I neither own nor claim any rights to "How To Train Your Dragon"

Jarin and the Riders of Berk
Chapter 9 - Going Forward

Stoick checked the contents of his travel bags for the fifth time, making sure that he had absolutely everything he would need for his trip to Nartara, an island village roughly three days to the northeast of Berk by the swiftest ship. He knew what he was about to do would not be well received, but it must be done. After all, he was not getting any younger. He had dispatched a messenger with a summons and was waiting for the summoned to arrive.

He did not have to wait long. There was a knock at the door, and he wasted no time in walking over to open it. His son stood there looking concerned. "Trouble, Dad?" Hiccup asked.

Stoick narrowed his eyes. "Yes," he said. "And no."

Hiccup sighed. "What did I do this time?"

Stoick couldn't help but laugh. "Nothing. It's what you are going to do that I want to talk about."

"What I am going to do?" Hiccup responded, clearly confused.

"Yes," answered Stoick. "If you will recall the other night when I had you and Astrid over for supper, I told you about my trip to Nartara. I leave today, and I am placing you in charge of Berk as Acting Chief."

"YOU WHAT!?" Hiccup blurted without thinking.

"You heard me," Stoick said. "I spoke very clearly and have no intention of repeating myself."

Hiccup shook his head. "But Dad... Do you really think that they will take me seriously? They may think of me as the hero who ended the Dragon Wars, but to them I am still Hiccup the useless in terms of leadership."

Stoick shook his head. "Nonsense. You are my son. You will be the next chief. I have already informed the council of my decision, and as long as your decrees are fair and just, they have no problem. You changed everyone's perception of the world they had known all their lives. Your ways are not traditional, but they work. You ended a war that had lasted generations, Hiccup. And since the people of Berk have embraced the notion of living and working side-by-side with the dragons, we have enjoyed a prosperity that we have not know in my entire lifetime. YOU did this, son."

Hiccup was still shaking his head, clearly not comfortable with the thought of being left in charge of the village.

"Look, son," Stoick continued. "You may not be the strong warrior type I hoped you would become, but you are a wise decision maker. You are as much a Viking as I am, though you found and showed us all a different path to personal glory. Being a leader requires a disciplined mind. And I know of no other's mind that is as disciplined as yours. We have Dragons to ride as well as capable warriors. And we have a First Rider who knows precisely how to use them. Many a warrior's life can be saved with such strategic knowledge. When I am gon and you are chief, Berk will be yours to care for. And you will bring with you a strength that has not been known before. You will bring the Dragons."

Hiccup sighed, still not convinced. "If you say so, Dad."

Stoick grinned. "I do say so. And you will begin your duties as Acting Chief as soon as I set sail this afternoon. I know you will make me proud, son. You already have made me proud. I could not be more proud."

There were actual tears forming in Stoick's eyes, and he felt no shame. Once his son had been a disappointment. Once there was nothing the boy did that seemed to bring any honor to the Haddock clan. All those wild ideas about machines that did the work of seasoned Viking warriors. It seemed so stupid at the time. But in retrospect, Stoick realized that Hiccup had found a way to make up for the physical prowess he lacked. It was he, Stoick, who had stomped on the boy's dreams of finding a way past his limitations and be the Viking he knew his father wanted. Some of the tears in Stoick's eyes were from realizing that truth. But then, one thing that the lad HAD inherited from him was a stubborn streak that could not be subdued. That fateful night When Hiccup has shot down the Night Fury, nor affectionately called Toothless, happened because of the boy's insatiable desire to prove himself. And everything changed as a result.

"I shudder to think of where we would be without you and what you accomplished, son." Stoick said, gravely. "Without you, the war against the Dragons would still be waged to this day. Many brave warriors would be dead. And we would still fear the night."

Hiccup was speechless. His father had never complimented him like this. That meant that he had given careful thought about everything, and he finally truly saw the big picture.

"I finally see the Big Picture," Stoick said, indicating Hiccup with both hands, palms up. "I was wrong to judge your worth based strictly on your physical attributes, when there is so much more to you and to what makes a good leader."

"You just gestured to all of me," Hiccup said.

Stoick smiled. "Indeed I did, son. You will do well."

Hiccup sighed. "Okay, Dad. I accept the responsibility you offer me."

Stoick grinned, as if he wasn't expecting any other result. "First thing I want you to do is name an acting head trainer at the Academy. Someone who knows how you would do things and can move things forward accordingly."

Hiccup didn't hesitate. "Astrid."

Stoick nodded. "Good choice. And her assistant?"

Hiccup considered for a moment. "I'll leave that up to her."

Stoick nodded again. "Also a good choice. Part of leading is knowing how to delegate."

Hiccup nodded, this time

"Alright. I have left instructions with the council that they are to take responsibility for a lot of things in my absence. So rather than you having to deal with everything, all you need to do is address the concerns of the council members directly. I have instructed that they defer to your judgment. But you will have to make decisions based on their input."

Hiccup took a breath. "I promise to do my best, Dad."

Stoick grinned. "That's really all any of us can do."

O O O

Jarin thought back over the events of the recent past and the progress that Shadowhorn had made in his recovery. Only Yesterday, the dragon had stood on all four feet for the first time since he had arrived. It didn't last long, but the dragon had been through so much pain and torment and was in such bad shape that it was not surprising that he just wasn't ready to walk yet. He had a good feeling that today would be the day, though.

He tackled his daily routine with determination, and finally had made his way out to the academy where Shadowhorn seemed to be eagerly awaiting his arrival. Clearly the Dragon Bond brought with it a mutual anticipation of each other's presence, with feelings of joy when greeting each other. It was amazing.

"Okay, Shadowhorn," Jarin began. "Are you ready to try again, my friend?"

The dragon seemed to respond by enthusiastically standing to its feet. His knees still wabbled weakly, but he did not go down this time.

"Great job, Shadowhorn," Jarin said, and the dragon raised his head in pride. "Can you try turning around to your right?"

Shadowhorn complied, struggling at first, but managing to turn his great bulk around until Jarin told him to stop. Ahead of his was a dark entryway into an interior chamber. He growled."

Jarin considered his friend's unease. "It's okay, buddy. It's what we call a shade room. A place where dragons who prefer quiet, cool shady places to rest can go during the day. It is an enclosed space, and it was once used to imprison dragons. But the cage doors have long since been removed. Dragons can come and go as they please."

Shadowhorn looked back and forth between Jarin and the dark entryway a few times and bobbed his head. He took a step forward towards the entrywat, and collapsed, roaring with frustration.

Jarin was there in front of him, gently laying his hand on Shadowhorn's snout. "It's okay, Buddy. Let's just try again."

It took several tries, but finally the Monstrous Nightmare was ambling slowly towards the shaderoom. He started and stopped several times on the way, swaying side to side as he fought to keep his balance. But after about an hout, Shadowhorn was inside the shade room and was again resting.

Jarin was standing there watching his dragon friend sleep when he became aware of someone approaching from behind. It was Hiccup.

"Good afternoon, Chief," he said.

"Acting Chief, actually," Hiccup responded. "Good work with getting him inside."

Jarin smiled. "He just needed determination. I knew he would fail yesterday when we tried. But I turned his failure into an encouragement. And today, he succeeded. It's going to be a while before he will be able to be walked any real distance from the Academy. But I plan to stay on it with him."

Hiccup clapped Jarin on the shoulder. "That's what I like to hear. Now can I get you to step out into the courtyard, I need to make an announcement."

A few minutes later, everyone was assembled and standing in a semi-circle, facing Hiccup.

"Alright everybody," the First Rider began. "As most of you know, my father left Berk earlier today for a visit to the island of Nartara. He has named me Acting Chief in his absence." Nobody said anything, so he pressed on. "To that effect, I am temporarily assigning Astrid as head trainer of the Academy. Follow her instructions and I'm sure she won't take your head off with her axe."

There was laughter from the trainers and staff who were assembled, but the icy stare Astrid gave them silenced it. They knew full well that if they didn't follow her instructions, she may just take someone's head off.

"And now," Hiccup continued, "I am going to defer to her judgment on her second-in-command.

Astrid stepped forward to stand by Hiccup. "I think it's a no-brainer. While you are serving as Acting Chief, I appoint Snotlout as my second."

Hiccup considered this for a moment. It made good sense when he really thought about it. Jarin was too new, and had his hands full with Shadowhorn. Fishlegs was smart and a good thinker, but he was much too shy to really rise to the occasion. Appointing either of the twins would just result in them beating each other up over it. Snotlout, while arrogant and opinionated, was an accomplished dragon rider who knew his stuff and in spite of always trying to be right about everything, really knew what being a leader was all about. He would do fine.

"Very well," he said to Astrid. "Until my father returns and relieves me of my duties as Acting Chief, all of you will follow Astrid's instructions. I'll try to visit as often as I can to make sure that everyone's needs, both human and Dragon, are being met. I trust there will be no trouble from anyone with this arrangement?"

Something about his voice and level stare brooked no argument, and he received an emphatic "no" from those assembled.

"Very good," he said. "And now before I depart to begin my new duties, I want to recognized Jarin for his amazing work with Shadowhorn, our newest addition to Berk's dragon population. He's been working tirelessly for many days now to help our new friend on his journey of recovery. So let's hear it for him!"

Everyone assembled in the courtyard applauded, including Snotlout, though his applause was slower and more measured.

"And with that," said Hiccup, "I take my leave. Astrid? The Academy is yours."

Hiccup turned to leave, and listened as Astrid began barking orders for the covering over the cage roof to be removed now that Shadowhorn was inside a shade room, and for the place where the recovering dragon had been laying for all this time to be thoroughly scrubbed, so that normal training exercises could resume as soon as possible."

Jarin joined several others to begin the assigned task. Shadowhorn would sleep for a while after his exhausting efforts to get inside the shade room. Snotlout was drifting around the academy looking important and barking orders for tasks that people were already trying to perform. It sort of made him look inept, and people laughed behind his back, but nobody doubted the large young man's abilities.

this was the arrangement until Chief Stoick returned, so everyone adapted, and things essentially went smoothly...

O O O

Astrid had no problems organizing and overseeing training exercises, and Snotlout managed to take his assignment seriously. While his head seemed a little more puffed up with pride, he never really got out of line. Of course, the fact was that that she had pulled him aside that first day and told him, under no uncertain terms, that if he tried to exceed his mandate, she would happily make his life miserable. He tried laughing it off, but there was that icy stare from her again, and he held his tongue.

A few days passed and Hiccup dropped in when the sun was directly overhead. He flew Toothles directly through the main gate and touched down right outside the office. He dismounted and patted the Night Fury on the shoulder. "Stay here, bud," he said, and Toothless gave compliant warble."

Astrid looked up from the training exercise she was making notes about as the office door swung open, and she couldn't help but smile as Hiccup kicked the door back closed with his artificial foot. She stood up and arched her shoulders as he made his way towards her...

"here," he said. "Let me."

He began massaging her shoulders, trying to imitate her typical tone of voice as he said "You're so tense."

They didn't kiss this time. He massaged her shoulders for a moment and when she seemed to be relaxed, he went round and sat down in the chair facing the desk. "I trust things are going well?"

Astrid sat back down, with her eyes still half closed. He was good with his hands, she had to give him that. "Well enough. It's not the same without you here. Nobody else is as challenging as a rider."

Hiccup gave her a lop-sided grin. "We'll get back to normal soon enough."

She smiled at that thought, then cocked her head to the side. "So what brings the Acting Chief to the Academy today? Come to make a surprise inspection."

He smiled at her in a way that made her heart want to melt. "Actually, I came to extend an invitation."

"For what?" she asked.

"For a ride to the out island at dusk. I want to cook you dinner on the beach, and to enjoy your company?" It came out as a question, even though he meant it to be a declaration.

She was intrigued. Hiccup? Cooking her dinner? He had never fixed a meal for her before. It was very tempting. "What about your duties?"

He laughed. "I'm nearly done for the day. For the first time since Dad left on his trip, nobody has any major issues. I've just got a few stops to make. Even if there's something that requires my attention, I should be done in time to collect what I need from my house and meet you at yours. We can act all official about it for the benefit of anyone who sees."

She had just been about to ask if he thought that an evening ride with the acting chief might not look a little unprofessional and inappropriate. But he was a good thinker, and had already had it all figured out. "I'll make sure that Stormfly is ready to go when you get there."

He stood to his feet as she came around to meet him. He reached over and gently laid his hands on her shoulders. they rested their foreheads against each other. "As much as I would like to stay," he said, "I really need to get back to my rounds so I can make sure that I AM done in time.

She kissed him quickly on the cheek. "Okay," she said. "I'll see you this evening."

Again he fixed her with that winning smile of his. He strode to the door and opened it, pausing to turn back toward her "I'll be sure to look into that issue you mentioned." he paused. "Very good, then. Take care." Then he was gone.

Astrid sat back down, grinning in spite of herself. She went back to planning the training exercises for the day... The time candle had burned down nearly to the bottom while she was absorbed in her work. It was one of Hiccups little inventions. it was really just a regular candle with marks etched into the wax measuring time. A tall one burned for about four hours, marking time to take a break for lunch, and another one to measure out the remaining daylight which could not be seen from the windowless office.

She got up and went outside, calling Snoutlout over to her. "Alright," she said, handing the office key over to him. "I've got an appointment to attend to shortly. Lock up when you are done."

Snotlout knew better than to try to pry. He accepted the key with a curt nod, and went back to putting the new recruits through their paces as the day began to draw to a close.

Astrid whistled once and Stormfly came running to her, nuzzling her hand. She climbed on the Nadder's back and moments later they were flying out the main gate and towards her house, as the fiery sun cast lengthening shadows across Berk.

She entered her house and informed her mother that she was going out for an evening flight to relieve tension after the long day. She was met with no objections, so she was back outside waiting for Hiccup.

She did not have to wait long. He came flying over the rooftops on Toothless, and came to land next to her. "Ah, Astrid," he said with a slightly raised voice. "Good to see that you have your Nadder saddled. There is something I need to show you that I need your input on."

"Lead on," she said, playing along. To anyone else, she figured that this was all strictly official business. While it was a bit corny, it was also a bit fun. A few moments later they were soaring through the air on the way to the out island. There was no obstacle course run this time. Just a peaceful flight from the village to the island.

After a few minutes, they set down on the beach. Hiccup began gathering up driftwood to build a fire. They talked about this and that, catching up on what had been going on for the past few days. Hiccup changed to fishing and managed to land two decent-sized ones after a few minutes. This was a good fishing spot.

He set about cleaning the fish, and Astrid watched his deft motions. He has the fish steaks prepared and then began cooking them. He had produced a metal pan, and a sealed jar from his pack. As the fish sizzled in the pan, he opened the jar and used a brush to spread the contents over the fish. After turning the fish again, making sure both sides were a golden brown, he added some fresh vegetables to the pan, and let them sizzle in the seasoned juices from the fish. Finally, raked one fish and half if the vegetables onto Astrid's plate, and the other rest of the food onto his. Toothless and Stormfly were catching their own fish in the shallow water where they were frolicking the day Shadowhorn washed up.

Astrid used her spoon to cut off a piece of the fish and scooped up some of the vegetables. It smelled delicious, and tasted like a little piece of Valhalla on Earth. They ate in silence, watching the flames dance. When she was done, she slid herself over to sit next to him. She wrapped both her arms around his left arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Hiccup, that was the most wonderful fish dinner I have ever eaten," she told him. "In fact, it rivals anything I've ever eaten before.

He looked over at her with that irresistible smile. "Thanks."

"No," Astrid responded, "Thank you. This is one of the most peaceful places I've been to." Again, she planted one of her quick kisses on his cheek.

O O O

Hiccup was ecstatic. Things could not have been going better. The weather was perfect, the food turned out wonderfully, and now the lady of his dreams was there, holding onto his arm and resting her beautiful head on his shoulder. Suddenly, just like on that morning when Shadowhorn washed ashore, he felt a amazing sense of confidence. And once again he was going to throw caution to the wind.

"Astrid, for a long time I have admired and cared about you, though you probably didn't know or care. We fought the Red Death together and came out victorious. We've worked side-by-side all this time, and I have not stopped caring, and my admiration for you has only continued to grow,"

He felt her arms release his, uh-oh, the thought. But he had gone too far to stop now. He looked down as if he could find resolve in the sand. "I love you, Astrid. I always have. I always will. I want to share my life with you. I want to care for you. I want to be able to hold you in my arms and in my heart forever."

He heard nothing from her. So he looked over at her, and into her eyes.

"Astrid," he said, confidence strong in his voice. "will you be my wife?"

She just stared back at him, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. He wondered if she was actually breathing. She got up and walked away from him, to the shoreline where she stared out at the darkness of the ocean horizon.

Hiccup did not know what to think. And worse, he did not know what she was thinking.

She turned to regard him, her eyes wide and reflecting the light of the flames. After what seemed like forever, she opened her mouth and prepared to speak...

Okay... this chapter is much longer than the ones I've written before. I actually planned it out in advanced and fleshed out the events I needed to cover. So this one was done less on-the-fly than the others. I decided to go with Hiccup proposing to Astrid. With all the crap he's been through with the movies and TV shows, he has to have grown enough of a spine. And yes, I know that they haven't really been together. Just shared a few passionate moments. But hey. Hiccup is Hiccup. He's becoming a risk-taker with more than just dragon riding.

So please review. Let me know what you think, what you might like to see me explore, etc.

God bless...