She woke slowly from a dream. A dream of ice and dragon-fire, and snow. She'd had a few of them. Each one the same. Snow swirling around, then an unveiling of an ice fortress. Dragons flitting in and out of her line of sight. Attacking, trying to burn the fortress. She would feel the heat on her skin. Searing, bubbling her flesh. Then she would wake in a panic.
She lay there for a few moments contemplating what it all meant. Willing the sleep from her mind. She needed to get moving. There were several chores on her list today. And unfortunately, they couldn't be done from under the blankets and furs. She threw them off and swung her legs off the side of the bed. Her bones and joints protested. It could be the change in the weather, but she knew better. There was only one real explanation -age.
Thus did Valka of Berk sigh. She stood and walked into the main room of the hall. She stoked the fire and she set a pot of water for tea. She washed her face, then dressed for the day. Her breakfast included a few strips of dried fish, bread, and cheese. She straightened up around the hall, then donned a cloak, and went out the side door into the shed.
She was greeted by a chirp and a squawk. Apparently she wasn't the only one up early. The Nadder nuzzled her warmly. She scratched her chin, and ran a hand across her side. The dragon offered her flank. Hiln had been injured in the war. She took a catapult shot to her side. It had broken the large wing bone, and it looked like it was never going to heal properly. She was nearly always in the sling now, the poor dear. She was serving as a surrogate for the orphans, and a babysitter for the other dragons of the village. She was one of Stormflys' children. And had garnered extra care from the Haddocks, and indeed, the rest of the village.
She had been hovering close to her mother when that bastards' trap was sprung. They were ready, but battles don't often come without losses. Her sons' young wife was sadly one of the first. Her dragon soon followed. Pierced by a large arrow, a Snafflefang had swooped in to take her from the battlefield followed by Hiln. She had been hit first, then the Snafflefang took an arrow to the side. They never found Stormflys' remains.
Hiccup defeated Dagur. In his grief and anger, he turned the dragons against the island that spawned them. It was a horrific sight, and sent a clear message to those who would cross him. He had dissapeared shortly after the funeral. He was gone for six months. She feared the worst. Hoping her son had not tried to follow Astrid to Valhalla. She found him one morning on Dragon Island. He was a mess. It was a few weeks after, she finally convinced him to go back.
Now he was gone again, but she didn't worry like before. She had seen the darkness slowly leaving him. He had promised to only be gone a few weeks. She had protested at first, but she could see he was restless. It was also the only time during the year he would be able to be gone for any length of time. A promise of gifts had helped -a little. Now the weather was warming, the ice had begun to melt. Soon, repairs would be underway,and preparations for planting, and her son would return.
She made her way to the ring to prepare for the days' lesson. There was a dragon care lesson for the young ones, then a bonding lesson for the older children, who had not yet a dragon of their own. Then riding lessons for the bonded pairs for the rest of the day. Her favorites were the young children. They were the next generation. She took it upon herself to personally teach these young ones what she knew. Hiccup was great with the little children. She sighed, if only Astrid had been with them a while longer. She would have been blessed with grandchildren of her own. It was something they had both wanted… but alas, she was taken too soon. She filled two buckets with small fish to be given to the Terrors if they behaved. She then went to the square to collect her students.
He woke with a start. If it was a dream, he didn't remember it. Well, not all of it. Something to do with snow, and ice. Blue ice, the kind of blue of the purest ice found in the glaciers. Or maybe, it was the ice from a Bewilderbeast. He could't recall one specific thing. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He noted the sleeping form next to him and smiled. They had been married a little over two years now. He thanked the gods. She had chosen him, and somehow they had found a balance between sanity and -not- sanity to make a relationship work.
Thus did Fishlegs Ingermann sigh. Now they had a baby on the way. Hopefully, it would be born by the end of spring. He had started charting her progress on a piece of parchment. He tried to explain it to her one evening. Only to have it torn up in his face. She punched him too if he recalled correctly. He only remembered the glint in her eye later, and the sex afterwards.
He got up and threw a log on the fire. He then put a pot of water on for tea. Gods help him if there was none to be had when she woke! He shuffled over to his desk. His other little girl snoring beside it. He scratched her fondly on the head. She snorted, and waved her legs but continued to sleep. He sat down and went over the papers that laid there.
He had taken to his role quite well. Officially, he was Berks' record-keeper. Unofficially, he was Hiccups' secretary. Writing out his letters and proclamations when he didn't have time, which was like, always. He didn't mind, he knew he was in a place of respect. And it even got him off-island on diplomatic missions quite often. He also liked brainstorming with his chief, at least he did. That was before, -the war.
The war had changed him. The loss of Astrid crushed his spirit. Indeed, the whole island felt it. She was a leader, and a fierce warrior. She had been a great friend to him personally. They had taken her knowledge of battle and strategy, and had made lessons that are used to train new dragon riders to this day. She had also helped him find his way to his wifes' heart. He sighed, he repaid her the only way he could. He would always remember her in his prayers every day.
Right now, he sent a small prayer for his Chief to return safely, and soon. There was a letter from Thuggory, asking for permission to log a nearby island for war repairs. A letter from Camacazi, asking his blessing for an expedition to the northeast. He huffed, at least they had asked first. Trofastr was having a particularly nasty problem with Whispering Deaths. And Dogsbreath wanted to expand his islands' fishing grounds. Apparently, they were competing with a large amount of water-class dragons in his neck of the archipelago.
All these would need Hiccups' attention. And that of the councils' as well. He huffed, he respected them. It seemed they were only looking out for themselves anymore, and he knew what had set his Chief off on his latest, -excursion. He had brought him out, little by little. Him, and Snotlout, Tuff and Ruff helped as well. But it seemed to him that intelligent conversation on his designs would help Hiccup out the most. Like his freshwater delivery system. It was brilliant! But there were a few problems to overcome. Slowly, the old Hiccup came out. His eyes shone brighter. His sarcasm lost its nasty bite. He laughed more.
Then came the meeting. It had started out as just another one. Village business and all. At the end, they indelicately told Hiccup he should stop mourning, and find a suitable wife. His face dropped. A shadow crossed his features. Valka saw it too. He didn't say anything, Hiccup only nodded and walked out without being dismissed. Two weeks later, he was gone, without so much as a goodbye.
Just then, he felt warmth on a spot in the middle of his back. Then two arms came over his shoulders, hanging loose in front of him. He felt more warmth across his shoulders, A head resting against his. He smelled honeysuckle and pine.
"Where's my tea?" She said in her gravelly morning voice.
"Ahh, erm, the, -the water sh, -should be ready by now! Let me get it for you!" He felt lucky. At least she hadn't hit him yet. It was still early though…
"Don't bother!" Her warmth left his back. She half-shuffled, half-waddled to the cupboard, taking a mug and some herbs. She looked at him, then grabbed another mug. She dropped the herbs in the pot, and sat on the edge of the fire pit. She stared absently into the flames.
"So what are you doing?" She said. She looked only partly awake.
"Oh, just, -going over these letters! They need to be answered, but Hiccup will have to look over them before they're sent off." He told her.
"You really think he's coming back?" She asked. He was mildly indignant for his Chief.
"Of course he will! He, he wouldn't just leave us! Leave us, and never come back! Not Hiccup!" He was surprised at his tone. He was assured, with a ninety-eight percent probability, a punch would be his in the very near future. It surprised him even more when it didn't happen. It was still early…
"Yeah, -I don't know… I -I can't see how-" She growled, and fidgeted with her hands. It hit her hard too. They had played together, fought together… It was like loosing a sister…
"I just… I'd be really, like sad, if, if you, if you were to…" She huffed. Over two years later, and she still had trouble… She tipped the pot. The tea should be ready.
"I know. I don't, I don't even want to think about… that" He said gently. She poured the tea and came back over. He scooted his chair back. She set the mugs on his desk, making sure to avoid the papers. She looked at him, considering…
She then hauled back and punched him in the shoulder, -hard. He barely flinched. She blinked, then sat down in his lap. She handed him a mug, then took a sip from her own. She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder, nuzzling first. They sat there in silence for a moment. He felt her move her head to look at him, then back down.
"I, I love you, you know…" She mumbled. He smiled, then turned a placed a kiss on her forehead.
"I love you too, Ruffnut…"
He blinked awake. Other than the light on his eyes, the first thing he noticed were the sounds. Crackling, and an occasional pop. Fire! No, -wait there was another sound. A sizzling, like meat thrown into a pan… Before long, a smell… Ahhh Mutton, and, -eggs! Och! That woman! He'd be gettin' her that bolt of cloth she'd fancied. There's no gettin' 'round it now!
He rolled over and put his feet on the floor. Old bones and joints protesting. Ach, It seemed only yesterday he was a wee lad. Whipping all his friends at play-fighting. Being cock o' the walk… Now his forties were nearly behind him, and getting ready to be a Grandfather… Ach!
"SPITELOUT! Get outta bed ye old fool! Or there'll be no breakfast!" He sighed.
"Oi Woman! Give us a minute!" ACH! That, WOMAN! Though, he silently sent a prayer to mother Freya, for sending her his way. If she wasn't scaring the pants off him with a weapon, she was givin' him those eyes, and playin' at bein' teenagers again.
Aye, but she was right, he needed to get moving. He was meeting his boy, and the Ingermann to go make a list of damages and figure out what was needed to make repairs. The Gods had favored them with a mild winter. The storms had not been as harsh, nor the snows too heavy. Maybe they'd favor them with an early spring, and a long growing season. They'd need it, if the number of young lasses with their bellies growing meant anything.
Ahh, but that's what peace brings. And it was all thanks to his brilliant nephew. Och! Such a clever lad! Who'd a thought it eh? The wee wisp of a boy, with all his crazy ideas, all those strange inventions, had finally come to his own. Ol' Stoick had been right all along. HIccup was shaping up to be the greatest Chief the tribe had ever had.
He thought of that day, when his brother had been taken from them. He'd not been there. Stoick had left him in charge, whilst he went after the boy. He could see Hiccups' reasoning, to head them off before they got here. But the boy was still innocent. He couldn't quite know the cruelties this world held outside Berks' borders. Aye, it were a hard and costly lesson.
When that bastard showed up on their shores that morn, with that great beast, and a whole swarming cloud of dragons, and Toothless too. He thought they were done for. Hel had opened its' gates for them, and was ready to swallow. But then, here comes Hiccup, with his boy and the other youngsters. Aye, and his long-lost sister. A-ridin' in, just as before! He had managed to take back the dragons, and drive the beast away. Ach! The Gods may yet have a grand plan for that boy!
They had enjoyed a few years of peace. Hiccup dispersed or destroyed the fleet that had sailed with Drago. They rebuilt the village. After a rocky start, and a few very heated discussions with Val, He started to become a proper Uncle to the young lad. Ach! He thought Val would skin him a few times over! When the village had been rebuilt, and things had started to return to normal, Hiccup finally married young Astrid. Ahh, they were so happy, and such a good couple. The wedding feast had lasted a whole nine days! It seemed the future was as bright, and warm as the spring sun!
Until Dagur, that son of a mainland whore, started making trouble. Hiccup had tried to reason with him against his counsel. But it was for naught. It took the annihilation of a whole young tribe for him to see it. What dragons he couldna' cart off, he killed. Hiccup had gathered the whole of the Allied Tribes and descended upon them. Ahh, it were a grand battle. They destroyed half the Berserker fleet. He had tried to convince young Hiccup ta finish the job, but he deferred. He wanted ta talk first. Ahh, but it were another lesson, dearly paid for…
They had made plans, and hid their fleet and the army close by. He was there, next to Astrid when they landed. The trap was sprung, and she and Dagur fought. He saw the blow. It was harmless. But, she seemed to hesitate, for a brief moment. It was all that bastard needed to land a killing blow. And her poor dragon, swooping in ta save her, took an arrow to her side. Dagur walked up, and heartlessly slit the creatures' throat. What happened next was a vision of one of the great tales…
Hiccup fought like a man possessed, landing blow after blow with that great flaming sword of his. He took Astrids' axe, and stuck the bastard to the ground. He was a scalded, bloody mess. But what happened after… He didn't want to think about. It gave him chills when he did.
He left, but came back for Astrids' funeral. It was a sad day. The boy did not speak to anyone. He did his duty to his dear wife, then left again. Val had found him some time later, and brought him back. He was a mere shell of what he once was. Over time, he began to become more like himself again.
Now it looked like trouble was brewing again. Talk of one large kingdom, with Hiccup leading. It looked like it had spurred at least one of the leading families on Berk into action. Secret meetings, letters passing back and forth. It bordered on treason it did! Hiccup saw it too, the clever lad. Perhaps it was why their relationship had taken a rather public downward turn. And why, perhaps, he chose to leave again when the council had started badgering the boy to marry. It was clear he was still struggling with what happened to Astrid, and what happened after. But ahhh, he was a smart boy! He probably just needed time to think it all through…
He was brought out of his thoughts by a slightly worried-looking woman in the doorway.
"Spitelout Jorgenson! Are ye nay gonna eat? What're ye doin' husband?" He smiled.
"Ahhh, just thinkin' woman!" She cocked an eyebrow. One corner of her lip curled.
"A very dangerous proposition! What're ye thinkin' of?" Should he voice this to her? Not now he thought. He grinned.
"I… I was thinkin' of tha' fine bolt of cloth I saw ye lookin' at the other day." He got up off the bed and walked up to her. Her arms snaked around his neck.
"Ahh, I've trained ye well, have I not?" She said, smiling. He grinned wider.
"Aye woman! Ye have…"
"Have the preparations begun?" He asked. This was already taking longer than it should. She knew what was going on here.
"They are ongoing as we speak." She answered. The doddering old fool. Why not just get to the point?
"And have the houses and buildings been inspected? What about a list of damages?" He asked. Ansel had been out to see for himself.
"Yes, I was out with the Ingermann just two days ago. The list should be in the councils' hands by tomorrow." She answered. "Along with a list of materials, manpower, and time needed to make the repairs." She added. She caught the Gothi rolling her eyes. At least she wasn't alone in her frustration.
"And what about the seeds? And the plows for the planting?" Gobber spoke up.
"Ah been workin' my fingers ta th' bone fer th' last two weeks! Evrathing will be ready when it's time." He nursed his ale in his mug.
"What about materials?" Askel just wouldn't give up! Her brother Spitelout sighed heavily.
"We sent a party out yesterday and marked the trees on the island, and tomorrow, we'll send another party out to mark trees on the islands nearby. As Hiccup had planned…" She was glad for his support. She had learned it was not always so. Her coming back had changed him.
"And where is your son? Valka?" Ah! Here we are! Just when it was getting boring.
"I don't know. But he will return soon, I'm sure…" Indeed, he hadn't said much. She knew Hiccup wanted to get away, but she wanted assurance he would come back. In the end, he only nodded.
"Did he not say where he was going? Not even to you?"
"No, he didn't, He only said he would be back in three weeks."
"But he should be here! The village needs their Chief to lead them! Not running off every chance he gets."
"Oh? Was it not you who told him he needed to find a wife? Perhaps that is what he is doing? Trying to find someone, -suitable? Hmmm?" Turn his own words against him. His ire should show what this is really about.
"Is that what he's doing? Or did he just run off like before…" Gobber cut him off. The Gothi leveled a frigid glare his way. She was glad not to be on the receiving end of that!
"Oi! You saw what happened! -And what happened after… The lad is just as broken up about one as the other! Ya don't just forget tha! The lad will return, don't you worry!" The smith was red in the face. It was not from the ale.
"Aye! We all did! But the lad needs to move on. There is unrest stirring in the islands! There are rumors flying about. And the Chief will have to dispel them, or live up to them! And he canna' do that if he is not here!"
"And what rumors have you heard? What dark secrets are out there that could bring about our downfall?" She was pushing things, she knew. But the heart of the matter had not been revealed.
"We know the Chief has received letters from the other tribes. And he has answered those letters without consulting with his own council! What's really going on there? The council has a right to know!" Aha! Another piece of the picture. It looked dark indeed.
"I'm sure they were nothing of import. I'm also sure that if they well concerned us, Hiccup would bring it to our attention." Hoark said. He'd remained quiet up until now.
Just then, there was a loud tapping. The Gothi had apparently heard enough. She scratched her runes on the floor. Gobber watched intently.
"She says the boy is still healing and needs more time. He will return, he will be better. And to put the… yak in the… garden?" She whacked him in the arm.
"Oi! Woman! I'll not make you another staff ifn' ya go and break thisn'!" She hit him in the head this time. Knocking his helmet off. He glared at her while retrieving it.
"Very well! If the Chief has not returned in a week, We'll send a Terror for him. That is all we will give him!" It was good enough for her. It was what she was thinking as well, if not going after him herself. She was worried, but at the same time, she knew her son was alright, and would be returning soon.
He strode up the hill in the fading light. Stopping in the small square in this part of the village. Behind him, the Great Hall, and next to him the Chiefs' Hall. A place he coveted for so long. Gods! Has it been almost, -ten? Years since Hiccup stunned everyone in defeating the RedDeath? Gods! He was getting old!
He looked out over the ocean surrounding his home. Where was his cousin anyway? He should be here! The harbor was almost completely clear. They had actually been able to send boats out for fishing. Ahh, there were not many better things in life than that first, sweet, salty, fresh fish after the winter. It had been a good one. No rationing was necessary. they were all warm in their halls, While winter had its' fun.
Ten years! Damn! it was that long ago when his cousin sacrificed himself for all of them, and changed history. Hiccup had given them a glimpse of the Chief he was to become. He had tried to begrudge him, but he couldn't. Not when he was able to attain the most awesome-st dragon known! He thought he might get a consolation prize in Astrid, but that was not to be either. Eh, the runt deserved it.
And after, all those years of finding and chasing dragons. And all these, -things he kept coming up with! Using that, -that brain of his! He couldn't believe some of this stuff! How did he do it? After some years of crazy inventions, and even crazier schemes, They had defeated Alvin, and contained Dagur.
The came that Hel-spawn from the east. He still couldn't forget that day. Standing on that deck, while he had his dragon taken from him. Running into Eret had been a boon. They were able to use those traps against them, and start one of the most awesome battles he'd had in his young life. Then came the one moment that changed everything. That eel-eating scumbucket proved just how cruel this world was. Yes, Drago had not only taken their dragons, and Uncle Stoic, he also robbed them of something even more precious… their innocence.
Hiccup again had come up with another crazy plan. And with the help of Aunt Val, and the others, They got their dragons back, and Drago as good as dead. There was just no way… None! Hiccup didn't agree, and sent out search parties for months. Becoming Chief, -changed him. He was still his cousin, but he didn't laugh as much. His verbal shots had more of a bite, more seriousness to them. It was then his dad came to him and told him he should start to take on his role as Hiccups' second. -Well maybe third… behind Astrid. He didn't mind. He got off the island to stand with his Chief on "diplomatic missions". It was on one of those missions to the Meatheads, where he met Luna. It was all over for him after that.
They put the village back together, And they started settling down. Heather took up with Dagur, and started to turn things around. Hiccup finally married Astrid, he married Luna, and Fish married Ruff. They enjoyed, -actually enjoyed- a winter after that. They had a couple of really good years. Yes, it looked like things were finally calming down over the whole archipelago, -until Heather… left…
We never found out why. Never could get a message to her. But as soon as she did, Dagur started making trouble again. He tried to talk his Chief into just going over there, and kicking ass. He wanted to talk, to try to find Heather and bring her back, -anything… but fight. Given how things turned out, HIccup knew he was right. He had to try, he said.
He still got chills in his spine, thinking of what happened after. It sent a clear message that was as good as any. What it did to Hiccup, he could only guess. When he came back for the funeral, he said nothing. He sent Astrid off to Valhalla, then left. He was gone for so long, they had prepared him to take his place. -Only, he didn't want it, not like this. Then the Hjofsteins started parading that little shit Reifnir around, Thank the Gods Aunt Val brought him back. He was a shell of a man. He didn't laugh, he did his duty to his tribe, and nothing else.
The old Hiccup came back. He had tried to make his peace, but was rejected. Then there came talk of a Kingdom. Born out of a necessity to protect the dragons, and the steady stream of southerners coming north. He was up for it, as long as he got to wallop anyone who didn't think dragons were the best thing since roast yak. His cousin was against it. He couldn't understand, but he didn't have his cousins' brain.
Ach! He needed to get back! Something was stirring inside the council. Letters going back and forth. And Freybjorn, Nicholas, and Reifnir the rat, making trips off-island. To where, they didn't know, and they weren't telling. It stunk like shite! They needed Hiccups' brain here. He'd figure it out. If it were up to him, he'd throw them all in the stocks, burn their hall down, and ask questions later.
He sighed, and started walking towards his hall. He thought he could smell something cooking from across the square. If she was cooking, he'd better not be late! He went through the door, and hung his helmet and cloak by the door. Luna was nowhere to be seen when he spied the pot by the fire. He tiptoed over, and had just lifted the lid when a voice rang out.
"SNOTLOUT!" He was glad the walls were very sturdy. The yelp he made was extremely undignified. The lid of the pot nearly went into the fire. He turned around sheepishly. Eh, he was in his own house…
-And there she stood. That red-haired, green-eyed beauty he was lucky enough to marry. Gentle as a lamb most times. But not afraid to thump him if he deserved it. Ahhh. She was smiling at his expense, he knew. But… that… smile. She walked over, and put her hands on his chest, then ran them over his shoulders. She allowed him to pull her close, and he kissed her, long and deep. He pulled back. She was so beautiful… He cupped her face with his hands, and kissed her on the forehead. There was that special, -something in her eyes… Oh! Before he forgot…
He dropped on his knee in front of her. Looking up, he lifted the hem of her tunic. He watched her reaction as he exposed her belly. She didn't look angry… Good! He looked, it was bigger, -maybe. But it stuck out. A small confirmation of his manliness and his family line. She had been feeling sick on some mornings for a while. When she finally went to the Gothi, it was confirmed… There would be a tiny Jorgenson in their hall near the end of summer. Maybe Snoutlout the Second! Or maybe, a little girl… He secretly hoped for the latter, and would punch anyone in the head who said it was wrong.
"Hello! Little Jorgenson!" He ran his hand over her belly, then kissed it. Luna swatted him on the head, then ran her fingers through his hair. He looked up. She was shaking her head, but she was smiling widely.
"Go wash up you!" He obeyed.
He sat in his chair. A belly full of rabbit stew. A cup of mead in one hand. Luna sat on his lap, her head resting on his shoulder. One arm curled around his neck, fiddling with his hair. Her other hand traced lines on his chest. His other hand cupped her rump. They sat there, just watching the fire. Ahhh, this was it! This was worth living, and fighting for…