Chapter Text
If someone had told Astrid that one day she would have to be sitting next to the council discussing the town's future in an impending war, she probably would have split him in two with his ax and to be honest the chances were high that it was one of the twins who said it, but that was what he was doing now, he wasn't training with his ax but simply listening to the men discuss which were the best options were, but the feeling that he was invading someone's place was too strong, and he didn't. It was the place, either way it was Hiccup's place that rightfully belonged to him and that he could never get back. It had been years since Hiccup disappeared from Berk, that was the day Berk turned upside down, everyone was looking for Hiccup and wondering where he could be or what could have happened, He had never been the most popular Viking, perhaps very few noticed it. They realized until he became the sensation of the town for his talent for dragons, maybe that was the reason why the whole town turned over every stone to find, but they never found a clue of what happened that day, only They know that overnight he had disappeared, leaving them alone with a bunch of his designs and ideas as their only memories of him, and although they all learned to live with it every day, Berk was never like before, as incredible as it seemed, there was changes. A clear example is the tactical truce with the dragons, when the raids stopped they decided to stop hunting them, it made no sense to chase them, they do not attack them and in exchange people do not try to kill them, and it has worked for almost six years until now, but the day . who received the information about a certain Drago who was coming to attack Berk along with an army of dragons knew that the days of peace had just ended.
“According to the information, this Drago has an army of dragons and men, we will not hold out for long and we need a solution.” Everyone on the council was gathered, including Astrid, the heir of Berk, after Snotlout's failure in one of the first missions he led was removed, to tell the truth he seemed relieved, Stoick decided to name Astrid his heir and with that came responsibilities such as meeting with an entire council quite concerned about the situation, including Stoick, although he seemed a little less worried than the rest or at least that was what was noticeable.
"Well, we'll have to do it, our survival depends on it" Stoick speaks, trying to give a kind of comfort in a very Viking way.
"The dragon master" Astrid whispered, in an effort to find solutions, ever since she received the news of the attack her head has not stopped spinning and the only thing I can think about is the rumors about this dragon master and that maybe could be our only hope
"What did you say?" Gobber asks, ending the discussion that had been started and creating an awkward silence at the suggestion.
"Just an idea, he controls dragons too, okay? Maybe he could help."
"But what if he works with Drago?" Stoick is clearly not comfortable with this, it's a risky idea and more than that, but even he knows the chances are slim, if not none.
"It just means that they will eliminate us faster" It was a cold comment perhaps, due to the reaction of the entire council and Stoick's look but we are at the gates of what is probably the worst war Berk has ever had and there is no time for refinements . Everyone remains silent, until Stoick breaks the silence, although his voice does not have the usual strength, it is clear that he made his decision.
"Then look for him, and let's hope he's on our side and not against us" Stoick relents, Astrid nods, the rest of the council doesn't speak so Astrid knows he could be against the plan but at this point even they know, What is his greatest hope, when the session ends he will go to look for the others and prepare the mission
"There is a problem with the plan, we don't know where to find the 'dragon master.'" Fishlegs doesn't seem very comfortable with the idea either, but like the council, he keeps his doubts aside.
"Someone here must know" after many questions a merchant talks about a rumor that the dragon master usually buys some supplies in the northern markets, that is the only thing they get, but with the little time they have they decide that with that they will have enough, so with that information they prepare the trip and leave. It took them almost three days to reach the northern markets and another day to find someone who claimed to know the dragon master. He did not introduce himself or speak more than the necessary words which included a promise to bring her the note as soon as he could. It was possible, only after a while Astrid began to question if she really knew the dragon master or it was just a deception, he tried to convince himself that he had nothing to gain from it but he didn't gain anything from delivering the message either, it took them three more days to return to Berk and by then they just had to wait.
(***)
One of the merchants who supplies the shore with supplies arrived today with a message for the dragon master, Hiccup hasn't been in for a few days, so Heather accepted it and waited as patiently as she could with her curiosity at its limit, luckily it was supposed to. that Hiccup's return was scheduled for that same day, in the afternoon a familiar figure approaches from the east, Heather arrives at the landing strip and waits for them to arrive, Toothless descends gracefully clearly trying to show off which wouldn't be news if she hadn't heard the laughter of someone on Toothless's back., although Hiccup's body covered her almost completely. Heather could see her skirt moving in the wind, so apparently those two had brought a surprise with them. to the shore
"Aren't you saying hello to me anymore Heather?" Alna joked as she quickly jumped off Toothless's back. She seemed eager to touch the ground again. She approached Heather and gave her a short hug. There weren't usually many visitors on the shore, but she was one of the most frequent visitors.
"I'm just surprised since you almost always come when there are problems and until today there haven't been any" he mocks as he returns the hug and smiles at Hiccup and Toothless in greeting as the two stay behind, Hiccup unties what looks like be Alna's things and leans on Toothless as he watches the conversation.
"Well I decided I could take a break from my parents, not to mention the idiot they expect me to marry."
Hiccup laughs a little and takes off his mask before approaching Alna from behind and stay a few centimeters from her, without Alna noticing.
"Maybe you should marry someone else once and for all so they stop bothering you" Heather jokes.
Alna snorts "it's easier said than done" she walks to pet Toothless who is always willing to receive scratches on the chin
"I'm sorry to change the subject but this is for the dragon master." Heather mocks, it's time for Hiccup and Toothless to snort, but Hiccup takes the letter and reads it, he tenses up suddenly and walks away a little with Toothless after him, Alna takes the paper from him and reads it while Hiccup stands looking at a place in nowhere.
"What does it say?" Now it's not just curiosity but worry that has Heather uneasy, Hiccup has never reacted like this before and there has been a lot of bad news before.
"It's from Berk..." with just those words I can already imagine why Hiccup's reaction, Alna looks at Hiccup with concern and he still doesn't react.
"They found him" It's a whisper, but she knows that they listen anyway, during all these years they have done everything possible to hide his identity
"No, they want my help to fight Drago" He speaks again when he gets closer although his voice sounds shaky.
"Will you?" Heather has many questions running through her mind but she skips the rest of the questions including why Drago would attack Berk and goes to the one that defines his future and hers why she wouldn't let him go alone.
"I started this and I finished it" is his only response, but he honestly can't say he expected more.
"Well, when are we leaving?" Trying to pretend that it is just another mission is difficult but it has to be.
"I can't let you come, this is not your war."
"True" Alna speaks and Heather opens her mouth to contradict her But you won't go alone and you know you won't win this argument." Hiccup nods, clearly affected by everything and without the desire to try to convince them, and walks away.
"I guess I'm done with your break" Heather speaks, trying to relieve the tension.
"You had to talk" He smiles and goes to take the bag that Toothless brought where he should bring his things, and walks towards the cabin where he stays when he is on the shore, probably to rest before it is time to leave.