𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍'𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆 - httyd

04| A Parent's Fury

The situation Hiccup and I have found ourselves in is quite unfortunate. To say we were in trouble was an understatement. Not only had we single-handedly rid the village of necessary livestock with winter around the corner, but the whole village was here to see us or, rather, to see Hiccup get scolded.

Stoick grabbed Hiccup by the back of his tunic and dragged him through the mass of Vikings. I hummed nervously and glanced at the other Vikings before following awkwardly behind, my eyes peeled to the ground. I didn't want Hiccup to bear the back of the brush alone, but I also didn't want to face everyone's angered eyes, least of all to catch those of a particular Viking.

Hiccup desperately rambled about his feat, saying, "It's not like the last few times, Dad! I really hit a Night Fury. El was with me. She saw me hit it! Right, El?"

Hiccup frantically turned to me, and his father's stern gaze followed. Feeling like a cornered sheep, I took a shaky step forward and nodded as eagerly as possible.

"I saw it. Hiccup really hit one," I said, speaking to the village. I hoped everyone would listen with an eye witness present and believe Hiccup, but judging by the many eye-rolls I received, it was safe to say that my hopes were nothing but that.

"See! It's different this time. It went down just off Raven Point, so let's gather a search party out there before it can—"

"STOP! Just stop," Stoick interrupted with a sharp yell. Hiccup immediately fell silent, and I took his hand, hoping that it would make bearing the scolding a little better. "Every time you step outside, disaster follows. Can you not see that I have bigger problems? Winter is almost here, and I have an entire village to feed!"

Hiccup pulled a face, and when I realised he was about to say something he'd regret, I shook my head. I mouthed for him to stay silent. It's a shame listening to me wasn't on Hiccup's mind.

"Between you and me, the village could do with a little less feeding, don't you think?" Hiccup said.

He couldn't have been any louder. A chorus of insulted gasps rang throughout the crowds, and I sighed exasperatedly, looking away. Understandably, it seemed everyone in the village held a few pounds on them, but why did Hiccup have to point it out right here, right now!? The chief only grew more and more frustrated, taking note of Hiccup's awkward expression, which held no guilt over his tactless comment.

"This isn't a joke, Hiccup. You've caused more chaos in the village, and you nearly got yourself and your friend killed! Why can't you follow the simplest orders!?" Stoick yelled.

"I can't help myself! I see a dragon, and I just have to kill it, you know? It's who I am, Dad," Hiccup replied, demonstrating his true Viking nature by miming snapping a dragon's neck.

"You're many things, Hiccup, but a dragon killer is not one of them. Get back to the house," the chief said. He looked around at everyone else, but his stern gaze was meant for Gobber. He continued, "Make sure he gets there. I have his mess to clean up."

After the chief's final harsh words, he walked away, the heads of all the clans following closely after him. The crowd began to disperse, so I looked for any sign of a curvy Viking with dark, braided hair. To my relief, my mother wasn't there.

Gobber stepped towards Hiccup and me. He gently smacked Hiccup around the head and walked us down the path to Hiccup's house. I wasn't sure if I was meant to follow, but looking at Hiccup's face, I felt the need to. Hiccup walked with his hands in fists, a profoundly disappointed frown engraved on his soft features. He avoided my stares.

"You okay?" I asked quietly.

"I got chased by a Monstrous Nightmare, nearly got the both of us killed, and got scolded by my dad in front of the entire village. I've never been better," Hiccup summarised with unamused eyes.