Chapter 5

Hiccup found himself alone and without Toothless in the middle of an unknown forest. It was dark and for the life of him he couldn't remember how he had come to be there or what could have happened to Toothless that caused them to be separated.

He trudged on through the unfamiliar land searching for the dragon or at the very least a clue as to where he was.

"Toothless," he called out, "come on bud, where are you? He suddenly heard a branch snap behind him. He quickly whirled around expecting to find the wily dragon, instead he only found empty woods behind him.

"Toothless," he called out as he peered into the darkness.

"Hiccup..."

He heard the faint murmur of his own name echo from the trees to the left of him. He turned and peered curiously through the darkness, but he could see nothing.

"Alright bud," Hiccup called to Toothless, "stop playing games and come on out. These woods are starting to mess with my head and I'd really like to get outta here."

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a shadow move quickly between the trees a few feet away from where he stood.

"Toothless," he questioned as he quickly headed in the shadow's direction.

"Hiccup," he heard the whisper of his name again, causing an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Okay," Hiccup muttered, "now I'm starting to freak out." He slowly drew his dragon blade and extended the blade as he inched forward. He heard a twig snap once more to the right of him. He snapped his head in the direction of the sound, holding his dragon blade up at the ready.

He began to wonder if he was being surrounded by some unknown enemy. He turned back to the path ahead only to come face to face with a small blue glowing orb. He stumbled back in surprise nearly falling to the ground. He regained his stance quickly and swung his dragon blade in its direction. To his astonishment, the blade passed straight through the orb, but it still remained, unfazed and unwavering.

"What the...," Hiccup gazed at the flame like orb in amazement and confusion. It seemed to be beckoning him to follow it. He lowered his dragon blade and slowly inched closer to the orb.

"What are you," he questioned as he cautiously reached out in an attempt to touch it.

However, just as he got close enough to it, the small flame vanished into thin air. Within seconds, the flame reappeared a few feet away from him. Hiccup cautiously stepped forward but once again, the moment he was within reach, the flame vanished only to reappear a few feet further away. This continued until a trail of the orbs appeared before him, seemingly leading him deeper into the woods.

He followed with trepidation. He was unsure if the strange orbs were trying to lure him to an ill-fate. Regardless of his hesitation, it felt almost as if he were being pulled with a magnet, he could not stop himself from following.

The orb trail ended at a clearing in the woods. Just as he approached the final orb, it vanished leaving him without direction.

"Okay," he called out, "now what?"

"Hiccup," the whispering voice returned.

"I'm getting really tired of all the mysteriousness," Hiccup called out. He stepped slowly out into the clearing with his hand still clenching tightly the hilt of his sword.

His eyes widened at the sight before him. He found himself stepping into a ring of large seemingly ancient stones that seemed to be arranged purposely. There were ancient carvings on them that looked to Hiccup almost like ancient Viking runes.

"Hiccup," the voice beckoned him further. The voice seemed to echo from the center of the stones. He stepped further forward, gazing curiously upon the large stones as he made his way further into its center. All the while he tried to make sense in his mind how people of ancient times could have achieved such a feat.

More than that though was the strange feeling of great power that seemed to be emanating from the very ground itself. This was a sacred place, a place that hummed with ancient magic.

Suddenly an orb flew past him and kept going until it reached the center of the stones. There it began to circle a dark figure that seemed almost to materialize at the center of the stones. Hiccup could just barely make out the outline of a person standing before him.

Gripping his blade tighter, he cautiously stepped forward. He quickly ignited his dragon blade and held it out before him so as to see better who or what stood before him.

It seemed to be a person wearing a dark cloak. The person was thinly built, and a good foot shorter then he. The figure stood with their back facing him.

"Who are you," he tried to sound as bold as he could, "why am I here?"

The person turned and Hiccup could clearly see it was a petit woman, but her face was still concealed by the shadow of her cloak.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock," the soft voice seemed to echo from all around him and not specifically from the hooded woman.

She slowly glided forward. He froze in both fear and awe. She stopped before him and held out a slender, feminine hand to him. Unsure of what to do, Hiccup reached forward to her as well. The woman took his hand gently in her's.

Hiccup could not explain the feelings that ran through him at the touch of her hand. It was like lighting striking his very soul. He was suddenly overcome by awestruck wonder and longing at the same time and it caused his heart to beat wildly in his chest. He gazed at her curiously as she pulled his hand forward and gently turned it to expose his palm. She then reached up slowly with her opposite hand and pressed something into his. She gently closed his fingers around the object and then pushed his hand firmly against his chest. She kept her hands over his for a long moment. He was struck by the sudden desire to pull her close to him, but he restrained himself.

The woman lifted one of her hands and placed it gently upon his cheek, causing his breath to catch in his throat.

"It's you," she whispered with heartfelt emotion in her voice "it's always been you, it's been you all this time." Hiccup gazed at her in confusion. Her words struck a cord in his heart. It felt as though the words she spoke held such meaning, such genuine emotion.

He reached up, gently covering the hand she had laid upon his face with his own. The feel of her soft hand in his made him tremble. He inadvertently leaned slightly forward. Though the shadow of her hood hid the majority of her face from view, he could just see her mouth and chin. All he wanted in that moment was to capture her perfect pink lips in a kiss, to pull her into his arms and never let her go. It seemed to take everything in him to stop himself from doing so. He could not explain nor understand the pull he felt toward this woman, this stranger.

"I...I don't understand," he questioned softly, "who are you? What is this?" Without another word the woman abruptly pulled her hands away, leaving Hiccup instantly longing for her delicate touch. She then slowly began to back away.

"No, wait...please," Hiccup called out desperately, "I...I need to know who you are, I...I don't know why you're here, what you need me to do?" The woman held up her index finger as if to silence him as she slowly vanished into the shadows. Hiccup opened his hand to reveal a small oval shaped iron pendent, on which was carved the Norse symbol for love. He flipped it over in his hand to reveal another symbol that he had never seen before. It seemed to be two intricately designed hearts woven together in a knot. He traced the symbol with his finger as he gazed at it curiously. He couldn't quite put his finger on why the symbol seemed so familiar to him. It was as if it were something he knew once but had long forgotten.

"Hiccup!"

Hiccup's eyes snapped opened and he sat up with a start. He found himself still sitting at his work bench with an array of maps and logs strewn across it. He touched his face where the woman's had been, it almost felt as if it still tingled where she had touched him. He quickly lifted the other hand that she had pressed the pendent into only to find nothing there. He sighed heavily as he tried to make sense of what he had just experienced.

"Just a dream," he murmured, "it was just a dream." He sighed in slight relief, though he still felt perturbed by the realness of the dream, and how he felt when the mysterious woman touched his hand.

"Hiccup," Valka's voice echoed as she burst into his study. Hiccup looked up at her as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and yawned.

"There you are," she sighed, "your bed wasn't slept in, were you down here all night?"

"I must have dozed off while I was going over these old maps," Hiccup replied.

"Well, I have some breakfast for you," she replied, "come up and eat at least."

"Yeah okay," Hiccup replied, "I'll be up in a minute."

After Valka left the room, Hiccup sat at his desk gazing into nothing as he tried to make sense of the strange dream. The image of the pendent still burned in his mind. He couldn't help but to feel there was some deeper meaning to it all. He quickly grabbed his sketch pad and drew the pendent as best he could remember. He gazed at the drawing intently as he traced the unknown symbol with his finger.

Later...

Hiccup piled his plate up with eggs and meat and plopped down at the table across from Valka.

"Thanks mom," he said as he shove a piece of bacon in his mouth, "you didn't have to do all this, I'm perfectly capable of making my own breakfast." Valka shrugged.

"I like to cook for you," she replied, maybe I just want to make up for all the times I couldn't." Hiccup grinned at her as he took another bite of his bacon. Valka returned the smile.

"So," she sighed as she changed the subject, "what are you up to today?" Hiccup shrugged.

"The usual," he replied, "check in with Fishlegs, see if there is any Chief stuff I need to do today, then most likely check the archives again to see if I can find anything in our history about that island I found."

"You still haven't found anything from before the dragon war," Valka questioned.

"Not a thing," Hiccup replied.

"Perhaps you really are the first to discover it," Valka replied, "mapping is a lot different now that we can see things from the air."

"That's true," Hiccup replied. He sat back and thought for a few moments.

"But the strange thing is," Hiccup replied, "I have found maps of the smaller islands around the same area I found the big island, but there is literally nothing on the bigger one. I can't imagine why we would map the smaller ones but not the biggest one. It's almost like it was left out purposely. I mean why would we do that?"

That is strange," Valka replied, "but maybe it wasn't purposeful, I mean we have spent a little over 300 years at war with the dragons, it's possible some of the archives were destroyed."

Hiccup leaned forward resting his chin upon his balled up fist.

"I guess that could also be a possibility," Hiccup replied.

"Why are you taking such an interest in this new land," Valka questioned.

"I can't really explain it," Hiccup replied, "there is just something about that place. I don't know why, but I feel almost drawn to it. I guess I just have a good feeling about it, like maybe an alliance with them will be just what Berk needs. Valka nodded.

"Well you know," Valka replied, "your great great grandfather, Hiccup the first, became Chief just before the dragon war. Before the war our clan did voyage to many different lands. Perhaps you might find something in one of his journals."

"That's actually a great idea," Hiccup replied, "are they in the archive?"

"Actually no" Valka replied, "your father kept everything from all of your past grandfathers, dating all the way back to Halvar the Terrible. Each Chief in your lineage passed down their knowledge and experience to the next, did your father never show them to you?"

"I don't know," Hiccup replied, "maybe once, when I was little, I...I don't really remember."

"Well, I'm sure they are still in the same place as before," Valka replied, "Your father was nothing if not predictable, I'll get them for you while you go catch up with Fishlegs."

"Thanks mom," Hiccup replied as he stood from the table. He leaned over to her and kissed her quickly on the cheek.

"I'll see ya later," he said as he headed for the door, "thanks for breakfast."

Hiccup headed out the door to search for Fishlegs. It had been about a week since Astrid left for her honeymoon and Fishlegs was filling in for her as the second in command. So far he had done great keeping Hiccup on top of things, Fishlegs was nothing if not efficient.

Hiccup found him in the town square talking with Ruffnut. He shook his head as he approached the couple. Over the past year, the two had become increasingly closer. It was often rare to find one without the other.

"Hey Fishlegs," Hiccup called out.

"Oh hey Chief," Fishlegs smiled.

"Ruffnut," Hiccup said with a nod. Ruffnut smiled.

"Hey Chief," she said. She turned her attention back to Fish, "I'll see ya later." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek causing the man to blush slightly.

"See ya Ruffy wuffy," Fish replied as he gazed back at her. He continued to gaze at her as she turned and walked away. He turned back to see Hiccup smirking at him.

"What," Fish questioned.

"Ruffy wuffy," Hiccup questioned as he raised an eyebrow at him.

"What's wrong with that," Fishlegs replied defensively, "I'll have you know that pet names are a standard show of affection!"

"Nothing...nothing," Hiccup chuckled, "I'm just surprised she lets you get away with that. I mean this is Ruffnut we're talking about."

"You don't know her like I do," Fishlegs replied.

"Clearly," Hiccup replied.

"She may be tough and mean on the outside," Fishlegs continued, "but she has the heart of a soft fluffy bunny."

"Okay, okay," Hiccup replied putting his hands up to stop Fishlegs from continuing, "I seriously think for your safety and mine that you should probably never repeat what you just said...like to anyone...ever!"

"Duly noted," Fishlegs replied, "sorry, I just get carried away sometimes."

"Right," Hiccup replied, "well, what's on the old agenda today Fish?"

"Well you have a town meeting at ten," Fish replied, "some of the elders have questions about some of the trade deals you worked out with the neighboring clans."

"Okay," Hiccup replied.

"Then dragon training with the new riders around noon," Fishlegs replied.

"Then what," Hiccup questioned.

"Well that's it for today," Fishlegs replied, "unless something comes up later."

"Great," Hiccup replied, "so, what, that gives us like three hours to kill before the town meeting."

"Uh, yeah, I guess so," Fishlegs replied.

"Great," Hiccup replied, "because I could really use your help with something."

"Sure," Fishlegs replied, "with what exactly?"

"You've studied all the ancient Viking symbols right," Hiccup questioned.

"Yes," Fishlegs replied proudly, "I'm fluent in most of the ancient symbols and runes."

"Have you ever come across this one," Hiccup pulled his sketchbook from his pocket and showed Fish the sketch of the strange symbol from his dream. Fishlegs took the book and studied the image closely.

"No," Fish replied, "I don't know that one, to be honest I don't even think it's Norse at all. Where did you find it?"

"I...I didn't," Hiccup replied, "I mean, not technically. I, uh, I mean...well, it's gonna sound a little strange."

"Well," Fishlegs sighed, "we've got three hours."

...

Later in the archives

...

Fishlegs sat quietly leafing through one of the many books on Viking runes and symbols. When he got to the last page, he closed the book with a defeated sigh.

"Hiccup, I cant find anything about that symbol," Fishlegs huffed, "is there anything else you can tell me about that dream?"

"No," Hiccup groaned, I've told you everything." He sighed heavily.

"Well," Fish sighed, "the only thing I can definitely tell you for sure is that symbol isn't Norse." Hiccup crossed his arms over his chest as he pondered Fish's words.

"If I knew where it came from," Fish replied, "I might be able to narrow it down. Was there any clues as to where you were in the dream that you can recall?"

"No, nothing," Hiccup replied, "it was just the middle of some random forest. Of course, the circle of stones seemed pretty significant. But I've never seen anything like that before, so I wouldn't even know the first place to look for it." Fish sighed as he contemplated what to do.

"Well I can see if I can find anything about any places that have stone circles," Fish replied, maybe we could narrow it down from there." Hiccup nodded.

"Well, looks like I need to head to that meeting now," Hiccup replied.

"I'll let you know if I come across anything," Fishlegs replied.

"Thanks," Hiccup replied, "oh and Fish..."

"Yeah," Fishlegs asked.

"Don't mention this to anyone, okay," Hiccup replied, "at least not until I figure it out."

"No problem Chief," Fishlegs replied.

"Even Ruffnut," Hiccup said firmly, "especially Ruffnut!"

"You have my word Hic," Fish replied.

"If you find anything," Hiccup said as he turned to leave, "come by my place later."

"Will do Chief," Fish replied.