The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Eighteen - Banished

Warmth.

Hiccup woke to a feeling of warmth surrounding him. He shifted.

A sharp spike of pain stung his chest. His eyes snapped open.

Hiccup was lying in his bed, a single candle lighting the room. It flickered unevenly. Sighing, Hiccup relaxed his body.

He tried to remember.

They reached Berk, he messed up the trials, what else - oh. He also failed the dragon test.

Glancing around the room, Hiccup noticed nothing had been moved. None of his sketches, none of his clothes. Hiccup felt a stab of longing.

This would be the last he saw of his home.

...of his father.

Hiccup gritted his teeth and sat up, letting out a small wince. Everything hurt more than it should. Ignoring the ache across his body, Hiccup stood. He knew his clothes - and himself actually - must've stank. With slow movement, he changed his clothes and walked downstairs.

Stoick wasn't in the kitchen. Hiccup's shoulders relaxed even though he hadn't noticed they'd been tense to start with. Then he felt guilty at being relieved. He should be sad. He was sad. But also glad not to gave to face his father.

Not yet, anyway.

Hiccup left the house. Outside, the sky was a brilliant blue, a gentle breeze providing a refreshing chill. The warm weather didn't make him feel better.

He was banished. He'd be given a raft and pushed off the island. He'd never see this place again. He'd never see anyone again.

Hiccup steadied his breathing. He stumbled towards the arena, where he assumed Toothless was. The gate opened with horrible metal creaking. Inside the stone walls, Hiccup shrunk in on himself.

He'd failed here. He failed against Alvin. And now he was banished.

There were quiet footsteps. Hiccup stiffened.

"Hey," Astrid said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You alright?"

Hiccup shrugged nonchalantly, then regretted it when a wave of pain washed over him. "Sure. Well. Not really. Everything hurts."

Astrid sighed. "Yeah."

Hiccup glanced over her. She had several bruises on her arms and seemed to be favouring her right leg.

He looked away.

This is my fault.

"I spoke with the chief earlier, when you were still out cold."

Hiccup bristled.

Astrid pretended not to notice. "He said we have until afternoon to be off this island. We can take one of the small boats."

"We won't need it," Hiccup said, focusing on the one fact he was sure of. "We'll take the dragons."

"And then what?"

"I... I don't know."

Astrid frowned. "That's not an answer."

"I don't have an answer," Hiccup snapped, his exhaustion taking a toll.

"It's a mess," Astrid said, changing strategy. "You've lost everything. Your father. Your tribe."

Hiccup's vision grew blurry. He forced back the tears.

"But it's not over."

"It's not?" Hiccup hated the way his voice cracked.

Astrid nodded firmly. "It's not," she assured, almost as if convincing herself. "You have me. And Toothless. And Stormfly."