Oh my gods. Oh my Odin, Frigg, and Thor.
Stoick has a son. Stoick has a son.
I know and he does not.
Stoick has a son. STOICK. HAS. A. SON.
Now, now, Valka, calm down. Think soberly. Panic won't get you anywhere. You need to establish the facts. What is it that you know? And I mean, know for sure?
I know for sure that Stoick was romantically involved with Diarrhea the Dirty. I know for sure Diarrhea the Dirty has a son. I may safely assume her son is also Stoick's.
I know Stoick doesn't know. If he knew, he would have told me.
Now, what do I do? I need to think carefully.
What happens if I don't tell him?
The guilt will drive me insane.
What if I do tell him?
He will move heaven and Earth to find that boy.
What if he moves heaven and Earth to find the boy, and the boy turns out not to be his? It would wreck his heart.
What if he moves heaven and Earth to find the boy, the boy turns out to be his, but Rhea refuses to share the parental rights? It would wreck his heart even more.
What if Rhea agrees to move back to Berk with her son? Would Hiccup accept them? Would I accept them?
It was so easy to disregard Stoick's relationship with Rhea with her being long gone. But with her living here, being involved with our lives? Will I be able to look that woman in the eye, knowing she had been intimate with my husband? Will I be able to accept her son as a part of our family?
What if Rhea still harbors feelings for Stoick? What if he harbors feelings for her?
Now, now, Valka, don't be ridiculous. The very reason Rhea ended things with Stoick was because he loved you more, even when he thought you were dead. Whoever else he might have been with was merely a substitute for you. Really, you should be thanking every deity in existence for a husband as loyal as this.
Okay. So, what do I do?
This is no small thing. There is a living child whose world I would have to turn upside down. There is a woman who has left her past behind, started from scratch, and somehow found her own path. Do I have the right to get in their way?
Did Rhea have the right not to tell Stoick he had another son?
She may have been bitter back then, but what about now? If given a chance, would she have told him?
Does she intend to tell her son?
Does it really matter? Regardless of what Rhea has or hasn't done, your obligation is first and foremost to your family. You are Stoick's wife and owe him the truth.
But how do I tell him something like this?
More importantly, when?
It's only a week left until Snoggletog. Stoick cannot leave. He has preparations to supervise and Bog Burglars to keep an eye on. If I tell him now, it will only distract him from his duties.
But if I wait, he will know I am hiding something. And I promised not to keep secrets from him anymore. I don't want to betray his trust.
But neither do I want to worry him unnecessarily.
Oh, woman, you are just looking for excuses not to tell him.
No, I'm worried about him. I'm trying to be reasonable.
Then you should know there will never be a good moment to deliver these news. You might as well get it over with.
Maybe. But some moments are worse than others. This was going to be our first Snoggletog as a family. It should be a time free of worries.
Not gonna happen. You're worried already. And the boys will spot it. And they will worry for you.
Would that really be worse than having them worry about Rhea and her son?
Now, woman, look into yourself. If you chose not to reveal the truth right away, you may be tempted not to revel it at all. You may get used to keeping the secret. This is how you deal with problems – you run away from them.
No, not anymore. I'm not that woman anymore.
Be real. All of Berk will be travelling on dragon back in a matter of years. Chances that Stoick or Hiccup would run into Rhea and her son sometime in the future are rising. If this happens, the father and both sons will be livid for not having known of each other's existence earlier. And both mothers will be at fault.
I know. I don't want that.
Then tell Stoick.
But if I do, he will not rest until the boy is found. I don't want to hurt him. He really deserves some peace. I don't want him going on a search this time of the year. It's madness.
He doesn't have to do the searching himself. He is the chief, he could delegate.
He could, but he wouldn't. Not this. He will want to go looking for his son himself. Nobody will be able to stop him. And Rhea and the boy could be anywhere. If they travel by ship, they probably switch location all the time. Only a dragon could find them before Snoggletog.
A dragon could find them before Snoggletog...
...could I find them before Snoggletog?
I have Cloudjumper. I know they visit the Bog Isles frequently, so this is where I'd begin my search.
But what then? What if Bog Burglars don't want to talk? What if I have to search the whole Archipelago? I've only got a week.
I can't miss Snoggletog. Not this. The boys would never forgive me. I would never forgive myself.
Is it really worth it? To risk missing my first Snoggletog with my family to try and find my husband's former lover, who might very well be determined never to see him again, and a boy who might very well not be his son at all?
Odin, Frigg and Thor, give me strength.
"Valka, you okay?"
Huh?
Startled, Valka turned to the source of disturbances in her thinking processes. It was only Gobber. Though it might as well have been a pink Night Fury. She'd have been just as surprised.
"Girl, you really look like a dragon ate you and threw you up," chuckled the man, greatly amused. "But no worries, you'll be fine by tonight. It's all part of the fun," he assured.
Valka had no idea what to say. Fortunately, Gobber was talkative by nature.
"You hungry or anything?" he asked.
"No, not really," she replied. At this point, eating anything seemed like a major indecency.
"Good," he said. "I'll fix some soups. You just lay here and relax."
The suggestion made Valka crack a smile. Relax. What a joke.
Nonetheless, the woman pulled herself up, her eyes locating the man as he begun the preparations. For some reason watching him seemed more productive than staring at the ceiling.
First he filled a cauldron with water and placed it over the hearth – which reminded Valka they would soon have to refill the big barrel in the corner of the main room, in which they kept their water savings. Next he pulled up a board from the floor – below was a barrel in which the family stored salted meat, buried in ground for better conservation. Gobber chose a whole chicken and two yak steaks. He placed them inside the cauldron and took a sieve. Now he would have to wait for the fumes.
It was bizarre – watching him move about, preparing a meal as if nothing happened. At the same time, there was something calming about the whole scene. Gobber was so blissful, so at peace, that his positive energy seemed to be clearing the dark clouds that were floating inside Valka's head. Consequently, she managed to put some distance between herself and the problem.
What she was watching was normality. The everyday routine of her family. The harmony she wanted to protect.
The order she was not a part of not that long ago.
She thought that Gobber moved about as if she wasn't there. Now it occurred to her this had to be the way he moved about when she wasn't there.
Her family had learned to cope without her. She had learned to cope without them. That didn't mean they were any better apart than together.
A starfish can regrow an arm it had lost. A few can regrow a whole body from just one arm. Valka was just like this, an arm that got detached from the body and developed into an independent being. The corpse she had abandoned had meanwhile grown a new limb. Then, by pure miracle, they were reunited. No longer torn halves of one whole, but two separate bodies. Nonetheless, they were happy to have found each other. And chose to live on entwined, in an embrace so tight that nothing could tear them apart.
There was no changing the past, but present offered countless opportunities. Valka could hate herself for what she had done, and let her guilt weight her down. Or she could accept it and let it become a source of strength for the future.
She could use it to help others.
A chance encounter with Hiccup brought her to where she was today. Perhaps it was her turn to save somebody from the darkness.
Valka knew how it was, to feel like you had no choice but go your own way. To see no path other than voluntary exile. She knew, because she has been there. And she would still be there, if it wasn't for her son.
Perhaps Rhea wasn't much different than her. Perhaps the only difference was that she had kept her child.
If Valka had been pregnant when Cloudjumper took her, she would have raised the baby in the Sanctuary. She wasn't going to kid herself into thinking otherwise.
She knew now what she had to do. She knew that she was the woman for the job. It didn't matter if her motivation was guilt, fear, or love for her family. She would bring Rhea and her son back to Berk.
But how? She didn't even know how Rhea looked like.
But Gobber knew.
Valka opened her mouth to pop the question, but stopped herself. This was too risky. If Gobber suspects anything, he will tell Stoick. And Valka very much preferred to keep him in the dark. She had to find a different source of information. Somebody not so close to their family.
But whom? Mildew? That'd only enrage him. Ava? Already said everything she knew. Snotlout? He's too unpredictable. Who else was there?
The laeknar.
It was so obvious now. Rhea had stayed at the laeknar's house between her accident and departure. This was a couple of weeks. They would know of all the guests she might have had at that time. They might even have known if she was pregnant. Talking to them could help Valka confirm or exclude Stoick as the father of Rhea's son (she did not suspect there could have been another man involved, but she preferred to be extra sure).
With a plan formed in her head, Valka got up.
"I'm going to get some fresh air, Gobber," she told her friend.
"Sure thing," he responded. "Just put on your furs. It's quite chilly out there."
Valka nodded. It would have been a shame if she appeared in public wearing just a tunic and leggings. A chief's wife had to be presentable. Besides, quality attire could drive the attention away from her face, which she bet still showed signs of last night's drinking.
First she put on her boots. Then tied a layer of cloth over her waist – particularly useful in cold climate, as it felt like a woolen blanket over her legs. Next she threw a furry coat over her tunic. On top of that came her usual armor – it was modified not long ago and now featured click-in holsters on the back, so she wouldn't have to carry her staff all the time. Finally she strapped the armbands on. Now she looked presentable enough to venture outside. And felt confident enough to carry out the mission with which she set off.
Hopefully she won't run into Stoick along the way.
As she stepped outside she was welcomed by the chilly air and a warm aura. A familiar presence that never failed to improve her mood. The powerful four-winged dragon, who appeared so proud and dignified, but dotted on her like a loving brother.
It was comforting, having him around.
Valka might have had problems interpreting signals sent by humans, but she and Cloudjumper understood each other perfectly. His immediate reaction at seeing her was happiness. Right afterwards came the questioning look, overshadowed by concern for her health. Closely followed by realization. The dragon figured that the source of his human's problems was not her liver. Not the primary source, at least. Having established that, he purred comfortingly, nearing his head to her to assure her of his support. She smiled as she rubbed his chin.
He was such a dear, that Cloudjumper. Perhaps even more so now that they spent more time apart. It couldn't be helped – she now resided in a nest too small for him to access. He was happy that she had found her family, of course, but at the same time this new housing arrangement irked him. He tried not to show it, so not to upset his wingless sister, but she saw right through him. He envied Toothless, whose smaller size allowed him to sleep beside his human. He often peaked into the windows. At times he even shot suspicious glances at Stoick.
It was to be expected, of course. A lot has changed in the last couple of weeks. New challenges were already appearing on the horizon. So much was going on it was perfectly normal to feel frustrated. To forget, even if only briefly, that you had your special place in somebody's heart. Dragons and humans were quite similar in this respect.
Fortunately, this particular human and this particular dragon knew they could always count on each other. Be it at Berk, Sanctuary, open sea, or a foreign land far, far away. No matter what mayhem, crisis or disaster they'll have to face, they will do so as brother and sister. And nothing could convince them otherwise.
Reassured by the sheer wonder of their bond, Valka addressed her comrade.
"Come," she told him gently. "We're going to pay the laeknir a visit."
The dragon responded with a nod. It cheered him up, knowing that Valka had a plan.
The Dragon Whisperer and the Stormcutter made their through the village. The distance was short, so there was no need to fly. Not to mention flying was sure to attract attention. Possibly that of Bog Burglars seeking to fetch a ride. And Valka really had more pressing matters to attend to.
Fortunately the walk to the laeknars' house was accomplished without distractions. Valka knocked at the door. A moment later it opened and through it came Rusty.
"Lady Valka!" he smiled at her. "How can I help you?"
"Is Blight home?" asked Valka. The primary laeknir was her preferred source of information, as she must have been Rhea's main caretaker. And one more likely to notice signs of pregnancy.
"No, she's at Gothi's," said Rusty. "But perhaps I could help you. Please, do come in."
He stepped aside, gesturing for his guest to come inside.
"Thank you," said Valka. She figured she might try questioning the young man. Worst case scenario, she'll just wait for his aunt to return.
The first thing she noticed on entering the house was the Speed Stinger, hanging from a ceiling pillar by the tail. It was the same Speed Stinger she had brought from the Sanctuary a couple weeks prior, the one she had used to numb Hiccup. A female whom she named Night.
A piece of cloth was wrapped around the dragon's head, blocking the eyes and ear-holes.
"I'm afraid I can't yet offer you any ground-breaking discoveries regarding Speed Stinger venom," said Rusty, noticing where the woman's attention fell. "I'm still testing its effects on sheep. But I suppose you will be pleased to know Night and I have grown quite close," he revealed, stepping closer to the slumbering dragon and beaming with pride.
"I've been taking her on long walks in the moonlight, telling her about the flora and fauna. I think she likes being talked to. And she actually remembers what I say. The other night we were picking mushrooms, and when I said I wished we'd find a boletus, she raced off and a few seconds later came back with one. I'd only shown her an illustration of one, and she recognized it. This was incredible," the young man chuckled. "I'd never think dragons could be this amazing," he said, regarding the slumbering Speed Stinger with affection.
Valka smiled to herself, her heart soaring. That was indeed good news.
Night was originally placed in the laeknirs' house for Hiccup's sake – in case he had to be paralyzed again – and the medical team was not exactly pleased with the arrangement. Who could blame them – the general population was only beginning to consider the possibility of dragons amounting to something more than fire and fangs. Later, as Hiccup recovered, he got Blight and Rusty interested in the Speed Stinger venom and its potential as tranquilizer. Thus they decided to keep Night. Valka worried they might only view the flightless dragon as a source of venom to experiment on – and they probably did, at the very beginning – but it appeared that things were heading in the right direction.
It was truly uplifting, seeing that not everything around her was messed up.
"I'm happy for you," she told Rusty with genuine joy. "You're restoring my hope in humanity."
Rusty chuckled. "That's a lot of praise for something as simple as making a friend," he said, although his face was radiating with pride. "Besides, I'm merely reaping the fruit of your labor. Your and your son's. You two are the heroes, I'm but your humble servant," he bowed, still smiling.
Valka figured he was trying to elicit some more praise from her, but frankly, she didn't mind. Considering the intensity of her recent interactions, a little exaggerated politeness seemed like a nice change.
"There are no servants in our Academy, Rusty," she told him. "Only scales of various sizes. All of which are needed to make the skin of our village skin impenetrable and keep the fire of hope alight."
The young man nodded, pleased, yet resolute. "Wise words, Lady Valka," he acknowledged. "You really are the right person in the right place."
This time, he didn't sound casual. He wasn't joking. These words were genuine.
It meant the world to Valka, to hear such praise from somebody outside her inner circle.
"Thank you," she said, her gratitude sincere.
He shook his head, but his expression remained good-natured. "No, Lady Valka – thank YOU."
With that positive gesture, the formalities were finished.
"Please, have a sit," Rusty gestured towards the table and advanced towards the hearth. "Would you like some milk? I just boiled some."
"Yes, please," said Valka, sitting down.
"With honey and butter?"
"Yes, please."
She watched as the young laeknir prepared the drinks. He poured warm milk into two mugs, mixed in the extra ingredients, and offered one to his guest. Valka took a sip. The drink tasted warming and refreshing at the same time.
"So," started Rusty, "what can I do for you?"
Valka regretted having to destroy the mood, but she did come to this house with a specific goal and was going to pursue it. She looked up at her host, deciding to start with the question she deemed the safest.
"Rusty, did you know Diarrhea the Dirty?"
Rusty gaped at her, startled. He froze momentarily, and in the next instance winced and looked aside. It appeared that he was trying to hide his discomfort, but without much success.
"I... can't say that I did," he muttered, avoiding Valka's gaze. "I mean, she and Decay used to be the best of friends. I sort of just tagged along."
Valka figured this was good news, since the young laeknir will be able to provide her with reliable information. Judging by his reaction, however, she would have to tread very carefully. She didn't want to hurt him if it could be avoided.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," she told him gently. "It's just that she was an important figure in Hiccup's life, and I don't know anything about her. I didn't want to ask Hiccup or Stoick, since it may be hard for them. If you could help me, I would greatly appreciate it. But it's okay if you can't."
Rusty shook his head. "It's okay. I can talk," he straightened his back, ran his hand over his face, and met his guest's eyes with relative calmness. "What would you like to know?"
Valka hesitated, but the need for information out-weighted her concerns for Rusty's inner peace. "How did she look like?"
The young laeknir sighed. "She had..." he started and immediately corrected himself. "She HAS dark brown hair, thick and curly like sheep wool. Her eyes are like two pieces of amber... I mean, her one remaining eye is like a piece of amber. And her one remaining eyebrow is quite shaggy for a woman. She has a strong, rectangular jaw. The rest of her too seems rectangular. She's not a particularly big woman, but by no mean a walking stick. Just the solid, hard-working type."
As he dwelled into details of Rhea's appearance, he transformed into a different man. Happy, radiant, perhaps even more so than he usually was. As if the description he produced was a magic spell, his personal lucky charm. And maybe it was indeed.
"You remember her rather well," remarked Valka, impressed.
The young man smiled sheepishly. "I've always had an exceptionally good memory. It helps during the laeknir training."
Not only that, thought Valka. Rusty refrained from describing Rhea in past tense. As if he refused to accept that she may be gone for good. As if that could help her.
But then, he apparently was her best friend's little brother. Rhea probably babysat him as much as Decay did. He might even have treated her as an additional older sister. He certainly did appear to have cared about her more than he wanted to admit.
Still, this was none of Valka's concern. What mattered was that she could now paint a pretty detailed picture of Rhea in her mind. She even tried picturing Hiccup with dark, curly hair, and amber-like eyes. Seemed like a good guess as to how Stoick and Rhea's son looked like.
"I see," she acknowledged and drunk a bit of milk before moving forward with the interview. "Where you here the night of Rhea's accident?"
Rusty shifted in his seat.
"Yes..." he admitted reluctantly. "I remember it so well. The chief burst in, holding Rhea. He was so scarred, terrified, so much not like him. And she had such horrible blisters. And I... I threw up and fainted. My aunt treated her herself," he looked aside, embarrassed. "I wasn't really involved with the treatment after that. I couldn't."
His voice broke and his eyes shut tightly.
Valka hesitated and reached out to hold his hand.
"It must have been hard for you," she said gently. "Seeing somebody you know in such condition."
"Yes," he whispered, somewhat calmer. "I felt so helpless."
Valka decided to keep the questions coming, so to leave him no time for self-pity.
"How long did Rhea stay with you?"
"Six weeks. Though she was unconscious for the first three. And when she left, she left for good."
"While she was here, did anybody visit her?"
"The chief came with Hiccup once, but Rhea wasn't in the mood to see them. Decay came a couple of times, but Rhea wouldn't talk to her, either. Even Mildew came by once, if only to verbally abuse her. And Gobber, he did appear once or twice. That's all, I guess."
Valka arranged the information in her head, planning her next move. This seemed like a good moment to inquire about potential love interests.
"Was she... involved with anybody?"
Rusty shook his head. "I doubt it. She was always working. Nobody ever caught her in the old Woodpecker's barn... umh, I mean, if she had a suitor or something, Decay would have known. You could try talking to her, but I doubt she'd tell you anything more than this."
"I see," nodded Valka. Rusty seemed pretty certain of what he revealed. It seemed that Stoick and Rhea did a good job keeping their affair a secret. Also, that there were no other candidates for the baby daddy title.
Unless, of course, Rhea got pregnant AFTER her departure from Berk. Not likely, but still probable.
Valka drunk a bit of her milk, deliberating on further questions to ask. She felt bad about milking Rusty for information he obviously was uncomfortable remembering, but it was too good an opportunity to pass.
"Do you remember, by any chance, how Rhea's ship looked like?"
Rusty had to think about it. "Yes… It was a trader's ship. I wouldn't exactly call it a knarr, it wasn't that long, but seemed similar enough. Single mast, high rails, deep hull. And the option of pitching a cape over the deck. Overall a nice, sturdy ship, for one so small. But definitely not one I would entrust to a beginner."
"I mean, Rhea didn't know a thing about sailing. She had never left Berk," he revealed, his voice becoming agitated. "When she asked the chief for a ship, we thought she had lost her mind. It happens with head injuries, you know. When Mildew found out, he was livid. He said that sailing wasn't something she could learn from books, that she was insane if she thought otherwise. I can't say I wasn't worried about her, myself. I mean, she was no more a warrior than she was a sailor. An easy target for pirates. We tried to talk her out of this, but she was stubborn. She preferred to take her chances with the sea than remain on the island."
He took a big gulp from his mug and sighed heavily. The drink seemed to have tempered the anxiety within, for when he spoke next, it was in a resigned tone.
"Since there was no talking her out of this, we all helped her prepare the best we could. Scub prepared skins and dried meat. Decay made a sleeping bag and some warm clothes. Gobber offered stories of his adventures at the sea. I've read her the sailing manual, over and over again, until she knew it by heart. Rules for maneuvers. Names and functions of ship components. Meteorological phenomena. Physics. All the theory of sailing, from dusk till dawn, until the very last day. All then, just like this, she left. And didn't look back even once."
By this point, Rusty looked as if all the life had drained out of him.
"My aunt guessed that this was something Rhea needed to do to fully recover," he added in a weak whisper. "That she just had to put some distance between herself and the painful memories to be able to feel safe again. I suppose she did have a point. But I still wish Rhea had sought comfort among us, not in the sea."
Having said that he sighed wearily. As if this was the end of all ends.
For a moment, Valka was silent. Watching this young man, getting so lost in his narration, vibrating with emotions, and losing all vitality so suddenly, was an intense experience. He was like a dragon, a gentle dragon who normally kept out of harm's way, but sprung into battle when called. And used all of his powers in one assault, remembering only upon collapsing that there was a limit to the fire he could produce.
Valka felt like the most cruel person on Earth, knowing this was all her doing. It even crossed her mind to tell him that Rhea was, in fact, alive. Alas, this was not the right time. If everything goes well, she will have brought Rhea back before Snoggletog. She definitely had to bring Rhea back before Snoggletog. Not just so Stoick could meet his son. No, she had to do this for Rusty, Decay, Scub, and other people who still held concerns for Rhea. That woman was loved. Maybe not by her son's father, but by quite a lot of people. And Valka was going to make her aware of it.
Reassured in her determination, the Dragon Whisperer decided to tackle one more subject. Partly to keep Rusty occupied, partly because it did perk her interest.
"I've heard she didn't exactly get along with her grandfather," she remarked, trying to sound casual.
Rusty shook his head. "That's a massive understatement. She hated his guts. But it's no wonder, given he pretty much ignored her existence until she was old enough to clean his house. And even then he treated her like dirt. Bloody old man. I'm sorry, but it's true."
To hear such crude words spoken by such a good-natured person was rather concerning.
"Good gods, what did she ever do to make him hate her so?" asked Valka worriedly.
Rusty was puzzled. "You don't know?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Right. You wouldn't have asked otherwise," he acknowledged. "You see, Mildew had a son. His name was Ash. He died in a dragon raid at the age of 17."
"I'm sorry," said Valka.
"At that point," continued Rusty, "Ash was engaged to a girl named Tear. Their relationship was official, the handsal had been made, the one thing they didn't get to have was the ceremony itself. When it turned out that Tear was with a child, nobody doubted that Ash had been the father. Yet, Mildew refused to have anything to do with her. He had the right to acknowledge Rhea on behalf of his son, he pretty much was expected to, and he didn't," the young laeknir looked at his guest sadly. "Can you imagine that? Rejecting the only grandchild you'd ever have? I sure as hell can't."
Valka was out of words. She wasn't fond of Mildew, but she'd never think his malice extended quite this far. "Did he think that his son's fiancée had been unfaithful?" she guessed.
"I don't know. Maybe," said Rusty. "Mildew's son was said to have had fair hair and blue eyes. Rhea looked nothing like him, she took after her mother. Mildew might have had a problem with that. Or with her being a girl. Or he plain out hated the mother. I don't know, and I don't think I want to know. It wouldn't change anything," he said, resigned.
"This really is sad," said Valka, since she couldn't come up with anything more elaborate.
"Yeah," agreed Rusty. He finished his milk and made a bitter grin. "You know what's really crazy about this? Mildew paid for Rhea's ship."
Valka gaped at him, stunned. "What? But that ship was a gift from Stoick," she said, confused.
"That's a simplification," explained Rusty. "Pretty popular, since nobody here likes Mildew much. But the truth is, they had struck a deal. The chief was to oversee the preparations, and Mildew cover the expenses. Under the condition that Rhea would be kept in the dark about his involvement. As if that one generous gesture could make up for a lifetime of neglect."
For a split second, Rusty's features were overtaken by anger. Maybe because of Mildew's treatment of Rhea. Maybe because Rhea's treatment of him. Or maybe his own hopelessness against the stubborn pride of them both.
"I really of prefer to think of that ship as a gift from the chief," he confessed. "The chief, he cared about Rhea. When he brought her in, he hadn't left until my aunt was done treating her. When she was recovering, he asked if she needed anything. And that look on his face. He obviously blamed himself, even though it was an accident."
For a moment Valka froze, but Rusty failed to notice and spoke on.
"I suppose Rhea tripped over a toy that Hiccup had left on the floor. Or the chief knocked over his mug and she was in too much hurry to clean it. Whatever it was, he felt responsible. And I'm sure he did intend to give Rhea whatever she asked for, even at the cost of his reputation. I mean, a chief giving in to the whims of his servant? Gifting her a whole ship? That is unheard of. But Stoick, he didn't care. His people mean more to him than his reputation. Truly, a remarkable man. Not one like Mildew, who didn't even bat an eyelid when his own granddaughter sailed into the unknown with the intention of never returning."
Rusty let out the last seething breath, and looked aside with a haunted look on his face.
"All her life he never once showed her he cared. And the one thing he's ever given her was the ship on which she left us for good."
For a good moment Valka was silent, trying to deal with shock of it all. This story was a real sad one. And rich with irony. Granddaughter hiring a Bog Burglar to secretly support the grandfather. Grandfather buying the granddaughter a ship and letting somebody else take the credit. All acquaintances insisting the two hated each other's guts and neither would knowingly accept any help from the other.
In some sick way, Rhea did take after Mildew.
Silently, the Dragon Whisperer finished her milk. There was nothing more she needed to know. And she didn't really feel like continuing this investigation. It really was a depressing experience.
At that moment, the door opened and the primary laeknir came in.
"Oh, Lady Valka. I thought that dragon was in front of our house because of you," she remarked, closing the door behind herself before turning to the guest with kind concern. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, pretty much," confirmed Valka, standing up. She briefly considered leaving, as Rusty had told her pretty much everything, but there was something else – something he had no way of knowing, but his master was sure to have noticed. Thus Valka approached the older woman. "Blight, can we talk in private? It's about women's matters."
She very much preferred to keep Rusty out of this. The lad has had enough bitter memories for one day.
"Why, of course. Please, follow me," Blight gestured towards the patients' rooms, but Rusty was already getting up.
"You can talk here. I was leaving anyway," he said and headed for the door. Before he left, he sent his guest one last smile. "It was nice talking to you, Lady Valka."
"Likewise, Rusty," she replied. "Thank you for everything."
The young man nodded and disappeared behind the door. The two women were left alone.
"So," started Blight, "what can I do for you?"
Valka decided to get straight to business.
"Blight, you treated Diarrhea the Dirty after she fell to the hearth in our house, right?"
The question erased the smile off the older woman's face. "Why, yes, I did," she uttered, surprised.
"And she stayed under your roof for about six weeks, is that right?" Valka asked on, locking her eyes with the laeknir's.
"Yes, six weeks exactly…"
"In the time she spent here," Valka pushed on, determined, "did she have a bleed?"
Blight gaped at her, bewildered. "Why would you ask that?" she uttered worriedly.
A non-answer. That spoke volumes.
"I have travelled a lot with Cloudjumper," said Valka firmly. "I remember passing a trader's ship steered by a one-eyed woman. There was a young boy with her. If that woman was Rhea, then the reason she had left could have been that she was with a child and didn't want anybody to know. I just wanted to confirm my suspicions."
It was a lie she had thought up on the way to the laeknar's house. Though it might as well have been true. She might very well have run into Rhea at some point, and forgotten all about it afterwards.
Blight looked nervous. She probably sensed that the chief's wife was not being entirely honest – for why would she remember a random trader? – but those suspicions were to remain unvoiced, signaled only by the facial expression. Very much like the answer Valka had expected.
"I am sorry, Lady Valka," said Blight carefully, "but I am bound by professional confidentiality. I will not reveal my patients' secrets. Not even to you."
Valka nodded. The laeknir's expression was enough for an answer. She had known about Rhea's pregnancy. She might even have known who the father was. She certainly must have had some suspicions, at least. And she never told anybody. Not even Rusty.
For some reason, it made Valka furious. Rusty and Decay were Blight's nephew and niece. All these years the primary laeknir had been deceiving her family. Deceiving her chief. If Stoick had known of Rhea's pregnancy, he never would have let her go.
He might even have married her.
As sudden as it had ignited, Valka's anger cools down. Blight had done her a favor, she realizes. Preserved her family for her.
No. Not for her. The one person the laeknir had meant to help was her Rhea. She was the patient. It was her body, her pregnancy, and her life. It didn't matter what anybody else wanted. Not Rusty, who was still quite innocent and had a training to complete. Not Mildew, who outright rejected her. Not Stoick, who owned the whole island and was respected by all. And certainly not Valka, who wasn't even there.
Acknowledging this, the Dragon Whisperer nods. "I see," she says calmly. "Thank you, Blight."
With these words she exits the house. Her research here is done. She knows Rhea was pregnant at the time she left Berk. The child had to be Stoick's.
And that meant some serious last-minute preparations for Snoggletog.
Valka extended her hand, sensing Cloudjumper's head nearing. The dragon's thoughts were so intense they seemed to be sinking into her skin, creating a sensation similar to that of a loving hug. Valka turned to him, embracing his muzzle, pressing her face into it. Cloudjumper was ready to assist her in the quest, even though he didn't know what it was about. She doubted she could find a way to make him understand, even given their deep connection. Human affairs were just so complicated, so abstract from the point of view of dragons.
But then, Cloudjumper was an exceptionally smart dragon. He deserved an attempt at explanation at very least. Thus – having looked around and established that nobody was within hearing range – Valka took a deep breath, looked her comrade in the eyes, and did her best to organize her thoughts into a coherent message.
My mate had mated with another female after you took me under your wing. That other female has had a cub. My mate doesn't know. I want to find that female and her cub and bring them home.
She wasn't sure if she said these words, if she just moved her lips, or if all of that was communicated through her thoughts alone. Whatever the medium, Cloudjumper's eyes shone with understanding.
Okay, Beautiful Soul. I'm here for you.
Valka allows herself a weak smile. It felt good, having a confidante. But she wasn't going to delude herself into thinking Cloudjumper could save her from the wrath of her family.
She would have to tell Stoick and Hiccup she was leaving for a couple of days. They were not going to be happy about this, especially since she won't be able to give them a damn good reason why she was doing this. There was bound to be an argument, a truly epic one that would make her feel like the worst bag of scum ever. She was certainly not looking forward to that.
They will understand soon enough, she told herself. When she brings Rhea and her son home, they will understand. Which won't make her absence any less painful.
Cloudjumper sends a nervous vibe before looking up. Valka turns to the same direction, spotting the approaching rider just before he calls her name. It is Stoick, riding Thornado. With Avalanche strapped to his chest.
The sight makes Valka forget her concerns for a moment.
Thornado landed. Stoick jumped off, radiant. But the joy at seeing his wife weakened a bit when he realized where she was standing. "You've been at the laeknar's?" he asked her. "Are you feeling well?"
Valka hesitated. "I… not exactly," she admitted. "But don't worry. I am getting better."
This seemed like a safe answer. And one Stoick deemed satisfactory.
"That's good to hear," he said, relieved. "We could use your help at the Academy. If you're feeling good enough," he added kindly.
He was such a dear, that Stoick. Unlike the passenger he happened to be bound to.
"You totally have to come!" Avalanche exclaimed, throwing her arms into the air, ruffling Stoick's beard in the process. "We're having a blast!"
From where she was held in place, Avalanche could not see the scolding gaze Stoick gave her, nor that he put his hands on his hips.
"I see," said Valka, amused.
Avalanche's back was pressed against Stoick's chest. The girl was held in place by a couple of leather straps. The chief, who could effortlessly lift his son with one hand, did not seem bothered by the extra weight – only by the excitement she displayed. The two of them looked surprisingly cute together. Like a father and a baby.
Which reminded Valka that her husband was a father to a son younger than Avalanche.
She cast these thoughts aside and focused on the people in front of her.
"So, how did… THIS happen?" Valka inquired, gesturing to the entire form of her husband and his passenger.
"Well," started Avalanche, "mom wanted to fly the Thunderdrum, but the chief wouldn't let her. Then I wanted to fly with Hiccup, but Snotlout wanted me to fly with him, but I told him to go suck rocks. Then Hiccup said I could go fly with the chief, my mom with Snotlout, and my dad with Hiccup. Then Snotlout said they have a contest, and whoever makes his passenger throw up first wins. Hiccup won, so now Snotlout is pissed, mom and dad are both puking further than they can see, and the chief and I are enjoying themselves. Right, chief?"
"That about sums it up," said Stoick, not at all amused.
Valka nodded in understanding. It seemed that her son had found himself between the hammer and the anvil. He couldn't take Avalanche for a ride, because he didn't want to start a fight with Snotlout. Forcing the girl to ride with her brother was out of question, as Hiccup was not the type to impose his will on others, neither was Avalanche the kind of person who takes no for an answer. Also, Ava most probably picked Hiccup specifically to annoy Snotlout, to get back at him for the day before. She would not have been okay with flying with just anybody who wasn't her brother – it had to be somebody superior to him.
Since it couldn't be Hiccup, it had to be Stoick.
Under normal circumstances, Stoick would never have allowed a Bog Burglar anywhere near Thornado. Avalanche, however, has not yet had a rite of passage, so it could be argued she wasn't a real Bog Burglar just yet. This was probably the point Hiccup made to convince his father to take her for a ride. After all, a powerful chief should have no problems handling a child. Moreover, such a ride was a chance to impress upon her the majesty of Berk. And possibly annoy Bloodybee, who could very well disapprove of her daughter being – de facto – rewarded for incompetence.
Considering all this, Valka was rather impressed with her son. Hiccup had managed to find a solution that suited everybody and prevented an open fight. That boy really was clever. And a skilled diplomat. One heir to be proud of.
On the side note, Stoick also deserved some prize. Not only for looking after Ava.
"So, you allowed Bloodybee's crew into the Academy?" Valka inquired, intrigued by her husband's decision.
"Aye. As spectators. They can stare at our oysters, but we're not gonna show them how to get the pearls out," he said, winking.
Avalanche frowned. "Oysters? We all know what oysters look like. Pearls too. Show us something we don't know."
The chief and his wife chuckled as they exchanged meaningful glances. The child failed to spot the true meaning behind Stoick's words. He was fine with the guests watching dragon riders in action, but no actual teaching would be taking place just yet. Information will be disclosed gradually, in small portions, until more specific arrangements are made on the chief level. That way the Bog Burglars won't feel mistreated by their allies and the Hooligans will maintain a considerable advantage for the future. Better blissful than bloody, as Stoick put it.
Avalanche was not bothered for long. Her face brightened as she suddenly remembered who she was facing and what it meant.
"Hey," she addressed Valka, "now that you're here, how bout you show us some tricks? We've all been waiting for it."
Valka smiled to herself. A request she was capable of fulfilling. A task she knew she would excel at. Yeah, she would very much enjoy this.
Besides, her son and husband have already scored some points today. She couldn't remain far behind.
(…)
The rest of the day flew by without any disturbing thoughts.
Valka's students gave Bloodybee's crew a tour of Berk on dragon back. Then – once the "newbies" were safely back on solid ground – the experts showed them what they were capable of.
Apart from Stoick – who had no intention of goofing off – and Fishlegs – who "kindly volunteered" to take Bloodybee on board and let her see the performance from a certain height in stability – the whole team displayed their skills to the extreme.
Valka jumped from dragon to dragon as if they were pillows scattered on the floor, not powerful beasts flying at full speed so high they could touch the clouds. Even wild dragons instinctively knew what she expected from them and played along. She figured she owed their cooperation to Cloudjumper, whose dignity and majesty inspired respect and obedience of the more common breeds. As his chosen human, she was special by association. Yet, to the ignorant Bog Burglars, it must have looked like she could impose her will on dragons. This was the effect Stoick hoped to achieve – to make sure their allied tribes acknowledged that the Dragon Rider of Berk were and would forever remain the best in what they do.
Even without Valka, the young riders were putting on quite a show. The twins were mostly loud and chaotic, which was to be expected. Astrid was already efficient in balancing on top of Stormfly – standing on her arms and even doing somersaults, showing absolutely no fear of falling down. That girl trusted her dragon and had confidence in her own body. Valka was impressed with the progress these two have made. Snotlout, on the other hand, called his friend a show off and made Hookfang start a series of extreme spins. Judging by the boy's screams, the dragon made it his personal mission to make him throw up. As a finishing touch, the Monstrous Nightmare dove into the sea, and when he emerged, it turned out Snotlout had a fish in his mouth. Everybody was amused. Snotlout later insisted Hookfang had done everything in accordance with his instructions, and the audience kindly refrained from contradicting the claim. They did snicker behind the boy's back, though.
Still, it was Hiccup and Toothless who aced in the performance, showing astounding aerial maneuvers. They easily navigated through a maze of sea stacks at full speed. Hiccup jumped over rocks as Toothless flew beneath. At one point the boy jumped off his dragon, and the dragon dove after him, catching him in an appropriate moment. Both of them were happy beyond reason, embracing the experience. The sight made Valka's heart soar. Her son might have been permanently crippled on the land, but blossomed in the air. In his own words, he felt the safest when on top of Toothless, and it showed. Valka was infinitely proud of all her students, but Hiccup was the one she vested most of her hopes in. If there was a way for dragons and humans to coexist in peace, he would be the one to find it, implement it, and guard it with his life.