Frosted Scales - When Worlds Collide: A HTTYD X Frozen Tale

The Plan

Elsa sat in a large, comfortable armchair in the vast library just off the main entry hall when Hiccup found her. The library, though grand in design, was eerily empty. Rows of bookcases lined the walls, stretching up to the ceiling, while more shelves wrapped around the second floor, halfway to the top. The space, despite its potential, held no books—only tables, chairs, and the promise of knowledge yet to be filled.

The room itself was a marvel of architecture, with high, vaulted ceilings that allowed the light from the ice chandeliers to cascade down in soft, blue hues. The ice walls shimmered with an ethereal glow, reflecting the flickering light in a way that made the entire room feel alive, despite its emptiness. The chill in the air was softened by the magic woven into the ice, making it cool but not uncomfortable. It was a place meant for quiet contemplation, though for now, it was more a canvas than a library.

Elsa was focused on a white slab on her lap, using a stick of charcoal to sketch. When she looked up and saw Hiccup enter, her blue eyes sparkled with a newfound energy. A light flush colored her cheeks, bringing life to her pale complexion. Relief washed over Hiccup at the sight—she looked well, truly well, and his heart swelled with a mixture of joy and concern.

"Thank you for breakfast. It was wonderful," Elsa said, gesturing to an armchair beside her. "I want to show you something. See if you think this will work."

Hiccup settled into the chair as Elsa handed him the slab. On it, she had drawn a crude but clear map of Arendelle. The Northern Mountain was marked with the new fortress she had created, and arrows led from each town to the fortress. Each arrow was numbered, with a small figure of Elsa standing next to the numbers. The pattern repeated across the map, culminating in an image of Elsa leading an army against Arendelle’s capital.

Hiccup studied the sketch, taking more time than necessary to absorb the details. "This looks like a solid plan, but why are you attacking your own capital?" He kept his tone gentle, aiming for curiosity rather than accusation.

Elsa’s gaze shifted, her confidence wavering as she explained, "The only reason I can think of as to why the townspeople hate me so much, why the curse didn’t break, and why anyone would intentionally do this awful thing to Arendelle is... someone must have known about my power. They had to have planned this. Far in advance." She rose from her chair, turning away from him to place her hands on the table. She stared down at the surface, the silence stretching between them.

Hiccup waited, sensing that she needed this moment. The silence hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears, until she finally continued. "If my tower was crashed into or knocked over, it happened minutes after I got here. Someone followed me. I just don’t know who." Her voice was somber, tinged with a deep, unresolved sadness.

Hiccup considered her words. "Maybe there’s a beast of some sort hidden out here," he suggested, though he knew the idea was unlikely. He wanted to explore every possibility. "But I haven’t seen any evidence of that."

Elsa shook her head, a slight frown creasing her brow. "It is unlikely this was not a planned attack. We need to be very careful. You saw the ice city. We can turn this into a refuge for all the people of Arendelle while we dig further into this mystery." She spread her arms wide, as if embracing the idea.

"That’s IF they can get here and IF you can get them to follow you," Hiccup countered, crossing his arms, and watching her reaction.

Elsa’s mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. It was clear that she had not fully considered one or the other of his statements. Her resolve flickered, but only for a moment.

"I’ll show them why they should follow me. As for getting here, I was hoping..." Her voice trailed off as she approached his chair. Elsa knelt beside him, clasping her hands together in front of her chin, her eyes pleading. "That you’d help me."