Many think that Hiccup losing his leg in the films

was a bad idea, but I disagree.

Myself and many others have expressed how such a plot choice has helped them either with lost limbs or other illness or disabilities. I lost a toe when I was a child so I understand a little about 'Phantom Pains' even in this small case I can tell you that THEY ARE brutal.

I deeply sympathise with those you experience it worse. I don't think I'd be that brave. I commend them. However Hiccup has made me feel brave against a more gripping condition and that's my allergy to the sun. A far meaner condition than anyone realises. There's very little sympathy for my condition and even less understanding but through DRAGONS I've learnt to be stronger and to believe I'm more than my condition just like Hiccup is more than his missing leg.

This storyline is meant to be a little comical but also romantic because we all know Astrid loves Hiccup regardless of his missing leg. Their love is the love I talk about when I say; TRUE LOVE IS THE EMOTION THAT REMAINS IN THE ABSENCE OF PERFECTION.

So, here it is another small-time fanfic to celebrate the 4th year anniversary and all the things DRAGONS has given me over those years.

Maybe one day I'll find a love that don't care about my 'missing leg' like Astrid loves Hiccup and his.

Enjoy!

Metal Leg

How to Train Your Dragon 4thYr Mini Anniversary Fanfic

Hiccup had been working hard. Begin still a relatively new chief. Building New Berk and trying to help everyone including his best friends, his true love and himself adjust to life without Dragons. Telling himself that it was the right thing to have done even when the pain burnt deep in his heart like dragons' fire.

Now after long hours trying to live up to his father's reign as Chief Of Berk, Hiccup dragged himself off to bed noting how his left leg clinked almost cathartically as he walked up the stars to the rom that he shared with his new wife Astrid. The love of his life, the woman who had seen him through everything. Now they had each other to see them through a new life without their Dragons. His leg was a reminded that it hadn't all been some fanatical dream. They had trained dragons they'd fought battles from the Red Death to Drago and Johan. They'd bested them all together flying high in the skies and soring through the clouds. It had been brutal, it had been dangerous, it had been a part of each and every one of their souls….now with the Dragons gone a little over a year it still felt strange. Like something wasn't right, like his left leg wasn't the only thing missing.

Rubbing at the sleep forming in his eyes he sat down on the edge of the bed and looked back over at his wife. A tired smile crossed his face and he knew that Toothless would be fine, that all their Dragons were safer were they were and that someday this pain would lessen in them all. Having Astrid with him he knew they'd be alright. She understood more than most about the hole their Dragons left within them.

He'd often caught her crying over Stormfly at night and they'd found comfort in each other's understanding. Some had found it easier to move on but the original six could never truly move on. None more so than him and Astrid.

Exhausted beyond belief he curled up beside her and soon drifted into a sleep that mirrored memories of old; flames, fresh air and freedom.

Mere moments later he was awoken suddenly by a startled cry of pain.

Sitting upright he was dazed, unsure what had happened. Seconds before he'd been back flying Toothless and they'd been enjoying the freedom one could only find flying a Dragon. Then he'd heard this sharp cry and his head still felt dizzy with the force of him sitting up so quickly.

Looking down he saw small patches of blood on the cream sheets. Confused he instantly looked over to see if Astrid was alright. She sat up next to him clutching her shin and cursing softly with the pain. She reached over to the other side of the bed for some strappings to cover the wound that was on her shin. Hiccup looked down at his leg and soon realised what had happened. In his exhaustion he'd forgotten his usual routine of taking his metal leg off to avoid catching Astrid in the night with its sharp edges.

"Astrid I'm so sorry!" Profusely apologetic he reached out for her.

"It's okay, Hiccup." She quickly replied.

"Not what I'd expect to bit me in bed at this hour." She teased. Trying to make light of it. To him it was no laughing matter.

"Astrid I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you I was just tired and I forgot I'm-"

She touched his arm and smiled.

"Its fine, really, Hiccup."

He didn't feel that way. How could he have been so foolish? He never wanted to hurt her. They'd been married only a short time and he had already caused her pain and annoyance on many occasions. Tonight's physical wound being but one of them. Life as a Viking woman wasn't easy but as a Chief's wife there were struggles others didn't have to contend with….apparently his stupid metal leg would also be one of them. Some other wives didn't have to deal with.

"Astrid-"

She placed a gentle hand to his face and smile once again.

"It's no fun without a scar. Right?"

For a moment he was baffled. Knowing that the cut wasn't serious but that it still would likely leave a light scar. It took him a moment to recall that time when she'd said the same thing. SO many years ago, a time so far back he'd still had his left leg. At the time Astrid hadn't really bothered to even notice him back then.

"Pain, love it." He replied with a cautious smile. Repeating what he himself had said to her all those years ago.

"I really am sorry Astrid."

Sitting closer now he rested his forehead against hers and tried to quench the anguish he felt at hurting her.

"Its fine Hiccup. You've been working so hard. You were tired. Now if you'd taken your leg off and bashed me over the head with it while I slept we might have more than your basic marital problems."

Hiccup smiled at her teasing…

"You're right- wait what marital problems do we have?"

It almost was laughable they'd only been married a few months.

Hearing her laugh brought a soothing balm to his aching heart.

"Well, you did forget our anniversary. Then there was that time you forgot to take your leg off before coming into bed…oh wait that was today."

He knew she was teasing him again but he still felt terrible about it.

"I'm sorry Astrid. You know I'd never hurt you."

"Not intentionally anyway. Yes, I do know that."

"What do you mean?" He truly was perplexed this time.

"Well, you did go flying with Heather on Toothless when we first met her. That hurt me ...more than I care to admit most days. Then you once dogged out of the way of a Skrill and nearly got me hit by lighting. You often get yourself hurt without thought how that might actually hurt me too. Then there was that time-"

"Alright! I get it! I'm a terrible husband." He admitted only half teasing. With all she'd just mentioned and after tonight….why would she want a man like him?

He'd started to wonder that so long ago and yet here they were married and together till broken in Valhalla.

Why?

"You didn't just marry me because Snotlout was interested in my Mother, did you?" He asked half teasing but a side of him still was sincere. He only play-acted at the concern hoping to down play an even bigger problem building within.

"No! You mutton head!"

That growing concern made him unconvinced.

"So…why did you marry me then…?" He asked. Conscientious of the fact she'd never told him that she loved him. He'd thought it true….but had never heard her say the words….he'd told her how he felt many years ago….he'd like to believe she did…..but doubt still lingered.

As she finished up wrapping her shin, she cupped both her hands to his face. Running her fingers over the beard that was starting to grow there.

"Why do you think?" She whispered, and he could see the sweet blue of her eyes even in the soft candlelight of the room. She then kissed him and all thoughts of pain, longing, doubt and exhaustion left his body. Taking his wife in his arms he basked in the knowledge, now known without words, that she love him.

Loved him in spite of his missing leg or lacking attributes as a husband.

Reaching down he unclipped his metal leg and kicked it to the floor. Taking her back into his arms he smiled smugly…there clearly was one husbandly duty he didn't let her down in.

In moments like these she made him believe that he was more than his missing leg and that her love didn't hinge upon perfections. Even though he'd always see her as he had that time he'd seen her fighting fires in the village with the others.

He'd always see his wife….

As perfect.

END

Eliana Robinson

26/4/19

CREATION DATE – 18/4/19

PUBLISH DATE – 26/4/19

Metal Leg Disclaimer

Metal Leg - is a Fanfiction of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON I do not own the characters or original plotline.

PLOTLINE: When an exhausted Hiccup forgets to take off his metal leg in bed it leads to bloodshed….and a far more pleasant discovery.

This story is NOTfor official publication or profit.

METAL LEG is a short tale in an unofficially link series between all my HTTYD fanfics and is purely meant as entertainment.

CREATION DATE – 18/4/19

PUBLISH DATE – 26/4/19

Part of the "Dragon Adventures" Series By Eliana Robinson

This story is rated 'M' and categorised as an individual (although they are linked stories) because that's how I wish to keep all my stories if they are not for children in general or are subject to changes in overall plotline.

Mature content is more than just sex, language and violence.

Please get a grip and remark on the story not the rating or category. It has now been over 4 years now since I began my Dragon Series and I'm tired of hearing the same thing. Get a grip.

Other than that.

Enjoy!