Back and I'm happy with this chapter sort of... HTTDY is mine in an alternate dimension, I'm sure of it. However it is not mine in this dimension but the mistakes are. the conversations hurt my eyes... sorry
It was one week later, and winter had truly set in. The seas were partially frozen, and all of the ships had been hoisted out of the frigid waters. Fishlegs and Hiccup now trudged through the knee deep snow on their way to the Mead Hall.
"Hiccup, do you really think Astrid would have killed me if I was planning on selling you two out?" Fishlegs asked timidly. Hiccup fixed him with a concerned stare.
"Um well, why do you ask?" He queried. "and at this point, your way to deep to try and sell us out without taking some of the fall." He added, while Fishlegs viciously shook his head.
"No no, I was just curious if she would have really done it." He asked and Hiccup let out a relived sigh.
"She already has." Hiccup spoke quietly, and Fishlegs gave him a confused stare.
"Um there hasn't been a death since the last village raid..." Hiccup raised his hand to quiet his companion.
"The Monstrous Nightmare," Hiccup shook his head sadly before looking over to Fishlegs. "To keep our secret safe; but Astrid didn't feel right without asking." Hiccup added as they started up the last few stairs to the Hall. "When you were out cold I asked what we should do and her words were 'if he wont listen, it's out of my hands.'" Fishlegs gulped as they pushed open the large doors to find the hall packed with the typical crowd of Vikings. They found Astrid sitting at the head table talking with Heidrun and took the two open spots beside her. The trio had spent a fair amount of time there, as it was the only place they could meet up without raising suspicion. During the honeymoon the young couple was suppose to spend it alone, and having Fishlegs over every night might raise some flags. However the Mead Hall was packed and noisy, so any listener would have trouble over hearing a quiet conversation about giant dragons. Heidrun waved Astrid away when she noticed the two boys and shuffled off to bother Gobber. Astrid smiled at Hiccup and kissed his cheek before ordering something for the three to eat. With food on the way the trio huddled closer for their conversation.
"Any new ideas?" Astrid asked while casually scanning the crowd for anyone that might interrupt. Fishlegs frowned and shook his head.
"I have been over every shred of text on the species of dragons and there is nothing of that size." He sighed and Hiccup nodded.
"I spoke to Gobber about any legendary dragons like the queen, and he ended up telling me about trolls... again." They paused as their food arrived and Astrid groaned.
"We're running out of time, I think it's time to consider plan B." She eyed Hiccup while Fishlegs gave them a confused stare.
"I thought we are on plan four hundred and sixty two," The large young man scratched his head. "wait, Hiccups eel cannon would be sixty three, so what is plan B?" He asked as Astrid and Hiccup snickered.
"Of course Fishlegs would keep count," Hiccup smiled. "Plan B is our escape plan." Hiccup gestured from himself to Astrid.
"Well, it's a list of items we need to gather before we approach Stoick, we didn't include you because," Astrid paused, while looking to Hiccup for support.
"Because you might be helping us, but no one will be able to connect you to us." Hiccup supplied and Astrid nodded.
"You could stay with the village and no one would be the wiser," She smiled sadly. "We didn't want to rip you away from your family for our cause." Astrid finished while Hiccup frowned.
"Why is it always trolls?" He asked and Fishlegs gave him an incredulous look while Astrid sighed.
"Hiccup we're talking about serious stuff, and your thinking about trolls?" Astrid asked, mildly dumbfounded.
"I'm sorry just every time I ask Gobber about something the conversation ends in some troll hunt..." Hiccup smiled apologetically while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Anyway," Fishlegs started. "I can see what you mean, but I can still help you get ready for Plan B and just play dumb if anyone asks." He finished and Astrid and Hiccup smiled.
"That would mean a lot, so now we just need a place to stash the supplies." Hiccup pondered and the three fell silent in thought.
"Well if your planning on flying out of here then the supply shed for the dragons would make sense, lots of space and no one ever goes there." Fishlegs supplied and the trio smiled. The next few hours were spent drawing up the list of items they would need. They figured the supplies would take a week to gather, and that once everything was in position they would meet up at Hiccup and Astrids for a potential farewell supper. They their said goodbyes and Hiccup and Astrid made their way home.
"So you think the Nadder is the best bet?" Astrid asked as they entered their home. Hiccup glanced over to her and nodded.
"I think so, and hopefully there is still some scent left on those scales, we could hunt Toothless down." Hiccup smiled. "I might have to modify Toothless' saddle for a Nadder, because I don't think we should try riding it bareback." Hiccup shuddered at the thought of a spine poking the wrong place. Astrid smirked before dragging her husband to bed.
The week passed quickly and the trio scrambled to find everything the pair would need, while not alerting anyone. There were some close calls, and thankfully Hiccups reputation as an eccentric saved them a few times. With everything safely hidden in the supply shed Astrid and Hiccup invited Fishlegs and the gang over for supper. They didn't give a reason, just asked if everyone wanted to come over and have a good time. The night was a lot of fun, with much reminiscing of past winters, snowball fights, snoggletogs, good times and the bad ones. Snotlout acted like, well a Viking, but a respectful Viking. Hiccup, Fishlegs, and oddly enough, Tuffnut spent a good portion of their time in the small kitchen, though Tuffnut spent most of it sneaking little bits of food when Hiccup wasn't looking. Astrid and Ruffnut sat by the fire having some kind of girly talk, with a surprising amount of giggling. Every once in awhile Ruffnut would give Fishlegs a seductive look before Astrid would whisper something into her ear which would make her turn bright red. The party lasted into the late night before it disbanded, each saying their goodnights and excusing themselves. Ruffnut pointedly asked Fishlegs to escort her home. He smiled and agreed but asked for one moment to say farewell to Hiccup and Astrid.
"Just in case things don't go well." He spoke quietly. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you when I was younger, and I wish you the best of luck out there." Fishlegs patted Hiccup on the back gently, before turning to Astrid. "Keep him safe, and yourself..." He smiled. "Find somewhere warm, and as far away from us narrow minded Vikings as you can get." He added, giving Astrid a small hug then turning to leave. Astrid tapped on the back and smiled.
"I hope you get your chance to explore, to see the world and if you do and we're out there; come and find us." She smiled sadly before waving him away. Fishlegs gave them one last thoughtful look before walking over to Ruffnut and exiting the small home. With a pleased sigh the pair sat down and Astrid rested her head on Hiccups shoulder.
"So what are we going to say?" She asked and Hiccup sighed.
"I don't know, we'll think of something," Hiccup murmured into her hair. "But this might be the last night in our house and I want to enjoy it with you." He whispered into her ear before pulling her up and towards their bedroom.
(WOW lots of sex...)
Hiccup awoke first, he stretched and was rewarded with a delightful pop from his back. Astrid was wrapped around his chest possessively, and Hiccup smiled at her. It wasn't long before she woke up, blinking the sleep from her eyes she gave him a warm smile.
"Here goes nothing." She whispered before extricating herself from Hiccup, and began dressing. They both dressed for battle, Astrid wore her cloak and strapped her war axe to her back, while Hiccup donned his normal apparel, as well as his new swords, bow, and daggers. It was agreed shortly after the list was made that they would go with weapons, in case Stoick ordered their immediate death. It was possible, but unlikely. Hiccup thanked the gods that Stoicks house was close to the forest incase the had to make a run for it. When they were dressed they gave each other a grimace before exiting their house. The distance to Stoick was maybe fifty feet, but today it looked like a hundred miles. Hiccup was fidgeting and Astrid was running through escape plans. inevitably they came to Stoicks door, and Astrid snaked her hand around Hiccups.
"We can do this, I believe in you." She whispered. "Now we have to convince him." She squeezed his hand and Hiccup nodded, took a deep breath. Knocking, the sound thundered in their ears, and behind the door they could hear Stoick grumble. When the large man opened the door the scowl he was wearing disappeared and a bright smile touched his face.
"Oh hello Son, and Astrid," He said brightly, while the pair remained as impartial as they could. "What brings you here today? It's rather cold to be wondering around." Stoick noticed the weaponry and Hiccups odd behavior but wrote it off as some new oddity.
"Hey dad, we need to talk." Hiccup spoke, and Stoick was caught off guard. He nodded and welcomed them into his home. The three took a seat at the kitchen table and shared an uncomfortable silence. Stoick was the first to break the silence.
"So! What did you need to talk about?" He asked with a small smile on his face. Maybe he was going to be a grandfather, the notion brought a bigger smile to his face. Hiccup huffed, and stared at Astrid, who smiled and nodded.
"Start at the beginning, like you told me." She encouraged, and Stoick looked at them in interest. Hiccup nodded, and looked at his father.
"Okay, dad this is going to sound... well insane." Hiccup started, and Stoick chuckled.
"Son, I have taken care of you for the past six years, I pretty sure you can't surprise me." Stoick smiled and Hiccup shook his head.
"This one's a dozy dad," Hiccup restated, and Stoick scoffed and motioned for him to get on with it. "So about a month ago I claimed to shoot down a Night Fury." Stoick nodded, "It was the day I said I would stop the dragon nonsense, but you see I hit the Night Fury." Hiccup stated calmly, and Stoick shook his head.
"Alright son, then why didn't you bring me to it? or at least bring me its heart?" Stoick asked, doubt and mirth in his tone. Hiccup produced a sketch of Toothless and slid it across the table towards Stoick. "What's this?" He asked while studying the image. Hiccup then tossed a few of Toothless' scales.
"I didn't show you because I couldn't kill it." Hiccup stated, and Stoick looked from the scales to the image and then to Hiccup.
"You? what? LET IT GO?" Stoick bellowed and Hiccup didn't move.
"Yes dad, I let it go and at that moment I knew you were right and that I could never kill a dragon." Hiccup replied civilly. Astrid beamed at Hiccup for doing such a good job.
"So all of this?" Stoick gestured at all of Hiccup. "Was after you downed a dragon that no one has ever seen before?" Hiccup nodded and Stoicks shoulders slumped.
"Dad that's not what I wanted to tell you..." Hiccup spoke softly and Stoick stared at him.
"You mean there's more?" He asked incredulously, and Hiccup nodded.
"You had me 'help' Gobber and I listened, and even learned a few things." Hiccup explained while Stoick nodded. "That dragons always go for the kill is a lie." Stoick narrowed his eyes. "Don't look at me like that dad, if they always went for the kill you wouldn't have a son right now." Hiccup growled and Stoick was shocked that his son had the nerve to talk to him like that. "I learned that a downed dragon is a dead one, I found out that I crippled the dragon, and set about making it right." Hiccup continued while Stoick became very pale. "I gave it back the sky, and it taught me the truth of this war." With a sigh Hiccup slumped a little. "Your not going like this dad, and I wish to make you a deal." Hiccup looked at his father intently, and Stoick returned the gaze. "All I know about the dragons, for safe passage if you feel that Astrid and I should be exiled." Hiccup finished, not flinching and maintaining eye contact. Stoick looked from Hiccup to Astrid.
"You knew about this too? When?" Stoick asked, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"A few days after you left for the nest sir." She replied. "Hiccup took me to a cove and introduced me to the dragon he named Toothless." Stoick fixed her then Hiccup with an incredulous look. "It had retractable teeth dad, it just sort of stuck." Hiccup added, before Astrid resumed. "Sir he's telling the truth, it didn't attack me and seemed just as curious about me as I was of it." She spoke enthusiastically. Stoick looked back at Hiccup.
"I don't know what to say, I will listen to what you have to say, and I will tell no one else, but if I don't like it; your to be gone by sun up tomorrow," he stared at Astrid and Hiccup. "does that sound fair?" Hiccup nodded and some of the pent up tension released from his body. Thanks dad," He smiled and his father returned it.
"I couldn't order your death son, you might be a royal screw up sometimes but it's normally with the best intentions." Stoick stated calmly and Hiccup and Astrid chuckled.
"First off dad, dragons are intelligent..." Stoick scoffed and Hiccup shook his head. "I can show you later, but believe me they are." Astrid nodded and Hiccup motioned for her to contribute. "Toothless could understand us si..." She tried to say.
"Will you please stop calling me sir, for the moment your family, you can call me dad or Stoick just no more sir." Stoick interrupted her with a grumble, and Astrid smiled.
"Right sorry si... Dad." She stumbled before shaking her head. "It told us why the dragons attack us, he even choose to stay with us rather then return to protect its kin." She explained, and Stoick eyed her inquisitively.
"And why did it choose you two over its kin?" Stoick was still trying to come to grips with the fact that dragons were intelligent.
"Hope, dad, he has hope that we can help end the war." Hiccup spoke proudly and Stoick gazed at his son.
"It wants peace? then why do the beasts keep raiding us?" He asked a flurry of questions. "and how does it intend to end this war?" He finished and looked at Hiccup intently.
"Well we don't know how we're going to do it, but we know what we have to do to end it." Hiccup stated sadly. Stoick was dumbfounded, and looked from his son to his daughter-in-law.
"What do you mean you know what we have to do to end the war?" Stoick asked, and Hiccup gave him a sad smile before pulling out another sketch and handing it to Stoick.
"We have to kill that." Hiccup stated as his father studied the image. Stoick eyed the vellum, taking in every detail. Hiccup could see his mind working trying to comprehend the size of the beast.
"And.. you know it's this large because?" He looked at his son. Hiccup sighed.
"I promised everything, I know it's that size because I have been to the nest, that thing nearly killed me and Toothless." Stoick blanched and looked over to his son.
"You know how to get to the nest?" He asked and Hiccup nodded.
"I specifically waited until the ice was set in so you couldn't attempt a suicidal raid." Hiccup stated in a matter-of-fact tone, which left Stoick reeling. "Dad if we kill that dragon then the war is over, the dragons won't have a reason to attack us." Hiccup stated and Stoick eyed the dragon on the vellum. "Astrid and I have been trying to think of a way to do it but haven't been able to think of anything, so we thought if we told you maybe you could think of something, or some of the villages could have an idea..." Hiccup explained, while Stoicks mind mulled over this new information.
"You said you could show me?" Stoick asked and Hiccup nodded. "Then I think you should." Hiccup and Astrid shared a look and smiled softly.
"Lets go meet the Nadder... leave your weapons here dad," Hiccup requested.
Okay thats probably the last chapter with a lot of different people chatting...