Astrid had woken up from her restless sleep. Saying that Astrid had a challenging time sleeping was an understatement. Throughout the night Astrid had constantly woken up shortly after falling asleep. Astrid is confident that last night's rest was the worst slumber she had ever had. For most of the night, her mind was going over the moment Hiccup had unknowingly revealed to everyone that he was still alive. Astrid is deeply disappointed that Hiccup had made not only her, but everyone in Berk believes that he had passed away. Astrid could not fathom why anyone would abandon their own home and people for the dragons. The same dragons that had tormented the Vikings for three centuries. Just the thought made Astrid's stomach crawl in repulsion.
When Astrid's mind was not going over what Hiccup had done. Astrid's thoughts would go toward Valka. Astrid had not known Stoick's wife personally, but the stories that Hilda had told Astrid made Valka sound like a wonderful person. So, why did not only Hiccup make everyone in Berk believe that he died but also why did Valka do the same thing? Did they not care that people mourned their so-called 'deaths?' Judging by what they did Hiccup and Valka make them seem like they didn't know care about the consequences of their actions.
Another thing that confused Astrid was that Hiccup had been crafting her axes. Astrid gets up from the ground as the shieldmaiden has been curious about how long the former heir had been doing this. And why had she never received any axes? Then, another theory came to Astrid's mind. What if Hiccup was trying to use the axes, he made to win her over?
Just thinking about that made Astrid want to give Hiccup the beating of his life. The only reason that Astrid wasn't attempting to assault Hiccup was because of his pet Night Fury. 'Toothless' has Hiccup called the Night Fury seems to be overprotective of Hiccup. This raises the question that Astrid desperately wanted to be answered. How did Hiccup even get his pet dragon?
Night Furies are so dangerous that the Book of Dragons cautiously states to avoid this species of dragons without fighting if you want to live to see it the next day. Astrid is having a challenging time imagining a small Hiccup being able to tame this beast. Sadly, Astrid wouldn't be able to ask Hiccup how he was able to get a pet Night Fury of all things.
Astrid had known about Hiccup's feelings for her while the former heir had lived in Berk. Astrid never thought that Hiccup would try to bribe her with weapons. Did Hiccup think that Astrid was some price to win like Snotlout? That Astrid would be nothing more than a homemaker? If Hiccup did think that about Astrid? Hiccup is certainly wrong.
Growing up Astrid appreciated that Hiccup never tried to flirt with her like Snotlout. Astrid hadn't ever been more disappointed with anyone than she was with Hiccup. How could Hiccup run away to fake his death and have everyone in Berk believe he died? That was unforgivable in the eyes of Astrid. When does Astrid get her human body back? Astrid is going to make Hiccup pay for the mess that he made.
Underneath all of Astrid's anger, disappointment, and confusion she is deeply hurt. Astrid had spent the past six years blaming herself for the death of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third. Astrid recalls all the nightmares where she couldn't save Hiccup from a gruesome death. Astrid then realizes that all the guilt, sorrow, and misery she dealt with by not saving Hiccup was for nothing.
Astrid left the den and the instant she was outside she heard a cheerful and innocent voice call out to her, "Good morning, Auntie Astrid." Astrid recognizes Dart's voice. Astrid turns her head towards the right, and she spots Dart making her way toward Astrid.
"I'm not your aunt, kid," Astrid replied. That was another thing that Astrid couldn't comprehend. Dart had called Hiccup her uncle. Hiccup had gotten so close to the family of Toothless' that they view Hiccup as family. The idea that Hiccup was family to these destructive animals made Astrid's anger boil over again.
Trying not to take her frustrations on Dart, Astrid would add, "Good morning to you as well kid."
Dart would respond, "Of course, you're my aunt silly."
"Anyway, what are you doing here kid?"
"You promised that you would play with me," Dart reminded Astrid about the promise she made last night.
Astrid had forgotten that she made that promise. When did Astrid make that promise? She was only trying to get rid of Dart so Astrid could get some sleep. Because Astrid thoughts were all about Hiccup and Valka all night, the commitment to Dart slipped out of her mind. Without an idea of losing Dart, Astrid figured that she might as well humor the young dragon.
"Are you sure that your parents are fine with you being around me?" Astrid raised a question to Dart.
"Mama and Papa are with Uncle Hiccup on another mission."
"Who is supposed to be watching over you and your brothers? What do you mean on a mission with Hiccup?"
"I asked my hatchling-sitter if I could play with a friend," Dart told Astrid a little white lie. The young Night Light had sneaked away from her brothers and babysitter. Dart desperately wanted to spend some time with Astrid without anyone from her family knowing. So, when Pounder and Ruffrunner started to fight each other, the babysitter, unfortunately, broke up the fight. This had allowed Dart to sneak away unnoticeably.
Dart knows that lying was never okay. But Dart reasoned that this lie would help Hiccup find happiness and it was worth it overall. Dart remembers when Hiccup and Heather had broken up and how depressed Hiccup had been afterward. Dart recalled that Hiccup hadn't left the sanctuary in a month. The young dragon didn't want to ever see her uncle like that ever again.
Hiccup always helped Dart's family as well as countless additional dragons discover what made them satisfied or a new home. It was about time they helped Hiccup find someone who could make him happy. Dart remembers all the times she had heard Hiccup talk about Astrid fondly. It was like Hiccup was characterizing his mate. It is why Dart was trying to get Astrid to be with Hiccup.
"I know just the place to play," Dart excitedly told Astrid. Dart knows that her babysitter and brothers are looking for her and it was best to leave the sanctuary temporarily. The hatchling knew just the place to take Astrid to. Hopefully, they wouldn't be caught sight of.
"Alright, kid led the way," Astrid response to Dart's statement. But when the opportunity presents itself, Astrid will ditch Dart. Astrid and Dart would take off in the air.
Stoick alongside Gobber is following a yellow Terrible Terror to meet with the alpha dragon. Shortly after Stoick had woken up from his restless slumber, he met Gobber to discuss the events of yesterday. Stoick and Gobber like Astrid also had a grim time sleeping as well. Both Stoick and Gobber's emotions were all over the place. That's when the Terror arrived to pass the message from the white king himself.
Beyond Stoick and Gobber's betrayal, hurt, and anger there is great confusion. In a twisted way, it had made sense that Valka had chosen the dragons. The chief and blacksmith remembered all the time Valka pleaded with everyone in Berk to find a better way to deal with the dragon raids. So, it wasn't too far-fetched to believe that Valka turned her back on their home to the disappointment of both Gobber and Stoick. What did Valka want Stoick to do? Let the dragon continue raiding them without any consequences. That was a ridiculous idea for Stoick.
But why had Hiccup turned his back on them too? It didn't make any sense to them that Hiccup would choose the dragons. The leader of Berk and his best friend reminisced all the time that Hiccup had assembled several inventions to help deal with the dragons. Every one of Hiccup's inventions results in more destruction than help. Hiccup had even inquired of countless people to have the opportunity to prove to Stoick that he was like everyone else. What had changed the stubborn mind of Hiccup?
Stoick remembers returning home from a voyage six years ago. Stoick thinks of how proud his son was when he heard of Hiccup's fast improvement, Stoick couldn't be prouder. Hiccup was like the ultimate underdog rising against all odds to reach the top. Stoick genuinely believed that everything was turning around for Hiccup. Until that dreadful day six years ago when Hiccup was supposed to slaughter the Monstrous Nightmare, the same honor that Hiccup had rightfully earned.
Stoick still reminisces his heartbreak when a hidden cove was discovered with discarded black dragon scales alongside a small human's footprints. It was the day after Hiccup disappeared and it was when Hiccup announce to have died by an unknown dragon. This only ignited the hatred Stoick had towards dragons even more.
First Stoick had lost his beloved wife, whom he loved deeply despite Valka's stance against killing dragons, and was carried away in the paws of a four-winged dragon about twenty-one years ago. Then dragons had taken the last piece of his wife, Hiccup. All that did was pour gasoline on a blazing fire. A week later the dragons had mysteriously escaped their enclosure. That only fueled Stoick's inferno of hatred for dragons.
Stoick started to get more gruesome and violent with the dragons. To Stoick they were the reason that he lost his family, and he was going to have the dragons pay with their blood. So, to see not only his wife choose the dragons over him but his son as well profoundly hurt Stoick. Why couldn't Hiccup and Valka see that the dragons were file creatures belonging to the deepest depths of helium?
"We've arrived," the Terror announced as they exited the cave they were walking through. The small dragon had led Stoick and Gobber through a few caves and trails to get to their destination. What did Stoick and Gobber see? It is a breathtaking sight of beauty. The greenest grass they had ever seen. Brown cliff going down several matters. The only thing that Gobber and Stoick didn't like to see were the thousands of dragons flying around freely without a care in the world.
There was so much variety of dragons. Like Monstrous Nightmares, Deadly Nadders, Hideous Zipplebacks, Gronckle, etc. there were also several unknown species of dragons. Stoick and Gobber were about to attack the dragon but stopped when they noticed a large white dragon head rising from the cliff. The dragon's head had two large tusks sticking out his mouth, spikes with black tips covering his face, and a pair of greenish-blue eyes.
Judging by the head of the dragon it was easily the largest dragon Stoick and Gobber had ever seen. Stoick had originally planned to attack this so-called alpha dragon, but now is having second thoughts about it. Stoick knowledge that this wasn't a fight he could win. "Welcome, Stoick I'm the King of the Dragons," the giant dragon greeted in a warm tone.
The Bewilderbeast had heard about what transpired yesterday. The mighty dragon wanted to hear Stoick's side of the story before he made any judgment on the Berkians turned dragons. That was another thing that piqued his curiosity. How did the Vikings become dragons in the first place? It wasn't every day that humans transformed into dragons.
"Why did you even summon us here anyway?" Stock rudely replied. Stoick wouldn't let his guard down. Especially after everything that dragons had done to Stoick and everyone else. The chief wanted to get this over with so he could never be here again.
The Bewilderbeast chose to ignore the room retort from Stoick. "I call you over to at least hear your side of the story. I've heard both your mate's and son's side of the story. Would it not be fair if I didn't at least allow you to speak your side of the story?" The alpha understood Stoick's hatred towards dragons. To Stoick the dragons took away everything he cared deeply about.
"What do you mean that you've heard Valka and Hiccup's side of the story?" Stoick couldn't help questioning the titan size dragon. What had Hiccup and Valka told this dragon?
"Valka told the stories of how you and everyone in Berk didn't want to find another way to deal with the dragons. And how nobody had listened to her about other ways to deal with the dragons. I'm not saying that you all were fully in the wrong because the dragon side wasn't completely innocent either," the king of the dragons explained before taking a deep sigh and then adding to his statement, "Hiccup, had a similar experience as his mother. But the difference between their stories is that everyone treated him like he was unless. Hiccup had even said you were about to give up on him and the only reason you didn't was that he made desired improvements. I'll ask again for your side of the story, Stoick Haddock."
"Why should we have listened to my wife's suggestions? The dragons were destroying, stealing, and killing many innocent people. What were we supposed to do? Let the dragons do as they pleased. Hiccup should've come to me if he had a problem rather than running away," Stoick replied trying his hardest to keep his cool.
The chief had half a mind to banish both Hiccup and Valka despite his love for his family. Being chief meant that you must make tough decisions, even ones that hurt you. Valka and Hiccup had made their choice and they should pay the consequences of their actions. The only reason Stoick didn't was because of hearing Valka and Hiccup dealing with Drago. The only interaction Stoick had with Drago was enough to show Stoick that Drago is a man that killed without any conscience. Even though Stoick was upset with Valka and Hiccup he didn't want them to die because they got tangled up with Drago. "What I would like to know? Why are my wife and son being tangled up with Drago of all people?"
"Hiccup and Valka are trying to stop Drago's reign of terror. I'm afraid that a war between the dragon riders and dragon hunters will break out soon. I know that it's a lot to ask, but we might need Berk's help? I understand if you deny the offer."
The alpha dragon knows it was a difficult request to make with Berk. But where things are heading the Bewilderbeast feared the possibility that Drago triumphs against them. Having a little bit more allies would help things go wrong and wouldn't be too bad. However, it was a bit to ask Berk for help after they had been at war with dragons for over 300 years. Berk had no reason to get involved in this war, especially after everything that the dragon had done to Berk. But if the dragon riders were to be defeated in this upcoming war? Who to say that Drago wouldn't continue his carnage? Odds are Drago would eventually cross paths with Berk. This war is truly going to determine the future of the world we live in for better or worse.
"You're right about us declining your offer. Why should we even help you with your little war? What does Berk gain in this war of yours's?" Stoick couldn't allow any blood to be shaded from his people for a battle that didn't involve them to begin with, especially a battle to help dragon riders. Dragon riders to Stoick were people that had ignored all the deaths dragons had caused. It was truly a betrayal in the eyes of Stoick and the Berkians. Stoick was tempted to help the dragon hunters but didn't because Stoick couldn't trust Drago either. Stoick sees this as a loss situation. Neither sides Stoick wanted to see victorious in this war. Stoick just wanted his son and wife to not fight this meaningless war against a man that killed with no conscious.
"Because not only dragon's lives are at streak with the outcome of this war, but humans as well. Drago if he is allowed to win this war wouldn't just stop after we've failed. Sooner or later, Drago would've made his way to Berk. What would you all do when Drago showed up with an army of both dragons and humans to fight? It's better to take out Drago before he becomes even more powerful than he is now." The massive dragon answers Stoick's questions. The King of the Dragons knows that his job as alpha is to protect everyone in his nest. The Bewilderbeast thought that these similar titles would help Stoick see what they were like. Both were trying to protect everyone under their reigns. Like a chief protects everyone in the village, the alpha protects them all.
Oh no a damn cliffhanger. I know you guys must hate me for ending this chapter here XD. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'm so sorry that I haven't updated this story since April. If anyone had read my other fanfiction you would have known back in, May that I found my uncle died in my home. After that, I lost a lot of motivation to write. This chapter was one of the hardest chapters I've ever written. A couple of weeks ago I almost scraped this chapter. My losing motivation to write was one of many reasons I hadn't uploaded in 2022. Hopefully, in 2023 I can get more updates to you guys.
I want to thank everyone that has favorited, followed, and reviewed/commented on this story so far. I hope you all have a wonderful day; stay safe out there, and I'll see you in the next update hopefully not a several months' wait. XD ;P :) :D _