A Viking's Winter.

Chapter 1

Growing up a lonely child was possibly the hardest part about Hiccup's childhood. Up until the age of fifteen, he was alone. Alone. And afraid.

Hiccup lived on the island of Berk, a land which was once infested with dragons, learned to live with their "problems" and dealt with them. By befriending the dragons, of course.

Hiccup was seen as a hero. But he was still alone. That's what he thought. It all started when he was younger.

~~~

"Dad, why can't I play outside? I want to help!" came the small squeak of an eight year old Hiccup, wandering after his father during another dragon raid.

His father, Stoick, spun on his heels and stopped Hiccup in his tracks.

"Hiccup, you're far too young!" The man shook his head.

But it was clear another lie. Other kids his age helped out with the dragon raids. Why wouldn't he?!

It was a rhetorical question. He already knew why. Even at a young age, Hiccup was cast aside. Left for dead. Abandoned.

That's when the boy gained creativity. At the age of ten, Hiccup had made a little play pal of his own.

One night at dinner, his father sat down beside him, only to have Hiccup bark out "No! Dad, that seat is taken!"

"What?" Stoick raised a brow, running a hand through a deep red beard. "By whom?"

The young brunette munched upon his fish, wiping his mouth with his sleeve before speaking "Jack!"

This gained another brow raise from his father. "And will Jack be joining us for dinner?"

"Yes, silly!" The boy laughed, pointing to the empty seat. "He's right here! You almost sat on him!" Hiccup's sweet brown eyes shone in the dim light.

"Ahhh...An imaginary frie-" Hiccup cut Stoick off with a pout.

"He isn't imaginary!" Barked the small boy. "People just can't see him. Only I can see him!"

Stoick leaned upon the table, a smile hidden behind his beard. "Oh so? And what does this 'Jack' look like?"

Hiccup turned his head to where 'Jack' was supposedly sitting and began to describe in perfect detail what he saw. "He's my age, my height. Blue eyes. And white hair. He's wearing a blue...tunic thing with brown pants. No shoes and he holds a staff! He's always covered in snow"

"Why white hair?"

"Well, he did have brown hair and brown eyes, just like me, but they changed when he drown in the lake-"

Stoick cut Hiccup off with a grunt "Hiccup, stop. I think that is enough of your imaginary friend for today!"

"But Dad! He isn't imaginary, he's-"

"ENOUGH!" Stoick yelled and slammed his hand upon the table, causing most passing people to stare. "Enough with your childish nonsense, Vikings don't have time to play games with imaginary boys. Now hurry up and finish your food. I don't want to hear another peep of this 'Jack', do you understand me?!"

Little did Stoick know that Jack was no silly childish nonsense. If only other people could see him.
~~

A twelve year old Hiccup threw himself onto his bed, crying his innocent little eyes out into the bedsheets. How body trembled at each sob he released.

"Hey, Hiccy!" came a familiar voice. "Come on, let's go play- Why are you crying?" The figure appeared out of nowhere.

Jack stood upon his staff, balancing perfectly. He slid down, bare toes causing ice to form as the spirit hit the floor.