Chapter 45 – Mourning:
Turns out Bertha's home was a series of six islands all clumped next to each other. There were two main very large islands which were considered the tribe's home, while the four other rocky islands surrounded them.
The two main large islands, the east and west they were called, extended for miles and miles in all directions. Both were covered in a series of wetlands, dense forests and on the higher parts of the islands, the tribal huts.
The east and west islands were connected by two completely straight long wharves, with both having a third wharf sticking out either side from the middle between the islands facing the ocean.
However, the most distinct feature they noticed about the east and west islands, was their fortress like walls surrounding the entire circumference around both. The wall appeared to be made from metal, with small holes scattered around at certain levels like a huge metal grate. The walls were supported by heaps of beams and poles on the inside keeping them in place.
The walls on both islands looked almost impenetrable, although there were some large holes noticeable from time to time. Vali and Kormak guessed those were from Myrkian attacks or dragon raids.
Journeying there took no longer than a week by boat coming from Myrka, which surprised Kormak & Vali. They didn't realise that Myrka's rival clan was actually so close to them.
Vali had heard of Myrka's many unsuccessful attempts to defeat and control the Bog Burglars from her father when she was young. But to her knowledge, there had not been an attack on the tribe for a long time now. Both tribes have kept their distance from each other, so she thought.
She wondered what Viggo knew about this tribe.
"It's a gorgeous place isn't it?"
Vali shook her head out of her thoughts, and turned to her left to look at Kormak, who was riding his dragon Seaflare next to her above the Bog Burglar islands. Cloudjumper was also with them, flying to Vali's right.
"Yeah, it is." She replied, now glancing down at the lush green forests covering a good portion of the west island.
It had only been one day since the group had arrived at the clan.
The Berkians were welcomed into the clan, meeting with a surprising number of refugees who had fled Myrka or surrounding tribes. Stoick had temporarily put Gobber & Spitelout in charge of the tribe for the time being.
Stoick himself had not left the ship that he originally arrived on, wanting to be alone and having time to grieve.
Hiccup on the other hand, had more or less done the same.
Once everyone arrived at the islands, he took off on Toothless without telling anyone where he was going, and has not been seen since early yesterday morning when they arrived.
His last words to the group were, "I need some time."
Vali, Kormak and their dragons were about to respond with words of understanding, but then the Night Fury took off suddenly with speed and vanished from view before they could say anything.
"Where do you think they have gone?" Vali asked, back in the present time, hoping they were safe and hadn't gone too far.
"I'm not sure." Kormak began, scratching his chin. "But I'm sure they wouldn't have gone far. I don't think we should be looking for them yet. They both probably need more time. It's only been a day."
Cloudjumper grunted in agreement, before speaking, "I agree. I think I need time away as well. The loss is very hard for me too. I don't know what to do anymore."
Kormak and Vali suddenly realised that they had nearly forgotten about how Valka's death would have affected her dragon.
"I understand Cloudjumper." Kormak spoke, looking towards the owl-like dragon, "You go do what you have to do. We won't be going anywhere for a good while. I think we're pretty safe here with the Bogs."
Cloudjumper nodded, before turning sharply right and leaving Kormak, Vali, Spark & Seaflare together.
"Not that I don't understand," Vali began, now looking at Kormak, "But if we keep splitting up, there won't be anyone left here."
"We know that." Seaflare stated, speaking for the first time. "But there's only so much we can do. They are going through a lot and deserve to have some space."
"I think they are right Vali." Spark joined in, turning her head up slightly to look at her rider.
Vali sighed before admitting, "Very well. Let's head back."
Both dragons turned around and began flying back towards the east Island.
Deep inside the lush green forest on the west island…
The trees were so tall, and the canopy was so thick that it was nearly impossible to see anything from the ground where Hiccup was looking up.
He and Toothless were lying down on the bushes gazing up at the thick canopy above them. Neither of them had spoken to each other since they had left, for they both felt they didn't need to. Just spending time with each other whilst not doing anything was enough.
Hiccup's thoughts were dwelling on the loss of his mother, his anger as well as fear of Viggo and finding the last member of the Six.
He did find comfort in the forest though. Recalling his old memories of the times when he first met his Night Fury, Toothless back on Berk.
The feel of a gentle breeze on his skin and the sound of rustling leaves and bushes all around him, the light occasionally peeking through the canopy and the beautiful birds calling to each other across the forest all were comforting in their own way.
Then both Hiccup and Toothless heard heavy footsteps crunching the leafy matter on the ground, and both of them jumped to their feet to look around.
The source of the noise revealed itself to be none other than a wild Deadly Nadder, sniffing the ground as if it was looking for something.
"Hello Spikes." Toothless spoke calmly.
The Nadder jumped in fright and turned its head to look at them both, not having seen the Night or Hiccup standing there. Hiccup's sleeves were up to his elbow, showing his glowing blue birthmark.
"Oh my, you startled me! Hello Night." The dragon replied, before noticing Hiccup and his birthmark. "Hail the Viking with Night's mark." The Spikes dragon then bowed to them.
Then the dragon continued about its business, not bothering them again.
"Let's go for a walk bud." Hiccup said, turning away from the Nadder and beginning to walk through the bush.
"Sure."
The Night followed him on his footsteps.
Slowly, Hiccup walked through the dense forest. Stepping on leaves, plants and earth on his trail. The noise of his and Toothess's footsteps echoing in their ears.
There was a light fog hanging just above them, touching against the trees ever so slightly, causing small droplets of water to trickle down to the earth below.
The forest was so green and full of life. Animals scuttling here and there, so many different plants reaching towards the canopy desperate for sunlight. It was a thriving peaceful ecosystem.
After at least ten minutes, Hiccup stopped walking. As did Toothless who was behind him. Toothless began to hear Hiccup making many sniffling sounds. Then he suddenly realised that Hiccup was crying.
"There there Hiccup." Toothless nuzzled and warbled to his rider, pushing his scaly face against the left side of Hiccup's body. "It's going to be okay."
The Night tried to comfort his rider.
Hiccup brought his hands to cover his face, before abruptly sitting down on a log, weeping.
"I can't believe we have lost so much." He sobbed, letting his emotions out.
"It hasn't even been all that long since we left Berk, and yet, everything has gotten so much worse. I'm-I'm such a failure."
Toothless smacked one of ears against Hiccup's face, abruptly disturbing him.
"Don't you dare say that ever again." Toothless warned him in a serious tone. "You are not a failure. You've done so much good since we met. All the bad things that have happened have all been outside of your control."
"But I feel like I've achieved so little." Hiccup argued, stomping his feet on the ground. "It's not enough. Viggo has to be stopped!" His anger towards his enemy growing stronger.
Toothless walked around the Viking and sat down directly in front of him, face to face.
"Yes, Viggo has to be stopped. And we will stop him. Together." Toothless agreed, before continuing on, "But don't forget the achievements you have scored. You freed two Vikings from Myrka, who also were part of the Six. You rescued me from the Red Death's control. You found the fifth member of the Six. Plus much more Hiccup. Every victory, every success is always a step on the right path."
Hiccup wiped his face with his sleeve, before looking up to gaze right into Toothless's beautiful green eyes.
"Didn't I say to you once, around the time when we first met, that trying is what matters? It doesn't matter whether you succeed or fail, the most important thing is to try. You have tried and are continuing to try to do what you believe is right. That is what makes you who you are."
Hiccup stood up and hugged the dragon. Once again moved by his determination and support.
"Thanks bud."
Inside Chief Bertha's ship, docked to one of the Bog Burglar wharves…
There was a knock on the door.
Stoick stood up, wiping his tears away as if they were never there, and called out, "I'm not ready yet Gobber. Please just let me be for a while longer."
"It's not Gobber. It's me." Replied the voice of Chief Bertha from behind the door. "Why don't you come out for a walk with me? There is something I would like to show you."
"I don't want to see anyone right now."
There was a huff behind the door.
"You can't stay in there forever. You should catch some fresh air. If you don't come out, I'll drag you out myself." Bertha threatened.
Hearing no answer, Bertha opened the door and saw the worn-down man standing in the corner of the room.
"Come on."
And before Stoick knew it, he was being pulled along with the chief of the Bog Burglars. Bertha grabbed his arm and pulled him alongside her. Her grip was incredibly strong and sturdy. Somehow Stoick's legs were disobeying his brain and he was reluctantly walking with her.
Stoick protested and yelled at Bertha, saying you can't just drag me around like this! Get off me!
It was then that the Berkian chieftain realised he had said none of this out aloud. And like it or not, he didn't have the energy or drive to stop her.
She led him outside, off the ship and onto the wharf.
There, Stoick looked up at the massive metal wall surrounding both of the large islands. The wall went up at least thirty metres high, and when they passed through a metal doorway, Stoick noticed many weapons and tools on wooden stands.
The sun was glaring down at them now, its radiant strength beaming onto Stoick's skin. It was definitely midday by now with not a cloud in sight. Just a gentle breeze.
Bertha was leading him up a relatively steep hill towards a forest. Passing heaps of Vikings who occasionally glanced his direction.
Stoick was quite surprised at how many Vikings there were here, they did appear to have quite a large population. He even saw the odd dragon walking next to a few Vikings.
It was so strange to see this. The mere thought of Vikings and dragons living together was a frightening one to the Berkian chief. He had grown up having his village relentlessly attacked and his people being killed by dragons.
He also had his wife taken away by a dragon a long time ago. And as much as he did believe Hiccup's story, he still couldn't forgive what dragons had done to him, his family and his tribe.
The Berkian chief suddenly realised they had arrived at the edge of the forest, and Bertha began leading him inside it. There was a small walking track with large, smooth pebble like rocks on either side of the trail, which was leading towards something.
Bertha's grip on Stoick loosened until she let him go entirely, and together they walked side by side.
When they reached the end of the trail, they came to an absolutely humongous tree. The tallest and thickest Stoick had ever seen. Its trunk was so thick that it would take at least six people to wrap their arms around it if they all were holding hands.
Engraved onto the tree's trunk at face level in front of them, were the words, Bertha and Halvar.
Stoick took a few minutes looking at it, before Bertha spoke, "Halvar was my husband a long time ago."
Bertha herself shed a few tears as she looked at it, before covering her face with her hands.
"He died shielding me from a Skrill attack. We were together for twenty-seven years. I come here every day for a short while and pray to Odin that he may rest in peace."
She turned to look at Stoick, who was quietly weeping to himself.
"It's so hard digesting the fact that they aren't here anymore. It's the hardest thing to come to terms with. But I believe you've had something marvellous come out of this as well. You've met up with your son again, and you'll have a second chance to make things right."
Stoick was listening intently to every comforting word that Bertha told him as she kept going, "Valka loved you and Hiccup so much it broke her heart to stay away from the both of you. She told me herself. But she did it so she could help the world for a greater cause."
"Th-thank you." Stoick stuttered out, before croaking, "I-I think- I think I just need… more time."
Bertha nodded in understanding, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I understand what you are going through. Just know that if you ever need anyone to talk to, we're all here for you."
And with that, Bertha patted him on the back, and began heading back towards her village, leaving the man by himself.
After some time of standing there weeping to himself, Stoick decided to take a walk further into the forest. He desired some clean fresh air.
Back with Hiccup and Toothless…
"Should we head back now?" Toothless asked Hiccup, after they broke up from their hug.
Hiccup sniffled a bit, before nodding and saying, "Sure. But let's walk."
"All right." Responded Toothless.
After spending at least half an hour's worth of walking through the bush, following their footsteps and the scent of the village, they heard footsteps coming straight towards them.
"Who's there?" Hiccup called out, as his vision was blocked by thick and high bushes in front of them.
The footsteps suddenly stopped on the opposite side, and a weakened voice called out, "Son?"
Hiccup and the Night Fury froze, realising who it was.
"Dad?"
The footsteps started again and before they knew it, the bushes were parted and Stoick The Vast walked through them. Covered in leaves.
The Berkian chief immediately gasped in fear at the sight of the dragon, and quickly asked, "Can you make the dragon leave?"
Hiccup turned to Toothless and quietly asked him, "Hey bud, do you think you could back away just a little bit? I think he is going to need more time to get used to having dragons around us."
"Of course."
The dragon of the night turned around and walked away at least twenty metres and sat down. Keeping his eyes fixed on the Vikings with his ears raised up.
Hiccup turned to face his father.
"I'm so sorry Dad. I don't really know what else to say."
Stoick mustered up all his strength, and reached out his arm, holding his hand out for a handshake.
Hiccup was shocked and looked up to his father's bloodshot eyes. It was then that Hiccup realised that he had never seen his father cry up this close before. He looked distraught, but also seemed somewhat optimistic.
"I'm sorry too." Stoick said, sniffling.
Hiccup grasped his father's hand as Stoick gazed down once again to look at Hiccup's brightly glowing birthmark.
"It looks so beautiful." He admired, staring down at Hiccup's arm. "It reminds me of Valka. Her mark was beautiful too. But I never saw it glowing like this."
"Yeah…" Hiccup agreed, as their hands separated. He also looked down and gazed at his mark.
"What did you say your mark was called?" Stoick asked.
"It's a mark of the Night Fury dragon. Night's mark. One of the Six." Hiccup explained, running his fingers over the outline of the Night Fury on his wrist.
Stoick nodded, before looking up and into his son's eyes once more.
"Son, what are you going to do now?" He asked, changing the topic.
Hiccup brought his hands to his face and sighed before breathing back in. "I'm honestly not sure. I feel like I can't do anything now. What I want to do is go to Remola and bring Sven back here to keep him safe, but I feel like if I leave the Bog Burglars, they will be defenceless. I don't know what Viggo is doing or planning."
Stoick breathed in heavily. "I think its time I helped you son. We're not going to be leaving the Bogs for the time being, so let me and the rest of our tribe help you in any way we can."
Stoick paused for a moment to catch a breath, before continuing, "Because you're right. We need to end this war. We've all lost too much. It's got to stop. And if you think this is the best way, stopping this Viggo character, the Red Death and the Myrkians, I'm with you."
He then cleared his throat, before saying, "We're with you."
He took a deep breath, as the next thing Hiccup's father then said, were the words Hiccup had always wanted to hear his whole life. "I am so proud of you. Your mother is too, I know it. She also would have wanted me to help you. So please, forgive me, and let me help you from here on in any way I can."
Hiccup bravely stepped forward, and hugged his father.
Stoick was shocked, to say the least. He hadn't exactly had the best relationship with his son over the years. The gesture truly touched the older man, and he embraced his son back, while images of Valka smiling ran through his mind.
After the beautiful moment, they separated and Stoick admitted something to his son. "Although Hiccup, I must say, it's going to be very difficult for me and most of the villagers to get used to dragons being around. It will take me quite a while to get accustomed."
Hiccup smiled and nodded understandingly. "I know Dad, but the more effort we both put into it, the easier it will be for the both of us."
Stoick gulped nervously, glancing again back towards the Night Fury sitting a short distance away, watching him.
"Yes." He replied.
Hiccup took a breath, before saying once more, "Shall we head back to the village?"
"Yes." Stoick repeated. "If you want to fly, go ahead. I'll meet you back there." He offered.
"Okay. See you back there."
"Hey Toothless, let's go back now." Hiccup called out as he began walking towards the Night Fury while the dragon did the same.
Stoick watched his son with admiration board the dragon effortlessly and saw them fly as one through the canopy and out towards the sky. He couldn't help but admit a slight pang of jealously that his son could do that so easily and whenever he wanted.
The Berkian chief sighed and began walking back towards the village.