Chapter 15 – Sacrifice

Hiccup groaned as he tried to push himself onto his hands and knees. Everything hurt. He had hit the ground hard when he had dived forward and the shingle cut into his hands and knees as he struggled to stand. He felt a pair of gentle hands help him and then a cold surface against his back. He cracked his eyes open and Astrid's face swam into focus. He blinked to clear his vision and take in what was happening around him.

The battle was over that much was clear and he was now seated against a large boulder a little way off from where the other dragon riders had landed. Astrid knelt beside him with a concerned look on her face. He groaned again and closed his eyes as the adrenalin that had fuelled him since leaving the temple died away and the effects of the drug and his wounds came back in full force. The draught of peace was certainly doing its job well and his arms and legs felt like lead again. There was also an overwhelming need to close his eyes and sleep. He had no idea how strong the potion had to have been to have these effects on him and he should have been grateful considering why he had taken it in the first place but now he just wanted his head clear and to be able to think straight again.

"Hiccup, are you alright?" Astrid said in a worried tone as she placed a hand gently against his forehead, his skin was hot to the touch and she frowned in concern.

Hiccup nodded slightly not daring to open his eyes.

"I will be. What happened to Alvin and Dagur?" He asked. Knowing the answer but needing it confirmed none the less.

"They got away, sailed into the fog where the others couldn't follow," she said with a note of anger and disappointment in her voice.

Hiccup sighed.

"So they get away again. I'll never be rid of them," Hiccup said in a dejected tone as he looked across to where the other riders were gathering up any Outcasts or Berserkers that had been left behind.

Astrid could think of nothing to say to this. It was true. At every turn Alvin and Dagur seemed to always avoid the justice that they so richly deserved and after what they had put Hiccup through the last few days it just seemed so unfair that they should get away again.

They sat there in silence for a little while as Hiccup closed his eyes once again and tried to push aside the dizzying effects of the drug and the pain of his burns, but it was becoming difficult. All he wanted to do was sleep. He heard movement to his right and wearily opened his eyes again. He was greeted by the sight of his friends looking down at him with the same concerned expression as Astrid, he tried to smile.

"Hey guys," he said weakly.

"You look terrible Cuz," Snotlout said quietly as he bent down beside Astrid and laid a hand on Hiccups shoulder. The gesture surprise Hiccup, where was the normal mocking tone and ridicule that Snotlout normally used? He sounded genuinely concerned. Hiccup frowned.

"Gee Snotlout, you all right, you almost sound as if you care?" Hiccup responded in an amused voice. Snotlout gave him a small smile but continued to look at him in concerned.

"I am, we all are," Snotlout said gesturing to the rest of the riders behind him.

"Y...you are?" Hiccup questioned in surprise.

Confused at his cousins strange behaviour Hiccup looked at the group again and saw the same look on all their faces. Then it dawned on him. They really were genuinely concerned about him.

"Guys...your scaring me," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice but his heart swelled. They weren't just here to do a job they had come for him.

Snotlout smiled and the twins looked awkwardly at each other.

"Were scaring ourselves," he said, a hint of the old Snotlout coming through before his face turned serious once again and he looked at Hiccup taking in his injuries.

"Man Hiccup...you really went through with it...I thought that Astrid might have been exaggerating but she wasn't, was she. You were really prepared to give your life for us. You...you nearly..."

He shook his head, unable to finish.

"Hey I'm alright now guys, thanks to you." Hiccup said in genuine gratitude, trying to break the awkward silence that had fallen.

"Now you're here we can send the offerings to the Gods and get out of here. I'm looking forward to about a week's worth of sleep," he joked, starting to feel better as the realisation that he would be able to go home dawned on him.

The group glanced awkwardly around at each other. Hiccup noticed and frowned in confusion.

"Guys what's the matter? The tribe's safe now why the long faces?"

"You didn't tell him?" Fishlegs said to Astrid. She shook her head.

"There wasn't time."

Hiccup looked at Astrid.

"Tell me what?"

Astrid looked at the floor and took his left hand in hers, squeezing it gently. Hiccup felt a wave of foreboding creep up on him.

"Astrid...tell me what?" he said again his concern rising.

"Hiccup...," but before she could finish she was interrupted by an almighty thunder like boom from overhead.

Thinking the storm was taking a turn for the worst the group looked to the sky but it was not lightning that they were greeted with. Soaring overhead was the outline of two more dragons. Hiccup recognised them immediately and the distinctive outline of their riders. Across the backs of Thornado and Stormfly sat his father and Gobber.

Thornado landed and Stoick leapt off his back, rushing across the beach to where Hiccup lay. The group stepped quickly aside to make room for him and Stoick instantly swept him into a tight hug.

"Oh my boy..." Stoick chocked as he held his son to him, overwhelmed and relieved to find him still alive.

"AHH...Dad..." Hiccup cried in pain has his father caught his burns.

Stoick pulled back in alarm at his sons pained cry and for the first time took in his appearance and injuries. A deep feeling of horror crept into his chest as he realised how they had been received.

"They...oh gods Hiccup they...you actual...," he couldn't finish.

"Astrid got here just in time Dad...I...I nearly...if Toothless hadn't saved me from the flames I'd be dead by now."

Stoick brought him into a hug again but more gently this time.

"It's over now, my brave, brave boy. It's over. We can go home."

He pushed Hiccup back at arm's length and looked at him, smiling. Hiccup smiled back, a wave of relief rushing over him. He could go home. He could get off of this island and put the last few, terrifying days behind him. Toothless came over and chirped in concern at Hiccup, sniffing at his injured arm. Hiccup smiled again and placed his hand on his snout, rubbing it affectionately. Toothless closed his eyes in contentment and purred.

"Thanks bud, thanks for pulling me from the flames. If it hadn't been for you and Astrid I'd be in Valhalla by now," Hiccup said shuddering as he began to fully realise just how close he had come to death.

Toothless nudged him gently and purred louder which caused Hiccup to smile broadly again and let out a small laugh.

"Stoick," Gobber shouted, momentarily breaking up the happy reunion.

Stoick turned and Hiccup looked over towards Gobber who was climbing from the back of Stormfly dragging something heavy with him. He dragged the 'something' towards the group and Hiccup realised it was a man, apparently a prisoner and a reluctant one at that. The man was tall with a thin long face and white beard to match. Hiccups eyes widened in shock as he recognised him. It was Mildew, the traitor who had betrayed the tribe and Hiccup several years back to join the Outcasts.

Gobber dumped the man unceremoniously onto his knees before Stoick and Mildew grumbled under his breath at his treatment.

"Dad...why is Mildew here?" Hiccup asked in confusion.

Stoick's face darkened as he looked at the traitor.

"Dagur's fleet attacked Berk. They were driven away by our warriors and your dragon riders but not before destroying half the village and the remaining food stocks. When we swept the village for any survivors or injured we found this coward hiding down by the docks. It looks like he hid from the fighting and got left behind. We have made a bargain. I won't kill him if he denounces Alvin and Dagur to the council."

Stoick looked across to where the other Outcast and Berserker prisoners were being guarded by the dragons.

"With these extra prisoners we should be able to get the council to agree to outcast both chiefs for good," he said with a note of triumph.

Hiccups mind was moving fast despite its weariness. Even though Alvin and Dagur had escaped it had not all been in vain. If Mildew told the council of Alvin and Dagur's plans, of what they had done, then the council would have no choice but to outcast them. This would mean that they would no longer be able to gain the Gods favour, trade or count on treaties. The rest of the tribes would shun them. In truth the Hooligans could turn the tables and deal out the same fate to the pair that they had planned for them.

Stoick looked back at Hiccup.

"We win Hiccup, its over," he said with a fierce look of triumph on his face.

Relief flooded through Hiccup, it was over they had won. He wasn't foolish enough to think that Alvin and Dagur would leave him alone for good but at least for now they would keep away. Next time they met he would be ready and it would be his turn to make them fear him.

"Rest now Hiccup," Stoick said, seeing how tired and drained his son looked after his ordeal.

"We'll get your wounds treated shortly and then we can go home," he said as he ran his hand affectionately through Hiccups singed hair.

Hiccup nodded and started to relax, leaning back against the boulder and letting his eyes close. Just as the sleep he desperately needed begun to take him something his father had said rose in his mind. The winter fuel stocks had been destroyed...that meant... His eyes sprung open again his mind suddenly alert, but before he could ask his father what he feared there came the sound of a horn blast from the direction of the temple path.

Everyone turned to see what was happening but Hiccup caught Astrid's hand.

"Astrid, what did my father mean?"

She looked momentarily confused.

"About the winter food stocks, what did he mean they were destroyed?"

Astrid's eyes saddened.

"Hiccup...the attack took out the barns...the remaining stocks were destroyed."

Hiccup closed his eyes as the reality dawned on him.

"Then...there is nothing left to offer...you didn't bring more offerings did you."

He opened his eyes and looked at Astrid. She shook her head. Hiccup then looked at his father.

"Dad?"

Hiccup was sure his father had heard him but Stoick stood and turned away, focusing on the temple party that was now approaching rather than Hiccup.

"Dad, look at me," Hiccup tried again but still got no response.

His relaxed state of mind now dissolved he starting to feel angry and Hiccup tried to stand.

"Hiccup, what are you doing?" Astrid exclaimed as he tried to push himself to his feet against the boulder.

"Getting some answers," Hiccup said with a grunt of pain as he clung to the boulder for support.

This got his father's attention and he finally turned to look at Hiccup. The look in his eyes told Hiccup all he needed to know and he began to sag again to the floor. His father's strong arms caught him.

"I'm sorry son...there was nothing left to bring...the tribe is prepared to accept the consequences. They have agreed that your life is more important to them."

Hiccup looked at his father in shock. His tone suggested finality to the subject but before Hiccup could respond Stoick gently passed the care of his son to Astrid who took over the role of supporting him. He then turned to greet the temple party without a further word or glance to Hiccup. As far as he was concerned the matter was closed and not up for debate even though he knew that Hiccup had been about to protest.

A large litter was being lowered to the ground by a contingent of temple staff and the Elder stepped out with the help of Symon. Hiccup took this all in but his eyes did not leave his father's back. He couldn't believe what was happening. Just moments ago he had thought that this terrible nightmare was over only to find that despite everything that had happened they were back at square one. No offerings meant that the tribe's future was still bleak, they had sacrificed everything to save him the same way he had been prepared to sacrifice his life for them. He just couldn't take it all in.

The Elder reached Stoick and looked at him in great relief.

"Chief Stoick your returned is welcome. We feared that you would not return at all. Your son...your son has done you and your people proud," she said, her voice catching as she looked at Hiccup. She then turned back to Stoick.

"The time of the offering was upon us, we could wait no longer. My duty to the gods forbade that I interfere in their will and it was with a heavy heart that I commenced the ceremony of sacrifice. Your son showed bravery beyond his years Stoick as the ritual commenced. Can you forgive me for what nearly took place?" she asked a note of desperation in her voice as she asked for forgiveness.

Stoick bowed to the Elder.

"Reverend Elder, the decision was his to make and our pride in him surpasses anything I can put into words. I just thank Thor that we arrived in time."

The Elder nodded.

"As am I, when the symbol of Thor came crashing into our midst I feared the Gods anger but when he pulled the boy from the flames I knew then that there was still hope," she said in reverence.

Hiccup was confused for a moment, symbol of Thor? Then he realised that she meant Toothless, a Night Fury was the unholy offspring of Lightning and Death itself. Lightning was a symbol of Thor's might.

The Elder glanced at the sky before looked around the beach expectantly.

"Where are your offerings? The ritual has commenced but there is still time to present them to the Gods if we hurry," she said looking at Stoick.

Stoick hung his head.

"There are no offerings reverend Elder. Our remaining stocks were destroyed in an attack by our enemies," he said gesturing to the huddle of prisoners.

"We had nothing left to bring. I have returned not to make sacrifice but to beg you to release my son back to me. The tribe will not be making an offering. We accept the consequences."

Again the finality of his father's tone shocked Hiccup, his mind reeling at the consequences of this decision. He looked up and his eyes met the Elders. At that moment he knew, he knew that however hard he struggled or tried to avoid it fate had a laid out a plan for him. It was time to stop running, stop hiding. It was time to face what the Gods had planned for him and he sighed as he pushed himself free of Astrid to stand on his own. His eyes met the Elders again.

"Take me, I am ready," he said simply.

"Hiccup...what...," Astrid said in alarm as he freed himself from her. At the same time his father spun round to look at him.

"Hiccup...no...I meant what I said. The tribe accepts the consequences, they..." but his protests were cut short by Hiccups calm voice.

"But I don't," Hiccup said meeting his father's eyes.

"Hiccup..." Stoick tried again, fear rising in him at the look in his son's eyes and reached for him but Hiccup stepped back, looking at his father his green eyes sad as he made his decision. Hiccup looked across at the Elder.

"I am still the nominated sacrifice for my tribe and I'm willing to give myself to the gods so that they can live. Is there still time?" He asked his voice calmer then it should have been.

The Elders closed her eyes in deep sadness and nodded her head gently.

"Yes there is still time," she said her voice laced with anguish at what the boy was asking her to do. She turned her eyes to the sky once again. It was dark with angry storm clouds and the lowering sun hidden by their dark embrace as the seventh day began its decline. Thor was still there, watching, waiting, waiting for the last sacrifice to be made. She looked back at Hiccup her eyes sad.

"We must hurry," she said.

Hiccup nodded and then turned to Astrid. Their eyes met and he smiled at her, taking her shaking hands in his own. Her eyes began to fill with tears. She knew what he planned to do.

"Hiccup no," Astrid exclaimed in a frightened voice as she grabbed hold of his hands desperately.

He smiled at her again and she collapsed into his arms sobbing. He held her tightly.

"Astrid, I'm honoured that the tribe chose me over themselves but I have to do this. It's my duty to them. Please understand," he said quietly.

"Hiccup please...please, don't do this...," she sobbed.

Hiccup squeezed her tighter. The pain of his wounds nothing to him now compared to the pain in his heart as he held the only woman he had ever loved close to him.

"I love you Astrid, I always have," he said as he buried his face in her hair.

"I...I have to go Astrid."

"No...no you don't...Hiccup please...please...what will I do without you?" she sobbed harder holding him tighter, burying her face in his chest. If she held him tight he wouldn't be able to leave her.

"You'll do what you always do. Fight on...live. Live for me," he said his voice failing as he pulled away.

He kissed the top of her forehead.

"Thank you...thank you for choosing me," he said his voice thick with emotion as he hugged her tightly one last time and then slowly began to unwrap her arms from him. She made to grab at him, latch onto his tunic, desperate to keep hold but she was pulled away by Gobber. Gobber looked at his apprentice for a brief moment and then turned his head away in grief holding tightly to the now struggling Astrid.

"Hiccup you're not doing this, I won't let you," Stoick said, panic evident in his voice as Hiccup moved slowly towards the Elder.

Hiccup looked at him again and they shared a look that Stoick would remember till the end of his days. The sense of duty that he had tried so hard to instil in his son was now there in his eyes, burning brightly as Hiccup looked at his father. Stoick should have been rejoicing to see the chief that his son was destined to be shine through but he was not. The duty that he had desperately wanted Hiccup to understand was about to take him from him forever.

"Dad...please...please don't make this harder than it already is," Hiccup said his voice chocking as he looked at his father for the last time.

Stoick made to grab his son but at a desperate look from Hiccup the Elder signalled to the guards around her to block and hold him. In fact they moved to separate them all from Hiccup. Hiccup looked at her in gratitude.

Toothless had now begun to realise that something was terribly wrong with his rider and began to come forward, towards Hiccup. He began to bark in concern as the guards surrounded him and lay low with a growl ready to pounce and blast them out of the way to get to Hiccup.

"Toothless No," Hiccup shouted and at his friends command Toothless held back the deadly blast.

Hiccup limped forward and placed his hand on Toothless's snout, just as he had done the first time they had met. Toothless closed his eyes and whimpered a little as he leaned into the touch.

"Toothless...this won't help me. I have to do this...I don't have a choice." Hiccup said as he leaned into the dragon and wrapped his arms around his thick neck.

"Please bud this is hard enough. I need you to understand. I need you to be strong for me. I'm relying on you to look after Astrid and my father for me...when I'm gone," Hiccup said his voice finally giving into the grief as he said the last of his goodbyes.

"Promise me," he said as he pulled back and looked Toothless in the eye.

Toothless's eyes widened in understanding and let out a small sad chirp of agreement.

"Thank you bud...for everything," Hiccup said finally before stepping back and letting the guards come forward again.

"Hold him but please don't hurt him," Hiccup said as tears began to fall down his face as Toothless began to let out panicked barks as Hiccup moved away and he was secured by the guards.

Hiccup looked at the sky and noticed that the light was fading fast. Time was running out. Trying to ignore the cries from his loved ones and friends as they fought to break free and reach him Hiccup looked at the Elder his eyes heavy with sadness now.

"One request," he said in a small voice.

"Not here, not in front of them," and bowed his head in final resignation. The Elder nodded and began to walk across the beach to where a rocky spur jutted out. Hiccup followed, his feet feeling heavy as he made his final walk. One of the guards followed behind them.

As they moved away he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the anguished cries and shouts as they called for him to come back, telling him that he didn't need to do this, that they loved him. Their cries tore at his heart and he felt it break. This was the hardest and last thing he would ever do. He wanted it over with. He wanted the pain gone.

They rounded the spur and the Elder turned to him.

"Are you ready," she said in a barely audible voice.

Hiccup didn't answer he just fell to his knees and bowed his head, hugging his injured right arm close to his body with his left.

The guard that had followed them took up a position behind him and slowly drew a blade from his belt. He looked at the Elder who nodded slightly before glancing back up at the sky. The guard gently laced his fingers in the boy's hair and pulled his head and body back against his own. Hiccup made no resistance, just squeezed his eyes shut. He could feel the thin form trembling against him and the guard swallowed nervously before tilting the boy's head back and to the side, exposing his throat. As he placed the sharp edge of the blade against the boy's throat the boy let out a small whimper but made no further sound. He felt his eyes prick with tears. He was a hardened battle veteran, used to the sight of blood and death and had taken many a life in his time as a warrior before seeking the quiet and refuge of the temple but this was different, this was not a warrior felled in battle. This was a young man kneeling before him, unbound, giving his life freely and waiting patiently to die. He felt his nerve begin to break. Never had he been required to take the life of a child.

He glanced down at the boy again and felt shame rise in him as he admired the boy's bravery and courage. He dishonoured this brave youth with his fear and with this thought he steeled himself for what his duty required him to do. He would make it quick, just like he did with the animal sacrifices. He would not let the boy suffer. Pressing the knife firmer against the boy's throat he looked at the Elder, waiting for the signal to proceed.

The Elder began to repeat the prayer of offering.

"Thor, accept this child's courage and sacrifice, freely given to you to show his tribes dedication and commitment to peace. Do you accept what is freely given?"

She looked to the sky.

Hiccup squeezed his eyes shut tighter and waited for the end.