How to Train Your Dragon: Hiccup and the Vagabond

by Dustnblood

Ukiah was the last of his tribe, and was essentially alone all his life. But, as he develops a unique friendship with an unlikely friend, he finds himself fighting not only for himself, but also for his newly adopted family. The Berkians. While living with Hiccup and others, he learns more and more of his tribe's past, and ultimately why he's being hunted by a vengeful chief.

15. Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

"The lower you lay on him, the harder it is for you fly off on sharp turns." Hiccup advised, walking up the pathway towards The Great Hall.

After training all day, with Gobber having them run drills and other sword fighting experiences; Hiccup and Astrid went flying with Ukiah, giving him tips on how to fly. Though he was significantly better with the saddle, he was still learning how to ride with Arrow and his maneuverable turns. Only once was he thrown off, which was why they were talking about how to stay on better.

Ukiah let out a huge sigh, shaking his head. Walking in between Hiccup and Astrid, their dragons followed closely behind the three. "I've got so much to work on. From riding dragons, learning how to fight, and being part of a tribe in general."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up." Hiccup replied, smiling at Ukiah "We're still learning about dragons. Honestly, we only have a few months of a head start on you."

"And I say that you do know how to fight. You've made me feel sore from all the trainings we did today." Astrid added, stretching her arms as she spoke. Shaking her head, she added "Been awhile since anyone's been able to do that to me."

"But I still haven't beaten you. Which means I still need to practice." Ukiah countered quickly.

Looking at him with a curious look, Hiccup then asked "Has Gobber told you anything yet? About your tribe?"

Ukiah only shook his head, looking down at the ground. "Not yet. Though he did say he would tonight."

"You'll have to tell us what you learn." Astrid threw in "Sounds like it should be interesting."

Ukiah glanced up at her, and then to Hiccup. Confusion on his face, he then explained "I thought you guys were going to hear it with me."

Realizing that he was expecting them to be with him, Hiccup then replied "Of course! We just assumed you wanted to be alone when you learned about your history."

"Why in Odin's name would I want you guys to leave?" Ukiah asked "I've spent most of my life alone, I don't plan on spending more of it like that." Stopping, he squared up to them and asked "Would you guys like to be with me when Gobber tells me about my history?"

"Of course!" Hiccup cried out, smiling at him "I'd love too!"

"Better count me in!" Astrid added, smiling at Ukiah. Looking at his relieved face, she was glad that she was going to be of some help to him with learning his history. She knew Ukiah well enough that he could do things alone if he wanted to; but the fact that he was wanting to have them with him, meant that he wasn't wanting to be alone. Smiling, she resumed walking with him, listening to Hiccup teach him more about riding dragons.

"Oi! There ya' are!" Gobber's voice called out from behind them.

At the same time, all three plus their dragons turned to see Gobber hobbling after them.

"Finally! Been trying to figure out where you ran off to." He huffed, stopping in front of the three. Looking at Ukiah, he then said "Stoick and I are ready to…talk to you, Ukiah."

"Great! We were just talking about it!" Ukiah replied, a relieved expression growing on his face. This was it. The moment he was waiting for since he learned Gobber knew a little bit about his history.

"Follow me then. We're going to the Blacksmith shop." Gobber explained, turning and walking away "Stoick and I think that's the best place we can go, so we can avoid interruptions."

"Fine by me. I just want to know what you know." Ukiah replied, walking alongside Gobber "Hiccup and Astrid are coming too. They deserve to know who I am, as they're really my first friends I've had. Well, minus Arrow."

Hiccup and Astrid smiled at the comment. They were glad they could be part of something that was actually quite a mystery. Astrid kept on watching Ukiah, walking silently with Gobber. It was obvious he was anxious, and perhaps a little nervous. Who wouldn't be though? He literately knew nothing about himself. Shaking her head, she watched him with a compassionate expression, hoping that he'd be able to get some answers that he had.

It didn't take them long to get to the shop, considering Ukiah was speed walking to get there. The dragons seemed to know that something serious was about to happen, as they all stopped in front of it. Well, except Arrow, he walked alongside Ukiah.

"Easy friend…" Ukiah whispered, putting a small smile on his face "There's not enough room for you, why don't you wait with Toothless and Stormfly?"

Arrow huffed out an angry snort, blowing a small amount of sand on Ukiah.

Laughing, Ukiah gently pushed him away, freeing up the already cramped space.

"Now that that's been taken care of…" Gobber began to ask, taking a seat on the cold forge "Everyone ready?"

"Aye Gobber, let's try putting Ukiah's mind at ease." Stoick replied quietly, standing near Gobber with his arms folded. He stared at Ukiah, as if ready to read his facial expressions.

"I'm ready. Been ready for almost a lifetime…" Ukiah whispered, sitting down on a table that was littered with miscellaneous tools. Hiccup and Astrid took two stools and sat next to him.

"Alright then…" Gobber grunted, shifting his body to make himself more comfortable "Now then…what do you know about the Crev? Tell me everything, so I know where to start."

Ukiah shrugged, saying "Just what I've said. Really only the warpaint. And I guess from what Stoick told me a few weeks back; we were warriors." Looking at Gobber in the eye, he then finished with "That's it. Unless you want me to say that I know I'm a Crevite."

Gobber nodded in an understanding way, whispering "I'm no expert on the Crevites, or your traditions. Only what I've picked up from Gothi and fellow traders."

"Gothi? Does she know a bit about me?" Ukiah asked, his interest perked at the possible source of new information.

"Aye, I'd imagine she knows more than just a bit about them." Gobber answered with a smile "But she…doesn't exactly talk. Besides, I have a feeling you'll be visiting with her shortly anyways."

Confused at what he was meaning, he was about to ask when he was stopped.

"I'll explain after I tell you what I know." Gobber cut in, raising his good hand to silence him. Getting comfortable, he then began to explain "Let's see…well, Stoick was right about you being warriors. That was their culture."

"Like us." Astrid chirped in, listening intently.

"Eh…kind of." Gobber answered "We like to fight, yes. All Vikings do. But the village of Crev were different. They lived fighting and training every day." Looking at Ukiah, he added "It was in their blood."

Ukiah had chills run down his spine, making him shift his body uncomfortably.

"They said that fighting came as easily as eating to them." Gobber continued to say "Where most Vikings raged and got the blood pumping; a Crevite would do the opposite. They'd stay calm and collected. No one knew how or why, but it worked for them."

Ukiah listened intently, not taking his eyes off Gobber.

Stoick just stood there and listened. His mind went back to where he was facing off with a few of their warriors. He remembered they rarely shouted, or even let out a battle cry. They were composed and collected. Honestly, if it weren't for the overwhelming numbers they had, Stoick was sure they would have lost that fight.

"Now, no one knows how they were able to basically create such warriors, other than what their culture was based off of." Gobber continued to say "This is where Gothi would be a little more knowledgeable than me."

"What do you know?" Ukiah asked, still wanting to know more.

"The Crev…they're connected to their ancestors somehow." Gobber began to say, careful of what he was saying, as to not mislead Ukiah "The rumors I heard were that they had access to their ancestor's abilities; or rather, their experiences."

Ukiah stared at Gobber, his mouth slightly gaped open and his head exploding with information.

Gesturing to Ukiah, Gobber explained "That's why I think I know why you've adapted to fighting so well. You're experiencing your heritage in action."

Ukiah looked down from Gobber's gaze. It made sense, though it didn't at the same time. He couldn't explain how he was able to fight, other than he just seemed to know what to do. If he was experiencing what Gobber was saying, then it actually explained a lot. But one thing still wasn't making sense, which he simply pondered on it.

Seeing Ukiah's brow furrow, Gobber asked "What are ya' thinkin' lad?"

"A lot of things actually." Ukiah replied, looking up at Gobber. Turning to Stoick, he then explained "Honestly, this helps me a ton. Just knowing what my people were like. It's just…" He paused, knowing he was going to be making Stoick uncomfortable. Almost hesitantly, he then carefully asked "How…how did you destroy a village made up entirely of warriors?"

Everyone in the room turned to watch Stoick, wondering what he would say. Hiccup stared at Stoick, realizing he was learning history about his dad that wouldn't have normally been talked about.

Stoick took a deep breath, slowly nodding his head in understanding. "Honestly Ukiah, it was a wonder that we even got a foothold on the beach. The only way I can say as to why we won, was because we outnumbered them three to one." Looking at Ukiah in the eyes, he then whispered "I'm sorry…I'm sorry I was part of it."

Ukiah could only nod, knowing that he was living with an incredible amount of guilt. Truth be told, he never blamed Stoick for what happened to his birthplace; because he was technically the reason why he was still alive. On two separate occasions. He took him and the remaining survivors from Crev to Thariin, and then saved him and Arrow from the arena. Well, at least from Strogg's village.

Turning to Gobber, he asked "What were my people like? I know they were warriors, but…what did they do? How did they interact with each other? Other tribes?"

"You'll have to ask Gothi about that." Gobber answered, looking at Ukiah apologetically "Besides, I think she can help you with something."

"Something being?" Ukiah quizzed, raising an eyebrow.

"Again, from the rumors I overheard, the Crev were almost shaman like. They meditated. I don't know if it was a pastime or a rite, but I've heard that on quite a few different accounts." Gobber explained, standing from his seat "Tell you what, after tomorrow's training, I'll make sure you get to ask Gothi all the questions you probably have. I promise."

"Why didn't we have her here with us?" Hiccup asked, also standing from his seat.

"I guess to warm Ukiah up. I'm sure she knows enough about him, that his head would pop off." Gobber replied with a smile.

Ukiah could only nod, as he was staring into nothing really. Though it wasn't the details he was hoping for, he learned enough to calm his mind. He was a warrior. By birth it sounded like. And if he had his family's experiences, he was going to do his best to make sure he used them to their fullest in defending his friends.

"Alrighty then, get some rest." Gobber jested, pulling Ukiah off the table. Pushing him, Hiccup and Astrid out of the shop, he then instructed "Get some rest. We're going to have a long day tomorrow."

Hiccup groaned, shaking his head as he walked out, with both Ukiah and Astrid following closely.

"Don'cha worry, Hiccup." Gobber teased, watching them walk towards their dragons "It's going to involve you using Toothless. All of your dragons actually."

Perked up with the flash of new information, the three jumped onto their respective dragons and flew off into the night; leaving Gobber and Stoick there in the shop.

"Thank you Gobber. I know his mind is a lot more at ease." Stoick whispered, watching the three fly away.

"Aye, I agree, Stoick." Gobber acknowledged "But…I just hope it didn't raise more questions. Or expectations."

"It did. We both know that." Stoick confirmed, looking over at his friend "Hopefully, Gothi can help him gain some closure with that. Especially with what his tribe was. She'll do a better job than me with explaining who the Crevites were."

"Guess we'll find out." Gobber replied with a smile "Come on. Let's go to the Great Hall before we call it a night."

---

"Today is about being creative." Gobber announced "Though you know the basics with fighting, and some of you may have experience under your belt; not a single battle will be exactly the same. You all need to learn how to adapt, and ultimately, how to overcome."

Astrid tossed her axe in the air, spinning it. Catching it in her other hand, she mentally prepared herself for the obstacles. Though she still thought it was a waste of time to keep on training like this, she resolved to be the best, so that there were no excuses to keep her and Stormfly from the fight.

"One team will defend a flag. Another will assault the flag. The defenders will take time to set up defenses anywhere they want to. The attacking team will then do whatever they need to, to get the flag." Gobber continued to announce "Also, there are no rules. Just don't kill each other, got it?"

The gang all shouted in agreement, excited to play the game that Gobber was using as training.

"Hey baby, ready to win this thing?" Snotlout asked, putting on a confident smile. Resting his arm on Astrid's shoulder, he then added "The two of us on a team seems to be pretty unfair."

"You know what, you're absolutely right about that Snotlout." Astrid replied, putting on a fake smile. Looking over at Gobber, she then called out "Gobber, Snotlout thinks that we shouldn't be on the same team. I agree with him!"

Gobber smirked at the two, knowing full well why Astrid was making a big deal of what he said. "Alright then Snotlout, twins, and Fishlegs; you're all defending. Go to Raven Point and prepare your defenses. Ukiah, Hiccup, and Astrid are going to attack."

Snotlout looked crushed, realizing his big mouth just separated him from Astrid. "But…but…" His mind raced to think of an excuse for him to stick with Astrid, which he finally spluttered "There's four people defending! That's unfair for the attackers. Let me switch over and even the playing field!"

"I want it to be unfair." Gobber replied sternly "They're going to have to be extra crafty to get past your defenses. Besides, we know Hiccup can think of a plan, so the more of you work together, the more you should be able to stump him." Pointing with his hook, he then ordered "Now get going! You have two hours to prepare! You can use your dragons for this training; but if you're tapped out, you're both done. Got it?"

Seeing everyone nod their heads, he then added "Fishlegs, you're in charge of the defenders. You all need to learn how to obey orders. Hiccup, you're in charge of attackers. Understand?" Again, everyone nodded, acknowledging what was instructed. "Good. I'm going to be watching the defenders. Hiccup; you, Astrid, and Ukiah don't leave until after two hours. You don't have to attack at that exact time, but you have to wait at least that long.

"Got it Gobber." Hiccup replied with a smile, watching him walk out of the arena.

Defeated, Snotlout grumpily climbed on Hookfang. Mumbling something to himself, he followed Fishlegs and the twins in the air, heading deeper towards Berk.

Ukiah looked over at Astrid and Hiccup, smiling as he did so. "Hey, we get to be on a team. Shouldn't be too hard, huh?"

"Well…" Hiccup began to say, stroking his chin as he thought about something "Fishlegs may be a quiet guy, and not really a fighter; but he's very smart, even a strategist. I can see him coming up with some clever ideas."

"You getting any ideas of your own?" Astrid asked. Then smirking at him, added "Chief Hiccup."

"You know that's the farthest thing from the truth." Hiccup huffed, rolling his eyes at the comment. Turning to Ukiah, he then announced "I'll be right back. I need to run to the blacksmith shop real quick. I actually do have an idea, one that I think will help us get an edge on them. If Fishlegs does what I think he'll do."

"Which is?" Ukiah asked, smiling at him curiously.

"I'll be right back. I'll explain what I'm thinking when I get what I'm looking for." Hiccup replied, turning to jump on Toothless "Shouldn't be too long."

"Ooookay?" Ukiah replied, raising an eyebrow at the explanation.

Watching the two take off and fly out of the arena, Ukiah and Astrid watched the two disappear. "Is he usually like that?" Ukiah asked, looking over at Astrid.

"Sudden? Leaving you guessing? Always thinking of something?" She said, turning to look at him. Smiling, she nodded, while adding "All the time."

Nodding, Ukiah just looked around the arena, trying to find something to fill his time with.

"How are you doing?" She asked, raising an eyebrow "I mean, with Gobber's conversation last night. Never had the chance to ask you."

"Well…I don't know." Ukiah began to say, looking down at the ground "It answered a few questions, but just opened up about a hundred more."

"Like?" She pushed, wanting to hear what he was thinking.

"What were my people like? I know they were warriors, but who were they? I still feel like I don't know who they are. Who I am." Ukiah whispered, still staring at the ground "And I guess I just wanted to see if I couldn't have learned who my parents were. That's probably my biggest question." Looking at Astrid, he confessed "All my life, I've never had a last name. I've always been Ukiah. Nothing more." Sighing, he shook his head as he added "But, I shouldn't dwell on what I don't have. I mean, I learned more about myself last night than I did my entire life! I can't forget that."

Astrid looked at him compassionately, trying to relate to him. "I don't think it's wrong to want to know more; especially when it's about yourself or your family."

Ukiah turned to face her, putting on a small, thankful smile. "Thanks Astrid. Means a lot to me that you and Hiccup care about me." No sooner had he finished saying that, he felt himself rammed in the back. Turning, he saw Arrow glaring at him with a stern look. "And Arrow of course." He jested, stroking one of the spikes along his head.

Arrow growled in satisfaction, rubbing his head against Ukiah's vest.

"Of course we care about you! I mean, I didn't jump in an arena to fight with you just because I thought it was fun!" Astrid replied, putting a smirk on her face. Placing a hand on her hip, she looked at him confidently, saying "I didn't want Arrow here to be a trophy for Strogg. It just so happened we saved you along the way."

Smiling at the joke, Ukiah shook his head. "Guess I'll thank my lucky stars that happened then."

Astrid then stood next to Ukiah, also petting Arrow. Soaking in the extra attention, Arrow promptly rubbed against Astrid, ignoring Ukiah.

"Great. Looks like you replaced me as his best friend." He huffed sarcastically, shaking his head at Arrow.

Astrid just laughed, scratching under the Sand Wraith's chin. Ukiah smiled as he looked at Astrid. There was no denying it, not that he was ever trying to; but he knew he liked her. A lot. Every day he spent with her, he felt more and more drawn to her. She was tough, she was kind, in her own way; and she was beautiful.

Not sure if he should, he decided to anyways. He was going to tell her how he felt. "He-Hey Astrid?" He stammered, nervous about what he was going to say. It was the first time he ever tried this. Shoot, it was first time he even liked someone.

"Yeah? What's up?" Astrid replied, turning to face him.

"I...I uh…" He continued to stammer, unsure of how to say the words in his head.

She just looked at him curiously, wondering what he was trying to say. The look she gave him didn't help his sudden loss in confidence. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he then shook his head while saying "I don't know how to say this; but ever since that night when I sold you that headband, you've been on my mind."

"What do you mean?" Astrid asked, suddenly a little alarmed at where this was heading.

"I think you're beautiful…" He finished softly, his face turning a vivid red. He looked away from her, almost ashamed that he told her.

Astrid looked at him with shock, only to blush and turn away from him as well. "Oh! Uh…thanks?" She whispered, trying not to sound surprised at the sudden comment.

The two stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do or say. Finally, after having enough silence, Ukiah began to apologize "Hey, sorry. I didn't mean to make it awkward. I just…I don't know what I was thinking. I just felt that I needed to tell you that."

"No! I didn't mean to look or sound ungrateful for the…compliment." Astrid replied, finally looking at Ukiah "It's just…well…it's just the first time anyone's actually told me that."

Ukiah gaped at her, surprised to hear that. "Really? Don't people have eyes?"

"They do. They just…No one ever told me before. They just look at me. Not tell me. Hiccup's the only person that actually became a friend because of who I am. Not just what I look like." Astrid explained, blushing as she talked.

"Hey, if there's something between you two, I don't want to mess that up." Ukiah quickly replied "I just thought I'd tell you that."

"Thank you, Ukiah." Astrid replied. Still blushing, she then whispered "And, no. There's nothing serious between us two. I like him, and think he's a pretty good guy, but…"

Ukiah's heart started to beat a like a Gronckle's wing flapping. He had no idea what she was going to say next.

"We're not serious. Not yet at least." She continued to say, almost hesitant. Looking at Ukiah, she then added "Let's…drop the subject. For now at least."

"Yeah, of course." He quickly agreed "I just…thanks. You've really helped me. Whether with learning how to fight, ride Arrow, or how to be part of a tribe; I had to say that, just to show you how much I appreciate yours and Hiccup's help."

Astrid relaxed a little, seeing that he was being grateful. Putting a small smile, she acknowledged it by saying "If I didn't want to help, I wouldn't have." Then with a more stern voice, said "Now that we got that out of the way, how about we fight each other? Practice a little bit while we wait."

Nodding in agreement, Ukiah slung his crossbow around from his back. "Sounds good to me. I don't care if fighting's in my blood; I need to keep practicing."

Smiling, Astrid drew her axe and went into a defensive stance, ready for Ukiah to be aggressive again.

Laughing, Ukiah charged at her, blocking a strike with his crossbow arms; and not noticing an angry pair of eyes watching the two down in the arena. With a huff, the figure walked towards away from the arena and towards the forest.