August 16th 1936
Hiccup was currently on the phone to his father to give him his weekly report on the situation in Britain.
"Winston is gaining ground, I think many people in the parliament are coming to his way of thinking," said Hiccup.
Stoick smiled. "That's excellent news, son. Do you plan on making our public support to Winston any time soon?"
"I say that we should wait until Parliament actually publicly agrees of rearmament," Hiccup advised. "If Britain follows that France will surely would follow suit, especially with our support. With any lager great show of force might cause Hitler to rethink his plans."
"You don't sound entirely confident," Stoick noted.
"Ragnar has informed me that Hitler is not the most rational man in the world," said Hiccup gravely. "He may end up going to war either way, I suppose the only question is whether we'll be ready for it."
"I don't like the prospect any more than you do, son, but with Hitler on the rise everyone must become aware," said Stoick strongly. "Changing the subject, how are things with his Majesty."
"Still fighting his government, he's made it abundantly clear that he wishes to marry Wallis Simpson," said Hiccup gravely. "Naturally the government is saying that he can't, but he's just ignoring them. Something is going to break, I've it's going to parliament or the Crown. A situation like this hasn't appeared since Charles I we all know how that ended up."
"Surely you're not suggesting another's civil wars erupt in England," said Stoick looking startled.
"I doubt it, unlike King Charles, the king does not have as much influence most of the bow comes from Parliament now," said Hiccup. "The problem is that he is extremely popular and the people might not take it well. Plus if he does relinquish the throne it will automatically go to his brother, the Duke of York."
"Who's very reluctant to do so," Stoick sighed.
"I've arranged a meeting with him a few days, I'm hoping to point out that he's probably the best thing for this country," said Hiccup. "I might be able to get through to him, I mean we do share one thing. The two of us are very reluctant to take the throne."
"True, but you have no choice as well," Stoick reminded.
Hiccup sighed. "I know. Speaking of Berk has there been any more information on the attack?"
"We are now extremely positive that Drago was behind it and he has no doubt got support from the Nazis, it is enough for us to go to war, but—"
"We can't unless we have the support of either Britain or France," Hiccup finished. "Isn't there anything you can do?"
"Were tracking down as many of the terrorists we can, but without concrete proof we can't target Drago. I have got the Navy surrounding the outskirts of his island and I blurting any traffic, but we suspect that he has sympathisers on other islands."
"So the Nazis can transport material goods to them right under your nose," Hiccup concluded. "Drago could also be taking the same leaf out of Hitler book and assembling different components of equipment in different factories and then putting them all together on his island."
"How much support as they have?" Hiccup asked.
"We believe that he might have enough support to gain a seat in the Council, he's made many alliances including with the Grimborn family."
Hiccup's eyes widened. "The Grimborns? Are you sure?"
"Yes, unfortunately," said Stoick gravely. "I'll be waiting for your next report next week, good luck son."
Hiccup sighed and placed the phone down and rubbed his forehead. "And I thought things were bad over here."
"What was that about the Grimborn?" Fishlegs asked. Fishlegs was sitting on the other side of his desk taking notes and he looked deeply troubled from that conversation he had with his father. "It sounded bad."
"Drago seems to have the Grimborns on his side now," said Hiccup.
"No," Fishlegs gasped in horror. "They're one of the richest families in the archipelago almost as much as your family."
"Yeah, it's bad and I think I need some air," said Hiccup as he rose to his feet. "Alone if you don't mind."
"Sure," Fishlegs nodded.
Hiccup made his way to the embassy's gardens in order to get some fresh air, being in England was certainly different than being in the Isles. For one thing the weather was much warmer, though the weather was a bit more chaotic. Sometimes it was nice and sunny other times it was pouring down with rain and sometimes they had powerful winds."
Hiccup was strolling through the garden when he suddenly came face-to-face with Astrid.
"Astrid? W-What are you doing here?" Hiccup asked.
"I like coming out here, it clears my head," she said.
"Mine too."
She recognised that tone and raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
"I just got some bad news back home, the Grimborns are now supporting Drago."
"That is bad," Astrid groaned. "Does anyone else know?"
"I imagine Ragnar does, but the only person I've mentioned this too is Fishlegs," said Hiccup as he sat down on a bench.
Astrid sat down next to him. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
"There's not much to talk about," Hiccup sighed. "We know what we have to do, we just need to focus on that."
"The way that things are going Parliament, it does seem that people are becoming aware of the Nazi threat," said Astrid positively. "When I was travelling on the London Underground I heard a few people discussing it and I think some of them served in the Great War."
"The war that would end all wars," Hiccup scoffed. "We know nothing but war, it's the only way we can make lasting changes across the world."
"That is a bit unfair, Hiccup," said Astrid.
Hiccup looked at her. "You know it's true. The American War of Independence. The Napoleonic Wars. The American Civil War and last but not least the Great War. I could name a few others that have lasting repercussions across the world, I mean we ourselves had been at war with the Unification War."
Astrid looked at him and placed a hand on top of his. "Hiccup, I know that it might seem hopeless, but I'm sure one day all these walls will become a thing of the past. I'm not saying there won't be some form of conflicts in between, but you have to have hope in humanity."
Hiccup looked at Astrid's eyes and smiled. "Thanks Astrid."
August 19th 1936
Hiccup was now in the Duke of York's estate and the Duke's wife, Elizabeth, was going over a few things with him.
"You must be patient with my husband, he feels very insensitive about his stutter," she explained.
"I understand that he's improved greatly thanks to his therapist," Hiccup asked. "What was his name? Lionel Logue?"
"Mr Logue has improved his condition immeasurably, but whenever he's nervous he still stutters," Elizabeth explained. "So I would ask you to be very patient with him."
"Of course," Hiccup nodded.
Hiccup then entered the study and found the Duke was already in there waiting and it was clear that he was nervous judging from his awkward expression. Hiccup had to admit that he was very different from his older brother, he didn't have the same swagger and certainly lacked his confidence.
"Your Grace," Hiccup bowed respectfully.
"A-A-Ambassador, would you p-please take a seat," the Duke started.
Hiccup nodded and soon the two of them sat down and there was a bit of awkward silence between the two of them.
"S-s-so, h-h-how do you find England s-so far?" the Duke asked.
"It certainly much warmer than Berk, on a cold night we have to wear about three layers just to keep warm," Hiccup smiled.
"S-seems d-d-rea… Inconvenient," he stuttered.
"It can be, but it's home and I wouldn't trade it for anything," Hiccup smiled. "I'm sure you feel the same way."
"A-am-m… most definitely."
Hiccup was feeling even more awkward than the Duke. "I'm sure that you've been informed about your brother and his intentions."
"T-that he wants to marry th-that awful woman," he stuttered. "I-I-I've tried to p-p-persuade him not to, I-I mean you can't have a country without a king."
Hiccup looked at him. "With all due respect your Grace, this country does have a future King."
"I-I-I'm not suitable to be King."
Hiccup smiled. "Saying that you're not is perfect evidence that you are. Besides are you saying that your brother is more suitable?"
"N-No of course not."
Hiccup sighed and looked at him. "If your brother does go through with this, there is a large chance that he will be forced to abdicate and you must take the reins. If you don't then unfortunately it will go down to your daughter, Elizabeth. Do you really want 10 year old daughter to sit on the throne?"
"Y-you, don't mince words your Highness," said the Duke is now looking more uneasy than ever.
Hiccup smiled. "I get it for my father, let's say he was a bit hard on me when I grew up."
"M-Mine too."
"I know that he was a very hard father, but even though he didn't show it he clearly loved you," said Hiccup looking at the Duke. "He just had a funny way of showing it."
"A v-v-very funny way," the Duke smiled.
"Your Grace I should also inform you that my country is also concerned with his Majesty," said Hiccup honestly. "It's not about the marriage itself, rather than the person that he wants to marry. We're concerned where he would stand when war starts with Germany."
The Duke looked up. "S-s-surely you're not c-c-convinced with Winston Churchill's v-v-views on the matter?"
"Your cabinet might disagree, but we of Berk see the big picture and it is not a very favourable outlook," said Hiccup gravely. "The Nazis are supporting the Spanish Naturalists in their Civil War and we believe that they had something to do with the terror attack at the Academy back home. Surely you have heard the rumours about Wallis Simpson and if their true then we have a major problem on our hands."
The Duke looked very troubled by this, but he said nothing.
December 10th 1936
Things had certainly turned for the worse, Edward VIII had been given a final ultimatum by Prime Minister Baldwin. Either he gave up marriage or the entire government would be forced to resign, he was only left with one other option and that was to abdicate and that is what he chose.
Hiccup and the others in the embassy listening to the wireless as they heard Edward VIII broadcasting from Buckingham Palace.
"At long last, I am able to say a few words of my own," said the voice of his Majesty on the wireless. "I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak. A few hours ago, I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have succeeded for my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart.
You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne, but you must believe me when I tell you that I find it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibilities and to discharge my duties as King, as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love. And I want you to know, this decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country, and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the Empire."
Astrid shook her head. "Can't believe this is happened."
"We all knew that it would happen," Ragnar pointed out.
"Yeah, but we had no way to know that Winston would support him for his marriage," said Fishlegs in disbelief. "With that one announcement he has ruined everything that he has achieved over the past few years, we're now back to square one."
It was true, just a few days ago Winston had declared his support for his Majesty, even though everyone in the Commons agreed that the application must take place. He merely said that his Majesty had every right to marry the woman he loved, despite his own reservations.
"So what are we going to do?" Snotlout asked.
Hiccup was currently on the phone to his father, informing him of the situation in England.
"This is very troubling," said his father. "There is a good idea of yours to put as much distance as you could between us and Winston."
"I have great respect for the man, but his support has just damaged our entire campaign," said Hiccup. "He has ruined his reputation and most of his supporters now believe that he's just stirring up trouble. I suppose the only upside that the new king won't support Hitler in any form, he's the kind of man that Hitler hates. Unfortunately, the people prefer his brother I don't know how they would feel with their new king."
"Do you think it would help if you openly supported the King?" Stoick asked.
"That is what I'm intending to do, have already arranged an interview with the BBC on this," Hiccup informed him. "As regarding to rearmament, I think there's going to be a massive delay. I can only hope that we have enough time to make people realise the threat."
Stoick nodded. "Then I wish you the best of luck, son. It sounds as if you're going to need it."
Hiccup then placed the phone down and sat back in his chair.
"This had to happen," he groaned.
"I'm already writing a speech for you for the interview tomorrow," said Fishlegs as he typed away on a typewriter. "I just hope that you have enough time to read through it."
"Do you think it's wise book in an interview so early without time to read your speech?" Astrid questioned.
"We need to get on top of this and quickly, if not it will just give people the chance to rebel," said Hiccup.
"But what about rearming Britain?" Snotlout asked folding his arms. "Isn't that our main objective not to support some stutterly King?"
"That stutterly King is the King of England," Hiccup reminded. "If we support him it proves that we are on England side and gives us a much better opportunity to convince the government to rearm."
"It is a good diplomatic move, but the current government isn't going to listen," Astrid sighed. "Germany is still rearming and Britain is looking to make friends with them. Not to mention France's military is an utter shambles."
"If we can get written to rearm and then France will follow and we can even assist them," said Hiccup. "We just have to do all this without putting too much pressure on Germany or else they might just invade anyway."
"That's not going to be easy," said Ragnar. "Latest reports suggest that the construction of concentration camps are almost complete. The Germans are basically saying that there moving the Jews to safe locations, I think we all know what is really going on in Germany."
"What is going on?" Ruffnut asked.
"Don't know, but sounds important," said Tuffnut.
"It's not just Jews either," Ragnar continued ignoring the two of them. "Gypsies, communists and any other undesirable. I think that Hitler took it pretty hard that an African-American managed to win four gold medals in the Olympics."
Snotlout smiled. "Jesse Owens really gave them a good kick up the backside. I only wish that I could have done better in the Olympics, but I'm satisfied that Hitler was utterly humiliated. I mean, he wanted to prove to everyone that his people with the master race and instead it showed how weak they are."
"Actually according to Alberts Speer, he says, and I quote, 'People whose antecedents came from the jungle were primitive, Hitler said with a shrug; their physiques were stronger than those of civilized whites and hence should be excluded from future games,'" said Ragnar.
"Who is Alberts Speer?" Hiccup asked looking up.
"A Nazi as you might expect and is a skilled architect, not to mention a member of Hitler's inner circle," Ragnar explained.
