Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

24: The Captain's Choice

The Captain's Choice

Consciousness slowly seeped back into Hiccup's befuddled brain which was unusual because he usually woke with a snap. Various sensations began to make themselves known and he began to make sense of his world...

...he was on his side on his bed, half-curled with his torso wrapped firmly in bandages. There was a pillow wedged behind his back to stop him accidentally knocking his wounds against the wooden wall of his cabin. There was a warm, firm body pressed against his chest, occasional little fidgets telling him it was the boy. His hand was resting softly over the boy's side, feeling the small rise and fall of his breathing. A blanket was pulled up to his waist, half-covering both man and boy. The cabin was dim with a shielded lamp casting a soft yellow light. The air was cool and the cabin was swaying as the Night Fury surged through the choppy waters...

He was home.

He shifted slightly as the door creaked and a face poked round the wood: Astrid. He tensed as she gave a small smile and softly entered, walking forward and dropping to crouch before him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked him gently. "Do you need anything? Are you in pain?" He frowned and tried to give an answer. Shifting slightly, he clamped his teeth down on his lip, biting against a scream as he pulled his wounds. Her hand gently rested against his cheek, feeling him tremble in agony, sweat standing out of his ashen face. "Shh..." she said softly, stroking his hair and trying to soothe him. "I think there is something in the medicine box which may help..." She made to pull away but his hand clamped around her wrist and his dark green eyes locked on hers.

"Stay..." he gasped, his voice broken. She stared but then lowered herself to sit by him, his hand still gripped around her wrist.

"Okay," she said softly, grimacing at the fierce grip. He stared at her.

"Why are you here?" he asked her gruffly. She stared at him.

"Because I needed to rescue you," she told him.

"Why?" he repeated.

"Because...I made a terrible decision five years ago and it totally ruined your life...and mine," she admitted. "I wasn't going to make the same mistake..." He shook his head slightly.

"No," he murmured. "Arild?"

"I couldn't stay with Eret," she admitted. "He...wants to..." She stopped and sighed. "I can't. Not with him. He...grabbed me...and Arild ran at him. I was dragged away and he...oh gods, he beat the boy! And even so, he still escaped and came to my room so I could grab him and escape. He was badly beaten and Eret had broken his arm. When I got to the town, I saw the ship and took Arild to them...and begged to stay. Snotlout intercepted me and he wanted to leave as well, to be honest. We both gave up everything to leave Berk because staying was...unbearable." She sighed and stared at the floor. "I guess...you can drop me off at some port somewhere...because I cannot go back!"

Hiccup braced his arms, bit his lip against the pain and levered himself up to a rocky sitting position. His head spun and his vision briefly greyed with impending unconsciousness, before he managed to blink his vision clear. She stared up at him, his bloodless face determined.

"Why do you care?" he rasped. She swallowed.

"I-I never stopped caring," she said softly. "And I know you don't accept my explanation. I know you won't forgive me...but I knew I owed you at least helping rescue you and give you your son back." She stole a glance at Arild, who was blinking awake and staring at her. Then the boy craned his head back and his bruised face lit with joy.

"Dad!" he cried, squirming round and flinging himself against Hiccup. The man grunted in pain, the impact on his wounds making him feel faint again. But he wrapped his arms around the boy and gave him a fierce hug.