Disclaimer: I own nothing
Summary: Every person on Berk has stories. Most don't quite have them like Hallberga Bergman. The young girl had an aptitude for healing and helping people. It made sense that she was drawn to the chief's son, Hiccup, the village walking disaster. It never ceases to amaze the village how the two very different Vikings ended up being friends. Can their friendship survive their biggest test yet?
"Changing Tides"
Chapter 1
Two young Vikings trekked through dense forest on an island known as Berk, a cold, harsh place only a Viking could bear to live on. A young teenage Viking girl with a round face and shoulder length bright red hair was several feet in front of a small teenage Viking boy struggling to carry a sheep on his shoulder.
"Hiccup come on, you are never going to build up muscle by waiting around!" ordered the girl.
"Hallberga I've been carrying a sheep on my back all day! Can't we rest," whined Hiccup.
"Quit complaining, Vikings don't complain!" barked Hallberga.
"Says the Viking who hiked around the island for fun," said Hiccup rolling his eyes.
"Sven needs his sheep back, hurry it up!" yelled Hallberga.
"She has officially lost it," muttered Hiccup.
"I heard that!"
Looking at Hiccup it was hard to imagine that he was a chief's son. He was small and scrawny despite having worked in the blacksmith shop his entire life. No matter what he did, nothing seemed to improve in his life.
Hiccup compared to his friend, Hallberga, it was clear they came from different tribes. But most Viking tribes had little differences. Hallberga had curly bright red hair and blue eyes, while Hiccup had auburn hair and green eyes. Hiccup was small and scrawny. He reached Hallberga's chin, though she was one of the taller of the teen on Berk. Hallberga was typical by Viking standards she was a tad taller than the other teens, she had more muscle on her then anything else. It wasn't hard to imagine that Hallberga had killed her first dragon a few months ago and had killed two others since.
Hiccup trips over a log and sends the sheep flying. Hallberga dove to catch the sheep before it got injured. She wanted to glare at Hiccup, but forced out a sigh instead. If it was anyone else she would have yelled at them until her voice was hoarse. She had always had a soft spot for Hiccup since she could remember. She had been one of the only kids in the village that made fun of Hiccup. Of course she teased him, she wouldn't be a Viking if she didn't. Hiccup really was a great friend. Last Snoggletog Hiccup made her an awesome sword. It was now her second favorite weapon. Her mace would always be first, she had since she was ten. She didn't count her bow and arrows as weapons but as hunting tools. She called her sword 'Slayer', her Mace 'Gore', and her bow 'Silent Pain'. It made life easier when she couldn't find something she'd ask for a weapon by a certain name and poof her mother seem to conjure it up within seconds.
"Come on, let's try this again," encouraged Hallberga.
"What's the point?" huffed Hiccup getting up off the ground brushing himself off and looking defeated.
"How are you ever going to fight a dragon with that attitude?" questioned Hallberga.
"Easy for you to say, you've killed dragon before," grumbled Hiccup.
"It's really not all that great. It's frightening and horrifying, it really isn't that fun. You have blood on your clothes and it's a real pain to get those stains out. I kill dragons to defend my village only," sighed Hallberga grimacing remembering trying to get dragon blood of her shoes.
Hiccup picked up the sheep again slowly trekking to Sven's farm where he dropped off the sheep. Hallberga playfully shoved him, daring him to race her. Hiccup always tried his best, but she always won. The race ended at the Bergman family hut.
"You better get down to Gobber's shop," stated Hallberga.
"Yeah, I should. Um-thanks. I do enjoy going out there with you," said Hiccup rubbing his neck and looking at the ground.
"Go on you oaf!" laughed Hallberga giving Hiccup a slight shove towards the inner part of the village.
Hallberga sighed as she opened up her door, she didn't really want to go inside. She had no choice though, she couldn't live outside the rest of her life. She hoped her father wasn't home. Her father was repulsive, cruel and stern. Pretty much the average Viking man. He had left his own firstborn newborn outside to die from exposure, because it was too small. He didn't even care to ask the gender. He was a very traditional man, if a child was small or weak it was best not to invest time to grow attached because it won't survive its first winter. He took any and every chance to yell, insult and threaten Hallberga's mother and sister. He surprising left her alone for the most part, she guessed it was the fact she was more Viking then they were. She sighed in relief as it was just her mother tending the laundry.
"Your father is out preparing to go on the hunt for the dragon nest," said Hallberga's mother.
"I guessed so."
"Are you going this year?"
"No, I'm working with Gothi now."
"I forgot that," replied her mother softly.
Hallberga's mother was a soft-spoken woman. She was small and thin, besides her round belly from being late into another pregnancy. She had lost two babies before birth, one shortly after birth that Hallberga's father decided wasn't worth the time and effort, and three were dead at birth. Even Hallberga had been a small baby, but somehow she managed to end up being strong and very Viking-like. Hallberga's little sister, Kirsten, was a small and lean like their mother. It was hard to imagine that Hallberga's mother, Bera, was part of the Bog-Burglar tribe known for being tall and bulky. Hallberga had heard every rumors that her mother had actually been discovered as an infant as a sole survivor of a shipwreck and that the chief of the Bog-Burglar tribe had taken her in as her own. But that was only a rumor.
"Why do you stay with him?" asked Hallberga with venom.
"Who?" said Bera acting obvious, but refused to look at her daughter.
"Mom, you know who I'm talking about," huffed Hallberga rolling her eyes.
"Bog-Burglars don't give up," said Bera glaring at her eldest daughter.
"If that is the case, why don't you separate from him and go back? Kirsten would be given to you anyways, at least that is how it is how it is supposed to work," said Hallberga.
"It's not that simple, dear," sighed Bera.
"Yes it is. Stoick would grant it if he knew the truth," countered Hallberga.
"You want to spoil the family name?" asked Bera raising an eyebrow.
"If it means not listing to his crap then yes," said Hallberga flatly in a serious tone.
"That is the difference between you and me. You are more of a Bog-Burglar then I will ever be," said Bera not even attempting to scold her for language.
"One day I'm just going to take Kirsten and leave," said Hallberga meaning every single word.
"Good luck with that," said Bera rolling her eyes.
Hallberga stalked right back out of her house slamming the door. Her mother was impossible. She was a coward. It made Hallberga furious that her own mother wouldn't stand up to her father to protect her own children. She hoped her father didn't come home from this dragon hunt at all.
Hallberga sat on the beach throwing stones into the water. She wished she could just travel to her mother's tribe. She wanted to learn to fight and how to be the Viking her mother wasn't. She wanted to put her father in his place. She was strong and brave, but not strong enough or brave enough to take on her father. That was it. She was going to ask Stoick to let her go there with her sister. She took off towards the Great Hall.
"Stoick, can I speak to you?" asked Hallberga after having to wait nearly an hour just to speak to Stoick.
"Sure, I have a moment. What brings you here?" asked Stoick.
"I was wondering if Kirsten and I could go on a trip. It's not that I want to leave Berk, only for a little while. I'm old enough to go on a trip alone and Kirsten has never been on a trip to another island," asked Hallberga rubbing her wrists.
"Where are you trying to go Hallberga?" questioned Stoick trying to maintain an impartial tone though he had an idea where the young girl was going.
"I just want to visit my mother's tribe," said Hallberga coughing as she lost her voice for a moment. She couldn't even stand still she was so feverous.
"Absolutely not," said Stoick firmly his voice deep with great passion.
"Stoick, please let me finish. By me going there it could make peace with our tribes. Bertha has been furious ever since my mom married my father and choose to come to Berk. If I go there for a year or so then came back. It could change future interactions with the Bog-Burglars," offered Hallberga coming up with her words on the spot.
"A peace offering of sorts. They train you two, and then for future communication between the tribes would be less hostile," said Stoick thoughtfully.
"Exactly."
"What about your parents?" asked Stoick hoping to convince Hallberga to change her mind.
"With the new baby coming and all, it would allow my mother to relax. Less concern of her losing the baby again," said Hallberga, she doubted they would even miss them.
"Right, we do have a fishing boat going out that way. But you would have to leave tonight," sighed Stoick knowing she wasn't going to convince himself otherwise.
"It is that time of year. We'll make tonight work," said Hallberga grinning.
Hallberga ran all the way her family's hut. She could barely contain her excitement. Her heart pounded in her chest when she saw her father. He towered over her and could snap her like a twig. She swallowed hard.
"Have something to say girl?" Hallbega's father growled.
"Yes actually. Kirsten and I are going a trip for a year to another island," stated Hallberga trying to act tough.
"And when were you going to consult me?" snarled Hallberga's father.
"I didn't think I needed to. I mean you'd be getting rid of us for the year," said Hallberga with a hand on her hip.
"You little insolent-" growled Hallberga's father.
"Now honey with the new baby coming it might not be a bad idea," interrupted Bera.
"Fine!" he growled.
"When do we leave?" asked Kirsten, a young girl of twelve.
"Tonight."
Hallberga helped her little sister pack. The girl had the organization skills of a wild boar. It was a huge gamble, but the idea of getting away from her father for a whole year was worth it. She didn't even bring any weapons with her. She didn't want to insult Bertha by bringing Berk weapons with her.
"Kirsten go say goodbye to your friends," ordered Hallberga.
"How long are we going to gone?" asked Kirsten a twinge of fear noticeable in voice.
"Just for a year."
With that Kirsten happily ran off. Youthful joy hadn't been forgotten quite yet by Kirsten. Hallberga grabbed both of their sacks. She couldn't believe this was happening. She was scared and excited at the same time. She hoped she would get a semi-friendly welcoming.
As Hallberga was about the leave the family's hut her mother grabbed her wrist. Hallberga was coiled to fight, but slowly let her guard down seeing her father had gone to bed and it was only her mother that had grabbed her.
"Good luck. I know you won't listen to me if I try to convince you not to go so I'm not going to. I love you, and tell my sister she has my blessing," said Bera hiding any fear behind.
"I will," promised Hallberga.
Hallberga took a deep breath as she peered into Gobber's shop. She was dreading telling Hiccup. But she had to do this, for sister and herself. It's not like she was leaving forever. Hiccup came out brushing sod off his hands.
"Do you need something made?" asked Hiccup looking to see if she was carrying a broken weapon or something. It wasn't like her to interrupt him at work.
"No, Hiccup. I came to tell you I'm leaving for a year. I'm going to visit my mother's tribe," said Hallberga rubbing her wrists.
"Wh-what?" stuttered Hiccup unable to find words.
"I really just made my mind up today. You have every right to be angry, but please just know I have a reason for doing this," pleaded Hallberga.
"Then what is it?" asked Hiccup pain evident on his face. It felt like she was abandoning
"I-I can't tell you right now, but when I come back I promise I will," said Hallberga unable to find
Silence. Hallberga felt terrible for doing this. The hurt was so easily seen on Hiccup's face. It was horrible to see. She had to turn and walk away, she couldn't stand to see the pain and hurt on his face anymore.
"Wait!" Hiccup called.
Hiccup ran to catch up giving her a hoof shaped metal object, "A metal yak's foot for good luck."
"Thanks," said Hallberga hugging Hiccup then quickly ending it hoping that no one saw it.
"I need to head to the docks," said Hallberga rubbing her wrists and looking away.
"I guess this is really happening," mutter Hiccup looking down at the ground.
"I'll be back. I promise," said Hallberga fighting back her own emotions.
"Long as a dragon doesn't eat one of us," Hiccup mumbled.
"Stop that. Have a bit of faith in the gods," said Hallberga with a forced smile.
Hiccup watched as his only friend was leaving Berk for an entire year. He didn't even know where she was going. He sulked back into Gobber's shop. His life just seemed to just get worse by the day. It's hard to have faith in gods that seem to always be giving him bad luck.
Hallberga had found her little sister and made her carry her sack. Astrid and Fishlegs came walking up from the docks. She waved and smiled at the duo. She rather leave being friendly, not knowing if she'd see them again.
"Where are you two going?" asked Astrid.
"A trip," replied Hallberga.
"A trip? When are you coming back?" asked Fishlegs tapping his fingers.
"Next year this time," clarified Hallberga.
"Next year, that's a long time," said Astrid.
"It is, but you have to count travel into that as well. Can you tell the twins for me?" asked Hallberga picking fur fuzz off her skirt.
"Sure," shrugged Astrid.
Kirsten rushed by and hopped into the boat eagerly. Hallberga looked up at Berk and stared a while until Stoick showed up with an explanation to give to Bertha. With a note in hand Hallberga got into the fishing boat. She started to second guess her choice several hours into the trip. It was too late now to go back.
It wasn't exactly an open armed welcome for Kirsten and Hallberga, but they weren't killed either. Even at fourteen Hallberga did her part in preparing for the winter. Kirsten fit right into the female dominated culture. Hallberga struggled to find herself without being around boys as equals or close to equals.
Big-Boobied Bertha, the chieftess, was more than happy to train both of the girls in the crafts of sword-fighting, thievery, escaping and sailing. Kirsten was a natural at sailing and fishing to Hallberga's surprise.
Kirsten went from being a small girl, who was very much a girl that was happy doing a 'girl's work', to a girl that spoke her mind and could back up her claims. She was arrogant in her abilities with sailing and that got her into trouble out on the water. She learned to swim in ocean currents quite well. She certainly was not the same little girl that Hallberga had arrived with, and that all happened before the winter. She was extremely tall and had gained a lot of muscle mass. She could probably win a fight with any of the boys around her age on Berk.
Hallberga found she wasn't too fond of life with the Bog-Burglars. Despite excelling at thievery and escaping she found herself learning towards the fighting skills she had known her entire life. She found herself learning different trades daily, but never connected with any of them. She fell back onto the healing and magic she had been studying for nearly two years with Gothi.
Not much training happened in the winter, but there was more than just fighting and battle skills to the Bog-Burglars. Hallberga learned to knit from her hyperactive, overconfident cousin Camicazi, funny that a girl that could never seem to stay out of trouble was so good at something so calm like knitting and weaving. It seemed being overconfident was a family trait. Knitting and weaving were apparently a useful skill for escaping. She also learned more about her family history and her mother than she could ever imagine. The more time she spent with the Bog-Burglars the less desire she had for revenge. Being with them made her see that she really wasn't like them. It turned out that it was Kirsten that was more like a Bog-Burglar. Hallberga lacked the ability to even be turned to the thinking all men were evil, she knew Hiccup wasn't 'evil' and she thought they were all insane. Hallberga knew she belonged in Berk. She didn't need revenge. She just needed to realize who she was. She realized she wasn't as revengeful as she thought. Seeing the way woman treated men here really made her realize that her father wasn't that bad. She had been left to do a lot of thinking about everything. Things that had sparked her interest in traveling here just didn't seem as big of problems anymore.
Author's Note:
Thanks for reading my story, every view is important to me. I huge thank you to the three Betas: TattooedLibrarian, hootowl, and The Glass Sea. Please leave a review, I'd love to know what you reader's think. Chapters will depend on how much homework I have from my courses this semester. I have some difficult courses that take a lot of studying.
