Me: These stories are not made by me, they are made by a friend who asked me to post them on my account.
Their fanfiction name is GuessWho21. The most I do is edit.
This is a filter between the first book and the second book, which I'm working through the plot.
Have fun reading this chapter!
Arthur Morgan awoke groggily on the shores of Berk, his head throbbing from the impact of the shipwreck. The salty sea air was sharp, and the unfamiliar landscape loomed around him—a rugged island of cliffs and forests. As he dragged himself to his feet, he noticed a small figure watching him from a short distance.
It belonged to Astrid Hofferson, who had ventured out for a routine patrol. Life on Berk has been nothing short of boring. Since the war with the night furies ended and Dragon have been coexisting peacefully with the Vikings there hasn't been much to do. She even tamed a Deadly Nadder. Much like her in a sense, they got along just fine. But both eyes were set on the man who had washed up on shore.
"Hey, you there," Astrid called out; her voice tinged with suspicion.
Arthur squinted against the bright sun and saw the young Viking approaching, her ax slung casually over her shoulder. His instincts told him to reach for his revolver, but when his hand reached his waist, it wasn't there. In fact none of his weapons were on his person. As his eyes darted across the wet beach and his Lancaster repeater, Semi-Automatic Shotgun, and both cattleman revolvers were next to his satchel.
Back in Valentine at the gunsmith he made the metals of his weapons gold plated and the wood stock a dark oak color, so his guns were black and gold, except for his revolvers which had white handles with stars encased in circles on them. A hero grip if you could so imagine. But when his eyes darted back to Astrid, she got between him and said guns, kneeling down and going through his satchel.
"So, what are you? A spy? Sent by Alvin? One of the other kingdoms," Astrid questioned.
She looked back at him with a cold glare as the man sat up slowly, getting his bearings of the terrain.
"The name is Arthur Morgan, little missy," He coughed slightly and let his eyes focus on her.
"My friends and I were on a ship, getting away from some bad business when it caught fire. They got on a lifeboat, but I was dragged into the sea. Next thing you know I'm washed up here…"
Astrid's gaze softened slightly as she saw Arthur's battered state.
"You look like you've been through a lot," she said, eyeing him with a mix of curiosity and concern. Arthur nodded weakly, trying to explain himself, but his words started to come out as coughs and unclear attempts at sounds.
"You're not any of the kingdoms then…" Astrid stated, crossing her arms. Arthur tried to stand up straight, but the dizziness made him sway.
"Come on," she said, "you need to get some help."
She reached out to grab him, but he pulled his hands away and took a deep breath before speaking, "I'm fine. It's just a little cough."
Astrid sheepishly led Arthur to the village, Stormfly close behind them both, guiding him carefully since he seemed like he could faint at any moment. The Viking settlement bustled with activity as villagers went about their daily routines. Some paused and looked at the cowboy.
"He's not from around here" one stated.
Another eyed his hat and outfit. He was in a tan leather trench coat with a blue button up shirt and dark pants. Arthur marveled at the scene, struggling to take in the unique sights and the fact that there were giant lizards just perching on roofs like it was the everyday normalcy.
Eventually, they reached Gothi's hut high on a hill. Gothi being the sweet old lady she took Arthur by the hand and sat him down, checking him over as she listened to Astrid explain how she found him.
"Woman, I am fine. I said this to the girl- ACK"
Then she shoved her fingers down Arthur's throat, alarming him. What in tarnation was she doing?! When she took her fingers out she looked at them and her face just dropped. Her skin turned white as she poured warm water on her hands and wiped in on some kind of wool towel she had. Then she started scribbling. By this time Gobber had shown up and started translating.
"He has the red dress-"
Arthur looked just as confused as Astrid before Gothi whacked Gobber with her staff. Then Gobber rubbed his head and corrected himself
"He has the red breath. Very fatal if immediate rest, warmth, and comfort are not attained soon."
Astrid listened intently, her suspicion gradually giving way to empathy. "You're lucky to be alive. uhh...Say what was your name there?"
Gobber looked at Arthur who sighed and looked up. "The name is Arthur Morgan. I got shipwrecked here. Minus the ship."
He started with a note of sarcasm that Gobber picked up on and he chuckled.
"HOHO you're a joker ain't ya. Well, let's see what the chief wants to do with ya. Don't worry. He ain't as scary as he looks. Just stay here. Astrid, you're dismissed."
The young woman sighed and hopped on Stormfly, flying away to her house down in the village, when she walked through the door she was greeted by her parents.
"And where have you been, young lady?" Her father boldly stated, "And who was that man you brought into town?"
"He's no one important dad. Just some guy who got shipwrecked."
She climbed up to her bed and just plopped on it, looking out the window. Will anything change? Will I actually get to live the life I want instead of being like some other Viking on this rock? The young woman thought to herself, watching a ship sail away to another kingdom.
She remembered what happened to her the last time she was taken off Berk, but the Big Seven made Astrid want to see the world and experience it.
Meanwhile, a few hours later Arthur was brought to the great hall, not as a prisoner but there were guards around him and on his mighty throne sat the mighty Stoick the Vast. Chief of Berk.
"You."
The word echoed through the hall, and it got silent. Arthur looked around. Not used to such a powerful voice. He was used to Dutch's silver tongue and commanding voice but this. This was a voice of sheer force. Confidence. Power.
"What caused you to wreck on our shores? Are there more of you? If so. How many more," Stoick demanded, not wanting any trouble for his people right after they got peace.
His hand rested on the arms of the chair and Arthur looked sickly and weak compared to the rest of these sizable Vikings, but he coughed then spoke up. His Western accent and mixed attitudes feed into his speech.
"The name's Arthur Morgan. I'm a gunslinger from a town called Blackwater. The Pinkertons have been stalking me and my family for months now but we ain't bad people. But we ain't all that good. We do what we have to, to survive. We were robbing a bank in Saint Denis when they caught up to us... Shot a good friend and mentor of mine and a young boy I liked to have called a brother. No older than 20."
A woman gasped silently and held her chest when she heard about the young boy.
Stoick sat with a fist on his chin, glaring intently. The man didn't seem to be lying but he wasn't building a good reputation for himself, but he remembered that Eugene was a former thief. Plus, he was trying not to judge at first glance.
"So you're a thief then," Stoick questioned.
Arthur stammered for words and spoke again. "By all means no. I don't like doin none of that stuff, but Dutch has a plan to get us all away…although I don't think he's fully competent anymore…not with that rat whispering in his ear. Micah…"
His words grew bitter at Micah's name and Stoick leaned forward intrigued.
"Well, Arthur. As Chief of Berk, I hereby declare you a person of interest. Just until we clear things up entirely. Gobber. Find someone to keep an eye on here as I contemplate on what to do with him."
When he finished that Astrid perked her head up but then put it back down and leaned against a pillar. As everyone shuffled out of the hall, she made it seem like she left but she hid behind the pillar she was leaning against earlier. That's when Gobber and Stoick started their casual bickering session.
Arthur stood there awkwardly, and he leaned back seeing Astrid listening in, so he moseyed on over and made it seem like he was leaning on the pillar as well.
"Do they always do this? It reminds me of how me and my buddy John would act at camp."
The cowboy was trying to make small talk, but Astrid was just a little surprised that Arthur picked up on her sneaking rather easily…she was getting sloppy with her boredom.
"Yeah and? Shut up, I'm trying to listen. There's nothing better to do," Astrid snipped.
Gobber hobbled over and poured himself a mug of mead. Turning to Stoick. "Y'know Snotlout could take our friend here on. Show him the ropes of Viking life until he gets on his feet."
The chief scoffed and sat back down on his throne, trying to get comfortable. "Ay, Then Snotlout would probably have him set fire to a herd of sheep. I just don't know Gobber. Not anymore. It's been months since Hiccup left. Become a guardian. It's hard…Peace with the night furies and Dragons. I never thought it possible…"
Gobber sighed and put down the mug, hobbling over and resting a shoulder on Stoick's shoulder.
"That's the hard part of parenthood. Letting them go. I myself wouldn't know but I've raised plenty of Yak and Sheep."
Stoick got a chuckle out of this and noticed the cowboy talking quietly.
"Is he bloody mad," Stoick said, gesturing to Arthur/
Arthur raised a brow and coughed again, "Oh. Looks like we're caught. You should come out."
Astrid glared at Arthur and stepped out from behind the pillar.
"I'm sorry Chief…I just wanted to know what we would be doing with the prisoner," Astrid said, crossing her arms.
Then Stoick's eyes widened. Astrid had been moody lately and Gobber seemed to be thinking the same thing as they looked at each other and back to the Cowboy and Viking.
"Astrid Hofferson. I have a very important job for you. This will be a test of sorts. To see if you're ready."
She blinked for a few seconds then stood straight up, Arthur chuckling a little as he may know what was going on.
"Yes chief. What is it," She said with vigor and high hopes.
"You are to teach Arthur the way of our clan. Teach him how to fit in and be like us. Until he finds a way home, I deem you, his guide."
She seemed to look a little confused. Given her newfound "authority".
"I won't fail you, sir. I'll make a Viking of him. He'll be the best Viking you've seen!"
She grabbed Arthur and dragged him out the door.
Gobber sat on a bench, laughing his lungs out and spilling mead on his shirt in the process. "Well, you've certainly given her something to do. Say, how long do you think he'll last?"
Stoick smiled, knowing he just made Astrid's day.
"I'm not sure. But it'll give her something to do. In the meantime, we need to scout the island. Just in case any other surprises may show up. I want you to lead the patrol personally and report directly to me. Take 2 or 3 people of your choosing. I'm trusting you Gobber."
Gobber stood up wiping the mead from his beard. "And I've not failed you yet Chief."
He turned towards the doors and left. Leaving the mighty chief to contemplate. There was a storm brewing; he just didn't know it yet.
As the days went by, Astrid took on the role of Arthur's guide and mentor. She introduced him to the basics of Viking life and showed him how to navigate the island, as well as how to tame a dragon. Although Arthur found himself slowly adapting, the unfamiliarity of it all often left him feeling like an outsider. Honestly, he felt worthless. At the end of a long day, he sat on top of one of the pillars overlooking the ocean.
He had hoped to find a new companion to replace his horse Hershey, A brown coated Morgan horse that accompanied him throughout his journey from Blackwater to Saint Denis…it was probably still waiting for him by the dock having seen him get on the boat with Dutch and the gang…man. Where were they now? As he went to get up, he heard a faint cry from the woods below. So, he climbed down the pillar, his hand by his waist ready to draw if anything came crashing out.
This was the first time he went exploring without Astrid in the forest. Especially this late at night but he heard the roar again. Then a bluish glow of light coming from the other side of the bushes. Once he got close enough, not stepping on any twigs or dry leaves, afraid he may scare whatever was making the light. Once his eyes adjusted, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
There laid a Black and Gold Rumblehorn ...except it didn't have a horn, it was broken off lying next to the magnificent beast. And it seemed to be bleeding from its stomach. Once it saw Arthur approaching it tried standing up and spreading its wings. Startling Arthur which caused him to step back. Perhaps this could be like taming a horse…a fire breathing. Fifteen-hundred-pound horse.
"E-Easy boah. I ain't gon hurt ya. I just wanna help. Easy now."
He slowly approached; gun stowed with his hands in the air.
"I just wanna help. You ain't gonna last long with that hole in ya, we both know that much."
The Rumblehorn sensed that this man was no threat…She could also sense that he was sick. She laid back down and groaned in pain, its tail wrapped around something…that wasn't important. What was important was to stop the bleeding Arthur thought. He's treated wounds like this on horses before, so he looked around grabbing some moist leaves and mushing them together. Kneeling down and pressing them against the hole. It seemed like a cut from a branch or a sword. Or something as sharp as one.
As he worked on plugging the wound the Dragon couldn't help but stare at him. Wondering why this man is trying to help her instead of slaughtering her. She was grateful, nonetheless. Hours went by and little by little Arthur finally patched the dragon and then he knelt down and grabbed her horn, looking to the dragon and to the horn he offered it to her but instead the Dragon pressed her head against his chest. Symbolling that she was thankful.
"Huh…I'll call you…Gold Rush. You like that?"
The dragon cooed as he rubbed her head. Trying to make her feel better.
"Now I ain't no doctor so how about we get y-"
Just as he was about to finish his sentence, he saw what the dragon had its tail wrapped around. A nest…He walked on over and knelt down. All the eggs were smashed except one. He picked it up and realized something.
"You're a girl…Sorry girl. I thought you was a boy with all your spick and span. And the horn…"
He rubbed the back of his neck and held the egg carefully, bringing it to the mother and placing it in front of her. Then to his surprise she picked it up and let it rest in her mouth. "So, you're like them swamp dinosaurs in Lagras. Nasty fellers they are but you're quite alright."
He rubbed Gold Rush's head again and smiled. Turning to lead Gold Rush back to the village to get her properly taken care of. But as they were heading back Arthur couldn't help but think. What the hell could hurt a beast of this size? He shook his head, horn in hand, and they went back to the village. The villagers on the other hand weren't too happy.
An outsider just taming a dragon? There's something peculiar about him, some of the villagers thought.
But one villager seemed fine with the fact that the stranger tamed a dragon on his second day there. She was a philosopher writing in her book. With the assistance of an orange feline who couldn't help but keep getting into her mead. This newcomer was a good inspiration for her next piece.
Arthur and Astrid's interactions were initially marked by awkward exchanges and cultural misunderstandings. Arthur's rough manners and strange customs contrasted sharply with Astrid's disciplined Viking ways. Yet, as time went on, the initial tension began to ease. And seeing that he managed to tame a dragon. A Rumblehorn nonetheless she was somewhat impressed.
Stormfly also helped in taking care of the egg Gold Rush had. As she was tired all the time and in pain. Arthur did what he could to ease the dragon's nerves but once she fell asleep Astrid took Arthur out for a walk about town, perhaps finding him a job so he could settle in even more. She was enjoying this job; it made her feel like she could be something again. But as the day dragged on there were no openings and then evening fell upon the duo.
As they sat around a fire, Astrid shared stories of her own life. Arthur listened, intrigued by her tales of adventures and these "Big Seven" and their powers. And the fact that they were just kids minus Jack being a spirit. And the fact that there were four great evils they had to defeat.
"Yeah. It's pretty splendid…" Her voice went monotone like she was disappointed she couldn't have fancy powers like Hiccups or Toothless. In reality, she wanted what they had, traveling to see different things.
In turn, Arthur spoke of his life, recounting stories of the American frontier, of outlaws and lawmen. Robberies and the wildlife he'd encountered as well.
"I know it's nothing compared to your magic and villains and such but maybe you can come see it one day. I'm sure you'd fit right in with Sadie. She's a lot like you ya know. Except older…maybe 8 or 9 years I ain't sure. She lost her husband to the O'Driscoll gang. They did terrible things…You remind me of her. You both got the same fire in ya."
Astrid found Arthur's stories fascinating, a stark contrast to the not so familiar tales of Berk. She was especially struck by his resilience and the moral complexities of his world.
"You've had a hard life," She said softly, "But you've got a lot of heart. Turning out the way you did. Always willing to help people."
She got up and walked away leaving Arthur to ponder. He stood up after a few moments and walked to the edge of the island starring at the water. And he felt compelled to do something he hasn't done in a long time. Sing out his feelings. He has sung since he was a child.
Arthur-
I've been standing at the edge of the horizon.
Long as I can remember, never really knowing why.
I wish I could matter but I come back to the horizon.
No matter how hard I try.
Every turn I take, every trail I track.
Every path I make, every road leads back to the place I know.
Where I cannot go, where I long to be.
See the line where the sky meets the land, it calls me!
No one knows how far it goes!
If the wind in my face blows around all me!
One day, I'll know!
If I go, there's just no telling how far I can go!
I got to know everybody on this island.
They seem so happy on this island, everything is by design.
I know everybody on this island.
They have a role on this island.
But maybe if I could find mine.
I can walk with pride.
I can be strong.
I'll be satisfied if I play along.
But the voice inside sings a different song.
What is wrong with me?!
See the light as it shines on the horizon!
It's blinding, but no one knows how far it goes!
And it seems like it's calling out to me!
So, if someone could come find me!
And let me know that my family is fine.
Then I can be just fine.
See the line where the sky meets the horizon!
It calls me!
And no one knows how far it goes!
If the wind in my face blows around all me!
One day, I'll know how far I can go!
When Arthur finished getting his little song out, he decided to turn in for the night. And as weeks passed, Astrid and Arthur's newly established friendship was marked by moments of deep conversation and shared laughter. They began to see each other not just as allies but as friends in a way who could rely on one another. Astrid admired Arthur's grit and practicality, while Arthur appreciated Astrid's kindness and dedication.
Most people in the village have seen Astrid light up since Arthur arrived…maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all. A few people that took great notice were Astrid's parents. Being happy with the fact that their daughter is more open and expressive. She was like a clam before. Not budging even, a hair of her emotions. Now she was a little fiery bundle of joy.
Going out and doing things around the village. Influenced by the rugged outlaw she called friend. Another pair that took notice was Stoick and Gobber. The brother-like duo proud of their 'master planning' watched the pair for a moment and went about their business. Gold Rush got better as well but Arthur was getting restless. Astrid knew what was coming.
As Arthur's departure approached, a sense of melancholy settled over them. Astrid was torn between her duties on Berk and her feelings for her friend Arthur. One evening, as Arthur watched the sunset on the pillar next to Gold Rush and the egg, she carried in her mouth they turned their heads to the sound of wings flapping behind them. Then footsteps.
"Arthur," Astrid said quietly. "You're planning on leaving, aren't you?"
Gold Rush turned her head to Arthur and cooed, nuzzling her trainer's arm.
"Yeah…It's been a few weeks, Astrid. The gang needs me. And I need to make sure they're alright. They're my family."
Astrid looked down and kicked a rock. "I thought I'd be your family to…You're like a brother I've never had. You made my life infinitely better by showing up. You gave me a purpose on this Thor forsaken Rock. I don't know if I can just watch you go,"
She admitted this rather shyly. "We've done so much together…"
Her voice trailed off and Arthur looked at her, his expression softening.
"I didn't expect to land on a place like this," he said, "But I can't stay forever. I've got my own path to follow."
Despite their growing attachment, the time had come for Arthur to leave. He packed what little belongings he had and prepared for the journey ahead. As they said their goodbyes, Astrid hesitated at the dock, Stormfly next to her.
Gold Rush beside her, trying to get in the boat but Arthur kept pushing her out gently. He was heartbroken that he had to do this, but she wouldn't survive out in his world…and he wouldn't either. At least he thought.
"I want to come with you," Astrid said suddenly.
Me: And that it's for the chapter.
Song is from "Moana - How Far I'll Go"
Let me and my friend know what you think of the story!