I'd to apologize for the long wait. Christmas Vacation is among me now and I've been preparing for it all this week, and I went off schedule as a result - so I decided to add a time skip to this chapter, and some of the scenes may be short. Also if there's any grammar mistakes, don't mind them that much as I will soon fix them.
Also, a thanks to HighKings-Ruin, Angel-the-hedge, HikariCruz, MrsMagnusB, and BrawlerGamer for reviewing the previous chapter!
Now, without anymore waiting, let the story move forward!
The morning came, and Hiccup looked out to sea from where he stood. The sky was cloudy that day, and a cold wind fell upon him that came down upon him from the North. It was unclear what entirely happened last night after he passed out drunk, but what he did know was that he found himself in the guest room he slept in when he awoke.
"If I'm ever going to take another seven mugs of ale again," he began. "Gods please damn me."
"I doubt that the gods would punish you for having the time of your life. Well… If you know what I mean." said a distant voice from behind. It was Astrid.
Hiccup gave a shrug, though he slightly nodded his head. "I guess you're right." he replied to her. "...But, if I may ask; what the Thor happened to me last night?"
"Umm…" Astrid scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. "Well, many things happened to you. You were dancing like a drunk Dwarf read in those fairy tales, you started going on a ramble in a drunken state to drunk patrons while you stood on a table as if you were the Chief, and then you began confusing inanimate objects as being people and Dragons. Though I will admit, that kinda got the villagers laughing."
She gave a small chuckle. "Overall though, it eventually got too far where I had to carry you to my house and by the gods you were as heavy as Hel."
"Oh gods…" Hiccup sighed, placing his face into his palms. "Yup, I'm definitely going to pipe down on the drinking."
"Drinking ale is the least of our worries right now." said Astrid. "There are two things we need to take into consideration. The Dragon, and Ivar. Who knows how long it will take for him to get to Berk - he could be here in less than a week."
"Well concerning the Night Fury." Hiccup began. "I may have an idea on how we can perhaps… make a non-aggressive relationship with it."
"And what are you going to do? Take care of it like it's a-"
"No." he responded with a small smile on his face. "We have to earn it's trust. ...So, Astrid."
"Yeah?"
"Get ready, because we're going to catch some fish. A lot of fish."
…
Hiccup carried a large woolen bin on his back, with Astrid following him behind - unarmed. She wasn't sure about approaching the Night Fury, but she had to trust him. "Are you sure about this?" she asked.
"I'm positive." he replied. "I mean, otherwise it would've never given me half of it's fish to… well, you know."
The two of them looked away in embarrassment, not trying to think of the disgusting and vomiting thought. However, as Astrid looked around she soon noticed a large black figure hanging on the branch of a thick and withered tree. "Is that it?" she asked, her voice loud enough to be heard.
The black Dragon raised an ear and uncovered his face from behind its wings. Slowly it glided and made its way down from the large branch, landing in front of Hiccup and Astrid who stared at the Drake in interest.
"Well, that's him." he said.
Astrid arched a brow. "Him?"
Hiccup nodded. "Well we've got to call him something, Astrid. Maybe these things aren't entirely beasts… now, let's do what we came here to do."
The young man calmly approached the Dragon and placed the large woolen bin of fish in front of the Dragon for him to eat. "We fished this up for you, Bud. I hope you're hungry."
He then tipped the bin over on its side and took off the lid, and out came many fish for the Dragon to eat. "Alright. Now that's disgusting…" began Hiccup. "Now, there's some salmon, some pike, many kinds of fish, and… an ell which we caught-"
Suddenly the Dragon growled and backed up in fear. Immediately Hiccup knew that the Dragon did not like eel and as he reached in to grab it the Night Fury backed up even more and snarled at it. 'Get it away!' was probably what it was trying to say.
"Alright, alright!" assured Hiccup as he threw the dead eel into the nearby pond, and soon the Dragon stopped snarling and continued his way forward to the bin.
He then sniffed the fish and immediately he began to eat, gobbling away at the slimy raw salmon like a hungry wolf. Hiccup nodded and gave off a grin. "See, that wasn't so bad, now was it?" he asked, and Astrid rolled her eyes in a sigh.
"I guess you were right." she admitted.
He soon did eventually finish with eating his fish, and his head went from outside the large woolen basket to in it - which to Hiccup made him look silly and he gave out a chuckle, and as the bin dropped to the ground from the Dragon's head he looked over at the young Viking and rushed towards him.
The Night Fury then began circling Hiccup. "Uh- uhh, what are you doing?" he stuttered, and the black Drake just sniffed him from his feet to his legs to get the lad's scent, and afterwards the creature stopped and sat on his bottom, sitting in front of Hiccup. Then, the creature gave Hiccup a light nudge, meaning 'thank you.'
The young Viking with wonder in his mind curiously reached his hand out forward to pet the black Dragon, particularly on his scaly head. And so he reached out, he moved his hand forward and…
He gave off a growl to the scrawny Viking and Hiccup turned into the other direction and walked off, just as the Dragon did who went up back his tree and hung onto the branch which he rested on, lightly heating it before going back to his nap.
Astrid showed a face of confusion. "Is that it?" she asked. "All we were supposed to do is come here and give it fish? It gave a growl at you in response, and then it walked off… maybe I spoke a bit too soon."
"And it nudged me in a thanks." corrected Hiccup. "It only growled at me because it wasn't prepare to… well, probably be touched by me. Could be my disgusting ale scent-"
"Right, let's not go back into that, okay?" interrupted Astrid. "I've had enough of people talking about drinking beer for one day… there's more that we have to discuss aside that. But now that we're done with the Dragon for now…"
"...We should move onto the topic of Ivar." answered Hiccup. "Right, now the thing that is on my greatest mind right now is likely to be what he is planning. He is preparing to march an army on me just so he can have his relief through the price of blood."
Astrid nodded. "And he'll need to get past more than just me to get to you."
He shook his head. "No, it's not just that." he said. "It's common sense to us on why he's bringing army aside the fact that he wants to get to me through fighting others - but it's more on the fact that this is a new place for him, Astrid. New lands to conquer. The answers is obvious; he doesn't just want to kill me."
"But he also wants to conquer and claim the whole of the Archipelago and kill or enslave everyone that resides in it…" she finished.
"Exactly." he replied. "And with the Völsung's army behind him, no power in the Archipelago may alone stop him… unless we all unite."
She sighed. "You know what you're saying is crazy, right? Some Tribes aren't friendly around here. We've had old wars and hatreds against them. They are-"
"Well sometimes you need to leave the past behind." he responded clearly. "Old hatreds will die hard one day, bringing peace among all. We just need to find a way to make that peace between the Tribes a reality, or else none of us will stand a chance…"
That to Hiccup is what he thought. If all Vikings in the Archipelago alike stood together, then Ivar and his Völsung Clan would be stopped. But little did the scrawny Viking know, trouble was already brewing on the horizon for him, and it was about to boil into fire - for Ivar had more plans than just using the Völsung's army in a conflict that would soon come…
...
Days later, back at Kattegat…
Ivar sat in the Great Hall around in a circle of thrones of the Chieftains that had been rallied - from the far corners of Kievan Rus', to the deep woods of Germania, and the snowy lands of Scandinavia. There were at least twenty Chieftains sitting with him around in the circle, and among him four other clans caught his attention as they sat in greater thrones than the other clans - excluding himself from the inferior Clans of course.
Two were from Sweden and Denmark, one was from Germania, and one was from Kiev, each of them wearing dark armor. Especially the large Slav Rus' Chieftain who had black iron armor from shoulder, to chest, to legs, to boots, with his head excluded as it was covered in a black wolf pelt. His Clan name was known as the Iron Volk, or the Iron Wolf.
The Germanic Barbarian Chief wore black furs and feathers along his leather armor. He had a large black beard and long hair going down to his upper back with some parts of his hair having braces. His armor in particular had a red trim specifically on his gloves and boots. His Clan name was known by the Blutig Berserkers, or the Bloody Berserkers.
The Viking Chieftains from Denmark and Sweden however were something else. They both wore furred outfits with some chainmail and leather as their armor, but some of their characteristics were unique. The one from Denmark for instance was buff and had a missing hand on his left arm, replaced with the large black blade of an axe. He wore barely any chest armor aside leather, and had chainmail leggings and plate boots. His Clan was called the Broken Øx, or the Broken Axe.
Finally, the Chieftain from Sweden was probably close to Ivar's body shape. He had mostly leather for his gear and wore the large animal cloak of a white wolf over his head and shoulders that extended down from there to near his feet and the ground. He had only one eye as his other was sliced in battle, but claimed that after this incident he could sometimes see visions from the gods. His Clan was the Dark Auga Clan, or Dark Eye.
Ivar gave a smile, and after a long inspection of all four of the major Chieftains, he finally started speaking to all the twenty Chieftains that had rallied to him.
"My fellow Vikings." he began. "Slavs, and my comrade Germanic Barbarians - I have called you all here for a reason. Half a week has passed and you sailed here for many days and nights. ...So, what's the reason?"
The closed smile on his face opened and he let out a light chuckle. "A new archipelago has been discovered Northwest of Scandinavia, which is directly North of England - and in that archipelago lays many islands that are populated by Tribes of Inferior Vikings. As well as mythical winged beasts in which we never thought existed."
"Dragons…" answered the Dark Eye Chieftain. "So then Odin has indeed sent me here for a reason, and his vision is true. He's sent us all here for a reason."
"But why direct our attention North to this… archipelago?" the Chieftain of the Bloody Berserkers asked. "I was having fun slaughtering Christians in the forests of Germania. What exactly does it all have to offer?"
"People to slaughter and enslave." replied Ivar. "Dragons to kill and enslave as well - if there is a way, and… probably hundreds and hundreds of pounds of gold and silver among all these Tribes. It'll benefit not just myself, but as well all of you. Think about it. If we combine all of armies together then we will stand a greater chance together against any of our foes - more than my father Ragnar Lothbrök was able to when he sieged invaded the Franks. We would have an army ten times bigger than the original Great Heathen Army.
The Chieftain of the Iron Wolf leaned in closer, interested. "So what would you have us do, Ivar? I am all ears." he said, his Slavic accent obvious and clear.
"Let us make a Viking horde. I will enforce each and every one of your Clans in recognition of your superiority to all of the others in Scandinavia, Germania, and Kiev. You will be recognized as one of the best of the best, and as a result your peoples shall rally around you and your numbers will increase ten fold. You will all flourish in wealth and people."
"And what do you ask of us in return?" asked the Chieftain of the Broken Axe Clan.
It was then that Ivar's grin widened. "I ask that in return; you give me your loyalty. Pledge your warriors to my cause and purpose… for if we do this, then together we will become legion. A Great Viking legion."
Silence filled the Great Hall. All of the Chieftains had their heads facing the floor, walls, and ceiling of the large wooden hut in deep thought. They all wanted more land to rule, and more people by their sides in efforts for the wars that would likely come in the future, along with all the wealth they would obtain. Yet in return they would need to recognize Ivar as their higher upper, their High Chieftain… their King.
But in the end, it would be worth it…
The Dark Eye Clan's Chieftain stood to his feet and unsheathed his sword, giving off a salute to the young Chieftain. "The Dark Auga swear loyalty to you and your Clan, Ivar. Where you go, we shall follow in your name, High Chieftain!"
Eyes widened from the other Chieftains all around, and soon enough the Iron Wolf's Chieftain stood up as well. "The Iron Volk swear loyalty to you as well, High Chieftain. Our technology will be yours to command, and whatever you need building we shall craft and make. For the Great Viking Army!"
"Aye." replied another voice, and the Broken Axe's Chieftain stood straight up. "I will kill any foe and opponent I see in my way by your side, Ivar. My Clan and I will fight in your name as we take and conquer island by island from the inferior Tribes. We shall march by the thousands! IN YOUR NAME!"
"AYE!" shouted the Chieftain of the Bloody Berserkers. "I WILL KILL, MAIM, SLAUGHTER OUR ENEMIES IN YOUR NAME, HIGH CHIEFTAIN! FOR THE GREAT VIKING ARMY!"
That inspired and influenced all of the other Chieftains, and to their feet they stood and shouted loudly from their lungs and voices; "FOR THE GREAT VIKING ARMY! FOR IVAR!" Ivar's smiled was now extended from cheek to cheek as he began clapping his hand against one of his axes, giving off a laughter that echoed in the Great Hall before it turned into a mighty roar that bellowed beyond the Hall's walls, causing all of the Chieftains to raise their mugs in unity to Ivar the Boneless.
The Great Viking Army was now reborn... numbered in it's thousands and bigger than ever before, with Ivar the Boneless leading it once again…
…
"Maybe you should give up on that Dragon, Hiccup." sighed Astrid. "You've been trying for days and days to pet it like it's some wolf. All you've been doing is giving it fish and drawing pictures in the dirt of it for it to look at."
Hiccup and Astrid sat alone at the rocky cliffs that faced out to sea, though they were very close to the village.
"Gods' sake, Astrid. The Dragon has a gender." replied Hiccup. "I haven't just given up yet. I only need some time to think of a plan to get it at my side, to actually, well…"
"Are you insane?" she asked. "Stoick will throw you off Berk if he realizes that you BEFRIENDED a Dragon! I understand that the creature didn't attack you, but maybe it's- he's not interested in you."
"It can't be…" he replied softly. "This- this can't be true, Astrid. I always had a feeling that a Dragon could be befriended, but denying that idea is… a bit unrelieving to hear. It's almost as if I-"
He stopped short of what he was about to say and he turned his attention to down to face the ocean water that laid below the cliffs. "It's almost as if all I did was for nothing. Those dreams I had, were they nothing but a fantasy to me?"
Astrid arched a brow. "What dreams?" she asked. "When did they start."
He sighed. "Well, it's hard to say exactly when, but all I can say is that the last time I had this kind of dream was when I was sailing here to Berk." Eventually, that small piece of information started to turn into a small story of what he saw. "I remember seeing myself sitting atop the grassy cliffs of a bright and free-feeling place like this. I'm not sure where it was, but it likely was Berk. And then, I saw the Dragon."
"In what way?" she asked her friend.
"Well, it wasn't more on in what way but from where I saw it. I am certain it was the Night Fury because it's scales were dark and black. The characteristics it has were the same, and the speed it moved at was fast and amazing, almost like nothing I felt before. Very smooth of a ride might I add."
"I see…" Astrid said, listening in interest. "And did you encounter it any other way in your dream?"
Hiccup wanted to say yes, but it wasn't the way she'd probably expect like last time since the last thing he heard and saw in his dream was the screeching and shrieking of the Night Fury, followed by the bright light of it's blue-purple fire that launched directly at him before the explosion woke him up from his sleep. Unwilling to admit it, he shook his head at her question.
"No." he said. "Nothing happened after that. I… I just found myself resting in the tall grass facing the sky before I woke up from the sound of thunder in reality." he lied.
"Thor probably found interest in your dream except the last scene, so perhaps he stood and woke you up."
"Has Gobber been telling you those stories again?"
The two laughed from Hiccup's question, getting a funny sense filled in them from it. However, that would all cut short as a loud noise interrupted him.
But it wasn't any normal noise - it was a horn.
He looked out to sea and in front of his eyes he saw a two-sailed longship sailing towards Berk with it's sailed raised without color, but the structure of the ship, he recognized. Where had he seen that ship before? He asked himself many questions until suddenly an idea popped into him, a thought.
"That ship is familiar." he said to Astrid, and she looked at him as if he were… slightly crazy. "What are you talking about, Hiccup?" she asked him.
"That ship. I've seen the type before." he replied. "And I think I know who exactly is on that ship…"