Ch17: It's Not Over

I don't own HTTYD and the characters, but I do make OOC.

Toothless was laying awake with Hiccup resting next to him. He had been worried about what Hiccup did at the human village but since nothing bad happened the first day he figured that everything would be good today.

When he came back with the things that he wanted for the traveling ahead, I figured that things were just fine but when he finished assembling his things, the last item, a box, seemed to bring about a deep contemplation in him.

He kept muttering things about family and moving on. I was worried when he started crying again but this wasn't like the times before when he felt deep sadness and regret. No this time it was acceptance and comfort that washed over him with ever tear.

It made me feel good that the black emotions he had seemed to finally fade into feelings that will allow him to get his regret over.

I was also really happy when I heard him call me his brother. Hearing him say it out loud seemed to lift my spirits and quell my fears of dragging him into trouble. I've been worried about everything that's been happening around us and how thing might be too hard for him to take, but then he told me how he wanted to see this thru. Well I'll be honest but knowing he'll be right beside me as my family really makes look forward to what will happen rather than fear how he'll just barely survive it all.

Were really in this together.

One thing he said that confused me and made me feel sad at the same time despite not fully understanding was the other members of what he called our patchwork fake family.

I recognize who he called his father as the human that died helping us. I know what he meant, not a dad related by blood but a father figure connected by a forged bond, just like Hiccup and me. I'll be honest I was sad to watch him pass on despite barely knowing him. From the little I've saw of him he was a bit like Hiccup with his attitude and jokes.

When he mentions a mother, I didn't know who he meant at first but from what I figured it must have been referring to his real mother whom he said passed away years ago. I wonder what she was like. It seemed the item in the box was from her, it was what the humans called a toy, a little dragon figure. I know that for humans toys are a tool that they used to teach and entertain their hatchlings and young. This present seemed strange but it makes me wonder what sort of lessons she taught him with that toy. Was it used to simulate combat against dragons? Looking at the pristine condition and the detail that was added to the false figure, that didn't seem to be the case.

The female Astrid, who was the last person from Berk that we saw, seemed to weight heavy on his mind. Their relationship was one that I could not understand. It should be clear love turned hate, but it's not. Hiccup felt her to be his mate but at the same time it was an antagonist encounter every time they saw each other. She even told him loud and clear that she would kill him. But they also said they loved each other. Her actions presented as a possessive kind that she did not wish to relinquish, it was similar to how fogmouths hoard their gathered fortress materials. I'm not familiar with human mating rituals but to me it seems almost as if they the female kills the male after they are done with the courtship. I had seen this method with the green creatures that devour the heads of their finished mates. If that is the case then I'm keeping her far away from Hiccup for as long as possible. Their violent tendencies aside they do seem to care somewhat for each other but as to how much or even why, well I guess only they know.

The last person that Hiccup mentioned as our sister was someone I wasn't sure who they were. The only person I could think of that I met was the other female I saw back in the cove and the one that brought me to the village to be closer to Hiccup. I had very little contact with her so I can't imagine what kind of person she was or what she did to earn herself the title of our sister. She did not have the scent of his blood, but if Hiccup says so I'll just take his word on it. As far as I can even ascertain her name might have been 'Ruffnutt'? Well whoever she was she seemed to be far more likeable then the one called Astrid. If I'm being honest I would prefer her as Hiccups mate rather than Astrid. She not only seemed to be supportive of Hiccup and my brotherhood but again Hiccup seems to acknowledge her as someone close enough to call sister.

Then there are the others we saw in the dragon prison. The four that were there were obviously and without a doubt the enemy with nothing good in mind for Hiccup and I. The one that was Hiccups blood father and the other that was Hiccups age that Gobber called Snotlout are right now at the top of my short list of anyone I need to just shot on sight.

I'd put the girl Astrid on the list but she seems too important to Hiccup to just blindly shoot her. But if I encounter her without Hiccup, well let's just say she wouldn't be as safe as if Hiccup was present.

According to him we plan to leave soon, maybe tonight or tomorrow morning, since we got our equipment for the united tail and small amount of supplies.

We both also have the same idea to go south east, though how we both came to the same conclusion is a bit curious.

For now were ready. By this time tomorrow we will be heading to a place that hopefully we can find some peace. A place we can call home.

Toothless woke me up before sunset like I asked him to. I told him that I was taking the cart back and leaving to another island tonight. He seemed to agree to this plan and so with everything already packed up we carry cart to the village.

He stayed at the edge of the forest were he would be ready for an immediate take off once I got back.

Dragging this cart was a pain. I feel like just letting it roll down the hill and crash into the docks, it was just a hassle in my condition. But I brought something else with me to give to Johan, the rest of Toothless's discarded scales.

I want him to deliver them to the woman that sent the gift from my mom. It's my thanks to her for the precious gift. I'm sure he'll deliver them. I hope. If not maybe I can get her name and location and deliver them to her myself.

Speaking of names I still need the name of the country I'm planning on going to. This might be my last chance, so I need to make sure I get it this time.

He said he'd be eating dinner on his ship in case I planned to eat with him. I won't but I do appreciate his offer.

I reach the docks and find him behind me coming with a plate of food. "Ah Hiccup welcome back. Did you decide to accept my offer for one last goodbye meal?"

"Nah, just here to return your cart. I also have some last minute questions before I take off. That is if you don't mind."

"Certainly ask away."

"Well first thing is I want to know some more about that woman who sent that item to me. It important that I thank her for sending it to me. Whatever you know will be fine. But I really could use her name and location if you know it. Or maybe you can send my thanks along with these." I ask him while showing him the bag of scales.

"Mmm well to be honest you'd have to ask my brother that, he didn't tell me who she was or from where. All I know is that she and her family are loyal customers of his. But if you'd like I could pass them and your thanks along to him to deliver."

"Just out of curiosity how long do you think that would take?"

"Perhaps just a few months."

Yeah probably better I deliver it myself. It's a faster ride to fly and I could get there in a fraction of the time. I just need to find his brother.

"Never mind then. I'll just deliver it myself. Just tell me where I could find your brother."

"His base of business is mostly in the country of Falden but he travels to the surrounding countries when contacting our other brothers. It's in the east, but you do have a general map of the area. On the way there, you'll have to cross over one of the four main countries on the continent."

"Falden." I let the name play on my tongue as I say it out loud. Just another place I'll have to go to along with the place that I need to ask as well.

But I don't ask. Instead I just stare at the person now standing behind Johan.

"What's the matter Hiccup? You look like you had just seen a ghost?"

I prepare myself. Steady my nerves, and brace for whatever may happen. "Uncle Spitlout, Nice to see you again."

Johan spins around and now finds that he is face to face with the said man who is now standing twice his size.

So much for not waking up anytime soon. And what even better was that he was standing between me and the forest where Toothless was. Simply put he has me trapped on the docks. The frozen ocean behind me and Spitlout in front of me.