So here's the Snoggletog fanfic I talked about in my last story ''Turn a Blind Eye''. Think we're close enough to the holidays, right?
Ok, so one of my favorite episodes was ''Midnight Scrum'' and I'm convinced I'm not the only one. I feel like Hiccup's post should've lasted longer than like only two days. But anyways, enjoy and happy Snoggletog 2017 to you guys!
Laughs echoed from the brightest tent of the Dragon Hunter camp. Sounds of clashing mugs and the smell of good food circled around the structure on this chilly night. It was Snoggletog Eve, and even the evilest souls took a moment to celebrate this holiday.
Viggo held his cup high as he spoke. ''I raise my glass to our freedom to hunt dragons for as long as our hearts are into it, one thing the Dragon Riders can never take away.''
Cheers around the table followed the Dragon Hunter leader's statement. At each end of the rectangular table sat the two leaders: Viggo and Krogan. And along with them were their most gifted warriors.
Krogan smiled darkly at the other end of the table, his eyes digging deep into Viggo's as the rest of the Hunters and Flyers carried on loudly.
The curtains at the entrance of the tent were pushed aside to reveal one of Krogan's Flyers. The whole group at the table fell silent.
''I thought I asked to not disturb!'' reminded Krogan threateningly at his tattooed soldier after twisting around to face the man.
''My apologies, sire.'' replied the Flyer, bending down as he addressed himself to his leader. ''But there is a man at the docks and asks for Viggo Grimborn at once.''
Viggo eyed the soldier with mistrust. Krogan passed him a questioning look.
''Were you expecting any visitors, Viggo?'' demanded Krogan.
Viggo only pushed back his chair and walked to the only standing soldier, Krogan following.
''Show me.'' he ordered the man and they went down the path leading to the docks.
The farther they got from the camp, the darker their surrounding became until they reached the wooden platforms lighten by burning torches on poles. A man in a hood stood guarded to his ship wearing the Outcast colors on its sail.
''This is the man, sire.'' informed the Flyer, even though it was useless to mention it. Obviously it was him, who else?
Viggo dismissed him with a nod and he took back his position in guarding the docks.
The Hunter returned his gaze on the hooded man and walked towards him, stopping behind the men keeping him from going anywhere except his ship.
''Who are you and what do you want?'' demanded Viggo threateningly, giving the intruder a hard and dark stare, his blind-blue eye reflecting the dancing flames around them.
''Nice to finally meet you, Viggo.'' replied the man. ''I used to work for Ryker when Dagur was deranged. But now, leaving me without order, I hunt for prices, such as gold as mentioned on the post.''
He pulled off his hood and cape and Krogan, standing behind Viggo, twitched his upper lip.
''I know you.'' said Krogan, hatefully. He remembered putting that bounty hunter to sleep with a dart before he allied with Viggo. ''Savage, isn't it?''
''Well, I am reassured you know my name.'' replied Savage, grinning.
''What are you here for?'' asked Viggo, pushing it. ''We don't have all night.''
''Oh, but trust me,'' said Savage, turning slightly to face the plank leading up to his ship. ''It'll be worth staying up all night.''
Viggo and Krogan shared a look of mistrust, but curiosity still pushed them to walk up the plank. What did Savage own that could be so worthy according to his words.
The Outcast led them beneath deck, holding a torch that he had grabbed before walking aboard.
When both leaders had made their way down the stairs, he advanced to a cell at the far end of the ship. The door was locked and bars were close to each other, making it nearly impossible for even a hand to slide in between.
Savage gave them a grim glimpse and raised his torch, revealing a figure that'd been hidden in the shadows for a while.
To Viggo Grimborn's great disbelief, behind those bars, was Hiccup Haddock the Third.
…
A day ago...
Three knocks rang at Astrid's hut as she sharpened her axe's blade with a polished rock from the shore, leaning back against the chair standing on two legs. With her feet resting on the table in front, she raised her gaze to the door before her and set her weapon down.
''Comin'!'' she called as she got up.
She pulled on the handle and the door flew open.
''Hey there, handsome.'' she said, leaning against the doorframe.
''Why, good evening Milady.'' replied Hiccup, bending down like a gentleman. He straightened back up with a warm smile printed on his lips. ''Care for a walk?''
''To where?'' wondered Astrid, smiling with a cocked eyebrow.
But Hiccup only offered his arm for her to take.
She laughed softly, reaching her fist up to her mouth. She then grabbed his arm lovingly, digging her ocean-blue eyes in his emerald-green ones and they turned the corner of her hut. The moment they did, a soft gasp escaped Astrid's mouth at the sight before them. Candles were lined up on each side of the wooden bridges up to the Clubhouse. Their dancing flames lit this cold Snoggletog Eve, their first one since their betrothal.
Astrid lifted up her eyes to her boyfriend with a smile revealing only love for him. Her younger self would never had believed it if this sight had been sent to her from the future. Their relationship had grown into something so powerful; nothing could ever tear them apart. She'd fight till the end for him and she knew he'd do the same for her.
They started walking again, Astrid's head leaning against her love's shoulder as they stepped into the lighten passage. She savored this moment deeply for she knew nothing lasted for ever, and soon enough, Hiccup's offered walk was over.
They walked into the Clubhouse where the other Riders had been waiting.
''Here comes the power couple!'' warned Snotlout, straightening up as Hiccup and Astrid walked into the room.
The two of them smiled and turned to face each other, then pressed their lips together.
Snotlout only crossed his arms and mumbled under his breath. ''Hiccstrid…''
Except for Snotlout, who only smiled, the rest of the gang cheered their arrival, raising a mug. Food lay on the circle table around the fire pit in the middle. They were planning on leaving for Berk tomorrow morning after taking care of securing the Edge before going. But tomorrow didn't matter at the moment. There was only now.
Those who didn't have a mug or a cup in hand at the very moment grabbed one right away. As leader, Hiccup raised glass first.
''I raise my glass, my fellow riders, to peace between humans and dragons in the years to come. I sure hope one day we lead those Dragon Flyers and Hunters to see it's possible. So, without further added, this is to what I raise my glass. To peace.'' He said, raising his mug higher. The others followed his move, repeating his last words in union.
As the twins were about to drink, Fishlegs took turn. ''Well, I raise my glass to you two.'' said Fishlegs, thinking of Heather as he watched them share a warm look. But he only smiled and raised his cup higher. ''To family and love.''
Cheers rose and they all took a sip of their drink. After the speech, the Riders sat around the round table and began chatting, eating and laughing, like one big family; the one they've always been.
''Hey, Hiccstrid.'' called Tuffnut to the two sitting next to each other closely. ''Aren't you supposed to give each other one of those couple gifts? Yah know? The ones when you want to prove over and over that you love them or whatever.''
Hiccup shifted his gaze from the male twin to Astrid, wondering what in the world he was talking about. But when his girlfriend turned her eyes on him and he searched them for a questioning stare, he found none and sudden heat pulse through his body. He was supposed to give something special to her to prove his love? Why hadn't anybody told him? His father sure would've, right? But he still found himself getting to his feet.
''Sure, Tuff, I-I'll go get… that.'' he stammered, giving Astrid one last glimpse before slowly turning around in direction for his hut. He had to find something for her. What would she think if he showed up empty-handed while she had something for him? He'd been standing there like a fool!
His eyes focused forward, looking over all the embarrassing outcomes, he suddenly caught a quick shadow suddenly passing by. He immediately froze in place. A cold wind blew, extinguishing the candles' flames, turning the warm atmosphere into an uneasy one.
Another swish passed close again and Hiccup twisted around to try to face whatever was out here.
''Who's there?'' he called to receive no reply.
He slowly backed away from the edge and closed on the outer wall of his own hut, his eyes shifting from one shadow to another. When nothing else happened, Hiccup sighed. He only closed his eyes for a moment to welcome calmness back, only for a thick hand to suddenly cover his mouth, keeping any yell from escaping.
Hiccup fought his attacker with all his strength, but his left arm had already been grabbed and brought to his back, keeping him from doing the worst he could to the man behind him.
Thinking of another escape, he looked at his surrounding while thrashing around. His eyes landed on his metal leg, and without thinking, he brought his heavy prosthetic down on his attacker's foot, which gave him an escape for he let him go immediately.
Hiccup stumbled but caught himself real quick. He reached down in his boot for his knife, and prepared himself to face the hooded man before him. With a swift momentum, he brought down his blade only for his arm to be grabbed and held high, keeping his weapon from reaching his assailant. Hiccup gritted his teeth as he met eyes with him, but still didn't recognize the person before him.
With his free hand, the man swung a fist at the Rider, knocking him off his feet. His knife followed the movement and flew out of his grip, further on the platforms where the two rows of candles continued from the curve in the bridge, every single one of them out.
Just before his assailant could lay hand on him again, Hiccup rolled out of the way and got back on his feet. He faced the man once more, no blade this time, but it didn't matter. He tightened his fist and gave him a taste of his own medicine.
''Who are you?!'' he demanded as he grabbed hold of the front of his armor while he held his shoulders tight in attempt to force the Rider to release his grip on him.
''Who am I?'' repeated the hooded man. But there was no need for him to answer now, Hiccup already knew. He'd hear that voice for years, since the beginning with Alvin the Treacherous.
''Savage?'' said Hiccup to his disbelief.
Taking this moment while Hiccup let his guard down, he sent him to the ground again. Hiccup groaned and looked up through the slit of his barely opened eyes. Savage stood over him and grinned. That was the last sight he got before being kicked to the head, knocking him out cold.