Chapter 62
Hiccups POV:
It's been two weeks since my latest dragon collecting trip and in that time I've been pretty busy with my new dragons including finding them jobs and expanding the stables. Webster now had his own room in the stable which he took the greatest pleasure in turning into what resembled a spiders nest with his webs, Saber also got his own room with tons of scrap metal so it looked similar to the room where my smothering smokebreaths nested except with a little less metal and a large metal nest in the center, Sonic had taken up residence with my tidal classes in their den since he seemed to enjoy just laying back and floating in the water and Pyro took up a place with the other Stoker classes but lined his nest with sand to make it more comfortable for himself and I respect that. As for their jobs Saber had been helping me loot shipwrecks that had crashed on rocks and because of him my vaults may need an expansion one of these days. Pyro patrolled the deserts with Heatwave and much to my surprise was able to help Berk find the perfect spots to dig new wells which was a good thing at this time of year. Sonic had made fishing a breeze using his echo location to find large schools, which allowed my other tidal classes to chase these schools right into my nets. Thanks to him the chances of us running out of fish were small to nothing. As for Webster he now supplied me with his webbing that I used to weave ropes that were stronger than any of my regular ropes plus he comes in handy for a few pranks on people. I laughed so hard when I was talking to my dad as Webster slowly walked up behind him before my dad turned around and gave a scream that he would deny ever doing till the day he died. Still though he did appreciate the stronger rope I brought with me to Berk but he did tell me to keep Webster away from the village since he didn't want me spooking any of the villagers or giving the children nightmares and that I could understand since Webster does look pretty scary.
This week I was mostly wearing my desert armor and who could blame me for wearing this armor this week. Weeks like this come once a year and was known as 'Freya's rage' since it's the hottest week of the year and by hot I mean men walk around shirtless, water is rationed and Gobber keeps buckets in the forge to hold the sweat he rings out of his clothes. Now the heat didn't affect most of my island but it did affect the woods, deserts and the area my house was built so I used my often-used pool to cool down. I just hoped nobody in the village find out about my pool or else I'd have a riot to deal with since everyone would be fighting to get into my pool since during this time we have to ration our waters so no swimming. There was the issue about my dad and Gobber both knowing about my pool but my dad knew better than to tell anyone and Gobber was too hot and dehydrated to even remember his own name half the time.
Now I was standing by the arch that would allow traders from Arabia to come through to do business with the Berkians and the Outcasts who I sent word to about the bazaar and had come by, eager to start bartering with the merchants. I couldn't blame them though since the islands we called home were literally in the middle of nowhere so no new things came by that often and I was actually hoping to stock up on my favorite sugared dates. However I did have the feeling that this time things would be different for some reason but I figured it was just me being paranoid. I raised my amulet to the slot and as expected the portal opened before Kadar walked through smiling as he turned to me and gave me a look I knew all too well as he said.
"It's good to see you Hiccup."
"Good to see you to Kadar now what's the bad news." He frowned.
"What makes you think I have bad news?"
"I've learnt to recognize the look people have when they've got bad news for me."
"Observant as ever Hiccup but right now it's one of those times where it depends on how you look at it."
"Alright let's hear it."
"Well word about the arch spread farther than ever and it's brought in more traders than ever."
"How's that bad since it'll help out the bazaar and bring more variety for the people."
"Along with their products they'll also be bringing their daughters who have all heard about you and are eager to meet you."
"So in other words they're bringing in fan girls?"
"Exactly but I feel it only right to warn you some of your fan girls from the city are coming as well."
"How are they able to come?"
"They were able to talk or bribe some of the merchants into bringing them as assistants but we both know the real reason."
"Well I'll just have to deal with it till the end of the bazaar." He nodded.
"By the way Hiccup, princess Amira and prince Aamin will also be coming through sometime in the next few days to get a better understanding of your culture since you did save both them and the kingdom and have even learnt Norse out of respect for you."
"I'll have to thank them when I see them."
"That would be the right thing to do and they would've come today but things have been busy in the city?"
"I understand since being a royal can't be easy."
"Agreed but for now may I begin leading the traders through."
"Go ahead while I prepare Mirage to both keep an eye out for trouble and possibly chase off some girls." He chuckled.
"You can't dodge them forever Hiccup so best to just deal with them head on." I sighed.
"I know but it doesn't make it any easier." He just smiled as he walked back through the portal as I began walking to the oasis where the bazaar would be set up.
Five hours
I was walking through the bazaar, watching people go by as Vikings eagerly went about the stalls looking at all the different products that were available. In my hand was a small bag of sugared dates that I enjoyed as I kept an eye out for trouble and if the twins were around I knew there would be some. I already had to have Mirage drag them back to five stalls for stealing and mad sure they knew that if they stole from the stalls again they'd be band from the bazaar till the next one which would be a shame since there were more merchants here than ever and with them came more merchandise. Sadly this time they also brought multiple girls most of whom were eager to get to know me or to be more precise try and get my attention to gain a chance at becoming my wife. I'd walk through the stalls before some women would walk up and ask me how I was doing, tell me how amazing I was for creating this bazaar, tell me how great I was, asking me to tell them about my adventures, ask me about my plans for the future, etc. The worst of the women were the ones with their children. They were trying to get me to bond with their children so they'd have an opening to get closer to me and possibly so their child could get either a new role model or father figure. I admit I liked the children but I didn't approve of how the women were using them.
It was really annoying how I actually couldn't enjoy some peace and quiet on my own island now. I did however enjoy getting some new items to add to my home like some carpets, food, and fabrics and of course multiple books from one merchant who specialized in books. Sadly many of these merchants used me buying some of their wares as an opportunity to talk up their daughters as we did business. I often just told them that either they give me the price of their wares or I'd take my business elsewhere. This often got them to stop so we could continue our business but it didn't stop a few of them from either trying to introduce me to their daughters by signaling them to come out from behind some of their stock. Some of them also joked that the price for their products was one date with their daughter or becoming their new son-in-law. When it came to them I just walked away as they tried to call me back and said they were just joking. It was then I saw Alvin walking down the road looking at all the stalls and products so I decided I should go greet him and see what he thought of the bazaar. I walked up to him as I said.
"Hey Alvin, how're you doing?" He turned to face me and smiled.
"Hiccup!" He put a hand on my shoulder. "It's good to see you!"
"Good to see you to." He then looked around.
"Have to say lad this place is really impressive." He looked back at me. "I'm glad you invited me and my men."
"Hey you Outcasts are our allies within quick sailing distance so why wouldn't I invite you to something that could benefit both merchants and your people." He smiled.
"Well while we're talking do you have any recommendations on stalls for this market place?"
"It depends on what you're looking for." He stroked his beard.
"Well I wouldn't mind seeing what weapons they have."
"As expected from a warrior like you." I pointed behind me. "The stalls that specialize in weapons are back that way and take a left at the stall with the guy who's selling carpets." He nodded.
"Thanks lad." He then walked away as I tossed a date into my mouth and continued my walk around the bazaar.
4 hours later
Night had fallen and I was walking through the desert where the bazaar was located but this time it wasn't to do any shopping since all the stalls are closed. This time it was because the merchants had invited me to a celebration they were putting together tonight. Apparently they were celebrating the beginning of what looked to be a very profitable trip to my island. I'd seen the way multiple villagers were looking at their products but didn't bring enough to pay for the items today and didn't want to travel all the way back to Berk then come back only to leave later, which meant they'd be back on other days with more stuff to trade for the products so it's good for business. They said I was invited to the celebration to thank me for helping out their businesses but I had a feeling they had ulterior motives. It is for these reasons I had Mirage keep a close eye on them from a distance and Toothless fly high above, camouflaged by the night sky.
It was then I came to the campsite where the merchants had set up camp for the evening and saw a large mass of tents all circling a large fire where people were walking around and talking. I walked down into the camp as many people greeted me with hellos, hand shakes and slaps on the back when I walked past. When I reached the center where the fire was I saw many people sitting around, eating meals, talking with each other or enjoying the show in front of the fire. The show consisted of multiple women dressed as belly dancers dancing to the beat of the music that a small group of people were playing some instruments. I sat down in front of the fire as someone passed me a plate of food while I enjoyed the show thinking that perhaps they didn't have an ulterior motive and just wanted to be nice.
2 hours later
When it came to me thinking that they didn't have an ulterior motive, I was wrong in so many ways since they had multiple ulterior motives. As I ate some of the merchants came by and joined me before we began talking some wanting to discuss me opening the arch more often, their products, selling them some of my inventions and access to my island. Of course they were also trying to convince me to move to Arabia with my dragons and fortune claiming I could do much good for their people but I knew they really wanted me there to aid there business's with my fortune and to help their daughters pursue a relationship with me. Speaking of their daughters who included some of the dancers, they also used me being there to their advantage and tried to get close to me. Most of them were dressed in belly dancer outfits to accentuate their bodies as they hooked their arms around my arm and talked to me about how wonderful they thought I was, how they thought a great guy like me needed a special women by his side, their skills in different tasks, their many talents, how well off their families were and in some cases how much their child admired me, would love to meet me sometime, how hard it is to be a single mother and how they worried about the effect growing up without a father figure to teach them certain things and just be there for them when they couldn't. When I was finally able to get away from the celebration I went straight home and collapsed onto my bed falling asleep from the long day as soon as my head hit the pillows.
3 days later
I was once again by the arch with Toothless by my side except this time instead of waiting for new traders I was waiting for two royals. Today Amira and Aamin were coming through so as Kadar put it they could gain a better understanding of my culture. As I waited I went over what had happened these last three days, which I admit hasn't been much since the bazaar has been keeping everyone busy. I still had to deal with the merchants, their daughters and of course my fangirls but other than that the only interesting thing to happen is Snotlout being chased by an angry mob consisting of multiple girls. The reason is Snotlout had told them that he and I were best friends and he knew me like the back of my hand. He told them he knew how girls could get my attention but the price was them weighting on him hand and foot. This lasted for a day before they used the stuff he told them to do, which lead to me asking what they were doing since all they did was annoy me. When I found out what he had told them I explained that I couldn't stand Snotlout and how he was never my friend but my main tormentor. Long story short they were all angry at him for getting their hopes up, lying to them and for tricking them into pampering him and the end result was him dangling from a chain around his leg over a cliff as an angry group of girls watched him from above. It was then the portal pulsed as Amira and Aamin walked through making me smile as I said.
"Welcome my islands Bazaar." They turned to face me before Amira said in perfect Norse.
"Why thank you Hiccup and it's good to see you." I smiled at her as Toothless walked up to her and crooned as she gave him a pat on the nose.
"I see Kadar wasn't kidding when he said you had been learning Norse." Aamin replied.
"We figured the least we could do was learn your language after all you did for us."
"I appreciate it and not that I'm not happy to see you both again but if you don't mind me asking, what brings you here?" Amira replied.
"Well you see Hiccup since you left things have gotten pretty boring as we began thinking about your adventures and decided we wanted to experience things like you do on your adventures." I cocked an eyebrow.
"You want to risk your life going up against mad men, supernatural forces and demons out of the darkest pits of the underworld in order to prevent the demise or enslavement of foreign civilizations and possibly the world." They chuckled.
"As exciting as that sounds we mean exploring new cultures and learning new things." I smiled.
"Now that makes more sense but how did you convince your father to allow you to come." Amira replied.
"It was anything but easy but when we told him we were just going to visit you he agreed since he knows with you around our safety is ensured."
"The amount of confidence he has in me is always touching but misplaced." Aamin replied.
"Misplaced?" They both laughed before Amira said.
"Hiccup his confidence in you is anything but misplaced." She took a moment to catch her breath. "He knows that with you nothing bad will happen to us that you can't handle." Aamin then continued.
"You've face multiple threats that very few would walk away from let alone survive, which is why he didn't send any guards with us claiming you were more powerful than any guard squad." I rolled my eyes.
"I try but we can get to that another time since I'm pretty sure you two want to seeing where I grew up." They both smiled and nodded before I lead them away from the arch so we could head to Berk on Toothless.
Five minutes later
I brought us in to land in the village center before I helped each of them dismount Toothless before I gestured to the village and said.
"Welcome to Berk!" They were looking around at the different buildings in what I assume was amazement and curiosity before Amira said.
"I've never seen buildings like this before." I shrugged.
"Yeah well we don't have the building materials you do so we use the wood from the forest nearby." She turned to face me.
"Are the wooden heads at the ends of the houses the heads of different dragon species?" I nodded.
"Yeah when we started building houses we used the dragons for inspiration when it came to designs." Aamin then asked.
"I thought dragons were once your enemies?"
"They were but they were powerful and our ancestors wanted to reflect their power and hoped that the dragons might leave the huts alone if they saw their own image in them." They nodded before Amira said.
"I thought you said things were rather chilly here most day Hiccup but from what I can tell it's a little warmer than Arabia."
"That's because you've arrived in the middle of a week we call 'Freya's rage', the hottest week of the year."
It was then I heard someone call my name and turned to see my dad walking towards us. When he was right infront of us he looked at Aamin and Amira before asking.
"Who're you're friends?" I smiled.
"Dad this is Aamin and Amira from Arabia." His eyes widened.
"Oh yes I remember you talking about them." He turned to look at them. " I am Stoick, chief of Berk and Hiccup's father." He held out his hand. "Hiccup's told me all about the both of you." They just stared at him as he lowered his hand. "Is something wrong." They shook their heads before Amira said.
"We're sorry it's just that you're so large." My dad furrowed his eyebrows.
"Are you talking about my weight?" She shook her head.
"No I mean you're so tall and you make even our strongest warriors look weak." He smiled.
"Well in that case thank you and I hope you enjoy our little village." Aamin then asked.
"If you don't mind me asking will Hiccup grow up to have your muscles?"
"I don't think so since he mostly takes after his mother." Aamin was about to reply before the sound of a fight caught our attention before we saw two men beating each other's with bludgeons as my dad turned back to us. "Excuse me, duty calls." He walked away to deal with the fighting Vikings before Aamin asked.
"Do these fights often happen?" I shrugged.
"We're Vikings Aamin!" I turned back to the fight. "We've always had something to fight and if we don't then we're fighting each other." They nodded. "Now what would you like your tour to begin with." Amira replied.
"Well how's about we start with where you spent most of your time in the village."
"So the forge?" They nodded before I lead them to the forge as I pointed to the various building in the village and stopped to explain a few things such as why Snotlout was dangling from a cliff, which resulted in Aamin chuckling and saying.
"There is no creature in this world more fierce than a women scorned!" I chuckled.
"When it comes to that, I could not agree with you more."
This resulted in the both of us getting slapped on the back of the heads by Amira before we continued to the forge. When we arrived we found Gobber hammering a piece of metal on the anvil as he sweat through his shirt. He looked at me and smiled before he said.
"Mornin lad and who're you're friends?" I smiled.
"Gobber this is Amira and Aamin from Arabia."
"You mean that place where you fought that evil sorcerer who took control of your night fury or that place where you slayed a giant flying head?"
"The first one." I then turned to Amira and Aamin. "This is Gobber the Belch my old mentor and blacksmith of Berk." They smiled before Aamin walked up and said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir." Gobber put an arm around his shoulder.
"Oh just Gobber will do so none of that sir stuff." It was then Aamin smiled but then breathed in through his nose getting a bit of Gobbers smell before dropping to his knees gagging as I ran up to him to make sure he was alright before looking up at Gobber and said.
"Gobber you need a bath!"
"Oh come on lad I don't smell that bad." I pointed to Aamin who was still gagging.
"Gobber the man is gasping for air after a single whiff of your smell."
"Well I still aint taking a bath lad." He turned back to the metal on the anvil. "A Viking is meant to smell like this as a badge of honor." I cocked an eyebrow.
Ten minutes later
Amira, Aamin and I were sitting on a roof as we watched a hoard of Vikings lead by my dad chase Gobber around the village to give him a bath. This insane chase begun when I told my dad what happened with Aamin but he told me how we were rationing our water but I just offered to use some of the water I had on my island to fill the tub he was all for it. This was something Gobber was not happy about which is why he was now running from a mob of people who were all holding brooms, rags and buckets of soap. As we watched the grand chase Amira turned to me and asked.
"Does this happen often?"
"Only when Gobber needs his bath." Aamin then said.
"Hiccup I don't mean to be rude but you're so different from everyone else in this village." I shrugged.
"As my dad said I take after my mother." He nodded.
"What was it like growing up here?" I sighed.
"Tough!"
"Understandable if dragons were constantly attacking."
"The dragons weren't the main problem since being different resulted in me being the target for a lot of scorn." I looked down. "The adults used to tell me that I'd never amount to anything." He gave me a pat on the back.
"Well my friend they never knew how wrong they were with where you are now."
"I just kept working hard to prove myself and now I've proved them wrong but that doesn't mean I've forgotten what they've done to me in the past and I doubt I ever will." Amira then asked.
"So just move on with your life but never forget your past?" I shrugged.
"That's pretty much it." It was then the mob finally caught Gobber and dragged him to the tub before they began the big scrub down.
3 hours later
We were now on my island as Aamin and Amira wanted to get away from the village or to be more precise away from Gobber and his bath water. I couldn't really blame them considering what came out from between Gobber's toes is not something you want to be reminded of. They had asked me to give them a tour of my island and to show them my dragons since they were rather curious about them thanks to Toothless. I had given them a complete tour of my island and everything it had to offer and I could tell they were impressed with it, from the different environments to the large buildings that I either built or came with the island. Our tour would've finished earlier except when it came to my trophy room they had me tell them what each trophy was, where I got it and how I got it even though they already knew most of my adventures. Now we were in my desert Gazebo enjoying some drinks with Nylene joining us, resting her head in my lap as I gently stroked her head while her body rested on the floor in front of me with her neck wrapped around my torso. I took a sip of my drink and scratched her head before I looked at Amira and Aamin and asked.
"So what do you think of my island and Berk?" Amira answered.
"Hiccup Berk is impressive despite the horrific nightmare I'll be having from seeing what came out from between your blacksmiths toes." They both shivered in memory of that.
"I know that wasn't pretty but the sad thing is it's not the worst thing to come out from between them." They looked at me with looks that asked if I was serious. "Yeah you don't want to know!" Aamin replied.
"You're probably right on that." He then looked around the Gazebo. "Still though this island that you've received is incredible and the things you've constructed are amazing."
"Thanks Aamin."
"Still though all these new environments and new creatures is such a change." Amira then said.
"We're so used to the dry desert sands of Arabia that seeing so much green is just such a change from the desert yellow." I replied.
"I know the feeling!" I chuckled. "I get the same feeling every time I visit a new place with the new people, culture, legends, customs environment-" Aamin then cut in.
"Women to swoon over you." Him and Amira laughed at this as I glared at them. "Oh come on Hiccup I'm just joking." I sighed and nodded.
"I know but the women can still be a pain when it comes to just wanting to enjoy my day alone."
"Such is the price of fame and fortune my friend."
"Yeah well I'd rather deal with the forty thieves than deal with the women and some of the Arabian nobles again." They chuckled before Amira said.
"We can believe you on that since the sultan of that kingdom we visited has been bothering us and our father since you left."
"Really?" Aamin replied.
"Indeed, he wants to know when you'll be back and when you do get back he wishes us to inform you of a message he has for you."
"Dare I ask what this message is?"
"Oh you know, the usual offers for your dragons and wanting you to move to Arabia as a citizen of his kingdom."
"And what did his offers compose of this time?" Amira replied as she counted the on her fingers.
"High position as a general in his army, captain of his guard or an advisor, your own palace built however you wanted anywhere you wanted with as many servants as you wanted, multiple women to be either your servants or loyal wives, ships, exotic animals, business's, control over sections of the city and of course untold riches but after the tour of your vault I know you don't need it."
"So he's offering the usual stuff?" She shrugged.
"Pretty much."
"He does know that I'm not interested in selling him Toothless right?"
"Yeah but he's convinced he can convince you to accept his offer." I rolled my eyes at this before Aamin stood up.
"Well as much as we love talking to you Hiccup and have enjoyed the tour of both your home and the island you grew up on but our father is expecting us home soon since he only gave us permission to come for the afternoon." I nodded before I stood up as Nylene uncurled her neck from around me.
"Let's get back to the arch then." We all stood up and began making our way to the arch.
5 minutes later
We were standing in front of the portal arch with Amira giving me a hug before she let go and said.
"Thanks for an incredible trip Hiccup and we hope you'll come back to Arabia sometime despite the crazy sultan trying to buy your dragon and convince you to join him in a position of power." I chuckled.
"Don't worry I'll be sure to visit sometime but be sure to keep me visiting a secret from him." We all chuckled at this before Aamin said.
"See you next time Hiccup." He then walked through the portal before Amira said.
"Try to come by more often." Then gave me one final hug before walking through as I smiled and walked away to get back to my own business since I still had to deal with the bazaar and the fan girls who had used this as an opportunity to see me and try to claim a place at my side.
AN: Yeah I know it isn't a very exciting chapter but I'm still getting back into the groove of writing so cut me some slack and I would like to thank Rogue Deity Master for giving me the idea for the chapter. I would also like to thank ExpertoftheBlade for giving me the idea for the next chapter and where the place Hiccup will be visiting next. This one may take some time to decide on what he will be doing there since the people of this culture have a lot of interesting things for Hiccup to deal with and no it's not Japan or China. If you're curious about where it is here's a clue it's not the Emerald City with the wizard of Oz but when I told my cousin what some people refer to it as he said that was where the wizard of Oz lives but I told him that is the emerald city so he is not going to there so no wizard of Oz or anything like that but the place is called something beginning with emerald. Till next time please be kind with your reviews.
