Disclaimer: I don't own How To Train Your Dragon, nor any of the characters
"Hey, Gobber," Stoick called, opening the door. The threesome looked over. "How'd you manage to get that leg on with Toothless around? Thought you said it'd be noisy."
"It was noisy, but I did it while Toother was out flying with Astrid." He laughed. "Most exausted I'e ever seen either of 'em!" Toothless just eyed the muscular man, but Astrid's wicked streak was strong, as evidenced by the dead carcass of the fish now flying at Gobber's face. The spine caught in his long braided mustache, and his laugh halted in his stumble backwards. Stoick himself chuckled as his friend regained composure.
"Ya don' know where tha' thing has been!" he shot back to Stoick, explaining. He just laughed louder, before.
"So, you have any ideas yet about what to do with all these dragons, Gobber?" Stoick asked. Do? Do what?
"Well, ya know tha' cavern goin' under the village? Was thinking we build our way down there and keep most o'em there. Still though we ought ta have a few surface dens, but I got those all planned own already. Just need yer approval, Stoick."
"Sounds adequate, Gobber. Go ahead with these... Dragon Dens? That sound adequate." Gobber shrugged.
"Seems apt enough ta me."
Astrid turned back to Toothless as the duo went back inside. To her bewilderment, the beast turned and followed them in without a second look. I guess I can't blame him, he's been away for so long. Then again, I don't get to sleep with Hiccup... her face blushed from the idea spontaneously, and shook the thought off as she regained her composure, glad no one else was around, while walking home.
She walked down the hill, still remembering the exhilaration of riding Toothless, despite his lack of cooperation until the end. There was still the matter of finding that potentially unowned Nadder around the training grounds. She passed the marketplace, full of fish. What boats remained struggled to maintain supply of fish adequate for many of the dragons, but somehow they managed. Gobber had discussed the possibility of some super fishing ships, large enough to have dragons help catch their food and bring them back, or sail far with the beasts while maintaining enough to eat each day. Dragon-Viking raids would be very effective against enemies... So long as the ships actually work.
As shops closed around her, their stock packed in bags to be stored away for the night, she joined her mother who had stuck around for a time after buying dinner. She told her mother of how she fought and struggled with Toothless, and her thrilling ride on the Night Fury as well. She was indeed impressed by her daughters exploits, and heaved her in the air for a moment. Astrid Shrieked, as usual, and smiled like she had every time since the first spring she could remember.
Her mother was having more difficulty with her dragon, another Deadly Nadder, and wished she could spend more time trying to train with it. Apparently, even when she did make the time, the beast was hardly interested. Apparently, many of the dragons, despite flying back with their paired viking, were having immense difficulty adjusting to the new life, presuming they were trying at all. Astrid had been so concerned with Toothless and Hiccup, training and working with Gobber that she'd forgotten to make connections with the rest of the village. It was a sort of plea from her mother, not wanting to be left behind the times and stay strong with the village, for advice. Astrid told her about the fish, and to start small, but otherwise hardly had any ideas. Sure, she was almost as good with the lone Night Fury in the village as Hiccup had been, but that didn't necessarily translate to Nadders and Gronkles, exactly.
Her father was already home when she entered, tending to the firewood. He had already started the fire for dinner, as usual, and was chopping the wood outside with his own battle ax. One of the reasons her family preferred them over swords was their versatility; you can't drop a thick tree with a sword, nor can you throw it accurately. Sure, they had some on the wall, and knew how to use them, but it wasn't their way.
She was lucky to have one of the few houses that had two floors, but when you're family is full of some of the best fighters on the island, you get special privileges. She even had a window to look out of, towards the forest and hills on the edge of the village, as well as some buildings and the house where Hiccup was resting, as Toothless was curled up around it, sleeping.
With the thought of sleeping, her own mind laid her down on the bed for a much needed rest. Her mind wandered from dinner, after having eaten already. Looking back, she doubted she'd have eaten such a gross meal either, but she was hardly thinking then she was so tired. But what was done was done, and if push came to shove in the future... it wasn't such a bad option.
Even still, she was tired from the day. Her mind slipped into sleep, softly lining her steps with cotton into the framework of her dreams... still need to check on that Nadder... Will do tomorrow...
Immersed by rainbows, the starry sky welcomed her flight as she piloted Toothless calmly through the crescent moon, Hiccup riding behind her. Suddenly, she felt the urge to descend under the clouds and the wind blew in her face. Berk was lit by the fire towers dotting the village and its surroundings. Her mind rushed as spray flew at her from flying just above the water top, Hiccup smiling. She couldn't see him, but she could somehow feel it.
And then she was in battle, a long spear in her hand and shield in the other as Toothless charged an enemy. They were shadows, cast in black and unidentifiable by nature. Her ferocity increased as she charged them, before Toothless took off. He grabbed one and threw it into another, and screeched as he charged up his deathly accurate flame. There would be no happy end in this battle for them, and her lust for combat was high. Victory would belong to Vikings this day. Another swoop, and she noticed as they turned Hiccup was not behind her.
"Focus, Astrid!" She heard Toothless yell in what she would have sworn was her own voice.
"You focus!" She yelled back, before it hit her. "You talk?!"
"Battle now! Talk later!"
"All right, then," She gave in. "It's on!" And they swooped again, tearing up legions of the shadow creatures.
Well, Life is calling, and unfortunately there is no answering machine for me... still doing my best here. And now we are about three quarters of the way through, and closing fast! And yea... I'll have to get on that pedal-petal really a Stirrup thing lol! Get there eventually, thanks for pointing that out! Yea, it seems I'm getting into a sort of writers block, this chapter just doesn't seem to have the same feel... eh, though when am I ever happy with my own work? (Ans: when I get lots of reviews, but thats not the point :-P )
Anyhow, with how I'm feeling right now, I'll eventually get to a sequal, but not until something like June or even July. Plus, an old story idea's been coming back to me that I really want to give a shot again after this, providing I get over my writers block by then.
There's not much left that needs connecting between the two scenes, now. Astrid needs her dragon still, a few other things... oh and the Dragons Den thing came out of the Video game, with the cave. It seemed logical. But anyway, I won't drabble on any longer, for fear of going crazy.
Hiccup: Too late for that
Quiet you! You're unconscious still!!! heheheheheh... LATERS!