Chapter Five

A/N: I don't even know how this happened...it just sort of did.

When Hiccup wakes up again, he finds himself laying on the forest floor. His entire body aches and his head is pounding. He struggles to pick himself up and, once he finally manages to get to seated position, the world begins to spin so fast, he has lay back down.

"Ohhh..." He groans. "What happened...?"

It's night-time. How long has he been asleep? And what in Thor's name made him think it was a good idea to take a nap in the middle of the woods? A wild dragon or some other animal could stumbled across him and eaten him in his sleep. He tries to think back...to remember how he got here. But his memory is blank. The last thing he remembers...is sitting in his room with Astrid. They were talking about something...and then he started to get sick to the stomach so he went for a walk to get some fresh air.

But somehow, that doesn't seem right...

Shaking his head, he tries to stand again. This time, his legs feel lighter and the dizziness has gone away. He gets up with little effort and looks around this particular patch of woods. He doesn't recognize it.

"Great...am I lost?" He wonders, looking around for a familiar landmark. But to no avail. He sighs deeply and rakes a hand through his hair. "Just perfect." He groans. Figuring there's nothing else he can do, he picks a random direction and starts walking.

Dead pine needles crunch under his feet as he tramps through the undergrowth. The ground is soggy and full of mud puddles, which he avoids like the plague. The last thing he wants when he is possibly miles from home, is soggy boots. Boot. Whatever. He shakes his head and picks up the pace, not liking the idea of being alone out here.

There's just something very eerie about the forest at night. Like you're never quite alone even if you can't see who's with you... He shivers at the feeling of being watched and rubs his hand along his goosebump-ridden arm.

Is it just me...or is suddenly really cold? Surely enough, his breath puffs out in front of him in clouds of white. He shudders and folds his arms over his chest, trying to retain his body heat. He flinches as a snow flake suddenly appears very close to his eyes. Looking up, he finds the air is now full of little, white crystals of frozen water. This just keeps getting better and better... He tells himself. I need to get home before I freeze to death out here.

In all his years on Berk, he's never once experienced a cold this penetrating. It's like his veins are frozen. His teeth chatter as he stumbles through past trees, occasionally tripping over his own feet. He catches himself after one particular tumble, grabbing the rough bark of a nearby oak to steady himself.

It's at that moment...that he hears a voice.

"Hinrik!" A woman's voice calls. There's a note of laughter in her voice. A light-hearted, happy laugh. A moment later, the sound of a child's giggle echos through the air.

Hiccup finds himself smiling at the sound of it. For a long time, he just stands there, listening. His desperation to escape this frozen forest all but forgotten...

Somewhere in the distance, the woman has found the child. He can hear the way she runs to him, picture the way she sweeps him into her arms and spins round and round. She places little kisses on the boy's forehead, whispering sweet promises of love into his trusting ears.

And suddenly, Hiccup isn't just imagining it anymore. He's standing there, watching it happen. The woman is beautiful with long, golden hair and brilliant azure eyes. She is holding a small boy in her arms, one so small he could be considered a hiccup.

Together, they dance in the falling snow, catching the pure white crystals on their tongues, giggling and laughing as they twirl.

But then, the woman has an idea. "Hinrik!" She gasps, breathlessly. There's a joyful light in her eyes. "Let's go swimming!"

"But mommy!" Hinrik laughs. "It's cold outside! We'll get sick!"

"Nonsense!" His mother insists. "Not if we dry off really fast."

The small boy laughs hysterically as she spins him around in her arms, slowly lowering him to the ground. She then goes over to the little lake beside them. Somehow, it isn't frozen.

She strips off her heavy robes, revealing a night-gown that sweeps the icy ground, as well as a pair of bare feet. How she hasn't gotten frost bite on those dainty toes of hers, Hiccup has no idea. "Come on, Hinrik!" She calls as she stumbles toward the water.

Her little son giggles as he watches her, quickly struggling out of his robes too. Then, he races after her. His mother flops into the cold water, making a huge splash which incites another fit of laughter from her adorable son.

Hiccup laughs too.

A moment later, Hinrik jumps in as well.

For a long time, they both remain under the surface. Nothing happens for so long that Hiccup begins to worry that something bad may have happened. But then, the mother's soaking wet head splashes up to the surface. She draws in an easy breath, not appearing cold or winded in the least.

Hinrik doesn't reappear.

That is, until his mother reaches below the surface and pulls him up.

Hiccup's eyes go wide, a sick feeling twisting his stomach. Oh gods... The boy is...blue in the face. His eyes open only a slit, unblinking. Not breathing. His mother pulls his body into her, cradling him like an infant. A gentle smile touches her lips and she laughs, gently.

"You look so peaceful, Hinrik. Such a good boy you are..." She releases his body and it sinks to the bottom of the lake. Crawling out, she leaves his corpse behind and casually wraps herself back in her robes. "You didn't even fight...such a good boy."

Hiccup staggers back. What did he just see...?

Suddenly, the woman lifts her gaze to Hiccup. Her sapphire eyes locking with his. A wicked smile twists her lovely face and she hisses, "I'll see you again, my darling. And then we can play again..."

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Hiccup screams as he snaps awake, his entire body trembling with fear.

Toothless nearly leaps out of his skin at the sound of his shout. The dragon perks up, staring at Hiccup with shocked eyes. He stands up and immediately hurries over, cooing with concern.

And another moment later, Stoick bursts into his room. "Son?! What happened?! Are you okay?!"

Hiccup is sitting up now, his heart pounding so hard he can clearly see his chest thumping. He can't remember how he got here...but at the moment, he doesn't care. "D-Dad..." He whispers, looking at his shaking hands. "D-did Aragwen have any kids...?"

"What?" Stoick asks, taken aback by the random question.

"Just answer me!" Hiccup shouts, squeezing his eyes shut against the horribly sweet aroma that is hovering out of the locket.

"Um, yes. Her son's name was Hinrik." Stoick answers, not seeing the point.

"He's dead, isn't he?"

"Hiccup, what are you-"

"ISN'T HE?!" Hiccup demands, desperate to know the answer.

"Yes. He drowned when he was only ten years old..." Stoick says, unsure of why his son is asking him this.

Hiccup closes his eyes, sickness knotting his guts. Oh gods...what is going on? Did I really just dream all that...? It felt so real...

A/N: So...like I said. No clue what part of my demented brain came up with this... Sorry.