Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Sunset was starting on the Edge. The sky turned red orange, thus beautifying the place. Hiccup was standing outside the clubhouse, staring at the horizon. A light wind blew away the collected clouds on the sky, only the sound of the ocean and the peace of nature were heard. The man thought deeply about something, tried to find answers to some of the questions that appeared in his head. His emerald eyes gleamed with concentration, as if he were thinking about some plan.

The silence was broken by the whimpering of little Liv, who had to wake up. Hiccup turned and immediately saw Astrid take the baby out of the basket.

“Someone woke up here,” she whispered fondly and gripped the baby in her arms. The woman wrinkled her nose. “We need to bathe you, little girl.”

Hiccup smiled as he watched his wife change clothes little Liv. Astrid was focused on her task, her face was twisted in a delightful grimace, she was calm and gentle. Liv wriggled for a moment and kicked her legs.

“Help you?” the man walked up to them and looked at the baby, who was again cupping his little hands to his mouth. “I'll boil the milk.”

Astrid looked into his eyes; there was everything in that look - understanding and love.

“Thank you,” she whispered with a smile and went back to tying the baby's diaper.

They worked in silence; the only sounds were the whimpers of the little one and the whispers of Astrid. The woman did not know what was happening to her, did not understand how she could sense what this child needed. She knew that mothers were like that, but she did not give birth to her. So how does such a strong instinct speak through her?

When she had dressed the baby completely, she took her in her arms and sat down on the chair at the table. Liv wanted to grab Astrid's chest, but she was faster and gave her a finger. The baby squeezed him slightly, but then she began to cry anxiously.

Hiccups came just in time with the bottle and the milk. He handed them to his wife and sat down across from them.

“Shhh,” Astrid handed her the bottle and stroked baby head. “Eat, sweetheart, eat.”

Astrid stared at her; she felt entranced, stunned that this infant trusted them so much. Liv slept a lot and ate eagerly.

“Hiccup,” she said to her husband, who watched them silently. “What are you thinking about?” she asked him when she saw him frown.

“She needs human milk,” he sighed.

“I know.” Astrid looked at the baby who was greedily sucking on the pacifier.

“Astrid,” he leaned over the table, “we have to bury her mother.”

The blonde looked away from the child, but still did not look up. Her heart began to beat faster, and memories of the dark morning flooded her mind.

“I need to know exactly where she is,” he said calmly. “Maybe I can find some clues as to she’s origin. It is important.”

Astrid looked up; her eyes were cold and full of fear. Death was no stranger to her, she was a warrior and a viking after all, but this really shocked her.

“I'll go with you,” she replied, her voice trembling. “I don't want to be alone with her.”

Hiccup looked at Liv, who finished eating.

“It's okay,” he sighed. “I know it's hard, but...”

“I understand,” she broke for him and hugged the baby to her, then patted her gently on the back.

Hiccup got up from the table.

“I'll get us ready for the road. I have something to help us travel with this little one," he walked over to them and patted Liv on the head.

“What do you mean?” Astrid asked.

Hiccup walked over to the chest he had brought in a few hours ago. There was something like a harness underneath one material.

"I got this when I was searching the twins' hut," he laughed as he unfolded the baby carrier in the air. “But this are useful to us now. I will help you put them on. You will have her close to you and she will be safe. Additionally, you will have your hands free.”

The baby carrier is made of leather; inside it has been lined with thin fur to keep the baby warm. Hiccup checked every inch of the fabric but saw no gaps or holes.

“She won't fall out of this?” Astrid walked over to him.

“The harness is really durable. Look,” he pointed at them “Here is the regulation, very clever.”

Astrid looked at her husband's face, which at that moment expressed her fascination with the new toy. She smiled up at his shining eyes.

“Such a miracle and you didn't discover it? I'm surprise,” she laughed softly and cradled the baby.

He scratched his head in shame and looked at Liv, who was slowly falling asleep in the blonde's arms.

“We have to put she in the baby carrier before it falls asleep.”

Astrid nodded and put the little girl in the basket for a moment. Little Liv screamed out loud, feeling the woman's delicate hands leave her.

“I'll be back in a moment, sweetheart,” she whispered to the baby and quickly turned to Hiccup, who unbuttoned the straps of the carrier. She closed her eyes when felt her heart break with each louder scream of the baby.

Hiccup quickly slipped the harness over Astrid's shoulders and laid the fabric over her breasts; the woman turned so he could fasten the clasps on her back. The man double-checked that the harness and fasteners fit snugly and then adjusted the position of the carrier.

“Is fine. Not too tight?” he looked at Astrid, who immediately denied it. “Okay, now we'll see if our little girl likes it,” he said softly and leaned over the crying baby.

Our little girl.

Astrid's heartbeat faster. She held her breath and turned to follow her husband, who was walking towards her with Liv.

Maybe they could...

She was distracted from her thoughts as she felt the baby cuddle against her breast. The baby carrier worked perfectly; the girl was safe and had contact with Astrid, who instinctively placed her hand on her skin. She wanted to be sure the baby would not fall out.

“Are you comfortable?” he asked and took her hand.

“Yes, it's perfect.” Astrid's eyes sparkled with pure love.

Hiccup leaned over her and kissed her on the lips. He was really proud of her; his wife looked after the child perfectly. He was glad to help her.

“Come on,” he squeezed her hand. “There is no time to lose.”

Astrid nodded and made a determined face. She had to be brave. For that little girl who lay close to her heart, and for her mother whose heart has long stopped beating.

Astrid felt her body tremble from the sight she had expected anyway. She tried to prepare for it - death she felt with all her senses again. Her heart slowed and her breath caught in her throat as she spotted Liv's mother's lifeless body. A woman whose name she did not even know.

The baby's cry grew stronger and more frightening. Astrid gently pressed the little girl against her and began to whisper to her, but to no avail. Liv still cried.

It was the cry of a child who lost a mother.

A child left alone in the world.

A child who was orphaned and at the mercy of strangers.

The woman could not move; she couldn't even look at her husband, who stood with a torch in his hand, watching the pool of dried blood that had gathered beneath the woman's body.

Hiccup was not used to dead bodies. He saw only a few dead bodies. He had to take tremendous courage to touched on the unfortunate woman and see if he was dead. Unfortunately, her skin was cold and tight; it was like a rock; a stone thrown to the bottom of the abyss.

He sighed heavily and closed his eyes to pray to the gods. He also spoke mentally to a woman who would never hear him again. He assured her that they would take care of her baby and find a good home for her.

Liv's crying intensified. Astrid rocked her in arms to calm the panicked baby.

“Hiccup,” she said aloud, wanting her husband to turn to her. “We need to hurry up. Liv is very anxious.”

The man straightened and nodded. His face was pale, his eyebrows were tight, and his lips were dry with cold. He stuck the torch into the ground and reached for a shovel. Together with Astrid, they decided to bury her in this clearing, under the tree, where she probably gave birth to a daughter. There was no point in building a boat. Besides, they did not even know her name.

The ground here was wet and heavy, but it was easy to dig here. It was perhaps the most terrifying thing he had ever done. However, it was right - in this way they respected the life and body of the deceased.

Liv fidgeted impatiently in the baby carrier. Astrid looked at Hiccup with tears in her eyes, she was still terrified. She automatically pulled the baby to her breast, then glanced for a moment at the little girl who opened her little eyes for the first time. The woman was speechless for a moment, stunned by the sight of the baby. Liv seemed to know exactly where they were and what was happening now.

Astrid rocked carefully, trying to calm the baby down, but it was not that easy. Hiccup tried to act fast. Soon the sun will disappear completely below the horizon and night will fall.

The man flexed his back muscles with the last blow of the shovel; the pit was deep enough for the woman's body to lay freely. He let out a long-held breath and looked at the corpse. There was one thing he had to check; he hoped to find something to guide them. All they knew was that this woman lived on the Berserk's island. Probably.

Liv calmed down a bit, influenced by Astrid's movements and voice. The woman swallowed and slowly approached her husband, who was crouched in front of the deceased. Dirt stained his hands and forearms, as did his pants and shirt.

“What are you doing?” she asked when she noticed him reaching behind the woman's back.

“I check if she had anything with her. We need a clue. Because we do not know much at the moment,” he replied, and gripped the small leather bag in his hand.

Astrid nodded and looked at Liv, who was breathing calmly and gently tugging at the fabric of her blouse.

“I don't like to rummage in anyone's personal belongings either,” he stood up and opened his bag, “but we have to help that little girl,” he pointed his chin at Liv.

Astrid hoped that the little girl fell asleep next to her breast, tired of crying.

“What is there?” she asked and looked at the few items Hiccup was holding in his hand.

“Some keys. Leftover bread,” he tossed it aside. “Okay,” he said cheerfully. “Some letters.” He twisted the yellowed scroll with no seal between his fingers. “It's a good sign. There must be a few. I wonder if we'll find out where this woman comes from.”

“Hiccup, this is...” She shook her head despairingly; the whole situation weakened her body and willpower. She was close to crying again, especially as she looked at her fur wrapped around the almost lifeless body of a young woman.

"Calm down, honey,” he whispered fondly. “I didn't find anything else. We will not extend any more. I'm done and now we'll home,” he assured her and handed her the bag.

Astrid focused on the baby hugging her body, looking for the love she now needed twice.

He and Hiccup had seen lonely, abandoned little dragons many times. They could take care of them and keep them safe. Now it should be similar... But it was completely different.

Now there was no dragon. There was a little human. And it was more sensitive than even the smallest dragon. Astrid felt something she had never felt before. It was a kind of love, care, and devotion. Astrid had only been in contact with the baby for a few hours and was unable to take his eyes off her and stop the faster heartbeat when the baby unknowingly hugs her.

Maybe she takes me for his mother?

What then?

Maybe they should adopt her and raise her like their daughter?

What if...

“Astrid?” she broke away from her thoughts when she heard her husband's warm voice. “Alright fine?” he watched her closely.

Astrid looked at him, then looked around. Hiccup was bury the dead woman.

“It's nothing,” she replied, and shivered a little as she felt the cool breeze on her back.

Hiccup caught him right away and reached for a torch stuck in the ground.

“Let’s go. We cannot do anything else here. We did the right thing,” his tone was like the one he used as a leader. Firm and determined.

Astrid sighed and grabbed his dirty hand.

“Let's get out of here,” she said and pulled him towards their house.

<

The three letters were all they had - just a few pieces of information they had to piece together. Hiccup leaned back in her chair and rubbed her tired face. He was exhausted of today and everything that happened in it. He and Astrid did not expect such a challenge here.

But it could not be a coincidence - thanks to them little Liv was alive.

Hiccup was reading each letter several times; he frowned in concentration as he connected the threads. Once he had the plan in mind, he read the letters aloud so that Astrid would also know their content. The woman was feeding the baby. She listened carefully to him; Hiccup occasionally glanced at her expressionless face.

“It's really a lot, Ast,” he sighed. “We know where it was going, what was her name and who we can turn to for help. Dagur and Mala will surely help us. We will pass these letters to her sister. This will prove that Liv is an Ann's baby.”

“You want to give her to a strange woman?” she said sternly, stroking the head of the little girl who was sleeping soundly in her arms.

“It's her mother's sister. They had to be on good terms,” he explained quickly.

“So why did she want to hide? Why didn't Ann stay with the Berserkers? She had to run away,” the blonde noticed.

“I don't know, but we'll find out everything,” Hiccup stood and shrugged. He was a little confused, but they had to do something.

“What if Liv won't safe? What if her mother's sister will not accept her? What if Ruth's father hurt her?” she asked quickly questions and looked at her husband's face with glassy eyes.

“Astrid...” Hiccup lowered his head.

“This baby has been through too much. I won't give her to someone who might hurt her,” she said sharply.

“Listen to me,” the man walked over to her and crouched down in front of her. “We will not leave her when we are not sure that she is well looked after. I'm not going to let anything happen to her.”

“What if they don't believe us?” looked deep into his eyes.

“Then we'll figure something out,” he replied and took her hand.

“Hiccup,” she looked at sleeping Liv. “Let's spare her this. Let's take her our home. Let's give her the best. Let's do this for her deceased parents. Let's be her family. She is not guilty of anything. Liv deserves love,” she whispered.

Hiccup opened its mouth in surprise; he shook his head to deny it.

“We can't, Astrid. Liv has a family.”

“A child needs a mother and father, not an aunt. We can raise her. We could do it.”

Their eyes met; Astrid was almost crying. Her irises glistened with tears and despair. The woman pushed back the blanket covering the baby and motioned for her husband to look at her.

“She was just born and has already undergone a great tragedy. Look at her. She is sensitive and beautiful. Liv needs us. Like dragons used to be. We will change her life with this decision,” she said hoarsely; her voice cracked with too many emotions.

Hiccup got up quickly and closed his eyes; too much for a day. Too much.

“She's not ours, babe,” he whispered. “We can't just take her away. It is not a toy. It's a human.”

Astrid felt all her brakes release. The tears she could not contain began to run down her cheeks. She hugged the baby tighter, wanting to feel its warmth and heartbeat.

The man lowered his hands resignedly and looked again at his despairing wife. His heart broke to pieces at the sight of it.

“Astrid,” he said and grabbed her chin. “I do not make rash decisions. We will sail to Berserk Island tomorrow morning. There we will determine what to do next. We have to try to find her real home.”

“I just want good for her,” she whispered and looked into his eyes.

Hiccup grabbed a chair and sat down next to her. He sighed and put his arm around his wife. Astrid rested her head on his shoulder, clearly tired.

“Me too, honey,” he kissed her temple. “Everything will be fine. Liv will be safe,” Hiccup looked at the sleeping baby. “You should rest. It is late. I'll have the boat ready tomorrow morning; we need to make Liv comfortable while traveling.”

Astrid nodded and got up with the baby from the seat.

“I'll put it in the basket.”

Hiccup watched Astrid go. He could not deny that, in a way, he was thinking of taking Liv to New Berk. However, it was a shortcut; they would have been mistaken if they had not been looking for her family.

He promised himself one thing - if necessary, they would take Liv and treat her as their daughter.

Astrid could not sleep. Finally, a dark and empty night fell. Scenarios of what they might see on Berserk's Island were constantly forming in her mind. She was horrified to discover that in her heart she hoped they would not find Liv's family. Then the only option would be adoption.

The woman sighed heavily and looked at her husband, who was sleeping peacefully by her side. He had one hand under his head and the other under her arms, hugging her tightly. Astrid smiled fondly and raised a hand to brush the unruly auburn hair from his forehead. Hiccup looked so young, so boyish - his round handsome face did not indicate he'd been through a lot of harm in his life. Just like the little girl she found today.

Astrid rose on her elbow and looked at the basket in which Liv was lying. The girl visibly woke up, kicking with her legs and arms. The blonde felt her heart flooding with the enormity of feelings and love. She wanted to take her in her arms and hug her tightly to her chest.

“Tired of sleep?” she whispered to the little one who grabbed her finger. “Oh, I get it now. You want to talk?” she broke free from her husband's embrace and stood up, reaching for the baby. “Hush, sweetie, we can't wake Hiccup,” she said softly to her as the girl started to cry a little.

She reached for her coat and sat down by the fireplace in the center of the room. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Hiccup, who purred in his sleep as he wrapped the fur tighter around his body.

“He's cute, isn't he?” Astrid asked softly. “He's so good, Liv. I don't know a better man than him.”

The girl groaned softly, and Astrid shook her hand. The baby grabbed her with a little hand and opened sleepy eyes to look at the babysitter.

“If you stayed with us,” she began. “Hiccup would love you. No one can love like he does. I am lucky to be his wife.”

Liv shook her head, closing her mouth and opening it.

“I don't know how this is possible,” she admitted, “but I feel something amazing. When I look at you, I feel…” she thought for a moment, “Love. I see more in you than just a foreign child. Liv,” she stroked her stomach, maybe the gods sent you to us? Maybe it's a sign?”

Astrid pulled the little one closer to her; the girl squirmed and flexed anxiously. It is true that Liv was calm almost all the time, but the fight against the baby rebellion seemed inevitable.

The blonde got up and started walking around the club with the baby in her arms, whom she rocked lightly from time to time. She tried to calm her down and put her to sleep. She did not want her to cry and break out into tears. She fed her in a bottle less than two hours ago, so she should not be hungry now.

“Shh,” she whispered against her forehead as the little girl started to cry softly. “It’s okay... It's okay...,” she kept telling her, but Liv wouldn't listen. She squirmed so much in Astrid's arms that the woman panicked a little. “Do you have a stomachache? What is going on, sweetie?” she asked her.

The baby started crying louder; it was like Astrid's dark morning when this child cried out for help. The woman started humming a melody that suddenly appeared in her head, harder and softly.

“You have a dry diaper. I don't understand…,” she said frightened, and the baby cried terribly. Little did Astrid know that such a sharp sound could come from such small lungs.

The woman sat down on the floor with her; she was sitting right in front of the club. The child's next wave of despair filled Astrid with uncontrollable tears. She did not know what was happening or how to calm Liv. Her previously awakened instincts had now calmed down and gone.

She was breathing heavily and rocking the baby with all her might.

Suddenly she felt Hiccup's warm hand on her shoulder.

“Astrid?” He knelt beside her, frightened. He looked at the baby in her arms, who was crying loudly.

“I can't calm her,” she said hoarsely and sniffed.

“Give her to me,” he stretched out his arms to her; Astrid hesitated, but gave him the baby. “Oh, you'll wake up the whole Archipelago in a moment,” he made her feel comfortable and looked at his wife, who was watching him closely. “Lie down, honey. I'll try to put her to sleep.”

“But...” she wanted to deny.

“I can handle. You need to rest,” he said aloud, wanting to shout over Liv. Astrid hesitated before leaving. “I will be back soon.”

Astrid sighed and put her arms around herself, then walked over to their bedding.

Hiccup focused on the baby who coughed from crying. He walked over to the table and picked up the blanket which Liv covered.

“What are you doing?” she curious asked.

“We'll go somewhere,” he explained.

“It's freezing, Hiccup.”

“She can do it. She is a child of the north, and the frost does not scare her. Trust me,” he asked, and donned the chief's fur. Then he hugged Liv to his chest, which was still wailing loudly.

Astrid dropped to her fur, resigned. Meanwhile, Hiccup left the Club and stood on the wooden porch.

“Let her to sleep, little,” he said fondly to the baby. “Here you can shout at will.”

As if on cue, the girl roared and jerked her legs violently.

"You can listen to me too, if you want." He looked at her tired face. Hiccup wiped the tears from her cheeks with the sleeve of her shirt. - Do not cry, sweetie. I know it is hard, but it gets better. I promise you this. I promised your mom this. So is Astrid, who liked you very much.

A light, frosty wind ruffled his hair. He was used to the cold and freeze; after all, he spent many days in the air. He sighed absently, remembering Toothless.

“You know there were once dragons here? And not so long ago,” he patted her back and looked up at the dark sky. “It's been a beautiful time, Liv. A few years ago, I had the adventure of my life here. I even had my own dragon. Even though he is not here anymore, he's still my best friend,” his voice was trembling slightly.

Talking Hiccup must help because the baby had stopped crying so loudly.

“Tell you about dragons?” He looked at her and smiled as the girl looked at him closely and put her little fingers to her mouth. The baby hardly cried at all, so Hiccup began his story.

When I was a boy, there were dragons…

He spoke to her calmly, never taking his gaze from her mouth and watchful eyes. He had contact with her all the time; he rocked her and whispered tales of childhood and adolescence. He smiled pleased when the girl went to sleep. He was not tired; memories and the presence of a small child energized him. Hiccup felt he had an approach to children. He opened to the baby that his wife loved with all her heart.

Assured that the newborn was asleep, he interrupted his story and re-entered the Club. Astrid immediately sat down on the furs; she was sleepy and exhausted; she had to fight the temptation to fall asleep.

“How did you do that?” she asked admiringly as Hiccup was putting the baby in the basket.

“I got bored of her,” he laughed softly, wrapping the blanket tenderly around Liv.

The woman smiled gently and looked at the sleeping child. He was literally gone for a while and managed to calm the baby down.

“You have talent,” she whispered fondly as her husband lay down next to her. He covered they are with fur and pulled his beloved to him.

“Now I have to bore you,” he said seriously, and kissed her hair as Astrid nestled against his chest.

“Give me a moment and I'll fall asleep in a moment,” she said weakly.

“I love you,” he confessed and closed his eyes.

“I know,” she squeezed his hand. “I love you too.”

Hiccup for a moment wondered what it would be like if Liv stayed with them forever. Could they be able to love Liv as much as she deserved?