Fanfiction: How to Train Your Dragon
Title: Next Chapter in Life
Characters: [Hiccup H, Astrid H.] [Fishlegs I., Heather]
Genre: Romance, Family
Summary: Sequel to Second Chance. Two years after the death of his wife, Hiccup is still struggling to accept it as he is faced with new dangers and new challenges. Astrid is determined to help Hiccup as he feels the pressure starting to overwhelm him running the village alone. Read and Review please. Enjoy. Snowbeam12
I don't own any of the original how to train your dragon characters however Liam, Asa and Sylvia are my OCs. Remember to leave a review on what you thought. Enjoy. Snowbeam12
Next Chapter in Life
Chapter 9
"Don't bother with what ifs. They don't do nothing for you. Live in the now instead of the past. Hiccup is accepting you and welcoming you into his village and into his life. Don't waste that chance lass." Gobber stated before he hobbled off, muttering to himself about finding something to eat. Astrid couldn't help but smile slightly, knowing what Gobber said was true.
When Hiccup and Sylvia landed both settled on the edge of the cliff, watching as Vikings and dragons alike began to wake and begin their chores for the day. Sylvia leaned her head against her father's arm, clearly lost in thought. Astrid smiled before she slowly walked over to them, sitting on Hiccup's other side.
"You two looked like you were enjoying yourselves." She commented softly, playfully nudging his shoulder. He smiled slightly, nodding as he glanced over at the three dragons. Toothless, Shimmer and Moondancer were all three curled up on one of the higher rocks in the sunlight. Astrid could tell something was on his mind but didn't want to talk about his duties while trying to spend time with his daughter. He sighed, moving his arm slightly, rubbing his hand up and down her back.
"Sylvia why don't you head down to breakfast? I'm sure your grandfather would love to see you." He suggested. Once the six year old had left he finally turned his full attention to Astrid, his relaxed demeanor crumbling. Astrid could tell he was struggling, trying to take care of his village while also protecting the dragons. She knew he had a kind heart that wanted to help everyone, refusing to see the bad in someone. Asa had clearly used that against him, taking his trust and using it to get closer to the dragons and people that depended on her.
"I don't know what to do anymore Astrid. Everything was so much simpler before…before I found out I can't trust the ones I loved the most." He whispered, resting his head against her shoulder. Neither spoke another word for several moments. Astrid was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say to try and convince the young chief that everything was going to be okay.
"If being a chief was easy son, than anyone could be one. But it's not which is why the people need someone to look to when things get hard." Stoick stated, walking up behind them. Hiccup glanced at his father, raising an eyebrow confused. Astrid glanced between the father and son before she stood up, deciding to give them time to actually talk. Hiccup smiled slightly when she kissed his cheek before she walked off towards the village.
"Hiccup…I understand that we haven't always seen eye to eye and I know that that might be mostly my fault. I didn't give you the proper guidance like I should have or stood by you as the father you needed. I know it might be several years too late but I am here now. And I don't plan on every leaving." Stoick sighed, resting his hand on his shoulder. Hiccup simply looked up at him and nodded slightly, understanding his father was only trying to make him feel slightly better. Stoick sighed, turning his attention back to the village.
"I can't stay as long as I would have liked but…you know I'm just a Terrible Terror away should you need anything. Plus you have both Fishlegs and Astrid here to stand by your side." He reminded his son.
"Yeah I know. And I want to trust them but it's going to take some time." Hiccup objected before he turned and went to walk down towards the village. He couldn't help but feel slightly at ease as his father walked beside him. A small warm smile graced his lips as father and son walked side by side. When they got to the great hall Hiccup was instantly surrounded by multiple people all questioning him about what was going to be done about the hunters that had moved deeper into the forest surrounding the beach. He sighed and stood waiting for them to calm down enough to let him speak. Stoick stood back with his arms crossed, waiting to see how his son was going to handle everyone.
"Enough!" Hiccup yelled after several moments, holding up his hands. The young chief took several deep breathes, closing his eyes for a second or two.
"I will take the riders and we will make sure that they have not captured anymore dragons however, until we know a sure way to force them to leave there is not much I can do. If we attack they will retaliate and that will only get people hurt. For the time being I will assign patrols and borders to make sure they don't get any closer to the village." He stated, glancing around at everyone. Once they had been given the answer that pleased them they turned and went back to their chores. Hiccup sighed before he turned and moved to head towards the arena where he knew most of his riders would be. Stoick quickly placed his hand on his son's shoulder, stopping him.
"Those patrols can wait long enough for you to eat something. They need a chief who is healthy and not eating is only going to make you sick." he objected. Hiccup looked like he was about to object but thought better of it, letting his father steer him towards the great hall to get something to eat. When they walked in Hiccup glanced around searching for Astrid or Heather, wanting one of them to gather the riders in training, wanting to see how they were coming along. He spotted Heather standing off in the corner talking to Fishlegs, a small smile clearly evident on her face.
"Heather and Fishlegs. Who would have thought?" Astrid teasing coming up behind him. She rested her head against his shoulder, clearly not bothered by the leather of his flight suit. He glanced down at her with a smirk, raising an eyebrow.
"That is something interesting but I could see it. Fishlegs is pretty intelligent and Heather is a strong warrior, a lot like you." He admitted. He chuckled when she pulled back and punched his arm. He reached up to rub the offended spot, not taking his eyes off her. He listened to her continue on about the two Vikings as he grabbed a plate and a glass of mead. As he sat down at one of the tables he couldn't help but glance around for Toothless or Shimmer knowing neither ventured far from Sylvia in the mornings. He frowned, standing up slightly when he didn't see her anywhere.
"Calm down Hiccup. I saw her and Hunter heading towards the arena, both with their dragons in tow. Heather suggested working on their bond while they both had a break from training." Astrid explained, instantly noticing his panicked expression. She knew that he was nervous with Asa clearly leading the hunters, knowing their daughter was still young and could be manipulated by the woman that had given birth to her. She waited for him to relax and sit back down before turning back to her own plate of food. Hiccup couldn't help but glance at the painting that hung on the back wall of him and Asa shortly after their marriage. Queen Mala of the Defenders of The Wing had had it commissioned for them as a wedding gift.
"What would she think about us now…" he thought, shaking his head slightly. He had been meaning to have it taken down but he just wasn't ready to admit that his marriage had been anything more than a con. He wanted to believe that there had been some love in all those years, not just someone that was using him and his knowledge of dragons to get loser to them just so she could capture and kill them. He been learning from dragons for years, determined to prove to anyone that would listen that dragons weren't just mindless beasts.
"I know that face. What is going through that head of yours?" Astrid questioned, reaching up to poke his forehead. He chuckled, shaking his head giving her his attention.
"Come on. I have some things to do with the riders and I would like your help and opinion." He chuckled, pulling her to her feet before they walked towards the arena together. When they walked in Hiccup couldn't help but raised an eyebrow seeing the five in training dragon riders all sitting in the center of the arena. Their dragons were all dozing around them in the sunlight.
"And what is going on in here?" he questioned, amused when they all jumped. Sylvia was the first to stand up, her hands behind her back as she looked at her father.
"We were talking. And…we might have a plan." She stated. Hiccup frowned slightly, crossing his arms as he walked closer. Astrid glanced between father and daughter.
"And what would that be?" he questioned glancing between the five kids. Sylvia glanced at the others, understanding that while she was the youngest rider in training the others held a small amount of respect because she was choosing to follow in her father's footsteps. She took a small breath before stepping forward, standing in front of Hiccup.
"We want to help in any way you are willing. The hunters don't know their way around the caves and as kids it will be easier. We can get into tighter openings than most of the adult riders." Sylvia began. Hunter stood up, standing beside her knowing his chief was about to object. Hiccup didn't want to put any of them into danger.
"We understand the risks of what we are all suggesting. We knew them when we agreed to begin our training to protect our village. We want to help anyway that we can." He objected.
"Let us help. Let us be dragon riders." Opal stated, standing beside them, quickly followed by Jane and Chance. Hiccup raised an eyebrow before he sighed, nodding his head.
"When the time comes once we set up a plan I promise the five of you will have your chance." He promised, relaxing slightly as Astrid placed her hand on his shoulder again.
Remember to leave a review on what you thought. Until next chapter.
Got to see How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World and I must say that while there are a few sad moments in the movie, the ending to the trilogy that we all love was amazing. I recommend going to watch it if you have not gotten the chance.
Snowbeam12