The Rebellion

by KatieMarie999

Growing Up Haddock Story 9: After years of plotting his revenge, Brandyn Anderson is back. Welcome to The Rebellion. Join Hiccup, Astrid, Fearless Finn, Adrianna, Erick and their friends on the epic conclusion to the Growing Up Haddock series. Will they prevail against evil, or will their entire world be destroyed? Only HTTYD and R/DoB are canon. T for limes and mature situations.

8. Oceans Rise

Happy July! And happy one year anniversary to The Rebellion! How crazy is it that this story is already a year old? I'm shook because it only feels like it's been a few months.

Thanks so much for all the amazing reviews for the last chapter. It's truly good to hear from everyone and read their thoughts and impressions. It's crazy how far we've come and how far we've got to go, but it's been a wild ride, and it'll be a wilder ride still. Hold onto your hats!

I took a bit of a break to get some reading done for a few weeks, and once it was over I was in in book hangover lol So it's taken me a good week and a half or so to really get back into writing, mainly because I needed to give my brain time to move on from said book hangover. Now that it's gone though, I was able to crank out scenes like crazy. I'm very proud of this chapter, for some reason it just SLAPS.

The story is picking up and I can't wait to get into the next chapter. Please enjoy and don't forget to review! Thanks for sticking with us, it's been a blast and we love you all :)

~Em

** Inspiration: Manifest by Audiomachine

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Chapter 8: Oceans Rise

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Astrid had begun to remember that there were many obnoxious things involved with being captured. Hunger and thirst had to be chief among them. Plus the stinging of wounds and the ache in her lungs. All these things she kept to herself though. There was no use in wallowing, and besides, Alton was clearly in worse shape than she was.

Besides, she was in better shape now than she had the last time she'd been captured.

Pushing the dark, painful memories of that old cell from her mind, Astrid kept a cool eye on Zuri as she treated Alton's wounds. Her dark skin shone under the lamp swinging back and forth on the chain above her shoulder. Her touch was both gentle and firm when needed. A healer's hands.

Many slaves had a specific job or role and clearly this was no different. The girl, who seemed to be in her mid-twenties, was clearly experienced. Astrid had no doubt that she'd seen many injuries, especially if she was under Viggo's thumb. She was tall and thin but… stalwart. She spoke to Alton in soft tones that she either thought didn't carry or she simply didn't care if Astrid heard what she said. But she did.

"This might hurt."

"No lies from the healer today?"

"Lies do not become us."

Zuri's accent was a little difficult to decipher at times, but she spoke Norse well enough. She must have been in the north for some time then, to know the language so well. Or perhaps she was a quick study.

"Hm. My brother-in-law's aunt… she's our village healer. Mara. She always said it would be a light prick and then you'd get a searing pain. Lies and deceit all the way."

A soft smile lifted Zuri's lips as she tied a new bandage around his bicep, covering the freshly cleaned cuts. Astrid had cringed at the sight of the stitched skin, healing but no less irritated. The stitches were even, clean. She must have done stitches a million times to have such a proficient hand.

"Sometimes we must take care with our words. If someone is in great pain, do we tell them it is alright? Or, if they are about to be in more pain, do we upset them by telling them to expect it, and their body reacts in ways they cannot control? It is difficult to say."

"So," Alton said, pausing to swallow. "In summary, selective lies become us then. When necessary."

Zuri stood back. "I suppose you are right." Her dark eyes flicked to Astrid but she said nothing. "I must change the bandages on your face. I saved those for last."

Alton pursed his lips and only nodded. Astrid wondered if these had been saved for last for his benefit or her's.

She watched in stoic silence as Zuri peeled off the wrapping covering the side of his face and stepped back to grab a fresh rag from her tray. Astrid sucked in a breath.

A long cut had been carved into his face, starting above his eyebrow and curving down around his eye, ending at the top of his cheekbone. Similar to the same cuts that Zuri herself must have received once, judging by the raised scars on her face.

"That bad, huh?"

Astrid stiffened, coming back to herself. She averted her eyes and said nothing. How could she be so stupid, to let him see her reaction, when it was his face-

"It's okay," Alton said in a low voice. He turned his face back toward the ceiling as Zuri returned. He grit his teeth as she set the cleaning cloth against the cut. "Bitter truths over sweet lies."

Despite herself, despite everything she knew in her heart that she needed to do to stay focused, to not let herself slip, Astrid's eyes burned. She remembered when Alton was just a toddler, running after his older brother with mischievous light in its eyes. Curt used to pick him up and swing him around, cackling and screaming, only stopping when Joan would scold him, only for fear of tearing the little boy's arms out of their sockets.

Curt would set his little brother down and watch him fight the dizziness. Little Alton stumbled a little but he always caught his footing. He never fell. And then he was off like a Terror, auburn hair bouncing in the wind.

Strangely enough, the mental image reminded her of Darin. And Finn. Her boys who had such reckless abandon and wide, joyful blue eyes.

She looked back at Alton as Zuri set a clean cloth on the cut, setting it with a sort of adhesive material similar to what Mara used to keep wrappings on. She thought of Clyde and Joan, who'd already lit the pyre of one fearless son.

This would not be his fate. To die alone here in the belly of this ship. She wouldn't allow it.

The creaking of hinges signaled the sound of heavy footsteps. Astrid scowled as Brandyn and four guards entered the room, all smirking. Viggo brought up the rear, scowling.

The hours-long discussion they'd had the night before had been… taxing. To reveal all her family's secrets to not only Viggo but to Alton and a complete stranger, Zuri, was something she never wanted to experience again. And yet there was something in Viggo's eyes that seemed to call out to her as he leaned against the far wall and crossed his arms.

Something like… sympathy, perhaps?

Astrid hissed through her teeth, glad for the distraction of the guards that hauled her to her feet. Viggo could take his gods-forsaken sympathy and-

"Congratulations, Astrid." Brandyn said, raising his voice over the clank of chains. "You've been upgraded to the Master Suite. No more cold cells, no more chit chats with Viggo. Aren't you pleased?"

Struggling against the guards, Astrid tried to launch herself forward to tear his eyes out with her bare hands, but the guards held her back. They were broad shouldered and chested. Why did the villains always seem to have a surplus of all the brawniest Vikings?

"Do try to behave, Astrid." Viggo said dryly. "Hiccup is already painfully worried about you, especially after tonight. We wouldn't want to prove any of his fears true."

Astrid went still, her already bruised hands going numb beneath the guards' iron grip. "What did you do?"

Brandyn smirked. "Oh, just sent him a message or two. I hope you didn't have any particular fondness for your axe. It's been disposed of."

"Oh don't you worry," Astrid said. "I have many."

"Yes, I've seen your collection. But you won't be going home to Berk for a while yet and by that point, it will be irrelevant. You won't ever hold a weapon in your hands again."

"Don't need one." Astrid said before striking out with her foot on the inner sole of the guard to her right, whom she noticed upon entry had seemed to be favoring his left knee.

He howled, reflexively reaching for his foot and didn't see her clamber up his body and kick off, sending herself and the other guard careening across the room.

They crashed to the floor and Astrid rolled, shoving her knee into the man's windpipe and wrenching her arm free. Before she could move a pair of strong arms banded around her chest and lifted her upward. She thrashed and kicked and bucked, but it was a wise move. She had very limited movement now.

Then a fist struck her in the stomach right beneath her rib cage.

All sound faded as she jack-knifed, gasping in pain. The guard holding her tightened his hold and she struggled now, fighting for air-

"Release her so she can breathe!" A dark voice shouted. Viggo.

A moment later she crashed to the floor, clutching her stomach and willing the pain to ease. Finally she sucked in a breath, her lungs and stomach positively aching. Still as the echoing pains began to fade she clawed back onto her hands and knees. She wouldn't let them see her like this, wouldn't-

Someone snatched her up by her hair and dragged her upward, slamming her into the iron wall behind her. She groaned at the pain radiating… everywhere. Brandyn's face was two inches from hers.

"My plan," he hissed. "Was only to send a box to Berk to make Hiccup think your head was in it. Don't make me actually send it."

Astrid went still. He… what?

A muscle flickered in Viggo's jaw over Brandyn's shoulder, even as Alton blanched a few paces away.

Oh… Hiccup.

"Yes, everything is very delicate at the moment. So unless you wish me to shatter him into a million pieces by sending you back in pieces, I suggest you get a grip." Brandyn added in a fierce whisper. Then, audaciously, he brushed a lock of her blonde hair off her cheekbone. "Strange. I know she has Hiccup's face. But this close, you remind me of her."

A spike of white hot rage shot through Astrid's chest at that, overwhelming the pain and frustration and anguish.

Viggo's dark eye flared and he tilted his jaw once, as if in a single solitary No.

He didn't want her to die here. But why? Why would he care?

Brandyn smirked. "Better." He released her and was instantly replaced by the three remaining guards. "Take her to my ship. We're on a tight schedule."

Astrid was hauled away but she yanked back. "Alton! Alton, don't give up! Whatever happens next, don't give up!" They hauled her away, but not before she saw a familiar stubbornness enter his eyes. He nodded and was gone as a bag was thrown over her head.

They trudged through darkness until they exited what she knew to be the creaky door that led to another hallway. Astrid did her best to memorize the way as they climbed multiple sets of stairs, her toes knocking into many on the way. After four flights, they paused, but only momentarily.

One of the guards bent and hauled her onto his shoulder, causing her to grunt as the top of her head hit someone's shoulder.

"Watch it, you big oaf."

The man grunted and began to climb… a ladder, she quickly surmised. He carelessly allowed her head to smack on the edge of the deck as the atmosphere began to change.

She was outside.

"Tyran, try not to addle her brains too much. I need her alert and in one piece."

"Sir."

There was a moment of open space and uneven wood beneath her feet, which made her think of Adrianna's stories of pirate ships and innocents forced to walk a rickety plank before being shoved off by swordpoint to their water grave.

Soon she was dragged onto more solid wood and onto another ship. She wished she could see something beyond the tiny holes of the black hood, but it was useless. Darkness had fallen and it did little to offer her any information as to their whereabouts.

A series of growls sounded at her ankles as they walked, laced with irritation. Astrid tried to place the species of dragon but it was too difficult over the sounds of shiphands shouting orders, the beating of sails and dragon wings, and heavy footfalls.

There had to be hundreds of people on this ship alone. Depending on its size and how many ships Brandyn had at his disposal…

"Hurry. I don't like not seeing what she's thinking. Her silence doesn't bode well."

Astrid smirked. "Nervous, Brandyn?"

Brandyn planted a hand on her back and shoved hard, but she expected it and only stumbled a few steps before catching her footing. "What's to be nervous about? I've got the key to Hiccup's heart right here."

"I could jump ship and drown, then you lose your leverage."

"Nah. See, this is why I'm the mastermind behind the plans, not you. See, if you kill yourself, it would give Hiccup a small amount of satisfaction that you had your way in the end and it would give him fuel to fight, despite the grief. Effective, but it doesn't quite have the same punch as killing you in front of him would."

"And you're trying to convince me not to kill myself because…"

"Because," Brandyn grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back against his chest so he could say into her ear. "You wouldn't take the coward's way out. Not even to save him."

He shoved her forward and she met open air.

Training kicked in as she rolled, grunting in pain as hips and shoulders and knees smacked into stairs. Mercifully she didn't hit her face on anything, at least not directly. Finally she slammed onto the floor with a groan. Her entire body ached. If Brandyn didn't quit knocking her around then she'd never have strength to fight…

She belatedly realized that was probably the plan.

Laughing, the men reached the bottom of the staircase and snatched her back off the floor.

The air was significantly colder here and the darkness even thicker, which meant they were now in the belly of Brandyn's ship. It certainly felt bigger than Viggo's, which had felt compact as it rocked on the waves. This ship felt broad and was teeming with hundreds of soldiers and dragons.

Soon a door was shoved open and Astrid was pushed into a chair. Footsteps exited the room just as quickly and in moments, the bag was ripped off her head.

She was in a fairly large office. Windows covered the entire back wall. On both sides of the room were bookcases and shelving units and on the walls were hung various exploits and treasures from apparent journeys, though Brandyn's own or another's, she'd never know. Maps and animal pelts, compasses and tapestries and even a massive colorful rug, likely from somewhere far away. Even two massive potted trees stood vigil on either side of the window, giving the room a touch of the outdoors that would have been lacking otherwise.

Astrid hoped that Brandyn hadn't decorated this place because whoever did had exceptional taste, and she wouldn't be caught dead thinking he had good taste in anything.

Brandyn walked around a broad oak desk, stained with a rich brown oil. It was covered in papers, folders, maps and writing utensils, all in efficient stacks. The organization was pristine and sent a familiar, distasteful pang through her, remembering how organized Brandyn's house had been when he'd lived on Berk.

Everything in its place. Everything as it should be. And yet, such organization could be predictable.

No doubt why having Viggo in his entourage made him nervous. He couldn't control Viggo, no matter how organized he was.

"Impressive, I know." Brandyn said, sitting at last and folding his arms behind his head as he leaned back in his chair. "This is where all the magic happens."

"Magic." Astrid scoffed. She glanced around the room at large, taking in the dozens of bookshelves filled to the brim with hundreds, if not thousands of books. "I thought you hated to read."

Brandyn laughed. "Oh Astrid. Do you think you ever truly knew me at all? No, I only hated reading Adrianna's pointless tripe." He glanced up at the ceiling. "Fiction is useless. But the real world… is wider and vaster than the mind can possibly consume. There are places so far from here that we could never dream of and yet they're full of beauty and wonder. No imagination could possibly compare."

"Once I might have agreed with you. But people do dream," Astrid said. "That's where stories come from. We dream, we see and experience things, we shape and mold and make stories of our own. If you're so knowledgeable of the world, then you should know better than to speak ill of art."

"Art? Who said we were talking about art?" Brandyn grinned, then shook his head. "There is a lot to be gained and learned from a world that has been grown and shaped by wars, by men and even women who saw something they wanted and were willing to pay whatever price to get it. Drawing and writing didn't do that. Ambition and sacrifice did that."

"Sacrifice?" Astrid demanded.

"Yes. It comes at no little cost to do the things we conquerors do."

Astrid shook her head. "What I would give for this entire fight to be centered around Viggo and not you."

Brandyn glared, as if offended. "Why? I don't see what the big deal is."

"Because you always underestimate the smartest in the room. Like Hiccup and Erick, Viggo-"

"Erick?" Brandyn scoffed. "Don't make me laugh." And yet he stood from his desk and began to pace, clearly agitated. "Larson is the definition of weak. He should have died on that platform, but no, I suppose that would have been too easy. Too convenient."

Astrid watched as he paced, hands clenched at his sides, blue eyes shadowed. Brandyn and Erick had always had a rivalry. Erick had never liked Brandyn and the feeling had been mutual; they'd eventually realized that Erick had a keen instinct, one that would not buy into Brandyn's lies. But Brandyn's hatred of Erick seemed to run much deeper than that.

"You're jealous."

Brandyn whipped around. "What?"

"You're jealous of Erick." Astrid could hardly say the words for how disgusting they were, but judging by his reaction, she knew she was right. "What are you jealous of exactly? That he actually is as smart as you? Or the fact that Adranna still chose him over you every time?"

Something flickered in his otherwise blank expression at that and he turned away, glaring out the massive window at the back of the ship. From this view, she could see the dozens of lines of ships moored in some harbor. Information she should have been compiling up until now, but she hadn't noticed.

Though her insides squirmed with distaste at the mere thought, Astrid wondered if, even in his own twisted, perverted way… if he actually had cared for Adrianna?

It was no excuse for how he'd treated her. He'd never deserved her. But even the most evil people could still care for someone, even if their motivations were entirely wrong, even if they didn't know what it was to truly love someone in the way they needed or in a way that was right.

But maybe… Brandyn hated Erick so much because he knew he lost.

"Adrianna was the key to everything."

Astrid blinked out of her thoughts. Brandyn was still turned away. His voice was low and contemplative, and he almost sounded… normal. The way he used to when he'd spend time at the Haddock house, shamelessly flirting with Adrianna over dinner or joking with Finn or even having debates with Hiccup. He'd fit into their family like a glove and it had all been a horrible, disgusting lie, and yet…

Brandyn crossed his arms. "I knew early on, even the first time I met her and Hiccup, that if I was going to do this, I'd have to be smart. I'd have to play my cards right. For a long time it was a game and it got easy. She was an easy target. A gift here, a kiss there, a flirtation there. It only got taxing after she grew up a little, when she stopped looking at me. When the things I'd say stopped mattering and I'd always find her looking at him."

Astrid heard a note of disdain in his voice. A hint of the poison.

"After that it didn't matter what I did. Things weren't the same. I don't think she even realized that we were heading toward a break up, one that most people would have seen coming based on how we were acting and treating each other. I used every trick in the book and it meant nothing, because even though she tried to stay loyal, because she's a good person…" He shook his head. "She couldn't stay away from him."

Though she hated to hear it, Astrid realized that nobody knew Brandyn's side of the story. She wanted no part in his side of it, his motivations or feelings. She wanted to break free of this chair and take him apart for everything he'd ever done to her daughter, to lying to her for years. She didn't want to hear any more of his story.

"Then he kissed her. That's when I knew I needed to up my game, because she was the key to everything I was building, and if I lost her then I'd have to start from scratch-"

Astrid was shaking. "Up your game? You raped her-"

Brandyn whipped around. "Do you think that was the plan? I-

"Shut up!" Astrid roared and to her surprise, he flinched back. "You're a disgusting- don't-" She took a few calming breaths, though the rage was hot enough that angry tears began to well up in her eyes. "Do not try to make excuses to me."

Brandyn's face had darkened. "It never had to be this way. If she'd just cooperated- and before you bite my head off, I'm not even talking about sex."

"You had no right-"

"She was supposed to marry ME." Brandyn shouted. "After years of putting up with it all and lying and even cheating with Dana to take the edge off, she STILL ran to him at every turn! That wasn't part of the PLAN."

Astrid was trembling and breathing with great difficulty. "What, in the gods green earth, did you expect after you did that to her? Did you think you could manipulate her one last time into loving you, after doing… that?"

Brandyn shook his head and looked away. "The fear did its job for a while. But Larson wouldn't back off, and… I never planned for it to happen. But that's when she told me she kissed Erick, that she cheated, and I just… saw red. But I knew… later on I knew that I screwed up. That no matter how hard I tried after that, I'd lose her in the end."

Astrid wanted to simultaneously scream and weep but she suddenly felt exhausted. "You're a disgusting monster."

There was a quiet pause. She kept her eyes away, not wanting to look at him anymore or see if her words had any impact. She felt raw and exposed, taken back in time to three and a half years ago when she'd found out her daughter had run away because she was pregnant and felt so horribly alone. That her boyfriend, a young man they'd all thought might someday be family, had hurt her in the most horrible way.

"Well," Brandyn said, an airiness to his tone that was clearly meant to change the subject. "At least one good thing came of it."

Astrid stiffened. Darin. She said nothing.

"I hear he's bright for three."

Astrid kept her mouth shut. She'd get nothing from her regarding her grandson. Nothing.

Brandyn sniffed and she soon realized he was smiling. "Fine, keep your secrets. I'll meet him soon enough."

Now Astrid stared him full in the face with a glare. "Leave him alone. You've done enough. If you feel anything for Adrianna, misplaced love, guilt, whatever the Hel it is, you will leave Darin alone."

"Typical." Brandyn sat back in his chair with a small smile. "We'll cross that bridge later. But I'd say we're very much off topic." He flipped open a folder atop the expansive map on his desk. "Now the reason you've been brought onto my ship is because we're heading out to sea soon. We've got a great deal of ocean to cover and as we're on a tight schedule, we'd better get going. I admit I didn't anticipate you being here, so this only adds to the fun. I can execute a few of my plans early, in fact."

Astrid rolled her eyes. Stupid, so unbelievably stupid of her- "Where's Stormfly?"

Brandyn also rolled his eyes. "Again, typical. She's fine, she's on Viggo's ship. Not," he added drily. "That it matters. Viggo's portion of the armada is naturally intended for capturing dragons, so you probably won't be seeing him anytime soon. Or, by extension, Stormfly."

She glanced at the map, forcing her irritation down. "So what exactly is the master plan? I assume once you took Berserker you were going to set up camp, but Sven took that from you."

"Yes and no. I always intended on taking Berserker back first. Naturally: it's my birthright. But I never planned to stay there. Sven blowing it to smithereens only saved me time."

Astrid glared.

"In any case…" Brandyn said and began to talk. He spoke for a few minutes, explaining bits and pieces of his plan. She knew he had to be leaving out key details but the splitting up of his army, sending some one direction, sending others another… she had to admit it was smart. It also told her that this army was indeed very large. It sent a squirm of fear through her stomach, though she fought not to show it.

And when he told her what new role she would play in this master plan, she shook her head.

"Hiccup won't take the bait."

"For you, he will. You and I both know he's fretting something terrible by now."

Astrid merely stared back, trying to convey with her eyes just how much she hated him. How much she wished she could take him apart. For hurting her daughter, her family, for nearly killing her son, for allowing Alton to be tortured for Berk's secrets. For putting Hiccup through so much worry and stress.

She could see the challenge in his eyes, too. He wanted her to beg for mercy. Well, he'd get no begging from her. She'd rather die than give him the satisfaction.

But Hiccup…

Astrid looked away, hating the way Brandyn smirked. She would be strong for Hiccup. She could be stubborn and fearless in the face of all of it. But the thought of Hiccup being in pain, of being put through that… That's where her cracks started to show. And Brandyn saw right through her.

"Fret not, Astrid." Brandyn said, standing and straightening his leather jerkin. "I don't plan to touch Hiccup. No, I'd rather he live a long, healthy life. So he can suffer alone well into old age."

Despite everything, Astrid shook her head. "How can you hate anyone so much? To wish that on anyone?"

Brandyn bent down so they were nearly face to face. "Simple. He's always preaching that love is a choice, right? Well, so is this burning hatred."

"So you admit that you could choose to do things differently? To not do any of this?"

"I could, but why would I? Unlike Viggo, games bore me. People are expendable because they're not just pieces in a game. There are real stakes and real victories and real losses. And watching the devastation as valuable people are taken away from your opponent one by one… Watching them crack under the pressure of having to make decisions that will put those valuable people in danger…" Brandyn gave a slow smile. "There is no greater satisfaction."

Astrid's jaw hurt from gritting her teeth so tightly. "You are everything that is deplorable about this world."

"Granted. Which is exactly why I'm winning this war. Because I'm willing to go the extra mile, to make the hard sacrifices-"

"What exactly have you sacrificed, Brandyn? Nobody loves you, except maybe your mother. And you sacrificed her the moment you decided to be this, because she'd had enough. She knew she couldn't redeem you from what you were turning into. So what other hard sacrifices have you made exactly?"

Brandyn made a face. "Come on, Astrid, you're smarter than this. Do you think this army came for free? I've got a lot of debts to pay. That certainly warrants a lot of sacrifice, because if I don't pay up in the next few weeks, why… I'll have an army three times this size after me. Bounty hunters and bloodthirsty kings alike do not best friends make, you know."

"Oh, I see." Astrid said. "So your sacrifices are your freedom. Debt collection is no small thing. How noble of you to take on such a sacrifice."

"I know." Brandyn said, ignoring her jibe. "And I plan to pay it in every possible way I can."

Astrid blinked. "Such as?"

"Now now. Can't get too far ahead of ourselves, can we?" Brandyn straightened. "After all, I need you there for my big finale. Which is, of course, one reason I had to separate you from Alton. Wouldn't want you to get any ideas about escaping."

"Taking extra precautions? Good." Astrid smiled. "Then you know I could very well do it."

"Of course, you could. I have no doubts about that." Brandyn said. "Which is exactly why you're under a twenty-four hour watch from now on. Oh, and they'll be doubling your chains and the locks on your doors. There are two dozen men on every door on every deck of this ship should something miraculous happen to get you out of your cell. And, to boot, if you do try anything, I'll kill Alton. I don't care what Viggo says. Baby Brand has served his purpose and he should be sleeping with the fishes by now. So please, if you truly want him to live to see his next birthday, don't test me."

---

The morning light was a dusky gray, devoid of color. Normally the Hjartan sunrises were full of beauty and wonder. Maybe because Hjart represented everything that was beautiful in the world.

Music. Joy. Happiness. A future. Spinning on a dance floor, the girl he loved most in his arms, finding a second home, a second family.

It was everything and more. All Finn had ever wanted.

Now… now he didn't know what he wanted.

An hour after showing up on Hjart unannounced, Genevieve had finally convinced him to peel himself off the floor. He barely remembered trudging up the stairs and disappearing into the loft. Forcing himself to do a series of small yet necessary tasks. Boots and armor off. Sweaty shirt off. Wash face. The cold water had cleared his head momentarily, but only just. He didn't know where to go from here and he'd left his family behind.

At least Genevieve was safe. When he'd seen that curl lying in the bottom of the box containing possibly the last thing they'd ever see of his mother's, he couldn't breathe. All that mattered was getting to Hjart, to make sure Genevieve was safe.

Of course, Erick might have been right. It might have been a ploy to split them up. He barely remembered most of the voyage to Hjart, the ocean and sky flashing past them in a blur. Helga reported nothing amiss, however, so he was ultimately glad she'd come along. To keep him on track, keep him safe. He'd have to gift her a bottle of wine or… something. Once all this was over.

Finn stared at the specks of dust that swirled through the air, dancing among the flower petals of a blooming azalea on the windowsill. Gobber had gifted it to Molly on her last birthday. All around the Sullivan house were signs of Berk. A wine keg in the pantry with Gobber's brand; leather riding gear from Erick and Cliff's shop hanging on a hook; a jar of Toothless's scales sitting on a shelf beside some sea shells and books, adding to the apparent decoration that Molly was looking for.

And boxes. The last few piles of boxes of Genevieve's belongings, now shoved into a far corner. "Out of sight, out of mind", she'd said firmly. But they weren't out of sight, were they? Certainly not physically, let alone emotionally.

After all, tomorrow was supposed to be their wedding day. And now… now he didn't know what to think.

The wood panels of the ceiling creaked, signifying footsteps. Finn didn't move, only listened as a pair of feet came down the stairs. They were soft, gentle steps, trying not to make any noise but making noise regardless. Always caring for those she loved most. He'd know the sound of those footsteps anywhere.

Moments later, Genevieve, wrapped in a robe, slipped into a seat beside him. "Good morning."

Finn gave her a wan smile.

"Please tell me you weren't down here all night." Genvieve said, pushing a few fingers through his hair.

He shook his head. "No. I came down a little bit ago."

They fell into a long silence so quiet he could feel his own heart beat.

Genevieve opened her mouth to speak, but he beat her to it.

"How did we plan for something for years for it to make no difference at all?" Finn looked down at his hands in his lap. "How did we screw up so badly?"

"Sometimes no matter how much we plan, life takes us a different way."

"But this isn't just life, Genni. This is…" Finn rubbed his eyes, unable to think of the word. "We should have seen this coming. And with Ally probing a few weeks ago, sending letters to my dad about-"

"One thing at a time." Genevieve said calmly, leaning forward. "If we hope to fix this, to stay on top of everything that needs to be done in the coming hours and days, then we must prioritize. And that means going back to Berk."

Finn nodded. Yes, there was no question about that.

"It means helping Hiccup in whatever way we can." Genevieve added. "He'll need to delegate things, perhaps even more so because he'll be…"

"Stressed?"

"Distracted."

Finn sighed, finally meeting her eyes. He reached up and tugged on a long curl. "For a wild moment, I thought he had you."

Empathy filled Genevieve's eyes. "I know."

"I've felt terror before. Erick's leg… Benen. But nothing… nothing like that."

Genevieve took his hand in both of hers and kissed it firmly. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

Finn wanted to believe it. He wanted to believe her, with every fiber of his being. But his eyes still burned all the same as he said, "Everyone is expendable in war, Genni. Nobody can promise that."

"War isn't upon us yet." Genevieve whispered. Standing, she slid one leg over his hips and straddled his lap, setting her hands on his shoulders. He sucked in a surprised breath, setting his hands on her waist. For the first time in hours he felt awake, the haze lifting from his brain.

Forcing him to focus.

He cleared his throat. "Cruel, wicked thing."

Genevieve grinned and nuzzled her nose against his, her hair tickling his face. "Remember our promises to each other. Remember what we said… what we decided." Her dark eyes were filled with determination now. "We knew that something would happen someday. We knew that Brandyn wouldn't just let it all go and disappear. And we knew there would be consequences for our choices, from the Convocation until now. Because we knew this, we made promises to each other. What were they?"

Finn exhaled, trying not to get lost in the sensation of her soft curves pressed up… everywhere. "Stay true to each other and what we stand for. Protect the weak. Do not yield."

"Yes. And… what else? You're forgetting one very important one."

Genevieve tilted her head, leadingly. Finn glanced down at the expanse of her throat, noticing the leather strap of a familiar necklace disappearing into the folds of material.

"Fortis."

"Be strong. Yes. Not in physical might but in standing up for what is right." Genevieve said, her breath quickening slightly as he slid a hand up her leg. "Not fearing what might happen, even if it's losing each other."

Finn closed his eyes and shook his head. "I don't know if I can do that."

"There are more important things than me." Genevieve said firmly. "And there are more important things than you. Hey, look at me." She paused and waited for him to meet her eyes. "If push comes to shove, we have to be willing to stake our claim, and if that means losing even the most precious thing to us, but it leads to victory… will it not have been worth it?"

Yes. And no.

To have come so far in life to find the one he treasured above all… to make her expendable… it would surely kill him.

Suddenly he knew exactly what his dad felt like. He wondered if his parents had ever had these conversations. If his dad ever was given the impossible choice between dragons and his family… what would he choose? Stand by his morals and sacrifice his loved ones? Or sacrifice his morals for his loved ones?

An impossible choice.

"I guess," Finn said, his voice hoarse. "It all depends on what you value most. What you love more. Your beliefs or… whatever is most important to you."

Genevieve smiled, brushing his hair back so her fingers brushed the scar under his hairline. "I'd say it's the principle of the thing. If the time comes, I know you'll make the right choice."

"Well," Finn said with a melodramatic sigh. "I suppose there's no hope of survival for me then. Clearly you'd choose your values over me in a heartbeat."

Genevieve gaped and lightly slapped his shoulders. "As if the choice would be any less difficult. Or that you would have any less value for that matter."

"It's okay, Gen, I get it. I'm expendable." Finn said, glancing down again at the leather cord resting on the gentle slope of her collarbone. "I guess one can't have everything."

Genevieve rolled her eyes. "Are all Haddocks always so melodramati-" She broke off into a sharp inhale as Finn set his mouth on the soft space beneath her jaw. Her hands tightened on his shoulders and she bent her neck to give him more access, breathing roughly in his ear as he mouthed the skin of her neck, moving down, down, down-

Moaning deep in her throat, Genevieve shoved her hands deep into his hair and pulled him closer, pulling at the ties of the rope around her waist and yanking it open. Finn briefly saw she was wearing a silk sleeping top of sorts, soft and thoroughly enticing. He slid his hands up her back, reveling in the way she arched into him as he made a trail of kisses down the strap of his necklace.

Finally he found the Fortis charm and took it in his teeth, raising his face toward hers and grinning slightly.

Genevieve was shaking and breathing hard. "You… rogue."

Grinning, he let the charm go just in time before her lips crashed onto his. She licked the seam of his mouth and he opened for her, allowing her to ravish him in whatever way she pleased. It was a struggle to stay quiet, especially with their roving hands and the way she had him pinned in the chair, but he almost didn't care. That is, until she arched at one point that a feeling like lightning shot through him and he reacted. The chair legs moved across the wood floor in a sudden sharp screech that echoed through the house.

They pulled apart quickly, trying to steady their breath so they could hear if anyone in the house was approaching. It was a tense minute, but slowly they relaxed.

Biting his lip at the adorable expression of mixed fear and relief on Genevieve's face, he set a kiss to her neck again.

"Finn," Genevieve breathed, pulling away and setting a finger on his lips with a prim yet amused expression. "We should probably stop."

He sighed. "Probably."

"Otherwise… well, we probably won't stop, and honestly this isn't the best place."

"Yeah but… Nah, you're right."

Genevieve frowned. "No, tell me. You can say what you're thinking."

Finn gazed up at her, her golden hair haloed in the golden sunlight now streaming through the window. The skin of her neck was red from kisses and he pushed down a satisfied smirk. "I just… we don't know what's going to happen now, do we? The wedding is postponed. Who knows what will happen next?"

"So…" Genevieve raised a brow, a small grin lighting her face. "You want to find a barn or something-"

"Gods, woman. No." Finn said, ignoring her laugh. Sitting up he gathered her into his arms and looked into her eyes. "I've already promised you this: We will do this properly, especially since we've put in all the time at this rate, and when the time comes, it will be worth the wait."

Genevieve nodded. "I know."

"And… I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Postponing it. It made sense to, but…" Finn shrugged. "Well, tomorrow was supposed to be our wedding day."

Genevieve gave him a smile and then a firm kiss. "Don't be. Our time will come."

Finn felt a familiar warmth spread through his chest. He loved her so much it nearly hurt. "Still… you're a temptation that's hard to ignore and you don't make it easy."

"Well," Genevieve said, slowly drawing the robe back up over her shoulders and slowly tying it so that her entire upper body was once more hidden. "I aim to please."

"Hmph. And besides," Finn said, glancing toward the rest of the house and leaning closer. "It might be a little awkward if your family wakes up and finds us in… ill repose."

Genevieve choked on a laugh. "Ill repose? That's not even remotely what that means-"

"I know, that's why it's funny. It's a play on words. Much more amusing than puns."

She sighed and promptly stood. "You're ridiculous."

"I'm ridiculous. Have you heard Cliff's naughty puns regarding-"

"No, and I don't want to." Geneveive said as she sashayed away, though her nose was crinkled in that adorable way that meant she was fighting a smile.

Finn grinned as she began filling a kettle to make tea. Down the hall he could hear signs of movement, which meant that people were indeed starting to waken. To start the day. He let out a long breath, realizing that meant making plans.

The night before Ivan had sent a letter to Berk letting them know that Finn and Helga had arrived safely. He also stated that he would begin gathering the Hjartan forces to aid the Archipelago. They'd probably go to Berk first to then decide where to go first.

Finn had no idea where they'd go. They still knew so little and now with Astrid gone… They'd need to plan their next steps very carefully.

He was lost in thought as Kiev and Molly entered the room. Kiev was already dressed in leather and armor fit for a Chieftain, though he'd been retired for some years now. Molly was also surprisingly dressed in a leather jerkin over her navy wool dress.

At Finn's surprised look, she merely said, "Even the womenfolk have a place in battle."

"Shieldmaiden Molly." Finn said, fighting a smile. "Who knew?"

She batted a hand in his direction as she bustled to the kitchen to help Genevieve, who was messily scrambling eggs. "Odin's Beard, girl- what have you done?"

"Just trying to start the day off right-"

"Yes, but look at the state of my kitchen! I've only been up five minutes-"

While the women bickered, thankfully with a playful air, Kiev took a seat next to Finn and leaned closer. "She helps the healers prepare materials at times like this."

Finn nodded. He opened his mouth to reply when footsteps sounded on the porch before the door flew open. It was Helga and Thuggory, both flushed. Finn briefly wondered if they'd been running or flying, as they used to do, or arguing for the tense looks on their faces. Molly's voice broke the brief silence before anyone could speak.

"Why is it so difficult for Berkians to knock?"

"We have a situation." Thuggory said, his dark eyes urgent.

Finn and Kiev jumped to their feet. "What?"

Helga grabbed Finn by the arm and gestured for the women to follow. "Come see for yourself."

Everyone followed the pair outside. Already Hjartans were gathering outside by the dozens, the men on their way to work paused in the street or running back inside to wake their families. They were shouting and pointing out at sea in confusion and dismay.

Finn pushed through the crowd, terrified for a moment that another box had been sent. But no, there wasn't anything of that sort, and that wouldn't make sense considering all the witnesses. He found Ivan standing at the edge of the cliff, his arms crossed tightly over his broad chest.

"Ivan, what's wrong?"

Ivan's dark eyes were dark with fury. "You mean you don't see it?"

Beside him, Genevieve gasped.

Finn turned, scanning the ocean to see a series of black dots on the horizon. As far as the eye could see from north to south in a single file line. It didn't seem to be coming closer, but instead… waiting. Or perhaps, even worse, to keep anyone from going in or out.

A blockade.

Kiev muttered a curse under his breath.

Finn ran a hand over his face and swore. "Well, now what?"

---

The silence in Hiccup's office was deafening, aside from Toothless's deep breaths coming in steady heaves beside his chair.

In and out.

In and out.

In and out.

Hiccup was grateful for that at least. It was soothing and familiar and was a tether that kept him rooted to earth.

Toothless's soft nose poked his shoulder. Deep down Hiccup tried to acknowledge the low questioning rumble that accompanied the velvety soft nudge, and yet he didn't know what to say. What to do. What to think.

Your right arm is mine. My only regret is that I'm not there to see you bleed.

Astrid. His right arm, his best friend, his closest companion since they were teenagers… gone.

No, not gone. Captured, yes. Gone from him now, yes, but not for long. Astrid wouldn't give in without a fight. A thought that should have brought him pride and strength, to know that wherever she was, whatever was being done to her, she'd never give up. Except the all-petrifying thought that kept circling his mind ever since the box had arrived was that he'd once again failed and he hadn't been there to help her.

Nevermind the fact that Astrid was more stubborn than he was and constantly went on reconnaissance trips alone, despite the protocols. Despite the fact that it wasn't smart, and for exactly this reason. Because if something happened, there was backup right there to either help or go get help.

It didn't matter and, for the same exact reason that he'd stopped entertaining the idea of forcing the kids to have guards, he'd gone along with it. Stopped pestering all of them and himself with the idea. Because at the end of the day, he was a control freak. A paranoid, obsessed control freak. He had to learn to let go, to trust them. To trust that Astrid, Finn, Erick and even Addie could protect themselves.

But Darin…

His grandson's name alone seemed to pull him from the depths of his mind. Slowly Hiccup raised his head, his fingers running down his face. He glanced around his desk littered with papers and writing utensils and shelves of various tonics of dragon poisons and anecdotes, listening to the creak of the floorboards overhead. He barely remembered coming down to his office beneath the Hatchery, somehow finding solace beneath a den of dragons and hay than at home.

To go home meant to see everything he and Astrid had built together. At least, the intimate side of their relationship, from the house they'd built to the dishes in the cabinets to the furniture to the knick knacks on the shelves. Mementos from their years together as teenagers and young adults, parents, and now grandparents.

He couldn't go home to that and risk falling to pieces. Not that he was doing much better here, but after Finn had fled to Hjart (which he shouldn't have allowed but was barely present for), and the council had been in an uproar, he'd needed someplace quiet to settle. To cope and grieve for a time.

But now he wasn't sure how long he'd been down here, alone with his thoughts and his dragon. Now he needed to pull himself together.

Toothless poked his shoulder again with his nose and this time Hiccup met his eyes, feeling drained. The Night Fury's eyes glowed in the dimness of the office, despite the spots of sunlight that streamed through the windows across the room.

Sunlight. That meant he'd been down here for hours. All night in fact.

Hiccup reached up and stroked the soft scales above Toothless's eyes. His dragon purred. "What do I do, bud? Where do I start?"

Toothless crooned, flattening his hand against his broad forehead.

A sudden yet soft knock sounded against the door across the room.

Sighing, Hiccup stood, straightening his shirt and combing his fingers through his hair. He hoped he didn't look as bad as he felt, but there was no point in hiding the obvious. He felt horrible and probably looked horrible.

He crossed the room with even, unhurried steps, mentally preparing for whoever was on the other side of the door. Probably Gobber. He hoped it wasn't Snotlout or the twins. The knock hadn't been particularly loud though and wasn't followed by any shouting or scuffling. Fishlegs probably.

Exhaling, he swung the door open and blinked to see Erick standing there, wearing a long-sleeved forest green shirt and leather jerkin. His Hjartan bow and quiver were strapped to his back, his daggers at his belt. And over his forearms and hands covering his knuckles were leather gloves. The trousers were loose fitting and the right leg was tucked into a fitted knee high leather boot with grips on the toes and heel, which would provide him extra stability when running, climbing and more. Erick had been thoroughly excited when he'd designed them the last few months and he'd surely be grateful for them now.

Hiccup had never seen him decked out in full armor before and the sight nearly took him aback.

Nonplussed, Erick stuck out a rather large coffee and a paper bag with what appeared to be a bagel inside. "I thought you might need a pick-me-up."

Despite himself, Hiccup smiled and nodded. "Thanks." He took them and nodded his son-in-law inside before swinging the door closed with his prosthetic. "What's with the get up?"

Erick raised a brow. "I should think that was obvious."

Hiccup nearly burned his throat on the coffee and forced himself to blow on it. "So everyone knows?"

"The council gathered everyone at dawn and told them to prepare. Everyone's in armor now."

Nodding, Hiccup dropped into his chair. "I'm sorry I checked out-"

"Hiccup, don't." Erick said firmly, drawing his gaze away from a nearby bookshelf containing volumes on poisons and antidotes. "If it was Annie- Hel, if it was anyone's spouse, they would fall apart a bit, too. Don't apologize for that."

Nodding again, Hiccup forced himself to take a bite of the bagel. Though the blueberries were oozing purple juice and it had likely been made fresh that morning, he could barely taste it. "I honestly don't know where to start." He paused, forcing another sip of coffee down. "Jade and Yuri… hopefully Lief is alright. And with Milly missing and Kara attacked-"

Erick held up his hands. "I know. Even though we're allies though, we've got enough on our plate here. We have to prioritize."

"So what would you suggest?"

"Well, as Chief you get the final say. We got a letter from Ivan saying Finn and Helga made it, by the way. He'll bring his armada and riders here as soon as he can so we can make a real plan."

The coffee in Hiccup's hands steamed in the air between them. "Would you send anyone to Berserker? To look for survivors?"

Erick pursed his lips and slowly shook his head. "I'm sure Berserker is entirely Brandyn's by now. The real question is do you want to send the armies to Berserker? Take the fight to him?"

Hiccup took a deep breath. "It's a possibility. The problem is we don't know how many men he has. It might be wiser to wait for Hjart."

"True. If Sven was willing to go through with his back up plan, then it has to be many. Otherwise he wouldn't make such a statement."

"And Brandyn wouldn't go through with any of this unless he thought he could win."

"Right."

Erick tapped his prosthetic on the ground, clearly agitated. Toothless glanced between them and yawned, claws scraping against the stones with nail biting screeches.

Hiccup jabbed him with his prosthetic. "Stop that, bud. We're trying to think."

Toothless sniffed and stole the rest of his bagel.

"Hey! Ya know, bud, you really know how to kick a wounded man already down."

Erick shook his head with an amused smirk.

"What? Who steals a man's bagel?"

"Apparently hungry dragons."

Toothless licked his lips in a self-satisfied way that earned him another grin.

The amusement was short-lived however. "How's Addie?" Hiccup asked before finishing the coffee.

Erick was quiet. "Worried. She's doing alright, all things considered. Watching Darin like a hawk though, which is partially why I'm here."

Hiccup raised a brow. "Oh?"

"She wanted some alone time with him."

Anyone else might not have thought twice about the words, but Hiccup knew them well. He knew they'd gone through a rough patch a few weeks ago. Things seemed to have gotten better, and yet…

"Are you guys okay?" Hiccup asked, some fatherly instinct returning to his voice. Clearing the haze a bit, though that may have also been the coffee.

Erick glanced over, surprised. "Yeah. Yeah, we're good. It's just…" He paused. "She wants to fight."

Hiccup blinked. He hadn't expected that. "Well… she has been training."

"Yes, but Darin needs her-"

"Darin needs both of you."

"Why should she risk her life?" Erick asked, sounding more agitated now.

Hiccup realized then what was wrong. "Of all people, Addie has the right to fight. Whether it's for herself or for her people, she wants to do her part."

"I know that. But to drop Darin off at either Lofn's or my mother's doesn't feel right, nor do I want her going off into battle where I can't-" Erick broke off as if remembering who he was talking to. Who was missing. He closed his eyes and looked away.

"I know." Hiccup said quietly. "Trust me, this is exactly the reason I always wanted each of you doing missions with at least one person. I've had to learn to trust everyone and let go even if it takes risks, and now look. I lost an entire night fretting over Astrid because I don't know…" His breath caught and he looked away. "Because I don't know if she's even alive."

"That is why it scares me." Erick said. "Because I can imagine. And selfishly, I don't want to go through that. I don't want to have to tell Darin his mommy isn't coming home because he won't understand."

Hiccup felt positively drained. "You… and every other person on this island. Just be glad you don't have to send them to their deaths like I do."

A flash of fear entered Erick's eyes then and he looked away. "Gods forbid something happens to you and Finn and Annie. Or I might."

Hiccup closed his eyes and sighed, forcing the thought away. If that should happen…

No. That wasn't going to happen.

He wasn't dead yet and until proven otherwise, Astrid wasn't either. Finn was coming home soon with back up from Hjart on the way. Some of his friends were gone, yes, but that didn't mean those villages weren't now scrambling to help. Surely letters had been sent from all the villages to each other, not just to him, so they'd know of Sven's sacrifice. They'd know Brandyn was here. They'd be getting their armies ready and begin sailing and flying to the heart of the Archipelago, where they'd gather to meet Brandyn's army head on.

Which meant he needed to stop sitting around feeling sorry for himself and get to work.

As if reading his thoughts, Toothless growled eagerly and hopped to his feet.

Erick seemed to sense it, too. "So, where do we start?"

Hiccup got to his feet and walked to a nearby chest. He lifted his leg and flicked open the compartment on his prosthetic. Fumbling through a few papers he kept stored inside, mainly passcodes that he never wanted to forget for various locked items around the island, he finally drew out a small black key. Sealing the compartment again and dropping to his knees, he unlocked the chest and lifted open the heavy lid with both palms, which groaned from years of disuse.

Erick and Toothless peered over his shoulders at the swaths of black material. "What… is that?"

Hiccup smirked. "Meet me outside in ten minutes."

Clearly curious, Erick begrudgingly turned away and began for the stairs. He'd just made it to the door when Hiccup suddenly remembered something. A safety net, a precaution, just in case the worst should happen.

"Wait, Erick."

His son-in-law paused at the door and turned around, a questioning look on his face.

Hiccup pulled his desk chair away from the desk and got to his knees. From a small shelf he'd built in the back corner, he withdrew a key and held it up to Erick. "This will open a box buried in my backyard by the white oak. Inside is a black tail for Toothless, in case the one he's wearing now gets destroyed."

Erick nodded as he took the key and put inside a small pouch at his hip. "Why not put it on now?"

"Because it's a spare and this tail allows me to fly him. That tail won't need all the gear. Anyone can ride him and he'll be able to control the tail himself."

"But… why wouldn't you put that on him all the time?"

Hiccup looked up at Toothless with a smile before stroking his nose. "Because he doesn't want it. So it's only for emergencies. Tell Addie and Finn when he gets back. Genevieve too, I'm sure she's coming back with him. But no one else."

Erick nodded. "Hopefully we won't need it."

"Still, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. After all," Hiccup said, steering his son-in-law out the door with a grin. "Even you destroyed that tail once."

"Ugh, do you have to bring that up?"

Hiccup pushed him toward the stairs with a short laugh. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

Nodding, Erick took the stairs three at a time and disappeared.

Hiccup shut the door and locked it before striding back to the chest. "Well, bud. What do you say we remind the Archipelago of darker days?"

---

The Berkian villagers were all abuzz. Their Chieftess was missing. Rumors of dead Chieftains spread like wildfire, lighting up the lower town. Finn was gone, fled to Hjart in a panic. Adrianna was withdrawn and holding tightly to her son, raising her chin to anyone who looked too closely.

Men and women alike gathered their battle armor, heeding the call of the council that war was approaching. Food and medical supplies were gathered in abundance in the Great Hall where any wounded would be taken. Young Vidar Jorgenson and Gobber were joined by many old hands who knew metal work as weapons were sharpened and shields repaired. Cliff Smedley was joined by Grandma Ingermann and Morgan and a few others proficient at needlepoint to repair leatherwork and saddles and other gear that would be vital to riding in battle.

Despite the sense of urgency, there was no panic. The people worked in tandem as if they'd prepared for war before. Which, the younger folk soon realized, the elder generations had.

The only one that seemed to be missing in action was the Chief himself.

Nobody had seen him at the meeting with the council. Nobody had seen him even the night before. Toothless also seemed to be missing in action, which no doubt meant he was surely at his master's side. It seemed to some that the chief had withdrawn into himself, perhaps losing his mind at last now that this final nail had driven home. Perhaps he couldn't handle the thought of losing his beloved wife, the whispers said. Perhaps the fear had truly begun to drive him mad.

But where was Fearless Finn? He, too, had fled. And Adrianna was strong in her own right, but would she lead them into battle? Eyes rolled and voices scoffed.

Yes, they prepared and they worked to be ready to defend their homeland. But still they doubted.

Cliff had put a stop to such whispers every time he heard them. Thoughts of Alton had plagued him for days now, though he tried to keep his spirits up. But now with Astrid missing and Finn gone, he knew that the last thing Berk needed was to doubt their Chieftain.

Even if he had been missing for countless hours.

He refused to believe that Hiccup was falling to pieces. If Taryn had been taken, he'd want some alone time to think, too. Even Erick had said as much when they met at the shop at dawn, scarfing breakfast before the day began.

Taryn was at home resting, though she'd had many complaints on the matter. She wanted to help and do her part, just as all the women were doing. There was no reason why she couldn't sit in a chair beside him and sew things together, just as he was. And yet he was glad he'd put his foot down, for the baby's sake. With the hubbub of gossip and stress beginning to rise with the morning sun, he didn't want her taking on any extra stress.

After all, she was due to have their baby soon. According to Inga, who'd checked in that morning as well, any day now. They'd found out she was pregnant in November, and she'd admitted to feeling sick for weeks prior, which of course had prompted her visit to the healer's. Now it was almost July. The ninth month term was up.

So, he'd said in a firm voice he almost never used with anyone, much less his wife, Taryn was staying home.

Taryn had begrudgingly agreed, but demanded that he come home every few hours to bring her news or she'd come and find him. Knowing she'd do it, too, he had agreed.

Cliff realized belatedly that it had been almost two hours since his last visit home, so he'd probably need to make the trip soon. Nevermind the fact that they were supremely busy.

Grandma Ingermann seemed to notice his plight as he glanced up at the sun and then at the long line. "Go to her, dear. The line will still be here when you return."

Cliff sighed and handed off the finished product to the customer in line. "Alright, thanks. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Be careful, Cliffie." Morgan said, glancing up from the needle briefly as he walked by. "Send Evan my way if you see him."

Cliff nodded and exited the shop through the back, pushing through the heavily crowded streets. The streets of Berk were always bustling but now that everyone who lived here was on the streets, the congestion was insurmountable.

He wished that he'd brought Edna Louise Sacramento the Third, but it would have been tedious to keep her waiting outside the shop. The roof wasn't quite sturdy enough for her weight, so he couldn't ask her to stay up there. Well, he'd just have to-

A body plowed into him and he stumbled, catching himself on a stranger's arm. "Sorry." Cliff said, both to the man he'd grabbed and the person who ran into him, though it was hardly his fault. It was Inga.

She looked frazzled, her black hair braided back as usual, but her blue eyes were dark with irritation. "Sorry, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm alright. Off to check on Taryn."

Inga nodded distractedly, rummaging through her basket to make sure she hadn't dropped anything. "I've been a hot mess all morning, plowing into people worse than a water buffalo."

"Water buffaloes make excellent swimmers." Cliff said, then frowned. Why must he always spew random information? Now was not the time.

Surprisingly, Inga cracked a smile. "Yes, you've told me before."

"Oh. Sorry."

Inga looked up. "Oh no, it's fine. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Cliff said, glancing around. "I guess I'm just feeling… a bit out of my element right now."

"Yeah… we've never had to go through something like this before." Inga straightened then and added, "But it'll be fine. I'll wager-" She trailed off, her eyes catching on something over his shoulder.

Cliff raised a brow. "You'd wager what?"

"I'd wager Brandyn's going to get his war." Inga said in a suddenly awed voice and grinned. "Turn around."

Cliff did and saw what she was staring at. His mouth fell open.

**Striding from the Hatchery were Hiccup and Toothless like he'd never seen them before. Dressed head to toe in black Night Fury scale armor, they stepped into the sunlight. A metal cylinder was clipped to his left hip, which held a series of buttons that only spoke of un-Viking-like weaponry. Though no one had seen them in hours, there was no indication that Hiccup had lost his marbles. Quite the opposite in fact.

With matching sets of blazing green eyes, Hiccup and Toothless looked ready for war.

The whispers died as the crowd parted, letting them through. Hiccup kept his chin high, not meeting the open-mouthed stares of his people, or noticing that people began to follow them.

There was Snotlout Jorgenson, Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston, Fishlegs Ingermann, Gobber and Spitelout and more. Every council member followed their Chieftain and his dragon through the streets toward the Great Hall.

A hand grabbed Cliff's arm and he tore his eyes away to see Erick standing there, looking just as shocked. "I guess if Hiccup broke out the real armor then this means war then, huh?"

Cliff grinned and looked back, feeling strengthened for the first time in what felt like days. "Brandyn won't know what hit him."

"It's probably a little shameful to admit," Inga added, looking positively roguish. "But I've always wanted to see the Chief and Toothless kick some butt."

---

Hjart was a rush of activity.

Ivan had called for ships and riders to prepare for battle almost before the sun had fully risen. Finn had seen Hjart in the rush of battle, but that had been harried and unorganized chaos. This was strategic preparation for organized battle. This was a sure and solid plan to send ships into the sea and riders into the sky with the expectation that men would fight and fall in battle, all for Hjart's borders.

And, Finn knew, to give them a chance to break through the blockade.

Because he couldn't stay here. He had to get back to Berk to help his dad. No doubt he was tearing his hair out with worry by now.

Still, he'd fought in battles and duels. As Tuffnut used to always say, "this ain't my first rodeo", whatever the Hel that meant. But it was no small thing what they were trying to do. To break a blockade… Not for the first time that morning, he felt his stomach drop.

He had to trust Ivan. He had his duty to protect his home and people, and that meant breaking the blockade. Getting to Berk was secondary now. And Finn's primary duty was to get home. If he had any other choice, he'd stay and help them fight.

A fact that each of the Sullivan men had thoroughly waved off.

It was bad enough, he thought, that Thuggory was coming back to Berk with them. In his opinion, he belonged here, helping his brothers. But much to his surprise, they almost insisted that Thuggory go.

"He'll be a valuable asset and representative of Hjart on our behalf." Ivan said. "Besides, he'll help protect you and Gen and Helga on the way back."

"We don't need protection," Finn argued. "We need to just break through. The less people we have-"

"The easier you'll be to capture." Ivan said firmly. "That blockade will surely have dozens upon dozens of riders ready to capture you, and you, especially, cannot be captured. No doubt they knew you'd be here. It's exactly the sort of thing Brandyn would expect, especially after sending someone out here to steal a lock of Genevieve's hair. Why else would-"

"I know, Ivan. I know." Finn huffed, rubbing his eyes. "I just don't know honestly how we're going to get through without at least one of us getting captured. Even if we fly as high as we can, we'll still be followed. If they want me that badly, they'll follow us as far as they need to."

Genevieve, who'd been sitting silently at the kitchen table where a large map had been set with decorated salt and pepper shakers holding the corners and dried beans used to show the blockade, spoke up. "What if we go under it?"

They all paused, looking at her.

"Max and Zap are Shockjaws. They could do it."

Finn winced. "But… Genni, we'd have to hold our breath for a long time. And Thuggory and Helga's dragons are Nadders, they can't go under. And to send them over the blockade alone would surely get them captured."

"Then use Pepper and Thunder." Genevieve said. "The Nadders will have to stay and they'll rejoin us on Berk when they break through the blockade."

The room had gone entirely silent while everyone looked to Helga and Thuggory chewed on this idea. Thuggory looked like he was chewing on a piece of dough but he finally looked at Helga, waiting for her decision.

Things had been tenuous between them at best. Helga had barely looked at him, let alone spoken to him. Finn wanted to say something, but knew that he had more important things to be dealing with right now than his best friend's love life. Still, seeing Thuggory looked so… dejected was rather painful.

Finally, Helga shrugged. "Fine. But Shade won't like it."

"Shade will have to." Finn said. "His only other option is to get captured or even die."

Helga nodded and marched to the door. "Better tell him the bad news then." A moment later she was gone.

Thuggory's face flushed a rosy pink. "This is ridiculous."

Ivan shrugged. "Sorry-"

"No, not that. The fact that she can hardly stand to look at me."

The room became uncomfortably quiet.

"Where's Thunder?" Thuggory asked.

"Playing in the river." Genevieve said quietly.

Nodding, Thuggory strode out of the house. Finn let out a breath and shook his head. "If he's coming, they're going to have to get a grip."

Ivan pursed his lips and slapped his arm. "That's your job, not mine." To the room at large, he said, "I'm going to the Hall. I need to check in with the council to make sure things are coming along."

Kiev and Molly nodded, but Genevieve only had eyes for Finn. "When do you want to leave?"

Finn took a deep breath and shook his head. "The sooner the better, but it might be better if we leave when the Hjartan ships meet the blockade. I don't want to sit around and wait, but if we go alone, they'll see us go under. We can't hold our breath from here to the blockade, let alone beyond it."

Genevieve nodded and stood. "I'll get myself ready then. However, I might need help rummaging through boxes, mother. I'm not sure where my riding gear is."

Molly followed her to the corner where some boxes were. Finn tuned out their muttering, hoping that the gear would be in one of these and not on the ship that was supposed to take her things to Berk today.

Finn shoved the thought of their postponed wedding aside. There was no use for that line of thinking, let alone time. One thing he needed to make priority though was his best friend.

"I'll be back."

Genevieve popped up from a box. "Be safe."

"I'm just looking for Helga."

She winced. "All the same, be safe. She might shove you off the cliff."

Finn grinned. "I think the worst we'll have is bruised foreheads, but we'll manage."

Her laugh was lost as he shut the door behind him. He moved through the crowded street in search of Helga.

Predictably he found her outside the blacksmith's. Shade loved to sit among the soot and hot coals of the forge on Berk. It came as no surprise that he'd set up a roost outside the Hjartan forge, too.

Helga was talking to him in a prim voice. "Now don't take that tone with me. If I had any other choice, you'd be coming back with me. But as it is, I like you in one piece and not pieces. So until the Hjartans break the blockade, you have to stay here. As soon as you're in the clear you can come home and find me. Okay?"

Shade squawked, angling his head to look at Finn out of the corner of his eye. "Don't look at me," he said quickly. "It wasn't my idea."

"No, but it is the smartest one we have." Helga scratched her dragon's orange brown scales with a begrudging smile. "You can give Pepper Hel later, but for now it is what it is."

Shade huffed, the spines on his tail lowering at last.

"Good boy." Helga patted his nose. She turned to Finn with raised brows, noting with a flick of her blue eyes that his arms were crossed. "So when are we leaving?"

"I think the smartest time is when the fight starts. The armies will be distracted. But that's not what I want to talk about." Finn sighed. "Whether you like it or not, Thuggory's coming to Berk with us."

"I know."

"So you might need to stop giving him the cold shoulder."

Helga glared. "Just like you to butt your head into my business. Stay out of it, Finn."

"I can't." Finn said, trying to force his temper down. It wasn't helpful to get frustrated. "I'm counting on you and him to keep each other safe, to keep me and Gen safe. If you two can't even look at each other-"

"He's the one who won't quit with the puppy eyes-"

"You're not exactly making it easy on him!" Finn said, then exhaled a heavy breath. "Look, if it was any other day, nothing crazy happening, I would stay out of it. When have I ever stuck my nose in your business like this?"

Helga wouldn't meet his eye. Instead she was glaring at the ocean, toward the blockade. "So what do you want me to do?"

"Talk to him, for starters. I need both of you to focus, and if you can't do that, then you're both staying here. I'll take… someone else."

Helga's eyes flashed. "Don't you dare. I'm not staying here- I only came because of you! I didn't come for him!"

"That's beside the point because he is coming back with us, whether you like it or not. So I'm asking you-" Finn broke off. "No, I'm ordering you to talk to him."

"What the Hel do you want me to say?"

"Whatever it takes for you two to get your heads on straight, so we don't get shot out of the sky or drown. Can you do that?"

Helga shook her head. "You're not making this easy or being fair."

"Fair?" Finn demanded. "My mother is missing, Helga! How the Hel is that fair?"

She flinched, stunned into silence.

"Alton is missing." Finn continued. "Inga may never see him again. Explain to me how that is fair."

Helga said nothing.

Finn took a deep breath through his nose and let it out. "I'm not… telling you to make up or make false promises. But I need you. Who do you think those men on those ships and dragons want the most right now?" He jerked his jaw toward the distant line of ships. "You said it yourself. You came because of me. Because you knew I was not thinking straight and I was being impulsive, and I easily could have been captured. I don't want to sound selfish, but I can't afford to get captured. I don't want to put Genevieve in danger. Not if I can't trust you or her brother to get a freaking grip-"

"I'll talk to him." Helga whispered. "You're right. It's not about… us and this awkward… situation. We need to put it aside and focus." She sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry."

Finn's anger filtered away. It had been fueled by stress anyway, but yelling at his best friend didn't make him feel any better. "Don't apologize. Believe me, if none of this was happening, I'd leave it alone. And I didn't get a chance to thank you for coming, but I do appreciate it."

Helga waved a hand. "Someone has to keep you on track when Gen's not around."

Finn grinned. "Right. But… while we're on the topic…" He paused, uncertain.

"Oh, go on." Helga sighed, though not irritably. "Just say it."

"I just don't get it. I can understand the fear of the unknown or commitment," Finn said. "But Thuggory's a great guy. You balance each other out. So why?"

Helga chewed on her lip for so long, he thought she wouldn't reply. And then- "For the same reason I never initiated things again with you."

Finn frowned, confused. "Well… that was an entirely different set of circumstances, considering I was an abusive jerk. At least I hope Thug isn't harboring a bad personality underneath, but one, you'd beat him to a pulp, and two, something tells me he's not that good of a liar."

"You're right on both counts." Helga sighed. "No, I mean… I always thought you deserved better. After you came home and started to get better, I mean. And you got what you needed in the end. Genevieve… soothes those hard edges you try to hide."

Finn felt an odd softness and sadness at her words and their implication. "And Thuggory?"

Helga shook her head and shrugged. "He could do better."

"No. I don't think he can."

Her blue eyes met his at last and they were vulnerable in a way he hadn't seen in years. "You don't think he could do better than the brash girl from Berk?"

Finn choked on a sudden laugh. "Are you kidding me? More than half the guys on this island wanted to date you within two days of being here."

"Well yeah, I'm an impressive specimen."

"That's my Helga." Finn sighed, earning himself a grin at last.

"I mean I'm not impressed that they're easily impressed-"

"Yeah, but a guy who's legitimately awesome and not shallow in the least bit isn't allowed to be impressed? You liked that he was impressed, which is the whole reason you allowed it."

"Yes, I allowed it, but… more, the future, that's…" Helga shook her head. "That's different."

"It is different. But I don't think he was being flippant when he asked you to marry him. I don't think he would have asked you if he wasn't set on it." Finn said. "And now he probably doesn't know where to go or what to do because things were probably great and then you cut him off, like… well, I don't know. But if it was me, I'd wonder if you ever cared. If you were just… playing a game."

Helga stared up at him. "What? No! Not at all. I just… he caught me off guard, that's all."

Finn sighed. "Why do we both overreact when we're caught off guard?"

"Part of our natural charm, I guess." The words were meant to be joking but there was little humor in her voice. "Gods, I feel rather stupid now."

"Don't feel stupid. Just… talk to him. For what it's worth, you deserve to be happy too, Helga. Whatever that means. Just don't run from something that could be good for you because you don't think you're good enough. You are good enough." Finn was quiet for a moment. "I'd hate for you to have regrets, if the worst should happen. We don't know what's going to happen next."

Her eyes went strangely bright and she nodded. "I'll think about it. I mean I will talk to him about putting our stuff aside for now, because you're right. We have to focus and they're two very different situations."

"Right. Plus you need to find Pepper. I don't know how much time we'll have and we need to be ready to leave as soon as possible." Finn glanced at the harbor, which was more crowded now that soldiers were boarding ships with weapons and shields. "Do it now or save it for later, I don't care. I just need you both with me."

Helga straightened and set a firm hand on his shoulder. "I'm with you. No matter where we go next, I'll be there."

Finn clasped her shoulder as well. "Thanks."

She released his arm and began to trudge away, but she quickly spun back around. "And… thanks. That probably wasn't easy."

"Hey, my relationship advice doesn't come for free. We're getting ale as soon as all this is over."

"I'll mark my ledger."

Laughing, Finn turned away and marched down the street. It was still bustling, but now there were long lines of men heading to the docks, their shoulders and packs heavily laden with food, medical supplies, shields, weapons, and armor. They moved with a quick efficiency that sent a thrill of excitement through his chest.

I've heard rumors of this army of yours, his father had said once, back in the Great Hall upon their first meeting with Ivan and Kiev and the other Hjartan delegates. Finn trained the Hjartans to ride dragons and fight in the air, but now he might actually get to see them fight as an organized militarized unit on the sea, maybe even on land.

He sighed and pushed the thought aside. This wasn't a book or fantasy. This was reality, and the reality was never pretty by comparison.

As he pushed inside the Terror mail office, he touched the scar on his neck from the wound Brandyn had given him in the duel for Adrianna's honor and future. For Darin's future. Though he'd lost the duel, it had done the job well enough. The Archipelago knew of Brandyn's true nature and had since prepared for whatever next moves he might make against them. It was insane to think after all this time, it was all finally happening.

"Ah, Finn!" The postmaster said, his gray hair sticking out from under his blue cap. His beard was set in an almost permanent downwards triangle shape, a feat Finn was sure defied all physics considering it didn't move the way normal hair did. "What can I do for you?"

Finn blinked out of his stupor, transfixed by the beard as he was. "Hey Phil, I need to write a few letters."

"Ah, but the Chief has forbad any Terrors from going out." Phil said with a sad air. Indeed, the dozens of Terrible Terrors lying in baskets around the room looked quite put out. "We can only hope the little one he sent last night to Berk made it through, but there's no telling. At any rate, we can't risk any messages getting intercepted."

"I understand." Finn said. "However, these Terrors are staying with me."

Phil blinked. "As you run the blockade? But sir-"

"Trust me," Finn interrupted with a smile. "Nobody understands the weight of this more than I do, but I need to write a few letters. The letters and Terrors will stay with me until I'm ready to leave, and as soon as we make it through, they're off. They'll make it. And," he added a little firmer. "I'm writing my messages in code."

---

And the story is ramping up! I'm really excited for you to see where it goes next.

Life's been busy for me. I'm moving to my first apartment on August 5th! I'm very excited about that. I've also been facing a lot of burnout at work and learning a lot about myself in the process. Between games and trying to reflect on my life and figure out what I want to do, I'm struggling a lot right now. I think I might know what I want to do with my life, but it's very difficult to get there, so I need to gather more information and see if it's something that's even possible. Adding GUH on top of that would probably break me, but I'm glad Em is stepping up!

Anyway, feel free to review here or on Discord! The link's on one of the chapters, I'm pretty sure.

~Katie