Chapter 23: Sleeping Soul And Quiet Hearts
"Wait, slow down!" Little Elsa yelled to her sisters as she tried desperately to form snow mounds. Elsa swung her arms faster and faster in desperation to keep up.
Anna let out a yell of enjoyment as she fearlessly jumped off the tall snow mound, confident that her sister would catch her. It wasn't long before Elsa tripped and hit her sister with her ice magic.
Clutching Anna in her arms Elsa could do nothing but cry out for her sister.
OoOoO
"Hugh!' Elsa let out a gasp of air as she bolted forward in her bed in a cold sweat. The overwhelming amount of emotions shook her awake and left her bewildered as her mind tried to sort out what was real and what was a dream.
Tears ran down her cheeks as she finally remembered that her nightmare was in fact very real. Dreams and nightmares were supposed to be vivid and make little sense. But since her nightmare was drawn upon with real memories, her nightmares had a clarity to it, such that Elsa felt like she was reliving that horrible night over and over again. Looking around, Elsa could see that her room was still covered in ice. From the ceiling and to the walls, the ice seemed to get thicker and thicker. And with each passing day, the growing ice walls made her room feel smaller and smaller. Her room was an inescapable cage.
Letting out a sigh, Elsa got off her bed and started to prepare herself for another lonely day.
It had been a week since the accident and her powers only seemed to get worser and worser. And as night returned once more, Elsa was desperate not to relive her nightmare once more.
"I can't stay strong anymore mother," Elsa cried out, "I want to see Anna,"
"I know it has been a very long time for you since you saw Anna," the queen said and empathized with her daughter, "But it is far too dangerous for you to see Anna right now without your ice powers being under control."
"There has to be something to help me with my ice powers and nightmares." Elsa pleaded.
"Your father and I have done our best to find a solution, but have found none," her mother responded, "just give us more time and I promise you we will find a way to help you."
"I have been trapped in my room for a month now. A month where I can't do anything and without seeing Anna. Please mom there has to be something," Elsa begged once more, unwilling to wait any longer.
With reluctance the queen couldn't help but feel sorry for her daughter. Iduna tried her best scouring the libraries for any knowledge of magic but there was nothing that she could do to help her daughter.
But perhaps there was something that could. However revealing this now could put her family and her whole kingdom at risk. But there was perhaps no other time better than this one to ask for help.
"I was waiting until you were old enough to handle such responsibilities," the queen let out as she looked away from her daughter in hesitation, "but I see no other way to help you Elsa,"
Relieved that there was still hope, Elsa clung onto the fabrics of her mother's skirt and refused to let go until her mother divulged her secrets.
"Come Elsa, I have something important to show you," Iduna said. The smile from her mother gave Elsa hope as she followed her mother back to her icy bed.
Mists of hot air formed in front of her as she let out a sigh in the air. It seemed that with each passing day Elsa's room got colder and colder. On the walls were ice on top of ice that grew thicker with each passing day. Elsa could not control her powers and it was only getting worst. There was only one hope left for Elsa.
"It's time I tell you a tale about a warlock and dragons," the queen said as she pulled her daughter up to the edge of the bed.
"Dragons aren't real mommy," Elsa giggled out at her mother for being so silly. Undeterred by her daughter, Iduna sat down on the edge of the bed next to her daughter.
"Long ago, back when Arendelle was just a little nameless village," Iduna started as she turned to her daughter, with her daughter listening closely, "it was a very scary time back then, when vikings riding dragons attacked innocent people."
"Vikings riding dragons?" Elsa let out in surprise, before giggling, "Where are the dragons now?"
"Dragons no longer walk this world. But long ago they did," Iduna answered. The queen was not sure herself where the dragons went but the small details weren't important, as she pressed forward to the most important part of the story.
"One day, your great great great great grandmother found a mysterious young man wearing strange clothes and carrying strange tools."
"Elewynn the First," Elsa let out a gasp, remembering her history lessons. Her great ancestor was the first queen in the newly established kingdom of Arendelle.
"Correct, The first queen of Arendelle when she was just a girl a little older than you rescued a mysterious man and brought him back to her tiny village.
"One day vikings riding dragons came from the sky and attacked our village. But the mysterious man that Elewynn saved was a warlock. Using his mysterious magic, the warlock single handedly saved the entire village and your great ancestor from the dragons and vikings."
"Is that where my magic came from?' Elsa asked, looking up to her mother with her tiny hands grabbing onto her mother's arm, "Was that great warlock, my great grandfather?"
"Sadly no Elsa. As quickly and mysteriously as he appeared, he too disappeared shortly after saving your great ancestor. But before he left, he made a covenant with Elewynn as a thank you for saving his life." Getting up off the bed the queen turned and faced her daughter.
Elsa gave her mother a confused look as her mother untied the knots of her dress. The dress slowly pooled at the feet of her mother, leaving her in her undergarments. But it wasn't her mother's undergarments that drew Elsa's eye.
Wrapped around her mother's torso with a piece of string and resting above her mother naval was a dark coloured jewel.
"Why don't you wear that pretty jewel around your neck?" Elsa asked. As far as she knew jewelry was suppose to be worn where it can be seen, such as around the neck on or the hair like a crown.
"Unlike other jewelry, the Gem of Ice is not meant to be seen by the eyes of others," Iduna answered.
"The Gem of Ice?" Elsa repeated with hesitation, the name somehow resonated with her despite not knowing why.
"Finishing our story," Iduna continued as she reached behind and untied the string and held the jewel in her hand, "Before the powerful warlock left, Elewynn was given the Gem of Ice, and return she had promised to the warlock that she would keep the gem safe.
Moving closer, Iduna got on knees until she was at the same eye level of Elsa sitting and presented the gem to Elsa.
"For centuries and generation after generation, our family has protected the gem. And in return the warlock's magic has protected our family and blessed our kingdom with prosperity. As our eldest daughter, there will come a time when you will take up the responsibilities of our family and continue to guard our most sacred covenant.
"Someday?" Elsa asked confused, "Aren't you giving me the gem now?"
It is my hope that if the Gem of Ice was close to you, than perhaps it's magic could fall onto you and help you control your ice magic." Iduna explained.
This was the idea that her mother had to help her with her ice magic. Elsa stared at the gem in the hands of her mother with wonderment. Her hands reached out to gem with renewed hope. But before she could touch it, her mother closed her hand and concealed the gem away from Elsa.
"One day only Elsa, by this time tomorrow night," Iduna interrupted her daughter dazed trance with a stern voice, "You are to keep the Gem of Ice with you at all times, hidden underneath your clothes. The gem's protection lies with our ability to make sure no one knows of its existence. You mustn't show or tell anyone about the gem. You're father of course knows about the gem but it has been the matriarchs of our family who have held the gem just as it was with the first queen Elewynn,"
"I can't even tell Anna?" Elsa asked.
"You and your sister are still too young to handle such responsibility. But one day I will pass on the gem for you to protect and we will also tell your sister about the gem so that she can also help you protect the gem. But until then you mustn't tell your sister. Promise me that you will tell no one about the Gem of Ice," the queen said.
"Okay I promise, I won't tell anyone mommy," Elsa said understanding the importance of what she was given and understanding the importance of obeying her mother's instruction.
"Good," Iduna said as she gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. Helping Elsa, Iduna wrapped the gem around her daughter's torso, "Time for bed Elsa, and I will see you in the morning," Iduna said as she finished helping her daughter get dressed again.
Crawling towards the center of the bed, Elsa got under the bed sheets, conscious of the fact the Gem of Ice was cooly pressed against her skin, "Goodnight mommy,"
"Goodnight dear and perhaps this time there will be pleasant dreams," Iduna said with her parting words before closing the door and leaving Elsa alone in her room.
Upon her mother's departure, Elsa excitedly hopped out of bed and headed straight to her mirror. Taking off her dress Elsa stared intensely at the gem that was wrapped tightly and rested above her navel. It's dulled black color wasn't very pretty but it was still very shiny. Elsa was sure the gem would have looked much prettier if it was a blue or red color. But in the end how pretty the gem is, wasn't important.
Putting her clothes back on, Elsa climbed back into her bed. Underneath her covers, Elsa clutched the Gem of Ice between the fabrics of her clothes as she prayed for help. Within her thoughts, Elsa called out to warlock to help her with her ice powers and allow her to play with Anna once more. With renewed faith in her families covenant, Elsa fell asleep with hopes of a peaceful dream.
OoOoO
Rolling waves of mountains as far as the eye can see. Gone were the four walls of her bedroom, leaving nothing but open air. The sun shined brightly down on Elsa and felt pleasantly warm against her a skin. A welcoming sensation as she had been so used to the cold.
For the little girl known as Elsa, the cold was the last thing that she remembered when falling asleep but this didn't feel like a dream. When she was younger Elsa used to have nightmares of a great white beast that always felt so real. But the most recent nightmares was of the night she had hurt Anna with her magic that felt so real each time.
And now another vivid dream, that Elsa hoped that it would not be another nightmare. This dream felt much more different however. Every single detail, everything around her Elsa felt like she could feel, see touch and smell. It was almost as if it wasn't a dream at all.
"I have a feeling i'm not in Arendelle anymore," Elsa mumbled to herself as she stood at the top of a grassy hill next to a tree.
Despite not knowing where she was, there was still one small upside to her current situation. There was not a single speck of snow or ice to be seen. Green fields with a crystal clear blue sky and a giant sun watching over the entire land.
Elsa was overjoyed as she laughed to herself, spinning around as she took in her surroundings. Running down the hill, Elsa ran across the grassy fields. She did not know where she was running but so long as there was no snow it didn't matter. Hair clinging onto her face, Elsa's stopped to a standstill as she was left breathless.
Breathing heavily Elsa's eyes laid upon a large black figure off in the distance. With a gasp, Elsa was surprised to find out that she wasn't alone. Jerking downwards, Elsa instinctively tried to hide herself by being as low to the ground as possible.
Her little heart raced as she peered in between the blade grasses, praying that she wasn't spotted. Luckily for Elsa the black object remained unmoved. After each agonizing minute, Elsa decided upon a new course of action. She was in an unknown place with no idea how to get back home. Elsa had no choice but to find help.
Mustering up the courage Elsa quietly got up to her knees and started to approach the black object. As she got Elsa was able to better see the details of the black object, with all its curvatures and black parts. With her hand over her mouth, Elsa did best to hold her surprise from escaping from her mouth.
With a careful eye Elsa could easily note the features of large black wings that was easily as large as an adult man. A long narrow tail that laid flat across the grass. Sleeping on its back, the animal had its hind legs impossibly hung and motionless in the air. The beasts distincts features made it obvious to anyone for what it was.
"Dragons were real!" Elsa thought to herself. Her mother was telling the truth.
The black dragon wasn't alone however. Sleeping next to the dragon was a man and laying as lifeless as the the dragon that was next to him.
With the sleeping man next to the dragon, Elsa was a little less scared as she hope that the dragon was tamed. Taking a deep breath Elsa pressed forward.
Walking towards the unknown pair Elsa tried her best to not make loud noises lest she startle or anger the sleeping man and dragon.
As Elsa drew closer she could see more and more details of the pair. The man had brown hair and was of medium size. His softer looks made him look less intimidating although his brown and black armored made him look like some kind of warrior.
Even as Elsa stood in front of the dragon and man, the pair did not wake up. Elsa was worried that perhaps they might have been dead but it certainly did not look like it. Little Elsa was really scared to forcibly wake the man up but what other choice did she have?
Resting down on the grassy ground, tried her best to look as non threatening as possible.
"Hello? Please wake up," Elsa spoke softly.
Despite her calling voice the two sleeping bodies remained unmoved. With a worried look, Elsa was truly starting to wonder if the two were no longer alive. A sudden feeling of dread came over Elsa. If that were true than she would soon end up just like them pretty soon without any help.
Taking in a deep breath, Elsa tried again once more.
"Please wake up I need you help," Elsa let out as she reached to touch the man with the tips of her fingers. Her actions stopped short however as she noticed the man's facial expression began to twitch. With a gasp Elsa quickly pulled her hand back and tried to look as innocently as possible.
Slowly the man sat upright, hands on his head as if he was in great pain.
"I heard your voice from within the darkness, crying out for help," the man spoke and turning his head to Elsa , "What is it that you need help with bearer of the Gem of Ice?"
"You know about the Gem of Ice " Elsa said unable to hold in her surprise and coiled back slightly.
"Of course," Hiccup replied back, "I was the one who gave it to Elewynn,"
"You're the warlock?" Elsa said in shock,
"Warlock?" Hiccup said in confusion,
"The warlock who saved my ancestor and Arendelle!" Elsa said excitedly
"It seems you know about some of my history. but I know nothing about you. What is your name little one?" the man asked.
"My name is Elsa princess of Arendelle!" Elsa replied, "What's your name sir?"
"Nice to meet you Elsa. My name is Hiccup and this is my best bud Toothless," Hiccup said.
Elsa felt a bump at her side that gently pushed her. Elsa let out a surprised gasp as she spotted the dragon known as Toothless emerge at her side without her great big curious eyes, Toothless went in and gave Elsa a lick.
"It's like a big puppy," Elsa giggled as she tried to defend herself against Toothless.
"That's enough Toothless settle down," Hiccup said as he placed himself between Elsa and his dragon. With a forceful hand Hiccup pushed Toothless down onto the ground.
"Where are we?" Elsa asked as she sat herself down in front of Hiccup and Toothless.
"It's a little hard to say," Hiccup replied, "But let's just say that we are in a faraway place in the land of dragons."
"Everyone will be so worried about me, how do I get home?" Elsa asked.
"Technically you're body is still safe at home," Hiccup said.
"Does that mean that this is a dream? It doesn't feel like one," Elsa said frowning.
"Yes it's a dream but this is all very much real Elsa just like all of your dreams,"
"I don't understand," Elsa said frowning in confusion."
"When the body is awake the soul must sleep to rest and when the soul is awake the body must sleep."
"Than I'm just a soul? Does that mean you and Toothless are souls as well?" Elsa asked.
"Yea," Hiccup said nodding his head, "Just like you my body is resting in a far away place. This is my first time meeting another soul other than Toothless,"
"I don't think I've ever seen another soul either," Elsa said,
"Then there must be a reason for us to be meeting here," Hiccup wondered, "the last thing I remembered was a voice calling out for help. The voice was crying out and I couldn't help but reach out."
"I don't really know why I am here either. But it must have been me calling for help that you heard," Elsa said, "Hiccup I have these strange ice powers that I don't know how I got and I can't control it. If anyone can help me it has to be you!" Elsa begged.
A wave of familiarity washed over Hiccup as he looked at blond headed girl. Within her eyes he could see the desperation and desire to be stronger.
"Elsa you are just like your great ancestor Elewynn. A long time ago she too asked me for help." Hiccup said, his eyes dazing up in reminiscence.
"Can you please tell me more about Queen Elewynn," Elsa said excitedly. For all girls that grew up in Arendelle, Queen Elewynn was an idol to be revered and followed. An opportunity to learn more about Elewynn was an opportunity Elsa couldn't passed up.
Elewynn was able to keep her promise all those many years ago. And for that Hiccup knew that it would be wrong of him to not help the daughter of her own blood. And perhaps by learning through her example Elsa would be able to control her powers better.
"Let me tell you a story of how I met your great grandmother Elewynn." Hiccup began, "Elewynn was a very tough but headstrong little girl. It was only be a stroke of luck for me and pure happenstance that Elewynn and I met."
Enticed by Hiccup's opening, Elsa scooted herself closer to Hiccup with her eyes wide with excitement and her ears open to take in every single word of Hiccup.
OoOoO
Another morning, a new day, Elsa woke up with an unlady like groan. The young princess sat up and stretched her arms like she did everyday. But Elsa immediately noticed that something different which gave her pause and hands frozen in the air. Elsa was never bothered by the cold but today she felt something completely unfamiliar. Elsa felt warmer.
Opening her eyes with a bated breath Elsa let out a gasp of surprise. Her room was completely normal. The morning sun shined down into her room and pierced through the windows to reveal not a single speck of ice or snow in her room.
The door to Elsa's room opened to reveal her mother dressed prim and proper, ready for the day as Queen of Arendelle. Even with all her regal training Iduna was left astonished as she saw her daughters iceless room.
"Mommy look it worked!" Elsa said excitedly.
"It seems our family's covenant holds strong till this very day," the queen said, clearly pleased with the results. Casually brushing the side of Elsa's bed, Iduna sat down on the bed next to Elsa at the head of her bed.
"Do you recall anything happening last night?" Iduna asked.
"I don't really know," Elsa said. Crunching in her face, Elsa tried her best to remember what happened last night. Suddenly in the blackness of her mind, Elsa had the briefest of flashes of the dream she had last night. Elsa's heart swelled with warmth at the fond feeling that she had although she could not recall why.
"I think I had a dream about Elewynn!" Elsa said excitedly.
"And what did you see in your dream?" the queen asked.
"I don't remember," Elsa replied in slight panic and looked up to her mother to see if she was upset.
"I'm sure whatever you shared with our great grandmother was meant for your eyes only," Iduna reassured her daughter and placing a caring hand onto her shoulder.
"Whatever it was, I sure do feel better now," Elsa agreed.
"The Gem of Ice has certainly kept its promise. And now Elsa, it's time for you to keep yours," Iduna said.
Elsa subconsciously reached for the Gem of Ice hidden safely under her clothes, hesitant to return the gem to her mother.
I am glad that the Gem of Ice was able to help you Elsa but it's time to keep your promise," Elsa's mother said, reassuring her daughter that things would be okay.
A promise was a promise and Elsa finally relented as she returned the cure to her magically woes back to her mother's hand.
"Do not fret Elsa, someday you will have the great honour and responsibility of protecting the true crown jewel of our kingdom," the queen said as she began to hide the gem in its original hiding spot.
"Perhaps now that you have your ice powers under control, you would like to go see Anna?" the queen asked.
"I can go see Anna?" Elsa said excitedly as she jerked her head up to her mother. The queen returned Elsa question with a smile and Elsa furiously nodded her head in agreement. Hopping out of bed Elsa ran to go get changed and excited to see her sister.
OoOoO
With a sigh, Elsa continued with her homework. Elsa sat in a chair in front of her desk next to a window sill. Under the lighting of multiple candlelights that shined in her study room, Elsa continued to put ink on parchment.
Going to see Anna turned out to be a big fat lie or as her mother put it "a misunderstanding." With her power's under control it was finally safe for Elsa to interact with other people. Which meant meeting with her teachers who have been postponed ever since Elsa lost control of her powers. By the time Elsa had met with all of her teachers it was already nighttime and Elsa was still stuck doing her homework.
Grumbling to herself, Elsa continue writing despite how sore her hand felt. Looking out the window overseeing the night life of Arendelle, Elsa wondered when she would be able to see Anna. With a sigh, she turned her focus back to her work. At least her ice powers were under control now and so Elsa knew she would eventually get to see Anna.
Eventually turned out to be much sooner than Elsa thought as a soft metal click was heard indicating that the door to her study was open.
"Elsa," her mother greeted as she came into the room, "Look who I brought for to see." From behind her mother's skirt a little girl with brown hair entered the room.
"Anna!" Elsa said in recognition as she hopped off her chair and ran towards her sister. Excitedly Elsa opened her arms to hug her sister but before she was able to, Anna took a step back. Elsa stopped in front of her confused.
"You never come play with me anymore even when I come to your room and ask," Anna said.
Elsa nervously looked up to her mother not sure how to respond. A pit in her stomach formed as Elsa saw her mother shake her head.
"I've been very busy with all the teachers and homework," Elsa said as she loosely pointed towards her desk.
"You're lying! You have been hiding and avoiding me. If you won't tell me the truth than I don't want to be your sister anymore," Anna yelled. Turning around Anna ran out of the room.
Elsa simply stood there dumbfounded. Tears welled in her eyes and fell from her cheeks.
"Oh Elsa i'm so sorry about Anna," Iduna said bending down and hugging her eldest daughter,
"Anna doesn't love me anymore," Elsa cried out in her mother's arms.
"Oh sweetie, Anna is your sister and she still loves you. She is just angry for not being able to play with you," the queen said.
"Can't I tell Anna about my ice powers?" Elsa begged her mother,
"It's not safe for you sister to know about your ice powers less she be hurt by them again," Iduna said.
"What am I supposed to do if I can't even tell Anna the truth?" Elsa pleaded.
"I will go talk to your sister," her mother said and letting go of Elsa, "It is getting late Elsa, I think it is time for you to get ready for bed,"
Despite her mother's reassuring words, Elsa did not feel better. In fact Elsa felt worse and worse over time as she mindlessly got ready for bed. Monstrous thoughts plagued Elsa's mind with endless what if scenarios. What if Anna doesn't want to talk to me anymore? What if Anna doesn't want to be my sister anymore? As Elsa sat blankly on her bed, it was only a matter of time before everything was back to where it first started.
Queen Iduna returned to her eldest daughter's room, shoulders slumped down from her failure and unsure what to say to Elsa. An immediate chill ran through the queen's body as she noticed a cloud of vapour formed from her breathe. The ice had returned. Iduna looked around to see ice covering everything in Elsa's room and now thicker than ever. Spikes of ice protruded in every which way and their sharpness would have have anyone bleeding at a mere touch.
Rushing further into the room, Iduna frantically searched for her daughter and quickly spotted her on her bed.
"Elsa!" Iduna called out but Elsa remained motionless sitting on top of her bed with her knees up and head in between.
"Elsa!" Iduna called out once more as she climbed on top of the bed and shook her daughter on the shoulder.
From between her knees, Elsa's head rose with tears in her face and down her face, "Where's Anna?" Elsa asked her mother.
"Anna has gone back to her room," Iduna replied, "I'm afraid that you sister doesn't want to talk to you at the moment."
"How am I supposed to apologize to Anna if I can't even talk to her?" Elsa cried.
"You just need to give it some time Elsa. Anna is upset right now because she hasn't seen you in a long time. Anna is your sister and she will eventually calm down." Iduna said.
"But what if Anna doesn't love me anymore?" Elsa asked as she stared up into the eyes of her mother for the truth.
"Of course your sister still loves you and will always love you Elsa. It's just that both of you are still young. You and Anna lack the experience to truly express how you feel about each other deep down within your heart. But your hearts will continue to grow and one day you will." Iduna explained
"One day our hearts will grow big enough so that we could truly talk to each other?" Elsa asked unsure what her mother meant by those words.
"Yes Elsa but first you need to control your ice power once more so that you don't hurt Anna when you see her again." Iduna said
"I don't know if I can do it. Everytime I think about Anna I get upset and I lose control of my powers. I need help again, please mommy, if the Gem can help me with my powers than maybe it can help me with my sister too." Elsa begged.
Iduna hesitated for the briefest of moments. Elsa was still far too young for such responsibilities and she was only meant to hold onto the Gem for one night to help with her powers. But Iduna saw the clear result the Gem had produced for Elsa last night. If it was for just one more night, one more night to help Elsa, the risk was worth it. Firming up Iduna made her decision and returned to her daughter.
"Okay Elsa this is the last time, same promise as last night. You must do everything to keep the Gem a secret and you must protect it until morning and return it to me." Iduna instructed and began the process of handing the gem over to Elsa.
The dulled black coloured gem was passed over to Elsa to which she held reverently.
"Good night and sweet dream Elsa," Iduna said and kissing her daughter on her forehead. Fixing her dress up, the queen blew out the candles and left her daughter's room to retire for the night.
Elsa pulled her bed sheet so that she was completely covered from head to toe. Under the safety of her bed covers, Elsa once again closed her eyes and prayed for help from the Gem of Ice. The young princess needed help controlling her ice powers and she needed help connecting with Anna. And so Elsa continued to prayed until she fell into a deep slumber.
OoOoO
"Is that a dragon!" Anna yelled. The second princess had somehow traveled to a distant land far away from Arendelle. Dressed in her bedtime attire and in all her brown hair pig tailed glory, little Anna stood in front of a surprised Elsa and Toothless.
"Anna!" Elsa said in surprise as she tried to run up to her sister but stopped immediately once more as she saw her step back in revulsion.
"I still don't want to talk to you!" Anna yelled back. Hands fisted into balls and back straight, it was clear that Anna was adamant about her thoughts about Elsa.
Elsa stood there desperately trying to find a way to talk to Anna. If only there was a way to take Anna's focus away from her anger for her older sister. Elsa noticed the way Anna shifted her eyes. Anna wasn't looking at her anymore but at the dragon that was behind her. And just like that Elsa suddenly had an idea.
"Take a look Anna," Elsa said as she pulled Toothless up to the side who was previously hiding behind Elsa and curious about another newcomer. Sitting on his hind legs, Toothless rose up to his full height that easily towered over Elsa. With Elsa no longer in the way, Anna was able to see the Night Fury in all his dragonic glory
"Wow," Anna let out in astonishment.
"He might look scary but he is just like a giant cat that likes to be petted," Elsa explained, "Isn't that right Toothless," Elsa cooed to which Toothless warbled in agreement.
"Toothless? Isn't that a weird name?" Anna said laughing as she ran up to Elsa and Toothless.
Anna had only managed to get a few steps in before Toothless hopped in front of Elsa and pounced onto Anna. No match against the weight of a dragon, Anna was knocked back onto the ground. Head over Anna, Toothless opened his maw and showed the newcomer his retractable teeth.
"Wow that's so cool," Anna yelled in amazement from underneath Toothless and fully understanding his name now. Retracting his teeth Toothless showed his affection the only way his knew how, with copious amounts of licks.
"No stop it, stop!" Anna said laughing as she raised her arms to cover her face against Toothless. But it was soon made very clear that Anna's defences were no match against Toothless. But for Anna, she couldn't help but laugh as she felt like Toothless was just a giant puppy that she couldn't stop, "Elsa help!"
Giggling along with her sister Elsa moved in to help, Elsa pulled Toothless back with the combined strength of Anna as well. The two young princess were able to escape the clutches of the Night Fury.
Helping Anna get back on her feet, The two sisters continued with their endless giggles having defended against their first dragon. Remembering that she was still mad at her older sister, Anna hastily stepped and looked away from Elsa.
Elsa could only droop her head in disappointment as her attempt to communicate with Anna failed again. Elsa truly loved her sister but didn't know how to express it if her sister refused to listen. Elsa had little other choice but to remain silent in shame of her own failures.
Where did you find this dragon Elsa?" Anna asked with her face was still facing away, refusing to look at her sister.
"Toothless doesn't belong to me. His rider is a man name Hiccup and he is somewhere here. I can show you where he is if you want," Elsa said,
Turning around Anna nodded with reserved acceptance. With stars in her eyes it was clear Anna wanted to learn the secret of riding her very own dragon.
Elsa had found some new hope. If Anna refused to talk to her than maybe Hiccup can talk to her in Elsa's stead.
Toothless lead the way as the two sister's followed. It wasn't long before they spotted another human off in the distance. From on top of a small hill stood a single apple tree and from the shades of the branches and leaves was a single man resting his back on the tree.
Toothless with his massive wingspan created a burst of wind as he jumped to the top of the hill with a single hop. Graceful as a cat Toothless landed in front of Hiccup and swivelled downwards until he was resting down on the ground next to Hiccup.
Elsa and Anna chased after dragon and climbed the hill as well.
"Elsa, you're back again," Hiccup greeted. With a casual hand on his knees Hiccup didn't move as he looked at the eye level of little Elsa from his sitting position. Elsa wasn't the only one who at eye level to Hiccup as a newcomer came up beside the young princess. "Looks like you brought someone else with you this time as well," Hiccup noted.
"Hello again Hiccup, this here is my sister," Elsa said as she direct both hands to Anna and urged her little sister forward.
"Hello my name is Anna," the other young princess of Arendelle said and gave a low curtsy.
Hiccup smiled at Anna's shy but cute greeting as he returned the introduction with his own, "It's very nice to meet you Anna. My name is Hiccup,"
"Is that dragon really yours?" Anna asked.
"Yup, Toothless and I have been partners ever since I was a child," Hiccup explained.
"You are lucky enough to ride him and fly high up in the skies whenever you want? That's so cool," Anna exclaimed.
"You must be pretty lucky too, to have a sister to play with whenever you want," Hiccup returned.
"Hpmmhh," Anna let out in disagreement.
"Anna," Elsa tried saying to interject, knowing what her little sister was about to say.
"I don't have a sister!" Anna yelled, "whenever I ask Elsa to play with me, she refuses and hides in her room."
Hiccup looked between the blond and brown haired little girls in complete surprise. The way Elsa mentioned Anna last time, Hiccup could have never imagined what could have possibly separated these two. But being the nice guy that he was, Hiccup decided to help the two sisters.
"The fact that you sister brought you here, does that not at least show that she still cares for you?" Hiccup asked, "you are here now, together with your sister because of her. Now is the chance for the both of you to talk and understand each other.
"I still don't know," Anna said as she knew that Hiccup's words had some truth to them which gave her pause to her anger. She hated how alone she felt with her older sister. But she had tried so many times to talk to her sister and every times Elsa refused Anna felt worse and worse.
"Please Anna," Elsa begged, "I know I haven't been a very good sister, there are things that I can't control and cannot tell you because mom and dad won't let me. It is all for your own safety but I promise that someday in the future things will return back to normal and we can be together again.
Anna remained unmoved by Elsa as she stood in place in front of Hiccup and Toothless.
"Come on now, why don't the two of you sit down and talk," Hiccup urged. The two sisters glanced at each other. Elsa's eyes quietly begged Anna to agree, while Anna still held her doubts which remained in her eyes.
But after a brief period the second princess of Arendelle finally relented.
"Okay," Anna said simply as she sat down. Elsa let out a grateful sigh of relief that she was holding and sat down next to her sister.
Pairs of souls, separated by both distance and time but connected by the gems of fate. In a faraway world and under a different burning sun, four souls met and gathered around a tree for the first time.
When I first started the story I had one singular question that I wanted to answer. How did Elsa meet Hiccup? Four years later with 100k words and we finally have the answer.
I hope that people have enjoyed this story up until this point as we transition to the end game and catch up on what's been going on in the present.
As always review and comments are appreciated.