That's for... everything else

The 'M' Word

Hiccup POV

I stepped out of my house and made my way towards the forge. I always help out Gobber in the mornings. I opened the solid door and took my apron from the hook. As I was putting my apron on, Gobber stuck his head out of the door of the next room.

Gobber is my dad's best friend. He is missing his hand and leg and is bald with a mustache. He is like my uncle.

"C'mon laddie, we got work ter do!" he said with his thick Scottish accent.

"Coming," I murmured.

I followed him into the next room, where there were various machines for sharpening weapons, making saddles and other odd things were lying around.

"Right! Nothin much is happenin today, so if yer could just sharpen those swords 'n axes for today." Gobber said while reading a parchment in his hands.

I set to work, one by one sharpening each weapon. This is normally something I do to calm my mind by concentrating on the task at hand. It normally distracts me from all my worries but today my mind was swirling with what happened yesterday. I was so distracted I cut myself twice with an axe.

"Okay 'iccup what's the matter with yer? Yer seem distracted!" Gobbler said after watching me for a while.

I sighed: "It's just dad again... He talked to me yesterday about marrying. Again. When I don't even have a girlfriend! I mean, I would understand if I had a girl and we were together for a long time. But seriously?! He should let me find the perfect girl on my own. Not force me to suddenly go looking for one. It's gotta be special, ya know?"

Gobber sighed. I know he didn't know much about marriage but he was the only person I could really talk to. I wouldn't be able to talk to one of the gang. Fishlegs would try to help me but he is a factual person and would only probably give me advice that he read from books. I don't want a conversation with Snotlout about love. Ever. Can only imagine how that will turn out. And the twins don't even know what a serious talk is!

"Well ya know your father! He is a stubborn ol' man. He ain't called Stoick the Vast for nothin. And he is very traditional. He just wants what he thinks is the best for yer!" Gobber said while sharpening a sword.

"I just wish he wouldn't try so hard," I murmured.

"Believe me, it's better than him not trying at all."

                         $

I walked up the steps to the Great Hall planning to apologize to dad. Well, not exactly. Apologize for how I stormed out, but not for refusing to find a wife.

I opened the huge double doors and was surprised to see the room full of people. Women to be exact. OHMYTHORHELPMEPLEASE - And to think I came to apologize! I glanced at Toothless next to me and he gave me the same annoyed and unsure expression.

"Well isn't this just great bud?" I murmured with gritted teeth.

"Ah Hiccup, there you are. I was starting to wonder when you would come!" Dad said while squeezing through the crowd towards him.

"Uhhhh dad, are you gonna tell me what's going on?" I said with an edge to my voice.

"Well I was thinking about our conversation yesterday and I thought to myself that you just needed a little push!" He gestured to all the girls in the room and laughed his big hearty laugh.

"No, no dad, I think I made it pretty clear yesterday that I would find someone on my own!" I said starting to back away.

"Nonsense son! You will see. You will find the perfect girl amongst these beautiful young woman here today!" The girls in the background giggled at his words and waved to me. I cringed.