Dragon Paradise

Chapter 17

Oh My Gosh! I just checked the view count thingy (I always forget about it) and it says that this story has reached 1.2K! Last time I checked it was 700 something! (just proves how little I check) I know that some people will be like "That's nothing." But for me, it's everything! Seriously I can't thank you guys enough for the reads/votes/comments. It means sooooo much to me whenever you guys comment or vote or just plain read my story. Anyway, here is chapter 17! 

*Hicca's POV*

Gobber pulls me through the village until we are all standing in front of Gobber's house. I look at my dad confused, wondering why we aren't at our house.

"Gobber isn't letting me step foot in our house until I heal. I have to either stay in his house or by him at all times." He says, rolling his eyes.

"Are you comin' in or not?" We turn to see Gobber in the doorway, looking at us, with eyebrows raised.

"Yes Gobber, we're coming." Dad gives me a look, making me look down in order to keep myself from laughing.

I follow them in and we all take seats at the table in the center of the room.

"Ok. Are we settled? Comfortable? Not uncomfortable? Are you-"

"Gobber! We're fine! Let's just focus on why we're here." Dad says, giving Gobber a meaningful look that I don't understand.

"Now then, what are we doing about the teens' stunt with the dragon arena?" Dad asks, looking at me. I blink, surprised. Why are they asking me?

I do the one thing I can think of, I shrug.

"Well come on now. What do you want to happen?"

"Honestly?" At my dad's nod, I continue. "I just want them to stop bullying me." I say, avoiding their eyes.

"I don't really care what punishment they get, as long as they at least bully me less. Not at all would be better but that's an unrealistic vision." I chuckle bitterly. At their silence, I look up from my lap to see their pitying faces. I suddenly feel anger rush through me. I don't need their pity.

"But let's think of a punishment for them. Right?" I say training a hard look at them.

My dad looks surprised at the sudden change in attitude but nods anyways.

"Right!" Gobber claps. "Are we giving out separate punishments for each of them or one big punishment for all of them?" He says looking between my dad and I.

"If I can suggest something?" I ask, then at my dad's gesture, continue. "I think that the twins should have the same punishment but Snotlout and Fishlegs have separate punishments. Snotlout's being the most severe and Fishlegs' being the least, since Snotlout bullies me the most while Fishlegs rarely does and even then, it's because either he or the twins are nearby..." I trail off, seeing their amazed looks.

"What?"

"How did you think of all that?" Dad asks, seemingly in shock.

"Well contrary to popular belief, I am not crazy and don't have my head in the clouds. I am actually quite focused and inventive. Gobber can vouch for me on that." With that, dad looks at Gobber, who nods.

"Huh. Okay then, that's what we'll do." Dad says.

"Okay then." I say, feeling a bit of pride.

"So what should the punishments be?"

"Well for Snotlout, we should make him take over Hicca's chores for a certain amount of time. Including taking out your boots." Gobber says making me cringe at the thought of dad's boots. THEY REEK!!!

"Good idea! But for how long?" Dad says enthusiastically.

"A month?" I suggest before Gobber speaks up.

"Nevermind that Stoick! Let's make it two."

"I agree with Gobber." Dad says pointing at him. "Okay then. Two months of Hicca's chores for Snotlout."

"The twins should just be put under house arrest. Not being allowed out during raids will kill them since they won't be able to wreck havoc and chaos on the village." Gobber suggests with me nodding in agreement.

"Okay the twins are done. What about Fishlegs?" Dad looks at me.

"That I don't know." I say, putting my hands up in the 'I surrender' gesture.

"Well how about if we take away his books for a week? He loves learning about random things in those books of his. Don't know why." Dad says, muttering the last sentence.

"That's a good idea." Gobber says.

"That's it then. The punishments are done. Now how about-"

I tune them out when a thought pops into my head.

If I can get away somehow, I can finally visit Toothless. I try to think of an acceptable reason to leave for a good five minutes before an idea hits me.

*cue little light bulb lighting up on top of my head.*

"Dad, I don't mean to interrupt but I'm really tired."

"You can sleep in the spare room. Stoick can take my room. I'll sleep on the couch."

"No! I couldn't do that. I'll just go back to our house dad."

"No you won't. What you will do is listen to Gobber and take the spare room."

"But da-"

"You said you were tired. Go take a nap Hicca." He says, pointing at where I'm guessing the spare bedroom was.

"Fine then. Guess I'm napping here." I say climbing the stairs.

"See you later Hicca!" I hear Gobber shout from behind me and wave my hand in acknowledgement before going into the room.

It's a smaller room with a window with a medium sized brown chest, i'm assuming to store clothes in, beneath it on one side and a surprisingly large bed on the other side.

I get into bed but end up rolling around for a good half hour before I give up on trying to take a nap and just stare at the ceiling, deep in thought.

I haven't seen Toothless in a while. I should visit him today. But how can I get away from my dad and Gobber?

I suddenly hear footsteps, coming towards the room and shut my eyes and fake sleeping.

Gosh this is like at Austen's house..

The door creaks open and I hear dad's whisper echo into the silent room.

"Hicca? Are you awake?" I stay silent.

Dad sighs and moves closer to the bed. I can sense him right next to the bed. Suddenly, I feel a hand run through my hair and a kiss on my forehead, dad's beard tickling my skin. He then adjusts the blankets before leaving the room. But not before he whispers "Sleep well Hicca."

What was that? He hasn't tucked me in bed in years!

After a couple minutes of silence, and making sure that neither he or Gobber are coming into the room, I slowly get out of bed before going to the window and looking down.

That's actually not a bad distance to jump. I think with a nod.

I slowly climb out of the window until my feet are dangling over the ledge and I'm sitting down. I carefully twist and lower myself until I am just holding on to the window. I look down, and I'm not even 3 feet away from the ground in this position, so I simply let go and land on my feet.

I think that's the first time I haven't fallen on my face doing that... go me.

I quickly turned around to see if anyone had walked by and saw my stunt but only saw the forest.

Oh yea, Gobber lives practically in the forest.

So with a smile, I run into the dark forest... towards Toothless.