Chapter 57: So It Begins

Eira knew the time for the final confrontation drew near. The dragon riders raced back to Berk after Gobber explained that Stoick was badly injured from an attack by dragon flyers. The chief was in pretty bad shape, and the Berkians wanted Hiccup to take over. Everyone went to bed to deal with the mess in the morning.

Eira could not sleep, so she wandered outside where she found the other riders, including Haldor. They decided to congregate in the Great Hall. It was there they found Hiccup in the middle of talking to Toothless.

"You know he'll pull through, Hiccup," Astrid said, earning a startled look from Hiccup, who just realized the presence of the others. "He's Stoick."

"None of us could sleep, either," Fishlegs explained.

Astrid looked at Hiccup in concern. "You know you can't blame yourself for this, right?"

"Sure, he can," said Ruffnut. "If he never left for Dragon's Edge, he'd have been able to protect his dad."

"His selfish decisions are the central cause of all of this pain," said Tuffnut.

"However, if we'd never gone to the Edge, things would have been worse."

"And we would've ended up in the same place anyway."

Hiccup frowned. "How's that?"

"We were hoping you'd ask," said Ruff.

"Two words, one exclamation mark: Full Loki!" said Tuff.

The twins launched into a story about how they would have nearly torn Berk apart because of their obsession with Loki. This was followed by a scenario from Fishlegs and then Snotlout. In each of them, the dragon flyers ended up still attacking. Then they started arguing about the 'correct' scenario.

"Everyone, the basic point you're all making is correct," said Eira, who was tired of the conflict. "Regardless of our actions, the dragon flyers would still be up to something, and it would not be good for any of us."

"But we might have managed to stay out of it," Ingrid said with a shrug. "The dragon hunters only started attacking us because we tried to stop them from hurting dragons. Just saying."

"So, do you think-" Tuff started.

"Enough!" Hiccup said loudly. "All of you, enough! This is all pointless. It doesn't matter if we stayed or left."

"Thought that was the game we were playing. You know, 'What happened if we had never left?'"

"It's not a game, Tuffnut. It's not a dream. It's not a way of life. It's reality. It actually happened. We trained the dragons, we left Berk, and my father is on his deathbed because of it, because of me. None of this would have happened and I mean none of it if I had never shot down Toothless in the first place." Everyone stared at Hiccup, stunned. "You know it. I know it. Berk knows it. Everyone knows it!" He looked at Toothless. "Even he knows it." Then he stormed out of the Great Hall.

For a minute, no one said anything. Ruff broke the silence: "Should we go after him?"

"I need some air," Eira muttered. She exited the Great Hall as well, making sure to head in the opposite direction as Hiccup. She had been walking for a minute when she heard footsteps behind her. She stopped but did not turn around.

"How are you doing?" Haldor asked gently.

"Is he right?" Eira said into the darkness. "Is Ingrid right? Does our way of life put the people we love in danger? No, that's not quite right. It's our insistence to go out and stop evil towards dragons that puts people in danger."

Haldor did not say anything until he stood beside her, his arm lightly brushing hers. "I've thought about that a lot recently, actually. You're right; it's one thing to live as we please, but should we spread our ideas to others? Until you left for Berk, the answer was always 'no.' You made me rethink everything."

"So, if you get hurt, I'm just as responsible as Hiccup."

Haldor placed a hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up into his kind eyes. "Eira, neither you nor Hiccup are responsible for anything that has happened so far. Chief Stoick made his own choice to accept dragons and fight for them. He assumed the risk on his own... just like you assumed the risk by venturing here, no matter how much our parents would blame themselves for letting you go if anything happened to you.

"At the end of the day, we're responsible for our own choices and no one else's. Leaders have it a bit harder, so I do understand Hiccup's dilemma. We have our people to think about, and sometimes our actions can put them in danger. That is why I increasingly believe it is best to not put ourselves in that situation. Let the people themselves decide how much they are willing to risk. When that is not possible, we should obtain as much feedback as possible to make the best decision for everyone."

"And what is the best decision, Haldor? Was Torvald right to break away from Berk and live in isolation for so long?"

Haldor paused for a moment as if weighing the question. "It certainly made life easier. I cannot judge our ancestors, but I will say we cannot continue down that path. For so long we waited for proof that other Vikings could learn to live at peace with dragons, and now we have it. Not only that, you've made many other allies. Clearly, there are people who will be receptive to our ideas. Of course that will bring us enemies as well, and we will suffer losses. Doing the right thing doesn't mean it will work out perfectly, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth it. Are we cowards, or are we Vikings? It's time we all stand together and fight for what we believe in. Only then will we have a chance to succeed."

Eira stared at the ground as she thought about her brother's words. It made sense to her, and she did believe it. "Do you think Hiccup will agree?" She glanced at Haldor, and he smiled.

"Do not worry about him. He's hurting because of his father. He will come around. Besides, he has plenty of friends to steer him in the right direction. If he gets lost, it won't be for long."

Eira nodded. "Right. I should find him."

"Good luck, little sister."

Eira walked off in the direction she saw Hiccup wander. She hoped he had not gotten far. Eventually, she found the whole crew quietly huddled together. Upon getting closer, she heard Astrid giving Hiccup her own version of what would have happened if he had not shot down Toothless. She silently listened with the others. According to Astrid, Hiccup would have met and befriended Toothless anyway, and their friendship would have ended the war against dragons.

"Why does he have to have one leg?" Tuff said at the end.

"Yeah, you couldn't have given old H a break?" said Ruff.

"Can a brother get a leg up in this place? Hmm?"

Hiccup sighed. "No, Tuff, I can't."

"What kind of messed-up yak dung is that? It's a made-up story. And you can change things."

"She's telling him that he's exactly where he's supposed to be, and so is Toothless," Fishlegs said.

"We all are," said Hiccup. "Even if things had started out differently, I'd still be out there fighting for dragons, and we all would have ended up right here."

"Oh, great!" Snotlout muttered. "Okay, so you're the hero no matter what, and I'm the muttonhead."

"Exactly," everyone said.

Snotlout crossed his arms and glared at the ground. "Shut up, everybody." Ingrid pat his arm sympathetically.

Hiccup looked around and smiled at the group. "Thank you. Thank all of you for tonight. For everything."

"Like our third cousin twice removed, Sad Larry, always used to say:" Tuff began.

"'If you see a sheep on a hill, it's not worth the struggle,'" Ruff finished.

Hiccup gave the twins an odd look. "'Kay. So, uh what do you say we get out of here, huh? I'll meet you at the training grounds. I've got one last thing I need to do."

The mood felt lighthearted as the riders started off for the training grounds. They had not made it far when they heard a shout up ahead. They looked up just in time to see Windshear hurtling towards them. The Razorwhip crashed to the ground, and Heather, appearing injured, rolled off her back.

Astrid let out a loud gasp. "Fishlegs, find Gobber! I'll get Hiccup." She and Fishlegs ran off in opposite directions. Gobber found them first and immediately set to helping up Heather.

A minute later, Hiccup rushed outside. "What happened?" he exclaimed.

"Vanaheim has been attacked by the dragon flyers," Heather said. Everyone exchanged shocked glances.

"We best get you inside," Gobber said. He helped Heather into the Great Hall and then left the dragon riders to discuss the situation.

"I thought I had taken every precaution," Heather said, appearing distraught. "I was so careful to make sure no one followed me."

Astrid placed a reassuring hand on Heather's shoulder. "Heather, you were going to visit your father's final resting place. I'd be surprised if you were thinking about anything but that."

"And there's no sense in beating yourself up about it now anyway," Hiccup said.

"Hold it, H!" said Tuff. "A good self-flogging can actually be an excellent start to the day."

"How do you think we always arrive so alert and observant?" Ruff said. "Hello?!" Tuff started to smack his face back and forth.

Astrid glared at them. "You done?"

"Are we ever really done, Astrid?" Tuff continued smacking his face until he fell down. The others ignored him and turned back to Heather.

"I tried to fight them off, but there are a lot more of those dragon flyers than we thought," Heather said.

"And they now know the location of the dragons' most sacred place on earth," Fishlegs said worriedly. "Guys, this is a disaster!"

"Uh, we're trying to make Heather feel better, Fishface," Snotlout said.

"No, Fishlegs is right," said Heather. "We need to make sure that Vanaheim is safe, no matter what we have to do."

"Uh, don't you mean whatever you have to do? They didn't follow me there." He chuckled and looked around at the others. "Am I right?"

Astrid glared at him in amazement. "Are you insane?! Seriously, just tell me so I can at least stop wondering why you say such mutton-headed things."

Ingrid rolled her eyes. "He just needs to learn to think things through before he speaks, right?" She slapped Snotlout's arm, causing him to yelp in surprise. Meanwhile, Heather tried to stand but fell in pain onto Windshear.

"Heather, you and Windshear are in no shape to fight," Astrid said. "Stay on Berk: Gothi will take care of you."

Heather sighed heavily. "Fine, you're right."

"Heather, you came straight here, right?" Eira said. "You didn't tell Dagur?"

Heather gave her an almost guilty look. "I thought we would need all the dragon riders to stop the flyers, and if I told Dagur, he'd rush straight to action before I could get the whole story out."

"That's a fair point," Hiccup said. "Eira, do you want to let Dagur know what's going on? He should also know about my dad."

Eira nodded. "You got it."

"And I'll watch over this one," Ingrid said, letting her arm casually rest on Snotlout's shoulder.

Eira smiled slightly. "Good. I'll see you guys later. Good luck." She hoped they would not need it.

Dagur did not like to be bothered in the morning. He intended to tell the person who knocked on his door exactly that, but all was forgiven when he saw Eira standing there. "Eira!" he said brightly. "What brings you by so early?"

"We've got trouble," Eira said darkly.

Dagur's face immediately hardened. "What trouble? Where?"

"It's not Heather, is it?" Runa said worriedly. Dagur turned to see her enter the room with Viggo. "She said she was going to Vanaheim to visit her father's final resting place."

"Dragon flyers followed her there," Eira said.

"What?!" Dagur exclaimed. "Where is she?! What can we do?! We need to hurry!"

Eira grabbed onto his shoulders and pulled him down to her level. "Calm down, she's fine. She managed to get away. She's resting at Berk."

Dagur relaxed only slightly. "Oh. But the dragon flyers are still on Vanaheim? We need to stop them!"

"Hiccup and the others are taking care of them."

"But we can't just stand here and do nothing!"

"It won't be nothing," Viggo said coolly. "We will discuss and plan."

Dagur shot him a look. "I don't remember asking your advice."

"No, he's right," Eira said. "We can't just rush into action. And there's more I have to tell you."

"What is it, Eira?" Runa asked gently.

Eira took a deep breath. "Chief Stoick was ambushed by dragon flyers yesterday. He's in critical condition."

Dagur gasped. "And Hiccup just left him?"

"Because you did so much for your father in his time of need," Viggo said.

Dagur started to respond, but a rush of guilt washed over him, and he looked away. He hated that Viggo was right. At least Hiccup was off doing something noble.

"Was that necessary?" Eira said, narrowing her eyes at Viggo.

"Sometimes the truth hurts," Viggo said.

"Then maybe you can help clue us into the truth about why dragon hunters would be interested in Vaneheim."

"I can't say I know. Vanaheim is the final resting place of dragons..." Viggo looked to Dagur. "...and your father? The father who gave both you and Heather a Dragon Eye lens?"

Dagur frowned. "You think they're interested in Vanaheim because of my dad?"

"I don't imagine they have any use for dragon bones. What was he doing there?"

Dagur crossed his arms and scowled. "He was shipwrecked, hence your jab earlier."

"But didn't we find him at Vanaheim because of his journal?" Eira prodded. "The hut made from his ship proves he was stranded, but that doesn't mean it was his first visit."

"If he wrote of Vanaheim in his journal, that implies he made more than one trip," Viggo said in agreement. "Where is the journal?"

"I'll find it," Dagur muttered. He did not exactly love this conversation, but he could see its importance. Plus, it helped that Eira was there to keep him calm. He quickly entered his room and snatched the journal. Then he returned and handed it to Viggo.

"Interesting," Viggo murmured as he flipped through the pages. "This is Vanaheim?" He turned the journal around, revealing the drawing of the skull that covered Vanaheim.

"That's right," Eira said. "It seems that the skeleton of a giant dragon covers the island."

"The king of dragons, perhaps? That is what the dragon flyers probably thought."

Dagur stared at Viggo. "The king of dragons is dead?"

Vigoo lifted his eyebrows. "The king of dragons is a species of dragon, not an individual. A species that can use its mind to impose its will on other dragons, hence the name."

Dagur blinked. "Oh."

"So, maybe the flyers thought they could learn something about the king of dragons by exploring," Runa suggested.

"Or they might discover something Oswald left behind," Viggo said. He pointed out a page in the journal that displayed an image of a Dragon Eye lens.

"Dagur," Eira said slowly, "where was your dad going when he disappeared?"

Dagur frowned as he thought back. "He wouldn't say anything except that it was a grand adventure. He did that often, sometimes disappearing for days at a time. I didn't think anything of it. I was a bit absentminded back then."

Eira appeared thoughtful. "I wonder if he is somehow connected to all of this. And if that's the case, the dragon flyers might come here next for more information."

Runa's eyes widened. "Do you really think they would?"

"We should be prepared for anything," Viggo said firmly. "We can't take the chance."

"But what about Vanaheim?" Dagur said anxiously.

"Let Hiccup handle it."

"But-"

"Dagur," Eira said gently, "we have to protect Berserker Island. You don't want to rebuild again, do you?"

Dagur's shoulders sagged. There was no way he would put his people through that again. "No. You'll stay with me?"

Eira smiled. "Of course."

Dagur nodded. "Then let's prepare our defenses so the dragon flyers will wish they never set foot on Berserker Island!"

"Now you're talking!"

A/N: We're getting down to the end! There will be about 60 chapters total in this story.