Lady-Von-Bielefeld: I'd like to thank everybody for their amazing support! I'd probably still be stuck thinking about this if it wasn't for your motivations! To the readers, subscribers, favorite-s and most especially the reviewers who take their precious time to share their thoughts, predictions, insights and criticisms! Everything is highly appreciated :)

This chapter is dedicated to: , WikiSorcerer, SapphiresAndPineapples, sortofbored, Angryhenry, HHHaddockIII, dancingRAINBOWS, Guest, braelynn, Guest2, maldita-chan, Somebody105, I Just Won A Free Toaster Oven, m4yui, Rainbow Snowcone, Stylin80, Guest3 , Hiccstrid15 and UnbreakableWarrior. You guys fire me up like Hiccup's inferno sword! Swish swish!

To Q-A the Authoress, one of the greatest authors in this fandom, and her story Once Upon A Curse for inspiring me to improve bit by bit to become the best story teller I can be. I wish to be as good as writing as her. :-3

To PrincessArien, for the long talks of predictions, guesses *winks* and encouraging feedbacks that just pierces through my heart (in a good way), every time. I, thank you :)

DISCLAIMER: A dream is a wish your heart makes so I'll keep on dreaming until I have enough money to buy the rights to own How to Train Your Dragon. But until then, I do not own it. I also do not own other DreamWorks characters and stories, yet! :D

To Be With You

By: Lady-Von-Bielefeld

Chapter 11: Confessions Underneath the Firefly Tree


"Follow the forest path, she said and turned to the left, you'll find them there. Well, I don't see anythiiiing!" Hiccup grunted walking down the forest path. He was starting to think that Ruffnut was messing around with him when she told him the direction to the dragon's square, where the reptiles were having their own celebration. He should've asked Fishlegs but she insisted that she was the one to tell. And by the looks of it, Fishlegs would do anything that Ruffnut said, at that point.

Hiccup rolled his eyes, remembering Fishlegs' dreamy stare at Ruffnut while she told him the directions. He had known that 'legs liked the Thorston girl all along. He had always observed how Fishlegs was extra clumsy or extra dorky whenever she was around, or how he'd get this glow on his face while he was talking about her but he honestly didn't think he was the type to hold out facts, especially directions to a godsforsaken place in the middle of the night, just because she wanted to. Jeez. Women! What is up with them and feeling the need to be always right?

And Fishlegs didn't mind whether it was wrong or right, all because of the Dance of Fate?

"Dance of fate my dragon!" He halted and then sighed remembering his supposed to be fated dance partner. Astrid.

It was already past midnight and the festival was still ongoing. The food and drinks was still coming in, the music still playing, the people still enjoying. Everyone was still having an amazing time, everyone except him.

He wanted to leave now, with a pain in his gut and an ache in his heart, what's the point in staying? There was nothing for him there anymore. He needed to find Toothless and get out of here! He needed to escape; he needed to run away from these feelings. He needed…he needed … he needed her.

"What am I thinking?" He shook his head.

"No no no no! You're not suppose to think about her, now. Especially now that you decided to let her go." He lectured, talking to himself. Gods, I must be going crazy.

He started running with a speed so fast that he couldn't keep track on the directions anymore. This way he can find Toothless faster and get the hell out of here. He wanted to go, he wanted to just leave but he couldn't. He stopped, mid track of his running and tilted his head to the sky. He sighed for the nth time that night. I can't just leave Ingeborg, I just can't leave them….I just can't leave her.

Sure he already gave up on her but that doesn't mean he stopped loving her, that he should just leave. Besides he still had his curse to figure out and Gobber and Gothi promised to help him with that. If he leaves now, he'll never accomplish anything; he'll just be running away, again. What a cowardly act that will be! And gods know what trouble it got him last time he left.

So as hard as it was for him, he chose to stay because he needed to not because he wanted to.

And now, all he had to do was find Toothless and rest. He still had to get up, early in the morning to serve as Astrid's buddy guard, tomorrow. Just her buddy guard. Hiccup thought. It will all be okay. That he will be contented just being with her, protecting her, guiding her. That what he was doing was noble; loving someone purely because you love them, not because you think you'll have your feelings reciprocated or you two will end up together. That he had to admire Astrid from afar now; for her beauty, her bravery her warmth without needing to own her. Without the need to be his.

He smiled sadly. It's all going to be okay.

"Oh great, dead end." Of all the rotten luck. He rolled his eyes as he stumbled on the big dead tree near the cliff. He started walking away when he heard footsteps approaching. When he turned his head he saw Astrid and Jack walking towards the dead old tree. He quickly ran the opposite direction and sat down, hiding in the bushes.

I shouldn't be here! He thought to himself. This is so wrong no matter what angle you look at it. But he couldn't move either. He wanted to stay there and watch them. He wanted to see for himself, that he made the right decision; that he can entrust Astrid to Jack. That he can take care of Astrid and love her. So he did. He sat still waiting for the couple. Besides, if I leave now and they notice me walking they'll think I'm a stalker. So better stalk them to won't be suspected as one. He thought, not making any sense. His ears perked up as he heard them talking.

"So, this is it, eh?" Jack asked in amazement, examining the tree as if it was a new specimen.

"Yup. This is it. The Legendary Firefly Tree of Ingeborg." Astrid answered, resting her back on its trunk. She had known about this tree ever since she was a child.

"Looks like a regular, old dead tree to me." He asked disappointed. He was expecting it to have a more eerie, mysterious vibe, as the other objects of other legends.

"It is. Until love makes it light up with fireflies." She joked. It's far too cold for fireflies in Ingeborg at this time; no way will fireflies come out.

"Love eh? Didn't old Gothi and her lover made this thing light up?" He asked recalling the story she told him awhile ago. It made him curious about the tree. He had heard of the legends of Lady Bielefeld but he didn't really pay that much attention to it. Until Astrid brought up that someone in the village experienced it firsthand.

"Gobber said it did. He said that it was the most beautifully tragic thing he had ever witnessed." She recalled, imagining what it must feel like to witness such a spectacular event.

"What I wouldn't do to see it light up, just once." She said patting the tree. She smiled at Jack, who by now had an eerie aura to him but Astrid shrugged it off thinking it was just the cold. She knew that she should have worn her fur coat, but she didn't because she didn't expect to be here at this time, away from the crowd, away from the gigantic bonfire that kept Ingeborg warm throughout all their festivals.

"Maybe it needs an act of love to light up. Ever thought of that?" He asked mischievously. He had a sly grin plastered on his face. "Want to try?"

"What act of love do you have in mind?" She wondered what kind of act. She just remembered the stories. It first lit up when the princess killed herself after discovering the shepherd's lifeless body. Fearless love. It lit up for the second time when Gothi's lover confessed about him having an incurable disease and Gothi telling him, she'll love him even after death. Everlasting love. What other acts of love could there be?

"Oh, you know. This and that." He said coming closer and pinning Astrid lightly on the tree trunk.

She rolled her eyes. "Stop messing around, Jack." She said trying to escape. But to her surprise Jack's hold on her shoulders tightened.

"Astrid, I'm not." He gazed at her with steely eyes. "You did say, you would give anything to see it glow, so come on. What are you waiting for?" He said cupping her cheeks.

She shook her head, freeing her face from his grasp. "This isn't funny any-"

"DAMMIT TO HELL! I'm serious!" He screamed causing Astrid to stiffen. He started fixing her hair to one side, grabbing both of her arms and started nuzzling her neck.

"Ja-Jack! Stop it!" She pleaded, still in shock. She had known Jack for almost fifteen years now, and although he sometimes, okay often times, acts like a trickster, he was never the perverted kind.

She tried to wiggle free but he was just too strong.

She scowled and started yelling "Snap out of-" He forced his lips on her, a kiss that was so intense that it sent shivers down her spine. Jack started pulling on her gown from her shoulders, while she stood there dumbstruck. He had managed to rip off her right sleeve, ruining her gown and exposing her shoulder.

"STOOOOOPPPP!" She screamed, tears started forming on the corners of her eyes.

This was not the Jack she knew. Snap out of it, Hofferson! Fight back! She willed herself. While she felt Jacks lips on hers, anger rushed out of her system, she bit him hard on the lips causing Jack's lips to bleed. Oh where was her axe when she needed it? She raised her right knee, with tremendous might, to his stomach causing the prince to jolt in pain.

"OUCH!" He was taken aback, but he stood straight and pinned her harder to the trunk. "Hold still! . ." He whispered to her ear, tightening his hold on her shoulders. He was about to kiss her again when a force greater than him pealed him off Astrid.

"Get your filthy hands off her!" Hiccup punched Jack solid across the face, causing the prince of Iceton to fall down on the ground, hard.

He heard Jack yelped in pain but he didn't waver. He deserved what he got.

"If I see you, come near her ever again…I swear there will be consequences!" Hiccup warned, his eyes blazing. How dare this sludge bucket of a prince! After all he's been through with his feelings of giving her to him and now this?!.

"I practically entrusted her to you!" He grabbed the prince's clothes and punched him one more time for good measure. Jack's nose started bleeding. Hiccup wasn't really the violent type but his emotions got the better of him.

With heavy breathing, Hiccup went beside Astrid and shielded her. He opened one of his secret compartments on his armor and produced a small cloth, placing it on Astrid.

"Entrusted her to me?" Jack asked, whipping his nose. He felt it sting in pain but he didn't show it.

"I gave up on her for you ,you no good scum of a prince and this! This is how you spend my heartfelt remorse in loosing her!" Hiccup's voice was so full of anger that Astrid thought he would start punching him again. But he held his cool.

Jack rose up from his fall, a little wobbly at first then he stood straight; he held his head high and smiled. He looked at Astrid who was behind Hiccup. His eyes said that he was sorry, well, not that sorry.

"Astrid, I'm sorry I went too far…" He started, scratching his head while smiling. "But if that's not enough proof that he loves you, I don't know what is." He winked at the two.

"What?!" They asked in unison, Hiccup felt a little flustered at the comment.

"Jeez! Do I have to kiss her again before you confess?" Jack asked, rolling his eyes. Hiccup automatically stiffened at the statement, drawing out his right hand in front of Astrid as protection.

"Don't you dare!" He hissed.

Jack laughed, shaking his head. "Orders from Ruff!" He winked again.

. RUFFNUT?! They thought separately.

"What about Ruffnut?" Astrid asked, finding her voice. Oh is she going to be in so much trouble once I get my hands on her! She thought at rage. She knew there would be nothing but trouble once the two tricksters got along. She knew it for fifteen years but now proves it.

"She's right, you two are hopeless!"Jack laughed. He turned on his heel and started walking away from a baffled Hiccup and Astrid. He stopped at mid track and peaked at Astrid from the side.

"Astrid, I'll fight for her, if you will." He challenged, running into the woods. "I'll see you next yeaaaaaar!" He shouted, his figure getting smaller and smaller with each passing second.


MEANWHILE, inside a nearby bush, in the opposite direction.

"That scumbag ratted me out! " Ruff said pulling grass on the ground. Mighty Thor help her! Then again, she wasn't at all upset. Sure, Astrid'll be mad (when was she ever not) but at least, it was for a good cause, hopefully. It depends on how the two talk it out.

"Will you be quiet?! I can't hear what they're saying!" Tuffnut said pulling on his twin's hair.

"Ouch! Why I oughta!" She whacked him hard on the face.

"Hey! That was my eye!"

"Well, talk more and I'll make your nose bleed like Jack!"

"Not if Astrid makes yours bleed first!"

"Oh yeah! Wanna try me!" She said wrestling her twin.

"It doesn't hurt, hah!" Insert twisting elbow sound here.

"AWWWW! Odin's beard!"

"Now who's the tough one, huh?"

"Shut up!"

"Remind me again, why we're snooping around other people's business?" Asked Fishlegs who was dragged there against his will.

"They're not other people, they're our friends!" Ruffnut countered back

"We're still snooping!"

"Yeah but its exciting!"

"No, baby! Not that weirdo. Even though I have lots of fans now, you're still my number one!" Snotlout was actually shedding a tear or two. He can't imagine his long time crush being taken. If he can't have her, nobody should!

"You're disgusting."

"Yeah, better him than you!" Tuffnut commented.

"Shut up! Jeez!"

"Shhhhhhhh! Astrid's saying something!"


"What are you doing here?" Astrid asked, holding on to the piece of cloth that was wrapped around her like a coat.

"I should be asking you the same question. Can't you go at least a day without getting into trouble?" Hiccup asked exasperated. He was leaning his head on the tree trunk, tired from all the action. It's always like this. If not cliffs, it's trees or traps or poachers or the king or just about anything. How can I leave you behind when you're always getting caught up in some kind of trouble?

"Well, I didn't ask for your help. Everything was under control." She said trying to sound calm, trying to ignore the tone he used earlier. It's like he's saying that I'm nothing but trouble. Jeez. That was the Thorston Twins and not her.

"Of course you do, that's why you were screaming "stop" while good old prince was stripping of your sleeve!"

"That just shows how much you know! I knew that Jack won't hurt me! He'd never-"

"Well, he did!"

"What do you care anyway? It's your day off! You have no obligations to me today!" Astrid started her voice getting higher. Hiccup just stood there starring at her. She rolled her eyes on him. Stupid know it all knight!

"And what was that thing you were saying to Jack about giving up on me? Bullcrap! Will you please, for one second STOP pretending that you care about me and will you just go back to your stinky-"

"I'm in love with you." He said it with a straight face. His eyes, radiating with warmth that Astrid felt her face heating up.

"B-BULLCRAP! I don't believe you!"

"Prince Jack's right, if that's not enough proof for you, I don't know what is." He sighed closing his eyes.

"Oh, so now you're patronizing him! Just a while ago you were calling him a sqiz and all sort-"

"ASTRID!" He breathed in, opening his eyes and looking directly at hers. "I am in love with you."

Astrid could feel her heart pounding hard against her chest. There it was. The confirmation of his feelings towards her. And yet she couldn't say it back. Not that he was expecting it. He just wanted her to know. He didn't care if she loved him back or not, he didn't care if this was all there was for them, what he only cares about now is that she knows what he feels for her; that she knows what she means to him.

There was silence for a moment before she spoke again.

"W-why didn't you just tell me? Why didn't you-?" She asked, her eyes glowing.

"I don't know. I couldn't." He said, looking away. Wasn't it enough that he told her already? Now she wants a godamned explanation! Oh, the gods hate me!

"That's not an answer." She said in irritation. This was so not the romantic confession she had hoped for.

"Why is this so important to you all of a sudden? You have your prince! What a sludgebucket of a prince he is." Hiccup spat recalling Jack's hands all over Astrid. He'll really never get over hating-disliking Jack. Especially after he stole her first kiss.

"Because I want to remember what you say, right now."

"Oh for the love of….I was a coward, I was weak, I wouldn't tell you how I feel!"

"You said wouldn't that time. Why?" She challenged. What's holding you back?

He sighed in defeat. "I wouldn't tell you because I wanted to protect you. I look at you and I see myself with you, and it scared me." He said with pain in his voice.

"It scared you to be with me?" Astrid asked insulted.

"It's not like that, jeez will you-"

"Don't you know how terrified I am to be with you?" Astrid asked befuddled.

Hiccup shook his head. "It scared me because I know we can never be together. I know this love is a shout into emptiness, a fantasy that will never be reality. I know there's nothing we can expect but hurt, that it's hopeless, that-"

"The tree." Astrid stated in astonishment, forgetting for a second about their spat.

"What, Astrid? I'm trying to explain our situation here!" He asked devastated. What on earth, this woman has the attention span of a dragon!

"The Tree. It's …it's…"

"It's glowing." Hiccup answered in surprised. He stood there, underneath the tree with Astrid noticing as it started glowing, not with leaves or flowers or fruits but with thousands and thousands of fireflies. They were everywhere; on the trunk, on the branches and just anywhere making the place a little better, a little warmer and a little brighter.


"Oh my gods, have you ever seen something so…." Ruffnut was lost for words. They were still observing from a safe distance.

"Amazing." Snotlout gasped.

"It's beautiful." Fishlegs commented wondering if he too should propose love to Ruff under the glowing tree.

"Tell me about it!"

"I did this!" She stated proudly. Okay, so technically she didn't lit up the tree but she'd like to take credit for bringing the two underneath it to confess their feelings, although she never expected it to lit up, thank you very much!

"Yeah, right." Snorted the Thorston boy. No way was his sister that brilliant.

"Shut up or I'm pushing you down the cliff!"

"Whatever!"


Hiccup and Astrid stood there for a while, gazing into the thousand lights and then looked at each other smiling. They have never seen such a spectacle of lights before. Not even the ornaments in the great hall or the decorations on the town's square could compare to the shinning shimmering, splendid warmth feeling it gave.

"Th-this is amazing." He said eyes glistening with the lights.

Astrid thought now was the best moment to speak her thoughts.

"Hiccup, I know love is a gamble. I know there's no perfect recipe for it. But why shouldn't we take a risk? Take a leap of fate. If we'll get hurt, then we'll get hurt. That's all part of loving!" She encouraged under the glowing tree.

Hiccup looked down. I want to fight for us but we can't.

"We can't, Astrid. Some things are not worth the risk." He said shaking his head. I will not risk your life for a temporary happiness we'll have together that I know won't last. I rather have you hating me now and forget about me later than having you hate me forever.

"Don't you see, fate is already pushing us together, the dance…the tree, what more proof do you need?" Now, it was Astrid who asked.

"It's a lie, Astrid. The Legendary Firefly Tree of Ingeborg is a lie."

"Are you serious? It's glowing in front of us! How can you say it's a lie?"

"I'm not saying that it doesn't exist. I'm saying that what it stands for is a lie."

"Hiccup what are-"

"You were made to believe that if a man and a woman who are in love go underneath it and it glows, it shows how strong their love is." Hiccup stated.

"I don't need a summary of the legend, I know it!"

"Well, the legend is a lie! It's not to verify how strong the love is, it reveals a bad omen. A horrible, tragic end to their love story."

"No, it doesn't!" Astrid stated with doubt. It can't be.

"Think about it. The princess and the shepherd, old lady Gothi and her lover. Isn't this enough proof that it's a cursed tree that sees the future tragic stories of lovers stupid enough to believe in it?"

"Shut up! You don't know that." Astrid held on to the cloth she had wrapped around her. She hated whenever Hiccup's reasoning was right.

"I know it because I see it in your eyes. The fear of something much greater than you can ever imagine. Don't you see….we're next, if we choose that fate. If we choose each other." Hiccup felt a large lump in his throat. He didn't mean that of course. He wanted to be with her, gods he wanted to be with her but he just can't.

"You have too many excuses, too many fears, too much insecurity! Just this once, can you ignore all the reasons and facts why we can't make it and focus on the one reason why we can?" She asked. It's so hard being the positive one.

"What reason is that?" Hiccup asked searching her eyes.

"We are truly, undeniably, hopelessly in love with each other." Isn't that enough reason to risk it?

"I'd risk getting hurt, I'd risk it all to call you mine, if only it was that simple, Astrid. But it's not and you can't love me. " Hiccup said. He could see Astrid coming up with a counter argument.

It was then that he realized that the princess will not be convinced easily. That she will not give up without a fight, one of the qualities that he loves about her but at that time, it was a quality he despised. You have no idea what you're asking for; you have no idea what you want to risk.

"Why can't I love you? Why can't we just-"

I have no choice. Astrid stopped as Hiccup pulled out his inferno, switching it on. Let me show you. With eyes scorching, he removed his cloak revealing his skin. He spread out his left hand and with one swift move he stabbed himself on the wrist. Hiccup's eye twitched at the pain but he ignored it. Soon it will be over.

"What in Odin's name are you doing?" She screamed as thick blood started dripping out of his wrist. He then dragged the sword to his elbow until his shoulder, causing more blood to spill. Soon you will understand.

Astrid immediately rushed towards to help him but he stopped her by lifting his right hand. He stepped backwards.

Astrid stared in bewilderment at the pool of blood. Why would he do this? Why won't he just let her help him?

"Watch!" he ordered.

"Stop it!" She pleaded, already weakening at the sight of overflowing blood.

"WATCH!" He shouted causing Astrid to stay still, he had never raised his voice before, even at the peaks of their arguments."I will show you why we can't be together."

Astrid stared in disgust not just at the blood but also because of Hiccup's statement. He would really go as far as stabbing himself just to point out that he doesn't want to be with me?

The blood stopped dripping, the open wound became more visible but in an instant, it dried up, turned into a scar and eventually vanished into his skin as if it never happened.

Astrid was astonished. What in great Odin's name? What is this sorcery?

She gave a questioning look to Hiccup, who, by now was starring directly into her eyes. His forest green eyes were filled so much intensity it turned two shades darker. And with a voice echoing with the sound of thunder, the words he spoke next left Astrid dumbfounded.

"I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third." He stated in a clear, firm voice. "I am the Wandering Prince of Berk."


AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Sooooo. What do you think the reaction will be for all those who found out? XD Oh boy, I can imagine next chapter filled with major chaos :D

NO! I refuse to believe that Jack is a pervert! It is all part of Ruffnut's plan to make them stop being emotionally constipated and confess their feelings towards each other, although he got a little carried away. When, how and what he and Ruff talked about that led to that incident? I don't know, they just came to me saying they had a plan so I let them execute it. :D (I'd like to think that the characters have lives of their own ((Thank you R. Peter for pointing that out)) and they are the ones coming up with the schemes and the dialogs and the plot and it's just me putting it into words.)

Although, I could have thought of a more decent confession scene filled with all that mushy guwy lovey-dovey stuff but I couldn't because I didn't want to. I wanted Hiccup to stay firm on his decision to not let Astrid risk all she ever could be just because she fell in love with him. (If that was me though, I'd risk it all, just to have a few years with him then I'd go back to my castle, LOL.) Yes! I also thought that Hiccup getting into an accident and healing in front of the gang would be an awesome reveal to his identity, (Thank you AngryHenry and Braelynn for suggesting it) but I just thought that willingly revealing it himself speaks more volume to both him and the people he's revealing it too. But again, that's just me.

Again, I am portraying him to be selfless and a lot of the readers were asking why he has not broken the curse yet when that was such a noble, selfless thing to do! I KNOW! It makes me cry to think I'm doing this to my Hiccup. Giving up your feelings is selfless, but let's just say that he's not completely, wholeheartedly there yet. If you know what I mean :D There is an act even greater than sacrificing his feelings. And it will come…sooner than you think. But I'm glad to see a lot of active readers! (Virual high five-s)

Until the next update!

Ja ne!

All the love in the world!

Lady Wyanet Darlain Megan von Bielefeld