Some action here, nothing graphic, but still, be warned.

CHAPTER 3

The next morning, Hiccup joined the riders at the clubhouse. They all were sitting in circle, listening attentively to Thoril who was perched on the table. The man had received a new set of clothes and his long hair was tied in a low ponytail.

''That's when I dodged the rain of arrows, jumping from rock to rock. It was an easy task since they could only shoot twenty of them at a time!'' He said proudly.

The chief kept quiet and leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms to listen to the rest of the story.

''Twenty arrow sounds like enough to me.'' Fishlegs squeaked.

"There's usually a lot more, but their dragon root stock must be running out with this weather."

Hiccup's eyes widened, dragon root cultures are very well hidden by the hunters, how could he possibly know about them? Let alone the fact that he seemed to know how to harvest them.

"So you crossed a river infested with eels, jumping from rock to rock while being chased by hunters?" Snotlout summed up.

''Yup.''

''Cool !'' Tuffnut exclaimed.

''I could teach you if you want.'' He said while twirling a spear—Thor knows where it came from—in his hand.

Hiccup decided it was the moment to step in.

''Sorry but it will have to wait. We have a lot of work to do.'' He cut through the cheering.

Everyone whirled around to look at him, eyes wide. He greeted them with a nod before looking up at Thoril, still standing on the table.

''Looks like you're feeling better.'' He said, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm.

''Thank you, I owe your team a lot for that.'' He smiled at each one of them.

''Hiccup!'' Snotlout and the twins screamed as they rushed to him. He tried to step away but quickly found himself surrounded by the rest of the group.

''He has to stay! Absolutely!'' Ruffnut said.

''You bet! This guy is too cool!'' Her brother went one further.

Taken aback, Hiccup didn't know what to answer. He shot a look at the object of their conversation who jumped down the table.

''I'm going to let you discuss in private.'' The stranger announced before exciting the clubhouse, his spear still twirling expertly in his hands.

Hiccup waited as he did so before speaking.

''I don't think that's a good idea…'' He started, knowing already in advance what his teammates' reaction would be like.

''Hah! I knew it! Why do you always have to make everything so complicated?'' Snotlout complained.

''We barely know him! And do I have to remind you we still have the Edge to rebuild ? We don't have the time to babysit lone lost and fire breathing sailors.'' He grumbled the last sentence.

''He's not just a sailor, he's fighting the hunters, just like us!'' Astrid said.

''And we should not forget his implication with the dragon eye lens, he could have some information about the people who gave it to him.'' Fishlegs added.

''Precisely, he could lure the hunters to us, and that's the last thing we want right now!'' The brunet contested.

''I don't get it, you were complaining about not having enough riders to build up the edge. Well here he is!'' Snotlout said as he waved outside the clubhouse where Thoril was waiting.

''Okay, first, I'm not the one who was complaining. And two, Thoril is anything but a dragon rider.''

He paused, realizing something. The man didn't look that surprised when he saw Toothless yesterday.

''Did he see your dragons?'' He asked promptly.

''Actually yes, he woke face to face with Barf and Belch this morning.'' Fishlegs said as he glared at the twins.

''This morning…'' Hiccup mumbled, frowning.

He was pretty sure Thoril said he was looking for the 'dragon riders' last night, but could he had known if he officially saw the dragons this morning?

''What? He took it very well.'' Defended Ruffnut, cutting out short his thoughts.

''He said he was respecting the dragons, but was still scared of them. After the attack he suffered, that's not very surprising.'' Astrid added.

''Yeah, he is still shaken.'' Fishlegs said and Hiccup raised an eyebrow at that.

''He looked fine to me earlier, showing off on the table.''

''Hiccup!'' Astrid reprimanded.

''What?''

''He's not the first person we welcome in the group, or the island! You want to talk about Heather? Or Dagur?'' She reminded him.*

''Something is different this time, I can feel it.''

''Right, and I smell like fish.'' Ruffnut joked. Her brother leaned over her and sniffed.

'' Actually you do.'' Tuffnut said.

Hiccup ran a hand over his face, trying to keep his calm as the other's faces twisted in disgust.

''We could really use some extra help, I think he just need to change his mind anyway.'' Fishlegs resumed their conversation.

Hiccup looked at his friend, going from a pleading look to the other.

''I regret guys, it's a no!'' He crossed his arms to show he wouldn't go back on his decision.

And then he met Astrid determined gaze.

And that is how, at Hiccup's greatest displeasure, Thoril joined the dragon riders' team.

Things seemed go pretty well for him. So well that in less than a week, he already had his own hut. The chief understood then than his stay here was going to stretch out drastically. Which meant he would have to redouble in vigilance.

As he came back from patrol, the dragon rider spotted the group gathered under the dome. He asked Toothless to bring him there to see what was going on.

''Keep going, it's all about mental.'' Thoril encouraged.

Snotlout, Tuffnut an Fishlegs were all tree aligned, lifting heavy stones bag repetitively. Their faces were shining with sweat and each one of them seemed really focused, even Tuffnut.

''Uh, what are they doing?'' Hiccup asked Astrid and Ruffnut who were waiting on the side.

''Physical training.'' Asrid answered.

''Thoril says it can develop the muscles in the arms and in the brain.'' Tuffnut emphasized the last word, pointing her index fingers to her head.

''It's…slightly more complicated than that. But as a matter of fact it is very stress relieving, maybe more than axe throwing.'' Astrid smiled.

''…two, and one!'' Thoril counted down.

The tree boys practically dropped the weights as they settled them down. Snotlout tried as much as he could to appear in great shape while Tuffnut kissed his biceps. As for Fishlegs, he immediately sat down, exhausted. Thoril kneeled down to him and patted his back.

''See? You did it! I knew you were cable of it.''

''Thank you.'' He exhaled, offering a shy smile.

''Well done, Fishlegs!'' Astrid congratulated him, he gestured to her in return.

''Hey Astrid? Did you see my performance?'' Snotlout asked, laying his foot proudly on the bag of rocks which rolled, causing an inevitable fall.

''You did very well Snotlout, you too Tuffnut.'' Thoril congratulated, pulling the viking back up.

The coach then noticed Hiccup's presence and headed towards him.

''Hey, want to join the second group?''

Hiccup, a little surprised by the proposition, cleared his throat before answering.

'' No thank you, all this power display, it's not my kind of thing.''

''This exercises are made to strengthen up the body, but also the mind, so it's not only about strength.'' The young man explained as he handed the weights to Astrid and Ruffnut.

''Drop it Thoril, Hiccup is just scared to make a fool of himself, especially with the girls!'' Snotlout snickered.

''Yeah, just like the time Hiccup punched yo-'' Tuffnut began before Snotlout covered his mouth to stop him.

Astrid laughed at that, knowing exactly what he was referring to.*

''Fine, then maybe we could have a good old sword fighting, if it doesn't bother you to wait girls?'' Thoril proposed.

''No no, really I don't think-'' Hiccup started, but Astrid spoke over him.

''No problem, I think Hiccup could surprise you.'' She said confidently.

Hiccup whirled his head to face her, his eyes screaming at the betrayal, she held his gaze, silently telling him everything was going to be fine.

''Hiccup versus Thoril? I have to see this!'' Tuffnut exclaimed as he settled down next to the others.

''Yeah, I can't wait to see him loose.'' Snotlout said.

Before so much enthusiasm, Hiccup found himself alone once again. His shoulder slumped in defeat.

''Yes!'' Cheered Ruffnut.

''You can do it, Hiccup!'' Fishelegs encouraged him as the men were walking to the center of the dome.

Thoril pulled out a sword out of nowhere and positioned himself before speaking out the rules.

''One on one, no hit in the face or in the genitals, the first one to be disarmed and restrained loose, but the fight stops only when the one down tap the ground tree times ok?''

Hiccup gulped and nodded briefly, something told him it wasn't going to end well. He turned his head to Astrid who gave him a supporting smile.

He couldn't loose.

Suddenly filled with great motivation, he pulled out inferno, which triggered a surge of excitation within the dragon riders. The cheers and applauds drew the attention of the dragons outside, Toothless included.

'Great, now everyone is here… if only it could be the same to discuss the Edge's reconstruction plans.' He thought.

''Ready ? Go !'' Thoril announced before taking the first move.

Hiccup had barely the time to dodge it when tree other followed; the rider blocked the last one with his sword. They struggled against each other for a moment, his adversary was strong and fast, he had to admit. When Hiccup knew he couldn't get the upper hand, he loosened his sword before making a forward roll to avoid the other's sword.

''Go Hiccup!'' His teammates screamed at him.

When he heard his opponent running behind him, he kicked his leg, aiming for his legs, but this one just grabbed it and pulled it backward. Hiccup let out a shout of surprise as he slammed to the ground, then quickly rolled out of the way of the blade that was about to strike him.

The blade clanked on the ground with so much force that it made him wonder if Thoril was still aware that they were just training.

This one waited as Hiccup stood back up and caught his breath. He could already feel the drop of sweat sliding down his temples. His opponent however seemed perfectly fine.

''Shall we continue?'' This one teased.

Hiccup decided to strike first by way of answering, and the other man blocked his blow like the first time, but something felt different.

He gasped when he realized Thoril was holding his sword in a single hand, the other being hidden behind his back.

Not knowing if he was doing this for the sake of equity or simply to mock him. Hiccup charged several times, the clanking of metal resounded all over the dome. Not only once Thoril used his second hand to counterbalance the blows he received.

The young chief decided to suddenly land a punch instead. As if Thoril was waiting for this since the beginning, he finally shot down his other hand to catch his arm and twist it behind his back.

Hiccup let out a pained shout as his other hand dropped the sword.

''Oh no, that's not good!'' Fishlegs said with worry.

And he was right, in no time, Hiccup was held against Thoril's chest in a choke hold. His first instinct was to grab at his opponent's forearm to make him let go, but without success.

''You're unarmed and restrained, I suggest you to give up.'' Thoril said with a voice too stable for someone who was practically choking him.

''I- don't need your advice.'' He rasped, still clawing desperately at the arm.

''Are you sure? I can stay like this for hours, what about you?'' The man asked as he tightened his hold on him. Black spots started to fill his vision as he oxygen ran out, he could barely ear his teammates shout over the ringing in his ears.

''Is Hiccup's face supposed to be that color?'' Tuffnut asked, squinting.

''Mhm… I don't think so, dear brother.'' Ruffnut answered, as she rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

''He's losing, you bet he is blue in the face!'' Snotlout snickered.

''Come on Hiccup! You can do it!'' Astrid screamed.

That's when Hiccup used his prosthetic to crunch down his tormentor's foot, who screamed in agony as he released his hold just enough for him to slip through. Still disoriented, the chief tried to gain back his footing as he scanned the ground for inferno.

When he found it, he all but plunged to grab its handle, but once again Thoril was faster. The stranger put his foot on the sword, preventing Hiccup from taking it. The viking, from his half crouched down position, pulled at the handle to try to dislodge it. Thoril took advantage of it and spun to kick him by the shoulder. But Hiccup saw his leg shifting with the movement, and let go of the sword to throw himself at the ground, barely avoiding the kick.

The viking quickly spun to land a kick of his own, in his opponent's feet, making him land on the ground with a gasp.

At this moment, one couldn't really tell if they were still holding back.

For the first time Thoril was on the ground. Hiccup, knowing it was his only chance, threw himself on top of him, gripping the other man's wrists to hold him down. His arms shook with the effort as the other struggled, from this moment he knew he couldn't hold it for long.

Fortunately, or rather unfortunately for him, their struggle was shorter than expected.

He sucked a breath as his adversary pushed his foot into his stomach, effectively lifting him as the other pulled at his forearms to make him topple forward. Hiccup cried out when he heavily landed on his back, he barely had time to roll onto his stomach that he felt the weight of Thoril on top of him. His right arm was once again twisted behind his back as he struggled. He tried to reach out for his sword with his free hand, but it was pushed away from his grasp.

Overcame by panic, Hiccup struggled harder, his muscles screaming as he frantically pushed on the ground with his legs and hit the other's side with his fist.

''So Hiccup, what are you going to do now?'' Thoril asked as he rearranged his victim's arm, tightening his grip as he did so.

Hiccup groaned and continued to try to free himself, refusing to loose this way. With every try he let out a pained breath, and with every try the other didn't move an inch. The viking hated himself for feeling so helpless, especially in front of his friends.

However, he was running out of options. To avoid further humiliation, he finally decided to put an end to this.

''Okay, that's enough.'' He exhaled as he tapped tree times on the ground. Immediately, he felt Thoril let go of him as well as his blood flow returning in his arm.

Snotlout booed as Ruffnut stood here, completely hypnotized by Thoril. Fishlegs, Astrid and Tuffnut rushed to their friend to congratulate him. Even though he barely heard them over the constant drumming in his ears.

''It was impressing, Hiccup, good job!'' Thoril complimented him as he offered him a hand.

Hiccup shot him a hard look before grabbing his sword and stand back up on his own, his muscles screaming with the effort.

''Yeah…happy I had you entertained.'' He mumbled sarcastically as he shot a quick glance at the other from where he stared at ground. He was used to loose fights quite a lot, but this time he couldn't help himself but feel utterly humiliated. He rubbed at his wrist, which probably was bruised right now.

''Are you okay?'' Astrid asked as she ran a hand on his back.

Strangely, her gesture only made him feel worse.

''I'm fine.'' He said promptly as he tore himself from her to head towards Toothless who was waiting for him at the entrance.

''You overcame yourself, Hiccup, I hope we can renew this someday!'' Thoril said, but every word sounded fake to the viking.

''Yeah, well, I have a lot of stuff to do, so…'' He half lied as he mounted his dragon, taking care of not crossing anyone's eyes. The only thing he wanted right now was to get away from here.

As they flew off, the dragon rider couldn't help but shoot a glance at the dome. Everyone had gathered around Thoril, probably to congratulate him on his performance. Unconsciously, he gripped the saddle harder, which made Toothless rumble softly in worry.

''I'm fine, bud.'' He smiled at his dragon, only it didn't quite reach his eyes.

*Note : References in order : RTTE Familly on Edge (3x11) / ROB Heather Report (ep 10) / RTTE The Zippleback experience (2x06).