Reality (httyd) book #1

chapter 19

the entire village  was at the great hall having lunch. rian sat at table on her own staring at the food blankly before pushing the plate away from her.

She slowly looked at her surroundings. Seeing people laughing, smiling,  enjoying life.

She was jealous she wanted that in her life but it was so hard to have it. 

Her eyes went wide as she saw hiccup with the gang.  The ones that bullied him now worshipped him since he has made it to the final round and if he wins.

He'll get to slay the monstrous nightmare.

She knew that he didn't want to slay a dragon.

He can't even lift a sword for odin sake!

She grew worried for him and knew that if he beat Astrid. He would do what no viking has ever done.

Not kill a dragon. 

She knew that she had to have a plan just in case anything went wrong.

Standing up she hurried out of the hall as quick as she could. She didn't know that Hiccups suspicious gaze was following her.

But he quickly shook the feeling off.

Meanwhile with Rian she ran home. Barging through the door that she didn't bother to close, she was panting out of breath. Running up the stairs she went into her room.

Pulling a box from under the bed she looked though it "come on where is it..." she whispered frustratedly.

Once she found what she was looking for she pulled out a rag-doll. Specifically a bunny.

Her eyes lit up with joy and a wave of relief washed over her. Hugging the doll close to her chest "thank gods...." she sighed out.

She got up and ran to the woods, she now knew this place like the back of her hand from the many times that she's seen it.

She stopped running hunched over trying to catch her breath, she looked around her brows knitted. She yelled out "dragon!?!" Pausing hoping to hear the sound of flapping wings or rustling leaves.

No response.

"Please I hope you can hear me!" She yelled again.

No response. 

She groaned running a hand through her hair and biting her lips. Looking down at the bunny that she held tightly in her hands.

Pursing her lips yelled once more. 

"I've come to make a deal!" 

She hoped that he would respond to that.

But he didn't.

She gave up, turning on her heel ready to go back to berk but she came face to face with him.

Yelping out she stumbled back and fell onto her back.

The elder dragon laughed at her "you know you viking are very clumsy."

She deadpanned before standing up and dusting her clothes. 

"Now... what is this..... deal.." he said trailing off after every word.

Taking a deep breath "I need you to help me  protect my........ friend" she seemed hesitant in saying that word.

He looked at her up and down "first of all my name is Hugo if you were ever going to call upon me ever again just yell out Hugo" he told. 

She nodded "second of all this "friend" of yours seems very important to you ...." 

she looked down clenching her jaw. Looking back up at him she said "hiccup is my friend. My best friend I don't know if he would still call me that after what i did to him." She paused sighing "hiccup did so much for me this is the least I could do for him" 

He was shocked by her words "and what makes you think that I would do it? Hm? after all that you have done to dragons" he raised his voice making her flinch.

He despised her even though she was his riders daughter he loathed her for what her action.

"I've been lied to" she whispered he could barely make out what she had said. 

"Raise your voice child. You have the power to kill a dragon and yet you can't even speak to one." He was pushing her mentally "you lived as a soulless child for 7 years . Pushing everyone away. Believing the lies that you have been told..."

"Stop...." she mumbled.

"You let them forge your memories to their liking."

"Enough..." Her lips began to quiver.

"7 years. 7 years of murder. Slaughter. Killing. You didn't even follow your mothers footsteps."

"Stop it!" She shouted tears streaming down Her cheeks.

"You! Are a disappointment to your mother!" He roared.

"I SAID ENOUGH!" He did it he made her go over the edge.

She fell to her knees crying "I know and I understand everything that I have done." She cried out her voice broken. 

"Child this is your reality that you cannot run from." He stood infront of her but she didn't look up "this is your story Rian hankrin you must forge it yourself. " she looked up at him with hopeless eyes. "This is the beginning of a journey where you will have to make the hardest choice of all." 

He raised his paw infront of her with one of his claws held out. She was afraid but took it as sign, she placed her hand on his claw helping her up onto her feet stumbling a bit.

"Either forgiveness " his eyes dilated.

"Or revenge" he told in deep dark voice his eyes narrowing.

She lowered her hands to her sides, confused not knowing what he ment by that. 

"And don't worry I'll protect the boy. I promise" he said the corners of his mouth slightly turning upwards.

It looked like he was smiling so Rian returned it.

"Thank you, Hugo"

"But leave the bunny Rian. " he demanded.

"But why?" She asked clenching the bunny in her hand.

Hugo let out a sigh "you have to let go little one. You must leave the past in the past".

Rian looked down at the bunny in her hands. It was rugged, dirty it was with her for ages. She didn't think she would let go.

"You were about to let it go just so I could protect the boy." 

She stroked the small bunny in her hands.

He turned around breathing out a small amount of flame lighting a fire "you have to let go...".

She walked over to the flame her gaze focused on the bunny before looking at the dancing flames. Rian hesitantly threw the bunny into the flames watching it as it turned to ashes. 

She breathed in then breathed out closing her eyes. Wrapping her arms around herself. Hugo knew she needed comfort so he spread one of his wings wrapping it around her. Gazing up at him she smiled.

"You are one step forward into finding the truth and forgiving yourself"

Her smile fell.

"And I'll help you every step of the way, just like I helped your mother"