B&B - Chapter seven: New Home
This scene wasn't in either B&B films, but this was my own spin on how I wanted their relationship to start. We get to see a little of the Beast's side of the story. And seriously? 506 views? You guys are crazy! Enjoy!
Hiccup couldn't help but gasp and jump back as the beast suddenly appeared in front of the cell again. She was scowling, her eyes narrow as she glared down at him through the bars. Hiccup didn't know what to expect.
"Come with me," she said gruffly. She reached down with her wing and, after some time clawing at it in futility, she gave up and, instead, hurled her sharp tail down at the handle, slicing the lock apart. The door finally creaked open.
"W-Where are you taking me?" Hiccup asked.
"Quiet," she snapped, "You will find out soon enough."
She led him down the tower and through the castle until she brought him through a long, carpeted corridor. Finally, they stopped in front of a large room with a four-poster bed and all the vanities of a fancy castle chamber. Stepping inside, Hiccup was very confused.
The beast huffed as she stood at the door, "There's a storm coming. You shouldn't be in the highest tower, too cold and unsafe. You will remain in here, instead."
Taking a glance out the tall window, Hiccup saw that she was right. Dark storm clouds were rolling closer to the castle, the rumble of thunder not that far off. That would certainly explain why his stump was aching. For a moment, he thought about his mother and wondered if she was safe at the cottage yet.
"Um… thank you?" he tried.
The beast blinked with something like genuine surprise on her face. Maybe no one had said that to her in a long time.
"You're… You're welcome… Um?" she said, asking for his name.
"Hiccup," he answered.
She rolled her eyes and grumbled under her breath, "Of course, it is."
She turned to leave when Hiccup called after her. "Wait, what should I call you?" he asked.
She paused for a second before answering. "'Beast' will do for now," she said gruffly before shutting the door behind her with a sharp snap. He could hear the door click as it locked.
Hiccup stood there, not sure what to do now. This changed things. Instead of picking the lock of a cell in a tower, now he had to figure out how he'd escape a locked castle chamber. This was going to be trickier than he thought.
Never in all his life could he have possibly imagined this would happen to him. He just wanted something more than the same old repetitive days in the village.
"This isn't exactly what I had in mind," he muttered to the gods.
He listened for a while to make sure that 'Beast', or whatever she called herself, was gone. He looked across from the bed and saw the room's only window. Unlatching the bolt, Hiccup opened the window and looked down, however the sight made him a little dizzy. It was a sheer drop without any ledges or footholds for him to climb down.
Sighing, he stepped back and sat on the bed, trying to think. But before he knew it, he found himself drifting off from exhaustion. Lying back on the bed, he stared up at the high-vaulted ceiling, his mind too sluggish to come up with any plans for now.
Maybe a nap would clear his head…
…
Outside the door, the beast stood there, not sure how to feel. This changed things.
"That was a very nice gesture, my Lady," said a candelabra. The clock beside him nodded in agreement.
"It wasn't nice, it was necessary, Tuffwick," she grumbled as she turned and continued down the corridor. She didn't wait or slow down for the candelabra or the clock to catch up with her. "Have you checked all the windows? Batten down all the doors? The west wing? The northwest tower?"
"Yes, my Lady. Everything is prepared," the clock puffed as he raced to keep up with her.
"Good," she nodded. "Go and keep the stoves running, Cogslegs. I don't care how long. All day and night if you have too. Keep this castle warm."
"Yes, Ma'am," the clock saluted before hopping his way to the kitchens.
…
The Beast didn't stop until she reached her own room, down at the far end of the west wing. She sighed tiredly as she stepped into the dark interior and began pacing anxiously, chewing on her thumb.
What was she going to do? There was somebody new in her castle. What was she going to do?
Then a cart with a teapot wheeled its way into her room, stopping inside the doorframe.
"You know, there are other ways you could've convinced him to stay, Astrid," the teapot scolded her lightly.
The Beast rolled her eyes at the usage of her proper name. Mrs. Potts was the only one she allowed to call her that when they were alone, as a sign of her seniority.
Still, Astrid laughed sarcastically, "Oh, right. Sure, Mrs. Potts. Invite him and his mother to tea so they could enjoy my excellent company?"
The teapot frowned, and the beast scowled back, rolling her eyes. "Oh, don't give me that look! I didn't even want to keep him here, but I listened to you! This way I just… guaranteed that he'd stay, that's all. I'm getting right to the point."
Mrs. Potts sighed, shaking her head, "Sometimes I fear your actions are too direct."
Astrid scowled. "Well, it's the only method that has proven to work, right?" she sighed in defeat, her eyes accidentally catching herself in the shattered vanity mirror and looking away.
Mrs. Potts didn't answer, even though this was technically true. There had been other young men and women who came to the castle over the years for one reason or another, but no matter how the young lady of the castle had tried to approach them, they always ran away and never returned.
Mrs. Potts sighed and tried to smile, to sound encouraging, "My girl, don't give up just yet… I can sense it in my old bones. I know it'll work this time, if you just give him a chance."
But Astrid was quiet, her shoulders slumped, and her body turned away.
"You… How can you think of me as 'your girl'?" she said, despair cracking her voice already. "You have your own child to worry about. Focus on him instead!" she snapped, stiffly pointing one of her claw-like fingers at the door for her to leave.
Mrs. Potts wanted to say more, but the words failed her. Frowning and her eyes downcast, she bowed her head as best as a teapot could. "As you wish, Ma'am."
After the teapot left, Astrid collapsed on her bed, burying her face in her mountain of pillows. Damn it. She didn't want to have a fight with Mrs. Potts, but she hadn't felt like this in so long! Logically, the arrival of this 'Hiccup' should've been a beacon of hope, but for Astrid it only brought her anxiety.
Stupid Mrs. Potts for reminding her time was running out! Like she didn't know that already!
Besides, how could that stupid enchantress ever think that she'd ever fall for someone like him? How could he help her? She needed someone who could be here for her, relieve her of her burden. She was tired of staying strong and keeping faith. She was tired of her heart always feeling a new twist of guilt every time she saw her servants' pathetic new forms.
She already knew this was her fault. For years now she had known, but she had no idea how to fix it. How can she undo all the damage she'd already caused? Fall in love? Seriously? That enchantress can't just make her fall in love with anybody.
Besides, love doesn't truly exist. She learned that a long time ago.
