I am so so sorry for not updating in seven f**king months! Blame it on life, no motivation, other fanfiction ideas that keep popping in my head, no internet, and just pure laziness. To be honest, i just gave up on this chapter.
The Forgotten Tribe
Ebony Isle
Valka had seen a lot in the twenty-one years she was gone. She had come across new islands, where they worshipped dragons as their gods. She'd been to places where dragons were considered myths. She'd seen the wonders and the horrors of the world. Valka had encountered a lot of things, but never in her wildest dreams, did she think she'd encounter such secrecy from her son.
Hiccup had explained the kind of treatment he went through when he was on Berk; and she could understand the reason for his trust issues. Valka knew the kind of doubt that lurked in the back of his mind. She didn't believe him when he said that Berk was now at peace with the dragons, stating it was impossible; but he proved her wrong.
She would always regret her decision to not return to Berk, thinking it was safer for Stoick and Hiccup. But, she would never regret the day when she met her son for the first time in twenty-one years. Valka didn't expect to be snatched from her dragons back when she ventured near a mountain surrounded in thick fog. And, she wouldn't change that day for anything.
Valka gazed around in wonder.
The village that stood before her was bustling in life. Loud chatter filled the air; people carried woven baskets filled with fresh fruit and vegetables. Children ran around chasing each other, calling out playfully in a strange language. From what Valka could tell, they were standing at the edge of the town square. The vast space was surrounded by small cottage-like huts and a thick forest of tall tropical trees and flower bushes. Wooden tables were spread around in the square with huge plates of steaming food and assorted fruit. To the side, a group of young girls and boys in colourful clothing were practicing an unfamiliar dance performance.
"What is this place, son?" Valka asked.
Hiccup and the tall woman, Celestia, stopped and turned to face them. "This is the village of Ebony Isle," said Hiccup. "Home, and safe haven, to the Forgotten Tribe."
"'Forgotten Tribe'?" Snotlout mocked. "What a dumb name. I've heard better." The woman growled at the comment, making the black-haired Viking falter. "But, i've heard worse too."
Hiccup rolled his eyes. "I know you guys have a lot of questions; they'll be answered later. Right now, Celestia and i have to go."
"Where are you going?" asked Astrid.
"I take it you've all read the invitation?" They all nodded in response. "Well, the bride, Lissy, is Celestia's sister. And, Lissy is not an official member of the tribe. So, it is required that after the couple have taken their vows, a private ceremony is to take place, so Lissy will be an official member of the tribe."
"But, wouldn't she become a part of the tribe when she married her partner?" wondered Stoick.
"In some marriage traditions, yes." answered Celestia. "But, it's different here." She turned to Hiccup. "We better hurry. We don't want to them waiting."
Hiccup nodded to Celestia and faced his attention to his friends and parents. "Listen, Celestia and I have to go. You guys stay here and help out the villagers." With that, Hiccup and the tall woman rushed away in the direction of a larger hut at the top of a small hill.
Astrid was about to call out to him; she had many questions that were left unanswered. However, she stopped herself when she felt a pull at her arm. An elderly woman; with a walking cane and wearing purple robes, was lightly tugging at her arm. The lady passed her a large bowl of steaming white grains, and another bowl that contained a thick yellow substance with potatoes, and smelled rich in spices.
The woman pointed to a large table in the middle of the town square, where a few other people were gathering around. "Inga! Inga!"
"You want me to take these over there?" Astrid asked holding the bowls.
"Inga!" the woman repeated, and tapped the back of Astrid's legs with her cane. Urging her to move.
"Ok, ok. I'm going"
The rest of the group watched in confusion as Astrid left, and as the old woman shuffled closer towards Fishlegs. She lightly took hold of his arm cuff and began to lead him away; despite his protests.
Tuffnut and Snotlout snickered as the Ingerman family member was dragged away by an old lady. However, their laughing was halted when a shadow loomed over them. The two Vikings looked up hesitantly.
A large, muscular man; covered in tattoos and holding an axe in each hand stood behind them, with an expressionless, but stern face. The man shoved an axe into Snotlout and Tuffnut's hands, before sharply pointing at a group of buff men busy swinging axes over their heads, and slamming them down on pieces of wood; chopping them into two pieces in a single swing. Both Vikings gulped at the sight.
Very soon, Hiccup's parents and friends were all pulled away by the villagers. Stoick had joined Snotlout and Tuffnut in chopping wood, Valka and Ruffnut went with a group of women who gathered fruits from gardens and trees. Astrid continued to help people out set out the table, and Fishlegs had been dragged off, by the old woman, to assist the people in cooking. The dragons had been led to a building that house large stables; apparently, these villagers were quite comfortable with dragons, despite living in an island that didn't have any. Valka wondered if her son had anything to do with that.
Valka allowed herself some time to take in the village around her. It was bustling with so much life; yet, it was so peaceful. The people on the island were so welcoming and weren't wary of them at all.
"Hello there."
Hiccup's mother turned to see a young woman standing behind her. The woman was short and and thin, her hair a dark chestnut brown; tied loosely with a purple band. Her brown eyes sparkled kindness and her thin lips sweetly smiled. She wore a baggy, olive green shirt, and a dark purple skirt. But, what caught Valka's eye was that the woman was pregnant.
The young woman held out her hand in greeting, and Valka lightly took it.
"You must be Hiccup's mother, correct?" the woman spoke with a slight accent.
"Yes," Valka replied. "And who might you be?"
The woman giggled. "My name's Marina. I'm so happy to finally meet Hiccup's family. He's told us so much about you!"
"I hope they're all good things." stated Astrid as she came up beside them.
"I assure you they were." answered Marina
"Marina!" a voice called.
"Over here, Lucas!"
A man with uneven black hair, and a short sword strapped to his waist approached.
"What have I told you about, running off?" The man exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, dear." Marina answered. "I just got excited, and wanted to meet Hiccup's friends."
"Well, can you please try not to do that. You know I can't follow you all the time to make sure you're safe."
The group of Vikings watched the two exchange conversation, but their focus was on the man, now known as Lucas. They stared at him; more precisely, the red blindfold over his eyes and the dark scars peeking out from behind it.
"You know you don't have to constantly check on me, Lucas," the couple continued to bicker.
"I just worry that something might happen"
"Nothing's going to happen, Lucas" Marina consoled. "I'm fine. the baby's fine" she leaned up to give him a peak on his lips. "Everything's fine"
The couple embraced before turning to the Vikings. They both went red when they realised they still had an audience.
"Oh my!" exclaimed Marina. "How embarrassing. Lucas, these are Hiccup's family and friends"
"Hello everyone. Pleasure to meet you." He held his hand out in greeting.
"Likewise" said Valka as she shook his hand.
"Sorry, for asking so bluntly," Astrid said. "But, are you blind?"
"why else would i wear a blindfold?" Lucas answered. "Yes, i am blind. And you're probably wondering about the scar. Well, i haven't always been blind. About seven years ago, i sacrificed my eyes to protect my loved ones."
"Does it have anything to do with those scars on your arms?" astrid asked, glancing down to the dark, ragged, lines that covered his arms. But, looking closely, she realised marina, as well as everyone else in the village was covered in the same kind of scars.
Lucas and Marina suddenly shifted uncomfortably. "Yes," Lucas answered. "But, it's not a story for a joyous occasion."
"Speaking of which," said Marina. "Here they come!"
Everyone turned to look up upon the top of a small hill where a little hut rested. In front of it stood Hiccup and Celestia, and two other people. Valka assumed that they were the bride and groom. The man was tall with long, dirty blonde, hair and a lightly freckled face. The woman next to him was slightly shorter, with short, brown, curly hair wearing a white gown.
The people of the village began to crowd around the bottom of hill as a man stepped out the hut, and stood in front of the four people. He was a large man with a long white beard and a brown coat with grey fur, and held a thick, wooden, walking cane.
"Rejoice!" the man announced. "Today, we celebrate the joining of Finn and Lissy. This is a most joyous occasion for us all. And here to witness this event with us is our good friend Hiccup and his friends and family. May the gods look down on these people and bless their future. Now, let us enjoy the festivities of this celebration!"
The village cheered as the bride and groom held hands and made their way down the hill and into the village. Upbeat, festive music began to play and dancers performed in the village square.
Hiccup walked down the hill with the large man by his side, while Celestia went a different direction into the surrounding forest. When the two stood before the group of vikings, Valka could see that this man, while his physique was intimidating, his grey eyes held a calm excitement and a gentleness.
"My friends!" the man boomed. "Welcome to our island, and may i say it is a pleasure to finally meet all of you. I am Chief Aharon, but by most i am known as 'Abba'"
"It is a pleasure to meet you too." said Stoick. "Might i ask, how you know my son?"
Abba laughed. "Ha, ha, ha! Of course! He saved our entire village from slavery from a ruthless warlord. We owe him our lives, and are forever grateful to him."
"Abba." Hiccup coughed, nudging the man lightly with his elbow.
"and what warlord would this be?" Stoick questioned.
Getting the message, Abba replied- "None of any concern, he is now gone. Please, come join the village in the celebrations."
Before anyone could protest, Hiccup and Abba, had already walked off, and the group had no choice but to follow them.
Astrid immediately went up to Hiccup's side.
The festivities went on till late in the night. A large bonfire had been lit, and endless meals were served out. A group of dancers in grass skirts and silk veils performed, what they called, the 'Fire in the wind'. A traditional dance were women fluidly mimicked the movements of flames in a breeze, while the men beat intensely and loudly on drums, was what Hiccup explained.
Hiccup had gotten up and joined in in one of the dances where they switched partners in two rotating circles. Astrid had let him introduce to some of them, and taught her the steps to a slow dance.
The dragons had reunited with their riders and idly sat by them as they too enjoyed themselves, by feasting on the piles of fish.
When the excitement calmed down and some of the people retired to their homes, Hiccup and Astrid sat by each other while Toothless curled up behind them.
"These people must mean a lot to you." Astrid stated.
"Yes, they do." Hiccup replied, as he watched his parents have a conversation with Lucas and Marina, on the other side of the square. "They're like family to me."
"Hiccup, you have family on Berk too."
"What're you getting at, Astrid?"
"I'm saying that," she gripped his arm, tightly. "your parents, your friends, me. Everyone on Berk, is your family. And yet, we hardly even know you. You don't tell us about the five years you were gone, you act distant and push people away. I'm glad, thrilled even, that we met these people. It gives us an idea of what you've been up to. But, it still raises so many questions. And, it feels like you trust these people more than you trust us. Please Hiccup, i beg of you. You've been acting really strange recently, and it's making us worried. Can you please just tell us, what's going on?"
Hiccup stared at her for a moment, before looking over the village and turning back to her.
"Astrid, please, understand me when i say this. The reason i don't tell anyone about my past is to keep you and everyone else safe. Believe me, it kills me to not say anything to you guys, but i do it for a reason. And it's to protect you."
"But, we don't need protection, Hiccup. We're Vikings, we can handle anything."
Hiccup smiled softly and gently tucked a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. "One of the things i'll always love about you is your determination. I understand your concern Astrid, but trust me when i say this; the things i have done and experienced in the past, are dangerous. I need you to trust me on this, Astrid. Until the time comes where i really need to tell you; it's best for my secrets, to stay secrets."
Astrid sighed. "I'm not going to say i like, and agree with you. But, i'll go along with it. Just remember that this isn't over."
"Of course, Milady." Hiccup chuckled. "For now, lets just enjoy the night."
Somewhere in the vast ocean
The cold, salty air bit and shaved at withered skin of sailors, who were prepping the large ship for an oncoming storm. The ship tilted side to side by the rough tides and the relentless winds carried by the brewing dark clouds overhead.
Down in the private cabin of the ship, sat a man; hunched over a table made of a strong oak wood that was overloaded with parchment scrolls and a few solid gold ornaments. With a feather quill in his hand, the man scratched down notes onto a map that lay in front of him, detailing a plan of attack.
Satisfied with his plan, and its possible outcome; the man stabbed a thin dagger into the painted island they were approaching. Pushing his chair back, he stood up and paced from one side of the room and to the other. He had been irked to find out that one of his important allies had been found murdered. Drago Bludvist, was an important asset to his whole operation, but he no longer remained; trapped within an icy tomb, along with his fleet.
A tired moan from the cabins built-in bed jerked the mans attention. He smiled darkly as he had forgotten about the boy. The same boy he broke out of Loki's Exile. He walked over to the cot, where a young man slept; his long dirty blonde hair fanned out over a pillow and a black fur cape draped over him acting as blanket. The boy claimed a stomach ale and attempted to sleep it off. The man smirked, drinking in the sight. This boy was the most crucial piece to the plan, along with their intended target. The boy would have his brother again. They would be a family again.
The man turned to look at the map sprawled out on the table, staring directly at where the dagger had been stabbed. And the words written under it:
Paradise Sanctuary
Hello Readers,
You've finally met some of the OC's. These OC's won't appear a lot, but, they are essential to the story.
I really don't want to give you guys spoilers, but in the next chapter, that's when things get a bit more serious. The veil of mystery, that's been killing you all, will start to lift.
This is a reply to 'Guest' who reviewed on my first book 'Goodbye':
I did say this is a trilogy. 'Goodbye' is the first book, and 'Shadows of the Past' is the second, there was a two year gap between them. The third book is the continuation of the second book. What happened between Hiccup and the 'Man', developed during the five years he was gone.
As for a prequel, i am planning on writing one, and it will be the whole story of what happened with Hiccup and the 'Man'. But, I won't write it until I finish this trilogy.
Now, I'm going to try and get off my lazy ass and write some more chapters, cause i want this trilogy finished.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter
Please Review.
Till Next Time =D