Berk's BIG Problem

Hocus Pocus

@bankkoosar thanks for your votes and comments, as well as you other readers.
Read on below and hope ye enjoy!
(There will be a few pictures in this chapter.)

///////////////////////////////////////////

Stoick's POV

"Have you teens found him?" I asked hopefully. The sun had started to set and it was near dawn - we'd been searching for Hiccup all day. Me and Gobber decided to come back to the village as we would have less chance of finding him on ground than in the air.

I was sat in the Great Hall having my supper, while Gobber was tooth-picking out meat that was wedged between his teeth. The teens walked in, their dragons by their side and I could tell by their gloom faces, it wasn't good news.

"Sorry Chief, but we haven't found him." Told Astrid.

"We've looked over the island sir," Said Fishlegs, "it's like he's disappeared."

I let out a heavy sigh, and forced a smile. "Don't worry, we will find him." I reassured them. Nothing else was said and they sat down at their table, each taking quick glances at the vacant seat.

I sat down again and tried to enjoy my supper. Gobber gave me a light smile but I didn't want any empathy, so I stayed quiet.

Astrid's POV

Not a lot was said at the table, surprisingly the twins weren't fighting and Snotlout wasn't bragging on about his manliness. I looked down at the bowl below. Broth soup. Usually I would eat this since it's my favourite dish, however, I wasn't feeling hungry at all. I don't think none of us touched it as our spoons were still inside the bowls in the same position. The curving trail of steam rises up our faces, but we weren't bothered by it, nor did we take any notice.

"So, guys," I tried to make conversation, "despite the unsuccessfulness, did you see anything interesting, at all?"

"Not much." Mumbled Snotlout.

"I saw a few Gronckles, Deadly Nadders and, that's about it really." Said Fishlegs glumly. I hummed and stared back at the bowl.

"What are you two doing?" Asked Snotlout.

I looked up and saw the twins messing about. I noticed that Tuffnut had a knife in one hand and the other laid out on the table, his fingers and thumb spread apart.

"I'm doing the 'Knife Challenge'. It's a little concept that I created to avoid boredom." He announced.

"Seriously?" I questioned irrationally.

"Yeah, seriously," Snapped Ruffnut, "the challenge is to place a hand on any hard surface, with fingers apart, and you have to stab the dagger or knife between each finger. Once completed back and forth, you then have to speed up the pace, so it gets more quicker and MORE DANGEROUS!" Shouted the twins excitedly at the end.

"You two are muttonheads." Stated Snotlout.

"I'll watch, but I'm not doing. I'd like to keep my fingers intact." I declared.

"I'm with you, Astrid." Said Fishlegs.

"Chickens," Cried Tuffnut, "before I begin, I've created a song that fits perfectly with this challenge."

"Ha, how long did that take you to come up with?" Sneered Snotlout.

"Quite a bit. Anyway let's begin."

"There is an old tradition, a game we all can play

You start by getting liquored up and sharpening your blade