Twenty: Swirling out of control
An afternoon with Fishlegs had been more fun than Hiccup had expected and the boy had found himself learning more than he could have imagined, for Fishlegs was secretly a dragon geek. The book he was reading-the Book of Dragons-was written by a Berkian called Bork, all of seven generations earlier when they had first moved to Berk and had realised the problem and it had been added to intermittently during the years. Fishlegs had confided in Hiccup that he had been secretly hoping that he could have his own entry and contribute something to dragon lore…but what else was there to discover?
Head spinning with names of dragons-all of which seemed to be excessively weird and unmemorable-and the details of the dragons themselves -mostly 'extremely dangerous, kill on sight'-Hiccup had walked thoughtfully down to the forge to finish off for the day with Gobber. And the two-limbed blacksmith had been surprised and immensely grateful that he had returned because there were deliveries to make once more. So with a good heart and buoyed by having spent time with someone who was talking to him like a friend, Hiccup had taken the cart and delivered the repaired weapons from the raid. And it had been as he had expected: people blanking him, sneering in his face or snatching weapons back off him and pointedly wiping them on their clothes to remove any taint he may have put on them. He had tried not to let it get to him because there were a few-very few-people who acknowledged him in the village…but it did. He had worked hard in helping repair many of the weapons and to see people spurn him through ignorance and prejudice hurt.
Unusually, Gobber had seemed to sense his mood when he returned-or maybe he had expected it-so he was waiting, sober and mildly impatient, to walk the boy up to the Great Hall together. And though Hiccup would have gone to the night meal anyway-because he had promised to eat with Stoick on his last night before the Chief left on his quest-it was infinitely better to be walking up the hill with Gobber's solid and irreverent presence at his side. The blacksmith had already made it abundantly clear he would not hear a word against his apprentice in his presence and had been outrageously rude to anyone suggesting he should choose another assistant. The risk of not getting their weapons serviced seemed to be a powerful deterrent-even Ivar Hofferson had returned, albeit when Hiccup was out of sight at the back and insisted that Gobber sharpen their weapons. And though he had been incredibly tempted to call on Hiccup, the two-limbed blacksmith decided not to make life any harder for the two teens and had attended to the task himself, contenting himself with a satisfied grunt at the capitulation of the other man.
The sound level fell-as usual-when Hiccup appeared at the door and then it rose again just as quickly as people resumed their conversations, exchanging news from the day and general gossip. And Hiccup knew that today, he wasn't really so important in the consciousness of the Tribe, for the Chief-and presumably a good cohort of warriors-would be leaving to find and attack the Nest once more. But he kept his head down as he collected his plate which Gobber weighed down with bread and meat as the boy stared in shock.
"Gobber-that's far more than my share…" he mumbled, recalling Snotlout's spiteful threat. "I mean, I can't take more food than…" Gobber clouted him-gently-around the head and gave a chuckle.
"Hiccup-you certainly aren't taking more than yer share," he reassured the boy. "Notwithstanding that Snotlout boy, who takes about three people's rations for contributing nothing but mischief, you are actually working hard in the forge and have repaired half the weapons damaged in the attack. Add to the fact that the Chief has never taken all he is entitled to, what with him being allocated enough for him and his family and you're hardly a burden." And then Gobber elbowed him relatively gently in the ribs. "And there's hardly anything of yeh, laddie! We need to built yer up until yer a proper Hooligan shape." And he patted his ample middle.
"Um…maybe a bit less feeding than that?" Hiccup suggested, carefully grasping his plate and following the chuckling blacksmith. "I mean, I know the raids are terrible but there is far more food available here than I ever saw on Nott or as a slave." Then he stopped and bit his lip, staring at the glistening roast meat on his plate. The food here would have fed him for about three days in the last couple of years-and now Gobber was casual about making sure he got such a generous portion. And while he knew the village had suffered hardship, he was just grateful he was here and warm and feeling his mouth water at the wonderful aromas of the food.
"Ah-Hiccup!" Stoick's voice boomed through the Hall and every eye turned to him again but the Chief had stood up and was beckoning with a wide grin on his face. "Gobber! Excellent! I've been waiting for you!" Cheeks burning with self-consciousness, Hiccup followed Gobber and was ushered into a seat beside the Chief, shyly looking up to meet the twinkling cool green eyes of the huge man and feeling his hand absently rest on his shoulder for just a moment that meant so much to Hiccup. "I see Gobber is trying to convert you to Berk portions…"
"I'm not sure I could eat that much food without passing out," Hiccup admitted. "Or still be able to move…" Stoick chuckled.
"From watching you, lad, I have no doubt you work off whatever you eat," he chuckled. "I just wish the rest of our youth were as hardworking." His glance flicked briefly to the table where Snotlout was holding court with the twins, Fishlegs, Ove, Gustav, Svein and a very reluctant Astrid all sitting eating and paying various degrees of attention to his pronouncements. Hiccup sighed and bit into his chicken leg.
"I'm an outsider so if I don't work, there are plenty of people who would say I don't deserve to eat," he said simply, swallowing and taking a sip from his mug of water. Stoick nodded.
"I think you are correct, sad as I am to acknowledge it," the Chief commented as he looked over at the other Council members who were walking past his table. Usually they would automatically smile and sit with the Chief-especially the night before he was leaving to take the fight to the dragons-but it seemed the boy wasn't the only one who was a Pariah. "Ah-Mulch, Bucket, Sven-there are free seats here…" he said in a pleasant voice and Mulch-the very short hairy Viking and Sven-formerly Silent but now chattering incessantly to the two men-both looked at him with a smile. Bucket-a big man with a long blonde beard, a simple look in his blue eyes and a bucket jammed on his head, followed and all three men sat by their Chief. All were farmers though they fought in Raids and Sven and Mulch were going on the mission.
"Thank you, Chief," Mulch said in his amiable voice. "It's an honour." And then he sat opposite Hiccup. "And how are you, lad? Recovered from being clouted by that old goat, Mildew?" Hiccup looked up in shock, his eyes wide.
"Um…yeah…" he managed, unsure what he could say. The man winked at him.
"Look-you make a lot of sense when you spoke about the dragons," he said. "And while I can't see us all walking up to the dragons, patting them on the nose and suddenly us all being friends, it's an interesting thing to know." Sven nodded.
"And good to know that there is someone in this village who is thinking about things in different ways-because doing the same thing against the dragons only gets one result," he added in his high pitched voice. "The same result that we have always got. And the search for the Nest is the best hope of stopping them…but maybe we should consider what to do with your idea…when we all get back."
"If we're unsuccessful…" Mulch added quickly, glancing at Stoick. The Chief nodded.
"On a positive note, Spitelout and Mildew will be on the Search," he commented. "But I wouldn't try anything too radical while I'm away. There are still people here who would love to use anything against you. And a lot of people who don't want you on the island." Hiccup sighed and nodded, sitting back.
"I'm never going to be accepted, am I?" he asked as the other men looked at him.
"I'd like to hear-when we get back, of course-how you look after livestock in Meathead," Mulch commented. "And if you get a few minutes, would you look in on Bucket? He''s fine most of the time, but he sometimes needs reminding that the sheep really don't fit so well in the roosting boxes and though you can milk a sheep, you get a lot less out of one than a yak…" Hiccup's eyebrows shot up and he inspected the strange man, who smiled and gave a little wave.
"Yes, I always get confused about that," he admitted cheerfully. "Sheep do lay eggs, don't they?" Shocked and confused, Hiccup glanced up at Stoick and the Chief leaned close.
"Bucket was struck by lightning during the Storm of Hildegard, fifteen years ago," he explained in a low voice. "Believe or not, he used to be close friends with Spitelout and was a great warrior. But afterwards…well, he sort of lost half his brain and became very gentle and extremely artistic. Spitelout sneered at him and dropped him as a friend immediately and Mulch, who was also his friend, has looked after him ever since. He is a very loyal and kind man and I really don't think he will be unkind to you, Hiccup. He's just easily led."
The boy stared up into the Chief's eyes and read a plea there: These people will look out for you-and please look out for them? He nodded.
"I understand, sir," he said softly. Stoick gently rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Be careful, Hiccup," he murmured. "Ivar Hofferson is staying in the village and so is Snotlout. Neither of them mean you well. Be cautious." Hiccup glanced up and smiled.
"I should be asking you to be careful as well, sir," he murmured. "I mean, what would I do if you didn't come back?"
Stoick stiffened and stared into the emerald eyes. There was a soft plea in those words as well that expressed the emotion without saying it and the Chief gave a smile.
"I will always come for you, son," he promised and then turned back to his meat.
oOo
After curfew, when Stoick was plotting with his lieutenants up in the Great Hall, refining the final plans for the search, Hiccup sneaked out of the roof hatch, fetched the practice swords from where Astrid had concealed them and headed up into the nighttime forest. The moon was bright and though he was jumpy, he hadn't spoken with Astrid at all all day and when he had seen her sitting with Snotlout, the bruise on her cheek had wracked him with shame and to him, she looked sad. He wasn't even sure that she would come. What if she was being watched, locked up or made to promise that she wouldn't see him any more. What is she was harmed or…?
He stopped and stared up at the clear sky, visible between the trees. The brilliant stars shone down on him and he wondered if she could even see the sky or if she was imprisoned in her room. And then he shook himself. He knew that Astrid was a skilled and beautiful young woman, a hope for her family and an asset of value to her father and any association with him was a problem. His hands tightened around the practice swords and he scurried deeper into the forest, following the familiar path that they had travelled before until he reached the little clearing. And then he found a root to sit on and wait.
Time passed and he got colder, his breath forming small clouds as he stared round the eerie nighttime woodland and wondered why he felt safer in the dark wild forest rather than in the Viking settlement. And as the crushing realisation arrived that he probably wasn't going to see Astrid-maybe ever again-he sighed and slowly stood up. Why should he? She was worth everything while he was still despised and outcast, even though he had saved both Astrid and her little sister.
A rustle behind him had him freezing and he wished that he had a proper weapon with him, rather than the wooden swords that he had resting beside him. And then there was another rustle-and a black head poked through the leaves of the undergrowth and the Night Fury emerged, shaking his head, its ear-flaps pricked and pupils large and friendly. Allowing a shaking breath to release from his tense body, he smiled and stepped forward, offering his hand to the dragon, which immediately nuzzled against his palm. A shocked laugh escaped his lips and he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the dragon's muscular neck and hugged him, the dragon raising a gentle paw to curl briefly around his shoulder before releasing him. Hiccup backed away a pace and ran his hands over his face.
"It's good to see you," he said genuinely. "I was worried when you had to fight that Monstrous Nightmare. Are you okay?" The dragon gave a small croon and shrugged, though Hiccup could see deep wounds across a shoulder and a small rip in a wing. He took a shuddering breath. "You're hurt…" Giving a small warble, the dragon gave him a toothless smile and Hiccup reached out, gently stroking the scaly face…and then scratching the dragon under his chin. Eyes closing, the dragon was almost purring in ecstasy…until Hiccup moved his hand slightly and the reptile dropped, boneless and drooling with relaxation.
"Bud?" he gasped. "Bud?" But the dragon was breathing and unharmed, just extremely relaxed and he slowly recovered himself as Hiccup gently shook him and stroked his head. Until finally, the dragon gave his gummy grin once more and managed a reassuring purr. "Oh, you had me worried…Toothless…" he murmured, sitting on his heels by the dragon and wrapping an arm around his neck. "I thought I'd hurt you…"
"I think he knows he can trust you," Astrid said quietly from the edge of the forest, not coming any closer. His head snapped up.
"Astrid?' he asked breathlessly, his eyes searching her face and then he realised that she wasn't approaching. "Are you okay?" She paused, breathing slowly and then she nodded, slowly walking into the moonlight, revealing the dark bruises on her face. He gasped.
"I"m fine," she told him firmly, rejecting his pity. "My father was very displeased when he suspected I had met up with you for early training. He disbelieved my explanation so he beat me." She lifted her chin proudly. "I am forbidden to speak to you and he will be watching dragon training as well…" Unable to help himself, his shoulders slumped slightly, for he had hoped to snatch a few words with her during the classes. She walked forward and looked at him-and then she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder and he automatically wrapped his arms round her, hugging her tightly.
"Astrid?" he checked and she sighed.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "It just isn't fair. I mean, you never did anything wrong. You were wronged so many times and you come here and work hard and never really complain and you save my sister and me…and no one gives you a chance. It's not fair."
He tried to forget he had his arms full of a clearly very upset Astrid Hofferson and squeezed her harder, savouring the scent of her hair and the warm sensation of her body against his.
"But that's not it," he realised as she sighed against him and finally pulled away. She dashed the angry tears from her eyes and he realised they were red from weeping.
"No," she sighed. "When they get back from the Nest, my father is intending to approach Spitelout Jorgensen about settling a contract for my marriage." Hiccup gasped.
"No…" he murmured but she nodded.
"He wants me off his hands, honourably married and preferably pregnant with a Jorgensen Heir before anyone can protest," she murmured and he stared at her.
"Astrid?" he asked, his stomach dancing. She shook her head.
"He wants me to give myself to Snotlout before we are married so he can already have ploughed his field…" she spat bitterly and he shook his head.
"Oh, this is wrong," he murmured as Toothless sniffed her and then warbled. She sighed.
"Yeah," she sighed, her shoulders slumping and finally looking defeated. "But I won't. I'll chop it off beforehand!" Hiccup grimaced. "And I had to appeal to the Chief to let me go into Dragon Training. Apparently my beloved father doesn't want me in there, beating Snotlout and ruining my chances of a good match…"
"Which is the best argument I have ever heard for allowing you into Dragon Training to beat Snotlout and stop him wanting to marry you…"
"Or marry me to remove the competition…" Astrid sighed. "This may be my last chance-so are we going to practice, Hiccup?" He looked into her beautiful blue eyes, shining with desolation and he nodded as the dragon ambled back and sat on its haunches, almost like a referee. Lifting his sword, he tried not to smile at the pleasure of facing Astrid along the length of the practice swords. She beckoned. "Okay-engage!"
oOo
The sailing was a sombre affair, with families wishing their departing members good fortune and the Council there to send off their Chief and warriors on their noble quest. Standing with Gobber, Hiccup had waited his turn, scorned and ignored by almost everyone, until Stoick turned to the skinny shape and rested a paternal hand on his shoulder.
"Hiccup-you take care and work hard," he told the lad in a low voice, leaning close. "Gobber will look out for you and so, I think, will your friends. Just be cautious around the Jorgensens and Hoffersons…" Nodding, Hiccup smiled wanly.
"I'll remember," he murmured. "And you take care as well, sir. I don't know how this quest will go but the village needs you." He paused. "I need you. I-l…I care for you, sir." Stoick smiled and unexpectedly hugged the boy.
"I will do everything I can to return to you once more, son," he murmured. "Now take care and be strong." Hiccup nodded.
"I promise," he said and stood back as Stoick leapt on board the longship, stamping to the prow and peering out into the harbour.
"RAISE THE SAILS!" he roared. "FOR BERK!"
The oarsmen immediately pulled them away from the docks until the wind caught their sails, marked with the 'impaled dragon' symbol of Berk and the three vessels receded. Everyone drifted away until only he and his mentor remained in the cool morning-and he was rewarded as he saw Stoick look back, smile and give a cheery wave and then he was gone, lost amid the shapes on deck and in the mists. Finally, he felt Gobber grip his shoulder.
"Away ye come, lad," he said kindly. "You can help me set up for Dragon Training for this morning." He winked indiscreetly. "May give ye a bit of a head's up as well…"
So Hiccup was already in the Dragon Killing Arena, having helped Gobber put out the shields, weapons and check the cage mechanisms were oiled and working efficiently, when the teens walked in. His eyes drifted over the shapes as they all strolled in-with Astrid in the lead, as he always expected her to be. She looked focussed and strong, though her bruised face detracted a little from her beauty.
"This is it," she announced. "No turning back."
"Prepare to be dazzled by my awesomeness-Princess!" Snotlout sneered and elbowed her aside. She glared at him.
"I hope I get some serious burns," Tuffnut announced. "Something really disfiguring would be awesome…"
"I'm hoping for some serious mauling…on my shoulder and lower back," Ruffnut added. "Though I'd take face."
"Ha! No one would ever marry you then!" Tuff sneered.
"Or you," his sister shot back.
"True-it's only fun if you get a scar out of it," Astrid commented, walking forward to stand by Snotlout, who was glaring at Hiccup. The smaller boy shrugged.
"Pain-love it," he agreed sarcastically.
"That explains a lot," Snotlout commented snidely. "Just stay out of my way, Useless. I'm winning the thing. I'm the Heir and it is my right!"
"No one wins Dragon Training by right," Gobber told him sharply. "You have to work hard and earn it!"
"Meaning that Useless is doomed," Tuffnut sniggered but Gobber walked over to the Gronckle cage that Hiccup had carefully serviced that morning.
"He works harder than any of you," Gobber announced. "But I believe in learning on the job." He stood back and snapped the bars back from the Gronckle cage. "The first lesson is survival. So tell me what you need."
"A healer?" Hiccup mouthed, backing away. The Gronckle had burst from its cage, clearly scared and angry and very dangerous.
"Plus five speed?" Fishlegs suggested.
"SHIELDS!" Astrid snapped and dived for the stand, grabbing one and rolling another to Hiccup, who clumsily strapped it to his right arm. They hadn't covered shields yet in their training but he assumed it would be a matter of point it at the attacking person or dragon and cower behind it. The others were arguing over shields and showing off so Hiccup backed away, remaining peripheral and observing the dragon carefully. Until it had blasted the shields away from Snotlout, the twins and Fishlegs using its lava blast. The teens scattered and headed for the safety of the tunnel, leaving only Hiccup and Astrid left.
"And how many shots does a Gronckle have?" Gobber asked.
"Five," Astrid said firmly.
"Six," Hiccup amended, recalling the figure from his afternoon with the husky boy. Astrid cast him a glance, ostensibly unfriendly but there was just the smallest curl of pride in him for knowing the answer when she did not. And then the animal blasted its fifth shot at them and they dived apart. Astrid raced to safety while Hiccup was slammed back, his shield rolling away. He scrambled up and dashed after it, seeing the dragon on his tail. Instinctively, he reached for his dagger and tossed it aside, then turned to face the Gronckle. Standing still, facing the dragon unarmed and helpless, he gave a smile.
"Get outta there!" Gobber yelled, starting to run forward. But Hiccup was ducking down, his hand shooting up and scratching away at the dragon's jaw. Suddenly, it went limp and boneless and fell to the ground, drooling lava and purring gently.
"Glad to meet you, girl," Hiccup said, continuing to scratch the spot.
There was a moment of absolute silence as the other teens stared at him in shock and then there was an explosion of sound.
"WHAT THE HELHEIM HAPPENED?" Snotlout roared. "I'm supposed to win this."
"Useless can't possibly have defeated that dragon…" Tuff agreed.
"Except he just did," Fishlegs pointed out. Astrid folded her arms but there was a definitely proud look in her eyes that only Hiccup could see. But Snotlout grabbed an axe and lifted it, running straight towards the skinny auburn-haired boy-and the felled dragon…