Chapter 7 - Departure:
Toothless just nodded in reply, words did not need to be said at this point in time.
"I just don't understand." Hiccup sobbed, "Why does everyone hate me so much? I mean, I know I did mess up a bit, but doesn't everyone make mistakes or it seriously just me?"
Toothless brought Hiccup close to his chest and he wound his tail around him.
"Everyone makes mistakes Hiccup. It's just they don't seem to be able to see past them to observe the goodness in people." The Night Fury tried to assure.
He nodded into the dragons hide as his tears kept coming out; he hugged Toothless, crying gently into the soft, warm impermeable scales.
"I tried so hard. Over the years I have tried so desperately to impress dad and the villagers. But isn't that the point? The fact that I have tried? Isn't trying and striving to achieve your goal what matters in this world?"
The Night Fury began rumbling deeply and softly; it seemed like an affectionate purring.
"Yes. I think it is. Trying is what matters, not necessarily whether you succeed or fail, the most important thing is to have tried."
Hiccup started to relax and release the dragon, "Yeah."
"So," Toothless sat up on his hind legs, a mischievous grin on his face and a couple of ears twitching.
"Lets remove the sombre atmosphere shall we?"
Suddenly he retracted his teeth into his gums, and the next thing Hiccup knew was that he was being thrown at high speed and crashed into the water in the lake.
He swam up to the surface, only to witness the dragon rolling around on the ground laughing his head off.
"You little devil." Muttered Hiccup, trying to force down a smile from reaching his lips. Just that moment while Toothless was rolling around on the ground, Hiccup got an idea.
He breathed in as much air as he could, and dived under the surface again.
There, he stayed and swam around underneath the surface for a bit, holding his breath.
Eventually, as he was about to surface, he saw a black blur suddenly flying over the surface and dived into the water, evidently looking for him.
Hiccup swam back up to the surface, and breathed in and began laughing as Toothless surfaced too with a horrified look on his face.
"You scared me, I thought you drowned!" He said. As he followed the laughing Hiccup to the shore.
Hiccup collapsed onto the shore, lay down and looked at the sky. Now around midday, the sun shone strongly onto the two laying on the shore of the lake in the cove, warming them up from the cool temperature of the water.
Toothless walked over and did the same next to him, rolling onto his back with his paws in the air.
They stayed there for several minutes, before Hiccup asked a question.
"Why do dragons raid Berk?"
Toothless gulped in a breath before answering.
"They don't do it for themselves. They have to. You see Hiccup, there is this monstrous queen dragon that lives inside the dragons nest in the volcano. It's the size of a mountain and it demands food every few months."
"Its so big and got such a temper that no dragon has the wits to stand up against it. Any dragon who refuses to give its food to the queen is killed or eaten. But the worst part of it is that the queen seems to possess a strength that other dragons do not."
"It has the ability to call dragons within a certain area. It makes a sort of buzzing, irritating sound that affects every dragon. No dragon can escape the call once you're in its range."
Hiccup shuddered. "That sounds awful. But what about you? I never saw a Night Fury stealing food?"
"Night's are not required to steal food. We are used to lead and provide backup during the raids. We're the only dragons who aren't forced to find food for it. That night when you shot me down, that shook off the queen's control of me. And I daresay that capturing dragons is an effective way to shake off its control. As that happened with the dragons that are enclosed in the arena in your village."
"The reason they still shoot fire and act as they always do is to defend themselves, I saw from the forest you and other Vikings fighting the dragons, they only do so to defend themselves."
This was all starting to make sense to Hiccup. This was the reason behind the dragon attacks. He knew they'd be an explanation.
"So, if this queen is the reason behind the war between Vikings and dragons, is our objective to destroy the queen? Is that what the wisest meant by conquering corruption and evil?" Hiccup asked.
"Certainly a large portion of it, yes. The queen would probably count for half of the evil, but you see Hiccup, in other parts of the world corruption and evil are taking place too. Just in a similar nature. And in those areas, such monster queens do not exist, but the dragons do, and they can be used by humans for many different things. Not necessarily good."
Hiccup sighed, sat up and watched the water in the lake rippling gently.
"After all this time I've wanted to stay on Berk to work as hard as I could to do my best. Now after all this has happened, I've realised the only place I want to be is wherever you are. No matter where."
Silence.
After a while, he heard the dragon start rumbling deeply like purring of a giant cat, and he said, "Thank you, and I say the same to you now, my friend. You're my only friend too. I've had others in the past, but my past is a tragic one and it's probably best not to uncover it at this point in time."
Hiccup nodded in understanding, "I understand."
Suddenly Hiccups stomach made a rather loud noise.
"Are you hungry?" Questioned the dragon, looking curiously at Hiccups chest.
"Possibly just a little." He answered. His face and ears going red in embarrassment.
Toothless picked himself up and stood on his four paws. "Well why didn't you say so?"
"Well," Hiccup muttered, sarcasm dripping in his tone, "Technically I did, my stomach said so."
The dragon walked over to Hiccup, and suddenly began making retching noises, as if he was choking. Then, quickly the dragon coughed up a half eaten fish, covered in slime and dropped it onto Hiccups lap.
"Ugh! Toothless I can't eat that! That's not funny!" Spoke a disgusted Hiccup.
"Why not, its fresh? I caught it this morning remember?" Toothless argued, looked confused. It was a perfect fish. He would eat it again if Hiccup wasn't hungry. What was the problem with him?
"Toothless!" Hiccup stood up, and the fish fell off his lap and onto the green mossy ground below. "It's raw, humans can't eat raw food, and it doesn't suit our stomach! Secondly, it's already been half digested by you and its covered in slime! It looks horrible."
"All right all right if you feel that strongly about it." Replied the dragon, who quickly woofed it down again happily.
"Ugh," Hiccup complained, "Now I don't feel like eating at all."
The Night Fury turned to face him, tilted his head and gave him the best dragon impersonation that clearly said, 'Dude, really?'
"Okay okay! I'll try and see if there is any left in the lake." He began walking to the lake, when Toothless jumped in front of him.
"That won't be necessary. I'll be back in a jiffy."
Without a second to waste, the dragon of the night leapt into the air, and disappeared within a few seconds from view.
Hiccup now instead went over to a nearby rock and took out his notebook. Then he realised he needed something to write with. The best stuff to write with was charcoal on the burnt end of a small stick.
He needed to return to the village for five things tonight and he numbered in order in his mind, seeing that he couldn't write them down into his notebook.
Firstly, he needed to design, and make a saddle that would be large and comfortable enough to ride Toothless if he was going to be riding long distances over a fair amount of time. He also needed to make sure that it camouflaged into his hide, so he could disappear in the night and perhaps even in the daylight sky. Along with that thought he also realised one day he might try to make, buy or find some black clothes.
Secondly, once that was done, he needed to find the best-suited weapon he could for himself to take with him on his travels once he left Berk in case he ran into trouble.
Thirdly, he needed to write and drop off letters to Astrid, Gobber and if Stoick should return, he could return to learn the knowledge of what his son has done.
Fourthly, he wanted to personally go and find Gothi and thank her for her words and see if there was anything else she could tell him.
Lastly, as he promised, the last thing he would do is release the captured dragons into the wild. Free them from their cages so they could be free to roam the skies once more. Not just the Nadder, but also all of them.
Just at that moment, Toothless arrived back with several fish in his mouth, some still alive and wriggling and attempting to get out of his mouth.
"Thank you very much Toothless." Hiccup thanked him.
Toothless nodded.
After that, the young Viking then walked around the cove, collecting wood. Sticks, logs and branches for a fire.
Once he had gathered enough and placed it all into a pile, he looked at Toothless.
"Hey bud, would you mind?"
Toothless looked down at him after apparently staring at a sparrow in the distance, and glanced towards the pile of wood that Hiccup was gesturing at, and spat a quick purple blast of fire accurately from where he was sitting and it ignited at once.
"Thanks."
Hiccup grabbed another stick this time, plunged it into one of the fish and held it over the fire.
While it was cooking, Hiccup told him the plan for the night and evening.
By the time he was done the fish was cooked and Hiccup happily ate it. Icelandic cod always tasted nice at this time of year.
"So, you're sure you're all right for me to ride you? You will let me make a saddle-"
Toothless growled, "If you ask me that one more time, I've already told you, yes!"
"Okay okay!"
Now with the cooked fish neatly in Hiccups stomach, and a perfectly charred stick to write with from the fire, he knew it was time to design the saddle he would tonight make in secret.
It took some time, nearly till nightfall but he managed to make the best design he possibly could and it would be makeable in the amount of time he had. However, the most unfortunate thing he has realised is that this is the only time he will be able to make it.
Once he had left Berk, he will not be able to return to fix it or make another. Unless he managed to do so in secret. So he hoped he would find a friendly tribe out there of which may be able to help him one day.
Nevertheless, the design was done, the letters were written, soon would be the time to act. They planned to leave Berk straight after they freed the captured dragons.
"It's nearly nightfall." Called out Toothless, jumping down from the top of the cove and landing with a thundering crash onto the ground.
"Yes, we'll leave once the night has turned black, we don't want to be seen bud. Remember as I said, stay beyond Berk in the borders of the forest. And meet me in the dragon arena when you see the first dragon coming out. If you don't see me-"
"Come and find you." The Night finished for him, nodding.
"Yeah. But try and stay hidden, please."
The pair of them then ate the leftovers of the fish for a late dinner, and by that time it was dead of night. Hiccup having inherited Night Fury eyesight; he could see everything almost so easily it was hard to tell if it was daytime.
"Ok, lets go."
At once, the Night bounded over to him and Hiccup hopped onto his back to his regret, due to it being uncomfortable, and he soared up into the air.
The ride was painful, but exhilarating. He loved the feel of the wind and the extreme sense of freedom that flying seems to create.
Once the Night arrived at the edge of the forest once again, Hiccup slipped off and landed on the ground.
"Oh, I can't wait to use a saddle." He said, the pain now gradually subsiding.
"I bet. Ok good luck Hiccup, I'll be waiting for you." The Night rubbed his head affectionately against him.
"Thanks buddy, see you."
And with that, armed with a notebook which consisted of several pages of designs for a saddle, and a few pages to be ripped out and given to three people, he ran into Berk.
With his new speed and agility, he ran very quickly and stealthily into the village. Hiding behind the odd house or two, listening for sounds of Vikings and scents of them.
As far as he was aware, nobody was around. He approached the forge, and Gobber was not present. He would have gone to bed for the night.
He entered the forge, put on his apron and looked around for cloths and materials to build a saddle from.
The more he looked, the more he noticed how much Gobber had spent in so many years in this forge. It had many clothes, different types of materials for making them, sewing stuff, wool and more. As well as all the weapons and equipment for welding, building and sharpening.
He got the required materials and set to work, though he kept his ears operating in case he heard a Viking approaching.
It took him a little longer than expected, but he completed the saddle. Though unfortunately Hiccup could not find any black material, so he had no choice but to make it with a brown, shoe-like colour.
With that done, he put the straps for the saddle over his head and wore it around his body as one would with a bow and arrow.
He now looked around the armoury, which was connected to the forge, and tried to decide what type of weapon he wanted to use most.
He found himself not really wanting any of them; no weapon really suited his interests. Though even if he weren't presented with stacks of weapons he still wouldn't be sure of which.
He took a chance and picked a small sized sword with a sheath that he could buckle to his belt.
Once done, he headed back to his home, gathered some clothes and placed them into a basket. He also placed his letter to his dad Stoick on the bench there.
Now leaving his home with the basket and saddle over his shoulders, he looked around the house and said, "Goodbye."
With that done, he headed to Astrid's house, and he slid the note under the door. Then he went to Gobbers house and did the same with his note.
With two things left, he went to look for Gothi. He wasn't exactly sure where she lived, but he guessed she lived in a place that was at the back of the village at the top of the hill close to the forest. His own house and Stoick's house were also close to this area, but Gothi's was at the direct top.
He approached the door and was just about to knock, but then the door opened before he did so and Gothi stood there with a smile on her face.
"Hello Hiccup." She said, "please don't linger, there are guards around tonight so best to go when you can."
"Okay. Gothi, I just wanted to say thank you for the advice you gave me, I will follow it. Might I ask why and how you know about all this stuff?"
She sighed and blinked rather slowly, "I'm afraid some mysteries are best to remain unsolved my dear. All I can tell you is to head west. Myrka is quite a distance; no doubt you won't be reaching that place for a while. After what you achieve in Myrka, I do not know what you should do then, that is for you and the two others you find in Myrka with the dragon marks to decide."
"Best things to remember Hiccup before you go, is to know that trust is not found or something that should be easily created. Trust is earned. Do not trust anyone, except whomsoever is worthy of it. Gather the five, and unite the six. Here, take this, it was mine once, I hope it comes in handy. Good luck."
She took something that was packaged out of her pocket. It appeared rather small. He took it and placed it into his own pocket.
"Thank you very much. I'll try. I hope I see you again."
She smiled once more, "Let's see what the future brings." Hiccup took his cue and left.
Now the last thing he was going to do was about to be completed.
He strolled down towards the arena, keeping a weary eye out for any guards that Gothi spoke of.
He saw a couple but managed to avoid them quite easily with his stealth skills.
Once into the arena, he whispered towards one enclosure in particular.
"Hey Nadder, it's me. I'm going to let you and all the dragons out now. Can you please tell them to try and remain quiet? I do not want to attract attention."
He heard a scramble from inside, then, "Sure."
Hiccup heard the Nadder whispering to the other dragons.
"Okay, ready." The Nadder spoke.
He opened the Nadder enclosure first, and said dragon came out rather slowly. It walked over to the arena gates, and waited.
Then Hiccup heard a whoosh sound, noticed his Night mark turn blue, and he turned around and was once again surprised, as Toothless stood right there.
"Hello Night." The Nadder made a bow to the dragon. "Pleasure to know you have activated the Viking's mark."
"Good evening Spikes." Replied the Night politely, making a casual nod. "Indeed, I have. It is in full effect, most of the effects have already finished. I suspect one more day and his Night's traits shall be completed."
During the time the Deadly Nadder in which species in dragon culture appears to be called Spikes, was talking to Toothless, Hiccup had released all the dragons, including three he hadn't trained on.
"Hail the Viking with Night's mark and his accompanying Night." Chanted the Monstrous Nightmare. Making a bow that was joined in by all the other dragons.
Hiccup went red in the face and ears, "Look, thank you, but I'm no leader worthy of all this attention. I really don't think its necessary."
"And that, is exactly why you are worthy of it." Spoke the Gronckle.
"Anyway…" Began Hiccup, hoping to change the subject, "You are all freed and are welcome to do whatever you choose. We must leave, I don't want any of us to be seen by any guards."
"Yes, true." Admitted Toothless, suddenly looking up and around everywhere, his ears twitching in all directions for sounds of any sort.
"Okay, let's go." Spoke the Terrible Terror, in a stranger higher pitched dragon voice.
"Wait a second Toothless, I need to secure the saddle to you," said Hiccup.
Hiccup walked over to the Night Fury, and started strapping in the saddle. His birthmark flashing between blue and purple.
"Sir, we were wondering," Spoke the left one of the dragon heads of the Hideous Zippleback, "If we could possibly come with you." Said the other one. "All of us." Both heads then said nervously at the same time.
"Yes, we were all curious about that." Added in Spikes, as if suddenly remembering.
As he worked, Hiccup gave it a thought. He didn't want to be distracted too much from his tasks. But then again some help at times could be useful, as could extra firepower. Developing friends in dragons would also be beneficial.
On the other hand, he didn't want them risking their lives for him at any time though. He wanted to work alone when situations like that came. He didn't want any external help.
"Maybe. But it'd have its risks. What do you think bud?" Hiccup would like to hear the Night's opinion.
"Well," began the Night Fury, "I don't really think it's that much of a good idea. No offense guys, its just that the more friends we have with us, the more dangerous our situation will be. We could be flying into a hostile area and I don't want any of you getting killed. It's just-"
"No no…" Interrupted the Nadder, shaking its head. "We understand completely. You're quite right. We'll leave you both to it."
"Yes, we shall. But I tell you what, we'll just be hanging around random islands in this archipelago. If you ever would need help, just come find us." Spoke the Monstrous Nightmare.
The Terrible Terror suddenly flew up and down on the spot. "Yes yes!" It squeaked. "Great idea Sticky Flame! Any help should you need it, just send word or come and find us around these islands!"
The saddle was now securely strapped to the Night, Hiccup jumped aboard.
"All right, thank you. That's settled. We may meet again someday. Goodbye!" Hiccup cheered, but kept his noise to a minimum.
The dragons took one last bow, before they all flapped their wings and took off.
"Wait a moment bud." Hiccup took the package that Gothi gave him out of his pocket, unwrapped it and stuffed the wrapping into another pocket.
She had given him a compass. A well designed and by the looks of it, an accurate one. It had all directions on it. North, South, East and West. And a few in-between.
Hiccup took one last glance behind him as he directed Toothless to walk to the edge of the arena gates to face west and prepared to take off.
Hiccup placed his compass into his pocket in his coat so it was secure. Then he looked behind him once more.
"Farewell… Berk. Goodbye Gobber. I shall return, one day."
Hiccup turned back around, facing the dark night, and raging sea. He took a deep breath and spoke confidently, "My home is now behind me. The world, is our destination. Buddy, head west and we shall make our way to Myrka country!" Cried Hiccup.
Immediately, coupled with Toothless sounding a quiet roar of confirmation, he leapt into the air, and they were off on an adventure.
The next morning on Berk…
Stoick-The-Vast was relieved to finally be home. His village. And it looked as it always did, sturdy.
Tough time he had endured these past moons. He and his fellow Vikings had failed once again in finding the dragons nest. Unfortunately they had lost several Vikings too.
As Stoick's ship docked into port, many other Vikings came down to help them unload and see what had happened to them.
Spitelout, Snotlout's father, was the first to come down. He and the others witnessed the boat, or what was left of it, that was carrying the Vikings back.
It was a sombre atmosphere, the boat was half destroyed and the people were solemn. Its mast burnt out, several bits of wood sticking jagged from the deck, and it leaned to the side and moved slowly.
Spitelout grabbed several Vikings and pulled them up the ramp and onto the docking wharf.
As Stoick himself finally came off, he gave Spitelout a pat on the back for thanks.
Then Stoick saw the Viking he was looking for, his best friend, Gobber. Who looked unhappy.
"I trust yeh found the nest at least?" The yellow moustached Viking asked, looking slightly hopeful.
Stoick shook his head. "Not even close. What's the matter? Anything happen while I was gone?" The Chief asked.
Before Gobber could answer, some other Vikings came rushing down the wharf, all looking cheerful.
"Congratulations Stoick! Everyone is so relieved!" One of them said, walking straight past them and heading down to the boat to help.
"Out with the weak, and in with the strong, right?" Cheered another, following the first.
"No one will miss that old nuisance!" Said a third.
"The village is thinking of throwing a party to celebrate later." Finally the last one spoke. Before he too left to go down to the boat.
Stoick, utterly confused, turned to Gobber. "What are they talking about? What's my son done?!"
Gobber heaved a heavy sigh, "Come on Stoick. Come with me to the Great Hall. I need to show yeh something."
"NO! TELL ME NOW!" The chief thundered, demanding to know what his son had done. God's knew, he would punish him if he had destroyed something else.
"All right, here yeh go. We discovered these notes this morning. This one was delivered to the Astrid Hofferson girl." Gobber succumbed to Stoick's rage, and handed him one note from his pocket.
"This one was to me." He handed Stoick another.
"And this," Gobber pulled a last one out, "was for yeh. The whole village has read all of them."
Stoick began reading the first one.
Astrid,
I just wanted to thank you. Those words you spoke to me shook me out of a trance that I had been living in here on Berk since my mother disappeared. You taught me an important lesson, when you said, "Figure out which side you're on."
I have realised that I do not choose Berk's side, which is your own. I haven't known anything but disappointment and disgust from you, so I have no interest in taking the Vikings side. Though the following may sound impossible, I assure you its true. I have found a friend in a dragon, and finally have the friendship I have always been so desperately craving.
I have no place among Berk, a land full of tough Vikings and determined personalities. I am different than all of you, so I thank you for making me realise that.
I have left Berk long before you read this, and I intend to try to make this world a safer, better place. I wish you the best.
By the way, it was I who made your axe.
Enjoy your life.
The Runt, Hiccup.
Stoick finished that letter, and began reading the next.
Dear Gobber,
You have been my only friend, mentor and person I could at least somewhat relate to in this tribe. You have been there to support me sometimes, and I will personally never forget it. You have taught me loads of invaluable information that will and has been put to great use already.
Our funny remarks, times we shared and humorous moments will never be forgotten. I'm sorry I had to leave, but it was for the best. I do not belong on Berk, and I refuse to kill a dragon.
Thank you once again for all the advice and skill you've taught me in making and fixing weapons. You've always been a friend, a mentor, a person I've looked up to and someone who I'd be excited to show my work to.
Thank you once again, we may meet one day once more.
By the way, if my Dad Stoick isn't back yet, you can read my note I left for him in my house.
Farewell.
Your former apprentice, Hiccup.
The chief of the tribe finished Gobber's letter, and now turned to his own.
Father,
If you're reading this dad, you've returned from your nest hunt. How did it go? Find the dragons nest? On your 10,000th attempt? Judging by your usual manner, you've probably already read the other two letters I sent to Gobber and Astrid.
First of all, I'm sorry I could not fulfil your expectations. I did not complete dragon training, and I will never kill a Night Fury. Or any dragon if I can avoid it. This must upset you, but I assure you it pleases me.
I have left Berk. I do not belong here, and probably never will. You might try and find me, but I assure you it will be unwise. You won't find me. But then again listening to your son isn't your strong point is it?
I have discovered that I cannot kill dragons. I've had a major change in my life, and found something that I treasure greatly.
Passion and friendship. Not just my mother while I knew her for the extremely short time, but also Gobber. Most importantly of all, I have found friendship in a dragon that shares the same interests I do.
They are not the crazy and rampaging beasts I and the whole of Berk thought they were. There is something much larger at work here. Something evil and mysterious that resides inside the dragons nest. This controls the dragons and forces them to do things against their will.
But anyway, that's one of my many problems to solve now.
Though you always believed I was destined to kill a Night Fury due to my birthmark, I have found it to be quite the opposite. I was never meant to kill the Night Fury.
I have known nothing but neglect, disappointment and negativity from all Vikings of Berk with the exception of Gobber sometimes. I never liked the way you treated me.
Anyway, enough writing. One day, I will return to Berk, once my work is complete, or perhaps for some other reason.
By the way, I have taken my notebook with me. You shall never take it away from me.
From your son, Hiccup Haddock.
PS: I may have released the caged dragons from the arena.
He finished reading at last, and crumpled the notes hard and tight into his fist.