A/N: Hey everyone! I'm back! Welcome to my next story. Here, we will explore our intrepid couples relationship from a different angle. They don't fall...They won't exactly...Well, you'll see…
This story, unlike my last, is not written out. I have an outline, some notes, and something-that-almost-kinda-represents an end point. I will try to keep updates coming, but at what rate, I can't exactly say. But rest assured, I've started it, my aim is to finish it!
I have started another story, -unpublished- as of yet, for the HTTYD series. Another idea for one more...And have run across yet another for that fandom as well. On top of another that may-yet-be-published at Fiction Press. I may be a little busy…
-And Disclaimer: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon, nor Frozen. Original stories/Characters Property of DreamWorks/Disney…
Chapter 1
The ship plowed through the night. The seas were calm, the moon almost set. At least what few glances he could get through the clouds. A cold breeze wafted over the rail. It had been getting colder. It was to be expected, but this was farther north than anybody with any sense had traveled. The fact that they had just been down south may have helped that along too.
He took a sip of his tea. It had been just a routine patrol. Scouting and checking on the southern routes. Ahhh, he would've liked to have made it to the Niederlandic coast, or maybe even Beglium...They made a fine liquor there, and a few beermaids that had caught his fancy…
He shook his head. They had been hailed by a sister ship to return to port. When they got there, it was another disturbing report. Yet another ship had sailed north, this time from a neighboring country. They had not been heard from for months. There had been several from other kingdoms in the region in the past two years. They sailed north, only to return battered, or worse. There had been two reports of the crew returning with no ship, spinning tales of a demon Lord, or Chieftain. Strange noises heard outside their cells. A dark message to stay out…
He huffed to himself. He himself didn't believe in fairy tales. More'n likely, they had ran afoul of some unseen shoal, or drifting ice. -And a Demon Lord? HA! But, -while the reports he'd read seemed a bit strange, there was more than likely a simple explanation. Maybe they had angered some lord on one of the smaller islands he'd heard of.
-And thus, her Majesty Queen Elsa had asked for a volunteer to sail north to investigate, and chart the waters therein. They were to avoid any conflict if possible, and report on what they'd found. He had never shied away from a mission. And this one had the Queens' commission on top of that. He didn't harbor any notion of fame and fortune. The adventure of sailing in new waters had always appealed to him first. But having the Queens' seal had never hurt anyones career as far as he knew.
A soft flapping noise brought him out of his musings. He took a few steps to his right, then crouched a bit. As he did, he thought he saw...He blinked, then it was gone. Probably a wisp of could that had blotted out the stars for a moment. He noted the offender right away…
"Brace up the foremast yard, Mister Tibbit!" The young officer saluted and made his way briskly forward, calling orders to the watch. The Valiant had been his for about six years now. He knew her like he knew his own house. Board and block, he knew her. She was not large, -a sloop by most standards. But she had three masts, and was wider at the beam. She was lightly armed too. Two swivel guns, and four six-pounders. She was built for speed, and explorations. Probably why they had been selected. The council had thought sending a full ship of the line would possibly threaten or anger anyone they might come across.
He normally wouldn't be up this late, but some of the lookouts had reported strange sightings of late. He himself had noted strange birds or some such that appeared to be following them. -And this strange feeling...He shook his head. Ah, but he was a fool! Just that familiar feeling when sailing strange and new waters, -nothing more. Hopefully, they would make port somewhere soon, and get this mess all straightened out…
-But they had not seen a spot of land now for almost five days. He had thought to turn back, but their provisions were holding well. The, -animals that followed them, what ever they were, meant land was somewhere nearby. They had also spotted trash in the water. A few barrels, a discarded yard, and a bit of rope had been seen this day. Which meant they weren't entirely alone out here. They just had to find...something. He figured to stay out another two weeks before seriously considering turning back.
Another noise...soft, -flapping...Like an untrimmed sail...But it was coming...from, -behind? He spun around, looking up, -and there! -But...No, -just another wisp of cloud? He stared intently, sharpening his peripheral...The moon was nearly set, but the edges of the clouds could still be seen. The stars behind gave them away too...but nothing…
"Lights! Lights off to port!" The call came from the topmast watch.
"Where and away?" He shouted. He craned his neck looking up. After a short pause…
"About, -three, three and a half off the port bow sir!" The boy handed him his glass, and he made his way swiftly forward with the other officers of the watch. Reaching the rail, he put the glass to his eye. It may yet be a few moments before he could see. But there! Yes, he could see it. Lights, -strangely arrayed...But yes, it was definitely another ship. He studied for a few long moments. They were headed north as they were, but decidedly more westerly. He turned to his officers.
"Change course Mister Spaengler! I want to close the gap, -but not too close! Let's just follow them a bit, yes?" The young man saluted and nodded.
"Aye Sir!" He turned to the other.
"Mister Tibbit? Call up the next watch! Add more canvas to the main! We'll need a bit more speed to stay in sight!" He nodded.
"Aye Sir!" He watched him go as he softly called out. No need to wake everyone just yet. There may be a few long days ahead of them still. He turned back. Raising his glass., he studied their target for a few more long moments. The lights were indeed arranged differently, but he was sure about their course. At the conferences he had been to, there had been an agreement as to the arrangement of lights, so as to avoid collisions at night...The only exception being…Those ships of the various navies...Ah well, no need to worry about that just yet...They were only guidelines anyway. -The coming dawn would provide more answers…He made his way back aft, taking his place beside the helmsman.
"Trailing pursuit, Mister Spaengler!" He ordered.
"Trailing pursuit Captain!" He answered. Tobbs dutifully spun the wheel left, and the ship responded. The next watch had made its way groggily onto the deck. They immediately started at their tasks. By the Gods, he was proud of them! Some he knew, had but just a few hours' sleep, -and here they were...Speaking of which, he himself should get a bit of sleep too. He was about to open his mouth when…
That sound again! Coming from behind...He turned and looked, -and there! Just there! A small..Disturbance...He heard another sound, -the soft click of….Of...A bowstring! He had barely caught a small glint of light coming toward him, -the sound of an arrow in flight...Instinct took over, he dove to the side crashing into the hard deck. Then he heard the thunk as the arrow found its' mark. The the sound of footsteps on the deck as men rushed to his side and back towards the rail…
He rose up on his arms. Twisting his head one way, the arrow had stuck into the rail that ran the width of the wheel deck. It still vibrated viciously. He turned the other way. The men were all at the rail, scanning the sea behind them...But that arrow...It, -it had come from...Above them! How, -how was that possible? -And from out of nowhere!? He caught snippets of conversation.
"Do ye see an'thing?" "-No! Not a thing!" "-Naught ta starboard neither!" "What was that!?" The Captain! The Captain is injured!" That was his cue. He picked himself up. By the Gods, his hip hurt! He shrugged it off, turning to Mister Stibbs, who had a genuine look of worry…
"Captain? Are ye..." He cut him off.
"Fine! I'm fine now! -Anything?" The man shook his head.
"Nay Cap'n! -Seems ta 've come from nowhere!" Hmmm, -nowhere indeed, he thought, -but how? He shook himself. He turned and took a few steps. He pulled the arrow out and examined it. The tip was...Crude, but obviously had done its' job. The shaft straight, made of wood. The fletching...Was like none he'd ever seen...And attached to the shaft with a bit of rough twine, was a piece of parchment. -Again, crude, and roughly made. He untied the knot and unrolled the scroll…
He took a few steps toward a lantern. The writing was a bit crude, but precise. It appeared to be the Old Norse...He could read it...but...It still puzzled him…
You are now sailing the waters of the Barbaric Archipelago unbidden, and without permission! You will turn back now! And return from whence you came. Do not, and by order of High Chief Haddock, you, your crew, and your ship will be forfeit! This will be your ONLY warning!
Barbaric Archipelago? -Without permission?But how...How were they to get…He looked forward. Their target...Did this message come from…No, that was impossible! But was their target...Did it belong...Had they received the same message? A chill ran up his spine. He shook it off, and then shook his head slightly. He had already made his decision…He rolled up the scroll, and along with the arrow, placed his hands behind his back…
"Trailing pursuit, Mister Spaengler!" He ordered. The man nodded.
"Trailing pursuit, -Captain..." He returned. He waited for the men to leave them. He leaned slightly, lowering his voice.
"Thomas? Keep them well in sight! -Match them course for course if possible!" He nodded again.
"Aye Captain!" He looked forward. If their target, was somehow connected, he would catch them and hail them. Try to figure out how and where they were to get this permission...And if not, -well at least they would share the same fate...And it would be better if they were close by? He looked out. He doubted anyone would last very long in these frigid waters. But he was not about to turn back…
oooo0000oooo
-Astrid?! -ASTRID!
She shook her head and blinked. Dammit! She'd done it again! Lost in her thoughts while trying to complete...She looked up sheepishly. Glum eyed her with a bit of a glare.
"What will it be dear?" Oh yes...That…
"Just, -just the stew, - and a quarter loaf please!" She set her tray down. The older woman frowned a bit, but turned. She ladled the stew, then took a few steps to the side, and cut the bread. She turned back and placed both on her tray. Astrid took the cloth that was draped over her arm, and covered the meal. She was about to pick it up when the womans' heavy sigh brought her attention to her face. Her stomach dropped. She knew that look. Nearly everyone, including her own mother had been giving it for some time now. She waited for the inevitable question…
"Why, Astrid? Why do ye keep at this? Ye know he...He..." The ball in her stomach fully solidified and dropped to her feet. Another ball simultaneously formed in her throat. She knew...By the Gods...She knew...But, -but...She still, -cared. -Very much, -and...And she hoped...Beyond all hoping...Something she had prayed for desperately...That something...Something would change...That these battles would end...And maybe after…She sighed to herself. And started thinking back to where it all started...or ended...It wasn't one specific thing perhaps. Maybe just everything, all piled together…
They had enjoyed, -well they'd had, a number of weeks after Drago's attack...They had gotten the funerals done, and had started to rebuild. Chipping away at the ice, and moving on. Things had looked so bright...For a while, -until a number of Dragos' ships appeared on their doorstep. Hiccup had tried to reason with them, but they would have none of it. He and Toothless were injured in that first exchange, and then all the riders had gone out, and destroyed nearly all of the attacking force.
-That had been the first crack, she decided. The second came shortly after. Their losses had been relatively small, but every dragon killed or injured seemed to light a fire in Valkas' heart. She started speaking out against using the dragons for any purpose...She could see her point. After caring for them and living with them for so long...After she herself had seen some of the cruelty their enemy had shown towards the dragons, she could understand.
But as soon as he was healed, Hiccup set out to find the rest of the fleet before it could do any more damage. Using the dragons to scout far and wide, and destroying any they found. All the while, he had been trying to spread his message of cooperating with the dragons and having them as companions. Across the whole archipelago, with mixed results...But he was determined to bring his dream to life. Many in the islands still clung to the old ways, even though the war with the dragons had been over for some time now…
Maybe...It was the thought of loosing Toothless again, -or maybe it wasn't happening fast enough for him. Something...Changed in him. He began to grow more distant, more focused on his goals...And maybe it was the heated arguments that had broken out between Mother and Son...It had spilled out into the streets, and into their own relationship eventually…
"-Why Mom? -Why can't you see this? Why do you refuse to understand? With the dragons helping us, we can bring this to a quick and decisive end!"
"I'll not have it Hiccup! I'll not have you using the dragons for your own needs! They are acting against their own nature doing this!"
"Mom! It's, -It's not like we're forcing them...I think they understand what it is we're trying to do!"
"NO! Hiccup! They don't understand! By doing this, you're showing that you're no different from the ones you're trying to defeat! YOU'RE NO BETTER THAN THE REST OF THEM!"
-That was definitely the last crack. The hurt shown on Hiccups' face was plain as the sun on a clear day…
"Really? Well, -at least I'm not breeding them for sport, or, -or carving them up for their hides, or just their teeth! If I'm such a horrible person, then LEAVE! GO! -GO LIVE WITH THE DRAGONS YOU LOVE MORE THAN YOUR OWN BLOOD!"
-She blinked, something had brought her out of her thoughts again. She focused on Glums' face...Did she miss the eye roll? That was becoming part of the routine as well. She swallowed against the lump in her throat, and offered what she hoped looked like a genuine smile.
"Because someone has to look after him..." It was good enough for her. -If it wasn't for them well, -to Hel with them! Even if, -she swallowed, -even if she decided to move on, she would look after him. He seemed to still care...She was the only one he would listen to, even through the noncommittal shrugs and, -sometimes rather curt dismissals, she could tell...He hadn't completely banished her from his heart...She thought back again...
Yes, that was it. She had been torn between them. She had been helping Valka getting back to the tribe, -around humans again. But it seemed she wasn't fully up to it. And Hiccup, -she had tried to console him, but he pushed her away. Even after they both had time to cool off. Valka left with Cloudjumper and a number of dragons, and started another nest far to the south near the breeding grounds. She still came to Berk occasionally for supplies. She would even provide reports on anything she saw.
-But Hiccup, -Hiccup had grown even more distant, and more focused. And between scouting parties, and the battles, and spreading the message...There was precious little time, -if any, for the two of them. The exchanges between Mother and Son now were terse, stilted...Cold. -And their own, -hers and Hiccups'…
"I'm...Sorry Astrid, but I, -I..."
"Hiccup, she does still care, for you and the dragons, and so do I...As soon as this is over, when we've sent everyone packing...Things will change..."
"I'm sorry, -but I, -I just can't see...I appreciate what you're doing...Really! But I, -I can't see us going forward..."
It was like he...Somebody...Ripped her chest open and tore out her heart. She didn't cry, -not then and there...She knew...She hoped it was just, -circumstance that had made him say such things. After all they had said, all they had done together...And now it was like...Like, -when they were children again. Trying so desperately hard to help, with his efforts ending in disaster. He tended at the time to avoid people, to stay out of the way…
-Only, -he was chief now. Staying away avoiding people was no longer an option. So she supposed, maybe this was how he dealt with this. -The big muttonhead! She was convinced the way through problems was to talk them out, with family, -or friends...She cringed a little. He had neither...Well, their friends were still around at least...And she, -she would make it clear that she was willing to listen, if he ever wanted to talk...For as long as it took…
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she made her way across the square. A ringing caught her ear. She couldn't help but look. Down at the bottom of the rise, the lights of the forge still flickered. And from the sound, Hiccup was still down there banging away on one project or the other. And also, -from the sound of it, he would be down there later than he should be. Which is why…
The sound of footsteps caught her ear. She turned to find Eret approaching. He smiled as he reached her.
"Astrid! Good evening!" She gave him a smile. He had helped her after...The Talk. He had been there to listen...His face fell a little as his eyes dropped to the plate she was carrying.
"Ah! I see! Taking his meal to him again?" Being a little cheeky, and teasing. It was not entirely unwelcome.
"Uh, -well, you know, If you don't sit on him and hold his mouth open, that man would never eat!" He chuckled.
"Well, I guess being Chief isn't all it's cracked up to be -hey?" She smiled again. After a not-uncomfortable silence, he shifted his weight, and his gaze.
"Say, Astrid? I was wondering, -if you're not busy...If maybe, -you'd like to go on a flight with me?" He shifted his weight again a bit nervously. A blush threatened to climb up his neck. It was cute she thought. He was handsome, even with the tattoos. And his body...Well, enough said. Many of the younger girls, and some of the older ones too, had been after him as soon as he'd shown up. Ruffnutt had pursued him mercilessly for a while. But it was clear that she was the one he'd set his heart on.
But things had been, -and still were, -complicated. He understood at first that she was the Chiefs' girl. But now...While she wished she could move on, -she just couldn't let go...For now at least. Eret had been kind. A shoulder to lean on when things got rough between her and Hiccup. He had never expected anything from her. And he had respected her wishes. Only now...While there hadn't been anything official, -either way...She and Hiccup hardly spent any time together. He never sought her out anymore, and the few times she did, Hiccup never seemed to listen anymore. She would see his eyes or face light up the way they used to, only to turn away, -or worse...Turn dark and cold...Eret backtracked a bit…
"Ahm, -I mean...You, -and Stormfly...And me And ah, -Skullcrusher, -that is!" Oh! Ooooh! A part of her wanted to leap at the chance…And there was the crux of the matter...While she wished to keep some options open...Not really...She couldn't...leave him too. She had chosen this for herself. She would look after Hiccup, until he told her not to. -Both dreading, and looking...Well, not forward to that...It made her chest tighten every time she'd thought about it...But still…
"Um, Well -Eret...I, -I have to teach at the academy all day tomorrow..." She really, really didn't want to turn him down. It would be a welcome, and admittedly -handsome distraction to what was going on in her head, -and her heart.
"But I, -I would really like to...Soon!" He brightened at that, his smile lit up his face.
"OK! -Well let me know and...Well, we'll do that!" She smiled and nodded.
"-And um, -Astrid?" She had turned to leave but this had stopped her. She turned back to him. The look on his face was troubled.
"I hope..." His eyes flitted from hers to the plate in her hand.
"I hope things...work out, -for you and Hiccup..." She could tell right away he really didn't mean that. It was sweet though. He was giving her time, and space. She placed a hand gently on his arm.
"Thank you, Eret! That means a lot!" She flashed him a wide smile which he returned. She then turned and made her way across the rest of the square.
She pushed the door open, and as usual, it was cold and dark. It made her sad. Hiccup had Stoick when he was younger, then Valka...But now...She shook her head. She made her way over and set the plate down on the table. She went to the firepit and stoked it. There were still a few glowing embers. She threw a couple of pieces of wood on. Not to get it blazing, but enough to warm the hall up. She then took the plate and set it next to the fire to keep his food warm.
She then made a circuit of the hall. Picking up pieces of discarded clothing, and piling it up. Then into the kitchen area, placing used cups and bowls in the basin. Partly to clean, and partly to make sure he was indeed eating. Which he was, thankfully. She stopped at the door and turned around. Her eyes scanned the main room for anything out of place, then her eyes seemed to wander all on their own…
This, this could have been hers...Well, hers and Hiccups'. This could've been their lives together. Her looking after him, being his second while he ran the village. Her eyes stopped at his bedroom door. They, could've had that too...Sharing each other, embracing each other...And possibly, raising their children together...If, -if…
She spun around pushing the door open. As she stepped out the cool air struck her. She breathed deep, willing her eyes to stop watering, her throat to loosen. Yes, if things had been different...But they weren't. She had right now, and for right now, -she would continue to look after him. She would do her best to show him she was there for him. To show him he was not alone…
A thought struck her, but as soon as it did, it vanished. Her eyes were drawn down to the forge. The lights seemed a bit dimmer. She hoped...Yes! It seemed he had put the fires out for the night, and would be heading home soon. She started walking down the slope toward her familys' hall. She needed to get to bed herself. There was a long day at the academy waiting. -And she wanted to, but, she was waiting for him...If he wanted to, he could just call.
She continued down the slope until she heard footfalls...VERY heavy footfalls...She turned just in time to see Toothless bounding up to her, tongue hanging out. He let out a series of yips and happy barks as he came up. He wound himself around her and her heart leapt. She had seen too little of this one too. But unlike his rider, he would always come to her for attention any time she was close. She scratched him fondly on the head.
"Hello Toothless! Are you taking good care of him?" He huffed and barked. Of course he was...Silly human! She laughed for no reason and crouched down. She nuzzled him and threw her arms around his head. She hugged him tightly, then released him, scratching him as she did. His tongue darted out. He gave her a small lick on the chin. She nuzzled him again.
"Thank you, Toothless" She stood and looked. Hiccup was standing at his door. He was looking her way, but she couldn't read his expression. His head hung a little, and his shoulders sagged. He was obviously tired. She looked down.
"Run along now! I have to get some sleep too!" He hopped and barked softly. He wound himself around her a few more times before he ran off. Hiccup put his hand on his head and looked at him as he reached him. Hiccup looked her way once more, then turned and went inside.
ooo000ooo
She sat at the table spooning her porridge. She was still sleepy. She didn't sleep well, and she had trained extra hard this morning, trying to remove the images from her mind.
She was walking through a white wasteland, blinding snow, swirling all about. As she walked, she came across a figure. As she got closer, -the snow...Seemed to swirl about it. It's arms twisting and rising up and down. A long braid of silver hair hung down its' back. Getting closer still, the figure seemed to be a, -a...And just as the figure turned to face her, she woke up. It was weird, and strange...But, did it mean anything?
Her thoughts dissipated when she noticed a hand on the table next to her. Long, slender fingers, gold embroidery on the cuff of a sleeve...A long sleeved green tunic. Her heart nearly jumped out of her throat to go soaring, even before she looked up! When she did, she could see the light there. It was only for a moment, but it was there. He was looking at her like he wanted to tell her something important. She found herself hoping and dreading his next words.
"Astrid? I..." He looked away slightly. Then he turned his gaze across the room. He sighed heavily. Then looked at her again.
"Thank you, Astrid...For, -the meal..." Her hand came up automatically and went to his arm. She felt him tense the tiniest bit, but he relaxed.
"Hiccup! You, -you're welcome! It, it was nothing, -really!" He nodded. His lips drew into a thin line. It was the most they had talked in a bit. It was like the sun had burst forth on the cloudiest of days.
"Astrid? I...You..." He closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head. He finally straightened out of his slouch. He looked across the room.
"I, -I'm gathering a raiding party. -Two ships were spotted last night near the Bog Islands...I, -I want you to come with me..." Again it was like the sun had come out. It could have been the way he worded it, or maybe that he came to her directly. She really didn't care. She nodded vigorously.
"Yes! -Hiccup! -Of course!" It had been a while since she had been on one of these too. It would help her vent some of her frustration...Bashing heads instead of trees. He looked at her again with his 'Chief face' -but she didn't mind…
"Can, -can you and Stormfly meet me in the square in about an hour? I got Fishlegs to cover for you at the academy..." She nodded.
"Sure Hiccup! We'll see you there!" He nodded once, then walked away rather stiffly. Why had that been so hard for him? Still, it put her in a better mood than she had been in a while. It was an opportunity. So maybe...She swallowed, -NO! She had done enough worrying over maybes for long enough! She gulped down the rest of her porridge, and practically ran for the door…
A/N: please read and /or review...