A/N: Okay, let me explain what's going on with the "Deviation" chapters.
When I first wrote Chapter 30, I posted it in a hurry because I'd left my readers on the horrible cliff hanger of Chapter 29 for way too long, and I felt bad. To be fair, it was covid lockdown and I had just moved, and for some reason I just felt stuck in how to continue with Chapter 30. I knew where I wanted the story to go, but I just couldn't get it right when I tried to type it out. There were so many loose ends, and lots of things to expand on with so many characters, it was daunting, and what I ended up writing breezed over too many things that I needed to write more about. In the end, "Chapter 30: Hiccup and Astrid, Part I" ended up kind of a messy, jumbled mess. I was never satisfied with it, and then Chapter 31 was affected by the mess that was Chapter 30.
So, I decided I wanted to fix it up and do it right. The previous version of Chapter 30 was messing up everything I was trying to do to continue with Chapter 32 and onward. To make things clear, "Chapter 30: Scars" is basically an extended edition of the former "Chapter 30: Hiccup and Astrid, Part 1". You will see some similarities to the previous version, if you have read this story before, but there are a lot of changes and added scenes that will act as a foundation when I continue onward with chapters 32 and more. The same will be true for the new "Chapter 31: Hiccup and Astrid, Part 1". Once we hit "Chapter 32: Hiccup and Astrid, Part 2" it'll start to look less familiar and more like all-new content. Going forward starting with Chapter 33, will be all-new.
Then I will have successfully fixed up what I wanted, and finally be moving into what I have planned next for the story arc. I have a lot planned for this story! I still plan on having several other plots, including making my way through the third movie, however it will be unrecognizable when compared to HTTYD3 (that I have to say, I like less and less the more I watch it. It is completely unsatisfying of an ending, and I absolutely hate that they leave their ancestral home of Berk behind, and that the dragons leave!). I know some of you have been thinking that "Deviation" is almost a complete story because the Healer's Island chapters are coming to a close, and then I went missing for several years, but that is not the case! This story will be very long. And also, hello! I'm back. I'm still working on my fan fictions. I'm sorry for the long, unplanned hiatus, but I will try to update more regularly again. Can't say it'll be consistent, but at least a new chapter from one of my many stories, a couple times a months is better than no new chapters for years, right? I also have way too many new HTTYD fan fics that I've started, and not completed, and have yet to post on here, so those will be coming at some point. I have been writing the past few years, just not on the stories you've all been waiting for, haha… (I've also started some The Dark Knight trilogy and Harry Potter fan fics, also not yet posted).
Anyway, I hope that all made sense, and if it didn't— just start reading from chapter 30 if you are looking for the new chapters.
Thanks for your patience, and for reading! I would love to hear from you in my reviews!
—NO SOLICITING! I will not pay anyone to do concept art, comics, or animation for my fan fictions. What a silly thing to do for something I don't own. Anyone trying to get me to buy something in reviews or messages will be blocked! I can't believe that I have to put this disclaimer on my fan fictions now. Shame.—
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Chapter 30: Scars
"He's already dead." The resolute, triumphant expression on Ullr's face nearly had Astrid convinced. It felt like her heart had stopped, everything moved slowly, sound was muffled, her breath hitched. It couldn't be true.
Ullr's words echoed in Astrid's head as she clung to Hiccup, there had been a moment when she thought she'd never see him again, that she'd never get to hold him like she was doing now, that he was lost to her forever. It was a feeling she never wanted to experience again.
She held Hiccup tighter.
Hiccup was nearly hyperventilating, tears running down his face as he desperately held her back, seeking out safety and finding it in her arms, and, she was crying too. Astrid hadn't realized it until she felt warm trails running down her cheeks, but she didn't even care. Her friends were watching, her mentor, her chief, and her future mother-in-law, and she did not care.
When Ullr had told her that Hiccup was dead, for a moment, her world had completely shattered. That fear and panic had stuck with her until Toothless and the other dragons had unburied him, and when she'd seen him in the bottom of that crate, looking pale and dead, she had been ready to die too. She would have curled up in the bottom of that crate and died alongside him. She wouldn't ever leave his side, they would be together forever. She hadn't wanted to go on without him.
However, Ullr had lied. Or maybe he thought that Hiccup had to have been dead by that point, it was either that or he had been trying to get a reaction out of her. It didn't matter anyway, Hiccup was alive and Astrid was so relieved that she couldn't hold back her emotions. Her tears were happy and relieved, and sad for what Hiccup had gone through. There was also some guilt mixed in with everything else, because she had insisted on staying on Berk when Toothless had known something was wrong. If she had listened, would she have been able to spare Hiccup all this pain?
A soft coo was the only warning Astrid got before a big, wet tongue slimed the side of hers and Hiccup's faces. Astrid recoiled, Hiccup flinched, still in self defense mode, but it didn't take long for him to realize that it was his best friend coming to check on him.
"Get in here, Toothless." Astrid reached out a hand and guided Toothless to gently setting his head next to Hiccup. Of course, the Night Fury needed a turn checking on his best friend. Hiccup and Toothless had a special bond— a very special bond, as it turned out. That was something to ask Hiccup about later, when he was healing and in a better state of mind. Currently, he was still jumpy, and she couldn't blame him. He had managed to blindly whack her in the face when they had first taken him out of the pit, because he had thought he was under attack. Her cheek had stung for a moment, still kind of did, but Astrid didn't care, and she would never blame him for it. He was not in the right state of mind, he was still battling for survival, trying to take on a new threat that wasn't there, and she felt an uncomfortable pressure in her chest as she realized that his battle was not yet over. This was all going to stick with him for a while, and she wasn't sure how he was going to handle it, emotionally or mentally.
Hiccup took in a sharp breath as Astrid helped him lean against Toothless. She knew that he'd take comfort from being so close to his best friend, and the warmth that the dragon emanated would do him some good too judging by how much he seemed to be shaking all of a sudden.
"You're safe, I'm here." Astrid said, combing her fingers through his hair and kissing the top of his head. "You don't have to worry anymore, okay?"
Watching from the side, allowing Astrid to be there for their son, Valka and Stoick shared a look. They didn't have to exchange any words to know what the other was thinking. They had made a terrible mistake. They should have never separated Hiccup from Astrid and Toothless. If they were going to go on a family trip, to try and bond, they should have brought Hiccup's support with them. When things got hard and Hiccup needed a break, he could have retreated to where he felt safest, with his betrothed and his best friend. Instead, the parents had cornered him, had made him feel trapped. Yes, they'd had some good, deep, and necessary conversations while it had been just the three of them, but that still could have happened, even with Astrid and Toothless there to make Hiccup feel more comfortable. Not to mention, that having Astrid and Toothless there could have turned the tides, they would not have been outnumbered when the Grimborns had attacked.
After a moment, Stoick gestured with his head to Hiccup, Astrid, and Toothless; it was time to interrupt their reunion. Hiccup needed a healer, especially judging by how heavily he was leaning against Toothless, his head drooping down, unable to support it. He was pale, breathing heavily, clearly in pain, favoring his left shoulder that had a decent amount of blood stain that had dripped down the front and back of his shirt.
Valka nodded, getting the message. She was eager to care for Hiccup, had been wanting to take a look at his injuries since the moment they had pulled him out of the crate, but he had woken in a panic, had managed to whack Astrid in the face in his attempt at defending himself from the threats he was remembering. Valka had helped restrain him, alongside Stoick, until Astrid had finished taking a second to recover from the blow to her cheek and then had leaned in to calm Hiccup. She had been able to do it, to calm him. Nothing Valka had said while trying to keep Hiccup still had penetrated through the panic, same with Stoick, but when Astrid had put her hands on his cheeks and started talking to him, Hiccup had opened his eyes and come to. After that, Hiccup had seemed to need Astrid, he'd held onto her as if his life depended on it, and Valka was not going to interrupt that either, or Hiccup's reunion with Toothless.
However, at this point, she felt that they'd had enough time, and Hiccup really needed some help. If Valka's healer's instinct was correct, Hiccup was favoring his arm because it was dislocated, and that was going to be the worst injury to treat.
Valka approached, kneeling down next to Astrid. "Do you think he's calm enough for me to look over his injuries?" For some reason, she felt the need to ask Astrid for permission. She was to be Hiccup's wife, after all, and had been the one Hiccup had needed after the trauma he'd just experienced.
Astrid looked back at Hiccup. He was awake, but barely. He was clearly lost in his pain, feeling safe enough with Astrid at his side and Toothless at his back, to let his guard down. He was calmer than he'd been, but obviously suffering.
"He needs you, either way." Astrid answered, looking back at Valka. "We brought supplies with us."
At her words, Snotlout was quick to bring over the pack of healing supplies they'd been sure to pack with them, just in case. Valka took it with a word of thanks.
"His shoulder needs some attention." She leaned in, her fingers pulling the ripped fabric of his clothes away from the deep gash on his left shoulder.
"Is that why he's favoring that arm?" Astrid asked, pulling out some cloths and tinctures from the healer's kit. "We need water." She requested to no one in particular. She heard someone reacting to her words, but didn't pay attention to whom.
"No, I don't think so." Valka said, vaguely. She didn't like the look of the gash. It was deep, had bled a lot, but was now caked in dirt. It was a recipe for infection. "It was an arrow."
"What?" Gobber asked, hovering nearby, wanting to be useful but not having the healing knowledge that Valka had.
Fishlegs handed a ceramic container of water to Astrid, having fished it out of his supply bag one-handed, as he still held onto Sharpshot. "An arrow did that?"
"Looks like it." Valka took the ceramic container from Astrid, held a cloth to it's opening, and wet it. "It grazed him, any lower and it would have gone through."
"They were hunting us." Stoick added context to the injury, causing everyone there to feel indignation on Hiccup's behalf. Stoick, himself, clenched his fists in fury. Ullr had been that close to skewering his son with an arrow, an injury that could have done lasting damage if it didn't kill him. Fortunately, it had only managed to cut skin, and it would heal, even if it left a scar.
"Ryker and his family are going to pay." Snotlout nearly growled, feeling a rising anger at what had been done to his friend. Even Katla agreed that her family needed to pay for their wrongs, but she also wondered what it would mean for her. She had tried to join in the hunt, had tried to come up with a plan her family would like, but at every turn she'd been unable to go through with any of it. She'd been all talk, but still felt she shared the blame.
"And that's not why he's favoring his left arm?" Astrid asked again. It seemed a deep enough wound to cause pain at the slightest movement.
"It may be part of the reason." Valka let out a slow breath. She was not looking forward to this next part, not if it was dislocated like she thought. She set down the cloth, now stained a dirty red from the mixture of blood and dirt. The gash was cleaner, but still at risk of becoming infected. However, that was no longer the injury that needed the most attention. Her hand hovered over Hiccup's upper arm. "I think it's dislocated."
Astrid snapped her head up to look at Valka in alarm. "You can fix that, can't you?" She knew about some injuries being a warrior who dedicated a lot of time to some intense training, but she was no healer.
Valka grimaced, her reaction not a comfort to anyone there. She set one hand on Hiccup's arm, the other feeling around his shoulder, and he immediately reacted in pain.
"I'm sorry." Valka took her hands away, she looked truly distraught at the pain she had just caused her son.
Hiccup was suddenly more alert, no longer staring blankly at the ground as he tried to endure the various aches and pains of his body. He felt pain nearly everywhere, his amputated leg ached, his head was pounding, his shoulder burned from the gash and radiated a throbbing ache from being dislocated and forced to move by Ullr, his forearm was stinging from where he'd been cut a couple days ago, or a day ago? Hiccup no longer had a concept of time, and he also felt a little bit like throwing up but really hoped that he wouldn't because it would require more movement than he thought he was currently capable of.
"Is it… dislocated?" Astrid asked, hesitantly. She worried for Hiccup, she didn't want him to come out of this with another chronic injury, something that would stay with him for the rest of his life like his amputation. He didn't deserve that.
"It is." Valka confirmed, her voice grave. "And it has been for the past several hours. It's swollen, and it won't be easy to pop back into place."
"But, you can?" Stoick asked this time.
Valka looked up at him. "I should be able to, but… it'll be very painful."
"Is there something you can give him, to help dull the pain?" Gobber used his hook hand to half-heartedly move a few things around inside the bag of healing supplies.
"Nothing will be strong enough to dull this pain." Valka's gaze fell back on Hiccup and she brought a hand up to cup his cheek. "I'm so sorry Hiccup."
Hiccup's head was still hanging down, and he blinked groggily before looking up at her through his hair, not having the energy to move his head.
Valka leaned closer, catching Hiccup's eyes and hoping that he was conscious enough to hear her, to understand. "Hiccup?" Her thumb rubbed his cheek as she continued to hold it with her hand. "Your arm is dislocated. I have to put it back in place before more damage is done. It's- It's going to hurt. I'm so sorry."
Hiccup didn't respond, only stared blankly back at her, uncomprehending. Valka was unsure if anything she'd said had even got through to him. He was very dazed, and she was honestly surprised that he was conscious at all.
"What do you need?" Stoick asked, kneeling down next to Hiccup, knowing that this was going to take some extra hands. Hiccup was going to struggle, and judging by how he'd struck and lashed out when they'd gotten him out of the ground, he was going to go into self defense mode, again. Astrid already had a bruise forming on her jaw and across her cheek.
After a moment of thought, Valka instructed them. She needed Hiccup in the right position, and she needed enough people to hold him down. It wasn't that Hiccup was strong enough in his condition to fight back that hard, but that it would be easier if multiple people could hold him down as gently as possible, so he wouldn't be able to move or pull away from her touch.
Once Valka felt ready, she took a deep breath, already feeling tears in her eyes at the pain she knew she was about to cause her son, and she pressed her fingers into his shoulder, trying to feel through the swelling, moving his arm, hoping to maneuver it into the right spot as soon as possible, in order to cause the least amount of pain. However, she wasn't so lucky, and she had to keep moving his arm, trying to get it to pop back into place, all the more difficult because of how long it had been out of place, and all the swelling that had occurred as a result.
All it took was that first movement to get Hiccup to react. He let out a cry and groaned in pain. Stoick, Snotlout, and Tuffnut were holding Hiccup to prevent him from lashing out, and Astrid was trying to comfort him by holding his face and running her hand through his hair, but it wasn't working. Hiccup wasn't seeing them, he didn't understand that they were helping. All he felt was agony, and it brought him right back to the moment that Ullr had popped his arm out of place.
Hiccup was suddenly back in the forest with Ullr. He no longer remembered that Astrid was there trying to comfort him, that his mom was trying to help him, or that the hands that held him down were there for his own good and not to do harm.
Hiccup had known something was very wrong the moment he'd felt Ullr yank his arm. A pop had echoed through his entire body, and his arm felt really weird besides the throbbing ache. Once his arm had been popped out of place, he'd had no chance of fighting back, Ullr had had complete control, and he'd used it.
The pain of having his arm popped out of place had been nothing compared to the agony of having that same arm forcefully moved and pulled in different directions. Hiccup had been lost in his pain as Ullr forced his arm to move in ways it wasn't meant to, especially while dislocated. He could hear it reverberating in his skull, the sound of things popping and tearing. He was crying out in pain, he couldn't help it, his throat felt like it was being shredded by the force of the sounds coming out of him. His eyes were watering, he was panting. He'd never felt such pain in his life. He couldn't even remember the pain from losing his leg. He didn't remember the heat from the fire that had nearly consumed him after defeating the Red Death, he didn't remember the pain of Toothless grabbing him in the only way he could in order to save him while they fell, and doing permanent damage to his leg in the process. And he couldn't remember the amputation that had made a clean cut to his leg, removing the part that was now useless to him. His father had said he had screamed in agony, probably much like he had while Ullr had been torturing him, but Hiccup had no recollection of it. Unfortunately, he was sure he'd remember this pain, and he'd been right. It all came back to him as soon as he felt his mom moving his arm around.
The panic set in, and Hiccup did his best to fight back despite how weak he felt, and despite the pain. As Valka tried to maneuver the arm back into place, Astrid could feel the atmosphere become tense as they were all forced to watch Hiccup pant and writhe in pain.
It took several tries to put it back in place, the swelling making it difficult, and the entire time Valka was feeling around and moving his arm, Hiccup was crying out in agony, sounding much like he had when his parents had heard his tortured cries far off in the woods, and had been desperately trying to find him.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…" Valka hated that she was hurting him, and it brought tears to her own eyes, but it had to be done.
They all felt his pain as he screamed and thrashed, their faces grim, blinking hard to hold back their own tears at their loved one's suffering.
Astrid felt her heart begin to race, her eyes sting, and her heart ache. She wished that there was something she could do to take away all of his pain, or to take his place and endure it for him. If only she had insisted on going with them to Healer's Island, or forced them to take Toothless, or if she had just listened to the dragon in the first place when he had known something was wrong, maybe she could have prevented this. She could have prevented Hiccup's pain.
It took Valka longer than she wanted to get Hiccup's arm to pop back into place, but she had to be careful, to make sure it was done correctly as to not cause complications down the road that could cause him lasting pain and other issues.
The effort was too much for Hiccup. He fell unconscious, his eyes fluttering closed, limp in the arms of his loved ones, but still breathing hard. Astrid was immediately there, holding him, running her hand through his hair, and kissing his cheek, whispering reassurances as she held his shaking body to her. And they weren't even done with him yet.
"I need to make him a sling, to support his shoulder." Valka instructed, looking around. "Is there some kind of cloth in that pile of clothes?"
Since Snotlout, Tuffnut, and Stoick were still next to Hiccup after helping to restrain him, while Astrid held him close, Ruffnut reacted to Valka's request. She was quick to search the pile of clothes and fabrics that had been tossed aside to make room for Hiccup in the crate, previously a cache of goods. She found a square of fabric and handed it to Valka.
Valka set a hand on Astrid's shoulder, getting her attention so that she could let go of Hiccup enough for her to wrap the fabric behind him and over his uninjured shoulder, then create a sling to support the one she'd just popped back into place. She made sure it kept his arm secure against his body.
"We need to clean and dress his wounds." Valka said next, moving on to the next thing after giving her son a moment to catch his breath and calm down as much as he could. The movement of his arm into the sling having caused him more pain.
Astrid nodded at Valka's instructions, not sure if her voice would work if she tried, the strain in her throat from all the emotions she was feeling, too much. She hated seeing Hiccup in pain, and she still felt like it was her fault, she could have prevented this.
The gash on his shoulder was caked with a mixture of dirt and blood, creating a disgusting, morbid mud. Blood soaked through his sleeve where it looked like he had some wrappings that were coming undone from a previously treated wound.
"It'll be easiest to cut through his shirt, to access the wounds that need to be cleaned and wrapped." Valka indicated the water and the cloth Astrid had been using. She reached for Hiccup's dagger at her waist, freezing when she realized the sheath was empty and remembering why. She'd left Hiccup's dagger… sticking out of Yrsa.
"Here." Gobber leaned forward, seeing that Valka had reached for an empty sheath, and deducing what she needed by what she'd just said. He handed her his own dagger.
"Thank you." Valka accepted it, then carefully used it to cut the fabric at the gash on Hiccup's shoulder, to see it more easily. She'd cleaned some of the dirt out of it already but needed to be more thorough. Astrid poured a slow stream of water onto the wound while Valka wiped at it with a clean cloth. The water pooled in the gash, the dirt floating and sliding out of the injury with the water, down the front and back of Hiccup's shirt.
Hiccup shivered.
"It's okay." Astrid leaned forward and placed another kiss on his forehead. "Once you're all fixed up, we'll get you warm, okay?
"Should I build a fire?" Fishlegs offered.
"Yes, please." Stoick answered, his voice hoarse. They needed to get Hiccup warmed up, even if they had to continue tending to him while he lay near a fire.
"More water, quick." Astrid held up the ceramic container that Fishlegs had given her.
"On it." Ruffnut snatched up the container, turned to run off, then froze as she looked at the unfamiliar woods around her.
"Straight ahead, along that path. Don't stray from it." Stoick directed, being the one most familiar with Healer's Island. He pointed directly in front of Ruffnut. She nodded and took off.
"It looks clean." Valka said, hesitating before using her fingers to spread the gash a little, to peer inside and look for anymore clusters of dirt and mud. Hiccup winced, taking in a sharp breath of air, then continued to shiver. "I'm sorry, sweetheart." She cupped Hiccup's cheek for a moment before searching through the healer's kit for some bandage clothes. It was going to be awkward to wrap up his injury due to its location. It wasn't really a spot where she could wrap it around the arm and tuck it in. It was on top of the shoulder, and she could not move it until it healed, and didn't want to take the sling off.
"You can place it on top, and kind of tuck it in the sides." Astrid tried to help, pointing to where the bandage could be tucked into the sling to hold it in place. "It's not going to be very secure, but that might be the best we can do right now."
Valka nodded, agreeing. They didn't have a lot of options, but they needed to do something. She folded up the bandage, pulled the pieces of his shirt out of the way so she could set it atop the gash, and tuck it into his shirt and under part of the sling. If Hiccup were moved around too much, the bandage would definitely slide around and fall off. But now was not the time to undo the sling and try to slip a shirt off of him, or try to get his injured arm through the sleeve of another shirt. He was too cold to go without.
"That'll have to do." Valka said.
"I've got it, here's the water." Ruffnut came running back into the clearing, setting the ceramic container into Astrid's hands.
Astrid accepted it with a quick word of thanks and set it aside. It was now time to address the bleeding on his forearm. Whatever injury it was had bled through to his sleeve, seeping out the sides of his arm bracer that covered it, and there were loose bandages hanging out the end of the sleeve.
Valka had the knife to cut open Hiccup's sleeve, so Astrid lifted Hiccup's arm up to help her have a better angle to take off the arm bracer and slice through the fabric.
Astrid froze, holding Hiccup's hand in hers as she lifted his arm. She swallowed, hard.
Hiccup's fingers were torn up and bloody, and a vision of him desperately trying to claw his way out of his makeshift coffin became so clear in her mind.
There was no stopping the tears now as she imagined his devastating fear and desperation. She brought his hand to her lips as she tried to reign in her emotions. He had fought to the end, had probably come to the conclusion that he was going to die down there, under the ground, where no one would ever find him.
Distantly, she heard a low growl coming from Toothless and she knew that the dragon shared her feelings— actually, that the dragon was capable of sharing Hiccup's real feelings, somehow. He had remained where he was, laying on the ground near Hiccup who had previously been leaning against him before being treated for his injuries. Toothless had whined the entire time Hiccup's arm had been being set back in place, and Fishlegs had briefly wondered if he'd need to remove the Night Fury. It hadn't been necessary, and that had been a bit of a relief, because as everyone else worried over Hiccup, Fishlegs was also taking care of Sharpshot.
"Astrid." Valka's voice caused Astrid to open her eyes and they looked at each other, understanding of how she felt, reflected back at her. "I know, but we have to push forward, so we can help him."
Astrid nodded, the tears in her eyes spilling over, realizing that her own hand was now shaking as she held onto him. She had been so close to losing him. She knew that was something she wouldn't be able to handle and thanked the gods that they had gotten there in time.
Unfortunately, it only got worse from there. After Hiccup's arm bracer had been removed, the sleeve had been cut, and the blood soaked bandages unwound, she'd been faced with another sad reality as Valka wiped away the blood. He still had those scars on his arms and at this point, there was no denying what they were. No accidental injury looked like that.
"What're those from?" Snotlout asked still kneeling down next to Hiccup, but no longer needing to aid in restraining him. His words broke the tense silence, his confusion almost coming off as curt as he referred to the scars on Hiccup's arms.
The exchanged glances that Valka and Stoick shared did nothing but confuse Snotlout further. The way Astrid avoided his eye and looked down, made him almost suspicious.
Tuffnut, who had not moved from his spot since helping to hold Hiccup down, narrowed his eyes, leaning over to get a better look at what Snotlout was talking about, to see a cluster of faded, white lines on Hiccup's wrist that became more spread out as they went up his arm a couple of inches. "How does that even happen?" Tuffnut looked up at Gobber. "From the forge?"
Gobber went pale, not answering other than giving a slight shake of the head as Tuffnut lifted Hiccup's arm out of Astrid's grasp to show him the scars, also displaying them for everyone else there at the same time.
"Stop." Astrid smacked Tuffnut's hand and gently lowered Hiccup's arm back down, knowing that if Hiccup were awake, that he'd be mortified.
Tuffnut flinched and rubbed at his own hand, even though it didn't really hurt. It wasn't the slap that had affected him so much as the shock of the conclusion he had just come to, realization sinking in and causing a sense of horror to spread from his gut to his heart.
"You seem to know what happened." Snotlout leveled Astrid with a suspicious gaze.
"Just drop it." Astrid didn't meet his eyes, instead, grabbing some of the supplies and dabbing at the gash on Hiccup's forearm, oozing blood where some of the stitches had popped.
"Did someone do this to him?" Snotlout asked, feeling both angry on Hiccup's behalf and frustrated that he couldn't get an answer.
"We need to thoroughly clean out his wound before I can stitch him back up." Valka told Astrid, also trying to move on from Hiccup's emotional scars being put out on display. She hadn't meant for that to happen, but they needed to tend to him before infection set in.
"Astrid." Snotlout all but talked over Valka. "Was it while we were on Dragon's Edge? Did someone torture Hiccup? Why wouldn't you guys tell us?"
"Snotlout, maybe we should-" Fishlegs tried to intervene, feeling incredibly uncomfortable at the revelation of just how deep Hiccup's pains really went. He was about finished building the fire, Sharpshot temporarily in Meatlug's care.
"Those aren't normal scars." Snotlout interrupted.
"Why can't you just leave it alone?!" Astrid burst out, looking like she was ready to chase Snotlout out of there, maybe with her ax.
"Because I need to know if it was my fault!" Snotlout shouted back, and it was as if the entire forest went silent.
Astrid finally met Snotlout's eyes with a look of surprise on her face, seeing a mix of anguish, sadness, and guilt. She understood exactly how he felt, and yet, she didn't have the words to tell him that it wasn't. It was his fault, it was her fault, it was Hiccup's parents' fault, it was their people's fault, it was all of their fault. They had all done this to Hiccup.
Her hesitation to answer didn't help Snotlout feel any better and he suddenly looked completely lost as he looked down at his friend.
"Snotlout, let's go take a walk." Ruffnut had moved to stand behind him, touching his arm to help guide him up from his spot. He followed, letting her escort him away as he stared blankly ahead.
As Astrid watched them leave she knew she'd have to talk to them about it later. They'd all have a lot of questions now, and she didn't want to leave them, and especially Snotlout, with any lingering feelings of guilt.
She should have said something to reassure him as he stared back at her, looking more broken than she thought she'd even seen Snotlout before, but she hadn't known what to say. And really, it wasn't her place to tell him he hadn't done anything wrong, or that he was forgiven, that was Hiccup's job, and he was currently incapable of doing that.
The uncomfortable silence was broken as everyone tried to move on. Valka asked for the supplies Astrid had been using, and began to dab at the nasty gash again. Stoick exchanged a glance with Gobber that all but confirmed what the old blacksmith had been just thinking about; Hiccup's emotional pains went so much deeper than any of them had realized. Not even Gobber had known and he thought that he'd used to be the one who knew Hiccup the best, previously having to be the mediator between father and son, and the only person on Berk willing to talk to him.
Eret and Katla, the two who had known Hiccup for the least amount of time, watched with concern. Eret only knew what Gobber had shared with him about Hiccup's past or the few things that Hiccup had told him, himself, and Katla only knew that he and his parents had been struggling to connect, seeming to be trying to overcome something together while on the island. She hadn't been entirely sure what was being silently communicated through everyone, but she knew injuries like that didn't just happen, and she knew what was being implied.
"Stoick? Can you find something warm to wrap him in from those piles?" Valka indicated the clothing that had been in the cache of goods, strewn about to make room for Hiccup in the crate. At least they were coming in handy now.
Stoick nodded and made himself busy, still unable to fully wrap his mind around just how far he'd pushed Hiccup in the past. Still unable to fully comprehend his son's trauma and pains that had led him to such actions.
Valka continued to give out instructions and orders, keeping people busy, knowing that if Hiccup were awake, that he'd hate the attention he was getting, he'd hate that everyone now knew something so private about himself.
Valka cleaned out the gash again, redoing the stitches, and bandaging his arm once more. While she did that, Astrid cleaned his fingers, wiping away the blood, cleaning off the dirt, and bandaging his hand.
They removed his prosthetic next, tending to the raw stump. They wiped as much dirt off of him as they could. They wrapped him in a nice cloak, found from the cache of clothing and fabrics that he'd been buried alive in.
While Hiccup was being tended to, some of the group were tasked with gathering the Haddock family's things. The Berkian boat would stay there for now, next to the traders' ship that they left untouched, but the family's personal items were to be brought back to Berk with them, including the things that had to be gathered from their abandoned campsite and that had been scattered along the route to where they'd tied up their boat when it had gone missing.
Once their things were gathered, Stoick and Valka packed up the dragons while Astrid stayed by Hiccup's side, next to the fire, keeping him warm and comforting him even though he wasn't awake to hear her. The others had the much more grim task of wrapping Yrsa's body in cloths and burying her near the hut that wasn't supposed to be there. At some point, the body might have to be moved, according to Stoick, but for the time being, that was what was to be done with it.
Once Yrsa was taken care of, an unconscious Ryker and a seething, tied up Ullr were brought to their gathering spot.
Ullr was clearly upset that he'd failed, his glower settled on Hiccup as he rested against Astrid, her hand holding onto his bandaged one. He had failed, and Hiccup was laying there, alive and tended to, while his girlfriend held him close and comforted him.
Ullr despised the very sight, but not as much as he hated seeing his sister there with the group, looking very much like one of them despite the rope around her wrists. He didn't bother to acknowledge Katla in any way. She was nothing to him now, having sided with the enemy. She was no longer his sister, in fact, she was his enemy now, too.
—
It had taken longer than they had wanted to prepare to head out, there had been so much to do, and there was still so much more that had to be done, but finally, they were ready to leave Healer's Island behind them.
"Alright, we'll meet you back home in a couple days." Gobber said with a wave of his hand as he sat atop Grump, ready to take lead of his group when they flew off.
Stoick nodded. "Thank you."
"Just take care of Hiccup, we'll take care of everything else." Gobber assured, gesturing to his group of dragon riders.
Snotlout rode with Ullr who was tied up so tightly that he could barely move. Ryker rode with the twins who couldn't have cared less about the man's dignity, tying his unconscious body to the top of their dragon to the best of their ability, and calling it good enough, and nobody else bothering to do anything about it. Fishlegs tailed behind the group, having passed Sharpshot off to Valka, ready to assist if anyone should need it.
Stoick and Valka watched as they flew off before turning their attention back to their group.
"Are you sure that the prison on Outcast Island is the right place for them?" Astrid asked from where she sat on the ground near the fire, Hiccup resting against her, head against her chest, he was no longer shivering.
"It's the biggest prison on this side of the Archipelago." Stoick said.
"Yeah, but even Dagur escaped from it, along with a lot of other prisoners." Astrid pointed out. "I mean, Dagur changed and became our friend, but still. There was a big prison break while we were living on The Edge."
"Outcast Island isn't what it used to be, Alvin has been leading them differently, and a lot of the traitors have been weeded out." Stoick said, Valka remembering all that he had told her about what had happened while she'd been away. It had surprised her, she had been sure that her husband and Alvin would remain enemies for life. "And besides, they just have to stay there until I can convene a council of chiefs with all the tribes involved in the Healer's Island Treaty. They need to be made aware of what happened, what state the island is in, and be involved in the decision of what to do about it, and about Ullr and Ryker. Gobber will fill Alvin in on everything while he's there."
"Um, what about me?" Katla asked, more timidly than she'd been the entire time they'd been there.
"We'll figure that out amongst ourselves." Valka interjected, before her husband could make any kind of decision. She knew that Stoick and Astrid were on the fence about her, but she didn't blame the girl like she blamed the rest of the Grimborn family.
"For now, you'll come to Berk with us." Stoick said after a moment. He'd given his wife a look before making his decision. He had to admit, he felt sorry for Katla, but he had the safety of his family and his people to consider.
Katla nodded, slowly, intending on being as cooperative as she could be.
"What do you need from me, chief?" Eret asked, the only one of the Dragon Riders to have stayed behind.
"All our gear is packed on the dragons, just lead Stormfly and Heimdall back to Berk." Stoick answered, then turned to his wife. "The girl can ride with you, if you think you can handle her?"
"She won't give me any trouble." Valka looked to Katla, an almost stern expression on her face that said that she had better behave and yet, still seemed motherly at the same time.
Valka was confident that Katla would cooperate, but still intended to be wary. She would just have to tuck Sharpshot back into Hiccup's satchel where he'd be safe and cozy, while she watched Katla and directed Cloudjumper as they flew.
"I can ride with Hiccup." Stoick decided, turning to Astrid. "You're probably the best at using Toothless' riding gear."
"Probably." Astrid agreed with that. "But, Hiccup should ride with me. He'll feel calmed being close to Toothless."
Stoick hesitated for a moment, the fatherly side of him wanting to hold his son close, to make sure he could keep a close eye on him, but he did see Astrid's point. There was something about Hiccup and Toothless' connection that was so much stronger than before.
"I'll watch him closely, I can handle that and fly Toothless." Astrid assured him, Toothless making a cooing sound in agreement, wanting Hiccup to ride with him, like he was supposed to.
Stoick nodded, relenting, not just because of the fact that the familiarity of riding on Toothless would soothe Hiccup, but because of the desperate look that Astrid didn't seem to realize was on her face. She had nearly broken down once Hiccup had been safe, because she'd come to realize how close she'd been to losing her love, and Stoick knew exactly how that felt. If she needed to hold on to her betrothed, then he was inclined to let her.
It wasn't long before all of them were mounted on their dragons and flying back home. Stoick and Valka couldn't have been more relieved to be leaving, and to be reunited with their dragons. Their family trip hadn't been what they had hoped it would be, not even close. They had gotten Hiccup to open up to them some, but they had wanted to really bond and become closer as a family. After everything that had happened, they wondered if Hiccup would end up worse off than when they had first arrived.
Stoick let out a sigh as they finally put the island behind them, knowing that though everyone was now safe, there was still a lot to be done, a lot to address in the aftermath of what had happened on Healer's Island. It helped that he now had his wife with him to be by his side through it all. If anything good had happened on Healer's Island, it had at least solidified his relationship with his long lost wife. They were a team once more.
Astrid glanced back, checking on Stormfly as she flew behind them with Heimdall and Amethyst. It seemed that Stormfly had caught on, knowing to help guide Heimdall.
As Astrid rode with Toothless, she held Hiccup firmly from behind, arms wrapped around his waist, her head next to his as he leaned heavily against her. He was in and out of consciousness, every now and then mumbling something that she couldn't make out but seeming to be aware that he was safe on his dragon, with her, as she continued to calmly reassure him that everything was okay, he was okay, he was safe.
As they flew home, Astrid clung to him, more for her own comfort than for his, still contemplating how close she had been to losing him. She wished that she had listened to Toothless sooner, then maybe they could have rescued them before things had gotten as bad as they had. Maybe Hiccup could have been spared some of his pain, the pain she had caused him through her inaction.
She could barely stand the guilt she felt.
—
It felt like the flight home had taken longer than it should have. When the first sights of Berk could be seen, they all felt a sense of relief. Hiccup could finally get the proper care that he needed.
"Head home, I'll get Gothi." Stoick split off from the group and headed for Gothi's ridiculous hut, built way too high up for what was sensible for a healer.
The others flew to the Haddock household, touching down just outside the front door, Valka and Eret dismounting.
"What's the plan?" Astrid asked, holding Hiccup tightly to her, arms around his waist as he leaned heavily against her.
"I'm not so sure." Valka said, considering their options. The fact remained that Hiccup was still covered in dirt, despite their best efforts. It wouldn't do to put him in bed like that, he'd never remain clean, not even if he was washed up afterword, it would get dirt and grime in his bed. His wounds needed to be cleansed, everything needed to be washed away.
Before anything could be decided, Skullcrusher landed beside them, Stoick sliding to the ground, and turning to hold out a hand to aid Gothi and her daughter, Hilda, her head healer, in climbing down.
Hilda, ever the one to get straight to business and get the job done, and done the right way, took one look at Hiccup and didn't bother to outwardly show her shock and horror at the poor sight of him. Without asking questions about what had happened, she walked up to Toothless and leaned over Hiccup to check his heart and his breathing.
"He seems stable enough." Hilda said. "I want him cleaned up before we treat him inside. The hot springs will do him good. The heat will ease the pain in his muscles and wash away the dirt."
"You don't want to look at him first?" Valka hesitated.
"You did good, Valka." Hilda dropped the authoritative tone and became more sympathetic. "You took care of him, but he needs to be cleaned up thoroughly, so we can try to prevent infection. Gothi and I will set up inside and wait for you to return."
Valka gave Hilda a grateful smile. She had trained with her, to become a healer. They had been friends, to a degree. Hilda was older, and Valka only really spent time with her when in training or on visits to Healer's Island for healing herbs. Hilda had taken her healing training very seriously, and Valka had not been entirely committed to the path of becoming a healer, and it hadn't mattered in the end anyway, since she'd fallen for Stoick and become the chieftess, her future set until she'd been taken by Cloudjumper.
"Let me grab some clean clothes." Stoick rushed into the house, up to Hiccup's loft so that he could gather some fresh clothing and blankets.
"Eret, would you mind sticking around? Light the fire inside, and keep an eye on Katla?" Valka asked, giving Katla a stern look. Katla ducked her head. "She won't give you any trouble."
Gothi and Hilda gave Katla a curious look but didn't comment, instead unpacking the healing supplies they'd attached to Skullcrusher before flying to their chief's home with him.
"No problem!" Eret agreed. "I can do that. We can unload your things from the dragons while we're here."
Katla looked startled for a moment. Eret was acting more like he was there to keep her company, rather than to keep watch over her because she was a possible threat. Valka had untied her while they'd been flying, when Katla had seemed unsteady atop the dragon, and worried about plummeting. Riding a dragon was a foreign concept to her, and she was not used to the heights. She currently sat on top of Cloudjumper, hands free, unrestrained. It seemed like a lot of trust was being put in her, and she was eager not to let any of them down.
Before Valka could say anymore, Eret was holding a hand out to Katla, to help her down from Cloudjumper, then handing her some things to carry as he unburdened the other dragons of bundles of blankets and packs of supplies.
"Let me take a look at the scratches on your face, after you take those inside." Hilda ordered in a tone not to be argued with, when Katla walked past her. Again, Katla was taken aback. Someone wanted to take care of her? This woman was worried about her injuries? Katla had nearly forgotten about the scratches on her own face despite the occasional sting when she made any kind of expression, from when Sharpshot had attacked her in order to help Hiccup. It wasn't that she'd particularly wanted to harm Hiccup in that moment, and though she'd had a knife to his throat at the time, she hadn't actually planned on killing him. He'd merely been a hostage, because Ullr had been watching and judging her. She didn't begrudge the Terrible Terror, she only wished Ullr hadn't hurt him. Her brother had wanted to kill him, once they'd returned to their makeshift house, and not having a reason why he shouldn't without admitting to the true feelings in her heart, Katla had found a cage in one of the piles of things outside their home, declared he was her pet, and stuck him inside. Ullr had left the dragon alone after that.
"Here." Valka lifted the flap of Hiccup's satchel and gently pulled Sharpshot out. She crouched so she could put him safely in Gothi's arms. "Please, do whatever you can. Hiccup is heartbroken over him."
Gothi took the dragon, meeting Valka's eyes and wordlessly communicating that Sharpshot was safe in her hands, that she would do her best. Terrible Terrors were her preferred dragon, she knew a lot about them, had applied her healing knowledge to them on multiple occasions.
Part of Valka wanted to tend to Sharpshot herself. She'd spent much of the past twenty years looking after dragons, caring for them, healing the injured ones after rescuing them from cruel traps. It was what she did, it was what she'd known for so long. However, she'd vowed to put Hiccup first, and even if she didn't need to be there to get him cleaned up, she was not about to stay behind and watch over a dragon instead of being supportive of her son. Sharpshot was in good hands anyway, she trusted Gothi.
Katla stepped into Hiccup's house, ahead of Eret. She was glad that it was dim inside, that nobody could see the devastated look on her face. She hadn't been the one to harm the Terrible Terror, but she hadn't stopped it either, in fact, her actions may have spurred Ullr on. It wasn't as if she would have been able to stop Ullr if she had tried, but she still felt so much guilt, especially at Valka's words about how it had affected Hiccup.
Eret set his arm full of things down in a corner of the large space, then went straight for the fireplace to get it started while Katla stood there not knowing what to do with herself.
As Stoick descended the stairs, some clothing and blankets tucked under an arm, he paused to give her a considering look. It seemed like he wanted to say something, but just then, the two healers came walking through the door with their own supplies, waiting to go up the stairs that their chief was currently blocking, to where Katla assumed Hiccup's room was.
"We'll take care of things here, chief." Eret assured Stoick, the fire he built beginning to grow, warmth spreading through the home that had remained cold and empty for the past week.
"Set those down, come." Hilda gestured to Katla. She didn't need to know who she was, only that she was injured and needed some care.
Seeing that Eret, Hilda, and Gothi had things covered inside the home, Stoick left the house. Outside, Valka was taking any unnecessary items off of Toothless and setting them down for Eret to take inside.
"Should we take Cloudjumper, so that Eret can unpack Skullcrusher?" Valka asked Stoick as he approached. Cloudjumper didn't wear any kind of saddle or harness, and so their things could not be attached to him.
"Is Astrid-" Stoick began to question if Hiccup's betrothed was planning on helping to bathe him, as Astrid and his son were yet to be married, and this was a rather personal situation. However, at that moment, Hiccup began to stir.
Sitting atop Toothless, and leaning against someone warm he was barely aware enough to assume was Astrid, Hiccup was starting to get uncomfortable. His shoulder was sore and throbbing and he felt like it was tense and wouldn't loosen no matter how he shifted. His forearm on the other arm was stinging. His prosthetic wasn't attached to him, and it made him feel vulnerable despite the relief of not having it on while his stump ached. His head was throbbing, his throat stinging, he felt dizzy and lightheaded. Hiccup was also feeling somewhat pathetic, actually, limp against his girlfriend, unable to climb off of Toothless on his own, and rather confused about how he had even gotten there.
"Hiccup?" Astrid leaned over his good shoulder, to see his face better. "Are you waking up?"
All Hiccup could do was groan. He tried to lift his head but felt like he had no energy. If he thought about it, every part of him ached with some kind of pain, just not as bad as the more prominent injuries.
"Can't…" Hiccup tried to tell Astrid that he couldn't get down on his own, but his throat was raw. He briefly wondered if he was getting sick when it all came back to him at once. He flinched, taking in a sharp breath. No, his throat was raw because of how hard he'd been screaming below the ground, in his makeshift coffin.
"Whoa, Hiccup, calm down. It's okay." Astrid kissed his cheek and lingered there so that he would be more aware of her presence. She was warm, and suddenly Hiccup was aware of how cold he was. He felt awful, and now he was shivering. "Hilda said the hot springs?"
"Yes." Valka confirmed, leaning against Toothless so that she could set a hand on Hiccup's knee and look into his face. Hiccup was blinking very slow, but there was a panicked look in his eyes. "Hiccup? You're back home, you're safe, okay? We're going to help you get cleaned up, and I'm sure that'll help you feel a bit better."
"He's shivering." Astrid said, pressing herself against him more, hoping to warm him even a little.
"I can see that." Valka said, distractedly. Hiccup hadn't even acknowledged that she had spoken to him, and that worried her. He was still lost in his pain, unable to focus on the things around him. "We should get him there, quick. It'll warm him, and soothe his aches and pains."
Stoick decided to drop the matter of Astrid going with them. Clearly, she wasn't planning on letting Hiccup out of her sight anytime soon. It was an odd situation, but whatever was best for Hiccup.
Before Stoick could question how to climb up on Valka's tall, large dragon, Cloudjumper lowered his head and offered Stoick a way onto his shoulders.
"Thank you." Stoick climbed up, and held a hand out to assist Valka even though he knew she didn't need it. She smiled and accepted his hand, continuing to hold it as they launched into the air after Toothless.
It was a short flight, the hot springs were not too far from the village. They were a popular spot, and within walking distance. In this case, however, flying Hiccup there was the better option. He needed care, as quickly as possible.
As they landed, Stoick and Valka were quick to dismount and go to Hiccup and Astrid's side. Stoick passed the clothes and blankets off to Valka and reached out to take Hiccup who was muttering something he couldn't understand. Astrid hesitated, not wanting to let him go, but she knew that Hiccup needed this, that Stoick would have an easier time carrying him than her. She helped pass him over into Stoick's waiting arms, as gently as possible.
Hiccup flinched and cried out as his bad shoulder was moved, but then went still once more. If he was still semi-conscious, they could no longer tell.
Astrid slipped off of Toothless' back, gave him a quick scratch under the chin and told him to wait there. For a moment, the Night Fury looked like he was going to protest. "There's not much you could do for him, not here. We'll take care of him, okay?"
Toothless agreed, but begrudgingly, and waited behind with Cloudjumper as Astrid led the way to the entrance of the cavern where the hot springs were.
"Astrid, maybe you should wait with-" Stoick began to say, but was interrupted.
"I'm helping." Astrid said, resolute. She walked into the cavern ahead of them and shouted. "Anyone in here? Get out."
Valka chuckled to herself. She liked Astrid. She was glad that Hiccup had her, that Astrid provided him a support that she and Stoick had been unable to give him. He needed her, and she clearly needed him too.
A couple of Vikings exited the cavern, grumbling to themselves. They were still wet and had obviously dressed in a hurry, without drying first. However, when they spotted dirty, bloody Hiccup in Stoick's arms, not sure what had happened, they sobered up quickly, giving nods to their chief.
"It's empty." Astrid could be heard from inside.
Stoick glanced at his wife with a startled expression on his face, and Valka stared back, very amused by Astrid. With a shrug, Valka gestured for her husband to lead the way inside. She didn't think it too big of a problem. It was simply something that had to be done, Hiccup needed all the dirt and grime washed away. Chances were that he would end up with an infection anyway, his wounds had been caked in dirt for a long time already. Astrid was merely taking initiative to help get it done. To Valka, it spoke volumes that Astrid was willing to do anything like this for Hiccup, and as his future wife, she should be one of the people caring for him.
When Stoick and Valka stepped inside, Astrid had already slipped out of her skirt, armor, boots, and furry hood, only the leggings and tight fit tunic remained, and she was sitting on the edge of a pool of steaming water.
For a moment, Stoick felt like he was intruding, but he quickly shoved those feelings aside. Astrid was apparently taking charge of this situation, and that wasn't a bad thing. It was better than standing around, fumbling with how to get the task done.
Valka spread out one of the blankets and Stoick set Hiccup down, gently. Undressing Hiccup down to only his undershorts was difficult. They had to undo the sling, unwrap the bandages, and maneuver his injured shoulder as carefully and slowly as they could, but the pain ended up being too much for him, so they cut through the damaged shirt instead as it was beyond the point of saving anyway.
That alone had been too much effort for Hiccup. He lay there, panting, eyes tightly shut, a grimace on his face, struggling with the pain. Stoick and Valka paused, sharing an expression and coming to the mutual agreement to give their son a little break from the movement. Once his expression relaxed and his breathing slowed, it was time to get him in the water.
Valka set a hand to Hiccup's face. "We're going to get you in the water, okay?"
Hiccup didn't respond, having drifted off once more. He was definitely not capable of doing this on his own, and likely wasn't even aware of what was happening. Stoick gently lifted him, knelt by the pool, and handed him over to Astrid who was shoulder deep in the water and reaching up for him. Hiccup tensed, feeling nothing beneath him but hands, and jumped enough to nearly get dunked in the pool when he touched water without expecting it.
"Hiccup!" Astrid caught him, supporting his head as she steadied him. "Stay on your back, I'll help you float."
Hiccup grumbled something, but his eyes remained closed and his body tense.
"Don't give me that." Astrid reprimanded gently, but she smiled and kissed the top of his head as she held it above water. "Relax. The hot water will be good for your shoulder, and any other aches."
Valka was now kneeling at the edge of the pool and she gestured for Astrid to get closer. "I'll wet his hair, get the dirt rinsed out." Astrid listened, wading closer, pulling Hiccup along with her, ready to help in anyway she could.
The next half hour passed, Hiccup floating on his back, finally relaxing and letting the heat from the water dull his aches, Astrid holding up his head and giving him the occasional kiss on the forehead or cheek. If Hiccup were awake and aware, he'd have felt far too exposed. His white scars standing out against his skin as the mud was washed away, the gashes on his shoulder and forearm wide open and laid bare, bruises highlighted, his amputated leg uncovered, raw skin visible in the water. A hard life and the poor choices of others were evident, having taken a toll on his body that reflected the state of his fractured soul from within, just as tattered, just as damaged.
His family and betrothed washed away the dirt and grime, gently, thoroughly. The warm, bubbling water cleansed Hiccup's open wounds, the dirt and dried blood tainting the water before sinking and being swept away in a light current. By the end, the pool was clear and sparkling once more, and Hiccup remained afloat by the hands of his betrothed, his deep wounds flushed clean with his loved ones' help, and ready to heal.
—
Eret wasn't entirely sure what to say, or do, for that matter. He usually took on every situation with a cocky attitude and confidence. However, as he sat in the living area in the Haddock home, the fire blazing and slowly warming the entire house, all of the Haddock family's things set in a corner, the dragons free of saddles, and fed, the healers upstairs setting up in preparation for caring for Hiccup, and Katla sitting nearby with her legs pulled in, arms wrapped around them, looking uncertain, the scratches on her face treated, Eret found himself wracking his brain for something to say to her.
"The Haddocks are pretty great." Eret said, but then realized that maybe she didn't even know their last name. Maybe she thought he was talking about fish. "Hiccup and his family, the Haddocks."
A glint of amusement appeared in her eyes, but it was quickly gone. "Yes, they've treated me better than… anyone ever has." Katla said, taken aback by her own statement.
"Same, actually." Eret agreed. Even when he had been Hiccup's former enemy, he had shown him kindness. "I was a dragon trapper. I worked for Drago, Hiccup was my enemy, kind of. And yet he gave me a chance, he had faith in me, and he became my friend. I was invited to live here."
Katla didn't know who Drago was, but she was intrigued. His story sounded somewhat similar to hers, and she dared hope that perhaps she could have a happy ending like him. The Haddocks obviously trusted him, otherwise he wouldn't be sitting there, supervising her.
"Do you think… Hiccup will accept me?" Katla asked, she looked down. "I was his enemy too. I did some terrible things."
Eret looked at her, considering his words carefully. "Katla, right?"
She nodded, finally meeting his eyes.
"It seems to me that he already has accepted you. You're here, aren't you? They didn't send you to the prison at Outcast Island." Eret gave her a reassuring smile. "Hiccup saw something in you, and he believes in you. Just wait and see."
She smiled back. "I'll do whatever I can, to live up to that."
—
Astrid and Valka waited outside the cavern while Stoick helped Hiccup to dress in dry clothing. By the end, the warm water had seemed to revive Hiccup to a point. Feeling clean perked him up a little and brought him back to semi-consciousness, but he was still in far too much pain to do much on his own, and still jumpy as if he thought some enemy was going to pop out of nowhere and attack.
Finally, Stoick came outside, Hiccup once again in his arms, but this time wrapped in a warm blanket. Hiccup's eyes were blinking slowly and he looked about ready to doze off, except for the slight tension that indicated that pain was preventing him from actually relaxing. Stoick handed Hiccup up to Astrid once more, as she sat on Toothless' back.
"You okay?" Astrid leaned forward to see his face as he was leaning against her, in front of her, once more. "Your face is flushed, you're not feeling sick, are you?" She was worried about the likely infections that she kept hearing Valka stressing about.
"That all took a lot out of him." Stoick said, looking at his son with concern. The water had been heated, and he hoped that explained the blush on his cheeks, but he also worried.
They flew home and Stoick carried Hiccup inside, bursting through the front door and successfully startling the odd pair sitting by the fire together. Not having time to think about Eret or the girl sitting next to him, Stoick went straight for the stairs. By this point, Hiccup was completely limp, having drifted off, or lost consciousness, he wasn't sure, but it caused him stress either way. His son needed care.
Astrid was the next one to race into the house, her clothes still wet from being in the pool with Hiccup, and a bundle of armor and her skirt in her arms. She didn't even spare them a look as she ran up the stairs after her chief and betrothed.
"I hope he's okay." Katla said quietly.
Eret nodded, getting up off the floor, and feeling like he needed to be helping with something, or at least offer. "Valka?"
The chief's wife had entered the house last, glancing back as Toothless forced his way through the door. He wanted to follow.
"Oh, hello." Valka looked at the two, Eret standing, Katla making herself small on the floor. "Do you know how to take off Toothless' flying gear?"
Eret gave Toothless' saddle and gear a look, eyebrow raised. "Can't say that I do."
"You might just have to wait for Astrid to get that off for you." Valka turned back to the Night Fury and gave his head a scratch. She figured, this was something she needed to learn how to do. That, and flying Toothless, she wanted to be able to fly him if needed and to bond with her son's dragon. "I don't want to mess with it and break something."
Toothless pushed against her, eager to get upstairs. He let out a whine as a sound of pain came from Hiccup's loft.
"Yes, okay. Alright." Valka relented, a flash of worry in her eyes at her son's pain. "But you stay off the bed, give Hiccup and the healers some space."
Toothless didn't acknowledge that he heard her as he bolted past and up the stairs, toward his Hiccup. If he couldn't touch, he could live with that, for now, but he needed to be up there to support his brother.
Not one to be left out, and also concerned by Hiccup's cries, Heimdall was right behind Toothless, pushing past Valka and stumbling up the stairs, far less graceful than the Night Fury.
Valka chuckled. She knew it wasn't a time for humor, not with her son upstairs and in pain, but it wasn't really humor as much as it was relief. Hiccup was home, he was being treated, his loving dragon companions were now by his side, and they loved him so much too. Even her blind Hobblegrunt didn't want to be away from Hiccup, he'd taken to her son so quickly, and Toothless treated Heimdall like an annoying, but loved, little brother.
"If you don't mind waiting down here, Eret?" Valka turned her attention back to the two people by the fire. "I'd like to go up and check on Hiccup, after that… well, we'll see."
"It's no problem." Eret agreed, but he looked worried.
Upon entering Hiccup's room, Valka felt like she'd just stepped into chaos. Astrid was trying to keep Toothless and Heimdall contained to the rock slab they called a bed. Toothless was whining, Heimdall pacing, not being able to see but perfectly capable of hearing, and one of the things he was hearing was Hiccup's whimpers and groans of pain as Gothi inspected his shoulder and arm. Stoick was hovering near the bed, obviously struggling with seeing his son in pain again. Hilda was fussing with the medicines and herbs.
Valka decided to first comfort her husband. He needed it, and she needed to keep reassuring him that she would be there, from now on, always. She stepped up to him, weaving her arm through his and leaning against him. She kissed his shoulder and he looked down at her, a grateful expression on his face at the support. Not wanting to interrupt or disturb the healers, Valka didn't say anything, instead, gesturing with her head toward Astrid and the dragons as they struggled, indicating that she was going to go help them if Stoick was okay. Stoick gave her a tight smile, still upset by Hiccup's pain, but nodding in understanding of the situation.
Leaving her husband's side, Valka approached the dragons, first going to Heimdall, touching his chin gently to get him to focus on her instead of all the other distressing sounds around him. "Calm." She said, her hand going to that spot under his jaw.
Heimdall dropped, content and purring, and Valka caught his head and slowly, gently set it on the floor so he could relax for a moment. Next, was Toothless, and she knew he wasn't going to let her do anything like that to him. He wouldn't fall for those tricks, at least not the ones he knew of that Hiccup had used on him in the past.
"Toothless." Valka said. She lifted her hand and spread her fingers in front of his eyes, and he paused to look at them. However, this time, instead of moving her hand so that she could attempt to send him into a pile of semi-conscious bliss as she had when she'd first met Hiccup, she set her hand on his nose. Toothless wasn't likely to fall for that one again anyway, it was only something that would work once, most of the time, especially on a dragon as intelligent as Toothless. It was hard to say why it worked at all. It was a Night Fury thing, and she'd only ever met one before Toothless, but that dragon was long gone by now. She had, however, learned a lot about him during the time they'd spent together. It was something she needed to talk to Hiccup about, she knew he would be interested. Valka had learned how to make the Night Fury collapse with a simple hand gesture, quite by accident, but it had saved her. Well, if that hadn't saved her, Cloudjumper would have. The hand gesture had worked one other time on that Night Fury, but after that it had grown smart to the trick, and it had never worked on any other dragon she'd tried it on.
Toothless huffed, letting out a low warning growl. He knew what she was doing, and he didn't like it. He hadn't liked being knocked out the first time when he'd been trying to protect Hiccup either.
"No worries, Toothless. I won't do that to you again. It wouldn't work on you twice, anyway, would it? You're too smart for that." Valka had Toothless' head in her hands, reassuring him. "I need you to calm, for Hiccup, okay? He's in good hands."
Toothless looked like he wanted to be stubborn, but he relented, allowing her to guide him into a down position. He laid down, but he still looked tense. By that point Gothi had finished examining Hiccup's shoulder and arm, determining what damage had been done to the joint and surrounding muscles. Hiccup had stopped crying out in pain, but he was laying in his bed, panting once more, clenching his teeth, eyes shut tight, and trembling, and Toothless didn't like it. He wanted to protect Hiccup from his own pain, to take away his suffering, but he could not, and it left him restless.
"You know what Hiccup would want your help with?" Valka asked Toothless, quietly, as she kneeled next to him. Toothless perked up, eyeing Valka. He wanted to help Hiccup, in any way he could. "He'd want you to watch over Heimdall, help him understand what is going on so he's not stressed out. Can you do that, for Hiccup?"
Toothless whined softly, looking at his new friend who had since come to from Valka's touch to that spot on the jaw, she must have been gentle enough to not knock him out for longer. Heimdall was showing signs of stress, unseeing eyes wide, panting softly, head swiveling, and tail swishing as he laid on the dragon bed. Heimdall did need his help, he was new to Berk and the ways of human life. He wasn't used to living in a house, or accustomed to human practices. Glancing back at Valka, Toothless nodded in agreement, then turned his attention back to Heimy, who needed his support too. Valka was right, Hiccup would want that.
"Thanks, Valka." Astrid looked relieved. She'd been fretting over Hiccup's care, when two dragons had come hurdling up the stairs and through the door, instantly causing chaos and even knocking some things over. She was sure she'd have eventually been able to calm Toothless, but Heimdall was blind and panicked by Hiccup's cries of pain, and had not known what to do with himself.
Valka gave Astrid a smile, observing her wet clothes. She hadn't had anything to change into after helping Hiccup get cleaned up in the hot springs, and had returned straight to the Haddock home. "Are you cold?"
Astrid simply shook her head and turned her attention back to Gothi and Hilda, the latter having started to talk to Stoick, interpreting her mother's gestures and body language with practiced ease.
"He might have a concussion, that explains the disorientation and inability to focus. His wounds have been treated and stitched up. However, we suspect that he may have already gotten an infection because of how long they were coated in dirt. We won't know for sure unless he comes down with a fever. We treated him for infection, as a precaution." Hilda gestured to the medicines she'd organized on the desk, Hiccup's papers, drawings, and notebooks neatly stacked to the side in order to make room for everything. "Don't let him put his prosthetic on until the skin has healed. His shoulder should be kept in the sling and moved as little as possible. Considering how long it was dislocated, it's still very swollen and causing him a lot of pain. That alone is a serious injury, and makes it more likely to pop out of place in the future, but this man you told us about— Ullr?— he pulled Hiccup's arm around while it was dislocated, to torture him." Hilda had to clear her throat, almost losing her composure at the thought of what had been done to Hiccup, a friend and her future chief. "He's got some torn muscles that will take time to heal. Eventually, he'll need to do some exercises to get full movement back, and to strengthen it."
Gothi gestured to Hiccup's bare forearm, where the fresh stitches that closed up the gash from being slashed with a dagger by that trader, were exposed. The old, white scars that spoke of the deep hurt from Hiccup's past were visible. Gothi gave Hilda a grave expression.
Once again, Hilda looked like she was going to lose her composure, which wasn't like her. She was usually very put together, she'd seen a lot in her years as Gothi's daughter while growing up, and after she'd decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a healer as well. However, Hiccup's issues were certainly not common, though not unheard of. Mostly what they learned as healers was about injuries caused by dragons, amputations, and sickness from disease. Then, once they were at peace with dragons the emphasis on dragon injuries had been taken away, and they'd learn about various different types of injuries and diseases, and how to heal them.
What they learned about sickness of the mind was very little, and had used to be dismissed as unimportant and shameful. Vikings were tough, they didn't have time for feelings when there were dragons to slay, but everyone knew, in the end, that that wasn't actually true, they all had feelings. In the past, Hiccup's self inflicted injuries would not have been something to be treated, but something to look down on as a weakness.
This, Hiccup's collection of scars on display in front of them, was the end result of that mentality, of all the ways they had failed their heir, and Hilda hated to see it. She could tell that it saddened her mother as well, and Gothi had a pretty thick skin. Hilda had thought it was tragic enough to have seen Hiccup through an amputation at the young age of fifteen, and back then, no one had noticed the faded lines on his arm, they'd been too distracted by his destroyed leg, and certainly hadn't been looking for signs of self harm either. They hadn't suspected such a thing from him, hadn't realized just how much they'd hurt him as a mere child. However, the large gash than went up his arm only served to draw attention to them now.
"We must also address Hiccup's…" Hilda wasn't sure how to word it.
"We're aware." Stoick said, just as solemn. Toothless whined, desperately wanting to go over to his Hiccup and wondering if he could get away with it once Valka left the room again. He'd be careful with his fragile rider, but he needed to be there for him.
Gothi waved her finger in Stoick's face, then pointed at Valka sternly. Her message was clear.
Valka bowed her head, knowing she deserved the reprimand. Stoick was ashamed, and he still found it hard to wrap his head around. He couldn't imagine such emotional pain, to do that, to purposely harm oneself. It made him feel sick that he'd caused that in his own son.
"We know, Gothi." Stoick said gently, taking the silent criticism. He deserved it, he knew that. "That's why we went away in the first place, to come together as a family, to fix what's been broken. We, we didn't expect things to go so badly."
Gothi's expression softened, and she set her hand on Stoick's large arm, giving him a more sympathetic look. She gestured to herself, then moved her hand in a circle.
"We all did this to him, Hiccup's own people." Hilda interpreted, sounding choked up. "This is not your fault alone."
Gothi nodded, then hopped down from the bed, surprisingly spry for such an old woman. She gestured for Hilda to finish up and follow her out. However, first, Gothi paused near Valka, pointing to the side table where Sharpshot was resting in a cocoon of blankets, breathing deeply as he slept.
"Oh, thank you." Valka perked up. When Gothi pointed at her, and then to her heart, her expression soft, the message was clear that she should not blame herself for everything. With that, Gothi hobbled out of the room.
"Sharpshot will recover. He's taken trauma to the head, and body. Some of his ribs were bruised." Hilda explained, then pointed to some tinctures that were separate from Hiccup's. "Those are for him."
Valka took a closer look at the medicine for Sharpshot. She was familiar with them, and knew how to apply them, even to a small dragon like the Terror.
"As for Hiccup." Hilda continued. "He needs to know he's got the love and support of his family. He may heal from his external injuries, but the damage to his soul can cause many other complications, as you've seen already. Things have to change."
"Yes, we've discussed it." Valka looked ashamed. "We'll do whatever we have to, to make him feel loved."
"Not just in your home." Hilda emphasized. "We all need to be better about showing him that he's appreciated, that things won't go back to how they were. I never contributed to, to how he was treated before, but I'm ashamed to say that I never really stood up for him either. Gothi feels the same. Hiccup is our heir, and we were all disrespectful towards him. My mother, she feels she should have stepped in, maybe encouraged people to respect him as our heir, how else was he supposed to build confidence as a future leader, if all of his people were continually beating him down?"
"I didn't stand up for him either." Stoick admitted. "I should have been the example on how to treat him."
Hilda nodded slowly, but she looked shaken, lost. "As village elder, Gothi feels she should have discussed that with you, done anything, really. We're both healers, and our inaction caused a member of our tribe to… to cause harm to himself. What kind of healer allows that?"
"Please don't beat yourself up." Valka stepped forward, placing a hand on Hilda's shoulder. "Hiccup doesn't want that. We had many talks with him on Healer's Island, and one of the things he was adamant about was that he did not want anyone to ever feel the way that he used to feel. He doesn't want us, or anyone, to feel hatred toward themselves over their past mistakes. Apologies and remorse go a long way, and a promise to move forward and change, but if anyone knows what it feels like to, to hate themselves, it's Hiccup. He does not wish that on anyone."
Hilda smiled. "He's a sweet boy, always has been."
Valka looked suddenly struck with her own guilt, once again.
"Now, take your own advice, okay? You're here, and that makes all the difference." Hilda took the hand Valka had on her shoulder, and gave it a supportive squeeze. She was alarmed when Valka winced. "Is your wrist hurting you?"
"Oh, I sprained it in a spar with Hiccup." Valka remembered. The wrap on her wrist had long since loosened and fallen away.
Hilda gently, but firmly, moved Valka's wrist around, pressing her thumbs into it to feel around. Valka took a sharp breath when it was bent a specific way. "Yes, it would seem that you did. Let me wrap it."
As Hilda busied herself digging out some long bandages and carefully wrapping Valka's wrist, she spared Stoick a glance. "And you? Are you hurt?"
"Nothing more than some bumps and bruises." Stoick answered, finally allowing himself to think of himself. He thought about it, letting himself notice if he felt pain anywhere, he had no major injuries.
"You're sure?" Hilda gave him a look.
"Yes, I'll be fine." Stoick insisted. He didn't like being fussed over either, but he knew that Hilda, one of the head healers of Berk, was merely doing her job. She cared about the well being of her people, and she was not going to let the chief dismiss his own health.
"You're good." She told Valka, finished with her wrist, then met Astrid's eyes. The young woman was standing to the side, she had been watching Hiccup with a sad expression. "What happened to you?"
Astrid blinked in surprise. She'd forgotten about herself, and she wondered how visible the mark on her cheek was, from when Hiccup had whacked her in panicked self defense. "I, uh, well. Hiccup whacked me when he first came to, after we saved him. But he thought that he was under attack. He didn't mean to. If he knew what he did, he'd beat himself up about it."
Hilda didn't comment, stepping up to Astrid, holding her face in her hands, moving her head around, and examining her. "It's not serious. There are some salves there, that you can use to ease any swelling, and to help with the pain. Valka can show you which ones."
"Hiccup would have never, if he'd known it was me." Astrid felt the need to defend her betrothed's actions.
"I'm aware." Hilda gave Astrid a sympathetic look. "We all know Hiccup wouldn't hurt you, or anyone, on purpose, not unless it was for self defense or the defense of others."
"I only hope it fades, before he wakes." Astrid said quietly. "He'll blame himself, and he'll worry. He's got enough to deal with already."
"Not that it's my business, but if it's something you need to talk to him about, I'm sure he'd want you to bring it up, no matter how it would make him feel. This is what he needs, isn't it? To learn how to handle his feelings better and move forward?"
"I suppose. I really don't blame him for it. I'm proud of him, actually, it means all the training I drilled into him paid off. I wanted him to have instincts, to protect himself." Astrid touched her sore jaw. "Clearly, he does."
"I'm sure what you taught him helped him to survive." Hilda assured Astrid, indicating Hiccup. "If he comes down with a fever, you remember your training, you know what to do?" She asked Valka who nodded. "Good, come get me or Gothi if you need anything. Gothi will be in her hut, I'll be returning to my home to check in on my family."
"Thank you." Valka nodded.
"Yes, thank you." Stoick said as Hilda passed him on her way out.
There was barely a moment of peace as Hilda left, before the front door was bursting open again and someone else could be heard racing up the steps.
"Astrid? Hiccup? Chief?" Sigrid invited herself into Hiccup's loft. She paused when she stepped into the room, seeing the state Hiccup was in. "Gods. I'd heard word that Hiccup returned, injured. I've been worried."
"Mom." Astrid went to her mom's side and gave her a hug, more for her own comfort than for her mother's. "He's going to be okay."
Sigrid wrapped her arms around her daughter. "Why are you all wet?"
Pulling away, and looking a bit chagrined despite her earlier boldness. "I… helped get Hiccup cleaned up, at the hot springs."
"You-" Sigrid was ready to reprimand her daughter about how she wasn't even married yet, for being so improper, but then she noticed the bruising on her daughter's face. "What happened? I passed Hilda on my way here, did she take a look at you?"
"Yes, mom, Hilda just examined me." Astrid assured, hoping to avoid having to tell someone else that Hiccup had hit her in the face, because he'd been delirious and he'd thought he'd been defending himself against an enemy, he would never hurt her, ever.
"And you said you helped bathe Hiccup?" Sigrid removed her hand from Astrid's injured cheek, and got back to reprimanding her. "Astrid, for Thor's sake, you're not even married yet."
"She helped me, and Stoick." Valka clarified. "Hiccup had some clothes on while we got him clean at the hot springs, but he was coated in dirt and mud, and dried blood. We had to get him clean to try and prevent infection, which may be inevitable anyway."
"Astrid was not to be deterred from taking care of Hiccup." Stoick added, feeling much the same as Sigrid when Astrid had first refused waiting outside while his parents helped him get cleaned up. "Her loyalty to him is admirable."
Sigrid looked like she wanted to argue, but even if Stoick was to be family when their children married, and had basically already become family in the past couple years, he was still her chief and she didn't want to argue with him. If Stoick and Valka had been there too, and Astrid's clothes were wet meaning that she'd been clothed, and Hiccup had been partially dressed, then it really wasn't as improper as she had originally thought. "Alright, but go home and get some dry clothes before you end up sick in bed, too."
"But-" Astrid tried to protest.
"Hiccup will still be here when you come back. Stoick and Valka will keep a good watch over him." Sigrid gave her stubborn daughter a look. "Come, I'll go with you. I've got some food I can bring over."
"Oh, you don't-" Valka didn't want Sigrid to be bothered.
"Nonsense, it's no problem at all." Sigrid waved Valka off, gesturing for Astrid to come with her. "Family takes care of each other. We'll be back."
With a sigh, Astrid decided she needed to listen to her mother. Some fresh, dry clothes would be nice, and Hiccup was in good hands now. Before she followed her mom, however, she went to Hiccup's side and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "I'll be back, okay?"
With Astrid and her mom gone, it was only Stoick and Valka left, and the two dragons who had finally calmed down. Heimdall was sleeping peacefully and Toothless was alert, but less agitated.
"I think we have a few things we need to discuss, while we have a moment of privacy." Valka said, breaking the silence as they watched over Hiccup, their son sleeping much more peacefully than he had since they'd found him.
"Katla." Stoick guessed.
"Oh, yes. Her too." Valka had nearly forgotten with everything else going on.
Stoick looked at her curiously. "What was on your mind?"
"Ah, well." Valka looked unsure of herself for a moment, but then steeled herself and looked resolute. "The sleeping arrangements. I was staying up here, Hiccup was sleeping downstairs, or, I guess he started sleeping in the cove. But I figured, after everything we've been through, and I feel like I've had a good amount of time time to get to know you again, and things between us feel much like they did before I was taken. And I do love you very much, that never changed-"
"Valka, if you're not ready, that's fine. You can have our room, I'll sleep somewhere else. I can stay up here, watch over Hiccup." Stoick put a stop to her ramblings, but as he did, Valka was quick to go around the bed to his side.
"No, that's not what I'm saying." Valka looked concerned that he didn't know how much she cared for him, how much she wanted to be his wife again, to never leave his side, how she never should have. She didn't want him to think she was making excuses to be separate from him, she didn't want that, she wanted to be with him.
Without warning she stood on her toes, wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and kissed him, more passionately than she had in twenty years. They'd shared a few brief kisses since her return, but she wanted Stoick to feel how much she loved him in this one gesture. When she pulled away, eyes still closed, she took a second to enjoy being close to him, her face lingering near his, before opening her eyes and speaking. "I hope you feel the same way, but I want to share our room again. I want to be your wife. I'm completely committed to you. I'm sorry I didn't return on my own, but now that I'm back, I know I could never stay away again. It's time we take the next step in rebuilding our marriage. We're not sleeping apart." She smiled. "And besides, you know Astrid is going to be up here, watching Hiccup day and night, and Toothless too. Hiccup won't be alone, neither of them will leave is side."
"That's true. I'm surprised Sigrid was able to pull Astrid away from Hiccup." Stoick smiled back, then got back to the original topic. "I'd like that. I never got used to sleeping in an empty bed. It felt wrong, not having you by my side for twenty years."
"I'm so sorry, Stoick." Valka leaned her head against his. "If it makes you feel better, I missed you so much too. There were times I'd want to go to you, to talk, or for company, and then I'd remember I wasn't on Berk. I should have come back."
"No use dwelling on things we can't take back or change, I'm just glad that you're here now." Stoick said, holding her back. "What does help, is that you're sincerely sorry, and we're mending things together."
"I love you, Stoick." Valka kissed him again, but this time lightly and not for as long.
"I love you, too." Stoick said once she pulled away, this time also letting go of him and taking a step back.
"I suppose we should discuss Katla, then." Valka moved on. They needed to get things figured out before they no longer had time to themselves. Astrid would return, Sigrid would come too, with a feast no doubt, and that meant Arne would join them. Eret was still downstairs, keeping an eye on Katla. They needed to make decisions before there was chaos once more. "I didn't mean to undermine you or anything, in bringing her here. You're the chief, in the end the call is yours. It's just that… Katla, she reminded me a little of Hiccup."
Stoick raised an eyebrow at her.
"Not, not in personality, of course. Hiccup is very different than Katla." Valka clarified. "I only thought that their situations were somewhat similar. Hiccup used to want to be what everyone told him he needed to be, and he could have lost himself in that, but instead he found Toothless and found who he was. Katla, she was told to be a certain way, she was raised very wrong, and she chose to try and live up to that, to be what her family said she should be, and it all fell apart around her. Now she's lost, and she needs direction. She needs a woman's guidance. She's got to be, what? Fifteen or sixteen?"
"That young? I thought maybe seventeen, coming up on eighteen." Stoick blinked in surprise. "But, to be fair, Hiccup looked like he was twelve until he was almost seventeen. I may not be the best of judges on this one."
Valka chuckled, glancing at their son who still slept. "I wish I had come back, to see him grow up."
"You're here now." Stoick reminded her, and she nodded.
"I'll ask Katla how old she is, but the point is, it's a pivotal time for a young woman. Yrsa certainly wasn't taking care of her. Her hair is a matted mess, her education has to be spotty, I'm sure there's a lot she doesn't know about growing up. All she has is survival skills." Valka explained, turning back to her husband. "Depending on how old she is, we can ask her what she wants, and if she wants to go off on her own, that'll be her choice. However, I won't feel right letting her go without giving her what she needs— some schooling, knowledge on self care, the proper supplies and tools she'd need to be on her own."
"You trust her, then?"
"I, I think we can. She changed, we saw it. Her own mother used her as a shield, and Katla ran off and attacked her brother. She helped us with Hiccup." Valka looked back on their time on Healer's Island. "Whenever someone was going to hurt Hiccup, she intervened. Don't you remember? Always with some excuse that her father or brother needed to wait, that a plan that gave us a chance was what they needed to do. She put on a good show, but was her heart ever really in it?"
Stoick nodded slowly. "Maybe you're right, about her and Hiccup. He used to try and act the way everyone— the way I— told him he needed to be, and I could see it in his eyes, it wasn't him, his heart wasn't in it. It wasn't until he met Toothless and decided to do things his way, when changing wasn't what his goal was anymore, that I saw that spark of life come back to him."
"This doesn't necessarily mean she'll be staying, not for good. It would all depend, I suppose, on what she wants." Valka looked worried. "We're still trying to build our own family back up, to bring in another person with her own issues sounds like it would be a complete mess, and I'd worry about how Hiccup would feel. I don't want him to think I want to mother some stranger, when I wasn't even here to help raise him. It's just, now that she's here with us, I feel a sense of responsibility towards her, and really, I can thank Hiccup for that. Remember what he told us, when we were hiding out in that cave? He did the right thing, even though it was hard, even though he expected to lose everything. He went into that arena and did what he thought was right. He said, he'd never be able to abandon a wife and child, it isn't in him to do such a thing, and I believe him. In this situation, what's right is taking care of a young woman who has no one, who wasn't raised in a loving family, and set her up for success out in the world. Maybe, in the past, I wouldn't have known what to do, wouldn't have wanted the responsibility of having to fix it. However, I've learned from Hiccup that I should do what's right, even if it's hard."
"I get it, Val." Stoick assured her. "I think Hiccup would get it too. He is the one who's successfully turned multiple enemies into friends. Not just people he didn't get along with, but actual enemies who once wanted him dead, or attacked him and his friends. He wouldn't give up on Katla either. That's why he wanted to talk to Drago, but that man was a lost cause."
"I'll talk to Hiccup about it, when he's awake, to make sure he understands, that he's okay with it." Valka said.
"I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing all that you just told me." Stoick gave her a smile. "That you've learned from him, that you want to change, for him."
Valka smiled up at him. "I'll tell him. In the meantime, though…"
"We can set up a place for Katla to sleep, downstairs by the fire." Stoick went back into chief mode, always planning, always arranging things. "But I'll feel better having a member of the Berk Guard on duty outside the house, until we know for sure we can trust her."
"Yes, I get it. I agree." Valka said. "So, I'll send Eret home, release him from duty. We'll set up a place downstairs for Katla. I'll have to help her get cleaned up, and talk with her when things slow down."
"We should set up a couple chairs in here. Not the ones from downstairs, but some cushioned, comfortable ones. Hiccup is going to be in that bed for a while, and we know Astrid is, more or less, about to move in with him. She'll need a comfortable spot to sit."
Valka chuckled. "Why exactly aren't they married yet?"
Stoick shrugged. "I don't know how many hints I've dropped, but maybe that's why. I pushed Hiccup toward it, and so, naturally, he had to be stubborn and push back."
Valka laughed again, but softly, she didn't want to wake Hiccup. "Surely he can't be so stubborn as to make Astrid wait for him?"
"Astrid knows what she wants. She wouldn't let him get away with that if she disagreed." Stoick said, thinking fondly on his son and future daughter-in-law.
"Oh, I can see that, based off of how she acted when we returned." Valka said, a sparkle of amusement in her eye. "Do they cause you trouble, often?"
"No, not really. I'd say it's mostly Hiccup." Stoick shook his head in fond exasperation. "Astrid's the obedient, good warrior type. She'll listen to orders, most of the time. Hiccup's the loose cannon, and the bad influence."
"Bad influence?" Valka was amused.
"Not really." Stoick chuckled softly. "But he certainly taught Astrid to question things before following blindly, which isn't actually a bad thing. She was the first one to support him when it came to the dragons."
"Ah yes, that romantic flight." Valka was sure she now had the complete story on how the two first began to fall in love.
"Right." Stoick had found that story amusing too, when he'd first learned how Hiccup and Astrid started their friendship, how Hiccup had gotten Astrid on his side when it came to the dragons. Stoick had found it funny how Hiccup denied it was any kind of romantic thing. His face had been red, and he'd been telling his dad how he and Toothless simply needed to show her how amazing dragons could be, how much they had to offer, and no, he did not kidnap her, it was a forced show-and-tell kind of a situation, whatever that meant. Toothless on the other hand, had wanted her to apologize to Hiccup, by any means necessary.
"Gobber and Hiccup's friends will be back, probably late tomorrow, maybe the following day?" Valka moved on, back to business.
"I think so." Stoick agreed. "I'll have to arrange a meeting with my council, discuss sending out messages to the other tribes that are part of the Healer's Island Treaty. We need to update that treaty, it's been a while, and the island needs regular maintenance if we don't want to lose the medicinal herbs that can only grow there."
"I'd like to talk to them, when they return. See how all the dragons are adjusting." Valka said. "I need to learn Hiccup's way of training dragons on Berk, I think."
"That sounds like a good idea." Stoick approved. "I'm sure he wants to learn as much from you as possible, too."
Valka gave him a small smile. She regretted her past words to Hiccup, about how he handled the dragons on Berk. Hiccup had been right, he trained dragons to adapt to live amongst Vikings. She had adapted to live amongst the dragons in the alpha's nest. They both had a lot of knowledge about dragons, but what they knew were on opposite sides of the spectrum. They could learn a lot from each other.
"Anything else?" Stoick asked.
Valka looked down for a moment, thinking things through. "Deciding what to tell the people about the situation."
"The truth. They deserve the truth." Stoick answered without hesitation. "They're already aware of what our family is struggling with, and I'm pretty sure the majority of the people are on Hiccup's side. We were too harsh with him, and he was doing everything he could to be there for our people."
"At least we know he has their loyalty." Valka said, though she felt a bit embarrassed. She shouldn't have yelled at Hiccup at all, and especially not publicly. She'd questioned the interim chief, her own son, in front of the people. "I hope Hiccup sees that, when he wakes, how the people support him, and look up to him."
"Me too." Stoick agreed. He hoped his people would come to see him, Valka, and Hiccup as a strong team, rather than a broken family, and knew that would come with time as he and Hiccup moved forward together as a team in leadership, with a stronger bond as father and son, and everyone getting used to Valka being back.
"Then I think that's it." Valka came to a conclusion, meeting Stoick's eye. "We have our plans."
Stoick smiled. "I missed this. The team we used to be, as chief and chieftess."
Valka let out a breath. "I don't feel much like a chieftess, and I don't think the people see me that way. But I love being a team with you."
"You'll get there, and so will they." Stoick took her hand. He heard as the door downstairs opened again, the sound of people coming in, setting things down, and chatting. The Hoffersons had arrived, and probably with lots of food. It was time for him and Valka to get things done.
—
As it turned out, Stoick had been right, Sigrid had brought a feast to share. The main dish was a hearty yak stew with potatoes and vegetables, and a side of rolls with freshly made butter. She even brought a few of her popular apple pies. There was more than enough to go around for everyone, so instead of dismissing Eret, he had been invited to eat with them, and he agreed, hoping to hear some news about how Hiccup was doing.
Katla accepted the food Valka gave her and sat quietly by the fire, eating slowly. She obviously wasn't used to be taken care of, or offered anything, especially not food. Her family was more of the fend-for-yourself type. She could tell that Astrid's family were curious about her, often giving her looks out of the corner of their eyes, but never saying anything out loud, not while she was there. It was an odd situation for her, seeing how a functional family actually worked. Well, functional compared to her own family, she knew that Hiccup and his parents had their own issues, she had observed them while on the island when she was supposed to be making plans to hunt them down. She'd been pulled into their drama, and she'd found herself rooting for them, to make peace with each other. It had certainly made it hard for her to keep up the crazed, feral girl act that her family expected from her. It was probably for the best, as she was the one welcomed into their home, and given a limited amount of trust, meanwhile her mother was dead, and her father and brother locked up in some prison. It was a lot, and she was still processing it all.
"He's going to be alright, then?" Eret was asking Astrid.
"Yeah, he'll heal." She said, but seemed more worried than she should be based on her words. The chatter died down for a moment, certain things not having been discussed with Astrid's parents yet. Eret knew, to a degree, he'd seen the scars, he knew about Hiccup's past from what his friends had told him, he knew why Stoick and Valka had taken Hiccup away for some family bonding.
"Is there something wrong?" Sigrid asked, hesitant. She didn't know the whole story, only that Hiccup had been hurt by people trying to hunt them on Healer's Island.
Astrid looked to Stoick and Valka. "Hiccup can be very private, especially about how he feels, but… if his own family doesn't know about what he's struggling with, how can they all help him heal?"
"You're right." Valka said. "You and Hiccup aren't married yet, but from what I've seen already, he considers Sigrid and Arne to be family."
Stoick nodded, solemn. Suddenly the get together was less light and pleasant, and the air became more tense as he explained to Astrid's parents all of Hiccup's struggles, how everything he'd been through since he was a child was still bothering him, but that he'd suppressed those feelings, buried them. He mentioned the scars, and Sigrid had gasped and held a hand to her mouth, Arne putting an arm around her in support. He told them about how his and Valka's reprimands had been the final straw that broke him, and that's why they had decided to take him away so they could have uninterrupted family time to bond and grow, but that it had been a mistake to separate him from the two he found support from the most, Astrid and Toothless. He explained in detail what had happened to them on Healer's Island, and how Hiccup had been tortured and buried alive, barely found in time before he could suffocate.
The story was brutally honest, grim, violent, and depressing. The room had grown silent, their meals finished or long forgotten, and outside, day had become night. It was a lot to take in, to hear such things about a loved one.
"His wounds will heal with time." Stoick finished the story. "But he'll need all of us, family and friends, to overcome everything he buried inside, to be able to be himself again."
"Whatever he needs, whatever any of you need, just ask." Sigrid said, the first to speak after Stoick. Arne nodded in agreement.
"I'm staying here." Astrid wasn't asking for permission. "I'm going to stay up there, and keep and eye on him, keep him company."
Sigrid let out a slow breath, exchanging glances with her husband.
"I know what you're thinking, we're not married yet." Astrid argued. "But what kind of future wife would I be if I'm not by his side throughout all of this? I should be here, taking care of him. I want to be here, doing whatever I can to help him heal."
"Alright, Astrid. We get it." Arne answered. "We're proud of you, for being so loyal and dedicated."
Sigrid gave her husband a look. She agreed, she was proud, but what would people say when Astrid all but moved in to Hiccup's loft?
"Really, Sigrid, I can't believe I'm the one defending Astrid's choice instead of you." Arne gave her a look back, but it wasn't in anger or frustration. He was amused. Normally he'd be the one skeptical of Astrid's choices, especially when it came to her flying off with Hiccup for days or weeks for adventures, or moving to some outpost for months at a time with no supervision, or not coming home for the night because she either fell asleep on Hiccup's bed as he worked late into the night, or fell asleep in the forge while he worked all night. But in this situation, Astrid would be in the chief's home taking care of her betrothed, and there was nothing wrong with that. "You didn't have a problem with her running off with Hiccup to that outpost for months at a time."
Sigrid knew that her current opinion conflicted with her past actions, and it was clear she was going to give in. She hadn't had a problem with it because, well it was Hiccup. She trusted him, and her daughter was also very responsible, and they'd been with their group of friends.
"Dad." Astrid gave her dad a look. "We weren't even officially a couple for the first part of our time there!"
Sigrid scoffed. "You two were always a couple, it just took you a few years to figure that out. Everyone else knew."
There were chuckles around the table, breaking the tension.
"Alright, you can stay, if Stoick is okay with it." Sigrid gave in. "You're right, it's your duty to help take care of him as his future wife, and your father is right, we're proud of you for stepping into your role."
"She's welcome to stay." Stoick said. "I've arranged for some cushioned chairs to be hauled up there, so whoever is sitting with Hiccup can be more comfortable."
"Thank you, Stoick." Sigrid knew Astrid would be well looked after as she watched over her betrothed. She stood, indicating the end of their evening together. "I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of us in the coming weeks." She turned to Astrid. "And I think it's about time we picked an actual wedding date, don't you?"
"Sure, when Hiccup's awake, and aware, I'll ask him." Astrid rolled her eyes. It wasn't that she didn't want to plan a date, it just didn't seem like the priority while Hiccup was healing.
Sigrid ignored the sarcasm. "I'll bring you some things tomorrow when I drop off breakfast."
"You're more than kind, Sigrid, but we can manage." Valka said, not wanting to put Sigrid out.
"She enjoys it." Arne assured her with a smile as he stood to join his wife. "She cooks too much for me and Astrid to eat, so she might as well bring food here."
"It's appreciated, thank you." Valka stood too, feeling as if she should do something in parting. Even when she'd been with her husband and son before being taken by Cloudjumper she'd never had so much extended family. She walked around the table and gave Sigrid a quick embrace, not sure if it was wanted, but was assured when Sigrid accepted the hug and held on for a moment.
"He'll be okay." Sigrid patted Valka's arm as they parted.
Stoick stood, shaking hands with Arne instead of joining Valka in the round of hugs. The only person he hugged these days was Hiccup on occasion, before that, no one, and now, also Valka. However, Sigrid came from a family of huggers and when Stoick offered a hand, she pulled him in for an embrace as well.
As the Hoffersons left, besides Astrid who stayed in her seat at the table, finishing off another roll, Eret stood from his place, awkwardly. They had been discussing family, and he'd felt like he didn't belong there for most of that conversation. He wondered if they even remembered that he was there, or if he should slip away quietly. Before he could decide, Valka addressed him.
"Thank you for all your help today, Eret. I hope you enjoyed the meal?"
"Uh, yes, the food was great." Eret had enjoyed dinner, and had appreciated the invite, but he still felt out of place.
"Hiccup values your friendship, Eret." Astrid spoke up, seeing his discomfort. It was similar body language that she'd seen in Hiccup when his insecurities were getting the better of him. It wasn't something she'd expect to see in someone as confident as Eret. "That conversation was for you as much as it was for my parents. Hiccup has already come to rely on you, and he'll need your friendship, going forward."
"Ah, thanks, Astrid." The tension left Eret's shoulders. "I want to be here for him."
Astrid gave him a nod.
"It's getting late, you do have a place to return to, don't you?" Valka asked.
"Yes, I do. The other Dragon Riders helped me build my hut." Eret said. "It's finished on the outside, I'm still working on some stuff on the inside, but I have a place to sleep and settle in for the night."
"Oh, good. I'm glad." Valka said. "I think we've got things covered here for tonight. Why don't you get some rest? You deserve it."
Eret nodded, accepting the dismissal. He met Katla's eyes on the way to the door, and gave her an encouraging smile. He did hope that things would work out for her too. She'd spent the meal sitting by the fire instead of around the table with them, but that had been where she had preferred to be. The story that Stoick had told at the table had also included her role, but he told it as if she had been redeemed by the end, and that alone seemed an honor she didn't feel she deserved. She was just glad that none of Hiccup's family or friends had turned from the table to scold her or come after her after they learned about what she'd done to their loved one, but she was getting the feeling that these people were different than what she was used to.
Once Eret had left, there were still a few things to take care of, and Katla was one of them. She watched, looking rather nervous as Astrid and Stoick shared in the task of cleaning up after dinner, and while Valka disappeared into a back room for a moment. When Valka returned she was caring a pile of blankets and a pillow, and approached Katla.
"These are for you." Valka kneeled beside her. "We'll set you up beside the fireplace, alright?"
Katla looked at Valka with wide eyes. She trusted her to sleep in the same home as her family?
"I'm putting some faith in you, okay? Don't prove me wrong." Valka started to spread out the blankets, building a few layers up to be softer, and setting the pillow at the top. "There will be a member of the Berk Guard stationed outside, so don't plan on going anywhere."
"I won't." Katla finally spoke. "I won't break your trust."
Valka gave her a smile, putting a hand on her cheek for a moment. "Good. And don't worry, we'll make sure you're taken care of."
With that said, she gestured for Katla to make herself comfortable and left with Katla's dishes from dinner, to help with clean up. Katla had just settled under the covers when there was a light knock at the door.
"That would be Halvar, head of the Berk Guard." Stoick informed his wife who didn't know him well. Halvar had replaced the previous head of the guard, the one Valka knew and remembered, a little over a year ago. The previous head of the guard having held the position since before Valka had disappeared, was getting old and had been ready to step down. Astrid already knew Halvar, having previously thought she'd be joining up, but when she became engaged to Hiccup, the future leader of Berk, those plans had changed. She could no longer join the Berk Guard, she would instead be leading alongside Hiccup, but that didn't stop her from participating on a day of intense training on occasion, and sometimes dragging a protesting Hiccup along with her.
Stoick opened the door, inviting in a young man, in his thirties. He was of muscular build, but not nearly as huge as Stoick, and his hair had multiple braids and was pulled back in a ponytail. He was young, a bit inexperienced in leadership, but his predecessor had sworn by him, and Stoick had always seen him as a promising warrior with much potential. He'd been the obvious choice for the next head of the Berk Guard.
"Chief." Halvar inclined his head. "I'll be your guard tonight. You can count on me."
Stoick smiled. Halvar was still in the formal stage, where he felt like he had to be on duty at all times. Eventually, like his predecessor, he'd settle into the role and learn when to be formal, and when to be more personal with his chief.
"Don't you have a new baby at home?" Stoick asked.
"Six-month-old, Liv, she's with her mother at home."
"Your home was rebuilt, your family is doing well?"
"Yes, chief."
"You sure you don't want to assign someone else to stand guard, go home to your family?" Stoick asked. With everything that had been going on lately, he was sure Halvar had barely taken a break for himself. He should be making time for his family as well, Stoick would not have him making work the priority over family, not when there were other options. Stoick knew, dedicated warriors would work themselves thin in order to prove themselves worthy of their roles, and he aimed to help them balance that with family and life.
"Tyra understands, sir. There's been a lot going on lately." Halvar said, then addressed Astrid. "Speaking of, she'd still like that rematch."
Astrid smirked from where she was still sitting at the table. "Any time."
"Tomorrow will be her first day back for a training session, the baby will be with her grandmother." He informed Astrid, amused by the friendly rivalry between his wife and Astrid that had started before he had become head of the Berk Guard. However, Astrid's face fell, not responding with the competitive nature he'd been expecting.
"Any time… after Hiccup's better." Astrid amended.
Halvar wanted to kick himself for forgetting. That was one of the reasons he was there in the first place. Of course Astrid wasn't going to leave Hiccup's side, she had been willing to give up her goals to join the Berk Guard because of him. Halvar thought the trade off was worth it for her, she'd make a good chieftess, and she and Hiccup were a good team, he'd seen them train and spar together.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-"
"No worries, Halvar." Astrid gave him a tired smile. "Tell Tyra I look forward to a rematch… and prepare to lose, again."
Halvar chuckled, knowing Astrid was competitive and merely engaging in some typical, friendly trash talk, as was the relationship between her and his wife, Tyra. Astrid and Tyra liked the competition and were fiercer than himself and Hiccup when they would spar while their partners threw death threats at each other and looked as if they were trying to murder the other. "I'll let her know."
Astrid stood from her chair and retreated up the stairs with a quiet word in parting.
"Halvar, was it?" Valka held out her hand and he was quick to take it.
"Yes, chieftess. It's nice to finally meet you."
"Oh!" Valka laughed. "I haven't been called that in so long."
"You'll get used to it again." Stoick gave her a loving smile, still so happy to have her back, by his side.
Halvar wasn't entirely sure how to respond to Valka. He had been too young to really remember her when she'd been the chieftess before disappearing, and being presumed dead. She was Chief Stoick's wife, and Stoick had accepted her back and clearly loved her. Halvar had no doubt that his chief already intended on his wife stepping back into her role and leading by his side, and that meant that she already had Halvar's undying loyalty.
Stoick and Valka shared a look, and it seemed as though a silent conversation was being shared. Valka was still unsure about being called chieftess, she didn't know if the people would accept that when she'd technically, also, abandoned them too. She had been one of their leaders, and she had not returned to care for her people. Stoick, on the other hand, thought she should step back into her role, that that was where she belonged. It was something to be discussed again later, in more depth, in private.
"Well, it's nice to meet you too." Valka looked back to Halvar who had waited patiently. "I'll let you two talk business, I should go check in on Hiccup."
"Of course." Halvar nodded and watched as Valka went up to the loft, where he assumed Hiccup was resting.
—
This was the first time Toothless had been able to have some time with his best friend and kindred spirit for far too long, and he technically wasn't even alone. Heimdall was looming nearby, worried about his new friend, unable to see the condition he was in, but sensing sickness and hearing pain. Toothless did not mind that Heimdall was there, as alpha of the Berk "nest" of dragons, he felt a responsibility to care for the unseeing dragon, and he knew Hiccup had already bonded with the Hobblegrunt. However, Toothless needed his Hiccup-time.
With a soft coo, Toothless asked Heimdall to give him and Hiccup some space, so they could have a moment together, and the blind dragon willingly obliged. Heimdall was a wild dragon, not yet trained like the Berkian dragons, but he was far more perceptive than many of the other dragon's from the Bewilderbeast's nest, and Toothless figured it came from having to depend on his other senses in order to live. Heimdall, satisfied that Hiccup was okay due Toothless' reassurances, retreated to the rock bed and curled up for a nap.
Toothless could hear the chatter of Hiccup's family downstairs as he approached Hiccup, huffing softly on his face hoping to see his eyes open and look back at him. Hiccup remained in a deep sleep. This felt familiar, his Hiccup injured in bed, Toothless keeping vigil by his side, waiting for him to wake, listening to his heartbeat, fearful that his best friend would never open his eyes again.
The first time Toothless had been in a situation like this had been after defeating the Red Death. Hiccup had been bleeding out from his damaged leg, there had been talk of dangerous infections, stories of fully grown men who had succumbed to less drastic wounds than the one Hiccup had, and Toothless had been horrified. Had he saved his rider's life, only to be the eventual cause of his death?
To make it worse, Hiccup's new female friend, the blue Nadder, and Hiccup's dad had decided to leave for Berk, without him! Toothless had been frantic, ready to destroy all that he and Hiccup had saved, because his boy was injured and out of his sight and protection. Astrid had tried to tell him, it was for Hiccup's own good to get him home as soon as possible, and Toothless couldn't fly. Toothless would have to wait for boats to come back for them, or have a dragon carry him to Berk, and Berk wasn't quite ready for that, not until Astrid and Stoick could tell everyone back on the island what had happened and how the dragons were no longer their enemies.
It was the longest day and night of Toothless' life, that he could remember, that is. A lot of his past from before the queen was fuzzy. When Toothless had finally returned to Berk, free to walk in the village as opposed to sneaking around like before, and finally allowed inside with Hiccup once he'd been moved from the healer's home back to the Haddock household, he'd spent most of his time next to his rider's side, watching him in his endless sleep.
Back then, Toothless hadn't had as strong of a connection to his Hiccup, not like now. The Night Fury wondered if he could get through to him in his sleep this time, now that they had a deeper, stronger bond. Maybe it would help him to wake sooner, or simply calm his mind. Hiccup's sleep was not peaceful, Toothless could tell, and if he could do anything to help, then he would.
Toothless' forehead and spine began to glow blue, and he gently touched his nose to Hiccup's forehead. He wasn't used to such heat radiating from the human, and he knew that wasn't normal. Toothless tried to speak to Hiccup, in the way that he'd recently learned he could. He'd awoken something in himself when he'd become alpha, accessing Night Fury abilities he hadn't known about before. He'd had no kin to teach him all that he could do. However, Toothless was pretty sure that Hiccup wasn't hearing him, and he wasn't getting much of anything from his friend either. There were residual feelings of fear, pain, and discomfort, but not as strong as before. Toothless was generally aware of Hiccup, sensing the feel of him and noticing that his soul felt a little different, like it was fractured somehow. He'd sensed that in Hiccup before, something broken, but his rider always managed to cover it up, put on a smile, and would tell him that he was fine. Hiccup would not be able to get away with covering it up, not anymore, not with Toothless' stronger connection to him.
Toothless wished he could plow through Hiccup's thoughts, or dreams, and comfort him, but their connection was so new, all he could do was sense his dear friend, the communication they'd shared before was cut off as he slept, much like it had been when Hiccup had been too far away.
Instead, Toothless decided to rest his head on the edge of the bed, his cheek barely in contact with Hiccup's good shoulder. He closed his eyes, resting as he brought to mind various wonderful and happy moments with Hiccup, hoping that the overall calm and peaceful thoughts in his own mind would somehow help to comfort his best friend in his fevered sleep.
—
Once Astrid and Valka were upstairs, Halvar immediately gave Stoick an unnecessary apology. "I hope I didn't upset Astrid, by implying she should attend training while Hiccup isn't well. I'm sorry about what you and your family are going through. Hiccup doesn't deserve this, and he should be her priority over a spar."
"Halvar, you take yourself too seriously sometimes." Stoick reprimanded, but he gave his warrior a soft smile. "Astrid is not offended, just worried for Hiccup, her future husband. I'm sure your friendliness was a welcome contrast to the bleak feel in the house at the moment."
"I don't want Astrid to think I resent her for picking Hiccup over joining the Berk Guard. I understand her choice. They make a good team, she'll be a good chieftess." Halvar shared his worry.
"Ah, that's what this is about." Stoick understood. "I don't think she feels that you resent her."
"She was about to join up, she'd been training with Tyra and I often, but then went out adventuring with Hiccup. By the time they returned, after I took over as head of the Berk Guard, they were engaged." Halvar explained. "And really, I always knew that would happen anyway. If she had joined up, she would have dropped out at some point, to be with Hiccup. Everyone knew they'd be together."
"I think everyone knew they were together before they did." Stoick recalled Sigrid's joke from earlier at dinner. She was right. "Or rather, they didn't admit it to themselves until they were away at Dragon's Edge for a time, for whatever reason."
Halvar chuckled lightly, feeling better about it. However, he was still worried about his heir and future chief. As head of the Berk Guard, he considered Hiccup to be one of his leaders who also had his allegiance and complete loyalty. "Hiccup will be okay?"
"Hiccup will heal, with time." Stoick said, vaguely. When Halvar gave him a concerned look, he explained. "There were intruders on Healer's Island, they tried to hunt us. Hiccup was tortured and nearly killed. He's got an uphill battle ahead of him."
Halvar's expression changed so fast, from concern to fury. If he ever got his hands on the people who did this to his heir, they would beg for death.
"Let's step outside." Stoick gestured toward the door, noting his head guard's reaction to his words. He let Halvar exit before him so he could shut the door behind them.
"Chief?" Halvar asked, wondering why they had to continue their conversation outside the house.
"Halvar, your dedication to your role, and your undying loyalty are admirable, but I need you to… to think like Hiccup for a moment." Stoick said, getting a look of confusion from his head guard. "Hiccup befriended a dragon, our former enemy, and changed all of our minds. He got through to Dagur, another enemy, and Viggo who ended up giving his life to save Hiccup. He brought Eret back to Berk, and he's proving to be a hard worker, determined to prove that he belongs here, that he'll be a valuable member of Berk."
"Yes, sir. I had my eye on him, and he's loyal to Hiccup." Halvar said.
"I appreciate you having Hiccup's back." Stoick complimented, then sighed. "Did you notice the girl in there, sleeping on the floor?"
Of course Halvar had noticed, he always observed his surroundings. However, he hadn't wanted to overstep, and hadn't asked about her. "I did."
"Her name is Katla. Katla… Grimborn."
"A Grimborn?" Halvar was taken aback. He remembered being told about the threats Hiccup and his Dragon Riders had been facing while living on their outpost. He hadn't liked the heir living so far away, out of range from the Berk Guard's protection, even if he had a Night Fury and a team of well trained dragons and dragon riders with him. The name 'Grimborn' had come up on various occasions.
"She's Ryker's daughter, Viggo's niece." Stoick explained, and Halvar nodded slowly. "As it turns out, Ryker survived, and he and his family moved from place to place, finally ending up on Healer's Island."
"They're the intruders who hunted you, tortured Hiccup?" Halvar's fists clenched and he looked ready to fight.
"They were." Stoick answered, giving his warrior a stern look to stand down before he continued. Halvar took a breath and stood at attention, releasing the tension in his body. "Ryker's wife, Yrsa, was a psychopath. She raised her children to be brutal and violent. Hers and Ryker's son, Ullr, is a talented archer, and a murderer. Their daughter, Katla, tried to be what they raised her to be, she was originally part of the hunt, but then she couldn't go through with it, she switched sides."
"Hiccup." Halvar deduced.
"Probably." Stoick smiled, thinking fondly of his son. "There was a stretch of time where Hiccup was in their clutches, and Valka and I don't know Hiccup's side of the story. I'm sure Hiccup talked to her, and when Valka and I fought Ryker and Yrsa, she used Katla, her own daughter, as a human shield. That shook Katla, and may have been the tipping point for her, to switch sides. But, it's to be noted that the entire time her family was trying to hurt us, she was doing little things to delay them, to get in the way. Without her, Hiccup might not be here." Stoick's expression became stern again. "She's inside, Valka and I have decided to give her a chance, but that's why you're here."
"To make sure she doesn't leave the house." Halvar guessed.
"Yes. I may be putting a lot of faith in her, but I don't think she'll give us any trouble. She needs guidance, she needs help getting back on her feet." Stoick explained. "But I have to put my people's safety first, just in case. So I need you to patrol around the house, step inside every once in a while, make sure she's still sleeping there."
"I won't let you down, chief."
"Thank you." Stoick put a hand on the door handle, but turned back. "Schedule a rotation, I don't want you working every night. Take a break, spend time with your family."
"Yes sir." Halvar gave his chief a smile and a nod.
—
When Astrid had entered Hiccup's room, the first thing she saw was Toothless, head resting on the edge of the bed, next to Hiccup, purring softly to his rider in an effort to comfort him. It was sweet, and Astrid was glad that the two had finally been reunited. Hiccup and Toothless were not meant to be apart.
Deciding to join in, from the other side of the bed, Astrid leaned over Hiccup, tucking the blankets over him since they'd been moved around by the healers, running a hand through his hair, and kissing his forehead, speaking to him in a soft voice.
Valka entered just minutes after Astrid, to see her son's two closet friends by his side. She felt bad, she and Stoick knew now, and really should have known from the beginning, that their son needed them. There would be no more forcing Hiccup to spend time alone with them, if he needed Astrid and Toothless with him, that was more than fine.
"How is he?" Valka asked after a moment.
"His forehead is warm." Astrid's hand was now covering it. "Is it a fever?"
Toothless perked up, he'd felt too much heat coming from Hiccup, too. He could now sense the sickness in him.
Valka was quick to be by her son's side, replacing Astrid's hand with her own. Hiccup's forehead was hot. "Yes. It would seem we were unable to prevent infection."
"What do we do?" Astrid looked worried.
"He's already been treated for an infection, just in case, so we'll keep up with those treatments. I would assume it's the gash on his shoulder, it was open and caked in dirt when he was… unburied. We make sure it stays clean." Valka gently pulled away a couple layers of blankets and set them to the side. "We don't want him getting too hot. I'll bring up some cool water and a cloth, try to keep his head cool throughout the night. We'll also have to keep him hydrated."
Astrid nodded slowly, looking down at Hiccup with concern.
"I can stay up here with you, help keep an eye on him." Valka offered.
"No, it's okay." Astrid met Valka's eyes. "I can handle it. You and Stoick went through a lot too, on Healer's Island. You should both get some rest."
"You can wake us, if you need anything. Don't hesitate to ask for help." Valka gave her a look, not realizing how much she was reminding Astrid of Sigrid in that moment.
"If I need help, I'll send Toothless down to get you." Astrid gave her a reassuring smile. Still by Hiccup's other side, Toothless gave a coo, letting them know that he'd help out with whatever he was needed for.
"Speaking of Toothless, can you show me how to take his flying gear off? Poor thing has had it on all day, we've been too busy." Valka walked around the bed and set a hand on the flying gear. "You want that off Toothless? I'm sorry it's taken so long for us to get around to it."
"I can show you." Astrid agreed, reluctantly leaving Hiccup's side. She knew Hiccup would not want Toothless neglected on his behalf, and the gear was certainly not comfortable to lounge around in for hours at a time.
"I'd also like to learn to fly him, someday. This all looks so complicated. It's above my understanding." Valka followed Astrid's lead in taking off the gear.
"It seems that way at first, but once you learn how it works, it's easy to understand." Astrid said. "What is beyond me, is how Hiccup was able to invent it at fifteen."
Valka shook her head, a smile on her face. "He did a lot at fifteen that's hard to believe."
"He's smart, creative, inventive." Astrid listed off, smiling with fondness. "I missed him, still do."
"Hey." Valka kneeled next to her future daughter-in-law, who she hadn't even had much of a chance to get to know yet, but already loved her so much. "Hiccup will heal, and we're all going to be here to help him cope with everything. I'm so sorry we separated you two. I didn't realize how much he depended on you, how much he needs you, but I see that now. Things would have worked out better if you and Toothless had come with us, Hiccup would have had you two to lean on, when things got rough between Stoick and I, and him. That's on us, okay? And you'll be here with him as he heals. You'll be the first person he sees when he next wakes, you'll have him back, no need to be missing him. He's here."
Astrid's eyes were watery despite herself. She'd been crying too much in just the past day, but it had all been a lot of emotional ups and downs. She had thought she'd lost Hiccup, and it scared her how broken she had felt in that moment, she never wanted to feel that again.
"Thanks Valka." Astrid felt comforted by her words. She didn't know Hiccup's mother that well, and she hadn't exactly made a good first impression, but she could tell that Valka was trying to change, to turn things around, and that was admirable. She looked forward to getting to know her future mother-in-law better.
"Let's get this gear off, and tend to Hiccup's fever, okay?" Valka encouraged, and Astrid nodded. The two women got to work, and it felt very natural to them, to be working as a team.
—
Valka shut the door of hers and Stoick's bedroom and lingered, a hand on the wood paneling of the door, the other one on the door handle. She didn't know why she suddenly felt nervous. She could hear Stoick behind her, in the room, moving some things around. It wasn't that she hadn't been in that room since returning, or that she was even nervous to be around her husband. She'd spent a lot of time with Stoick since returning to Berk, had slept next to him on Healer's Island, and that had felt right. She'd missed his warm, familiar presence when she'd been with the dragons. Cloudjumper had been a wonderful companion in the absence of her family, but it wasn't the same.
It had actually been an odd experience sleeping in a house, or in a proper bed, when she'd first returned to Berk and had been staying in Hiccup's room. Cloudjumper was too big to fit in the house, and he preferred to sleep with the other dragons from the Bewilderbeast's nest, because that was what he was most used to, anyway. They both had to adjust, especially when she'd left for Healer's Island with her family, that had been the first time she'd been apart from Cloudjumper for such a long period of time since bonding with him.
"Everything alright?" Stoick asked from behind her, getting Valka to finally turn and face the room.
The room wasn't much different than it had been before Cloudjumper had taken her. She'd been in there, since returning, Stoick having walked her through the house when they'd had time together while Hiccup was interim chief, and she'd reminisced. Things in the home were just how she remembered them, with little changes, and the fact that part of the house had to be rebuilt on various occasions due to the dragon raids, and Hiccup's space in the loft was entirely different than it had been before, personalized to her son's preference, with his things laying around. She felt like she'd gotten to know him a little better, just spending time in his room, as she had invited herself to look at the charcoal drawings, charts, pieces of maps, and diagrams that he'd stuck to his walls. She'd even ventured enough to open a couple of his sketchbooks. She didn't read anything he wrote, feeling that a blatant invasion of privacy, but she did look at some of the sketches. He was talented, and he was an artist. Everything Astrid had told her when she'd been upstairs with her earlier, smart, creative, and inventive. Nothing like how she'd imagine her son to have been, when she'd been away for twenty years. She had used to wonder if he'd grown to be big like his father, as hard as it was to imagine her tiny, premature son to be anything but small. She'd thought he would have taken after Stoick, but just seeing his room alone would have been enough to tell her otherwise.
Valka let her eyes wander, taking everything in, again, and letting the nostalgia hit her. Stoick hadn't changed much of anything, and that told her a lot too, almost as much as Hiccup's room told her about him. Stoick had not been willing to let go or move on, he had missed her dearly. She knew now how much her supposed death had affected him, he had told her how things were after she was gone. It made her feel so heartbroken for him, and even worse knowing that she could have returned to him and taken those feelings of grief away.
"Yes, I'm alright." Valka finally answered. "Just feeling nostalgic."
"I can sleep somewhere else, if you'd be more comfortable." Stoick offered, not wanting to push her into sharing a room. He was just glad to have her back at all, they could take things as slow as she needed.
"No, I want you here." Valka gave him a reassuring smile. "I missed this house, our room, and you."
"It wasn't the same, without you here." Stoick said. "But it got better, when Hiccup and I were finally getting along. I spent too much time grieving, and it affected him."
Valka walked to the other side of the bed, and wrapped her husband in a hug, her nervous feelings forgotten in her desire to be there for her husband, he held her back. "I'm so sorry. I do regret not returning to you. Now that I'm back, it's hard to believe how I was ever able to stay away."
"I know, I'm just glad you're here now." Stoick rested his head atop hers, he'd missed her, so much. "It's nice to have the house full again. Hiccup spent a lot of time away, adventuring with his friends, and without you here, the house was empty."
"Well, you won't be here alone, not anymore." Valka assured him. "Even when Hiccup marries and he and Astrid have their own home, I'll be here with you."
Stoick almost chuckled as she touched on one of his new fears that had surprised even himself, that he'd confided in no one about. "As happy as I will be for Hiccup on his and Astrid's wedding day, I was dreading having to spend my older years in this house, alone."
"Oh, Stoick." Valka pulled away, putting her hands on either side of his face. "I'm so sorry. It's my fault you developed this fear of losing your family."
Stoick looked almost taken aback at her observation. He did fear losing his family, and he didn't like being without them. It was contradictory of him, he'd realized on his own, how he'd pushed Hiccup away and alienated himself in their home, when he was so afraid of losing the family he had left. Somehow, the Haddocks had dwindled in number, to only him and his son. Valka's return now made it three again, and when Hiccup married there would be potential for the Haddocks to be revived and flourish again.
"I'm sorry, it's only something I noticed, upon returning." She was afraid she had offended him.
"Don't be sorry, I'm aware, but no one has called me out on that before." Stoick led her to the bed so they could sit. He'd already pulled out another pillow and more blankets that had been stored in a chest at the end of the bed. "I made a lot of terrible choices because of that fear, and I ended up pushing Hiccup away, and harming him enough that he was able to- he did that to himself. He hurt himself."
Valka's expression turned sad. "It wasn't only you, it was everything, everyone. All of that affected him."
"But I'm supposed to be an example to our people, and I did nothing about it. I still can't wrap my head around it. I keep imagining him out there, in the woods where he was always spending his time, so alone and devastated…" He trailed off. "I thought I knew emotional pain, when I lost you, but for Hiccup to find his only reprieve by… by doing that. I was very selfish, I was only thinking of myself and what I wanted, not what Hiccup needed."
"I was selfish." Valka tried to correct him. "Because I chose to stay away, because it was easier. That affected both of you. You wouldn't have been struggling if it hadn't been for me, and Hiccup wouldn't have been hurt if I had come back and he'd had us both to be there for him."
"We're doing it again." Stoick said, Valka giving him a confused look. "Spiraling. There are a lot of what-ifs, a lot of unknowns when it comes to other paths we could have taken. Hiccup was right when he said that we don't know how things would have worked out. Maybe things would have been better, maybe they would have been worse."
"Yes, he did say that. I guess, the important thing is that we're all here now, and together." Valka concluded, but she still felt an underlying guilt. "Do you… forgive me, then?"
"Valka." Stoick almost said in a reprimanding tone. "I've already said that I do, and I meant it. You told me that you learned from Hiccup that sometimes you have to do what is hard, because it's the right thing to do. Well, I learned from Hiccup the importance of forgiveness. He forgave me, and I even disowned him. How can I do any less and not forgive you?"
"Well, thank you." Valka looked at her hands resting in her lap. "It means a lot to me. It puts my heart at peace to know that you forgive me. I hope Hiccup still has it in him to forgive me, again."
"I'm sure he will forgive us both. I hate to ask for it, again. Even if he doesn't, I'm still going to be there for him."
"Yes, whatever he needs to recover."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, both thinking about their son. Hiccup was still in bed with a fever. Valka had gotten Astrid situated with what she'd need to take care of Hiccup throughout the night, and explained what the different medicines were for. Stoick had made sure she'd be comfortable. The big, cushioned chairs had arrived and been taken up to the loft, and Stoick had taken out some extra blankets so she could stay warm and cozy, he'd even left some food on a plate on Hiccup's desk for her, in case she got hungry.
Both Stoick and Valka hadn't wanted to leave Hiccup's side either, but they knew he would be cared for and watched over, with Toothless and Astrid upstairs with him. Besides that, they needed the rest. It had been a long day, a long week, really. It had been one stressor after another, and that hadn't stopped once they'd returned to Berk either.
Valka finally moved, standing so she could go to the other side of the bed and pull the blankets back. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. When is the last time we got any sleep?"
Stoick stood too, so he could pull back the covers on his side. "I think, when we took turns getting some rest, while the other stayed awake to keep an eye on Hiccup, after Ullr dragged him away when he fell."
Valka climbed into the bed, pulling the blankets up, Stoick following her lead. "Oh, yes. I suppose that was the last time, and I know I didn't really fall asleep, I was still half awake. I couldn't relax when I knew Hiccup wasn't safe."
"Neither could I." Stoick admitted. "That means the last time we really slept was the night we hid in that cave and talked with Hiccup."
"It feels like that was so long ago." Valka was sitting on her side of the bed, legs pulled up as she leaned on her knees, the blankets over her lap. "It was only two nights ago."
"It felt like one really long day, probably because the night we kept watch over the Grimborns when they had Hiccup. He escaped when it was still dark, and we went after him. It felt like a continuation of the day before."
"We didn't find Hiccup until well into the afternoon, then returned home." Valka thought back. "Yes, it was certainly a very long day."
Stoick settled in on his side of the bed, laying back against his pillow, blanket pulled up to his chest. He'd never gotten used to having the bed to himself, and even when Valka hadn't been there he hadn't ever used the whole bed, he remained on his half. She was supposed to be there, on her side, and now she was. It felt right.
Valka followed Stoick's lead, blowing out the candle on the side table and throwing them into darkness, then laying back on the pillow, turning to her side so she could face him.
"I love you, Stoick." She said, scooting closer so she could put her head closer to his, one of her arms resting over his chest. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed her husband until she had returned to Berk and spent time with him, because while she'd been gone for twenty years she had forced those feelings away, not letting herself feel them because of how painful it was. She hadn't wanted to face the fact that she hadn't returned to her beloved husband or their precious son, it was easier not to think about it. It was one more way she had run away from the situation. If she had let herself miss them, she would not have been able to stay away. This, laying next to her husband, in their bed, in their room, in their home, was where she wanted to be in that moment. She belonged by his side.
"I love you, too." Stoick said in return, sounding like he was already starting to drift away into sleep. His thoughts wouldn't be plagued by the sight of her being carried off by a dragon during a raid, there would be no dreams of fire while he stood in their ruined home, holding a baby Hiccup, the daunting task of having to raise him alone weighing him down. He wouldn't be laying there, awake, missing her warm presence by his side. Not tonight, not ever again. And that thought let him rest easy.
—
A/N: I hope you liked the rewrite, and that you see it as an improvement to the previous version. We get more details about what happened when they returned to Berk, what's going on with Eret and Katla, other characters' perspectives, how Sigrid and Arne learned of what happened and what's going on with Hiccup, how Toothless feels, introducing some new characters, and beginning to see how it's affecting Astrid.
There's so many more details and new things to keep track of, that while I was editing the story I had to keep adding things and going back to reference earlier parts of the story to make sure I was being consistent, plus doing some research on dislocated shoulder injuries and such. I have a sticky note with a list of things to remember to mention or follow up on later, in future chapters, haha. It took a long time! Sorry for the delay in posting, I am now expecting that Chapter 31 will take me more time to rewrite and edit, because there are so many threads of different storylines and subplots to keep track of, and a lot of characters to include. But I am working on it!
We'll still see that conversation that this story keeps mentioning, when Hiccup and Astrid had a serious talk about their relationship that allowed Hiccup to trust her more, let Astrid know what Hiccup needed from her, and helped them move forward together as a strong couple. That conversation will be in a flashback in a coming chapter! Lots of Hicstrid coming for the Hicstrid-deprived who keep telling me they want Hiccup to return to Astrid. To be fair, this story will be so long, that by the time it is finished, the Healer's Island chapters will look like a small excerpt.
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New Review Responses:
lizzielou525: There will be a lot of Hicstrid in these next few chapters. That scene with Sigrid getting after Valka will still be in the story, just in a different place. Valka and Sigrid will become close friends as the story goes, but it was necessary for Sigrid to make sure that Hiccup is treated well.
Yubel578: I think Valka is more aware of how her actions could affect Hiccup now. She talked about this with Stoick in this chapter, that she wants to help Katla, but doesn't want Hiccup to feel bad about it. She plans on talking to him when he's awake, and Hiccup will want to help Katla too. Yeah, Spitelout is just being himself, saying stupid things. The rest of the council stood up for Hiccup, and the people were proud of him for how he helped them rebuild the village. Astrid still feels some guilt, and she'll have to talk to Hiccup about that too, at some point. Stoick and Valka are aware of how their people see them right now, and they want to be a strong example to them.
Gandalf nho: Yeah, poor Hiccup. He's really not doing so well right now, and has an uphill battle ahead of him to heal.
Silver Sentinel: Of course everyone was relieved to see Hiccup alive. They were desperately trying to find him, and he looked dead when the crate was open. Hiccup's injuries needing to be cleaned and tended to meant that his scars had to be out on display, and it was very upsetting to his friends and family. Snotlout was kind of the ringleader when it came to tormenting Hiccup. When you think about it, why would Ruff and Tuff hate Hiccup? They love destruction and chaos, and that was what Hiccup was known for, you'd think the twins would have loved Hiccup, haha. Snotlout will be feeling a lot of guilt, and so will the others, now knowing the affect their treatment of Hiccup had on him. What questions do you think people will have because of Hiccup clinging to Astrid? He trusts her completely because of how they had that talk and aired things out between them, and she's continually kept to her word and been someone he can depend on and trust. Hiccup doesn't trust the others as much as he trusts her. She was the first person he saw when he was saved, and he was convinced he'd never see her again, so of course he clung to her. Astrid is still feeling some guilt, and that will be addressed in a future chapter. The stuff in chapter 31, Astrid by Hiccup's side, and the flashbacks will still be in this story, and have been pushed back with all the new, added scenes. We're working up to a flashback scene of that talk between Hiccup and Astrid. Sigrid will also still confront Valka, in a future chapter. She is protective of Hiccup, and she and Valka will become close, as we see in Snoggletog Showdown, they are friendly with each other. Katla is in this chapter rewrite some more, the previous version didn't really include her as much. That council scene will also happen later. Spitelout is blunt, and he doesn't hold back, I think that can be a useful thing sometimes when Stoick needs opinions from all sides. Spitelout wasn't exactly fair to Hiccup, but the other council members called him out for it. But Spitelout is right, their leaders need to be a strong team, and that's something Stoick is working on.
niza90: I'm glad you liked that chapter, I'm hoping you think the rewrites make the chapters even better. There's a lot more different character perspectives in it now. Thanks for reading!
Waric-124: I'm sorry about you and your dad. I hope things are better for you! Stoick and Valka have learned from their mistakes, and they'll be going forward trying to mend their relationship with Hiccup and help him to heal, in a better way.
TheBeard263: I hope you enjoy this rewrite as much as you like the original chapters. There are far more details about what happened when they got back from Healer's Island. There will be some upcoming scenes about Hiccup waking, and the nightmares he's been having! I agree, Stoick's death in HTTYD2 left some loose ends. It feels like it was a last minute choice to kill him off, as if it wasn't the original plan and they decided to do it for the sake of shocking the audience more than for the sake of the story. I don't like it, Hiccup still needed his dad to help him learn and grow and become a great chief, from what we see in the third movie, Hiccup was not ready to be chief, he was failing hard. I have to say, I really hate the third movie now, the more I watch it, the more unsatisfied I am. I hate that they left their ancestral home of Berk, on a whim. And it was pointless for them to do so anyway, by the end of the movie when the dragons leave, they should have just stayed. And I hate the dragons leaving, it doesn't work. Just because that's how it happens in the books doesn't mean the movies had to do the same. It sends an awful message, if you're afraid, just run away and hide, don't fight for your freedom or anything, just give up. Stupid. Anyway, I could rant about the third movie and everything wrong with it for hours.
CHSHiccstrid: Astrid's perspective and flashbacks have been pushed back in this story, and will be back in a future chapter, and with more added scenes to it. Haha, right, sure, Hiccup will be tortured… less in future story arcs. For sure.
Althea Sirius: Oh, thank you! I wish this was canon too, haha, if only for Stoick to be alive and the dragons to never leave! Katla will be around, and she will be close to Hiccup since he was the first one to show her kindness, and Valka because she took initiative to help her when Hiccup was incapacitated. That is very much what Spitelout does, haha, push buttons. He was a bit harsh, but he also brought up a good point that Stoick and his family need to be a better example and stronger leaders together.
Vespera21: Yes, poor Hiccup! He does almost die, a lot. We will be seeing what happens to Katla, and go more into how Hiccup's friends feel and how they make it up to him, in future chapters. I'm adding more details to chapters 30 and 31 so that I can properly lead into all that is to come in future chapters.
LJF613: Haha. Enjoying the drama?
Nancy 2239: Thank you! I'm glad you're still enjoying the story. I hope you like the extended chapters 30 and 31!
Jay: I'm glad to hear that this is one of your favorite fics! I hope you're still reading and enjoying this story! I've been working on it a lot lately, and I think the rewrites of chapters 30 and 31 make it so much better, and will allow me to expand on more things in coming chapters. This is your favorite HTTYD story? I'm glad to hear it!
csabi1brutus: I'm glad you liked the last two chapters, I hope you also enjoy the extended versions of those chapters! Hiccup will wake, at least kind of, in the next chapter. None of my stories are abandoned! Life just got in the way- work, a reactive, fearful puppy that took all of my time for about two years, and a little bit of writer's block that I've worked through.
MoonLightSkies16: Astrid and Toothless are great! Part of expanding on chapters 30 and 31, with the rewrites, is adding Toothless into it some more. I realized that I was so focused on the people, I'd sometimes forget to write Toothless in there and he'd end up in the background not doing much. And if Hiccup is hurt, Toothless would not be standing to the side! Toothless deserves better, haha, so he is in it more in the chapter 30 rewrite. Angstfest, haha. If you like angst, you came to the right place! I do hope I balance it out a bit, with some humor and light hearted scenes as well. There will be a lot more angst to come!
Summer164: Thank! I am building up this AU world some more with the extended scenes in this chapter, adding some new characters in who will have bigger roles later.
IxamHP09: Maybe you don't understand the depth behind the Healer's Island chapters like my other readers do. The plot doesn't get lost, it really finds itself, as Hiccup is learning to confront his feelings and handle them differently. If you don't know what it's like to have buried feelings, and the struggle of having to open up to someone trying to help you, good for you. You won't understand what Hiccup is going through. How would they have the advantage when the hut is burning? The Grimborns were distracted sure, but if Stoick, Valka, and Hiccup attacked, they Grimborns would change their focus to fighting back and ignore their burning hut. Stoick, Valka, and Hiccup would then be outnumbered, and Hiccup is struggling with his leg and would fall easily in a fight. Running was the better option, and part of their plan anyway- get what they needed for supplies and leave. Astrid is trying to live up to the role that she was given, she's been entrusted as the interim chief while Stoick and Hiccup are away, the first time she's been given that honor. She wouldn't just take the first excuse to leave when she has no reason to believe that Hiccup is in danger. Toothless is never far from Hiccup, Astrid thinks that is why he is upset, that he simply misses Hiccup. She later gives in and goes to Healer's Island, and she does feel bad that she didn't go with Toothless when he first wanted to. But how was she to know, she can't hear Toothless' thoughts like Hiccup can. People make mistakes, that doesn't make a story repetitive or ridiculous, it makes it more real and relatable. If you're looking for a story with perfect characters who never make mistakes, look somewhere else, you won't find that nonsense here. And Toothless just became alpha, he's not used to it, you think he's going to be out there bossing dragons around to go check on Hiccup? He knows that Sharpshot went to Hiccup, and is checking in, but when Sharpshot didn't return after a while, that's when Toothless decided to take things into his own hands. If bossing some dragons around to go check in on Hiccup for him was not Toothless first instinct, please excuse the new alpha for not thinking of that. Besides, the dragons in my AU aren't all as intelligent as Toothless, not like in some other fan fics where they talk to each other like they're human. Toothless is more intelligent than the other dragons, and we even see that in episodes where Stormfly and the others act more on instincts than through reason. Would they know exactly what to do, being given orders by Toothless, when Toothless is still figuring out is alpha abilities? That sounds more ridiculous to me than Toothless acting on his own. He's emotional, please give the Night Fury a break, he's worried about his bestie. He's stressed, okay?
NerdyNonNativeNarnian: First, I love your name. I love Narnia! Thanks for you concern. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. Life got hectic, and busy, and I lost my motivation to write for a while there. Well, kind of. I was writing a lot of other fan fics that I haven't shared on here yet, including various other HTTYD fan fics, but I was stuck on this one. I think rewriting chapters 30 and 31 has been very helpful in getting me to continue this story. I left out too many details in the original versions of those chapters, and it made it hard to continue the story because I was trying to figure out how to add those details in in a different way. Now that chapters 30 and 31 are extended, I have more to build on in future chapters. I had someone else tell me that Toothless could have sent other dragons in his place. You know, Sharpshot was sent to check in on Hiccup, he and Astrid were waiting for a response, but when it seemed like it's as taking too long to hear back, and Toothless grew more worried, they did go to Healer's Island to check on him themselves. I also don't think Toothless is used to being alpha and all that entails, his first instinct is not to boss other dragons around with his alpha abilities.
malachib871: I'm glad you're here following this story! The story will continue, but I found it necessary to add more scenes to chapters 30 and 31 first. It's better, I promise!
Bd27: Yes. Deviation and What Lies Beneath will both be continued. I am working on fixing up chapters 30 and 31 of Deviation, and then the story will continue will all-new chapters. And What Lies Beneath almost has a completed chapter that I will post once it is done. Sorry it has taken some time, I've been busy!
keytochaos: Thanks for your concern! I am doing well. I was very busy, and adopting a reactive, fearful puppy was also very stressful and meant I had no life for a couple of years, haha. Work has been. Well. I hate working for people. Bosses tend to suck. There's been a lot of ups and downs lately, but I'm glad to have more time for writing now. I have a lot of plans for this story, but I did get a little stuck. I feel like I wrote myself into a corner with chapters 30 and 31, and I needed to expand on things and add in more scenes, to help build a foundation for future chapters. I am writing again, and making progress!
Misterio12: Sorry, you'll have to wait for the answers to how Hiccup deals with his trauma and what happens to Katla. I really needed to fix up chapters 30 and 31 before continuing. But now that chapter 30 is rewrites, and I'm working on rewriting chapter 31, I know how to continue the story and I feel less stuck in my writing. The answers to your questions are coming!
E: Well… I can't be writing fan fiction all the time, I do have a life. I'm glad you're eager for the next one, but I hope you like these extended editions of chapters 30 and 31 first. New chapters are coming.
Hogwartsharryblog: I am back! I've been writing a lot lately. I finished Forge Window, I've been working on some new stories, I posted one of those new stories, "Forever, Little Vacation." I've been fixing up chapters 30 and 31 of "Deviation," so that I have more content to build on in future chapters. "What Lies Beneath" has a new chapter in the works." I hope you enjoy it all!
RandomGuest: Hello again! That is such a wonderful complement, thank you. I really like to get into each character's head and write about what motivates them and explore how they feel. I'm glad that you think they're in-character and that I understand them well. I wish the writer's hadn't messed up Snotlout so badly in movie three! They definitely lost touch with that character, it's a shame. Poor "Snoggletog Showdown," bumped down to second, haha. I'm glad you enjoy both stories! I'm also glad that I could write some angst that you enjoy, haha. That is some really good insight into Hiccup's character. He really doesn't seen the contradiction in his behavior. He's trying to force their relationship because he's afraid that if he doesn't pretend that things are fine, that he doesn't please other people, that they'll leave him and things will go back to how they were before. It doesn't help that Valka chose to stay away, his own mother, after Stoick was so neglectful to him throughout his childhood. It has left Hiccup with a lot of insecurities that he does not know how to handle properly. What has seemingly proven to help, in the past, is for him to keep taking it, to hide his feelings, and to force things, and so that is what he does. He does not realize that he is being the insincere one, because he does genuinely love his parents, and friends, but he feels like he hast to earn everyone else's love, and that means pretending that things don't bother him when they clearly do. He will learn, and he will start to process his feelings differently. He has, quite literally, been buried alive in everything, been exhumed, and cleansed of everything, with the help of his friends and family. Now he needs to let them help him.
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Review Responses from the previous Chapter 30:
CallMeUrmo: No, this story isn't over! I have written out plans to go all the way through the third movie and maybe even a little beyond that. I couldn't end the story with Hiccup buried alive! Sorry I made you wait though, haha. I hope you're still reading and enjoying this story!
Silver Sentinel: Ryker being alive and having a family they didn't know about was definitely a shock to them. Maybe they will wonder about Viggo, but what are the chances that Viggo and Ryker keep surviving when they are thought to be dead? That's a lot of coincidences, but you never know. Ullr has a complicated relationship with his father. Ullr has been looking up to Ryker his whole life, has been willing to do everything that he was asked, always seeking approval. And then what did Ryker do? He slapped Ullr across the face and sent him after Hiccup, who he had let get away. Ullr feels betrayed, frustrated that his father only ever sees his failures and nothing else, as well as feeling like he should be loyal to his father like he has been. At the same time, wouldn't it also be a relief to finally be free of Ryker? To no longer be living for his father's approval and to always come up short? Ullr had a lot going through his mind when he saw his fallen father. He almost had his way out, but he couldn't do it. Yes, Astrid was determined and was not holding back. She is a force to be reckoned with! And Toothless had the motivation to access this new power of his in order to help Hiccup. That was how his new Night Fury powers were first realized, right? When Hiccup was in danger and Toothless protected him from Drago?
Livre'YsARI: Lindsey Stirling is one of my favorites! I'll have to look into Kurt Hugo Schneider, I love violin and orchestra-type music. That's true, Hiccup does have a long recovery ahead of him, and not just physical, but mentally and emotionally. There are plenty of emotional, hurt/comfort moments and deep talks coming. And I still need to get Forge Window done!
lizzielou525: Thanks! I'm happy to hear that this is one of your favorites! And you will get your wish, more to come with Katla and Valka, and… some Tuffnut/Katla potential. Of course, these next couple chapters will be heavy on the Hicstrid! Hiccup and his parents also have some more things to discuss and figure out between them. I hope you liked this chapter! There should be some more frequent updates since I've written so far ahead.
gandalf nho: They all tried to find Hiccup, but in the end it was Toothless who succeeded.
Jhousa: I didn't think the last chapter was that short. I don't determine when a chapter is finished by how long it is, it is finished when it feels rounded off and complete. Sometimes it is longer, sometimes it is shorter. Chapter 30 ended up shorter too, but there was no better place to cut it off unless I made the chapter super, super long. However, since I'm splitting everything I have been writing over the past year or so into shorter chapters, at least there will be more frequent updates. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, regardless!
CHSHicstrid: Ullr is acting pretty crazy, isn't he? He's only sinking further into madness, it seems, after everything that happened. He has complicated feelings when it comes to his father. Don't be too annoyed with Astrid, haha, she didn't know! She doesn't know Katla yet, but she is super protective of Hiccup. I'm glad you like Katla so much! I think you'll like the coming chapters because we see more of Katla and what is to come of her. I'm glad I picked the right song, I thought it suited Hiccup very well, haha.
Arashi Uzukaze: That is a good question, and I can confidently tell you, no. This story will not follow HTTYD3's "terrible story of abandoning everything." I didn't like that they left Berk, their home of what, more than 400 years? I also didn't like the dragons leaving at the end. This story will go into third movie type stuff, and I already have it planned out. It will be almost unrecognizable in comparison to what happens in HTTYD3.
Whiskerface: Seeing Ryker alive would be a shock for them, and to find out he had a family they didn't know about, too. Ullr is complicated. He's looked up to his father his whole life, always seeking approval and never getting it. He wonders what it would be like to be free of his dad, while also not being able to go through with it. I hadn't really thought about Astrid checking to see if Hiccup was alive being similar to Stoick checking to see if he is alive at the end of the first movie, until you pointed it out. You're right, they are similar scenes. They've come a long way in five years, and yet find themselves in a similar situation. Hiccup finding himself in near death experiences hasn't changed though. Ryker's and Ullr's fates will be addressed more later, but for now we're going to focus on Hiccup and all the things he needs resolved. I hope you liked the new chapter!
Guest: I'm not sure what the monsterverse is. I'm not a fan of the dragons leaving at the end of the third movie, but that won't happen in my story.
csabi1brutus: Thank you! I agree, it is a shame that the characters from the series couldn't be in the movies. I can see why, but it also adds a lot of inconsistency that I have been trying to smooth out and fix in this story. Thanks, I'm glad the Ryker family come off as believable characters and that they feel right. Haha, sorry for the wait! I hope you like this new chapter! There should be more frequent updates since I've got a lot written for this story right now, it just has to be split into chapters and edited.
Guest: You read the entire story in two nights? Wow! That's a lot of reading, and thanks! I'm glad to hear that you liked it that much! I hope you liked this chapter as well.
Romantica 21: Ullr telling Astrid that Hiccup was dead made quite an impact on her. There will be so many Hicstrid scenes coming! I hope they make up for the lack of Hicstrid scenes during all the Healer's Island chapters. Hiccup did eventually find a way to calm himself down while buried alive, and Stoick is already concerned after learning everything about how Hiccup felt in the past, and the fact that he even harmed himself. There is definitely a scene about all that coming up. There is so much to address in the aftermath of the Healer's Island chapters, that's part of what made writing it so difficult. I kept rearranging the sequence of events, remembering other things that needed to be added, and trying to fit all of that into one longer chapter, and then I finally had to be like, no, this needs to be multiple, shorter chapters, and then had to edit it into separate chapters. It has taken some time! But I think I finally got it where I want it, and breaking it down made it easier to handle. It will take several chapters to address it all, though. I hope you liked this new chapter!
PEGASUS258: I'm glad that you are liking the story! I hope you liked this chapter as well. Haha, I actually saw that in another fan fiction, where Toothless refers to Stoick as "dad," and I loved it so much I asked the author if I could borrow the idea and she said yes. It's so cute, isn't it? Toothless hears Hiccup calling him dad all the time, it makes sense that Toothless would pick up on that. Also, I'm going to have to look up that song now!
LizAme-38: Stoick and Valka have made a lot of mistakes, but they are genuinely trying to make things better. If Hiccup decided that he couldn't give them any more chances, they would step back, but Hiccup is notoriously forgiving. Haha, Zephyr and Nuffink will come along eventually… Um no, they have not done "the thing," if "the thing" is what I think it is. Astrid even admits to as much when she shares Hiccup's room with Valka, after the battle with Drago wrecks part of Berk. Hiccup is just a blusher in this story, haha. Wow, haha, sorry if my story caused some emotional distress. Apologize to your family for me, haha.
lionkingfactsguy3: Thanks! I'm glad you liked the story. I think the dragon communication thing will be unique to Hiccup and Toothless. Toothless accessed some kind of new power when he protected Hiccup from Drago, and he's an alpha, it isn't the same situation with the other riders and their dragons.
Waric-124: Haha, sorry, I made everybody so mad at Stoick and Valka with that chapter! Would you believe that I actually really like Stoick and Valka's characters? They're realizing their mistakes and working to fix them, and change. They had good intentions when they decided to go on this trip, but you're right, they did separate Hiccup from Toothless and Astrid, the two he depends on, and that was a mistake. And no worries, Sharpshot isn't dead! You can put the sword away.
TheBeard263: Aw, thank you so much! That compliment means a lot to me, I'm glad you like it! I'm glad you like the changes I made to canon. I'm trying to fix the inconsistencies between the movies and the TV shows, as well as fix all the things that I wish they had done differently in the films (example: Stoick not dying!). There's so much angst and emotional stuff that the movies and shows don't go into, that I'm trying to expand on. Hiccup accepted Valka soooo easily, without having much of a problem with her and what she did. Stoick and Hiccup had unresolved issues between them that were introduced at the beginning of HTTYD2 and never really resolved because Stoick died. I think killing off Stoick was a mistake because it took away Hiccup's ability to learn a lesson from him, to bond with his dad more, to resolve things between their entire family with Valka being there, and in the third movie Hiccup has proven that he isn't a confident leader, after everything he did at the end of the second movie. Hiccup still needed his dad, to teach him and guide him into becoming the best chief he could be. And I just don't like that the theme at the end of HTTYD2 is that Hiccup and Toothless are stronger together and will lead together, just for Toothless to ignore Hiccup in the third movie because he becomes lovestruck by an annoying female. Ugh, I hate that. And then the dragons leave and undo all the themes of the second movie! What?! Anyway, I will fix it in this story. You're right, not that much time has passed in this story, but I have so much planned, very far out, I just have to write it all, haha. I have been writing since I last updated, but it has taken me a while to get all that I have written for this story in the right order and edited to my liking. I do intend to finish it!
Jay: Ah! I'm so sorry for the wait! I hope this new chapter helped!
