Between Waves and Clouds

PART 3 - FROM A WORLD TO ANOTHER

During the journey, the dragons had fired plasma blast into the air for Pouncer to throw himself in the smoke cloud so he could keep his passengers warm. These dragons were really caring. When the group finally arrived at Berk, exhausted, they didn't slow down and flew to the Haddock hutt. They could have headed to the healer's hutt, but the young viking wasn't really thinking straight and, for some reason, he had convinced himself he would find his grand-mother at home.

They had flown just above the village, clearly stating they were back, catching the attention of the vikings who had been outside or near their windows. Some had greeted them with applause and whistle, even Nuffink's friends had seen them. But Nuffink had not paid attention to any of this. He only called out for someone to get a healer. He didn't care which one. His grand-mother, the old Goathi if she could still practice, Birdlegs even if she was still just an apprentice... Any of them would do.

He barely left enough time to Pouncer to land as he jumped from his back, the ex-merman still in his arms, and kicked the door open, startling his parents he wasn't expecting to find there.

''Nuffink ?'' His mother asked, astounded. ''What... ?''

''Help me, he's hypothermic !''

The Haddocks quickly went into action. Astrid ran to their bedroom, Hiccup called out his dragon to light up the fireplace, while Nuffink layed down the white-haired boy in front of it. The chief then took off his fur cloak and added it to the one already around him. Astrid came back with a bunch of blankets she added too. Then the door opened again, revealing Valka.

''I've been sent here, what's wrong ? Oh, you're back, Nuffink.''

''Mom,'' Hiccup cut her, ''this boy is freezing cold.''

Though she was used to take care of dragons instead of vikings, Valka still was a great healer. She walked to them and Nuffink backed to let her examine Frost. She frowned when she felt his forehead. ''What happened ? Where is he from ?''

''I-I found him in the frozen lands of the north.'' Nuffink stuttered. It was not really a lie, unlike what he added which was only half-true. ''He was alone, I don't know for how long he was outside.''

''Had he been unconscious for long ?''

''I found him like this. He has not woken up for around three days, counting the journey back here...''

''That's getting too long, it's serious.''

''Can you help him ?''

His question turned out more like a plea, though he couldn't control it. Valka didn't reply as she was thinking, then she frowned and started to gesture while giving them directions. ''Remove all these blankets, it will slow down the heat. Astrid, can you get to Goathi and ask for her fire-fern medicine ?''

The chieftess nodded and left while the other three Haddocks started undoing the blankets and furs cocoon.

Valka noticed the staff in the boy's hand and, unlike Nuffink, managed to take it from him before laying him on his side, facing the fireplace. Then she made Toothless lay against his back, surely to reverberate the heat. They waited like this in deadly silence. Nuffink could feel his heart beating like a hammer, making his chest painful. He had troubles breathing, too. He was still panicking. He had almost lost Frost when he had choked, he knew how much it hurt and didn't want to go through this again. So he prayed the gods.

* * *

Goathi's medicine made the difference. Frost had gained some colors thanks to it, then Valka had left the house assuring he was going to make it, though it would take a couple of days for him to recover and wake up. The mixture of exhaustion and relief let Nuffink slumber into sleep, just like the three Night Lights had done outside. They only woke up the following day.

News from the return of the chief's son had spread over the whole village, forcing Astrid to stay at home to keep away the curious vikings who wanted to visit Nuffink and the strange white-haired boy he had brought back. Once Nuffink was up again, he helped his mother. Seeing him in front of the hutt with Astrid reassured his friends that he was fine. After all, they had not seen him yet since he was back, and calling in a healer in such a hurry was never good news.

The young viking ended up bringing Frost to the first floor, settling him in his bedroom, in his bed, while he would sleep in the living-room. He had been sadened to learn from his parents Frost had not woken up while himself was sleeping. Valka had come back to check how he was doing and making sure he was fed in his sleep with light soups. Nuffink almost regretted sleeping for an entire day, he would have liked to take care of Frost, so he stayed with him.

His mother had tried to get some details about their patient, but he asked her to talk about this later. He didn't want to pretend he didn't know the white-haired boy, though he couldn't picture himself telling them said boy was actually a merman, and he didn't know what kind of story he could make up. Most of all, he wanted to be there when Frost was to wake up, which meant he didn't want to waste time explaining things to his parents. He spent the second day with the sleeping pale boy. Valka came by noon so he gladly helped her feeding Frost. He wondered how long he would stay unconscious, he was growing more and more impatient to see again these icy-blue eyes, this smile and hear this voice and laugh.

He was missing Frost, even if the boy was there, next to him. Nuffink sat on a chair near the bed, staring at the still sleeping merman, letting his heart beat faster and smiling while imagining him waking up. He slowly fell asleep without realising.

However, he noticed when he woke up because his back instantly ached. He had flinched awake hearing a loud bump, as if something had fallen on the wooden floor. Blinking his eyes open, the first thing he saw was the empty bed, but before he could panic he noticed the blankets had been pulled towards the other side, while a pale feet was hanging, half-tangled in it. It was Frost, he was finally awake ! And, visibly, he had just slipped from the bed.

The viking quickly got up and went to the other side of the bed to pick his friend up. Surprinsingly, his body was still chilly. Granted not as cold as it had been when the boy was a merman, but still colder than a human body would be. While keeping his hands under the boy's arms to steady him, their eyes met. Nuffink felt warm inside and his heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but smile brightly and his eyes softened.

''Hi.''

Frost blinked without moving, he seemed completely lost, Nuffink could understand why. He had just woken up in a completely unknown place, he must have been confused. The boy moved his lips, seemingly trying to say something, but when Nuffink thought he would actually speak, he coughed. His legs suddenly wobbled and he clung desperately to the viking, who chuckled.

''Calm down, you can barely stand.''

The viking was about to laugh at it, but he didn't do so as he guessed it was weird and difficult for the merman. He couldn't picture how it felt to go from tail and fins to two human legs. Tentatively, the viking helped him straightening, then let go of his arms. Frost couldn't stand at all and instantly fell. Though he managed to aim for the bed and clung to the edge.

His legs seemed to have no strength at all, but his arms did. Nuffink grabbed him by the waist and helped him sit. At least, sitting on the bed, he couldn't fall anymore. Once settled there, Frost nodded, mouthing a thanks, which made the viking smile again. He sat next to him and looked at him staring at his legs, he looked astounded. He stretched them and wiggled his toes, the innocent and amused look on his face feeding the viking's smile. Decidedly, Frost was adorable. And his laugh... The merman only needed to chuckle to make the blond's mind go blank.

''It worked.'' The white-haired boy breathed, smiling broadly.

Then he looked to the viking, their eyes met and their smile mirrored the other's. Nuffink looked at him for a long moment, then he softly brushed some strands off his temple.

''Welcome to Berk, Frost.''