How To Train Your Dragon [Volume #1]

02. "It Has Begun"

Stoick grabs Hiccup by the back of her shirt and drags her towards his house. "It's not like the last few times." She says quietly, before gaining confidence. "I mean, I really actually hit it! You guys were busy and I had a very clear shot. It went down, just off Raven Point. Let's get a search party out there, before it—"

"STOP! Just... stop. Every time you step outside, disaster follows. Can you not see that I have bigger problems? Winter's almost here and I have an entire village to feed!" Hiccup looked down guiltily, before muttering. "Between you and me, the village could do with a little less feeding, don't ya think?" Hiccup stiffen when Stoick growled. "This isn't a joke, Hiccup! Why can't you follow the simplest orders?"

"I'm just trying to help!" Hiccup cried, her arms practically flailing about. "And from what I can tell killing dragons will help."

"You are many things, Hiccup. But a dragon killer is not one of them. Get back to the house." He turns to Gobber "Make sure she gets there. I have her mess to clean up."

Hiccup's shoulders slouched as Gobber placed a hand on her shoulders leading her towards Stoick's hut.

"Quite the performance." Tuffnut and Snotlout guffawed. "I've never seen anyone mess up that badly. That helped!" Snotlout said pointing at Hiccup.

"Thank you, thank you. I was trying, so...I really did hit one."

"Sure, Hiccup," Gobber said, ushering the boys away. "He never listens." Hiccup complains. "Well, to be fair, the last time he listened to you, he was locked in a cell for a year." Hiccup glared at Gobber for a second then sighed. "That's fair enough."

"I'm trying, but nothing I do seems to satisfy him." Gobber sighed. "Your father and Stoick never got along, still don't, he is automatically is wary of you, and you little fiasco four years ago didn't help anything." Hiccup shook her head. "Thank you for summing that up."

Hiccup goes to push the door open. "Listen, he'll come round eventually, just, try not to be what you're not, and, don't plan to take over Berk again."

"I just want to be one of you guys, I just want to be accepted." Gobber watches as Hiccup entered the house, unable to truly answer.

-_-_-

In the Meade Hall, everyone has gathered to discuss what to do next. "Either we finish them, or they'll finish us! It's the only way we'll be rid of them! If we find the nest and destroy it, the dragons will leave. They'll find another home! One more search. Before the ice sets in."

"Those ships never come back." One protested. "We're Vikings! It's an occupational hazard! Now, who's with me?"

"Today's not good for me. I've gotta do my axe returns." The Viking started towards the entrance.

"Alright. Those who stay will look after Hiccup." An uproar of Viking began shouting. "To the ships!"

"I'm with you, Stoick!" Spitelout shouted. "That's more like it," Stoick said

"Right, I'll pack my undies," Gobber said, just about to head off.

"No, I need you to stay and train some new recruits." Gobber stopped.

"Oh, perfect. And while I'm busy, Hiccup can cover the stall. Molten steel, razor-sharp blades, lots of time to herself... what could possibly go wrong?" Gobber replied sarcastically staring pointedly at Stoick. "What am I going to do with her, Gobber?" He asked, shaking his head, exhaustion seemingly taking over his body.

"Put her in training with the others." Gobber supplied.

"No, I'm serious," Stoick said.

"So am I."