THE GHOST OF WARBOROUGH HALL
"We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone."
– Orson Welles, 1915 - 1985
CHAPTER SIX:
"The young Astrid Hofferson was upstairs in her bedroom, brushing her hair and preparing for bed, when the ghost passed through the walls and told her to make haste and go to the kitchens, for there was a strange, one-armed, one-legged man demanding food. Astrid immediately dropped her brush scampered out to the dark hallway, following the ghost and keeping to the shadows.
"Nobody noticed them as they ran silently through the manor, but when they stepped into the foyer, they heard footsteps and voices coming from one of the many corridors. The sounds were growing louder, the voices coming ever nearer. Astrid was about to run back up the stairs when the ghost pulled her towards a curtained window in the far side of the room.
"In here! The ghost whispered.
"And not a moment too soon, for the door opened and her father, his butler, the housekeeper, and a large man entered the room before. Astrid pulled the curtains back slightly, and her eyes widened at sight of the terrifying one-legged giant.
"… Beautiful weapons you have there, my Lord, the large man was saying in a thick, Northern accent.
"I hope you find Warborough Hall accommodating. Her father replied. You may take your pick of whichever room you wish.
"The large man laughed. My Lord, he said. You are far too kind, but… we shall be sleeping at the servant's quarters tonight, if we may.
"No, no. Any friend of Stoick's shall receive the best of our hospitality.
"Thank you, the giant rubbed a hand behind his head. I mean no disrespect, my Lord, but I am more accustomed to sleeping in haystacks than soft mattresses, and waking up to the smell of melted iron than perfumed roses. I might get nightmares tonight if I slept in these rooms.
"And you'll be cleaning his soiled sheets tomorrow morning, another voice said, low and nasal. Astrid quickly tried to stifle a giggle. She peeked through the curtains but could not see who had spoken – the bulky giant was obscuring him from her view!
"The giant had smacked him around the back of his head. This boy's sleeping at the servant's quarters too, he muttered. No perfumed mattresses for him.
"Well, er… whatever pleases you, I suppose, Lord Hofferson said. He seemed to be uncertain of his next actions for the next few seconds, raising his hand to the boy as if he was about to place it upon his shoulders, before dropping it again to his side. He took a half turn away, before swivelling back to the pair. Finally, he bent down to the boy and asked: And this is also your wish? To stay at the servant's quarters tonight?
"Yes, my Lord, the boy quickly said without hesitation.
"Astrid's father cleared his throat before straightening up. Ah well, I suppose that… er, settles it. The housekeeper shall show you to your rooms.
"The giant – Gobber – finally stepped aside, giving Astrid her first glimpse of the boy. He was a weedy looking thing, thin arms straining under the weight of several heavy bags. He shuffled forward as he followed the two older men, but before he entered the door held open by the butler, he stopped and furrowed his eyebrows. His head suddenly turned in the direction of Astrid's hiding place. She stifled a gasp and ducked.
"After a few seconds, Astrid finally heard the door close. She waited a few more minutes before she finally dredged up the courage to look around the curtains once more.
"There was nobody else in the room.
"She edged out of her hiding place, her bare foot sinking in the carpet. The ghost behind her laughed in relief as she followed suit.
"Well, that was interesting!
"That was dangerous! Astrid hissed. If we were found out… I mean look at me. I am in my nightgown for heaven's sake! If we were found out…
"But we weren't found out, the ghost said firmly. And you'll never be found out. Not if you're with me. I wonder if Gobber is the new blacksmith…
"I'm more interested in the boy, Astrid said as they made their way back to her bedroom. Did you see how he seemed to sense something, how he seemed to know exactly where we were hiding?
"The ghost let out an airy laugh. Does he sense me too?
"I don't know. Maybe?
"Maybe he knows something, the ghost suddenly said seriously. Maybe he knows… he knows about… me.
"You think so? Astrid asked, worried. The ghost took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I will find out…
"And that was exactly what the ghost did. Gobber and the boy opened the smithy the following morning, and the ghost crept up to the rafters and watched from the shadows amidst the dust and cobwebs. She silently chuckled as Gobber and his apprentice created a great ruckus as they cleaned the place up. There were a few times when the boy would stop and look tentatively over his shoulder, feeling the ghost's eyes on him, only to find nobody there.
"I think someone's following us, he would hiss to Gobber, but the giant would simply grunt and tell him to stop lazyin' aboot an git back to work.
"The ghost got bored when the pair stopped their work to eat their lunch. She crept out of her hiding place and swiftly went back to the house.
"Astrid was waiting for her in the library.
"Well? She asked impatiently.
"The ghost shook her head. They're a boring couple, all they ever did today was mock each other and clean the smithy and gather coals in piles and then mock each other some more. They haven't even started working yet.
"Astrid groaned. Did you even get his name?
"His name? The ghost said incredulously, immediately understanding who she referred to. Why are you so interested in the boy?
"Astrid shifted her weight to her other foot. Because I think he's, or maybe he's… I don't know, alright?
"The ghost squinted at her. Astrid, she asked slowly. What are you not telling me?
"Nothing!
"You're keeping something from me!
"No, I swear!
"The ghost looked at her, hurt. How could you keep secrets from me? You tell me everything!
"I am not lying! Astrid said defensively. It's just… I do not know why he looks… why he's… you know, so familiar.
"The ghost scoffed. Impossible! He's a blacksmith's apprentice. He's not even from here!
"I know, Astrid repeated. But he still looks familiar, as if I had met him before. That is why I want to know who he is. She sighed, looking up at the ghost from beneath her lashes.
"The ghost sighed.
"So… Astrid murmured. Did you get his name?
"The ghost looked at her transparently. No. Gobber only referred to him as 'you', or 'boy', and once as 'little lord toothpick'.
"Astrid sniggered. The ghost smiled before disappearing back into the shadows.
"As dusk descended upon the grounds, Astrid decided that she could wait no longer for the ghost to tell her more about the boy. Damn the rules, damn being a lady of the house, damn what people will say about Lord Hofferson's daughter visiting a low-born servant, unaccompanied, and in the dark.
"She silently made her way to the smithy, but found it dark and empty. Cursing her bad luck, she was about to head back to the manor when she saw someone sneaking about in the woods.
"The boy!
"She quickly went after him, hardly making any noise amidst the crisp, dry leaves that carpeted the forest floor. The boy weaved in and out of the woods that she knew by heart, and she soon realised that he was leading her to a small clearing at the very heart of the park.
"And then he stopped and just stood there, a confused look on his face. His eyes then widened, and a soft smile played upon his lips. An eyebrow quirked as he looked sideways towards the tree where Astrid was hiding.
"I know you're there, Miss Hofferson.
"Astrid frowned at being found out. She glowered at him as she stepped out of the shadows, and his grin disappeared. He was suddenly fearful of the young lady in front of him.
"He started backing away from her.
"She blew a wisp of hair out of eyes and grabbed a fistful of his shirt, nearly lifting him off the ground in the process.
"What are you doing here in the woods? She growled dangerously.
"Noth… nothing!
"What do you mean 'nothing'?
"Well, most will define nothing as -
"You're harbouring thieves, aren't you? Astrid interrupted.
"What? No!
"What then?
"Nothing! I just came here to… to think. And…
"Liar!
"No. Please, Miss Hofferson -
"A thought formed in Astrid's head. You've come to kidnap me! She exclaimed. She threw him away from her, and he winced as he landed painfully hard against a tree.
"Miss Hofferson, please. He wheezed. You're the one who followed me here, remember?
"A ruse, then! You knew I would follow you!
"A dozen accusations spilled from her lips as the boy tried desperately to calm her down. But she would not stop snarling, would not stop being angry. And so he did the first thing that popped into his mind in order to silence her.
"He stood up, leaned in, and pressed a finger to her lips.
"She was instantly silent, wordless with shock at the action, and the boy suddenly did not know what to do or say now that Astrid was silent. The two of them stared at each other.
"Hiccup was the first to react.
"Forgive me, Miss Hofferson, he said, his finger still on her lips. But I only came out here to the woods - to think. I swear.
"Astrid found her voice back. She harshly slapped his wrist away, her cheeks tinged in pink. You impertinent boy!
"What - ?
"You may not touch me! Who do you think you are?
"The boy suddenly understood her embarrassed anger. He bit his lip.
"Astrid scowled. Get out of my sight!
"He looked like he was about to say something, but then slumped his shoulders in defeat. As you wish, Miss Hofferson. He quickly walked away, head bowed.
"Once alone, Astrid slumped against a tree and let out a huff. In retrospect, she admitted to herself that she may have overreacted. However, the boy was sneaking around in the woods. Why? To simply think? Right, and pigs have wings. It made no sense. She subconsciously tapped her lips, and when she realised what she was doing, she let out an irritated scream.
"She stalked out of the woods and back into the house before anybody started looking for her. She entered her bedroom and changed out of her sweat-stained clothes, getting herself ready for dinner. She sat in front of her mirror and ran a brush almost painfully through her golden hair.
"She heard the ghost snicker behind her. She scowled.
"Oh shut up."
"Astrid decided to try and get an answer out of the boy once again the following afternoon after her lessons, and she decided to change tactics. Rather than be hostile, she decided to be friendly.
"She found the boy alone in the smithy. He was rapidly writing something on his low table. She rapped the door sharply with the blade of her axe, and he nearly jumped out of his skin in fright.
"Whoah! What the… Oh! Miss… Miss Hofferson! Wha-what do I… what do I owe the pleasure of… of… The boy trailed off nervously and gulped.
"The girl chuckled. Are you good with weapons?
"I… maybe?
"Astrid hummed. She casually looked down at her broken axe, running a finger over the chipped blade before she offered it to the boy. Can you fix this?
"The boy took it and studied it silently for a minute before nodding. You're fortunate that the blade is only chipped. I can easily fix that. The handle will obviously need to be replaced.
"That is fine, as long as the blade can be repaired. It's been in my family for generations, you know. They say my mother even wielded it, when she was… still here…
"I will handle it with the utmost care, Miss, don't you worry. He smiled at her warmly. But you will need to come back after I'm done, so that I can check that the new balance is right for you.
"Astrid nodded, and then an awkward silence descended upon them. The boy looked around uncomfortably.
"Astrid's lips quirked into a smile.
"May- may I ask why you are smiling, Miss?
"Oh, I just noticed that you did not stammer that time. You're more eloquent when you talk about smithing.
"Naturally, the boy began fumbling through his words again, only stopping at the sound of Astrid's laughter.
"What is your name? Astrid asked, laughter still occasionally spilling from her lips.
"My… my name?
"You do have a name right?
"I-I-I… do…?"
"Otherwise I'm going to have to start calling you Little Lord Toothpick.
"The boy looked at her in shock. How did… how did you know that?
"I have my sources. So is that your name?
"No! I mean, no it's not my name, obviously, but it's what Gobber sometimes calls me.
"So it's your name.
"No!
"But you answer to it?
"The boy sputtered. Well yeah, no! No! It's a nickname Gobber gave m… It's not my name and… oh man. He suddenly looked up to the rafters. God! Toothless, why is it so hard to talk to girls?
"Astrid looked around. Toothless?
"… Uh…
"Who's Toothless?
"Nobody, the boy said quickly.
"So you're Toothless?
"What? No! He's my… he's my great uncle's friend's… baker's… spirit. He groaned in defeat and slumped his shoulders, squinting his eyes shut.
"Astrid laughed at him. You're so weird.
"I am not! The boy fired back, and for a second Astrid had an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. She took a step closer to study his freckled face. The boy flushed and looked away.
"Have I… Have we met before? Astrid asked as she scrutinized him.
"No, the boy said, stepping away from her.
"Are you sure?
"Yes. I mean, come on, how is that even possible? He looked at her sadly. I'm a blacksmith's apprentice, and you… you're Lord Hofferson's daughter! How could I have met you before?
"I don't know! Astrid scoffed. But I did notice that you do not speak like the other servants. Astrid looked over at the papers on his table. And it looks like you can write… and write neatly too. She darkly added in a mutter. I do not know that many servants who can write, or read for that matter, and you -
"Hiccup, he interrupted.
"Astrid blinked. I beg your pardon?
"My… my name. It's Hiccup.
"Hiccup, Astrid repeated, eyebrows raised.
"He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Uhh… You should probably head back to the house, Miss. It is getting late and… I do not want any trouble.
"Sure enough, she heard somebody call her name. She turned back to the boy and narrowed her eyes. Hang being friendly, she thought. Her curious stare suddenly turned threatening.
"You're hiding something, aren't you?
"Hiccup gulped once more.
"I'm keeping my eyes on you, Hiccup. You're hiding something.
"He shrugged nervously, not refuting her claims.
"She took a threatening step towards him, but pulled back when she heard someone call her name again. She pointed to her axe. Be careful with this.
"Of course Miss Hofferson, he said. She frowned before she turned and walked out of the smithy. He let out a sigh of relief, running his hand over his hair.
"He heard an amused harrumph from the roof.
"Oh shut up, Toothless."
"True to her word, Astrid kept a close eye on the boy. But no matter how vigilant she tried to be, he always slipped out of her sight at varying times of the day. Gobber told her that he was off to do some chores for him, but he could not answer her when she asked him where.
"When she finally cornered the poor boy in the smithy, he distracted her from her questions with her fixed axe, and she promptly forgot about her mission as they talked about balance and axe types.
"After a few more encounters, she and Hiccup began talking about archery, and fencing, and weaponry. She still asked him numerous times where he'd disappeared off to, or why she often saw him sneaking off into the woods. He would usually promptly and calmly answer her questions, as if he had been rehearsing what to tell her. And while she still doubted the truth behind his words, she decided to give him a break.
"For now.
"She would ask him again, when he trusted her more. Or when she can pounce the question on him when his guard's down. Whichever comes first.
"They often exchanged friendly banter, and although Hiccup remained guarded about his past, Astrid found that she could talk to him about almost anything. She often complained to him about the constrictive society that she was forced to live in as the daughter of Lord Hofferson. She felt that, while they were not quite close friends yet, she was comfortable enough to not feel like she had to act like a lady around him. He was just so easy to talk to. And, surprisingly, Hiccup turned out to be a good listener, even giving her some advice on the art of patience and evasion.
"You're really something Hiccup, Astrid told him one afternoon as she watched him work on a saddle.
"Hmm? How so?
"For a blacksmith's apprentice you seem to know a lot about these kinds of things.
"What? On saddle-making?
"Astrid rolled her eyes. No. On how one can cunningly deal with the ignoramus of my glittering, festering world.
"He shrugged. My mother used to tell me stories about society, he said. Your society, I mean. She… spent a lot of time in a Lord's house. She used to tell me so many stories… about the types of people you must watch out for, and the types of people who you can trust in your world. She's… a remarkable woman.
"Astrid caught the sad change in his tone. She slid a stray hair behind her ear and stepped closer to him. When he did not respond, she nudged him gently with her shoulder.
"Hey, I'd miss a loved one too if I was far away from them. And Scotland is so far away.
"He sighed. My mother… she's no longer here.
"Oh! Astrid exclaimed, immediately understanding his meaning. I… I am so sorry.
"Hiccup turned away from her, a pained expression in his face. It was obvious that the loss was very recent, so obvious that his heart was still broken. Astrid felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes. Without thinking twice, she wrapped an arm around his shoulders, hugging him sideways. He smiled at her touch, but after a few moments she realised what she had done, and immediately withdrew her hand.
"The gesture only meant to console him… but by Jove, if somebody saw that at the wrong moment…
"She looked at him with wide eyes, aghast at her forwardness even though the gesture was only a friendly one. After a second Hiccup realised what was wrong, and he immediately coloured to the roots of his hair.
"I… uh… I'm…
"… Good as new? She finished for him. He flashed her a shy grin, and she playfully punched his shoulder. They looked at each other before they burst out laughing. The sadness and awkwardness between them melted away in the knowledge of a shared loss.
"I mean it, Hiccup, she said as their laughter died down.
"Hmm?
"You're truly something.
"Truly, m'lady?
"She punched his arm again.
"Forgive me, Miss Hofferson.
"Call me Astrid.
"He narrowed his eyes, suspecting that she was about to play a trick on him. May I ask why?
"Because we are friends.
"He was speechless for a second. Really?
"Really.
"His face brightened at her words. Friends?
"Astrid rolled her eyes. We are friends, are we not?
"He beamed at her, and she found his smile warm, open, and completely genuine. In that smile, Hiccup bared to her his very soul, and Astrid could not help but return his grin.
"Astrid, he repeated. She smirked and poked his chest.
"Only when we're alone. I am still Miss Hofferson when we are in the company of others.
"Of course, whatever you wish Astrid. His eyes suddenly lit up. Hey, can I show you something? He suddenly grabbed her hand, and for a second time she blushed at the contact. Half of her wanted to pull her hand back to retain some form of modesty between them, while the other half liked the feel of his warm fingers entwined with hers.
"Follow me? He asked eagerly.
"Where?
"Just to the woods.
"The woods? She asked him in disbelief.
"Yes.
"Hiccup, I may have permitted you to call me by my first name, but I am still a lady -
"I want you to meet my dragon. He interrupted.
"... I beg your pardon?
"He began leading her out of the smithy. Come on, I want you to meet Toothless."
They are here, Ruffnut, as star and sky.
My head suddenly jerked up from my writing desk as I let out a mighty snore, the voice in my dream still repeating a strange, midnight mantra inside my head.
They are here, as star and sky...
I closed my eyes for a minute, then yawned widely. I looked at my watch, thinking that it was early morning, but let out a surprised yelp when I realised that it was still night.
I had fallen asleep on top of my work. I took a deep breath as I wiped drool from my chin, and then shuffled my papers to one side. I stood up and stretched, delighting in hearing a series of cracks popping from my back. I rubbed my eyes as I stood in front of the window and looked out into the garden. A full moon hung low in the horizon, and a midnight fog wove in and out between the yew trees and the low shrubs touched with frost.
They are here... star and sky...
I felt a little disorientated, the world around me taking on a fantastical quality. The sticky tendrils of sleep was starting to lose its hold on me, but the strange mantra was still echoing in my mind...
They are here, as star and sky...
I went back to my desk, deciding to write while I waited out the morning.
"Astrid looked at him incredulously," I began writing, but I had to lift my head once more. I thought I heard a breath of a voice in the air. I waited for the phenomenon to happen again, but after a few minutes of silence I passed it off simply as remnants of my dream. I bent my head once more over my work.
"Astrid looked at him incredulously," I started writing again. "Dragon? She asked him. I thought you said Toothless was..."
My head snapped up again from my work as I heard a low, vibrating squawk. I had never heard such an unearthly sound in my life before. I stood up and cautiously walked to the window.
I looked out, and I could not believe my eyes.
Amidst the swirling fog, I saw a shadow of a large, winged, bird-like beast. I choked back a scream.
A… a dragon?
I gasped.
A dragon!
I grabbed my coat, slipped into my fluffy slippers, and ran out of my room at full speed. I did not know if I was merely hallucinating, and I didn't care. I had to confirm what I thought I just saw. I ran out of the house, down the steps and straight into the thick mist where I knew the beast must have been standing.
But when I got there, all was silent. There was nothing there.
I looked this way and that, my breath fogging in the air. My cheeks burned from the cold, my toes felt frozen beneath me, but still I turned, looking for the phantom beast.
A… vision?
A hallucination.
Imagined. Nothing more.
And then that infernal lullaby reached my ears. My skin prickled in fear when I noticed how close the voice was. I quickly turned around in its direction, and froze when I saw a shadow of a person walking slowly out of the fog.
The figure stopped humming, but still she continued to walk. Her pale features were slowly revealed to me, and I couldn't help but gape at her in shock.
A slight figure.
Heart-shaped face.
Brilliant blue eyes.
No… this… this is impossible.
She stopped a few steps away from me. She cocked her head to one side as she regarded me.
"Miss… Miss Hofferson?"
She stiffened at my words. "Yes," she whispered. "And no." She turned and started walking away from me.
I reached out for her, but froze when I suddenly remembered something.
Miss Hofferson could not walk. Not without the aid of a walking stick…
"Wait!" I shouted. I tore off after her, but it seemed as if she had simply disappeared into thin air. I heard no rustle of clothing or quick, retreating footsteps. The soil looked undisturbed. Even the mud where I knew she stood upon not fifteen minutes ago appeared to not have been stepped on at all!
It was absolutely impossible. Absolutely… improbable.
What – who… what did I see?
Miss Hofferson?
No.
I shivered violently. I knew exactly who I saw.
The Ghost of Warborough Hall.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Hiccup finally makes an appearance! The ghost finally starts being rather than simply existing! Ruff finally sees the ghost! Ruff also finally sees a dragon (well, its silhouette)! And I have finally updated! The plot is chugging along very nicely woot!
I am so sorry I haven't been updating this story. I travelled interstate quite a bit at the beginning of the month for work so I didn't get much time to write. I was originally going to upload this chapter a little earlier, but then I started working on a HTTYD lemon fic. Then I bought a graphics tablet and drawing took over my spare time. And then the HTTYD2 photos from Licence Magazine appeared, and we all know how we all spontaneously combusted after seeing that ;)
By the way, thank you ever so much to everyone who has been reading and reviewing this fic! Especially to the readers who had faved/followed the story, even during my hiatus. I am ever grateful for your support!
Tyra: You were absolutely right, that skinny apprentice was none other than Hiccup! Glad you liked the Pandora's box idea :)
Sweettea8: Yep it was the HxA scene that I was referring to! And to be honest it was hard to pick just one scene out of a million with regards to how these two star-crossed lovers were going to meet. Question is: Is Hiccup the Haddock boy that Astrid pushed in the mud all those years ago? Serious question, since I don't know what the answer to this is. The story could go both ways o_O
LizzyLori: I hope I've retained the suspense in this chapter :D It's so easy to lose your mojo (well, for me anyway) if you haven't been "living" in the "world" for a long time. I had to reread the previous chapters before I could continue writing this one as I was so scared that I wasn't writing in the same voice XD if any of that made sense.
RedLavender08: Heh I do try to write longish chapters to make up for the wait in between. This one is 4500+ words. Thank you so much for that very nice review, by the way. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy! *squee!* *hugs*
Nightlightbee: I love Ruff too! She's such a fun character to watch, and study, and write about. I really wish she'd get more screen time in Defenders of Berk, maybe a Ruff-centric episode? Because even Twinsanity was more about Tuff. As for a Snotlout appearance – we shall see! ;)
NEXT CHAPTER: In which Astrid disappears!