Dark Valkyrie

Six: Decisions

Six: Decisions

Berk rose ahead, jagged and familiar, the flames in the mouths of the giant stone Harbour Guards bright against the dusk. Stormfly gave a roar and it was answered by the A-Team Rider on patrol as she skimmed the waves and them began to rise up to fly over the cliffs and up the village to land outside the Chief's House. Not stopping to do anything except thank her dragon and hug her warmly, Astrid carefully turned and walked into the House.

The Chief and Gobber were sitting bowed by Hiccup's bed, both looking broken, though they glanced up as she entered. Stoick forced a small smile onto his weary face and beckoned her close. Carefully, she walked forward, the flask balanced gently in her hands.

"I'm sorry it took so long, sir," she said as her eyes trailed over the limp shape. Hiccup's face was flushed, his brow furrowed and his eyes closed. His dishevelled auburn hair was plastered over his forehead in sweaty tendrils, his eyes deeply shadowed so they almost appeared bruised. He looked thinner-though he hadn't been the most substantial Viking to start with and Astrid felt her heart shudder at the sight. He looked sick and weak, so unlike the stubborn, wiry, determined man she knew. Stoick gave a sigh.

"Aye-well he's been getting worse, lass," he murmured, a broken edge to his words. Hiccup was his only son, a young man the Chief still felt he had misvalued and ill-treated until the boy had proved himself spectacularly. Of course, Hiccup had never been big and buff, never been the mini-Stoick that the Chief had probably envisaged but he had grown to respect and honour his son as a leader, a warrior, an innovator and an Heir...but most of all, as a person. Astrid guessed that the Chief had been looking forward to the day he could hand over the reins of the Tribe, which he himself had held for over three decades, and watch with confidence that his people would be safe and cared for.

Watching his son dying must break his heart.

Resting the flask on the table, Astrid knelt by the side of the bed and gently stroked the scorching forehead, her expression gentle as she watched his brow furrow slightly.

"Hey, babe-it's me," she said softly, leaning closer. "I'm here." His eyes opened but they were unfocussed, the emerald depths looking lost and a little scared. His mouth worked and he managed a small mumble. "It's okay, Hiccup," she whispered. "I know. I know. But I love you, babe and nothing will make me love you less." His head tilted toward the sound of her voice and his lips moved in the flicker of a smile.

"I went to see Viggo," she revealed, keeping her voice calm, though there was an edge of anger. "The man is an absolute monster. He blames you for his injuries-even though he betrayed you, tried to kill me and wanted to steal the DragonEye. You did what you had to and you still tried to help him when he was on the edge...but he fell. It was his fault."

He shook his head slightly and she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

"Babe, I know you blame yourself-because you are a good man," she told him. "A decent man. And only Hiccup would try to save a visceral enemy when he had just betrayed him."

"Only Hiccup," Stoick murmured quietly.

"But I got the antidote from him," she said quietly. "He tried to double cross me and smashed the flask on the ground...but I gathered up as much as I could...I just pray it is enough..." His hand moved, rising slightly off the bed and slowly, haltingly reaching for her. She gently lifted his hand to her face, allowing his fingers to lightly feel her features before resting against her cheek.

"It's okay," she repeated as his face looked relieved. "I need to give you the antidote, babe. And I don't know what will happen, how much will reverse...but we will manage. Somehow, we'll manage...because there will always be a Hiccup and Astrid. Whatever it means, what ever you need-I am here for you."