Fire And Ice
Rated: T for Teen.
Author: Nightstar Fury from Nightstar Productions.
Pairing: Hiccup & Elsa.
Disclaimer: I do not own How To Train Your Dragon, Frozen, Tangled, or Brave.
Chapter Twenty One: Berk.
5 days in to the trip and they were struck by a severe storm that threatened to capsize the ship, and the waters here were below freezing. Everyone was on deck not sure what to do, which of course left it in Hiccup's hands again. "Prince Hiccup! These winds are too strong, the ship will capsize if we don't do something." The captain called to Hiccup from his position at the steering wheel. Hiccup landed the main deck with Toothless as he slid off.
"Close the main sail!" Hiccup ordered the 4 crew members.
"If we close it we won't go anywhere!" Astrid remarked.
"I know what I am doing! Trust me. Kristoff! Get Anna and Elsa down below. It's not safe up here!" Hiccup stated.
"Aye prince! Your majesty, your highness if you'll follow me." Kristoff said. Elsa nodded and began to go below deck, Elsa looked worried at her fiancé who was helping the men close the main sail. A wave knocked the ship, forcing it to rock and Anna was near the edge, she fell back and went over.
"HICCUP!" Elsa screamed in fear. Hiccup ran to the edge and looked over, he saw Anna but barely keeping her head above water.
"Toss me that line!" Hiccup yelled, the man did as he tied it around his waist and jumped over the ship's side, landing in the water with a splash.
"Is he crazy!? The water's are freezing!" Ruffnut said over the powerful winds.
"He's Hiccup..." Stoick added.
"True." The group replied . They watched over the edge seeing no sign of Hiccup or Anna for a few seconds then finally, Hiccup emerged from the water taking in a large breath of the air.
"Pull them up, quickly!" The captain ordered, the 4 crew members began pulling the rope and bringing Hiccup up who was holding Anna in his arms. Once over the side and back on deck he untied the rope from his waist and flipped Anna on her side, she coughed up some water and panted heavily.
"Oh thank Odin..." Hiccup said in between breaths while hugging her. "Toothless...warm her up..." Hiccup shivered out, oh yeah the waters were freezing. Toothless laid down on his side as Hiccup placed Anna in his wings. Toothless closed his wings around her and heated up his body. By now the storm seemed to lessen and the captain got them back on track to Berk.
"What happened?" Anna asked as Toothless cracked open his wings and they could see her face.
"You went overboard, Hiccup jumped in after you..." Fishlegs pointed out. After 10 minutes, Toothless opened his wings and let her out, he got himself a blanket and wrapped it around before sending her below deck to change her clothes and get some rest.
"We're back on course sir." The captain saluted.
"Good man. Least the rain has stopped, alright lets see what we're up against here..." Hiccup said pulling out his map and opening it up. His finger traced the path to an X marked on the last place they'd passed through. He pulled out a compass, and then another metal like object and placed it down on the ship deck, the red needle inside began to spin and fidget between two numbers. "Alright...given the ferocity of the storm...rain direction, winds speed, strength, and direction...We are...about here. Day and a half to Berk." Hiccup stated.
"I'll never understand how you figure all that out..." Kristoff scratched his head a little in curiousness. "Oh and thank you for saving Anna, Prince Hiccup..." Kristoff added with a bow of respect to him.
"You are welcome, Kristoff. There's a reason Toothless and I fly ahead of the ship and circle it several times...I look for landmarks that I passed 6 years ago leaving Berk. Call it retracing my steps..." Hiccup shrugged.
"Yeah but the directions and speed...How?" Snotlout asked.
"Compass tells us where we're going. This checks wind speed..." Hiccup motioned to the objects. "Look, its really not that complicated. I'll show you. We're headed West to Berk from Arendelle, the winds leaving Arendelle were going West with us, over the last 5 days they changed which mean we alter the sails to catch the least amount of wind that goes the opposite direction we need. Through that storm, the winds were going North-East and traveling at speeds of 45 miles per hour. I closed the sails so we didn't one capsize and two get blown off course." Hiccup explained.
"But you were having the captain constantly changing the ship's direction in those waves." Astrid pointed out.
"Because when sailing, if you adjust the boat to follow move with the waves you won't crash against them. Meaning the ship won't crack, splinter, or break. For example, you see that wave over there?" Hiccup pointed to it, they looked to see a large wave rise and crash over going in a North-East direction. "If we sailed through it, instead of with it. We'd all be in the water with no ship. So we ride with it until it levels out against the sea, then we adjust the ship back on course." Hiccup rolled up the map and tucked it away in his pocket.
"Just finished the ship inspection my prince. Little damage but no leaks. Safe to continue sailing through?" The crew member told him.
"If there are no leaks, we continue forward. The rain has stopped, the storm is lightening and if I'm not mistaken...the winds have changed again." Hiccup said as he licked his finger and held it up, he smiled. "We've got South-West winds. Open the sails and rotate the mast so the sail angles right. We'll pick up the breeze coming in from the North and it will push us West towards Berk instead of South-West." Hiccup ordered.
"Aye sir!" They said rushing off to do what they were told. After 10 minutes, the captain gave him a thumbs up and Hiccup nodded.
"You are...really good in tough situations..." Astrid smiled at him.
"Someone has to be, sailing without knowing what you're doing is dangerous. I know you Vikings sail, you rough the storm and take unnecessary risks. So when you ship was damaged on Arendelle and I repaired it, I made it safer for travel, easier to steer too. I had a feeling I'd get dragged in to coming back when you left and while my princess, and queen are aboard this vessel. They will be safe." Hiccup stated as he crossed his arms over his chest and looking out to the slow calming sea around them.
"But still...you can't control storms so how do you...work with that?" Tuffnut questioned.
"I don't need to control the storms, or weather. All I need to do is be pay attention and be prepared for anything. First thing I learned when I ran away was to expect the unexpected. I never know what is going to happen, so I expect for everything bad or good to happen then if and when something does. I'm ready for it." Hiccup shrugged a little.
"Sir, we just crossed in to the Archipelago." The captain called to him.
"Thank you, Captain Anton." Hiccup replied. "Egil, Gunnar. Adjust the sail straight, we have full West pushing winds at 35 miles per hour. Not a cloud in sight and the waves are being pushed with the wind blowing in from the East. If this continues, we may reach Berk by morning." Hiccup ordered.
"Aye aye sir." The two crew members he'd called for headed to fix the sail.
"I'll never get over you being so...formal son." Stoick chuckled.
"Comes with the territory of being royalty. I'm only acting as I should father." Hiccup looked to him, he heard footsteps and saw Anna coming up them. "Princess Anna, are you alright?" Hiccup asked.
"Oh Hiccup, come on. We're not on Arendelle right now, you don't have to call me princess..." Anna rolled her eyes.
"Oh my esteemed apologies." Hiccup remarked sarcastically with a grin. "Fine then pain in my ass, you good?" Hiccup stated.
"H–hey!" Anna crossed her arms over her chest.
"That's me acting normal, Anna. Take your pick." Hiccup snickered, Anna punched him in the arm.
"Jerk. I'll never understand what my sister sees in you..." Anna rolled her eyes.
"Because he's a gentleman to me, Anna." Elsa giggled a little as she linked her arm to Hiccup's smiling, he kissed her forehead. It was quiet for a while, maybe an hour before someone decided to break the silence. It was now sunset and they were all getting hungry, once again. Hiccup felt necessary to take over to handle it, he had two men bring up the metal bowl like pan that sat on a metal stand on the ship deck. He grabbed some wood and set it up then looked to Toothless.
"Light it up bud." Hiccup chuckled snapping his finger, Toothless gave a gummy smile and shot a small blast at the wood. It lit instantly as Hiccup passed around the food and metal sticks to cook it on. The choices were chicken or fish.
"I still can't believe you trained a Night Fury, Hiccup...its amazing and the friendship you two have...no one on Berk is going to believe it..." Astrid said calmly.
"Well that is their problem, not mine." Hiccup shrugged while roasting his chicken leg.
"No one is going to attack, Toothless. Everyone is going to be lost in shock or envy at the sight." Stoick said firmly.
"So...maybe you can teach us how you did it?" Fishlegs asked curiously.
"What? Train a Night Fury? I could if there were others. I haven't seen any since Toothless." Hiccup replied.
"No, how you trained a dragon at all...Can you teach us? Or help us stop the raids?" Astrid looked at him.
"I didn't come as a trainer. I'm here because my fiancé wants to see Berk..." Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"I have a question..." Anna said now as Hiccup looked at her. "What exactly...are these raids?" Anna questioned.
"The dragon raids are where about 25-50 dragons come raid the village for food. Lots of fighting and fire, not to worry. You will be safe." Hiccup assured her.
"Oooh! Okay then, but you know how to stop them?" Anna blinked.
"I don't actually. I have my suspicions that they are merely controlled by a higher force. In order to stop the raids, I'd have to train every dragon that comes and that is beyond my limit of expertise. I'm not saying training dragons is hard, its all understanding and trusting them. But even so, training 50 or so dragons all at once wouldn't be realistically possible. It took me a month to even get close to Toothless and learn to ride him and only because his tail fin is gone, he relied on me for survival." Hiccup stated.
"Well...if you show us...maybe we can help?" Fishlegs offered.
"I will consider it." Hiccup sighed finally. A few more moments of silence.
"So...what kind of wedding are you and Elsa doing?" Kristoff asked.
"Isn't there...only one type of wedding to do?" Ruffnut questioned.
"In terms of being formal, yes but there are many who change it up. Some write their own vows, or make themes for them like...Oh if Elsa wanted she could do an entirely winter based idea even though its summer." Anna smiled.
"No we haven't thought about any of that yet. We did only get engaged a few days ago..." Elsa smiling lightly.
"When do you two plan to get married?" Stoick asked now.
"Again, just got engaged. I know you Vikings plan it for a month later but beyond the Archipelago some people take a year to plan their weddings." Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"What...Hiccup is saying is that we aren't sure yet. We're just going to take it slow and enjoy it, us getting married also means Hiccup becoming the king of Arendelle, another coronation to plan. It's a little more complicated than you believe it to be." Elsa replied softly.
"Wait wait...Hiccup will be the chief... of Arendelle?" Snotlout asked blinking.
"That he will." Anna smiled now. Hiccup heard a yawn as he looked back and saw the captain looking rather tired, at this he got up and held his chicken which was still uncooked.
"Toothless, hot blast this will you?" Hiccup smiled, Toothless shot a blast cooking it almost instantly. "Thanks buddy." Hiccup rubbed his head as he then made his way towards the captain and held the wheel with on hand. "Go get something to eat, then rest Anton. I'll take over for a while." Hiccup told him.
"Many thanks, Prince Hiccup." The captain smiled bowing before walking away leaving Hiccup to steer the ship.
"He's a man of many talents, isn't he?" Stoick stated.
"That he is. He spent most of the first year in Arendelle being in the library learning about all the modern-ness of the kingdom." Elsa chuckled a bit.
"Its hard to believe he was gone for 6 years...we thought he was dead after 6 months. We found a basket of his things near the Archipelago boundary and gave up searching." Astrid sighed.
"We know. Hiccup purposely left the basket there, his way of letting go of the past and moving on. We sailed there and left the basket on the island. We saw you take it, we were hiding with Toothless in the rocks. Once you sailed away, so did we." Elsa replied.
"Wait, you were there?" Tuffnut asked blinking.
"We were." Anna nodded.
"I told you I felt like we were being watched!" Ruffnut remarked punching her brother in the arm.
"Ow!" Tuffnut rubbed his arm.
"Knock it off down there. If the fire topples we're screwed..." Hiccup called to them.
"Sorry." They called back.
"So chief...how are you going to announce Hiccup is alive...and back?" Fishlegs asked curiously.
"He's not. People are going to notice a man on the back of a dragon...as soon as they see him they will know its Hiccup. He might be older but he still has that same auburn hair and deep green eyes." Snotlout chuckled.
"True. People are gonna have a lot of questions about everything..." Stoick shrugged.
"And I'll deal with it when we get there..." Hiccup stated from his spot near the well. They nodded slowly and continued to cook their food over the fire, then begin to eat it. It stayed quiet for a few more hours before Anna, Kristoff, and Elsa made their way below deck to get some sleep. Sven, Olaf, and Toothless were laying on the main deck against the side. The Hooligans were sitting, laying, or standing around. Hiccup kept his position at the wheel and watching the sea and sky, turning the wheel when needed.
Around 11:30, Hiccup noticed Astrid making her way up beside him. "Hey..." She greeted.
"Something you need?" Hiccup asked her keeping his eyes ahead.
"N–no...just...can't sleep." Astrid sighed out a little.
"You stuttered, Astrid. I know you're lying. Out with it." Hiccup said firmly.
"I just...I can't believe all this. You ran away at 12 on Toothless, and have been...in Arendelle all the while when we were mourning you. We thought you died...and then...now...you're alive, a prince, engaged..." Astrid looked at him.
"Why is it so hard to believe? Its just life." Hiccup shrugged keeping his eyes forward.
"I don't know it just...doesn't seem like you is all." Astrid mumbled.
"A lot of things didn't seem like me, Astrid. Or have you forgotten what I told you already? I was Hiccup the Useless to all of you, until I did good in dragon training. Then I was Hiccup the Hero apparently...Living a life of lies isn't what I wanted so I went out to find a place where I could be me without having to live up to anyone's expectations...I didn't have to be something I wasn't, didn't have anyone to impress." Hiccup told her.
"You told me you liked me in the letter..." Astrid said slowly now looking away.
"Is that what this is about?" Hiccup asked, she flinched a little. "I thought so. You're in disbelief because as far as you knew I liked you and yet now I have all this, including a fiancé. Right?" Hiccup looked over at her. She nodded to him. "Astrid, yes I liked you on Berk. But I was invisible to you, you didn't even know I existed unless my father was scolding me in front of everyone or beating you in training. I wanted so many times to tell you about Toothless but I knew you'd just tell everyone else. And I couldn't risk Toothless." Hiccup told her firmly.
"You mean you wouldn't of cared if you got thrown off the island or killed?" Astrid asked a little surprised now. He nodded to her.
"I told you. I hated my life, at the time I would of preferred death over living there any longer. Then I met Toothless and it changed, I had a reason to stay alive because I finally had someone who cared, a genuine friend who saw me for me. Regardless of my life meaning nothing to anyone on Berk, it meant something to Toothless and I mean something to him. So it was my reason to fight back and find another way." Hiccup replied.
"So...when did you start liking me?" Astrid glanced at him now.
"When I was 9 or so...Had the biggest crush on you, would of given anything for you to notice me. And when you finally did, I realized you were only jealous that I was doing better than you. I realized that everything people believed was a lie, the only reason I used those tricks was to keep the suspicion off me about Toothless. And when I perfected the tail rig on him, it happened to fall when I was picked to kill my first dragon. I knew it was time, so that night I packed up and left." Hiccup cracked his neck a little, then his fingers before putting them back on the wheel.
"When...did you stop liking me?" Astrid asked lowly.
"As soon as I left. I knew I'd never stand a chance, especially running away and if anyone found out the truth. So when I left Berk behind, I left my feelings for you too." Hiccup said keeping his eyes forward. "Why so curious?" Hiccup asked.
"No reason...just wanted to know is all. Thought you were dead and would never get to ask you..." Astrid replied. "Its...really great you're alive, Hiccup..." Astrid added as she walked away from him slowly, Hiccup glanced at her briefly then looked forward again thinking about her response to him.
'She didn't honestly think I still liked her, did she...? She never knew you existed, Hiccup. Then you suddenly leave and left her a note telling her you liked her makes her like you back? Decides to bring it up 6 years later after learning you're alive and now have a fiancé? Did she think I'd be with her? My heart belongs to Elsa...Even the trolls said it. I was the one who would help her, and I have and will continue to do so.' Hiccup thought while checking the compass, he saw the needle moving so he steered the ship the way it should go. The rest of the night was quiet except for the talking among the crew, and the calm sea.
The next morning as Hiccup expected they'd reached Berk. He wasn't nervous, rather he was dreading this meeting with his former tribe. The captain had taken over before the sun rose and Hiccup got a few hours of sleep in between while laying on Toothless. What woke him up were the sounds of the tribe members announcing that the chief had returned. The ship docked as Hiccup was below with Toothless, Elsa, Kristoff, Anna, Sven, and Olaf. Then it was time to make themselves known, Hiccup led first with Elsa holding on to his harm.
"Welcome back chief. How was the trip?" Gobber asked smiling.
"Trip was great, Gobber...Long and...we've brought a few people back..." Stoick stated with a smile.
"Oh? Who did you bring ba–Hiccup?!" Gobber stopped short in his sentence as he saw Hiccup standing on the main level of the ship now. It was completely silent now, the Hooligans working on the docks looked up in shock, Gobber's mouth hung open, others walking by had stopped too. Hiccup only smiled gently as his former mentor.
"Hey Gobber. Long time no see." Hiccup greeted.