Soul of the Sky (HTTYD Runaway Fic)

Deal

Hiccup
"We need your help."
That was the last thing I'd expected my father to say. Accusations, attacks, 'thank you now please go away', that I'd been prepared for. But asking for help? It was so out of character that I momentarily wondered if Gothi had hypnotised him.
Those words had clearly not been easy to say. Stoick the Vast is well known for being proud and stubborn, and Vikings like that will rarely admit that they can't do something alone.

"For what?" I asked, trying to keep surprise out of my voice. Toothless rumbled with unease. "This could be a trap." he warned in a low voice. My father took a deep breath. "My son went missing six years ago. We had believed him dead, but our elder has seen that he is still alive. She has said that you are the key to finding him." I looked over at the gang's shocked faces. "Hiccup's alive?" Fishlegs gasped. "Gothi has seen it." he proclaimed solemnly, looking over at me. The elder looked...smug? I would too, if I managed to get my father to admit something.

"Will you help us?" I was torn between laughing and running away. On one hand, they knew I was alive. On the other, they had just asked me for help in finding myself. "And why should I help you?" I questioned. "You Berkians kill dragons. These ones here," I gestured to the teens, "tried to murder my best friend because he supposedly killed this missing Viking. Besides, what do I gain from this?"

Astrid
I watched the conversation silently, hoping against hope that what Gothi saw was true. Just as it seemed my wildest dreams had become reality and Hiccup was still out there, the Dragon Master's words shattered my hopes to pieces. Why would he help us?

Stoick stared him down. "Name your price." The Dragon Master looked shocked, at least from what I could see. "So you really do care." he muttered. "Excuse me for a moment." He growled something to his dragon. Toothless replied in a way that gave me no doubt that he disagreed with whatever his rider had said. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but I was praying to Thor that they'd agree. "Alright." was the Dragon Master's final response. I let out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding. "But I want some things in exchange."

Hiccup
"Excuse me for a moment." I said as Toothless yanked on my arm. "Are you insane!" he hissed as soon as he had my attention. "You're thinking about it, I know you are." I sighed. "Yes, it's a risk. But I can ask anything I want if I agree. I could make them promise never to kill a dragon again." Toothless glared at me. "You'd expose yourself to secure us safety from one tribe? Hiccup, it's not worth it."

"I don't have to tell them who I am. I'll lead them on a wild goose chase around the islands. When we don't find me, they'll leave. And if they find me out, I can always run. They can't reach the Edge by boat." I held his gaze for a moment. "This might be our only chance." Toothless didn't look happy, but he agreed. "Ask them for some fish, I'm hungry!" he called after me. I turned to face the Vikings. "Alright. But I want some things in exchange."
"Condition number one: I'll only take them." I pointed at the teens. To say they were surprised would be a serious understatement. "The dragons like them." I said by way of explanation.

"Condition number two: you won't go back on the deal if we don't find the kid." I took a deep breath. The last one was going to be difficult for them to accept. "Condition number three: no one on Berk will hurt a dragon again." My request was greeted with uproar. "He expects us to just sit and wait for them to kill us?" Spitelout exclaimed. "ENOUGH!" Stoick bellowed. "Considering that the dragons no longer raid us, it's a small enough price to pay. Besides, one would presume that he'd prevent them from attacking." He glared significantly at me.

"As long as you abide by the terms, they won't." I answered. "That's my offer, take it or leave it. Oh, and there's one other thing." My father sighed. "What is it?" I pointed to Toothless. "My dragon wants a fish."

The gathered Vikings burst into uproarious laughter. Stoick smiled in relief, looking questioningly at the gang. Astrid, who seemed to be the spokesperson, nodded. "We'll go." Snotlout groaned. "I accept your terms." Stoick answered, holding out his hand. I shook it gladly. "I promise not to break your teenagers. Could I use your forge, if you have one?" Gobber looked puzzled. "Why?" My answer was a mischievous grin.
"We aren't sailing. They'll need saddles if they want to ride."