Chapter 13

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I woke up being placed in bed. I groaned, alerting the person who carried me that I was awake.

"Sorry," Hiccup apologized. "I didn't mean to wake you."

He pulled the blankets over my body. I looked over, seeing the bed empty.

"Harley's still in the secret room, but don't worry. I'm about to go get him. Relax, I'll be back soon," his soft voice promised. I closed my eyes, letting sleep take over as lips pressed a caring kiss upon my forehead.

I tried to stay awake, but I didn't even stir as Harley was placed at my side a few minutes later. It wasn't until little hands pushed my shoulder hours later that I woke up.

"Momma. Momma," the little voice called.

"Leave your mommy alone," Astrid insisted, prying him away. "Let her sleep a few more minutes."

"Come here, Harley. I'll get you dressed," Cami offered.

I sat up, shaking my head lazily to let her know she didn't have to. Harley giggled and pushed his stomach against the bed, lifting his feet off the floor. I smiled at him and ruffled his hair.

"I got it. You need your sleep. We know you stay up to play with Harley."

I nodded my thanks, letting Cami take Harley away and plopping back down to get a few extra minutes of sleep. Astrid woke me up a few minutes later, though, and I had to rush to be ready on time.

Thankfully, Harley wasn't clingy that morning, making it easy to slip out with barely an indication of him knowing we were going. He glanced up but then returned to his dragon.

Breakfast was the same and boring. Heather snuck off to feed Harley and was back within minutes. Right on time to sneak into the lesson with the stragglers: us. Lessons were review of what we went over before. Lunch was the same, but with the boys joining us, then we went to practice dancing again. Dinner was like lunch, and I was glad to finally enter the room.

We froze, seeing a guest playing with Harley.

"Hiccup?" Astrid asked.

He looked up, eyes brightening at our arrival. "You're back!"

"You know, it's not nice to sneak into a lady's room," Ruff teased, plopping down on her bed after a quick hug from Harley.

"Like you're much of a lady," he retorted.

"I'm a better one than you."

Heather, Astrid, and Cami snickered at a memory as Hiccup blushed with embarrassment, his eyes flickering to me. "Not funny!"

"Oh please, it was hilarious. You should've seen it, Silence. You, too, Kylie," Astrid laughed.

"What happened?" Kylie wondered, smiling as Harley greeted the girls, then returned to his playmates.

"They don't need to know!" Hiccup shot.

"I do!" Kylie disagreed.

I raised my hand, also wanting to know.

"Please, don't," he whined.

"Too late," Heather taunted. "When we were about eight, we convinced Hiccup to put one of Astrid's dresses and some make up on and to act like a girl for a day."

"Everybody knew it was him but played along until the King showed up."

"Yeah, he was pissed," Hiccup agreed.

"Why would the King care?" Kylie asked.

"Because-" Astrid started.

But Hiccup finished, speaking over her. "Because I'm a noble's son. It reflects poorly on him."

I turned to Harley, seeing his tunic in a mess with different colors. Hiccup turned to me then looked at Harley's shirt.

"Uh, sorry, I brought some paint for him to play with," he explained, gesturing to the paper scattered in bright and mixed colors. I could easily tell which ones Harley did and which two Hiccup did by himself. "I didn't think it would be so messy. But it should wash right out."

I smiled as Heather walked up to the drying paintings. Harley eagerly showed her his favorite, picking it up carelessly and smudging it.

She feigned excitement. "Did you make this?"

He nodded, smiling proudly.

"This is amazing," she congratulated, taking it from him and setting it back down. "Good job. Let's let these dry, okay, bud?"

He ran over to pull on Ruff's tunic. "What, little man?" He dragged her then Astrid, Cami, and myself to look at his paintings.

I smiled and hugged him, kissing his head to show I loved his paintings. He giggled, demanding I hold him.

"Uh, Silence? Would you mind hanging out with me for a few hours? Harley, too, of course," Hiccup asked, nervously.

I smiled and nodded.

He relaxed, letting out a quiet chuckle. "Okay, um, is now okay?"

I nodded, quickly changing Harley's shirt before heading for the door.

The hallway was empty, providing us the needed privacy to sneak down to our secret room. A sheet covered a boxed shape lump in the middle of the room. I looked at Hiccup, curious.

"H- Have you ever played Maces and Talons?" he asked.

I perked up and nodded. I was skilled in that game and played whenever I could, though I never met anyone as skilled as I was. Surely, Hiccup would provide the challenge I had been waiting for.

"W- Want to p- play with me?"

I nodded, setting Harley down to play with Toothless.

Half an hour later, I threw my arms up in victory. It was the longest game I had ever played, for Hiccup was as clever as I was and was difficult to beat. I knew I loved playing Maces and Talons with him.

"Congratulations. Nice game," he complimented, graciously.

I smiled and reached across the board to hug him.

"Aw, thanks. Want to play again, mi'lady? That was the most fun I had had in a while."

Eagerly, I nodded, and we set up the board to start from the beginning.

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