Heir and Pride

Chapter Twenty Seven

Despite his protests, Hiccup fell asleep after the painful massage of his stump. He hadn't wanted to tell them that he was feeling utterly drained by the stresses of getting up and the ride but he felt he had no energy at all. Gothi could have told him it was a natural reaction to waking after a three-week coma on top of very heavy blood loss from his injury. Gothi and Astrid wrapped him in his blankets and let him sleep.

His father walked in a couple of hours later, seeing his son curled under the furs and his lips tilted in a small smile. The boy looked so small and vulnerable, his messy auburn hair flopped across his pale face, his hands curled against his chest. As the Chief watched, his son moved suddenly, his face twisting in a sudden expression of fear. His hand flung up in front of his face and his green eyes snapped open, feverish and unseeing. He was trembling.

"No," he moaned, writhing and trying to curl away. "Please, no....stop, please stop... ASTRID!"

He was back on that horrific night, helpless and heartbroken. Astrid was standing in front of him, her fists bunched. She smiled at him, her eyes cold and frightening. "You are cheating," she hissed. "No dragons allowed in Dragon Training!" He shook his head, his eyes pleading.

"Astrid, no..." he begged her. "I-I'm sorry. I'll let you win. Look-I let the dragon bite my leg off so you could win..."

She leaned close to him and her hand stroked across his shoulder, then brushed his cheek.

"You know, I only like Toothless because he's what made you interesting," she told him, her voice cold. "Without him, you're NOTHING! Did you think someone like me could ever like something like...you?" Her lips brushed his cheek. "OOPS! I kissed you-so now I get to hit you!"

"I-I didn't ask you to..." he whispered as she drew back her hand.

"NO-but I felt like it!" she sneered. "When did anything you want matter?" And her fist crashed into his face. He felt his nose break, blood smearing his face and vision blurring. Then she lunged at him again and her fist smashed into his stomach. He cried out, curling away as far as he could, held helpless by the twins.

"Astrid...no...please...I didn't mean to anger you...please don't beat me any more..." he whimpered as she continued to punch him, stamping on his hands, kicking his stomach, punching his face. She reached into his chest and pulled out his heart.

"You're nothing!" she said and stamped it into oblivion.

"ASTRID!" he screamed and sat bolt upright, tears streaming down his face. "Please don't hurt me anymore!" Stoick stared at him in astonishment for a long moment, then quietly over to his side and softly laid his huge hand on the boy's back, gently rubbing the terrified boy.

"It's okay, son," he said in a low voice. "No one's going to hurt you now..." Hiccup was already drooping, his eyes fluttering closed. He lolled against his father for a moment and gave the slightest smile.

"Th-thanks, Dad," he murmured and slumped back, asleep once more. The Chief fussed over his blankets and ensured his son was comfortable before he turned to the door. He glanced back at the little huddled shape and then closed the door quietly. But outside the door, his face fell into a ferocious scowl and he stormed down the village, in search of the one person he never dreamed he would have to tackle about his son's torture.

He found Astrid behind her house, tending her dragon with a gentle smile. She had almost finished grooming the beautiful Nadder when she became aware of the huge presence looming behind her and she turned to see Stoick scowling at her. Immediately, she laid her tools down, stroked her dragon and turned to the Chief, a respectful expression on her face.