Wanderlust

Chapter 5: The Night We Met

Hiccup and Toothless had landed only a short distance from Dunbroach, although the forests and weaving glens would've made it seem much farther.  "Alright bud," Hiccup said in an effort to get Toothless's attention. "I need you to do something for me," The dragon stood from the grasses he'd been laying in. Although not dragon-grass, Toothless had been almost as infatuated. 

Titling his head, Toothless watched as Hiccup took something from one of his pockets. He revealed a small book, each page holding a different dried plant. Taking out a small knife from another pouch, Hiccup cut away some of the grass Toothless had been laying in and placed it along the spine of the book, laying flat between two pages. "I need you to take this Fishleg's Toothless." Hiccup explained. "I figured he may be as interested in it as you," Toothless made a noise similar to a huff, knocking Hiccup lightly as the rider moved to secure the book in the dragon's saddle. "Relax Toothless, I'm just going to look for more plants, Fishleg's gave me some list of what he's looking for... and besides I want to figure out what those weird light were we saw earlier."

Toothless stepped back, a slightly-agitated look plastered across the dragon's face. "It'll be fine bud, just head back when your done. We'll need to beat the ships to Dunbroach." Hiccup watched the dragon shoot up to the sky, trying not to roll his eyes as Toothless slight faltering as he did so. "We definately need to work on his solo flying." Hiccup gruffed, pulling out the papers Fishleg's had given him before they'd left Berk. It was descriptions and drawing of plants he'd been told about, that he supposedly needed to get a hold of, for whatever reason.

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Hiccup spent the next half-hour or so fiddling with whatever he could find, comparing and contrasting the plants and flowers against the notes. He couldn't help but notice that -although he hadn't admitted it- Fishleg's must have spent some time compiling his list. The drawing were for almost all exactly like the plants themselves, and the descriptions definitely helped. Then again, it was Fishlegs.

After a sufficient amount of time had passed, Hiccup leaned back into the mossy earth. Scotland even felt different than Dunbroach, the land was softer, and the grasses grew more frequently and with more vigor than back home. Leaning up, Hiccup scanned the line that divided the field and the forest. In front of him the world blurred into thick trees and shadows, and behind him the grass seemed to go in infinitely, like it's own ocean. "So this is where Merida grew up?" He asked no one, smirking. "That explains a lot."

Suddenly though, the darkness of the forest momentarily faded. Replaced by a brilliant blue hue. Startled, Hiccup stood. "It's those lights again!" He exclaimed, a smile spreading across his face. He and Toothless had seen them from above, fading in and out of view. From a distance it had almost looked like Scotland itself was breathing.

Hiccup found himself walking towards the light. He would've ran, but his prosthetic made it almost impossible on top of the soft ground. When he finally reached the forest most of the lights had subsided. Replaced with the much more familiar darkness, although a small blue hue did remain, situated just a few paces into the darkness. He watched it approach, and with it came a pair of ocean-blue eyes, practically hidden behind behind wild, flaming red hair. Hiccup took in a gulp of air as the familiarity of the figure became obvious.

Hiccup took a step close, his arms falling limply to his sides. "Mer," he spoke, hoping she'd react to the familiar nickname. Even in his own ears his voice was like that of a ghost. Aged, and distant, seeming ready to fade on the wind.

Merida looked up, her focus snapping to the figure. He watched the storm grow steadily in her eyes as she spoke. "Hiccup," She sighed, blinking hard. Her own voice was grainy. She quickly moved a hand to her cheek, swatting away the small line of saltwater that had escaped when she'd been trying not to cry. "So this was just a game," She whispered harshly to the blue light that faded almost as soon as she spoke, it's light echoing through the forest.