Empire at war (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 3: Offense

(Normal pov)

The voyage back to Norway was all but quiet for the Red Maw Vikings, they had been sailing for three days straight and it would appear their offering to Njǫror pleased him and has blessed their voyage with perfect weather for sailing. Light snow fell upon the Vikings as they sailed back home, it was the first snow of the winter, and with some luck, they'd return home soon enough. Halvor looked out towards the horizon and also sharpening his sword and making sure it never ran dull, like all the Vikings in Norway was blessed to have weaponry forged from Gronckle Iron, which made ordinary weapons lighter, yet stronger. It's why the Red Maw armies have gained so many victories throughout their many campaigns and conquests across the world. Halvor was not only eager to return home, but he was also eager to be reunited with his wife Brenna and his son, Kåre. While Halvor continued to sharpen his blade, Nuffink approached and stood by his older brother and looked out towards the sea, and spoke.

"A beautiful morning," Nuffink said, "the gods have blessed our voyage."

"They tend to bless you in the morning," Halvor said before continuing, "but they can also curse you in the afternoon."

Silence fell between the two half brothers, Nuffink loved his older brother and looked up to him; he was the embodiment of what he wanted to become— a strong man, deadly warrior, humble prince, an adored son. There were many times where Hiccup often expressed and voiced his disappointments to Nuffink, he knew it was tough love and that he was trying to ensure his son wouldn't become lazy, but... but Nuffink often feared his father didn't love him as much as his other children.

"Do you love me brother?" Nuffink asked Halvor, the elder brother looked to the younger with a confused look. "Would you protect me against any enemy?" Nuffink then inquired, Halvor's confused look faded and he realized that his little brother has done something that could have serious consequences. "The last time you spoke to me like this, you were five winters old, and you had nearly destroyed the royal armory by taking father's Inferno blade and letting the Zippleback gas spew out of the hilt. What have you done now?" Nuffink swallowed a thick lump in his throat, steeled his nerves, and readied himself for Halvor's reaction. "I must show you something below deck," Nuffink said, "come." Confused, but following his little brother, Halvor waited for Nuffink to descend to the lower deck before he too used the ladder to see what his brother had to show. Once down below, Nuffink stood beside a cloaked figure who rose from a cot and removed their hood, revealing Princess Katerina of Rus'.

Halvor's face twisted with horror, and then anger; anger the likes of which Nuffink had never seen before in his life.

The older brother threw Nuffink a murderous glare and quickly climbed back above deck, Nuffink turned to Katerina and then raced after his brother. Once back above deck, Halvor was barking out orders to turn their ship around and sail back to the Kievan kingdom. "No! Wait!" Nuffink said while grabbing Halvor's arm, but the elder brother ripped his arm out of Nuffink's grasp and then proceeded to punch him across the face, causing blood and spit to fly out of Nuffink's mouth.

"Do you know what've done?!! Why would do something this stupid Niffink?! WHY?!!!" Halvor roared out at Nuffink, the younger brother got up and spat out a mouthful of blood and stood tall before speaking firmly.

"I love her—"

"Ah!" Halvor said in understanding. "It's nothing but a game to you Nuffink! You think with your cock rather than your head, and now you've put at risk our father's empire!" Nuffink tried to speak but Halvor continued to roar in the younger man's face. "You go from kingdom to kingdom and bed merchants wives and temple mates, and you think you know something about love! What about our father's love? You spat on him and everything he's worked towards when you brought Katerina aboard this ship!" He then hit Nuffink in the chest, causing him to hiss in pain. "What about the love for your country? You'd let Norway burn for that woman?!!" Sharply turning his back on Nuffink, Halvor huffed and puffed in rage before growling out. "I will not let you start a war for that woman!"