Until They Can Return in Peace - How to Train Your Dragon

Chapter 9 - Hiccup

*3 Months Later*
(Yes it snowed in September. The Archipelago has a very cold climate).

——————

It's December now and the Snoggletog festivities are well underway.

Decorations are hung and the lights are aflame. The snow reflecting the vibrant colors, lighting up the pathways in the village as you walk from home to home.

"Good evening Chief!" Spitelout says from across the way.

"Evening! Have you seen Snotlout?" I ask him.

"Aye. He's at the academy" he replies and I set my course for there.

I needed to ask him about is "brilliant" idea about strength training for all of us.

Whatever that means.

There is a rather large structure that has been made into a Hall of Dragons / School of Dragon History.

I enter through the double doors and I see Fishlegs standing in front of a group of young kids and Snotlout has their attention.

The sides of the memoriam were lined with pillars for each species of dragon by class. Carved into the wood are notes from the Book of Dragons and they're painted so it can be visible.

"...so that is why I believe that the monstrous nightmare is the best dragon to ever live among us" Snotlout finishes his speech.

Fishlegs rolls his eyes.

"NUH UH!! The Flightmare was better!"

"NO! Everyone knows that the Deadly Nadder was the coolest!"

"NO WAY! The night fury was the alpha! He was the best!"

I smile at that statement. It was true.

"Haha okay okay guys settle down. I happen to be partial to the Gronkle being the greatest dragon companion" Fishlegs says over-proudly with a hand on his chest.

Snotlout and the children burst into laughter.

"Hey! My Meatlug and Fishmeat were the coolest dragons!" He defends.

They erupt in even louder laughter.

I end up chuckling too much in the back and Fishlegs notices my being there.

"Oh! Look everyone! Looks like we have a special visit from our Chief!" He introduces me and I walk down the middle of the room.

Boys and girls cheering and clapping; I thank them as I stand in the front.

"Now now, we all have our opinions on which dragon was best. But, honestly, how could anyone pick just one?!" I state and the kids somewhat agree.

"However, you talking about the Gronkle does bring up a... Snoggletog story from many years ago" I give a humorous glance to my two pals.

"Oh! I know that one! That's the one where Snotlout got dunked in a trough full of YAK-NOG!" One little boy screams.

The hall is full of giggles again.

Snotlout has an exasperated look on his face.

"Let's NOT talk about THAT ONE" he crosses his arms.

I laugh at the memory of the twins dangling Snotlout from the Snoggletog tree until they have a Gronkle chomp the rope and he went tumbling in.

"Haha! That's a good one, but this one involves my wife giving gifts to everyone in the village... but there was a... fiery surprise that she didn't know about" I say and their little eyes lean in to hear the tale.