As Long As We're Together
Fourteen
=Hiccup's POV=
(Monday, September 19-Afternoon)
(Berk; The Great Hall)
There was no point beating around the bush when I arrived at Berk with Natalie and the boys. Toothless was hidden in the cove; I dropped him off first before pulling up to the docks. I knew everyone else had arrived, so this was going to be interesting. I went ahead with the guard, and let him go in to announce my return first. Natalie stayed back on the ship to coax the children into coming and not being scared because this was going to be home from now on. As soon as Norbert started with me; I let him know not to mess with my family, or I'd end him. It was cold of me, but I didn't care. I didn't need my father to protect my family; it was nice of him, but if I was going to come back after four years and probably end up as Chief soon; I needed to stand on my two feet and let everyone know what was up, and that messing with my family was not acceptable.
Upon reaching the Great Hall and making myself known; I knew it was going to be an emotional reunion for dad and me. Natalie came, and I decided to tell everyone the summarized story of the last four years right then because it was pointless to wait any longer. The other situation that would come out was me befriending a Night Fury, and stopping the raids. I couldn't let the Chieftains go; it was a death sentence. The only way to beat Red Death was with dragon power, and I'm the only person with a dragon. At the moment, the hall is silent; taking in the story Natalie and I provided. I left out the parts that didn't need to be said, such as having communication with Berk by Terrible Terror for the six or seven months after leaving and coming to visit on Toothless.
I'd probably leave that fact out, and I'd already covered for my dad about knowing we ran away. I couldn't let him take the fall for it. I know he told us to leave, but I know he was worried that Norbert would turn on him. However, Natalie jumped in saying it was her idea. It didn't matter how it all happened; we were back now, and here to stay.
"Well, after hearing everything…Added on to what we discussed right before they came; seems we were right. But this is between Norbert and Stoick…" Mogadon shrugged and was first to speak.
"Yeah, I agree with him," Magnus replied.
"Seems fine to me," Henrik added.
"I made my stance clear," Stoick moved next to his son, hugging him again. "I'm glad you're home, son,"
"Me too, Dad," I smiled. "I've missed you,"
"Same here, Hiccup," Stoick put a hand on his shoulder. "You've done well for yourself and your family. I'm immensely proud of you for stepping up and taking responsibility for your actions. In your position; I would have done the very same," he smiled. After that, he brought Natalie over and hugged her as well. "And I'm overjoyed to have a daughter in law and three grandsons!" he laughed.
"So we're all just okay with this?" Norbert asked, his brow twitching with irritation.
"Why wouldn't we be?" Dagur looked at the Hysteria Chief now.
"They broke laws!" Norbert huffed.
"And what can we possibly do about it now, Norbert?" Alvin inquired.
"They are married with three kids," Eret the First reminded. "This isn't a big deal,"
"If it were four years ago, yeah; we could act on it, but not now," Erland shrugged. "Both of them are over eighteen, married, with kids. Hiccup is back on Berk, alive; he's the Heir as long as Stoick accepts him as such,"
"I already stated that I'd be okay with things," Stoick told Norbert. "My son's happiness means more to me than anything else, so if this is what makes him happy; I won't stop it,"
"But they-," Nortbert began.
"They ran away to protect their family!" Stoick glared at the man. "I won't hear another word about it, Norbert. I've already told you that had I known four years ago; I'd have told them to leave as well. You just admitted to me before they arrived that had you known; you also wouldn't have been able to go through with the traditions for the situation they were in,"
"Yeah, we all heard that," UG said.
"Now…" Stoick started again firmly. "Hiccup and Natalie are back, and assumingly; here to stay…Correct, son?"
"Yes," I replied.
"My daughter comes home with me," Norbert growled out.
"My wife stays on Berk with me," I retorted. "A woman is only the responsibility and property of her parents until she is married; then it becomes the job of her husband, and that is me,"
"I never approved of this wedding!" Norbert argued.
"You didn't need to. Those laws are only binding within Archipelago boundaries. Natalie and I lived outside the Archipelago for four years, as runaways. We were legally married by another leader to a Tribe outside the Archipelago, and over the age eighteen. We did not need your consent, Chief Norbert," I informed firmly.
"He's not wrong," Madguts said. "So can we get on with this meeting?"
"There isn't much to discuss," Alvin said. "We're mostly in agreement to search for the nest together,"
"We never make it past Helheim's Gate," Gunnar reminded.
"We turn back before we end up without a way to get back," Elvar stated.
"That's why we should go together, transfer ships as needs and continue moving through," Eret the First said now.
"Seems foolish," Magnus remarked. "We know the outcome. All this will be is another failed attempt,"
"We ain't getting that place unless we're dragons," Dagur scoffed. "I agree that it's pointless,"
"Well, we have to do something. These raids are out of control, worse than before…" Mogadon interjected.
"I don't suppose any of you have tried not to fight the dragons?" I spoke up now.
"We have no choice," Norbert huffed.
=Normal POV=
"There is always a choice, and you're the ones who make it. You choose to fight," Hiccup said, sitting back with his arms crossed over his chest.
"What other choice do we have?" Heather asked. "Since you know so much,"
"Maybe not fighting? Being nice? The opposite of what you're doing now," Hiccup shrugged.
"They'll kill us," Viggo informed.
"Do you know that for a fact?" Hiccup asked. "Or is it just an assumption?"
"They attack us!" Madguts argued.
"And do they do that as soon as they come in, or is it perhaps because you're waving your sword around like a raving lunatic?" Hiccup inquired calmly. "Because I can tell you right now that if I showed up and someone threatened me with a weapon; I'd probably get mad and defend myself too. As a matter of fact; that's what I did today when Norbert threatened me…I fought back,"
"What are you getting at?" Thuggory said.
"I'm saying that maybe if you stopped using your weapons, they'd be less hostile," Hiccup shrugged. "I lived outside the Archipelago for four years on an island filled with dragons. Natalie and I were fine, so were the boys; we never had a problem. Some of the dragons were even…Friendly,"
"He's telling the truth," Natalie nodded.
"I'd love to see you prove that dragons won't attack us if given a chance," Norbert challenged, clearly upset about things from before.
"I can prove it," Hiccup remarked coldly. "How about I show you with…Oh, let's go with the rarest, most dangerous dragon known to man? The one that is known as the unholy offspring and lightning and death itself. The dragon we're warned never to engage, only hide and pray it doesn't find you. Would that serve as enough proof?"
"If you can prove that a Night Fury wouldn't attack the first chance it got; I'll listen to anything you have to say," Madguts laughed, so did the other Chieftains.
"Very well," Hiccup sighed as he sighed and stood up. "Open the hall doors," two Vikings did this. Hiccup brought his middle and thumb fingers to his mouth and gave a semi-long whistle. There was silence at first, and then a roar.
"NIGHT FURY!" someone outside yelled. Moments later, entering the Great Hall was the fabled Night Fury. The Hooligan's gasped, acting shocked or scared, but knew previously that Toothless wouldn't do anything to hurt them. The Chieftains and Heirs shifted away, not convinced.
"You might want to take notes," Natalie smiled.
Toothless stared Hiccup down a moment. "Hey, bud," he greeted. Toothless gave a gummy grin before tackling Hiccup down and licking his face several times. Hiccup laughed. "Toothless! You know that doesn't wash out!" Toothless backed up as Hiccup got up.
"Toothy!" Garth, Vigrid, and Sigurd cheered as they rushed towards the Night Fury, giggling. Toothless laid down and let the kids pet him, and then climb on his back.
"I await your rebuttal," Hiccup leaned against the post of the Great Hall, looking at the Chieftains with a cocky smile. "A Night Fury; calm, content, friendly,"
"How…Did you do this?" Mogadon asked.
"Well, if you want honesty…I met this dragon when I was fifteen," Hiccup shrugged. "I shot him down with my bola launcher, and the landing tore off his left tail fin. I earned his trust, and then made a flying rig. Toothless, as I call him because he has retractable teeth, can't fly without me working the rig. My left foot controls the pedal that open, closes, and moves the fake tail's positioning,"
"You ride this dragon?" Dagur blinked.
"I do. He's been with us on Dragon's Edge the past four years. And I was hiding him in the cove below Raven Point here before that. Toothless is my best friend," Hiccup smiled.
"Hiccup's point is that if a Night Fury can be this way, despite the legends, then all dragons can," Natalie remarked. "Hiccup can get any dragon to act this way,"
"Then this doesn't count; you…Did this years ago. I want to see it with a wild dragon if you expect me to believe they can be…This way," Norbert said.
"For the love of Thor…" Stoick dragged his hand down his face. "Norbert, for Odin's sake; this is a Night Fury! What more could you ask for?!"
"I said what I wanted. If Hiccup can truly bring out such a side with these beasts; then I want to see it with a dragon he didn't…Train to listen to him when he was fifteen! This hardly counts because that dragon relies on Hiccup for survival; it can't fly without him," Norbert argued.
"As impressive as this is…I'm afraid I have to agree with Norbert on the matter. This dragon was trained years ago; we didn't see it happen," Alvin said. "I'd like to see it done with a wild one…"
"I'm afraid that's impossible. In all the time since I discovered that dragons could be docile, and all my flights on Toothless; we've never found another Night Fury. I'm convinced he's the last of his kind…" Hiccup stated.
"How about a Nightmare then? They're known for being exceptionally aggressive," Dagur suggested. Suddenly, Toothless's head snapped up, and he started to growl.
"See; it's getting mad!" Madguts pointed out.
"No…That was a warning that something is coming this way," Hiccup stated. "Boys, go stand with your mother,"
"Yes, Daddy," Garth, Vigrid, and Sigurd replied, getting off Toothless and rushing over to Natalie.
"What's going on, babe?" Natalie inquired.
"Not sure yet," Hiccup responded. "Let's check it out, bud," Toothless warbled, turning as Hiccup threw his leg over the saddle, positioning his feet and using the left to open the tail. "Sky," Hiccup stated as Toothless darted out of the hall and launched into the air. Instantly, Hiccup was able to see the problem; a raid. "Dad!"
Stoick rushed out. "Yes, son?"
"Dragon raid!" someone shouted. Everyone rushed outside, watching.
"Odin above, that's got to be over fifty, maybe even sixty…" Fishlegs panicked. Hiccup landed Toothless next to his father.
"What do we do, Hiccup?" Stoick whispered.
"It's your call. I can stop this now, or you can attempt battling it out for the next few hours," Hiccup offered.
"They wanted to see you in action…Show them," Stoick informed.
"Got it," Hiccup nodded.
"Weapons up, let's-," Madguts started.
"No! No, weapons down!" Hiccup said quickly.
"Hiccup! Are you sure you can handle this?!" Stoick called.
"I'll be fine," Hiccup nodded.
"Stoick, are you mad!" Norbert yelled. "He'll get himself killed!"
"Unlike you, Norbert…I have faith in my son…" Stoick rolled his eyes. Hiccup got off Toothless's back; standing beside him.
"What do you say, pal? Like old times?" Hiccup asked as Toothless gave a croon. Hiccup and Toothless both took in a breath of air; Hiccup cupped his hands over his mouth as the two of them let out a massive roar together. The dragons seemed to stop, then turn and fly off. Hiccup coughed a few times as Toothless nuzzled against his face. "Good work, Toothless," Hiccup rubbed the top of his head.
"I have no comment to what I just watched," Mogadon stated.
"Same," Henrik, Elvar, and Magnus agreed.
"I told you; there is always a choice. And there is always another way to handle things," Hiccup repeated.
"Well, I'm not convinced this would change anything," Norbert remarked. "It's clear you have some tricks, but that doesn't prove anyone could do it with any dragon,"
"I secretly think you're this difficult because you hate that I married your daughter and we had three kids, then casually returned," Hiccup rolled his eyes. There was a thud and growling. "Huh?"
"Hiccup…" Natalie said nervously. Hiccup quickly looked her way to find her face to face with a white Night Fury that had silver eyes.
"Oh, my Gods…He's not the only one…" Hiccup breathed out, eyes widen. Natalie kept the kids behind her as they cowered. The dragon growled more as Natalie tensed. "Admire later, Hiccup," he told himself as he went to get closer and the dragon's attention snapped to him. Hiccup stopped and remained still. "It's alright…I'm not going to hurt you," Hiccup eased closer. The area was silent, watching; it was kind of interesting and fun to do as no one saw Hiccup bond with Toothless.
The white Night Fury growled more, narrowing its eyes and snapped at him. Toothless growled lowly, standing beside Hiccup and raising his tail to block Hiccup, protecting him. The dragons stared at one another, as Toothless was giving the warning for this other dragon to back off. "Hiccup, I think this one is a female…" Natalie mentioned.
"Yeah, I think you're right," Hiccup nodded. "I also don't believe she's a Night Fury…She'd be black, like Toothless…Her body is slimmer, different types of features. If I had to take a guess; she's a subspecies of Night Fury…Meaning they come from the same family, but still different,"
"We should call her a Light Fury because she's white…" Natalie smiled. "We can add it to the Dragon Manual,"
"Yeah…I'm thinking now isn't the best time to study a new dragon, Milady…" Hiccup informed. "It's okay, Toothless…I got it," Toothless backed off, but still stared intently, ready to jump in if necessary. Hiccup took a deep breath as he grabbed a fish that was on the ground from a container that spilled over during the raid. Hiccup stepped closer, offering it to the Light Fury. "Here you go…" he said. The Light Fury sniffed the fish a few times, then backed up growling at him.
Hiccup understood as he removed his weapons, tossing them in a small pile away from him. The Light Fury eyed him suspiciously, but drew closer and opened her mouth, snatching the fish from him. Hiccup pulled back his hands quickly to avoid being bitten. The Light Fury swallowed the fish down in two bites, licking her lips. The female dragon inched closer to Hiccup as he held firm; she headbutted him, making Hiccup fall on his rear and looking up. "Are we friends now?" Hiccup asked.
The Light Fury lifted her head, spitting up the bottom half of the fish into his lap. "Ew…" a few people said.
"Oh…You're gonna make me do the thing…Aren't you…?" Hiccup grumbled as the Light Fury sat back, watching intently.
"What thing?" Natalie asked.
"This is how Toothless and I bonded…Literally, the same way; she's testing me…" Hiccup sighed as he lifted the fish up and cautiously took a bite out of it.
"Oh, my Gods! That is disgusting!" a couple of the girls screeched. Hiccup swallowed the bite, and it came back up, but he swallowed that too; then stuck his tongue out, shaking his head.
The Light Fury tilted her head, watching still. Hiccup brought his hand closer, but she moved back. Hiccup thought about something, and grabbed a stick, turning his back to her and starting to doodle his appearance in the first. The Light Fury curiously came over, watching before grabbing the stick from his hand and drawing haphazard lines on the ground until she was farther back, nodding in approval.
"The same thing, now I'm convinced she's part of the Fury family…" Hiccup got up stepping on a line as she growled at him. Hiccup lifted his foot, and she stopped. Finally; he smiled and started working his way around the lines until his back was to her chest. Hiccup turned, facing her now. Hiccup tried to raise his hand, but she growled. Hiccup turned his head away, closing his eyes and extending his hand again. This time, the Light Fury closed her eyes and pressed her snout to Hiccup's open palm.
Natalie breathed a sigh of relief, assuring the children that everything was alright. Hiccup opened his eyes as the Light Fury warbled lightly and nuzzled against his cheek. "There we go," Hiccup said softly.
"That's…How you befriended Toothless?" Stoick blinked.
"In a nutshell, yeah," Hiccup smiled. "It's about mutual trust, showing the dragons you mean no harm and want to be friends. Isn't this easier than killing and fighting?" Hiccup asked. The Light Fury moved closer to Natalie now, sniffing her, and trying to jump around.
"What does she want?" Natalie inquired.
"I'd say she likes you," Hiccup suggested, grabbing a fish and tossing it to his wife. Natalie offered it to the Light Fury, who ate it gently and purred a little. Natalie smiled, extending her hand with her head turned. The Light Fury leaned in, doing the same she had with Hiccup. "And I'd say we finally found you your dragon, love,"
"She's beautiful…" Natalie admired. "Does this mean we're bonded?"
"Happens in different ways, but yeah; I think so. Why don't you name her?" Hiccup offered.
Natalie thought about it for a moment. "Lightheart," she finally said. Lightheart licked Natalie's face and then bounded over to Toothless as the two starting running around and playing with one another. "Is that enough proof for you, Dad?"
Norbert didn't say anything, but he gave a single nod. "It seems we have much to discuss at this year's meeting then," Stoick remarked to the others.
"Oh, Hiccup! Will you teach me how to fly?! Please? Oh, please?" Natalie begged excitedly.
Hiccup laughed a little. "Sure," Hiccup nodded as Natalie hugged him tightly, and they shared a kiss. So far, everything seemed to be working out, but Hiccup knew there was still something the others besides his father and the Hooligan Tribe knew. Hiccup had found the nest years ago; he knew the source of the raids, and he knew that he was probably the only person who could stop Red Death with Toothless.