Chapter Three
The Great Hall was bustling with activity as the elders of Berk debated over what to do about their most recent discovery. Hiccup had been hoping to get this done and over with, with as little argument as possible. Then, he remembered the fact that the people of Berk constantly argued with one another. To him, this just meant sitting in a meeting for hours on end until they reached a decision. Aniu was smart enough to stay away from all of this tension. She had chosen to stay away from the Great Hall during the meeting, mostly because she felt uneasy knowing what this meeting was about.
"We shouldn't have to put our lives in danger for an island we haven't visited in years," one elder claimed, slamming a fist against the table. "Besides, who's to say they would even welcome us if we come on the backs of dragons?"
Hiccup exchanged an anxious look with Gobber and Valka. Astrid, Snotlout, the twins, and Fishlegs had all joined him for this meeting to voice their own opinions. While they were more than eager to step in and figure out what had driven that Monstrous Nightmare to Berk, the elders weren't so eager.
"This isn't just about going to war with some random island," Spitelout put in, crossing his arms defiantly, "That wild woman is also part of this mess. I have no doubt in me mind that she drew that dragon here."
Anger swelled within Hiccup as he gripped Inferno, only to stop himself from acting out. Of course, Spitelout would have brought up Aniu's past. He'd tried more than enough times to get the man to accept Aniu for who she was. Spitelout was just as stubborn as his son, and had a tendency to blame others for the mistakes that he made.
"Oi, the lass would never send a dragon here all the way from Burgus," Gobber rolled his eyes knowingly, "Ye know as well as I do that she hates them."
"All the more reason not to trust them," another elder snapped, "Whose to say she didn't send that dragon here just to get us all riled up?"
She would never do anything like that, Hiccup defended her silently, knowing that none of this was her fault. Aniu had already been through enough as it was. The people of Berk may have finally accepted her as their own, but, they would never fully trust her.
"Look, all of us are aware that the people of Burgus have always been more violent towards the dragons," Gobber snapped, taking the plate this time, "The fact that this dragon came to us with a weapon from Burgus means that they're still at war with them."
A few hushed whispers fell upon the group as Hiccup felt a sense of unease sweep through him. Had things been any different, he would have gladly stepped up and spoken out. Now that he was Chief, he needed to see things from all sides. He understood why the elders were so uneasy with putting their trust in someone who wasn't born in Berk. As much as he hated to admit it, they had some valid point in risking their lives for the sake of someone they barely knew.
"Maybe we could teach them that dragons aren't all bad," Fishlegs said, looking at Hiccup sheepishly, "After all, you and Aniu were able to convince us that they aren't a threat."
Hiccup fully agreed with Fishlegs' theory. He knew that some people could be convinced, just like the people of Berk. While it had taken the risk of losing his leg, and nearly Aniu's life in the process, they managed to sway the view everyone had on dragons. Then he thought of Drago, who he'd tried convincing time and time again. In the end, the madman disappeared along with the dark Bewilderbeast.
"Whatever the case may be, we need to make a choice, soon," one of the elders said, "We need to be ready for signs of war."
He couldn't believe that was the case. He didn't want to believe it, especially after what Berk had been through. They'd suffered enough at the hands of Drago, along with numerous other threats. He knew that they should take action, and prepare for anything. Yet, he couldn't shake off the feeling that war was the last thing Burgus wanted, or needed.
"We need time to consider our options," Valka spoke up for the first time, eyes narrowing at the possibility of going to war, "That dragon came here because the Queen ordered him to attack Burgus. If there is another Red Death out there, the dragons are doing this against their will."
A few grumbles followed among the village elders. Hiccup swallowed back the unease that followed as he thought of what would happen if there was another Red Death out there. Their last encounter with one hadn't necessarily ended well.
"That dragon is their problem, not ours," Spitelout muttered, crossing his arms defiantly, "We have enough to worry about with winter around the corner."
Not that Spitelout's remark surprised Hiccup, he almost wished that he had kept his mouth shut. Spitelout was his uncle, as much as he hated to admit it, and his opinion mattered to the people of Berk. He'd tried reasoning with them about the dragons and the possibility that this wasn't their fault. Spitelout and a few others were too stubborn to see that until it was too late.
"It doesn't matter if the dragon is their problem," Valka shook her head, ignoring the scathing look Spitelout gave her, "Eventually, it will become our problem if we don't see to it quickly enough."
"Valka's right," Gobber nodded in agreement as Bucket and Mulch, along with a few others began murmuring in agreement.
"We've finally made peace with the dragons," Hiccup put in, knowing that he had every right to speak during these engagements, "I know that interfering with another island and their politics is never a good idea, but, dragons aren't a threat to people. Once they figure that out, we can work out a way to stop the Red Death."
Spitelout merely grumbled something under his breath after realizing the logic behind Hiccup and Valka's statements. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew that they were right. Going into unnecessary battle was a waste of lives and energy, that could be put into preparing for winter.
"You're the Chief, Hiccup," Gobber spoke up as the meeting came to an end, "Whatever choice ye make, I'll readily stand alongside ye."
"Thanks, Gobber," Hiccup sighed in relief, rubbing the back of his neck warily. "I just need to figure out what we're going to do about this. I can't leave the island suddenly without an explanation as to why, and I doubt Aniu is in any hurry to face her people, again."
Gobber nodded in understanding, rubbing his own chin thoughtfully with his hook for a hand. While Aniu had changed since returning with Valka, that didn't mean she trusted everyone, yet. She had lived with the dragons for most of her life before meeting Hiccup and the other people of Berk.
The realization that she was Chief Volstaf's daughter had set in on the people of Berk, when they treated her with just as much cruelty upon first meeting her. Her ability to communicate with dragons had stunned everyone, and convinced them that she was working against them. They'd tied her to a mast after capturing both Toothless and Cybele, using them as bait to draw out the Queen when they raided Dragon Island.
He shook his head at the thought, knowing that everything happened for a reason. Fate brought them together, and he couldn't deny the feelings he had for her any longer. He loved her, and he wasn't going to change his mind, anytime soon.
…
Her fingers thumbed together as she sat outside Hiccup's house. She had spent the majority of that morning in the dragon stables, tending to the Monstrous Nightmare and any other dragon recovering from an injury.
Her thoughts had been racing violently as she recalled what that Monstrous Nightmare said the other day. She couldn't shake off the feeling that whatever had led the dragon to arriving on Berk would come back to haunt them. It wasn't just a matter of defending the dragons and the people of Berk. She knew this had every bit to do with the people of Burgus, and the war they engaged in with the dragons.
I knew they could never make peace with them, she thought bitterly squeezing her eyes shut. I should have known better than to think it was possible.
She was hardly aware that Cybele had approached her until feeling a snout brush against her back. Aniu turned slightly, eyes widening as her best friend/sister stared at her with large amber eyes.
"You seem worried," she warbled after noticing Aniu's unease, "This doesn't have anything to do with what that Monstrous Nightmare said, does it?"
"I don't know," Aniu sighed, burying her face into her hands as Cybele sat down beside her on her haunches, "I'm so worried about what decision Hiccup will make. I know that the people of Burgus were always a violent lot… I just don't want to think that we have to go to war with them, or any of that."
"They would be fools to think that war is the answer," Toothless growled as he joined them, puffing out his chest at the thought, "We would gladly defend this island and the people if we must."
Aniu shook her head, realizing that war was the last thing she wanted. Violence was never the answer. She had learned that the hard way after living with dragons for so many yeas.
"We've been at peace for only a few months," she murmured thoughtfully, "I know that Vikings like to fight, but, isn't there a way to get around violence?"
"That's why Hiccup is holding this meeting," Toothless replied, eyeing her warily, "I believe my Rider will find a way around this. He is clever enough to know what words he can use to convince them otherwise."
The pride in his voice was enough to make her smile sheepishly. Aniu knew that Toothless was right about Hiccup being clever. He could figure his way through just about anything, if given the right amount of time.
A few more minutes went by before she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Aniu looked up in time to see Hiccup reaching her, a look of exasperation written across his face. She knew him well enough to understand that these meetings were anything but easy for him. He hated sitting through them, mostly because the elders argued among themselves for hours on end, and could do so without a care to the world.
"Was it that bad?" she asked when he sat down beside her, ignoring Toothless' greeting as the Night Fury nudged him promptly, earning a glare from said dragon.
"It wasn't good," he sighed in frustration. "Spitelout has everyone riled up with the idea that we're going into war. My mom was able to calm them down enough to say that isn't necessary."
"It isn't necessary," she muttered, glaring down at the ground as she thought of what her own people were capable of, "My people are at war with the dragons, not other people. Though, it wouldn't surprise me if they stooped down to that level."
Hiccup threw her a knowing look. She didn't want to believe they were capable of it, but, there was always the slight possibility it could happen. The people of Berk would always be ready, though, for whatever the world threw at them. She had quickly learned they were a stubborn lot, and could survive just about everything.
"They thought you brought him to the island," he put in, shaking his head in disbelief while her eyes widened in shock. "I know you wouldn't do anything like that."
"Of course, I wouldn't," she snapped, "I'm not foolish enough to send a dragon to attack an island."
"Especially when said island is defended by other dragons," Cybele put in, looking quite miffed with the idea that she would do such a thing.
"Humans will believe anything," Toothless rolled his eyes pointedly.
Aniu couldn't hide the smirk that followed at his last remark. As much as she hated to admit it, humans were pretty gullible. Then again, dragons could be, too.
"I'm going to try and talk with him in the morning," she decided out loud, earning a look of surprise from Hiccup, "He's still recovering, and in a state of denial. I think being under the Queen's control has gotten to his head."
"That makes sense… in a weird sort of way," Hiccup shrugged, not looking the least bit happy with the idea.
The Monstrous Nightmare might not have lashed out at anyone once Aniu was able to convince him they weren't a threat, but, that didn't mean he wouldn't change his mind. She worried that he might turn on them the moment he regained enough strength. It had led to her reasoning that maybe she could talk to him and figure out a way to stop the Queen from continuing these raids on Burgus.
"I don't want to go into war, Hiccup," she murmured, feeling the warmth of his presence wrap around her as she leaned into him, "Especially with my own people."
"I know," he sighed in agreement, wrapping an arm around her as he pulled her in close, "I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep us from reaching that point."
She could only hope that he was right. Her heart twisted at the thought of risking anyone's life in war. It was such an ugly word, and so many innocent lives could be taken. If they could do anything to prevent it from happening, she would do just that, even if it meant risking her own life.
AN: Man, it took me forever to write this chapter, and I'm not even fond of it /: I've had writer's block for quite a while, and I'm really sorry for leaving readers in the dark. It may take a little longer for me to post more chapters, but I've got ideas regarding this story. Obviously, I've not watched Race to the Edge, so events happening in that show will not exist in this story. I apologize for that, as well... Hopefully, it won't take me as long to get the next chapter posted. Thanks Retrokill and MMM for reviewing!
Retrokill - Hopefully, no one will lose a limb this time ;) Though, I'm not making any promises!
MMM - We shall see. Like I said, I make no promises :P As for Volstaf, I do plan on revealing more of that later on. I've sort of had this story planned out, it's just the beginning that takes forever to get things rolling.