The Suitor
It was nice day on Berk. The chief was assisting the villagers as they put the finishing touches on the Solstice clan houses. Gaer and his son in law smiled proudly as they wipe sweat off their brows from a good day of work. Stoick smiled with them, seeing them work so well with the other members of the tribe. He smiled wider as he saw Hiccup hammering in the front door.
He was dressed in his regular Viking outfit and he'd offered to help them. Hiccup's crafting skills were second to none, making him a valued member of the team. And as they worked Hiccup would idly chat with the villagers and laugh alongside them as they told jokes. It lifted Stoick's sprits to see his son was actually fitting in.
He hadn't broached the subject of Hiccup's readmission to the tribe, not wanting to pressure him. He didn't want to drive him away again. As Hiccup finished with the door he took a step back to admire and scrutinize his work. He gave a satisfied nod as Stoick walked up from behind him.
"Good job son," Stoick said proudly.
Hiccup turned around with a smile. "Thanks dad," he said warmly.
Stoick handed him a canteen and led them to a bench for a small break. Stoick looked at his son out of the corner of his eyes. He could still hardly believe how much he'd changed. He was so different. Stronger, braver, but still intelligent and quick witted. Stoick truly regretted having missed those six years and seeing him become such a man.
"So son," he began to make conversation. Hiccup turned to look to look at him and motioned with his head to go on. "Tell me about the man who trained you to fight."
Hiccup smiled fondly. "His name is Daichi. He is the general of the shogun's army," he said proudly. "He kind of forced me into it. I shouldn't have really been allowed to train in the samurai combat arts. But he asked the shogun for permission and the shogun said yes," he explained with a shrug.
"And how was the training?" Stoick inquired.
"Brutal. I wasn't really used to exercise. At least not the intense stuff the samurai do. It was a slow start a first. But Daichi was a patient man."
Stoick nodded in understanding.
"And his son would also help by sparring with me. We'd stay up late at night and practice our sword skills. And at first, I was always covered in bruises from our sessions. But eventually I got better."
"Daichi said I was a natural fighter. Said I picked up the teachings fairly quickly. He suggested that I just wasn't suited to the 'Viking Way' of fighting," he explained with a shrug.
Stoick's shoulders and head dropped in shame and guilt. He'd tried to train Hiccup too in the past. But his lack of strength and natural skill always made him lose patience. But now…seeing what he could've helped him become…
"Still. I always assumed that Haddock blood in me finally kicked in," Hiccup said elbowing his father in the ribs with a smile.
Stoick smiled back and chuckled. It was good to hear him say he was still a Haddock. It meant he hadn't lost him entirely.
"By the way son. I noticed you and Astrid seem to be getting really close," Stoick put out there.
Hiccup flinched at the mention of Astrid. He couldn't stop the slight blush to his cheeks. "Well…I mean…we're ok I guess," Hiccup stammered out nervously.
Then as if on cue Astrid walked into his field of vision. She noticed him and gave him a smile and a small wave. Flushing he smiled back nervously and gave a wave of his own. Astrid brushed some hair out of her eyes before walking away to continue her own business.
"Looks like you could be better than ok," Stoick said with a smirk.
Hiccup only flushed and drank his canteen. Stoick chuckled. It looked like there was at least one milestone he hadn't quite missed just yet.
Hiccup sat on a barrel of the old kill ring as Astrid and the riders were giving a lesson on Sharp class dragons to the younger children.
"And thus when approaching a Nadder, stay in the blind spot. But be careful for its spines. Now any questions?" she asked the group. Immediately hands flew up into the air. Interestingly they were all girls.
"Ok. You," Astrid said pointing to a young red head with pig tails.
The little girl smiled before flicking her gaze between Hiccup and Astrid. "Is Hiccup your boyfriend?" she said pointing to the young man.
Both Astrid and Hiccup flushed red in embarrassment. Astrid was wide eyed as she tried to think of something to say.
"Yeah Astrid. We're all dying to know," Ruffnut said with a smirk. Astrid threw her a death glare.
"Uhm. No he isn't," Astrid said evenly. "Next?" she asked. More hands flew up.
"How about you?" she asked to a small brunette.
"Do you want him to be?" she asked innocently. Astrid palmed her face. The little girls were all young and curious about their teacher's love life. Sweet but a little annoying.
"Any questions about dragons?" she asked. No hands came up. Alright then, class dismissed," she said. The children all got up and started filing out of the arena. Many pausing to give Hiccup a wave. Astrid released a breath before punching Ruffnut in the arm. The other girl grumbled from the pain and rubbed the sore spot as Astrid walked away and towards Hiccup.
"Ready to go?" she asked him.
Hiccup nodded and stood up. "Sure," he said.
With that they both started to leave the arena. They'd been getting closer since their first date. It no longer felt like she was shadowing him. It just felt like they were hanging out. She also didn't challenge him to fights as much. It was good. Though Astrid was anxiously awaiting for him to ask her on another date.
"Hey Hiccup?" she asked aloud to get his attention. He turned his head slightly to look at her. "How come you always walk around with your swords?" she asked as she looked down at the swords at his hip.
Hiccup pursed his lips in thought. He really couldn't say why. He just liked to. They were special to him. "The samurai believe a warrior's spirits is embodied by their swords. They're very important to us," he said with a shrug.
"Can I see them?" Astrid asked. She could see the reluctance in Hiccup's eyes to part with them. She understood. She was the same way with her favorite axe. But then he reached and slipped his Katana from his belt before holding it out for her. Astrid accepted it and was surprised by the weight. Hiccup wielded them so effortlessly. He was definitely stronger than he looked.
Astrid slowly unsheathed it and marveled at the blades brilliant luster. She could tell it was well maintained. It looked polished and sharpened. Hiccup was obviously very proud of it. She sheathed it and handed it back. Hiccup accepted it and looped it through his belt before handing her his other sword.
She took it and was surprised by its lightness. She unsheathed it and eyed the strange black metal curiously. She thought back to what she saw this blade do. It could cleave through swords and axe heads so easily.
"What is this metal Hiccup?" she asked curiously.
"I call it Aoi Steel," he informed her.
"Aoi…isn't that the names of those boulder class species in Japan?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
Hiccup paused as he contemplated whether or not to tell her. "Well, the Aois eat rocks and ore and they mix in their stomachs. Then they poop out this special black ore that can be refined into Aoi Steel," he explained. He watched as Astrid processed that information. And then her eyes went wide as she realized what that meant.
"Ewww!" she shrieked as she dropped the sword like it were hot. It clattered to the ground. "This sword is made from dragon shit?" she yelled incredulously.
"Well…yeah," Hiccup said calmly as he bent down to pick up his sword. He didn't bother inspecting it for damage, Aoi steel was damn near indestructible.
"That's so disgusting," Astrid said with a shudder.
"Hey it works," Hiccup said mildly offended.
"Weirdo," Astrid said wrinkling her nose at him. Hiccup chuckled and they continued to walk along. Astrid thought about the metal. She couldn't help but wonder…
"You think Gronckles or other Boulder class dragons can make the same kind of ore?" Astrid asked curiously.
"Maybe. Who knows," Hiccup said with a shrug. Astrid shrugged too. It seemed like she learned something new about dragons every day.
"Hey Hiccup you think you could make me a samurai weapon?"
"I could if you really wanted," he offered.
"Would you really?" Astrid asked excitedly.
"Yeah. What would you want?"
Astrid tapped her chin in thought. She didn't know much about samurai weapons beside what she'd seen. And she doubted Hiccup would make her a Katana of her own.
"Surprise me," she told him. Hiccup looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Then as they walked along he started thinking of what weapon would suit Astrid. He wanted to make it special.
It had to be as perfect as she was.
The next day Astrid and Hiccup had been spending time in the forest while Hiccup practiced his sword technique. Astrid was amazed at the way Hiccup practiced. He would slice leaves as they fell from the tree in one quick slash before sheathing his sword. Then he would wait for the next one and repeat.
She tried doing it too. Needless to say it was much harder than it looked.
They walked back to the village with her grumbling and flushing in embarrassment while Hiccup attempted to console her when they noticed people heading to the kill ring. Curious they made their way there as well. When they got there they saw a majority of the village looking down into the kill ring. Hearing the clash of metal they both assumed there was a match going on inside.
They pushed passed the crowds and looked into the ring to see a stranger sword fighting with a villager. He was a tall man. A few inches taller than Hiccup. He had long black hair that ran down to the middle of his back and tied in a ponytail. He was very muscular but not huge and rippling like most Vikings. He had a well groomed short beard and brown eyes.
He was very skilled. They watched as he parried and blocked the villager's attacks with ease before with one swing of his long sword he disarmed the villager and sent his sword flying through the air. Then he knocked the villager off his feet before pointing the sword down at him. The villager bowed his head in defeat before the man helped him up.
The crowd cheered, impressed by the man's skill as another villager entered the arena. Again the man was easily defeated.
"He's quite good," Hiccup said casually.
"Better than you?" Astrid asked playfully. Hiccup continued to watch as he analyzed the man's sword play. He wouldn't say the man was better or worse. But he would definitely be a good opponent.
"Astrid. There ya are lass," came a vice behind the pair. They turned to see Astrid's parents waling up to them.
"Dad. Were you looking for me?" Astrid asked.
"Yes dear. We have some exciting news," her father said with a smile.
"Ah, this must be her then. What a lovely young lady she is," a man piped in as he walked up beside her father. It was the man who'd they'd just witnessed fighting. He smiled at Astrid in a friendly manner. Astrid raised an eyebrow and looked at her parents inquisitively.
"Astrid. This is Ulrik. Ulrik the Unbeatable," he said with a proud smile.
Astrid took in the information. She looked at the man and gave him a small smile in return. "Uhm…it's nice to meet you," she said hesitantly.
"Astrid. This is the suitor we were telling you about," her father finally revealed.
Astrid's stomach dropped to her feet. How could she have forgotten about that? She turned to look at Hiccup. She found his face neutral and smooth. Not exactly happy or unhappy about hearing this news.
"Oh," was all she could think to say.
"I'm going to go," Hiccup said as he started to walk away.
"Hiccup hold on," Astrid piped in hurriedly.
"I'll see you later Astrid," he said as he continued on his way. He didn't even turn around. Just lifted a hand up in a passive goodbye wave.
"It's good to meet you Astrid. I've travelled a long way. I hope that you'll at least give me a chance to win your heart," Ulrik said in earnest.
Astrid turned to look at him. So the man wasn't ugly, she had to admit. And he was skilled with a sword. But…
Astrid's mother came forward. "You don't have to marry him lass. Just at least spend some time with him. Put in some effort. If you don't like him then no harm," her mother whispered into her ear. She pulled away and gave her mother an appreciative smile.
Well, it would be rude to just send the man on his way. She had to at least try to be friendly to him. And it's not like she had to marry him.
She could do this. She could put up with his company for a few days.
But she wasn't sure how Hiccup would take it. He hadn't seemed too happy to hear who he was.
She prayed this wouldn't come between them. So with a breath she put on a friendly smile.
"Welcome to Berk."
New chapter. Sorry for the wait. I know tis no the longest but its steeing things up.