Once again, Hiccup had thrown himself head first into the unknown. His decision to blood-bind himself to his battle brother had come with some unexpected side effects. The first was, of course, the drastic change in his appearance. At first, Hiccup did not really think much of it. Simply assuming that the magic of the blood binding had advanced the imminent transformation he was already expecting.
The Council had informed him of the changes he would go through as a bonded rider. Explaining it away as the residual magic of the bond. As the ancient ritual used to connect the first bonded pairs has altered every single rider since the beginning. Usually over a great span of time. He had listened despondently as Elder Noldo explained the process to him. Having already been given the devastating news that he was now an infertile immortal. Having already realized that the one woman he had ever truly loved, could never be his.
For she would age, and he would not. She would die, and he would not. What could possibly be worse than that? He didn't much care what he looked like, anyways. Who was there to impress if he couldn't have Astrid? What did it matter if he would eventually become one of the most beautiful creatures to walk the nine realms? He didn't want the attention that would come with it. He only wanted one woman's attentions.
At least after the blood-binding advanced this transformation, Hiccup had been truly accepted as one of the elves. Now sharing in their characteristics and abilities, he was no longer viewed as an outsider. His new body was faster and stronger than his old one. His shape filling out more as he grew even taller. This body was designed for power and appeal; a physical representation of the nature essences the elves had been wrought from. Everything from his scent to his walk mimicking the allure of the natural world. Gone were the displays of humanity that he had taken for granted. Nature did not blush or cry, and nor would he. The essence of the land did not tire or rest, and nor would he.
As a human at his core, Hiccup still felt every confusing and conflicting emotion. As the embodiment of the wild beauty of life, he just would no longer show it. His flawless looks betraying no trace of reactions that were illogical. After all, elves were not like any other beings. They were not animals. They were nature spirits given physical form. He was less of a creature, and more of an arcane vessel. Hiccup honestly felt like a living statue sometimes. As eternal and unaffected as the rugged mountains of his new home. No tears of sorrow would mar his delicate features. Never again would he wear the rose colour of shame. Never again would he feel the sweaty pain of physical exertion. It was a strange and unexpectedly uncomfortable thought.
His senses had improved along with his appearance. Vision, touch, smell, hearing; nothing was sacred. Nothing had been left unaffected by the magic. His arcane abilities, which had already been impressive, were now even greater. Easily matching and surpassing that of the elven Riders. His new mind had so much more space than the old one, too. As it was also faster and more powerful, just like the rest of him. He found that he was now able to focus on many different stimuli at once and he could stay alert and awake indefinitely. This marvellous vessel that was his body now, no longer burdened by the need for sleep.
When he did choose to sleep, it was neither deep, nor restful. Always remaining partially awake as his head was filled with strange and colourful dreams. Assaulting his senses and confusing his logical mind. He had been told by the others that these dreams were prophetic, but he never had much luck when he tried to interpret them the next day. The endeavour usually just serving to frustrate him. He had never been very fond of abstract concepts.
It had been difficult to get used to his new body though. For the first time in his life, Hiccup needed to be constantly aware of how much force he put into his everyday tasks. The first few weeks, he had spent a good deal of time repairing the items that he had broken around his home. The heightened senses were almost as confusing. The world felt like it was all brand new. His greatly increased mental capacity helping to create a semblance of order in the new madness. Though it was all still very disorienting.
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The Gift Of Power | Wattys 2020 (Dance of Power Trilogy: Book 1)
Фанфик[Hiccstrid] It's a Hiccup Leaves Berk story, but with some new twists and turns. Hiccup leaves as a runty nobody with a big secret, only to return as a world-wise and hardened man. He meets new friends and discovers abilities that he never dreamed h...
