19Tipping the Scales
idiom; to cause a change; to offset the balance of a situation.
I am by no means new in the fandom but this is my first writing for it. Also, it's been a while since I wrote something, so this is a little project to het my muse back up and running.
Warnings: stray grammar mistakes, some curses here and there, Viking attitude galore, some geographic miscalculations and landmarks being all wrong, Astrid being Astrid, and Ruff&Tuff are the Heirs in this AU so there's that to look out for... Also, some characters may appear OOC but bare in mind this is an AU and many things are different from Canon-verse
Disclaimer:I obviously don't own the How to Train Your Dragon franchise so this is kinda pointless...
Also, comments would be advisable, as your opinions matter and I'd like to know your thoughts on this.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 01; starting point
...&...
She was particularly careful when she went out that morning. Barely dawn with only a few people out and about their usual business. But she didn't worry about them. Oh no, she didn't. She managed to flatten herself on a wall just in time for the two guards to pass.
Security had tightened significantly. Last night had been one of the worse raids they've had. The dragons had come with such flurry they barely made it. Between dragons one week and pirates the next, she didn't know how they managed to stay standing. Because it wasn't just sheep and fish they've kept losing; two children had been taken by the pirates last week and four people had burned in last night's fire. It drove panic all over the island, so the Chief had taken precautions. Thus the guards. Carefully she tiptoed her way through the limited shadows, pausing only when guards came her way.
It was annoying really. Not even when the twins had burned down the storage units did they have that many guards patrolling around. The Chief had said "unknown hooligans" but everyone knew it was the Heirs' fault. The yak-dung bomb had been Tuffnut's signature move. She had been present in through all experimentation. Unfortunately. All the lye soap in the Archipelago couldn't wash away the smell. Even now, three years later, she caught herself smelling of yak. And seeing as her house was near the fishing huts, it was really suspicious.
She was two steps away from the wall separating village and forest, when a hand fell on her shoulder. She screamed, turning and swinging her axe to the culprit. Two screams echoed with hers.
"What the Thor are you guys doing?!" she yelled as two matching grins appeared, "I could have killed you!"
"Hey, you'd do Dad a great favor!"
She raised a brow at them, "Why? Did you throw fish-guts in his bath again?"
Tuffnut Thorston gave her a devious smirk, "Maybe. But really, he's overreacting. Like, really. It's been twenty years; he should be used to us by now." By his side, Ruffnut Thorston matched his look.
"Where're you off? It's way too early to walk around the village." She blinked and her grin grew, "Or are you just coming back? Why, Astrid Hofferson, I never knew you had it in you!"
Astrid rolled her eyes as Tuffnut shot a confused look at his sister, "I'm doing training, not that, Ruff." She huffed and shouldered her axe, "Besides, if I was, you'd be the first to know. I need my cover story to be legit."
Tuffnut shot the two another confused look, "Dunno what you two are smirking about, but I'm loving this side of you, Astrid. Ever since you came to our side it's been awesome."
"Well, Ruff did promise she wouldn't let you blow up the fishing huts anymore, so really I had no choice but to sacrifice myself."
"Ah, so that's why she never lets me go there unattended."
"That and the last time you did the village had to go a winter with only yak jerky." Ruffnut told him with a shudder, "Dad was a sourpuss all winter. Don't wanna have that again."
"Wasn't my favorite winter as well, Tuff."
Tuffnut gave a dramatic sigh, "Okay, alright. No more blowing up food units! Sheesh, you people are boring." His twin sister chuckled as Astrid shook her head, "So, where you off to?"
"Told you, training."
"Cool. Mind if we tag along?"
Astrid groaned, "Yes, I do. Last time you came with me I did everything but train. And Finn doesn't want me to be rusty."
"Ya know, your uncle could take that stick out of his ass every once in a while."
"I think that's really impossible. It comes with the job description."
"Huh. Didn't know being a general meant you have a poll in your ass." Tuffnut said leaning at the wall.
"Yeah well, apparently being responsible for the safety of the leading family takes a lot out of fun time."
Tuffnut gave a dramatic gasp, "That's terrible! We'd never do that to you!"
She gave the male heir a wry grin, "I know that, Tuff. Perks of being your bodyguard!"
"Of course! But we consider you family as well." He said with a shrug, "I mean, who else can put up with Ruff's table manners than you?"
"Not to mention, Tuff's sleepwalking!"
"Our yak-tipping!"
"Or our boar pit extremes." Ruff cringed under Astrid's glare, "Yeah, those hadn't been our greatest moments."
"In our defense, the mud wasn't wet enough."
"I almost died getting your asses out of that pit."
Ruffnut winked and shot her a grin, "Like you said. The perks of being the Thorston Bodyguard."
Astrid groaned and rubbed the bridge of her nose. True, ever since she became the twins' official bodyguard at fifteen, there had never been a quiet moment in her life. Either wild boars chased her to trample her to the ground, or an angry Viking mob that had enough of yak-dunk in their baths, or a wild dragon that wanted to kill the two devils –in association her as well– for interrupting his nap. The Chief spent those days puss green, and her uncle chewing her ear off to keep the heirs in line.
Astrid sighed and turned around. They were insufferable, always fooling around and messing everything up, annoying everyone to the point coups were organized to send them off to exile, not to mention they were always the ones behind every little disaster in their monotone life. But… She threw them a look above her shoulder; I wouldn't change them for the world.
"You should go home, and get ready. You have your own training as well." She grinned at their groans, "I'll come find you after training. It's yak-tipping day, isn't it?"
That seemed to perk them up, "Yeah, it is, isn't it? Well let's go, sister! The sooner we finish heir duty, the more we'll have tipping those suckers!"
"Then lead the way, dear brother of mine!" Ruffnut said taking her brother's elbow, "Have fun destroying trees, Hoff!" and with that the twins were off.
It took her a minute to finally move. She had to be sure they were actually gone before she jumped over the wall. As she pushed her way through the dense forest, she felt her insides twist. Guilt had been her best friend all these years. She told herself that secrecy was necessary, that lives would stay the same, and that people wouldn't be in unnecessary danger because she couldn't keep her mouth shut. Still, it never seemed to go away. Rather it wrapped around her and gnawed like a rabid dragon on her mind. She reached the rock formation and took a sharp left turn to a hole concealed by thick moss. You'd miss it unless you knew it was there. It was the perfect hiding spot.
It was as if walking into another world; a small cavern that led to an open space, rocks and moss creating the pretence of curved walls. The roof was open as water rained from above, creating a small waterfall and then to a lake with crystal clear waters. As if alive, the water flowed around the small space falling through a rock path creating a small river that led to the open waters. Ice stuck at the smalls of the opening, some falling through and over to the rock formations that surrounded the small lake. Ice and snow glittered from the stray sunrays that fell through the opening, but also from the sparkling amber that stuck on the walls.
The first time she had encountered this hidden cove, she had been thrilled, and soon had adopted it as her own secret space of relaxation, somewhere she could –besides her own special spot between cut up trees north of the island– get lost in her own world away from the village's prying eyes. Ever since she graduated dragon training, it was as if she was under scrutiny; her uncle proudly pushing her for more, the Chief putting her in charge of the twins' safety, and the village holding her up for greatness, having more and more expectations for her. That might have been her fault as well, seeing as she had scared and amazed everyone with the fact that she had fought off the dragon that had swooped her off during a raid, and then returned safe and unharmed a week later. Everyone had thought she was a ghost, or a draugr coming to kill everyone; it also didn't help that the twins had spread rumors about her either truly being a draugr that had sneaked in to kill them all, or that she had single handedly killed every dragon that there was. Seeing as the raids had stopped for a significant amount of time then, the village had believed it.
That had been five years ago. Five years since she was taken to her death, and four years since the raids had started again with far more fervor.
It had also been five years since she had learned the truth.
Heavy steps echoed behind her and she turned with a smile, "Sorry I'm late! The twins caught me sneaking. I had to shake them off." Astrid crouched by a boulder and pulled her pouch and axe off. Slowly, she rolled the pouch and carefully laid out the few pieces of chicken she had managed to sneak out from last night's meal, "I brought your favorite, but it's not much." There was a huff and she rolled her eyes, "Well, I can always take it back." There was a low growl as she tried to close the pouch and she grinned, "Thought so." Another huff made her laugh. She grabbed a piece and threw it in the air. Her companion caught it easily, "I know you've been cooped up here, but the weather was awful and I couldn't sneak out. It's been so hectic lately, I can barely breathe."
Her companion gave a low whine and came to curl around her. Smiling, Astrid passed another chicken piece, "The village is getting ready for winter –not that it's any different than everyday seeing as it's either snowing or raining or both. We are way up north, even for normal Viking standards." Her companion gave her arm a nuzzle and Astrid happily nuzzled back, "There's also this Thing happening, a Chieftain meeting, and I'll have to attend as well." There was a grumble and she huffed, "Well, I don't like it either. But since Ruff and Tuff have to go, I have to go as well. It's part of the whole Thorston Bodyguard experience!" she said rolling her eyes. Her companion cooed and pushed her arm, in return Astrid gave a scratch, "I know, I know. I have to keep the safe. Thor knows I am the single person qualified to do that. It's just…" Then she sighed, "It's gonna be a whole week away from here, and I don't like leaving you all alone. The Thing is further south and the waters are full of crazy, Viking eating dragons and the people aren't that nice either."
Her companion blinked at her and shuffled closer, curling their body closer. Absentminded, Astrid pulled another piece of chicken, "Everyone is going to be there, it's going to be intense." Astrid could almost feel the raised brow –was that even possible?– her companion threw her way, "Oh, don't look at me like that! I'm not itching to see him, either!" Astrid huffed, "He has changed you know. I've heard a whole lot of rumors from trader Johann. He got through his dragon training and finished with honors! Dragons run when he's around. The Dragon Conqueror. The Pride of Berk! That's the name he goes by now!" she growled as her companion watched her crush the tender chicken between her fingers, "Last I saw him, he was a fishbone, barely able to carry a sword! Did you know once I had to tie his axe on his hands and wrists because he was afraid to disappoint his dad? And then he goes from that to Dragon Conqueror?! How is that even possible?" She threw the crushed chicken to the pouch, "I-I heard what he did at his final test. He… He brought down a Monstrous Nightmare under a minute. A-And Johann told me he… he brought down a Night Fury right before he started dragon training." At that her companion blinked in surprise, "It's true. Johann might be a complete fable, but he never lies. How…" Her fingers curled on her wrist as she tried to swallow the bile in her throat.
"He was so gentle. He was kind and selfless and caring, and the only thing he wanted was to make his dad proud of him." Her companion cooed and Astrid gave a snort, "I imagine his Daddy now is proud of his dragon murdering son." There was a grumble and Astrid threw her hands in the air, "I literally learned a day after! And I didn't even finish it either; you wouldn't be here if I had!" There was a huff and Astrid rolled her eyes, "It's been five years, you can't still be holding it against me!" There was a low growl, "I gave you a small scratch before you took off. You literally almost took my whole arm off! I still can't raise my left arm over my shoulder." There was a whine and Astrid sighed, her hand closing around her friend's face, "Don't do that. It wasn't your fault. I was an idiot, I tried to kill you. You were protecting yourself. I don't hold it against you."
And she really didn't. It might ache during winter, and the scars over her shoulder and chest ache when it was either humid or raining –which was everyday– but she'd never hold it against her friend. It had been dark times then. Dark and far in the past, and Astrid wanted to keep them there. There was no point thinking them over. If she did, she'd missed all that is to pass, as another friend had told her once.
"But he… He has no excuse." She didn't really expect him to stay gentle and naïve all his life, that was a bit too good and optimistic, but she hadn't expected this. Truth to be told, she thought she would have been the one that had the fame and reputation of the best killer of the Archipelago. She wasn't jealous, far from it. After that raid her life had took such a turn she couldn't see herself as a dragon killer. She took a look at her companion –her best friend, and smiled. Beautiful blue scales glittered and shone over her large body; a crown of pale horns gave her a regal look and spines over her back and down her colorful spiked tail, sprinkled with lighter blues and golds. A soft underbelly and two muscled legs she stood proud on with hawk like claws. Her friend shook her body –her neck straining up giving her a peak of the pale scar on her neck– and ruffled her wings sprinkled with rings of blue and red. She was a beauty; even by Deadly Nadder standards, she was beautiful. And she knew it.
Astrid laughed and leaned back at the warm body, raising the last pieces of chicken for her friend to eat. Stormfly was vain, proud, regal, took no shit from anyone –dragon or Viking– and loyal to a fault. Whenever she looked at the dragon it was as if looking at her reflection. She smirked when the dragon started preening; well, she wasn't that vain… She started laughing when Stormfly picked up her braid, loosening some locks and tightening others. She had a lot of practice over the years, and now she knew how Astrid liked her braids. Sometimes she'd tie her braid a bit too tight –usually during training– only to have the dragon stop her to fix her braid. It had always fascinated Astrid how Stormfly could use her beak and not chop her braid in half or tear her hair out. Gracefulness was something else the two shared.
"Are you done?" Stormfly gave her a huff, "Well, you wanted to go for a flight, but if you just wanna hang out here–" she was up and trilling before she could finish. Astrid chuckled and reached over the boulder, pulling furs and belts that gently she weaved around Stormfly's back. She tied the belts tightly around her friend, and moved to tie her pouch and axe on the back. Then with a leap she was on Stormfly and out of the cove in seconds.
Stormfly was enthusiastic. The thrill of being out from the cove and up into the fresh air taking over, making her shake and fly with great speed. Astrid clutched at the belts as Stormfly did a loop and barrel rolled higher. Astrid laughed and Stormfly clicked and trilled. They weaved through the clouds, droplets catching on her fingers as the air froze her face. She loved this feeling; freedom. She always felt as if nothing could stop her up in the clouds, flying with Stormfly as high and as fast as they could; she felt as if she was born to be up there. She had become addicted now. She was sure she couldn't live without this in her life. Astrid looked at her friend's bobbing head; she was more than sure she couldn't live without Stormfly. They were one the same. Stormfly completed Astrid, and Astrid completed Stormfly. She felt as if she'd found her own soulmate when she had stared into her gleaming gold eyes five years ago.
Stormfly keened and everything flipped. She folded her wings and Astrid took it as a cue to tighten her grip on the belts holding her secure. They started to drop, ripping through the air and clouds. The ocean came towards them in astonishing speed and Astrid screamed and laughed when her eyes squinted from the air, right before Stormfly opened her wings bringing them to a glide right above the freezing waters. Stormfly trilled and croaked in excitement and Astrid laughed and straightened in her seat, spreading her arms and breathing in. Clicking her tongue, Astrid tighten her thighs around Stormfly's back, as her friend spread her wings and rushed into the skies again.
Oh yeah, she was born for this.
…&…
It was well into noon when she came back to the village. A few people greeted her with a wave, while others threw her looks of pride. The small ones looked at her as if seeing a hero of an Edda. She forced a smile on her face, greeting the villagers back, and hoping it didn't feel as awkward as she felt. As fast as she could she made a beeline for the docks.
"There ya are! I was afraid a dragon swooped ya up again!" Her aunt smiled just as she stepped on the docks.
Astrid forced another smile, "Well, that would have been unfortunate."
Her aunt whipped her hands on her apron and laughed, "Unfortunate dragon! It would have ta carry ya all over to its nest!" she gave Astrid's stomach a poke, "With the way ya been eating lately, I pity it already!"
Her aunt must be the single most observant person in the whole Archipelago. Then again, she managed once to sniff out her uncle's pipe even before he started smocking again, Astrid shouldn't be too surprised she would notice about the food. She was the one cooking it after all.
"Shouldn't you be at the Hall? What are you still doing here?"
Ingrid frowned at her niece, "The fish hadn't been enough for the stew today." Then she raised a brow, "Something that ya promised doing yesterday, if I recall correctly."
Astrid barely stopped her cringe, "Training took a little more than I expected."
Her aunt stepped forward and took her hands to inspect them. Rough fingers, blisters and welts created by gripping the leather belts a little too tight had made her hands raw and red. With any luck, her aunt would think she'd been arms deep with axe throwing training.
"I'll have ta talk ta Finn. This is going ta destroy your hands if ya continue like this." She reached into her apron and pulled out a closed cup, unscrewed it and gently rubbed the ointment on the welts of her palm.
"He's not going to budge. And he's right. With winter coming I'll rarely have time to train or practice, and with the Thing a week away, I'll doubt I'll even sleep."
The frown on Ingrid's face pulled the wrinkles around her eyes, "He could cut back the hours. It cuts into your other duties, sweetie."
"Don't worry, I'll be alright. I'm a Hofferson after all!"
She saw right through her smile, "I'll still talk ta him. Now! Help me with this basket! Have ya eaten yet? It's lunch time, so let's go ta the Hall and I'll give ya a hefty bowl! Perks of having the official cook as your aunt!"
The rest of the day had been a blur after that.
A nice broth had been served and she had eaten at the company of the twins that had sauntered in groaning and moaning about boring lessons and logistics. Then, they promptly dragged her over the village, mischievously pranking everyone –with the exception of their own mother of course, that woman was lethal when angered– and then she had followed the Heirs all over the Cliffside where the yak-tipping commenced. Twenty yaks and many curses and screams from the herder later, they had gone back to the Hall for dinner. After a small food fight she had to break before the glaring elders came over and teared them a new one, the conversation slipped towards the preparation for the Thing.
"Dad said we'll take four ships. Two for us and two for what we'll drag along."
Astrid frowned at that, "Two ships for provisions? That seems a bit extreme."
"A nah, it's not provisions for us. More like gifts for the Meatheads." Ruffnut said sucking on her spoon, "Dad said that some barrels are for the treaty, while the rest are for the rest of the chieftains."
"Have they told you what the Thing is going to be?"
"Nope. Dad doesn't really tell us until before we reach land. Must be because of that one time, I suppose."
"You literally jumped into the waters and swam back home, Tuff."
"It was logistics, Hofferson. I hate logistics, I hate numbers. Why did we even invent them in the first place?"
"There, there." Ruffnut said rubbing her brother's back. Astrid raised a brow while Ruffnut grinned, "Easy bro. Here, have a small break to ease the tension." Then she promptly slammed his head in the table. Several people looked over and Astrid rolled her eyes when Tuffnut stood back up grinning and asking for more, "But back to the point. Dad will tell us when we reach Meathead Isles. But if I had to guess, it'll probably be about that."
"Oh, yeah. That."
"That?" Astrid asked.
"Yeah, that."
"And what's that?" she asked folding her arms.
"Can't tell ya, sorry." Tuffnut said before Ruffnut cuffed his head.
"But because it's you, we'll tell you." She said leaning closer to Astrid, "It had been a slight matter that had caused an uproar during the Thing last winter. The Bogs brought it up and there was a fist fight right after and it was so awesome."
Astrid rolled her eyes at her giddy friend, "Ruff, to the point."
"Right. So you know how the Bogs are like these wild pirate Valkyries or something, and have sailed all over the Archipelago. Well, last time they did, they saw a flock of dragons."
"A flock of dragons flying over the Barbaric Archipelago, which is known for being nose deep infested with Viking eating dragons for three-hundred years? Wow, who would have known." Astrid deadpanned.
"Yeah, that's what everyone said at first. But then it wasn't just the usual flock that ups and raids and leaves. The dragons were flying in formation." At that Astrid frowned in her seat; she didn't like where this was going, "But that wasn't what created the brawl. The Bogs said that there were people riding them."
Oh yes, Astrid didn't like this at all.
"That's yakshit." Astrid said and prayed to Odin they wouldn't notice her trembling hands, "That's impossible. No one can tame a dragon, more so ride one."
"And that's what everyone started saying and then the brawl begun."
Astrid frowned, her mind racing as she thought it over, "Have there been any other reports like that?"
"Yeah." Tuffnut said, "Dad had a few scrolls sent over that we stole. Said there were dragons flying in formation all over south. Bogs, Meathead, Uglythugs, even Berk had sent a scroll. Their fishermen had seen four dragons flying west of Berk."
"Did they identify the species?" she knew she was asking many questions and by the way Ruffnut's eyes narrowed slightly Astrid knew she was cutting it short. The twins might be idiotic at times, but they weren't by all means stupid, "If we identify the species, we can calculate and set a perimeter on where the dragons will go to feed, the habitat, and which island they might frequent."
"Doubt that would work though. They have riders. They could go anywhere."
"Not quite." She said to Ruffnut, "Dragon lovers put their dragon's needs first. It is possible I'm wrong, but there are islands that are native to dragon species, so they could go there."
"How do you know that?" Tuffnut said impressed and Astrid rolled her eyes.
"It's literally the first chapter of the Dragon Manual."
"Never read the first chapter. Went right into the dragons that can do the most damage."
Ignoring her brother, Ruffnut answered, "It didn't say. But there could have been more scrolls. Dad caught us and we had to scram." Then she scratched her chin, "If that's what they'll talk again, I'll mention it."
"Just don't say I was the one that thought of it. Not only you will get into trouble, but you'll discredit the Chief's confidence. Plus, it's time you started showing off those big brains of yours." Both twins lurched at that.
"How dare you say we are smart! I thought you were our friend!"
"Tuff, I will punch your teeth out." Astrid said rolling her eyes, "You guys plan your pranks with such details it's literally terrifying when it works. That takes brains, and I know you both just don't want to show it because that would mean more duties and meetings." At their glares she raised a brow, "And I know for a fact that you already have fixed up a trap, Tuff, and probably which route the dragon riders are mostly taking, Ruff."
There was a moment of silence, before they both groaned and slumped on the table.
"Last report said they were seen on Meathead waters. But they've been using the Bog-Burglars' routes a lot, so my next best guess would be…" Ruffnut paused only for a second, "Breakneck Bog." she said into the wood.
"Wouldn't it be cool if we caught and had them help us catch and tame the dragons? Can you imagine what we could do on the back of dragons?" Tuffnut whispered at them as he continued crying and mumbling about epic explosions and extreme dragon riding.
Astrid smiled at the twins before bidding them good night and leaving them at their own thoughts. She had her own to focus about. She reached her house and went straight to bed. It helped that no one was home yet; she couldn't deal with her uncle asking about her training routine when she had more pressing matters to worry about.
Dragon Riders.
Not even one, but four if what Tuffnut had said was true. Four dragon riders; Astrid shuddered. How was it possible? How had they managed to do it? Did someone help them? Very doubtful seeing as she only knew one other person capable of riding a dragon yet avoided Vikings like Odin's scourge. But the Archipelago wasn't alone in the world. Further south there were lands where people fought, captured and locked dragons in castles and dungeons, and eastern lands held tales of dragons living in peace among people who held them in high and well respected positions. Maybe, they were people from the east. Maybe people that learned of their recent dragon raiding problem and wanted to help.
A flash of black hair, dark pelts and a mad grin came in her mind. Astrid shivered. There had been rumors. Her friend up north had told her of ships with black sails and vast armies knee deep in blood. Of a cruel man that led people and dragons to war. An old tale came in her mind as well, one her uncle Finn had told her when she first became the twins' bodyguard. They had been sitting by the fire, drinking mead, and her uncle had spoken of the man that still haunted both his and their Chief's dreams.
"He had come from the shadows and demanded they bend the knee. When refused, fire rained from above, taking form of steel clad dragons."
He said he didn't remember much from that night. He had gotten badly hurt rescuing their Chief along with another one; a flaming pole falling on his back melting armor and searing clothes and flesh. Uncle Finn had shown her the nasty scar that took his entire back. A reminder, he had told her, to never underestimate your opponents and always be ready for everything, even the impossible. The story had been carved in her mind giving nightmares she was too proud to confess. The Hoffersons were a proud and fearless clan; that's what her uncle had always told her. But everyone had monsters. Her uncle's had been that man. Hers had been that tale and its reality; and now, those Dragon Riders.
Astrid bit her lip. She had so many questions, but it would be too cruel to ask her uncle to revisit his past scars; she knew he still had terrors and that his scar still ached when something reminded him of that night. No, she'd stir clear of her uncle. He didn't have to know. And he shouldn't. Not ever.
Drago Bludvist.
She'd ride north bright and early tomorrow. She had questions, and only one person could answer. So she'd go to her friend to talk about the Riders and if she should approach them. They would have to also talk about the fact that maybe they weren't all that friendly. That maybe that man was finally on the move, making his promise real to take the Archipelago for his own.
And just maybe that they should prepare for war.
…&…