Chapter 28: Ignorance

Snotlout woke up feeling great. The previous day had certainly been an adventure, and for once, it was not only Hiccup who benefited. Queen Mala had designated Snotlout worthy enough to be king. Sure, he may have been scared off by the trials, but it was still a pretty big deal.

Snotlout exited his hut to find Astrid standing there waiting for him, her arms crossed and a frown on her face. "We need to talk," she said.

"Are you here to confess your love for me?" Snotlout said. "I'm sorry, Astrid, but I'm already spoken for."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "You mean Mala? That's not love. She was obviously injured when she fought the dragon hunters. And I'm not talking about me, I'm talking about Eira."

Snotlout blinked. "I'm afraid I don't follow."

Astrid placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Do you have any idea what you put Eira through yesterday?"

This caught Snotlout off guard. If it had been anyone but Astrid making accusations, he may have given it more serious thought. As it was, he did not have the patience for her nonsense. "I didn't do anything to her. She did seem to be in a bad mood, but everyone has those days. If she had a problem with me, she would tell me."

Astrid shook her head. "You really are hopeless. She didn't tell you anything's wrong because she keeps her problems to herself so she doesn't bother anyone. But if you weren't so oblivious, you would have noticed she was upset you basically ditched her for Mala."

Now it was Snotlout's turn to be angry. "Hey, I did no such thing! I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. She should be happy for me."

"Maybe she would be if you made the decision after careful thought, but you automatically chose to leave everything here behind, including her."

Snotlout frowned. He honestly had not thought that far in advance. "I'm sure Mala would allow her to stay with us."

"That's not the point! For reasons I cannot fathom, she likes you. She's a real person who knows you and likes you. Isn't that worth more than a proposal by someone you just met?"

Snotlout opened his mouth to respond but then stopped. It was not a simple yes or no response. Of course he appreciated Eira and everything she had done for him, but... Images of his father filled his head. He knew what he would say about the situation if he asked him. He had to make something of himself, and this was his big chance. "You just don't understand, Astrid. But if Eira is really my friend, she will."

Astrid sighed and shook her head. "For her sake, I hope you're right. Don't take her for granted. If you're not careful, you may end up pushing her away. Even she can only take so much."

Snotlout glared at her retreating back. "Yeah, well, your attitude is going to scare Hiccup off one day!"

Astrid did not respond, leaving Snotlout to mutter to himself. She was wrong, wasn't she? He and Eira were just fine. And it was not like there was an actual choice to be made. He was smart and resourceful. He could have it all if he really worked for it! Astrid was just being negative again. Snotlout had everything perfectly under control.

"Your flying has improved magnificently," Asmund complimented Eira. The two of them were currently their dragons around Berk. Eira and the dragon riders had returned and were sticking around for Berk's 400th year celebration.

Eira beamed at him. "Thank you! I've been able to practice in multiple different situations. So, how are you holding up at Berk?"

Asmund smiled. "Now that I am used to the local customs, I am enjoying myself immensely. Chief Stoick has asked me to share the history of Torvald and piece together information about Berk. There is a lot to be uncovered!"

"That sounds interesting," Eira said. "I'm glad you're keeping busy." The two of them gracefully flew near the shore, occasionally grazing the water. The silence that enveloped them allowed Eira's mind to drift to more unpleasant places. She had tried to push the events surrounding Defenders of the Wing Island out of her mind, but they always found their way back in.

"Eira, are you quite alright?"

The girl lifted her head to meet her companion's concerned gaze. She had not realized she had let her emotions show on her face. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm fine. I was just lost in thought."

Asmund did not appear convinced. "If the dragon hunters are causing you too much trouble-"

"Oh, no. We can handle them."

"Perhaps it is a more personal issue?"

Eira hesitated. She did not want to other him with her problems, but he might be the only person who understood. "I've just been thinking about how I should tell my friends I am a princess. Hiccup did not exactly react well."

Asmund visibly relaxed when he heard this was her issue. "But he got over it, did he not?"

"Yes, and if they all react like that, I might be able to handle it, but..." She took in a deep breath. "Some of my friends might let it get to their head. I don't want them to treat me differently, especially the boys..."

Asmund smiled. "Ah, I think I understand. You do not want to have a repeat of your Torvald suitors."

Eira nodded. "Exactly. Once they know the truth, how will I know if their feelings are real?"

"I am not the most educated in the love department, but you have been raised with good sense. The truth cannot remain hidden forever. Approach it carefully, and you will be able to tell when it is real."

Eira had been hoping for a more concrete answer, but this would have to do. "I suppose you're right. Thanks for the advice, Asmund."

"Anytime. Now, is there a particular man you have in mind?"

Eira flushed. "N-No." She remembered Snotlout and how he had reacted to Mala. "I mean, I don't know. I'm still figuring it out."

Asmund chuckled. "Do not worry. You have time."

"Right. Of course." Her gaze drifted back to Berk, and she got an idea. "Hey, do you want to race?"

Asmund looked puzzled. "Race? That does not sound very dignified."

Eira smirked. "We're not in Torvald anymore, Asmund. It's fun."

Asmund looked down at his Changewing. "What do you think, Ripplemist?" The dragon shot Swiftwings a challenging look. "Very well, Eira, let us race."

The young girl grinned. "Great!" And she immediately took off.

Snotlout grinned as he flew with the dragon riders to the island where his father finally built his storehouse. Chief Stoick had organized a party to celebrate. As they got closer, he could see the island already filled with Berkians.

"Hmmm, pretty good turn out," Hiccup noted.

"Of course its a good turnout, Hiccup," Snotlout said. "The people love the Jorgensons." They soon landed on the island and joined the crowd gathered in front of the storehouse. "Look at that! All of Berk has come out to admire the Jorgensons' handiwork!"

"Nah, everyone's just here for the free food," Tuffnut said.

"Nobody comes to these things to admire anything," added Ruffnut.

"Don't listen to them," Eira said. "I think the storehouse looks great!"

Snotlout smiled at her. "Thanks Eira." He was pleased not much had changed in their relationship. Astrid did not know what she was talking about.

Stoick cleared his throat to gain the attention of the crowd. "In every Viking's life, there comes a time when you have to take a chance. Risk everything. Today, we celebrate a man who took the initiative. We now have a new off-Berk storehouse, thanks to-"

Spitelout threw open the storehouse doors suddenly, flinging Stoick aside. "Spitelout Jorgenson, of the great Jorgensons!" he bellowed.

The people began cheering, Snotlout the loudest among them. When Spitelout walked through the crowd, Snotlout struggled to get to him. Finally he pushed enough people away and was able to excitedly address his father, "We finally showed 'em all what it means to be a Jorgenson!"

Spitelout looked down at him in surprise. "Hey! We didn't show them anything, boy-o. I did." He grabbed Snotlout around the shoulder and turned him so he could see his friends huddled together, chatting happily. "Look at 'em. All clamoring for Hiccup's approval. Workin' every angle. A Jorgenson doesn't ask permission to be great. That's the only reason we have this storehouse."

Snotlout frowned as he watched them. "Dad, I think they're just having fun."

"Oh, fun? A bit of silly time? Sharpen up, boy-o! They're kissin' their way up the ladder. Thor only knows what they're sayin' about you."

Snotlout's eyes widened. What if his father was right? Suddenly, his mind filled with words they all could be saying about him. Fear gripped him, and he found himself unable to respond.

"Astrid?" Spitelout said. "A Hofferson! I wouldn't trust her to sharpen my axe. Or that Fishlegs, he and Hiccup are as thick as thieves. And those devious twins. Nothing stings more than a dagger between the shoulder blades."

Snotlout had to admit, everything he said made sense. The others did seem to doubt him a lot and not take him seriously. Well, except... "Dad, what about Eira?"

This, at least, caused Spitelout to hesitate. "She's not half bad, I admit. But she's a foreigner and could never really understand us."

Snotlout shifted uncomfortably. That sounded an awful lot like what Astrid had warned him about. "Yeah, but, she's my friend."

"Friend?" Spitelout scoffed. "You don't need friends!" He turned Snotlout around so he could look him in the eye. "You wanna be like your old man? A great leader takes what's rightfully his. And if he doesn't, he'll be left in the dust. Do ya understand what I'm trying to tell ya?"

Snotlout winced, but he nodded slowly. "I understand." A sudden wave of nausea hit him, and he had to get out of there. "I'll be right back." He left before his father could respond and made his way to the edge of the island.

Eira noticed him leaving and caught up with him. "Snotlout? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he snapped, regretting it when he saw the concerned look on her face. He decided to try again. "I just, uh, want to check up on Hookfang."

Eira did not appear convinced. "Oh. I'll come with you."

"No. I don't want to take you away form the fun you are having with the others." This seemed to catch her off guard, and he used her surprise to pick up speed and lose her in the crowd. He needed to be alone right now. He had a lot to think about.

Eira worried about Snotlout. He had been acting weird ever since the party. Then, on an attack mission against dragon hunter ships, he acted like he was in charge and got in everyone's way. The riders returned to the Edge, grumbling and complaining.

"Hey, it's not my fault I had to cover for you guys," Snotlout said in defense.

"Snotlout, we almost lost the battle because of you," Fishlegs said, his expression unusually hard.

"It's called 'initiative,' Fishface. You know that word, from your books?"

"You could have ruined something again!"

"You don't know what initiative is!" Astrid exclaimed.

Hiccup raised his hands and got in the middle of the fight to break it up. "Alright! Alright! Snotlout, why don't you gather up all the dragon root arrows, take them as far away as possible, and burn them. We don't want the dragons anywhere near them."

"What? Now?" Snotlout said. Hiccup gave him a look. "Fine." He snatched the arrows from the ground and walked off. Once he was gone, everyone looked at Hiccup expectantly.

"I know. I know. Eira, will you talk to him? If something's going on, he might tell you."

Eira nodded. "Sure." She would have talked to him anyway. Clearly, something was bothering him. "Just keep everyone calm until I can figure out what's wrong." She did not want the others making matters worse.

Eira brought Swiftwings back to the stables to eat and decided to wait for Snotlout there. Sure enough, she soon saw him and Hookfang trudging in her direction. "Hey, Snotlout," she said, offering him a tentative smile.

Snotlout barely even glanced at her. "Oh, hi, Eira."

"Is something bothering you?"

At this, Snotlout went rigid. "No! Why? Did Hiccup ask you to check up on me?"

Eira frowned. "No. Well, yes, but he's just worried about you. And I am too."

"There's no need! I have everything perfectly under control. That's what we Jorgensons do, take control!" He crossed his arms and stood proudly.

Ah, there it was. "You father said something to you yesterday, didn't he?"

Snotlout's face fell. "He just thinks it's time I take my rightful position as a leader so I can be great like him."

"And you're sure this is what you want?"

"What does it matter? It's what needs, to be done, Eira. You wouldn't understand."

Eira sighed and shook her head. "You're wrong about that." But she had a feeling she could not get through to him at the moment. "When you're really ready to talk, I'll listen." She reluctantly left him to himself. She wanted to do more to help him, but she was not sure how. This was a deep-rooted problem that would not go away overnight. Perhaps Hiccup would be able to assist.

That evening, she found Hiccup in his strategy room going over a dragon hunter map and trying to figure out where they were growing dragon root. He nodded at her when she entered. "Hello, Eira. Did you ever get anything out of Snotlout?"

"I think he's having anxiety issues," Eira said. "His dad gave him some bad advice on being a leader. Do you think you could talk to him and point him in the right direction? I know it may not seem like it, but he does look up to you."

Hiccup nodded. "I can give it a try." He stood up and started for the door. "I'm going to see what the others are up to."

Eira followed him to the main part of the clubhouse. It turned out they were having a Maces and Talons competition. Right now, it was Ruff and Tuff against Heather and Fishlegs.

"Any luck with the chart you pulled from the hunters?" Astrid asked.

"Yeah," Hiccup replied. "I have a good idea what chain of islands they're coming from. Toothless and I will do some recon tomorrow and search for the dragon root." He paused. "Wait. Where's Snotlout? He loves Maces and Talons."

Heather looked at Fishlegs. "I thought you invited him."

"Uh, I thought the twins invited him," Fishlegs said.

"We thought Astrid invited him," said Ruff.

"I never invite him," said Astrid.

Eira held in a groan. This was just what they needed right now. "Guys, you can't do this. What if-"

Snotlout suddenly rushed into the clubhouse in a panic. "The Edge is under attack! Hunters are everywhere!"

Everyone jumped up and ran to their dragons. A minute later, they were in the sky, looking for trouble. Except... there were no enemies to be soon. They all turned to Snotlout, who still stood outside the clubhouse.

"It's called a 'drill!'" Snotlout said. "Hello? I was seeing how'd you all react in crisis. And you all failed! Miserably. Well Hiccup, obviously there are followers, then there are leaders. Guess we know which ones we are. Don't we?"

Eira looked at Hiccup. It seemed this was worse than she thought.

"I'll talk to him now," Hiccup said.

"Good luck." And if that did not work, Eira would have to think of something else. If she didn't the patience of the dragon riders might wear thin, and she feared what their reactions would do to Snotlout.