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Literature Text
It starting to feel like this trip was going to take forever.
Elise and Snowdrop have been flying for hours over the ocean, and are nowhere close to the Arctic. Elise flies while looking at the map in every angle, but it wasn't really helping. It showed signs of 'turn right at the pointy rock,' and 'go straight past the lagoon.' All of this is foreign to her.
"Ok," she talked mostly to herself as she studied the map again, while Snowdrop flies beside her. "I've gotta say this, I have no idea where we're going."
Snowdrop raised her eyebrow while showing off an annoying face. Her friend just figured that now. She swears they went by the same sea stack three times now.
Elise turns her head to see her friend's face. "Ok, I get you," she said rolling her eyes. "Let's go and see if we can find anyone that can read this thing."
Snowdrop nods and looks down, only to see ocean. The two of them figure the next time they see land; they'll go down and find someone to help with directions. Though, a worried thought came to Elise. She's a spirit now; people won't be able to see her. She's sure there will be a spirit nearby. She just has to find them.
Sure enough, they manage to actually find a small island with a big mountain.
"Wow," Elise said looking up as she and Snowdrop fly around it. It seems like the island is covered by heavy forestry, and magnificent peeks. The island was also surrounded by sea stacks that spread all around. Turning a corner, Elise spots a small village on the edge of a cliff. She took a little closer to see it's a very simple village with small houses, big giant doors that lead to a mountain hall, and from what it looks like, a small arena just a little bit away from the village.
As Elise tries to figure out what kind of village is this, a voice caught her attention.
"Dragon!"
As Elise turns her head, she sees a large net heading in her direction. She flew right out of the way, but only to have Snowdrop getting captured.
"Oh no!" She gasps.
Snowdrop struggles to get out of the net, as it weighs her down towards the ground. She roars for help.
Elise wasted no time; she dives down fast to reach the net. When she did, she grabs the ropes with both hands. She pulls on them with all her might, but they end up dragging her down too.
'Just great,' she thought sarcastically. With being a spirit now, she kinda wishes that package would include super human strength.
Seeing no other option, she leads their decent into the forest. It's safer then landing in the middle of town. They break a couple of branches and tree barks as the fell. When they finally hit the floor, they tumble a bit before actually stopping. Elise flew forward and hit her back on a tree, while Snowdrop slid on the dirt.
Luckily Elise is a spirit now, so she's not to damaged, only a little daze as she stands up and walks to Snowdrop. The ropes have tangled around her tail and wings. She kept twisting and turning around to try to break herself loose, but it's only making it worst.
"Snowdrop," Elise commands as she kneels down next to her friend and stroke her head. "Hold still."
Snowdrop obliged as she stay as still as possible. Elise looked at the rope, seeing there was no way she can untangle it without hurting her dragon. Seeing the only option, she waves her hand to make Snowdrop small again. Once that was done, Snowdrop easily moved around the net. Elise lifted it up so her dragon can get out. Once that was done, Snowdrop jumped on Elise. Her friend caught we her in her arms and cuddle her close to her chest.
"Are you alright?" Elise asks out of worry.
Snowdrop smiles and licks her cheek.
Elise giggles before putting her down. Only, when she did, she realized that she dropped the map while trying to rescue her friend. It didn't take them long to find the map again, only now it's in a thousand pieces of dark sand.
"Oh no," Elise said grabbing the sand in her hands. While some of it fell out of her palms, the rest started to get blown away with the wind.
"Oh," she said disappointed. "Now how are we going to find the castle?"
Suddenly, the two of them heard screams nearby, and they don't sound happy.
Elise quickly picked up Snowdrop and ran behind a thick bush. From there, they hid while some people ran by them. Out of curiosity, Elise pulled back some leaves to get a good view of these people.
They were very big, bigger than normal people. They all had big muscles and stomachs, carrying around axes, swords and spears. Almost all of them were wearing iron helmets with wings or horns on them. The men had thick armor on their chests, while the ladies had breast plates.
Whoever these people are, they were bred to fight anything and anyone.
They all stopped, just inches away from Elise and Snowdrop, though none of them looked their way.
"The dragon couldn't have gone far!"
A very loud voice caught Elise's attention. It was a man with a thick red beard, thick moustache and finer clothes then the others. Elise could quickly assume that that guy is the leader.
"Scout the area!" He commanded, "Leave no stone unturned!"
The men cheered as Snowdrop got more nervous. Elise quietly slips away from the bush, just before a man came to check it. But as Elise shuffled backwards, she didn't realize she was moving to a steep hill. With one bad hand placement, Elise tumbled down the hill with Snowdrop in toll. They kept rolling and rolling until they got the bottom hard.
"Ow," Elise comments as she dusts herself off. "Geesh, I can fly now and yet I can still fall."
As she stands up, she notices that she is about a foot away from the village. No doubt that's where the men came from. She can see a bunch of people walking around, doing their duties and such. Hammering homes back together and selling their crops and wares. There were even people showing off their scars, much to Elise's dislike.
As Elise was about to leave, but then she realizes that this may be her only chance to get directions. Of course, there might be a chance the people here won't see her. But then again, they saw Snowdrop and tried to capture her. If they believe in dragons, they might believe in her, and know where Moroz's castle is. Only one way to find out.
But there was no way she was going to get Snowdrop hurt for this. "Wait in the trees ok," she asks her while picking her up. Snowdrop kinda got a good idea where Elise is heading with this. So she jumped to the nearest tree and hid among the leaves all curled up like a cat.
"I'll be right back, I promise," Elise said before heading into the village.
At first she was scared with thinking people will reject her because she's new. But as she steps closer to the village, they don't seem to mind. Actually, they're paying too much attention to their work then to her. But to make sure she doesn't stick out like a sore thumb, she quickly grabs and old blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders and hair.
"Excuse me," she calls out to a passing man. "I was wondering if you can..." Before she could finish, the man went right by her.
She tries again with a woman carrying spears. "Excuse me, if you could maybe-"
"Outta my way miss," the lady said with an attitude.
"Sorry," Elise said offended as she gets out of the lady's way.
Soon, a group of children ran to her. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Moroz's castle, so if you could..."
Just like before, the children ignored her and ran right past her.
"I guess not," Elise sighs in defeat.
But then, laughter caught her ears, and not the good kind. Curiously got her to follow the laughter. When she found the source, she was not happy.
In a clear area of the village, was a group of teens beating up a boy. The teens meet the definition of the word bully. One of them was an icky black haired boy with big muscles, and a bigger attitude. The other two appear to be twins, though fraternal the boy had long blonde deadlocks that seem to cover most of his chest, while the girl hand long, dead, braids.
The boy they were beating up was a tall, skinny boy with auburn hair, forest green eyes and a small, yet stoic face. He's attire was consistent of a red shirt, covered in brown, scale like armor, brown pants, some arm guards, and a prosthetic leg that reached his shin.
Elise watched with her eyes wide as the big guy picked up the boy and threw him at a wall.
"Careful," the bully taunt as the twins laughed behind him. "Don't want you tripping over your own leg."
The boy picked himself up and rubs off the blood coming out of his mouth with his sleeve.
"Knock it off Snotlout," he said very cold. "What exactly are you trying to prove here?"
Snotlout chuckled as he grabs the boy by his collar and lifts him up. "What else? To prove to everyone you're not fit to be chief."
With that, the bully tossed the boy away again.
Elise couldn't believe her ears. That boy is the chief and these people are treating him like this. At least she had an excuse of why people didn't want her on the throne, what exactly did this boy do?
As the boy got on his knees, the twins gut kicked him to the ground.
"That was a sweet move Ruff," the boy comment.
"Why thanks Tuff," the girl replied. "It's easy, really."
"Outta my way!" Snotlout commands as he storms towards the boy.
Elise leaned in closer to see Snotlout punch the boy to the ground.
"Heh, look at you," he said very proud. "All pathetic and eating dirt. The people here can really see you for what you are. A freak that doesn't belong. Ha, Ha, Ha!"
Those words really pulled a string in Elise. There is no way this boy is a freak like her.
"No wonder why everyone is begging me to take your place. You're no Viking, and you never will be."
'A Viking,' Elise ponders. She's read all about them and thought they weren't still around in this century. From what she's read, Vikings are supposed to be big, mean, barbarians. And this Snotlout certainly fits the bill. But to call this boy a freak about that is something that made her angry. She can quickly deduce that that boy is maybe considered the runt of the village based on his size. But, he's still a person, let alone a chief, and should not take this kind of abuse.
Then, when the boy looked up at the bully, for a split second, Elise saw it. Eyes of anger. He clutches his fist in the dirt, trying to expel that anger.
It was clear to Elise that this boy can fight back, but chooses not to. This was clearly not a fight for him to finish.
Sometimes, it's best to know when not to fight; otherwise it would make a bigger conflict.
"Snotlout! Ruffnut! Tuffnut! Will you guys knock it off!"
Elise snapped back to reality when she eyes a large boy with blonde hair, and a girl with a long blonde braid storm in.
"Why, babe?" Snotlout taunts while looking and smiling at her. "You want a piece of the action."
The girl shook her head and pulled the twins away from the boy. "You know we're supposed to be training to fight dragons, and you're wasting it beating up him."
"This is training," Snotlout said with a smirk. "Hiccup had volunteered to be the dragon."
'Hiccup?' Elise thought to herself, 'that's a strange name. But then again, so it Snotlout.'
"Yeah," Tuffnut said.
"We volunteered him," his sister said.
The girl rolled her eyes before glaring at Snotlout. "That's a flat out lie and you know it."
"It's, it's alright Astrid."
Everyone turned to see Hiccup get back on his feet, but barely standing.
"I can handle this," he said assured.
Elise had to admire the boy's courage and strength. Though it may not show it on his body, his eyes were full of determination and calm.
But the bully didn't see that as he grabs him by the shirt again.
"Oh I'm sorry, did I say you could stand."
He then kicked the prosthetic leg off to the side, making Hiccup go down on his knees again.
"That's right, kneel before the chief," Snotlout boastfully said.
"You're not going to be chief," Astrid argued. "I would rather jump into a dragon's den then to have you as chief."
"You may say that Astrid, but your eyes tell a different story." Snotlout then made a pouty face with his lips pluck towards her.
Astrid disgustedly gaged as she rolls her eyes. "In your dreams."
"Yeah, she totally likes me," Snotlout said before turning back to Hiccup. "Unlike you." He grabs Hiccup by the collar again, lifting him up to his ugly face.
Alright, enough is enough. It was time for Elise to put this guy in his place. As much as she would like to freeze that boy solid, she can't do too much without revealing herself. So when his back was turned, she twiddles her fingers to make a small stream of icy air to the boy's back. And then made a small ice cube out of that air and made it slide down under his shirt.
Snotlout instantly yelled as he lets go of Hiccup. He tries to reach behind his back to get the cold out. But all he ends up doing is making a fool of himself, whaling his arms around and kicking the air.
The twins laugh as they watch this happening. But Elise felt like they deserve a lesson too. So she made ice go down their backs the same way. They screamed like children as the wail and did a funny dance to get the ice out.
Elise found herself giggling a bit, seeing her ice actually helping someone in trouble. Plus seeing these bullies pay, it was fun to be a little misfit.
But then, as Elise turned her head, she saw Hiccup stare right at her. She lowers her hand while looking at him. He seems a little pissed that she did that to his tormentors, but there was also curiosity in his look. He's never seen anyone like her before, and the same could be said to her.
They stare at each other, until Astrid came and picked up Hiccup.
"Are you alright?" She asks him.
"Y-yeah," he said trying to stand all on his own, which surprising worked. The bullies all ran away while the big boy walked to Hiccup.
"Are you sure?" He asks. "They seem to rough you up more than usual."
"It's alright Fishlegs," he said patting the boy on the shoulders. "I'm used to it by now."
"Well, you shouldn't," Astrid said a little crossed. "How do you think the village will take you seriously if you don't fight back?"
"Let's be honest Astrid, no one has ever taken me seriously," Hiccup said as he walks away. He stumbles a bit before he was walking like a normal person.
Astrid rolled her eyes before running after him leaving Fishlegs alone to twiddle his fingers. "Look, I'm only looking out for you, but you also need to be what everyone expects you to be."
"Be what? A dragon killer," Hiccup retorts.
As they continue to walk, Elise sticks close to the shadows and follows them.
"I know you have very different views about dragons, and you don't really want to kill them. But everyone else does. If you're gonna lead them one day, you have to appear to follow the traditions and customs."
"Well, I'm not like everyone else," Hiccup said as stops and uses the wall to lean on. Oddly enough, Elise was just on the other side of that wall, listening in.
"Maybe I'm just too different for everyone," he continued. "I don't just hack my way through life, I...I always try to see a different angle. Find a better solution then the one that has us in battle for three hundred years. But, no one will ever listen."
"I'll listen," Astrid said with a soft voice as she touches his cheek. "You know I'll back you up however I can. After...well...you know..."
"Yeah," Hiccup said with a smile.
From what Elise could gather, these two seemed very close. They seem to be good friends.
Then, a loud gruff grabbed everyone's attention. They turned to see men coming back from the forest. The leader of the group, the guy with the big red beard, seemed defeated as he grumbles past Hiccup and Astrid.
"Hey dad," Hiccup said as cool as he could while hiding some blood and bruises.
Elise couldn't believe that this big, mean guy is the father to such a sweet lad. He must've gotten most of his traits from his mother. But that also means the boy isn't the chief, but the heir. Still, no excuse for those bullies to pick on him.
"Did you catch the dragon?" Hiccup asks, sounding a little worried.
"Not even close." The man replied.
It didn't seem obvious to the chief, but Elise saw a huge sigh of relief from Hiccup. Was there something in that forest that he didn't want to be found?
"But, we must be prepared for the next one that comes around," he said, walking past the group.
Astrid slightly elbows Hiccup. Giving him the motion to say something. But he slightly shakes his head.
She groans before literally pulling him away from the wall and to his father.
Hiccup slightly groans back at her before turning to his father's back.
"Listen dad," he said a little nervous. "I've been thinking, maybe we shouldn't just tackle every dragon and spirit that passes our way."
'Spirits?' Elise thought. 'These guys attack spirits as well?'
"Of course we do," the man disagrees as he pulls out his hammer. "Did you forget that a dragon took your mother when you were a baby?"
"Um, kinda, since I was just a baby," He sarcastically comments. "But, this has been going for hundreds of years, and yielding to no results."
"The results are that we rid this world of scum, one beast at a time," the chief replied.
"We haven't seen a raid for 3 years," Hiccup said, using his words as his weapon. "We haven't been attacked for a long time now."
"Just because we have peace now, doesn't mean we can't be ready," the man said.
"Chief Stoick, please," Astrid said as she tries to raise her own voice.
"Dad," Hiccup tries again. "I just think that we should-"
"What you should do is focus more on your combat abilites," the man said turning around and poking his son hard in the chest, nearly making him fall over. He didn't even notice the bruises on him. "If you are going to take my place one day, you need to learn how to fight. Fighting is our way of life Hiccup. No one wants to see a weak boy sit on the throne. You need to stop being all of…this"
The chief waves his hands all to Hiccup. "You just gestured to all of me," Hiccup comments not happy.
"Exactly," Stoick nods while pushing his hammer into Hiccup's arms. "You need to walk like us, talk like us, think like us. Otherwise, well, you're smart to figure that out."
Without a second word of defiance, Stoick left the two of them alone.
Hiccup surprisingly brush this off like it was nothing. But he did throw the hammer hard on the ground. "See, I can't get a word in."
"It doesn't matter," Astrid said turning and helping him back on that same wall to lean. "You'll show him one day. He'll understand."
"Yeah," he sighs. "But it makes me wonder why I stay here, if no one wants me. Not even my own father."
"I do, I like having you here" she replied as sweetly as she can, before giving him a small kiss on the cheek. "Besides, you make better conversation than Snotlout."
Elise turned away to hide her embarrassing blush. It's obvious that these two are boyfriend and girlfriend, and she just snoop on their kiss. That just puts the label of sneak on her. But she sits there and watches Astrid leave.
Thinking she's seen enough, she turns to move away. To find another source for directions.
That was...until she was force to turn around by none other than Hiccup.
"Alright, talk," he said, trying to show authority. "Who are you? And why are you sneaking around?"
Elise quietly thanked the gods that her hair and her chest was covered by the cloth she stole, but he can still see her panicked face. "Please," she said nervously. "I...I didn't mean to intrude."
"Then what are you doing here?" He continued, "and how are you able to do that?"
"Do what?" She asked kinda innocent.
"That...that magic?" He said a little peeved. But after what just happened to him, she couldn't blame him for being angry and suspicious of her.
But him seeing her magic made her more than a little uncomfortable.
"How did you do that?" He asked again. "Are you a spirit?"
"Yes," she quickly nods. "Yes, am I spirit. What are you gonna do about that? Kill me?"
Hiccup instantly dropped his tough guy act to appear more genuine and sincere. "What? No. But you need to leave. If my dad or anyone else caught you, well... Let's just say you wouldn't like it."
"Um..." Elise started until they both heard voices coming from the edge of town.
"Dragon!"
"Spotted at the border!"
"Quick! Before it goes deeper in the forest!"
Elise's eyes open wide with horror. They found Snowdrop and are trying to kill her. Without really thinking, Elise sprints away to find her friend.
Unknown to her, Hiccup's eyes were open with horror. He has a secret in that forest that he doesn't want his people to find.
Elise ran as fast as she could to where she put Snowdrop, only to see the little dragon nowhere in sight.
"Oh no," she gasps as she looks around, searching for any sign of her friend.
But the angry voices of the Vikings echoed to her ears. She had to find her dragon, fast.
She ditches her disguise to fly around the trees.
"Snowdrop!" She calls out in desperation. "Snowdrop!"
All of a sudden, she heard a quiet call for help a bit away. She recognizes it as her little dragon. She flew to the direction to see her friend trapped high in a tree, surrounded by a group of angry Vikings holding weapons.
Elise could see a small dent in the wing of her friend, meaning she can't fly outta there. And even if she could, she would only get chased by the Vikings. It was up to her to save her friend.
While the Vikings payed more attention to the dragon up in the tree, Elise hid herself at a tree nearby. She then shot her hands out in front of her, making a breeze of icy air to the Vikings.
Then instantly felt it, shivering from the cold. But they held their ground. Elise them push then intensity up a bit, by making the air grow colder, and making a few snowflakes to go along with it.
"What in Thor name is happening?" A man with a right hook said as he and the other men shiver in the cold. Their bodies finally gave in and curled up to keep warm.
While they're distracted, Elise flew up and picked up Snowdrop with her hands and curled her close to her chest. She then kicked off with her legs and flew a good mile away before touching down again.
"Snowdrop. Did they hurt you? Are you alright,?" Elise asks as she uses her magic to fix Snowdrop's wing.
The dragon looked at her and nodded.
"I'm glad," Elise said relieved as she hugs her friend.
Snowdrop flew around her, giving her the notion that it was probably time to leave. There is no way they're welcomed here, and no one would even think about helping them out. As much as Elise would like to help Hiccup with his bully problem, she knew her friend has a point. Besides, time was not on her side.
"Alright Snowdrop," she said waving her arms to get her back to a bigger size. "Let's go and..."
She trailed off as soon as she saw Hiccup in the distance. And from the way he was pacing and kept looking back to see if anyone was there, he was hiding something.
As soon as he was looking her way, Elise instantly dropped to the floor and hid in a bush. Snowdrop did the same so she wouldn't get caught either. They both waited until Hiccup moved along his path.
But this also made Elise curious, where was he going? There was a bite at the back of her mind, telling her to follow him. But she still has to find someone to tell her how to get to Moroz's castle. Well, he seemed friendly enough for her, at least to warn her about his people. Maybe he could help her find her way to the castle.
She stood up and creeps along the same path Hiccup took. Snowdrop moans her in warning, thinking this was probably not a good idea.
"It'll be ok," Elise ensures Snowdrop before continuing down the path. Knowing her friend won't change her mind about this, Snowdrop had no choice but to follow her. It was either that or get chased by Vikings again. At least with this one, she could take him of things get rough of Elise.
They follow the path to a rock wall with a hole big enough for Snowdrop to go through. When they made it to the other side, they were taken in at the beauty around them. It was an open cove with a giant lake in the middle.
"Toothless!"
Elise's eyes dart to the ground below, where Hiccup wonders around.
But then, her eyes dart to a shadowy figure, crawling off a rock in the shade. The figure was big and black, with a small head and giant wings. It also had a tail, with one odd looking red fin.
Elise's jaw nearly dropped to the floor seeing this creature. She couldn't believe her eyes; a real life dragon was down there. It went to Hiccup, hanging its tongue out like a dog.
"Hey Toothless," Hiccup said gleefully as the dragon ran and nudges him affectedly. He laughed while the dragon licked his face.
It was strange for Elise, but the dragon down there almost looked exactly like Elise. In fact, the design was very similar to the picture in the book Danny gave her.
"Wow," she quietly gasps as she leans in to look at the magnificent beast. Snowdrop also leaned in, curious to finally see a dragon.
"I'm glad you're ok bud," Hiccup said pushing the dragon away a bit. "I almost thought for sure that my father was gonna find you this time."
"Are you kidding? You father couldn't find a terror if it flew in his face."
Elise blinked a few times in shock. Did the dragon actually talked.
Toothless then went from being fun, to being concern. "Hiccup, where did you get that black eye? What happened?"
Hiccup shrugged a bit while rubbing the eye. "What do you think? Snotlout and the twins happened."
Toothless shook his head before licking the womb. "I'm surprise you don't let me blast them off the island."
"And risk you getting caught or killed, no way." Hiccup took some bit of the dragon's saliva out of his eye and flicks it away. "Besides, I've grown tougher. I can take it. I took on the red death and survived, a few round houses from my cousin is nothing."
"Still," Toothless continued. "You know I worry about you."
"Yeah, I do," Hiccup said with a smile. "Just like I worry about you too."
"Don't be," Toothless joke with a paw to his face. "I'm the toughest dragon in the world."
Hiccup started to joyfully laugh, with Toothless joining him.
Elise was surprise while watching this scene. How could someone who's been abused be so kind? Especially towards a dragon.
Elise could kinda guess that because she's a spirit, she could hear it speak. But, how can Hiccup understand him? Is he a spirit too?
She was so focused on her questions; she leaned forward too much and fell off the rock.
"Whoa!" She screamed as she tries to slow her decent. But she ended up hitting the hard on the dirt ground.
"Ok," she said to herself as she rubs her head. "Need to work on the landing."
As she turns her head, she was met with an unpleasant glare of the black dragon. She immediately gasps and backs away in fright.
"You're not welcome here," Toothless sneer, baring his teeth at her.
Elise held up her hand in defence as she continues to duffle away. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."
"Whoa, whoa Toothless!" Hiccup said coming up behind him and holding his jaw away from Elise. He then turned to see her. "You again?"
"Yeah, me," she said a little uneasy. "Sorry we didn't do interdictions earlier, I'm Elise."
"And I'm Hiccup." He sighs as he continues to push Toothless away from her. He could see the panic in her eyes, and the anger in his friend's. "It's alright; he won't bite unless you really piss him off."
"I can see that," Elise replies as she stands and dusts the dirt off her shinny dress.
As soon as she did, Hiccup took a moment to fully look at her.
"Wow," he said a little stunned. "I've never seen anyone like you before."
Elise merely shrugs, "I'm kinda new to the area." She then took a closer look at his black eye, as well as some other bruises he has showing. Knowing he knows about her magic, she waves her hand to make a makeshift ice pack. She held it out to present to him. "Here."
He cautiously took it and places it on his head. "Thanks."
"No problem," Elise said with a small smile.
"I gotta ask, how are you able to do that?" Hiccup asked with a hint of excitement in his voice.
"I was born that way," she answers back.
Hiccup slightly smiles, until he was hit by Toothless's tail. "Hey, she's an intruder. For all you know, she could blab us to the tribe."
"What, no," Elise said turning to the big dragon. "I won't tell anyone."
Toothless blinked in surprise after listening to her. "Wait, you can hear me?"
She shys away a bit, but nods her head.
"Wow," Hiccup said astounded. "It took me months, years to understand dragonese. How are you-?"
"I'm not entirely sure," she truly answers. There was still a lot to learn about her herself now and her new form. "I guess it comes naturally to me. Well sort of, I still can't talk to my dragon that way."
"Your dragon?!" Hiccup said in surprise.
Elise nods before turning her head up to the ledge she fell off of. "Snowdrop!" She called out. "Come on down! It's alright."
It took a while before Snowdrop flew down. The boys looked at her in wonder as she playfully walks towards her friend. She nudges under Elise's arm and smiles.
"Wow," Hiccup said astounded. "I...I've never seen a dragon like her."
"Neither have I," Toothless said.
Elise and Snowdrop smile at each other before they look back at the boys. Hiccup took a deep breath before her cautiously reaches out his hand to the snowy dragon.
"Can..can I?" He asks Elise, looking for her approval.
She smiles and nods, letting Snowdrop go and moving away. Hiccup gently reaches out his hand towards Snowdrop. And although she was a little hesitant at first, she raised her head to meet his hand.
"Whoa," he said softly as he feels the dragon. She certainly different than any other dragon he's encountered. Instead of being warm and scaly, she's cool and soft. Her skin was a soft powered texture and her eyes shine blue as ice.
Elise smiled to finally show off her dragon to someone, she just hoped that Danny would've been the first. But then she felt a little nudge from Toothless. She looked at him in surprise. A minute ago he was gunning for her, now he's being friendly towards her.
Stranger things have happened today.
"Where did you come from?" Hiccup asked Snowdrop as he touches her forehead fins.
"I actually made her," Elise answers for her friend.
That made Hiccup turned around, stunned. "You made her?" He repeats.
"Yeah," Elise nods. "I have the power to control ice and snow."
"Wow," Toothless remarks.
"That's, amazing!" Hiccup nearly shouts in excitement. "I've always wanted to meet a spirit like you. Can you fly? Do you bring winter all over the world? Do you-?"
"Whoa," she giggles, "one thing at a time. Yes, I can fly, but I'm not quiet the world traveler yet. And what exactly do you mean by that? Are you a spirit too?"
"Yeah, kinda," he answers. "Everyone around here are, dragons included."
Elise looked him slightly confused. Whenever she thought of spirits and mystical beings, Hiccup and his Viking tribe certainly would never come to mind.
Hiccup reaction to her facial expression clued him in to what she was thinking. "What? You thought that all spirits are always human, animal hybrids or beings that can make magic appear out of thin air. Well think again. Some of us are just like everyone else."
"Ok, sorry," she said. "It's just, I've been on my own for a long time, and I haven't really seen any spirits."
"Really?" Toothless said in shock.
"Yeah," Elise answers with Snowdrop coming up beside her.
"Then, what are you doing way out here?" He asks out of curiosity.
Elise wasn't too sure what to say. But some part of her tells her that she can trust these two.
"I'm on my way to King Moroz's castle, and I got a little lost."
"Why do you need to go there?" Hiccup asks.
"I have to return something that was stolen from a friend of mine." She answers as sincerely as she can.
"Really?" Toothless said, "The King of all spirits, a thief?"
"You've heard of him," Elise pounders.
"Everyone's heard of him," Hiccup explains. "It's my father's wish that he notices us and helps us drive the dragons away for good. But so far, no such luck. In all honesty, I really don't like the guy. From what I've heard, he drove his own son away a long time ago, and he doesn't really care about the mortals. Not that I've ever seen one, but...no one should be mean like that. Other than that, I heard he rules with a cold heart and an iron fist."
"I see," Elise said looking down on the floor. She had no idea that the King had a son and drove him away. But to think coldly about mortals, that's just wrong.
"But that's what we heard and we don't really keep up to date with news," Hiccup told her. "Our little village is usually the last to know anything that's happening in the world. But if you said that he stole something from you, I believe you."
That made Elise smiles, knowing her quest is just.
"Anyway," she continued. "I need to get that thing back to my friend, before I turn back into a..." She clasps her mouth, not wanting to give too much away.
But Hiccup and Toothless are smarter than that. "Turn back into a...what?" Toothless asks.
Elise sighs before she could look at them again. "A mortal."
The boys gasp at that revelation. "Wait, you're a mortal?" Hiccup asks.
She shyly nods her head.
"Then, how are you-"
"Long story short, my friend used his magic to turn me into a spirit," She explains. "But this spell only lasts three days. I need to get that staff back to make this permanent. I can't go back to the way I was before."
"What's the big deal of that?" Hiccup asks, trying to understand. "If you're mortal, you could be seen and do stuff. Go on adventures and all that stuff."
"Not me," she replies. "Not when you have powers like mine. They could hurt people. And besides, I've never really seen the outside world from my room. I had to be inside there all the time." She pauses and tries to quickly change this conversation, the last thing she needs is for him to question her life. "Anyway, I need to get my friend his staff back, so I can stay this way forever. So, can you please help me?"
Hiccup broke away to think for a moment. Helping people is what he always tries to do, but to help a complete stranger. Going to Moroz's castle certainly isn't what he was planning to do in his life time. Plus, in order to help her, he would have to leave home. He would have to leave his friends and family behind. This request was too much, too soon.
He sighs before facing her again. "Look, I want to help, really. But I just can't leave without notice. My dad would be worried, and my friends will be looking for me. I just...I just can't leave. I'm sorry."
Elise looked down, disappointed. "I understand."
With that resolved, Elise jumps into the air and hovers for a bit. Snowdrop flaps her wings to join her.
"It was nice to meet you two," Elise said with a bit of a heavy heart. "Take care of yourselves."
Hiccup watches as the two of them fly into the sky.
It was funny, he always wanted to see the world, and travel to faraway places. But then he remembers that his duties lay on Berk. As future chief, he needs to be here, as much as everyone else disagrees. But that still hasn't made that yearning to explore go away. And now with those two, he may have lost that chance.
Suddenly, he felt a big whack on the back side of his head.
"Ow!" He cried out as he turns to see his friend's tail settle back on the ground.
"What do you think you're doing?" Toothless yells at him.
"What?" Hiccup said rubbing his new bruise on his head.
"You've always talked about leaving and seeing the world," Toothless said a little irritated. "And you let your best chance just leave like that."
"But Toothless, I can't just pack up and leave," Hiccup said.
"That's not what happened when your mate Astrid found us."
Hiccup silently cursed himself. Years ago back when he first met Toothless, he wanted to leave the island. Mostly so he could stop pretending to be something he isn't, and to not kill dragons all together. However, Astrid followed him that day and threatened to tell the whole village his secret. If it wasn't for Toothless and their romantic flight, things would've gone sour and Hiccup would really have to leave.
But, can he leave now? His father still wants nothing to do with him, the other teens beat him up, and the other Vikings want to give his birthright to someone who will gorge it.
So, is it really worth staying after all?
"Besides," Toothless continued. "She looks like she really needs help. This could be your chance to be a hero."
A hero? Hiccup could never be considered that. But he also can't ignore a cry for help. He'll regret it later. It just wasn't in him to not act like himself and turn away someone that needs him. but he also can't leave his life behind, even if it's crummy.
What to do?
Elise regretfully looked back at the island. Partway to look of any incoming nets that the Vikings might throw. But also to hope for any sign of Hiccup.
But, she knows he has his duty to his people, and his place in the village. She can't ask him to give that all up for her.
Snowdrop moans, sensing her friend's discomfort.
"I'm fine Snowdrop," she said while petting her dragon's snot. "We're figure out another way to get to the castle."
Snowdrop smiles, getting Elise to smile too.
"Hey!"
Elise and Snowdrop turned around, to see Hiccup riding Toothless tracking right behind them.
"We're coming with you!" Hiccup called out before he and his dragon finally met up with the girls.
"Really?" Elise said surprised.
"Yeah," Hiccup said with a smile. "You said you're spell lasts for three days. No one in my village will notice I'm gone that long. And besides, Toothless has been begging me to flap his wings more and a trip would be good for him and-"
He was cut off when Toothless gave him an annoying look and whack his head fun in his face.
"Yeah right," Toothless replies.
"Alright alright," Hiccup said a little cross at his friend. "The point is, we'll lead you to the castle."
"Wow, thanks," Elise said truly grateful.
"Enough stalling," Toothless said looking ahead.
"He's right," Hiccup said with much enthusiasm. "On to Moroz's castle!"
The two of them zoom forward, away from the island. Elise and Snowdrop shrug at each other before flying to meet the boys.
Elise notices a dramatic change in Hiccup. Up in the air, he's as giggly as a child, and having the biggest smile on his face. She totally gets the freeing he's experiencing. She's felt the same way whenever she's in the sky. The feeling of freedom. Now, she's found someone who shares that same feeling, and he's willing to help her.
She's not sure yet, but she thinks she's found her first true friend.
As they fly further and further away from the island, any fear and regret was replace with excitement and determination. They travel over islands Hiccup has traveled around before. And some different kinds of dragons flew up to meet the two of them. From Nadders and Monsterous nightmares, to Typhoomerang to Terrible terrors.
Hiccup laughs as some Nadders flew around them.
"Taming the tides, swarming the sea
Beware bad guys, you better drop to your knees" he said as he reaches out and pets one.
Elise did the same as she leans and pets a Gronckle. She couldn't believe all the dragons that were in the world. And even more that they appear friendly to her.
"Defending our friends against enemies
As big as a whale!" Hiccup cheers
"But with a much smaller tail" Elise said as she flies behind Snowdrop and plays with her tail.
Hiccup laughs as he looks forward to another island.
"Facing the foe with all our strength and skill
Facing down anything, even a skrill"
Toothless shudders at the time they accidentally met a skrill. That ended up with Hiccup's hair standing up on end.
"Great son of Thor, we'll storm the shore
And seek the unknown,"
"Then can we go home?" Toothless add as he brushes off the other dragons.
They then flew up high into the sky, doing backflips and twirls through the clouds, leaving Elise and Snowdrop very impressed.
"It's Hiccup and Toothless
Adventurers slash explorers" the boys said together as they fly through the sky.
"It's Hiccup and Toothless
Adventurers slash explorers
Our gallant quest, to do our best,
And soar free and carless"
"We'll save the day" hiccup said solo
"and ask of less" toothless adds
"We're Hiccup and Toothless!" They shout together.
Elise giggles as she raises herself up to meet the boys, with Snowdrop right behind them. They found a small island just ahead with a high mountain. They decide to land there and have some fun together.
"We'll look at the zipplebacks with their sharp claws." Hiccup said as he jumps off of Toothless and to a two headed walk.
"We'll fire the whispering deaths with their big jaws." Toothless said before blasting some rock with his plasma blast.
"The battle is fierce," Hiccup said, using a tree branch as a sword and showing off some fighting skills. Which was good until he trips on his prosthetic leg and fell backwards.
Luckily, he was caught by Toothless.
"and mercifully brief" he said, pushing Hiccup back on his feet.
Elise smiles as she twirls her hand to make an icy cape for Toothless and an icy crown for Hiccup.
"The conquering heroes return as the kings of the wilderness!" She cheers as sparkle snow flew out of her hands in celebration.
Hiccup smiles as he tilts the crown a bit, making it hang on his head.
"Finally free, in the sky and air
We'll fly o'er every mountain because it's there!"
He then jumps on Toothless again and they took to the sky again, leaving the crown and cape behind. Elise smiles as she and Snowdrop follow behind.
"Come on, follow me," Hiccup calls out to the girls.
"We'll make history
To courage!"
"to us!" Toothless said
"Let's do it!" Elise cheers
Snowdrop roars with glee as they all fly further and higher above the world below.
"It's Hiccup and Toothless
Adventurers slash explorers" everyone said together
"Hiccup and Toothless
Adventurers slash explorers!"
"We'll save the day," Hiccup said with happiness.
"And have a blast!" Toothless said with a gummy smile.
"With me" Elise said with a smile as she mounts Snowdrop
"And me," Hiccup said too.
"And us," Toothless adds.
"Rrwww," Snowdrop cheers.
"All for four and four for one!" All of them said as they fly towards the horizon.
"King Moroz, here we come!"
The four of them soar across the sky and sea, ready for the adventure that lies ahead.
