6) When everything comes crumbling down
This can't be happening, Hiccup thought as he continued to stare at Gobber with a surprised expression. This was the last thing he wanted to happen since he returned back to Berk. He didn't want to be recognized by anyone, especially his dad and Gobber.
"Gobber," Hiccup whispered. He wasn't sure what to do. Every part of his body told him to flee, but there was also the part that wanted to get closer to Gobber. "How are you doing?"
Gobber, on the other hand looked shocked and relieved to see him standing there. Was it that much of a surprise that he wasn't dead yet?
"Hiccup, are that really you lad?" Gobber manages to stumble out. "What happen? How did you get away from that dragon?"
Hiccup froze on the spot due by the sudden questions. What was he going to do? Tell the truth or try and make up a story as he went along. However if there was one thing Hiccup sucked at other than being a typical Viking, it was the ability to lie convincingly. He would get all nervous and begin stutter like an idiot and everybody including Gobber knew that for a fact. He opened his mouth, but nothing seemed to come out, however a low growl replaced the silence. Luckily Gobber didn't hear it and still looked like he had turned into solid ice, not sure what to say or what to do in this awkward situation. Hiccup turned around and stared at his now very defensive friend, who looked like he was about to pounce if Gobber tried to harm him in any way. However he wasn't sure how long Toothless was going to stay on the sidelines, so Hiccup quickly decided that they needed to get out of there. The only question was how they were going to get out without raising too many questions, being followed or Gobber going back and blab to his dad. Then he looked down at the sword he was still holding in his left hand. Oddly enough Gobber hadn't taken much notice of the sword either and maybe he could use that for his advantage. But just as Hiccup had formed a strategy in his head Gobber looked past him and looked in the darker corner to see a pair of neon green eyes staring straight at him, eyes that looked ready to kill. That was when Gobber heard what used be a low growl and heard the growl of fearful dragon.
"DRA...!" Gobber began shouting before Hiccup suddenly knocked him out hard with the sword and Gobber fell down on the floor. He was shocked to see that he had managed to take down such a big opponent who had more muscle and experience than he had.
"Sorry Gobber," Hiccup whispered as he signaled Toothless to come out of the shadows. He really was sorry for hurting him, but he told himself that Gobber was going to be fine. After all he had been knocked out many times before and it wasn't possible for him to lose any more brain cells than what he had already lost. Hiccup also apologized for taking the money pouch that he had on his belt, even though he really wished that he didn't have to steal more from Berk, but Hiccup was desperate and didn't have any other choice now that he had been caught in the forge. Then he quickly jumped on Toothless's back and they flew out of the village.
Toothless didn't like it. He didn't like the mess they were into and he didn't like that he and Hiccup was on Berk, trying to clean up the mess by making a bigger mess than what they had already begun with. So you could say that he was pissed about everything.
However he did notice as they flew back to their cove that Hiccup had turned his back to look at the village they had just escaped from a few times now. It was no surprise that though Hiccup had been unhappy when he used to live here, but he really missed Berk and its people despite their treatment of him. Toothless had known for a while that no matter where they went in the world, Berk would always be Hiccup's home and nothing would change that. After all it was Berk that had brought them together, but it was also Berk that could break them apart should the villagers ever find out about them.
It was early morning and Stoick had already begun his duties as chief and could feel slightly tiredness in his body. He shrugged it off as not getting much sleep last night, but a part of his mind told him that wasn't the only reason why he was so tired. He had spent yesterday thinking about Hiccup, more than normal and it was starting to drive him mad with all the unanswered questions and endless worrying. What had happen with Hiccup that pushed him to the point where he had to leave the island, his home and family behind?
Stoick had no clue, but he was finally going to get to the bottom of this and maybe then his son could finally come home. That was why he made to time to stop by the forge to talk to Gobber about what they were going to do, since he had promised to not go off on his own to find Hiccup without knowing for certain that the village would be fine without him there.
But when he entered the forge he was more than surprised to find Gobber there, knocked out on the floor he might add.
"Gobber, what is going on," Stoick leaned over his friend to see if he was all right. "What happened?"
"Argh…Stoick," Gobber open his eyes and began rubbing his head, only to let out a slight shriek because of the pain. "What happened?"
"You tell me. I found you knocked out on the floor," Stoick explained. "You didn't hit your head on one of the blade or the stove again, did you?"
"No, I don't think so," Gobber said with a thoughtful look on his face. "I remember that I came here last night to work on the recent job requests and then I…"
Gobber suddenly went all quiet on him and Stoick grew suspicious over the sudden silence. There was one thing Gobber never was and that was being quiet, His best friend has always been loud and very quick to comment with sarcastic answer. So when Gobber went quiet, Stoick moved closer and became very intimidating.
"And you what?" Stoick bellowed. He didn't like that people withheld information from him; even more they withheld important information. That is why he demanded that Gobber would tell him whatever he was trying to hide from him.
"And I saw Hiccup there working on something," Gobber said with a deep sigh. Almost like he didn't know what to believe anymore.
"You saw Hiccup!" Stoick exclaimed. "And you let him escape. Wait, was he alright? He didn't seem hurt or anything to you?"
"The lad was fine and unharmed at least he was until the dragon showed up and knocked me out," Gobber said. Gobber looked down on floor and was probably ashamed that he had been taken down by a dragon and let down his dear apprentice once again.
Stoick lost hope once again that he would finally get reunited with his son and because of what, a mangy beast. He slit down on a chair next to the fireplace and stared into nothingness. Why did the gods continue to punish him? Continued to stop him from seeing his son after five years apart. Had he really been that awful to deserve to lose everything he cared about to horrible creatures?
Gobber continued to stare at him, but quickly started to look around the forge to see if there was any clue on Hiccup. Neither of them said anything to each other. What was there left to say when they haven't been able to do anything for Hiccup?
"The lad was definitely doing something here," Gobber said while looking at the working desk. "He forgot to put away the tools. Huh, and he used heavier tools than what he used five years ago. Must have grown stronger."
Oddly enough Stoick found pride that his son was no longer weak like a fishbone, even though he didn't care about how his son looked. He would have been proud of him either way, but it was comforting to know that his son could at least hold a weapon.
"Anything else?" Stoick asked. He stood up from the chair and followed Gobber's movements with his eyes.
"Yep, there was definitely a dragon in here," Gobber pointed out the one of the darker corners of the room. "There was dragon scales and paw prints, but I don't know what kind of dragon it was. I have never seen these kind of prints and scales before and there are nothing similar to them in the dragon manual."
"I don't see any sign of a struggle," Stoick said. "So do you believe that maybe he managed to get out alive?"
"If the lad managed to stay alive this long than I wouldn't be surprised that he managed to get out without a single scratch on him." Gobber shrugged and lifted his pants up. Gobber was infamous for losing his pants, which was why he used a belt to keep them up with the help of a bonelike belt buckle. However he noticed Gobber's expression turned from being laidback to panic in matter of seconds. What was wrong now?
"What's the matter now?" Stoick said with a slight annoyance. "Did you lose your precious belt buckle?"
"Nope, but I did lose something," Gobber said. "My money pouch is gone."
This got Stoick immediately guarded.
"Are you sure you didn't use it up or lost it somewhere?" Stoick asked. Since it wasn't unusual that Gobber forgot where he put his things anywhere else than the forge. And he could have simply used the money last night to buy mead and got so drunk that he forgot all about it.
"No. I remember that I put on my belt with the money pouch before I left to work late at the forge," Gobber defended himself. He scratched his helmet since his head still hurt while Stoick grew angry. Everybody in the village knew better than to steal, even if they were poor and was in need. As chief he tried to make sure theft wasn't practiced in the village and he tried the best he could to make sure that those who needed help got help. So it didn't make sense. Who else would feel the need to steal without telling him? Hiccup?
No, Stoick almost chanted in his mind. His son wouldn't do that. He might not be a perfect Viking, but he would never think of stealing from his home no matter how bad things were between them. Hiccup might have changed the last five years, but he was almost certain that Hiccup was still the kindhearted boy that used to live on Berk despite his faults and mistakes. And even if Hiccup did take the money pouch, Stoick believed there must be a strange reason behind the action. He might consider it wrong or strange, but whatever the reason was it made sense to his odd son.
For most of the day Hiccup would sit at the same place on the ground working on the sword, meanwhile Toothless and the Nightmare would either eat fish, take naps or simply watching the young man work himself to exhaustion. Hiccup was more determined than ever to get this job done so he and Toothless was finally free from Berk and from the Beserkers. Now that Gobber, his dad and possibly Astrid knew about him, the best way to get away from them was to disappear as swiftly as he and Toothless had appeared.
He took the five gold coins in Gobber's money pouch and melted the coins over the fireplace with help from improvised tools from nature itself. He couldn't risk going back to the village again if it wasn't to execute second part of the plan. He hadn't spoken a word since he and Toothless left the village and he could tell that his dragon companion was worried about him. As he applied carefully the liquid gold over the carved rune inscriptions, he began thinking about what he was going to do after he and Toothless was done with the deal with Dagur. Could he possibly continue soaring aimlessly around with Toothless now when he had gotten a taste of home after so long? He wasn't sure anymore.
When he put down the sword to let the gold dry, Hiccup knew that one of the next couple of days they would execute the second part of the plan, but he was worried about it and didn't know how to gather his confusing thoughts around until Toothless strode over to his side and cuddled to his side to comfort him.
"Thanks," Hiccup scratched his hard yet warm scaly skin. "You know just what I need, don't you?"
Toothless purred softly and you could see the dragon felt satisfied and content by the affection. Hiccup felt bad that he hadn't given Toothless the attention that he needed and deserved, but he knew his dragon never held grudges on him for too long. Besides Toothless was more than just his best friend and dragon companion. He was his family and they were as brothers even if they weren't from the same kind.
"Everything is going to come to an end soon," Hiccup stated as he looked far away into the scenery. "No matter what happens, we'll stick together, even if we are apart. You are my best friend and brother. That's why I wouldn't let you go."
Toothless looked at him and licked his cheek, so his cheek was covered with slimy saliva. Normally he would complain about Toothless's nasty habit of showing his affection, but for once it was actually kind of nice to know his friend got his back.
"We'll be alright," Hiccup reassured and continued to scratch Toothless. Toothless lied down and continued to purr like a giant kitten.
Before Toothless realized it, it was already morning and he was starting to get hungry. He turned his head to look at Hiccup sleeping next to him. His little human looked always very peaceful when he slept and you couldn't see any traces of worry or exhaustion. Even though they were about the same age (not that Hiccup knew they were), he always thought of him like a hatchling that was still curious over the world and wanted to experience it all. And when Hiccup had called him that he was his brother, Toothless was so happy to know that it wasn't just he who felt that way about their relationship. After being on his own for thousands of years without any family and close friends to keep him company, he grew lonely and almost withdrawn from the world. Then he met Hiccup, who brought him back to the world and gave him the biggest gift. Hiccup gave him the friendship, companionship and the family that he didn't know he had longed for and wanted so long. But he couldn't give Hiccup and himself the one thing they both wanted more than anything. A place they could call home.
Toothless hated to do this to Hiccup, especially now that his friend finally got some sleep after working himself so hard to keep them safe. However it is time to wake up, get some food and get them prepared to put out the rest of the plan in action. So he nudged Hiccup tentatively on the cheek. When his companion didn't respond Toothless began licking his entire face with a big chunk of salvia. That certainly got his attention. Hiccup woke and cried out lot in surprise and moved his back forward.
"Yuck, you know I hate when you wake me up that way," Hiccup tried to dry away the saliva, but knew it was almost impossible to get off. Toothless's eyes dilated and gave Hiccup the puppy dog look, making him seem cute and innocent.
"Stop looking at me like that," Hiccup huffed. "You know I can never stay annoyed or angry at you for long. Come on let's get some breakfast, I'll let you have the cod fish."
Toothless didn't need to be asked twice and hurried off to the lake followed closely by Hiccup, who was just shaking his head and smiled. It was precious times like this that made life seem simple and wonderful.
After going over the plan one finally time with Toothless, Hiccup told the Nightmare that he was free to do whatever he wanted. However the dragon had to promise that he wasn't going anywhere near the village, since the chances were that they were on the look out for the escaped dragon. Hiccup didn't want the dragon get in harms way and be killed the horrified way that his dad used to tell stories about. He might have been born as a Viking, but thinking how they took pleasure in killing these wonderful creatures made him want vomit. Besides it was for the better if there weren't any distractions when they were going to switch out the swords. Both he and Toothless knew it was stupid and crazy to do the switch in broad daylight, but caution was pretty much out of the window. They were bringing more attention to themselves than what they needed and soon it would become too dangerous for them to stay at all.
"Alright, you can stay here or you can fly anywhere away from here," Hiccup petted the Nightmare's snout. "Thank you for all your help."
The Monstrous Nightmare snorted in arrogance and pride, which was typical behavior for a Nightmare, but the dragon was genuinely thankful for Hiccup and Toothless's help. Not that the dragon was ever going to admit to that. Hiccup petted him once more before the Nightmare flew off and he turned to Toothless, who was slightly jealous of the attention Hiccup gives to every dragon including him. However Toothless shrugged it off and Hiccup nodded determined to put the plan in action. Hiccup put on the helmet, so this time he wouldn't be recognized immediately by his dad or Gobber, in case neither of them caught him in what he was about to do. Soon everything will be falling into place and balance of the world would be restored the way it was, with him away from Berk and free along with Toothless.
They were heading towards his dad's house again, but this time Toothless was following closely behind him. Normally he would have waited till nightfall, but he knew his dad would return home and there was not many opportunities other than go when he was not home, which was during the day. Still Hiccup had taken the time to prepare himself and enter the village when villagers were at the Great hall eating lunch, so there wasn't many in the village. However that didn't mean he wasn't cautious bringing a Night fury into the village, considering that they would definitely draw attention to themselves, so they walk close to the shadows and the house corners. Everything went according to plan and when they reached his father's house Hiccup checked to see if the coast was clear before both rider and dragon entered the house.
Toothless was actually curious over the environment and put his snout on whatever he found interesting or strange, but he quickly focused on what they was supposed to be doing here. Hiccup walked carefully up the stairs and towards his father's bedchambers, followed closely by Toothless. When they entered the room things looked exactly like the last time Hiccup had been there. The sword was faced against the wall just waiting for him to exchange it with the fake one he had made, but the closer he got the more guilty and afraid over what he was going to do. His palms began feel warm and sweaty as he took the fake sword he had tied on his back and switched it with the real one. Hiccup felt like was being punched in the stomach, realizing that he had just betrayed his tribe and home for his and Toothless's freedom. Overwhelmed by the sudden realization Hiccup sat down on the bed. Toothless hurried over and was worried over whatever was going on with his friend and tried to comfort him. Meanwhile Hiccup looked down and stared at the sword. A sword that was meant and passed down to the chief of the isle, and if things had gone according to plan he was supposed to inherit it from his father the day he turned chief. Hiccup never really wanted to be chief when he thought about it. He wasn't like his dad, who was so strong and selfless to put the village's need before his own. He had put him and his dragon's needs before even considering the consequences. So how was he supposed to fill those shoes and be even greater than his father? He couldn't that's why and for the same reasons he was doing this.
"I'm being selfish, aren't I?" Hiccup asked, looking at his dragon. Toothless looked at him with question over what ever was going on with him. "All I wanted was to be free and not be a bother to Berk anymore, but here I am being a bother by stealing and lying over who I am. How horrible and selfish am I being right now?"
Toothless purred sadly and Hiccup caressed the dragon's face.
"I'm not this person Bud and I don't want to be this person anymore," Hiccup confessed. He could feel tears building up in his eyes. He hated it. Stealing for the Berserkers wasn't going to set him free. He knew that now, which was why he was going to do what he should have done a long time ago. "I can't do this. We can't steal from Berk because it is home."
Toothless understood and agreed with Hiccup's decision on not stealing the sword. So he got of the bed and replaced the fake sword with the real one. The guilt lifted and Hiccup knew that his decision might not solve all of his problems right now, but he was going to do the right thing to solve his problems. Not run away from them anymore. And the first thing that needed to resolved was the problem with Berserkers.
The duo left the bedroom and went down the stairs, but stopped abruptly at the bottom of the stairs. Someone opened the front door and his dad walked in and looked straight at an unknown man with a dragon inside his house.
"WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE?!" his dad bellowed in anger. Then he saw the fake sword tied on Hiccup's back and immediately knew who's sword it belonged to or at least thought it belonged to. His dad's anger quickly changed into pure fury.
Oh no, Hiccup thought. This was very bad. He might have gotten to the decision not to steal, but there was no way he was going to let his dad kill his best friend and brother just because it was the Viking way. Hiccup drew the fake sword and was ready to use it to defend himself and Toothless.
"Toothless go," Hiccup yelled and swung the sword to keep his father distracted from harming the dragon. However his father blocked the attack with the enormous hammer he was so proud of, meanwhile Toothless looked confused and angry over his dad attacking his rider.
"GO!" Hiccup exclaimed. "PLAN ALPHA!"
He and Toothless had made a couple of back-up plans in case they ever was in trouble or was captured by the enemy. Plan Alpha was code for escape and return later to pick him up. Toothless hated that plan the most and was most unwilling to do it, but he knew Hiccup there was a reason for him to command that plan and it was for his own sake to escape the village. Hiccup could handle himself and escape when he got the opportunity to do so. So Toothless ran out the backdoor and Hiccup trusted him to return in a place where he wasn't discovered or the Vikings couldn't get a hold of him.
Hiccup was relieved that his friend got away without argument, however the relief was short-lived as his father began swing his hammer and kept on attacking him. Hiccup somehow managed to block the attacks, but for every swing the power was getting stronger and stronger. And his leg was beginning to slip, making him lose the proper ground to do anything other than to block and if he didn't do anything soon his dad would be able to anticipate his next move, which was bad for him. There was no way Hiccup could win against his father in battle, because his dad was far more experienced and stronger than him. However he had the advantage of being lighter and quicker on his feet. He ran to the side and his dad followed him, but Hiccup used the time his father used to get to him to attack. His dad was taken by surprise of the sudden attack and was barely able to block the attack that was so close to his face. Hiccup didn't waste time and slipped out the front door in full speed.
He ran and ran down the hill, but it was clear that he brought quite an attention to himself being chased by the chief of the village. The villagers weren't sure what to do or what was going on, but they assumed worst when they saw his dad follow after him. So they pulled out any weapon close by and headed towards him. Meanwhile Hiccup wasn't used to running with his prophetic even more wearing a boot that wasn't his in circumstances like this with him running downhill with enemies everywhere around, not that people of Berk was the enemy, however it might be considered bad if the chief and father was chasing him for what he assumed was theft from Berk. Sure, he could have explained that the sword he had was a fake, but his dad would never listen to him or believe that the sword he was fake and the real was still in his room.
Hiccup began to stumble and losing grip on the ground when he tried to avoid getting attack by the villagers. Unfortunately at the wrong moment he stumbled on a loose stone and fell as long he was on the ground. The villagers didn't waste time in keeping him maintained on the ground. He tried to struggle out of their grip, but many strong hands helped keeping him down until his dad arrived. And when his dad did arrive everyone moved away except for the few who was keeping him down. His dad moved down on the ground and leaned to get a closer look on who was the 'thief', but noticed the mask that was covering his face. Hiccup noticed recognition from his father's eyes, but he wasn't sure if his dad recognized his son or if it was stranger from the arena. However he assumed it was the latter.
"Friends, we have captured the Viking who has allied himself with the dragons," his dad spoke to the crowd that was surrounding them. Hiccup swallowed with a slight fright and was both disappointed that his dad didn't recognize him and the fact that his dad made it sound like he was a monster for befriending dragons. "And now we shall reveal this devil worshipper and he shall face the consequences for his actions."
Hiccup felt panic when he heard that and tried desperately to get out of the villagers grip, but it was in vain when his dad lifted up the mask. He closed his eyes and accepted that it was time to face one of his problems, even though he had wished this problem were one of the last problems to be solved. Not that he believed that they were going solve a problem by revealing his identity, but he wished that he could have chosen the time to reveal and explain himself instead of being found out like this.
When he heard the people gasp and feet walking slightly away from the sight, Hiccup opened his eyes and gazed at his father with sorry and pitiful eyes. His dad didn't show any emotions on his face, but his eyes betrayed him and showed Hiccup was he had been terrified to see from his father. Disappointment, horror and fury were what his father felt and he was sure that there was nothing he could do to ease the pain.
"Sorry dad," Hiccup whispered regrettably. He wasn't sorry about dragons, but he was sorry for not being the son his father deserved and wanted.
At first no one said anything, but Hiccup looked from the sides of his eyes that they were disgusted and afraid of him. He saw the teens with shocked expressions on their faces, but the one who was most shocked was Astrid. Out of all the teens he expected her to be most disgusted by him, but there was nothing that reflected her feelings. Why did he care anymore? Nobody saw who he really was and when they did they don't except it, so why did he bother to see the rejection they all gave him for being himself.
"Lock him up," his dad said with disdain. It was then he knew for sure that his dad no longer considered him as his son anymore. "We shall punish him for his crimes in a proper manner."
With nothing left to say they pulled him up and dragged him towards the Great Hall. When they reached the Great Hall, they locked him up in the cell in the basement and left him alone.
Hiccup crawled to the warmest place in the cell and held his legs close to his body. His head fell down on the knees and silently cried in the darkness. The only thing he was happy about was that Toothless was safe for now and he didn't regret letting his friend escape. He would figure out how to get out of there, but for now he wanted to let out his feelings that was filled with rejection, hurt, shame and disgust over himself.
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New chapter, so I hope you like it. Again I'm writing this story a little fast-paced since I don't plan on writing this story very long. I hoped that I managed to grasp Hiccups feelings in this one, but if I didn't well I got some more practice to do. So it will be a while before the next chapter because I'm going to now write the next chapter on the second story I'm focusing on at the moment in order not to get bored and to continue to be motivated to complete the stories.
Anyway thank you for the reviews, favorite/followings and please continue doing so. It is highly appreciated and of course you can PM me if you like. I answer most of the time very quickly. Okay, until next time...
xXrebelgirl07Xx