Anything Is Possible

Rated: M
Pairing: Hiccup & OC-Runa
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the HTTYD or Frozen characters. Everything belongs to its original creator. However, I do own all my characters.

Chapter 29.

=Hiccup's POV=
[November 20; Midday]
[Hunter Ship; Sea]

A few days have passed since the dragon riders did show up as I expected they would once Johann discovered I was on Viggo and Ryker's ship, and that I blew Johann's cover about being an honest trader to them. I knew Johann would go right to Berk as soon as he could to tell the riders that the Grimborn brothers were alive, back at hunting dragons, and had me as a prisoner on their boat. Of course, I didn't reveal this to the dragon riders; there wasn't a need to, not yet at least. And Johann wouldn't risk revealing himself if the Hooligans asked why he said I was imprisoned when I wasn't. I wanted Johann to come up with something and lie to them; that way, it kept the suspicion down, and I could figure out what he was up to with his associates, or who he might be working for.

I hadn't wanted to be harsh with the dragon riders by taking their dragons away from them, but what else was I supposed to do? Astrid was told by Heather, Dagur, and even Fishlegs that the dragons knew it was wrong to attack and that they didn't want to, but she pushed until the dragons just did it to stop being yelled at. I couldn't let that go, and as leader of the dragon riders, it was my job to punish them. I took Stormfly, Hookfang, Barf, and Belch. For what Heather, Dagur, and Fishlegs did in trying to stop Astrid, I allowed them to keep their dragons.

Stormfly, Hookfang, Barf, and Belch are remaining on the lead ship with Toothless and me, but not locked in cages. At night, the three dragons would head down to where the dragons were kept, but I refigured three of the cells into stable stalls. Viggo and Ryker didn't mind at all; I mean, I only took the doors off and used some old scrap materials to hand over the metal bars, then lay down something soft for them to lay on. I wouldn't keep these three forever; this punishment is to teach them a lesson in the dragons being their friends and allies, not their slaves and weapons.

My mood was pretty foul after the encounter. I ended up going back to the chamber to relax but ended up falling asleep against Toothless. I was woken for dinner and felt better than earlier. Here we are now, on my count, about to arrive at the dragon hunter's home island. The day the riders showed up, we were estimated at three days away, and it's been that. I couldn't lie and say I'm not nervous because I very much am. Viggo and Ryker trusted me enough to bring me to where the rest of the tribe was, where a lot of these men had wives and kids. Hunter Isle wasn't another base; it was their home. But right now, we were still sailing, and I was with Toothless down with Stormfly, Hookfang, Barf, and Belch to keep them company and calm while I read a book.

"He's just down there, Viggo," I heard Hauk tell Viggo, and probably Ryker, who was never far from his younger brother's side.

"Thank you," Viggo replied before I barely glanced up from the book to see them climb down.

"I told you he would be with the dragons," Ryker chuckled.

Viggo rolled his eyes. There was no denying that these two were brothers; they fought and nit-picked on each other like children. "Hi, guys," I greeted. "What's up?" I slid the marker in place and closed the book, then set it on my lap to look up at them.

"We came to get you for lunch, if you'd like to join us, of course?" Viggo informed.

"Oh, sure. Guess I lost track of time reading," I smiled while getting up, then saying bye to the others, and moving with the brothers and Toothless back up onto the main deck and to our chamber.

"So, what are you reading?" Ryker inquired.

"Book about Dragonese," I replied as they both stared at me. "What?"

"You understand that?" Viggo asked.

"Well, yeah? I'd struggle pretty hard as a dragon trainer if I didn't know everything about them, including communication," I shrugged.

"Probably true." Ryker nodded before starting to eat. Viggo and I did as well; Toothless was enjoying his fish.

"Fascinating," Viggo beamed. "Most don't even understand or know what Dragonese is. I know it's a language, just not what kind in association with dragons. Others say it's the language of the dragons,"

"That's what it is," I chuckled. "Dragonese is the translation of their language to ours," I replied. "Or it can also be considered somewhat of a guide to understanding them. I guess it depends on how versed you are in the language itself."

"Fascinating," Viggo beamed. "I've never met anyone who can understand it, not even who can read it."

"Well, now you have," I smiled.

"Is that why you and Toothless always understand one another?" Ryker blinked.

I shook my head. "No, that's just our bond. He knows what I say as I speak it now to you, but I've always understood what he's saying based on his facial reactions and some sounds. I can do it with other dragons too, even without all this," I motioned to the book.

"So while your bond with Toothless is in the form of completing one another, your interactions with other dragons are secure as well." Viggo offered.

"I wouldn't say interactions as I don't change how I speak to them from how I talk to Toothless…I guess I just…Connect better with dragons than others. I don't know, that's just how I feel about it. I suppose it's part of what makes me different. I see, hear, and talk differently when it comes to dragons." I shrugged a little.

"There's nothing wrong with being better at things than others." Ryker reminded. "I fight better than Viggo does, and he thinks better than I do."

"Bad example, big brother. I don't think better than you…I think more and usually the only one doing it." Viggo said as I tried not to laugh. "Come on, you know I do all the thinking that way you don't have to, and then there's no room for error unless you decide to change the plans." He added. Ryker glared at Viggo now, folding his arms. "Hiccup, back me up on this. I know you understand the struggles of planning something very elaborate, and then one person deciding to do what they want changes and can ruin everything?" He looked my way.

"Eh…Sorry, Ryk. I do know that struggle being the mind of the dragon riders," I replied.

"And there is nothing wrong with being different either, Hiccup," Viggo stated, putting us back on track while Ryker was mumbling about being teamed up on again by Viggo and me again. Eventually, Ryker just sighed and rolled his eyes, understanding there was no point in trying to fight it. "I don't see why you are so hard on yourself over your difference from others,"

"Do I need to re-explain what happened with Berk over my difference?" I glanced down.

"No, and I understand that reasoning when you didn't have Toothless, us, or the other hunters here on the ships…You were alone, didn't trust anyone, and it's because you thought you had a whole tribe behind you and trusted them entirely, but they found out and betrayed you over it," Viggo mentioned as I sighed.

"Viggo didn't say that as a reminder of what they did to you, Hiccup. It was because it made sense before you became friends with us, and got Toothless back why you were hard on yourself over being different. We want to know why you still feel that way despite having Toothless and us?" Ryker explained.

I didn't say anything; I didn't want to offend them by mentioning that I was scared to go to their island and be around the whole tribe who hadn't met me yet. What would they think about me, my powers? "Come now, talk to us…" Viggo invited.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to bring me to your home island? You don't have to; I can just take my dragons and camp out on a nearby island until you start sailing again…" I looked down and closed my eyes.

"Hiccup, are you nervous about being among a tribe?" Ryker asked. I nodded.

"And scared they'll find out how different you are and do what Berk did?" Viggo pushed.

"I don't exactly have a great track record with being different and people liking or accepting me over it," I muttered.

"While that may be true, Hiccup, those people fail to see what I see, what Ryker sees, what the men on the ship see. And what I can assure you that the rest of my tribe will see," Viggo informed. I looked at him, still feeling small and scared. "Hiccup, let me explain something to you about the dragon hunter tribe as a whole. Okay? Not because you're in trouble, but I want you to understand why you have nothing to fear among our people." I nodded at him.

"Your former tribe saw bad, saw…Unnatural, and came out in an unexplainable way. But that was not your fault, Hiccup. Your father made you hide it, drilling it into your head that no one would accept your abilities or you. And the only reason they didn't do either of those things, Hiccup, is that they believe you're just too different from them." Viggo stated. "Our people don't judge one another. Among the Dragon Hunter Tribe, my boy, there is always acceptance. We treat everyone the same." He continued.

"Really?" I questioned, surprised.

"As real and true as your powers are," Ryker confirmed.

"All we are, Hiccup, is a group of people coexisting on one island. I may lead the tribe, but that's because the Grimborn family started it. It's out of respect we remain in power. But I assure you that it doesn't matter if someone was born the runt or the next in line to rule, nobody is better than anyone else, and there is no such thing as too different." Viggo explained.

"I'm an outsider, who is best friends with and flies a Night Fury…As soon as I rebuild his tail and a dragon trainer…" I reminded.

"What's your point? You act like that changes anything we just told you." Ryker said.

"I'm just a stranger," I countered. "I'm not a dragon hunter…I wasn't born into your tribe.

"Everyone is a stranger until they get to know someone else. You were an enemy and a stranger to us, look where we are now? Sailing together as friends, despite our different jobs and views regarding dragons. Drinking together in taverns, laughing, and telling stories. All because we took the time to earn each other's trust and learn about one another." Viggo argued gently.

"You even told us about your powers without them having to come out unexpectedly," Ryker added. "Oh, and being born into the tribe doesn't matter either. You don't have to be a dragon hunter to live among the dragon hunters, Hiccup. Some people on the island don't hunt or kill them because they don't want to, and that's fine."

"I won't fit in…I never have, with anyone," I sighed.

"Obviously you don't fit in," Ryker laughed. "We weren't asking you to. A lot of members in the tribe are oddballs who don't fit in. It's okay that you don't because we encourage that you don't,"

"This is why I do the talking," Viggo took a deep breath. "Ignore his blunt remarks that make no sense." He said. "What he was going for in that was we want you to be yourself, without any fear of rejection or abandonment." He paused as I looked at him again.

"Aye. What I meant just now when I said you don't fit in was that it's fine if you don't because we're not asking you to fit in with us." Ryker informed. "We're not asking you to change, Hiccup. And we don't want you to change. Don't change a damn thing about yourself. We don't ask anyone to change, even if they are different."

"The point is that the only thing the tribe will expect is for you to be yourself." My eyes widened a little as Viggo said that. "We're okay with different because everyone is, Hiccup. No two people are the same, not even twins. Yes, you ride and train dragons. Yes, you like to read and invent. And yes, you have powers…But those are all things that make you who you are, Hiccup. And you are different, Hiccup. Very different from others. And do you know what being different makes you?"

"Ignored? Bullied? Scolded? Neglected? Alone…Hated…" I listed with a mumbled.

"No, Hiccup," Viggo sighed. "It makes you smart, skilled…And gifted." I stared in surprise. "You are who you are for a reason, and maybe you just haven't discovered it yet because you were so focused on trying to be like everyone else when that's not who you're meant to be." He stopped to let me consider that. "The Gods decided that you were to be different from everyone else…Okay? I want you to hear this and think about it, but I don't want you to answer me…" He paused. "Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?" I get why he said don't give him an answer. I didn't have one to give.

"Now, while you're wondering that, I'm going to provide you with something to hold on to next time you start feeling scared or nervous about being different…" Viggo stared at me. "Don't be afraid to be who you are. Stop hiding. Break free from all those chains that your tribe kept you down or held you back with. This is your life now. Live it your way. Being different isn't bad; it makes you unique. Embrace your difference, Hiccup, and understand that the people who genuinely care and want you in their lives will always support, love, and accept you for who you are." Viggo smiled. "Don't ever forget that,"

I nodded at him. "Good. Then know that we'll be home just in time for dinner." Ryker chuckled.

Oh, Gods, that was just five hours away. "Don't be so nervous, Hiccup. I promise that it will be fine, and you will end up loving it." Viggo reassured.

"So sure of that, are you?" I asked while moving some of the food around on my plate.

"I'm certain," Viggo smiled. "Trust me," He added.

"Okay, we'll see what happens then…" I replied.

"Now, finish up eating. There's much work to be done in preparing to dock at home. Wouldn't want to spend all night unpacking," Ryker mentioned. I nodded and went back to eating. Soon we'd be arriving at Hunter Isle, and I just hoped that things would be okay. That's all I wanted after everything else that has happened in the last year.

. . .

=Normal POV=
[Dusk]
[Hunter Isle]

The remainder of the trip was smooth sailing for the hunters, Hiccup, and the few dragons on board. Finally, they'd arrived at the Hunter Isle and Hiccup watching from the windows below deck with the dragons as the ships pulled up to the docks and were tied in place, then the ramps put out to start unloading. Hiccup found it interesting how oddly familiar everything was, but the horn that sounded when the boats were seen was different. Hiccup wondered if that was due to the hunters returning home finally, or if it happened when anyone came to the island. Perhaps it was a question for later. Hiccup had elected to stay with the dragons while the hunters did their things with unloading and greeting people.

Viggo and Ryker said they'd give him the signal when everything was set, and they would introduce him to everyone at the same time. The whole last hour or so for Hiccup made him very nervous, despite what Viggo and Ryker said to him during lunch. Hiccup felt very vulnerable and scared of a repeat from Berk if he decided to be himself with these people. Also, Hiccup was still working through a lot of things, and trust was the biggest. Actions spoke louder than words, so Hiccup would have to see if the rest of this tribe was how Viggo and Ryker described. Hiccup did trust the brothers and the crew, but that's because he had spent since June with them, and here it was nearly December.

If Viggo and Ryker spoke the truth to Hiccup, then it wouldn't be hard or take long to trust the rest of the tribe, but Hiccup still had to sit back and see what would happen. It had been about an hour or so since the ships docked at Hunter Isle; it was closing in on 5:00 pm now. Hiccup saw a decent-sized group of people waiting above the docks to greet the men. There were other men, but women and children too. Hiccup knew that the business side of the tribe was run by men, with a few female healers to handle injury or illness.

At the moment, Hiccup was trying to calm his nerves as the main greetings and reunions of families were over. Viggo and Ryker were calling everyone's attention for an announcement before they all separated to go to their homes for dinner. Everyone began to quiet down as Hiccup looked out on the group to see nothing but smiles.

"Well, it's certainly good to be home again," Ryker started as people laughed some.

"Yes, indeed. We sincerely apologize for the extended trips and not visiting as much as we typically do during the hunting season," Viggo mentioned in a calm, but loud voice. "We came across some minor and a few significant setbacks, which did not allow us to return until things were righted and back on track." He continued. "I am happy to inform you that after the situation with the dragon riders last year hitting the business hard and having a slow start to the season, we were able to get a helping hand to pick us up and make business booming again."

"As you can see with everything we brought off the ships," Ryker added with a smile. "The help we got came from an unlikely source,"

"Who we are very grateful to as they helped make this a successful year, despite the setbacks," Viggo informed, and Ryker nodded in agreement. "We felt that you should get to meet the person who assisted us, so we insisted they come along and get to see the tribe they helped,"

"A former enemy turned ally and friend," Ryker chuckled. "We know that as we always do with each other and newcomers-," He paused

"You'll make them feel right at home. So help us now to give a joyful, warm greeting and open arms welcome to our guest of honor-," Viggo went on.

Hiccup inwardly cringed, why did they have to make him out to be some kind of savior? All he did was give them the location of their men, and keep a Titan Wing Monstrous Nightmare from tearing apart and incinerating their ship. "You guys stay here, for now, I'll see how they react to me first," Hiccup told the four dragons as they nodded in understanding before Hiccup moved to get on the deck, then the dock and would walk forward on his introduction. Please…Please don't announce me as the Heir of the Hooligan Tribe from Berk…? I pleaded. And for the love of Odin, don't use my full name!

"Dragon Rider and Trainer, Hiccup," Viggo and Ryker said together.

Oh, even worse. Announce me as the guy who caused so many setbacks in the first place! Hiccup sighed; there was no point arguing it. He might as well go out there, so he didn't end up offending them. Hiccup took a deep breath and hoped to the Gods he didn't look ridiculously nervous as he walked forward past the protection of the ships and into sight.