Alright guys, another chapter for you. This is a two-part story, after this it's about Hiccup doing his tests. That'll be fun too. I made a list with all the riddle winners at the bottom, just in case someone missed it somehow.

Enjoy!

The Adventurous Adventures of Hiccup and Wrenlou

Initiation, Part II

He hadn't slept. Maybe a few minutes at a time, but the nerves would wake him over and over, and the fear of failing in front of everyone was almost too much to handle. Now here he was, at breakfast, but he couldn't eat. He was too nervous.

"You have to eat something," Wrenlou whispered in his ear.

"I can't," Hiccup mumbled back, "my throat is all closed up."

"Hiccup, if you don't eat, it'll be a long time before you can eat again, so really, you should eat something," Wrenlou said, "just a little."

Hiccup sighed and picked a small piece of bread from his plate. He looked at it, not wanting to eat it, but he gave in and stuck it in his mouth. He reluctantly swallowed it, his stomach almost protesting the little bit of food, but he forced himself to eat more. He was about to start on the fish when he realised something, and he nudged Wrenlou.

"How does Dale get to Dragoncity?" he asked softly so the man wouldn't hear, "Starstruck can't fly... right?"

"That's why one of the other riders sent their dragon to get him," Wrenlou answered just as soft, "he doesn't really like it. They both don't. But it's the only way."

Hiccup nodded a little and pulled bits of the fish. He gave one to Toothless, then ate one himself. As a result Toothless got the most of it, but he didn't really care. Even if he was hungry, he still couldn't really eat anything, because the nerves were still racing through him.

"Alright!" Dale said as he stood up, "everyone, get ready. I will meet you on the beach in 5 minutes!"

Hiccup gasped and hastily fed the rest of his fish to Toothless, then he stood up. When he did, the room spun around him and his legs felt like they would give up.

"Easy," Wrenlou said next to him, "just... keep breathing. Take a deep breath, it'll be alright."

Hiccup nodded and took a few deep breaths. "How can you be so calm," he whispered.

"I'm not," Wrenlou said, "I'm terrified. But Hiccup, it's just one day. And besides, today is the first day of the rest of your life. Enjoy it! You worked hard to be here Hiccup, harder than all of us. You deserve this, okay? Honestly."

Hiccup nodded and left the Hall. He saw Wrenlou go to his own cabin to get his weapons and other things. He himself had packed everything last night. Not that there was a lot to pack. He had his sword, his dagger, a notebook and some spare clothes. That was about it. He stared at the little bundle. Everything he owned, wrapped in a blanket. He strapped the sword to his belt, then picked up the bundle. It didn't even weigh much. He looked around the little cabin, to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything, and took a deep breath.

"Ready bud?" he asked as he turned to the door, where Toothless was waiting, "I don't think I am..."

Toothless crooned softly and licked his face. Then the dragon jumped onto the sand and turned back to him.

"I'm coming bud, I'm coming," Hiccup said softly, "it's just... I'll miss this place. I'm not used to living in a city. It'll be so crowded, and full, and busy... and there will be people everywhere..."

"Yeah," Wrenlou suddenly said, "but they won't tell you you can't do something, they'll encourage you to do it. And they'll treat you as an equal, not a screw-up. Believe me Hiccup, this will be fun. We can do everything we want!"

Hiccup smiled. "But we'll have training to do," he said as he tied the bundle to Toothless' saddle, "and maybe more training if Ezra decides to train us. And from what I hear we'll be pretty busy with that."

"True," Wrenlou said, "but there will be one day where we gan do whatever we want. And if you think I don't want to go out exploring the world, you're so wrong! Because I will. Be honest, don't you want to know what the world has to offer?"

"I've seen it, remember?" Hiccup said and he mounted Toothless, "there's not much interesting things out there."

"Clearly you've never been to Rome," Wrenlou remarked, "or Alexandria. Or all the way across the ocean to the land where dragons are worshipped. I believe it was called China... I'm not sure... My point is, there's a lot more out there than the ocean between Berk and here. Whole countries and cities just waiting to be explored!"

"Rome?" Hiccup asked, "I heard about that... Have you been there?"

Wrenlou started laughing. "I haven't, my dad. He used to be a trader remember? He's been to all sorts of places. Places worth checking out don't you think?"

"I guess so..." Hiccup mumbled, "but shouldn't we focus on today? A...and the oath and everything...?"

"I was just trying to get your mind off of it so you could relax a little," Wrenlou said with a smile, "and to get my own mind off of it too. Did it work?"

Hiccup frowned a little, then he nodded. Wrenlou's smile widened a little, but before he could say anything, Dale spoke up.

"I hope no one forgot anything," he started, "because it will be some time before you can get it back. Okay, then, big day today. The day we've been working towards for three years. Or... six months." He added with a glance at Hiccup. "All of you worked hard to be here today and let me be the first to say that I am proud of each and every one of you. Sure, it has been a bumpy road with many injuries and accidents, some more serious than others, but here we are, all still in one piece. I hope you keep it that way kids, really. I understand that there are many dangers and unknowns still ahead, but I bid you be careful in everything you do. We will see each other a lot less now that you all take the plunge into adulthood, but I expect each and every one of you to be respectful and responsible in everything you do! Now come on! We have an Initiation to attend!"

The dragon he was riding spread her wings and took to the air. Broghan followed, then Leila, after her the twins and then Wrenlou followed by Hiccup.

"Where's Starstruck," Hiccup asked softly, "I don't see her."

"She probably already left," Wrenlou answered.

Hiccup looked down. It made sense. Starstruck had to run all the way back to Dragoncity. He knew that Night Furies were fast flyers, but he had no idea how fast they could run. As they continued flying and the city came closer and closer, his nerves came back with full force. He clenched the saddle horn with all his strength, repeating the words of the oath over and over in his head. He looked at the ground, seeing the trees flash by, indistinguishable from each other. With every mile that passed his anxiety seemed to grow, until he wanted nothing more than to turn around and run.

The flight back seemed to take forever, and it felt like they had been flying for days when the city finally came into view. The flags with the crest of both Dragoncity and Lightcity were flying high from the city's towers, a proud testament of power, strength and brotherhood. When they descended down to the plaza he could see every rider and dragon was waiting for them, along with some men that looked very formal. He gulped when he landed and looked around. He recognized Wrenlou's parents and siblings among the crowd, as well as Ezra and some of the other riders he had met before, but most of them were unfamiliar faces.

He slid to the ground and with Toothless next to him he followed Wrenlou and the others to the Hall, the crowd parting to let them through. As soon as he entered the Hall, he saw the banners again. One for every family with dragon riders Wrenlou had told him. A stage had been set up at the far end of the Hall, a flag of Dragoncity and Lightcity at either end. He followed Wrenlou all the way to the front, so close to the stage that he could almost touch it, and when he looked back he saw that the Hall was filling up with riders as well as dragons, and he was surprised that they all fitted inside the seemingly small space. The people he assumed where the members of the Council as well as Wrenlou's mother and sisters ascended the stage, and one of the men raised his hand and immediately silenced the crowd.

"Today," the man started, "is an important day for all of us. Not only will we be joined by six new riders, we will also be welcoming a new family in our midst. So before I continue with the formalities that will mark the start of a new beginning for these young people before me, I would like to give the word to Aaron and Helen Dreycon."

The man stepped aside and Aaron came forwards. He was wearing the same formal clothes as the other Council members, and he straightened his jacket and cleared his throat before he started talking.

"I am here today for two reasons," he started, "one is, of course, as a member of the Council I am required to be here today. But I'm also here as a father, and a husband."

He smiles at his sons while he said this, and cast a quick glance at his wife and daughters before he continued.

"There have been many firsts this time," he continued, "the first time that a white Night Fury hatched. The first time that two members of the same family have been chosen. The first time that a hatchling defied every rule and chose someone who was actually too young. And the first time that an adult Night Fury has been trained, and not even by one of us."

Hiccup looked down at his boots when Aaron said this, because all eyes turned to him.

"And now it will be the first time that our banner, the Dreycon banner will be here, in the Hall of Dragoncity, as a testament of my family's connection to this city. But before I go there, I want to go to another first. Many of you know Hiccup, or have seen him around. But the story of where exactly he came from remains somewhat of a mystery. It is not my place nor is it my right to discuss the details that I do know, but what you all do know, is that he has no family here."

Hiccup kept his eyes fixed on his boots, trying to drown out Aaron's words. It was all a little too personal.

"Hiccup, could you come up here with me please?" Aaron suddenly asked, and Hiccup froze.

He looked up at the man, a little confused but when he finally found the control over his legs again he slowly walked up the few steps to Aaron.

"Many of you may see a child," the man said while he put an arm around Hiccup's shoulders, "but I see a young man who's strength and perseverance struck me when I first met him. I see a young man who deserves so much more than what the world has given him, and one of those things is a family. My wife and I have discussed this matter, and we have decided that we can offer him this. Therefor, Hiccup, would you accept my offer to be adopted into the Dreycon family?"

The crowd gasped and the surprise was clearly visible on the faces of everyone present. It was clear that no one had expected this

"W...what...?" Hiccup stammered, completely overwhelmed by the offer, "w...what does that mean...?"

"It means that you can sail and fight under our banner," Aaron explained, "it means that you can use our family name if you want to, but you don't have to. And you can swear loyalty to our banner here in Dragoncity. But you don't have to of course. It's your choice."

Hiccup looked down, processing the words. He would be part of a family. A real family. He looked at Wrenlou and Broghan, but they were just as surprised as he was.

"I... eh..." he started unable to find the words, "I guess so..."

"Come here," Aaron said, "say it out loud."

Hiccup nodded nervously and moved a little closer to the front of the stage. He looked at Aaron again, then took a deep breath.

"I... I gladly accept your generous offer..." he said, his voice a little shaking."

An enormous applause erupted in the Hall, and Hiccup felt his cheeks turn red. He quickly slipped down from the stage and back to Toothless. He didn't really follow Aaron's words anymore, and he completely missed how the man unveiled the Dreycon banner. He was still trying to wrap his head around what had just happened. He looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder, seeing both Wrenlou and Broghan in front of him.

"What just happened?" he asked still confused.

"You just became our brother," Wrenlou said smiling, "sort of anyway."

"But..." Hiccup stuttered, "d...do I have to use your name now?"

"You don't have to," Broghan said, "you can stay Hiccup Haddock if you want."

"Okay..." Hiccup said softly.

"Cheer up!" Wrenlou said, "it's almost over."

"Just the oath," Hiccup mumbled.

Wrenlou nodded. "But the oldest goes first. So you can watch how it's done before you have to."

Hiccup nodded and stayed close to Toothless, watching the others go up one by one. Each time they said the oath he'd say it with them, just to make sure he didn't forget anything. And then it was his turn. He slowly walked up the stage again, Toothless at his side this time, and stopped in front of the Council. One of them stepped forward and took his hands, as he had seen him do with the others. He glanced at the crowd, seeing all eyes on him.

"Hey," the man said softly, "don't look at them. Look at me."

Hiccup took a deep breath and looked back at the man's kind brown eyes. The man nodded at him and squeezed his hands a little.

"You can do it," he said softly, "when you're ready."

Hiccup glanced down a little, trying to get his nerves under control, going over the words once again to make sure he got it right, then he looked up.

"I, Hiccup Haddock, do hereby sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to this city and it's inhabitants. I swear that I will be vigilant to uphold it's laws, be it here or abroad. I promise to protect those that cannot defend themselves, I promise to help those in need of aid."

He took a deep breath and continued.

"I swear to defend this city to my utmost power, that I will fight of any invasion or attack. May the Gods be witness to this testimony, and may my word forever be true. I hereby swear my loyalty to this city and it's people to the end of my days."

As soon as the last word left his mouth, the crowd erupted into a thunderous applause once again, and Hiccup felt relief wash over him. He had done it. He hadn't messed it up. He had really done it. He looked around, his eyes meeting Wrenlou's and a wide smile spread across his face. As soon as he jumped off the stage he was swept away by the crowd, but before he could really get lost he was pulled out of it by Wrenlou.

"I told you you could do it!" The boy said and he handed him a cup, "well done Hiccup!"

He nodded, still wordless about the fact that he had really done it and that it was over. He looked at the cup and found that it was filled with wine. After taking a tentative sip, he downed it all at once. They found a table and sat around it, music now filling the Hall. Toothless had disappeared somehow, but he wasn't too worried about that. The dragon was probably outside somewhere, feasting on a pile of fish with the others.

"Wrenlou?" he asked, "what do we do now?"

"Now we celebrate! Here, have some more wine."

As he downed the second cup of wine, he felt all worries fall away. He had been nervous for no reason. He had done it, and he had done it right. He was now a part of Dragoncity, and a part of a family. He still didn't quite know what that meant, but he was sure he would find out. Right now he would celebrate, as Wrenlou had said, and tomorrow he would go to see the blacksmith, and ask him to be his apprentice. He would do whatever test he had to, because in his eyes, he had already conquered the biggest test of all.

0-0-0-0-0

Alright guys! That was it! No more riddles for now! I hope you all had fun! The last riddles answer was Words, and the winner is Spike. Spike, since you're a guest I would like to refer you to chapter 53. My email address is at the bottom there, you can use that to contact me.

And, as promised. here's a list of all the winners. If you haven't contacted me before, or if you haven't received my packages yet, let me know and I'll look into it! It was fun guys! I might do this again...

Riddle winners:

Jason43123

Mysterywriter5775

Crazy-fox-queen

Midnight-the-black-fox

Kenraali

Braggy

Essence-of-change

Fungame2

Little-did-you-know

The-shadow-fright-dragon

Destiny

Deathstrike59

Aureola-amator

So-many-ships-it's-an-armada

Spike