Things were never better for Hiccup since the night of his 16th birthday. Mind you, he was happier, but had yet to forgive everyone. Hiccup was still living in the cove with Toothless but now came to the village everyday to visit Astrid and the other teens, Gobber too. Hiccup had forgiven the teens about 2 weeks after he and Astrid got together, then Gobber right afterwards. Hiccup spent most of his time in the forge, walking around the village with Astrid or taking her on flights with him, the rest was hanging with Toothless.
Hiccup had forgiven just about everyone, there were some who hadn't shown much change like Mildew and a few others but honestly Hiccup didn't care so much anymore. He had the love and affection of almost everyone, every day he arrived in the village he'd be greeted with smiles, handshakes, even hugs from children. The only other person he'd yet to forgive was his father, and though he'd been trying Hiccup just didn't feel like Stoick was trying himself.
It was now about 6 weeks since Hiccup's birthday, as well the night Astrid and him made love for the first time. It had been such an amazing night for them, but neither of them breathed a word about what they'd done because it wouldn't go over very well with her parents or his father for that matter. In truth, they had such a good time doing it that they had done it a few other times. Not a lot because they had to be careful so they didn't get caught.
Snotlout, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Fishlegs were always hanging around the cove with him and Astrid because they were always curious about his dragon training techniques and his fighting style. Dual wielding was an intense skill that not many could do because you needed speed, strength, and balance yet Hiccup being the skinniest Viking on Berk made it look so simple. Other than dual wielding axes, he could do the same with swords, and single head axes. Hiccup also was an incredible dagger thrower, he practiced everyday and the others always watched.
Piercing another target with a dagger he wiped the sweat from his brow with a grin of accomplishment. "I don't know how you hit it every single time!" Snotlout told him jumping up in shock.
Hiccup shrugged a little to him, "I don't know either, I just do. It's all posture and aim I guess. Why have you all taken such an interest in my dagger throwing skills is beyond me. You literally come here everyday just to watch me practice with it." Hiccup rolled his eyes at his cousin now.
"Because it's amazing! You're so skilled, Hiccup." Ruffnut exclaimed to him, her eyes oogled him more as Astrid groaned a little.
"Back off, Ruff. Hiccup is mine." Astrid stated cooly.
"Easy babe, no one is going to take me away and at that...Nothing could take me away from you. I've waited years after all." Hiccup chuckled as he bent over and kissed her cheek making her blush softly.
"Hah, the great Astrid Hofferson is blushing. Never thought I'd live to see the day..." Tuffnut remarked snickering, Astrid punched him in the arm hard making him yell out holding his arm as she glared at him.
"Watch it, Thorsten or you might not live to see your next birthday..." Astrid warned him.
"Geeze Astrid...you're grumpier than usual. What gives?" Snotlout asked her.
"I'm fine, mind your own business." Astrid replied harshly to him, Hiccup put down his next set of daggers to throw and walked over to her, crouching down before her figure. Astrid was sitting on a wooden chair with her head down, she sighed heavily. Hiccup took her hand in his and rubbed it lightly with his thumb.
"You feeling alright today babe, I kind'a gotta agree with Snotlout here. You're a little moodier than usual..." Hiccup said carefully.
"I'm fine, Hiccup. Just a little tired, I didn't sleep well last night." Astrid offered a gentle smile. "Plus all the walking back and forth from the village to get here is hell on my feet. Its an hour and a half walk each time..." Astrid added.
"It's not so bad." Hiccup chuckled.
"For you mister dragon rider, the rest of us have to walk." Astrid giggled a little poking his nose.
"True. Why don't you go lay down in the house for a while, I promise my bed is comfortable. I'll lead the others home." Hiccup suggested.
"Are you sure?..." Astrid asked.
"Course I'm sure babe. Go get some rest." Hiccup smiled to her. Astrid nodded as she got up slowly made her way past the curtains in Hiccup's shack like house.
"Do we have to leave?" Fishlegs asked.
"Yes. Astrid is tired and wants to rest. Go on, I'll lead you of the forest. You can come back later on for dinner. Gobber's coming too." Hiccup said as he whistled for Toothless to come over while he jumped on his back and opening the tail up so they could fly. "Alright bud, nice and easy now." Hiccup chuckled, Toothless took to the sky and hovered slow overhead. Snotlout, Fishlegs, and the twins climbed out of the cove with Toothless staying above them.
Astrid laid in Hiccup's bed but she couldn't fall asleep, she hadn't been sleeping well and feeling rather ill but figured it was a bug, it would pass eventually. She closed her eyes and rolled over pulling the covers up to her shoulder, then finally closed her eyes.
(In The Village)
An hour later Hiccup had dropped the teens off in the village and dropped by the forge to see Gobber, he stepped off Toothless's back with a smile as he greeted his former mentor with a handshake. "Ello there laddie, what brings you by?" Gobber asked with a smile.
"Was dropping the teens off, Astrid is tired so I told her to rest in the shack for a while and I came by to visit." Hiccup shrugged with a smile.
"Yeah her mother stopped by before expressin her concerns for the lass." Gobber said as he went to heat up another blade to hammer it out, Hiccup tilted his head a bit confused.
"Concerns, what kinds of concerns?" Hiccup asked curiously.
"Says Astrid's been up sick last few nights, eatin less, and not sleepin." Gobber informed him.
"Huh...she never told me she was sick. Well thanks for the info, Gobber. I'll be back tomorrow." Hiccup went to get on Toothless again.
"Lad, are you...ever going to forgive yer father?" Gobber asked him softly. Hiccup didn't say anything at first, he looked away.
"I'm trying Gobber, but I just can't...get past him being my chief over my father and even as my chief, he didn't defend me as a chief should. He didn't stop people from hurting me, he didn't stand up for me, he didn't guide or teach me...he was just...never there for me and I can't forget that...I want to, I just can't and honestly...I don't know if I can." Hiccup sighed.
"You forgave the others who hurt you, I know your father made mistakes raising you...but you can't hate him. You said you hated all of us but if that were true, you wouldn't of protected the tribe from Dagur. You protected your old man too...Want some advice?" Gobber offered. Hiccup looked over at him slowly now, "Talk to 'im. Just sit down and talk with him about whatever, father son things. You can't avoid him forever, he is your father and he loves you even if he doesn't show it all the time." Gobber told him.
"I'll consider it...see ya around." Hiccup waved as he and Toothless left the area. Gobber looked back as Stoick came out of the side room sighing.
"He'll come around, Stoick. You hurt him the most." Gobber patted his friend on the back.
"I know Gobber, but its been almost 3 months and he's forgiven the others." Stoick mumbled.
"That I know, but Hiccup isn't the only one who has to make an effort here. You do too, you're being considerate and concerned but you're still not being his father yet. Show an interest in his work, the blacksmithin, his dragon riding and training...y'know?" Gobber suggested.
"I will next time he comes to the village, I just don't know what to talk about with him...we're so different. He's like Val was, Gobber...adventurous, didn't want to hurt dragons, inventive...We always did our own thing in the village." Stoick closed his eyes.
"Stoick you're a very old, dear friend of mine. But you have to understand that Hiccup is not a boy anymore, he's a young man and he's going places. He made peace with a Night Fury who is his best friend, he's inventive, adventurous, sarcastic lil bugger, and he's in love. He's the talk of Berk, the pride of Berk...Everyone is waiting for him to become the chief, I know you missed out a lot on of his childhood, but don't miss out on the rest of his life. Be his father, you don't have to be his chief...he knows what he's doing. Be his dad, be what you haven't been but stop treating him like he's a baby or a little kid. He's a young man, and will continue to grow up. Listen and support him, be there for him as his father." Gobber told him.
"You're right, Gobber...I have to get my son back and I'll do whatever it takes." Stoick nodded.
(The Cove)
When Hiccup landed back in the cove he immediately knew something wasn't right, he got off Toothless and listened close as the noise hit his ears. He heard someone throwing up, and that someone was Astrid. He rushed inside the shack to see her throwing up in a tall bucket, "Astrid..." He said softly walking beside her and moved her braid out of the way while rubbing her back in light circles. "Are you okay?" Hiccup asked gently sitting on the edge of the bed beside her.
"No...I feel terrible..." She replied weakly throwing up again.
"Its alright, get it out. You catch a bug or eat something that didn't agree with you?" Hiccup asked.
"I guess I must have...I felt fine earlier." Astrid looked over at him as she pulled away from the bucket and laid her head on his shoulder. Hiccup put his hand to her forehead, then cheek sighing.
"You've got a fever...and you're sweating. Take off your armor and boots babe, lay down." Hiccup told her lightly.
"B–but I have to get home, its almost dark." Astrid said quickly.
"Not tonight you aren't. You're staying here tonight, you can't move without throwing up and you certainly can't fly back. I'll let your parents know, they'll be alright with it for one night. You are sick, let me take care of you. And I know this has been going on a while so tell me about the last few night with you not sleeping, being sick, and not eating?" Hiccup said as he pulled out his bed roll and laid it on the ground with a pillow and blanket.
"Started a few days ago. I was really uncomfortable when I slept or...tried too at least. Then I started feeling sick, and weak with no appetite." Astrid mumbled removing her spiked skirt, shoulder armor, and boots then laying down in Hiccup's bed. Toothless took his place on his rock, heating it up and circling it before laying down comfortably.
"Sounds like a stomach illness to me, I'll take care of you. Here, take this." He said handing her a warm drink in a mug.
"It smells terrible." Astrid plugged her nose shying away from it.
"Might smell bad but it'll work. It'll keep down the nausea, and take away any pain you feel. It's a relaxer babe, trust me." Hiccup chuckled. Astrid took the mug and gulped, she downed it quickly and swallowed followed by sticking her tongue out to further prove it tasted as horrible as it smelled. "Now lay down and relax, I'll let your parents know you're staying with me tonight. I'm sure they won't mind." Hiccup said as he gave a whistle and a green terrible terror flew down from the trees and landed on his arm.
"What's that?" Astrid asked while laying down.
"Terrible Terror." Hiccup chuckled, "His name is Sharpshot, he's going to deliver a message for me. Take this to my father on Berk little guy." Hiccup said writing a quick note and tying it to Shapshot's leg, the dragon licked his cheek and flew off. "Its called Terror Mail, way for me to get them a message when I can't actually be there." Hiccup smiled.
"Clever babe." Astrid smiled as she yawned.
"Go to sleep, I'll be here when you get up, I promise." Hiccup said kissing her forehead. Astrid nodded and soon fell to sleep while Hiccup laid against Toothless on his bedroll.
(Berk)
The terror, Sharpshot made it to Stoick's house and clawed at the door until he answered. He saw it had a letter and took it, he handed the dragon a fish before shutting the door and sitting down to read it. "Dad, Astrid doesn't feel good and can barely move without throwing up. I'm making her stay in the cove with Toothless and I tonight, I promise she's safe. Let her parents know for me. Thanks, Your son -Hiccup." Stoick read it over a few times, the line that got him the most as Hiccup referring to himself as his son, it was small but enough for Stoick.
He got up and headed to Astrid's parent's house, then knock as her father Calder answered the door. "Ah chief, what brings you by so late?" Calder asked smiling.
"Message from Hiccup. Says Astrid's not feeling well, and throwing up is making her unable to get home tonight so Hiccup is keeping her there. He promises she'll be safe, asked if I'd let ya know." Stoick responded.
"Ah, good man he is. We're not worried, we know Astrid is safe with him. Thanks for letting us know." Astrid's mother, Hildegard smiled gently.
"Don't beat yourself up, Stoick. He'll come around, you're still trying to hold on to your baby boy. You have to let him grow my friend. Our kids don't stay little forever, so we cherish what we do get with them. Its our job to ready them for the world, not hold their hand through it." Calder said putting a hand on Stoick's shoulder.
"That's just the problem, Calder. I missed out on his childhood, I didn't guide him or protect him. I wasn't there for him as a chief or a father, and now he's 16. He's eligible to become the chief in two years when he ascends to adulthood. He's a dragon rider, a boyfriend, a fighter, blacksmith...and those are all things he accomplished...without me guiding him. Hiccup raised himself, and that is time I can never get back." Stoick looked down.
"All the more reason to cherish the time you have now. You can't stop him from growing up, Stoick. You can only prepare him. I know it seems hopeless but the truth is, we can't protect them forever. We won't always be around, deep down you know that." Hidegard smiled gently. Stoick sighed nodding, he knew they were right. He couldn't stop Hiccup, even if he tried too. Hiccup was as stubborn as himself, one thing they did share and Stoick knew Hiccup would fight him, and continue to hate him.
Stoick turned and then headed back down the path to his house.
(The Cove)
Astrid was fast asleep as Hiccup was dozing off early. He felt Toothless shift a little and he looked over to see him writing something, "Something smells different in here..." Toothless had written. Hiccup blinked a few times, "What do you mean bud?" Hiccup asked. "I don't know, something is off, is...different." Toothless wrote. Hiccup pondered his words a while, what could be different that Toothless could...smell? He trusted his friend of course so if Toothless thought something was off and wasn't right then Hiccup believed him, the question remained as to what was causing such.
Around 3 in the morning, Astrid was violently ill again. Toothless was the one to wake Hiccup up from his sleep, like before Hiccup rubbed her back gently and got her more of the medicine. Soon she was back to sleep but still running a fever and it worried Hiccup. When the next morning came full circle, Hiccup took Astrid back home to her parents house and dropped her off before he went flying with Toothless for a while.
(Astrid's House)
"How are you feeling dear?" Hidegard asked Astrid who was sitting at the kitchen table.
"Little better, Hiccup's medicine...whatever it is works wonders on an upset stomach." Astrid smiled softly.
"Hungry?" Calder asked bringing over a plate of eggs, bread, and yak milk.
"Starved actually." Astrid smiled as she began to eat the food quickly. When she finished she cleared her plate and then returned to sit down when Hidegard noticed something about her daughter's figure.
"Better lighten up on those snacks during the day sweetheart, you're getting a little belly." Hildegard joked. Astrid now looked down as she saw the small bump forming on her lower stomach, Astrid smiled waving it off.
"I will, I'm gonna go lay down for a while." Astrid then headed to her room, as soon as she laid down she lifted her shirt a little and saw the bump again and for some reason she couldn't explain she placed her hands on it softly. 'I–I didn't think I'd been eating that much the last few days, especially with all the throwing up...and not eating...' Astrid thought closing her eyes with a sigh.
(With Hiccup & Toothless)
The two of them had gone a little off course headed West and were now sitting on an island by themselves, "I'm worried about Astrid bud...She's been sick for a week now, and it hasn't shown any signs of letting up..." Hiccup sighed sighed, he saw Toothless start to write now, "She smells different. I can't put my claw on what it is, but her scent has changed." Hiccup frowned, was that a good or bad thing? "Should I take her to Gothi maybe?" Hiccup asked. Toothless shrugged a little as if to say it was up to him. "She's stubborn, she won't go easily." Hiccup chuckled now.
It was now he was noticing that this island where ever they were had an awful lot of dragons, none were bothering him and Toothless but it was clear they were coming and going from it in large groups of 20-30. The ones that came back had food, the ones leaving didn't. "Huh...hey bud, what's with all the dragons?" Hiccup asked looking at him. Toothless used his claw to write out the words 'Dragons Nest'. "You mean...this is the nest my dad has been looking for? Its been so close, he'd surely send an armada here if it meant stopping raids." Hiccup replied.
Toothless shook his head and started to write again and Hiccup looked over to read it, "He wouldn't stand a chance. There's a reason his ships never reach the island. The queen orders the dragons to raid neighboring islands for food, if the dragons don't bring enough back she'll eat them instead. The dragons are under her control, she's massive Hiccup. She lives in the carona of the volcano behind us. She's nocturnal so she's asleep right now." Hiccup blinked a few times, "Come on she can't be that big..." Hiccup joked, Toothless now motioned for Hiccup to get on his back so he did.
Hiccup opened his tail and Toothless took him inside the mountain through a maze of rocks until they were inside where Hiccup could see the lava pit as well a large rock looking mass sitting in it. "What the..." Hiccup gasped as Toothless landed on a ledge and looked over, he began to write again. "I really was not joking. They call her the queen for a reason." There was movement below as the rock began to move and lift its head up sniffing the air. A gronckle flew in and coughed up a single fish and dropped it in the pit, silence filled the volcano as suddenly a large head shot up and ate the gronckle in one bite. Hiccup gasped with wide eyes.
"Bud...we need to go." Hiccup urged him, the queen began to sniff again. "Now!" Hiccup yelled, Toothless shot off as the queen tried to make a snap at them, thankfully Toothless was faster and she missed them but she did get a zippleback. All the dragons shot out of the volcano top and flew away in fear. Now with Hiccup and Toothless safely away he took a minute to collect himself. "Ok bud...I believe you. Odin almighty! We gotta do something about her...but what can a 16 year old and a Night Fury do? Shit she's huge...Whatever we do...we have to keep the tribe away from this place...Or they are all dead." Hiccup breathed heavily a few times, Toothless nodded as they flew back to Berk. Something had to be done about that queen, that's why dragons raided Vikings. Because she made them, if she was defeated then the dragon would be free of her control and wouldn't raid anymore. Hiccup needed a plan, and fast.