Author's note: 'Fyrir dancinginn ok dreamingrinn' is the norse name of the song 'For the Dancing and the Dreaming' which is the song sung by Stoick to Valka in HTTYD 2
Eystribyggð
Astrid watched anxiously as Ivar's men struggled to pry the wooden boards from the door of Eret's childhood home. According to Ivar it had been nearly twenty years since the house had been occupied and boarded up after Eret ran away from home. Everything in the house remained untouched for years and exactly as Inghean had left it. Though Astrid silently prayed that she'd find some answers within the small house's walls, she was nervous just the same. She knew that once she entered, there would be no going back, and whatever further information she might find there could very well uncover the long-buried secrets of Eret's parents. There was simply no telling how Eret would feel hearing what she'd already learned from Ivar, let alone any other secrets her search might reveal. She only hoped that Eret wouldn't be upset with her for looking into the past that he seemed to be trying to avoid. But perhaps she was only overthinking, maybe upon learning the whole truth Eret would finally be able to let his past go. She was distracted from her thoughts as Ivar gently rested his hand upon her shoulder. She turned to him and smiled slightly but he could still see the anxiousness in her eyes.
"The past is the past Astrid," Ivar said knowingly, "you and Eret's present and future are what's important." Astrid nodded as she pondered Ivar's words. Her fear was that whatever truth she might find could possibly change everything for Eret; her worry was how that change might affect their future. Regardless of her fear, she was still determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. Eret deserved to know the truth about his family and their possible connection to Dunbroch. If anything, perhaps just knowing the truth might bring some form of closure to his troubled past. She continued to watch as the men finally pulled up the last board and cleared it away. Astrid stood motionless with arms crossed over her chest, staring at the now opened door, as she silently willed herself to enter.
"Shall we," Ivar said as he held his arm up to her. Astrid nodded silently as she slipped her arm in his and he led her toward the door. Stepping into the small two room house was like stepping into the past. It certainly looked lived in, as if a moment in time had been frozen in place. Astrid took everything in as she slowly walked about the room. Besides the twenty years of dust and cobwebs that covered everything, it looked as if the occupants had just stepped out with every intention of returning. The table had place settings and an old horn tankard in the center that still held the dried-out stems of long dead flowers. The fireplace still held a few pieces of wood and ash; beside it was a wooden rocking chair and what looked like a loom sitting in front of it with an unfinished blanket on it. Upon the floor in front of the fireplace was a large pillow and beside it a small toy wooden dragon. Astrid smiled slightly as she crouched down and picked up the toy. She brushed off the thick layer of dust as she stood, revealing the green paint of the dragon's body. It had red wheels for legs, and a pull string tied to a small eye screw under the dragon's chin. The bright blue wings upon its back looked as if they were attached to some sort of hinge mechanism that allowed the wings to move when pulled along. She could almost imagine Eret as a boy playing for hours with the toy. Despite her intention to leave everything as undisturbed as possible, she put the toy in her satchel.
"This way," Ivar called out causing Astrid to turn and face him. He waved her to follow him to the opposite end of the house, where the bedroom was. Astrid followed in slight trepidation. She could not help but to feel as if she were intruding somehow. She watched as Ivar lifted a bear skin rug from the floor revealing a door. in the floor. Ivar reached for the iron handle and lifted the door. The hinges groaned as he pulled it up, as it hadn't been moved in years. Inside was a small crawl space that looked big enough for at least four people. Astrid gazed at it curiously.
"Eret built this, in case any of his clansmen were to come un-announced so Inghean and little Eret could hide," Ivar said, "thank Odin they never needed to use it for that." Ivar dropped down into the crawl space and pulled up an old wooden trunk. He lifted it onto the floor beside Astrid and then pulled himself up out of the crawl space. Astrid gazed at the trunk curiously.
"What is this," Astrid asked in intrigue. Ivar smiled at her.
"This is everything that Inghean wanted Eret to have when he came of age," Ivar replied, "she made me promise to wait till then to give it to him. I believe some of the answers you seek might be in here."
"You never opened it," Astrid questioned. Ivar shook his head.
"Of course not," Ivar replied simply, "nothing in this chest was ever meant for my eyes. Everything in here is for Eret." Astrid crouched down and gently ran her hand across the top of the old wooden chest. Though she was anxious to open it, she still felt as if it wasn't her place to do so. She sighed heavily as she turned her eyes to Ivar.
"Maybe it's not my place to do so either," Astrid said softly, "this is Eret's past, Eret's family...who am I to go through it."
"You are Eret's family now," Ivar replied reassuringly, "and you've come here in his stead. You have far more right to open it than anyone else." Astrid nodded as she turned her eyes back to the old wooden chest and silently debated her actions.
"I'll leave you to your search," Ivar replied, "I'll be around if you should need me for anything." With that, he exited the old house leaving Astrid to her work. Astrid continued to gaze at the old wooden chest still unsure if opening it without Eret was something she should be doing at all. Though she longed for the answers, she did not want to overstep. After a long few moments of pondering what to do, Astrid came to her ultimate decision. She took a deep breath as she brushed the layers of dust from the lid of the chest revealing the ornate carvings in the wood. The symbols were mostly Viking save a few she did not recognize. She reached for the iron latch and slowly lifted the lid...
Adag:
The rain continued to fall, beating down upon the three travelers as they trudged on through the old, abandoned village of Adag, searching frantically for their missing friend. It had been nearly an hour since they began their search and thus far Fish was nowhere to be found. Hiccup walked ahead of the others holding his dragon blade out before him at the ready, while Merida and Eret trailed slightly behind him. Merida had bow in hand with an arrow notched and Eret gripped his long sword; both ready for any unexpected occurrence. As their search intensified their anxiousness grew.
"Fishlegs," Hiccup called out as they continued on, " Fishlegs, where are you?" Eret shook his head and huffed in frustration.
"Fish," Merida called out.
"I don't get it," Eret said, "where the hell could he be. It's not like there many places to hide around here; the entire village is basically a pile of rubble." Hiccup paused and turned to Eret with a concerned expression on his face. The others paused before him.
"I don't know," Hiccup replied with a shrug, "are you absolutely sure he headed this way?"
"I'm positive," Eret replied firmly, "unless he changed direction after we parted ways, which, I guess, is entirely possible." Hiccup furrowed his brow as he thought over Eret's answer. He turned his eyes once more toward the gates of Adag where the mist had gathered. It was strange to him that the mist had not traveled further than the front gate of the abandoned village. Keeping in mind that the strange mist was most likely a manifestation of the kelpie, Hiccup could only assume that for some reason the creature would not move past the walls of the village. Though he was grateful that the creature hadn't confronted them thus far, Hiccup couldn't help but wonder why it only seemed to be lingering just outside the village. The only logical explanation was that the kelpie, much like the tide-glider, was a fully aquatic animal, and therefore strictly bound to the lake itself. Perhaps that was the reason that the kelpie tended to lure its prey to the water. The mist that it created and the creature's alleged ability to camouflage likely aided in its illusiveness, making it impossible to see until it was too late. It certainly could explain why most people allegedly fell prey to the beast. This in mind, his worry was that Fish had inadvertently wandered too close to the lake giving the kelpie ample opportunity to strike. Hiccup turned to the others with an expression of deep thought on his face as he silently debated what to do.
"I think we should check the lake," Hiccup said firmly. Both Merida and Eret turned to Hiccup and gazed at him apprehensively.
"The lake is dangerous Hiccup," Merida replied, "a-and with the mist coming in...there's no tellin' where the kelpie will be. If it blends in with the mist as ye say, we might very well not see it until it's too late." Hiccup nodded in understanding.
"I know," Hiccup replied, "I know it's dangerous...but all the more reason to check. I can't allow anything to happen to Fishlegs. I'm the one that insisted you all come here, and I'll be damned if I let anything happen to any one of you. If this kelpie creature really does lure people to the lake, then we have to be certain that it didn't lure Fishlegs." Merida sighed heavily with Hiccup's words. Though her heart was nearly frozen in fear, she knew that Hiccup was right. They had to do everything they could to make sure that Fishlegs was not in any danger, and if he was in danger they had to go after him. There was simply no other choice. She turned tentatively toward the entrance of Adag at the far end of the village, though at this point it was completely enveloped in the mysterious mist and was not visible at all. It looked almost as if the village itself faded into oblivion. Merida audibly gulped at the eerie sight. This did not go unnoticed by Hiccup. He silently reached for her hand and squeezed it gently in reassurance, causing her to turn and look up at him.
"Don't worry," Hiccup said firmly, "we will find him, and we will get out of here as quickly as possible...I promise. Just trust me, okay." Merida nodded silently in agreement.
With that, the three friends turned and headed in the direction of the mist. It seemed that the closer they got to that area, the denser the mist became, and the worse their visibility was. Hiccup held his ignited dragon blade out before them in a vain attempt to see through the thickened atmosphere. As they neared the village entrance, Hiccup could hear the faint sound of the water moving and he knew the lake was close by. Before long he could barely make out the large pillars that where once the gate to Adag. There they paused and Hiccup listened carefully. It was eerily silent besides the gentle sounds of the rippling water and the raindrops pelting the earth. But there was not a single sound of anything living at all, no birds, no insects chirping, not a single sound of movement whatsoever. The eerily silent atmosphere was unnerving, and Hiccup could feel his heart nearly beating out of his chest. The closer it seemed that they got to the lake the more unnerving it became. Hiccup could feel the hair standing up on the back of his neck and droplets of sweat forming upon his brow. He gulped slightly but forced himself to press on. The others followed closely behind but seemed also to be feeling the same effects as Hiccup.
Suddenly, Eret caught the faint sound of humming from somewhere close by. He instantly paused and grabbed Hiccup by the shoulder. Hiccup turned to Eret in curiosity. Eret was staring off into nothing with wide eyes and an expression of both concentration and fear on his face. He held his finger to his mouth bidding Hiccup to keep quiet and listen. For a long moment Hiccup heard nothing but the pounding of the rain upon the ground, but then suddenly the faint sound of a muffled voice-like humming reached his ears as if carried by the bustling wind. Though he could not make out any definitive words, the tune itself was unmistakable.
"Do you hear that mate," Eret whispered. Hiccup nodded in confirmation. Both Hiccup and Eret turned back to each other simultaneously, "it sounds like…."
"Like Fyrir dancinginn ok dreamingrinn, "Hiccup finished Eret's sentence. Merida furrowed her brow at Hiccup's words.
"What's Fyrir dancinginn ok dreamingrinn," Merida questioned. Hiccup glanced in her direction.
"It's, uh, it's an Old Norse love song," Hiccup replied. Merida raised an eyebrow questioningly at his answer.
"A love song," Merida questioned. Hiccup nodded in reply.
"It's very popular at weddings typically," Hiccup replied with a shrug. Merida furrowed her brow once again at Hiccup's answer. She shook her head in confusion.
"So... why are we hearin' it here n' now," Merida questioned, "and where is it coming from?" Hiccup gazed at her for a moment with a serious expression on his face as he pondered her questions.
"I... I don't know," Hiccup replied thoughtfully, "but it can't be good. It could be something to do with the Kelpie. Maybe it's trying to lure Fish to it as we speak."
"Aye, are ye sayin' that ye think the kelpie is singin' an Old Norse love song, in order to lure Fishlegs." Merida questioned as she raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"I…I don't know," Hiccup replied, "maybe. But if that is the case, then we have to find Fish before it's too late." Merida's heart froze with Hiccup's ominous words. She could feel a rush of cold wash over her and goosebumps rising upon her skin as she listened to the haunting melody playing upon the wind. Everything in her was telling her to turn and run but the three of them continued on. The closer they got to the lake the more definitive the song became, until they began to hear more clearly the words to the song in addition to the melody.
...
"...But I would bring you rings of gold
I'd even sing you poetry
And I would keep you from all harm
If you would stay beside me..."
...
Hiccup paused as he continued to listen a bit more carefully. He furrowed his brow at the off-key, nasally voice. The more he listened the more recognizable the voice became.
"That sounds like ... Fishlegs," Hiccup stated in a questioning tone. He turned and looked at both Merida and Eret for a brief moment. The two of them began to listen closely.
...
"...I'll swim and sail on savage seas
With never a fear of drowning
And gladly ride the waves of life If you would marry me..."
...
Eret turned back to Hiccup with wide eyes.
"Oh, that is, most definitely, Fishlegs," Eret replied in realization. Hiccup furrowed his brow as he continued to listen attentively. Though he could still distinctly hear Fish's voice, the deep humming continued in unison with Fish.
"It's not just Fish though," Hiccup said, "there is something else humming too." Merida and Eret gazed back at Hiccup apprehensively as the eerie humming continued. After a moment or two, the three of them instantly quickened their pace as they headed in the direction from which the voice and humming seemed to be coming from. They paused only when they finally had reached the stone gate of Adag. Hiccup motioned for them to stay behind the wall; he lifted his finger to his lips as he silently bid them to stay quiet. Hiccup then carefully and quietly peered around the wall in the direction of the haunted lake squinting his eyes as he struggled to see through the dense fog. Both Eret and Merida did the same. There on the bank, they could just barely make out the ghostly silhouette of Fishlegs through the mist, dancing about like a madman and belting out the love song at the top of his lungs.
"What's he doing," Merida questioned. Hiccup shook his head as he watched Fishlegs.
"I don't know," Hiccup replied, "but something is definitely not right."
"I'll say," Eret replied, "he's acting like a bloody bampot." Both Merida and Hiccup turned to Eret simultaneously, both intrigued at Eret's specific choice of words. Eret suddenly became aware of their staring and furrowed his brow. "What," he asked. Hiccup shrugged and turned back to Fishlegs. Suddenly Hiccup began to feel slightly lightheaded. He clutched his temple for a moment as he waited for the feeling to pass. This did not go unnoticed by Merida.
"Are ye okay," Merida questioned in concern as she rested a hand upon his shoulder. He glanced at her over his shoulder briefly.
"I'm fine," Hiccup replied instantly, brushing off her concern, "just felt a little dizzy for a moment...it's nothing." He shook his head and turned back in Fishlegs direction, but Merida continued to gaze at him in concern. Sensing her gaze, Hiccup glanced at her once more.
"It's no big deal," Hiccup said, "I still didn't eat anything before we left camp...it's probably just low blood sugar or something." Merida gazed at him skeptically.
"I'll be fine," Hiccup insisted, "we have more important things to worry about right now don't you think." He motioned to Fishlegs as he spoke. Merida sighed heavily as she turned her attention back to Fishlegs.
"What do ye suppose is wrong with him," Merida questioned.
"I'm not sure," Hiccup replied, "he's acting almost like he's drunk or something."
"It's actually exactly like that," Eret interceded. Hiccup turned to Eret curiously.
"You left the wedding early," Eret replied, "you missed the point at the end of the evening where Fish had reached his limit. He belted out that very same song to a rather annoyed Ruffnut, slurring his words and everything just like he is now." Hiccup furrowed his brow at Eret's statement.
"Ruffnut," Hiccup muttered as he continued to ponder Eret's words. Could it be that Fish thought that he was singing to Ruffnut? He turned to Merida with an expression of deep thought on his face. "Merida you said before that the kelpie is a shape shifter, that it can appear in any form to lure people to it?" Merida nodded.
"Aye," she replied questioningly.
"Maybe it's taken the form of Ruffnut," Hiccup suggested, "maybe that's how it's trying to lure Fish." Merida furrowed her brow as she pondered his suggestion.
"Aye, that sounds possible," Merida replied, "but...how does the kelpie know what Ruffnut looks like to take her form?"
"And how is it causing Fish to act like he's intoxicated," Eret interceded.
"Do ye think it's somehow controlling Fish's mind," Merida questioned "or that it can somehow read his thoughts?"
"And if it's trying to lure him to it," Eret questioned, "then where is it? Why is it waiting to strike while Fish traipses all over the shore making all kinds of noise? You'd think the creature wouldn't want to draw so much attention to itself if it was trying to catch its prey."
Hiccup furrowed his brow as he turned back to Fish. He remained quiet for a long moment as he continued to ponder the situation and both Eret and Merida's inquiries. Fishlegs was dancing clumsily along the edge of the lake...close enough that he was easily within the kelpie's grasp, and subdued by his apparent intoxication that he seemed an easy target. So why did the creature remain hidden?
As Hiccup thought about it, he was reminded of a dragon he'd run into before, the deadly death song. The death song was known to lure its prey with its mind controlling tune while it remained camouflaged, then it would strike once its victim was within its grasp. The death song was also very good at mimicking the sounds of many other types of dragons and in some cases even the songs of humans. Of course, humans were typically unaffected by the death song's tune, but perhaps this kelpie had a similar hunting strategy. Perhaps the kelpie had adapted its song to its environment to lure the only prey available to it in Dunbroch. Could the kelpie be luring Fish with the haunting Viking melody? Was it mimicking the song? But how would that be possible? How would the creature even know to mimic a song it had most likely never heard before? Or had it? They were, after all, standing on the grounds of Adag, the very village that might once have been home to some of the Vikings of Berk. Perhaps the creature learned to mimic the song it had once heard long ago. Was it possible that the creature could be over three hundred years old? Then again, his clan was certainly not the last clan of Vikings to have set foot on the shores of Dunbroch. It could be that the kelpie was at least as old as the last Viking invasion. Or perhaps Fishlegs himself had inadvertently hummed the tune within earshot of the kelpie and the creature was actually mimicking him. Though this theory did seem plausible, there was one glaring disparity with Hiccup's hypothesis. If the kelpie had in fact adapted its song to affect humans...then why was Fish the only human affected? They all could clearly hear the song, but it didn't seem to be causing them to lose their grip on reality as Fish clearly had. So, what exactly was going on here? As Hiccup continued to ponder the situation a brief memory from his past ran through his head.
...
It had been raining for nearly a week on Berk, so the lot of the kids in dragon training had been stuck inside doing book work and listening to Gobber drone on about capturing dragons. Though the others were bored out of their skulls, Hiccup was eager to learn. Besides, book work and lectures were right up Hiccup's alley; book work and lectures were safe. Today Gobber was going over the basics of building a trap for baby dragons, which Hiccup was slightly confused by. As far as he knew the babies were mostly harmless...unless of course the mother or father were close by. Hiccup raised his hand eagerly for probably the twentieth time during the lesson. Gobber paused with a long, drawn-out sigh as he gazed back at his most eager student.
"Yes Hiccup," Gobber said.
"Just a quick question," Hiccup said, "I get the whole concept of catching the babies, because they are harmless and all... but shouldn't you be worried that the parent dragon will show up? I mean, isn't that pretty dangerous?" Gobber raised an eyebrow at Hiccup's question.
"Thats the whole point Hiccup," Gobber replied, "we want the mama dragon to show up. One of the easiest ways to kill a dragon is to let it come to you."
"So, you use the baby dragon as bait," Hiccup replied questioningly, "wouldn't it be easier just to leave a piece of meat out...or a sheep or something." The other students chuckled at Hiccup's question.
"Dragons aren't gullible trusting beasts Hiccup," Gobber replied, "savage yes... but not stupid. Any dragon would be wary of its meal just tied up n' waitin, for them...like a nice little gift. You'd be waiting for hours for the dragon to take the bait. But for its baby... it would not hesitate. There is no better bait than its own kind."
...
All at once it occurred to Hiccup, perhaps Fishlegs was not the prey at all. He turned to the others with an expression of realization upon his face.
"Fish isn't the prey," Hiccup said in a grim tone, "he's the bait."
Dunbroch castle
When Fergus walked into the throne room, he was met with the sight of his wife ordering the servants about, in preparation for the arrival of the Lords. He smiled slightly seeing her back to herself after the long week she had endured. Between her worry about the Lords' proposal, to her inclinations about Merida, to the painful memories of her sister's fate that seemed to have resurfaced as of late, she had been through a lot, and it was good to see her acting more like herself today. After the long and awkward family breakfast where mother and daughter even refused to look at each other, Fergus worried that his wife might be in rare form when he found her, but she seemed to be completely fine considering.
"There she is," Fergus said with a smile as he approached her. Elinor turned to him with a small smile.
"Who," she asked.
"My wife," Fergus replied with a grin as he leaned forward and kissed her gently upon the cheek, "I've not seen her in days...I was beginnin' tae worry." Elinor chuckled under her breath.
"I certainly feel like I was gone for days," Elinor replied.
"So, yer startin' preparations fur th' Lords' arrival I see," Fergus replied.
"Aye," Elinor replied, "and I have my work cut out for me, We're already so far behind. Entertaining three clans possibly indefinitely will be quite a feat."
"It's nae that difficult dear," Fergus replied dismissively, "Ah say just throw 'em in a room wit a few barrels o'ale 'n' let 'em fend for themselves."
"Fergus," Elinor chuckled.
"What," Fergus chuckled, "it's true. Not tae mention ample amounts of ale might help keep th' Lords subdued while they await Merida's decision, 'n' soften th' blow when she rejects 'em all." Elinor shook her head in amusement.
"Aye, I'm not sure keeping th' Lords and their men tipsy might be the best solution Fergus," Elinor replied with a smirk, "Lord knows the trouble men get into while blootert Fergus chuckled lightly at Elinor's comment.
"Aye ye make a good point dear," Fergus replied, "but if we do it my way, at least they willnae get bored," Fergus replied, "'n' at th' very least we might be entertained by Dingwall's tales o' th' lone dragon that's been stalkin' him clear across th' highlands." Elinor rolled her eyes at Fergus' comment.
"Ye should nae make light o' that poor man's ale- induced hallucinations," Elinor replied firmly. Fergus rolled his eyes at his wife's words.
"Aye, Ah know, Ah know," Fergus replied, "yer right as always dear...but ye have to admit...it's hard tae take th' old coot seriously when he insists th' lone beast is nae only real, but oot tae get him specifically as well." Elinor nodded in agreement.
"Aye tis true," Elinor responded with a small smirk, "it certainly is cause to question Lord Dingwall's state o' mind." Fergus smiled as he gazed at his wife. She certainly seemed more herself today and he couldn't help but wonder if she might have finally squared things away with Merida.
"So," Fergus sighed, "what has ye sae buffy this day?" Elinor dropped her eyes to the floor and did not answer immediately as she pondered her response. "Has it at all tae do with Merida?" Elinor crossed her arms and sighed slightly as she turned back to Fergus with a small yet cautious smile on her face.
"Dinnae get me wrong dear," Fergus smiled, "I'm nae complainin', it's just, during breakfast, both ye 'n' Merida seemed... well... irreconcilable. I thought it wid be a few days at least afore th' two o' ye wid be levelheaded enough tae make amends." Elinor shook her head at Fergus' statement.
"Aye, Merida and I had a long overdue conversation," Elinor replied, "about the suitors and our motives for accepting their courtship proposal. She understands now...just as ye said she would. And I also told her about Isla and what happened and explained to her why it is I do as I do...n' feel as I feel." Fergus beamed at his wife's words. Elinor gazed back at him with an expression of relief on her face.
"So, yer on th' same page then ye 'n' she," Fergus questioned, "about everything." Elinor shrugged.
"Well," Elinor said as her smile slowly fell into a slight grimace, "not quite everything." Fergus furrowed his brow at her response.
"What do ye mean dear," Fergus replied.
"Despite all I told her of the lords," Elinor replied cautiously, "and the predicament we might be in... Merida is still holding back. Ye'd think after learnin' of the Lords' intentions that she would be a little more forthcoming."
"So, she's still made no mention o' this mystery lad then," Fergus concluded. Elinor shook her head.
"I just dinnae understand Fergus," Elinor replied, "what better time than now tae confide in us about this, before the lords arrive so we can come up with a solution. It's almost like ... like she's afraid to confide in us... but why? What is it about this lad that she's trying so hard to hide from us." Fergus furrowed his brow at Elinor's suggestion.
"There was even a moment that it seemed as though she wanted to tell me," Elinor replied as she thought back on her and her daughter's earlier conversation, "but she still held back."
"Aye, are ye still concerned that this lad may be manipulating her in some way," Fergus questioned. Elinor shrugged her shoulders as she pondered how to answer her husband.
"I... I dinnae know what tae think Fergus," Elinor replied, "that certainly is my worst fear." Fergus gently took Elinor's hand in his and squeezed it gently in reassurance.
"Dinnae worry yer self so dear," Fergus replied, "try nae tae succumb tae yer fears ower it. As I said, Merida n' this lad are most likely scramblin' tae figure oot wha' tae do aboot this new dilemma. Now that yer both on th' same page aboot ever' thing, n' ye've reassured her o' our stance on th' situation, Ah dinnae think it will be long afore they come forward." Elinor nodded her head as she thought over all that Fergus had said. She knew that her husband was right. Perhaps Merida only needed that reassurance from her mother regarding the decision about the Lords. Perhaps, now knowing for certain that her parents stood firm behind her decision, whatever it may be, Merida would finally divulge the secret she'd been hiding for days.
Adag
"Ye think the kelpie is usin' Fish to lure us out," Merida questioned in trepidation.
"It's the only thing that makes sense," Hiccup replied, "otherwise Fish would be done for by now."
"So, what do we do," Eret questioned. Hiccup shrugged.
"I don't know," he replied, "somehow we have to get to Fish without the kelpie seeing us."
"But how," Merida questioned, "surely it's been watchin every move we make if it's tryn' tae lure us." Hiccup remained quiet as he continued to ponder the situation.
"We need some sort of a distraction," Hiccup replied, "somehow one of us needs to get the kelpie's attention while the other tries to get Fish outta there." As Hiccup finished speaking, a sudden wave of dizziness struck him once again. He groaned slightly as he clutched his head and waited for the feeling to pass.
"Hiccup," Merida questioned in concern, "are ye okay? What's wrong with ye?"
"I'm fine," Hiccup replied dismissively.
"No, yer not fine," Merida replied firmly, "something is wrong, this is the second time ye've been off since we got here, third if ye count feeling off when ye here were alone. Something is going on!"
"I think she's right mate," Eret replied, "I've been feeling a bit off myself since we started searching for Fish, maybe it's something about this place."
Hiccup furrowed his brow as he thought over their suggestions. He suddenly came to the realization that at the times he felt dizzy and lightheaded, he had inadvertently been in the middle of the mist. As this fact occurred to him, the memory of a particular dragon he'd encountered years ago ran through his mind, a dragon that ironically Fish had mentioned in their earlier conversation regarding the kelpie, the infamous frightmare. The frightmare was allegedly believed to be so terrifying that it could freeze a Viking in fear, but he and Astrid had later discovered that the dragon could actually emit a toxic mist that paralyzed its victims. Hiccup looked up at Eret and Merida with wide eyes.
"It's gotta be the mist," Hiccup exclaimed.
"What do you mean," Eret questioned.
"The mist," Hiccup repeated, "I … I think it's toxic."
"Toxic," both Eret and Merida questioned in unison.
"Just like frightmare mist," Hiccup explained, "except... maybe instead of paralyzing you, it…it causes you to become dizzy and disoriented or even hallucinate? Maybe that's how the kelpie subdues its prey. What if the Kelpie doesn't shape shift at all; what if the mist that it produces causes you to see things that aren't really there!" Eret's eyes went wide as he silently recalled Astrid's tale of her terrifying encounter with the frightmare.
"You think the mist is causing Fishlegs' intoxication," Eret questioned. Hiccup nodded.
"Maybe he really thinks he is singing and dancing with Ruffnut," Hiccup replied.
"But that means we're sittin' ducks in this fog Hiccup," Merida said, "if it's already affectin' ye and Eret, then, how long 'afore we all join Fish in his madness and parade ourselves out tae th' kelpie like a buffet?"
"Good question," Hiccup replied.
"Yeah, one I'd prefer not to wait around for the answer to," Eret replied. Hiccup nodded in agreement.
"I think as long as we don't breathe in the mist any more than we already have, we will be fine," Hiccup said firmly. Without a word, Merida instantly took the dagger from her belt and slashed a large piece of cloth from the bottom of her cloak. She quickly rung out the water from the rain, then cut the cloth into three thin strips and handed one piece to each of them. She then proceeded to tie the third around her head covering her mouth and nose. The others did the same.
"Well then, what are we waiting for," Eret said, "what's the plan?" Hiccup furrowed his brow as he contemplated what to do.
"We need some sort of a distraction," Hiccup said firmly," maybe if I can get close enough, I can try to get through to Fish, then I'll act as a distraction to give him a chance to get away. You come get Fish once I have the kelpie's attention." Eret nodded.
"And what should I do," Merida questioned. Hiccup turned to her with a serious expression on his face.
"You stay here," Hiccup replied, "for back up." Merida shook her head reluctantly.
"Don't be glaikit," Merida replied, "I'm goin' with ye."
"No, you're not," Hiccup replied firmly, "I got this."
"No," Merida protested, "ye said we should stick together!"
"I know," Hiccup replied, "but it doesn't make sense if we all go, and we all get caught by that creature."
"But if we all go then we'll have a better chance to fight it off than if ye go alone," Merida insisted. Hiccup shook his head in disagreement. His initial thought was that going alone would draw less attention from the kelpie, so he could get in quickly and then distract it just long enough to get Fish out. It was a one-person job as far as he was concerned. But if he was being completely honest, the thought of putting Merida in danger terrified him. The only memory of the flightmare incident that kept playing over and over in his head, was seeing Astrid paralyzed and incapable of escaping the hostile dragon. He'd almost lost Astrid that day; it was the most afraid he'd ever been in his life up to that point. Now he could feel that same fear creeping into his heart at the thought of Merida in a similar predicament. Astrid had been lucky that day, Hiccup managed to fend off the dragon and save her. What if this time luck was not on he and Merida's side? What if he himself became incapacitated by the mist and was unable to protect her? He simply could not allow anything to happen to Merida. There was no telling what they were walking into this time, and he wasn't willing to risk any harm to her.
"No," he said firmly.
"But Hiccup," she argued, "ye know I can take care of myself. I can fight just as well as ye can."
"I know you can fight Merida," Hiccup replied in frustration, "that's not the point!" Hiccup sighed heavily as he tried to find the right words to explain without showing her that he was afraid.
"Then what is the point Hiccup," Merida questioned impatiently. Hiccup looked up at her once more.
"We still don't know exactly what to expect from this creature," Hiccup replied, "everything I suggested is still just a theory. What if it turns out to be much worse than we expect?"
"All the more reason to stick together," Merida insisted.
"I don't think so," Hiccup replied, "if this thing really is anything like a flightmare, then it's extremely territorial. If we all go in, weapons blazing, the kelpie might feel threatened and then there is no telling what it will do. It's better if I try to get to Fishlegs on my own, that way I could sneak in without drawing too much attention to myself." Merida shook her head as she thought over Hiccup's makeshift plan. She was not convinced that what Hiccup suggested would work at all.
"If that Kelpie is truly usin' Fish as bait as ye say, then it's just waitin' for ye to show yerself," Merida replied, "ye wouldn't have a chance tae get tae Fish at all! Ye'll be a sitting' duck, with nowhere tae run! And what's worse, ye won't see it comin' til it's too late!"
"Not if I have both you and Eret to cover me," Hiccup replied, "I just need enough time to distract it, so Eret can get Fish outta there."
"Hiccup," Merida protested.
"Look, I'm not arguing with you about this Merida," Hiccup replied firmly," I'm going alone, end of story." Merida huffed in annoyance as she crossed her arms over her chest and turned away from him. Hiccup quickly grabbed her by the arm and gently pulled her back to him, but he was taken aback by the sight of her watery fear-filled eyes and distressed expression. His gaze softened as he looked upon her in remorse. He took her face in his hands and continued to gaze at her reassuringly.
"I know what I'm doing Merida," Hiccup replied firmly, "what help will we be to Fish if we all go, and we all get caught?" He leaned forward resting his forehead upon hers. "I got us all into this, I'm going to get us out, but I need you to stay here...out of harm's way and be my back up if something goes wrong." Merida nodded reluctantly. Hiccup leaned forward and kissed her gently upon the forehead. As he pulled away, he gazed at her with a serious expression on his face.
"It will all be okay," Hiccup said firmly, "trust me." Merida nodded once again as she tried her best to keep her tears at bay.
"I will be right back," Hiccup said reassuringly.
"Ye better," she replied, "or I'll have yer head myself!" Hiccup chuckled at her reply.
"Is that a threat," Hiccup questioned as he raised an eyebrow at her.
"It's a promise," Merida replied. Hiccup shook his head in amusement.
"Ya know, that kelpie might be dangerous," Hiccup replied, "but it has nothing on you princess." He reluctantly pulled away from her and started heading in the direction of Fishlegs, but Merida grabbed his hand once more stopping him in his tracks. He turned back to her curiously. As She gazed up at him with uncertainty still showing in her pale blue eyes, she squeezed his hand tightly in hers as if she were afraid to let him go. Without another word Merida pulled the mask down from her face, stood up on her toes and kissed him softly upon the cheek causing an eruption of shivers down his spine. As she pulled away from him, she reached up with her opposite hand and gently lay it upon his stubbled cheek. He could feel his heart flutter as he continued to gaze back at her.
"Be careful," she said firmly, but her voice was still wrought with worry. Hiccup pulled his mask down as well and smiled at her slightly in reassurance. He gently snaked his opposite arm around her waist and pulled her close to him, keeping his eyes locked with hers.
"You have my word princess," he said softly. He leaned forward capturing her perfect pink lips in a tender kiss. Merida released his hand and gently wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him as their kiss deepened. After a few moments, Hiccup reluctantly pulled away, he continued to gaze at her for a long moment. Slowly he reached up brushing an unruly red curl back under the hood of her cloak, as he continued to gaze at her lovingly. He reached forward pulling the mask that hung around her neck back up over her mouth and nose.
"Ya know, I'm ready and willing to take on your entire kingdom to be with you," Hiccup said with a slight smirk, "do you really think I'm gonna let some kelpie keep me from being with you."
"Don't ye dare underestimate that kelpie," Merida warned.
"Please," Hiccup scoffed, "that kelpie better not underestimate me."
"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III," Merida exclaimed, "ye best tak' this seriously if ye expect tae survive!" Hiccup chuckled slightly in spite of himself.
"Okay, okay," Hiccup replied in amusement, "I was just kidding...I do take this seriously, okay.. I really do, sarcasm is just how I deal with stress." Merida crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head at his answer. Hiccup chuckled slightly, he could almost imagine the smirk under her mask. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead once more. He smiled at her as he pulled away, then pulled his own mask up over his face.
"Love you," he said as he backed away a few steps.
"I love ye too," Merida replied in a slightly annoyed voice. Hiccup then turned and headed in the direction of Fishlegs. He paused a moment as he approached Eret.
"I'm not so sure this is such a great idea," Eret said. Hiccup sighed heavily as he nodded his head. He turned and looked over his shoulder at Merida once more. Noting that she was a out of earshot, he turned back to Eret.
"Neither am I," Hiccup admitted, "but someone has to go get Fish." Eret nodded in understanding.
"So, do we have an actual plan," Eret questioned, "or are we just gonna wing it as usual?"
"I have a plan," Hiccup replied flatly, "but seeing as though this kelpie thing is not like anything we've ever encountered before, the plan might require some improvising.
"What's the basics of this plan then," Eret questioned.
"Basically, I'm just gonna try my best to sneak in undetected," Hiccup replied, "then try to get through to Fishlegs. You stay here and cover me. Then when I give the signal, you sneak in and try to get Fish out while I cause a distraction."
"Sounds simple enough," Eret replied, "but what happens if you can't get through to Fish?" Hiccup shrugged.
"Like I said, we'll just have to improvise," Hiccup replied simply.
"Alright so, somewhere on the border of plan and wing it," Eret replied with a smirk. Hiccup smirked in response.
"Pretty much," Hiccup replied with a shrug as he turned in the direction of Fishlegs.
"Alright then," Eret replied, "I got your back…as usual." Hiccup nodded but remained quiet for a moment, with a look of deep thought upon his face. He sighed heavily as he turned back to Eret.
"Just promise me one thing," Hiccup said softly. Eret looked back at him curiously.
"If anything does go wrong," Hiccup said, "like... even more than they usually do, promise me you'll get Merida as far away from here as possible." Eret furrowed his brow at Hiccup's request.
"Hic," Eret protested but he paused at the sight of Hiccup's worried expression.
"Promise me Eret," Hiccup repeated firmly. Eret nodded wordlessly, though he wasn't sure that Hiccup's request was even feasible. He was certain that if anything did happen to Hiccup, he'd probably have to drag the princess away kicking and screaming.
"Thanks," Hiccup replied. Eret nodded.
"Just try your best to not to let anything go wrong mate," Eret replied. Hiccup smiled slightly.
"I always do," Hiccup replied. With that, he turned and drew his dragon blade, then continued in the direction of the lake.