AN: Welcome again. Fanfiction says my last update was on 15-11-17. I can only offer as an excuse that the end of last year and the beginning of this one was pretty rushed. On a happy note, I finally have a scientific paper published written by me (nothing grandiose like a Ph.d paper or a graduation paper), but well, I'm elated that after a lot of effort I managed to get it done in time.

So, review responses:

LunarCatNinja: Thank you. I don't generally like to skip over these because I like to divulge on how the character reacts to its own story, for example how Elsa was feeling when she told Hiccup her story.

Dream Dragoness: If you were surprised by then, then you'll be even more surprised now. Indeed I still live.

everyman52: took a good while, but here is the next chap.

MarauderPrime12: Tell...?

Arthanos: Seems like I left you on a three month angst because of my cliffhanger. What an evil writer I am.

OechsnerC: I don't know your definition of quickly, but I can bet that three months isn't it.

V01dsw0rd: Oh, you are totally right. The realisation will soon come, but at what cost? I'll let you mull over this...

unsuresinger: Well, I'm happy to hear that the flow of this story has been, so far, satisfying and enjoyable to read, and that its plot is unified, cause I can guarantee you that writing it has been anything but. Indeed, they are very empathic and understanding with each other, but they are equailly stubborn, so while they may point out to each other ways to solver their issues (Elsa's isolation, and Hiccup's runaway), they might not be so inclined to do something about it. And thank you for your compliment. I myself don't see me as a great author or writer; I've certainly seen people with far better skills than mine. Nonetheless, it makes me happy to hear that from someone else. And if you ever find a plot hole, you can PM me at the same moment. I'm doing my best to keep them to zero, as I haven't written this story in a linear way (part of this arc was written three and half years ago, whereas its end was written two weeks ago), but it can happen. Again, thank you so much for your kindness and attention, and taking your time to review.

Noctus Fury: I have this headcanon that Idun is far more open-minded than Agdar, despite we seeing little of both of them on the canon. So while your fears of Papa Bear are warranted, your fears of Mama Bear might not be. She is a mother, and one of the things she want most is just to see her family together. So you can guess that after 7 years of failures, she'll be open to more extreme options.

Killerfeet5000: Thank you. I hope you like this chap too.

Munkijs: I didn't understand your review very well, so I'm going to presume that you meant to ask if their secrecy will end soon. Well, it certainly will at some moment, but I can't say if it's soon or not, cause I don't know what you mean by soon. Two chapters? Maybe three? If so, I don't think it'll be soon.

thearizona: Indeed, the truth is out. Now what will they do about it? *dramatic music on the background*

Hm, still no sign of mc arno and KE12.

Without further ado:

Previously: Elsa finally tells Hiccup her story, of her powers, the accident, her isolation, and the reason she was at the Tower when they crashed. Now that their past is finally at the table and they have no more secrets (or so it seems) they have to decide what will happen next.

"So what should we do?"

Hiccup began scratching his chin, and Elsa quickly recognized by the action that Hiccup was thinking about it. Moments passed and Elsa waited for Hiccup to give her an answer that would not involve her breaking her promise, or him leaving.

He reached to a conclusion, after minutes of silence. "Well. I think we first should get used to our new situation." When Elsa looked at him confused, he explained. "Today I just introduced you to a dragon and you told me about your powers and your story. I think things between us will be different from now on. I also would like for you and Windwalker to be able to communicate, but that takes a while, and, well, considering your fears, it may take a even longer while."

Elsa sighed sadly, prompting Hiccup to reassure her. "Look," he said softly, "I'm not telling you to break your promise to your parents. I'm just saying now would not be the best time to tell them about all of this. Besides I also think we should think of a new name to me if you're to present me to them," he mumbled the last part.

Elsa agreed with his logic until the last statement. "Why do you need a new name?" she asked out of curiosity. She didn't study so much the royal lineage and the Viking era of Arendelle, but if she had she would have known what Hiccup means.

He ran his head through his hair. He just hated to remember that fact about his name. "In Viking society, Hiccup means the runt of the littler," he explained, and Elsa looked at him with sympathy. She couldn't understand why someone would name their children with this name, even if it was to 'scare gnomes and trolls from taking their children'. To be honest, even Fishlegs and Snotlout seemed to be better than Hiccup.

"Well, that explains why. Arendelle had been in the beginning a settled Viking society. It's possible that Father studied their costumes while training to be King, so I think he would know what your name means. I can't affirm that though, since I just studied so far the lineage of our royalty," she reasoned.

"So, can you think of any new names to me? You probably know better names than I since no one at Berk knew a good one. Except Astrid's parents," he mumbled the last part to himself. Toothless and Windwalker didn't miss it, and so didn't Elsa, but their reactions were different. The dragons exchanged a knowing glance while Elsa just smiled, thinking he missed his friend. She had to agree also that Astrid was a pretty name, no doubt a reference to said to the namesake flower.

"Well… I think I can…" she began thinking of the Vikings that had been royalty in Arendelle. Since it's quite possible that Agdar would recognize him as being a Viking, it would only make sense that his new name would be Viking-like, though a little less depreciative…

"Hadrian…" she said, testing the name. It had been one of the first Viking kings of Arendelle, and it was quite a nice name. The name came out of her mind, probably because it had been the only name she didn't find funny when she studied the Viking kings.

"Hadrian…" this time Hiccup said the name. For some reason, it felt nice in his tongue, and seemed fitting to him. "It is a nice name," he reasoned. "And it certainly seems Viking-ish. I think you just found the right one," he complimented with a smiled.

Elsa blushed a little at hearing it. Although her parents were very supportive, seldom she heard a compliment coming from them. Most of those she heard had been when she was going out of the room. Unfortunately it all ended after the outburst…

"So, what now?" she asked after a moment of silence. Hiccup raised an eyebrow in confusion, though it only lasted a second, as his mind finally understood the question.

"Well, I guess we'll for the moment try to get you and Windwalker comfortable," he suggested.

"Does that means he'll be inside my mind," Elsa asked a bit fearfully. Even though she told him her story, and was pretty sure that both dragons heard it, the thought of having someone else fooling around her memories and feelings was, at the very least, unsettling.

"No, not yet at lease," he answered before explaining. "As I said before: it will take a while until that happens. Do you feel a nagging feeling on your head?" he asked. Elsa paled a little, fearing that this feeling meant the dragon was already inside. It took her a couple of seconds, but eventually she nodded.

"That means your mind already registered his presence." When Elsa looked horrified he added, "Yet it does not means he's inside your head." And he visibly saw the princess relax. "What I meant is that, due to his abilities, his mind emits a sort of aura. And other smart beings like us and Toothless can feel it. I've noticed that the more you spend around him, the less shocking it is when he enters your head, even if it's only to speak to you."

She carefully studied what he said. She was still a bit nervous because of that nagging feeling at the back of her head, but she fully trusted Hiccup, and trusted that what he said was true. Still, she needed to ask something… "How will I know when he should enter my mind?"

Hiccup paced around, trying his best to formulate a logical answer to that. Every moment he thought of it, a different meaning came to him, which is why he took a couple of seconds to answer. Still, he didn't stop pacing when he spoke. "In due time, I will let you know when he should try it. Also, you'll feel a shock when he enters, especially when you heard another voice inside your head. For the moment, let's try focusing on talking while he is here."

He detailed: "For what I know, the nagging feeling sort of stops our trails of thoughts and makes harder to focus on talking. Although the effect never goes away, our mind becomes familiar with the feeling, thus working without being distracted too much." He saw that Elsa was slightly lost, by the way she was looking at him.

Sighing, he sat and looked her in the eyes. "It's complicated, I know. Let's just try talking. I'll explain things as we progress. Is that okay with you?" he asked. He was willing to wait how much it was necessary so she wouldn't have any risks, but he also feared she would try to speed up so she could bring her parents in. Luckily for him, it was like she just had read his mind (in fact, his worried look spoke volumes, though he didn't know).

"It's fine by me. I want this to be over so I don't need to keep us a secret anymore…" –Hiccup blushed a little hearing the last part, as it seemed to him like they were secret lovers. Elsa might have missed the connotation behind her words, but that was probably his fault of being a Viking. Vikings have never been subtle at anything, and this subject was not an exception, especially around drunk Vikings. Also it was not like he would ever dare, of course. His body build already made him unpopular on Berk and he didn't know the standards of Arendelle, and also she was the daughter of a King and him a foreign rogue. Summing it up, his changes here pretty much non-existent, and a part of his heart ached for Astrid. It hoped that leaving in good terms meant he could stand a chance.

"But I also trust you know what we'll be doing, so I won't do anything you deem rushed or dangerous. I just hope it won't take too long," the last part was for herself but he also heard. He would have felt conflicted, seeing how Elsa was torn apart, but in his mind her safety came first. It also didn't help that he was scared of how her parents would react, since they were probably very different from the Vikings Hiccup grew accustomed to.

He also felt happy, since it was pretty much the first time someone looked at him expectantly in a good way. Of course, he was always expected to become a Viking, but it was mainly an 'either do this or you're out' situation. This time was more 'I hope you know what you're doing because I trust you' situation.

"Thank you, for trusting me," he said while wearing his signature smile.

Elsa just smiled back, though it was enough for him. She was also happy for being able to trust someone, and both of them were happy for having a friend after a longtime of isolation from everyone. For a moment he almost laughed at how destiny put together three misfits so different, yet so similar at the same time.

If anyone had ever told him that one day he, a thinker out of its time, an ice princess and a deceptive dragon would one day be best buddies, he would have cried out of laughing so hard.

007

Hiccup was right. She realized that she felt like a burden was lifted from her shoulders. A small smile appeared on her lips. Maybe now that he knows he can help me with controlling it. She wouldn't dare to hope, as she remembered how her last attempt at controlling it turned out. Still, maybe he would figure out. He managed to befriend three different dragons. He is smart.

As Elsa laid down on her bed and readied herself to sleep, her smile turned into a frown. We still need to figure out how Windwalker and I will work. And how we'll introduce him to my parents. Both thoughts concerned her greatly. She was afraid that Windwalker's . . . probing on her mind would trigger her powers. And she was equally afraid of how her parents would react to him.

One thing at a time. Mama did say she would not push me. I just hope Papa won't push either, she last thought before she fell asleep.

Hiccup sighed, and sat down not long after Elsa left the tower. 'What troubles you?' Windwalker asked, feeling that his hatchling was distressed, and slightly afraid.

The boy ran his hand through his hair and looked through the window, at the sky. "It's all happening so quickly. She knows about you, we know about her powers, she just gave me a new name, and now we have to start thinking how we will introduce me to her parents, that is, if we want to stay living in Arendelle."

Windwalker hummed pensively. He had to agree with his hatchling. "On top of that she also has to get used to you." A sad breath left his lips. "Sometimes I muss how things were simpler. Or how back then I didn't have to keep any secrets from anyone."

'You mean before you met my cousin.'

Hiccup felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if Windwalker's words stabbed him with a dagger. "More or less. I do enjoy your companies, and I'd never trade you two for anything. But . . . sometimes I miss how back then life was simpler. I'd work with Gobber, get shouted at by my father and occasionally would be bullied. My biggest worry back then was making my invention work and avoiding the teens."

'You miss the simplicity.'

Hiccup bobbled his head affirmatively. "Yes. Now I have to worry about you being found out, about helping Elsa reconnect with her sister, about guaranteeing our stay in this kingdom, about having food, having water." He shook his head while closing his eyes. "It scares me sometimes. Sometimes I think we should have stayed and figured something else."

'Do you regret leaving?'

Hiccup shook his head in denial. "I don't regret meeting Elsa, or seeing so many new things. But . . . I do sometimes wonder what would have happened had we stayed on Berk." He sighed in defeat. "I don't know why I do it. I still left, and we're still here." He bundled up on Toothless. "Goodnight guys," he said after yawning.

Toothless and Windwalker shared a worried glance before lying down their heads.

Idun noticed that her daughter was acting… different. She couldn't recall id this behaviour was a result of their piano classes, or if something else caused it. She shook her head and decided to read the essay Elsa wrote about despotism. "I must say," she said while reading, "You do have a different vision about it."

Elsa glanced at her mother, a worried look etched on her face. Her clock marked three in the afternoon, and the sun was already showing signs that it would set soon. "Is that a bad thing Mama?" she asked, trying to hide her worry beneath curiosity.

Idun shook her head. "Not at all. Just means that it's new to me. Different opinions are good. It keeps constantly reminding you to remember why you have your opinion set in one way, and not another." She put the paper down and offered her daughter a smile. "I think we are done for the day."

She was about to stand up when Elsa spoke. "Mama?" she asked uncertainly. Idun hummed in acknowledgement. "About the tower . . . would you mind giving me a little more time?" She brought her gaze to her mother's eyes. "Please?"

Idun couldn't stop the wave of disappointment that flowed through her when she heard her daughter's request. However, it also meant-hopefully-that Elsa was going to keep her end of the deal. "Of course Snowflake. Anything to make you feel comfortable."

Elsa gave her a rueful smile. "Thank you Mama, for being so understanding."

Idun returned her smile with one of her own. "Anytime."

Aa Elsa arrived at the tower she found Hiccup- Hadrian, she reminded herself, leaning on the window. The moon cast its light on him, and Elsa would have found the sight serene had she not noticed a small frown etched on his face. "What is wrong with him?" she mumbled, not daring to direct her question at him.

'He is afraid.'

Elsa gasped at the sudden headache. She stumbled back, and it was a miracle that her hand didn't drop the lantern. Her hand flew right to the wall so she could grasp it to prevent herself from falling. Hiccup was brought out of her trance and immediately rushed to her side. "What did I tell you about using your link with her?" he harshly said before looking at Elsa. "Are you okay? Do you need anything?"

Elsa bobbled her head. "Please take the lantern," she said with a small voice. He readily complied, and kept hovering around her as she slowly sat down. "I think I am well for the moment. Thank you."

Hiccup turned around to face Windwalker. "I think it would be for the best if you leave, for tonight." The look the dragon gave him was a cross between incredulity and hurt, and it pained Hiccup. He nodded, and flew through the window without sparing a glance at him.

He sighed, and proceeded to sit down in front of her. "You didn't need to send him away Hiccup-I mean, Hadrian," Elsa said, her voice sounding slightly stiff. A part of him agreed with her, but that part was small.

He sighed. "I know, but it was for the best. Best to prevent than remedy, right?" He shook his head, realizing that this was not a good moment to joke. "I guess we'll take a little while to get used to my new name," he said, hoping to change the subject.

"What did he mean when he said that you are afraid?" she innocently asked. He cursed his luck, and Windwalker for telling her that. "I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'll understand." She looked down, at her gloved hands. "I really will."

He sighed. No use in hiding it from her, I guess. It wasn't exactly a comforting thought, but he could work with that. "I . . . I'm a little scared of how quickly things are changing. You now know him, I have a new name, we know about . . ."

"My powers?" she supplied, her voice sounding small.

He hesitated briefly. "Yes. And now we have to figure out how we'll introduce me to your parents." He closed his eyes and hand his hand through his hair. The night was slightly chilly, and it upset him that he didn't know if Elsa was causing it, or if this night was just cold.

He opened his eyes to find her looking at him with a sympathetic look on her eyes. "I am scared too," she said softly. "Because of these same reason." She looked at the window, then at her hands. "I guess that it's natural. Change is scary, isn't it?" She looked back at him. Unfortunately both knew that it was indeed scary, for both lived through drastic changes.

"I guess it is," he mumbled while looking at his hand. "Can I . . . can I hold your hand?" he asked shyly, uncertainly. She wouldn't hurt him, he knew that. And now he knew about her powers, so there was no more reason for her to keep distant, right?"

Elsa stiffened, not expecting this question. "I . . . are you sure about this? I could end up hurting you." She sounded so uncertain and scared. It pained Hiccup to see her acting like this.

No one should be afraid of themselves like this. "I'm sure. You haven't hurt me these past three months. You haven't hurt Nightflight so far. And you didn't hurt me when I helped you bond."

Elsa smiled at the mention of her dragon. "She is marvelous, isn't she?" she asked, her voice sounding fond. "How is she by the way? I haven't seen her this past week." She looked at him deep in the eyes. "I guess I'm evading your question, right?"

He offered her a comfortable smile. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to." He noticed that she was fidgeting with her fingers. "And she is well. Missing you a bit, but that's natural. I'll bring her tomorrow."

He saw Elsa extend her hand toward him, making him gulp. "I . . . Are you sure?" She hesitantly nodded, and that was an affirmation as good as he could get. Gingerly he extended his hand, and gently, as if she was made of thin ice, he grasped her hand.

Uploaded on February 15th, 2018