I promise, the plot REALLY starts in the next chapter.
Not much else to say...
ONE TREE HILL! (Conversation starter, right?) :D
Toothless bashed his tail on the roof of Hiccup's house to wake him up. He was ready to go flying. This time, he would not dive into the water to eat delicious... delicious fish... NO! He wouldn't. Well... maybe one... Hiccup finally came outside. Toothless jumped down from the roof and stood in front of him, showing his attempt at a 'smile'. Hiccup, however, seemed unresponsive. He showed no emotion on his face. He was still sad from the day before. Sensing Hiccup was not in any sort of mood to talk, or even go flying, Toothless lay down with his head on his front paws, hoping his human friend would be okay.
Where I leave to ruin the engagement I never wanted in the first place...
For the first time ever since I had learned to ride Toothless, I didn't want to go flying. When I was sick, or angry, or anything, flying normally made me fell better. But my engagement was one problem it couldn't fix. Unless I fly away and then never come back, I thought. I shook the thought away quickly. I couldn't do that do my dad, or to the village, or to Astrid.
"Hiccup, are you out here?" my dad asked from inside. He poked his head outside and gave one of his "Hey kiddo, don't sick your dragon on me, Ok?" smiles and took a slow step outside.
"I have something for you," he said, holding his hands behind his back. He grinned and held out a large fur pelt.
"Gee, dad, thanks," I said sarcastically. My dad didn't seem to take notice.
"I knew you'd like it! Now, you're going to need a pin, or a clip to fasten it. I could see if I can find one somewhere-"
"It's okay, I have one," I said, running my finger along the lining of my vest where I had pinned Astrid's gift by my chest.
"Well, I was thinking you could wear it today," he said, holding out the pelt to me. I forced myself to smile and take it from him.
"Sure. I just have to go, uh, pack," I said, brushing past him into the house. Toothless got up and followed me.
"I'll be out in a minute, bud," I said, patting him on the head. He snorted and curled up beside the door.
I walked up the stairs to my room and threw the pelt down on my bed. I stuffed some extra clothes in a bag, larger than the one I had planned to use to run away the day before. I also stuffed my sketchbook and a few extra charcoal pencils in the bag.
I turned to leave the room, but then remembered the pelt lying on my bed. I sighed and dropped the bag. It landed on the ground with a dull thud.
"Stupid pelt," I grumbled, taking off my fur vest and replacing it with the pelt, throwing at around me like a cape. It settled around my shoulders and draped down my back. I picked up my vest again and removed the pin from inside the lining.
Just before I was about to fasten the two corners of the pelt together, I noticed an inscription on the back of the pin. I squinted to make out the small, delicate writing.
Hiccup
I love you
Astird
For a moment, everything slowed down around me. All I could hear was the sound of my heart pounding in my chest. The tiniest amount of writing caused my mind to fill with a realization I couldn't find before. How I hadn't already figured it out, I couldn't tell, but it was the most amazing feeling I'd ever experienced.
"I love her," I whispered to myself. A small smile formed on my face, slowly growing until I broke out into a joyous laugh.
I raced out of my room and down the stairs, the pin still clutched in my hand. The only thing I could think Just before I was able to push the door open, my father grabbed me by the shirt and pulled me back. I had grown enough so he wasn't able to lift me off the ground entirely, but that didn't stop him from trying.
"Hiccup, where do you think you're going?" he demanded. He continued speaking without waiting for my response. "We have to leave any minute if we're to reach Dunbroch by tomorrow. Where's your bag? And the pelt?" In my hurry to leave, the pelt had dropped off my shoulders and was still lying on the floor of my bedroom.
"Dad, I have to-"
"The only thing you have to do is get your stuff, put on the pelt, and get down to the docks," he said as if he was speaking to a six-year old. I stared up at my father, my mouth slightly open in shock at how he wouldn't listen to me. Of course, he was my dad. Stranger things had happened.
"Fine," I said bitterly, turning my back to him.
"Hiccup," he started apologetically, but I wasn't listening.
I stomped back up the stairs and snatched my things. I slung the pelt around me once more and positioned the pin over my heart, reading over the inscription once more.
I quickly went outside and strapped on Toothless's tail and saddle. I was doing up the last latch as fast as I could.
I needed to find Astrid.
I tied my riding vest to the saddle, securing it tightly so it wouldn't fall off.
"What are you doing, son?" my dad asked wearily.
"I'm getting Toothless ready," I replied, not lifting my eyes.
"Hiccup... Toothless isn't coming. He can't," my dad said. I stopped.
"No, he's coming,"
"We can't risk-"
"I've abided by all your other rules! My whole life at the moment is... is undecided! I don't know where I'm going to live, I've never met the girl I'm going to marry, and I can't even go tell Astrid..." my voice trailed off. I looked down and realized I had balled my hands into fists. I spread my fingers apart slowly and put a hand on Toothless's saddle. "No, dad, he's coming," I said defiantly.
"This is the last thing I will ask of you," he said solemnly. "Leave Toothless here," he said tightly. I felt like I was going to burst into tears. I wanted to hop on Toothless and fly away. I'd never look back.
"Ok," I said softly. I would find a way back to Berk, with or without Toothless.
"Let's go," my father said, putting a hand on my shoulder and leading me away. I wasn't sure if my dad saw, but Toothless followed us down to the boat.
Standing at the dock, I was surprised to find a large crowd of people waiting to see us. To see me.
I scanned their faces. No Astrid.
Many of them approached me saying things like "You're doing a great thing," or "Thank you for this sacrifice," and "I hope you'll be happy,". Others just cast me sad or thankful looks.
The night before, Astrid had said she wasn't going to come, but she had to. I craned my neck, praying I would meet her blue eyes with mine.
By the boat, Gobber stood with a bag at his feet. He waved with his good hand and attempted to give a comforting smile.
"Eh, Hiccup! Good news, I'm coming with!" he said. I gave a weak thumbs up.
"Us too!" another voice said. I turned around to see Snotlout and Tuffnut running towards me. I side stepped them before they tackled me. Instead, they landed on top of one another. Fishlegs followed after them, panting.
"What do you mean?" I asked them.
"Well, I know this is hard for you, so I thought if you had your friends with you, you'd feel a bit better," my dad explained. That was one thing he was right about.
"What about Ruff and ...and Astrid," I wondered. Snotlout and Tuff exchanged uneasy looks.
"Well, your dad invited Ruff..." Fishlegs said slowly.
"But she's staying behind to make sure Astrid doesn't, like, go kill herself or do something stupid like that," Snotlout finished. I sighed and dropped my shoulders.
"C'mon Hiccup, cheer up! We're going to help you with you-know-whatever-the-plan-is," Tuff said in a low voice, glancing at my father who was talking with Gobber and one of the village Elders.
Toothless came up behind me and nudged my hand with his nose. He sat back and brought his head up so we were at eye level.
"Sorry bud, you can't come this time," I said. I scratched under his chin and glanced over my shoulder at my dad. "But I'll come back, I promise. Make sure to take care of Astrid," I told him.
"Hiccup, it's time to go," my dad said. I gave Toothless one last hug and turned to the boat. I heard Toothless's paws padding softly against the ground. I stopped and turned to face him. His vibrant green eyes were filled with innocence.
"Toothless, stay," I said, holding a hand up. I walked backwards onto the dock, my hand still in the air. I climbed onto the boat and looked back at Toothless. He was sitting where I left him, looking at me questioningly. His tail swished back and forth.
"Oh, Dad, wait," I said, almost getting off the boat to undo Toothless's tail fin and saddle.
"We can't. We have to leave now," he said, blocking my path. Snotlout and Tuffnut scrambled onto the boat and waved to everyone.
"See ya!" Tuff screamed.
"Boat-trip!" Snotlout exclaimed.
"Oh no," Fishlegs groaned.
I sighed and turned away, wondering how they could be so excited (well, except for Fishlegs). I walked over to the other side of the boat and leaned out over the railing. I could just see the edge Astrid's house, but no Astrid.
Before I could stand up straight, the boat began to move. We lowered the sails and let the wind push us out to sea.
I sat down by the bow of the boat and stared out at the sea in front of me. I forced myself not to look back at Berk, otherwise I would jump ship and swim back.
Snotlout and Tuffnut sat down on my left, and Fishlegs on the right.
"Okay, whats wrong. Yesterday, you were all ready to kill this engagement, and now... you're all depressed. What changed?" Tuff asked. I didn't answer, instead, I unfastened the pin from my pelt and handed it to Tuff. He paused and studied the pin.
"It's a pin of you and Astrid on Toothless, so?" Tuff wondered.
"Turn it over," I said, dropping my head.
"Oh, man, that's rough," Tuff said. Fishlegs reached over and grabbed the pin, bringing it close to his face.
"I wanna see!" Snotlout complained. I took my pin from Fishlegs and dropped it in Snotlout's hands.
"Oh, I get it! She said she loved you and you're going to marry a princess," Snotlout said in realization. I groaned.
"Dude," Tuff said in disbelief, punching Snotlout in the arm. I only shook my head and refastened the pin on his pelt.
"Now, I know I gave up on Astrid a long time ago, but... how did you do it?" Snotlout exclaimed. I almost laughed... almost.
We didn't talk for the rest of the boat ride. When it was time to eat lunch, I didn't even get up. Gobber tried to force-feed me, but it wasn't much use. I was thrown into a state of hopelessness and depression.
The boat rocked back and forth at a steady pace, an almost calming motion. For six hours, I sat by the bow, either sitting with my back against the hull, or leaning over the rail, staring at the waves.
Then, after what seemed like an eternity, I spotted a mass of land appearing from behind a veil of mist. Sitting by the shore was a large stone castle.
As our boat neared the docks, I saw a large crowd waiting by the docks. It was just like I was going back to Berk.
But then, I remembered. There would be no wooden overhang behind my house, no glade where I could hide out, no dragon training ring, no forge, no Toothless, and no Astrid.
"Son, are you ready?" my dad asked. It was the first time he had talked to me since we left Berk. I nodded curtly and looked up at him.
"Listen, Hiccup," he began. "I know, over the years, I haven't always been the best father to you, but I need you to know I am so proud of you, for everything you've done. And I know I don't say it often enough. You'll go down in history as the first Viking who tamed a dragon, and a Night Fury no less. You will also be known as the one who unites us with the Dunbroch Clan," he said.
"Thanks, Dad," I said quietly. I just hoped he would still be proud of me when I tried to tear apart my engagement.
Gobber docked the boat and let down the gangplank. My father exited first, followed by Gobber. Snotlout and Tuff fought their way to get off before the other, and Fishlegs walked down afterwards.
I walked down onto the dock slowly, my eyes sweeping across the crowds. Their judgmental eyes bore into me, but I didn't care. I took a few deep breaths and followed my dad to meet my "fiancé".
Yeah, so, Snotlout, Tuffnut, Hiccup, and Fishlegs are bros now, even though they tease and fight with one another occasionally.
ALSOOOO, please, don't hate Stoick! I know he seems like the antagonist, but he has the village's best intentions at heart... I like Stoick...
Hey, anyone seen Hiccup's new character designs? I know they're leaked photos, but... OH MY GOODNESS HE GREW UP SOOO WELL! 3
