Light In The Dark
Author: Nightstar Fury from Nightstar Productions
Rated: M for Mature.
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any of its shows and mini shorts.
9; Another Chance.
When the annual holiday, Snoggletog came around no one expected Hiccup to let them celebrate it. People were still very weary of his changed demeanor and continued to be cautious as the days leading to Snoggletog rolled through but oh that devious little Hiccup had a plan up his sleeves. Even though he hated these people, everyone loved Snoggletog so he wouldn't ruin it for them, he'd give them one day of freedom to lay back and relax, to have fun again. But none of them knew it just yet. Hiccup was being secretive about it, but he had a plan. He just couldn't put it in to motion until everyone was in bed.
This would be a long night but he didn't care, when he saw their eyes light up with excitement with what he did it'd be worth it because he'd technically just confuse them more. It was close to 8 as people were finishing up dinner, Hiccup sat with his kids who were playing with their dragons and eating in between. Hiccup thought it was cute too, of course his kids loved dragons just like he did. Ingrid had the Gronckle who she named Clubby, and Halvor had the Terrible Terror who he named Sharpshot.
"Sir, quiet hours are starting. Shall I give the announcement?" Alvin asked moving beside Hiccup with a bow.
"Go ahead." Hiccup nodded.
Alvin moved to the middle of the room, "Quiet hours will be starting in 10 minutes, finish up and get home. Chief's orders!" Alvin yelled out.
"Yes, Lord Hiccup." The room called back, Hiccup gave another nod showing he acknowledged them then closed his eyes. There was a strong wind that forced the doors opened and blew out the torches and center fire, a few kids screamed in fear of hor dark it got.
"Everyone relax...Its just a little wind." Hiccup stated over the crowd, they began to calm. It was dark for them but Hiccup's abilities allowed him to see as if it were daytime. "Toothless, light it up." Hiccup ordered.
"Yes your highness." Toothless retorted sarcastically.
"Don't get a tude with me. Just light the damn fire..." Hiccup mumbled, Toothless shot a blast to the center fire which quickly illuminated the room slightly. "Get the torches lit..." Hiccup told his men, they nodded bringing them to the main fire, lighting them and putting it back. "Make sure that door is sealed from now on." Hiccup told his guards.
"Aye sir. Sorry, the winds just picked up. Feels like another storm." Replied one.
"I'll keep a watch on it, in the event that it is a storm. I want everyone getting home right now and secure your doors and windows." Hiccup ordered.
"Yes my lord, right away." Stoick saluted as people began to get up, clear their plates and stack them on the tables as they made their way out.
"All children 12 and under are to hold their parents hands walking in those winds. Though I will if I must, I rather not be climbing up anymore cliff sides..." Hiccup called to them.
"Understood, Lord Hiccup." A few people replied remembering the first time Hiccup saved a little girl from going over the cliff because of the strong winds, and that was when he was saying he wasn't above killing children yet there was no hesitation in saving her. The room cleared out in 20 minutes as Hiccup watched from the stairs of the mead hall while the village got to their homes and hunkered down. Once he knew it was safe, he grinned as Toothless shot a blast in to the sky and the strong winds ceased.
"That was pretty clever using the Typhoomerangs and Monstrous Nightmares to create strong winds." Viggo stated.
"Part of the plan." Hiccup replied.
"The one to give them the best Snoggletog they've ever had?" Alvin asked.
"That would be the one. Viggo, Dagur remain here and keep watch. I'll be back. Ryker, take the children to my house and watch over them. Alvin, follow with 6 guards." Hiccup ordered.
"Yes sir." Ryker replied bowing as he left with Ingrid and Halvor towards Hiccup's home.
"I still don't see why you're doing this for a bunch of people you claim to hate, if you ask me you're getting too soft being here again and having those kids around..." Dagur snorted, before he could say another word he felt something grab his neck hard and make him gasp for air, choking.
"Are you questioning me, Dagur?" Hiccup asked in a cold tone.
"N–No s–sir...I just..." He coughed trying to pry Hiccup's hand from his throat but Hiccup had an iron death grip and it was useless.
"Just what?" Hiccup said. Dagur couldn't say anything as the air escaped his lungs, Hiccup's lips curved to a smirk now.
"Pl–please...I–I was...out of line...my lo–lord...!" Dagur forced out as his eyes started rolling in to the back of his head. Hiccup released his neck and threw him down as Dagur struggled to catch his breath.
"I didn't ask you what you thought because it does not matter to me, Dagur. Regardless of how I act, I have not changed and I will still kill those who disrespect me. I hate these people with every fiber in my being, but that's not going to stop me from luring them in to a false sense of security and hope that they think old Hiccup is back. And just like them, you fell for it. You work for me, all of you do and I won't hesitate to kill you if I feel you are no longer of use to me alive...Don't ever forget that. Now will there be anymore remarks questioning me tonight?" Hiccup asked.
"N–No, Lord Fury...I beg of your forgiveness..." Dagur pleaded to him on his knees.
"You will live for now, until your usefulness runs out. All of your are on borrowed time, given by me. Testing me is not something you want to do when I hold the power to end you without blinking." Hiccup turned from him. "And if you ever bring my kids into it again, you're dead." Hiccup warned continuing his way down the steps.
"Orders understood, Master Hiccup." Viggo offered a bow to him as he then helped Dagur to his feet while Hiccup continued forward with Alvin behind. "You shouldn't have questioned him, Dagur. You heard what he said the first night we were here, that he would break them down one by one, inside and out. Then put them out like the flames of a fire." Viggo reminded quietly.
"Yeah but he's been so nice to them..." Dagur argued.
"To give them a false sense of security that he wasn't dark anymore. To get them to feel safe, and lower their guards. And just like them, we fell victim to it as well. His kindness is a mere act, Dagur." Viggo sighed.
"But why make them lower their guard if he hasn't changed at all, they are still afraid of him...they know he can snap whenever, don't they?" Dagur asked looking to Viggo now.
"Of course they do, but sometimes when you experience such things like what with Lord Haddock did to them...Bringing them to bow before him in fear under the threat of death, then see small changes for an extended period of time, it creates the bittersweet illusion of things being okay and some believe the illusion over truth. And sooner or later, they will get to comfortable and screw up, that is what the lord awaits." Viggo explained.
"Why doesn't he just remind them of what he can do?...Why go through all this trouble?" Dagur mumbled.
"It is not your place to question his motives, Dagur. None of Berk or us knows what happened to make him this way, I never even knew of him until he came to us. We were dragon hunters, we didn't know the meaning of fear...Then we met him. The choice was join or die, he has power. You fell for the act, just as we did thinking he changed and he has in some ways like for his children but as you stupidly tested out...it doesn't matter because he can still react to disrespect at the snap of a finger and kill us." Viggo told him as he watched Hiccup get on Toothless, Alvin on Strikeshot then head in to the forest with 6 men.
"I understand now. He was pushed to a point of no return, disappeared for 5 years, built this army of soldiers and dragons to scare them, now he makes them think everything will be okay. And when someone messes up bad enough thinking Lord Hiccup will have mercy, he's going to remind them like he did with me that it doesn't matter how things are, they are still under the borrowed time he gives them..." Dagur sighed looking down.
"We work for him, Dagur. We swore our loyalty and allegiance to him understanding that if we crossed him at all he would kill us. You mustn't forget that, he speaks the truth. We fell for the act, and have thus been reminded that not even us being his allies makes us safe. He's been lenient and generous with what he provides for us since joining him, don't take it for granted. Being his allies but under his command means we are safer than the village but only by so much and he won't hesitate to end us if we get in his way..." Viggo said calmer. "We're alive because he allows us to be and if we want to live whether we like it or not we do as he says and follow orders without question or protest." Viggo added.
"I for one want to live..." Dagur crossed his arms over his chest with a huff.
"Then if I were you, I wouldn't make him angry again because if one person sets him off, everyone suffers...Including us." Viggo rolled his eyes. Dagur nodded now as the two stood their post to watch everything.
(In The Forest)
Hiccup knew the most tradition was building a wooden tree, painted green but in his travels he learned others ways of celebrating this holiday. If he enjoyed them, he assumed the Hooligans might as well too. "What are we looking for my lord?" A guard asked.
"A big 10 foot tree." Hiccup stated while walking through the forest with Toothless beside him. After 20 minutes of searching he found the perfect one and pointed to it. The guards nodded as they took to the trunk with their axes and chopped it down. It splintered and cracked then fell down, with a loud crash. "Perfect. Lets haul it back." Hiccup grinned, the men all lifted it together and began walking back through the forest to the village. From near the hall, Hiccup spotted Dagur and Viggo standing guard.
(Village)
"Any problems?" Hiccup asked.
"No sir. All is quiet and everyone in their homes." Dagur reported to him.
"Good, open those doors..." Hiccup said, Dagur and Viggo did as they were told while they walked the tree in and raised it high, using gronckles to fly on it was tied at the top with ropes so it would move from its position, then at the bottom Hiccup made a metal base. "Did you get those decorations I asked for, Alvin?" Hiccup asked.
"Hiding in the shed at your house." Alvin replied.
"Round up 50 men, I want this place decorated in two hours." Hiccup ordered. Alvin nodded and rushed out to do as told. "You two come with me, we're going to do the village." Hiccup said with a grin. Dagur and Viggo nodded as they followed him out, for the rest of the night until 1am, everything was decorated. Hiccup had guards putting wreathes on doors of homes, lights lit over head and running through the village of reds, greens, yellows, and blues. Green vines wrapped around posts. Inside the hall was even better, it never looked better. In an added bonus, it even started snowing.
"Alright...that's everything. Orders?" Viggo asked.
"Everyone get some sleep. Do a guard switch so the ones who helped us can rest too. I want everyone up in 6 hours." Hiccup stated.
"Aye sir. And the plan for the morning?" Dagur looked at him.
"You let me worry about that..." Hiccup chuckled. They nodded and headed home after a guard switch, Hiccup got to his home and found his kids asleep and that they were good for Ryker, with that he went home to rest while Hiccup got to his bed and laid down. Oh this was going to be so worth it.
(7 Hours Later)
It was now 8am, the sun was up. Hiccup had been up since 5 as always, his kids were still sleeping too. No one had come out of their homes yet because around 6 he sent the guards around to order them to stay inside until he called for them. He wanted everything to be a complete surprise. Hiccup now went get his little ones up, they were excited too. "Time to get up kids. Its Snoggletog..." Hiccup greeted them.
"Yay!" They cheered rushing out of bed to get dressed then met their father downstairs with Toothless waiting.
"Now be quiet okay...the rest of the village hasn't seen everything." Hiccup winked.
"Oooh okay daddy." Ingrid nodded, Halvor did too. Hiccup took their hands and led them out as the excitedly jumped up and down seeing everything. When they reached hall steps, Hiccup looked out on to everything. His men beside him awaiting orders.
"EVERYONE UP AND OUT OF YOUR HOMES! Why is it 8:00 in the morning and no one is out here working their asses off! Now I'm going to have to punish someone!" Hiccup yelled out loudly, in fear people rushed out. As soon as they were, Hiccup started laughing seeing their confused faces. "Hah, I can't believe you all fell for that. Man what a good way to start the day..." Hiccup calmed himself down.
It was now everyone was noticing the decorations and snow in the village, "What is...all this?" Someone asked.
"HAPPY SNOGGLETOG EVERYONE!" Hiccup announced. "And my gift to you for all being such good listeners, is that today...no one has to do any work. You can roam the village, talk, play, eat, and relax all day. I'm giving everyone the day off!" Hiccup smiled.
"Is he...drunk?" Ruffnut asked.
"I assure you that I'm not. Again. I'm not heartless, Snoggletog is a Viking tradition. And there is no way I'm going to let my kids not see how Vikings have a good time. So go on! There's food in the hall, enjoy the present." Hiccup said as he walked to the hall with his kids.
"I'm officially beyond confused...He's letting us...have fun?" Fishlegs asked curiously looking at his friends.
"I–I guess so?" Astrid remarked.
"Well lets...do what he says or he'll get mad..." Snotlout shivered a little, yes and Tuffnut were still terrified.
"What is with you two?..." Ruffnut asked.
"Nothing...Just...don't want to make him angry on Snoggletog..." Tuffnut answered quickly. The girls shrugged as everyone made their way to the hall to eat breakfast. When they got there, they were even more amazed at the sight.
"When did...he do all this?" Gobber asked looking around.
"Last night. Stayed up til 1 decorating everything..." Hiccup responded from behind them, they jumped a bit.
"Its...better than ever before? Where'd you get the tree idea?" Stoick said now.
"I've traveled many places and learned plenty of traditions people have besides Vikings. In other places...Snoggletog is considered Christmas and they use a real tree, decorated with lights and what not. So last night when all of you were in your homes, I went out and got a tree then worked with the guards to decorate everything." Hiccup shrugged.
"It...looks great, Lord Hiccup...Thank you." Astrid said to him, he nodded and headed back over to his kids. The next few hours were heaven to them, Hiccup didn't throw orders around. He was laughing and having a good time, or so it seemed to them. They knew it was genuine with his kids but when he talked to others in the village, they got nervous and tried to talk back but this was the first Snoggletog Hiccup was there for and not being teased or picked on.
The morning turned to day as people were hanging out between the hall and village enjoying everything. True to his word, the only people working were the guards. Even Alvin, Viggo, Ryker, and Dagur were having a decent time all though they knew from the night before that Hiccup was merely acting to make them drop their guard, the only question remained of when he'd do it. That is what made it scary, they knew he would but the worry was wondering when. It could happen in a minute or a year and they'd never know until it hit.
At dinner time, it was getting colder so people moved inside the hall where it was warmer to eat and Hiccup had a feast prepared for them to eat. People still weren't sure how to take the kindness their chief displayed over the course of the day but they weren't about to ignore it either. He had music being played, people were talking and smiling with mead in their hands or food in front of them at the table. Hiccup was leaning against the wall when Stoick approached him calmly and offered a bow. "This is...good work. There isn't an unhappy face in the room..." Stoick told him.
"A chief does everything he should to ensure the happiness of his people." Hiccup retorted, not cold but not happily either.
"Right...Yes that's true. We just...didn't think it was really your style with...how things started..." Stoick said nervously.
"Oh when I raided you, ambushed, then captured you all to make you all fear me? Yes I'm aware." Hiccup looked at his twins dancing together, laughing. Hiccup took a long swig of from his flask.
"That's...really not good for you to drink that much...Its like you never stop." Stoick stated calmly.
"Because you're one to talk about how much someone should drink. And yes actually, I don't stop. You used come home every single night wasted so don't lecture me about my drinking. Like father like son, right? At least I can still function as a proper chief intoxicated or not. Just because I'm being decent right now doesn't mean shit, I'll still punish those who disrespect me. You are no exception." Hiccup retorted coldly.
"You're still...mad at everyone? Aren't you?" Stoick pressed further.
"Mad doesn't even touch the surface of what I feel for this place..." Hiccup said in a firm tone not looking at him.
"We know we made mistakes son...Can't you give us another chance?..." Stoick tried, that did it for Hiccup. He stood from the wall and capped his flask putting it in his vest before walking away from Stoick calmly or it appeared that way. "Hiccup I–..." He started to say but was quickly cut off by a dagger flying past his cheek, missing him by possibly 2 inches. The hall went silent, eyes following the reverse path of Hiccup's dagger near Stoick's face back to Hiccup's outstretched hand before it fell to his side.
"You made mistakes. That's the best you got for me?" Hiccup couldn't resist an all to calm chuckle now. "Mistakes doesn't cover a fraction of what you did to me. Of what anyone here did to me." He paused now. "You know, its almost sad. Everyone was having a good time too and you just had to ruin the mood by approaching me and acting like we're buddy buddy..." Hiccup said then his tone returned to one of no emotion. "Lets get one thing straight here and now, Stoick. I've been pretty easy going with things lately but it doesn't mean I won't bring things back to how they were in a heartbeat if you piss me off." Hiccup warned.
"O–of course...I didn't...mean anything when I said it sir..." Stoick said quickly.
"But you still said it old man. You think you referring to me as son, is going to make me forgive you? I'm not your son. Your son is dead and I took his place. I'm not the kid you claim to know but even in that...Can you say you know your son? The son you put under Gobber for 11 years, the son you forced to eat in your house instead of with the tribe, the son you scolded for everything? You knew nothing about me, and you still don't. If memory serves...You didn't have a son after your wife was taken because that was the last time he existed to you." Hiccup spat out.
"I–I'm sorry my lord...I didn't mean to upset you..." Stoick dropped to his knees in fear.
"Sorry doesn't turn back the hands of time, does it?" Hiccup said coldly with a dark glare. Stoick put his head down in defeat, he told himself not to approach Hiccup but he did anyway and now he was going to have to face his own son's wrath. Hiccup saw his kids from the corner of his eye, he saw them frowning a little and as mad as he was that Stoick said what he did. He wouldn't do it in front of them, he was a monster yes but he wouldn't show that side of himself to his children. "I told myself that today everyone got a break from work, including myself. Step out of line again and you might not get so lucky." Hiccup sneered out.
Stoick's head shot up in shock, a few people gasped. He was...letting Stoick live for making him mad? "I–I understand, Lord Haddock...Thank you...for sparing me." Stoick bowed to him.
"Again, mad doesn't even touch the surface of what I feel for this village and all its inhabitants...You people didn't make mistakes, you made bad choices to treat a tribe member differently. You treated him like an outcast, and pushed him to a point no man should be pushed too. You brought this on yourselves and now you deal with consequences. Nothing you say or do, is ever going to get me to forgive you for what was done to me. Your pitiful, meek attempts are only going to irritate me. Keep that in mind next time you get the not so brilliant idea to approach me and pull what you did. Snoggletog is still in effect for another 2 hours and 30 minutes so enjoy it." Hiccup stated to them all. He turned to walk away, then stopped turning his head slightly. "Oh. And for the record, Stoick. I already gave you all another chance..." He paused momentarily reaching the double doors, the room was silent as they looked at him sadly knowing he was mad and very well could of made him snap again. "I let you live when you deserve to die." With that he stepped out of the hall.
