Chapter 15> Searching and Bonding

Hiccup-

I was probably going to have a fear of the dark after this battle.

I tried to tell myself that I'd be fine, it was just the nightmares. But a majority of my stomach felt dread. Complication formed a rhythm in my heartbeat and fear became my soul.

Suddenly, a searing pain filled my head and I screamed, clutching my temples and dropping to the floor. Nightmares tried to get to me, but an outward burst of vines formed around me. My blood boiled, beads of sweat poured over my eyes, causing more irritation. I itched all over and my skin throbbed.

It felt as if my breath was being sucked out of me. I clutched at my throat as it dried, my entire being becoming numb.

Pain... Pain... Pain...

My head started splitting again as the sudden image of Rapunzel came into my head.

She was watching me shake as I defended the Guardians with vines. But then her face twisted into confusion and I can feel myself fading.

The air rushed back into me and I gasped before collapsing to the floor.

Jack-

Out of no where, the swarm of black started veering away from each other and sprinting away, as if trying to escape in a scatter.

Elsa and I stood back to back and stared dumbfounded as we ceased our frost spears. The room began to clear as the wind of the nightmares' dismissal whipped at us, making our hair and clothes curl and whip as well.

One whacked into Elsa as it whizzed by. She slammed into my back and bounced back into her standing position.

"What the heck is going on?!" Elsa yelled over the nightmares.

"I have no idea!" I yelled back.

"GUARDIANS! CENTEEEEEERRRR!" North's voice boomed. Just like that, the nightmares were gone.

We all stumbled to the center of the workshop.

"What--"

"Where--"

"What the--"

"How'd they--"

"SILENCE!"

The questions were instantly quieted.

"Where's Hiccup?" Merida asked. We looked around and we saw a ball of vines to one side.

Merida started walking towards it, and eventually broke into a run. She raised her sword and slashed at it. It crumbled and Hiccup stirred in the midst of the mess.

He opened his eyes. "Rapunzel's gone."

I furrowed my brows and looked around. There was no sign of Rapunzel anywhere. I turned my head around again and saw her pan on the sundial.

I walked towards it and put my staff down as I knelt next to it. My hand landed on the sundial as I stretched forward to snag the pan.

I gasped as I suddenly saw an image of Rapunzel in a room of painting covered walls, a bed, and three books opened on the floor.

Grabbing my staff, I pulled away and blinked. I realized then that I was in the workshop the entire time.

"Where is she?"

Merida~

North sighed heavily and looked away.

"This may have been Pitch's plan."

"What?" I asked meekly. My energy was lost, and the bad news were even more draining.

"I feel as if Pitch came here to distract us and split up the Big Four."

"So he just took Rapunzel?" Jack asked angrily. He seemed to be getting angrier by the second. "What exactly is he trying to prove? Huh? He needs to stop with the riddles and games between me and Elsa, and Elsa's family, and now Rapunzel. Why can't he just come out with it already?"

"Jack, yelling isn't going to help," Elsa soothed.

He turned on her. "I know, but nothing seems to help these days. Does it?"

Elsa sighed and hugged herself. She looked down and turned away, suddenly lost in her own train of thought.

"This won't stop us," Hiccup announced. I turned to him and smiled.

"Hiccup, that's so sweet. But--"

"No, Merida, listen." Everyone reluctantly turned to him now. "I think we can find her."

"How?" Elsa asked, only with slight hope though.

"While all of the nightmares were going away, I felt like I was being pulled into a memory of some kind. Like she saw me, and knew me, for a split second before it just all disappeared. It may sound crazy, but I think it was her memory."

"That's absurd," Bunnymund muttered.

"Actually, no. It's not." We all looked to Jack now. "When I picked up her pan, the sundial showed me an image of her in some kind of room. It looked like it was covered in her paintings and one of the books was 'Myths & Legends'."

I gasped. "You mean--"

"By Sara G. Quibble?" North asked.

"The very one," Jack replied.

"So you're saying she's back in her tower?" I asked.

Hiccup nodded, then furrowed his brows. "That's strange. When she had the glimpse of me, she looked like she was outside."

"She doesn't remember us, but she's outside of her tower?" Jack asked.

"I don't know about any tower, but where did it look like she was?" Elsa asked.

"A forest," Hiccup said, turning to her.

Elsa frowned. "That narrows down three kingdoms... out of the hundred and forty-seven that I know!"

"There's gotta be another clue!" I said determined. I walked away from them and entered Rapunzel's room.

I looked around and noticed paintings all around her walls. I saw one of each us with a symbol of our season. I had an arrow notched onto a bow, but had the sun as the tip of the arrow. Hiccup stood proud with his metal leg and his arms raised, a swirl of leaves around him. Jack was crouched defensively with his staff in front and a large snowflake behind him. Rapunzel had parts of her hair in her hands and flowers in it.

"I know that symbol."

I jumped and turned to Elsa beside me.

"What?"

Elsa pointed to the painting of me. "I know that symbol."

I scoffed. "That's just a bow and arrow."

Elsa groaned angrily. "No the sun. It's a specific shape."

"Of... a sun?"

"No, of a kingdom's sigil."

"Which kingdom?"

"Corona."

"Where's that?"

We both turned to Hiccup as he walked in, Jack trailing behind him.

"South of Arendelle. It hardly snows there. Slightly more south than the Southern Isles as well."

"The Southern Isles? That's west of Berk."

"And Arendelle sounds like that Scandinavian country just a bit north west of my kingdom," I added.

"Right. The thing is, I haven't been to Corona, well, all my life. But my aunt and uncle rule there. They lost their baby girl years ago to some kidnapper."

"Wait, does you not visiting them all your life mean you never thought to comfort them after your own cousin was kidnapped?" Jack asked, horrified.

Elsa scowled and turned on him, raising an accusatory finger. "That's not the point! The point is, I was locked in my room for the majority of my life because of my powers! Excuse me for taking care of my sister and trying to catch up on all those years instead!"

She turned away and crossed her arms, refusing to look at Jack. Tiny snowflakes floated around her, and her fingertips were icy.

"Elsa, I didn't mean--"

"The point is, she's somewhere in the Corona forest. We should look there." Elsa interrupted. She turned to me and nodded. "I'll tell North and ask for transportation there."

I nodded and she shoved her way past Jack to go back to the workshop, small tufts of snow trailing behind her.

Jack sighed. "That was bad, huh?"

"Bad?" Hiccup asked. "That was downright awful! And since she helped so much, she's coming with us. You can come only if you apologize."

Hiccup left the room with that.

Jack turned to me.

"Don't look at me! I'm in agreement with my husband." I started to exit the room until I realized what I just said. Did I really just say husband?!

I stopped myself at the doorframe and turned around.

"Don't you dare tell him I said that!" I said in a heated tone, and then ran out of the room, away from my embarrassment.

{*}

"A snow globe?" I asked, my brow raised and eyeing the spherical glass.

North grumbled something beneath his breath before explaining, "You whisper wherever you wanna go, you throw it forward, and it opens a portal to that place. Then you just fly through the portal."

Hiccup's eyes widened in excitement. "Fly?!"

North scratched his beard. "Well, you could just walk through it. I'm just used to using my sleigh."

Hiccup frowned and slumped his shoulders. "Buzz kill."

I put my hand over my mouth to stifle my giggle as Elsa reached her arm out and took the snow globe from North, thanking him.

She turned to us and nodded. "Okay, are you ready?"

I nodded.

"Yup," Hiccup replied.

"Alright," she said. Then Elsa lifted it to her lips--

"Wait!" We all turned to Jack, who ran in before we could go.

Elsa scowled at him. "Why?"

I made eye contact with Hiccup, and he nodded. We simultaneously turned away and pretended to be occupied with other things.

Jack-

"Why?" Elsa snapped, scowling at me.

How to make amends without making it worse?

"Because... I didn't know what your life was like before. All I knew was that Pitch blackmailed you and that you have a sister you love a lot. I know the years of being in your room 24/7 isn't what you'd ever explain to me, but... I'm just as sorry for opening my big mouth as I am worried for Rapunzel."

Elsa's scowl softened somewhat, her eyebrow still twitching as if she couldn't decide what expression to do.

"So, while we look for her, you can maybe forgive me?" I asked, wincing slightly as I anticipated her answer.

She replied with a soft smile. "I can't blame you for not knowing my life." I stopped wincing and offered a small smile of my own. "You really want to save Rapunzel, huh?"

I nodded. Her smile broadened.

"Good! Then you're coming with us." She grabbed my arm and pulled me forward before catching the attention of Hiccup and Merida. "Let's go reunite the Big Four!" We all cheered as Elsa whispered 'Corona' into the snow globe and threw it forward. Everyone gripped whatever weapons they carried.

"I hate snow globe traveling," I muttered, gulping down over my already churning stomach. I looked down at Rapunzel's pan in my hand and reassured myself. We'll find you, I thought. I looked up to see Merida and Hiccup already gone, and Elsa beckoning me forward.

I didn't wait any longer. I ran forward, held my arm out to Elsa, and dragged her in with me as we barreled through.

{*}

I lifted my dizzy head to see Merida, Hiccup, and Elsa standing and brushing themselves off. Then Hiccup came up behind me and dragged me up by my hood.

"C'mon Jack! Gotta get--" Hiccup was suddenly interrupted when something flew through the portal and smacked him down. Something else hit Elsa and she fell down as well.

"What the--" but before I could finish my question, something else knocked into the back of my head. "Ow!" I rubbed my head and looked down to see my staff. Then I noticed the things that hit Hiccup and Elsa were backpacks. Merida helped them up as I turned around to see the portal finally closing.

"What in the world--" Hiccup started booming.

"Relax!" Merida snapped, and lifted up one of the backpacks to inspect it. Elsa opened up the other one and dug through it.

"Oh, supplies," Elsa said. She looked up at us and shrugged. "I guess we forgot these."

I couldn't help but laugh. Must've been the yetis. Hiccup settled down eventually and put on one of the backpacks. Elsa was about to put on the other one, but I grabbed it from her and put in on instead.

"Let the guys carry the heavy loads," I said. Elsa was about to say something when she got interrupted by Merida.

"What?! We girls are capable of lifting heavy things just as much as you men are! I will not let stupid boys underestimate the power of women!" With that, Merida pulled the backpack off of me--almost popping out my shoulders-- and put it on herself. She raised her chin at me and walked forward to catch up with Hiccup.

Elsa laughed and started following behind. I scratched the back of my head and sighed as I followed them too.

"I offered," I said, shrugging. Elsa smiled and patted my shoulder reassuringly.

"With Merida, don't," she said. I smiled and nodded in return.

{*}

Hiccup-

It was night time now. We were each walking with torches that were provided in the carry-ons (which Jack explained were actually flashlights and backpacks). By my guess, we had traveled a good six to eight miles on our trek as we looked for a tower. I kept thinking it could be concealed, but where?

"Where are we?" Merida asked. I glanced over at her to see her eyes closed and dragging each of her steps. I reached out and grabbed her arm gently, shaking her slightly. She snapped her eyes open. "Rapunzel?"

I shook my head. "No. We should make camp."

Merida frowned. "We can't stop until we find her."

I sighed. "I know, but we won't be any help to her if we continue tired--"

"And hungry," Jack added.

Merida grumbled and nodded. We found a clearing and set up a fire. After having something to eat from the food provided, we put the backpacks against a fallen tree and all sat leaning against them.

Merida was warming her hands by the fire when she spoke. "Do you think she's okay?" she asked.

She turned to me, worry in her big blue eyes. I didn't like Merida looking sad, so I smiled, hoping it gave her some comfort.

"She's part of the Big Four for a reason, right? She wouldn't be if she couldn't take care of herself."

Merida smiled back and nodded. "You're right. But I still can't help but worry. She was the only girl who dared to be friends with me, and I found her a worthy friend for that." Merida turned and smiled into the fire, holding her knees close. "All my life, I grew up with men, learning to fight, ride, and hunt. My mother always tried to make me more princess-like, but I refused. I've gotten so used to the company of men, that I forgot what it's like to have a female companion. I didn't think I had a gentle heart until Rapunzel came around." Merida turned back to me. "She really is a worthy friend. Same as you and Jack. I might bicker with you two a lot, but don't mistake that for dislike."

I smiled at her. I never thought Merida would ever open up like that. But I could see it in her eyes; she trusted me. I couldn't be happier to have finally made a connection. Merida, with her fiery red hair, her equally fiery attitude, and her great aim. She was stronger than a lot of the female warriors back in Berk, both in mind and heart.

"You're a worthy friend too, Merida," I said.

She furrowed her brows. "Really? All I did was scold you guys."

I nodded. "True. But from the moment we met, I knew there was more to you than your weapons and your attitude. When we had downtime, I could tell that there was a lot about yourself you didn't let on. You proved my point by sharing your feelings with me now. And when we find Rapunzel, you should tell her how much she means to you."

Merida smiled and nodded. Suddenly, she pulled me into a tight hug. I managed to hug her back, enjoying the scent of forest in her hair.

"Thanks Hiccup," she said. I chuckled.

"Anytime."

Jack-

"What're you thinking about?"

I turned to see Elsa, looking at me expectantly. Her icy blue eyes looked a lot gentler in the firelight, and her white-blond hair glowed around her head. I sighed, not knowing what to say.

"Nothing really. Just that... Just wondering how much longer it'll take to find Rapunzel."

Elsa smiled, looking into the fire.

"Me too. When you guys caught me, she was one of the few people who was actually nice to me. She has a kind heart, and I don't think I'd want her getting hurt either."

I smiled, looking at the fire too. "Yeah, she's got a way of getting people to like her easily."

Elsa sighed. "She reminds me of my sister. Anna is all bubbly and positive. She's helped me smile again. And Kristoff makes her so much happier. All those years I thought I was protecting her from my powers, I realized I was neglecting her instead. She's forgiven me so easily, and I don't want to let her down again."

I could sense a more serious tone in Elsa's voice. I turned to see a stern expression on her pale face as she stared into the fire.

"I'll help you guys defeat Pitch. But after that, I'm returning home to my sister." She faced me then. A small smile returned to her face when she caught me looking at her. "It's been nice knowing the Big Four. I'll remember you guys forever."

I frowned, feeling a little upset. "Why does it feel like you're saying goodbye already?" I asked. A part of me felt like she and I were just becoming close, and now she was declaring her departure. It didn't feel right.

"No Jack, I'm not. But I will be."

My frown only deepened and I looked down to the forest floor.

"You're lucky you got to patch things up with your sister," I said.

"What?"

I turned back to Elsa and nodded. "I died, saving my sister from falling into the icy pond. Tooth let me see her memories, so at least I knew she was happy. But I never got to meet her, and I never got to tell her I'm sorry for leaving her behind."

Elsa held my hand and squeezed it gently. "The funny thing about losing your family is, you'll forgive all of their faults and always remember the happy memories with them. At first, I hated my parents for leaving me behind. So much that I didn't even attend their funeral, when Anna needed me the most. I regret those days, but it's the happiness you find later that counts. And I'm sure your sister passed on the love you gave her while you were still around and never let you go from her heart."

I smiled and squeezed her hand back. "Thanks Elsa. I kinda needed that."

She smiled. "You're welcome. Thank you for trusting me."

She then pulled her hand away and used it to cover her mouth as she yawned.

"We should go to sleep. Let's try and get back some energy in order to find Rapunzel tomorrow."

As Elsa snuggled against the backpacks, I looked up to see Merida and Hiccup doing the same. I sighed and laid down too.

I hope we find Rapunzel by tomorrow.

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Wow! That was long!

This was originally going to be split into two parts, but then I thought, "Why not make one big update because of the holidays?"

So, you're welcome!

What'd you guys think?

I hope you guys liked it, and I know I've been wretched at updating, but I'm not giving up on this book, I just haven't found time to write it. Thank god for the holidays, right?

Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you guys had a great time and ate a lot!

Well, see ya, and thanks for staying with this book! Means the world to me :)

Votes and Comments if you're in a generous mood from the holidays! Please!

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