:: CHAPTER THREE :: A Little Hiccup ::

The evening was a cold one again, bonfires and braziers were ablaze across the village, thanks to the various dragons. Inside the Hairy Haddock house the fire was warming. The main torches were not lit so just the pleasant orange light from the hearth danced across the walls.

When Hiccup had arrived back at the house with Astrid in tow, Stoick jumped up said that he needed to "Sort out some, er... business with ...um... whatsis name and er... his... thing." He had winked to his son and abruptly left the two alone with Toothless. From the laughter heard all the way from Gobber's house, that business was probably to do with helping his friend empty a barrel.

Hiccup was preparing one of his favourite meals for his guest and he was proud. Toothless sniffed longingly at the cauldron and licked his lips excitedly as hiccup stirred the contents. "Don't worry bud there will be some for you as well, me and Astrid cannot eat the whole lot. And there will be enough for Dad when he comes home" Toothless grunted and looked through the window and motioned to Stormfly outside. "And yes, there will be enough for Stormfly too" Hiccup rubbed the dragon's head, he was always thinking about others, that was what made Toothless so special.

The dragon was taking up a fair proportion of the cooking area and Hiccup found he kept having to shoo the dragon back and forth and clamber over him to reach the ingredients he had laid out. Every so often a giggle would be heard when Astrid, who was engrossed in the Book of Dragons, looked up at them with all the commotion. "Toothless, why don't you just wait by the table." the dragon just grunted and stayed put, still sniffing away. Hiccup sighed and frowned at the Night Fury. To be happy he was kind of happy the dragon was spending time with him for a change "Ok Ok, just give me some room then, this recipe has to be perfect." he moved close to the dragon and whispered into the dragon's ear. "And besides, out of me and Astrid I am better to cook, just remember "yak-nogg'" Toothless reared up and a look of disgust crossed his face.

Toothless remained impatiently by the cauldron. His tail whipped back and forth and caught a bowl full of spices and a jug of water, which fell onto the cooking fire "TOOTHLESS!, I told you to be careful, I know you are hungry, we all are" the dragon looked down sadly at the spices over the floor and the now dying fire. "This meal has got to be special, please don't ruin it!" Toothless fired a plasma bolt into the fire and it roared back into life. The dragon gave a mournful groan and turned away and walked towards the stairs.

"Toothless, i'm sorry bud, I didn't mean to yell." he shouted after the dragon, who growled back and ascended the stairs. A look of sadness crossed Hiccup's face, Toothless usually would of just pulled a face back at him and all would have been forgiven. What was wrong with his friend?

He felt an arm round his shoulder as Astrid comforted him. "I'm worried about him too Hiccup, he has not been himself around you for awhile now. You have not changed your aftershave have you?"

"That is not really funny Astrid." The cute smile on her pretty face soon made a smile spread across his. "Well ok, maybe I should stop wearing Eu-de-Yak!" And they both burst into laughter. The smile slowly faded from Hiccup's face. Tears welled up in his eyes, "I can't seem to do anything right lately. I have failed my friend."

Astrid hugged him tenderly and then cupped his face in her hands. "Now you look here. You are best friend possible to toothless, and he knows it. You need to give him some time. He probably has something on his mind." She kissed him on the cheek. "You are a great friend to me, you have helped me so much. You have given me a gift and I..er... …..er... cherish your friendship more than anything in this world. To think just a short time ago I didn't really like you, well none of the village actually did truth be told..."

Hiccup rolled his eyes "Please don't remind me... I..."

"Hiccup, don't you see that you are now the most popular person in the village, you risked everything for your loyalty. And Toothless knows that, and he appreciates it. You have touched everyone you have met, dragon, human, animal. By Thor's name I bet you have even touched Mildew. Even if to wind him up! The village has never been truly happy, it always lived in constant fear and worry. Now everyone has smiles on their faces, chat with each other in the street, relax at the inn. YOU have rebuilt this village into a fantastic place to live for us all.

A tear ran down Hiccup's cheek. He had not thought of what he had accomplished. It overwhelmed him. He was humbled, but Astrid was right. The village was happy, parties were often held, festivals had popped up, and an Inn was built for the first time in generations. The farms and fishermen were all doing well, there was enough food for everyone and the dragons. Berk had even started trade with neighbouring tribes. Yet Hiccup didn't feel he was a hero, yes his unusual friendship with a dragon had started it all, but so much had been done by others too. The other members of the dragon academy, who had also embraced friendship with the dragons. Stoick, who had allowed dragons to come and live among them and not forgetting Gobber, who helped the dragons out with their aches and pains. But there was one who eclipsed them all. Toothless, who was like himself, the dragon was curious and wanted to learn about everything, and that had bridged a gap between two enemies.

But what had happened, Toothless had lost his spark. His curiosity had all but gone lately. Hiccup felt helpless. He did not know what to do to help his friend, or even if he could help, and that pained him.

"Astrid, what if I loose him, I don't think I could bear to be without him in my life. Without Toothless I am nothing." Tears streamed down his cheeks.

Astrid hugged him against him again and did not let go. "Hiccup, you are not nothing." she said while rubbing his back, comforting him "You are my best friend, it has taken me a long time to realise that and I am sorry. I let you down when you needed me most. I walked away from you, and forgot about our friendship when we were kids. All these years I felt I had a part missing within me and I didn't know what it was. The part I was missing was your compassion, your sense of humour, your sense of honour and yes, your sarcasm."

Through his tears Hiccup laughed. He was well known for his sarcasm, it often got him into trouble. But he loved making people laugh. As a child Hiccup was always was making his parents laugh and he remembered making Astrid giggle. Things changed over the years and the laughter stopped. His father lost his jolly side when his mother had died, all Stoick wanted to do was kill dragons. It was almost like a part of him had died with her and was replaced by a demon. In the end everyone had turned their backs on Hiccup.

Although he was very young he remembered some things about his mother. Like him she was compassionate, but had the fire of a strong viking woman. She would fight with the best of the vikings against the dragons. Although she would only fight them when necessary, and would not go looking for a fight. She often reigned Stoick into check whenever his war mongering against the dragons took over. It hit Hiccup how much his mother and himself were alike in certain ways. She also wouldn't kill a helpless dragon, or a dragon who couldn't fight back. She would leave that to another of the vikings. There were a few arguments about that between Valhallerama and Stoick about it. She maintained it was wrong to kill any helpless beast it would not be honourable. Even with farm animals she would fight them to the death, for their honour.

This aspect had made Stoick a lot softer than he was after they lost her. After an argument he would often sigh and say "It is the reason why I love you so, before Odin and Thor for the rest of our lives." Hiccup remembered from about 4 years old, they were always in each other's arms it seemed. And Hiccup was often on their laps while they cuddled. In many respects they were the perfect family and although Stoick was annoyed by Hiccups differences from himself as a child and the other kids, he always had told him how he loved him and was proud of him.

It was announced to the village that they had been trying for a second child, a brother or sister for Hiccup. And on one sunny morning a new addition to the household was born, a baby girl they called Dagna. Named after a "new day" as she would herald a new chapter in the horrendous haddock household and was a large baby for a girl. It was a sign that she would grow up to be a powerful warrior. Hiccup on the other hand had been a small baby and did not show the sign of greatness. Not to say that Stoick didn't love him all the same, but he had hoped he would grow and become a powerful dragon slayer, if not a powerful warrior.

Stoick was so happy at the new arrival held the child in his arms rocking her back and forth and even let Hiccup and his new little friend Astrid hold her. He looked so proud of his family, and he invited most of the village to come and see the new arrival. The village was excited about the new arrival, deep honour for the village whenever a new child of the reigning chief was born. There were festivities all throughout the day. And all the children dressed up the street parties. Gobber had even made a cake, using his egg beater arm attachment he had just invented. Life was good.

That same night a viscous storm had hit Berk, the lightning crashed and the rain lashed down. Stoick had to tend to the needs of the village while Vallhallarama looked after Hiccup and the new baby. Hiccup had come to sleep with his mother while the storm raged outside. He was content. A new baby sister for himself and Astrid to play with. He dreamed of all the things they would do, all the things they would teach her. His dreams were shattered by a loud scream. He woke up to his mother leaning over Dagna's cot, face pale and crying.

Things were all a blur, Stoick, with Gobber close behind, had come running in, and Stoick had screamed at the top at his voice for help. Gobber immediately went to summon Gothi, the towns elder. Astrid's mother, who could have been considered the town's midwife had come running in with Astrid in tow. Astrid came over and comforted a scared Hiccup, who was crying in the corner. Her mother and his mother had tended to the baby as best they could until Gothi arrived. Gothi sprinkled a few herbs around and wrote some scripts in a tub of sand that had been brought in. A large flash of lightning lit up all their faces followed by a large crack of thunder. Gothi had peered into the cot, and looked up to the gathered people and solemnly shook her head.

Stoick had fallen to his knees, his face contorted in a silent scream. He broke down into tears, loud sobs that Hiccup had never heard from any viking, let alone his father, the chief. All could be heard in the room was the sobs of the gathered people along with Hiccups voice, "Whats wrong mama... papa... whats wrong with Dagna?" Vallhallerama had come over and held him tight. Astrid still held his hand tight, tears streaming down her own face, looking at Stoick on his knees. Hiccup remembered how she had let go of his hand and quietly patted it, and walked over to Stoick and shook his large shoulder with her small hand. "I am very sorry" she had said "I'll be here for you when you need a hug, hugs always make me feel better when I am sad!" He had looked up at her with red eyes, and Astrid hugged him round the neck tightly. Stoick looked shocked but hugged her back, and a small smile appeared on his face through the tears.

The village remained solemn for the days after that. As was the Viking way, village life continued as normal but everyone was sad. It had been deemed that the storm was a sign that Thor was not happy, and that Dagna had not meant to be. Thor must have some good reason why she should not of been. Maybe she would of affected something in the future that not the true path of time. Stoick and Valhallarama had accepted this. Yes they were distraught but nothing could be done to change things. The passage of death ceremony was a solemn affair. And the remains were not, as usual for a viking ceremony, floated out to sea, but interred in a small tomb in a small cove near raven point. A beautiful spot for Dagna to look over for eternity. She was buried with gifts from the whole village. Hiccup had remembered scraping some sort of dragon into a shiny stone and left it by the rock she was buried under.

Stoick that evening had delivered a rousing speech that everyone must not dwell on the past and looked to the future, but all the same, some of his spark was gone.

After that Hiccup remembered all the family get togethers they had. And Astrid had always been there. It seemed like Stoick cared for Astrid almost like the daughter he never got to know. And she was always welcomed with opened arms by his parents. Hiccup had since meeting her, always sort of had a crush on her. But he was to shy to let her know. All she had seemed to want was to be friends and anyway they were too young for that.

Stoick had always commented to Vallhallerama how inseparable they were, and had even joked in front of them, much to both their embarrassment, that she would end up wife to the new chief of Berk one day. Both just giggled and moved away from each other with red faces. Which made his parents chuckle even more. Hiccup was just glad to see his father laughing again.

When they were not playing upstairs in the house or drawing, they were usually to be found playing in the woods surrounding the village, for whenever they played in the village, one of the other kids was sure to make mean comments about Hiccup. They spent many a wonderful day exploring. And play fighting as dragon vs dragon slayer, with Hiccup usually being the dragon with astrid running round with a wooden sword. Hiccup usually would end the game with a sword lodged between his chest and his arm pretending to die. He would shake and gurgle until Astrid was in hysterics.

They would also both pretend to be dragons. Many an afternoon would be spent running through the woods as fast as they could, arms outstretched like wings, the feeling of wind in their hair. They would collapse onto their back when they had no more breath in their lungs and just look into the sky for what seemed like hours. After awhile They quite often would have a similar conversation.

"What would you think it would be like to fly?" Astrid would ask.

"I dunno, it would be awesome, flying among the clouds like a bird, or a dragon"

"It is my greatest wish that I could touch the clouds" she would say, "that would be the most neat thing to do. Though I would want you with me."

Hiccup would laugh "And how could we get up there?"

"Maybe we could fly a Dragon up there"

"You are silly Astrid, we would get eaten"

"Well you would, I am too fast..." To which Astrid would jump up again and start running though the woods once more, followed by Hiccup.

This one time Hiccup remembered fondly the same routine had happened as usual, they had been running tough the woods above the village. They were racing neck and neck, Astrid had pushed Hiccup who had lost balance and tripped over a rock and fallen down a short rock bank. Astrid surged on ahead laughing. She then realised that Hiccup was not behind her. Hiccup was crying in a heap and Astrid came running back over to him.

"Hiccup I am so sorry I didn't mean to..."

"Arrrghhh, my leg, I think I have broken my leg. You have broken my leg Astrid!"

Astrid jumped down the rock he fad fallen down. "Oh no Hiccup, I am so sorry... I..." she stared in disbelief and screamed "Hiccup your leg has gone"

Sure enough his left leg was missing as he laid in the dirt. "Arrrrgh what have you done to me"... Astrid had started to cry as he then started to laugh as he untucked his leg from his trouser and stood up. "Ha ha, GOT YOU"

Hiccup was still laughing as a look of anger and embarrassment flashed across her face. She punched him in the arm knocking him to the floor again. "That's for scaring me." She then dropped the butt of her wooden sword on his chest. "And THAT's for being a meanie" She then laughed.

He had to admit he had deserved that and he smiled back at her, about to shout some insult when a glinting of the sun reflecting off something caught his eye, he rolled over and looked and saw two small black shiny disks. Astrid walked up behind him. "What you got there?"

"I dunno, I never have seen anything like these before" He flipped them round his fingers, one edge looked like they had been broken off something. They were slightly soft. There was a slight iridescence to the surface and one of them had a deep depression, just like a scar

"Whatever they are they are pretty"

"Well you can have one" he said handing one of the Disks to Astrid "You keep one and i'll keep the other, as a sign of our friendship."

Astrid took the disk and with a large smile reached over and quickly kissed him on the cheek. "You are so sweet, I will keep this forever and ever." Hiccup's cheeks flared red.

Remembering those days was a treasured memory for Hiccup. Everything had started to go wrong from there. Shortly after his beloved mother, had been killed in a dragon raid. Astrid had comforted him and Stoick once again. Stoick become consumed in his warlike revenge and no longer had any time for Hiccup, he expected Hiccup to follow him into his revenge on the dragons. His friendship had fallen apart with his best friend Astrid. He had become all alone and it hurt, really hurt. And he feared it would happen all over again.

Hiccup came back into the present when Astrid shook him. "Hey Hiccup, come back."

"Wha...wher... uh?" Hiccup looked confused.

"I thought I had lost you then, you had gone into your own world there for a second, I don't think you heard a word I said."

"Er of course I did.. i'll always listen to you Astrid" he said.

"Ok then, WHAT did I just say" Astrid teased, punching him playfully on the arm.

"Er... that you love me with all your heart and you cannot do without me" Hiccup said sarcastically.

"Um, not quite..." her cheeks flushing red "I said that Toothless has come back down, and that if you are not careful dinner will be ruined"

He looked back at the cauldron furiously boiling over and flowing over the floor. "Oh come on!, I don't have time to clean all this up as well." hiccup said sheepishly. Toothless bounded over and started sniffing at the overflowed broth on the floor. Licking his lips excitedly he began to lap up the spilled liquid. "Heh I could always rely on you when food is involved, bud!"

After all the drama, the meal was a success, they had a great laugh recounting all the good times they had had in the past while Toothless quietly ate his share in the corner. Stormfly also had her fill outside as she preferred. Stoick arrived home to the heavenly smell emanating from the door and quickly grabbed up a plate and joined them at the table and began to eat.

"Astrid, this is great, this is food fit for Odin himself, where did you learn to cook this good?"

"Er... Dad, that is..."

Stoick interrupted him. "Can't I complement the chef on a meal well done?" Astrid chuckled to herself silently. There was a chirp at the window as Stormfly leaned in and nodded in agreement.

"But dad..."

"I am going to have to invite you over more often Astrid, we need some descent cooking for a change!" He winked at Astrid, and they both looked at Hiccup and laughed. "I'm only joking son. I know that recipe anywhere, your mother, Odin bless he soul, used to cook that for us all those years ago."

After the meal Stoick offered to clean up as a reward for a great meal while Hiccup and Astrid talked into the evening. Eventually Astrid had become tired and left on Stormfly. He bid his father a goodnight and signalled to Toothless who followed him upstairs and jumped up on the rafters and curled up. Hiccup was still worried about his friend. He would usually nuzzle up to him before curling up in his usual sleeping place. He sighed "Goodnight, bud", but there was no response.

He laid on his bed looking up at the rafters he looked across at Toothless and his mind began to think back to the events of the day and about his day dream he had had. Hiccup thought about Dagna, and realised had not really thought much about her, and he felt ashamed of himself. He had been young and didn't really get to know her. If only she would have been still around, his life may not of been such of a misery as it had been. He closed his eyes and vowed to find and visit her grave in the morning.

A powerful thought struck him. And he opened his eyes suddenly. It was said that Thor had shown his displeasure and Dagna was not meant to have been. Could if of been if she HAD still been around, his friendship with Toothless may never of existed, SHE may have been there when he tried to find the downed Night Fury, SHE may of killed him.

Another thought struck him, he reached into a little box on the stand beside his bed. He grabbed something small out of it and flung back the covers and jumped out of bed. "Toothless, get up, quick." The dragon looked down on him with a look of annoyance and growled. "This is important bud"

Toothless jumped down and came to him. A puzzled look on his face, they never usually went out this late at night except in an emergency. "No time to explain, follow me" as Hiccup jumped out the window onto the roof followed by Toothless. He jumped on the dragon's back and they took off.

They flew across towards Raven Point. He had to find it. He had to find the grave of his sister. He remembered what it looked like but not where exactly it was, all he knew it was near Raven Point in a small cove. They darted through the trees as fast as they could and they came upon Toothless's cove. The place where they had first become friends. The dragon began to descend and a sad look filled his eyes, was he going to be put back here again as some sort of punishment. Hiccup pulled on his reins making him pull up again. "Don't Worry bud, we are not..." Then he saw it. The large rock which marked the grave of his dead sister. It was in THIS cove, THEIR cove all along. "Actually were are landing here... quick Toothless."

The dragon gave a whine and then started to descend again. They landed by the rock. Hiccup remembered the rock well. It was the place where he first tried to make friends with the Night Fury. He had brought a fish hoping to find out more about the dragon. Hiccup had crept slowly into the cove hoping not to startle the dragon. When he heard a noise behind him, there the Night Fury was, perched atop the rock.

Hiccup fell to his knees. Toothless quickly bounded over and nuzzled his friend with an alarmed look on his face, what was wrong with his human friend, Why had they come here? Hiccup slowly got up and rubbed Toothless's cheek. He slowly walked towards the rock. Was this a sign? This had to be more than coincidence. He had to find it. He had to find the small rock he had placed as a gift beside the grave.

Toothless become more restless at his friends behaviour, He was frantically searching though the small rocks around the bigger one. Eventually Hiccup slowed in his frantic efforts and sat down with his back to the rock. Breathing hard with a tear running down his face. A look of defeat on his face. "I cannot find it Toothless. I cannot find it" Toothless nuzzled him. He balled his ands into fists and frustratedly punched the ground. A small rumble emanated from the ground behind him and a small rock covered in moss and lichen rolled down and landed by his side. Hiccups eyes widened. How... It was the rock, the rock he had gifted to his Sister. Hiccup wanted to turn it over and look at his drawing but first he felt the need to explain it all to his companion.

"Toothless, this is going to sound, well a bit whacky. But I think we were destined to meet and be friends all along. This my friend is the grave of my Sister, who died as a baby. It was said she was destined to be a great warrior." A sad look crossed Toothless's face and he looked to the rock and then to Hiccup. He nuzzled his arm once more and let out a mournful whine. "Thank you Toothless, its OK. As I was saying, she died when I was a young boy. It was said that the gods were angry and her life was not meant to be. I think that if she had survived then we would not of met, she may of even of been the one to kill you. When vikings die we usually send them out on a ship to sea, but I don't know why it was decided for her to be buried here, in your cove. Well when a Viking dies we send them off with various gifts tied to them in life." The dragon nodded in understanding, dragons did something similar with their loved ones. "Well toothless, my gift was a drawing I made on this small rock. I cannot remember what I drew, but I knew it was a dragon. I suspect I know what dragon I drew already."

Hiccup slowly lifted the rock and pointed the flat side towards the Night Fury. Toothless sniffed it and then looked at it. He seemed to study it. All of a sudden the dragon slumped back onto his hind legs with a look of shock on his face. It was all the answer Hiccup needed to know. He turned the rock round and saw the childish drawing scratched into the rock. It resembled a Night Fury, just like the one many year's later he had drawn in his journal when he first met Toothless. And even more bizarrely Hiccup remembered he didn't have time to finish the drawing before he had to leave for the right of death burial gathering. The unfinished part was the dragon's tail, it only had one tail fin. The SAME fin as Toothless.

Hiccups head swam, and judging by Toothless's expression so Did his. Hiccup reached into his pouch and felt for the object he had taken out of his night stand. It was the small black disk. He now knew what it was. He got up and went up to Toothless and showed him. "Also when I was a small child me and Astrid found two of these. When we were randomly running in the woods round here. I Only found them as I er.. happened to fall beside them." Toothless sniffed it and smiled. Hiccup smiled back and noticed an old scar on Toothless's side, he took the black disk and lined up with the scar on the Dragon's side. It was one of Toothless's scales, a new one long grown in it's place and leaving a gap in the scar.

Hiccup once again collapsed to his knees, the revelation too much to take. Was it really fate that had brought them together, had his sister died for a reason. Was it true that he and Toothless had always meant to meet. And his sister's name Dagna, which meant "new day" her destiny ultimately had ushered in a "new day" between dragon and viking? It all fit. "Well bud, seems like a lot of different event's in my live have steered me towards you, maybe it was the same for you?" the dragon just stared him wide eyed and seemed to nod in agreement.

Hiccup walked over to the rock which marked Dagna's grave. He tenderly rubbed the rock. "Well sis, I wish I could of got to know you, but it seems I have a lot to thank you for. You will always have a special place in my heart..." Toothless lumbered over and started to nuzzle the rock tenderly. "Correction... a special place in OUR hearts."

:: END OF CHAPTER THREE ::