Author's Note: *Steps onto stage* *Spotlight flicks on* *Spreads arms out and smiles* I'M BACKKKKK! =D
Hey, hey, hey, everyone! Ah, man, it feels so good to be back! And it's 2022! (Although I still feel like part of me is left in 2021. And now I have to get used to writing/typing 2022 as the year when I'm writing down the date. Blargh. XD) So, happy new year! =D
Over my hiatus, I was able to get a lot of extra writing done. I got a lot of stories in store for you guys, and I'm really excited to get posting 'em!
Annnywho, here's a nice little one-shot that was inspired by Stoick's line in "Have Dragon Will Travel, Part Two." I kind of changed things up a little, but, eh, I think it's pretty good. =D
I hope you guys enjoy this one-shot! =D
Tiny Axes and Paperweights
Hiccup wasn't like most vikings. He was small, not as strong, and preferred to fight with brains instead of brawn, but Stoick still believed that his son could learn to fight with a weapon. The boy would have to eventually learn how to fight with something, especially with the war with the dragons and because of the simple reason that Hiccup needed to learn self-defense. Not with smarts, but with an actual weapon.
So, Stoick asked Gobber if he could make an axe—a special axe—that was small enough for a five-year-old to carry. At first, the blacksmith was skeptical. Why, giving an axe to a five-year-old boy was like giving a baby a dragon! But after some time, he set to work to make a small axe just for little Hiccup.
Stoick had a lot planned for his son. When he was older, he was going to become chief, and Stoick wanted to prepare Hiccup for that as much as he could. Starting with simple fighting and battle lessons seemed like the perfect place to start. Since Hiccup was smaller and littler than most, he would need to learn how to defend himself.
"But, Dad, I already know how to defend myself," said Hiccup as he climbed into his chair. Stoick handed him a bowl of porridge, but Hiccup paid no mind to it. "I don't need to learn how to fight when I can just hide."
Stoick laughed. "Hiccup, you can't always hide from your enemies. Sometimes, you're going to have to confront them face-to-face. And you're eventually going to have to start killing dragons, which means you'll have to learn how to use a weapon sooner or later."
"What if I don't want to use a weapon?" asked Hiccup as he stirred his porridge. "I could just make something that could attack for me."
Stoick sighed and sat down across from Hiccup. "Lad, not everything can be done for you. You're going to have to learn how to defend yourself, not with a machine or a contraption. We'll start training once Gobber is finished with your new axe, okay?"
Hiccup nodded, although he wasn't looking forward to fighting. He preferred using his wits and smarts. Handling weapons just wasn't something that he liked, nor did he like hurting others.
But, if his father said that he had to learn how to defend himself, he might as well, right? Hiccup understood that he wouldn't always be able to run, nor would he always be able to create something that could stop whatever danger that comes his way. He'd sometimes find himself in a situation where he'd need to fight and defend. He would have to use a weapon then. He'd first have to learn how to use one, but he just couldn't seem to feel enthusiastic at all about learning to fight.
Hiccup didn't tell his father this, though, and instead pretended to be excited whenever his father brought up the upcoming battle lessons. Stoick seemed rather excited about teaching his son how to fight, and Hiccup didn't want to downgrade his enthusiasm.
Soon, the miniature axe was complete, and Stoick proudly gave it to his son after its completion. Hiccup held the axe in his hands and ran his hand over the wooden handle. The axe head was well polished, and Hiccup could clearly see his reflection in it. He moved the axe around a bit, and Hiccup found that it was perfectly balanced, and it was just the right weight and size for his small hands.
Stoick smiled. "What do you think?"
Hiccup grinned and looked up at his father, his green eyes sparkling happily. "It's perfect! I can't wait to use it!"
Stoick patted Hiccup's shoulder and told him that they would start training tomorrow. Oddly, though, Hiccup had nodded somewhat dismissively and walked upstairs with his new axe. Stoick chuckled and simply guessed that his son was still elated about his new axe and wanted to try it out for a while before they started training.
Hiccup spent the rest of the day up in his room doing things that Stoick didn't know. He guessed that Hiccup was probably moving things around, as he kept on hearing papers being packed together and Hiccup's light footsteps moving back and forth through his room. Stoick didn't hear the sound of Hiccup working with his axe.
Maybe he's moving things around, so he doesn't damage anything, Stoick thought with a nod. Hiccup wasn't a clumsy person, but he often made messes without meaning to anyway. Stoick knew that Hiccup kept a lot of things that were important to him in his room that he wouldn't want lacerated by an axe.
Soon, bedtime arrived, and Stoick headed upstairs to tuck Hiccup into bed. He froze in the doorway when he found the newly handmade axe sitting on a pile of papers on Hiccup's desk. The auburn-haired boy was sitting at his chair, humming to himself as he drew what seemed to be some kind of dragon. A Deadly Nadder to be precise. Once Hiccup finished the drawing, he lifted the axe and placed it on top of the rest of the papers, then placed the axe back on top of them. Hiccup grinned.
"I've been waiting forever to get the perfect paperweight," Hiccup said to himself as he patted the pile of papers. "Thank goodness for this tiny axe!"
Stoick blinked. A paperweight? And axe…for a paperweight? He didn't know what to do or how to react. The Chief of Berk cleared his throat and Hiccup looked up. The smile on his face didn't waver.
"Hi, Dad!" Hiccup greeted cheerfully. He patted the pile of papers and said, "The axe you gave me made the perfect paperweight! Thanks!"
Stoick blinked again. Well, at least his son liked the axe, and he was using it for something, right?
Stoick shook his head and allowed a small smile to spread on his face. "Come on, Hiccup. Let's get you into bed. You'll need all the energy for training tomorrow."
Hiccup's shoulders slumped. "But…but that would mean taking the axe."
"Yes," said Stoick.
"And it's my paperweight for my drawings."
"Yes."
"I can't move it," concluded Hiccup. "If I do, my drawings will blow away in the wind and get lost."
Stoicks sighed. He guessed that training with the little axe could wait for another day.
"Alright, Hiccup. You don't have to move it," said Stoick. Hiccup smiled. "But this doesn't mean that we won't be doing any training with it."
"Okay, Dad. Thanks!" said Hiccup happily.
Stoick smiled. Yes, training could wait for another day.
Author's Note: Ah, Hiccup. He's the only person I can think of who would use a tiny battle axe for a paperweight. X) I hope you guys enjoyed this one-shot! =D
Until the next story!
-BeyondTheMoon1203