A/N: So I've watched 'The Little Mermaid' last weekend, and I'm almost sure I'll be going with that au next. I'm juggling between 'The Little Mermaid' or 'The Lion King II: Simba's Pride' au. So if you could help me decide between the two, I'd really appreciate it. I'd like to thank 'The Samaritan' for the continuous support and suggestions. And alll Nine Dotran 3's reviews that always warms my heart. Sorry for the messed up delivering of the prizes. And I couldn't send all because majority of them got corrupted. And just a reference to the review of 'The Samaritan' I understand that Belle stayed with the Beast for two years. Although I'm planning for the timeline to be half a year.

That being said, this chapter and the next will be a Christmas special, but it's not a separate plotline. This is just how I thought it woud turn out if they did combine 'Belle's Enchanted Christmas.' to the actual movie. Chapter ten will therefore be 'Tale as Old as Time' chapter, or 'Tale so New to Time' since I'm lyric changing again.

Enjoy. Thank you for all your support.

Plans for The Winter

North and the others were gathered at the den looking through some old albums of the time when they were still humans, and they were simply reminiscing for they haven't looked through the photos for several years since Manny showed up and placed the spell under them.

But with Hiccup's prescence, they found the strength to start hoping again.

"Ha ha!" North laughed heartily as he pointed at a picture of Aster riding on a sled with his children. "This is time when you rode with kids down the hills! And puke out the carrot cake."

Aster flushed, grumbling. "I told you to never mention that!"

Sophie giggled. "But Uncle Aster, there's a picture!" She pointed out. "Whether or not daddy tells the tale, we'll always remember it."

Aster grumbled more dejectedly.

"Sorry, brother." Tooth smiled shyly, recalling that it was she was took the picture. "I couldn't help myself."

North nudged her. "Ah, don't be. They are part of wonderful memories, yes?"

They browsed through several more pages of the album, recalling al those times before they were place under a spell. They all have thought they was no chance of going back to these old times, but thanks to the hope Hiccup gives them, there was a chance that things could revert back to the old times.

Jamie looked at his mom. "You really think he's the one, will he break the spell?" He asked.

"Hah! I knew it moment I set eyes on him!"

"Oh if anyone could do it, it's Hiccup, such a such a sweet boy?"

"And his looks don't hurt either!"

Suddenly, they heard the sound of the feet walking on floor. They turned around to find said hope bringer going down the steps to the den.

"Ah, Hiccup," North turn to greet him, as did the others. "Is there something you need?"

Tooth jumped on that. "Would you like some tea?" Jamie stood by her side, just in case.

"As long as it has nothing to do with your dingo, I'm at your service, too." Aster grunted.

Hiccup shook his head, making a slight look at Aster's words. "Dingo—? You mean Toothless—? Never mind," He said dismissively. "I was just wondering... What are the things that Jack enjoys?"

Everybody rattled up excitedly and with quick interest, Hiccup was a little scared that he asked.

"Erm, no need to get work up..." He said wearily. "It was just a question."

North went up to him. "But plenty a reason to be worked up, Hiccup!" He laughed. "We'd be happy to answer. But why do you ask?" He prodded.

"Well, it's just—" Hiccup rubbed the back of his head. "he seemed a little under the weather for the last few days—" He didn't bother making reference that Jack was feeling down since their talk at the library, he didn't think it had anything to do with that anyway, because Jack still spoke to him when they ran into each other, but not more than a sentence or two. "—And I was just thinking of how to make him feel better,"

The others exchanged looks, seemingly concerned. Jack was feeling down? How did they miss that? Were they so caught up in their hopes of the spell being broken they simply thought it was smooth sailings here on out?

The thought made even Aster feel guilty.

"We weren't aware, Hiccup." North said. "How long?"

Hiccup shrugged, sighing. "I don't know—A week or two?" He answered unsurely. "I probably shouldn't but I can't help but worry."

"No, no. It's perfectly all right to worry, worry all you want for Jack." North urged, and the Viking raised a brow on how weird that sounded. "It only means you care for him, yes?"

Hiccup flushed beet red. "Uhm, I—I guess," He admitted.

"All right." North hopped to the stairs. "I will talk to him, Hiccup."


North went in to Jack's room and found the boy settled on his bed dejectedly. This confused him greatly because it seemed that he and Hiccup were getting along just fine. Why the sudden wind of change? Pun unintended.

"Oh, North, it's you." Jack looked over to the gnome lazily. "What do you want?"

North went up to him, jumping to the side drawer next to the box. How he didn't slip on the icy structure was a question. "Just came to check up on you, Jack." He started. "What is problem?"

"Problem?" Jack laughed once. "What makes you think there was a problem? Well, aside for the fact that we're all under a spell, of course."

North's eyes furrowed. "Is that what you're upset about?" He asked.

"Please North, there's no problem with that. I'm kinda getting used to this," The Frost huffed. "I mean, come on, we all should; it's been like this for about almost a decade. And the chances of that changing at all are slim."

"Jack, are you sure there's nothing wrong? Cause sounds like there is."

Jack huffed irritably. "Oh c'mon North, why would anything be wrong? I just happen to have a freakin' crush on this very adorable, very cute boy, who's probably never going to return the feelings, And it makes sense because he deserves better, no~" He sang mockingly. "... Everything is just right with it how could it possibly be wrong?"

"What are you saying, Jack? Hiccup likes you just fine."

"You don't know that."

"Of course I do."

"Yeah right, even if he did, it'll never be the way I want him to."

"Now you don't know that." North retorted. "Look Jack, if Hiccup didn't like you, why is he still here?"

Jack flared up and faced the gnome. "FOR HIS FATHER!" He snapped heatedly. "It's all because of that stupid deal! Yeah, sure, it was because of that I got him under my roof and we got to know each other better, and yes, without that deal this would never be possible." He conceded.

"There, now you see—"

Jack continued. "But the fact that he would never have stayed a second longer if it weren't for an exchange remains!" His shoulders shook. "He never stayed for me... And it tears me up inside... Thinking that I'm only using him to break this stupid spell..."

"Okay... So you don't see..." North frowned. "Jack..."

Jack turned away from North. "I should just stay an abomination..." He sobbed. "...If that were the case, then Manny had the right idea of transforming me. I'm only sorry that I dragged you all into this."

North really had no idea what to say to that.


Hiccup settled down with the others at the den. They talked about a few things, about a few things like those sketches the Viking created at the library, how he met Toothless, a quite touching story actually, and Tooth teared up a bit when Hiccup told them about his mother. Jamie and Sophie cuddled up to her... If objects could cuddle up.

No one brought up the spell, however. They actually closed the album so Hiccup wouldn't figure out what they are before all this, and the brunette didn't bother pointing out that he knew. He was afraid of what they'd do if they found out.

Would the spell not break if he knew about it? Will they send him away and he wouldn't be able to see them again?

Never see Jack again? Hiccup couldn't take that.

One topic, however, they lingered on because it was so foreign to Hiccup, and they said something about it also being Jack's birthday.

"Christmas?" The Viking blinked. "what's that?"

They all stared at him in wonder.

"You don't know about Christmas?" Jamie asked in shock. "Won't dad be disappointed! It's his favorite time of year."

Sophie nodded. "Yeah Hiccup, you must know about Christmas."

"I'm sorry," Hiccup shook his head bashfully, feeling clueless once more. "but it's the first I've heard of it."

Tooth finally decided to enlighten him. "It's a special time of year when people give their families and people they love presents all gift wrapped in lovely patterns, and we have a big feast." She explained. "A time when we celebrate the start of new things to come, since it's celebrated at the twenty-fifth day of the last month of the year. But usually, the night before, Christmas eve, we usually stay up till midnight for it."

"Sounds nice." Hiccup smiled, but then the chidren pouts. "Huh? What did I say?"

Jamie sighed. "Well, we haven't celebrated Christmas in a long time..." He said.

"Uh-huh, Jack keeps saying there was nothing worth celebrating for." Sophie complained. "you'd think it was odd since it was also his birthday."

"Well," Aster shrugged. "Can't say I disagree a hundred percen-OW!" He winces as Tooth tilted slightly to let a drop of hot tea fall to his feet.

Hiccup got an idea. "Well," He smiled. "why don't we celebrate this year?"

They all stared at him wide-eyed.

"I am new here, right? It's a good cause for celebration, vanity not intended." Hiccup pointed out. "and since Jack's feeling down, and since it's his birthday, well why not? You could show me how it's done. It would cheer him right up."

Tooth was touched that Hiccup cared so much for Jack despite their beginning. Jamie and Sophie, however, merely leapt for joy.

That's when North came in.

"Hm?" North seemed to smile. "Why the excitement?"

Jamie and Sophie bounded up to him in glee. "WE'RE HAVING CHRISTMAS AGAIN!"

"Eh?" North blinked, looking at the occupants of the room. "We're what?"

Tooth smiled at him. "Hiccup has this brilliant idea of celebrating Christmas to cheer Jack right up," She giggled. "Isn't that right, Hiccup?"

The Viking turned slightly red but he nodded. "I really want to help him get better, and this seems like the best bet." He said.

North bursted to laughter. "Ah! It is swell idea!" He cheered. "But we only have three days left, we must hurry!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on there mate," Aster halted. "Let me get this straight, we're celebrating his favorite time of year," He pointed a finger to the gnome. "But you never thought of celebrating Easter, my favorite time of year? I mean, you were here too about that time as well!" He huffed.

Hiccup didn't know what to say. "Uhm... Sorry?" He said. Then. "Wait, what's Easter?"

Aster facepalmed and North just laughed. "Well, like I keep saying," He said teasingly. "Easter is not Christmas,"

"And it starts..."


Hiccup went towards the hall going to the library. It was always the best place for him to go about thinking, Jamie accompanied him.

"Hey Jamie," The Viking called out. "why is Jack always going through mood swings?" He recalled from he first knew the Frost.

Threatening when he found Hiccup at the dungeon with his father, then gentle when he offered to bring him to a more comfortable room (although he was a bit mocking too.)

Then courteous by trying to convince him to feel right at home, then immediately snapping when questioned about the forbiddened west wing.

Right now, they were getting along just fine, and it was always a happy, comforting atmosphere when they were together. Now he was somewhat cold-though not necessarily like before-and awkward when they were face to face.

"Aw, he's always like that."

"Even if there was no apparent reason?"

"Yeap,"

That made Hiccup slightly better. At least it wasn't anything he did.

Jamie brought out a question. "Hey Hiccup," He started. "what do you think of the idea of having Christmas with us?"

"It sounds like a lot of fun, of course." The Viking smiled. And if it puts Jack back to his happy mood, then that would be a plus.

Jamie looked at him curiously. "So you don't mind that you won't be celebrating your first one with your father?" He asked.

Hiccup's blood ran cold. Jamie had a point, in fact, the thought of him forgetting about his father the past months made him guilty. But how was he gonna explain this to Jamie's childlike innocence? He decided to down play it.

"Well," Hiccup started. "we're Vikings, we don't like being overly-sentimental... I guess dad won't mind if I missed the first one with him."

Jamie seemed to accept that answer easily enough. "Well, just be sure you give him something extra special for the next one you get to spend with him." he said carelessly, and Hiccup wondered if he'll even get that chance. "Speaking of which, what are you going to get Jack?"

Hiccup thought about that. When he initially came to them about the problem, that was his main question: what could he do for Jack? Sure, he put the plan out to celebrate Christmas once more, and to an extent, celebrate Jack's birthday.

But that was something they could all do for him.

Hiccup sighed dejectedly. "I don't really know him well enough to get him something," He admitted. "what do you suggest?"

"Uhm," Jamie kept pace with Hiccup as he considered the question. "well, what are the things you'd like?"

Hiccup thought about it, and smiled slightly. "Well, the things I love the most are the wonder, from sights or ideas out of the books I read," He said. "that way I could think of how I'd like to draw them and capture the idea better. I like how each drawing tells stories, like those stuff you call photos."

He remembered how he made a sketch of his mother and father when she was still healthy. It was when the woman was giving Stoick a massage after he came home from another battle back when dragons were still considered enemies and before Hiccup showed them that they can be tamed.

Both seemed so happy and relaxed, he just had to sketch it. Stoick still had it hang on his room. He tells Hiccup how much he still feels Val's warm touch when he looks at it.

"Then why don't you give him that?"

"That?" Hiccup blinked down at the tea cup as he snapped out of memory lane. "That what? Warm touch?" He opened the door to the library.

"Warm touch? Where'd you get that?" Jamie rolled his eyes, hopping in. "It's like you weren't even listening to your answer." He pouted as the Viking entered and settled on an art stool by a canvas. "I meant you could give him some drawings,"

Hiccup blinked, letting that idea sink in and loving the sound of it. "you're right, Jamie." He got some blank pages. "And I just know what kind of concept I'll make out of it,"


Even if no one really like the idea of Jack moping and staying locked in the room, they left it alone to be able to surprise him on Christmas day. So Tooth just brought him his food when it was time for him to eat.

Aster helped Phil with the menu plan for the full course meal. North visited the ornaments at the attic that finally get to see the light of day once more. Hiccup focused on his drawings, nearly finished, and almost ready for him to simply sew them together into a book.

The following morning was Christmas eve already. Like North said, they didn't have much time. However, they seemed to have forgotten the spell for a moment and just focused on getting the Frost to feel better.

Jack was looking out the balcony, finding Hiccup once again with his reptile. He didn't realize how much he missed the Viking. He decided to stop his sulking for a moment and give him a sneak attack.

Funny how your plans change in the blink of an eye, however.

~o~

"Hey, bud, how are you doing?"

That morning, Hiccup went out as to not give Toothless the impression that he was being neglected. That's when he got a big surprise. He was feeding Toothless some roast beef, a new favorite of his, when he noticed something attached to the dragon's saddle.

"Huh? Watcha got there, Toothless?" He picked it up.

A scroll.

He unrolled the scroll to read the contents, and he didn't what surprised him more. The message of the scroll contained, or the one who has written it.

Son, seeing as Toothless isn't chained or anything gruesome like that,

I wonder why you haven't gotten the chance to escape yet. If this is about that deal

and stubborness all Vikings have, forget about it just this once.

There's a lake a few ways off from here, if you read this, you'll know I'm

camping out there, waiting for you.

Find the lake and we'll make a break for it back home.

If that monstrous frost ever shows his face to us again

I'll be sure to protect you this time from him

so don't worry about him coming after us.

Hope to see you soon, Hiccup.

S.

Hiccup pursed his lips, indecisive. Here was his chance to make up for all those guilt he's been feeling for forgetting his father from time to time, not bothering to think about him, or even try to make a way to tell him that he was okay.

Or just plainly come home to him when he had the chance.

Of course he should've done that from the beginning. Stoick was his only family left, they all they have left of each other. Losing his mother hit the strong Viking hard, he can only imagine how Stoick was able to cope up with Hiccup being taken away. Seeing as the man can handle camping out however seemed to be a good sign. But Hiccup should've thought of returning to his father. Stoick was important to him.

What was the Frost to him, right? He only barely knew him for a year! There was no reason to hang back for a bitter cold creature acting as his warden and keeping him away for civilization. Except... Except... Except Hiccup could no longer think that. For now, he ignored the letter, crumpling it. For now, his mind was focused on the coming Christmas. For the Frost has become so much to him... Losing Jack would be like Stoick losing Val. And Hiccup wasn't as strong as his father.

Surely, the young brunette would lose more than his sanity. He'd lose his own heart.

"HICCUP!"

Yelping, the Viking fell back. Looking up, he saw Jack hovering above giving a questioning look. Toothless didn't so much as raise his head in behalf of his rider.

"JACK!" He hissded. "WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK?!"

Jack shrugged. "I thought you were frozen over," He joked. "Guess not. Oh. And I was gonna ask you to dinner in my room, you can come to the West wing this time."

He never let on that he had been reading over his shoulder. Yes, he saw the letter.

"You could've just asked, really," Hiccup huffed, getting up. "what's wrong with just ask—"

The Viking was caught by surprise when the Frost wrapped him in the embrace. Hiccup blinked, clearly not expecting this all of the sudden.

Jack sure had a lot of mood swings. Maybe this is where they got that expression The winds of change.

"J-Jack?" Hiccup stammered, flushing. After being away from Jack for only two weeks, his emotions were going over drive from the sudden contact. "Wh-What—?"

Jack's grip tighten. He no longer cared, if Hiccup was only here thinking it as his father's exchange, only keeping his side of the deal, he didn't care if the feelings were returned or not and he remain an abomination for the rest of his life, not fit to be seen by any normal folks, or how this started all even started.

He just didn't want this to end.

Jack thought back to when this all begun, and how their meeting was anything but ordinary. He even wondered if he would have brought himself to care about the Viking under normal circumstances, or just judge him lowly for whatever he might've thought of him before the spell. He figured he wouldn't have valued any of it at all, or see Hiccup as different from others.

In a way, the spell did have a good effect on him. What he had now with Hiccup, whether he had to be an abomination or not, he wouldn't trade it for anything else.

"Hiccup, please promise me," The white haired whispered tenderly. "don't ever leave me, at least, not without telling me first. Promise?"

Jack would let him go, if that was what Hiccup truly wanted, he won't stop him if he asked. But he had hopes that the Viking boy won't just up and flee without letting him know.

He had hopes that he had come to mean more to the boy enough for that.

Hiccup bit his lip before pushing Jack away. "C'mon Jack," He laughed nervously. "what's this all of the sudden? I never even considered that idea,"

"You promise then?"

Hiccup chuckled. "Sure Jack," He nodded. "I promise. I'll stay right here, as long as you want me to."

And those words broke the heart of someone in the shadows.


"Oy! Stoick, are ya there?"

Stoick stuck his head out of his pitch up tent, a pack hanging from his back. "Oh, Gobber, decided to catch up?" He asked dejectedly. "you didn't have to, I was just about to return."

Gobber trudged over. "So any luck with Hiccup?" He asked.

"Not even close, Gobber." The Viking father huffed. "He's still with that abomination..."

"Aye, you mean that Frost abomination lore?"

"It's not a myth, Gobber!" Stoick growled. "He's very real... And he very much took my son away from me..." He looked at the ground lowly, when he felt a sharp pain across his chest and collapsed.

"Stoick? STOICK!"

It was late afternoon, Hiccup was still thinking about what just happened a moment ago at the courtyard with Jack when Jamie came a brought up an urgent problem.

"A Christmas Tree?"


A/N: Kinda about the feels, this one. I sorta don't know where this is going... And the same time, I sorta do. My brain is just jumbled up with trying to get the ideas out, and I'm not sure this is the best chapter. If anyone can tell me otherwise, it would warm the cockles of my heart. Anyway, I think I'm really going for 'The Crippled Drake' after this. Also, fair warning, Finals are coming up so the updates might be slacking in pace. And I don't know much for Christmas break since I'll mostlybe stuck at home. But I'll do my best. Another warning, sometime in January 2014 I'm going out of town for a short vacay. I won't be updating daily, but when I do, expect many updated chapters.

R&R