It was a freezing cold day in the Barbaric Archipelago, not unlike every other day the Vikings suffered through, but today- today was different. Because today was the day that every viking child on the isle of Berk would be sent off to find their very own dragon.
It was a tradition held for almost 400 years by the viking tribes, ever since Grimbeard The Ghastly yelled the first dragon into submission and rode it into battle against Southern Invaders. Since then, the methods had improved tenfold and while the dragons still were not equals to the humans, they were more like their pets and treated as such even if they weren't yelled at unless in battle.
Currently it was an unspoken honor for each viking child, upon turning 10, to be sent to Dragon Island in the final month of the year on the final day to begin their search for the beast. For almost every child on Berk and every island in the Archipelago it was the greatest day of their life, second only to the day when they would ride their dragon back to their homeland. However, for Chief Stoick's son Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, it was the worst day.
Hiccup was not what one would define as viking material. For starters he was as skinny as a string bean and more flimsy than a wet leaf (it was a miracle he hadn't been blown away by the wind), add on the fact that he was intelligent (a trait not sought out by a warrior tribe) and had little to no interest in fighting… and you had a disappointment that everyone could agree on. Ever since he had exited the safety of his mother's womb, the curious redhead had been causing trouble whether it be a blacksmithing accident, an attempt to earn his father's favor, or simply by tripping over his own two feet. Thick red hair coupled with childish freckles, wide green eyes filled with wonder, and the quirkiest smile ever seen made up the village runt… who'd have to somehow tame a dragon without maiming or killing himself or someone else in the process.
The fact that it was colder than Jotunheim made the small boy shrink even more into himself as he stood on the docks of Berk, lined up with 7 kids who were as eager as could be while 2 others hovered beside the tiny heir, not as worried as he but nervous all the same.
One of the children beside Hiccup was another heir, a petite girl named Camicazi. Cami, as she was known by her friends, was the daughter of Bertha, Chief of The Bog-Burglars. She had wild blonde hair that had never been touched by a brush and her nimble fingers had burgled nearly everything in the Archipelago at least once. Cami was well-respected among her peers but her friendship with Hiccup degraded that respect to simple acknowledgement.
The other child, a boy, was not an heir. The poor child didn't even know his own parents, having been raised by the village elder, Gothi, his entire life. Fishlegs, as he was called, was nearly as skinny as Hiccup was and just as clumsy. He was just as nervous as his best friend but took comfort in the fact that, hey, maybe he might die on the expedition. If he did, it at least guaranteed him a spot in Valhalla since there was no other way that was happening.
The three friends stuck close together, shuffling as far from the group of other teens as possible while still being unnoticed. Unfortunately, their mentor, Gobber The Belch, caught sight of them with his one working eye and snatched the three back into place with his hook hand.
"Now," Gobber stated. "Let me continue. As I had been saying, you should all choose the dragon right for you. Choose one that fits your personality but will also be fearsome in battle. Also, remember that the only way to train a dragon-"
"Is to yell at it!" Replied the group of 7 while the trio remained quiet.
Gobber grinned and extended his arms. "Good. Now, I wish you ten the best of luck in finding your dragon… make it back safely, would ya?"
The group was then dismissed, each kid being smothered by their mother and lectured by their father since it would be the last time the adults would see their children for Odin knows how long. Fishlegs stood there awkwardly, as he was the only orphan on Berk but Cami and Hiccup hovered near him until the girl was swept away by her boisterous mother and Hiccup was in turn dragged away by his father.
Hiccup's father was what a typical Viking strived to be: towering height, bulging muscle, large and entangled red beard, and an intimidating demeanor. He grabbed Hiccup by the arm with his immense strength, leaving a bruise, and stopped a few feet away from everyone else. Stoick placed a stern hand on his son's shoulder and stared down at him.
"Hiccup…" Stoick seemed to search for words, a grimace on his face. The awkwardness was palpable between the two. "Good luck, son," He finally managed, patting Hiccup's shoulder which nearly sent the scrawny boy falling into the dirt. "Bring back a Nightmare, would you? Make me proud."
Stoick then nodded to himself and let go of Hiccup. Hiccup stared up at his father, a pained expression on his face that he molded into a fake smile.
"Will do, Dad."
His father nodded again then stalked off toward the village. Hiccup slouched in relief then began his trek back to the group where he was suddenly intercepted by Old Wrinkly, his mother's father.
"What the-" Hiccup started, resisting the bony man's hold before relenting when it became clear Wrinkly was not letting go. For an Elder, he was ridiculously strong.
Old Wrinkly dragged him to the side, out of earshot of everyone. His shock white hair stood up on either side of the helmet on his head and his beard twitched as his mouth muttered incoherent words. His eyes were filled with worry and anxiety, his bushy eyebrows furrowed with concern as he stared at his grandson.
"Hiccup," He said in a voice like sandpaper, aged and gruff. "I have been reading the gods' wills in the fire and the omens are not good. They tell of hardships and danger ahead at Dragon Island and beyond." Old Wrinkly's face seemed to sag as if he had aged another century just by talking. "Your destiny is the most sought after in the hearts of all vikings, even if they are not aware of it. And yet, in a twist of Fate, you are the only one to not want it."
Hiccup was completely lost.
"Wait what?" He asked, staring at his grandfather as if he were crazy (which he probably was). "Grandfather, what are you talking about? My destiny? Why would anyone want any of- this?" At the last word, he gestured a hand at his skinny body.
Old Wrinkly didn't seem to hear him and grasped Hiccup's forearms tightly with his thin hands. "Your destiny will decide the Fate of everyone on this island. You must be careful, Hiccup. It is imperative you remain safe."
Oh yes because Snotlout will leave me be since my destiny will decide everyone else's, Hiccup thought sourly. Great idea, Grandfather.
Old Wrinkly then started digging into the fur vest he wore, fumbling for an unknown object. Hiccup watched him curiously albeit a little afraid for his dear grandfather's sanity.
"Ah ha!" Old Wrinkly exclaimed, retrieving a sheathed object and holding it out to Hiccup. The old man's eyes shone with excitement and gestured for the boy to take it.
"Uhm…." Hiccup mumbled, glancing over his shoulder and making sure that the ship had not left him. It hadn't, for many of the teens were receiving weapons from their parents and trying them out on each other.
Hiccup's eyes ventured back to his grandfather and his outstretched hands that still held the sheath. Tentatively, he grabbed it and found it to be unbelievably light. His wide eyes travelled over the intricate designs inscribed on the dark leather; images of fire and war and dragons, all of which gave the leather a grim appearance. Cautiously, he gripped the handle of the blade within and pulled. A knife revealed itself, its blade just a tad shorter than Hiccup's forearm and its handle was just as intricately decorated as the sheath.
The handle was a dark red leather, something rare and hard to find in the Archipelago, and the silhouettes of Monstrous Nightmares encircled the hilt as if they were dancing in the fire carved around them. Hiccup's jaw dropped open at the craftsmanship and obvious care put into such a weapon but he nearly dropped the knife when his eyes rested on the blade.
The metal of the blade was a beautifully tempered silver that glinted red in the sunlight as Hiccup turned it over in his hands. The blade was inexplicably sharp, a fact Hiccup discovered as his finger graced its edge. But none of that held Hiccup's attention. His eyes were drawn to the inscriptions on either side of the blade; one side read 'eldr', the Old Norse word for fire while the opposite read 'grimmrskegg', a name that Hiccup knew just as well as his own.
His hand shook and his voice was nearly a whisper when he raised his eyes to meet his grandfather's.
"This was Grimbeard's."
Old Wrinkly smiled and nodded. "That it was. His infamous 'Knife Of Flame' in fact. One of the few possessions we Hooligans have managed to keep after Grimbeard's fall as King."
Hiccup raised an eyebrow, eyeballing his grandfather in curiosity. "Then why do you have it?"
Old Wrinkly's eyes glistened in amusement. "It's yours, Hiccup. As heir of Berk, it is yours to do with as you wish." Then a smile pulled at his lips and his eyes grew darker. "Besides, this Knife will be the catalyst that will allow you to cut away your life here and carve out your Fate beyond this island."
Hiccup stared at the old man, reading his face, then sheathed the knife and dropped it back into his grandfather's hands.
"Grandfather, I know you expect me to be some sort of hero but-"
Old Wrinkly shushed his grandson, flapping his arms wildly before thrusting the knife into Hiccup's hands, grasping the sheath with the boy's hands as well as his own.
"I may be a crazy old loon, Hiccup, but trust me when I say this: that Knife is your Fate. Whether you believe me or not is your choice," Old Wrinkly released the knife into Hiccup's hands and leaned away, eyes taking in his grandson. Then the old man nodded, gave Hiccup another smile, and said goodbye to the boy before hobbling away.
This is a major project for me, and I am honestly nervous to see if people even read it. I have this published on my AO3 as well- my account is Never_Give_In
As you can tell, major themes and characters from both the books and the movies have been thrown into a hodgepodge fanfiction. I have like three other pre-written chapters, which will hopefully be up soon. But I hope you guys enjoy this conglomeration of one of the best movie franchises as well as one of the best book series.