Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

49: What the Gods demand

Forty-Nine: What the Gods demand.

He's not breathing," Fishlegs said, his blue eyes sweeping over the crew. Arild slid down from Stormy's neck, his green eyes huge with misery and desperation.

"Dad?" he said in a small voice. "Dad? P-please d-don't leave me. I-I love you, Dad." But Hiccup lay still and pale as his son collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "P-please, D-dad...I'm sorry...it's all my fault...just, wake up...WAKE UP!" And the boy slammed his small fists onto Hiccup's still chest in misery and frustration.

A tiny dribble of water oozed from the corner of his mouth. Ruff and Tuff crouched by the boy and wrapped arms around him...but Ruff stared at the dribble of seawater and pushed the boy into her brother's arms.

"He's drowned!" she realised. "His lungs are full of water..."

"Oooh! That sounds fun!" Tuff said, predictably. "Can I..."

"No!" Ruff snapped, resting her hands flat on the leather armour over Hiccup's skinny chest and stared at the pallid, waxy face. "Captain...I really hope this works because I don't think anyone else would put up with Tuff and I..." she murmured and began to press hard on his chest, squeezing his lungs. Water gurgled and bubbled form his mouth, more and more being squeezed out as she furiously continued her ministrations. Then, with a silent prayer that Astrid would never find out about this, she leaned forward, covered his mouth with hers and breathed air into his lungs. Then she continued to pound his chest, more water trickling out of his mouth as she breathed for him again...and again...

...and finally Hiccup gave a small cough, his chest moving jerkily as he struggled to breath, more water bubbling from his mouth and over his blue lips. He rolled slightly to one side, coughing and vomiting water onto the deck. Then he lay, sprawled on his side, coughing pitifully and taking great heaving breaths...until Arild threw himself onto the coughing man, ignoring the soggy leather armour and hugging him fiercely.

"Dad!" he cried, pressing himself against the heaving body and a shaking arm tentatively wrapped around the little warm shape.

"...A-Arild...?" he breathed.

"I'm here..." the boy said eagerly, staring at the pirate's face. He was still very pale, his lips vaguely bluish and eyes dazed and red from the salt water. "I'm sorry..."

"...son...happy to see you..." he sighed. "W-what..."

"Um...you drowned..." Fishlegs explained, crouching down by his friend and lifting the head. Hiccup coughed pitifully but his eyes were grateful.

"...so...how...?" Brow furrowing, Hiccup stared into his big face. And then Fishlegs looked away and couldn't meet his eye. Sven was smirking and Roar looked uncomfortable. Mulch was looking ill.

"What?" Tuff scratched his neck and Hiccup groaned.

"Please, Thor...not Tuff..."

"No! It was ME!" Ruff protested, wiping her mouth and Hiccup stared at her in fascinated horror.

"Please...don't tell me...she didn't..." he coughed. She grinned.

"You're not much of a kisser," she smirked. He gave a hacking cough.

"My wife...will KILL me..." he groaned and then he stared at Fishlegs. "Astrid?"

"The same as when you left...sleeping," he said, nodding to Mulch who had just checked on the woman. "I think we need to get you to her..." Hiccup nodded but as they moved him, he paled and gave a muffled scream.

"Leg..." he gasped through his teeth, whimpering as Ruff backed away from the limb she had accidentally leaned on. Then there were gasps and the crew stepped back.