Astrid's Tale

Chapter 8

I opened my eyes with thoughts still swirling in my head. Would Hiccup outsmart us again? Beat the dragons without fighting at all?

The last thought startled me. Could someone beat the dragons without fighting? Freedom without war? I scolded myself. This was not the Viking way of thinking. We fought when the dragons took what was rightfully ours. We don't give up. We don't run away. And we don't get scared.

Fearless.

Unquestioning.

That's what we are. We are the opposite of Hiccup because he is weak. Anyone like him is weak, so that's why we are not the same. Why would I ever think that?

I need to get rid of these feelings I have. Vikings trust their gut, not their hearts. You fight the dragons, and when the blood is on your hands, you are proud. I am training to be a Viking, not a mistake like Hiccup. I have been, and always will be.

Later on

"Alright," Gobber called, "let's get started." He pulls down the lever with his hook for a hand, and a Gronckle sprang forward. 

"Again?" cried Snotlout, "When are we going to get to the Monstrous Nightmare?"

"In due time," replied Gobber, "But you need to prove that it won't kill you first!"

"I can totally bring it down, Astrid," He says to me, a sly grin on his face. 

I glanced over his shoulder and saw Hiccup watching us. He still likes me. Why can't he quit it?

"Excuse me," Snotlout said, raising an eyebrow, "I was talking to you." 

"Uh-huh," I mumbled. 

The Gronckle was flying towards Hiccup, who wasn't paying attention. I opened my mouth to say something as he faced the dragon. I tried to utter something, but I couldn't form any words. Hiccup's eyes went wide with terror, and he backs up. He's going to get killed. 

He held out his fist and the Gronckle stopped flying, landing on its stomach. Hiccup rubs whatever he is holding in his hand on the Gronckle's snout, which rolls over. 

How...?

Gobber hesitated for a moment, not sure what to do, before calling out, "Well done, Hiccup." He moved towards the Gronckle, now asleep. "Um, you kids can go, I'll move this to its stall."

Everybody runs to flock Hiccup, with a hurricane of comments and questions. 

"That was so cool!" 

"How did you do it?"

"Can you teach me?"

Hiccup looked uncomfortable, "Um, I have to go," he muttered, running into me. I stared at him, wondering how he found out to do, well, whatever he did. 

Hiccup blushed and side-stepped away. 

There is something up with him. 

I walked out of the arena, a couple of steps behind the rest, still jabbering on about what they had just seen. I followed them in silence.

Not even a week ago they were mocking him, but now they were in awe. How did he get so good?