Hey look at that, didn't take me four months to write a chapter again. This is a rather long one as a way to make up for taking so long as well as finishing part one, act one, whatever you want to call it.
Huge shoutout to Silvode who's been helping me where I need it most. Silvode's help has been nothing short of amazing. Please go and read their story if you get the chance. Anyways onto chapter six…
Days had passed since Astrid showed the teens the dragons. Snotlout had been an unwilling participant but when the Nadder pressed her snout into his hand, Snotlout was onboard. This quickly bled into Astrid teaching the teens about how to keep the dragons calm—one by one they were let out of their pens and the teens bonded with their dragons. Fishlegs ended up bonding with the Gronkle, which in hindsight made sense. The twins somehow managed to train the Zippleback as it seemed the dragon and the two Thorstons had as much intelligence as a rock. Finally came Snotlout who trained the Nightmare, a dragon that appeared to share a very similar personality to the Jorgenson.
In the days following the teens met at night, preparing themselves for the day they freed the dragons. Astrid was hoping, praying to the gods that the Terror from the arena found Hiccup since Sneaky was still with him. Gobber, meanwhile, had offered a decent plan, breaking the dragons out during an approaching storm. It made sense, the village would be on lockdown, no one daring to go outside and brave the weather. Most villagers would weather out the storm in the Great Hall, meaning there would be no patrols.
The downside to this was that none of the teens including Astrid knew how to fly. Granted she had the most experience but Astrid didn't think getting dunked into the ocean by a temperamental Nightfury counted. Gobber continued to insist that it would be for the best, even drawing up plans for saddles based on Hiccup's designs in his journal. Astrid sighed at the darkening skies, turning away from the cliffs. There was no sign of Hiccup or Toothless which could mean a whole host of issues but Astrid couldn't worry about them right now.
The Shieldmaiden walked into the streets of Berk and found the town square devoid of life. The only people present were those who hadn't reached the Great Hall yet. Her attention turned to the forge where Gobber was hard at work. Astrid walked towards the building and was greeted with the sight of the rest of the teens watching the blacksmith work.
"Ya know you could help ol' Gobber instead of just standing there," Gobber complained.
"But that would require doing things," Tuffnut replied.
"Yeah, I don't feel like doing… things," Ruffnut agreed.
Gobber muttered a few curses under his breath before glancing up at Astrid. "Oh, there ye are," Gobber greeted. "Any sign of him?"
"No," came Astrid's dejected response. Fishlegs and Gobber sighed while the other three looked indifferent at the news.
"Maybe the Terror just ran off?" Fishlegs offered.
"Unlikely, it seemed to recognize Hiccup when I showed it one of his portraits," Astrid countered.
"Either way ye freed that Terror in broad daylight. Thank the gods no one saw it or ye," Gobber sternly told her.
"I had to, we need Hiccup."
"We don't need Hiccup," Snotlout argued. "I can handle this jailbreak on my own."
"Alright, go down there then and get all four dragons out," Astrid demanded.
Snotlout thought for a second, "On second thought maybe we do need Hiccup."
"That's what I thought," Astrid triumphantly responded.
"The storm will be here soon," Gobber told the teens. "Hiccup or not ye lot will lose your chance at freeing the beasties if ya don't do it today."
"I-"
"That's enough chatter out of the lot of ye," Gobber suddenly ordered.
Astrid was about to respond but quickly shut her mouth at the sound of footsteps behind her. Turning around she was greeted with the sight of Stoick The Vast making one of his rare public appearances. The Chief stared at Astrid for a brief moment before brushing past the girl.
"Gobber," Stoick began.
"Stoick, it's good ta see you can still walk," Gobber greeted.
"A word… alone," Stoick simply told his friend.
"Right," Gobber answered with a nod.
Stoick turned away and walked toward his hut. Gobber set down his tools and followed the Chief, leaving the teens alone in his forge.
Stoick pushed open the door and let his friend inside. Gobber gladly walked into the hut and took his normal spot at the hearth. He watched as the Chief grabbed a small barrel of ale and poured it into two cups. Once the drinks were poured he held one to Gobber so he could grab it.
"Sorry I didn't let you grab your mug, I just needed to talk with you quick," Stoick apologized.
"No worries Stoick," Gobber replied, taking the mug out of Stoick's hand.
Stoick nodded and sat down in his chair. Gobber glanced at his friend, there were bags under his eyes. His eyes themselves were puffy and devoid of life, unlike the man from a few months ago. His beard and become a bit disheveled and a few grey hairs could be seen poking through the fiery red mane. Stoick's gaze rested on the fire, not bothering to look at his friend.
"Stoick?"
"The gods punnish us Gobber, punnish me," Stoick muttured.
"Stoick I don't think-"
"Look outside Gobber!" Stoick suddenly shouted. "Thor is upset that I let Hiccup- let Hiccup…"
"Stoick…"
"They've taken Valka and Hiccup, Gobber. The Valkyries carried so many of our best to Valhalla because I can't win this war. Those devils have been a curse, a punishment by the gods even."
"I don't-"
"Ever since we left Kattegat, Gobber, the raids have gotten worse. When I left Ragnar's side, everything started to come undone. I got to enjoy life with Valka for a few months before the dragons took her and then Alvin betrayed me, after that the Berserkers abandoned our treaty, shall I go on?" Stoick asked.
"You can't blame leaving Ragnar's army on everything," Gobber tried.
"I can and I will Gobber. That seer of his cursed me, I know he did. Punishment for leaving the army we created, the kingdom we forged."
Gobber took a sip of his ale and shook his head. "You can't blame everything on one choice. Sure things haven't been great but Berk is still here. We're in one piece and will follow you into Ragnarok." Gobber sighed, "You're still grieving, trying to rationalize everything."
"The gods-"
"The Gods nothing!" Gobber shouted. "Hiccup's death was unfortunate I know, I miss him too. But ye can't blame a decision from nearly sixteen years ago on his death. I loved the boy like he was my own, hell I practically raised him with the Hoffersons while you were too busy running the village."
Stoick shook his head and went back to staring at the hearth.
"Hiccup made his own choices and that led to him… you know…" Gobber continued.
"Astrid could have saved him," Stoick muttered.
"Wha?"
"Astrid could have saved him!" Stoick yelled, thunder rumbling as his voice echoed around the hut. Gobber looked at Stoick with wide eyes, shocked at the Chief's outburst. "The girl trained her entire life to be a warrior and when it mattered most she couldn't fight a dragon," Stoick told the blacksmith, venom laced in his voice.
"It was a Nightfury Stoick!" Gobber responded. "There wasn't much she could have done without getting herself killed! Astrid did what she thought was best and got us!"
"She still could have tried to fight it or done more so I could at least have a body to bury!"
"She's a teenager, Stoick, they both were. Name me a single grown Viking to have fought a Nightfury and lived to tell the tale."
"I-"
"Ye can't, can ye?" Gobber asked. "Astrid feels as guilty about his death as you do. Her Chief blames her for his son's death even though Astrid did everything she could to prevent it. Treating her like yak dung won't bring him back!"
Thunder rolled again bringing the two to silence. Gobber sighed and downed more of his ale.
"I'd like to think Hiccup is still out there you know," Gobber offered. Stoick looked up at his friend, sorrow in his eyes. "You saw how he dealt with tha Gronkle in the arena. I saw him take down dragons without even lifting a finger, yelling at the Zippleback to get back in its cage and it listened to him! If anyone survived a dragon, even a Nightfury, it would be Hiccup."
"You think he's alive?" asked Stoick in an uncharacteristically small voice.
"I know he's out there somewhere. He's the son of Stoick The Vast and a Viking at that. Hiccup would be too stubborn to die. Have faith that he managed to break free of the Nightfury and he's out there somewhere trying to get home to us."
Lighting cracked above the hut, rattling its wooden walls. Gobber shook his head and downed the rest of the ale.
"Storm's getting worse," the blacksmith told Stoick, rising from his chair.
"Right…"
"I best be going, gotta lock down the forge and keep those teens in line."
Stoick nodded, downing the rest of his ale. The man stood up from his chair and began to follow Gobber out.
"Again don't be too hard on Astrid," Gobber tried. "She feels as guilty as you make her seem."
With that Gobber left, leaving Stoick wallowing in his own grief. The blacksmith walked back into his forge and saw the teens waiting expectantly for me.
"Well, what are ye waiting for? The village is sheltered and Stoick will drink away his issues… again. It's time," Gobber told them.
"Gobber-"
"Astrid, do ye want to free your dragon, yes or no?" he asked.
"Yes but-"
"But nothing lass, this storm is ye your only chance to free with no one seeing… hopefully. Point is ye have to do it today."
Astrid looked back to her friends and they seemed uneasy at the thought.
"Gobber's right," she finally said. "If we're gonna do it, it has to be now."
With that Astrid calmly left the forge, the teens and Gobber trailing behind her.
The dragons stood in the arena, eager to take flight. The Nadder was the most energetic at the prospect, constantly flapping its wings as the wind picked up. Thunder continued to rumble as the teens frantically prepped their dragons for the flight. Lightning streaked across the sky, making Fishlegs jump in fear.
"Ah stop yer worrying, Berk has been through worse," Gobber told the teen.
"I don't know if you've realized it but we're gonna be the ones flying through that!" Fishlegs yelled pointing to the sky. "I don't think this is a good idea."
"Yeah, I agree with Fishface. I don't feel like catching a stray bolt of lightning from Thor," Snotlout added.
"Don't worry we'll mourn your loss," Ruffnut told him.
"Will we?" her counterpart asked.
"Nah."
Astrid ignored the interaction and finished tying a rope around the Nadder's neck. She was careful to not tie it too tight so it wouldn't impede the dragon's ability to fly. Gobber hobbled up beside the two and tossed a fish in the dragon's direction who gladly caught it.
"I know Gobber, it's now or never," Astrid groaned.
"Tha's not what I was gonna say," Gobber replied. "You're their leader, they're gonna follow you and look towards you fer guidance. It's a lot of responsibility but I have faith you can do it."
"Thanks, Gobber," Astrid responded.
Gobber smiled before walking towards the other teens. The Nadder squawked as he left, rubbing her head against Astrid's shoulder.
"I know girl, soon I promise."
"How are we supposed to make it look like lightning struck the arena!" she overheard Snotlout yell.
"Relax will ye," Gobber sternly answered. "This isn't the first time I've had to break animals out of jail. Back when Stoick and I-"
"Tell your stupid story later, how are we supposed to destroy the arena!" the young Jorgenson yelled again.
"Oi, watch yer tone with me lad else I'll make ye clean the dung pits fer a month," the blacksmith replied. "Anyways, months ago Hiccup was building one of his inventions and created this powder that if it catches fire, can explode. I thought there would be no practical use for it but Hiccup insisted it would."
Gobber pulled a small jar out from his pocket and began making his way over the Nightmare cage doors. He opened the jar and poured its contents onto the stone floor. The black powder formed a small mound before Gobber started to slowly pour it in a line away from the door.
"I can't wait to find Hiccup, he's gonna have to make us some of this stuff," Tuffnut told his twin.
"Yeah just think of all the good Lokiing we'll be able to do," Ruffnut agreed.
Once the contents of the jar were poured out, Gobber tossed it aside and took cover behind the Gronkle.
"Alright does somebody want to light it?"
Astrid nodded and turned to her dragon, "Okay girl think you can give me a flame?"
The Nadder trilled in response and shot at the thin line of black powder. It immediately caught fire and the group watched with bated breath as the fire slowly moved towards the pile. As it got closer, Snotlout, Astrid, Fishlegs, and Gobber all looked away while the twins watched on in anticipation of the explosion. The flame reached the pile of the powder, which sizzled for a bit before extinguishing itself.
"Well that was a letdown," Tuffnut grumbled.
"Great even when he is gone, Hiccup manages to mess something up!" Snotlout yelled in frustration.
"Snotlout…" Astrid warned.
"What I just say how it is," he replied.
"Perhaps it can explode but in greater quantity?" Fishglegs offered.
"That was the last of powder," Gobber told him. "I don't know he made it so tha's a dead end."
"Great…" Snotlout trailed off.
Astrid tried to think of something. Whatever they did had to cover their trails and just leaving the arena how it was would obviously point fingers and somebody freeing the dragons. Astrid looked up at the cage that surrounded the arena and sighed. This place was designed to withstand dragons and keep them in. Her shoulders slumped with defeat and was about to tell everyone to forget about freeing the dragons, that was until she heard something. It was faint in the howling wind but it almost sounded like…
"Guys!" Astrid yelled.
"What?" they replied in unison.
"Get down, now!"
Snotlout was about to object but the sound of something shrinking filled his ears. The boy's eyes went wide and immediately hid underneath his Nightmare's wings. The noise got louder and louder, the unforgettable shriek of a diving-
"Nightfury get down!" Gobber shouted.
A purple ball of plasma shot out from the darkened skies and struck the arena. Astrid looked up, trying to catch a glimpse of the duo, or what she hoped was Hiccup and Toothless and not some random Nightfury.
"Alright plan B!" Astrid began. "Mount up, they'll be back any second and the village will swarm this place like the Great Hall on Snoggletog!"
The teens didn't need to be told twice as they quickly began getting into position. The Nadder bent down, allowing Astrid to have an easier time climbing aboard. Gobber rushed to her side and stopped the two from moving.
"Lead them to yer cove, once you've hidden the dragons come back to the forge."
"Will do Gobber," Astrid responded.
Astrid looked behind her and saw her friends ready to go, their dragons eager to leave. She took a deep breath as the sound of the Nightfury began to fill her ears once again.
"Alright guys, let's ride!"
The Nadder broke into a sprint without Astrid even telling her to do anything. Before Astrid knew it she was in the air, her Nadder beating its wings furiously against the wind. Behind her, the gang followed suit attempting to keep up the pace with the Nadder. Astrid turned behind to check on her friends and watched as the Nightfury struck the arena once again.
Stoick practically kicked down his door at the sound of the Nightfury diving. His eyes went wide as the explosion rocked the ground around him. The Chief looked to the sky and watched as the black blur flew into the clouds disappearing from sight. As if to add insult to injury, dragons were now flying away from Berk coming from the direction of the arena. Stoick broke into a sprint, the man brushing past Vikings who were starting to get ready for battle. It didn't take too long for Stoick to reach the cliffs overlooking the arena and his heart sunk at the sight.
Black smoke rose from the arena, its chain barrier was destroyed and its cages were wide open. A Nightfury took his son and freed their training dragons. Some of the villagers lowered their weapons in shock and began to murmur amongst themselves. Spitelout quickly made his way over to Stoick, the eyes of the Chief not leaving the arena.
"Stoick," Spitelout began.
"I don't want to hear it," Stoick quickly interjected. "Find Gobber and assess the damage," he told his brother-in-law.
"Yes, Chief."
Astrid's heart was racing as the Nadder flew higher and higher in the sky. Nothing could have prepared her for this, even flying as a passenger. The Nadder seemed to be enjoying herself as Astrid desperately tried to lead her to the cove. A bolt of lightning streaked past them, nearly hitting Fishlegs.
"Astrid!" he called out.
"I know Fishlegs, we're getting close… I hope," Astrid answered.
Time seemed to slow for Astrid as the rain intensified around them, lightning shooting from all sides. Her Nadder began to spin into a barrel roll, dodging a bolt successfully. Astrid nearly lost her grip as the rope she was holding onto got slick with water. The shieldmaiden looked around frantically, attempting to find their destination in the storm.
"Please Thor, just calm down so I can see," Astrid silently asked the god of thunder.
As if he listened, the clouds parted just enough to allow for Astrid to see below the teens. Astrid scanned below them, her eyes locking onto the cove.
"There!" Astrid pointed.
Before she could even react the teens urged their dragons down. Astrid tried to follow, nudging her Nadder but she wouldn't budge. She watched helplessly as the others disappeared as if the clouds swallowed them whole.
"Come on girl, we need to-"
Lightning cracked around the pair, the Nadder doing its best to dodge the storm. Unfortunately for Astrid, she was losing her grip. As her Nadder dodged another stray bolt of lightning the rope in Astrid's hand slipped from her grip. Astrid was flung off from the back of the Nadder and began plummeting back to the ocean below.
She couldn't help but scream in terror, helpless and at the gods' mercy. Astrid heard a squawk from above her and saw the Nadder diving towards her. She glanced down at the approaching ocean and knew the dragon was gonna be too slow to catch her in time. Astrid closed her eyes and braced for impact.
The water was cold, extremely cold. Her body stung all over from hitting the ocean with such force. Astrid unintentionally gasped in pain and shock, the water filling her lungs. She tried to swim up but the rough seas seemed to want to keep her in the murky depths. Astrid opened her eyes to try and get a bearing as she tried to swim for her life. Her arms were sore and tired, Astrid could feel the lack of oxygen starting to claim her.
She didn't want to give up but her body told her mind otherwise. Astrid stopped trying to swim and let her body begin to sink. The last of her air ran out, coughing as he lungs tried to expel the water that already entered her system. Slowly her eyelids began to close, as she faded away she could have sworn something entered the water with her.
The first thing she heard was the crackling of a fire followed by the snores of an animal. Astrid's eyes slowly fluttered open, her vision was blurry but she could make out the stars above. She turned her head toward where the sound of the fire. Toothless was curled into a ball, Hiccup leaned on his dragon as he was writing something in his journal. Astrid blinked a couple of times, attempting to refocus her vision on the boy.
The orange flame illuminated his face, Astrid could see scars that weren't present when the boy had left Berk. His hair had grown out a bit and there were bags present under his eyes. Taking her eyes off of him, Astrid attempted to sit up but was met with a searing pain all over. She groaned in pain and let her body remain on the ground.
"Astrid?"
Astrid turned to Hiccup, who was already getting close to where she rested. The Nightfury behind him also moved from his position and was following Hiccup. Astrid tried to sit up again but a surprisingly strong hand on her shoulder kept her down.
"Easy, you took a nasty fall," Hiccup told her, forcing the girl to lay back down.
"Hi- Hiccup?"
"I'm right here," he reassured her, kneeling beside the prone shieldmaiden.
All of a sudden the warm breath of a dragon hit her face. Astrid recoiled from the sensation and Hiccup quickly pushed Toothless' head away from Astrid.
"Give her some space bud," Hiccup told the dragon.
Toothless backed away with a small whine, his eyes not leaving Astrid. Astrid heard a squawk from her side and turned her head to see the Nadder standing beside her. She tried to say something but only a breathy groan escaped her lips.
"She was trying to find you," Hiccup told her. "She was hovering over the water frantically looking all over for any sign of you. No doubt she wanted to dive in after you if she knew where you were. When we pulled you out of the ocean she followed us here and hasn't left your side since."
Astrid groaned in response, her eyelids beginning to grow heavy. The Nadder quietly took a spot next to her rider and laid down. Astrid lifted a shaky hand and rested it on the dragon's snout.
"She won't leave you and neither will we, right bud?"
Toothless cooed in agreeance and laid down next to Astrid, Hiccup taking a spot next to his dragon. Astrid wanted to thank Hiccup but her body and mind were too tired, her eyelids finally closed and sleep claimed the shieldmaiden where she lay.
When the sun rose in the morning Hiccup was well awake. Before he had done anything, Hiccup checked on Astrid. Her breathing wasn't as labored as it was when he rescued her and she was still sound asleep. Once Hiccup was satisfied with Astrid's condition, the boy relit the campfire with the help of Toothless and got to work preparing for when Astrid awoke.
He didn't take much for this trip, Hiccup hadn't planned on saving someone from drowning in the ocean. What little food he had was salted pork he had taken from Eriksbœr and fish he had planned on feeding Toothless. Now he found himself rationing his fish, splitting it between the two dragons. As for the salted pork he set two pieces on a stick and held it over the fire.
As breakfast cooked Hiccup's mind began to wander to the events from the day prior. Attacking the arena wasn't exactly his idea but when he saw the failed use of his explosive powder he had no other choice. After his second dive, he tried catching up with the others to at least help guide them but the storm proved difficult to navigate. Then there was Astrid…
When they scooped up Astrid from the water she was unconscious and cold, deathly cold. Once they had landed on this small island Hiccup immediately began checking her over. Hiccup assumed she had water in her lungs if she had fallen from such a great height. Quickly starting chest compressions, Hiccup prayed to the Gods to not take Astrid to Valhalla. Thankfully before Hiccup had to do the unthinkable and try to get air into her lungs, Astrid heaved and coughed up water before falling unconscious again with laboured breaths.
Hiccup was a mess the remainder of the day as he kept an eye on Astrid, listening to her breathing and making sure it didn't stop. When she did wake in the middle of the night, Hiccup was beyond relieved. He could sleep well knowing she didn't-
"Hiccup?"
Hiccup looked up from the fire and locked eyes with Astird who was sitting upright. He immediately set down his roasting stick and made his way over to Astrid.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Hiccup asked as he knelt beside her.
"Better, I thought I was hallucinating last night," Astrid answered.
"About…"
"You," she simply stated. "It's kind of hard to believe you're here. I thought I wouldn't see you again for a while."
"Well someone had to save you from dying in the ocean," Hiccup responded.
"Thank you Hiccup, for saving my life," Astrid quickly thanked.
"Don't mention it," Hiccup replied as he stood up. "Breakfast?" Hiccup offered.
"I could eat."
Hiccup nodded and stood up from where he knelt. As he turned around his prosthetic squeaked and Astrid looked down at the source of the sound. The girl gasped when her eyes found the metal leg where his real one had been just a few weeks prior.
"Hiccup your leg!" Astrid shouted. "What… how?"
"Remember how I said we defeated the Queen," Hiccup began.
Astrid nodded, her eyes wide as Hiccup continued.
"Well, one moment I had my leg, when I woke up it was gone. I don't know how it happened but it did. I did some work for their blacksmith, built the new leg and Toothless' tail, and now I rescue valkyries from the ocean."
Astrid huffed at the last bit as she stood up from the furs she was lying on. Hiccup chuckled at Astrid's response and made his way back over to the fire.
The two ate in relative silence, Astrid sneaking glances at Hiccup as they ate. He hadn't changed a bit since she last saw him but Hiccup was being his usually sarcastic self all the while seeming to drop the occasional bit of wisdom in his self-imposed exile. As they ate Hiccup had grown more talkative, recounting the details of training Toothless, the times she nearly caught them, and what details of the fight with the queen he could remember.
As he talked, Astrid became more and more captivated. Something about how Hiccup told his stories made it so entertaining. From the way he would gesture to make his stories life-like to the little details he would go on a tangent for, it truly was something else.
"Then we went up into the clouds which worked, she couldn't see us. We got the drop on her, wounded her I think. She got mad and fired blindly around her and I guess some of it licked the tailfan. After that, I can't remember too much, just the explosion," Hiccup recounted.
"You could write a book about what you've been through," Astrid replied.
"I'd rather have a play, it'd suit my dramatic flair," Hiccup argued.
Astrid snorted, repeating what Hiccup said under her breath. Hiccup beamed at Astrid, the teen chuckling in response. From behind Astrid, the Nadder squawked and rubbed her head against Astrid's shoulder. Astrid turned to face the dragon and pat her head.
"How's my brave storm-flier doing?" Astrid asked the dragon.
The dragon squawked in response and nudged Astrid's shoulder again.
"I think Stormfly wants to take you home," Hiccup offered.
"Stormfly?" Astrid asked Hiccup, turning to face him.
"It's her name… I think it suits her considering the two of you flew through a storm to escape Berk," Hiccup explained.
Astrid thought for a moment, "I like it." She turned back to the dragon, "You want to go home girl?"
The Nadder chirped and sprinted over to a clearing. "I'll take that as a yes."
Astrid stood and walked over to her dragon, the boys not too far behind her. Stormfly lowered herself and let Astrid on, the girl getting comfortable on her dragon's back. Astrid looked back expectantly at Hiccup who made no such moves to get on Toothless.
"What are you waiting for, let's go," Astrid ordered the boy.
"Astrid I-"
"You're not coming back are you?"
"I-"
"Hiccup answer me," Astrid demanded.
Hiccup sighed, "No I'm not."
"Why?"
Hiccup didn't immediately answer, "Because I can't Astrid."
"Can't or won't" Astrid countered.
"I'm dead remember!" Hiccup suddenly shouted taking Astrid and the dragons by surprise. "How am I supposed to show up back on Berk randomly? I mean… what was your story anyway, how'd I die?"
"Hiccup I can't do this alone, I nearly died, I've nearly got into so much trouble for you."
"Astrid you've gotten pretty far without me there physically. You convinced Gobber and the teens that dragons aren't what Vikings think they are. Besides, let's say I did go back. What am I supposed to say, that the dragon dropped me in the middle of the ocean? That I swam back without a leg, built a new one, and somehow made it back to Berk? How am I supposed to look my dad in the face after everything?" Hiccup told her.
"The same way I have been, lying straight to his face," Astrid responded. "Your father hates me because he thinks I didn't do enough to save you and let you die. You have no idea how terrible it is to stand there and have him glare into your soul like that."
"You don't think I've experienced that?!" Hiccup shouted. "Astrid he's chewed me out in front of the village several times. For example, in the last raid when I got chased by the Nightmare after I shot Toothless down. That's been my life for years!"
Hiccup took a deep breath before continuing. "He's always looked at me with this disappointing scowl like I insulted him or something. Nothing I ever did changed how he looked at me until I became the son he wanted in his eyes until I became Hiccup the Dragon Master. Maybe he's better off thinking I died because now he can grieve for the son he always wanted."
"After your uncle died all I wanted was for someone to treat me like I was human, like I wasn't a pest. I did everything I could to get your attention or my dad's attention. I shot Toothless down so someone could talk to me, so you would notice me again because I missed you!"
A single tear slid down his cheek, Astrid slid off Stromfly and slowly approached Hiccup.
"Hiccup-"
"Astrid… just- just listen to me, please? Even after I shot him down, no one believed me. Toothless was the first to treat me like a person and he's a dragon. A dragon is my best friend because I had no one. If I go back to Berk they might find him and he can't fly without me, Stormfly can."
"If I go back they'll at best capture my best friend and at worst kill him. I can't go back Astrid, I can't lie to anybody anymore, I can't… I just can't."
"Hiccup, I'm…"
"I can't go back, I won't go back. To answer your question it's both. Maybe I should've stayed, maybe we would have found another way but it's too late for that now. We made our beds and now we have to lay in them," Hiccup finished, his voice breaking as more tears slipped from his eyes.
Astrid closed the distance and grabbed Hiccup's right hand in her own. She watched the boy turn his head away from her, closing his eyes as he did.
"I'm sorry Hiccup. What Berk did to you wasn't right, what I did wasn't right. I let my desire for revenge for my uncle control me so much that I abandoned you when you needed me. I wish I could go back and prevent myself from being so stupid. I'm so sorry Hiccup," she apologized.
Hiccup opened his eyes but didn't look at her, casting his gaze to the ground.
"These past couple of weeks I learned a lot about you. I realized how much I missed my friend that I had back when I was five. I don't blame you for not wanting to go back, especially after everything you've told me. You're free of everything, free of the torment, the indifference, all of it. I guess I know how it feels to be abandoned now," Astrid added.
"I'm not trying to abandon you, Astrid. Our paths are just going in different directions and we just have to walk these roads," Hiccup finally said.
"Hiccup I-"
It was at this point Toothless decided to make his presence known by nudging Astrid forward with his head. The unexpected push caused Astrid to lose her footing, collapsing into the boy in front of her. Hiccup caught Astrid in his arms, managing to keep them both upright. For a moment emerald green met ocean blue, the two staring at each other in their new predicament. Both blushed and quickly broke eye contact, Astrid turning to glare at the Nightfury who had taken a spot next to Stormfly.
Astrid cleared her throat and took a step back, her gaze anywhere but at Hiccup. The boy was no better, rubbing a hand on the back of his head nervously. Without warning Astrid punched Hiccup's shoulder.
"Ow!" Hiccup shouted in pain. "What was that for?!"
"For leaving me again," Astrid said matter-of-factly.
"Is it always going to be like this because I-"
Hiccup was cut off by Astrid who forcibly grabbed Hiccup's collar and pulled them together. Their lips crashed together in a short and chaste kiss but to Hiccup it was perfect. Astrid pulled away, her attention drawn to the ground as she brushed her bangs away from her eyes.
"I could get used to it," Hiccup quietly added to his statement.
Astrid laughed, a bit too girly of a laugh but she laughed at the charming heir of Berk. Stormfly squawked from behind her, flapping her wings excitedly. Astrid turned to the dragon and nodded her head.
"I guess that's my cue to leave," Astrid solemnly told Hiccup.
"I guess it is," Hiccup added.
Astrid walked towards her dragon, taking a brief detour to the Nightfury that looked at her innocently. Astrid shook her head at the dragon with a smile and pat his head. Toothless suddenly sat up on his hind legs and used his front legs to bring the girl into a dragon hug. Astrid laughed into his warm scales and hugged the dragon. Toothless let her go and Astrid smiled at the dragon.
"Thanks Toothless, I'm going to miss you."
The dragon cooed at her before returning to all four legs.
"Keep him safe," Astrid told him, gesturing to Hiccup. "He likes to get into trouble, make sure he stays far away from it."
"I'm right here you know," Hiccup called out behind her.
Astrid shot a smirk back at Hiccup before standing next to Stormfly. She was about to hop on Stormfly's back but Astrid stopped herself. Astrid turned back to Hiccup who had followed her to Stormfly. The shieldmaiden without warning charged Hiccup and wrapped him into a bone-crushing hug.
"One day Hiccup, one day I'll be able to sneak off of Berk and join you out in the wilds. If you're far away I'll chase you down until the ends of this earth if I have to."
"I'd expect nothing less from you milady," Hiccup responded.
Astrid pulled away with a confused look.
"Milady?" Astrid repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"Well… I… you know-" Hiccup stuttered.
"Relax… I like it," Astrid reassured him.
Hiccup beamed at Astrid who in turn smiled back at him. Stormfly made her opinion known by squawking again running the moment.
Astrid sighed, "Guess this is it."
"For now at least," Hiccup added. "Berk is north of here. Stormfly should be able to find it easily. Just follow the currents till you hit the edge of Helhiem's Gate. Then it's a straight shot home."
"Got it thanks Hiccup. Stay out of trouble, for me please."
"No promises," Hiccup responded with a smirk.
"One of these days Haddock, one of these days."
With that, Astrid climbed onto her dragon's back and the two shot off into the clear blue sky.
"It's a shame to see you go, lad," Horik told Hiccup as the boy finalized packing his saddle bag.
"I can't stay here, the world is too vast not to explore it," Hiccup replied to the Earl. "Besides I've got to help dragons and people where I can and end all the fighting once and for all."
"A noble cause young Hiccup, I wish you well in your travels. Remember you always have a home here in Eriksbœr if you need it. Should you ever need a place to lay low, we're here for you my boy," Horik responded.
"Thank you Horik, for everything."
Horik nodded and allowed Brandt to say his peace.
"I wish you could stay lad, I could always use the help in the forge. This time I'd pay you," Brandt said with a laugh. "But I understand where you are coming from. Just promise me lad you'll remember what I told you. You're stronger than you let on, there is a greatness in you that you might not see yet but I do. You'll do great things one day Hiccup and I look forward to seeing you become what you're destined to be."
"Thanks, Brandt," Hiccup replied.
Hiccup strapped down his last bag and climbed onto Toothless' back. He gave the two men a short wave and the two set off into the great unknown.
Astrid snuck her way back into town as the storm continued to batter Berk's shores. Night had fallen on Berk which helped mask the stealth landing of her dragon. She quietly slipped through the alleyways and straight to the forge where she was glad to see everyone gathered around a fire.
"Astrid!" Fishlegs yelled upon seeing the girl.
"Where were ye?!" Gobber shouted. "I thought you were dead."
"Almost," Astrid responded drawing confused looks from the gang. "But Hiccup saved my life."
"You saw him?" Fishlegs quickly asked.
"Is he here?" Gobber added.
"We talked for a bit and I understand why he wants to stay away. It won't stop me from joining him one day but for now, Hiccup is free and happy. That's all I want for him," Astrid answered.
Gobber nodded and sat back down on his stool, motioning for Astrid to join them.
"Now where was I… Oh yes-"
Everyone but Astrid groaned as Gobber resumed the telling of his encounter with the Boneknapper dragon from years ago.
End of Part I
The biggest problem I had with this chapter came in two parts: the escape itself and the ending. The jailbreak was set in stone, I kind of wanted to have Hiccup invent his own type of gunpowder because of course it's something he would have done if it meant helping the village. Besides it created great comic relief when it didn't go off.
I wanted Hiccup and Astrid to interact one last time before our time jump. How they came together was tricky. I originally wrote it as Astrid falling off and Hiccup catching her before she fell into the ocean. But I didn't know where to go from there. Then I wrote a different version where Astrid does fall into the water. It adds tension and gives us the scene where we get to see Hiccup's mindset when he rants to Astrid. Hiccup and Astrid get to reconcile their differences and Astrid gets to apologize.
Also who knew the best wingman would be the one who has wings, am I right?
You probably won't see me again for another couple of months. Work is busy again and some vacation time is sprinkled in there. We'll soon be heading into the territory of the reason why this story is rated M.
Until then…
-Dilloncoll