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: I normally try to keep my stories separate, but I like it when you guys give me your insight. The poll for my other story is up and running on my profile. The polls I've made in the past have affected this story, so vote if you can.)

Review responses

13mark20: Thank you. If you can't hurt something from the outside, try hurting it within. Yeah, I'm beginning to like writing dream sequences. They certainly are, here's the next one.

Umbra Lycan: I thought so too, I will and here's another chapter.

CajunBear73: -A life of pride and arrogance will always result in loss and sorrow. Her gods allowed her to see what was, what is and what may come if nothing changes. To admit her faults is stills too much for Astrid.

-Anyone who gets involved with her may bring Hiccup's wrath upon them.

-If the fall of Helheim's gate became common knowledge, Hiccup may not be able to stop curious Vikings from venturing to his home.

-He's trying to open up to them, but fear still looms in the recesses of his mind.

Arraia: I will.

OechsnerC: Thank you.

CynderX: Me too and I will.

Romanleader505: 1) Yes, I'm planning on at least 24 chapters. The time of updates are within two-four weeks of the previous one. I have plans on finishing this story, but I don't have the skill or programs to draw.

2) Thank you, I enjoy it when readers like my story. Mira is in the lead for sure, I'll try. His primal half only broke free because of the intensity of his first 'Rut' season, that's why the suppressant was given to him.

Back to the action!

Chapter 20: Harbinger

Nar POV

Three days after Beartooth's visit

Stoick sat alone in his house, holding his helmet in his hands, 'Allfather, why do you hate me? first Val, now Hiccup, how much will you take from me?'. The knocking at his door made him sigh, he ignored the growing pounding. It continued until he placed his helmet on and rose up from his chair, Stoick groaned and lumbered to his door. His face became his namesake as he opened the door, "What is it, I said I wished not to be disturbed".

Spitelout gave his brother a pitied look, "Sorry brotha', yur' still tha' chief an' duty calls". He reaches into his pocket and hands Stoick a folded note, the chieftain unfolded it, "It's tha' time again".

'Great, the 'thing', just what I need', his eyes scan down the message, 'Seein' other chieftains with their heirs, oh Odin help me'. Stoick folded the note, "Ready a ship and get a crew together, we're going to the Meathead islands".


Two months later

Stoick stood on the fore deck, dreading having to face his friend. Mogadon the meathead was Stoick's old friend and chief of the Meathead tribe, his son Thuggory had been childhood friends with Hiccup. The clear skies gave a clear view to the meathead isles, home of Mogadon's tribe and this year's 'thing'. 'I hope this meeting ends quick', he turns back to his crew.

Besides his second-in-command Spitelout were Gunther, Astrid, and the twins along with their mother. Astrid was chosen by the village because she managed to 'best' a demon, irrelevant of how she accomplished it. Gunther came to watch over his daughter, not trusting his chief and because he was one of the best warriors Berk had. The Thorston matriarch went with her children to look for a future husband for Ruffnut and wife for Tuffnut, no matter how impossible that may be.

Stoick scowled at the gloom Astrid, then turns back to watch his ship slowly close in on the islands. Said shieldmaiden was running her finger on the weld line that ran through her axe, her beloved weapon now reduced to an ornament. Gunther look down at his daughter with sympathy, 'It's a shame her treasure had become a casualty of her temper'.

Behind them, Ruffnut smirked as she and her brother rowed. As they set up for another row, she put a lot more force in her pull, hitting Tuffnut in the chest, "Oof!".

"Why you- ", they began to roughhouse, Spitelout bellowed from the stern for them to get back to rowing. The twin's mother stopped their spat by grabbing each of their ears, earning a string of ows. She gibb-slapped them and got them back to rowing, the rest of the crew shook their heads in utter disappointment of the manchildren.


Meathead docks

The ship was moored by dockworkers, while Mogadon himself greeted Stoick, "Stoick, how's Berk been treating you?". His depressed demeanor answered his question, "Oh, I haven't seen ya this down since Hiccup passed".

Stoick scowled, "When does the meeting start, Mogadon?!".

"Most of the other chiefs have arrived, we're just waiting on the rest", he led the Berk chief and his crew to the village. "So, I'd say in a couple hours, you're free to wander the village", Mogadon left the crew to handle his chiefing duties.


Hours later, Meathead meeting building

Stoick sat beside Mogadon and watched the other chiefs file into the large stone building on a hill overlooking the village. The chief of the Uglithugs sat with Madguts, chief of the Murderous tribe, opposite of them. A pair of berserkers opened the doors for their chieftess, Dagny sauntered around the table where the other chiefs were seated. She flopped in a chair in between the opposing pairs of chiefs and kicked her boots up on the open ring table. The table was opened at one end and a large fire pit was situated in the center.

The last chieftain stepped into the hall; his gleaming viridian armor was ogled by the others. Ivor calmly sat opposite of Dagny; whose face harden when she realized who he was and what she lost, Mogadon cleared his throat, "Now that everyone is here, let us begin the meeting calmly and- ".

Dagny sat up abruptly and slammed her fist on the table, "Calmly, how can you say that while there is a monster on the loose?!".

Mogadon gave her an inquisitive look, "Monster? Surely you can't tell me that you believe in the absurd rumors of the 'Demon lord'".

"Rumors?!", she gritted her teeth, "That bastard has sunk many of my ships and killed even more of my warriors!".

A huff came from beside Big-Boobed bertha, her heir to the Bog-Burglars Camicazi scoffed, "Even if he were real, it's your fault for expanding your territory and making yourself a bigger target".

The rest of the chiefs silently supported her, Dagny stood up and loomed over her spot, "You don't believe he's real, look around!". The deranged chieftess motioned to the two empty spots, reserved for the chiefs of the Lava-Louts and Outcasts.

"You could've killed them and blamed this Demon lord nonsense", murmurs came for the rest of the chiefs, "Besides, my tribe hasn't been attacked by him or his 'demons'".

Mogadon spoke up, "Aye, neither my tribe nor our trading partners have seen this man".

"This thing isn't a man, it's a devil straight out of Helheim!". Meanwhile, outside the meeting hall, a cloaked man in black ornate armor strolled up to the meeting hall. The pair of guards moved to stand in front of the doors, they tensed up when he reached into his cloak. He pulled out a pair of small purses and tosses one to each guard, they look at one another and stepped aside. "He'll come for all of us if we don't do something!", he placed his hands on the doors and swung them opened, a loud Bang silenced the ranting chieftess.

"Now why would I waste my time with you?", The man brought his face up, a black metal intimidating mask hid his identity. He opened his arms as he walked towards the center of the open table, his mask muffled his voice slightly, "Greetings gentlemen". He looks to the Bog-Burglars, "and ladies". Camicazi and her mother were irked by that, "My brethren and I are not seeking conflict with your kind".

Mogadon stood up, "So you didn't wipe out the Lava-Louts and Outcasts?".

"Oh no, I did", gasps erupted from them, "We may not seek conflict, but we will destroy anyone who brings harm to us". He looked around to the tribe leaders, "I'm here as an envoy to deliver a simple message".

Camicazi raised an eyebrow, "Which is?".

He walked to the opened doors, "You leave us be, we'll leave you be".

A chuckling from the berserker chieftess unsettled the hall, a horn blew in the distance, "Oh this is just too perfect!".

Vorg and the other berserker pulled out their swords, Mogadon stood back up in rage, "What's the meaning of this act of aggression?!".

"I get to kill the Demon lord and conquer all tribes under my rule in one foul swoop!", the other chieftains fearfully muttered to one another, "That's right, by now my new armada should be sailing into the harbor". Dagny jumped onto the table with a devious grin, "Those who oppose my rule will die!". The man chuckled, "What's so funny?".

"How are you going to do that?".

"With my armada, duh!".

He stopped his laughter and looked at the haughty chieftess, "What armada?". Far off explosions echoed out as the man calmly walked out, the chieftains rushed out after him.

Dagny, Vorg and the other berserker looked at each other confused, then bolted out the hall. She reached outside and saw the other chiefs running to the village, "Where are they going?!". Turning her gaze to the harbor, she looks on in horror as her armada was swarmed by flying beast. Warship after warship was struck by unusual barrels dropped by the monsters, they exploded in tremendous blasts when they impacted her ships. Columns of smoke rose from their sinking wrecks, reaching up to the sky.

The flyers returned to a large strange ship in the distance, the boat lacked a visible mast and was covered by metal plates. The aft section of the vessel had a contraption that brought up more bombs for them to snatch up and fly back to their targets. On the foredeck was a ballista-like siege weapon that launched similar buzzing explosives at approaching berserker ships, sinking them before they could get into catapult range. Dagny was helpless to stop her mighty armada from burning, "WHAT! no, no, NO!".

"You were saying?", the man was standing by the ledge motioning to what remained of her armada.

She looked to the other chiefs, "Don't you see, this monster will kill us all!". Most of the chiefs were bewildered by her futile deflection, "Who will join me?!".

From their group emerged chiefs from the Uglithugs and Murderous tribes, Mogadon was shocked by their decision, "Are you insane, she just threaten to kill you!".

Madguts shrugged, "I prefer fightin' instead o' talkin', right?", he looks to the agreeing Uglithug chief.

Vorg sees Meathead guards approaching, "Chieftess, we must flee!". Hidden berserkers attack the other chiefs, buying time for her and her allies to flee. More berserkers ambush the guards chasing Dagny, they held them back while she and the other two reach their ships. The surviving berserkers retreated when they see their chieftess sail out of the harbor with her allies.

Mogadon and those who denied Dagny could only watch as the traitors escape, "Damn her and her allies". He composed himself, then approached the man. He tensed when the chief neared, a pair of tall beasts decloaked and moved to stand in front of him, "Easy now, I just wanted to thank you for saving not only my life but my tribe's as well".

The man chirped, his guards relaxed, "Don't mention it, just remember what I said". "Can my ship dock at your harbor?", he waited for Mogadon to decide.

"Sure, on one condition", the man tilted his head, "Tell me your name".

"Oh, Veran, Lord Veran", He trilled and called down a flying slasher, he gave it a message and sent it off. Mogadon dismissed the other chieftains, who went to their ships to leave his island. They were leaving in fear of the demon's wrath, the Bog-Burglars and Ivor chose to remain.


Offshore, Hiccup's personal ship

Mira watched the departing ships of the other tribes, 'I hope Hiccup is alright'. She was dressed in her armor; she too had a metal mask to hide her face. She sees a messenger sekär fly towards her, it drops the weighted note and flies towards the leaving swarm. Mira reads the note and goes to the railing of the ship, "He says we can dock at their harbor!".

The leader of the pod of hunters towing the ship nods, "Understood Lady Mira". The pod leader clicks to her kin, together they pull the ship towards Meathead Isle.


Meathead meeting hall

Hiccup smiled under his mask, 'Good, I hope they decide to leave us alone'. He walked towards the harbor, Mogadon and the remaining visitors followed behind his escorting sentinels. They reached the village square, where they were greeted by Mogadon's son and heir, Thuggory. "Dad, what is going on?! First, we're attacked by a berserker armada. Then, the armada themselves are attack by, I don't even know what to call them!".

Hiccup steps forward, "They're called Sekärs, young man".

"Whoa, who they hel are you?!", Thuggory eyes Hiccup, who is slightly taller than him.

"Son please, his name is Veran and his brethren were the ones who came to our aid", Mogadon scolded Thuggory. Hiccup was seemingly unaware of Camicazi reaching for Thorn, until his grasper shot out and latched onto her hand.

She Eeked, Hiccup turned to her, "May I help you lady?". The people around Camicazi were surprised, her light-fingered skill was infamous throughout the archipelago.

He released her arm, she eyed his three-digit appendage, "What is that?!".

"They are called graspers", he presented them along with his back-limbs, "And these are my other limbs". Everyone but Ivor was disturbed by his extra limbs, "I've had them since birth".

"Y-you're not H-human?!", the Vikings took a step back.

"I never said I was", Hiccup folded his back-limbs under his cloak.

Thuggory stepped forward, "So the rumors ARE true, you're a demon?!".

"To some, yes but I like to think of myself as… different".

"Aye, Veran may not be Human, but he is certainly no demon", Mogadon and Bertha turned to Ivor.

"You two know each other?!", the meathead exclaimed, watching them clasp forearms.

"Yes, I stumbled upon a berserker invasion and unintentionally saved the Beartooth tribe", he walked down towards the harbor, his cloak gently fluttered in the ocean breeze. Hiccup stepped onto the dock as his ship entered the harbor, being tugged by the depth hunters using chains attached to the bow and either side.

Ivor hollered to his guards that were posted at his ship, "Men, help Veran with his ship!". They saluted and rush over, a pair of them carried a gangplank. Mira threw over the ropes, the guards caught them and began to moor the vessel.

She walked down the gangplank; her silver-white hair flowed behind her mask, "There's two of them?", Camicazi asked. The smaller sentinels remained on the ship, standing by the modified skipper.

As Mira neared the dock, Hiccup walked over to greet her. She rushed at him and enveloped him in a deep embrace, "Hiccup, I'm so glad everything went great!".

Hiccup tensed and Ivor facepalmed, 'Well, there goes my cover'.

Camicazi and Thuggory both exclaimed at the same time, "HICCUP! As in Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third?!", Ivor and his guards moved in front of the two hybrids.

"Way to go Mira, there goes the plan", Heather strolled up to them with her shieldmaidens, her axes strapped to her back.

Mogadon stepped forward, "What's the meaning of this, your father Stoick said you perished!".

His back-limbs flared as he roared out, "THAT BASTARD IS NOT MY FATHER!". Toothless leapt off Hiccup's ship when he heard his brother roar, he landed by his riders and wrapped his tail protectively around them.

Heather and Mira grabbed each arm to calm his anger, Ivor stepped forward, "Hiccup has a troubled history with Berk and their chieftain, I must ask you not to provoke him".

"What do you mean 'troubled history'?", asked an unnerved Bertha. When she and Camicazi knew him in the past, they've never seen this side of him.

After they manage to soothe his rage, Heather and Mira stepped aside to let Hiccup step forward, "If you want to know, follow us to the meeting hall". His group led the other chiefs and heirs to the hall, Beartooth guards and shieldmaidens escorted them along with Toothless.

Meathead meeting hall, an hour later

Mogadon sat in silent fury, "I couldn't believe Stoick would allow such cruelties befall his so-I mean a child", he corrected himself when Hiccup's back-limbs clicked. He and Mira had removed their masks.

"Me neither, the Hooligans are truly an atrocious lot", Bertha shared his anger, hearing how they would treat such a kind young boy.

"This Astrid girl sounds like a witch", Camicazi huffed, "Spouting on about honor and yet lies to her chief, what she needs is a good kick in the-".

"Agreed, but it's incredible to know you've done such amazing things in spite of that", Thuggory cut her off, he was grateful his friend wasn't gone.

Camicazi notices Heather and Mira sitting awfully close to her childhood friend, who became very handsome during his absence, "So what's your relationship with your 'friends', Hiccup?".

"Oh well they are just my fri- ".

"We're his girlfriends!", both declared, Hiccup became beet-red.

"What the hel!", Camicazi raged while standing up, Thuggory sunk into his seat out of fear.

Hiccup managed to compose himself, "They mean friends who are girls!".

"Kinda, until he decides to tie the knot with one of us", stated Heather.

"Or we decide", muttered Mira under her breath. Mogadon and Bertha's jaws hung open, Ivor chuckled.

"Moving pass that, Ivor and I must prepare for war", Hiccup broke free from his 'girlfriends'.

"Agreed, those lunatics will be doin' the same", Ivor moved to the doors.

"You're both going to face those tribes by yourselves?", Mogadon questioned.

"Aye, they're after Hiccup and my island has a treaty with his people, we don't wish to drag you into a war that shouldn't involve you", Ivor stood by the open doors.

"Be that as it may, the berserker chieftess and her supporters committed an act of aggression during the thing. An offence that declares them enemies of the Meatheads, let us help you", Hiccup looked at Ivor.

"Are you sure, joinin' us may make your island a target", Ivor warned Mogadon.

"It's only a matter of time before the berserkers invade my island, the quicker we deal with them, the less damage they can do", the Meathead chief walked to Ivor and held out his hand.

Hiccup gave him a nod, Ivor shook Mogadon's hand, "Alright, I'll speak with my tribe and Hiccup will deliver the treaty when they approve it".

"That will take months!".

"Not true, Hiccup can travel what takes us months in less than a day", that shocked the room.

"Amazing!", Mogadon cleared his throat, "Alright, I agree and look forward to it".

"Hey!", both chieftains and Hiccup turned to Camicazi, "What about us?!".

"Cami, our war doesn't concern you", Hiccup tried to dissuade her.

"Like hel it does, my mom may be chieftess for now, but I want to protect my tribe. Like Mogadon said, those traitors will eventually attack us, it is my duty as future-chieftess to safeguard my people!", Bertha nodded approvingly at her daughter.

"Couldn't said it better myself", the chieftess uttered.

"Alright, we'll come to the Bog isles after finalizing the details with Mogadon", Hiccup knew once Camicazi decided on something, not even Thor himself could change her mind.

"Hopefully, we can muster up enough ships and warriors during the famine", Mogadon sees Ivor conversing with Hiccup, the Beartooth chieftain nods.

He closes the doors to the hall, leaving only the chiefs, their heirs, and Hiccup's companions, "What I'm about to tell you, you must swear an oath never to tell anyone, deal?". Everyone nods, "Hiccup's island has discovered a way to 'cure' the famine from the land".

"WHAT?!", screamed Mogadon, Bertha, Camicazi and Thuggory.

"Shh, tis true, Beartooth has more food than we ever had before the dragon raids", Ivor sighed.

"So, in exchange for your support in our war, I'll speak with our queen to see if she'll allow me to help you with your famine problems", Hiccup leaned on the wall by the doors.

"Your island is ruled by a queen, I'm liking this already!", Camicazi said with a smile, she stood up and walked over to Hiccup. He went to shake her hand but was pulled into a sudden hug, "I'm so happy you're alive, Hiccy!". Camicazi had tears in her eyes as she held her childhood friend, Heather and Mira coughed audibly.

She smirked at them but released him, Bertha spoke up, "The Bog-Burglars will sign the treaty when it's finalized".


Meathead docks

Camicazi stood by the gangplank to her mother's ship, Bertha was directing the women to ready the ship to sail. "I'll take the treaty to your island after Mogadon, Ivor and I settle the terms", Hiccup gave her a friendly hug.

"I look forward to it", she broke the hug. Camicazi locked eyes with Mira, "Come alone if you can, Hiccy". Hiccup watched her ship move away from the docks and out of the harbor.

Heather walked up behind him, wrapping herself around his arm, "I don't like her".

Mira did the same, "Me neither"

"Hiccup, yur' ready to leave?", Ivor asked.

"Yeah, I'll meet you at Beartooth as soon as I speak with mother", Hiccup led Mira and Toothless to his ship.


Berk, two months later

Stoick's ship reached Berk's docks, the chieftain was greeted by Gobber, "'ow did it go?". He walked past him without a word, "Ah, not good". The twins and their mother crossed the gangplank, the matriarch was unsuccessful in finding a match for either of her children. Spitelout shouldered his basket and walked past the Thorstons, too tired to deal with Gurrnut.

"C'mon sweetheart, let's go home", Astrid nodded to her father, they both followed behind Gobber up the ramps. After arriving at their house, Gunther went upstairs to unpack while Astrid sat in the kitchen thinking back to the day of the thing.


Flashback, Meathead village

Astrid POV

My father and I were walking through the marketplace, some strangers glance at my axe strapped to my back. We were inside a weapon shop, my father was haggling with the owner on an axe like mine, 'I don't want another axe!'. The sound of a horn being blown stopped the mass of conversation around us, 'I wonder what's going on'.

I stepped out of the shop and walked to an open area, the sight before me shocked me to my core. An armada was closing in on the island, their sails depicted a skrill, 'Berserkers!'. Everyone around me panicked when the lead ship launched a boulder, it struck a catapult near the marketplace. I was shoved and bumped into as people ran to safety, some yelled out, "What are those things!".

Looking to the sky, I saw a mass of those flying slashers break through the clouds. 'Those are Hiccup's monsters!', the swarm descended on the Berserker fleet, some dropping exploding barrels. Others landed on the ships, carrying off berserkers who were torn apart. The sight made me sick to my stomach, my father grabbed my arm, "Astrid, we have to get to safety!".

I nodded and followed him in the direction of where the crowd was rushing to, we met Ruff with her family, she yelled, "What's going on?!".

"Berserkers, they're were attacking the island when Hiccup's monsters came", I see her pale.

"H-he's here?!".

"I don't know, we have to get somewhere safe!", her mother and Tuff followed her with us.

Flashback end


Nar POV

Astrid held a mug of water and looked out her window to the sea. She brought the drink to her lips but caught sight of shapes on the ocean, ships with familiar sails, 'Berserkers!'. Astrid downed her water and rushed downstairs, she bolted out her door and followed the crowd moving to the docks.

Berk docks

Stoick stood glaring at the approaching trio of boats, remembering the incident at the thing. Warriors manned the catapults under his orders, 'If that deranged lass tries anything, I'll send her to the depths'. The lead ship reaches the docks, Vorg hops off, "Presenting our glorious chieftess, Dagny the deranged!".

Said chieftess strolls down the gang plank, Stoick marches up to the smaller woman, "How dare you step foot on my island, Chieftess Dagny!". The Hooligan warriors raised their weapons, learning from their chief of what happen at the thing.

Vorg and her guards responded in kind, "Whoa, easy there Stoick, I didn't come here to fight!", she held up her arms.

"Then why are you here?!", bellowed Stoick.

"As you remember, there is a treaty between our islands", he ordered his men to stand down, she did the same.

"And why is that important?", Stoick raised a bushy eyebrow.

"I'm in need of your support for an upcoming battle", the chief narrowed his eyes, "And by the treaty you signed, you're going to help me".

Stoick didn't like the devious smile on her face, he sighed, "When?".

"A month from now, my armada will sail to launch an attack on an island alongside fleets from the Murderous and Uglithugs tribes", he felt a sickening feeling build up in the pit of his stomach. She grinned evilly, "Your ships will join ours and attack the island of Beartooth!"

(A/N: Here comes trouble! Yes, Hiccup has his own warship… well more like a support carrier. Camicazi and Thuggory were Hiccup's friends when he was younger.)