Chapter 9 - The Plan
The room was filled with a shocked and stunned silence at Dagur's words before a unanimous cry of outrage erupted.
Ignoring the uproar Dagur continued to smile and watched as Stoick backed protectively towards Hiccup. Hiccup just stood there is shock.
"Dad...he can't mean...can he?" Hiccup asked his father quietly, his voice shaking.
"He can, but it's not going to happen Hiccup," Stoick said firmly keeping his eyes on Dagur.
"QUIET," the Elder roared and the room instantly fell silent.
She turned her attention back to Dagur.
"What you have suggested is abhorrent to me Chief of the Berserker's but as you say it is permitted by law to make the demand you have made. However you are required to have support from another elected and recognised member of this council."
Hiccup felt a jolt of hope.
Dagur nodded and rolled his eyes skywards.
"Ah but you see reverend Elder I do have support," he replied smugly and gestured to the side of the hall.
Hiccup felt his legs weaken when Alvin stepped forward.
"No...," he whispered in despair. Hiccup now understood why Alvin had been so sure of himself. This had been their plan, perhaps from the very beginning.
Alvin gave him a nasty grin before standing beside Dagur.
"I and the Hysteric Tribe agree with the Chief of the Berserker's. The Hooligan's ave no right to be here without offering a sacrifice. There is no choice in this matter. The life of Stoick's heir should be given, to atone for their insult and to satisfy the Gods," he said clearly.
There was another cry of outrage from the room and Stoick's face paled even further at what was unfolding.
The Elder looked worried as she raised her hand once again for silence.
"This is a serious matter and requires further discussion before a decision is made," she said loudly before looking across at Hiccup.
"It is unfair to cause the boy any more distress than is necessary. Guards please take him away from here and make him comfortable," she said quietly an edge of sadness to her voice.
The guards nodded and gently took hold of Hiccups upper arms.
"D..dad," he said uncertainly looking at his father.
"It will be all right Hiccup," Stoick said in assurance but Hiccup noted the waver in his voice and worry etched on his face.
Hiccup nodded numbly and offered no resistance as he was steered out of the room.
They didn't take him far, only to a small furnished room just outside the main hall. He was so dazed and confused at what had just happened that he was only vaguely aware of the guards request to hand over his sword but he obeyed, unbuckling the belt and handing it over. They left him then, closing the door and he heard a key turn in the lock.
His mind was in turmoil, unable to fully register what was happening to him. He couldn't focus, panic threatening to overwhelm him. Was he really going to be sacrificed?
He imagined his father was trying to argue against Dagur and Alvin's demand to the council, trying to save Hiccups life but all Hiccup could feel was hopelessness. How in the Gods was he going to get out of this one? If he or his father refused the demand his tribe would pay the price. If anyone interfered he imagined that they would also pay a heavy price and if he let this happen he would die. He understood Alvin and Dagur's plan now and realised the situation they had engineered left him no escape. He ran his hands down his face in frustration. He knew what Dagur and Alvin wanted. They wanted him or his father to come to them, begging them to withdraw their demand. In return they would want Hiccup to give himself over to them. He would be no better than a slave, and condemned a traitor if he trained their dragons. Was death a better option?
He stepped back until he felt a wall behind him and slowly slid to the floor before burying his head in his hands in despair. He felt that either way his fate had been sealed.
Astrid hummed to herself as she hammered the new deck board in place. The work was going well but it would still be a few days before the ships would be ready to sail again. She looked up at hearing loud voices from the beach below. Deciding to see what was going on she grabbed a rope and swung over the side of the rail, sliding down to the shingle below.
A large group had gathered round a couple of warriors from the Meathead tribe. They looked out of breath and were talking fast. She moved closer to hear what was being said. It was difficult to make out anything from the babble around her but she caught something about a sacrifice being demanded and the odd mention of her tribe. Nothing of interest and she wondered what all the fuss was about until she heard Hiccup and Stoick's name and her curiosity rose. She saw Gobber push his way out of the crowd and she instantly knew something bad had happened. He was pale and shaking.
"What is it Gobber? What's happened?" She demanded starting to worry.
He suddenly grabbed her arm tightly and Astrid nearly cried out at the strength of the grip but any protest died in her throat at his next words.
"Astrid...Its Hiccup...he's in danger...Dagur...Alvin...they..."
She was running before he had even had a chance to finish.
Time seemed to have stopped for Hiccup. He had no concept of how long he had sat there on the floor. He just wanted to wake up and find that this was some horrible nightmare brought on by some bad yak's milk or one of his father's stories. This couldn't possibly be real. He would wake up in his bed soon, go for a flight on Toothless, train at the academy and maybe even visit Gobber at the forge. How could this possibly be real and happening to him? It wasn't real...was it?
Astrid had never run so fast in her life. The moment Gobber had said that Hiccup was in danger she had known that she needed to get to him as fast as possible. Her mind was whirling as fast as her legs. Alvin had seemed to know that the guards were coming and why they were there. He had said that Hiccup wouldn't have a choice, that he would be forced to train his dragons. Was this what he had meant? Was this the reason Hiccup was in danger? Was this Alvin and Dagur's plan to make Hiccup do as they wanted?
'To many questions,' she said to herself in frustration as she approached the temple.
She had covered the distance swiftly and was soon climbing the steps to the main hall two at a time. The great doors were open but she barely registered this as she sped into the entrance hall.
The door to the council chamber was heavily guarded and she could hear loud voices from within. She also noticed two other guards standing beside a solitary door a little way off the main corridor. As she got closer she saw that one of these guards was holding Hiccups sword so she changed direction towards them.
"I'm looking for the Hooligan Chiefs son, Hiccup," she said quickly as she approached them.
The guard holding Hiccups sword nodded.
"He's in here, but no one is allowed to see him," he said politely but with a note of firmness.
"Why?" Astrid said confused, although relieved that Hiccup, despite her initial fears, did not appear to be in any immediate danger.
"He is being kept secure until the Elder and council have decided his fate," he responded again but with a slight catch in his voice.
"Fate!" Astrid stated in alarm.
"What has he done?" She demanded.
"Nothing."
Astrid looked at them incredulously.
"Nothing? Then why keep him confined? Why can't I see him?" She demanded unable to keep the anger out of her voice.
The guards look softened and he glanced at his counterpart before looking back at her.
"You haven't heard?" He said gently.
"Heard what?" Astrid said annoyed.
The guards exchanged another look.
"It might be best to let the boy explain," the guard said to his friend who nodded.
"True. I don't think the Elder will mind...given the circumstances."
Astrid looked at them both in confusion before they turned their attention back to her.
"You'll need to leave your weapons with us and I have to lock the door behind you," the first guard said to her.
Astrid nodded vaguely and unstrapped her axe from her waist handling it over to the first guard without comment. If it meant seeing Hiccup and finding out what in Odin's name was going on she would gladly give up her weapons.
The second guard then took a key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock before turning it and opening the door.
Astrid stepped into the room and heard the door lock behind her.
She instantly spotted Hiccup sitting in a corner, his knees pulled up close to his chest and his long arms wrapped around them. His head was bowed and his eyes shut.
"Hiccup..." Astrid said gently as she moved closer to him.
He seemed to be aware now that someone was in the room with him and he looked up fearfully.
"A...Astrid," he breathed in relief when he saw her.
"Hiccup what is it? What's happened? The guards wouldn't tell me," she asked as she reached his side and knelt down beside him, not liking the terrified look in his eyes.
Astrid laid a hand on his arm and felt that he was trembling.
"Hiccup, please tell me what's happened? The message reached us that you were in danger but no one said why."
"Dagur and Alvin...that's what's happened," Hiccup said quietly.
"What have they done?" Astrid asked, gently raising her hand to his cheek. Hiccup closed his eyes as he felt her hand on his skin.
"They...they have demanded that my father offer me as a sacrifice in place of our lost offerings," his voice trembling as he answered.
Astrid felt sick.
"I...I thought that was all in the past. They can't do that," she said shocked.
Hiccup shook his head sadly.
"Apparently they can."
He leaned closer to Astrid.
"My father's in the main hall right now trying to find an alternative but you know as well as I that if the Hooligan's can't offer a suitable sacrifice then it will be the end of us. My...My father won't have a choice. I'm going to die Astrid," he said in a frightened voice and a tear trickled down his cheek.
Astrid wrapped an arm around him protectively pulling him close.
"You fathers not going to let that happen Hiccup and neither am I. There has to be an alternative," she said firmly trying to offer him some comfort.
Hiccup shook his head and started to push himself to his feet.
"It's no good Astrid. The only other solution is to return to Berk for more of the original offering but there's not enough time to get there and back before the end of the offering period. If an offering is not made before the seventh day ends then it will be end of us," his voice reflecting the hopelessness of the situation. He bowed his head once again and closed his eyes, seeming resigned to his fate.
His eyes snapped open again when Astrid's solid and painful fist made contact with his upper arm.
"OUCH. What was that for?" he demanded, momentarily forgetting his situation and glowering at her.
"To try and snap you out of this. You're not giving up on me Hero and you're not dying till I say you can. Now put that brain to good use and start thinking up a plan," she said angrily.
"And just what exactly do think I've been doing for the last hour," Hiccup exclaimed indignantly, feeling angry himself with her now.
"I've tried every combination I can think of but it's just not possible for even the fastest of boats to make it back to Berk, load up and return before the seventh day. Either I sacrifice my tribe to save myself, go crawling on my hands and knees to Alvin and Dagur and beg them to withdraw their demand and probably spend the rest of my life branded a traitor and a slave or I walk willingly to the sacrificial alter," he said raising his voice and waving his arms above his head.
"OW," he cried again in pain as Astrid punched him for the second time and he gave her a hurt look as he rubbed his arm.
"This is no time to panic Hiccup."
He gave a dry laugh and shook his head.
"Astrid you know me. I'm not going to sacrifice my tribe and there is no way I'm going to betray them so that leaves getting my throat slit, heart cut out or Gods knows what else done to me all for the sake of some stupid, ancient and barbaric custom. So tell me, when would be a good time to start panicking because now seems ideal to me," he said angrily, a trace of his normal sarcasm coming through.
Astrid would have laughed if the situation wasn't so serious.
She raised her fist again.
"Ok, Ok," Hiccup said quickly putting his hands up defensively.
"Don't let Dagur and Alvin Win Hiccup. Think, there must be something you haven't thought of."
Hiccup sighed and began to pace the room, arms behind his back and his brow furrowed deep in concentration. He began to mutter to himself as he ran his ideas over and over again as he paced, trying to think of something he might have missed.
Astrid watched him for several minutes and started to feel dizzy from his frantic pacing.
"AHHHH," he suddenly cried in frustration and threw his arms in the air before letting his shoulders slump in defeat.
He turned to Astrid and she saw the look of hopelessness back in his eyes.
"It's no good Astrid. I've been through this a hundred times. Using the boats just won't work."
He sank his head back into his hands in defeat.
"Oh Gods I wish I had Toothless with me...wait...Toothless," he suddenly exclaimed lowering his hands quickly and giving Astrid one of his looks that said 'I've just had a brilliant plan'.
He grabbed her arms in excitement, his fear momentarily forgotten.
"Astrid...the dragons."
"What is it...what have you thought of?" She said urgently feeling her own hope rise but not yet fully understanding.
"Astrid it takes two days by the fastest boat...but only one day by dragon."
He was grinning at her now and she returned it as she realised what this meant.
"The dragons can bring replacement offerings. Even if it does take three days to get to Berk the dragons can get the offerings here by the seventh day. That's it Hiccup," she said unable to keep the relief out of her voice and she quickly pulled him into a hug.
At that moment there were the sounds of people outside the door and a key turned in the lock.
They turned to the door and Hiccup felt the elation of a few moments before slip away, replaced again by fear as the Elder and his father entered the room. In an instant Hiccup knew that the council discussions had not ended well. Hiccup felt his confidence waver and he gripped Astrid's hand for support. She squeezed it back.
"D...Dad?" He said uncertainly.
Stoick looked at his son and Hiccup felt despair at the look on his father's face, it was a mask of grief. It was as if he was already grieving for the loss of his son, even though they stood in the same room.
Hiccup staggered back, letting go of Astrid's hand.
"Oh Gods...No," he said as the realisation of what that meant hit him.
Suddenly Stoick was there, wrapping his arms around his son, crossing the room faster than Hiccup thought he could move. He was squeezing Hiccup tightly and normally Hiccup would have protested but to have his father's protective arms around him made him feel safe and he wished he would never let go.
"Hiccup..." Stoick started to say but his voice stuck in his throat and tears started to run down his cheeks. He swallowed hard as he held his sons shaking form.
"Dad...please tell me it isn't true...that their not going to...please Dad," Hiccup choked out unable to control his emotions any longer.
Stoick held him tighter.
"Dagur and Alvin refused to withdraw their demand. T...the council had no choice...the law was clear...we couldn't find away round it," Stoick's own voice caught as he admitted his failure to his son. He felt Hiccup push against him and he let his arms fall.
Hiccup stepped back from his father and looked at him, his face pale and eyes wide.
"Th...then there's no choice. I...I have to die," Hiccup said, his voice quiet and catching on the words.
"No, I won't let it happen. I won't let them lay a finger on you. Were leaving right now," Stoick said and he made a move to take Hiccups hand but Hiccup stepped back again.
"But, if we leave now...won't the tribe be expelled...won't we be at war?" Hiccup asked, his voice wavering as he looked again at his father.
His father's body language told him everything he needed to know and Hiccup shook his head.
"No...I won't let the tribe suffer because of me."
"Hiccup..." Stoick started to say and again reached for his son but Hiccup repeated the shake of his head and stepped back.
"Dad no, I'm not worth that. The tribe comes first...you taught me that."
Stoick felt despair rising in his chest. Yes that had always been his rule. The way he had been taught but now...when the life of his son was on the line he just couldn't do it. He would risk the wrath of a thousand gods and a hundred wars to save his son.
"Hiccup, I'm not going to let them hurt you and I'm not giving you to those two evil maniacs either. We leave tonight and face the consequences later," he said resigned.
"No," Hiccup said again and with no sign of the earlier fear and weakness he looked calmly at his father, the determination clear on his face.
Stoick opened his mouth to protest but Astrid spoke first.
"Hiccup, what about the plan?" she said quietly, moving closer to him.
"Plan? What plan?" Stoick demanded turning to Astrid.
"Hiccup?" She said again, trying to get him to focus on her rather than his father. He finally looked at her and let out a long deep breath before looking back at his father. He wasn't sure his father was going to like this.
"Dad it may be possible to get to Berk and back with more offerings before the end of the seventh day," Hiccup said slowly hoping that his father would agree with what he was about to suggest but if he did then Berks greatest secret would be out.
"How?" Stoick asked as he met Hiccups eyes again.
Hiccup took another deep breath.
"By using the dragons," he said simply and he shot a nervous glance over his father's shoulder towards the Elder who had been standing back to allow them privacy as the news was broken. Hiccup was a little startled when she gave him a small barely noticeable smile and a nod. Seeing this as encouragement he continued.
"Dad, the Falcon can make the journey in about two days."
Stoick nodded.
"I know that son but I don't..."
"The dragons can make it in one," Hiccup continued cutting across his father.
Stoick's eyes widened as he caught onto Hiccups plan and he started to smile, a spark of hope now alight in his chest.
"Aye it might just work," he agreed and he quickly turned to the Elder.
"If we were able to get our offerings here before the end of the seventh day would that be acceptable?" He asked the hope now evident in his voice.
She stepped closer and nodded.
"Yes that would be acceptable. If you are able to bring more of what was originally promised then your tribe and your son would suffer no penalty. However your son must remain here until you return."
Stoick smiled in relief, the hope in him now fully alight. He hated the idea of leaving Hiccup behind. If something went wrong...it just didn't bear thinking about, but it was a chance and he would gladly take it.
The Elder sighed.
"I am truly sorry Stoick that you and your son have been put through this. This is an ancient law, long overdue its removal or amendment. A human sacrifice has not been made or proposed at this temple for hundreds of years. These long years of peace have made this council foolish and blind. I warned them that to forgive the Outcast would have consequences. We have been manipulated by two evil men out for their own ends," her remorse clear as she placed a hand on Stoick's arm.
"I promise you that whilst Hiccup is with us he will be treated well. Confinement will be necessary but he will be comfortable and looked after. No harm will come to him providing you return by the end of the seventh day," she assured him.
Stoick nodded and turned back to Hiccup.
"Are you really prepared to do this?" he said solemnly.
Hiccup looked at him and nodded.
"Yeah Dad I am. I know you won't let me down," and with that stepped towards his father and wrapped his arms around him as best as his smaller frame would allow. Stoick returned the hug and sighed before lowering his arms.
"Right then, we need to get going. We will need provisions for the journey and the Falcon will need putting back to sea," he said business like.
"The temple will provide for your needs," the Elder said as she moved back to the door and rapped on it with her staff.
"Thank you," Stoick acknowledged.
The door opened and she left the room. Stoick started to follow her.
"Astrid, with me, I will need your help getting the boats ready and back to sea. We have a long journey ahead of us and we need to get going," he ordered but stopped when he saw Astrid shaking her head.
"I'm not going back to Berk, I'm not leaving Hiccup," she said firmly.
Stoick looked shocked at her tone.
"You will do as you are told Astrid. I need you and your expertise with the dragons," he said angrily.
Astrid bristled at the reprimand and she glared in defiance at her Chief. Hiccup saw an Astrid explosion coming and stepped forward taking her by the shoulders and moving her back.
"It's all right Dad, let me talk to her," he said and his father shrugged before leaving the room.
Astrid spun around and Hiccup could almost feel the defiance radiating from her.
"I'm not going Hiccup and that's final. I'm not leaving you with those two maniacs on the loose."
Hiccup listened and mentally shook his head. She wasn't making sense he was perhaps safer as a prisoner of the temple then as a free Viking. He doubted Alvin and Dagur could do much more to him now. He steeled himself for the fight he knew they were about to have.
"You're going back to Berk," he said firmly.
"I'm not," she snarled raising her voice another octave.
"Yes you are," he said again in the same firm measured tone.
"I'm not. I'm staying right here and there is nothing you can say to change my mind Hiccup so don't even try."
She crossed her arms and fixed him with one of the most intense glares he had seem from her in a while.
He sighed and looked straight back at her, meeting her glare calmly.
"I thought you cared about me more than that," he said sadly.
Taken aback Astrid's glare softened.
"Of course I care about you. That's why I'm staying here," she had thought she had made that perfectly obvious.
He shook his head.
"Then why are you putting my life in the hands of others?"
"W..what...," she stammered.
Hiccup sighed again.
"I mean the Twins Astrid, really. Do you care about me so little to trust those two to round up the dragons, get everything organised and take this seriously enough? I might as well cut out my own heart now and be done with it," he said looking at the floor.
"Fishlegs will try of course but he has no confidence or leadership ability, no one will listen to him and Snotlout will probably be pleased. After all he will be the next Chief if I'm not around," he continued keeping his eyes on the floor.
"Do I really mean that little to you?" He finished.
He heard her sob and he hated himself, hated playing dirty like this and he didn't really mean the things he was saying but it was having the desired effect.
"Hi...Hiccup...why...why would you say that. I love you, I'd die for you. Please don't say those things," she stammered between sobs.
He looked up at her. She had her hand across her mouth in shock and her shoulders where shaking as she tried to suppress her sobs.
His arms were around her, holding her tight before he even realised he was moving and she buried her face in his shoulder and continued to sob.
"I'm sorry," he said gently.
"Do see now why you have to go back to Berk?" He asked still holding her tight, burying his own face in her hair.
"Please Astrid, I need you. You're the most experienced rider after me and you know how to fly Toothless, how to operate his tail. You know what needs to be done and the others will follow you."
Her sobs started to subside and he felt a lump in his throat as he prepared to say the next words.
"I'm scared Astrid, really scared. I don't want to die, not like this but if I know that you're out there fighting for me then I will feel some hope. I trust you to do everything possible to make this work," he said trying to keep his own emotions in check.
Astrid lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him deeply. The anger was gone from her eyes now and all he could see was a fire of determination and love, love for him.
"Only you can save me now," he said quietly as he met her gaze, trying to put all his own love for her in that look.
She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips.
"I won't let you down," she said fiercely.
He kissed her back.
"Thank you."
They held each other again, glad of the reassuring contact. Hiccup prayed to any God that happened to be listening that it would not be one of the last times he held her and closed his eyes. He pulled away after a while.
"Astrid I want you to have something," he said before letting her go and moving towards the door. He knocked on it and then stepped back so that he hoped the guard didn't think he was trying to escape.
The door opened and one of the guards stepped in.
"I have a request," he said.
"What is it?"
"May i have my sword?" Hiccup asked and instantly the guard shook his head.
Hiccup put his hands out in front of him palms up in a submissive posture.
"I promise I won't unsheathe it and you can stay in the room with me, with you own swords drawn if you wish."
The guard looked uncertain.
"It would do me no good to fight you or injury myself. I won't risk my tribe's safety. I just want to give it to someone," Hiccup added.
The guard seemed to contemplate this for a moment and then nodded. He stepped out of the room and returned seconds later with Hiccups sword. He handed it to him and Hiccup made sure he placed both hands on the sheath away from the hilt to demonstrate his sincerity. He then turned and moved back to Astrid. The guard followed him but did not draw his own sword, choosing to trust the boy.
Laying the sword across his palms he held it out to her.
"Astrid, I want you look after this for me."
"Hiccup I can't," she said her voice catching with emotion again as she pushed the sword back at him. She felt like this was a sign of him giving up.
"Astrid please, it's no good to me here. Just look after it for me, until you can give it back to me. It will make me feel better, like a part of me is with you," he said, again holding out the sword.
Astrid reached out a trembling hand and took the weapon from him bringing it close to her chest with both hands. She looked at him for a moment before reaching up to her hair and removing the maiden band she wore. She held it out to him.
"Then you look after this for me," she said as she held the decorated leather out to him.
Hiccup looked at what she offered in her hand and then back at her. His eyes widened. The band was not just a decoration to wear. It held real significance to a Viking woman. It showed other men and women that she was free, not yet bound to a man in marriage. The band was normally only removed on her wedding day.
"A...Astrid," he stammered unable to take his eyes off her.
"I'm yours Hiccup and always will be. Whatever happens," she said her voice thick with emotion.
Hiccups hands shook as he gently took the band from her, feeling its soft leather.
"Thank you," he said simply unable to find words to describe how this made him feel.
They exchanged a gentle kiss before the sound of the guard's feet scuffing awkwardly on the floor bought them back to reality.
"I need to go," Astrid said and Hiccup nodded, squeezing her hand.
"I think the Elder may let me come down with the guards to see you off," he said not wanting to let her go but he knew he had to.
"I hope so," she said as she moved backwards, still clutching his hand. Their hands stayed clasped until they could stretch apart no further and Hiccup had to let her go.
The guard closed the door behind them and Hiccup heard the key once more turn in the lock.
Alone now he looked down at the band in his hand. He ran it between his fingers, stroking the soft leather and brought it up to his face, instantly catching Astrid's scent. She always smelled of flowers and newly cut grass. The significance of what she had declared to him in giving him the band was not lost on him and his heart ached. There was no further doubt in his mind now and he wished he hadn't left it so long. He just hoped it wasn't too late, that the gods would show him mercy, spare him. That he would have a chance to ask her to marry him.