WARNING!

THIS CHAPTER HAS DEATH AND BLOOD

DO NOT READ IF THINGS DYING MAKES YOU QUEASY OR IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT SCREAM WHEN SOMETHING IS BEING EATEN ON ANIMAL PLANET!

It's not too graphic and I watched Planet Earth three times to get this right… Yeah, I'm a geek.

Get used to it.

DID YOU KNOW: That the wolf was a symbol of Odin and represented the heart of the family to Norse cultures? It is always deemed as ironic since Odin's fate at Ragnarök was to be killed by Fenrir, the wolf-son of Loki.

Thialfi and Roskva

Hiccup's senses were overwhelmed. He twisted and turned, the world flashing black and white, skin going numb, his muscles refused to obey any thought or instinct from his brain. Heat brushed across his back for just a moment, the water tuning into steam as a flash of blue melted the covering keeping him under. For a sparse moment, the teen's face surfaced before he was dragged back under.

Toothless was following him frantically, but the redhead lost sight of the large dragon when he vanished under the coating of ice once more. A large boulder slammed into his side, driving the rest of the air from his lungs in a hurricane of bubbles. His vision was darkening, the coldness seeping into his body… Hiccup was so concerned about staying awake, he didn't see the ice clear, but he certainly felt something grab his forearm and almost yank out his shoulder.

Not having enough energy to even scream, the Viking found himself being dragged up onto the shore, shivering desperately, coughing violently, his clothing soaked completely through. He clung to the warmth that was pressing into his body before it was whisked away, replaced by an even greater heat that was rocking him slowly, back and forth, luring him into a slight doze. His eyes were still slightly open, though and caught a flash of red and grey against the blinding white.

It was awhile before Hiccup finally gained his bearings. There was Toothless' scaled body against his back. His vest and shirt had been removed (though he didn't remember how) and his pale skin had been warmed comfortably. To his front, something soft was pressed against his stomach. The teen's left hand had woven into silky fur and hot breaths were brushing against his neck.

There was a heavy weight across his legs and his limbs no longer felt numb, but they were sluggish and his fingers tingled uncomfortably. The furry boots had been pulled off his feet and were wrapped in a black cocoon, quickly heating up his stinging toes and skin. The clothing felt crusty and uncomfortable against his body, itching something fierce.

"Mmmm, T-Toothless?" Hiccup's throat hurt and felt like it was on fire, the words came out slurred and soft, not at all what they had been before all the chaos.

Behind him, the Night Fury purred happily and pressed his wide snout against the teen's mop of red hair. A light rumble shook the dragon's large body and two awkward arms closed around the boy's slim form, pulling him closer. It was dark, very dark, Hiccup decided, slowly opening his eyes. Why was it so dark?

His fingers tightened on the silk beneath his palm and something wet nudged his face. A large, leather wing curled back and green eyes blinked desperately as the retinas burned at the brightness of the snow outside. But he got a good look at the grey and red muzzle on the tree's floor, gold eyes staring curiously up at him.

Shaking his head slightly, Hiccup was going to withdraw his fingers when a sharp growl stopped him. The wolf looked pleased when the hand lowered again, eerie eyes half covered and lazy. For a moment, the teen was startled when he heard two thumps. Picking his head slightly up off the floor, leaf-green eyes watched the fluffy tail hit the wood a few more times before stilling.

Weak and sore, the young Viking was forced to place his head back against Toothless, feeling the dragon's warmth slowly sweeping into his veins. The tingling in his phalanges was beginning to fade into a dull, uncomfortable throb, but he smiled and let his eyes close once more, finding himself in the comforting warmth of family.

Home? His consciousness thought meekly like the Cowardly Lion, not wanting to be in the center of attention. Yeah, Hiccup decided drowsily. Home… home and a family…

A loud howl awoke him an hour later; the teen was warm, almost unbearably, but it was so much nicer than the cold he had felt before. Silk was no longer under his fingertips and his legs could move freely. Toothless was still at the teen's back, purring in his sleep. Hiccup's throat was uncomfortably dry; tasting like dirt and dried meat. Slowly, the redhead rolled out from under the Night Fury's wing and set about boiling some snow for water.

His boots were pulled on quickly, smelling like damp leaves. Slowly, the rest of the dry clothing was put on before Hiccup made his way outside. The wolves were lining up (except for Lady) and, for the first time, the Viking found himself naming the canines. The grey and rusty colored wolf was soon named Lagoon, his stance always as calm but hidden like a swamp. Next to him, the large tan male, was tagged as Dark, the black lips curling back at the sight of the human, but the wolf didn't act.

Especially because of the white female. Her eyes glowed eerily from her beautiful coat and Hiccup remembered the stories from the south, of quick and agile reptiles that were poisonous and could easily kill a fully grown man with one bite. Easily, the teen dubbed her as Viper; she was already less interested in him than the others, her attention turning elsewhere.

Stepping out of the cave was the black beast named Lord. His shoulder stood easily at Hiccup's waist, head almost to the skinny chest. The Alpha wolf had calmed down just a tiny bit after a few days, his attention more on the future of his pack, or, more importantly; his pregnant mate.

Hiccup watched as the others greeted their leader easily, bounding around him. Lagoon even went so far as to bumping up against him, rubbing their cheeks together before bounding away, his long legs easily skimming over the deep snow until he was tackled by a waiting Viper.

Laughing heartily, the teen watched as he lit a fire, cupping snow in his hands (making a note to make himself some gloves next and carving out a bowl next) and holding them partially away from the flames. Dark barked, as if laughing before scooping some snow up into his mouth and swallowing it. Looking over the dying flames (the ground and wood was too wet), Hiccup decided to copy the canine. He swallowed more handfuls than he thought would have been necessary, but his thirst was quenched.

Lord sneezed and turned his muzzle to the sky, staring up at the dreary heavens, before barking sharply at the others. They all came to attention immediately, each taking their turn to lick his chin before bounding off into the trees. On a sheer burst of foolishness (or something else, he couldn't really tell) Hiccup found his bow and the few arrows he had made and ran after them, curiosity taking over his mind.

He followed them through the trees, jogging before he caught up with Lagoon. The wolf wagged his tail at the sight of the Viking, woofing when he noticed that the teen had to use a lot of energy just to trudge through the snow. Each of the canines were walking in a single file line; walking easily through a path that had been carved over many days.

Lagoon snorted and looked behind him before turning back to Hiccup. Sighing, the redhead fell behind the wolf, swinging his weapon across his back. The group moved faster until they reached the canyon and, without stopping, Dark took a sharp left and followed it up towards the center of the island, he pushed through snow that had gathered, but other than that, the path was clear.

It was quite clearly a place they had gone before when they reached a Redwood that had fallen across the canyon. The log was thick enough to fit Toothless and a Nadder on it, possibly strong enough to hold them, too. Hiccup walked behind Lagoon, careful to keep his eyes forward, not looking down. Not that he wasn't afraid of heights (how could he be?) but because of the dizziness that normally came from staring downward, the swaying and tilting of being slightly off balance…

Hiccup shook his head, clearing the thoughts and picking up his pace behind the anxious wolves. Dark was partially jogging now, jumping down off the wood and tearing through the snow down another path. Following clumsily, the teen leaped down after them, rubbing his hands together as the chill fully assaulted them. A brisk wind brushed the red hair back, revealing his slightly pink cheeks to the world.

Pale hands pulled the hat down farther over his ears. Dark paused, sniffing the cold air before continuing, his tan body moving steadily through the snow. Worrying his lip, Hiccup watched as the bodies of the two other canines tensed before both branched off, darting into the woods. The young Viking watched them go, staying with Dark before they burst into the meadow.

Deer, both young and old, were gathered together in a tight circle. Some had pressed their noses into the snow, looking for any type of food, not noticing the white and grey ghost darting around to surround them. Completely still now, Dark watched them with calculating eyes, his head lowered to the ground, eerie eyes glaring out into the herd.

Lagoon and Viper paused at the exact moment, the grey wolf pacing eagerly, his tongue hanging out, long legs pressing down on the whiteness beneath him. Then, on an unspoken signal, Viper lunged forward, barking and racing at the paranoid creatures that shrieked and scattered. Snow flung out behind the stampeding herd as she pointed them towards the gap between the three males.

Next went Lagoon, a streak against the brightness. His body was a blur as he flew over the snow, making the group turn once more, a few, though, were now lagging behind. Hiccup stood still as the wolf beside him growled, pleased, before bursting out into the meadow. Dark ignored the herd; his presence was enough to send them into panic, leaving a weary, old buck to stumble behind.

The teen watched in wonder as the canines circled it away from the rest, blocking off any escape. Back hooves missed Lagoon's snout by inches and Viper had to dance away from stomping forelegs. It was tiring, grey on the nuzzle showing the beast's true age before it fell under the weight of Dark latching onto it's back, jaws closing easily around the dorsal of the neck.

Both tumbled and fell harshly into the snow, sending up clouds of glittering Crystals. Hooves kicked out desperately as sharp teeth dug into the thick hide. There was a horrible cracking noise before crimson spilled out over the ivory and the hooves stopped, falling limp to the ground. Shaking his head back and forth, Dark made sure the buck was dead before pulling back, his tongue lagging, breath creating small clouds as he panted. Lagoon barked, sliding to a stop by the still flank, teeth hovering over the coat, Viper following, her footsteps proud and head held high.

Their meal was quickly interrupted by a short, panicked howl that came from the direction of the tree. Every single head rose, each muzzle pointing towards the woods. Viper was the first to move, racing back into the trees with Lagoon following just as fast. Dark looked back at the deer, whining and grabbing a leg, pulling but not getting anywhere; the snow stilling the already heavy animal.

Disappointed, the tan wolf turned and brushed past Hiccup, following his pack-mates. The young Viking stared at the dead deer before sighing and, sliding the bow around his chest and sticking the arrows in his teeth, grabbed the body and slung it over his shoulders. He staggered under the weight, stumbling before regaining his balance and walking back down the path Dark had carved out, following it back through the woods, away from the blood stained clearing.

Hiccup reached the redwood trunk and stared at it for a few seconds before making his way up onto the makeshift bridge. He teetered wildly on the bark, but green eyes stared firmly on the end, not daring to even glance down. Deep breaths calmed his racing heart, but nothing prepared him for the unsuspecting little bit of ice that was hidden under the snow.

Yelping, he slid, the buck landed harshly on the log even as the teen grasped frantically at the wood. Something shot out, wrapping around his stomach. The wind knocked out of his lungs, Hiccup held onto the warm tail that circled his hips and abdomen. Slowly, his gaze moved upward, seeing the amused eyes of Toothless. The dragon rumbled before pulling the teen towards him, placing him in a heap on the wet and cold ground.

With envious ease, the Night Fury leaped up onto the trunk and grabbed the midsection of the buck between his teeth and turned back around, spreading his wings to lengthen his jump so that he landed beside the breathless teen. Shaking his head, Hiccup got up onto his feet, walking beside the very proud Toothless. The dragon strutted until the young Viking got him with a snowball on the nose.

Indignantly, the Night Fury chased him all the way back to the tree. Falling into the snow outside the den, making Dark scramble away, the young Viking was gasping and was soon about to drown in dragon slobber as Toothless ruthlessly licked him after tossing the dead buck to the side. The sandpaper tongue roughly dragged along freckled skin, and a single paw gently held the wriggling boy still.

"T-Toothless!" The boy begged, laughing heartily, trying to push away the large, ellipse shaped head. "S-stop! Sto—" Hiccup was cut off as another wave of laughter coursed through him. One of the wolves woofed as the Night Fury slowed down, staring at the teen with victorious toxic eyes. Panting, the redhead stayed there in the snow even after his friend got off until a wet, black nose brushed his face.

Lagoon was sitting beside his head, tail wagging and tongue lolling. Snorting, Hiccup reached up and tackled the canine, both going down into the snow with a soft oomph. The woods were filled with giddy laughter, both human and wolf wrestling. After an hour, they were both still on the ground, Lagoon curled into Hiccup, resting his muzzle on the thin chest as small fingers brushed through his fur.

A deeper bark came form the cave, one that Hiccup recognized as Lord. The black wolf stepped out into the snow, his tail was wagging happily, and jumped about with his family. Hiccup pushed himself to his feet, following the grey and rusty canine over to the happy pack. Toothless was curled outside the tree, watching in curiosity and cuddled close to the teen as he sat beside the ebony beast.

One by one, they watched as each of the wolves vanished into the cave, happy barks and joyous growls following them. When Viper vanished into the darkness, the last out of the pack-mates, Lord found his way to the human and dragon. His gold eyes looked over the two of them, carefully examining before he gently grabbed Hiccup by the vest and gently pulled him towards the cave.

Once Viper had reappeared, the redhead was butted in. For a moment, the young Viking paused to let his eyes adjust to the darkness and he noticed a large, breathing lump in the corner. Lady lifted her head as he came close, but it wasn't her that caught Hiccup's attention.

It was the four, beautiful pups at her side.

Didn't that make up for the cruel ending of last chapter? Oh, and Lady gave birth so late because one; up north you people may have a brighter summer, but the weather changes quickly (I know, I live in Colorado—no other explanation needed and I based it off of that). If that doesn't suit your fancy, fine.

She went into heat late. XP

Lady: Grey-white and smaller than Black and Dark but bigger than Viper

Lord: Biggest of them all and completely black

Dark: Tan with some dark splotches; big enough to look like he can take on a bear

Lagoon: Grey, with a rust colored stripe down his back. A runner

Viper: White female wolf. A runner

I haven't gotten to any of my reviewers, but thank you so much for your continued support (including all you lurkers; YES! I SEE YOU!). Please don't stop sending in your thoughts! EVERY ONE GETS PUDDING! CHOCOLATE PUDDING! *Hands out bowls*

Happy Reading!

Grim