Into the Archipelago(HTTYD one-shots)

Bad Footing

It had been a few weeks since I woke up and looked down to see my left foot was missing. A metal leg replacing it from the middle of the shin, down. Toothless --who I can't express with words the joy I feel at him still being allowed to be here-- has become my crutch. Everything I took for granted has become difficult. I have mastered walking--for the most part-- luckily. On the down-side, I still need Toothless for going up and down the stairs, I tire easily, and I am slow as well, not being able to keep up with the others. It hurts too. The stump, I mean. I can't go long distances without the throbbing sensation seeping into my leg. But, I don't tell anybody this. I'm a hero now, and heroes are supposed to be strong, not weighed down by the soreness of a foot, or lack there of. But, that's beside the point.

 ***

"Come on losers. Keep up," Snotlout calls, leading the group through the forrest. "Do you want some tips for the next Thawfest in two months or not? Not that it matters, uh." He grunts, flexing his muscles. Astrid gags, clasping her hand over her mouth as she walks beside me. We are currently holding up the rear, the twins right on Snotlout's heels, Fishlegs a few feet behind them. 

Snotlout had made the "generous" offer to help us with our skills for Thawfest.  I'm still waiting for the catch. The rope hidden in the foliage that I'll trip on, if you will. That was an idiom. I'm not actually expecting a hidden rope... or maybe I should be. You never know with Snotlout or the twins. I'm not all that stable on my metal leg, perfect time to pull a stunt like that. 

Finally coming to a clearing, we stop, hoping to find out what exactly we are doing here. Already tired and in pain, I sit down on a log, praying to not show the pain contorting my face, the sweat on my forehead dripping even though it's cool out. Tuff has already begun a crazy conversation with Snotlout and Ruff, and Fishlegs is preoccupied with a gash in a tree, so I figure I have a few minutes to rest. Astrid gives me an "are you ok" look, which I wave off, not wanting her to worry. I wipe my forehead, which makes my bangs stick out from my head, since they are wet. I reposition my metal leg, hoping to look nonchalant about it. Since the incident, I've developed a lot more sympathy for Gobber.

"Are you lame-o-s ready?" Snotlout shouts, bringing me to my feet--eh-- foot, again. "You see those logs over there?" he points, turning our attention to some logs that have been set up as hurtles several feet away. "You have to climb over them, then run up that steep hill to the top where Gustav is waiting, where you must throw axes at a target, and run down the other side with two pales of water over your shoulders." He finishes, placing his hands proudly on his hips.

"Pft, easy," Tuff says, glancing at his sister, then back at Snotlout's annoyed expression.

"Yeah," Ruff chortles.

"Really? So you two think you can beat the master, who created the course and never loses?" Snotlout chides.

"Uh, duh." Ruff says.

"You guys will make this way too easy to win," Astrid says confidently, brushing her bangs out of her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest, and shifting her weight over her left leg.

"Do we have to do so much running?" Fishlegs asks, twiddling his thumbs.

"Fishlegs, do you want to beat Snotlout and the twins?" Astrid asks him.

"I think so," he answers.

"Then you have to run. It's practice."