A/N: Hey guys. Has definitely been a while since I updated this story. I've started focusing on my story Rider Vs. Conqueror but I've left my other HTTYD stories for a while and I don't want to lose my ideas for them so I'm updating them, starting with this. Anyway, if some of you knew Dragons Defenders of Berk is almost over. But I heard they're making a THIRD SEASON called Dragon Masters. I think that will be after How To Train Your Dragon 2. Either way I'll be excited as ever to watch that season.
Anyway, on with the chapter.
Hiccup's POV
I spent the entire day laughing at the teens' failed attempts to fly their dragons. The Twins kept going the opposite way which wasn't good for the Zippleback, having its necks stretch and sometimes tangling their necks together, or crashing their heads into each other. However it did get boring and utterly ridiculous when the Twins started sicking their dragon head on each other. It usually ended up with Tuffnut being thrown against the wall, or Ruff in one of their mouths. Snotlout and the Monstrous Nightmare didn't have the best of luck either.
He kept trying to force his way with the dragon...giving it commands, pushing down on its horns and this resulted in him being in its mouth, thrown or lit on fire. He would always comment 'stupid dragon' to which he received a smack in his rear with its tail, which sent him flying into some barrels.
Fishlegs and the Gronckle, I had to say did the best out of them. He managed to get on his dragon and hover about in one place...when I say hover that is only three feet in the air before him complaining it was too high. By Thor we haven't even left the training ring yet!
"Alright...lessons over for today!" I said, looking at the sky seeing the setting sun.
"Oh come on...we still haven't learned how to blast stuff!" Tuff yelled from atop his dragon's head.
"I'm thinking of taking that lesson out of the syllabus" I said, I yelled while working on Toothless' tail fin. These guys were hopeless. I thought they would give up after a few minutes, but no, they just kept going and making fools of themselves...the Twins and Snotlout.
Astrid was the only one who exceeded my expectations. In one day she had managed to learn how to fly her dragon, command attack moves with her poisonous spines and one or two hand gestures which I taught her how to do since she had finished the basics.
"Come on guys, let's head to the Hall, I'm starving after a long day of mastering my dragon" Snotlout said walking out of the Training Ring with the Twins and Fishlegs.
"Yeah, like lighting your butt on fire" Ruffnut laughed.
"Or getting slammed into the wall by your dragon" Tuff said.
"Or being slammed into the wall while your butt was on fire by your dragon" the Twins said at the same time and tried to fall to the ground laughing. I could hear Snotlout grumble something about the dragon being unruly to notice the true Viking. Gods was he an idiot.
"Today went better than expected" Toothless said. I was glad he did.
"How so?"
"I had a good view of the circus in front of me" he replied smugly, while chuckling a little.
" (laugh) Yeah, couldn't agree with more on that one" I said, tightening the last metal rod in his tail fin before I started to seal it up again.
"Your Astrid did well though...she shows promise as a true rider"
"Yeah...she always goes above and beyond when training...no matter what the training is, always strives to be the best" I said getting up and dusting some dirt off my pants.
"Never expected you thought of me like that" a voice said behind me. I turned to see Astrid walking up to me with her dragon close behind her.
"Well as of now, you are my best student" I said with a shrug of my shoulders.
"Good to know" she said with a shake of her head to move some her bangs away from her eye and folding her arms over her chest. "So, are you coming to the Hall for dinner?"
"Yeah...I don't think so" I said.
"Why not?"
"Astrid...have you forgotten that I'm hated here, be everyone" I said.
"Everyone?" she asked raising an eyebrow in a semi-threatening way. I really should remember to choose my words carefully.
"Sorry, excluding you and possibly Gobber...everyone else I'm pretty sure of it."
"Hiccup, why are you worried about whether they hate you or not?"
"Firstly, I don't like the attention, especially traitorous treatment, another one is that they'll be focused on me if I come, and I bet some will even try to start fights with me...verbal or even physical" I reasoned. It was bound to happen. I just wanted to save myself and the other people from engaging in conflict.
"Your dad will be there...I'm sure he won't let them" she said.
"Clearly you haven't met my dad. He was the man who left me to fend for myself, said I was the embarrassment of this tribe, let Snotlout and the Twins bully me and did nothing about it...he won't do anything like always" I said looking down at my feet, shaking my head.
"Hiccup I thought you forgot about all that" she said, an obvious drop in her tone. Most likely from my discomfort of going to the Hall.
"(sigh) Astrid...I just can't, ok? They'll look at me as soon as I enter and have those glares at me...and that's it...if I look at any of them in the eye, I-I...I'm afraid I'll see the disappointment from when I was fifteen years old...and part of me is not able to go through that again" I said, not looking at her. I was mad at myself because I was still afraid of how the people would see me, or how those stares would bring back horrible memories. I felt Astrid's hand lift my chin up and I met her eyes. She then planted a soft kiss on my cheek, after checking to make sure no one was around.
"I know this will be hard for you Hiccup, but you don't have to sit by yourself...I'll save you a seat if you do decide to show up" she said smiling.
"Thank you, Astrid" I replied. She then turned around to give Stormfly a small rub under the chin before saying goodbye to her and following the other teens footsteps to the Hall.
"Are you going to go join her in the Hall?" Toothless asked.
"You should...that girl really likes you, we dragons can tell" Stormfly said, gesturing in the direction she left.
"Guys, it's more complicated than that...I like her but I can't deal facing all those people again...all the attention on me, and not in a good way."
"Didn't you expect them to behave towards you like that?" Toothless asked.
"Well yeah..."
"So what's the matter? I'll stay here with the dragons tonight and you can go enjoy yourself with the other teens. Don't let the villagers hold you back. Astrid invited you so go be with her in the Hall. If they look at you, so what? That's their problem, not yours" he said. And you know what? He was right. Why should I care what stares I get and the comments that I receive. Can't be worse than what I experienced over ten years of my life, and this is just one night...possibly more.
"You're right Toothless. You can stay here and talk with the dragons. I'll meet you back at the Cove tonight" I said, giving him a pat on the head and turning to leave the Training Ring.
"Just don't be out too late and don't do anything you might regret" he called back. I only shook my head with a smirk as he was trying to act like a concerned parent who was witnessing their child go out on their first date, if you could call it that. I looked around the village as I made my way to the Hall. There were a few people I passed, who stared at me and continued to even when I was twenty five feet from them going the other way. I could even hear people whisper things as I passed them, things I don't care about anymore. They can call me a traitor or coward or screw-up, I don't care anymore about what they think.
The Hall was just as I remembered it from the outside. Nothing much has changed around this village except for the new houses and buildings. The sun was nearly gone, just a few orange rays grazing over the horizon, and the night sky was already making its appearance. I stopped at the edge of the main doors of the Hall. I took one huge breath and pushed them open.
The first image of the Hall after five years was...peaceful. Vikings were chatting with each other at tables, a few kids were running about playing with each other. It seemed like the game was 'Capture the Dragon' so one of them played the dragon while the others chased the 'dragon' with toy swords. Some Vikings were sitting on chairs along the counter where all the mead was kept, telling stories and tales of their own adventures. It was all calming...that is until all of them turned in my direction to see who came in and stopped what they were doing.
The children dropped their swords and looked at me with wide eyes, the adults stopped eating, drinking and telling stories to look at me with displeasure, disappointment and some with hatred in their eyes. The atmosphere became so thick with silence that it appeared you would have to cut your through it with a sword. I simply glanced around, not making eye contact with any of them, but looking for Astrid and the rest of the teens. I finally found her sitting with them at the other end of the Hall. I started to make my way to them.
I could feel all their piercing gazes on me as I walked to them but I didn't pay attention to it...but I hated it. I saw Astrid had saved me a seat and I sat down next to her.
"Uh, hey Hiccup...you can't sit there" Snotlout said all of a sudden, crossing his arms and staring at me disapproval and a smug grin on his face.
"And why can't he?" Astrid beat me to the question.
"Clearly you forgot about the rule Astrid" Ruff said.
"Oh...that rule" I said, remembering what they were talking about.
"As a branded traitor to Berk, he can't be seen sitting with anyone here...sorry Hiccup" Fishlegs said, looking away when he was done, a look of sympathy on his face. At least he felt sorry for my current predicament.
"That's why everyone here is looking at us...so Hiccup, as much as I love the attention, please leave" Snotlout said, but he was immediately met with a mug to his face causing him to fall off his bench, and I looked to see Astrid retracting her arm.
"Hiccup...I'm sorry, if I remembered the law...I"
"It's ok. I've angered enough people as it is...I'll move to that table in the corner. Thanks for the offer at least" I said with a sad smile and got up, making my way to the other table, not before making my way to the food table to grab something. I took a leg of chicken, two pieces of bread and a piece of cod, and with a mug of water, made my way to my very own table...all for myself.
While on my way, I saw my father, along with Gobber and Spitelout sitting at the main table that was specially reserved for the Chief. I made eye contact with him for a second but didn't say anything. Why should I since he didn't say anything about letting me sit with whomever I want. I sat down, and dug in, ignoring everyone else, who after a few seconds of seeing me sit down by myself continued on with their conversations.
Just like old times I thought.
Astrid's POV
I sat there watching Hiccup sit there and eat his meal all alone, while everyone turned back to what they were doing and pretending he wasn't there. I turned back to face my friends, particularly Snotlout who just recovered from his fall. "Why did you bring up that law!?" I asked him.
"Well excuse me for following tradition. As future heir of this tribe I believe I should enforce the laws that we uphold everyday" he said.
"If you become Chief I'm heading to Sharkslane Village" I said.
"Ooh why? Is it because Hiccup will go there after he's done here?" Tuffnut asked, nudging Ruff with his elbow.
"No...because I don't want to see this village burn down in ten minutes once he becomes Chief" I said pointing to Snotlout. "Besides, I'm not interested in Hiccup" I cursed myself for saying that lie. It's because I realized I was going on with what traditions taught me and I was not listening to my true self.
"Yeah, I mean why would Astrid go for the dingy when she can have the armada?" he said gesturing to his over-sized arms and winking at me. Gods was he disgusting.
"Snotlout, when are you going to get it through that wooden skull of yours that I will never be interested in you?" I asked.
"You don't have to be interested in me Astrid, my dad just has to offer your dad a contract and you'll be mine" he said, crossing his arms behind his head and propping his feet up on the bench with a smirk on his face. Wow, he was playing the marriage card on me now...but he was right, if his dad offered papa the contract, I'll be done for. There will be no chance in Valhalla that he'll refuse it and I'll be forced to marry Snotlout...ugh!
I glanced back in Hiccup's direction and saw that he was finished his meal and appeared to be writing in his journal he kept on him at all times. "Astrid, where are you going?" Fishlegs asked, seeing me getting up.
"I'm going to sit with Hiccup" I said.
"But that's against tradition" Snotlout said, clearly not happy.
"Screw tradition!" I shot back and began making my way to Hiccup.
Hiccup's POV
I was busy writing in my journal when I felt someone tap my shoulder. "Excuse me sir, is this table taken?" I turned around and saw Astrid smiling.
"Astrid...I'm not supposed to be sitting with anyone here" I told her. I didn't want to bring attention to her.
"Well you're not...I'm sitting with you" she said, making herself comfortable next to me. I looked around to see if anyone began staring. There were a few prominent faces, but they turned away, most likely from Astrid glaring at them. "What are you writing in your book?" she asked, trying to see what I was doing. I immediately closed it.
"Not writing, drawing" I said, putting it away in my back pocket.
She made a small pouting face. "You're not going to tell me what it is?"
"Nope" I said, staring at her with a smirk. That's when another person sat down at the table.
"I couldn't be there alone with them, mind if I join you guys?" Fishlegs asked.
"Sure why not, the more the merrier" I said.
"So Hiccup, did you encounter any new species of dragons?" he asked almost immediately.
"Sort of...I've seen some new dragons. There's one I called the Typhoomerang. Here, I even have a drawing of it" I said, pulling out my journal and turning to the page. "Wow" the both of them said when they saw it.
"The adults are huge...and I mean huge, like the size of a Timberjack" I said.
"No way" Astrid said, before glancing back at the drawing again.
"It's special ability is a flaming cyclone, that's why I called it the Typhoomerang" I said.
"This isn't even in the Book of Dragons" Fishlegs commented, giving me back my journal.
"Yeah, the Book of Dragons doesn't have all the information on dragons, such as their size or weaknesses. Some pages don't have the shot limit of all the dragons" I said.
"We heard shots...what did you shoot!" Tuff yelled as he came to our table and sat down, and so did Ruffnut.
"There were no shots Tuffnut" Fishlegs said.
"Liar!" he yelled back, to which he got a hit on the head from his sister. Even Snotlout joined us a few seconds later, claiming that he didn't want us to be bored and not the reason that he was lonely.
"So what are we going to work on tomorrow?" Astrid asked.
"Well..."
"What is here doing here!?" we all heard a voice and a few groans as well emanate from the Hall. I turned around and sure enough, Mildew was there, pointing his staff at me. "Why is this traitor, this dragon lover, sitting down here in the Hall!?" he asked again.
"I came here because I was hungry, Mildew" I said.
"Here!? To the Hall where there are dragon hunters and warriors here...You dare stain this place with your lies!?" he yelled again walking closer to our table.
"They're not lies Mildew, if you were there in the Training Ring today, everyone at this table learned how to fly their dragons" I said, gesturing to all the teens.
"Yeah, it was awesome!" Tuff yelled, shooting his arms in the air, but brought them down when he received glares.
"Dragons don't seem like what we thought they were" Fishlegs said, causing a few gasps from the crowd.
"Look at what this boy is doing to our future...corrupting them with lies and forcing them to trust dragons over us!" he said again, this time causing shouts of agreement from the other Vikings.
"Mildew, he is not forcing anything, the teens joined him in his lessons on their own accord" my dad said, causing the shouts to stop.
"Are you really trusting this dragon lover to be convert our future from warriors to dragon tamers!?" he asked.
"I'm not doing anything Mildew. Hiccup is here just to help with our dragon raids and once he is done with that he'll be on his way" Stoick said. That's when he turned his attention back on me.
"Well, that may be the case, but are you going to put yer' faith in the boy who is useless when it comes to fighting?" he asked. Did he really just make the 'Hiccup the Useless' reference?
"I make sure they learn Mildew and I am there to stop things if a situation gets out of control" I said.
"Pff...what I can't believe is that you've sided with the beasts that we've all sworn to kill" he said, and a few more agreements and nodding of heads from the other Vikings. Is he really pushing me around? "Is it because you thought you weren't good enough to become a Viking? Or that you knew you were useless that you tried to offer yourself to a dragon to kill yourself? You couldn't even lift an axe or a bola and you always caused more damage than the dragons during raids! Maybe that's why he joined them, just to cause more damage to us!" he shouted. And just as predicted some of the Vikings were agreeing with him, as they stood up and stood behind him. But then, Mildew said something that I never expected.
"Or did you go after your mother who abandoned you?" That hit a nerve. I curved my hand into a fist, hoping that I wouldn't do something I would regret. "That could be the only reason why she left, after baring him for nine months, and wasting four years of her life...she was lucky, unlike the most enough..." he said and some of the Vikings in the Hall laughed. That was it.
"ENOUGH!" I yelled getting up from the table. He was clearly shocked by my outburst that he literally took three steps back, as did everyone else. I looked around the Hall to see everyone had dropped what they were doing and were looking at me as if I had two heads. I even looked back at the table I was sitting at, and saw the teens with the same expressions as everyone else...Astrid had more of a worried expression.
I then felt a tear run down my cheek. I didn't wipe it away...why bother. I turned back to Mildew, it was my turn now.
"You know what Mildew...you're right...I wasn't a Viking. I couldn't lift an axe, couldn't throw a bola, couldn't shoot an arrow, nothing...I was useless" I looked at everyone now, "Every time I tried to do something good, tried to help...something would go wrong, and you all would blame me and wish Loki never had never thrust this cruel joke onto all of you!" I yelled.
"I tried to help the only way I knew how...but you all berated me for being...me! I tried so hard only for it to blow up in my face, and none of you even acknowledged that I was only trying to help! What did you want me to do!? If it was to leave, I'm sorry it took eleven more years for that because I kept convincing myself that I had a place in this tribe! I was an idiot for eleven years because only when I was fifteen did I realize I didn't belong here, and only then had the courage to leave. I saw things that you could only dream of, changed lives for the better of all the villages I visited!" my eyes were already brimming with tears.
"The only person who made me feel human, told me I had a place, told that different was good was my mother...(wipes away a tear)...she was always there for me...every time I needed someone to cheer me up, every time I felt doubt about myself, she was there...the only person who ever told me I was great just the way I was!" I yelled. I looked back to the teens and I could tell by her tense body she wanted to hug me, to comfort me...but both of us knew if that did happen, she would come under scrutiny and rumours.
"I can see I am clearly not wanted here...so I'll leave, and all of you can deal with your dragon problem on your own!" I yelled and began to make my way to the door.
"Hiccup!" my dad called after me, and I could his huge footsteps chase after me until the door. As soon as the door was closed I ran into the forest, and that was when I let all the tears flow freely.
Astrid's POV
I couldn't believe what just took place right in front of me. Everyone was looking down now, possibly thinking on what he said, some others brushed it off and some were looking at Mildew who pushed him to his limit.
"Mildew...what was wrong wit ye'?" Gobber asked.
"I put him in his place, where all traitors should be" he responded.
"You really thought bringing in his mother...my wife...into this will put him in his place?!" Stoick yelled, after his son slammed the doors in his face. "I should imprison you for saying harsh things about her...instead I'll ask you to leave" he said.
"And what if I don't want to?" he asked.
"That wasn't a request" Stoick said in a low and dangerous voice. Mildew knew he was beat as the Chief always followed through with his threats, so he turned and made his way to the doors.
"I guess five years really changes a person" Fishlegs said, breaking the silence at our table.
"You have no idea" I replied.
"Why would Hiccup even run away...again!..I mean..." Snotlout started but I wanted to interrupt him right there.
"So you're saying when someone says your mother doesn't love you and left you because she thought you were useless will not affect you?" I asked.
"Well...I...shut up Astrid" he grumbled. I didn't want to be here right now. But I couldn't just get up and leave because that would arouse suspicion, and that's the last thing Hiccup and I both needed. So I waited for what seemed like an eternity until most of the people left to retire for the night. That's when I also said that I would be going back home for rest. As soon as I was out of the doors I bolted for the Cove, it was the only place he could go to.
The run took five minutes or so, and I slowed to a walk as I neared the edge. I peered over some bushes and saw Hiccup sitting near the fire, hugging his knees close to his chest and resting his head on them. I noticed that Toothless wasn't here yet, he must still be at the Training Ring. I made my way down the Cove by the rough path along the side and walked up to Hiccup.
"Hiccup" I called softly as I approached him. I could hear him sobbing the closer I got. "Hiccup, please say something" I pleaded as I sat beside him, running my hand long his back.
"Hiccup, please don't listen to what he said...he's a grumpy, idiot old man who likes to deal low blows to anyone...please don't take what he said to you seriously" I said, trying to his face which was hidden by his knees and shaggy auburn hair.
"It's...it's not that...it's my mother...it's just that...she was the only one who understood me...and for him to say those things...it was like a dagger to the heart" he said, finally lifting his head. His cheeks were stained with tears, his face was red and he had blood-shot eyes.
"Oh Hiccup.." I said, bringing him close to me and letting his head rest on my shoulder as I hugged him.
"Astrid...please tell me why...I'm here again" he said.
"Hiccup...what are you..."
"Astrid..." he said pulling back and looking me in the eye, "...please tell me why I'm here again" he repeated the question. That's when I understood it. I held his cheeks in my palms and rested our foreheads against each other.
"You're here...to help the dragons Hiccup" I said and I could feel a few sobs escaping him. "You're here to put an end to the deaths of dragons, to figure out why they are attacking, to find a way to stop us killing them, and to save them from their deaths" I said, pulling back, as did he. He let out a small chuckle, it was good to see him smiling again.
"Thank you Astrid...I needed that" he said.
"I'm not done Hiccup" he looked at me, surprised. "You're here because I convinced you to come, and because of that, because of your presence here...I feel complete. You're here because you summoned all the strength that the Gods could give a mortal to come back to a place that wasn't his home, to show the people that he has changed, that he has become his own man, and that Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, has shown a shield maiden the other side of life...a life she would have missed if it wasn't for him...a life that she owes him...you saved her Hiccup...you saved me" I said as I closed the gap between our faces and captured his lips. I felt his arms wrap themselves around my waist and behind my lower back while I wrapped mine around his neck.
A/N: I guess this is where it gets a T/M again. Just warning.
Normal POV
The kiss grew more passionate with each second, and Hiccup began leaning towards her, pushing her head down and pressing his tongue against her lips. She gladly parted her lips, and let hers meet his in her mouth. She released her hands from his neck and brought them behind her to hold her against the ground, while Hiccup let his hands roam the sides of her goddess like frame. Only four minutes later did they part from the kiss, looking deeply into each other's eyes.
Astrid then reached for the straps of his leather armour and began untying them. "A-Astrid...what if..."
"Don't ruin the moment" she breathed as she captured his lips again and Hiccup pulled his armour off once she was done. She brought her fingers to the hem of his green tunic and pulled it off of him. That sight of scars on his abdomen and chest meeting her again. Hiccup took this chance and let his hands unclasp her robe and shoulder pads, then letting them roam underneath her red tunic, feeling the soft skin underneath his touch. She soon began to moan through the kiss, most likely from feeling his magical touch after a while on her body.
Hiccup disengaged and removed her tunic for her, and Astrid quickly undid her braids, letting her gold hair fall down her back. Hiccup took a brief second to admire the beauty before him. It was a full moon tonight and no clouds in the sky, and the light illuminated her figure brilliantly, as if she were a goddess descending from Valhalla. He took note of her beautiful curves, how her from her shoulders, passed her breast bindings, that her body seemed to grow thinner. Her pale skin glowing white against the moon's light, her golden hair being glowed, basking her in what appeared to be an aura of some sort, as if she were not of this world...and those ice blue eyes, the passion and fire in them, as well as love and caring, staring right back at him.
It was the same for her as well. In front of her was this young man, his chest and abdomen adorned with scars from fights and torture. This was a boy who was forged into a man by his own doing. The muscles he gained; his chest stood out proud and he wasn't even trying, his abs were nearly obvious, but anyone could make out he had them. His toned arms and body from flying, forging and training. He looked like the general of an army, a man that would fight to the very last breath for what he believed and loved. And those eyes...those beautiful emerald green eyes, illuminated by the moon light. She could see the love and care in them, but she could also see the hurt and pain from what just happened and his whole life. She wanted to make it go all away.
Astrid wrapped her arms around his neck again and brought him in, immediately meeting his tongue in his mouth. Hiccup meanwhile undid her spiked skirt and tossed it away, leaving her in her tight leggings, outlining even more gorgeous traits. She began to lean back, not removing her hands from his neck, and he gently laid her onto the soft grass while gliding his hands along her sides, causing her to squirm and moan at his actions.
He stopped the kiss and began moving down her jawline to her neck. "Hi-H-Hiccup" she moaned, feeling his soft lips against her sensitive skin. She ran her right leg against his and he shuddered at the contact. It was as if he was feeling her skin.
He continued moving down, over her bindings and to her stomach, placing kisses and letting his tongue do its work. He wanted to please her, to make her shudder with ecstasy, and he was doing just that, her moans as payment for his work. After about two minutes of attention to her flat-toned stomach, he moved back up and rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you Astrid" he said, resting his hands along her sides.
"I love you too Hiccup" she replied, keeping her hands along the side of her body, as if she were trapped.
"We...We can't go...far again..." he breathed. She loved feeling his warm breaths against her skin. It was a cool night, and the fire beside them kept most of the cold away.
"I-I know...stupid law" she muttered, causing him to laugh a bit before they locked eyes again.
"You'll have to leave soon...to keep them from getting suspicious" he said.
"Don't worry...I'll go after we're done" she said with sly smile and sparkle in her eyes.
"If it wasn't for that or so many other consequences..." he said, running his fingers along her sides, and looking at her body as if he was starving.
"Believe me Hiccup...you don't know how much I want you" she said. That was it. They crashed lips again, her arms wrapping around his neck and bringing him closer, not letting him escape.
However, through the rustling of the grass they were in, the moans from her, and fire crackling, they couldn't hear the pair of feet running away from their location.