TEN: Changing of the Guard

Mala called Astrid to her when it was obvious the Great Protector was failing and the dragon would soon be departing and gave an apologetic look.

"I have sent a Terrible Terror messenger to Hiccup Haddock to invite him and the Riders to the Changing of the Guard Ceremony," she explained. "As our friends and allies-and especially Hiccup, as a friend to dragons-they deserve to witness the departure of the dragon they-and you-helped save from the Hunters."

"Meaning they'll be coming here," Astrid sighed, her shoulders slumping. She was still exhausted and the long journey still weighed her bones with weariness: the prospect of leaving was dire but she couldn't be here when Hiccup arrived. "I'll have to go..." Mala frowned.

"Is there no way you could speak to him once more?" she asked. "I can see how distressed the separation is making you..." Astrid shook her head.

"He's betrothed to another and seeing him will just compound the pain," she revealed. "And-and he may persuade me to come back with him and I...I know how bad that will be, seeing him betrothed to another woman, seeing him every day and knowing I've lost him." Mala shook her head.

"I am sorry," she apologised. "I should not have invited him..."

"No, you were right: he deserves to know, to see this," she said and gave a small, brave smile. "I'm sure Stormfly won't mind taking me somewhere else."

"Please...you don't have to go...though I can appreciate your feelings," the Queen said. "Is there no other way of looking at your situation? Is it not a positive that your friend is saving your family and protecting your Tribe?" Astrid stared at her.

"There is no positive in this," she said. "And though I can see it is positive from others' point of view, there is no possible pleasure for me in this outcome. I'm going." She paused. "I would be grateful if you did not tell Hiccup I was here. He will want to search for me and I do not want to be found." Mala bowed her head.

"I will respect your wishes, Astrid Hofferson," she said calmly. "My people will supply you with food for yourself and your dragon. But I am sad that you are not able to attend the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. You to deserve to be there." Astrid gave a small smile.

"I'll pay my respects to the Great Protector, if you don't mind, so I can leave before the Riders get here," she said softly. "I'm sorry...but there is nothing that can be done."

oOo

Hiccup was in his room at the back of the forge, a lamp lighting the small workspace as he stared at a selection of components. He sketched another solution and then shook his head, crushing the paper and tossing it onto the expanding pile at the back of his room.

"Think, Hiccup, think!" he muttered. "Gah! There must be a solution to this. After all..."

"You know, it can't be healthy to hide away in here all the time, hunched over this metal?" Cami said from the doorway, sliding in without invitation. Eyes widening, he pushed the components away and glared at her, his brows dipping.

"You know, what part of my private workshop makes you think I want you here?' he snarked. "This is where I work on mechanisms, weapons and my saddle and tail..." She leaned lazily against the door frame and gave a smirk.

"Well, I am going to be your wife so I ought to take an interest in your interests," she told him pointedly and he glared at her.

"What forging, investigating dragons, exploring, fighting hunters, rescuing dragons, riding dragons, leading the Riders?" he asked her.

"Well, sport-you should find me a dragon and I can come with," she told him lazily and then she produced a scroll. "This arrived by one of those little dragons-Fishlegs wanted to bring it but I said I'd give it to you."

"Then hand it over, please," he forced himself to say and she tossed it to him. Ignoring her, he unrolled the paper and peered at the runes..and then his eyes widened with surprise. He rose. "I need to see my Dad," he said and pushed past her and headed up the Plaza. Cami swept her keen gaze over the room.

"What are you doing in here?" she murmured and peered at the diagram...but it meant nothing to her. Exasperated, she ran off up after the one-legged Viking and caught up with him as he met his father. Hiccup showed the letter to his father.

"I have to go," he said firmly.

"Impossible," Stoick told him gruffly. "The Betrothal Ceremony is tomorrow..." Shaking his head, Hiccup faced his father determinedly.

"The Defenders of the Wing are my allies," he said firmly. "They fought with us against Viggo and Ryker and we saved their island. The Great Protector, a dragon called an Eruptodon, protects their village from the volcano by eating the lava. Viggo captured her and we helped rescue her, helped get her egg to where it needed to be to hatch and protected the hatchling. We have to go-this is sacred to them and to not go would be the gravest dishonour." He glared into his father's face. "You've destroyed my life, ruined my relationship with Astrid-I am not allowing you to wreck my alliance with the Defenders as well!" Stoick met his determined glare and saw that his son wasn't going to be deterred.

"You have two days to get there and back, Hiccup," he said grimly. "And you will take Camicazi with you." His head snapped up and he scowled.

"Dad-she can't fly and it's going to be a long and hard flight if we have to do it in two days," he argued.

"She's going-so you don't sneak off in search of Astrid," the Chief said. "She goes or no one does." Hiccup stared at his father, his emerald eyes blazing with anger and betrayal before he swung his glare to the blonde shape who had watched the confrontation.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he said with a grim smile. "Find some padding for your seat because you're gonna be sore before the day is out. We're flying fast and straight. Riders-we leave in ten. The Great Protector is leaving and we will honour his passing."

And then he turned away and marched up to his home without sparing a glance for the Chief, Camicazi or Bertha. Toothless walked after him, growling in his throat as the Chief cleared his throat.

"I'd do as he says," he advised her. "Because he will leave without you, no matter what I say."

oOo

Camicazi thought she was fit, tough and capable of coping with everything but they were nowhere near the island when she realised she had no idea how she would make it to the end of the journey. She was sitting behind Hiccup on his Night Fury-Toothless, must remember that-as they sped through the air. Firstly it was cold, the wind blowing in her face and chilling her: secondly, the flight was making her queasy and thirdly...gods, Hiccup had been right. Her legs and ass and arms were all aching so fiercely they were about to drop off. But the Riders themselves were untiring: sure, they grumbled and moaned and chatted and joked but they got on with it.

Because they had been riding their dragons for five years and had built up stamina.

Each had his or her place, pieces in an efficient machine and they bounced off one another and distracted from the boredom and discomfort of the long flight. Snotlout was even dozing on his dragon, expertly strapped into his saddle and snoring lightly while the twins seemed to be having some ridiculous conversation. Heather and Fishlegs were chatting softly, the words gentle and private and Hiccup...was silent. The Night Fury was focussed, his wings slicing the air effortlessly but his rider was silent and brooding. And she realised that they could force him to go through with the ceremony, to abandon every dream he had but they couldn't make him love her...or even like her. And though he would probably end up being polite to her, their friendship would be over. Because she knew, in her heart, he would never forgive her for doing this to him.

So cold, numb and aching, she felt relief shudder through her as they finally approached an island with a smoking conical volcano at its heart and they swooped down to a village constructed of grey stone with a column in the centre topped by a lumpy stony statue of a dragon. She glanced up as they landed and the natives-dressed in strange black uniforms with hoods covering their hair and masks across their lower faces crowded forward, welcoming the Riders. The two leaders-a tall man with deep red hair shaven at the sides of his head and long at the back and an elegant woman with a strawberry blonde page cut, and elegant black tunic and pants combination and calm green eyes-walked forward. To Cami's satisfaction, the woman seemed to be in charge.

"Hiccup Haddock, Riders-welcome!" she greeted them. "We are so glad you were all able to attend our 'Changing of the Guard' celebration. It wouldn't be the same without you." Her words were warm and grave, tinged with sadness and Cami realised she was an intruder in this place, for the first time doubting the wisdom of gate-crashing the Riders' invitation.

"How often does this ceremony occur?" Tuff asked and the red-haired man took up the story, his tone grave as they walked towards a huge dragon that looked just like the creature on top of the column except much larger. Cami could feel the heat radiating from the dragon in the late afternoon light and stared up into the small red eyes. The dragon's manner was weary and it looked tired.

"Once the Eruptodon is unable to fulfil its duty, it leaves us to live out its golden years on Vanaheim." The man's tone was heavy as well but very respectful. Tuff was scribbling in his small notebook.

"Ah...Vana-what?" he asked. The red-haired man sighed.

"Vanaheim. It will be its final resting place," he said calmly. "This Great Protector has honoured us with its presence for four decades." Hiccup frowned and his face lit up, his emerald eyes suddenly gleaming with excitement.

"The Vanaheim legend," he said and looked over to Cami, expecting Astrid. His face fell when he saw the blonde Bog Burglar instead of the Hooligan warrior. "It's the mythical last resting place of all dragons."

"Vanaheim is very real," the woman said, turning to face Hiccup with a small smile. "It has been part of our culture for centuries."

"So you've seen it!" Hiccup said eagerly but the woman's face looked offended.

"By the Ancients, no!" Then Snotlout pushed forward between Hiccup and Cami.

"So let me burst your bubble," he said smugly, folding his arms. "You gotta see it for it to be real!" But the woman glanced out into the setting sun.

"We've had no way to follow it," she admitted.

"Not until now!" Tuff cut in brashly.

"And nor would we!" the blonde woman cut in sharply. "There are certain corners of the animal kingdom where humans must not tread!"

"I couldn't agree more, Mala!" Hiccup said strongly, turning to face the Riders and glare at the twins. Cami realised the woman was Queen Mala of the Defenders of the Wing. But Hiccup's reaction was a surprise and gave her the first inkling of how serious he was in his dedication to dragons and all things draconic. He glared at the twins. "Stay away from dragon culture that pure and undisturbed!" Tuff looked at his sister.

"Is he eyeballing us?" he asked as Ruff huffed.

"He's always eyeballing us," she replied sulkily. Cami turned her attention to Mala and Hiccup, who were walking towards the dragon. The tall, red-haired man was already gently swabbing the dragon's leg as the one-legged Viking and their host slowly closed.

"It's going to be difficult for Throk," Mala said, revealing the other man's name. "He and the dragon have a special bond. But it is with great happiness they part." Hiccup started.

"Happiness?" he said in surprise. "I don't know about that. If I had to say goodbye to Toothless...that would be pretty sad..." The edge to his voice revealed how sad and hurt he was at already having to say farewell to his lover. Mala gave a gentle smile.

"Happiness is a matter of perspective," she told him serenely. "It is who you choose to view something that makes it happy, scary, intriguing...or sad..." Hiccup turned to look back at the dragon. "We don't view this as a day to mourn," she continued, indicating the smile on Throk's face. "It is a day to rejoice. This is a well-earned rest for the Great Protector! We should all be so lucky to have lived such a meaningful life!" Hiccup sighed and watched as the big tired-looking dragon nuzzled gently against a small version of it, about half its size. "He will rest and in the morning...he will depart." Hiccup nodded.

"Thank you for your hospitality," the young Heir said as Mala inspected him.

"Aren't you going to introduce your new friend?" she asked and Hiccup blushed, looking self-conscious.

"Um...yeah...Mala-this is Camicazi, the Heir to the Bog Burglar Island...and my betrothed..." he said and she looked mildly surprised.

"Betrothed? But I was under the impression you and Astrid were...together..." she said. Hiccup stiffened.

"So was I-until my father revealed he had betrothed me when I was a child."

"Oh." The Queen paused. "If I am to marry, the man must pass the tests. I would hope he is brave and kind but he must be suitable. Maybe your father has made the same determination for you?" Hiccup shook his head.

"Oh, that definitely wasn't on his list of criteria," he said dryly as Camicazi walked forward and offered a bow to the Queen.

"It is a pleasure to visit your island, Mala," she said boldly. The Queen inspected her coolly.

"You are aware you were not invited," she said. "We asked our friends and allies, people who have earned our trust and our loyalty, who have risked their lives for us. You are not one of those."

"But I am to be Hiccup's wife so I should get to know his-our-allies," she argued. Mala nodded curtly.

"Throk will see you to your lodging," she said. "I trust you will explain the rules to your guest, Hiccup?" There was definite coldness in her words and the young Viking wondered if he had made a big mistake-not that he had any choice. "You will be called for the Departure." Cami nudged him as they walked away.

"So we get to share a hut, hmm?" she teased him. "You want to show me what Astrid saw in you?" His eyes cooled as well.

"I'm sleeping with Toothless," he said firmly. "Stay away from me, Cami. Don't leave the hut, don't steal anything and don't touch any dragons."

"Boy, this is going to be a laugh an hour," she muttered as he stalked away.

She had spent a sleepless night on a hard bed wondering where Hiccup was and whether she could ever persuade him to drop his sulky boy act and behave like an Heir. They were woken just before dawn and headed to a promontory at the very eastern side of the island, staring into the rising sun. The old Eruptodon was already there, staring into the rising orb with Throk standing at his side, his hand resting on the knobbly grey skin. The golden light warmed his skin and gilded the dragon's grey hide. The warrior looked up at the old dragon.

"Goodbye, old friend," he said reassuringly. "Until we meet again in Valhalla..." The dragon half-turned his head to look at the man one last time, giving the faintest rumble of acknowledgement. Hiccup stood by Mala as Throk gave the dragon one last pat and then stood back. In one movement, the dragon leaned forward, gave one flap of his wings and launched into the cold morning sky. Giving a nod of farewell, Mala turned away with Hiccup at her side. Cami stared after the receding dragon and then walked past the twins, who were muttering and scuffling once more. The blonde saw her Betrothed lean towards the Queen and share some words with him out of earshot and realising she didn't want to antagonise him too much, she hung back as they pulled ahead. Mala inclined her head and saw the interloper drop back-and then she lightly tapped Hiccup's arm.

"Astrid Hofferson was a guest on this island before you arrived," she said without preamble. He stared at her, emerald eyes wide and suddenly desperate.

"She was here?" he repeated urgently. "How long before we arrived? Which direction did she leave in? Did she say where she was going?" Mala shook her head.

"She asked me not to let you know that she was even here-but I felt, as your friend and ally, that you deserved to know," she revealed. Hiccup grasped her arms.

"Please, tell me..." he begged softly but Mala pulled free and continued her walk back to the village. "I-I never meant to hurt her..." The Queen shook her head.

"But you have," she said without rancour. "She is a proud warrior and she cannot cope with seeing you again."

"But I love her," he blurted out.

"Yet you are Betrothed to another," she reminded him. "Maybe you should look from another perspective-maybe that of your father or the members of your Tribe? What your Betrothal means to them?" He shook his head.

"You don't understand," he said quietly. "Astrid is my love, my heart...and she is expecting our child." Mala stared at him in shock. "No one told me so..." He sagged, his arms hanging hopelessly by his side. "I want her and no one else." The Queen sighed.

"I think she was heading south-but she won't be wanting to be found," she told him gently. "Think carefully about what your duty is-and how your actions will affect others. Sometimes, being a leader means making sacrifices!" He stared at her and waved his metal leg.

"Got that," he admitted with a shrug. "I've spent most of my life ignored and belittled, I was ostracised by the other teens, I was briefly outcast and lost my leg. My mother was taken when I was a baby. Don't you think I've already given enough for the Tribe?"

"Sometimes, Hiccup Haddock-life isn't fair," she reminded him. "And when it seems all you are asked to do is give, try to remember what you have been granted in return." He shook his head and was about to open his mouth when Cami, Heather, Fishlegs and Snotlout raced up.

"The twins have gone!" Fishlegs announced. "Throk said they left the island." Hiccup frowned and then gave a loud groan.

"Why did I ever let them out of my sight?" he growled and turned to the Queen. "I am sorry, Mala-they have headed after the Eruptodon towards Vanaheim. We have to go after them and stop them contaminating that sacred place." She nodded.

"I am not happy you are going to Vanaheim but I appreciate your intent," she said in a regretful tone. Then she nodded once. "I give you my leave." Hiccup bowed his head.

"And thank you," he said. "For telling me about Astrid. Though I will never forgive the twins because they have cost me the chance to go after her." He glared into the rising sun. "Okay, team-let's go and find those...twins...before they cause some real trouble..."