Hiccup groaned, more annoyed than anything. Who knew how long he'd been out and he had horses he needed to take care of. His eyes shot open when an image of the black stallion, Toothless, came into his mind. Oh no! What if Dagur had done something to Toothless? He turned over and tried sitting up too fast and ended up doubled over in pain and back on his stomach moaning. His back felt like it was on fire and everything came rushing in waves clouding his memory; the pain, the sounds, the smells…all of it. He took shuddering breaths and wondered how bad the damage really was.
He shut his eyes and forced himself to try and get up despite the pain, using his elbows to try and right himself. He grunted, his whole body felt as heavy as lead and the slightest motions set fire to his back.
"You need to lie still." A calm voice broke out in the darkness and Hiccup gasped, falling back down onto his stomach for the second time. He looked around and realized he wasn't in a bunker or outside anywhere, but in some sort of tent. A small fire was going and it illuminated shadows on the leathery walls. He caught sight of shocking white hair and then found bright blue eyes that held his gaze.
"You…" Hiccup breathed.
Jack smiled at him as he sat against the tent walls, his knee up and his arm resting on it.
"I'm dreaming…" Hiccup mumbled, not quite able to believe his eyes.
"No. You're not." Jack replied, "But you were and they didn't sound very good."
"What did you do? Where am I? Toothless?!" Hiccup gasped.
Jack stared at him and sighed, "You need to lie still." He repeated, "Your back is healing."
"What happened?" Hiccup asked more furiously than before, attempting to get up once more.
Jack hated to do it, but he reached out and pushed Hiccup back down, trying to avoid any deep welts, "You're safe here."
"Where's here?" Hiccup asked.
"You're on Lakota land. My home." Jack answered.
Hiccup stared at him through his auburn locks that were drenched in sweat, "I'm…I'm your prisoner…"
Jack actually started laughing so hard he almost fell over, "You soldiers are so predictable!" he guffawed.
"Why am I here?" Hiccup asked, "What happened at the fort?"
Jack finally wiped his face and sighed, turning a little more serious, "You were beaten and practically left hanging there for dead. That black mustang and I…well…we showed those idiots. We set free quite a few horses and left the place a smoky mess. I brought you here. You and the stallion."
Hiccup couldn't believe his ears; his fort had been destroyed, horses were set free, and Toothless…
"You said the stallion is here?" Hiccup asked, "Where?"
"Out in the pasture with some of the other horses. My girl is watching him." He smirked.
Hiccup looked at Jack and realized that of course he had a woman. He was very handsome and obviously a very strong warrior to his people. He probably had kids too.
"Did she help with my back?" Hiccup asked.
"Hm?"
"Did she help heal my back?" Hiccup repeated and Jack narrowed his eyes curiously. He then looked around as though wondering what on earth Hiccup was talking about until it hit him and he laughed again.
"What?" Hiccup grunted, not very amused by the albino's humor.
"That's not what I meant." Jack corrected, "The stallion is being watched by my horse, Stormfly."
"Your girl…is a horse?" Hiccup asked, raising his eyebrow.
Jack chuckled, a silvery rumble, "Love of my life, really. I don't know what I'd do without her."
Hiccup found himself grinning. He loved horses too and had hated the way Dagur mistreated the ones at the fort. To hear how fond of his horse Jack was felt refreshing.
"So…you don't…have a wife or…anything?" Hiccup asked, hoping he didn't sound too interested.
"No. Although few have tried, I always pointed them in the better direction to a much better Lakota." Jack nodded, "I've never really been interested in having a woman in my tent."
"Never?"
"No." Jack admitted, shrugging, "I just haven't found the right warrior."
"Not all women can be warriors." Hiccup pointed out.
"Lakota women are considered warriors too. Just not the kind I am interested in." He said as he caught Hiccup's eyes.
Hiccup had no clue what he meant by that but let it go, realizing how sore he felt.
Jack came closer and Hiccup could feel his body heat radiating from him as he leaned over his back.
"I'm going to put the medicine on you now." Jack told him, "It might hurt just a little."
"It's fine…can't be worse than Dagur-AAH! OW!" Hiccup whined loudly. Jack wasn't kidding; it did hurt!
Jack sighed, "Almost done, quit baying at the moon."
Hiccup hissed, gripping the blanket he stayed on. Once Jack finished he panted, feeling as though he'd run a mile.
"You might be able to start walking by morning." Jack informed him as he put a cool towel on his back, "Just lie still. I'll put more medicine on it later."
"Jack? Jack!" a young little voice called, coming into the tent suddenly.
"Emma…" Jack groaned, "I told you to stay with Whispering Creek and her family tonight."
"I know, I know! I just wanted to see if he was awake yet?" she admitted.
Hiccup looked over to see a young child, wearing the cutest little Lakota garment, her chestnut hair in pigtails down her back and chocolate eyes as big as her face. Hiccup wondered who she was; she certainly looked like she could be Lakota, unlike Jack.
"He's still healing, you can meet him tomorrow." Jack told her firmly, "Go to bed, it's past dark."
"It's still a little light out." She lied.
Jack narrowed his eyes and she sighed, "Fine. I'll go."
"Good night, Emma." Jack smiled and she returned it and nodded.
"Who was that?" Hiccup asked as he looked up at Jack.
"My sister." Jack shrugged.
"She looks nothing like you." Hiccup noted.
"Nobody looks like me." Jack smirked.
"So…you're both Lakota?"
"We are now." He nodded, getting a small rag and dipping it in some water.
"So you were both…well you lived like civilized white men before?" Hiccup asked.
"We had a family on a farm." Jack muttered, "Our parents were slaughtered by Comanche. The Lakota took us in, gave us a home. We live with them now. And Emma's happy." He smiled sadly.
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Are you happy?" Hiccup asked as Jack wrung out the cloth and let the water trickle back into the bowl.
"Not yet." He admitted, "I'm content, but I'm not happy."
"You need a woman." Hiccup snorted.
"No…not a woman." Jack sighed.
Hiccup rolled his eyes. Someone was obviously confused about who they were or what they wanted. But it wasn't his problem. All he knew was, he needed to get home once he healed. And he was taking his horse with him.
"The stallion…is he okay?" he asked as Jack continued working on his back.
"He's doing well." Jack nodded, "But he's very high spirited. Stormfly is really helping him calm down."
"His name is Toothless." Hiccup told him.
"Toothless?" Jack snorted, "What a horrid name."
"Hey, it's a running joke between me and him." Hiccup defended, "He and I…we understand each other."
"Is that so?" Jack grinned and rolled his eyes.
"Yes actually." Hiccup spat, "You'll see."
"Maybe I will. I plan on trying to ride him tomorrow." Jack shrugged.
"Good luck with that." Hiccup scoffed, "Nobody can ride that horse."
"Alright…a deal then." Jack smirked as he bent down to catch Hiccup's eyes again with his own. If there was one thing Jack loved it was games and bets, "If I can't ride him, he's yours."
"And if you can?" Hiccup smiled.
Jack's smile got bigger, "He stays…and you stay…with me in my tent."
"That's it?" Hiccup grinned, "Fine by me."
"Deal?"
"Deal."
Jack was smiling a little too much and Hiccup didn't know whether it was because he was just a jokester or if there was more to it than what it seemed. He decided he was too tired to think on it and closed his eyes.
"Jack?"
"Yes Hiccup?"
"Thanks."
Jack didn't say anything as the brunette fell back into a deep slumber, but he did find some of his soft hair to run his fingers through. Jack wished he had as long a hair as Hiccup did. His was so short and never grew. It stuck out oddly and he felt more out of place than anything. Hiccup's hair was longer and shaggier but boy did it feel amazing as Jack made a small braid in the back. He admired his handiwork and grinned; Hiccup would make a fine Lakota yet, and if Jack had any say in it, he was going to win that bet.
…..
Mares…Toothless thought as he was forced to walk next to the beauty next to him. The ropes around their necks caused her to practically lead him along and he was getting very annoyed. But he couldn't deny how incredibly beautiful she was; a gorgeous blue roan. Her mane had white and gray zigzags in it that almost looked like spikes. He'd learned that her name was Stormfly. She was charming…in a stubborn and irritating kind of way, but he couldn't deny he liked that in her. So in the end, he let her show him her world.
At first, he found he detested her. The way she was around the human with white hair repulsed him. He couldn't begin to understand it; she treated this scrawny two-legged like one of his their kind, prancing around him like a love struck yearling. It was down-right unnatural. In the end, though, as he walked with her through her home, he could see how happy the horses were, how happy the humans were. There was laughter, food, and light. Not only that, but…a familiarity he was beginning to miss; a feeling of home. But it wasn't his home.
He watched as she took apples from the humans' hands with ease. While he turned his back from them and waited until they dropped it on the ground for him. He felt much better once he was out in the pasture with her, going towards the lake to drink and finding soft grass to lie on happily. He felt comforted with her near him and as the night wore on, he found his worries dissipating as he looked to the night sky happily, but longingly, wondering how his family was doing.
She must have sensed his feelings as he nuzzled him with her nose and snorted. He merely shook his mane and looked away, not wishing for her to see how hurt he was that he was trapped in this place, surrounded by creatures who wanted nothing more than to hurt him.
His mind suddenly wandered to the bleeding human who'd earned his trust so easily. He wondered if he too was gone like his family was. In a place so full of fear and ropes, he longed to have that human's hand on his muzzle again. He lay his head down and hoped come morning his spirit would be healed enough to break free and go home.
…..
Jack had been right about the medicine, he was already feeling better. Enough that he could finally sit up without his back screaming in pain. He looked around the tent and noticed that Jack wasn't there but he had left Hiccup a pair of leather pants that he could put on. Hiccup looked down to his own slacks and realized how filthy they were covered in his blood. He sighed and changed quickly before the sight nauseated him. He wished he had something to cover his back with but then again, the Lakota men weren't known for wearing shirts like 'normal' 'civilized' folk. He'd have to deal and hope the medicine took away some of the gruesome scars.
Jack opened the flap to the tent and walked inside. He grinned when he saw Hiccup who turned slightly red but was pretty sure no one could even tell.
"What?" Hiccup asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Nothing." Jack shrugged as he ushered Hiccup out, "Come on, I got him in the coral with Stormfly."
Hiccup followed him out and squinted as the sun hit his eyes. Once they adjusted he looked around.
It was incredibly peaceful and very green. Mountains could be seen in the distance, fields and fields of green meadows spread out for miles, and the lakes looked as though it were covered in diamonds. The trees were changing colors and Hiccup couldn't remember ever seeing anything so lush in his life. All around him were tents and other Lakota's milling about; children playing and adults speaking to one another with smiles on their faces. He could see horses roaming around the fields grazing and sunning themselves. No wonder Jack felt at home here.
"Come on!" Jack said more excitedly and even bounced on the heels of his feet for a second as he led Hiccup towards their coral at the edge of the tiny village.
Hiccup walked by other people who smiled warmly at Jack and gave him welcoming, yet, nervous glances. He wasn't sure how to speak to anyone and didn't know if he could really, so he settled for following Jack and hoping nobody stared at his back.
He rubbed his hair nervously near his neck and felt a tangle. He almost brushed it out when he realized it wasn't a tangle, but a braid. He narrowed his eyes at Jack and then shook his head, chuckling.
He looked ahead and his spirits lifted when he saw the majestic stallion standing proudly next to a blue roan. Both were grazing lazily and Hiccup felt so much happier seeing the beautiful horse looking so peaceful.
Jack leaned on the fence and watched them, a big smile on his face. Hiccup stood next to him and hardly dared to breathe it was so amazing. He hadn't seen horses look so content in a long time.
Jack clicked his tongue against his teeth and whistled. The mare looked up and whinnied happily, trotting over to Jack and shaking her mane. Hiccup watched as Jack hopped over the fence to greet her. She buried her nose into his chest and he held her to him, hugging her and kissing her forehead. She lifted her nose to push it against his face lovingly and he chuckled, scratching her chin.
"You keeping him calm, girl?" he asked her, "I knew I could count on you."
She sputtered and walked away happily.
"She's beautiful." Hiccup said as he climbed the fence carefully and walked over.
"Yeah, she's really one of a kind." Jack nodded proudly.
The mare walked over to Hiccup and sniffed him curiously. Hiccup smiled and laid his hand on her neck gently to pet her. She obliged him and came closer, sniffing into his hair and tickling his neck.
"She likes you!" Jack said happily.
"A lot of horses do." Hiccup admitted as he pet her, "I like to think it's my charm."
"Could be." Jack shrugged jokingly and looked over at the black stallion standing nervously in the middle of the coral. He gave one look at Jack and shook his mane, obviously unamused. However, the human that had Stormfly's attention at the moment piqued his interest and he found himself walking forward.
Jack watched as the stallion walked closer to Hiccup and waited until Stormfly walked away.
Hiccup looked up at the stallion and both made eye contact. Jack had never seen anything like it before; the most incredible connection was made between the two and Hiccup held out his hand, waiting patiently as the horse came forward and let him pet his nose.
"Hey bud." Hiccup said softly, "You had me so worried."
It was as if the horse understood him and came closer, nudging Hiccups shoulder with his nose curiously.
"I'm okay." Hiccup told the horse softly, "Looks like Dagur didn't get the best of us after all."
Jack couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing as the horse just simply stayed next to Hiccup and followed him around, even perking his ears up and swishing his tail excitedly.
Hiccup came over to Jack, his horse in tow.
"So you wanna ride him huh?" Hiccup smiled.
Jack wasn't so sure now. It was as if this horse was born to let Hiccup be his owner and if there was one thing Jack truly believed in, was that with every horse, there was a rider meant only for them. He had Stormfly and obviously, Hiccup had Toothless.
He recalled Stormfly being the foal in the meadow he'd come to. He'd played with her and raised her, but the minute he held her in his arms, she was his and he knew it. The same went for Hiccup and Toothless. The minute Hiccup helped this horse and earned its trust, they were meant to be a team.
"Well…I think you'd better go first." Jack admitted shyly, "Get him warmed up for me." He shrugged.
"Looks like you won't win that bet, Jack." Hiccup teased.
"Hey, I still have a shot!" Jack defended, "I'm sure I can get on him."
"We'll see." Hiccup chuckled as he rubbed Toothless carefully and found his twisted knee, "I'm surprised he didn't damage it further. It looks okay now."
"I'd take it easy he's had it pretty rough." Jack nodded.
Hiccup couldn't deny that fact as he looked Toothless in the eye and held his gaze, "Hey listen, I know you haven't had the best luck with riders, but what do you say giving me a lift, huh?"
He patted the horse's back and waited until he felt the horse relaxing and bowing its head to him.
"Okay, we'll take it easy, how's that sound?" Hiccup suggested to the horse as he braced himself, "Ready?"
The horse seemed to nod and Hiccup got onto his back very carefully. He waited until he was situated and admitted bareback wasn't his favorite way to ride a horse. He felt as though he were slipping but held onto the horse's mane and just sat there, letting the horse decide.
Toothless seemed to wait as well and finally, without any nudging, walked forward.
"There you go!" Hiccup cheered, "You're already on the mend, bud!"
The horse walked a little faster and then Hiccup held on, "Up to you, Toothless, I'll go where you go."
Toothless obviously liked that suggestion as he started trotting. It turned into a canter and Hiccup felt as though he should prepare for a gallop but was glad Toothless didn't. He didn't have very much room and Hiccup wasn't quite as prepared as he would have liked to have been.
"That's okay, bud. We'll race the wind later. Boy I can't wait for that." He admitted and patted Toothless' neck before hopping down, "Thanks Toothless." He smiled as he rubbed the horses muzzle and let him go.
The horse walked back towards Stormfly who nudged him with her nose affectionately.
"Wow." Jack breathed, "You know those soldiers could have taken a lesson from you." He admitted as he walked up to Hiccup.
He shrugged and nodded, "Yeah, but…who wants to listen to a scrawny white kid?"
"I wouldn't." Jack chuckled, "But then again…you're more of a warrior anyway."
Hiccup glanced at him for a few seconds before turning away and choosing to watch Toothless interacting with Stormfly.
"Alright." Jack smiled, rubbing his hands together, "My turn."
Hiccup rolled his eyes and leaned up against the fence. As Jack advanced on Toothless carefully Hiccup suddenly felt another presence next to him and looked over quickly.
Jack's sister, Emma was standing on one of the fence posts and leaning over the edge, smiling as she watched Jack.
"Hello there." Hiccup smiled at her.
"Hello." She answered in perfect English, "Your name is Hiccup, right?"
"Yes." Hiccup nodded, "Emma?"
"Yes, but they call me Chestnut Bird here because of my hair and sweet voice." She said proudly.
"That's a nice name." Hiccup complimented.
"You'll get a name too." She told him.
"I doubt that." He sighed, "I have to go back to where I came from."
"Why? Jack told me they hurt you. You even have horrible scars. Why would you ever want to go back?"
Hiccup wondered the same thing but in the end, there was no way he would be welcome here. He was a white soldier sent to take Native American land. As much as he was against it, he was raised to be a soldier and nothing more.
"It's complicated." He sighed, "But your people wouldn't exactly accept me."
"We would." She defended, "You're with Jack and that means you are a friend to us."
"That's very kind but…"
"You should stay and be happy here with Jack. He really likes you. I've never seen him look so happy."
"Really?" Hiccup smiled.
He looked over to see Jack chasing Toothless who was practically leading him along like a pony. Jack didn't seem too bothered and actually took his time with the horse, laughing as it played him along. He had to admit watching Jack with the horse was not only entertaining but very sweet. Hiccup loved how much expression crossed his face; from excitement to frustration to determination. Both were not giving up and Hiccup really did like that quality in his horse as well as his new friend. At the rate both were going he had to wonder if Jack really would win that bet.
"Jack wants you to stay." Emma nodded.
"I couldn't tell." Hiccup laughed.
"So you should stay."
"Well, if he wins our little bet, then I will."
"What bet?" she asked curiously.
"If he can get on that horse then he says I have to stay with him in his tent." He shrugged.
Emma's eyes widened and she smiled excitedly, "I knew it! He loves you!"
Hiccup's chest tightened and he turned to her sharply, "What?!"
"He wants to marry you!"
He couldn't stop the laughter from coming out of him. She must be some little imaginative girl to think such a thing out of something so silly. He decided to humor her.
"Well then at this rate, looks like that's not happening."
"Actually…" she smiled and pointed over towards the horses.
Hiccup turned and gasped as Jack managed to climb onto Toothless' back very carefully and let the horse walk around the coral, Stormfly close by.
Jack whooped for joy, his hands in the air, "I did it!" he cried happily, "I'm on Toothless!"
"I'll go tell the Elders to get ready." Emma grinned as she hopped down and ran off.
"Wait! What?!" Hiccup shouted after her, "No! Wait!"
Too late and she was long gone.
Hiccup ran up to Jack who was sitting proudly and coaxing Toothless along gently, "You really are a brave spirit, Toothless. It is truly an honor to ride you."
The horse seemed pleased with the words but was obviously sick of Jack being on his back and bounced up, hoping he'd get the hint.
Jack luckily did and climbed down to see Hiccup looking flustered as he came towards him.
"Jack! You need to stop your sister, quick!" he cried.
"What?" Jack asked, concerned.
"She…she thinks you…that you and I…"
"What?" he asked as he narrowed his eyes.
"She thinks that when you said I would stay with you in your tent that meant we were…we were getting married but…there's no way, right?"
Jack grinned mischievously suddenly and Hiccup swallowed, "I won the bet, right?"
"Well…technically…yes…"
"You and Toothless have to stay, right?"
"I…I guess so…" Hiccup said. He was a man of honor after all and Emma was right in that he really had nowhere else to go. He certainly wasn't going back to Dagur.
"Well then, let's find the Elders." Jack smiled as he took Hiccup's hand.
"Whoa! Wait!" Hiccup tried reasoning with him. He must be playing a trick on Hiccup or something.
Jack sighed and suddenly picked up Hiccup and flung him over his shoulder, "This is how we do things here, Hiccup. You agreed to it. You have to stay with me in my tent."
Hiccup could only stare at the ground and realized he'd totally been shanghaied by a Lakota into marriage.
"Put me down! I'm not some white woman you stole in a raid!" Hiccup shouted.
Jack merely smiled and patted Hiccup's butt in response, "Nope, you're much better."
Hiccup turned beet red and glared at the ground and finally looked up at Toothless who stared at him curiously, "Help!" Hiccup cried to the horse weakly. The horse cocked its head and then turned away to nuzzle his new friend, Stormfly and Jack realized that both of them were pretty much doomed at that point.
Jack had obviously no intentions of letting Hiccup go.
He carried him all the way to the Elders tent and then put him down carefully. People were gathering around and watching them and Hiccup wanted to sink into the ground. All he could do was awkwardly wave and hope people didn't think he was a complete and utter weakling.
He saw three men and a woman come out of the then, all extravagantly dressed and older than anyone else in the tribe. They had warm smiles and all opened their arms to Jack and Hiccup.
"Who brings this new member of the Lakota into the tent?" one of the elder males spoke in a raspy voice.
"Winter Warrior." Jack stepped forward proudly, holding Hiccup's hand.
"Do you Winter Warrior promise to watch over and protect Stallion Whisperer, make him a great warrior, and show him the ways of the spirits as you live as one in your tent?"
"Yes." Jack said firmly.
"Welcome Stallion Whisperer. You will join us in the tent and complete the ceremony."
Hiccup couldn't believe no one found this strange at all; two men were seriously getting married! He felt a pull inside of him to run, but Jack's hand holding his felt strong and very warm; a feeling he hadn't felt in so long.
He looked at Jack who grinned at him happily. Hiccup rolled his eyes and followed him in against his better judgment. Damn it, the boy was incredibly handsome, and he did save his life after all. Hiccup had agreed to the bet and decided that he could do much, much worse. He thought about his life before and how sad he was, all the time. How hurt he'd been, and the one person who wanted him, who wouldn't hurt him, was holding his hand in this moment. As he looked into those sapphire eyes, he couldn't find it in him to deny being with Jack as one. Little by little, with every encouraging nod and tear shed by the tribe with happiness, he found the butterflies in his stomach leaving and more and more felt like he might just finally have found his home.
By the end of the ritual, not only had Hiccup earned a Lakota name and become Jack's husband and Emma's new brother, but he had only one thought cross his mind right before Jack leaned down to kiss him; he was never making a bet with Jack again.
…..
It was nightfall and the stars shone brightly, reminding Toothless of home. He could see and hear the other humans in the village obviously celebrating something, talking and singing loudly and fires blazing. He really didn't care for it and found he much rather enjoyed being with Stormfly and watching her sleep.
To be honest Toothless had found he rather liked the two-legend's he'd let on his back today. The green eyed one was by far his favorite and only trustworthy one. He spoke with words that soothed his spirit, language he understood, and showed compassion in more ways than one. The other was more of a nuisance but because Stormfly loved him he decided to win her over by appealing to the stupid white haired cretin. It must have worked as she seemed fonder of Toothless than ever before.
They lay together in the field and he wondered how his family was and where they were. How he needed to see them again. He longed to roam free on the lands once more and race the eagle. But oh how he wanted Stormfly at his side. Not only that; he wished his human could see the wonder and beauty of his land.
As he observed the lovely sleeping mare next to him, he wondered if he would ever get to share his homeland with her and felt a tug in his heart; he was torn between two worlds.
Perhaps he would see them again and perhaps he could make a home here with his new friends. He closed his eyes and found himself singing a song to himself that he'd used to calm him even as a foal when he felt lost and afraid in the dark. It was a song he learned listening the wind in the trees, the ripples in the water, and the feeling of warmth he felt surrounded by those he loved. And on this night, it reminded him of what home felt like.
I hear the wind call your name. It calls me back home again. It sparks up the fire - a flame that still burns. Oh it's to you I'll always return.
