The stranger spoke, his voice soft as he introduced himself.
"Why, hello there..." Hiccup smiled brightly at the other male on the ground. "My name is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III." Hiccup bowed softly.
"I'm the king's son. I saw what those boys did to you...Do you need me to do something about it? I can if you need me to." Hiccup hopped down, not caring if he dirtied up his cape. His metal leg clanked on the cobblestone floor as he made his way over to Jack. . Jackson's eyebrows furrowed, before his eyes widened when Hiccup stated that he was the king's son. Shuffling to his feet when the boy climbed down from his horse, Jack glanced out of the alley.
"That...Ah, won't be necessary." He said, eyes flickering between the boy and the exit of the alley.
Offering a hand, Hiccup smiled again. "I can help if you need any. Those boys need to be punished for what they've done. If I wasn't so short and so..." Hiccup sighed softly as he gestured to his leg. "Handicapped. Then I would have done something right then and there."
"So...Where do you live?" Hiccup noticed again how dirty he was.
He didn't understand it, why this boy - the king's son, he reminded himself, would be offering to take care of those guys. It wasn't like those boys had done anything to him, and yet he was offering for someone like Jack.
"Really," Jack held his hands up, dirty palms facing the boy. "It's not needed; I can get home fine by myself."
Slowly, he inched towards the exit, eyes staying focused on Hiccup as he went. The town had gotten louder, signaling the approach of Hiccup's father, and the king of Berk, Stoick the Vast. He froze up at the sound, it was bad enough he had run into the Prince looking like this, but running into the King? His eyes looked down the other way, but it was a dead end.
Hiccup sighed and waved his hand. "Okay...If you must go then just go without saying anything..." Hiccup looked down and noticed how dirty the floor was. "Uh oh..." Hiccup bent down to tie his shoe. He didn't hear the footsteps that came from behind him. The thugs were back, and they weren't looking for Jack. They had noticed that the prince had walked into the alleyway and that Jack had ran out. This was their chance.
Stoick was marching his horse down the streets waving at people. When Jack had run out in front of him, he waved his hand at him. "Get out of the way, peasant!" He snapped gruffly. He shook his head and kept waving. Stumbling back to the alley, Jack's eyes kept focused on the king as he moved past the alley, and then turned to see the boys from earlier. Stumbling back to the alley, Jack's eyes kept focused on the king as he moved past the alley, and then turned to see the boys from earlier.
"I need to find Hiccup...Where is he...?" Stoick murmured to himself, keeping his eyes peeled for the black Stallion.
"Hey!" He yelled, drawing the attention of the thugs and of the Prince.
The leader narrowed his eyes, easily recognizing Jack by his looks. But he didn't see him as a threat, and motioned for the other two to deal with him. But, now Hiccups attention was on them, making it harder for them to steal whatever jewels and valuables on him. Maybe they could put the blame onto the white haired male, make the Prince believe that they were coming to make sure Jack hadn't done anything.
"Did he do anything to you?" The thug asked as he slowly approached Hiccup.
Hiccup heard the voice and looked over quickly. It was the thugs! Hiccup stood up quickly and shuffled over to Toothless in a defensive manner. "Oh...No...He didn't do anything! I'm fine..." Hiccup straddled the horse quickly. "Could you maybe...Move out of the way? You see...I need to go find my dad. You know? The KING."
The thug laughed when Hiccup stated he was the king's son, clearly already knowing that from his clothing and the black horse that the boy had pulled himself upon.
Looking past the thugs, Jack watched Hiccup, seeing the way he moved over to his horse as the large boy approached him.
Toothless whinnied as Hiccup took a hold of the reins. "H-hey! You...Guy!" Hiccup pointed to Jack. "I need some help here...He's not letting me get through..." Hiccup's voice was thick with distraught and worry. It was obvious that he was getting scared. His knuckles were turning white as the grip on the reins grew. He was starting to tremble lightly and sweat beaded up on his forehead.
The thug's attention moved away from the Prince when he called for Jack's help.
Shoving past the other two thugs, Jack tried to get to Hiccup and the thug leader. Whatever their intentions were, it wasn't good.
Looking up to the boy on the horse, Jack caught the clear signs of fear in his eyes. He seemed to not be used to something like this, but then, Jack figured that. Rich boy wasn't use to rough life on the streets. Still, Jack couldn't just leave him there to deal with it on his own. Sighing, he shoved one of the thugs away, pulling back to punch the other one.
Maybe his mother wouldn't get mad if he explained to her that he was trying to help the Prince. It wasn't like he had intended to get into a fight in an alley. With quick footsteps, he was moving to the boy closest to Hiccup.
"I'm only here to protect you." The thug lied to Hiccup. He glanced to Jack as he got closer. "Look at the brute!"
"No, you're not!" Hiccup snapped, seeing right through the lie. His grip tightened as he got increasingly worried. "He's not a brute! HE is the one trying to protect me! Not you, you psycho!" Toothless's eyes were wide as he started to get edgy himself. The vibe that his owner was giving off made him increasingly worried. He started to prance in place, getting ready to run.
"Oh, please Odin, Help me..." He needed to get to his dad. If Hiccup was beat up and lying on the ground and the thugs had run away leaving only Jack there, Stoick would have him executed without any warning. "If you do this for me...I will do something in return. I promise...Just, please help me..."
Ignoring the plead coming from the Prince; Jack tackled the larger boy to the ground. He didn't want anything from Hiccup, but he also wasn't going to allow this thug to try and do whatever he'd planned to the other male. The boy under him was larger, and used that strength to his advantage, rolling them over so that it was Jack pinned under him.
The first hit had landed a punch straight to Jack's jaw that made his teeth click and just barely miss biting down on his tongue. But, now that he was expecting it, he tried to avoid any other hit aimed at him. His blue eyes kept focused on the thug while he tried to think of something to do to get out of this, soon, the other two thugs would be up, and they'd join in on the first.
"Get out of here!" He snapped at Hiccup, his eyes glancing to the boy on the horse.
The thugs weren't focused on him anymore, more onto the dirtied boy still pinned down to the ground. Glancing down, his leg kicked out when he saw the one he had punched getting closer, before bringing his head forward to slam his forehead into the thug pinning him.
While the contact of their heads caused his head to throb with pain, it was enough for the boy to pull back and clamber off of him. Crawling back, Jack glanced again to the black horse and the boy seated on its back. "Go!" He yelled again.
Hiccup had to think fast. Toothless was getting nervous and this boy was going to get pummeled. Hiccup sucked all of his courage in and whipped the reins. Toothless bolted out quickly. Hiccup grabbed the boy by the collar and tried to pick him up. This did not work and Hiccup only succeeded in dragging Jack out of there like a rag doll.
Toothless started to slow down as the approached the parade. Hiccup stopped him all of the way and jumped off of him. "Are you okay...?" Hiccup asked anxiously as his hands felt around Jack's body, looking for cuts and scrapes.
He hadn't caught the sound of retreating hooves, but then again, he was more busy making sure that he'd be able to defend himself as best he could against the three thugs. Eyes closed and ready to take the blows aimed for him, Jack gave a noise of surprise when he felt a hand grab onto the collar of his shirt, his bare feet tried to kick off the ground, either to escape or try and kick one of the thugs away.
Opening his eyes, he looked up the arm until he saw that it was the Prince who had a hold of him. He heard the thugs yelling after them as he was practically drug out of the alley and out into the open.
Toothless started to slow down as they approached the parade. Hiccup stopped him all of the way and jumped off of him. "Are you okay...?" Hiccup asked anxiously as his hands felt around Jack's body, looking for cuts and scrapes.
Panting once he was released, Jack ran a hand over his face, probably only dirtying it up more. Then he felt small hands on his body, and looking, he saw it was Hiccup. His face full of concern as his hands searched him for signs of any scrapes and cuts. Aside from his backside hurting from being pulling across cobblestone, and his aching jaw and forehead from fighting off the thug, nothing else was injured.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." He said, face flushed as he tried to push the boy's hands away from him.
Hiccup stepped back, slightly annoyed with how he reacted to his acts of kindness. "Fine then. You're welcome by the way." Hiccup huffed and saw his father. Jack sighed, hearing the annoyed tone in the Prince's voice. "Oh! Stay here for a second!" Hiccup jumped up on the horse and he galloped over to his father. Moving to stand, he watched as the boy walked over to where the king had stopped at seeing him.
"Hey, dad! Do you see that boy over there!?" Hiccup pointed at Jack.
He saw Hiccup turn to point his way. Great, try to save the kid and it seemed he was getting in trouble.
"Listen, he saved my life and I'd like to do a personal favor! Can he come stay at the castle with us? Please, dad?" Hiccup was begging softly. "Some thugs were about to beat me up and he came along and distracted them while I ran away. So, can he?" Hiccup was begging his father loudly, in front of everyone.
Then, everyone close to hearing range turned, looking at Jack as if he'd suddenly sprouted wings or something. He wasn't sure what was going on, the villagers seemed shocked by whatever Hiccup had said. Stoick though, seemed perturbed by it.
From the crowd, Jack's mother had pushed through and rushed to her older child. "Jackson, is it true? You protected the Prince from thugs?" She questioned, her hands cupping his face.
"A peasant boy?" The king questioned, eyeing Jack. "But son, we have plenty of servants at the castle."
He didn't understand why his son would want the boy. If he saved him, wouldn't it be simpler if they just gave him a few coins and then be on their way. Nothing good would come out of bringing a boy like him to Berk. Dirty, probably wild, like an animal. He'd only get in the way and get into trouble.
Hiccup growled loudly at his father. "Dad, all of the servants are old and not my age. He may be two years older than me, but he still saved my life. He's old enough to be my friend. Dad. Please..." Hiccup was tired of being alone in that big castle. He wanted friends and needed friends.
"Friend?!" Stoick exclaimed, as if it was the most ridiculous thing his son had ever brought up. "You have friends, Hiccup. Those servants are there to work, not to goof off and play."
"We'll find you someone else then. Perhaps that Dagur boy from the neighboring kingdom"
Dagur was a few years older than Hiccup, but he'd be a mighty choice. He was raised well, and had already known how to run a kingdom by the time he was 11. Dagur would be a good influence on Hiccup. Could teach him things, introduce him to other royalty. Perhaps, help find his boy a fine young woman who he would someday marry.
"Don't even think about bringing up the rich kids. I told you, they're all mean to me. Please, dad..." Hiccup begged loudly. "And if he comes with us, he can be MY servant. You won't have to interact with him at all if you don't want to."
It was clear the man had made his decision, shaking his head. He would not allow it, would not welcome that boy into his castle. And even if he did, he did not want Hiccup reacting with the white haired boy unless it was because he needed him to fetch him something, or tend to his needs. Needs that did not include playing games or distracting his son from his duties.
"No!" Hiccup snapped loudly. They were in the middle of the parade, so Stoick couldn't contradict him. "I have no friends, father! They are all assholes!" Hiccup never dared to cuss in front of his father. "This man deserves to be treated kindly for what he did to me! Now, you will either accept him and take him home, or I will stay here until you do." Hiccup crossed his arms over his chest.
"Also, Dagur KILLED his father!" Hiccup nodded once as Toothless took a few steps back, not liking the screaming that his owner was doing. "Now you will let this boy stay!" Hiccup was not one to order his father around, but he had had enough of him.
Stoick was silenced by Hiccup's words. Never in his life had he heard him so set on something like this. Again, his attention drifted to the boy who his son wanted to bring back. He knew, there was no arguing when his boy was set on this. But still, he did not like the thought of bringing such a boy back to the castle.
"Fine." Stoick finally said, nodding his head. "He may come, and at the castle, he will be given his duties."
He would have to discuss this later with Hiccup, when they were not in the public eye of the villagers of Burgess. Nudging his heel into his own horse, he was moving again.
Hiccup squealed happily. "Oh, thank you father!"
The villagers calmed once it seemed the conversation between the King and his son was over. Jack's mother kept a close eye on them, before turning back to her son. "Oh Jackson, I feared you had done something wrong." She gave a sigh of relief. Stepping away, Mrs. Overland slowly approached Hiccup.
Hiccup clicked his tongue and Toothless trotted over to Ms. Overland. "Oh, you must be his mother! Say, what's his name? He never told me! If there is anything I should know, just tell me. Like allergies, or special things that are important. I want to give him the best home in the world. It'll take some bribing, but I'll try to do it! My dad's like a brick wall! If you try and argue with it, it will just stay there! But if you take a battering ram and run into it a few times, it'll go down faster than an acorn during fall time." Hiccup grinned. This was going to be awesome and he couldn't wait.
Mrs. Overland stared at the Prince in awe, her mouth open and eyes watching him as he spoke. She was brought back though at his words, she didn't understand. "Wait, are you taking him?" She asked.
She sounded bewildered, having not expected the Prince to want to take Jack with him. She had just assumed maybe they'd be getting some sort of reward for Jack helping the boy. Glancing back to her son, she frowned.
"But…what about my daughter and me?" She asked, gesturing to herself and Emma, who stood with her face tucked into her brothers side. "We're grateful that you want to take Jackson back with you, but.. He works, and Emma would miss him."
Hiccup didn't think this far. Now he just felt like a complete jerk. Hiccup sighed and thought. "Um...Well it's not really MY call, but if you'd like, I can send a few gold coins a month. Then, you can come and visit him any time you want. I'll send a donkey and a servant here to pick you guys up every other month."
With his arm around the small girl, Jack raised an eyebrow, watching his mother talk with Hiccup. Where he stood a distance away, he saw King Stoick, shooting looks in their direction.
Hiccup felt proud of himself. He could talk his dad into it. They were rich! Hiccup felt like he was now doing a good deed. "Come on, Jack!" Hiccup guessed that was his name since that's what she called the boy.
"I promise I will get you the best care that you need. If my father says, no, I'll make him say yes!" Hiccup was still grinning.
In a way, Mrs. Overland felt like she was selling out her son. But, the Prince seemed so set on this. Grinning excitedly like a child on Christmas. Sighing, she slowly nodded her head. The gold coins would make up more than anything for the money Jack wouldn't be bringing home from work and at least they'd be able to visit.
Jack was confused when the boy called for him, slowly stepping closer with Emma at his side. He stopped once he was by Hiccup and his mother, looking between them with confusion clear on his face. His mother was trying to keep from crying, taking her son's face and pressing a kiss to his forehead.
"Prince Hiccup will be taking you with him, Jackson." She told him.
Blue eyes wide, Jack looked at Hiccup, silently pleading for an explanation on why he was being taken away. Emma held tighter to him, shaking her head. She didn't want Jack to go, not without her.
"I-I don't…why?" Jack asked Hiccup, wrapping his arms around the small girl.
Hiccup felt his heart break at the sight of them. He knew that they were about to cry and it broke Hiccup's heart. "I...I'm...Don't cry...Please...Don't..." Hiccup hopped off of the horse, holding back his own tears. He was too soft to see a whole bunch of people crying.
"It's okay, Jack's mom! Jack's sister? It's fine! You'll get to see him! I promise! Please...Stop crying...I beg you..." Hiccup zipped from one person to the other, begging them to stop. He felt a tear stream down his own cheek as a lump formed in his throat. "I promise! Everything's going to be fine! He'll be taken care of! I swear! I'll make sure of it!" Hiccup was clearly distraught because of all of the sadness that now lurked in the air.
At some point, Emma had finally broken, her hands grabbing at Jack's shirt as tears spilled from her eyes. She wanted to tell at Hiccup, to hit him for taking her brother. Mrs. Overland plucked the small girl up in her arms, her own tears sliding down her cheeks. She tried to soothe the girl, fingers stroking through her brown hair.
After a minute of trying to comfort them, Hiccup struggled to get into his saddle. Taking his cape, he used it to wipe his eyes. "Please...Come on...Jack...I'm sorry guys." Hiccup was barely able to choke this out as his hand grabbed the reins.
"Go, Jack, please." She begged, nodding towards Hiccup.
Trying to hold in his own tears, Jack couldn't bear to look at his sister. Biting hard at his bottom lip, he stepped closer to Hiccup. Was he supposed to climb up with him, or walk back to the castle? He looked up at the Prince, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Hiccup was waiting for them to finish up. He couldn't watch them anymore. If he did, then he would be a blubbering mess himself.
When he heard silence, he looked down, staring at Jack. "W-well...? Come on...There's room for two in this saddle..." Hiccup gave him a quirky smile. The way Jack looked at Hiccup made him feel like an arrow had just gone through his heart.
Carefully hoisting himself up onto the saddle, Jack frowned at just how close he was sitting to the Prince. He wasn't sure where to grab, so his fingers grasped onto the back of his cape. Looking down, he frowned when his eyes landed on his mother and Emma.
When Jack climbed up, Hiccup nodded to the two on the ground. "I...I'll send the gold and the servant in a week, that way you can visit as soon as possible." Hiccup waved to them and tried his best to smile. "Bye..." He waited for Jack to say his final goodbyes.
"I-I'll write." He told his mother, who nodded her head.
He couldn't handle seeing Emma like that, her legs and arms kicking as she tried to get free of her mother's hold. "Jack!" She screamed, tear filled brown eyes looking at him.
Jack looked away before he ended up throwing himself off the horse. Pressing his face into Hiccup's shoulder, he felt a tear slip from his eye. "Please…let's just go." He whispered, low enough for only the Prince to hear.
Hiccup nodded solemnly before he nudged Toothless. The horse whinnied and then started to trot along. Hiccup made him slow down when they got close to the king. He didn't want Stoick in earshot. Hiccup felt the pressure on his shoulder and then there was a soft wet spot.
The prince slowly pushed Jack's head up as he turned around in his saddle, looking directly at the blue-eyed male. "Listen...Jack, I'm sorry...I didn't know that it was going to be like this...I thought they'd be happy...That you'd be happy..." Hiccup had to dab at his own eyes again. His tears were too much for Hiccup. "I'm so sorry..." He choked out before placing a hand on Jack's shoulder.
"Look on the bright side...They'll have a little more money to sustain themselves!" Hiccup was trying to cheer him up, even though he himself had tears in his eyes. "You still get to see them? It's like thirty minutes from here to there...Please be happy..."
Jack choked back a sob, lips trembling as he looked at the Prince. If Hiccup wanted him to be happy, why take him away from his family? Why couldn't he have done something else to thank Jack for helping him? And as much as he hated himself for the thought, maybe he shouldn't have helped. He should have allowed the thugs to beat the boy off and left on his way.
But Jack wasn't like that, and he wouldn't have left him there. Sighing, he looked away from Hiccup, not saying a word. Now he'd have to stay in a castle with a man who clearly did not like his presence, and missing his family. He wasn't even sure what he was being taken for. Did the King and Prince normally just walk into town and pick up villagers to become servants.
Sighing, Hiccup turned back around. Obviously Jack didn't want anything to do with him and that wasn't fine.
"Are you ready to leave?" Stoick questioned once Hiccup was close enough, his eyes only glancing at Jack for a second, before acting as if he wasn't even there.
"Yes...I'm ready..." With that, Stoick's horse started to saunter towards the castle. Hiccup keeping quiet like usual.
That was fine with Jack; he didn't want the King to see him like this. With a sniffle, he tried to hold back any more tears. He'd have plenty of time to cry, until he was allowed to see his family again.
As they neared the castle, Hiccup had gotten over his semi-glum mood. Raising his hands to the sky, Hiccup sang out. "There it is, Jack! This is where you're going to stay!"
