Hi people... so... I apologize in advance for the cliffhanger... I know you guys LOVE those. And I don't have anything else to say... hmm...
Enjoy!
Chapter 8. An Old Enemy
Astrid slowly pushed the door open. She was earlier then usual, and the lights inside the hut were off.
"Wrenlou?" she called hesitantly into the darkness, "are you in here yet?"
No answer came, so she walked in further. Now that she was inside she could see a faint light in one of the corners, the flickering of a candle in the darkness. She carefully walked closer, not sure what she'd find. The light was coming from behind a curtain, and she could see a shadowy figure behind it. When she pulled it aside she saw Wrenlou, his back turned against her. He was shirtless, rubbing something on his shoulder while flexing his arm. She could vaguely see the scars from where the Titan Wing had wounded him, but there were other scars on his back as well, ones she remembered seeing on Hiccup's back as well. She knew what had caused them, she didn't need anyone to tell her that, but that wasn't what drew her attention. There was something on his left shoulder, a mar she couldn't quite see. Without thinking about it, she reached out and touched it, completely unprepared for Wrenlou's reaction. He whipped around, slapping her hand away. She thought she could see a flicker of fear in his eyes, but it died just as soon as it lit up.
"Astrid," he breathed, "I didn't expect you yet."
"What's that on your shoulder," Astrid asked, ignoring him and trying to get behind him, "is it a scar?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Wrenlou said curtly, "why don't you go over there and wait until I'm done."
"Not until you tell me what it is," Astrid said, her stubborn and curious nature getting the best of her, "it's not that hard is it? I know what these are," she gestured to the scars that crossed his chest, "but what is on your shoulder?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Wrenlou said again, "please leave."
"You can tell me," Astrid pushed, once again trying to get behind Wrenlou to see his shoulder, "it's okay."
"I just don't want to talk about it," Wrenlou said, barely able to hide the tremor in his voice, "it's nothing anyway."
"It has to be something," Astrid said, "please tell me? Please?"
"Fine..." Wrenlou mumbled, "if you promise to go away after that..."
"Okay," Astrid said, "now show me."
Wrenlou reluctantly allowed her to get behind him, shining the light of the candle on his shoulder. She gasped as soon as she saw the scar, staring at him in shock.
"It's a brand?" she whispered, "this is Roman... isn't it?"
"Yes..." Wrenlou said while he pulled away and grabbed his shirt, "I was a prisoner of the Romans once. Just like Hiccup. There, I told you. Please leave me alone now."
"What about my headache?" Astrid asked, stepping away.
"Ask Aminda," Wrenlou mumbled, "I'm.. busy."
"Okay..." Astrid said, "that's... okay... I will do that."
Wrenlou watched her leave, gripping his tunic so tight that his knuckles turned white. When he heard the door close he let go, dropping to his knees. After taking a few deep breaths and forcing back some memories he'd rather forget he got up again, and turned to the mirror. He was just able to see the scars on his shoulder, but he hadn't done so in a long time. He liked to think he had forgotten that they were there, but he was always reminded of them when someone caught him without a shirt.
"Keep it together," he whispered to himself while he pulled his tunic over his head, "don't let it get to you. Just... do your job. Focus on something else. Anything, but that."
He took a deep breath and brushed some hair out of his eyes. He studied his reflection, not liking the fact that he saw the fear that had creeped into his eyes.
"Don't let it get to you," he mumbled again while he turned around, "focus on something else. I can do this."
After taking another deep breath he straightened his back, trying to ignore the ghosts of pain flashing through his body. He walked to the door and slipped outside, shivering a little in the cold air. The cold helped him get his mind of the horrors from his past, and he quickly walked down the plaza towards a house on his right. He felt a little bad for sending Astrid away, but he knew that right now he couldn't be around her. He promised himself that he would talk with her later.
0-0-0-0-0-0
She had just left Aminda's house when she saw Wrenlou walking across the plaza. She called his name and went after him, feeling bad about pushing him to talk about his scars earlier. He didn't turn around, but instead ducked his head lower and quickened his pace, disappearing around a corner before she had a chance to catch up with him.
She sighed deeply and leaned against a wall to catch her breath. She remembered how Hiccup had been when she had inquired about the scars on his body, how he had shut down and turned away. She could have known that Wrenlou would react the same. The only one's she knew that boasted about scars, showing them to everyone who wanted to see them, and people who didn't, were the twins.
After searching for him for about an hour she gave up. He clearly didn't want to be found at the moment, probably struggling with memories that had surfaced because of her. She sighed and went to the Great Hall, half hoping that he would be there, but all she found were a few late Vikings hastily eating their breakfast.
0-0-0-0-0
"Astrid, have you seen Wrenlou?" Hiccup asked, "I haven't seem him all day. We were supposed to have lunch together but he didn't show up. You went to see him this morning right?"
"I did... yes..." she said hesitantly.
"Did something happen?" Hiccup asked, sensing her unease, "is he okay?"
"I don't know," she answered truthfully, "I think I might have upset him. But I didn't mean to! I swear it wasn't my intention to upset him."
"What did you do?" Hiccup asked, coming closer.
Astrid sighed and sat down, one hand on her belly. "I caught him with his shirt off," she confessed, "I believe he was rubbing something on his arm, to relief pain I think. But I saw his scars... t...the brand..."
"And you asked him about it," Hiccup sighed while he sat down next to her, "and he didn't want to tell you, so you pushed?"
She nodded wordlessly and Hiccup sighed deeply.
"Astrid..." he said while he ran a hand through his hair, "there's a reason he doesn't talk about it."
"I know," she said, "honestly, I do. But you've been more open with me lately and I guess I didn't think... I figured he would be as well."
"First of all, you're my fiancee and the mother of my baby," Hiccup said, "second, it's more recent for him than it is for me. And it was different too..."
"Different how?" Astrid asked, "he was whipped and so were you, I know that much."
"Yes, but Astrid," Hiccup said and he took her hand, "the reason why was different. I was arrested on suspicion of murder, and what they did to me was punishment. They wanted me dead. Wrenlou was taken by slave traders. Their goal was to break him, not kill him. And they very nearly succeeded too. I shouldn't tell you this, so don't tell him I told you."
Astrid looked down. "I didn't know that," she said softly, "I feel bad about hurting him."
Hiccup smiled a little and lifted her chin. "Here's what we'll do," he said softly, "I'll go find him, talk to him. I know what will make him feel better. And tomorrow you should apologize, even if you never meant to hurt him."
"I will," Astrid said, nodding, "absolutely. I don't even know I was that pushy in the first place."
"You're a Viking," Hiccup said and he stood up, "and pregnant. I'm sure that messes with your mind a little."
She smiled weakly and stood up as well. "I have no idea where he is," she said, "I've been trying to find him all day. He's probably been avoiding me as well..."
"You don't know him like I do," Hiccup said with a smile, "and you weren't there the first time. I'll go find him, talk to him. And tomorrow..."
"I apologize," Astrid said, nodding, "I will. Tell him I'm sorry, please?"
"I will," Hiccup said, "shall we meet up for dinner?"
Astrid nodded and he turned around. He had some idea of where to look for Wrenlou but he wasn't completely sure. He found Snowflake though, laying on the plaza in the sun, curled up with Toothless. Both dragons looked at him when he walked by, but made no further movements.
It took a while before he had tracked him down, but he finally found his brother in his bedroom, sitting on the floor next to his bed. He had his legs pulled against his chest, his face buried in his knees, and he didn't look up when Hiccup entered. He didn't say anything, he just sat down next to Wrenlou, waiting until he was ready to talk.
"It's stupid..." Wrenlou finally mumbled, not moving his head, "I shouldn't react like this every time."
"I understand why you do though," Hiccup said, "you know I did for the longest time. And I still have nightmares about Rome and Marcus... it's more than a physical scar, it's an emotional one as well. And that takes a lot more time and love to heal. You told me that, remember?"
Wrenlou nodded a little and looked up. Hiccup saw now that he hadn't been crying, as he had thought, but his eyes were shining.
"It's stupid," he said again, "it's been years. It shouldn't bother me like this."
Hiccup placed a gentle hand on Wrenlou's shoulder, smiling softly. "You're still not completely healed," he said, "and that's okay. These things take time, a lot more than we want. You know it took me years to get over it and stop being afraid of snapping sounds or even the sound of a hammer. And it's pretty lousy of a blacksmith is afraid of his own tools."
"I know..." Wrenlou said, looking down.
"And you were the one that helped me when my scars kept hurting," Hiccup said, "you've done so much for me, for anybody, I think it's time we did something for you now."
"Like what...?" Wrenlou asked.
"Take the rest of the day off," Hiccup said, "take Snowflake, go on a long flight. Sunset isn't for a few hours, so you can sit on a sea stack and enjoy that too."
"I have patients," Wrenlou protested, but Hiccup silenced him.
"They can wait. And if they can't, Aminda or one of the other girls can do it. They'll be fine, right now I'm worried about you. You need some time away from Berk, even if it's just a few hours."
"Maybe you're right..." Wrenlou said, fiddling with the sleeve of his tunic.
"Here's what we'll do then," Hiccup said and he stood up, "you take Snow out for a long, very long flight. You can also go somewhere and stay on the ground, I don't really care. And tomorrow morning we'll all have breakfast together, and Astrid said she'd apologize to you. She really is sorry for hurting you."
"I'm fine," Wrenlou said, taking Hiccup's hand and getting up, "just... some memories I'd have like to stay hidden."
"Go hide them again," Hiccup said with a warm smile, "I know flying helps clear your head."
Wrenlou nodded and brushed a stray tear from his face. "Thanks Hiccup."
"You would have done the same for me," Hiccup said, "in fact, you have done the same for me a few times in the past."
Wrenlou smiled weakly and followed Hiccup outside. He thanked him one last time, then went to get Snowflake. She was still curled up on the plaza with Toothless, but she perked up when he came towards her. After she stretched and yawned, she crouched down, to allow Wrenlou to climb onto the saddle. Toothless whined and nosed him, asking to come along.
"Sorry Toothless," he said while he climbed onto Snowflake's back, "if you want to fly you'll have to get Hiccup."
Toothless whined again but backed away, turning to find his own rider. Wrenlou watched him go, blending into the shadows, then he petted Snowflake's head.
"Come on girl," he whispered and her ear twitched, "lets go flying."
The Night Fury spread her wings and took off, shooting into the clouds like an arrow released from a bow. Almost instantly he felt better, the dark memories and fears drifting away as they soared high above the clouds. Wrenlou took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Hiccup was right when he had said that flying helps. Flying was the ultimate freedom, the ability to go where ever wings could take you, and it was perfect to chase away the memories of dark and damp cells.
They watched the sunrise from a sea stack just off the coast of Dragon Island, formerly the home of the Titan Wing that had terrorized Berk for centuries. The fog surrounding the island was gone, and it was home to may different species of dragons now, all living in peace with each other.
As they sat on the sea stack together a flock of dragons passed them. It was the strangest flock he'd ever seen. Gronckles and Nadders and Zipplebacks flying side by side, not trying to kill each other. A chattering flock of Terrors landed on the sea stack, swarming him looking for food. He didn't bring anything, so they left, chirping disappointment while they swarmed around the larger dragons in the flock. After the sun had set Wrenlou stood up, stretching his arms and legs.
"What do you say girl," he asked, turning to Snowflake, "do you want to go back to Berk yet?"
When the dragon crooned and shook her head he laughed a little. "Yeah didn't think so. Me neither. Lets just fly around until we get tired, then land somewhere to spend the night."
Snowflake jumped up and shook her wings. Wrenlou chuckled and climbed onto the saddle. They dove down, towards the water, but pulled up just in time, a fine mist spraying their faces.
"I just love flying..." Wrenlou sighed happily while he leaned back on the dragon, staring up at the stars as they drifted through the sky, "nothing is more perfect."
0-0-0-0-0-0
A shout echoed through the ship, and rapid footsteps approached his door. It was thrown open, a young man in the doorway, panting and gasping for breath.
"Eret..." he gasped, "d..dragon..."
He jumped up, already shouting orders for the men to ready the bola's and the nets. But when he got up on deck he froze, staring at the white speck in the sky. He pulled a spyglass from his belt, looking at the vague dot, and gasped, his eyes widening.
"It's them!" he said, swirling around, "the White Fury! We found it! Guys, we can't let this one get away. Ready everything we've got, this is our ticket to freedom!"
Immediately the ship fell into chaos. Cages with trapped dragons were brought down into the hold, all the sails were deployed so they could sail at the highest possible speed, and they readied every bola launcher and net they had. Eret stood on the bow of the ship, a crazed grin on his face.
"Finally..." he mumbled, "after all these years... you're mine again..."
His hand went up to his chest, to where Drago had burned him for his failure the first time. This time he would bring him the Night Fury, alive and unharmed, just like he had ordered them to.
"Steady..." he said, "take it easy... steady... get ready men, we're almost in position."
The ship cut through the waves like a hot sword through flesh, silent and deadly, unheard and unseen. Eret kept his eyes foxed on the white dragon in the sky, the Fury circling lower. He could now se the figure mounted on her back, and his grin grew wider.
"A dragon and revenge," he whispered, "excellent."
He raised his hand, a signal for his men to get ready, and when they were so close he could almost touch the dragon's tail, his hand shot down like a snake shooting at it's prey. Bola's and nets shot up into the sky, snaring the white dragon, tangling around her wings and tail, and she plummeted from the sky with a shriek of terror.
"Move move move!" Eret shouted, and the ship shot forward, positioning itself under the dragon so that she and her rider hit the deck.
They were immediately surrounded by armed men, the dragon trashing and growling under the nets. Wrenlou struggled to get his arm free from the bola that had wrapped around him, trying to get to his knife to cut them out, but before he could he was grabbed by a pair of scarred hands and hauled to his feet.
"Secure the dragon!" a voice rang over the deck, "watch out! Don't let it spew fire!"
Wrenlou kicked the man holding him and the guy let go of his wrists. But before he could go anywhere, two more men grabbed his arms and twisted them behind his back, tying them together with a leather cord.
"Look who it is..." Eret smirked, "good to see you again. I must say I'm surprised to find you this far north though."
"You," Wrenlou spat, fighting the men that tied his hands behind his back, "let me go!"
"Oh I don't think so," Eret said, coming closer, watching how his men secured the dragon, "you see, your little stunt nearly cost me my life. Today, I'll have my revenge."
"You're to blame for whatever happened to you," Wrenlou hissed, "I had no part in your poor life choices."
"Because of you I got this," Eret growled back, showing his prisoner the brand on his chest, "because of you I've been doomed to a life of dragon hunting. No one crosses Drago Bludvist and lives for long. Death has been hanging over my head ever since the day you stole my dragons. Not anymore. Your White Fury is my ticket to freedom. Our ticket to freedom. Isn't it so lads!"
The whole boat cheered, but Wrenlou spat on the deck.
"You made the mistake of taking our dragons," he said darkly, "you should have known we'd take them back."
"Speaking of which," Eret grinned and he grabbed Wrenlou's chin, forcing their eyes to meet, "where is your little friend?"
"Where you'll never find him," Wrenlou said, "and so is his dragon."
"I'll lure him out," Eret said, "both of them. You two are close, are you not? So what would he do if he found your body washed up somewhere?"
Wrenlou's eyes widened. "You wouldn't..." he whispered shocked, "you can't!"
"I can," Eret said coldly, "finally I have my revenge. Finally I can take the prize of my head. I will bring Drago this white dragon, and then I will go out again and find your friend and take his dragon too. Take her below deck, throw him overboard. He's no use to us anymore."
"No!" Wrenlou screamed, desperately struggling to get free, "Snowflake!"
The dragon growled through her muzzle, fighting the chains, but they were to strong. She was pulled away, down through a trapdoor in the center of the deck, and the last Wrenlou saw of her were her frightened eyes staring back at him. He didn't have time to think about anything else because he was then pushed over the railing, into the cold dark water below.
It felt like a kick in the stomach, the cold biting at him from all sides. He tried to swim, stay afloat, but even if he was an excellent swimmer, he wasn't used to the cold waters of Berk, and his hands were still tied behind his back. He had to watch the ship sail away, Snowflake's cries carrying out over the water, and he fought to stay above the water. It was pulling at him from all sides, trying to take him under into the depths below, and he could feel his strength and energy draining away. The cold was creeping into his body, numbing him from all sides, and he could feel how he was losing consciousness.
"Snow... flake..." he coughed, spitting up water he had swallowed, "Hiccup..."
The water pulled him under, closing above his head, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't surface again. His lungs were screaming for air, and the last thing he saw was a dark shape shooting towards him, then he felt his body going numb and everything went black.
