After nearly a week of being kept inside due to the storms Berk was emerging and Hiccup had work to do. As their official leader he had to check in on the dragon riders as well as give them their tasks. After a storm like this their help would desperately be needed.
Hiccup made his way down the stairs and out into the freezing air and the sound of dragons waking up. "Alright Bud let's go see how everyone's doing."
As Fishlegs was the closet he checked on him first finding him in his stable giving Meatlug a belly rub.
"I see you two are ready to go."
"Yeah Meatlug kept us nice and toasty with a few lava blasts. So, what's up for the riders today?"
"I need you to go and gather a few gronkles and help Snotlout melt the snow from the village."
He nodded and Hiccup walked the short distance to Astrid's house. But after knocking for a few minutes she didn't answer. Her stable was empty, so he assumed that she'd gone for a morning flight.
"Alright guess I'll go and make sure Snotlouts ready to work."
He got his answer a few moments later when he heard the familiar sound of Snotlout screaming followed by the blaze as Hookfang came around the corner with Snotlout in his teeth.
"Hookfang put me down!"
"What did you do this time?"
"Nothing! I just told him that he'd get his breakfast after I got mine. Apparently, he didn't like this answer."
"Look as soon as you get him somewhat under control go help Fishlegs in the square."
He left before he could hear his compliments or see Hookfang drop him onto a barrel.
The final stop was the Thorston home which for good reason was located at the far end of the village. As he walked there, he found he was a bit nervous. Being stuck inside for a few days had given him plenty of time with his thoughts, most of which centered on what he'd done with Ruffnut.
He'd never seen her as anything but a crazed Viking. And he was pretty sure that she hated him, or at the very least found him annoying. He reached the door and shook his head trying to clear his thoughts.
I'm sure Ruff's forgotten, and we can just put it behind us.
After a few knocks her brother Tuff answered. "What do you want?" his arm was still in a sling, but he seemed to be fine.
"Storms over so the riders have work to do. Is Barf and Belch fine enough to move?"
"Are you kidding he's great! Just this morning we were playing his favorite game of yak catch."
"Right, well get Ruff and meet the others in the square."
"Can't she's not here."
"Well, where is she?"
"Think she went to get some fresh water from the well." He brought his hand to his chin for a moment. "No wait I think she's taking a walk. Or something I really don't know I wasn't paying attention."
"Well just bring you dragon hopefully she'll turn up later."
An hour later the square was filled with gronkles dropping magma balls on the snow piles wither the others took care of the ice. Surprisingly Astrid and Ruff never showed up which was off. Normally Astrid was the most punctual and ready of all of them but as much as he wanted to worry, they had more tasks to take care of such as removing any debris and thawing the bay and delivering supplies to people that needed them.
After a couple of hours and nearly three fights that had started between Snotlout and Tuff he decided it would be best to take a break in the great hall. The doors had just opened when Astrid came out followed by her faithful dragon Stormfly.
"Astrid have you been in the great hall all day?"
"Yeah sorry but after we got back from our flight, I wanted to warm up next to the fire." She looked past him at the latest fight that had started over whatever stupid thing had happened in the five minutes he'd been away.
"I take it we've only gotten through a few of the tasks?"
"Square is cleared, and food is delivered. Just need to kickstart the forge as well as go on patrol."
"Well tell you what I'll take over while you enjoy a meal."
"Thanks, I really need this."
Inside the great hall there were a few groups of older Vikings talking about their past glories or simply challenging each other to a drinking contest or starting fights.
He took a seat near the grand table and grabbed whatever food was there while pouring over the book of dragons. As he read and ate more and more people came in, some stopped to say hello or simply thank them for the supplies but of course his day got worse when the old goat known as Mildew came in and gave his usual annoying speech about how dragons had ruined the island. Not wanting to hear this or be bothered he quickly finished eating and made his way outside running into Ruff on the way down the stairs.
"Hey, ruff we were wondering were you were today. We still have work to do…" she in her usual way punched him in the arm before brushing past him. "Food first work later."
Rubbing his arm, he thought to himself. Well at least she's acting normal… or at least normal for Ruff.
Once at the bottom he saw the fires coming from the forge and decided to spend the rest of time working on his shield. It had been jamming and refusing to go back into shield form. He'd just grabbed the hammer when he heard the uneven sound of the Gobber as he hobbled into the forge with a wagon full of weapons.
"I see I'm not the only one who thought of coming here."
"Yeah with Astrid finishing the tasks I thought I could finally get my shield fixed."
He sat down at the sharpening wheel and began going over the axes letting the sparks fly everywhere.
"So, word around the village is that you and Ruffnut had a private mission just before the storm. Now I'm not one for rumors but from what I heard you two didn't make it back for hours. And when you returned you were both acting awkward."
His hammer slipped and scraped the side of his shield. "There's already a rumor about us?"
"You know how we get after a storm. We'll flock to even the most absurd news."
"Well I can assure you that the rumor is just that. There's nothing between me and Ruff."
"I know that lad, but just be prepared for random questions from the others."
As he chuckled at the situation Hiccup put his shield up deciding to check in on the patrol. He mounted Toothless and flew up into the skies of Berk.
"Alright by now they should just be past Thor rock."
Toothless dove from the sky letting his wings cut through the clouds as he got out his restlessness from being trapped for days. With his speed he quickly maneuvered between the massive stone pillars that led to Thor rock and past the wild dragons eventually finding his fellow riders on the far side of the beach.
He dismounted and walked over to Fishlegs and Astrid as they went over the map. "So, how'd the patrol go?"
"Well we've been seeing some dragons here that shouldn't, but you know how dragons can be. Other then that we haven't seen and berserker or outcast ships."
"Well that should put my father in a good mood."
A sudden roar made him turn his head just as Hookfang snapped at Ruff and Tuff which of course made Barf and Belch snap at him. Astrid and Hiccup rushed over and tried to stand between them just as Snotlout came out from behind a rock. "Woah guys what the heck!?" Hiccup asked looking between the riders.
Snoutlout stepped forward clutching his jaw. "The heck is this maniac punched me in the face." He said jabbing his thumb in Tuff's chest.
"Hey, you're the one who said the cold made you stronger. Guess you didn't mean your face."
He got angry and snapped his fingers causing Hookfang to ignite.
Tuff smiled his deranged smile and snapped. Barf roared getting his other head to start spewing gas which quickly filled the area.
"Guys wait a minute…" but Hiccup was to late as the gas spread around the area just as Hookfang rushed forward his flaming body hitting the volatile gas. The explosion knocked all of them back and flooding the area with black smoke.
When Hiccup opened his eyes, he found he was atop Ruffnut. Her eyes shot opened but instead of screaming or reacting with anger as he expected she went stiff and wide eyed with shock. They starred at each other their minds remembering the last time they were like this. Their cheeks went red with embarrassment.
"Uhhh sorry didn't meant to fall on you." He said quickly scrambling off her and trying to calm down.
As soon as he was, she shook her head and jumped up. "Just don't let it happen again." The quickly looked around and sighed when they saw the area was still to filled with black smock and thus no one saw them.
After making sure everyone was okay and finishing what was left of their patrol and headed back to Berk.
He headed home wanting to relax and jot down his latest ideas but was stopped in his living room by his father.
"Ah son your back, good come and sit down we have some important business to discuss."