His People
The sun must have been barely up for an hour, when Hiccup suddenly awoke with a start. His head was aching and everything around him seemed to turn, the light from outside burning his eyes and so he fell back down on his bedroll, to close them again. Groaning, but thankfully very aware of what had happened the night before. Well...at least until that very point, where he had fallen asleep. Many waves of memories from the last night hitting him at once. Washing over him, until it came back to his mind, where he currently was and what had happened. And also the silent oath of never ever touching yaknog again, for it really made him feel miserable. Maybe not because of the alcohol, that Ingunn has put into it, but more of the pure evilness, that this smelly beverage was.
And a thought about this made his stomach churn again – enough to lay his hands on his stomach to calm it, but thankfully not enough to throw up. Though...maybe this could have helped the burning within his guts, to feel a little better.
"Hangover?" A voice suddenly asked and Hiccup pushed himself on the elbows to look over to Fishlegs, who was also very awake and already reading a book, that he had in his hands.
The young chief cleared his throat, before he was able to speak:
"Don't think so...more like a food poisoning..."
"Oh..., I am glad, that I didn't drink anything. You were looking quite bad, when we were leaving the Great Hall. But don't worry – you were quite brave by doing so..."
Hiccup nodded, before he pushed himself up completely again, though it still was hard for him to focus completely on his surroundings.
"Yeah...you really should be glad about that. Maybe it would have been different, without Ingunn's special mixture...But this thing made not feel like myself last night. But I don't think, that I embarrassed myself in any way, or am I forgetting anything?"
"No. Don't worry – you even declined Ruffnut's proposal from that guy."
"Ah...I remember that as well..."
That and that he previously has seen Ljóda's face in the crowd. Watching his and Astrid's every move. Ready to strike again... Therefore he had been extra cautious about his every gesture and movement and all the things he said – even asking Astrid about the perfect answer for this small...dilemma. And asking for her to not help him to walk outside with his shaky legs. He remembered, that he had been concentrating so hard on not to fall, that he had forgotten about his dearest mother-in-law for a few moments there.
But it had worked and he was able to escape Astrid's people and their curious gazes.
And then...he remembered cuddling Astrid...Well...her warm and cozy stomach (which he was suddenly absolutely sure, she would punch him hard for). And somewhere there, he must have been fallen asleep. On the chair. And Astrid...
His eyes shoot up and after a few more times of blinking, his vision cleared and he was able to look around:
The fireplace in the middle of the guest's hut wasn't burning anymore, though it seemed, that the fire had gone out not too long ago, with some fume still escaping the burned, gray wood from below to reach the chimney over their heads. Scattered around it laid their sleeping friends: Snotlout sleeping in the back of the room, hugging his pillow tightly and snoring the loudest. Ruffnut and Tuffnut laying to his left – sprawled more over the floor, than on their bedrolls, with the male Thorston twin drooling straight on the wooden floor and his behind high in the air. Eret laid by the door, also snoring, but not as loud as his cousin. Fishlegs was more on the right side of the hut, leaning his back against the wall, to sit comfortably and to read and the young chief wondered, how long he was already doing that.
And then, there was Astrid – sleeping with a respectable space between them, but close enough for everybody to know, that their was some connection between them - deeply cuddled in the furry blanket on top of her, that seemed to protect her like a cocoon. All he could see, was a tuft of her blonde heir and everything up from her nose. And he had to admit to himself, that this must be one of the cutest things, he had ever seen before – not that he would dare to tell her that, because she might not like being called 'cute'.
And yet he couldn't help himself, but smile at the sign of peace in front of him and he wondered, if it had been hard for her, to get him on the bedroll. That something beyond kisses and hugs and cuddling happened between them, seemed to be far too impossible, since both of them would never dare to do that to the other, without their consent and it would have been any minute, that the gang had returned. And...why in Hel's name was he thinking about 'sleeping with Astrid' at all, for they just have started this whole 'being together thing' and there was no way, they would proceed so fast in their relationship. Not, that it was something absolutely absurd and horrible, but the circumstances around certainly should be right. And with the current happenings here on Hranafall, those certainly were not right.
"Well...it definitely has been a interesting evening..." Fishlegs continued then, after he had flipped the page and tore him out of his thoughts. "I mean...Hranafall is so much different from Berk. With the servants and the statuses. No wonder Astrid had such a hard time to get used to being on Berk."
"Yeah..." Hiccup mumbled and nodded about. "Very different..."
His stomach grumbled once more, just as a dark thought reached his mind. Because...what if Astrid actually liked the way she was treated here. Not the bad thing, where they all made fun of her, because of her progressive thoughts. But..., that they treated her like a queen. They didn't have that on Berk and he was sure, that they would throw him right into the water, if he ever came up witch such an idea – not that he wanted to do that. It was just...what if...the life on Berk couldn't quite please her the way it surely did on Hranafall – for she grew up like this any way...
With a sad smile he looked to her sleeping frame and sighed.
Sure...for her he would do anything, to make her feel at home. But would it be enough in the end?
Anything...though treating her like his personal queen shouldn't be too hard. But he knew exactly, what would be hard for him:
Facing Ljóda once more to prove himself worthy to be with her daughter. So she accepts him and that their people are connected with a contract.
And maybe...he thought...doing this would be best, when Astrid wasn't around.
With that thought the young chief pushed himself up from the bedroll and felt his legs aching – especially that one, that was still connected to his prosthesis, since he was still wearing it...
Alongside with the fine cloths from the evening, in which he had slept in as well...
"What are you going to do, Hiccup?" Fishlegs asked, curiosity rising in his voice, while he finally lowered the book completely to look up and over to his friend.
"First...I am going to change..." Hiccup said, already pulling the tunic over his head and changed it for his leather armor, since he didn't want to face his mother-in-law with wrinkly clothes. All the while he gave the two young and still very asleep women nervous glances, in hope, that they wouldn't wake up in any minute and see him half dressed.
"And...then?"
"Face Chieftess Ljóda..."
Fishlegs hissed with fear, when he heard these words.
"That really is one dragon I wouldn't want to face..."
"But she is family now..." Hiccup mumbled with a shrug and closed a few of the belts, that held his armor together. "...and it is important for both of us, that we get her acceptance and approval for this connection. I mean...sure...we are already married...But it would feel...nice...if Ljóda would just see her daughter's happiness as well..."
The young chief felt a strange urge of wanting to tell Fishlegs about their meeting with Ljóda in the Hofferson house. But he didn't want to upset his big friend with that and it would definitely be easier for him, if he wasn't constantly thinking about her insults.
"Don't worry about me, Legs...It is not like she wants to kill me or anything..."
Fishlegs wasn't sure about this either and only raised his eyebrows about that and gulped heavily. Hiccup sighed about that.
"Sure...she won't try to kill me now in daylight..., okay?"
His friend nodded with hesitation, but for now it was a good-enough answer.
"I will be back soon. Try to make them stay here in the hut, when they wake up – especially the twins. Don't want any more trouble or proposals, than needed today. After that, we get some breakfast and I will ask for permission to fly to that island, where they train their dragons on."
Fishlegs squealed happily about that and nodded eagerly, making Hiccup smile a little. Sure – he was as well excited to see, what kind of dragons were living on Hranafall and on the islands around it. But he was more interested to see, if they were treated with respect and if the people here have started to care about them...
"See you later..." Hiccup therefore mumbled, stepped carefully over Eret's sleeping body and opened the door silently. He closed it without a sound again and just as he turned around, he was greeted by a wet, sloppy tongue and a eager, black reptile behind it.
"What-wait?! What are...Toothless – you should have stayed in the forest!" Hiccup scolded his scaled friend, who only jumped up and down in front of him, while a few of the people, who were already awake, stared in amazement at the Night Fury, that was playing with the young chief of the Hooligan tribe. "Urgh...you useless reptile! Fine – you can stay! And but that tongue back in there where it belongs – you know that this won't wash out anymore!"
And worse...he would need to step in front of his mother-in-law all licked off and smelling like fish. When that wasn't the impression Hiccup was going for...!
But still the black dragon was far too happy to see his rider and Hiccup just couldn't send him away like that, knowing, that all that Toothless wanted to do, was to finally have a flight with him again. This, though, had to wait a little longer...
"Then come on, you useless reptile...before we go for a flight, we need to see Ljóda..." The Night Fury grumbled angrily at the sound of Astrid's mother's name and it made Hiccup roll his eyes. "Sure...but things need to be done..."
With Toothless trotting close behind him, he walked straight to the house of Astrid's parents, in hope to find his mother-in-law in good mood there. He was a little proud, that the sign of the Night Fury amazed and astonished the people who saw it, with one child even asking his parents, if he would be allowed to touch him. Yet the difference in their status seemed to prevent these people from asking, nearly making him frown again.
On Berk, things certainly would have been different. Sure, the parents first wanted to make sure, that the dragon won't be dangerous for their child, but they very well knew, that Toothless was no danger for them, nor that Hiccup would decline this question. Toothless loved attention – loved it, when people played with him, gave him something nice to eat, or merely admired him. If he had enough, Hiccup could tell it easily, but he would always be glad to met people, who loved dragons, as much as he did. But with these tribesmen on Hranafall...he wasn't quite sure.
There seemed to be some cautiousness. Gulping, whenever the dragon ran past them. Nervous, twitching hands, almost reaching to their weapons. Sure – it would take some time, to get past their old customs and habits of killing dragons. Berk was not different. Though...after defeating the Red Death, the Hooligan tribe had been far more opened to it, like the Hranafallians were now...
But soon enough he had to shake these thoughts away, since he stood in front of the big, wooden door, they have painted in a reddish color. And he raised his hand to knock – but the door already opened on its own and Ljóda nearly stumbled right into the young chief. Shock was in her eyes, once she noticed, who was standing there in front of her, followed with a slightly terrified look in Toothless' direction. But her confusion soon changed into a gaze of arrogance and scorn again and she merely stepped past Hiccup and down the path he just has come from, a quiet "Good morning, chief..." barely escaping her lips.
Hiccup sighed.
"Well...didn't turn out too well..." he said directed towards his winged friend, who only gave him a grumpy look in answer. "But that doesn't mean, that I will give up..."
So he turned around and hurried after Ljóda and was able to catch up with her, when she was looking at the goods from one of the traders.
"Good Morning Chieftess Ljóda..." Hiccup said with the friendliest tone he could muster. "..., I hope, that you had a pleasant sleep?"
"Not so much..." She mumbled and paid the trader, putting the fresh loaf of bread into the basket she was carrying with her. "Can't sleep, since my husband fell sick, though..." But still she wasn't looking at him and turned around to move to the next stall and looked at the apples for a few seconds there, before she decided to wander even further.
Hiccup grimaced a little about that, but then he remembered himself, that this wouldn't have been easy. He should have known that!
Walking for some time behind her, with Toothless following him, he took one coin out of his pocket, just as he passed a stall, that sold flowers, which had given him a new idea. He paid the older woman in a hurry and took the most beautiful fall-flower he saw. Once more he caught up with Ljóda and hold the small plant in front of him, presenting it to her.
"Are you trying your wooing skills now on me as well, Chief?" She asked and raised her thin eyebrows. "I can't believe, that my daughter has fallen for something like that..."
"I am not trying anything..." Hiccup grumbled a little in defeat, not understanding, why Ljóda was making it so hard for him. "...I just want to show you, that I appreciate you as my mother-in-law. And that I really want it to work...You know...for Astrid..."
She nodded, but her face remained blank with a furious gleam in her eyes. But at least she wasn't walking away again.
"So...ehr...let me just help you, if that is okay for you?" He carefully asked and reached for her basket to carry it for her. And thankfully enough she let him do it. Hiccup gave Toothless behind him a victorious smile for that.
"Why is your little lap dog here anyway? I thought they were hiding somewhere..." She asked, now also looking at the black dragon, that sat protectively behind Hiccup and growled, when he noticed that.
"Toothless. Oh – don't fear him-"
"I do not fear any dragon."
"„I-I am sorry for that. I didn't mean to..." Hiccup stuttered, with his free hand scratching the back of his head. "He is just unused to me not being around..."
Once again she gave him a sharp nod, before she started to walk again, but this time allowing Hiccup to walk next to her.
"I wonder..." She then started "...how you still trust this monster...for he is responsible for the death of your father..."
Hiccup pressed his lips together, upon hearing the word 'monster', but he decided not to say something about it. But another thing irritated him a little more – after all – how could she know...But on the other hand – Hakon was a close friend to Gobber and the old smith must have told him about his father's demise and how he had fallen on that awful day. And he of course has told his wife...
"..., Toothless had no fault. It had been this madman Drago. He and his Bewilderbeast made him do it..."
„Drago...Drago Bludvist? I have heard of him... Didn't think, that he was still around, or that he woudl do something like that..."
"Yeah..." Hiccup mumbled, this name alone giving him chills down the spine and and made him feel, as if he had a lump in his throat. "That Drago Bludvist. And sure was still around...He had wanted to destroy Berk and oppress the dragons...Killed my father..."
She was quiet for a minute and Hiccup did not know, if this was a good, or a bad sign. But so he stayed quiet, too, wanting for her to approach a new topic, again.
In silence they walked like that for a few minutes from stall to stall, being greeted by the people, while they were getting closer to the docks.
Sure...it wasn't the most intense conversation, but at least it seemed to work. She hasn't screamed at Hiccup once and accepted his presence next to her. It definitely could have been worse...
"I need to take care of a few deliveries. Especially the one for armors and weapons. We have been running low on iron this year and were not able to catch up on our usual yearly production...And we might need it...who knows..."
"Sure...I...I don't mind coming along...and-"
"Aaahhh – Chieftess Ljóda!" Somebody suddenly interrupted them and this male voice somehow made his mind tickle, for he remembered, that he had heard it already once...and only a few days ago. And when Hiccup turned around, he knew, why this was the case.
It was Halvar – the hopefully ex dragon hunter, they have encountered at Valka's Sanctuary - who approached them with a wide grin on his lips and his hands waving high in the air. And when the older man laid his eyes on Hiccup, he seemed to be surprised and seemingly concerned about this encounter as well.
"Ah...and Chief Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III of Berk. Great Dragon Master... I-I did not know..." Yet he bowed deeply in front of the two Vikings, but Hiccup still could see him gulp heavily, making him rise a eyebrow in suspicion about that strange behavior.
"Speak, Halvar..." Ljóda yet demanded, making the older man cough with nervousness, when he got back up again. „What is the matter?"
"I-I...the delievery..." He stuttered, his eyes every now and them hurrying towards Hiccup, before they laid back on Ljóda's face "...it is here... Not much for now, though..."
"Armor and Weapons?" Hiccup asked with an eerie suspicion, feeling, that something was definitely wrong with Halvar's behavior. Sure – the last time they have seen him, they have fought against him and his men, making some impression – especially Astrid, who even threatened him, if he ever dared to lay his hands on a dragon again. But still it wasn't justifying, that he was so nervous around the young chief and his dragon, for it could have easily brushed off as a past happening and he could have approached him with some causality. But not...like that...
And a alarming feeling spread through his body, intensified, as Toothless sniffed the old man and sensed something, that definitely was out of place. Growling and hissing at the man, his eyes only being small slits.
Halvar, sensing the danger, stepped away and almost hid behind Ljóda, while the black dragon started to charge – not at him – but past him and straight towards the docks.
And there was something, that pulled Hiccup after his dragon, following him with fast steps, his hands already itching, to get a hold on his trusty, flaming sword, for the young chief suddenly had the feeling, that he would need it.
He saw, that Toothless soon reached Halvar's ship, which was still the same and even had the burning marks on a few places on deck. As well as a few of Stormfly's spine shots, that were still stuck in the wood of the ship.
Before the young chief could have reached the deck and before he could have stopped the Night Fury, he already saw, that Toothless opened his mouth and charged a heavy blast into the floor in front of his paws, opening a big hole with it.
And finally – he understood, what Toothless has smelled on Halvar and why he had wanted to get here so fast.
Because now, Hiccup could hear them too – their screams and growls and whimpering. Because he suddenly understood, why Halvar had been so nervous around him.
Because he didn't change his mind to hunt dragons.
Because these poor winged reptiles were caged inside the ship.
Without thinking Hiccup ran past the few men on deck, who immediately recognized him and therefor stood back – not wanting to fight him once more. He jumped inside the ship, immediately seeing five cages with a different variety of dragons inside. Some Nadders, a few Gronkles, and a blue Rumblehorn, alongside a few Dragons he did not know. Bound together in heavy nets.
He immediately knew, what he had to do – taking Inferno out and he pried open the cages – merely made out some weak iron - before he carefully cut open the nets, freeing the poor dragons from the imprisonment, flying through the hole in the ceiling and away from the ship.
Hiccup was boiling with anger.
So...the contract had never worked! It all had been a farce! The dragon's probably were not trained, but imprisoned on that island! No – he wouldn't tolerate that! He wouldn't accept it! He had fought so long for the freedom of dragons – on Berk and on the Edge and beyond and he would do this for Hranafall as well!
He climbed on Toothless' back, who flew out of the ship and landed by the docks for a moment.
People had gathered there – of course – dragons just flew away and Toothless has destroyed Halvar's ship, smoke coming from the burned wood. They screamed – in fear and astonishment, but stepped away, whenever Toothless or Hiccup looked at them, the young chief searching for the Chieftess of the Hunter Tribe.
And when he finally found her, she acknowledged his gaze, by stepping in front of them, her hand's tightly clenched into fists.
"Chieftess Ljóda!" Hiccup barked, pointing with his still flaming sword towards the ship. "This is not acceptable! You know that! Hakon knows that! Your husband being sick or not – we will return to Berk and we will think about consequences for...THIS!"
The people shouted, but he couldn't make out their words. Or Ljóda's answer.
He had launched already with Toothless up into the air, flying straight towards the guest's hut, needing to see his friends.
And those were already awake and outside, looking towards to black smoke that gathered by the water and the docks. Shocked and surprised the same time.
"Something tells me, that you are behind this..." Snotlout asked with some sarcasm in his voice, while Hiccup merely pushed past him and inside, to gather his things and his bedroll.
"Pack everything! We are leaving!" Hiccup barked once more.
"What?!" Was their answer in unison, standing paralyzed outside, unsure, if they have heared their chief correctly.
But Hiccup couldn't care any less in this moment. Rolling the thin mattress together and already fastening it on Toothless saddle, his mind swirling and swirling around what just has happened.
Was he overreacting...? No – no, he definitely wasn't and if he would let this slip so easily and forget about it, then he would work against his own believes. Sure – he knew, what this could mean for his people – fighting another tribe there were supposed to work in peace with. But they would understand! They have been fighting for the same thing for years! And would not stop now! Not even because of a stupid little contract!
But first he had to get back to Berk! Tell Gobber. Tell his mother about this betrayal. Talk with the elders and the warriors. Maybe even consulting the Berserkers and Defenders of the Wing – he already knew, that Dagur, Heather and Mala would have reacted just the same. But he would listen to all of their opinions and how they should react to that – dragons being delivered as goods to Hranafall. Together they would come up with a solution. But he knew, that they would understand...
"Hiccup...?" A soft voice softly called for him and felt hands on his shoulders, making him turn around. But when he saw her blue eyes and blonde hair, he stepped away, startled, escaping her hands. Hurting Astrid with that move.
"Boss...what has happened?" Eret asked carefully and he had his bedroll already packed under his arm and a concerned look on his face.
"Dragons..." Hiccup merely said, breathless, as if this was the first time he was catching some air in his lungs again. "...this guy...Halvar...he has captured them and delivered them here – to Hranafall. Like common goods...Ljóda was to accept them, if Toothless hadn't heared and sensed them beforehand..."
"What?!" Fishlegs asked out loud, while Ruffnut lout out a shocked gasp.
"What...what are we going to do now?" Tuffnut asked.
Hiccup sighed, stepping past Astrid to desperately avoid her gaze. It was somewhat unintentional. But also he did this willingly, for he couldn't bear her shocked, desperate eyes, when she heard his words as well.
"We will get back to Berk. We need to inform our people about this and will figure out, how to go from there."
"What about the contract?!" Snotlout asked breathless. "They were are not allowed to do that!"
"That is right..." Hiccup whispered, knowing, that such a betrayal called for a punishment, though he didn't want to think that far right now. "That's why, we need to return immediately. Find a solution...But from what I see now, the contract is broken...from both sides..."
An eerie silence engulfed the room and Hiccup somehow feared, that they all were able to hear his heart beating. Or hear, how Astrid's was breaking from these words.
"Hiccup..." She gasped and reached once more for his shoulder, turning him around to her, though it was hard to look her in the eyes. And yet he tried. "...I will speak with my parents about this...I...there...there surely is a reason, why they have done this."
"Do you believe that yourself...?"
Though he felt like screaming, he did not, just as if all his strength was wasted from freeing the dragons. And what held him back as well, where his feelings for the young Hranafallian woman in front of him.
"I don't know, what to believe anymore...But...if you trust me...then you let me speak to my parents one more time. Prepare the dragons...I will be there in a few minutes."
Hiccup lowered his gaze to the floor and clenched his fists.
Trust...
This one word, that suddenly seemed to mean everything. And he wanted to trust her, for she had always laid her trust in him. And now she wanted him to return this favor.
He closed his eyes and nodded.
"Fine. Come to the forest, if you want to leave with us..." He whispered, but stepped away from her once more, before she could have reached out for him. Guiding Toothless and the gang outside, hoping it would not be long, until he was able to return to his people.
...Silently hoping, that she would come with him despite everything...
A/N: So...sh*t is slowly going down, yes? Don't want to say too much, for you will soon see more... :D And I hoped, you enjoyed it :D Well...enjoy might not be the right word, but you know what I mean ;D
And for the comments:
Mariah: Yeah, she does ;D For she actually still needs that time to realize that herself. I mean – having him as some kind as boyfried is nice. But everything past that...well. And her mother...well...
hiccstrid105: Yep it is ;D The chapter name :D And Ljóda's time will come :O
CajunBear73: It is,...it really is...At first I wanted Hranafall to be similar to Berk, but then – why would it have been hard for Astrid to find her place there, if everything was just too similar. And – like her mother said – she was born a girl in a man's world. It would have been far easier, to just 'be' a woman, if it wasn't so hard on Hranafall. Ehr...I just hope this all makes sense to you :O And I also liked the Eret/Astrid scene to write :D For it wasn't just a one sided advice and I think it was needed to get a little trust back from Eret ;D And yeah...now things will go down and you will soon see, what Ljóda is up to :D
Grima: Well – the lute guy does not know too much of her :D And Snotlout and Fishlegs had a thing for her as well :D And I like her XD She surely will find herself a good husband...(who can't play lute XD) Vivi-ntvg: Thank you :D I am glad you enjoyed the friendship scene between Eret and Astrid and the hiccstrid there :D
Silvolde: I kinda liked that episode. So maybe some inspiration there? ;D cosmicblader12: Haha, Ruffnut hasn't pranked them, yet ;D And I am glad you enjoyed the fluff and the chapter and I hope you liked this as well:D
bettycrazy: We will see about the scene ;D But I am more thinking about equality in the last battle ;D
HTTYDlover99: Thank you very much :D About Hakon we will see :D And Ruff surely will find her way :D And everything else – yeah – time will tell :D
aaquater: Mhmm...so maybe the twins give the idea and Snotlout writes it? Or the gang sitting together by the fire (like in the first movie with Gobber) and telling the tales of the big Hiccup, write it down, to gift it to Hiccup to his birthday. Or in this story to Astrid, to demonstrate his heroic deeds to the poor wife XD And I totally can see the repeating of Hiccup drinking the gallons of yaknog in front of other chiefs. With maybe Dagur either helping, or challenging his 'brother' ;D And yeah – the people on Hranafall are just their jobs. Not more. Or just goods, that can be traded, if they are not good enough at what they are doing. I mean – sure – Vikings back then also had slaves (and leaders some sex slaves as well), but I didn't want to go all that way down. (Also – Hakon is far too in love with Ljóda to have a mistress at the side...). And yeah...what ever the chief wanted, it would happen. So, if Astrid was to marry Hiccup, she had to. Daughter of the chief or not, that is right. And for not bothering the chief – why bothering him, if he could be your father-in-law by the next moon, and – hey – his daughter seemed to like me anyway, because she smiled at me once in the morning ;D And the lute guy situation was inspired by that episode. And on your question, on why Tuffnut approved – first – the guy could play the lute quite will (I am sorry, but I guess, that this would be something, that would impress Tuffnut, especially, if they could play a duet with him and chicken XD) and secondly – Tuffnut has just heard from Fishlegs, that his sister was for Vikings quite old, so he had to act on that, before it might be too late. Sure – he has learned, that his sister should decide herself, who she wanted to marry. But then – he was also carring for her, so if that guy actually had a big house and stuff, to make her happy, then why not? And for your Heather-question: The thing is – she would not have been allowed to travel on her own. Without any company from a male relative. On Hranafall it was just unthinkable! So – yeah – if she was there to come alone, then anybody could have the chance to marry her (maybe with the approval of their own chief, due to these special circumstances, but still). It is...quite harsh, but sadly, history has always been harsh... And for Ljóda...she is waiting on anything Hiccup does. But you will soon see ;D
De Amicus: Oh yeah...Hiccup really should pay attention to anything he does. This is not Berk. And he will soon learn that the hard way (maybe also seen in this chapter?) And for the weapon situation – he didn't have the chance or reason to give it back to her. It is not a trust situation anymore, but between chiefing, dragon riding and then going to the Sanctuary, it was just not needed, for Astrid to have a weapon. And during the first encounter with Hakon, she was able to hold herself against these men with a shield – more of defense, but not as an active attacker (Which in these times is not the wisest decision.) ;D
Crimson Dragon Virus: I am glad you enjoyed this chapter :D And I am very glad, that the differences between the two tribes work :D And yeah...I really expect for Snotlout to embrace these traditions of high status and stuff, cause it makes himself like the biggest hero of them all ;D (I mean – after everything on Berk and the Edge, he is together with the gang a hero as well, but he is just glad, that a few others see his potential as well :D) And I am glad, that the proposal of Ruff and the lute guy was quite enjoyable to you :D I really enjoyed writing it :D And well...trouble is incomming. Not yet with suitors, but things are starting to go down. Hope you like that as well ;D (Though I so enjoy that thought of getting Hiccup in a actual fight with them ;D). And the scene with Eret and Astrid is also quite important. For Eret's approach towards Ruffnut, as well as him starting to trust her more (again). And the ending anyway. And yeah...I found it quite adorable, writing Hiccup a little drunk and cuddly with his girl there ;D And yeah...Sh*t goes down the next morning, as you see and I hope you were expecting something like that to happen (or maybe even not ;D) and I hope you therefore enjoyed it :D
jimmix: But I am very glad, that you came back to read and comment and thank you for that! :D And I am most sorry about the mistake. I always think, that I get all, but when I re-read the chapters after a few months, I notice (a few) them as well... I am sorry for that :O Still, I hope you are able to enjoy this chapter as well :D
