(HTTYD) To Protect Its Own

Chief, Protector, Rider

Hiccup POV

"What's with you and secret compartments?" I laughed as we were walking inside the tunnels. Astrid was walking beside me, with her arms crossed.

"You never know when something will happen. After all, a leader  always protects their own." I turned to her, a small smile present on my face. I remembered that lesson that I would always get from Dad when I was little. Though, it was supposed to apply to me eventually being the chief of the Hairy Hooligans. 

"Remember son, a chief always protects its own. It's a duty that we've received." I looked up at Dad, smiling and holding on to the tusks of dad's helmet.

"Of course, Dad!"Dad patted me on the head, giving me a heartfelt smile.

I can see Dad stiffen from the corner of my eye. It was a vivid memory and though I did not become chief, I still keep that lesson in my heart. We were in front of a wall of green vines and I can hear the nervous heartbeats from the Vikings. Unlike their nervousness, I was excited to come back home. I hope everyone was okay and well. I parted the vines, exposing the scene before me.

"Welcome to the Heart!" I can hear the awes coming from behind me and I don't blame them. The Heart basically resembles the inside of a tree trunk, where the walls are planks of wood. Grass covers most of the floor and balconies of rock are placed everywhere. Of course, you can't forget the dragons.  Heather and Dagur went ahead, saying they'll catch up with us after washing up. It seems that they've been looking for me since three days ago without taking a shower. I started walking, beckoning everyone to come. They hesitantly followed behind me, taking in the sights. I looked behind to smile in relief that I don't see any resentment or hostility in their faces. After all, they were threatening to kill SD minutes ago. I was annoyed when the Vikings were aiming their weapons toward SD. After all, I was hoping they were changing, seeing dragons as more than monsters. I guess change doesn't come too quickly yet. I turn to the front again, only to be jumped by the most mischievous creatures in the Heart.

"Sharpshooter! Strike! And of course, Windbreaker." The three Terrible Terrors were laughing as they crawled over my body. They were triplets, where their only white spot on their blue scales is the only thing that distinguishes them. Sharpshooter's spot is on his head, Strike on his tail, and Windbreaker on his nose. They've been a resident when I first moved in here, though I bet that they only stayed for the fish. "How you guys've been? Holding the fort down, I presume?" They nodded in understanding, looking behind me at the Vikings.

"Good. I got some guests, so I don't want to hear trouble from you, ya hear?" The three just huffed smoke through their noses and before I knew it, Windbreaker blew a fire at Snotlout's feet, making him jump.

"Hey! What did I tell you?" The triplets flew away quickly, snickering in mischevious laughter. I gave Snotlout an apologetic glance though I was tempted to laugh at Snotlout's face when he jumped from the small fireball.

"So follow me. Might as well as lead you to your rooms." I opened the door to another big hall, where it was bare with just a few dragons here and there. Without thinking, I climbed on top of Toothless and we flew neatly on a ledge, connecting us to another doorway. I looked down to see the Vikings looking at me in astonishment. I cocked my head in confusion, wondering why they weren't following. Toothless nudged me gently, giving me an exasperated look, gesturing with his head between me and the others.

Oh. I forgot. No dragons. I gave the Vikings a sheepish look.

"Sorry, this place isn't really built on ground walkers. You wouldn't mind flying, right?" That's when their expressions shifted to one of fierce denial.