What If...
3rd – 9th Meeting
It was another 2 years before Dagur saw Hicca again. There had been an outbreak of eel-pox on Talon Island, and Dagur was one of the few who came down with the illness, he was forced to stay home while his father travelled to the annual treaty signing. Dagur knew he wasn't well enough to go, so he made his father promise to check up on Hicca for him, his father promised to do so and set sail for Berk.
When his father returned three days later, he brought news of Hicca with him. As it turned out, Hicca had become an apprentice of the town blacksmith, according to Oswald, she was doing well. She also gave a message to Oswald to give to Dagur, it didn't make any sense to the chief, but Dagur understood completely.
'I'll keep my promise'
/LINE BREAK/
A year later, Dagur was on his way to Berk again. He had been determined not to miss out on seeing Hicca this time around.
He was now 12 years old, and Hicca was eight. When they saw each other, they were quick to point out the few changes in each other's appearance. Dagur now wore a dark grey tunic and thick leather boots, his hair now reached his shoulder blades and was tied in a tight braid. According to Hicca, Dagur had also gotten more muscular, in particular his arms and chest seemed thicker. But aside from that, he hadn't changed much.
Hicca's hair now reached her waist and was tied in a high ponytail, she still wore a green tunic and brown boots, but now also wore a fur vest and a thick belt around her waist. But what surprised Dagur most was the changes in her personality, she seemed more confident now and seemed to use sarcasm much more frequently. She was still getting teased, but she stuck to Dagur's advice and didn't let it bother her.
The two realised their friendship was somewhat strange, they only saw each other for a couple of days a year, but whenever they saw each other they made every moment count. They were each other's first true friend, and that's something they hoped would last for years come.
But a few years later, things started to change.
/LINE BREAK/
After their latest meeting, Dagur was travelling back to Talon with his father and the other Vikings from their tribe. After so many years, he was now almost a full adult at 18 years old, while Hicca had only just entered her teenage years at 14. Puberty would always be a tricky time for anyone, for Dagur, becoming a man had been incredibly strange, but he had taken it all in stride. He knew the awkward years would start for Hicca soon, and he often found himself wonder what Hicca would be like as a full grown woman. But the thought always unnerved him.
But after this particular meeting, Dagur's father had surprised him with some unthinkable news.
"I don't want you acting so friendly around the Hooligan heiress anymore." He'd said it so nonchalantly, it almost made Dagur angry as well as shocked.
"W-What? Why?"
His father gave a sigh and turned to his son. "Dagur, you're almost at the age of adulthood. You need to start thinking about your future, taking over the tribe, finding a wife, and producing some heirs of your own. In order for you to do that, you need to stop your childish friendship with that girl. I would understand if she was older and you intended to marry her, but as she is, she wouldn't be acceptable for you."
"Why not? Why can't Hicca and I be together?" He'd honestly never thought about marrying Hicca, but to say she was unacceptable... he wouldn't have her insulted like that.
"Are you honestly saying you don't see it? That girl is small and weak, even if she was a more acceptable age, she's still a poor candidate. Even her own village know she's just a useless mistake, she can't even lift a sword over her head, she would only bring shame to our bloodline. Nothing but a pathetic runt, it would have been better if they'd drowned her at birth."
That did it. Dagur's anger grew with every insult and slur his father threw at Hicca, but talking so casually about her death, that was the breaking point.
Without even realising it, Dagur had pulled the sword from his belt and charged at his father, plunging the sword into his chest.
As blood filled his father's throat, Dagur said his finally words to his father. "I won't let you take Hicca away from me."
Dagur pulled out his sword and watched his father fall to the ground, the other Vikings in the room could only watch. He'd really done it. Dagur had killed his father.
