Httyd SPELL BOUND ?

From beyond the grave

"A secret room?" Hiccup thought. "That's it?"

"It's not about the room, Hiccup." Astrid rolled her eyes. "It's about what's in the room."

"You know, I'm still dealing with the idea of you rummaging through my house."

By this time, Oakley had opened the trap door. She decided to ignore her girlfriend and brother's antics and hopped inside landing on the floor a few feet below.

"You know, it's called a ladder," Hiccup called.

"Jumping's faster. Get down here!" She commanded. Hiccup was slightly taken back by his sister's tone but soon obliged.

The second Hiccup and Astrid joined Oakley in the 'secret' basement, Oakley grabbed Astrid's hand and the room lit up.

"What is all this stuff?" Hiccup glanced around the room at the strangely familiar items all stored neatly, not a single spec of dust in sight.

"It was your mothers," Astrid explained. "But that's not why I brought you here."

"It isn't?' Oakley wondered.

"No." The blonde made her way to a chest on the far side of the room and pulled out two pieces of parchment, handing them to the Haddocks they were addressed to.

'Dear Hiccup on your sixteenth birthday, My beautiful boy. I hope that I am around to see you read this, but alas, we cannot predict the future, which is why I am writing to you now. I just want you to know that you are safe, and you are loved. More than you know. I'm sure all the girls are probably chasing you by now. My handsome boy.'

Astrid and Oakley snickered.

'So I wanted to give you this.'

Astrid handed him a necklace.

'This was your father's betrothal gift to me. And I want you to give it to someone special. It's strange to think of you all grown up, as I write this, you are only five years old. I could keep writing for days but I know I shouldn't. However, I have a favor to ask of you. Take care of your sister. Hold onto each other and never let go. You are stronger together. I love you. Love Mom.'

Hiccup finished reading.

"So, mom wrote us letters for our sixteenth birthday and dad hid them? Why?" He questioned.

'Dear Oakley on your sixteenth birthday, My little ray of sunshine. I can only hope that Hiccup has finally outgrown you now and that you have finally outgrown your... destructive phase.'

"Boy, was she wrong." Oak chuckled.

'I remember when we first discovered your powers. You were six months old and Berk was facing a thunderstorm in the height of summer. Not a soul could understand it. We had to shut the whole island down for a week all because your teeth were coming in. Now at three years old, I see that some things never change. You're a little rascal, all those late-night snowball fights with your brother.'

Oakley subconsciously tightened her grip on the piece of parchment, crumpling it at the sides. Hiccup gently took the paper from her hands and held her close as she appeared almost frozen in time. He slowly backed out of the hug.

"You want me to read it?" He asked. She nodded gratefully.

'Every day with you brings a new adventure. Like last week. You pointed towards the great hall and said 'daddy' and the next thing I know, we are standing behind your father. That was fun to explain to the Berk council. Luckily for us, most Viking men were not blessed with brains.'

"Thanks, mom." Hiccup rolled his eyes sarcastically.

'Your father would feed me to the boars at the mere suggestion, but if you ever do find your prince charming, then this hammer may come in handy.' Astrid gestured to the large weapon in the chest.

'Take care of your brother. Hold onto each other and never let go. I love you. Love Mom.'

"So why wouldn't dad let us see these?" Hiccup wondered.

"I feel like she's trying to tell us something." Oakley thought intently for a moment. "Be brave..." She whispered to herself.

"Hold onto each other..." Hiccup continued.

"Never let go." They both finished.

"What does it mean?" Astrid wondered.

"Mom used to say it to us every night. If we're scared or lost. Be brave, hold onto each other and never let go." Hiccup explained. Oakley threw her arms around him almost instinctively and after a few minutes, she and Astrid began to glow.

"Umm, Oak. Do you hear that?" Astrid wondered.

"Hear what? I don't hear anything." Hiccup thought.

"Wait, I hear it too." Oakley focused on the voice in her head, currently drowning out all the others. "That's not possible. Is it?"

"What is it?"

"Mom..."

***