In Order To Survive
Rated; M for Mature
Pairing;Hiccup X Vera[OC]
Disclaimer;I do not own How To Train Your Dragon, movies or books. Everything belongs to Dreamworks or Cressida Cowell
The Kingdom Of Denmark
=Normal POV=
[Thursday, 11/9/2017-4 pm]
[Archipelago; Isle of Berk]
The Vikings took some time to figure things out in the Great Hall while Brynjar, Ander, Colden, and Matthias were working together to figure out transportation methods and the overall plan to bring the Viking Islands into the modern world. Hiccup stayed with Toothless, just patrolling around Berk and trying to get his head together about all this. Hiccup wanted to go home; he wanted to be with his wife and family again. Hiccup had no idea how the Vikings were going to live in Denmark, or who was going to teach them the way of things. Hiccup had Henrik, but he's been retired from the military since January 2013.
"Gods, how am I gonna deal with this, Toothless?" Hiccup sighed heavily. The Night Fury warbled sadly at him, knowing Hiccup was bothered by everything happening.
[Night Fury. Calling Night Fury. How copy? Over.]
Hiccup got the radio off his belt and held it up while pressing the button. [First of all, I can see you from where I am; you could have signaled me down. Secondly, 5 out of 5. Over.]
[Oh. Well, we're ready for you. Kongur said to get down here. Over.]
Hiccup sighed a bit. [I'm coming. Night Fury, over and out.] Hiccup clipped the radio to his belt and directed Toothless back to the ground. Hiccup carefully got off Toothless and stood beside his dragon while facing the Chieftains, and several others. Hiccup was the talk of the village, and he expected that. A lot of people had questions, and Hiccup had no time or patience to deal with that situation. "You summoned me, Major Kongur," Hiccup turned in Colden's direction, offering a salute.
"You're kind of running this operation, Sergeant. We need you to communicate with them," Colden informed.
"Of course you do," Hiccup sighed as he looked at the Vikings now. "Final headcount. Who is venturing beyond the border of the Archipelago?" he asked Stoick.
"14 of us, son," Stoick replied.
"Who is going? There are 16 islands, and one Chieftain per Tribe. So, one per island then?" Hiccup inquired now.
"Not everyone is going, laddie. The other islands aren't prepared to send themselves or Heirs out beyond the Archipelago. It's Berk, Dragon Hunter, and Berserker. I guess we're going and reporting back, and they'll accept help from whoever is coming on your side," Gobber stated.
"I won't leave the island, but I'm sending both of my Heirs; Dagur and Heather," Oswald from Berserker Island stated.
"My brother, niece and I are going," Viggo of the Dragon Hunters interjected.
Hiccup eyed them, waiting for the rest. "Berk has several," Gobber put his finger up. "Me, Stoick, Astrid, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Valda, and Halvor,"
"Why do 9 of you need to come?" Hiccup stared, clearly unamused.
"We're part of the next generating of Vikings; it makes sense we go and see what world we have to be part of," Snotlout remarked with a snort.
"And who are Halvor and Valda?" Hiccup asked. Suddenly, two 4-year-olds were seen poking their heads out from behind Stoick's legs. "No. I'm not taking children with us,"
"Hiccup, they have to come with me," Stoick began.
"Why?" Hiccup pushed.
"Because…They're my kids," Stoick finally said after a moment of silence. Hiccup didn't say anything; he stood there trying to process the information.
"I'm sorry…It could be lack of sleep or my stress level sky-rocketing…But what the hell did you just say?" Hiccup asked quickly.
"They are my children, Hiccup. The girl is Valda, and the boy, Halvor; they are your brother and sister…" Stoick explained.
Hiccup said nothing as he stared in disbelief almost. "They…Can't be more than 4 or 5…I'm…nearing 22 when the frig did you have them? And why did you have two more kids?! You were 45 when I left Berk!"
"That's why I had them, son…You were my Heir, but then you left. And after a year of searching and finding nothing…The fear was that you had died. I needed an Heir to the Tribe…The choice was Snotlout, or have another child. And I ended up with twins…They were born 4 winters ago during on the 11th day in Morsugar…" Stoick enlightened.
"Morsugar…That's…January 11th, 2013…Oh, Odin above help me…Where is their mother?" Hiccup asked, forgetting he wasn't speaking in Norse anymore.
"It was a contracted arrangement; she's not in their lives anymore," Stoick informed.
Hiccup facepalmed hard and groaned. "Fine…I can't very well expect you to abandon them here…At least you're a father to them," Hiccup mumbled almost, but Stoick heard it, and he felt guilty because he knew he wasn't a good father to Hiccup.
"I'll stay back and watch the Tribe, Viggo. Take Vera; I don't want her on Dragon Hunter if there's another attack," stated the man next to Viggo.
"You know, I can hear you. I speak both languages…" Hiccup mumbled. "If you've chosen to stay back, then we're at 13," he looked at Colden. "Final number, 13," he said.
"I'll see what we've got coming. But we're here overnight…" Colden informed as Hiccup froze.
"WHY?!" Hiccup exclaimed.
"Reinforcements and readiness crews aren't coming until tomorrow morning; there's a storm holding them back. It's only one night, Sergeant," Matthias stated.
"Says the guy who hasn't spent 8 years putting his past behind him," Hiccup remarked coldly. "Ugh…I'm sleeping on the ship," he prepared to leave with Toothless.
"Sergeant Haddock, enough. You know we need you here to translate, you're the only one who can until the others arrive…" Colden sighed heavily. "Just think on the bright side, we don't have to spend another 5 months on tour," he tried to lighten the mood.
"I would rather be in Afghanistan doing a 16-hour guard or patrol, even in a firefight than be here right now…" Hiccup admitted with his arms folded over his chest.
"Oh, stop it. Come on; we're going home early! Don't you wanna see everyone again?" Brynjar asked. "Your wife will be thrilled you're home early,"
Hiccup smiled a little. "Yeah, guess that's true," he nodded.
Stoick blinked. "Wife? You're married?"
"Yeah. Have been for almost 2 years in two months," Hiccup shrugged.
"Th-That's great, son. I'm happy for you. I-I hope I can meet her," Stoick hoped.
"I hope you don't think that this alliance we'll call it is an open invitation to try and get back into my life, and know that once this is done; I'm not coming back to Berk," Hiccup said firmly as Stoick tensed a little. "I befriended a Night Fury; I ran away from the Tribe. I'm not a Viking, and I've long put it behind me that I never will be. My brother or sister can take over the Hooligans. It's the same thing I've told everyone else; you didn't need me 8 years ago, and you don't need me now as it's very clear you had no problem replacing me. I'm only here because I have to be…Not because I want to be. I never wanted to come back, and once this is over…You won't see me again, Stoick," he walked away from them and stood with a few of the other soldiers.
"I'm sure…He didn't mean it, Stoick…" Gobber told him.
"No, Gobber…He did. And I can't blame him either. I pushed him off on you as a child; I scolded him countless time for mistakes he may not have made if I'd been the father he needed me to be…I let the Tribe talk ill of him….I know I messed up, and that's just what I have to live with. At least I get to see him for a little while, and I know he's alive and well," Stoick looked down.
"It's getting dark," Brynjar mentioned.
"We should set up camp," Colden said.
"You guys go back to the ship and sleep there; I'll stay on the island and guard it with Toothless," Hiccup stated.
"A-Are you sure that's what you want to do?" Colden asked. "You should have some backup…"
"I'll be fine; it's not like I can sleep anyway. Go on; I got the radio, and if there's a problem, you won't miss Toothless's signal," Hiccup snapped his fingers. Toothless raised his head and fired a blast into the sky. When it exploded, there were circular waves of purple that started small and expanded. Not arguing, Hiccup connected hands with his 5 teammates for Strike Unit; then he watched the soldiers disappear to the docks and sail to the ship past the markers.
"S-So we're leaving tomorrow?" Vera asked; she had brown hair and dark brown eyes.
"That's the plan," Hiccup replied.
"Do we need to bring anything?" Fishlegs asked.
"No. Just yourselves and no weapons either. You won't need them where we're going," Hiccup informed. "Don't you have dinner to eat or something?"
"Are you hungry?" Gobber asked. "We can bring you something out,"
"No thanks. I don't eat while I'm on patrol or guard," Hiccup stated as he leaned against Toothless with his knees up and gun laid across his lap.
"We-Well, if you need anything-," Stoick started.
"I won't be asking any of you," Hiccup retorted. "Trust me; I don't need anything from you. I've made it just fine without your help. As it's always been; you worry about you and your Tribe. I'll continue to do my own thing and take care of myself," he turned his head from them with an annoyed look in his eyes. Stoick bit back, but he motioned for the others to just walk away. Hiccup laid his head back and closed his eyes. I just want to go home…I just want to go home. He thought.
. . .
[Friday, 11/10/2017-5 am]
Hiccup didn't sleep at all, not that he could because he was on island patrol all night with Toothless. The Vikings passed by and watch Hiccup never leave his place or shift much; it was the most focused anyone had ever seen him. A raid had started at 4:45 am, but Hiccup and Toothless dealt with it before anyone could raise a weapon. Now, Colden was coming up to Hiccup as a lot more began to happen.
"Good morning, Sergeant Haddock," Colden greeted. Hiccup got up and saluted him. "Quiet night?"
"Aye, sir," Hiccup nodded.
"You'll be pleased to know that the other teams have arrived. Headquarters sent us a Brigade to split up among the 16 islands; I made sure everyone knew where they were going so you wouldn't have as much to do. There are soldiers to fight and defend, teach, and help get things modernized," Colden informed.
"Thank the Gods," Hiccup sighed in relief. "When are we leaving?"
"Half an hour. They sent us seaplane as there are no runways here; you'll fly with them and your unit; we'll be meeting you back in Denmark with the second plane; you guys are going ahead while we stay back and make sure things are situated here," Colden stated.
"Understood," Hiccup replied respectfully.
"Good, now go round them up," Colden told him.
"Sir, yes sir!" Hiccup saluted to him. "THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE COMING WITH ME, FRONT AND CENTER, PLEASE!" he yelled out.
"Not quite what I had in mind, but I'll take it," Colden laughed a little. A group of 13 made their way in front of Hiccup.
"Right. Now, I'm sure you've noticed the major changes since last night. Our soldiers have arrived and already been spread out among the islands. There is one translator who will do what I do now, talking in both languages to make communication easier. You have nothing to worry about; all your islands and Tribes are in good hands. Next…We're leaving shortly; I'll kindly ask that you don't freak out and just do as you're told. I'll explain things as they come up," Hiccup called to the 13 before him.
"We're ready," Astrid crossed her arms over her chest.
"Yeah…You say that now," Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"Hiccup…Don't be that way. I remember 8 years ago where a 14-year-old Viking boy crash landed with his dragon and knew nothing of the world beyond the Archipelago," Colden chuckled a little. Hiccup whipped around and faced him.
"Wait a goddamn second…Can you understand me when I talk in Norse?!" Hiccup yelled angrily. Colden froze and laughed nervously. "You can! Why the fuck have I been translating when you could do it!?"
"I, uh…Wanted to make you feel useful in this operation…" Colden shrugged.
"You son of a bitch! You knew I wanted no part of this!" Hiccup glared as he clenched his fists, but never punched; he shoved past Colden, knocking him down but Hiccup didn't stop.
"Major, are you okay?" Brynjar asked quickly.
"Yeah…I probably deserved that…" Colden got himself back up.
"What was all that about?" Matthias asked.
"My attempt to get Hiccup to calm down a little and be less hostile with the Vikings backfired," Colden informed. "It's alright. I won't hold it against him," he added as Hiccup was standing on the docks with Toothless.
. . .
[5:45 am]
Hiccup never left the dock; he was pissed, and it showed clear as day too. Finally, they saw something flying in and land on the water, skidding up to the dock.
"What in the name of-," Gobber asked.
"Okay, a simple way of putting it. This is a big, metal object that can fly. Think of it as a metal bird; it's called a Seaplane, and it's going to take us to the Kingdom of Denmark which is a 4-5 hour ride Southwest of here over the ocean," Hiccup stated.
"Wouldn't metal just fall out of the sky?" Heather said quickly.
"Technically yes, but I promise this is safe. I'll give you a full, detailed explanation later; just get in the damn plane!" Hiccup motioned to it as the door opened and the small staircase was brought out. Slowly, 13 Vikings filed in slowly and cautiously, not sure how to take in the newness of it all. Hiccup came in last and saw them standing around. "Find a seat and sit," he told them. Everyone picked a spot and Hiccup stood at the front holding something in his hands. "Alright, this is called a seat belt; you'll find two sides on each side of your seat. You're going to take both ends and connect them like this," he instructed.
Most everyone got it, but Vera Grimborn; the niece of Chief Viggo, did not. Hiccup moved back and grabbed the two pieces, securing it for her. "Thank you," Hiccup nodded while checking up and down the aisle to make sure everyone had it set. If they didn't, Hiccup corrected it.
"All good in here, Hic?" Brynjar asked.
"Ready for take off," Hiccup gave a thumbs up. Brynjar nodded as he connected hands with Hiccup and smiled before they hugged.
"See ya in Denmark!" Brynjar informed over the sounds of the seaplane engines started up.
"Looking forward to it! Tell Toothless to fly home!" Hiccup called back as Brynjar nodded and closed the door; then flipped the latch to lock it.
"This is your captain speaking. As we proceed to take off, please remember to keep your seatbelts fastened until we've reached cruising altitude. Once the light has been turned off, you're free to move about the cabin. We know you have many choices in your traveling needs; we thank you for picking Sealand Air," a voice announced.
"It's all good; the people flying the plane have to do it. Just sit back and try to relax; take off is easy. We're gonna pick up speed along the water and gradually lift off into the air. You may feel a little shaking and force as we lift, but it's okay. You have nothing to worry about, trust me," Hiccup assured them as he flipped down the seat in the front that faced all of them and secured his belt.
"All passengers secured and ready for taking off, Sergeant Haddock?"
"All clear!" Hiccup replied. "Let's get moving,"
"Sir, yes sir!" the male voice said. Soon, the plane began moving as Hiccup watched everyone get a little nervous, but did nothing more. When the plan began to lift, Hiccup saw some of them grip their seats more.
"Here we go," Hiccup told them. It was like this for a good 15-20 minutes, but the plane leveled, and it was a smooth flight. "See, told you there was nothing to worry about," he stated as the light went off and he unbuckled himself. "Now, we just sit back for the next couple of hours until landing,"
. . .
[11:20 am]
[Katsrup, Denmark-Copenhagen Airport]
Hiccup actually fell asleep after the first forty-five minutes of being level in the air. However, upon reaching Denmark; the announcement to return to their seats for the descent woke him up.
"Alright, landing is a bit rougher. Re-buckle your seatbelts and stay relaxed," Hiccup informed.
"How on Midgard did you sleep through all that?" Fishlegs asked. "It's terrifying,"
"One; this is not my first time flying. Second; I didn't sleep last night," Hiccup stated. "You get used to it after a while," he added. The plane began to lower as the Vikings looked outside the windows to see everything different. "Taking it in?"
"You've been here for 8 years?" Astrid inquired.
"Pretty amazing, huh?" Hiccup smiled.
"You seem like you're in a much better mood," Dagur stated.
"I'm home," Hiccup looked out the window. Nobody said anything else as the plane hit the runway and jerked a bit, but it came to a slow stop. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Denmark," he stated.