The Dragon Master and The Lightning Rider *Hiccup Fanfic*

11. New Job

The sky had a pink and vibrant orange hue, with puffy white clouds scattered in the vast sky. A few people on dragons were flying here and there. And other people were walking and talking, or carrying supplies and food carts. 

As (Y/n) exited the Great Hall, she strolled through the market place and studied the island. It wasn't long before Hiccup came searching for her and found her at the cliff, legs dangling over the edge as if she didn't care about falling into the ocean far below.

Sinless was rolling in the wildflowers across from her. For a fearless dragon and a formidable foe, Sin seemed to be attracted to meadows of flowers, sighing happily as she rolled and slept in them.

Hiccup approached (Y/n). She looked back, pushing her hair behind her ears. "Hey."

He sat near her, not too close because Toothless wasn't there. He didn't know where she got the courage to sit there like that, but it would've made him jittery. "I was going to take a night flight with Astrid. You're welcome to join us."

(Y/n)'s smile wavered. 

It was clear Astrid didn't like her guts. Ever the mediator, Hiccup was nudging at reconciliation between the women. She was unsure how to make him understand that she didn't want to without hurting his feelings. 

"Astrid and I aren't the best of friends," she said as she got up and dusted her pants. He got up and walked back with her. "I don't think she's too keen on it happening anytime soon."

"But you can change that," he replied. 

She hated the fact that she wanted to change it. She wanted to be friends with Astrid, not only for Hiccup's sake, but because she could actually connect with Astrid—they were both warrior spirits. 

"She just needs to let off some steam."

"Today has been exhausting, and I don't think I'm ready for another bout with her. Maybe some other time?"

Hiccup, thankfully, nodded. 

They parted ways. There was only so much sight-seeing, and she couldn't depend on Hiccup to take her for flights around. He was busy with a ton of projects already.

From her peripheral, (Y/n) noticed a plume of smoke rising into the air and her direction changed to it. She forgot that it was the forge, because when she stood before the big structure of wood and stone, she felt a little ridiculous for not realizing earlier.

But this time as she strolled in, she was met with a large man at the fire. His dirty blonde hair and beard were long and braided haphazardly and he had grime over his face. 

When he looked up, he smiled, revealing several golden and stone teeth. "Can I help ya, lass?"

"I was just looking around," (Y/n) replied. "What are you making?"

He pulled out the metal trap from the fire and placed it on the table nearby, letting the red-hot metal sizzle. He then doused it in a barrel of cold water.

"Just a sword for one of the villagers. I have to get started on carving a new hand for me." He cheerily waved the wooden clamp for a hand. She also noticed that his limp was caused by a wooden peg for a leg. 

That would make some story, she supposed. 

"Haven't seen you around. You're Hiccup's new 'friend'." 

(Y/n) hastily brought out her twin daggers from her ankle-sheaths. "Could you help me out? I haven't sharpened these in ages."

"If anyone can do that, Gobber can!" He declared. He promptly pointed to himself. "I'm Gobber."