I'm Leaving Forever (a HTTYD Runaway Fanfic ~ Book 1)

13 - Dragon Riders To The Edge

After making the agreement that the gang could tag along with him for the journey back to Dragons Edge, Hiccup decided that even if they may not know all the details of the war he was in, they should at least know what it would be like to ride a dragon. Sure, they've got some experience from battling the Red Death, but anyone would consider that quite a sudden and harsh start to something they're not familiar with.

"So, how are things with the dragons?" Hiccup asked, changing the subject, "I've noticed that no dragon on Berk is currently being attacked or dying,"

"Yeah, actually, when your dragon saved you in the battle, Stoick and many other Vikings had a change of view on dragons and now, they've pretty much integrated into our tribe," Astrid explained.

"So you're telling me that an entire tribe of stubborn Vikings changed their views overnight about a tradition they have stuck with for centuries,"

"Yes, that's what happened," Fishlegs said, "and you could say that each of us kind of have our own dragon," Hiccup immediately went to the Nadder, Zippleback, Gronckle and Monstrous Nightmare that were once locked up in the arena for training purposes. Prior to the battle, Hiccup had managed to calm all of them down and eventually, they accepted the gang and allowed them to ride of their backs. He wasn't too sure what happened between them afterwards, but from the way Fishlegs spoke, it seemed like they had gotten closer.

"Okay then, how about we go see them?" he asked and with that, they all walked out of the woods and across to the bridge to the arena where their dragons were kept. Hiccup soon learned that there seemed to be some sort of rivalry going on between Gustav and Snotlout, despite the younger Viking actually looking up to Snotlout for some time in his life. One mistake Hiccup didn't know how he made, but it was clear that whatever Snotlout at done in that era was certainly coming back to bite him. That was how most of the trip went between the two. Arguing, making comments and allowing the twins to chip in every now and then before they themselves started bickering. Hiccup really did wonder how Astrid and Fishlegs dealt with the four of them for so long.

Between the three of them, it was definitely a much more relaxing time to the arena and soon, the sight of the chained dome was growing closer, but it looked like there was movement coming from inside. Hiccup then saw the four dragons were out of their cages and some were roaming around while others were just laying down.

"Hey, guys, we're back!" Tuff yelled out, catching all the dragon's attention and the gang went towards their respective dragon. That was how most of the day went for Hiccup. He had learned that each dragon had been named. The Nadder was Stormfly, the Gronckle was Meatlug, the Monstrous Nightmare was Hookfang and the Ruff and Tuff named each head, Barf and Belch respectively. After that, they all just relaxed for the rest of the day. Although, the looming job Hiccup had of telling his father about his plans still had a grip on his nerves. The last time he had talked to him; that didn't go too well, and even though he basically saved Berk from getting completely obliterated, he wasn't about to let the issues he had slide with just that, so when the time came at the end of the day when the dragons had been kept in the arena and everyone else went back to their house, Hiccup prepared himself for the worst and opened the door.

Inside was his father, along with Gobber sitting at the table talking to each other with a mug of mead each. Hiccup didn't think Gobbers presence didn't really affect him too much, and after going over it for a few seconds, he was quite glad that Gobber was here. The blacksmith deserved to know just as much as his father.

"Hiccup," Stoick said, standing up from the table, "you've finally decided to come home. How's the leg treating you?"

"It's okay. I think I've gotten used to it, but it can get a little uncomfortable,"