Heart of a Berserker: Love (School of Dragons)

Chapter 11

"Beginning
Just let that word wash over you
It's alright now
Love's healing hands have pulled you through
So, get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun
'Cause your story's far from over
And your journey's just begun" 

- "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again" by Danny Gokey

Chapter 11

Something woke me in the middle of the night. It took me a moment to register what was going on, and then I saw Harald thrashing around in my bed. I placed my hand on his shoulder to still him. "Harald, wake up," I mumbled.

Harald's eyes flew open, and he gasped. "Brennda? Are you here?"

"I'm right here. What's wrong?" I did not like the terror I saw in his eyes. What had he been dreaming about?

"I - I thought you left."

My heart clenched at the thought. "It was only a dream. I'm not leaving you." I crawled on top of him so he could feel my presence. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly to his chest. I soon fell asleep again, and neither of us woke until morning.

We did not speak about it the next day. Harald seemed more cheerful, but I could tell he was still processing everything that happened. I spent the morning alone with him, helping him become adjusted to New Berk. I was worried when he asked to explore on his own, but I granted his request.

I was sitting at the fountain when Viggo approached. "Hello, Brennda," he said. "Where is Harald?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. He wanted to find his way around on his own."

"That is a smart idea. He can't rely on you all the time, and it probably feels good not to need someone to watch over him."

I turned my gaze to the ground. "Yeah..."

"Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine. I'm just -" I looked up at Viggo. "I'm still disappointed with the way things happened yesterday."

"Disappointed? I thought this was what you wanted. Harald is finally on your side - officially. You won."

"But it doesn't feel like I've won." I looked at him anxiously, imploring him to understand.

Viggo lifted his eyebrows. "According to the facts, you've won. Does it matter what you feel?"

I sighed. "Maybe not. I just wish we could have found a way where Harald didn't have to choose sides. Yesterday I saw how much he cares about Stormheart and the other pirates..."

Viggo gave me a sympathetic look. "I agree that would have been the optimal solution, but we rarely get everything we want."

"So, you're saying I should be grateful for what I've got? This is the best I can hope for?"

"I'm saying it does you no good to dwell on the negative. Rejoice in the positives you've received, and if there's a chance to gain more in the future, you should take it."

I nodded slowly. "Okay, I think I understand. Thanks, Viggo. I'll be fine. Really. But I'm still worried about Harald and how he's taking it. He lost a lot by joining us. It couldn't have been easy on him. He seems so down about all of it. How do I fix it?"

Viggo smiled grimly. "You can't fix it, Brennda. This is something he will have to deal with in time."

"But I have to do something."

"You can listen to him if he's ready to talk or just be with him. Trust me, your presence does a lot of good for him. Find ways to distract him so he doesn't dwell on the negatives."