After the whole Dragon Training, near-death experience today, I was exhausted. Running around a cage with an angry dragon at your heels and bumbling vikings can be stressful for pretty much anyone. Thankfully today's lesson was over, and I was walking out of the ring with Hiccup, after he had retrieved my walking stick.
"You sure you're alright?" I ask him in concern.
"Huh?" Oh yeah, yeah I'm good Aaron. Thanks by the way," he says gratefully.
I nod with a small smile on my face. "Good. Now I have to add another tally to the amount of times you've almost been killed," I tease him.
He lets out a sigh of exasperation. "Hey, it's not my fault! Stupid stuff just happens!" he protests, and I shake my head in amusement.
We continue walking in the direction of the village, and as usual people give us a wide berth, staying clear from Hiccup like he's the Scourge of Odin, which is absolutely sickening. I then notice that Hiccup seems to be quieter than usual.
"Hey, dude," I say, nudging him. "Are you ok?"
"You just asked me that Aaron," he replies dryly.
"You're quieter than usual, which means your thinking. And when you're thinking, something big has happened," I point out suspiciously. I don't see or hear it, but I know he's tensing up beside me as I stare in his general direction. "So what's on your mind? You know I'll always help you," I ask kindly.
Hiccup is silent for a moment before responding. "I'm.. sorry Aaron, but nothing's wrong. Just something that's been bugging my mind for a little bit. Nothing to worry you about," he says in an attempt of reassurance. It fails.
I stare blankly at him, well I think I am, and he starts to fidget under my gaze as I decide how to respond. Finally, I let our a sigh and nod my head reluctantly. "If you say so Hiccup," I respond.
I hear him quietly exhale in relief, and my mind starts spinning. He's definitely hiding something, and I can't help but admit I'm a little bit hurt by the fact that he doesn't trust me enough to share the details. But I'll figure it out.
"Wel;, I've got some work to do Aaron. See you later tonight?" he says.
"Yeah, at the Great Hall for Gobber's post-mortem lesson." I respond, my voice laced with sarcasm that I picked up from Hiccup.
"Haha, alright, gotta go, later!" he exclaims, taking off rather quickly after that. I continue to walk onwards, listening to the sound of Hiccup's footsteps before making my move. Moving into a jog, I mentally count the steps I have to take while following in Hiccup's direction, far enough that he shouldn't be able to notice me. It's frustratingly hard trying to pick out the sound of Hiccup's movements while heading through the village, with loud vikings stomping and yelling everywhere, but I barely manage to stay on his trail.
Following after him, I run over the theories in my head of where exactly he is going, before coming to a realization. He was headed for the forest, in the same direction he went after the raid! Curious, I move faster before coming to the end of the town, stopping in frustration. Between me and the forest is an open field, and Hiccup is still crossing. I'd have to wait until he reaches the trees before i can continue on without being spotted. Which sucks, because I can't navigate through the forest very well at all, having never entered it before. Who knows what kind of roots or ledges or horrible obstacles stand in my way.
After a few more moments pass, I hear the leaves from a bush rustle, as well as the quieting of Hiccup's feet, and realize he's made it to the forest. Dashing forwards across the clearing, I make it to the forest in record time, just barely keeping myself from hitting a bush or tree after hearing the leaves blowing in the wind. Sticking my walking stick out cautiously, I listen for the sound of Hiccup's footsteps before slowly moving forward in where I believe his general direction was, counting the steps on the way so that I could remember the way back.
Brushing aside a branch, I continuously poke the ground in front of me to get a lay of the land, managing to avoid some rocks and dips in the ground. Unfortunately for me, my progress is painfully slow, and I don't think I can hear Hiccup's footsteps anymore. Whats worse, I've been traveling through the forest in his direction for a few minutes now, and I have no idea how far into the woods I am. Just my luck.
"In the name of Thor," I mutter angrily. "Just my luck that I decide to follow after a fishbone in the woods."
Just then I hear the distant sound of a dragon roar, the cry just barely reaching my ears. I snap my head in that direction, realizing it to be the same sound I heard before.
"A Night Fury..." I breathe out slightly in awe. From what I heard, it seemed to be in some sort of distress, but it wasn't a pained cry.
I then think back on the raid from earlier, remembering Hiccup's claim. "No way," I say quietly."
With a new destination in mind, I start to head in the direction of the sound confidently, tapping the ground in front of me and brushing aside the thick branches and heavy leaves. For the next few minutes all is going well in my stroll through the woods before Loki decides to honor me. I manage to miss a small sharp stone with my stick, and catch my foot on it. I was absolutely unprepared, and fall to the ground with a cry, rolling down a small hill that was next to me, hitting a few fallen twigs and branches on the way down.
The accident happens fairly quickly, and was only a few feet of distance, but the damage had been done.
"OH THOR!" I exclaim furiously.
I was now lost.
Why, oh why oh why did I consider heading through the forest after Hiccup without a guide to be a good idea? Now I was lost in the Berkian forest, with no real clue of my bearings besides what I could hear. The Night Fury's roaring had stopped quite a while ago, and Hiccup was nowhere in hearing distance. Smacking my stick onto the ground in frustration, I contemplate my options. Using the sun as my way of direction won't work, for obvious reasons, and i can't look around to remember my surroundings either.
I don't know exactly how long I was waiting there, but I finally started to crawl around, looking for any indents in the ground caused by my footsteps or from my fall down the slope. My hands continue to delicately brush over the rock, dirt and moss, searching for any indication of where I had been. After a few more minutes, I stopped after brushing my hand over a small crease in the ground. Focusing on it, I use my sense of touch to determine that it was one of my footprints, and then judge what angle it's facing.
Heading towards the back of the footprint, I move past it to find another footprint not to far away, and another, and another before finally remembering where I am.
"O, thank Thor thank Thor," I breathe out in relief. I remember what count these steps were, being just before I tumbled down the hill. Tracing my steps and counting off which ones they were, I make my way back to the village, not in the mood to continue searching for Hiccup. I was totally fed up with the woods right now.
Probably about an hour later, according to my timer device, I finally broke free of the treeline, back on familiar ground and slumped over in relief. After that terrifying experience in the woods, I didn't have any plans of heading back in there, unless I knew exactly what path Hiccup was taking, which I intend to survey every time he enters the forest.
The air smelled more like rain water, and the wind began to pick up as thunder boomed overhead, signifying an approaching storm. Without a moment to waste, I head in the direction of the Great Hall, entering the door just as water begins to fall from the sky. Inside are all the teens and Gobber, discussing nonsense with each other. All except for Hiccup.
I head over to the table and grab a plate of food, sitting down on the far end of it, away from Snotlout and the twins.
"Anybody seen Hiccup lately?" I question casually, biting off a piece of meet.
"I saw him jump off a cliff if that helps!" Snotlout exclaims mockingly, and I tense up before letting out a sigh. Hiccup wouldn't do that, I know this as a fact.
"I saw him bawling his eyes out like a baby," Tuffnut says gleefully, Ruffnut snickering in amusement. Fishlegs and Astrid are quiet, while Gobber sighs in exasperation.
"Forget I asked then," I respond in annoyance.
"No, I haven't seen Hiccup since the ring laddie," Gobber replies honestly. "Alright, where did Astrid go wrong in the ring today?" he questions as the door opens.
The sound of rain and the pitter patter of light steps signifies Hiccup's entry into the Great Hall, and I sigh in relief, glad he's ok.
"I mistimed my mistimed my summersault dive, it was sloppy. It threw off my reverse tumble," Astrid answers immediately.
"Yeah, we noticed," Tuffnut says in annoyance, and Snotlout moves to swoon over Astrid.
"No no, you were great. That was so... Astrid," he says, vying for attention from her. Astrid groans in disgust and yanks her hand away from him as Hiccup approaches. I wave my hand to get his attention, which he hopefully noticed.
"She's right, you have to be tough on yourselves." Gobber says approvingly. "Where did Aaron go wrong today?" he asks again.
"Umm, I'm not sure," I reply honestly.
"He never saw the dragon, so he couldn't attack!" Snotlout exclaims proudly, thinking himself clever while the rest of us sigh in annoyance, even the twins.
"You're such an idiot," Ruffnut says as Astrid answers the question.
"He didn't go for the shield first, which is the most important tool in a fight," she answers, and I shrug in a whatever motion. Gobber grunts in confirmation, most likely nodding his head.
"Yep, that's the one! Shields are your the most important piece of equipment. Never battle a dragon without one!" he says.
"Alright, but shields have never been good with me to be honest Gobber," I tell him as Hiccup moves forwards to pick up some food.
"I know that, and we'll be wokring on it!" he then turns around in Hiccup's direction, and I shake my head, already knowing what was to come.
"Where did Hiccup go wrong?" he demands, and Snotlout starts to move across the benches as Hiccup passes by to keep him from sitting down, most likely wearing a stupid smug grin that I"m thankful I can't view. Getting up in annoyance, I switch tables to where Hiccup decided to sit while the teens take the opportunity to taunt him. Passing by Snotlout, I shove his head away, most likely wiping the smug grin off his face.
"Uh, he showed up." Ruffnut says.
"He didn't get eaten?" Tuffnut suggests.
"He's never where he should be." Astrid says, voice cold.
"Thank you Astrid." Gobber says.
I pat Hiccup's shoulder comfortingly. "I thought you did fine," i tell him with a smile. I can tell he smiles back at me, judging from his body language.
"You need to live and breathe this stuff; the dragon manual." Gobber announces, slamming a large book onto the table. "Everything we know about every dragon we know of," he announces seriously, causing me and Hiccup to perk up in curiosity. A boom of thunder rumbles through the sky from outside, and Gobber moves away to leave the Great Hall.
"No attacks tonight. Study up!" he tells us, the storm being the reason why dragons won't attack.
"Wait, you mean read?" Tuffnut asks in horror.
"While we're still alive?" Ruffnut questions, equally horrified.
"What idiots," I tell Hiccup, who snickers in amusement.
"Why read words when you can just kill the stuff the words tell you stuff about?" Snotlout demands angrily, and I smack my face with my palm at his stupidity.
"Alright, fine. Tell me Snotlout, how do you kill a Snaptrapper?" I ask him, standing up from my seat.
"By slicing off it's head, duh!" he responds snarkily.
I roll my eyes and do another facepalm. "It has four heads you snot brained idiot." I retort with a deadpan.
"So?" he demands, not getting the problem. I sit down with a frustrated sigh not even bothering to waste what precious brain power I have on Snotlout.
"I never thought he could get any dumber," Hiccup says. I shake my head.
"At this point I would be surprised if he gets anything above last place," I comment. The teens are starting to leave the Great Hall, with Fishlegs chattering on about dragon facts while Snotlout and the Twins attempt to get away from them. Hiccup sidles up to Astrid, who is still at the table with the book. Is she contemplating on whether or not to read it?
"So I guess all three of us will share-" Hiccup starts to suggest when she immediately cuts him off, shoving the book away from her. How typical.
"Read it," she responds coldly, rushing out of there.
"Oh, oh well, all mine then to look at. I guess we'll see you-!" he calls out as the door slams, stopping him mid-sentence. "...tomorrow," he finishes, a little dejected.
"Oh forget them, they're just punks," I tell him. "Now read the book! I can't see Mr. Haddock!" I demand mockingly, and he comes back over.
"Alright then, Mr. Bossypants!" he retorts playfully, and I roll my eyes in amusement.
Later when everyone was gone, me and Hiccup were in the Great Hall alone, seated at the table. He opens the book and starts to read it.
"Dragon classifications. Strike class. Fear class. Mystery class," he says.
"Thunderdrum. This reclusive dragon inhabits sea caves and dark tide pools. When startled, the Thunderdrum produces a concussive sound that can kill a man at close range. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight," he reads from the book.
"Well that's rather cheery," I remark sarcastically.
"I don't want to meet that dragon," Hiccup responds nervously, flipping the page.
"Timberjack. This gigantic creature has razor sharp wings that can slice through full grown trees...extremely dangerous. Kill on sight," he reads again.
"I'm more caught by the fact that they used the exact same description of how to deal with the dragon," I point out with a frown. Hiccup is also a little curious about that as well.
"I think the dragons all have that label," he says in surprise.
"HA! That's so stupid," I say, shaking my head in disappointment as Hiccup continues to read. "Scauldron. Sprays scalding water at its victim. Extremely dangerous."
A loud crash of thunder sounds outside of the Great Hall, and Hiccup yelps in surprise. The sound is a lot louder for me than it is for him, so I practicaly leap out of the spot I'm sitting, muffling curses coming from my throat. Despite that, Hiccup manages a small laugh at my reaction.
"Oh sure. Laugh at the viking with sensitive hearing," I comment in irritation, sitting back down.
"Sorry," he apologizes, although I can hear the smile on his face.
"Apology accepted. Now please, continue," I tell him with a gesture.
"Alright. Well, here it shows a Changewing. Even newly hatched dragons can spray acid. Kill on sight," he reads again, continuing to flips quickly through the pages. "Gronckle. Zippleback. The Skrill. Bone Knapper. Whispering Death. Burns its victims. Buries its victims. Chokes its victims. Turns its victims inside-out. Extremely dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight. Kill on sight. Kill on sight..."
"I'm starting to not really enjoy this book at all, it's terrible," I comment with a frown.
"Night Fury," Hiccup says quietly, and I perk up in interest. What does this part of the book say?
"Speed unknown. Size unknown. The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself," he reads in awe. "Never engage this dragon. Your only chance, hide and pray it does not find you."
"Quite a description," I say as he brings out his notebook, tossing it on the table.
"What's on your notebook?" I ask curiously, taking notice of it.
"Nothing really. Just a sketch of a dragon," he says quickly. I frown in surprise, becoming even more suspicious before shrugging my shoulders. It's not like I could see what was on the paper.