Heart of a Berserker: Love (School of Dragons)

Chapter 24

"It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day" 

- "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns

Chapter 24

Vikings scrambled to surround us when Harald and I landed in the middle of the village at New Berk. "They probably think we're here to attack while they're weak," Harald said dryly.

I looked around, frowning. "They can't think that low of me." Perhaps they were only being cautious. They shot us glares but made no moves to attack.

"Make way," came a voice in the crowd. I let out a breath of relief when Valka emerged. Her eyes caught mine. "I take it Snotlout warned you."

"Yes," I said, slipping off Bolt's back. "I didn't realize you were working with him."

"I found it odd that Stormheart would attack with no warning from you. Hiccup should have realized you wouldn't work against us."

I dipped my head in acknowledgement, touched by her faith. "Thank you. Where are Raija and the Night Lights?"

A yip from Ruffrunner diverted my attention. He ran to his family, who approached us. He then started chattering rapidly. Raija appeared deep in thought while Pouncer and Dart became excited.

"It looks like he's pleading our case for us," Harald said.

I smiled. "Yes, but we might want to add our input."

Harald nodded. "Good idea." He waited until Ruffrunner finished speaking, and then he approached Raija and knelt down to her eye level. "Raija, we need your help. Toothless and Hiccup are off to fight Vikings who could be their allies. It is a conflict that is centuries old. Our ancestors both chose to run away, yours into the Hidden World and mine outside of the archipelago. It seems that family stain has followed us, but it doesn't have to be that way.

"I am done running away, and you should be too. We can't run away from the world just because evil exists. People are capable of great wickedness, but New Berk has shown both of us that they are also capable of incredible goodness. I believe that goodness is worth fighting for. We need to convince Hiccup and Toothless of the same. We need to stop this endless fighting and unite our sides. Will you join me?"

Raija dipped her head in agreement. Then, when Harald lifted his hand, she pushed her head into it.  He smiled as he stroked her. "Thank you," he said softly. The Night Lights jumped around them and cheered.

I watched the scene with a smile on my face. "You know, Harald," I said, "my plan was to have Raija appeal to Toothless who would appeal to Hiccup - and we can still try that - but I think you should appeal to Hiccup as well."

Harald stood and looked at me in surprise. "You're much better at that than me. You got through to Nikora when I couldn't."

"You didn't even try. Besides, you're good enough to get through to them." I swept my arm across the crowd where the Vikings were gazing at him with compassion and watery eyes.

Harald appeared stunned. "W-What?"

"We're sorry, lad," Gobber said. "We misjudged you. And you too, Brennda. We thought there was something off about the way Hiccup treated you, but we didn't say anything."

"Skulder has been talking to us in secret," Phlegma said. "He explained everything."

"Ah, trying to help Brennda while undercover," Harald said. "Not bad."