Planning and Practices and Proposals

Hiccup inhaled the morning air as he stood on the balcony outside his home. He had enjoyed a peaceful sleep after such a great anniversary party. And now he was ready to start making new changes to his life.

"See you're up," Toothless licked him 'Good morning'

Smokey and Sharpshot chirped and licked Hiccup's face and he affectionately scratched their chins and they cooed and scratched the back of their ears with their back feet like reptilic dogs.

What's on your mind today? Smokey asked.

"I'm going to practice my proposal speech to Raya," announced Hiccup. "But not here. I'm going to go to Fang. I have a delivery to make there anyway and I'm going to practice on Fang Island,"

"Perfect plan," approved Toothless.

Your secret is safe with us. Promised Sharpshot. He flew into his arms and hugged him. I'm so happy for you Hiccup.

Hiccup noticed something was off about Sharpshot's tone. "What's wrong Sharpshot?"

"Nothing,"

Hiccup raised the little dragon companion. "You know you can tell me anything,"

Sharpshot hung his head down. "Before we came to Kumandra, I always thought it was just going to be the four of us. That all we needed was each other. But I feel like over time since living here everything's changed. And I'm worried that once you marry Raya…" he didn't finish.

Smokey hung his head a bit looking sad.

"Oh Sharpshot," Hiccup comforted. "My love for Raya will never change anything. I'd never bail on any of you. I love you all," he scratched the despondent Smokey's chin and he happily flew into his arms too Hiccup gave his little dragons a warm hug with Toothless joining in wrapping his broad wings around them. "Nothing will ever change between us,"

Raya, all dressed up walked through the hallways. She turned a corner and saw her approaching cousins Phuoc and Luong approaching her. They had grown taller over the years and they now wore their hair in man buns with bristles sprouting out of their chins. "Is everyone ready?" she asked.

"Already Raya," saluted Phuoc.

"Now we just need to get Hiccup…" Luong paused.

Raya stared at him but noticed him eying someone behind him. She turned around to see Hiccup leaning against the wall with his little dragons around his neck. "Oh, Hiccup. Hey…what brings you up?"

"I was just looking for you. So, what do you need to get me?"

"We need to get you ready to leave for Fang with the supplies," Phuoc said quickly. "There's already some Heart soldiers ready,"

"Okay. My dragons and I leave right after we've had breakfast," Hiccup tried to walk Raya away but she awkwardly freed herself from his arms.

"My father insisted you'd get it done right away. I've packed you some food," she gave him a large bag of his favourite snacks.

"Okay," Hiccup accepted, quite surprised by her behaviour. "I'll see you soon love," he kissed her quickly and then walked off with his little dragons flapping behind me. Raya stared out at him with blushed cheeks before he disappeared. Once he was out of sight, she and her cousins tiptoed down the hallways towards the hall.

Hiccup walked outside into the gardens and saw some Heart soldiers on some green Nadders and Gronkles awaiting him. He released a wolf-like howl from his lips and Toothless came descending towards him. "Let's go," he mounted his dragon and together Toothless and the 4 Nadders grabbed the five large metal hoops of a net containing all the supplies they were delivering to Fang. They flew away from Heart Island and up over the river again.

Raya watched her love disappear into the distance out the window. Benja walked up to her. "Everyone's ready Raya," she followed him into the dining room and around the table sat Tong, Noi, Boun, their families, and dozens of Heart people. And standing just outside the windows were Sisu and her siblings. Tuk-Tuk stood next to her. Sisu turned into a human and joined Raya and the crowds.

The princess addressed the crowd. "Well, I guess you're all wondering why we're here. Tomorrow is Hiccup's 21st birthday. And it's also the day that…" she twiddled her fingers. She was so nervous to speak. Tuk-Tuk warbled and nudged her slightly. "I'm going to propose to him,"

There was silence. Then all of a sudden, everyone exploded into peals of laughter. Sisu turned into a dragon again and flopped up and down in the air. "Hurray! We're going to get a prince of Heart at last,"

Once she placed her down, Noi came bounding over to give her a hug which she returned. Then Boun and Tong joined in with the Ongis. Sisu's siblings clapped in appraisal as well.

"You both will be the world's perfect couple," Tong cheered. Raya was released and marvelled at seeing how everyone was clearly supportive of her decision to marry such a wonderful man.

"You know Raya, that's exactly what …" Boun was poked on the head by Tong who glared at him icily. He glued his lips together.

"What who was gonna do what?" Raya asked.

"Nothing," he lied.

Raya had a sense of what it was but chose to hide it. "Okay," she addressed the audience again. "Hiccup helped us save our home and bring Kumandra back. He has been with us for three years, establishing permanent peace across all five lands. And he has given so much to us. Now it's time we repay him, to show how much we love him and how important he means to the whole of Kumandra,"

Everyone murmured in agreement; Renata and her sons were extremely supportive. And so was Benja. He stood forward. "We are going to plan a celebration,"

"And we have to give him special presents!" Boun blurted out ecstatically. Everyone glared at him for interrupting the chief. "sorry,"

"No Boun. You're right," Benja agreed.

"I'd like to give the biggest pot containing his most favourite stew," he said.

"And we'd like to bake his favourite cake," his mother spoke up.

"That would be wonderful. Boun, you, and your family will help my finest chiefs prepare an exceptional meal for tomorrow's big night," Benja said.

"Yes," Boun pumped the air with his fist.

"Chief Benja, I wish to craft a new Inferno blade," Tong loved to craft weapons and with Hiccup's blade becoming elder and elder, he felt like he deserved the best design of that blade ever made. And he knew his people could provide him with the perfect version. "And with extra design features and capabilities," Tong suggested.

"Amazing Tong," approved Raya.

"My daughter has an idea," Noi's mother spoke up. Noi and the Ongis started doing flips around. "She and the Ongis would love to put on a perfect acrobatic performance,"

"Oh he would love that," praised Raya. "If you're sure you're up for the challenge,"

"Abalutley," blabbered Noi.

"We would like to perform a great water dragon air show for him Raya," Pengu spoke from the window.

"We know it'll be just another performance…" Jagan began to speak.

"No! He'll love it," Raya knew how much Hiccup loved water dragons doing amazing tricks with water. "Thanks, guys,"

"Then we'd better get training," said an urgent Sisu.

"I will have royal robes made for him made of the finest materials Kumandra has," Benja decided.

"I can help with that," Noi's grandmother said.

"His robes will bear the golden emblem of Toothless,"

"That would be perfect. Thanks, ba," Raya hugged him tightly. "It'll mean so much to him,"

"Show us the ring you're gonna use," Phuoc begged.

Raya reached into her pocket and pulled out a green velvet box. She opened it and the audience saw a golden ring resembling a night fury with a green emerald representing Toothless's green eyes. "This will my gift to him. To show how much I love and want to have a life with him,"

"That is the perfect gift dewdrop," Benja said. He clasped her shoulder and made her turn to him. "I am so proud of you. And I am so overjoyed that you and Hiccup make each other happy. There is no other one who I would see marry you than him,"

Shedding a tear, Raya embraced him tightly. "Thank you ba," she let go and she faced everyone's excited faces again. "Let's get to work,"

Hiccup saw Fang island within sight. He peered through a telescope and saw Fang citizens farming, feeding their cats and helping one another. But they looked quite sad. He couldn't help but feel remorseful for them. Ever since Virana's death and Namaari's disappearance they had become depressed, and desperate. And despite everything the other lands had done for them alongside the dragons, what they couldn't restore to them was their monarchy.

A Fang soldier saw them from his watchtower and blew a horn. The citizens looked up and saw the party from Heart approaching very carefully. The dragons hovered above one of the front courtyards in the palace grounds and very gently they placed the barrels and boxes of food and necessities and crowds of people came rushing forward.

Hiccup landed and saw their overjoyed faces as they came forward but he knew this would only be a temporary relief. General Atidya, who had become Fang's leader for the last three years approached the party. "Thank you," she praised.

"We hope that this is all you asked for," he simply said.

"This is plenty," she accepted.

They observed the kids stroking the dragons and they chirped. Some of the cats got quite jealous of the attention so they growled and stalked off, feeling useless and unwanted. Hiccup remembered why there weren't many dragons on Fang. As much as the citizens loved dragons, they did not want to forget how important cats were to them and how they had been a large part of their lives for over a thousand years.

"Please let Chief Benja know we hope to repay his generosity," the general requested.

"Oh no," Hiccup raised a hand. "Benja expects nothing in return,"

The general was surprised but accepted his response. "It means so much that Heart and the other kingdoms are helping us. It has not been easy for my people to thrive. Since the loss of our chief and the death of our princess…"

Toothless suddenly growled, remembering the same princess who had shot him.

"Toothless," Hiccup silenced him. "I'm sorry general…"

"I understand why your dragon does not like our princess but know this. To us, Princess Namaari was our future leader, our hero. And it broke our hearts when she left and we found no trace of her in Kumandra. But I have to hold hope that she is somehow out there trying to get back to us,"

Hiccup sighed and shut his eyes for a second. "General, I know you might not want to hear this…but you must be strong for your people. We don't know if Namaari is alive out there, but these people look up to you. And you're not alone in this,"

His words offered strength and wisdom to the general. She raised her head and nodded slowly. The Heart soldiers helped Fang's people unload the supplies and they decided to rest their dragons since it had been quite a tiring journey to carry that load a long way up the river.

Hiccup and Toothless decided they would fly to the cliffs just across the island for some privacy. They sat down and chilled with Sharpshot and Smokey curled beside Hiccup. Hiccup stared at Fang Island, golden and white. "I hate how these people are feeling. They look up to the general but they feel so afraid,"

"Is it really that bad to not have a proper king or queen leading it?" asked his big dragon. "At least they have a kind general who looks after them,"

"Yes but it's not the same,"

"Do you ever wonder what became of Namaari?"

"Why are we even talking about her? She's the same girl that killed you,"

"But who gave you her gem along with Raya and every one so you could fix this world,"

"It took off all of us together,"

"She's probably dead out there. With so many wild dragons that she doesn't know how to train them and so many hunters out there, it's a miracle if she's still alive,"

"We cannot be certain bud. If she does come back, how do you think Raya will react? How do you think Heart will react?"

"Not very well. Even with me back, it would not be easy to forgive Namaari for all her crimes. Well, let's forget her. Let's talk about something else,"

"Such as what?"

Such as when are you going to propose to Raya? Smokey asked, waking up and stretching his legs and wings.

Hiccup stroked Sharpshot on his legs after he woke up. "I've yet to decide that. What I really want to do first is practice my speech to her,"

"Seriously? A speech?" disapproved Toothless. "She already knows how much you love her,"

"I need to do this," Hiccup said. "A good proposal needs a perfect speech. Would you guys mind if I practised it?"

You can do it on Toothless. Whined Sharpshot. Smokey and I are going to go on a short flight.

"Don't wonder far off," Hiccup sent them off. He took in a deep inhale and exhaled deeply. "Okay. Time to practice," he stood up and fished out his ring box.

"I'll do my perfect Raya impression," Toothless turned into a human and sat down elegantly to try and sit like her.

Hiccup paced back and forth trying to gather his courage. "Raya…he began. When we met…you were the first human to ever show me kindness. Even though you distrusted me…at first…"

Toothless scoffed. "You wanna use that in a speech?"

"Okay, I'll take that bit out," he accepted. "I feel like you made me a better person. And I'm really glad that I made you a better person too,"

"You say that you're gonna make it seem like she wasn't already a good person before,"

Hiccup growled and fell to his knees, poking his fingers into his eyes. "I suck at this. I'm gonna screw this up,"

"I'll help you think of the right words," Toothless assured. "So far some things you shouldn't use but the part about her showing true kindness to you…that's good. Keep going,"

Hiccup took a moment to gather himself again and kept on practising.

Raya walked towards the kitchens. She saw Boun and all the Heart chiefs preparing the delicious food for the next special day. Boun was gathering the ingredient for the big cake altogether.

"Okay. We need pounds and pounds of sugar. And pounds and pounds of flour," he instructed.

"And don't forget pounds and pounds of eggs," a new voice added in.

Boun turned to see a pretty girl with long plaited hair.

"Great remembering Carmen," the head chief approved. "Now you and Boun can get to work,"

Carmen and Boun looked at each other. "Guess we'll be working together," he said awkwardly. "I'm Boun, by the way,"

"I know. Raya and Hiccup talk so much about your cooking," she said. "Well, shall we get to it?" They prepared the ingredients and pulled out the huge cake-baking trays and pre-heated the oven.

Boun saw Raya. "Oh hi, Raya,"

"See you and Carmen are about to cook the biggest cake in the five lands," she said. "I know you wanted to cook it yourself Boun but I thought perhaps you and Carmen could work together,"

"Sure. So long as he doesn't slow things do," Carmen's remark made Boun turn to him with a frown. "Just kidding,"

"Oh ha ha," he replied sarcastically. "Very funny,"

"Be good you two," said Raya. "Now I'd better go and check on Sisu and the dragons on their performing,"

Hiccup recited his final lines. "You are the most amazing person I have ever met. So I ask you with all my love, will you marry me?" he knelt on the grass and offered the ring to Toothless.

"Pitch perfect," Toothless clapped.

Hiccup gasped and stood up. "I think that's enough for one day,"

"Uh uh. We're doing it again,"

"Bud!" Hiccup complained. "This is emotional pressure you're putting me through!"

"Come on. One more time,"

His person huffed. "Fine," he stood up again, cleared his throat and rehearsed one final time.

It was almost the afternoon when Fang had offered the Heart soldiers its decent hospitality with chilli stew which they accepted.

"Wonder where Hiccup is?" a soldier wondered.

"Probably, just wanted to have some time alone with his dragon," right after the other soldier said.

They heard the roaring of a Night Fury and saw Hiccup and Toothless land gracefully beside them.

"Just on time Hiccup," Atitya offered a bowl which he gladly accepted.

"Thank you," he curled up beside his dragon ad took a spoonful of the delicious stew.

He heard dragon chirps and saw Sharpshot and Smokey landing beside him. "Have you got any fish for the dragons please?"

"Plenty," Atitya whistled and some women on cats appeared carrying boxes of fish. The dragons licked their lips. Sharpshot tried to take one but the cat snarled at him. He hid behind Hiccup in fright.

"Catta," her rider hissed. "Back down. I'm sorry Hiccup. Prepare the fish for the dragons. And remember, no nipping the fish cats. There's plenty for everyone," The dragons gorged on the juicy fish.

An hour passed and it was time for the group to depart for home. The journey would be much shorter without the heavy load.

"Thank you once, Heart," Atitya praised.

They nodded in acceptance and they took off into the sky and followed the river down to Heart.

Raya watched the five siblings performing their amazing water routine: Sisu in the centre. They made the water dance around them and form magical shapes and then Sisu did a stunt in the centre. The Heart princess clapped. "That's wonderful everyone,"

"That means a lot coming from you Princess Raya," said Pengu. "We hope that Hiccup will love our performance,"

"Of course, he will," Amba praised.

"What he'll really love is you all being there for the party," said Raya.

"Hiccup's coming!" Phuoc's voice in her ears. Raya turned around to see him and Luong sprinting to her. "Hiccup's coming!"

Raya's eyes enlarged. She looked up and saw Hiccup on Toothless and the Heart soldiers approaching. "Oh my. Guys, hide everything," Her cousins sprinted back into the palace. she looked at the water dragons. "You guys had better go now before he suspects something,"

"We'll make sure every dragon is there," promised Pranee.

"And we'll be sure to make sure every dragon knows of your special engagement and when the wedding will be too," Jagan added in.

"OH that's getting a bit too far," Raya answered awkwardly.

"Now go,"

"See you tomorrow Raya," Pengu bowed his head. "See you later Sisu," he galloped across the sky on water platforms with Jagan, Pranee and Amba leaving Sisu behind with Raya.

Hiccup and Toothless landed in front of them. "Hey, love,"

"All good?" she asked.

"Yep. Up above I saw the cousins rushing off and the dragons take off, what's the hurry?"

"Nothing," Sisu shook her head. "Just been busy doing things. Quite a scheduled day. Hey, why don't we go for a flight together?"

"Sounds like a plan," opted Raya.

"I've been waiting to do that," said Toothless.

Hiccup nodded. "Okay. A flight it is then,"

That's another chapter done. Hope you all enjoyed it. Thank you all so much for your support. By the way, we will see more of Toothless and Sisu's relationship. See you all soon