AN: So, finally another chapter.
*ducks flying laptops* okay, okay *hit square in the face by dictionary* I deserved that but still. Anyway, thank you Fenrir's Phantom and all my lovely favouriters, followers and reviewers. I love you all despite what I do.
DISCLAIMER: Despite my delusions I am not an all-powerful fiction deity that creates wonders such as HTTYD.
Anyway, here you go:
Chapter 5
}Interesting...{
~Asmund~
I scanned the skies, watching for dragons. I'd seen two new ones fly into a cave on the mountain a few nights ago, a Deadly Nadder and a black one, virtually invisible. Until I knew they weren't hostile it payed to be cautious. I breathed in deeply, savoring the scent of pine needles and damp earth from the rain early this morning. Safe...happy...free... I closed my eyes, moving down the path, soil shifting beneath my feet. I opened my eyes, sighing, life was better than before but it would be nice if...
I shook my head firmly, no, I can't think about them now, they're gone, they're safe and happy now.
A snapping twig caught my attention. I whipped my eyes back and forth across the edges of the pat, scanning the underbrush as I casually moved along, pretending not to have noticed. I spotted a young deer grazing on the underbrush out of the corner of my eye. It lifted its head and saw me paused on the path. It blinked at me, sniffed the air before turning on its heels and fleeing.
I cursed under my breath, that would've been meat enough for a week and that skin would've made a nice rug. I shook my head, nothing I can do about it now. I huffed and made my way to the waterfall.
Eventually the crashing of the water got louder and louder until-
Wait. I heard a splash, out of the pattern of the tumbling water of the waterfall. A human groan of disappointment sounded shortly afterwards.
I furrowed my brow in confusion at this new development. I moved toward the lake, silently padding on the balls of my feet. I pressed against the trunk of a Weeping Willow, nearly invisible in the shadows. I slowly moved my head around the side of the trunk and what I saw surprised me.
A scrawny young boy held up a crudely carved oaken spear, poised to strike at the water. A Viking tunic and fur vest hung from his scrawny frame so that explained his general origins. I frowned in confusion. Generally Vikings abandoned the small and the weak as infants. I could've been one of those children, but my parents were too stubborn.
Another splash surprised me out of my reverie. I nearly snapped my head around to yell at him but barely held myself back. He was scaring all the fish.
He gingerly lifted the spear out of the water and nearly whooped in joy when he saw a Perch wiggling on the end.
"I did it." He lifted his arms over his head and danced around giggling like a little girl and singing about how he did it.
It was almost comical.
I made a noise in the back of my throat and stepped to the side of the tree. The boy settled down somewhat and turned to wade ashore. I smirked and launched my own spear at the boy. It landed in the shallows between the boy's feet, splashing him with water and effectively stopping him in his tracks.
He brandished his fish topped spear in my general direction, trying to appear fearsome but only resulting in being even more comical.
I made a noise in the back of my throat. "You're scaring all the fish."
The boy's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "Uh..um..ah..uh...hi?" He squeaked.
I snorted, "very threatening you are. What are you, a walking fish bone?"
The boy bristled with annoyance, the distaste of my statement written all over his face. Ah dammit Thor, my people skills really need work.
"Gee, thanks, I go to a completely different island, seemingly uninhabited and I've only been here two days and already I'm once again labelled fish bone. Thank you for your hospitality." Sarcasm practically sizzled the ground between us.
I pressed my lips together in a tight line and moved silently through the undergrowth, keeping low to the ground. I heard the boy huff indignantly and shuffle out of the water. I glided over the sand to behind the boy, retrieving my spear.
He mumbled something unintelligible as he dropped the wiggling fish in a tightly woven basket, nearly as big as himself. He turned around, barely taking a step before he rammed into my chest and fell on his rear with a yelp.
"What are you doing?" I demanded. Yep, terrible people skills.
"Fishing?" He squeaked.
I scoffed, "you're doing it wrong."
Cliffhanger... I'm sorry guys.
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Bet ya thought it was over! But seriously, thanks for sticking with it!
~Astrid~
Hiccup had been gone too long. Far too long. He wasn't there when I woke up and he hadn't come back. It was nearly sunset. I shifted uncomfortably in my spot on the floor. Stormfly cooed and nudged me gently, expressing her concern.
"He's gonna be alright." I murmured quietly, stroking her rough scales. I looked over at Toothless, staring out the cave entrance, trilling worriedly. "I hope."
I would never admit it but I actually admired him. He put up with the village and its abuse for fifteen years. Fifteen. And not once did he complain. At least not to my knowledge...
I sighed heavily, getting up from my spot on the ground and brushing off my skirt. "That's it. I'm going to find him."
Stormfly cocked her head at me, trilling confused. I looked out at the sky, noticing how the sky was bleeding purple and orange. "I'll never find him in the dark."
As I looked between Stormfly and the sky an idea started to form in my mind. Slowly I stepped towards her, holding a hand out cautiously. She sniffed my hand and pressed her head into my arms. I gasped in surprise and stroked her scales gently. She trilled happily. I brushed my hand over her neck and she started purring happily.
A bubble of laughter escaped my lips as Stormfly nearly shoved me over, rubbing against me fondly.
I was torn from my bliss abruptly by slow clapping. Stormfly and I whipped towards the sound. I reached for a dagger on my belt and Stormfly readied her spines. I relaxed upon seeing it was only Hiccup. Toothless nudged him happily, wagging his tail excitedly. A heavy wicker basket rested on his back. Our wicker basket, I noticed, stolen probably.
"Don't do that!" I snapped.
He raised his hands defensively, "I was just congratulating you on phase 2 of part 1 of gaining a dragon's trust."
"You have phases?" I asked disbelievingly.
Hiccup straightened, "yes, yes I do. But I have something a little more important to discuss."
"And what might that be?" I demanded, noticing Toothless sniffing something behind Hiccup.
"I think you'll find I mean 'who'" Hiccup said and moved aside.
I raised a brow, externally unimpressed by this new development but inside I was rolling in confusion. There before me was a boy, not much older than myself, but obviously feral. Tangled dark hair touched his narrow shoulders and his body was roughly covered by crudely made clothes. If it weren't for the twisting muscle on his narrow limbs he wouldn't be much broader than Hiccup.
"Who are you?" I demanded, my limbs tensing slightly.
"Asmund." He said shortly.
Hiccup looked between the two of us, a nervous smile on his face, "ah dear. Um, Astrid this is Asmund. Asmund this is Astrid."
I frowned at Hiccup. "What's he doing here?"
"He taught me to fish." Hiccup said brightly, "and so I decided to introduce him to you guys. He does live on this island after all."
I scowled deeper, "he's met us, now he can leave."
"'He' is right here you know." Asmund muttered and I shot him a glare.
"Asssssssssstriiiiiiiiiidddddd." Hiccup whined.
I shot him a glare, baring my teeth slightly. He paled and clamped his jaw shut, edging away behind Toothless.
"I still stand firm. He is leaving. Now." I ordered, folding my arms.
"No." Asmund snapped. "I'm not leaving."
I raised a brow. "Yes you are."
"No. I am not leaving until I know what you two are doing on my island! Then I want you to leave."
"Excuse me? I don't think you're in a position to make demands here. After all, you're outmatched, out skilled and outnumbered. A Deadly Nadder, a Shield Maiden and a gods damned Night Fury against you." I snarled, stalking forward. I jabbed a finger at his chest. "Don't test me."
An animal snarl escaped Asmund's lips and he pushed me backwards. "Don't you dare try to chase me off!"
I snarled at him, readying to pounce. He widened his stance, crouching low to the ground.
"Stop!" Hiccup cried.
I turned my furious gaze upon the trembling boy and narrowed my eyes. He paled and looked between the two of us, one hand out to each of us.
"Look at you." He demanded. "Look at yourselves, fighting like wolves over scraps. Hear each other out and give each other a chance. Please. We can be friends. We don't have to fight."
"No. I don't trust him. I don't like him. I don't want anything to do with him. The sooner we get off this island the better. The sooner we get away from him the better." I snapped, turning and stalking away towards a befuddled Stormfly.
"Astrid-" Hiccup started.
"No." I cut him off. "I don't want to hear it. Goodnight." I ground out and walked away, curling up in Stormfly's wing when she lay down.
AN: Well, it's not as long as I would've liked but I thought that was a good place to end it. And I was running low on inspiration.
Anyway, the next update won't take as long and hopefully there'll be more action, probably not but still, I like to dream. Anyway, I should have more time on my hands from now on (hopefully).
On another note, I was thinking of doing a 'characters try to help fix the fandom' fic for HTTYD and Percy J. Don't worry, I'll continue this to the bitter end and I'll only start one at a time. Plus, this one has priority.
Anyhoudini, thank you to my loyal readers and once again Fenrir's Phantom (I researched Fenrir, I had no idea) and internet waffles and cookies and apples for all of you! :)