Disclaimer: No, I don't own How To Tame Your Dragon. All rights go to Cressida Cowell and Dreamworks.
Summary: A small humour ficlet inspired by a challenge to re-write the lyrics to 'Rock-a-bye Baby", and my response, which gave me a sudden image of Stoick singing it to a baby Hiccup.
A VIKING LULLUBY
Valhallarama loved her young son, even if it was a mystery how such a small, slight child had been born to two such strong, sturdy Viking Warriors.
Stoick had taken it harder than she had, but the Chieftess of the Hairy Hooligans knew that her husband's perceived disappointment was mostly worry for Hiccup's future. The other Vikings would not be kind to a sickly or undersized child, and even less when that child would one day be their chief.
But Hiccup was young yet, and perhaps he would hit a growth spurt soon, as Valhallarama herself had. Besides, she had years to watch him grow, time enough to guide Stoick into seeing their son's gifts, and to become better at expressing affection.
He was with their son now, singing him to sleep to let Valhallarama rest.
The sight made her smile; the massively-built Stoick hunched over the carved wooden cradle, booming voice lowered as much as he could, into a loud whisper as he spoke to Hiccup. The child yawned, and Stoick started to hum a lullaby, though he would deny even knowing such a tune to his grave.
Quiet and un-noticed in the loft, Valhallarama sang along, a soft undertone to Stoick's gruff, off-key voice.
Rock a-bye baby, riding the waves
Even small longboats scare men to their graves
When the boat lands, sand scraping the prowl
Up will jump baby with an ear-splitting howl!
Years later, when his mother was gone and his father was finding it harder to understand or relate to Hiccup with every succeeding mishap, the memory of his parents singing to him still fuelled Hiccup's determination to be a Hooligan, no matter how hard he had to work.
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A/N: Just something that popped into my head when I should have been sleeping, since I have to be up early for work, but I hope you like it.
The Challenge and inspiring photo can be found at www. facebook ?fbid=10151166519482540&set=a.472117717539.255620.105218647539&type=1& theatre. Just copy, paste, and remove the spaces.
Thanks
Nat