The Dragon Lords' Sacrifice (Toothcup: don't worry he's human)

A Heroes Return

The Vikings eventually loaded the ships and returned to Berk. What would have been a triumphant and celebratory return journey had been a quiet and somber occasion. The warriors were focused on the return journey not wanting to remain in the fog cover of Hel Heim's gate any longer. Heeding the words of what had been spoken to them to never return.

Chief Stoick was quiet and for once in his life remained introspective for much of his journey pausing from his internal dialogue to direct his people. Berk was soon sighted all the ships would be returning home in one piece for once. No casualties and few wounded. The villagers who had remained behind sent up the call that the ships were returning and an excited buzz went through the village.

Inside the blacksmith's shop a young adolescent woman was at work. The heat of the flames all about her she as lifted the back of her hand to her forehead to wipe away the perspiration as she was about to strike the metal on her anvil.

When she heard the call "THE SHIPS ARE RETURNING! THE SHIPS ARE RETURNING!"

She then took up the metal and dunked it in a barrel of water then set her tools aside. She removed her leather apron and hung it on the hook on the wall as she has done since she was eight years old. She washed her hands in a barrel of water, rolled the sleeves of her green tunic down, replacing the bear fur vest over green tunic, and brushed the soot and ash from her skirt and leggings. She stepped out of the smithy her auburn hair catching the light of the sun and reflecting red, her emerald eyes looking out to sea to see the ships nearing the harbor. Her fair, freckled face relaxing from worried lines at seeing all the ships nearing the docks. She then took off at a run to join the throng of excited villagers down at the docks.

As she ran she failed to see the foot that was sticking out from the shadows of a nearby house and down she went on her hands and knees.

"Oomph" was the sound she made as she went down. She could feel a stinging in the palms of her hands and knees as they had been scraped on pebbles and the ground.. As she struggled and attempted to stand she heard the sounds of laughter.

Looking up she saw her cousin Snotlout come up doubled over in laughter along with the twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut howling in laughter as well.

"Oh, Hiccupa you really make it to easy. You do realize that right" Snotlout said wiping tears from his eyes.

"LOKI!" the twins squealed together in unison and laughter.

Hiccupa brushed off her knees and cast dirty looks towards the three reprobates. "Don't you three have anything better to do than torment me day and night? You could go play in a wild boar pit instead" she suggested.

"Yeah, tried that the boars ran away" Tuffnut said as seriously as Tuffnut can sound.

"Still haven't been able to find them too" Ruffnut added.

Snotlout stepped forward angrily grabbing the front of Hiccupa's shirt "You should watch your mouth fishbone when you talk to your superiors" he said threateningly waving his fist.

'Never mind I am the Chief's daughter and immediate heir apparent' Hiccupa thought dryly.

It was then Ash and Fishlegs ran by "Come on you guys the ships are coming in lets go find out how the campaign went" Ash called to them.

Snotlout shoved Hiccupa to the ground roughly "Come on you guys I don't associate with runts for too long" he said and the three took off running joining in the group.

Hiccupa lay on the ground wincing her back now sore from being knocked down she attempted to sit up when she saw a hand in front of her. She looked up and saw Fishlegs standing their sheepishly with his hand held out towards her. She took his hand and he pulled her up grasping her elbow and then her shoulders and helping her too stand.