Disclaimer: I own nothing!
The days continued to pass by in a blur for Hiccup. She hardly got a break as she was always somewhere doing something. Kara had been pushing her harder and harder causing her wounds to never truly heal. She had eventually gotten the chance to get the gift Dagur sent via Johan. She had also sent her own return letter and gift. Her gift to him consisted of a newly forged dagger that he probably wouldn't get until the meetings concluded on Berk. Dagur had gifted her with some new fabric for whatever she desired to do with it. She made sure to keep it hidden and only pulled it out when she knew there was no chance of anyone entering and stealing it from her. The letters she always kept and had a separate locked drawer just for them. She kept them all bound in a leather cord and would take them out when she needed the extra encouragement.
She had also made major progress with Toothless as well, they were both bonding really nicely. They had even managed to make it up in the air together. She had found out really quickly that the rope wouldn't work and so she began to design a rig. She was able to make a saddle overnight with any leftover scraps she could get her hands on. At first Toothless made a game of it and didn't want to put it on but he eventually gave in.
Her time with Toothless also gave her a better understanding of dragons as well. They may have fire power but once you truly start to see them with eyes other than prejudice you begin to understand them and see them for their personality. They aren't just mindless creatures and it could even be argued that dragons are smarter than most Vikings.
It had officially been two weeks since Stoick had set sail for the nest and so she knew that it wouldn't be long before the rest of the tribe along with her father came back. Kara was waiting impatiently for her husband and got more and more antsy with each passing day. She had been so antsy with the return of her husband that she let a few things slip when the other children weren't at home. One such thought was, "Stoick can't leave me with all of these children and a tribe to run! As long as my brother returns though..." Her thoughts had drifted from there but the damage had been done.
Hiccup knew that Kara didn't really love Stoick, she just loved the power that came with being the chief's wife. Hiccup was also unsure of whether or not Kara could actually care for another human being. Kara sure acted like she cared about Ram as he was the heir. Kara also acted like she cared about Rayna as she always made sure to bring up the fact that Rayna would surely follow in her footsteps and make a glorious match with a chief's son and be a great warrior as well. Hiccup seriously doubted the validity of Kara being a great warrior though as even when she wasn't pregnant Kara came up with one excuse or another as to why she couldn't join in battle.
The Jorgensons were one of the most prominent families on Berk and had been trying to tie into the Haddock line for decades, they only got their wish once Valka was out of the picture. With blood ties the Jorgenson clan would have more pull for centuries to come.
...
The Hooligans had taken off with five ships yet only two returned and they both looked worse for wear. Hiccup did not miss Kara's look of relief at seeing her brother and a bit of disappointment at seeing Stoick. Part of her disappointment could easily be the fact that until Stoick passed he had more say over Hiccup than Kara did and Kara wanted nothing more than to get rid of her off of Berkian shores.
Hiccup greeted her father and he nodded at her in return before he turned his attention to his other children. With Rayna he immediately placed her onto his shoulders after giving her a bear hug. The boys greeted their father with respect as well and that was when Kara had gained his attention once more. Before Kara could get a word out though, Gobber had approached and Stoick told him all about the journey.
While that was occurring Hiccup was setting up Toothless' rig for a flight on the open sea on the opposite side of the island. The two had been fast improving and Hiccup was almost certain that the two could handle the open air together.
...
Later that night had the entire Haddock family, Hiccup included, along with Gobber at or around the dinner table. Hiccup had dished everyone out a portion of stew before she began to start on the cleanup. Itwas during this time that Hiccup half-heartedly paid attention to the conversation going on.
"We were so close to teh nest, I could feel it this time!"
"You've said this before and yet you're still not any closer to finding the beasts! What if next time you don't return?" Kara demands.
"Bah! Have more faith! The next time we set sail I'll have Gobber there by my side along with the other tribes."
Kara just hums as a response, not at all convinced. "Speaking of the other tribes. Your daughter has an admirer it seems."
"Rayna? I'm sure it's just some fondness for her being the chief's daughter. Right lass?" Stoick asks turning towards Rayna who looks confused. Hiccup on the other hand just takes in a breath. Of course the first daughter he thinks of is his youngest who can do no harm.
"Wrong daughter Stoick," Gobber tells him.
"Hiccup? Since when?" Stoick's face gets a little red in anger and Hiccup knows that soon that anger will be directed towards her.
"It's been going on for a while now. No one knows how long exactly but at least a few years."
"The teens that are participating in dragon training were actually the ones who brought it up," Gobber backs up.
"Apparently the female Thorston twin was especially stinky cause she was trying to smell like Hiccup but failed because she bought the wrong thing from Johan," Ram pipes up with a smirk on his face.
Hiccup ignores the conversation and continues to clean up what she can. It was during this time that she hears the scrape of the chair being pushed away from the table. Within a few seconds Stoick is right behind her and spins her around to face him. Hiccup just looks at him with a straight face as he screams at her.
"What's this about an admirer? Are you planning on running away from your birth tribe? The same tribe that has taken care of you for years!"
"I don't see how a tribe that bullies one of their own is taking care of them," Hiccup mutters under her breath.
"Did you just disrespect your father?!" Kara demands standing.
"What did you say?!"
"It doesn't matter what I did or didn't say. You won't listen anyway!"
This earns Hiccup a backhand that sends her flying to the ground. "Who is this boy?!" Hiccup just looks at her father and remains silent. "Do you think you have something to prove? That you're saving this boy by not revealing his identity?" Stoick picks Hiccup up off the floor and holds her in the air.
"She won't talk Stoick! Just throw her in the brig until the other tribes start to arrive!" Kara tells him and Stoick's grip on his daughter tightens before he tosses her to the floor once again.
"You're weak, any man would be a fool to fight for you!" Stoick looks at her in disgust. "Gobber, do as Kara says, lock her in the brig. I need to have a chat with Johan it seems."
Stoick storms out of the house, Kara not far behind on his heels.
"If you'd just give up your information none of this would've happened," Ram tells her.
"You're right but some things are worth fighting for, they're worth the pain of suffering."
This shocks all still in the room. Gobber recovers the fastest. "All you're doing is showing your siblings to do is disrespect their parents and that kind of behaviour will not be tolerated!" Gobber glares at her before he picks her up and walks her out.
Hiccup being carted around by one person or another was not anything uncommon, nor was the fact that she got stuck in a prison cell. For the most part she was just left alone whenever Stoick was still on the island. Of course the other teens and her siblings came and taunted her whenever she was locked up regardless of if Stoick was on the island or not. Kara's visits however only happened whenever Stoick was not on Berk.
...
The next day led quite a few of the teens to visit her. She had been laying in the bed staring up at the ceiling. Gothi wouldn't be in to check on her wellbeing at all and she had accepted that but maybe it would allow her back to heal up better than it was.
Snotlout had entered with Dogsbreath, Wartihog, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut.
"Still won't give up that information, will you? No matter Aunt Kara will eventually get it out of you!"
Hiccup just ignores him and doesn't even move her head to acknowledge him.
"What I don't get is why she protects whoever it is like she'd rather die than give it up," Tuffnut mentions.
"Apparently she told Ram that some things are worth the pain and suffering."
"I didn't lie about that. Imagine if you were being tortured because they were trying to get information out of you. Would you just give that information up and allow for your tribe to suffer if that was the consequence?" Hiccup asks finally turning her head to look at them, her stare hard.
"Is that the consequence you'd face? Are they threatening the tribe?" Fishlegs asked.
"No. The tribe isn't being threatened." Hiccup goes back to looking up at the ceiling and sighs before she says something so quiet that no one but Snotlout catches it. "Something much, much worse. My freedom."
Those simple words cause Snotlout to go speechless and even he has to rethink his standing on the matter. Hiccup must catch the change in demeanor as she faces the group sitting up.
"Let's just go guys. This isn't as fun as it used to be!"
"What did she say?" Dogsbreath asks.
"Did you hear what she said?" Wartihog asks.
Fishlegs lingers and stares at Hiccup for a few seconds before he follows the rest if the crew out.
A few hours later and this time the girls of Berk end up in front of the prison cell; Astrid, Ruffnut, and Delilah.
"Snotlout speechless? I wouldn't believe it if not for the fact that he's still being quiet and has been avoiding everyone!" Astrid tells them.
That was when they ended up in front of Hiccup's cell. This time her position has changed and she is sitting up, staring off into space.
"What did you say that has rendered Snotlout speechless?" Delilah demands.
"Please tell me your tricks! Oh wise one!" Ruffnut tells her.
"He heard and he still hasn't told? I thought he did but for him to not tell..." Hiccup says quietly more to herself than the others.
"Ooh! I heard it that time!" Ruffnut cheers.
Delilah and Astrid both shoot her a look. "She wasn't exactly quiet!" Delilah tells her off.
"What could a runt like you have possibly said to get Snotlout quiet? It's like he's debating life itself!"
"Ooh! Do you think he's too broken for dragon training tomorrow? Eliminations start tomorrow!" Ruffnut practically squeals.
"You want Snotlout to get eliminated more than any of the others? All you and your brother do is fight!"
"Dogsbreath and Wartihog are too clueless to so much as have the opportunity to touch a dragon with a blade!"
"Not to mention the fact that Fishlegs still runs away screaming!"
"Yeah but if I can outlast someone like Snotlout then the others will be a breeze."
Delilah and Astrid both roll their eyes at Ruffnut.
"She's not wrong," Hiccup chimes in. "Snotlout is in the top five for the up and coming warriors this year." This causes Delilah and Astrid to glare at her.
"See I'm right about something! What do you think the rankings are? Who is going to take the top spot?" Ruffnuut asks excitedly.
Hiccup gives her a look before responding. "You've never cared about my opinion before. Why is now any different?"
"Wait- I- uh." This time Ruffnut is left speechless.
"Let's just leave before she breaks someone else!" Delilah tells Astrid.
The two leave but notice that Ruffnut hasn't even moved. "Are you coming or not?"
"You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up later."
"Whatever."
The two leave and Ruffnut sits down in front of the bars. "You know, you're different Hiccup. Anyone else sitting in here would be responding more, they'd be fighting to get out! So why aren't you? Everyone knows that your mouth is as sharep as your brain, yet you aren't using it! Why?"
"I still have plenty of fight left. I just know that there is a time where words will cut deeper than silence and sometimes silence tricks others into thinking you're being stubborn or you're being submissive. There's no point in getting into more trouble than I'm already in. Right now I know exactly when I'm getting out but as soon as the other tribes are off this island I could serve a life sentence in here. I don't want a longer sentence than necessary."
"Time and place for everything, right?" Hiccup stays silent. "I could help you get out of here, if only for a bit."
"You can't. You have no authority and not only that-"
"What?"
"You'll get us both into trouble. You know as well as anyone that I'm lower than dirt in this tribe."
"It'll interfere with your plans won't it?"
"You can come to whatever conclusion you think Ruff."
"This person, he's pretty high ranking isn't he? That's how he paid Johan off."
"Something like that."
"You don't want to give up his identity and then be married off to someone different?"
"They don't give you enough credit Ruffnut. You can figure things out if you put your mind to it."
"Is this really about a boy? Or is it about something more? What could you possibly get offered?"
"Are you just trying to get an answer out of me?"
That was when a new person entered, finally making their steps known.
"I've heard your conversation for a while now. You don't deserve this Hiccup."
"Out of everyone, you two are probably the ones that have surprised me the most," Hiccup tells both Snotlout and Ruffnut.
"We could get you out of here," Snotlout pitches.
"No, that'll only get all of us in trouble. Besides try the door," Hiccup tells them smirking. They pull on the door and it swings open.
"You already picked the lock?" Ruffnut asks with a smile. "I knew there was some reason I liked you Hiccup!"
"How'd you do it?" Snotlout asks.
"I have my ways."
"But they search you!"
"Not everywhere. Now shut the door before you get caught!"
"Why don't you just leave then? From the looks of it you could run at any time."
"I could. I could run right now and leave no trace but I won't."
"Why?" Ruffnut asks.
"You want to be totally free without the worry of being searched for?" Snotlout asks.
"That would mean..."
"Whoever your suitor is, he's a close ally to the tribe."
"Or you have a different plan altogether and that's why you don't run."
"All will be revealed in time I'm sure. I'm expecting that the two of you keep this information to yourself." The two nod in agreement.
"How silly of you! You entrust information to none other than your cousin by marriage and the Thorston girl! You really think that they won't give up this information for their own safety?" Kara asks shocking the two outside the cell. Hiccup's face changes into that of a grimace. "Close ally of Berk, huh? Either he's a high ranking soldier or he's a chief's son. I wonder what it is."
"I guess you'll never get your hands on that information," Hiccup tells her.
"I know you weren't foolish enough to tell these two and if they have any loyalty to the true chief of Berk instead of some nobody, they'll give up any and all information."
"Like you could do anything without backing from your husband!" Ruffnut scoffs.
"I hardly need the information she gave you. So long as Snotlout gives up his information he won't be punished by his father."
All three of them look worried at that. "You wouldn't?" Snotlout asks.
"We all know that I would. What shall it be? Shall I tell your father and then bar you from dragon training or will you give up your information willingly?"
Snotlout looks conflicted and Hiccup sighs. "What ships can you see? I'm sure many tribes are still a few days sail away and that you can see their flags."
"All but the Bog Burglars. Why does that matter?"
"If I give you a name of the tribe will that be enough to satisfy you and you let these two go with no consequences?"
"Hiccup, no!" Ruffnut and Snotlout tell her.
"You'll give me your stash of gifts as well and then I'll consider it."
"I'll need to be released if you want any of those gifts. There's a trick to unlocking the mechanism and if it's not done properly, it's booby trapped and you'll never be able to open it again."
"You lie!"
"Are you willing to take that chance?"
"Fine, give me the name of the tribe and then we'll discuss!" Kara snaps.
Hiccup sighs and both Snotlout and Ruffnut look guilty. "He comes from-"
"DRAGON RAID!" Is shouted just outside the door.
"This is far from over!" Kara tells her before rushing out.
"Were you actually going to tell her?"
"And give up that information for us?" Ruffnut asks.
"Yes. Spitelout is known for his temper and if she kicks you out of dragon training you'll be looked down upon as traitors for the rest of your days. Ruffnut, your family doesn't have the best social standing as is and I'm sure she'd attack your brother to get back at you as well. You don't deserve that."
"And you do?" Snotlout asks. "I'm sorry I haven't made your life any easier. I didn't know she was like that."
"Do you want us to help get rid of the evidence of the gifts?"
"No. Not only will they use that against you but it'll look suspicious if you were suddenly in the forge."
"Thank you Hiccup!" They both tell her.
"If you guys stay true to your word there will be more benefits than not."
"You still won't tell us more will you?" Ruff asks.
"It'll put you in more danger. Not knowing is better in this case. I've kept you long enough, go help the others in the fire brigade."
With that Hiccup is left by herself and she sighs before she stands on the bed and watches the dragon raid take place. As she is just watching she notices details she never would have before.
TBC...