A Queen's Hero
Disclaimer: I do not own How to train your dragon
KEY
'Thoughts/memories'
"foreign language/projected thoughts"
Emphasis/yelling
(A/N: WOOT-WOOT! 100 followers. To celebrate this amazing achievement, I'm gonna work hard to finish and post the next chapter ASAP! Ahem, Berk's about to get some visitors.)
Review responses
No Account: So that's 1 for no OC, Hiccup still has his insecurities about himself.
CajunBear73: Now with BOTH Eir and Vera pushing the relationship between their 'children', Hiccup may soon find that he might not have a choice.
OechsnerC: Thanks.
Back to the action!
Chapter 15: Crucible
Three months later
Nar POV
Gobber awoke and rolled off his bed, groaning as he popped his sore back, 'Anotha' day of coverin' fo' Stoick'. He hobbled over to his bedside table and took a swig of day-old mead, "Ack!". Gobber forced the rest down to help with his morning pains. Hiking up his pants, he shambled out of his humble hut to feel the bitter cold wind of first light.
Most of the village was still asleep, but it was the chief's duty to begin the day first, 'I honestly can' see 'ow Stoick does this everyday'. Due to the famine, activity in Berk was lowered to a manageable degree by Gobber's standards. He could handle checking on farmers and fishermen, while occasionally settling a dispute. However, chiefing had cost him time away from his passion of blacksmithing, most of the time he hardly ever got to light the forge.
Gobber sighed as he pulled out his parchment listing his daily tasks, he made his way toward the food storage. It was the quickest task to complete, since it was half-empty most of the time. He called out the number of crates and what they held, a few minutes later he was done. Gobber closed the storage's doors and hobbled towards the docks, he sighs as he passes his darken forge, 'I don' kno' 'ow much longa I can deal without ma' forge'.
He made it down the ramps and shuffled into the nearest warehouse, he checked nets, rods, and anything else the fishing boat crew used during the day. Nearly two hours later, he finally finished, by now most of the village was up. His stomach growled out, "Well, time ta' get a bite ta' eat".
Some villagers greeted him as he passed by, he returned their greeting while hobbling to the great hall. The smell of freshly cooked fish grew stronger as he neared, Gobber never tired of eating fish. He did miss the occasional roasted chicken, but the lack of feed had caused them to die off. Gobber opened the large doors and approached the food table, he filled his bowl to the brim with fish stew. Being temporary chief did have its perks, like sitting at the head table.
He flopped down and spooned himself several mouthfuls, while he scanned the room. Most of the early risers were well into their breakfast, Gobber kept looking until he spotted a lone dusty seat at the head table. It was Hiccup's seat, he sighed, 'I miss ya' lad, hope yur' happy whereva' yeh are'. He got up and pulled out a rag, then carefully dusted off the seat, 'One day, I 'ope ya' visit yur' old friend'. Gobber smiled and cleaned off his bowl. As he neared the doors, he looked back to Hiccup's seat and imagined his friend/nephew/son smiling back at him.
Hours had gone by as Gobber continued his role as temporary chief, one by one checking off his list. It was noon and he had only a few things left to do, but Gobber decided to have lunch. He entered the forge and went to his cabinet containing his stash of yak jerky, he began to light the forge while chewing on a strip. The heat from the furnace chased away the cold and bathe the inside of the forge in warm orange light.
Gobber finished his strip and hid the rest back in the cabinet, someone called out behind him. It was Phlegma with her farming hoe in hand, "Hey Gobber, ya' mind fixin' this for me?". He placed the head in the furnace and stared at the burning coals. Gobber recalled the days he spent with Hiccup making weapons for the raids, He missed those days dearly.
He pulled out the glowing head and held it in place with his tong attachment, sparks flew as he pounded it back into shape. The head began to cool, so he pushed it onto a new handle and dunked it in the nearby water barrel. He pulled it out and admired his work, 'Still got it'. Phlegma payed Gobber for the repair and walked off. He turned away only for an instant, before another person called out to him.
It was Hoark, "Gobber, Ack just spotted a ship sailin' towards us, he thinks it might be Stoick". Gobber sent Hoark to gather the other guards and meet him at the docks, 'Finally, I was getting' tired of bein' chief'. He smiled at the thought of getting back to what he loves best, melting metal and pounding it into shape. The only thing better than that would be having Hiccup working with him, 'Someday 'iccup, someday we'll see each otha' again'.
Berk's docks
Gobber was halfway down the ramps, when he scanned the ship's deck. He breathed easy when he saw no one missing and no bound Hiccup. The villagers murmured around him, mostly expecting food and drink, 'Selfish Vikins'. He shook his head in disappointment as he neared the approaching ship. Berk's dockworkers eagerly moored the chief's ship, Gobber took note of Stoick's scowl, 'I 'ope 'e didn' find 'iccup'.
"I trust eveythin' went well at least?", the blacksmith questioned his friend.
"Not even close", Stoick holds his duffle bag under his arm.
"Ah. Excellent", Gobber snags his friends bag with his hook, sharing the burden.
"I hope you had a little more success than me".
"Well, if by success, ya' mean tha' Berk is still in one piece, then… yes", all around them, people congratulated Stoick for getting the village food. The chief looked over Gobber's shoulder and glared, then walked toward the ramps with a grumbling Spitelout close behind.
Gobber was confused by his friends change in demeanor, he looked behind him and saw Astrid and the twins with indifferent faces. They passed him without a word, 'Wha's with those three?'. Next, Fishlegs walked with a depressed Snotlout, his arm around the shorter teen. 'Wha' in Thor's name 'appen?'.
Berk's great hall
Gobber hobbled up to the head table with a book in his hand, it contained the daily ledgers during Stoick's absence. He set the book down near his friend, who was checking the food stock's usage. Gobber grew worried, Stoick hadn't talked about their trip at all. His concern had increased by the look on the chief's face, his scowl hadn't faded. "Stoick, wha' 'appened durin' yur' trip?", his brow furrowed.
"Nothin' Gobber, let's just concentrate on- ", Stoick was interrupted by the hall doors being slammed open. Gunther was standing by the hall's doorway, his face red in rage and breathing heavily.
Stoick arose from his chair, Gunther charged at the bewildered chieftain and bellowed out, "STOICK, YOU LOKI BASTARD!". Guards rushed to subdue the enraged Hofferson, a few were beaten back. The fighting prowess of the Hofferson clan was near unmatched, Gunther knocked out guard after guard. More guards rushed in and overwhelmed him; the rest formed around the surprised Stoick.
"Wha's tha' meanin' o' this, Guntha'?", Gobber felt that he was losing his mind.
Gunther snarled at Stoick while being held by seven guards, he growled out, "You son of a half-troll, how could you try to give my daughter to him!". Gobber's brows shot up, ''iccup!'. The seated villagers began to murmur amongst themselves, Stoick chose not to respond, "Don't deny it, Stoick!".
Fishlegs stood up, making the bench screech, "He's right- ".
"Quite boy!", Spitelout shouted at Fishlegs to silence him, the large teen stood defiantly. The silence was broken by the echo of a tapping staff, Gothi shuffled into the hall and walked to Fishlegs. She tapped her staff twice and pointed it to him, signaling him to continue.
"The chief did try to offer Astrid to Hiccup, but he refused. His people had strange customs and beliefs, one of the most central was the freedom of one's will. Hiccup said, 'while he resented her with every fiber of his being, he found it sickening that Stoick would condemn her to enslavement'".
Gunther seemed to relax a bit, 'Hiccup was honorable at least, not like Stoick'. "So, he chose to deny Stoick's offer?", Fishlegs nods.
"I don't like Astrid any more than Hiccup does, but I don't think he hates her enough to be that cruel", Gunther felt both grateful to know his daughter was safe but was annoyed with Fishlegs dislike of her. The guards released him, he composed himself and left the hall. Villagers' present had begun to leave, some had loyalty to their chief. Others began to question his actions; a rift had formed between the residents of Berk.
Nightfall, Hofferson residence
Astrid POV
I was teaching Finn how to properly swing his training axe, when my father walked in. I was worried he would do something terrible when I told him what Stoick had tried to do. "Dad, is something the matter?".
He gave me a small smile, "Everything is fine Astrid, just had to clear some things with Stoick". The fact that he wasn't jailed must have been a good sign that he didn't hit Stoick. My mother approached him, he kissed her and walked into the kitchen.
"Alright you two, time for bed", as if on cue, Finn yawned. My dad called my mother from the kitchen, "Sweetie, you mind putting Finn to bed for me?".
"Sure mom, c'mon Finn", he reached out with his small hand and grabbed mine, while rubbing his eye with the other. I picked him up and carried him up the stairs, then tucked him in, "Goodnight Finn".
"G'night, big sis", I blew out his candle and closed his door. I walked into my room, 'It's been over half a year since I've been home'. I got ready for bed and laid down; I felt the day finally catch up to me as I fell asleep.
?
I was awoken by the sound of Berk's horn being blown, 'How long did I sleep?'. Screams and crashing weapons sounded outside. I quickly pulled on my boots and skirt, then grabbed my axe and rushed downstairs. As I reach the bottom of the stairs, my mother burst in and used her body to hold the door. She looked terrified, "Astrid, grab Finn and run out the backdoor!". Something shoved the door, trying to get in, "Hurry Sweetheart!".
I rushed upstairs and burst through Finn's door, something grabbed him and flew out his window, "MOMMYYYY!". I run to the window and see a creature covered in black smoke flutter away with Finn. I hear my mother scream downstairs; I ran down the steps and see her being dragged outside.
"MOM!", I shove open the door and see all of Berk burning, the fires illuminated the night sky.
"No, please spare-!", the sound of flesh tearing was followed by a thud. In the distance were the council on their knees, held by towering black smoke covered monsters. Their forms were devoid of light, like shadows straight out of Helheim.
"Mercy!", pleaded the twin's father. A shadow in the form of a man had a glowing red sword up to him.
"Mercy?", the figure chuckled, its laugh inhuman and distorted. "There shall be no mercy for you people", it slashed at the poor man, cleaving open his chest. Buzzing filled the air as projectiles fell on the buildings behind the figure, they blew them to ruins. I look up to see children being carried off towards the docks. As I followed their cries, I spot a strange ship that was launching the buzzing objects.
Larger than our biggest warship, it had familiar small ballistae mounted on the siderails. Shadow warriors manned them, firing shot after shot of flaming bolts. The hull was covered by strange pale white plates. On deck, more shadow warriors loaded a weird looking Skipper launcher. Their voices were distorted like the figure. They fired the launcher, sending multiple bombs flying at once. They buzzed as they flew then smashed into the great hall, collapsing the statues onto the doors.
"My, look who I found", said the figure, a pair of green glowing orbs floated under its hood. It had no face, just darkness, "It's about time I ended this". It howled, calling a flying shadow to attack me. I closed my eyes and waited for the pain of death, but it never came.
I opened my eyes and see my father blocking the shadow with his shield, "Run honey, run!". I get up and sprint to the forest, then a sharp pain came from my leg. I tumble and lay in a heap on the ground. Rolling onto my back, I see a dagger imbedded into the side of my thigh.
My father screams out as he is impaled through the chest by the glowing sword of the figure. It pulls the sword free from my father's body and swings it clean of blood. It walks towards me, grinning a fang filled smile. I crawled desperately to my fallen axe; tears ran down my face in fear. I manage to grab my axe, only for an armored boot to step onto my wrist. I scream out, then get kicked over.
I look up and see the figure, it's disturbing visage caused me to shake, "This is the end, Astrid". It brings its sword up. Its grin widens as I look on in horror, "Astrid!". The sword plunges into my chest, "ASTRID!".
The following morning
Nar POV
Astrid jolts up awake, gasping for air and covered in sweat. "Astrid!", her mother calls out while pounding on her door. "Sweetie are you alright?", she tried to breathe in to calm her nerves. "I heard crying, is everything alright?", Astrid looked around, 'What a terrible nightmare'.
"Yes mom, I'm fine", she sat up on her bed, just as Brenna walked in.
"Are you sure, you look like you've seen a ghost", she wrapped her arm around Astrid. She examined her daughter, pale and covered in sweat.
"Yes, I just had a bad nightmare", her mother hugged her and rubbed her back.
"Sweetie, maybe you should speak with Gothi. I've never seen you this shaken up", Astrid nodded and said she'll go to Gothi's after breakfast.
Earlier, Jorgenson residence
Fishlegs stood by Snotlout, both had spoken to Gobber about Spitelout's disownment last night. Gobber had moved a spare cot from his shed to a small storage room. In the morning they agreed to go with Gobber to get Snotlout's things. They heard shouting inside while they stood outside his former home, Snotlout muttered, "Is Gobber going to be okay?".
"Don't worry Snot, Gobber can handle himself", Fishlegs patted his shoulder assuredly. "How do you think he got his title?", both teens shudder. The door gets kicked open as Spitelout bellows out colorful words at him, which the blacksmith responds with his own. Gobber slams shut the door and approaches them
"C'mon lad, let's get ya' settled in", they followed the hobbling blacksmith.
Midday, Berk forge
The clanging of metal on metal grew louder as Astrid approached Gobber's forge. She knocked on the opened shutters, getting the blacksmith's attention, "Mornin' Astrid". She was silently grateful at Gobber's forgiving nature, "Wha' can I do fur' ya'?".
"Um, I-I need to speak with Gothi, can you translate?", she nervously spouted, Gobber raised an eyebrow at her uneasiness. All the years he'd known her, Gobber never had seen the proud shieldmaiden this timid.
"Aye, just let me finish up ma' orders fur' tha' day", Astrid sat on an aged bench and gazed up at the gray overcast sky. Time flew by as she recalled the horror inducing nightmare, Astrid didn't even notice Gobber closing up his forge, "Alright Astrid, ya' ready?".
His approach jarred her free of her daze, "Yes, lead the way". Astrid dreaded walking through the village, having to catch unflattering whispers from bitter residents. This time however, the murmurs were about the Jorgensons, their disdain for her seemed to be overridden by the more interesting gossip. She caught some bits and pieces, "Um, Gobber?".
"Not now, lass", he wasn't in the mood to talk about the Jorgenson quarrel. Astrid didn't push any further, not wanting to risk Gobber's aid. The climb up to Gothi's hut was difficult, Gobber huffed, "I swear tha' old goat just wants ta' see peopla' suffa'". Astrid herself was only slightly out of breath. After a break to let the two-limbed man recover, they finally made it to Gothi's hut. Gobber knocked on the elder's door and waited.
A moment later, Gothi opened her door and tapped her staff twice. Astrid stepped forward, "Gothi, I need to speak with you". The elder opened her door wider and motioned for them to enter. After closing her door, she shuffled over to a sandbox at the center of her hut. Gothi tapped her staff and pointed to a stool near it, Astrid nods and sat down.
The elder scribbled in the sand and Gobber translated, "She says, wha' do ya' need to gnome". Gothi smacked Gobber, he rubbed the sore spot, "Sorry, kno'".
"Last night, I dreamt a horrible nightmare", Gothi motioned for Astrid to continue. She described her dream, Gothi listened intently. She described the attack by the shadow beasts and the snatching of children. As they listen to her recollection, Gobber felt uneasy and Gothi rubbed her chin deep in thought. When Astrid described the abnormal siege weapon, Gobber gasped. Gothi scribbled in the sand, Gobber nods, "Aye, I've seen somethin' like tha' a long time ago".
"When Gobber?", Astrid felt that the friendly blacksmith was hiding something.
Gobber pulled out a small worn leather-bound book, "Seven years ago". He carefully set it down, Astrid and Gothi felt the book seemed familiar. As carefully as he could, Gobber opened the journal to reveal scribbles and drawings. Unlike the few Vikings that could write, the handwriting was far neater. He gingerly flipped through the journal until he stopped at an old weapon schematic.
"Why do I feel like I've seen this drawing before?", Astrid tried to reach for the book, but Gothi tapped her staff to dissuade her.
"Because ya' have Astrid, this was built by 'iccup seven years ago. The lad had called it tha' mark one sumthin'", Gobber smiled in remembrance of Hiccup.
"Skipper, he called it the Skipper", she sighed.
"Aye, tha's it. Tis tha' same contraption tha' got 'im in trouble with Stoick", Guilt crushed Astrid's heart. She wished she hadn't betrayed Hiccup, 'Maybe all this wouldn't have happened'. Both heard shuffling and saw Gothi fumbling in a chest. She came back with a carved bowl, a strange jar stained with green and a pouch filled with powder.
The elder placed down the bowl and poured out dark green sludge into it, then sprinkled a pinch of red dust from the pouch. She set her staff down and picked up the bowl, Gothi swirled the bubbling concoction around. Blue smoke rose from the sludge, the seer breathes it in.
After a few moments, the bubbling ceased and Gothi placed the objects back inside the chest. She shuffled to the box and scribbled in the sand, "She says, yur' nightmare wasn't a dream. If we continue ta' trouble 'iccup, yur' dream will come ta' pass and Berk will burn". Astrid and Gobber shudder, while Gothi shakes her head in distress.
"We should warn the chief!", Astrid rushed to the door, he stops her from leaving. "What are you doing Gobber, we have to tell him!", he motions for her to sit back down.
Gothi scribbles, "She says, Berk's doom is not ours to stop, it's destiny is decided by fate". Gothi made both Astrid and Gobber vow not to speak of the dream to anyone, lest they ensure their home's demise. Gobber picked up Hiccup's journal and followed Astrid out.
While walking down the steps, Astrid eyes the small book in Gobber's hand, "Do you carry that with you always?".
He sighs, "Aye, tis all tha' I have left from my little apprentice". She felt worse, the depressed look on Gobber's face made her guilt rise.
One week later, Berk's great hall
Astrid POV
I sat on the steps of the great hall, waiting for Ruffnut to finish cleaning up the mess she and her brother caused earlier that morning. The pass week was difficult for me and Gobber, many times I wanted to warn my family about my dream. I didn't though, knowing I would bring the wrath of the gods down upon me if I broke my vow.
Ruff opened the hall door, "Hey Astrid". Before she closed it, Ruff smirked and chucked the wet rag inside. I heard a loud slap and Tuff groan, she chuckled, 'These two never grew up'. We both walked to her house, planning on sparring in the clearing behind it.
Nar POV
Astrid and Ruffnut fought for an hour, before Ruffnut decided she had enough bruises for the day. Astrid bid farewell to her friend, she needed to check on her mother and younger brother. Walking through the village, she heard murmurs about the Jorgensons again. Spitelout had started another brawl with the twin's father, something about him being the last of his clan. The whispers were silenced by the sound of Berk's horn being blown.
Astrid stopped mid step; the sound reminded her of the nightmare she had a week ago. She shook her head and followed the twins as they passed, "Where are you guys going?".
"To see if we're gonna see some action, duh", Astrid scoffed, 'These two won't be satisfied till they're both ashes under the waves'.
She followed the twins as they made their way to the watchtower. As the trio reached the top, all three scanned the horizon for anything new. Astrid blanched; in the far-off distance, a ship broke through the morning fog on the sea, her heartbeat accelerated as she recognized it. "Wow, for a ship that big, that thing sure can move", said Tuffnut.
"Yeah, no kidding, right Astrid?", Ruffnut turned to her friend. She grew worried at her condition. She was breathing heavily and sweating up a storm, 'No, this can't be!'. The large vessel cut through the ocean faster than any of Berk's ships. The white-grey plates and vibrant green adornments stood in contrast to the dark blue sea.
Top of Berk's dock ramps
Stoick stood atop the ramps with Gobber beside him. The blacksmith recognized Hiccup's handywork, but chose to feign ignorance, "I've neva' seen anythin' like tha' Stoick, have yew'?".
He nods, "The island we went to had weapons like that, more advance and destructive than anythin' we could ever come up with". 'The amount of weaponry onboard that lone ship could devastate Berk beyond recovery', he silently prays they aren't seeking vengeance. Both men looked passed the approaching ship to the fog bank, they could see something hidden within it. Some villagers behind them gulped as three familiar Behemoths broke through, heading towards Berk.
Astrid hurried down the steps of the watchtower, Ruffnut and her brother struggled to keep up. Her fear grew as the flying Colossi closed in on Berk, Donnager led Siv and Asa. She reached the dock ramps, Astrid watched as they flew to the cliffs near raven point.
Raven point
They hovered above the cliff top, Donnager descended to set down the cargo crate. Hiccup detached himself from the harness and climbed down, Mira and Toothless trusted him not to get hurt. He maneuvered his way down and landed on the hanging container with a clunk, Hiccup held onto one of the ropes and hollered over the sound of the Colossi's fluttering wings, "Set it down easy, Big guy!". He nods to Hiccup, while Mira signals Siv and Asa to approach.
Both females coasted towards the landed Donnager, attached to their harnesses were multi-seat apparatuses designed to allow up to eight people and their gear to ride with an optional handler. Below them, each female held a sentinel with their larger hind legs. They released their 'cargo' when they flew over solid ground, the sentinels landed with a loud Thud.
Hiccup hopped off the cargo crate and unlatched the doors, Mira freed Toothless and rode him off Donnager. Siv touched down first with her passengers, the Beartooth builders rushed over to the open crate. Asa landed as the builders began setting up the camp, the guards quickly fanned out and secured the area around the clearing with the sentinels. Hiccup squeezed his fists, 'I hate coming back here'.
"What's wrong, brother?", Toothless trilled as he approached.
"Being back here brings back bad memories, Bud".
"It's not all bad, Hiccup", he gave her a questioning look. Mira's smile calmed him somewhat, "I mean, Gobber's here, right?".
"She's right brother, your caretaker will be happy to see you", Toothless warbled.
Hiccup felt a little better, "That's right, I can catch up with him and- ". He realized something, "Um, I might have to explain about your 'condition' though".
"I'm sure he'll understand, besides I'll be right beside you through it all", Mira scooched back on Toothless's saddle. Hiccup climbed on with little effort, she wrapped her arms around his waist. He shuddered, which confused Mira, "You alright?".
He turned back to her, his face flushed, "Y-yeah, just fine". Mira's never seen him like this all the other times she rode with him, 'He seems tense, is it because we're back here?'.
Meanwhile, Berk's docks
Ivor's ship pulled close to the docks, Gobber approached as several Beartooth guards leapt onto the dock to moor their chief's vessel. The guards wore their normal armor, with some notable changes. Their iron pauldrons, outer tasset plates and the knee piece of their greaves were replaced by ones made from a similar viridian green metal as Ivor's armor. The changes marked them as honor guards to the chief's family.
The guards formed around Ivor as he crossed the gangplank to step onto the docks, "Ah, you must be Gobber, Hiccup's told me nothin' but good things 'bout you". The blacksmith couldn't help but smile as he introduced himself, his apprentice has made some friends outside of Berk. Gobber easily recognized Ivor's armor as his apprentice's craftsmanship.
"Do ya' speak with 'im often?".
"Aye, ever since Hiccup saved my island from a rather nasty lot of Berserkers", the Hooligans within earshot gasped. Ivor placed his hand on Gobber's shoulder, "You raised a fine young man, Gobber". His smile widens to reveal his stone tooth, it did his heart good to hear about his apprentice's heroics. In the crowd, Stoick growls and walks through them to face Ivor.
"What business do you have here Ivor Ragisson, Chieftain of Beartooth?!", Stoick felt uneasy at his unannounced visit.
Ivor cleared his throat, "Ah, well you see, it has been brought to my attention that I may have been a bit harsh sendin' your crew off my island the way I did". Stoick seemed deep in thought, so Ivor continued, "So despite Hiccup's many dissuasions, me and my people have decided to reconsider our standin' with your tribe".
Gothi managed to reach the chieftains, she scribbles on some loose sand on the walkway. Gobber translated, "She says, they 'ave 'er blessin'". Stoick knew not to oppose the word of the seer, he sighed and agreed to their visit. Ivor called out to the rest of his crew, Arnora crossed over with her own shield-maidens. Gobber stared in wonder of the chieftess's shield and glaive as Ivor introduced his wife, 'I have ta' admit, 'iccup's becomin' a great blacksmith'.
Gobber turned to follow the visiting chief and chieftess, when he heard someone clear their throat. Heather marched up to him, "Hello, I'm Heather. Like my dad said, Hiccup regards you like his father".
"Are yeh friends with 'iccup?".
"Kind of- ", Gobber waited for her to explain. "Since you are Hiccup's father figure, as per custom, I'm here to announce my pursuement of him", Heather patiently waits for his response.
"Okay lass, although I don't kno' why yeh need ma' blessin', 'iccup is free ta' do as 'e pleases", Heather smiles at Gobber's statement. "Those are a fine pair o' axes yeh got", she reaches behind and presents them to him.
"Hiccup made them for me", Heather handed him one to inspect.
"Aye, ma' apprentice has surpassed 'is menta'", he said with a prideful sigh.
"I like to see them as a future betrothal gift", her statement shocked Gobber. Before his 'son' left, he never could imagine that Hiccup would have a girl after him, let alone two. Which reminded him that in the few letters they exchanged between them, Hiccup never brought up Mira.
As they both reach the top of the ramps, the crowd around them began to panic. Toothless came charging out of the forest and into the village, heading towards the arriving Beartooth crew. Above them flew Asa, half of her guards chose to remain back at the camp. Their terror intensified as they saw a swarm of sekärs fly from the fogbank, it broke into smaller swarms and began to circle the island.
Ivor cleared his throat, "Since you people are panickin', Stoick must have forgotten to mention that my tribe has a understandin' with Hiccup's family". They bombarded Stoick with a flurry of questions, Ivor chose to explain, "Our agreement was that if the Hooligan tribe remains respectful, Hiccup's brethren will not pose a threat". Asa flew over to an open clearing and hovered in place, her passengers threw down ropes and used them to descend.
Toothless reached the clearing as the guards got into position, he lowered himself to let his Hybrids dismount. Gobber walked to them, many villagers warning him of the dangers the 'demons' pose. The guards recognized him and allowed Gobber to approach Hiccup's group. He enveloped Hiccup in a bone crushing hug, "Oh lad, I'm glad ta' see yeh alive an' well".
Hiccup had no trouble withstanding the hug, "I see chiefing hasn't changed you too much".
"'iccup, ya' don't kno' 'ow good it does ma' 'eart ta' see ya' hap- ", Mira fidgets uncomfortably at Gobber's stare. "Mira, is tha' yew lass?", she nods. Gobber turns to him, questioning him accusingly, "'iccup?".
He quickly explained, "You see, Mira's injury had caused an infection to spread, leaving us very few options besides amputation". Gobber sighed with his hand on his prosthetic, "In the end, we gave Mira the choice between amputation or becoming like me".
Mira walked up to him, "Gobber, I chose this".
"As long as yeh're 'appy, I'll be fine with tha'", she thanked him for understanding. Gobber turned to Hiccup, "Rememba' wha' I said 'iccup, yew betta' take good care of 'er". Hiccup became flustered, while Mira smiled and blushed. Gobber asked them both to come to his home, expecting them to tell him what his two 'children' have been up to since he last saw them.
Asa took off back to raven point, while the guards followed behind the Hybrids, Toothless and Gobber. The villagers stared in awed fear as the Demon lord and his paramour walked behind Gobber, his steed followed closely after them. In the crowd, Astrid tried to calm herself, her hands grasping her axe to find some comfort.
(A/N: Poor Hiccup, he doesn't know what's happening to him… yet. Berk better tread lightly. Check out my profile, wink-wink.)