A/N:Incoming reference to Stalka reunion on httyd 2:
I know...I know...I know what you're going to say... How could I do this? How could I leave you to wait for a chapter for all this time without updating? But what choice did I have? I had no inspiration. How could I write without inspiration? I didn't want to write something that wouldn't be good. I thought it would be better for you.
*steps back*
But I was wrong...I see that now but...
*takes a few more steps back*
oh stop being such good readers, good readers!Go on! Shout! Scream! Say something!...
...And this is the part where you read this chapter and say "You're as good writer as the day we last saw you."
......end of reference.
What?
((Okay I have no idea what that was but I'm just trying to say how sorry I am for not updating for so long. I really needed my time this time I know and I'm really really sorry. Thank you all for being so supportive and patient. Your texts and comments are my oxygen I swear. I hope I can make it up to you with this chapter.))
enjoy
"Wow wow wait...so...let me get this straight." Tuffnut's hands were moving up and down in front of Hiccup's face.
"You want us..."
"Yes..."
"To start a fight..."
"Yes..."
"To distract King Mikel..."
"Yes..."
"So that you and Astrid break into his room..."
"Uh-huh. That's right."
"And you want us to keep him busy..."
"Yup. You got it."
"Until you and Astrid are finished."
"Correct again."
"Uh...okay...but I have one question. Why don't you just do it in your own room guys? I mean... Mikel sleeps on that bed and-"
"NO!!!Tuffnut!!! What the hell??" Hiccup and Astrid protested.
"What? I'm just saying. Doing it on another person's room is nasty. Even for me."
"Okay first of all...Ew! Second of all, weren't you listening to what we said? We need to investigate to find some evidence. Evidence that can prove he's guilty! That's why we need to search his room." Astrid had turned a different color. An embarrassed red that was matching Camikazi's dresses.
"Yeah riiiiiight okayy Hiccstrid we'll pretend we believe you." Ruffnut winked at them. "But don't come at me when we'll have babies running around the castle-"
"Ruffnut!" they both shouted in synch.
The twins both fell on the floor laughing.
"Look, guys this is serious. Can you help us or not?" Hiccup sighed.
"Pfff pleaseeeeee! Can we help you? We are the experts at distractions. Of course we'll do it. Cause we're the best and the best!"
"Perfect! We need at least an hour. Searching his room and leave it as we found it." Astrid's amused eyes were scanning Hiccup's face, searching for approval until he nodded. "And remember, don't annoy him to death."
"Annoy him??? I'm offended!"
"Statistics claim we are kind of annoying brother." Ruffnut layed a hand on Tuffnut's shoulder.
...
Hiccup laughed as he remembered their silly conversation half an hour ago. He placed one of Mikel's books back where he found it.
"What are you laughing at?" Astrid lifted her head from under Mikel's bed to look at him.
"Nothing just...do you think it's wise to trust the twins? I mean we left the most annoying creatures in the world to keep the man we want to keep away from here busy."
"Well it's a little late to change our plan now. We better hurry annyways. We've already been here for too long." she got up and cleaned her dress from all the dust that was under the bed.
"Be careful! We don't want him finding any dust on his bed."
"Relax. He is not that smart to suspect someone got in here."
Hiccup smiled at her confidence. He liked seeing this side of her again. The fearless and brave one. They one who was ready to defy any rules to take what she wants. The one who-
"Did you find anything in his closet?" she interrupted his thoughts.
"Nothing but clothes and shoes." he moved his head right and left. "nothing useful."
They have already been in his room for a while now. His father had spare keys for all the rooms in the castle so he just had to steal- ... borrow this one. Hey! Nothing that the King doesn't know can hurt him right? Besides, It was for a very important cause. Protecting the kingdom and the throne was a pretty good reason that even his father would find unavoidable.
He placed another book back on it's self.
"He has a lot of books doesn't he?"
"Mhm. Looks like the King of Nephenon island is a maniac book-reader. Who would have thought?" Astrid joked.
"It's the island of Nephene M'Lady."
"Whatever... same thing." Astrid rolled her eyes while she was trying to open a wooden cage that was next to the bed.
"What's wrong with the lock?" Hiccup asked as he saw her struggle to open it.
"Just give me a moment.I know my locks."
"Sure M'Lady." Hiccup laughed as he watched her focused and dedicated to the lock. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Oh shut up. I said I can do it just-"
Click.
The locker snapped open and a very satisfying smirk shaped on Astrid's face.
"See?"
"Wow. I'm impressed, where did you learn how to do that?"
"Long story." She said while searching inside the cage.
Inside the cage there was nothing but paperwork. Lots and lots of papers and documents.
"It's pointless." she sighed after searching for a while. "We won't find any-" she stopped as her eyes were pinned on something inside the cage.
Hiccup noticed her sudden silence and turned around.
"What is it?"
She slowly streached her hand to grab it. From inside the cage she picked up a sealed envelope.
"Why would Mikel have a letter with your father's seal on it?"
Suttered by her words he stepped closer until he was standing next to her. He took the letter from her hands and examined it.
"I...I don't know. Maybe it's the invitation? You know for...the whole thing?"
"But it's still sealed. Meaning he hasn't opened it yet. What would your father send to him?"
Unable to answer they both stood there in silence.
Until, he couldn't hold back his curiosity. In one motion of his fingers he snapped it open.
"Hiccup! What are you doing? Now he'll know we-"
"It's fake."
"What?" she grabbed the paper from his hands and examined it.
Inside of it there was a text written with what Astrid recognised as the King's handwriting. At the very end of it there was a signature spelling "King of Berk".
"It's not his signature. And it has no seal. He always signs his letters with our house's emblem. House Haddock. It's a pretty good copy of my father's handwriting but... it's fake." he said.
Astrid took a moment to read it.
First paragraph was a long boring thank you for your services to our Kingdom protocol monologue.
Then King Stoick was accepting Mikel's request to...
"... he's selling Calder to your house?" Astrid looked at Hiccup confused.
"What?" Hiccup asked as she read it out loud.
"I, King Stoick the Vast of house Haddock, King of Berk, declare that I'm allowing the transfer of the servant named Calder of the island of Nephene into house Haddock. He shall service our Kingdom as...Hiccup your father is literally buying Mikel's only counselor."
"I- I don't understand. Why would he do such thing? We already have too many servants. Plus he doesn't need any counseling when he has Gobber."
"Well...as long as it's fake...why would Mikel want to have a document like that? What could he use it for?"
Hiccup thought for a few seconds. Nothing about this letter made any sense. King Mikel had a fake paper that claimed to have the King's seal on it. Why? Why would he need to prove that he wants to transfer Calder into the haddock house? And why would he want to lose his own counselor in the first place?
"This guy keeps getting more and more suspicious every time I learn something new about him."
"I don't like this Hiccup. Remember that mysterious shipload we found the other day at the market? Calder had no clue about what Mikel was doing or what this cargo was. And he's supposed to know everything right? He said himself that he's the one who makes all the decisions for Mikel. If Mikel is hiding something from him it's definitely not good."
"Wait a minute..." Hiccup reached and grabed something else that caught his attention.
It was a way smaller piece of paper than the one they just read. One of those tiny messages that spies exchange to communicate with each other.
"The kingdom of Berk will fall tonight. Meet me at the dungeons when the sun goes down. -D."
Hiccup and Astrid froze.
Both of them looked at each other thinking the same thing.
D. As in Drago Bludvist.
"This is it." Hiccup exhaled in enthusiasm. "That's the evidence we were looking for Astrid! The proof that Mikel is plotting against my father! He is a liar! And he's using my wedding as a distraction!"
"I...I don't... Hiccup why would he want you to marry Heather?"
"I don't think that Heather was his target. I think he just wanted to make sure that I am the one who unites with a house. Any house. I guess Beserkers have the best army after the Haddocks so he suggested it to avoid any suspicions."
"So he just wanted to exclude himself from the wedding thing. And he pushed you and Heather to do it for him."
"Exactly."
"And now he is cooperating with some..."D" person against your father?"
"The kingdom of Berk will fall tonight." Hiccup read the words written on the tiny message on his hand. "Astrid you know what this means. He's meeting with that person tonight. They are attacking, tonight."
Astrid grabbed his hand and gave it a soft squeeze to calm him down.
"Then we'll be waiting for him."
...
Eret was nippling on Camikazi's neck, gaining soft moans out of her.
They have been doing this again and again and AGAIN.
And they didn't even care.
They didn't even feel sorry for what they were doing.
Camikazi was struggling to focus on her thoughts while his tongue was tingling her bare skin.
No one knew about them. No one knew what they were doing. So nothing that they din't know could hurt anyone right?
Eret's lips we're traveling lower on her body.
Besides, they were just... messing around and having fun. Right?
Lower.
Nothing more than just two people enjoying their time together. Right?
Lower.
There was nothing serious between them. Right?
Lower.
"Eret stop."
Her sudden change of mood surprised him. He stop and raised his eyes to look at her.
"Everything alright? Did I do something wrong?"
She rolled her eyes trying not to show how annoyed she was by her own thoughts.
"You mean apart from sleeping with a princess? No you did nothing wrong."
He frowned. Reading her expression he realized that she wasn't really willing to do anything more today. Leaving a sigh escape his lips, he layed next to her and put an arm around her shoulder.
"Alright, spill it. What's wrong?"
"Honestly...everything." she curled her knees closed to her chest avoiding eye contact with him.
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean Eret. This. Us. It's wrong. It's only a matter of time before someone catches us or..."
"...or...what?"
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before speaking again.
"We have an expiration date. And it's Hiccup's wedding."
"So?"
"After that I'll be leaving and...who knows when or if we'll see each other again."
"You knew that from the beginning."
She looked at him without moving her head.
"When we first started this...you knew it was going to end, we both knew we were only temporary fun."
"I know." she sighed and looked away again.
"Then why is it bothering you now?"
"Oh Eret! You don't understand anything!!" she freed herself from his arms and crossed her arms.
"I understand everything." At this point his hand cupped her cheek forcing her to turn and face him. "I just want to hear you say it."
"There's nothing to say."
"Right... that's why you're always sad lately. Come on Cami talk to me."
"I'm leaving in less than a month. Why is this so important to you?"
"Because I wanna remember what you'll say right now."
There was a long pause between the two of them.
No matter what she felt she couldn't tell him. He was a hunter he didn't care about the rules. What if he does something crazy? What if he gets himself killed?
"Look... this is clearly complicated for both of us. Maybe...maybe we should stop."
That made his eyes widden. He looked at her with a shoked face.
"Wait what?"
"I think it is the best for both of us if we didn't complicate our feelings any further."
"Our feelings are already too complicated Camikazi. Do you really want to stop now? Is it that easy for you?"
"I never said it was easy, it's just the right thing."
"How is it the right thing? How is forcing yourself to deny your own feelings the right thing?"
"It's part of the royal life Eret."
"Don't give me this shit right now. I know you better than that."
"And what do you want me to say then, huh? You want me to say that I like you more than I should? That I don't want to leave? That I wish we could somehow be together?"
She stopped for a few seconds before she continued.
"Why would it matter? What difference would it make? It doesn't matter how I feel or what I want, because I don't have the privilege to make decisions for myself. My mother does. And she always does what's best for the Bog-Burglars."
"So that's what this is about? Your people?"
"It's my duty Eret."
Eret opened his mouth and then closed it. He seemed like he was thinking something too deep.
"I mean...My whole life I was living in lies. People always lie about how much they respect me, how much they admire me, how honored they are to meet me when half of them don't even know my name."
Eret seemed uncomfortable all of a sudden.
"Look...Cami I-"
"And then you came." she interrupted him. "You we interested to get to know me. The real me. Υou didn't care about how much money I have. You like me for me. And somehow I have this feeling. I know that I can trust you. I know that you would never lie to me."
She leaned back in his arms but he stoped her.
"Look ..Cami I...You shouldn't trust me...You don't know me."
"Of course I know you."
"No I mean...I...There are things you don't know and I-"
"I don't care about your secrets Eret. Everyone has them. I only know that you like me and that's enough."
"Like you?" he laughed. "You crazy woman I am going nuts for you. I can't stop thinking about you. About when I'll get to hold you again but the thing is that I... I'm..."
"Shhhh" she put a finger over his lips."Then that's all I want. That's all I need to know. I trust you Eret, I really do. And I don't trust people easily so you better not screw it up."
He looked concerned for a second. Then he squeezed her hand and kissed her again.
She smiled to him as she layed back.
But she could tell there was something else on his mind. Something he wasn't telling her. Something that he was hiding from her. But she didn't dare to ask. She just let his arms surround her naked body as she placed soft kisses on his shoulder.
Whatever he had on his mind, it was eating him.
Little did she know...how bad he was struggling...not to tell her the truth.
...
The dungeons.
Neither Hiccup nor Astrid had ever been there in their lives. Astrid obviously because she's never been to the Haddock castle before, Hiccup because his father wouldn't allow it. But this was an emergency. This was another one of his father's rules that he had to disobey. Because again, it was for the good of him and the kingdom.
"What is it with this castle having so many stairs? Even your dungeons have 3 floors!" Astrid was pacing after they walked down another dozen of stairs.
"Hey! Don't ask me. I probably hate this castle more than you do." He whispered back as he was holding her hand, leading her further into the halls, passing beside the cells.
With their other hands they were holding lighten torches so that they could see through all this darkness.
They've been down there for too long. Walking down the halls, searching the cells.
"Halt! Who's there?" one of the guards noticed them.
But a few seconds after he recognized Hiccup he fell on his knees.
"Prince Hiccup. What are you doing down here? The King-"
"My father doesn't know I'm here and it will remain that way, am I clear?"
The guard directed his attention towards Astrid. Then back at Hiccup and lowered his head.
"Yes your Highness."
"Good, now get up. There's no need to bow, we only need to ask you something."
The guard looked puzzled but he obeyed his order.
"Anything you want your Highness."
"Did anyone else came down here for a visit tonight?"
"Uh...no your Grace. No one ever comes in the royal dungeons."
"So you didn't see anyone coming in here? Or hear anything unusual? Anything suspicious?" Astrid asked.
"No M'Lady. The only unusual thing that happened tonight was the two of you."
Hiccup lowered his head in disappointment. How could they miss them? It could have been their only chance to catch Mikel and whoever he was plotting with.
After they thanked the guard they headed towards the exit, until they noticed something on the floor.
Hiccup reached and picked it up.
After examining it for a few seconds the same terrified look was on both of their faces.
As their eyes meet in horror, the same name escaped their lips in synchrony.
"Drago"
"We have to find my Dad before it's too late."
...
Running as fast as they could, they pushed the doors of the throne room open and entered it.
But inside the room they found unusually more people than they expected.
Apart from the King, all the royal families of all houses were gathered there.
Strange finding all of them in the same room at the same time.
"Stop what you're doing!" Hiccup shouted as he and Astrid rushed into the room.
"Son!" King Stoick yelled in surprise. "What are you doing?"
"Mikel is a liar! Don't listen to him!"
Mikel and King Stoick were standing awfully close to each other. Hiccup run and got between them putting as much space as he could between them, with his back on his father.
"Stay back! He's not to be trusted!"
Everyone in the room were staring at Hiccup confused, as if he was some mad, crazy guy.
"Uhhh...I think Hiccup has lost his mind..." Tuffnut whispered to his sister.
"Called it. The signs were there." Ruffnut responded.
"Son! Have you lost your sense-"
"He's a traitor!" Hiccup yelled again.
"Prince Hiccup..." Mikel was standings with his hands raised in defence. "I believe this is a misunderstanding."
"Stop lying Mikel! We know everything! We found out about your little meeting with Drago Bludvist!"
"What?!"
"We found your letters. We went to your secret meeting in the dungeons and we found this." Hiccup pointed to Astrid and everyone looked at her.
She took out a piece of fabric and held it high for everyone to see. It was part of a red cape with Drago's Emblem craved on it in black ink.
Everyone gasped.
"We found this caught in the corner of the floor next to the dungeon door's end." she said loud enough for everyone to listen.
"You seemed suspicious from the moment you stepped into our kingdom!" Hiccup began. "On the fisrt day at the welcoming ball you tried to poison my father with your wine!"
"How dare you! The wine of Nephene is the finest wine in the-"
"There's no wine in the island of Nephene! No one mentions it ever! No books, no one!" Hiccup was now furious. "You thought that after the King was dead everyone would suspect me as I am next in line for the throne!"
"You don't know what you're talking about Prince Hiccup."
"You're crazy! You killed your own family and now you want to make ME look guilty for doing the same! You're delusional!"
"Yeah... delusional is a good word for it. And my family died at a horrible accident that I was lucky enough to-" Mikel laughed.
"At the royal meeting you suggested the idea of me marrying Heather, with the dump and stupid idea that you only care for the good of this kingdom, so that everyone would trust you!"
"I would never...you...I..."
"At the royal market..." Hiccup continued. "Astrid and I found out about you sneaking some kind of cargo back from your island into our kingdom."
"I have no idea what cargo you're referring to."
"We saw your ship!" At this point, Hiccup started to walk towards Mikel. "What are you trying to bring here without us noticing?"
Hiccup looked furious and ready to murder him. His steps slow but powerful and wild. His eyes pinning him, never losing contact with him.
Mikel started to take steps too but at the opposite direction of Hiccup, trying to keep himself away from the angry Prince.
Everyone watched the scene completely confused. It was like a wild predator walking towards it's pray, ready to kill.
"Nothing! I... I'm bringing nothing!"
"What was on that ship!!?? What are you hiding??"
"Or is it oleander fruit, huh? Your favourite?" Astrid derided him.
"What are you two lunatics talking about??? I hate oleander fruits!" Mikel shouted.
Hiccup and Astrid shared a confused look.
"Is this what you called me here for? To pull this ridiculous prank on me?" Mikel was the angry one now.
"Uh...what are you talking about King Mikel?" Dagur asked. "You're the one who called us all out here."
"Yeah!" Spitelout took out a letter from his pocket. "You send us this, saying it's really important and you need to talk to us!"
"Okay...your little prank is really stupid because YOU are the ones who send ME a letter to come here tonight!" Mikel took out of his own pocket another letter, same as the one Spitelout was holing.
Everyone stood there, exchanging confused looks.
"And how do we know this isn't another one of your lies?" Hiccup was loosing his temper. "We found your fake papers back in your room. We know you have a talent at frauds!"
"You went into my chambers??? You don't have the right to invade my privacy I...I..."
"Be done with the excuses Mikel! It's over!" Hiccup shouted again. "GUARDS!"
... ... ... Nothing... ...
"Guards!!" Hiccup yelled again but there was no response.
"Guards!!" King Stoick shouted too but there was no sight of them.
Silence filled the room, leaving everyone in it completely clueless of what was happening.
And then...
It all happened in half a second.
Hshhhht!
The sound of a knife sliding through human flesh was the only thing they could hear.
Mikel and Hiccup made eye contact with both of them being surprised and terrified.
Hiccup watched in horror as Mikel's side was overflowing with blood, leaving a huge stamp on his tunic.
Mikel's body fell on the cold castle floor, where he left his last breath, revealing the person who had just stabbed him from behind, holding the knife on his hand.
"Unfortunately Prince Hiccup... I'm afraid your guards are quite...busy right now." Calder said looking directly at Hiccup and Stoick, with a sly smirk across his face.
Everyone's jaw's dropped open.
"But...the good news is, I have brought my own."
He snapped his fingers and hundreds of Nephene soldiers burst into the room capturing everyone except him.
Everyone were held with their hands behind their backs.
"I'm sorry Prince Hiccup..." Calder laughed. "your detective skills are impressive, but you're accusing the wrong person."
[Oh I'm sorry...did I confuse you enough? Hmm? Are you confused? Did you expect that? Huh? I promise everything will be more clear when you read chapter 21 :D.
Once again thank you SO MUCH for reading my story and don't forget to check out my edit for this chapter on Instagram. *.]