My Hiccup 37

Mastering new skills was always exciting for Hiccup and while his footing was always a little off his aim was remarkable and he was able to catch dinner or lunch throughout the majority of their vacation. Stoick was exceedingly impressed by him. This was what he should have taught his boy when Hiccup was younger. The child couldn't sit still with a rod, he got bored too fast and his mind wandered but give him a bow or spear or even a net and Hiccup excelled at fishing. Best of all Hiccup didn't need Toothless's help which assured Stoick that the boy would be able to fend for himself if he was ever on his own and the Nightfury seemed to enjoy all the extra fish coming his way often making a trade by providing the odd rabbit or boar which meant for the first time in his life Stoick really didn't have to do any hunting for dinner. Hiccup and Toothless did it all and Stoick simply relaxed.

When they finally returned to Berk Stoick was just as excited to share their experiences with Gobber as Hiccup was with his friends. He had been so excited in a very long time, especially over something he was able to teach his son. Gobber was all smiles and chuckles at the tales Stoick told. He listened intently at first unable to imagine young Hiccup up to his waist in water with a spear nearly twice as tall as him and trying to catch fish almost as heavy as him. It made for a funny image in his mind until Hiccup ran here to put in few hours of work on a new tailfin for Toothless and began tell the exact same tale. Not much work was done on that tailfin as his interest faltered and the story got larger. He ended up sitting on the table instead, kicking his feet out absently like he did when he was young and simply chattered away endlessly, filling in spots his father left out. Many a Viking came to listen to them and soon so did the riders, most unable to believe what their lanky and usually weak armed leader had accomplished, which ended up inspiring what Stoick felt to be a dangerous training exercise.

"Absolutely not," he sternly only a few days after returning home. He passed the length of their home, a worried frown marring his face as he rubbed his chin trying his best not to rip out his beard in anger and fear. Hiccup would never have suggested such a thing only a year ago. He never would have dreamed of putting himself and his friends in such a danger situation with no back up other than a handful of dragons that technically were not allowed to help to in any way. "It's far too dangerous. A hand full of warriors should go with you and…"

"Dad, we have to. If not now then when? All of our parents are warriors. We were all taught to fight and defend ourselves since the time we could walk but other than Gobber's lessons we've never been able to put any of that to use on the field," the boy said hurriedly, his hands raised in a manner he used to sooth disgruntled dragons. "Look, Snotlout's nineteen. He's the oldest and can…I don't know…chaperon us?"

Stoick gave a snort. His nephew maybe nineteen but he was in no way mature enough to chaperon anyone let alone lead. "I said no," he said firmly as he turned away in hopes of finding something to busy himself before his son could come up with a suitable argument.

"Okay, maybe not a good example but the point is we've all had survival training and if we don't get a chance to use these skills and something does happen that's out of our control than how can you expect any of us to make it when left alone?" Hiccup forged ahead as he darting ahead of his father with the map he had drawn out with Astrid earlier that day. He quickly unrolled it on the nearest table. "Just have a look. It's only a one night mission. We land here." He pointed to the east side of the island. "The dragons will spend the night there while we make or way to the other side of the island on foot."

"With no weapons or back up of any sort and at night?" Stoick inquired before shaking his head. "No. I'm sorry, Hiccup, but I simply can't allow this. It's too danger and you're all too young for such a mission."

"Says the man who popped the head off a Nadder at the age of four and was captain of an army by the age of sixteen, which I might remind you I am now." He looked up at his father, his eyes not pleading but showing just how stubborn he was and how much he was willing to fight for this. "I might now be a great warrior…hell, I'll probably never will be but I know dragons and I was taught by two of Berk greatest how to take care of myself. If I can't make it one night on Dragon Island alone then…then you might as well find a new heir because I'll never be good enough to lead."

His father groaned and ran a hand over his face. Some days he hated the fact that his boy was so smart and cunning and knew his weaknesses so well. Sighing he looked that map over. It was ten kilometers of rough terrain with mountains and foothills to trek over or around. Not really a challenge for a seasoned warrior but wild dragons…that was what worried him most. "Have you down a fly over and recon."

Hiccup beamed seeing that his father, the great Stoick the Vast that bent to no wind was finally starting to been for him. "Of course," he chirped. "Astrid and I marked out the whole island. There are plenty of caves to take cover in if the weather takes a turn."

"That's not what I meant. Son, there are still hundreds of dragons still on that island."

"Thousands actually," Hiccup corrected without thinking.

"Mmm…and that makes me feel so much better." He sighed. "Why night? You can easily do this during the day."

"Well that's the problem. Day time would be too easy. We need to not only cross the length of the island but be able to handle the dragons there."

And Hiccup was now back to helping Stoick's argument against spending the night on Dragon Island. "So you're planning to tame over a thousand dragons all in one night? That ambitious even for you."

A tinge of pink coloured the boy's cheeks right up to his ears. "Well…no, that would be impossible but we can use what we've learned from our dragons to calm the wild ones and keep them from harming us."

Stoick still didn't like it. One; Dragon Island was named such due to the vast number of dragons crawling all over it. Two: Hiccup was his only child, his pride and joy (although that was often a challenge), and Three: not yet ready to handle himself in the field if what happened with Alvin on Outcast Island was any indication. The child was young, still naïve and emotion and easy to anger, but he was also the son of a chief and even though he could train dragons he could not defend himself in a one on one fight whether it be someone twice his size or even someone in his weight class which there were very few of. Nonetheless it was hard to say no to Hiccup when he had his heart set on something and if Stoick had learned anything about his son it was that sooner or later he would get what he wanted even if it meant doing it behind Stoick's back. At least this way Stoick would know where the kids where and could send someone to what over them from a distance if he didn't do so himself.

"Alright," he finally agreed, trying not to smile at the look of triumph that filled his son's face. "Just one night. If you're not home for breakfast then I'm coming after you, got it?"

Hiccup's face was so bright it was lit looking at a mini sun. "Yeah! Thanks, Dad. I promise, we'll be back before you know it. See, this is the trail I'm planning to take. We'll all meet here at this beach and at dawn our dragons will come and get us. So if we're not back on time that's where you can start searching for us but there'll be no need." He quickly rolled up the map, grinned widely at his Dad then ran toward the entrance, a skip in his steps as he bounced down the steps much as he did before his injury. "Thanks, Dad!"

Stoick watched him leave, Toothless close behind. He couldn't help but worry about his boy. There was another reason he didn't want Hiccup to go to Dragon Island. It was the place he battled the Red Death and lost his leg and nearly and Toothless's lives. Hiccup had spent many months having nightmares of that awful place and woke up crying and screaming many nights. He didn't want those memories triggered and putting the child through so much pain again. Still, he had to trust Hiccup to take care of himself at some point. He just hoped he was making the right decision in letting the kids do this.

. . .

It turned out it wasn't dragons or bad memories or even the rough terrain that were a problem for Hiccup. Sure his bad leg bothered him a bit by the time he was three-quarters of the way across the island but it was perhaps the most peaceful hike he had had in recent memory. That was until he came across the campfire in the middle of the woods, something all the teens had agreed to do. He was certain it was Snotlout at first and called out to him even though his gut said it wasn't cousin at fault. Why would Snotlout have the remains of a Monstrous Nightmare when he obviously loved Hookfang too much to ever harm one?

Being tackled to the ground by an over excitable Dagur was definitely the last thing he ever expected. The wind was knocked out of him as he landed hard on his shield, each rider only having the basics on them such as a hunting knife and shield if they chose one. Then, before he truly had a chance to catch his breath, Dagur was holding him by his upper arms and hugging him while babbling on about why the where there and being so happy to see him and bouncing from one emotion to another making Hiccup dizzy as he tried to make sense of it all. Dagur was always excitable and sometimes very giggly and maybe a little unhinged but this was strange even for him then things just got weirder.

Dagur was never really the touchy feely type but suddenly he was touching Hiccup more, some just little touches to back or shoulders, one armed hugs but when Dagur started grabbing his hand and placing it over his heart then onto Hiccup's the young heir became uncomfortable, especially when Dagur spoke of "the Nightfury" Hiccup had battled to save his life and how he planned to learn everything about dragons and hunt down the Nightfury that escaped Hiccup.

"Uhm…thanks," was all Hiccup could murmur when Dagur gave him compliments and long looks that seemed a little more than friendly. He tried keeping his eyes on his feet, unsure how to take all the unwanted attention, his face heating up a little in embarrassment as he debated whether or not to tell Dagur the truth. But the other boy seemed so unstable, switching from one emotion to the next so fast that Hiccup's head spun so much that when he was dragged to his knees before the campfire to howl at the moon he didn't think to stop Dagur. That was a weird experience and Hiccup only half-heartedly joined the howling, fully expecting one of his friends to come stumbling into the camp and laughing their fool heads off at them and potentially dying at the business end of Dagur's northbow.

Dagur couldn't help but stare at Hiccup the whole time they were together. The younger boy still didn't look like much, too scrawny and small to seem like any sort of hunter let alone warrior. Hiccup could easily pass for twelve rather than sixteen and weighed maybe ninety pounds soak and wet, if that but he was obviously full of surprises. He didn't jump or flinch when he heard a dragon cry and seemed able to judge size and species just by the sound. And he carried no weapon other than a small hunting knife and ornate shield. Such old tools for a Dragon Conqueror, but then Hiccup had always been a little odd himself. Dagur couldn't help but admire him, even at his most annoying.

Then those stupid friends of his had to show up and make Hiccup act all the weirder and Dagur was certain he might have to kill one to chase the others away so he spend time with his brother. For they were brothers in ways he had never hoped before. Despite their obvious size differences and personalities they were very much alike and once Hiccup sent his little entourage away they were finally able to hunt down the Nightfury together as it was meant to be.

"Dagur, look…we need to talk before…before we do anything rash," Hiccup said carefully as they neared the bluff the ebony dragon had run to.

Dagur ignored him as he swung his crossbow left then right. "I don't get it. Why doesn't it fly?"

"Maybe's it's an ambush," the younger boy answered as he looked worriedly around as well.

The Berserker chief stopped suddenly and looked down at his brother. "They can do that?"

"Uh? Oh…yes…yes, Nightfuries are extremely smart." He inhaled slowly and let his breath out. "Listen…like I was saying…about this Nightfury and what happened back on Berk…"

"Shh…listen…you hear that? Talons scrapping against stone. It's this way." Dagur grabbed Hiccup's wrist and dragged him a few feet before shoving the young heir behind a boulder. "It's close," he whispered close to Hiccup's ear and inhaling the Hooligan's scent.

"Dagur, would stop and listen to me for a second," Hiccup growled lowly. "You can't attack that dragon. He's…"

"How do you know it's a 'he'?"

Hiccup opened his mouth to answer but found he was unable to speak.

Dagur's eyes brightened. "It's one of those things you learned studying dragons, huh? The sound of his cry or his crest, right? Ho ho! You are clever, brother! A male stud would be perfect!"

"Perfect for what? There's no other Nightfuries to breed him with. I mean…I haven't found another anywhere in the Archipelago and I've…" He stopped, his eyes widening in fear that he may have said too much.

But Dagur wasn't paying attention. He pulled Hiccup out from behind the boulder that brought up his bow, aiming at the Nightfury's hiding spot and waiting for it to make its move. Like Hiccup he wasn't alone, not really. He had spent weeks on the island alone but his armada waited out in the bay. His uncle, Harold, came to check on him from time to time but otherwise Dagur had spent his time hunting and doing exactly as he told Hiccup, learning about dragons and their habitats. He signaled them in hopes that together they could draw the Nightfury out and he could make the kill. He never expected Hiccup to betray him.

Having his own brother, a boy he finally felt a connection with and was able to admire – even if Hiccup was four years younger – turn against him was such a slap in the face that Dagur felt hurt and anger that he automatically lashed out, Hiccup's hurtful words fueling his rage. Thing is that even though Hiccup was still unbelievably small and looked harmless he was a fighter and he managed to defend himself and the Nightfury with surprising skill…a skill that while it angered Dagur it also excited him. He watched the way his brother fought, sure now more than ever they were meant to be as one. And the way Hiccup talked to that dragon, the way they understood each other and moved together as if knowing the other's every thought. It was uncanny, exceptional and brilliant. So when their fight ended and Hiccup and his Nightfury took to the sky with the other Berkian teens and their dragons Dagur watched with a mix of jealousy, awe and fascination. No one would hurt his Hiccup, no one but him. After all, brothers looked one another.

. . .

Stoick was waiting anxiously for the riders to return. He was up long before dawn and waiting on the cliff's edge with Thornado, waiting for the sun to rise and an excuse to go to Dragon Island and possibly pull his son out of whatever danger he may have gotten himself into. Yet the Gods were with Hiccup that day and the shapes of the five dragons of Berk came into view and Stoick let out a breath he had not realized he was holding when Toothless landed in front of him. The other teens were whooping and giving each other high-fives and congratulating each other as they headed for their homes but Hiccup sat silently on Toothless's back, his eyes downcast and looking silently dejected.

"Hiccup?" Stoick asked as he strolled to his son, fearing that maybe the boy had struggled through the training course. "Are you alright?"

His boy swallowed an obvious lump in his throat before looking up. "I'm sorry, Dad," he apologized making Stoick feel bad for him. It had to be either his bad leg or the trekking over the harsh terrain of Dragon Island that took its toll on Hiccup to make him so upset but what the boy said next brought a shock of fear to Stoick. "Dagur knows about the dragons. I…I couldn't hide it anymore. He was going to kill Toothless and I tried to stall him and lead away but…I had no choice. I couldn't let him kill Toothless and turn him into a helmet."

He talked so fast that Stoick struggled for a moment to understand exactly what he was going on about. When he did he stepped up to his son and the Nightfury and placed a hand on Toothless's head, gently rubbing soothing circles on his crown. "You did what you had to in order to save someone you love. I would've done the same."

Hiccup's head snapped up in surprise so fast that his father was sure he must have hurt his neck. "What? You're not mad? But I may have just sent us to war. Dad, I…I said some horrible stuff to him. I didn't mean…well I did but that's only because he wouldn't listen and…I may have made matters worse. If I had just…I don't know." He leaned forward and hugged Toothless, thankful they were both alive and still together. "I'm sorry, Dad. You were right; we shouldn't have done this exercise."

"Dagur would have learned the truth sooner or later," Stoick soothed, squeezing his son's shoulder. "Let's go home and get some food in your belly. Then you can get some sleep while I discuss this new development with the council. Don't over worry about Dagur. He knows we have dragons now so it's unlikely he'll try to attack us any time soon."

The youth finally climbed off Toothless, his shoulders slumped and guilt written all over his features. "I hope you're right. I don't think I can handle another 'brother' session just yet," he mumbled before give a tell-tale yawn signally that it really had been a long night and he needed his bed even if only for a few hours.

"Brother?" Stoick asked softly, but Hiccup was obviously too tired to answer. Once they got to their hut the boy went straight to his loft, flopped on his bed and was asleep before his head even hit the pillow. Stoick managed to remove his boot and prosthetic then tucked him in. Whatever happened on Dragon Island and how Dagur got in the mix would have to wait until Hiccup awoke but Stoick was in no rush. He knew the important facts and that was all he needed to alert the council to a potential war against the Berserkers, a war no tribe ever wanted.