My little Flower (HiccupxOC, part 1 of Grimborn Family AU)

Chapter 98 - Feelings are complicated

Note: This whole chapter and probably the next one too are set at the time after Viggo left Stoick's tent and at the same time Hiccup, Valka and the dragon riders are there to say their goodbye's to their chief.

3rd Person POV

Hope was stalking a mouse through the debris. A little brown mouse had found itself in the middle of the ruins of the market place and no matter how quickly it skittered across the surface, Hope's larger claws covered more ground. Viggo watched the macabre game with amusement as he made his way back to the great hall. The mouse seemed terrified but determined. Hope loomed over it, her tail wiggling with excitement as if it were the most interesting thing she had ever seen. Viggo doubted Hope would eat the little animal, she just enjoyed playing with it. The sound of heavy footsteps rang out behind him and Viggo chuckled, pointed to the little Night Fury and the mouse.

"Wouldn't that be something? A little snack."

Ryker snorted behind his back. He'd followed Viggo around the whole day, very much to his brother's annoyance. Time to return the favor.

"Why so broody?" Viggo smirked. It felt good to tease his brother even if he happened to be a dragon now. "No, don't tell me. It must be hard to be on a dragon's diet for you. I know how much you hate fish." His smirk grew wider as Ryker growled. Viggo ignored him, tapped at his chin as if deep in thought. "Hm, let me see." he mused "If you behave like a good dragon I might consider saving you a barrel of ale."

That was too much. A sizzling sound was the only warning Viggo got, but it was enough to jump out of Ryker's fire range just in time. Hope squeaked and jumped as the blast hit a stone wall next to her. The mouse took its chance and hurried to find cover under a pile of rocks. "Oh don't be like that!" Viggo huffed as he brushed himself off. The flame had been a tad too close to his butt for his liking. "There will be no ale if you roast me."

Another growl rumbled from Ryker's throat but Viggo paid him no more mind as they continued through the streets. Viggo was careful to avoid the countless slush puddles that covered the ground. He wasn't in the mood to get his boots all muddy. Thank Odin, the rain had stopped at last.

In the great hall Viggo was greeted by the aroma of a hearty stew and the sound of chattering voices. Almost the whole town had gathered in the hall to receive their dinner after another day of hard work. Standing behind a steaming cauldron was the person he had hoped to find. A gentle smile adorned her face as she served one bowl after the other to the waiting people. Viggo made his way through the crowd with Ryker following closely. The mood in the hall shifted as the people's eyes fell on the dark dragon. Their feelings towards dragons were divided after the battle.

"Tell me what you want, I don't trust these beasts." Viggo heard someone say. "It's only a matter of time till they'll start stalking our cattle. Wild dragons wandering freely around our island...it's a disgrace." "Aye, there were no such things when Vidar was our chief." 

Viggo cursed under his breath as he pressed himself past the conversation. He was tired of the endless discussions, of the endless doubts of his people. Stubborn knuckleheads of Vikings they were. Viggo would have to think about another solution concerning the dragon issue - a compromise to meet both his peoples and the dragon's needs. One thing was quite clear to him - there was no going back to their former ways, not after all that he discovered about himself and his family. But that was something he would have to deal with later.

"Would you mind?" Viggo reached out for the soup-ladle in Martha's hand as he reached her, his fingers briefly grazing hers.

Taken completely off guard, Martha jolted, a high-pitched squeal escaping her lips. The ladle and bowl flew from her hands, splattering hot stew all over Viggo's arm and her face. Heads all around the hall turned towards her and Martha looked as if she wished the earth would open and swallow her whole. Viggo quickly drew his hand back, biting down a hiss of pain as he gazed down into Martha's wide, shocked eyes. Her cheeks were flushed a lovely shade of pink and he couldn't help but chuckle at her flustered state. "My apologies Martha, I did not mean to scare you."