A/N: I will probably update this story every Saturday if I can. This chapter has some fun Hiccup and Zephyr moments and introduces our first O/Cs (Let me assure you, there will be many more). Please enjoy.
Hiccup and Zephyr walk through the village, the sun is shining over New Berk, and it's time for Zephyr's chieftess training to begin. Zephyr honestly cannot tell who's more nervous, herself or her father.
"Well, this is when you will learn how to become the new leader of the tribe," he begins in a very shaky tone. "Lesson one, a chief, I mean, chieftess's first duty is to her people, so…"
He notices Phlegma struggling to carry a box of apples. "Let me help you with that." He takes the box from her but doesn't realize how heavy the box actually is. Hiccup tries to keep the image of a strong chief in front of his daughter and heir, but it's pretty obvious that he is struggling with trying to carry it. Zephyr notices this and decides to help him.
"I'll take that, '' she simply says as she takes the box from her father. The weight does affect her but not nearly as much as it affected her father. As she moves the box, Hiccup doesn't know whether to be proud that his daughter is taking so naturally to the duties of being the chieftess, or to be embarrassed that his 18 year old daughter is stronger than he is and now most of the village knows it.
Zephyr finishes moving the box before returning to Hiccup's side. Hiccup attempts to say something, but is at a loss for words. Zephyr notices this and shrinks her head down.
"I wasn't supposed to do that, was I?" Hiccup quickly notices this and denies it.
"No, no no. What you did was exactly what a chief would do, and I'm more proud of you than ever before. Which segways perfectly into lesson two, no task is too small when it comes to serving your people, which you proved right there." Zephyr looks up at her father and smiles. "I love how quickly you picked up on everything. So much so, I think we can end training for today. But, not before I give the most important lesson of them all; A chief, or chieftess, protects their own." He says in an oddly calming but stern voice. Zephyr nods in understanding.
"Alright, now go off and have fun."
"Sorry, I can't. Gotta help Uncle Gobber out in the forge."
"Zephyr, give yourself a break. Go be a kid."
Zephyr looks back at him with a snarky smirk, "Is that seriously coming from you?"
Hiccup can't help but smile at his daughter's remark, "Alright, but don't get hurt. I would like to see our first chieftess with all 4 of her limbs." Zephyr begins to leave but makes one more remark.
"I mean, you turned out just fine." Hiccup smiles as he watches Zephyr run off.
Zephyr lays a sword onto the grinding wheel, meticulously watching as the sword slowly sharpens. Gobber, now needing to walk with a cane, walks behind Zephyr.
"I thank you for your help, lass. But I can do most of these things myself."
Zephyr glares back at him, "Uncle Gobber, we both know you shouldn't even be working in the forge."
"Ah, ye don't know that." Gobber attempts to lift an axe but quickly falls over, prompting Zephyr to take her sword off the grinding wheel and run to Gobber. She quickly helps Gobber to his feet (or foot) and lifts him to a nearby chair. "Aye, thank you lass."
"Gobber, you are going to kill yourself doing this." Zephyr grabs the axe and hangs it on the wall.
"Well, at least you are stronger than your old man. He couldn't even lift an axe." Zephyr rolls her eyes before beginning to resharpen the sword before a customer appears at the window.
"What's the new chieftess doing working in the forge?"
Zephyr looks up as she finishes sharpening the sword and a smile fills her face. "Oh hey Zara."
Zara has a very similar build to Zephyr, with some even mistaking the two as sisters. She has brown hair, which is only slightly duller than Zephyr's, and blue eyes. Funny enough, Zara is the daughter of Snotlout. Astrid is still surprised that Snotlout managed to not only find, but marry, a girl as smart and tough like Svelta. But, she likes her because she keeps Snotlout in check, that's good enough for her.
"How are you doing?" Zephyr asks.
"Good. So…" Zephyr can see the eagerness on Zara's face as if her head was about to combust, "How's chieftess training going?"
Zephyr's face drops, which doesn't go unnoticed by Zara, "Well, I guess. I helped Dad out with Phlegma's apples."
Zara chuckles, rehearing some of the chatter on how 18 year old Zephyr is stronger than 40 year old Chief Hiccup. "Yeah, we all heard." Zephyr's face doesn't change, much to the surprise of Zara. "What's wrong?"
Zephyr grabs a thick sheet of leather and begins cutting it. "It's just… I don't think I'm going to be good enough."
Zara is shocked at Zephyr's response, Zephyr is known as one of the most confident lasses on New Berk, her mother's daughter indeed.
"What? You are the most qualified person on New Berk, do you really think my brother could lead better?"
Zephyr chuckles at her friend's comment. "No, he really couldn't." The two girls begin laughing until a commotion is heard coming from the village. "Oh, speak of Loki."
Suddenly, a boy with light brown hair, mud brown eyes, and somewhat tousled hair speeds over a bump on a piece of wood with tiny wheels attached to the bottom, getting massive hangtime before crashing hard in front of the forge.
"Snortlout, what are you doing?"
Snortlout, Zara's younger brother, who was only a year younger then Zephyr and his sister, was definitely his father's son. He is slow to get up, recovering his breath from the impact.
"I was testing out Fawnut's new invention." Both Zephyr and Zara both look over to see a skinny girl with blonde hair and green eyes peering behind one of the houses, chuckling at the sight of Snortlout flying on her invention.
Fawnut was the daughter of Fishlegs Ingerman and Ruffnut Thorston, which was not good for anyone. She is as smart as her father, but has dedicated her life to Loki like her mother and uncle.
"Fawnut, why were you trying to kill my brother?" Zara asks her angrily.
"I was just testing out my new invention for transportation around the village. I call it the 'skateboard'.
Zephyr and Zara both get a closer look at the contraption, a small piece of wood with tiny wagon wheels attached to the bottom, a clever contraption, but with very little practical use.
"And what situations will it be useful in?" Zara asks.
"Well, I don't really know," Fawnut answers. Zara groans before helping her brother to her feet.
"Thanks," Snortlout looks over to Zephyr who has begun to stitch the leather together, "And you are looking mighty beautiful on this fine day, future chieftess."
Zephyr looks up at Snortlout with a face of both disgust and anger, similar to her mother's glare at his father. Snortlout hastily retreats before he and Fawnut go off to try out a new "invention". The girls watch the two of them run off, both with faces of mischief.
"I probably should go with them, make sure nothing gets blown up and anything that will upset your father." Zephyr looks up at Zara and nods in agreement.
"Just don't get killed." Zara nods in agreement before running off. Zephyr then looks down and is satisfied at what she's managed to create.
A Saddle.