Disclaimer: I do not own "How to Train Your Dragon." The Original Characters belong to me.
xInsertCreativeUsernamex: I've thought about it, but unfortunately haven't had the time. Maybe now, since I'm off to college, I will start to get my work out there.
P.S. If Eret had a son, maybe he'd be called Eret III. That's what I think at least.
In order to understand a dragon, one must first take the time to learn of its ways. From that it can be realized that a dragon is separate in behavior from a human being because they cannot betray. That is what makes humans a truly formidable opponent.
— from "Dragon Manuel" by Bork
The faint air of dusk settled gently on the old stone walls of the Great Hall. The light of torches drew dark silhouettes of men that stood beneath; making them dance in bobbing motions.
They stood waiting, obeying strict orders to remain silent. They stood as solemn as statues and in immaculate form, knowing that their Chief would rebuke them if out of line. And he would always inspect them thoroughly.
Ivarr stood in the doorway, the low sun casting his shadow long and large into the great room. He waited there for a moment, taking great care in casting a stern glance at each and every one of his soldiers.
He sent an exceptionally harder glance at a man with long black, flowing hair, and eyes of deep turquoise. He stood seemingly taller than the others. Hiccup noted this as a display of significance.
"Olin," Ivarr greeted him, "I assume you've brought my maps."
"Yes, sir." He said quickly, voice betraying nervousness.
"Very good." He grabbed the rolled up paper from his hand and walked over to the table.
Hiccup, who was behind him, could help but grin at the scene. His father was not kidding when he said that this tribe was comprised of disciplined warriors that feared their leader. He then began to question himself and the methods he used as Chief. Was he being too relaxed? These men look like they would die before they lost a single strand of hair to the enemy.
He was snapped from his thoughts when Chief Ivarr faced him, a forced patient expression, glued on his features. "Well…" he said.
Hiccup nodded and proceeded slowly to the head of the table.
He stood there watching Ivarr at the other end, then glanced to his own men to his right, Ivarr's to his left. He allowed a moment of peace to enter his mind as he saw the figures of his mother and his two friends in doorway. At least they're here for me.
He then returned to reality, drawing in a signaling breath, then he began, "We all know why we're here. And since the situation has become increasingly more serious, I think I'd be best to solve the minor problems first."
Ivarr cleared his throat, "Agreed. We shall pursue the assailants on their own island at once."
What? Hiccup thought. We did not agree on this! He glared at the Chief, knowing that if he testified against him, he would only look weak and uninformed in the eyes of not only Ivarr's men, but his own.
Since this was obviously an attempt to make him look weak, he decided to throw it subtly back at him. If this is how it's gonna be... "We will go in first, while you all keep watch for Drago." Let's see how he likes his pride attacked!
Ivarr seemed to notice, the wrinkles on the corners of his mouth stretching in an attempt to hold his anger. He knew what Hiccup was doing and he was not about to give up. "I think it would be better for us to go in first, but he is adamant on the Berkians being a meat shied."
Hiccup took no offense in the false remark, knowing that it was a lie anyhow. He just smiled—a smile that he knew would deny Ivarr the satisfactory of winning.
The aging man gritted his teeth, but hid it well. "All right then, if there's nothing else let's go."
Hiccup nodded before he realized what this meant. Only after, when he approached his mother and saw the look on her face, did he realize.
We're dead.
"Son…" she began, "Do you know what you've done?"
He nodded grimly, "I've probably killed us."
His mother blinked in surprise. Had he lost his wits? How could he have let his pride control him like that?
She questioned, "Why?"
"Because I can't let him beat me." He said desperately.
"But by caving to his level, you are!" Why can't he see this? Is there too much of his father in him?
"No I'm not." He denied.
"Yes you are! Look, the sensible thing to do is to go speak to him. Tell him that you don't like the strategy and that you wish to change it."
He sighed, "Must I?"
"Yes." She said sternly.
He sighed, "Fine!" He pouted, looking dreadfully toward the group as he quickened his pace to catch up.
"Chief Ivarr," He called.
The man ceased his movements, turned to face him. "Yes?"
"I don't like the approach; I think it'd be best if we both go in. That way we'll have a better chance." He did not think that saying that could be so painful.
His brow arched in amusement, "Oh, so are you saying that you were wrong?"
He sighed: Why must this be so hard? He thought, then swallowing his pride he nodded, "I am."
He let an intrigued laugh come from his nostrils, his shoulders hopping as he did so. "Very well then." He abruptly turned and walked off with his men.
Hiccup stood there shaking his head, felt the comforting hand of his mother on his shoulder. He looked into her warm eyes. "Thank you." She said, "I know that it's hard but it was the right thing to do."
"I'm not interested in your sympathy." He said coldly.
She withdrew the hand in shock. "Hiccup—"
"No mom. Just, please stop. Every step I take, you're there to tell me how it will go, as if I can't make the decision myself."
"Son..." She said breathlessly.
"Dad always did this to me, and just because he's gone and you've come back doesn't mean you can!" his tone was sharp and full of metal.
She stood back in shocked silence, unable to find the words to speak.
Taking his gaze from her heartbroken eyes he abruptly snapped around and stormed off on Toothless. The dragon's eyes drooped low as he looked back at the mother, still standing in shock. Then as he looked back to his rider, he noticed something strange—there were tears in his eyes.
They flew on, following the Monstrous Nightmare into the depths of the night; they passed tiny islands in the black, velvet sea, Hiccup taking a moment to admire its beauty.
"It's not too much further!" Snotlout informed.
Hiccup responded in a nod, avoiding his gaze from his Astrid, who rode by his side. She had been in the distance and had heard the entire argument. She felt sympathy for him, but after hearing his argument, knew better than to show it. She decided that the best course was to remain silent.
"We're here." Snotlout declared, then in the sharp motion, then descended to the ominous shattered island.
They landed on the stony shore which was conveniently illuminated by the silver moon. This was it. Shell Island: Land of the Outcasts. Only there were none in sight. It was not until they were a few meters in that they realized something was not right.
It was too quiet. Usually the sound of crickets singing and dragon's humming filled the air, but here it was dead silent.
Hiccup felt the hair on his neck stand up as his dragon tensed and drew near to guard. He looked around cautiously, catching sight of frantic head movements of Astrid and the monolithic low figure of Ivarr. He moved like a feline; stiff and agile; eyes trained on the noises around him. Hiccup could see how he would be a deadly opponent in battle.
His dragon was stationed low as well; prepared to strike.
Something sharp stung the back of his neck. He contorted his face and pulled it out. It was a dart. He felt fatigue wash over him and he fell to his knees. Toothless screeched at him in worried fear.
He caught him just before he fell to his face. Hiccup going limp and vision waving red. He saw men standing behind him, only they had been there all along.
The Storm Tribe! He solved. They have betrayed us! But confusion struck him when he saw the limp body of Ivarr and his dragon lying just before them.
He was able to catch sight of a man with a scarred chin and long black, flowing hair standing over him, before he was enveloped by the wings of the Night Fury.
The dragon held his rider tightly to him, protecting him from all harm. He did not know what was happening to his friend, but he was going to protect him no matter.
The dragon whined at him with large eyes, trying to assure him that he is safe and that they will not get to him. Body limp in the dragon's firm grasp, he heard muffled voices above him.
"Wait for the sedative to take effect. We'll get to him then."
After some time, he heard the screeching of his dragon, light flooding his eyes as his wings were forced opened.
Helpless, he felt hands grab him and pull him from the Night Fury's limp grasp. The last thing he saw was the terrified look on Toothless's face as he cried out for him, then everything went black.
Author's Note: Sorry this chapter was short, but it's an interlude to the next chapter, which will be up very soon.