Behind the Mask
Chapter 3: All We Know Is Dead
Astrid
It'd been three weeks since the last dragon raid. Three. Whole. Weeks. The people of Berk had ever looked happier. Everyone seemed to walk lighter steps, breathe better air, and dream brighter dreams, everyone, including Astrid. Not only were the raids a loss of stress, but also she and Stormfly (as Astrid has dubbed her after an unfortunate incident concerning a storm in which the dragon came back rather charred) were getting along better than Astrid could have imagined. Stormfly was so... so forgiving for what Astrid had done. Astrid wished Hiccup were there, especially since there was a celebration in the Great Hall.
Astrid had never been a fan of these celebrations to begin with, but they seemed to be less of a "celebration" and more of a "strained hope" since Hiccup had left. Luckily for Astrid, tonight was born of true celebration rather than a last ditch effort to escape from the oncoming darkness. Still, Astrid felt like a duck in a nest of geese.
Astrid knew she was going to regret coming to this as soon as Snotlout walked up to her.
"Hey, babe. Aren't you glad that this," Snotlout pointed to himself, "finally chased off all of those dragons? Why don't you get me a drink to show me your appreciation?"
Astrid scrunched her nose. Snotlout's breath smelt of strong alcohol. A drink was the last thing he needed. Not that Astrid would have done so anyways.
"I'm not your babe. And the only drink you should get is some water." Astrid shoved Snotlout in the chest and decided she'd had enough of this Hel.
Inconspicuously as she could, Astrid snuck out of the Great Hall. As soon as left, she took a deep breath of the clean air. Stormfly would probably enjoy some company right about now. Having decided on it, Astrid trekked her way to the woods.
While on her path, Astrid wondered if this was how Hiccup used to feel. Frightened, yet right on top of the world. Imaginary Hiccup hadn't shown up in a while. Astrid did miss his face, but she felt so much cleaner without him. Not that she would feel that way if Hiccup were to actually show up.
Stormfly barely even let Astrid reach the bottom of the alcove before bombarding her in appreciation of her return, also (not to subtly) searching Astrid for food.
"Sorry, girl. I don't have any fish."
Stormfly snorted in disappointment, but did nothing else otherwise.
Astrid sat down a rock and shook her head. Session time.
"You know, I should be thrilled that these dragon attacks are stopping, but something doesn't feel right! That means that those dragons are no longer feeding their queen. Even if the queen really were on the move, why would she stop a large supply of food? It's not like the dragons can't track her or anything."
Suddenly, Astrid's eyes lit up. Of course! Stormfly could easily take her to the queen! It was so simple. But what if Stormfly wasn't marked? Could she be leading Stormfly into a trap?
In all honesty, Astrid didn't have to decide. For, the moment she was about to mention this idea to Stormfly, an alarm went off.
"Night Fury! Hide!"
Like Hel Astrid was going to hide.
Hiccup
Hiccup had never believed he could hate one of his own ideas more. Staring down at Berk, he could feel himself wanting to shy away at the island he called home, once upon a time. Once. He hardly even recognized the island. There were so many different buildings of different materials; many of stone, some of wood (mainly just the Great Hall), and even a few metallic structures. Hiccup could only hope that the people there had stayed the same.
Then again, maybe he didn't. If he didn't recognize the people, would it be easier for him to be reunited with them, only to once again leave? Maybe.
Hiccup sighed through his nose at the sound of an alarm. He hoped that these people didn't start attacking. Dear Odin, could this day get any worse?
He had to land. If he didn't, Hiccup would never gain the courage to return again. This was it.
Slowly and steadily, Hiccup guided Toothless into a land. Toothless seemed rather reluctant to do so, tensing and extending his teeth.
"It's going to be okay. We're going to be okay, bud," Hiccup said gently into Toothless's ear, even though he hardly believed it himself.
As soon as they hit the ground, they were surrounded. The oncoming Vikings approached with caution, axes, and blood lust in their eyes. Hiccup refrained searching for his father. Or Astrid.
Unfortunately, Astrid came to him.
"Stop!" She cried.
No, no, no, Astrid. Let me do this alone, Hiccup pleaded in his head.
"Thank you, Miss. But I can handle this," Hiccup said aloud.
Astrid turned to look at Hiccup and whispered.
"Uh, hello? You don't have to play dumb around me."
The words hit Hiccup in the gut. This was going to be so hard.
"Ah, uh... You must be Astrid. M-m-my condolences. I am so sorry for your loss."
Both Astrid and the Vikings stopped, and Stoick pushed through the crowd.
"What is the meaning of this? Who is this Beast Man?" Stoick asked.
Hiccup swallowed again. His father hadn't changed a bit, except for some gray here and there.
"I am Catnip. You must be Stoick," Hiccup said to his father, "And once again, the lady must be Astrid. I am so very sorry for your loss. Hiccup— " Hiccup paused at the strange sensation of saying his name as if it weren't his own, "Hiccup was a dear friend of mine."
A gasp went out through the crowd.
"You mean he was alive?" Asked an anonymous voice in the crowd.
The fact that his charade was paying off instilled some confidence in Hiccup.
"Yes. He was. His last wishes were for me to come to Berk and prepare you for an oncoming battle— "
"What battle?" Came another cry from the crowd.
I don't know. Maybe if you'd let me finish I could tell you! Hiccup thought to himself.
"There is a beast if a dragon making her way here. She," Hiccup once again faltered, "she killed Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the III."
And then there was silence. Funny, how such a docile thing could be so lethal.
Stoick was the first to recover... or, at least, speak up.
"Then we shall avenge my son!"
A rather loud agreement came from everyone in the crowd. Everyone, except for Astrid. Astrid just shook her head in disbelief, making Hiccup's throat close up. He wished he could tell her the truth, but it was better for everyone... right? Hiccup didn't have a whole lot of time to decide before the Vikings went charging at Toothless.
"Woh, woh, woh. Why would you do that?" Hiccup exclaimed.
"It's the dragon that killed Hiccup!" Cried out a voice, presumably Spitelout.
"No, no. That's a he. His name is Toothless. Hiccup left him for me."
"He's a dragon! Does it matter?" Called another voice.
Hiccup sighed through his nose, "Yes. Yes it does matter. That is Hiccup's dragon. That is my dragon. It is the one dragon that can save you."
Axes were held down, but Stoick walked up to Hiccup in suspicion.
"Well, Catnip, what makes you think we trust you?"
Hiccup threw back his shoulders and set his jaw, looking the man previously known his father in the eyes.
"You don't trust me and I don't trust you. But this was Hiccup's dying wish, and I will abide to it. And if you ever cared for Hiccup, so should you." There that sounded right. Scratch right, perfect.
It was a few nerve-wracking moments of staring before Stoick came up with a verdict.
"He shall be allowed to stay until we slay this beast. Then we all have free range," Stoick announced, "But you," Stock gave Hiccup a pointed look, "Will be accommodated as a foreign guest. An inn is a mile that from which you came. You will pay for your nights and food."
Hiccup simply nodded, drained. Just because he was accustomed to staying in strange lands didn't make this any easier.
This was going to be a long night.
A/N: So, this was a way shorter chapter than normal, but was still important. It could have used a few more details, but I feel for Hiccup: I'm drained too. My writing skills have been greatly degraded by my English teacher and this chapter has been going through the mill since last update.
Still, I hope you enjoyed it.
R & R
~ Sam
