"BOOM!" There was a brilliant explosion that lit up the entire battlefield, which was followed by men screaming and dragon roars before all the noise was silenced by the ear-ringing sounds of cannons and catapults. I looked from the sky above the battlefield, leading the entirety of the Dragon Rider army of Dragon's Edge. It was chaos, pure chaos was the only way to describe it. The villagers had been safely taken to the castle while the guards had taken their positions along the castle walls and outposts surrounding the island. My rider had done an amazing job in designing the defence for the island, which might be the sole reason we could defend ourselves from this ambush.
"Come on bud, show them what you got!" Hiccup screamed. I quickly let out a growl of approval before tucking my wings and speeding towards an enemy ship. As I cut through the wind creating the infamous telltale sound, I could see the Trappers quickly covering their heads and screaming for their friends to do the same. I sucked in the air while releasing some gas into my throat, heating it up naturally, and waiting for the perfect moment to release my 'plasma blast'. I saw a bunch of my kind being cornered into a large dragon-proof cage, I quickly aimed and released the built-up fire from my throat, and the next second we could see the Trappers blown in multiple directions while the dragons flew away.
"Yeah! Great job bud let's help out a few more of our friends shall we?" Hiccup asked. I let out a growl for approval before turning around to see the rest of the dragon riders fighting and destroying the Dragon Trapper's ship. The fire and explosions lit up the sky while the debris and driftwood littered the ocean. The smell of smoke, flesh and gunpowder overwhelmed my nostrils. The tide was slowly changing, we were winning, mainly because Viggo's fleet had been able to hold the enemy away from the docks and had bought us much-needed time to gather our forces.
The enemy had not even been able to reach our docks so we didn't have to worry about a ground assault. The Draconian guards had quickly loaded the bolas, catapults, arrow launchers and cannons to defend the island. Three of the thirty or so ships invading us had been taken down by them while another four were at the bottom of the ocean with the help of Viggo's fleet. Two of Viggo's ships were now on either side of an enemy ship, while mercilessly firing at the lone ship from both sides not letting even an inch of wood to stay afloat. The fleet had formed a defensive border around the docks while the soldiers provided cover for the ships and the riders attacked the incoming forces.
"GET DOWN!" A trapper screamed before being blown into the frigid ocean along with a few of his friends by my mate. She quickly reached us and flew alongside me. "We helped seventeen dragons." She bragged to me. Everything had to be a competition with my mate and that's why she and her rider were so close. They both shared the same competitive spirit which me and my rider loved.
"Hello my Milady, how are you on this fine destructive day?" Hiccup asked his wife. "You know, the usual, disappointed, I mean they have attacked us thrice and every time they don't even try to bring a strong enough force to put up a fight." Astrid stated. Hiccup chuckled at his wife's statement he knew she was lying about this being too easy… this was going to be a long battle. He slowly glided down to Viggo's Lead ship along with Astrid and Camicazi. "Viggo, Alvin!" Hiccup called out to his closest friends. "Ah, my dear Hiccup it is good to see you I assume the capture of the Berkians was a success." Viggo asked. "Yeah, it was a little too easy, to be honest." Hiccup responded. "Aye, that's because they were a distraction the real attack was these bunch of ruffians and their sinking fleet." Alvin stated, while his Boneknapper roared in approval.
"Yeah, this must be what Gustav might have overheard." Astrid told them. Camicazi quickly responded, "All this discussion is useless, I say we go kick some Dragon Trapper ass and then chop the heads of those traitors in the dungeons." Dagur quickly agreed to the proposed plan. Hiccup sighed both Dagur and Camicazi were very spontaneous and impulsive, they loved to fight and were very loyal. Thus arguing with them to do otherwise would be illogical. "Ok right, we will deal with the Berkians after this let's end this battle first. Viggo, Alvin continue the naval barrage while Dagur can come with us for air support." Dagur quickly mounted Sleuther while Viggo and Alvin began shouting orders to the sailors.
The battle would continue on both sides for about two hours after the first rays of the sun lit the ocean of bodies. Both sides had taken losses while the Draconians had few the Trappers had lost a lot of men. This was due to the advanced ships of the Draconians, the plans for battle made by Hiccup and obviously the dragons. The Trappers now confined to their last six ships were slowly retreating. Grimmel and Hiccup had exchanged a few threats and promises of returning but Hiccup paid no head to it. The Draconians quickly spread the news of victory. Hiccup asked Atali to go ask Heather, Fishlegs and Anna to bring back Zephyr to the castle.
"Stoick, why did those dragon-riding kiddos put us in the cells?" Gobber asked. "I don't know, Gobber but whatever reason they had must be something big, because almost four dozen soldiers had come to escort us into the dungeons." Stoick quickly replied. It confused them to no end why so many draconian soldiers and dragons had woken them up, cuffed them and then dragged them to the dungeons. The Berkians were split into four cells separated by iron bars, while the Jorgensons and the traitors were in a cell on the opposite side of the corridor. The Berkians had witnessed a few of the guards come in mercilessly beat the Jorgensons and their allies to a pulp. The guards would have continued the torture if it had not been for the attack. It was a long battle, but it sounded as if the Draconians had returned victorious.
The Berkians had put together that the Jorgensons had done something but didn't know what… when asked about the crime they committed, Spitelout nor the others graced the Berkians with an answer. Stoick just hoped that the crime wouldn't anger Hiccup enough, to kick the Berkians from his island as that would leave them to their inevitable deaths or to kill them then and there. "Where is Anna? She isn't in any of these cells what if something happened to her?" Ingrid whispered to herself. Ingrid had been worried for Anna's safety for the past few hours. She didn't want to lose Anna just like she had thought she had lost Astrid. Havlor sat beside his wife murmuring words of comfort. They had all realised that all the Berkians had been arrested except for Anna, Fishlegs, Gustav and the Twins. This worried them into thinking something bad must have happened to said individuals.
"All right, time for the trial arrogant assholes." One of the guards called out. They all looked outside the cells to see a line of guards armed to the teeth, holding staffs to order the prisoners around and a bunch of Speed Stingers. The Jorgensons were led out first followed by the remainder of the Berkians led by Stoick. It had been almost two or three hours after the battle had ended, Stoick didn't know how long it had been since he was stuck in a dark, damp cell. His suspicions of a crime being committed had been confirmed when the guards had said they were taking the Berkians to a trial, but the crime was still a mystery.
After waking up a flight of stairs, taking a 'pulley lift' to walking down a couple of corridors they arrived at what the Draconians referred to as the 'Justice Room'. Hiccup had told them during the tour that this room was where the Draconians held trials for criminals and prisoners of war. The doors were opened to reveal a bunch of villagers standing on either side of a pathway leading to a raised wooden platform surrounded by guards. The platform which was called the 'judgement podium' was directly across another raised platform but unlike the first, the latter was made of stone and had a table where all the council members were seated.
Hiccup looked at them with pure hatred and disgust along with Camicazi, Valka, Dagur and Mala. The rest had expressions of worry, sadness and hope. Stoick was now truly worried about what was going to come, he swallowed audibly, the look on Hiccup's face was scarier than Astrid's glare. Stoick looked beside him to see Gobber, Astrid's parents, and Gothi with similar expressions of worry. Astrid slowly stood up while Stormfly let out a massive roar silencing the shouts of threats and rage from the villagers.
"All right, if I can have all the gathered's attention we can start the trial… We are all gathered here to judge and punish the entirety of the Hooligan Tribe residing on Dragon's Edge the Capital of the Draconian Empire, for the crimes committed against the throne." Astrid announced. The Hooligans were shocked and now scared to their trousers. They had no idea what punishments the Draconians gave, after all, they could literally become a dragon's dinner. "The Hooligan Tribe are on trial for the attempted assassination of the reigning Royal Family, attempted murder of both soldiers and dragons of the Draconian Empire, and an act of espionage and distribution of secret information to a publically recognised enemy." Astrid stated before Atali continued, "Before the Hooligan Tribe were allowed on our soil, the rules and laws of the Empire were clearly explained to them, and still the Hooligans decided to not only kill the Royal Family but planned the attack on our island which resulted in the deaths of dozen of our friends. Not to mention the time, money and resources we will have to spend on the repairs of warships, weapons and houses. This is an unacceptable crime and thus the council has declared those of the Hooligan Tribe guilty will be given the death sentence at the maximum or exile to Breakneck Bog." Atali sat back down after giving her speech, leaving the villagers happy and cheering and the Berkians scared and nervous.
The room filled with sounds of taunts and cheering was immediately silenced the second Hiccup stood from his throne. Stoick could see the respect and trust they held for his son and thus became even more afraid of his upcoming judgement. "The following members of the Hooligan Tribe are to be executed for their crimes at dusk today, Spitelout Jorgenson, Snotlout Jorgenson, Mildew Babbler, Dogsbreath the Foolish, Ack the Bold, and Helga Minden. The accused will be given an hour to say their farewells and a meal of their choice an hour before dusk. The accused can also reduce the severity of their sentence to exile if they mention participants of the plan who haven't been accused." Hiccup asked the traitors.
To say the Berkians were shocked was an understatement. Helga was the first to recover and quickly mentioned Phelgma the Fierce as one of the Hooligans who helped them gather information and Snotlout called out Hoark the Brave, in return the council granted Helga and Snotlout a reduced sentence of exile on Breakneck Bog. Spitelout mentioned the twins and Mildew called out Gustav but both of them were denied a lighter sentence and the council then revealed the Berkians who helped inform them of the impending coup. After an argument broke out between Spitelout and Hiccup, Spitelout along with the rest of the traitors were taken to the dungeons once again till the time for the punishments to be performed.
Stoick was enraged and shocked, he was angry as the Jorgensons had broken the trust the Draconians had placed in the Berkians. It had taken days for them to convince the Draconians to forgive them and trust them, and the Jorgensons had ruined it in a day. Stoick was shocked to see Hiccup and Astrid give punishments as severe as the ones given now. They truly had changed, Hiccup was a very intelligent, powerful, kind, fair and leader to his friends and allies while he was a dangerous, strong, merciless and stone-cold warrior in the eyes of his enemies. He looked beside him to see Gobber shuffling nervously on his feet while his wooden peg leg made soft taping sounds on the hardwood, Astrid's parents had the same reaction as Stoick along with the rest of the Berkians. Any Berkians who were doubtful if Hiccup might punish them if they broke any of his rules were thrown out of the window. He had proven himself not only to Stoick but to the entire Hooligan Tribe.
They all stood there nervously while the council discussed what should be done with the remaining Berkians. Going against the Draconians was now proved to be a foolish idea. The dragon-friendly empire had not only defended itself from an ambush of thirty heavily equipped warships but had also defeated many enemies including Drago. Berk would have been destroyed and at the bottom of the ocean ten times over if they had faced the same wars.
Hiccup got up slowly and looked his father in the eyes, "The council has discussed the attack and the involvement of the rest of you with the said attack. We have all agreed that the rest of you are not guilty and since none of you have broken our rules, we will continue providing you with shelter and aid… but it would be best for both Draconians and Hooligans to stay separately until a strong trust and bond is formed between the two tribes. There is an island almost a mile to the south it has a dormant volcano, a small cave system and nice beaches and a beautiful forest. It is surrounded by sea stacks and is called Itchy Armpit, but if you do decide to call it your new home we can rename it to New Berk. Our two tribes will become allies and the Hooligans will officially become a part of the Draconian Empire." Hiccup stated.
Stoick now uncuffed, discussed the proposal with his most trusted friends such as the Ingermans, Hoffersons, Thorstons, Gobber and Gothi. Gobber and the Hoffersons had immediately agreed to the proposal as both of them wanted to be close to their respective daughters. After a few moments of discussion, Stoick agreed to the deal presented to them, signing a couple of contracts and smiling at his son while shaking his hand. The villagers were both delighted and sceptical of the addition of the Hooligan Tribe to the Draconian Empire, but since they had gained the Emperor's trust they were willing to give them a chance.
That evening everyone had gathered around a Typhoomerang, carrying a flask of water and some bread and a dagger in a satchel. The satchel was to be given to the Snotlout and Helga when they reached Breakneck Bog by the Dragon Rider taking the exiled couple there. They had said their 'apologies' and goodbyes to their respective parents.
After the giant dragon took to the skies the Draconian guards led the Berkians to be executed towards the cove under the entrance to the Dragon's Nest. The cave was home to a carnivorous Snaptrapper, this dragon was a mystery-class dragon and had been badly treated by Trappers since its hatching. It hated humans and even after trying to train it for months not even Hiccup was able to come a few feet towards it before being attacked. The dragon had multiple heads and was extremely territorial. Spitelout shouted a few curses while Mildew and Phelgma begged for mercy at death's door. But the decision had been made and the traitorous party had been pushed into the cave. After a few seconds, everyone gathered heard a dragon's roar followed by screams of Vikings before it all returned to silence. Slowly, satisfied everyone left the mouth of the cave back towards the village.
XXXX
Hiccup stroked his beautiful wife's blonde hair softly. "How are you really?" He asked her. She curled up close to him, showing a vulnerability she could only express with him. "Nauseous." She responded softly into his chest. For the past few days, Astrid had been feeling under the weather. She had been acting very weird for the past few weeks, it all started with her ignoring him and then volunteering in tasks and missions which would keep her away from him for most of the day while she would return at night tired and would be fast asleep. It scared Hiccup to see her like this but was glad once she started to open up to him a little again but knew something was troubling her still. When he confronted her she blamed it on stress, but he knew her better than anyone else and immediately understood that she was lying but had decided to ask her about it when she felt better.
Hiccup dragged the heavy fur blanket gently over their legs, as they cuddled on the bed beside an asleep Zephyr. "Do you want some water, bread? It will help with the nausea." Hiccup asked her. She looked at him gratefully. "Yes, please." He slid off the bed and closed the curtain blocking the sunlight from entering the bedroom and went downstairs to retrieve the food. He entered the room once again and set the cup and plate with bread on the bed in front of his wife. He raised the cup to her and watched as she slowly tried to down the water. She took a few gentle gulps to wash the bitter taste off her mouth, then gave the cup back. "Thanks a lot, babe." She said while smiling warmly at him before taking a slice of bread.
She hoped Hiccup couldn't see how much she was trembling. Inside, she was a mess of wanting to desperately blurt out her secret and wanting to save it for later. This was a big deal, Hiccup needed to know, contrasting thoughts battled in her mind until she made the decision to surrender to one. She lifted her head and stared straight at Hiccup. She moved her hands to his, tangling them together. "Hiccup," She began. "I have to tell you something." He straightened up to meet her beautiful ocean-blue eyes. She looked down to where their hands were intertwined, and breathed out slowly, she said, "I'm pregnant."
Silence filled the room for a long, dreadful moment. She was sure the pounding in her chest could be heard by the gods. She looked up, seeing the shock on Hiccup's face. "You're... pregnant." That was all he said. She nodded, her hands were sweating like crazy and she wished she could remove them from Hiccup's firm grip. Then as suddenly as the silence had filled the room he jerked the blankets off and pulled Astrid up out of the bed, she yelped as Hiccup lifted her up and twirled her, her hands on his shoulders. As he stopped and looked into her eyes she realised that he was truly happy and not mad, this made her calm and all the worry washed away.
She almost collapsed against him in relief, letting out an exhale. Then Hiccup kissed her, he pulled back and stroked her cheek. "We're gonna be parents AGAIN. I'm gonna be a dad AGAIN." She smiled and looked into those eager, sparkling green eyes. Hiccup then looked at her as something clicked in his mind and asked her, "So, you're not sick? It's morning sickness? Oh, Thor! Morning sickness. How could I have been so stupid?" She nodded. "I hid it at first because I didn't want you to be worried, but Heather and Camicazi convinced me to tell you."
Astrid was pregnant. She was carrying his second child. In a few months, they would have another baby. Zephyr would be an elder sister. She softly pecked him on the lips. "I love you." Hiccup looked down at her, his voice filled with passion. "I love you too." Before kissing her with enough passion to push her gently into the pillows beside an asleep soon-to-be older sister.