Updated this chapter too.
HTTYD (C) DreamWorks
Snotlout awoke to the gentle, rumbling snores of Hookfang. Snotlout slowly pulled himself up, wincing as his old injuries, especially his mangled left leg - burned by Changewing acid years ago - flared up sending pinpoints of fire blazing through his body. Snotlout gritted his teeth, staving off the pain as he stepped outside of the small dragon stall he had slept in for the night.
His first glance around Berk in the light of day gave him a full understanding of the extent of damage done to the village. More than a third of the houses were gone, while the houses still intact had scorch marks, holes in the sides or, for those lucky enough, were unscathed.
Ruffnut's was one of the few undamaged ones, and thus her house had become almost a secondary storage for what remained of Berk's winter stores of grain and rices. Ruffnut was outside, her stocky daughter standing beside her nervously as Tuffnut chatted with Ruffnut, low enough Snotlout couldn't hear what they were saying.
Soon Eret strode from Ruffnut's house and Snotlout felt a flame of jealousy race through his heart. No matter what he said, or how hard he tried to convince himself he didn't care about Ruffnut, he saw her with Eret and it hurt. Snotlout could not fathom why she would pick Eret, who had once said that he had no idea what a "rough nut" was to Snotlout in response of Snotlout badgering him about being near Ruffnut.
Snotlout gagged in disgust as Eret gently kissed Ruffnut in the head, wrapping his arm around the blonde's waist. Snotlout turned his face away from Ruffnut and Eret, noticing a small bucket of fish he could use to wake Hookfang. Snotlout slipped back inside the stall where Hookfang was sleeping, waving a mackerel in his dragon's face, whispering quietly to his dragon, "Hookfang, I've got mackerel for you."
Hookfang's eyes snapped open at the same time as his jaws snapped over the mackerel, ripping it from Snotlout's grip. Snotlout stared at Hookfang, startled by the quick response from the Nightmare. Hookfang growled at him happily and licked Snotlout's face, causing Snotlout to groan at the dragon slobber covering his face. "You're welcome," Snotlout hissed as he rubbed his dragon's slobber of his face, making a disgusted face at the smell. Hookfang chortled, yellow eyes alight with laughter.
Shoving the rest of the bucket of fish to Hookfang, Snotlout waved a dismissive hand to Hookfang, "Eat up, Hookfang. We're leaving soon and you need your energy." Snotlout was starting to slip his armor on, which had been piled near Hookfang for the night, when he heard Hiccup's voice sound just outside the stall both he and Hookfang were in. Snotlout shushed Hookfang with a quick glance and leaned against the wall, listening as another voice, one Snotlout faintly recognized, spoke up.
"We've gathered all of the dead Hiccup. It's a total count of thirteen: Gustav Larson, Toughfist Lokson, Bucket, Brambletooth Hofferson, Sigrea Firefist, the Hafrsson Triplets, Bersi and Hosvir Knutsson, Bravelout Jorgenson, Ornn Ingerman, and Stabnut Thorston. The total count of dragons lost is a lot higher though, being determined, so far, at forty-eight. Most of the dead dragons are from Valka's force. At least a third of our residents are injured also, and may not be able to fight if another attack comes soon."
Gustav? Snotlout's heart sank as memories of Gustav as a young kid, pestering the riders on Dragon's Edge and getting in trouble constantly rushed into his mind. He was a brat, yes, but he, nor any of the others, deserved this.
"Thanks for the update Dragner. Are the boats ready?" Hiccup asked.
"Yes, Hiccup."
"Good. Get the preparations ready, we'll commit the burial in thirty minutes," Hiccup said, and Snotlout could hear the Dragner guy scamper off.
"Hiccup, what are we going to do now?" This time Snotlout recognized Fishleg's voice, and started listening intently. "With forty-eight dragons dead and thirteen of us lost, how can we muster up enough of a fighting force when the Hunters come back? Especially since almost the entire village is recovering from injuries. "
Hiccup's voice was beaten as he replied to Fishlegs. "I don't know. We need to be a lot more watchful than before. We have to send someone to find help, or we may lose for the last time."
Fishlegs' voice keened fearfully at Hiccup's response, "But who can we send out? Astrid isn't going to be going anywhere from Berk, the Twins are not going to be leaving their families. And Meatlug and I would be too slow to get us help in time."
Snotlout was tempted to step out and volunteer, but something held him back.
"I'll have to send Dragner, he's the least injured of us all and will be able to make smart decisions," Hiccup replied, though he didn't seem entirely enthusiastic about it. "If only I had protected Gustav, he wouldn't be dead. I shouldn't have left Berk, Fishlegs. I left Berk and look how many people we've lost. It's my fault."
"Hiccup, it is not your fault. Gustav and the others could have been killed even with you here. Do not blame yourself for their deaths, Gustav wouldn't want you to act like this," Fishlegs snapped, his fierce tone surprising Snotlout.
I didn't know he had it in him, to be honest. Guess Fishlegs has changed over the years too.
Hiccup sighed, "I know Fishlegs. I know. It's just… I can't help but think that if I'd been here on Berk I could have done something. But, it's over and they are gone. We need to concentrate on the important stuff. Fishlegs, I need you to tell Dragner that, after the funeral, I need to talk to him. Send him to my house."
"Of course. Shall we be getting to the funerals then?"
"Yes. Let's go."
When Fishlegs' and Hiccup's footsteps had faded from earshot, Snotlout turned to Hookfang, who looked incredulously at him. "Hookfang, come with me. I need to see something." Hookfang growled in understanding and followed Snotlout out of the stall.
Snotlout walked for a bit, weaving behind buildings and homes, when he suddenly spotted a path of boot tracks leading into the woods. Sharing a quiet look with Hookfang, Snotlout followed the tracks.
Most people saw Astrid as one of the least emotional of Berkians, but watching the bodies of her friends and neighbors burning on boats made tears trail down her cheeks. We were not prepared for the force of the Hunters' army. We'll have to be even more so now.
Hiccup and the gang, along with Dragner, were gathered beside her, their bows lowered to their sides as the thirteen boats caught fire, burning the bodies of the Berkians who had lost their lives in the battle. For those that had died with thier dragons, like Gustav and Fanghook, the boats carried both rider and dragon.
Bitterness raged through Astrid, as her mind played over and over the attack the rider on the red Nightmare had done to her. She had thought herself dead, sinking as she was with the Nightmare's talons hooked over her, but Toothless and Hiccup had come, and the Nightmare and its rider had vanished. Hiccup had pulled her and Stormfly from the water, and there had been Gustav and Fanghook providing cover. As Hiccup had flown her speedily towards Berk, she had hazily seen Fanghook and Gustav fall, flames spewing from the purplish-red Nightmare's mouth as he and his rider crashed into the ocean. She had fallen unconscious moments after seeing Gustav's fall, but she couldn't have imagined that he would have died.
Astrid was pulled from her thoughts as she felt Hiccup's hand grasp her shoulder gently. He pulled her close to him in a hug, stroking her hair comfortingly. The flames of the ships were beginning to fade into the horizon when Tuffnut suddenly spoke up.
"Uh, guys? Where did Dragner go?"
Astrid and Hiccup whipped around, scanning for the third-in-command but Dragner was nowhere to be seen.
"He was here a moment ago!" Astrid snarled, glaring at Tuffnut, who backed away from her slowly. "So where could he have gone?"
"Who knows and, frankly, who cares?" Ruffnut snarled, her arms crossing over her chest as she continued to watch the boats burn out on the ocean. "He's a grown man. He most likely decided to leave when the rest of the villagers did."
Astrid looked over at Hiccup, both sharing a wary gaze, before the two turned back to watch the burning ships float away.
Snotlout had followed the boot tracks into the deep forest, Hookfang following him closely, teeth bared tensely. Whoever had gone this way was not very good at hiding their tracks or any evidence of their path. Leaf dust was scattered everywhere, following the path of the boot tracks. Some branches from the pines above were scattered and broken, as if a large creature had been through this forest too. Snotlout looked closely at the ground, quickly spotting three long scar marks in the earth.
They were unmistakably the claw marks of a dragon walking on the ground, and a print Snotlout recognized quickly.
It's a Monstrous Nightmare track. Whoever came this way looks like they're trying to hide something.
Snotlout turned to Hookfang, signaling the dragon to get closer to him. Hookfang responded quickly, sidling up next to Snotlout, body low to the ground, ready in a striking position. Snotlout could hear the wind brushing the leaves, the soft scent of moss and earth wafting the air.
It's to quiet, these tracks are brand new, so whoever made them had to have just passed through here, Snotlout thought as he and Hookfang continued to follow the tracks until they reached the cliff edge. The tracks vanished at the edge of the cliff, causing Snotlout to glance over the cliff, looking for any sign of someone being there, but there was none. There was no rope swinging down the cliff face, or boat anywhere in sight of the water and the beach was unsoiled and without prints.
Where did they go? Snotlout stood up, shaking his head with an angry growl when Hookfang suddenly tensed, tail flicking furiously.
"Hookfang?" Snotlout asked, glancing to the trees quickly, where Hookfang was glaring. Hookfang suddenly lunged, his red tail vanishing into the trees with a deep roar. "Hookfang wait!"
Snotlout leapt forwards but before he could even reach a step forwards, something smashed into him, bowling him over. Snotlout leapt up, whipping his head around, hoping to see his attacker, when he felt a blaze of pain blast through his body. Snotlout let out a cry, stumbling sideways as he turned to meet the attack but again he was smashed away, again from his left.
They're going for my weak side, Snotlout thought as he backed up, turning so he could see with his right eye, but his attacker was nowhere. Where'd he go?
Snotlout stepped backwards again, stopping when he felt parts of the ground fall away beneath his feet. Snotlout looked down at the slowly crumbling cliff edge then back to the forest and in that moment he was hit again. This time he felt blazing pain smash into his back, and he stumbled forwards, fist clenching but there was no one.
"Come out you coward!" Snotlout roared, anger burning through his body. He hated fighting people who always hid, striking in the darkness or when their target's guard was down. He liked getting the chance to face his enemy in combat, not the enemy who hid in the shadows and struck like a snake.
Snotlout could hear Hookfang's roars in the forest, loud thuds echoing through the trees. I have to get to Hookfang, Snotlout realized, his body turning to the trees. Just as Snotlout reached the trees a flash of steel cut through the trees, Snotlout leapt backwards but was too late, the axe smashing blade first into his chest. Blood fell from Snotlout's mouth, and his legs wavered, pain clouding his vision.
Snotlout raised a hand to his chest, feeling the blade of the axe, ripping it out of his chest with a sickening squelch, and swinging it to his right. A sharp clang of steel hitting steel affirmed his suspicion that his attacker had been hoping to catch him unawares.
Snotlout turned his face to his attacker, a smirk masking the pain blistering out of his chest, his ice blue eyes narrowed into a glare. His attacker was wearing a helmet, though Snotlout could see his lips turned down and dark eyes blazing with hatred. Quickly Snotlout swung the axe out from his attacker's weapon and slashed it towards his enemy. A wild screech of rage and pain exploded from his attacker as Snotlout's axe ripped across the man's chest.
Snotlout forced out a chuckle, which seemed to irk his attacker even more, for he smashed Snotlout away from him, swinging his sword at Snotlout. Snotlout stumbled backwards, his movements slowing as more and more blood rushed down his chest and back from the two axe wounds. Snotlout's attacker kept lunging towards him, his sword smashing into Snotlout's axe with more ferocity each time.
Snotlout felt the attacker kick him in the chest forcefully, forcing Snotlout into an uncontrolled stumble backwards, his fingers slipping on the handle of his axe and dropping the axe as he fell to his knees. Snotlout heard the man approach him, and then felt the burning, blistering pain of steel being thrust through his chest. Snotlout gasped painfully, hands clutching in vain at the sword, trying, hoping, to pull it from his chest.
Suddenly Snotlout felt the sword get ripped from his chest, a sickening squelch following the removal of the sword. Blood spilled over his lips as he heard the man run away with a shrill whistle.
"Haha, you better run…" Snotlout coughed, then collapsed to the ground.
Hiccup and Toothless were racing over the ground, zipping between trees with extreme agility. Toothless zipped around a tree then abruptly halted, making Hiccup nearly fall from his saddle, if not for a knee-jerk reaction to wrap his arms around Toothless. Toothless' head was pointed towards the right, a growl rumbling through his body as he landed on the ground gently, tail flicking angrily.
"Toothless?" Hiccup said as Toothless shot him a look and shook his head with a rapid flick. Hiccup unhooked his leg from Toothless' saddle, climbing off of the Night Fury worriedly. "You okay buddy?"
Toothless growled again and suddenly bolted away into the trees, stopping at the edge of the trees to give Hiccup a growl, turning his head to the trees than to Hiccup. I guess he wants me to follow him, Hiccup thought and, with a shrug, followed the dark dragon into the trees. Toothless lead Hiccup for a ways through the trees then stopped, teeth clacking nervously while his wings and tail were hunched close to his body. Hiccup caught up to Toothless, gazing around for what was making Toothless act up so much when he spotted Hookfang, laying on burnt ground, blood seeping from numerous wounds.
"Hookfang?" Hiccup exclaimed, running up to the injured Nightmare, Toothless following close behind him. Hiccup glanced over Hookfang's body, curiosity overtaking his trepidation as he looked closer at the scars. These are Nightmare claw marks. Why would a Nightmare attack him? And if Hookfang is here where is Snotlout?
Hiccup stood up, glancing around for any evidence of Snotlout, but he saw none. All he could see was evidence of Hookfang's struggle with the other Nightmare, with trees burnt to a crisp and the earth around them scorched black from fire and torn by the large talons of both Nightmares. Hiccup turned quickly to Toothless, signaling the dragon to come to him. Toothless bounded up to Hiccup, eyes narrowing at Hookfang suspiciously.
"It's okay, Toothless. He's too injured to do anything to us. But I need a favor from you, search for Snotlout. If Hookfang is this injured, I fear Snotlout may be too," Hiccup said as he mounted onto Toothless' saddle, "We'll be back Hookfang, just hang on." Toothless jumped skywards, wings beating furiously until he shot over the treetops. Hiccup could feel Toothless draw in breaths, head moving slowly with each gathering of breath. It took only a moment until Toothless's ear plates shot upwards and the black dragon beat his wings, zipping over the treetops until the duo reached a cliff edge.
Toothless landed on the mossy earth, Hiccup dismounting without a word to Toothless. The black dragon nudged Hiccup, cooing softly as the brown-haired man walked out of the trees and into the treeless clearing.
The first thing Hiccup saw was blood. Blood pooled on the ground, turning the mossy ground slick and red. Hiccup's eyes fell on an axe, its blade soaked to the hilt in drying blood. A sword lay not to far off from the dropped axe, this with blood still soaking its blade.
Hiccup glanced around more nervously, fear blazing through his heart when he saw his cousin's body laying on the ground, his shirt in tatters with blood pooling around his body. Hiccup ran to Toothless, ripping rolls of wrap and binding from the satchel attached to Toothless' saddle.
Toothless watched Hiccup, growling questioningly at his rider.
"It's the right thing to do, Toothless. Anyways, it's Snotlout. He was our friend… once."
Once he had gathered all of the materials from his satchel, Hiccup ran to Snotlout, pulling apart the bindings with lightning speed. Hiccup pulled Snotlout's torn shirt off, throwing the blood soaked clothing to his left. His eyes widened at the numerous scars lacing over Snotlout's back, a deep, fresh gash in his back with fresh blood still seeping out of the wound
"Toothless get help now," Hiccup commanded, the fear and urgency in his voice causing Toothless to lower his ear plates fearfully. But Toothless didn't move, head whisking to the trees with a wary growl before he glanced back at Hiccup.
"I'll be fine, Toothless! Go, please!" Hiccup urged, desperation ripping into his voice as he continued to attempt to staunch Snotlout's wounds. Toothless moaned in protest, but finally bolted away, vanishing into the trees swiftly.
Hiccup turned back to Snotlout, who was just barely breathing, an eerie rattling sound escaping from his mouth each time he breathed. Hiccup pulled out a thick piece of dried hide and pressed it against the bleeding wound heavily.
Hiccup pulled a roll of wrapping from his satchel, quickly wrapping the fabric around the hide, pulling it taut against Snotlout's body. As Hiccup finished wrapping Snotlout's back wound he slowly turned his cousin onto his back, gritting his teeth sickeningly at the two deep wounds in Snotlout's chest.
Hiccup hurriedly pressed more hide against his cousin's wounds, unwrapping more and more binding from his satchel, as he tightened the wrap over Snotlout's wounds.
"Come on! Stay with me Snotlout!" Hiccup growled as he pulled the last roll of wrap over Snotlout's chest, slipping the end of the binding through a different layer of the wrap.
Hiccup sighed, turning his hands up in the soft light of day, his expression dead at the blood coating his hands. I've seen so much blood these last few days… Will it ever stop?
Time seemed to drag on, Hiccup keeping a close, tired eye on Snotlout, whose breathing seemed weaker than before, each breath more laborious than the last.
Astrid, Fishlegs, Tuff, Ruff? I need you. Exhaustion was gnawing through Hiccup and, with a tired groan, Hiccup collapsed on top of Snotlout, his eyes shuttering closed to the thrall of sleep.
"Hiccup! Hey, Hiccup!" Astrid's call sounded from above Hiccup, causing him to startle awake, flailing backwards as his eyes registered the fact that he had fallen asleep on top of his injured cousin.
His gaze whipped up to the sky, a smile cracking over his face at the sight of Astrid and the gang flying towards him.
"Astrid! Guys!" Hiccup called out, leaping to his feet as Stormfly, Meatlug and Barf and Belch landed, Toothless appearing from the trees moments later. "Snotlout and Hookfang need medical attention and fast. Astrid, you and Stormfly take Snotlout to Gothi, I have no idea how much longer he will last in his condition without proper medical care. Ruff, Tuff, Fishlegs, help Toothless and I carry Hookfang, we're taking him to Gobber."
Astrid nodded, signaling Stormfly who leapt upwards with a single flap, lowering her claws to Snotlout and, very gently, picked him up, shooting off towards the village.
Hiccup leapt onto Toothless, motioning for his friends to follow him to Hookfang. I hope we are in time. For both's sakes.
Stormfly placed Snotlout at Gothi's house gently, landing beside the injured man's body. Astrid slid off her dragon, avoiding Snotlout as she stopped at the door to Gothi's house.
"Gothi," Astrid growled, "I need your help."
It took only a few minutes for Gothi to open her door, her eyes turning up towards Astrid. Astrid turned to the side and pointed at Snotlout's prone, wheezing body.
"Help him," she said, gaze snapping away from Snotlout, revulsion and anger stoking in her heart at the thought of Snotlout being near her.
Gothi gazed at Astrid for a quiet moment then went back into her house for supplies.
He should be fine, Astrid thought, signaling Stormfly to her. Stormfly walked up and squawked at Astrid as the blonde pulled herself onto her dragon's back.
"Let's get out of here."
It hadn't taken long, barely even a day, for all of the Hooligans to learn that Snotlout was on Berk. Most were fearful and scared, wondering what the exile was doing back on Berk. Many of the villagers suspected he was working with the Hunters.
Suffice it to say, Ruffnut and the others had had no chance of peace for the last day. Everywhere they turned someone had to talk to them, be it about the Hunters, Snotlout working with the Hunters or Snotlout in general. All Ruffnut wanted was to check on Snotlout and be left alone, but that wasn't happening anytime soon.
"Hey, Ruffnut, honey? Are you okay? You seem frustrated today," Eret's tone was gentle and his touch even gentler. His eyes searched her face, worry tightening his jaw.
"I'm fine. Leave me alone," Ruffnut snapped, causing Eret to flick away from her, his expression hurt.
"Ruffnut…"
"What?"
"Can we talk in private please?" Eret asked, glancing surreptitiously around the Great Hall.
"Fine, whatever." Ruffnut followed Eret grudgingly, slightly wondering what was bothering him today.
Eret soon stopped and turned briskly to Ruffnut. "Ruffnut, tell me the truth. Is Smite really my daughter?"
Ruffnut stared at Eret, confusion flashing through her body. What? "Huh? Yeah, yes she is Eret. Why do you ask that?"
"Because I've been watching you. Ever since you, Tuffnut, Hiccup and Astrid came back from that patrol three weeks ago you've been acting weird. You shell yourself away more than usual, you even ignore your daughter, and your eyes light up every time Snotlout's name is mentioned."
"Eret? Are you okay?"
"No, Ruffnut. I am not okay. You've lied to me, your daughter, everyone. I believed you and trusted you, I thought you cared about me…" Eret stilled, his downcast eyes closing with a sigh. "Why did you ask me to marry you, Ruffnut?"
Ruffnut seemed at a loss of words, unable to even think of an answer to Eret. "I didn't mean to hurt you like this Eret. Smitelout…"
"But you did, Ruffnut. You have hurt me."
"Eret, I was so scared back then. I didn't know what to do and you were always there for me."
"You could have told me the truth in the beginning, Ruffnut. I still would have cared for you and Smitelout." Eret looked up at her, eyes begging her for his overdue explanation. Ruffnut sighed miserably, rubbing her palms into her eyes.
"Snotlout and I were very close before he was exiled, we always had been even as kids. But that… Well, there was something more between us. I loved him and he, I. I only realized that I was pregnant after Snotlout was exiled. He was the only person I had been with, so I know Smitelout is his daughter.
"I knew I couldn't have my daughter with no bonds to anyone so I figured that you were the best for the job. I care deeply for you Eret, I even love you, but I can't shake him from my mind. My heart was ripped open three weeks ago when I saw Snotlout again. I thought he had died in exile but he didn't…"
Eret stood stock still, face expressionless for a few minutes, then slowly a smile tugged at his face, "I understand Ruffnut. I do. I cared deeply for someone but I gave that up for you when you asked me to live with you. I want to keep Smitelout safe and if that means keeping this secret, I will. I love that rascal so much. I'll stay for her."
Ruffnut clasped her arms around Eret in a tight hug. "Thank you. Thank you."
"Of course, Ruffnut."
Moonlight reflected over the water, its light glistening on the wings of the rapidly approaching Grapple Grounder. Her rider sat motionless in her saddle, eyes scanning for any possible threats near by.
Lavaheart pulled up with a deep growl, wings flapping just enough to keep her form hovering in the air. Brynhildur popped her helmet visor up, a frown curling the edges of her mouth at the sight of Berk, wrecked and charred. Brynhildur nudged Lavaheart downwards with her heels, the Grapple Grounder lazily spiraling down to Berk. As the dragon touched down on the crumbly earth of Berk, Brynhildur glanced around, her nerves spiking uncontrollably. She did not like being on Berk without Snotlout, as she felt uncomfortable in a place surrounded by dragon riders. She had really only ever lived on her own, so being on a crowded island was not something she was used to.
She waited hours for Snotlout to show, but he never did, leaving a sense of dread in the pit of her stomach.
I'm here Snotlout, so where are you?
Thank you for reading.
