Chapter Twelve: A journey begins

The next morning, Hiccup awoke early. The sun hadn't fully risen over the horizon. He stretched his sore muscles and yawned.

"Rise and shine sunshine." A happy voice said. He jumped a bit but relaxed when he saw that it was just the trickster god.

"Morning." He yawned again and stood up. "How are you feeling?" Loki asked. "Good. Why?" Loki shrugged. "Just so." "Aha."

Hiccup got up, refreshed himself, changed cloth and ate something.

The whole time, Loki watched him.

It started to annoy him.

"Okay, spit it out, what's the matter? Do I have dirt in my face?" Loki chuckled. "Maybe." Hiccup tried to see his reflection in his water mug. When the ripples disappeared he eyed his reflection and gasped. "Loki! Seriously?" Loki couldn't hold it anymore and laughed out loud. "I think you look good." "I knew something felt wrong." Loki just laughed along.

"Stupid prankster-god. Good for nothing."

Loki, being who he was, couldn't stop prancing Hiccup from time to time. He was really good at it. It started small like things disappearing, like cloths whenever Hiccup was bathing. Next were instable chairs and crumpling plates. Then Loki began to get personal. On morning Hiccup had woken up with paint in the face that wouldn't go off for two days. He would paint Hiccups arms and face and chest while he was asleep or worse his feet.

Then he moved into exploding mugs and fire-catching spoons.

He thought it was hilarious. Hiccup thought he was childish.

And now Hiccup was leaning over his mug trying to measure the damage.

Loki had cut his hair.

His hair that always was long and frayed and fell into his eyes were cut short to a scraggy mess on his head. It was thicker that way but really, there was so much missing! It felt so strange.

"Really, a man's hair is off-limits!" Loki just shrugged it off. "Hey, you're starting a new chapter in your life. A lot of people do stuff like that when they leave old thing behind."

"But why didn't you ask me?"

"Where would be the surprise?" Hiccup shook his head. "Forget it."

Lokis expression changed into a serious face.

"Hiccup. You are ready. Today you should fly south. I cut your hair also because you look totally different now. Just in case you should run into someone you might know. And it makes you look more mature. Not bad if you talk to adults."

Hiccup had a strange feeling in his gut.

"Loki. I'm not sure if…This is all so unrealistic. Just a month ago I was a nobody with a dragon friend. Now I am supposed to save the world? How did I get here so fast?"

Loki sighed. Teenagers were really difficult.

"Yes you are Hiccup. I watched you for a long time now and you changed dramatically in this one month. Yesterday, when you were flying, when you overcame your last problems, I saw that it was the right time for you. So what if it feels strange? Trust your instincts and not how it should be. What does your gut say?"

Hiccup slowly breathed deep.

"My gut is nervous but also anticipated."

He opened his eyes and put his hands into his sides.

"Okay. I trust you on this."

Loki put one hand on his shoulder. "You gonna do just fine. Pack your stuff, I'll be back in an hour."

Hiccup nodded and Loki dissolved.

Hiccup didn't posses much and what he did found its way into a backpack Loki had given him. Together with dishes, some tools, a blanket, fire-stones and food.

Last, he turned his attention to the pile of weapons Loki had left him a few days ago.

Hiccup was not naïve. He knew that this was war. He needed a weapon and chances were fat that he'd have to use them. Better pick something good.

They were all well crafted and different.

He hadn't really tried them.

Slowly he approached the pile of metal.

Big, heavy and wicked swords, heavy axes and clubs, sharp knives and a morning star were piled there. He wasn't so sure. Most of the stuff he probably couldn't even lift.

Then something in the pile caught his attention. He pushed some big sword aside and found what it was.

A silver bow with a matching quiver and a slim sword attached to it.

He lifted them from the pile and marveled over their lightness.

Something Gobber once had said popped into his head.

"You don't choose the weapon. The weapon chooses you."

Back then he thought that was rubbish but now he felt a strange connection towards the bow and sword.

They were no mighty, Viking-like weapons. No Viking would ever use a bow.

Maybe a crossbow when he was hunting. But not a bow like this. And the sword...A toothpick as Gobber would say. Long and thin, jet sharp and quick. Just like Hiccup himself.

But Vikings liked the big heavy blades more.

"Another proof that I'm not a Viking."

When Loki returned, Hiccup had changed into a black trouser and tunic that would withstand cold winds and rain. The bow was on his back with the quiver and the sword was at his side. His pack hung at the saddle together with a basket full fish for Toothless.

Loki saw the weapons but didn't say anything.

Now they were standing in the cave entrance looking at the rapidly rising sun.

Loki sighed. "It won't go to wrong."

"Yeah."

Loki cleared his throat. "I…I have one last gift for you." He touched Hiccups forehead and a soft blue light burned for a few second in the air.

"With this, you will be able to speak and understand every language. And with that" Loki tipped at his right hand and a little spark flew from his hand into Hiccups "you will never be cold." Cue Hiccups hand erupted into flames.

"What the…"

"Language."

"Sorry. Freaking poop!" The flames died down.

"Just will them to appear. But be careful. A boy traveling in his own on the back of a mysterious dragon is suspicious enough."

Hiccup looked up sharply. "What do you mean? I thought you came with me."

Loki shook his head. "Sadly I can't interfere here. I'm needed in Asgard. But I will always help you and guide you. You just have to ask. I promise."

Hiccup pulled a sour face but accepted it. He rolled with his shoulder, cracked his neck and mounted Toothless determined.

He looked one last time at the god.

"Thanks. For everything."

Loki smiled. "This isn't farewell."

"But goodbye for now."

"I will see you soon enough."

"With my luck."

They shook hands.

Then Hiccup gave Toothless the signal and the dragon launched himself into the air.

"It should be me thanking you Hiccup. You have no idea what is about to come. I'm sorry." Loki said bitterly back in the cave before he teleported to Asgard.

High above the ground and waters Hiccup and Toothless swirled through the clouds. "What do you think bud? You wanna give this a shot?"