Hiccup woke up in a room he barely recognized. That was because it was the infirmary, he hadn't been here since….
Hiccup attempted to stand praying to Odin that he wasn't missing another limb. When he safely stood and did a quick body check he saw all he got was a few more scars to add to his vast collection.
Hiccup swiftly learned that walking was now a painful thing to do, but he decided to get the Hel out of the infirmary.
When he approached the door, he was greeted by Åse waiting for him at the door. Instead of doing what she would normally do and force him back into bed she smirked.
"You were in there for three days, Ragnar bet me two of his sheep that you'd be in there for the rest of the week, guess I won." She says before gesturing for Hiccup to follow.
He did what he was told. When he got out it was pitch black meaning it was definitely night time, or his vision was fucked.
"How did I get back here?" Hiccup asked. Åse rolled her eyes.
"How do you think!? Your Dragon flew you back here, when you got back you were barely alive. Thankfully Magnus remembered what you said about Night Fury saliva and it helped you to recover. Sadly Drago is still pushing forward." She says casually.
Hiccup stopped in his step. "Drago is dead, I killed him myself!" Hiccup explains, he was silently praying that Drago was actually dead.
Åse stopped as well shocked at Hiccups words. She seemed to think for a few seconds before a smile spread across her normally stern face.
"Well, his fleet is still pushing forward towards their destination, but if you did actually kill Drago then we only have a limited window to strike again, we should report this to Erik. I'll assemble the Masters, meet us in the Monastery in a few minutes, ok?" Åse asked to make sure Hiccup was ok to give a report.
"Yeah, I'll meet you all there, let me just go check on Toothless first." Hiccup says walking passed him and heading for the stables.
When he arrived there, he was met by a stench worse then Snotlout's room on a warm day.
Apparently no one cleaned the Dragons stables these passed few days.
Hiccup decided not to go into the stables, his breathing was bad enough as it was and his leg was on fire from that harpoon shot.
He whistled a loud whistle and next he knows a big, goofy, playful and dangerous pure black scaled Dragon was running towards him.
Before Hiccup could stop him Toothless had Hiccup pinned to the ground and the dragon excitedly licked Hiccup face.
On the upside the saliva might actually speed up his recovery on the downside it was disgusting.
Toothless eventually stopped drowning his friend with his tongue and Hiccup graciously stood up. He brushed himself down, which left his hands soaked in more dragon saliva.
When he had recovered from the assault and his ribs and legs stopped aching, he checked out Toothless, his friend didn't look injured which Hiccup was very happy about.
Hiccup knew he had to head into The Monastery and give a report to the Council of Masters.
Hiccup left the stables leaving Toothless with the other dragons.
When Hiccup arrived at The Monastery he was quite winded from the massive hill he had to walk up and he still more than a hundred steps to climb up to get to the large wooden doors. He took a deep breath which hurt a lot and he began the climb up the large mountain like stair case.
Fortunately, he was met by Master Bjørn, who came down the stairs to meet him. Hiccup strained a smile to the large man. Without saying a word Bjørn lifted Hiccup and carried him in his large arms.
Hiccup ribs flared up for a few seconds, but the pain subsided as the man carried him up the stairs. Hiccup was surprised at the mans gentleness and carefulness while carrying him up the stairs.
When the two men arrived at the large doors Bjørn carefully lowered the young Assassin and the doors to the Monastery opened for them. Hiccup thanked the large man who shrugged of the word of thanks.
When they got in there Bjørn took his seat and Hiccup stood at an alter that was put there for the report.
"Hiccup, Master of Assassins, Crafter, Blacksmith, inventor and Dragons. You have been summoned here by the Masters to give your report for the recon mission that I Erik Master of Masters sent you on." Erik announced.
Hiccup then proceeded to explain what happened, he explained Drago's plans for sending his fleet into the middle of nowhere and Hiccups successful assassination attempt on the tyrant.
The Council seemed to understand everything that was said. When Hiccup finally finished his report Erik and the others sat in silence absorbing this information.
"Master Bjørn, can you gather a fleet of troops?" Erik asked the Master of War.
"Yes Master Erik, but may I ask why?"
"Master Åse, can you come up with a battle plan for an assault and have it done by tomorrow?" Erik asked the Master of Battle Tactician while ignoring the Master of War.
"Yes Master, but I'll need more information before I can confirm how quick I can get it done." Åse replied.
"Masters Ragnar and Magnus, I'll need both a battle plan for our Ships and to gather the Fleet." Erik ordered the master of Navy Tactician and Master of the Fleet.
"Yes Master." They both said at the same time.
"Master Hiccup, return to the infirmary and rest, when you are fit for combat you'll head out towards those coordinates and meet both Masters Ragnar and Magnus." Erik says.
"Master Erik, what is your plan here?" Hiccup asked before confirming if he would follow those orders.
"With Drago's death, his fleet has been weakened, plus our scouts have returned saying some of his fleet have landed and begun raiding local islands, some have even set up a camp there, our informant has informed us that their men have set up a fallout shelter on a local island. What I propose is that we send out our fleet now, go towards those coordinates and beat Drago's men to where ever they are going, at the same time we'll send in our men towards the fallout shelter, meaning if any escape the onslaught of our ships will do they'll arrive to a trap." Erik explains.
Hiccup analyzed his plan, in theory, it will work as long as we can beat them.
"Ok, then so by tomorrow if I push myself, I should be fully recovered, then I'll take the dragons and meet the fleet there, we could also tow the ships making quicker time and in theory beating Drago's men." Hiccup says.
When the Council all agreed on the plan, they all got to work. Hiccup tried to help but he was sent to bed rest by Erik so that he could recover faster.
Hiccup obeyed and moved towards the infirmary, Toothless was sent to him as well to help him heal.
Astrid was minding her own business like usual, she had just finished training the younglings.
There was another raid yesterday, but the raiders were swiftly handled.
Astrid had saved a few of her students who got a little headstrong ad arrogant and thought they could take on the raider army themselves.
Stoic thanked her for her service, though her Mother was quick to mention that if she was training the kids, they shouldn't need saving, though her father remained quiet, fortunately.
Stoic was throwing a celebration later tonight to celebrate the defeat of the Raiders and a successful defense of their home.
Astrid was still a little pissed off that her Mother called out her training style.
Astrid grabbed some dinner from the Mead Hall.
After she ate, she decided to got for a walk. She was tempted to walk towards the Cove but she was too tired to track through the woods.
So she settled for walking around the docks.
When she arrived at the docks, she was met by the blissful sound of the waves crashing against the rocks and the sound of fisherman claiming the prizes.
She was also met by Trader Johann, their local Trader who seemed to be in quite the rush while holding a small piece of paper.
He was gasping for air as he ran toward the Mead Hall. Astrid decided to see what was wrong and checked in on the rambling man.
"Oh, my… Lady Astrid!… sorry to brush past… you my dear." He says through stained breaths. Astrid looked a little worried for the poor man.
"Are you ok Johann? You look like you ran all the way here from your last island." Astrid asked.
The man seemed to gain his composure. "Oh, this is nothing! You've seen me on the beaches of The Meathead clan, I was forced to run all the way-"
"Ok! Ok! I get it. Why are you running towards the Mead Hall like your life is being threatened by Hella herself!?" Astrid interrupted before Johann could start rambling about a story that had no relation to their current situation.
"Why I was given a message by… someone, I was told to give it to all the Chieftains of the Archipelago." Johann explained.
Astrid nodded in understanding. She decided to bring Johann to Stoic otherwise he would more than likely be tackled if he ran towards Stoic like a mad man.
They both arrived at the Mead Hall rather quickly. When the two got there people were confused to see Johann here early and at night, just like Astrid was.
They walked towards Stoic, Snotlout, Ruffnut and Hilda.
"Johann! What is the meaning of your visit? We weren't expecting you for another week!" Stoic asked, surprised.
"Mighty Chief Stoic, I was told to bring you this urgent message along with all the other Chieftains."
Astrids Father approached and took the piece of paper out of the Traders arms, he then walked over and handed it to Stoic.
Stoic read the piece of paper, his eyes went wide and he reread it, then he read it again. By the time he regained his composure and his face had returned to its natural colour. Stoic stood up for us all to pay very close attention to him.
"I have just received word that the Tyrant known as Drago Bludvist has been killed." Stoic spoke clear as day but the room was silent.
The rumors of a mad man with a fleet bigger than any had ever seen was exactly that, a rumor! Villages reporting being raided by him, but all their stories differed, some said he had an army ten times bigger than any tribe, others said the ships in his fleet were five times bigger than any ship, some even said he had an army of Dragons.
One Tribe even said that after Drago left a man dressed in black with the hilt of a sword with no blade strapped to his hip, wearing what people assumed was armor given to him by the god of shadows Hod and he was given the rage of the god Vidar.
Astrid was never really sure if she believed in the stories, but if Drago was truly dead, then maybe he got the Justice he deserved.
The silence was all most unbearable, they had all heard the story of what Drago did to Stoic and the other chiefs the incident that only Stoic survived.
"So now we have another thing to celebrate!" Stoic yelled breaking the silence. Everybody lifted the mugs and cheered as they celebrated the death of a maybe myth.
Hiccup rested for the entire night a little bit extra in the morning, he was nowhere near fully healed, but he was able to fly and fight.
Hiccup was in the process of packing his gear for his flight out to those coordinates where he knew the majority of Drago's men were heading.
The original fleet the island sent out with both Ragnar and Magnus had reported they are a day out from the arrival meaning if they keep the pace up Hiccup can tow them for a few hours when he gets there meaning they can get there tonight.
After Hiccup finished packing up his gear he made his way outside where Toothless was waiting. He jumped on Toothless's saddle and they both took off ready for war.
—
It took a few hours, but Hiccup arrived at the fleet.
He landed on the lead ship and after some arguing with Ragnar and light conversation with Magnus Hiccup ordered Toothless to tow this ship, while he ordered the Hideous Zipple Back, Gronkle, Nadder and Monstrous Nightmare to tow the others. Thankfully, they were strong enough to tow a few ships each.
Yes, you're probably wondering where he got these other dragons from, well Hiccup freed them, these are Dragons he freed from Berk.
Ever since they followed him around place to place Hiccup was fortunate enough to find shelters for them where ever he landed.
Hiccup spent about a year and a bit hiding them on different islands before he landed on the Monastery. They even helped him fight off the Red Death all those years ago. The Monstrous Nightmare even got a nasty scar from it. He decided not to name them since they weren't technically his, they were wild animals that could leave whenever they wanted to and they did, there would be times they would be gone for days but they always came back.
While the Dragons towed the fleet of ships towards the coordinates Hiccup and the rest got comfortable on the deck while talking about the upcoming possible battle later tonight.
"We may as well go over the plan for the battle again, just to be sure we're on the same page." Ragnar suggested. Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"I guess someone wasn't listening at the meetings again!" Hiccup remarked. Ragnar looked like he was about to reply, but he was interrupted by Magnus.
"That's a good idea Ragnar! Hiccup please stop trying to start a fight, and Ragnar it may be a good idea, but please start listening in these meetings." Magnus said, putting himself between both Ragnar and Hiccup.
Hiccup respected the move, he didn't take a side and shut him down while boosting Ragnar's ego, but giving him a fair warning, no wonder most council members expected him to take over after Master Erik passed on.
We walked into the command room where we discussed the plan over a map of the area.
"The plan is simple, us three along with our dozen or so ships will sail to the coordinates Hiccup provided, hopefully we should beat them there. If we get there before them, myself and Hiccup will investigate the area while you lead the navy to guard the perimeter of the island. That is our portion. Åse and Bjørn are taking the remaining ships to their fall out island and trying to save the local people and laying a trap in the unlikely scenario anyone escapes the massacre we'll lay down on them." Magnus explained simply.
"Ok, good plan! One question though. Why are you two getting off?" Ragnar asked. Hiccup exhaled through his nose and rolled his eyes.
"Because, Drago was obsessed with getting to this island so obsessed his men are finishing the job and we need to know why, you are the Master of Fleets making you the highest ranking Master right now, Magnus is a Navy Tactician, we need him off a ship in case the plan fails! And I have dammed dragons I can get to you guys in seconds if I have to." Hiccup explained. "Understand now or should I dumb it down for you!"
Ragnar slammed his fists down clearly sick of Hiccups disrespect. "Come to this side of the table and say that to my face you sansorðinn!"
"Ok Ragnar for one! You used that insult completely wrong, and two in Viking culture I can legally kill you for calling me that!" Hiccup retaliated clarifying Ragnar stupidity.
"We're not Vikings Hiccup, and lets be real you never really were!"
That was the day Ragnar got a nice little scar on the side of his face, a few inches higher and a little to the left Hiccup would have blinded the man in his left eye. Ragnar shut up after that.
A few hours pass and Hiccup is getting anxious they were nearing what would become a war zone eventually, the dragons got tired a little bit ago, which was fine with Hiccup, they were resting on the deck of the ship. He knew they were needed for the battle ahead so they needed to rest.
They were only a little bit away from the island or whatever it was.
Ragnar was sitting on the other side of the ship while a ship medic stitched up the hole he had on the side of his face from the throwing knife Hiccup lodged into his face.
Magnus was forced to pull Hiccup off of the man, which resulted in Magnus getting a nasty gash as well.
Truthfully Hiccup didn't care that he implied Hiccup was a lesser Viking when he was younger, he knew it was the truth, but he grew up hearing those words, he grew up always feeling less than. So when Ragnar said it Hiccup lost all control of his actions. Magnus was aware of this which is why they both are leaving Hiccup alone and Ragnar while he is the victim, he's also been called an idiot by most people on the ship.
"You know he did it to get a reaction out of you." He heard behind him. He looked and saw Magnus behind him.
"Well, he got what he wanted, though he should learn I'm a lot more dangerous than I look." Hiccup replied.
Magnus nodded in agreement.
"You know he's always been arrogant."
"Your one to talk." Hiccup replied sarcastically.
"Are you much better?" Magnus asked.
Hiccup was about to reply when he released Magnus cornered him, Hiccup knew he was better, but couldn't say that without proving Magnus's point. So he remained silent.
Magnus opened his mouth to say something, but shut it and stared at something in the middle of the ocean. Hiccup looked at him confused and turned to see what he was seeing and Hiccup couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Ragnar in all his stupidity walked up to the two masters.
"How is that possible? It's too warm out here for that to be sustainable!" Ragnar said, gesturing wildly at the… fortress. Hiccup could only call it a Fortress, one made purely of ice.
It was bigger than the monastery, it was bigger than Berk or any of the other islands Hiccup had visited, the only thing he could compare it too was the Dragons nest back on Dragon island.
"Hiccup how is this possible?" Magnus asked the young Assassin.
"Why are you asking me!? Even a dozen snow wraiths couldn't make this in their entire life span if this is dragon made I haven't discovered the one that make something like this!" Hiccup replies. He feels a mixture of excitement, confusion and fear as he examined this fortress, if this was a nest there was no guarantee he could tame the Queen, in fact, there was no guarantee Hiccup and Toothless could fight another one while also worrying about the fleet.
Magnus and Hiccup flew Toothless to the ice fortress, Toothless and the other dragons did a quick check on the outside before Hiccup noticed an entrance or window on the fortress about sixty feet off the ground. Toothless carefully landed through the surprisingly small gap, and the others also flew in behind the three of them.
Magnus got off Toothless first while Hiccup was more couscous of getting off their one means of escape. After he was confident it was clear he got off Toothless and hovered his hand over the freshly repaired Inferno.
The walls had torches even spaced apart from each other lighting the icey hallways.
"I thought you said Dragons could see in the dark!" Magnus whispered.
"You really think they could do this! I mean craft torches out of evenly cut wood and place them wall perfectly spaced apart! Like come on I know I speak highly of them, but Dragons don't even have thumbs!" Hiccup replied back also whispering his hand now holding Infernos's hilt, ready for any sudden movement.
"So Humans live here, but dragons made it?"
"There is no way the Ice Fortress in naturally made and unless Vikings are more powerful then I remember I doubt it's man made, so yes my silver is on Dragon made."
"That's reassuring. Tell me again how big that Queen was?"
"Bigger then a mountain, maybe half the size as our island." Hiccup replies way to nonchalantly.
"I think I'm going to stand next to the Night Fury now." Magnus replied and stood next to Toothless.
"Why? if there is a Queen, she could brainwash him and if you're the closest to him well…"
"Ok, ok, next to you it is."
Hiccup chucked. Toothless seemed to perk up and ran in front of Hiccup and the other dragons also seemingly sensed something and ran off in front of the two men.
"Toothless what is it?" Hiccup asked, pausing in his steps as he analyzed the land. He saw nothing out of the ordinary.
"Magnus you see anything?"
Hiccup got no reply. He quickly turned around and saw Magnus was gone and those torches behind him were put out, now leaving a pitch black corridor with the only light source being the torches behind him
Inferno was swiftly brought out in all it's glory lighting up the corridor. Much to Hiccup's surprise the corridor was full of Terrible Terrors and a Nadder who had Magnus pinned against a wall with its tail, one wrong move and Magnus would be killed instantly.
He heard something behind him and swiftly turned to find the dragons incapacitated, not hurt, but neutralized, the same method Hiccup used in the Arena in Berk.
A figure emerged in blue and brown armour holding a staff. Hiccup pointed his sword at the woman though he heard the Nadder growl behind him and Magnus yelp.
He lowered his sword, but did not drop it.
The figure approached him quicker then he expected, thankfully Hiccup had his helmet on so if she attacked he would be safe. She reached out and grabbed Hiccups hand that currently had Inferno in it.
Hiccup was smart enough to realize that A if he killed her Magnus was next and he doubted he could kill a murderous Nadder, or even if he had in it him to kill the beautiful creature and B this person may not be a threat.
He aloud the figure to take his sword, he had other means of weaponry if he needed it.
"Did Drago send you?" The figure asked. Their voice was raspy and muffled by the mask, but Hiccup could make out a woman's voice behind the words.
"No. We're here to stop him." Hiccup replied, he skated carefully around the fact he killed the mad man just in case this woman worked for him.
"So he's coming? Good, then I can finally sink his entire fleet!" She says, looking up and Hiccup while holding his sword. Hiccup decided maybe she wasn't a threat as long as they were on the same side.
"I'm afraid he won't be on his ship. Because he probably at the bottom of the ocean, since I killed him." The woman seemed to react quickly at that statement.
"You had no right! He was mine to kill! He's been hunting me for years now! I wanted to watch him die."
"Trust me! I had plenty of reason to kill him!" Hiccup replied, lowering his voice as he recalled all the reason he had to end the one armed Tyrant.
"Oh, he took something from you… what was it, your freedom? Your family? Your friends? Well, spit it out, what gives you a better reason than I!" The woman says while swinging the Flame sword dangerously close to Hiccups head.
"I'm not here to give you a pity story, I'm here to destroy the remains of his fleet. Can you help us with that?"
"Depends… can I trust you?"
"Yes, if you want Drago's name erased from existence I'm your Assassin! But can I trust you?" Hiccup replied. The woman sighed and removed her helmet.
She had graying brown hair and green eyes, she seemed so familiar, but Hiccup was certain he never this woman before.
"Now you." She says simply. It took a moment for Hiccup to realize what she meant, but he reluctantly replied.
He removed his Night Fury helmet and held it in his left arm while the woman analyzed him.
Her eyes went wide as she noticed a small scar on his chin. Hiccup wanted to joke about how that was the smallest one he has but the woman hands were already on his face much to the discomfort to Hiccup. He was forced to fight the urge to stab her in the gut with his hidden blade. He didn't like to be touched.
"You got so big…" she says in a whisper, but Hiccup heard her. Tears began to swell in her eyes.
"Do you know me?" Hiccup was certain he saw her at some point in his life and she seemed to recognize him too.
"You don't know who I am? No, I guess you were only a bae when it happened. Of course you'd forget."
"What are you talking about? By now even Magnus was listening intently.
She looked at Hiccup and small tear fell from her forest green eyes. She placed her hand on Hiccup shoulders.
"You may have forgotten me, but I haven't forgotten you, after all!"
"A mother never forgets."