Merida watched Anna's panicking. Pitch kidnapped both Kristoff and Rapunzel, and who knew what he would do to them. Elsa was trying to get Anna to calm down but it was no use; she continued to babble about Kristoff.

They were back in the palace now, the five of them were in Elsa's study. Elsa wanted to go back to the safety of the palace just in case Pitch decided to visit them again.

"Tha's it!" Merida shouted, moving away from where she was leaning against the wall. She wad tired of Anna. She walked over to Anna, pulled her off her chair, and slapped her in the face. Everyone gasped at Merida but she didn't care. She ignored Elsa's menacing glare. Anna held her cheek and looked at her, "Ar' ya dun now? Because Kristoff and Rapunzel aren't goin' ta be saved anytime soon if ya don't stop blubberin' like a wee lass!" She nodded. "Good. Yer coming with us. Let's go find 'em."

"We can't just go looking for them without some sort of plan, Merida!" Hiccup looks at Merida as if she was insane..and she must admit it hurt her a little bit.

"Hiccup is right, we need to think this through," Elsa agreed.

"I need to find Kristoff now!" Anna shouted. "And Rapunzel too, I mean--"

Elsa laughed awkwardly, "Its good to see that your back to being yourself again, Anna." But she frowned and hugged Anna, "I'm sorry but we have to think this through, otherwise they could get really hurt--killed even. I don't think I'd be able to see how depressed you are everyday without Kristoff."

"What's that plan then, Hiccup?" Jack asked, breaking the slight tension.

"Uh..." Hiccup's jaw dropped. It was as if he wasn't used to being in charge. He seemed somewhat uncomfortable, but straightened up and took charge anyway. "First of all, we need to go to the armory. We need to stock up on everything: bows, arrows, swords, knives, armour and survival gear. Then we'll head to the stables to get Toothless. After we have everything we need we'll go visit the guardians and see if we can scope out Pitch. I think--"

Merida interrupted, "Wha makes ya think dat we'll be able ta find 'im now? We were lookin' fer 'im fer months."

He shrugged, "We have motivation, I guess." But it was more of a question than an answer.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Anna started shoving them out of Elsa's study and into the hall.

"Anna, someone needs to stay and take care of Arendelle," Elsa stopped the giddy Anna. Anna was about to argue but Elsa continued. "I know you want to help us find him but I need you here." Hiccup, Jack, and Merida kept walking to the armory, leaving Elsa and Anna alone for a second.

"But--"

"Please, Anna... I need you to stay," Elsa pleaded.

Anna hugged Elsa, "Fine, but please find him quickly."

"We will," Elsa promised. "We have to go but I'll be back soon, with Kristoff. I love you, Anna."

"I love you too."

Merida could hear Elsa's soft footprints sprint to catch up to them. They turned right, went down a flight of stairs, then turned left. they walked about two hundred feet before reaching the armory. Merida was in front of the others so she opened the door.

She'd been in this gigantic room many times in past three months. There were bows and swords hanging on the walls. Knives and arrows were in drawers that pulled out of the walls. Training dummies stood in the middle of the room, some with armour, some without. Survival equipment was in the room attached to this one.

Merida stepped into that room to grab a knapsack to put extra arrows in, then went back into the first room. Hiccup and Elsa walked into the second room, going to gather blankets, tents and such.

She sat on the floor and started opening drawers that she knew had arrows in them. She examined the arrows one by one to make sure they were all in perfect condition.

Jack was curiously looking at a sword on the wall, "I don't understand how you people use these..." He said. Merida wasn't sure if he was talking to her or to himself, so she kept examining the arrows and putting them in the knapsack.

"It's not easy, I'll tell you that." Hiccup answers as he walks into the room carrying a few blankets.

Merida snorted, "Yes it is!"

She glanced up from the arrows and saw the two of them staring at her. She sighed, standing up. She went over to them and picked up the sword Jack was looking at. Holding it firmly in her right hand, she pointed the tip at Hiccup's neck, "Not veery difficult."

He gulped, "Maybe not for you..."

She smirked and pulled the blade away from his neck. Turning around she slashed the wooden training dummy several times before sitting back down. She placed the sword in the sheath attached to her quiver on her hip.

She started putting arrows into the quiver now that the knapsack was full. Hiccup and Jack continued to stare at her. Whether it wass in awe or fear, she didn't know.

After a dozen or so more arrows were in the quiver, Hiccup asked, "How did you--I mean-- that was-- whoa!" He was amazed by what she had done...but she was somehow angry by his question.

"Jus' because I'm a princess doesn' mean I 'ave ta act like one," She responded, making it clear in her tone that he upset her. Merida slung the knapsack over her shoulder, it hits her bow that was strung on het back as well. She quickly got to her feet and stormed into the second room.

She turned away and slammed the door, hearing Hiccup ask, "Did I say something wrong?"

Elsa greeted Merida with a questioning look, "What happened? Are you okay?" She asked gently as she took the knapsack from her and laid it on a nearby table.

She responded too quickly, "Wha'? Every'ings perfectly fine."

Elsa watched het strangely again, though didn't say anything else. They continued to pack the rest of the stuff in silence, minus Elsa's humming. "Wha' ar' ya humming?" Merida finally asked.

"Oh! Well when I was building my ice castle, I came up with this song and it's been stuck in my head ever since."

"It sounds pre'y. At leas' da tune does."

Elsa smiled, "Thank you."

Jack walked into the room, his staff freezing the floor as he dragged it on the ground, "You two done?" He questioned, directed more towards Elsa than to her. Merida might as well have been invisible, that's how much her presence was being noticed.

"Yes." Elsa answered closing the last bag, "I just have to say goodbye to Anna before we leave." Elsa picked up two heavy bags. Merida grabbed the knapsack and another bag. She and Jack noticed Elsa struggling with the bags and he took them both. "Thank you, but I can carry at least one."

Jack rolled his eyes, "I've got them, Your Majesty."

"Jack, let's go!" Hiccup called from the other room.

“We’re coming!” Jack yelled back.

The four of them headed back toward Elsa’s study, where Anna was. After a few shed tears from both Anna and Elsa—as well as a promise from Elsa to bring Kristoff back as soon as possible—they walked to the stables to pick up Toothless.

“Hi bud!” Hiccup smiled as he scratched behind the Night Fury’s ears.

Toothless grinned as well, seemingly happy that Hiccup had come for another visit. Then he noticed Merida and got very excited. “Hello Toothless,” she greeted, walking to pat his head.

“We’re going to see North again, Bud.” Hiccup grunted, putting the heavy saddle onto the dragon’s back and strapping it on.

Hiccup had flown Toothess to see North numerous times over the past few months, always taking Merida with him. She was absolutely terrified the first time she rode Toothless, but Hiccup assured her that he wouldn’t let her fall off. She had soon gotten used to it and they visited North and the others to discuss Pitch more and more often. When she was riding with Hiccup, was always when we spent the most time together. She learned more about him: how he was one of the worst Vikings ever and how he lost his leg defeating Red Death. About his father: how determined and stubborn he is, or was, for Hiccup to become more like him. It sounded somewhat familiar to her. She even learned about Astrid… how much Hiccup loved her. Why does that?—

“Merida!” The three of them yelled, interrupting her thoughts.

“What?”

Elsa, Jack and Hiccup looked back and forth between each other, exchanging concerned glances. Did she say what she was thinking out loud?

“You were staring at the wall, not doing anything… We were worried Pitch did something to you.” Elsa explained.

“Thank yoou for yer concern, bu’ I’m fine.” Merida replied, relieved that she didn't say what she was thinking.

They still watched her carefully but they kept loading the bags onto Toothless. “Are we flying of taking the snowglobe?” Elsa asked as they were finishing.

Merida leaned her back against Toothless’s side.

“We can fly,“ Hiccup answered quickly; almost eager. “Merida will fly with me since she’s already been on Toothless. Sorry but Toothless can’t take much more weight. Jack you’re going to ave to carry Elsa.”

Jack shrugged, “Fine by me.” They all glanced at Elsa, “You okay with that, Snowflake?”

“Sure.”

“Then le’s get movin’!”

Hiccup mounted Toothless and held his hand out for Merida. She accepted it and glt on behind him. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his waist. Jack picked Elsa up in his arms. They took off and few minutes later were gently coasting over the clouds. The large palace now looked not much larger than the size of an ant from up in the sky. 

After an hour or two of silently flying, Jack and Elsa flew ahead of Toothless. Elsa looking terrified, "Jack!" She screamed.

Merida stared at them blankly.

Jack chuckled. "How many times do I have to tell you?" His voice softened, "I will never let anything happen to you, Snowflake."

"Merida?" Hiccup interrupted her staring. He pat Toothless's head, "All on you, bud." He did something to the dragon's tail and spun around to face her, her arms leaving his waist. "You still haven't told me what your dreams are about," he accused.

That's right, she'd had many bad dreams since that first night in Arendelle. And she always went into Hiccup's room. He made me feel safe and protected--despite what the dreams were about.

"Ya said I didn' have ta tell ya until I was rea'y..." Merida shifted uncomfortably.

He watched her carefully, face gentling, "I think we're past that point, Merida. So what are they about?" He pushed her for an answer.

She tried so hard to not tell him in these months, so she kept trying. The nightmares were too horrible and personal for her to repeat. "Hiccup, I can't." Tears started falling down her cheeks and he wiped them away with his thumb.

"I just want to help you, Merida."

"I know bu'--"

"We're here!" Jack called from ahead. Only now did Merida notice how cold it had gotten.

Hiccup turned back around to steer Toothless towards the workshop. They soon landed in the stables where North kept the reindeer. But something felt different.

"Where are the elves and yetis?" Hiccup questioned, looking around.

"I don't know," Jack answered, setting Elsa down on her feet. "But we're going to find out." Jack lead them out of the room and down the hall to the main room where the toys were made. As they walked through the halls Merida took in how eerily quiet everything was.

The five of them--Toothless was with them--entered the room and no one was there. Toys were broken and strewn all over the place. The globe in the middle of the room still had all of it's glowing dots; all the children still believed in North...for now.

They separated from each other and searched in different areas. Merida headed closer to the globe, noticing black sand on the ground. "Pitch was 'ere!" She shouted. They all came to stand next to her.

Jack sp franticallyun around, searching for something, "North!" He yelled.

A moment later they heard shuffling. North attempted to crawl out from under a pile of toys. "Help," his heavy Russian accent called. The four rushed over to him and help him out.

"What happened North? Where is everyone?" Elsa asked.

North looked down solemnly, "Pitch took elves and yetis... even Phil, gone. He destroyed toys and there is only week til Christmas."

______________________________________________

Hello Guardians!

Long time, no update. Sorry I've been kinda busy. So Pitch took everyone and destroyed the toys! He he... I'm evil. The vote in the comments for Merricup vs Hiccstrid is on until the end of this book. TALLY SO FAR: Merricup 12-- Hiccstrid 6. (remember that I might do Hiccstrid no matter what... in other words "STOP VOTING FOR MERRICUIP". I ship both couples but for this story Hiccstrid might work out better) And was it okay?... I feel like this chapter was stupid:( Whatever...

Keep reading,

PrincessSelene04