Beyond My Wildest Dreams

A/N: Hey there. So…yeah, writer's block, personal life is crap, blah blah blah, you know this story by now, I'm sure. Feels good to return to this AU, though.

This story is a rewrite of a scene in Out of the Sea, that of Hiccup's first day as a human. As in the Broadway musical adaptation of Disney's The Little Mermaid, Hiccup would sing (or think-sing, as he no longer has his voice) this song as Astrid escorts him up to the Great Hall for his first meal on land. You can find the song on YouTube, both the cast recording version and the demo version. (I borrowed more from the latter than the former.) Enjoy!

Berk was far more amazing than Hiccup would have ever believed possible.

He ran his hands unconsciously down his sides as he walked, his fingers tingling as they slid over the fabrics covering his body. The fur vest was soft and warm, the tunic underneath rough and coarse. The boots on his feet were a little heavy, but he figured he'd get accustomed to it in time.

As he, Toothless, and the other young Vikings headed up to the Great Hall, Hiccup wished he had about ten more eyes so that he could see everything. There were people all around, people who were staring curiously at him and his Night Fury. Any other time, he might have been self-conscious and embarrassed, but right now he was so enamored by the sights that he hardly noticed their questioning gazes.

The only person he was actually aware of was Astrid, which was hardly surprising. After all, she was the entire reason he'd agreed to become a human in the first place. He would glance at her from time to time and smile excitedly, silently wondering how she could possibly be so calm in the midst of so many wondrous things. True, she lived here and knew of no other world where such things did not exist, but in his awe Hiccup didn't consider this. There was just so much to look at and be excited over! There were big wooden carts with wheels! And massive catapults loaded with giant stones! Dragons roosting on perches situated above the quaint little houses! A marketplace teeming with activity! Wonders upon wonders upon wonders!

He had sold his voice to Excellinor the Sea Witch and gotten human legs in return, but the song of the sea still ran through his blood. He was a merman by birth, and as such he had music flowing within him, music that right now wanted to burst forth from his heart. He wished he was still able to sing, for there was a song brewing in his soul that was simply dying to escape. But he was forced to keep it within him, the melody playing in his mind as lyrics fell into place as if of their own volition:

Oh, just look

It's like I'm in a storybook

Oh, it's bliss

I dreamed that it would be

Somewhat…

But not like this

The tempo increased slightly in his head as his eyes fell on a wooden pole standing nearby, at the top of which was a large torch. He pointed up to it in silent wonder and sang in his mind:

Look over there

Oh my gods

How very odd

His attention was diverted by two Vikings carrying bludgeons. Gazing at the weapons curiously, he added:

And what might they be?

Something splendid maybe

He turned around and almost toppled to the ground in his enthusiasm, his eyes now focused on a cart filled with merchandise. Barely able to contain himself he sang:

Look over here

Could you bust?

Isn't it just

Bedazzling, dazing

Utterly amazing

Gazing 'round, it's like to die

Just seeing it feels so good

I'd scream if I only could

He spun around in a small circle as he started on the chorus, his arms spread wide as he looked around at the objects and people surrounding him.

I'd hoped and wished

And wanted so to be here

Wished and prayed

And planned it to a "t"

Prayed and wow

Just look, it's really me here

Walking around, strange as it seems

Somewhere beyond my wildest dreams

Astrid watched in bemused wonder as Hiccup started jogging around the village, eyes darting over each item he spied and examining it quickly before moving on to the next treasure. "Is he always like this?" she asked Toothless.

The dragon snorted and rolled his eyes as if to say, "You have no idea…"

Snotlout and the twins exchanged confused looks and Gobber chuckled at the merman prince's enthusiasm, but Hiccup noticed none of them. He only had eyes for whatever tool or structure he saw at the moment. And as his eyes darted left and right, the song continued to play in his head:

Just look at this gorgeous whozit

And this glorious who-knows-what

And that, wonder how they use it

Or this thingem here they've got

Just look at the whatcha-call-ems

They're quite popular, I suppose

And oh, I would so love to know what they call those

His eyes fell on some young women, and he looked them swiftly up and down, taking in the details of their clothes. The skirts and hairstyles were so drastically different from his own that he couldn't help but marvel over them for a moment.

Look at the girls

How they're dressed

Who would've guessed

And hey there

Look there

What's that in that nook there?

Distracted from the girls, he hurried over to a fruit stand, his eyes squinting up at the sign advertising the items for sale. The cart attendant looked questioningly at him, but he didn't notice.

Gosh, over here

On the wall

Look, and it all

Just keeps on going

Wonders overflowing

Growing

Straight up to the sky

I hardly know where I'm at

And ooh, take a look at that

He turned slowly on the spot to look at the village, his heart soaring with delight as he started again on the chorus:

I'd hoped and wished

And wondered what I'd do here

Wished and prayed

And pictured what I'd see

Prayed and wow

My prayers are coming true here

Look at it all, look how it gleams

Lovely beyond my wildest dreams

He looked around, and suddenly time seemed to come to a stop. His eyes had fallen on Astrid, who was gazing at him with a mixture of confusion and good humor. His heart missed a beat as their eyes met, and she smiled sweetly at him. She was beautiful, the most beautiful thing Hiccup had ever seen, and in that moment he thought his bargain with the witch just might have been the best decision he'd ever made. If he could just win her love…

The song in his head slowed a little as he looked fondly at the young woman he loved so dearly:

Look, she's here

So beautiful, refined, sincere

Sweet and kind

Magnificent from head to toe

And oh…

The song remained slow and thoughtful as he considered all he'd done, all he hoped to achieve. Truly he was very fortunate: he was being given a chance, one chance to have everything he'd ever wanted. It was all within his grasp at last. He was almost there.

I'd hoped and wished

My life would feel enchanted

Wished and prayed

The gods would hear my plea

Prayed and wow

My prayers are more than granted

The song started to speed back up as his excitement returned. Three days lay before him, three days of being human, three days in Astrid's company, three days he hoped more than anything would open up to a lifetime among humans, a life spent on land…it was more than he'd ever dreamed of!

Look at it all, wall after wall

Perfect as you could please here

Marvels galore, and even more

Gee, did I mention she's here?

And if – who knows? – all of it goes

Past even these extremes

Just look at me and you will see

Someone beyond his wildest dreams

The song ended on a high note, and for a moment or two he stood perfectly still, letting his joy wash over him like the waves of the ocean far below. Astrid was still gazing at him, looking as though she didn't quite know what to make of his enthusiasm, but there was a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. His heart pounding, Hiccup hurried over to her side, completely ignoring Snotlout, the twins, and Gobber as they exchanged bewildered shrugs. Toothless grumbled a little irritably, but Hiccup merely scratched his chin good-naturedly, and the Night Fury quieted at once. Then Astrid took his hand and started to lead him up to the Great Hall, where lunch awaited.

Perfect. He was starting to feel pretty hungry.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed that! Hopefully I'll have a new chapter of Return to the Sea up before too much longer…if I can ever shake this darn writer's block…ugh!

Also, one last note: I've only got two more stories lined up for this collection, and one of them won't show up until after I've finished the Sea Trilogy because, you know, spoilers! I really love working in this AU, so I don't want this collection to come to an end. I'm sure more story ideas will present themselves in due time, but until then, you're more than welcome to make requests. I'm not promising I'll do them all, but if there's something you'd like to see me try within this AU, just tell me in a review or private message and I'll see what I can do.

Again, hope you enjoyed this! :)