"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." – Unknown (misattributed to Leonardo da Vinci)
To Touch The Sky
Toothless could not contain his excitement. His tail was wagging back and forth without restraint, and he kept glancing up at the entrance to the cave-den.
This was the sun that he would finally teach Hiccup how to fly! The sun when Hiccup would use his wings as they were meant to be used. And he knew the perfect place to show him.
True, I still need to fly myself, but I know what to do.
He gobbled down the last bit of fish.
"Now Hiccup? We go to friend-place."
Hiccup swallowed his mouthful of fish and looked around for his dad, only to remember that he was probably still at the meeting that he had called to discuss what the tribe was to do without all the Outcasts.
"Yes Toothless, we go now."
Together, they hopped out the window, this time with a lot more gracefulness on Hiccup's part, and set out for the forest. His arm already felt much better. It was probably only a strain. He barely even noticed it now when putting any weight on it.
Being honest with himself, he was rather excited, and a bit conflicted.
Flying was a very dragonish thing to do. Yes, it was very fun as his time flying with Toothless before his life had been completely changed had shown him. And he knew that he had to be able to fly to get out of bad situations. There was no point to having wings if he was not going to use them.
But…
It still seemed a bit like giving up. Another way of reminding himself that he was not human and likely would never be again.
They passed through the entire village and into the trees without noticing anyone.
"Toothless, is flying easy?"
"Not when learning. But you do not need thinking after you learn."
He was thinking about what Toothless said when they came across a small rope dragged across the path. Both of them stopped and looked at it and then each other. They knew what it was.
Hiccup looked around for the trap and easily found it. A board with spikes set to swing into the path when the rope broke.
I need to tell dad about this one.
They carefully walked around the trap and continued on toward the obvious destination.
Something else had been bugging Hiccup recently. He noticed how Toothless always slunk away from Stoick and never even tried to interact with him at all.
"Toothless, you happy now?"
"What?"
"You happy here?"
Toothless paused and turned to look at him, an uncharacteristically distant look on his face.
"I wish that I was big. Much small now."
That was understandable, but not really what he wanted to know about.
"What about my sire? You like him?"
Humph.
"He tried to hurt me. He does not think good about me."
It certainly did seem that his father tried to ignore Toothless as much as he could.
Is dad like that with all dragons or just Toothless? Maybe I should talk to dad about this too. I will get Toothless to trust him eventually.
He was about to ask Toothless another follow-up question when suddenly...
"We play now. You run."
That was all the warning Hiccup had before Toothless charged him with a mock-roar. And they were both off in a flash, running through the forest on the way to the cove, which they entered after arriving.
Toothless ran straight over to the rocks that he had climbed on before and Hiccup followed him.
Toothless wondered how to explain flying to Hiccup. With a normal kin learning to fly, most of it was instinctive with a little bit of practice. But Hiccup might not find it so easy.
"Hiccup, flying is like moving in water in the air."
So it is like swimming.
"Hold your wings out."
Hiccup did. It felt strange to stretch them so fully.
Toothless inspected his posture and grumbled at what he saw.
"No Hiccup, not like that."
He walked over and nosed Hiccup's wings backwards until he was satisfied with where they were.
"Tail."
Oh right.
Hiccup turned and looked at his tail and the fins, giving them a small flick.
What am I supposed to do with…
He face-pawed.
Of course he remembered how to use the tail. After all, he had learned how to fly with Toothless once in a very different way and it was still the same concept. Make sure both fins were working together almost like they were pushing off of something.
At least that is how it seemed to feel when he had been on Toothless's back.
"Fly."
He tried, bringing his wings forward and thrusting them down roughly as he remembered Toothless doing. Then he looked at Toothless.
Toothless had a look that clearly said he was not amused.
"Not know better," Hiccup grumbled.
"Try like this."
Toothless jumped from the rocks, beating his wings in tandem and angling both fins slightly downward. He flew a bit wobbly and had to correct himself several times, but he still managed a single loop around the cove.
Hiccup shook his head in amazement. Toothless wasn't even a year old now, in a manner of speaking, and was already able to fly.
In fairness though he is just relearning something he already knew.
Toothless landed on the ground and hopped up to join him, looking very pleased with himself.
"Hiccup! I did it! I can fly again!"
"Yes, you did Toothless. Very good."
Hiccup looked out over the pond and stood on the edge.
Ok, this is it. It's go time.
He stretched his wings again, held his tail as he thought he should, took a deep breath, and jumped.
All he could see was the water racing up at him. He forgot about his tail and let it go limp as he flapped as hard as possible.
He fell with a shriek into the water.
Everything went silent and murky when he fell into the water. Almost against his will, he opened his eyes and was surprised that he did not mind having water in his eyes.
Strange.
The blue sky was warping all around above him when he looked up through the surface of the water.
He finally started paddling using his wings to cut through the water and push him up to the surface. He gasped in a deep breath when he broke the surface.
Toothless was standing at the shore, looking only slightly concerned about him.
Hiccup hauled himself out of the water and shook himself to get drier.
"No laugh, Toothless."
"Good for first try. Falling in water better than what I did my first try."
"What you do first try?"
"Fall in rocks."
"In rocks?" Hiccup winced.
"Yes. That hurt. You try again but like you are in water."
Hiccup remembered how easily he had swam through the water and how much push his wings had been able to give him.
Is it that simple?
He hopped back up on the rocks and spread his wings again, determined to get it right this time. Three frantic flaps were all he managed before he lost control and flipped over again.
Toothless groaned when he saw the ripples spreading outward from where Hiccup had again disappeared.
This is going to be a long sun…
By the fifth time that Hiccup crashed in the water, he began getting very frustrated with himself.
"Why very hard!" he growled at himself while shaking off the water yet again.
"What are you thinking about?" Toothless asked him.
"I hold wings out right, keep legs in, tail straight out and not low but need turn fins in air, wings need…"
"No! Not that!"
Toothless grumbled to himself. How best to describe it to Hiccup? Flying was not something that was thought about, but rather it was something that one just did. It was natural and instinctive, just like walking.
Maybe Hiccup did not have the instinct because… he wasn't meant to be a kin.
No, he can do it. He just needs… practice.
The thought that Hiccup was forever stuck as something he was not supposed to be made him feel bad, almost like he had done something that he should not have.
And there was still his concern about what Hiccup would do or say when he found out exactly why he was what he was.
"Hiccup, do you think when you walk?"
"Not think."
"Good, do like that."
Easy for you to say Toothless, you know what to do you useless…
Aloud, Hiccup just grumbled.
"Watch!" Toothless called.
Hiccup sat down on the shore and watched as Toothless flew slow laps around the cove. He watched the way that Toothless's wings rippled as they cut through the air.
And he realized that he was actually jealous of how easily flying came to Toothless.
It makes sense, I guess. He is a real dragon after all.
With that thought, he remembered another matter he had been meaning to talk to Toothless about for a long time now. Specifically, the matter of what had happened to him back on Dragon Island. He now felt confident enough with dragon-speech to be able to talk with Toothless about that day.
He waited until Toothless came in for his landing and then padded over to him.
"Toothless, we talk now."
Toothless nodded once to acknowledge him while catching his breath.
"What… Hiccup?"
"Why I kin?"
"What?"
"Why I kin, not two-leg?"
Toothless froze, unsure of what to say.
"You know?" Hiccup asked him.
Could he lie? Tell Hiccup that he did not know and hope that it would all go away? Knowing Hiccup as he did, there was little chance that Hiccup would let this sleeping matter lie.
"Yes, I know."
Hiccup's eyes went wide with surprise.
"Tell me!" he demanded.
"I do not want to."
Hiccup blinked, thinking that he heard wrong. Toothless did not want to tell him?
"What? Why not?"
"Afraid."
That was very strange. Toothless almost never seemed afraid of anything. The last time he could remember Toothless being afraid of anything had to be when they flew against the giant monster on Dragon Island. And why would Toothless be afraid of telling him the truth?
"Not be afraid Toothless. Tell me."
Toothless closed his eyes and took a breath. This was the moment that could make him and Hiccup no longer nestmates.
"I did it."
"You did what?"
"I did this to us."
"But… you… why you make me a kin?"
"This or you be dead."
"What?"
"You fell. Your front was broken and your life-organ bones were showing. I saved us."
"By making me a kin!"
"I did not try that. I wanted to save you. I made us new."
Hiccup's look showed his complete confusion and a hint of anger, but his confusion was the greater.
"I not understand."
"Night-Fury-kin can make one thing be with much wanting. I made us start life new."
"From a kin-egg?"
"Yes, I save you from your two-leg body hurts. But I did not know this change would happen."
Hiccup stood up with a hopeful expression.
"Toothless, you made me kin. You make me two-leg now?"
"No."
"No?"
"I can only do the change one time."
Hiccup heard, but didn't believe it. Wouldn't believe it. Toothless had somehow done this to him and could not undo it!
He was stuck.
He groaned and collapsed with a sob.
Toothless just watched as Hiccup shuddered and sobbed on the ground.
"Why are you very sad?"
"I… not want… be kin. Should be two-leg."
"But you are… you should be happy. You are alive. You are my nestmate."
All of it began rushing through Hiccup's mind just as it had when first realized his predicament. His inability to talk, to do human things, to have a real relationship with Astrid, and many other things besides combined with his increasing certainty that they were gone forever.
"Hiccup, why do you want to be two-leg?"
He only grumbled in response. How could Toothless possibly understand? He had not been forced to change everything about his life!
"I cannot change you to a two-leg. But I can teach you how to be like me. Do not be angry at me."
Hiccup looked up at him upon hearing that.
"I… not angry. I wish other way…"
They lay together for a few minutes before Hiccup sighed in resignation. He got to his feet and dragged himself back over to the rocks.
I might as well just keep practicing. Flying does seem fun…
Toothless watched as Hiccup meandered back over to the rocks. He felt like he had eaten a heap of bad meat or foul fish. He had made Hiccup feel sad again. But at least Hiccup was not angry at him. That is what really mattered.
He walked over to Hiccup who was busy inspecting his own wings.
"Hiccup, are you happy?"
"I not know. Maybe. I want fly…"
"Do not think. Want to fly and trust your wings."
Hiccup took a deep breath and prepared himself just as he had several times before. He imagined Toothless soaring on the winds. He imagined himself floating, swimming even, through the air.
And he jumped.
He closed his eyes and tried not to think about anything while letting his wings do what they were supposed to do.
"Hiccup!" he heard Toothless's distant call.
He opened his eyes and saw that he was gliding well above the surface of the water. Not only was he gliding, but he was not losing height.
I'm… flying!
The cliff face in front of him was not a problem because he angled his fins almost without planning it and banked away from the rocks. The exhilaration of flight under his own power was almost too much for him. He let out a joyous roar, which Toothless echoed from below.
It felt like… all the troubles and worries that had bothered him just moments before were left on the ground. As if nothing could trouble him up here where he was supposed to be.
He felt free.
Then his wings started to feel wobbly. He felt himself starting to tip to the side and over-corrected. A massive downbeat arrested his fall just before he hit the ground. He still crashed on his belly and had to gasp to get back his breath, but it was definitely worth it.
He had just flown on his own! Sure it had only been for a few seconds, but still…
He could do it!
Toothless ran over eagerly and hopped onto him in his excitement. Hiccup groaned at the weight on his back.
"You did it Hiccup! You were flying!"
"Yes, off me."
Toothless complied.
"Fly again?" he asked.
Hiccup tried and failed to wipe the silly grin off his face.
"Yes!"
They ran up the rocks together and jumped at the same time. His second try was much smoother and better controlled than the first had been. He knew what to expect this time. He knew exactly how to adjust his fins when the breeze gusted unexpectedly.
His heart was absolutely racing with excitement and a little bit of fear. It was a long way to fall into the cove from here. But he was somehow sure that he would not fall.
Toothless swooped down and under him before looping up and over him.
Show off!
His wings eventually started to ache from the exertion, and he started merely gliding. He watched as Toothless flew down to the ground to figure out how to properly land. It didn't seem too hard. Just flare the wings and land on the back feet first. How hard could that be?
He glided in toward the dirt and flapped just before touching down. This time he flipped head over tail and landed on his back.
Hiccup caught his breath and Toothless came over and stared at him.
"Better, but you need more flying and less falling."
He rolled his eyes.
"I know."
Toothless helped him roll right side up.
"I want eat," Toothless muttered.
They both got to their feet and walked out of the cove toward the village. It had been a long and tiresome day for both of them.
It was a very odd feeling for Hiccup, knowing that he could now fly somewhat under his own power. If anyone wanted to hurt him, he was now reasonably confident that he could simply escape into the sky.
How much more inhuman was he going to get as time went by? And how much should he care about that reality?
He glanced at Toothless who was happily trotting along next to him. Toothless had changed him somehow.
Dragons had… magic. There was no better word for it.
He was a dragon. Why didn't he himself feel this magic?
Wait!
"Toothless, you tell me how I make change?"
"Hard to say. Like flying, you know how to do it when you need it."
He did not know how to do it. He could not feel anything about himself that was strange, aside from being a dragon of course.
"When can us-kin do change?"
"Only if you would let the winds take your life-breath, if you want more than life, then you might make change be."
That explanation did not help much.
Maybe I can figure it out eventually and then change myself back.
Stoick still fumed at himself. How had he missed it? How had he not known what was happening in his own tribe? That people had been so incensed by the presence of dragons that they had been willing to revolt against their own tribe and had to be seen off the island with force.
They were completely unable or unwilling to change.
And they had even hurt Hiccup.
How had he been so unaware? It was his job as Chief to know such things.
He rolled out of bed just after sunrise and went to get the day started. He went to the docks and picked up a fish, which he took back home and started to carve for Hiccup and Toothless.
Hiccup was standing there on the table when he got back, a message already written out for him.
We will be out today
I want to do something
He did not really want to let Hiccup out of his sights, but he took a breath and decided to trust Hiccup on this one.
"Ok, where are you going to go?"
The forest
"You sure that is safe? There are still traps in there."
I know they are there now
We will be safe
He sighed, resigned to the fact that nothing would stop Hiccup from leaving if he really wanted to leave.
"Ok, just be careful. I'll get this fish ready for you two. I'm going to be talking to the tribe this morning about what happened yesterday and what we are going to do without the Outcasts."
Hiccup nodded and jumped down from the table before running back to his room.
He began to carve up the fish while wondering how to go about what else he had to do. He had to somehow figure out how the village was going to function after losing a not-inconsiderable number of people. There were chores that had to be divided up. Something had to be done about the now-empty houses.
There was also the matter of the treaty. He had agreed that someone, Astrid specifically, would travel to the other tribes and teach them how to be peaceful with dragons. And she would have to leave soon in order to keep the other Chieftains appeased.
He finished dicing the fish and left the breakfast on the table before heading out.
It was oddly quiet outside. Yes, he saw a few people up and about their chores, but a pall seemed to hang over the village.
At least the dragons that he could see looked content.
I guess I have to make a speech about yesterday and reassure everyone that we will be fine.
The dependable cooks already had some breakfast soup made. He sat down at his table in the Hall and watched as his tribe began to slowly enter.
Those that were absent were most conspicuous. It was not only the men whom he had banished, but also their wives and children who were not accounted for. Some of the women and children had left with their husbands and fathers. Others had not known in time before the ship had already been cast off.
For the first time that day, he felt a pang of guilt in his chest. It was his order that had banished the traitors and had broken the families. It was his order that left children of his own tribe without a father and women alone in their beds at night.
I had to do it though. The Chief must do what is necessary for the tribe, not what is pleasant… The traitors did this, not me.
He waited until he did not expect that the assembly could get any larger and then stood up.
"Everyone! As your Chief, I should talk to you about yesterday."
That got everyone's attention, and the paltry conversation that had been occurring died immediately.
"The Outcasts that we removed from our island, they were our brothers once. But they chose to revolt and to rebel against us. They turned their backs on us. That is not what we Nords do. We stick together. We stick with our own. They were going to hurt our pet dragons for no good reason. Worst, they even threatened Gobber and Ms. Hofferdottir."
"You see, they thought that we were the enemy because of what we have managed with dragons. They had to be made Outcasts for the good of the tribe. I did not like having to banish them, but a leader must sometimes do something that is necessary even if they do not want to do it."
"This will mean a bit more work for all of us to make up for those we have lost. But we will be even stronger than we were before. We are all family and we stand with each other!"
He finished his speech with a clenched fist head proudly in the air. Those gathered in the Hall seemed reinvigorated and gave him, and their tribe as a whole, a hearty cheer.
The matter of tribal morale being settled, he had one other major duty to attend to before the more mundane tasks consumed his time.
Astrid had decided to eat breakfast in her parents' house instead of eating in the Hall with the rest of the tribe. The events of the last few days were still too fresh in her memory. Neither of her parents objected either.
She was finishing up the last bit of her soup when a heavy knocking began pounding at the door. Astrid got up from the table and opened the door.
"Chief, good morning sir."
"Good morning Astrid, may I come in?"
"Of course Chief. My parents are around back right now, I'll go get them for you."
"Thank you Astrid."
He waited while she brought both her father Sigurd and her mother Vídarr back into the house. They were both very surprised and nervous to see their Chief under their own roof.
"Chief, to what do we owe the honor?" Sigurd asked while clasping Stoick's arm in the customary greeting.
Stoick gestured at the table, and everyone sat down at their chosen places.
"I've come about your daughter. There is something that I need her to do for the good of the tribe."
Astrid gasped and froze.
"We understand. Who have you chosen for her to marry?" Sigurd asked.
Stoick looked confused.
"Marry? This is not about marriage."
Astrid let out the breath that she had been holding.
"This is about the treaty I made with the Berserkers, Vaina, and Volsung. I agreed that we would send a representative to their islands and teach them how to act like we do around dragons. I chose your daughter to represent all of Berk."
Astrid felt her heart swell with pride and honor at being chosen for such an important mission. And this was a mission that was exactly what she actually wanted to do.
"Thank you sir. When do you want me to leave?"
"Within the week. I know you need time to get the Academy in order for when you will be gone and also to prepare for the travels. You will be away for weeks."
"That is ok sir, I can do it."
"I know you can Astrid. I and your parents are both very proud of you. Come and talk to me later when you are ready to hear everything that you must do."
"I will sir."
Stoick nodded once and turned to leave the Hoffer house. But not before nodding respectfully to Sigurd and Vídarr. They both glowed with pleasure at hearing their daughter receive such praise and honor from the Chief.
"Well dear, what an honor. You get to represent our entire tribe!" Sigurd said as he gave his daughter a hug.
"I know dad, I'll make you and mom proud."
"Silly," Vídarr grinned, "we are already proud of you, our little starling."
They remained in a group hug for a few moments before Astrid broke away.
"Well, I should get going. Got plenty of work to do."
Her parents bid her a good day, and she left home for her usual duties.
Hiccup will definitely want to hear about this.
Hiccup spent most of the day at Toothless's side getting instruction on finer points of flight. Things such as how the winds behave near cliffs and water and how the wind itself seems to flow up and down. That means constantly adjusting ones wings and fins to smoothly stay aloft. Toothless had him practicing above the same clifftop where he had once learned how to control Toothless's fin positions.
"How do you remember it all?" he asked.
"It is like walking. Do you think about moving each foot?"
"No, it happens."
"That is how you fly. You spend many suns flying and you stop needing thinking."
Toothless then got up from sunning himself with outstretched wings and hopped over to the cliff's edge. He gave Hiccup a beckoning nod.
"Follow me, we should fly."
Hiccup followed him up to the ledge and looked over at the crashing surf and jagged shoreline below. If he fell...
"No fear, this is a good sun for flying and the wind is soft."
Toothless then spread his wings and leapt from the ledge, easily finding lift in the easy winds coming off the ocean. Hiccup felt his heart clench and gulped in nervousness. But at the same time, he felt something calling him to the open sky before him. Some need to be up and off the ground.
He perched right on the edge with his wings outstretched. He paused and took a deep breath and then leapt.
Floating. The wind and air worked to hold him up against the falling pull.
None of the lessons could have prepared him for how it really felt.
Pure freedom. Liberation. Rightness.
He didn't need to consciously correct for the slight changes in the wind; it was as though his wings and tail had a mind of their own.
Toothless roared out in joy and banked down in front of him. He followed Toothless around a nearby sea-stack and a short distance out over the open ocean. Then Toothless turned around and flew back to the top of the cliff.
They alighted, more smoothly in Toothless's case, and collapsed to catch their breath.
"Hiccup! You fly! Much good," Toothless purred in happiness while he bumped his neck.
"Much fun, yes. I like flying."
"I knew you would. You only need not step on your own tail and flying is easy."
Both of them returned home in the late afternoon, quite exhausted and hungry after a day of flight. Hiccup checked for his dad, but he could not see him anywhere at home.
He is probably still busy. Maybe Astrid could help get us something to eat.
Hiccup left the house, Toothless in tow, and ran to the training ring.
Where are you?
"Who are you looking for Hiccup?"
"Astrid."
Toothless grumbled a bit.
"Why do you want to talk to her much?"
"Because she my… what is word for someone who makes you happy and feel safe around?"
Toothless answered with a word he had not heard before. That had to mean a friend.
"My friend, that is what she is."
Toothless looked disturbed by something.
"But… I am your friend."
"Toothless, we spend all time together! I want time for me."
"Grr, that not it. You do not want to talk."
Hiccup angrily turned on Toothless.
"Yes, I do. But I want talk with her! We just fly together. Have time together. We need Astrid for fish."
Toothless actually growled at him and rolled his eyes.
"No, you do not need Astrid for fish. You… want her for…!"
Toothless growled something that he did not know. Even without knowing what Toothless said, Hiccup glared daggers at Toothless, who in turn huffed and ran away.
Why would he say that! He is so… selfish, so…
"What do you know! You… little…!"
Still fuming, Hiccup started walking in search of Astrid. It was not fair of Toothless to expect that he have all his time.
I have a life of my own and…
There was Astrid walking with Stormfly.
Finally!
He ran up to her, and she quickly noticed his approach. She looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then gestured behind a house where they could talk in safety. They both sat down on the ground next to each other.
"Hiccup, is your arm feeling better?"
He nodded and then rolled his arm some to show that it was indeed better.
"Good, that is good. It is very strange having so many people gone from the village now. But, I think we will be happier in the future."
She paused when she noticed his expression.
"What is wrong, Hiccup? You look sad."
I am hungry and
Had a fight with Toothless
"You had a fight with Toothless? What about?"
Uh…
Nothing
Astrid fortunately did not ask.
"About the hungry part, I can help with that. I was actually going to go to the docks and get something to make some special stew. You want some?"
Me get a chance to try Astrid's cooking? Absolutely!
He nodded vigorously while licking his lips to emphasize his point.
"Ok, can you come to my house at sundown? I'll have the stew ready for dinner. Don't worry about my parents, they will absolutely love to see you."
Will they try to hold me
"Uh, maybe…" Astrid blushed, remembering that she herself had held Hiccup like a baby without knowing who he really was.
"I'll tell them not to handle you."
He smiled and nodded happily.
"There is something else Hiccup. Your father has asked me to leave Berk for a while."
Hiccup's wings flopped to the ground, and his face showed his complete confusion.
"The treaty he made with the other tribes means that I need to show the other tribes how to treat dragons well. They want dragons of their own, you see. So he picked me to go to them and… you know, spread the peace."
That was definitely a good thing. The only problem was that it would mean that Astrid would be gone from Berk. Who knew how long it would take for the other tribes to learn?
How long will you be gone
"I'm not sure. Several weeks at least, probably more."
He hung his head. The soft whine that escaped his lips was completely involuntary.
"I'll be fine. Your dad will actually tell me more about what I am supposed to do."
I will miss you
Of course Hiccup would miss her since she was one of only three people who knew his secret. He would not be able to talk to her when she was gone.
Was Hiccup trying to say that he still liked her? Because that would be…? Sweet? Strange? She did not know how she was supposed to feel about that.
"I'll miss you too Hiccup. I just have to do this for the tribe and for dragons."
Hiccup nodded reluctantly. Then he had an idea and began furiously scribbling.
What if I come with
"Maybe you could help, but you have to get your father to agree. And how would you get there?"
Hiccup's smug look was unmistakable.
I fly
"You… can… fly?"
In response, Hiccup turned away, flared his wings, and jumped with a massive heave. He did not pretend that it was glamorous or even smooth, because it was neither. Still, it was proper flying on his own power. He banked to the left in a wide arc around the house, his wings working without conscious direction, and came in for a landing, throwing out his rear legs.
Ok, don't crash. Don't crash.
He fell flat on his belly with an oomph and sheepishly looked up at Astrid.
She had a look of unmistakable amazement and a little bit of concern.
"Wow, are you alright?"
He rolled his eyes and grumbled while miming her question as though he was trying to talk.
"Yep, you're definitely fine. But you just flew! Oh gods, Hiccup can fly now. What… what is it like?"
Very good
It makes me feel happy
"That is not surprising. Just gotta land a bit better next time, huh?"
Yep it is harder than it looks
Astrid scratched her head, deep in thought.
"It would help if you could come. You could answer their questions to show them how smart dragons can be. No one would even ever know who you really are."
He nodded eagerly. It was a perfect idea!
"So you go talk to your father, and I'll go get the soup ready for this evening then. Deal?"
Hiccup held out a tiny paw toward Astrid, which she took and gingerly shook to agree upon their plan.
They went their separate ways after wiping out the runes, and Astrid walked on to the harbor. Sador's fishing boat was about to come in, and the men were preparing to bring their haul ashore. A couple of the local wild dragons as well as Hookedfang were visible in the sky flying away from the docks. She approached when the ship landed, and Sador stepped onto the docks.
"Sador, how went the fishing?"
"Splendid as usual Astrid. They," he nodded at the skies, "always know where to find the fish."
"Good, I was wondering if you had anything that I could take right now. I want to make something for the Chief's little dragons."
"Something for our little Furies, of course of course. Only the best for them."
He hopped back aboard and began digging in a couple barrels.
"Ah, here you go Astrid. These should make a fine meal for them."
"Thank you Sador, I'm sure they will."
The makings of the stew in hand, a fat salmon and a striped, yellow eel, she walked back to her home.
Once there, the potatoes, vegetables, and catches all went into the pot and would simmer over the fire for several more hours. After ensuring that the stew needed little further attention, she set out to find Stoick in order to find out the remaining details of her upcoming work.
Toothless spent the rest of the sun-cycle flying above the cave-nests. Building up endurance was very important for a near-yearling. Before Hiccup shot him from the sky, he had been able to stay aloft for an entire sun-cycle if the wind was cooperative.
Practicing flying also let him get away from Hiccup.
Hiccup was being so… frustrating. It felt a bit like how Hiccup had to leave every cycle back after they first met each other. Hiccup seemed happy when playing with him now, but always seemed more somber and sad around Astrid. Why was that? A friend was someone who should make one happy.
Does he still think of her as a will-be-mate? That would be… very wrong.
Yet, it was probably the case. Hiccup was being difficult because of his unique situation.
All the thoughts of comparing Hiccup to bad-wrong-snake-fish vanished as he was once again reminded that he was ultimately responsible for Hiccup's problems.
He sighed as he started to feel exhausted from the flying.
Maybe I am not being patient enough with him. It is not easy for him to talk to her now because he needs picture-words.
He could not see Hiccup anywhere, and it was starting to get dark.
I should tell him I am sorry.
Toothless ran back to home-nest and nosed his way inside.
"Hiccup?"
There was no answer from anywhere in the house.
Nap time until he gets back.
He hopped up onto the animal skin bed and resolved to wait for Hiccup to return.
"No. Absolutely not."
Hiccup's expression showed how taken aback he was by his father's answer. He sat down and then held his arms out in the universal gesture of pleading.
His dad just shook his head again.
"It is too dangerous. You just got hurt a few days ago."
My arm is not bad
I can help Astrid
"How? What could you do that would not give your secret away?"
I pretend you taught me to write and understand
"That would still give it away. And Astrid would surely figure it out then. She is not an idiot."
Hiccup growled and clenched the pencil very tightly.
Why would it be so bad
If others found out
"Son! You were turned into a dragon! Don't you know how scary that is? We don't know what happened to cause this!"
Hiccup almost answered when he realized that it might not be a good idea to say that Toothless was the reason why he was a dragon.
"It will be dangerous out there with strange tribes and dragons that are not like the ones here on Berk. I can't have you getting hurt. You don't know how unreasonable people can be with magic."
Why
"Because dragons are something they know how to fight back against. Magic is mysterious and dangerous. What are they supposed to do if dragons start changing more people into… them?"
Hiccup grumbled indistinctly and hung his head. Once again, his dad's words made sense in a way.
"I don't mean to yell at you, you just have to understand how bad it would be if everyone else found out what happened to you."
And when you get me changed back
What will we say then
Where was I all that time
They will know eventually
"I don't know. We will… sail that sea when we come to it."
Neither of them said anything for a while.
"So, are we clear son?"
Hiccup nodded sadly, and Stoick stood up from the table.
"Good! I have to go talk to Astrid about the trip. Then it's to the Hall for dinner. It's lamb tonight, you want me to bring back any?"
Hiccup shook his head.
"Not hungry then, ok. Be sure to get some rest so your arm can get better."
And like that, his dad was gone from the house.
Why won't he let me go? He is so paranoid.
.
I guess that is understandable though. There has been a lot of bad stuff that happened recently. I just wish he would trust me.
He got to his feet and walked over to the door. At least his dad had left the door cracked open so that he could easily get out. To pass the time, he started walking around the village and observing everyone around him. He saw Fishlegs walking out of Gobber's shop.
Gobber.
That is who he could spend some time with. He ran over to the smithy and was very surprised when Gobber looked around nervously and beckoned him inside.
"Hiccup, I think I should tell you that Fishlegs suspects something. About you. He told me that he thought he saw you writing to Astrid. He told me that he thought he was seeing things."
Oops, well it could be worse.
"You know how Fishlegs is. Very… book-smart and very curious. He might go ask your father what is going on."
Ok, it could definitely be worse.
Hiccup looked around for some paper.
Dad still wants me secret
But people will find out eventually
"If your father gave you an order, then you should not break it."
I did for you
"Eh, ignore that one. The point is that people can't know that you were turned into a dragon."
Hiccup thought hard and grinned when he came up with the solution.
What about I am just a dragon then
And dad taught me how to write
No one would know who I am
Gobber rubbed his chin in thought.
"That might just work. It would still be very shocking to many of the people. But on the other hand, only the dragon-friendly people are still here. Hiccup, are the rest of the dragons as smart as you?"
Toothless is
I do not know how to talk to the others
"I just wonder now," Gobber mused, "about all the things that we have done over the years. I mean, just think about me. All I have done is build the weapons we used to fight dragons and I taught people to fight dragons."
We thought we had to back then
"Aye, I know that. I just feel like we never really knew what we were against. And then you and Toothless changed everything."
Gobber then looked around having just noticed something.
"Speaking of Toothless, where is he? I thought you two went everywhere together."
We had a fight
Gobber lifted an eyebrow.
"Oh really, your first ever fight with your brother, eh? What was it about?"
Hiccup froze.
A brother.
He called Toothless my brother…
Was he? Was that a fair way to describe them?
They obviously did not have the same parents. They were only related to each other in any way through the most magical and bizarre circumstances imaginable. Yes, they were friends, but brothers…
He had no brother before and did not really have anything to compare this to.
"Hiccup? Midgard to Hiccup," Gobber was waving his palm in front of Hiccup's nose to get his attention.
About how I spend time
"How you spend time? I don't understand."
I want to spend time with Astrid
"Nothing wrong with that. She knows about you and you two were friendly before… well, you know."
Toothless doesn't understand
"Did you try to explain it to him?"
Uh, I didn't really get a chance. But...
"Oh well, I'm sure you two will work it out. I remember how my brother and I would steal the blanket off each other in the middle of winter, put dead rats in each other's boots, and punch each other just to show how strong we were. Good times. And when we were both grown up, I never once doubted that he had my back."
What did you do about the fights?
"Well, they just kind of got resolved. Some never did actually. To this day, I swear that he stole my favorite helmet, but that is beside the point. The point is that he was my brother, and I knew that I can always rely on him. No matter if we had to spend months and years apart."
"Gobber, are you in there?" a voice called out.
Gobber turned and shooed Hiccup into hiding behind a workbench.
"Sador, is that you?"
"Aye, do you have nails for the ships? It's about time for repairs."
"Sure, right over there."
Sador grabbed the bag of nails after inspecting them.
"Thanks Gobber."
He left a moment later.
"Well, Hiccup, I guess I have some work to get back to. How is the arm by the way?"
It is better now.
Gobber grunted in acknowledgment. Hiccup hopped down from the table and set out for Astrid's house. It was already late and dinner had to be almost ready. It had better be ready at least.
This is strange, I've never been to her house before. I wonder how to do this.
He walked up to the shut door and considered how to get their attention. The best he could come up with was to rap on the door and hope that they could hear him.
This is going to look so strange to them. Ok, be an innocent little dragon now…
Knock. Knock.
He heard the sound of footsteps walking over to the door.
And there stood Astrid's mother Vídarr. She looked around for a moment before noticing the tiny dragon sitting on her porch.
"Oh, you are adorable. Did you just knock?"
Hiccup did not answer other than by tilting his head to the side and looking happy. Which he was.
"Astrid, there is a little dragon at our front door."
"Coming," Astrid shouted.
Hiccup let himself in and walked toward the living room while surveying the surroundings. It was very different from his own house. There were more furs and flowers decorating the house. The walls were absolutely covered in family portraits and ceremonial weaponry. Even despite the dimming evening light, the entire house was brightened by the light from the candles and fireplace.
It seemed a much cheerier and brighter place.
"Why is there a baby dragon in our living room?"
"Mom, you remember I said that he might come by."
"How would you know that might happen?"
"One moment."
Astrid stepped around the corner, and Hiccup had to prevent his jaw from going slack. She was in her nightgown and had her hair let down. He could not remember her ever letting her hair down in public. But of course this was not in public.
She silently beckoned him into the kitchen, and he followed numbly.
He saw all three of the Hoffers gathered around the dinner table with a large, steaming pot at the center of the table.
"Astrid, what is a dragon doing in our house?" Sigurd asked.
"He is going to join us for dinner."
Her parents exchanged a look of confusion.
"What is wrong with just giving it some fish outside? And what if it makes a mess in here?"
"Dad, he is not going to make a mess in here."
"But, it is a dragon dear. We shouldn't have pets in our kitchen."
"Mom, dad, he is not a pet. He is much, much smarter than a pet."
Again, her parents were confused.
"Hiccup, come up here," Astrid addressed him while patting on a free chair which he jumped onto.
"Astrid, what is going on? You are talking to a dragon!"
"Because he can understand me! Well… some of what I say."
Both of her parents began staring at him. He felt like shrinking into the cushion on the chair to escape their intense gaze.
"Let me show you," Astrid said as she looked away.
"Hiccup, are you hungry for fish stew?"
He nodded once.
"You could have trained it to do that," Sigurd objected.
"Tell it to use a spoon," he continued.
Before Astrid had a chance to reply, Hiccup stood up on his hind legs and rested his arms on the table. He reached over and picked up the spoon in a paw.
Both of her parents gasped in amazement.
"It… is true, the dragon really understands you," Sigurd admitted.
"They are much smarter than we thought they were. At least Night Furies are," Astrid said as she stood up and poured a generous serving of the stew into the bowl which she set aside for Hiccup.
Hiccup looked at the juicy fish stew and could barely wait to dig in. The only problem was how to actually eat it. Using the spoon would take far longer than if he could just attack the soup directly, but it would probably be far less messy. He made a point of looking from the spoon, to the soup, and to Astrid's still-dumbstruck parents.
"I think he doesn't want to use a spoon," Astrid noted.
"Uh… here then, have him use this rag," Vídarr mumbled.
Astrid lay the rag under the bowl and moved both to the edge of the table for him. Hiccup smiled at the three of them, licked his chops, and then buried his face in the stew.
"I've never seen anything like this before," Sigurd muttered at the sight of a dragon eating in a relatively civilized manner at his dinner table.
"If you think that is amazing, there is something even better. Don't tell anyone else, but I think he might be able to learn to write."
Hiccup paused in slurping down the soup to grin at how clever Astrid was. She had just made it possible for him to be somewhat himself around her parents and maybe eventually write without it being too shocking to them. That would be progress. Maybe eventually his own dad would be as reasonable and let him talk to others.
But for now, the soup had to be dealt with to the satisfaction of his belly. He also spied what he thought were some potatoes and carrots in the soup. Those did not have nearly as much taste as the fish though.
All in all, a very satisfying soup. Sure, this is my first soup in about a year, but still…
The bowl eventually emptied and his belly filled, he stepped back from the table after wiping his chin on the rag and curled up on the chair.
I need to tell her how good that was.
In fact, it was either so good or he had eaten so much that he started feeling a bit light-headed and sleepy. He hastily hopped down from the table and ran over to the door, which he started pushing on. Naturally, it would not budge.
"It's ok, I got it," Astrid said while getting up.
She ran over to the door and opened it for him.
"Are you going home?" she whispered.
Yes, he nodded.
"Ok, I hope you liked the stew."
He smiled back to her and nodded again. Astrid went back inside, and he set out for home. It was harder than he thought it would be. Based on his growing shivers, the night was much cooler than he thought it would be. His stomach then growled at him, which was odd since he just ate very well.
Hmm, maybe my belly doesn't like vegetables. Probably not normal dragon food. Or maybe I'm just sleepy.
It had been a long day after all. He nudged open the door and stumbled to his room. Toothless was already sound asleep in the bed. He grumbled a bit at seeing Toothless, but his stomach took his attention off his frustration with his friend. He curled up on the edge of the bed with a blanket partially covering him.
I just need to sleep. I'll feel better in the morning.