Chapter 7

Hiccup grinned as he watched the massive cage that normally covered the Dragon Academy raised high into the air. It was time for Thaw Fest. And unlike many years before now, he was actually looking forward to it, for one simple reason to. Dragons. To put it simply dragons where the biggest change to Berk and with them, the Thaw Fest Games would be like nothing ever before.

This was not because it gave those who partook of them something new to try their hands at. But rather gave those that completed a chance to do the impossible. Beat the Jorgenson family. Which in even distance memory had never once happened, unless the family did not have a member of the right age to compete.

That was not to say the Jorgenson family was impossible to beat. Just that they tended to always rule at least four of the six events. And since that was always the minimal needed to take first it was impossible for someone else to win. But with three new events replacing a number of the old ones, plus a possible tie breaker event. This put a whole new spin on the game.

Hiccup knew full well that he could not win at any of the normal events. Even Astrid as fit and as skilled as she was could only defeat Snotlout in one of the six normal events. But the three new events offered them both second chances. The events, having been designed by Hiccup, Astrid, Gobber, and Stoick featured tasks and skills most riders either needed, or could learn to master. The final task would, should it be needed, featured skills from both side of the line. Viking only skills and dragon flying skills.

"It is going to be an interesting next few days," Stoick said as he watched the cage top reach the roof where it would hang for the next few days.

"Yes, Astrid and I are both looking to beat Snotlout and his family," Hiccup said grinning.

Stoick chuckled, "Yes I know, but just remember to have fun. Even if you don't unseat the champions."

"Oh I will, I will be competing alongside Toothless after all," Hiccup said smiling.

"That is what I wanted to hear," Stoick said smirking, before adding, "But if you beat Snotlout. Well I think that would be even better."

"Understand," Hiccup said as he moved down into the arena with Toothless where Gobber was about to tell each of the participants what the events would be.

"Good Morning everyone," Gobber said, getting the attention of the crowd as well, "I am honored to welcome you to the Youth portion of our Thaw Fest Games. As this will be there last year competing against each other I am sure each will do their very best."

There was a roar of noise that filled the area, causing the dragons to shift a little bit. But Gobber just chuckled and waved for quiet before continuing.

"Now, because of this, we will be having our challengers face off with the three favorite Viking challenges. The Ax throw! Sheep Lug! And finally the Balance Log Run! Now for those that have been counting you will have noticed we have three events still open. And for the other three we have a new treat. As each of our challengers are also riders we will have three Dragon and Rider based events."

The crowd was listening closely at this point looking hopeful as were the riders.

Gobber grinned and spoke again, "The first will be the hurdles, where each rider will have to fly under a series of logs avoid hitting any of them. Second we will have a free form Contest, where each rider and dragon will be rated on their skills and the trick they attempt. Lastly it will be a raid on a mock village, where they will have to conduct a raid hitting targets and avoiding friendly ones."

"Like changing those matter," Snotlout said grinning.

"Confidence, good you will need it Snotlout if your skills are anything to go by," Gobber said, getting a chuckle from the surrounding crowd.

Snotlout glared at Gobber, but did not say anything, as Gobber spoke again to the crowd, "Now should our contestant bring about a tie, we will have a tie breaker round. But as that will not be until day three, I think I will leave that up to you to guess at what it might be."

At this point Stoick walked forward down into the arena. He smiled and waved, standing by Gobber, and began to address the crowd, saying, "Let the Fall Festival Games Begin!"

There was a roar of joy at these worlds as the events began around the arena and in it. The main events, those between the teens would be later that day. For now it was time for the others to prove their skills in other events. This was done for a few reasons, one while the adult would like to compete against each other, they needed to have no standing anger between them on the battle field.

As such since the teens and young kids were not allowed onto the battle field yet. They were allowed to compete in the big events. It was also why for Hiccup and the others this would be their last year in the main events, as they were now of age to join the battles. As such Hiccup walked around, watching his father win many of the smaller competitions.

Till finally it was time for Hiccup to compete with the others. They lined up for their very first computation, which was lugging sheep. The task was simple really, each of them raced across the arena and back, first one to do so would win. If there was a tie, they would race again, but this time run two laps, and trade out sheep between laps. But as pre the norm, Snotlout won without a problem.

Hiccup chuckled and clapped along with the crowd, he knew no one had a chance of beating Snotlout here. While he and the others were faster, they did not have the strength to lug sheep and run at high speed. Or in Fishleg's case, had the strength but could not run.

The next computation was the log roll event. It had not real point to it, as the skills could not really be used in any real world events. But it was a fun one to partake in, at least till you fell off and landed in the boulder pit down below it. Hiccup, and Astrid much to their surprise lasted far longer than normal, but Snotlout quickly picked up the speed for a few seconds, causing both Astrid and Hiccup to misstep and be sent flying.

Hiccup groaned a little bit as Toothless came over and helped Hiccup out of the stones. Shaking himself a little bit, he suppressed a growl of annoyance. He was never going to let anyone else use this event again, at least not above rocks, maybe above the water.

But finally came the last events. The Ax Throw. It was simple enough as well, throw an Ax accurately from one side of the arena to the other and bury the head in a set of barrels that had been set up for them to hit.

On Hiccup's advice each one took turns. The Twins went first and threw both of their axes clean out of the arena, the first one sticking into a poll by some of the spectators. While Stoick caught the second one. Hiccup and Fishlegs both threw theirs about the same distance causing the ax to burry itself in the bottom edge of the barrels. Snotlout then went and throw a near prefect shot, only off by a few inches from the center point. Astrid went last of all and nailed the center of her target.

Hiccup chuckled as Snotlout glared at Astrid, saying he could have matched her without a problem. Problem was, as he was a few inches off, he could not ask for a re-throw to determine the 'True' better thrower.

As such as these events came to an end, the total so far was with Snotlout in the lead, with two points. Astrid in second with one, while everyone trailed behind tied for last. Hiccup was not too worried though as he made his way home that night. He was still in the running's for now. More than likely he would take at least two of the events, and as long as Snotlout did not win the other events.

The next day brought again clear skies with a slight chill to the air. Hiccup was out early with Astrid once again patrolling around the island. Just because they were having a Festival did not mean someone would not try and attack them. It was round about noon when Hiccup and Astrid made their return trip back to the village where the competitions for the contestants and their dragons was about to begin.

Hiccup and Astrid gave Stormfly and Toothless a fair amount of food, not too big of a meal as they were still planning on flying a good deal more. And too much could cause them to be weighed down, so they would wait for a full meal after they were down for the night.

The first challenge was an interesting one by comparison to the others. Rather than flying through hoops, it required the rider and dragon to fly through thin gaps between logs and ground. The logs themselves were long enough that even Hookfang, whose wing span was massive in comparison to the others, could still fit between them while gliding.

It was Fishlegs and Meatlug that took the honor of first run, only to get caught between the top of the first log and the ground. It turned out that Meatlug unto himself was just too big to fit through the gap normally. This showed the amount of space they truly had to work with. The twins went next, and as they had the same dragon, they would both get a point if they passed. But they failed on the first log again, sending them flying off their dragon as Barf and Belch tried to move through them incorrectly.

Astrid went next, and managed a near prefect run, slipping between all of the first five logs without touching ground or wood. But she went up a little too soon and caught Stormfly's tail on the last sixth one. Hiccup gave her a small smile and nod of praise as he went next. His tactic was interesting as Toothless spun so they were flying upside down. But it worked and they slipped through all six without touching ground or wood.

As for Snotlout, when he went after Hiccup, he failed almost as bad as the twins. Though, Hiccup was sure that was not really his fault, or Hookfang's as Snotlout just barely hit his head against each of the logs as he passed by them. This let Hiccup now tied with Astrid, while Snotlout still held the lead.

But this match up would not last for much longer. With the next challenge, a talent competition, Astrid took another point. While hiccup took the final possible point in the target competition. And as such for the first time in recent memory, for that matter in anyone's memories, the Jorgensen title of Thaw Fest Champions, was in danger of falling.

Hiccup chuckled happy as he dismounted from Toothless, and along with Astrid and Snotlout went to stand on the center stage. They waved to the crowd as Stoick came to stand beside them.

"Well, I must say this is a most interesting Thaw Fest. For the first time in who knows how long we have a tie, and not just a two way but a three way tie. I for one can say I am proud, of our contestants so far. But, the last and final challenge still awaits them. Will Snotlout prove he is still the best and keep the Legendary Jorgensen tradition alive, or shall Hiccup or Astrid be the first ever non-Jorgensen to take the Thaw Fest Metal," Stoick said speaking loudly his voice carrying easily throughout the nearby grounds and to everyone's listening ears.

Hiccup though as he looked around noticed Snotlout was whispering something to Astrid. But he was not able to hear a word of it as the crowd cheered, but he could tell it was making her made. It was not until a little latter could he ask what it was about.

"What did Snotlout say," Hiccup asked.

"He says we don't deserve to be on stage next to him," Astrid said looking rather annoyed.

"Don't let him rile you up. He is just mad that he is not center of attention, remember how he is normal. Wants to be lord, or king with you as his bride," Hiccup said shaking his head, and chuckling a little.

"How can you just let it go without a challenge?" Astrid asked confused.

"Because I have never been the center of attention, well not in a good way before. Besides let me ask you something, what does Thaw Fest games really have, that can really affect us? If he wins again, he gets a bloated head for the next week. If we win, we now have bragging rights. But in a few years, that won't mean much. Besides him winning would not change who leads the riders, or who might end up leading the tribe," Hiccup explained.

"I guess you have a point, but I so want to win. I want to put him in his place for once," Astrid said glaring at the ground.

"Like you did with me when I was taking over as the best student, in dragon training," Hiccup commented off hand.

Astrid blinked and turned to Hiccup in surprise, "I… I… okay fine. So what if I competitive though?"

"That is not a bad thing Astrid," Hiccup said looking her carefully in the eyes, "Just remember losing or winning really never matters in the end when it comes to some silly games."

Astrid stared at Hiccup for the longest time before turning way and sighing. She did not want to admit it, but in the end Hiccup was right this was a small competition. And she not let it rule her, that being said, she was not going to just let Snotlout win either if she could help it.