new findings and new family go well together Chapter 1: Untested Waters, a how to train your dragon fanfic

Hiccup closed his eyes for a moment, flinging his hands wide and drinking in the cold sea air. It seeped into his lungs, refreshing and invigorating. The wind whistled past his ears, several wingbeats pounding along behind him. A familiar euphoria set in as he clicked his prosthetic,

legs clinging tight to the muscular, rough, lithe form beneath him. He could feel muscles rippling beneath the scales and leather. This was freedom, soaring above the clouds on the back of a dragon. He could do anything up here. The skies… they belonged to him and Toothless.

The pounding of oars beneath him reminded Hiccup exactly why they were here. "Ok, guys! Routine sweep of the ship, take out the hunters and get belowdecks. Don't trigger any traps, and get as many dragons out as you can, OK?"

"Can we trigger oooone-"

"No, Tuff!" Hiccup shot back, somewhere between throwing hands and laughing. He never quits, does he? "We have to get these dragons out of here!"

"And hopefully not drowned?" Astrid added.

"But that's no fun!"

Fishlegs flew up into sight. "Ruffnut, dying is not fun. Now remember, we can't know for sure if these dragons will be aggressive or not, so just open the cages and get out of the way, got it?"

"And what do you do if the lock is stuck, Snotlout?" Astrid asked pointedly. Snotlout pulled his finger out of his ear, glancing around with guilt shining in his eyes. "Huh? Oh- uh- blow it up?"

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "No, Snotlout. Use the Changewing acid tied to your belt to loosen the lock. Now, who's with me?!"

A chorus of energetic replies met his ears. "Let's go!"

The others followed Hiccup and Toothless' dive in perfect formation, swooping down through the cloud cover, skimming the water, fanning out into attack formation-

"Circle!" Came the yell, and they did, forming a line in a continuous banking form in a wide circle around the ship.

"Why'd we stop?" Snotlout complained.

"Because that's not a dragon hunter's ship!" Hiccup shot back. "Look at the insignia on the sails! Fishlegs, have you ever seen an animal like that?"

"No!" Fishlegs panted, struggling to keep up with the rest. "That's… what is that?"

Hiccup stared at the sail, burning the strange image into his memory. It was a four legged creature, with a bowed back on which intricate blankets were draped. Some sort of leather halter framed its triangular face, pointed ovule ears sticking out of the top. Thick strands of hair covered its long neck and formed a tail at the end. The four legs were long and muscular, with huge, stomping hooves. Its muzzle widened into a bulbous end, large flat teeth protruding from a dark mouth.

"It's horrifying." Tuffnut commented.

"But I bet it's fast!"

"Fishlegs, can I have one?" Fishlegs sighed in response to his friend's question. "What part of 'we've never seen an animal like that before' did you not understand?"

"I don't understand a lot of things!" Tuffnut protested.

Hiccup circled around again, edging closer to the boat. He couldn't see the forms clearly yet- some sort of strange gold armor covered their chests and heads, intricately designed. "Ok, these people are obviously new to our waters, so let's take things slow. I'll land, and you guys keep circling."

"Can I come too, Hiccup?" Fishlegs let out his classic squeal. "This is so exciting! A new people group! Look at their armor! And their ship is so different! It's so… short! And the animals, Hiccup! I wonder if they've ever seen a dragon?"

"I wonder if they've ever seen anything." Snotlout snarked. "They haven't noticed us yet."

"Oh, they have." Hiccup retorted. He could hear faint, foreign voices echoing through the cold air. "Which is a good sign, because they're not attacking. Sorry, Fish, but this isn't a new species of dragon. They're people, who must be dealt with delicately." Seeing Fishlegs slump atop his frantically buzzing Gronckle, Hiccup softened. "I'll remember every little detail and tell you all about it, OK?"

"Ok!" Fishlegs perked right back up. Smiling, Hiccup banked towards the ship. A faint 'be safe!' met his ears. "Nice and slow, bud." He muttered.

Once he was within earshot, he let out a greeting. No response was given. Hm. Hiccup swooped in, landing Toothless softly on the deck of the ship closest to the stern. It really was a strange boat-

The occupants stumbled back, eyes wide with terror. Hiccup stepped off; the one wearing the most of that fancy armor unsheathed a massive sword and held it trembling, pointed at Hiccup. But they weren't scared of him.

They were staring at Toothless.

"What, have you never seen a dragon before?" Hiccup teased. The five men aboard seemed confused- they glanced at each other, shrugging, hands on their weapons. This gave Hiccup a chance to really look them over. They all had gold helmets coming over their forehead and down onto the bridge of their nose, only the leader's had a red feather sticking from it. It looked like the back of the helmet covered the whole neck, clamping over their chest plates. Once again, the leader's armor was intricately carved in swirls and animals, but the others wore only plain faceted armor. Are they wearing… skirts? Hiccup choked back a laugh. Blue and red rectangles fell from the seam of their chestplates, dangling past their knees. And I thought tunics were weird.

"Are you all new here?" Hiccup was beginning to get the idea that they didn't speak Norse. That was going to be a problem. Hiccup took a step forward, only to have the broadsword pointed at his chest again. The leader growled something in his language- is that Latin? Toothless growled in response, sending all five men tumbling back in fear.

"Hiccup mihi nomen est. Eratne ille Latinus?" Hiccup asked.

"Hiccup?" The leader stepped forward. "Quid est Hiccup?"

Good news- they spoke Latin. Bad news… Hiccup felt his cheeks flush scarlet. Runt. "Non refert. Negotium tuum narra." He snapped back.

The leader straightened, eyes going slightly wider before narrowing into slits behind his helmet. He took a step forward, nervously glancing at Toothless. "Cur scire debes?"

My authority? That's easy. "Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, heres throni ex Berk."

The man paused as though confused. "Berk?" He asked, the name thick and awkward on his tongue.

I've gotta get this man talking. Money. Maybe he wants money. "Ita. Berk. Pater meus valde interest in bonis tuis. Quid vendis?"

A slimy smile spread over the man's face. I knew it. He has something to sell.

"Linus!" The man shouted suddenly, startling who Hiccup assumed was Linus. Who names their kid Linus? Sounds like a disease or something.

Keep a straight face. This is Berk business now. The realization hit Hiccup like a slap in the face. I just claimed to be heir to the throne of Berk. Whatever I do reflects on them now. Great Thor, do I ever do anything right? One wrong move could start a war!

"Bona adducere!"

Adducerce? Hiccup wondered. What… does that mean goods? What sort of goods? I thought it was bonis. Granted, those books are almost a hundred years old.

Linus disappeared, giving Hiccup the chance to turn around and give a thumbs-up to his friends, who were now hovering in a sort of pentagon around the ship.

The sounds of four feet headed up from belowdecks froze Hiccup in place. There's another one of them?

They reached the top, and time seemed to stand still.

Linus was there, smiling and holding a large chain head in both hands. Dragged behind him, stumbling and hunched, was a human. His wrinkled, chapped skin was darker than fir bark, shining in the late afternoon sun. He blinked, dark irises watering in the sudden light. Long, shaggy, gray-black hair hung down in dreadlocks, covering the shoulders of the filthy rags the man was wearing.

Who is that? Hiccup was shocked beyond words. He'd never, ever seen a human with skin like that. It was the stark opposite of the men similar to Hiccup dragging and taunting the man. But surely this was a human. The eyes told him that.

And this man was severely malnourished, filthy, and probably sick. Hiccup's stomach sunk to his boot. This…

"Ubi… ubi te productas?" Hiccup asked the leader, who smiled that sick smile again and yanked the man forward. Hiccup held out his hands in worry when the dark-skin almost fell on his face. "Hoc productum est. Plus habemus, vis videre?"

Hiccup's blood turned to ice. This… is…

They're selling people.

"Plus… habe… you have more?!" The leader nodded, yanking the dark-skin forward again. "Ida. Est interpres."

Interpres? They were going beyond what Hiccup had learned. Like interpret? He's an interpreter?

At Hiccup's confused expression the leader laughed heartily, armor clanking. Then his smile sharpened into a scowl. He yanked on the heavy chains holding the dark-skin in place. "Ostende ei!" He barked, the dark-skin cringing back. Hiccup was frozen, mind spinning with the pace of the encounter. But as soon as the man turned to him, that changed.

"Ek greida."

Help me.

Spoken in perfect Old Norse.

Hiccup's blood was boiling now. He clasped Inferno's handle tight, willing himself to ignore the red tinting the edges of his vision. He fought to steady his voice, keep his face relaxed.

"Hvat er heit?"

"In Norse?" The man replied, hardly daring to meet Hiccup's burning eyes. "Megn."

Strong. Hiccup could see the fire burning in his new friend's downcast eyes. He glanced over, hand tightening on his flaming sword's blade. The leader suspected nothing. "How many of you are there?"

"At least twenty, maybe more." Came the reply, phrased as a lighthearted question. Hiccup played along, acting surprised and giving the leader an appraising glance. I'm gonna wipe that smug look- "I'll get you out of here." The way he intoned it, Hiccup may have very well been saying "Wow! Look at the clouds!" But Megn knew what it meant. His face broke into a crooked smile, white teeth shining against his dark skin. "Thank you."

Hiccup nodded, turning to the leader like he was going to say something. Behind his back, he gave Toothless a signal. "Bonum, sed-"

Toothless lunged straight past Hiccup, throwing the leader to the ground. The other four men cowered in terror as Toothlesss roared in the man's face, blowing his frivolous helmet off. He no doubt sensed the indignant rage rolling off of his rider in waves. Hiccup finally unsheathed Inferno, feeling a stab of sick satisfaction as the leader cringed back even more. Thrusting the burning, dripping blade in the fiend's face, Hiccup whispered: "Give me one reason I shouldn't end your sorry life right now."

The answer came in the form of a broadsword. Hiccup lunged away just in time to not be severed by the gleaming metal. Instinct took over as the other riders flew in, dropping to the ground and assuming defensive positions in a circle with Hiccup. "What's happening?" Astrid snapped.

"These sick- Astrid." Hiccup's voice and hands trembled. Red swallowed his vision. "They're selling people, Astrid."

Silence fell over the group, broken only by muttered Latin from the five people slowly advancing on them.

"What… do we do?"

Hiccup's smile was bitter and cold. "You go free the slaves. I'll handle these Romans."

"Romans?"

"Yes, Fishlegs, Romans!" The heavyset Viking's face morphed into a deep, menacing scowl. "Those thieving-"

"Go!" Hiccup barked, growling and letting loose a swing that knocked Linus back several paces. Fishlegs froze, his mouth clapping shut. Hiccup was mad, and rightly so. Astrid rushed away first, towards the large batch that would lead belowdecks, followed by a livid Snotlout and two very confused twins. Fishlegs cast one last, worried glance at his friend before racing after them.

Rage built inside Hiccup. Twenty people, chained and sold by these half-trolls. Who do they think they are? That red tinge was getting stronger now, and Hiccup could feel his heart pounding under his leather chestplate. He locked eyes with the leader, and hated everything about him. The frivolous, useless golden armor. The showy, bulky helmet that did almost no good. The skirt. Everything about this man was colorful and shiny and impractical. It was disgusting.

And he was smiling. Grinning, even. He shouted something in Latin- but the blood rushing past Hiccup's ears drowned him out. Disgust and hate burst out of Hiccup in one long, almost inhuman cry as he rushed forward, everything else drowned out by the buzzing and blood-red tinge. Who cared if this started a war? This was beyond wrong. He slashed and stabbed and spun, not caring if a sword caught his arm or poked at his chest.

Revenge.

Hiccup lashed out at one such Roman soldier, sending him flying into the mast of the ship, then spun. Where were the rest?

Two hands gripped his shoulders. He was breathing hard. "Hiccup. Hiccup. It's over. You got them."

"Astrid…" He mumbled. Inferno fell to the deck, extinguishing on contact. Slowly, the energy slowed and the boat came back into view around him. "What…"

A sea of ebony surrounded them. Almost thirty people, all the same dark skin as Megn, with every weapon from spears to brooms to a strange sort of sandal. "You beat them all." Astrid continued. Her face was not even a foot from his. "It's over." Hiccup watched as limp bodies of white men were strung and tied to each other. Horror thrilled through him as the adrenaline faded, leaving him almost nauseous. His mouth felt dry, his breath came in heaves. "Are… are they…?"

"They're just unconscious, Hiccup." Astrid took one of his shaking hands. "Are you OK?"

Unexpected tears sprung to the Viking's eyes. "I…" He sniffed, angrily wiping at his eyes. "They we're selling people, Astrid. People." She nodded, mirroring the anger in his eyes. "I know. They are horrible, disgusting, and sub-human. But it's over, Hiccup."

He nodded, shakily reaching down to grab Inferno and resheath it. "I- I know, Astrid. I just…" He took a deep, shuddering breath, struggling to regain his composure and stand straight. "Whoo! I, uh- I lost my temper there for a minute."

"Yeah, no kidding!" Tuffnut shouted, hopping onto Barf's bulbous head. "That was awesome! You were just like wam bam poetic justice man!"

"What does that even mean?" Astrid snarked- Hiccup turned at a tap on his shoulder. "Megn!" He exclaimed. "Is everyone OK?"

"Yes." The dark-skinned elder replied in a husky voice. "We all will be alright, thanks to you and your friends. The place they were taking us…" He shuddered, dark eyes lost in memory. Hiccup nodded. "I'm just glad we found you. I've never seen one of these types of boats in our waters."

Megn nodded, dreadlocks shaking. "We were taken off course by a large storm."

"What are you gonna do with them?" Astrid jutted a finger at the unconscious Romans. Hiccup couldn't help the satisfaction that thrilled through him at the irony.

"We will take them to wherever we end up." Megn replied. "They will get their fair punishment."

"Just kill 'em." Snotlout griped, unusually quiet.

"Then we would be no better than them. No, we will force them to see that we are their equals. Then they will be forced to apologize to us."

"I like how this guy thinks." Ruffnut commented- and Hiccup had to agree. He clasped the man's worn, calloused hand in both of his and shook it. "Thank you."

"For what?" Megn replied. "You are the one we are indebted to. Your- acid?- melted the locks on our chains. You all are the reason we are free."

As if on cue, the others crowded around the dragon riders, hugging them and exchanging hearty handshakes. There were tears streaming down the faces of several of the freed slaves, and Hiccup felt as if his heart would burst. Over and over again he heard one word repeated- "Dankie."

Megn explained that it was their language. Thank you, they were saying. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hiccup himself had to blink back tears a few times. "Where will you go now?" He asked Megn once the rest had passed by.

"We will take the rowboats to the island we passed not long ago." The elder replied. "There we will build a new civilization for ourselves, one that will stop slave trade if it ever comes to these waters again." Hiccup nodded. "Feel free to find us if you ever need help."

"I doubt Romans will ever dare come to these waters again… I do not know your name, sir."

Sir. That felt wrong. But Hiccup didn't question it. "It's Hiccup."

"Hiccup." Megn grunted. "Runt. Small body, big heart, eh? You have proved yourself today, young chief." There was a twinkle in his dark eyes as he walked towards his people, and Hiccup couldn't help but beam. He looked around- the wide elder, the youth helping the sick, all starving and stinking and weak yet singing joyful praises just for breathing fresh air. He wanted to stay with them. But he knew they needed to leave.

Astrid came up behind him. "So what's the plan now?"

"Sweep belowdecks. See if anyone or anything was left behind." Hiccup ordered, watching the men board the boats. He had so many questions- why was their skin so dark? Where did they come from? What was their native language? Did they believe in the same gods the Vikings did? What was their technology like, their culture, their way of life? How were they always so happy?

The first of the boats disappeared over the horizon. Hiccup waved at Megn one more time, watching their joyful faces fade into the distance. Only one woman seemed to not be wearing a jubilant smile, and the strange, beautiful, tempered singing could still be heard when Snotlout came rushing over to Hiccup, out of breath and panicked.

"Hiccup, you might want to see this."

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