Chapter Four

"Oh man, did they really have to tell my dad...?" Hiccup grumbles, pushing himself to his feet. The young viking forces an innocent smile and waves to his father once he gets closer. Hopefully, if Stoick sees him upright and breathing, the news of this catastrophe will go over better.

Astrid stands up too and hops onto Stormfly's back. "He would have found out eventually anyway." She points out, quiet enough that Stoick won't be able to hear. "He is the chief, after all."

"Yeah I guess..."

Toothless's head pops up, sensing other people. He stands up and shakes again, flinging the last of the water off his scales. He tilts his head up to look at Hiccup, curiously. That's when Stoick and Thornado land on the narrow sandbar.

"Hiccup!"

Hiccup flinches at the tone in his father's voice. He means business. "O-oh! Hey dad..." He says, light-heartedly. "Beautiful morning for a swim, huh? Well, let's head home before-"

"Son." Stoick folds his arms and steps in Hiccup's way just as the boat he brought with him drops anchor on the thin shore. "This isn't a game, you know."

Stoick's son sighs and nods. "I know, dad."

"This could have ended up much worse than it did. Especially if the others had turned around and left when you told them to." His face tightens when he adds, "You could have drowned."

Hiccup lowers his gaze and nods again. "I'm in trouble, huh?"

"Of course."

"Stoick, sir." Astrid says, coming a bit closer. "It really isn't Hiccup's fault. He was only trying to help."

"I know that, Astrid. But he was still reckless and that nearly cost him his life." The chief uncrosses his arms and motions for Hiccup to get on the ship. "But we can talk about this more when we get home. Let's go, everyone."

Hiccup doesn't respond but does as he's told, mumbling for Toothless to follow him. The dragon whimpers and lowers his ears when he passes Stoick, as if he's afraid of being scolded as well.

With a sigh, Hiccup settles down on the floor of the ship and Toothless curls up right beside him, wrapping his massive body, protectively, around his Rider. The Night Fury coos and stares at Hiccup for a moment, his green eyes shining with curiosity and concern.

"It's okay, buddy. We're going home." Hiccup assures him just as Stoick and Astrid take to the air. The ship pulls up its anchor and sets sail after them, in the direction of Berk.

A cool, ocean mist sprays across the docks as everyone steps off the ship. It's nearly midday and the streets of Berk are as packed as ever. There are a few vikings waiting for them when they land. Those not on the ship extend their hands to help them out of the boat. Gobber is one of them.

"Ah, Hiccup. I heard about your little diving expedition. Did you have a good time?" He asks, joking as he holds out his non-hook hand to help the young boy.

"Ha ha, very funny, Gobber..." Hiccup says, sarcastically. He takes his mentor's hand and hops onto the dock. Toothless leaps out as well and lands beside him, wagging his large tail like a happy dog.

"Oops, seems like I've been found out." Gobber says, referring to the excitedness that seems to radiate off the dragon. "I figured nearly drowning was a pretty rough experience for good ol' Toothless. So I brought him a little something."

"Oh yeah?" Hiccup asks, smiling down at his dragon.

Gobber takes his other hand from his back and displays a cooked fish, skewered on his hook. He waves it around in front of Toothless before letting it slide off onto the floor.

Toothless's mouth is practically watering at the sight of it. Hiccup laughs as the over-grown lizard scoops the fish into his mouth and swallows it, licking his lips.

"I think that's his way of saying 'thanks'." Says Hiccup.

"Well you'd know better than anyone else. I'll take your word for it." Gobber chuckles as he turns to Stoick, who has just landed along with Astrid. "Now see? What'd I tell ya', Stoick. Your boy is fine. No shark bites from what I saw."

Hiccup smirks. Shark bites? Dad worries too much. He notices Astrid hop down from Stormfly and stroll over to him.

"How was your voyage?" She asks, lightly.

He shrugs. "Dull. Then again, I'm used to flying through the air on the back of a five-hundred pound winged lizard so..."

Astrid giggles and shakes her head. "I guess nothing can quite compete with that, huh?"

"Nothing." Hiccup agrees, patting Toothless's head, affectionately. "Well, I'll see you later for training. We gotta head over to the Forge and fix that connecting rod."

"Alright, see you later." She tells him before whistling for Stormly to follow her. "Come on, girl. Let's go get you something to eat."

Hiccup watches her as she remounts her Nadderhead and leaps into the air, zooming off into the distance. A slightly annoyed look crosses his head when he remembers just how far it is from the docks to the Forge. With a small groan, he and Toothless start hiking up the steep hill into the village. "I hope your happy, Toothless. You've made me lazy."

Toothless tilts his head, not quite grasping what his young friend means by that. But, apparently, he doesn't mind the accusation. He simply continues to trot right along side Hiccup as they make their way toward the blacksmith shop.

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

Sparks fly as a hammer smashes down over the hot piece of iron, molding it into the right shape. The rod hisses as it dunked into a barrel of water, steam slithering into the air around it. Hiccup sets it down and steps back, moving toward an open window. He reaches up and wipes the sweat from his forehead.

"Phew it's hot in here..." He says to himself. "Count yourself lucky, Toothless. You're heat-resistant."

Toothless-who is laying on the floor of the shop with his eyes closed and his paws crossed-opens one eye and coos, slightly. He seems sleepy.

"You know, bud. You don't have to stay awake, take a nap if you want." Hiccup says as he turns the new connecting rod over in his hands, inspecting it closely. "I'll be done here in about fifteen minutes but that's enough time to-"

But he is interrupted when the Night Fury suddenly stands up, stretches and walks over to him, nudging Hiccup's waist with his head.

"Oh I get it, you're bored, not tired." Hiccup rolls his eyes and goes back to working. "Well sit tight just a little while longer. I'm nearly done."

After five more minutes of pounding the metal into the proper shape, Hiccup nods, deeming the new segment is ready to be attached. "That didn't take as long as I thought it would." He says, smiling proudly. "Alright, bud. You ready?" He kneels down beside Toothless. "Moment of truth."

The connecting rod slips right into its spot with no problems. The mechanisms around it click into place. Hiccup leans over and pushes down on the foot pedal, grinning broadly when the tail fin fans open.

Toothless purrs and wiggles his butt. It makes sense that he'd be happy about being able to fly again. He jumps to feet and spins around, looking like a dog who's chasing his tail. Afterward, the dragon bounces behind Hiccup and pushes him toward the door, droning with excitement.

Hiccup laughs and unties his apron, tossing it over the workbench. "Alright, Mr. Bossy. Let's see what this new, light-weight tail can do!" Once outside, Hiccup leaps onto the saddle and they instantly rocket into the sky, reaching the clouds in a matter of seconds.

On the other side of town, Astrid is leaning against the side of her barn, waiting for Stormfly to finish her meal. The young blonde's attention is perked when she suddenly hears a familiar sound. One that, only a few months ago, would have instilled fear and blood-lust into her.

The sound of a Night Fury tearing through the sky.

She jogs away from the barn to get a better look. A little grin crosses her face when she sees Toothless gliding just below the clouds, Hiccup's tiny figure is just barely visible.

"Yahooo!" Hiccup cheers, his voice echoing all the way down to Astrid's ears.

"Well, well, seems like I did underestimate him." She comments. "That Hiccup...never ceases to amaze."