Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

36: Breakneck Bog

Breakneck Bog

The voyage to Breakneck Bog was uneventful mainly because Hiccup stayed mostly in his cabin and refused to acknowledge that Camicazi even existed. He had returned to his cabin after giving Fishlegs the course and a strict injunction not to discuss their deductions with anyone-not even Sven or the twins-and had grovelled to his seven year old son for forgiveness.

Of course, Arild had forgiven him immediately, shocked at how down and ashamed his father had appeared. And even when Arild had hugged him, Hiccup had been quiet as he sat, the boy curled in his lap and across his chest, snuggled hard against his father. Astrid had gently scooched in against his side and he had finally relaxed, his head resting on her shoulder, his arm around his son. Observing him closely, she knew what it was: Berserk. The prospect of facing Dagur and Heather again was beyond his endurance and he was actually afraid to go to Berserk. And he had promised that he would retrieve the weapons...which meant that he must.

That night, he had nightmares. He slept on their enlarged bunk with Astrid-chaste, cuddled together with nothing more than a little light making out and hugging- but he usually slept sound and secure in her arms. The night after the Dragon, he had woken screaming, begging Heather and Dagur to let him go...or kill him. Astrid had jerked awake, immediately wrapping her arms around him and knowing in her heart that Arild would be terrified because he was listening as well. He was struggling, whimpering and pleading, his face and voice terrified, glassy emerald eyes unseeing and she had been worried that his struggles would tear his stitches. She held him close, stopping him thrashing and gently began to speak.

"Easy, Hiccup...it's okay, you're safe, babe...I'm here and I won't let them hurt you any more..." she whispered.

"H-heather...I'm so s-sorry..." he whimpered. "B-but I-I n-never loved you...I-I'm sorry..."

"I'm here, babe," Astrid whispered, kissing him gently.

"Astrid...why did you have to leave me?" he whimpered. "I-I loved you forever and you betrayed me...and I can't bring myself to love anyone else..."

"Babe..." she whispered, shame scorching through her. "I'm so sorry...I will never hurt you again..."

"Oh, Arild...I'm so sorry, bud...I know I promised...but I've failed you..." he groaned, tears glimmering in his eyes.

"Hiccup..." Astrid whispered, her hand pressed gently to his face. "I'm here and safe. Arild is safe..." Tears trickled down his face as she stared over to the shocked and terrified boy.

"Is Dad...?" he whimpered.

"He needs you," Astrid said quietly. There was a rustle and the sound of small, bare feet on the floorboards before the little black-haired shape arrived at the bed. Arild's pale face was scared as Hiccup moaned and whimpered but he bravely scrambled up and pressed his small body against the battered man.

"I'm here, Dad," he said quietly. "Please don't cry..." Hiccup's arms tightened fiercely around the boy and the head dropped against the nuzzling little boy.

"A-arild?" he said, his voice disorientated. "Bud...are you okay?" And he took a shuddering breath, his breathing heavy "I...I just had a nightmare, Buddy. It's okay..."

"I know, Dad," the boy said as his father lifted his head and looked at Astrid. "Sorry, Milady. Maybe I should go sleep in the hold..."

"WIth Cami? Gods, no!" she said and though he was still fuzzy, he gave a very low chuckle, rough and hoarse from his screaming in his already damaged voice.

"Yeah...I suspect I'd find your axe somewhere I really wouldn't want it," he admitted with a small smile, feeling her press against him.

"I wouldn't trust that woman not to try again," she said quietly. "She knew what she was doing. She's trying to split us up..."