Hello my dear readers, this chapter is the final installment of my story "Hard Taught". First of all I'd like to thank those of you who have reviewed as well as those who have given ideas that have helped me continue during periods of writer's block, these things have been my sole motivation for continuing and if not for them I would have given up after the first three chapters. I am also very ecstatic that everyone who reviewed gave me their poles as to whether Karma should live or not, it just goes to show you that people do read the author's notes. Long live Macintosh!
italics = thought
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD, there wouldn't have been so epic of a story line if I did.
Seraph walked along the stone path, her age betraying her. She had walked this trail many times, knowing just how easy it used to be when she was younger. She was fifty six now, her final years coming quickly as she trod life's downhill slope. Every now and then her son would escort her on these voyages into the mountains of Berk, the tall and strong boy acting as her crutch and helping her forget the endeavor of this walkway. She was halfway there already, knowing this part of the forest, the tree's overlooking the path and bathing it in cool refreshing shade. Her husband had loved the trees, believing that they were the embodiment of forgiveness, saying that they hold no grudges and give continually of their substance to men. The memory of her deceased partner stung at her eyes, prompting them to cry as she had done when he had first passed. She remained vigilant, however, recalling her promise never to cry again. The promise had been made when she had cried to him; he had teared up too . . .
(Switch)
Glint had dove after me, snapping vigorously at the well woven ropes. He had detected my lie, he had me figured out that well. His blue eyes were wide and frantic with desperation, rolling to and fro in a search for anything that could free me. I, on the other hand, was just doing my best to keep conscious, the numbness from my memories realizing around me once more. I don't know how long he tried; time held no definite tune, speeding up and then slowing down like a rock rolling down uneven slopes. I was calm, knowing exactly what was happening, it's less of a trauma when you know the end of the story. My calm only wavered when his eyes dimmed; I could tell that he was suffering for air just as much as I was, only I couldn't feel the full effects. Go on up Glint . . . get some breath . . . I'm not going anywhere, I said, motioning slightly with my pole bound arm, bubbles escaped my lips as I mouthed the words to him. In his dazed and fading pose, I noticed his eyes following the tiny pocket of sour air that I had released. In a sloshing burst he shot for the surface, which was a very long way away now . . .
(Switch)
She was nearing the final hilltop, the trek across Berk's rough landscape drawing to its close. The path had stayed true, as always, she remembered when they had first built it to lead to Berk's memorial ground twenty seven years ago in honor of her father-in-law's death. Seraph wondered if her husband would go to valhalla too; he hadn't died in an epic battle, a Viking's dream, he had kicked the bucket out of old age. Sixty three years was a particularly long life for any man, but it was implied that those who died old had done no great and life-threatening deeds in their past. She knew that the idea was ridiculous, her husband had done far too many things to let the dishonor of old age restrict him from his seat in the halls above. How lucky she was to have such a man as he.
The steep incline of the narrow road ended, sloping forward to reveal a round field only fifteen feet in diameter. Thin stone structures, pillars and headstones, jutted up from the ground, some as high as five feet. Upon them were runic acknowledgements, praises to heroic actions, memoirs that would lift spirits up to the high hallways of Valhalla. In the center of this courtyard were two shimmering obelisks standing side-by-side, one slightly taller than the other, yet their splendor the same. Seraph looked to the taller and bowed in humble respect, these two towers signified the men that she admired the most.
"In memory of Hiccup H. Haddock III, whose curiosity as well as courage changed the way we live for the better. May his soul be merry in the realm above." she read out loud from memorial, never doubting a word of it. She turned to the second shining spectacle, smiling at all the memories she had been given by her husband. In remembrance of Karma Hopeful Haddock IV . . .
(Switch)
It saddened as well as relieved me that he had left, now that the threat to his life was over I was complete, and content to embrace my impending doom. The pounding in my ears was now less of a slam and more of a thump, the intervals beginning to space apart like a song changing tempo to a slow and grave tune. The salt that stung at my eyes lost its edge, I stared freely into the calm realm below the sea; such a peaceful place to end at. The opaque blue before me was marred with a new sight, a large and looming form floating before me. My vision had blurred to the point where I could only make out a shadowy frame of what was there, the only exception was the great yellow-slitted eyes that were fixed upon me icily. Not Glint, I concluded in what little consciousness that I had left. The shadow blurred in movement, closing the gap between us. I had almost expected this to be death's physical form, but what came next proved against my theory.
With what little feeling I had left in this mortal coil I sensed a firm-pressured hold being lifted from me, the shadowy silhouettes of my bonds floating freely before me. I had been let go? I turned my gaze back to the large looming shadow, my savior, it narrowed its slits and shot away, leaving me on my own in the shade shrouded waters below the waves. I willed to move, but my body refused with a will of iron, not floating closer to the surface, but further away. The haze took complete hold over my body, my senses completely overridden, nothing was everything and everything was nothing . . .
(Switch)
. . . whose grand adventures of his past overshadowed the final feat of his death . . .
(Switch)
There was something! Something in my world of nothing. Something that denied all the aspects of the blackness surrounding me. A light shone in, much like a great door opening into an abandoned room. I could move again, slowly walking to the great rectangle of whiteness and peeking through. There was a strange freshness in the air . . . wait, there was air now! A warmth surrounded me like a great fur blanket, heat was entering my world of nothing! The brightness began to fade, at first I was sad that the first of the many things was leaving my world, leaving me in the blackness again, but the darkness didn't return when the light left. Colors began to fade into view before me, shaping into things that I could not yet identify. Browns began to paint the portrait, tiny tinges of black laying down outlines, tans and yellows filtering in at assigned places before the prize hues burst into view. Vibrant greens and blues rippled across the picture that painted itself before me, oranges and reds spattered in the choicest of placement, and last the specks of white returned to their rightful posts. The masterpiece before me was finished, allowing me to scan across the product.
The scene was of my room, surprisingly enough, with a view from the bed. The painter must have been an expert that had spent loads of time memorizing each grain of texture. I reached out to feel the canvas, as i had deemed it, and was astounded to feel the soft and velvety touch of my bed covers, the hard texture of the headboard. What mesmerized me more than the exquisite touch of everything was that I could see my hand feel it, it was real; I was alive!
(Switch)
. . . He lived to the age of sixty; the dragon Glint never leaving his side through it all. Seraph finished in her head, she always read those words within her mind, letting them bring out all the emotions that could never be found elsewhere; the smiles, grimaces, and laughter of her life with him. Rest well my husband, I'll see you soon. She was smiling as she started back down the hill, not because he was dead, but because he had lived . . .
(Switch Final)
Beside me rested the creature that had saved me, not just from my death but from my hate, his body draped sideways over the bed in exhaustion, his head resting on my chest as if to make sure my heart was still beating. I moved to scratch his happy spot under the chin, but was stopped by the pain that ripped across my body from the simple movement. I gently rolled back the covers, wincing at even that, to check myself over. Nothing was gone, but everything hurt. My movement and sudden breathing woke Glint, he lifted his head up and looked at me. I smiled, he grinned toothily.
"Hey bud . . ." I stated hoarsely, he purred back like I had just given him a rubdown on his neck. I heard a sudden bout of footsteps outside the door and dad came flying in only to stop at the doorway, a familiar black face watching from behind him. A few seconds later and mom came barreling in on her wheelchair, expertly skidding to a halt next to dad. They both gave me a look-over before dad piped up in a solemn tone.
"Lesson learned." he stated proudly, smiling with a vigor. I grinned back, lifting my hand to give Glint a slight scratch behind the ears.
Living on an island with people as tasteless as the dirt that riddles it, after having learned a lesson I can't put into words, with the only reassurance that I have a friend that will stick with me through thick and thin. Sounds great doesn't it?
Yes, yes it does . . .
Fin
(means the end)
I'm sorry if this final chapter bounces around more than the others. As you may have guessed, the Timber Jack freed him as well as put that big cut in the deck last chapter. I am pleased to say that this is the part where you let your imagination run wild with epic ideas of what happened between right now and Karma's real death of old age. I bid thee readers farewell, at least until I write again.
Karma: Wow . . . that was a stupid ending . . .
Me: -sniffle-
Karma: Oh please! Your eyes are nowhere as big as Glint's, I'm not falling for that again!
Glint: -sniffle-
Karma: Ooookaay, it wasn't that bad of an ending. At least I didn't die!
Me: Yeah, yeah, whatever. As a parting gift from you readers to me, please review and tell me your thoughts on the whole story.
Karma: -sniffle- please?
