Hello dear readers! First of all, Merry Christmas, Hanukah, or whatever you celebrate today! Second, I did not plan this story, it just happened.
Enjoy!
The Adventurous Adventures of Hiccup and Wrenlou
Snoggletog Abroad
He was laying in the sand, staring up at the sky. It was dark, the only things visible were the stars and the moon, no more than a small stripe in the sky. There had been a light rain a few hours ago, and it washed away most of the heat, but it was still a lot warmer than Berk would be this time of year.
Berk. They would be preparing for Snoggletog right now. Decorate the Great Hall, prepare the meal, presents. The snow would have covered every inch of the island, a thick, white blanket that silenced everything, hiding the scorch marks, the burns, the damage from the raids. The sea would be frozen shut, the ships stuck in the thick ice. The searches for the nest postponed until the ice had cleared. And the parts of the ocean that hadn't frozen solid would be cold, very cold, and wild in the winter winds.
He thought of the cozy Hall, warm despite the bitter cold wind that howled around its walls, the Vikings drunk on wine and food, the music, so different from the delicate songs that were played in Dragoncity, the rough voices ringing through the air. And involuntary shiver ran down his spine as he remembered just how cold those winds could get, blowing snowflakes around without mercy, cutting straight through clothing.
Despite everything, the bullying, the beatings and everything else, he had always liked Snoggletog. It seemed to be the one time of the year that his father saw him, talked to him like any normal father would. Snoggletog was the feast of peace, acceptance and understanding, and even Vikings had honored that. And when they would all be snowed in, the doors of the Hall sealed to keep the wind and the cold out, and the warmth in, he had almost felt happy to be swept away in the festivities.
He sighed and rubbed his face. It felt strange, this time of year, when usually the snow would be knee deep or more, and yet there was no snow around him, only beaches with white sand that glistened in the sun, azure blue waters with not a speck of ice, and clear blue skies with no trace of clouds. Even at night the skies were clear, and thousands of stars sparkled in the deep blue above.
He sighed and rolled over onto his stomach, watching the small lights not far away, the flickering torches of the cabins, sparkling like small stars. He smiles a little, thinking back how the torches illuminated the snow on Berk, the perfect white a deep orange colour from the flames. He sat up, tearing up in a sudden wave of homesickness. But just as soon as it came, it was gone again when he looked back at the ocean. The water was calm, so still it reflected moon and stars perfectly, erasing the horizon.
After pulling off his boots and leaving them in the sand, he waded into the water. The ripples he created broke the perfect surface, radiating out in every direction. He didn't go far, just far enough for the water to reach halfway up his thighs. It was warm, like a warm embrace, and he smiled. He did miss Snoggletog, the one time of year that he wasn't treated as a failure, and outcast, the one day of the year where he could be like all the other Vikings. He turned when he heard a voice calling his name, seeing a dark figure between the torches. Smiling, he waded back to the beach, where Wrenlou was now waiting.
"Everything alright?" the boy asked.
Hiccup nodded. "Just some memories," he said as he sat down, "it's Snoggletog today."
"Snoggle what?" Wrenlou asked, "what's that?"
"It's a feast," Hiccup said with a sigh, "where we celebrate the turning of winter. After that day, the days get warmer, the snow melts... very slowly. So basically it's the day that marks that we're halfway through winter."
"Sounds fun," Wrenlou said, "that's today?"
Hiccup nodded. "It's the only day of the year where I was accepted. Because it's also the feast of peace and acceptance."
"Is that why you were thinking about it?" Wrenlou asked.
"Yes," Hiccup said softly, "it was the only day that my father didn't treat me like a failure. And... it's also when we celebrate the ones we've lost. The ones that died in the raids..."
He looked up at Wrenlou, who was looking at him with interest. "It's silly that I think of it now," he mumbled, "here I am accepted for what I am no matter what day of the year. I shouldn't think about it..."
"Hey, I get it," Wrenlou said, "it's a good memory of home, of course you think about it."
Hiccup nodded a little and stared at the sand, drawing lines with his finger. It was silent for a while, then Wrenlou smiled.
"We don't have a national holiday today," he said while he stood up and brushed the sand off his clothes, "but I'm sure we can put something together. If I'm right there's half a roasted chicken in the Hall, maybe some fish. We can get some wine from the storage room, build a fire on the beach..."
Hiccup looked up. "You mean that?"
"Sure!" Wrenlou said and he extended his hand to help Hiccup up, "we can have Snoggletog on the beach. And you must tell me all about it, everything."
"I will," Hiccup said while he grabbed Wrenlou's hand and allowed the boy to pull him up, "I liked it. I really did. The feast and the lights... won't be the same without snow though."
"I can't give you snow," Wrenlou said, "I don't know how. And it would probably melt. The only snow I know of on this island is Snowflake, but she doesn't really count. But I can celebrate loved ones with you. Now come on, lets get to that chicken before the dragons eat everything shall we?"
Hiccup nodded and followed Wrenlou to the Hall. The chicken was easily found, still siting on the table from the meal earlier. They also found some bread, and as Wrenlou had thought some fish too. After filling a pitcher with wine, Wrenlou packed everything into a basket, including a towel to protect the food from the sand of the beach. After that they gathered some firewood, driftwood from the beach combined with a few logs, and not long after that they had a nice fire going on the beach. Not too close to the ocean, in case the tide came in, but close enough to smell it. After setting the food on the towel Wrenlou took two cups and filled them with wine, the ruby red liquid sparkling in the flames.
"So..." Wrenlou started, "how do you usually do this?"
"I'm not sure," Hiccup said, "my dad gives a speech, and then we all eat and drink and sing and talk... It seems strange to do it with just the two of us."
Wrenlou smiled and handed Hiccup a cup of wine. He stared into his own cup, thoughtful for a moment, then he looked up.
"I don't have a speech..." he started, swirling the wine around, "but I can tell you this. I don't regret saving your life, because you are one of the most wonderful people I've ever met. Every one who ever told you otherwise is a fool and an idiot."
Hiccup chuckled and looked up when Wrenlou raised his cup.
"To friends," he said, and Hiccup raised his own cup. "To friends."
Wrenlou smiled as he lowered his cup again. "Happy Snoggletog Hiccup," he said softly.
Hiccup smiled weakly. "Thanks..." he whispered, "you too..."
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Since I don't want to end completely unannounced, hereby the announcement. Next week will be the last riddle! So after that it's over and done! Just so you know! The winner of last weeks riddle is Aureola Amator, who guessed correctly that it was a parachute in the men's packs. So, please PM me and we can work out details?
And then, second to last riddle. Here it is!
I'm always ahead of you, and you think about me very often,
You can't stop me, you can't hold me,
But if you don't have me,
You'll no longer exist.
Who am I?
Good luck!