A/N: Hello my dears! First things first, you guys are AMAZING! I got quite some positive feedback for chapter one that I felt like you should totally get the edited second chapter today. I know I don't answer all reviewers all the time, probably because I am too flustered to say something and would just repeat myself. So here a big THANK YOU to every one of you who favourited and alerted and reviewed. PLEASE keep it going. Especially reviews. I'd love to hear from you all every chapter, to know you are reading this and it's worth the updates!
So, here you go, my lovelies. Enjoy chapter 2!
Of Night Furies And True Love
They had raided Berk ever since his mother had been but a young girl. As swift as lightning, tearing across the firmament without remorse, and without ever missing its target.
A powerful, proud winged reptile that destroyed simply for the pleasure in the act.
"Not even I could find one, nor tame it." Valka had told her son, shaking her head miserably as they listened to the cries of villagers.
"Night Fury!" they called in despair.
Hiccup was more than determined to change that. How would Vikings ever come to love and respect these elegant, immaculate creatures if they learnt nothing but contempt from them?
The dark beast came every fifth day to the village of the Looting Liars. Hiccup hid during every dragon attack – he did not want to observe the scenes of mayhem and death, nor be a part of it.
But he did want to take a look at that Night Fury.
Several times he tried his best tracking skills, all kudos to his mother, but never was he capable of making out Night Fury marks anywhere. All he left behind were churning houses and dying men.
Then, using his knowledge in the field of forgery, Hiccup invented a genius little contraption with which he was capable of swinging bolas high into the air – he himself was physically incapable of that during his fourteenth year of living. The Gods had not blessed him with burly muscles but thin, nearly wispy limbs and bones.
And Gods, those bolas weighed a tonne!
Feeling pride swell up in his chest when he actually shot it down, Hiccup cheered loudly; so loud that a Monstrous Nightmare behind him approached with a curious glare.
"Oh, wonderful..." glancing left and right, making sure no other Viking was near, Hiccup outstretched his hand, immediately gaining the attention of the beast, "Be a good boy, and leave."
The dragon complied.
Hiccup left to find his Night Fury the next day, excusing himself at the workshop and from meeting his mother at the sanctuary. His usual flying companion, a Raincutter, was left to tend his own business. He had named it Sharpclaw, and loved the shimmering cobalt-painted guy, but could not really build a close bond to him. He had not, as his mother often pronounced, found his soulmate dragon yet.
He had often envied the bond between Cloudjumper and Valka.
Little did he realise that, when he found the downed dragon, noting with lament that he had torn off one of his tail-fins, he found his destiny.
A destiny he had yet to discover.
Taming Toothless was far from an easy feat. Learning everything the Night Fury had to offer, gaining his trust, and then using what he had learnt from Skeggi to recreate a controllable tail-fin was what busied him at any given hour for the consecutive weeks. But it had worked out; despite the serious downward spiral it had threatened to take at the beginning.
He used every trick and movement of his hands that Valka had taught him to gain the dragon's trust. But the Night Fury did not fall for any of it.
At first, even, he had come much too close for the reptile's liking. The being had growled venomously, eyes forming thin slits as he crouched, ready to attack. Hiccup had only just freed him off his binding ropes and straight away attempted to placate the being; but not having had the chance to study a Night Fury up close, he used the wrong gestures, causing the dragon to shoot a hateful plasma blast in his direction.
It was way too fast for Hiccup to evade, and he was knocked unconscious.
When he awoke, he was back at the dragon sanctuary in his cot. He heard shuffling and saw his mothers lengthy brown hair sway before his vision.
"Careful, me boy." Valka whispered, placing a cloth on top of his forehead.
"What...happened?" He groaned, sitting upright.
When he finally managed to adjust his eyes to the brightness around him and glanced at his mother, he saw the dread and sorrow, mixed with anger twirl inside her orbs.
"Yuh were reckless, tryin' ta train a Night Fury." She was calm, yet he could detect the underlying rage she withheld.
"I nearly had him, mom, I swear-"
"No! Instead, yuh have this!" She shouted, pulling the blankets away and revealing to him his awful demise.
His left leg...it...it...was gone!
He gulped heavily, sweat accumulating above his brow, heart palpitating laboriously.
Where once there had been his foot, covered by a fur-lined boot, there now protruded a wooden dowel with a flattened end.
"He shot at yuh. Yer Leg was burned unrecognisable. Skeggi found yuh and fixed it, believing some lone dragon had crossed yer path and attacked. Yer Night Fury was gone." she tried to balance her temper, not wanting to lash out at her son again.
Hiccup swallowed, brows furrowing, "I did it wrong; he thought I wanted to hurt him. I can do this right-"
"NO! Yuh will not go anywhere near him, have I made myself clear!?" Verdant eyes bore into his, angry brows creased as she glared.
He nodded meekly, shying back. Suddenly, the effect of the herbs he had taken earlier wore off, and the throbbing, pulsating pain of scarred tissue arose.
"Some dragons, son, need time. And others are simply not to be tamed."
Was it horrible he felt no bitterness in lying to his mother? When he went to search for the Night Fury, and indeed, did his best to tame him?
He had taken the dragon's ability to fly independently, and in return, the dragon had taken his leg. It was a fair trade to Hiccup. He simply felt no remorse. It just made him more Viking. What was it, after all, that Skeggi had said?
"Real Viking men miss a limb at least, me boy!"
Well then, was he not one of them, now?
The auburn-haired boy proved his mother wrong and befriended the now named Toothless (retractable teeth, Hiccup had to study that more closely...), readjusting and working on the fake tail-fin, measuring attachments here and there, and soon replacing his peg leg for a metal prosthetic that fitted the one of his winged companion.
Valka was both astonished and angry when she discovered her son had betrayed her; but seeing the sudden close bond he had with Toothless; feeling their friendship and mutual understanding was enough to forgive him. Never had he been any more determined than then.
He had found his soulmate dragon, just like he had always wanted to. And together with Toothless, Hiccup left no new island or dragon breed undiscovered – he found them all, and saved what could be saved from the clutches of carnage and bloodshed. He fought off marauders, battled dragon-trappers that occasionally crossed his path, and defeated a many pirate that dared to challenge him. Everyone came to fear and respect the Black Rider and his Black Beast.
Hiccup did his best to always stay unknown. And just like his mother, who was nothing but a mystery or a goodnight-story told to children during the dark hours, he became somewhat of a legend.
His life was amazing; living with dragons, Toothless at his side, fighting for the goodness and rightness in this world, hoping that, one day, he'd convince Vikings around that dragons could peacefully coexist with humans.
It was everything he ever desired in life.
Until she entered his field of vision, and changed all he thought he had wanted up until then.
The first time, Hiccup had been twelve. It had been two years after he had announced to his mother that he wanted to learn more about the ways of a true Viking, to see where he came from, and ultimately, what he actually was.
He loved the dragons with such deep-rooted passion; they were his family, his everything. But he needed the change - needed new hobbies, and to interact with people.
Needed to be with his kind.
With much reluctance, his mother complied.
Of all the islands he had scouted and the villages he dared to take a closer look at, his curiosity drew him most strongly to the Isle of Looting Liars. Of course, there was this inner, demanding desire to explore his home, Berk. Meet the people his mother had grown up with, see what she had recounted numerous times with his own eyes.
But that would also demand him to face his father, eventually; and despite him not knowing who exactly his father was, he had a nagging feeling that he would be able to recognize the man one way or another, eventually. The fear was too strongly inside him, and yet he yearned to know more. But he knew his mother would most likely not approve.
So, instead, he decided for the Looting Liars. Why? Simple; their blacksmith, Skeggi, had once been a Berkian, but moved out when he became too old for fighting dragons.
"The Berkians are stubborn people! Don't want ta move, no matta how many times they gotta rebuild those houses 'cause of dragon fire." He once complained, waving his hands in the air.
He had been the teacher of Gobber the Belch, he proudly declared, "A curious young lad who lost two limbs much too early, but is with a good heart. And a good hammer."
He need not dread Skeggi recognizing any similarities with his father, either, or his mother. The man was half blind. How he managed, despite it all, to work on swords and axes without so much as a blink was a mystery to even Hiccup.
Feeling as close to his actual heritage as was possible, Hiccup indulged in blacksmithery, soon discovering that he enjoyed and actually excelled in it. Since he had been a young boy he loved to sketch and draw; taking dragons for his first motives, then many failed attempts at his mother, and several scribbles of landscapes and scenery. Now, he used his artistic talents to create blueprints for new inventions and improved mechanisms. Some, Skeggi would acknowledge with a grunt, others, he would chuck into the flames.
"Waste of time, me boy." He had declared, shaking his head.
It was harsh learning under the old burly man, but beneficial nonetheless. He began to interact with fellow Vikings who all desired resharpened weapons or new gadgets. Despite his repulsion towards war and mayhem, he enjoyed the refining of armoury, much to his personal irony.
And he got to communicate to beings other than scaled animals or his mother.
That was when he realised just how flustered he became around girls. They were increasingly harder to handle, and he was so awfully shy, always stuttering and stumbling.
"Not the most Viking of men, ey?" Skeggi once teased.
Blushing madly, Hiccup continued to pedal the grinder. That was when his mentor announced he was to return to Berk to see to a few endeavours, and would be willing to take the young toothpick of a man with him.
"Not without the approval of yer mother, first!" He said, waving an axe in front of Hiccup.
His heart drummed maddeningly at the thought of the discussion that would ensue. He was not to be disappointed.
"Mom, it's not long, I just want to see where-"
"Yer a fool! Yuh think they will welcome yuh with open arms and accept that yuh've bonded with dragons!? No, they won't! I have tried too many times!"
"But mom, I just want to learn their ways. Maybe, if I study them more closely, I can-"
"They are not some reptile yuh can study, son! They are stubborn, hard-hearted idiots who will neva change!"
Tears glistened in her eyes, and Hiccup hesitated. But he was not prepared to give up. After a lot of hot debating and argumentation, he managed to convince her.
"Mom, I have to do this. I need to know where I'm from."
His mother sighed with frustration.
"Alright. Go. But don't hope fer too much." He could tell the incredible hesitancy she had in letting him go. He also saw a glitter of pain jolt around her heart.
But he was only going to stay for two weeks, Skeggi promised.
What a nervous wreck he was during the boat-trip. The tumultuous sea did his stomach no well, and he missed flying on the back of a dragon, preferably Sharpclaw, or maybe the Typhoomerang he had discovered and tamed just the other week.
When the lights of Berk peeked up in the horizon, and Skeggi bellowed with glee, Hiccup jerked upright, large emeralds gazing wondrously at the sight. Berk was, indeed, an incredible place. Beautiful, shimmering with young buildings and bustling people, all merry and eager in their doings.
"Stay close, m'boy, or yuh'll get lost, small and frail as yer are." Hiccup stumbled behind the bulk of a man, hobbling and treading along.
Soon, they stopped at what appeared to be a very similar workshop to the one on the island of Looting Liars.
"Skeggi!" He heard the bellow of a Viking, and suddenly a broad blonde man waddled towards his mentor, a hammer replacing his right hand, which he shook vehemently.
They both clapped hands, grinning, before they bantered on about old Viking stories and how rough both of their lives were. Hiccup mindlessly kicked a few shingles at his feet, waiting for their talk to end.
That was when he saw her; she was maybe a little taller than him, not much, and wore metal pauldrons to appear more masculine. Her golden hair was braided down her back, a fringe covering the right eye as she trudged through the market place, an axe in hand.
His eyes were transfixed on the sight; consuming every detail of her appearance as his mouth gradually opened, leaving him gawking. She was, by far, the prettiest girl he had ever seen. To his utter delight, she turned around, seemingly glancing behind her.
And despite the grim expression she wore, her lithe figure held as if she were a man, he admired her beauty and stature. Her face was soft and rounded, freckles neatly sprinkled across the bridge of her button nose. And then her eyes; a miraculous mixture made out of the deepest depths of the oceans, and the skies, and some of Sharpclaw's awfully mesmerizing scales when he shed some.
"Hiccup!" The booming voice of Skeggi had hurled him out of his reverie, and the young boy came face to face with the gruff looking former student of his teacher.
"Hiccup, y'say? I see why they called him that." The man laughed, "Well, will be nice spendin' some time with yuh, lad. Oh, did yuh know that the chief's son was also called-"
He tuned out, observing the beautiful blonde again as she strode from one stand to the next, then turned and left down the pathway towards the Mead Hall.
He was smitten.
In those two weeks, he learnt as much as he could about the mysterious youth with the azure eyes.
She came by once, bringing in an axe that needed sharpening, her voice cold and sharp. Skeggi handed him the item, much to Gobber's chagrin, who ended up positively surprised when he saw Hiccup sharpen it with expertise.
Returning it to the elder Viking, he stood back, fumbling with his now task-less fingers.
"There yuh go, Astrid. As good as new."
"Thanks." She replied without a smile, leaving after she paid her debt.
'Astrid...' Hiccup peeked above the workshop's window, his gaze trailing after her.
"Look at that, someone's smitten."
He flipped around, a blush creeping up his cheeks as he watched Gobber laugh and grin, his stone tooth protruding.
"Ah yes, she'll be a Valkyrie one day." Skeggi replied as he hammered along.
"Oh yuh old fool, yuh can't even see her properly! Don't talk gibberish!"
Hiccup smiled, dimples decorating his cheeks. 'She sure will be...'
The next encounter he had with the young Viking girl named Astrid was when Skeggi had given him the day off. He was to explore the secrets of Berk, and look around what true Vikings were made of.
"Maybe some of it will rub off on ya!" Skeggi bellowed with a laugh, waving a sword in his hand which he currently attempted to repair as much as possible.
Taking the chance by its hilt, Hiccup bolted right out of the workshop, chasing along the pathways that led through Berk, taking in the diverse scents and sights that greeted him.
Lucky enough as the Gods wanted to deem him, no dragons had attacked up until then during his stay.
He could only hope it would stay that way.
Just as he turned a corner, nearing the borderline of the forests, he heard the steady thump of a blade hitting bark. Curious, he twisted his head around, pursuing the sound, until he stood a good few feet away from the very person which had coaxed out his affection and astonishment.
She was twirling her axe within her hands, chucking it against a lone tree before she tore it out, returning to her prior position to repeat the act.
With glittering orbs he observed her in her doing, so fascinated that he did not realise he was suddenly being surrounded.
"What're you starin' at, kid?" He jumped from the sudden invading voice, eyes large and shocked.
Behind him there stood a young boy, most likely his age, although the rapidly growing muscles and broad shoulders might deem him two or three years older. That is, if Hiccup had actually looked his age.
Next to him, grinning mischievously, were what seemed to be twins. Two blond haired kids, one male and the other female, and a pudgy, slightly nervous, yet overly large boy, jittering behind them.
"Never seen you around here." The boy continued to speak with a sneer in his tone, "Not from this village, right?"
Oh what irony lay within the question.
"Erm...no." Hiccup replied meekly, earning him a chuckle by the child and his blonde companions. The weighty one stayed mute, just nodding in approval.
"Snotlout. That's my name. Remember it well, for it's the name of the next chief." He nodded self-appreciatively, the others snickering behind his back.
"I wouldn't assume that just yet, Snotlout." There it was; the soft, curling voice of his Valkyrie (if you ignored the contempt she currently possessed.)
"Oh hey, Astrid! Look what I found; some astray kid that came to visit and see the wonderful village of Berk."
"Yeah, and what did he find? Your yak-face." She stood beside Hiccup now; her proximity causing him to tremble slightly, red hues tainting his cheeks, "Not the best first impression."
The twins began to howl with laughter behind Snotlout, slapping their knees and wiping tears from their eyes.
"Good one, Astrid!" The blonde male exclaimed.
The mocked boy obviously despised the sudden humiliation he was put under, and began to frown, "Yeah? Well..shut up, Astrid!" He balled his fists, before he turned his attention back to Hiccup.
He could not help a gulp.
"Look out, you scrawny peasant, if I see you anywhere in my area, you'll regret having ever stepped on this island!"
He spun on his heel and darted off, the other children following in amusement.
The auburn-haired boy was shocked; he had done nothing to earn himself the despisement of this young Berkian, but he had obviously received it.
"You're that apprentice from the forge, right?" Astrid now questioned, although it was more of a statement.
He bobbed his head up and down nervously.
"Stay away from him." Her eyes now collided with his, and his breath hitched uncontrollably.
If she had noticed it, she did not let it on, for the girl turned around and busied herself with axe-throwing once more.
A/N: So I invented the tribes-name of Looting Liars, because it randomly came to me, and I like it. Go figure.
So yeah, Hiccup tames Toothless! And meets Astrid! Wehey!
Slight twist of events here – I literally tweaked things from the first movie, also making the opposite happen in the case of Toothless attacking Hiccup. I thought that, with Hiccup growing up amongst dragons, he would have too much confidence believing he could tame a Night Fury just like he tames other dragons. Instead of being fearful and backing away as in HTTYD, he approaches and thinks it'll work out, scaring Toothless in the process who feels insecure. It's the same kind of stubbornness he actually has, just, ironically maybe, with different motivation. And so instead of not attempting to kill Hiccup, as he expected in HTTYD, he DOES attack, as Hiccup did NOT expect in this AU. Turning the tip around, I guess. I wanted Hiccup to have lost his leg, also, because it is an important symbol of bonding between him and Toothless, just I did not want the whole fighting Red Death to have happened (yet?) Everything I did not mention about their bonding and stuff is literally the same as it occurred in the movie – you'll be able to fill in the gaps. So I hope this makes sense to you, sometimes I suck at explanations. Feel free to inquire, I will answer any questions you have :)
Oh, and for all of you who know Star Fox Adventures from Nintendo will understand where the name Sharpclaw came from.
Don't forget to review, my darlings! I wanna hear what you think right now, even if it's just a word. Please do it, it'll warm my heart up! *sends you night fury shaped cookies*