It didn't take Stormfly long to pick up the trail. Father and son had gone to Outcast Island, apparently. "Why would they go there?" Astrid wondered.
"Who knows why they do anything?" Hiccup shrugged. He tried to keep his tone light, but he was frustrated. Why did those two have to fight him on everything? They'd flown off to a different island to sulk, just because he'd been short with them this morning. And people said he was overdramatic.
When they arrived, Stormfly landed in front of a rundown looking tavern. A pair of Outcasts stood on either side of the door, eyeing the dragons. Phlegma ignored them and marched in, Hiccup and Astrid close behind.
Spitelout was having an arm wrestling contest, with Snotlout cheering him on. "Spitelout, Spitelout, oi, oi" - he caught sight of his mother and choked.
Phlegma put her hands on her hips and yelled "Spitelout Jorgenson! What in the name of the nine realms of Yggdrasil are you and Snotlout doing here?"
The whole tavern, which moments before had been full of noise, went quiet.
"Ach, woman, keep your skirts on," said Spitelout. "Can't a man and his son enjoy a bit of quality time away from home?" he asked, taking a swig of beer.
Hiccup stepped forwards. "Snotlout, why didn't you tell anyone where you were going?" he demanded. "Your mum was worried sick. Wait - Hoark?" He suddenly realised one of the 'Outcasts' behind Spitelout looked very familiar.
Ack was also there (he and Hoark were both Phlegma's older brothers), as well as Spitelout's brother Griplout. Same with his nephews, Scablout and Pinchlout - a lot of Louts, then. Too many, really. Sven Stevenson and his twin brother Gunnar stepped forwards, as did the twins Seamus and Agnar.
"I refuse to believe none of you thought to tell me where you were going."
Snotlout replied "I'm really sorry, mum. I wanted to say something, but dad" -
"I decided it wasn't worth troubling you, dear," interrupted Spitelout. "Didn't think you'd be so worried. If you must know, we were delivering the timber that Alvin wanted. Once he paid I had some coins to spend in this fine establishment, so we came here to relax and lost track of time. That's all."
That seemed to mollify her, but Hiccup was unconvinced. "Let me get this straight. You're paying for these drinks with money Alvin paid for the timber."
"Aye, isn't that what I just said?"
He folded his arms. "One problem. That isn't your money to spend."
Spitelout put down his drink and stood up, looming over Hiccup. "Actually, it is my money to spend, boyo. All of that lumber came from trees on my land."
Part of Hiccup wanted to laugh. He'd faced off against much worse than a man like Spitelout Jorgenson, for Thor's sake. "Nice try. All the land on Berk belongs to my father. So if you make money from your land, you're really making it from his land, which means you're now in his debt," he announced.
The watching Hooligans and Outcasts started muttering. "By the way, just before we left Berk my aunt told me that my dad's woken up. I'll be sure to tell him you owe him when I get back," Hiccup warned. Then he turned on his heel and strode out of the tavern. Astrid followed him. Only when the heavy door had swung shut behind them, did the tavern erupt with shouting.
/
Stoick was sitting up in bed, feeling like a Rumblehorn had been trampling him. He glanced up and saw Hiccup silhouetted in the doorway. "Son."
"Dad." Hiccup rushed over and - mindful of his fathers injuries - embraced the larger man as best he could. "You really had me worried," he admitted. The door clicked shut behind them as his aunt Helga left the bedroom.
"Ach, don't worry. I've got no plans on going to Valhalla just yet," said Stoick. He smiled at Hiccup. "Your aunt was talking about you being acting-chief in my absence. It sounds like you've really stepped up, son. I'm proud of you."
Hiccup smiled. "Thanks, dad. There's something you should know…" He explained what Spitelout and the others had done. "Though to be honest, it was probably all Spitelout's idea. I just don't get what his problem is."
"I've been trying to figure that out for twenty years. What set him off?"
He stiffened. "Uh. Well, he…how much did Aunt Helga tell you, exactly?"
"Just that she thought you were doing well as acting-chief," replied Stoick. His eyes narrowed. "Is there something she should have told me, hmm?"
Me and my big mouth…let's just get this over with. Hiccup winced. "I told everyone to only bother me if it was an emergency, and Spitelout didn't take it well. He said I was foisting my responsibility off on the council members, but that's what they're for, isn't it? To help run the village," he pointed out.
"Oh, aye. It's not your fault, son. Spitelout is just bad at following orders."
"I mean, Gustav's leads the A-Team, and Spitelout listens to him…what?"
Stoick had raised an eyebrow. "Ah, I suppose you wouldn't have known. You put Gustav in charge of the A-Team, but he's…you know, Gustav. And he's only seventeen. He's been taking advice from Spitelout, the last I checked."
"So what you're saying is that Spitelout has been leading through him," Hiccup noted. He dragged a hand over his face. "Honestly, the sooner you're back on your feet and I can stop being the acting-chief, the better."
"In that case I'll rest in bed for longer. This will be good practice for you."
Hiccup scoffed. "You're bluffing, dad. There's no way you can stay on bed rest…" He trailed off, frowning. "You…are going to be chief again, right?"
At first, Stoick didn't respond. He simply looked at Hiccup. "I'm still the chief, son, but tell me. When I've recovered, and taken that responsibility off your shoulders, what will you do?" he asked. "Go back to flying around the archipelago, looking for new dragons, avoiding the topic of you being chief?"
His fathers gaze pinned him to the spot. Hiccup squirmed. "Y-you know?"
"Know what? That you don't want to be chief?" Stoick chuckled. "Of course. You're a lot of things, Hiccup, but subtle isn't one of them. That, and you've mentioned several times before that you'd rather leave being chief to me."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Heh…wait, so, you're not mad about it?"
"No, but I'd be disappointed if you don't pick up the mantle," Stoick admitted. "You'd be a great chief. What is it that bothers you about this so much?"
Never thought he'd ask me that. This feels weird. "I - I guess there are two reasons. For one thing, there's so much more out there, and Berk is so small. I want to explore, not be tied down to one island. Also, it feels like everyone wants me to fix all their problems like - uh, what you would do."
"Stop wincing. I barely have the strength to talk normally, let alone shout."
"Sorry. But yeah. That's what bothers me. It always seemed like being chief would be, well…boring. And stressful. For the rest of my life. All the time."
His father raised an eyebrow. "Do you think I'm stressed all the time?"
"Um…well you are pretty angry most of the time," Hiccup said half jokingly.
"Which your antics have nothing to do with, I'm sure."
Is he being sarcastic? That's new. "Point taken. Dad, I know you want me to be the next chief, and I know it probably won't be as bad as I think, I just…I don't think I'm ready," he admitted. "I don't know if I'll ever be ready."
Stoick didn't reply; he was deep in thought. At last he spoke. "I won't be around forever. I want you to become chief whilst I'm around to guide you. But I understand. You take after your mother. She could never stay put either." He smiled fondly. Then he gathered himself and continued talking.
"Ten years ago, every chieftain in these parts put aside their differences and gathered to discuss the dragon scourge we all faced. No offence," he told Toothless, who merely snorted. "Perhaps it's time, now, for us to gather once more. To discuss this new world with dragons. The one you've made, son."
Hiccup felt a surge of pride. "You want me to come with you?" he inquired.
"I want you to go instead of me. It'd be your first official act as Chief of Berk. You'd be going somewhere new, showing all the other chieftains how great dragons are…unless, of course, all of that sounds boring, and stressful."
"….Okay, dad, you really have to stop being sarcastic. It's freaking me out."
Stoick laughed - and then groaned. "Note to self. Chest still hurts. Well?"
Hiccup smiled. "I admit, it does sound pretty great. But are you sure I should go? The other chiefs might not take this seriously." He gestured to himself.
"You'd have a Night Fury with you, son. Have a bit more self-confidence. Besides, where we hold this Althing is…it has bad memories for me."
"Oh. Okay. I'll think about it, dad. I don't want to rush into this," he said.
His father nodded, smiling. Looking at him, it suddenly struck Hiccup how old his father was. Greying hairs, lined eyes, gnarled hands. It made him uncomfortable, and old habits died hard. He didn't want to leave yet though, so he cast around for a change of subject. "Oh! Speaking of Night Furies, dad, guess what. Fishlegs found a Strike Class lens for the Dragon Eye."
"Did it mention Night Furies?"
"Yeah! Only…it said they might be extinct. Toothless might be the last one," he sighed. The dragon in question warbled and nuzzled him. "Aww, bud."
Stoick murmured "I'm sorry. That must be disappointing." Part of him was almost glad; at least it meant Hiccup wouldn't be tempted to fly off in search of more Furies. He hoped. "Is there anything else you wanna tell me?"
"Well… the bad news is, Krogan escaped. The good news is, Atali says her people had met a dragon rider before, called V. She's gonna try and contact them, so we can find out if they want to ally with us." He yawned.
"You go on up to bed, son. Don't worry about me," Stoick encouraged.
He was pretty tired… Hiccup got to his feet. "Goodnight, dad."
"Goodnight, Hiccup. Goodnight, Toothless."
/
That very night, Atali stood with two of her most trusted Wingmaidens on a sea stack. The moon was new, and the stars offered little illumination. At her shoulder, Wingnut cheeped nervously. She reached up to pet him gently.
"Do you think she'll come?" Minden wondered, stroking her own Razorwhip.
Atali projected confidence, although she couldn't be sure. "Let us hope so."
Time passed slowly when one was waiting. They could only track it by the movement of the stars. Half an hour later, she was almost on the verge of deciding their mysterious friend wasn't going to show up after all. Nadia clapped her hands and pointed up at the sky. A large dragon circled above.
He landed on another stack in front of them, resting his weight on two of his four wings. A strange figure climbed down from his shoulders, clutching a curved staff in one hand, her features hidden behind an eerie looking mask.
Atali moved to the edge of the pillar she stood upon. "V? Is that you?"
The masked rider crept to the cliff edge. "Yes. I got your message. Where is the egg?" she questioned, looking around as if it would be there with them.
"Some of our allies are guarding it," Atali explained. "Please, listen. A lot has changed since we last spoke. My people have met more dragon riders."
V's grip on her staff tightened. "I know. Those scum that enslave dragons."
"Not them," Atali said quickly. "Riders like you, V. Six young adults. They hail from an island south of here, called Berk, and are led - what's wrong?" she asked, for V recoiled, nearly dropping her staff. "Do you know about Berk?"
"That's not possible. Are you sure they're from Berk? Who is their leader?"
"Yes, we're sure. I was about to say, they're led by the chief's heir. Hiccup Haddock the Third," she replied. V seemed to flinch at the sound of the young man's name. "He asked us to contact you. He wants to meet you."
V's dragon, the great Stormcutter, lowered his head and purred at her. She turned back to pat his chin, then looked at Atali again. Or at least peered at her through the creepy mesh that hid her eyes. "I must see him. Alone."
Atali wasn't sure Hiccup would agree; he was trusting, but not a fool, despite what some might think. She inclined her head nonetheless. "I'll pass the message on. Where do you want the meeting to be?" she asked. V told her.
The bizarre woman left abruptly. "I wonder why she freaked out so much when you told her about Hiccup," said Minden. "They've never met, right?"
"Not to my knowledge, but V is… eccentric. Come; let's go home. Minden, can you go to Caldera Cay tomorrow and deliver the message?"
"Yes, milady. Of course."
/
When he woke up the next morning, Hiccup just lay in bed for a while, lost in thought. He was starting to wonder if Astrid was right, and he'd been looking at this all wrong. He'd only seen the pressure and expectations of being chief, trying to fill his father's footsteps. Of course it had been daunting.
Their talk last evening made him realise what should have been obvious. It wasn't just a matter of carrying on tradition; it was a chance for him to make his own legacy. The first dragon-riding Chief of Berk. It kind of had a nice ring to it. "What do you think, bud?" he asked Toothless. "Can we do this?"
Toothless stretched, yawned, and looked out of the skylight. Then at him. "Okay, okay, I'm getting up, Mister Bossy," he rolled his eyes, exasperated.
On second thoughts, maybe asking his dragon for advice wasn't the best idea. Toothless was intelligent, and a great listener, but he couldn't exactly respond. Hiccup made a mental note to speak with Astrid. Then he'd have to talk to Snotlout, and Gustav as well. Toothless grunted at him impatiently.
"Yeah, yeah, keep your scales on." Despite his grumbling, this was one thing Hiccup definitely wouldn't give up. His morning flight with Toothless was a ritual neither of them wanted to end, at least not for a good long while yet.
Instead of practicing tricks, they simply did a circuit of Berk's waters, looking out for anything untoward. It was a habit he'd fallen into when they'd been living on the Edge, keeping a watch for hunter ships. This time he spotted a purple Nightmare instead. Fanghook was flying a little way ahead of them.
Toothless caught up easily. "Morning, Gustav!" Hiccup called over the wind.
The younger teen grinned and waved back. "Morning Hiccup! I mean chief!"
"Just Hiccup is fine! Hey, can we land? I need to talk to you!"
Fortunately, they were near the sea stacks. He and Gustav dismounted once their dragons were perched on the rocks. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, no. It's just…I don't know if you heard, but my dad's woken up."
Gustav nodded. "That's great. So he'll be chief again soon, right? Uh, not that you aren't a good chief. Acting-chief, I mean. You are!" he rambled.
Hiccup cleared his throat. Gustav clamped his mouth shut. "Anyway, last night he told me that you've been, uh, taking advice from Spitelout. I just want to check if everything is okay. I mean, you're the A-Team's leader."
"Am I?" Gustav questioned. He kicked at a nearby pebble. "I mean, that probably sounds stupid. Astrid put me in charge. But I don't know what I'm doing," he admitted. "Having more experience with riding doesn't mean I have any experience with leading. Not to mention it's kinda intimidating, being the captain of a group where everyone else is older than me."
When he was finished, Hiccup said "I know how you feel. Like you won't be taken seriously because you're younger and smaller than everyone else."
"Yeah, exactly!"
"Do they take you seriously?" he asked. "The A-Team members, that is."
Gustav shrugged. "Sort of. Mulch, Bucket and Gothi listen to me, but y'know… Bucket will listen to anyone. And we decided to make Gothi more of an honorary member. She's got her own duties, being the volva and all."
That made sense. Hiccup still didn't understand why the old woman had even volunteered in the first place. Then again, she was distantly related to Snotlout. He hadn't really noticed the family resemblance until recently. "Let me guess. Spitelout isn't keen on taking orders from a seventeen year old."
"Nope. I don't think Sven is either. They won't say it to my face, but when I asked him for advice, Spitelout hinted that it'd be easier for me if I just put him in charge of the A-Team," explained Gustav. "But I… I didn't want to."
"You did the right thing," Hiccup assured him. "I thought Spitelout was becoming less of a pile of yak dung lately. Guess I was wrong. I'll think of a way to deal with him, but for now, don't go to him for advice. If you need leadership advice, or just someone to talk to, well… you could come to me."
Gustav's eyes widened. "Really? I'd love that!" he beamed. "Wait…but I thought you said you only want us to bother you if it's really important."
Hiccup winced. "Yeah, that probably wasn't the best choice of words. To be honest, I don't always know what I'm doing either. On second thoughts, ask my dad for leadership advice. Or maybe my uncle…oh! Gustav, that's it!"
"Huh? What's it?"
"I just had an idea, but I need to work out the details first. I'll finish patrolling with you first though. Toothless will grumble if we don't get our flight in."
His dragon grumbled at that, which just proved Hiccup's point. Gustav asked if they wanted to race the circuit instead. He grinned. "We'll go easy on you!"
/
Toothless could have won the race easily; but Hiccup had clearly rubbed off on him, because he held back just enough to let Fanghook win instead. As they glided, Hiccup lay back, turning the new idea over in his mind. It would solve a lot of problems. He sat up again. "C'mon, bud. Let's go back now."
When they reached Berk, the first thing Hiccup did was… go home. He'd grabbed a roll of bread to eat on the way, but he was hungry again. It often felt like he was always hungry, and yet never put on weight. Aunt Helga was there. "Good morning. Is my dad awake?" he asked, taking another roll.
"See for yourself," she replied, nodding towards his bedroom door. Hiccup went inside. His father was sitting up in bed again, carefully eating broth.
"Morning son!" Stoick greeted cheerfully. "I see you've been out flying."
Hiccup made a futile attempt to tidy his hair up. "Heh, yeah. How are you?"
"Feeling much better. Wish I didn't have to eat this stuff; I'm not an invalid."
"…err, dad?"
"Fine. I'm not that much of an invalid. Happy now?"
"Yes. I mean…anyway. I talked to Gustav this morning. He said it isn't easy being the A-Team's captain when all the other members are older than him."
Stoick nodded. "Understandable. I worry about that lad, sometimes…"
Hiccup went on, "I had an idea that I think might help. See, the A-Team was founded to help protect Berk when me and my friends aren't around, right? The Berk Guard is also supposed to defend the village, and a lot of its members have dragons, but they haven't trained to fight on dragonback."
"Ah. I see what you're getting at. You think we should combine them?"
"Wow, you're good. I mean, yes. If the past year and a half has proven anything, it's that we need to rethink our strategies if we're facing opponents who also have dragons," Hiccup pointed out. "Here's my idea. We train every person in the Guard to ride dragons and fight on dragonback, and separate them into teams based on age, led by the most experienced rider.
"It would mean letting Spitelout be a leader, but he'd still have to answer to the Guard General," he went on. "As for Gustav, I want to put him in charge of the riders his age. They'd still be an auxiliary team, so the name'll stick."
His father looked thoughtful. "I can't see any problems with it," Stoick declared at last. "Go on and talk to Starkard; tell him it has my blessing."
He grinned. "Thanks, dad. That means a lot." His stomach rumbled. "Okay, first I'm gonna have more breakfast, and then I'll go talk to Starkard. Bye!"
/
Once he'd eaten, Hiccup went in search of his uncle. Starkard was in the arena, overseeing the training of some younger tribe members in throwing axes. Looking at them, it was almost hard to believe he was once that short.
"Uncle, can we talk?" he asked. Starkard told the trainees to have a break.
"What is it, Hiccup?"
He explained the idea to turn the Berk Guard into a dragon riding force, and keep the A-Team as a reserve. "In case members of another team were incapacitated, for example. I've told my dad, and he approves of the plan; but you're the Guard General. What do you think about it?" Hiccup asked.
Starkard scratched his long black beard. "It's interesting, I'll give you that. It helps that the Guard already has teams. One for each of the battle stations."
"There are battle stations?" Starkard stared at him. "I'm kidding. I knew that."
"Oh aye? Then where are they all?"
"Outside the Great Hall, the smithy, the barn and the water tower. Oh, and we added a new one outside the dragon hangar. I pay attention sometimes."
"That's alright then. I'll talk to the other people in the Guard about this idea of yours, see if we can work something out. Thanks for telling me about it."
Hiccup nodded. "Don't mention it. I'm gonna go find Astrid," he declared.
"Isn't it Gripe Day?" asked Starkard; but of course Hiccup was already gone.
Astrid was testing out her new axe in the Hofferson Practice Clearing, which was on the other side of the forest from the Jorgenson Practice Clearing. "I'd have thought you'd be at the arena, showing the newbies how to throw one."
"I didn't know they were training," she replied. "Shouldn't you be in the Hall?"
"In the Hall for what?"
"It's Gripe Day."
He grimaced. "Remind me to abolish that tradition once I become chief."
"You can't just get rid of traditions you don't like, Hiccup."
"That's funny, cos I got rid of the dragon-killing tradition, and the Regatta, neither of which I was particularly fond of," he retorted, "and look how much better off we are without them! The same will go for Gripe Day. Probably."
She rolled her eyes, and lined up another throw. "I thought you didn't even want to be chief. Did you change your mind just to cancel Gripe Day?"
"Uh, funny you should mention that," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I had a talk with my dad last night, and it made me look at things differently."
Before he could continue, Astrid held up a hand. She whistled, and Stormfly looked up from playing tug-of-war with Toothless. "Fetch!" she instructed, pointing at the axe embedded in a nearby tree. Stormfly trotted over, yanked it out, and returned it to Astrid. "That's my girl! Who's a good Nadder?" she cooed, scratching her dragon under the chin. "I'll give you chicken tonight."
Stormfly warbled happily, then went back to her game with Toothless. Astrid sat down on a nearby log and patted it. Hiccup sat next to her. "Proceed."
He told her about the talk with his father. She listened patiently, and when he was finished, she declared "that sounds incredible. You must be honoured."
"I can see the appeal," he admitted. "It's just…it's still daunting, Astrid. The thought of being chief. Once I make the decision, that's it. No going back."
Astrid shrugged. "That's kind of how decisions work, babe. You can't avoid them forever. I mean, are you really afraid of change? You, of all people?"
"No…I'm more afraid that things won't change. If that makes any sense."
"It does, but honestly, I think you're being ridiculous," she said bluntly. "Of course things are going to change, Hiccup. That's life. Maybe some of those changes will be scary, like becoming chief, or…becoming a father," she said quietly, putting her hand over his, "but they can also be exciting too, right?"
Hiccup stared at her. "Becoming a…that last part was rhetorical, wasn't it?"
She swatted his arm, huffing. "Yes, you muttonhead. I'm not pregnant."
"Oh, thank Freya. I mean, uh…yeah. You're right."
"See? You're finally getting it. Look. You know what I think the problem is? It's not that you're scared of being chief. I think you're scared of growing up."
He frowned. "What - what makes you say that? I have grown up, Astrid. I helped found Dragon's Edge and fought a war and, and…" he trailed off and groaned, burying his head in his hands. "And I still sound like a whiny brat."
Astrid patted his shoulder comfortingly. "Only a little," she assured him.
Hiccup gave her a half-hearted glare. "That doesn't make me feel any better. Look, I don't know, Astrid. I hear what you're saying, and it makes perfect sense… but this just doesn't feel right," he insisted. His chest felt tighter with every quick heartbeat, thudding in his ears. His clenched hands felt damp.
In a way, he was almost glad of the interruption. Meatlug landed in the clearing. "There you are, Hiccup! Everyone's worried, they all thought you'd be in the Great Hall because it's Gripe Day and…is something wrong?"
Fishlegs must have noticed his clenched hands. "I'm fine," he said, opening them. "I just…needed a minute. Go and tell them I'll be down there soon."
The other man glanced at Astrid, who nodded firmly. So he and Meatlug flew off again. She rubbed Hiccup's back, and asked "are you gonna be alright?"
He took a deep breath. "I think I have to be, right now. Berk needs a chief."
/
Hiccup understood the point of Gripe Day in theory. It was a way to show the people of Berk that their chief cared about them, as individuals. In practice it had always seemed like a fast way to get bored and frustrated, in that order.
Still, maybe it would take his mind off things. Thus did he find himself on the dais in front of his father's throne, with a crowd of Vikings in front of him. "Hi everyone. Sorry I kept you waiting. Uh, okay, all of you form a line…" Hiccup regretted this instruction when they all started fighting over being first in line.
"Guys, c'mon! You're kinda defeating the point of the line," he complained, rubbing his temples. Don't do it dad's way he thought. Do it another way. "Okay, change of plan. Toothless?" he prompted. The Night Fury roared.
The crowd froze. "Thanks, bud. Right! Let's try something else. Everyone move to the sides, clear a space in the middle," Hiccup ordered. To his relief, nobody argued; they all shuffled aside, some climbing up onto the tables. "That's better. Right then. Anyone with an urgent problem, come forward."
Ten men broke away from the crowd. The same men that had been in that Outcast tavern. Snotlout pushed his way to the front and glared. "Look, Hiccup, we gave the rest of the money to Magnus and we've been waiting all morning, so just tell us how you or Stoick wanna punish us already!"
His father hadn't actually mentioned a way to deal with this. Dad's not here. Figure it out. Hiccup cleared his throat. "You all took matters into your own hands, and delivered timber to the Outcasts. That shows initiative, and I'm impressed," he said. They looked surprised he was praising them. "The problem is that all of our timber belongs to my father, according to Berk law.
"So you shouldn't have spent the money on drinks, and you really shouldn't have lied to me about it," he looked pointedly at Spitelout. Then he looked around and beckoned to Fishlegs. "Mind taking some notes for me?"
His friend pulled out some parchment and a pencil. "Fire away, chief."
"Make a note for me to find out how much money these guys spent, so I know how much to fine them," Hiccup instructed. They grumbled a little, but nobody protested. He was going easy on them and they all knew it. Spitelout was scowling, but on the other hand he always wore that expression.
Fishlegs wrote down what he said and gave a thumbs up. "Right then. All of you can…go back to whatever you were doing." They all went to stand at the side with everyone else. "Or just stick around to watch, that works too," he sighed. "Okay, anybody with a dragon related problem, step forward."
As he'd suspected, a lot of the villagers had similar problems. Dealing with them in a group meant he didn't have to repeat himself…much. After giving advice on dragon problems, which he could do in his sleep, Hiccup did his best to give advice on all the other stuff. Or at least point them towards someone who knew what they were talking about better than he did.
He regretted saying it was okay for them to watch, because the Great Hall didn't get any less crowded. Hiccup put his foot down and ordered everyone he'd already spoken with to leave the Hall, because there was other stuff to get done. Gradually, he whittled down the problems until the only ones left were Fishlegs, Astrid and Gobber. Hiccup collapsed onto the throne.
"If I were you, I'd have sat down sooner," remarked Gobber. "You did great, lad. That was the shortest Gripe Day we've ever had!" he said cheerfully.
Hiccup didn't share his former mentor's enthusiasm. "Dad would've done a better job," he muttered. "I barely knew what I was doing most of the time."
"Ach, lad, don't think like that! Stoick's been chief for thirty years now; he's had a ton of practice. You've barely started. Give yourself some slack."
"Gobber's right," declared Astrid, marching up to the throne. "Of course you won't feel like a good chief if you compare yourself to Stoick all the time."
It was hard to argue with that. Hiccup smiled gratefully, and stretched. His legs hurt from standing up for so long, his throat was parched, and there was a lot still to do. Fishlegs stood there with his parchment. "Thanks for writing all that stuff down for me," Hiccup told him. "I really appreciate it."
"No problem," Fishlegs nodded, handing the notes over. "I wanted to help. Um, just so you know, I agree with Gobber," he admitted. "Astrid too. You're doing a good job, and uh, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself, okay?"
"I'll try. To be honest, between this not going terribly, my dad being sarcastic and Astrid being thoughtful - no offence, milady - it feels like I've stepped into a different universe. It's kind of weirding me out," Hiccup admitted.
Astrid glared at him, indignant. "Are you saying I can't be thoughtful? I'm thoughtful all the time! Fishlegs, you don't think I'm unthoughtful, do you?"
Fishlegs hastily replied "no! I, uh, I'm sure he didn't mean it like that. Um."
"I didn't mean it like that," Hiccup agreed. "You are very thoughtful. I'm just gonna go deal with this stuff, y'know, keep busy. C'mon, Toothless." He'd barely made it a few steps away from the dais before Astrid grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss. Which he was hardly going to complain about.
"You're a muttonhead," she informed him. "C'mon; we have a lot to do." Before they could actually get started, a familiar figure came into the Hall and strode forwards. They met her halfway. "What's going on, Heather?"
Hiccup, fearing the worst, asked "has something happened to the egg?"
"No, it's not the egg. Atali spoke to that rider she talked about. The one called V. She wants to meet you, Hiccup - but she insisted you come alone."