Future Chief!
Even though he is not chief yet, Hiccup has started putting his inner circle together.
Disclaimer: I rarely, if ever, write cannon. I write how the story takes me.
Disclaimer: I don't own HTTYD or their characters. In other words, I Own Nothing.
Chapter 5: Head Counselor , Emissary and Defense
Hiccup and Fishlegs are down at the cove talking about the future of Berk.
"Legs, as you know, dad is about to step down and I will be taking over as chief" Hiccup begin.
"Yeah Hiccup, I know that." Fishlegs answered.
"Well Legs, I'm putting my inner circle together now so we can hit the ground running once I'm made chief. With what I want to do, I don't have time to flounder about. I have a lot of plans and projects in mind for the improvement of Berk and I need people in place immediately. The other thing is the people in my inner circle have to be people I trust and the right people for the job. I already know who I want and where I want them. I will have a normal council but then I will also have an inner circle where only my most trusted members will be a part of." Hiccup finished.
"I understand Hiccup and I think that is very shrewd of you to get everything in place before you take over. But what has this got to do with me?" Fishlegs asked.
"Legs, I have very important job for you and I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to accept no as an answer from you." Hiccup stated.
Fishlegs looked at his friend nervously. Of course, he knew Hiccup was going to be chief and could demand anything he wanted of him but what could he want him to do that he wouldn't accept no.
"Oookay Hhhhiccup, now that you have me good and scared, what is it that you need me to do?" Fishlegs stuttered.
"I want you to be my Head Counselor." Hiccup said with a smile.
Fishlegs was stunned. With the exception of Astrid being his 2nd in command, this was the most important job to the chief and the village and Hiccup wanted him.
"Hiccup, I don't know what to say. Of course, I'm honored you think that highly of me and if you are sure I'm the person you want then I whole heartily accept." Fishlegs gushed.
"There is no other I trust with this Legs; I want you. You were the only one on my list for this position. I will officially announce that you are third in charge of the village after me and Astrid. I really feel that between you, Astrid and I we can really propel Berk into the future and quit all this outdated thinking that does nothing but keep us stuck in the mud. We can really move us forward Legs."
Fishlegs was starting to get excited. Whenever he heard Hiccup talk like this it gave Fishlegs inspiration like nothing else could. This is what he does, Fishlegs thought. He inspires people to do things they didn't know they could do. There was no question in Fishlegs mind that he would follow Hiccup without question to wherever he decided to lead.
"I'm with you Hiccup, all the way." Fishlegs said with a huge smile on his face.
"Ok, let me tell you about the most pressing problems I see with Berk. I want to have plans in place when I'm made chief so that all I have to do is give you a nod and you can immediately get things moving."
The two friends talked well into the night.
The following day finds Hiccup knocking on Fishlegs door.
"Well, hello Hiccup" Mrs. Ingerman greeted him after opening the door. "Fishlegs is not home at the moment."
"Good evening Mrs. Ingerman; I'm not here to see Fishlegs. I was wondering if you and Mr. Ingerman had a few minutes to talk." Hiccup asked.
"Of course, Hiccup; come on in." Mrs. Ingerman replies while inviting him in.
Once everyone was seated Hiccup didn't waste any time.
"As you already know, I will be made chief shortly. What you probably don't know is the plans I have for Berk won't wait. Winter is right around the corner and there is lots to do before we are snowed under. I'm putting my council and inner circle together now so it will be a seamless transition when I'm made chief. Everyone will already know what jobs they have and what I want from them in those jobs. As I said, there is no time for floundering around." Hiccup finished.
The couple looked at this boy wide eyed. Yeah, he might be a boy age wise but he was a man in every other way. They were very impressed with the way he was speaking and how he was ready to take reigns. They were also impressed by the fact that he knew certain things had to be done quickly as winter was coming. What they couldn't figure out was why he was telling them all of this.
"Hiccup" Mr. Ingerman started. "Everything you have said here this evening is reassuring and great to hear but why are you are telling us?"
"Oh, that's easy; I want you two as part of my inner circle. I want the both of you to be my emissaries." Hiccup stated straight out.
The couple sat there wide eyed stiff as boards. Hiccup gave a little chuckle at the stunned couple. Hiccup decided to let them off the hook.
"Now before you say no, listen to me. You are two of the most level-headed Vikings on Berk. You both are very knowledgeable on Berk's history, policies, alliance's and trade agreements. Since you will be part of my inner circle, you will know first hand the direction I am trying to take Berk. I also happen to know that you two have a bit of the same wanderlust in your blood that I have to see the world. In my estimation, the two of you are the best choice for me and the best choice for Berk. I also like the idea of having two emissaries because you could bounce ideas off of each other on how to handle negotiations. Now, there is one more very important thing I have to do before you say no." Hiccup stated.
The Ingerman's had been quietly listening to Hiccup. They both had been getting more and more excited as Hiccup made his case. They did get a little ill at ease after his last statement. Mr. Ingerman spoke up.
"Ok Hiccup, what is the one more thing that you have to do?"
"I have to give you the same ultimatum that I gave your son." Hiccup responded.
"And what ultimatum is that?" Mrs. Ingerman asked suspiciously.
"I'm not going to be able to accept a no from you. I believe in putting people in jobs where all their abilities and talents can be put on display and used to the fullest. Mrs. Ingerman, I know in the Viking world men have a stupid habit of thinking women are not as intelligent as men. I can guarantee you that I am not afflicted with that idiotic premise and I know for a fact that your husband and son aren't either. Mrs. Ingerman, you are one of the smartest and shrewdest Vikings on Berk. You and your husband make a formidable team and are the only two people I want for this very important post. You are the only two that I feel could represent Berk properly. There is no other I want for this posting." Hiccup stated.
The Ingerman's didn't know what to say. Hiccup had just came in and handed them the posting they had only dreamed about and wasn't going to take no for an answer. Edna was glowing from the praise that Hiccup had just given her. They knew Hiccup was smart and had a big brain but they didn't know he was thinking this far ahead for Berks future.
"Hiccup, if I may, what was the posting for Fishlegs that you would not accept a no from him either?" Mrs. Ingerman asked.
Chuckling a little, Hiccup pointed at Mr. Ingerman and stated. "I have a sneaking suspicion that your husband has already guessed."
Edna looked over at her husband who also had a smile on his face. "Well don't just sit there looking like the dragon that swallowed the fish you goofball; what posting is it?" She asked her husband.
Groff smile got bigger as he answered his wife "Head Counselor."
Edna put her hands over her mouth as her eyes got as big saucers. She looked from her husband to Hiccup and then back to her husband before finally turning back to Hiccup.
"This is true" she asked very quietly as though she was scared to speak. "You asked Fishlegs to be your head counselor?"
"Yes" Hiccup replied; "this is true. I would have no other. Fishlegs is the only one I wanted."
"Now" Hiccup stated as he rose; "I have taken up enough of your time and I know you want to discuss this between the two of you before making a decision so I'll just be on my way."
"Hiccup wait" Mrs. Ingerman exclaimed. She looked at her husband and received the almost imperceptible nod he gave. "We accept and would be proud to be your Emissaries when you are chief."
"That is wonderful news" Hiccup exclaimed as he stepped forward to shake Groff's hand and then turned to Edna to shake her hand. She looked at his hand as though it was something disgusting and picked Hiccup up in a big bear hug. She sat Hiccup down and just looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"Yer mom would be so proud of you. You are truly the man to lead this tribe into bigger and better things." She told Hiccup quietly.
"Thank you, Mrs. Ingerman; those words mean a lot to me since they came from you. I also want to thank the both of you for your faith and trust in me. I'll take my leave now" he said as he opened the door and left.
As the Ingerman's watched Hiccup walk toward his house, they saw their son coming in the other direction. They saw Hiccup and Fishlegs give each other a high five as they passed. They both had smiles on their faces as they knew the future was bright for Berk with Hiccup, Astrid and Fishlegs leading them. When Fishlegs walked up to his parents with a big smile on his face, all he said was "so, he wouldn't take no for an answer huh?"
The three of them started laughing hysterically as they entered their home.
Hiccup entered his home with a smile on his face. He felt a sense of accomplishment as three of the most important jobs in the tribe had been filled with what he felt were the right people. He had a beautiful warrior wife and companion to help him lead. He had a wise, incredibly smart and trusted friend as his head councilor. And, he had just gotten the perfect pair to be his emissaries. He came in and sat in his chair and put his head back with his eyes closed. Toothless came bounding over to him and put his head in Hiccups lap. Without moving anything accept his hand, Hiccup reached down and started scratching his head. Toothless started purring with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
It had been about 30 minutes since Hiccup had come home and Astrid was wondering why he hadn't come into their bedroom. Astrid got out the bed and padded out to the outer room and stopped with a smile on her face at the picture that greeted her. These two made a formidable team when there was a threat but when they were relaxing, they were just man and dragon with a bond that was stronger than blood. The picture they made was nice but Toothless head was in the spot that Astrid wanted.
Astrid walked silently over to the fish tank and took out two fish. Toothless, who had been watching her, immediately jerked his head up and went bounding over to her. Astrid gave Toothless the two fish. While Toothless was eating the fish, Astrid walked back over to Hiccup and sat in his lap. With his eyes still closed, Hiccup wrapped his arms around his wife and brought his face to her neck and started kissing and sucking her there. Astrid immediately started moaning as she put her arms around Hiccups neck. Hiccup stopped what he was doing, and tilted his head back to look into his wife's eyes. Astrid stared back at Hiccup before moving her head down so she could capture his lips. Hiccup ravaged her mouth and left her breathless. After breaking the kiss, Hiccup brought his mouth to her breast and sucked the nipple into his mouth through her nightgown. Astrid hissed as a bolt of lightening shot from her breast right to her core.
Hiccup released Astrid's nipple and again looked into her eyes with a smile on his face. Astrid's eyes were already cloudy with the passion he had aroused in her. Astrid looked down into her husband's eyes and saw how tired they looked. She knew he had been going nonstop since they had returned to Berk. She kept trying to get him to slow down but he was determined to have everything in place when he took over as chief. He wanted the change over as seamless as possible and was doing everything in his power to make it so. His drive and determination was worthy of a chief but she was worried that he was pushing himself to hard.
"So what have you been up to this evening husband" Astrid asked.
"Well, as you already know, Fishlegs will be our Head Counselor. I was also able to convince Mr. and Mrs. Ingerman to be our emissaries."
"That's wonderful Hiccup. Did it take a lot of convincing?" Astrid asked.
"Not really. Putting people in the right job that matched what they have a passion for is not hard. It makes everything so much easier. I think finding out that Legs was my Head Counselor sealed the deal for them." Hiccup explained.
Astrid leaned down and gave Hiccup a sweet kiss. Once she straightened back up she continued their conversation.
"So husband, what else or should I say who else are you going after and for what jobs?"
"Well wife, I think we should discuss you since you will be just as busy as I am if not busier."
That comment took Astrid by surprise. She knew she was second in charge but that really only came into play if Hiccup wasn't around. What was going on in that brilliant head of his?
"Ok Hiccup, out with it; what plan do you have rattling around in your head now?" Astrid demanded.
"Well, my beautiful shield maiden, you are going to be head of Berks defense." Hiccup informed her.
Astrid just stared at Hiccup with her mouth open. It took a lot to make Astrid speechless but Hiccup had accomplished it. Hiccup gently placed two fingers under Astrid chin and lifted up effectively closing her mouth.
"BBBut, I mean you, what I meant to say is, wait what?" Astrid babbled.
"Ok, I'll go slow and explain it all to you. First, who would be better in this role than you? You are young and strong; bold and fearless; swift and deadly. You are the best skilled fighter of our generation. The thing that makes you best for this position is you have a battle technician mind. You don't just charge right in; you plan and strategize. You are a true warrior in both body and mind and that's what makes you the perfect person to be in charge of Berks defense." Hiccup finished.
Astrid was still speechless but she had a warm glow inside of her from Hiccups description of her. She didn't know that's how he saw her. She knew he loved her but it was truly amazing that he saw all those other qualities in her.
"There's more for you Astrid." Hiccup stated snapping her out of her thoughts.
"What, more, huh" Astrid stated once again not being able to make a complete sentence.
"You are also going to run the Dragon Academy. I'm putting you in charge of the Dragon Academy because Berks defense is going to consist of two entities. We are going to have an air brigade and a ground force. You are going to lead the air brigade and what better way is there to select the members of your air brigade than to be the instructor of the flying school. You will know firsthand who has the skill to be in your brigade and who doesn't. You also wouldn't have to worry about their training since it will be you who's training them." Hiccup explained.
Even though Astrid was overwhelmed with what Hiccup was telling her, she could see the brilliance in his plan. She could also see why he said she might be busier than he was. Even with the addition of these new jobs, she still didn't think that was possible but she would definitely be a close second. It also amazed her that he didn't want her sitting home sewing and cooking and being a traditional wife. She was extremely proud of the fact that he wanted her by his side actively helping to defend Berk and move Berk forward. But wait; he said a ground force too. How was she going to lead both?
"Hiccup, if I'm leading the air assault, who will be leading the ground assault? No matter how good you think I am, I can't be in two places at once." Astrid stated.
Hiccup just smiled and gave her a quick kiss.
"You're going to select your father as your second in command. He will lead the ground brigade. You will be the overall leader of Berks defense but in battle, you will lead the air attack and he will lead the ground attack. You two will work in tandem. You both will also have Generals in your ranks, at least three, so when you have to split your forces, you will still have someone in charge of those split forces. You will select the Generals for your air brigade and your father will select the Generals for his ground brigade."
Just when she thought he couldn't surprise her anymore, he goes and drops another bombshell on her. Astrid's head was spinning. When did he have time to contemplate all of this stuff? She knew Hiccup was one of the smartest people she had ever met but the things he was laying out before her was just on another level all together.
"My father" Astrid asked unbelievingly?
"Yes, your father. Who better for you to work with than the person you have trusted all of your life? It's a bonus that said person happens to also be the one who trained you as a warrior. You guys think alike and strategize alike. You can practically read each other minds when it comes to fighting. That means whatever battle plan you come up with, he will be able to absorb it quickly and convey it accurately to his ground force." Hiccup explained.
It did make sense Astrid thought. She had not been able to find fault in anything Hiccup had told her. He really was putting people in the right places according to their skill level and passion. Astrid was getting ready to ask Hiccup another question when she caught him in mid yawn. She forgot that he was probably exhausted and here she was keeping him up. What the Hel kind of wife was she.
"Come on husband" she said as she got up and grabbed his hands to pull him up. "It's time for all future chiefs to be in bed."
Hiccup allowed Astrid to pull him up and lead him to their bedroom. She sat him on the bed and undressed him. She removed his prosthetic leg and checked his stump. It was as she expected. He had been on it to long and it was red and probably sore as Hel but Hiccup would never admit to it. She got the goop Gothi had given Hiccup to relieve soreness and swelling in the stump. She applied it liberally and then got a rag to tie over his stump so the goop wouldn't rub off on the furs while he was sleeping. She got her exhausted husband situated in the bed and got in with him.
Hiccup immediately pulled his wife into his arms spooning her. Hiccup was half asleep already when he kissed the back of her neck and murmured that he loved her. Astrid told him she loved him to as she snuggled back into him. She still couldn't figure out why she felt safest when she was snuggled in his arms as she was now. She then decided she didn't care. She was right where she wanted be with the person she wanted to be there with so at the moment her world was perfect. Astrid smiled sleepily as she felt Hiccups arms tighten around her. She drifted off to sleep with that same smile on her face.
Astrid woke alone the next morning. For the life of her she didn't know how Hiccup could be practically dead on his feet and after just a few hours of sleep be totally recharged and ready to go. She smirked to herself wondering how she was going to keep up with him. She wondered what he had on his agenda this morning that took him away from her so early in the morning.
Well, she knew where ever he was, Toothless was with him. She swore that dragon didn't let Hiccup out of his sight for more than a minute. It was actually comforting for her to know that whenever she wasn't around to protect Hiccup that the unholy offspring of lighting and death was. Astrid started cracking up at this thought. Even though night furies were one of the most feared dragons around, Toothless was like a big puppy. Yes, he would kill anyone or any dragon in a flash if they were a threat to Hiccup but watching those two when they were relaxed was comedy at its best.
Astrid was happy with her little family; her, Hiccup, Toothless and Stormfly. She knew she was going to have to speak to Hiccup about adding to the family. She didn't know if either of them was ready for a baby but one of her first duties as the chief's wife was to produce an heir for the tribe. They had not spoken much on this; just that they both knew they wanted children. Well she could worry about that later. She had to go have a long discussion with her dad and see if she could wrap her mind around the fact that her husband had placed the defense of Berk squarely in her hands.