Chapter 11
EXT. ARCTIC SKY - NIGHT (MIDNIGHT SUN)
Stoick and Gobber search over the frigid waves that lap against the pack ice.
STOICK: Boar-headed! Just like his mother! She could never stay put either.
Ali said, "So, Hiccup isn't the only one who can't stay put either."
A sad smile touched Stoick's face at the comparison, missing her stubborn nature. She had an independent mind, one that made her stand out from others in the village. How he missed it…
Hearing himself being compared to his mom felt somewhat comforting to Hiccup. For years, he'd known barely nothing about her, and any small detail was good enough for him to learn.
GOBBER: Ah, he's just twenty. And a Viking. I mean, could there be a worse combination? Ha! When I think of how stubborn and senseless YOU were back in the day... well, not much has changed, actually.
Many of the Vikings let out a small laugh in spite of themselves, amused at how casually the blacksmith could speak towards the chief without reprimand.
Stoick silently glared at Gobber, who was grinning openly at his side. Feeling the glare, the smithy turned and waggled his eyebrows playfully.
"It's true, Stoick, you gotta admit it." He whispered dramatically, and Stoick smiled despite the playful jab.
Stoick pulls up to fly next to Gobber, brow furrowed and solemn.
STOICK: You know what he's like. He won't give up, Gobber. And if Hiccup finds Drago, before we find him...
GOBBER: Bah! NOTHING can hurt Hiccup so long as that Night Fury's around. It's a Night Fury!
Toothless snorted in agreement, curling closer around his rider as if to prove his point. Hiccup grinned at the comforting gesture, snuggling closer towards the Night Fury contently.
Stoick felt more comforted knowing the truth now, that his son was in the hands of his mother and not some crazed dragon capturing murderer.
As Gobber speaks, Stoick is distracted when he notices a large shattered hole in the ice covering the water down below. Stoick squints and CIRCLES BACK, leading Skullcrusher in a DIVE toward it. Stoick SNAGS it out of the water. It's Hiccup's helmet.
Stoick's stomach sank when looking at that area again, but for a different reason. Who knew what was going through his future self's mind, especially when he hadn't witnessed what had actually happened? He didn't know it was actually his wife—knowing him, Drago seemed like the most likely suspect.
Hiccup sighed nervously, knowing his dad was clearly going to jump to the worst possible conclusion. If only he actually knew… He wasn't sure how the confrontation would turn out, but hopefully things would end for the best.
Gobber pulls alongside Stoick, a look of dread on his own face. Stoick looks ahead worriedly before he holds the helmet out for his dragon to SMELL.
STOICK: Find him, Skullcrusher. Find him.
Skullcrusher SNIFFS the helmet like a bloodhound, ROARS, and flies forward with renewed energy, Gobber close behind.
"Woah, can Hookfang track down things by smelling them too?" Snotlout asked in disbelief.
"It would be nice if Belch could do that, I lost one of my old boots yesterday. If smell is all it takes, the other boot has got that covered." Tuffnut said wistfully. Ruffnut turned to stare at Tuffnut in disgust, subconsciously scooting over further away from her brother.
"Ugh, is that what that smell was in the house?" Ruffnut snapped, face scrunched in displeasure.
"Duh." Tuffnut answered pointedly, grinning mischievously at the look of distaste in his sister's eyes.
INT. DRAGON MOUNTAIN - TUNNEL – DAWN
CLOSE ON Hiccup, flustered, winded, chasing VALKA through tightly winding corridors.
HICCUP: Hold on! Wait just a minute! Come back here!
Hiccup couldn't believe it; his mom hadn't seen him in over ten years and she couldn't even stop to talk about what's been happening back on Berk? Where was she running off to?
Valka nimbly passes over the rocky terrain, gaining a fast lead over Hiccup.
VALKA: This way. Come.
Stoick grinned at how actively Valka moved. She definitely hadn't lost her touch since she'd last been on Berk, maybe she even improved her agility! She never had the ability to stay still for long, that much he remembered.
Ali said, "Most animals take sometime adapting to new environments. Even humans can adapt to new environments. For twenty years, she stayed with the dragons, she has improved her agility, knowledge, and mind."
HICCUP: You can't just say something like that and run off! You're my mother?! I mean, what the - do you grasp how INSANE it sounds?!
"He does have a point." Snotlout pointed out thoughtfully.
Astrid had been silent for a while, eyeing the screen in disbelief. That woman was Hiccup's mother? She could definitely pick out the traits that she'd passed down onto Hiccup, but it was still hard to take in. Who knew she'd been alive all these years and was living with dragons? She couldn't tell if it was admiration or shock she was feeling, but something told her it was the former.
VALKA: Come. Quickly!
Using her staff as leverage, Valka easily scales a slightly steep incline. Hiccup tries to clamber over a tall rock, unsuccessfully.
HICCUP: I have questions! Ugh!
Hiccup flushed slightly, embarrassed that his poor climbing skills were being put on display for the entire village to see. That was definitely something personal he would've rather kept to himself.
HICCUP: Where have you been all this time? What have you been doing?
Toothless boosts him over from behind. Hiccup rolls and lands on the other side. He pulls himself up and continues to chase after Valka.
Snotlout and the twins burst into laughter, clutching at their stomachs.
"Toothless just pushed you up by the butt!" Snotlout cackled, bending over to catch his breath.
"Yes, thank you for that Snotlout." Hiccup replied dryly, fighting the blush that was growing on his face. He silently thanked the Gods that no one could see him in the darkened room to notice his reddened shade.
Astrid couldn't stop the grin from growing on his face, slightly glad that Hiccup hadn't changed much in the next few years. It was those quirks about him that made her like him the most.
HICCUP (CONT'D): They said you were dead! Everyone thinks you were eaten by...
Hiccup trails off as he enters...
INT. DRAGON MOUNTAIN - OASIS - CONTINUOUS... a stadium-sized chamber teeming with ferns, waterfalls, hot springs and THOUSANDS of new DRAGONS.
Nearly all of the dragons perked up at the scenes, eyes widened. While they had been mostly around the previous Queen's nest and Berk for many years, they could definitely recognize the Alpha's nest when they saw it. But how had one human, much less two, make their way onto such sacred grounds? It was nearly unheard of!
Fishlegs squeaked in excitement, straightening up and focusing his direct attention onto the screen. The amount of vast colors and shapes were almost mesmerizing, and he could barely memorize all of the hundreds of new species.
The crowd whispered quietly in surprise, eyes wide at the sight. Was this another dragon's nest? It was massive! And it contained so many unrecognizable dragons!
Hiccup wanders in, basking in the in the amazing sight: a dome of sweating ice capping a geothermal micro climate, filled with dragons of every shape and kind. Many of them circle around a large rock in the center of the sanctuary. A dragon swoops past close to the edge of the cliff Hiccup walks on, and he startles back slightly, face still filled with wonder.
Hiccup, to say the least, was amazed. Who knew such a place could exist? It definitely was someplace where he could see new dragons and learn about them, that was for sure.
Fishlegs would've died happy at this moment, captivated at the screen. How he wished he could go witness them in real life, to learn everything about them! Maybe he would! The thought made him absolutely giddy.
"That place looks awesome…" Tuffnut murmured without taking his eyes off the screen. The others nodded mutely, watching the scene silently as well.
Toothless glances towards something off camera, and Hiccup follows his stare. With a jerk of surprise, he spots Valka with her dragon, clinging to a basalt overhang, watching him.
Stoick felt the last of his shock from seeing the nest wear off at the sight of his wife. She definitely looked like she hardly changed over the past years. Every inch of him wished he was there with Hiccup, seeing his wife in person again.
HICCUP: This is where you've been for twenty years?
Valka nods from her perch.
HICCUP (CONT'D): … You've been rescuing them.
She nods again, this time with a smile.
Hiccup felt a sense of admiration growing for his mom, wishing he could've done what she had been doing. Rescuing dragons was something he definitely supported. Obviously she wouldn't be working with Drago if she was saving them. The thought made it feel like a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and he grinned.
Ali said, "Like I asked, I wonder that's why Valka never came back. She was probably unable to convince you that Dragons were good back then, like Hiccup did."
The realization was a small stab towards Stoick, as he realized that while she'd been rescuing dragons, he had been dead set back on Berk on killing them. His heart sank when he wondered if that was why she hadn't returned after all these years.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Unbelievable.
VALKA: You're not upset?
HICCUP: What? No. I don't know. It's a bit much to get my head around, to be frank. It's not every day you find out your mother is some kind of crazy, feral, vigilante dragon lady.
The crowd laughed lightly at the comment, knowing that was definitely something Hiccup would say. Hiccup couldn't help but join, smiling widely at the words. He couldn't find anything to describe his mom better than that.
Valka chuckles, and using her dragon's wing, lowers herself to the ground like a skilled acrobat.
VALKA: At least I'm not boring... right?
Ali said, "You know, she has a point."
HICCUP: I suppose there is that... (feeble, trailing off) ... one... specific... thing...
A dragon approaches Hiccup, sniffing curiously. Hiccup turns towards it, amazed at the mass of dragons around him.
Stoick felt an immense amount of gratitude that his son was finally able to meet his mother, even if it had been in the most unlikely of situations. He'd felt terrible for years that Hiccup had grown up without a mother, and caring for him on his own had been extremely difficult.
Ali said, "Stoick, it's simple to raise a baby solo, lots of people raised their young alone before."
VALKA: Do you like it?
HICCUP: I don't have… the words.
"I have some words! That place looks freaking awesome!" Snotlout exclaimed excitedly, reluctantly quieting down at the sharp jab Astrid directed at his side.
Even after a few minutes, seeing such a huge haven for dragons mystified Hiccup. He'd never imagine such a place could have existed, and with his mom living there at that!
Excited dragons rush up to greet Toothless. Toothless shrinks down warily, glancing around at the surrounding mob. One dragon gets too close, sniffing Toothless' behind eagerly. Toothless SNARLS in annoyance, backing away immediately. Valka laughs, staring at Toothless in wonder.
Toothless grumbled indignantly over his rider's giggles. Those dragons were too nosy for their own good.
"Come on bud, they were just curious!" Hiccup laughed. Toothless rolled his eyes, clearly not caring.
Ali quiped, "Dude, there is such a thing called 'personal space'."
VALKA: Can I?
Hiccup nods and Valka drops her staff, approaching Toothless with a hand outstretched.
VALKA: Oh he's beautiful!
She reaches out to stroke Toothless, who PURRS at her touch.
Once again, Hiccup was taken aback at how naturally his mom could befriend dragons, even ones she'd only met for a few minutes! Everything she did when approaching dragons were so… fluid and easy.
The same thought had run through Stoick's mind, as he stared in wonder at how naturally Valka conversed with other dragons. It almost seemed like she was one of them rather than a human. The idea that maybe she didn't even want to come back hurt him ten times over.
Ali said to Hiccup, "That woman stayed with dragons, since she was taken for twenty years. She became part dragon and she earned the trust of all these dragons and many more." Hiccup was amazed that his mom was now part of the dragon race.
VALKA (CONT'D): Incredible. He might very well be the last of his kind.
Hiccup's heart dropped slightly at her words, and he sighed quietly. He'd been clutching onto the thought that Night Furies existed out there somewhere, on some faraway island that hadn't been discovered. But if his mom hadn't seen any, who's to say that there were any?
Ali said, "There hasn't been any proof of extinction of Night Furies. So maybe one day that will be your biggest discovery one day."
She inspects him as Toothless rolls onto his back, nuzzling her. Valka eyes the small nubs underneath Toothless' head and she gestures towards them happily.
VALKA (CONT'D): And look, he's your age!
HICCUP: (amazed) Wow…
Hiccup perked up at the discovery, turning to stare at Toothless with a newfound fascination.
"You're my age?" He asked incredulously. Toothless purred and licked his rider's face, laughing at the grossed out expression that came after. Ali said, "Hiccup, you thought Toothless was older than you? Please, he acts like a teenager at some points, so of course he'd be the same age as you."
Wiping off the excess drool, Hiccup couldn't help but feel even closer to Toothless from the fact. All this time, he'd imagined Toothless being years, maybe decades older than him, but in the end the Night Fury was as young and reckless as he was.
"Wait, how did she know how old he was?" Tuffnut asked, eyes widened in surprise.
"She was counting the small nubs underneath Toothless' head. Very impressive." Ali said. Fishlegs' eyes brightened at the new tactic.
"Woah… do I have small flaps under my face? Can you guess my age?" Tuffnut turned towards Ruffnut, lifting his head towards her. She groaned and shoved his face away, rolling her eyes.
VALKA (CONT'D): No wonder you get along so well.
Valka emits dragon-like noises with Toothless, laughing playfully. Toothless grins, retracting his teeth in the process. Valka's eyes widen in surprise, and she reaches out to pet Toothless' tongue.
Snotlout and the twins groaned, cringing away from the screen.
"Ew, she just pet his tongue! Who does that?" Snotlout managed, face pinched with discomfort.
"Like you haven't done anything worse." Astrid countered in exasperation, crossing her arms.
"Oh, one time I didn't wash my clothes for three weeks. Does that count?" Tuffnut piped up, puffing his chest out proudly. Snotlout turned green at the comment, no longer wanting to continue the conversation.
Ali snickered at Snotlout's expense.
VALKA (CONT'D): And retractable teeth? How did you manage to—
HICCUP: -I found him in the woods. He was shot down and wounded.
She stiffens as her expression darkens.
Bringing up how he met Toothless was still a sore subject for him, especially considering the situation. Sure, it was how they first interacted, but he'd taken out Toothless' chance of flying on his own forever in the process. No matter how much Toothless showed that he didn't care anymore, it still filled his chest with guilt every time he thought about it.
She stands to stare at Hiccup before approaching some of her own dragons.
VALKA: This Snafflefang lost his leg to one of Drago Bludvist's iron traps. This Raincutter had her wing sliced by razor netting. And this poor Hobblegrunt was blinded by a tree snare... then left to die alone and scared.
Had it been months ago, Stoick would have felt no pity for those dragons, thinking that was what those beasts deserved. But now, he could only feel sorry for the victims and anger for the trappers that were responsible.
Hearing the stories of the disabled dragons only worsened Hiccup's guilt, and he wasn't sure how he would even respond to his mom afterwards. Would she associate them with one of those trappers, stealing away a crucial part of a dragon that it needed to live? The thought made him sick.
Toothless nuzzled his rider, sensing the growing distress. What he was so upset about, he wasn't so sure, but maybe he could cheer him up. Hiccup caught the gesture and smiled weakly at the dragon, reflexively reaching up to pet the Night Fury's head.
"I'm sorry Toothless… for hurting you." Hiccup said sadly, refusing to meet Toothless' eyes. The dragon would have none of that, however, and cooed firmly, laying his head in Hiccup's lap affectionately. Hiccup laughed slightly, hesitantly laying a hand on Toothless' head. Sure enough, the action did make him feel better.
Hiccup eyes the dragons guiltily, head ducked.
VALKA: (re: Toothless' tail) And what of this? Did Drago or his trappers do this, too?
HICCUP: Haha... Well, crazy thing is... I'm actually the one who shot him down.
She glares, confused.
"Awkward…" Snotlout whispered semi-loudly, more than curious to see how his mom would react to the news.
Stoick felt himself tensing subconsciously as well, realizing with a start that she had no idea how much Berk had changed since she'd disappeared. Would she take it well? Would she be angry? He had an idea of how she might take it, but so much time had passed that now, he wasn't so sure.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Hey, it's okay though. He got me back. (playfully, to Toothless) Right, bud? You couldn't save all of me, could you? You just had to make it even. So... peg leg!
Hiccup throws an arm around Toothless and dramatically raises his prosthetic leg to show clearly. Valka observes their playful rapport with amusement.
The crowd laughed at the playful jab, admiring how well Hiccup was taking his lost limb. Not many could joke about losing a leg as easily as Hiccup would have. Even Stoick let out a weak smile, amused that his son could lighten the mood with a subject like that.
"Gotta say, you don't see that quite often." Gobber whispered helpfully. He had to hand it to Hiccup for his ability to move on so quickly from something so potentially traumatizing as losing a limb and turning it into something he could joke out. That definitely hadn't been easy for him when he'd lost a hand and foot.
Toothless purred happily, turning back to nuzzle his rider reassuringly. Hiccup managed a grin, scratching Toothless under the chin.
"I guess we really are even." Hiccup said quietly, Toothless nodding in confirmation. Ali said, "Continue to spoil him like that and then it's even." Hiccup smirked as Toothless laughed.
VALKA: What did your father think of your Night Fury friend?
Hearing his wife mention him sent a burst of nervous energy shooting towards Stoick. He wondered what her opinion of him was.
HICCUP: He didn't take it all that well.
She mutters in agreement.
Stoick deflated slightly, sensing that not much might have changed. She'd been taken during a time of brutal dragon wars, a time where Vikings clearly rivaled against the creatures. All except for her, but he hadn't listened.
HICCUP (CONT'D): But then... he changed. They all did. Pretty soon everyone back home had dragons of their own.
Valka glances up, at first surprised at his words, but then later smiling back towards Toothless dismissively.
VALKA: If only it were possible.
Hiccup frowned slightly, surprised at how blatantly she denied such a possibility. Of course, he probably wouldn't have believed such a thing either, but seeing him with Toothless should be a good convincing factor.
HICCUP: No, really, I –
VALKA: - Believe me, I tried, as well. But people are not capable of change, Hiccup. Some of us... were just born different.
Screen fades to black.
Stoick slumped back in his chair, face conflicted. She didn't believe Hiccup. Did that mean she wouldn't even come back to Berk to see the truth? How he longed to show her that the village had changed, that he had changed! But for now, all he could do was put his faith in Hiccup and Toothless.
"Well, that was unexpected." Hiccup mumbled, mostly to himself. Maybe convincing his mom would be harder than he thought. Clearly they both allied with dragons, so he could use that as a starting point. And he could explain everything that had happened to prove that Berk really was one with dragons now. He grinned; his mom definitely was as stubborn as he was, even his dad. But he would show her that people really could change, even someone like his dad.
Ali said, "Hiccup, these things take time. She has been away for a while, plus she was in the time when dragons and vikings were still enemies."