Chapter 3: It's Time Already?!

Night Fury Island

February 29

Dusk stepped into the den with a mouthful of fish. Approaching Sapphire, he lowered his head down and poured out the fish that he had caught just for her which she gratefully began to feast upon.

While she was eating, Dusk pressed his ear against one of their eggs, hoping to hear the sounds of scratching and squirming.

"Today's the day, I'm sure of it," he crooned excitedly.

Sapphire looked over at him and laughed her dragon laugh. "You've been saying that for the past three days and I've yet to see a single crack on those eggs."

"Well, today is most certainly the day," Dusk insisted.

He hoped he was right. After all, while the eggs of other creatures take a few weeks to hatch, dragon eggs hatched within a matter of days.

"Just try to be patient," Sapphire advised. "All births take time."

Then she stretched her legs and groaned slightly.

"I admit I hope they are born today. It's getting a little tiring sitting on them every day."

"Then, why don't you go for a quick flight and I'll watch over them for you?" Dusk offered.

Sapphire looked down at the eggs and then back up at him again. Dusk could easily see the hesitation in her gaze.

"I promise I won't let anything happen to them," Dusk assured her, wrapping his tail around the eggs. "I'm their father after all."

"And I'm grateful for that," Sapphire crooned.

"Not as grateful as I am to have you as my mate and their mother," Duskcrooned back.

Sapphire nodded before exiting the cage. Spreading her wings, she took off from the ground and up to the height of the trees outside.

Dusk watched her fly off with a relaxed expression then turned to look down at the eggs.

"I know you'll hatch today, my young ones. I can feel it."

…

Berk

Febraury 29

Stoick sat in the middle of one of the long tables in Berk's Great Hall. He looked up from the journal he was working on towards the corner where Valka sat not too far away from the table. Sitting beside her was her widowed mother, Valencia, a slim woman who always wore her ginger hair in a bun behind her head.

Earlier, Stoick had explained to Valencia how Valka had wanted to accompany Stoick this morning and he also told her about the cramp she had just experienced. Fortunately, Valencia had agreed to watch over Valka for him while he did his work.

Both Valka and Valencia seemed to catch his gaze because they waved at him with reassuring smiles and Stoick smiled and waved back before returning to his work. And what he was currently working on was another map and a few more notes on how to find the Hidden World of Dragons.

According to legend, the Hidden World was supposed to be the very place where dragons had originated from since the dawn of time and that it was located somewhere off the edge of the world. In his youth, Stoick had heard mariners and merchants tell stories of an enormous waterfall surrounding the entrance as well as dragons sitting there, keeping watch for any intruders. Any ships that had turned around were lucky but other ships that had sailed too close were not. Some people believed the stories and some didn't.

At one point, Stoick also shrugged those tales off as just more myths. Then again what if the Hidden World was real? If it was, then perhaps it would be the answer to all Vikings' problems with the dragons.

He knew that trying to locate the Hidden World would not be easy but if he could find it and close it for good, then all of humanity would finally be safe from all dragons.

He didn't like to admit it but deep down, he felt bad that once the Hidden World would be sealed up, the dragons who dwelled there would never come out of the open again. Still, it was for the good of all Vikings, especially his people. He cared deeply for everyone in the village and considered them a part of his family just as they considered him a part of their family.

At that moment, Gobber, the village blacksmith and his very dearest friend arrived beside him. Gobber had a wooden peg leg on his right side and attached to his left arm was a long hook. He had lost both his left hand and right leg to two respective Monstrous Nightmares the previous summer. Despite his losses, he was still as lively and sassy as ever.

"Mornin', Stoick!" he greeted cheerfully. "How's my favorite father-to-be?"

"Fine, Gobber, thanks," Stoick smiled.

"How about startin' the day with a wee swig of morning meade?" Gobber offered.

"Uh, maybe later, Gobber," Stoick declined politely. "I'm a little busy at the moment."

Gobber took a peek at the map Stoick was working on. "Ah, working another map of finding that Hidden World, eh?"

"Mmm-hmm," Stoick replied, still focused on the map.

"Another one?" came a new voice.

Both Stoick and Gobber looked up to see Spitelout Jorgenson standing near them.

"No offense my dear Chief, but you're getting too obsessed with that old sailors' tale when you've got more important things to worry about," the black-haired man said with a smug smile as he scratched his stubble.

"But this is important, Spitelout," Stoick insisted. "It's important that the Hidden World must be found so that it can be closed off and prevent more dragons from harming more humans."

"The rest of the world's humans can take care of themselves without our help," Spitelout pointed out. "How about spending more time locating that Thor-forsaken nest of the dragons that always harm us?"

"That's also part of the plan of locating the Hidden World," Stoick said firmly.

"How so, Chief?" Gobber asked.

"Once we find and destroy that nest, the dragons that live there will find someplace else to dwell and I'm sure that new home will be the very place from which their ancestors had come from. They will think that no human will ever come for them there just because it's off the edge of the world. But that's where they'll be wrong. For I, Stoick Haddock, will locate it thanks to years and years of work. And once I do, I will seal it up once and for all."

As he said this last part, Stoick turned his head away so Gobber and Spitelout wouldn't see the guilty expression on his face.

"And if you ever do locate it, how will you seal it up?" Gobber asked.

"Uh," Stoick started, looking back to his comrades. "That I'm still working on."

Spitelout burst into laughter. "Ha! Did you hear that Gobber? Our intelligent, brilliant Chief has plans of locating this fantasy world but he doesn't have plans to close it."

Gobber also burst into laughter until Stoick shot him an annoyed look and he instantly stopped.

"Face it, Stoick, you'll never find the Hidden World," Spitelout said. "You'll just die trying."

"Then I'll see to it that my child grows up knowing about it," Stoick said with grim determination. "If I don't finish the job of finding it, then he or she will."

"Ah," Spitelout said, holding up a finger. "But what if he or she doesn't want to find and destroy the Hidden World, hmm?"

"What are you talking about?" Stoick asked.

"What I'm talking about is that your future kid might not grow up wanting to kill dragons like the rest of us. What if he ends up taking after his mother and thinking those ridiculous ideas that dragons are good and not vicious just like her?" Then he began to speak in a falsetto voice. "'Oh, please don't hurt the dragons anymore! They're not as vicious as they look! There must be another answer to dealing with them. They don't mean to steal our food. They're just trying to survive like we are!'"

Stoick frowned at the sight of Spitelout mocking his wife. "I admit Valka's theories on the dragons are a little…weird. But I still love her."

"But will you still love the kid if he ever ends up like her?" Spitelout asked. "It's bad enough that we have one dragon activist on this island. But having two? I'm warning you, Stoick. No one on Berk is going to stand for that."

The three men were silent for a few seconds before Spitelout spoke up first.

"Well, good day to you, lads," he said, walking away as if their conversation was no big deal.

Stoick and Gobber watched as Spitelout walked away before turning to each other.

"You know, Stoick, I usually don't side with Spitelout but what if he's right? What if that wee one of yours does end up taking after Val and thinking that dragons are not dangerous?"

"In all these months I've been waiting for my child to be born, Gobber, I never thought about that even once." Stoick pressed his knuckles to his forehead. "Well, let me think about that."

But before he could even think, Ingrid Hofferson, arrived before them. Placing one hand on the table and the other against her pregnant stomach, she panted heavily.

"Stoick," she breathed through her panting.

"Ingrid Hofferson, what brings you here in a hurry?" Gobber asked.

"Come quick, it's Valka," Ingrid said urgently, still panting a little. "I think there's something wrong with her."

Stoick's eyes lit up in alarm. "What?"

In a flash, he rose from his chair and with Ingrid and Gobber close behind him, he headed for Valka's corner. Once he got there, he saw that some of the men and woman were standing close to that corner and murmuring. Over their murmurs, he could hear Valka sobbing quielty.

"Out of my way!" Stoick barked.

Everyone looked over their shoulders, startled by his appearance.

"You heard the boss!" Gobber added. "Everyone get back to your daily lives. This don't concern you."

Everyone backed up and Stoick was able to see Valka and Valencia sitting together. Valka was leaning against her mother, her head on her shoulder. Her eyes were closed tight as if she was in severe pain and Stoick could make out the tiny tears squeezing out of her shut eyes. Valencia had one had clasped tightly around her daughter's hand and was stroking her hair with the other.

Looking up, Valencia said with relief, "Stoick, I'm so glad you've come."

Kneeling down in front of them, Stoick gently placed a hand on Valka's shoulder. "Val? What's the matter? Tell me, honey."

Valka looked up at him, opening her tearful eyes.

"Go on, Val, tell Stoick what you just told me," Valencia encouraged.

"Is it the cramps again?" Stoick asked.

Her face still pained, Valka murmured, "Yes, but they're not cramps anymore. They're sharp pains. They feel much worse. You don't suppose…"

Stoick knew exactly what she was thinking. "I don't think so. I mean, at least I hope not."

"Ah!" Valka cried, shutting her eyes again.

"Shh," Stoick shushed, patting her shoulder. "Just try to ignore it, honey. We've got to get you back to the house. Valencia, you'd better come with us."

"Right-o, Stoick," Valencia said with authority.

"And Ingrid, I think you better come too," Stoick said, turning to the blonde woman.

"Me? Whatever for?" Ingrid asked, stunned.

"You're expecting a child as well, are you not?" Stoick pointed out.

"Well, yes."

"Then I may need your help."

"What can I do, Stoick?" Gobber asked.

"You will fetch Gothi and bring her to my house," Stoick instructed. "Tell her it's an emergency."

"Right, right, bring Gothi to your house, of course," Gobber muttered.

"Now, Gobber!" Stoick spat.

"I'm going!" Gobber squeaked, hurrying towards the door.

"All right, Val, on the count of three," Stoick said, wrapping one arm around Valka's shoulders and sliding the other under the backs of her knees. "One, two, three!"

At "three", he lifted her off the ground.

"All right, ladies follow me."

And he started off towards the door with Valka cradled in his arms and Valencia and Ingrid following close behind.

"Are you sure I'm not too heavy for you?" Valka asked, her arms wrapped around his neck.

"Don't worry about it," Stoick assured her. "Pregnant or not, you're still light as a feather to me."

Valka smiled weakly which made Stoick glad to see that in spite of her pain, she could never frown over his compliments. But when she groaned again and buried her face against his beard, he began to pick up the pace. Once the group walked through the doorway of the Haddock residence, Stoick turned to Valencia.

"Valencia, see that bucket near the table?"

"Yes, Stoick."

"Take it outside and fill it with snow," Stoick instructed.

"What's the snow for, Stoick?" Valka asked.

"For you, of course," Stoick answered matter-of-factly. "You'll be needing something to cool you down."

"Stoick's right, Val," Valencia said, picking up the bucket and heading for the door. "I'll be right back."

"We'll be upstairs," Stoick called after her.

Still carrying Valka, Stoick walked up the stairs to his and Valka's bedroom with Ingrid close behind. Ever so carefully, Stoick laid Valka down on the bed and with Ingrid's help, covered her up with the sheets. Valencia arrived a minute later carrying the bucket which was now filled with snow along with a washcloth that was already damp. Approaching one side of the bed, she pressed the damp cloth against Valka's forehead while Stoick remained on the other side, holding her hand and gently massaging her fingers with his own.

"Mom? Stoick?" Valka murmured.

"Yes, dear?" Valencia and Stoick said at the same time.

The husband and mother-in-law looked up in surprise at each other before sharing a smile.

"I'm scared," Valka admitted. "Not just for myself but for the baby as well."

"I know you are, sweetheart," Valencia said soothingly. "But Gobber will be here any minute with Gothi. She'll find out what's going on with you and I'm sure that whatever it is, it can't be too serious."

"And as for the baby," Stoick added. "I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you're going to be fine, it will be fine too. Our baby is a Haddock. It has Viking blood. Right?"

"Right," Valka said, forcing a smile.

"Ingrid, any reassurances?" Stoick asked, looking up at Ingrid.

"Uh, yes, Valka, you'll be just fine," Ingrid said.

A moment later, Gobber's voice rang out from the entrance. "Stoick, we're here!"

"We're upstairs, Gobber!" Stoick called.

Every one listened to the sounds of rapid footsteps coming up the stairs and Gobber appeared before them with Gothi the village elder and healer slumped over his shoulder. In his good hand was the long staff that Gothi always carried.

"Hope you enjoyed the ride, Gothi," Gobber said cheerfully as he set the short old lady down.

Gothi straightened out her long, braided graying black hair before glaring at Gobber, snatching her staff out of his hand and whacking him in the knee with it. Then softening her gaze, she approached the bed.

"Now tell the elder everything that had happened since this morning, Val," Stoick advised gently.

As Gothi examined her eyes, stomach and pulse, Valka explained, "Well, earlier this morning, I had felt a wee cramp in my stomach but it was only one and I was fine for the rest of the morning after that. But now they're back and they feel much worse."

Valka groaned again the minute she finished. The color drained from Gothi's face within seconds.

"What is it, Gothi?" Valencia asked worriedly.

Gothi quickly began to scribble symbols against the floor.

"Gobber, what is she saying?" Stoick asked.

"These cramps you're having, Valka, are a symptom I have seen in expecting mothers many, many times in my life," Gobber translated.

"A symptom of what?" Valencia asked, still worried.

"It is a sign that your babe is about to be born earlier than expected," Gobber translated, his face also draining of color.

"What?! No!" Valka cried, sitting up before clasping hands over her swollen stomach. "AH!"

"Valka!" Stoick exclaimed, gently pressing a hand to her shoulder and helping her lay back down.

"Save your strength, sweetheart," Valencia advised, also putting a hand on Valka's shoulder.

"But the baby can't be ready to be born now!" Valka protested. "It's too early! I only have two more months to go!"

While Gothi scribbled some more, Gobber translated, "Well, I'm afraid the baby can't wait two more months to be born."

"Maybe I can try to hold it in for two more months," Valka suggested, sweat dripping down her brow and more tears pouring out of her eyes. "I can try it, honest I can."

Gothi shook her head and scribbled some more.

"You can't do that, Valka," Gobber translated. "Holding the baby in will only be fatal for it and twice as fatal for you."

"I'm afraid Gothi's right sweetheart," Valencia said gently, brushing some stray hairs out of her daughter's face. "You'll have to bear my grandchild today whether the both of you are ready or not."

"Aye, Val, you have no other choice," Stoick added sadly, gently massaging her knuckles with his thumb.

Valka looked at her husband and mother with a defeated expression. "Very well. You're right."

Gothi scribbled another message.

"Stoick and Gobber, you'll have to leave while Valencia, Ingrid and I tend to Valka and eventually, the child," Gobber translated.

"Very well, Gothi," Stoick said, nodding.

"Right," Gobber said, also nodding.

"Must you go, dear?" Valka asked, looking up at her husband.

"I'm afraid I must," Stoick said sadly. "I still have a lot of work to do and you'll be in good hands with your mother, the elder and another mother-to-be."

"That's right, sweetheart," Valencia said, nodding.

"And once the baby is born, Ingrid here will come and fetch me and I'll be back to see our new son or daughter, won't you, Ingrid?" Stoick said, looking up at Ingrid.

"Of course, Stoick," said Ingrid importantly.

"You promise you'll come back to see our child, Stoick?" Valka asked.

"For you, my dear…" Stoick said as he lifted her chin with his fingers and leaned forward so that their foreheads were almost touching. "…anything."

And then he kissed her right on the lips for a good ten seconds before pulling away, his dark green eyes locking into her light green ones.

Just as he and Gobber were just starting to exit the bedroom, a thought occurred to him.

"Almost forgot something," he announced as he turned around.

Approaching the spot where he had just stood beside the bed, he removed his fur-lined chieftain's cloak and laid it on top of Valka like a blanket.

"You and the baby will need something to stay warm," he said.

"Thank you," Valka said, pulling the edges of the cloak up to her chin.

Stoick nodded and started to head down the stairs again.

"Come on, Stoick, whatever help you need today, you can count on me," Gobber said helpfully, wrapping good arm around Stoick's shoulders and walking down the stairs beside him.

"Thank you, Gobber," Stoick murmured.

It wasn't until he shut the front door, stepped outside and trudged down the steps with Gobber by his side that silent tears began to slide down his cheeks.