Chapter 5: Evasive Maneuvers Part 2
Author's Notes: I am thrilled that this is actually getting such great feedback from all of you! I am very glad you like reading it cause I am having a lot of fun writing these chapters, truth be told they are so easy to write I am getting a chapter done in about 90 minutes to 2 hours maximum, thanks to you guys and this great plot bunny! Thank you all again for the great reviews and all those who are reading this or even looking at it, I appreciate it greatly and will be sorry when this series hits it's end (cause we all know that Hiccup was only unconscious for about 9-14 days or so)
This is a continuation of the previous chapter because obviously they HAVE to try out the mechanism who wouldn't be curious?
Astrid was woken early by the sound of scratching on her door. She groaned- who on earth was waking her up this early in the morning? She was usually up early granted but this was ridiculous! The sun was barely up! She heard the scratching become more insistent and with one last noisy sound of protest rolled out of bed and all but stumbled down the steps to the door…
And nearly had a heart attack as Toothless stuck his head into her house, she jumped back when she opened the door barely holding in a scream but managing to fall onto her rear with a loud oomph!
"Toothless! What are you doing!" she whispered harshly.
Toothless cocked his head as though unaware of just how early in the morning it was.
Astrid sighed, "Toothless, it's too early to go out, can't this wait until I'm at least awake?"
But her only answer was for Toothless to grab hold of her shoulder pad and begin dragging her towards the forge her protesting the entire way even as she was shoved into the forge.
"You too eh' apparently the beast is a little impatient this morning." Gobber greeted her standing up.
"He woke you up, why?" Astrid asked.
"Probably cause he knew I'm the only one who knows how to get this contraption on besides Hiccup." Gobber told her.
"Should we get started then so that we can get some peace around here? I imagine this beast won't leave us alone now til we get him up in the air it has been a week since he got to fly." Astrid asked.
Toothless left no room for argument as he pulled on Astrid's arm, growling in impatience. She sighed in annoyance and resignation and let herself be dragged out of the shop motioning for Gobber to follow.
Toothless finally stopped at the edge of the cliff that overlooked the sea with a slightly put out huff he sat and then leaned down so they could strap on the rig that would let him fly.
"Gobber you do this, I'm not sure where everything goes." Astrid directed.
The blacksmith agreed and went painstakingly slow making sure that everything was properly set up and connected. Astrid helped where she could helping getting everything ready and keeping Toothless calm so they didn't have take off before they were ready.
At long last the entire harness rig had been checked three times over and Toothless had lost any patience for a fourth rundown- he wanted to go now.
Astrid carefully got up onto Toothless and settled in best she could considering the Night Fury was rumbling slightly in displeasure that it wasn't Hiccup on his back.
"He'll wake up soon then you two can fly again." Astrid soothed but the dragon only huffed at her.
"Alright here we go we're going to try this thing out in a blind test…you sure you don't want to try somewhere less high up?" Astrid asked.
In response Toothless took off leaving Astrid just a few seconds to brace herself and hold on as they headed straight down. She pulled back and shifted her foot, the gear changer moved slowly and her leg muscles, not used to the motion tired quickly but they made the turn- if a little rough.
Toothless shook his head to the right and she managed to force the pedal into the right position to make the turn but she could feel her legs already screaming in exhaustion from the unusual motions she was making. Luckily for her Toothless felt it too, or knew from Hiccup's first flights for he glided back to the cliff face and landed gently leaning down so she could get off easily.
Astrid stumbled off and hit her knees panting.
"How did he manage to do that so easily and quickly, did he do something to make the changes smoother or did he just get used to it?" Astrid asked the dragon, but Gobber overheard.
"Hard to change positions?" he asked.
"You have no idea I wonder if it would be better if we greased it up or something." Astrid wondered.
"We might make it too slippery then the mechanism wouldn't work at all and they'd be grounded again or worse." Gobber warned.
Astrid nodded still panting, looking over to Toothless who had laid down in the sun and was basking in his first flight in a week. He seemed mostly pleased with the flight results though annoyed that they weren't able to fly for longer than just a few minutes.
"That was exhausting; I can't believe Hiccup could do that for as long as he was. You guys were flying for over an hour several times right?" Astrid asked the dragon who nodded.
Gobber helped her up and they led Toothless back towards the forge stopping as Stoick came by them, halting in surprise at the group they made.
"What is all that?" Stoick asked.
"His flying rig for when Hiccup wakes up Toothless here has been going stir crazy." Astrid explained.
"Hiccup stirred a little today, just a few minutes ago but he didn't wake." Stoick told them gaining wide smiles from all three, though it looked odd on Toothless.
"What does that mean?" Gobber asked.
"The healer says it's a good sign, he should be waking soon." Stoick told them smiling, "There's supposed to be a big storm coming in a few days what do we do about the dragons? Where will they stay?"
"We could turn the Training Ring into a shelter for now, and start creating houses for the beasts within the next few days, they just can't stay out in the rain." Astrid suggested.
Stoick seemed to think over her plan and finally nodded his head, "I'll arrange it, we'll start two groups one to build a makeshift roof on the ring the other to start putting together ideas for housing these dragons permanently."
Astrid had to smile as Gobber started already giving his two cents on what should be what, leaving her and Toothless alone. She nodded over her shoulder for the dragon to follow her back to the forge which surprisingly he did she pushed the door open and then shut it again behind them.
"How could we make this easier for him, I can't do it for long and he'll be weak since he's not moved around in so long?" Astrid wondered looking at Hiccup's designs. She shuffled through the pages but found nothing.
Toothless on the other hand had already curled up on the ground next to the giant forge sighing in happiness at the flame and heat.
"You big cat, just give you a place next to a fire and your happy huh?" Astrid grinned, but Toothless didn't open an eye just lazily made a motion with his tail.
"I guess we'll just wait until Hiccup wakes up, he'll know the best way to make it smooth so you two can fly again." She said.
"You just going to stay here tonight?" Astrid asked.
For a moment it looked as though the Night Fury was ignoring her however after a moment he stretched and then passed by with a gentle huff that ruffled her bangs as though to say, 'and leave him?' making her giggle as they left the forge.
She watched as Toothless went back into Hiccup's house before heading to her own bed- after all tomorrow would be a big day, lot's of work to do.