Lost and Found

Chapter 12: Heart of a Chief, Soul of a Dragon

The mist is heavy on the sea. Grief hangs as a heavy blanket above us all.

I wandered off momentarily, away from the group, needing to take a breather. In the distance, I see a familiar form lying still on the beach. With sorrow and grief, I approach the fallen alpha. It's really such a shame how a wonderful creature, once so full of life and light, can have that all taken away in mere moments.

It's unsettling how still the bewilderbeast lies. Usually, I can hear his deep breaths or see him shifting. But now he's as silent and still at the ice around him.

Taking careful steps toward the dragon, I don't stop until I reach out and touch the bewilderbeast's tusks. My fingers graze over the smooth surface. There is grief beyond words. Pain that rips at your heart. Sorrow that drowns you. All of it crashes over me as I realize my world will no longer be the same as it was.

My best friend was taken from me. My home was ransacked. Where will I go now?

The crunch of snow behind me draws me from my riptide thoughts. I quickly drop my hand and glance over my shoulder. Hiccup approaches me, his face void of that joyful wonder I've come to expect from him.

"Hey, what are you doing over here?" I ask quietly and turn away from the bewilderbeast. I didn't expect him to come looking for me. I assumed he'd stick with his mother and the people he's known longer. In all honesty, I thought my absence would go unnoticed.

"Uh, well, I could ask you the same thing." He points out.

I shrug, "Saying goodbye I suppose." I glance over my shoulder.

"Oh, I understand." Hiccup scratches the back of his neck. He looks from me to the horizon and then back to me. "They're, um, getting the boat ready. So, we-we should head back."

I nod, "Yeah." I take a step back toward the shore. When Hiccup makes no move to follow, I pause. Silently I reach out and take his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He gives me a small grateful smile, and together we head back to where everyone else is.

When we rejoin the group, I release Hiccup's hand but immediately regret it. My hand feels unusually empty now.

Gobber is by the shore preparing a boat for Stoick's funeral. I can't help but feel slightly out of place among these people. I hardly knew Stoick. After all, I had just met him today.

However, I am well acquainted with the pain of losing one's family, so I stick by Hiccup, offering my support and anything else he needs. He seems to appreciate it. His hand intertwines with my own as we watch the boat drift out to sea.

Gobber walks over and offers Hiccup a bow he found in the aftermath of battle. Hiccup releases my hand so he may properly hold the bow. I nod as he glances at me, silently telling him I see his pain and will stand by his side.

I step back and grab my own bow. Everyone has found some arrows around. Eret hands me some as I stand between him and Valka. I nearly silently mutter thanks.

"May the Valkyries welcome you, and lead you through Odin's great battlefield. May they sing your name with love and fury, so that we may hear it rise from the depths of Valhalla..." Gobber takes a breath before continuing his speech, "and know that you've taken your rightful place at the table of kings. For a great man has fallen. A warrior. A chieftain. A father. A friend."

With a heavy sigh, Hiccup lights the head of his arrow. He lifts the bow, aiming high, and releases the burning arrow. The small flame burns against the mist like a lone star streaking across the dark. The arrow hits home, landing on the boat.