Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

20: In my defence...

In my defence...

Fury didn't resist as he was dragged into the courtroom, his green gaze sweeping the packed room. His guards pushed him firmly into the dock and he lifted his chin, steadying himself. They had taken his armour, his weapons and his scarf, leaving him exposed in his simple dark red tunic, leggings and boots, the manacles on his wrists clinking gently.

Astrid was already seated in the front row of the gallery, the small shape of Arild fidgeting at her side. She cast Fury a desperate look and he offered a wan smile: he knew it was going to be bad. The crowd were already jeering as another pair walked in, the woman's face half-concealed by a veil and stormy blue dress complimenting her blonde hair piled in her head. Her male companion held her arm, his blonde hair tied back as well, his garb neatly pressed and elegant. Hiccup frowned: if he wasn't mistaken, the twins were looking like normal people, which was unnerving in itself. And then he froze as another pair walked in, bodyguards shoving people aside to secure the prime seats. The man was buff and powerful, his hard face, crazed pale green eyes and carrot hair all familiar from a couple of accidental encounters: Dagur the Deranged, Governor of Berserk, nodded to his guards as he took his seat. But the woman at his side made Fury cringe inwardly: her jet hair and grey eyes framed a cold face filled with triumph were a horrible reminder of his callous and cruel treatment of her. Heather's elegant silver gown was clearly paid for by her brother who had come to witness his fall. He squared his shoulders and awaited his doom.

And then Stoick entered, his huge shape resplendent in the Governor's sash and seal. He always dressed in deep grey, always appeared neat and professional. He sighed: his father was a hard and ruthless man who prioritised the rule of Berk over everything else-as his forebears had done. The man was always full of mottos that reminded his son of the duty he owed to his birth. 'A Chief projects his own'. 'No job is too small'. 'Justice must be served'. 'Duty above family'. 'My word is law.' He swallowed: facing the man made that last encounter flash across his memory, made him see the images that haunted his nightmares. He swallowed: this was the encounter that he had known would come from the day he first stood on the deck of the Night Fury as her captain. The stocky shape of Snotlout walked calmly and sat beside the Governor as his heir and second-in-command. Fury met his cousin's eyes and saw a brief lowering of the blue gaze.

Fury bowed his head: it was too late.

"Captain Fury, you are accused of piracy, of murder, of kidnapping," the Governor announced. "I can produce a dozen...a hundred witnesses to your crimes. Do you deny them?"

Fury lifted his chin and stared round the room. He saw Heather smirk, saw Astrid pale and Arild shake his head, his eyes pleading. Magne and Eret looked smug and triumphant.

"No," he said clearly. "I am a pirate. I attacked many ships, all of them travelling to or from Berk. I am guilty."

There was a gasp through the room and every eye inspected the lean shape closely. He looked unrepentant and his bruised face was calm. Arild shook his head.

"No!" he cried. "No! Dad..." With a sigh, Fury turned to the boy.

"It's okay, bud," he said softly. "Everything will be okay. Trust me." Stoick watched as the boy stared pleadingly into the pirate's eyes...and then collapsed back into his seat, as Astrid wrapped an arm around him and hugged the gently sobbing boy to her. Fury gave a tiny nod of thanks. Then the Governor cleared his throat.

"So...having admitted your guilt before this court, Captain Fury, you will be sentenced for your crimes. Before sentence is passed...do you have anything to say in your defence?"

Hiccup blinked slowly at his father's words and he raised his eyes, glittering like chunks of green ice. He wondered if his father truly didn't recognise his only son-or he had dismissed him because he had disowned him years ago.