chapter 2
Several days journey north of the Scottish isle lies Berk the home of the Hairy Hooligan viking tribe. The vikings of this island once lived very dangerous lives here, for dragons were known to raid their village frequently, but in recent times their home had become quite peaceful. The people of Berk had one man to thank for their village's new found tranquility, or rather one boy. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, son of their leader Stoick the Vast, future heir to their clan, and the first viking to ever tame a wild dragon.
In the 5 years sense the great battle and village's acceptance of dragons Hiccup had grown into a capable young man. Having faced the likes of wild dragons and rouge vikings, he had become quite the leader. Which is why on this day his father was trusting him with a task of vital importance, deliver a letter of peace to the Bear King. The the four Clans of the Scottish Isles and Berk had a long violent history. The Vikings had in the past raided many surrounding lands when their own food supply dwindled. It was necessary due to the lack of food caused by dragon attacks, though the Scots were not so willing to part with their own vital supply. The four leaders of the lands joined as one to drive the Vikings off each time they appeared. Eventually Stoick put an end to the raids on the Isles as the spoils of war wound not be worth risking his peoples lives and instead raided smaller countries farther east. The last of the Hooligan's raids on the Scots was before Hiccups birth and yet the two lands remained bitter towards one another. Stoick hoped that this treaty would help bridge this gap between the two lands and provide a valuable trade partner and ally in times of war.
With this in mind Stoick was determined to make peace. So despite his discomfort at sending his son into such a hostile environment, he knew that Hiccup was smart and diplomatic, the perfect person for the job. Not to mention his small, non threatening appearance wouldn't hurt his chances of getting an audience with the king and queen.
Hiccup had been preparing for the journey for days, collecting the necessary supplies and drawing out a map of the best course, even making spare parts for Toothless' saddle. It would be a long trip even by dragon and he wanted to be prepared. It wasn't often his father trusted him with such a huge responsibility, he didn't want to screw it up. So after plotting his course he waited on the docks with Toothless at his side as his father and a few of the villagers saw him off.
"Are you sure ya have everything ya need, son?" Stoick asked, his hand resting on his shoulder. Hiccup chuckled, "Dad I've already repacked and checked my gear twice, I'm pretty sure I have everything." he said it with a smile. "I'll be fine. I'll send a Terrible Terror message as soon as I get there."
Stoick huffed but nodded. "I know, I trust you to get there Hiccup. Its what will happen after you arrive that I'm worried about. The Scots aren't the friendliest sort, at least not to us vikings. I want you to be careful, especially with Toothless. Scots aren't used to dragons."
"You know I wouldn't let anything bad happen to Toothless." Hiccup defended.
"Yes, I know." Finally he pulled away from Hiccup and grabbing a envelope made of heavy parchment. "Here is the treaty. Remember to give it only to the king. We are all counting on you Hiccup" Stoick handed him the treaty.
"Yea, no pressure or anything" Hiccup muttered and carefully placed the treaty in a water-proof satchel.
Soon his friends approached him to say farewell.
Snotlout gave him a smirk, "Try not to go get yourself killed by some crazy Scot, cause ya know they could totally try to kill yo-" he was cut short as Astrid punched him in the back of the head.
"You'll be fine, I mean probably." Fishlegs murmured.
"Ya know unless their king guy says no to the treaty" Tuffnut spoke up. "Yeah and you wind up some sorta prisoner in his dungeon and get tortured" Ruffnut added pushing her twin aside. This sparked a shoving match between the two.
"Wow, thanks guys thats really helpful." Hiccup said with heavy sarcasm which only went over the two bickering twins heads.
"I wish we could come with." Astrid told him with a worried look.
"Hey, its fine. I'll have Toothless there with me. Plus no Scot is gonna want to pick a fight with all this." he said flexing his lanky arms. Astrid chuckled before pulling him into a brief hug. Things may not have gone anywhere between the two of them but there was no denying that she and Hiccup were best friends. "Just come back safe alright?" she said as she released him.
"I will, promise." he said as he backed up and climbed atop of Toothless.
"Ya ready to go bud?" he asked the impatient nightfury. Toothless gave an excited grunt sound and stretched out his massive wings.
"Alright then," Hiccup said as he hooked his prosthetic leg into place. Giving the peddle a twist, the tail fin opened and Toothless took a running jump into the air. They rose quickly into the sky, riding the strong air current. As they flew out over the water Hiccup turned to gaze back at his home,watching his friends wave goodbye left him with a uncomfortable tugging feeling in his chest. Toothless seemed to pick up on his friend's mood chirped out a sympathetic sound.
Hiccup smiled, patting Toothless on the head. "Its all right bud. Its just weird leaving home like this." he tried to sooth the concerned dragon. "Now lets focus. We have a long trip ahead of us." He said and pushed the peddle, steering the dragon south.
