Stoick stomped across the Great Hall. Vikings scrambled to get out of his way. His hand clamped Baneson's shoulder. He spun the young idiot. Padrig, who had been speaking with the lad, snarled. Stoick glared him into silence. His gaze then fell upon Baneson.
"Ye have once chance, boy," Stoick snarled. "Why did ye tell Hiccup that he made people ill when he ate with the tribe?"
Stoick heard the murmurs start as close standing Vikings heard the question and passed it along to those standing further away. He also heard several sets of boots march over. Over Baneson's shoulder and behind Padrig, he saw Brynjar, Hoark, Gobber, Mulch, and Spitelout stand in a line, arms crossed and glares upon their faces.
"Lies!" Baneson cried trying to get his shoulder free of Stoick's grasp.
Stoick's eyes narrowed. "Those who spoke don't lie, boy. Yer explanation only determines where ye go right now."
"Who?" Baneson demanded. "I have me right ta know me accusers."
"Me son told the tale. Fishlegs Ingerman overheard. He told Eydis Hofferson who told me."
Stoick saw the blood drain from Baneson's face a heartbeat before the lad's jaw clenched.
"Ye son be a liar, chief. Dat Fish boy be lyin'. Dem Hoffersons be cowards. Ye can't trust dere words."
Stoick backhanded him. Baneson hit stone. Stoick looked up. Gobber had Padrig's wrist locked in his hook attachment.
"Don't, lad," Gobber stated. "It not be in yer favor."
"Chief?" Hilda asked, walking over from where she had been conversing with Gothi.
Stoick spared her a glance before focusing back upon Baneson as he stood. The lad held a hand over his cheek but Stoick saw the glare. Stoick glared back. Baneson looked away.
"Yer boy told Hiccup that eatin' with the tribe more than once unless he had ta be there made people ill," Stoick said through clenched teeth.
Hilda wheeled on her son. She slapped his other cheek. "Idiot boy," she cried in a harsh whisper. "Hiccup made no one ill, stupid child."
"He made me ill, Ma. He killed Paw."
"No, he did not," Hilda declared getting nose to nose with her son. "Yer paw's own stupid pride be wot killed'm. Gobber done gave da orders that young Hiccup be da one ta repair 'n maintain da tribe's weapons. Yer stupid paw went 'gainst dat order 'n paid fer it."
"Why should he let dat burden touch his axe? He be useless 'n waste o' space 'n ever ding he touch broke. He 'bout killed us all every time he step out da door."
Stoick heard the snarl and felt the presence at his side. He turned. The young Nadder Dervla was housing stood there, wings out, head tilted so one eye bore into Baneson. The Nadder gave a low growl. Stoick saw Padrig shift. He saw Gobber wobble. Padrig's axe fell towards the Nadder. Stoick's blade cleaved Padrig's axe handle. The blade clattered onto stone. Stoick shifted in front of the Nadder, blade between him and Padrig.
"Ye will not harm that dragon," Stoick snarled.
"Fool, it'll kill us all."
"Enough!"
The Nadder gave a smug sounding chirp. Stoick blinked at the force behind the almost roar. Padrig and Baneson's eyes widen as Hiccup came even with his father.
"Enough."
This command did not hold the near roar the first did but Stoick heard the iron under it. He felt the fire behind it and it was not even directed at him. Padrig and Baneson must have heard and felt the same. They stepped back. Stoick took satisfaction in their shocked expression.
"Dragons do not kill unless they are given a reason to," Hiccup stated, his gaze upon Padrig. "Drawing a weapon would only mean you die but it would be at the hands of the Vikings behind you and not at the teeth of the Nadder before you. They do not take well to someone endangering the chief. The Nadder will only attack if you hurt my father or anyone else who lives upon this island. Do not offer a threat and you will not be threatened."
Stoick's eyes narrowed as Baneson seemed to recover from his shock.
"Ye think ye can tell me wot ta do?"
"Yes."
Stoick smiled with pride at that. It did not have the almost roar but Hiccup's one word statement still had the iron and the fire. Baneson backed up. The lad proved as stupid as his father though for in a heartbeat he snorted.
"Ye playin' at chief? Da day ye become chief be da day Ragnarök starts, useless. Ye should git back ta da forge 'fore ye destroy somethin' else. Though watchin' ye father yell at ye would be entertainin'."
"Did ye forget I be standin' here, boy?" Stoick growled.
Stoick saw Baneson flinch and the lad glance his way. The blood drained from Baneson's face again. Stoick stepped forward, pushing into Baneson's personal space.
"Learn ye place, boy. Me son is a respected hero and yer future chief." Stoick's gaze flicked to Brynjar. "Take'm ta the jail. He can spend three days there 'n think 'bout his next course of action."
Brynjar and Hoark gripped Baneson's arms. Padrig straightened. Spitelout placed a hand upon the man's shoulder.
"Don't," Spitelout said. "Ye will join'm but ye won't be 'wake ta care."
Padrig threw a glare over his shoulder. Stoick watched as the man realized it was not just Spitelout standing behind him. Every member of the tribe, with a few exceptions, stood, arms crossed over their chests and glaring at Padrig.
The helmsman that manned the boat walked over, placing a hand upon Padrig's other shoulder.
"Chief said cause no fuss. Stand down."
"But dey-"
"Stand down. Now."
Stoick frowned as Padrig sighed and obeyed the order. His gaze fell upon the helmsman and he felt as if he had been sucker punched. The helmsman faced Stoick and tipped his head. Stoick lifted an eyebrow. The helmsman slowly closed both eyes once before turning to Baneson.
"Ye should no better, lad. Maybe a few days in them jails will right yer memory."
"Take'm," Stoick ordered.
Brynjar and Hoark yanked, causing Baneson to stumble. They marched him out of the Great Hall. Stoick heard Hiccup sigh. He looked over, finding his son looking at Hilda.
"I'm sorry, Miss Hilda," Hiccup said.
Hilda glanced at the Nadder before placing a gentle hand upon Hiccup's shoulder. Stoick saw her open her mouth to speak but the Nadder shifted. Hiccup held up his hand and then pointed behind him.
[Aye, my alpha,] the Nadder said.
Hilda jumped. Stoick saw Padrig tense. Stoick wondered if it was a chirp or a squawk they heard as he remembered Gyda explanation that those who could not understand the Common Tongue heard only regular dragon noises. Stoick did not wonder long as he heard shuffling behind him. He glanced over his shoulder. All the dragons stood in a line just behind him. The teens and Gyda stood next to their dragons. The Nadder moved to stand next to Stormfly's mate.
"The lad controls da dragons too?" Padrig asked, sounding stunned.
"The dragons follow me boy since he and his Night Fury killed the queen who ordered them to raid us," Stoick said.
"Night Fury?" the helmsman asked.
Stoick heard the Toothless move close. Hilda gasped and backed away. Stoick saw Padrig's eyes widen. The helmsman just watched as Toothless placed the top of his head against Hiccup's chest. Hiccup grabbed his dragon brother and Toothless made a show of nuzzling against Hiccup, purring loud enough to drown out the crackle of the main fire. Toothless flopped to his back, neck bared to Hiccup, who knelt and scratched Toothless' chin. Stoick hid his smile as Toothless even chose to wag his tail.
"Why dat dragon be no more than a big dog or a cat," Hilda exclaimed.
"Would you like to pet him?" Hiccup asked her.
Toothless rolled to his paws. He set up. Stoick kept his smile behind his beard as the dragon adopted the pose the images showed when Hiccup brought the first fish and kicked his dagger into the cove's pond. Hiccup stood, holding out his hand.
"Toothless won't hurt you. I promise."
"Toothless?" Hilda asked.
"It's his name," Hiccup said.
"He got no teeth?"
Toothless opened his mouth, his teeth on display. Hilda jerked. Toothless withdrew his teeth then extended them before withdrawing them and leaving just his gums. Hiccup held out his hand again.
"You can pet him, Miss Hilda. Toothless will not hurt you."
"Ye sure?" Hilda asked.
"I'm sure."
Hilda lifted her arm, allowing Hiccup to gently grip her wrist.
"Sister-" Padrig started.
"Shush," the helmsman stated.
Hilda threw her brother a look before focusing back upon Hiccup. Hiccup smiled and guided her hand over to Toothless. Toothless lowered his chin. Hiccup placed Hilda's hand upon the spot just before the spikes began on Toothless' head. Hilda gasped. Hiccup released her wrist.
"Go on and scratch him," Hiccup said. "He loves that."
Hilda curled her fingers. Toothless crooned softly. Hilda froze.
"That's his happy sound," Hiccup said. "He's letting you know he liked it."
Stoick saw Toothless' eyes flick to Hiccup and knew his son would pay for that statement later. Stoick bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as he imagined his son's hair sticking out at all angles after Toothless licked it wild.
Hilda curled her fingers again. Toothless crooned softly again. This time the woman did not stop. She continued, her hand moving along the top of Toothless' head. Stoick saw the wonder in her eyes as she looked first to Hiccup then to her brother.
"He be amazin'," Hilda said softly.
Kirika: Hm, not quite. Baneson is not ready to admit he was wrong.
Prince: Hehe, yep. Very interesting. I think this chapter shows what Stoick does and you're welcome for all the hiccstrid. I am an avid and diehard hiccstrid shipper.