AN: Hello again. I got sidetracked, so this chapter is coming out a week or two later than expected. I apologize for that. ON a happy note, after a month of going to mechanics and buying parts my car is finally fixed, which means one less headache.
Review response:
Guest: thank you for the comprehension and the patience. I know it can be frustrating when I don't update when I promised to, but unfortunately it happens. Also, should you review again, please do use a pen name. I feel more comfortable addressing you directly than through anymosity.
the core of justice: Already did so. It seems I need to do a formating on the Word file before uploading the chapter to be published.
V01dsw0rd: already fixed
LunarCatNinja: Thank you :) and well, you were mostly right. The beta pointed out a sentence or two that was oddly phrase, which I consider an improvement over the last time he beta-ed a chapter for me.
KE12: I'm glad you think I did Idun well. I was pretty nervous on portraying her the wrong way, especially considering we have so little information about her. And I think I may have an idea of how much of a relief it is to have a 'last time in...' section. Especially on this small fandom, where most stories can take months to update (such as mine)
thearizona: I'll give you a hint. I wrote that chapter way before the Snow Wraith episode, so it can't be him ;) And I hope I can shed some light for you on why Agdar called Idun on this chapter.
mc arno: After carefully translating your review on Google Translate I think I managed to understand what you said. So thanks for finding my story and my chapter cool :)
Noctus Fury: You're just a hopeless Hiccelsa shipper, no need to come up with excuses why he should stay with Elsa and not Astrid XD jokes apart, I do agree with you. Something that bothers me is when people immediately make Hiccup and someone fall in love and simply do not explore a friendship that could very well have happened before the romance. Could you give me an example of bad POV splitting? I tried my hardest to make as clear as possible who is the POV in each paragraph.
OechsnerC: Thank you
BloodshotJW: Here is another update. I try always to update as soon as possible, but, as I stated on my AN, fixing the car ate a good chunk of my time.
Without further ado:
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Previously:Hiccup informed Elsa that he has spotted a rogue dragon during one of his flights with Toothless (and, unbeknownst to the Princess, with Windwalker too). He then left the castle to deal with this dragon, lest it endangers not only Arendelle, but Hiccup's secret stay in it. Meanwhile Idun's inside twist with worry as she wonders why Elsa is so crestfallen, and, to add up to her worry, Agdar personally summoned her, a thing said man has rarely done before.
Anna hurried to her room, the gears inside her head turning as she quickly thought of a way to cheer up Elsa. Knowing that her sister would not answer her, much less relay to her younger sister what troubled her Anna decided to approach the situation in a different way.
She was so caught in thought that her socked-feet slipped on the polished floor of the castle, making her crash, once again, into one of the armor sets across the hall. Anna cringed, more because of the earful she would hear from her parents, or Gerda, than because of the small pain she felt when the metal clashed against her skin.
She quickly but carefully stood and walked quietly away from the crash scene, hoping that at least no one would find her at the crime scene. When she turned right she leaned across the wall and left a sigh of relief escape her lips, as nobody seemed to have heard the armor breaking. She spotted the door of her bedroom and threw caution to the wind as she decided to run toward it.
Once inside she quickly went to her desk and took a paper and some pencils out of her drawer. She sat on the chair to write her little note to Elsa, but the way her feet waved around as she wrote showed how hurried she was. But, despite her hurry, Anna made sure, twice, that her letters would be well written and that she would make as few mistakes as possible. She recalled how Elsa's writing was as flawless as their mother's, so Anna wanted to, even though this was not her focus, to try to impress her big sister.
When the letter was finished Anna proof read it and nodded, satisfied with her work. She could only hope that this would help her sister…
xxxx
Elsa's day went by mostly like a blur. After awakening later than usual Elsa ate the breakfast Gerda had brought, eating only a small portion even for her standards, much to the maid's concern, who noticed this as she returned to pick up the tray left outside the room. She tried to read some books to keep her mind off from all of her worries, but it didn't work as she kept glancing toward her window in hopes of seeing a flying creature akin to Toothless. Eventually she gave up on her homework, and settled for a Philosophy book which Hiccup had been very fond of reading.
It was nearly lunchtime when Elsa heard someone knock on her door. She instantly recognized it as Anna's knock so she didn't glance toward the door, in hope that, somehow, this would make the girl leave. She knew it was usual of her little sister to knock before she spoke whatever was in her mind. "Hey Elsa…um, I've heard that you're not well so… I… I made you this. I hope you like it." There was a fear of rejection on Anna's voice, but Elsa's mind was too distracted to notice it.
In fact, her mind was so distracted that she almost didn't notice the noise of shuffling paper. She noticed the paper lying on the ground and in front of her door only when Anna spoke again. "So… I have my fencing lessons with Papa now… Bye, and… Please get better." and the sound of retreating steps was the only thing Elsa heard afterwards. She closed the book, not even bothering to mark the page she had been reading, and walked to her door. She kneeled and grabbed the piece of paper Anna snuck through the small space between her door and the floor.
Elsa carefully opened it, afraid of ruining her sister's work. She read Anna's words and saw the drawing her sister did of all of her family together. Elsa's eyes filled with tears while she hugged the letter to her chest. "Oh Anna… How I wish I could thank you now…" she said as some tears escaped her brightened eyes.
xxxx
"You wanted to see me?" Idun asked confused when she entered her husband's office. "You know there's no need for formalities between us," she chastised before noticing her husband's worried and serious expression. "What's wrong?" she asked concerned.
Agdar sighed, and motioned for her to sit on the chair before him. "There were reports yesterday of an unknown creature flying near the East Mountain. Several hunters, some from completely different areas, gave disturbingly similar reports about it…" he explained as she sat down.
"That is unusual… But, I don't think that's why you called me. You would have summoned me yesterday if this was the issue," she pointed.
He smiled, feeling proud of her wife's keen sense of awareness. "You're right... I called you because there were more reports today. One of the hunters claimed that he heard a shriek after he misfired, with his bow, an arrow when hunting a deer. His words were: I never heard such ungodly sound before, and I knew that whatever I hit wasn't native of your kingdom's woods."
Idun felt uneasiness grow inside her after hearing Agdar's words. She was about to ask him a question when he spoke first. "I've placed the guards on high alert for anything unusual, and the hunters are sworn to keep secret the situation. We can't let this reach the town otherwise we will have to also face widespread panic..." he said, almost as if knowing the question that Idun had been about to ask.
He sighed, and rested his elbows on the table. "What preoccupies me is the safety of our daughters. The hunter who shot the arrow seemed haunted by the 'ungodly scream' as he called the shriek he heard. Elsa would panic the moment the creature attacks us, and Anna is just a child, she wouldn't be able to protect herself..." he explained with a tired voice. Idun realized this moment that this situation left him too worried, enough to leave him with little sleep if the bags under his eyes were of any indication. She decided to tell him later about Elsa, at least when he wasn't too worried.
She rearticulated what she planned to talk to him. She laid a hand on her husband's hand as she spoke up. "Let me give Elsa her lessons for a while. You have too much to worry about for the time being," she suggested sympathetically.
The look on Agdar's eyes made clear that he wanted to pass some time with their daughter by giving her the lessons, but also understood that this situation demanded his utmost attention. He nodded solemnly, and Idun leaned forward and planted a kiss on his lips before leaving his office.
xxxx
Anna was found by her mother shortly after said woman left the office. The princess was at the kitchen, hearing an earful from Gerda as the maid had been informed of the broken armor set. "You know that she is right, don't you?" Idun said, making the young redhead yelp in surprise as her back faced the door in which the Queen entered the kitchen, therefore having left her unable to see her mother arriving. "You could have seriously hurt yourself Anna. Try to run at least where there isn't a hall full of armor sets to you crash into," she added while laying a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"I'm sorry Mama," she apologized while looking at the floor. "I just had had an idea and didn't want to forget it. I thought it would make Elsa feel better," she explained, making Idun look at her with a sad smile.
"It's okay my dear. What matters is that you weren't hurt; never mind the armor, it can be repaired," she said while cupping her daughter's face with her right hand, thus making Anna meet her mother's eyes. Idun smiled, and her smile grew bigger when Anna smiled back. "Now, would you like to keep me company?" she asked while letting go of her daughter's face.
Anna blinked in confusion. "I thought I was supposed to meet Papa to have my fencing lessons," the princess said with a small hint of disappointment. Gerda also looked confused at the Queen since she knew as well that Anna was supposed to fence with the King this day.
"I'm afraid your father won't be able to teach you combat today. There are some matters that were brought before him, and they demand his utmost attention," she explained with an apologetic face. She knew how Anna liked these lessons, and to see Anna's crestfallen face at this moment saddened her as much as when she saw Elsa's face the night before.
"Well then... I guess I can make you company after all," she said enthusiastically, even though part of her was disappointed that she would not have her fencing lessons. Her mother then asked Gerda to bring two mugs of hot chocolate, and the two of them sat on the kitchen table, and then began chatting and enjoying each other's company while occasionally sipping the warm liquid.
Gerda resumed her work, as suppertime was approaching, all the while feeling warm for seeing such family interaction between the Queen and the Princess. She learned to appreciate every time she was witness of those moments, as for the past 7 years they have been very rare.
xxxx
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Idun, after spending some time with Anna, decided to visit Elsa. She knew that opening the door without her daughter's consent was a risk, considering that she had no idea if Elsa was still awake, or even there, instead of the tower, but the worry swelling her chest was big enough to make her take the risk.
She took a long detour to Elsa's bedroom after tucking Anna in. It was both so she could ease her nerves, and to keep an eye out should Anna have followed her. While the younger princess had been nearly sleeping when she left her in the bed, Idun knew that there was a chance of Anna quietly following her. After all, the young princess made no secret that she was deeply worried about her big sister.
She reached Elsa's door far too fast for her liking. Even though she tried to keep her nerves at bay, a part of her still felt uneasy for breaking her daughter's privacy. She turned the doorknob experimentally, and was surprised that her door wasn't locked as it usually is. Careful, as to not make the door hinges creak, Idun slowly slipped into her daughter's room and leaned the door against the wall so that, at first sight, it seemed close for anyone wandering through the dark, quiet corridors near Elsa's room.
She was surprised to find Elsa sleeping in her bed rather than probably at the tower. It was late as she noticed when she looked at Elsa's clock, and, probably, near the time Elsa usually had her few piano lessons since the night she found her mother playing the piano. Idun was momentously surprised that Elsa seemed to not have left her room at all this day.
She quietly approached her daughter's bed and, as she approached, Idun felt her heart twist when the glinting of a light frost illuminated by the moonlight reached her eyes. Her gaze shifted to her daughter's face, and it was then that she noticed that Elsa was not having an easy sleep. She noticed that Elsa seemed tense, if the tightened muscles of her jaw were of any indication, and every few seconds she would lightly shift on her sleep, as if she was having a nightmare.
The Queen's eyes brightened, and she felt her heartbeat sounding heavier and heavier as she desperately wanted to sit on Elsa's bed and cradle her daughter, to sit Elsa on her lap and hug her protectively, shielding her away from any mean emotions that she may be feeling. She desperately wished that she could stroke her daughter's head, and whisper comforting words so Elsa could sleep soundly.
Idun then approached Elsa's window and gazed at the sky, unbeknown that her daughter did the same thing hours before. It was a cloudless night, an unusual sight during winter, and the stars shined, making Idun sight wistfully and wishfully. "Oh Elsa...if only I knew what is troubling you my dear... I few so helpless right now..." she whispered while hugging herself.
She decided then to leave Elsa's room since her daughter was sleeping. Idun briefly glanced toward Elsa's table, and smiled when she noticed the small pile of papers before finally leaving the room. Even though her daughter didn't leave the room she, at least, spent her time distracting herself.
Idun's biggest fear was of Elsa spending too much time alone with only her thoughts. She knew how Elsa saw herself as a monster, as unholy and incapable of being loved, and she was truly frightened by the idea of Elsa being alone for so long. She was afraid of what such devious thoughts could cause to Elsa's mind and spirit, and what it could lead her daughter to do.
As she was leaving the room, Idun missed the drawing of a young boy with auburn hair and a playful Night Fury by his side…
xxxx
xxxx
Meanwhile, Hiccup had finally finished his map, and was just adding small details when he heard a faint roar. His head shot up and his eyes immediately looked at the cave's entrance. His gaze then quickly shifted toward Windwalker, and the white dragon could see the question in the boy's eyes.
He shook his head. 'It's too dark to go out now. We can search for the dragon first thing in the morning, but right now is too risky. The forest is full of wolves and, while a wild dragon, it may be that he can survive an ambush. You however, would likely come out injured, even though you have us,' he said, and Hiccup noticed by his tone that Windwalker was being serious.
"Okay..." he said with a defeated tone. "Let's just hope nobody found him until then..." he added through a whisper before resuming his work on the map. His fear was of word of a dragon lurking around reaching Elsa's father's ear. It would no doubt put the kingdom in high alert and severely hinder their stay.
Most likely they would be forced to leave or else risk being discovered when flying for food.
Windwalker could see the faint lines of worry on Hiccup's face illuminated by the small campfire before them, and gave him a sympathetic look, even though Hiccup clearly wouldn't be able to see. He knew that his hatchling was more concerned about the rogue dragon's safety rather than his own, and it was exactly this that concerned the white dragon. He could foresee Hiccup risking himself to approach the dragon, and he wanted that, at least, the boy would not have the risk of being ambushed by wolves when doing so.
It wasn't long before Hiccup folded the map and stored it, seeming pleased with the results of his work. Despite being near Windwalker most of the time, again, Hiccup missed Elsa's presence. Being away from the tower painfully reminded him that the only friend he had before her he had to abandon on the same day he won her friendship.
"What will we do once we find that dragon…?" Hiccup asked with a voice indicating doubt laced with worry. Windwalker looked at him and was about to answer when he stopped himself from doing so. It was then that he realized that, until that moment, none of them had thought about what to do after finding the rogue dragon.
'Good question… I don't know how to answer it though. It will heavily depend on what species are we dealing with, and how it will react to our approach. Should he be peaceful then we can just make him leave or live in a high part of the mountain. But if it will be aggressive toward us, then I can't really predict the outcome of this situation,' Windwalker answered after a pause thought.
'You do have your sword with you, don't you?' It was a simple question, but not for Hiccup.
"Absolutely not!" he said while raising his voice and himself to his feet. The sudden shift of his tone jerked Toothless awake, making the onyx dragon looked alarmed at his hatchling, although neither he nor the White Fury noticed the black dragon's awakening. "I will not resort to such barbaric methods to deal with this dragon," he added with an authoritative tone that sent shivers to Toothless' spine.
'Don't be idealistic. We both know that there is a big chance of the dragon being hostile toward us, mainly to you. You need to have a weapon for protection if the situation demands so,' Windwalker retorted with an equally fierce tone. He would not stand seeing his hatchling putting himself at risk because of a foolish idealism.
"This is exactly why we're searching for the dragon together, period. We are not part ways to search for him, and I am pretty sure that two Furies can handle a rogue dragon easily," Hiccup said with a small sneer, uncharacteristic of his personality. It really bothered Toothless to see his rider acting like this, but he could understand why.
Hiccup didn't want to harm any other dragon since he maimed Toothless' tail. So, naturally, Windwalker's suggestion regarding the sword deeply upset him.
Windwalker's demeanor shifted from angry to slightly hurt. He averted his eyes from Hiccup and lay down his head, feeling bad for both Hiccup's thick stubbornness, lack of a sense of self-preservation and for arguing pointlessly at his hatchling. He should have known Hiccup would have been upset by the mere idea of pointing a sword to a dragon.
The boy drew in a shaky breath and let himself fall to the ground. Toothless crooned lowly at his cousin as he sensed the dragon's guilty exhaling from him. "I-I'm sorry… I didn't mean to doubt you guys… I'm just tired, and I just want this to be over…" he apologized with a regretful voice. His eyes were downcast as he hid his face in his hands, feeling ashamed of his sudden loss of patience.
'It is okay… we're all feeling restless and tired about the whole situation. I agree that the sooner we can wrap this up, the sooner we can peacefully rest…' he said with a half-asleep voice. 'For now we should go to sleep. There's no point in arguing and thinking about the matter now anymore…'
Hiccup nodded, and he let himself curl into Toothless' embrace. Soon the three of them were fast asleep, eager but also dreading of the outcome of the next day.