Disclaimer: I don't own HTTYD
Chapter Two- Different Kinds of Love
"I just thought of something" Astrid declared, as she and Hiccup were getting ready for bed. "What do you feel like doing for our special day?" she asked.
Hiccup blinked at the non-sequitur. "Special…?" he repeated uncertainly.
She replied, "Our anniversary. It's okay, I'd forgotten as well" Astrid confessed.
Despite this assurance, Hiccup's first instinct was to splutter and protest "What? No! I, I hadn't forgot, I just…I…okay, yeah, I forgot. Sorry" he finished sheepishly.
"Don't be daft; like I said, I forgot too. We don't have to do anything in particular, really" Astrid shrugged. "Maybe just have a night to ourselves. You won't mind giving us some privacy, right?" she asked Selena and Toothless, who were curled up on their slab of stone together at the far end of the room.
Selena raised her head from Toothless' shoulder and answered *We don't mind at all. We can let you be alone right now, if you want* she offered generously.
*But I don't wanna get up* Toothless grumbled. His mate just rolled her eyes.
Hiccup chuckled. "You don't have to leave" he assured them; only for his brow to furrow in thought. "Although…maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea."
*You just said* -
"No, no, not now" Hiccup waved a hand dismissively. "I mean, during our anniversary…you two could go off for a few days together. Hey, how about that?" he said brightly, turning to Astrid. "We could go to the Edge, maybe, just the two of us – well, and Stormfly – like old times. What do you think?"
Astrid smiled, and replied "I think that's a great idea; you treating me to a holiday. But you're making it sound like Toothless wouldn't be there" she remarked. Hiccup suddenly looked sheepish. "You want to go somewhere without him?" Astrid inquired, eyes wide in mock-concern. She pressed a hand to her husband's forehead. "Are you sure you're feeling alright, dearest?"
"Ha, ha." Hiccup rolled his eyes and pulled her hand away, holding it instead. He looked over at Toothless, who gazed at him with large, pleading eyes. "C'mon, bud, don't give me that look. You wouldn't want to be around us anyway! Not when we're doing all sorts of…kissy stuff." Ignoring Astrid's incredulous expression – what were they, six? - he added "It's not the end of the world."
Toothless gave an almost imperceptible whine. *Can't you just have some alone time together here on Berk?* he asked, somewhat petulantly. *I won't get in the way, I promise. I'll even tell everyone else to keep away too.* There was a slightly desperate note to his voice as he pleaded with them. *It's safer here.*
"We'd still be safe, Toothless. We'd be at the Edge (1), not the middle of nowhere" Hiccup pointed out. "You should go spend some time with Selena."
Selena purred agreeably, ear-flaps perked up. *That's a great idea. We can visit the nest* she suggested brightly, nudging Toothless. *I remember some really beautiful, fun places that I've always wanted to show you. Please, can we go?*
He looked at her, at Hiccup and Astrid, and sighed. The sigh resolved into a purr, and he nuzzled Selena in return. *Alright. It's a date* Toothless declared. He could handle spending a couple of days apart from Hiccup…couldn't he? Right?
Shadow and Asha were rather surprised, too, that Toothless was wiling to leave Hiccup for so long. *It's not that long* he protested, squirming. *Just a few days. He – I – we'll be fine* he insisted. It sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than them. Hiccup and Toothless put up mental walls, promising to drop them straightaway if either of them ended up in any sort of distress.
"Don't worry about me. You just enjoy yourself" Hiccup implored his other half. Toothless tried to purr, but it came out as more of a whimper. *Okay.*
He couldn't resist embracing Hiccup one more time, before sidling away to the cliff edge, every line of his body screaming reluctance. His other half gave an encouraging smile. He and Selena leapt into the air and flew west. Astrid came over and slid an arm around Hiccup's waist as he watched them go, keeping his eyes on Toothless until the dragon was a mere speck in the clear blue sky.
Adulfr sat on the bunk in his cell, staring down at the prosthetic hook on his arm. It was splendidly made, even he could see that. Brand new. Looks like all this 'doing the right thing' is paying off he thought, yet it felt hollow. As if despite getting this replacement for his hand, it was not something he deserved.
Because you don't the insidious little voice in the back of his mind hissed. They don't trust you or like you – why would they? All this, it's just to keep you docile. Adulfr frowned. What had Fishlegs said, the other day? Something about wanting Adulfr to trust him, to let him help. He pities you. Pathetic waste of space that you are. He's only being nice so you won't go bitter and kill them all.
Frustrated, he grit his teeth and pressed his knuckles into his forehead. The voice kept dripping poison. You're a prisoner. You're unwanted. You're worthles-
"Shut up" he growled. "Just shut up!"
"Err…I didn't say anything."
Startled, he looked up to find Fishlegs on the other side of the bars. "Are you okay?" the man asked, eyeing him in, if Adulfr didn't know any better, concern.
"I – I'm fine" he replied. He wasn't about to say 'I was talking to myself, actually'…although, around here, maybe that wouldn't be seen as strange. Then he noticed Fishlegs was carrying a tray, and realised only then how starving he was. "Is that food?" he asked quickly. Like he was a fool. Obviously it was food. Fishlegs nodded and slid the breakfast tray through the hatch onto the table.
"There's, uh, something I need to warn you about" he said as Adulfr came over to eat. "Two things, actually. The first is…well…Astrid and Hiccup aren't here, so Snotlout is in charge of Berk."
Adulfr nearly choked. "What?" he spluttered, staring at Fishlegs in alarm. "Snotlout is…but why? He's just the village blacksmith" Adulfr protested.
"I told you, people aren't just one thing" Fishlegs replied patiently. "Snotlout is the blacksmith and he's Astrid's second-in-command. But don't worry, it's only for a few days. Hiccup and Astrid have left for some alone time - it's their anniversary" he explained. "And he's not going to do anything to you, anyway."
"I'm not worried" Adulfr said tersely. "I couldn't care less what he thinks of me."
"Glad we've established that" Fishlegs said sarcastically. "As for the other thing…we've asked King Magnus to send a few ships to, well…blockade your home village. Free the slaves, stop them hunting dragons, find out who they stole the weregild from. And uh, we're going to bring your mother back here."
"I…I see" Adulfr said stiffly. He wasn't sure how to feel about this information.
Fishlegs gave an awkward nod. "Yeah…that reminds me, about the um, community service? There is something you can do. Help to finish building the house for Hugo and his family to live in whilst they're here. Your mom will be staying there as well, if I remember" he explained. "Anyway, I'd better go. I'll come back later and show you where the house is, okay?" Fishlegs asked.
Adulfr nodded slowly. After Fishlegs had left, he picked at his breakfast, suddenly finding himself without appetite. His mother was coming here.
But what was he supposed to say to her?
It was a long flight to the Myrkr nest; even for dragons the journey took two days. The sun was beginning to set before they reached land. Selena crooned delight at the colours spreading like blazing fire, vibrant orange and heady crimson, through the sky on the horizon. *It's beautiful, isn't it Toothless?*
Her happily whistled question received no answer. Selena realised he'd fallen behind again, and pulled back to fly level with him once more. She gazed at him from the corner of her eye, concerned. He looked…flat. His ear-flaps were lowered, his eyes downcast. When she looked closer, Selena could see the worry in his gaze, the anxious tension in his shoulders, the longing in his wings.
With care, she glided closer and brushed the tip of her wing against his. Toothless startled, flapping frantically, almost dropping out of the sky. *Sorry* he said reflexively. *Sorry, I was – never mind. What were you saying?* he asked her, with a slightly manic looking smile. Pretending everything was okay.
Selena crooned reassuringly. *The sunset. It's pretty* she remarked, gesturing ahead of them with her snout. Toothless blinked and looked ahead, seeming to notice it for the first time. As she suspected, he'd been seeing something else.
*Pretty. Yes. Like you* he rambled. *You're prettier. Than the sunset, I mean.*
He was so sweet. *Thank you* she cooed at him, with a loving slow blink. He returned the affectionate gesture, but even now she could see him about to drift back into that same pining stupor. He missed Hiccup, it was plain to see. Selena didn't want him to feel miserable, but they couldn't go back, so she had to take his mind off his other half's absence somehow. Then she had an idea.
*Toothless* she warbled, getting his attention. He looked at her. Selena gave him her best smile, and challenged, *Keep up if you can.* Then she leaned into the wind and let it sweep her away from him, swerving and soaring wide away.
A second later her words registered, and Toothless gave chase with a wordless roar. He chased her down, but Selena teased him, letting him get close and then darting aside. Toothless knew how acrobatic she could be, but rarely did he have the opportunity to see her in action, quick and precise with not a wingbeat out of place. When she flew like this, there was usually fighting happening.
The thrill of the race began to seep into Toothless' bones. He caught up with Selena again – she could never outfly him for long – but instead of dodging aside, she barrel rolled over him in a graceful arc. *Bet you can't do that!*
Snorting indignantly, Toothless proceeded to show her he most certainly could. He rolled over her, and just to show off, he rolled beneath her as well. Yet when he glanced over at her, his smug grin vanished because she wasn't there. Selena purred amusement as she reappeared on his other side. *Not bad, I suppose.*
The two of them spiralled through the air, orbiting one another, their shadows sweeping over honeyed, burnished gold clouds. The sun continued to set as drake and drakaina danced in the sky, beneath the light of its rippling fires. Toothless shrieked a joyful greeting to the moon, revelling in the freedom of flight. For the first time since leaving Berk, his thoughts drifted away from Hiccup's whereabouts and well-being. Not forgotten, but not fretted over.
Selena cried out *Come on!* and flipped her tail under her, flying up, up, up as if to chase the Moon herself. Toothless followed her higher and higher; above the thick puffy clouds to the wispier ones, where the air was thin. Facing each other they hovered, just below the rapids of a powerful current. Selena looked beautiful, her sapphire eyes shining in the light of the moon and the sky-fires.
He couldn't resist giving her a fond dragon-kiss on the forehead. Then they fell. Folded their wings and plunged down, down, down, back to gentler winds and warmer air. Gulping it down like water, Toothless and Selena pulled out of the free fall and glided comfortably side by side. They drifted closer together, smiling at one another, until their wingtips touched, and neither pulled away.
When they finally reached the nest, Selena and Toothless were waylaid by a familiar sentry. *Hello, Nocte!* Selena warbled cheerfully, grinning at the drakes' surprise to see them. All three of them hovered, facing one another.
*Your highness, welcome back* Nocte greeted. *And you, Toothless-* He did a double take and stared, noticing a certain absence. *Wait. Where is Hiccup?*
Toothless flinched. *He's…* not here. *He's fine. He's with Astrid. His mate.*
*Yes, but where are they?* Nocte inquired, looking past them to see if the humans were riding in on another dragon. To see one half without the other…
*It's just us, Nocte* Selena explained helpfully, *Toothless and I are on a date.*
When the older drake looked at Toothless again, he insisted *Hiccup and I can't always be together. He thinks we should practice spending time apart. It's fine.*
Nocte still looked doubtful, but nevertheless he offered to escort them to the nest. *I think we'll manage, I haven't forgotten where it is* Selena teased him as they flew past. When they reached the nest, Phoebe greeted them warmly. Seeing Toothless without Hiccup made her ask if something was amiss; did his other half need rescuing? I hope not Toothless thought. *No, your majesty.*
*Hiccup is spending time with his mate and I'm spending time with mine* Selena insisted, nuzzling him supportively. *There's really nothing wrong.*
These last few words were repeated often, as their friends came to greet them and noticed Hiccup's absence immediately. It only served to remind Toothless that his other half wasn't with him. He was strangely relieved when Raven-Shade (2) approached to ask how Black Fire, Silver and little Mercury were getting on, and didn't question Hiccup's apparently conspicuous absence.
At last he got around to seeing Ekeren. *Well, this is a nice surprise* the old dragon crooned upon seeing his grandson. *Hello, Toothless. Where is* -
*He's not here* Toothless snapped, baring his teeth slightly in frustration. A second later he remembered himself and ducked his head apologetically, ear-flaps pinned back. *Sorry, grandfather. It's just that everyone has asked that.*
Ekeren rumbled in concern. *Is something amiss?* he asked gently, suspecting that Hiccup was not simply waylaid, but truly not there, with Toothless. Sure enough, his grandson moaned and slumped to the ground, wings drooping. *I'll take that as a yes* he remarked lightly. *Come now, Toothless. Talk to me.*
Toothless sighed. *Nothing's wrong* he said for what felt like the hundredth time. *Hiccup wanted to spend some time with Astrid, and he thought I should spend some time with Selena. We can't always be together; it's better for us to get used to being apart. Sometimes. Hiccup…* Toothless fidgeted, claws scraping the rock beneath him. *Hiccup feels like he's been holding me back.*
Ekeren tipped his head on one side, curious. *Holding you back from what?*
*From…this, I suppose* Toothless answered vaguely. *You know we didn't come to visit for…for years, because he didn't want to risk betraying the pack and I wouldn't leave him to come here on my own. When I should have.*
*You share the same burden as him. Guilt over things that are not your fault.*
Toothless whined. *I should have visited more! First I disappeared for twenty years, and then I didn't bother coming to see you – or Shadow – for ten more.*
Ekeren blinked slowly. *There's no need to feel ashamed, grandson. I don't begrudge you for wanting to be with your other half, and besides, you had battles to win, offspring to raise, a pack to lead. Far more interesting things to do than talk to an old drake like me. And you are here now, are you not?*
*Yes…but I still should have come here more often. I'm sorry* said Toothless.
With a reassuring purr, Ekeren revealed *When you left the nest and did not return, I was heart-broken…and when you came back, strong and brave as ever, I was overjoyed. Even if I had never seen you since, I would be happy. I am proud of you, Toothless. You've done more in your life so far than most dragons even dream of in centuries. I know your parents would be so proud of you, too.*
Toothless whimpered. Dragons did not cry – not as humans did – but he felt like he wanted to. Impulsively, he wriggled forwards to nuzzle and be nuzzled. *Thank you, grandfather. I…I love you* he crooned. The physical affection eased the ache in his heart a little. *Selena is with her dam and sister…can we talk?*
*Of course we can. The first thing I want to say is that I love you as well.*
Later, after they had caught up with family, Selena took him to see the most interesting places around the Nest. First she showed Toothless the side of a glacier frozen so that they could see their reflections in it, distorted by the curving ice. The two of them had a lot of fun pulling faces at the glacier, trying to give themselves long necks, short tails, narrow wings and then vice versa.
After that she took him to where meltwater from the glacier plunged down in a fractured waterfall over a ledge. Selena beckoned to him and picked her way across boulders, slinking past the waterfalls to the pool they filled. Bemused, Toothless leapt down to the pool's edge in a single bound. *What's special about this place?* he asked, looking around. It all seemed quite ordinary.
*Nothing, really. I just wanted a drink* Selena replied calmly, lapping at the water. Toothless snorted, indignant. He lowered his head to drink, watching her out of the corner of his eye and slowly bringing his tail around…to sweep it through the pool and splash her. Selena pulled back with a squeak of surprise, water dripping from her muzzle. *Toothless! That's cold!* she growled at him.
Toothless slaked his thirst, the picture of innocence. Suddenly he was the one shaking water out of his nostrils as Selena swatted it right back at him. Thus began a fierce splash fight, their shrieks and guttural laughs echoing off the rocks until Selena got carried away and pushed Toothless into the pool. *Oops! Are you alright?* she asked worriedly. In reply, he simply dragged her in as well.
It really was very cold. They heaved themselves out and shook vigorously, not so much drying off as soaking each other all over again. *Come on, we need to warm up* Toothless insisted. They took to the sky and flew through their own fireballs to dry off. At last they came to rest on an outcropping that overlooked the nest and much of the surrounding land, sheltered from the wind by stones.
Both of them lay down; Toothless folded a wing over Selena, she tucked her head beneath his, and their tails twined together. He sighed. *I love you, Selena* he crooned. *I don't say it as much as I should. But I really do.*
Selena pressed closer to his side. *I know. I love you too. How are you feeling?* she asked him gently. *I know this is hard for you, being away from Hiccup.*
Toothless' gaze was drawn inexorably to the east. *I miss him, Sel. No matter how much I want to be here with you…I miss Hiccup so much my heart hurts.*
She crooned sympathy. * He's your other half; of course you miss him. He must be missing you, too. If you want, we can go back and look for him* she offered.
He was touched. *I'm lucky you chose me as your mate* Toothless remarked, nuzzling Selena. *What other drakaina would put up with me?* he asked. It was meant to be what humans called a rhetorical question, but still she hummed thoughtfully and tipped her nose up as if scenting the air, rolling an eye back to peek at him with laughter in her gaze. Toothless huffed in fond exasperation.
Part of him was tempted to fly back to his other half, but…no. *The truth is…I don't like being apart from Hiccup because I'm scared* he admitted quietly.
Selena warbled in concern. *What are you scared of?* she asked, draping one paw over his the way she'd seen Astrid do with her and Hiccup's hands before.
*I'm scared of…him being in danger, in trouble, and I don't get there in time…* Toothless whined softly, eyes fixed on the horizon, yearning. *I'm scared he'll be…killed…* he shuddered, *and I won't be able to say goodbye. My dam and sire, Selena. I didn't get to say goodbye to them either. They were just…gone…*.
Selena crooned sympathy, whimpering a bit in sadness herself. She nuzzled Toothless, trying to comfort him. *It's okay. Hiccup won't be in danger, he's safe. He's got Astrid and Stormfly there if something happens – but it won't!*
He sighed and nuzzled her back. *I know he's not in danger* he assured her, *but I – I'm still scared. Before, every time we were apart, something happened to him. He got kidnapped, or nearly killed, or both. Or we both would…and I'd be scared every time. I'm still scared now. I don't think I'll ever stop being scared of that. Of rushing to save him…and being too late* Toothless confessed.
*Does Hiccup know you're scared?* Selena wondered. Her first thought was that he must, but it wouldn't be the first time Toothless had stubbornly kept something from his other half. He always tried to pretend nothing was wrong.
*He knows* Toothless confirmed. *He says it will be okay because we'll die together and reunite on the other side, and maybe that's true, but it still scares me. I'm never going to like being away from him…but I think he's right. Separating willingly might help to make it hurt less if we're forced apart.*
*You mean like what that human, Adulfr, did* Selena agreed, baring her fangs in an unconscious snarl. *I don't like him. He wanted to kill you and Hiccup, and make us all obey him…I don't even want to think about what he'd have done to Ebony. I know that Hiccup said he's trying to be good now, but do you think he really is?* she asked Toothless curiously. *He might just be pretending.*
Toothless replied *He said he was sorry…but I still don't trust him. I trust Hiccup though, and if he thinks Adulfr can change…* He rustled his wings in a shrug. *Who knows? Hiccup has changed people before.* Dagur, Eret, even Viggo. It was a bit strange to think that his son was living on Berk now, an ally of theirs. Would Adulfr become an ally too, as several of Hiccup's former enemies had?
He shook his head, banishing the thoughts, and nuzzled Selena. The pair of them curled up together on the headland, nestling into the ashes they'd burned beneath their paws and bellies. Soon they'd return to the Nest, eat and sleep; tomorrow, turn their noses for home. He would reunite with Hiccup and be whole once more. Still, right here and now, Toothless found himself content.
There were times when Kalda rather wished she had never left Berk. That island was strange and a little frightening, but wonderful and welcoming too. Her only son was there; a prisoner, yes, but not mistreated. She had thought it her duty to return to Raudabein, but had it truly been to stay? To help guide him out of that darkness he'd fallen into after Hauke's death, still trying to prove himself?
For years, she had taken it for granted that having thralls to do the menial labouring as Heimdall had decreed was the way things were meant to be. That hunting dragons was dangerous but noble work that made the world safer. That her husband owned her. All lies, she now knew. Keeping thralls was barbaric. Hunting dragons was cruel. She was her own person, and no one owned her.
Of course knowing all this meant nothing when she could not stop it. Kalda had tried. She implored Gunnhild and the other men to change their ways, and what did they do but laugh at her. She never should have stayed on that island of freaks, they said, with their scaly pets! It had filled her head with dangerous nonsense, that women – or dragons – were equal to men in all regards. As if!
Every day, Kalda regretted leaving Berk, and longed for them to fly in like the heroes in sagas. She wasn't expecting them to actually come – and with Norwegian ships, no less! More than enough of them to blockade the small harbour. The riders made short work of their defences – so easily it was almost embarrassing, had she not been so relieved to see them – and landed boldly.
Kalda watched as Gunnhild strode towards the dismounting riders, face ruddy behind his beard. "What is this?!" he demanded, furious. "You have the heir of our last Chief held prisoner, you demanded weregild that we gave, and now you come to bully us into more submission. What else do you want, dragon rider?"
The bear of a man who climbed down from the back of his Rumblehorn calmly answered "We want you to stop hunting dragons, stop keeping thralls and tell us precisely where you stole the gold and goods from. You know what I'm talking about." Stoick the Vast faced Gunnhild – he was slightly taller than their acting Chief, she was pleased to see – like two prize bulls sizing each other up.
All around, the thralls watched and listened with baited breath. Gunnhild and his cronies laughed in Stoick's face, but he did not slink away in shame as she had. "Oh, you want us to do all that, do you? Perhaps we shall, after Ragnarok is finished with! Go back to your nest, dragon rider. Dragon-hunting is our livelihood, a centuries old tradition. The likes of you won't make us give it up."
Someone else remarked "And you'd have to pay their weight in gold if you want our thralls for yourself. It took ages for us to replace the ones you stole before!"
Only the vein pulsing in Stoick's forehead betrayed his anger; the other riders glared hotly, and their dragons snarled. "We are not going to buy your thralls from you" Stoick declared, "but we will take them. Back to their homes, back to the lives you stole them from. Oh, and you'll be kept an eye on; just to make sure you keep following those requirements. Not requests" he specified plainly.
Gunnhild glared and spat on the ground by Stoick's feet. "Arrogant hraumi (3). Think you can just swoop in here on those dragons and take over my village? You might have defeated us in battle on your turf, but our people have bled for this land. We don't take kindly to invaders" he said bluntly. On both sides, warriors hefted weapons, watching each other in a dangerous stalemate.
"That's funny. Neither do we" Stoick replied. "And tell me; how many men do you have on your side?" he inquired. "Here's a secret. We have a lot more."
For it turned out that Stoick and the other riders were merely a distraction. The battle was violent but brief; the Norwegian soldiers and dragon riders quickly disarmed the Raudabein warriors. The thralls gathered in the village square and Stoick assured him that he wasn't lying. All of them would be taken home. Kalda was pleased for them; but she was even more pleased when Valka came to her.
"Kalda, dear, we were wondering if you'd like to come back with us and live"-
"Yes" she said quickly. "Yes, please. I'd love that. Thank you. Oh, but Valka, I'm sorry – Adulfr told me to – I just wanted to help him" Kalda tried to explain.
"It's okay, we know. He told us. Believe it or not, he's trying to change now."
"Really? No, wait – Valka, you don't understand. Galmi and the hunters, none of them are here. They were out – well, hunting – we don't know where they are."
"We'll warn them. Everything is going to be okay now. C'mon, come with me…"
Hiccup stood in the cove, watching the dappled light on the water. He turned away, facing west, and sat down. Closed his eyes. Counted to ten. Heard wingbeats and a soft thump. Hiccup smiled, and opened his eyes. "Hello, you."
Toothless promptly bowled him over, licking and nuzzling and purring. *I missed you, I missed you, I missed you so much* the dragon rambled, coiling himself around his other half and clutching Hiccup to his chest. Hiccup laughed softly and nuzzled the soft skin of Toothless' throat. "I missed you, too. I'm so proud of you" he murmured, embracing as much of the dragon as he could reach at once.
For a while they just held each other, soaking up each other's presence like sunlight. The walls they'd put up to keep the pain of separation at bay crumbled. Toothless had worried for Hiccup; he now sensed that Hiccup had been just as worried for him. "I was. I shouldn't try to…find ways to make us separate. That just means I'm the one forcing us apart" Hiccup realised.
*No. It's not the same thing; you were doing it because you care* Toothless reminded him. After a long pause, he said *I talked to Ekeren. It was nice, but…he's so old. Tired. I don't think we should wait too long to see him again. Just in case…* Toothless trailed off with a soft whine. Hiccup reached out to pet him comfortingly. "Of course. So, did you have a nice time, with Selena?"
*Yes. We raced and had a splash fight.*
"Hmm. Romance of the ages" Hiccup teased. Toothless retaliated with a lick.
*It was more fun than the 'kissy stuff' you and Astrid were doing.*
Hiccup laughed, and hugged his other half tightly. "Welcome home, bud."
Whilst her husband and his dragon reunited in the cove, Astrid welcomed back the returning riders. "Good work, everyone" she praised them, before approaching Cloudjumper. Valka was helping a familiar woman down from his broad back. "Hello again, Kalda" Astrid greeted kindly. Once the dark haired woman was steady on her feet again, she smiled, looking relieved to be back.
"Chief Astrid" she said respectfully, with a small bow. "Thank you for letting me come here; it's ever so kind of you. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
"No need for that. Helping you is its own reward. Come with me, I'll show you where you'll be staying." Astrid gestured for Kalda to follow her, and led the older woman to a newly built hut. A familiar figure was standing outside it, grooming a Skrill, of all things. A smaller Skrill – a juvenile – spotted their approach and hissed, spreading her wings and posturing defensively.
"They're not a threat, Firelight" said Hugo, fluidly stepping back as Sparkle snapped at her eldest and most belligerent hatchling in rebuke. "My apologies, Chief. Firelight has taken it upon herself to defend our nest, as it were, and hasn't quite learned the difference between friend and foe" he explained.
Astrid waved him off. "I'm used to it. Kalda, this is Jarl Hugo Grimborn."
"Yes, we've met. Briefly. And you know I'm not a jarl anymore" he added, before bowing to Kalda. "Regardless, I hope you won't deny us the pleasure of your company" Hugo remarked, charming as ever. Astrid rolled her eyes.
Kalda blinked, uncertain. "I am staying with…wait, did you say 'us'?" she asked.
"My wife and son. That reminds me…Mabel!" He called back towards the house. "Come and meet our new houseguest!" After a few moments, and some bustling sounds, a matronly looking woman appeared in the houses doorway.
She strode over to her husband and firmly declared "I've just about had it with those menaces. Look at what two of them did to my best apron!" Mabel shook out the bundle of fabric in her arms, which proved to be rather shredded, as if some mischievous sharp-toothed creatures had been playing tug of war with it.
"Sparkle and I will talk to them; but dearest, they're just children. They'll learn."
"Hmph. Children, you say; more like children of the Devil" –
"That's enough. We've talked about this, Mabel; the dragons here are no more demonic than you or me. I know it hasn't been easy for you to adjust; which is why Chief Astrid and I thought it would help to have like-minded company. Speaking of which…" Hugo cleared his throat and nodded at Kalda and Astrid. The former looked surprised by Mabel's boldness speaking to him like that.
Mabel started. "Oh! I'm so sorry, where are my manners? Hello" she greeted.
"Um, it's nice to meet you. My name is Kalda. I, uh, hope I'm not intruding…"
"Oh, not at all" Mabel assured her. "It will be nice to have an extra pair of hands and someone else to talk to. We'll have to introduce you to our son Kyrre; he's a good lad, won't be any trouble." Hopefully the boy wasn't getting into trouble, wherever he was on this godforsaken island with the chief's young daughter. "Here now, let me take that carry-sack off your hands and get you settled in."
Kalda smiled gratefully. "Thank you" she said, handing over her humble bag of belongings, "but if you don't mind, there's something I need to do first." She turned to Astrid, who knew exactly what Kalda meant and nodded reassuringly.
Rather than escorting her to the jailhouse as she'd expected, however, the chief instead took her to a house with a brown Gronckle dozing outside. "Hey, Meatlug, are they in there?" Astrid inquired. The dragon just snored. "I'm just gonna take that as a yes" she decided, marching up to the door and knocking. There was a pause, and then a hefty man with blond hair opened the door.
"Oh, hey chief. Is she here?" He looked past Astrid at Kalda. "Okay. He's inside."
Astrid beckoned to Kalda; bemused, she followed. Inside the house, seated at a small table, was Adulfr. He was fiddling with a hook hand, twisting it in the socket. "Son?" she asked hesitantly. He looked up at her sharply, and stared as if seeing her for the first time. The chief and her friend – his friend? – gave them both some privacy. "I'm back" she said, feeling foolish as soon as she'd done so.
He silently motioned for her to sit down. She did so. "Mother" he said quietly. "I…I made a mistake, involving you in my scheme. I am…sorry." The word sounded awkward on his tongue. "There's something I need to ask you. Something important, about…about my father" Adulfr revealed. He took a deep breath and inquired, "Did he…did he actually…you know…care…about me?"
Kalda looked stricken. "Oh, my boy…" she reached out to him, but Adulfr pulled back, and she froze. "I'm sorry" she whispered. "I should have told you long ago, but I feared it would break your heart. The truth is, when you were born, and you were – that is, you weren't…" She trailed off uncertainly, biting her lip.
"When I was born a runt, you mean" Adulfr finished for her. Kalda winced.
"Yes…Hauke wanted a son, but a strong one. He…he would have left you to the mercy of the gods, and I couldn't bear the thought of what would become of you if he ever got the heir he wanted…there's a reason you have no siblings."
Adulfr flinched. Her admission that he had nearly been abandoned; that the father he had tried so hard to be worthy of cared not a whit for him – it twisted in his heart like a dagger. For a moment he couldn't speak. When at last he tasted words on his tongue, they were bitter. "So it's true, then." After a moment, he added "Thank you. For telling me the truth. If I'd known sooner…"
"I'm sorry, son. I wish it weren't true…but I promise things will be better now."
Adulfr somehow doubted that; but perhaps he could allow himself to hope.
(1) After a period of time abandoned, Dragon's Edge was recolonised as an outpost, training ground, and occasional retreat. The younger members of allied tribes want to form their own tribe there, called the Hobgoblins.
(2) Black Fire's parents, you can learn more about them in 'Misty-Onyx: Forever Together'.
(3) Old Norse insult meaning 'braggart'. The more you know!