Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

Part 52: If you want them, come and get them!

Fifty-Two: If you want them, come and get them!

Today was definitely not a good day to die-but it was an excellent one to fight, Hiccup thought as they sailed carefully around the seastacks and tacked to starboard, heading west and then north around the island. The day was grey and cool, with a brisk breeze and only a mild swell in the coastal waters of Berk. He staggered and grabbed the rail: he was finding the pitch and yaw of the ship far more tricky than expected on his new leg and he had stumbled a couple of times as he prowled the deck, directing Ruff as they slalomed through the seastack maze.

Arild was extremely excited as they sailed out to sea. He loved being with his father, the crew and Stormy. And Mom, of course, though she had to do all the stern Mom stuff like making him wash his face and learn his runes. His missed his proper Mom like mad, every single day, missed her warmth and her kindness and the way she always hugged him...and he had been heartbroken when she died. He knew he would never ever ever forget her but his Dad had replaced her love and caring and kindness and made the abandoned street urchin feel like he was wanted. And Astrid was so kind and hugged and tickled him like his Mom used to as well. He knew he would do everything he could with Stormy to protect them and make sure his Dad finally got to leave being a pirate and they got a proper home together.

He wondered if Stormy would be welcome where they decided to settle. The boy had noticed that most people were a bit scared of the dragon and though the dragon was pretty cool, he did growl a bit at people who jostled Arild and shouted at him...which could be problem as quite a lot of people shouted at Arild...usually because he had been a bit naughty. Automatically, he stroked the dragon gently and Stormy crackled an acid-yellow eye and purred slightly, then closed his eye again. Then the boy stared back at the shapes of the ships that had followed them out of Berkisport harbour: every single pirate vessel except the ships of Captain Cami-who annoyed Mom so much-and Captain Thuggory, who was his second favourite pirate after his Dad. Then the boy stared at the Captain and his wife and smiled. He had been very lucky...and he just hoped their luck would hold this time.

Hiccup glanced up at the sails, the black flapping against the sullen sky and he limped back across the deck."Are they still with us?" he called up to Roar, who was on watch.

"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" he shouted down cheerfully. "Maintaining speed and course but not approaching."

"Predictable," Hiccup sighed as he limped back to the cabin, where Astrid was changing. She had left her training outfit in the patched up space and had swiftly changed back into the leather panelled skirt, blue top and leggings with knee length boots. Her axe was slung across her back and a sword strapped to her hip. As he watched, she fastened the headband across her forehead, keeping her silky gold locks off her face. He limped up behind her, wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss on her neck.

"You know, you didn't have to do this, Mister Pirate," she pointed out as he kissed her again.

"I think I do," he sighed, "because otherwise, we will never be safe. They need to know the weapons are gone and I am no more or less than any of them..."

"You're more...much more," she told him with conviction, turning to face him.

"And much more armed," he admitted with a wry smile. She gently rested her hands on his shoulders.

"Let's get you dressed, my pirate," she murmured. "Let's treat them to the full Captain Fury...one last time..."

oOo

Gobber found Stoick in the Governor's Residence in Berkisport, idly flipping through papers but reading little. Truth be told, the Governor had been shocked at the vehemence of the rejection he had received. He had supposed that Hiccup would be overjoyed at being welcomed back into the fold, at being forgiven...but the boy-young man-had thrown it in his face. And the accusations he had laid at Stoick's door had been very real, very hurtful to the man who had prided himself as being a paragon of honour.