Hi folks,
Another chapter..
Sorry for the delays. It's been a hard year. I've been wicked sick, and my best friend and I are no longer talking, but life rolls on...
I wanted to thank everyone for the reviews and the feedback. I appreciate ya'll helping me become a better writer and hanging in there. Thanks for the words of encouragement.
I'm going to finish this story even if it kills me, but I do think I'm getting worse with my writing and not better. I think this chapter might be one of my worst ones to date.
Anyway...
Buckle up Buttercup: We are now entering the new and uncharted territory called no-man's land...
Chapter 14 - Destination Skarskind
Under the slowly graying clouds high above the forest canopy, the exhausted duo trudged single-file through the thickening forest. The slow, arduous trek through the woods seemed endless as they climbed over over fallen logs and weaved between tall looming trees, faithfully following some old, all-but-forgotten forest trail headed in a vague direction Hiccup hoped was the way to Skarskind. With every step, twigs and branches lashed out viscously, cutting and slapping against their flesh as they fought their way through the never-ending thicket, Hiccup's hope for retrieving the Meadowrue flower in time for the festival rapidly fading.
As the warm autumn air intensified with the rising sun, an invisible wind whipped up around the travelers and wound it's way into the tree tops like fingers, rustling the dying leaves. Legions of ravenous mosquitoes and flies awakened starved and angry from their slumber by the unseasonable warmth, converged on their prey. Swatting at the relentless pests biting and buzzing insistently in their ears, the teens continued forward in silence. The eerie sounds of their winged guests carried on the strong winds swirling and twisting around their heads, combining to make macabre music.
Ruthlessly hacking away at the unrelenting underbrush, Hiccup's scrawny arm screamed with pain from the pendulum-like swinging of the small machete he clutched tightly in his left hand. Shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight filtering through the cracks of dying autumn leaves, he slowly inched forward with each swing, a think layer of leaves and vines crackling loudly under his boots as he moved. With every stroke of the heavy blade, the auburn haired boy's heart hammered loudly in his chest, the noise almost deafening, beaten only by the sound of his gasping breath as he cleared the dense flora.
Hiccup stopped suddenly. His left hand falling limply to his side as he continued to tightly clench the blade. Sucking in deep breaths, he made a long swiping motion across his face with the crux of his right arm, using the sleeve of his tunic to mop up the sweat running down into his eyes; his body and soul almost exhausted. Hiccup knew at this pace he'd never reach the mountain and be back in time for the offering.
"Why are we stopping again?" A tough feminine voice prodded from behind.
Glancing over his shoulder, the smaller teen rasped out between heavy pants of air. "Um... I just needed... a quick survey... of the land... that's all."
Gathering dwindling strength, the boy took a step forward, immediately catching his foot on a thick tree root hidden below the dead leaves and debris. Hiccup felt his body jerk forward, his arms flailing to grab something - anything before hitting the hard ground. Finding nothing to stop his fall, he landed hard, face-first on the dirty path, his breath leaving his body in a loud, painful grunt.
Huffing out an annoyed sigh, Astrid stepped over the sprawled form and picked up the machete. "I'll take the lead!" She barked, raising the quickly-dulling blade high over her head.
After a few swings, the tough blonde glanced back at the sprawled boy, a challenge sparkling in her eyes. "Rest time is over. You coming, or not?." Her voice tinged with playful smugness.
Swallowing a painful groan, Hiccup slowly climbed to his feet, his green eyes focused downward as he brushed the debris of the dirt trail off his clothes.
Bending to collect the strewn water bladder, he uncorked it and extended the offering to his companion, never meeting her gaze.
With an immense thirst clawing at the back of her dry throat, Astrid quickly snatched the contents from Hiccup's outstretched hand, causing water to slosh out the top and run down the sides. Hurriedly raising the pouch to her lips, she drank thirstily, letting rivulets of water run down her chin and neck.
Wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve, she passed the drained bladder back, muttering a barely whispered "Thanks" before turning her back.
Hiccup bounced the small leather item several times before recorking, his own thirst clawing at his throat. 'Can't have anything yet', he thought concerned. 'Don't know when we'll run across more drinking water. I have to be cautious. I have to make sure it lasts.'
Tucking the precious item into his rucksack, Hiccup reached out and gently touched Astrid's hand, taking the machete. "I can do this." He said quietly, flashing a small, reassuring smile.
Stepping in front of the stunned blond, the skinny youth huffed out a determined breath, raised his aching limb, and then began vigorously clearing a small opening in the thick brush. The small female figure fell into step close behind, softly muttering an unending stream words almost bordering on encouragement.
The two figures continued to inch forward for hours. It was well past mid-day when Hiccup felt that he could no longer swing the heavy blade. Sweeping sweat tinged bangs across his face, he swallowed thickly. With a pounding heart and a parched throat, the boy swung the blade for what he knew would be his last time.
As the blade slashed downward through the immense wall of brush, a small grassy area was suddenly revealed, stopping him dead in his tracks. His ears catching the soft, unmistakable sound of swirling, trickling water running over stones in the distance.
"Water..." Hiccup exhaled in relief, closing his eyes and allowing his head to fall backward, mouth open. "Thank you, Nerthus..." Hiccup mouthed soundlessly, the tension in his body ebbing away.
Pushing past the motionless figure, Astrid darted through the tall grass straight for the edge of the fragile brook. Quickly dropping to her knees, she plunged both hands into the clear, icy water and began shoveling cupped, handfuls of water into her mouth.
Trudging with leaden feet, Hiccup slowly made his way to the clear water's edge. Kneeling next to Astrid, he rummaged in his rucksack to retrieve the small pouch and plunged it into the oncoming current, filling it completely. Dipping a trembling hand into the sparkling, burbling brook, he moved it around to clean off the the day's grime before slowly lifting a cupped hand to his parched lips. After several long drafts of water, Hiccup splashed a few handfuls of icy water on his head, letting it soak into his hair and stream down his neck and back, cooling his overheated body. He wasn't sure how he managed to last so long, but was grateful he hid his weakness from Astrid.
Looking up through water soaked bangs, Hiccup scanned the far side of the small clearing, his eyes hunting for any sign of their current trail. As if reading his mind, Astrid's eyes shot toward the looming Mountain in the East. "Is there another route?" she questioned.
"Um... Wait." Hiccup replied quietly, pulling out a small, forgotten map from his rucksack and unfolding it carefully.
"You just remembered the map now?" Astrid snapped unbelievingly, her voice cutting like a hot knife.
Shooting a quick askance frown at the annoyed blonde, Hiccup refocused on the fragile document. "No." He responded curtly while scanning the few, faded charcoal lines that meandered across the tattered parchment.
After drying her hands on her tunic, Astrid stood slowly, cocking her weight on one hip. Crossing her arms, the lithe blonde shot back with biting sarcasm, "No, you didn't remember the map? Or No, there isn't another way to Skarskind?"
Hiccup raised his head, looking confused before sputtering out almost unintelligibly, "Err... I mean... No to the first question... I mean... I didn't just remember the map," he lied badly.
"And... no... to the second." His voice sounding disappointed as it trailed off, knowing their path would take them through some of the densest and most treacherous parts of the forest.
"We have to go that way to the Mountain..." pointing a thin arm tipped with a extended finger towards an uncharacteristically thick cluster of trees at the far corner of the clearing, "... otherwise it will take us three days longer."
Astrid's squinting eyes followed the pointed finger of the auburn haired boy toward a large grouping of oak trees with a perfect semi-circular pattern of rocks at their base, creating a gateway-like entrance.
A sudden, large rumbling caused Astrid to snap her head in the direction of the sound, staring wide eyed. Blushing, Hiccup sheepishly looked at the curious blonde and muttered under his breath, as he grabbed his stomach. "Um, maybe we should take a quick lunch break."
"Good idea!" Astrid shot back quickly, feeling her own hunger pangs tug at her innards. "Come on," grabbing Hiccup's upper arm in a vice-like grip. "I'm starved!"
Stumbling and tripping despite his best efforts to keep pace, the smaller teen was unceremoniously hauled toward the far corner of the clearing. Once reaching the strange pattern of rocks, Astrid released her captured prey causing Hiccup to stumble forward onto his knees; his rucksack flipping over his head, landing in a tangled pile before him.
Nonchalantly strolling past the crumpled boy, Astrid took a seat on a large rock directly in front of him. Hiccup couldn't help but to stare mesmerized as she slowly crossed her legs, placing a delicate calf lightly atop her knee, her skirt riding up ever so slightly, exposing just a hint of a porcelain skinned upper thigh.
Casually brushing the day's dirt off her skirt, she locked her eyes onto the form before her. 'He's really not bad looking,' she thought casually, 'Kind of sweet in a clumsy, annoying sort of way. Not stupid like Tuffnut, or an arrogant, heartless, know-it-all like Snotlout.'
Grasping the long braid lying across her chest, she stroked it slowly, continuing her mental assessment. 'He's all about thinking and not about fighting. He's really... thin... very thin... just plain skinny... and really short.'
'Still, there's something... different about him,' she mused, before loudly clearing her throat.
Smirking with a mischievous grin she watched Hiccup break from his wide-eyed stare before scrambling to collect his strewn belongings.
"Well?" she questioned authoritatively, throwing her arms out to the side, palms upturned in annoyance.
Continuing impatiently in long, drawn out words, "I'm... waiting..."
Cocking her head she stared at Hiccup with wide eyes, dumbfounded to why he didn't recognize immediately the importance of her statement.
Shuffling toward the demanding female Viking on his knees, the boy rummaged through the rucksack before suddenly freezing.
The realization hit hard... Hiccup hadn't considered having a companion on his trip. Why would he? He was going to Skarskind alone. He was all set to go alone...
But then Astrid showed up. Beautiful, strong Astrid. He wasn't thinking clearly. He should have told her to stay behind. How could he have let this happen. How could he have been so stupid.
The incredibly small pittance of food would never last the entire journey. The boy's mind mind began to whirl... 'How can I fix this... How can I make this work... There has to be a solution...'
Scrunching his face, he sucked in a deep breath and softly exhaled the words, "Think... Think... Think..." He just had to come up with an incredibly ingenious plan to get out of this mess. He had to be clever. More clever than he'd ever been.
"What did you say?"
"Is there a problem?" Astrid questioned, brows raised.
"Um, noooo..."
"No problem. "Nothing at all. No. Nope." The the auburn hair boy laughed nervously, running his hand through his wet hair.
"Nothing to worry about here. All's good. Couldn't be better. No hassles for the Hoff." He continued in his best swag voice, "Things are better than ..."
"Oh for Thor's sake, shut up!" Astrid barked annoyed. "And never... ever... call me by that name again," she growled menacingly, her body tensing as if to pounce.
"I'm sorry!" Hiccup shot back with regret. With slumping shoulders, the boy lowered his head and continued in a soft, dejected voice. "Um, I promise I won't do that again."
Exhaling thoughtfully, Astrid scanned the apologetic boy. Her Viking training kicking in as she began assessing his warrior skills.
'He can't crumble so quickly if he wants to be a proper Viking leader,' she thought, rolling her eyes. 'He lacks the instincts needed to lead. To kill.'
Astrid sighed, her eyes stopping on the cut above his brow and across his cheek. 'Yeah, he desperately needs serious fighting help.'
"You know," Astrid began speaking softly. "I can help you with that," pointing a delicate finger at the cut above Hiccup's brow.
Hiccup's eyes rose slowly to look at the pointed finger.
"I can can teach you a few defensive moves to use against Snotlout and his thugs." Finishing the statement with a quick shrug of her shoulders. "If you want."
"But you'll need to stop..." tracing her hands around Hiccup, gesturing to his whole figure, " all... this... "
"You just gestured to all of me." Hiccup sighed with irritation.
"Yes, you're a Viking disaster!" The blonde exclaimed.
"Clearly you're completely clueless in the use of the blade and physical combat."
"From your encounter with Snotlout, you're hopelessly immature in believing you can talk your way out of a battle."
Eying Hiccup critically, "... and obviously you can't..." Astrid added with a derisive chuckle.
A look of concern fell upon the girl's face as she leaned forward. "That's a dangerous combination in this world," her voice suddenly soft, lacking its previous hubris.
"Um, you'd... you'd do that? You know, for me? You'd help me?" Hiccup asked in amazement.
"Of Course!" Astrid confidently shot back.
"A couple lessons with me, and those butt-faced, worm brained, idiots wouldn't be able to..." she paused, searching for encouraging words, "... catch you off guard..."
"Um, yeah, thanks." Hiccup smiled, still preferring diplomatic solutions to a physical ones.
"I might take you up on your offer sometime." His attention moving back to rummaging around his rucksack.
"Good!" Astrid barked with enthusiasm. "Then it's settled. I'll teach you some axe and self-defense moves after we eat. You'll be well prepared for your next encounter with Snotlout" The disgust in her voice unmistakable at the mention of the portly Vikings name.
Hiccup gulped and nodded fervently in coerced agreement before removing two pieces of bread and some dried meat. Flashing a quick smile, Astrid gratefully took the offering and began eating.
Watching the blonde, Hiccup raised the food to his lips and took a small bite of bread before shoving the food back into his bag. He could make this work, he didn't need a lot of food. 'Better one to be hungry than two' he thought.
After a few minutes, the awkward silence was suddenly broken. "You ready?" the female teen questioned. "Um, yeah... sure" Hiccup replied unenthusiastically. "As ready as I'll every be, I guess."
"Good, get up and show me your fighting stance." Astrid rose and stood in front of the kneeling boy, her posture and outreached hands indicating she had readied herself for a fight.
"Come on! Come at me!". Astrid yelled, beckoning with a hand. "Attack!"
Slowly rising, Hiccup looked like he was going to lose his lunch; well, what little he had eaten. Timidly stepping forward, he reached out to grab Astrid's arms.
Swatting away his hands, Astrid charged and grabbed Hiccup by his vest, pulling him close. Putting one leg behind him, she used her hip as a fulcrum, twisting his body to keep the boy off balance, his toes barely touching the ground.
"See..." she panted, "You have to size up your enemy and pick out their weakness. Find out what you can use to your advantage in a fight."
"I'm using your weight, well, what little you have, to my advantage. As Astrid spoke, she pulled Hiccup closer, their faces merely inches apart. Her breath hot and sweet on Hiccup's face as they locked eyes.
She purred with self-satisfaction, "You're in a position where I could easily dominate and have my way with you." Astrid's eyes suddenly widened, her cheeks flushing a bright scarlet.
With a sudden jerk of her arms, she flipped the featherweight over her hip.
"Oomph!..." grunted Hiccup, hitting the ground hard. An unfriendly rock digging deep into the flesh of his back, mocking his lack of fighting skills.
Standing tall above him, admiring her work, the goddess-like teen placed a booted foot on his chest, silently declaring victory. Squaring her shoulders, she barked "Lesson over."
"You were an amuse..." Astrid jeered before stopping quickly. Clearing her throat loudly, "... adequate opponent," she continued respectfully.
Blinking away the stars swimming in his vision, Hiccup squeaked to his masochistic teacher, "Thanks?"
Extending a friendly hand downward, Astrid hauled the light teen onto his feet. "Tomorrow you'll learn how to battle with an axe."
Hiccup looked around, puzzled and confused, "Um, you didn't bring your axe".
Rolling her eyes, trying not to be too annoyed. "I'm not going to let you use a real axe." Astrid scoffed, dramatically accenting the word real. "That would be stupid."
"You'd kill yourself within five seconds," she scolded. "And I don't want to be the one to tell Chief Stoick the Vast his only son incompetently hacked himself to death."
"We'll start with a tree branch," she smirked. "That's about your speed."
Accompanied by shrugging shoulders and rolling eyes, Hiccup exhaled sarcastically, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, teach."
Looking puzzled, he stared at his would-be teacher, an awkward silence growing.
"Well, what is it? Spit it out!" Astrid demanded.
Raising a delicate hand, she extended two fingers. "Lesson two."
"Vikings speak bluntly. If we have something on our minds, we speak."
"Yeah," Hiccup shyly responded. "Um, well, I've noticed that..." he paused thoughtfully, kicking the dirt, "... well, I'm kind of been wondering... you know..."
"Oh, for Thor's sake, spit it out man!" Astrid barked, her annoyance at the timid teen growing exponentially.
With a look of terror Hiccup yelled, "Why are you being nice to me? You hate me!"
"You stopped being my friend when your brother died..." he spat, despite the razor-blade expression Astrid was still wearing.
"You stopped talking to me. You stopped hearing me. And, well, you stopped even looking at me."
"We used to be friends, Astrid. Wh-What happened?" Sadness and disappointment threaded in his gentle voice, now barely above a whisper, tears pricking the corners of his eyes as he blinked to keep them back.
Feeling the heat rising on her cheeks, Astrid did her best not to meet his gaze and quickly averted her head to the side, but not quick enough that Hiccup didn't notice the mirrored glittering in her eyes. With a quivering voice, uncharacteristic of the young warrior, she spoke softly. "Well, I was told you're why Arni died. You were the cause. You being the tribe's curse and all."
Astrid took a shuttered breath, "I just couldn't be around you after that."
Hiccup's eyes widened. "Me... you think Arni died... because of me? The guilty weight crushing the heart of the young Viking, his chest tightening, the ache expanding, threatening to choke the very life out of him.
"Yes..." whispered Astrid, her voice trembling. "My Dad said Spitelout confirmed it through the elders. It was the curse. It's because we let you into our home."
"No..." Hiccup gasped in an exhale, shaking his head in disbelief.
Looking down he softly repeated, "No... No... No... I couldn't have been the cause... his death, their deaths... the death of..." the pain of the sentence trailing off into oblivion.
The silence was deafening. Hiccup's whole world was collapsing upon him. He stood motionless trying to grasp the enormity of the words. Spitelout had confirmed it... The elders confirmed it... Astrid believed...
Out of the darkness and despair there came a sound. Like a small miracle beckoning to his soul. Sweet and gentle, like the promising light after a raging storm.
"But..." the soft voice continued... "I'm having my doubts the claims are true."
Hiccup raised his head to stare into Astrid's eyes, a mixture of surprise and relief written on his face as the blonde stared back with a small smile.
An unfamiliar heat rose into Hiccup's throat, a fire burned deep within. Suddenly he found a belief in himself he hadn't known before.
"Come along... idiot." The once gentle voice now strong and demanding. "we can't dawdle here all day. we have a flower of yours to find and a long hike ahead." Looking at the position of the sun, "Night will come soon enough."
With that, Astrid turned and made her way into the forest.
Hiccup paused a moment before following. The strangely scarred earth within the semi-circle of rocks sparked a memory. He'd seen these two strange runic pattern before. It felt in his gut like a warning that best be heeded.
Ignoring his better judgment, he stepped over the patterns and into the forest. The dense forest trail seemed to close in his wake, swallowing up all traces of their passage.