We shall be free
At the same time as the Riders and other Vikings were struggling to get ready for winter and hope for Hiccup's safe return, he and Una had been trying to figure out the significance of the enigma that had been engraved into the glowing walls of the spirit cavern. While it was understandable that Una being a small child would be easily frustrated by this baffling conundrum, Hiccup was almost as upset. He was great with logic and he knew he was much smarter then the average Viking. Nonetheless even he was having a hard time figuring out what this riddle meant.
He was currently muttering it over and over again and again under his breath. As if hoping with saying it enough times the answer would reveal itself. Yet it was just hurting his brain and surprisingly giving him a bad headache. Una went to the crystal pool and dipped a piece of brown cloth into it. She then glided over to Hiccup and wiped his forehead with the cloth. He looked up from his muttering and looked right into the face of the small ghost child. She seemed very worried. She was biting her pale lips and spoke timidly to him.
"Please don't overwork that big brain of yours, dear brother. You've taught me so much; I don't want to see you in any kind of pain. So please why don't we play a game or draw or something. Let's leave the riddle for a little while later. I mean we ain't gonna solve it if we drive ourselves mad, right?"
Taking a deep breath he picked up Una and placed her in his lap. Hugging her tightly he rocked back and forth slowly. He then began to hum a lullaby, the kind only a Viking mom would hum. It wasn't exactly "Hush Little Baby" but it was along those lines. In next to no time Una began to add her own made-up lyrics and they spent a little time just bonding. As they hummed in perfect harmony they didn't seem to become aware of the fact that the runes on the wall seem to sparkle and shimmer. His big green eyes soon became wet with tears as he just broke down and cried. He was crying more then Una when he'd first come to this cave. When he started to cry so did Una and for a few moments all that could be heard was their weeping. If they'd been a pair of weeping willows they would've been two very tall trees.
"Are you gonna be okay, big brother?"
"I'll be fine, little sister. It's just the pain is getting worse and you know this pain, all too well, don't you? You've felt this pain, the pain of being alone and in the dark, the pain of being forgotten?"
"Never knowing if anyone is missing you or if you'd see the light of day or feel cheerful ever again?"
"Yes, I'm feeling like a part of me has been cut out. While I'm happy we've met and bonded, it still doesn't change the fact…"
"That fact we've been stuck in this stupid spirit cave for so long. I've been stuck here longer then you and I can't even tell you how long that is! I'm sure for you it's already felt like an eternity to you! It's been far longer the forever for both of us, hasn't it?"
"Yes, I feel if we don't figure out how to release ourselves from this spirit cave soon, I will go insane! I really miss my father, my true love Astrid and I miss my best friend Toothless. I'm starting to forget what they sound like. Their gentle touch, their warm hugs and I miss flying so much! The endless freedom when you can fly! When you're up there in the bright blue endless sky there is nothing you can't do! You can paint the heavens a much brighter shade of blue even! It's amazing almost like magic! I'm starting to forget that magic. I don't want to forget that but I think I am."
"Friendship and the love between people, Hiccup, I've learned from you and my old brother Boden, I've learned that they are both the greatest magic and greatest treasure of the human race! Without them along with hope, faith, and dreams, we'd never have any kind of meaningful life. And there wouldn't be any reason to live! Even in death I can feel this magic but like you I was starting to forget it. I was alone far too long and that really made me forget the meaning of this magic."
"Una," Hiccup chocked out between his own tears, "You're most insightful and I'm glad to know you! And I've began to realize a few things that are important. Things that you've just mention."
"Really? What did I say that so important?"
"Well, whether we're alive on the mortal plane or enjoying the afterlife, we must remember the importance of love."
"I will brother, I will make sure to as long as I live both in life and death I will testify to love!"
"And I'll remember for every dream, hope, wishes, and breath I take I will give thanks to what really matters in life. Beyond what the Gods give us and beyond words ability to describe! It's what our hearts and souls need so badly! I will remember these important parts of what makes us human."
"And it gives us immortality! Don't ever forget that brother! For its true, I'm proof of that! I've lived in this spirit cave long enough to know that death shouldn't be fear or dreaded. I want so bad though to pass into the afterlife, yet I know even if I can't remember it fully I know life is meant to be lived with an open heart and to cherish life itself. It's important we don't forget the lessons we've both have learned since meeting each other.
"I'll make you this promise here and now, Una. Even if I leave and you don't get into the afterlife I won't ever forget you. I won't forget our bond, or the love we feel for each other. So if we ever do get out of this cave and to our respective homes, I won't forget you! For the rest of my life I will love you and you'll always be in my heart and soul!"
"Thank you, big brother! I promise if I ever get to the afterlife I will never forget you either. I will always remember what has happened in this spirit cave! I guess that what the first part of the riddle means. That life itself is like a circle. Doesn't have a beginning, it just keeps going on and on."
"Yeah in a way that is true, Una, we begin the circle at birth which is when it's first opened. When we die it reaches the close, yet in view of the fact that life and death are both ever living in one way it never ends. We live on in the afterlife."
"And what we did on our time on this astonishing planet is left behind to start a new circle. So we just open a new one when we die. For while we leave our bodies behind…"
"Our souls live on. That much we can be sure of. From all I know and learned while I've been stuck in this cave, we can both agree and acknowledge that our souls and hearts are the human race's true source of eternal life."
"Maybe we can take a closer look at this riddle. But let's not strain our brains over it, okay, big brother?"
Nodding he hoisted her on his back so he could give her a piggyback ride. The rainbow crystals cast their magical glow upon the glowing walls and to their surprise the runes seemed to be less worn on the wall. If truth be told the first part of the riddle was incredibly more legible now."
"Life and death go round and round where only the soul can live on. Only in its radiant light can it take flight, for within these walls, more then life and death will you find. You'll find out who you truly are if you listen to the song of soul and heart. For only when you find harmony will the key to freedom be found and find your everlasting peace. So look inside and find the key and then you shall be set free"
"Well, I think we figure out the first part of this riddle. We both understand that life is a circle that has no true beginning or end. We're born, we live, and we die. Yet even at the close of that circle we know we just start over again in the eternal life in the afterlife. You know Valhalla." Hiccup said and as he spoke the first part of the message began to shimmer more brightly.
"Wow! Hiccup! I think when we decipher a part of the riddle, it glows! If we solve it all, then maybe we'll be free!"
"I think you're right, Una. The radiant light it speaks of next must mean when the soul leaves the body to enter the afterlife. For it's the light of the human body."
"The soul and heart are part of the light of the human body. The heart is the light of life, and the soul is the light of death! And believe me, big brother; your inner light outshines many people. You feel love so strongly and you care about others so much, even when they've been cruel or mean to you. Furthermore since it's your soul that been with me all this time, it also seems to have its own golden light, just like your pure golden heart!"
"Thanks, Una. And just so you know, you've got a good heart too, and a very beautiful soul. So we understand that this cave is a place for dividing line, the threshold between life and death, so to speak. So I've got no doubt that what it means more then life or death will be found here. Yet I believe it's also a place of discovery. Both our souls are trapped here because we still have a purpose and had to learn what it was. Not mention you made that promise to your brother to wait for his return."
"Do you know what it means when it says 'song of soul and heart'?"
"I think it means listening to the voice inside yourself, that much I can assume"
"Song of yourself? You mean to say it just means listening with both our hearts and souls and trusting them?"
"Yes, Una, it means simply trusting those two things and just being true to yourself. You taught me and I taught you many things. And I think just our bond might be enough to get out of this cave! You said yourself, Una. I should be true to myself and be myself, and not try to be someone I'm not. Astrid was right when she said I'd be a good leader, regardless if I'm a traditional Viking or just a scrawny brainy type of Viking."
"And I now know, Hiccup, that I won't be forgotten again. Furthermore that the love of a child is a powerful thing. You made me feel alive once more, and now I know even if we must part, that someone does love me, and that I won't be scared to go on now. I was just so scared and alone. I felt I couldn't go on, not just because of Boden's promise to return, I was just a small scared child. I needed help to be set free. And I feel you're meant to help me be set free."
"We had the power to leave this cave anytime we wanted. We just had to look inside and find the answer within our own hearts and souls. I needed your help to overcome my doubts and insecurities and you need me to love and help you overcome your own fears. So we both helped each other."
She nodded and they hugged. Then all of sudden the cave filled with a warm and soft golden light as the runes lit up and a song could be heard resonating throughout the cave. All around them sparkles and glitter filled the cavern. They pay no heed to it. Then all of sudden a voice could be heard. It sounded so familiar but very faint. "Una! Una! Come out come out wherever you are! Una!"
Una pulled out of her hug with Hiccup. Her face etched with puzzlement and hope. "It can't be! It's been so long. But could it really be? After so long?" she whispered as she tore away from Hiccup and ran to the mouth of the cave.
"Una! Hold up! Wait for me!" he called after her as he crossed over the threshold of being solid. He caught up with her and held her hand tightly. Not wanting her to disappear or become intangible. "Una you alright?" he asked her. She looked up at him and was smiling. She point to the cave's entrance and he looked up in shock. Standing before him was a young teenage boy who looked almost exactly like him. He was slightly more toned and his hair was in a short ponytail, but other then that they're identical.
"Una? I'm so sorry it took so long to come back for you. But I've returned to take you home like I promised you." Boden said softly in a voice that also remarkable like Hiccup's own voice.
"Boden! Boden! Oh big brother! I've waited so long for this day!" as she broke free from Hiccup's hand and embraced her real brother with an elated hug and both were crying. Hiccup turned away so they wouldn't see his own tears.
Una heard the faint sound of Hiccup's tears, and broke out of her big brother's embrace, and yanked his arm and then yanked Hiccup's arm, and made them shake hands. "Boden, I'd like you to meet my other brother, Hiccup. He's been taking care of me while you've been away."
"Thank you so much for taking care of my little sister, I mean our little sister. Anyone my sister calls a brother, is also a brother to me. I mean we could be twins for Gods sakes!"
"It's been an honor and pleasure for me to help Una. I'm just glad she's going finally home. So I've got to ask you a good question, and that is why did it take you so long to come back?"
"I had a bad accident when I went to see if it was okay to sail home. I was caught in a mudslide and buried alive. I've been under those intertwined trees ever since. I went to Valhalla but I wait forever for Una to come. But she didn't come. I didn't realize she's been trapped in a spirit cavern or that she would take my promise to her grave. But once you solved that riddle I was given permission to return to Earth to take her home. So thank you for taking care of her and helping set her free."
"You're welcome, Boden. I hope your trip home is a delightful journey. I promise I'll give both you and Una a proper sendoff."
"Sendoff? Hiccup, can't you just come with us to Valhalla?" asked a confused Una.
"I'm sorry, Una, but I can't go with you. I've still got too much to do here on Berk. You set my soul free and I've set yours free. Don't worry, Una, I'll keep my promise that you can ride with me on Toothless. I'll do anything and everything to keep my promises to you. But I need to go back to my home in my village of Berk. But I won't forget you and I won't forget what you've taught me."
Tears filled her pretty pale blue eyes and she leapt into his arms and cried for a good while. "It is gonna be okay, Una. I'll always be in your heart and you shall always be in mine."
"I won't forget you either, Hiccup. You'll always be my second brother. I make a promise to you. And that is I'll watch over you as you did for me. So thank you, Hiccup, my big brother, I love you and miss you. So goodbye."
"Goodbye, Una, just remember we'll see each other again one day. Don't worry about when that will happen. It will happen in its own time and I look forward to our next meeting."
"Me too, Hiccup, me too. Boden? Time to go home!"
"Yes it is, Una. Thanks again, Hiccup. I won't forget what you did for our little sister." Boden said as he took her little hand into his and they walked out of the cave into a bright golden light.
Hiccup cried and smiled at the same time as they disappeared into the next world. All of sudden he felt himself jerked and he went flying out of the cave himself. He went so fast he could tell anything and had no sense of himself. He just kept flying till he slammed head first into something. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around himself. He was in his bed! He was in his body! He was home!