Author's note: Oh boy this one was fun. Initially the gag was to have Astrid be jealous of the time Hiccup spent with Renee. Thinking she's trying to replace her. But then tossed it. It wasn't working. I thought back on all those times Hiccup faced near death experiences and then it dawned on me. I decided to have that drive her fear and prejudice towards Renee. It's solid. It works!
Renee winced, watching as Helga and Viktor slammed into each other like two bulls. Over and over again the two teens rammed their strength against the other. Trying to dominate over the other. Their grunts and shouts filled the arena. Gobber had taken over their training for the morning. Being an expert in hand to hand combat. He observed the stronger of the four teens facing off against each other in a battle of strength.
Renee watched nervously. Wincing at their every blow. She glanced down at Pudge who stood at her side. He wiggled with excitement. Looking far too eager to get in the ring against Helga. Renee was insecure with facing Helga. Remembering how Helga carried her through an obstacle course. And without hesitation two weeks ago. While she was zoned out.
Renee never considered herself very physical. Even when she was going to a private school, she was always the prime target of bullies. She was soft. She lacked muscle. Above all, she lacked moral fiber.
The three onlookers ducked as Viktor was sent flying over their heads by a final blow. Helga stood up, brushing a lock of her corn silk hair out of her face. She was still the undisputed champion of arena combat.
"Not bad Viktor. You're getting better. Renee, you're up." Gobber pushed her forward.
"Uh yeah… About that. You see…" Renee stalled, trying to think of how to talk herself out of combat training. Especially up against HELGA.
"No excuses. It's very important to learn hand to hand combat. If you're left without a weapon or a shield, your fists and feet are an invaluable tool. You must learn to use them." Gobber explained.
Renee stood in the middle of the arena, facing Helga. Helga smirked as she approached. Punching her fist into her hand excitedly.
"I'm going to enjoy this." Helga stated.
Renee whimpered. She wasn't exactly sure what to do or how to properly stand. Only thing she knew was to fight with a sword. She thought back on her bullies back home and how they stood facing her. Renee took stance, nervous to face Helga.
"You call that a stance?" Helga taunted.
Renee had looked down at her stance. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Helga rushing for her. Immediately Renee dove out of her way. Helga lunged for Renee again. And once more Renee leaped out of reach. Renee was terrified. Her flight response kicking in. She did her best to evade Helga's grasp. To the point of dragging their combat out.
"Anytime while we're still young, Renee!" Gobber shouted from the sidelines. Exhausted from watching her.
"I've never thrown a punch in my life! I was always the punching bag!" Renee objected.
Renee sprang out of Helga's way, narrowly avoiding her again. Helga scrambles to regain her footing.
"Will you stop hopping around like a rabbit and let me thrash you!" Helga snarled. Growing irate.
"If you can't fight, you won't survive. If you can't throw a punch, try tripping your opponent up!" Gobber lectured.
Renee crouched into a stance. Her body twitched. Wanting to flee. Helga turned to face Renee. By now she was charging like an irate rhino. Renee swallowed. Against better judgement, Renee dove for Helga. Ramming her body full speed as hard as she could into the taller teen. She manages to knock Helga off her blinding charge. But where Renee collapsed on her stomach, Helga tucked and somersaulted back to her feet.
A shadow cast over Renee. She gulped. Looked over her shoulder. Forcing a smile. Helga stood over her. Panting. Scowling.
Renee tried to scrabble to her feet. Helga lifted her elbow, and body slammed it into Renee's back. Renee let out a strained yelp.
"Can't. Breathe." Renee strained. Helga by now had her in a headlock. Her body pressed into Renee's back as painful as she could.
"Alright, alright. Break it up Helga." Gobber announced.
"She got a hit in and I don't?" Helga objected, letting Renee go.
"It's not that I'm giving her any special privilege. I don't want you recruits killing each other before you can have a chance to get out in the field." Gobber explained.
Renee gasped as Helga let go of her. But Helga was still grinding her body into Renee's back. Making for an uncomfortable experience. One final grind and the pressure lifted off her back.
"Save yer energy for Pudge, Helga." Gobber barked. Renee forced herself to her feet and limped to the sidelines to stand beside Gobber. Pudge rushes by Renee, eager to prove himself.
"Don't worry. The pain will wear off. Eventually." Gobber promised her. Seeing how she held herself.
"I don't even know why I'm here. I can't fight, I can't lift half the weapons here. I can't even keep up with them," Renee gestures to Helga and Pudge as the two size each other in the arena before her. "And half the village thinks I'm a curse!" Renee huffed, watching as Helga and Pudge begin to wrestle.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. You and Hiccup share a lot in common, you know. He couldn't do everything you can't either at your age. Now look at him." Gobber lectured. Keeping his eyes on the two teens scuffling about in the arena.
"But he was born here. He has years of experience on him. Incase you haven't noticed I'm not from here. I'm not here on vacation. And I don't exactly plan to stay for a long period of time." Renee argued. Frustrated.
"Destiny isn't a gift handed out on behalf of Odin's gratitude on Snoggletog morn'. He must have a good reason behind you're being here. Once you've figured what that is, you gotta embrace it. Grab it by the horns and let it guide you. Until then, you can only prepare for what's to come." Gobber explained. A confident smile creasing his lips. Renee listened to his every word. She hated to admit, but he was right. She glanced up in time to watch as Pudge was body slammed to the floor. She winced, feeling his pain in her own spine where Helga had crushed her before.
Renee kicked a pebble. Her mind deep in thought elsewhere as she traveled up the slope. She couldn't begin to figure out why she was there. She was a victim of happenstance. That was all she could think of. She knew she had to somehow get back to New York. She didn't belong here. And it felt as though the longer she stayed, the more the others seemed to shun her. She didn't exactly warm them over with her joy ride.
She bumped into something solid. She looked up, startled to see Viktor standing in her path. His hands at his hips. She tried to skirt him. Pudge stood in her way. Sharing Viktor's form. Renee gulped. Where there were Viktor and Pudge, Helga wasn't too far behind. She backed away from them. Again she bumped into something solid. Confirming her worst fears. She pulled away quick. Helga stood behind her. She grew anxious looking up at Helga. She was boxed in. There was no way of getting away from the three.
"You pulled a stupid move making me look like a fool back there." Helga growled.
"I was only doing what Gobber instructed." Renee pointed out. Backing away as Helga advanced her. She stopped in her tracks. Unable to move any further.
"And by doing that you made me look weak. Being tripped up by a hiccup? Humiliating! I will not hear the end of it at home!" Helga snarled.
"Bu-but you did get back to your feet in a cool way. And you still remained the undefeated champion!" Renee tried to calm the situation down. Remembering how bullies like flattery. But Helga was an unusual bully. She was difficult to read.
"Let's show the Twig what we do with troublemakers, boys." Helga snapped her fingers.
Renee looked behind her. Viktor grabbed her arms and began to pull her into an alley. She tried to dig her heels into the ground. Hoping to stall. But Viktor was as strong as Helga. He dragged her with ease into a shadowy alley between two buildings. Pudge stood watch at the entrance.
"Can't we be reasonable about this?" Renee tried bartering. Her voice cracking as she spoke. She was terrified. She knew what was to come. Although she's use to beatings, she still didn't enjoy them.
"Oh I'm plenty reasonable. Reasonably sure this won't end well for you." Helga declared. Cracking her knuckles. Viktor sniggered sickeningly behind Renee. Renee's throat burned as she gulped. She watched helpless as Helga cocked her fist.
The first blow hit fast. The pain was torturous. It left her dazed. Her body near collapsed from the recoil against Viktor. Helga pounded into Renee relentlessly. Renee's feet struggled to hold her body up. She had to use Viktor as a brace.
Then, as sudden as it started. Helga ended her lesson with a powerful blow to the gut. Renee keeled over. Gasping for air. She grasped her stomach. Her body trembled as she tried to breathe. She glanced up. Helga towered over her.
"I suggest you stay home tomorrow. That is if you know what's good for ya." Helga ordered. Urging the boys to follow her, the three left. Leaving Renee gasping like a fish out of water on the floor.
She rolled over onto her side. Coughing up blood. Her face was numb from Helga's blows. She swallowed several breaths of air. Trying to get oxygen back into her weakened muscles. Her arms trembled as she pushed herself up. She watched as blood dripped to the dusty dirt floor. The copper smell of blood filled her nose. She tenderly touched her nose. The unmistakable crimson color of blood greeted her as she looked at her hand. She uttered a whine.
She had been in fights before. Always on the receiving end. She never liked being hit. She disliked the pain afterward. But this pain was something new. Her body trembled in the cool shade. She'd been brutalized by a viking. The pain was torturous as though she were still being hit. She had an unforgivable feeling that she was going to feel this pain for a while. Bracing up against a building. Renee was slow to push herself up to her shaky legs. She would make the agonizing long trek back home.
Renee awoke early the following morning. She listened to the contents of the house as she lay silent. No stirring of life was heard. She was quick to tidying up her sleep area before she stood up. She froze when a board creaked. She looked around. She caught sight of Toothless, peering down at her from the loft above. His eyes reflecting bright against the dying fire. Relieved, she put a finger up to her lips. She backed out of the house as quietly as she could. If Renee was going to play hooky that morning and skip training. She would need to make her escape before the chief had woken up. She only hope that Toothless remained silent for her.
As she stepped out on the tiny porch, the cold brisk morning air hit her. Her lungs stung as she breathed in the ice air. Almost immediately the cold woke her up. She peered around. No one was up. It was still dark. The sun hadn't risen yet. Hailstones the size of tennis balls still coated the ground. Remnants from the night's thunderstorm.
She was quick to leave. Darting behind the house, she made her way to Raven point. Knowing no one would think to look for her there.
The sky was beginning to change hue as the sun rose. Renee by then made it far enough into the backwoods of Berk. The woods were still dark. And with the morning sun, shaded with a fog.
Renee came to a stop. She looked around as the forest was beginning to stir with life. She was beginning to think that playing hooky in the woods was a bad idea. She looked into the depths of the darkest part of the forest. Gulping. Her imagination running wild with what might be lurking in the depths.
She took a deep breath. And forced herself forward. Continuing her journey. If she was going to face her fears this would be the right exercise. She wandered until she came across a cove. She looked up at the high rock walls. Taking in the sight. She crouched down and dropped into a crevice. Slowly she made her way through the path and looked out over the cliff she stood on. She could see a fresh pristine water pool. There was a peaceful atmosphere about the area.
She breathed in. Her sense of smell still stained with the metallic odor of blood. Making her gag. She was still spitting up blood even though her nose since stopped bleeding. Her left eye swelled from Helga's first blow and the surrounding skin was a dark shade of purple. With a disheartened sigh, Renee sat down in the warm morning sun.
She laid her back against the cold ground. She watched as the clouds roll by over head. She was sure by now the others would be in the arena. She humphed. Shifting her helmet where it rested over her eyes. Blotting out the sun. If she was going to wallow in self pity, she may as well sleep.
It was the mid afternoon by the time Helga snuck away from the village. She found out that Hiccup had already known she was behind Renee's beating. While Pudge and Viktor worked their archery skills, Helga was scolded. She was given a big speech about how she needs to treat her teammates with respect. And how she needs to learn leadership skills if she hopes to be her team leader.
Helga was mad. She wasn't sure who she was mad at more. Herself. Or Renee. She mulled over it in her mind. Figuring Renee had told Hiccup who attacked her.
"If I ever see the Twig it'll be too soon." Helga muttered to herself. She looked ahead. Seeing a familiar sight.
She hopped down into the crevice and made her way through. As she neared the cliff, she stopped. She saw the unmistakable figure of Renee. In her favorite spot. White knuckled, she approached the teen. Rounding her. She was about to go off on her. Only to stop. The youth was resting in the sun. Sound asleep. She watched as the teen's chest rose and fell with every breath.
She looked Renee over. She could see some muscle growth beginning in her flimsy arms. Her cousin's training showing through. The other teen was smaller than her. Standing at the height of her chest. She was also scrawnier. She wasn't sure she had seen such a thin viking before beside herself. She understood why her cousin called her 'Tiny-Hiccup'.
Renee shifted in her sleep. Her helmet rolled off of her eyes, exposing the sun. Helga could see the extent of her blows now. Wincing to see how swollen her left eye had become. She had no idea how soft this teen actually was.
The sun stirred Renee from her slumber. Lifting an arm over her eyes, she looked up. She yelped to see Helga standing before her.
"Here too?" Renee had asked, scrambling to back away from her. Was there no place she was safe from Helga?
Helga fell back into her old facade. She stood firm as she approached Renee. Her shoulders hunched.
"I did what you wanted! I stayed out of it today!" Renee cried. Not wanting to be beaten up anymore. She backed up against the rock wall. Unable to move.
"You told Chief Hiccup. Didn't you?" Helga demanded. Standing over her.
"I didn't tell anyone anything! Scout's honor!" Renee swore. She yelped. Helga stepped on her groin. Holding her in place.
"You expect me to believe that he magically figured it out?" Helga demanded.
"Well. He is. Resourceful." Renee cringed beneath Helga.
Helga looked down at Renee. Watching as she cowered beneath her. Renee was right. Hiccup was resourceful. He was more intelligent than her own uncle. Many of the devices Berk uses daily were built and rigged by Hiccup. She relaxed her stance. A little.
"I have a hard time believing you." Helga glowered at her. Listening to Renee squeal in pain as she put more pressure on the teen.
"What do you want? To hear that I did tell? That I'm a coward? That I shouldn't be here? That my entire life is a mistake?" Renee whimpered. Growing frustrated with Helga. Renee shrunk as Helga shifted. Lifting her foot off Renee. Helga picked up Renee's discarded helmet.
"Get out of my sight." Helga declared. Throwing the helmet at Renee.
Renee caught her helmet. Still hanging onto it, she scrambled to her feet and ran off. Disappearing through the crevice.
Helga hung back, watching as Renee disappeared. She sighed to herself. Wondering why she has to be hard on the teen.
"She's everywhere! I can't escape her!" Renee fretted. She risked being caught by returning to the arena. She didn't know of anywhere else to be that Helga wouldn't. She hopped up, yanking a lever down. The gentle clinking of an iron pulley system came to life. A heavy cross beam lifts up.
"It's like she's targeting me." She lay against the old door before pulling it open. A snout poked through the crack. Sniffing freedom.
"Maybe she's my destiny?" Renee stopped. A startled look in her eyes.
"Certainly not!" She scoffed. Pulling the heavy door open. Watching as Thunderhead walked out into the open arena. He stretched out his wings. His powerful muscles flexed as he beat his wings. Stirring up a breeze in the arena.
"What an absurd idea." She snorted.
"Helga Jorgenson. My destiny. HAH!" She mocked with flamboyant theatrics. She sat down, bracing her back against the door. She found herself thinking about the older teen. Thinking about her beauty. She was graceful in combat. But a deadly force to reckon with. A smile threaded across her lips.
"Okay… So. Maybe she is pretty. But she doesn't want anything to do with me." Renee's hand brushed up against a rock. She picked it up. She ran her fingers across its smooth surface. A frown replacing her once bright smile.
"She hates my guts. Like everyone else here." She gripped the rock tight in her hand. Gritting her teeth, she whined.
"I just want everything to be the way it was… I want my parents." Renee whimpered. Tears stream down her cheeks. She sniffled, rubbing away her tears. In anger, she threw the rock half way across the arena. She huddled up against the door. Hiding her face in her arms.
She was startled by the sound of a rock hitting the floor hard. She lifted her head and looked up. Thunderhead stood over her. Looking at her expectantly. The rock she had thrown was at her feet. She watched as the dragon lowered his head. With his beak, he pushed the rock closer to her. Looking at her expectantly.
She looked up at her dragon before reaching out to grab the rock. She picked it up. Looking over it once more. It was a stupid idea. Renee threw the rock in another direction. To her amazement, Thunderhead looked sharply to where the rock was thrown. He then chased after it. He scooped it up into his beak once it clattered to the floor. He brought it back to her where he dropped it at her feet.
"I wonder…" She thought aloud as she stood up. Slowly she reached down to pick the rock up. She looked up at the dragon before her. Perhaps he needed to get use to her before he trusted her. Or perhaps he truly was still a kid and only wanted to play.
She then turned and threw the rock to the opposite side of the arena. Again, Thunderhead chased after it. And again he retrieved it where he dropped it at her feet. Picking up the rock, she went to his side. She had a good feeling about this. One foot after the other, she hoisted herself into the saddle. She sat there in the saddle, looking around as she took in the height she was at. It was an amazing feeling. It seemed all that hard work did amount to something after all.
"Good boy." She cooed, patting the side of his neck. He hadn't tried to buck her off once. He was being patient and still. She then smiled as she tossed the rock in the air, catching it.
"Fetch!" She shouted. She threw the rock in a different direction. Thunderhead turned after the rock, causing Renee to nearly lose her grip. She fumbled to grab the handlebars of the saddle as Thunderhead bounded after the rock like a raptor. That was when she saw Hiccup at the entrance. Renee sat atop her saddle, smiling sheepishly. While Thunderhead scooped up the rock she had thrown.
"You're ready." Was all Hiccup said.
Astrid watched the display going on in the arena from a distance. Her anger slowly growing for the new kid. It seemed to her that Hiccup took quite a shining to her and she didn't like it one bit. She watched as Hiccup lead the new kid into the air on her first flying lesson. She hardly noticed Valka landing behind her.
"It's a lot to take in. Isn't it?" Valka spoke up softly as she then stood beside Astrid. A frustrated growl was all Valka got in reply.
"Hiccup seems proud of the newcomer." She then stated with a proud smile, noticing the subtle flinch from Astrid.
"She's come a long way from when you first found her." Valka was soon interrupted as Astrid then stood up.
"What are you trying to say? That I'm — jealous of the time he's spending with her? That she's possibly doing all this as an act to break us apart?!" Astrid shouted in contempt as her arms flailed in protest to what she was saying.
"Is that what you believe?" Valka had asked, standing tall, unwavering. Astrid's actions told her all she needed to know.
"That.. Perhaps. I fear I will lose Hiccup..." Astrid sighed as she grabbed a hold of her arms. As if trying to reassure herself. "That I won't be there to save him."
"I've seen him with you and I know you would do anything to see him safe. I have no doubt in my mind you'll be there for him." Valka promised as she placed comforting hands on Astrid's shoulders. Astrid looked down to the side before looking up at Valka.
"How can I believe that?" She asked, tears threatening to spill in the corners of her eyes.
"You two have been through so much at each other's side. And with each passing day your bond with him grows stronger. You've nothing to fear, my child." Valka promised as she pulled Astrid into a hug.
A month ago, Renee would not have wanted to be miles above the ocean again. But today was different. She felt stronger, filled with more pride as she held on tight to the handlebars of her saddle. The salty sea air whipping her face gently was a welcome feeling as the wind blew through her short, messy hair. There was nothing but the expanse of freedom before them for miles and miles.
"You want to tell me why you weren't in training this morning?" Hiccup asked. He looked over at the teen as he flanked her.
"I was uh… Practicing my sword fighting?" Renee forced a smile. Hiccup gives her a dubious look. Renee flinched and looked away.
"Mom tells me you're having a difficult time with the other teens. Specifically Helga." Hiccup said.
"Is it that obvious?" Renee looked over to him. Exposing the full extent of her black eye.
"I know what you're going through. Believe me. When I was your age I wanted nothing more than to be one of them. I was scrawny as well. I had trouble fitting in. Couldn't pick up a sword to save my life. Because of my clumsy destructiveness, they always called me Hiccup the Useless." Hiccup began. Renee sighed. Relating to him.
"But I didn't give up. I kept trying to win them over. I believed in myself. That gave me the courage to power through tough times. And when the time came to prove myself, the others listened to me." Hiccup explained.
"In order to accomplish greatness, you need to believe in yourself." Hiccup preached. Renee listened, a smile creeping across her lips.
Renee watched as Hiccup and Toothless flew together as one entity.
"How do you steer a dragon if there are no reins?" She then asked.
"To steer a dragon, you put your weight into which way you wish him to go." Hiccup explained. He demonstrated by rocking Toothless gently back and forth on the winds with his weight.
Watching this, Renee tried to mimic Hiccup's actions. She put her weight into the right side of the saddle. Defiantly, Thunderhead flew to the left.
"Oh come on! After all that bonding this afternoon? You're still going to play this game?" She asked. Looking down at Thunderhead.
"He's still getting use to having someone on his back. I'm sure with time he'll adjust to your commands." Hiccup reassured with a chuckle.
They flew for what felt like hours to allow Renee time to better understand her dragon in flight. Occasionally stopping on islands to rest both their dragons and themselves. She was enjoying herself. She had forgotten all about her fears. Hiccup was right, to gather up the courage and be brave, you had to believe in yourself. And being up on her dragon did help her believe she could achieve anything if she put her mind to it. She had all but forgotten about her uncle and the Ghostwing, and had put her worries behind her.
"So how many dragon species are out there?" Renee had asked. They had taken to resting on an island. She found her curiosity about dragons increasing and wanted to learn all she could.
"Countless. With each new land I'm discovering, I'm finding more and more species." Hiccup explained. Renee had spent that late afternoon asking many questions about dragons and taking notes. She had the finest dragon master as her teacher, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to pick his brain.
"It's getting late. We should start heading back." Hiccup announced. He looked at the position of the sun, his arm shielding the light from his eyes.
Agreeing with Hiccup, they took to the skies once more. It was still hard for Renee to believe she was finally on the back of Thunderhead. And he wasn't trying to buck her off!
"How fast do you think Deadly Nadders can fly?" Renee asked curiously.
"Nadders can fly pretty fast. Near faster than Toothless," Hiccup cocked a brow. "Why…What are you thinking?" Hiccup demanded. Not exactly trusting what's going on inside Renee's head.
"I was thinking of racing you back. Unless you're chicken?" She grinned playfully, glancing over to Hiccup.
"You barely have Thunderhead under contr— And there she goes…" Hiccup grunted in defeat. Watching as Renee and Thunderhead rocketed ahead of them.
Hiccup tucked himself against his saddle as Toothless began to pick up speed. Hiccup was more concerned about Renee's safety on the back of her dragon than he was winning. She may have overcome her fears now, but she still didn't have Thunderhead in control.
They flew for some time. Hiccup could relax and enjoy the fun. Despite himself. Thankful that there was just open sea air ahead of them. He soon got the upper hand as he began to catch up. Both dragons were neck and neck with each other as Hiccup glanced over towards Renee.
"Ready for your next lesson?" Hiccup asked over the wind as they skyrocketed over the open sea.
"Next lesson?" Renee repeated. Cocking a brow she looked towards him.
"Dragon riding is a team effort," Hiccup slides a lever, clicking it into place. Locking the pedals in the flared tail position. "Once you earn your dragon's trust, you two can do amazing things together." He smirked cockily. Looking over at her, he unhooks himself from his saddle. Hiccup then slides off Toothless.
Renee stared on in fear. Watching as he peeled away from Toothless like a skydiver from a plane. He free falls, plummeting for some miles. Before he slips his forearms through a pair of tucked leather flaps. He yanks, unfurling sheets of leather as he extends his limbs, spread eagle. The wind catches these leather wings. He's pulled up by the trade winds. And glides.
Renee watches on in amazement as Hiccup soars ahead of her. Toothless closing in behind him. She was looking at the first human to fly. Well. Glide. It occurred to her that his armor wasn't just for show. It hid many surprises. This being one of them. Far enough ahead of her, Hiccup reconnects with his saddle.
They zipped past sea-stacks and over deep fjords on their journey home. Renee was beginning to feel like a kid again as she and her dragon barreled through the air together as one.
Renee had taken the lead as they crested a sea-stack. She hadn't noticed a moored ship nested at the base of the sea-stack cluster. A projectile launched into the air. It unfurled into a net as it wrapped tight around both Renee and Thunderhead. They began to plummet.
Both rider and dragon collide with the deck, ensnared in the net. Renee struggled to reach her right leg. She had stowed a dagger Hiccup had given her days before. With Thunderhead pinned on her leg, she was incapable of reaching it to free them. He thrashed loudly in the netting. Desperate to get free. Firm hands suddenly gripped her and yanked her free. Hoisting her up.
"Do my eyes deceive me? This scrawny savage can't possibly be Ivar's niece!" A familiar voice rang out as Renee glanced up. She was taken aback to see Jet standing before her. How was it possible that he was there? Looking around, she recognized the others from her uncle's camp as well.
"What's going on? Why are you all here!" Renee demanded. She tried to pull herself free. Her captors held her steadfast, making escape impossible.
"Ivar told us you were killed in the explosions." Jet proclaimed, standing before her. He took her jaw into his hand and examined the extent of her bruises. He frowned. She was well fed and healthy. Despite the tell tale signs of being in a fight. Telling him that someone had taken her in.
A leather bound book poking out from beneath her fur tunic caught his attention. He pulled it free from her belt. Branded into the leather bound cover was the silhouette of a black dragon. He opened it and began to look through it. Skimming over Renee's scribble writing. Simple doodle notes of humans and dragons littered the entries.
"I don't understand. Are you saying my uncle claims responsibility for that terrorist attack?" Renee looked up at him. Watching him look through her journal.
"Can't make an omelette without cracking a few eggs." Jet spoke, closing the book he looked to her. The men all around him laughed. Renee looked at him in fear.
The sound of his men shouting and struggling behind her drew his attention. They were crowding around her dragon, trying to disarm it. It was clear these men have no experience with dragons. The tail had slipped free of the netting. Barbs rained down on the deck. Sending the men scattering for cover. He then saw the saddle latched to the beast.
"And you? A spineless little know-nothing on the back of a DRAGON?" Jet remarked in surprise. Stowing her journal in his belt.
"Let him go!" Renee demanded, struggling once more. Hearing her dragon screech in fear behind her.
"Your dragon belongs to Ivar now." Jet leaned in, facing her.
"What does he want with dragons? Is he here too?" She asked.
"That is classified information." Jet replied.
A ghostly ballistics wailing filled the sky. The men grouped together, terrified as the sound builds up. They cling tight to their shields. Jet pulled away from Renee to look up at the skies.
"I don't think she's alone Jet…" One of his men whimpered.
Jet spotted a black figure crest over a sea-stack. It jackknifes and pivots towards his schooner. Approaching his ship at breakneck speeds. The beast lands on the stern of his ship. His men gasp in fear as the ship rocks from the force of the creature's landing. Jet watched as another dragon rider dismounts the black beast. Instantly recognizing him as a local. Confirming his fears.
"I should have known you would align yourself with ferals." Jet sneered, looking to Renee. Jet left her confused as he turned to approach his guest.
"There seems to be a mistake. You see, that dragon and its rider belong to Berk." Hiccup announced. Approaching Jet. Toothless growled in contempt as he followed Hiccup, eyeing the Du'món men. They back off fearfully. Giving the pair space.
"Not anymore, peg leg." Jet challenged. Placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Renee here belongs to the Du'món clan." The two met and faced each other. Jet towered over the young man.
"Ah, so you're the mutton heads Renee talked about. And what exactly does your chief want with dragons?" Hiccup looked to see the others had secured Thunderhead before looking up at Jet.
"Why does it matter?" Jet boldly proclaimed. Whipping out his sword.
"You sure you want to do this?" Hiccup looked at the sword pointed at him. Unimpressed.
"Don't tell me you're too afraid to face someone bigger and stronger than you." Jet boasted. Laughter in his voice.
"It's not so much that you're taller than me. Or stronger. I've taken down men ten times your size. In fact. But. Dragon. Wood ship. Open ocean. You get the picture, right?" Hiccup spoke nonchalant. Seeing the sword still aimed at him. It was clear to him that Jet was not going to let him talk his way out of this so easily. He had Renee and her dragon held captive. It looked like the only way to get them out of this was to face this meat-head.
"Put up or shut up, savage." Jet proclaimed.
Hiccup stepped back. Placing his hand before Toothless' snout who snarled in disapproval.
"Stay out of this bud. I got it covered." Hiccup whipped out his sword. The blade extended and locked into place. He spun it in his hands deftly.
Jet lunged first. Thrusting his blade at Hiccup who brought his blade up, blocking his attack.
"You've yet to answer my question. Why is your chief interested in dragons. Is he building an army?" Hiccup asked. Backing up. Jet advanced. Taking the lead in this fight.
"Like I told Renee. That is classified information!" Jet flung his blade at the other. Hiccup leaped out of the way. Jet growled as his blade stuck tight in the mast of his ship.
"So that would be a yes." Hiccup confirmed. Standing before him. Watching as Jet tugged at his sword in a fit of rage to free it.
"Let's just say, my boss is looking for a fairytale. A wild goose chase." Jet yanked his sword free of the mast. And turned on Hiccup. He began to approach Hiccup once more.
"To keep OUR heads, we indulge in his fantasy." Jet explained. He rushed Hiccup. The two locked blades.
"And what. Is he looking for. Exactly?" Hiccup asked, pushing against Jet the best he can.
"That's all I'm telling the likes of you." Jet pulled back and slashed at Hiccup. Hiccup leaped out of the way several times as Jet pounded into his blade.
Renee watched as Jet faced off with Hiccup. He was proving he could keep up with the nimble viking chief. She then looked up. Her captors focussed on the fight as well. She looked between them. She swallowed her fear and stretched her neck out far as she could. She sunk her teeth into the knuckles of one of her captors, breaking the skin. The man let out a yelp as he let go of her. Allowing her access to her right arm. She then lifted her right leg high as she could. She shook her dagger free. She fumbled, catching it. With a firm grip on her dagger, she lashed out at her second captor. She nicked his arm with her weapon, dragging it along his skin. With a yowl, he let her go.
She dropped to the floor of the ship. She rushed past, using her small body to her advantage. She dodged Du'món men left and right to get to Thunderhead.
"Don't just stand around gaping. Grab her!" Jet roared. Blocking an attack from Hiccup. He turned his focus back onto Hiccup.
Renee scrambled as she tried to avoid the men. They came at her left and right, trying to grab her. She put her training to good use. Remembering how to avoid enemy fire. Avoiding being grabbed was technically the same idea. She made it back over to Thunderhead as barbs rained down on the deck. Blocking the men from advancing Renee as they stitched into the deck.
"Easy boy, I'm here." Renee reassured Thunderhead. Panting. Placing a hand on his horn, she worked to cut through the ropes. Renee looked back, recognizing the familiar barbs. She looked up. Watching as Astrid flew in overhead.
"A good thing I followed you two." Astrid shouted above. Distracting the two swordsmen. They look up. Before Jet could move, Stormfly landed on him. He gasped. The dragon knocked the breath out of him. Knocking him off his feet. His sword clattered away from him noisily. He looked up, watching as the female rider jumped off the back of her dragon to face him.
"I believe Hiccup asked you a question. Or do I have to repeat it?" Astrid asked.
"You can't get me to t—" He froze when he looked up. Toothless was in his face, deadly razor sharp teeth bared.
"Okay, okay… Ivar is chasing something he calls Odin's Horde. Barbarians that ride on the backs of dragons. But it's only a story. That's it!" Jet cried. Shrinking himself as far away from Toothless as he possibly could.
"And what does he want with dragons?" Hiccup approached. Placing a hand on Toothless to calm him.
"H—He's also planning on invading New York. But to do that, he needs an army of dragon riders." Jet wailed, covering his arms over his head.
"I was expecting another dragon army. But an army of riders?" Hiccup looked incredulous towards Astrid.
Renee listened to Jet's wailing confessions. She felt ill to her stomach hearing this. She remembered the explosions she survived. With a snap, she cut the last of the rope. Freeing Thunderhead.
"If my uncle takes over my village. Thousands more could be hurt. Or worse. He's got to be stopped." Renee declared. Thunderhead rose to his feet with a shriek. Renee grabbed a hold of her saddle and hopped into it as her dragon rose.
"Like you can stop Ivar. He's already won!" Jet praised from his position. He strained to look towards Renee.
"You would put thousands of innocent people in harm's way just to feel good about yourself?" Renee rode high in her saddle atop Thunderhead. She approached Jet. Stormfly removed herself from his back as Renee approached.
"I've only been here a month and already I've learned far more from them than I have under your tutelage. You don't have to hurt others to feel better about yourself." Renee explained.
"Freedom is not a privilege." She frowned down at Jet as he rose to his feet. Disappointed in him.
"Humanity wanders this earth blindly without someone to guide them. That's why our society is collapsing. It doesn't have the right man to lead it." Jet spoke, watching his extremities as he heard Toothless warning him with a growl.
"And you think my uncle is that man? Have you any idea how CRAZY that sounds?" Renee demanded.
"Figure out which side your loyalties lie. Is it really worth hurting others for the glory of conquest? How many lives must be lost?" Renee addressed. She shook her head before taking off. Astrid passed a glance towards Hiccup who was already hopping onto the back of Toothless. Following after her. Astrid growled beneath her breath before she too followed.
"You will never beat Ivar! You hear me!" Jet screamed out at the top of his lungs after them. He knew she was still weak. But Renee's speech somehow wedged into his mind. Boring into his conscience like a weevil.
The words echoed in Renee's mind. It worried her that Jet was right. She would never beat Ivar. Alone. She glanced before her to Hiccup, then to Astrid ahead. She trailed behind them. She wondered if it was worth getting them involved with her family affairs. One person alone couldn't take down the animate mountain that was her uncle. Their ride back to Berk was silent. Making the cold evening air feel much more bitter.
She opened her mouth, trying to think of something to break the silence. But nothing came of it. She didn't know how or what to say.
"I think I really botched it this time…" She whimpered quietly as she looked down at Thunderhead.
Night had already fallen by the time they returned. The others were standing around, waiting for them. Their tardiness had them worried.
"What happened out there?" Fishlegs asked as he and the others caught up with the trio.
"Renee happened…" Astrid growled as she hopped off Stormfly. She glanced back to the youth as she came in for a landing. This threw the others off. Not exactly sure what Astrid meant by that.
"It wasn't my fault. I didn't see them!" Renee defended when she saw Astrid giving her the all too familiar glare of death.
"And what, did you think you could talk some sense into them? They're dragon hunters, Renee! They won't listen to reason!" Astrid shouted.
"Uh oh, Astrid's on the warpath." Ruff observed.
"This is gonna get interesting." Tuff agreed, listening in on the entertainment before them.
"They came from the same place I did. I had to try!" Renee argued. She hopped off Thunderhead, only to be met by a furious Astrid as the woman stared her down. Renee tried to be brave, but found herself backing off as Astrid kept advancing.
"How can I possibly believe you? Astrid demanded. She was clearly scared over what happened.
"How are we to know that you didn't plan this somehow?" She demanded. She cocked a fist, ready to pound Renee. Renee flinched and shrunk before Astrid. She had already been pounded on once before by Helga. She didn't want to feel Astrid's wrath.
"H-how can I have planned that? I was busy all this time!" Renee squeaked fearfully. She fell over backwards from her clumsy feet. She scooted away from Astrid.
"For all we know you could have set this up before we saved your sorry hide!" Astrid shouted in reply. Her emotions in contempt for Renee finally coming out in a fiery explosion of rage.
"What would I have to gain from this if it succeeded? I don't understand where you're going with this." Renee asked. She stopped backing up. A pole blocked her path. She yelped. And rolled away when Astrid grabbed a nearby ax. She tried to strike Renee with it. The ax splintered the pole upon impact. Terrifying Renee. She dove behind Fishlegs. Him being the nearest large object.
"Astrid!" Hiccup called out to try and stop her. But the woman focussed on the teen.
"Stay out of this Hiccup." Astrid growled as she advanced both Fishlegs and Renee. Not wanting to get between a raging Astrid, Fishlegs frantically ran out of her way. Exposing Renee.
Renee looked up, screaming in fear as Astrid ran at her with her ax cocked. Ready to strike.
"Astrid. This is not going to solve our problems!" Hiccup put himself between Renee and Astrid. His hand went up to stop the ax from coming down.
"And how are we to trust her? What if she set this whole thing up before we even found her?" Astrid demanded. She looked at him, pointing her ax at Renee. Hiccup could see the fear and concern in her eyes. Slowly he straightened himself up.
"I just know. That we're in for a fight. Again. We need everyone to put forth an effort to trust each other so we can figure out what to do." Hiccup placed his hands on Astrid's shoulders. Watching with relief as Astrid dropped the ax.
"I don't know why you're so angry. Usually you let it go. But this. This is so not like you." Hiccup looked at Astrid. Very much worried for his friend.
Astrid pulled away from his grip. She turned her back to him.
"I… It's hard for me to explain." Astrid shied away.
"What? What's so difficult that you'd risk hurting someone over it?" Hiccup demanded, approaching her.
"I've been… Afraid. Hiccup." Astrid finally admitted. She turned to face him. Fear and worry in her eyes.
"Afraid? Of what?" A brow raised. Hiccup was skeptical that the woman he always looked up to was afraid of something. That's when Astrid threw herself into his arms, leaving him stunned.
"Of losing you." She gasped. Wrapping her arms around him. She buried her face into his chest.
"What? Why. Why would you think that?" Hiccup looked down at Astrid. Startled by her confession.
"Every time we encounter an outsider. You get captured or worse. And every time this happens. We're separated. I'm scared I won't be there to protect you." Astrid admitted.
"Whoah. Did not see that coming." Tuff burst out. Watching intently with the others as the drama unfolded before them.
"Guys…" Hiccup warned. He turned his attention back to Astrid.
"Everything will be alright, Astrid. You have no need to worry." Hiccup promised. He wrapped his arms tightly around her. Resting his chin on the top of her head.
"Nothing bad is ever going to happen. Promise." He swore.