908 reviews? Guys, this fanfiction was first posted just under three weeks ago. I am also asking myself why I gave you all incentive to hit 1,000 reviews… You will be hitting it in a few days with how many reviews come in overnight.
It is because of this that I will be doing a test run of the livestream. I need to make sure it will work nicely and that I remember how do to that sort of thing. I will post a link via tumblr/Twitter so if anyone wants to see the randomness of that they may.
I will be figuring out the best time after we hit 1,000 reviews for the promised livestream.
Now a lot of you are asking about Drago and when he will pop up. I thinking I want Hiccup to become more a part of Berk first. So far we have seen a lot of what he can do and how his knowledge of dragons come sin handy. Though it would seem I am not entirely clear about his dragon side. So, we shall fix that.
Onto the various reviews.
Snowflake ~ Me? The best writer ever? Sorry I can reference you to a few others better than myself. J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolken, Braim Stroker, Jane Austin just to name a few. Oh and there is also Shakesphere… His wit is amazing.
Artist2009 ~ Not really, he is still human after all.
Raven ~ Baby Night Furies? Well yes there would be. Just not yet as I have no names for them. I'm thinking maybe two… So if you guys have name ideas, do toss them out.
Hiccupandtoothless294 ~ The baby Night Furies will adore their uncle Hiccup.
UnknownBlackHand ~ More with the Hiccup's roar? Oh dear you all going to kill me but, no roar until Drago arch… For reasons…
Sairey13 ~ Oh trust me, Stoick is not done teasing his son.
Random Guest ~ I really should put Cloudjumper in here more…
Tichiharahara ~ I am still busy trying to find a big enough jar for the heart pieces.
Shadowdragon1317 ~ I have no clue how I do the sass. Apparently it just happens.
Nox Descious ~ I do not think it was easy for Toothless to find a mate really. The way I think of it he was gone for a while, more than the few days presented in the chapter. But I thank you for your thoughts.
Bottlecaps ~ It wasn't my idea. Watch the HTTYD short called Gift of the Night Fury. You can find it on Youtube.
Tellemicus Sundance ~ I do plan on revisiting past chapters some day and expanding them. Comments like your own help me to know what I can put in them to make them better.
Vampire-Queen-Kazumi ~ Not for a while yet dear.
Madita-chan ~ I be dudette.
To the story! (I apologize for the lateness. I can only blame tumblr for being so amusing and distracting with the dorky Toothless posts. He really is a lovable majestic dofus and I love him for it.)
Hiccup was in the forge again working away at a sword to add to a growing pile of weaponry. Gobber was watching the entire process and even looked over the weapons Hiccup had made. "Now I remember when you first agreed to work for me you said you don't make weapons." He said looking over a fine mace.
"Not for dragon killers I don't." Hiccup replied before he began pounding on his current project. Toothless was curled up in the corner with Shade. He was dozing lightly already used to the sounds of the metal work while Shade watched Hiccup closely curious about what he was doing.
"Well that explains that fancy axe you made for Astrid." Gobber said setting the mace down and now looking at the axe that was part of the pile. "Though the quality of these things say you've made weapons before. Can't be many non-dragon killers off of Berk."
"Whole countries of them." Hiccup said inspecting the sword before returning it to the coals to reheat.
"Though what comes to mind now is, why are you making all these?" Gobber asked setting the axe back down carefully, he had learned his lesson the first time he wasn't gentle with these masterpieces. He could almost hear the angry growl emitting from the young man just from him looking at the weapons. "You refuse to let anyone buy them, let alone look at them without you present…"
"It's tradition isn't it?" Hiccup asked returning to pounding on the sword.
"Tradition for what?" Gobber asked. "I have never heard of a tradition that said you had to make these many weapons for anything before."
Hiccup stopped his work looking confused at Gobber. "But my father gave me a list of traditional gifts to give to the family of an intended bride…" He said his brow furrowing.
Gobber looked at the mass of weapons again and then at Hiccup before he burst out laughing, "Didn't he tell you that only a few of those things were given?" He asked when he had some control of himself. "Though I will say this, that Hofferson will be asking if you want the wedding in a few minutes or hours." He shook his head before looking at Hiccup with a smile. "You really do like her don't you?"
Hiccup looked at the sword finding it good enough and putting it in the water nearby. He walked over to the two dragons and crouched down giving Shade a reassuring pat. He smiled slightly. "I remember the first time I was on Berk and saw her." He said as Gobber sat down in a chair.
"Back when the raids still were a problem yes." Gobber said nodding his head. "Your tale did explain where the dragons went."
"Thought she was rather pretty for a girl just starting to be trained to fight dragons." Hiccup said moving to get a few fish from the basket in the shop. "I was fairly impressed by how long she lasted against Meatlug that first day."
Gobber nodded. "She did hold a lot of promise early on." He mused remembering the day.
"I had intended to just see how all the doors were opened, but watching her face as she became more and more frustrated as the dragons fainted before her…" The grin that broke out on his face spoke volumes, he still loved teasing her from time to time. "I found myself sticking around just to see how far I could push her. Eventually I really had to free the dragons and leave. I did that night before she was to face Hookfang."
He sat down leaning against the dragons as they enjoyed their snack. Shade nudged her way to rest her head on his lap. She had come to like him well enough, mostly because he was the one around Toothless the most. Hiccup pet her head tracing the smooth scales and slightly softer features that made her distinct from Toothless.
"Then it was when I was freeing dragons from a group of dragon trappers that I saw her again." Hiccup said the fond smile not fading. "She was even more beautiful." He shrugged. "I really don't know what I was thinking when I had Toothless pick her up and bring her back to the island, but I don't regret it."
Gobber just smiled even more at the smitten young man. "Like father like son wouldn't you say?" Said a voice from the door. Both Gobber and Hiccup looked over to Stoick as he bowed his head to enter. "We both only go for the best of the best."
Gobber nodded his head. "And you don't leave a job half done either." He said gesturing to the pile of weapons next to him. "This is what he has made so far. Once he finishes up the hilt of that sword he will have every single weapon traditionally given to a bride's family."
Stoick barked out a laugh. "He has everything else tucked away in that cart outside as well!" Stoick said looking over the collection. "He came in one day asking about engagement and how it was done. So I told him that the man normally would give gifts to the family of his wanted bride. When he asked what was normally given I gave him the complete list. Never thought he would gather all of it."
He looked to Hiccup then smiling seeing his son flanked by the two Night Furies. "So I take it this is why you've taken so long to ask for her hand in marriage?" He asked before shaking his head. "Well, they will be talking about this one for a while."
Hiccup rolled his eyes as he stood up to finish the sword. He had to admit he felt a bit foolish, but he also felt that even with having all the traditional gifts it wasn't enough. Stoick smiled watching Hiccup quickly fasten the hilt to the blade and carefully add it to the pile.
"The Berserker clan will be coming in a few days." He said. "We need to reestablish the treaty, even more so considering Berk has dragons. This is going to a rather difficult meeting. Best keep Toothless and Shade out of sight. They are known for trying to hunt Night Furies."
Hiccup frowned at that. "More dragon killers?" He grumbled, his distaste for such people showing through.
"We were dragon killers until a certain chief heir showed us they weren't all bad." Stoick said helping to move the weapons to the cart Hiccup had outside. Everything was packed away in it. "Do you think you need my help with the Hoffersons?"
"No, I think I know how this goes." Hiccup said attaching the harness to Toothless. Shade walked beside the cart with Hiccup as they started on their way.
"Oh Hiccup, one last thing!" Stoick called making his son stop and look back. "When they come be ready to have your hood up until I explain things. Wouldn't want to give them too much of a shock now would we?"
Hiccup nodded his head before continuing on his way. Astrid spotted them and came over looking at the cart with interest. "So where are you going?" She asked slinging her arm around his as she walked with him.
"To see your parents." Hiccup answered resting a hand on the cart. "Might have done it sooner had I been informed that I didn't need all of this, but thinking about it now I most likely still would have done it."
Astrid slipped from his side to get a closer look. Her eyes narrowed looking at the quality of the items and the assortment of it all. "Hiccup… This is…"
"What one brings to an intended bride's family?" Hiccup asked as it slowly clicked in Astrid's mind. She hugged him then a grin breaking out onto her face. "I take it you're okay with this?"
"Okay with this?" She asked looking up at him. "More than okay. I was starting to think you were never going to ask for my hand in marriage with how long it's been since we started courting."
Hiccup put his arms around her smiling slightly as he nuzzled her. "No, just took a bit to ask dad about the traditions of marriage." He said. "Should have seen him and mom for that matter. He gave me a list of the traditional gifts though seemed to forget to say that not all of them were needed."
"Yeah, usually just a few things." Astrid agreed with a laugh. "Though nice to know you think so highly of me."
"I'm worried that it isn't enough." Hiccup confessed getting another laugh from her as she stood on her tip-toes to kiss him. He quickly returned it. Astrid was thankful for his arms around her as the boy had gotten the hang of kissing very quickly and seemed to always leave her knees feeling a bit weak.
Then again it could also be in part due to his eagerness to return whatever force she gave him. Then there was the fact she was so close to him that she was just assaulted by his smell. She was grinning broadly by the time they broke apart.
She looked at his dragon eyes. She loved how green they were, partly because the color was her favorite. It had taken her a while to figure out what dragon his eyes resembled most. The Bewilderbeast, and it made sense seeing as it was that dragon's blood that was in his veins.
"I should go get my parents for you…" She said not really wanting to leave his arms. He seemed to sense it as he pulled her closer to him.
"Might be a good idea." He said showing no sign of even letting her go. "Wouldn't want anyone to try and take you for their own."
"I doubt anyone here on Berk would ever try to propose marriage to me." Astrid said. "You made yourself very clear when you gave me my axe."
"You sure it wasn't the saddle?" Hiccup asked smirking.
"True…" Astrid said as if thinking about it. "Could have been all the special attention I received. And the private flying lessons that only I was able to receive."
Shade looked at Toothless who looked fairly bored. "Why do they not mate and get it over with?" She asked.
"A human thing." Toothless answered. "Apparently there are steps before they are seen as lifemates by the rest of the human nest and are allowed to do so."
Shade looked at the pair before shaking her head. "Makes no sense to me." She said.
Toothless nuzzled her slightly. "Hiccup doesn't even get it, but is going along with it to make his mate happy." He said.
The young couple finally broke apart so Astrid could go into her house to get her parents. Hiccup moved to unhitch Toothless who went to sit with Shade to watch.
Hiccup stood his full height when Astrid's father and mother walked out curious about what had their daughter so excited. Her father walked over to Hiccup eyeing the cart with curiosity.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked.
Hiccup gestured to the cart. "I bring this for you and your wife." He said speaking as clearly as he could. He was keeping his tone even and at normal levels yet they were still drawing a crowd.
Astrid's father looked at the items in the cart. "Such things are highly valuable." He said looking Hiccup up and down. He had an idea where this was going. "What is it you seek in return?"
"I ask only for your daughter, Astrid's, hand in marriage." Hiccup answered. Soft mummers came from the crowd; it was quite the gift for a bride's family. "If you feel that it is not enough tell what else you desire and I shall bring it as soon as I can."
The man looked Hiccup in his eyes. He had to suppress a small shudder at the sight of the draconic eyes, while everyone could now stand to see the boy with those eyes, very few could look him right in the eyes and not shudder. Though looking at Hiccup's eyes carefully he saw that the offer to bring whatever he and his wife wanted on top of what was already brought forth was real.
"You put so much value on my daughter?" He asked. He already had his answer for the chief's son; he just wanted to drag it out a bit longer.
"I don't think I could put a price on her." Hiccup said with a twitch of a smile. Mr. Hofferson caught it though and had to hold back a grin of his own. "Even this feels like it pales in comparison."
Mr. Hofferson stepped even closer to Hiccup his gaze not moving from the boy's eyes. He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. He glanced back at his wife who gave a small smile and nod. "Very well." He said holding out his hand to shake. "You may have my daughter as your bride so long as she agrees."
Hiccup let out a breath he didn't notice he had been holding and shook Mr. Hofferson's hand. The two Hoffersons moved to take the cart back to their house. Astrid bursting from the door having listened to the entire exchange, a large grin on her face as she jumped into Hiccup's arms again.
"Yes!" She said not needing any prompting. "I say yes!" Hiccup just smiled crouching down a bit to secure his arms just below her waist before standing up again. She laughed looking down at him.
"So this is the engagement part right?" Hiccup asked not putting her down. Astrid nodded.
"Then comes marriage." She said her hands running through his hair. She was one of the few who could stand looking into his eyes. Then again she found them to be one of his best features. "Lots of planning to do now."
"Why?" Hiccup asked. "Is a marriage complicated?"
"There is quite a bit of ceremony to it…" Astrid said. "Celebrations that could last days depending on the couple. And seeing as you are the Chief's son, there very well could be a festival."
"More pointless decorations?" He asked seeming to deflate slightly. She laughed leaning down to kiss him.
"I'm sure your father will be thrilled to explain all the details to you." She said finally breaking the kiss as she rested her forehead on his. Hiccup lowered her to her feet slowly letting her slide through his arms though not breaking any contact between them.
"Vikings have so many rules and traditions." He muttered.
"And dragons don't?" Astrid asked before jabbing him lightly in the side. "If I do recall you must have a dragon's complete trust before they let you ride them. They also have their own form of language that must be taken note of."
"Alright fine." He said nuzzling her head with his own.
Toothless rolled his eyes having enough of the human couple's antics and began to wedge himself between the two. Another round of laughter broke from Astrid as she pet the dragon's head.
Shade however wasn't too keen at Toothless interrupting the couple. "Hiccup never comes between us." She growled lightly scolding her mate. "Why break them apart when clearly they have reached a new level in the human mating rituals?"
Toothless turned to Shade still sandwiched between the two humans. "If I didn't do this they might break the human tradition." He commented. "Can't have them attempting to mate before they are allowed."
Shade thought about it. "I suppose you are right…"
"Neither of you two are helping." Hiccup commented to the pair pushing Toothless off to the side slightly. He shook his head with a sigh before looking to Astrid. "Go for a fly?"
"Thought you would never ask." Astrid said giving him a quick kiss before going to get Stormfly.