Disclaimer: I own nothing
Hiccup was correct in her assumption that the other tribes would be arriving midday. The ships all arrived at the same time and the chiefs and heirs greeted one another.
"About time for the runt to come of age and be married off," Bertha states after the initial greetings.
Madguts let's out a few grunts and Gumboil, his assistant translates, "It must be a sad day when someone as mighty as the Berserker tribe must marry such a disappointment."
"I'm almost jealous that my daughter isn't marrying Dagur, he's become a mighty and fierce warrior the last few years," UG tells him.
"Even without the betrothal, I'm sure Hiccup and Dagur would've still found a way. The two are quite infatuated with one another," Stoick chuckles.
"Are you sure he actually cares for her and he doesn't just put in a good show. If he's not putting on a show then he's making it awfully obvious on what his weaknesses are and other than his ego, it would be your girl Stoick. That puts a target on her back, especially because she is a runt and everyone knows that your daughter isn't a fighter," Bertha tells him seriously.
"Can she even lift a sword?" UG insults.
Stoick glares, "She may not be able to fight with a sword but she could craft one in an hour or less. Your daughter may know some techniques with a sword but last I heard you won't let her fight lest she get hurt and get a scar out of the ordeal."
"Tantrum could at least win a fight with her shrill screams. Last I heard Hiccup had been kidnapped, how many times again?" Gumboil translates.
"I heard it was 7," Bertha chimes.
"Your daughter hasn't faired much better, Bertha."
"At least she escaped on her own Stoick. Your daughter just has to wait for a rescue. At least you don't tell her any valuable information or I'm sure everyone in the archipelago would've kidnapped her by now with her loose tongue."
Before the argument could get too heated, Gobber stepped in. "How about a topic change? How have you all been fairing against the raids as of late?"
With the topic changed the chiefs start to make their way to the chief's but. The heirs aren't far behind. Camicazi and Tantrum had been whispering and giggling the whole time their parents were arguing and were still doing the same as they started their journey. Maddock, Madguts' son was near his father the whole time and was looking stoic. The tribesman were left to unpack and get ready for a celebration in the Great Hall for the safe arrival of three of the tribes.
When the heirs and chiefs made it to the hut it was silent to start but eventually, they began to talk. Hiccup sat on the edge of the bench at their table next to Gobber. Her father was standing as were Bertha and Madguts. UG, Tantrum, and Camicazi were sitting across from Hiccup and Gobber. Maddock was leaning against the doorframe.
The chiefs started discussing raids and just smaller based problems on their islands. Hiccup listened for so long before she pulled out her journal and started to sketch different ideas and jot down notes beside them. Hiccup was still listening in on the conversation that the chiefs were having just in case something of importance were mentioned or her input was needed. Not that they would ask for her opinion anyway as she was the runt. It's what she'd always been known for.
What they said about her earlier, was mostly untrue. She had been kidnapped over twenty times, eight by the Outcasts, twice by the Romans and she escaped with Camicazi once, at least once by most of the tribes. The Vistihugs had kidnapped her more than the other tribes as they had gotten to her three times. Lava Louts weren't much better but they mostly kept to their side of the archipelago. They had been paid four different times by four different tribes to kidnap her. UG had been behind two attempts himself and that was only because he wanted Tantrum to marry Dagur instead if a weak runt in his words. The Bog Burglars had also taken her twice. Once to show that they could and the second time because they wanted information.
Hiccup knew that the only reason Berk had even cared about her disappearances was because of how valuable her betrothal to Dagur was. She also knew that with half of the times she was taken, Dagur had been the one to pressure everyone into going to her rescue. Most of the time she was able to escape by herself but since no one believed that scrawny Hiccup could escape by herself they all chalked it up to Dagur saving her like some damsel in distress.
Hiccup knew that despite being a runt and everyone trying to tear her down, that she was valuable. The other tribes wouldn't have even attempted to kidnap her if they didn't think her a valuable asset. Her blood alone was worth more than anything. Her betrothal to Dagur made her dangerous only because with the birth of an heir it would unite the tribes for centuries.
One thing that peeved Hiccup the most was the fact that Bertha thought that she was some loose-lipped traitor. Bertha knew exactly how Hiccup was when she was kidnapped. Hiccup was always shouting some sort of insult or had some sort of witty remark and when that wasn't happening she wouldn't speak at all. Hiccup was a silent observer, she made it seem like she was weak, which in layman's term she is but her mind was a powerful thing that was underestimated.
The chiefs continue to discuss until the conversation fizzles out. The visiting chiefs dismiss themselves to go take care of their tribes and it's just Gobber, Stoick, and Hiccup in the hut. Stoick rants about the audacity of the visiting tribes but he's not surprised. When the two are done discussing Gobber dismisses himself and Hiccup as they have things in the forge to finish up and it's been neglected for too long.
...
That night at the Great Hall is filled with cheers and joyous noise. The tribes are all excited to see one another and to be able to celebrate and not worry about a war breaking out among them during this month of peace. Hiccup made a small appearance with Gobber but once she was done eating she excused herself. The other heirs tried to follow her but Hiccup was able to easily evade them as she knew the spots along the way to hide. When she knew that she lost them she made her way to her home.
When she was home she restoked the fire in the middle and went up to her room. When she was up there, she changed from her stinky forge clothes into a fresh set after a quick rinse with her small water basin. She was exhausted but she wasn't quite tired yet and she didn't feel like waking up in a few hours because of nightmares. Her nightmares were usually the same thing just in a different context.
Hiccup's nightmares were worse than anyone could think. They were mostly of her kidnapping experiences some we're mild in comparison to others but the worst ones were always the hardest to bounce back from. Sometimes her nightmares would be a combination of the different kidnappings and sometimes her tormentors faces blurred together making her unsure of her reality. She used to scream but she was eventually able to control it because if she screamed from a nightmare then her father would tell at her as he only expected her to scream if there were an intruder in the hut.
Hiccup dreaded sleep unless she was so exhausted she could hardly keep her eyes open but even those nights were interrupted and she'd continue with her little sleep. She had a few rare nights where she wasn't interrupted with vivid nightmares but that was either because they were minor or she was so exhausted she got lucky with a dreamless sleep. There were even a handful of times where she was tired that she fell asleep on Dagur's shoulder and while it killed her neck it was also the most peaceful sleep she ever got as she felt safe in Dagur's arms and knew that nothing could touch her. They could be anywhere and she'd feel so at peace with him that she could sleep there. Once it had been during the peace treaty signing in the Great Hall when she dozed off and another was when her and Dagur were on a visiting island for the annual chief's meeting but that was when they were overlooking the ocean and not a time when she needed to be alert.
Dagur was her safe space and she knew it. There had been times when she had almost drifted off with Dagur by her side but they had been interrupted. Most of the time it was because of the other heirs approaching and she did not trust them in the slightest and Dagur wasn't afraid to fight them in order to keep her safe but she also couldn't let him get so provoked that he was the one to make the first move against whoever was there.
Dagur was the only person that she could truly trust as well. She would tell him everything and no one else knew that it had ever happened. That was probably the moment that she knew that she had fallen for him as well because she didn't have to hide anything from him. She could tell him her deepest insecurities and he wouldn't laugh or be cruel, he would just understand that it was a tough topic for her. She could also be herself around him as well, she was sarcastic and had so many witty comebacks. He didn't care if she rolled her eyes a million times in an hour, he just cared that he was with her. He didn't laugh at her intelligence or make fun of her because she was more brains than brawn. She knew that he loved her just as she lived him.
Dagur was also different when he was around her because he was softer. He wasn't mean or rude, he was just him. He got easily excited like a little boy would when his mother gave him permission to have a sweet. Dagur was also insecure about getting his father's approval and was always worrying about the same of the tribe and how if he were to be impulsive he may be the cause of the end of his tribe. Her and Dagur may not have yet admitted their feelings for one another aloud but they both knew how the other felt through their actions for each other. Hiccup was always gifting Dagur with something new to protect him and Dagur would occasionally get her little baubles here and there but he mostly made sure that she was safe and that he knew that she was well protected when he was or wasn't with her.
Hiccup was sketching Dagur at her desk once more when she heard the door open down below. She knew it was her father by the footsteps and she knew he was exhausted with the sigh that he let out once he was inside. She heard him get himself a cup of mead before he plopped down in his chair by the fire. While she couldn't hear what he was saying she knew he was talking to himself. It was becoming more and more of an occurrence these days. She knew he was partly regretting his decision of marrying her off but he was also thankful for it as well.
She knew that he thought she had already retired for the night and so he didn't check in her. Hiccup however was wide awake and continued to sketch Dagur until she fell asleep.
...
The next day led everyone to the training arena. The three tribes that arrived were curious about how the recruits were doing and wanted to go to size up the new warriors. Hiccup stood off to the side of her father and next to Gothi. Gobber was in the arena with the teens, waiting to let out the dragon.
"Today I want all of you to focus on teamwork and working as a team regardless of who you're paired with. Tuffnut and Turid, Astrid and Tove, Delilah and Gunhild, Ruffnut and Gunnar, Haldor and Asmund, Snotlout and Frode, Fishlegs and Anders, Dogsbreath and Speedifist. You all need to get used to working with someone unfamiliar. Now don't embarrass the tribe and whatever duo does the worst will be eliminated regardless of where they currently stand."
With Gobber pairing up the teens they get into their pairings seconds before Gobber opens up the gate. The gate that he opens up is none other than the Zippleback cage and three come out of the cage. The Zipplebacks shroud the arena with their poisonous gas and it is nerve racking for all of the teens. This time they don't have buckets of water with them so they'll have to trust their instincts and their partner. Each set of twins were especially nervous because even though they wouldn't openly admit that they cared for one another they were nervous for their other half. At least if they were together they knew of the other's wellbeing. In Ruff and Tuff's spots they wouldn't be the one harming their other half.
Neither the dragons or teens make a move but the dragons seem to be taunting the teens as they occasionally let out growls and sounds in the smog. When the teens really start to become antsy is when the dragons seem to make their approach. The dragons then use the eeriness against the teens and start to pick them off one by one. One of the dragons sweeps it's tail trying to knock the teens down and it only half succeeds. Fishlegs, Dogsbreath, and Speedifist are the only ones to fall the rest either aren't close enough or we're able to dodge the tail. As the teens struggle to stand up the dragon pounces and is about to light it's gas but luckily shields are thrown in front of the fallen teens.
The next few things that happen are a blur but Hiccup sees Tuffnut and Turid get thrown across the arena. Dogsbreath and Delilah are the next two. Anders and Asmund somehow end up teaming up against one of the Zipplebacks and manage to get the beast felled but he does let out a stream of gas that the two breathe in a bit too much causing them to pass out. The teens left standing or at least able to move in the arena are felled not long after and the men in the village have to step in.
"What an embarrassment, if these are your future warriors, I don't think either tribe has to worry about a future heir as they'll be wiped out before one can even be conceived," Bertha points out.
Stoick just ignores her taunts and when the dragons are taken care of and locked away again, Gobber nods up to Stoick who nods to Hiccup. Hiccuo them slips between the bars and drops down into the arena. She checks over Tuffnut, Turid, Delilah, and Dogsbreath first as they were slammed the hardest into the arena wall. She looks over all of them for a concussion, which thankfully none of them do. Turid had been scratched by Tuffnut's helmet and had a gash on her cheek but it wasn't deep enough to scar. Hiccup put a salve on it and bandaged it. She also applied salve and wrapped their scraped hands. She checks over Anders and Asmund next and pulled out her smelling salts. It was potent enough that when the two woke up they were gasping for air. No one else had been too injured and once the teens were recovered everyone looked to Gothi.
Hiccup made her way back up to her father and Gothi. The teens start to line up and that was when Stoick began his rant.
"You are all the future warriors of your tribes! How are we supposed to be taken seriously if this is how our upcoming warriors are acting?! Five men took down three dragons and there are three times more of you in there than it took to take down the dragons in there! If none of you can defeat a Zippleback how are you expected to go head to head with a Monstrous Nightmare!"
"Today you're all disappointments, it doesn't matter who Gothi decides to eliminate. I expect you all here bright and early tomorrow! None of you deserve to kill your first dragon but even if none of you deserve it doesn't mean that a dragon's blood won't be spilled!" Gobber yells.
"Alright! Every one of you has room to improve but I think it's best that we get to Gothi's decision on who shall be eliminated today." Stoick then looks to Gothi who behind to write, Hiccup still translating. "I cannot express my disappointment for the younger generation. If you spent half the time bullying, ignoring, or acting better than your peers you would've been able to do something other than the embarrassment that was today. You are all better than what happened today and because each and every single one of you did an equal job there will be no eliminations today. Be prepared for tomorrow though as if it goes the same as today more than one or two of you will be eliminated."
"Even your village elder has no faith in the teens," Gumboil translates for Madguts.
"Today was just a fluke."
"My daughter would've been able to do better than that, in fact when she was in the arena she won and faced two Monstrous Nightmares!"
"Two is nothing UG, my son would've faced off against five Nightmares but two died right before he could've. He would've been able to up that "
"Died? More like someone poisoned or killed two of them before they could kill your son. Camicazi at least won her honor fair and square."
"My son won his fair just as your daughter did!"
"Everyone knows that five Nightmares is a suicide mission, when the Berserker boy did it he was insane but at least insanity runs in his veins."
The chiefs continue to bicker and Gobber comes to be Stoick's support in case things get out of hand. Gothi would've left but she made sure to hand Hiccup a list of things she was running low on. Hiccup showed the list to her father and Gobber who quickly allowed for her to go. Camicazi looked like she wanted to follow Hiccup but she was soon brought into the argument along with Tantrum and Maddock. Maddock was silent much like his father but at least it was his choice to be the strong silent type.
As Hiccup slips away she makes sure to avoid everyone. The other teens are curious as to where she was disappearing but their parents had a tight hold on all of them and we're going to force all of them to train until they could no longer feel their limbs.
With Hiccup away from the conflict and away from prying eyes she went to see Toothless as she hadn't seen him the previous day. The two went on a quick flight like usual and just spent the afternoon in one another's company. Hiccup was able to quickly gather Gothi's herbs and when she was done she made her way to Gothi's hut to give her the supplies.
On the way back Hiccup was quickly bombarded by Camicazi and Tantrum. Cami quickly sling her arm around Hiccup so she couldn't escape and the three girls started to walk away from the village.
"So Hiccy, are you excited for your wedding to lover boy?"
"He could do better!"
"Boys are overrated anyway Tantrum, besides your father just wants to marry you off so he can have a strong ally and so that you can produce a make heir, something that he failed to do."
"That's not entirely true."
"A bastard is still a bastard. With your mother still being alive your father can't remarry. The Uglithugs have had that time for generations and if he were to execute her for no reason he'd have to take the heat and deal with the consequences and yiu'd get to take your spot as the rightful heir regardless."
"I don't think you guys really need me for this part. I'm just going to go," Hiccup tried to break free but Camicazi tightens her grip.
"Now why'd you want to leave us, we're your guests after all. You should show us around, what are friends for if they can't guide you around their own island."
Hiccup rolls her eyes and both girls catch it. "We've never been friends. You two love to gossip and find out information in your own messed up way. Just admit you want information on Dagur or the Berserkers in general and we can play our usual game of me not telling you anything and you guys spreading rumors about whatever it is you want the others to believe."
"Hiccy, how could you be so mean?"
"Cut the crap Cami, we both know it's true."
Camicazi stared Hiccup down and as she did that she caught a glimpse of a metal chain around her neck. "Ooh, what's this?"
Can't goes to yank the chain off of her neck but Hiccup stops her. "Back off Camicazi!"
"What are you going to do about it runt? You can't hurt her, even if you tried and Dagur won't be around for another two weeks."
"I don't need Dagur to fight my battles!"
Tantrum then yanks the chain but it doesn't break at first, instead all it does is choke Hiccup. Camicazi however gets to see the small pendant around her neck. "A skrill, with green gens for eyes. How fitting?". Hiccup is now holding the chain to make sure neither girl can yank it again and so they don't choke her again either. "Come Tantrum, I think we have all the information we need."
The two girls then leave Hiccup and she hurriedly makes her way to the chief's hut. When Hiccup arrives her father, Gobber, Bertha, UG, Madguts, Maddock, and Gumboil are all there.
"Hiccup glad that you made it back alright."
"We were wondering if you'd make dinner for all of us here instead of us having to deal with the Great Hall," Gobber interjects.
"Yes, I'll just have to hit to the market and grab the ingredients, is there anything in particular that you want or even how soon you want it?"
"As soon as possible but something other than fish. Our guests have had enough of it."
"Okay, I'll be back in twentyish minutes and then I'll start on the meal."
"Thanks."
They all do back to discussing and as Hiccup is about to leave the door slams open and Camicazi and Tantrum are there. Hiccup let's the two girls enter before she leaves.
...
Once Hiccup was done with the stew she made she dished it out for everyone and they all enjoyed it. She heard when Camicazi made the comment towards Tantrum about her being bred to be a wife and nothing more. They weren't exactly wrong but any recipes she made were ones that she adapted herself. With Gothi's knowledge on edible plants and herbs she was able to make her own concoctions that everyone was envious of. It was better than the bland food that was served in the Great Hall and the salted fish that they ate on the boats.
Camicazi and Tantrum didn't even have anything mean to say while they were eating. The two just kept silent, knowing that the food they were eating was heavenly. When Hiccup realized that there was still some stew left in the pot she asked if anyone wanted the last of it, when no one wanted it she said she was going to take the rest to Gothi. With no one going to stop her she dishes out the last of it and covers it before making the trek to Gothi's hut.
When Hiccup gave the state to Gothi she was very thankful but Hiccup told her it was the least she could do as Gothi was giving her a reason to be away from the village. Hiccup didn't stay long but promised she'd see Gothi sooner rather than later.
TBC...