Cami was woken up with a small kick to her side. She heard Thuggory mumble an apology as he walked out the cabin, taking his turn on guard duty. She didn't have to wait long for Ruffnut to fall asleep, hearing the girl's snoring as soon as she was settled. Those twins go out as soon as their heads hit the pillow it seems. Cami carefully snuck out of the cabin, not waking a single person as she did so.
"Ziggerastica!" Cami ran towards her ship as soon as she was out, calling to her dragon. The space around the deck of her boat shifted colors and an acid green dragon appeared. Cami reached over and hugged the dragon's long face.
"You poor thing! You must be so tired from being camouflaged all day!" She cooed at the sweet Changewing. It chirped back, nuzzling up against the girl.
"Lets go for a ride. Let them stretch their wings." Thuggory offered, appearing next to the boat standing on his Thunderdrum Thornado.
Cami crawled onto the back of her dragon and off they went, flying through the sky with Thuggory right behind them. The two flew around each other, racing for a bit, giving their dragons the exercise they hadn't gotten in the past two days. Thuggory was way behind as Cami and Ziggy did loops and rolls, diving and flying back up. It took a while to get Ziggy's energy out.
"Ziggy's really energetic tonight, isn't she?" Thuggory said as he finally caught up to her.
"Thornado has been able to swim around all day! Ziggy had to be still and quiet, poor thing!" Cami cooed, patting Ziggy's head.
"I told you to send her back home." Thuggory nagged at her. She didn't want to send her dragon away. What if they needed her?
"It's a good thing I didn't, she was able to get Hiccup over to us faster." Cami had sent Ziggy over to Astrid's dinghy and create a breeze so they got to the ship faster.
"They would have gotten to us soon enough, you didn't have to risk the Hooligans finding out." Cami rolled her eyes at the Meathead. Why did he always have to be so practical? They're Vikings! They should take chances to get what they want!
"Yeah, yeah. It ended up being fine. Hiccup's okay, and he'll probably wake up soon. He now knows Berk thinks he's dead so he'll go back, make everything right, teach them about dragons, and then we'll have more allies against Drago!" Cami concluded.
Most of the Archipelago already had dragons of their own, or at least know that dragons can be tamed. Hiccup has spent the past two years going around the Archipelago teaching anyone who would listen, warning them of Drago's eventual attack. It helps that he goes as the leader of the dragon riders, a much more intimidating persona they call Ryder.
"Now that Ziggy got her energy out, how about we get rid of that anger of yours?" Thuggory offered. Cami looked at him with a blank face.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Astrid?"
"I don't hate her."
"Well you certainly don't like her." Thuggory chuckled.
"You don't find it strange?" Cami asked. Thuggory looked confused so she clarified. "Astrid was the one who saw Hiccup get carried off by a dragon. Then it turns out she was engaged to Hiccup, and now she's the Heir? You don't find that strange?"
"So what? You think Astrid knows he chose to fly off on a dragon?"
"No. I just think it's weird that she's the one that benefited from Hiccup's "death". And we both know Hiccup had a crush on her and she wasn't even nice to him!"
"Jealous are we?" Thuggory laughed at Cami's disgusted face.
"No! You know he's too much of a goody-goody for me! Ew!" Cami shook her head to get rid of the weird image of her and Hiccup dating. "I'm just concerned about her using him. Especially after they find out about the dragons."
Cami had already seen plenty of girls throwing themselves at Hiccup once they found out he was the leader of the dragon riders. Hiccup may be too dense to notice what they're doing but she's not! As Hiccup's female best friend it was her job to make sure he ends up with someone who likes him for him and not for his title or power. All she knew about Astrid was that she was mean to Hiccup as a kid, is a skilled warrior, and is now his betrothed and current Heir to the Hooligan tribe.
"Hiccup can take care of himself. Besides I highly doubt Hiccup would've had a crush on her if she was an evil person. Sure, she might have been mean to him as kids but I remember a certain someone who used to push the boys she liked off of boats and docks." Cami turned a bit red and groaned. He could be worse than her mother at bringing up embarrassing stuff from her childhood.
"You're free to keep an eye on her," Thuggory continued. "but be nice. She hasn't done anything wrong to our knowledge."
"Fine! Fine. I'll be nice." Cami promised, before mumbling, "For now."
"We should head back." Thuggory said while turning around. "Hiccup's probably gonna wake up soon and we should be there to set up a game plan."
Back at the boats Cami set Ziggy down on her boat, causing it to rock. Her fellow Bog-Burglars stayed inside, used to the rocking of a dragon taking off or landing on the boat. She gave Ziggy some food and pet her while she ate. She really should send Ziggy back home if she was gonna stay with the Hooligans but Cami hated being away from Ziggy. They had bonded so much over the past four years she couldn't imagine life without her Changewing. She finally had someone who matched her level of stealth and boldness, someone who wasn't afraid to ride into any and all battles.
"Soon we won't have to hide you." Cami promised, nuzzling her head against the dragons. "Until then, I'll have to send you home. You can leave with Thuggory in the morning."
Cami said goodnight to her dragon and gave her an extra big hug, then jumped over the railing onto the Hooligan's boat. Thuggory was already there, coming out of the cabin.
"He's still asleep but I think we can wake him up." He nodded for her to follow him.
The two crept back into the hold carefully walking around the sleeping bodies. Because Hiccup was injured he got to sleep in the nice cot, meaning he was far enough away from the others giving them a bit of privacy. Cami poked his face a couple times, Hiccup made a face and grumbled as he moved away.
"Wake up." Thuggory whispered as he shook the boy. Cami took it up a notch and gave Hiccup a wet willy. He immediately sprung up with a gasp, only to hiss in pain and grab his wound. Thuggory gave Cami a nasty look.
"Sorry." she whispered. They tried to help Hiccup lay down but he shook them off choosing to sit upright and look around.
"Were on a Hooligan boat. They came to rescue Astrid." Thuggory explained, moving aside to show him the sleeping Hooligans. "It seems Astrid already told you why we wanted to meet with you." A look of realization came across Hiccups face.
"I need some air." He replied, standing up and fumbling his way out of the cabin.
"You doing okay?" Cami asked. The moment Hiccup got outside he started pacing which ment one of two thinks. Either he was freaking out or planning something crazy, from he look on his face he was freaking out.
"They think I'm dead. They really thought I was dead. This whole time I thought they didn't care enough to ask about me or send someone to check up on me when really they thought I was dead! And now were on a bout heading back to Berk and I have to confront my dad! And tell them about me, and Dragons, and mom, and the war that's coming! I know I'd eventually have to tell them but I wasn't planning on telling them like this!"
"Yeah, that's a lot to process." Thuggory said, trying to sympathize with Hiccup.
"Maybe this is a good thing?" Cami added.
"Why would this be a good thing? How could this be a good thing?" Hiccup was really freaking out. His pacing got faster and he was pulling at his hair in every direction.
"It's gonna be hard for Hiccup, he has to convince his dad! You know how hard headed Stoic can be." Thuggory whispered to Cami, not wanting to stress Hiccup out anymore.
True. The Hooligans were known for being especially stubborn, they don't change their minds so easily. All it took to convince the Bog-Burglars to give dragons a chance was seeing Hiccup riding a Nightfury. If Hiccup could train a dragon then so could they! It then became a competition among the Burglars to see who could bond with the fiercest dragon. They really were too competitive for their own good.
"Yeah, but if anyone can change Stoic's mind it's Hiccup! Specifically you, Hiccup, not "Ryder"." Hiccup finally stopped pacing and sat on the deck, leaning back against the side, letting out a groan.
"We know you wanted to keep your identity as the leader a secret for as long as you can," Cami continued, kneeling down next to him. "but I think it's time you told Berk, and the rest of the Archipelago, the truth."
While the Bog-Burglars and Meatheads had known for years about Hiccup taming dragons he wanted to keep his identity a secret from everyone else. Only a handful of people know Hiccup is both the leader of the dragon riders and the true Heir of the Hooligan tribe.
"And from what we've seen and heard, Stoic is just going to be happy you're alive!" Thuggory sat down on Hiccup's other side, putting a comforting hand on his slim shoulder.
"Let's hope so. Drago and Alvin are gonna meet up at some point. We can't keep the two apart for much longer." Hiccup's concern was obvious. If Alvin and Drago teamed up then Alvin would finally be able to train dragons and Drago would gain more soldiers and the information needed to attack the Archipelago. Dooming them all.
Hiccup let out a huge breath and settled down, finally processing all the information he's learned. Cami's not surprised Hiccup almost had a breakdown. Learning your tribe thinks your dead on top of trying to stop an invasion, all while befriending your tribes greatest enemy? That's a lot to got through.
"They had to find out at some point. Wouldn't it be better for them to learn about everything from you? The training dragons and your mom being alive?" Cami knew he would figure things out on his own at some point, but it would usually be after a flight with Toothless. "By the way, where is Toothless? I doubt you left him behind."
"Hu? Oh, Toothless? I was able to get him out. Argh! But not before Astrid saw him! Gods, Astrid saw Toothless! What is she gonna think?!"
"She didn't mention Toothless in her story?" Thuggory said in surprise. Seeing a Nightfury is a big deal so why wouldn't Astrid mention it?
"Maybe she didn't really see him?" Cami supplied.
"No, she definitely did." Hiccup rubbed the back of his head, a sign he was starting to panic again. "How am I gonna explain that?"
"Hold on! Just stop. Stop right there." Hiccup froze at Thuggory's order. "Just walk us through what happened. Okay?"
Hiccup told the two what happened to him that day. From getting captured, to meeting Astrid, finding out they think he's dead, to freeing the dragons along with Toothless, and to their escape. He didn't need to go into much detail, Astrid had already told them her account of what happened.
"She left out the Nightfury part but other than that your stories line up." Cami said.
"Do you think she recognized Toothless from when you guys left Berk?" Thuggory suggested.
"I don't know. Maybe? How am I gonna explain what I was doing in the cage with Toothless?"
"Tell her the truth?" Thuggory shrugged.
"It's too early for that. I need to gain their trust first or they'll just think I've gone mad." Hiccup shook off Thuggory's idea.
"Well, you already gave her an excuse, right?" Cami said. "You told her you were a dragon trapper. You could say Toothless was one of the dragons you trapped." Hiccup nodded at the idea.
"Yeah! If you were a dragon trapper and you trapped a Nightfury, would you really leave it in the hands of your enemy?" Thuggory agreed.
"I guess that could work…" Hiccup agreed.
"Cami will be staying with you, so she can help you if you need back up." Thuggory clapped his hand on Hiccups shoulder as he stood up and stretched.
"Where are you going?" Hiccup asked.
"I'll be leaving first thing in the morning. I'm gonna meet up with Stoic and send him back to Berk."
"He's on his way to meet with Alvin to negotiate Astrid's return." Cami supplied when Hiccup looked confused. She also stood up, stretching her knees out.
"Why would Alvin meet with my dad about Astrid? Why was Astrid taken in the first place?" Hiccup's musing froze Cami and Thuggory in their place.
"You don't know?" "Astrid didn't tell you?" Thuggory and Cami asked at the same time.
"Tell me what?"
Cami could tell the look on her and Thuggory's faces were freaking Hiccup out.
"Ahhh…" Cami started.
"I think Astrid should be the one to tell you." Thuggory finished. The two nodded to each other, which only made Hiccup more curious.
"Okay? Well, could you do me a favor?" Hiccup asked Thuggory. "Could you not tell my dad about me when you see him. I'd rather wait till he's back on Berk to find out."
Thuggory chuckled a little while Cami rolled her eyes.
"What?"
"Astrid already asked Thuggory not to mention you." Cami said.
"Looks like you two think alike." Thuggory lightly kicked Cami's legs, a grin on his stupid Meathead face.
"Whatever." Cami retorted. So what if the two asked the same thing of Thuggory, it didn't mean anything.
"Come on, let's get you up and check on that wound." Thuggory pulled Hiccup up.
They had Hiccup lift his shirt while they checked, pulling the bandage and gauze off. Hiccup tried to tell them it wasn't that bad but neither of them listened. Hiccup had a habit of down playing his injuries. After he lost his leg to the Red Death he was unconscious for three weeks, and as soon as he woke up he wanted to start walking on his new prosthetic! Her mother, Big Boobied Bertha, had to tie Hiccup to his bed to stop him from walking. He had just woken up after three weeks, lost a leg, and wanted to go on like it was perfectly normal!
"It's healing pretty well." Thuggory observed. "There's a few spots that are still open. I'll go grab the salve, then we can wrap you back up."
Thuggory walked off to get the salve, leaving Cami and Hiccup alone for a moment.
"So," Cami began, leaning her arms on the side of the boat. "What's it like running into your childhood crush now that you're all grown up?"
Hiccup looked surprised, then embarrassed and looked away.
"Ah, ha. Is it weird I still kind of have a crush on her?" Hiccup chuckled.
"Seriously!?" Cami raised an eyebrow at him. "Didn't she treat you like yak's crap as a kid? how can you still have a crush on her?"
"You haven't seen her fight three guys at once! She's amazing!" Hiccup smiled at the memory. "And everyone treated me like that as a kid. She was one of the nicer ones." He shrugged.
Cami just shook her head. "I still think you and Heather would have made a cute couple."
Heather was the only girl Cami ever approved of. She was smart, dependable, and a great fighter, plus she worked with them to stop Alvin and Drago from meeting up. And Heather has nothing to gain from being with Hiccup, as she was already an Heir to the Berserker tribe and could easily convince her brother to give the Chiefdom to her now that they're all buddy-buddy.
"I told you it just didn't workout." Hiccup leaned back against the side of the boat. "We're both too invested in our own plans. Plus, it's obvious her and Eret have a thing for each other."
"Yeah, but neither one of them have made any moves!"
"We broke up because we literally forgot we were dating each other." Hiccup laughed. "Why the sudden interest in my dating life? It's not like Astrid's about to confess her love for me, or something?"
Hiccup knew Cami would only bring up his love life is there was someone trying to get with him, which is why he's confused she's bringing it up now. She wanted to tell him about his engagement but that is something Astrid should tell him herself.
"I'm just worried you'll let her walk all over you because of some silly crush. You tend to have a problem standing up to people you admire."
"What? Like who?" Hiccup said sounding insulted.
"Like your dad."
"That's completely different." Hiccup deadpanned as Cami laughed.
Thuggory came back with the salve and dressed Hiccup's wound while they talked more about their plan to reveal the truth about dragons to the Hooligan tribe. Hiccup insisted on taking it slow, give them time to adjust to the fact Hiccup was alive then start to clue them in on the dragons. Cami and Hiccup went to bed as Thuggory finished his turn on guard duty. They had the beginnings of a plan in place as they needed to see how Berk would react to the older Hiccup, then they would go from there.