Chapter Fourteen
A/N: This chapter and maybe one more will be the last for Act II. Then, we're on to the third and final act! I'd say we're about 70% done here!
PS: For executions ALWAYS take place at sunset...not sure why, they just do.
PPS: The hood made in this chapter is the one referenced in chapter one AND the one shown on the cover image!
PPPS: Fatherly!Gobber in this chapter! Because why not... XD
In response to...
Jesusfreak: *Sorry this didn't get into the author's note for last chapter, I had it uploaded before I realizes you'd reviewed* And feel better! I'm glad my chapter was able to cheer you up a little. There's nothing worse than being sick.
XxPinkMustachexX: Gobber IS pretty awesome! And yes, of course I saw the new poster of him (and that dragon I am very curious about...) via Tumblr. Funny because I was just wondering what he'd be like in the second and movie and then BAM new poster of Gobber! XD
The Wolf Raven: HA! Oh God, it's back! XD Hiccup is taller than I am! :O AND I'M 5'11! OMG! HE USED TO BE SHORT! XD And yeah, I usually do Gobber's accent but didn't even think of it in this chapter, sorry. (Though I did manage to work some of it in in this chapter.)
A random surprise: That's okay, I know most people don't review chapter by chapter. (Although I do love that XD) And WOW! Yay! I'm glad you like it! The story should find its starting-point maaaaybeee next chapter...
Yondaime Namikaze: Yeah, probably not too good for our little Hiccup. I like to think that this fanfic (and a lot of my others) are basically three distasters and a resolution. (I've heard that somewhere before but can't remember where...) Them being: Ymir's arrival, Stoick's announced execution and...well...I guess you'll find out the third disaster soon enough...
OinkyThePiggy: Yeah, he's got it rough and, unfortunately, things are only going to get worse from here...you'll see...
Vika: Thank you :) And maybe not this chapter (since it's basically the climax for act 2) but you will see Astrid and the others within the next few chapters.
Wow! A long author's note today! Thanks for the reviews, guys! I LOVE getting them! Now, onto the chapter!
When the next morning eventually rises, forcing the darkness to fade away, Hiccup wakes up to a very familiar sound. One he hadn't realized he'd been missing until just now. His lips tug up into a groggy smile as he sits up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Gobber's hook has been replaced by a heavy, iron hammer. It smashes over a red-hot rod, bending it into shape. Hiccup isn't sure what his mentor is making but knows it's not a weapon... The boy stumbles out of his workshop, yawning quietly as he walks up behind the older Viking.
"What are you making?" He asks, curiously. In this muddle of sleep and the first night of decent rest he's had in a week, he's almost able to forget the urgency of their situation. In this short moment, he feels almost...content.
Gobber turns to face him, smiling back at his apprentice. "Ah, mornin', Hiccup!" He greets, just as he used to before...everything. "I figured, if you're going to be on the run, you'd might as well have something to help you blend in a lit'le. Make your life a tad easier."
Hiccup pauses, unsure of what he means for a moment. Then, all the lightness drains away from him when he remembers... As of now, his father is going to be executed...tomorrow at sunset. He almost feels sick at the thought of it. Bowing his head, he can't stop himself...the word comes to mind before he can push it away, like he's done a hundred times before. Dad...
Gobber notices the boy's sorrow and straightens up with a sigh. He hobbles over and places a strong hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Remember what we talked about." He whispers. "Your father is going to be alright, lad. I'll do everything I can to make sure of that, trust me."
He nods but it's an empty motion. That cruel voice that always likes to rear its ugly head at the worst times chooses now to invade Hiccup's mind. What if you fail...? It hisses. What if you get caught and thrown back in prison?
"U-umm..." Hiccup shoves the thought away, blinking back the stinging in his eyes as he lifts his head again. "You...mentioned you made something...f-for me?"
"Oh! Right!" The Blacksmith wheels around and grabs the semi-cooled rod, which is bent at a strange curve. "O'course, it isn't done yet...I still have to sew it into place..."
"Sew it?" Now, Hiccup's curiosity is genuine. "What is that, exactly?"
The old Viking grins, almost deviously. He chuckles as he holds the strange rod up to the light. "This," He begins. "Is going to make sure no one sees your face!"
When the hood is finally completed, Hiccup is told to stand very still while Gobber drapes some fabric over his shoulders. A thick, black fabric that is so long it brushes his ankles. With a few swipes of a needle, Gobber has the cloak and the hood mended together into one, pitch-black shroud. The hood of which falls directly over Hiccup's eyes, making it impossibly for anyone to see his face but still allowing him perfect vision. It also looks remarkably similar to the ones the guards wear to shield their faces from the bitter cold.
"Well? Can you move alright?" Gobber asks him as he steps back to observe his handiwork. After all, he doesn't usually use a needle and thread but he is the one who taught Hiccup everything he knows, even the boy's ability to sew.
Hiccup finally relaxes his stiff posture and takes a few steps, expecting the cloak to trip him up. But it doesn't... The drape folds perfectly around his slim frame, billowing out in such a way that it's several inches clear of his prosthetic and boot. Smiling in awe, he turns to look at his reflection in the glass of the window.
"Wow...Gobber, this is perfect!" He exclaims happily. "No one will even know it's me until they get close!"
The Blacksmith nods, proudly. "And by then, you can Toothless can get rid of them."
The young Rider stiffens at the mention of his dragon, a very confused look flickering over his face. He turns halfway around, closely scrutinizing the secret smile on his mentor's lips. "Toothless...? Gobber, what do you...mean?"
"I know where they're keeping him." He reveals with snicker. "And I managed to sneak the key off one of those nosy guards..."
The breath evacuates Hiccup in one, fell gasp. "Gobber...!" He breathes in shock. "You...you have the key to Toothless's cage?! When...when did you do that?!"
The man shrugs nonchalantly. "Hey, when you're the only Viking who is still on the Chief's side...you learn how to improvise!"
Hiccup laughs in desperate relief, not even caring about the joyous tears that blur his vision. Gods...for the first time, things are actually going his way! Seems like I was right...things are better now. Before he even really knows what he's doing, his feet pull him forward. Hiccup throws his arms around his mentor's shoulders, giggling blissfully against his shoulder. "Thank you...thank you so much, Gobber!"
The shocked Viking is rigid for a moment but eventually softens. He chuckles and shakes his head, patting Hiccup's back. "It was nothin', lad." He mutters. "Feels good to make fools of Ymir's men!"
Hiccup laughs again, reaching up to swipe away the few tears that had managed to escape before pulling away from his sudden embrace. "It's settled then." He says. "I'll take the key and free Toothless. Then, not even Ymir can stop us. We'll save my dad and get everyone to fight back!"
Gobber nods. "Sounds like a plan to me." He reaches into his tunic and pulls out of the tiny, metal key. But despite its insignificant size, it looks like a ray of pure hope to Hiccup. It's the key to saving his entire tribe. Clasping it in a tight fist, he shoves it into his own vest and tugs his hood up, smirking to himself when it falls over his eyes, rendering his identity invisible to anyone who doesn't know him...
"Be careful, Hiccup." Gobber mumbles as they take their first step outside, trying to look as natural as possible.
"I will." He whispers. "They're keeping Toothless in the Arena and that's not far. I just have to...get there, free him, smuggle him out, and get back... Easy."
"Just make sure that hood stays up." He urges. "And if someone looks like they're suspicious, run. You know this island better than they do. Lose them in the woods."
"Will do." With that, Hiccup grips his hood, tugging it further down over his eyes. He takes a careful step down, feeling slightly awkward with the extra weight of the boot they tied over his prosthetic. That, after all, would be a dead giveaway. "I'll be back soon." He assures him.
"Make sure you are." Gobber mutters.
And with that, Hiccup sets off toward the Dragon Academ- Arena... He hears Gobber closing the door behind him and sucks in a steadying breath. He can see the slew of guards up ahead, the way they're all...crowded around the town square...
Actually...what are they doing...?
It's not until Hiccup manages to skirt around the sullen crowd that he sees...him. Ymir, himself. Just the sight of his ugly face is enough to send a blind fury bubbling in Hiccup's gut. He has to grip his fists so hard that his knuckles turn white and bite his tongue, just so he won't scream the obscenities racing through his mind.
The new "Chief" himself is standing on a makeshift stage, surrounded by his guards. He's holding up a very official-looking document and seems to be waiting for everyone to quiet down.
"Attention, citizens!" He calls out. "This is a very important announcement!"
Hiccup resists the urge to run up there and punch that horrible man square in his big, dumb mouth.
"As you all know, the execution of former Chief Stoick the Vast is scheduled for tomorrow evening, at sunset!"
Rub it in, why don't you...?
"However!"
Hiccup's head perks up, stopping him just as he's about to hurry off and find Toothless while everyone is distracted.
"There has been a change of plans!"
His heart begins to pump a little faster, adrenaline shocking through his veins and making him tremble. Oh no... Please no...
"Due to the escape of Stoick's son and previous Heir to the throne, Hiccup! We have decided to move his execution up, to avoid any attempted escapes! As of this moment, Stoick the Vast will be formally executed not at sunset...but at sunrise. In exactly twelve hours!"
The world turns black before Hiccup's eyes. He stumbles away from the square and into a nearby alley, sinking to the ground as if all the life has been sucked out of his body.
No...oh gods...please no...! NO...!
A/N: ...sorry.