The Dragon Master Part III: End of an era (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 9: Emergency meeting

(Hiccup's pov)

"What's going on chief?"

"What're we doing here?"

"Its the middle of the night!"

"Why have we been summoned this early in the morning?"

"Our children were sleeping! This better be important."

Were some words I heard from the Hooligans side of the crowd, while the Strike all remained silent and awaited what I had to say. We were all gathered in the Great Hall, at the head table, was myself, my family, Gobber, Valka, Eret and the gang. I then had everyone quiet down as I then rose from my seat and spoke. 

"Thank you all for coming, I do apologize for the inconvenience of having a meeting this early in the morning, but under the circumstances? This is important." I said firmly, causing everyone give me their full attention, I sighed heavily and nodded before speaking once more. "For those of you who don't know. The remnants of Drago's army have returned." 

The Hall erupted with murmurs of shock, disbelief and worry, I held a hand out and nodded out their concern before continuing. "And, not long ago, an intruder broke into my home demanding I turn over Toothless and all our Night Furies in seven moons time. The intruder's name was Grimmel the Grisly."

Eret's eyes widened at this information, he then spoke up. "If I may speak chief?" He asked, I turned to the former Dragon Trapper and nodded for him to speak, Eret bowed his head in thanks before speaking. "Grimmel the Grisly is a legendary Dragon Hunter, and he's one of the smartest ones I've ever met. He lives for the thrill of the hunt; to get inside the mind of his prey, to control its every choice..." Eret turned to me and shook his head. "...its all a game to him. He's a predator, single minded and patient, he won't stop until he gets what he wants."

"Well, he doesn't know who he's playing with." Astrid said while cradling Helga in her arms while Stoick and Eira were sitting in the chairs next to their mother. Eret turned to Astrid and gave her friendly advise. "Don't underestimate him Astrid, mark my words, he'll be back."

"And what are we to do? Wait for this old man to take our dragons?"

"Aye! We should take the fight to Grimmel!!"

"We fight!!"

The Hall then erupted with suggestions on how to deal with Grimmel, I then slammed my fist into the table; its sound echoing across the Hall, and therefore silencing everyone. "We don't know the numbers Grimmel has under his command. If we provoke him, he can wipe us all out." I run a hand through my hair and sigh heavily before continuing. "This is a... new kind of enemy. And we'd be fools to underestimate Grimmel." 

I looked behind me to see Toothless, my dragon cocked his head at me while giving me a sympathetic look, turning back to my people, I spoke my thoughts. "We make our stand here." Turning to members of my war council within the crowd, I asked them. "Have you sent emissaries and messages to all our allies?" The members of the war council bowed their heads in confirmation. "We have, Chieftain Hiccup." 

I nodded in approval before looking back at the people. "Valka said that the enemies armada is three times larger than before, I could only assume that their numbers in man and dragons are in the tens of thousands. But I will not allow us to submit to the outsiders who threaten us and our dragons." Looking toward my family, I chuckle lightly before continuing. "I want to watch my children grow tall, find the loves of their lives, bond with dragons and live their lives to the fullest. But Grimmel and our enemies threaten that, they threaten all of us."

Calus and Artemis, who were among the Strike people, stood up and Calus asked out. "So, if you don't want us to fight, then what should we do?" All eyes turned to me, I pursed my lips before answering Calus. "We prepare for a fight. But in the meantime? Toothless has made contact with a Light Fury, which is the sub species of the Night Fury. This dragon has informed Toothless of the Hidden World's existence." 

"Wait what?"

"The Hidden World?"

"What in Odin's beard is that?"

Were some of the Hooligans confused questions, I then clarified. "My father was obsessed with it when I was a boy, he made notes and maps in search of the ancestral home of all dragons. Tucked away somewhere beyond the edge of Midgard! It may be only hope, should all else fails."   I then extended my arms out. "But for now? We hold our position and prepare for the battles to come." Turning to Toothless, I place a hand on his head. "Bud, I'll make you a modified fireproof tail so that you can continue looking for the Light Fury, and gain her trust. We need to know where the Hidden World is."

::Fear not my friend. I will find her::

Toothless ensured, I nodded at him before turning to the Strike people. "Calus, I need the fastest and of the swarm riders to scout beyond Berks boarders. We'll need time to bring all our allies together in preparations for all out war." Calus bowed his head and nodded at me. "It shall be done my firmed." He said, I place both my hands on the table and look back to my people. "I know that this plan is risky, but... I'm doing what I believe is right for us all. Those of you who disagree with me, speak now without repercussion." No one spoke, the Vikings and Strike all trusted me with their lives, as they have many times before. 

"We're with you babe."

I turned to see Astrid smile at me encouragingly while still cradling Helga in her arms, looking to my children, my mother, Gobber, Fishlegs, Asbjorn, Heather, Eret, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, I saw nothing but devotion and faith in me etched on their faces. 

"You'll find no arguments with us chief. We're warriors! And we won't let fear cripple us!!" Gobber said with a grin, many in the crowd grunted in agreement, they started speaking encouraging words to me. 

"We're with you chief!!"

"If these foreigners want a fight? We'll give them one!!"

"Stoick would be proud of you lad!!"

I smiled at my people and nodded at them in thanks before dismissing them. "Thank you. All of you.  This is a war that will be spoken of in Midgard and Valhalla for millennia. Lets make sure we honor those who gave their lives to make our way of life possible by ensuring we win this war! Fight for your families, your children, your home and your dragons!! At dawn tomorrow? We fight for the freedom of all dragons. And our story will be told amongst the living and those in Valhalla forever more." I nod in contentment as my people all roared in approval and agreement, I then dismissed everyone. "Thank you everyone! Return to your homes and rest. Tomorrow our world will change forever!"