A monster inside me (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 32: Gathering

(Stoick's pov)

Sailing to the War- whale tribe gave me time to reflect on my life choices, specifically in raising Hiccup. When Valka was taken from me? It tore me apart, and I saw Valka in Hiccup; both of them were different, couldn't follow orders, boar headed, and unbelievably stubborn.  I was ashamed of Hiccup, because he took his heritage as a joke, caused destruction in almost every raid, and couldn't even follow simple orders. 

Buy now five years later, Hiccup has made... "peace" with dragons. Those devils killed my wife! And Hiccup has the audacity to make peace with those beasts!? No matter. Hiccup, his precious dragons and everyone who follows him will be crushed under Berk and its allies. 

I looked over my shoulder to see Snotlout, his group of friends, and many other younger warriors within our ranks. We needed every Viking of proper age to join our fight against Hiccup's blasphemous reign. 

"STOICK!! LAND HO!!"

I looked straight ahead to see the War-whale tribe up ahead, I stood at the front of my dreadnaught and breathed heavily while shaking my head slightly. We were about to engage in the largest civil war in our peoples history, but there was so much more at stake- the survival of our most sacred traditions, these traditions have kept us alive, given us strength, hope and faith during a seven generation war against the dragons.  And I pray to the Allfather that the War-whales and War-born tribes join our cause to preserve the traditions of our people. 

(Thirty minutes later)

Upon docking at the harbor of the War-whale tribe, we see the chieftess of the tribe- Torunn the Fierce, she was accompanied by her warriors, when we were arms length of each other, we both smiled at each other and grabbed each others hands. 

"Its been too long Torunn." I say, she hums in agreement. "Far too long Stoick, come, let us talk of the dilemma we face." She says, I bring, Fishlegs, Gobber, Gothi, Spitelout, Mildew, Asbjorn Hofferson and those within the council, while I order my warriors to remain on the ships. 

As we head up to the Hall of the War-whales, both our peoples councils gather together as we sit at the head table. Torunn has her servants bring us all freshly brewed ale, we hear the doors to the Hall open and see two warriors under Torunn's command bow their heads. 

"Chieftess, Chieftain Stigandr of the War-born has arrived." 

Torunn nodded and gestured them to bring our last party in, Stigandr and his council members of the War-born entered the Hall and sat with us, our host then rose from her seat and nodded at everyone. 

"My friends, we all know why we are here. We are going to war against the Red Maw and its king- Hiccup Haddock, the Blood King and the Overlord. He is a threat to all of us! He has killed and annihilated those who has defied, provoked or stood against him. I have managed to reach out to many more who see Hiccup and his Red Maw as a threat. The ancient order of Valkyries, the Snake eye tribe, the Timber wolf tribe and even gathered the Wave rider tribe. Yet I fear even their numbers added with our own still won't be enough to stand against Hiccup's forces." 

"Care to tell us why you think such things Torunn?" Stigandr asked, Torunn clicked her tongue and looked at everyone at the table. "Rumor has it, that Hiccup has foreign armies under his command too. As if his Red Maw Vikings and dragon armies weren't enough of a problem already." 

The Vikings gathered murmured in worry, if Hiccup had made the strangers and the outsiders join his side? Then we'd need the gods themselves on our side. 

Torunn had her cartographers bring forth a map, when they delivered the map, they placed it on the table so everyone gathered can see it. Torunn drew out a dagger and pointed to our location. "Despite our numbers, we are still heavily outnumbered. But still, we have to try turning this war in our favor, somehow. Stoick..." Torunn turned toward me and continued speaking. "...help us understand your sons mind. Surly you know something about Hiccup that could give us an advantage." She said, I sighed heavily and shook my head with embarrassment. "Apologies, but I was not close with my son when he still lived on Berk, I only witnessed him favor books, drawing and inventing more than taking over Berk and becoming a strong Viking."