The Blacksmith's Apprentice

Thirty-Six: The New Chief

Thirty Six: The New Chief

"He needs to get to Berk!"

Astrid's voice was sharp and determined, not willing to listen and Stoick wondered how his son, who had endured the most stubborn father in Berk's history, had managed to find himself an equally stubborn wife. But then, he thanked Odin that his son was equally stubborn, for he was clinging to life fiercely, despite terrible injuries. Erika Thorston, the twin's mother, had traveled with the warriors and had some healing knowledge since their best healer-Gothi-had been left back on Berk. Her verdict was that the young man had suffered mild drowning-which he was recovering from; a bad concussion from a hard blow to the head, which was why he remained unconscious and had shattered his lower left leg. The fact that it was so mangled meant that Erika had already realised that the leg would never heal and infection would inevitably set in where the bones had broken the skin. There was only one option: amputation...but Gothi was the best person to do the procedure. And that was the source of the conflict-because Astrid wanted him back on Berk as soon as possible so that she could assess him...but Erika was absolutely sure that he should travel by the most smooth means necessary...and that meant by sea.

"No one doubts that, lass," Stoick said in the most understanding voice he could muster as the longship carved its way through the seastack maze, "but Erika Thorston has made it very clear that if he is jolted too much, he may never wake." He paused and walked to her side, stopping her pacing with a firm hand on her shoulder. "Astrid-I want him back too. I want him safe. I want...I want to tell him I was sorry. That I completely misread who he was and undervalued the most amazing Viking I have ever known. What he did...was worthy of one of the Aesir! Slaying a monster Thor would have been proud of! And he's the boy I disowned because he wasn't good enough to be my Heir? What does that make me, lass? Stoick the Vast? Or Stoick the Stupid?"

"But it adds over a day to the trip," she argued, though her tone was softer. "And in that time...the wound will get infected. And there will be nothing that can be done..."

"Except amputation," Stoick finished for her and stared into her eyes. "Look, I would rather have Hiccup down a leg than no Hiccup at all."

"But it isn't fair," she protested, her eyes shining with anger. "He's endured so much, managed to deal with being treated like a thrall, being disowned, abused, tormented, attacked...and he was just starting to get acceptance and maybe...a chance to be your son again...and now this?"

"Astrid-one thing I know is that Hiccup is tough," the Chief said softly. "He's brave and he's determined and he will cope-especially if he has you by his side. And he will, won't he?" There was a silent question there that had her blood boiling.

"Of course!" she snapped. "He could have no legs at all and I would still love him to the ends of the world. I love Hiccup, not his foot! But...others won't be so kind, will they?"

Stoick's eyes were sad. "No," he admitted. "Those who seek to point out his deficiencies, no matter how much good he does, will leap on this and use it to undermine him. But..." And he paused. "He's done it. He had done something so amazing, so brave, so spectacular...so worthy that he deserves to be my Heir. Thor, he had this planned, didn't he?"

"Not entirely-but he knew the Chief Dragon had to be dealt with...once we had stopped you killing our dragons on sight," she explained and he shook his head.

"He really is brilliant, isn't he?" Stoick groaned. Astrid sighed, looking at the limp shape, a bandage wound around his head where the wound was and his leg splinted as best Erika could manage. Toothless was curled around him as completely he could, his entire shape mournful. The dragon had woken, his wings singed and body aching but his automatic tail was still working and he had nuzzled and licked Hiccup frantically, smelling him alive...but unable to understand why his Viking wasn't responding. The woman crouched down by the Night Fury.