On My Own
Author: Nightstar Fury of Nightstar Productions.
Rating: M for Mature.
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Dreamworks HTTYD or Dreamworks Dragons. I also don't own any of the songs I use :p Now that we've established that...We can enjoy the story!
21; Letters.
Returning Fury Isle had been the most silent ride ever, Hiccup didn't say a word since leaving Berk other than when they were landing or taking off. They all knew how upset he was that Stoick went back on his word about capturing dragons. Hiccup still couldn't believe that it was another Night Fury too whom Toothless was becoming incredibly protective over but that was to be expected since no other Night Furies had been seen in years. Hiccup and Toothless had looked all over the Archipelago but never saw one and now they found one and it was on Berk, injured and captured because of Stoick. Hiccup was livid and no one like when he was that angry. "Hiccup...Are you alright?" Sylvi asked.
"No. No I'm not, Syl..." Hiccup sighed.
"I know you're upset with..." Sylvi began.
"I'm livid, Sylvi. Furious...I want to go back and hit him...He swore the whole ride back he was going to change, that he wouldn't hurt dragons or capture them and what does he do first chance he gets...Capture and harm a Night Fury..." Hiccup kept his eyes forward trying to keep calm.
"I know babe but...At least we saved her..." Sylvi offered.
"Barely...Who knows how long she was trapped in there wounded...And he tried to deny it too! Ugh...I hate him...I didn't know I could hate someone as much as I do him!" Hiccup saw Fury Isle coming into view, thank Thor too. He just wanted to be back home, have things be normal again. Toothless gave the call they had returned and everyone cheered and clapped for them and then went wide eyed seeing another Night Fury following behind Toothless who landed and then the others did too.
"Welcome home, chief...I'm noticing some changes..." Gunnar greeted.
"A lot...Round everyone up in the hall. Right now..." Hiccup said, Gunnar nodded seeing how serious their chief was. That was never good. Hiccup walked towards the hall as Toothless took Nightstar to get something to eat from the feeding stations. Everyone gathered in the hall as Hiccup was sitting in his chief chair, Fishlegs sat with Viggo, Ryker, Audun and some others. The doors were shut and and everyone quieted down when Hiccup put his hands up. "Well we are back and I'm sure many of you have a lot of questions...I promise to answer them all after a few quick announcements..." Hiccup said.
"Aye chief." The room replied as Hiccup took a deep breath.
"First off, The Hooligans have been returned to their island and they won't be back again. Except Gobber and my mother, they are permitted to return anytime...One, now former Berkian has joined our tribe, Mr. Fishlegs Ingerman." The room began to clap softly. Hiccup put his hands up again for them to settle down, they did slowly. "It hurts me to have to announce that we also have sad news...I'm sure..many of you noticed that...Rosethorn didn't return with us." Hiccup lowered his head as he heard Sylvi whimper a bit clutching the dragon scale necklace. The village looked sad now. "Rosethorn...is no longer with us...She passed away from old age just before we reached Berk."
Sylvi began to cry as Hiccup moved to hold her and rub her back. "Did she suffer chief?" Asked Gunnar.
"No...She went peacefully surrounded by those who loved her...And the dragons gave her a nice burial." Hiccup sighed as Sylvi calmed down a bit and motioned for him to keep going. "And as for the Night Fury that flew in with us...She was captured and wounded on Berk after the chief there swore he would never hurt dragons again...I broke the treaty and said if they ever returned...I would wage war. The Night Fury is a female and I named her Nightstar." Hiccup announced.
"So she's staying with us?" Asked one woman.
"Yes but for the time being while she heals, I'm going to ask everyone leave her alone. So far she's only allowed Toothless and I close to her." Hiccup said.
"Aye chief. We understand." The room replied. With everyone being informed of what happened on Berk, they knew their chief was mad and not to anger him.
"Now its late...The rest of you know the rules, I'm going to bed. Unless its life or death...Please don't bother me." Hiccup said, the room nodded as he kissed Sylvi's forehead then his kids before exiting the room. Sylvi sighed some, she felt bad for her husband. So much all at once he was taking on. She knew he just wanted to sleep and forget all about Berk, to actually put it behind him.
"Will he be okay chieftess Sylvi?" Fishlegs asked.
"Yes Fishlegs...He will. Stoick really hurt him this time, Hiccup can deal with a lot but someone purposely harming dragons and breaking promises doesn't sit well with him." Sylvi sighed heavily.
"He really won't ever forgive him, will he?" Fishlegs looked down.
"It would take a miracle..." Sylvi replied looking up as she held Thurmond."Well I suppose I should be getting some sleep as well." She stood now leading the twins and herself out of the hall with Ryker escorting them out. "Make sure Fishlegs gets to the inn, I'm sure my husband will start a home for him tomorrow." Sylvi added before leaving the hall doors.
"Yes ma'am. Rest well now and we hope the chief is feeling better tomorrow." Viggo said softly, Sylvi nodded as she left from the tribe's sight. There was a group sigh, they had a feeling Hiccup was going to be in this mood for a while. Betrayed by his former father a second time and this time it involved a dragon. A Night Fury of all dragons which set Hiccup off because Night Furies were close to extinction as it was. The tribe sat around a while, then had dinner. Viggo led Fishlegs to the inn then he took his post as guard for aerial. Sylvi reached hers and Hiccup's home, she gave the girls dinner and fed Thurmond. She knew Hiccup was in his office, doing anything to keep his mind off what happened on Berk. When the kids were done, they said good night to their father then were tucked in by Sylvi. She also put Thurmond to sleep in his cradle.
Sylvi made her way to Hiccup's office and knocked on the wooden door frame. He glanced over and Sylvi saw his eyes, glazed over and red cheeks. Sylvi frowned some, he'd been drinking. It wasn't often that he did it, and she knew he had to be beyond stressed to give in to it at all. Hiccup wasn't a big drinker but sometimes...He got drunk to loosen up and relax. "Hiccup..." She said softly.
"I just...don't understand, Syl...I showed him...the truth...I showed them all and...he lied to...me..." Hiccup said softly, Sylvi didn't like this side of him. The emotional side he fought hard to bury deep down.
"I know. But some minds won't be changed, Hiccup...You know that. We've known that since Drago Bludvist...Some people aren't capable of change because they don't want too." Sylvi replies. "And you know that drinking isn't going to take away this pain..."
"I'm drinking to relax...Not get rid of the pain. I don't feel any. I'm pissed...Then again it shouldn't of surprised me." Hiccup snorted taking another long sip from the flask, Sylvi sighed and took it away from him.
"But you're also hurt. Because he betrayed you again...Even after all you did for him, them...They still turned on you, he turned on you. You said that yourself...That you almost forgave him up until you found Nightstar...You're hurting Hiccup, you can't hide that from me..." Sylvi said softly capping the flask and putting it away on another shelf, Hiccup faced her now. "That mead isn't going to erase the pain of being betrayed and you know that babe. It's only going to bury it for a while then it will come back."
Hiccup only stared at her a moment before she saw the small tears brimming his eyes, she pulled him against her lovingly and he let go. He cried. For the first time in years, he cried because of it all. Sylvi just held him tightly and stroked her fingers through his hair softly to soothe him. "What...did I ever do to him to make him always want to make me suffer. I understood...his desire to hate dragons because he thought mom was gone...But she's...alive! He has her alive and well and he still...Ugh! I hate him...I hate him so much that I can't stand it." Hiccup cried against her.
"I know...I know love, ssh now..." Sylvi said. Hiccup lifted his head and looked at her now, he stood up and cupped her cheek as he kissed her deeply. She relaxed into it as his kissed moved to her neck, "Mm...Hiccup...What...are you doing...?" She breathed out.
"I want you, Syl...I need you right now..." Hiccup whispered softly. Sylvi smiled softly as she only nodded to him and he instantly brought her upstairs slowly to their room and made love to her. She knew when he was upset he wanted a distraction from everything. Being chief was hard, as well a father and husband. So much had happened the last few days, she knew he needed to relax and she rather he make love to her that him be wasted on mead so she didn't mind at all. Besides, it was fun for her too.
(Few Weeks Later)
Since that night, Hiccup was a little better. He was back to his chiefing duties on Toothless and Nightstar always behind them, that dragon never strayed far from him or Toothless and probably because Toothless was a Night Fury too and Nightstar only trusted Hiccup so far. However, Hiccup was still stressed out because he'd been getting letters from Berk. Mainly Gobber and his mother, one from Snotlout. So far he'd ignored them, he didn't want to hear any of it. He wasn't in the mood and had more pressing matters to take care of. Like his village, who appreciated dragons and liked changed. Hiccup knew Trader Johann was in going to be in port today, an hour or so according to Terror Mail. A system Hiccup developed back in his early chief days to communicate with Johann or other members of the tribe.
Hiccup sighed sitting on the docks with Toothless and Nightstar. Sylvi came beside him, he noticed her without the kids and arched a brow. "Mom has them today. How are you feeling?" Sylvi asked.
Hiccup shrugged, "Mellow I guess. Now sure how I should feel after being betrayed twice by a man who is supposed to be on my side always..." Hiccup mumbled.
"Don't let it get to you. They aren't in our lives anymore." Sylvi said.
"But mom and Gobber are...And I suppose its unfair to allow them and no one else...Astrid, the twins, and Snotlout never did anything..." Hiccup looked down.
"Well maybe invite them to join the tribe. They wanted to learn..." Sylvi offered now.
"But they couldn't prove they were ready and Snotlout can't leave Berk, he's the heir. I offered it to Fishlegs because Meatlug chose him. And he's doing good in training so far...But the others...I just didn't get that vibe with them." Hiccup admitted.
"I see your point but you can't keep beating yourself up like this..." Sylvi laid her head on his shoulder. "Stoick said he was going to make Snotlout chief right?" Hiccup nodded her, "So wait until he is. You know he'll try to make an alliance with you. Snotlout wanted change too, he sided with you baby. When he becomes chief, he make sure no dragons are harmed or captured. Stoick is the only one who won't change, and there are some who still follow him even knowing the truth. So when Snotlout becomes chief, ally with him." Sylvi said.
"You really think so?" Hiccup asked looking over at her.
"You told me yourself that Snotlout took charge of the raid when Stoick couldn't handle it, and ordered your mom to get you for help. That's admiral, Hiccup. He knew if they didn't get help, their only choice would be to fight back to defend Berk...He chose to get help to avoid hurting them. I think that's worth something." Sylvi replied.
"I suppose you're right. Well then I will await the day he becomes chief, and we'll see what happens." Hiccup said as he kissed her gently.
(An Hour Later)
Trader Johann pulled into port with help from the dock workers, Hiccup greeted him first and as anticipated...Johann handed him some letters. "All from Berk I presume?..." Johann nodded to Hiccup as he sighed. "Thanks I guess. I'll see you before you leave, Johann." Hiccup stated.
"I'll await you return master Hiccup." Johann offered a smile as Hiccup walked off towards his house holding the rolled letters. Reaching his home he took to his office near the stairs and sit down in the chair placing the letters down, all with the Berk crest on them. Hiccup sighed, time to get this over with. He unrolled the first and noticed the handwriting to be Gobber's, of course.
You know I'm on your side lad, but I think you're being just a little too hard on Stoick. That raid was bad, one of the worst ones we've ever had and he was only trying to protect the village. I just got you back, and I don't want to lose you again because of him. Hate him all you want...but don't punish the rest of us who want to change. Threatening us with war, that's not like you. Not all of us are guilty...Please reconsider. I miss ya. -Gobber.
Hiccup sighed. That was the truth too, if Stoick showed up on Fury Isle, could Hiccup go through with waging war when it would mean the entire island of Berk including his mother, Gobber...All of them when he really only wanted to punish Stoick for locking up Nightstar since he allowed it. Gobber was right, he wouldn't be able to wage war on the entire island. They weren't all guilty. He put it down and picked up another one, this time from Astrid.
Not all of us want to hurt the dragons, Hiccup and its not fair you're refusing to return to Berk just because of Stoick. You let Fishlegs join your tribe, and the academy to become a dragon rider just because Meatlug chose him...We told you that we wanted to learn too. We're willing to change...We had nothing to do with that Night Fury getting locked up, we didn't even know about it until you revealed it. The twins and I want to learn how to be dragon riders, Snotlout does too but he has to stay on Berk. Please give us a chance, we're willing to leave Berk to join your tribe. Snotlout already said we could, he would find a new council...Please think about it. -Astrid, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut.
He almost anticipated that one to be coming, he mentioned it to Sylvi that the others would think it was unfair just because Meatlug chose Fishlegs. Now they wanted to learn too, and were willing to give up their place on Berk to join Fury Isle just to hold true to that the fact they wanted to learn how to be dragon riders. Hiccup groaned a bit rubbing his head in frustration. More thinking he didn't want to do right now, he really hated being chief at times like this. Putting that letter down he grabbed another one and checked the bottom for who it was from. His mother.
Son, you know what I'm going to say. To give your father another chance. I know it was wrong of him to lock up that Night Fury, I know how long you searched for others and came up with nothing. But...I talked to Stoick after I calmed down. Believe me, I'm furious with him too because I was there when he said he wouldn't harm or capture dragons again so it hurt me to see him go back on it. Hiccup, what happened that night isn't what you think happened. Like you have said, not everything is as it appears to be. Please come back to Berk and talk to him, he really is trying to change. He just needs a little help and I think you're the only one who can make him see the truth, really see it and believe it. Just talk to him, you don't know everything about that night. I know you don't trust him but you can trust me and I would never lie to you. So please if anything, come back and talk to him for me...I love you. -Your mother.
Was she being serious right now? Hiccup scoffed, it wasn't what he saw? He saw a wounded Night Fury locked up in their kill ring! And Stoick admitted to knowing it was captured and that it was there. How was it another way?! Stoick didn't deserve another chance. Hiccup already gave him another one, when they were shipwrecked on Fury Isle and Hiccup showed him the peace that was possible. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, his mother was right. Hiccup did trust her, she had never lied to him. Go figure she would ask him to return and talk to Stoick for her. If she said he could trust Stoick after she knew what he did than maybe he should back and at least hear what Stoick had to say. If anything, Hiccup would just leave again. He needed to think about it. The last letter he lifted was from Snotlout.
Chief Hiccup Hagebak,
This is a letter on behalf of...Oh forget it. I'm terrible with formal crap. I'm becoming chief of Berk, Stoick didn't go back on that. The ceremony is in 4 weeks from whenever you get this. The start of Spring, you and your family are invited to come for it. Once I become chief, I want to sign and alliance with you. Stoick may not want to change but I do and I need your help to do it. I'm sick of living with no peace, the dragons aren't bad and you showed me that. I want on Berk what you have on Fury Isle, but I need your help to make that happen. I know Stoick isn't your favorite person but don't make us all suffer, you wanted to bring peace to the world...So lets sign a treaty and start spreading it around. I hope you'll come to the ceremony and we can talk more about it in person. Until then, -Snotlout Jorgenson, Future chief of Berk.
And that was the letter he'd been waiting on. Snotlout's, to ask for a treaty between their islands and help spreading peace between humans and dragons. Hiccup put it down and held his head with his eyes closed, thinking about what to do. The start of Spring was in 3 weeks time, Johann must of gotten behind and that's why the letter is a week late. Sylvi entered the house now and saw him sitting in there, "Letters from Berk again?" She asked.
"Yep. Gobber asking me to reconsider, mom asking me to talk to Stoick about what apparently really happened that night, Astrid and the twins wanting to become dragon riders, and Snotlout inviting us to his chief ceremony where he wants to sign a treaty between our tribes..." Hiccup mumbled.
"What are you gonna do?" Sylvi questioned.
"Honestly, I have no idea...Mom says that I don't know everything that happened that night and I should give Stoick a chance, and show him the truth. Gobber reminded me I'm not heartless and wouldn't wage war because I would wage war on the whole island and some of them aren't guilty. The twins and Astrid are willing to leave Berk to live here to become riders. And Snotlout wants my help in spreading the peace, he wants on Berk what we have here..." Hiccup sighed closing his eyes.
"How long until the ceremony?" Sylvi asked.
"3 weeks..." Hiccup looked at her. "What should I do, Syl..."
"I think we should go there." Hiccup snapped his head back at her in shock. "Don't give me that look, Hiccup. Your mom says we can trust her so if she says that there is more to the story then we should at least go and hear him out. Those three who want to become riders, if they really want too then let them. You've never denied anyone access to Fury Isle, we have many members here who came from other tribes who killed dragons and you changed them. If they are willing, then I think you should let them. And for Snotlout...He's becoming chief, like I said and he wants peace. This was Thurmond's dream, Hiccup...And yours. To bring peace not just to Fury Isle but all islands, to the world and show them the truth about dragons. Now you have the chance to do that...You said you wouldn't let your father's dream die...So don't let it." Sylvi put her hand on his shoulder. "I have to go get the kids from mom. Think about what I said okay..." She kissed his cheek and left the house again.
Hiccup looked down, sure enough thinking about what she said. She had a point about everything, sighing he pulled a piece of paper and got a pencil and wrote a reply to one of the letters. He rolled it up and put the Fury Isle crest on it as he got up from his seat and returned to the docks, walking beside Johann he handed him the letter. "This goes to Snotlout Jorgenson, and only him. He'll know who its from. And make sure he gets it before 3 weeks is up." Hiccup said to him.
"I will be going to Berk by the end of next week, master Hiccup. I will make sure this gets to Mr. Jorgenson." Johann said with a smile, Hiccup nodded and left the docks returning to his duties around the village.
(The Week After; Berk)
Johann pulled into Berk's docks and put out the board for them to come on his ship. As soon as he saw Snotlout, he approached him and pulled the letter out and handed it to him. "Huh, what's this?" He asked.
"I was only told to say that you'd know who its from." Johann told him. Snotlout checked the seal, it was Fury's Isle and the chief seal belonging to Hiccup. Snotlout tucked it away and left the ship going to his house. As soon as he sat down he pulled it out and unrolled it to read it over.
I've decided to accept your invitation. You can tell Gobber, but not a word to anyone other than him. I will discuss a treaty with you after you become chief. -Hiccup Hagebak; Chief of Fury Isle and the Dragon Rider tribe.
Snotlout sighed in relief almost as he tucked the letter away and went to find Gobber, finding him in the forge as always. "What brings you by lad?" Gobber asked. Snotlout pulled out the letter and handed it to him.
"This." Snotlout said. Gobber read it over then his eyes widened. "I invited him my chief ceremony, no one knows I did it either. He only said I could tell you so that's what I'm doing..."
"Its going to shock everyone, you know that. Stoick doesn't know you sent Hiccup a letter?" Gobber asked.
"No, he doesn't. I sent it with Johann a few weeks ago." Snotlout replied.
"I did too." Gobber answered.
"Well he's coming back. Hopefully I can get him to agree to a treaty...Its time for a change." Snotlout said, Gobber nodded as Snotlout hid the letter again then left. There were only two weeks left and Hiccup would be returning to Berk. And no one but Snotlout and Gobber knew the truth about that. It was going to surprise everyone, especially Stoick.