Astrid smiles as the finishing touches are placed for the celebration, Hiccup would be sixteen tomorrow and was in for a huge surprise.
On a long table they borrowed from the great hall sat banquets of Hiccup's favorite foods, a wide variety of breads and cheeses, many different types of berries and even a fruit drink that Snotlout and Fishlegs made from ground up blue berries.
Another table was covered in drawings the group had made, granted nothing compared to anything Hiccup had drawn, but they knew he'd love them regardless.
"Were all set!" Beams Fishlegs as the banner is put up, the simple words "Happy Birthday Hiccup!" Covering the parchment.
"This is going to be awesome!" States Snotlout as he begins to become excited, they'd be planning this for a week now and it was finally here.
"My boys going to love it." Smiles Stoick as Toothless coos in agreement, it had been very hard not to tip Hiccup off about the party, they'd both made sure the boy was sound asleep before heading out.
"Well what are waiting for?" Asks the twins in unison, even they were ready to get the show on the road
Astrid smiles and hops on Stormfly "I'll go get the boy of honor." The blond takes to the air and makes her way to the Haddocks home.
Upon arriving, Astrid decides to use Hiccup's bedroom window rather than the door, besides she could have more fun this way.
Once Stormfly got close enough, the female launched from her Deadly Nadders back and inside the bedroom.
Astrid plays with her bangs in embarrassment of breaking into Hiccup's room, but still makes her way to the empty bed.
"Hiccup?" Astrid is met with only the sound of her echoing voice "Hiccup?"
Annoyed that the boy wasn't responding she makes her way down the stairs "Hiccup?" She begins to look everywhere her friend could be, but finds nothing.
She becomes horrified as a thought crosses her mind "Oh no ... !"
Quickly Astrid exits the house and jumps on her dragons back "Stormfly up, we have to get back to the cove."
The cove and gang come into view as the teen lands "We have a problem."
Snotlout and Stoick jump out from behind a bush on either side of Astrid "Happy Birth ... The pair trail off as there's no sign of the birthday boy.
"Where's Hiccup?" Asks Fishlegs tentatively as he begins playing with his pudgy fingers
Astrid lowers her gaze "I think Hiccup woke up and went searching for Toothless, he wasn't at the house."
Stoick begins to laugh "Oh my boy and that dragon are inseparable! Hiccup will show up here soon enough."
Everyone nods and resumes their hiding positions, waiting for Hiccup to appear.
Seconds turned into minutes and slowly those minutes became much more, by this point no one was hiding.
"Uhhh where's Hiccup?" Questions Tuffnut "This is his party ... Right?"
Snotlout nods his head "Yes Tuffnut, it is."
"Soooo what gives?" Asks Ruffnut a little offended Hiccup hadn't even bothered to come.
"He should have been here by now." States Astrid, her blue eyes gaze around the area in search
Stoick nods his head "Aye, Hiccup should have found us by now."
Toothless decides enough is enough, he'd make sure Hiccup knew exactly where his dragon was.
The Night Furies head lifts and a bright plasma blast is shot into the sky.
"Great idea Toothless!" Declares Stoick "There's no way in Thor Hiccup didn't see that."
Toothless smiles his gummy grin in anticipation, the group quickly move back into their hiding spots as small sounds begin to be heard approaching.
The moments become tense as the unmistakable breaking of branches draws closer, the group snickered and began their count down.
Stoick raised his fist, fingers slowly moving down, voice whispering "One"
The teens nod and wait as the sounds get closer, Hiccup was sure taking his time. "Two."
Everyone prepares to pounce as the dark figure appears "Three."
Stoick's fist closes as the chief jumps out from his hiding spot, the others following "Happy Birthday!"
Chief and teenagers stare at the site before them, standing straight ahead of them was anyone but Hiccup.
Stoick approaches the teenaged chief immediately in anger, Dagur had no right to intrude of his sons party, let alone the island.
"Dagur, what in the name of Thor are you doin here?"
Dagur laughs, Stoick had no idea of what he'd done, more importantly who he currently had in his possession "I came to offer you a trade."
"A trade? What could you possibly have?" Snarks Snotlout, was this guy serious?
Dagur smiles at that question, looking to the tables and banner, that's right, Hiccup's birthday is tomorrow "I want that Night Fury."
Dagur points towards Toothless, he couldn't wait to break a fathers heart "And you WILL give me the dragon, Stoick."
The teens all laugh "The only thing you're getting is a kick off of Berk." Declares Astrid, her hands crossing in front as a smug smile appears on her face.
"Oh you don't want that, trust me." Says Dagur, he was having fun! Almost as much fun as he'd had with little Hiccup.
"I wont be tellin ya again, Dagur. Get off my island." Demands the chief
Dagur arches his back and let's loose a maniacal howl "You haven't figured it out yet!"
That comment caught everyones attention, confused looks going all around "What are you talking about?" Questions Astrid
"I was wrong, you all bring the funny!" Tears fall from Dagur's happy eyes
"Bring the funny?" Asks Fishlegs "What does that mean?"
"I forgot, you weren't there to witness the funny!" Beams Dagur
"Uhh is anyone else lost?" Asks Tuffnut, turning to face his twin sister who merely nods in response
"Tell you what Stoick, I'll make this more interesting."
Stoick's eyes narrow "What are you playing at, Dagur?"
"I'll give you the rest of today to figure out what I've done, one day Stoick, after that we can all meet up and negotiate."
"There will be no negotiations! Now get off my island!"
Dagur sneers before walking backwards out of the cove "I'll be waiting Stoick." The deranged boy's eyes glint as he recedes deeper into the shadows.
Uh-oh will they ever notice Hiccup is missing? Stay tuned, folks and Merry Christmas!