A Son of Ice and Fire

A/N: So here it is, two important reunions for Hiccup that have been waiting since S1, I hope you enjoy :)

Chapter 58: The north remembers

Hiccup

The second the first guard on the perimeter had seen my horse in the distance, a dozen riders had come out and surrounded me. Despite me telling them who I was, they had showed no sign of backing down, and with every sword pointed in my direction I had to raise my hands and surrender. "Oh, for the Gods' sake, for the last time I'm not a spy," I protested for the millionth time, but to no avail. I had to pull my weapons from their sheaths, and I shook my head as I whimsically dropped them to the floor infront of them. My pack was pulled from its straps on the saddle, and the nearest man roughly tied my wrists as I was pushed towards Harrenhall. The night had fallen, and I probably should have waited until morning, but being so close I couldn't possibly stop. I had to keep going. But as I was pushed forward, I couldn't help but think, maybe I should have waited until morning.

"So, you think a spy would ride directly towards the castle, even when he knows exactly how many men are there to watch out for him?" I questioned, but the man pushing me just responded with a clout to the back of my head. "And that even when he sees that he has been spotted, he keeps riding forward regardless." The second blow was stronger than the first, but neither brought even the slightest groan from my lips. He wouldn't get the satisfaction. "Why would a spy wear armour like mine? If I was a spy, wouldn't the point to be inconspicuous? To not be noticed?"

"Just shut up!" The man growled, as he jabbed me with a firm elbow right into the small of my back. I clenched my fists and tensed my shoulders, but the only thing I could do was let out deep breaths to ease the pain. I looked over my shoulder to see the man's smug smile, as behind him, the other soldiers trotted steadily a few feet back.

"I wonder who we'll bump into first," I pondered out loud. The man behind went to elbow me again, but after the last time, his lunge was predictable, and I slipped seamlessly to the side. His momentum carried him forward, and somehow he managed to stumble far enough that he was a few feet in front of me. He turned to me with a venomous snarl, but I just grinned widely at him, "the ground does get a little boggy this time of year, you might need to watch where you're walking a bit more closely next time."

The punch to my gut was expected, and it was nothing I couldn't handle, but it still stung all the same. "You're going directly to the King. You won't be laughing when that wolf of his rips you limb from limb."

"Ah, thank you kind sir," I smirked, as I started to walk forward again, "so it's Robb I'll see first. I'm sure he'll be delighted to see an old friend of his tied up and beaten."

"It's King Robb to you," the man snarled, but I saw the first flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. I watched him closely as I strolled my way around him and tried to keep walking forward. "You're no-one," he grunted, as he blocked my path. I tried once more to move past him, but the man just mirrored my movements. I could feel my blood boiling, and instead of trying to slip past him again, I just chose to stand still and strike him with a piercing glare.

"I am Hiccup Haddock, Son of Stoick Haddock, and you will get out of my way if you know what is good for you," I said firmly. The man had eyes of coal, and the hair to match, but his resolve was more that of paper than rock as he looked up at me. He was a short man, and as my stare became more and more uncomfortable, he looked to shrink even smaller. The twitching in his nose hastened, as I took a step forward so the tips of our boots were almost touching. "I have been riding for over a month to get here. I am filthy. I am sore. I am tired. The thought of getting in there to the people I care about is the only kept me going. Now, will you just get out of my way." My eyebrows narrowed and my eyes fixed, I shot the guy with a final stare so sharp it could have drawn blood. His fingers danced towards his palm, but he couldn't manage to merge them into a fist. His face moulded like a broken puzzle, his expression unreadable, but the turn of his body was enough to know that my words had struck true.

The gates opened and watchful stares followed me with every step. I fought the urge to close in myself, and I kept my head held high. As we got closer and closer, the initial flutters in my stomach exploded into raging pulses, nearly drawing me to a halt. From the first day I escaped Dragon's edge, I dreamed of getting here. In truth, I hoped to catch up to the four women, but with my leg still not right when I first set off, I could only ride at my fastest for the last two weeks. I kept my gaze only on back of the man's head and the path ahead; I couldn't process anything else with the jitters zapping me like a lightning beam. I barely took in the scale of the castle, or even where we were going exactly, but out of the corner in my eye, one figure snapped my attention instantly. While everyone else was just staring at us, that man was looking the other way seemingly in a heated argument with one of his men. The soldier's eyes didn't leave mine, and it was clear he recognized me.

"What are you doing? What is wrong with you? What are you looking…" Came the booming voice of Lord Stoick, but his eyes slowly trailed in the direction of the soldier's. All the way to me. My wrists were still bound, so I just smiled and gave him one silent nod. He stood there motionless, face drained of colour. I managed to mouth, 'hey Dad,' before the men behind me pushed me forward. The door opened, and a wide staircase presented itself before me. I turned my head and saw him take a small step forward, but that was all I got before I was jostled through the entrance and the door was slammed shut behind me.

"You better have a good reason for coming to my private quarters at this hour," was the answer from the other side of the door, after the man infront of me knocked loudly.

"A spy, your Grace, we've captured a spy. We thought you'd like to be informed," was the sheepish response, almost as if the soldier had lost all confidence in his words. "He's here for you to question."

"WHAT?" Came a low and deep growl, and heavy footsteps bounded towards the door infront of us. "You captured a spy, and you bring them here. HERE! Just take him to a cell, I'll deal with it in the morning." Robb ordered, and the strain in his voice was clear to see. The men sighed, and began to turn around, shoving me back.

"Your Grace," I called out loudly, fighting past the men's attempts to silence me. "It's Hiccup, can you tell these idiots I'm not a spy. It's been a long enough day and I don't want to end it in a cell."

"Hiccup?" Robb said quietly, almost to himself. It was quiet for a few seconds, as neither I, nor the other men, knew what to do. The sound of footsteps once again sounded, but this time they were followed by the clicking of a lock. The door swung open, and there he was. Stood tall and proud, with an air of confidence and eyes of steel, he looked the very embodiment of a King. He cast a flat glare across at the men, before he turned to me and his lips twisted into a smile. "I knew it," he grinned. "You're too stubborn to die. Just like your father." He approached and laid a hand on my shoulder, before he turned to the man who had brought me in. "Cut him loose. Now. And then leave us." The man nodded promptly and a few seconds later I was free to stretch my arms again. Robb reached his other arm in the direction of the room, and the two of us didn't waste time going in, leaving the soldiers flummoxed outside.

The King's quarters were spacious and quite lavish compared to the seemingly barren and desolate nature of the castle. It was big enough for half a dozen people, and as I walked further from the doorway, it became clear it wasn't just the two of us in there. The bedpost only obstructed the view for a few moments, but after a few steps, the woman on the bed was clear to see. Flowing brown hair ran down to either side of her narrow face, and she smiled gently as she sat up so her back rested against the pillow. "Hello," she said softly.

"Hello," was all I could mumble back. She was beautiful, yes, but the confusion in the situation was the cause of my stuttering. Who is this? Why is she here?

"You know, it is customary to bow before a Queen?" Robb stated. I looked over at him, his expression half serious, half smug. A flash of panic hit me and I almost immediately turned back to her and followed the command. Queen. Well, that explains it.

"My Queen, I apologise, I had no idea," I stammered, as I rose back to stand straight.

She just turned to Robb and shook her head with pursed lips, whilst she made a tutting sound. What? No. Have I done something else wrong. She giggled for a moment, before she turned back to me, "Don't listen to him. Talisa is just fine," she said with a sincere smile.

"Well, nice to meet you Lady Talisa, I'm…" I started.

"…Hiccup. Hiccup Haddock," she finished, and my head jerked back a bit. How does she know who I am? It's not like I said my last name earlier. She must have read my thought process, as she just flung an arm to side nonchalantly. "My husband mentioned you a few times." She scanned me up and down a few times, before turning her body to face Robb, "he told me you had died."

"That's what Lord Stoick told me," Robb admitted, "almost a week ago. How are you here?" He asked me.

"The Ironborn came, and we just couldn't hold on. There were just too many. They chose to keep me as a hostage, but I managed to escape. Took a lot for me to just leave it under their rule, but there was nothing I could do on my own," I sighed heavily, before pausing. "Wait, how did my dad know?"

Robb tried to mask his confusion, but failed miserably. "Your… mother, and your… sister," he said so slowly as if he was still trying to get around it, and I couldn't help chuckling.

"Yeah," I exclaimed, as I shrugged my shoulders, "a lot has happened since we last saw each other." As soon as I said it, I cringed inside, and I could see his face began to twist into a mix of sorrow and anger. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Your father was a great man, he didn't deserve to die."

"No," Robb stated coldly. Talisa quickly jumped up and made her way to his side, placing a supportive arm rest on his shoulder. "No he did not." We stood there for a few moments in silence, but eventually he spoke again, "I'm glad you're still with us, Hiccup," he said cheerily, but his smile was tainted by his grief. "But you should really go and speak to your father. I think he wants to see you more than anyone."

"Yes, your Grace," I nodded, resulting in him flicking his eyes towards the ceiling.

"Hiccup, it's still me," he said with a slight laugh, "you don't need to call me that when we're alone."

"We're not exactly alone," I chuckled, and he let out a deep sigh. A wide smile beamed across Talisa's face, as she smiled at Robb and took his hand.

"No, Lord Hiccup's right, your Grace," she teased.

"By the love of the old Gods, not you too," Robb objected. "I can't handle sass from both of you. Give me strength."

"I do apologise, your Grace, I'll work on it in the future," I sniggered, as I gave an overly eccentric bow and began to make my leave. The Queen just burst into laughter while Robb just slapped his face with his hand and shook his head. When he finally removed it, and looked at her with a disgruntled smile, it only made her laugh louder.

"Look what you've done now," the King sighed at me, but all I could only smile. Talisa faced him and forced herself to keep a straight face, but that lasted mere seconds, before she started laughing at him once more. I don't think that Robb knew what to, as the man seemed completely both shocked and dumbfounded, unable to even process a response.. It just made me realise that even though he's a King, deep down he's still the same young man I grew up with. Still my friend. But then I saw a sly smile cross his lips, and without warning he turned to her and before she could realise it, he was kissing her. It was short, but it did the job, and as he turned back to me, he brushed his hands together, "works every time." She gave him a playful jab, and I saw the look in his eyes as he looked at her. It caused a fire to burn in my chest, and I couldn't place the feeling. Whatever it was, it was tying a knot inside me, and I knew I couldn't wait much longer.

"I have to see my father," I stated abruptly. Robb nodded and walked over to me, grabbing my forearm, as I did the same back to him.

"I'm glad you're here with me," he said calmly as we embraced, "fighting side by side."

"Always," I replied strongly. We released and offered me one final nod, as I backed towards the door, "My King." My eyes swept over towards Lady Talisa, "my Queen." She gave me one final smile, as opened the door and exited with a bow. I closed the door firmly behind me, and even despite the men guarding the door, I took the time to take a deep breath. Now for the tougher challenge. How can I possibly tell Dad I let the edge fall? Gods, this is going to be a nightmare.

Stoick

Despite my loud and very frequent protests for several minutes, the men guarding the entrance wouldn't allow me past. "That's my son!" "Let me past!" "Move! Now!" With every phrase I shouted, and every time they pushed me back, it only made me grow angrier and even more desperate. I need to know it's real and not just my mind playing tricks. First Val,, now Hiccup, the Gods must be smiling down on me. My eyes darted between the two men planted on either side of the entrance. One way or another, I'm getting through. I steadied myself, taking a deep breath, but before I could even take a step forward, the door opened…

Standing before me was Hiccup, my Hiccup, and it took me a moment to take it in. When I saw him earlier, I was in shock, I'd just found out my boy was alive. But now stood directly infront of me isn't a boy. Not anymore. Its been over a year. I wouldn't have believed it, but he'd grown, and now stood where the top of his head reached almost up to my nose. The long, unruly hair he'd never been able to tame looked wilder than ever, and patchy stubble moulded across his jawline. The armour he wore seemed so foreign, but with clear roots in our northern tradition. So offbeat, yet so familiar, it was so typically Hiccup. He stood tall with pride, that was, until the moment his eyes met with mine.

For a split-second, his face seemed to lift and a small smile emerged, but almost as soon as it appeared, it vanished completely. I couldn't read the look in his eyes, but his shoulders visibly slouched and his head dropped.

"Hey Dad," he mumbled, his voice quiet and dull.

"Son?" I replied in a tone to try to reveal the answers to the unasked questions. What's wrong? Are you okay? Why are you looking at me like you wish you could be anywhere but here? "Son?" I said again, this time more firmly. He looked up at me, and this time I could see beneath the mask of his detached expression. It's the same look he had when I scolded him for putting a hole in one of our outer walls with one of his new catapult inventions. Guilt. He thinks I'll blame him. He thinks… He thinks… that I'm disappointed in him. I shook my head internally. No. This isn't right. He shouldn't think of me like that. I shouldn't have let it get this far. Things need to change.

Before he could reply, I took three strides forward and wrapped my arms around him. I held onto him as if my life depended on it, and mouthed a silent thankyou to the Gods. They gave me one more chance. I will not waste it. "Uhh… Dad… Uhh… Air…. Can't… Breathe," came a strangled voice against my chest.

It took me a moment to realise, but I hastily released him. "Oh, sorry," I said sheepishly. As he gasped loudly, I locked two firm hands on his shoulders. "I thought I'd lost you. When they told me that… That you… I could only think… I thought I'd never see you again," I stuttered.

"Takes more than a little Ironborn invasion to kill me," he chuckled, but the tone was bitter. I sighed heavily, looking past him to the two guards, and then back to my son.

"Can we go somewhere more private," I stated firmly, "we need to talk." A flash of panic swept across his eyes, so I quickly added, "I'm not angry at you, there's just tust things we need to set straight." His eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he reluctantly nodded.

The walk away from the tower was awkward enough, and I refused to add to it with meaningless small talk, so we just walked side by side in silence. The castle was that large, even the full size of the northern army couldn't fill it to its entirety, so it didn't take a lot of time to find somewhere secluded enough that we could speak openly. The room I found was dark and cold; it probably hadn't been stepped in for decades. Candles filled every hole in the walls, and as I lit a few, the first few bookshelves began to come into view. Looking around, the place looked to be an old study, or maybe a miniature library. Not that the room's identity lingered on my mind for more than a second.

I took a few steps further into the room, and perched myself on the edge of the high table that sat in the centre of the room. With my palms planted firmly against the wood, I could already feel the dust pressing against my skin, and I rose my head up to meet Hiccup's. From my position, our eyelines were perfectly aligned, and with regret came the only I could speak, "I'm sorry." Hiccup flinched, tilting his head as if to try to question his own belief in what he heard. "I'm sorry," I repeated again. It was still quiet, but loud enough for him to be certain this time.

"You're… Sorry?" He replied shakily. "Sorry for what?"

I let out a deep breath, and gestured to the space between us with one hand. "This. This right here. I pushed you away. I failed you, Son. I know I did."

"Dad?" He exclaimed, more out of surprise than anger.

"You know you've failed as a parent when your own child thinks that you'd be more concerned over the loss of a building than the loss of their life," I sighed defeatedly, lowering my head. "I'm right, aren't I?"

With looking at the floor, all I could see was the tips of his boots as he took a step towards me. "When you put it like that…" He started, but as I looked up, I could see him shaking his head. "No. You're not right. But I know how much Dragon's edge means to you. To our family. And now…"

"Now it has been temporarily lost to us, but that's what it is, temporary," I proclaimed strongly, allowing a smile to cross my lips.

"You mean that?" Hiccup asked, still unconvinced. "You're not mad?"

"I'm mad that the Ironborn had the nerve to attack us when we're the only Kingdom who could have given them the independence they wanted. I'm mad at Mildew for betraying us and shredding your chances at fighting them off. I'm mad at myself for how I acted towards you, and how I thought you had died without me being able to do a thing. But, mad at you, no," I said resolutely. "You did what any good Lord would do. You protected your people, got those most in danger out of harm's way in time, and you stayed to fight for what is ours. I'm not mad at you, Hiccup, I'm proud of you."

"Pr-Proud?" He stuttered. Even now, he still doesn't think I mean it. When did it get this awful? Was it always like this?

"Is it that hard to believe?" I asked with a tear in my eye.

"Well, you're… you," he exclaimed, gesturing to me with both arms. "And I'm me," he sighed, turning his hands to point to himself unflatteringly. With that, I rose up from the table and stepped towards him, once more placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

"In this world, you are only as strong as those who stand with you. Without Val, I thought I was destined to stand alone, and it made me weak. You have so many people who care about you, Hiccup," I said, as I smiled at him. "That makes you stronger than I ever was. You just need to believe it."

"But, I failed," he muttered, "I couldn't save them. I did my best, and it wasn't good enough."

"Everyone fails. From servants, to soldiers, to Kings. Everyone fails, but we come out of it stronger. Now we can fight this together, as Father and Son! What do you say?" I asked determinedly. I tried to ignore the apprehension building inside my chest, but it only kept building up with every second void of a reply.

After a while he did eventually respond, and it wasn't at all what I expected. "So, you'll come with me back to the Edge, to take it back?" It came as that much of a shock, I nearly had to take a step back.

"Take the Edge back?" I stammered.

"Take twenty good men. We can enter in the middle of night. Clear it of the Ironborn and restore control before the sun rises," he said solidly.

"I'm sorry, Hiccup, but we don't have the men to spare. We can't go back north," I said disparagingly. He simply looked at me with a face that I had never before seen, and sorrow-filled eyes showing something that I'd never seen before. Disappointment.

"Alvin was executed, Dad. He gave his own life to save mine. Bucket died right in front of me, fighting to the last, even when we down to the final men. GOBBER WAS NEARLY EXECUTED!" Hiccup roared, the previous sadness in his eyes igniting into a raging fire.

"He didn't…" I mumbled.

"No," he said firmly, "Gobber is alive, the last I knew. He was actually the one who told me to go. And you won't even give me the chance to save them. All of them."

"I'm sorry," I said once more, and finally the full weight of what he previously said hit me like a Warhammer. Alvin gave his own life, to save my son? I don't know why you did it, but thank you, old friend. Thank you. Bucket was a good man, an honest man. Mulch and him were like brothers, so if he's still alive, I'm sure Mulch is struggling. At least Gobber is okay. For now. Maybe I should send men home. No. We're at war. But the King sent men home to get Winterfell back. Maybe I should. No, I can't. I won't risk it. If there are hundreds of Ironborn inside Dragon's edge, it will just be a massacre. No more Haddock men will die at their hands. Please forgive me, Gobber, that is my final decision.

I could see the determination on his face, and any attempt to sway him would only strain things further, so instead I simply smiled and patted him on the back. "it's been a long day, Son, but I'm sure your mother would love to see you before you turn in for the night." Despite the obvious tension in the air, he instantly brightened up, nodding almost immediately. He was first to leave the room, and as we walked down the corridor side by side, I reached an arm over and hung it over his shoulder. "There are choices we have to make. Hard choices. Choices that mean so much to so many people. We can only do what we feel is best for those around us. I'm trying my best here. I just hope you understand that."

"I know that, Dad. I do. But you haven't always made the best choices," he replied. His voice had a slight edge, and I could feel the tension in his shoulders from the moment he had said it. I fought the urge to raise my voice and argue. I guess I do deserve that. Instead I just decided to hastily change the topic.

"So, the Hofferson girl?" I started, raising my eyebrows. We were still walking, but as he spared a glance up at me, it didn't last for more than a moment before he turned back away, his face a slightly deeper shade of red.

"Dad, please don't," he objected.

"Don't what?" I grinned.

"It was Heather wasn't it?" He stated in frustration, shaking his head. "What am I thinking, of course it was Heather. I bet she couldn't keep a secret if her life depended on it. I mean, come on. Really? What did she say?"

"She didn't exactly go into details," I answered carefully. "But I got the gist that you like her." We kept on walking, but as I stole a few looks over, I could see the smile across his face and the twinkle in his eye. Momentarily, I revelled in the opportunity to see him look happy. Truly happy. Then it dawned on me. This is going to break his heart. How can I tell him that she's gone?

"Thank you Dad," he said with such sincerity, "thank you for setting up for her to come to Dragon's edge. Thank you."

"No problem, Son," I replied with a forced smile, and I could feel the sweat already dripping from my brow. Thankfully, we had all but reached our destination, and that was all I had to say. I knocked twice on the door, and muffled calls answered from within. When the door opened, Val dropped the glass she was carrying, and didn't even look down as it smashed into the floor beneath her feet. It shattered into a thousand pieces, splaying across the hard ground, but it didn't stop her sprinting forward and pulling Hiccup into a hug almost as tight as mine. When, after a minute, she finally let go, she flicked between me and Hiccup, seemingly searching for an answer.

"Is Astrid around here?" Hiccup asked her eagerly. Valka looked past him to me, and I simply lowered my head in shame. Too cowardly to tell your own son the truth. Way to go, Stoick. Way to go. He must have noticed her panicked expression, as he turned to face me and then snapped back to his mother when I couldn't answer him. "Where is she?" Val just shook her head sadly. "She's not… No. No. No. You're lying. You're lying. I never even got to tell her…" He mumbled, his voice breaking halfway through. I was about to step in, when Val rushed to hold him, and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Hiccup, listen," she said sternly, momentarily snapping him from his downward spiral. "She's okay. Listen to me. She's okay. She's with Heather. They'll keep each other safe."

"Heather?" He mumbled.

"They're on their way back to Starspike. They'll both be safe with Astrid's parents. Her home castle is a far safer place than here. You know that," Val said as comfortingly as possible. If Hiccup believed that or not, he didn't even attempt to answer.

"And Cami? Did she go with them?" Hiccup asked.

"She left us before we even started to head south. She said she was going back to the castle to find you. Didn't you see her?" Val asked nervously and all Hiccup did was shake his head slowly.

"So, that's it," he finally said, but it was weak and broken. "Cami's missing, Heather will be locked in the south, and I'll more than likely never see Astrid again. Even if I do, there's no way anything can happen between us anyway. Things just keep getting better," he sighed defeatedly.

"There is one way," I suggested, and immediately all of his attention was on me. He stared at me, eyes focused and pleading. "There is one way to fix all these problems. We have to win this war!"