The Other Side Of Me

Chapter 7: The Weight of Waiting

Astrid wasn't sure how much time she would need to give him. It had already been several hours at that point. Nothing had changed. Nothing had happened.

Pretty soon, when the whispers of reassurance proved to be fruitless, she just sat in silence. She sat and took in every detail of his person that she could, hoping that even the smallest thing would shift.

Nothing.

She sat so long just staring that she couldn't help but jump whenever Fishlegs would come up the loft to check on them. Despite the issue clearly being more severe than the two had concluded earlier, Fishlegs had no further answers to provide. All he could do was reassure her how strong her betrothed was. Of course, Astrid knew how strong he was. What he lacked in physical strength, he doubled in mental strength. He was always able to keep the team, and himself, going through the worst of times. He was able to keep their morale high even if it felt like they had nothing left to fight for. Astrid knew how strong he was, so why hadn't he come back to her yet?

Instead, he laid there, motionless, for hours.

Part of it had to be her fault. She knew something had been going on with him. She knew Hiccup hadn't been completely clear in the head for the past couple of days. Why hadn't she put her foot down and stopped him from going on the patrol? She hadn't even brought up the idea of canceling the patrol. Would that have changed things? Would he have even agreed to it, or would he have just shut her down like he had taken to doing?

No, Astrid shook her head, she couldn't let herself think like that. Getting upset with him wasn't going to fix anything. She had to trust that there was some reason, any reason, for how he had been acting. And dwelling on it wasn't going to help him wake up.

"Hey, Astrid." The Shieldmaiden was pulled from her thoughts by Heather coming up the stairs. She quickly wiped her eyes to rid them of any tears that may have threatened to fall. "I made dinner, how about you take a break and eat with us in the clubhouse." Astrid looked up at her friend. Clearly, she hadn't done a perfect job brushing away all of her tears - determined by the look on Heather's face.

The Berserker took a seat next to the distressed Viking. "Why won't he just get up?", Astrid begged. Having no answer, Heather could only look at her with a sad understanding.

"Why did I let him go on that stupid patrol?", she was trying desperately to hold back a flood of emotions. "I knew something was wrong and I didn't even try to talk him out of going. I knew that something could happen and I just let it happen." Without warning Heather wrapped her arms around Astrid's shoulders. "Why won't he just talk to me?" Astrid all but sobbed into her friend's neck.

Heather sighed and thought carefully before she answered. "I wish I could tell you, Astrid. You and I both know some of the things Hiccup does don't always make sense. Well, most of the things. But, there's usually a weird, 'Hiccup-y' reason behind it. I'm sure this time is no different."

"But, we're supposed to be okay with telling each other things. We're betrothed for gods sakes. If he doesn't feel like he can tell me what's going on, then I want to know why he doesn't trust."

"Astrid, I really don't think that's what's going on here. He does trust you. He trusts you more than he trusts anybody. I'm sure something else is going on, and when he's ready, he'll come to you about it." Heather explained.

Astrid lifted her head from the other woman's shoulders and wiped the rest of her tears away. "Yeah, I guess you're probably right." She said, trying to sound as sure as she could. Heather smiled and lifted herself off the ground. "How about you come to eat now? You've been cooped up in here since we got back." Astrid nodded, agreeing with a little reluctance. The two women exited the hut together - one couldn't help but look back for just a moment.

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Dinner was painfully silent. No one was willing to bring up what had happened that day - and no one could think of anything else to say. Each of the riders ate quickly and quietly. The faster they were out of there the better. Not even Fishlegs said anything regarding their leader's condition. Everyone kept their heads down.

Astrid was the first to finish, to no one's surprise. As soon as she had deemed her plate clean, she excused herself. It was no surprise where she was going either.

She walked quickly, thoughts filling her head on what could have happened in the short time she was gone. When she reached her destination she was relieved, and annoyed, to see that the young man had not changed.

When she heard heavy footsteps behind her, she turned to see Fishlegs at the top of the stairs. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, I just wanted to check up on how he was doing, again." Astrid sighed before breaking the news to him. "He hasn't changed since we brought him back," she said with a slight undertone of annoyance. Fishlegs look away shyly for a moment before turning back to Hiccup. "All of this is so strange," he remarked, "and nothing is making any sense. There was no reason for his body to react this way. Unless there's something I'm somehow missing, but there's no indication of what that could be." He rambled.

"I get it Fishlegs, nothing is making sense here. First all the stuff over the last couple of days and now this. I feel like we're missing something, but I don't even know where to start looking."

"I wish we could think like Hiccup, he'd probably have this figured out hours ago." "Tell me about it." The two grumbled.

But, then a thought came to Astrid. Sure, it had little proof or reasoning, but she was desperate for anything at this point. "Fishlegs, what if you just gave him the dragon root cure?" She suggested tentatively.

Fishlegs look at her, considering for a moment. "I mean, it wouldn't hurt him. But, it wouldn't really make sense."

"Well, if nothing is making sense then might as well try the answer that doesn't make sense," she said with the most confidence she'd had in several hours. "Alright then, I'll start mixing up that cure," Fishlegs said with some eagerness as he set off to create the solution.

For a moment Astrid's heart felt lighter as they moved one step closer to what could be an answer.

Fishlegs returned as quickly as he could with a small bowl of the purple liquid in his hands. Astrid's heart was nearly racing as they slowly poured the mixture into the young heir's mouth. Once all the liquid was gone Astrid could have sworn she saw him stir, but by then it was late, and very possible her mind was getting the better of her. Now that the job was done, both Vikings could breathe a small sigh of relief. Fishlegs excused himself for the right and wished her well with Hiccup. Astrid decided to stay there for the night, not wanting to miss it if Hiccup started to wake up.

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A hazy memory fills his mind. Almost like a memory he shouldn't be able to recall.

Warm light fills a small room, and a soft voice greets his ears.

"Oh, my sweet babe, if only you knew how much I loved you." The voice of a young woman, though the figure is too indistinct to make out properly. "To Valhalla and back, and anywhere in between. I promise to protect you with everything I have."

The voice seems so strange, yet so familiar.

"You have no idea how special you are. No idea how important you are. Always remember how much you are cared for." Her words are so sweet, so welcoming. But, he knows it won't last forever. He can feel some outside force pulling him away. He wishes to stay but knows he has no choice but to go. He holds on just long enough to hear her one more time - he at least deserves that.

"My precious boy, no matter what happens, I will always be by your side. Always"