Survivalist

by supersandman86

Kicked out of the village by his own, young Hiccup starts a new life in the cove where upon he learns to survive using the strongest weapon he has...his mind. Hiccstrid later on. Set 4 year before the first movie when Hiccup is at the age of ten. Rated T for now but will be warned of M rates on chapters as we go along.

7. Chapter 7- Flights and gifts

Hi I'm supersandyman I like long walks off a short pier, and ponies saying hi to all my fellow bronies out th...

Wade! Get lost before I kick your teeth in!

*Sigh* Sorry about that guys and gals, I got hacked by some weirdo in a red and black spandex.

Anyway as I was saying...

*Knock knock knock* hey I see you readers out there *looks closer* theres a guy sat in his underwear eating doritos, and he's not sharing.

Wade! Bugger off

Okay okay i'm gone, party pooper.

Anyway...like i was saying hello my fellow readers and wow over 250 followers, i'm quite touched.

And thank you for your patience, had a few things to sort out with work and stuff at home.

Oh you mean where you played minecraft again?

Wade, what are you still doing here?

The pleasure of course, i head there was going to be some boobs.

*Facepalm* not in my story so bugger off!

Excuse me lads and lasses I've just got to take out the trash. Anyway enjoy.

Chapter 7- Flights and gifts

Hiccup couldn't believe his luck.

He was sure when the Night Fury, who he named Toothless for some bizarre reason, flew away that he would never see that dragon ever again.

So a bit sad, and still in some pain from the burning house, Hiccup turned to see a frightened Gobber hobbling as fast as he could towards the boy.

To say he was a one legged Viking, he sure could run fast.

Hiccup was a little baffled at first as to why Gobber was rushing all the way to him like that in the early hours of the morning until he remembered one important detail.

He told the old blacksmith of his plan to grab Astrid axe from her house during the raid.

So after the house caught fire and started to collapse, Gobber was first on the scene, putting out the fire and searching through the burnt remains for the young boys body.

Lucky enough he wasn't in there.

As soon as the raid was over a few hours later, despite the protests from the villagers, raced into the forest and towards the cove shouting Hiccups name over and over again.

But no reply which worried him a lot.

His worry however turned to relief when he saw Hiccup standing near his forge, battered, bruised and looking a little sooty from the fire, but all in all still there.

He first embraced the lad in a bone crunching hug before scolding him about doing something as stupid as that just for a weapon.

He wasn't scolding him out of disappointment Hiccup knew.

He was scolding him out of worry.

Hiccup knew it was a stupid plan.

He knew it was totally crazy.

And if was being honest, he underestimated the house catching fire.

But he could only smile as he looked at the weapon resting against the forge door.

He first phase of his plan was complete.

He got the axe.

Now all he had to do was make it look brand new.

And with the new information Gobber gave him about the situation with the Hofferson house burning down, it also gave him plenty of time to give his full attention to it.

But still his mind was having other ideas.

Did he really befriend a dragon?

An answer he got that very same night as he set all his defences up only to hear the sound of large wings flapping behind him.

As he turned around he couldn't believe his eyes.

The Night Fury was back.

He didn't understand why?

Did the dragon finally decide to end his life?

But then why save him from that house fire when he could have let the flames do the job.

Why didn't he kill him when he was unconscious in the cove for hours.

And most the biggest question going through young Hiccups head was how in the name of Valhalla did he know this dragon was a he?

While was going on, the Night Fury had time to get up close to the boy, just like that morning, as Hiccup came out of his thoughts only to look directly into the acid green eyes of the dragon.

Hiccup gulped, prepared for his end.

But what he didn't expect was for the unholy offspring of lightening and death itself to start licking the boy affectionately like an overgrown puppy, happy to see it master.

By the time the Night Fury had stopped this, he was looking at the boy, who at this point was on the ground covered from head to toe in dragon saliva.

"Eww!" was all he could say as he tried to wipe the saliva off his face with no such luck so decided to get up and hobble over to the lake to try and wash it out.

But as he got up and moved, he realized something.

He wasn't hobbling.

In fact he didn't feel any pain at all.

As he ran over to the edge of the lake to look at his reflection in the water he was even more stunned.

All the bruising from when he fell, all the scorch marks he earned, gone.

He lifted up his sleeves to his shirt to check the bruising there and found his arms to be completely smooth.

No bruising.

No damage whatsoever.

Even his old scars, the ones he had for years from his self harming, gone.

It was then it hit him as he looked at an innocent looking dragon just sitting there looking curiously at him.

Night Fury saliva has incredible healing properties.

"Wait! He healed me?" he said to himself before looking at the dragon again as he slowly walked up to him.

Hiccup was cautious remembering the last time he approached the dragon.

But the Night Fury never growled this time.

In fact he didn't even look hostile, the only sound that came from him was a cooing sound as he was the boy approach him.

Eventually Hiccup got close enough to him as they both looked into each others eyes.

A scene very strange to anyone watching.

Two species, who should be enemies of a war that had been going on for three centuries, and yet here they were, neither of them showing any sign of hostility but understanding.

Suddenly Hiccup took caution to the wind and wrapped his arms around the dragons slender neck as he started to cry.

Neither understood why he did it, he just wanted to.

Maybe it was the feeling that Hiccup had never been shown by anyone who barely knew him.

Compassion.

This Night Fury had only knew him for less than a day and yet managed to wipe away years of physical damage done to the boy in a matter of seconds.

"Th-thank you Toothless, thank you" Hiccup whimpered as he called the dragon the name he gave him the last time they met taking the dragon by surprise.

Toothless didn't know what to think, the red death wiped most of his memories when he was captured by her, including his name.

At the nest he was simply called Night Fur, since he was the only one of his kind in the nest.

But this boy, who he saved, decided to give him a name that sounded so bizarre, so stupid, so insulting...

...that he actually liked it.

He didn't know why but he liked it.

He even liked this boy, he didn't understand why.

Was it because he broke the hold the queen had on him so easily?

Who knows.

But what he can see, no, what he can feel right now is this boys pain.

Not the physical pain he just healed through his saliva but the emotional pain embedded inside the boy.

You see Night Furies have a unique ability that makes them sense things that no other dragon can sense.

Sure Nadders have the best tracking sense and Gronkle have a unique ability to resist dragon root but when it comes to the psychological senses, his own kind top it all.

And right now he can feel the boys sadness, he had a feeling this boy was alone from the scent in the cove but he never knew how deep that aloneness travelled.

And at such a young age too.

Of course Toothless knew that feeling too well.

No dragon at the nest ever wanted to come near him.

He was different.

The odd one out among thousands.

But no more, he was free, free from the queens control and he refuses to allow her to control him ever again!

He then looked to the boy who had let go of his neck only to look at him with a smile which warmed the dragons heart.

It was then and there he was about to do the most stupidest thing ever.

He lowered his head and shoved it between the boys scrawny legs as he lift his head back up, making the boy slide down his neck and onto his back.

Hiccup didn't know what to make of it or what the dragon was doing until he heard Toothless bark as he unfolded his wings.

It was then he knew what was going to happen.

Toothless was going to fly...with him on his back.

Hiccup held on to the dragons neck for dear life as Toothless shot up into the sky with a screaming Hiccup holding on to his neck.

Higher and higher into the night sky, shooting straight up like an arrow before levelling off above the clouds.

Hiccup meanwhile had his eyes closed throughout the ascending flight before opening back up feeling themselves not flying any higher only to see the most amazing thing he ever thought possible.

A beautiful night sky with stars twinkling all around the large bright moon with the clouds below them.

Hiccup never thought he'd see anything like this not unless he died.

But he was very much alive and he felt the cool breeze of the night air blow around him as he smiled.

"So this is what its like to fly?" he said as Toothless crooned in agreement.

He didn't know it at first but his arms were off Toothless' neck and extended to each side like wings.

But he didn't care if he wasn't safely secured, all this time Toothless never let him fall.

This went on for hours as the pair flew all around the nearby islands and sea stacks, even once around the lit village of Berk.

It was a sight he never wanted to let go.

For once in a very long time, all the anger, all the hurt...

..gone

He was truly happy.

That was until they touched down back in the cove meaning the flight was over which saddened him a little, but seeing Toothless start to get comfortable as he started to scorch the ground around him before clawing the ground as he laid down and fell asleep, Hiccup knew there and then that he wanted to feel like that everyday as he limped to his home to rest after bidding Toothless good night.

He also realized as well that if was going to endure hours of riding, he'll need to make a saddle to sit on.

Fore at that moment Hiccup literally had a pain in the posterior.

Several weeks later

While Hiccup was enjoying his new found past time of dragon riding, and wondering why the Viking haven't thought to do this sooner, in the village, a certain individual was walking around with her head down.

Astrid was depressed.

She had been for several weeks since the fire that took her home.

Sure they rebuilt it and replaced everything that was lost.

All except the axe that was once her uncle Finn's.

Everyday she wondered why hadn't she just picked it on their way to the hall then she would still have it today.

But she suspected that since it was no where to be found that it was destroyed with the rest of her possessions.

Her family were worried for her, even the promise of a new axe didn't help out at all.

No axe could replace what she held dear to her and never will.

Not even with the upcoming annual holiday, Snoggletog.

Yes the traditional festive holiday to which Berk and the rest of the Archipelago celebrate where for a few weeks of the year, people celebrate with their friends and family as well as exchanging gifts.

And the best thing of all, no dragon attacks, something that has happened every year since the first Viking settled on the island.

But she wasn't in the festive mood, not for a while.

Her nightmares did stop for a while thanks to Hiccup coming in every night and singing to her without her knowing but even he couldn't do that all night long and she seemed to be in her depression so much that she would stay awake thinking about it, making it impossible for Hiccup to help her that way.

He knew what was causing her depression, Gobber told him.

Her uncles axe.

At first Hiccup thought it was due to her guilt for not grabbing it but somehow deep down, it was her protection from them.

Hiccup had read up about far away tribes that used things called dream catchers to help with the nightmares so in a way the axe was her own form of one.

He knew what he had to do.

Meanwhile Astrid wasn't the only one feeling down.

Stoick was too since this would be the first Snoggletog with his son banished and wondered how he'll cope by himself.

Sure even when he was there during the celebrations but he usually sat in the corner away from everyone, most likely because the villagers wanted him there in case he cause anymore chaos.

But still he was there.

Stoick sighs as he watches the rest of the villagers prepare for the holiday.

And more annoyingly enough, Mildew.

As much as Stoick hated the cranky old fart and despite him banishing him from the village too, he was allowed to come once a week.

And why?

Because he owns the Thor forsaken cabbage farming rights.

He had no choice in accepting that loophole.

Although he has warned him to keep his wrinkled old mouth from causing anymore protests or starting an uprising otherwise he'll get Stoicks famous teeth-removal punch for his troubles, that was a promise.

And a promise he was happy to remind Mildew of.

But with all that, it still got him thinking about Hiccup again, all alone on Snoggletog.

Until he had an idea.

If Mildew was able to get into the village even after his banishment so can his son.

After all it was Hiccup who saved them from an outcast ambush, he earn t his right to come into the village too.

And with that ran off to the forge to tell Gobber of the plan.

Gobber meanwhile was busy getting the last of his orders sorted out before the holidays started as Stoick walked in as he knocked on the wall to get the blacksmiths attention.

He didn't want to startle him or risk getting an axe to the head.

Again.

"Oh hello chief, wha' brings ya to the forge?" Gobber greeted, knowing who had walked in mere seconds ago.

Stoick, for once in a very long time was nervous, he knew Gobber deep down was still mad at him for not only Hiccups banishment but also for forgetting his birthday.

And Stoick didn't blame him, he was a bad father, but he couldn't see him on his own for the holidays in the forest.

He needed to do this.

"Hi Gobber, working on some weapons?" he asked trying to start a conversation before telling him about his plan.

"Tha's right, don't want ta get backlogged..." he replied, but put his hammer down as he turn to look at the chief "okay, Stoick, what's up now?" he said in a dull tone of voice, the kind that he used when something was amiss.

Stoick was wide eyed, did Gobber know what he was about to ask or was he simply guessing.

"I know when ya want te ask me something, you never ask abou' the weapons" he now crossed his arms as he raised one eyebrow "so enough of the small talk, what do ya want Stoick"

Stoick was about to protest but thought better of it as he sighed before explaining his idea to him.

After hearing his plan, Gobber raised an eyebrow at his chief's idea.

If he could put it lightly he would, the plan was stupid and dangerous.

But, despite all that, it was an idea, one that he hoped Hiccup would take on board.

He did miss the boy in his forge, I was nice to talk to someone who had the same interests in blacksmithing like he did.

"Okay Stoick, I'll give it a go with your idea, after all, I do want the lad to enjoy some fun over the holidays" he said before muttering under his breath "even if he never got a chance to partake in any"

Fortunately for him Stoick was already walking out of the forge as he said that, satisfied that Gobber would go with his plan.

Gobber merely shrugged as he carried on with his orders.

"Ahh who knows, maybe Hiccup will go with the idea and say yes..."

A couple of days later at the cove

"...No" Hiccup simply put it as he was chopping up a log for his winter pile when Gobber told him about coming back to the village for Snoggletog.

"Come on Hiccup, ya can enjoy yerself among people" Hiccup didn't even look at him as he gave his retort.

"You mean the one's who voted to banish me in the first place?" he said calmly as he placed another log in position before swinging his axe down again.

"Plus its under chiefs orders fer you te come" Gobber said hoping it would make him change his mind, but knew it wouldn't as he saw Hiccup slam the axe in the log so hard, it sliced through the wood like a hot knife through yak butter before being embedded in the stone slab underneath as Hiccup turned and glared at Gobber.

"If I remember correctly by law of the Hairy Hooligan tribe, once someone is banished, whether it be, from the village or the island itself, they are no longer in the tribe and thus the chiefs orders are invalid until such time the banishment is decided upon after five years" Hiccup said as he walked towards the lake casually as he finished off his sentence.

"In other words, no, no and double no!" he shouted as Gobber stood there and sighed.

He knew Hiccup was right.

He knew Hiccup had read every book that ever came his way, including that on the laws of the tribe.

After all he was the heir and needed to know this stuff for the future.

Shame his father never saw Hiccup like that.

But with that plan going straight down the crapper like that, just as Gobber thought it would, he had another idea and this one he needed to try, more for his own sake than Stoick's.

"Okay lad, I'll lay it out fer ya, I wouln' ask fer the villagers sake or even Stoick's after all tha's happened, but in truth I was hoping ye would come to the village fer Snoggletog fer me and fer Fishlegs"

The sentence actually made Hiccup stop his washing up as he knelt by the lake edge.

That plan changed in his mind so easily.

He knew Gobber and Fishlegs did care for him, in fact it hadn't been the first time they were trying to ask him to come to the village.

But Hiccup didn't want to be in a place where he wasn't wanted.

Still he thought about, even though Snoggletog lasted for well over a week the main celebrations only lasted the one day.

Surely he can survive one day in a village full of people to hate him.

It's not like he can't defend himself now.

And as he looked over at the forge, having his eye on the gleaming axe that laid in the corner waiting for its final repairs to be made.

This gave him an idea as he turned towards Gobber who was waiting for an answer.

"Okay Gobber" Hiccup sighed, giving a look of defeat before turning stern as he pointed his finger at the old blacksmith.

"But...for one day, one celebration in the great hall and that's it" he stated as Gobber smiled and nodded while Hiccup went back to washing up.

A few hours passed after that with Hiccup helping Gobber out with a few of his orders while they talked about how things have been for them the past week with Snoggletog preparations, the people in the village to the many things Hiccup had come up with in his head to improve his life, but in all this Hiccup wanted to ask one question that had been plaguing him for a bit now but never had the nerve to ask.

He needed to find out though and now seemed to be right for him.

He takes a deep breath as he just comes out with what he wanted to say.

"So hows Astrid doing?"

This took the old blacksmith by surprise, nearly landing the hammer on his remaining hand, as he looked at the boy questionably with a raised eyebrow.

"Come again?" he asked not believing what he heard.

Hiccup just rolls his eyes before repeating himself.

"I said how is Astrid doing?"

Gobber still didn't understand why he was asking about her, sure he took the axe from her house to repair it and comforted her during her nightmares but now he was asking like he was concerned.

'Maybe he hasn't gotten over her' he thought to himself as he realized he had been stood there without giving Hiccup an answer to his question.

Gobber sighs as he recalls about Astrid state.

"She's... not doin' too good lad" Hiccup raised his eyebrow at that as Gobber carried on.

"She assumes her uncles axe perished in the fire and now feels, in a way, useless Hiccup fer not taking it with her during that raid" he looked from his work on the table to look at Hiccup with a serious face "she's givin' up Hiccup"

Hiccup was taken back from that.

Astrid Giving up?

Hiccup shook his head, that doesn't sound like the Astrid he knew.

But saying that before he was banished, she wasn't the Astrid he remembered in their youth.

The one he knew was Happy, fun loving, she loved to explore like he did and to train.

Not for honour.

But for the pleasure of it.

Then the whole Flightmare incident occurred and not only did she start being serious with her training but stopped hanging around with Hiccup all together.

He wouldn't mind getting that girl back but it would be a long shot.

However, bringing back her confidence could be a start.

And repairing the assumed destroyed axe should do that.

So after after Gobber left the cove and it was safe for Hiccup black scaled friend to come out of hiding, he knew what he needed to do first off.

Repair the axe to it's former glory.

However, even though Hiccup is a good blacksmith, he isn't as good as Gobbers years of experience and even he couldn't repair it without replacing the axe all together.

But Hiccup had several things Gobber never had to fix it.

Time, vast imagination and a fire-breathing dragon whose fire could heat up metal easily.

Although from what Hiccup had seen on one of his flights south of Berk where a family of Nadders resided.

In all that time Hiccup witnessed not only how calm the dragons were, solidifying his beliefs that dragons aren't mindless creatures but the Nadders in particular have a fire so hot it melted a large boulder right down into a pool of molten rock before cooling down enough for them to lay down on.

While Hiccup was watching family as he smiled warmly, he didn't know one of the younglings was walking up to him curiously until he heard Toothless growl behind him making him turn around.

Hiccup calmed the over protective dragon down before having an idea about the curious Nadder as he calmly walked up to it, closing the gap between them before putting his palm onto its beak like snout, smiling as he feels the rumbling sound coming from the Nadder.

Soon all the whole family came close to him, wondering why their youngling had wondered off too and why they were near a human so calmly but seeing both young Nadder and Night Fury look so peaceful next to the small human, they immediately accepted him.

Something Hiccup wasn't expecting.

Hiccup comes out of his thoughts from that day and realized a way to fix the axe.

Nadder fire.

If it could melt a large boulder, surely it can wield a piece of metal enough to repair it.

Hiccup grabs hold of the axe, wraps it up and straps it to his back as well as his hammer small anvil and a bag of iron nuggets before heading over to his scaly friend before scratching behind his ear plates making the black dragon purr with delight as Hiccup just smiled.

"Hey bud, you had a nice day?" he said with a calm voice as Toothless smiled and nodded to his question.

Hiccup had come to know over the weeks that Toothless was highly intelligent , able to understand Norse very easily.

Hiccup wished he could understand him too.

'Maybe someday' he thought to himself as Toothless looked at him curiously, or more importantly the covered axe strapped to his back.

Hiccup came out of his thoughts to see Toothless eyeing up the axe and knew Toothless knew what it was before rubbing his friend head, reassuring him that its not going to be used on him or any other dragon.

Hiccup then explains his plan to Toothless about getting it repaired, the said dragon was reluctant to do so at first until he remembered that he trusted Hiccup, so nodded as Hiccup strapped the saddle on him.

Something Hiccup worked on, going through many plans, ones where the saddle was secure enough but was also comfortable for Toothless.

Several tries and Hiccup finally found the right balance.

Once the saddle was secured, Hiccup jumped on and they were off to where the Nadders resided, hoping they haven't taken off yet.

Something else Hiccup had been informed about by Gobber and Fishlegs where there had been no raids for several week, just like every year and it made Hiccup wonder if it affected all the dragons and not just the raiding ones.

But as the got closer they saw some of the elder Nadders started to fly off away from where they lived and out of the distance.

However as soon as they landed at their nest, they saw that several Nadders remained, which consisted of the younglings and a few older Nadders.

This got Hiccup curious as to why the adults were the only ones that left but not the young and old, including the one Hiccup was familiar with, the first one to come near him.

The Nadder he named Moonlight due to her silver and blue scales that reminded him of the shiny orb in the night sky.

After a few greeting and scratches underneath the scales, he asked if he could use her fire to help with something.

Nadders aren't as smart as Night Furies but they do posses a level of intelligence Hiccup assumed as he carefully laid the axe onto the ground before removing the cover, revealing it.

Straight away the Nadders backed away from the weapon, fearing their lives until Toothless started to roar at them, by Hiccups guess he was informing them to trust Hiccup that he won't hurt them.

It was confirmed as Moonlight came back to Hiccup before nuzzling him making him smile again.

It took several tries for Hiccup to get her to understand what he wanted to do, but eventually he was underway as Moonlight blasted the damaged pieces of the axe head with her powerful flame while Hiccup went along each heated up part, hammering away while he place small pieces of iron into the cracks as the Nadder went over them again, melting the pieces until the completely filled the cracks as he moved on to the bladed ends seeing how worn out they were from years of constant sharpening.

While all this was happening, all the other Nadders, including the older ones, watched with interest how this small human was so calm among dragons, even the Night Fury which even most dragons are scared of.

But here he was, not only was he not attacking the boy or their youngling but he seemed to be protecting them, watching over them like a big brother.

Something the older dragons haven't experienced from this sort of interaction since their youth with another young human female child from the same Island decades ago.

In fact the boy looked very similar to her and wondered if this was her offspring.

As they were thinking about that, Hiccup was putting the final repairs to the axe head as he picked it up and looked at it more closely, satisfied with his work, he smiled and re-wrapped it back it, ready to do the refurbishing back at his forge.

But right now he could see that the sun was setting and wanted to get one last flight in before heading home to sleep.

With that he wave all the Nadders goodbye, including a sad looking Moonlight whom Hiccup hugged as a thank you for her help, earning an affectionate lick from her before he jumped onto Toothless and took off into the pink sky, indicating the sun was setting.

A sight Hiccup always loved to see each time he was up here.

Every time he wondered the same thing over and over again.

Why hadn't we done this way beforehand?

Several days later

Hiccup had finished off all his work on the axes and informed Toothless about him being invited to the annual celebrations which saddened the Night Fury since he couldn't join his human brother there due to all the dragon hating Vikings.

He would spend the entire day relaxing in the cove and occasionally flying about while Hiccup is away.

Hiccup wished he could stay too but he promised Gobber he'd be there.

And he never broke a promise.

He sighed before picking up the axe which was covered up in a wrapped up cloth, as well as his new furred jacket he made when a timber wolf tried to attack him on one of his usual gatherings but didn't stand a chance when Toothless swooped in, smashing the large wolf into a nearby tree, killing it instantly.

Hiccup didn't want it to go to waste, so skinned the wolf, giving some of the meat to Toothless as a thank you to which the Night Fury happily tucked into while Hiccup took the rest back home to make the furred jacket he is wearing right now.

The wolf had a mixed colour of grey and black which look very well upon Hiccups small frame as he wrapped it all the way around him, covering his whole body and keeping him warm during the snowy weather as he travelled from the cove to the village.

He could have asked Toothless to drop him off halfway but didn't want to risk people seeing his scaly friend and informing the chief about it.

He would do anything to keep Toothless safe.

Even if it meant walking for several hours in the cold biting weather to do so.

But after what seemed like forever, he made it towards the forest edge which connected right up to the village.

Hiccup watch all the hustle and bustle of people who were getting the last minute preparations set for the celebrations tonight.

Sighing, he started to walk through the village, avoiding the constant stares from passers-bys, more likely wondering why he's here in the first place.

He continued to walk until he found the forge was still alight, meaning Gobber was still in.

Gobber was relaxing in his chair by the forges fire pit, drinking a large tankard of ale, finally relieved to have caught up with his work, mostly thanks to Hiccup on that.

He heard a knock on his door, moaning and grumbling about people not giving him five seconds to relax as he got up of his chair and slowly hobbled over to the door to give whoever it is a piece of his mind.

"Bugger off! If ya want somethin' fixin' come back in a few days time, shops closed fer the hol..." he stopped as he opened the door to reveal a smiling Hiccup covered in a wolf pelt.

"Well is that anyway to greet your old apprentice?" Hiccup replied turning his smile into a cheeky grin before suddenly being engulfed in a hug by the blacksmith himself.

"Gobber...air...need to...breathe" Hiccup wheezed as Gobber let him go before gesturing him to come in.

They spent only a few minutes there, mainly getting the forge shut down before heading towards the great hall with the rest.

Upon the way the both noticed the stares from the others and Gobber was about to yell at them before Hiccup place his hand on his arm, getting his attention.

"Don't Gobber, it's not worth it..." he was about to say a few more things until he was interrupted by a familiar old man who was blocking the entrance doors to the great hall.

"What are you doing here runt?" Mildew asked, catching the attention of others including Hiccup and Gobber.

Again Hiccup stopped Gobber from answering as he stepped forward.

"I'm here as a guest Mildew, otherwise I wouldn't be here in the first place" he replied back with an air of confidence, not backing down from the stares of everyone around him.

"Well you shouldn't be here!" Mildew yelled back getting a few nods from some as he carried on "you'll curse us all with your disaster making skills!" he then stepped forward getting close to Hiccups face, but still Hiccup didn't change his stoic emotion as he stared back.

"Stoick should have heeded my advice when you were born, he should have thrown you off the c..."

He was cut off as Hiccup gave him a full whack in the face before crouching down and sweeping his leg underneath Mildews, causing the old git to fall flat on his back onto the cold ground.

He tied to get up but halted as he noticed the pointed end of a sword was pressing against his throat, looking up only to see an angry looking Hiccup holding on to the sword as well as having his foot on the old man's chest causing everyone around to gasp in surprise.

"Your last warning, you old fart, last warning! Oh so please break it so I can slit your throat and watch you bleed out! I dare you! I double dare you mother-fucker!" Hiccup yelled as he watched Mildew just lay there stunned, unable to move from fear.

Hiccups scowl turned into a smirk as he removed his sword from the old git's throat before putting it away, never taking his eyes off him.

"That's what I thought..." he then calmly walked away to the doors as everyone parted to let him and Gobber through.

As soon as they were inside, he took a deep breath before smiling again "man that felt good" he said as he felt a hand upon his shoulder only to look up at a smiling Gobber which confused Hiccup, as he wondered if Gobber was upset that he threatened someone like that.

"I wish I could have done that myself Hiccup, that cranky old git has been askin' fer it fer a very long time"

Hiccup nodded in agreement as they looked around to all the Vikings staring at them again as the largest Viking at the end stood up holding his arms out.

Hiccup rolled his eyes recognizing him as his father whom silenced the hall as he started to shout.

"Welcome my fellow hooligans to another year of Snoggletog! A time for all to enjoy ourselves and to celebrate those who are not among us anymore!" many people were raising their fist in agreement while a few were still staring at Hiccup.

Mainly his fellow teens.

The twins were mesmerized by the wolf pelt he was wearing as well as the sword underneath while wondering if this was indeed Hiccup.

Snotlout was glaring at his cousin, still mad about the whole outcast thing still.

Fishlegs was with his family as they looked at him with a smile, they knew about Fishlegs and Hiccup being friends and by the way he always came home with a smile, they respected Hiccup for.

Astrid was also with her family, but she wasn't smiling nor glaring.

She simply looked at him with sadness.

She still hadn't told Gobber about it being Snotlout and the twins fault for the fire but since the fire at her house and losing her axe, she had no will to even want to talk to anyone.

As he continued to watch them all, Stoick was still carrying on.

"An I would like to welcome our guest for the celebration, Hiccup!" he gestured to the auburn haired boy as many people in the hall started to whisper, mainly with what happened outside.

Hiccup ignored them as he saw Stoick gesture for him to sit next to him on the large table.

Hiccup however shook his head making the large chief confused.

"With all due respect sir, I'd rather go to my usual spot here" he said calmly as he pointed to a dimly lit table right in the corner of the large room.

This was Hiccup spot for as long as he could remember.

Stoick looked confused as to why Hiccup would chose that over the large table, but didn't get a chance to retort as Hiccup made his way towards it.

Before he did however he spoke to Gobber about letting him sit there in his place instead to which the old blacksmith shrugged before respecting his wishes and hobbling up to the front, informing Stoick about Hiccup giving him his place as the celebration began to start with the sound of music and laugher echoing about the place.

Stoick however just slumped back and sighed, realizing that it'll be a hard task to get Hiccup to forgive him.

Meanwhile Astrid watch as Hiccup went to the dark corner of the hall wondering why he chose to sit there instead of at the main table with his father.

But as she looked to where he was sitting, she realized something.

That's where he always sat.

In the shadows, not wanting to be seen.

She started to feel guilty as she recalled that being where all three of them, her, Hiccup and Fishlegs used to sit as kids.

But she remembered it being brighter than that before.

So how come it looked so dark now?

Her conclusion came to that Hiccup did it himself so he could never be seen.

Did he really want to live among the shadows due to the villagers?

As she wondered that, she didn't notice Fishlegs walking towards Hiccup's table, causing him the genuinely smile.

She had to admit he had a cute smile, but realized that smile wasn't for her.

It was for Fishlegs, his friend.

Meanwhile Fishlegs sat down at Hiccups table as both held each other by the arm as a sign of their friendship.

"I'm glad you came Hic" Fishlegs said with a smile upon his face, he was worried in case Hiccup refused the invitation.

"Well a promise is a promise Fish" Hiccup replied back with his smile still upon his face.

He then noticed a book in his friend other arm before looking back at Fishlegs.

"Err what's with the book Fish?" he asked as Fishlegs looked down at his arm before lifting it, presenting the book to Hiccup which confused the boy.

"Happy Snoggletog Hic"

Hiccup's jaw dropped at what Fishlegs said as he carefully took the book from his extended hand and smiled.

For a couple of hours Hiccup and Fishlegs enjoyed each others company as they went through the book on bladesmithing, an art using similar metalworking techniques as that to blacksmith's, this book showed how it was used in different culture beyond the Nordic areas.

It fascinated Hiccup as he never saw making weapons or tools as an art.

Hiccup could do those sort of things himself, create fine weapons and armour that even the Dvergr's of Svartalfheim would be proud of.

But seeing all, these different cultures of smithing, Hiccup wanted to give it a go as he looked upon the Chinese swords known as the jian, he really wanted to try them out.

Norse swords were good but they were too bulky and mainly consisted of iron, well the one's in the archipelago were.

They couldn't make out all of the writing as it was mostly done in Chinese symbols but several words were in Anglo-Saxon to which they both understood due to many hours of reading they did in the cove and in the hall in their youth.

It appeared the jian were mainly crafted using bronze.

And that's where Hiccup might struggle.

Mostly everything on Berk was made of iron, some times copper.

So it means finding a good lot of exploring once the island thawed out for a good deposit of copper and hopefully tin.

As both he and Fishlegs were discussing the possibilities of making these things, they didn't notice Snotlout and the twins start walking towards their table until their book was snatch from them by the young Jorgenson causing Hiccup to stand up as he glared at him.

"Well look what we have here, our two former punching bags" Snotlout said with a grin on his face as he held the book in his hand as the other two grabbed hold of Hiccup by each arm so he could move.

Hiccup, instead of struggling, remained calm as he glared at his fatheaded cousin.

"What do you want Snotface" this wiped the smile off Snotlouts face as he started to glare back, throwing the book to the floor.

"You know what, I was going to wish you a very happy Snoggletog" he said sarcastically as the twins sniggered while Snotlout cracked his knuckles grinning evilly.

"But now I'm gonna teach you a lesson on respecting your superiors"

Astrid saw this and so did Gobber as both went over to stop before Hiccup got hurt, but suddenly stopped at what happened next.

Hiccup saw Fishlegs was in position behind the distracted twins as Snotlout was ready to punch him.

Within a millisecond, Hiccup had broken free of his captures but hitting them with his trapped arm right in their chests making them let go and stumble back only for them to have their helmets removed and their head smashed together by Fishlegs knocking them out.

Hiccup meanwhile had dodged Snotlouts fist before elbowing him in the stomach causing him to stumble backwards.

Snotlout try to go for another swing but missed by miles as Hiccup jumped and stomped in his foot causing Snotlout to hop in one spot.

But as he recovered he saw a fist collide with his face, causing to fall over and knock a few of his teeth out.

Trying to get back up he came across the same situation that happened outside with Snotlout pinned down and the sword pointing at his throat.

But unlike Mildew, Snotlout actually wet himself as he looked at Hiccup with fear in his eyes and disbelief.

How can his weed of a cousin knock him down now when he couldn't back when he was here.

Hiccup however was stoic the whole time as he pointed the sword at his cousin before retracting it away.

"You are never my superior and never will be. The day you become a good chief is the day Niflheim becomes a tropical paradise!"

"Same warning as Mildew, don't you regret it" he snarled before walking towards his table and started to gather his things.

Everyone was staring, completely stunned at Hiccups reaction.

But not as more stunned as Stoick, he just saw his son take on Spitelouts boy, the one people wanted him to train as the next chief but even Stoick knew that would be a bad idea due to the Jorgenson arrogance and stupid decisions.

Hiccup merely sighed as he picked up the fallen book and covered axe as he patted Fishlegs on the shoulder, thanking him for having his back as he made his way to the main table to greet his father and Gobber as Spitelout went to check on his son.

"I want to wish you a very happy Snoggletog, but I'm afraid my being here will cause more hassle for the celebrations, I will take my leave now" he saw his father about to protest but held his hand up before he could "there's no way around it, I'm making this decision on my own accord, to keep the peace" with that he takes a bow before heading away from the table, leaving Stoick confused on what to do, but one thing he thought of in his mind was to let him do what he thinks best.

Trust in his decision.

Hiccup walk along again ignoring the stares until he stopped among the Hoffersons table where he turn to greet them.

"Mr and Mrs Hofferson" he said with a bow as he turned to the younger one of the family and smiled "hello Fern, hope Odin gave you some nice goodies in your helmet" the young Hofferson smiled back and nodded enthusiastically, he was a shy boy but when Hiccups around he seem to come out of his shell more.

Might be because Hiccup was around when the boy was born, leaving a positive imprint on him.

Hiccup then turned towards Astrid who looked at him with her ocean blue eyes wondering if he'll say anything to her.

Hiccup simply smiled at her before hand her the wrapped gift before bowing and heading towards the large doors.

The Hoffersons were confused as to what Hiccup gave Astrid.

No doubt it was an axe from the way it was wrapped but why give Astrid an axe when she refused to have a new one.

Astrid wanted to know what Hiccup gave her as she started to remove the cloth from the weapon only to stand back on shock, so did her parents.

Laying upon the table was Finn Hoffersons axe.

His actual axe.

Agusto recognized his own brothers signature anywhere.

But what he did see was it had only survived the fire, but had bee repaired and restored to what it looked like back when his brother was presented it after his dragon final.

The handle had been replaced and the blades of the axe had been reinforced and sharpened but the head was still the same.

Astrid however couldn't believe her eyes.

She had her axe back and looking as good as new.

Then she thought even more, Hiccup gave it to her.

Which means he had snuck in to her house and took it himself.

But if he didn't then it surely would have perished.

But why did he take it.

Looking at it again, she saw how fully repaired it was.

He repaired it for her.

Without hesitation she ran out of the hall and down the large steps to find Hiccup and thank you for it.

But as she looked around, he was no where to be seen.

She search a bit further near the forest edge, still nothing.

She frowned as she couldn't get to say what she wanted to say to him.

Instead she looked into the darkness of the wood and spoke in that general direction.

"Thank you Hiccup, thank you ever so much, and happy Snoggletog" she said with a genuine smile and small tear in her eye as she walked slowly back towards the hall.

Unaware of the figure sat in the nearby tree, hearing all what she had said and smiled as he watches the female Hofferson walk back with a sense of pride in her step.

"Now there's the Astrid Hofferson I know"