At the change of the Tide

by SlickWrites

Hiccup is special, well an odd kind of special. He is going through dragon training alongside the discovery that he can do something rather strange, He can bend the elements. Following a series of events that results in the banishment of Hiccup and him crossing the far ocean to reach the mainland. Where it is rumored that people can bend the elements, just like Hiccup.

2. Chapter 2: Romantic Flight

Chapter Two: Romantic Flight

Astrid was furious. She was dying to know how Hiccup had gone from the mess-up of the village to some viking hero. She figured he must've somehow gained some unknown training from someone. Astrid didn't mind if he would just stay in the background, but he would always somehow up shine her by not evening touching the dragons, it was as if he somehow scared them just by being near. She had woken up early to find Hiccup sneaking off towards the forest, she still had couple of hours left before the last dragon training. Today was a special day in that not only was it the last chance she had to beat Hiccup in training but to be chosen as the one to slay the Monstrous Nightmare, she wasn't gonna let that slide.

Astrid had been following Hiccup stealthily across a large span of time, he was carrying some sort of armor of sorts, it was all bundled up in ropes and looked heavy. Astrid supposed it must be the armor because she could see patched leather mixed with metal gleaming in the morning sun. From what she could see of Hiccup's form between the low laying bracken she was hiding in was that he was frowning, evidently in deep thought. Astrid thought she could recognize the same expression that she saw whenever she had seen him working in the forge. Before the days of Dragon training' Astrid had been in to regularly had her axe sharpened at the forge, it had always been Hiccup who had taken charge and fixed any imperfections in the axe. Most often she had been mightily impressed, although she never admitted this of course, regardless it had been almost as if he had magicked her axe into perfect condition. She had also just shifted her impressed thoughts on the fact that was what Hiccup was good at 'smithing', like how she was a good warrior, but recently she had been forced to conclude that there was more to him than she'd like to admit.

Breaking out of her short revery, she heard a loud crack from her feet. "Damn!" she whispered in a hush as she hid behind a tall oak tree. She waited with bated breath as the sounds of fading footsteps was heard, Astrid peered around the oak and saw the outline of Hiccup running past some trees in a hurry. She quickly got to her feet in attempted pursuit but Hiccup was at a head start and within minutes she had lost him to the swallowing silence and the wind. Astrid cursed under her breath, somehow he had been able to avoid her again. She wasn't going to give up just yet though, she was determined at that. However after three quarters of an hour trying to follow Hiccup's trails she was forced to give up, she came upon a path she would often walk whenever seeking privacy in her axe-throwing, she must be more careful next time if she ever to catch Hiccup at it again. The trees ruffled in the wind, and the sun shun with a warm glow onto the ground. She took a moment to enjoy the soft summer wind in her face as she kept walking.

But then a small bang reverberated close to where she stood, it sounded like a crack of a mountain breaking. Astrid stood stock still, fear coursing through her body. She knew what lurked in the forest and thought it would be a very stupid idea to investigate anything that was capable of doing that sound. But mounting curiosity led the forefront of her mind and she began hurriedly walking towards where the sound had come from. The way she took was filled with nestle-like bushes that stung her legs as she passed them but she didn't care. After a moment white rock edges loomed out of the thin line of trees.

Astrid walked to the edge and peered down, it was some sort of cove. It was beautiful, the cove was inhabited by large pond in middle and grassy shores around it. She also saw a massive tree nestled closely with side of the rock and a small waterfall close by. She wondered if she should go around the cove and keep looking for the source of the bang when sudden footsteps was heard. Astrid leapt behind a tree just before Hiccup ascended from a hole in the white rock cliffs, he was muttering indistinctly to himself and Astrid only caught a few words "Useless reptile..." and "Of course..." before he ran off towards the way of the village, Astrid caught a smell of burning hair left behind from Hiccups advancing figure.

()

Hiccup ran through thickets of vegetation, great oak trees and low laying branches. His hair and eyebrows was slightly singed from Toothless's fire incident in the cove, but he didn't care. He wasn't a natural sprinter and therefore kept having to stop for breathers, after what felt like twenty minutes he reached the outline of the trees that led to the village. His ragged breath caught between his ribs where he felt a stitch blossoming. His mind had been buzzing despite his occupied running, He had shot fire from his fists!

How, he had no idea but he had concluded that this particular gift he possessed is not something he should be mentioning to anyone in a hurry. It could be mistaken for some sort of witchcraft, and he would be exiled for certain. He also wondered what other gifts that he possessed, that rock he had kicked earlier, he had no explanation for how it could've flown across the cove. He had to test it out more thoroughly after dragon training. Running flat out he passed the great hall and saw a crowd of people walking towards the kill ring, evidently they wanted to see who would be chosen. He saw many of them sending him questioning looks as he passed them running. Passing the bridge he arrived at the ring panting and gasping for air. Gobber and the rest of the teens were already gathered at the entrance of the ring, Gobber let out a relieved call "Hiccup! You're here, good... Now where is Astr-" but before he could finish his sentence someone behind him called "Here!" Hiccup turned around to see Astrid also slightly breathless and looking as furious as ever. She shot Hiccup a disgruntled stare as they were swept into the ring. Hiccup hung his head in sadness, Gobber however swelled with pride "Good, everyone is here! Now this is a very important lesson, today the champion will be chosen by the elders to receive the honor of killing the Monstrous Nightmare!" All the teens looked excited and were bouncing on the balls of their feet in anticipation, all but Hiccup.

"Today we aren't doing anything new but circling back to the first dragon that I've let out, The Gronkle..." Gobber continued with a serious tone, "This time it's a judgment of time and speed, for that is what you're facing! Once the beast is brought down the elders will decide who is mighty enough to face the big ol nightmare! Now on yer mark! Set. GO!" and with the suddenly the sound of chains were heard as Gobber pulled the lever to the gate that held the Gronkle, it sprung out with a flurry of beating wings and shot a fireball at the twins who had been absentmindedly staring at the wall without having listened to a word of Gobber's monologue, luckily they wore a shield each and the blast only sent them falling back several steps. They all scattered, and for the occasion several wooden barricades had been erected around the middle. Hiccup leapt behind one while carrying his axe and shield that his father had given him, he slightly peered over the edge and saw the Gronkle hovering slowly around trying to go after Fishlegs this time, who screamed as the Gronkle got closer.

Hiccup felt the barricade move slightly as someone must've hid there as well, as he looked around he saw Astrid also looking at the Gronkle in fierce concentration. After a moment she looked around and spotted Hiccup, she leaned in and said "Stay out of my way! I'm winning this thing." and then teared off towards the where Gronkle was going after Snotlout. "Please, by all means!" Hiccup responded sarcastically before turning to see his father among the spectators. He gave a weak smile before turning around, but his surprise the Gronkle was heading straight for him, it was readying to ram him. Hiccup reacted instinctively, he dropped his axe and shield and extended his arm and pure blue fire escaped his hands and struck the Gronkle hard in the face. It gave a small groan and fell to the ground, the spectators must've not have seen what had happened for they cheered loudly. Looking around Hiccup saw Astrid standing frozen not to far away. He gestured apologetically at the dragon and grinned nervously, he had seen Astrid's hot temperament before. Astrid looked at Hiccup in astonishment before blowing up in anger "NO! No, son of a half-troll, rat eating, munge-bucket! She swung her axe wildly after each syllable.

Hiccup was not keen to stay and possibly be a victim of Astrid's rage and therefore tried to make a desperate bid for freedom while muttering "So.. Later!" before he could make more than a couple of steps however he was lifted of the ground by Gobber's hook-hand and Gobber said hurriedly "Oh-oh not so fast!" Hiccup stammered "I'm kinda late for..." but before he could finish the sentence he felt cold metal bump his neck and before he knew it, Astrid was brandishing her axe in his face "What?! Late for what? Exactly!?" she said furiously but before Hiccup could answer he heard Stoick call out "Alright! Quiet down! The elder has decided." Everyone went deadly quiet at his words.

Gobber held his hook hand over Astrid confirming the Gothi's decision, she shook her head, he held his normal hand over Hiccup, she nodded. Uproar of cheering and whooping from the crowd could be heard and Hiccup heard Gobber say happily "Oh, You've done it Hiccup! You get to kill the Dragon!" the teens all surrounded him and cheered and before he knew it he was lifted on top of Fishlegs's shoulders. He could hear his father's booming voice ring out despite the loud cheering "That's my boy!"

"Yeah, yes! I can't wait I'm so... Happy!"

Half an hour later he was in the cove, 'this is it' thought Hiccup, I'm so done for!. How was am I going to kill a dragon when I know that it is wrong! and the thought tore at him, he had to leave. The truth would come out when he would have to kill a innocent life.

"We're leaving. Let's pack up! Look's like you and me are taking a little vacation. Forever..." he sighed as he understood the weight of these words, he was going abandon his home and go god knows where to. He kneeled down and removed the lid of the basket he was carrying, he sighed again "Oh, man" after fiddling with the baskets contents which was a combination of tools he used while adjusting the saddle and food for the trip, he looked up and saw a figure sitting on the rock right in front of him. Hiccup jumped in horror and took a couple steps back "What the...?"

Astrid was sitting on the rock and sharpening her axe with a stone, Hiccup looked at her apprehensively "W-What are you... doing here...?" he stammered. Astrid stopped the grinding of the rock against the axe and said "I wanna know what's going on. No one just gets as good as you do, especially you." She said this while menacingly advancing with her axe. Hiccup started to stutter incomprehensibly "Start talking!" demanded Astrid, "Are you training with someone?" "T-training?" replied Hiccup nervously, trying to buy time. Astrid disregarded his stutters and grabbed his flight harness and said "It better not involve this" Astrid grabbed Hiccup and threw him to the ground, she twisted his arm painfully as he had been trying to come up with some poor excuse for his flight harness. Hiccup let out a strangled moan "Ow! Why would you do that?" but before he could get up he felt Astrid's kick against his ribs and he huffed as all the air left him. "That's for the lies!" Hiccup felt the wood of her axe hit him again as she said "and that's for everything else".

But then many things happened at once, While Hiccup was groaning at ground he heard Astrid gasp in horror, and a roar from what must be Toothless. Oh no! he thought while pushing himself to his feet, Astrid had already thrown herself in front of him and shouted "GET DOWN!" before abruptly turning around to swing her axe at the incoming dragon. Hiccup let out a yell as he threw himself at Astrid's arms, with a huge effort he managed to throw her axe away in a corner before turning to the roaring dragon

"No! It's okay! It's okay!" he said soothingly before adding "She's a friend." Toothless stopped trying to get at Astrid and had relaxed at Hiccup's words. Still growling Toothless tried to get in front of Hiccup, better to protect him from his attacker, but Hiccup held him back. "You just scared him!" he explained.

"I scared him?!" Astrid asked in a shrill voice, before adding "Who is 'Him'?" Hiccup looked slightly awkward at the question before saying in a serious tone "Astrid, Toothless." he turned to look at Toothless "Toothless, Astrid". Toothless gave a loud snarl towards Astrid's direction. She shook her head before sprinting off. Hiccup looked after her in disbelief. "Oh we're so dead!" He looked around to see Toothless walking towards his sleeping spot as if there hadn't been anything at all. "Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, where do you think you're going?"

()

Astrid was running, she was stunned. Hiccup was friends with a dragon, not any dragon either but a Night Fury, She had to tell his father. She gasped and puffed as she jumped over both rocks and vegetation in her path to get to the village. So this was how Hiccup had been so good at dragon training thought Astrid. She had been running for another couple minutes before she spotted the distant blue that indicated sea between the line of trees, but before she could take more than a couple more steps however she was grabbed roughly around the midriff and swiftly lifted into the air. She saw the ground get smaller and smaller as she rose higher and higher, she panicked "Oh, great Odin's ghost! Oh, this is it!" Astrid screamed. She was screaming until she felt the creature drop her at the canopy of a tall pine tree. Astrid caught the upper branches and clung on for dear life, the whole tree shook as she felt the tip sway dangerously as something landed on top of it. She looked up and saw that something baring Hiccup upon it's back. "Hiccup! Get me DOWN from here!" she screamed in outrage. She looked down, it was sickeningly high and any fall from this height would mean certain death. "You have to give me a chance to explain!" said Hiccup in earnest, but Astrid wasn't having it, she screamed back "I'm not listening to anything you have to say!"

"Then I won't speak, just let me show you. Please Astrid." said Hiccup, emphasizing the last two syllables in a pleading voice. Astrid looked down and considered her options, she decided to swallow her pride and began to climb towards Hiccup and reached for the saddle, but before she could touch it a loud growl sounded from the Night Fury. She swatted Hiccup's outreached hand in anger, she wasn't going to need his help. She mounted the dragon and said "Now, get me down". Looking pleased Hiccup spoke to the Night Fury and said "Toothless. Down, gently" the Dragon extended his wing and Hiccup said confidently "See? Nothing to be afraid of."

But as he said this everything just went sideways, Toothless threw himself into the air with incredible speed and they climbed ever upward. Astrid screamed as she was almost thrown off several times. They were now far up in the air and Astrid could see for miles around, but she only had a moment to take this in before they were diving straight for the ground again. Astrid screamed again as they descended like a bullet towards the sea, it's glossy surface getting bigger as they loomed ever closer. They plunged into the cold sea and Astrid felt herself getting soaked, she spluttered for air and before she could even draw breath again they went under again. They resurfaced only for Astrid to hear Hiccup's frantic scoldings "What are you doing Toothless!? We need her to like us!"

It was clear that the dragon was completely ignoring Hiccup words however because they rose up again, with a great flurry and flapping wings they gained altitude. Within seconds they had regained the previous height before the sudden dive for the sea. Astrid was still screaming in fright, and before she could regain any sort of control they began to spin, Astrid clutched to Hiccup like as she was going to be thrown off any moment. They were flipping and thrown in every direction, it seemed as if everything was upside down. The air was rent with screams from Astrid and Hiccup trying to regain control. "And now he spinning!" said Hiccup in a angry sarcastic voice "THANKS FOR NOTHING YOU USELESS REPTILE!" Hiccup yelled over the hubbub of the wind and Astrids screams.

Astrid on the other hand had enough of the spinning, she buried her face into the back of Hiccup's shoulder and closed her eyes as if it would make it stop. "OKAY! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just get me off of this thing!" she pleaded into Hiccup's shoulder. The dragon seemed to have understood her plead because suddenly everything stopped. The sudden spinning had faltered and everything seemed to have calmed, but Astrid still in fright expecting everything to start spinning again didn't look up. It took a long moment before Astrid open her eyes again, the steady wind on her face seemed to have lessened. Her eyes tentatively opened and her mouth fell open as she took in the scene all around her. While she had been concerned about the safety of her own life, she hadn't taken in the flight.

They had entered a world of bright sunlit clouds, their beauty seemed to dazzle Astrid has they gently flew over them. All around was fields and turrets of swirling cloud. They were now so close that Astrid could reach out and touch them, she reached out and felt the soft cloud pleasantly drag across her hand. She couldn't help it, she grinned broadly. The wind was softly and pleasantly ruffling her hair and she closed her eyes in enjoyment. Astrid momentarily lost any sort of recollection of what got her into this situation as she took in all the extravagant cloud and sky. Time seemed to have lost it's meaning as they perused the clouds in a leisurely glide. Astrid had never imagined how beautiful the sky could be like, and she never dreamt that should ever touch the clouds let alone fly, the sensation made her feel 'free'.

A long time passed or maybe not long at all before the clouds changed from bright to pink as the sun was setting on the horizon, and suddenly they rolled and directed their path ever upwards. They broke through the canopy of the clouds and Astrid gasped again as the sky above them showed the winter lights dancing across the heavens as if showing the way. Astrid took in the display in the sky with a bright eyes, and suddenly after a moment the clouds that had turned from pink to grey revealed a patch of the ground. Astrid took in the scene below her with a smile, far below them was Berk. The village she had spent long 14 years, where she had been born and grown up. She never imagined that she would one day see it from the air, let alone on top of an Night Fury and ever more stranger, with Hiccup!

Astrid was awestruck, she had never imagined how wonderful it was to fly and how beautiful the sky was. "All right, I admit it. This is pretty cool." and she couldn't stop herself from adding "It's amazing, he's amazing" and she patted Toothless, and to her relief he didn't growl or snarl at her touch.

"So what now?" said Astrid. She heard Hiccup sighing but kept on "Hiccup, your final exam is tomorrow, you know you have to kill-" she stopped as she looked at Toothless. She leaned in whispered in Hiccup's ear "..Kill a dragon"

"Ohh don't remind me" said Hiccup with a moan. But suddenly they were diving, descending into thick mist. Hiccup sounding confused said "Toothless, what's happening?" the wind, who had been pleasantly warm before had turned cold and sharp as they had flown into the mist. "Whoa, what is it?" inquired Hiccup but before they knew it something big loomed out of the mist, a monstrous nightmare. Hiccup bent low and whispered "Get down". They both flattened themselves against the saddle. More and more dragons loomed out of the mist, all species Astrid could recognize from the Dragon manual, Monstrous Nightmare, Deadly Nadder, Timberjacks, Gronkles, Hiddeous Zipplebacks. The oncoming horde were all carrying something either in their mouth or their claws, at closer inspection Astrid saw animals or fish. They evidently hoarding their food they had stolen.

Within seconds they mist revealed hundreds of dragons on every side, squawking and snapping at each other as they happend to bump into one another while flying. "Toothless, get us out of here" said Hiccup trying to steer them away but Toothless shook him off, and before they knew it, they were diving again. All the dragons around them seemed to all be heading towards the same direction. More and more dragons kept appearing until what looked like a cloud of flying animals were ahead of them. Longer and longer they swept into the mist, after several more seconds of flying Astrid saw great towers of rocks appear out of nowhere. On they flew weaving in and out of misshapen rocks and sea stacks until a great mountain with jagged rocks appeared. Astrid wasn't sure what was going on, she fought against the beating wind in her face and smell of sulfur in the air. Toothless steered them into a gap in the side of the mountain and momentarily everything became dark, but a second later they emerged into a great cavern laden with dragons of all sizes and color.

They both gasped. "What my dad wouldn't give to find this..." said Hiccup with awe in his voice, as he said this they both looked down and saw red thick mist covering the basen of the cavern. Toothless circled them among the stone pillars that lined the cavern and landed softly. They peered around the stone pillar towards that mist. What puzzled Astrid was the dragons, who she had expected to start eating their food upon arrival was dumping their food into the mist. Hiccup must have come to the same conclusion because he said "Ohh, it's satisfying to know all our food has been dumped down a hole."

"They're not eating any of it." stated Astrid in disbelief. But something had caught their attention, a small Gronkle was flying lob-sided and dazedly towards the center of mist. The Gronkle gave a shuddering gag, and dropped some something indistinct into the red mist, possibly more food thought Astrid but a moment later something dreadful happend. Out of nowhere a dragon's head of stupendous size emerged and ate the Gronkle whole, it's jaw shut with a deafening clang. Every dragon in the cavern let out a moan and Astrid saw them falling back, shrinking to fear of this beast.

Even Toothless drew back in fright, Astrid was staring at the massive dragon's head that was slowly descending into the thick mist again. "What is that?" said Astrid is horror. Slowly the massive dragon emerged emerged again, sniffing the air, coming closer. Sensing danger Hiccup said quickly to Toothless "Alright bud, we've gotta get out of here... now!" and just as they had took off, the dragon shot forward and closed it's massive jaws on thin air, just where they had been seconds ago. They flew as fast as they could towards the exit in the roof, joined by every dragon in the cavern, fleeing from the wrath of the mountain-like dragon. Toothless's wings beat frantically to get more altitude, trying to escape the massive jaws pursuing them.

A sickening crunch and a drawn out scream told them some other dragon had not been so fortunate in their escape. Through exit they flew and into the cold air, it was night now, the stars shun with a distant purly white gleam and the ocean below showed a resounding black mass stretching out forever. They sped towards the direction of a distant island of Berk on the horizon, a long time passed until Astrid spoke "What was that?" Hiccup looked disturbed, "That is the reason why dragons raid us. They have to find food for that dragon or they will be eaten themselves" said Hiccup turning slightly to look at Astrid.

"Is that how it became so big?, That thing has been fed by all these dragons for hundreds of years?" Astrid asked Hiccup, "I think so, though I've never even seen that species before." said Hiccup in deep thought. They could see the outline of Berk getting closer, "What I want to know is how she is controlling the dragons to begin with" said Hiccup, Astrid thought for a moment and as they flew over the many trees of the forest she spoke "No, no it totally makes sense, it's like a giant beehive. They are the workers and that's their queen, it controls them. Let's go find your dad." and Astrid made to run towards the village but Hiccup started to protest "No, not yet. They'll kill Toothless. We'll have to think through this carefully." said Hiccup.

Astrid couldn't believe what she what she was hearing. "Hiccup, we've just discovered the dragons nest, the thing we've been after since vikings ventured here from the mainland and you want to keep it a secret? To protect your pet dragon? Are you serious?" asked Astrid in disbelief.

Hiccup turned and Astrid had never seen him looking so serious before, he gave Astrid a scornful look and uttered "Yes" in finality. Astrid felt slightly sheepish and as Hiccup turned away she said "Okay, then what do we do?"

"Just give me until tomorrow, I'll figure something out." said Hiccup with slightly defeated voice. Astrid uttered small acknowledgement before punching Hiccup on the shoulder, "That was for kidnapping me" said Astrid. Hiccup glared back in confusion, Toothless looked up from his spot and warbled, Astrid stood for a moment wondering if she should do it. She fell upon the impulse and then she kissed Hiccup on the cheek, and said quickly "That's for everything else" but before Hiccup could say anything else about it she was tearing off again.

()

Hiccup stood there for a very long time, he was stunned, could you believe it? thought Hiccup, Astrid actually didn't hate him. While in his stupor Hiccup felt large figure loom over his left shoulder, Toothless was staring at the figure of Astrid being quickly swallowed by the darkness, he looked at Hiccup and grinned sheepishly at what had just happend, "Oh what are you looking at?" asked Hiccup defensively. He turned and grinned to himself, despite the ever looming prospect of the ceremony tomorrow he was elated, Astrid Hofferson had actually kissed him. He was dazed, hardly knowing what he was doing he swung his hands back and forward until punching the air in celebration. Suddenly a wall of flame erupted in front of him it and covered the cliff side with blue flames, it fell upon the shores like a sheet and set everything on fire.

Hiccup reared back in fright, he had completely forgot this gift of fire that he possessed and started to panic as Toothless also reared in shock and confusion at the sudden flames. Toothless took one quick glance at the fire that was rapidly spreading to the surrounding vegitation before he ran at Hiccup and proceeded to throw him into the lake again to save him from the descending flames. Everything was on fire, the whole cove was lit like a torch and for what had been for a moment peacefully calm was now alight with fire. Hiccup surfaced from the lake, this time managing to not swallow water as he was thrown in. Hiccup looked around in horror, he had to stop it or it would burn everything to a crisp, or worse burn down the forest. He threw of his hands out in a vain attempt to smother the flames like how he started the flames to begin with, but instead a great amount wind flew at the flames, instead of killing the flames it seemed to give it more life as it was spreading to more and more trees.

How do I fix this? thought Hiccup, now really starting to panic. He was frantically looking around for something to use when he heard Toothless roaring at him. He looked at Toothless and saw him pointing with his wing at the water and then at the fire. Several moments passed and Hiccup stared at Toothless, nonplussed. Toothless repeated the action and then spewed some flames from his mouth emphasizing the action. Hiccup was still completely at a loss as to what Toothless was insinuating. Toothless looked beyond agitated at Hiccup's slow-wittiness. Toothless ran towards the lake and scooped a large amount of water and threw it in the direction at the fire. Hiccup stared at the water and then he finally understood.

He directed his arms towards the water he was standing in, he made a motion, a bit like a reverse breast-stroke, and to his astonishment the water seemed to move with his arms movement, he directed the water towards the ever growing fire and a large wave swept over the landscape and drenched the fire in one big swipe. Hiccup let out a loud moan of relief, he really had to master this tendency to cause natural disasters at the merest lift of his eyebrow.