Chapter Text
Gillion tidestrider is bored. He has nothing he is supposed to be working on and he hates it. It brings bad memories that he wishes he could forget. His sword is getting repaired and he has nothing to train with, the boat is in the best shape it could be with what they have, and nobody is telling him that he’s needed for anything. Not even something trivial, like helping Earl in the kitchen or playing chess with Pretzel, she was asleep like a traitor. He shoots a slight glare at her but stops when he feels bad.
The ship had made a rest in a town they’ve been to before for supplies but Gillion wasn’t trusted with money and had gone around town three times already. There was simply nothing to do, he wasn’t able to wrap his head around it.
So there he sits, his foot thumping against the wood of the captains quarters waiting for anyone to ask him for something. He stands up abruptly causing Pretzel to topple over from her sleeping position.
“Ah I apologize, Pretzel… my intention was not to hurt you…” he mumbles, he then carefully places her into his barrel and hurries out of the room hitting head first into Jay's back.
He yelps slightly when she turns around. But he’s still greeted with a smile…
“Hey Gil, it’s a nice day to relax right?” She says walking to the edge of the ship letting the wind blow her hair back.
He nods stiffly and looks stoically at the ocean for a few minutes. Jays head perks up slightly to look at him awkwardly.
“You good? You’ve just been wandering around awkwardly all day,” she laughs, flashing Gillion a smile.
“Ah yes- I am fine, I just don’t have anything to do and it is quite- quite odd to me,” he says slower than he thought he would.
He twirls a bit of water in his hand. Jay lets out a huff of laughter and pats him on the back. He makes himself smile back at her.
He looks back out into the water and sighs.
He was always told exactly what he needed to do as soon as it needed to be done.
Sometimes he would pray for some kind of short break, but even when he got one he couldn’t stay in one place for long.
The elders were very adamant about the work he needed to do to be the very best. His every day was completely scheduled out with the exception of anything the elders wanted him to do that they claimed was for training. He would work from the moment he woke up to when he inevitably passed out, at least in the early years.
He would stumble around in his too big armor while an elder dragged him to the training room and pushed a large sword into his small hands. When he wasn't training for his destiny, he would be studying. He could never get his tests quite right no matter what tutor he had. Nobody seemed to be able to get through.
He would carry the elders' things and bend over backwards for them. Anything they wanted him to do he would.
“Champion! Come here!” They called out and he was over in a second, they would have him fighting from sunrise to sunset. He grew to think of this as normal, but still guiltily wished that it could be different.
When he was banished he didn’t know what to do. They didn’t give him any time to gather his personal things. He left with what he had.
It was a long way up, and for most of it he stared blankly. There was nothing for him to do. And nobody there to tell him off. He had nothing.
If he couldn’t be useful then what was the point.
Why was everyone so eager to get rid of him if he was supposed to be their savior? He clenched his teeth and tried to not think about it. They were still his people.
A proper Hero should never look down on those he was supposed to save. He couldn’t get it out of his head. If it was his destiny to save, why would they send him away instead of training him. Surely there’s a reason. The elders are always correct. They have to be.
He should be working.
His training would go to waste.
He can’t let it go to waste.
Gillion looks back at the sea and blinks away the small tears burning in his eyes. He glances back at Jay who’s chosen to look up at the sky instead.
“Jay I believe I have to be off,” he says in the strongest version of his voice he can manage.
He leaves before he can see the confused look on her face.
And he leaves before he hears her ask if he wants to go to the shore with her and Chip.
He’s being subtle, he’s sure he is.
He scoops pretzel up gently as she wakes up and asks if she would like to play chess with him.
She gives him a slight look before speeding off to the board.
He didn't win that match.
But his mind was elsewhere now.
He blocked the rest of the world out for a bit.
He blocked out the conversation Chip and Jay were having quietly with each other.
And he ignored the concerned glances they were shooting back at him.