The Gift of the Princess (HTTYD)

One Step More

Chapter 17: One Step More

"Did you find Krogan?" Ingrid asked hopefully when Eira returned from the forest. She could not concentrate on the dragon trappers due to her concern, so she let Hiccup take over for now. However, she could tell from her sister's melancholy expression that she did not bring good news.

"I found him," Eira replied, "but it didn't go too well."

Ingrid gave her a sympathetic look. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Eira nodded. "Can we find  place to sit down first? For some reason, that wore me out."

"Sure." Ingrid glanced up at the darkening sky. "It's probably a good idea to get inside. It looks like it's going to rain." Her sister frowned but said nothing. The two of them made their hut and then sat on the bench in the main room. "So, what happened?"

Eira folded her hands in her lap and sighed. "Krogan is going through something I never anticipated. Everything I've done must have had a significant impact on him because he's... in pain... remembering all the people - and dragons - he's... killed. It's overwhelming him."

Ingrid had to admit, she was surprised to hear this as well. "So, he feels guilty? That's a good thing, right?"

"It's not just guilt. That's one emotion. He feels... everything."

"Everything?"

"He may seem emotionless, but I think... he's more sensitive than most of us. He feels deeply for others, but when he joined Drago... he shut everything off so he could do what he needed."

Ingrid closed her eyes for a moment to help her process everything. "I think I understand. Everything he refused to feel back then is all coming back at once."

Eira nodded. "Exactly. He doesn't know how to deal with it... and neither do I. I am afraid this will either push him back into his old life or into depression."

Ingrid shook her head. "He won't do either because you're going to show him another way."

Eira gave her a pained look. "How? What other way? Dagur and Viggo never had to deal with such intense emotions."

"And they didn't block their emotions for years on end. Plus, both of them had positive memories to hold onto that promised a bright future: Dagur, Heather, and Viggo, Runa. They had something to focus on other than the pain of transition."

Eira sighed. "I just don't know if what I have to offer is enough."

Ingrid placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You got him this far, didn't you? And you don't have to do this alone. There are others who are willing to help. Krogan needs to relearn how to from bonds with others. He needs people who won't leave him no matter what. He has to replace the terrible memories with better ones."

"But what does he do about what he's feeling right now?"

"I'm afraid he has to work through the emotions like he should have in the first place. It might help him if he talks about it, but if not, just being there with him may be enough. Don't let him fall into despair. Let him know there is an end to all this." Ingrid paused. How long had she been going on about this? "Does that make sense?"

Eira smiled slightly. "It does. Thanks, Ingrid. I don't feel entirely hopeless now."

"You're not hopeless. You'll get through to him. I know it."

"Like you got through to Eret?"

Ingrid smiled. "Yeah, just like that."

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