So yeah, this chapter took a little while. Well, it took much longer than I would've liked, but it's finally here!
What Friendship Can Do: Chapter 7 - An Opportunity Arises
"Well, ye sure know how ta speak yer mind, 'Iccup."
Said young man looked up from the chore of cleaning up after himself when he heard his name being called and gazed up at the limping blacksmith hobbling his way back into the forge, apparently concluding whatever talk he had been having with those Viking men just moments ago before his outburst in front of Snotlout. Though it was minor compared to all the yelling Snot and Astrid had been doing earlier.
"Well..." Was what he settled with as he resumed with the task at hand, voice quickly fading as he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to reply to that one. Losing his temper like that wasn't one of his proudest moments.
"Are you sure yer position bein' given away by yer father isn't botherin' you? You seemed to harp on it quite a lot." Gobber had noticed of course. That old blacksmith somehow always did.
Placing his unfinished project down on the counter again, Hiccup faced his mentor.
He just hoped this wouldn't also turn into another argument. That would make it his third one today alone and then he would start to wonder if he had once again picked up the incredible art of angering people without ever really trying.
"Not that I want to talk about it, which I really don't, but wouldn't anyone be at least a little bit upset to hear that they're no longer good enough and need to be replaced? That's gotta sting, right?" Hiccup asked, facing the older Viking with crossed arms as he leant back.
"Sure it does, which is why I'm wonderin' if maybe you're not so over it yerself yet, no matter how much ye claim you are." Grabbing a brush with thin metal pins and switching from his usual hammer prosthetic, Gobber began his daily task of keeping every Viking man's pride groomed and brushed.
What a disgrace he would be if he didn't?
Now a bath to rid himself of the thick stench of sweat, metal, and smoke? That was a different story all together.
"I meant what I told Snotlout, Gobber. I never wanted to be the heir and I never wanted to be chief. So yes, I'm over it. End of discussion." Hiccup figured it was a smart idea to mutter as his answer came to a finish. He would rather not pick a fight with this particular Viking man.
Not only was he his teacher in blacksmithing, but he was also the one to give him Dragon Training. Gobber had authority over every youngster he trained, in his own peculiar way. Weither they were adults now or still growing, that mattered not.
But picking up the shield to put it away out of sight brought another unpleasant question in mind, one Hiccup didn't dare ask himself out loud.
Why hadn't he burned this either?
There was something he wasn't over yet after all, but it wasn't what Gobber and Snotlout, or possibly anyone else, seem to be thinking. And yet it was still so glaringly obvious. As if it were mocking him.
The elder Viking gave him a sympathetic smile when his apprentice's gaze would not leave the shield and even without looking at him did Hiccup know it was that all-knowing one he had perfected over the years.
Gobber probably knew him better than his own father did.
Which wasn't all that difficult.
Finally deciding to put the shield somewhere out of sight, Hiccup tore his gaze away and took it with him to his room in the back where he was hiding a few more of his unfinished creations. Maybe having it out of sight could do him some good.
"Ye want me ta let ye in on a lil' secret, lad?" Gobber asked to catch the attention of his apprentice again. The mentor figured it wouldn't hurt to lift his assistent's spirits a little.
Hiccup, curious, poked his head out of his private little study, one eyebrow raised.
The sun was sinking lower and lower in the sky and less Berkians were still out now, even with the meeting only just ending. This was probably as much privacy as you could get. Unless you braved the forests and mountains outside of Berk, which was where all kinds of wild animals lurked. The occasional fire breathing dragon included.
As the young man left his personal study to join the blacksmith, Gobber quickly swung an arm around his shoulder to pull the tall youth closer.
"Ever wondered why yer father pubicly announced yer loss of position, but never followed it up with the announcement of a replacement?" Hiccup shook his head at this question he was asked, though he did wonder now that Gobber brought it up.
"It's 'cause Stoick doesn't have one. The Jorgensons may be fishin' and clawin' with their grubby 'ands to put Snotlout in a position the poor boy will never be able to handle, but so far the chief has yet to give in. 'E's to stubborn!" It was hard for the man to miss the wide-eyed surprised expression Hiccup pulled. It almost gave him a childlike innocence.
"'E wants only one successor and that's you. 'Is son and 'is blood. The man just doesn't know how to deal with another 'eartache if somethin' were to 'appen to ye, that's all." Gobber's voice was soft and gentle in a way only he could speak, ensuring that this was something for Hiccup's ears only, something the boy needed to hear.
"If you're serious about provin' yerself, start with 'im instead of the entire village all at once. Next time Stoick tells ye somethin', take a moment to listen instead of followin' his example and not listen at all." It was friendly advice given with the best of intentions and Hiccup found himself appreciating it.
This wasn't a blatant 'stop with whatever you're trying to do now like a good boy', but it was a 'maybe try it from this angle instead'. And it was why, out of all the overprotective people his inner circle now consisted of, Gobber will always be the one he liked talking to the most.
Except, perhaps, for one certain Hofferson.
Pulling away from his elder's embrace, Hiccup gave him the slightest hint of an honest smile.
"Thank you, Gobber. I really appreciate it." He spoke of his gratitude and his smile was instantly returned.
"Now run along! I can finish things up 'ere. You have a father ye need to get to before 'e gets worried again. Don't want a repeat of last year, now do we?" The blacksmith turned his back on Hiccup and he was off.
No, that was indeed something he wouldn't want a repeat of.
Last year the then seveteen year old had gotten a little too engrossed in his work at the forge and had failed to meet with his father for dinner. What followed was the mountain of a man ordering the village and the forest to be combed through for the son that never even left his place of work. The strangest part was, Astrid had been with him the entire time too.
A series of apologies to the villagers who helped with the search and lectures about promises and time continuing long into the night was the result. As was the decision of a father who wanted to ground him like a child for worrying him so.
It had been an odd and hectic day.
Hiccup seemed to reach his home on the hill in record time, eager to try Gobber's strategy to win a little favour from his dad.
But upon entering his house, his gaze caught not only the chief's, but also those of Spitelout and Snotlout Jorgenson.
And not one of them was looking all too pleased to be there.
Hiccup wasn't quite sure what to expect now.
His father, without speaking more than a few simple words in the grimmest tone possible, stated that the four of them needed to be at the Great Hall for dinner.
Dinner and an announcement.
Hiccup had no idea what the Chief of Berk wanted to tell everyone. What was so important and so dreadful that he'd wear such a weary and dark look escaped him completely. All Hiccup knew was that it could mean little good.
Even Snotlout, who was walking next to him without objection for once, seemed unable to look at him. He looked almost angry with that frown and those narrowed eyes of his. It did little to help the anxiety he was starting to feel tighten his chest unbearably, urging him to adjust his old and trusty fur vest on his shoulders for some measly semblance of comfort.
Aged as it was, though well taken care off, it didn't protect him from just the cold.
There wasn't much that could get to his cousin. Emotionally he had always seemed like quite a dimwit. So to see him this troubled over something he was apparently entirely not aware of...
It was quite discomforting to say the least.
Neither one of the two or Spitelout were up for a chat. His father's brother, though they did not share the same paternal parent, shared Snot's almost angry look. And Stoick himself didn't look all that much better either.
They wore the faces of men who were about to do something wrong against their will and Hiccup couldn't help but feel like he was at the center of this matter somehow.
Granted, that was a feeling he was more familiar with than he would've liked to admit. And sadly, often for a valid reason too.
On the way to the Great Hall, Hiccup had tried fruitlessly to strike up a conversation with the three men about pretty much anything that came to mind.
The nice sunset painting Berk in a beautiful orange glow now that the grey clouds had gone, the rumours that Mr. and Mrs. Ack might be expecting another child, that the elusive singing Terrible Terror was once again spotted on the outskirts of the village, the fact that Mildew was probably going to be the cause for the lack of materials at the forge with all the work his old and useless tools required on a near daily basis. The usual stuff.
But nothing caught on. Not even the subject of Mildew, who especially Snotlout liked to talk bad about at any given opportunity.
Nothing worked and it certainly did not help ease his worried heart.
The way to the hall carved from a large cave in the face of the Southern most mountain of Berk was a lonely one as not many people were still out. Some Berkians had decided to enjoy a homecooked meal in the comfort of their own houses while others ate with friends at the hall.
Yet the road to their destination seemed both unbearably long and much too short. Hiccup had never before dreaded entering a place so familiar before.
The moment Chief Stoick the Vast entered did all the jovial chattering quiet down as all sorts of wary faces stared at them and they did not start back up again. Bad news was clearly showing and it made every single one of them nervous in turn, their hearts thumping and hands instinctively wrapping around weapons that weren't there and clenching into fists.
In a village torn by war at the claws of dragons or at the hands of enemy tribes, you learned to always think the worst when your chief looked so troubled.
Without a single word spoken did Stoick make his way to the chief's usual seat at the far end of the hall at the longest table with wide strides befitting a Viking man of his stature, where he would have a view of everyone present. Hiccup followed to sit at his right hand's side, where the heir was supposed to sit, and tried not to make eye contact with anyone, lest he be found as the source of his father's foul mood.
Once they were seated the murmuring began again, but no one was as at ease as they were before father and son entered together with the Jorgensons, who joined Snotlout's mother and three younger siblings.
Hiccup's eyes met Astrid's through the crowd. Though as ignorant about this as he was, she couldn't help but look tense aswell.
It was only after a rather tense and remarkably quiet dinner that the Chief of Berk spoke up.
The talking in the Great Hall had picked up again by then and the mood had become lighter, but the same cheer and joy from before was gone. It had made for a very un-berkian-like meal for all of them. When Stoick the Vast decided to rise up from his seat, his mere presence was all that was needed to call for attention. That in and of itself was a rare occurence in any Viking settlement.
The man, as tall as he was broad, was an intimidating sight, always had been. Some had wondered how a man of his size and reputation could ever be gentle with a son like Hiccup. The stern look of a Viking chief with years of experience under his belt only made the sight of him even more awe-inspiring.
So when he spoke, his people listened.
"For little over twenty years have I been the Chief of Berk. I have served and protected my people with all my might, just like my father before me and the chief before him. It has always been my pleasure, my humble duty." His booming voice echoed through the Great Hall as he gave his speech. There was not a single whisper to be heard, though tensions were rising again.
And Hiccup could feel it too.
Little over an hour ago, Gobber had reminded the boy of just how important he was to his father. He told him how Stoick could never imagine ever having an heir besides his own son, but grief and fear kept him from fullfilling the dreams he had for his only child, lest he lose him like his mother.
Now Hiccup wasn't so sure anymore and he could feel that familiar sensation of anxiety creeping into his chest and clenching around his heart like an iron fist. He had to remind himself to breathe, to not let his thoughts run wild, and not draw his own conclusions so quickly. After all, his father often talked about his own career as chief, right?
And yet, he couldn't help but think, and fear, that this announcement would serve to finally make Snotlout's position as heir official. It would explain why the Jorgensons were at his house earlier and why his father wore such a dark look this evening.
'The position doesn't matter to me.' Hiccup Haddock tried to tell himself and he honestly wasn't lying. Not completely. But his relationship with his father had been strained for as long as he could remember, a part of him worried that this would only finalize the rift between them.
His eyes searched for Astrid's and he found that she was already gazing back at him. Was she sharing his concerns? He couldn't quite read her expression.
"I have always been proud of what we accomplish, of how many generations have fought in our tireless war against the dragons, of how far we've come since we first sailed to Berk so long ago. Every single one of us has done their part to help our village live and thrive in these hard times. Everyone, but one." As Stoick continued to speak, briefly beaming as he spoke of his honest and hardworking people, Hiccup could almost feel every eye in the room fall on him.
He dreaded what would come next. Every living soul present knew the Chief was talking about him. He was the odd one out. Always had been, ever since he could crawl.
"Hiccup..." That his father now addressed him directly didn't help and they were all expecting him to stand up and face him. No matter how much his heart was pounding, that's what he did.
"Dad..." It was all Hiccup could say. Any other word, audible or otherwise, was choked out of him by this awful suspense.
"Son, three years ago a devil of a Night Fury had wronged you, tricked you, attacked you, and left you for dead." How delightful to be so bluntly reminded of such a dark time in his young life in front of all these people, of the worst mistake he's ever made.
"You were at death's door for days, but somehow you pulled through and lived to see your eighteenth birthday, the day when any Viking boy on Berk becomes a man." This wasn't about who would become the successor, that much was clear now. To him, to everyone now seated or standing in the Great Hall.
It helped relieve some of the anxiety he felt and Hiccup found himself breathing a little easier.
"Son, you're eighteen now and it's time that you prove yourself a Viking worthy of the Berkian name. It has come to my attention, that I have been... Ah, depriving you of any chance to do so. And that is not fair. Not to you or to anyone." Stoick was growing hesitant and he briefly glanced towards the table where the Jorgensons were seated, where a certain cousin was trying his best not to care at all about this public and relevant exchange between father and son. It was an act caught only by his son.
But his father continued, despites curious whispers now surfacing here and there, and finally arrived at the point of his speech.
"This is why, with great difficulty, that I announce that my son, Hiccup Haddock the Third, will be joining us on our last search of the Nest before Winter!" This was the announcement Stoick the Vast had dreaded to make and the reactions were instantaneous.
"But Chief, the boy isn't a dragon killer!"
"He'll never make it back home!"
"He might get others killed!"
There was an uproar in the Great Hall as soon as the Chief finished his speech. They were rightfully worried, Hiccup had never proven himself much of a fighter even in Dragon Training, and so they protested.
This expedition wasn't for the faint of heart, it wasn't for those who could not defend themselves on the battlefield. The incompetence of one could easily cost the life of another. So the people of Berk made their voices known.
But Stoick had no ear for any of their complaints. Instead all he saw was the smile appearing on his son's face, the happiest he's seen in three years. Even the boy did not let the oppinions of others, often whispered behind his back and this time shouted in his very presence, get to him for once.
They were now white noise in the background.
The Viking Chief breathed a deep sigh and briefly rubbed through his tired eyes with one large hand. He had been dreading the decision he had taken when Spitelout's eldest, Snotlout, had come to him with a most unusual request, unusually thoughtful that is, but witnessing his only boy this happy for the first time in much too long made him forget the concerns plaguing his mind and the conflicting emotions troubling his heart.
If for just one peaceful moment.
"You know what this means, don't you, Hiccup?" The broad man asked, bringing their attention to the conditions attached to this surprising change of heart.
For once Hiccup was more than eager to listen.
"You stay close to me and listen to every word I tell you. Don't make any unauthorised decisions by yourself. You will not leave the watchful eye of me, Snotlout, or Astrid. You will not engage a single dragon unless I tell you otherwise. You wanted a chance and I'm giving it to you. Just make sure that I won't regret it, son." Hiccup grew more excited with every word his father spoke. His earlier anxiety forgotten, he had a hard time standing still.
He could not believe this. After all this time, after everything he's been through, after all he's done, his chance to prove himself a worthy Viking to his village had finally come.
Hiccup was going along on the search.
Astrid looked petrified at Stoick's decision and Snotlout didn't look up for a celebration, but both went ignored as Hiccup answered to their chief.
"Oh, you won't! I'll-I'll be a model Viking, dad. A model son! You won't even know I'm there unless you need me!" There was something about seeing his son so eager, so ecstatic, that made Stoick the Vast smile.
It wasn't often that the two got along, their were just much too different, but at least for tonight, he saw a small glimpse of his boy again. And that was all Stoick needed to silence his conscience.
As the announcement was received with mixed oppinions, Hiccup's mind ran wild and his emotions were high.
His moment of redemption was finally in his grasp. Within days he could prove himself to his dad, to Astrid, to his village and his life could go back to normal. That Night Fury will plague him no more.
And the best part?
It was his cousin, the one who had singlehandedly tried to make his life on Berk even more difficult for thirteen years straight, the well-known bully of Berk, Snotlout Jorgenson, who had made this possible by pulling strings unwilling to listen to him.
Hiccup did not dare to seek for any possible underlying intentions, for he was much too happy, much too grateful.
For the first time since his recovery, since he was allowed a foot outside of his own home, his future had a glimmer of hope.
So the reason why this chapter took so long was because I had some trouble with Stoick's announcement. I wasn't quite sure how to write it.
Also, yes, I am aware that Viking children were technically considered 'adults' around the age of fifteen and not eighteen like in this fic, I've been told they were basically tiny adults in their eyes, but that was something I found out after already starting this fic and establishing certain things.