Chapter 4 - The mission
Snotlout and the twins walked towards the forge, they guessed that Hiccup would be there this time of day and wanted to see if he was okay. Ruffnut had explained to the others what Egil had said last night and how upset Astrid was. At first Snotlout and Tuffnut didn't really care how Astrid was feeling, but when they heard that Hiccup had cancelled the contract, and that he pretty much wanted nothing more to do with her they felt bad for her. They agreed they would support her as much as they could, she was still their friend after all and deep down they knew she didn't mean what she said. As they got closer they could hear the sound of a hammer hitting metal, but it wasn't the familiar rhythmic hammering they were used to, the strikes were erratic and louder than usual. Snotlout spotted Toothless then, he was peering worriedly into the forge.
"Erm...something tells me Hiccups 'NOT' in a good mood" Snotlout said to the others while pointing to Toothless.
"Well can you blame the guy?..." Tuffnut shrugged. "...if it was me I'd be pretty upset too!"
"Come on you guys, we need to let him know we're here for him" Ruffnut continued, pushing the two boys forward.
They reached the counter and looked inside, Hiccup had his back to them and was muttering to himself as worked. The three looked to each other with pained expressions before looking back to him.
"Hey Cuz? You okay?" Snotlout asked warily.
Hiccup jumped slightly, he'd been so engrossed in his work he hadn't noticed them arrive. He turned to see the trio at the counter. "Oh...hey guys! Were you standing there long?"
All three inwardly sighed with relief. He didn't look angry, he seemed surprisingly calm considering the circumstances.
"Nah! We just got here, we came to see how you were" Ruffnut replied.
Hiccup smiled, at least he could count on his friends not to shun him. "I'm doing...alright, thanks Ruff"
"Really H!? You were just beating the crap out of that breastplate!" Tuffnut responded pointing to it.
"What?!..." He looked at the badly dented metal. He'd been so lost in thought he hadn't noticed what he was doing, it was so bent out of shape it would have be completely re-forged. "...Oh Gobber's going to kill me" he groaned, tossing the breastplate onto the scrap pile and walking to the counter "Sorry about that guys, I guess I got carried away"
"Hiccup we're here for you, you know that right? I mean...you know, if you wanna talk about what happened last night?"
"Thanks Ruff, but I don't want to talk about it...at least not until I've spoken with Astrid later. And it's not that...well not entirely. It's just..." He trailed off and looked out into the square. "...look at them." He gestured to a group of villagers and the others looked. The villagers immediately turned away when he made eye contact. "They won't talk to me...most of them won't even look at me and if they do it's like I've grown a second head!" Hiccup leaned on the counter and stared at it. "They've not treated me like this since, you know...before."
The others looked to each other sadly. They all knew what he meant, but at the same time couldn't imagine how bad all of this made Hiccup feel. Snotlout placed a hand reassuringly on Hiccups shoulder and he looked up.
"Hiccup...forget about them. You've got us!" he gestured around him and the twins nodded in agreement.
Hiccups smile returned. "Thanks guys, I -"
"HICCUP!"
The four teens and Toothless jumped in surprise, they looked to where the voice came from and saw Fishlegs sprinting across the square towards them. All of their mouths fell open, they'd never seen Fishlegs move so fast.
Hiccup quickly left the forge to meet him. "Fishlegs!?...Fishlegs what's wrong?"
"Stoick!...They want!..." Fishlegs gasped, trying to catch his breath.
"Fishlegs I don't understand, take a knee!"
Fishlegs knelt and took a moment to compose himself. "Stoick sent me to get you...you're to appear before the High Council!"
All eyes fell on Hiccup as he stood there looking thoughtful. Their minds were whirling with questions. 'What do they want?' 'What did he do?' 'Will he be punished?' They waited apprehensively for his response.
"Alright, I'll be right there" Hiccup calmly answered. "Thanks for telling me Fishlegs...come on Toothless!" he called before casually jogging towards the Great Hall.
The others watched him leave with shocked expressions. Hiccup didn't seem even slightly surprised the Council wanted to see him. They stood silently for a moment before Tuffnut spoke. "Uhhh...what just happened?!"
"Do you think he knew the Council would want to see him?" Fishlegs asked.
"I dunno...but lets find out!" Snotlout declared before chasing after him and the twins followed.
"Not again..." Fishlegs groaned, he was already exhausted from the run there. "...why did I leave you at home this morning Meatlug?" He questioned himself before lumbering after them.
Hiccup arrived outside the Great Hall with Toothless right behind him, he spotted his father and ran to him. "Hey Dad! What's the verdict? Did they agree?" He asked frantically.
"They're still undecided Hiccup, that's why we've called for you" Stoick replied pushing one of the doors open and gesturing inside.
Hiccup approached and noticed Toothless following him. "No bud, you have to stay out here" Toothless crooned sadly. "I'll be fine bud" he assured an then entered the Great Hall.
Hiccup suddenly felt nervous, he'd hoped things would be simple and the council would agree. Now he'd have to convince them. He froze for a second as he saw the Council members gathered around the fire, watching him expectantly. Individually he knew them all well and in any other situation he'd have no problem approaching them...but this was the High Council, they suddenly came across rather intimidating.
"Go on son...you've nothing to fear" Stoick reassured.
Hiccups confidence began to return and he looked up to his father.
Stoick saw the glint of determination in his eyes and nodded. They approached the Council and Stoick took his place at the centre, flanked by the other members. Hiccup stood at the opposite end of the fire place.
"Hiccup, you've been summoned before the Council because we have a mission for you" Stoick began.
Hiccups eyes widened slightly, that's not what he thought he was being summoned for. "A mission? What kind of mission?"
Stoick smiled slightly before continuing. "About two weeks ago I started recieving messages from Bertha, chieftess of the Bog Burglar tribe. They're regularly being attacked by a rogue dragon"
"Rogue dragon..." Hiccup responded, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "...what kind of dragon?"
"They don't know Hiccup, it's a dragon they've never seen before...they call it The Shrieker"
'The Shrieker?' He thought, he was smart enough to know why they called it that but he needed more information. "Have any of them had a good look at it? Has there been any casualties?"
"No Hiccup...they've only seen enough to know they don't recognise it, this dragon is fast. Attacks end just as fast as they begin. There's been no casualties so far, it seems to only be targeting livestock and their storehouses" Stoick explained.
Hiccup looked thoughtful again before continuing. "Okay...so what do you want me to do?"
"We want you to go there and somehow stop these attacks before they escalate. Train it, relocate it, anything. The Bog Burglars have been tolerant of dragons since the peace, but if this carries on much longer Bertha will have no choice but to hunt it down"
"I'll do it!" Hiccup announced resolutely. "I don't want any casualties...Viking or dragon. Besides, if the dragons a new species...I want to study it!"
Stoick nodded in affirmative and then braced himself for the onslaught of mocking and sniggering that would follow his next statement. "Your old friend..." He could hear the laughter starting already. "... Camicazi will be your main contact whilst you're there" he sighed and The Council erupted in laughter. "ALRIGHT QUIET DOWN! THIS IS SERIOUS!" Stoick shouted.
"Aw come on Stoick!..." Gobber chuckled. "...the lass did manage to steal your undies while you were still wearing them!" Gobber burst into laughter then and the Council joined him.
Stoick sighed and shook his head, he'd never live that down. He looked to Hiccup who he fully expected to be laughing as well but was surprised to see he wasn't, he looked surprised and excited.
'Cami?!' He thought. He was baffled as to how he'd not made the connection sooner. She was his oldest friend and he hadn't seen her in over five years. His father told him she came to see him shortly after the battle with the Red Death, but he was still unconscious and she had to leave before he woke up. He'd wanted to visit her many times but with his Chief training, the Dragon Academy and constantly defending Berk he couldn't get away. But now he had his chance and he couldn't help grinning at the thought of it.
The council had finally calmed down and Stoick was able to continue. "We're glad you accept son, but there's something we need to address before you leave, regarding this mission...and your plan"
Hiccups grin fell. 'This must be why they're undecided' he thought before responding. "Uhh...okay, such as?"
Stoick rubbed his hands together before continuing. "You're the heir of Berk son, and you need to be protected. We'll be assigning a bodyguard to go with you" He turned to Egil and he nodded back reluctantly. "We're sending Astrid with you"
Hiccup tensed suddenly and his stern expression returned. He deeply respected the council and usually agreed with whatever they decided. But this was crossing the line, he couldn't let this happen. He breathed heavily before answering. "That's not going to happen dad" His voice was flat and cold again.
Stoick wavered for a second, he'd discovered last night that when Hiccup was like this there was no changing his mind, but he had to press on regardless. "You need to be protected son. We can't let you handle this alone, what if something happens to you?"
"I won't be alone dad, like you said Cami will be there. We've been good friends since we were five and she's one of the best fighters in the archipelago...even better than Astrid! What if I asked her to train me? She always said she wanted to...so I could defend myself against the other kids. She's small compared to other Vikings, just like I am. If anyone can teach me to fight...its her. You're also forgetting that Cami doesn't exactly like Astrid, she saw Astrid as the ringleader when the others beat me up. Cami's had my back everytime we've been together...this time won't be any different" He looked down and muttered. "Besides...do you honestly think I could work with Astrid after all she's done?" He looked his father in the eye. "Astrid needs to stay and lead the Dragon Academy while I'm gone. I can't leave it to Snotlout and the twins...it'd de a disaster! Whichever way you look at it, sending Astrid with me is a bad idea"
The council spoke quietly between themselves, attempting to find any faults with Hiccups response. They deliberated for a good ten minutes before they came to an agreement. Stoick turned back to his son and cleared his throat. "Hiccup..."
Time seemed to stand still as Hiccup crossed his fingers hopefully behind his back, silently praying to all the gods that what he'd proposed was enough to convince them.
"...on the condition Camicazi trains you...you can go"
"Thank Thor!" He sighed in exasperation. "I'll load Toothless' saddlebags tonight and leave first thing tomorrow"
"Hold on son, you'll be sailing there not flying"
"But dad the journey by sea will take a week! I can be there in a half a day riding Toothless!"
"I'm well aware of that son, let me finish. As I said the Bog Burglars have become more accepting with the dragons but these attacks have put them on edge, landing in the middle of their village on the back of a Night Fury is probably a bad idea. Also its time to renew the peace treaty between us, I'll be going with you and staying for a few days so me and Bertha can negotiate"
"Im coming too!" Gobber announced, he walked around the fireplace and stood next to Hiccup. "I want to see the lad off properly"
Hiccup smiled at his mentor and turned his attention back to his father.
Stoick nodded in agreement. He fully understood why Gobber wanted to go, his son meant so much to the old blacksmith. He looked to Spitelout and began issuing orders. "Spitelout, you're in charge while I'm gone. Sven, Bucket, Mulch you head to the docks and oversee the preparation of the ship. Egil..." He paused when he saw how downbeat his friend looked. "...Egil you stay with me, we should talk. Hiccup, do whatever you need to do, we leave in three days"
Hiccup turned to leave the Great Hall with the other members but stopped suddenly, he cast a concerned look over his shoulder to Egil and started to feel guilty.
"Come on lad..." Gobber wrapped his good arm around Hiccups shoulder. "...time to go" He said, guiding Hiccup towards the doors.
"The last thing I wanted was to hurt him Gobber"
"I know lad, but you're doing the right thing. Besides, you've got three days. I'm sure you'll get a chance to talk before you leave"
"I guess you're right..." Hiccup sighed.
Gobber flung the doors open and they were dazzled by the intense sunlight.
"HICCUP!"
"Yeah?..." He paused for a moment for his eyes to adjust to the light, when his vision returned he saw the other teens staring at him. "Hey guys, what're you doing here?" He asked innocently.
"What did they want Hiccup? Is everything okay!?...are you going to be okay?!" Fishlegs begged, gripping his shoulders and shaking him.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa Fishlegs! Everything's going to be fine!..."
"Oh thank Thor.." Fishlegs sighed with relief. "So...what did they want?"
He quickly glanced at the sun and saw it was almost noon. "I'll explain everything at the Academy, you guys meet me there in an hour..." His cold expression returned and the others shifted nervously. "...I'm going to meet Astrid" he then turned to face Gobber. "Do you mind if we use the forge?"
"Take as long as you need lad, I'll wait outside and see to it you're not disturbed"
"Thanks" he said sincerely before looking back to the others "I'll see you guys later" And with That Hiccup and Gobber left.
"I'm going to see Astrid. I said I'd go with her" Ruffnut told the others who nodded and left for the Academy. As she walked to the Hofferson home she thought about Hiccup and what he was going through. The battered breastplate, the villagers ignoring him, being called to Council and the way he tensed at just the thought of her best friend. 'Gods Astrid, I hope you're ready for this'
-
Astrid sat alone at her dining table, Egil was yet to return and Ingrid had left to see the village seamstress. She stared at the wall in front of her psyching herself up. 'I can do this. I can make things right. Hiccup will understan-' Her trail of thought was broken suddenly.
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Astrid?"
"Ruff!?" Astrid ran to the door and opened it, she immediately saw the worry in Ruffnut's eyes and her heart sank. "What's is it Ruff?"
"Hiccups on his way to the forge"
"You've seen him! How is he?!"
"Astrid..." Ruffnut looked down and shook her head. "...this is bad, this is really, really bad. I've never seen him like this" She looked Astrid in the eye. "I'm worried about him"
"I am too Ruff..." She took a deep breath and looked determined. "...but I have to try and fix this. Lets go"
As they walked to the forge Ruffnut told Astrid about everything that happened earlier with Hiccup. By the time they arrived at the entrance to the main square, most of Astrid's hope and determination had left her. She looked to the forge and saw the counter and all of the shutters were closed, Gobber and Toothless were waiting outside. She took a moment to steel herself. 'It's now or never'
"You ready for this?" Ruffnut asked nervously.
"As ready as I'll ever be" Astrid breathed and then entered the square.
The square fell silent, the villagers that had been bartering or enjoying pleasant conversation only moments ago all looked to her.