The Blacksmith's Apprentice

Twenty Nine: Today, tomorrow, forever

Twenty Nine: Today, tomorrow, forever

Well this just about sums up my life, Hiccup thought incredulously, staring at Hilde, Gustav and Yaklegs. "Guys-what is she doing here?"

There was an audible squeak from Yaklegs and Gustav jumped, turning guiltily as Hilde stroked Fanghook's nose gently and stared boldly into the eyes of the young couple. She looked unrepentant as Gustav offered a weak smile.

"Um...she knew we were up to something so we though we should tell her," he said weakly. Astrid glared at him, azure eyes flashing with fury.

"Are you serious?" she yelled. "You just TOLD her? So I suppose if Snotlout said he knew we were up to something, you would have shown him as well?"

"You didn't, did you?" Hiccup added warily, unable to believe his ears.

"No!" Yaklegs protested.

"But she's Snotlout's sister's best friend!" Astrid snapped, advancing angrily and poking Gustav in the chest with a finger. "It's nearly the same thing!"

"No-Hilde stood up for you in the Plaza!" Gustav protested.

"And spoke up for Snot when he claimed the twins had come up with the idea for beating Hiccup up and leaving him to die on the cliffs, even when she wasn't there and knew nothing about the attack until afterwards-and only then what Else told her!" Astrid growled furiously. She was reaching for her axe. "We can't let her leave and tell Else-the Jorgensens are out for our blood, Hiccup. Let me finish her..."

"NO!" Yaklegs protested, standing between Astrid and Hilde. Gustav immediately stood between Yaklegs and Astrid, shaking his head as well.

"Astrid-you can't do this!" he gabbled. "She's on our side!"

"Really?" she asked angrily. "She was giggling with Else today when she made her hilarious comment about me. So why should I trust her?"

"Hiccup," Yaklegs pleaded. "You wanted to show people the truth about dragons. You agreed to show us-and look. We all have dragons. We understood. We changed. And I know Hilde can change as well."

"Hilde is the top student in my dragon-slaying class," Astrid growled, never taking her eyes from the younger girl.

"So were you," Gustav argued. "And look at you!"

"Hiccup..." Yaklegs pleaded and the auburn-haired Viking stared at him. In truth, this wasn't what he wanted-but when had that ever changed anything? Sure, he would have chosen Fishlegs and especially Astrid out of his cohort of teens but he had vivid memories of abuse being hurtled at him by all of the fire crew-Gustav and Tiril especially, yet they also seemed to be his allies now, along with Yaklegs. And he supposed the twins were probably on his side as well, when they got back. But Hilde was serious, almost a smaller version of her focussed and ferocious aunt, Phlegma. The idea that she would join him rather than respond to the call of her upbringing and loyalties was ridiculous. But he couldn't kill anyone in cold blood: that wasn't who he was. He was an optimist-though much of that had been beaten out of him over the years-and his natural inclination was to see the best of human nature. And that was a dangerous and possibly-fatal flaw in his life. He knew Astrid wanted to kill the girl to protect him and if he was a proper viking, he would let her. Helheim, he should probably help her...

...but if he became what he wasn't, then Snotlout, Mildew and the rest would have won. That would be admitting that Hiccup wasn't good enough and only a pale copy of them was the correct answer. And he knew in his heart that he could win over the village and protect the dragons using his friends and their dragons.

"I want to hear from Hilde," he said calmly, though he was trembling. His emerald eyes stared deep into her deep brown gaze and she finally lowered her eyes.