Chapter Twenty-Nine
Merida-
Merida lingered in the Gryffindor Common room for a few minutes more. Most everyone had left for the Halloween feast. Merida had shrugged off their questions with the excuse that her stomach was feeling a little weird. At that they allowed her to stay there while they went to eat. When she was sure the majority of her house was gone she crept out of the Common room and into the hall.
"Happy Halloween," the Fat Lady smiled as she walked away.
"Yeah, you too," Merida said quickly, eager to get away.
"I hope the feast is fun," the Lady blabbered.
"You and me both," Merida let her eyes wander down the hall. "I don't wanna miss it so I'm gonna go," she backed away from the painting.
"Oh yes, of course. Silly me," she laughed. Merida nodded then darted down the hall before the Fat Lady could say anything else. She started towards the Great Hall then turned down another corridor, towards the Ravenclaw Common room.
When she grew closer she spotted Hiccup waiting for her next to one of the armored knights. "Hey Merida," he smiled and gave a slight wave. Merida felt a slight race of excitement in her heart, but she calmed it. It was just Hiccup, no need to be excited. "Ready to go?" he asked.
"You bet," Merida grinned. Merida let Hiccup lead as they snuck through the castle towards one of the hidden exits. They froze at every noise and used every shadow for cover. Luckily their over cautious movements weren't necessary for they passed out of the school without running into anyone. Merida felt a rush of relief as they exited the castle and stepped into the courtyard.
"We're not out of the thick yet," Hiccup warned. They continued on their journey towards the Forbidden Forest at an incredibly slow rate. Merida let her mind wander to Jack and Rapunzel. She wondered if they were talking to Alex yet. How would he react to the news? Would he believe them? Would he be mad? Would he go confront Nicholas right then and there and they would miss it? For a moment she regretted her decision to come with Hiccup and half wished that she had gone with Jack and Rapunzel. "Almost there. You still got the letters?" Hiccup glanced back at her. They were half way to the Gamekeeper's house by now, the full moon illuminating the ground in front of them and behind them.
"Right here," Merida patted the pocket in her cloak where the letters were safely tucked away. They had divided the acceptance letters in half with each group taking some to prove that they were telling the truth. Merida hardly thought that would be necessary with Simpion, but still they took the precaution.
Hiccup motioned her closer as they approached the Gamekeeper's house. There was more activity inside tonight than there usually was. A dark shadow moved through the house and occasionally covered one of the illuminated windows. The two students pressed themselves against the wall and inched towards the woods. Suddenly the door facing the forest burst open. Merida nearly screamed in surprise, but Hiccup covered her mouth before anything came out.
They held their breath and prayed the shadows would cover them as a form stepped out of the house. It was large and burly, almost like a bear. Its clothes were made from animal skins and only added to the fact that it really looked like a bear. As the person turned to survey their surroundings a face was revealed. It was an older man with a thick beard and brown skin darkened form hours of being outside. Underneath bushy brown eyebrows were two red eyes.
"Hiccup," Merida breathed. "He has red eyes." Hiccup ignored her, his own olive eyes were focused on the man in front of them.
He hadn't heard Merida's shocked whisper, he was far too focused on the woods for that. As they stood there waiting for him to leave a lone howl rippled through the air. The man smiled, revealing crooked teeth that formed a very threatening grin. He pulled a crossbow from where it was strapped on his back and loaded it. Then, with great lumbering steps, he hurried into the shadows of the forest.
After he left Merida and Hiccup sagged against the wall in relief. "Who was that?" Merida asked.
"Ace Cinders, the Gamekeeper," Hiccup answered.
"He's got red eyes," Merida repeated what she had said earlier.
"I know," Hiccup nodded.
"He looks like a bear," Merida added.
"I know that too," Hiccup smiled.
"Oh shut-up Ravenclaw," Merida shoved him over. Hiccup laughed at her. Merida pursed her lips and glared at him. "Maybe I should just leave you to go traipsing through the Forbidden Forest on your own then," she threatened.
"It wouldn't be the first time," Hiccup pointed out.
"And I thought you always followed the rules," Merida crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one leg.
"Merida, please. I have an illegal dragon as a pet. I'm breaking the law every day," he grinned a very goofy grin. In the moonlight his face was cast in shadows, but she could still make out his smile. His wonderful smile. She felt a blush coming on hard so she turned away from him.
"Come on then you little criminal. Lead the way into the forest," she stated. Hiccup chuckled again, but he obeyed her. Merida smiled to herself then followed him into the woods.
Rapunzel-
Rapunzel sat at the Hufflepuff table with all of her friends. Jack-o-lanterns floated around the room and candles burned brightly, their light flickering against the wall like the reflection of water. The tables were stacked with all sorts of delicious foods and the room was buzzing with happy chatter.
"Having a good Halloween Punzie?" Ashley asked.
"Of course. Are you?" Rapunzel asked her friend.
"Couldn't be better," Ashley grinned.
They continued a light conversation as they ate. Even though she was trying to focus on her friend, Rapunzel found her eyes wandering to the Slytherin table where Jack was sitting with Tess and Bounder. Several older Slytherins sat with them, but Rapunzel wasn't sure what their names were, besides she was really only interested in Jack.
Ever since that afternoon in the old Head Master's office things hadn't quite been the same between them. Jack acted just like he always did. He never treated her any differently and he hadn't said a harsh word to her since then, but Rapunzel knew something was wrong. His smiles no longer lit up his face and they faded sooner than they had before. He seemed to get angry even easier now and sometimes he would just get downright moody, something he never did before. All of these things gave Rapunzel that same feeling she had the day of the Quiditch tryouts. Something was wrong.
"Hey Rapunzel," Jack's voice was low behind her. Rapunzel turned around in surprise. She hadn't noticed him leaving the table and making his way over to her.
"Hey Jack. Happy Halloween," she said politely.
"Are you ready?" he asked, getting right to business. Rapunzel felt a slight sting of disappointment that he hadn't wished her happy Halloween, but she pushed it away. Telling Alex about Nicholas was far more important than Halloween.
"Yeah, I guess," Rapunzel stood up from her table. She told her friends goodbye then followed Jack across the Great Hall. As usual the teachers were eating at a table that stretched across the front of the room in the opposite direction of the house tables. Jack ignored the other teachers and headed straight to where Alex was sitting with his brother, Drake. They looked up curiously as Jack and Rapunzel approached them.
"Is something wrong?" Alex asked.
"Yes actually it is," Jack answered. Alex and Drake exchanged confused looks.
"Well do tell us what it is," Drake ordered. Jack glanced at him then looked back at Alex.
"We have to tell you in private," Jack explained. "It's about that boggart," he said in a low voice. Alex's eyes changed from confused to understanding in a heartbeat.
"Yes of course. I'll be with you right away," he rose from his chair hurriedly. Drake began to rise too, but Alex halted him with his hand on his shoulder. "You won't be needed for this Drake," he said. Drake didn't argue, but he looked like he wanted to. Rapunzel felt bad for him. It must be annoying to get left out of everything. Jack and Alex didn't give him a second glance as they headed across the room. Rapunzel suddenly realized they were leaving her behind and hurried after them.
A few of the kids watched them leave, but most were too preoccupied with their meals to pay them any attention. Rapunzel was grateful for that. She didn't want them to think she was in trouble or anything.
Alex led them into an empty classroom. Jack and Rapunzel sat in two seats at the front of the room with Alex closed the door. He brought out his wand and muttered a few spells. "Now no one will overhear us," he explained. They nodded as he moved to stand in front of them. "So who's going to tell me what this is all about?"
Hiccup-
Hiccup broke through the trees and into the familiar clearing where they trained. Toothless was absent, probably hunting, but Simpion was there. The silver centaur was facing his direction as if he had been waiting for them. Of course, he probably was.
"Greetings young ones," Simpion's regal voice echoed slightly against the trees.
"Hello Simpion," Merida smiled. She got along well with him, better than any of the others did. Hiccup envied her ability to gain the respect of great man. Other than she and Toothless Simpion had not bestowed that honor on anyone.
"I sense a great urgency within you. Please tell me what has befallen you," he prompted.
"We think we've found something that may reveal who the master is," Hiccup answered. Simpion looked at him expectantly. Hiccup in turn looked at Merida. She dug into her cloak and then pulled out the bundle of letters.
"Here they are," Merida walked forward and handed them to him. Simpion took the letters in his silvery hand and held them to his face. He studied them with his intelligent grey eyes while Merida and Hiccup watched anxiously. The centaurs face was unreadable, leaving Hiccup to guess what he was thinking. Shock? Anger? Fear? Did he really believe them? Would he want to go face Nicholas right then?
Hiccup glanced at Merida. Was she thinking the same thing? Was she worried? She certainly didn't look worried. Her bright blue eyes were focused on Simpion's face as he read the letters, betraying nothing. Hiccup bit his lip n irritation. Why was he the only one who expressed emotion outwardly?
"I understand your urgency now," Simpion finally spoke. "For certain there is reason for worry now."
"Is it true? Is Nicholas the master?" Hiccup demanded.
"If he is the master, then we have much reason to fear. With his power and the fact that he has an army behind his back is a frightening notion. It will be nearly impossible to stop him," Simpion said in answer.
"But what if he isn't the master?" Merida asked.
"I suspect we still have reason to fear. A wizard does not simply conjure an army because they feel like it. They must have a liable explanation or nobody would join them. So either Nicholas has his own wicked plans, or there is something out there he fears and is working to defend himself. Either possibility points to the fact that there is something dangerous near," Simpion explained.
For a moment no one spoke. Hiccup tried to comprehend what Simpion was saying. Could it be that there was another danger other than the master? Or was this danger the master? And was Nicholas the master? His mind whirled with questions. Questions with no answers.
"There's one more thing," Merida murmured. Both Simpion and Hiccup looked at her with slight confusion in their eyes. "One of the letters, it was from the centaurs," she said. "They joined his army." Hiccup understood in a flash. He turned accusing eyes towards Simpion, awaiting an explanation.
"For many years I have grown far from my herd. By firmly placed law centaurs keep their interaction with humans to a minimum. I have strayed from this rule, letting my life mingle with them as I chose too. For this reason most centaurs avoid me, leaving me to my life outside the herd. Is my herd has sided with the master, I was not there to join the decision," Simpion answered. Merida let out a relieved sigh. Hiccup himself felt at least a little better knowing that it wasn't Simpion who had joined forces with Nicholas.
"Thank you for the information Simpion," Hiccup nodded to him. "Tell Toothless I was here please."
"Your welcome and I will," Simpion stated. "But I suggest you leave now. The Feast is dwindling to the end and soon your absence will be known." They nodded to him then turned to go. This time Merida walked next to Hiccup instead of letting him lead.
"So I guess Jack was right. Nicholas really is the master," Merida commented.
"It's pretty safe to assume that now, but we still don't really know for sure," Hiccup said.
"I feel bad for him. I can't imagine what it must be like to have your dad be evil," she continued. Hiccup glanced at her. She looked genuinely sympathetic. It was a good look for her.
Jack Frost-
Jack waited for Alex's reaction to what they had said. His guardian hadn't said a word the whole time they explained it to him and showed him the letters. Now is eyes were staring down at the pieces of parchment with a guarded expression.
"We promise we aren't making this up," Jack said.
"I don't think you are," Alex said. Jack felt a rush of excitement. "But I'm not entirely sure I believe you. I trust Nicholas. Perhaps there is another reason for this." Jack's excitement dwindled.
"No!" Jack snapped. "I know he's the master. I know he's the one who made the shadow."
"And how exactly do you know about this?" Alex demanded.
"I know more about him than you think," Jack ignored Alex's question. "I know he's my father." The room was deadly silent. Rapunzel stared at her shoes. Alex looked startled.
"How do you know that?" he gasped.
"In the old office. I saw his memories in this birdbath thing," Jack answered. Alex shook his head in wonder.
"I told you not to get involved in this Jack. Now you've found out more than you need to know about anything," he rose from where he'd been sitting in the chair behind the teacher's desk. "There's far more about Nicholas's past than you know. You've no right to judge him about this." Anger exploded deep in Jack's heart.
"So why don't you tell me? Why don't you explain how this man who gave away his only son can't be this monstrous master? Or better yet why don't you tell me why you didn't tell me? Tell me why you didn't tell me he's my father. Did you think you were protecting me? Did you think that would help me somehow?" Jack shouted. He wanted to hit something. He wanted to hit his father. All this anger wasn't channeled towards Alex. He was mad at Nicholas. He hated him.
"Never mind," Jack growled. He turned on his heel and stomped out of the room. Still seething with anger he headed for the Slytherin Common room.
"Jack," Rapunzel's voice stopped him. She ran down the hall to reach him. With gentle hands she held his shoulders. He looked at the ground, avoiding her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything you've been through," she apologized. Raising herself onto her tiptoes she kissed him on the cheek. Jack didn't move. She stood in front of him, waiting. When he still didn't move she turned and walked away.
Jack still didn't move. Something was wrong with him. He didn't want her to kiss him. He wanted her to go away.
A/N:
Not much to say in this chapter. Jack is having a real ruff time though. I feel really bad for putting him through all this, but it's necessary. Well thank to Rylee88 and Percabethlover47850 for reviewing. Please R&R people. It's really encouraging!