Chapter 1
Sunlight spilled into the small room, illuminating a small figure asleep in the bed. The figure groaned as the sunlight reached his freckled face, disturbing his sleep. A dragon stood expectantly over the bed, nudging the boy's foot. The black dragon crooned softly, before attempting a harder nudge.
``Alright Toothless, I'm up.`` Hiccup yawned, sitting up straight in the bed. He rubbed his eyes, to wipe the sleep from them as he shrugged the blankets off.
Toothless waited for Hiccup to gather his thoughts before bounding towards the door, nudging it open. Hiccup followed shortly after, making sure his metal foot didn't make too much noise as he walked down the stairs. His father's snores were heard from the other side of the door as he crept past. Hiccup eased the door open quietly so it wouldn't wake up his father, and stepped outside.
The sunlight was warm on his face for once, the grass beneath his feet damp and covered in dew. Hiccup made his way towards the back of the house, where he kept Toothless' saddle. Luckily, it was dry when he pulled it out from the chest. Toothless stood expectantly as Hiccup attached the saddle onto him, then moved onto the tail.
``Hang on Toothless, I'm not done yet!`` Hiccup laughed as Toothless started jumping up and down.
``There.`` Hiccup mounted Toothless, and pat him on his scaly reptilian head.
``Let's go bud.``
Hiccup landed near his house, dismounting Toothless.
``You're hungry bud?`` Hiccup asked, trying to overwhelm his own hunger.
Toothless warbled quickly, and squeezed through the door when Hiccup opened it.
``You sure are!`` Hiccup laughed as he, too, entered the house.
From inside, came the booming voice of his father.
``Morning son.``
``Morning dad.`` Hiccup replied, taking a seat at the table. ``What's for breakfast? Late breakfast anyway.``
``Fish and potatoes.`` Came the cheery reply.
Hiccup groaned mentally. Every time his dad cooked, he either did it burnt or too raw. And Hiccup always had to pretend he liked it.
A plate of barely burnt fish and slightly burnt potatoes landed in front of him. Toothless dove into a barrel of fish. Hiccup sighed, and began eating. It didn't taste that bad. Compared to normal.
``What did you explore today. Find anything new on this island?`` Stoick attempted to start a conversation.
``We explored the west of Berk. Nothing out of the ordinary. Well, except a nest of Deadly Nadders deep into the forest. Luckily, it won't be disturbed for it's located in a place where not many Vikings go.`` Hiccup reported.
``Good good.``
An awkward minute passed.
``I have some news. I guess they're good, depending on who you're talking to.`` Stoick began.
``And those news are...`` Hiccup encouraged.
``The Berserker Tribe is visiting tomorrow to sigh our peace treaty.``
``Great.`` Hiccup said. He hoped that-
``And Dagur's coming too.``
And there goes the fun.
``G-Great. Yeah. Awesome. Just, fantastic.`` Hiccup said unenthusiastically.
``You don't sound excited.`` His father commented.
``I-I'm not? No, I can't wait-``
His father was giving him a stern gaze.
``Yeah. I'm not looking forward to it.``
``And why is that?``
``Why? Why? Because he tries to kill me every time we are alone. Last time he tried, and almost succeeded in drowning me!``
``Well, when you put it that way...``
Hiccup slammed the cutlery on the table as he stood up.
``When I put it that way? You seriously haven't noticed the way he glares at me? I know that the whole island used to hate me, but Dagur is on a whole new level.`` Hiccup almost yelled.
Realising what the situation was, he picked up his plate and mumbled.
``Sorry, I didn't mean to-``
``No. You're right. But this time, I'm pretty sure if he even comes close to touching you, Toothless will blow him to smithereens.``
``True-wait. Aren't we going to hide the dragons from Dagur and Oswald?``
``Well, if we're going to have a peace treaty, they must know about our situation with the dragons.``
``Alright. I guess I'll be in charge of the dragons, and make sure they don't mess something up?``
``Indeed.``
Hiccup sighed.
``Alright. But today, we have an anniversary of you becoming chief. I've checked Mead Hall this morning, and everything is going according to plan for once. Everything's practically ready. Now, if you excuse me, I have to go to the arena to check if the twins or Snotlout haven't messed anything up.``
``Alright. See you at the celebration.`` Stoick cleared his throat and Hiccup walked out, Toothless in tow.
Astrid crossed her arm as she surveyed the arena. The twins were in the middle of a brawl, their dragon's heads mimicking their behaviour. Snotlout was trying to order Hookfang around, while the latter set his pants on fire. Fishlegs was talking to Meatlug, who was wagging her strong tail.
Stormfly nudged her, and Astrid scratched her, making the Nadder close her eyes in pleasure and lean towards her.
All of a sudden, the familiar roar of a Night Fury echoed through the arena, all eyes settling on the entrance. Toothless flew through, coming to a stop as it landed. Its rider dismounted, his one leg scraping quietly.
``Well, look who's here.`` Astrid said, crossing her arms over her chest.
``Sorry. I had to-``
``I was joking.`` She smiled softly, and let her hands fall to her sides.
``Oh.``
Silence.
``Anyway, have you practised what I told you to?`` Hiccup asked.
``We have.`` Astrid replied.
``May I see?`` Hiccup continued.
Astrid crossed her arms.
``Please?``
``Fine.``
Astrid turned away from Hiccup and addressed the gang.
``Let's show Hiccup what we can do.``
``Well, that was awesome I must say. It worked out quite well. Let's hope we can do the same at today's celebration.`` Hiccup sighed as he dismounted. ``Class is dismissed for today. Go rest, but don't do anything stupid.``
The others began to part ways, each heading towards their house. All except Astrid.
``I'm glad it all worked out. We had to practise a few times before everything was perfect. `` She sighed, walking over to the boy.
``I hope my dad likes it.`` He said, scratching the back of his neck.
``I'm sure he'll love it.`` She reassured him.
An awkward silence passed before realisation hit Hiccup like a stone wall.
``Odin's beard I forgot! I was supposed to help Gobber in the smithy! Sorry Astrid, talk to you later.`` He said, then sprinted towards his dragon, mounting swiftly and speeding out, all within a blink of an eye.
``Bye Hiccup.`` She sighed, and turned towards Stormfly.
The Nadder nudged her, and she swiftly mounted, taking the easiest route towards her house.
Hiccup ran into the Blacksmith's workshop, panting slightly.
``Glad ya showed up. Thought ya've had more important things to do than hang out with ya old Gobber.`` The blacksmith said, turning towards the panting boy.
``I'm sorry Gobber. I forgot. I had to go to the arena to make sure the surprise for my dad was perfect.`` Reasoned Hiccup.
``Ah I get it. Come on now, ya've got a lot of work to do.``
Hiccup, gathering his breath, started to organise all of the weapons scattered along the floor. Toothless sat outside the smithy, waiting patiently.
After around half an hour, Hiccup had finished with the weapons.
``Anything else I can do?`` He asked.
``Nah, I've got nothing for ya. The celebration's in a few hours, so ya better get prepared.`` Said Gobber.
``Alright. Thanks. See you at the celebration.`` Hiccup said as he left the smithy. He walked towards his house, Toothless at his heels.
``You excited bud? It's your first performance.``
Toothless let out an exited yelp, and pushed Hiccup forward.
``Alright, but you do realise we still have a few hours left?``
Toothless simply rolled his eyes and continued nudging.
They finally reached their house, swiftly travelling towards his room. He opened the door to his room, and the black dragon pushed him inside.
``What's wrong?`` Hiccup asked.
Toothless bound up to his desk and nudged a cloth.
``Oh yes! I need to make some final adjustments to it. Thanks Bud.``
And with that, Hiccup began his work.