It's like I've been hit with a thousand flaming boulders combined with Toothless's plasma blasts. My knees feel weak as I stare at Skullette. Her beautiful green eyes, wide and they glisten. I'm frozen, unable to say anything when I desperately need to. I take the risk and step forward.
"Skullette . . ." I start, extending my hand.
But the moment I step forward, she steps back. She takes another step back and just shakes her head. Then the turns and bolts out of the Academy.
"No! Skullette! Wait!" I say as I fail to chase after her.
"Hiccup," I hear behind me. I turn and find Astrid still standing there. She steps closer. I wait there for a moment before I say, "I'm sorry."
Then I turn and leap on Toothless and chase after Skullette. We fly over the village, but I get the feeling she'd want to go somewhere, open. I turn Toothless toward the woods and after two minutes of flying over the trees, we both in unison spot a shadow moving. We dive down and hover over the tree line. I can see her dress flap in the wind.
She notices the shadow, but it's one second too late, and Toothless grabs her by her arms.
She screams a little before she yells, "Hiccup! Let me go!"
I'm about to say no when I remembered she's afraid of heights. I'd expect her to be over her fear by now, but with the emotional state she's in now, her fear could be back, even heightened. I drive Toothless to the Cove since it's the one spot I can think of where we always enjoy ourselves. I'm hoping the pleasant memories will ease her hurt and possible hatred for me.
We land, but Toothless doesn't let her go knowing she'll try and run the moment we let her go. When I hop off, he let's go, but before she can make a break for it, I grab her bicep. "Skullette, wait!"
"No! No let me go! I don't want to see you right now!" she screams, but her voice breaks.
"Skullette you have to give me chance to explain." I say, my voice calm.
"I said no! I don't want to hear anything you have to say!" she harshly yanks her arm free, but doesn't try and run.
Either she knows Toothless will catch her before she can get a few yards from the Cove, or she really does want to know what I have to say. She faces me, but backs away a couple feet, and wipes away a couple of tears.
"Look, I'm sorry about what almost happened back there. This sort of ties into that complicated situation I told you about before." I say.
"You mean that you liked a girl before me?" she says.
"Yep." I say, not denying anything. There's a moment of silence, so I continue on. "Look Skullette, I know nothing I say will change the fact that you're angry with me, and I'll admit you have every right to be," She turns to the water shaking her head. Tears leaking from her eyes, a frown on her lips. "But you should know that the pain of knowing that I hurt you, it, it kills me in ways that I didn't think were imaginable." I surprise both of us when my voice cracks at the end. I feel tears sting my eyes, and I try to blink them away as best as I can.
Skullette's quiet for a minute, then speaks. "I'm not going to lie, I did kind of seeing it coming." She admits with a sniff.
I jerk my head up, "What?"
"Just the way she looks at you, and how she talks to you. It was kind of obvious." She says.
"How do you girls notice these things?" I ask, and I manage to get a smile from her.
"We have special senses." She adds.
"Look Skullette, you know I care about you more than anything in the world, and I would never want to hurt you. And I don't even know why I even did that. I guess with the excitement of the celebration and the way you both looked all pretty and dressed up. And I'm not saying that that's an excuse but I guess, I just got lost in the moment. And I don't think I'm really helping myself out here."
"Hiccup, you're sweet, you're kind, and I know you would never try and hurt me. And I guess I should be glad that it didn't happen." She says. I would add that nothing happened only because she stopped me, but I've dug a deep enough hole already, I definitely don't want to dig any deeper.
"I can't even tell you how sorry I am. And I don't even think it'll be good enough to help you. I really don't even deserve you right now." I admit.
Now I'm scared that she'll break up with me. And she has every right to. And there's no way that the pain from that can even begin to compare to the pain I feel knowing that I've hurt her, even broke her heart.
She rubs her arm for a minute before she speaks, still staring at the water. "I am, extremely hurt by what I saw. But not as much as I thought I would be." She says. I perk my head up. "Maybe it's because it didn't happen, or I saw it coming, I don't know."
"But I still hurt you, Skullette. And I want to know, from you personally, what I can do to make it better; make it up to you. If I can. Or even if I should."
She rubs her arm again and shrugs her shoulders, "I-I don't know, Hiccup. I've never been, almost-cheated on before."
"I can imagine why. Only a complete idiot would even think about cheating on you. And here I am. Jackass and all." She turns to me, shocked I even used that word.
Just from one look at me you can tell I'm not a person who swears a lot. So by me using that word, she must know how mad I am at myself for what I, almost did.
"So, what happened with you two?" she asks.
"Uh, well, we were never a couple. It was just a mutual attraction. And honestly she didn't even like me until after I had trained dragons and defeated the Green Death."
"The queen of dragons?" she asks.
"Yeah. But we never became a couple even after that. We just left it as is. She would give a kiss every now and then, but only in the sense that it was a reward. And I even had a talk/fight with her about not interfering with our relationship, and yet here we are." I explain.
Skullette turn to me and just looks at me. As if waiting for me to continue, but I stay quiet. And I work up the courage to ask, "So what do we do now?"
She looks down at first, and then she brushes come curls out of her face. She takes a deep breath and sighs. She crosses her arms and swallows hard. I prepare for the worst. "I'm not going to break up with you." She says.
I look at her, and suddenly I feel like leaping all over the place. Screaming, smiling, and laughing. But instead, something possessed me and I look to her and ask, "Why?"
"Well, for one thing, nothing really happened. And secondly, you're a really great guy, Hiccup. And I know you'd never do this, and you're just not that kind of guy." She says taking my hands. "You're better than that."
Tears sting my eyes. I'm so overjoyed that she's even giving me a second chance. I begin to mutter words of promise and love and she talks over me telling me it's okay and to stop.
"But there's one thing we need to do," she says. I look to her. "You need to tell me everything that happened with you guys."
I give her a surprised look, but we sit down, and I start from the beginning. "Well, it all started when I laid eyes on her. She was with the others in training to be a Viking and I was working in the Blacksmith shop at the time. This was back when I was a nobody . . ."
For the rest of the night, I told her the story about everything we've been through. From starting out about when I first met Toothless, to how we flew together, and how she even kissed me after I was in bed for a few weeks. Moving onto the Dragon Academy, and a kiss that happened after the Thawfest games.
By the end of the night, I know I've only gained a small portion of her trust back. We fly back and when we drop her off home, I simply say goodbye with a kiss on her cheek. I'm walking on eggshells until she shows me or tells me that she's fully forgiven me.
The next morning, I wake up at the crack of dawn and fly around with Toothless for a few hours. Things feel rather normal as we fly by but as we're passing by the ocean on our way to the docks, I can just make out several ships. With an Outcast symbol on it.
I'm about to open fire, but I remind myself that we're expecting a small fleet of ships to arrive. So instead, I fly back home and ask Gobber when he's expecting the ships. He says it's today. He was about to tell me, but I flew out with Toothless before he could tell me. I rush to the seamstresses' shop to retrieve my Dragon Conqueror suit, dress in a minute and head down to the docks.
I run up as the first ship docks. There must be at least half of Alvin's men on the ships when added together. And there are at least four ships. Gobber and two other Vikings help the men off the boat, and when they walk up and see me, they practically bow to me, kissing my boot. But the most I hear is how they're surprised and even overjoyed to see me alive. Otherwise, their mutiny against Alvin was all for none.
I greet each one with a handshake and smile. They act like I'm about to attack the, but the truth is my bow is back at the blacksmith's shop and my secret weapons are at the seamstress' shop since they had to make some alterations. They each greet me with a look that would make people think I'm their savior. It's possible in a way I am, since I've welcomed into my village with open arms, despite the fact that I could've just executed them all.
As the last ship empties its cargo, I manage to talk to one of the Outcasts and ask about the progress of the war. He tells me that Towers 7, 6, 5, and even 4 have all turned against Alvin and now work under Viking rule. Alvin's numbers continue to dwindle, but Savage still worships the ground he walks on. With the help of the Outcasts, we've gained more information in a matter of days that would've taken months to figure out.
Gobber pulls me aside as the Outcasts find their new homes. He tells me that my Dad wants me to fly to the island with the others so that we can invade the last remaining towers. There are still rebel Outcasts living on Outcasts Island, but they're working undercover so that they can help with the takeover, and learn more about Alvin's new war plan now that it's taken a serious change.
Sitting around the house has made me feel extremely lazy, and healing my wounds has left me missing weeks of training. But even with that, I'm excited.
After sitting and lying around just watching the war role by me, I'm puckish for a little action.
The trip isn't for another couple of days, so I use the time to brush up on my training with Gobber and hunt around the woods with Skullette to sharpen my shooting skills. One day, I roam into the woods alone one afternoon with Toothless. We simply go to the Cove where he help me take on a stuffed dummy Gobber had made for me to practice sword training. Only this time, I'm spicing things up by using two swords. I've only been trained to use the one, but I want to challenge myself.
The dummy is named Bob and he's about Gobber's height and weighs at an even one hundred and seventy pounds. He's got me by forty or more pounds and fifteen inches. Dad told me that if I could take out the dummy, I could handle any man who tried to give me trouble. I lunge and stab and block while Toothless yanks at a rope that's draped over the root of the tree he usually hangs from when he's sleeping.
While he seems to be enjoying it, I decided to string a heavy wire between two trees and hooked Bob to it. The dummy slides, swings, and moves with my own momentum, and while it isn't the same as fighting an intelligent person, he keeps me on my toes. I can run through him with my one sword, yank the blade free, duck, and spin around to bury my weapon in his back while he slides toward me.
But two swords are another story. I slam the pommel of one into Bob, but can't spin the blade of the other around before my sparring partner swings back and sends me sprawling. After my fourth disastrous attempt, I let fly with most creative swear word I ever heard the Viking men say. I toss both swords aside as they hit the ground with a loud metallic clatter. I can't master it. Can't swing around in time to deliver the crucial blow that could mean the difference between life and death.
I lay back in the grass, squint against the glare of the afternoon sun, and suddenly feel like crying. With dad at my side, I always felt invincible. Now I feel like a freshly shorn lamb, stripped bare of a shield I never thought I'd lose. But I remember him telling me about the war, and how it could offer me a new challenge. This is one.
I push myself up to a sitting position and rest my elbows on my knees. My hands locked together. Toothless comes over and licks my cheek. "I can't give up. But how am I going to fight without my Dad?" I ask him as I pet his forehead. He purrs in reply.
"I can teach you." Gobber says quietly, and my head snaps up.
He's a few yards away, his face shadowed by the branches of the tree he stands under. As he steps forward, the sunlight brushes against his face, and his eyes are steady with the same determination I always see in my Dad's.
"I know I can't replace him, not that I'd want to, but I know how to fight." He says.
I think back to his attempt at helping me train for the Thawfest games. While I was pathetic at helping, he was there and he supported me.
I smile and push myself to my feet. Grasp both swords. Close my eyes. Take a deep breath that smells of grass, sun-warmed dirt, and the freshwater that the Cove offers. I feel Gobber standing in front of me, his hands covering mine and holding me in place.
I widen my stance, crouch, and remember the last time we sparred together.
"Drop your shoulders a bit. You'll need the room to move." He tightens his grip on my hands when they start to slide together. "No, you don't. Nice wide grip. Keep it loose. Gives you balance and control. That's a boy."
I drop my shoulders, widen my grip and open my eyes.
"All right, now, you've got a weapon in both hands. You'll only have seconds to decide which one to use first." He let's go of my hands, and places callused palms on my shoulders. "Big man, springing towards you."
"Weapon?" I ask.
"Doesn't matter, Hiccup. He's twice your size and his speed will bring him in range within seconds. Which end do you use?" His fingers curl on my shoulders as if willing me to know the answer.
"Blade. No time to swing the pommel." I slide the blade free and crouch, the afternoon sun painting my skin with shades of pink as I sweat.
"Very good." He squeezes my shoulders and paces back and forth. "Now if you must engage in an opponent who is bigger, stronger, and faster, what do you do?"
"Take him down. Make it so he can't get up and come after me." I answer.
"Yes. He won't expect a hiccup to know how to stop him. You get one chance to surprise him. Make full use of that advantage." I nod. "Where do you make the first cut?" His eyes are a deep gray, like the sky before the rain falls.
"Let him come in, then spin and slash the inner thigh as I turn. Cut open the artery." I say.
He steps out of my way and I draw in a deep breath, imagine Bob as an enemy Outcast barreling toward me, let him come almost too close for comfort, and then spin and slash, planting my left foot to keep my balance for the next move.
"Good! He's bleeding, but the pain hasn't hit yet, and he doesn't realize how badly he's hurt. He'll try to come after you. How do you stop him?"
"Cut the Achilles tendon as he passes me, then get out of range." I spin and slash again, the blades beginning to feel like an extension of my arms as I thrust, turn, and slice in tune with Gobber's voice.
He's clapping, pride and love written on his face. "You did it. I knew you could."
Then he brings forward a burlap sack and pulls out two wooden swords. "What's this?" I ask.
"Now that you can handle two swords, we'll work on close combat." He says. "Shield your blade. We'll count a single solid touch from the blade as a strike."
I toss aside the two swords and take the wooden one, feeling like a young kid. I widen my stance, and roll on the balls of my feet. Gobber walks toward me, his sword whistles through the air, and I leap back to dodge the blow. Spinning he taps me with the wooden blade before I can raise my arm in defense.
"My point." He says, and he doesn't bother hiding his smirk.
I circle him, "Lucky shot."
He lashes out again, but I'm ready this time. Blocking him with the middle of my sword, I whirl beneath Gobber's outstretched arm and slam the hilt into his thigh.
Pride keeps him from swearing at the pain. Instead, he sweeps my feet out from under me. I flip in midair and roll forward and land, coming up with my stick ready.
"The controlled grace of your movements would make your Dad proud." He says, and I smile. "You're fast. That's good." He says, advancing toward me.
"You're not bad for an old warrior." I say.
We block, parry, and break apart.
"You're strong Hiccup, but I'm worried that you don't know how to anticipate the unexpected." He says and he steps back, inviting an attack.
I charge forward, swinging the wooden blade like a butcher slicing the head from a wild boar. Gobber waits until the last second, then drops to the ground and rams me with his shoulder. My forward momentum carries me over the top of him and I land face-first into the grass.
I spit dry blades of grass from my mouth. I stare at him, a new respect for him in my eyes. A smile flits across my lips.
"I was a warrior before you were even born, Hiccup. Literally." He offers a hand up. "You need to be ready for an opponent who does the unexpected." He tells me a he pulls me to my feet. "Got it?"
"Got it." I assure.
With a hard pat, we walk back to the village. It's around early evening, so I decide to go see Mulch and Bucket. I've been getting to know them better and have been trying to spend as much time with them as I can. Bucket loves to push me around in a wheelbarrow ride. He says it's fun, and I'm lighter than their normal loads so he can push me around, probably all day if he wanted to.
Talking with Bucket is fun since he's always honest even though he's less intelligent than normal Vikings. But he's honest, and something about him just seems genuine. Like you can tell him anything and he won't judge you. The day ends on a good note as I catch a glimpse of Jennifer and Logan moving some whicker baskets into their new home in the Town's Square.
I go to bed that night in a good mood and have a pleasant, dreamless sleep. The next morning, I dress in my uniform, gather my weapons, and prep Toothless's saddle. Then I fly down to the docks where Astrid and the others wait with Gobber who's prepping the ships for departure. Snotlout and the twins talk while Fishlegs caudles with Meatlug. Astrid pets Stormfly as Gobber loads up cargo on the ship. I decide to take a risk and talk to her.
A couple nights ago, I just left her there in the middle of the dance floor all alone. True I had apologized, but I still feel guilty about leaving her. Skullette will be arriving soon so I'll have to keep it brief. But when I talk to Astrid, she acts like I never even left her.
"Astrid, you don't have to pretend, I know that I hurt you by leaving you. And you didn't deserve that. And I have no right to keep leading you on like this. Especially when I know this could go someplace." I say.
"Hiccup, you don't have to apologize. I was the one being stupid. I know you told me about not messing with your relationship, and I know that I have been. And I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Astrid. Look, I promise you'll find someone who'll love you, better than I ever could." I say taking her hands.
"I'm not giving up on you, Hiccup." She suddenly says, and I'm confused. She looks to me and her eyes glisten. "I know I'm wanting what I can't have, but someone like you only happens maybe once in a lifetime." I stay quiet. "Call me crazy, but I know this could go somewhere too. If I have to, I'm not afraid to save my heart for you, Hiccup."
"Astrid . . ." I start. But she shushes me.
"You can tell me I'm wrong, and turn around and go. But still I'm going to save my heart for you, Hiccup." Then with a kiss on my cheek, she mounts Stormfly and ascends into the air.
"Hey Hiccup!" I hear Skullette call not long after. She kisses my same cheek hello and asks if the boats are ready.
I nod and after she hops on the boat, I mount Toothless and with one flap we ascend into the sky. The whole ride seemed too short, as I was lost in thought about what Astrid said.
The only thing that snaps me back is the sound of a flaming boulder hurdling toward me.