Chapter Two: Strangers at Helheim's Gate
It was afternoon, when Hiccup arrived at Helheim's Gate.
The volcanic island was on the first look nothing special.
It was only a tall volcano and a lot of large boulders that lined the coast.
Not something special for the Archipelago. You wouldn't guess it was the secret hideout of the dragon queen.
Hiccup dismounted and looked around. Standing there, in the shadow of that giant mountain, he felt smaller than he already was. He'd been inside the mountain already. He didn't need to see that again. He knew it too well.
The outside was a different story.
Slowly Hiccup became second thoughts.
This was, without a doubt a bad idea, but until now, it had been possible. Well, at least a tiny bit.
Now he thought: How in the Gods name am I going to get the beast out of there? Or, how do I generally fight something that it over a million times bigger and stronger and more dangerous than I am? Why did I leave? Is it too late to change? This was a stupid idea.
He was so deep in thoughts he didn't realized he'd gotten company.
The man that stood suddenly nest to him was tall and had black hair that reached his shoulders. His features were elfish and he had a smirk on his face that said "mischief" and "Please keep your wallet close"!
He wore a black robe and a golden and black armor above that. At his right side hung a sword and he stood with his arms folded and head slightly turned to one side, the same way Hiccup stood there and eyed the mountain the same way.
"Well, you could trick her into coming out, you know?" he said thoughtfully.
Hiccup jumped at least a hundred feet into the air.
"Holy mother of Freya!" he cursed and backed away from the man.
"Who in Hel's name are you?"
"Her father!" the man said dryly and patted Toothless on the head who seemed to rather enjoy it.
"But that's not important. Important is, how you proceed. Now come on, think fast, I know you're smart! How could you bait her out of the safety of her volcano?"
Hiccup was too stunned to react normal.
"Well, I…I could…I mean…we…fly…destroy mountain…Toothless and I…Ahm…yeah." The man nodded.
"Excellent. Wouldn't have said it better myself. Sounds like a plan brother. You better get it started. be careful and remember, not so fireproofed from the inside, are they?"
He smirked and winked at him.
Then he turned around and made the attempt to go, but Hiccup grabbed his wrist.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
The man turned slightly around. "I am a friend dear boy. Stay safe. I will help you as best as I can, for you are my most important friend. Farewell." With that he dissolved into nothing and left a confused Hiccup at the shore of Helheim's Gate.