Chapter 3 The Task

The pail moon light that had filled the night was now replaced by the sun. Worming raise shined on the village, melting the early morning frost that coated the ground and huts.

The sun's light shined through the window of a large hut that stood at the top of the hill, awaking a small figure covered in a small blanket. Gently a fifteen-year-old boy that was small for his age rose out of bed. Stretching and brushing his thick auburn bangs out of his eyes he made his way out of the loft and down the small set of stairs.

Once he hit the base of the stairs he started to make his way to a small row of cabinets that held a small reserve of food. But the teen stopped once he saw the large figure of his father sitting at the table with his back turned to him. Sighing he turned to walk to the front door of his home, deciding it was best to skip breakfast rather than sit in an unbearably acquired silence with his father.

But before he could make his way out the door his father spoke, "Hiccup", he said in a passive tone.

"Yeah dad", asked Hiccup in a meek voice.

Speaking without even turning to look at him his father again spoke "Tonight I plan to gather the entire village in the great hall for a celebration" he said plainly.

A little cot off guard "A celebration for what exactly", asked Hiccup.

"I have an important speech to give that will change the future of Berk", "But first I need your help", he stated.

Hiccups jaw almost hit the floor at what his father had just told him. Wondering what was so important that his father would come to HIM for help he asked, "My help".

"Yes, your help" "As the future chief of this tribe its time you started taking more responsibility".

Hiccup was in total and utter shock at what his father had just said, "Future chief", was all he was able to squeak out.

"Yes, the future chief", "And as the future chief you can no longer keep yourself locked away in the forge", "So tonight when everyone gathers in the hall, you will meet me at the docks and from their I will have a special task I am entrusting to you", "Then we'll make our own way to the hall".

"What do you need me to do", Hiccup said almost at the point of yelling.

"You'll know soon enough", "Now don't you have work to do", Stoik said finally turning his head slightly.

"Yes, of course dad", "I'll see you tonight".

And with that Hiccup made his way to the to the door with an exited bound in his step. But again, before he could make his way out the door his father spoke again, stopping him in his tracks. "And Hiccup".

"Yeah dad"

"The task I have planned you to carry out must be kept a secret until the gathering, understand", "I'm trust you just this once with this simple task", "Do not disappoint me", he said in a darker tone.

"I won't dad", hiccup said in a determined tone, before quickly exiting through the door.

Stoik rose from his chair before slowly walking to the open window that sat to the left of the front door. He looked from his spot at the window and spotted his son just before he disappeared into the village and spoke to himself, "Can I do this".

….

I was almost skipping with joy at what my father had just told me. It took all the self-control I could muster not to go running through the village screaming at the top of my lungs that my father planned to name me as the heir of the chiefdom of Berk. Not that anyone would believe me anyways. There has always been a very heavy tension between the village my father and me. Many in the tribe believe that I am unfit for the role of chief. Since the day I was born I have been smaller and weaker than the others of my age. Its no secret that I have never been a fighter. Hell, I've spent my entire life trying to avoid them at all costs. Even at the cost of my own dignity. Time and time again when met with a challenge I have done nothing but back down. It's not that I don't want to of dream of being a proud worrier. But I just can't find the courage. I've always been terrified of what might happen to me if I rose to such a challenge. What lind of chief would that make me. How would our rivals react to seeing such a cowardly chief? And it doesn't help that most of these challenges came from the largest boy my age. Snotlout, he has spent the majority of his life trying to take over my life. He wants more than anything to be chief one day and does his best every day to prove he would be the best pick. And most would agree, especially his fallowers. The two main one's names are Ruffnut and Tuffnut. Twins with skinny frames and long blonde hair. Their known as the village tricksters. They both act as if they don't have a brain between then, but I've always thought that they where smarter than they let on. Next is a large fat boy with shortly cut blonde hair. His name was Fishlegs. He was the smartest one in the group. He preferred to keep books in his hands rather than weapons. But unlike me he had strength that I didn't. And that was enough for the village. The last in the group of teens was a blonde headed and blue eye beauty known as Astrid. She was the most amazing person I have ever seen. Probably because she was everything I'm not beautiful strong confidant and a real worrier. I would give anything to be with her. But she would never pay any attention to the village runt. But now thing where about to change. Soon my father would announce to them and the entire village I will be the chief. Maybe then I could have a chance with her, I thought with a small grin.

I was soon brought out of my thoughts as I walked through the door of the forge. Standing by a large anvil was a man that was missing his right hand and his left leg. He appeared to be hard at work beating on a piece of metal that looked to be a sword with a hammer that replaced his hand.

Soon the man noticed my entrance he welcomed me, "Ah there you are my boy, I thought you would never show".

"Sorry Gobber I was busy talking with my dad" I said in a proud tone.

This caused the man to stop his work and look to me, "Oooow ya' did, did ya".

"Yup we had a good talk this morning before I left".

This caused him to smile at me, "Well I'm happy for you my boy", "So boyo what was it you were talking about".

Hahaha I laughed, "Don't worry you'll know tonight, dad wants to keep it quiet until tonight".

"Well I look forward to it then, now get that forge heated back up and let's shape some steel", he said with a smile that always wormed my soul.

"You got it Gobber", said as I tied my apron around my small hips.

I didn't want to keep Gobber in the dark about this. I wanted more than anything to spill my guts to him that I will be chief one day. The man was more than a father to me than anyone.

This brought me to thoughts of my own father. As the excitement started to die down, questions I had started to arise. Where did the sudden trust my father had in me come from. It seemed like years since he had spoken to me for so long. Not since what happened to my mother.

I closed my eyes and quickly pushed those thoughts out of my head. Now was not the time for thoughts for her or my own fears. It doesn't mater what gave my father the change of heart. All that matters now is I have a chance. A chance to prove myself to the village and my father. Like he said, he's putting his faith in me just this once. Only one chance to prove myself. It doesn't matter what this task is or how difficult it will be. I won't let my fear get the best of me, not this time. To much is at stake. And maybe just maybe when I succeed, we can be a family again.

So any guesses out there about what this special task might be.

What about this mystery ship and what happened to hiccups mother.

If you have a answer leave it in the reviews!