"Hiccup," Astrid questioned as he made to sit up away from her.
She had seen the minute look of horror and despair that crossed his face when Gyda finished speaking. Now it seemed as if he was trying to put some distance between him and everyone else. Astrid's eyes narrowed. He was retreating, like he often did before Toothless. Something was hurting him. Some thought was cascading around his mind and he was believing it.
She sat up. Her hands reached out, gripped his tunic. She yanked, just like she did that first day he awoke and came out of his house. Her lips found his. She did not care that his father, her parents, and two members of the Council were watching. She had a point to make to her betrothed.
She knew not the thought racing though his mind, but she suspected it was causing him to believe he was going to lose all he had gained after the Red Death battle. It had to be connected to the fact that Gyda said he would be a mage. Astrid's eyes widen, though she did not stop kissing him.
Magic was still feared by many, even with a mage living amongst them. Johann and many of the other traders who sailed the seas always brought tales of the mainland tribes. Several of those tales spoke of men and boys cast out, rejected and shamed for the mere thought of being a magic user. Magic was only ever accepted in volvas who forsook their families in service to the gods. Men were never supposed to possess such a feminine quality or trait.
All a load yak dung to Astrid. She had seen Gyda's power, both in a peaceful setting an in the middle of a fight. She knew the advantage it gave. What warrior worth their chosen weapons would balk at having something like to give them an edge in a battle? Something to better protect their village, their tribe?
Hiccup froze, placing his hands upon Astrid's shoulders but not returning the kiss. When he made to push, Astrid let him. She did not release him though and she made sure her gaze bore into his.
"It does not matter to me if you are a mage, Hiccup. I still love you. I will still be your wife one day. Your father is not going to disown you over this. This tribe is not going to cast you out and shame you over this. I will not let them."
Astrid heard boots thud against the floor. She heard Moondust give a surprised warble and shift out of the way. Hiccup was suddenly removed from her arms. She jerked. Her glare snapped up as did her fists. She relaxed. Stoick held Hiccup up against his chest.
"I will never disown ye, son. I will never let any throw ye out. This gift the gods have given ye be just 'nother thing ta make ye who ye were always meant ta be. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, Hero, Hope, and Heir of Berk. My son."
"My beloved and future husband," Astrid declared.
[Our brother,] Toothless and Sharpshot stated in one voice.
"Me apprentice 'n nephew," Gobber said. "And Gothi says her future chief."
[Our alpha,] Moondust, Sneaky, Iggy, and Buttercup said.
"And our future son and chief," Brynjar stated and Astrid saw her mother nod her head.
"But..Dad…the traders… the mainland tribes. Viking men can't have magic."
"Why?" Gyda questioned. "Why must you all follow the customs of people who live so far away? They are on the mainland. You are here, on islands amidst a frigid sea. You have dragons living along side of you. You already have two mages in your midst."
Stoick sat Hiccup back down onto his feet and placed both hands upon his son's shoulders.
"It be time fer me ta tell ye, son," Stoick said and Astrid noticed Gyda closed her mouth, listening along with everyone else in the room. "The Hooligan tribe always be different then any Viking tribe. Even long before Hamish the First founded this island. In fact, it be our difference that made us come here." Stoick sighed. "Seems we fergot much of that during the war and I be knowin' that came from the chiefs who followed Hiccup the Second inta power. It stops now. We will 'member all of our history and accept all who cause no harm once more, even magic users." Stoick paused and stared down at Hiccup, smiling. "And one day we'll have a chief who can wield this gift of the gods."
"Three of da Council agrees," Gobber said. "And I be knowin' the rest will agree too."
"Even my uncle?" Hiccup asked, turning to look at the blacksmith only to turn back as his father sighed.
"Spitelout stands with you, son," Stoick said. "He believes in ye. He jest has ta walk a dangerous course with yer grandfather. Man still be head of that clan and can easily disown Spitelout and cast him and his family out of that hall."
"Spite'll accept wot the Council decides," Gobber said. "He can tell that bitter man he be outvoted and it keep them all under a roof."
Astrid saw Hiccup frown and knew his mind was already twirling to think up a solution. Stoick must have noticed as well, because he gently nudged his son and shook his head.
"Be nothin' we can do fer now. Yer grandfather holds his honor so I can't cast him out as head of the clan and demand the Jorgensens chose 'nother. He might not be liked but I can't remove Clan Heads on just a whim. Council would declare me and mine dishonored then."
"Oh," Hiccup said though Astrid knew he was far from done thinking of how to change Spitelout's situation and protect his uncle, and in the process, protect Snotlout. "So..does this mean I can learn from Gyda?"
Astrid grinned. She knew he would be intrigued so long as he knew it would not cost him the family he fought so hard for.
"I'd be happier iffen ye did, son." Stoick ran a hand slowly down his face. "I may end up in Valhalla early iffen ye keep almost dyin'."
Only because she stood right beside the mage did Astrid see Gyda wince. Astrid felt dread pool into her belly. She both wanted to know what Gyda and was scared to know that information. If Hiccup died Astrid knew she would not want to be in the world left by his passing. If Stoick died, Astrid knew Hiccup would never recover from it. Hiccup smiling gave her the out she needed to turn her thoughts from either scenario.
She moved over as he stepped back from his father's grasp. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him against her. Everyone had declared he would not lose anything, but Astrid knew words alone would not completely ease Hiccup's worries. Touch to him was more important than words could ever be. For far too often while he grew, he had been denied loving touches and most words given to him, false or tormenting. Many times hands placed upon him back then they had been to hurt and not help. Astrid knew her gentle touches and the kisses she gave him, especially in front of the tribe told him in no uncertain terms that he was wanted and loved. That she was with him and would always be with him
Hiccup wrapped his arms around her. His face buried into her neck.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Astrid just held him tighter.
"Hiccup," Gyda began, "no, don't move. You can hear me just fine even entangled in her arms."
"Beg ta differ, lass," Gobber said and Astrid felt her cheek warm.
[I'm with Gobber on this,] Toothless said.
[Yeah,] Sharpshot agreed. [Brother forgets the world exists when Lady Alpha is holding him.]
Gobber snorted. "No more than ye do when ye be wiv Sneaky, eh, lad?"
Astrid snorted. She felt Hiccup's frame shake and heard his half snort, half snicker in her ear.
"Anyway," Gyda continued and Astrid heard amusement in the mage's tone. "Hiccup, your training starts later today after we both recover. This is not something to wait on now that your core is awake. Chief, no one but Hiccup, the flock dragons, and Astrid can be at this training. He can tell you everything and show you what I do teach him, and I encourage him to do that so long as no one else is around, even Gobber. Sorry, Gobber, but I cannot let what he will learn be wildly known. Non-magic users are not even supposed to be around a master mage teaching their apprentice."
"Then why will I be allowed to be there?" Astrid asked, "beyond the fact it keeps morons from whispering stupid words that will never be true."
Gyda snorted. "Be that as it may, you are still his betrothed and will one day be his wife. Magic will be a big part of his life going forward. You are already a huge part of his life. I will not make him keep those parts separated."
"Besides," Hiccup said, lifting his head. "I want you there, just as I wanted you with me when the Changwing king was going to teach me, long before the queen invited you. I meant what I said, Astrid. You are my equal in all things. If I could convince Gobber to teach you blacksmithing I'd have you there too."
"No," Gobber said quickly. "Ye'd never git any work done iffen she be 'dere all the time."
Everyone laughed until Toothless' sister spoke up.
[Okay, now that this little drama is over with, can we get out of this den? I need really need to stretch my wings.]
Gobber hooted. "Toothless, yer sister be a real spitfire. I like her."
Toothless' sister looked between the blacksmith and her brother.
[Is that a good thing or a bad thing?] she asked.
Kirika: Hehe, yes, but he still has Astrid in his corner.