Chapitre 33
Where is Frost ?

Fainting, giving up on the stress caused by the recent events, at least it gave some sleep to Nuffink. His sister and mother decided to get some too and went to bed. Knowing that Hiccup would make it was a great relief, a really sunshine in this dark and confusing situation.

During his slumber, Nuffink was met by the dreadful sight of his father laying in his own blood. He woke up in a jolt, and it didn't take long for him to clear his mind. Then he noticed the sun had risen for a while, it seemed to be late morning.

Nuffink rubbed his eyes and noticed he was trapped in his bed, there were two scaly heads resting on hip lap. Pouncer and Dart were both asleep on him. Ruffrunner was still not there. The previous day, everything had been so pressing, stressful and rushing the viking had forgotten about the dragons, though they had perfectly understood something bad happened and had tried to comfort the three Haddocks. Nuffink had not notice one of the Night Lights was missing, but now he did.

The grumpy one of the family had not come back home during the night, and nobody had seen him the previous day. He seemed to have disappear, too.

Nuffink wondered if it was connected to Frost's own missing. Maybe the merman had fled and hide after the attack on the chief, and came back to fetch Ruffrunner and ran away with him ? Maybe the dragon knew something had happened and had left to search for the merman ? Nuffink hoped the two were together, looking after each other.

Looking up to his surroundings, the viking noticed he was not in his bedroom, but in the living-room. He was laying on Frost's crafted bed. Why was he there and not in his own bed ? Had he been sleepwalking ? Did his family settled him here when he had fainted ? He pushed the question aside, it was not important, then patted his best friend's head in try to wake him up.

The white Night Light grumbled and sleepily opened his lime green eyes. He was tired. Surely he had spent an as awful night as his rider. Surely he was worried for Ruffrunner too. As to Nuffink, he didn't know anymore what he had to think of the situation. Between his father and boyfriend, he didn't know for whom he was the most worried.

Thinking about his father, the young man jolted and turned his head towards the closed door of the chieftain bedroom. There was not sound coming from it. He pushed the dragons carelessly, ignoring Dart's grunts, and stood. He almost fell because of his numb legs but caught him on the table, which he used as support to make his way to the door. When he finally reach it, his legs were back to normal, so he pushed it open.

Inside the room, he found his sister siting in the chair next to the bed, where his father was laying under a thin blanket. Toothless and Toothpaste were there, too. The Light Fury was sprawled on the floor, resting her head on her mate's back, while the black dragon was resting his on the dge of the med, snout inched away from the pale hand of the still unconscious chief. Unlike Toothpaste, Toothless was awake, sad green eyes lingering on his rider's still form. Nuffink could even hear him whine softly.

The woodfloor creaked when he took a step closer, earning him the attention of both dragon and viking woman.

''Hi, bro.'' Zephyr greeted, her voice low and tired.

''How is he ?''

''He has not woken up yet, but grandma passed by this morning. She said he was recovering better than expected.''

''Great.'' Nuffink smiled, though he was tired, he was really relieved.

But his smile dropped.

''Where is mom ?''

''With the riders and, before you ask, no, they have not found Igvid yet.''

He looked down, suddenly thoughtful. Was it really Igvid who had attacked his father ? What had she done with Frost ? He didn't know what he was the most worried about : his father's health, how Igvid had come to that extend and how far was she ready to go, or what happened to Frost. Everything was fuzy and foggy in his mind, none of his thoughts and mixed feelings was really making sense.

Well, actually, he did know what he was the most worried about. Valka had assured his father was going to make it and added he was recovering well. The dragon riders were chasing after Igvid, it was only a matter of time before they catch her. But Frost… Where was he ? How was he ? Was he scared ? Was he injured ? Was he still alive… ?

Nuffink clenched his fists and tried to quiet down his thoughts. When he left the room, Zephyr caught up with him. She grabbed his shoulder and turned him around.

''Hey, where are you going ?''

''I have to find Frost.''

''And just how are you planing to do that, smarty pants ? We don't know what happened, and you don't have any idea of where he is-''

''That's exactly why I have to search !''

He forced his sister to let go and crossed the living-room. If Dart looked at him and stepped aside from his way, Pouncer followed him outside. Zephyr frowned and sighed. She didn't want to let her father alone, but she couldn't help but feel like her brother was going to get himself in trouble (again).

She looked at her dragon and pointed a finger towards the bedroom door.

''Watch over my dad, I won't be long.''

The blue eyed Night Light nodded and trotted to the bedroom, peeking inside and cooing to the other dragons inside, earning some tired noise from Toothless. Zephyr knew she didn't have to worry for her father as long as the dragons were with him, so she quietly left the hutt.

It didn't took long before she spotted her brother. He seemed to be arguing with someone. She didn't know who it was, but she rathered intervene.

''Easy there, what's the matter ?''

Both turned to her, and Zephyr realised she had been wrong. It was not her brother yelling at Gorth, it was the oppposite. But her fiancee wasn't mad, he was confused and worried. He had his hands at Nuffink's collar, as if pleading for answers.

''Igvid tried to kill Frost ? Both are missing since yesterday… No one saw them nor know what happened ?!''

''That's what I'm trying to tell you.'' Nuffink huffed, both annoyed and tired. ''The only witness is my father, but right now he can't talk.''

''It's really worrisome…'' The big guy gulped.

Gorth tried to cool down and finally let go of Nuffink, much to the viking and his sister's relief. The threesome stayed together and decided to put in common what they knew.

''Everything's just so crazy…'' The tall viking sighed. ''I'd never think Igvid would do this. I mean, yes she's strong and mean, but she's not a killer…''

''There's something more, right ?'' Zephyr asked, putting a reassuring hand on his arm.

He sighed and ran a hand on his face, his blue-green eyes dartign around them as if searching for someone.

''I don't know what to think about it. I noticed Selina is missing, too. I know it happens often because she leaves to travel, but… What if she's the one who attacked the chief ?''

''Unfortunately, we won't know what happened until Dad wakes up-''

''We found her !'' Someone yelled from the sky. ''We caught her !''

''Let go of me !''

The three riders lifted their head and saw a group of four dragon riders above them, including Haldork, whose Raincutter was carrying a struggling Igvid in his paws. Nuffink saw red but Zephyr hold him back before he even had the time to take a step forward.

''We'll handle this.'' She told him. ''We'll get Frost back.''

The blond viking tried to calm down, though the mixture of worry, tiredness and sorrow were visible on his face.

''Good job Haldork !'' Astrid praised. ''Get her to the Meat Hall, I'll reunite the elders for her Judgement.''

''Chieftess, no…'' The brunette pleaded.

''After what you did to the chief, you dare try to negociate ?'' Haldork spatted.

''To the chief ?'' Igvid gasped, confused. ''Somethings happened to the chief ?''

Astrid got mad and clenched her fists so hard her knuckles gave out a crack sound. She glared at the younger rider.

''I advice you to keep quiet until your Judgement, you don't want to worsen your case.''

Seeing such a death glare, Igvid gulped and staggered on herself. Haldork lead her away as demanded.

It didn't took long to organize the Judgement. Astrid had reunited all the elders at the great Mall and Zephyr, with Gorth's help, had chosen sentence witnesses, including Igvid's parents. A lot of vikings, worried for their chief, insisted to see the Judgement. Luckily, there was enough place for everyone in the Meat Hall.

Even if crimes of that gravity were really rare at Berk, the Judgement was a tradition that had not been lost. It consisted into presenting the accused to the elders – the village's wisdom – and the chief. A group of people, called the sentence witnesses, were here to vote and contest the elder's decision of punishment if necessary.

Just like every Judgement, Igvid's started with the telling of the events. Astrid explained the situation to everyone in the Hall.

''Two days ago, in the early evening, our chief had witnessed a murder attempt on Frost, made by Igvid Jorgenson.''

She pointed to the young woman that stood in the middle of the clear circle, facing the table where the elders were. There were Goathi, Valka, Gobber, Gorefried the wood carver and Milkeve the farmer.

Igvid had the decenty to look down in shame.

''The next morning, Hiccup told me what happened. While I started the hunt to find Igvid, he had stayed with Frost. Several hours later, our chief had been found with a deadly injury, Frost nowhere to be seen ever since.''

Some whispers could be heard in the crowd but none were spoken loud enough for the table to hear.

Now the villagers finally had an explanation about their chief's whereabouts, but countless questions were risen and none had answers yet. Astrid ignored them and resumed her recalling.

''This Judgement is to sentence Igvid Jorgenson's crime and try to determine what had happened to our chief and Frost.''

Silence fell like a hammer in the Hall, then othe whispers were exchanged in the crowd. Igvid was still standing in front of the table, and she realised just how much trouble she was in.

''Hum…'' Milkeve mused, running a hand on her chin. ''Indeed, this is a thorny issue. I see only two explanations. Either Igvid came back in try to kill the only witness of her crime, either Frost could have attack the chief so he could flee.''

The crowd whispered again, but this time the sentence witnesses did too. Nuffink, sitting among the public, clenched his fists on his lap. No, Frost would have never hurt his father, not after everything the chief had done for the boy.

''Excuse me.'' A shy voice asked within the crowd.

Astrid looked towards the young blonde woman and gave her words. When she stood, Nuffink recognized Birdlegs.

''I think there are other possibilities. Fortly, I noticed Selina is missing too. Maybe it had nothing to do with it, but she might have attack our chief and kidnapped Frost.''

''Why would she ?'' Gorefried inquired.

''Frost and her are close friends. Who knows how she could have reacted when she heard someone had tried to kill him.''

For a short moment, there was nothing but silence, then the red-head wood carver shrugged.

''Possible.''

''Moreover,'' Birdlegs added, still as calm and confident. ''Maybe the attack was targetting our chief. Either of our rival clans could have plan this, and take Frost to avoid witnesses. The fact both events took place within two days may be a coincidence ?''

''Thank you Birdlegs. You speak wisely, we'll keep this in mind.''

The young healer apprentice bow her head and sat back, then the chieftess focsed back on the accused, who was looking gratefully at Birdlegs.

''Igvid, I'll only ask you once. Have you attacked our chief ?''

''No ! I would have never-''

''But you have tried to kill Frost, right ?''

''I… I did… But I didn't mean to. I just wanted to talk, at first. We argued and then I lost control… When I saw the chief coming to his rescue, I ran away. I ran away until the riders caught me. I swear to the Gods I didn't hurt the chief !''

Some noises of wood rubbing on the floor echoed in the hall. Gobber looked down to the scribbles Goathi was making on sand she had spread on the floor.

''Goathi says your speech is sincere and that, to know what happened to our chief, we must investigate.''

''What do we do for Igvid, then ?'' Snotlout grunted, voice filled with anxiety.

The elder of the elders scribbled once more, and Gobber took the time to read it before translating the drawings.

''She says that, since Igvid tried to kill Frost, she can redeem by helping finding him.''

Igvid frowned, not fond of the idea, though she realised this sentence was really clement. So she didn't protest. The Judgement was not over yet, there still were some details to look after. Who would lead the investigation ? Who was going to keep an eye on Igvid and watch her redemption ?

Things got settled rather quickly. Astrid volunteered to lead the investigation, with the help of Mirild – Gorth's mother. Zephyr and Nuffink insisted to help them too. The chieftess couldn't deny further help and put them both in charge of Igvid. So the investigation started where it all started. At the cave.

Astrid and Mirild took a closer look at the numeorus marks in the sand. There was a couple sets of footprints. The boot and peg leg of the chief made his easy to recognized, but it seemed like there had been two other persons, none having footwear.

''These footprints are too large for Frost.'' Mirild stated. ''None of these two sets. He's not the one who had attack the chief.''

Nuffink sighed in relief. He knew Frost wouldn't have done it, but it was still better to have proof of it.

''Are you sure he was here ?'' The fish seller asked the chieftess. ''There's no trace of him.''

''That's because he was in here.'' Astrid replied, pointing to the river, and the rocky seat. ''When I left he was sitting on this rim.''

Mirild went there and looked down. The only thing she saw was seaweed that had been picked up.

''We won't find footprints from him.'' Astrid added. ''Frost is a mermaid.''

''Heh ?!'' The fish seller was startled.

Astrid didn't consider she could have questions or want details, because she focused on her son. His head was low and he seemed ashamed. Zephyr seemed to start getting used to the idea while Igvid's eyes went wide comically.

''What ? A mermaid ?'' The brunette sputtered.

She noticed too how Nuffink looked like someone had discovered a secret of his. She walked to him and blantly asked him about it.

''You knew it ?''

Much to her surprise, he frowned and clenched his fists.

''Don't talk to me.'' He growled, averting his eyes from her.

She backed by reflex, and even more seeing Zephyr's glare. Well, she supposed she had deserved it, but it didn't make it less painfull. Astrid joined her son and put her hands on his shoulders. Once his anger died down, overwhelming worry came back. When their eyes met, Astrid silently asked him if he was holding out, and he silently answered by a slow and shy nod. His frown came back as soon as he heard the brunette's voice.

''I thought mermaids were just bedtime stories.''

''Me too.'' Astrid admitted. ''But I saw him like I see you.''

''Well…'' Zephyr hesitated. ''If he's a mermaid, then he must just be hidding in underwater.''

''I hope so.'' The chieftess sighed. ''Anyway, let's see if we can find some clues.''

While the others looked at the marks in the sand, Nuffink focused on the bracelet he was holding, getting thoughtful.

If Frost had lost his totem, that meant he was trapped underwater. But where, exactly ? The ocean was so vast… He could have gone anywhere, how was the viking supposed to find him ? He squeezed the flexible but durable bracelet, feeling a whole new kind of loneliness fill his aching heart. He missed Frost. He missed him so badly, and he didn't dare imagine how the boy was feeling right now. The viking felt helpless, useless, unable to help the one he loved. He had to find him. He had to find Frost.

He cleared his mind and loked at the other vikings around him. Zephyr had an eye on Igvid, who seemed wanting to be anywhere but here with them. They were talking but he could only hear some glimpse of their conversation. Igvid seemed to try and ask Zephyr details about Frost, as if the chief's daughter was an expert about mermaids. As to Zephyr, she seemed to be containing boiling anger.

A few steps away, Astrid and Mirild had went back towards the entrance. When they waved to the young adults to follow, the five of them went out.

''Looks like they just left after hurting Hiccup.'' Astrid stated.

''The prints lead to the sea, they must have had a ship.'' Mirild added. ''We won't find them that easily, we don't even know what they look like.''

''Maybe we can make an aerial patrol ?'' Zephyr suggested. ''We know the blazons of all the clans within the archipelago. We'll see it right away if there is an intruder.''

''He's awake !'' Someone yelled from the sky.

The group looked up and spotted a Monstruous Nightmare. On his back were both Igvid's parents.

''The chief is awake !'' Vikka repeated.

''I knew it wasn't you, Iggie !'' Snotlout added with a glee.

All of them immediatly took off with their dragons. Nuffink was about to follow but stopped when he noticed his dragon was whining. Pouncer was looking at the horizon, his ears flat against his nape, he seemed so sad.

''Pouncer ? What's wrong, pal ?''

The white Night Light shook his head and took off without replying, flying after the rest of the group. Nuffink looked back where his friend had been gazing, but he couldn't find anything. It didn't look like his dragon had seen something, but rather him gazing at the horizon with worry for his missing brother.

Gobber and the dragon riders had difficulties to keep the villagers away from the chief's hutt. All of them wanted to see him, but he was still too weak to get that much attention and visits. It didn't stop his family to get to him. When they finally reached the bedroom, the threesome felt all stress and anguish from the past day fade away. Not only was Hiccup awake, but he was alert enough to make life tough for the healers because he was struggling out of his bed much to their dismay.

He barely had the time to see his family enter the room his wife punched him in the shoulder.

''Don't you ever do this again ! You scared the living Hellheim out of me !''

''Easy Astrid.'' Valka chuckled. ''He still has to rest.''

The patient rubbed his sore arm with an annoyed scowl. Even after all the years he had known his wife, he still had troubles realising she could be the honey and the axe at the same time… but mostly the axe.

His children proved gentler and carefully hugged him.

''Sorry for scaring you.'' Hiccup said, waryly watching his wife's reaction.

She sighed and let go of anger, joining the groupe hug. They stayed like this for a little while, then helped him lay back down in bed.

''What happened, exactly ?'' Zephyr asked.

''And where is Frost ?'' Nuffink added.

Hiccup's small smile, created by the hug, instantly dropped. He looked intently at his son, taking in the worry painted all over his face, and Nuffink had to admit that didn't reassured him. Neither did his father's serious face. Neither did the hand he put on the blond's shoulder.

''I'm so sorry, son. I tried to stop them.''

A heavy silence envelopped them and Nuffink swore he felt tension rising in the air.

''Frost had been kidnapped.''