Chapter 2 - Peek
Revised Edition: 3/10/2015 5:20 pm GMT+8
Thanks for the support, sweeties. Sorry, it took long to rewrite this chapter.
[See below for the character's ages.]
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. They belong to their respective owners and I, by no means, wrote this to earn profit of any kind. This was purely made out of my love for this pairing and their respective films. That's all.
"..Overland..?" The word felt like fire against his tongue, scorching the flesh inside his mouth. Hiccup never wished to hear their name; much more said it with his own lips. Hoping he heard it wrong, he looked longingly at Merida, wishing she would say no, but…
"exactly wha' A' told mothe–," Merida halted, diverting her attention from the large blacksmith to the lanky apprentice, whom she noticed spoke after inevitably long silence. With questioning blue eyes, she responded. "Yea…"
Tight lipped, Gobber watched. Bickers and punches (on the princess' part) were the scenes he was accustomed seeing between them, not this current silence occupying the space of his usually noise-polluted workshop.
"Are ye alrigh'?" Merida soon inquired, seeing how pale Hiccup had become. But, she was only rewarded with silence and faint nod from her friend.
When Hiccup spun to hide his horrified face, Merida stepped closer to him.
"Oy'." She called. When she didn't get a response, she briskly shook her friend by the shoulder, taking him out of his trance.
"A-eh? Yeah?" Hiccup said in surprise, his hands involuntarily waved in the air.
"Wha's wrong with ye?"
"Nothing! A'm fine…nothing's wrong at all." Hiccup said dismissively, turning his back while chuckling weakly.
"…"
"…A think A'll leave ye two fer awhile…" Gobber muttered. He dropped his work, walking straight to the front door. When he stepped outside, however, Gobber immediately spun back to glance at the quiet teens, saying one last thing. "Try not tah set mah shop on fire…" He eyed Hiccup, but he was directing the caution to the fiery princess, who seemed rather clueless that she's likely to cause the disaster than the practiced apprentice blacksmith beside her.
Smugly, the princess smirked while she posed confidently. "Do not worry, Gobber! A' got this."
"…yea…of cos'..." The blacksmith faked a smile, still downright worried about the fate of his shop. "Heccup? Ye..get it, righ'?." He said once more, not waiting for an answer as he let the door slam shut, leaving the two alone in silence except for the spontaneous sound of flickering flames coming from the hearth.
"Alrigh', spill it!"
"Spill, what?"
"Heccup, we all know how bad ye are at lyin'. Spill. It."
But Hiccup ignored her and went back to work. When she got tired of being treated like thin air, Merida grabbed hold of the sword in Hiccup's busy hands, hanging it up in the air.
"Mer! What are you doing!?" Hiccup scowled, reaching up to the point of jumping on his wobbly feet. "Give it now!"
"Nope! Not until ye tell me wha's botherin' ye!"
With a sigh, Hiccup held his aching head. Telling her the truth was not an option. It was something he couldn't risk telling without unveiling things he tried so hard to hide all these years. But he knew how persistent Merida can be. So, just to satisfy her, he lied like he always did.
"…I ––I'm just worried about all the work we have to do."
She didn't buy it –that much was evident from the expression on her face.
"Really…" Hiccup kept on.
She wanted to believe him but, The fear in his eyes is still there, Merida observed and out of the blue, a possible reason entered her mind. Could he possibly be…? With concern in her sky blue eyes, she spoke, "Ye'r scared."
Hiccup's eyes widened, involuntary trembles animated his body. Was I too obvious? He thought, blinking rapidly to will the fear away. "…w-what?I-I uhh –do––" He desperately tried to finish. However, a nonchalant wave from the princess made him stop.
"It's alrigh'." She assured. "It's normal tah be scared, everyone is."
"…" Hiccup raised a brow, confused.
"Don't look at me like tha'." Merida crossed her arms. "A'm not scared of any fearlin'!"
"…what? Fearling?"
"Oh, don't deny it! A' already know ye'r scared of the fearlins'. Everyone is. Except meh of cos'." She said smugly, standing proud. "Seriously, they aren't as scareh as mother. A' don't get it."
"…uhh." Hiccup gaped, out of words to say. If he did look scared as Merida put it, then it could easily be misinterpreted as an effect of seeing the fearlings (more so known as the army of fear by the Overland kingdom). But if Merida knew the truth of whom he was, then she would know it wasn't them he was scared of, but the leader himself.
So, Hiccup laughed dryly. Not saying it was real, but not denying it either, allowing her to think what she wanted to believe. And before he had to mind to realize it, his neck was grabbed by a strong arm, putting him down in a headlock.
"Ye'r thinkin' deep again!" Merida exclaimed, rubbing his auburn tresses messily.
All Hiccup could do was helplessly tap her arm, signalling her to let go.
She glanced down, watching the struggling apprentice in her arms. "Should A'?"
"Yes, damn should!" He cried aloud. Soon, the arms left his neck. "Seriously, Mer. You should stop doing that to me." He scowled, rubbing his abused neck.
"A' don't know what else would take ye out from daydreamin'…stop worryin', Heccup."
"…"
"A'll protect ye!" She exclaimed, puffing her chest confidently. "Only A' can bully ye. Those idiots be damned if they mess wit' ye under mah watch."
Hiccup looked at her incredulously for a moment, before smiling genuinely. Merida may be rough, and sometimes downright annoying, but one couldn't deny the kind-heart that she possess.
"Tha's what A'm talkin' bout'!" She slapped Hiccup by the arm as a gesture to say that she's happy to finally see him smile.
Hiccup had another firm scowl on his face, massaging his abused arm. "You should really stop hitting me. You do realize you're as strong as a bear."
But instead of feeling insulted, Merida took it as a compliment.
And just to spite her, Hiccup mocked, knowing full well that it would irritate the hot-headed princess. "You are even starting to look like one."
Merida wasn't that concerned about her looks, but being compared to a scary beast was downright…unacceptable. With an infuriated scowl, Merida rolled up her sleeves, preparing for a brawl. "Heccup, ye'r so dead!"
And to save himself, Hiccup bolted for a run.
"Ye look terrible." Gobber commented the moment they reached home. It was already close to night time and most townsfolk strutted back to their homes, not wanting to walk in town with only dim light to guide their way.
"Oh, I can see that." Hiccup cleansed his hands with water, removing the dirt from working in the smithy and the grass stuck from feeding Toothless. "Thanks for reminding me," he scowled; remembering how Merida chased him around the forge, yanking his ear the moment he got caught.
"Haha, ye should never insult a woman's appearance. She will beat and remember ye fer life! Ye wouldn't want tha'." Gobber shuddered, seemingly remembering a distant memory.
"It would've been helpful if you had told me earlier."
"But experience is the best reminder out there!"
"Well, the experience was pretty painful," Hiccup rolled his eyes. Silently, he began preparing their dinner, comprising of broth and grilled fish. Being used to this kind of work for almost five years now, Hiccup finished cooking in less than half an hour, setting down the plates and utensils. Soon, the two of them started eating, silent at first, until Gobber broke it with an announcement.
"Rest up early, Heccup. We got lots tah do tomorrow."
Looking up from his bowl, Hiccup raised a brow, realizing why. "So soon…?"
But, Gobber only shrugged in response. "Somethin' bout makin' good impression. Sides', the brawnfest is near! Best we start workin'."
"Oh yeah, of course, the brawnfest. I believe you're going again, huh?"
"Aye', lad!"
And Hiccup smiled knowingly. A pregnant pause stilled through the air and only the sound of wooden spoon against clay plates were heard. Finding the courage to speak, Hiccup asked, "Uhm...err, Gobber? …When…are they coming..?" He didn't really want to know. However, it's not like he could avoid the matter. Sooner or later, he would hear it from others anyway.
"Next week," Gobber replied quip, licking the stone he stuck in the gap of his teeth.
For the rest of their dinner, Hiccup stared at his half-eaten broth, only moving when Gobber stood and bid goodnight, leaving him to take care of the dishes.
Hiccup sat up and washed the plates. As he listened to the calming slosh of water against the wooden plates, he reeled on the chaos nearing him. A week, he thought. Would it be enough to clear my thoughts? He closed his eyes tight as his hands trembled.
"…not even years had been enough…" he muttered. "The Gods must really hate me…" He chuckled bitterly.
Maids trotted to and fro. Luggage were prepared with efficient haste and inspection, everything were prepared as accorded in the list, starting from their clothes to bare necessities. Foods were kept in wooden boxes. Clothes tucked inside leather cases. Tents and light beddings were bounded atop carriages, pulled by strong and able horses.
The trip to Dunbroch wasn't that long. It only required five full days and four nights. Therefore, food and water were given the most focus on. But, imagine how hard it was for the maids and workers to prepare everything in a day when packing for a trip this long required at least three days.
And don't forget…twin troublemakers on the loose.
Taking the pouch from Jack's hand, Jamie quickly handed it to the worker chasing the prince.
"T-thank you, sir J-Jamie." The worker said in between breaths, bringing air back into the lungs. He bowed at the troublesome twins, before walking away to repack.
"You two!" Jamie whispered angrily. "Stop messing with the workers. They have a lot to do as it is!"
The twins sniggered in return.
"What's gotten you on edge, Jamie?"
"You've been this way since yesterday."
"Oh, what else?" Jamie spun. "Other than the fact that you terrorize everyone, almost making my sister cry. I got to deal with your constant teasing! And don't even start with the threatening sneers the Lord gives me." He shuddered.
Jack made an "O" shape with his lips while the older twin just pursed his lips. Simultaneously, they smiled, blinking eyes innocently. "We're sorry." But, the grin that followed made Jamie knew the two were far from sorry.
"Yeah, of course, you two are." Jamie rolled his eyes, leaving them. But, hot on his tail, the twins followed.
"You should give Sophie some credit. She's no cry baby like her big brother."
Jamie abruptly stopped. With one raised brow, he looked at Jack, wanting him to say he didn't call him what he heard Jack call him. "Cry..baby? Me?"
The twins nodded while snorting. They never claimed to be regally gracious. Mind you.
With a sigh, Jamie pouted. "Are we talking about that incident, again?" It had been years, he thought. But, the twins never seemed to let him forget it.
[Flashback]
It was white, cold and dry. As Jamie rubbed his tiny palms together, he walked aimlessly in the snow-covered ward of their Kingdom's pristine castle. For a little boy at the young age of six, the world was fascinatingly big. He had to look up to see the entirety of things, which was standing a few feet from him.
And, that's probably the reason why he got lost, alone in this big, wide ward of leafless trees and frozen ponds. Looking up while walking seemed like a good idea at that time for it was breathtakingly amazing to watch the pristine castle be covered in white snow. However, when you lost your way, the fear would start creeping onto your skin and the thought of never finding your way back envelops your mind in a vice grip.
Searching his surrounding, he tried to retrace his steps, which was difficult for his tracks were somewhat covered with fresh fallen snow. He kept on and spun in circles, only stopping when something other than white and brown colors caught his attention. They stood out so much in the snow that it was hard not to see them.
But due to the distance, he could not make out the item, and guessed it instead, deciding they were rocks. Colorful rocks, he descriptively added.
Being the curious little kid he was known for, he went closer and closer to these colorful rocks, like an explorer approaching the exoskeleton of extinct beasts. Close enough, he learned with wide and sparkly eyes that they weren't rocks as he initially thought, rather, they were...
"...Eggs?" So, he was not discovering the remains of the dead, rather, he was seeing the start of its life.
He stepped closer and closer, his hand reached out. But, sudden snaps under his feet were heard, echoing through the silence. He thought the eggs were hatching. But then, Why is the ground shaking? Surely, it wasn't the ground breaking, right?
Wrong. Yet, again.
The ground did break.
Next thing, he knew. He was being swallowed whole down the ground. Feeling like his heart skipped a beat, he screamed in fright.
As he squabbled to grab hold for anything to keep him from being swallowed whole, he fell straight into it. His face fell first to the floor of broken wood, eggshells and snow. When he felt himself grounded and stilled, he opened his eyes, quickly analyzing the floor he landed on. His hand took hold of several snapped woods, inspecting them. Then, Jamie noticed some were weaved like a cloth, criss-crossing each other to make them sturdy.
"…a trap?" He thought as he glanced around for more evidence, silently grimacing at his now moist and yolk-covered pants (which would surely earn him a scolding). However, his search proved to be useless and had to wait for a voice to answer it for him.
"We caught Bunny!" The voice shouted.
Blinking, Jamie looked up, wanting to see the perpetrator of his accident. Caught? So, this is a trap!
Glaring up, his eyes met white: a head of white hair to be exact. Its owner had eyes so blue; it was like seeing the midday sky of spring and summer. If one were to ask Jamie on how to describe this boy in a few words, he would say the boy was a bundle of snow and ice.
"…"
"…"
The two stared in silence.
"What's wrong?" Another voice joined in. "Did we really catch Bunny?"
Brown, the second color he saw. Judging by how pale the first kid was, this one was in great contrast for he was rather dark-hued. He sported chestnut hair and deep brown eyes, similar to the color of those leafless trees he'd seen earlier. And don't forget, this one was tanned.
But despite the differences, there was something the two kids were in great similarities of –– and it was their faces. …brothers?
"Hey!" The snow-like kid snapped him out of his thoughts. "Hey! I said hey!"
The chocolate-haired kid placed hand on the other kid's shoulder, trying to calm him down. "I think he's alright." Peeking down, he asked. "Are you going to stay there all day?"
"…uhhh..." Jamie quickly stood, patting his pants, and grimacing when the yolk got to his hands. Ignoring the stickiness, he tried to reach up at the lid of the hole. However, he found he was too short even when he tiptoed. "…help?"
"Oh yeah," the snow-like kid sniggered, reaching a hand down. When their hands clasped, the snow-like kid grimaced, seemingly disgusted. "Euk…gross."
And the chocolate-haired kid chuckled, grabbing Jamie's outstretched wrist. "Your idea."
"The eggs were good bait!"
"Pft."
Jamie allowed himself to be hauled out. And soon, his feet were back on the snow-blanketed ground, free from yolk, crashed eggshells and broken (but sturdy) twigs.
"Thank you."
The twins shrugged their shoulders. The snow-like kid peeked down the hole, pouting deeply as he rubbed off his sticky palm against his coat. "Our trap is…"
"No pissed Bunny for us today, either."
"Why did you have to step on our trap!?" The snow-like kid said, annoyed.
It's supposed to be my fault now? Jamie gaped, about to say the words when the chocolate-haired kid spoke.
"It's not his fault, Jack."
With crossed arms and pouted bottom lip, Jack kicked a nearby twig. "I know. So, who are you?"
Jamie stood straight, offering a hand. He saw old men introduce themselves this way, clasp firm and shake.
"I'm Jamie Bennett, son of Marcus Bennett, the head butler."
But the two kids only raised their brows, not used to this kind of introduction. Most of the time, people would introduce themselves with a bow and only a nod of acknowledgement was needed on their part. With two knowing smiles shared to each other, they pat Jamie's arm.
"Jack." Said the white-haired boy.
"Jackson." Said the other twin.
When he realized who they were by their names and similar faces, his eyes widened. "Oh…oh my, forgive me." Jamie bowed fast several times, and the twins had to hold him by the shoulder to coax him to relax, which didn't stop the shocked kid at all.
And, for every bow Jamie did, spots of red drop into the snow.
"Uhm.." The twins muttered slowly, pointing to their mouths, which effectively stopped Jamie and prompted him to touch his lips, but when his hand made its way to them, Jamie found they weren't sore. He looked up at the princes and saw their still-worried faces.
"Y-your…" the chocolate-haired kid said, pointing to his front teeth.
When Jamie copied and touched his own, he felt wetness and warmth, and upon further contact with his front tooth, he felt biting pain pierce through his gums up to his face.
So, you could say when Jamie pulled his loose tooth and saw it in his hand; he cried like a baby while the twin princes stared there in panic, not knowing what to do.
[End of Flashback]
"I lost a tooth! Do you know how painful it was?"
The twins sniggered. "It got you a gold coin." The twins said at the same time. "And you earned two great friends." They finished proudly.
Jamie rolled his eyes. "Two troublesome friends. I didn't even get the gold coin from a fairy."
"There's no such thing as fairies, Jamie."
"Be happy we gave you one."
"Why wouldn't we? He wouldn't stop crying."
The twins exchanged, acting like Jamie wasn't there.
And the unfortunate friend of theirs had to suffer the whole afternoon listening to the twins tag team in putting jabs to his manliness and his ability to shed tears like a baby until they went to bed.
At the crack of dawn, their troupe hit the road, and begun their journey to the Kingdom of Dunbroch.
"Ye know ye could alweys tell me yer worries, yea?" Gobber gave a hearty pat to his lanky apprentice-slash-adopted son, Hiccup.
And with bewildered eyes, Hiccup looked at him, wondering what brought this conversation out from nowhere. "Yeah…I know." He muttered, bringing his attention back to the sharpening wheel in front of him.
Awkwardly, Gobber scratched the back of his head. "So…" he steeled, preparing himself for the fortune-worthy question he had been wanting to ask. "…wha' did ye dream last nigh'? Ye were screamin' terror. Frankly, it scared meh."
Hiccup almost dropped the sword in his hand as he stumbled on his weak knees. He thought that Gobber didn't hear him at all. "…Haha– nothing important, Gobber…just fire…and other stuff." He finished with a reassuring smile that did nothing but unnerved the older man more.
"Fire, eh?"
Hiccup nodded, steeling himself, and started back to his work; wary eyes on the wheel and worried eyes on his back.
"Is tha' so..?" Gobber really wished to hear more but it seemed that his adopted son was vehemently against to say anything else. So, he went back to work himself. Quite frankly, he was worried. It had been years since he last heard Hiccup scream that way in his sleep. What brought this on, he had an idea, but the thought worried him all the more.
Hiccup sensed the worry. And as much as he wanted to let it out of his system, it was something he could never tell in complete comfort. "…it was not real anyway. Not at all."
[Flashback]
Fire crept onto his freckled skin, and Hiccup rolled on the ground as he was once taught by his mother. He expected the heat to hurt; the warmth to burn. However, as the fire extinguished, it felt oddly…nothing, not even the slightest feel of heated breath against one's skin. The only proof he was caught on the embers were his scorched robe of empress green.
Hiccup glanced around, and noticed the flames were slowly creeping their way to him again. And although, it didn't hurt, he rolled away not wanting another lick of its embers.
What's going on? His mind cried, and tears fell away.
The cries of help and agony chorused in the blazing air, killing his sanity with every tone. Shakily, his hands covered his ears, willing the voices to die down. But, deep down his heart, he wished they kept on crying, for he knew, when they stopped, it meant they halted breathing; their souls succumbing to the lulls of the Grim Reaper, promising them safety in the gates of heaven.
"S-stop…! Stop crying!" He shouted against the woes of retribution and salvation, his eyes locked down on the bloodied earth, and could only think of how sickening it was in his eyes.
The stench.
The grime.
The color of red now had a new meaning in his mind –it was proof of life; life that was slowly ebbing away from the vein of someone who used to breath and dream, laugh and smile, just like him –an alive-being.
"Please…j-just stop…" Hiccup sobbed, kneeling slowly on the flood of corpse's blood. And the Gods heed his plea, and the cries died down.
Should he be happy the noise was gone? The question wandered in his mind. But now that the rackets were overtaken by silence, the shout of a familiar voice sprang right into his ears.
"HAKON! RUN!"
And as sudden as it sounded, the faster it was gone, and never heard once more. Despite knowing he would never find where it came from, he still searched, twisting his head around, eyes roaming the embers of fire that was rapidly eating the flesh and bones of the dead, as well as the concrete and wood of ruined castle.
The moment he halted and decided to look up, his heart stopped beating at the image he saw.
He saw himself, reflected against the sharpest of blade he'd ever laid eyes upon, showcasing his face painted with horror, whose eyes robbed of its usual mirth and color. And his image slowly faded away as the blade descended. His body automatically evaded, thus, saving his head from the fatal hit. His left foot, however, met against the blade, and the fountain of red emerged from his amputated limb.
As he watched the spray of red, he did the only thing he knew he could do –
–he screamed.
"AHHHHHHHHHH" Hiccup immediately sat up, wide-eyed and breathing hard, feeling like he ran up a flight of never-ending stairs.
It was a nightmare, he learned as he detangled himself from the sheets that threaded its way on his legs like strong vines.
His mother used to say, "Dreams, may it be jolly or scary, were the result of what's on your mind before you sleep…" For days, his fear had crept its way in his mind; therefore, it followed him till his sleep. "…dreams and nightmares were mere events that shouldn't be taken at face value… for they beheld another meaning…" At that, Hiccup was unsure. If he could speak to her once again, he might debate against her, for what he saw was not a painting of hidden meaning, rather, it was a play of his darkest past, not something to be nitpicked about its meaning.
Hiccup laid down his bed, wanting to lull himself back to sleep. However, the memory was still fresh in his mind, and comfort was what he needed. And like a child experiencing night terrors and wondering whether the bogeyman was under their bed, Hiccup longed to sleep in the protection of someone, anyone, it doesn't matter. Thus, he attached his wooden leg, walking out of the room into the dark hallways.
He stepped, wondering if he should tap Gobber and ask to be his blanket of comfort. But scared to be bellowed as unmanly, Hiccup went out in search of the only one who would never judge him for acting like a child. Opening the wooden door to the stables, Hiccup smiled at his bestfriend, who looked at him with worry as shown from his beady eyes.
"I hope you don't mind, Toothless…" He said, almost in a whisper.
And the mighty horse snorted, shaking its head and moving its tail out of the way, and made space for Hiccup to lie on. Almost immediately, Hiccup limped and hugged his horse's muscular form. And the moment Toothless nuzzled his freckled cheeks, the tears began to fall.
"I'm…not fine, bud…"
[End of Flashback]
"Aye...but A heard, dreams are a product of one's reality." Gobber almost chuckled to himself. He was sounding like the occasional fortune tellers that visit their towns. "Ye sure ye don't wish tah talk abou' it?"
"You're ripping off fortune teller's lines, Gobber. One day, they'll hunt you down for it."
And Gobber laughed heartily, amused that Hiccup read his mind. "Dey are just scared tha' A could give them a run fer their moneh."
"Maybe." Hiccup chortled. "If you learn to be less frank, and be more 'sugar-coaty' with words, you'll do well in their job."
And Gobber smirked, looking proud.
"Also, you have to dress the part. Just cover your face with a veil and wear skimpy clothes with your navel showing. I'm sure you'll be the talk of the town." Not that your navel isn't showing now. He added in his mind, making him snort further.
"Ha. Ha. very funny."
"Oh, you~" Hiccup waved a dismissing hand, the way a playful maiden would to a flattering Casanova. "I'm just messing around." Hiccup chortled, much to Gobber's dismay.
And dare Gobber say, his image in skimpy clothes creeped him out more than it should, and enough for him to forget interrogating Hiccup like always. And once again, the adopted son evaded his truth to the still worried father.
Jack breathed against the cool air, watching countless stars taint the canvas of the dark sky.
This night was the fourth and last night they would spend journeying to Dunbroch, for tomorrow would be the day they reached the walls of King Fergus' Kingdom. It was quite tiring, which was why Jack hated travelling (and another reason would be, travelling with his uncle, whom he loathe).
"I can't wait to sleep in a soft bed again."
Jackson chuckled. "Travelling isn't your thing at all, huh?"
Jack nodded, laughing heartily. He spread his arms and flapped them like a bird would when ascending through the air. "If there's a way to travel by flying, I wouldn't mind. But riding horses just tires me out."
"Then I shall list that as a project once I'm King. Therefore, you'll accompany wherever I go."
Jack snorted, putting his hands in the warmth of his trouser's pocket. "Quite ludicrous, it is impossible to travel by air…unless you're born with wings."
"Nothing's impossible, brother. The geniuses of the world were born to find the loopholes to what we all thought to be unattainable."
"Ah," Jack breathed, "Time is of essence, though. Are we still here when they found a way?"
"That," Jackson shook his head, "I don't know. No matter, it isn't bad to dream."
The following minutes of walking were spent in silence. The illumination from the camp had gotten smaller the further they went. With a torch in his hand, Jackson watched their way, making sure they venture the road, not some unmarked path of sinking earth.
Looking up, Jack watched fireflies dance on the heads of trees, mesmerized with the way they moved of no definite trail. Not wanting to walk further, he plopped carefully down the moist grass, whistling to get his brother's attention.
"Join me, brother? There's a lot of space." Jack smirked, batting his eyes the way maiden's do when they flirt.
"Stop that, the image is atrocious." Jackson said without malice, which Jack sensed well, thus making him chuckle.
"Seriously, we're quite far from the camp already. I doubt the devil would hear us here." And by devil, Jack meant his uncle.
Jackson gave up, walking back to sit beside his brother, whose hands were tucked behind his head like a pillow as he watched the ceiling of stars and moon. Stabbing the unlit end of the torch, the crown prince laid on his back, unknowingly mimicking his brother's laying pose.
Together, they observed the stars. And the memory of their father entered their minds, making a smile etch on their identical faces.
"Remember–," they both mused, looking at each other in surprise, and heartily, they both laughed.
"Stop reading my mind," Jack playfully pushed his brother's arm.
"No, you, stop reading my mind." Jackson lightly pushed his brother as well, escalating from continuous pushes to tickling the sides of each other. Their laughter chorused like non-lyrical music to which the fireflies danced to.
And when they ran out of air, the both of them fully lied on the moist earth, catching their breaths as left over chuckles slowly ebb away from their throat.
When the silence made its way once again, Jackson's deep voice pierced through. "I miss father."
Jack only hummed.
"Remember when he would lie down with us on the grass and trace the stars? It was so funny when he would say that constellations were his friends. It made him sound like a little boy."
Who wouldn't? Jack thought. Those were the rare moments I have spent together with father. "Yes, he's quite the story-teller, too. He had thousand of tales on how he befriended each one of them. His favorites were Cepheus and Cassiopeia. What a strange old man."
"Indeed." Jackson chuckled. "Though, rather than his tales of friendship, I'm more hooked of the thought that our souls turn into stars once we die." And somehow, he wanted to believe it was true.
"So, do you think…he's with them now?"
And the twins locked eyes; the dilation of their pupils were an understanding –an agreement of some sort.
"Perhaps," Jackson still felt the need to voice his thoughts, though.
"Which star is he?"
Chocolate and frosty blue moved to the crested moon, minds in united agreement. "I'm not sure if he chose to be a star…"
"If you're indicating he's the moon, he can't be. It was there before he even died."
"He always said the moon is another world."
"So…do you think he resides in the moon?"
"Together with mother." Jackson nodded. "…watching over us…"
"I sometimes wish I could speak to them. To him." Jack said.
"You could, but he would never say anything."
Like he always did when he was alive. Jack thought bitterly. Some things never change for anything.
And they allowed silence to wash over them, standing up to head back to camp, in hopes to get as much needed rest.
It was not even the crack of dawn when their troupe packed up, continuing their journey to reach their destination in measly six hours.
"Oy', Heccup!" Gobber bellowed. "Wake up! It's almost noon. The Overlands shall be here!"
But Hiccup only groaned, annoyed, just wishing to sleep the whole day away so he could avoid the accursed visitors he never wished to see, or hear, or exist for the matter.
"Heccup…!"
Slapping the meaty hand away, Hiccup rolled to the other side of his wooden bed. "I'm tired, Gobber. We don't have work today so let me rest."
"Bu', don't ya wish tah see them?"
If you only knew. If Hiccup had his eyes opened, he would've rolled them. "Not really interested." He said; words muffled from having his mouth pressed on a pillow.
"But everyone wants tah see them!" Gobber exclaimed, as if the popularity would rub off on Hiccup, which to his dismay, pissed the lanky boy more.
Well, I'm not. Hiccup just waved a hand in dismissal. "Count me out."
"Ye'r bein' difficult. What would the princess say when ye aren't there?"
"The princess," Hiccup lifted his head, supported by the palm of his hand. Once his eyes locked on Gobber, he continued. "…would be too busy scowling and sending deathly glares to the visitors that she won't even have the energy to look for me." Trust me, I know her well. And he plopped his head back to bed. "And don't even start with the Queen, she'll just be dragging her daughter all around for all we knew."
Gobber rolled his eyes and retreated. "Alrigh', ye'r missin' out tho'!"
Hiccup snorted.
If only he knew how true Gobber's words were, he would've run out to be in the front line to see the accursed troupe. If only he knew.
Soon, it became silent again. Not until the wake up call of his bestfriend came; his whole room quaking on the gallops of his strong horse.
"Alright! I'm up! I'm up!"
Maybe seeking solace in the cove wouldn't be so bad, Hiccup thought, and made his way to prepare for a much needed bath in his safe ground.
"Haha!" Jack laughed jovially, speeding atop his immaculate horse through the canopy of tall trees and hard earth. The brick-like structure of Dunbroch castle was only a few minutes away, and not wishing to be confined so soon to the life of customs of another Kingdom, he decided to have a little fun.
And what fun would he find in the middle of road with nothing but endless woods? Pissing off his uncle of course, what else would it be?
So he ran off, not sure if he was followed by anyone. But he would bet, he was being followed by either his brother or Jamie. But judging Pitch's presence though, he was sure only Jamie was allowed to follow him and a few fearlings to haul him back if he so wished to run further away.
He had no plans to prolong this too much, though; just half an hour or so, if lucky, an hour or two.
Pitch was a man of strict schedule and punctuality. A minute of tardiness was always enough to enrage the half-monarch. If he could mess his plans a little, it would bring so much joy to him more than any flavoured snow cone could.
Deeming he was far enough, he slowed his horse down. He knew it was bad to venture the woods on his own; he was risking himself of getting lost or spirited away by forest fairies, as what tales say in the books. However, he was gifted with great sense of direction. It would be weird, but he always felt the wind would lead him the way. And all throughout his twenty years of existence, he followed wherever the wind would take him. And more often, it guided him to surprises that anyone would only chance upon by fate.
And probably, this phenomenon was one of them.
"Are those…" Jack perked his large ears.
"Haha…Toothless! Stop!"
And Jack blinked. He was sure he was located pretty much away from the Kingdom. Like a good thirty minutes away. So how come he was hearing laughs from out of nowhere?
"Really, Too-Toothless!"
And the wind blew past Jack, leading to the east. Judging his instincts, he followed as the wind guided him. For a few good minutes, he felt the wind maneuver him in circles. Haha…maybe I shouldn't trust the wind too much. He thought when it seemed the wind wasn't giving him any proper direction.
"Haha, I think I have enough fun. Let's go back," Jack clicked his tongue, making his immaculate horse move. However, another fits of soft laughter wafted through silence. And this time, the wind flew past Jack. The prince craned his head and watched the wind breeze through vines.
"Wait," he pulled his horse's reins, putting it on an abrupt halt. He went down and tied his horse, walking to the vines. He parted them; the way he would with curtains and inside he saw the mouth of a small passageway with light on the other side.
"Hmmm…" Should I? He was contemplating. Although he was curious, he wasn't sure what to expect on the other side. Who knew? This could be a bandit's hideout.
But the bubbly laughter invoked through the air acted like a spell, lulling Jack's feet inside the tunnel. Well, there's no going back now. He thought when he was halfway.
The moment the sunlight hit his alabaster skin, he crouched down, hiding from the sole being inside the mini paradise he was surprised to see.
The emergence of a black warhorse from the shallow depths of the mini pond, however, surprised Jack. For a moment, he felt fear, but upon proper observation, the beast looked tame enough. If it wasn't, it would be pummelling the creature by the water.
So, it wasn't a sole creature. But, two in fact.
And the first creature laughed again. The same soft laughter he had been following for a while now.
The warhorse dipped once more, and like a hippopotamus, it re-emerged, but this time, it shook the water out of its fur, showering the air with a thousand droplets of liquid dew.
Unbeknownst to Jack, a smile etched its way to his lips. It was beautiful, he thought. The way the sunlight hit the two otherworldly creatures inside the hidden cove. Jack enjoyed fairytales and if he were honest with himself, he believed the two creatures down the water were creatures of magic.
However, the moment the creature spun and he had the chance to glance at its face, Jack was utterly surprised.
It was beautiful. He thought once again.
When the creature swam to the sides, emerging its whole body from the waters and sitting with the horse in tow, Jack reflexively covered his eyes; the tint of strawberry red were making its way on his cheeks, for he realized the creature was fully naked, and somehow, he thanked the Gods for he only saw this creature's back.
He knew he shouldn't act this way. He had seen thousands of paintings and caricatures of naked women and men, for the matter, not including seeing himself. But seeing a naked person of real flesh other than his own or his brother's, Jack could say he was flustered and embarrassed.
Jack should probably stop calling whoever this was, a creature…he believed whoever this was, was human, just with unearthly beauty. Or maybe it was the trick of the sunlight? Whatever the case, the scene before him would take anyone's breath away.
Shameless, he might be. Jack, with the ridiculous blush on his face, tried to peek again. But it seemed the Gods had enough of him being naughty for his hand pushed a huge rock aside, making it roll down and creating the most obscure noises that would surely get the unnamed person's attention.
Not wanting to get caught and dubbed as a peeping tom, Jack got to his feet and ran out, making his way to his horse and riding it in a blink of an eye. The next thing he knew, he was running back to the path he took when he left their fearling group.
And soon enough, Jamie found him in the middle of the pathless woods.
"JACK!"
And the prince halted his steed, swerving to face his huffing friend.
"Where, in pits of hell, have you been!?"
Hell? It was more like heaven…
"JACK!" Jamie shouted again.
"Whoa, calm down, Jamie. Where else? The woods."
"Oh Gods forbid, we've been looking everywhere for you. The Lord is infuriated."
Jack rolled his eyes.
"And why are you so red?"
And the tint in Jack's face got darker to a ridiculous shade, Jamie worried if it went on, all of the prince's blood supply would go to his cheeks. "Wha-what? I-I'm red?" Damn, the stutter. "Haha, it must be…the heat?"
Jamie looked incredulous. "You're like a child caught red-handed doing something very naughty."
"What!? Why would you think that!?" Great way to give yourself away, stupid Jack, the prince mentally scolded himself for sounding defensive.
"…" Jamie raised a brow but decided to let the matter go. "We better head back. Your uncle must be fuming by now." And he turned his horse around, walking back.
Jack scratched the back of his head, doing a wayward glance to the path he was escaping from earlier.
I wonder who she is.
Changes:
I changed the length of time the Overlanders had to travel to get to Dunbroch. I just felt like it should be longer. XD
More description for the actions in flashbacks.
I also made few changes to some things, nothing major though.
Ages:
Gobber, Pitch, North (Sta. Claus), Fergus, Eleonor – Old enough. Haha.
Overland Twins (Jack and Jackson) - 20 years old (Immature for their age? Well, age does not measure maturity)
Hiccup - 18 years old (appearance: HTTYD 1)
Jamie & Merida - 19 years old
Sophie - 14 years old
[The other's ages shall be added when they are introduced in the story.]
Answers to the guest reviewers:
1. Why is Toothless a horse here? Well, it is safe to say it is because of the plot. There is a part of the story where I think a rare and strong dragon would imbalance things and would be illogical at some point. Maybe it was just me but that's all I could think of. I specifically chose a horse because of their mountability. And there are movies out there where horses were depicted smart and sassy. *cough* Tangled *cough*
One more reason is that the story might not involve fantasy. If there would be, I assure you that the magic is minimal. I almost thought of making Toothless as a predatory animal but I think it won't be good at some point in the story.
2. Is Hiccup and Merida bestfriends? You can say that. ^^
3. Accent? I am not really good at writing accents but for you, I will attempt to do that. I do not assure it to be good though. I only accented a few words because putting accent to all of them might not make it hard for some to understand.
Note: I edited and placed accents in this chapter, as well as, Chapter