686Chapter 5: Party Business
Party Business
There was an awkward silence as Hiccup sat on the carriage and looked around at the passing countryside. Gandalf held the horse's reins in one hand and a pipe in the other. The Wizard kept bringing the smoking pipe up to his mouth and breathing out fine rings of the fragrant smoke. It was something that no one on Berk ever did, but there was something calming or relaxing about it.
Hiccup twiddled his fingers while observing the lands around him. Everything looked very green, warm, and idyllic. There were a number of fields filled with different crops and pastures filled with grazing livestock.
This is definitely not Berk.
"So, Master Hiccup Haddock, care to tell me more of your story? Both you and Toothless of course?" Gandalf coughed softly through the smoke.
"Uh, what do you want to know?"
"I have never heard of this Berk place you are from. What are people like there?"
"Vikings. They are big fighters and they have stubbornness issues."
"Stubbornness issues?" Gandalf chuckled.
Hiccup grimaced and bit his lip.
"Yeah, seven generations they have lived on Berk and fought against dragons. Rebuilding homes that burned down. Fighting against the raids. Sailing the seas to find the nest and try to take it. Laughing about the fights later on over ales in the Mead Hall."
Gandalf grinned.
"It sounds like they, the Dwarves, and the people of Rohan would get along well together."
Hiccup shrugged, not really knowing anything about those two peoples.
"You think that they would just leave and go somewhere else to get away from the dragons. Nope. They are staying put. Truly charming Viking demeanors."
"What was your place in the people?"
"Son of the Chief, Stoick the Vast. I'm not so vast, in case you couldn't tell."
"I see that. You strike me as more of an inventor, a creative type."
Hiccup blinked in surprise.
"How did you know that?"
"Toothless's tailfin. An impressive creation for someone of your age. That is something the great Dwarven smiths could appreciate for its craftsmanship."
"Yeah, I had to make things to do what I... cannot do. I was training with the blacksmith and know my way around a forge pretty well."
"Do you? Well, there is always a need for smiths and people who can work the forges. You should have no trouble making yourself useful somewhere."
"You think so?"
"Indeed. I think you have a strength in you that could easily go unnoticed."
Gandalf pointed his pipe at him.
"I was thinking about where you must be from. It must be cold that far to the North. It sounds like you both flew here over the Bay of Forochel."
Hiccup shrugged, having no map to go on.
"I guess so. Berk is very cold. We say that Berk is twelve days north of Freezing to Death and solidly on the Meridian of Misery. It snows nine months of the year and hails for the other three, and the only food that grows there is tough and tasteless. The people who grow there are even more so. That is all only a slight exaggeration."
The Wizard heartily chuckled at that.
"And the dragons up there. What are they like?" Gandalf wondered.
"All different sizes and colors. Most breathe fire. Toothless is a smaller one. He is the only one of his kind. We call him a Night Fury, as I said earlier."
"Night Fury. I can see how he would be fit to strike from the shadows," Gandalf mused.
Hiccup frowned.
"One thing I don't understand is that Toothless started talking when we got here, but he could not before."
"No?"
"He said that he basically understood me but couldn't talk using our words. Do you know why he would be able to talk now?"
The Wizard puffed his pipe for a long time in solemn thought.
"That is most strange. Dragons have always been clever beasts and have speech like any of the great creatures, but you say they cannot speak where you are from?"
"No, they cannot talk to us."
"Curious. Well, I am afraid that I have no answers to that question right now. Maybe with more time and pipeweed an answer might come to me. Hopefully the correct answer too," Gandalf gruffly answered.
Hiccup sighed and looked away from the wagon, a terrible question bothering him again.
"Is it true that dragons are seen as monsters in Middle-earth?"
Gandalf looked down on him and kindly patted his shoulder. The Wizard again had his understanding, grandfatherly appearance.
"Every one that we know of in history. Glaurung, Ancalagon the Black, Scatha, Smaug the Golden. Many more in the ancient War of Wrath in the First Age."
"Smaug, you mentioned that name before," Hiccup observed.
Gandalf frowned and puffed his pipe for a while.
"Smaug was the last great fire-drake we knew of. He fell some sixty years ago."
"What about Ancalagon the Black? What was that dragon? Was it like Toothless?"
The Wizard laughed at that.
"Definitely not. From nose to tail, Toothless would be smaller than one of Ancalagon's teeth, if the legends are true."
Hiccup gaped in complete disbelief at the thought of such a dragon.
"Whaaaa..."
"It is said that when he fell Ancalagon shattered three of the greatest mountainpeaks that were raised in all of Middle-earth."
"I... wha..."
"It is possible that story has been... slightly exaggerated over time, but every great story deserves some embellishment," Gandalf chuckled.
"Uh, I suppose so."
That might explain some of Gobber's crazier tales...
Hiccup glanced toward the trees bordering part of the road. The cover was growing thinner and more difficult for Toothless to continue sneaking along as he surely was. It was still difficult to imagine a dragon as big as... mountains.
"Toothless told me about a very big dragon that commanded others, but even that one is not... that big."
"Yes, it may be that dragons where you are from are very different from those here in Middle-earth. However, there are some similarities even with those differences."
Hiccup thought about it. At least one thing, that mind- or thought-control, was similar. And dragons were also definitely not liked here in Middle-earth, which was definitely unfortunate for him and Toothless.
"Gandalf, is it dangerous for him here in the Shire?"
"For him, no. If anything he will probably scare everyone here."
"But why? He is not dangerous!"
Gandalf blinked and gave him a knowing look, his impressive eyebrows lifted with amusement.
"Well, not unless provoked," Hiccup hastily clarified.
"I shall endeavor to not provoke him then!"
"Yeah, he is very protective. I don't think I want to see what he would do if I was in real danger. I am... useless at protecting myself."
Gandalf looked him over and blew a smoke ring his direction.
"You may yet surprise yourself, Hiccup Haddock. True, you do not have the... stature of a fighter, but there is more than one kind of strength."
"I'm not sure what it is. Gandalf, there is something else."
"Certainly, you may ask me anything, although I may choose to not answer."
"Toothless wanted me to ask you about a fire on your finger. Not sure what he means by that, but..."
Gandalf stiffened and gave him a very wary glance. The Wizard stared long until he felt uncomfortable under the old man's penetrating gaze.
"Did he? Well, I suppose that dragons are very... perceptive. Think nothing of it, a peculiarity of a Wizard."
Something about the way Gandalf said that was definitive. Hiccup knew that he was not going to get anything else from the Wizard on that question, so he did not bother asking.
Night Furies could be very sneaky when they needed to be. Keeping low to the ground and slinking along like a living shadow was natural to him. The shade of the trees helped a lot in staying unseen. He never stepped on a twig or made a sound.
But it was getting harder to reliably stay unnoticed.
He swished his tail to vent his frustration and then grumbled to himself as he looked ahead toward the wagon in the distance.
This is twisted, me having to sneak around.
Still, he understood that a dragon, and especially one as impressive as himself, could be terrifying to other people who did not know him. Further, the people in these lands were much smaller than Vikings and could probably scare a lot easier. He had no desire to scare them without reason, especially since they looked like people who did not want to fight anything.
There was a certain freedom in running along through the trees, the long grass, and under the warm sun on his back. He greatly wanted to stretch out his wings, lay down in the open sunlight, and take a long nap in the sun's warmth.
Sadly, doing that would definitely be a bad idea because he might be seen. Maybe if he were beyond the clouds...
He looked up at the distant clouds high above and felt a wistful longing. It was not good or natural for a dragon to be limited to the ground as he was. He could still attempt limited flight since it was his wings that gave lift and the tailfins that gave stability to flight. Any such flight missing one tailfin would be so unstable that he could not reliably stay aloft, but it might be possible to fly for a very short time.
There was no reason to think that his tailfin would ever grow back.
His thoughts on that issue were flying into two different skies. Losing the tailfin had led to him coming to know Hiccup when he likely never would have any other way. He probably would have flown away back to the nest after being freed by Hiccup and then sparing him. Being forced to need Hiccup for flight was unnatural. If there were a way to have gotten to know Hiccup without losing a tailfin... without losing the ability to fly on his own...
He shook his head and growled softly at himself.
Thinking about that will not change anything now.
Hiccup still could not believe how calm and peaceful everything was in the Shire. The wagon was currently trundling up a narrow, grassy path flanked on both sides by thick forest.
"Gandalf, the Shire is so beautiful."
"It is. These are the Eastfarthing woods. I would not be surprised if we run into... nevermind."
Hiccup observed the green trees and the long grass all around.
"This is so different from Berk. Berk was grey and cold, but this is green and warm."
Gandalf chuckled warmly although with a solemn glint in his eyes.
"The Hobbits have lived in peace for many generations, scarcely knowing any of the comings and goings of the wider world beyond. They can live in peace and concern themselves with their gardens, farms, ales, and pipeweed because of those they never see. Those who protect their borders from... fell creatures."
A dark shadow clouded his features for a moment.
"But those people who protect the Hobbits are willing to do that. To live a rough life and protect these good, simple folk from the wider dangers in the world. It is rewarding to know that one's actions protect those who need protection."
"What are those fell creatures?" Hiccup warily asked.
"I pray that you never need to find out," Gandalf answered.
The Wizard puffed on his pipe and said nothing more. He did not look like he wanted to talk about that.
They continued on in relative silence until Gandalf began humming a familiar tune, the same one which he had been humming upon their first meeting.
"The Road goes ever on and on... Down from the door where it began... Now far ahead the Road has gone... And I must follow, if I can... Pursuing it with eager feet... Until it joins some larger way... Where many paths and errands meet... And whither then? I cannot say. The road goes ever on and on... down from the door where it began... now far ahead the road has gone... and I must follow if I can..."
"You're late!" a new voice called out.
Hiccup started in surprise and looked over to see a new Hobbit standing on a slight ledge next to the road. The Hobbit had his arms crossed almost in a pout. He also had curly locks of dark hair, brilliant blue eyes, blue overalls, and suspenders. He also wore no shoes and had very hairy feet, just as the Hobbits in Buckland had.
Hiccup was again amused that he stood easily a couple feet taller than the Hobbit.
Gandalf slowly looked up and over at the Hobbit.
"A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to!" he gruffly answered.
Frodo and Gandalf stared each other down for several long moments, neither of them looking away or giving any reaction.
Then a grin gradually broke out on both of their faces even as they tried to stifle themselves. They both failed to maintain the ruse and began chuckling and even openly laughing. He could not resist their merry mood himself.
"It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf!" Frodo shouted.
Then the Hobbit jumped from the ledge into Gandalf's wide open arms. Gandalf embraced the Hobbit while laughing warmly. Then he released him and ruffled his hair when Frodo sat down next to him.
"You didn't think I'd miss your uncle Bilbo's birthday?"
"Definitely not," Frodo then turned to Hiccup and held out a hand, "I do not believe that we have met. Frodo Baggins at your service, friend."
"Hiccup Haddock," he took the offered hand.
It was a very strange feeling to not be the shortest person in the company. Still, Frodo's being out here could be a problem.
"Are you alone out here, or are there any more Hobbits in these woods, Frodo Baggins?" Hiccup asked.
"Just me, I'm afraid. I'm not a normal Hobbit. I like to get out and wander more than most Hobbits. And any friend of Gandalf's is a friend of mine. Where are you from, sir, pray-tell? Arnor, Gondor, Rohan?" Frodo eagerly asked.
"Uh, I'm from up North."
"North? Ancient Arnor? You must have many stories you could share. You are here for the party, yes?"
Gandalf answered for him after puffing on his pipe.
"Indeed we are. How is the old rascal? I hear that this will be a party of special magnificence."
Frodo grinned and gave Gandalf a knowing look.
"You know Bilbo. He has the whole place in an uproar."
"Well, that should please him..." Gandalf huffed.
"Half the Shire has been invited, and the other half will turn up anyway," Frodo chuckled.
Then the Hobbit frowned slightly and looked ahead down the road.
"To tell the truth, Bilbo has been a bit odd lately, well, more than usual anyway. He spends hours pouring over old maps when he thinks I am not looking. He is up to something. I know it."
Gandalf kept staring ahead and puffing his pipe even after Frodo turned and faced him down for several moments
"Fine then, keep your secrets," Frodo huffed.
"What?" Gandalf sputtered.
"I know you have something to do with it," Frodo cheerfully accused him.
"Oh, gracious me..." Gandalf huffed.
"Before you came along we Bagginses were very well-thought of."
"Indeed?" the Wizard seriously nodded.
"We never had any adventures or did anything unexpected," Frodo explained.
"If you are referring to the incident with the dragon... I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door," Gandalf gruffly defended himself.
"Incident with the dragon? I assume you mean Smaug," Hiccup interrupted.
Frodo nodded in understanding.
"Yes, indeed. Whatever Gandalf did and has done since then, he has been officially labeled a 'disturber of the peace'."
"Oh, really?" Gandalf's eyebrows lifted in amusement.
"Most disreputable and suspicious. A blight upon the peace. Flee on sight," Frodo continued.
Hiccup snorted in amusement and had to restrain a chuckle. Frodo and Gandalf looked at him in bemusement.
"Sorry, my people had a different saying that... nevermind..."
"What news of the outside world? Tell me everything!" Frodo then eagerly implored Gandalf.
"Everything? You are far too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural."
Gandalf sighed softly and looked toward the distant fields.
"Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on, much as it has this past age. Full of its own comings and goings. Everyone scarcely aware of the existence of Hobbits. For which I am very thankful," Gandalf finished with a very wary glint in his eyes.
Hiccup stared off at the fields in the distance.
Hmm, I wonder what he is worried about out there in the world.
Hiccup noticed that they were finally getting closer to Hobbiton, the main village in this area. He glanced over at the trees and could barely make out a black shape that was barely out of place given that he knew to look for it.
This could be a problem.
"Gandalf, do you mind if I... take a moment," he nodded toward the trees.
"Certainly," the Wizard nodded, "I could use a moment to check on my fireworks before we get to Hobbiton anyway."
Hiccup hopped down from the wagon, but then he paused in slight confusion.
"Fireworks? What are those?"
"You've never seen Gandalf's fireworks? You are in for something special, Mister Haddock!" Frodo eagerly exclaimed and laughed.
"Yeah, I'll be right back!"
He took off toward the forest without looking back. He ran behind a large patch of bushes well removed from the road and was promptly tackled to the ground by a dark blur.
"Thank you for nothing, you useless reptile."
"Useless reptile? That is a new one," Toothless chuckled.
"Not really, I have used that one before, and you just had to attack me, huh?"
Toothless lifted himself up, raised a paw, and went on the offensive even as Hiccup batted back the attacks with his hands.
"And it is ugly! Dragons and Vikings... er, dragons and humans, enemies forever!"
The battle ended very quickly when Toothless fell forward and pinned him to the ground.
"Ugh... you win bud, as always."
Toothless purred his triumph and then got up.
"Now what?" he asked.
"I should probably go with Gandalf and Frodo, the new Hobbit. Do you think you can stay here?"
The Fury's ears fell very quickly with the suggestion.
"Yeah, I don't like it either, but it might be best for now," Hiccup groaned.
They both sighed.
"Do I always have to stay hidden?" Toothless asked.
"I hope not. You're not that far away. We can see Hobbiton just ahead and over a few hills."
Toothless did not look pleased with the idea of more forced separation.
"Toothless, I will come back here before the evening. I might be able to bring some more fish for you too."
"That would be good. We could also go flying tonight!"
"Yes, we will. I promise."
Hiccup held out his hand and smiled as he gave Toothless a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Then Toothless spun in place and curled up on the ground, his head vanishing under a dark wing.
"I'll be back," Hiccup whispered.
Then he returned to the wagon and vaulted back up into his place at Frodo's side.
"Very good, Master Haddock, is everything in order here?" Gandalf asked.
"Yes, the, uh, dragon that was sneaking after us has been dealt with. Punched it with my fists."
Gandalf and Frodo stared at him as he held out both his clenched fists and punched at the air.
"I might want to come back this evening to make sure it is still out," he cheekily grinned.
They all started laughing heartily, and he was pleased to see that Gandalf subtly nodded to him in understanding.
Just when everything seemed like it could not get any stranger, it did.
"You build your homes underground?"
"Oh yes, it's only natural. Warmer in the winters and cooler in the summers. What kind of holes are these? They are not nasty, dirty, wet holes, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell. Nor dry, bare, sandy holes with nothing in them to sit down on or to eat. No, these are Hobbit holes, and that means comfort!" Frodo explained.
"And headaches," Gandalf groaned.
"That is because you are too big for our homes, not that we build underground," Frodo chuckled.
Gandalf was about to protest but was preempted.
"Hey look, it's Gandalf!" "It's Gandalf!"
A gaggle of Hobbit children ran up behind them, all of them shouting variations on one thing.
"Fireworks!" "Show us the fireworks!" "Fireworks, Gandalf!"
Frodo and Hiccup shared a glance as they saw the Wizard's willpower and determination. He did not intend to indulge them in an early display of fireworks.
The children kept clamoring.
A series of small, festive explosions erupted moments later from the back of the wagon. The sparks and blasts created took on familiar shapes of flying creatures as they spun through the air.
The Hobbit children cheered loudly their happiness at the display. Gandalf could not hide his wide grin and chuckle at their pleasure.
So those are fireworks. Very impressive. I had no idea that sparks and explosions can look like they are alive. It's probably magic.
Then Frodo swung out of the wagon.
"Well, I'm off to find Sam. Gandalf, I'm glad you're back."
"So am I my dear Frodo, so am I."
"Master Haddock, a pleasure to meet you."
"Same to you, Mister Baggins."
Frodo then left them and ran off. Gandalf whispered some words, and the horse took off again at a steady pace.
"Frodo is a special lad. He was orphaned as a lad. His uncle Bilbo took him in. Bilbo is the one whose party we are attending, if you did not notice already."
"I did. How old is he?"
"One hundred and eleven."
"What! How long do Hobbits live?" Hiccup exclaimed.
"Usually not that long for sure. It has been a while since I've been back here, so I am very eager to see him again. He must look more ancient than me by now. And how is master Toothless?"
"Master Toothless? Oh gods, I do not need him hearing that one. He will wait back there for me this evening."
Hiccup frowned and looked around at the Hobbit holes, the farms, and the fields around them. There was a slowly-spinning water-wheel, likely milling grains. Most distinctive about the surroundings was the very large tent going up in the open clearing. Many people were working around the tent and moving supplies in preparation of the party.
"He does not like being kept in hiding all the time," Hiccup sighed.
"It is for everyone's good right now. It is certainly not dangerous for him, in case you are worried. There are no hunters or rangers within the Shire itself," Gandalf reassured him.
"That is very different from Berk. Everyone else on Berk would have tried to kill him. That's why we left. Someone found us and would have told on us."
He felt a sting at the memory.
Then Gandalf lay a hand on his shoulder.
"You left your home behind to help keep your friend safe. That is very brave of you, Hiccup Haddock. Not many people know how to let go like that, especially at your young age. And here we are... Bag-end..."
The wagon rolled to a stop on the road next to a particular underground home. Gandalf hopped down and paused with his hand on the door to the very green yard.
"No admittance except on party business..." Gandalf muttered.
"I cannot read these runes," Hiccup grumbled.
"You are a clever lad and can learn them with time. But for now it is time to go meet the one whose birthday we are here to celebrate."
Gandalf strolled up the green path with Hiccup following behind him. The Wizard raised his staff and rapped on the green and amazingly circular door several times.
A very muffled voice answered from within.
"No thank you! We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers, or distant relations!"
"And what about very old friends?" Gandalf shouted back.
A moment passed before the round door was unlocked and swung open. The old Hobbit within, who Hiccup thought looked very young for his apparently advanced age, stared out with wide, disbelieving eyes. The Hobbit had curly hair and a red jacket with bright, golden buttons.
"Gandalf?" he gasped.
"Bilbo Baggins," Gandalf smiled and leaned on his staff.
"My dear Gandalf!" Bilbo stepped forward out of his house and embraced him.
"It's good to see you... one hundred and eleven years old... and it looks like you haven't aged a day..." Gandalf frowned and then chuckled at Bilbo's expression.
Bilbo then turned to Hiccup.
"And who is this, Gandalf?"
"Hiccup Haddock, sir," Hiccup answered.
"Rather skinny for a man lad. You could do with a good meal, with several of them. You're certainly in the right place for that!" Bilbo chuckled.
"My family called me a fishbone," Hiccup grinned.
"But," Gandalf interrupted, "we all know that there is more to someone than what meets the eye. I remember a certain Hobbit who absolutely did not want to leave the comfort of his own home."
Bilbo then started in surprise.
"Oh gracious me, would you look at the time. Afternoon-tea! Come on, come in, both of you! I insist! Welcome! Welcome!"
Bilbo then went back inside and held the door open for them.
"This is most unusual, Gandalf. Though, usual and Gandalf do not go together at all! We both know what happened last time that you showed up bringing guests from afar! Most welcome to have you here, Mister Haddock!" Bilbo exclaimed.
It was the most amazing house on the inside. Despite being built into the hill itself and mostly underground, it was not dark inside in the least. It was filled with wooden furniture, books and scrolls, and family mementos.
Bilbo took Gandalf's staff and hat and sat them aside.
"You've caught me a bit unprepared, I'm afraid! Tea, or maybe something stronger? I have a few bottles of the old vineyard left. Twelve ninety-six. Very good year. Almost as old as I am!" Bilbo chuckled.
"Just tea, thank you!" Gandalf answered from down the hall.
"With me then if you please, Mister Haddock," Bilbo continued.
Hiccup found himself eagerly following after Bilbo toward the kitchen.
Gandalf groaned something from the main entrance.
"What shall we get you?" Bilbo kindly asked.
"Uh, I'm not too picky. The food where I am from is tough and tasteless, so anything you have will be better."
"I see. One moment then. Feel free to look around."
Bilbo spun around and departed for the pantry. Hiccup glanced inside the pantry and gawked in amazement at how much food was inside. Hobbits certainly enjoyed their meals, given the abundance of cheese, vegetables, and breads he could see inside the pantry.
That doesn't look tough or tasteless at all.
Hiccup then took the opportunity to look around the house as he was invited to do. There were books and random oddments strewn about on the ground. It looked like Bilbo had been doing some packing and sorting through his possessions.
Everything is so warm, but there is also something sad about this Bag-End. Almost like it is too quiet.
Only a moment of reflection was enough for him to realize what it probably was.
Bilbo has no family of his own. It looks like he never married or had kids. Frodo must be like an adopted son to him.
Hiccup turned aside from the living room and started for the kitchen where Bilbo was working. On the way he passed a table on which were several large, old parchments. Curiosity dragged him over to inspect the papers as Gandalf was also doing.
The one on top had many runes that he could not decipher, but it also had ornate drawings on it. Above a solitary mountain peak was an image of a large dragon, similar to a Monstrous Nightmare in appearance.
Gandalf noticed his interest.
"That is the land of Erebor, and that is a very rough depiction of Smaug. Bilbo had the distinct pleasure of speaking with that dragon before its death."
Hiccup started in surprise at hearing that detail. To think that this simple, unassuming Hobbit had once spoken with a great dragon was amazingly unexpected.
"I can make you some eggs if you'd like," Bilbo blinked in surprise at seeing him in the study with Gandalf.
"Just tea, thank you," Gandalf answered.
"Right. Oh, Mister Haddock, here is some bread and cheese for you," Bilbo handed over a large plate with half a loaf of freshly-baked bread and a hearty block of dry cheese.
The Hobbit kept the other half of the loaf for himself.
"You don't mind if I eat..." he muttered.
"Uh, not at all, it's your house and food and..." Hiccup answered.
"BILBO BAGGINS!" a new voice called from outside the front door.
Bilbo gasped, his eyes impossibly wide in terror, and slunk against the wall.
"Lobelia Sackville-Baggins... I'm not at home..." he whispered.
Hiccup and Gandalf shared an amused glance. The three of them remained silent until the unwanted guests departed. Then they followed Bilbo to the kitchen. The Hobbit was very cautiously glancing out of the windows to see if it was safe.
"I have got to get away from these confounding relatives! They never give me a moment's peace! I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains, and then find some place quiet where I can finish my book... oh tea..." Bilbo retrieved the teapot.
"You mean to go through with your plan then?" Gandalf inquired after sitting down at the table.
"Yes, yes, everything is going according to plan. All the arrangements have been made."
"Frodo suspects something," Gandalf conspiratorially whispered.
Bilbo looked pleasantly amused.
"Of course he does. He's a Baggins, not some blockheaded Bracegirdle or Hardbottle..."
"You will tell him the truth, won't you. He's very fond of you..."
Bilbo shrank slightly and sighed.
"I know. He's probably come with me if I asked him, but I think that in his heart he is still in love with the Shire. The woods, the fields, and the rivers."
The hale Hobbit wandered over to the window and stared out it, lost in reflection upon something.
"Mister Bilbo, can I ask you a question?" Hiccup wondered.
Bilbo turned around and solemnly smiled at him.
"You just did, so I would say yes, you can. You may ask another."
Hiccup eagerly sat down.
"Gandalf said that you met a dragon once. Smaug. What was he like?"
Bilbo's gaze vanished from the present and went back to that meeting long ago.
"What was Smaug like? An odd question. Where to begin? He was larger than anything you can possibly imagine. Very clever as all dragons are. Loved riddles too. His eyes were very powerful. He struck a very impressive figure, sitting on a mountain of gold as he was. But I will always remember seeing him flying over Laketown off in the distance. Raining fire down on those fishermen and putting the entire city to the flame..." Bilbo sadly said.
"But why would he do that?" Hiccup gasped in horror.
"He thought those people... conspired with Dwarves against him... and because he is a dragon. Kill, burn, plunder, and hoard is what dragons do."
"I..." Hiccup paused when Gandalf put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a knowing look.
"Perhaps we should talk of more pleasant matters."
"No worries, Gandalf. There is a part of me that does like to think back to those good old days. That unexpected adventure of mine, all your doing I might add," Bilbo chuckled and pointed a finger.
"You signed the contract!" Gandalf protested.
"And you did warn me that I might not be the same if I did come back..." Bilbo sighed.
Gandalf sipped his tea, Hiccup worked on the bread, and Bilbo looked out the window again. The moment of silence built until Bilbo had enough of it and gave a heavy sigh.
"I am old, Gandalf. I know I don't look it, but I'm starting to feel it... I feel..." Bilbo put a hand in his pocket and started to pace, "thin. Sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday, a very long holiday, and don't expect to return. In fact, I mean not to," Bilbo darkly added.
Then he noticed his two guests again.
"Ah, don't mind me," he dismissively waved a hand, "no reason to spoil the party!"
"Uh, excuse me Mister Bilbo, but is there a place where I could get some fish?" Hiccup asked.
"Fish? Gracious me, did you not get enough to eat just now?" Bilbo exclaimed in surprise.
"Let's just say that I really like fish and might want to get some while I'm here visiting. Is there anyone in the market I could go to?"
"The Boffins usually have a good haul. Cannot make any promises now with the party going on and all, but you might have some luck with them."
"Well, I'll be off to the market then," Hiccup announced.
"If anyone starts giving you trouble or asking too many questions, just say you are with Gandalf and Bilbo. They will let you have your space; no one will want to bother you then. Hope to see you at the party this evening," Bilbo chuckled.
"I'll see you to the door, Mister Haddock," Gandalf stood up with him.
The Wizard subtly handed him a small pouch once they got to the door.
"What is this?" Hiccup wondered.
"Some coin. You might have more need for it than I do. That should be sufficient for you to get enough fish to feed even a small dragon..." Gandalf smirked.
He was watching the swarm of dragons returning to the nest through the massive entrances. Dragons of all sizes and colors were flying back with their catches in mouth and claw. Four-legged cattle, large fish, the occasional dead human, all were food for... it.
The six-eyed monster reared up out of the gloom and darkness, its maw stretched wide to receive the food. All in the nest knew the routine. Drop a satisfying catch, and no harm will come to that dragon. Failing to bring back a sufficient catch would make the hunter into the catch.
He never brought back catches for the monster. Instead, his role that he gave himself was to protect the other dragons during the attacks from the humans' defenses. Destroying their rock-throwing thing so that more of the dragons live was what his kind was best at.
The monster looked over at him with its cruel eyes shining brightly.
Dark one, where is my tribute? You must provide also.
He snarled softly, but then he decided against openly defying the monster. Giving up his catch this time would mean that he could probably keep the next few to himself.
His flight was quick as he carried his catch in his claws and flew out over the monster's wide maw. It was better to get this over with as soon as possible. He released his catch and strangely felt his gaze being drawn toward the monster, where he then saw...
Hiccup was falling into the monster's wide open maw... down... down...
He had dropped, abandoned, thrown off, and betrayed his dear Hiccup...
His own flight was fouled as his tailfin fell apart, sending him spinning uncontrollably toward the sharp rocks down below.
Empty.
Falling.
Screaming.
Alone.
He bellowed in fear and jumped to his feet, wings held aloft and teeth bared in defense. His breaths were very heavy, and his heart was racing as though he had just flown a full sprint.
But he was very far from that place. He had not turned on Hiccup or dropped him to his death in that monster's maw. None of that was real.
"Only a bad dream..." he whimpered and settled back down.
His tail would not stop nervously twitching. A few very short human-Hobbits eventually passed along down the road, and he remained motionless as they walked by. None of them had a chance of seeing him.
The sun continued on its flight through the sky while he waited all alone. There was nothing to do but wait, watch the clouds, and think.
We cannot live in the wild. Hiccup needs to be around his own kind. But will any humans give me a chance?
Grumble.
Maybe he will have a better idea if these small humans will let me live here.
Motion eventually caught his eye, and he threw a glance down the path. A warm croon of relief followed when he saw who it was.
"Hey Toothless," Hiccup ran up to him as he hopped up to his feet.
"Hiccup, I thought you had forgotten about me," he huffed.
"Forgotten about you? Impossible. Well, I brought dinner. Hope you are hungry."
Hiccup then brought several fish out from his basket. The fish were securely tucked away in a welcoming belly a few wingbeats later. He thanked Hiccup with a brief head-nuzzling and purr.
"Thanks, bud," Hiccup chuckled.
He sat down with his head on his paws as Hiccup did the same across from him.
"Hiccup, tell me everything."
It was just after nightfall when Hiccup finally finished talking. It was all very interesting to learn about an entirely peaceful nest... city of small humans who were entirely content to live these simple lives. Learning about the very large and very bad fire-breathing dragon named Smaug was both good and bad. Bad because of the death that the dragon had caused. Good because it was definitive proof that other dragons did exist in this world.
"Did you find out if there are any other Night Furies?"
Hiccup groaned.
"Sorry, I didn't ask. They seemed to think that Smaug was the only one."
That was slightly discouraging and made his ears fall slightly.
"Ask next time please. I think we both want to know that."
Hiccup eagerly nodded in agreement.
"You got it, bud. I know what we should do now."
"What?"
His dear human's wide grin gave away what he was thinking.
"It has been too long since we went flying for fun," Hiccup explained.
He hopped to his feet and stretched his wings.
"Yes, and it is dark enough that we can fly without anyone seeing us," he observed while Hiccup hopped up onto his back.
"Oh Toothless, I forgot to ask. The saddle doesn't itch or anything if I leave it on, does it?"
He craned his neck around and intensely stared at the saddle. Then he rolled his shoulders in a shrug.
"Only a little. It is better to leave it on so that we can leave quickly if we must."
Hiccup still looked unhappy about something.
"Hiccup, we can talk later. Let us fly now."
"Yeah, you're right, bud."
He stalked out from the cover of the trees, found the nearest opening, and waited as Hiccup took his place. They launched himself skyward a moment later. His dark wings carved through the calm, dark sky with each beat that carried them both away from the ground. It was a cloudless sky on a warm night.
How they flew together was simple. A slight tilting of his wings and lean of his head indicated which direction he wished to fly. Hiccup knew what that meant for the tailfin, and he had no difficulty following along. It probably happened without any thought by now. It was as if Hiccup was not simply riding on him but instead was truly part of the flight.
There was something else that caught his attention. Far away and towards where Hiccup had gone during the day, there was a very bright gathering of the Hobbits outside. There had to be hundreds of them gathered in the same place.
He angled to glide with the wind to allow them to talk.
"What are they doing?"
"They are having a birthday party for Bilbo."
"Birth? You mean hatching?"
A finger flicked one of his ears.
"Silly. Humans and Hobbits do not lay eggs," Hiccup chuckled.
That knowledge almost made him fall from the sky in shock.
"No eggs? Where do hatchlings come from?" he warbled in confusion.
"They, uh, come out of the... mom's belly... no egg needed," Hiccup stammered.
Hiccup, you are very silly sometimes. And about that...
"We should find a female for you, Hiccup."
"What?"
Hiccup forgot to attend to the tailfin for a few wingbeats and almost fouled their flight.
"Yes, you find one, impress her, take her as your mate, and make her a... dam."
"Toothless! No! That is not... how it works..."
"That is exactly how it works," he grinned back over his shoulder.
"Thank you for nothing! You useless reptile!"
He tucked his wings in tightly for a spin. The world had whipped around them more times than he could count by the time he threw wide his wings again.
"Why... would you... do that..." Hiccup groaned.
He only laughed a throaty laugh, one which Hiccup eventually echoed. They were both feeling the pure joy and freedom of flight.
Then the night sky became filled with bursts of light which drew both of their gazes. Bright flashes of colored fire appeared over the party and were followed by loud, crashing bangs moments later.
"What are those?" he wondered.
"Those are called fireworks. Gandalf makes them from rocks that turn into fire in the sky, or something like that."
He shivered at the mention of that man-thing, Gandalf. Humans did not have strange powers. Anything that had unnatural powers, such as knocking someone down by pointing a big stick at them as Gandalf had done with Hiccup, was suspicious. However, Gandalf had shown that he could be trustworthy and did not seem to have any rotted thinking.
Another of the fireworks exploded high in the sky. But something very strange happened with this one. The fire that appeared in the sky came together into a shape... with wings!
He blinked and stared in wonder until the dragon made of living fire turned in the sky and dove toward the Hobbits. He was not sure what to think about that.
"Hiccup, should we do something?"
"No, I'm sure this is also Gandalf's doing."
They watched together until the fire-dragon dove down over the Hobbits, sending many of them visibly tumbling to the ground in likely alarm. Then the glowing shape spun wildly, flew out over the water, and exploded in a series of bright flashes.
"Wow! That was amazing!" Hiccup shouted.
Toothless purred in approval and roared softly. They were still far enough away that there was no chance Hobbits would hear it. Then he had an idea.
"Some dragonfire can do that also! Like mine!"
He then fired a glowing shot ahead of himself.
Hiccup watched the blue ball of fire that soared ahead and then imploded on itself.
Toothless, what did you just do?
The shot exploded in a bright flash which they both flew through in the next instant.
"Toothless! Why did you do that? I'm not fireproof like you!"
Toothless stiffened under him and glanced back at him with a wry grin.
"Sorry, I forgot that you are not a dragon..."
Hiccup brushed his hair to make sure it was not on fire. Then he checked to make sure that he still had his eyebrows. He did.
"An easy mistake to make, I am sure. Well, I hope they didn't see us."
Toothless nervously chuckled.
"They would probably think it was another firework or something," Hiccup added.
Hiccup leaned back against Toothless's warm side, partly sheltered under a wing, as they both watched the distant festivities. They were resting on a grassy ridge far from Hobbiton. The party tent and lights in the party tree were brightly visible, as were all the tiny, moving figures at the party. The distant drone of voices was barely audible to them both.
Toothless purred softly in contentment while watching the distant activity.
"I still think you should go join them, Hiccup."
"Nah, I'd rather be here with you, bud. I'm not hungry, and I'd only be a stranger to them right now. And..."
A brief silence followed.
"And what?"
Hiccup sighed.
"We will find out what our place is in this world eventually. Hobbits look like people who keep to themselves and do not care much for strangers. Not like they are violent, no, they just like the quiet and simple life."
"That is good of them," Toothless agreed.
Hiccup reached up and rested an arm on Toothless's neck, which he then gave a gentle scratch.
"As nice as they are... none of them are like my family."
"Family," Toothless hummed softly.
"Yeah, I never had a real family either. No brothers or sisters. Mom was taken by a dragon when I was a baby. Dad lived for the tribe once I turned out to be small and such a disappointment. I was alone in the middle of an entire tribe."
Hiccup sighed and closed his eyes.
"But you gave me a chance after our first meeting. All the time playing down in the cove together, our forbidden friendship. Those days look so different now, knowing how smart you are and always were, even if you couldn't talk back then. That you are so like me..."
"What do you mean?" Toothless softly asked.
"I mean," Hiccup sighed, "playing rough like we did in the cove and teasing each other, that is something that family does. Something that brothers do."
Toothless looked down at his paws and hummed into the resulting silence.
"Brothers... I like that... I was always alone in the nest," he whispered while Hiccup rubbed his neck.
Both pairs of green eyes found each other.
"Never again, Toothless. Brother?"
Hiccup held out a palm toward Toothless's nose as he did months ago. Toothless leaned into the gesture with a soft purr and no hesitation.
"Always."
Neither of them said anything else as the evening continued. They rested together in warmth while observing the festivities far away. Hiccup fell asleep at some point, being very tired after a long day.
Toothless was entirely content to hold his human... brother close. It was still a good but strange idea. Nestmate brothers learn about life from the other and make each other stronger. But they were slightly different because they both need the other now and probably always. Hiccup would always be smaller than other humans, and he himself would need Hiccup to be able to fly at all.
Not to mention they were different types of life.
Hiccup, I do not think anything like this has happened before.
He closed his eyes with a soft sigh.
The warmth of night and the distant sounds slowly faded, leaving nothing else behind except a faint whispering.
He was unaware of lifting his head with a soft growl and staring down the ridge toward where all the Hobbits were gathered.
A calling...
A neediness...
Something wrapping claws around his heart...
Something wanted to bring him there...
It was a place he had to go right now...
To be bound in the darkness...
To find what was precious...
Precious...
Precious..
He shuffled in place, ready to get up and answer the calling when he felt Hiccup shift at his side.
He blinked.
Hiccup?
His best friend?
His brother?
What was precious?
Who was precious?
Precious.
He blinked in surprise, shook his head, and focused on Hiccup's calm breathing under his wing. That faint whispering faded and then vanished entirely, leaving only the warmth of night and the distant sounds from the gathering of Hobbits.
"That was... strange," he softly grumbled.
Something about what had happened, whatever it was, felt familiar but also not. He could not place that strange feeling before the peace of sleep came over him.