Author's Note: *Waves happily* Hello all and welcome back to "Sounds of Silenceeeeee" ahhhhhh! =D This chapter is another one of my favorites, as things do get pretty intense, and it was a lot of fun to write and envision. X) I hope guys enjoy chapter sixteen! =D
Chapter Sixteen: The Weary Return to Berk
Hiccup had spotted Fishlegs and the twins run into the room before any else had. In that small moment he realized that Hilmar and the Dragon slayers were on to them, and they needed to get out of there. At the same time, he wondered how they were going to fit the Foreverwing through the tunnels when a strange feeling washed over him…It wasn't uncomfortable but it wasn't exactly normal…And the oddest thing was that Hiccup felt that it was coming from the Foreverwing in front of him.
The young viking looked up at the large, majestic dragon that towered over him. The only thing that separated the two were the large, metal bars and stood between them. A low growl entered Hiccup's mind, but it wasn't an unfriendly one. It sounded uneasy…scared.
Please free me, Hiccup managed to grasp from the draconic noises that reverberated through his mind. Release me from this horrible place.
Hiccup stumbled and shook his head. Was…was the Foreverwing speaking to him? But how? The dragon hadn't made a single sound since he and the others had found him. Hiccup locked eyes with the Forevering, finding pure desperation swimming in his eyes. This dragon needed to be returned to his normal environment. Hiccup wondered how long it had been since the Foreverwing had seen the light of day.
The young viking turned around, seeing that Rin was making her way out of the room and towards the single exit. She tossed the Dragon Riders the key before running down the hall to try and stop the oncoming Dragon Slayers. Astrid caught the silver item in her hands before turning to the cge where the Foreverwing was held. She walked up to the cage to unlock it but it was too late; the Dragon Slayer had already swarmed into the room.
Rin was pleading with the man in the front, but he cast her aside like a broken toy. The man was tall with a slimmer build compared to the men surrounding him, but Hiccup could clearly see the armored muscles that he had under his grey and black fur cloak. It was held together by a chain of gold, and under the cloak was a sleeveless black tunic. Around his waist was a red sash that tied a sheet of dragon scales. He wore black pants, and heavily furred boots. Like Rin, his eyes were a stone grey, but the left one was clear and vacant. A wide scar ran down through this eye, giving the man a rather frightening look. His hair stuck straight up and was the same color as his cloak. Stubble peppered his face.
Hilmar. He didn't look at all the way Hiccup had imagined, but in a way, much worse. He and his daughter didn't share much in looks except for the same, expressive grey eyes that always flashed when they were irked or angered. Hiccup saw this very look in Hilmar's eyes as Rin spoke to him. The man eventually pushed her out of the way, forcing the young woman to step to the side. Hiccup balled his fists as Hilmar and his legion of Dragon Slayers approached him and his friends. Astrid pulled her axe out of its sheath, Snotlout raised his axe, Fishlegs held out his dagger, Ruffnut whipped out her spear, and Tuffnut wielded his dagger. It wasn't long until Hiccup had his sword in hand as well. Whether he noticed it or not, his hands were trembling. Hiccup hoped that it was from nervousness instead of fear.
…
Astrid glared at Hilmar and his army of men standing behind him. Rin had been pushed to the side, but she quickly stood in between her father and the Dragon Riders defiantly, pure anger flashing like lightning in her eyes.
"Stop this now, father," Rin demanded. She turned to the Dragon Slayers. "Stand down!"
At the commanding voice of their leader's daughter, several of the men began to lower their weapons. But with one quick flick of his wrist, Hilmar had his men lift their weapons again. He glared at Rin, and she held his gaze.
"They are no longer yours to command," said Hilmar, his voice rough like sandpaper. He looked at the Dragon Riders with the same amount of disdain as he did his daughter. "You've clearly placed your loyalties elsewhere."
"I wouldn't have had to if you listened to me in the first place!" Rin shot back. She sighed and regained her calmer composure. "Father, please listen to me…" she said placatingly. Hilmar raised an eyebrow. "Just let them go, let the Foreverwing go, and we won't have another war on our hands."
Hilmar stood still. Completely still. So still, Astrid thought that he wasn't breathing. He didn't speak for a few moments.
Suddenly, his voice came again, but he didn't adres his daughter—he addressed the Riders.
"I'm disappointed, really," he said. He began to approach the Dragon Riders. Rin backed up to join them, and they shuffled on their feet. "You all could've been vikings…Warriors slaying down these beasts that have plagued us for centuries…" Hilmar glared at Hiccup, who returned his hard gaze. "But you dropped it all and decided to train the dragons. Tame them. Live with them…Balderdash!"
The room shook with his yell. Astrid's grip on her axe tightened.
Hilmar stopped in front of his daughter, a look of displeasure on his face. "And you've brainwashed my only daughter too…It didn't take you very long, I assume?"
Rin gritted her teeth, something very similar to a growl echoing at the back of her throat.
"She made the right choice," Astrid spoke up. Hilmar turned to face her. Astrid scowled at him. "Attacking innocent people just to get a point across? That's the real balderdash!" she shouted.
"But it is working, isn't it?" countered Hilmar. "People have already pledged their lives to killing dragons again. They're rebuilding their villages, and creating weapons meant to slaughter these beasts. I'm simple just showing everyone the dragon's true nature…Those who lose their lives because of this are simply just collateral damage."
Astrid wanted to lacerate this man to pieces.
Hilmar turned back to his daughter, disappointed but also…was that sadness on his face? "But I'm deeply disappointed in you, Rin. I thought I'd raised you to be better than this."
"You could've been better, father," said Rin, trying her best not to allow her voice to crack. "We may have lost one of us, but revenge isn't going to bring her back. I learned that a long time ago."
Hilmar's nostrils flared and he sharply turned around on his heel. "Fine," he spat. "If you won't back down…I'll kill you all myself."
Suddenly, the men standing in the cavern opening surged forward, weapons raised. Rin unsheathed her cutlass and ran forward, causing a few men to tarry. They didn't feel all too comfortable attacking Hilmar's daughter, but that gave the Riders the tactical advantage. Using their distraction against them, Astrid dashed forward and struck a man on the head with the butt of her axe. She whipped around, parrying with many who had come behind her with a sword, and pushed his blade out of his hand. The man didn't stay around too long after losing his weapon.
Astrid assaulted another man, who was heavily armored for defense, but it weighed him down and caused him to stumble. With a quick, slash, bang, clang, Astrid knocked him out. She flipped her braid over her shoulder and smirked.
"Too easy," she muttered. The Hofferson turned around and surveyed the battle. Rin was attacking three men at once. She was blessed with light feet, so she easily slipped and glided through the men that attempted to attack her. Her cutlass' gemstones seemed to flash as she hit and swiped at each of her targets. The crescent shaped blade and Rin worked together as one as they battled their way through the wave of men. Astrid admired her fighting skills, and hoped that she could ask for a few pointers. Even an expert could take lessons from others.
To her right, Astrid caught a glimpse of the twins, who were fighting back to back. Tuffnut was gleefully bonking men on the head with macy, either detening their helmets or knocking them out cold. The Dragon Slayers didn't dare come near Ruffnut as she stabbed her spear in their direction, knowing that they'd most likely pop like a balloon if they were hit.
Snotlout and Fishlegs were on the other side of the room, surprisingly working together. Snotlout used his hammer to knock people out while Fishlegs swiped and slashed with her blade. His larger size also came in handy, as he was able to easily knock over people who came in close range. Astrid was glad that the two were working together for once, but she knew that after this fight, Snotlout would be back to teasing the Ingerman, and Fishlegs would be annoyed with his arrogant behavior.
And lastly…there was Hiccup.
Astrid's eyes widened in shock as she watched her best friend take down at least four men at a time. Hiccup's emerald green eyes burned with determination as he cut and slashed at the Dragon Slayers that came his way. The young viking used his slim stature to his advantage, easily rolling out of the way of attacks, or quickly parrying with sword, mace, or axe blows. Sweat dripped from his brow, his wounded arm was leaking with blood, but he ignored the crimson liquid dripping down his side as he continued to fight. He even let out a battle cry or two. He seemed to know where everyone was, and how they were going to attack…Astrid had never seen this side of Hiccup before…
Astrid had to admit she was rather impressed.
The Hofferson ran over to Hiccup's side, taking care of a man who had crept up behind him, ready to strike him across the head. Astrid used the flat side of her axe and knocked him out of the way, standing face to face with Hiccup. She pointed toward the window, where slivers of sunlight were streaming through, and she cupped her hands around her mouth, nodding. Hiccup instantly understood, and he hoped that his yell was heard by all of the Riders in the room.
"DRAGON CALLS!" shouted Hiccup at the top of his lungs. Immediately, the Dragon Riders let out each of their dragon's calls. They echoed through the cavern and made the room shake. The Dragon Slayer froze, completely dumbfounded. Hilmar growled from where he stood.
"What are you doing standing around?! FINISH THEM!" he demanded. The men once again raised their weapons, but they were still dazed from the loud cacophony of dragon calls that had filled the air.
Before a Dragon Slayer could swing a weapon, there was a whistling noise that came from the window. It started out soft, but then grew louder and shiller as it drew closer and closer. If you had been living in the Barbaric Archipelago long enough, you would quickly recognize the sound of a—
"NIGHT FURY!" a man screamed.
From the window, a bright purple blast exploded, creating a hole wide enough for the Dragon Rider's dragons to break through. Toothless landed in front of Hiccup, growling at the group of men that dared to attack him. Hookfang, Meatlug, Barf and Belch, and Stormfly hurried to stand by their rider's sides. The dragons fired and blasted at the Dragon Slayers, melting away their weapons or knocking them to the ground. Hilmar himself watched the chaos, seething.
"GET UP! GET UP! CAPTURE THEM!" he commanded. The bravest of men continued to fight, even though the Dragon Riders clearly had the upper hand with their dragons by their side.
Astrid knew that it was time for them to leave, and that they wouldn't be able to bring the Foreverwing with them. She turned to Hiccup, ready to beckon him to get on his dragon when she noticed a strange look cross his face. He seemed to be listening to something…but that was impossible since, well, he couldn't hear.
Suddenly, Hiccup's eyes widened. A growl thundered through the cave. Astrid felt her unease escalate.
"H-Hiccup?!" she cried, even though he couldn't hear her.
"GET DOWN!" Hiccup yelled. Astrid instantaneously did what he had said, and she prayed that the Dragon Riders and Rin did the same. Astrid gasped as a shocking wave of heat rushed over her head, singing the tips of her hair. She curled into herself as she heard streams and streams of fire blast past her and towards Hilmar and the Dragon Slayers, who were screaming and shouting for everyone to run away. In a few moments the fire ceased.
The smell of smoke filled the air.
Astrid looked up to see a huge, ornate scorch mark above the tunnel in front of her.
Hilmar and his men were nowhere to be seen.
…
Weary, beaten, and bruised, the Dragon Riders flew back toward the direction of Berk, drowning in the feeling of defeat. They hadn't managed to save the Foreverwing, even though Astrid insisted that they could get away with it. Rin shook her head, and said:
"My father is probably waiting outside right now with terrible defenses to take the dragon down…He may be mad, but he isn't foolish."
The raven-black haired woman sighed as she sunk into the saddle. She turned around and looked back toward the horizon, wondering what her father thought of her now. There was no way she was heading back, even though her father had sworn to get revenge on her and Berk. He promised that he'd tear it down, brick by brick, until there was nothing left but fire and ash, and the smell of blood sifting through the air.
The threat still echoed through her ears long after it had been said.
Her new acquaintances—the Dragon Riders—looked dejected as they continued to fly on. The girl, Astrid, stroked her Nadder's scales comforthingl. The larger boy, Fishlegs, was murmuring incoherently to himself. His Gronckle growled with concern. Snotlout, the brash one, was staring off into the distance, a pensive look on his face. And the maniacal twins—Ruffnut and Tuffnut—were slumped over their Zippleback heads' horns.
Rin couldn't see what Hiccup's facial expression was, but she knew that he was equally upset as the others. He appeared to be the most discouraged out of everyone when they had left.
She brushed a curl of hair out of her eyes, and chewed her lower lip, deep in thought. There had to be another way to get their hands on the Foreverwing! Such a rare dragon shouldn't be kept in captivity. Rin wished that Hilmar would let go of the past and finally accept the passing of his wife. But Rin couldn't blame him for seeking revenge on the dragons. Why, she had done the same thing back when she was—
"Rin?"
The young woman flinched and she looked up. She had been so deep in thought, that Hiccup's voice sounded like a horn. He had nearly surprised her out of the saddle.
"Yes?" said Rin, indicating that she was listening. She suddenly realized that Hiccup couldn't hear, and she silently chided herself. Instead, she nodded at Hiccup, who was looking at her, showing him that he had her attention. Hiccup, satisfied, continued.
"How did Hilmar get his hands on a Foreverwing?" the young viking inquired. "They're extremely rare dragons, and are almost impossible to find since they blend in with their surroundings so well."
"And they don't live anywhere in the Barbaric Archipelago," added Fishlegs. "They prefer seclusive places."
Rin hummed, and she explained. The twins Hiccup Speeched (she was glad to finally know the meaning behind the strange hand motions that the two did in front of Hiccup whenever someone spoke) the words for Hiccup.
"My father had gone on a mission to hunt down the Foreverwing ever since he discovered its existence," Rin began. Vividly, she remembered the many nights that she'd find her father cooped up in his study, reading papers, notes, and books about the fabled, said to be extinct dragons. Whenever she asked about it, he simply brushed her off and said that he was researching for a friend. She had never suspected that he had more devious plans in his mind. "Some people called him crazy when he claimed that it was real, but he managed to rally a group of men to aid him in finding it."
"The genesis of the Dragon Slayers," said Tuffnut gravely. Ruffnut nodded. The Dragon Riders were surprised that the two had grasped the concept so quickly.
Rin brushed a curl of hair off her forehead, only to have it bounce back into place. She huffed and continued. "Hilmar needed a way to force the dragons to attack viking villages, and the easiest way he could do that was to get a dragon that could control minds. At first, he considered the Red Death, but they're extremely hard to find, and they hatch every few decades or so." Rin looked at Hiccup, who was paying close attention. "And you and your Night Fury slaughtered the only other one my father knew of."
Hiccup shrugged, and patted Toothless on the head. The black dragon let out a short warble. "Well, we didn't exactly have a choice…It was forcing dragons to pillage villages, and it ate them if they didn't bring enough food back."
Rin nodded. "And I'm more glad that you ended it. The sudden destruction you brought to the Red Death hindered my father's plans for years until he decided to uncover the secrets of the Foreverwing.
"My father consulted many dragon hunters, trappers, and thousands of ancient books that listed dragon species that were said to no longer exist. Once he finally discovered the Foreverwing—where it liked to eat and where it spent its time—he ventured out of the archipelago to find it. I accompanied him…albeit reluctantly.
"After months and months of scouring islands and sailing across the seas, we finally came across one that housed a Foreverwing dragon. We actually walked on top of it until my father realized what we were standing on. It was hibernating, so you can imagine how easy it was to take it by surprise and capture it. The beast was huge, but wasn't much of a fighter. We managed to chain it to one of our ships, and my father forced it to haul the boat all the way back to our home.
"Since Hilmar and the rest of the Dragon Slayers had achieved the Foreverwing, they only needed to discover a way to force it to do what they wanted. So they left it in the old, musty cage for days without food or sunlight until it gave in and did whatever my father wanted it to do…"
Rin shook her head, her shoulders rattling with a heavy sigh. "Only now do I realize how cruel my father's intentions were…He lied to me, saying that it was just an experiment. I was so ignorant…I should've uncovered what he was planning sooner…"
"Hey, you did what you could," encouraged Snotlout. The other Dragon Riders nodded in agreement. Rin appreciated their attempts to cheer her up.
Her tale had affected all of the Riders; they couldn't believe how much abuse the Foreverwing had gone through, and even more shocked by how long it had been in captivity. A dragon could only be trapped for so long, and the Foreverwing was long overdue for its freedom.
Rin's explanation also revealed to the Riders that Hilmar and the Dragon Slayers had been planning on this ploy for far longer than they had originally thought. Now, more than ever did the Dragon Riders want to stop Hilmar and the Dragon Slayers from putting any more dragons through such cruel treatment, and attacking innocent viking villages.
Anxiously, Hiccup wondered how his father would react upon meeting Rin. The woman had proved that she wasn't a threat, but Stoick was protective. The young viking hoped that once they were properly introduced, his father would allow her to join the fight. Besides, Rin seemed just as inclined on stopping Hilmar—her own father—from causing anymore damage, which was something that the Chief of Berk and ex-Dragon Slayer had in common.
Regardless, Hiccup also pondered if there was any chance of getting Hilmar to give up his evil ways and accept the new reality that Berk and several other viking tribes had embraced. The man had suffered through a lot of hurt, but Hiccup had too. He had lost his own mother to a dragon, but he hadn't sought out revenge. Instead, he discovered the hidden truth about them, and he put an end to the dragon who had cruelly been abusing its own kind, and freed hundreds of dragons across the archipelago. Hiccup was sure that whatever dragon had taken his mother had simply done it out of force, and not intention.
Hiccup turned around, finding the Rin was looking behind them, where the ocean touched the sky. A pensive look rested on her face. He could feel that she wanted her father to let go of his malevolent attitude, even though she tried her best to hide it. That small flicker of hope still burned within her, and Hiccup wanted to get the two reunited. They didn't have to fight against each other, there had to be another way…Although from what Rin had told them, her father was past saving…
But it couldn't hurt to try.
"Isle of Berk is up ahead, guys," Snotlout called, pointing toward the silhouetted island in front of them. Buildings were still under construction, and not much had changed since Hiccup and his friends had left. Hiccup sighed and he clutched his sloppily gauzed arm, which was soaked with blood, hoping that Stoick would keep calm once they arrived on Berk.
…
Stoick didn't keep calm.
Once he had seen Hiccup's blood-soaked arm, the various scratches, bruises, and scars on the rest of the Dragon Riders, he immediately demanded for explanations. He hardly noticed Rin, who was hiding behind them, seemingly trying to hide.
Hiccup would've explained himself, but he was limited due to his deafness, so Astrid took the job to summarize what had happened, while the Riders stayed glued in place. Rin shifted uncomfortably on her feet.
As Astrid quickly told Stoick what had happened during their mission, the Chief simultaneously examined the injuries that littered Hiccup's body. Like the rest of the Riders, the young viking looked like he had run through a forest of bramble bushes, but what stuck out was the stab wound that he had received on his arm. The blade hadn't gone too deep, he tried to convince his father. And, luckily, wasn't infected, but Stoick still sent someone to fetch a healer to tend to Hiccup and the other Riders' wounds.
Belatedly, Stoick noticed Rin standing behind the Dragon Riders, and he gazed at her suspiciously. From what Hiccup could gain as he watched the two spoke to each other, he guessed that Rin was introducing herself and explaining her motifs. She stood calmly in front of Stoick, despite the fact that he towered over her like a stone column. Rin folded her hands in front of herself and finished speaking, but Stoick didn't look too convinced.
Stoick turned to Hiccup, a questioning look in his eyes and the young viking quickly came to Rin's defense. While he hadn't heard what the woman or his father had said, he told Stoick how she had come to his rescue whale they were at the Dragon Slayer's camp, and back at their base. She provided them with helpful information, which she was willing to further discuss with him if he was allowing. The young viking told Stoick about the Foreverwing, and how he'd managed to get his hands on the rare dragon, but he excluded the more personal parts that RIn would perhaps prefer to explain to him on her own.
Stoick ran a hand through his beard, deep in thought. Hiccup hoped that he had managed to convince him that Rin was truly on their side.
…
Astrid admired that Hiccup was backing Rin up, but as Stoick stood there, musing, she couldn't help but wonder if he'd actually managed to convince him to trust her.
Gobber hobbled up behind Stoick, his hook hand replaced with a stone hammer, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ah, a Foreverwing, you say?" the Blacksmith said. He sighed wistfully. "I've never encountered a more magnificent looking dragon than that one."
"You've seen a Foreverwing?" inquired Fishlegs incredulously.
"Of course!" said Gobber. He brushed his hammer nonchalantly. "I walked right on top of it. Didn't know it was a dragon until it nearly burned me alive."
"Well it doesn't look so magnificent now," said Tuffnut bluntly. He brushed his singed dreadlocks over his shoulders. "It looks like death."
"Yeah. Hilmar has it cooped up in this putrid cage under his base," elaborated Ruffnut. She tsked. "They've been abusing it for months."
Stoick's nostrils flared at the thought of a person harming such a rare creature. He had come a long way from his old, dragon killing ways. He found it hard to believe that just four years ago, he had been dedicated to slaying dragons.
Stoick turned to a nearby viking. "Ready the ships!" he bellowed. He cracked his knuckles. "We'll head to Hilmar's base, free the dragon, and then destroy it along with him and his men."
Rin shivered.
"But we can't just barge in without a plan, Chief!" blurted Fishlegs. "Her probably has new defenses after we broke in."
Rin nodded. "Like I said before, my father may be mad, but he isn't foolish. We mustn't act impulsively. This situation needs to be handled delicately."
Suddenly, Hiccup piped in. He acted as if he had heard everything that was being discussed, but Astrid knew that it was by sheer luck that he had spoken at the right time. "Hilmar is planning on attacking Berk again. I don't know when he'll get here, but we should probably be prepared for an invasion."
Stoick turned in Hiccup's direction, shock ephemarly flashing on his face. "Is that true?"
Astrid nodded. "It's true, Chief," she confirmed. She brushed a strand of hair out of her face and sighed. "He said so while we were making our escape."
Stoick's brow creased with worry, realizing that the situation was becoming more and more precarious by the minute. Berk was still rebuilding from the last attack, and they barely had any defenses left to use. So many weapons had been destroyed during the battle, and there were still several recovering vikings being tended to in the Great Hall. They were in no shape for another battle, no one on Berk was near ready for another attack. If Hilmar did come as he said, Berk would surely be doomed. Crushed before the real battle began.
"I could try and placate my father again," offered Rin. "I'll just need a dragon to fly on."
Stoick shook his head. "It's best if you stay here," he said. Rin nodded. Stoick turned to the Dragon Riders. "You all head to the Great Hall. Your wounds need to be tended to. Rin, I'd like to speak with you further."
"As you wish, Chief," replied Rin politely.
Astrid and the Dragon Riders began to make their way to the Great Hall, where Gothi and the rest of the healers were waiting. After all the action that they had been through, Astrid was looking forward to a moment of rest.
…
Rin, Stoick, and Gobber sat at a far, separate table in the Great Hall. Even if Hiccup could hear, he knew that he wouldn't pick up anything from the conversation. Rin's expression was set and determined, but her eyes flickered with something else. Something that Hiccup could only label as fear.
The rest of the Dragon Riders sat at a different table, one that was close to the area that the healers had taken with their materials and beds. Gothi and her helpers had stopped by and provided gauze, herbs, and ointment for the Dragon Riders, and placed steaming bowls of broth in front of them. In just a couple of minutes, the Riders felt like they could take on Hilmar and his men again…if they were the size of children's toys.
Fishlegs, the twins, and Snotlout sat at a table, chronicling what they had seen at the base while Hiccup and Astrid were sitting at another. Hiccup had a scratch on his face, which Astrid was tending to with a cotton ball and ointment. The medication only burned briefly, that wasn't as uncomfortable as Astrid touching him. A new roll of gauze hugged Hiccup's arm; a few healers had stopped by and examined it, placing some healing salve on it to slow the bleeding, then wrapped a new roll of bandages around it.
Astrid's slender fingers dabbed Hiccup's scratch with ointment. Hiccup thought fleetingly that if the scratch had been on his chin instead of his cheek, he would have a matching set of scars under his lip.
The shieldmaiden's touch was unexpectedly gentle, and Hiccup had to keep himself from reddening as Astrid cupped his cheek to get a closer look at her handiwork. Nodding in satisfaction, she patted Hiccup's shoulder, and pulled out the notebook that they had been using to communicate to each other.
You're as good as new, Hiccup, Astrid stated happily. I think I did a pretty good job with that scratch if I do say so myself.
Hiccup smirked. The scratch hasn't even healed, Astrid, he jested. Don't get too cocky, now.
Astrid smiled back. It'll heal—like all of your other wounds—in time…As long as you're careful that is.
Hey, I don't always get into trouble.
Astrid raised an eyebrow. You're seriously telling me that with a straight face?
Hiccup grinned awkwardly. Astrid shook her head.
Yup. Thought so.
The two sat there for a while, and Hiccup's mind began to wander. He didn't want to think about the pending attack that Hilmar and the Dragon Slayers were going to launch upon Berk, but he couldn't help himself. He wondered when it was going to happen; Berk wasn't ready for any more battles. But the question that rose above all was would HIlmar even have to fight? Hiccup knew that Stoick never gave up without a fight, and he was stubborn, but he also knew when to withdraw from a battle, and he wouldn't endanger his entire village for one dragon.
Astrid once again laid her hand on Hiccup's shoulder; the look in her eyes told him that everything would be alright. Hiccup had trouble believing her though; it seemed like Berk would crumble beneath Hilmar's feet as he rose to power.
Suddenly, the Great Hall doors burst open. Scouts that Stoick had sent out to search the island for any sign of Hilmar filled the room. They marched up to Stoick's table, reporting what they had seen. The grave look on Stoick's face told Hiccup all that he needed to know.
Hilmar was coming. They needed to prepare for battle.
No. They needed to prepare for war.
Author's Note: DUN. DUN. DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN-
Okay, I'll stop trying to be dramatic. X) I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you in the next one! =D
Until the next chapter!
~BeyondTheMoon1203
