Shout-outs:
Gabrielly790: Here you go. I'm so glad you like the story. Tell me what you think of Valka's reactions this time.
Enjoy, everyone!
Chapter 4
In the Great Hall everyone was gathered around the fireplace.
STOICK
„Either we finish them, or they'll finish us! It's the only way we'll be rid of them! If we find the nest and destroy it, the dragons will leave. They'll find another home! One more search. Before the ice sets in."
VIKING
„Those ships never come back."
STOICK
„We're Vikings! It's an occupational hazard! Now who's with me?"
The vikings try to shirk the journey in every way possible. Some are seen scratching their head, others recoil, some other just look around avoiding the gaze of their chief.
STOICK
„Alright. Those who stay will look after Hiccup."
That's how you made your people obey you? I shook my head in disbelieve. No wonder Hiccup tried to prove himself with all of his strength.
SPITELOUT
„I'm with you, Stoick!"
STOICK
„That's more like it."
The others leave the hall one after the other.
GOBBER
„Right, I'll pack my undies."
STOICK
„No, I need you to stay and train some new recruits."
So this aweful training at the arena was still happening at the time. I had been trained myself, like every other teens for generations. But I had never really fought the dragons, not even in self-defence.
GOBBER
„Oh, perfect. And while I'm busy, Hiccup can cover the stall. Molten steel, razor sharp blades, lots of time to himself... what could possibly go wrong?"
STOICK
„What am I going to do with him, Gobber?"
Care for him like an actual father and finally start listening to him?
GOBBER
„Put him in training with the others."
Worst idea ever.
STOICK
„No, I'm serious."
GOBBER
„So am I."
STOICK
„He'd be killed before you let the first dragon out of its cage."
GOBBER
„Oh, you don't know that."
STOICK
„I do know that, actually."
GOBBER
„No, you don't."
STOICK
„No, actually, I do."
GOBBER
„No, you don't!"
STOICK
„Listen, you know what he's like. From the time he could crawl he's been... different. He doesn't listen, he has the attention span of a sparrow... I take him fishing and he goes hunting for... for trolls!"
How could anyone possibly think that low of their own son? Maybe he hadn't been the son you wanted back then. But he was your son nonetheless.
GOBBER
„Trolls exist! They steal your socks. But only the left ones. What's with that?"
Gobber, being sarcastic as ever. I felt like smiling despite the serious situation.
STOICK
„When I was a boy..."
GOBBER
„Oh, here we go."
STOICK
„My father told me to bang my head against a rock, and I did it. I thought it was crazy, but I didn't question him. And you know what happened?"
GOBBER
„You got a headache."
STOICK
„That rock split in two. It taught me what a Viking could do, Gobber. He could- He could crush mountains, level forests, tame seas! Even as a boy, I knew what I was, what I had to become. Hiccup is not that boy."
Maybe that would change if you cared more for him …
GOBBER
„You can't stop him, Stoick. You can only prepare him. Look, I know it seems hopeless. But the truth is you won't always be around to protect him. He's going to get out there again. He's probably out there now."
I really like going deeper into Valka's character. Especially after seeing the third movie a few times. She cares so much for Hiccup, I love every interaction they have on screen.