The Abandoned Duo

Chapter 9

1 Month later

"Chief!" Hiccup got called away by a fellow Viking for a quick inspection of the mans armor. I was impressed, so far he had one of the better armors. Hiccup nodded approvingly at it and the Viking smiled in pride. Hiccup returned to our current spot and stood firm beside me.

"Astrid said the class is progressing nicely. They may not be fighting machines, but they do have their determination." I informed him.

"Fishlegs said people are much more interested in dragons, apparently he has a club that meets at his place every so often." Hiccup said with a laugh. It's been a while since any of us laughed. Maybe we needed a day off. We have been going hard for a month.

"Tell you what, tomorrow we have a day to just spend with our families and friends." I told him with a confident smile. His lips formed a smile, following my suit and nodded. I know how many times I've wanted to just give up, but I never got a break. They deserve a break.

"Great idea, Hlín." he stopped nodding and turned to me. "We can make the announcement tonight." he added. I nodded in confirmation. "I'm going to take Astrid on a date tomorrow. I know she finds them cheesy, but-." I cut him off.

"If there is one thing I know about Astrid, it's that she loves the dates you take her on." I told him with a side wink. His mouth practically unhinged as it fell open so fast.

"What? How do you. . .?"

"Hiccup, you aren't the only one who talks to her. Plus we have grown quite close in the recent times." I told him truthfully. He gave a grateful smile, I'm unsure why.

"Why the smile?" I asked, pushing him slightly.

"I'm glad she has a girl who is a friend. Ruff isn't exactly girly." he said rubbing the back of his head with a laugh. It was true, Ruffnut was as tomboy as they came, but that's because her and Tuff take after each other which left Tuff a bit girly.

"Yes, I suppose so." I chuckled. "Nevertheless, we love the both of them." I said, referring to Ruff and Tuff.

"You know, Snotlout is head over heels for you." Hiccup commented slyly. I rolled my eyes and grinned ever so slightly.

"He is head over heels with ever new female." I told him truthfully.

"I don't know, he seems really captivated by your essence." he half chuckled as he tried to stay serious. He broke down laughing, wiping a fake tear from his eye. I rolled my eyes in return, but let a small laugh through.

"Dragon!" someone yelled. Hiccup and I took off in the direction of the voice. He pulled his sword; however, I had a different approach. I took off sprinting ahead of him because his leg left him trailing. Balthazar flew over head. He suddenly took a nose dive over the edge. I increased my speed as much as I could and jumped over the edge. I found myself on Balthazar's back and sat promptly as he opened his wings, stopping us mid air. He flew to the sound of the dragon that I could now here.

It was a Shockjaw.

I jumped of Balthazar and landed on the ledge of the island as people began running away. It was weird, Shockjaws only go to shore if they are threatened. I jumped off the ledge and held my arm up, Balthazar flying me down to the ground where it was currently fuming. I landed, Balthazar sitting promptly behind me.

Balthazar absorbs electricity which is what a Shockjaw shoots. To say the least, he couldn't hurt Balthazar.

"Hey buddy." I put my arms up and slowly approached him, Balthazar staying behind me, but a scowl on his face. The Shockjaw began sparking from the mouth as I approached which made me stop. He shot a bolt at me and I rolled out of the way. I have encountered enough shocks from Balthazar to know that getting hit is quite the shock.

"Hey, it's okay." I noticed by the color of the scales that it was a she. I looked a bit beyond and saw a few sparks coming from the ocean. So she is a mother. "Your babies are safe here." I told her comfortingly. "Balthazar, will you fetch our guest some fish?" I looked back at him and already saw him turn and take off to the kennels for our dragons.

"You must be hungry, fending for yourself and your babies." I said, showing my submission by going on one knee. She seemed to calm ever so slightly. We sat there, looking curiously at each other as we waited for Balthazar. Within a minute Balthazar landed beside me with three large Northern Pike in his mouth. I grabbed one and held it up to her as an offering.

She was hesitant, but she swooped down and grabbed the fish throwing it behind her. I grabbed another Pike and held it up. She threw it behind her once again. I grabbed the last fish but stood up, she was hesitant again, but bent down reaching for the fish. I reached my hand out when she was a few feet away. She looked to the fish then me and slowly placed her nose on my hand, closing her eyes. I rubbed my thumb over her thick scales and smiled.

"Here you go." I handed her the fish. Instead of throwing it back she swallowed it. She made a strange sound which had me confused, but then I saw her babies swim up to the shore and eventually sit beside her. I put my hand out and waited for her nod of approval. She looked to her babies and they both pounced on me suddenly.

"Hello you two." I smiled and laughed, feeling small bolts of electricity shock through me from their untrained abilities. I sat up and petted the both of them just as Toothless and Hiccup, followed by the gang landed beside me.

The mother growled, but calmed when they approached slowly with their hands out. Astrid kneeled beside me and began petting one of the babies while Fishlegs eagerly began playing with the other.

"Shockjaw, you don't see many of those around." Hiccup commented, kneeling opposite of Astrid and petting the babies.

"I have a feeling she was going to my fathers island and got spooked away. She had to be slow so her babies could live, so that meant a long trip and nothing to eat." I gave my theory.

"I agree with that. It makes sense." Snotlout shrugged.

"You will be safe here." I promised her, walking up to her once more. "Balthazar will you shower the opposite side of the island where she can stay with her babies." I half commanded. Balthazar came forward, they shared a glance and were off, the babies following closely behind.

"Since we're all here," Hiccup began. "Hlín and I thought it would be a great idea to have the day off tomorrow. Everyone has been working hard and we're already ahead of schedule." Hiccup announced to the group.

"Finally!" Ruff exaggerated.

"Thank Thor!" Tuff was next to celebrate.

"However," I interjected before anyone could continue. "Our guards need to stay up. Throughout the day we will have guard rotation. It will be every two hour change, but it's the price we must sacrifice if the day is to be ours." I explained.

"Astrid, Hiccup," I turned to them. "I think you can handle guard rotations. With hourly rotations, it should leave about five men and women to stand post. Our group will split up and we will each supervise every two hours with a group." I told them. Hiccup nodded, keeping notes.

If we are in a group every 3 hours, it will help keep the guards at bay, and our defense up. It also breaks us up into twenty-four hours since there are seven of us, we will have to have two of us cover two shifts to make it equal. Since we have about 60 men and women, five per group will set them up perfectly for two hour shifts.

"Tomorrow, you, me, a romantic picnic, sunset." Snoutlout listed to me. I raised an inquisitive brow.

"Ask a little nicer and I might consider." I crossed my arms.

"Hlín, will you go on a date with me tomorrow?" he asked, nerves getting the best of him.

"Alright, but Balthazar is coming." I smirked.

"Shoot." he grumbled. I rolled my eyes and began walking away. Just because we have tomorrow off, doesn't mean we have today off. Back to work.

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SURPRISE! Problems are fixed and we are back at it. It's been two years since the last chapter was published and I was to sincerely apologize. I have tried coming back to this every so often to fix things or continue it, and it hasn't worked. However, I came back one day and it just worked.

So we are back in the swing of things.

Enjoy. <3