Really quick update! Weren't expecting that were you?
There are a lot of time lapses in this chapter, just so you know. The reason is I couldn't figure out anything to put in between for a smoother transition. I hope my description in the chapter won't make it too confusing for you.
And just for a fun note, the title is somewhere in here. See if you can spot it.
One thing: the story goes into Jack's POV. Just to let you know (to avoid even more confusion), Jack still doesn't know Hiccup's real name.
WARNINGS: None (if you can believe it)
Chapter #29: The Question
Third Person POV
Hiccup woke up when the morning sun came peeking through the open window he had climbed through the previous night. Rubbing his tired eyes with his free hand, he looked down at the redheaded siren lying with her head on his chest and his arm wrapped around her waist.
Hiccup smiled at the sight of her peaceful face, unable to resist pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. She hummed but remained asleep.
He smiled at the beautiful sound. But his reverie was short-lived as the weight of what he had done was finally felt.
He had slept with a royal woman and had taken her virtue in a night of unbridled love. What made it worse was that her fiancee was after his head. Hiccup felt a surge of fear at the thought of what William would do if he found out; the lovers would have to be careful if this dangerous affair was to continue.
He looked down at her, realizing that he would have to leave now if he didn't want to get caught by the awakening castle. Giving her another kiss, he whispered,
"I love you." Painfully slow, he moved her off of him. Once she was nestled comfortably, he collected his prosthetic and clothing. He put on his braie, pants, and strapped on his fake leg,
"Don't leave." Merida's voice said quietly. Hiccup turned and stared at her, her blue eyes staring back with the beginnings of tears. With a sad expression, he walked back to the bed, placing his arms on the mattress as he crouched down beside the wooden frame. Merida reached out and took his hand, placing a small kiss on the knuckles,
"Please." She begged. Hiccup sighed, tucking a stray curl behind her ear,
"I can't stay." He whispered, trailing his fingers down her temple and cheek. Merida closed her eyes and sighed,
"Then promise me you'll come back when it's night again." Closing his eyes, Hiccup nodded,
"I promise." He leant forward and gave her a kiss. He quietly left the bead and continued to dress himself. Just as he finished buckling his belt, her felt Merida snake her arms around his chest in a tight hug. Hiccup chuckled, placing his large hands on her small ones.
"I love you." She whispered, hugging him a little tighter. Turning around, breaking the hug, Hiccup looked at her, fully clothed in her night gown. Cupping her face, they passionately kissed,
"I love you too." He said. They leant in to kiss again when they heard footsteps coming from the other side of the door, "Time for me to go." He sighed. With one lasting peck, Hiccup went to the window and began his decent down.
Merida stood silently, staring at the window and feeling lonely yet happy at the thought of last night. Her trance broke at the sound of more footsteps, making her realize that the door was still locked. More silent than a cat, Merida slipped to the door and unlocked it, praying that no one heard the silent click. With the same stealth, she ducked into her bed, pulled the blanket over her and pretending to be asleep as she knew that Rapunzel could walk in any moment.
She was right.
5 minutes had barely passed when the maid came walking in. Rapunzel immediately caught the sight of the open window but gave it little thought. The smile she had on her face disappeared when she saw the figure of her friend in the bed, reminding her at the gloomy and depressive state the princess had been in.
"Merida, wake up." She said as she walked to her, shaking her shoulder gently, "It's a new day." The princess turned. Rapunzel grew confused when, instead of the emotionless face, there was a bright smile. Merida sighed contently,
"Rapunzel," She said, sitting up straight and taking her friend's hands, "It's a new world". Merida gave a infectious bright smile before she jumped out of bed and ran to her closest, picking up the one dress she could put on by herself. She had it on in a second. She ran out of the room, giggling like a little girl, and left an even more confused maid by the bed.
Rapunzel stood awkwardly by the bed for a while before she remembered she had duties to fulfill. She pulled the blanket off of the bed. In a mere second, her confusion became suspicion.
Merida had had her monthly bleeding about a week prior but there, on the sheets and mattress, was undoubtedly a large stain of blood.
Third Person POV
The forest of DunBroch was silent at night, the life of the forest settling when the sun set. An lone owl hooted and in the great distance, another replied. With a swoosh, the lone owl left the branch and flew towards the sound, barely sparing a glance at the small abandoned cottage built inside a hill. The cottage had once belonged to a witch, the same one that had given Merida the spell that changed her mother into a bear. It had once been destroyed but the witch had repaired after returning from a fair. Shortly afterwards, she was captured and accused of witchcraft and heresy.
What happened to her is unknown. Some say she escaped; others say she was killed. Whatever her fate, all that is known is her home, which many call the "Abandoned Witch's Cottage". Few dare to go near it as it is rumored at the spirit of the witch still haunts the small building.
That rumor was not enough to keep the two lovers away.
After Merida had unexpectedly visited Hiccup in the smithy during the day, they had decided to go to the cottage as they would have no fear there of being caught. While the gates were open, they snuck out separately. Merida went out first, sneaking some sweet cakes, apples, and candles with her. At arrival, she undid her cloak and lay it out on the empty floor like a carpet. After placing the food on the cloak, she spread out the candles all around the floor, lighting them before allowing the forgotten fireplace to blaze again.
She was just finished when Hiccup came, warmly wrapped in his foot length wool cloak. They first sat down on Merida's cloak, enjoying the cakes and apples she brought. But it wasn't long before they were in a passionate kiss.
The love they made was much sweeter and more passionate than the night before. Without the fear of being heard or discovered, they moaned and cried out each other's names as they worshiped each other. When they finished, they refused to go to sleep.
Merida lay on Hiccup's chest, his cloak keeping them warm. With her eyes closed, she ran small random patterns on his chest. Hiccup had his arms wrapped around her, smiling while rubbing gently on her back. A lot of time passed with very little spoken but they didn't care; they were just happy with each other's presence.
Suddenly, Merida let out a sigh.
"What is it?" Hiccup whispered. Merida opened her eyes and ceased the patterns with her hand,
"Just thinking." She replied,
"About what?"
"How much better my life would've been if I was going to marry you instead of William." She fell quiet and her eyes fell in sadness. The silence pursued,
"Elope with me." Hiccup said suddenly. Merida's eyes shot open and she looked down at him, in shock and surprise,
"What?"
"Elope with me." Merida opened her mouth but no sound came out. She was at a loss of words. Hiccup sat up, causing Merida to slide off of him. Taking the cloak to cover herself, she stared down at the floor, "Merida," He whispered, cupping her face, "I can't bear to see you suffer. Run away with me and we can live the rest of our lives in freedom, without fear or hiding."
Merida sighed, taking hold of his wrists as tears came to her eyes. She wanted to run with him. More than anything but-
"I can't" She whispered, "If I run and William finds out, the things he'll do to my family, my people…" She couldn't hold in the tears anymore. Pushing his hands away, she covered her eyes and started sobbing quietly.
"Merida," Hiccup whispered sadly. He took her hands away and cupped her cheeks, kissing away the tears, "If William does anything to DunBroch or your family, I swear I'll fly back on Toothless and fight him until he can do nothing to you or anybody. I'll fight him until the end." He gave her a quick kiss, "Merida, will you marry me?"
Merida was silent, her breathing heavy. Tears formed in her eyes again but these weren't tears of sadness but of joy. She nodded,
"Yes." She through her arms around him and hugged him tight, "A thousand times yes."
Jack's POV
Another night and day had passed where Hendry Gallach had disappeared. Not that I had any say in what he does but he could be more careful if he wanted to remain hidden.
The sun was setting on another day. I was cutting wood while Rapunzel was picking herbs from our small garden with a beautiful smile on her face. She had been happier the last days and I was glad for that. A sad, gloomy face doesn't fit her.
I wiped the sweat off of my brow and almost lifted the axe to swing when I caught the sight of Hendry, coming towards us. I thought for a moment I saw someone following him but when the figure ducked to the right, I dismissed it. When he was close enough, I yelled,
"Well, look who finally decided to show up." I meant it in both a serious and comical way. Hendry laughed lightly as he stopped beside me. I put the axe down, "Where have you been?" Hendry's face suddenly became serious, glancing over his shoulder,
"I have to talk to you." He eyed Rapunzel, "Both of you." I looked to Rapunzel. She nodded, taking the picked herbs and walking into the house. I followed her and Hendry me. Once we were inside, Hendry scanned outside once more before closing the door and locking it. He then walked to each shutter, scanned the view and closed it. It was dark, the only light coming from the fire place,
"Hendry, what is going on?" Rapunzel asked as she lit a candle and placed it on the table. Hendry sighed and began talking.
He explained everything. The moment he met Merida, when he realized he loved her, everything without a minute detail spared. I was both surprised and shocked at his confession of love. It did explain some behaviors of Merida in the last few days. I knew I shouldn't be consenting it but I couldn't. Love was a glorious thing and that was something William could never give Merida.
It was night when Hendry finally finished his story and revealed his intentions to us. The room was silent,
"You want to elope with her?" Rapunzel asked carefully. Hendry, sitting down on a chair with his elbows on the table, nodded,
"Yes." He looked up at my wife, "And she said yes." He looked at the both of us with pleading eyes, "I heard that the patrols have increased and that the gate will closed much earlier. You've helped people escape before. Please help us escape." I bit my lip at his plea. The patrols had increased at the demand of William and without the information of the triplets, it would be much more challenging to help anyone escape. But we had done this so often…
I looked at Rapunzel. She smiled and took hold of my hand, giving it a small squeeze of support. With a deep breath, I said,
"We'll help you."
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