The first to know

Ever so Slightly Gut Wrenching

After traipsing down the now semi-familiar path back to the village we had a collective epiphany, we were supposed to eat dinner with the rest of the trainees. 

We were extremely late, to the point where even the never punctual Gobber gave us a look that would scare a naughty terrible terror into polishing the entire great hall top to bottom. 

"You're lucky I've yet to tell my stor- lesson, I wouldn't be restartin' it just fer you two"  On the outside he looked quite annoyed, and he probably was on the inside too but I still thought he looked funny trying to act all serious around his sudo-niece and nephew. 

"Sorry Gobber." we recited in unison, I pulled my best shameful owl hatchling face while Hiccup looked away in "guilt" it might have been real knowing Hiccup, but one sad look from us and we knew our uncle would crumble. 

Gobber sighed noisily through his nose.

"Ey, sit down then." he tilted his head in succession to the two empty seats left, one in between himself and Ruffnut, and one right beside astrid. Though I desperately wanted to make amends for my ultimatum, I figured it'd be wise to allow Hiccup a possible sliver of bonding time. 

I grabbed up a stick and placed a bit of chicken on the end of it before scooting into my designated spot, and getting a pleading glare from my brother. I simply gave him an impish grin in response before thrusting my meal over the fire to cook and tucking in to listen to what was likely to be a very interesting story. 

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"...with my face" I can honestly say I've never wanted to punch someone in the nose more in my entire life than I did at that moment.  

"No it's the wings and tails you want a downed dragon is a dead dragon." Hiccup caught my eye at that moment and I knew we were thinking the same thing.   

I vaguely registered the buzz of conversation that was picked back up among the other teenagers but my body was rendered useless and my vision blurred as images of my new best friend starving too death or being killed at the hands of my kin clouded my brain. Hiccup rose to his feet and quietly left the gathering, garnering little notice from anyone, besides, to my fleeting delight, Astrid. I watched the girl retake her seat looking slightly shaken, but ultimately getting over it and regaining her composure. My vision became hazy once again as terrifying images of the fate of my dragon refilled my mind. 

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I was walking home, consumed with worry when I saw Astrid up ahead completely alone.

I once again began tailing her, I eventually caught up to her and was caught in the grips of de ja vu as she once again pointed her battle ax at my throat. This time I held up my hands in surrender. 

"Idonea? Again? What is with you and following me?" She looked positively incredulous at my audacious actions 

"Yes again." I snarked back "I wanted to apologize." She was taken aback by that. 

"For what?" 

"Well I did yell at you, accused you of being a liar, was impatient toward you, I'm sorry." 

Needless to say the confusion on her face was kinda hilarious.

"Anyway I desperately need friends other than my brother and though he won't admit it he does too and I figured me acting like a know it all fool wasn't gonna help our chances."

I continued to babble on like that until Astrid held up a hand to stop me. 

"I don't quite know about friends yet but how about a truce, I'll try to get the others in on it." 

I grabbed her hand enthusiastically and shook it. 

"Deal."

I pretty much skipped back toward home when I was stopped by a kinking in the smithy. I peaked in and watched my brother hammer away at a cherry red piece on metal before dunking it into the splash bucket. I cleared my throat to let him know I was present.

"Oh! Iddy, I could actually use your help, here." He placed a slip of paper with a design and measurements into my hand. 

"Ok I'll get right on it. I'll grab my leather hoard and bring this home to work on." 

"Thank you I really appreciate it." 

"Anything to get that dragon back in the air."