It had been 4 hours since Sylvi returned after flying on Nightstar for the first time, she returned scared and only saying there was a huge problem before blacking out in Hiccup's arms. Nightstar crooned with worry for her rider, Toothless tried to comfort Nightstar with a wing over her. Hiccup took Sylvi right to Gothi's hut so she could rest and be checked over. Hiccup had no idea what happened, she'd been flying that whole time and came back that scared? Something big had to of happened because it too a lot to rattle Sylvi that much. She looked terrified, horrified almost and that worried Hiccup to no end. He hadn't left her side, he was sitting in a chair by the bedside holding her hand. Snotlout went to try and calm everyone down who had seen the whole scene and wanted to know what was going on. Hiccup's mother came by once to check on him and Sylvi but Hiccup ignored her, he was still pissed about earlier.
Ryker and Viggo were posted outside Gothi's hut to keep everyone out at Hiccup's request and Snotlout didn't have a problem with this. Hiccup wanted to know what happened! Was she hurt, what did she see?...Hiccup sighed closing his eyes. He just wanted her to wake up and tell him what the hell happened. Finally, he heard a soft groan. His eyes shot open and he saw Sylvi moving her head a bit and eyes fighting to open. "Syl?!..." Hiccup said quickly sitting closer by leaning.
"Hic...cup?" Sylvi asked with a raspy voice, it was weak and sounded tired.
"I'm here...Its me babe..." Hiccup said softly kissing the back of her hand, Sylvi's eyes opened lightly and looked over at him. "Are you alright?" Hiccup asked.
"I-I think...so...What happened, where...am I?" Sylvi looked around not recognizing the hut they were in.
"We're in...Gothi's hut. She's the elder and healer of Berk...You...passed out in my arms 4 hours ago..." Hiccup reminded slowly, he didn't want to push her too much. Sylvi groaned sitting up slowly with a hand to her head, there was a knock on the door, Hiccup looked towards it as Viggo opened the door slightly.
"My deepest apologies for intruding chief but the future chief of Berk is requesting entrance...Shall I allow him inside?" Viggo asked softly.
"You can let him in, Viggo. Thank you." Hiccup replied with a single nod. Viggo looked to Sylvi and bowed his head to both of them before shutting the door and then Snotlout came in slow.
"How is she?" Snotlout asked.
"She just woke up a few minutes ago..." Hiccup replied as he got a cup of water for her to drink since her throat was clearly dry. "Take it easy babe..." Hiccup told her as he took the cup from her and set it down on the bedside table.
"She say anything about what happened?" Snotlout questioned. Hiccup shook his head to him and looked back to Sylvi.
"Syl...What's the last thing you remember before blacking out?" Hiccup asked her now. Sylvi sat there a moment trying to remember.
"I...woke up in the guest room of Snotlout's house...I was thinking about how I...bonded with Nightstar and that...it wasn't fair for me to not fly her just because Rosethorn...was gone...And I told myself that I had to at least try...So I...snuck out the window and went to her in the stable behind the house...I told her we could go flying...I took Toothless's saddle and got it on her then we...took off. We...flew a while before...getting stuck in a raid that was hauling...in their kill. We were...going...West of Berk...Nightstar got distracted by something, she...wouldn't listen to me and followed the dragons to..." Sylvi stopped as her eyes widened and she grabbed Hiccup's tunic shirt tightly with worried eyes.
"What...what is it, what happened?!" Hiccup asked quickly.
"Oh Gods...Hiccup...Nest...I found...Its massive, that thing...eats...other dragons...they are being...controlled..." Sylvi said all at once panting hard.
"Hey, hey...Syl...You need to slow down. And tell me what you saw..." Hiccup told her gently. Sylvi's eyes turned sad now as she looked down a minute taking a breath then back to Hiccup.
"Nightstar and I...found the dragons nest, Hiccup." She said as calmly as she could. Hiccup's eyes widened now as he held her arms carefully.
"Sylvi, are you absolutely sure you found it?" Hiccup asked.
She nodded a few times looking down. "All the dragons were going there, from all directions. They were hauling in the kill to some...island with a volcano. There are...thousands of dragons there. Nightstar was pulled towards it...We flew inside with the other dragons and landed on a ledge that overlooked the bottom of the volcano...A dragon, a Gronckle I think...came in and dropped a single fish. Then...that...thing came up from the bottom and ate the Gronckle in one bite...Hiccup...its massive and all the dragons are afraid of it...They...are controlled by it. All the food that was taken from neighboring village...They all drop it down the volcano for the big dragon, they raid...for that dragon. It nearly got Nightstar and I but thankfully, Nightstar heard my pleas and she snapped from that dragons control and got us out safely...I've...never been more terrified in my life." Sylvi closed her eyes whimpering a bit.
Hiccup held her close. "How far is the island from Berk?" Snotlout asked.
"About an hour flight, maybe 3 hours by boat...The island is shrouded in fog and ash..." Sylvi replied softly.
"I should tell Stoick about this...He's been looking for that nest for years to end the raids..." Snotlout said.
"Snotlout, I barely made it out alive...I had Nightstar, a Night Fury. Fastest dragon known to man...Human on foot...stand no chance. He'll condemn anyone who goes to death...This thing...it lives in the carona of the volcano and its huge..." Sylvi said worried.
"I said I should tell him...Not that I would. I see how much it scared you, someone who works with dragons all the time. If it scared you...I know its dangerous and a suicide mission..." Snotlout put his hand to his chin now thinking.
"What are you thinking, Snotlout?" Hiccup asked.
"I'm not going to tell Stoick about the nest. He'll postpone my ceremony to take charge on this...What was said in here, doesn't leave here. Chief Hiccup...After the celebrations tomorrow...I think you and I should go and take a risk assessment of this nest and figure out what to do about it. If that thing really is commanding the raids...Then we need a plan to stop it. None of this gets mentioned to Stoick, or anyone for that matter. It stayed between us 3. If anyone asks what happened to your wife...I will tell them that she just got scared flying on Nightstar for the first time...Not used to the speed or whatever..." Snotlout says.
"You're right. Stoick wouldn't pass up a chance to go to the nest...Alright, Snotlout. I'll agree to these terms...And Sylvi...You will be staying here. Snotlout and I will go alone. I won't risk any dragons getting pulled by this things control...Toothless is the alpha, all dragons have to listen to him." Hiccup stated. Sylvi didn't argue, she just nodded leaning on him. "We'll go the morning after tomorrow...As soon as the sunrises. You can ride on Toothless with me."
"Agreed." Snotlout said. Their idea set, Sylvi felt better and they all left. Hiccup and Sylvi ate dinner at Snotlout's house with him and Hiccup's two guards. The night ended with everyone wondering what was going on, why Snotlout and Hiccup were so buddy buddy lately.
(The Next Afternoon)
Thought Snotlout, Sylvi, and Hiccup knew the truth about the dragons nest location, they acted fine. Today, Snotlout became chief of Berk and tomorrow he and Hiccup would be going to the nest themselves to see how bad this really was. Hiccup was sitting with Sylvi, and Fishlegs near Gobber, Astrid, and the twins. Viggo and Ryker were on either side of Hiccup and Sylvi for their protection. Valka was sitting a row behind as Stoick, Gothi, and Spitelout were standing at the end of the isle ready for the ceremony. The doors opened as Snotlout stood there wearing his normal attire, only his belt had the Berk crest and his wore a long black fur cloak like his father did. Like Hiccup had done 6 years ago, Snotlout had a sword at his side and a shield over his back. He actually looked like a chief.
Snotlout walked the length of the isle silently approaching Stoick, his father, and Gothi. "State your name son." Spitelout told him calmly.
"Snotlout Jorgenson. Nephew and heir to chief Stoick Haddock, son of second in command, Spitelout Jorgenson and Thyra Jorgenson." Snotlout said formally.
"Do you swear to protect this island of Berk and the members of the Hairy Hooligan tribe who reside here even at the cost of your own life. Do you hereby swear to put your people before yourself, and lead them to peace and prosperity?" Stoick asked him.
"I hereby swear to put my people before myself, and lead them into peace and prosperity as I protect them and the island of Berk." Snotlout said firmly with his right hand over his heart.
"Please kneel..." Stoick said as he stepped back and Gothi drew the symbol of chief on his forehead then stepped back after giving a smile. "Having sworn to the duties of chiefdom, it is with great pleasure I name you, Snotlout the Hammer Jorgenson. Chief to the Hairy Hooligan tribe and island of Berk!" Stoick announced as he placed Snotlout's helmet on his head smiling. "Face your people." Snotlout stood and turned to face everyone. Astrid, Fishlegs, and the Twins clapped cheering for him as Hiccup and Sylvi just clapped smiling along with the rest of the room. Not long after the party began and it was nothing but smiles.
(An Hour Later)
Hiccup and Sylvi were enjoying the dancing with some of the others, Snotlout was dancing with shockingly enough Ruffnut. Astrid was talking with Fishlegs and Tuffnut was just watching. Stoick sat with Valka talking among themselves. After the dance ended, Snotlout remained on the floor to give an announcement only no one would calm down. "Uh...Hiccup...Can I borrow Toothless to make them be quiet?" Snotlout asked him. Hiccup got up and went to the door letting Toothless in quickly.
"Do it bud." Hiccup said. Toothless let out a roar that made the room hush.
"Thank you, chief Hiccup and Toothless...Now...I just have a few things to say. First off, thank you all for standing by me and letting me become chief. I know I've done some questionable things growing up but all that is behind me now. I stand ready to lead you all the best of my abilities...Secondly...this party is amazing. I'm glad everyone is having a good time...And lastly. Every good chief is nothing without a supportive loving woman standing behind him or so I've learned from chief Hiccup and his wife Sylvi." A few people chuckled as Hiccup kissed Sylvi lightly. "So...Its with great pleasure I announce that as of last week, negotiations for a marital contract closed between myself and another lucky lady in this room...In 3 months time, Berk will have a chieftess and I will have a wife and second in command and her name is Ruffnut Thorston."
Ruffnut smiled lightly as she came and stood beside Snotlout now, they shared a light kiss and every erupted in applause for them. "And we couldn't be happier!" Ruffnut leaned on him, she was a little taller but that didn't matter.
"Congratulations, Snotlout. Never thought I'd see the day you settle down." Hiccup said offering a handshake.
"Oh please, if anyone didn't see someone settling down it was all of us seeing you have a wife and 3 kids. And so young too." Snotlout laughed.
"Eh, true. I guess I was least likely to get married and have kids at 17. Well married at 16, have the girls at 17 and my son at 21 even though he was conceived when I was 20." Hiccup chuckled.
"And you ended up being the first one of all of us." Tuffnut said joining in now.
"What can I say?" Hiccup shrugged smiling, "She couldn't keep her hands off me." Sylvi blushed darkly at that.
"Oh yeah, maybe I should tell them about you always wanting me when you start drinking?" Sylvi shot back with a grin.
"And how you never say no to it because you prefer us making love over me getting wasted?" Hiccup challenged, Sylvi put a finger up to argue but then she just closed her mouth grumbling. "That's what I thought, you can't challenge me babe. I know you better than I know myself." Hiccup kissed her cheek and she just leaned against him holding his hand with a blush.
"Hiccup...we...were wondering if...You gave any thought to..." Astrid trailed off a bit nervously.
"If I considered allowing you on Fury Isle to become members of the Dragon Rider tribe and become dragon riders yourselves?" Hiccup asked. As they nodded. "I have considered it, however when you sent me that letter I wasn't aware of Ruffnut and Snotlout being under contract for marriage. Like Snotlout, Ruffnut has to remain on Berk. But...If you two...Astrid and Tuffnut would still like to become members of my tribe and dragon riders...Then you may return to Fury Isle when I return there in a few days. Snotlout and I will be discussing a possible treaty between our tribes tomorrow, and then roughly two days later, I leave with my wife, Fishlegs, and guards. You have 3 days to make the decision." Hiccup stated firmly.
"I already made my choice..." Astrid said now, "I want to return to Fury Isle and become a dragon rider, a member of your tribe."
"You will ride with Ryker then. Make sure your things are packed, only what you need. We don't need to make it heavy for the dragons." Hiccup nodded.
"Of course, thank you." Astrid bowed her head.
"I-I don't know. I've...never done anything without my sis..." Tuffnut looked down now. Ruffnut put her hand on his shoulder as he looked at her.
"Its okay bro...Go on. We couldn't be together forever. I'll be marrying Snotlout in 3 months and moving in with him..." Ruffnut said softly.
"But...at least we'd both be on Berk...If I leave...then I'm a 4 day flight from you, or a 6 day sail..." Tuffnut sighed. Sylvi looked sadly at Hiccup now and he understood without talking to her what she was suggesting, he sighed now facing Snotlout firmly.
"You told me in your letter, Snotlout...that you wanted Berk to be like Fury Isle. Where humans and dragons have peace, live in peace...Did you mean what you said about wanting change, and working with me to spread the the peace?" Hiccup asked.
"I meant every word, chief Hiccup." Snotlout nodded to him.
"Then I will teach you how to train and ride a dragon before I leave." Hiccup said. "As well you, Ruffnut and Tuffnut."
"Y-You're...being serious? You said...it took months to a year!" Snotlout exclaimed.
"And that hasn't changed. But my mother knows the same as I do. I will get you through bonding and riding, my mother will teach you the rest. But if you slack off on training at all...I will break the treaty and take the dragons with me. I have never, ever let this information be anywhere but my island. I am trusting you not to screw me over because it will be the last thing you ever do. Is that clear?" Hiccup said.
"Crystal! Thank you, Hiccup." Tuffnut said happily as he hugged his sister.
"You're welcome to come with me back to Fury Isle or stay here on Berk, Astrid." Hiccup said.
"I still want to go with you and become a member of your tribe." Astrid nodded.
"Very well then. Snotlout, I will start this with you tomorrow after our...meeting." Hiccup stated.
"Understood." Snotlout nodded knowing what he meant. The rest of the night was calm, easy going. Wedding details for Snotlout and Ruffnut, and other such things about Snotlout being chief and what he had planned for the island's future while he was chief. Hiccup and Snotlout drank a little, not enough to get hammered just a buzz to relax with all the seriousness. Sylvi and Ruffnut were less than pleased as they sat together watching their men laugh it up drink, the two females only shook their heads. Around 1am, everyone was leaving the hall and going to bed. Hiccup and Snotlout crashed right away on their beds, they were going to have a busy, early morning going to the nest.
(Dawn; Next Morning)
Both of them had headaches from the drinking, not that it had been a lot but still enough that they didn't want to wake up before the sun did. Groaning they met downstairs in the main area, Hiccup knocked on Ryker and Viggo's room as Ryker came out. "Morning chief."
"Morning, chief Snotlout and I are heading out for patrol...We'll be back in 2-3 hours. Keep an eye on Sylvi...And tell her no flying Nightstar until I get back." Hiccup said firmly.
"Yes sir." Ryker replied with a nod. Hiccup and Snotlout left the house and went outside quietly, Hiccup got Toothless's gear on fast and got on his back then helped Snotlout up behind him.
"Alright Toothless, silent take off bud. We're headed West to a volcano island." Hiccup rubbed his head, Toothless nodded and launched into the sky taking them West of Berk. After 20 minutes of flying, Snotlout sighed. "Nervous?" Hiccup asked.
"Odin yes!" Snotlout said. Hiccup chuckled, "Its not funny..."
"It is actually. I did the same thing when I became chief, I actually got up just like this morning...With a headache from drinking the night before and I was nervous as hell flying on Toothless. I told you before, you can't please them all...but they will follow you because you will protect them. They know that given how you saved them from a raid by asking for my help. You knew if you didn't, people and dragons would be hurt. They know you can handle tough situations. Work with them, not above or below them. Tribes are groups of people relying on one another. Rely on them to do their jobs and they will rely on you to guide and protect them." Hiccup smiled.
"You make it sound easy...Stoick didn't even think I could be chief until we found you or...you found us..." Snotlout sighed.
"And he didn't think I could be chief either and look at me 6 years later. I proved him wrong and he admitted to that when he told you to train with me. Snotlout, chiefing isn't mean to be easy. You saw I had to break up that fight on Fury Isle, I hate being that guy but it had to be done and now they understand the damage it could of caused and their punishment will teach them to act like members of a tribe, to work together. It is hard, time consuming, frustrating, and stressful to be chief but...I promise you that as tired as you will be at the end of the day, when you see them all in the hall eating dinner together, laughing and having a good time. It will be worth it to know that you are chief and they are happy with how things are. It will be worth it to know that those are your people and they made it through that day because you were there for them. And it helps to overcome that stress when you're wife is there beside you, or when you see your children's faces...ya know when you have them. What I'm saying is...You can't be chief without a tribe to follow you and there can be no tribe without a chief to lead them. But most of all, you need both chief and tribe as one to make it work as one. It will always be worth it no matter what. To know you are chief and this village and island run smooth and happy because of you being there for them." Hiccup said calmly.
"Thanks Hiccup..." Snotlout said.
"Hey, we're cousins and chiefs. This is what an alliance is where we help one another out. You'll get the hang of it and I'll offer advice where I can." Hiccup said. Another 30 minutes later and they were flying through thick fog, Hiccup reached his hand out and caught some of the ash. "We're close...The temperature is rising, and the cloudy fog and ash...Sounds like the place Syl described." Hiccup said.
"Lets just get in, see what we're dealing with and get out..." Snotlout told him.
"For once, I agree with that plan 100%." Hiccup nodded, they continued flying until it came into view, the volcano first with the lava light appearing through cracks then the island itself. "Alright Toothless...Get us in there..." Hiccup said, Toothless looked around and found an entrance for them to fly into. Toothless weaved in and out of the caves and spiked until they hit the middle of the volcano, he growled a bit. "Easy bud..." Hiccup rubbed his head.
"I don't see anything..." Snotlout remarked. Hiccup picked up a rock in his hand and tossed it in the hole, they never heard it hit bottom. Instead they heard a loud roar and saw the other dragons laying in there get up and cower in fear, Hiccup looked and saw a massive head rise from the glowing hole. Both his and Snotlout's eyes widened as it sniffed around, they took notice of it's 3 pairs of eyes, massive head and what little body they could see. "Oh my Gods..."
"Toothless, get us out of here..." Hiccup told his friend. Toothless snarled at the dragon and gave off the blue glow but it didn't make a difference, the dragon made a snap for them. "Now bud!" Hiccup yelled, Toothless took off, following the rest of the dragons out. Looking back, they saw the dragon rise higher and snatch a zippleback that was right behind them and get eaten. Toothless escaped through the top as they both panted heavily flying back East towards Berk.
"What the hell was that thing!" Snotlout said quickly.
"That must be the massive dragon that controls the smaller ones to raid to bring it food...It...works like a beehive. That dragon is the queen and the smaller dragons are the workers. They bring it food or she kills them...That's why Viking villages get raided...Because they don't have a choice. My island is farther than normal...Explains why the dragons on Fury Isle aren't affected by that things control..." Hiccup replied.
"What do we do...?" Snotlout asked him.
"I-I don't know. Toothless is the alpha but that didn't matter to that thing...Wait...something mom told me...Every nest has its queen...but there is only one alpha and he...is the king of all dragons. She must be the queen to that nest, and is disobeying Toothless...Oh man this is worse than I thought..." Hiccup raked his hands through his hair. The rest of the ride back to Berk was silent, Hiccup not knowing what to do. When they landed, everyone was up and gathered wondering where their new chief was. Hiccup landed and they got off.
"Snotlout! First day as chief and you're nowhere to be found!" Stoick's voice boomed.
"SHUT UP!" Snotlout and Hiccup yelled at him making Stoick close his mouth.
"I was with Hiccup, we were looking into something...I'm doing my job and keeping the village safe. I'm the chief now, you can't tell me what to do..." Snotlout stated. He faced Hiccup seriously, "And as chief...I know when I can't handle something. Hiccup, what we found...I can't handle that...You know dragons better than anyone else here...So I leave this in your hands." Snotlout said. "I want my village safe...And I can only do that...if I follow you. So I am choosing you to lead this. Whatever you want to do or how you want to take care of this...I will stand with you and do it."
"Then we're going to need to make a plan to take it on. And I think I might know how." Hiccup said.
"I'm all ears." Snotlout said, the two smiled at one another and shook hands now which left everyone confused as hell as to what was going on. But neither Snotlout or Hiccup would say what was going on, they knew something big but being Snotlout was chief so they couldn't fight him on his decision to let Hiccup handle whatever this situation was. If Snotlout felt that Hiccup was the one to handle it, then they had to agree and do what he said.
"Hiccup..." Sylvi said. Hiccup looked at her now. "You found it...Didn't you?" Hiccup nodded. "What do you plan to do?"
"Something stupid..." Hiccup shrugged with a half smile.
"Going there was something stupid, so you've already done that..." Sylvi replied.
Now Hiccup grinned, "Then something crazy." Oh that just instilled confidence in everyone but Sylvi only laughed and nodded.