To kamada37 - Thank you for the review and I always appreciate criticism, because it'll help me become a better writer I hope. I hope you enjoy this story and have a good day.
Sidenote, I don't know if the problem I'm about to announce is on my end or what, but for some reason, new reviews aren't going through. If it's just on my end or happening in general let me know and I'll work on it ASAP.
Berk
"What are you thinking Snotlout?" Fishlegs asked the heir as the idiotic heir sat down next to the Twins and Astrid. The Dragon Rider just accepted the Holmgang made by the heir before leaving the Great Hall. Some celebrated while some laughed thinking that Snotlout is no match for the Dragon Master. Astrid knew for a fact that the Viking would lose. The Dragon Master had weapons unlike anything Berk has ever seen. She wasn't able to defeat him so Snotlout's chances are low.
"That Dragon Master is nothing without his beast. Once we get in a ring, I'll kick his butt." Snotlout replied hitting his palm with his fist.
"You can't beat Astrid in a fight, how will you beat the guy who kicked her butt?" Tuffnut asked.
"I can't wait to see Snotlout get beaten up." Ruffnut added with both Twins giggling at the thought.
"Astrid only beats when I want her too." Snotlout remarked as he tried to put his arm around Astrid. She grabbed his arm and twisted it. When he yelped, she let go. The nearby Vikings laughed at the scene.
"Snotlout when you get in a fight with the Dragon Master, you'll be dead." Astrid said sharply before leaving the table. She didn't care for the arrogant Viking, but she was concerned with the future of Berk. Hiccup was still missing and Spitelout can't rule forever. One day the Berk Council will have to choose a new Chief, because of Snotlout's stupidity. When Astrid left the Hall, she saw a dark shadow in the sky. She looked up to see the Dragon Master and his beast. She clenched her fist, remembering how the Dragon Master embarrassed her in front of her tribe. She was Astrid Hofferson, the greatest warrior on Berk until he captured her. Astrid walked to the Arena thinking of a way to make him pay.
No one was guarding the damaged Arena and Astrid walked in remembering what the Dragon master has said about dragon training. She didn't believe that dragons can be loyal. But then again, she never tried to train one. With the Monstrous Nightmare gone, she'll have to go with her second choice. The Deadly Nadder. She grabbed a spare shield and gripped the mace she used against the Nightmare. The Dragon master can have his way of training, but Astrid will have her own. She opened the Nadder cell and the dragon charged out firing a volley of spikes from its tail. Astrid blocked the attack with her shield and kept it up as the Nadder opened fire on her. The Shieldmaiden walked closer to the dragon for a strike. But when the dragon fire ceased, the Nadder charged and ram its head into the Viking. She fell back some and quickly bolted back up gripping the mace. The dragon snarled and Astrid had to come up with a new plan. The Dragon Master said something about trust and respect, will earn the loyalty of a dragon. She didn't trust the Nadder, but maybe she can trick the dragon to trust her. She showed her mace in clear view and the Nadder growled. The Viking tossed the mace aside but the dragon still growled. She lowered the shield and rolled it away. The Nadder's growl turned to a snarl.
"Try this." a man said behind Astrid. She turned in time to catch a fresh cod. She clenched his jaw seeing the Dragon Master. But she turned back to the Nadder showing it the fish. The dragon stopped snarling and walked to the Viking. She held it out and the Nadder sniffed the fish before grabbing it. Astrid was surprised to see a calm dragon after it ate the fish. For several moments both just stared at each other. Not knowing what to do, the warrior raised her hand, eyes closed in fear and felt the air of the Nadder sniff the palm. The next moment surprised the Viking. She felt smooth scales. She opened her eyes to see the Nadder's snout against her palm. "Good job." the Dragon Master remarked as Astrid pet above the horn. "Think you can ride her?"
"Training a dragon is crazy. There is no way in Hel, I'll fly on a dragon." Astrid promised and the man just shrugged.
"Well, I'll be back before the Holmgang." The Dragon Master said as he turned away.
"Where are you going?" Astrid asked trying to find out more about the man.
"To the Edge. I need to make sure, Drago hasn't made any moves yet." The Dragon master answered before disappearing. Astrid heard the flapping of wings. He is strange, but she couldn't help but think of something familiar about him.
Dragon's Edge
"Good news or bad news?" Hiccup asked Heather as he landed next to the Hall. He has only been gone a few days, so of course, Drago will do something. Just his typical luck.
"Both." she answered and he sighed. "Good news, Eret is going to be meeting with Drago soon. In person." she added and Hiccup smiled. Finally something good. Then he remembered there is bad news.
"What's the bad news?" he asked.
"Our spies in Viggo's operations report that he's building a new ship. One that is made to withstand dragon fire." Heather answered and Hiccup rubbed his chin.
"We need to find this ship. If it can withstand dragon fire, then we'll in trouble." he remarked and Heather nodded.
"So how was Berk?" she asked and he gave a nervous chuckle.
"About that. Snotlout might have challenged me to a Holmgang." he answered and Heather shook her head.
"We can't leave you alone for five minutes without disaster following." Heather said before walking off. Toothless gave a low chuckle.
"Really?" Hiccup asked the Night Fury before going inside the hall. He looked at the map with small ship pieces showing that Drago's forces are still searching for dragons. But the Dragon Riders were already a step ahead. He took off the flight helmet thinking about Astrid once more. Out of everyone on Berk, she was most willing to trust the Dragons. She might not be ready to fly yet, but she will. There is no feeling like flying on a dragon.
Berk
Astrid woke up to the sound of Vikings yelling and a Deadly Nadder screeching. Ever since she managed to get the dragon to be tame around Vikings two days ago, life on Berk changed greatly. Chief Spitelout had managed to scare off the Nadder, but it flew back to the Hofferson house. No one knew what to do. Not even Astrid knows what to do. When she left the hut, the Nadder brushed its head into the Viking. She just pushed it away before walking to the Great Hall. The Nadder followed despite her attempts to tell it to fly off. She closed the Great Hall doors on the dragon and waited. When she heard the wings flap, Astrid smiled before going to get some breakfast.
"Ah, Astrid. I was looking for ya." Gobber greeted her as she grabbed a bowl filled with porridge, bread, and some fruit.
"What is it Gobber?" she asked as the two took a seat.
"How is training that Nadder?" he asked and Astrid just sighed.
"I can't get it to listen to me. I got it so she won't attack the Vikings. But that's it. She won't attack any of the targets I made or leave me alone." she answered frustrated and Gobber chuckled.
"Guess that Dragon master was right about a dragon's loyalty. Take that as a good sign." he remarked as she ate her breakfast. Moments later the Twins showed up.
"Taking bets on Snotlout's survival tomorrow." Tuffnut said enthusiastically.
"Five silver for one minute alive, five gold for five minutes." Ruffnut added holding a chest out.
"And ten gold for him winning." Tuff added.
"You two are going to get in trouble with the Chief." Gobber remarked and the both of them laughed.
"What else is new?" Ruff asked as the doors opened, Astrid turned to see the Deadly Nadder charging through the crowd and tables. She held her arms pushing against the dragon's head.
"Go away!" Astrid ordered, but the dragon just stayed with her. "Oh why in Hel won't you listen to me?" she asked the Dragon continued to bother the Viking. She blamed herself for listening to the Dragon master.
Hiccup landed near the old Arena to be greeted by very annoyed Vikings. They walked past him and Toothless as he jumped off the saddle. Today was the day, Hiccup meets Snotlout in the ring for the Holmgang. He packed a plain Gronkle Iron sword along with his old shield. All to give the current heir a fair chance. But Hiccup was going to win. As he entered the arena, Gobber walked towards the Rider.
"Good to see you aren't a coward." Gobber greeted.
"I was once. I just hope to overcome it." Hiccup admitted knowing that he should have stayed in Berk and showed them that dragons aren't monsters. It would have made his life a lot easier.
"Well once you finish this fight, I reckon you stay away from Astrid." Gobber suggested before starting to walk away. "That dragon she tamed has been annoying her and the rest of Berk."
"Then it must mean that the Nadder trusts her. She formed a bond and the dragon will be loyal." Hiccup remarked as he enter the ring to find Snotlout armed with a axe. The arrogant Viking looked at the Rider's sword and laughed.
"You aren't using your flaming sword? Boy are you in trouble." Snotlout mocked and the Vikings watch laughed as well. Hiccup just went into a defensive stance showing everyone his Shield. All they see was metal, but what they don't see is the many gears, gadgets, and tools under the metal plates. Spitelout stood tall from the safety of his throne.
"We all know the rules I hope. The first one to draw blood wins. If one does die, then so be it." the Chief said glaring at his son on that last sentence. Hiccup knew that this was going to be deadly for one person. When the bell rang, Snotlout charged and slammed his axe into the metal shield. Hiccup punched the Viking's gut forcing him back. He swung the sword and Snotlout blocked the strike with his axe causing it to chip. Hiccup slammed the edge of his shield into his opponent's stomach forcing him back more. The Rider blocked the heir's axe sending more chips to the ground. Hiccup kicked Snotlout in the knee forcing him down. Before the downed Viking could act, Hiccup swung the sword against his cheek, drawing blood. The Rider backed up to show the village the feat. Gobber rang the bell ending the fight. He walked over to the winner and raised his hand in the air.
"The Dragon Master is the victor!" he yelled earning cheers and boos from Berk. It was clear that Hiccup was getting a better reputation among his people, but he was still a long way off. He turned to face the Chief.
"Do we have an alliance Chief Spitelout?" Hiccup yelled and all eyes turned to the current Chief.
"For now." he answered after a few moments of hesitation. Hiccup did it. Now for the hard part. Teaching them to respect the dragons.
Astrid drew in her journal in the woods while the Deadly Nadder slept nearby. If she couldn't get rid of the dragon, she'll at least lure it away from Berk to keep it alive. She still couldn't believe how annoying the dragon is. Sure Astrid fed it and gave it scratches from time to time, but why was it following her like a puppy? Today was the Holmgang, but she didn't want to be distracted by the Nadder. So here she is drawing the beast sleeping in front of her. Moments later, a twig snapped, waking up the Nadder. Astrid gripped her axe, but loosened it when she saw Gobber. But the Nadder still snarled. "Hey, calm down. It's just Gobber." Astrid ordered expecting nothing to change, but to her surprise the dragon obeyed.
"Hey good job lass!" he yelled as she walked to the dragon's side. She pet the Nadder's wing and heard it purr. "Guess you're getting it to listen to you."
"Guess so." she replied with a smirk. She turned to face Gobber. "How the Holmgang go?"
"Snotlout got his butt beaten. Now I got to make him a new axe." Gobber answered and Astrid chuckled.
"What about the alliance?" she asked concerned.
"Spitelout accepted it, but I reckon it won't last long." Gobber answered and she smiled.
"Is he on the island still?" Astrid asked as she, the blacksmith, and the Nadder walked back to Berk.
"Yeah, I expect he'll stay until dinner. I do want to know how his sword chipped that axe with a swing." Gobber remarked and Astrid suspected as much.
"I am proud to say that we have aligned with the Dragon Riders against Drago Bludvist. The man who murdered Stoick the Vast. Tonight we remembered why we are fighting. Tomorrow we prepare to slaughter Drago!" Chief Spitelout yelled and all of Berk cheered. Hiccup just watched as his home celebrated. If all goes to plan, Berk will be far from the action. The feast began, but Hiccup didn't eat or drink because of his helmet. He did answer whatever question was asked of him. Some kept their distance when they saw Toothless eating a whole basket of fish. The Rider enjoyed answering the questions, but not the curses. But there was one surprise visit. Astrid with a Deadly Nadder following.
"Came by for some Dragon Training hints?" Hiccup asked smiling at the annoyed Viking.
"How do you get the dragons to not follow you?" she asked and Hiccup chuckled.
"Once you bond with a dragon, you're pretty much stuck together. The best chance is asking it not to." he answered.
"Yeah, try that, but here we are." she replied.
"Politely?" Hiccup asked and she clenched her fists.
"Fine then." Astrid said before turning to face the dragon. "Dragon, wait outside." she ordered and Hiccup laughed.
"Try using a name." he suggested and her silence told him, that she never gave the Nadder a name.
"Okay then. Stormfly, wait outside." she ordered once more and this time, the Nadder charged outside. Hiccup clapped congratulating her. She turned back to him.
"Thank you." she said rubbing her arm. "How did you get that peg leg?"
"I was wondering the same thing." Gobber remarked before eating a chicken leg.
"Oh, this old thing. Just a bad experience." he answered.
"Let me guess, you ran into a dragon trap." Snotlout remarked still sour from the fight.
"No." Hiccup replied as he pet Toothless's head.
"Well what then? Not much can destroy a leg." Gobber said from experience.
"You really want to know?" he asked and several Vikings gathered around to listen to a war story. "Okay then. When me and Toothless first left our home, we ran into a flock of dragons. I had to follow into the Nest."
"The Nest? As in the Dragon's Nest. The one thing we spent centuries searching for?" Fishlegs asked from the crowd.
"Yeah. Turns out, you need a dragon to find it." Hiccup answered feeding Toothless a cooked fish. "Anyway, long story short. We meet the Queen, fought it, and won. I nearly died then, but Toothless saved me. Well most of me." he added tapping his metal peg leg. The Vikings began to whisper to themselves. They just learned why the raids stopped. Because of Hiccup's dumb luck. For the rest of dinner, he answered more questions and told more stories. He hoped that he earned more respect. When he and Toothless exited the Great Hall, he saw Astrid feeding Stormfly a basket of fish. "Think you'll fly on her soon?"
"No way in Hel. I'm getting her to listen to me. I won't need to fly." Astrid replied sharply as Hiccup climbed onto the Night Fury's saddle.
"There's nothing like flying. The wind in your face, the coldness of the air, the moisture of the clouds, and above all else the freedom. It's just amazing and nothing can compare." Hiccup said before waiting for a second. But it was clear Astrid wasn't ready. He launched into the air and enjoyed the time in the sky.