Chapter 11: Reasons
"Gobber," called Hiccup, scooping the freshly made assortment of nails, hinges, knobs, and other small brick-a-brack into a knapsack. Gobber stuck his head around the corner, sweat from the forge beading on his dirty brow and glowing in the light of the glowing coals. "I'm going to take this batch over to the arena."
"Aye lad," said the old viking. "Finished already?"
"Yeah, I don't think we need too many more. Last time I was down at the arena there was still a good supply of everything."
"About time," grumbled Gobber. "With the great hall gone, I've had to eat my own cooking. Much more of it and I might give up eating altogether."
"Heh he, yeah…" said Hiccup, inclined to agree with Gobber. The one time he had tried the viking's food he'd sworn off it. Never again. "A few more days at this rate," he assured. "Do you have anything you want me to take with me?"
"That sack in the corner," said Gobber, pointing with his hammer.
"Alright," said Hiccup, hefting the sack over his shoulder and nearly setting himself off balance as his mechanical leg clicked. One of the mechanisms had a catch that threw him off balance slightly. He'd been meaning to fix it.
It had been five days since Berk had been attacked. Five days since Gobber's letter with Snotlout's added note had arrived at Dragon's Edge and set everything topsy turvy. The flight back to Berk had been one of the most stressful days since trying to keep Toothless a secret. Trust Gobber not to include any detail in his urgent but cryptic note. But despite all the stomach-turning worry, they had finally arrived to find most everything back under control. True, several buildings and huts, including Astrid's family's home, had been damaged or demolished and there had been several injuries, but most had just counted themselves lucky.
Hiccup stepped out into the early morning gloom as a dark shadow beside the building shook itself. Toothless rose from his slumber with a wide yawn.
"Glad one of us got some sleep." He scratched his dragon under the chin and Toothless rumbled softly and nosed the sack in his hand. "Just more bits and pieces for the repairs," said Hiccup, looping the sack over Toothless's saddle horn. With a slight shake of his shoulders, Toothless set off toward the arena, the two of them walking together.
The village was quiet at this early hour. They shambled through the streets, passing his aunt and uncle's house where it looked like Aunt Freda was in the kitchen. They passed the remains of Astrid's old house where the skeleton of a new hut was already being fleshed out. At least that could be said about Berkians, due to their past with the dragons, they were no strangers to repairing things. Buildings were reconstructed in record time and everyone seemed to know just what to do. He frowned. Still, this had to be one of the first times in years that this extensive of repairs have been necessary.
He'd heard the report from his father, uncle, and Gobber when he returned and by the description of the ships, there was no doubt who had attacked them. Dagur. Hiccup had thought that with Dagur's vendetta against him that leaving Berk would be for the best, hoping to draw Dagur's attention to himself. But apparently, Daugur has grown frustrated with the chase. The question that niggled at the back of his mind was why had Dagur fled? Not that Dagur the deranged needed a reason to act… well deranged, but still there must have been a reason. It was maddening but he hadn't had the chance to try and tease it apart yet.
Still, at least the repairs were well underway. The dragon riders could begin the journey back to Dragon's Edge in the next day or so. They needed to track down Dagur and keep this from happening again. Violence was an occupational hazard for vikings but the look on Astrid's face when she saw the remains of her family's house had been difficult to stomach.
He'd done his best to console her, but she had grown quiet and distant rather than weepy, which he had appreciated but was not quite sure how to interpret. It was clear she was busy with her own thoughts but who knew what they were and prodding her before she was ready was unwise. To be honest, prodding her ever was unwise. The others had noticed Astrid's mood as well and when they realized she would be sleeping with Stormfly in the stables they had all opted to stay in the stables with her. Even the usually insensitive Snotlout who had stumbled into the stable late at night for the past week had been bedding down with the other riders and dragons.
The first few days the riders had been assisting with the repairs by bringing in fresh trees for lumbar, hauling away debris, and helping with heavy lifting. Astrid's father Mr. Hofferson came to the arena to process the fresh trees into usable lumber and several of the women including Aunt Freda had been making meals and bringing them to share with those who were displaced or working on the repairs. Hiccup had been spending the majority of his time in the forge crafting various building supplies. But now the work was mostly up to skilled crafters and individuals. It was time to track down Dagur.
The sun was beginning to peak over the tops of the trees as he and Toothless shambled into the training arena where supplies for the repairs were being kept. They were not the only ones awake. Astrid was running through some exercises with her axes while Stormfly watched from the sidelines. There was snoring from where the others were. No surprise there. The twins could sleep through anything and Fishlegs had gotten in later than anyone except for Snoltout who had landed blearily on Hookfang sometime after midnight. Surprisingly the other pair that was awake was Snotlout and Hookfang despite their late night.
Hiccup had seen surprisingly little of his cousin since returning to Berk. Snotlout had sporadically helped bring lumber to the arena the first day or two but after that always seemed to be off busy with something else. He left early in the morning and showed up late at night. The few times he did turn up during the day he somehow seemed to slip away unnoticed after a few minutes despite riding one of the largest and arguably the loudest dragons on the island. Hiccup took the sack from Toothless's saddle and began sorting its contents into the various baskets near the edge of the arena. Dropping the last of the nails into the bucket Hiccup turned to go wake the others but ran head-long into Snotlout.
"Gah! Snotlout," he gasped, clutching at his chest. Snotlout gave a tired but dismissive snort before moving to sort through the new hardware. Getting his heart back into a normal rhythm he took a moment to study his cousin. There were bags under his eyes, his hands had several wrapped fingers, and a general sense of stubborn weariness rolled off of him. It looked like it had been several days since he'd gotten decent sleep or bathed. Hiccup didn't ever recall seeing Snotlout in this state. Tired, cranky, or hungry sure but there was something slightly different now and try as he might Hiccup couldn't quite put his finger on it. Given his state, he was not slacking off somewhere. Snoltout could be lazy in certain circumstances, but it was not in his nature when there was true or serious work to be done. Still, Hiccup had seen so little of him.
"Snotlout?" he tried again, feeling like it was the hundredth time he'd asked. Snotlout grunted his acknowledgment but didn't look up as he examined a large hinge. "Where have you been the past few days?"
Snotlout let out a weary breath but didn't look up from his examination. "It doesn't matter, Hiccup. Just drop it. I'm busy."
"But busy with what?" pressed Hiccup. "We could help you with whatever it is."
"I don't need your help," said his cousin, brisling. Hiccup groaned internally. He'd hit a nerve and would get nothing more, not that he'd been getting much to begin with. Best to shift the topic for now.
"Well, wherever you're up to, just know we're headed back to the Edge first thing tomorrow."
Snotlout froze for several long moments. "No," he said at last. "I'm not going back yet."
"But the repairs are nearly done," said Hiccup. "There's not much more we can do here and we need to find Dagur."
"Did I hear you say you're leaving for the Edge tomorrow?" asked Astrid from behind him. Hiccup jumped and tried to restart his heart for the second time that morning.
"Y… yes we need to get back out there." To his surprise, Astrid gave almost the same response.
"I'm staying here," she said.
"What?! Why?"
Astrid sighed and slung her ax over her shoulder. "I'm not leaving Berk defenseless."
And there it was. That was what had been occupying her lately. She was feeling a sense of guilt and perhaps even fear, which given what happened to her family's house was not unwarranted. Still…
"But what about Dagur? He's still out there. What about Dragon's Edge?"
"I won't leave Berk defenseless," she repeated, this time with even more iron in her tone. "I'm staying here to train some…"
"But…" he interrupted.
"She's right Hiccup," interjected Snotlout, returning to his examination of hinges. "Last time we left Berk I thought it would be okay, but… we were wrong. Dragon Riders are Berk's best defense. We got lucky this time but who knows about next time."
"If we catch Dagur there won't be a next time," insisted Hiccup.
"That's what we thought last time we locked him up on Berserker Island and look where that got us."
"Even if we did catch him," said Astrid. "There will always be another Dagur."
"Exactly," said Snotlout. "And who knows if the next threat won't be worse. It might not just be smashed buildings and broken bones. Maybe…" But he broke off and looked away. "I'm not taking that risk again."
Hiccup looked between the two of them. What in Niflheim was going on? Since when did Snotlout and Astrid agree on anything?
"We can't just stay here on Berk forever," he argued.
"I didn't suggest we should," said Astrid.
"But…"
"Look," said Snotlout with new determination. "I want to nail Dagur just as much and probably more than you do. When I find him and I will I'll make him pay for everything he did to… to Berk. But Berk needs better defenses before we go so I agree with Astrid. Besides, I'm not ready to go. I have some things to finish and I need a few more days. Send Fishlegs and the twins if you want."
"A few more days for what?" he asked, exasperated.
"None of your beeswax," said Snotlout, shoving a few hinges in his pocket. "But don't expect me to be around for a while." With this, his cousin turned his back on them and in a matter of seconds was flying off on Hookfang.
He turned to Astrid. "So what? You're just going to quit the dragon riders?"
She folded her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow. That was a danger sign. Best tread carefully.
"I didn't say that," she said.
"That's what I heard."
"Then you weren't listening. You interrupted me."
He sighed. She was right. It was quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry. What were you going to say?"
"I know Dagur needs to be stopped and you and the others can go after him. I'm going to stay here and train new dragon riders," she said, bumping her hip against his. "Muttonhead."
He let his head fall back with a groan. Of course, that's what she had meant. He should have known Astrid was not quitting the team. It was a brilliant idea and he was a bit chagrined he hadn't thought of it himself. A simple solution to the problem.
"You're right. It's a good idea."
"You're not the only one who has them," she reminded him.
"Just to be clear, are you planning to come back to Dragons Edge when they are trained?"
She rolled her eyes at him. "Of course."
******************
"Hookfang," called Snotlout, wiping sweat from his face with the back of his hand as the brutal summer sun beat down on him. "Lift it up."
Hookfang ambled over and took the large barn door in his mouth and lifted it several inches off the ground. Snotlout slowly guided the door onto its frame and carefully aligned the hinges. He took the hammer from his belt and a few nails from his pocket. Say what you wanted about his cousin, but Hiccup made some of the best quality hardware in the village. Probably due to all the tinkering with his and Toothless's prosthetics. And although he'd rather roll in yak dung than admit it he had been careful to pick out some of Hiccup's best work to use in the repairs for the Helvig's barn. He deftly drove the nails into place one by one.
"Alright," he said, stepping back. Hookfang let go and rumbled contentedly as Snotlout swung the door closed and latched it shut.
That was it then. The barn was repaired, and the chicken coop restored. Not too shabby for only eight days and no outside help. Too bad flesh and bone could not be repaired so easily. That would have made leaving easier. Satisfied with the job, he went to wash up and cool off in the spring. A few minutes later he clumped up onto the porch with a bucket of fresh water and stopped to refill Mr. Helvig's cup. He paused as he stepped through the open front door and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dimmer light inside.
Sigyn sat with her cheek in her hand on the padded storage bench by the open window looking out into the yard. Her hair was loose and wavy as it drifted about in the lazy breeze. It had been hard for her to do anything with her hair with only one hand. There was a small frown on her lips and she was deep in thought as he watched her. Although she had recovered quite well in the past few days there was no getting around the broken arm. The puncture on her side had kept her down for a day or two but after that, she had been up and about. In fact, it had been all Snotlout could do to keep her from overexerting herself and pulling the stitches loose.
As soon as she could leave bed and walk she had followed him around the yard and house as he worked, talking and asking questions. After the first few hours he'd given up on getting her to go back inside so instead he'd fetched the kitchen chair and at least made her sit while she chattered. He hadn't minded really. One of the only good things about this past week was the chance to talk to Sigyn so much. It had occupied both their minds and distracted them. It had also been nice to finally be able to tell her everything he had not been able to write in the letters. He had told her all about the recent escapades with Hookfang, and the female and titan wing dragons. He'd particularly liked getting to tell her of the fight against the titan wing and she had been particularly interested in his description of the baby dragons. But she could only manage a while in the chair before her side began to hurt and he would usher her back inside to rest.
Gothi had warned them that she could easily reinjure herself. She was to be up and about but not straining herself and completely healed before using her core. Much to Sigyn's frustration this included lifting, reaching, stretching, or straining in any way. Two days ago when Gothi had been out to check on Sigyn she had told them another week and she would be cleared to do any activity that didn't involve her broken arm which would take several more weeks at least. To Sigyn, these five remaining days could not come fast enough.
"You're supposed to leave those stitches alone," he said, seeing her free hand drift towards the healing wound on her side.
She scowled. "It's itchy."
"Have you tried the cream Gothi left for you?" he asked. "It's supposed to help."
"It smells funny," she said, her nose wrinkling as she turned to face him. "Besides, you're hardly one to lecture me on first aid."
"With you around I'm learning fast."
She grimaced and resumed looking out the window. He took up the seat beside her and picked up the cloth in her lap that was her latest sewing project. There were small red and brown spots on the fabric and glancing at her fingers he could see she had pricked them several times. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and with a sigh surrendered her hand to his examination.
"It's hard to do with only one working arm," she said. "My hand may not be broken but it still hurts to use my fingers like I need to."
"So take a break," he suggested, letting go of her hand, but she caught his hand in return.
"Says the boy with smashed fingers and splinters. Don't think I didn't hear that tirade earlier this afternoon when you caught your hand with the hammer. Your language," she said, shaking her head in mock horror. "Loki himself might have covered his ears."
It was his turn to grimace. "Well at least it's finally all done," he said.
She wilted slightly. "So I saw," she said, letting go of his hand. "Does that mean you're going back to Dragon's Edge soon?"
"I suppose I have to join them soon. Hiccup keeps asking… well let's just say he's anxious to have everyone back on Dragon's Edge."
"Isn't Astrid still training the auxiliary dragon riders?"
He snorted. "She is and at the pace she's going, she's going to wear them all out before they're ready. Hiccup told me he's starting to think the training is just a cover for her to stay on Berk."
"Do you think it is?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Could be, but she has some interesting volunteers for riders. Never thought I'd see old Gothi as a dragon rider and my dad's as stubborn as a yak stung by a speed stinger."
"Didn't you say Gustav was part of the team too?"
He nodded. "Him, Bucket, Mulch, and Silent Sven. Like I said, not exactly the cream of the crop but if anyone can whip them into shape it's Astrid. Though I don't envy any of them. At any rate, someone ought to be out on Dragon's Edge to help Fishface keep the twins in check. Who knows what they've gotten up to."
"Has there been any sign of this Dagur person who attacked us?"
"Not that we've heard or seen. We haven't gotten any terror mails, but once again the twins are not exactly the most observant at all times. Still, I don't like leaving you so soon."
"I suppose you can't show favoritism or the other women in your harem will be jealous."
"I'm serious," he said, staring at her intently. "You still have a few more days till you can do too much. Who's going to help you with your father? Your arm is a long way from healed."
"Stop worrying," she said, picking at the bandages holding her broken arm in place. "We'll be fine. Besides, Shepherd already said he would come over to check on us."
"I know," he said, turning away and folding his arms over his chest.
To be honest he wasn't the biggest fan of Shepherd hanging around. Ever since he'd brought the bread and soup over that first night he made a habit to stop by at least once a day. On one hand, he was grateful that someone would be close at hand to help Sigyn at least once a day, on the other the older boy made him uneasy though he couldn't quite put his finger on why. Maybe it was the way the older boy seemed to avoid Hookfang or how Sigyn acted around him. There was always an air of reserved but polite awkwardness whenever Shepard came around.
"You don't like him much do you?" asked Sigyn, watching him. He grimaced internally. How in Thor's hammer did she always seem to see exactly what he was trying to hide? Although perhaps in this case he hadn't been trying very hard.
He shrugged noncommittally. "He's weird around Hookfang," he hedged, not looking at her.
"And?" she prompted.
"And he's odd but familiar with you," he said as something prickly slid uncomfortably into place in his chest. "I just don't like it."
She chuckled. "Can't handle a little competition?" she teased.
He scowled at her. "What competition?"
"I used to know Shepherd pretty well," she said, ignoring his comment. "Even though he's three years older than me he would still hang around with me and my friends when I was a kid. We were getting to be good friends that last year."
"That last year?" he asked, glancing at her.
"The year before my um… incident," she said looking away. "He and his father were the ones who found me."
That would explain why he was strangely protective of her, especially when it came to Hookfang. "So what happened?" he asked.
"I went into self-inflicted isolation. I kinda lost contact with most of my friends after that. Right after Dad's accident, I saw Shepard for a while but then he came of age and began apprenticing with Mr. Hofferson. We just sort of didn't see much of each other after that. It just got a bit awkward. It's been a bit strange having him suddenly show up so much."
He looked over at her out of the corner of his eye. "Even if he does show up, I'm still worried. If I know you, you're likely to try and use your arm before you should."
"You're worried about it aren't you."
"About you, yes. And you Dad."
"Why thank you Snotlout," came a call from the front porch.
Sigyn rolled her eyes, gingerly rising before going to the porch to talk to her father. Snotlout watched her go, biting a lip. He had done all he could think to make things easy for her. He had chopped and replenished the woodpile, refilled the water barrels alongside the house so Sigyn wouldn't have to carry buckets from the creek, and even rigged up an irrigation system for Sigyn's garden. Never mind that he had copied the idea from Fishface's irrigation system in his weird garden at Dragon's Edge. It would cut out work for Sigyn and that's what mattered. He had even washed the growing pile of laundry much to Sigyn's horror when she remembered her underthings were also in that pile. It had been a bit embarrassing, but he'd seen her washing them before.
But the largest and most worrying thing he still could not find a solution for was her father, Torben. Though diminished since his accident, he was still a large and heavy man who required moving at least several times a day. As of now, that task was beyond Sigyn for at least several more weeks. Torben could move around by dragging himself on the floor with his arms which were still powerful, but it had to be frustrating for him. For the past week or so he had been the one to move to Torben to and fro around the house and yard.
He considered going to his uncle and asking for additional help for the Helvigs but the one time he brought it up, both Sigyn and her father had insisted he not, saying they didn't need or want to bother the chief. It was only a few weeks and they would make do. Snotlout snorted. Jorgenson's weren't the only stubborn family on Berk. It was a problem that had been growing heavier on his mind the closer he got to leaving. But leave he must. There were only so many times he could fob off Hiccups probing questions. And Daugur must be dealt with.
Since finding out the identity of their attacker he'd wanted to fly out on Hookfang and personally see to it Dagur spent a long painful eternity in Niffleheim with Hel. But Sigyn and her father had to come first. Dagur had caused Berk and the Dragon Riders trouble before but something about this time was different. Someone he cared about had been hurt and she hadn't even been given that chance to defend herself. She'd been forced to relive her worst nightmare. For days Sigyn couldn't be around Hookfang without flinching or trembling. The first time she'd seen him after regaining consciousness she'd been terrified and once again slipped into memories of the past. It had taken some time to bring her back to the present. It was only yesterday that she had been able to reach out and touch his dragon again. This change in her had not gone unnoticed by Hookfang who had been more reserved in the past few days. It had been an interesting few days, to say the least.
"Are you still going to write to me when you leave?" asked Sigyn, breaking him out of his thoughts as she sat beside him again.
He turned to look at her and scowled. "So you have been getting my letters. Why didn't you ever write back?"
"I couldn't," she replied, settling herself cross-legged beside him. "The letter where I assume you were trying to give me instructions for sending the letters was waterlogged. Oh," she said, snapping her fingers before leaning over to reach for her sewing basket on the floor. She groaned and winced and he reached out and took her by the good arm helping her sit up again.
"Let me," he said, retrieving the basket.
"Thanks," she said, rummaging in the sewing supplies. A few moments later she pulled out a gray lump. "Here, I fixed the hole for you," she said holding it out to him. It was his sock.
He took it. "You thought I sent you my sock to repair?" he asked, frowning.
"I'm not sure why else you would send it," she said. A chuckle came from the porch.
He flushed. "It was for the terrible terror mail."
Sigyn looked at him confused.
"They find people by scent," he explained. "You write your letter, attach it to the terrible terror, and give it a scent to track. The sock was so you could send me letters."
Now a burst of deep laughter came from the porch. Sigyns's cheeks flushed. She looked out the window but a moment later frowned.
"How have you been sending letters to me then?"
It was his turn to look away and blush. "Well I might have taken one of your dirty socks last time I was here," he said, rubbing at the back of his neck.
"That's what happened to my sock! I thought it washed away while I was doing laundry. At least that explains why the terrible terror went from my dirty clothes."
"It got into your laundry?" he asked, looking back at her.
She nodded. "About tore my room apart."
"Sorry."
"It doesn't matter," she said, shaking her head. "Rooms clean now."
"Because I cleaned it," he said.
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah I know, I'm messy compared to you."
"Regular little piggy," he said with a grin.
She jabbed him with her fingers and he laughed trying to dodge her. "Anyway, I have been enjoying your letters."
"So you don't mind the terrible terrors bringing you mail?" he asked, watching her expression carefully. He'd been slightly worried about sending dragons to her even if they were small.
"I'm not going to lie, the first time the one crawled through my window in the morning I was pretty shaken, but after I figured out why mini dragons were visiting it wasn't so bad. Besides, Dad likes them. Last time one curled up in his lap for a few hours."
"At least they didn't fly into your face," he said thoughtfully.
"They do that?" she asked, horrified.
"Yeah," he said with a chuckle. "Hiccup and Fishface have been working on that. I was hoping that giving them a sock rather than just a general scent would mean they would go after your feet if anything."
"Yes, because being tripped by a dragon attacking your feet is better," she said with a nudge.
He shrugged. "Better than a surprise dragon to the face anyway."
"Well, I haven't had one fly into my face yet." They were silent for a long moment. "So how much weight can a terrible terror carry back and forth?" she asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "A few pounds, maybe five, although it slows them down. Why? Going to send me things?"
"I had thought about it," she said with a shrug. "I'm sorry you had to do so much work around here."
"I don't mind," he said. "It's kind of nice to have a reason to tell Hiccup to stuff it every once in a while."
"When do you think you'll leave?" she asked.
He sighed. "Probably tonight so I can get there the morning after. I was going to go into the village and get the rest of the smoked yak meat before I left. It should be done by now. Is there anything you want me to take or bring back?"
"Well," she said, biting a lip. "You could stop at Mrs. Larson's and drop off a tunic I finished a while ago. See if she has any more orders to be done."
"Are you sure you're up to it?" he asked, poking her fingertips.
She frowned. "Gothi says I can unbind my arm next week so long as I keep the brace on my forearm. That should make it much easier. Besides," she said with a sigh. "I have to do something. All this sitting is driving me crazy."
"All right all right," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "I'll stop by Mrs. Larson's. What about you Mr. Helvig?" he called.
"Nothing for me thanks," came the reply from outside. "And I told you to call me Torben."
Snotlout didn't answer as he looked over at Sigyn. It still felt awkward calling her father by his name, especially around others, but every time he didn't Mr. Helvig would correct him.
"You'll come back and say goodbye before you leave right?" she asked.
He got to his feet. "Of course," he said with a wink. "I have to bring the yak meat back."
*********************
The sun was slipping into the cloudy horizon, painting the sky a brilliant red as Snotlout made his way back to Sigyn's. It had taken much longer than expected to run his few simple errands. First, he'd gone to get the smoked yak meat from Mr. Belkie but had to wait while Old Widder Johnson picked over her order of butchered boar. She didn't get out much and was fond of recounting long-winded and very boring anecdotes of her younger years. It had been a very tedious hour.
Once he'd finally gotten free of her he'd headed for the Larson home. But on arrival, he'd had to wait while Mrs. Larson finished taking several orders and measurements from the Gunnerson family. He waited out on the porch with little Hilda Larson who was just a few years older than his brother Groffrey but every bit as rambunctious and talkative. He'd listen to her ramble about this and that while she climbed and clambered all over Hookfang who was surprisingly patient with her. At last, he was able to deliver the tunic and get a few more orders for Sigyn along with a bag of new supplies. By this point Hookfang's saddle was overflowing so he'd sent him back to Sigyns.
Next, he'd gone home to repack and restock his supplies. He was about to leave when his mom cornered him and insisted he eat dinner with her and his siblings while she packed him and the Helvigs some extra food. He hadn't minded that too much. He missed his mom's cooking when he was at Dragon's Edge. While Hiccup, Astrid, and Fishface could cook, the twins had a horrible tendency to produce 'food' that not even the dragons would eat. He'd even volunteered to cook for them just so he didn't have to eat their cooking. Why waste food?
After dinner, there was only one thing left to do. Find Hiccup and tell him he was headed back to the Edge, but that was apparently easier said than done. First, he tried the forge in the back of Gobber's shop as it was closest, but no luck. Following Gobber's suggestion he headed to the arena next but still no Hiccup. Astrid was just finishing training with the auxiliary riders when he arrived. The trainees looked exhausted and singed. Apparently, Astrid had finally let them graduate from brooms to actual dragons, a gronckle for old Gothi, a deadly nadder for his father, a zippleback for Bucket and Mulch, and a monstrous nightmare for Silent Sven. He'd felt an indecent amount of pleasure that his father had not been given a monstrous nightmare.
After a brief exchange with Astrid, he grabbed a few extra supplies for Dragon's Edge and turned back the way he'd come. He finally found his cousin at home having dinner. Hiccup had again asked where he'd been but Snotlout had deflected him by saying he was headed back to Dragon's Edge.
Now he was finally trekking back to Sigyn's, the day mostly spent. His pack and arms were weighed down with supplies and he half wished he hadn't sent Hookfang back so soon. He hitched his pack higher and soldered on. There was a small trail that wound through the forest between the Helvig's and the village but it was not very well traveled. His thoughts wandered as he walked. Part of him wanted to stay with Sigyn but there was another part of him that burned to be back in the action. Burned for revenge. He would find Dagur and make him pay for what he did. He didn't care if he was Heather's brother. He'd beat Dagur to death with his fists if he had to. He deserved more and worse. He'd make sure Dagur could never hurt Sigyn again or anyone else.
Snotlout jerked back to back to alertness with a jolt as a twig behind him snapped. Was he being followed? A dragon? No, too small. Too quiet for a boar. A muffled sneeze. A person then. Had Hiccup finally given up on trying to get him to talk and resorted to following him again? He'd tried that a few days ago but luckily Gothi had distracted his cousin. He'd find out soon enough. Coming around a corner he ducked behind a large boulder and set down his supplies quietly. A few moments passed and a skinny figure stepped into view. The horned helmet gave him away instantly. Gustav never saw it coming as Snotlout grabbed the back of his tunic and hauled him back, slamming him against the boulder, and pinning him in place.
"What are you doing here, pipsqueak?" growled Snotlout.
"Sn…Snotlout," stuttered the smaller boy, his eyes wide with panic.
"Why are you following me, Gustav? Did Hiccup put you up to this?"
"N…no. I heard Astrid and Hiccup talking about you. You've been missing a lot and I thought… I followed you from the arena."
"It's none of your business. Go home, Gustav."
"Are… are you going out to the Helvig's? There's no one else who lives this far out."
Snotlout growled. Thor, the runt had figured it out so easily.
"What do you know about the Helvig's" he asked warily.
"Mom has me run orders and supplies to Sigyn every once in a while."
Snoltout glared at him. "I thought the Ingermans did that."
"They do most of the time but when there's something urgent Mom sends me. Is… is something wrong with the Helvigs? Is that why you've been out here so much?"
"I don't owe you any kind of explanation," he said, trying not to grind his teeth. It was so tempting to reach out and throttle the kid. After all this time only to be exposed by this runt. If Gustav talked and the other riders found out he'd never hear the end of it. The twins could be merciless and Astrid would never let him live it down. He had to find a way to keep Gustav quiet. A deep hole sounded appealing, but he didn't fancy the repercussions. He could rip out the kid's tongue but as Gothi demonstrated there were ways to communicate without one. No good. He could just threaten to pummel him if he breathed a word to anyone. That could work.
"Did something happen to Sigyn or her dad?" asked Gustave, bringing him back to the present.
The kid wasn't a complete idiot. Maybe another strategy then. His little brother Geoffrey could be sworn to effective secrecy if he was included in the secret. He could kill two boars with one mace. The trick was making Gustave think he wanted to be in on the secret. He let the kid slide to the ground and folded his arms over his chest.
"Sigyn got hurt in the recent raid. I've been rebuilding the barn and taking care of them."
"But are they okay?" asked Gustave, tugging at his ear.
"Sigyn has some healing stitches and a broken arm but her dad is fine."
"That must be pretty hard for them," said Gustav, looking at the ground. "What with Mr. Helvig's condition and all."
Snotlout nodded. "It is, and I have to leave for Dragon's Edge tonight. It will be hard for Sigyn the next few weeks till she is all healed up."
Gustav's eyebrows drew together in thought. Snotlout waited, watching the kid's expression shift from worry, to pensive thought, and finally to the dawning of an idea. And people thought the kid was dumb.
"You have to go back to the Edge," said Gustav slowly. "But I will be here on Berk."
A step in the right direction. "What about it?"
"Well, I could… I could come out and help Sigyn for a while."
He pretended to think it over. "I don't think so. It's a job for a man. Sigyn will need a lot of help moving her father. I'm not sure you're strong enough."
Gustav's face tightened with defiance and determination. "I can do it. I've helped her before and I have put on a lot of muscle this year." Snotlout eyed him critically. "Well some anyway," he said, his voice trailing off.
"But you'll be busy with dragon training," Snotlout pointed out.
Gustav folded his arms over his chest and glared up at him. "You know I'm better than the other recruits. I've been riding Fanghook for years. I can get away."
"If you think Astrid will let you slack off you have another thing coming."
"Then I can visit when I'm not training," said Gustave, waving him off. "I can make it work. You've managed to sneak away I notice."
"True, but I don't answer to Astrid."
"Look, I can do it. More importantly, I want to. I need to. I owe it to the Helvigs. It's only because of me that Mr. Hevlig is the way he is."
And there it was. The guilt trap was set, sprung, and the prey was snared. "Fine, but if you're going to make it work you can't let anyone else find out where you are going. The Helvig's are proud and they won't like you talking about them."
"I can do that."
"And you can't make it harder for Sigyn," said Snolout, jabbing his finger in Gustav's chest. "If I find out you're in her way or screwed this up even the norns won't know where to look your pieces. No Gustave goof-ups."
"I don't do it on purpose," said the younger boy quietly, looking away. Snotlout felt a twinge of guilt shoot through him but he squashed it. There was at least one way the two of them were similar; most people were relieved to see their back.
"I know," he relented.
"I promise I'll do my very best," said Gustav, straightening.
"Then you start tomorrow. Keep it a secret and no Fanghook."
"I know," said Gustave, looking affronted. "Sigyn doesn't like dragons, especially monstrous nightmares."
"Fine," said Snotlout. "Now get lost."
Still a little uneasy with the situation, Snotlout watched as Gustave disappeared back up the trail toward the village. Cursing under his breath he gathered up his parcels and pack and hurried towards Sigyn's. Perhaps it was good he was leaving tonight. Given a few more days it might have been one of the others who followed him and they could not have been silenced.
Sigyn and Mr. Helvig were on the porch when he arrived in the darkening twilight.
"Goodness, did you bring the whole village back with you?" asked Sigyn as he came into view.
"Almost," he said under his breath, thinking of Gustav. He considered telling her of the arrangement but decided he didn't want to hear or argue any protests they might have. "It took much longer than I thought it would."
"Thank you for going," said Mr. Helvig.
"Mom sent dinner again," he said, lifting a basket. "But I'm sure it's cold by now. It took forever to find Hiccup."
"Don't worry," said Sigyn. "The fire's hot. We can heat it. Do you want to stay for dinner?"
He considered a moment then shook his head. "No. Hiccup's anxious to hear what's going on at the Edge. Besides, Mom already stuffed my belly and my pack."
"Well, Hookfang wouldn't let me unload any of this stuff," she said waving at his dragon who was snoozing beside the house.
"Good, I told him not to," he said, watching Hookfang out of the corner of his eye. "Nice to know he's capable of following simple instructions." He dodged the stream of flames that came from his dragon's mouth.
Sigyn rolled her eyes. "I can unload and carry things," she said.
"Not while I'm still here," he said, stomping out the burning weeds. He climbed the porch steps. "Come and tell me where you want the yak meat moved."
Sigyn sighed but led him inside. While she heated the stew his mom had sent he unloaded the smoked yak and stashed it in the small food cellar under the house.
"Are you sure you won't stay for food?" she asked, bowls of hot stew in hand. The familiar comforting scent of his mom's food drifted around the room but he shook his head.
"Mom sent extra so you won't need to cook for a few more days. Besides, she packed me stuff for the flight."
Sigyn's shoulders drooped slightly, crestfallen.
"So attached to me you can't stand the thought of me leaving?" he teased.
She smiled half-heartedly. "Something like that," she said with a little shrug.
She was probably one of only a few who actually meant that. "I'll stay," he said. "At least while you eat." Another hour wouldn't hurt anything.
She brightened and set the table. He quickly packed Hookfang and brought Mr. Helvig to the table. Dragging the stool from the corner of the room up to the table he watched as the Helvigs tucked into their meal. Their conversation was easy and comfortable as they ate. He would miss this. Not the back-breaking labor, but the ability to let his guard down. He stifled a yawn.
"Are you going to be alright flying at night?" asked Mr. Helvig.
"Yeah," he said with a wave. "I'll sleep while Hookfang flies."
"How do you do that?" asked Sigyn. "Wouldn't you fall off?"
"Nah. I rigged up something a while ago, a kind of sling between Hookfang's horns. I can lean forward and sleep."
Sigyn didn't look convinced.
"I do believe I'm ready for my bed," said Mr. Hevig. "Snotlout, if you don't mind."
Snotlout had just settled Mr. Hellvig into bed when the man caught his arm.
"Snotlout," he said quietly.
"Yeah? Do you need something else before I go?"
"I wanted to thank you again."
"I told you to quit saying that," said Snotlout, rubbing the back of his neck. "It just frustrates me that no one thought to check on you until I got here."
"One of the side effects of isolating ourselves. I won't deny that it worries me."
"Then let me tell Uncle to send someone else to help out for a while."
"I've told you, we'll be fine. It's inconvenient, true, but not impossible. Stoic has done enough for us. I don't want to burden him, especially not at the moment."
Snotlout sighed, shaking his head. "Fine," he said, absently tucking the blanket around the man's legs. "I just hope someday Sigyn won't be afraid of dragons."
"Thor knows if anyone can do it it's you."
Snotlout snorted. "We'll see if she rides Hookfang next time I'm back."
"We shall see. For the time being you should be on your way. We have kept you long enough my boy."
When he came back out into the main room Sigyn was gone and the dishes were still on the table. Rolling his eyes he quickly tidied the dishes and snatched the candle from the table. He found Sigyn dangling her legs off the porch, Hookfangs head in her lap as she whispered something to him.
"Telling my dragon to dump me off once we're out over the ocean?" he asked, setting the candle down on one of the chairs on the porch.
She jumped and turned to face him. Was he imagining it or were her cheeks flushed?
"Just what were you telling my dragon?"
She got awkwardly to her feet. "If I wanted you to hear what I was saying I wouldn't have been whispering."
He snorted. "So you are more comfortable telling your secrets to my dragon than me?"
"Some of them," she admitted. "I know he can't tell anyone."
"Hey, I can keep a secret."
"But what if it's a secret from you?" she asked, watching him with an odd intensity.
He frowned, feeling a prick in his chest. "What would you want to keep secret from me?"
She shook her head with a small smile. "Maybe I'll tell you next time I see you."
He crossed his arms over his chest. "Is this just your way of making sure I come back?"
She laughed. "Maybe a bit. Will you… come back I mean?"
"I always have before," he said, stepping closer and tucking in a bit of bandage that was sticking out of her collar. "Besides, I have to come back and make sure you have healed properly."
She rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine," she said, blowing a bit of hair out of her face. "But… will you do one last thing for me before you go?"
"What's that?" he asked apprehensively. She was looking at him oddly again. He'd seen that look on her face several times in the past few days, but he wasn't quite sure what it meant.
She bit her lip and pulled a tie out of her pocket. "Will you braid my hair before you go? I can't do it with just one arm and it being in my face drives me crazy."
He grimaced. "I don't promise it will look good."
"I just want it contained," she said, turning her back to him.
He gathered her hair and began to divide it up. "Do you want to go flying again when I come back… or is that still too much?"
She was quiet for a moment. "I think I would like that."
"Maybe you can take a solo flight," he suggested.
"Yeah, no," she said, shaking her head and pulling the hair out of his hands. He sighed and started over again. "Hookfang listens to you. I'm not sure he would listen to me."
He snorted. "Sometimes I think he listens to no one."
She chuckled. "Maybe so, but I guess that makes you two a good fit."
"Probably," he said. They lapsed into silence for a few moments. "There," he said, tying off the end of the braid. It didn't look too bad. Her hair was soft and it smelled good. Probably better than his, he thought with a wince.
"I suppose you have to leave now," she said, turning to face him.
"I do," he said, watching her. He liked the way the candlelight glowed in her hair and eyes. "Are… are you sure there's nothing else you need done before I go?"
She chuckled. "Snotlout, I don't think there's anything left you could do unless you want to scrub the dirt."
He huffed in amusement. "I suppose not."
He stepped off the porch and mounted Hookfang who shook himself as he got situated in the saddle. Hookfang's movement created a gust of air that extinguished the light of the candle. The dark was not the only thing to envelope Snotlout for the moment the light was gone soft arms wrapped around him from the side squeezing gently. At first, he was startled but in a moment he relaxed and turned to return her embrace. Lips next to his ear sent a ripple of goose flesh down his spine.
"Be safe, Snotlout," she whispered, hastily pulling away.
He tried to get his voice to reply but it was stuck somewhere in his throat. Before he could shake loose from the spell, Hookfang was off into the night. Had that happened the way he thought it had? No. No way. It had simply been an accident in the dark. She hadn't really meant to press her lips to his cheek. She had just bumped into him. That was all. Still… he wasn't entirely against the warmth spreading from his cheek throughout his chest. It was quite… pleasant.
******************
"What was all that about son?" asked Stoick as Hiccup sank back in his chair at the dinner table.
"Norns help me if I know," he said, picking up his fork and fiddling idly with it. "That was Snotlout. Apparently, he's finally ready to head back to Dragon's Edge."
"Was he not already there?" asked his father, surprised. "I didn't realize he was still on the island."
"That's just it. You wouldn't know he's been here because, to the best of my knowledge, he spent most of his time outside of the village."
His father frowned. "Outside you say. Where?"
He sighed "I haven't the faintest idea. And it's not for lack of trying. I have asked but all I get is that it's none of my business, not to expect to see him for the next few days, that no, he won't be going to Dragon's Edge yet, and get this that he agrees with Astrid on the need for the auxiliary dragon riders."
"Well it is a good idea to build our defenses," said Stoick.
"I know that, but the two of them agreeing on it? They never agree on anything! Mostly because Snotlout tends to shove his boot in his mouth," he said, muttering the last bit.
"Hmmm," said his father, eyeing a roasted chicken leg. "Has he been shirking work?"
"That's just it," said Hiccup, dropping the fork. "The few times I have seen him during the day, he's busy on some errand or other. If and when we see him at the end of the day he looks more tired than the riders Astrid's training."
"Quite the feat from what I've seen," said his father. "She's quite intense."
"Well, that's a whole other issue." It was silent for a long moment as his father chewed.
"So you don't know where he's been or what he's been up to. Aye, that would irk me as well if Spitelout were to just disappear and not take orders. But such is the lot of a chief. Striking the balance between getting people to take orders but also having productive people behind them that don't constantly need to be told what to do."
"Er… yeah. I suppose so," he said, avoiding his father's eyes.
Trust his dad to take his problem and use it as a chance to teach him about becoming a chief and leader. It was always uncomfortable when he did that. He knew his father expected he would one day be chief but if Hiccup were honest he never really liked the idea. Before Toothless, he would have given his left leg to get a scrap of attention from his father that didn't feel condescending or disappointed, but now he was missing his leg and he could do with a little less attention and expectation. When he'd been unable to kill Toothless his reality had unraveled and he'd known that he would never be like his father. He was the first viking who was unable to kill a dragon. In truth, he wasn't much of a viking to begin with and it wasn't just about the dragons. He'd never been able to command authority like his father did. He just wasn't cut out to be chief of the Berkians. But tell that to Stoick The Vast.
"Hiccup, are you listening?" asked his father, cutting through his thoughts.
"Er… yeah no, sorry. I can't say I was," he admitted, wincing as he looked up at his father.
"I was saying that if it bothers you so, go and find out where Snotlout's been. Then you can decide if it's worth confronting him over it."
"I've tried," said Hiccup, exasperated. "I asked Snotlout several times. I even tried to follow him but got waylaid by Gothi. I even went to ask Aunt Freda."
"And Freda said?"
"That if Snotlout hasn't told me then it's not her place to tell me. The only hint I got was when I asked Gobber. He said he hasn't seen Snotlout since he said something about going to check on someone called to Helvig's."
"Ah," said his father, leaning back in his chair, his brows drawn together in thought.
"Ah? Ah, what? What's ah?"
"That's a name I've not heard in a while."
"You know them? I don't remember anyone named the Helvigs and neither did Gobber."
"No, it's been quite a few years since many have seen them, particularly Sigyn, although I do believe she did attend the last Snoggletog feast. You were young the last time you saw her and you would have little cause to interact with her since. But I dare say that the tunic you're wearing is her handiwork."
"I got this from Mrs. Larson," he said, glancing down at his clothes.
"Which is no surprise since the Helvig's rarely ever venture into the village. Haven't for nigh on nine years now. All Sigyn's work is brought to Mrs. Larson's for distribution."
"So she's a tailor, a seamstress?" he asked dubiously.
His father nodded. "She and her father moved away from the village nine years ago after Sigyn was injured in an incident involving a dragon. Her father is one of the best men I know, and could swing an ax with the best of them."
"Could swing?" probed Hiccup.
"Aye, five years ago Torben Helvig was permanently injured in one of the dragon raids. I have not seen him in years. I ought to make an effort and go see them myself."
"So you think Snotlout's been out at the Helvigs?"
"Would make sense why you haven't seen him much. The Helvigs live out past the Ingerman's. Almost twice as far." His father frowned. "I hope they fared well during this recent attack. I know there was some issue that winter the speed stingers came to Berk. I'll go visit tomorrow."
"Ah… no. Let… let me go instead," interjected Hiccup, unsure what he was saying. His father eyed him a moment before a grin split his face.
"Aye, I knew you had it in ya son." A heavy hand thumped down on his shoulder and it was all Hiccup could do not to collapse in his chair. "Knew you'd grow into the responsibilities of a chief someday."
"What?! N…no," he stammered. "That's not what I…"
"Now a few things to know about…" And his father was off again explaining the duties of a chief. Hiccup settled wearily into his chair.
It wasn't till mid-morning the next day that Hiccup found himself out on the path to the Helvig's. The forest was quiet as he made his way past the turn to Ingerman's and continued along the much smaller and less frequented trail. It felt a bit odd to be without Toothless but one thing Hiccup had managed to pick up from his father's instructions last night was that dragons were not welcome at the Helvig's household. Something to do with the girl's previous injury. So Toothless had stayed at the academy with Stormfly and Astrid who was still training the recruits. He picked his way along the trail wishing he'd taken the time to swap the end joint of his prosthetic leg. This foot kept jarring when he hit uneven ground. Too late now.
About 20 minutes past the Ingerman's, the path opened onto a little yard. He couldn't see anyone at first save a few chickens who sparsely populated the yard. The hens scratched about in the dirt but Hiccup frowned and bent to examine the dragon tracks in the dirt. Monstrous Nightmare tracks. Probably Hookfang if his dad was right. That could be a problem. Hopefully, Snotlout hadn't been out here terrorizing Sigyn with his dragon.
The porch was empty so Hiccup made his way around the side of the house hoping to find someone. He paused when he caught sight of the barn. It looked like it had some repairs done to it recently. Very recently. That was the door latch he had smelted just the other day. He moved to examine the newly hung door and noticed some of his other handy work in the nails and hinges. He frowned. What had happened here?
"Can I help you?" called a voice behind him. He jumped and couldn't help the half gasp half yelp he gave.
"Gah! Oh, my Thor!"
He turned to see a girl about his age, maybe a little older watching him intently.
"If you're looking for your cousin, he left last night," she said, flicking her blond braid over her shoulder with her free hand. The not-free hand and arm were wrapped in a sling and bound at her side and she winced slightly as she shifted her weight.
"Are you Sigyn Helvig?" he asked.
"Last I checked, Hiccup Haddock," she said with a raised eyebrow, a hand propped on her hip. "You don't remember me do you?"
"Eh… no I can't say I do, not really."
She sighed. "I can't say I blame you. It's been a long time and you were probably only eight or nine at the time."
He shrugged, still clueless. "Sorry."
"The night they found me trapped in the abandoned shack they brought me to your house to be tended by Gothi while they found my father and his search party. You sat with me and distracted me while Gothi worked."
Hiccup cast his mind back but had only a vague memory of the incident. He shook his head.
"At any rate, what brings the chief's son all the way out here? Don't tell me that Snotlout told Stoick we were in trouble even though we're fine."
He frowned. "You don't exactly look fine," he said pointing at her arm.
"I'm healing," she said tersely. "Did your father send you?"
"Sort of," he said, running a hand through his hair. Her face grew stormy. "B…but it's got nothing to do with Snotlout… or rather he didn't say anything to my father."
"Then why are you here?"
"Actually, I really was looking for Snotlout, or rather I was trying to figure out where he's been and what he's been up to."
"Is he in trouble?"
"That's what I was trying to figure out."
She watched him for a long moment frowning. "He's been here the past week or so, since the attack… or at least since he pulled me out of the barn."
"He pulled you out of the barn?" he asked, confused, glancing at the fully intact barn.
She sighed. "The barn was hit in the attack and I was in it at the time. Snotlout pulled me out."
"What… What was he doing here in the first place? Does he come here often?"
"Often enough. Less since your dragon riders left Berk but he visits when he's back." It was silent for a long moment. "You look surprised."
"Ah… Frankly yes, a bit," he said. "Snotlout tends to ah… not get on with girls very well."
"All girls… or just Astrid Hofferson?" she asked shrewdly.
He frowned. "Most girls. But, yes, her in particular."
"I figured as much."
This was awkward. He hadn't given much thought to what he would say once he got here.
"He can be bore-headed at the best of times and has a tendency to rub people the wrong way," he offered.
"Does he rub you the wrong way?"
"Not as much as he used to," he admitted. "But not never."
There was a faint smile pulling at the corner of her mouth now. "He's pretty stubborn at times and he's certainly got his own opinions on things."
His heart sank a little. "I'm sorry if he's been a bother to you. I know you don't like dragons and I see Hookfang's been here."
She looked at him biting a lip. "Do you want a drink?" she asked at last. "It's just, I sense that you want more of an explanation and I would rather do that sitting. I have to admit that I might have overdone it even though I promised to be careful."
Feeling even more confused Hiccup nodded and followed her back to the house. It was warm and clean inside, everything seeming to have a place. But then he spotted the bench near the window. It was spread with all manner of sewing accouterments and reminded him of his own workbench.
"Welcome, Hiccup Haddock," said the man sitting at the table. Hiccup could only assume this was Torben Helvig.
"Thank you," he said awkwardly.
Sigyn filled three cups with water and brought them to the table. She gestured for him to sit. "Sorry, all we have is water. Our yak was killed in the attack," she said.
"Water is fine," he said, taking a sip.
His father had said that Mr. Helvig was injured but not in what way. Given the way the man's eyes glazed over the room without focusing on anything he guessed there was some degree of blindness. The man's posture also seemed off and when he glanced down at the man's legs he saw that they were withered. Some form of paralysis most likely.
"So, Hiccup Haddock, you have been looking for Snotlout?" said the man.
"I wondered what was so important that was keeping him away. He wouldn't say anything about where he was going or what he was doing no matter how many times I asked. I'm sorry if he's been a nuisance."
The man turned his face to him, frowning. "Do you often apologize for your cousin?"
"It's just I know he can be a bit much sometimes. He's kinda impulsive," he said, tugging at his ear. "Most people don't handle him very well."
"We've had no trouble with him," said Mr. Helvig. "In fact, we are quite indebted to Snotlout."
"We are talking about Snotlout Jorgensen?" asked Hiccup.
"I'm afraid he's worked himself quite tirelessly this past week," said Mr. Helvig.
"When exactly did he start coming around?" asked Hiccup.
"Last summer," said Sigyn.
"How did you meet him?"
"He and Hookfang chased off a horde of wild boars that had treed me," said Sigyn. "I had been there all night and might have been there several days had he not found me. We kinda became friends after that and he started coming around."
Hiccup listened carefully as the Helvigs told him what had happened in the past year.
"So as you can see," said Mr. Helvig. "We have rather appreciated Snotlout."
Hiccup sat back in his chair processing. All this time Snotlout had been helping this family. It explained so much, not the least of which was his disappearances. It also explained the subtle shift in the way he'd been interacting with Astrid and the others in the past few months. Even Astrid had commented how Snotlout was less irksome. He was distracted elsewhere… with someone else. That might help ease things going forward... It even explained why Snotlout had volunteered for the supply runs so readily and who he was sending terror mail to. It was all for the Helvigs; largely, he suspected, for Sigyn.
She was pretty. A little older but less aggressive than Astrid. Similar but different. This was not what he'd been expecting to find but now he saw the whole picture he was not entirely surprised either. No wonder Snotlout had been so defensive, especially with the way the group had reacted last winter when he had suggested he'd made a friend outside the riders. If the roles had been reversed he wasn't too sure he would have wanted the others to know either.
Hiccup frowned. Snotlout was going to be unhappy when he realized that Hiccup had intruded into what Snotlout was sure to feel was his personal business. Well, it was a little late for regrets now. Honestly, he was impressed with all his cousin had done for the Helvigs. Still, Hiccup felt that a little more meddling was needed, something only he could do.
"May I ask a personal question Mr. Helvig?" he asked.
"You may?" replied the man.
Hiccup hesitated only a moment before asking his question. Mr. Helvig thought a moment before answering and Hiccup took a bit of parchment from his pocket along with his stub of charcoal. He made a few notes and took measurements asking several more questions as he went. When he was satisfied that he had all the information he required for his new project he bid them goodbye and stood to leave.
"Are you going to say anything to anyone?" asked Sigyn as she walked him towards the edge of the yard.
He shrugged. "My father will probably ask." Sigyn bit nervously at her lip thinking. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm not going to tell anyone else. I don't want Snotlout to be any more angry when he finds out."
"You're going to tell him!?"
"Norns no! But he's sure to figure it out sooner or later."
"I suppose."
"Don't you mind him keeping you a secret?" he asked, watching her expression.
She thought for a moment. "Not really. I'm not too surprised, and I think I understand why. What about you? Are you going to visit again?"
"Now and then if I can manage it. I hope to have this finished by tomorrow and bring it by," he said, patting his pocket where he'd slipped his notes.
"What exactly is it?" she asked curiously.
"It will be easier to show you tomorrow," he said.
With a few more words in parting and a wave, he began the trek back to the village. It was going to be a long night in the forge but he thought he had some of the key pieces already made. With a few tweaks, adjustments, and a bit of luck he could have it finished by morning.
He wasn't quite as lucky as he had hoped. There had been a few setbacks and an interruption from his father who had wanted to know about his visit. But at last, just after lunchtime the next day his project was complete. Toothless, who had found him at about midnight, lay snoozing outside the forge. Hiccup stood back and examined his work, happy in the knowledge that it would make life for the Helvigs easier and not just in the short term. The only problem was, that it was sure to give him away to Snotlout the next time his cousin visited. But he would deal with that later.
Rubbing at his sore tired eyes he tossed his work apron aside and stooped to scratch Toothless. "Hey bud, sorry I've been busy," he said as Toothless stretched and yawned, rumbling softly. "I need your help okay?"
Toothless grumbled and rolled his eyes but shook the stiffness from his back. Hiccup laid out one of the large sacks the dragon riders sometimes used to carry items in. After rolling his new creation into the center he gathered up the edges of the sack and tied it together making a makeshift handle with the remaining rope for Toothless to grab. He glanced back in the forge at the mess he was leaving behind. He'd come back and clean it up later. He was anxious and excited to get this out to Sigyn and her father.
A few minutes later he and Toothless were in the air. Several other dragons were flying over by the arena. No doubt Astrid was hard at work training. He made a mental note to check in on her later. Yesterday she had been a bit hard on the trainees. Gothi was pretty old for Thor's sake. Toothless circled over the Helvig's house and Hiccup leaned forward, looking for a place to land. He didn't want to scare Sigyn but it would have taken him ages to drag his new invention through the woods. He directed Toothless to land near the edge of the clearing surrounding their home.
"Wait here," he said, slipping to the ground and patting Toothless. Toothless grumbled but sunk to the ground watching the chickens that approached him pecking the ground. Hiccup made his way around to the front of the house and was about to climb the steps to the porch when he paused his foot mid-air.
"I would be careful," said Mr. Helvig from his chair on the porch. "There's egg on the steps. Very slippery."
"Ah," said Hiccup, carefully stepping over the mess. "What happened?"
There was a deep sigh from inside and Sigyn stepped into the door frame. "Gustav Larson happened," she said. "Loki help him. I know he was only trying to help but that was all of today's eggs."
"Gustav was here?" he asked. "Why?"
Sigyn shrugged. "He showed up here about lunchtime saying he wanted to help around the house. If I had to guess, I'd say Snotlout put him up to it."
Hiccup frowned. Snotlout and Gustav generally didn't get on very well. And if he was honest after the last fiasco with Dagur, Hiccup couldn't blame him.
"Do you want me to call him off?" offered Hiccup.
"I'm not sure you could if you tried," she said. "He's pretty determined. Besides, it wasn't his fault about the eggs. One of the hens is broody and didn't take kindly to him collecting her eggs. She chased him and ultimately tripped him. He left with egg all over his front. I kinda felt bad for him. He was trying so hard."
Hiccup tried not to laugh at the imagery but couldn't help a small smile. "If you're sure he's not too much trouble. Then again, you have managed with Snotlout so far."
"They are similar in many ways," she agreed with a smile.
"That's no surprise since Gustav had a bit of a Snotlout complex," he said thinking about the twins' horrible prank on Snotlout. "Still does to some degree."
Sigyn chuckled sadly. "Of all the people to copy. But whereas Snotlout is often just bravado and knows it… I'm afraid that Guatave believes in his false image."
"You could be right. But if he becomes a problem…"
"I'll handle him," she said, waving him off. "I may not be able to use a needle and thread effectively till I get this off my arm but I can certainly handle an over-enthusiastic teenage boy."
Hiccup laughed. "Alright, alright."
"So what brings you back today?" asked Mr. Helvig.
"Well, you actually," said Hiccup. "I know the rest of the village was a bit slow to come help in the recent attack. It made me realize how at-risk you both are. If something happens to Sigyn it would be very difficult for you to get help. And visa versa."
Mr. Helvig frowned. "Go on."
"Well, Snotlout is working with Sigyn on her fear of dragons," he continued. She grimaced. "But I noticed one area which I can help that Snotlout can't."
"And that would be?"
"Um… your mobility," he said. "Given my particular experience in similar circumstances… I thought that I could help."
"How exactly are you going to help?" asked Sigyn, her brows drawn together in confusion.
"Well I made something that I think will help but it was a bit too cumbersome to bring all this way here on my own. I had to have Toothless, my dragon, help me bring it here."
"You brought your dragon here?" asked Sigyn, suddenly very alert. "Where?"
"Knowing how you feel about dragons, I left him at the edge of the yard," he said.
Her shoulders visibly relaxed.
"If it is all right I'll have him bring over what I made."
She was quiet for a moment but at last, she nodded. Going back around the corner, Hiccup gave a shrill whistle and waved Toothless over. Grabbing the large wrapped bundle by the handle with his teeth, Toothless made his way over to the porch.
"Thanks, bud," he said, reaching over and scratching Toothless once he'd set the bundle down. But his attention was on Sigyn who was watching Toothless warily. Beside him, Toothless sniffed and then bent forward suddenly to lick up the remnants of the shattered eggs off the porch. Sigyn flinched involuntarily but eased up as Toothless moved back a few feet.
"At least I won't have to clean up eggs," she said.
"More's the pity I lost my sight," said Mr. Helvig. "I've never seen a Night Fury. Only heard the stories."
Sigyn seemed to relax a bit more. "So what's in the bundle," she asked.
"Well," said Hiccup, stepping toward the bag. But at that moment something small and scaly slammed into his face. Sigyn shrieked in surprise and fright. Hiccup had to fight his heart back into his chest as he pried the little dragon off his face.
"They really do fly straight into your face," she said, clutching at her chest.
"Yes," grumbled Hiccup as he untied the parchment attached to the dragon's leg. "We're working on it." He unrolled the parchment and began to read but as he skimmed over the words several things fell horribly into place.
Why hadn't he seen it before? Of course, Dagur had an ulterior motive for attacking Berk and he'd been blind not to see it before. At the bottom of the page after Fishlegs hurried signature was a quick scrawled note from Snotlout as well. He must have once again intercepted the t-mail dragon mid-flight.
"I have to go," he said, stuffing the letter into his pocket and motioning for Toothless.
"Is something wrong?" asked Sigyn.
"Dragon's Edge is under attack," said Hiccup, swinging into the saddle. "Dagur's attack was just to flush us out. His real target was the Edge all along. I'm sorry but I don't have time to explain that," he said pointing to the bundle. "But it's not hard to figure out. Right now I need to go find Astrid and my father."
"Is Snotlout okay?" she asked coming down to the porch steps, her face drawn in lines of worry.
"He was when this letter was sent," he said, sliding his prosthetic foot into the mechanical stirrup. He paused and looked down at Sigyn. "Don't worry. Snotlout may be a lot of brag but he and Hookfang are quite capable in a fight. He'll be okay."
With that Toothless leapt into the air and they were speeding towards the arena.
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Thank you for returning to read this story. It's been busy here with a new baby boy and keeping up with the three older kids. This story is not abandoned. None of my stories are... it just takes a long time to get chapters out, especially since I rotate which story gets a chapter. You readers are amazing. Thank you for your encouragement and support. Keep reading and may you find many good stories!