So this chapter slows it down a bit and gets pretty deep but there was a need for it.
Chapter 14
The Vikings sat around the center of the ship where they had set up their fireplace.
Night had fallen and their third night looked easy.
No one asked how Hiccup had snuck two barrels of ale onto the ship. They didn't care. It was there. That's all that mattered to them.
They sat around still riding on the euphoria of their victory. They all bragged about their dragon's role.
Snotlout bragged of his Nightmare's fire scarring the one serpent, while Astrid said it was her Nadder's spikes that did the most damage to it.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut were for once on the same side as they boasted about their Zippleback's explosions. Tuffnut was especially boisterous. "No other Zippleback can hold that much lightning!"
Sparks was very happy about his master's proud words.
Fishlegs bragged about Meatlug's bravery as she had singlehandedly fought back the serpent three times.
They were getting drunker and louder.
Hiccup remained quiet. He had no reason to boast.
His dragon was known to be the best. He flew faster than any. He had no blind spot. No shot limit. And intelligence beyond that of any species of dragon.
Toothless didn't need the vanity anyway. He was content as long as Hiccup was.
Hiccup smiled as Snotlout stood up and began trying to come up with a song that would tell of their greatness for generations. It came out horribly.
But, behind Hiccup's smile was a darkened mind. Yes he was concerned about the serpents, but now was the real challenge.
In the North lie the Black Army, and in their Temple is the gate.
He had no doubts that his friends were great Vikings. But, there were only six of them, if you include Hiccup as a Viking and six dragons if you count the Zippleback as two.
They had an entire army standing between them and their destination.
"Gods it's cold," Astrid said sitting next to Hiccup and leaning against Toothless. She had abandoned Stormfly who was busy preening herself again.
"Yeah, I'm starting to miss Berk," Hiccup said.
Astrid gave a small giggle. She like all the other Vikings, even Fishlegs this time, was drunk. But, not like they were a few nights ago.
"So what's next?" She asked.
Hiccup didn't know how to respond. He decided that they should enjoy every victory they had.
"Eh, we'll deal with it when the time comes," Hiccup replied.
Astrid shrugged. "I just hope it's something I can swing my new axe at."
"Me too. I've been dying to see you guys use these things." He regretted using the word "dying" right after he had said it.
"Yeah, you did a really good job," She said as she moved closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder.
Hiccup enveloped her in his fur blanket. They sat there for a short while, watching the flames dance.
The dragons had drifted to sleep. After all, they had done the real fighting.
A strong, cold breeze came from the South pushing the boat slightly faster.
It's almost like the gods want me to die as soon as possible.
Other than the fear of arriving at their destination to Hiccup, the breeze also brought with it frigid cold.
Ruffnut had forgotten her blanket at home and for the past few nights had been sleeping with Astrid in her ridiculously over sized blanket.
"Damn," She whispered as she drew her body inward trying to hold on to every bit of warmth she could get.
Tuffnut was going to offer to allow her in his blanket (hatred or not they were family, twins no less) but before he could...
"Here Ruff, you can take mine," Snotlout said.
Snotlout didn't realize it but Hiccup and Tuffnut were giving him strange looks. Hiccup had never seen Snot do one kind thing to anyone. Especially not to himself.
"Thanks but I'm fine," Ruff replied.
Another gust.
Ruff couldn't help herself as she practically dove under Snotlout's blanket finding immediate warmth.
Snot blushed as they were drawn close together. So did Ruffnut.
Tuffnut saw what was going on and wasn't happy. That was his sister!
With his best friend!
Snot looked to his friend. He gave an apologetic look.
Tuffnut's initial anger subsided and he gave his friend a wink.
Snotlout silently thanked him.
For the next few moments the Vikings lied around the fire and talked and laughed together.
Hiccup wished he could relive that moment everyday until the end of his life. Just one chance to go back and bask in the friendship that they all held that moment.
Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III would forever remember that eve before the one of the most dangerous things he would ever do.
For it was on that eve, that Hiccup decided that he loved every one of them. That he would die for anyone there.
He decided then that he could believe he had friends because they were there in front of him.
Hiccup drifted to sleep with a smile on his face surrounded by the people he loved.
He felt confident that when tomorrow came he could... NO! Would protect them and that they would get what they came for.