HTLANF: Hidden World

Chapter 3

Later that same day, we all gathered in the Great Hall for a meal, lots of dragons and Vikings alike were eating as the usual chaos went down around us. Some dragons were flying every which way as Kala and I walked with Gobber through the crowded hall.

Before we had made our way to the hall, though, we had stopped by the hut so Kala could change out of her armor into something more comfortable and I checked her over for any injuries. Thankfully there were none to be found.

The clothes we wore were more casual than armor like as compared to the flight suits we wore three years ago. My attire consisted of a brown tunic underneath a leather vest that clipped in three areas on my chest, dark brown pants, knee pads made of metal, metal shoulder pads with the Night Fury symbol on my right shoulder, and my usual fur boot and prosthetic. One thing I still had was the built in tools to add to the map if the need ever arose.

Kala's attire was similar to what she wore when we were fifteen. She had on a loose dark gray tunic that had beautiful silver stitching that came together into intricate designs on the collar and sleeves, a simple leather belt resting loosely around her waist, a pair of black pants, her usual fur boots, and her cloak. A few months ago she did wear a similar outfit to my own, but with her condition, she's been wanting to be as comfortable as possible.

I held her hand gently as we walked, keeping her close so as to not get separated from her.

"Point is, you can't keep bringing dragons back here." Gobber said as he pointed accusingly at us.

"Hey, we're just doing as the chieftess orders Gobber. Valka was the one that suggested we raid the Dragon Hunter and Dragon Trapper ships, not us." I reasoned with a shrug.

Kala and I move aside as Gothi gets carried past us on her staff by her small flock of Terrible Terrors, which shocked Gobber as he was standing with wide eyes and watching the village Elder as she passed. The three of us then had to dodge Snotlout and Hookfang as they rushed past us.

"Come on, boy!" Snotlout exclaimed.

Gobber sighed and shook his head as we went back to walking. "You're just asking for trouble."

Kala and I came to a stop as a Viking ran after a Scuttleclaw that was carrying a fish and I stopped Gobber with my free arm. Once they were past us we went back to walking.

"Those Trappers are getting closer by the day." Gobber noted worriedly.

"We can handle them Gobber." Kala reassured him as he lifted the tail of a Zippleback so we could walk under it.

"Kala's right. We've been able to protect our way of life from enemies for years now. Why would this stop that?" I asked as I gestured around us. "I mean, would you look at how happy they are?"

We then caught a glimpse of Valka and Spitelout arm wrestling and the chieftess managed to beat him. She laughed as Spitelout became angered at losing to her.

"She's awesome." Snotlout breathed out with a dreamy look which earned an eye roll from my mate and I.

Our attention then went back to Gobber and Kala smiled at him.

"Gobber, relax. We did it. The world's first dragon-Viking utopia." She said, although she sounded a bit down about it.

To be honest, I was a bit down about it as well. While it's amazing to help dragons get free from those who wish to harm them, it's not as great to have our home be overcrowded. There's a lot more dragons that live here now than there are Vikings.

"This not what you wanted, little flames?" Gobber asked, taking notice of our mood change.

"Not exactly." I confessed. "But it's what Valka wants, and she's the chieftess. Not really much we can do about that besides help her make it a reality."

As we passed by one of the cauldrons, the Hobgobbler we rescued resurfaced inside it and floated peacefully. Kala huffed and got him out then ushered him away from the food. Gobber got startled by the little dragon as it passed him and Kala and I stifled laughs.

"You're not fooling anybody Gobber. We know you love them." Kala teased, which earned a halfhearted glare from the blacksmith.

When we finally reached the table where the other riders were, I saw that Tuffnut was struggling to get his plate back from Barf, who seemed to be enjoying messing with him. Once he got the plate back though, the food residing on it was flung off and hit Snotlout.

Snotlout then smirked. "Food fight!" He exclaimed, and he threw the food back at Tuffnut, thinking that was what he wanted.

This caused the both of them to keep throwing food at one another.

Ruffnut was laying on the table, propping herself up with one arm as she checked herself out in her tankard, the mead within sloshing about as she did. "Mmm, gorg-e-ousss." She then got hit by some of the food being flung by Tuffnut and glared at him, joining in on the food fight herself. "Watch the hair!"

Fishlegs was busy feeding Fishmeat, while Nanna and Heather were conversing calmly as they ate.

I let go of Kala's hand and kissed her cheek before I snuck off to get the both of us some food. When I got back with a small basket of fish for the both of us, Gobber got hit in the face with some food. I tried not to laugh as I sat beside Kala and gave her half of the basket. She smiled at me and dug in hungrily.

"Ugh! Thor help us." Gobber said as he got the food off himself. "Time to stop worrying about problems out there..." He started.

"Gobber..." Kala warned, but her warning went unnoticed by our mentor.

"...and start sorting out the ones right here." He finished as he wrapped his arms around Kala and I's shoulders, having me in a headlock.

I struggled a bit with how tight his hold was as I spoke. "Okay, okay."

"Hang up those saddles and get married." Gobber said, which got the food fight to come to a stop as our friends looked at Gobber.

"The 'm' word." Tuffnut said as if it was a curse word.

"Gross. Unless it's me." Ruffnut said as she threw food again.
"They're technically already married, though Gobber." Heather said and Nanna nodded in agreement.

"For five years now, in fact." Fishlegs added.

"But not in Viking terms. You two have been betrothed for three years, it's time." Gobber said as he looked at Kala and I.

The both of us broke out of his hold with sad glares.

"No. Hiccup and I will get married when we feel the time is right. And now is not the time." Kala said before she left.

I caught a glimpse of her covering her mouth and looking a bit pale as she left, but before I could go after her, Tuffnut pulled me into an awkward hug, my face smooshed into his hair.

I huffed in annoyance and broke out of the hug. "What was that for?"

"Figured you needed a shoulder to cry on. That was a definitive no my friend." Tuffnut said with a sympathetic look.

I gave him a deadpan expression. "No, it wasn't. Kala and I have talked about it and we just don't think now's the right time. Plus, it's just a formality. We've been mates for five years. There's no rush."

My attention was torn from Tuffnut as Eret cleared his throat and I smiled.

"Eret! What can I do for you?" I asked.

"Valka wanted me to fill you in on the report. There's two more trapper barges spotted in the strait. She wants you and the other riders to go after them." He said.

I nodded in understanding. "Right." I turned around to talk with the others about strategy and saw that Gobber had an unimpressed look directed towards me. "What?"

"One day, you're gonna pick a fight you can't win. Whether it be a fight you search for yerself or a fight Valka assigns ya." He said with his arms crossed.

I sighed and nodded. "I know, Gobber, I know. But there's nothing I can do. We're going after those barges like Valka requested."

As I was about to address the others, I remembered the glimpse I got of my mate before she left. "After I check up on my mate." I added before I bolted out of the Great Hall.

~~~HTLANF~~~