One Equal Temper of Heroic Hearts

Enlightened

Jack told the kids his background first.

He began with the parts he'd told Hiccup- saving his sister, and the result being the Moon making him a Guardian. He then covered his memory loss, some of the things he'd seen and done during his three centuries alone, and his fights against Pitch.

Once he finished, there was a heavy, stunned sort of quiet.

"... come on, guys, everything turned out fine! What's with the long faces?" Jack said, and perhaps more shocking than his past was the fact he seemed genuinely happy.

"Jack," Rapunzel said softly, "that's... that's so much to go through. I'm sorry."

Jack shook his head. "But I got through it," he said. "I survived- more than that, I lived. I was someone who died to save a sister I loved; I became someone who could stand up to the personification of fear, all on my own, without anyone telling me who or how to be for three hundred years. I am proud of who I am."

Everyone sat up a bit, and the silence shifted from sad to appreciative.

"What about you?" Merida asked Mahina.

Mahina took a long drink from her waterskin. "Well," she said, "my father- my biological father - was a spirit, an old one. My mother was human, though, and the human side is dominant, so my sister and I were born mortal. Our childhood was... remarkably normal. My father wasn't particularly social, but he wasn't strange or cruel to us. He watched over us." She didn't look at anyone, watching the fireplace instead. "My mother passed away when I was fourteen. My dad started hurting my sister and I. And then, when I was eighteen and she was twenty-two, we were chosen: she unites and leads the spirits and other magical beings, works with larger groups; while I work more directly with individuals and leaders to make treaties and agreements and keep peace in the magical world."

The mortals looked horrified again, so Mahina paused. "Questions? Comments? Come now, don't leave me hanging."

They looked at each other.

"I'm starting to think we shouldn't have asked," Eugene offered.

Mahina laughed. "Every time! It's the same response every time!"

"That's because it's a lot to deal with," Jack pointed out, but he looked amused. "I think that's as much as we should all handle for tonight."

"Wait," Merida blurted as Mahina began to stand. The night spirit looked at her, and she huffed shortly through her nose before standing.

"I think I'd like to try the magic bow," Merida said.

"Sure," Mahina replied, not really seeming fazed by anyone's responses. "It's late. I'll keep watch."

"Or," Hiccup said, "we could take it in shifts."

"Aye, I think that'll work best," Merida agreed. "I'll take first watch."

"Guys, I'm nocturnal," Mahina said flatly. "I'll be awake anyway."

"You keep saying that, but you don't sleep during the day either," Hiccup countered. "Rapunzel and I saw Jack looking out for you earlier. Just because we're way, way younger than you doesn't mean you can't count on us too."

They expected her to argue, but she just looked touched. "... alright. Fair enough."

***

Hiccup blinked, his mind focusing and vision growing clear. He'd have thought he was waking up, except he was in a blank, dark void.

This was already becoming boring by the time, only a couple seconds later, he spotted the others. Rapunzel was looking around almost frantically, and Eugene quickly moved to her side, quietly telling her again and again "there's a way out, okay? There's a way out, don't worry."