Dark Valkyrie

Twenty Nine: A Daughter of Berk

Twenty Nine: A Daughter of Berk

Knobbly Butt was the improbably named seat of the Council of Chiefs, the nominal centre of the Archipelago. Taking over from Frost Isle, the island was a neutral venue for Chief Meetings, Things and Treaty negotiations-and was the only place that could be used for Astrid's trial. There were guest houses, a Council chamber and an archive that contained almost nothing because all the Tribes preferred to keep their own records now.

The Dragon Riders landed an hour before dusk, hailing the guards in the colours of the Meathead Tribe, who had called the Council and so had to act as hosts for the meeting. Chief Mogadon of Meathead, an old rival of Stoick, had called the Council and his men were pointedly keeping their spears on hand, though not actually pointing at the dragons because that would be an open act of aggression against everything the Council had agreed over the previous four years since the end of the Dragon War.

"Where are our lodgings?" Stoick demanded, pulling himself up to his full six foot ten and glaring at the hapless guard, his favourite axe clamped in his hand. The guard wilted a little and gestured to two houses at the end of the settlement.

"Over-over there, Chief," he stammered. Curtly, Stoick nodded.

"Good," he growled, looking over to the Rumblehorn beside him. "I hope you've got the stables ready-because this fella doesn't like having to rough it..."

"I-I'll go and check!" the guard squeaked and sprinted off. Hiccup and Astrid dismounted as the other Riders landed.

"Well, this sucks," Snotlout grumbled.

"Have you seen how they are looking at Astrid-and sort of at Ruffnut because they aren't quite sure which one is Astrid?" Fishlegs asked. The blonde gave a small shrug, rubbing her arm. It was extremely uncomfortable having people stare at her as if she was a criminal, whispering and pointing at her like a freak. Hiccup stood protectively at her side.

"I'm here, Milady," he whispered.

"You shouldn't need to be," she replied.

"And I wouldn't be here if you hadn't been Astrid," he reminded her. "Because they wouldn't have gone. You wouldn't have done what needed to be done to save Berk and me. Viggo would never have let me live..."

Toothless warbled pointedly.

"Okay, bud-I know you prevented Johann killing me, probably more than once," he added quickly. "Okay-but here and now, I am with the people I care for most. And who care the most for me. I know my Dad will not allow anything to happen to you, Astrid." His hand gently closed on hers. Her fingers slid between his.

"Okay, Babe," she sighed. "Now should we go stable the dragons? It's been a long flight and I know we need to be ready for whatever happens..." He nodded.

"Let's go," he said and turned to walk towards the furthest houses. But as they walked along the gravelled path, the whispers floated up.

"...heard she killed hundreds..."

"...brought down an armada on her own..."

"...fought with the strength of ten men..."

"...wiped out entire Tribes..."

"...grown men cowering for their lives..."

"...truly a Dark Valkyrie..."

"They're wrong," Ruff commented."You're a blonde Valkyrie, not a dark one."

"I believe, sister Nut, that the rather unhygienic individual was referring the the perceived alignment of her action, not the hue of her hair..." Tuff put in using a lecturing voice. His sister punched him. "OW! I am VERY much hurt..." he protested as Astrid shook her head.