What Happened Next

Chapter 24

This is a Christmas special, since I didn't write a chapter for y'all last week. Enjoy! :D

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Merida

"We're here," Hiccup rasps, pointing to the sunrise. I squint, and can barely make out the beautiful silhouette of DunBroch. Of home.

It looks just like a painting, something Mum would keep in her room. Unfortunately, the rest of this picture isn't as perfect.

Hiccup isn't the boy I used to love. Now, he's hostile, and snaps at me anytime I attempt to strike up conversation. Any mention of Anna earns me a growl, and don't even get me started on what happened last time Astrid came up. I still have the bruise.

The sun slowly makes its way higher and higher, illuminating the beautiful springyness (yes, I know that isn't a word) of Arendelle. Arendelle is huge, by the way. We've been traveling across it the entire time.

Anna told me on the way here--after she got over her fear of heights--that now that Elsa has embraced her powers, it stays spring forever. I find that super cool, though it might get a bit tedious after a while.

Yawning suddenly, I feel my eyes slowly close. I haven't slept in at least a day now, and the soothing sun seems to be prodding me to just lay down on Toothless' sunwarmed back, and worry about my problems later.

My eyelids feel like the weigh a million tons, and all I want to do is close them, now. Within moments, I am stretched out on Toothless' back and doing just that.

=probably around 10 minutes later=

(still Merida)

I wake up to the furious beat of Toothless' wings, and Hiccup yelling in my ear.

"Merida!" he cries, a look of panic in his eyes (RHYME!! :D).

"Wha-what is it, Hiccup?" I drawl, sleepily rubbing my eyes. It's no longer warm anymore. In fact, it's chilling.

Toothless starts spiraling, and I frantically grab onto the nearest thing--which happens to be Hiccup. For the first time in weeks, he looks genuinely worried, and just concerned in general.

"Merida! We're going down!" Hiccup finally shows some emotion, and I can tell the mask he's been wearing since Astrid left is gone. But there's no time for that now.

"Don'tcha think I know that?" I ask, busily searching for a rope, a spare pair of wings--something that will get us out of this mess. Unfortunately, I can barely see, due to the flurry of snow whipping around my face.

Wait--snow?! Glancing up excitedly, I eagerly take in my surroundings. Why, it's DunBroch! And snowing! It must be winter!

Filled with a new sense of hope, I turn towards Hiccup.

Only to see he is no longer there.

And also noticing that we're about to hit the treetops. And three little red-haired troublemakers who are busily constructing what looks like a net.

Toothless lets loose a wild, ear-piercing screech, and then all goes black.

===a while later===

"Is she okay?" Hiccup's voice. I wonder where I am.

"She's fine," the jolly tone of Father's voice fills my ears, and I automatically sit up.

"Father!" I shout, throwing my arms around him. Tears are running down my cheeks, but I don't care.

"See? She's fine," Father echoes, clutching me tight. Then, grasping my shoulders, he pulls me back to take a look at me.