Chapter 10 - Farewells
Hiccup stood on the beach feeling miserable. The Elder had given her permission for him to leave the temple complex but Hiccup was already regretting his decision to see the Falcon off. It wasn't the fact that the rain was lashing down again or the now ever present guards that Hiccup found uncomfortable. It was the fact that the whole event felt like a funeral and he couldn't help feeling like he was the one who'd died.
He gritted his teeth as yet another person came up to him, shook his hand and told him how proud they were of him. He accepted the praise graciously and under any other circumstance would have found it flattering. However, it wasn't the words that were affecting him so much it was the look on their faces, their body language, the way they all had the same solemn and sad look about them.
The farewell with Gobber had brought a small moment of light heartedness when he had given Hiccup a bear hug and wiped at his eyes muttered something about onions but it had been short lived. Everyone knew how serious the situation was and that Hiccup would pay the price if the plan failed. It was the reason for all the depressing farewells.
He braced himself as he saw his father approach. He had been dreading this moment.
"Were ready to go," Stoick said as he reached Hiccup.
A lump in his throat Hiccup just nodded, unable to meet his father's gaze. Stoick placed his hands on his son's shoulders.
"Still determined to go through with this?" Stoick asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"I am," Hiccup answered quietly.
Stoick looked hard at his son. The seventeen year old boy that had travelled from Berk only a few days before was gone now, in his place stood a confident and determined young man. Stoick's heart swelled with pride at how far Hiccup had come in just a few short days. He squeezed the young man's shoulders and gave him a deep and meaningful look.
"Look son I know I've been harsh on you these last few months, pushed you to grow up and accept your responsibilities perhaps faster than you would have liked, but I want you to know that I'm proud of you Hiccup. More proud then I've ever been. The courage you have shown today is beyond anything I have seen, even in the heat of battle. What you have chosen to risk for the tribe..." his voice caught and he cursed himself. The magnitude of what they were trying to achieve weighed heavily on his mind and he couldn't bear to think of the consequences if they failed.
"I know Dad," Hiccup said his own voice struggling.
Stoick swallowed his concern, there would be time enough for that later, right now he wanted to be strong for his son and show him the reassurance he needed.
"I also know Hiccup that when the time finally comes for this old man to hang up his hammer I will be leaving Berk in good hands."
Hiccup looked at his father in disbelief, overwhelmed by the unexpected praise. Stoick brought him into a close embrace.
"I'll be back for you, I Promise," he said his voice thick with emotion as he held Hiccup tight.
Hiccup was unable to find his own words.
Eventually Stoick pushed away and gave Hiccup one long last searching look before turning away. Hiccup watched him go and wished that he could run after him. In truth he could. Alvin and Dagur had forced this situation on him but it was his choice to stay behind as a prisoner, to offer his life as a guarantee. The thought that his life would be forfeit if they did not return terrified him and a part of him wondered why he did not save himself when he still had the chance. Was it bravery, foolishness or just downright stubbornness that stopped him?
He sighed as the second farewell he had been dreading now approached and he gently stroked the soft leather wrapped around his left wrist. Astrid's face was as solemn as his fathers had been and he took a deep shaky breath.
"Hey," he said quietly as she reached him and took hold of his hands.
"It's time to go," she said in the same quiet voice as she pulled close to his chest and touched her forehead to his. He nodded and leaned into her, closing his eyes.
"I know."
"I'm so proud of you Hiccup."
"So everyone keeps telling me," he said with a frustrated sigh.
"I mean it Hiccup. I confess that I was worried that you would never accept you responsibilities but in the last few days you've shown us all that you have the makings of being a great leader, possibly the best Berk has ever seen," the pride and love in her voice coming through strong as she spoke.
Hiccup looked at her and gave her one of his lopsided grins.
"You really mean that."
She kissed him on the cheek.
"I really mean it."
"Let's hope I get the chance to keep showing it," and he braced himself for the punch that usually came after he berated himself or joked, but it didn't come.
Instead she wrapped her arms around him tightly and held him as if she would never let go. He returned the hug with the same fierceness.
They both looked up at the sound of her name being called.
"You have to go," Hiccup said sadly not wanting to be parted from her.
She nodded.
"I don't want to leave you," she admitted as she wiped at her face and Hiccup knew that it wasn't the rain she wiped away.
"I'll be fine," he assured her.
Her name was called again with more urgency and Hiccup could see that the crew were ready to push the Falcon back to sea.
He kissed her fiercely.
"I love you," he whispered as they broke apart.
"I love you to," she breathed trying to control the emotion in her voice.
"Go," he said and let go of her hands.
"Don't be late," he added with a small smile.
"I won't. I promise," and with that she set off at a run towards the now moving boat.
Hiccup watched as she grasped the boarding rope and climbed safely on deck. She joined Gobber and his father at the rail and lifted her arm in a farewell gesture. He raised his own in return and watched as they sailed into the mist and out of sight.
Hiccup remained on the beach looking out at the empty sea long after they had gone. He had a horrible feeling of foreboding now that they had left and an intense feeling of loneliness gripped him. One of the guards came up beside him and lay a gentle hand on his arm. Pulled from his dark thoughts he nodded and finally let himself be lead back to the path. He thought that going to the beach would have helped pick up his spirits but in truth it had done the opposite.
It was well past midnight when they reached the temple complex and something that had been worrying him came back to the forefront of his mind. He accepted that he was now a prisoner rather than a guest but he couldn't help wondering what would happen to him.
His mood darkened further as he listened to the two guards talking quietly between themselves. He caught the word 'cell' at one point and he had a horrible feeling that they were talking about him. It seemed that there were holding cells deep under the temple and he shuddered at the thought of a cold, dark and windowless room with iron bars and nothing but a stone floor to sleep on. His imagination torturing him further as it added chains to the image and he suddenly feared that he would be bound as well as confined. He bowed his head against the rain and wondered what awaited him.
The torches around the complex guttered in the strong wind as they climbed the steps to the relative shelter of the main hall. The Elder was standing just inside the doorway and came forward to meet them. Hiccup, who was shivering with cold now, felt his anxiety grow.
"Did they depart safely?" she asked as they met.
Hiccup nodded and saw that she was looking deeply at him.
"How are you feeling child?" she asked with concern in her voice.
"Ok I suppose," he responded suddenly feeling drained and exhausted. It had been a long and difficult day.
She nodded and sighed.
"We will need to talk but it can wait till morning. For now you need to rest. Your accommodation is ready."
An image once again shot into Hiccup's mind of a cold, dark cell and he tried to hide his fear but the Elders sharp eyes spotted it.
"What is it child?" she asked gently.
Hiccup glanced at the floor.
"Um..I was wondering...where I would be...confined. The guards said something about a...cell," and he cursed himself for the weakness in his voice.
"I see," she shot the two guards a disapproving look and they suddenly looked uncomfortable.
She sighed again.
"Yes there are indeed cells here that were once used to hold those who were to be sacrificed."
"Oh," Hiccup said quietly.
He closed his eyes as his worst fears were confirmed. Steeling himself he pushed the frightening image of chains from his mind and reminding himself that he was doing this to save his tribe from expulsion and war. What were a few days of discomfort if it meant he was able to protect them. He took a deep breath to steady his voice.
"Would it be possible to have some dry clothes...and maybe something warm to lie on?" He asked quietly.
"Of course child but why would you feel the need to ask?"
Hiccup bowed his head in resignation and wrapped his arms around his thin frame.
"I imagine it will be cold down there."
She came closer and placed a hand on his trembling arm.
"Bless you young Hooligan for your bravery. Yes the cells are still here but they have long fallen into disuse for such purposes. They are used now to hold our books and scrolls of law. Have you forgotten that I made a promise to your father that you would be comfortable while you were here? There have been some modifications but you will continue to stay in your original room, albeit with the presence of these guards now at your door. I regret that even this is necessary but perhaps it is best for your own protection as well as the necessity of the situation."
"Thank you," he said in relief.
"There is nothing to thank me for. You will be well looked after until your fathers return. You have my word on that. Now we have stood here long enough. It is late. I will come see you tomorrow."
With that she turned away. Hiccup watched her go before moving with his guards back down the steps. There was no one about and he supposed that everyone had long since been in bed.
'Must be nice,' he thought bitterly as they crossed the yard.
The Elder watched them go with a heavy heart. The day's events had filled her with a deep sadness and despite her weariness and the lateness of the hour she turned to follow the narrow corridor that lead to the inner temple. There was something she had to do before seeking her bed.
At her approach the two guards bowed respectfully and opened the ornate doors for her. She entered the inner courtyard and wrapped her robes more tightly around herself against the weather. The voice of Thor was loud tonight.
Only the Elder and appointed temple staff were normally allowed into the inner temple. This rule was relaxed once a year, on the seventh day of the Offering period when the tribes would gather to witness the sending of their offerings to the gods. In times past a great sacrificial alter had stood at its centre and she shook her head in sadness at how many innocent lives had been lost. These dark days should have been behind them, confined to the distant past. Instead they found themselves once more with the knife in their hands, forced there by evil and not by the Gods design, at least that was what she hoped. She could not bring herself to believe that the gods once more demanded a life in payment after so long.
She moved further across the yard and entered a small door. The room beyond was small but warm. A fire blazing at it centre. She looked up at the mighty statue holding aloft a great hammer. There were many such rooms around the inner courtyard. Each housing an effigy of a God but it was to Thor that she had come to ask her question. She closed her eyes in prayer.
"Mighty Thor I come seeking your guidance. At this time of offering a tribe has been forced to give one of its own as a blood sacrifice, an innocent boy. His father races to bring replacement offerings to save him but I fear that he may be too late and I am fearful of what may come to pass."
She took a deep breath.
"It has been many years since you demanded a life in sacrifice and if I must I will send the boy to Valhalla but I fear evil is at work."
"Might Thor I ask for a sign. I must know if this is truly your will."
She bowed her head and prayed for an answer, a sign to guide the way and if necessary the strength to carry out what had to be done.
She listened to the thunder and lightning as it continued to crash around the temple. Was it her imagination or did it seem louder, more fierce then before?
As they made their way through the building, listening to the faint sounds of snoring, Hiccup felt a bitter feeling of jealousy rise within him. He didn't like this feeling. He was normally the gentle and forgiving sort, it was one of the things that made him different from other Vikings, but he couldn't help feeling angry at the ease in which they slept. He doubted that he would be able to enjoy the same rest after all that had happened.
They reached the room and Hiccup noticed that a heavy bolt had been fitted to the outside. The guards opened the door and after he stepped inside the door closed and he heard the sound of the bolt being drawn. He wearily took off his saturated cloak and flung it on the back of a chair before looking around. The slatted shutters to the window had been closed and Hiccup moved towards them. A strong tug confirming what he suspected. They too were bolted from the outside. He sighed and sat down on the bed.
He shook his head in despair. How did he manage to get himself into these situations? If it wasn't going one on one with a gigantic dragon hundreds of times his size, it was standing on a ships mast waving a spear around and getting struck by lightning. He seemed to have a natural talent for getting into trouble.
This time was different though. Normally he just acted without thinking of the danger. Astrid called it bravery but to Hiccup it was just instinctive to do what was right. This time however there had been no blind action he had made a series of conscious decisions that had led him to this point. Yes, Alvin and Dagur held the axe but he was willingly laying his head on the block, knowingly risking his life. He knew that despite feeling like a frightened child his actions today had been those of a man, possibly even those of a future chief.
'Guess this is what Dad meant by growing up,' he thought with a hint of irony.
He shook his head again to try and clear his thoughts, he needed to rest. There was nothing more he could do and would have to wait patiently for a rescue or for the axe to fall. His fate was in the hands of others now.
As he stripped out of his wet tunic and trousers, pulling on dry clothing from his bag, he felt a small sense of satisfaction knowing that he was defying Alvin and Dagur. They had played all their cards now he was sure of it. They had probably expected him to come begging to them by now but instead, as per normal, he had come up with a plan to foil them once again. His father would return and they would be forced to back down and leave him alone. At least that's what he hoped. He wearily lay down and pulled the furs up around him. Despite his turmoil of thoughts and feelings he was asleep in seconds.
It had been several hours now since their departure and the Falcon had easily pulled away from the rest of the fleet. They were returning home but this was far from a triumphant voyage. With the majority of their fleet damaged and stranded on the Island of Thor those vessels that remained sea worthy were now over burdened with crew and wounded making them slow and lumbering. The crew of the Falcon were weary but there was no evidence of their fatigue as they moved about the deck. No one spoke as they tightened sails and pulled oars, no one needed to. This was a race against time and the Falcon was the boat for the job. It was up to them see that the plan worked and they knew what needed to be done.
Astrid watched them go about their duties in silence. She had stood there at the rail since watching Hiccups figure disappear into the mists. She thought back to that morning. It seemed an age since she and Hiccup had sat by the lake together, sharing their feelings and fears about the future. Hiccup had wanted to ask her something important. Had he been about to utter those words that her heart longed to hear? Would he ever get the chance? A day that had started out so well had ended in a nightmare.
She thumped her fist angrily onto the rail. This was no way to be thinking. Hiccup needed her to be strong and confident now. Not wondering if, what or might have been. It was just the circumstances and events of the last few hours that were making her feel this way. She felt terrible at leaving him behind but was sure that they would be back in time.
She turned and looked to the rear of the boat where Hiccups father stood. Grim faced his hand firm on the tiller as he guided the Falcon through crashing waves that tried in vain to pull them off course. He had been the quietest of them all since leaving the island. If she was feeling terrible then she could not begin to comprehend how he must be feeling.
Stoick was angry. Angrier then he had ever been before and he gripped the tiller harder, threatening to crush it in his fury. He was angry at his council, he was angry at the Gods, he was angry at Dagur and Alvin but most of all he was angry at himself. Everything that had happened had been his fault, the mistakes his and his alone. If he had just thought ahead, perhaps set our earlier or split the Whales cargo between the boats in case of disaster then Hiccup would be here, safe and by his side, instead of a victim of an ancient and barbaric law. He slammed his fist into the side of the Falcon. He was the one who had been predictable, stuck to a routine and had given his enemies the chance to defeat them. His son should not have to pay the price for his failure. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths. This wasn't helping Hiccup he needed to calm down and keep a clear head.
As he thought of Hiccup the pride and love he felt for his son at that moment surpassed that of a normal father. Hiccup had chosen to put himself in harms ways once again for his tribe. Not this time as a result of his blind courage but as a conscious act of loyalty and bravery. Stoick had tried to change his mind but Hiccup had been determined to take the risk.
He sighed deeply as his anger finally died and he looked behind for a sign of the rest of the fleet. There wasn't any but then he hadn't expected there to be. The Falcon was by far the fastest vessel and sailed unburdened.
Returning the wounded back to Berk had made sense but it had taken some convincing by his council to get Stoick to agree to bring the whole tribe back. He had been adamant that apart from essential crew all the able bodied men should remain behind to protect Hiccup. His council however had wanted everyone to help gather more food for the winter as they would be taking the remainder of the winter stocks as the second offering. The argument had been heated and Stoick had let a fathers love rule his actions rather than his responsibility as Chief. He had seen reason in the end and as much as it pained him to leave his son unprotected he knew that without food the tribe would starve that winter. He didn't like it but it was the right thing to do and he knew that Hiccup would agree. He looked up at the sky deep in thought.
Stoick had never considered himself to be religious. Yes, he had always paid his dues and followed the rituals but he didn't feel as devout as some. Only twice before had he offered a genuine prayer to the Gods. The first had been on the day Hiccup's mother had died. She had died bravely in battle during a dragon raid. When he had learned of her death he had cradled his young son in his arms and prayed for the Valkyrie's to take her spirit to Valhalla and to give her a place of honour at the God's side.
He had prayed for the second time at Hiccups bedside following his battle with the Red death. Battered, his leg mangled and beyond saving Hiccup had never been aware of how close he had come to death. The amputation of the useless limb had been a simple enough operation but the infection that had set in afterwards had nearly killed him. For days Stoick had stayed by Hiccups bedside, trying to get his fever under control. He had prayed then for the gods to spare his son, to take him in his place if it was a life they demanded.
He now looked to the heavens and made his third prayer. He prayed that the gods would look after his son once again. That they would show mercy, take his bravery and courage as sacrifice enough, that they would not demand his young life as a price for an old man's failure.
When he finally opened his eyes there were tears streaming down his face and he turned the tiller to steer the Falcon into the heart of the storm.