Hiccup hadn't said a word about locating the nest but it wasn't as easy as he thought it'd be since go figure that same night there was a raid which only fueled Stoick's desire to want to locate the nest again. Hiccup did what he could in the raid, he couldn't keep using the roar because it was awful for his throat and he certainly couldn't touch all their noses to gain their trust and break the control the queen had. Now a week later, Hiccup found out Stoick was planning to look for the nest and he was battling with himself about what to do. Hiccup could tell his father he found the nest but that would only make Stoick want to go more, or Hiccup could say nothing and risk his father finding it on his own then possibly get killed.
The choice wasn't hard, he couldn't tell him. On top of all that nonsense, Astrid was still sick and Hiccup was more concerned about that over the dragon queen. As long as the queen stayed where she was on the island , Hiccup could handle a few raids until he found a way to deal with the queen. Hiccup was working in the forge today to help Gobber again since the raid damaged a few things, people tried not to use their weapons unless they were scaring the dragons off but even there it was hard not to so some were broken and bent.
"Man...That raid was brutal last night." Snotlout huffed as Hiccup handed him his sword.
"Stoick's going to be looking for the nest again by the end of the week." Fishlegs added, Hiccup mumbled under his breath. Maybe he could distract Stoick by getting closer to him again.
"Gobber, I'm taking a break alright? I gotta see the old man about something." Hiccup called to Gobber taking off his apron and rushing out the door.
"See ya after laddie." Gobber replied smiling as Hiccup jumped on Toothless's back and they flew off to find Stoick, he was on the docks preparing ships for the search of course. Hiccup rolled his eyes as he landed by him and got off.
"Hello son." Stoick smiled.
"Hey dad, what are...you doing over here?" Hiccup asked.
"Preparing the ships for another nest search. Yerself?" Stoick asked.
"Oh just...uh taking a break from the forge, thought I'd come and...see you." Hiccup offered a smile, shocking Stoick a bit.
"Is everything...okay?" Stoick blinked at him.
"Yeah, all fine just fine...I was...wondering if you wanted to talk...or something?" Hiccup looked at him.
"Um sure son. You men finish loading these boats, we're leaving in 4 days heading West towards Helheims gate." Stoick ordered.
"Aye Stoick!" The men replied as Stoick now walked with Hiccup off the docks and in to the village.
"So...how's Astrid son?" Stoick asked him curiously.
"She's fine...still sick, being stubborn and refusing to see Gothi..." Hiccup shrugged a little to him.
"The Hoffersons like the Haddocks are a very stubborn group my boy. We're all hardheaded and never listen to reason..." Stoick laughed a little now.
"Yeah I figured that out a long time ago." Hiccup chuckled. "Its been two weeks so I'm just worried about her, so are her parents." Hiccup sighed.
"I'm sure she's fine. I remember one time I got ill from food, eel pox, a cold, and a stomach bug back to back when I was a lad." Stoick told him.
"That must have sucked. How long were you sick for?" Hiccup asked.
"Oh its been so long since then, I was about your age when it happened. I'd say I was sick for 30 days, maybe more. Yer mother would be able to tell ya better. She and I were good childhood friends before we dated, then got married and had you son." Stoick smiled looking up now.
"Can you...tell me about her dad? I was...so young when she was taken." Hiccup asked curiously.
"Well of course I can tell ya, want to come to the house for lunch?" Stoick asked.
"Yeah, I'd like that. Can...Toothless come?" Hiccup questioned.
"Course he can. He's practically family now, yew two are like brothers almost." Stoick chuckled, the two of them walked to Stoick's home and entered it. Toothless sat down on his back legs while Hiccup sat at the table and Stoick got some bread and other things for them to eat. Stoick set them on the table, then he got a bucket of fish for Toothless before sitting down across from Hiccup, and eating an apple.
"So...am I like mom?" Hiccup asked now while taking a bite of bread.
"You're so much like her son. You've got her eyes, and darker hair than her. You're every bit of her, Hiccup. You're adventurous, inventive, wise, smart, and kind to all. She was...different, just like you." Stoick told him calmly.
"How old were you two when you met? How'd you get together?" Hiccup smiled.
"We'd always been childhood friends from the time we were 3 or so. My father was chief, and she had the second powerful house on Berk. Yer mother's maiden name was Jorgenson, because she's Spitelout's sister. Me and Spitelout, oh we never saw eye to eyes on anything. A lot like you and Snotlout actually. We got together when we were 17, then our parents started a contract for us at 20 years old. Negotiations were trouble, almost didn't end up happening but then my father stepped in and offered the highest dowry against my mothers wishes. Negotiations took a few months, because I was also training to become chief myself." Stoick began to tell him.
"So you and mom dated for 3 years before a contract was written up...I always thought it had to be as soon as both were 17, contract would start between the chief's heir with the daughters of the houses in the village doing down the power chain." Hiccup stated, he hadn't been aware of it at all so it was interesting to hear about.
"In some cases. I'll explain after if you like. After all, as an heir yourself you'll need to know for your trainin when you become chief of Berk." Stoick offered.
"Yeah, but that's still a couple of years away...isn't it?" Hiccup asked.
"Not entirely son. In fact, a chief can have his heir start training when he feels his heir is ready. For example, given how you've handled numerous situations the last few months. I could start yer training for chief now." Stoick told him.
"But...you're not going to...right? I'm only 16, and I don't feel like...being chief right away." Hiccup protested.
"I said it was an example son. But in truth, you've shown loyalty, strength, wisdom, courage, kindness, caring, understanding and many more qualities a chief must possess. Everyone in the village thinks your ready now to take over but of course, the rules still say you must be 18 when you've reached adulthood." Stoick smiled.
"I don't see why everyone thinks that when a few months ago they didn't even know I existed. I was the embarrassment of Berk now I'm what...the hero?" Hiccup mumbled.
"No Hiccup. You're the pride of Berk son, you have the qualities I didn't have raising you. Not only will you make a great chief one day, but also a great father. Everyone in this village loves and respect you, and...They are proud of you. So am I." Stoick said calmly making Hiccup look up at him in shock now. Did...Stoick really just say that. That he was proud of him.
"Wh–what did...you just say?" Hiccup asked.
"I said...I am proud of you son. I am very proud of you and proud to call you my son and I am so sorry for everything in the past. I never meant to make you feel like you weren't worth somethin, or that you couldn't do anythin right. I wasn't the chief I should of been to you, or the father you needed. I can never get back the time I lost but I can promise you that I will be here for the rest. You're the pride of Berk, Hiccup and you are the greatest gift I could of ever received. I love you son." Stoick said firmly, but meaningful too.
Hiccup couldn't believe it. His father was...proud of him and loved him, Hiccup had waited years to hear those words. He didn't know how to handle the overwhelming emotions coming to him. Did he smile, laugh, cry even. Instead of any of that he merely smiled confidently and got up from his seat, he walked beside his father and hugged him tightly. It took Stoick by surprise but he hugged him back. "I forgive you dad." Hiccup finally said.
Now it was Stoick's turn to want to cry tears of joy, "Oh son. I'm so happy to hear that." Stoick choked up a little. After a moment or two they broke from the hug and smiled at one another.
"All I've ever wanted...was for you to be my dad and...to be proud of me. I didn't think I could forgive you because...I thought no matter what I did you'd never be proud of me. Growing up, I thought you hated me..." Hiccup told him going back to sit down at his spot.
"I never hated you son, you just...reminded me so much of your mother and well her being taken still hurts me. You're just like her, and I didn't...know how to handle it and the way I did was obviously very wrong too. I'm sorry for it all, Hiccup. I want you to come home, and live here again. Toothless can come too, you know I don't mind." Stoick said gently.
"I–I'll think about it dad. I actually...like living in the cove. Peaceful ya know? But anyway...you were talking about you and mom?" Hiccup said trying to change the subject.
"Yes! Well after negotiations closed, we celebrated it all. The weddin was planning for 3 months later, and it was a good time. Yer mother and I started trying for a baby right away, but I also had just become chief so time wasn't easy. Yer mother well her pregnancies weren't easy." Stoick said.
"What do you mean...pregnancies? Do I have...brothers or sisters somewhere?" Hiccup asked.
"No son...I mean, none of her pregnancies...made it to full term. You know...miscarriage, stillbirth...or born early but didn't make it long. You were born early too, 3 months actually. And yer mother was so scared you wouldn't make it but I never doubted, I always said you'd become the strongest of them all and I was right. You pulled through fine, and all though you're a Hiccup...you're still my son and I couldn't be prouder of who you are or the things you've done." Stoick smiled.
"It means...a lot to hear you say that dad. So I was the Hiccup...that made it through and when I was two...mom got taken from us...I wish I remembered her." Hiccup looked down a little.
"She's always with us, Hiccup. In your heart she lives on, as she does with me. Oh...I have something for you." Stoick said getting up and getting something from a side room, he brought it over and handed it to Hiccup. It was a helmet, looking just like his father's only a different set of horns. "You're true Viking, Hiccup. And I want you to have that, it's made from half yer mother's breast plate. Matching set to mine." Stoick chuckled.
"Thanks...dad...I'll treasure it..." Hiccup said a little unsure of wearing his mothers breast armor on his head.
"You've earned it. So you wanted to know more about contracts for marriage?" Stoick asked.
"Yeah...I mean...I–I...would like to marry Astrid one day." Hiccup blushed a little.
"Well long ago, before the time of Hamish the first. Marriage contracts were used for arranged marriages but nowadays, they are just for legality matters regarding chief's and their heirs. You see son, because I'm chief and you're my only son and heir, house Haddock is top of the chain. Now, as the chain goes down we have house Jorgenson, Hofferson, Ingerman, and Thorsten. Now, I'll explain this using you as the example since well you are my heir and eventually this will happen to you." Stoick said.
"Okay...I'm listening. But I do...get to pick who I want to marry...right?" Hiccup asked.
"Yes, listen and I'll tell you how it works." Stoick smiled, Hiccup nodded to listen to his father after all he would need to know these things for when he planned to marry Astrid, and take over as chief eventually. "I am chief of Berk son, and you as my heir means that at some point you will have to become the chief yourself and give an heir to the throne and so on and so forth. Now...mind you this might be a touchy subject but...if you had killed yourself then I would have to take another family member as heir. And you know this because you said it in your note, to claim your cousin as my heir." Stoick said.
"Yeah because you're the chief and he's family but then the heir wouldn't be Haddock, it'd be Jorgenson right? So the bloodline would change." Hiccup stated.
"Correct. But since you're...well alive." Stoick said as Hiccup rolled his eyes, "Sorry. The way it would work would be thus, as you know yes marriage contracts can't be started until yer 17 since give or take with negotiations, bride price, dates, and more can take months to comb through and agree upon. Now women usually aren't aware of the contracts, but these days we like to let the kids decide who they want to marry. But after negotiations are settled, the male does have to propose before the next steps are taken. Then the engagement and date would be announced a feast to celebrate the negotiation agreement, and engagement. Then the planning usually takes anywhere from a month to four depending on the families agreements and what the soon to be married couple wants." Stoick smiled.
"Doesn't seem so hard." Hiccup shrugged.
"Ah but its not so simple for you see...if the heir becomes chief and doesn't take a wife in the first 6 months of his chiefhood then an arranged marriage has to be set up because obviously whoever is chief has to give a blood heir to the in arranged marriages we go down the power line with possible brides. So given Haddock's are at the top, next would be Jorgenson but since that house has no daughters, it'd be Hofferson. If that fell through, it'd fall to the nest house with a daughter your age. For you it'd be between Astrid and Ruffnut, whatever the families agreed on to bride price. I know it seem off giving your child to the highest bidder but the bride price becomes the dowry for that family. Well now it becomes the means for your wife and child to live off of if you were to pass away unexpectedly. Insurance to ensure their survival." Stoick said, Hiccup nodded understanding thought he didn't feel he'd have a problem there.
"So why 17 for contracts?" Hiccup asked curiously.
"Not sure, that was agreed upon by the council long before I was chief and unfortunately it can't be changed. I assume they thought 17 was just a good age to marry." Stoick shrugged.
"So there'd...be no way to marry under 17?" Hiccup asked, "Like even if two people knew they loved one another and wanted to be together?" Hiccup added.
"Well there are...loopholes. You see son, back in the day contracts were set up with families who had daughters, who were pure as in untouched with their maiden heads in tact. This was to ensure that the woman...had no children who weren't of the bloodline to the one who was chief. A long time ago, a chief and his wife were required to consummate their marriage in front of the entire village. Well those over 18 at least and the wedding was set for a time in a women's cycle when she would be fertile as so to conceive the next heir right away. And it was done publically so no one could say the woman...slept around and conceived a child who would not be the blood heir." Stoick explained.
"Wait wait...you mean to tell me that way back them the chief or soon to be chief and his wife would have to...do that in front of the village to make sure she conceived a kid by him?" Hiccup asked a little astounded.
"Yup, that was the way of it." Stoick said. Hiccup paled a little, "Oh son you're worried you'd have to do the same. No, that was a long time ago. We don't do that anymore, it was changed about 150 years ago. Now its merely 6 witnesses follow the couple to the house to watch the viewing of the kransen and sword removal then guards are posted outside the home of the couple for the first night." Stoick laughed a little.
"Okay good...whew...so why did a child have to be conceived on the first night of marriage, I mean some people don't want kids right away." Hiccup asked.
"Well it was part of the contract process, before one could begin...the maiden in question would have to be examined for her purity and health. If the woman was un-pure, the bride price could be negotiated down by the groom's parents or the entire contract would fall through. Her health is examined to ensure she can bare a child for her husband, a barren wife would mean no heir. As you know, an heir must be given. Long before, examinations weren't required. But now they are because if a woman is barren, there cannot be an heir between the couple. So if a woman could not bare an heir, there were some cases where the marriage would be dissolved and a woman suitable of baring a child was found, and another marriage would take place. But now, the examinations are in place so there isn't a need to worry if an heir can be given or not. Contracts can only start once the examination is complete." Stoick sat back a little.
"So in my case back in the day, Astrid and I couldn't get married if she couldn't bare a child?" Hiccup asked. Stoick nodded, "And the exam is to make sure she can have kids, and is still a virgin?" Hiccup blinked a few times.
"The exam is necessary so that the chief or soon to be chief is able to have an heir by his wife without worry that she may be barren. If the wife of the chief cannot bare him an heir, the marriage is dissolved completely. This would mean that this woman gave up her purity and can lessen her chances of ever finding a husband because most men want a woman who is untouched by another. The exam prevents this from happening." Stoick smiled.
The was a little relieving to hear, "So what were those loopholes about marrying under 17?" Hiccup asked now.
"It's a vague loophole son and not often used since among the tribe...its rather frowned upon to have premarital sex. However, we understand that sometimes lust takes over and the curiosity of teenagers plays a part. When a young girl in the tribe hits 13, you're aware she begins drinking the snowflake tea. A form of birth control so that if these things do happen, there won't be any pregnancies. The loophole of marrying under 17 but not before 14 is that if a man impregnates a woman then the woman and the child are his responsibility. The would be parents are allowed to marry under age if both parents of the teens agree. Its...a marriage of convenience. They don't have to marry but the man is require to support the woman and child until the child is 18." Stoick explained.
"So it...goes without saying that the heir of the chief definitely shouldn't be engaging in any...curious behavior?" Hiccup asked calmly.
"Of course son. If the soon to be chief slept with another woman and got her pregnant, he'd have to marry her because that would be his heir." Stoick told him firmly.
"Right, got it. I'll behave dad, no worries." Hiccup smiled. Toothless snorted and then gave a throaty chuckle, "Shut it, Toothless..." Hiccup warned.
"That's my boy, well young man now." Stoick said getting up to pat him on the back. "Oh before I forget son. I was doing some thinking and...I want you to join dragon training with the other teens." Stoick added smiling brightly.
"Dad...I think we've already established that I...don't want to fight dragons." Hiccup retorted.
"No no son. You misunderstand, I want you to train dragons there. Actually dragon training, I want you in charge and teaching the others how to train them. I think the only way that will happen is if we're taught by the best. I want you to bring in a new era to Berk, Hiccup. I want you to be the one to lead our people in to the future...starting by ending the war with dragons and living in peace among them." Stoick beamed.
Hiccup's eyes widened now, his father wanted him to...train dragons. To teach the other teens how to train dragons? He wanted peace with them! And he was...trusting him with that responsibility? "Ar–are you sure dad?...You're not..afraid of me...destroying the village or nothing?" Hiccup asked.
"No, I'm not. All those things you did are in the past and they have shaped you in to the young man you are today. You're different, Hiccup and I accept that fully. I trust you." Stoick replied with a nod. "Besides, you're actin chief while I'm away." Stoick added. Hiccup's smile dropped hearing that. 'Fuck!' He had forgotten his father was leaving to find the nest. He needed an excuse to keep him there and quickly. Then it hit him.
"Hold on dad, if you want me to take over dragon training...I have...a condition to doing it..." Hiccup lied quick.
"Oh, what's that son?" Stoick asked arching a brow.
"I want...you to join the class too." Hiccup told him. Stoick blinked a few times now, "Yep, th–that's my...stipulation. Yo–you have to come too. You're the chief so you have to learn how to train dragons too...y–you know...lead by example?" Hiccup suggested.
"Alright...I can put my search for the nest off until a later date if it means I get some...bonding time with my boy and...learn how to train a dragon." Stoick agreed. Hiccup let out a breath he'd been holding in since he made the offer, which was more like an order but meant in a good way. He was only trying to protect him, and the whole tribe from a massive dragon queen who would tear them the shreds.
"Great! We start in the morning then. Be at the ring with the others after your patrol. I'll take care of the rest. I'll do small groups so just you, Astrid, Snotlout, Fishlegs, and the twins for now. Then we can branch off and...start teaching the others." Hiccup smiled.
"You got it." Stoick agreed. Hiccup was relieved, he hadn't stopped his dad but he postponed him which meant now he had to take the time he had to figure out a way to defeat the queen. Easier said than done. He'd think of something, for now dragon training would have to be the distraction. He only prayed to Odin nothing went wrong between now and the day he figured out how to handle that queen. How do you defeat something the size of a literal mountain who controlled smaller dragons? With a carefully laid plan of course.