Disclaimer: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon.
Chapter 6: Meeting
Third Person's P.O.V.
Hiccup was still unconscious several hours after the attack from the serpent. Arvellas had passed out earlier because of the dark, dangerous magic radiating off of the serpent and Toothless had not rested. The dragon had chosen to pace in front of the bed Hiccup was sleeping on in the medical hut back at the village. The poison from the serpent's fangs was made from an old and very powerful magic and had taken most of Mireth's and Arthon's magic healing abilities to get it all out. After Arthon had heard how Hiccup had saved Cuin, he didn't glare at them anymore or treat them like prisoners.
"Why have there been so many dark creatures lately?" Haleth asked her father.
"I do not know young one," Alagos answered, moving some curly blonde hair out of his face, "but the queen and king are taking care of it."
"Will you and Mother have to leave and fight again like when I was an infant?"
"We might Haleth," Alagos kneeled down so he was eye level with her, "If the king and queen need our help, we will be there."
"What does she mean by 'again'?" Astrid asked.
"Many years ago, we lived in a place like this one that was also named Lainos but humans came and killed many Elves. Beren called for retreat when he saw how few of us were still alive. After a long journey with help from Stoick, we came here and we just knew it was safe," Cuin explained.
"Is that why Arthon doesn't like humans?" Astrid asked and reached out to Toothless to stop his pacing with one hand, and the other held Hiccup's hand.
"Mireth had just had a newborn shortly before everything happened, a beautiful baby girl named Alyndra. Mireth had been resting at home with Alyndra because the labor had been hard on her and Arthon was working. That was when the humans attacked our village with hundreds of men, so many that even with all the Elves we had at the time, we were still overrun. Mireth hid in a closet with Alyndra and Arthon came to get them to safety. Several humans came and Mireth had left Alyndra hidden to help Arthon. One of the men got past them and found her and…" Cuin couldn't finish the story but Astrid knew what happened.
"Did they attack for any reason?" Astrid asked, managing to get Toothless to lie down.
"No, they were only seeking to destroy and conquer," Alagos clenched his fists, "That is why they are so protective of Muin."
"For the longest time, Hiccup and I were told that Valka was taken away by a dragon," Astrid explained, "Hiccup was only a baby at the time but Valka explained how she knew that dragons weren't dangerous. That's why Stoick didn't like them for a long time."
Astrid's eyes widened and she stood up.
"Stoick doesn't know though," Astrid whispered, "You said Stoick knows where this place is?"
"Yes, he was with us when we found it," Alagos said.
"Stoick must have reached the island by now and is probably waiting for us," Astrid headed towards the door but looked back at Hiccup, "I don't want to leave him."
"I will talk to Beren about having someone look and see if he is waiting," Cuin headed over and placed a hand on Astrid's shoulder, "You need to rest too. Hiccup will be fine, he is in good hands."
"I know but I want to be here when he wakes up," Astrid seated herself on the edge of the bed and ran her fingers through his hair.
Cuin left to talk to Beren and Haleth followed her. The girl was used to going out into the cave and exploring. The king was in the meeting room with Rovain.
"How is he?" Beren asked as he stood from his chair.
"Still sleeping, there has been no change," Cuin reported, "Astrid had brought up the fact that Stoick might be waiting in the cave. Should we send a party to get him?"
"Yes, I will go with Alagos to meet him," Beren walked out of the room and to the med hut.
The curly headed Elf was waiting by the door. Haleth ran up to her father and told him how he would be going to the cave with Beren to see if Stoick was there.
"Can I come?" she asked.
"Haleth, with all the things that have been going on, I want you to stay here where it is safe," Alagos kneeled down, "I do not want to lose you."
Haleth nodded and hugged her father before they headed off. The two older Elves noticed how skittish the creatures were and how a gloom hung over the place.
"Do you have any idea as to what is going on?" Alagos asked his king.
"I know the prophecy is going to come true, Alagos," Beren admitted, "Rovain knows it too. That dragon, even though dead, is doing something with dark magic. I do not know what. Arvellas told me after she had awoken that she has been having nightmares; a hero's funeral but she could not tell for whom and a crazy Viking with lots and lots of blood covering him. Everyone is scared but there is nothing I can do about it."
"It seems to be taking the greatest toll on you, Beren," Alagos pointed out, "No matter what happens, do not blame yourself. I know you see everything as your responsibility since you are king, but we can help."
"Thank you, Alagos," Beren put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
They came to the stone wall and Beren whispered the ancient words. The portal shimmered and they stepped through. Stoick along with many teenage Vikings and dragons sat in the middle of the cave. The teenage Vikings looked bored as they talked to the dragons who looked equally bored except for a bright blue Deadly Nadder. All of the dragons simultaneously froze at the scent of new comers and the Monstrous Nightmare began to catch fire.
"Stoick," Beren announced himself as they stepped out of the shadows.
"Beren?" the chief stood and stepped forward.
"It has been a long time," the king smiled, "We have your son and his love, along with another Viking."
"You have them? Thank the gods," Stoick let out a deep breath, "Who else do you have?"
"Someone you have not seen for several years," Beren said and motioned for them to follow.
"Stoick, how do you know Elves?" Snotlout asked as he calmed down Hookfang.
"The last time I checked, Elves weren't real," Fishlegs spoke up.
"Yeah, Elves are fairytales," Ruffnut said.
"I miss fairytales," Tuffnut sighed, "Remember when Mom would read them to us?"
Alagos motioned for the group to follow as they went back through. If the animals were skittish before, they were even more freaked out now. The twins had tried to grab a unicorn, Snotlout tried to ride a griffin, and Fishlegs didn't try anything but all the animals loved him. When Stormfly smelled her rider, she raced off down the trail and took to the air.
"Stormfly!" Stoick yelled and was about to run after the dragon but Beren stopped him.
"Is that Astrid's dragon?"
Stoick nodded.
"She just smells her rider," Beren reassured, "She will not cause any trouble. Besides, that girl needs something to cheer her up."
"Why? What happened?" Fishlegs asked as he pried a fairy out of his hair.
"Creatures created by old, dark magic have been showing themselves lately. The latest one was a dark serpent that must have sensed Hiccup and Toothless when they were separated from us when we were showing them around and when we went to rescue them, Hiccup saved one of our own and was bit," Alagos explained, "It took most of the strength of both of our healers to get the poison out."
"Is he okay?" Stoick asked.
"He was sleeping the last time I saw him," Alagos reported, "Astrid wanted to stay behind for when he wakes."
"That boy, always doing stupid things," Stoick chuckled.
The small village came into view and they headed for the med hut where Haleth was waiting outside. Her eyes widened and she smiled as she raced forward and hugged Alagos.
"Father, there was a crazy Deadly Nadder that was really pretty that went running inside," Haleth said, "when I went inside, Astrid was hugging her and talking to her like she was afraid she wasn't going to see her again."
"How is Hiccup doing?" Alagos asked.
"He woke up for a few minutes from a nightmare but fell back asleep after Valka and Astrid calmed him down."
"Wait, what did you say?" Stoick questioned.
"Haleth, is Valka still in there?" Beren inquired.
The blonde Elf nodded and looked at Stoick.
"Are you Hiccup's father?"
The chief nodded and looked at the king with disbelief.
"Are you talking about my wife?" Stoick shook his head, "My wife's been dead for years!"
Beren shook his head and motioned to the hut.
"Haleth, please take Stoick to them," Beren turned towards the meeting room, "and bring them to the meeting room when they are ready. I think your friends should stay out here for a few minutes."
Stoick followed Haleth inside the hut and Alagos left with Beren. Haleth pushed open the door and Stoick felt like he could fall over. Hiccup looked so peaceful sleeping there on the bed with Astrid holding his hands and keeping his hair out of his eyes. The lady that Stoick thought he'd never see again turned towards the door and her eyes widened.
"Stoick?" her voice trembled as she stood from the edge of the bed.
Stoick didn't say a word as he walked towards her as she kept rambling on. She stopped when he put his hand on her cheek and said,
"You're as beautiful as the day I lost you."
Valka began to cry and hugged the large man and Hiccup who had woken up during Valka's rambling smiled and squeezed Astrid's hand tightly.
"Hey Dad," Hiccup croaked and Astrid handed him a glass of water.
"Hiccup!" Stoick hugged his boy in a back breaking embrace but let go when Hiccup hissed in pain.
Toothless showered his rider in dragon slobber and made himself comfortable on the bed. Haleth brought the others in and they said their greetings.
"Are you ready to talk with the king and queen?" Haleth asked when they all calmed down.
"Yes, let's get everything figured out," Stoick said.
Astrid and Toothless mainly helped Hiccup get out of bed and walk since he was still weak from the poison that had been running through his body. All of the elves were sitting in their spots when they all walked in.
"It is good to see you up and moving, Hiccup," Beren greeted.
"It's nice to be up and moving."
"About the prophecy," Beren started, "I know the prophecy cannot be stopped, no matter how hard you try. We can only prepare ourselves for what is coming."
"What is coming?" Tuffnut asked, "It's gotta be bad if it involves Dagur."
"Dagur is trying to bring the Red Death back to life but he needs Hiccup's blood to do it," Rovain explained, "It is an old ritual used by dark sorcerers and witches, back when the land was shrouded in darkness. This deranged Viking thinks if he brings it back, he can control it and take over everywhere but that will not happen."
"Why can't he?" Fishlegs asked.
"The dark magic he is planning to use is too powerful," Mireth butted in, "It was only controlled by people who had trained for several years so they would not lose control. Losing control has proved disastrous and that was why it was banned."
"What will happen when he loses control?" Stoick questioned.
"The Red Death will destroy everything in its path, including Berk and Lainos," Rovain said, "but we know you can stop it. You did it once before."
"That was only because I tricked it," Hiccup shrugged his shoulders, "It'll know what I'm doing when I try to kill it again."
Arthon shook his head, "The Red Death will not think clearly once it is brought back. It will only want to obliterate and anger will consume its mind."
"So you're saying it will be even stupider than last time?" Astrid crossed her arms.
"In a way, yes," Arthon petted his owl.
"Cuin, Alagos, Haleth, Arvellas, and Aran will give you weapons just in case," Beren said, "Mireth, Muin, and Arthon will prepare their medical supplies and after everything is prepared, Haleth, Muin, Aran, and Arvellas will be moved to safety."
"But Father-" Aran was cut off as Beren raised his hand.
"You are the next king, Aran," Beren said, "In case something happens, you four will be all that is left of our race and we cannot have the Elven race dying out."
"Yes Father," Aran finished and smoothed Valaina's ruffled feathers.
"Speaking of Muin and Haleth, where are they?" Valka spoke up.
Mireth, Arthon, Cuin, and Alagos all stood from the table and searched the room for the two Elven children. Toothless's ears perked at the sound of screaming and he raced outside and down the trail.
"Toothless!" Hiccup called.
Astrid and Hiccup got on Stormfly and she hurriedly flew after the Night Fury. The animals were going crazy from the sound of screaming and the scent of bad strangers. Everyone followed the four to the entrance and found that the portal was open and the screams were leaking through. Toothless vanished inside and they flew inside.
Dagur's men filled the cave and two of them were holding the two missing children who were crying and screaming as they struggled in the burly men's arms.
"Guess who I found?" Dagur laughed and sneered at the two Vikings, "Ready to play, Hiccup?"
A/N: Sorry it took so long guys. My computer is on its last leg and life is like 'oh, let me be hard and awful and horrible'. I had spring break though so I got some time to type this up and my computer is holding up.