How to Save a Dragon Rider

I'm Still Here

When Hiccup finally returned home, it felt almost strange to walk into his house again. It was musty and dark. He opened the windows and lit a fire. Who he was before the whole "Victoria fiasco" started, and who he was then, felt different, changed almost. He sat down at the table and leaned backwards In his chair. He had gained wisdom about the nature of people, a wisdom he didn't want.

Tomorrow the village council would meet to decide what to do with her. What will we do? He thought. We can't kill her. No that doesn't feel right. Essentially he would have the last word, but after some serious consideration and convincing from everyone there. What would you do dad? He wondered. He rubbed his face with his hands and groaned.

"Thanks a lot. I uh really appreciate it, leaving me to decisions like this." He spoke loudly to the roof.

"Who are you talking to?" Astrid's voice filled the room. She stood in his open doorway holding his cloak. She gingerly came and sat next to him. Her wound was still healing.

"Oh nobody, just dead people." He pointed to the sky.

"Right, how are your dead friends?" She smiled.

"Very funny." He chuckled.

"They're dying to meet me I hear." She continued with a laugh.

"Yeah..." He joined in. "They're gonna kill me if I don't introduce you soon."

For whatever reason the two could not stop laughing. The snickering was a welcome companion to the dreary air that had been floating around. After another fit of uncontrollable hysterics, they fell into a comfortable silence.

"Hiccup what are we going to do about Victoria?"

"I don't know." He scrunched his eyebrows. "But we can't kill her."

"she can't stay here either."

"No, that's not an option."

. . .

The council was held in the great hall. All of the dragon rider armada, and the villagers attended. Hiccup sat in the front, the twins, Snotlout, Astrid, and Fishlegs sat around him. Hiccup remained silent as he listened to the testaments of the captured riders. They spoke of the chains in which they were held and the conditions they were put through.

Many shouts and loud opinions were voiced. most

of them ended in death or violence. Hiccup tried to appease them, offering other solutions, but Vikings don't listen. Snotlout the loudest of them there, was strangely quiet.

The meeting continued for an hour, without finding a solution. Two individuals were in a heated argument when suddenly Snotlout rolled out on his little cart, center stage. Everyone quieted. No one spoke.  He grunted, using his cart as support he was able to fully stand up.

"I know you all want revenge." He said. "Believe me, I of all people understand that. But isn't that how all of this started?" The room remained hushed. Snotlout had changed. Once he would've wanted her dead just as all the others, he would've wanted justice. But this time, he strove for mercy, and forgiveness. How unlike him it was to want peace. It was as if violence had taken a harsh toll on him, and he no longer wanted to be a part of it.

"What do we do then?" An estranged voice rang out.

"I say we drop her on an abandoned island, so she can never return or raise an army again. I know just the place." He spat back. He had obviously given this a lot of thought.

As far as ideas went it wasn't bad. Hiccup stood and addressed the group.

"I'm with snotlout on this one. If we can somehow end the cycle of bloodshed, I say we do it. It's what my father would've wanted." The mention of Stock the Vast brought reverence to the room. "I've heard what you've all had to say and I respect it. But I want to bring peace back to the Berk and the Archipelago. Violence will not work this time." He nodded. " We will maroon Victoria Auber on an abandoned island next crescent moon, which is two days time. This is my final decision."  His voice rang through this room. "Still, following Viking law, I call for a vote. All if favor of Marooning Victoria Auber, say aye." He raised his hands. "Those in favor of turning her into an outlaw, or execution say aye."

He waited for a count to come back to him over the course of a treacherous three minutes. Gobber brought back a rusty sheet of paper. It had been decided. Victoria would be abandoned.

The vikings filed out of the great hall. Some celebrating, some cursing. Hiccup stood at the door arms crossed, coridally thanking everyone who went through. One man spit on the steps and glared at him.

"Oh, thankyou, very classy." Hiccup replied to the rude gesture, folding his arms. The sky was grey, reflecting Hiccup's mood. He felt a small hand on his shoulder,he saw Astrid, who was the last out of the room. Concearn filled her eyes. 

"You've been different since we got back. You've barely eaten, I know you  don't sleep, what is going on?" He brushed off her hand.

"Nothing Astrid, I'm just exhasuted." He began his decent down the steps.

"Don't lie."  She crossed her arms. "I know you better than that." He stopped, keeping his back turned away from her.

"We've faced alot of enimies. We've lost so much. I'm tired of it. You could've died. You almost died." He turned and faced her, his fists clencehd. "Whose to say that next time, we won't be so lucky?" She said nothing. "Astrid, I don't know if I can handle loosing you too."

"There is always going to be something dangerous or life threatening out there." She met him on the steps and placed a hand on his heart, her other arm wrapped around his neck. "Let's just take it one day at a time. What do you say?"  His face twisted in sadness and looked away from her.

"Yeah." She grabbed his chin and made him look at her. Her eyes were filled with raging determination.

"Hey,I am not going anywhere. I'm still here."

He kissed her like it was his last, loosing himself to her color and vibrance. To him, she was blue, and sunshine yellow. To him she was intense, and feircely beautiful. To him, she was the very defintion of living. Her words tattooed to his heart.

Im still here.

When this is done, marry me. He thought.