As it Was (Book 1)

Chapter 3

Elsa was still wide awake. Her stomach was uneasy from the fish earlier.

She hadn't eaten in a few weeks, aside from small amounts of food she would sneak in when Grimmel wasn't looking.

She only had half a fish, but she felt extremely sick.

She quickly, but quietly, ran out of the tent, glancing at Hiccup who was sound asleep next to his dragon, then ran towards the trees.

Suddenly, Hiccup sat up and let out a yawn.

"Well, there goes my good nights rest." He mumbled.

His thoughts were interrupted by coughing sounds not too far away from where he was sleeping.

He looked in the direction of the coughs. 

Elsa was on her knees on the ground, holding her throat.

Hiccup got up and ran in her direction.

"Elsa, are you alright?" He asked, now kneeling right next to her.

She didn't reply.

He looked in front of her and noticed the dinner from earlier.

"Oh gods." He mumbled.

"Elsa, I'm sorry." He said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Elsa was struggling to catch her breath.

"I shouldn't have made you eat that, I should've known better." Hiccup stated.

When Elsa caught her breath, she looked over at him.

"It's alright." She said, wiping her mouth. "You were only trying to help."

"I won't do it again." He said, deciding to drop the subject. He knew that if he kept talking about it he was going to have a breakdown.

Instead of saving himself, he chose the softer approach.

Hiccup gave her a soft smile. As did she.

When she smiled, he felt comfort. Something he hadn't had in a while.

"That's the first time I've seen you smile." He said.

Elsa looked at him, the smile she had faded into a look of confusion.

"I'm smiling?" She asked.

"Well, you were." Hiccup said. "Now you look confused. Why are you confused?"

"Oh, no reason." Elsa said, still expressionless.

"Let me guess." Hiccup began. "Grimmel took away your ability to feel emotions."

Elsa glanced at him.

"I've got a bone to pick with this guy, again." He said putting emphasis on 'again'. "How can he take away a persons ability to feel?"

"He didn't take all of them." Elsa said quietly. "Just the positive ones."

"That might be even worse." Hiccup said, pulling apart their connection.

"Just means you're left with a lot of bad feelings. I'd rather feel nothing than feel down all of the time."

"You get used to it." Elsa stated. "It's second nature now."

"That doesn't mean you should be." Hiccup replied.

Elsa, taken back by what he had said, stood there motionless. Why was this man, one who basically kidnapped her and took her to a random island, with a pet dragon, 'which is not really a nice thing to do', Elsa thought, being so kind to her? Surely if he knew what she had done, he too would call her a monster.