Heir and Pride

Chapter Twenty Eight

Searching the forest at night had been fruitless but Stoick had done it anyway, leading half the village through the frosty dark under the brilliant stars. There had been no protests, no snide comments or arguments: the village had rallied to find the runaway. But to no avail and eventually, they had given up.

The cold morning light offered no sight of him either, the house and village empty of the Night Fury. The other dragon riders had offered to search for him-all but Astrid, who had not dared approach the Chief. She had watched him talk with Snotlout and the twins calmly, exchanging pleasantries and joking with his Heir. She turned away, sickened by the hypocrisy and stroked Stormfly before leaping into the saddle. She had the fastest dragon except for Toothless and she at least had an idea where to start looking for Hiccup. She stole a glance at the Chief and her face hardened. If she was going to be totally dishonoured, she might as well do what she wanted.

"Up, girl!" she urged and the Nadder took off at top speed, before anyone could shout at her. They rocketed straight up and circled the harbour, before she directed her dragon round the island and up towards Raven Point and the deep forest where the cove lay. She clung on tight and they swooped lower and circled the cove before arrowing in and landing. Then, still seated on the dragon, she carefully scanned the little space.

They were curled in a dark corner, the remains of a small dead fire before them. The bulk of the Night Fury was almost completely curled around the little shape, the flash of auburn hair just visible in the cold morning. The sun had yet to penetrate the cove and the temperature was distinctly cold. Toothless was warm but Hiccup couldn't have been comfortable and he had been so very sick. She leapt from Stormfly and began to walk towards them, her dragon pacing loyally alongside her. She stopped a few feet short and stared at the pair.

"Hiccup?" she asked, her voice uncertain. She wasn't sure if he wanted to see her again. Maybe he had been the one to send his Dad to cast her off, unwilling to do it himself. Maybe Stoick had handed down the unfair punishment all on his own. Or he had punished her and Hiccup had been relieved. But she was, for once in her life, afraid that she would be rejected. "Hiccup?"

He stirred and the embracing black wing lowered to allow tired green eyes to peer up at her and they widened in surprise. He blinked slowly and ran a tired hand through his messy hair. He shifted painfully and grimaced as he sat up. He was stiff and cold but Toothless crooned and he gave the dragon a grateful smile. "Hi, Astrid," he said cautiously.

Her heart sank. The tone was wary, the voice hoarse. She backed off a step.

"Everyone is worried," she said quietly. "Go home. Please." He shook his head.

"Why should I?" he asked her defensively. "I'll be effectively locked up and treated as useless and worthless. My dad has already decided to take you away from me-but he's still treating Snotlout like normal." Her face tightened into a scowl.

"Yes, I could see that," she said in a bitter voice. He stared at her with a slight frown.

"He thought I needed watching over and treating like a baby," he said quietly. "He dragged me in after my morning flight. He never realised how...awful that feels, how many memories that touch brings back. He ordered me to stay in like a naughty kid and then he growled at me for doing nothing all day. I-I told him why I was scared and he walked away. And I had to shout at him to make him even consider that you weren't the only one who hurt me. And that he had done nothing about anyone else."

She stared at him, her eyes shocked. His tone was suddenly angry...no, he was furious. She saw his fists clench and his green eyes glitter with rage at the way he was being treated. "He doesn't And get to say who is forgiven  and who isn't, Astrid. He doesn't choose who I consider friends and not. He doesn't get to lock me up like a child and deny me everything I had even when I was Useless. And he's never said he was sorry either!"