Okay…time for more Brave! We're quickly making our way through the second-to-last conflict of the story. (Yes, there will be one last conflict that will arise before this story meets its end). Here we go!
I just added a new "mini-arc" as well! Now there are 12 chapters (including this one) left in this story! Only 58 reviews away from reaching 400! Can we hit 400 reviews by the end of this story? (P.S. I am in no way begging for reviews. I am merely posing a challenge. Haha.)
Review Replies:
warorpeace: Thanks! I couldn't just breeze through these "between-the-movie scenes" moments. There has to be something that "goes wrong". This is Hiccup we're talking about. Thank you for the birthday wishes. It was a good day.
Freyja Reinhardt: Thanks for the birthday wishes! I have some rudimentary BH6 ideas. Once I plan and flesh them out a little more, I'll think about posting them.
Maksimillijan Istrulanica: Thanks for the birthday wishes! Here's the next chapter.
Guest (anonymous): I'll update now! Haha. I've never seen anyone say they are obsessed with one of my stories. I'm really glad that you like it. Hope you got your homework finished. Haha.
Smiley 101 (anonymous): I will update. Haha. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Noctus Fury (anonymous): Thank you for the birthday wishes! Well, to me, he looks like he's smiling. He probably isn't, but…yeah. I usually prefer to just leave Gobber single in my stories. In fact, usually, he's not even in them at all. I tend to focus mainly on the kids. Trust me, my obsession with BH6 will not affect my HTTYD stories. I said that on my profile several months ago. In my list of upcoming stories, there are still way more HTTYD stories than BH6, Frozen, InuYasha, etc. However, that's not to say that I won't continue to come up with more BH6 stories to work on too. Here's the next chapter of Brave.
Next chapter starts…now!
Chapter 54: Hiccup Awakens
"He's not getting any better! Why is his condition not improving?" Astrid was frustrated and the emotion could be heard in her voice. It had been two days since Hiccup had developed the fever and his condition was only getting worse. Astrid hated seeing her new friend suffering in this way, but there was nothing more that she could do. Gothi applied the ointment three times a day but it was doing little to draw out the infection that had taken residence in Hiccup's leg.
"I don't know, Astrid," Gobber answered, truthfully. He had been so sure that Gothi's treatment would clear Hiccup of the infection. Deciding that he did not want to answer any more of Astrid's impossible questions, Gobber left and Astrid was alone with Hiccup again. The boy's father had, reluctantly, left (with the promise to return and check in on Hiccup later in the day) earlier to handle some chiefly responsibilities.
All Astrid had wanted was for Hiccup to wake up, but now, as she watched Hiccup unconsciously cringing from the pain, she found herself hoping that Hiccup would not wake up—at least not until this had passed. How horrible it would be to wake up from…whatever this strange sleep was…and be in such excruciating pain.
As always, it seemed that just as Astrid wished this not to happen, it happened anyway. With a groan of pain, Hiccup opened his eyes slightly. Out of all the times, Hiccup! You have to wake up now?
"A-Astrid?" he whispered weakly, somehow catching a glimpse of her through half-lidded eyes.
"Hiccup!" she replied, bringing a glass of water over and helping the pained boy to drink. "You'll be okay. You'll get through this."
"No…Astrid, I'm…not…"
If Hiccup wasn't already in so much pain, Astrid could have punched him. "Don't you dare talk like that! Gothi will help you to get better. Don't you even think about giving up!"
"I don't know…if I'll be able to…say it later and…you'll probably hurt me for…saying it," Hiccup gasped out through the pain, "but…Astrid, I just want you to…know that…I love you. I always have. Ever since the day…I made you that…axe…your first battle weapon."
Astrid gently took Hiccup's hand and squeezed it tightly. She could feel tears form in her eyes as she looked down upon Hiccup. "Hiccup, I…I love you too," she choked out. Showing emotion did not come easily for Astrid; this was one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do. "I was stupid for not realizing sooner." A lump formed in Astrid's throat as she looked over Hiccup, his condition worsening by the minute. This can't be…Hiccup can't…not now… "I said this while you were… but…Hiccup, you are the bravest Viking I've ever met." Looking into Hiccup's eyes, she could see the normally-vibrant forest green growing dull. "Hiccup, please, you...can't…"
Hiccup weakly squeezed Astrid's hand. With a small smile, he replied, "Astrid, y-you'll be okay. You're strong, the strongest Viking I've…ever known. I'll see you again. I promise, Astrid."
Astrid leaned down and softly kissed Hiccup's dry lips. She felt him weakly return the kiss. A tear slipped from her eyes and dropped upon Hiccup's face, but he did not acknowledge that he'd even felt it hit his skin. Breaking the kiss, Astrid straightened and looked down at Hiccup.
"Hiccup…" Before she could say any more, Hiccup's eyes closed and he grew silent once again. "No.." Astrid laid her head down upon Hiccup's chest, listening for signs of life. She felt no warm breath against her hair and heard no heartbeat deep within his small chest. "Loki, this isn't funny!" she yelled, pulling herself upright once again. "Hiccup, you can stop joking now. Come on! Open up your eyes!"
The tears in Astrid's eyes fell freely now as she looked upon Hiccup. Finally, he appeared at peace. His face was pale and if not for the absence of the usual rising and falling of his chest, Astrid could have fooled herself into believing that he had just fallen back into that strange sleep.
Stoick returned at that moment. He only needed to look between Astrid's tearful face and the silent form of his son to understand what had happened. "I'll go find Gothi," he spoke before turning and heading right back out the door.
Though Astrid knew, the Elder or Healer had to officially state that someone was, in fact, dead. It was tradition and this was one tradition that Hiccup would not break.
It did not take long for Stoick to return with both Gothi and Gobber. Astrid stood with the men as Gothi checked Hiccup. When she was finished, the Elder turned back with a sad expression and shook her head.
Up until this point, Astrid had remained fairly calm, but something snapped inside of her at Gothi's gesture. "No! There must be something that you can do to bring him back!" Astrid's movements grew wild and almost violent. Gobber had to hold the Viking girl back to prevent her from doing something that she would regret later. "You don't understand! Hiccup can't be dead! There must be something we can do!"
Astrid struggled against Gobber's hold on both her arms, but the blacksmith was too strong. She wanted so badly to believe that Hiccup would wake up again soon. She refused to believe what everyone said, but even she knew that it no longer mattered. Hiccup was… gone.
This chapter is short, but that's because it's quite emotional. Strange how many death and grief related songs played in the background while I was writing this chapter. Sorry, guys! This event has been planned out since the story began.
Coming Up Next: Hiccup's death was hard for Astrid to witness. His funeral will be harder.
Thank you all for reading and for your continued support of Brave!
Posted: February 1, 2015
