Hiccup was led by Astrid and his mom to the party planned in his honor at the mead hall. Whether he attended or not was unimportant; they wanted to make sure the much-loved chief was celebrated (plus everyone was a sucker for a good party). The women filled in the dazed Viking as they slowly made their way over. It had officially started about an hour ago, and since no one had known the chief had waken up earlier, they were all convinced he would have to miss the festivities. Astrid and Valka went in first, holding the door open for Hiccup.
Once inside the large hall, a few eyes strayed over to the strange man accompanying the familiar women. Over at one of the tables, Snotlout broke from his conversation with the twins to watch the newcomer.
"Man, I knew I should've been made chief while Mr. 'Dragon Conquerer' was snoozing...Astrid's lost her marbles and let some mystery jerk onto the island." Being Hiccup's cousin, he assumed he would've been first choice as interim chief; the rest of the village was more than enthused to explain Astrid was to be in charge.
"Who's tha'?" Eret slurred through a bite of food curiously, attracted towards Snot's gaze. The dragon rider had finally gotten used to the island, but on rare occasion he would find himself at a blank for details.
"Why is he on the island if all our defenses our in here...?" Fishlegs added in. Not until Hiccup had hobbled through to a clearing in the halls guests could his trademark prosthetic be recognized. Gasps were heard from all who had been tracking the stranger's movements, followed by the swarm towards the newly-awakened chief.
Hiccup didn't move away, or even cringe, due to the immense pain he was trying to keep his girlfriend and mother from knowing he was in. Some foolish slaps on the back, and a curious Viking who somehow thought it wise to pick up the cane for examination, made it hard for him not to wince. Noticanly hurting, the crowds backed off a bit. Everyone checked out the man from his head to his feet- well, foot. No one cared much that he was tired. No one cared that he could barely think. And no one noticed the uncharacteristic look on his face- his smile was nowhere to be seen.
No one cared that Hiccup was no longer Hiccup.
Starting to think I might remake this once it's done, using the reviews I hope to get as a guide. Definitely needs some improvements. I also might work on a different story, instead of focusing on this one (as I intended the other night when I wrote what I have. I won't just leave it unended though, I'll find a good closing point before abandoning it. This just means I won't open a ton of plot points or whatever until the remade version comes out.