I am so, so, sorry. So sorry. This is ridiculous. Terrible. I apologize. But here it is! The last full chapter. There is going to be an epilogue, but yes. The last chapter. Wooo.
Disclaimer: I don't own HTTYD or Tangled.
Toothless swooped down low over the trees, his black wings almost brushing the pine needles and twigs. The city was clearly visible, and they would be there soon. The buildings gleamed brightly, reflecting the sun's rays and sending them into the traveler's eyes. Rapunzel's heart raced as she came closer and closer to her home and family. She clutched Hiccup tighter, encircling his torso with her arms and leaning her head on his shoulder. He glanced behind him and patted her knee gently.
"You ready?" he questioned, the wind almost stealing the words from his mouth.
She could only nod and wiggle happily. "I'm so excited," she confessed.
Hiccup laughed and rubbed Toothless gently. "Let's go, bud." They flew over the city, faster and faster, gliding over the rooftops and cobbled streets. People below looked up and pointed, their shouts of surprise lost in the sound of the wind. Rapunzel waved at the tiny bodies, a grin splitting her face. They approached the castle, circling around the shiny windows and solid stones.
"This is where I live," Rapunzel told Hiccup, pointing at the grand building.
Guards shouted at each other, alarmed at the sight of a dragon flying overhead. The three drew near to the balcony she had stood on not too long ago, saying hello to her real parents for the first time, and Rapunzel marveled at how they would be doing the same thing for a second time. She couldn't suppress the happy quiver in her chest, as the giant wooden doors opened to reveal a cluster of guards, weapons bristling. Suddenly, Rapunzel had the feeling that not everything was all right.
"Wait a minute…" Hiccup muttered, but it was too late, because Toothless had already alighted on the stone.
The princess couldn't resist throwing herself off the dragon's back and running towards the guards. Her parents appeared at the doors, and she shrieked, "Mother! Daddy!" and ran at them, full speed ahead. Her arms were thrown outwards, and she had almost reached them, but was suddenly stopped by the firm arms of the guards. She fought them, terror suddenly striking her heart as she realized they didn't recognize her without her hair. She looked up into the face of the nearest guard, recognizing him. "Fenley, it's me!" she cried, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. "Don't you recognize me?! It's me, Rapunzel! Please, I have to get through, please!"
"Princess?!" he gasped, relinquishing his hold on her. "What happened to your hair?!"
She was saved from having to answer as her father barreled through the guards, shoving them aside and gripping her by the shoulders, turning her to face him. He searched her face as tears filled her eyes, blurring his face. He folded her into a hug, crushing her to his chest. She burrowed her head further in, breathing in his scent and circling her arms about his waist. She felt softer, more delicate arms hold her as well, and she looked up to see her mother's beautiful eyes looking lovingly into her own. Tears filled hers, too, and Rapunzel threw her arms around her mother. "I'm home, I'm home, I'm home," she murmured over and over again, relishing in the feeling of her family's arms.
All she wanted to do was stay there forever.
Unfortunately, that was not to be, as the king looked up to see a Viking lounging against a dragon, presumably of the same tribe that had dared to ravage his city and kidnap his daughter. "Get the Viking!" he roared, pointing at the scrawny lad.
"Wait, what?!" he squawked, and before he had time to climb aboard Toothless and fly away he was flanked by guards. Toothless roared and almost blasted them all to bits, but Hiccup yelled, "Wait, buddy, wait, don't, don't do it, just give me a minute-"
They dragged him down to the ground, and a guard hollered out, "Viking! Kill him!" More guards surrounded Toothless and piled over him, holding the giant reptile to the ground with weapons pointed at his head.
"This is all just a big mistake!" Hiccup cried desperately, attempting to rip himself from the guards' grasp.
Rapunzel tore from her mother's embrace to see an axe raised above Hiccup's wildly thrashing head, and cried out, "No, stop!" The guard paid no heed, apparently not hearing her, and she ran towards him, her heart drumming in fear. She threw herself upon him, covering his body with her own, as she screamed out the only thing she could- "Please!"
The guard halted the weapon's descent, and she buried her face deep into Hiccup's hair, and whispered, "Please." After a few moments, she looked up to see the guard lowering his axe in a puzzled manner and her father approaching.
"Rapunzel?" he asked uncertainly. "That is a Viking. Vikings kidnapped you."
She gave a watery laugh and moved off Hiccup, helping him to his feet (well, foot). He was breathing hard, and held himself tensely.
"Mother, Daddy, this is Hiccup. And trust me, he is not the type of Viking to kidnap someone. And that's Toothless, Hiccup's dragon. Which is a long story, actually, so I won't go into that at the moment. Just know that they are both perfectly safe."
Hiccup stepped forward carefully, avoiding the pointy edges of the guards' weapons. "Sir, I am so sorry for the things that my tribe has done to your kingdom, and the heartbreak we've given you. I just wanted to deliver Rapunzel safely to you, and if you desire any retribution for any damage we will gladly pay it." He stood up straight and tall, bearing the brunt of the king's hard stare.
"Your tribe kidnapped my daughter," he stated flatly.
"Yeah, um, yes we did."
"You looted my kingdom."
"Yes we did."
"You killed my people."
"Yeah, we did that too." Hiccup's eyes never left the king's, though his knees were visibly shaking. The tall man circled the shorter teen, taking stock of his skinny limbs and unruly hair.
"You did all that and more…yet you are willing to deliver my daughter personally home?"
"We owe that to you," Hiccup answered honestly. "What my father did was-"
"Your father?" the king exclaimed. "You are Stoick's son?"
Hiccup deadpanned. "Yeah, I am. Don't worry, I get that a lot."
Rapunzel moved forward and slipped her hand into Hiccup's. The king's eyebrows rose slightly, but he stepped back and motioned the guards to release Toothless. "I suppose if Rapunzel trusts you, I can trust you…for now."
Rapunzel smiled as Hiccup exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Daddy," she whispered.
The queen stepped forward and took her daughter's hand. "Why don't we go inside and you can tell about what happened over some food," she suggested, and they moved inside the castle.
Rapunzel had never been so happy to see her home.
oOoOo
Late that night, after her story was told, Rapunzel stood upon the balcony, letting the breeze whip her hair around her face. She had changed from her Viking clothes into a proper dress, though her feet were bare, as usual. She gripped the railing as she watched the city below. The sound of singing and dancing was heard, as the people celebrated the return of their princess. She smiled in contentment, then turned as she heard a step behind her. Her father stood there, watching her with a smile playing around his lips. She moved over to make room for her and he moved beside her. They watched the city below for a few moments before he spoke.
"He is a strange boy."
"Hiccup?"
He hummed in affirmation and Rapunzel chuckled. "Yes, I suppose he is." She feel silent before answering, "Are you mad?"
A beat passed before he gave his hesitant reply. "No, I am not mad. A bit confused, perhaps. But not angry."
"Confused?"
"He is a Viking, Rapunzel. His people took you away. They killed your fiancé. How could you love someone like that?"
How, indeed? She stared off into space, collecting her thoughts before she could give him the right answer. "He gives me hope, daddy."
"Hope?"
"He was the only thing that kept me grounded in Berk. It was him that kept me hanging on. Without him I would have despaired. But…he gave me hope." She sighed. "He makes me happy."
"Really?"
"Really."
Her father exhaled heavily. "Well, then, I suppose I will not hate him."
She giggled and laid her head on his arm. "Thank you, daddy."
"I love you, Rapunzel."
"I love you too."
oOoOo
A few days later, Rapunzel and Hiccup once again set out on Toothless, though not for Berk. They traveled about half an hour to the forest, dodging trees and boulders, before they came upon a hidden cove. In that hidden cove, there stood a tower. Tall and serene, vine crept up over the unkept stone. They flew towards the window and opened it. Toothless hovered for a few moments, allowing them to enter, before gliding to the ground. His body wouldn't allow him to enter, sadly.
The two stood in the tower, silent, gazing at the sparse conditions. Some of Rapunzel's things had been taken to the castle, but for the most part it was the same as that fateful night. A heavy silence pervaded the place, pressing against them.
"This is where I grew up," Rapunzel said, unnecessarily.
"Your whole life?"
She nodded wordlessly, still taking in the surroundings.
"Never went outside?"
She shook her head.
"I can't imagine," he whispered. "I've always had the outdoors."
She shrugged. "I dreamed about it a lot," she confessed. "And read about it. That helped. But…" she hesitated. "It wasn't the same. And once I went outside, well…I knew I could never go back."
Hiccup nodded in understanding, then walked closer into the room. He stooped down and picked up a stray shard of mirror, staring at the piece of his reflection in his hand.
Rapunzel sighed. "Well, this is it."
"Want to get out of here?"
She nodded and moved away the stone that blocked the stairway. Taking one last look around the place, she smiled, knowing that horrible part of her life was over…and left the tower.
oOoOo
"Rapunzel, is this such a good idea?" Hiccup asked. "I mean, it'll be weird enough being a Viking, but bringing a dragon? Won't they be scared?"
"They'll have to see him some time, might as well be sooner rather than later," Rapunzel answered. "Come on. Maybe there'll be dancing today. There usually is."
"But-"
But it was too late. She grasped his hand and pulled him through the gates, and of course Toothless had to follow them. They followed the cobbled stones to the marketplace, where people milled about, talking, laughing, and buying. A hush fell over them as people caught sight of the princess next to a scrawny Viking and a dragon. They dropped to their knees warily, and Rapunzel gestured for them to get up. They began going about their business once more, but a distinct quietness had blanketed them.
"Oh, yeah, of course they won't mind me," Hiccup muttered to Rapunzel, but she simply shook her head and pulled him along.
"Toothless, get out of the fish," Hiccup snapped presently, yanking his dragon away from a sizeable barrel. Rapunzel giggled and handed the vendor a few coins, then gave the dragon the few fish it had purchased.
"Rapunzel, I just told him no," Hiccup groaned.
"Oh, the poor thing's hungry," she answered, scratching the dragon on the neck. She noticed a little boy watching them from behind his mother's skirts and beckoned him closer. "Do you want to try?"
The little boy shook his head.
"He's not going to hurt you. See?"
The boy hesitated, then inched closer. Hiccup intervened as well. "See, you just scratch him right here, just like this." He demonstrated along Toothless's neck. "See?"
The little boy gingerly placed his hand on Toothless's neck and began petting him. The dragon gave a sigh of pleasure, making the boy giggle. He started scratching, moving his hand further and further. Unfortunately, because of his small stature, he scratched right along Toothless's pressure point. The teens didn't catch it until he was right there.
"Wait, don't-" Hiccup started, but it was too late. The dragon's eyes rolled to the back of his head and he flopped over. Hiccup shove the boy out of the way just in time, but was unable to save himself from being crushed by the dragon.
"Hiccup!" Rapunzel cried, and dashed towards him.
"Ugh," Hiccup groaned, voice muffled, "help. Rapunzel? Little help here?"
She giggled and pushed on Toothless, but was unable to make him budge. Even with their combined attempts, they couldn't move him, so they had to enlist the help of a few men. Finally, they succeeded, and Hiccup wheezed as he sat up. "Thanks," he croaked, holding his stomach. "Ugh. Fat reptile."
"Be nice," she laughed.
They had attracted a crowd of onlookers, curious about the visitors, and soon Hiccup was regaling them with tales of Toothless, himself, and Rapunzel. When Toothless woke up, he showed them how the fake tail worked, and soon, Rapunzel was pretty sure every child wanted a dragon and everyone loved Hiccup.
She was glad.
oOoOo
"Rapunzel, what are we going to do?"
They were lounging in the garden, feeling the grass tickle their skin and listening to the fountain's gentle sound. Rapunzel held a flower in her hands, gently pulling at the petals as Hiccup's fingers played absentmindedly in her hair.
"Hmm?" she hummed at his question.
"What are we going to do?" he repeated. "It's been almost a week, and…what are we going to do?"
She sighed, not wanting to answer the question, and flopped onto her stomach. She buried her face in the grass and moaned, "I don't know."
"We should figure something out."
"But what? You have your tribe, and they need you, and I have a kingdom, and it needs me, and…"
Hiccup nodded and blew out a stream of air. "Why do we have to live so far from each other? Why can't my tribe just get along with dragons? Why did my dad have to be so stupid?"
"Shh," she prompted, placing a finger over his lips. "It's okay."
He turned her over onto her back and brought her towards himself, snaking his arm around her. She snuggled into him and closed her eyes, enjoying being with him.
"Maybe…maybe I could…stay with you…"
"What?" her eyes popped open and she stared at him.
He shifted uncomfortably. "I could…stay with you."
"Hiccup, but what about-"
"I could travel there every few weeks for a while, make sure things are working out okay. Astrid could keep them in order…and…then I could stay with you. And…yeah."
"They need you over there," Rapunzel told him. "Something will go wrong, and you're going to need to be there. I appreciate it, Hiccup, I do, but I can't ask that of you."
Hiccup sighed and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I don't know, Rapunzel. I really…I don't know."
"We're young, Hiccup." She let out a laugh. "We don't know anything. And…and that's okay."
"It's okay to not know anything?" he scoffed.
"Not about what's going to happen. What if…what if you went home, and I stayed here, and…"
"You're saying not be together?" he asked incredulously.
"No, we would be…but not for now."
"You want me to go back home. And you to stay in Corona. Rapunzel, we wouldn't see each other for who knows how long."
"We could visit. I don't like it anymore than you do, but it's unavoidable. Your people need you here, and my people need me."
He sighed and glanced up at the stars. "Why do you always have to be so right?" he groaned.
Rapunzel giggled and pulled him in for a kiss. "We can visit," she whispered.
"All the time," he answered.
"Mhm."
"This isn't going to be fun."
"I know."
"Think we can do it?"
"Absolutely."
He nodded. "Yeah. Yeah we can."
And they fell asleep there, in the grass, wrapped in each other's arms.
oOoOo
Two days later. She didn't want to face this. He didn't want to face this. But it had to be faced.
Toothless was all saddled up, his saddle bags were packed with provisions, and he was itching to go. Hiccup, on the other hand, was not so eager. He squeezed Rapunzel's hand tightly, not willing to let her go until the last moment.
Guards were lined up at attention, city folk had turned up to send him off, and there was a buzz of expectancy. There were a few tears, as well. In the week of his being there, he had been well-loved by young and old alike. They hated to see him go.
Rapunzel inhaled and exhaled. This was it. She didn't want to see him go, but she knew it was for the best. And she would see him again. He promised to visit often as he could. And she would go there.
Toothless snorted and whined, tense in his anticipation of leaving. Hiccup groaned. "Hold on, buddy." He tipped Rapunzel's head towards him and kissed her lips, sending butterflies through her stomach and a crack of pain through her heart. Her hands snaked up and held the sides of his face and he set down the bundle in his hand to pull her closer to him in one last embrace. They pulled away only when they realized they had quite a substantial audience, and Rapunzel brushed away the tears brimming in her eyes.
Hiccup squeezed her hand and picked up his bundle. "Here, I, uh, want you to have this."
She accepted it confusedly. "Hiccup, you didn't need to-"
"It's okay," he interrupted her, "just a little something to remind you of me."
She smiled and pecked him on the cheek. "Thank you, Hiccup."
He gave a lopsided grin, then climbed aboard Toothless. "You ready, buddy?"
Toothless wriggled in anticipation.
"You watch over him now, you hear?" Rapunzel told him, patting his head. "Make sure he doesn't get into any trouble." She smiled and nuzzled him. "You're such a good boy, Toothless, yes you are. See you later, buddy."
She stepped back, giving them space to lift off, and found herself next to her parents.
"Thank you for returning my daughter," the king stated.
"The thanks belongs to you alone," Hiccup answered. "I hope, uh, to see you all soon."
The king, to everyone's surprise, smiled. "I hope so too."
Hiccup waved, moved his foot, Toothless tensed up, coiling like a spring, then shot up into the sky, blowing wind into everyone's faces. Her hair rippling back, Rapunzel raised her hair in a last wave.
She would miss him. She knew that, but in her heart she also knew this was the best choice.
She looked down at the bundle in her hands and tugged open the string to peer into it. She let out a laugh and reached her hand in to retrieve the sleepy little Terrible Terror it held, the one that Stoick had sent. She had assumed that Hiccup had sent it back to Berk, but apparently he hadn't.
"What's that?" the queen asked, peering at the reptile.
"It's a Terror, mother," she answered, holding it towards her mother. "Here, you can touch it."
The little beast wriggled and yawned, stretching in a cat-like manner as the queen gingerly ran her hand along its back. The queen laughed and scratched it behind its head gently. "It doesn't look like such a terror to me," she confessed.
The king joined in petting the tiny creature, chuckling gently. Rapunzel watched her parents, a smile growing on her face. Who would have thought that the kingdom of Corona would accept dragons? It was a miracle in itself.
She turned to watch the tiny, ever-shrinking black dot of Hiccup and Toothless disappear into the distance. She knew she'd see him again. She knew they'd be together soon. All she had to do was wait, and be content with her family, her kingdom, and a tiny dragon.
And she was just fine with that.
oOoOo
Sorry if ya'll don't like that ending, but that is the way it has been planned from the start, so there it shall be and there it shall stay. Stay tuned for the epilogue. I'll try to get that up today.
Please review for me, even if you yell at me. Whatever. And thank you all for *gasp* over 230 reviews?! Ya'll are amazing. Bless you.