As Hiccup and Merida's first year anniversary drew nigh, the tension grew taut like a branch about ready to snap. Nothing had been found, and no one had seen or heard from Jack Frost. Hiccup was starting to worry as there could only be two reasons for Jack's disappearance, either he had been captured, or he had joined forces with Mavis. Hiccup couldn't believe the second one, so the first was the only possible explanation. There was a third, a less dire one, Jack was simply keeping Mavis from getting everything she needed for the spell, in which case, he could be quickly forgiven. With everything Jack had done for Hiccup and Merida, and many others as the two had found out on their honeymoon, there was no way he would join forces with Mavis. Hiccup ran his hand over his face and through his hair, letting out a breath, Jack was basically doing all the work, and Hiccup just had to sit back and wait, which he didn't want to do. He got up from his desk and stretched, he had been at it for the past week. If Jack was taking care of it, then Hiccup should use this time to spend happy days with his family. He walked into the bedroom, Merida stood by the window, Toothless and Morrigan napping next to the bed. Hiccup wrapped his arms around her and kissed her face before rubbing her round belly.

"Any day now," sighed Merida.

"For what?" asked Hiccup, his face buried in her red curls.

"Before she comes." She glanced down at her belly, both of their hands clasped over it, a little kick sent warmth through their hearts. Smiles spread on their faces as she leaned into him, and he held them both tight. Any day now would be nice, Jack. A loud pounding at the door startled the two out of their happy moment. Hiccup rushed to the door, throwing it open.

"Yes, what is it?" he asked the panting Viking standing there.

"J-Jack Frost . . . is here!" Hiccup's eyes grew wide and started to walk through, but the Viking grabbed his arm. "Sir, he was carrying ingredients, for her spell! Said he was bringing them to her!" Hiccup staggered back, Jack was working for Mavis? He turned at the sound of a sharp gasp, Merida's pregnant form stood clasping the railing for support, her eyes wide from the news. They had trusted him! Hiccup's fists clenched and he gritted his teeth.

"Lock him in the dungeon. I'll be there shortly," he growled. The Viking gave a quick nod and ran off to carry the verdict. Hiccup calmly, but tensely, closed the door, his hand returning to a fist when he let go of the knob. He turned to Merida, he could see the same anger flashing in her eyes. How could he do this to them, to all of them? Had he helped them just to take it all away? Hiccup calmed himself down before speaking.

"H-he must have a reason," he tried to reason.

Merida's blazing eyes shot up at him, "What reason would he have to work with her? A deal? Is that all he'll do, make deals? He doesn't care about anyone!"

Hiccup took her by the shoulders, "Not now, Mer, let me handle this. You have the baby to think of. Maybe, maybe I can make a deal with him, get him to tell me something about the spell, some way to stop it or to reverse it, anything. I'll be back." Merida gave a nod as he kissed her before walking out, Toothless tailing him. Morrigan sat next to Merida, giving her silent support and comfort.

Hiccup and Toothless got to the dungeon just as the guards locked up Jack Frost, his wintery staff placed in a corner far from the cell. Hiccup paused, this didn't seem like the same winter sprite he had invited to his wedding almost a year ago. The old Jack Frost was fun and cheerful, this one was moody, a sorrow deep in his eyes. Maybe Jack was up to something, he must have come here to keep Mavis from getting the last ingredients, though it wouldn't be long before she figured out he had been captured and come to set him free. Hiccup sent the guards away, wanting to speak alone with Jack, Toothless the only backup he needed.

"What are you doing, Jack?" he whispered. He wanted to know, needed to know, that there was still something of his old, care-free friend in there. A mischievous grin appeared on his face, making it seem colder than it already was.

"You know the rules, Master Chief, I only work with deals." Hiccup's face went taut with calm dread, this was nothing more than a game, just another deal, to him.

"What's your price?" Hiccup kept his voice under control, though his body shook with rage.

"I want to see your little family together."

"She hasn't been born yet."

"I know." Jack's face crept closer to the bars. "Do we have a deal then, Master Chief? The sight of your family for the information you seek."

"I-I'll think about it."

"Don't take too long, she'll be by soon to pick up the last of the ingredients."

Hiccup rose to leave, feeling sick to his stomach, but paused for one final question, "What happened to you, Jack? This isn't the friend I invited to my wedding."

"Who said I was your friend?" Hiccup let out a shaky breath before walking out of the dungeon, Toothless giving Jack a snort before following. Jack crawled to the back of the cell, his face morphing into his true feelings. He glanced at the moon just peeking over the horizon. "I hope this is worth it, Manny."

"Are you sure you want to do this, Merida?" Hiccup asked as he led his wife through the dungeons.

Merida nodded before glancing at her husband, "For the final time, yes! We're already almost there, what's the point of asking me now?"

Hiccup sighed, "Because I was kind of hoping to change your mind." Merida rolled her eyes as a guard greeted them, taking the torch from Hiccup. "Alright, Jack Frost, my wife is here to speak to you, you'd better answer her questions, or else," growled Hiccup. The pale being moved to the bars, his ice blue eyes penetrating down to their very souls.

A grin spread across his face, "Wonderful to see you, Princess Merida. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"I want to know what Mavis is planning and how we can stop it."

"My, my, you know that I need something in return."

"What?"

"The name of your child."

Merida's hand went instinctively to her round tummy, "Fine, it's a deal."

"Good, Mavis is making a spell that will transport us all to another world, a world without magic. Part of the spell will erase all of our memories of this world, and might make some of us change our names." Hiccup and Merida glanced at each other with worry.

"So how do we stop it?"

Jack shrugged, "You can't stop it, but . . . there is a way to reverse it."

"How?"

Jack pointed at the round belly, "That child is our only hope. You must send her away to Earth to spare her from the spell, she will return to us on her twenty-sixth birthday. That is when Mavis' spell shall begin to weaken, it won't be long after that that the spell will be broken."

Merida breathed, "Thank you." She turned around to walk away, there was hope after all, even if it meant not being able to watch her little one grow up.

"Wait, we had a deal! You promised to give me the name of your child!"

Merida turned back around with a little smile on her face, "Mary Katherine."