A/N: So I will be honest here, this chapter is a little bit of a filler one. Not much going on but I needed something to bridge the gap and allow some points to be brought up without much else going on. So in this chapter we get a little more Henry and Steven interaction. We see how the events of the last chapter has affected the cast and the film a bit, and Henry notices something about Helga as he makes his way back to a certain NightFury. Hope you all like it.
Httydastrid4ever: Yeah Audrey kinda reached her breaking point. Henry gets a bit of a wake up call from his dad in this chapter about that and knows what he has to do to make it up to her.
Justin Hsu: I would like to update more but once a week is all I have time to do. I ask that you be patient and understand that this can not be rushed. I'm glad you are interested in the story and hope that you stick around until the end.
gandalfnho: I enjoyed playing around with the dialogue last chapter, really felt like a unique twist in a scene that we have all seen and read a hundred times over. The mysterious antagonist will be making appearances more and more now, trying to cause more chaos, but Henry is already on the trail.
Guest: Henry is already on the trail that something isn't right on the set. He has a plan to make up with Audrey that is tied into the NightFury and he is already thinking about that reaction. The tension continues to rise in this chapter... I think anyway right at the end you will see what I mean.
CB73: Everyone seemed to love the alternate dialogue and I'm glad it was a hit. Henry has a wake up call in this chapter thanks to his dad and has plan to make up with Audrey, we can both see how that will go over as it involves a certain NightFury. Simon is gonna be Simon, but he will get what is due eventually. We see Helga again this chapter but something is off and it is very obvious that she is not okay.
Love the reviews keep those coming please and thank you! Hope you all enjoy the chapter.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Mexican ;p
(Saturday, October 20th, 2018)
Filming had been postponed since the incident on Wednesday. The dragon doctors on site had examined the Nadder thoroughly to see what might have caused the dragon to behave so aggressively. Curiously they couldn't find anything, the Nadder was clearly upset with its own actions but beyond that the doctors were stumped.
Helga has been keeping to herself as well. Nobody has seen the director since the scene had ended. Helga had slowly walked away from the scene almost terrified at what had happened. She looked just like the Nadder, ashamed. It certainly confused Henry when he looked to her to see if she still wanted him to go back to forest. He never got an answer as she had turned to walk out of the holding pens.
Today was a new day though, a crew member had stopped by Henry's hut and informed him that filming would resume tonight with the tower scene. Henry let out a big sigh of relief, the tower scene was supposed to be an easy scene. It's supposed to be a bonding moment for their characters as they listen to old war stories and get more advice from their teacher.
For the first time in a few day's Henry thought things were starting to look up. Audrey's words had been eating away at him ever since the incident and he hasn't seen her since. It had taken a lot of thinking, some advice from his dad, and in the end, Henry knew that he couldn't be mad or hurt by Audrey's words. His dad had reminded him that he was asking a lot of Audrey, to trust him, to put up with these accidents, not yell or get mad, and in return she really wasn't asking for much, just for him to be honest and be a friend.
His dad was right…again. Henry understood that he wasn't being entirely fair and if he wants to keep the friendship that he has built that will have to change and soon. With ideas swirling around his head Henry got dressed in his costume and climbed down the stairs for a quick bite. No surprise his dad was up and had already made a massive breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, toast, and some milk. The spread took up the entire table and Henry had to admit that it all looked amazing and accepted that this would not be a quick bite.
"Morning dad." Henry greeted as he dished himself a plate of the hearty breakfast.
"Morning son." Steven greeted as he took a seat opposite of his son.
"I heard a knocking at the door this morning who was it?" Steven asked.
"A crew member coming to say that filming will continue tonight. A nice easy scene to hopefully ease everyone back into it and take some of the tension out of the air." Henry explained.
"Aye, must say it has felt like everyone is walking on eggshells around here lately." Steven acknowledged.
"Seeing you try to walk on eggshells would be site to behold." Henry chuckled as dug into his breakfast.
"That a crack about my weight son?" Steven asked in a stern voice.
"Wouldn't dream of it dad." Henry replied, smiling through it.
"Smartass boy, you get that sass from your mother." Steven grumbled out as he gestured to his son with a fork.
"You just gestured to all of me." Henry deadpanned and shoved another bite in his mouth.
The air went still for the briefest of moments before both father and son burst out laughing. The back and forth they had developed over the years was truly something to behold and anyone who was on the outside looking in would surely be confused. Regaining their breath and wiping a few tears out of their eyes the duo continued with their breakfast.
"So other than the filming later on any plans son?" Steven asked.
"Yeah, I think I'm going to head out to forest and see the NightFury." Henry admitted.
"I see, and are you going to go as Henry or Hiccup?" Steven asked, more critically this time.
"Well he has known and seen me more as Hiccup so probably Hiccup." Henry admitted.
"Alright son, just be careful. If that dragon gets to know you as Hiccup, he may not like it if you show up as Henry one day, or at the very least he will be confused as how there can be two of you." Steven cautioned.
"I understand dad. Perhaps when this movie is over we can try to introduce me as Henry." The boy suggested as he took another bite of the massive breakfast.
"Not a bad idea son." Steven agreed.
"Well you better get to it. I'm sure your dragon is eager to see you." Steven said as he stood up from the table.
"I'm not so sure. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a burning desire to kill me, but that doesn't mean he wants to see me." Henry lamented.
"Well, what if you brought some kind of peace offering?" Steven suggested.
"Peace offering, what could I offer a dragon?" Henry asked, half sarcastic, half serious.
"Well what do you offer Sharpshot when he is mad at you?" Steven asked, knowing what the answer is.
"Well usually I offer him some kind of treat, fish or beef seem to be his favorites." Henry answered.
"There you go, try that." Steven replied joyfully.
Henry nodded and proceeded to wolf down the rest of his breakfast. He grabbed a pouch and put a couple of pancakes and handful of the sausage in it, his peace offering for the NightFury. With a final wave to his dad he walked out the door of his hut and headed for the hills.
The walk through the rolling hills to forest was calm and peaceful, just what Henry needed. It allowed him to try and think of a way to make up with Audrey, so far he only had one idea and he wasn't sure how it would go over. He wagered that it might not be the best option for his overall well-being, but it would probably get him is friend back and that was more than enough. He would have to tell her the truth, about everything.
The sound of a small twig snapping drew Henry from his thoughts, the scuttle of something moving through the grass just behind him and the fast-paced breathing told him who was trying to hunt him. Chuckling to himself and walking as though he hadn't heard anything he crested a nearby hill and quickly ducked down.
Sure enough Sharpshot peered his head over the hill and a confused warble escaped the tiny dragon's mouth. Unsure of how he lost his prey, smelling the air the dragon knew that Henry was nearby, but he couldn't see him and took a tentative step forward. Henry smiled as he waited for Sharpshot to get close before jumping up and surprising the small Terror.
"Sharpshot!" Henry shouted as he startled the dragon.
Sharpshot screeched out and flew back to other side of the hill. Henry was laughing at the poor dragon's dismay and Sharpshot was not happy. Narrowing his eyes and letting out a low growl the dragon launched itself at Henry and plowed right into the boy's chest. The sudden impact knocked the wind our of Henry and sent both of the tumbling down the hill.
Henry was coughing and doing his best to suck in as much air as he could while the sound of Sharpshot rummaging through his pouch filled his ears. Henry looked up to see Sharpshot had eaten his entire stash of pancakes and sausage and let out a groan.
"Sharpshot, that was supposed to be for the NightFury. Now what am I going to give him?" Henry asked, not expecting a response.
Sharpshot at least had to decency to look guilty and before Henry could complain some more the dragon took off. Henry looked on in disbelief as his dragon just left him with an empty pouch. Sighing out Henry went over and picked up his pouch, hoping by some miracle there was something left. He wasn't surprised to find that the pouch had in fact been licked clean by Sharpshot.
"Well so much for that idea." Henry sighed out as he prepared to turn back toward the village.
Just as he was about to turn back a high-pitched warble stopped him, he looked up to see Sharpshot had returned and was carrying something in his claws. The dragon dropped the item into Henry's hands and the boy instantly dropped it upon feeling its slimy texture. Sharpshot had somehow found a fish and deemed that worthy of a replacement for the food he had eaten.
"Where the hell did you even find this?" Henry asked as he picked it up by the tail.
Sharpshot had landed and was staring up blankly at Henry, his momentary flash of intelligence done for the day. Seeing that the dragon had reverted back to his blank minded self Henry sighed out and gingerly stuck the fish in his pouch.
"Dumb dragon, do dragons even like fish?" Henry mumbled to himself.
Figuring it was better than nothing Henry marched on back towards the forest with Sharpshot following close behind him. Nearing the forest Henry and Sharpshot both paused when the sound of something walking through the forest and towards them reached their ears.
To Henry's great surprise it was none other than Helga who stumbled out of the forest. Clutching her head and moaning like she had just woken up from an all-night drinking binge. Rushing over Henry called out to her.
"Helga! Are you alright?" He asked as he neared.
"Huh? Oh, hello Henry. Yes, I am quite alright, just a…headache is all." Helga replied slowly.
"What are you doing out in the forest?" Henry asked his voice still full of concern.
"I was…was just trying to clear my head, figured the fresh air would do me some good." Helga replied as she tried to smile, though it was clear she was still in pain.
"You should have told someone you were out here; you don't look so good." Henry continued, his concern growing by the moment.
"I'm quite capable of looking after myself thank you very much. Now what are you doing out here?" Helga asked, trying to get the subject off of her.
Seeing the obvious deflection Henry decided not to push anymore, it was clear that Helga didn't want to talk about what was bothering her right now. He did make a mental note to ask later about it when she was feeling better.
"Well I was on my way to see the NightFury." Henry answered.
"Oh, and what do you hope to accomplish this time around." Helga asked, clearly interested now.
"Just to try and get him to like me a little. I brought a peace offering hoping to break the ice." Henry answered, gesturing to his pouch.
"I see well do be careful and be sure to film if it. If it is good we can use it in the movie." Helga replied.
"Okay, I'll try. If you could do that strange trance thing you do with Sharpshot that would help getting with getting the shot." Henry stated, gesturing to the Terror.
"Oh, um… right, of course." Helga remarked, uncertainty in her voice.
Henry had noticed that during this interaction that Helga seemed off somehow. She was uncertain and just a little irritable, traits that she has not displayed at all since they had arrived. He knew that something was off but couldn't place his finger on what. He watched as Helga called Sharpshot over to her and as she bent down to stare deeply into the Terror's eyes Henry noticed that Helga's eyes did something strange.
As she commanded the dragon to follow Hiccup at a distance the color of her eyes darkened. They turned from their usual bright and vibrant purple to a dark mixture of purple and red. It was over in a flash and Sharpshot was in his trance like state. Helga though seemed to be reeling from the experience and stumbled back before catching herself.
"Are you sure you are alright Helga? Your eyes turned a weird color there for a moment." Henry stated.
"I'm fine, its just the headache is all. My eyes will change color like that if I'm not feeling the greatest." Helga responded quickly.
"Alright, if you say so." Henry responded, still skeptical of her response.
"Well thanks for doing that and I will see you tonight." He said as he turned into the forest, with Sharpshot following, though the dragon was staggering a bit more than usual.
Helga waved him off and as soon as he was out of view she allowed herself to collapse to her knees and let out a series of deep and ragged breaths.
"What is happening to me?" She asked herself, fear beginning to take over.
A/N: Helga knows something is wrong but is trying to play it off. Henry knows something is off but not sure of what. Now he has to make up with the NightFury and Audrey while Helga is feeling 'sick'. Something strange is happening on set and these poor kids are caught in the middle. See you all next time and please leave a review, as you can see from above I read them all. Sorry again if this chapter feels like filler, it kinda was.
Published 02/26/2020