It's been two months since Arc 2 ended…but I haven't forgotten Wheel. In fact, I took a break from it because I was beginning to feel like I was writing the story just to write it. The story was updated, but not moving along. Hopefully now the story should start getting more interesting.

Review Replies:

lorde (anonymous): Here's the next chapter.

Hiccstrid4eva: Yes, they will search for him.

kitty.0: Of course, but Astrid didn't know what else to say to get them to listen to her.

Guest (anonymous): Yeah, I don't think there are anymore dream scenes planned. Also, yeah, that all sounds pretty logical for Astrid. Here's the next chapter.

Next chapter starts…now!


~Begin Arc 3~

Chapter 29: Warmth

The biting cold was fierce, even through Toothless's thick scales which currently circled Hiccup and covered him in dark shelter. Hiccup shivered constantly. It must be late into the season of harsh snows by now. How have we managed to survive this long? What force keeps us waking up each morning? Although, Hiccup hated to admit that it was getting harder and harder to wake up. Sleep meant warmth and warmth was nice.

Hiccup leaned back, trying to snuggle into Toothless's warmth, but it only extended so far. "I'm…I'm sorry, Toothless," he apologized in a whisper, not even sure if the dragon could even hear him speaking from beneath the covering. "I thought for sure I could find us a way out of here," he continued, his voice breaking every now and then from the shivering that attacked his body.

Remembering something important, Hiccup curled himself tighter into his ball. He did not want to leave the semi-shelter but he knew that he had to check. Sticking himself out just enough to see in the light, Hiccup pulled up the right sleeve of his tunic so he could see the pale skin underneath. The skin on his arm had a bluish-tint to it. Oh Gods… Hiccup knew what that meant. Despite his best attempts to keep warm, the cold had seeped in and was slowly affecting his skin. So slowly, in fact, that Hiccup had never even felt it. He had heard the horror stories; by the time you feel it, it'll be too late.

Toothless, having felt Hiccup shift, turned to stare at his rider. Hiccup had known Toothless long enough to know exactly what the dragon was thinking. Get back where it's warm. This cold is no place for you. Smiling (as best he could) at the concern, Hiccup retreated back into the cover of the shelter Toothless provided.

The shivering continued and Hiccup felt the familiar clenching of his chest, like his entire being was closing in upon itself. Hiccup found himself doing just the same in a useless attempt to trap heat inside his small body. Each and everyday he prayed that the season of harsh snows would end and the warm days would return, but he knew that was wishful thinking too. This season hangs on with a grip comparable to a pair of strong hands and refuses to let go. If he could just make it until the end of the season…but, perhaps that was wishful thinking too.

Hiccup tried to forget the cold by thinking of happier times. He had done this before and it had always worked. The first thing he thought of was flying with Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly beside them. They were laughing, he and Astrid, about something. Then, without warning, he slipped from the saddle, freefalling, enjoying the look of worry on Astrid's face and knowing that she would punch him so hard later.

It was working. Hiccup forgot the cold. But it didn't last. The air in Hiccup's thoughts was colder than he remembered and it cut though his happy thoughts. So much for that method; it wasn't going to work this time.

A blackness began to creep around the corners of Hiccup's vision. It must be…because I'm having trouble…breathing, he figured, his shivering even cutting into his thoughts. As a child, Hiccup had heard older Vikings talk of the hazards of staying out too long in the cold that always seemed to cover Berk. Now, he recognized the symptoms. This might really be the end. I hope that Astrid will be okay…without me. Well, I'm sure she will, but…it's not too much to hope…right?

Against Hiccup's will, he felt his eyes closing, slowly giving in to the cold. Before he let the darkness consume him, the last thing Hiccup felt was warmth. The feeling was glorious and Hiccup did not even try to resist its wonderful hold over him. Maybe if his mind hadn't been so muddled, Hiccup might have remembered an important piece of information whispered often by the elders of Berk: Those who spent too much time out in the cold went through a series of stages before their bodies would eventually just give out and send them on the one-way-trip to Valhalla. The very last stage of those whose lives were ended by extreme exposure to cold was always a feeling of warmth.


I know that it's short and not much happened, but this is just a transitional chapter. The next "Hiccup" chapter will begin to progress his story a little more.

Coming Up Next: The search parties organized by Astrid have so far proven to be unsuccessful. However, this time, Astrid's search party does find something…something important.

Next Chapter: Keep a watch on the "Story Announcements" section for information about updates!

Posted: October 13, 2014