Chapter Text
EPILOGUE: A New Harbour.
With a screech, the Skrill circled lower over the harbour, his wings spread wide to slow him as he skimmed the masts of the fishing vessels and the new Naval vessels that had only come into service the previous month. His nine-year-old rider whooped in joy, his black haired tousled in the summery breeze and bright green eyes shining with excitement. Even after being a rider for two years, Arild Haddock hadn't got over the excitement and sheer joy of riding Stormy the Skrill, the only big dragon left in the Archipelago-if not the whole world.
He tightened his knees on the saddle his Dad had made for him and gripped Stormy's metal head-spines tighter as they banked and shot up, looping the loop-which his Mom had forbidden him to do so many times that Arild automatically tuned her out-and sweeping over the harbour once more. Then he banked lower and waved wildly as the familiar black-sailed shape of the Night Fury as she trimmed her sails and slowed as she approached her berth in the harbour. From the deck, Captain Fishlegs waved cheerily, back from another of his dragon-hunting trips to the far reaches of the Archipelago. As the leading-and probably only real-authority on Dragons, Fishlegs had found himself a niche where his geekiness could run unchecked. He had even applied for some of the new printing technology from the Mainland-with the Governor's blessing-to print up copies of the ancient-and now much-modified-Book of Dragons and his own seminal Book of Pirates.
Arild waved again as he zipped past, slaloming through the pirate vessels docked in their own moorings. They maintained a separate area for pirates in the harbour, a secure dock which acted as a neutral territory for pirates. With the demise of Dragon Island, the Governor had seen an opportunity to offer if not sanctuary, then a welcoming port for pirates and their dependents-provided they respected the laws of the Port, didn't get into too many fights and didn't attack any of the Governor's ships. Today-as most days-the Hobblegrunt was moored, her crew preparing for another trip to the margins of the Archipelago to pick off the remaining hold-out pirates. She and the Nightmare largely worked as enforcers for the Governor, ensuring that the seas were peaceful and generally free from traumas. Allowing the pirates to police themselves was a stroke of genius that had reduced Naval costs no end and led to a lot more peaceable resolutions rather than lethal fire-fights. The confrontation off Raven's Point had, in fact, been the last large inter-pirate conflict.
Stormy swooped up, seeing most of the Port rebuilt after the shelling and new houses and shops open with the townsfolk milling around eagerly. It was market day and the housewives were determinedly prowling for the best bargains, haggling hard and jostling at the best stalls. But everyone stopped and waved at the boy on the dragon and he always waved happily back, allowing Stormy to give a small roar in greeting before they zoomed up, flipped a tight circle and came down to land in front of the Governor's Mansion, a new building sited on the promontory overlooking the harbour. The incoming Governor had been very insistent that the proud-and heavily fortified-building had great views so no one could sneak in and it could protect the harbour.
Backwinging, Stormy landed and Arild slid off before the dragon scrambled to lie on his favourite spot-a dark granite platform that overlooked the harbour and got toasty warm in the summer sun. Arild patted him affectionately then raced into the house, waving at the gunner on duty at the cannon emplacements protecting the harbour approach. It had been his Dad's insistence that they put the Night Fury's old cannons to protect the harbour and his home-including the Thunderdrum which Tuff hadn't tossed into the sea, despite Captain Fury's orders. Fury had known, of course-well, Tuff wasn't sobbing wildly at the loss of his 'Drummy', which was a huge clue-but had said nothing. If Captain Leifur of the Changewing was willing to accept the fact that the super-cannon was at the bottom of Raven's Point Trench, the deepest point of the sea around Berk, then Fury wasn't disabusing him. Besides, the twins had settled on land as ordnance experts, training gunners and devising new and more fiendish weapons with their new-found knowledge of 'Sticky Balls'. Arild knew at some point, his Dad expected them to blow themselves up but until then, they could do what they wanted, as long as they helped his Dad protect his family.
In fact, pretty much the entire crew had settled on land with his Dad once he had give up being a pirate. Sure, Sven and Roar helped sail the Night Fury when his Dad used it for business and they also sailed with Fishlegs when he took his own exploratory ship-the Gronckle-out looking for dragons. Arild knew his Dad had lent Fishlegs the Night Fury because the Gronckle was still being repaired after that unfortunately encounter with the Scauldron…
"Son!" The voice brought him straight back to the present and he flung himself against his father, still loving being swept up into his arms and swung round like he had been when he had first come to live with him. Arild was still small and thin-though taller than he had been and a mite less skinny. Mind you, two years of security hadn't really put much meat of his father's lean shape either, though his wounds had finally healed and he looked well and happy.
Governor Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third hugged his son warmly, savouring the small arms tightening around his neck. Dressed in a deep green tailored coat with white shirt and black leggings and boots, he looked every inch the Governor, his dark auburn hair only mildly tamed and still reaching just above the collar. Lean and lanky and now very agile on his custom-built and self-improved metal prosthetic, he had no problems swirling the boy round until he was dizzy and giggly. A quick bout of tickling had the boy helpless and begging for mercy once more and Hiccup finally put Arild down as he heard steps approach and knew it was his wife.
She took his breath away, as she had every day since she married him-and probably would until the day he died. Two years of marriage hadn't diluted her beauty or the spirit in her azure eyes but she looked content…though Hiccup knew better than to push his luck and tempt her volcanic temper. Sheathed in her favourite gown of deep aqua silk, she hastened to his side and he hooked an arm around her waist, pulling her into a deep kiss, savouring her love as he had every day since she confessed she had never stopped loving him.
"Finn was being fussy again," she explained, resting her hands on his chest once they had broken off for air. Arild was pulling a face. "And I saw that, Arild!" she added. He started-he was sure he had been completely behind her this time.
"Awww, Mom…" he whined.
"Can you fetch your little brother, bud?" Hiccup asked him. He stared at them and huffed.
"Tall talk?" he sighed. "Can't wait for the day when I'm tall enough to stay!" But he trotted off willingly enough because he was still enormously proud of being a big brother.
"I think he may be teething," Astrid added with a sigh as Hiccup nuzzled her hair gently. Their year-old son was as stubborn as both his parents combined but his father privately thought he had inherited his mother's temper and was going to turn out a lot like her temperamentally. In appearance, little Finn was a carbon copy of young Hiccup-small for his age, tufty dark auburn hair, pale skin and bright emerald green eyes. Hiccup stared into her eyes and his hands slid affectionately down her back, one ghosting round to hover gently over her lower abdomen.
"You okay?" he murmured. She nodded.
"The midwife was certain. Nearly three months gone, Babe-and then you're gonna be even busier!" she grinned. He rolled his eyes but there was a very proud look on his face at the reminder of impending fatherhood.
"Let's hope junior there is less stubborn," Hiccup sighed. "Otherwise, I may go and hide on Dragon Island until he's a little older…say eighteen…"
"What d'you mean he? I'm sure this one is a girl…hardly any sickness, much less tiredness so far…definitely not one of those demanding males!" she replied spiritedly.
"I wouldn't dare argue," Hiccup sighed as Arild appeared, very carefully holding the wriggling and very alert Finn Haddock. Astrid reluctantly broke away from her husband and rescued Finn from his over-anxious brother as Arild smiled proudly. "Are they on their way, son?" The boy nodded.
"Yes, Dad," he said happily. "The Rumblehorn III will be docking within the hour!"
"Why my father cannot call his ships anything other than Rumblehorn beats me," Hiccup grumbled but tousled the boy's head affectionately. "C'mon-shall we head down and say hello?" She slid an arm through his, their son on her hip as they walked down to the docks. It was a reasonable walk and his personal guard, Elias, surreptitiously trailed behind, ready to step in should anything threaten the family he had adopted as his own. Astrid and Hiccup had made it clear he had a home with them for as long as he wanted or needed it-and he had loyally stayed with them. Not that there had ever been a threat to Hiccup or Astrid since they assumed the Governorship…but Elias has lost too many who meant too much to him to hazard anything happening to his friends.
The Rumblehorn III was indeed docking as they arrived at the mooring, the Berk pennant flying proudly above her trimmed white sails. The gangplank was already down and the passengers were disembarking as they arrived. Hiccup reached forward for the huge flame-haired shape of his father-more as a gesture rather than of any use, since there was no chance his skinny and one-legged body could haul almost four hundred pounds of Berk Governor off the ship.
"Governor Stoick!" he greeted his father. Stoick grinned broadly and took the hand, walking securely onto dry land.
"Governor…" he began. Hiccup gave him a stern look. "Son," Stoick amended and Hiccup smiled.
"Welcome to Berserk!" he said clearly.
oOo
As they had arrived back from defeating the pirates, the battered and damaged Night Fury had limped into the docks, her exhausted but triumphant crew cheering as they threw the lines across and slammed the gangplank down. The Captain walked off first, his hand twined with his wife's and his son running before him, grinning broadly…until he had seen the huge shape of Governor Stoick Haddock, standing sternly on the docks. Hiccup had frozen, his eyes widening and his hand dropping to his sword.
"What is it now?" he asked tiredly. "You know, I really can't do any more, Governor. What do you want from me?"
There was an aeons long pause before the Governor slowly lowered himself to his knees, his grey-green eyes staring pleadingly up at the blood-stained pirate hobbling along unsteadily on his prosthetic leg, his fiercely protective wife and crew at his side.
"I beg for your forgiveness, Hiccup," he said gently. "I wronged you most grievously five years ago when I allowed my anger at a man I disliked blind me and caused me to treat you most appallingly and unfairly. You were exiled and abused for the crime of befriending and falling for a rival's daughter…and every crime you committed, every hurt you suffered stemmed from that wrong. I have unconditionally pardoned you and your entire crew and the Captains and crews of the Hobblegrunt and the Nightmare. You are fully restored to your lands and honours. Lady Astrid and your marriage is fully recognised in Berk law and your son, Arild, is accepted into the Haddock House forthwith."
Hiccup stared at him in shock and began to tremble. He felt Astrid's hand tighten around his and he felt his eyes prickle with tears.
"Son…forgive me," Stoick said quietly. "I know I ruined your life and I know I have no right to expect any forgiveness but…I know how much I wronged you and I would dearly love to have a chance to make it up to you…my only son…"
Hiccup swallowed and felt Astrid lean against him. "It's okay," she said in a low voice. "I think it's time…" He nodded dumbly.
"Er…Dad…I…I accept…" he managed, his voice choked with emotion. "I…I…" He staggered forward and Stoick rose, accepting an awkward hug from his son.
"Thank you, son," he murmured.
"You were still the worst father ever," Hiccup murmured back. "And this is just the start, not the end, Dad." He pulled back. "But I won't be your Heir to the Governorship. That is Snotlout's…and I can't take that from him…" He rubbed the back of his neck in a self-deprecating manner. "I…um…bankrupted his family business, destroyed his Berkisport home and um…killed his father and brother…in battle, I have to say, not cold blood…but it would be unfair to take that as well." Stoick and Snotlout both stared at him. Hiccup shook his head.
"But, son…" Stoick protested and Snotlout opened his mouth to protest as well.
"And I want some of the Haddock fortune to be put to supporting Jorgensen Shipping…perhaps with us as an equal partner with Snotlout…to make sure it gets back on his feet," Hiccup announced, feeling his wife snuggle at his side. "I can guarantee that there aren't any more pirate attacks! He has a mother and sister to support…and maybe a wife, one day?" Snotlout cast a glance at the wild-haired blonde winking from the far end of the dock.
"Who knows?" he grinned. Hiccup nodded.
"But, son…what will you do?" his father asked him. Hiccup shrugged-and then winced obviously, as he had just pulled his injured shoulder.
"Who knows?" he asked. "There must be jobs out there for ex-pirates…"
"Ye know, there is a position just come up that may suit ye!" Gobber suggested, grinning broadly. "Governor of Berserk!"
The reaction was instantaneous: Hiccup recoiled, his face horror-struck.
"Is this some sick joke?" he spat, his face twisted in anger. "Do you have one single Gods-damned clue what the Berserkers did to me? How much pain they put me through on the galleys and in their cells? Why in the name of Helheim would I ever want to go back there?"
"Because Dagur is dead and Heather is dead and they need someone experienced, brave, trained to Govern, heroic…tae take over. Notwithstanding yuir son actually rides the symbol o' the Berserkers, which should make ye the most popular Governor in history!"
"Gobber-I blew half of Berserk Town to Hel before I left!" Hiccup protested, hanging onto Astrid. Her eyes looked up at his anxious green eyes, her hands gently stroking his.
"You can rebuild…" Astrid reminded him. "And make amends. Dagur was a vicious brute and I think those people would appreciate your brand of leadership, Babe."
"What-terminal sarcasm, long-suffering irony, advanced shouting, determination to make sure no one is disadvantaged, no matter how mean his birth…?" Hiccup asked, the panic in his voice lifting slightly.
"Sounds good to me," she commented with a small smile. He turned to his son, watching bright-eyed and confused.
"Bud…how would you like to move to Berserk?" Hiccup asked his son gently. The boy stared up and gave the only answer he could.
"Wherever, as long as I'm with you, Dad, it will be fine," he said cheerfully. "And Stormy will be happy to be with me." Tousling his son's head. Hiccup looked up at Gobber-who was looking hopeful-and Stoick, who was watching him closely. Finally, Hiccup nodded.
"Okay," he said quietly. "Snotlout is the Heir to Berk…and I'll take the Governorship of Berserk!"
oOo
"So how're things back home?" Hiccup asked. Stock grinned: his relationship with his son had gradually improved though Hiccup had still never completely forgotten the fear his father generated and couldn't wholly trust him. The distance seemed to have mellowed Stoick somewhat and he was enjoying trying to be a grandfather to Arild and Finn. And, Hiccup had to admit, he was doing far better as a grandfather than he ever did as a Dad. Gobber, of course was a natural as a crazy uncle-emphasis on crazy-while the twins had continued their roles as chief lunatic aunt and uncle and mischief makers to Arild and now Finn.
Snotlout emerged, decorously offering his arm to his wife. She swatted him away and leapt agilely onto the dock-well as agilely as she could manage, given that she was heavily pregnant. Cami grinned at Hiccup and embraced him awkwardly then kissed Astrid on the cheek.
"Hiya, gorgeous!" she grinned as her husband nudged her gently in the ribs.
"Hey! Husband right here!" he reminded her with twinkle in his blue eyes. She slid her arm through his and winked.
"No harm in window-shopping-as long as you don't buy…" she smirked.
"Actually I think you've already bought and returned that item…" he pointed out with a grin and both Hiccup and Cami blushed.
"…and now would be precisely the right time to head up to the Governor's Mansion!" Astrid interrupted diplomatically and handed Finn to Stoick. "Here, sir-your second grandson…" Automatically, the Governor took the boy and hunkered down to offer Arild a hug. With a sigh, the boy allowed himself to be embraced and he affectionately tugged the huge red beard.
"Nope, still doesn't come off," he sighed.
"Should it?" Stoick asked him, bouncing Finn. Arild nodded.
"The crew got Dad a beard…it was all scratchy and brown…I've still got it…" he revealed and Hiccup face-palmed.
"Son?" Stoick asked him with a grin. Hiccup shuddered.
"Um, yeah…traumatic memory, Dad…prefer to leave that in the past…" he said awkwardly and grabbed his older son, leading him to the coaches which were waiting. While the girls and Snotlout grabbed the first, Hiccup found himself in a coach with his sons and his father, Elias riding shotgun to the driver. There was a pause as the coach lurched off up the hill with the Governor of Berk bouncing his year old grandson on his knee.
"So, son…Berserk Town's coming along well," Stoick commented. Hiccup looked up: the place was fully rebuilt. He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment, his other arm around Arild.
"Well, I sort of did blow it to bits last time I was here," he admitted, "so it was only fair I rebuilt it. And Arild here will be the next Governor after me…" Stoick glanced at the skinny black-haired orphan and nodded.
"He is your oldest," he said acceptingly and suddenly Arild gave a huge smile and flung himself at Stoick. There were tears in his eyes.
"Thank you, Grampy," he said in a choked voice, finally receiving the confirmation he had hoped for from the big Governor of Berk. Stoick stared at Hiccup in shock.
"Grampy?"
"Astrid!" Hiccup said hastily. "Um…I probably ought to pre-warn you. Um…she and I…we…I mean…um…we're…um…in six months…yeah…" Stoick translated the words and very anxious gestures and a slow smile spread across his face, before reaching forward and landing a proud punch in Hiccup's shoulder that nearly knocked him out of the carriage.
"CONGRATULATIONS, SON!" he bellowed, his voice carrying to the other carriage. Astrid turned to Hiccup with a frown and he knew he was in trouble. "Two already and one on the way! That's my boy!" Cringing, Hiccup slid down in the seat, clutching his bruised shoulder and wishing the ground would swallow him up. Astrid was literally going to kill him.
They arrived back at the mansion to a lunch prepared in the dining room Astrid had insisted Hiccup build-her training in dealing with visiting dignitaries being far better than his. Finn was handed to the nurse to put down and they began a sumptuous cold lunch. It was very obvious to Hiccup that Snotlout was proud-and a little relieved-that his wife was fitting in so well-though she was still strong-willed and mischievous. It had been an additional blessing that she had been the eldest daughter of the Governor of Bog, Bertha B'glar and had every intention of becoming co-Governor with Snotlout. Her younger sister, Bertha Junior-or BJ-had taken over the Hobblegrunt and, in time, would take over Bog as well.
At the end of the meal, Stoick stood up, his cheeks red from the copious mead he had imbibed-a sure sign he was nervous. Hiccup sat back, his hand drifting under the table to find his wife's and lace his fingers with hers and he idly wondered what would worry Stoick the Vast?
"My friends, I am sure you are all aware of what has happened these past few years," he announced. "Seven years ago, I made the worst mistake a father could make and I condemned my son-and the girl he loved-to years of heartache and despair. My son was forced into life of piracy and suffered terribly as a result. Fortunately, he was saved by his friends, by Astrid-his wife-and by his son, Arild…" The boy blushed, still unused to be appreciated. "Yet he has been pardoned and has been the highly respected and successful Governor of Berserk for these last two years." Stoick chugged another mouthful of mead. "By all rights, I should be awaiting his accession to Berk-but he made plain that he could not supplant the man I had adopted as his replacement, a man inadvertently wronged by him in his quest for vengeance. Snotlout Jorgensen-and his most beautiful and spirited wife, Camicazi B'glar-Jorgensen…"
"Not sure I agree with spirited…" Cami muttered. Snotlout shushed her gently.
"…are a fine couple and will take care of Berk as I would have hoped Hiccup would have. And as I wish to spend my declining years with my grandchildren…two now, another on the way, congratulations by the way!" he rambled to Astrid's and Hiccup's blushes. "I am standing down as Governor for Snotlout and Camicazi, effective from one month today!"
There was a pause and then everyone began offering congratulations to the soon-to-be Governor and the soon-to-be parents again. Stoick sat down, a dazed but happy look on his face and Hiccup granted him a small smile, his green eyes reading an apology and relief in his father's at finally making the decision he had worried over for months.
"Have you forgiven him?" Astrid asked in a low voice, moving her chair so she could lean against his taut body. He wrapped an arm around her and smiled, leaning close.
"For today…never!" he said lightly. "I mean, way to embarrass me, Dad! But for everything that has happened…I think so." Blue eyes looked at him in amazement as Arild squirmed onto his lap and snuggled into the hug as well. "I mean, it was rough…some of it was heartbreaking…but in the end, I got a son, a wife, the best crew a man could have, good friends, a home and a loving family. Oh…and a dragon and an island to run."
She kissed him on the cheek as Arild grinned. "Don't you miss being a pirate of Berk?" she asked him. "Captain Fury, the baddest pirate in the Archipelago?"
"I wanna be a pirate, Dad!"
"Hmm…I think you're going to be doing what I am, son," Hiccup said, hugging his wife and older son once more-happy, safe and content with his life. Sure, he missed the thrills of life on the Night Fury…but life with Astrid and Arild was always going to be an adventure-and it was one he was happy to have for the rest of his days… "Not a pirate of Berk-the Governor of Berserk."
"That's my Dad!"
The End.