Look at that. I haven't died. Who would have thought that I'd be back after like... 7 years. Not sure how many of you are left, but that's okay. I hope you have all been well, living life, doing things. I know I have, mostly. I hope you will enjoy this shortish chapter.
Dutifully yours, Aurora
The Adventurous Adventures of Hiccup and Wrenlou
A Blacksmith's Apprentice, Part X
"Today is the day you've all been waiting for," Ezra said, standing before the crowd gathered in the square, "today is the day our newest riders learn if they passed their tests."
Hiccup looked down nervously. It hadn't been easy to finish his project on time, but he had succeeded, if only barely. He fumbled with the bandage around his hand. Even if the burn had almost healed, Wrenlou had insisted that he kept the bandage on as long as he was working in the forge, to keep the wound clean and prevent any infections. Hiccup had dutifully complied with the commands of his healer, not wanting to be the reason that his best friend failed the final test. At the same time he was nervous about his own test, not knowing what Mendo would think of his creation, not knowing if his inventor side would be appreciated in this city.
He hardly listened to anything that was being said, the introduction by Ezra, how they had all worked hard to finish their tests on time. How the incident with the lightning had caused a small delay, but that everyone was ready now. The young riders would present their final task today, and based on that their prospective Masters would make a decision. He barely even listened to the rest, simply clapping along with the others. At some point someone nudged him forward, and when he looked up he realized that Wrenlou and Naomi were both looking at him.
"Hiccup? Can you come here for a moment please?" Naomi asked, and Hiccup nodded, setting his own nerves aside.
"Yeah... I... what is it?"
"You were Wrenlou's final test." Naomi said. "And I realize that it sounds quite odd when I say it like that. But can you tell me how he did? How was he to you, not as one friend to another, but as a healer to his patient?"
"Oh... eh..." Hiccup stammered, glancing at Wrenlou. "I guess... he was really gentle. And I think... no, no I know it was hard for him too but he stayed professional and he just did what he had to and he was very clear to me what he expected of me and I think he did really really great and I..."
Naomi held up her hand, smiling. "Hiccup, take a breathe." She said softly. "Wrenlou already passed, I just want to know how you experienced his care."
"He... he did?" Hiccup asked, turning to look at Wrenlou, who smiled at him. "He did. Oh good... but I meant it! I liked how he was, he was really kind. And I really think he would make a great healer and he should really be able to. But you said he already was so... yeah... no he was good."
Naomi smiled brighter, nodding at him. "Thank you, Hiccup. You may step down again."
Hiccup nodded back, shooting Wrenlou a grin before hurrying to get out of the way. Wrenlou had warned him that he could be called by Naomi but he hadn't really expected she really would. After all, she had always been there when Wrenlou had taken care of his injuries, she had always been watching, she knew how he had acted.
He didn't listen to the rest. The anxiety of knowing he was next was building, the knot in his stomach growing and growing. He couldn't help it, he was terrified. Terrified of failing, of having to leave if he did. He almost missed his name being called, but a gentle push in his back nudged him awake. Mendo greeted him, frowning a bit when he saw what he was holding.
Hiccup gulped, staring at the facing looking back at him. "I... eh... hi..." He started, taking a deep breath, blurting out everything he wanted to say as fast as possible.
"So I was asked to make a weapon and back at Berk in dragon training, you know where we learn to... well... to kill dragons they said that the best weapon was always a shield so I made this..."
He vaguely gestured to the shield he was clutching against his chest, gripping onto it as if his life depended on it. His eyes darted over the crowd, meeting with Wrenlou's briefly. The young man gestured for him to breathe, but Hiccup couldn't stop the rant now.
"But you know I thought that might not be enough so I made it be a crossbow too and all you have to is basically this and then it's... well... this."
He slipped the shield onto his arm and pressed the button that released it. From the corner of his eyes he saw how Mendo's eyes grew wide. Hiccup ignored it, pulling an arrow from the shield before hesitating.
"I... I probably shouldn't do that here... with all these people...:"
"Hiccup..." Mendo started, taking a step closer.
"A-and just in case you run out of arrows there's a dagger here too because you know you can only fit so much arrows..."
He fell silent when Mendo rested his hands on his shoulders.
"Hiccup, take a breathe." The blacksmith said before gesturing to the shield. "May I?"
Hiccup nodded, letting go of the shield after returning it to its original shape. He fixed his gaze on the ground, playing with the arrow to distract himself. Any minute now he could be sent away. Any minute his life here could be over.
"Hiccup this is amazing!" Mendo said. "This is simply incredible! How did you make it a crossbow again?"
Hiccup stood frozen, gaping at the man. It took him a moment to process what he'd said, then he stepped forward.
"It's... just this button here..." He muttered, pointing to a small, round button on the side. "Be careful, it's... springy."
Mendo nodded, studying the shield on all sides. Hiccup stayed where he was, still clutching the arrow. It seemed like an eternity had passed before the blacksmith turned to him again.
"This is truly incredible Hiccup." The man said. "You tooka very unique approach indeed, but I'm impressed. Not only would you be a fantastic blacksmith, you'd be an innovative one as well."
"So... does that mean I passed...?" Hiccup whispered, unable to speak louder.
"Of course!" Mendo exclaimed. "Had I not said that already? Of course you pass Hiccup. You show talent in ways I could never possess, it would be a crime not to take you as my apprentice."
Hiccup stared at the man, letting go of the breath he was holding. The words barely registered but he felt as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders. He felt a thousand times lighter and when the crowd erupted in cheers, he couldn't help but smile.
"I'm going to study this some more if that's okay with you." Mendo said, gesturing with the shield. "I have to understand how you did this, but you can tell me tomorrow, okay?"
Hiccup nodded, unable to say anything before a hand grabbed his arm. He allowed Wrenlou to pull him away towards the others, didn't even listen to their words. It was just beginning to truly sink in.
He wouldn't have to leave Dragoncity after all. He had found a Master to teach him. He was now officially a blacksmith's apprentice.