Scotland was definable different from Berk. The winds were warmer, and the ocean looked much more blue than Berk's grey, ever treacherous waters. It was a weird feeling, being so far south. Hiccup had -admittedly- gone to questionable distances in the name of exploration before. But now, the idea of being so far from home came with an unpredictable guilt. He was -after all- suppose to be a leader, which is pretty hard to do so far away from home.
But that wasn't the only thing eating away at the young viking. Because, the nearer the ships came to Dunbroch, the more Hiccup could feel his stomach sink, not that this was a new feeling. It may have been a while but he recognized it from his youth, whenever he'd foolishly tried being a 'real' viking. It wasn't exactly a brick, but sat just as heavy.
"You're pacing," Valka observed, one night as Elinor, Hiccup and she had been meandering about on the ship's deck. The two women sat across from each other, a small chessboard placed between the two.
"So," Hiccup asked, his shoulder's rising defensively as he did so, quickly followed by him crossing his arms.
"Your father did the same thing when he was your age," She sighed, practically snickering under her breath before taking her turn on the chess game. "Mostly when he was nervous."
"Oh please, me nervous? That's crazy."
"Is it." Queen Elinor stated, knowingly. "Good to know your such a brave lad, Chief Haddock." Hiccup practically shuddered at the mention of being chief, causing the two women to share a look.
"It's alright to be nervous Hiccup," Elinor continued, decisively taking her turn before continuing. "Although this isn't a diplomatic mission, our people have always been friendly, and it was less than a year ago that we signed the treaties."
Hiccup didn't respond, knowing that the two woman were simply prodding him. "What's really wrong Hiccup?" Valka asked, clearly tired of the double-speak. She rose from her seat to place a hand softly atop Hiccup's own, moving to stand beside him. Toothless cocked his head up, shifting his gaze from Hiccup. Toothless had been steadily following his rider, but quickly moved away to lay beside Cloudjumper when Valka approached.
"It's nothing, I'm just a little worried," Hiccup replied, removing his hand in order to begin playing with the leather strappings along his other wrist. "It seems crazy right? Since this is suppose to be such an easy thing... I just need to have more confidence I guess."
Valka scoffed, catching him off guard. "Please son," Valka began "She isn't a dragon."
"Ya, sure," Hiccup scoffed,"But she sure seems just a deadly when she get's upset."
He heard a snicker from behind him, and turned to face the Queen. "If you feel like that, then confidence isn't going to get you any farther than fear." Elinor laughed. but tried to give him a reassuring look before adding "Beside's it's not like it's the end of the world."
"I hope you're right."
"I know she is." Valka said, tapping his shoulder lightly before turning back towards the dragons. "And if you're really as worked up as you seem, just ride ahead of us. Have a little sight seeing before you're forced back into politics and paperwork. Just, try to have fun."
Hiccup raised a brow, a little surprised by his mother's suggestion. Maybe it was because -only until a few months ago- he would've gotten a much different suggestion from Stoick the Vast, although his mother's advice was tempting. "What do you think bud?" Hiccup asked, turning towards Toothless.
The dragon looked up, although he replied with an uninterested growl. Hiccup rolled his eyes "Oh, come on you big baby." Toothless rolls his eyes, but none the less stood up from the ship's deck and stretched out his wings.
"Hiccup," He heard his mother call out again, gaining his attention. "Just... try not to get into any trouble."
"Me? Get into trouble, now you really do sound crazy." Hiccup sighed, making an effort not to roll his eyes. "We'll stay on the outer edge of Dunbroach until the ships are closer. Don't want a giant, flying lizard to scare anyone. Right Bud?" He asked, although Toothless didn't look back at him. "Alright, see you guys on the mainland."
----------------- Author's Note:
Sorry I haven't updated recently, but this and the next chapter have been kicking my butt since I was writing them simultaneously with very little idea of what to do. I'm uploading this without going through it for spelling/grammar errors so sorry if there's millions. also thanks to MeridaHaddock for reminding me that I should probably update this. Idk.
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Wanderlust
FanfictionHiccup Horrendous Haddock the third had officially become the new chieftain to the Isle of Berk, a relatively small island planted in the freezing north. It was something everyone had needed adjusting to, but a title that was well deserved. Along wi...
