The Blacksmith's Apprentice

Two: Outcasts

Hiccup snapped round, his green eyes piercingly glaring at the older man. The silence was imposing.

"What about yesterday?" he asked quietly, his words almost devoid of expression. Gobber felt himself shuffle his foot.

"I-I didn't mean it," he mumbled in embarrassment. Hiccup's brows dipped.

"Which part?" he asked clearly. "The part where you seemed to think I didn't deserve a break after working all day and most of the night? The part where you accused me of being rude to an incredibly rude and violent Viking? The part where you basically told me to do every weapon in order-and then chewed me for doing that, since that guy's weapon was near the bottom of the pile? The part where you called me a disgrace? The part where you threatened to throw me out? Or the part where you hit me?"

"Um...all of them?" Gobber said in a really embarrassed voice. "I know yer didnae deserve tae be chewed out like that..."

"Ya think?" Hiccup replied sarcastically. "So why did you?"  The big man moved closer.

"I was..." The word 'drunk' was unspoken. Hiccup sighed.

"So that's it," he said tonelessly. "You tear me apart again, you disgrace me in front of the village again, you hit me again-and it's the same excuse. Gobber..." He took a slow breath and shook his head. "You keep doing it. And you say the same things every time. So you clearly do mean it. I am sorry you didn't want me here. I'm sorry I was a disappointment...though I'm not really sure what for. I mean, you're sort of an Uncle to me but I'm the one who was disowned and thrown out of my home. I'm the one who lost his birthright. I'm the one saddled with the name 'Hiccup the Useless'. I'm the one even the younger teens and kids point at and laugh at. I can't work any harder, Gobber.  If I'm not good enough, it's because I'm not good enough."

He snatched Astrid's axe and walked past Gobber.

"I need to deliver this-and I ought to get some rest or I will fall over," he admitted, his gaunt face and the deep shadows under his eyes highlighting his exhaustion. "Will you be okay?" The big man nodded, ashamed as his young assistant awkwardly walked past him and, impulsively, he grabbed his arm. His ample stomach curled in shame at the brief stiffening before Hiccup forced himself to relax.

"Take yer time," Gobber told him and he nodded softly  before heading out into the cold morning. He grabbed his fur vest-too short for him but he had no other. His tunic was in desperate need of a wash-as was Hiccup himself-but he needed a sleep more and he knew he would be dead to the world the moment his head hit the pillow.

He knew where Astrid would be: the Arena. She ran Dragon Training now and weapons and combat training when Dragon Training classes weren't in session. This morning, she had the younger teens-the fire crew-for basic weapons practice and for a moment, he hung back as she barked orders and the teens skipped to obey her. He leaned against the wall in the entrance, swathed in the shadows and watched Gustav make an inappropriate and very personal suggestions to her. Her eyes narrowed and she screamed an sharp order at him:

"Drop down and give me THIRTY!"

"Aww, Astrid!" Gustav protested. "You know you're a total babe and you really can't hope to do better than me. Why don't you give in to your attraction to me and be my girlfriend..."

"FORTY!" the enraged Shield Maiden snarled.

"I'll just have to woo you with my manly awesomeness!"

"FIFTY!"

And mini-Snotlout has as much success as his hero, Hiccup thought ironically, watching the younger boy drop down and start his push-ups swiftly, trying to show off. After ten, his arms collapsed and he was bright red and sweating profusely. The other teens were preparing for axe-throwing practice and Hiccup walked through the gate-then cleared his throat. Astrid turned, her eyes glittering with annoyance that faded as she saw Hiccup. Hiccup grinned in delight as he saw her.