Chapter 11 – Friends and Allies

The peace of the morning was broken by the rhythmical pacing and sound of Astrid's axe as it hit home. The continuous sound was distracting and the crew grumbled openly as they tried to concentrate on their morning duties or rolled tighter in their blankets trying to sleep. The sound was extremely annoying but despite grumbling to each other none of the crew had the courage to approach her direct and ask her to stop. All the signs were that she was in a towering mood and if Astrid was unhappy with an axe in hand everyone knew to leave well alone.

Stoick unrolled himself from his own blankets and sighed as he realised that they were leaving it to him to sort out. He was still tired and exhausted after the events of the previous day. The storm had been fierce during the night and he had stayed at his post till early morning, keeping the Falcon on track for home. Initially he had refused to give up the helm to anyone but after nearly falling asleep on his feet he had reluctantly passed the responsibility to Gobber to catch a few hours sleep. He stretched as he stood and yawned then looked around. He muttered a curse when he saw that a thick fog had rolled in. They were already behind schedule after the onslaught of the storm. The fog would delay them even further and they could not afford to lose any more time, there was too much at stake.

Stoick looked over to where Astrid was pacing the deck and throwing her axe at a wooden target board which she had leaned up againust the mast. Normally her aim was true and she rarely missed but today her aim was terrible if the deep marks in the deck and mast were anything to go by. This was no doubt adding to her bad mood. Astrid got like this when her emotions got the better of her and he knew how she had to be feeling. He felt the same and would have loved to have been able throw things around and scream but he was the Chief and such a display would not be seemly however terrible and worried he felt.

"Astrid enough for the love of Thor, people are trying to sleep," he roared as he approached making sure to stay out of her range.

Astrid froze in mid throw and looked across at him. Their eyes locked and there was that flicker of defiance once more before she huffed loudly and lowered her arm. Stoick had to be impressed with Hiccups patience. Astrid's moods were really something to behold.

"Want to talk about it lass?" he said sympathetically.

Her shoulders slumped and Stoick thought for a moment that she was going to cry but then he saw her struggle with her emotions and push the feeling aside.

"I feel terrible," she said simply.

He laid a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"I do to Astrid. It wasn't easy leaving him behind but we had to and nothing I said would change his mind. I tried I really did but he was determined."

Astrid gave a small smile at Hiccups stubbornness but then the smile faded when she remembered what it might cost him this time.

"I know Chief...it's just...I have a bad feeling about this trip back."

"How do you mean?" Stoick asked.

She looked out at the blanket or fog, natural this time rather than dragon made. She wasn't sure why she had such a bad feeling. It was just there sitting heavy in her chest. She sighed.

"I'm worried that we might have missed something. I mean they seem to have been ahead of us at every turn. What if Dagur and Alvin anticipated us going back to Berk?"

Stoick looked down at the deck deep in thought.

"You give those two too much credit Astrid. I agree that this has been one of their better plans and as much as it pains me to admit it we fell into their trap but we have to have faith Astrid. Hiccup knows what he's doing. He would have thought about that, he thinks of everything."

"I know Chief and that's what worries me the most. Alvin and Dagur based this whole plan around our reactions and Hiccups. What if they were counting on him taking the risk, on us leaving him behind?"

Stoick felt a heavy weight in his stomach. If that was indeed the case then he had left his son at the mercy of his greatest enemies as well as the laws of the temple. If his councils insistence to take everyone back to Berk cost Hiccup his life then Stoick would not be accountable for his actions. He clenched his fists and Astrid noticed him tense. She laid a calming gentle hand on his arm. Stoick started and looked at Astrid in surprise.

"He's not unprotected Chief," Astrid reassured him realising that voicing her own fears had brought his own to the front as well.

"How do you mean?" he asked calming down a little.

"I've asked Camicazi and Thuggory to watch out for him and to keep an eye on Alvin and Dagur."

Stoick sudden broke into a grin. Camicazi and Thuggory were loyal friends to Astrid and Hiccup and warriors to boot. If they were looking out for Hiccup then he was safe from Alvin and Dagur for now.

"Well done Astrid," he praised and felt a lot better knowing that Hiccup was protected. He looked across at her.

"You really do care about him don't you lass," he said.

She looked at him for a moment and then nodded.

"You know Astrid. You two remind me of how Hiccup's mother and I were. We loved each other very much and even though she's been gone for many years I still love her as much today as I did back then. When Hiccup finally gets around to asking for your hand I won't have any objections."

She looked at him again in surprise her eyes bright but then he saw them dull again and he realised exactly what she was thinking.

"Don't worry lass it won't be long. He's just waiting for the right moment," he said and squeezed her shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting, fatherly way. As Hiccup would attest to he wasn't very good at the feelings side of being a parent but he tried his best.

They stood there in awkward silence for moment before Stoick spoke, moving the topic onto more comfortable ground.

"By the way, would you like to fill me in on the plan," Stoick asked looking expectantly at Astrid.

"What?" she asked in surprise.

"I'm mean when we get back to Berk? I didn't get a chance to go through it with Hiccup so I'm assuming you know what we need to do."

Astrid looked awkward for a moment and Stoick frowned.

"There is a plan isn't there Astrid?"

Astrid shook her head. She had been so focused on the race to get back to Berk and that she hadn't put much thought to what they would actually do when they got there.

"Well not as such. Everything happened so fast we didn't get a chance to work out the details. We had only just realised we could use the dragons when you came back with the Elder. Hiccup might have had an idea but we didn't get a chance to go through it."

Stoick pushed his initial annoyance aside. There was still time to work out the details, now was as good a time as any. They were silent for a moment whilst they considered options.

"How about we use the Dragons to tow the Falcon?" Stoick said after a while.

Astrid thought about it for a moment then shook her head.

"It wouldn't work. They would have to fly back though the storm with a heavy boat in tow. They would tire really quickly and it might delay things even more," she responded.

"Oh Ok," Stoick said in disappointment before going back to thinking.

Deep in her own thoughts Astrid absently ran her hands across the hilt of Hiccups sword which was belted to her waist. She hadn't taken it off since he had given it to her. If ever she needed some Hiccup inspiration it was now. She continued to stroke the sword for a moment longer then smiled.

"How about if we load the offerings into a spare sail and have the dragons carry the load back to the temple? They will be able to fly above the clouds and away from the storm."

Stoick nodded his agreement smiling broadly.

"It might just work," he said clapping her heavily on the shoulder and Astrid's legs buckled slightly under the force and weight. How did Hiccup put up with it she thought?

"It's agreed then. Astrid you work out the finer details and let me know what we need to do when we reach Berk. We will need to be ready and move fast in order to get the dragons in the air quickly," Stoick said his mood considerable lighter. Then encouraged that they now had a plan of action he turned his attention back to the crew of the Falcon and started to move around the boat.

Astrid watched him go. It had been good to talk to someone about how she was feeling and felt more optimistic now. She walked across the deck to where Gobber was still stationed at the helm. In Hiccup's absence she needed his help and inventiveness to make this plan work.

Hiccup groaned as he stirred under his warm fur reluctantly waking from the pleasant dream he had been having. It had been a wonderful sunny day and he and Astrid had been at Toothless's cove. He couldn't remember all the details but it felt like he had been trying to pluck up the courage to ask her something. He opened his eyes and for a moment thought the dream was real as warm sunlight hit his face. Unfortunately the moment passed quickly when he realised that the sun was streaming through the slats on the window shutters. The shutters that were bolted shut from the outside as was the door to his room. He sighed in disappointment as reality flooded back with a vengeance. He wasn't free, he was a prisoner and Astrid was miles away by now on her way back to Berk trying to save him from becoming the first human sacrifice in over a hundred years. He groaned again and buried himself further under the furs, trying to shut out the horrible reality. It was no use though facts were facts and reluctantly he threw the fur back and sat up.

He instantly hissed in discomfort, reminded painfully that he had forgotten to take off his prosthetic the night before. He unclipped the device quickly and rubbed what remained of his leg to relive the pain. He sat there for awhile thinking. It was now the fourth day of the seven days allotted for the offering period. He had three days left before his fate was decided.

He sighed as he clipped his prosthetic back into place and stood. What was he going to do now? He couldn't exactly go for a walk and he doubted that he would be allowed much freedom. Besides the Elder had thought it best that he stay confined for his own protection as well as what was required by law so she must perceive a threat from Alvin and Dagur. Reluctantly Hiccup had to agree with her. He couldn't trust those two to leave him alone. After all they still didn't have what they wanted from him. He sat down in a chair and contemplated the prospect of spending the next few days on his own, locked away, with no one to talk to.

The silence was broken by a rather loud hungry growl from his stomach. He hadn't eaten since lunch the previous day and he really hoped that they would bring him something to eat soon. At that moment there was the sound of the bolt being drawn back and Hiccup tensed as the door was opened.

In stepped the same young man he had met on his first day on the Island, the one that had shown them to their rooms. Hiccup felt the tension drain from him as the young man smiled and Hiccup saw that he was carrying a large plate of fruit, cheese and bread. The young man set it down on a table and moved towards him before bowing.

"Breakfast Honoured Sacrifice," he said as he bowed and Hiccup blanched at the title he had just used.

"Please don't call me that. I feel bad enough as it is without everyone calling it to my face," he said horrified.

The young man looked aghast.

"I...I'm sorry. My studies told me that was how I should address you. I didn't mean to upset you," he said before looking back at the floor, ashamed he had caused distress.

Hiccup put a hand to his forehead and massaged his temple in a manner that was characteristic of his father.

"It's Ok, please just call me Hiccup," he said wearily.

The young man continued to look at the floor and then started to back away without a further word.

"Hey. There's no need to leave," Hiccup said quickly. Now that he had company he didn't want to be alone again so soon. The young man stopped and looked at him.

"What's your name?" Hiccup asked trying to break the awkward silence and make the young man feel at ease.

"Symon," he answered quietly.

"Do you have to go right away Symon or can you stay and talk with me for a bit?" Hiccup asked hopefully.

Symon gave a small smile and his eyes lit up at the prospect of talking to Hiccup.

"I can stay a little while," Symon said and sat down in the chair that Hiccup indicated.

Symon's eyes glanced at Hiccups metal leg.

"Is that where ...the dragon bit off your leg?" he asked nervously with a small hint of excitement in his voice.

Hiccup looked down at his prosthetic a little shocked at the question.

"What...no, it wasn't bitten off it was amputated by our village healer," he responded.

In fact he wasn't sure how his leg had become so mangled to require amputating. There were several theories of course. It could have become tangled in Toothless's harness, or the gigantic dragon had caught him as he and Toothless had fallen to the ground. It was even possible that it had happened when they had crashed. However, secretly Hiccup thought that it might have been caused by Toothless himself. Not intentionally of course but he suspected that Toothless had caught his leg in his mouth before drawing him to his chest and the protection of his fire proof wings before they crashed. The damage had probably been caused by Toothless's razor sharp teeth. Hiccup didn't really care if this was the case or not because whatever Toothless had done had saved his life. Symon looked a little disappointed at Hiccups response.

"But you did fight the 'Red Death' didn't you?" He asked a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Hiccup nodded.

"Yes, but it wasn't just me. My friends and tribe were there as well."

"I heard that you used dragons to fight," Symon said suddenly and Hiccup coughed in surprise.

"D..dragons. Where did you hear that," he spluttered uncomfortably.

"The Elder told me."

Hiccup looked shocked at this. This was confirmation that the Elder knew more about Berks involvement with dragons than she let on. He had suspected as much but it worried him that she was speaking so freely about it.

"How do you know that?" He asked.

Symon shrugged and smiled.

"I'm her apprentice."

"What exactly does that mean?" Hiccup asked intrigued.

"She teaches me the ways and laws of the temple and about the islands and people of the Archipelago. I learn the ways of the Gods from her so that I can take her place in the temple when she passes to Valhalla. She has told me about the Hooligans and the dragons but I am sworn not to mention it to anyone other than those from Berk."

Hiccup breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good. It's not something that we want to advertise too much," Hiccup said although he realised that when Astrid and the other dragon riders arrived there would be no hiding it anymore. Everyone would know their secret.

Symon coughed to get Hiccups attention and Hiccup looked at him expectantly.

"The Elder asked me to tell you that she has allowed you to have visitors if you want."

Hiccup smiled broadly at this. It looked like he wouldn't have to spend his confinement alone. His heart sank though at Symons next words.

"There are two from another tribe that have asked to see you," he said.

"Who?" He asked in concern. Was it Alvin and Dagur?

"The girl and the boy you were talking to on the night you arrived. I said I would ask you if you wanted to see them when the opportunity arose," Symon continued.

Hiccup sat up eagerly.

"Yes I do," he said feeling relived.

"I'll go tell them," Symon said as he stood and moved to knock on the door.

"Feel free to come by anytime Symon. I've enjoyed talking to you," Hiccup said feeling a little happier at his predicament knowing that he could see his friends.

Symon smiled and nodded before leaving the room. With his spirits raised Hiccup moved towards the table and started hungrily on breakfast. About half an hour later, his hunger fully sated, he moved back to the seat by the window. Although they were closed he could still see out between the slats and watched as the temple staff and the other tribes went about their daily business. He hated being trapped but even though he might not be able to get out and about himself he was sure that Camicazi and Thuggory would be up for seeking around a bit and being his eyes and ears. He would be dammed if he let Alvin and Dagur get away with anything else.

It was mid morning before the door opened again. Hiccup had been sketching in his notebook trying to keep his mind away from dark thoughts and he looked up as the door opened. He stood with a wide smile as Camicazi and Thuggory came into the room. He had very little time to brace himself before Camicazi ran at him and threw her arms around his neck. There were tears streaming down her face as she hugged him.

"Oh Hiccup we've been so worried. When they took you away I didn't know what was going to happen to you," she sobbed.

Hiccup hugged his friend.

"I'm all right Cami," he said trying to comfort her, taken aback by her show of emotion but touched none the less.

Thuggory came forward and gently unwrapped Camicazi from Hiccup's neck. His face was grim.

"She's right Hiccup we didn't know what was going to happen. Your father fought like a dragon to get Alvin and Dagur to revoke their demand, mine and Cami's parents as well but the deranged maniacs wouldn't relent. The council really had no choice left to them but to agree to the terms of the law," he said sorrowfully.

"It's all right Thug I know," Hiccup said grateful for the support they had given him. Camicazi wiped at her face with her sleeve.

"I can't believe they will go through with it, I just can't. Mum used to tell me stories when I was young to scare me when I had been bad. She'd say that if I wasn't a good girl she would give me to the Gods but I just thought that they would smite me with lightning or something. She didn't tell me it meant getting your heart ripped out or something just as bad. It must be horrible to think that you're going to die in such a horrible way. I..."

"Cami enough," Thuggory said firmly and Camicazi abruptly ceased her fast flow of words and caught the sickened look on Hiccups face.

He put her hand over her mouth, realising that she had let her thoughts get away from her as normal.

"Oh gods Hiccup I'm sorry...I...I didn't mean to upset you I..." but stopped when she realised she was just making things worse. Ashamed and horrified at what she had said she stepped away.

Hiccup slumped back into his chair his once good mood now evaporated. Thuggory sat down next to him.

"Sorry Hiccup, you know how she gets when she's over excited or emotional. She didn't mean to upset you," he said apologetically laying a comforting hand on his friends shoulder.

Hiccup just nodded and turned to look out between the slats of the shutter once again, trying to get rid of the image Camicazi had inadvertently forced into his mind.

"So how are we going to sort out Dagur and Alvin?" Thuggory said after a while, desperate to move the subject away from sacrifices.

Hiccup looked back at him grateful for the change of subject.

"I'm not sure yet but I have a favour to ask," Hiccup said.

"Anything, you know you can count on us besides we have a promise to keep to Astrid," Thuggory responded and Hiccup looked at him is surprise. Thuggory smiled at Hiccups surprise.

"What! You didn't think Astrid was going to just leave and not make provision for your safety did you? Before she left she came to us and asked us to promise to do everything possible to keep you safe."

Hiccup shook his head in disbelief.

"She shouldn't have done that. If you interfere your tribes will be at risk as well as mine."

Thuggory gave him a determined and serious look.

"Doesn't matter if she asked or not Hiccup we wouldn't let anything happy to you and that's a fact. Were friends and friends look out for each other."

Hiccup just stared at the pair.

"You would really do that for me?" he said is shock.

"Of course we would. Thug's right, friends stick together," Camicazi confirmed as she came back towards them.

"I'm sorry Hiccup, I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just so angry and worried for you and I say things that I don't mean sometimes," she said in remorse and her shoulders slumped.

Hiccup stood and wrapped his arm around her.

"It's Ok Cami I know you didn't mean it," he said before pulling back and giving her a smile.

Then he looked at both of them.

"I'm really gratefully to you both."

Thuggory stood and placed his hand on Hiccups shoulder in a brotherly fashion.

"Don't mention it."

He then rubbed his hands together.

"Now, how are we going to sort those two deranged Vikings out? If you need something stolen or done sneaky them Cami's the one for the job but if you want me to knock some sense into then I'm more than happy to oblige," he said eagerly getting down to business.

Hiccup started to move around the room, thinking fast.

"I need to find out if they have anything else planned. They want me to train their dragons, I get that and they must have thought they would have me by now. At first I thought that getting me in this situation was the extent of their plan but I have a horrible feeling that they are still several steps ahead of us. Alvin is rash and Dagur is just nuts but together they do seem to be quite the team. In theory when my father gets back they won't have any leverage over me anymore but they don't seem to be concerned and it worries me."

Thuggory stood up.

"Leave it to us Hiccup we'll find out if they have anything else up their sleeve, Cami's the best thief and spy this side of the Archipelago. If they have something else to hide then she will find out what."

With that Thuggory gave Hiccup another brotherly shoulder squeeze and then with Cami they took their leave and moved towards the door. Thuggory knocked as Camicazi turned back to Hiccup.

"Don't worry Hiccup we will get you out of this and that's a promise," Camicazi said as they exited the room.