Chapter 9 - Tragedy


All characters (not including my own) are property of Dreamworks Animation and Anne McCaffrey.

A/N: Rated a strong T for character deaths, blood, and angst. You've been warned.


They came out of between over the Landing complex as Meznith bugled his name and H'cup heard the watchdragon's reply. Landing in front of the Smithcraft barracks, H'cup dismounted and asked B'net to wait for him. H'cup went in and started packing his things. As he worked on his last bag, his fellow Journeyman Jencis came up and asked what was going on.

"I'm leaving, Jencis. I'm taking my things and moving to Telgar Weyr".

Jencis couldn't believe his ears. "Hiccup, you're the best Journeyman around! You would most likely be promoted to Master within a few turns! Did something happen to make you want to quit?"

H'cup turned to his friend with a look on his face that Jencis didn't expect to see, happiness. He said; "Yes, Jencis, something did happen. The most wonderful thing in the whole world".

Jencis frowned at first and then a light seemed to go on behind his eyes; "Wait a minute, you went to the Weyr to watch the Hatching...Oh, shards, you went and Impressed, did you?"

H'cup smiled; "Yep, and I've got the absolute best dragon in the world!"

"So, what is your dragon's name, the color, and how is your name contracted now?" Jencis asked.

"My dragon's name is Tannluth, he's a black dragon, and my new name is H'cup".

"BLACK dragon? I've never heard of one of those".

"Nope, and you probably never will again. He's a one of a kind".

"So, you're giving up everything you've worked for over the last few months?"

H'cup stopped packing and looked at him. "It's not like I had much choice in the matter, Jencis. He wanted me and I had to accept. I'm only putting my Smithcraft duties on hold while Tannluth and I go through weyrling training. Once we're finished, I'm sure I could get back to smithing".

Jencis sighed; "Well, I'm sorry to see you go, H'cup, but like you said, you didn't have much choice". He held out his hand. "Good luck at the weyr and congratulations on your Impression".

H'cup took his hand and shook it. "Thanks, Jencis. You've been a good friend and a loyal comrade. I hope there's others at the weyr like you".

Jencis smiled and said; "Trayner's your friend and he was Searched, wasn't he? Did he Impress?"

H'cup grinned; "He sure did. Got a blue dragon named Granth". Then his smile faltered; "There was another Impression as well, the other person who was taken on Search from the Smithcrafthall".

"Who?"

"Bentrel".

"You're kidding, BENTREL Impressed?"

H'cup shook his head; "I wish I was kidding, Jencis, but I don't think Bentrel is too happy about Impressing a green. I saw the look on his face as he was feeding his dragon. If he doesn't change his attitude quickly I don't know what's going to happen but it can't be good".

Jencis shook his head. "I will never understand the ways of dragons. You be careful around Bentrel, or whatever he calls himself now. I wouldn't want to hear about anything bad happening to you".

"Thank you for your concern, Jencis. I'll be careful".

Jencis nodded once and started grabbing some of H'cup's effects. "Here, let me help you carry this out. Did you get it all?"

"Yep, I didn't have much personal stuff to start with. We mostly brought down equipment that has to stay here, so this is all I'll be taking with me".

Jencis walked with H'cup out to where Meznith was waiting. H'cup handed up his bags and B'net secured them to the harness. When the last one was secured, he turned to Jencis who extended his hand.

"So long, H'cup. Again, good luck on your new endeavor".

H'cup shook his hand and said; "Chin up, Jencis, this isn't farewell. I'll be around from time to time, but thanks for your well wishes".

Jencis smiled, pumped his hand once, and stepped back as H'cup took his place behind B'net. Once the straps were secure, Meznith lifted off with two strokes of his powerful wings and went between a moment later.

o0o0o0o

Three days later, H'cup was noticing some alarming changes in B'trel's behavior. Instead of having a mellowing influence, his link with his dragon actually made him more antagonistic. It certainly was no fault of his green dragon, Spreth. H'cup was bathing Tannluth when he looked over and saw B'trel berating his dragon after he finished washing and oiling her.

"Now, go lie down under that tree. I did a lot of work washing and oiling you and I don't want you to mess it up! Go on, now".

H'cup could see that Spreth tried caressing her rider, but B'trel just turned away and walked inside. Spreth walked to the indicated spot and plopped down, dejected and lonely. Tannluth crooned sadly in his throat.

:H'cup, Spreth is very depressed. She loves her rider, but she feels he doesn't love her in return. Can we do SOMETHING to help her?:

"What CAN we do Tannluth? The problem is with her rider. I thought her influence would bring B'trel around, but it doesn't look like it's helping".

:Can we at least talk to her? I can ask to see if she will talk to you as well:

H'cup sighed; "I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. You go over and talk to her while I get dressed". H'cup went to the weyrling barracks where he kept his dry clothes. Toweling himself dry, he sat down and took off the wooden leg he used while bathing Tannluth. Strapping on his regular one, he finished getting dressed and walked outside to meet Spreth. Walking closer to where she was lying in the shade, H'cup could see that she was in bad shape. Her skin was grayish and hanging loosely on her frame. There were also lesions on her skin where B'trel couldn't be bothered to clean and oil properly. The saddest, most heart wrenching thing of all was her eyes. H'cup couldn't think of a single time when her eyes were blue.

"Tannluth, will she talk to me?"

:I'm not sure, H'cup. Try asking her:

"Hello, Spreth. I'm H'cup, Tannluth's rider. It's nice to meet you".

Spreth didn't reply, just turned and looked at him with the saddest eyes he's ever seen on a dragon or ANY creature he's ever come across. H'cup swallowed hard and asked her; "Spreth, I'd like to help if I can, me and Tannluth both. Talk to me, please? Maybe I could do something for you".

H'cup heard her sigh. Very quietly, she said; :I love him and I only want him to love me. Is that such a wrong thing to ask for?:

H'cup nearly cried in anguish as he heard and felt her despair. Tannluth's eyes were whirling yellow with streaks of orange as he too reacted to Spreth's mental pain. Tannluth laid down next to her, humming and rubbing his head along her neck. H'cup sat at her head and was rubbing her eye ridges. Spreth seemed to cheer up a little, as her eyes were more of a green color instead of the constant yellow. She crooned in her throat as she looked at H'cup and licked his hand.

:Thank you, both of you, that does make me feel a little better: Her eyes resumed their yellow state when she said; :B'trel never did that for me:

H'cup asked her; "Spreth, why did you choose B'trel? Didn't you sense how he was?"

Spreth gave a sad croon and said; :No, not at the time of Impression. I saw B'trel's potential to be a great dragonrider, and I was attracted to that. I'm still hoping for him to realize that I love him and will do anything for him:

H'cup was disgusted to think that B'trel would abuse such a sweet and loving dragon like Spreth. He started to say something else when he was interrupted by a shout from the main cavern.

"Hey, gimp! You and your freak, get away from my dragon!"

H'cup got to his feet as B'trel came storming out of the main cavern. Tannluth got up and stood by H'cup's side, hissing and flaring his wings. Spreth also stood and ran to B'trel trying to intercept him. H'cup could still hear her because she was pleading so loudly.

:B'trel, please, please don't be mad, they were just talking to me: H'cup flinched as he heard her tone, it sounded like a whipped puppy.

B'trel had difficulty speaking through clenched teeth. "Talking to you? TALKING TO YOU! I'm your RIDER! I'm the ONLY one who should be talking to you! Now, go back to your spot, I'll deal with you later". Spreth turned away with her head hung low and her tail dragging. B'trel watched her go and advanced on H'cup.

By this time, nearly all the weyrlings and a few seasoned riders gathered to see what the fuss was all about. B'trel was about to get right in H'cup's face, but was stopped short by an angrily hissing and snarling Tannluth. B'trel looked scared for a moment, but smirked and laughed.

"What, you've got your freak of a dragon trained to attack now, gimpy?"

H'cup sighed and rolled his eyes; "B'trel, if you knew anything about dragons, and it's clear you don't, you'd know that Tannluth is only trying to protect me. I haven't trained him to do anything. Besides, I don't need him to take you on, I've already proven that at the Smithcrafthall. Would you like another sparring session as a reminder?"

B'trel removed his tunic in response. "You're on, gimpy! I've learned a few things since then! Just keep your freak away from me as I pound your head in the ground!".

H'cup turned to Tannluth and told him; "Buddy, I know it's hard, but you can't interfere. Just stay off to the side and I'll handle this".

Tannluth wasn't happy about that and said so; :H'cup, I don't like this. I'm feeling pure poison coming from Spreth's rider's mind. He REALLY wants to hurt you!:

H'cup put his forehead on Tannluth's muzzle and said; "I know, buddy, and I appreciate your concern, but I've dealt with him before. Remember when Astrid was training me and all the bruises I had when I came home?" Tannluth gave a little mental chuckle as he remembered. "Well, all that hard work and training paid off. Don't worry, I can take this guy!"

Tannluth sighed and said; :All right, H'cup, I trust you. I won't interfere:

H'cup turned to face B'trel, but before either one made a move they were interrupted by Spreth stepping in front of her rider. H'cup could hear her pleading with him.

:B'trel, please don't do this. He could HURT you, and I can't stand to see you hurt:

H'cup thought B'trel was angry at Spreth before, but that was nothing compared to how he was now. His veins stood out on his forehead as he screamed at his dragon; "GO AWAY! GET OUT OF HERE! I NEVER WANTED YOU! I WAS DESTINED FOR A BRONZE DRAGON! A BRONZE! BUT I GOT YOU INSTEAD!" As he was screaming, he whipped off his belt and raised it to strike Spreth. Other weyrlings, dragonriders, and H'cup were yelling for him to stop, but B'trel brought the belt down with all his might behind it. As the buckle slashed across Spreth's eye, she gave one final scream of pain, fear, and despair before disappearing between. B'trel could only stare stupidly at the spot where she stood a moment before. He sank to his knees and moaned as the dragons keened in tribute to the passing of one of their kind. H'cup also stared at the spot where Spreth was standing, but was still in control of his faculties.

"Tannluth, what just happened?"

Tannluth was still keening and it took a few moments for him to respond. When he did, his voice was full of pain and sadness; :Spreth is no more, she went between forever. She was in too much pain and wanted it to end. She knew her rider never wanted her and she didn't want to stay where she wasn't wanted:

H'cup heard the moan from B'trel, no, it's Bentrel now, change to a low chant. He was repeating; "No, no, no, no". H'cup thought that was all he was going to say, until he got to his feet and turned to look his way. His chant changed from "No" to "You did it". Bentrel kept repeating it and increased the volume as he advanced on H'cup. Drawing his belt knife, he started yelling; "YOU did it! You and your freak dragon! It's your fault! YOU KILLED MY DRAGON! DRAGON KILLER! DRAGON KILLER! DRAGON KILLER!"

H'cup tried talking to him; "Bentrel, I didn't do anything to kill Spreth, I was just trying to help her!"

However, Bentrel was beyond reason; "I don't CARE about that sharding stupid green! Your FREAK was responsible for killing my bronze and seven other dragons! If he'd have never been born, then I would be a bronze rider now!"

H'cup thought; "Is he insane? What the Hel is he talking about? Is this about the eight eggs that turned black when they were laid?" He said aloud; "Bentrel, there's no way to know if that was Tannluth's fault. There's also no way to know if one of those eggs was a bronze. Put the knife down, let's be reasonable".

Bentrel screamed in rage; "NO, IT IS YOUR DRAGON'S FAULT AND THEREFORE YOUR FAULT! YOU"RE RESPONSIBLE AND NOW YOU'LL PAY!"

Drawing his own belt knife, H'cup started backing away trying to keep some distance as he tried talking to Bentrel. He held his right hand up palm outward and said; "Bentrel, just calm down and put the knife away, we don't have to do this. Let us help you". H'cup withdrew his hand quickly as Bentrel snarled and made a wild slash at it with his knife.

Tannluth shrieked in fear for his rider and started forward. H'cup mentally shouted; "Tannluth, NO! Stay where you are!"

Tannluth's eyes were whirling orange and red in a combination of fear, anger, and worry. He told H'cup; :H'cup, he wants to HURT you!:

H'cup's gave a short bark of laughter. "No, buddy, I don't think he wants to hurt me. I think he wants to kill me!"

Tannluth nearly panicked; :NO! I will kill HIM first! He can't take you from me! HE CAN'T!:

H'cup kept his eyes on the advancing Bentrel as he talked to his dragon; "Tannluth, don't try it. Yes, you could probably hurt him, but he will more than likely kill you. Please, just stay away and let me handle this!"

Tannluth whimpered and stomped his feet, but gave in to H'cup's wishes. :Very well, H'cup, but you better not lose!:

H'cup held his knife flat against the outside of his left forearm so it could be used as a shield against a slashing attack. Judging by the way Bentrel held his knife, that is how he was going to come after him. Concentrating on his chest, H'cup waited for him to make his move. Bentrel lunged forward and aimed at H'cup's throat in a roundhouse cutting arc. H'cup lifted his left forearm and deflected it easily with the flat of his blade. Bentrel tried slashing at H'cup by swinging his arm in a backhand stroke, but H'cup ducked under his swing, changed his grip on his knife, and sprung forward swinging his knife in an upward diagonal arc. H'cup landed with most of his weight on his good foot and immediately spun around to reacquire his opponent, but he could see that Bentrel was finished. Blood was spurting out the side of Bentrel's neck as he slowly turned around. He had a bewildered look on his face as if he couldn't believe this was happening to him. Dropping his knife, he put both hands on his throat in an attempt to stop the flow, but it just poured through his fingers. Sinking to his knees, he looked at H'cup with a look of shock and confusion on his face. H'cup shook his head slowly and mouthed the words; 'I'm sorry'. Bentrel's eyes rolled back as he gave a last gurgling gasp before pitching face forward into a spreading pool of crimson.

H'cup picked up a spare cleaning rag, wiped the blood off his knife, and slid it in its sheath as he quietly said; "I never wanted this, Bentrel. I tried to help you and begged for you to stop. I hope you're at peace wherever you are". He turned around to look at the crowd of onlookers when he was hit full in the chest and knocked to the ground by an anxiously crooning black and brown dragonet. Tannluth laid on his chest and licked his face.

:You're okay! You're okay! I'm SO glad you weren't hurt!:

"Ooof, Tannluth get off of me! You're going to smother me!"

Tannluth moved off of him and allowed him to sit up. :Sorry about that, I'm just REALLY glad he didn't hurt you!:

"Yeah, me too, buddy, me too".

H'cup stood and looked around at the assembled onlookers. Almost all of them still had looks of shock and sadness on their faces. A few of them looked like they were going to be sick. He scanned the faces until he saw his friend T'yner who, unfortunately, looked like one of the sick ones. H'cup walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"T'yner, are you okay?" he was swaying and his face was pale. He was also still looking at the growing red spot around Bentrel's body. H'cup turned him around and guided him to the dining cavern. "Don't look at him! Come on, I'll get you something to settle you down". T'yner took two steps before falling to his knees and puking his guts out. H'cup put his hand on his back and waited for him to finish. When it seemed like the worst was over, H'cup pulled him to his feet and they continued on their way to the dining cavern. However, he stopped and turned when he heard his name being called.

"Rider H'cup! Come over here, please!" H'cup recognized the voice of Weyrleader R'mart.

T'yner said; "Go on, H'cup, I'll be okay. I'm feeling a little better, now".

"You sure?"

Wiping his chin, T'yner said; "Yeah, I'll live. Go on and tell him what happened. Remember, you've got plenty of witnesses".

H'cup put his hand on T'yner's shoulder as a gesture of gratitude and went to talk to the Weyrleader. Tannluth walked up and sat next to him.

"You wanted to see me, Weyrleader?" H'cup asked as he walked up.

R'mart turned away from examining Bentrel's body and asked him; "Yes, rider H'cup, I wanted to see you. What happened here? I heard the dragons keening and Branth told me that Spreth went between. I come down here thinking I'm going to have to deal with her distraught rider, but I see that the former rider of Spreth is lying facedown in a pool of his own blood. I've already heard other senior riders give their statements H'cup, now I'd like to hear yours".

H'cup cleared his throat and gave his version of the events that just transpired. When he was finished, R'mart nodded his head and said; "That is exactly the way the other witnesses say it happened. H'cup, you've done nothing wrong and the killing of Bentrel will be listed as self-defense. It's a shame that we couldn't save the pair of them. If we intervened sooner, we probably could have done something for Spreth, or at least see to it that she didn't suffer so much. You showed great initiative in trying to help her, H'cup. You will be a great asset to whatever wing you're assigned once you finish your training".

"Thank you, sir, but the credit for coming up with the idea to help Spreth should go to my dragon, Tannluth. He's the one who suggested we talk to her". H'cup stroked Tannluth's head, who crooned in appreciation.

"Tannluth, eh? Well, Tannluth, since you're here I can say this to you as well. Good job, both of you".

Tannluth bowed his head to show his thanks as H'cup said; "Thank you, sir".

R'mart bowed his head to the two of them and returned to his office. H'cup looked around for his friend T'yner. he saw him making his way to the dining cavern. he still looked shaky on his feet, so he went to help him.

"Tannluth, would it be okay if I left you alone for a little while? Maybe you can lie down in the sun with the other dragons".

:Hmmm, that sounds nice. Are you going to help Granth's rider?:

"How did you know I wanted to do that?"

:I saw you helping him earlier. Go on, I'll be over here by the lake:

"See you in a little bit, buddy". H'cup walked up to an unsteady T'yner and supported him by an elbow. "Come on, T'yner, let's get something in that empty stomach".

o0o0o0o

Making his way back across the bowl where he last saw his dragon, H'cup looked around the lake to try and find him. When he couldn't see him, he mentally called out; "Tannluth, where are you?"

:Up here:

H'cup looked at the ledge above the lake. Tannluth was lying there with his forepaws on the edge. He could see that Tannluth's eyes were yellow and whirling slowly. H'cup asked out loud; "How did you get up there?"

Tannluth pointed to his left with his muzzle; :There's a sloping path over there, come on up if you want to:

H'cup walked up the path and sat down next to his dragon. He simply said; "Hey".

Tannluth didn't look up but said; :Hey:

Tannluth was silent for a few minutes before he asked; :H'cup, is there something wrong with me?:

H'cup was shocked that his dragon would be feeling this way. "What? Shards no, Tannluth, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you! What would make you ask a question like that?"

:Well, I heard what Spreth's rider called me and now several dragons are telling me that their riders are saying the same thing:

"Are the dragons calling you names?"

:No, no, it's not the dragons, just their riders. It's got me wondering if I'm a proper dragon. I'm just worried that I can't be a proper dragon for you since I'm so different:

Tannluth's admission brought tears to H'cup's eyes. "Oh my gods, he's afraid that I'm going to reject him like Bentrel rejected Spreth". Taking Tannluth's head in both hands, H'cup turned it so he was looking directly into his eyes.

"Tannluth, now you listen to me and you listen good. You ARE a proper dragon! I wouldn't have you any other way! Know also that I am NOTHING like Bentrel, understand? NOTHING! You are MY DRAGON, always have been, always will be. You were one of a kind back in Berk and you're one of a kind here on Pern. I loved you then and I love you now and I will never leave you, forsake you, or reject you. You are MINE, now and forevermore. Am I making my intentions clear to your scaly brain?

Tannluth's eyes were whirling a happy blue now as he lifted his head and licked H'cup on his face. H'cup laughed and pushed him away, but Tannluth wasn't done yet. Looking H'cup in the eyes, he made his own vow.

:H'cup, this I promise you before all the dragons assembled here and under the stars in the skies above. You are MY RIDER, always have been, always will be. You are the only one of your kind in the universe, no matter where we are. I've loved you back in Berk, I love you here on Pern, and I will never leave you, forsake you, or reject you. You are MINE, now and forevermore. I will add this to my vow. I will do everything within my power to protect you and keep you safe, but if anything happens to you and you should die, I would live for only one second longer. That will be enough time for me to go between forever and join you in the next life. I will NOT live if I have to live without you. Am I making myself clear to that hairy brain of yours?:

H'cup laughed and said; "Silly dragon, my brain doesn't have hair on it!"

Tannluth joined in with his own draconic chuckle; :And mine doesn't have scales on it, so there!:

H'cup smiled as he sat beside his friend. "So, what do we do now?"

Tannluth thought for a moment and said; :We live, we learn, we grow, we fight Thread, and we love each other for the rest of our lives:

"That's it? That simple, huh?"

:Yep:

H'cup thought about it and nodded; "Sounds like a plan to me".


A/N: A few notes and kudos

1. Special thanks to Pern Dreamer for allowing me to borrow a situation I first read of in Mara's Story.

2. I realize that the situation with Bentrel and Spreth would never happen on the real Pern, but I wanted a situation that would strengthen the bond between H'cup and Tannluth.

3. I also realize that Tannluth is unusually chatty for a Pern dragon, but remember that he still has the mind and memories of an older Night Fury.

As always, thanks for reading and use the blue button below to leave a review on this site. Reviews make Tannluth, Heimdall, H'cup, (and me) very happy!