Chapter 17 – Future
As the clouds rolled back and the evening sun turning the shingle from white to a deep shade of blood red there should have been rejoicing and celebration as the offering period came to an end. The storm that had raged since the Time of offering had begun was now gone, the sky left clear and promising. It was a sign that Thor had accepted the offerings made to him and that he had left for another year, freeing the sky from his iron grip to allow a new year to be born. However, there were no celebrations, no happiness experienced by those that witnessed it. To them it did not symbolise rebirth. It symbolised pain and death, the pain of hearts forever broken and the evidence that a terrible price had been paid.
Stoick looked to the sky as he watched Thor depart and he felt the world around him crumble. He had seen this many times at the end of the offering time, and had often raised a mug of mead in celebration with his fellow Chiefs, but not this time. This time he wanted to take his sword and plunge it into his heart to end the pain that had settled there. Thor was gone, bestowing his blessing upon them but he knew. He knew that it could only mean one thing. His son was dead.
At this realisation he let out a mournful cry and howled at the gods in anguish before collapsing in the arms of the temple guards that still held him. His weight became too much for them in the end and he fell to the ground still howling his grief, digging his clawed hands painfully into the shingle in anguish. He sobbed, sobbed so hard he thought his lungs would burst. Why...why had this happened? He may not have always realised how much he loved Hiccup or treated him in a way a father should, but he had tried to make amends. Tried to be the father that Hiccup needed, but just when progress had been made he had been taken from him. In the blink of an eye he had let him slip through his fingers and lost the one thing that had meant the world to him. No man should have to bury their own child but he was cursed, cursed to lose his wife and now his son. Both dying bravely, but both still lost to him forever.
Till now Gobber had kept his hold on the struggling Astrid but at hearing the grief stricken howl from his friend's lips his arms had become heavy and fallen to his side. He too had seen the sky clear like this before. He too knew what Stoick's howl of grief meant. He just couldn't bring himself to believe it, but there was no other explanation. Hiccup...was dead.
As Gobber's arm relaxed Astrid pulled herself free and flung herself towards Stoick, landing on her knees beside him. She grabbed his arm with both hands and held onto him tightly, clutching desperately. She had heard his cry but her mind couldn't comprehend what it meant. She looked at him, eyes wide seeking an answer other than the one she knew deep down in her heart she was avoiding.
"Chief...?" she choked, the sound of desperation evident in her voice.
"Chief..." she said again.
The panic began to rise in her as he did not turn to her and his shoulders continuing to shake violently with his sobs. She clung more desperately to him now, her mind reeling. No...No it couldn't be true. Hiccup wouldn't...couldn't be... Then Stoick turned to her and her world ended.
"He's gone Astrid...my son...Hiccup is gone," he said quietly his throat tight with grief.
At those words she flung herself into his arms and sobbed harder then she had ever done before. She wanted to die, the horror of her grief overwhelming her as she heard those terrible words. She felt Stoick's strong arms wrap around her and rock her as her own howls of grief joined his.
Around them the rest of them stayed silent. Some cried, some hugged each other but all unable to comprehend what had just taken place. After everything they had been through, everything they had fought to save the end had been the same. The reality of what Hiccup had done for them was just too much to take in, the thought that he was dead too much to accept. From that moment they realised that life would never be the same again.
It was sometime later that a figure appeared from the other side of the rocky spur. She moved slowly towards them and was nearly upon them before Gobber noticed her approach.
"Stoick," he said, his voice strained from the emotion of what he was trying to come to terms with.
Absently Stoick looked up from where he held the shaking and sobbing Astrid close to him. His own shoulders still shaking as tears continued to poor down his face, soaking his beard. He watched the Elders approach and an intense feeling of anger grew within him. How dare she come to him, how dare she even think to speak to him after what she had allowed to happen. He wanted to strike the old woman down, make her pay for the loss of Hiccup but at this thought he felt a warm breeze on his face, like a hand caressing his cheek and immediately the anger died away.
A vision of Hiccup came to him, his green eyes dark with disapproval and disappointment as he looked at his father, a father who was making yet another rash decision. Stoick felt shame rise within him. A strange feeling as it mingled with his sorrow but he understood its meaning. Hiccup had made the ultimate sacrifice for them to ensure peace would prevail and here he was ready to sully that sacrifice with such terrible violence. Hiccup had chosen his path it wasn't the Elders fault. She had just carried out the will of the Gods as was her duty. Did he really have the right to argue with them even though the cost had been so high?
She reached them and looked deeply at the group taking in their grief.
"Chief Stoick the offering period has past, Thor has blessed your tribe and accepted your sacrifice," she said her voice measured and even.
Stoick looked at her once then turned his head away, holding Astrid tighter.
"The price was too high," he managed to choke out.
Gobber came forward and placed a sad hand on his friends shoulder. The loss of Hiccup was still something that his mind could not accept. It was a terrible nightmare that he would soon wake from. In his mind he saw Hiccup as he remembered him. Bouncing up and down in excitement, they way he always did when he was explained the details of his next crazy plan or invention. For a moment he almost believed it was real but then reality came back to him and Gobber shook his head. It would never be like that again, it would never be the same. He looked at the Elder, silent tears streaming down his face.
"D...Did he suffer?...Was...was it quick?" he managed to say before his throat seized up and he griped his friends shoulder tighter as Stoick gave another great heaving sob.
The Elder looked at them again surveying the group closely, their loss great and evident. Then she smiled.
"You can ask him that yourselves," she said.
It took a little while for her words to sink in but gradually they did.
Stoick looked up, the anger back now. How dare she...was this some kind of sick joke. He was about to say something when Gobber's hand tightened on his shoulder again.
"Stoick...Stoick look," Gobber said urgently pointing with his hook. The rest of the group let out a gasp and Stoick had to lean to the side to see around the Elder.
"Oh...dear Odin...it can't be...," he breathed.
Astrid heard this and she pulled herself from the cocoon of grief that she had brought around herself and looked to where everyone was focused. Before she was even aware of her actions she had ripped herself from Stoick's grasp and was running, stumbling across the uneven surface of the beach.
Around the outcrop had appeared the large figure of the guard that had followed Hiccup and the Elder. Limping and leaning heavily on his arm for support was a tall, thin figure in a burnt and blackened tunic.
Astrid was upon them in a blink of an eye and she threw her arms around Hiccups neck, hugging him tight enough to knock the breath from him. If he even still had breath to give? Her sudden weight brought them both to their knees on the stony surface.
"H...Hiccup...oh Gods please tell me it's you...please tell me this is real," Astrid sobbed as she held him tight.
Gingerly he lifted his arms and wrapped them around her.
"It's real...I'm real..." he said quietly as he tried his best to hold her.
"Gods Hiccup...I...I thought I had lost you," she sobbed into his shoulder, her embrace almost suffocating him.
He buried his own face in her shoulder and tried to comfort her.
"Astrid...I'm alright...I...I think it's over," he said in a shaky voice as he held her back, the warm feel of her body against his making this feel real, making him feel alive.
She pulled back from him a little and placed her hand to his face to caress his pale cheek.
"Oh Gods Hiccup, tell me this isn't a dream. Tell me you really are here. Tell me I'm not going to wake up and find you gone," she said leaning into him and touching her forehead to his, closing her eyes, praying.
Hiccup leaned into her and kissed her lips gently.
"Is that real enough for you?" He said before leaning into her and closing his own eyes.
There was the rapid crunching of feet across the shingle as the others ran towards them. His father reached them first and as he did so he sank to his own knees beside his son. He reached out a tentative, shaking hand and paused for a moment before running his hand through his son's hair.
"Hiccup...," he said quietly, afraid that this would turn out to be a vision sent to taunt him, afraid that Hiccup would vanish at his touch but the form before him gave a small smile and placed its hand on his own. The hand was cold but real. Stoick let out a cry of relief and threw his arms around both Hiccup and Astrid, drawing them both into a tight embrace.
"Oww...Dad...can't breathe," Hiccup managed to say from within his fathers bear like hug. Stoick released the pressure a little but did not let his son go.
"Hiccup...I thought...I thought you were...," he started to say but could not finish.
Hiccup looked at his father.
"I nearly was Dad...I'm not quite sure what happened," he said uncertainly.
Stoick smiled in relief and happiness at Hiccup. He didn't care what had happened. He didn't care if Hiccup had changed his mind at the last minute. All he cared about was that he was alive.
"It doesn't matter Hiccup, no one will think less of you for changing your mind. All that matters is that you're alive and back with us," he said leaning in and placing a chaste fatherly kiss to the top of his son's head but at this Hiccup shook his head and pulled back.
"No Dad...you don't understand. I didn't change my mind. I...I won't deny I was terrified but I was fully prepared to go through with it but just as I was expecting the knife to take my life the Elder said...said it was over."
Stoick looked at his son and saw that he was telling the truth. Hiccup was confused that much was clear. The news that Hiccup had come so close to death made his insides cold but he had no explanation to give his son.
Hiccup then hung his head a little as though in shame and his voice lowered to barely a whisper.
"Maybe...maybe I did something wrong. Maybe I was...my fear made me...made me unworthy," he finished his eyes on the ground.
Stoick hugged his son tighter.
"Oh my boy, no one can ever think that. Your bravery today would put any hardened warrior to shame," he said his voice choked with pride this time rather then grief.
Hiccup looked up at him and then to Astrid.
"I just don't understand," he said simply before looking around for the Elder. She was standing just outside the little circle, waiting. As he looked at her she shuffled forwards.
"Explain," Stoick said as she reached them.
"Chief Stoick I will try to explain all but first let me say that in all my years of serving this temple I have never borne witness to an event like this. Your son is truly blessed by the gods. There is no doubt in my mind now," she said as she looked at father and then to son.
"Hiccup your sacrifice was fully accepted by the Gods and will ensure that you and your tribe are blessed for many years to come."
Hiccup shook his head.
"But...but what sacrifice? Nothing happened. Wasn't I meant to die?" He said still uncertain and confused.
She nodded.
"I must confess that I thought the same and indeed if you had died in the offering pyre that may well have been the case but I believe that something changed that."
Hiccup just continued to look at her in confusion. She smiled at him.
"Hiccup you were prepared on both occasions to give your life for your tribe, no one doubts that. Few could have found the courage to do what you have done today, but here on this beach your actions made all the difference. You chose to make the ultimate sacrifice and give everything for your tribe. You willingly offered your life without coerce or question and knelt on this very beach, unbound and allowed the sacrificial knife to be pressed to you. You did not fight or struggle you just waited, waited for the gods to take you. In your own mind the sacrifice had been made, you had accepted your death, accepted that you would leave this world, your future, friends, family and love ones behind. All that remained was the act itself. That was the sacrifice that Gods accepted in the end. They did not require your actual life, your willingness and courage to give it, to give up everything was enough."
Hiccup looked at Astrid and she saw the confusion on his face and then she noticed it. The thin red line on the side of his neck and she reached up to touch it. Her fingers came back tinted red, red with his blood.
"Oh Gods Hiccup...its true...its all true," she stammered as she realised how close she had come to loosing him.
"It was the only thing to do to save the tribe," he said, his voice quiet but still laced with the determination that she had heard and seen in him before.
She drew him to her once again, overwhelmed at what he had been prepared to do, and now she was determined. More determined than she had ever been in her life, determined that now they had given him back to her she would never let him out of her sight ever again.
Hiccup looked up to the Elder again.
"So...is it over? Is the tribe safe? Can...can I go home?" He asked desperate to hear her say the words, desperate to see truth and not lies in her face.
She smiled and nodded before bowing to him.
"Yes Hiccup it is over. The gods have blessed your tribe and you and they are free," she said and he felt his heart swell with joy and finally immense relief as the new reality flooded over him. It was over it was really, finally over this time. He could go home.
At this the group broke into loud cheers and celebration. The nightmare was finally over.
The celebrations on the beach continued for several long minutes and there were many hugs, handshakes and slaps on the back between them as they began to fully realise that the terrible events of the last few days had past.
Hiccup endured it all whilst still being held tightly by Astrid. She would not let him go. Not that he was complaining, to feel her so close made him feel alive. Made this all feel real but he was tiring fast. His body and mind starting to fail him now, unable to take the pressure and abuse that they had been subjected to any longer. He felt his vision begin to cloud but before he could let people know what was wrong a strong pair of hands looped under his arms and tried to lift him to his feet. At first he tried to protest but at their insistence he allowed himself to pulled upright. He tried to stand he really did but just as he had made it to his feet he was falling again. As he collapsed the celebratory voices faded and then ceased altogether.
"Hiccup...Hiccup...," he heard Astrid say and he sluggishly opened his eyes, looking up at a swimming sea of faces above him. She was beside him now, his father beside her. They both were looking down at him in concern and alarm.
"S...sorry," mumbled trying to find a way to explain what was wrong but he just couldn't form the words. He was too exhausted.
The Elder then appeared and he could just make out her face as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and smiled.
"Rest Hiccup, it's over now," she said in understanding and at this simple instruction he closed his eyes and for the second time that day the world went dark.
Hiccup let out an inward groan as his body began to push him unwillingly towards consciousness. He just wanted to rest, sleep for a year if necessary but it seemed that his body was having none of it. As he began to wake he realised that there were voices around him. The voices were hushed as though the owners were trying not to disturb him, one male and one female but it was too late and he cracked his eyes open cautiously.
He tried to take in where he was. He was laying down on what he supposed was a bed, a thick warm fur pulled up to his chest. The room was small and dimly lit by candle light. It was also quiet, apart from the hushed whispering voices. He recognised them now as Symon's and Astrid's and they were coming from a little to the left of the bed. He opened his eyes fully now and turned his head to see them. They were standing close to a doorway talking quietly to each other.
"Shhhh you'll wake him if you're not careful," Symon said placing a finger to his lips.
"I know, I know. I'm just worried," Astrid said and the sound of her voice made his heart beat faster and he smiled. It was good to be alive.
"Can't a Viking get any sleep around here?" He said quietly, his voice laced with amusement as he let the pair know that he was awake.
They looked across at him in surprise and he smiled at them. They were both at his side in a heartbeat and looking at him with concern. Astrid came to his side and took his hand tightly in her own.
"Oh thank Thor," she said in relief as she raised her other hand to stroke his hair.
"I think Thor has done quite enough with me for one day," Hiccup said jokingly.
Astrid smiled at him and playfully pushed his shoulder in a feeble attempt at her normal punch. He let out a soft chuckle but it ended in a coughing fit. Astrid's face turned to concern and she let his hand go to pick up a cup of water from the table beside the bed. She brought it to his lips and supported his head as he drank gratefully. When he was done she placed the cup back on the table and looked hard at him.
"I was beginning to think you wouldn't wake," she said.
Hiccup looked at her and frowned.
"Why, how long have I been asleep?" He asked.
"Two days. Ever since you collapsed on the beach," Symon said.
"Two days!" Hiccup exclaimed in alarm. How could he have been asleep for two days? What had happened whilst he had slept? Had it all been a dream or was it real?
Astrid noticed the frantic look in his eyes and squeezed his hand in comfort, realising that he probably didn't remember much.
"It's all right Hiccup it's over. The tribe is safe and the boats are being repaired as we speak. As soon as they're fixed we can go home," she said smiling at him.
Hiccup calmed down at this news.
"So it wasn't a dream," he said in relief as he tried to lift his right arm, wincing in pain as he moved a little too quickly.
"No definitely not a dream," he said before trying again, more gently this time and noticed the thick white bandages around it. He looked at them remembering why they were there and how the injury had been gained.
Astrid looked at the bandages as well and quickly turned her head away. She hated seeing them. It reminded her of how close she had come to losing him and her heart still ached at the prospect. She felt tears prick her eyes at the thought and she kept her eyes averted from him, not wanting him to see her break down.
Hiccup saw this and reached out to take her hand in his, squeezing it gently.
"Hey. It's Ok," he said trying to comfort her.
Seeing that they needed a moment alone Symon stood.
"I'll go tell the Elder and your father that you're awake," he said moving to the door and leaving.
When they were alone Hiccup tugged Astrid's hand to get her to look at him.
"Astrid..?"
He didn't feel strong enough to sit up just yet but he wanted her to look at him. At getting no response from her he tried to do just that. He didn't get far because Astrid looked at him then and placed her hands firmly on his shoulders to keep him down.
"Don't you dare," she said fiercely.
"Astrid...," he started to say again and then stopped as he noticed the silent tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Y...you stupid...you idiot...," she said brokenly and Hiccup noticed an edge of anger to her voice.
At first he was confused. What had he done to get her angry and then he realised. He had scared her and Astrid didn't like being scared.
"Astrid, help me to sit," he said gently.
At first it looked like she was about to protest but in the end she sat beside him and put an arm around his shoulders helping him to sit. She placed a pillow behind him once he was upright and then looked away again.
Now sitting he reached again for her hand. She did not pull away but refused to look at him. He then reached up with his bandaged arm and gently stroked her cheek.
"Astrid, look at me. Don't make me get out this bed and come round to you," he said hoping that his threat would make her look at him. It did.
She turned to him and he saw the tears once again. This time he brushed them aside with his bandaged hand.
"Astrid it's alright. It's over now," he said gently.
She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes, squeezing his hand tighter.
"It nearly wasn't...I thought I had lost you...back on the beach. When you left us I felt my heart break...I...I was so frightened...frightened that I was going to lose you," she said, her voice wavering with emotion.
Hiccup understood. He had felt the same in his heart. The walk away from them had been the hardest thing he had ever done. Not only in that he had believed he was walking to his death but that he was leaving his love ones behind and would never see them again.
"I know Astrid...I felt the same. It was difficult...so difficult to do, but you understand why I had to do it," he said.
She nodded against his palm.
"Why Hiccup...why does it always have to be you?" She said looking at him now, her deep blue eyes fixed on him.
Hiccup gave a small smile.
"I don't know Astrid. I wish I did but I don't. Guess I'm just destined to be unusual and difficult."
He had meant it as a joke, referring to his 'Hiccupness' but she continued to look at him deeply and seriously.
"Hiccup it's not a joke. You're different in every sense of what a Viking is meant to be. You don't look like a Viking. You don't act like a Viking. You don't following the rules or care for traditions. You push the boundaries of what we think is the norm and you will stand when others would turn and run. I think the Elder is right I think that the Gods really do have a plan for you."
Hiccup dropped his eyes to his lap taking in her words and his heart gave a lurch. What she said was true, he couldn't deny it but it was the way she had said it. It was almost as though it frightened her, hell it frightened him but did that mean...was she saying that it was too much for her? Had she changed her mind about him?
"Is that a bad thing?" He said uncertainly and began to lower his hand from her face but she grabbed it and held it firm.
"No and that's what makes me love you as much as I do," she said.
He looked up at her and their eyes met, the love they had for each other was so evident, so raw in that look that in that instance all doubt and fears passed.
She smiled at him and cupped his face with her free hand.
"I like you being different Hiccup and I don't care what future the Gods have planned for you. All that matters is that you're mine. One thing is going to change from now on though. If they want you then they will have to take me along for the ride because I'm not letting you out of my sight ever again. You may be the most unorthodox Viking that has ever lived but you're my unorthodox Viking and I love you."
Hiccup raised his hand to cup the back of her head and pulled her closer to him.
"I love you Astrid, I love you so much it hurts deep inside," he said his voice raw with emotion as he placed the hand he held against his chest, over his pounding heart.
They were close now and could feel each other's fast warm breath against each other's skin. Their eyes met and then their lips, both leaning desperately into each other as they met somewhere in the middle. It was different this time. Not the tentative nervous kiss of teenagers still finding their way in love but the deep tender, passionate kiss of two adults realising fully for the first time how deeply their love really ran.
As they broke away slowly they kept eye contact with each other and shared a smiled. Hiccup raised his hand and tenderly brushed a strand of Astrid's hair from her face.
"Wow," he said a little breathless and she smiled, still panting a little.
The passion of the kiss had taken them both by surprise.
"I should get myself in mortal peril more often," he said but quickly leaned back when he saw Astrid's arm twitch and a well recognised smile curl at the corner of her mouth. The smile he normal got before receiving a punch on the arm.
"I'm Kidding," he said quickly.
"I'm glad," a deep voice said from the doorway. Hiccups father was standing there and Hiccup wondered for how long. He had a strange wistful look on his face as he looked between the pair. He came forward then and took a place on the other side of the bed.
"How are you feeling?" Stoick asked as he looked Hiccup over.
"Sore," Hiccup said honestly.
Stoick nodded, it was to be expected and it upset him to see Hiccup in pain but to see him awake and talking was a great comfort and relief. Stoick reached out a hand to stroke gently at Hiccups hair.
"Oh my boy, you do know how to give your old man grey hair I'll give you that," he said affectionately.
"Sorry," Hiccup said, feeling guilty that he caused his father distress.
Stoick's face became hard.
"Don't be. What you have done and achieved for the tribe these last few days is beyond comprehension. Thanks to you the tribe is safe and able to cement many treaties to protect and ensure it prospers for many years. Then there is the Gods blessings that you have earned for us," he said as he looked at Hiccup.
He took a deep breath not sure if this was the right moment but needing to ask the question that he had set himself to ask.
"Hiccup, I think you're ready to take over from me...if you want to," he said earnestly and looked deeply at his son.
Hiccups eyes opened wide in alarm.
"W...What! What now...take over now?" He stammered glancing between Astrid and his father in panic.
"If you want to...if you feel ready," his father said continuing to look at him hard.
Hiccup looked at his father in disbelief.
"Dad I'm honoured, I really am but I'm not ready. Hell I've only just stated to take everything seriously. I've still got so much to learn from you and there are things I still want to see, to do before I become chief," he said quickly.
He said the last part whilst looking at Astrid. She smiled at him as if in understanding. There was something he wanted to do and it would be soon. He had promised himself that and he wouldn't delay much longer. He just needed to get everything in place before he took the plunge. He looked back at his father.
"Is that...is that Ok?" He said tentatively hoping that he hadn't offended his father in refusing.
Stoick gave him a broad smile and placed a hand on his shoulder in reassurance.
"Its fine Hiccup, more than fine in fact and I'm please to hear to talk like that. I'll make a diplomat of you yet," he said still smiling
He then paused.
"I've always loved you Hiccup and I know that have not always shown it. I'm ashamed to say that when you were younger I was embarrassed of you but I was wrong, so wrong. I didn't understand you back then like I do now. I want you to understand that in all my years as chief its not what I've done as a leader that I see as my greatest achievement its having you as my son. I'm proud of you Hiccup and I know your mother would be to," he said sombrely.
"Can you forgive me?"
Hiccup looked at him and then leaned forwards, reaching for his father and drew him into an awkward hug as Stoick leaned towards him.
"Dad, I never blamed you in the first place of course I forgive you," he said before pulling back and looking at his father.
At the mention of his mother Hiccup was about to tell him of his experience just after Toothless had pulled him from the flames but at seeing his fathers look Hiccup thought better of it. He would tell him later.
Stoick smiled and nodded before squeezing Hiccups shoulder once more and standing.
"Get some rest we still have a few days before we can go home so make the most of it."
Then he looked at Hiccup again, a serious but contented look on his face.
"I meant what I said Hiccup. You will make a great chief, and be the best of us I'll wager, but there is plenty of time. When the time is right, when you think you're ready we will talk again but your still young and I understand."
Hiccup looked at him in gratitude at his words
"Thanks Dad."
Stoick smiled again and left. Leaving the two alone one again. As he made his way down the corridor and out of the healer's quarters he was met by a temple guard.
"Chief Stoick, the Elder has requested your presence in the council chamber," he said with a small bow.
Stoick nodded in acknowledgement.
"I take it a meeting has been called."
The guard nodded.
"Yes, she said to tell you that the council are meeting to carry out the out casting of the Hysteric and Berserker tribes following your presentation of evidence."
Stoick's face split into a grin at this.
"She also said to tell you that once this has been done the receding of a certain law was to be discussed."
Stoick's grin grew even wider.
"I better not keep them waiting then," he said and with that set off towards the main hall a slight bounce in his step.
In a dramatic turn around to their plight only a few days before this day was certainly turning out to be a good one.