The week went by so fast and it was incredibly hard to hide Astrid's surprise party from her. On top of that, Hiccup had to run the village and make Astrid's ring for her which was easier said than done. But here he was sitting in the forge working on the final touches for it, everything else was in place. His parents, her mother, Snotlout and the twins would be arriving any minute and Hiccup was going to greet them at the docks after he got the clear from Alvin that Astrid was distracted and on the opposite of the island with the kids, who were also in on it.
Hiccup took a deep breath, it was finally here. The day he'd propose to her, it'd been a long time coming but it was here. Hiccup looking over the ring he'd spent days working on. It was different than the one Cami had, this ring was golden with a basic pattern lining around it except the top which had 3 stones crafted to look like a heart. The stones were small and no color to them and on the inside like he did with all his work, there were his initials coupled with his. He'd done their bands too, but would wait for the wedding to reveal them.
He put the ring in a safe place under his chest armor as he looked at an anxiously awaiting Toothless by the forge opening, he chuckled. "Alright bud calm down, I know...it's a big day." He sighed happily, Toothless licked his face. "Ick...Toothless you know that doesn't wash out." He said running his friend's head. He looked around and saw Alvin who gave the all clear that Astrid was no where near the docks. Hiccup got on Toothless and clicked open his tail before they hurried to the docking area where he assumed they would be waiting.
(10 Minutes Later)
Upon arriving there sure enough they'd arrived on time on their dragons. Mom was riding Cloud Jumper with Stoick and Asta, Ruff and Tuff were on Barf and Belch, finally Snotlout on Hookfang. "Hey guys, welcome back to Dragons Edge." Hiccup greeted as they dismounted, offering a bow to his soon to be mother in law, "And welcome, Ms. Hofferson. This is your first time meeting my tribe." Hiccup smiled.
"I didn't believe Stoick and Valka when they told me about this place...My goodness its everything and more they told me to expect." Asta replied to him, Hiccup chuckled a bit. Funny thing was, none of them knew that this was more than just a birthday party, it was the day he was going to ask Astrid to be his wife and he had a feeling she'd be more than willing to accept such a task.
They'd been dating for 6 months but Hiccup was sure of himself that this was right, that and his kids had told him mainly Viggo and Runa that Camicazi had visited them in their dreams and told them to tell their father that he was making the right choice and she was happy he was happy. That was all he needed to know, he'd put his original band and her rings back in the jar by the beach. He still went once a week or so, and he'd still go every year on her anniversary and Snoggletog for her memorial. Astrid didn't mind this one bit, they'd already talked about it.
"So lets get you guys settled in, you're staying a few days right?" Hiccup asked them.
"We are. We'll be staying in my old place." Valka stated motioning to her, Stoick, and Asta.
"We'll take the inn cuz." Snotlout nodded to him.
"Alright lets go then." Hiccup smiled as he led them to the inn, he knew his mother could find her old place on their own. After another 5 or so minutes they'd reached the inn and Snotlout along with the twins got settled in their rooms.
"Its good to see you again, Hiccup. How's things been?" Snotlout asked him offering a handshake.
"Real good actually. How's chief training?" Hiccup asked back shaking his cousin's hand with a smile.
"Hard. You're lucky you got out of it...I hope your dad doesn't retire anytime soon." Snotlout chuckled.
"Chiefing is easy, Snotlout. Tell you what, you're here for a few days so why not tag along with me those days and I'll show you how easy it can be." Hiccup offered to him.
"You'd do that for me?" Snotlout asked blinking a few times.
"Why would you even ask that? Yes I would. You're family, Snotlout and heir of Berk. Not gonna throw you to the wolves so to speak. How long you planning to stay?" Hiccup questioned.
"I think your dad said a week so 7 days." Tuffnut jumped in now.
"Perfect. Yeah, tag along with me for the next 6 days. If anyone can help you its me. I jumped in to being chief with no training at 16...and this is the outcome of it all." Hiccup smiled to him.
"Thanks, Hiccup and yeah. I will, you make it look a lot easier. Everyone does what you say without question...I guess the biggest thing I'm nervous about is messing up and having everyone hate me." Snotlout sighed a bit.
"Believe it or not, Snotlout...I might be the chief but...well I wouldn't be without them. They rely on me to lead them, to make the hard choices. And I rely on them to trust me. In the beginning, I messed a lot of things up...but they trusted me to make it right and I did. You won't be perfect, no one is. You have to be able to listen and make the choice that benefits everyone. To be able to lead people to success, to protect them no matter what. That's what being chief is all about." Hiccup said putting his hand on Snotlout's shoulder comfortingly.
"Thanks...makes me feel better. So when's this party?" Snotlout asked.
"Tonight at dinner. Astrid has no idea so you guys gotta stay hidden for another 2 hours, I've been planning this for months...She's busy with the kids right now collecting shells on the beach." Hiccup chuckled.
"Aye aye sir. We'll stay here in the inn." Ruffnut said calmly.
"Good, I'm gonna go check on mom and the others. See you guys there, I'll come get you when its time because I want everyone in there before she arrives." Hiccup smiled, they nodded as he headed out and to his mom's old place.
(15 Minutes Later)
Hiccup reached his mom's and knocked on the door, Stoick answered it with a smile. "Hey son." He greeted letting Hiccup in, then once the door was shut he hugged him.
"Hey dad. Where's mom and Asta?" Hiccup asked looking around.
"Right here son." Valka told him coming down the stairs with Asta, "I was showing Astrid's mother around. What brings you by?" Valka asked him.
"Making sure you're settled is all. I still got some things to do before the party but I take care of my guests first." Hiccup replied calmly.
"Ah good man." Stoick chuckled.
"Ms. Hofferson...Could I speak with you a moment?" Hiccup asked Astrid's mother.
"Of course you can, and please. Call me, Asta." The woman said happily, Hiccup nodded as he led her towards the other side of the room.
"I know this is not done this way however...given the circumstances of everything, I feel I should ask you first. I love Astrid, with my everything. She's an amazing woman, smart, beautiful, loyal, caring, and kind. My children adore her as much as I do and nothing would make me happier than having her as my wife. I suppose I'm coming to ask for your blessing in doing just that today." Hiccup said as calmly as he could manage, he was nervous to say the least.
"Oh dear...of course you have my blessing. You make my daughter happy, and I find there will be no one better than you to take care of her." Asta said gently.
"Thank you." Hiccup smiled, Asta nodded as they returned towards Stoick and Valka now. "Alright, I got things to finish up. I'll come get you when its time." Hiccup said with a nod as he then left the house on Toothless.
"What was...that all about?" Stoick asked looking at Asta now.
"You're gaining a daughter, and I'm gaining a son..." Asta giggled a little bit. Stoick and Valka's eyes widened, that meant Hiccup was proposing to Astrid today! They hugged one another tightly dancing around but making sure to keep quiet, they knew it was obviously a secret and part of the surprise party. It was exciting. The next place Hiccup went to was back to the forge to get Astrid's ax which he had sharpened and reinforced to be stronger, but lighter. It was part of his gift to her besides the ring to throw her off on what he was actually going to do.
After inspecting the work his men did, he nodded with approval. "Oh chief, before you go. We've been working on a new leg for you. Want to give it a test run?" Said one of his men to him.
"New leg? Oh yeah, keep forgetting one of them is metal. Got so used to it, sure. I'll test for ya, where is it?" Hiccup asked, the man rushed to the back and pulled it out as Hiccup sat down so it could be put on. "Wow guys, I think you might of outdone yourselves." Hiccup stated looking it over.
"Its been completely modified chief, as is Toothless's tail rig. We'll show you what we've worked on, call it an early birthday present from us at the forge to you." Said Balder with a chuckle as he took off Hiccup's old leg and attached the new one. "It does have a few gears in it and slots for the ends to rotate while being swapped. This new leg is able to change ends when turned, with one end designed for when you are flying with Toothless and the other used for when you are walking, able to switch between the two settings with ease. The third part is like a blade with teeth for ice." Balder explained as he showed Hiccup how the legs switched out with a simple twist.
Hiccup understood now, leaving it center was the basic leg to walk on and turning left from center was a long piece with a small circular nick in it, he assumed was the piece for Toothless's tail not that he knew how it came in to place. Now turning it right twice he saw the third piece the one he could use on ice. "Nice work guys, its incredible and comfortable too. So you said you made Toothless a new rig?" Hiccup asked.
"Yes sir, well everything is standard, we added a few modifications such as the piece to match your leg. Mind calling him in?" Balder asked.
"Toothless, come here bud." Hiccup whistled, his dragon bounded in happily. Hiccup smiled as Toothless sat down smiling a wide gummy smile to him. Balder brought out the pieces and laid them out as Hiccup looked over them he tried to figure out what they did. Toothless's original design created on Berk before they were cast out was the tail fin itself is a simple leather fan that is connected the tip of the tail with a harness, and is controlled by a series of cables. The cables are powered by pulleys that lead to a stirrup on the left side of the saddle. By manipulating the stirrup, Hiccup could open and close the fan, depending on how fast or slow he needs Toothless to fly.
It was a complex set up and took many tries on Berk before getting it right. Hiccup recalled the failed expieriments but in the end he got something that worked. The tail has a large leather saddle pad running down a part Toothless's back. This pad is clipped to two loops of curved metal that runs down and around Toothless's shoulders and front legs in order to keep it attached, secured with wide leather straps. Four lengths of cable made from ropes, two running down each side, allowed Hiccup to adjust the prosthetic tail fin with control stirrups for his feet on either side of the saddle. Unfortunately, the tail was significantly damaged during the battle with the Red Death.
When Hiccup woke back on Dragons Edge, both pieces of equipment meaning Toothless's tail and Hiccup's metal foot have been remade by Balder, his head forger, with the left stirrup is replaced with a metal one that locks Hiccup's new metal foot perfectly into place, yet still allows him to control the fin. The new tail fin is red, and has a painting of a white skull on it. And now Hiccup was seeing what new pieces Balder had created to work with the new leg. Once Balder got everything in place, he stepped back and smiled triumphantly.
"The right pedal will still allow you to control the tails position and the left now was created to fit your new leg. This nick here connects to this and when you push it forward it will open his tail up and this lever here will lock it in place so he can glide or dive without a problem, or without you on his back. However he will be unable to turn on his own and you are still needed chief. The saddle is made longer so you can lay on him to allow more speed by being streamlined with his body, there are the hooks for your belt, and handles to hold on to when lying along him." Balder said proudly.
"This is incredible guys. I've been meaning to redo his tail...Thanks, you saved me hours of work." Hiccup smiled at them.
"Our pleasure chief. You do a lot for us, it's the least we can do. So test it out today and let us know what you think." Said another forger worker from the side who was sharpening an ax.
"Will do, see you at the hall in an hour!" Hiccup called as he and Toothless walked outside and Hiccup climbed on his back. "Alright bud, lets give this a shot..." Hiccup told him, Toothless warbled in response as Hiccup changed the leg and put it in place. He took a minute to get used to the feeling, it wasn't hard. What was going to be hard was using the right pedal to adjust the tail positions instead of his left. "Alright, Toothless, nice and easy." Hiccup said to him, Toothless crooned as he spread his wings and darted in to the sky at top speed.
"Yeah baby! So much faster!" Hiccup cheered as Toothless did a few loops with him. "Alright bud, lets give the flight suit a try. It's the ultimate test now that you can glide on your own..." Hiccup said as Toothless groaned, his way of sighing heavily. "Toothless...it'll be fine." Hiccup chuckled as they flew towards the beach where Astrid was with the kids, he could see her sitting on a blanket while the kids collected shells and played in the sand. "Hey babe!" Hiccup called to her.
"Hi Hiccup! Aren't you supposed to be in the forge right now?" Astrid asked him waving with a smile.
"Testing out something the guys made me." Hiccup replied to her.
"Alright, lets see it then." Astrid giggled a bit as the kids sat with her to watch. Hiccup adjusted the tail as they flew up towards the sky but not super high, they leveled out as Hiccup took a breath. Moment of truth, he looked over at his new leg and pushed the piece forward, Toothless's tail whipped out. Hiccup then reached down and pulled the lever locking it in place. He sat up and let himself fall off Toothless in a dive straight down. Toothless roared and tucked his wings diving as well.
"Ut oh...daddy is gonna use the fly suit again." Runa mumbled.
"Fly suit?" Astrid asked.
"Mmhn, its why his armor has all those loops and attachments to it. The lad made it himself, it has a bunch of stuff on it. The flight suit is a suit that Hiccup created to glide without Toothless's company. It also has several other features incorporated into it. It includes a dagger, a compass, spare pages for his map, and his sword - Inferno - with spare cartridges of Monstrous Nightmare saliva and Hideous Zippleback gas. It never works though because he can't get the design right, and Toothless can't fly without him so usually they crash in to the water, every time." Alvin chuckled coming beside them to watch this play out.
"What exactly about that suit entails flying?" Astrid asked. They watched as Hiccup and Toothless span around in a circle in the air laughing and having fun.
"You'll see lass." Alvin added. Yes. The fly suit which had been made over several times in an attempt to get it right, a way to fly beside Toothless or in case they were separated. It never did any good since Toothless needed Hiccup to control his artificial tail but now that Hiccup could lock Toothless's tail to allow gliding, he could use his fly suit or at least test the latest version. It had been a work in progress for 2 years, that he did on his spare time which being chief he didn't really get a lot of.
"The Dragonfly One was the chief's first prototype of his flight suit. It consists of a complex set of gears fixed to two pairs of red wings. One pair is slightly larger than the other. There is the white logo of the skull that can also be found on Toothless' tailfin on a wing. He has to wear it over his back like a backpack. Dragonfly One has difficulty taking off and gliding in air. One has to wait until the wind is strong enough and some luck to glide properly. It failed numerous times and Toothless always saved him from falling and getting severely injured." Balder said walking over now.
"And The Dragonfly Two looks similar to Dragonfly One. However, that prototype is inspired by the webbed feet of a Speed Stinger. The Dragonfly Two was also red and has one large pair of wings. Hiccup has to strap them to his wrists and chain the other end to his ankles before jumping off Toothless. Dragonfly Two had improved significantly since the first prototype. Hiccup can glide further, faster, smoother and maneuver it well. He can change directions in the air, turn around, glide downwards and even flip his body in mid-air. Another modified version of Dragonfly Two was one that folds onto Hiccup's back and spreads all the way across instead of just his side." Alvin smiled as Astrid continued to listen to them. How had she missed all these attempted flight suits.
"But this suit is far more advanced, we've never seen it tested before which is why I've come to watch. At least over the water there be less chance of him getting hurt." Balder chuckled out. And this suddenly just made Astrid very nervous, and prayed he'd be alright.
'Oh Cami if you're listening...he's an idiot, I know if you were here you'd forbid this test...Please keep him safe...' Astrid said to Hiccup's former wife, hoping she was listening right now. They watched as Hiccup and Toothless neared the water, he reached down an grabbed the loops on his legs, pulling them as he spread his arms out allowing them to now see a pair of leather stitched, triangular wings that reached from his legs and across the length of his arms. Hiccup and Toothless swooped over and leveled out as Hiccup successfully glided a few inches in front of Toothless.
"Holy Thor, I can't believe it actually works!" Balder said with his mouth hanging open in shock.
"YEAH!" Hiccup cheered as he kept his body straight and pressed something on the right side of his chest, releasing a dorsal like fin from his back. When he started to lose altitude Toothless fired a blast under up which kept him up, a few more before Hiccup laughed riding the breeze. "This is amazing!" Hiccup called out before he started losing air again. "Ut oh. No longer amazing...Toothless! Its now or never!" Hiccup shouted to his friend. Toothless warbled as he dove under Hiccup and caught him which prompted Hiccup to unlock the tail and take control of it so they could glide back down to the beach together and land perfectly. "It worked! Yes!" Hiccup laughed throwing his fist in the air.
"I can't believe it worked." Alvin, Balder, and Astrid said together.
"Oh come on, just because dragonfly one and two failed doesn't mean this one would..." Hiccup mumbled to them.
"How did you manage to perfect it?" Alvin asked.
"Little bit of everything from the others. This suit...is the culmination of all the work I put into my flying harness. The wing suit incorporates the leather belt structure of my original harness. It is mostly made out of a quilted armor covered in segmented leather pieces, ensuring maximum maneuverability both in the air and on the ground. The suit has several integrated pieces that allows me to carry equipment without bags or other bulky accouterments: I keep a dagger on my left gauntlet. There are spare pages for my map located in the flap under my right gauntlet. A compass is mounted just behind the bracer on my right arm. It is protected by a metal cover to keep it from being damaged. Finally, my sword, Inferno, is mounted to a sheath on my right hip, where I can easily draw it with my left hand. And on my ankle straps have pouches on them that carry spare Nightmare saliva and Zippleback gas to refill the sword." Hiccup explained.
"Its...amazing, Hiccup. But why would you need a fly suit when you have him?" Astrid asked pointing to Toothless.
"Glad you asked! The primary purpose of my flight suit is to glide alongside Toothless and acts as a backup in case we get separated in the air or I fall off. The suit is activated by grasping the hoops on either side of my legs and pulling my wrists through them. When the hoops are pulled, leathery flaps come out of pouches along my sides. When I hold my arms out straight, the flaps are held tight and serve as gliding surfaces. I have a central fin along my back that serves as a stabilizer. The release mechanism is located on the right side of my chest: a coil that, when pushed, extends the fin." Hiccup explained showing all the pieces he was talking about.
"When in the air, I use my airspeed to glide, controlling the flow of air with the wing flaps. By lifting my arms, lowering them, and turning them different directions, I control my attitude. By putting my arms back to my sides, the flaps fold back and permit me to dive straight downward. After years of practicing on Toothless' back, I am able to keep my body in the optimum streamlined position to glide. But it has its limitations, just like Toothless's new tail pieces." Hiccup began.
"The flight suit does not permit me to fly, obviously; I have no force to increase lift. I merely use airspeed to maximize glide-out time. I can still use air currents to maneuver. This includes using columns of warm air to rise into the air. Toothless uses clever shots of his plasma to generate small explosions below and in front of my glide path, giving me slight increases in speed and altitude." Hiccup smiled. "I wanted to test it today because as I said, the purpose of it is to glide until I can join with Toothless again but like with the other prototypes it won't go forever so we wanted to make a way that I can glide long enough for him to get under and catch me. And after two years, we nailed it!" Hiccup said happily.
Astrid shook her head a little and kissed him. "Please no more dangerous moves on my birthday. I'd rather not spend it with you bed ridden." Astrid said. Hiccup kissed her back as they broke after a moment.
"I promise babe. So I think its lunch time, you want to walk with the kids while I go take care of something?" Hiccup asked her.
"My pleasure, meet you there." Astrid replied as Hiccup folded up his suit quickly and then got back on Toothless flying to the inn to get Snotlout and the twins, then after dropping them off at the hall he got his parents and Asta, he chose to walk with them there. The kids were purposely taking a longer time so he'd have time to get everyone inside. After 15 minutes, everyone was ready and Hiccup met Astrid outside the hall doors, the kids instantly rushed in as Astrid smiled softly.
"So, ready for lunch?" Hiccup asked her with a smile.
"Extremely. Shall we go inside?" Astrid asked. He nodded as he pushed open the doors and led her inside.
"SURPRISE! Happy Birthday, Astrid!" They room cheered out. Astrid's eyes widened in complete shock, her mouth dropping open. She saw everyone there, her friends, Hiccup's parents, and her mom! Astrid could of cried as she slowly faced Hiccup now.
"Happy Birthday babe." Hiccup smiled gently at her, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. Hiccup kissed her back as the room went 'Awe' together seeing the sight of them. Astrid couldn't believe it, Hiccup planned her a surprise party and invited their friends, and family to it too. It was amazing, and was sure to be the best birthday ever. Funny that she had no idea what else would be happening today.