AN: Hello my fellow readers, and welcome again to another chapter of How To Let It Go. I'm afraid I have bad news for all of you. As I'm focusing on my HTTYD story, this one has been put on hold. I have a chapter or two written so this won't be this last year's update, but don't expect more than another update from this story until the second week of January. I'll finally be on vacation (yes my classes end right before the New Year and we have a three day test marathon) and will be able to pump out many chapters for all of my stories.
so, review responses:
Anya Ishikawa: Tahnk you, I'm very happy that you're liking the story so far. As of the pairings I have finally decided on them, but of course I won't say them. It would ruin all the fun. Your logic, in theory, makes a point, but let's remember that he'll be on Arendelle for at least almost 6 years. Much can happen... I hope my plans won't disappoint you all. And try to read the ANs (such as this one0. It means a lot to me.
Hospitaller1080: Well you'll find out soon enough. there are previews from Hiccup's time in Arendelle so keep it tight, we're almost there.
icecrystal1999: It's no problem, you don't need to be signed in. A nickname is more than enough for me to address you. And yes I am putting romance, but it'll take a while before it appears.
Noctus Fury: As I said earlier I have finally decided the pairings. While you're right, I won't say that this will be a Hiccstrid story or it won't be. I want you all to figure it as the chapter keep coming. I understand your reasoning, and I too think the same thing, but my lips (or fingers?) will remain tightly sealed about the pairings for now. I want to keep it a surprise, just like I am doing with How To Become a Dragon Chief.
Guest: As I told guests before a nickname is very appreciated since I can properly reply to you if you have one. And well, all i can tell is to keep checking this story, things are about to get rocky as Hiccup's arrivel on Arendelle approach.
And, without further ado:
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It has been weeks since Hiccup left Berk. Windwalker, although a bit wary of talking about certain subjects, was much friendlier since they left the island. It also helped Hiccup that he had someone to talk to and that could answer him, even if it was a dragon. Windwalker, much to his surprise, turned to be hugely wise, and much older than what Hiccup initially thought.
The young dragon rider always chuckled whenever he thought of how Fishlegs would hyperventilate out of excitement if he ever had a conversation with the newly nicknamed 'wise Fury'. This nickname came after he got to know better Windwalker, and felt that the title of 'deceptive Fury' was too bashful for the dragon.
Hiccup soon began looking at Toothless and Windwalker as more than just his friends. Toothless became a brother to him, and he suspected that the dragon shared the same feeling, while Windwalker, friendly yet wise became some sort of mentor; always helping him improve his combat and sharing wisdom whenever they talked. The dragon seemed to be older than Toothless from his deep knowledge, and once he got over Windwalker's hatred for Viking completely, the dragon became family as well.
He also turned 15 years old during his travel. Besides some regurgitated fish from both Furies (as if from Toothless wasn't enough) he had also won some scales from Windwalker, as he suggested Hiccup could try doing some sort of armor out of it, or use on Toothless' tail. Dragon scales, as Windwalker told him, could be melted, but until Hiccup figure out how he would melt and mold them, he kept them stored in a satchel on Toothless.
The moments they weren't flying or resting or eating, Hiccup was practicing his sword fighting with the help of Windwalker. Since he was experienced on fighting against swords and could talk, he had decided to train Hiccup once said boy had proposed the idea of learning how to defend himself should they ever be departed from one another.
They kept travelling southeast, where, according to Windwalker, dragons were rare and thus considered myths. He figured that, until Windwalker could tell him what caused the raid and either he or Toothless showed him the Nest, they would lay low. According to Johann's maps, where they were headed the people still spoke and wrote Norse and, although coming from Viking lineage, they were organized in kingdoms. Little was known, though, as few traders dared to venture out of the Archipelago in the last 300 years.
Using the tools he had taken from the forge back in Berk and the leather they acquired from skinning their catches, Hiccup was able to sew a saddle for Windwalker and modify Toothless' tail throughout the journey. He also managed to create an autonomous emergency tail for Toothless after they ended up separated in a forest and Hiccup being hunted by wild boars. Luckily Windwalker had been too overprotective to stray too far from the boy, so Hiccup was saved from a pack of boars by a very not amused Fury.
He also had to endure a week of an overprotective dragon following him everywhere and chastising him for his 'irresponsible and childish behavior that could have ended in his cold, dead body being eaten by hungry boars while crows picked the rests and drank his blood'. Needless to say Hiccup had a week of nightmares featuring crows and boars.
After the tail had been mixed with Hiccup's original one so they could switch without having to change it, he made a saddle for Windwalker to both carry out important items so Toothless wouldn't be overloaded and in case Hiccup would need to ride him. Riding Windwalker after meeting those boars had been painful for Hiccup behind, and very difficult for the dragon to not let the boy fall from his back. The saddle itself held a raw design, since he couldn't afford nor had the tools to make a saddle as sophisticated as Toothless'.
Seeing the reason behind the young one's actions, Windwalker had complied with having a saddle, although his was different from Toothless'. Since Hiccup wasn't going to ride it often, he tried to make it as comfortable as possible to the dragon, rather than to himself. And since it did little to disturb the dragon's back, Windwalker accepted to wear all the time the saddle.
Their travel was going smooth so far. Hiccup, a few times, had stopped in some small villages to exchange the exceeding hide for metal and to use their forge. Since these tribes were small they happily accepted his generous offers, while none of them had heard of the White Fury's escape from Berk, or even knew what dragon was that.
All was going smooth until one day…
One day they landed in a small rock island, which oddly was flat rather than unleveled like Outcast Island; and Hiccup decided to try some forging. "Alright guys. Let's take a break here. The rocks are flat, so it would be good to modify some of our gear. We don't know when we'll have the next opportunity." He said as he took some fish from the bags and gave to Toothless.
Windwalker, on the other hand, preferred to go fish his own fish. Because of this, Hiccup always removed the saddle off from him so he could go eat without any discomfort. He had not been able to waterproof the saddle, and Hiccup didn't fancy making another one so soon. 'It seems a nice idea young one. I'll be back shortly' and with that he went to grab some fish at the sea.
Hiccup, while waiting for Windwalker to return with a fresh catch, made a small campfire. He always had a bag filled with twigs in case they landed on an island like that: devoid of trees. He sat and began cooking his fish silently while his back leaned on Toothless, who was currently lying on the ground and eating some raw fish. Windwalker always brought them fresh fish to store, since Toothless, although he could, wouldn't fish so the tail wouldn't rust from wetting.
"Well bud, it seems like we'll sleep here today. We might as well check out our gear, don't you think?" he asked Toothless, who in return crooned in agreement. After eating the fish he cooked, Hiccup checked the tail and especially the autonomous part to see if there was any need for fixing it.
He stopped at some tribes to trade the spare hide and fur he acquired from skinning animals for metal and journals, though those times had been few. Most of the modifications on his tail were only possible because he had had access to a forge so he could smith new parts, especially for the autonomous setting. He never tried using Toothless' fire for forging purposes however…
…Until now "Bud? Do you think you can heat some metal for me with your fire?" he asked, after giving a thought or two to the idea. The dragon looked at him and seemed to ponder the idea, before slowly nodding. Hiccup had seen the Night Fury use a continuous jet of fire instead of the signature plasma blast before going to sleep. And it was hot enough to melt rocks, so it could probably also melt metal.
While Windwalker was fishing, Hiccup and Toothless, using some scrap metal he had, tried through trial and error heat it properly until he could make a simple connecting rod. After many failures, and wielding some useless broken shards of metal, Hiccup was able to make a robust connecting rod using Toothless' flames as a heat source.
Windwalker was just returning full of fish between his lower wings and paws, when he heard Hiccup shouting in happiness. While he was a four winged dragon, he could fly using only a pair of wings, though that severely hindered his speed and maneuverability. He usually didn't fly like that, but since he wanted to bring loads of fish for the other Fury and the boy he decided to use a pair of wings to hold more fish.
"YES BUD, WE DID IT!" Hiccup shouted before Toothless happily jumped at his rider's enthusiasm. Hiccup ended up pinned down and licked by the dragon. "Okay, okay bud." He said between licks, "You can stop licking me now overgrown reptile." He added before standing up and after cleaning himself from Toothless drowns. Briefly after hear a draconic laugh he grew familiar with as he travelled.
He instantly recognized it as being from Windwalker. 'I see you're quite happy. Care to tell what I lost while fishing for you two spoiled babies?' he asked in a teasingly tone. Hiccup, as he found out begrudgingly, hated being treated like a hatchling, and Windwalker soon found out this was a great way to tease the boy. In revenge, the boy found out that said dragon always felt indignation for being called 'overgrown salamander' or especially: 'grandpa'.
"Well, I was able to forge a connecting rod by using Toothless' fire as a heat source. It still isn't as good as using a conventional forge, but I believe that we can perfect through more trial and error. Maybe by using it I'll be able to melt the scales you guys gave me, since a forge' fire wasn't able to." He said, recalling the innumerous times he smuggled the scales at the forges, only to find out it wouldn't melt, and the burns he won when collecting back the scales without letting someone see them.
It had been a curious thing that Hiccup found out during their travel. He discovered that Windwalker's scales were cold because the dragon had an icy breath instead of fire breathing. Only myths on Berk stated that he shoot ice, and since he never used it on Training there was no way no one could have certainly known this.
When he had seen his friend shooting ice from his mouth, aiming for the boars about to feast on his body, the first thing that Hiccup had felt that moment had been was dread. A dragon that shoots ice was a force to be reckoned with, since, theoretically, he would be able to block any kind of attack. But soon he found out he had nothing to fear, as Windwalker would never dare hurting him.
"You're right, even though I'll never get over the fact that you breathe ice. Especially ice that doesn't easily melts. It's quite fascinating, even though considering the fact that I already knew that not every dragon breathed fire, like a Changewing or a Scauldron. I'm sure Fishlegs would be overjoyed to study your ice's properties…" he commented as his thoughts slowly lead his mind back to his home… friends… mentor… to his father, and to her.
Windwalker watched silently as his hatchling grew quiet. He presumed that it was normal that the boy would feel homesick every now and then. After all, Berk had been where he spent his entire life. He noticed throughout the journey that the place gave him different emotions, sometimes good ones, sometimes bad ones, and guessed that this happened depending of which memories he remembered whenever he felt homesick.
Hiccup snapped out of his little memory travel a couple of minutes later. "Anyway…" He said with a slightly shaken voice, a sign that he had not remembered good memories of his birthplace "I'll give a shot to this with Toothless later, to see if we can melt the scales together. That way I'd be able to cover your saddle with those and fireproof Toothless' tail." He suggested, figuring the dark dragon deserved some rest for the moment.
'Wouldn't it be uncomfortable for you to use a saddle built out of scales?' Windwalker asked a bit confused, even though he liked the idea. Having a brown saddle disrupted how he could use sun light as a weapon through reflection, and he never liked the color in the first place.
"Well…" Hiccup stated thoughtfully, "It would, sort of. But since I rarely ride you, and your ability to reflect sun light is affected because of the saddle, I guess coating it with your scales would be better." He explained.
"If we do manage to melt them together I think it would hinder a bit their ability to reflect, but it still would be better than just the saddle, don't you think?" He asked, since the White Fury held lost of wisdom, he felt like needing his opinion.
Said dragon thought about it. It was certain that melting them together would partially change how they reflected the sun light. But the boy had a point. During this travel, he had only been ridden by the boy twice, and coating it in scales would let him regain his ability to blind opponents in combat, an ability he lost when he accepted having a saddle to share the baggage with Toothless.
'I agree with you. You do have a good point. Let me know if you succeed melting them together, then we can see how we will coat the saddle.' He answered the boy. Satisfied with Windwalker's answer, Hiccup took the fish the dragon pilled before landing, and dried some of them to store in the bags. The rest he gave to Toothless eat so they could later continue their testing.
Human and dragons rested together, and the noise of the waves clashing against the rock was the only thing they heard. They gazed at the sky, looking at it as they waited for the hours to pass by. It wasn't until sunset that the silence between them was broken.
'You know Hiccup… if you succeed, you could try forging some sort of armor for you from these scales. While you efficiency in sword fighting increased, you have little protection on yourself' the dragon pointed out. In fact, Hiccup had no armor, or even a shield whatsoever. Thereby his protection was almost exclusively relied on the Furies, even if he one day would become a great swordsman.
Hiccup, however, had modified his jacket throughout the journey. Using leather he had acquired, he made a hood and a scarf to cover his face and head so he wouldn't freeze while flying, or be recognized when trading in a tribe that knew Berk. While he had added some leathery protecting to his jacket (while trying to avoid hindering the pockets) this was all he had for protection.
"I guess I could do so, but that would work mostly on my arms. Coating the chest in scales would obstruct the pockets I sewed on them, and I kind of need those." He remarked. The dragon agreed with him and both turned to watch the day end and night arrive.
A long moment of silence passed as they watched the blue-orange sky fade away with the sun, and slowly the dark night came out to show its great sky filled with shining stars and the ever present, yet lonely moon. It was truly a sight to behold, and because of the raids, it was a rare thing to watch it peaceful.
But since they were no longer on Berk, he and the Furies could peacefully watch the sunset. Windwalker, ever since he was freed by Hiccup, didn't lose a single sunset, after being so many years kept deprived of such sight. He had been imprisoned inside that underground Arena for years, and dearly missed mundane things like the chipping of birds, or the rustling of the leaves on a forest, or the sound a wind gust makes, or the beauty of watching the sun both rise and fall daily.
Hiccup watched fondly the white dragon marveling the sunset. It was moments like these that he didn't regret bringing Windwalker. Of all the dragons in the Arena he knew the White Fury was its oldest resident; he had seen all the other dragons being captured in raids when he was younger, the Monstrous Nightmare being Berk's youngest capture for obvious reasons.
Once the dragon finished gazing at the horizon, now black with shining stars, he spoke again. "Besides, we only have enough scales to coat his tail and your saddle. And since your battle ability is more important than a pair of scaled bracelets, I suppose it won't be any soon that I'll be looking like a two legged reptile" he commented amusedly. Windwalker and Toothless laughed a bit at the metaphor, with the former trying to imagine a scaled Hiccup and finding the image hilarious his imagination created.
"And before either of you complain about my safety, a scaled tailfin would prevent it from shredding apart or burning, and a coated saddle would allow you to attack better, therefore improving our chances of fight should we ever end up fighting someone." He pointed out a bit smugly, and he took the dragons' silence as an answer that he was right.
Toothless huffed and laid his head on his pawns. Windwalker sighed (or did something close to a sigh) before complying. 'Well, you're right. But let's not stretch too far our imaginations. You still need to figure a way to melt them properly, and mold them.' He pointed out, deciding to not enter the discussion about Hiccup's protection. Both he and the boy could be very stubborn at a given subject, and he didn't feel like discussing something so farfetched.
"I guess you're right… Let's rest for a bit and then later we'll do more testing. Toothless' flame must be quite low for using so much on our tests." He said while he patted the dragon as if he was asking to be forgiven for stretching out his friend. Toothless just nudged his rider's hand in response instead of making a sound. But that was all Hiccup needed.
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.
.
Hiccup felt his head pounding like an anvil had been dropped on top of it. But, considering his crash, and how he was still alive, he thought that this comparison was not as farfetched as it initially seemed. He opened and closed his eyes several times in a vain attempt to clean his sight. The world was blurry, and moving his head was excessively hard. He turned his head around, and his blurry sight spotted a lady before him, with platinum blond hair and blue eyes. "Are... you a Valkyrie..?" he asked before passing out.
Elsa gasped, recognizing his language as the Old Norse taught by her father, since knowing it was required from her position as heir. Her whole body froze, and her mind was lost in its sea of thoughts. She had no idea of what to do, and was equally afraid of helping him, and that this mysterious boy might die there.
She never noticed a black lump near the boy stirring before going still...
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AN: Smaller than the prior ones, but I did that so the next chapter wouldn't be too small. Hiccup's travel will be shorter than his runawau from Berk so no need to worry. He will eventually tell Elsa about his travel, but that will obviously be after they meet. As always, PM me or let a review with suggestions, criticism and/or your opinion. They all are very welcome
Until next time!