HttYD: Behind Our Eyes

Behind a Leader's Eyes

Nearing 50 years of age Stoick the Vast had seen his share of adventure, battle and loss. When he was but a boy, the son of the old chief, he'd craved as all young men do to have the approval of his father and the love of his lass. The proudest days in Stoick's life were not the battles old Vikings like Gobber now told the children about, no those were things of which nightmares had eventually faded a bit. No, Stoick's proudest days were short in numbers but profound in their impact on his life: The day Valka agreed to be his wife, the day Valka told him he was to be a father, the first time he held his son, the day Hiccup woke after the Red Death (no not the day he fought it, that he still bore nightmares of on his worst nights). . . And today would now join that list he decided as he smiled and thanked Cadmen Hofferson as the other man set a fresh tankard of ale before the chief. In the center of the Meade Hall the young Dragon Riders, the original Dragon Riders, danced along with other young Vikings. The six were just that much younger, and just that bit older than the other young ones which made them a generation all their own.

Stoick's green eyes warmed as he watched Hiccup, who by nineteen had adjusted well to his fancy peg leg, carefully and intently dance with his betrothed. Astrid smiled warmly as the two circled, their forearms pressed to each others and their eyes locked. Stoick saw the blonde warrior woman saying something and his son laugh slightly as they danced. When they'd returned from the hunting trip and their betrothal was announced it seemed as if the entire village insisted they celebrate. Stoick only wished Valka had been here to see their son and their future daughter in law. Hiccup could so easily become lost in the clouds, but Stoick knew that Astrid would go to the ends of the Earth to keep the young man safe. Hiccup did not seem to realize how much he'd grown into a leader, and in Astrid he had a steadfast protector and adviser. The two had grown so much since that day in the arena, had bonded so tightly. . . Yes, Stoick dearly wished Valka were here to see this, he thought sadly.

"Ah Stoick." Gobber clapped his old friend on the shoulder, a tired smile on his own lips that clearly said he knew what his chief was thinking. "Today is about the living, tis not a day fer missing the dead. Be happy Hiccup found himself a beautiful, fierce, warrior women."

"I am, old friend." Stoick rumbled and offered another smile as they watched Hiccup trip. The chief to be would have fallen, but his future wife was swift to catch him and pull him close as if it had all been planned. A few people nearby whistled when the two shared a quick kiss, and Hiccup whispered something to the blonde after that made her giggle haplessly at him.

"Now tha is somethin' ta see." Gobber commented with a laugh and a shake of his head. "When those two were children, I'd not have guessed they'd grow up so. . ."

"Happy?" Stoick suggested, thinking that over himself. He heard Gobber agree as he tried to imagine the lives of the couple in question, had his son not downed Toothless that night. All those years of war, generations of Vikings and dragons, would have probably never ended. They'd still be losing ships and warriors trying to find the nest, or they'd have found it and been utterly destroyed by the Red Death. Stoick's green eyes locked onto Astrid, the young shield maiden who was already so like a daughter to him. His mind reeled through the possible futures in the way only leader's minds and parent's minds can. He could imagine the lively young warrior aboard a ship headed to sea, hunting the dragon nest and never to be seen again. Or being among the fallen from the business with Alvin, because Stoick could not make himself believe Alvin would ever have contented to not attack Berk. And Hiccup. . . His inventive, peace seeking son. Hiccup would probably still be hidden away in the back of Gobber's forge, unless he died trying to prove one of his designs could work. Hiccup was not short on courage, but he'd been greatly misunderstood.

"Chief?" Gobber asked and Stoick shook away the thoughts and smiled at his friend.

"I'm very proud of the lot of them Gobber. Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs, even Snotlout and the twins." The chief nodded toward where the six were now trying to do a group dance, switching partners and interlocking their arms as they circled about. "They're Berk's future, and they've done so much already."

"Aye, chief." Gobber grinned at him. "And they'll leave us all uns in the dust."

Stoick settled a bit more into his seat, enjoying the cheer filling the room. Hiccup and Astrid were already such a good team, and they would lead Berk through the next era of the tribe. Tonight was a night for celebrating the future, for celebrating the happiness found by two young hearts. There was no need to dwell on those who could not be with them this night. Now, the real question for Stoick was when he should corner his somewhat wayward son about his retirement. Tonight he'd let Hiccup and Astrid relax, and for the next few months he could ease his son into a few tasks and see how he transitioned. Let them settle back into life on Berk, and be young for perhaps a year before he sat Hiccup down.

Hiccup may have his doubts, but Stoick knew he was ready to become chief. Perhaps he'd ask for Astrid's help in getting his son to see that, perhaps not. He had a feeling that when he did break that news Hiccup would disappear and that Astrid would have to bring him back to ground. Stoick huffed a secretive laugh as he really considered how literally that may play out. Tonight, however, was for celebrating. So when Astrid herself came over with Hiccup, Stoick allowed the two to convince him to join just one of the group dances. After all, they'd already managed to pull Spitelout, the Hoffersons and the twins parents out to the floor. He saw Fishlegs speaking with his mother and knew they were all being pulled along by their children, who weren't truly children any longer.

"I'm proud of you." Stoick told Hiccup quietly, receiving smiles from Hiccup and Astrid both who'd heard him. "And welcome to the family, Astrid."