The Friendship

Chapter Five | The Hairy Hooligan Tribe

I enjoy Astrid's face here. That look of disgust! Too much! People's expressions are just too much for me.

~HICCUP~

"Who is that?"

"What is he wearing?"

"Where did he come from?"

I walked through the village with Little Hiccup. People were whispering in the streets and glancing my way as I made my way towards the Great Hall. It was difficult to keep myself from greeting familiar faces, so I kept my eyes in front of me.

There were a few familiar faces I didn't expect to see, even though he inevitably would have.

"What's going on?" Fishlegs wondered aloud.

"They're sacrificing someone to Thor! Awesome!" Tuffnut said excitedly.

"No, you mutton-head!" Ruffnut retorted. "He is a god! A handsome, gorgeous, smouldering-"

"Real viking," Astrid breathed, accidentally loud enough for the gang, Little Hiccup, and myself to hear.

I quickly looked away, but could still heard, "But Astrid! I thought we had something!" This made me chuckle quietly to myself.

Following Little Hiccup up the stone steps leading towards the Great Hall. "Wait here," my doppelgänger told me. I'll go get my dad. He's the chief." I nodded and he disappeared behind the grand, wooden doors.

A few moments later, Little Hiccup admitted me into the Hall. I lagged slightly behind him, even though this was my village too. But I couldn't let them know that. On one of the walls were the many paintings of past chiefs and their sons. There was still an empty spot where the picture of my father and I was going to be. "Dad, this is Tufflout. He's a nomad," Little Hiccup introduced. "Tufflout, this is my father and Chief of Berk, Stoick the Vast."

My father held out a hand to me, my face unknown to him. I took his hand, shaking it firmly. It was something he taught me since "the pride" and future Chief of Berk should know these skills. A strong handshake makes a respected Chief.

I held back my tears at the sight of him, keeping my face neutral. That was also something Dad taught me. The Chief of Berk must remain calm in times of stress.

"Wonderful meeting you, Chief," I said kindly.

"My pleasure," he replied. "I hear you are visiting Berk,"  he repeated what Little Hiccup must have told him.

"Yes," I said. "In fact, Hiccup asked me if I would like to stay here before I journey elsewhere. The forest is wonderful, but the wind can make it quite chilly. I hope this is all right by you?"

"Why of course! Any respectable viking is welcome here, which you seem to be. You can sleep in my quarters while I am away searching for the dragons' nest."

"Oh no, I- I couldn't do that, sir," I stated.

"Very well, you will stay with Hiccup in his room. There will be a gathering to explain your presence to the rest of Berk," Dad said.

"Thank you Chief," I waved, turning back towards the tall doors.

"And Tufflout?" my dad called after me. I returned to face him. He lowered his voice to a whisper so only I could hear. "You seem like a nice viking. Maybe Hiccup would learn a thing or two from you while I am away?"

"Oh! Um, sure Chief," I promised, surprised about the request.

He slapped me on the back. "Good man! I'll leave you to tour around Berk," and with that he turned his back to me, signalling the conversation was over. I suppose I really am the pride of Berk.

~ ~ ~

"Hey Hiccup! Who's the viking? Your new babysitter?" Snotlout jeered, while Astrid and Ruffnut goggled at me obviously.

"Can I touch his bicep? Pretty please, can I?" Ruffnut pleaded, giving me a once over.

"Uh, hi there. I- uh, I'm Tufflout. Nice to meet you," I greeted, giving Ruffnut my hand. She stared at it for a moment, then took it in her own.

"I'm Ruffnut! Wow! Your skin is so soft!" she gaped, rubbing my hand up to her cheek. I quickly took my hand back, wiping it on my pants.

"I am Tuffnut, the World's Most Deadly Weapon," he boasted, which earned him a punch from his twin sister.

Snotlout stepped forward. "You know who I am? Your worst nightmare," he tried to say threateningly.

Little Hiccup clearly didn't want to be here. "C'mon Tufflout, I'll show you to the house," he told me, leaving the gang to stare after us.

~ ~ ~

Welcome to my humble abode," Little Hiccup said, welcoming me into his cozy home. He started up the stairs, me going after him. "This, this is my room," he said. Covering the walls of his room were diagrams, sketches, and all sorts of measurements of new ideas for inventions that had yet to become the final plans. Not as many as there were in the one I slept in, but he still had quite a few. I stepped into my room and sat down on the hard, wooden bed. "You take the bed, I'll sleep on the floor," Little Hiccup said.

"Don't be ridiculous, I'll take the floor. It's just as hard as the bed. Besides, I have no idea how long I'll be stuck here, anyway." I told him.

"What do you mean you have no idea how long you'll be stuck here?" he asked me suspiciously.

"What I- I meant is, uh, a dragon caught my boat on fire, so I, uh, I need to make another one before I can go anywhere," I explained to him, stumbling over my words.

"You can take one of ours. I'm sure my dad won't-"

"Oh, I couldn't do that, your village needs it," I stated. "If you don't mind I'll just make my own. Do you have any extra blankets?" I asked, trying to redirect the conversation away from my blunder. Little Hiccup went to get some, and I used this as a chance to look at my designs, more for the fun of it than anything else.

"That one I made to shoot down dragons." Little Hiccup informed me as he reentered the room, unfolding the blankets and setting them down on top of each other for me.

Pretending to be impressed, I praised, "You have a knack for inventing here, Hiccup."

"I could say the same to you," he replied. "That's not just any peg leg you have there. An inventor made that," he continued when he saw my surprised expression. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you..."

"How did I lose my foot?" I finished, walking back over to him. Little Hiccup nodded. "I battled a great dragon. A real monster. I couldn't have defeated it without my best friend. He saved my life, just as did for him, once. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for him."

"He sounds amazing," Little Hiccup whispered, as if scared I would be angry if he spoke too loud.

"He is."

~ ~ ~

I know, I know, you want Toothless to come back already, and for some training to happen. All in good time young riders, all in good time. Remember to comment, vote, and share!