Between Waves and Clouds

35 - Back to the cold

''Who was it ?! If ever I catch one of them, I'll-''

''Calm down, Zephyr.'' Hiccup cut her out.

He had finish recalling the events from his point of view. These two unknown men, dressed with strange clothes made of seaweed and stone-like material, they had taken Frost away. They were the ones who had left the chief to die. They had not come for Berk, but for their merman.

''These men are strong opponent, you should not underestimate them.'' The chief added with a serious face, resting a hand on his still painful wound. ''They are well trained, very well trained. They surely have spent their life fighting. Moreover, Frost knew them. How did he call them ? Coren and Lemon ?''

''Cörail and Limönn.'' Nuffin said, frowning. ''Frost told me about them, they are his brothers.''

''That explains why they had come for him.'' Astrid said.

Though she seemed angry about the situation, she didn't sound worried anymore, as if knowing they were form the same family made it okay.

''Are you sure they are brothers ?'' Hiccup hesitated. ''They sounded familiar but they had not mentioned any family bound, and they were pretty violent with Frost. Both of them.''

Nuffink frowned even more, feeling his heart sink.

''Frost never got along with them, and they never seemed to treat him like family, being violent and mean, and calling him mean names.''

Silence filled the air around them for a short moment, until Zephyr was the one to break it, her voice low and sad.

''No wonder he wanted to stay here rather than going back home.''

''The men said the king had ordered Frost's return.'' Hiccup added.

''That's Frost's father.'' Nuffink said.

''Frost's a prince ?'' Astrid gasped, stunned.

Nuffink could understand her surprise and his family wanting more explanations, but he shook his head and hands in try to stop them from asking.

''Look, that doesn't matter ! They're bringing him back to the frozen lands of the north. Surely they won't harm him physically but you have no idea how much he hates his life there, he is secluded and way too lonely for one's sake, we have to get him back.''

The young viking was anxious, he feared his parents would not want to engage in a war against a realm they didn't know anything about, but he was met with a complete other reaction. The three Haddocks in front of him exchanged looks that were determined, and nodded to each other.

''But how are we going to find them ?'' Zephyr asked. ''Since they also are mermaids, how can we follow them underwater ?''

''We have to find a way !'' Nuffink snapped.

Before he could really explode, his mother grabbed his shoulders and shook him, in hopes it would knock some self-control in him. She saw the shine of his watery eyes but could only picture what he was feeling, how much sorrow, worry and anguish was filling his heart. She could picture it because, a few minutes ago, she was still feeling something similar as her husband was still laying unconscious on his bed, maybe his death bed. But not knowing what was happening to your loved one was worst.

''We'll get him back, son. Zephyr, you're coming with us. Let's gather the riders and organize an expedition to the north.''

It was settled almost as fast as that. They readied a drakkar full of food and warm blankets. They didn't how much time it would take them to get back their merman, but they knew they would need supplies and materials. Sneezelout and Birdlegs joined them, one to save her friend, the other to support his sister who came along. Gorth wanted to come along too, but Astrid rathered him staying on Berk to help the Concil running the village during Hiccup's recovery. Even if the first team of riders remained on the berkian isle, they couldn't afford take all their best warriors and riders away.