Chapter 10:

Told you I'd be back soon. Now for Mortem's revelation to the entire village!

The entire village was gathered at the academy, under Stoick's command. Hiccup had told him that he had wanted to show everyone something important. Stoick didn't know what it was, but he was sure that it was as important as it sounded.

Everyone was waiting for the revelation, and no one was getting more impatient than Stoick. Mortem was in the cage, but due to the shadows, it was difficult to see what was in there. Many impatient Vikings tried to catch a glimpse of what was in the cage, but they couldn't see what was in there. Mortem thanked his lucky stars that no one could see him yet. The Vikings gathered around the arena were reminding him of the big mean Vikings from his dream.

Hiccup was at the entrance, hiding in the shadows like Mortem was. He was worried about how the Vikings would react once the saw Mortem, mostly how his dad would react. Toothless was standing next to Hiccup, his attention also on the other Vikings. He remembered what had happened the last time Hiccup had walked into the arena at a time like this. The two friends turned their attention to Mortem, who was giving them a nervous look.

Hiccup sighed and turned his attention to Toothless. "Toothless," he said, "Stick with our plan, okay? Don't leave my side, and make sure that nobody hurts Mortem." Toothless nodded obediently. Hiccup smiled, he was happy that he could rely on a friend like Toothless.

"Be careful out there with Mortem," said a voice from behind them.

Hiccup didn't have to turn and look to know that the voice was Astrid. His smile faded as she said that. "It's not just Mortem that I'm worried about," he admitted as he looked into the crowd of Vikings, finding Stoick standing among them. Toothless warbled sadly, understanding what Hiccup had meant.

"I understand what you meant by loving Mortem like he's your own son," Astrid said.

Hiccup turned his attention back to her as she said this. "Are you starting to feel that way about him?" he asked.

Astrid smiled. "He's a good dragon," she said. "Now's our chance to show everyone that."

Hiccup gave her a small smile in return. His smile then faded. "Astrid," he said, "If something goes wrong, help us make sure they don't hurt Mortem."

Astrid's smile faded as he said that. She began to remember the first time that he had asked her to help him if something went wrong. "I will," she said. "Just promise me that you'll be careful."

Hiccup knew he couldn't promise that. All he could say was, "I'll try." Without further hesitation, he walked out into the arena, with Toothless right behind him.

The Vikings stopped talking the minute they saw Hiccup. Stoick watched carefully as his son made his way toward the cage the creature was in. Hiccup turned to Toothless to make sure he hadn't left his side. Hiccup took a deep breath and pulled on the lever that would open Mortem's cage. The door to the cage slowly opened, and everyone leaned in to get a better look at what was inside.

Mortem had never been more nervous in his entire life (Despite that it had only been a few weeks since he hatched). The Vikings were all leaning in to get a good look at him. He was scared. How would they treat him? Did they know that he was a good dragon? "Come on, Mortem," Hiccup said gently, "It's okay." Hearing his 'father's' voice, Mortem began to move out of the tight space he was in. Hiccup held out his hand to Mortem, beckoning him to come closer. Mortem remembered how much he loved having Hiccup rub his nose, and continued to emerge out of the shadows.

Many of the Vikings gasped as they saw what was making its way out into the open. Stoick turned to Gobber, who was standing next to him. "Gobber," he said, "Is that what I think it is?" Gobber shrugged.

Astrid watched from the entrance as Hiccup led Mortem into the open. Mortem growled nervously. "It's okay," Hiccup said, "Everything is alright, Mortem." Mortem calmed down at the sound of Hiccup's voice. A few of the Vikings were actually amazed that Hiccup had trained such a dragon. But many of them were still worried about what would become of the new Red Death. And unfortunately for Hiccup, Stoick was one of them. "Put that thing back in its cage!" he said.

"NO!" Hiccup yelled for everyone to hear. "You have to listen to me." He slowly advanced on Mortem, his hand held out. "He is not like his mother was," he said, his eyes focusing on Mortem as he spoke. "He won't hurt any of us. He's a good dragon." As he said the last sentence, his hand came to rest on Mortem's nose. Quite a few of the Vikings gasped, either in amazement or in horror.

Hiccup turned to see Astrid watching them. He gestured for her to come into the arena. Astrid didn't hesitate. As she neared them, Hiccup gently grabbed her wrist and guided her hand onto Mortem's nose. The couple ignored the gasps of the onlooking Vikings, and just continued to pet Mortem.

Just then, they heard Stoick's voice. "What is that thing?" They both turned to see Stoick standing behind them. He had left his place above the arena and he wanted to talk to them, Hiccup especially.

Hiccup sighed and lifted his hand off of Mortem's nose. "Dad, it's not what you think..." he began.

"Do you have any idea what that is, Hiccup?" Stoick asked.

"Dad, please," Hiccup pleaded, "You have to give me a chance to explain..."

"Is that what you've been doing all this time?!" Stoick shouted. Hiccup fell silent. Stoick pointed to Astrid. "And why is she involved in this?" he asked. Astrid was about to explain that she had said that she'd help Hiccup, but Hiccup cut her off. "Dad, please, this isn't her fault, it was my idea. If there's anyone getting in trouble here, it's me."

Stoick let out a frustrated sigh.

Hiccup didn't let that stop him from continuing. "Dad, listen, Mortem is not a bad dragon..."

"You NAMED it?!" Stoick shouted angrily.

"Yes, I named him!" Hiccup shot back.

His face red with rage, Stoick pointed to his son's prosthetic. "Look at what that thing's mother did to you, Hiccup!"

"Mortem is not like his mother!" Hiccup argued.

"How do you know?" Stoick asked.

"Because I just do!" Hiccup said. He was very nearly on the verge of exploding.

"How?!" Stoick asked again.

"BECAUSE HE THINKS THAT WE'RE HIS PARENTS!" Hiccup finally shouted.

Silence fell over the whole area.

Stoick gave his son an angry look. "What do you mean it thinks that you're its parents?" he asked.

Hiccup sighed. Now he really had some explaining to do. "Astrid and I found his egg on Dragon Island, and it hatched. I was the first thing that he saw after he hatched, and he imprinted on me. He followed me back to Berk, and I thought that I could train him. I couldn't do it alone, so Astrid's been helping me. I know, I never should have hidden Mortem for so long, but I didn't know how I was going to tell you."

Stoick shook his head. "I don't care what happened then, I want that thing off of the island," he said and pointed to Mortem.

Hiccup hesitated slightly, but he didn't show it. He stood firm, looking his father in the eye and stating clearly and confidently, "No."

Stoick stared at his son. "What?" he asked.

"Mortem is not a bad dragon," Hiccup said. "You just have to give us a chance to prove it!"

Stoick shook his head and sighed. "You have one week to change my mind," he warned. "And if that dragon does anything that threatens us, that will be the last thing he will ever do."

Stoick then turned and walked away. "EVERYONE IS DISMISSED!" he yelled to the rest of the Vikings. All of the Vikings turned to leave without any complaints.

Hiccup's heart slowly sank down to his stomach. What was once filled with hope was quickly replaced by fear and worry. Mortem wasn't a bad dragon, and that was the honest truth. How come he and Astrid were the only ones who could see that?

The day passed by slowly for Hiccup. He was too depressed to leave the academy. At sundown, he was still sitting in the same place he had been since that painful discussion with Stoick. Astrid, Toothless, Stormfly, and Mortem watched as Hiccup sat there. "He's been like that all day," Astrid said sadly, mostly to herself rather than the dragons. Sighing, she walked over to Hiccup to talk to him.

Hiccup barely paid any attention to Astrid until she was standing right above him. She nudged him gently to get his attention. He looked up to meet her gaze. "You know you can't stay there forever," Astrid said.

Hiccup shrugged. "When do you think I should move?" he asked, with a hint of indifference.

Astrid's only answer was, "Eventually."

There was an awkward silence before Astrid reached her hand out to help Hiccup stand up. Hiccup looked at her hand, and started to reach out for it. But then he stopped, realizing what Astrid wanted. He looked up at her and found himself lost in her beautiful blue eyes. Without hesitation, he took her hand, and she helped him to his feet. Well, foot and a half.

They refused to let go of the other's hand as they stared into each other's eyes. Hiccup suddenly took Astrid in his arms and hugged her tightly. Astrid hugged him back gently. "I'm sorry, Astrid," Hiccup said, "If I had known how everyone would react when they saw Mortem, then we wouldn't have..."

Astrid shushed him. "It's not your fault, Hiccup," she said, "You didn't know how they would view him. You can't blame yourself for everything, you know."

Hiccup hugged her tighter, with no intention of letting go.

Astrid gently pulled out of the embrace, her blue eyes meeting his green ones. "I know that we'll find some way for it to work out," she said, "Just try not to be so worried. You didn't do anything wrong."

Hiccup gave her a small smile. "You know, you're actually starting to sound like me," he said.

Astrid smiled back at him as she recalled everything that had been occurring over the past few weeks. Everything he said to her during their little chats in between their meetings with Mortem. Everything she felt when he touched, held, or kissed her cheek, and even just him looking at her and saying her name.

She felt that the whole time. Maybe even longer, but she didn't know for sure what it was. But now, she did know. She was sure now.

The look on Hiccup's face preceded his question. A look of hesitation and fear, but adoration and hope. It was like he was putting his life on the line by asking this one simple thing, "Do you love me?"

He was sure she'd punch him for asking that.

But she didn't.

"Yes," Astrid answered, her cheeks tinged pink with a light blush. "I love you."

Hiccup's heart was so full, he could hardly speak. Instead, he leaned in, and Astrid met him halfway. Their lips were barely touching at first and for a moment, he wondered if he was imagining it. But then she leaned in a bit more, and Hiccup couldn't deny how pleasant it felt. It wasn't like their first kiss at all, except for the small bits of love and compassion hidden within the meaning.

They pulled away, their foreheads leaning against each other.

"I'm sorry it took so long," Astrid whispered. "But I had to know for sure how I felt. You deserved to hear the truth, not just me returning the favor."

Hiccup just smiled and pecked her cheek. "I'd wait forever, if I had to."

The couple stayed there for who knows how long, oblivious to the watchful eyes of the three dragons who held importance in their lives.

What do you think? Will they be able to prove that Mortem is a good dragon? Stay tuned, and in the meantime, leave a review!