Chosen

36

After the rebel attack I went to check up on Jack. I made it to his door where Hiccup was standing.

"Hey." I smiled weakly. I noticed a cut on his head. It was laced up but it was bright red from the blood and surrounded by a nasty looking bruise. "Are you okay?"  I asked reaching up to touch it. He moved away from my touch.

"You can't be here." He stated firmly.

"Are we really doing this again?" I rolled my eyes and moved towards the door. He held out his arm to stop me.

"I'm serious." I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Come on just let me see him!" I groaned. Thats when I heard a yell from the other side. It was filled with pain.

"Jack!" I pushed through Hiccups arm but he grabbed me and pulled me away from the door. I fought him to get towards the door but he was too strong. I heard another cry of pain and I stopped fighting, falling to the ground. As I heard how much pain he was in I sobbed, holding my knees to my chest. "Wh-what happened?" I asked trembling.

"I'm not at liberty to say." His voice was purely professional.

"Pl-please. T-te-tell m-me." I needed to know what was causing him so much pain.

"I am not at liberty to say." He repeated, his voice cracking near the end. He stood in front of the door while i sat against the wall, my face buried in my knees.

"I am not leaving until I see him." I told him. 

"Lady Merida I can not authorize this." Hiccup's eyes stayed forward not landing on me once.

"I don't care! I need to see him!" I yelled tears forming once again.

"I-" For the first time he looked at me. His eyes softened immediately. "Fine but I can't promise he will let you in after they finish and I cannot under any circumstances allow you to enter the room without the princes permission." I nodded in understanding. "You can't deny me this time." 

"Okay. I'm sorry. I won't."

It took hours and hours. Eventually I fell asleep. I was awoken by Hiccup shaking me.

"Lady Merida, the prince has allowed your entry." He whispered but his words woke me up. Hiccup helped me up before opening the door. 

"Thank you." I kissed his cheek before heading inside.

Jack was lying in bed clutching his stomach. I rushed to his side.

"Are you okay?" I asked standing next to his bed.

"Yes." 

"Truth."

"Not one bit." He muttered. 

"Please tell me what happened." I sighed lightly touching his hand.

"I was shot during the rebel attack. The bullet grazed my stomach but there were some bullet fragments lodge in my stomach. They got them all out. I'm just on bed rest for a couple of days so I can y'know heal." Jack explained. He looked at me and squeezed my hand. "I'm fine...I heard you waited for me all night." He smiled at me. My eyes widened.

"Uh I fell asleep there." 

"Yeah. You know how we talked about marriage?" 

"Jack I already told you-"

"I know. I just wanted to say that it wouldn't be loveless. Mer, you are my best friend. I do love you." He confessed. I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"I love you too. But I'm not going to marry you." I stuck my tongue out at him.

"I know. And I know who I want to marry. I'm going to throw another party. This time, with friends and families invited. There I will announce the winner." 

"What about the rebels? And your injury? Thats a lot of civillians to have in the castle."

"We will double the guards in the palace. We have everyone on high alert. And I will be completely healed in a week. Plus I am going to be reducing the number of contestants down to three for the party. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to stay, knowing the risks involved."

"Of course. I will be by your side through it all."

"Thank you." I smiled at his gratitude. 

"Now I assume the other two are Elsa and Rapunzel." He nodded. 

"The party will be held in two weeks so I have a chance to heal and get rid of the other girls." Jack explained. "Now I have to get some rest. I will see you another time." He weakly smiled and I noticed he was still in pain.

"I hope you get better." I escorted myself outside before heading to my room to get some real sleep.