A Son of Ice and Fire
A/N: The flashback in this chapter took a lot longer than expected when I started writing this chapter, so that's why I decided to make this season 24 chapters long, instead of the expected 23. I realised there was just too many important things I still needed to write, and forcing three chapters worth of content into 2 would make the ending to the season seem rushed. The end of this chapter is setting up something major in a later season, and also sets up for the next two chapters (finale for S2). I hope you enjoy.
Guest: Yeah, I wanted to build the characters into the world, as if it was all they had ever known. I think this way, you can be more immersed in the story. Thank you for the support :)
Sam Hill: I don't mind the Pirates of the Caribbean films, but I don't think I'll be making a crossover with it, not in the near future anyway. I have a really good idea for a HTTYD x X-Men style crossover I'm plotting, and that will be a shorter story, so that's the only other idea I'm going to be doing any time soon. I will be taking a short break after S2 ends, just so I don't get completely drained, and I may use that time to build foundations of future stories. This one will be carrying on until its conclusion, no need to worry about that, I still have so much I want to do with it.
Guest: That's why I really love the time I've started to write this story. 7 seasons have been aired, and I can use that as a basis for the story, but my own intertwined plot lines with the HTTYD characters give me the freedom to sculpt my own ending for S8. I haven't fully got an ending written down, as there will still be so many unexpected twists and turns I can't possibly see coming until I start writing, but I do have a few great ideas for how it will end.
Chapter 45: Curses and prophecies
Astrid
A warm buzz hummed through the foundations of Dragon's edge. A sense of togetherness. Everyone working together. A harmony. It still doesn't feel like it has been months since I left home, but now I hope it's going to be many more. I just wish I could speak to my brother, and my parents, just a few words. Tell them I'm all right. Tell them I'm happy. Tell them that there is no need to worry. The sun sat high in the sky, as I ran my hand through Stormfly's snow white mane. A soft breeze brushed through the air, causing gentle ripples to spread across the Haddock banner draping from the top of the castle. The red dragon swayed in the wind, as if coming to life to protect the castle beneath.. I stopped stroking Stormfly, only to fiddle with the leather on her back. In a quick movement, I leaped up onto her back, rubbing the side of her face gently before I sat back in the saddle.
"Off anywhere special?" Came Hiccup's voice, as he approached with a smile.
"Just taking her for a ride, you know how bossy my girl can get." I chuckled, running my fingers through her hair, as she practically purred under my touch.
He walked up to my side, slowly placing his palm on Stormfly's muzzle. She pushed his hand up with her nose, as Hiccup shifted his eyes up to face me, "there's nothing planned for today, so if you want, I can join you." As I nodded, his smile widened further, "there's somewhere I've got to show you, but you must keep it a secret."
"Sounds ominous." I teased.
"Nothing like that," he laughed, "it's just somewhere very special to me. No-one else has ever seen it."
"Oooh, now you've got my attention." I said eagerly, leaning forward.
"You've probably seen it from a few of my drawings, it's the cove." He said softly, running a hand through his hair.
"That actually exists?" I exclaimed. "I thought that was just your imagination."
"it exists all right; it's about an hour's ride." He beamed, "You'll love it. Just give me a few minutes and I'll grab some food to eat while we're there. Make a day of it."
"Only if you're able to keep up," I teased, pressing my foot softly into Stormfly's side. She began to bounce giddily, before riding circles around him, while I laughed loudly. His eyes followed me, as he looked on in bewilderment. On my third lap however, he just froze in his path, mouth wide open, like the answer to life itself had dawned on him.
Hiccup
We were just talking playfully, but as she began to ride around me, something inside me triggered. A flash from the past. A memory now no longer distant. A memory of a horse the colour of the purest white silk. Of the glint from the steel as the blades of an axe peer longingly over the shoulder. Of the eyes so bright and blue, you couldn't see past them. It all came together. Fit perfectly like pieces of a puzzle. My eyes looked back up to meet her, "it was you. How did I not see it before? It was you."
Astrid stopped in her tracks, the horse's hooves grinding to a halt in the sludgy ground. She turned to me, arching her brow in confusion, "What?"
"The horse. The axe. Everything." I recalled, tapping the side of my head with my fingers. How did I not see that sooner. "Gods, it was so obvious."
"Hiccup, what in the seven kingdoms are you talking about?" She blurted out.
"The Knight of the Golden sun…" I smirked at her. All the colour drained from her face, as she couldn't meet my eyes, "it was you, wasn't it?"
She shook my head, far too fast to be convincing, as she crossed her arms "No. Of course not."
"You, my Lady, are an awful liar." I chuckled, taking one of her hands. "You saved my life that day. Thank you." Just looking at her, it suddenly made everything so clear. The first and only time I had ever properly gone South, and how close I was to it being my last.
I was sixteen. Dad had decided it was time for me to finally leave the nest, and actually insisted we go out into the world. It was his first step to try to reconnect with me, and the tourney at Highgarden was a grand enough affair for him to finally leave Dragon's edge. Everyone was there. It was an extravagant event. Jousts lasted most of the first day, and I was just sat in the stands, watching on in amazement at how different life was outside of the north. I tried keeping my eyes on the action, but I couldn't help them being drawn up to the seats at the opposite side of the track. Lord Mace Tyrell was sat proudly, his mother on his right, and his daughter to his left. Lady Margaery was wearing a deep auburn dress, matching her hair perfectly, as she clapped her brother on in his duel. It wasn't her that captured my attention though, it was the girl at her side. Dressed in bright blue, and with strands of hair clumsily scattered over her brow, she sat casually with one leg across her thigh. She wasn't beautiful in the classical way. No flowing golden curls down her back, just a simple braid over one shoulder. No wide, over-exaggerated smile, just a thin pencil grin. Lady Margaery fitted the image of perfection, but the girl next to her shone with something different - an uncomplicated, transparent beauty.
"Excuse me, who's that?" I whispered to the person next to me, gesturing across.
"That's Lady Margaery, quite the stunner, am I right?" The young man responded cheerily.
"No, not her," I sighed, "the lady next to her."
"Oh, that's Lady Margaery's best friend," he informed, "Lady Astrid Hofferson."
Halfway through the day, I noticed she had disappeared. Vanished. I disregarded it, but half an hour later, a mystery knight appeared on the scene. 'The knight of the golden sun'. Suited in the finest armour, and with a breastplate of a bright yellow sun on a purple background, the knight entered into the lane to a loud applause from the crowd. Two victories later, and the cheering only grew louder, as the person had unseated two other fine knights. The third bout pitted the knight against Sir Jaime Lannister himself. Three lances were broke, but on the last run, Jaime's lance struck and the knight of the golden sun landed heavily on the earth. Jaime's golden hair shone in the sun, as he removed his helm and waved his hands around in celebration. By the start of the next joust, the mystery knight was gone, and so was Lady Margaery. I didn't think much of it, just sat back down, as the day passed on.
It was late that night; I was walking through the castle. Dad was chatting away as if he'd always been there, and I was alone at the feast. I'd had enough, and left the main hall, heading out towards the gardens. The sound of screams and pleading instantly grabbed my attention, and I rushed towards it, partially drawing my sword. I turned the corner to see three older, stocky men plunging a really hefty young man, about my age, head first into one of the decorative water features. The sound of me rushing into view briefly gave him a rest bite, as the offenders paused and looked up at me. But he barely had time to breathe, before he was shoved back in again. The man's brown tunic was being soaked thoroughly, and his dark boots could only barely touch the ground, as the attack continued.
"That is enough." I demanded. The men scoffed, but with my sword fully out, I moved closer, repeating my statement more loudly, "THAT IS ENOUGH!" Rolling their eyes, the men dragged the poor boy's head out of the water, as he gasped for air. Tufts of short blonde hair poked to either side of his face, and his green eyes were filled with gratitude. He was larger than every one of the men grabbing onto him, but he backed away timidly, wanting to avoid any more pain. Two men approached me, while the third kept hold of him. Swords raised, they charged, but I beat them back. Less skilled than the simplest squires, they were disarmed easily, and I had them on their knees begging for forgiveness. I flicked my sword to tell them to flee, but as I did so, I felt the sharp point of a sword at the back of my neck.
"Seems Lord Fishlegs has left you to pay for his crimes. A debt has to be paid one way or the other. No hard feelings." Came the deep voice of the third man. I tilted my head slightly, to look behind, and there was no large figure by the water fountain. He actually just ran. Just ran and left after I fought for him. What a coward. The other two men hastily picked up their swords, smiling wickedly, but the sound of beating hooves stopped them in their tracks. In a flash, a chalk white horse burst across the grass. The golden sun on the person's breastplate shone, even in only the moonlight, as they rode towards the four of us. The axe gleamed as the knight swung the weapon out only to the left, forcing the three men to back off by ten to fifteen feet, as the horse rode circles around me. As the gap was widened further, the knight leapt down acrobatically, landing at my side. Not much taller than me, I thought, as even with the helmet, the knight barely topped me by an inch or two. Readying the axe with both hands, we stood back to back against the enemies. The two men that had been defeated previously wisely chose to turn and run, but the other charged like a maniac. The mystery knight blocked his blows easily with the axe, but as I turned to help, I saw the assailant go to pull a dagger from his waist. As he gripped the handle of it, and began to lunge, I struck deep. He had no time to scream, before my sword hit his heart, and he fell to his knees. With the tip of his dagger inches from the knight's neck, the man lost the ability to grip the blade, and it dropped like a stone. The two of us stood there in silence, as I shakenly shared at my hands. Oh Gods, this is what it feels like. I looked down at the crumpled body of the man, and the pool of blood growing out from beneath him. I did that. I just did that. I began to panic, allowing my sword to hit the floor. I dropped to my knees, my head in my hands, panting heavily. Out of nowhere, the knight grabbed my arms and slid down the visor on the helmet, as they crouched next to me.
"Thank you. For saving my life." The knight said softly, the muffling from the helmet distorting the sound. It almost seemed like a tear was building in one of the person's eyes, but before it fell, the visor was snapped back up, and the knight leaped back onto the horse and vanished into the distance. I remained sat on the ground, watching as the last glimmer of the white mare disappeared from view. I sat there, stuck in a state of shock, unable to move. Minutes later, Dad came charging up, roughly shaking my shoulder. The bulky young man was at his side. Lord Fishlegs, was it? He must have gone in and told everyone. Maybe I misjudged him.
"Son, are you alright." Dad asked worriedly. I nodded and he let out a deep breath. "I thought something had happened to you. I thought I was going to lose you." He stammered, pulling me into a hug. A hug? What's gotten into him. His eyes turned to the body that was lying on the floor, and he blinked about twenty times, before he turned back to face me, and pointed to Fishlegs. "This young man told us all what happened. What you did for him. I'm so proud of you, son. Now, come with me, let's get you inside." I forced a smile, nodding to him, as he helped me back into the castle. The journey was slow, as I was still trying to recover from what I had done. Upon re-entering the walls of the main keep, I tried to block out the looks and stares, but one caught my eye. Smiling down at me, eyes soft and blue, was Astrid. At least one good thing came from all this. We got to our quarters, and I stayed there for the night. I couldn't sleep, not a minute, and in the morning we were gone. Heading back home. Back to the north.
Stood staring into those same eyes all these years later, it's like nothing had changed. She sighed and nodded, climbing down from Stormfly's back, "I should be thanking you, you weren't the only one saved that day." She held onto the horse's reigns, leading it towards the stables, ushering me to follow. "Was that your first?" She asked gingerly.
"First?" I asked with surprise, before it dawned on me, "Oh, you mean my first kill. Yes. Yes it was. I had nightmares for weeks. I honestly don't know whether it's better or worse that it's only gotten easier since then."
We reached the stable and she opened the first stall and Stormfly pranced inside, "You did what you had to Hiccup. We wouldn't be here now if that didn't happen." She said seriously, resting a hand on my shoulder.
I looked at her and burst out laughing, causing her to recoil back. "See, I told you that you were like a curse."
"Hey!" She shouted, jabbing my arm. "We were having a moment there."
"Yes. Very, very serious." I chuckled, holding onto her arm so she couldn't swing again, as she pouted at me. "We can still have a moment." She giggled softly, wrapping a hand around the back of my neck. She leant in, but the large shadow of Alvin spreading across the stables caused her to pull away, dragging me into the next stall. As the stablemaster sauntered across from the far side, Astrid pulled me down, hiding with our backs to the shoulder-high gate, while he made his way across. Alvin whistled as his footsteps grew louder and louder, stopping for a moment behind us, before he walked through and out towards the main courtyard.
"Phew." She sighed, taking a deep breath. "That was close."
"Yeah." I agreed, before turning to look at her skeptically, "wait, why do we care if they know about us?"
"I mean, we don't, I guess," she said unconvincingly. She fiddled with the metal ring around her neck before looking back up to me, "I'm sorry, it's all so new. I just want to share it with you, you know?" She admitted shyly, brushing a hand through her hair. "Is that silly?"
"No, I understand." I nodded to her, as I helped her to her feet. "I'll go get some food and supplies for the trip. I'll be back in a few minutes." I made to leave, but turned back to her, "Oh, and one more thing. Just give me some warning next time, before you yank my arm off. I've only got the two, y'know." I laughed, holding my arm out, "Deal?"
"Deal!" She grinned, pulling my arm towards her, and in an instant our lips locked together. Her hand clasped at the ends of my hair, as she pushed my back up against the gate. No matter how cold it gets, with her, everything just feels like the peak of a summer's day. My hand burns on contact with cheek, like bare feet on scorching sand. Eyes a flurry of blue, like the soft ripples of the tide, enticing you in. My fingers moved to the back of her head, the tips clawing lines through her soft, golden hair, lightly pulling her closer. Grinding so close against me, her heart beat was louder than any other sound, as we moved in perfect sync. We both closed our eyes, dissolving into the moment, until a loud coughing sound broke us from our trance. Astrid saw who it was first, and instinctively shot back, a look of shock on her face as she covered her mouth. I slowly turned my head. Alvin wouldn't be a bad situation. Gobber would be better, if he doesn't know already. Mum would be awkward but it wouldn't be the end of the world. As long as it's not… I turned the full way around to my worst nightmare – Heather.
"Well," she started, attempting to laugh, but instead bursting into a fit of deep throaty coughs. "I never saw this coming." She said comically, rolling her eyes.
"Sister, don't…" I tried, but she was practically bouncing with excitement. I turned back to Astrid, "I don't think your plan is going to work anymore. We both know how well this one can keep a secret." I sighed, rocking my head in Heather's direction.
"I can keep secrets," she protested, "but this is hardly a secret, everyone sees you two are perfect." She grinned, resting her head on the backs of her hand on the top of the gate.
"Heather!" Astrid called out sternly.
"Fine." She agreed reluctantly, after biting her lip for a few seconds. She slowly opened the gate to the stall, grabbing my hand and pulling me out. Her happy expression flipped on its head, and her rosy cheeks suddenly drained to a pale white, "I'm sorry for disturbing you, but I need your help Hiccup. I'm worried about Mum. She was coughing badly earlier. A lot worse than me now. I've been looking all over for her, and I couldn't find her. I thought she might be here, but it's just another dead end. I'm really scared something's happened to her."
Her hands were shaking softly, so I turned her around to face me. I placed both hands on her shoulders, as she looked up to me with desperate eyes, "We'll find her, sister, trust me. Where have you looked?"
She nearly through herself at me, hugging me tightly, "I've looked everywhere. Everywhere. She's gone. Hiccup, I feel like something terrible has happened." I wrapped my arms around her, running my hand softly through her hair.
"Mum lived here for a long time. There's a few less obvious places I know, that you may not have looked. I know she was really interested in the winter garden project. Her and Bertha used to be good friends, so she could be with her, or in the dome?"
"Not in the main bakery. Not in the kitchens. Not in the dome." She whimpered.
"Maybe she's missing Dad after being back here. He always spent time in the smithy, or the old council chambers, or the armory. Is she not there?" I asked, but all she did was sob, shaking her head. "If you've checked everywhere else, there's only one place she can be. Come on. We need to go. If she is ill, that is no place for her." I stated firmly, as I began to walk out, with Heather clutching tightly onto my arm. I looked back, holding my hand out to Astrid, and pointing to the exit. She didn't hesitate, instead nodding instantly and taking my hand, as the three of us rushed out the stables together.
I approached the entrance to the catacombs slowly, carefully maneuvering through the tight entrance, as Astrid and Heather followed. "What is this place?" Astrid whispered. I looked around. The light from the torch being the only safety from the darkness. The narrow entrance quickly broadened into a network of tunnels before us. A dark labyrinth of secrets and mystery.
Once the path widened enough that the path was no longer single file, I turned to face them, "This is a very precious part of my House's history. These are the Dragon's edge crypts. The deepest part of the castle. This is where the fallen Lords and Ladies of our house are buried after their deaths. This has been a tradition we've had for centuries, and this place means a lot to us, so be careful where your step. I'll warn you now, it can get really narrow in places, so keep holding on to each other, and me. You don't want to get lost down here."
Heather look at me doubtfully, "How do you know where you are going, then?" As the path ahead split into three identical lanes, I looked back to her with a smile.
"I know every inch of this castle. You see that, up ahead, three paths. All three lead to completely different places. The left one leads out to the Godswood, where our weirwood heart tree is located. I've prayed for Dad to come home for months, but the Gods still haven't heard my calls. We'll check there after, but I think it's more likely she's down the centre path. That takes you deep into the heart of the castle, and where most of the fallen are put to rest." I said quietly, as I began heading straight forward down the middle.
"What about the right?" Astrid asked cautiously, as we reached the split in the tunnel and headed straight down the middle.
"The right is a passage that leads outside the castle. It's a long way. I think it runs a mile or so beyond the outer walls to the north-east. I've used it often to get out and get some space. No-one knows about it." I informed.
Astrid slipped past Heather and punched me in the arm, "So that's how you got out without anyone seeing you. You know we looked everywhere for you when you left. You just vanished. None of the guards said they had seen you leave."
"My bad," I chuckled, before my tone turned a lot more serious, "it's only to be used in emergencies, and it must remain or secret. If enemies found out about it, we could have an entire army within our gates before we even realise." They both nodded abruptly, and we were soon making our way deeper, until we reached the main crypts. The added heat of being so far underground was making Heather cough more and more, and I instantly regretted bringer her down here. I told her she it would only make it worse, but she wouldn't listen, and now it sounded like she could barely breathe.
We walked through the wide passageway, statues and shrines to the dead started to approach us on either side. I flicked my eyes to the first statue, the one I expected to see my mother in front of, her own. An almost lifelike carved figure of her, from her waist up, sat beside a rocky tomb. I ran my fingers carefully across the top of it, the dust wiping away to reveal an short engraving,
In memory of Valka Haddock
Beloved wife, mother, sister, friend
You will never be forgotten
My eyes were tearing up, even though I knew she was very much alive. Every time I had come down here, I had stood at a distance. Not even being brave enough to stand in front of her statue, never mind touch her final resting place. I took one last deep breath, before turning back to face Heather and Astrid. My sister's face dropped as much as mine, after she read the words, even letting a tear dribble down her cheek.
"She's not here. I'm sorry for bringing you down here. We'll check the…" I started, but before I finished, a pulse of purple in the distance at the end of the corridor snapped my attention. I gave one quick look back to them, before I rushed off down the long straight passageway. That's a dead end. There's nothing down there. There can't be. As I reached the end, a large wall stood in front of me. A large mural dedicated to… Dragons. The top corner was painted yellow, like a burning sun, shining five rays of light in all directions. Drawings of the fire-breathers scattered each ray, the drawing depicting the sun's light as the dragon's own fire. It was stunning. A masterpiece. But I did not have time to explain, as it was evident the wall had begun to collapse in part. The entire centre bottom of the wall had cracked with time, leaving a hole straight down the middle. I squeezed myself through, following the direction of the light that had appeared from within the secret chamber.
The room was completely dark as I entered. No sign of light. But as I waved the torch around to scan the room, my heart stopped in my chest. Mum was lying face down on the dusty ground. Motionless. I rushed to her side, spinning her over, placing my ear to her chest. Please. Stay with me. Come on. The faintest tick of life beat from her heart filled me with a sense of relief, and I looked thankfully up to the ceiling for a moment. As if thanking the Gods for at least giving us a chance to save her.
"She's alive." I called out, turning to Heather, who had burst into the room. "But we need to get her out. Now." I placed an arm around Mum, slowly lifting her up to her feet. Her face was red and blotchy, her skin prickly and sore. There's only one person who could have done this. Mildew. I gritted my teeth, already enacting the punishment on the traitorous bastard in my mind. Heather helped me raise our mother to her feet, her slow breaths straining with every slight movement. We slowly helped her to the opening, Heather going through first, and turning to take Mum from me. I carefully passed her through, Mum's body heavy and weightless in her unconscious state. Astrid and Heather propped her up, as I released my hold, before I too, started to squeeze through the hole. "We need to get her help. I've no idea how long she's been down here." I sputtered, every inch of my being shaking with both fear and anger. Fear she may not make it, and anger that I know exactly what, or more precisely who, caused it. I clenched my fists, twisting side-on and inching towards the aperture in the wall, but as I stepped into the crack, another light pulse of purple sprayed across the room. In the milliseconds the beam was active, my eyes scoured the room, looking for the source. Just as the light faded completely, I caught the sight of the silhouettes at the far end of the room. Oval in shape. Multicoloured, and enclosed in layers and layers of scales. As the darkness consumed the room once more, I followed Heather and exited the room. I can come back. Mum needs me more right now. As my arm once more hooked around Mum, and we started the journey back to the surface, my mind had been fully blown. It can't be. No way. Here. I don't believe it. On Dragon's edge. I must be dreaming. No. It's real. They're real. And I'm going to find out everything I can. Surely someone must know what you do with dragon eggs…