the doors shut just as the dust collapsed.

"Well, what do we have here? A party!" A dark, thin man posed where the dust once stood. His black cloak trailed behind him as the man moved closer to Valka and her protectors. He clapped his hand together with a mock bow. "How wonderful."

Tooth stepped in-between the man and Valka. "What do you want Pitch?"

"I just came to give my well-wishes to the little one." Pitch gave a toothy smile as a large, golden staff with a green orb appeared in his hands. He took a few steps forward before he was interrupted by Sandy, who hovered in front of him. "Ah Sandy, my old friend. How's the sands, hmm?"

He just created a small wall between them. Pitch laughed. "Nice try."

Pitch whistled. Sandy had a question mark appear over his head when a shadow horse rammed into him. The horse circled around his master as Sandy slammed into the wall. Pitch scratched the horse's nose. "Beautiful creatures aren't they. Took me a few years to get them right."

He side-stepped Stoick and his sword, screaming a battle cry. Stoick pivoted back to face the threat, an animalistic growl rumbling from his throat. Pitch raised his arms in mock fear. "Oh, sharp, pointy objects. Sooo scary."

He pointed his staff at the man. Green light tinged with black shot from the orb just as Stoick lunged forward. The light exploded, causing him to fly backwards. Tooth and Valka dodged right to avoid being hit by him as Tooth waved her hand at him to slow him down.

North lowered his son to the floor and pointed to Tooth and Valka. "Jack, stay with them. Toothy will keep you safe."

Jack's lip trembled as he nodded. He gathered some wind beneath him, not enough to fly but enough to move faster, as his father rushed toward Pitch. Some of the horses blocked the path only to fall to North's twin swords. He aimed a thrust at Pitch's heart only to be stopped by the staff.

"Oh and look. King North is at the party as well. I'm a little star-struck." Pitch tossed him off, forcing North to stumble back.

Jack reached the trio just as his father started to attack again. Valka took his hand and pulled him close to her. She knelt down to his level. "Jack, I need you to do something for me."

She carefully transferred a tired Hiccup out of the blanket and into his arms. "Hide underneath a table and don't make a sound." A pillow was folded into Hiccup's blanket as Valka ruffled Jack's hair. "I'll come get you when it's all over. Can you do that for me?"

Jack gave a short nod before tightening his grip over Hiccup. The two boys flew under the fallen banquet table just as North tumbled into the entrance doors. Pitch turned his attention back to Tooth. "Well, that's three down. Will you become number four?"

She fired her own magic at him only to have it deflected back. Both she and Valka ducked, covering the bundle in her arms, as Pitch walked a bit closer to them. A finger snap had the horses surround the two.

"Just so you're aware, I saw what you did earlier."

Valka kept her eyes down, but her arms shook as Pitch changed directions and walked toward the table. Jack heard him also and pulled his legs closer to his chest. He rolled forward, keeping Hiccup tight in his arms, as the table moved behind him.

"Well now. This is a new face."

Jack looked up into Pitch's dark, cold eyes as his failed cover floated a few feet in the air. Hiccup, now fully awake, clapped his hands together as he gave a bubbly laugh. Once again, white lights floated up from his hands and into the air.

Jack didn't even think.

His hands moved, as if he was a puppet, to snatch the lights. Ice crawled around them and he aimed it toward Pitch. His power shot the icy, white balls straight at Pitch, hitting him in the chest. The ice clung to his clothes and the light exploded. Pitch shot up toward the ceiling, slamming into the chandelier and smashed down into the floor below.

Both Jack and Hiccup's eyelid fluttered shut, bodies exhausted. Jack limply fell sideways, arms cushioning Hiccup from the floor, just as Pitch pushed himself off the ground. Valka shuddered at his crazed laughter.

"Finally, someone who knows how to have a bit of fun." He fished for his staff before standing, eyes narrowing at the two, unconscious boys. "I think it's time to give my gift now."

The three, fallen men attempted to scramble up as Pitch lifted his staff and chanted.

A happy life you'll live with happiness and joy

But when you reach sixteen

Then the fun begins,

For the sun will not set, nor another hour pass

Until you prick your finger on a spinning wheel

And death becomes your friend.

Pitch laughed again while his horses gathered around him. The black sand started gathering around him again while he stared straight at Stoick. "Enjoy his life while you can, my king. There isn't much to spare."

All the adults looked back to the child just as the black light settled on him. Tooth and Valka reached the children first. Valka lifted up her son while Tooth gathered up Jack. She stayed silent as the mother cried. Her husband wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "What do we do?"

Stoick shook his head. "I don't know."

North took his son from Tooth as Sandy wrote a message to her with his sands. She closed her eyes with a small nod of understanding. "If I may, I still have one last gift to give."

"Then you can remove it?"

Tooth shook her head. "No, I can't." Her hands fiddled with her wand. "But I can alter it. That might be enough."

She waved her wand for the last time. "My last gift to thee child will be hope. When you prick your finger it will not be death, but sleep you'll find." Light filtered down from her to Hiccup. "And when you receive a lover's kiss, you will awaken."

The light flared brightly before settling in Hiccup. Valka and Stoick brought him closer, hugging him tightly, as Valka whispered. "Thank you."