Chapter 13 - Acceptance

Hiccup leaned on the window sill with his head on his arms looked through the slats of the window at the mountain whose shadow loomed over the temple complex. There was a faint tinge of red to the sky now, indicating the imminent arrival of the sun and the morning of the sixth day of the offering period. He had woken early but he could hardly call what he had been through the night before as rest. It had been an unpleasant night caused by the trauma of the previous day. Several times he had woken from a fitful sleep with tears on his face, a shortness of breath or an overwhelming feeling of panic and fear washing over him but as the night had drawn on it had lessened. To be replaced with a grim sense of determination and acceptance. There was nothing further he could do now and he had to accept that this would end one way or the other. This acceptance had brought some relief from his turmoil, leaving him calmer but feeling hollow and alone.

He watched as the red light grew more intense and then broke over the mountain in a fiery wave. It really was a breath taking sight and at any other time he would have appreciated it for its beauty, but he couldn't. It was possibly one of the last sunrises he would ever see. He sighed sadly and buried his head in his arms as he lay across the sill. He needed sleep but he was scared to waste the precious few hours of life he had left. No tears came now, he had accepted the terrible fate that awaited him and with grim realisation he knew that he would not back out now. There was too much at stake to feel pitiful of his own meagre existence. As heir to the tribe he belonged to them and if his life was a gift that he was able to give, then he would give it willingly.

He still had to have faith and hope in his father and Astrid but it was a hope that was fading fast. Whatever Alvin and Dagur had done to delay them had to have been successful as they had not arrived the previous day as had been expected. He now scanned the sky at every opportunity desperate for a sign of dragon or rider, a sign that he had not been forgotten.

He turned to look at the bright orb of the sun that had risen over the mountain and he wondered if his mother was out there looking down on him. Maybe he would be with her tomorrow.

The Elder had spent the long hours of the night buried in the ancient scrolls and books of law. What she had found, or more to the point not found, worried her. She had hoped to find something of use in the ancient scrolls something that would prevent the ritual taking place and save the boy but there had been nothing.

One small glimmer of hope had come when she had found reference to how to revoke or change a law but it had been dashed when she discovered it required the full support of the council. Even if she made the proposal it would be hopeless. With the Berserker and Hysteric Chief still elected as council member's she knew that they would oppose and the vote had to be unanimous.

She sat forward and placed her fingers together deep in thought. If they could be removed from the council in some way it would be possible but without evidence she could not act. The boy had confirmed her suspicions but could not offer any solid evidence as proof. She believed him of course but theories and verbal evidence would not be sufficient to cast them out.

She closed her eyes feeling despair rising in her once again. Never in all her years of service had her faith been tested to this extent. She still looked desperately for a sign from Thor but she was coming to the harsh conclusion that she was looking for objection from the gods when there was none. She had to face the reality that this may truly be their will and if so she could not interfere. It was her duty as a servant of the gods to carry out their will however reluctant and unhappy she may be about it.

She sighed. Whether she liked it or not there was nothing more she could do. The boy's fate now lay solely in the hands of his father. She looked sadly into the depths of the fire, her thoughts on what she may be required to do the following day.

She looked up at the sound of a polite knock on the door.

"Come in," she said wearily.

Symon entered the room carrying a tray of food.

"Morning reverend Elder," he greeted with a bow before coming forward and placing the tray before her and starting to poor a cup of water.

"How is he this morning?" she asked the apprentice, trying to keep the strain from her voice.

Symon looked up at her and his eyes reflected her own sadness.

"Quiet, I think he is losing hope," he said, a slight quaver to his voice.

She nodded.

"It is to be expected," she said simply and then looked back at the flames.

"Is there no hope reverend Elder?" Symon asked looking hopefully at the books and scrolls strewn across the desk and floor.

She shook her head.

"I have searched long and hard but the law is clear about what must be done. Without physical proof I cannot expel the evil and revoke the law. His father's return is Hiccups only chance now and I fear even that is now slim. Stoick would not abandon the boy so I fear something has happened to prevent their return as planned."

She turned to look at her apprentice.

"My heart is heavy at what we must do but we cannot avoid it any longer. We must be prepared for the worst and make preparations for the ritual tomorrow."

She made to stand.

"I must tell him what awaits him," she said, resolved to fulfil her terrible duty.

Symon placed the jug on the table and moved to help her.

"There is no need, he already knows," he said.

She looked at him and then sank heavily back into her chair.

"How did he find out?" She asked.

Symon hung his head.

"It was my fault reverend Elder. I neglected to tell the new guard that the Berserker and Hysteric Chief were not allowed access to him. They were able to spend some time with him yesterday before I realised what had happened and I think they told him. He..he asked me to confirm it," he said his voice shaking.

She sank deeper into her chair and placed her head in her hands.

"That was not how I would have wanted him to find out," she said with remorse and anger.

"He must be very frightened," she said to herself as she looked down at her hands.

She paused for a long moment deep in her own thoughts and Symon stood dutifully at her side, when she finally spoke it with calm resolve.

"Symon have you heard of the draught of peace?"

He nodded his head eagerly.

"Yes, I have read about it. We use to help the sick."

"That is indeed how we use it nowadays but do you know of its purpose in ancient times?" She asked.

Again he nodded, but answered with more reluctance this time.

"It was given to those that were destined to...die...to calm them and bring them to...to the alter without pain," he said his voice catching as he understood her meaning.

The Elder stood and moved slowly towards a bookcase on the opposite side of the room. She reached up and pulled down a small scroll. She looked at the scroll for a moment.

"Never did I imagine that when I was taught this as an apprentice I would need to use it in this way," she said quietly holding the scroll gently.

She handed the scroll to Symon.

"On this scroll you will find the ingredients. Gather them and bring them back to me."

He nodded and as he closed the door behind him he saw her sink once more into the chair by the fire and noticed how old and sad she looked. He looked at the scroll in his hands and realised what he was about to do really did confirm that Hiccup was going to die. He had hoped that the Elder would be able to find some way to prevent it from happening. That she could save him but it was hopeless. Life at the temple would never be the same after this.

Hiccup had never paid much attention to time before but now he found it was running away from him like sand. He couldn't understand how he had dismissed how precious it was. There was no denying it, Hiccups morning was passing faster then he would have liked.

Symon had brought him his breakfast as normal but neither had spoken and Symon had left almost as quickly as he had arrived. Hiccup wasn't sure if it was his quite nature or the need to avoid any more distressing questions that had made him depart so quickly but Hiccup was grateful. He just wanted to be alone with his thoughts today.

The door opened again but Hiccup did not look around to see who had entered. Hopefully they would just do what they needed to do and leave.

"Hiccup?"

The familiar female voice that spoke did make him look around though. Camicazi and Thuggory looked back at him and the looks on their faces told him all he needed to know. They had at last discovered the remainder of Dagur and Alvin's plan.

Camicazi moved towards him and knelt down beside the chair, taking hold of his hand, her eyes searching his face. Hiccup realised he must look terrible after several sleepless nights and fraught days.

"Hiccup...we have...news...," she said in a frightened voice.

He squeezed her hand.

"I already know Cami," he said gently.

Tears came to her eyes and she looked at Thuggory.

"How did you find out?" He asked.

Hiccup turned to look back out of the window, his eyes automatically sweeping the sky as they had done since the sun had risen.

"Dagur and Alvin paid me a visit yesterday. They told me they had delayed my father."

Camicazi squeezed his hand again.

"It's worse than that Hiccup," she said quietly unable to find the strength to tell him and she looked at Thuggory for support.

"Hiccup, they attacked Berk. We overheard them crowing about it this morning. It sounds like they launched a simultaneous attack. Alvin's dragon riders attacked the Blue Whale whilst Dagur's armada attacked Berk," Thuggory said unsure of what Hiccups reaction would be.

Hiccup squeezed his eyes shut at hearing this. He had feared as much. He felt his breath catch in his throat as the emotion rose again and tried with great effort to push it down.

"Then it's over. I will die tomorrow," he said in a quiet hopeless voice.

"Hiccup..." Camicazi started to say in anguish but she was cut off by Hiccup and his next words brought tears to her eyes.

"There was so much I wanted to do, so much I wanted to see, to say to people...to Astrid. I never got the chance..."

He squeezed Camicazi's hand tighter.

"Cami will you do something for me? Will you tell Astrid that I love her and not to blame herself. This was my choice. I always knew how it might end," he paused, trying and failing to keep the sob that rose to his throat contained.

"Gods...I'm only seventeen...I never even made it to my eighteenth birthday...," he said and his voice finally broke.

Camicazi looked at Thuggory in alarm as their friend referred to himself in the past tense. He had given up.

She took hold of his shoulders and turned him to look at her.

"Hiccup you can't give up and you can tell Astrid yourself. Nothing is going to happen to you. We promised remember."

Hiccup looked at her blankly and Thuggory placed a hand on Hiccup shoulder.

"Look Hiccup we've talked about this at length and Cami and I have come up with a plan to get you out of here," Thuggory said.

At this Hiccup came back to himself and looked at them in concern.

"You can't. If you interfere you will get yourselves and your tribes into the same mess. I can't let you do that."

Thuggory shook his head.

"We told you before Hiccup we don't care. If it comes to it Cami and I will act independently, cut all links with our tribes so they won't face any penalty. We're not going to let them kill you. You didn't ask for any of this, it's too high a price to pay."

Hiccup just looked at them in shock. They really were prepared to risk everything. Give up their positions, their tribes and their futures just for him.

"I won't let you," he said coming to feet.

"You don't have a say Hiccup. We have made up our minds. You will be leaving with us willingly or not," Camicazi said as she stood and moved to Thuggory's side. They both set Hiccup with determined looks.

"The best time to grab you will be tomorrow when they come to take you away. We have a small boat moored in a cave on the far side of the island. This whole Island is covered in tunnels and caves so we can stay hidden till dark and then set off for Berk," Thuggory said and his tone suggested that any further argument was pointless.

Hiccup opened his mouth to protest again but shut it quickly. There would be no point, they had made up their minds.

"Thank you," he said simply.

When they had left Hiccup's smile of gratitude slipped from his face as he confronted what they had just told him. He was more grateful then he could ever express for their friendship and loyalty but the fact that they were planning on giving up everything for him filled him with horror. They were prepared to give up their futures together, their tribes, families, friends and it seemed lives if need be to save him. He could not express how that made him feel. It was warming to know that people cared so much for him but it was a sacrifice he could not let them make. If it came to pass that his father did not return before the ritual took place he had to make sure that Camicazi and Thuggory were out of the picture and could not interfere with what would happen.

By mid afternoon Hiccup had come up with a plan but to make it work he needed help. He move to the door and knocked, stepping back as the guard came in.

"Can you ask Symon to come see me," he asked.

The guard nodded and then closed and locked the door again. About an hour later it opened and Symon came into the room. He seemed wary.

"You asked to see me Hiccup," Symon said timidly.

Hiccup nodded.

"I have a favour to ask...and a secret I need you to keep," he said trying to smile.

Symon stepped closer.

"Of course, anything," he said.

"Two of my friends, Camicazi of the Bogburglar's and Thuggory of the Meatheads, have got it into their heads to try and rescue me tomorrow. They mean well but I can't let them risk themselves for me. I need your help to keep them safely away whilst the ritual takes place."

Symon swallowed nervously. It wasn't the request for help that unnerved him it was the way Hiccup sounded unnaturally calm as he talked about his imminent death. He was also surprised. Despite what Hiccup had to be going through he was only concerned about the safety of others. Hiccup may protest it but Symon had seen enough to realise that Hiccup was every bit the Hero the Elder had made him out to be and Symon was in awe of him.

"I'll help," he said.

Hiccup smiled in relief. He had been concerned that the apprentice would report Camicazi's and Thuggory's plan to the Elder.

"When will they come for me?" Hiccup asked trying to stay calm. He had to be strong now.

Symon's eyes flicked with concern again and then sighed in resignation.

"The ritual takes place during the middle of the afternoon of the seventh day, several hours before sunset to allow the offerings to reach and appease the gods in good time for the end of the festival."

Hiccup nodded and took a deep breath. He had to keep it together.

"I need your help to stop them from getting to me and interfering in the ritual. Will you help me?"

Symon nodded.

"Just tell me what you need me to do."

The hours were ticking away just as fast on Berk and Astrid paced back and forth in front of the steps to the Great Hall. What was taking so long? The bark from Toothless made her look over her shoulder and she saw him glancing at the sky and pawing at the ground in frustration.

"I know boy, I Know," she said her own frustration coming through as she glanced back at the closed doors of the Great Hall. It seemed like they had been in there for hours, and hours was something that Hiccup didn't have. Time was running out.

She made herself stand still and take deep breaths. If they did not come out in the next five minutes she was going to leave, with or without the council's permission.

She thought back to the moment they had landed on Berk. They had docked in the early hours of that morning to be greeted by a rather bedraggled Mulch and Bucket who had confirmed what they had suspected. Berk had been attacked three days ago by the Berserker fleet, an attack that had taken place around the same time as the Whale had been sunk. Dagur and Alvin had left nothing to chance.

The news had been grim to receive but thankfully there had been no deaths to report, only injuries. However, that small moment of relief had faded when the damage to the village had been summarised. The academy was intact but the Great Hall and many of the houses had sustained extensive damage but worst of all was the loss of the storage barns. For a village on the verge of the winter freeze the loss of the winter stocks was terrible indeed but it was worse for Berk. By losing the remainder of the food they had lost the last chance to return to the temple with replacement offerings and save both Hiccup and the tribe. Stoick had immediately called a council meeting and commanded her to round up the other dragon riders.

She had followed orders and done as in instructed but before she had gone to the academy she had made for Hiccups workshop at the rear of the forge. Toothless's flying gear was designed for Hiccups prosthetic. If she was to fly him she had to find a pedal suitable for her to use. After some rummaging she had found what she was looking for, the original pedal Hiccup had used before his accident. With this in hand she had made for the academy certain that Fishlegs would be able to help her fit it.

She had expected it be business as usual at the academy. The Twins mucking around, Fishlegs with his head in a book, Snotlout sleeping in a corner letting everyone else do the work but what she had found surprised her. Instead the atmosphere had been serious and they were all working together as a team, carrying out repairs. A brief conversation with Fishlegs told her why. The fighting had been intense and they had played their part but without Hiccups leadership they had floundered and their lack of team work had hampered the defence of the village. The failure to protect the village had left them feeling dejected and defeated. They all felt ashamed at their inability to work together without Hiccup. Astrid knew that Hiccup would be proud to know that after all these years of his constant badgering they had finally learnt the lesson he had been trying to teach them. Teamwork was important. It had taken their failure in his absence to realise it.

They had been glad to see her and eager to see Hiccup but she had told them of what had happened on the Island of Thor and broken the news of Hiccups plight. They took the news hard and their out of character reactions only added to Astrid's surprise. Fishlegs reaction was as to be expected but there were no jokes or fighting from the twins and Snotlout's reaction had been the strangest of all. He had leapt on the back of Hookfang and announced that he would bring Hiccup back or die trying. For all Hiccups' words a few days ago, words that she knew in her heart he had not truly meant but had used to coerce her into doing what he wanted, there was evidence here that they really did care about him. She knew he would be touched when he found out.

Toothless's reaction had been the worst of all though. When he had seen Astrid he had come bounding up to her looking around expectantly for Hiccup. Giving her a wide questioning look that had asked her where he was. She had told him that Hiccup was in danger, that she needed his help to rescue him. She knew instantly that Toothless had understood. He had reared up to the sky, trying to take off but after only gaining a few feet in height he had come crashing down. It had not deterred him though and before she had been able to clam him down he had tried over and over again, desperate to take to the sky. Without a rider though it was hopeless and his desperate cries of frustration and concern had been heart wrenching.

That had been several hours ago and she looked back now at the other riders behind her before turning back to the Great Hall. The council's deliberations were taking too long and with each moment that passed their chances of rescuing Hiccup grew slimmer. Astrid knew that if it was down to Stoick alone then they would have been in the air within moments of returning but the destruction of the remaining stocks had taken that decision out of his hands. The fate of the tribe was at stake now, their plan in tatters and the next move had to be decided by the council. Would they allow them to go back to the island without offerings and accept the tribes out casting and possible war or would they solemnly accept Hiccups sacrifice and mourn his loss? To Astrid though there was only one choice. She couldn't bring herself to accept that after all Hiccup had done for Berk they would abandon him. She clenched her fists at the thought. As far as she was concerned Berk owed Hiccup and she would wait no longer. However as she turned to grab Toothless's harness the sound of the door opening made her turn back. Stoick was running down the steps towards them.

She pulled herself onto Toothless's back and slotted her foot into the pedal, ready to fly. As Stoick reached her she saw a grim look on his face and he grabbed her arm. Afraid he was going to pull her down and prevent her taking off she pulled back but his next words filled her with hope and resolve.

"Go, save him, bring my son home," he said and with that let her go.

Within seconds she was in the air.