Chapter 10

I stared up at the ceiling of my room, counting the cracks. There were still five more days left until Hiccup's birthday. Since becoming a knight, my waking hours had been filled with training, so my mind was occupied most of the day by fighting and something of an education in war they thought might come in handy. It was excruciatingly boring since I'd seen more wars than many due to my travels and I already knew how to fight against knights and other thieves alike.

…I wanted to run.

My palms were practically itching at my sides, yearning for the familiar grip of reins. The only problem was, I wanted out… but I didn't really want to leave. I sighed, rolling over to face the dark wall beside me. I'd tried to go to bed early and escape from reality for the rest of the night, but sleep would not come, especially with people still chatting and milling about in the halls before bedtime. There was much gossip to be heard about the events of the breakfast a few days prior. I groaned in remembrance of the king's refusal. The worst part was, I couldn't even comfort Hiccup afterward. In fact, I had tried my hardest to avoid him. Why couldn't he have just let me go? It was obvious that there would be no way around the betrothal. I scratched at my head in the dark, tugging on my hair as if it would somehow bring an idea to the surface. Deep down I knew, though. There was nothing to be done, and it was time for me to leave.

The noise in the hall slowly died down, but sleep still wouldn't come. I stared at the empty expanse of the ceiling, the cracks nowhere seen in the absence of light. The familiar feeling of having too much to think about was back in full force. I hadn't felt it since my time spent in the dungeon. How funny, I thought, that in just a few months, I went from being a most wanted criminal to the prince's knight in shining armor. There was no part of me left untouched by my time spent with him. I flipped onto my stomach, burying my face in the pillow. What was I still doing here? Promise or no promise… it would be better for us both if I left.

There came a tap on my shoulder.

I flipped my head up in surprise. Hiccup was standing there in his nightshirt with a candle again. For a moment, it was as if nothing had ever happened, and he was just there to spend the night as usual. I looked up at him in confusion. He put a finger up to his lips, silencing my unsaid question. Still baffled, I sat up in bed, but he shook his head and climbed in beside me, blowing out the candle as he did so. I heard the soft clink of the holder hitting my bedside table. Finally I couldn't take it anymore. "What are you doing here?" I whispered. I could hear his small sigh beside me. "…You were going to leave tonight."

He said it with such finality, as if he'd read my thoughts. "You don't know that." I told him, neither denying nor confirming his suspicions. Hiccup slid his hand into mine underneath the covers. "I saw it in the way you walked, in your eyes and voice. It's like you're distant. Even though you're still here… you're not." He said, and I could hear the hurt seeping into his words. Wincing, I replied, "Well what else am I supposed to do, Horrendous?! You know just as well as I that there's no way out of this." I said, glowering into the darkness. Hiccup's breath hitched for a moment.

"So you think… Come to my room, I have an idea." He said, slipping out from under the blanket. He opened the door to my room so quietly that if there hadn't been a certain amount of moonlight seeping in through a crack in the hallway ceiling, I wouldn't have been able to tell he'd done it.

I rolled out of bed, landing lithely before following him out. He led me through hallways and ballrooms on a path only he could remember from years spent traversing the halls. The entire time I found myself second guessing his judgment. Each noise was a guard or an insomniac royal. Eventually, though, we reached his quarters. As soon as the door was shut, my mouth opened. "Plan?" I asked him, wanting to get whatever it was done as quickly as possible since I didn't want to lose my resolve. Hiccup slowed my pace, however, dallying as he walked to the edge of his large bed.

His face reminded me of the time we'd spoken of philosophy while riding. It was a sort of light but settled pondering. For a few moments I stood there in silence while he retracted into his thoughts and sat upon the side of the bed. I took a deep breath, exhaling heavily. There would be no speaking to him while he was in that state, I'd just have to wait until he came up out of it. Wandering around, I spotted a bottle of wine on a small table near an armoire, along with the same glasses we'd sipped from the night we had officially become lovers… A small smile came to my face despite the sharp pain in my heart.

"Alright."

I turned around, "Horrendous?" He nodded his head a little, then sat up straight. "Hiccup?" I asked again. He blinked and looked back at me as he stood. He just stared at me for a moment, his lips tucked inward as if he were afraid of his next words. I raised an eyebrow in question as he shifted his weight towards me. "What is it?" I asked, taking a closer look at his expression. It was a look of determination mixed with nervous excitement.

"Jack… run away with me."

I saw Jack's face go from its usual blank façade, to confusion, to surprise, and finally "oh-Gods-what?!" as he took a few steps away. "Horrendous… you can't be serious." He said, a crease forming on his forehead. I swallowed, "I am." He looked over me incredulously, rubbing his temple, "And where, exactly, do you plan to go?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulders, "Wherever… you know how to stay hidden. We could make it Jack, I know we could!" I said, before another thought occurred to me and my face fell. "… Or… you don't want to?" I asked. His face went through another range of emotions before saying, "Hiccup… You've lived in the lap of luxury since you were young, and I've only shown you the good parts of the outside world… you haven't even glanced at the bad. You belong here, Horrendous, and you know it." He said, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Run away…What are you even saying?" He asked. I set my jaw firm and looked back up to his face.

"I'm saying I'd rather be with you!"

I was almost yelling, speaking only as loud as the echo would permit me without waking anyone. "I've grown up with riches my entire life… and never, not once, have I been as happy surrounded by them as I have been with you. The world outside the castle should've been horrible, but you made it the best experience of my entire life. And… I don't have to hide with you. You see, if you left me I'd be all alone… and unlike you, I can't run away from here. I'm stuck. And I'll be stuck for the rest of my life just like-" I sucked in a deep, pained breath, "-Just like my mother. I can't do that, Jack. So with or without you, I'm leaving."

The ultimatum was a complete lie, but how else was I supposed to convince him? I held my breath, hoping that he wouldn't notice my dishonesty. His face was still hardened, but it soon relaxed. "Hiccup, I don't know. If we were caught-"

Before he could finish, I hushed him, "We won't. You know we won't and the only reason you're still faltering is because you're afraid for me." I told him, grabbing his wrist.

"…But I'm not afraid. I won't be scared of anything if you're by my side- I promise."

The small speech left me winded, even though it was but a few phrases long. I looked down at my feet once more, awaiting yet another denial. Above me Jack was silent as a church. Losing him wasn't an option. I'd sooner be sent to my mother's side in the ground than have him disappear on me.

Jack let out a great sigh before I felt his head lay on top of mine. "Gods… Why do you keep making this so difficult?" He asked, gripping at my other wrist. I blinked in surprise, tilting my head up so my forehead was touching his. "Because you'd leave if I didn't." I tell him, my voice barely above a whisper. "Jack," I started out, threading my fingers into his. "I… love you too much for that."

Jack's stark blue eyes reached into the depths of mine as he thought. Without meaning to, I ended up memorizing his entire face in those few seconds, saving it… just in case.

"One week…" He mused, more to himself than to me. "One week until the wedding, correct?" He asked. My face fell, "Jack there's not going to be a wedding, I already told y-" He put a finger up to my lips to silence me. "Just answer the question, Hiccup." He said, looking playfully put-off. That was a good face. Why had he said that with a good face? "…Yes. One week is when my father has planned for there to be a wedding." I told him, guardedly.

He nodded. "Alright, then. Then in a weeks' time- the night before the wedding- we'll leave." He said.

My eyes went wide. "Truly?! You'll come with me?" I asked, clutching his arms. He brought a hand up to push a bit of hair from my eyes. "Unfortunately, yes. You really have no idea how dangerously captivating you are." He said, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck. I let out a shaky laugh, "Ah, thank Gods. I was sure you'd… I mean I could have sworn you wouldn't… and then I-" I babbled incoherently in relief.

"Your eloquence has left you, my prince." He said, drawing a finger teasingly across my jawline. It set my skin on fire. "T-that's not fair." I told him, becoming painfully aware of his bare torso. His free hand slid across my waist, tauntingly. "What's not fair?" He asked, a small smirk on his lips. "This. The way you make me beg to keep you and then you… do something like this," I said. His smirk grew larger. "Something like… what? You're still not making and good sense, Hiccup." He said, his hand shifting lower on my back and drawing me forward.

"Ah!" I let out a small yelp as he bit lightly at my neck. He walked me gently to the bed until the back of my bare legs touched the mattress. Without warning, Jack flung my shoulders to the bed with a swift push. I barely had time to react before he climbed up as well, leaning above me. "Jack?" I asked, unsure what my voice sounded like.

He clasped both of my hands above my head with just one of his and leaned down to where his face almost touched mine. "You know, sometimes you forget that you fell in love with a dangerous man." He said, using his free hand to trace a line down from my chest to my navel with his fingers. "Do you know how many hours I've spent this past week trying not to think of you like this? It was hell." He said, his hand traveling to my hip. He lowered his lips to my ear, "Horrendous."

The word sent shivers down my spine.

Suddenly I wished the hand binding mine would release, I wanted to touch him. I pressed up against his hand, but to no avail. Jack just shook his head against my neck. "Tonight you're mine, your highness." With that he gave a prompt nip to my shoulder as his free hand pulled at the collar of my nightshirt. "Jack, Ple-"

"Don't speak." He said, placing a second, rougher bite to the space between my shoulder and neck. He dragged his teeth across my collarbone while his hand found its way to the hem of my nightshirt. I felt his fingers crawl up my thigh, coming daringly close, and then pulling away. I couldn't stifle the small moan of disapproval that escaped my lips.

"I thought I told you to be quiet, didn't I? Or are you pining for a punishment this early already?" He asked.

I knew it should've startled me, that words like punishment should've made me want to push him away. But instead, they spread like liquid fire through me. I felt every little touch more. His hand, moving back up to my chest. His fingers, softly grazing along the fabric of my nightshirt. His lips, working their way up my neck, warm breaths caressing the skin there. Everything had been intensified, just like it had been the night we had spent at the Inn.

I bit my lip to keep from making any further noise (for what little good it did). Jack kept up the pattern of tease-and-release so many times I lost count. It was infuriating. All the while, he had on this smug grin like he knew exactly what I was thinking.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Oh, by the Saints!" Jack muttered under his breath, flipping onto his side and falling onto the floor with a muted thud. I heard him scuttle underneath the bed just before clearing my throat to answer the knock. "Yes?" I asked, quickly straightening my nightshirt and jumping under the covers. The door opened. Behind it stood Isanna and Juliara. They entered the room quietly, "Sorry to interrupt, my prince, but… is everything alright? We heard quite the racket and came to see." Isanna said. Juliara nodded, "Were you having a fright?"

I pulled on a small smile as I replied, "No, girls. Sorry to have woken you. Everything is fine." I told them. They didn't look very convinced. "Is that so? Very well, then. Would you like anything before we leave?" she asked. I shook my head, "No, thank you."

They both gave each other a worried glance before bowing slightly. "Then, good-night, Prince Horrendous." Juliara said. "Good-night, girls." I said. Once they had shut the door behind them, I let out a large sigh. Jack crawled out from under the bed again. He flopped his head on the side of the bed to look at me, the rest of his body still on the rug below. "I am going to kill them." He said simply, put-off by the intrusion. I chuckled lightly. "No, don't do that. It'll be a lot harder to justify getting you out of jail that way." I told him. He smirked and stood up before crawling to the center of the bed where I reclined.

I made my way over to Hiccup slowly before reaching him. His eyes widened as I climbed atop him, pinning him to the pillows. "Now, where were we?" I asked, rubbing my hand over the covers above his thigh. "J-Jack?" He asked. "Hmm?"

"Not… um, not tonight?"

I my hand stopped cold. "What?" I asked. He looked as if he had been enjoying it. Was he afraid one of the girls would hear? We could fix that…

"It's just," He started, sitting up slightly and laying a hand on my shoulder, "How do I know you really won't leave me in the morning? This way, if I give you something to look forward too, I'll have some kind of assurance you won't go back on your word." He said, wrapping his arms around my neck. I sighed. Despite how annoying it was, I found it endearing.

But I wouldn't let him get away that easy.

"Fine. I won't touch you tonight… but am I still allowed to kiss you?" I asked. Hiccup blushed, "I g-guess that would be alright…" He said. I smiled and climbed under the covers beside him, "Then close your eyes for me?" I asked. He swallowed and did as I told him to. His hands were shaking. How cute…

With his eyes then closed, I wrapped a hand around his waist and pulled him swiftly on top of me. His eyes popped open, but before he could protest, I pressed my lips roughly to his. "Mmh!" He groaned as my lips attacked his, barely giving him time to breathe. Our legs tangled under the covers as he tried to get away. I used one hand to hold the arm propping him up in place on the mattress as I shifted us into a sitting position. Hiccup straddled my hips as I took both of his hands in mine, holding them between our chests. After a few more sighs of involuntary pleasure escaped him, I slid his hands to my shoulders before moving my own hands to his hips. He no longer protested, letting my tongue roam around his mouth. Every once in a while, I'd lightly nip at his lips, keeping him focused.

Considering him thoroughly exhausted by only kissing, I let him breathe for a moment. He laid his head on my shoulder, "Jack, you don't play fair at all." He told me. I smirked, leaving a small kiss on his forehead. "That's what you get for picking a thief." I told him. He chuckled slightly before sliding off my lap and under the covers again. "Want to keep me company for a while longer?" He asked. I smiled. Even if hhe didn't realize it himself, I knew what he actually meant by the words. If I stayed with him there would be no way for me to escape, but I wasn't planning on leaving anymore. I straightened the covers out over both of us and pulled him close. "Alright."

I woke up to the sound of the girls knocking on my door. "Prince Horrendous?" They called, their voices muffled by the wood. Snapping awake, I looked around for Jack, but he was nowhere in sight. With a small sigh of disappointment, I sat up and answered them. "Yes, girls."

Susalina and Elizabell poked their heads through the doorway and entered. "Good Morning, Prince Horrendous. Do you need anything?" They asked. I shook my head, throwing some hair out of my eyes, "No thank you." I said. They nodded and curtsied slightly before leaving the room once more. I threw the covers off my legs and slid off the edge of the bed when my foot collided with something fleshy.

"Wahh!" I screamed, squirming back on top of the bed. Below me, Jack let out a yelp of his own as he sprung up from the floor. "Oh, Hiccup… it's only you. By the saints that scared me…" He said, rubbing his eyes. "What were you doing on the floor?" I asked, still recovering from my own fright. "Ah, I was too tired to climb down the balcony last night so I decided to sleep on the rug where the girls wouldn't see me." He said. I shook my head, "When did you decide to do that?" I asked him. He looked up towards the ceiling, running a hand through his hair. "Um, around the time you finally nodded off."

I leaned up against the headboard of the bed. "Well I hope it was comfy enough. You really should've told me, you know. I would have-" I tried to say, but he interrupted me with, "There are some perks to waking up like this, though." He said, climbing over the bed to where I sat. "For instance, I get to do this." He said, leaning in and giving me a small peck on the lips as he wrapped his arms around my torso. I smiled. "Yes… that's pretty nice." I said, hugging him around the waist. We stayed like that for a while, just talking, until he said the head knight would probably be looking for him and he left the room.

Which left me alone with my thoughts and worries, the main one (now that I was somewhat convinced Jack wouldn't leave) being Aster.

When I had confronted him on the subject the day before, he was reluctant to admit it. The truth finally came to the surface, however, and I realized that all of those times I had wished to be born as some peasants son, I actually had been. If anything, it was a relief, though I didn't know why. Perhaps that was why I never seemed to be as good at all of my princely duties as I should have been? No… it was more like it was because I was released from something, whatever "something" was. No matter the reason, it was as if I'd been unshackled. I rose and dressed, pacing down the cool hall towards the dining hall. A few other nobles had already risen and were gathering in small groups in the halls to talk about this-or-that, all of them stopping to say good morning as I passed.

It had been a while since I'd been in such a good mood. That was, until I reached the dining room and realized that my father would be inside. But that would be fine, right? Surely there were other nobles breakfasting with him so he wouldn't say something terribly brash. Bracing myself, I walked into the dining room. As I'd predicted, there were other nobles in the room. My father looked up from a conversation with the head knight, and though it threw me off-guard, what surprised me more was that Jack was sitting beside him. Using that as an excuse to avoid my father, I spoke to Jack instead. "So you'll be joining us this morning, Sir Frost?" I asked, the words falling awkwardly off my tongue at the new title. He smiled lightly. "Yes, from today on I'll be Knight Dour's personal attendant." He said. My eyes widened, "That quickly? You must be even better than we thought." I said, nodding to the high knight, who cleared his throat. "Yes, Sir Frost has shown a unique talent for our 'trade'. It's as if he were born for it." He said. Jack and I shared a secret smile over the comment, knowing full well what he was actually born to do.

"So, Horrendous." My father started, staring me down. "Have you finally decided to put aside your childlike tantrum over the marriage?" He asked, frowning slightly. I swallowed, "I have decided to stop arguing with you about it in public, if that's what you mean." I told him, "However, that still doesn't mean I accept it." I added, knowing full well the grave I was digging for myself. Stoick grimaced and opened his mouth to yell at me again. "I'll kindly remind you that there are women in the room, my king. Let us not interrupt their cheery disposition, yes?" I asked him, sending a warning look straight in his eye. He backed down sorely, still scowling. I looked over at Jack, who sent me my own warning look. We finished breakfast with a bit of small talk about the current state of affairs and such.

When breakfast was over, the head night and Jack excused themselves to go do other things, and before my father could strike up another conversation with me, I excused myself as well.

The days seemed to continue on like this for about a week. I avoided my father as much as possible, only speaking with him if it was absolutely necessary. Every day came a new lesson, something last-minute that I would need to learn before my birthday.

My birthday.

It drew ever closer, and though I knew what I wanted, I couldn't help but to be nervous. I would be leaving the castle walls permanently, fleeing the country, and leaving everyone I'd ever known behind me. However, as much as all of that pained me, the thought of marrying someone else and having Jack leave me… the answer was obvious as to what I had to do. The days passed quickly with all that had to be done to prepare for the wedding that wouldn't take place. The girls became increasingly sour as the date crept sooner. I did my best to keep them happy through the fittings and such. Of course, it didn't help that they were asked to prepare the room that Princess Merida would reside in. I wondered if they would intentionally forget the towel.

The week passed in a blur, and before I knew it, the day had come for the princess and her family to arrive. The other nobles had been approaching me earlier that morning at irregular intervals asking me what I thought of the marriage. Avoiding the question, I simply answered, "Well I haven't met her so I have no right to decide yet." Finally the time came though, and the guard watching the gate announced the arrival of the royal family of Kerk. I straightened my tunic as I waited by the door with everyone else. It was expected that the king and I be the first to see them to the door, so we stood at the front of the line as the carriage came to a stop.

For a moment, there was silence as everyone held their breath.

Then the door opened, and King Fergus stepped out, helping Queen Elinor behind him. Stoick welcomed them heartily as everyone else stood by, waiting to see the face of the woman I was to "marry". She didn't appear, however. King Fergus noticed this after a moment and turned back towards the coach. "Merida, do come along." He said. "I will not!" a small voice yelled from inside. The other nobles stood aback with surprised faces while I merely smiled. This would be interesting. "Merida." Her mother said sternly, and there came no retort. Finally, she moved towards the door, her wild mop of curly red hair framing her face. I thought she was about to get out, but instead she simply said. "I will not be married!" and slammed the door to the carriage.

This would continue for an entire hour.

I couldn't help but laugh after a few minutes, the other nobles looking at me strangely, before I told them that it would probably be better if we all waited inside for the royal family to join us. Inside, I found myself somehow alone with Jack. "Well," He started, "At least we know you won't be leaving behind some poor brokenhearted girl, yes?" He asked, smiling into his drink. I let out a small chuckle and nodded. "While I know that I'm not the only person that doesn't wish to be married to a complete stranger. Who'd have thought?" I asked. Our small chat was interrupted as we found ourselves within hearing distance of a group of noble daughters who were gossiping about Princess Merida. I rolled my eyes. "Honestly…" I said, knowing Jack had heard it as well. He nodded. "Ah, women. Aren't you glad you picked a man instead?" He asked, winking at me. I blushed but nodded, "I'd pick you even if you were a troublesome woman." I said, flicking his arm.

Before he could reply, the doors opened and the room quieted as the princess and her family entered. I sat my glass down on a table and went to stand near my father. Merida's hair was in a tussle, probably from the fight they must've had to get her out of the carriage. She glared at me as the Kings exchanged niceties once more. I smiled slightly at her, but her frown only deepened. Before anyone could realize what she was doing, she crossed the room towards me a thrust a finger at my face. "I want you to get one thing through your mind, Prince Horrendous. I have no want or even remote desire to marry you. Is that clear?" She asked.

Despite my usual polite façade, I couldn't help myself.

"Oh, really?" I asked her, "That's funny because, you see, I feel the exact same way."

Our parents stared at us with a look of astonishment, amazed that we would go so far as to say such things. It took a while for my words to sink into Merida's head, but eventually she put her finger down and gave a small smile.

"Is that so? Well, that's good then." She said.

I laughed, at least we'd get along for the one day we were together.

I'm baaaaaaack!

Hiatus = officially over.

I finally have a little bit of free time so I've been writing vast amounts of fanfic instead of essays *Laughs Nervously*

Anyway, be on the lookout for a new story on my page coming soon titled"TellMe You Love Me" (Yes there's supposed to be no space in between the first two words :P) It's the Hijack collab I mentioned working on earlier with the lovely HoneyBeeez (Check out her profile, she's a cute patoot)

In other news,

REQUESTS ARE OPEN! (weeeeee!)

This story is slowly and sadly coming to an end and I thought it would be fun to hear some of the things you guys want to see in the near future because you guys tend to be pretty cool in the idea department. Mainly I'm planning on one-shots for this but who knows, if I like your idea well enough I might make it into a full-length story.

Anyway, thanks for being patient :) Also, just as a heads-up I might take another break close to Christmas because I'm having a heart surgery. (Don't freak out, sweets, I'll live) But be nice to me until then :)

P.S. If you read through this entire A/N you are the

And thanks.