The Woes of the Tribe
While Hiccup's soul was busy with the spirit of the child named Una, back home in the village of Berk one and all were extremely distress with their tribe's current predicament. Everybody in the tribe was profoundly shaken when they found out Hiccup's soul was missing. It made the whole tribe feel extremely guilty for how they'd treated him in the past. They felt extraordinarily awful for treating him like he was nothing more then a shameful and useless bane of their tribe's existence. That he was nothing but an embarrassment and just not worthy of any type of honor whatsoever! Even now as they all took care of their dragons; the dragons themselves were just another painful reminder to the Vikings, of how deplorable their treatment of Hiccup had been. Before Hiccup had brought peace and unity to both Viking and Dragons, they'd been nothing, except malicious as well as narrow-minded brutes without hearts. Hiccup had changed all that and they'd realized how valuable he truly was. How he'd created a new island full of both equality and harmony. And now they might never see or hear from that weird and wonderful boy ever again. So yeah it sufficed enough to say that no-one on the Isle of Berk was without guilt or pain in their hearts and souls.
Hiccup's body was now back in his home and in his bed. Stoick still made sure both the helmet and dragon toy were always close to his son. Stoick was if truth be told missing his wife right now. He truly wished now more then ever that she was still here to give him the strength of her love and heart to help him through this troubled time. Whilst he watched his son's soulless body he would every so often drift to sleep for short bouts. In each of these short bouts he'd dreamed of a time when his wife was alive and his son was just happy-go-lucky as well as innocent. The memory dreams were charming and affectionate, yet also yet another painful reminder that Stoick himself had treated his own son extremely deplorably as well. So he too was racked with guilt.
The other Riders didn't know what to do or how to train their dragons further without Hiccup around. Astrid tried to take command and do what she could to be of assistance. Yet her efforts fell short and she was just as clueless as everyone else. She did do her best though to keep everyone busy with helping harvesting their crops plus livestock, and making sure they patrolled the island at least once every morning and once every evening. Still the vigorous and able-bodied Viking teenager had to admit what Hiccup did was a lot better then even her best attempts.
"Okay, guys! Listen up!" Astrid commanded on the fifth day after Hiccup's soul had vanished. The other Riders were in the Academy giving their dragons a thorough health check. In the midst of the impending wintry weather that was rapidly approaching their island; everyone wanted to make sure that the dragons would be alright for the cold weather. So though everyone was upset about Hiccup, they still had to gather up and prepare for what was to come.
"Who died and made you leader of this group?" demanded Snotlout irritably as he was brushing Hookfang's pointed teeth. He didn't want Hookfang to ever get sick again. Not after what they'd already been through with him. Therefore he was giving his dragon a meticulously cleaning. The other Riders were busy doing different things for each of their dragons. Fishlegs was scrubbing Meatlug spotless and making sure she wasn't eating bad rocks. The twins split things up. Ruffnut was scrubbing Barf's half the body and Tuffnut was checking out Belch's teeth before they traded duties. They all knew Hiccup would've been very happy to see that they're taking such good care of their dragons.
"Excuse me?" Astrid replied in a dangerous soft voice with her cool azure eyes narrowed. She was clutching her trusty battle ax in one hand tight. Snotlout threw the giant toothbrush on the ground and yelled back at her.
"Just because Hiccup ain't here to tell us what to do, doesn't mean you're going to be the one to order us around! We can manage a few days on our own. Beside you're not a leader, your just a girl!"
He had said the wrong thing. Astrid was immediately pissed off. She did a somersault off her dragon and attacked Snotlout who was trying to dodge her ax. It wasn't easy for while Astrid may be a girl, she still was the best damn fighter amongst them. She almost cut off one of his ram horns on his helmet. As the brawl went on the twins shouted loudly calling out different painful things to be done while Fishlegs just cowered in the corner trying to protect his precious Meatlug from getting caught in the crossfire. The fight continued for awhile and looked like it was about to end, Astrid had her battle ax ready to decapitate Snotlout when someone yanked her ax out from her hands. She was red faced and sweating. Turning around to kill who had grabbed her precious ax and kill them with them, she stopped when she saw it was Gobber.
"Enough, Astrid," Gobber said in a gently soft voice. He looked at the young Viking teen that was huffing and panting from her reckless combating. He still held the deadly ax at arms length. He looked at her with gentle eyes and spoke again in a soft gentle tone, "I know we're all worried and upset, but it won't look good for you or anyone if you kill someone. Even if it is Snotlout, we shouldn't kill anyone of the tribe."
By now Astrid regained her breath and just broke down into tears. Something extremely unlike her however, she fell into the meathead's beefy arms and just sobbed. This shocked the rest of the Riders profoundly. This predicament had made them all on edge true, nevertheless if Astrid was crying, and then things were really starting to hit an all time low. Now they realized just how much Hiccup had meant to all of them.
The old blacksmith just looked at everyone, both human and dragon alike, and it was obvious that they'd felt like they burst into tears at any moment. He hugged Astrid tightly and then turned to speak to the others. "I know we're all concerned about Hiccup and have no idea what to do about the dilemma. On the other hand we cannot start to fight amongst ourselves. We must stick together like a tribe. We rise and fall as one. We must remember that."
"But, Gobber, we ain't got a clue on how to fix the problem!" Snotlout pointed out as he adjusted his helmet. He thanks both the Gods and his lucky stars that Astrid hadn't killed him or damaged his helmet. He was still white as a sheet though. The twins were chortled at his failure to beat Astrid. Yet it was only amusing for a moment. Then it went back to being serious and sad. "Yeah, Gobber, I cannot believe I'm saying this but Ruffnut and I have never been so bored in our life!"
"Nothing is fun anymore. I mean it's so depressing without Hiccup's being well Hiccup! It's just not fun! And that serious! Even beating the crap out of each other isn't fun anymore! And I never thought I say that!" exclaimed Ruffnut depressingly as she slapped her brother and he slapped her in return but neither looked happy.
"Yep, still not fun," mumbled Tuffnut as he hung his head in disappointment. Ruffnut hung her head and even their dragon heads drooped in depression. It was really just another conformation that life without Hiccup was a sad existence!
"How Toothless handling not being able to fly, Gobber? I mean he's not been ridden in five days. He must be getting antsy. Hiccup the only one he likes flying with. He can't be handling this very well either." Fishlegs asked sadly.
"Well, Fishlegs, he's not holding up any better then the rest of us. He refuses to eat; I tried to give him some of his favorite fish along with some roasted lamb. He wouldn't touch it. I had to force him to eat it. He kinda bit my bottom for doing that though."
"Great! This is just great! Everyone in the village is miserable. Furthermore acting like the end of the world happened. We still have to do the harvesting, make sure our dragons are taken care of, and now the only known Night Fury may give up the ghost because a one-legged scrawny boy's soul is currently in an unknown location! Geez, can it get any worse then this?" Snotlout remarked in a slightly sarcastic tone.
"Well, I've to agree with you, boy. It probably can't get any worse then this. Still we've got duties to do. We do still need to get the harvest collected and make sure the dragons are alright. Once we're done with doing all we need to do for the winter, we can then figure out how to help Hiccup. Gothi's trying to figure it out in the meantime, still you guys better get to work yourselves. I suggest you listen to Astrid on this one. Just for today, okay?"
"Alright! We'll take heed to her. So, Ms. Astrid, what do you wish us to do? And just in advance, Astrid, if you show anymore waterworks, then I'm walking out of here. You won't see me or Hookfang for the rest of the day."
"Thanks, Snotlout. All right here's what we're going to do. Snotlout? You and I will go on patrol duty. Fishlegs? You make sure every single one the dragons on the island are hale and hearty along with fighting fit. Ruff? You and Tuff help with the harvesting and please don't do any bullshit while you're helping. Everyone got it? Good! Let's go!"
So everyone did as they're told too do. And from sunup to sunset they did it. But as soon as the moon rose into the night skies, they all felt that overwhelming sense of guilt and unhappiness, given now they didn't see Hiccup and Toothless, going for their normal midnight moonlight ride. Concerned regarding Toothless's health and happiness, Astrid headed straight for the chief's home after getting done with patrol. She didn't even stop to feed herself or Stormfly. She just ran as fast as she could to the house. Just as she reached the house she screamed loudly, because it had started to storm a fierce and raging thunderstorm. The storm was so depressing it only could signify that the Gods were making the weather to match the tribe's mood.
"Stoick? You holding up alright?" she asked as she opened the heavy wooden door. She was soaked to the bone from the torrential rain. Stoick noticing this immediately threw a blanket over her and got her next to the warm crackling fire so she didn't catch a cold. He threw a few fresh logs on the fire to make it bigger.
"You need to be careful, Astrid. Without Hiccup I say you're the only sensible Rider on the island, and the only one who can fill in for Hiccup, at least for a little bit."
"It's alright, Stoick. I know we all need to stay healthy and strong. I've got a report to give you nonetheless," she told him as she warmed herself by the tender flames. Toothless strolled over with another blanket and threw it over her as well. "Thanks, Toothless. You're a good dragon and an even better friend. Thanks."
"He does the same thing for Hiccup. Last time Hiccup was under the weather he refused to leave his side and acted like a nursemaid to him. He's one smart dragon that much is for sure. Take a few more moments to warm yourself; I'll fix us some stew to eat, alright, Astrid?"
She nodded and pulled the dusty brown wool blanket around her closer, at the same time she stroked the ebony colored dragon affectionately. "You're gonna be okay, Toothless. We'll figure out how to help Hiccup. Just be patient, alright, Toothless?" she whispered and he licked her once.
At that moment Stoick came over holding three clay bowls of overflowing with beef and vegetables stew. He handed one to Astrid and placed the second one at Toothless's feet. He kept the final one for himself. The Vikings nodded and began to dine on the stew. At first it looked like Toothless wouldn't eat the stew himself, like they'd have to force-feed him again. He instead took the bowl in his teeth and went over to Hiccup's bed and placed it on the bed. He then began to share it with his best friend. He would swallow some himself, but let the rest drip into Hiccup's mouth.
"Wow, even Stormfly doesn't show that much dedication to me! Oh no! I left Stormfly out in the storm! I've got to go get her!" She made the move to get up but Stoick yanked her down.
"I won't worry about Stormfly, Astrid. Dragons endured numerous hardships in addition to violent storms long before they came to live on Berk with us. I'm sure she's already safe and sound, and warm and toasty at your home. Toothless may be highly intelligent, but anything that lives knows that when it rains get inside. So I wouldn't worry about Stormfly."
"Yeah, you're probably right, Stoick. Stormfly will probably be waiting for me to return home to feed her some fresh chicken. Though, I've liked the goose we've had of late. Too bad Hiccup's not around to enjoy it. But I know he'd be happy with our report of today activities."
"Go on; tell me what you've got to report."
She put her bowl down and flicked her blond braid over her shoulder. Taking a deep breath she informed her chief on current state of events. "The harvesting is coming along splendidly. We've got more then a sufficient amount of food that includes both meat plus vegetables to keep us well stocked for the coming winter. The dragons are all in good health. Not even a single toothache or scratch on any of them. We've got a fresh supply of all the necessities. Wood, water, and warm clothes also ready for when the first snowfall comes. So that's all good. Patrol's looking good as well. I don't think we've got to worry about the Outcast or Berserkers for awhile. They're probably too busy themselves getting ready for winter. Yet we'll keep a vigilant watch over Berk to make sure that is the case."
"That sounds all great, Astrid. It's nice to know you kids have been working so hard to keep everyone safe and provided for. Hiccup would be proud of all you've done. I only wish he knew that," he said sadly as they gazed at Hiccup's bed. Toothless was now sleeping right next to the bed. Astrid and Stoick had been wondering for sometime if it was possible for a dragon to cry. Though they'd not shed tears they could tell quite clearly that what Toothless wanted to do more then anything was cry for Hiccup.
"I can't even remember the last time I told Hiccup that I loved him. If his soul is gone for good then he'll never know that. I know I made a lot of mistakes. Terrible and almost unforgivable mistakes. Right now I'd give anything to see him wake up and tell him I love him."
"Stoick, he knows you love him and that you're proud of him. I don't doubt that, yet I too feel I should've done or said some things myself. The whole village is consumed with guilt. But like you and Gobber both said feeling regretful or blameworthy won't change the fact that Hiccup's soul is missing. We've got to find it so everyone can feel like they're forgiven."
"Yes, but how? We've got no idea what happened to him after you all flew away from him on patrol. This is one thing my own father or anyone else I think as ever had to deal with. I give my last breath right now just to hear his voice and have him hug me. His mom would've been very angry with me for what I did in the past. After Valhallarama died I guess that when I started to treat him badly. I did my best to raise him right. But I made him always kept him inside and out of every fight. I know now I was wrong to try and mold him into myself. He needs to be himself and I also know now that he ain't weak or soft and can fend for himself. I just wish I could tell him all this," the large and powerful Viking chief just let some big tears stain his face and he looked like an actually human for a moment. Not stubborn, hardheaded and proud Viking leader. He looked just like a father was supposed to look like. So that shocked Astrid.
Carefully she placed her hand over his and squeezed it tightly. They gazed into the other's eyes and Astrid spoke gently "We'll get the chance, Chief. Someway somehow we'll find him. One way or another we'll find Hiccup's soul and then we can all apologize and tell him how sorry we're for treating him so poorly."
"I hope you're right, Astrid, I hope you're right." They spent the next hour silently eating their dinner and then Astrid dashed home. The downpour lasted all the way through the hours of darkness and by first light it had quiet down. Nevertheless things wouldn't get back to normal and not a soul would feel forgiven till by hook or by crook they got Hiccup's soul back. Till that time nothing would be right.