Aren't I mean to poor Hiccup? Don't worry, though! It'll all be alright in the end! You'll see (I hope, anyway). This is my SECOND update today, I believe (correct me if I'm wrong. I'm too lazy to check myself. Hahaha). Shout-outs:
xFaerieValkyriex: Nah, I think Hiccup's too stubborn to die. I don't know, though...you'll have to read the rest of the story. :) Sorry about the soul-shattering cliffhanger...this one's actually worse than the last one. Sorry in advance.
snoopykid: Yep yep yep. Astrid'll get back at Hiccup if the fall doesn't do it for her. Poor Hiccup, though...it's not the end yet, either. :(
coolguy: Thanks! Glad you like it! :) Thanks for the suggestion as well! I don't really read fanfiction unless its done by my brothers or really close friends, but thanks for the suggestion! Maybe someday I'll look into it. :)
Everyone else: Thank you! Here's the next chapter.
"No!" shouted Valka, rushing over to the cliff side and looking down. Astrid mirrored her, running over as fast as her legs could carry her. They knelt down and looked over, not knowing what to expect...
...just knowing that what they saw was unexpected.
Hiccup was holding on to a rock that was bulging out of the cliff with both hands, desperately trying to get a better grip. He was about ten feet downwards...not within reaching distance. Something was dragging him down, causing him to gasp, clutching the rock for dear life.
Or was it someone?
"HICCUP!" yelled Valka as soon as she saw her son was still alive. "HICCUP! JUST HOLD ON!" She quickly called to Cloudjumper, but the dragon was taking on soldiers, keeping them away from the cliff side. Astrid's Nadderhead was doing the same...
...no dragon help.
Valka reached down, trying to grip her son's hand, but missing. He was just too far away...just too far away...she couldn't grasp his hand...she couldn't grasp his anything.
Hiccup's bad arm suddenly slipped, leaving him hanging from just his left one. His sword was gone; he'd probably dropped it in an attempt to grasp the side of the cliff.
"HANG ON!" shouted Valka helplessly. "DON'T GIVE UP!"
She looked to Astrid frantically, who was looking around for something...anything they could use to pull Hiccup back up, but they found nothing.
That's when Astrid noticed who was pulling Hiccup down.
Dagur the Deranged had a firm hold on Hiccup's right leg (the one he had slashed), and showed no sign of letting go any time soon.
"DAGUR, YOU GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SON OR I WILL...!" screamed Valka, trailing off.
"You'll WHAT, Valka!?" asked Dagur. "Forget trying to save him! Hiccup goes down with me!"
Valka looked at Hiccup, her eyes pleading. Hiccup looked back at her with a face she'd never forget. A face full of pain, yet also full of bravery. Full of sadness, yet full of loyalty. Full of sorrow, yet full of leadership, knowing he would have to do anything...anything...to protect those he loved.
But that was just the problem.
"HICCUP!" shouted Valka. "DON'T YOU DARE LET GO!"
"Mom," said Hiccup, "take care of the village. Take care of Toothless. Tell him not to worry...we'll meet again."
"HICCUP NO!" shouted Astrid, knowing what he was thinking.
"Astrid," said Hiccup. "I...I'm sorry, Astrid. You deserved someone better than me. I'm sorry I couldn't give back to you what you gave to me. I love you, Astrid."
"HICCUP NO!" shouted Valka and Astrid in unison.
"I'm sorry," said Hiccup. With that, he released his hold, and fell down, not screaming, not making a sound. Just falling, knowing that it had to end this way. Knowing that he had done what was right. Knowing that he had made the right move...
...even if it was the hard one.
Okay, first of all, has anyone here read "How Not To Celebrate Your Birthday"? If you have, did you see what I did there in the end of this chapter? In "How Not To Celebrate Your Birthday" it ends with Hiccup saying, "We'll make the second move. Hopefully, the right one." (or somethin' like that). Did you see how I tied it in there? :) I like doing stuff like that. Sorry about what I did to poor Hiccup...but the story's not over yet! We still have like, one or two more chapters left to go! I CANNOT believe we're almost finished with it! Thanks to all!