Hello. After re-reading my first entry, I apologize for some of the improper grammar used and I have no recuse for it other than not proof reading the material properly. In the future, I hope to make less of those mistakes. This fan-fiction posted 4-21-2014. Anyways, please enjoy the next chapter. Thank you.
...
As the morning sun rose, so did the new houses and buildings of the town of Berk. All around villagers were picking up the pieces from last night's escapade. With everything coming together, Stoick walked to the docks with his adviser groaning with every step, "They're getting bolder."
He looked out on the overall damage. Usually it wasn't to this degree of wreckage and attacks on people were more frequent than past seasons. "At this rate, we won't have enough food to last us this winter."
"Should we send out a hunting party?" his adviser followed closely behind.
"For what, the devils already picked the island clean," he snarled. Looking over the distance, he spots one of their battle ships approach the docking station.
"Please tell me you have some good news?"
The captain shook his head in disappointment, "Another two ships lost in the soup and still no sign of the beast." This was not the news he was hoping to hear.
He gave a heavy sigh, "They're close, close enough to make us their hunting ground." He looked out into the blue, "I can almost smell them."
"Continue the search," he commanded as he walked away towards the town.
"With what?" his adviser followed. "We're not just low on ships Stoick, we're low on men."
"Then pull from the defenses," Stoick shoved past the advisor.
Wide-eyed, his adviser warned, "And leave the village unprotected?"
"We'll train replacements. This is a crisis," he had enough of these beast terrorizing his people and leaving them with little to nothing to survive on. "We need all hands on deck." This ended now.
"All hands?" his adviser calmly repeated. Stoick viewed the harbor and all the fishermen, warriors and repairmen, men and women alike. This was their home and they needed to defend it at all cost. Time was closing in on them and if not dealt with, the consequence would be the death of the tribe.
Through the sound of men and woman pulling ships and repairing wooden frames, Stoick heard growing whispers above them. Looking up, he saw the teenagers staring at the harbor, then him. They had heard. Soon this would be their battle and in due time they would need to stand and fight. It was the Viking way.
...
The sun was slowing breaking to dawn when Stoick walked to the square. There, he spotted Gobber fiddling with his prosthetic hand. "I trust Hiccup is home in one piece," he demanded rather than asked.
"Aye, just dropped her off a few minutes ago, you know with all the work done for the day and all."
"Good. Come with me to the Hall, there's an urgent meeting and I need everyone to attend."
"A meeting to discuss what?" Gobber asked raising an eyebrow.
"The nest."
"So the captain and others' found it then," slight intrigue in his voice.
"No," Stoick firmly said. "But we're not stopping now. That's why we need this meeting, to put it to a vote."
"For what?" Gobber questioned, a confused look in his eyes.
"All or nothing," Stoick huffed as he began his way to the Great Hall, Gobber not too far behind.
...
With everyone settled in the hall, the council began with the events leading up to the gathering. The raid, the empty-handed search and the nest. All were concerned for the well beings of their families and needed a solution, fast. Stoick led the front, "Either we finish them or they'll finish us!"
There were mutters of agreement from the crowd with nodding of heads and grunts of approval.
"It's the only way we'll get rid of them," he looked at the map before him. "If we find the nest and destroy it the dragons will leave. They'll find another home!" With the last words, he dove a dagger into the map where fog and sea monsters crept in an attempt to rid them from the canvas itself.
"One more search before the ice sets in."
"Those ships never come back," a voice could be heard from the far side of the hall. Whispers and mumbles from the crowd arose. The thought of being lost at sea or to the beast without returning to their loved ones was the price for their freedom.
"We're Vikings. It's an occupational hazard."
"Now who's with me?" he asked. The crowd went silent for a moment before groans and excuses to stay echoed in the hall's chambers.
"Alright, those who stay will look after Hiccup..." he persuaded. For most it was an easy choice. Hiccup was a well-mannered girl, clumsy but not intolerable. All she needed was to keep herself busy, simple enough. None rose their arms.
"And if I find just a single scratch on her," he continued darkly with an icy stare to the crowd, "there will be more than just dragons gone from this world." The choice was clear. Stay, and face the wrath of an anger Stoick or go and have him focus his rage on something other than them. The answer was simple.
"To the ships!"
"I'm with you Stoick!" All Vikings raised their arms eagerly, willing to face the wrath of wild demons rather the wrath of Stoick the Vast.
"Now that's more like it," he grinned at the crowd of 'willing' volunteers.
With the meeting over, all set off to make preparations for the voyage.
"Right, I'll pack my undies," Gobber rose to follow.
"No, I need you to stay and train some new recruits," Stoick replied seating next to him.
"Oh perfect, yeah, and while I'm busy, Hiccup can cover the stall. Molten steel, razor-sharp blades, lots of time to herself. What could possibly go wrong?" he dryly stated taking a swig of his drink.
Concern flooded Stoick's mind. "Oh, what am I going to do with her, Gobber? From the time she could crawl she's been...different. She doesn't listen. She has the friability and attention span of a sparrow."
Seeing his friend's struggle, he made the tough decision, "Put her in training with the others."
"No, I'm serious," Stoick remarked a look of utter dread on his face.
"So am I."
"She'd be killed before she sets foot in the arena," his voice slightly cracking at the thought.
"Oh, you don't know that."
"I do know that."
"No you don't."
"No, actually I do."
"No you don't!"
Stoick lifted himself pacing around the room, "Listen, you know what she's like, you've been with her most of her life. When she's with me, she starts asking these ridiculous questions. Gobber, I take her fishing and she goes berry picking and hunting for, for trolls!"
"Trolls exist," Gobber insisted enthusiastically. "They steal your socks, but only the left ones... what's with that?"
Stoick took a deep breath, "When I was a boy..."
"Oh here we go..." Gobber braced himself.
"My father told me to bang my head against a rock, and I did it. I thought it was crazy, but I didn't question him. And you know what happened?"
"You got a headache" Gobber said as he repositioned his tooth.
"That rock split in two. It taught me what a Viking could do, Gobber. He could crush mountains. Level forest. Tame seas." He sat again. "Even as a boy, I knew what I was, what I had to become. Hiccup is not that boy."
"Yer right, she isn't a boy, Stoick. And she isn't you. She questions everything in life. You need to see that she can't do all the things you do, not in the way you learned them. I've been there for her like a second father, teaching her and training her for a future, but she doesn't need me as a father. She needs you."
Gobber sighed knowingly, "You can't stop her Stoick. You can only prepare her. She wants to be like you and prove she's worth your time and worth to the tribe." He raised his hand out and put it on Stoick's shoulder, "I know it seems hopeless, but truth is you won't always be around to protect her. She's going to get out there again. She's probably out there now."
Stoick took his words to heart. He was right, she wasn't a boy and she wasn't him. She was a part of him and the tribe. And as part of the tribe, she needed to do all she could to protect it. She needed to learn to defend herself, not just with weapons but with her fist. If that meant putting her in the ring with the others, so be it.
"Just think about it, Stoick," Gobber patted his shoulder and stood. " I'll see you and the others' off tomorrow." And with that, he left Stoick to his thoughts.
...
When Stoick reached home it was late afternoon, he noticed the quietness of it all. Like Gobber predicted, she was out. He gave a heavy sigh as he sat near the fireplace. It was here where Hiccup first asked him what it was like to be a strong dragon killer. Where she waited for his return whenever he was out at sea.
He was rarely there for her in her time of need. Maybe it was the obligations he had as chief or that for whatever reason he could never fully understand her and her ways. The way she talked seems to be coated in riddles and mystery. Her interest in puzzles and problem solving were unconventional to say the least. Her mind brilliant and sharp like a whip but so naïve and innocent to the world. The odd eating habits she formed over the years, eating only plants, berries and roots. Vikings were straight to the point. Vikings solved there problems by force. Vikings were ready for the harshness of the world. Vikings ate meat.
The words Gobber had said rang in his ears. You need to see that she can't do all the things you do, not in the way you learned them. She would have to learn. In her own 'Hiccup' kind of way how to be the best Viking she could be. It would take time and a lot more effort on her part, but if she managed, it would make her stronger.
His mind was settled, she would join the recruits tomorrow. Whether he liked it or not, she needed to manage without him some way or another. He couldn't keep her locked up like a sparrow, she needed to be set free and soar. He just hoped she would remember to come back down to earth safe and sound.
Standing up he made his way out the door and towards the forge, the sun lowering itself in the west. Spotting his old friend, Gobber began first.
"Stoick, been thinking about what I said earlier. Look, it's none of my business if you..." he was cut off.
"She starts tomorrow."
"Oh, well that settles it then, all good," he returned to his business.
"I need to have more faith in her; I just don't want to see her getting hurt or worse."
"Don't worry Stoick, she'll be fine. She manages here with all the fire and sparks. Heck last week, she nearly chucked her head off with one of her crazy inventions, ha ha the look on her face was..." Gobber turned to Stoick whose face was stern.
"She almost what!"
"Now now Stoick, she's fine, 'Mild calibration issue' she called it," he raised his arms up defensively.
"And were you two ever going to tell me this?"
"Well, we felt you might react in the way you are now so, no."
Stoick was fuming now. " I can't believe you put my daughter in such a hazardous environment. I have half a mind to forbid her from working here again!"
"So you admit it then?!"
"What?!"
"You only have HALF a mind!" he attempted to make a joke.
Both remained silent for a while, a crowd forming from the racket they had caused. Eyes glued to each other.
"Hah ha-ha HA HAH HAAHAH!" both exploded in laughter, arms around each other's shoulders. Even over the years, they were still as close as brothers, laughing off anger and mocking death in the face. After calming down they took deep breaths.
"Make sure she's safe," Stoick extending his arm.
Reaching for Stoick's hand, Gobber gave it a firm squeeze, "I always do."
...
After a few more words with Gobber and making arrangements for tomorrow's voyage, Stoick made his way back home. Near the entrance of the forest, he spotted Aarne practicing his axe throwing skills. His focus was sharp, never missing the target. Stoick walked up to him, "I see not only do you have a great hook but excellent accuracy as well."
"Thank you, sir," Aarne nodded. Yanking his axe from the trunk he looked over to his chief, "I heard about the hunt."
"Yes, it's our last shot to catch the devils before the cold sets in." He gave Aarne a hardy pat on the back, "I'm counting on you and the others to train hard for this village."
"Yes, sir."
Stoick took a deep breath, "You've been like a son to me, Aarne. I trust you. While I'm away, I want you to make sure Hiccup is safe in the arena."
Aarne furrowed his brows, "The arena?" He was under the impression she was to stay away from the action of battle.
"Yes, she needs to learn to protect herself," he leaned next to a tree. "But I can't stand the thought that she might get hurt in there. Just keep a sharp eye on her my boy."
He gave a confident nod, "I will."
"Good," he gave a reassuring pat to his shoulder. "You best get some rest, lad. It's a busy day for all of us tomorrow." He looked down at his axe. "Fine weapon. You care for it properly."
"Hiccup worked on it today, it's never been this smooth to handle."
"Really, Hiccup did this?"
Aarne nodded.
"Hmm, excellent balance, crisp blade, first class craftsmanship." He was regretting ever questioning her to leave the smiting business. With that, he left for home, leaving the young man to his training.
The sun was disappearing as Stoick returned home, Hiccup still nowhere in sight. He began to pack his travel sack and waited for her to return by the fireplace.
