How To Train Your Mandalorian;
CH III; Training
Characters: Hiccup Haddock, Stoick the Vast Haddock, Gobber, Astrid Hofferson, Snotlout Jorgenson, Spitelout Jorgenson, Ruffnut Thorston, Tuffnut Thorston, Fishlegs Ingerman
Ships: Hiccstrid, for now
Description:
Mandalorians, fiercest warriors in the galaxy and often some of the most stubborn organics, or inorganics, you'll ever meet. Enter the idea to colonize a planet in wild space well outside of normal territory. This world was called Arteo. Watch as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock The Third tries to make himself a proper Mandalorian as he and his people face the threat of dragons.
Chapter Description:
Sneaking off into the woods to train has some, unforeseen, consequences for the soon-to-be wedded.
Disclaimer:
I do not own Star Wars, I do not own How to Train Your Dragon. I am but a humble fan trying something I haven't done before in mixing these two together, may Disney, who may soon be the entertainment overlords please spare me their wrath and lawsuits, I wouldn't have much to give them anyway.
Mando'A and other dictionary
Buir- parent, father or mother
Manda- heaven, afterlife only for the warriors
Kama- beltspat/leg cover, serves as armour
Shabla- screwed up
Haran- hell
Mir'osik- dung/shit for brains
Di'kutla- idiotic/foolish
Hut'uun- coward
Kad- sword/saber
Shebs- butt/rear/ass
Dar'yaim- hell, place you want to forget
Mar'e- "at last" expression of relief
Ge'tal- red (honouring a parent)
Kebiin- blue (represents reliability)
Ne'tra- black (seeker and deliverer of justice)
Genet- gray (mourning a lost love)
Vorpan- green (to hold to one's duty)
Orange (lust for life) couldn't find a Mandalorian word for it, if you know please say so and I'll make the correction later on
Ve'vut- gold (need for vengence)
Berk, Hofferson Home
Astrid rubbed at her eyes and let a yawn escape as she forced herself up. The edges of the room and its contents were blurred and barely visible, more like shapes and colours as she went about getting dressed. By the time Astrid had pulled herself up the stairs and taken a seat at the table she could see. Her back was slumped and she was fighting to keep her eyes open as another yawn tore out of her.
"That's what ya get fer stayin' up so late. Maybe next time ya don't stay at the forge till midnight?" Hettir laughed as he pushed a plate before the young woman.
"I don't even remember coming home last night… Hiccup and I were…" Astrid's face went a flaming crimson as she recalled how she and Hiccup had interacted last night. She slowly reached for one of the utensils as she made tried to keep her face hidden from her father.
"Aye, you were almost completely asleep by tha time Hiccup brought you back, fact he was the one who put ya in bed last night. Good lad that one." Hettir smirks before sitting down next to his daughter, her turned away face not a surprise to him. "You'r Buir and I have some work ta do fer the weddin' tomorrow, you'll need to stay outta trouble till then, think ya can manage that?"
"Yes, Hiccup wanted to train a bit today so I figured that we'd head out and just be in the forest for a couple hours, kill some time that way." Astrid shoved another bite into her mouth.
"Ya best not be doin' anythin' else Ast'ika, ya two aren't married yet." Hettir raises an eyebrow at his daughter. Astrid coughs and sputters as she finishes as her face lights up again. A rapping on the door caught the pair's attention. "I think tha's fer ya Astrid."
The young woman bolted, fleeing her father and leaving her meal mostly eaten. Pushing through the door, her axe and knife slung she runs straight into Hiccup sending the pair tumbling to the ground.
"Oof! If you really wanted to see me you could have just said so, no reason to take us down." Hiccup simply laid there as a few of the passing Mandalorians turned to watch the two betrothed.
"Ya think they'd have a bit more control in public."
"They're young an' in love, let 'em be."
"She mus' really wan' 'im, guess the fishbone has somthin' goin' fer 'im." Every word caused Astrid's blush to rise further, and threatened to send her short fuse over the edge. Pushing herself up Astrid grabs Hiccup by the scruff of his bodysuit.
"Come on. We have training to get to." Dragging the boy Hiccup just let's his shoulders drop as he does his best to contain his laughter.
Raven's Point Forest
Their clearing still housed the scuff marks and indentations from the fight only two days ago as Astrid bends her knees, axe out and aimed at Hiccup. The teen just smirks as he drops the bag and draws his sword. Taking a soft step to the right that Astrid mirrors to her left Hiccup's lips tugging into a smile. He steps forward, she steps back. Two steps right, two steps left. Astrid was an amazing fighter, when she puts her mind to something she can be unbeatable, but she often lacks… The young woman before her shifted her weight between her feet, twirls her axe and the muscles in her arms tense and release. Patience. Hiccup goes to take a step left and Astrid pushes off her back foot. Ducking to the right Hiccup slides away letting Astrid's axe sail over his head and embed itself in a tree.
Shards of wood fly from the wounded plant as Astrid turns, axe at the ready and pulling to defend her chest as Hiccup launches a swing at her the clang of his blade and hers echoing through the trees. Astrid shoves him back and Hiccup retreats putting distance between the two of them. Holding his sword off to his right Astrid pushes forward taking a set of swipes that Hiccup jumps back from.
The dance continues Hiccup using his hard learned skills of avoiding accidents to match Astrid's skill. The axehead and sword whistling through the air, sharp clangs and sparks crafting a symphony by which they choreographed each move. A step followed by a parry countered through a riposte. It was a melody of clashing blades and the crunch of frosting ground. Every move was like day and night, a flow between the light and dark. Fluid as water, and graceful as a whale Hiccup was slowly learning that his betrothed was the best warrior of his generation for a reason. As time had passed Hiccup's attempt to anger Astrid into making a mistake had become nothing but water under the bridge, and without it he was at a disadvantage. The young woman had caught on and with a twist of her axe Astrid snatched the guard of Hiccup's blade and pulled it from his grasp.
Their chests heaved, pulling in air like they'd been asphyxiated. Sweat beaded on their exposed skin, while the wind pushed their hair about and leaving emerald green focused on diamond blue.
Hiccup was almost out of steam, and his trick had failed him. Only one thing left to get to Astrid. Ducking under the blade levelled with his throat Hiccup pushed off his bent knees and tackled Astrid.
The air they'd managed to gather blasted out of them as Hiccup's maneuver put gravity into play and sent the axe spinning away.
"Well… it would appear I've disarmed you." Hiccup let a smirk grow on his face before Astrid smacked him and tossed him off.
"Actually Hic'ika, I win that one." Hiccup moaned from his place next to her, and Astrid couldn't help the smile cracking across her face. "Come on, let's go again. At least until you win one."
"Astridddd…" Hiccup flapped his arms and released a pained groan. His body felt like someone had set it ablaze with dragon fire then walked on the charred mess.
"Hiccupppp…" Astrid copied his whine before putting a punch into his shoulder. "Come on, up lazybones. One good bout will get you through a single fight, but we're Mandalorians we don't stop till the job is done or we're told to by whoever's in charge of us."
"Just kill me now, why couldn't I have been friends with Snotlout, at least he doesn't like doing any work." Hiccup forced himself to his feet, grabbing the sword and letting its tip dig into the ground.
"Hiccup, you know Snotlout would spend the entire time pummelling you right? You're better off with me, at least than you might get a… reward?" Astrid waggled her eyebrows at the young boy and pulled her axe into a ready position. Hiccup brought his blade up and smirked right back at the Hofferson girl before him.
"You're on M'lady, may the best fighter win, and to the victor go the spoils."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure I don't take too much of the spoils." Astrid flashed forward matching Hiccup strike for strike as the song of blades, and dance of strength and agility once more took up the forest.
As Astrid literally fell back against the downed log and turned to give Hiccup a glare she saw the boy much like her, chest heaving, face red, and eyes closed. Hiccup had won two bouts out of the six Astrid had forced on him, even she was feeling like she'd pushed it a bit too much. Everything from her neck to her feet felt like she'd let a Gronckle roll over them. The sun was nearing its apex, and Astrid knew they'd be expected to return and help finish up with the wedding preparations.
"We could runaway?" Hiccup's voice filled the space between them. Astrid just about punched him, what gave him the right to know what she was thinking? Her curled fingers stopped short of their target when she noticed just how he looked. His eyes were shut, laying against the log, he'd come a long way from the fishbone people still mock him for being, but more importantly he looked serene. The grass shook in the breeze just ever so much and the sunlight seemed to shimmer off his skin, and Astrid couldn't bring herself to ruin it.
"Running away wouldn't solve our problems Hiccup, haran… it'd probably just make everything worse. The Chief marrying us before he sails off to die, while trying to get me to wear the armour… by the Manda it's like everyone in this whole shabla town are a bunch of mir'osik's who think you're somekind of di'kutla hut'uun that can't even raise a kad to save your own SHEBS!" Astrid shot to her feet, pulled her axe up in one smooth motion and threw it end over head. The blade slammed into the tree, the small thing shaking and losing its needles to shower the ground. The handle of the weapon shudders before slowly stilling.
"Maybe running away won't, but how does a walk in the forest sound? I know of a beautiful waterfall not too far away. We could sit and talk, like we used too." Astrid lets a sidelong glance go Hiccup's way, a single green eye watching for her reaction.
"Alright, our father's already will want to take our heads, how much could another hour hurt?"
Berk, Forge
Stoick slid sideways to get his form into the building, finding both the armours hanging on their racks meticulously cleaned and untouched by the paints on the working tables. A few tools were scattered about and the weapons in need of repair were surprisingly all finished. Arrayed neatly on the pegs and holders lining the walls. The place was like walking into a freezer, its hearth having burned out hours ago. Searching for Hiccup and Astrid turned out to be harder than it looks. Sure Hiccup was resourceful and Astrid determined but he hadn't thought they'd sneak away like this, especially so close to the wedding… unless they wanted some alone- Like he swung his axe at that Monstrous Nightmare but days ago Stoick clamps down on that thought before it can go any further.
"If you're lookin' fer the lass and lad you're in tha wrong place." Gobber hobbles up beside Stoick, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Hettir said the lad came by this mornin' took Astrid fer a trainin' session in tha forest. The lad's a good Mando Stoick. He knows how to treat a woman right, and better she's been teachin' 'im 'ow ta fight! That talk ya had with the wee lass musta really got her workin' hard."
"Tha's just it Gobber… She called me out. Astrid yelled at me, told me she and Hiccup had been trainin' fer months if not longer. She told me I don't pay attention ta my own son, my ad'ika. I'm startin' ta think she was right… ya want ta know what I saw last night? I saw a boy and a girl fightin' in here. I saw my Hiccup standin' toe ta toe with Astrid shabla Hofferson. They were playin' like two children Gobber. Did I really fail ta notice that my son was fallin' in love with his best friend? Did I never catch how Hiccup has handled blades better over the past month or two? Am I really that bad of a father?" Stoick had to fight the water in his eyes as he looked at the mess his son had left behind. When Stoick had woken he'd found his house empty, not even dishes from breakfast remaining, no sign of his boy, just still air that felt like it hadn't been breathed in yet.
"Stoick, ya need ta communicate with your son. Hiccup doesn't hate or resent ya. He just doesn't feel like he's earned your respect, or even that he's worthy of your love. Honestly it doesn't help that everytime he goes out and mess gets made, whether 'is fault or not ya blame 'im. If I were 'im I wouldn't want ta talk ta ya either. Just give him a chance Stoick, hear 'im out, show 'im ya care... It's all he's ev'r want'd."
"Thank ya Gobber, fer bein' ma friend." Stoick stepped out into the only slightly colder afternoon and headed for a clothing store, it might not be much, but it'll be a start.
Raven's Point Forest, the Waterfall
Hiccup ducked under a branch and let his eyes fall upon the water tumbling over the edge of the cliff above them. Astrid's breath caught in her throat and she snatched Hiccup's hand into her own. Before the pair lay massive towering cliffs seemed to have been carved out of the side of the mountain by gods. Water letting gravity pull it over the edge and into the oblivion of air between. Lush green growing plants and moss decorating the rock face and making what should appear dead, seem alive. The roar of the fall's in Astrid's ears becoming clearer than she ever thought. She'd always been told it was dangerous to go near such large waterfalls, that the churning water would suck you in like a Rancor deciding to slurp up its food.
"I found it a couple weeks ago, after the ear full I got over using a few too many ingots of metal on a shield I'd tried to dragon proof. When I'm here it feels like the water can wash it all away, even if I don't go in." Hiccup's voice was calm, untouched by its normal hesitance. Astrid let her other hand snake up to his shoulder.
"It's amazing Hiccup, thank you for sharing this with me."
"There's a cove I know about, it's not that much farther, why not stop by and see how it looks, I bet the sun setting on it would be wonderful."
"Lead on Hic'ika, take me on a tour of the forest."
One Hour Later
Raven's Point Forest, the Cove
Hiccup slipped between the rocks and dropped down into a crouch. Astrid followed suit sliding next to him. The sun was casting an orange glow over the rocks. Hiccup jumped the rest of the way, the grass was still, the winds held back by the high walls of stone. Sitting untouched were the still waters of the small pool, Hiccup could still remember all of the crevices and rocks from when he'd stayed drawing all of this in the first place. Neither noticed though as a shadow detached itself from the wall behind them.
"So?" Hiccup prodded Astrid's arm. The young woman's jaw dropped and she let her gaze roam over the cove from one side to the other and back again. The shadow slowly stepping softly closing to almost a foot away. It's nose twitched and the paw halted. The nose twitched again, this time it recognised something coming off between the pair of humans… pheromones. Sitting on its haunches, clearly blocking the way the two humans had come in swings its tail into position. Dangling the injured appendage over the pair's heads before swiping with the very accuracy it was known for. The tail smacks the axe in the female's hand sending it across the grass before slapping the young man backwards and causing his weapons to fall away.
Astrid looks for her axe and just as she was about to push off, something hits her back sending her to the ground. Trying to scramble up she feels a weight on top of most her body, as her head turns she sees Hiccup literally laying on top of her, between her and the dragon. The Night Fury's eyes remained locked with Hiccup. The young man's hand extended, like he was warding the beast off by will alone.
Astrid tries to push Hiccup off, only for him to grab her wrist with an iron grip. Hiccup stayed between her and the dragon as the beast tried to circle around him. Chancing a glance at Astrid Hiccup pulls her to her feet in one smooth move, sliding in front of her without pause. The Night Fury was happy, it's guess had been right… mates. Yet something was off, all parties could feel it. The Night Fury's teeth glinted in the dying light, yet it made no moves to attack. Astrid was mesmerised, they were feet from the deadliest dragon the town had ever known, and yet they were still breathing, and this was for the second time. Hiccup could feel the animal's… satisfaction?
"Astrid when I tell you run for the entrance, don't look back." Hiccup's jaw was set, his eyes never leaving the acid green of the slitted black pupils examining them. "I'm the one who shot you down, let her go."
"Are you-" Hiccup pulled her out of sight as he continued to turn them so his back was to their only escape. "Hiccup-"
"Run!" Hiccup jumped forward, a snarl emitting from the dragon as the young man sprinted to the right and Astrid straight back. Her legs pumped, the muscles within them screaming like they were on fire as she scrambled up the steep rock face.
The Night Fury's attention spun from the running male to the escaping female before the blunt end of a knife collided harmlessly with its hide. "Come on! Come at me Dragon! I'm the one you want!"
Like the shadows of the cove had come alive the Night Fury launched itself. Beating its wings and crossing the distance in leaps and bounds it pounced on the human male. Rearing back its head heat building in its throat something hard, vibrating, and cold pressed against its neck.
"Swallow that fire beast, or I'll make certain you don't ever hurt another living soul again." Astrid's voice could cut through the dragon's scales easier than her axe and slowly the Night Fury backed away, stepping off Hiccup and turning to face this new threat.
"What part of 'run' do ya not understand? Dar'yaim woman!" Hiccup forced himself up, however the dragon slowly turned its head, looking at the rock face behind it, and the pair of Humans blocking any other chance at escape. The Night Fury's face twisted angrily, a snarl garnering in the back of its throat. "Astrid wait."
Stepping once more in front of her Astrid was about to shout when something amazing happened. Hiccup held out his hand and the dragon's face slowly began to soften. Astrid lowered her axe, and her eyes met those acid green and she realised something that had never occurred to her. This beast had recognised her and Hiccup, it had understood the blade at its neck, and the promise she'd made to it… not but two days ago it had understood mercy….
"We're leaving… you stay there, and we leave. This is your place now, you can have it." Hiccup turned his back on the dragon, Astrid's knuckles going white on her axe, before Hiccup pulled at her free hand and motioned towards their entrance. Leaving the Night Fury alive, unharmed, and staring.
Raven's Point Forest
Stoick's face was falling with every passing hour. What he'd thought might be a simple excursion to train or be alone, had grown into almost an entire day. His fears of the pair fleeing for their freedom coming to the forefront of his mind as he wandered aimlessly between trees. His hand didn't even clutch at the axe by his side, he'd ignored at least a pair of Deadly Nadders and two or three Gronckles, his focus solely on looking for the red and blue signalling his his son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law. But mixed amongst the greens, browns, and orange glows of the forest there was nothing even remotely close to signalling any sign of his lost clansmen.
Raven's Point Forest, elsewhere near the Cove
Hiccup couldn't get over the feeling, the connection he had felt to that dragon, it's fear, it's anger, but most of all, a sense of self. It was intelligent, not just some mindless killing machine. It could feel, make decisions, and act of its own free will. Astrid let a few tugs on Hiccup's arm. The boy turned to face her.
"What happened back there?" Astrid's face was tugged with worry, she might not know exactly how she feels about Hiccup, but he was still her friend, and he had put himself in harm's way for her. Hiccup's shoulder rolled and he glanced from place to place.
"I… I couldn't say… I-" Astrid gave a slight squeeze to Hiccup's arm.
"Hey, whatever happened, whatever it is that's going on, we'll figure it out together all right?"
"That's just it Astrid… I don't know what's going on, and I don't know if-" A branch snapped not too far.
"Hiccup! Astrid! Where are ya?" Stoick's voice boomed, echoing through the trees, bouncing off the rocks, but clearly heading their way. Hiccup glanced back at the cove, only twenty feet away. If Stoick found it they'd never have an answer, and at worst they could be held for treason.
"Follow my lead." Astrid swiftly dragged Hiccup around a tree and smashed her lips to his. The boy held back a moan as he melted into it. Astrid Hofferson was kissing him! What in the Manda had he done to deserve that? Slowly Hiccup's arms worked their way up and into Astrid's hair, pulling at her braid. Astrid returned the favour pulling at the back of his head and practically shoving her into him. As tongues got involved they were interrupted by a loud cough.
The crimson shining on their faces went into overdrive as they released each other, Hiccup's foot getting caught on a rock and sending him back first to the ground. Stoick just levelled a gaze at the pair. Arms crossed over his chest and his foot tapping softly on the grass.
"Do ya two h've any idea 'ow long I've been lookin' fer ya two? We were supposed ta make decisions about the after party tagether, not just me and ya parents lass. What h've ya been up ta anyways? I hope kissin' is as far as it went, given ya not taken the vows yet." Hiccup's head shot up, his face as red as the tunic covering his bodysuit, Astrid giving the shirt a run for it's money as she realised her plan might have worked a bit too well, in more ways than one if the warmth in her body was anything to go by.
"Ah, hi Dad… Hey Dad… Hi… Dad…" Astrid held out her hand and Hiccup gladly snatched it up and was pulled to his feet. "It- ah- it wasn't what- well it wasn't what it- eh- looked like…"
Hiccup was rubbing the back of his head while one of his boots kicked at the ground. Astrid was standing there, her eyes locked with her stuttering mess of a fiance, and her heart pounded in her chest after what they'd been doing, not to mention the butterflies in her stomach at how cute he was at this very moment. I'm Fearless Astrid Hofferson, by the Manda why am I such a mess over this boy! Stoick rushes forward pulling them into his embrace.
"Oh I'm so hap'y fer ya! Fer a bit I was worried 'bout what kinda life ya two would h've what with the marriage bein' arranged and all… but this! Oh it's just wonderful! The Manda must h've blessed ya ad'ika! Ta have fallen in love with best friend and fiance! Oh don't worry ya lovebirds! Mar'e thank tha Manda fer young love!"
"Can't… breathe…"
Berk, Forge
Hiccup had kicked Astrid and Gobber from the forge, demanding the space to be his so he could make a proper surprised of Astrid's armour. Stoick had tried to insist on staying and helping, only for Hiccup to kick him out without hesitation. The clank of the doors signalling he was finally alone Hiccup stared at the pair of white armours. Every colour a Mandalorian wore was meant to represent some piece of their personality, red, ge'tal, was meant to symbolize honouring your Buir, blue, kebiin, for reliability and getting things done, black, ne'tra, to find and deliver justice when it is needed, gray, genet, for the morning of a lost love, green, vorpan, to represent duty and your commitment to it, orange is meant to symbolize a lust for life, and gold, ve'vut, to symbolize vengeance. Each colour had a meaning, each one important, and each meant to show off who was beneath the armour. The patterns and colours used, just like the shape of the armour could reveal who was fighting, and can tell a story of their life. Astrid is bound by duty, to fight for those and defend those of her clan… to marry someone for her people, she lives life to the fullest seeking adventure and challenge wherever she can find it, she is reliable and always has your back she won't back down and will keep trying till she succeeds or is dead, that's what Hiccup had to find a way to display. His work took well through the evening meal, and he didn't manage to crawl into bed until probably midnight, but his armour and Astrid's were drying and tomorrow they would be wed.
A/N:
So if you haven't noticed by now the release schedule for this is going to be whenever I have at least two chapters in reserve, meaning that two chapters have to be written before I put the next chapter up. It's posted on Archive, Deviantart, and Fnet. With any luck the designs for armours, Hiccup and Astrid most likely, will be on my Deviantart to look at, I'll do my best to describe what I drew but I make no promises that it will be good enough.
Things have really picked up this chapter, Toothless has been reintroduced, Hiccup and Astrid are trying very hard to not admit their feelings, Stoick is realizing he has some problems with his parenting style. Let's not forget the wedding is tomorrow too. Wonder how that will go over. Please feel free to leave reviews constructive criticism is always important to make the writer better, in this case me, positive feedback and questions are always allowed. I may or may not have input this already but I'll probably respond to most reviews directly at the beginning of the story. Hope you enjoyed this installment see ya next time.
-Six out!