(Song above dedicated to Berk and its chief)

https://youtu.be/F0o1x9c4XcA

(track: "The Kingsroad" by Ramin Djawadi)

As the sun rose over the golden waves, the companions reached Berk and were greeted warmly, most of everyone in the village seeing their arrival. They cheered and hiccup smiled as he looked at the new dragons behind him. "Welcome to your new home," he said as Toothless landed and the other dragons slowly began to land.

When the company was all on the ground, the Vikings of Berk began getting the new arrivals into the village.

Hiccup slowly got off Toothless, making sure not to cringe. "Well I would say that was successful," he said, petting his dragon's head who nodded and looked around at all the others.

Astrid was furious, knowing they were all put in danger because their companions got themselves caught. She got off Stormfly and fumed. "You idiots! There's a reason Hiccup and I are training you guys! You almost compromised our entire operation! We might as well do it alone! We almost sacrificed our lives just to free dragons and that's not worth it!" She growled and contemplated beating the daylights out of all of them, picking up a large stick from the ground.

The four of their friends turned their heads as they got off their dragons and took a few steps back as Astrid spoke.

"Hey we are all trying our best," Tuffnut said as he stood next to his sister.

Hiccup turned and walked over ignoring the pain. "Guys guys calm down." He said setting his hand on the stick Astrid had picked up.

"Tell her to—" Snotlout said and pointed to Astrid before getting glared at by Hiccup.

"But she is right. You guys have got to be more stealthy, otherwise who knows if any of you will survive," Valka said coming over towards them.

The twins gave a roll of their eyes and a 'hmph'.

Hiccup sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I think for now, it is just me and Astrid doing these missions. We can't risk you guys getting killed for your lack of stealth."

Fishlegs and the rest all gave a, "What?" and other complimenting reactions.

"It's what is best," Hiccup said and looked at Astrid.

"You let poor Belch be shot," Valka said gently and took the dragon to where she could heal it.

Ruffnut and Tuffnut grew silent after what Valka said and they did feel back that their dragon was hurt. "He's tough," Ruffnut said and they exchanged a look before following her.

Astrid then noticed how hurt her husband was. "Hiccup," she said and put a hand on his abdomen with concern.

Hiccup set his hand up. "I'm fine trust me," he said to try and not worry Astrid. He was in pain and hurt but didn't want to have that be focused on.

"You don't have to be tough for me, that won't help anything," she put her small hand on his dirty cheek and looked sympathetically into his green eyes. She had some scrapes and bruises but nothing like his injuries.

Hiccup looked into her gaze and sighed. He set his hand on hers after she set it on his cheek. He could see the scrapes and bruises, which made him sad. It was never his plan for her to get harmed, or for anyone to. "It's just a few scratches don't worry," he said as he stood there but when Toothless nudged him, he cringed a little more and set his hand gently over his abdomen.

Her expression became more sorry and she wrapped her arm around his waist to help him walk. "Come on, tough guy. Let's get you taken care of," she said softly and began to walk with him back to their hut.

https://youtu.be/FyMNQ_HxcnE

(track: "Spikeroog" by Mikolai Stroinski)

The friends looked at each other seeing their friend and chief injured. They watched Astrid take him home and felt bad.

Toothless followed behind and helped as much as he could, worried about his friend. Hiccup cringed and when they finally got home, Astrid forced him to sit and be still while she removed pieces of his armor.

"Astrid I'm fine, don't worry. What about you? They got you too," he said, trying to turn the attention to her and away from himself.

"Mhm," she replied, ignoring his concern. She was used to him not caring about his own wounds and focusing on her, but she was just as stubborn and knew how to deal with it.

Hiccup sighed as he sat there and watched her begin to take off his armor. He didn't think to wear much coverage but at the same time he didn't think to have that kind of combat. Toothless laid and watched worried about his friend. He had a few small cuts and bruises along his abdomen but also had a few rather painful gashes.

"I'm so glad you're not dead. That man... I was afraid he killed you..." she sighed as she got the last of his torso armor off and removed his bloodstained tunic.

He cringed as she took that off and took in breaths. He nodded. "Yeah to be honest... I thought he was going to. If you hadn't had Toothless find me, he would have," he said as he looked at her.

The Night Fury nudged his leg and looked at him making a sad worried sound.

"I'm okay bud, no worries," he reassured his friend.

Hiccup patted his friends head as Astrid went to the cabinets. She dug through the contents until she found a jar of something and some herbs. She kept half of them but put the rest in a bag that she handed to Toothless. "Here boy, take this to Valka and Belch."

The dragon looked at Astrid and nodded. He took the bag and left to go find the two.

"How did you get is knowledgeable with herbs?" Hiccup asked looking at her

"I don't. Your mother got these all together. She's learned so much while she was out there in the world..." she grabbed a bowl of water and a wet cloth.

Hiccup listened to her and nodded. His mother had spent a long time out there in the world so it made sense she learned everything that she knows. "Oh, yeah. But you know if you ever want to learn things from her she is more than willing. She likes you Astrid," he told her with a small smile as he watched her walk over and sit on the side of the bed.

"Do you think you can sit up?" she asked.

He nodded again slowly. "I think I can. It may take a bit," he told her and took a deep slightly painful breath. He then managed to sit up, but not without cringing in pain.

She winced watching him and put her hand on his back to help hold him up. She hated seeing him in any kind of pain, but he's quite the tough nut. Always has been.

She began to wash his wounds as gently as she could, getting the blood and dirt from his skin with the warm water.

He was grateful for her help. He had only been rather tough since his fathers death. He felt a chief didn't show pain, and he didn't ever want to burden anyone with the worry.

He cringed as he sat there letting her clean his wounds. "How bad is it?" he then asked her.

"You've had worse," she almost smirked a bit but her eyes stayed gentle, referring to the lost foot.

Hiccup chuckled lightly and nodded gently. He knew exactly what she was referring to. "Yeah I guess that's true. But I don't remember really feeling that pain from it," he said as he watched her.

"That's funny because I remember you complaining for days and days," she jested. "I mean you never shut up about it," she exaggerated humorously.

He chuckled and shook his head. "Hey I had a right to be. I had just lost my foot and didn't remember it actually, you know, coming off."

"Sure sure, because losing a foot is totally a reason to complain," she said with amused sarcasm like she was mocking him. Seems like his bluntly sarcastic form of jesting had completely rubbed off on her.

Hiccup couldn't help but laugh more, but oh did it hurt. Each time he laughed he cringed a little in pain. "Alright alright missy I get it I get it," he said to her. "But admit it, you like me that way," he joked

"I like it when you complain?" She asked with a frown and a laugh when she looked up at him.

He laughed and shook his head. "No no that's not what I meant." He said smiling at her and he set his hand on hers to stop her from cleaning his wounds for a moment. "I mean you like me for who I am no matter what. Correct?" He tried to wiggle his eyebrows which didn't work out that well to be funny.

"Eh I don't know..." she teased him. "I do like my men with both feet." She still loved it when he took her hand, that feeling of butterflies she felt when he did that when they were fifteen never going away.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh oh I see how it is. So you'd rather be with Tuffnut, or Fishlegs or even Snotloud?" he questioned sarcastically and in a joking tone. He felt like he was the luckiest Viking there was to have Astrid as his wife.

She was wrapping some linen around his waist but she already started laughing when his sentence begun and when it ended she almost snorted. "Oh yeah, Fishlegs definitely. I'm into that kind of body that, you know, just rolls when it falls over."

He smiled hearing her snort and laugh. He then laughed at what she said about Fishlegs. "Yeah? You prefer a guy bringing around a baby dragon everywhere?" He asked raising an eyebrow with a smile.

"It shows a sensitive side!" she argued as if she was serious.

He raised an eyebrow for a moment believing her. "Really? Bringing a dragon to fights shows a sensitive side?" he questioned

"Wait, he brought it to a fight?" She frowned in disbelief but held back a laugh, not knowing this because when it happened Astrid wasn't with them.

He nodded as he sat there. "Yeah not long ago. I think you were busy with my mom," he said to her. "He claimed he couldn't find a sitter for the dragon," he added.

"Frankly I'm not surprised," she said honestly, tying the fabric that served as a bandage for him, him watching her do so. "They're a mess. All of them," she sighed and wrung out the wet cloth she was using before into the bowl.

"Yeah they are," he sighed as well as he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know what to do with them. It's nice or have help but sometimes I wonder if they're helping or hindering," he added as he looked at her.

https://youtu.be/BR1YPQ8pkUA

(track: "From Past to Present" by Jeremy Soule)

Her left hand rested on his thigh but her right took the damp cloth and began to wipe his face clean of dirt as he spoke. "They need to train more before we take them again... You need time to recover anyway." Her thumb wiped a small smudge of dirt from his nose as she looked over the bruise that was beginning to show there...

He looked at her as he cleaned his face and sighed. "I don't know how. We've done all we can. Maybe they need to work with my mom or Gobber—or, well, actually my mom," he said as he sat there. He wasn't going to rest though, he was going to go after the man that did this to him. He wanted answers and wanted this all fixed.

She nodded in agreement and ran the cloth over his cheek one last time, her hand hesitating there as she stared into those eyes she loved so much... she didn't care if he had every limb missing, he'd still be the sexiest man in the world to her. What she loved was his heart and his soul... and those green green eyes...

He looked into her eyes as she looked back into his. He loved her so much, he had for years starting as a young teen. Back when he was all scrawny, but he never thought he would end up with her. Oh how happy he was. She was strong, caring and funny. He loved her with every part of his heart, all of it.

"I keep thinking about what the Arbiter said... about how close we came to everyone dying for some dragons..." her eyes wandered away from his in thought... "I guess I never really thought about it that way... about how precious the lives of our people are... If I had to choose between Stormfly and you?" She looked at him. "I mean... I would choose you without hesitating of course but... I just never thought about it..."

He looked at her as she spoke and watched. "I mean I know we were all close to dying but..." he sighed. "It's hard to see a life without dragons," added and then lifted her head. "I know you care about Stormfly very much. And I would save you if it came to that too. But I would also tried to save the other at the same time," he said as he kept his hand under her chin. "There has to be a way we can do that. We can live in peace with the dragons. Without having to choose one or the other," he said to her.

"I hope so," she said with a sigh, her eyes on the sheets. But then a thought came to her. "But what if there wasn't? I think... eventually you have to ask yourself what's more important..." she said as if she was saying this to herself, her heart worried for what might come from this war with the Empire.

Hiccup looked at her a little confused. "What do you mean 'what if there wasn't?'?" he asked her. "I mean there is a way I'm sure. We can make people believe that it is possible," he said as he shifted. He was more on the side of the bed now. "Right? You believe that is possible?" he asked her.

"Of course I do. I mean what you've accomplished has been revolutionary. It's not like saving dragons or having peace with them has compromised our people's lives. It's done the opposite. We're a bigger community and kingdom than we ever have been before. Our people are happy and safe... I just meant... I hope there doesn't come a situation where we have to choose between them... I just kept thinking about that on our flight back and it scared me," she said honestly.

Hiccup looked at her as he listened and he set his hand on hers. He was fighting the pain so that he could sit on the bed right next to her. "I'm happy we have been able to make life so much better for everyone. Everyone enjoys their dragons, and their lives now in general," he said and then sighed, looking down, his brown hair falling in front of his face slightly and nodded. "Yeah I was thinking about that too... but I don't want it to come to that. Toothless and I will make sure it doesn't," he said as he kept his hand on hers while looking at the wood flooring.

She loved the feeling of his rough palm atop her small hand. She enjoyed that while she looked at his profile, remembering for a moment when he was fourteen and tried so hard to get her attention, but she was too obsessed with her self image to treat him right. It's not that she didn't like him, she always thought he was cute and the only genuine person on the whole island. She thought playing hard-to-get would be the coolest thing to do to not sacrifice her social status, but then realized later that it just came across as hatred and that it hurt him to not have anyone in the whole tribe believe in him or support him; to be an outcast to everyone and completely alone... When she got him to open up about all that finally, it broke her. He was always so kind and sweet... but also courageous and heroic. All that time she always thought she was stronger than him, until she realized he was fifty times the person she would ever hope to be and hands down the strongest person she'd ever known.

She hoped someday he would see himself the way she saw him, and not as a scrawny outcast who was always second best. He was ahead of them all so far that they thought he was just a loser. But how he shined in comparison to everyone else... She knew that once she saw him make such tough decisions back when they were young teens, that day right before the fight with the Monstrous Nightmare... that he would be a great chief someday and would bring about a peace they could never imagine.

She knew he'd make his father proud and she was sure he would be if he was here now.

He loved holding her hand, ever since they had gotten together he loved to. He remembered how when he was the scrawny fourteen year old, no one liked him. No one believed in him, they didn't like that he didn't want to fight dragons. But when he had shown Astrid Toothless, he had gained hope again that someone believed in him and trusted what he was doing. That was years ago, which was hard to believe. Now they were married and were the chief and chieftess of Berk, their home. Along with all the dragons they brought they had a full wonderful village. It was hard for him to see himself as strong, stronger than her. He believed she and his mother were the strongest people he had ever met. Including his father into that mix. He didn't know where he would be without her by his side, helping him make decisions that were on occasion tough. And now they were faced with yet another tough decision/situation. This new enemy of person has come to ruin all they had worked for. But he wasn't going to let that happen. He was going to make it a reality, that Vikings and dragons could continue to live in peace.

She slipped her hand out from under his and lifted it to stroke his cheek, tucking his hair back and admiring his face before her other hand rested on his chest and she leaned over to place a kiss on his cheek, lingering there before she rested her head against his jaw, nestled in close as she shut her eyes and enjoyed being beside him, knowing that was her home.

He sat there and smiled when she put her lips to his cheek. "Gods how did I get so lucky?" he asked simply before he kissed her head. He put his arm around her, fighting the pain. He was truly happy with her as his wife; his best friend.

She looked down at his missing leg, his whole body that was covered in cuts and bruises, the struggles he's had to face since he became chief, the loss of his father, and all of the rejection and pain he's kept on his shoulders his whole life, yet still he was able to say he was lucky? That's something truly inspirational to her, how he could take any problem and turn it around with positive attitude and constant hope in his heart.

She couldn't help but shake her head. "You? No..." she removed her head to lift it and look into his eyes. "I am the lucky one..." she let her hand hold his cheek, feeling the scars she adored and the slight stubble on his jawline. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that..."

To him, Hiccup didn't mind not having his missing foot anymore. It was in the past, to him it reminded him of how his friend saved him from death in their first battle together. Over the years he had suffered loss from his foot to his father. It was hard but he didn't mind, he felt it made him who he was at that moment. It wasn't hard being a chief, it was hard making the right decisions.

He looked at her as she set her hand on his cheek once again. "Astrid you don't have to be sorry. We didn't get along right away because we saw differently. But that's okay." He said to her as he gave her a smile. "I'm just glad we are together now, making every moment our best. And trying to help everyone," he said to her and placed his hand on hers.

She got lost in his eyes and it seemed like every day she fell more and more in love with him. But she looked at him with confidence in her eyes when she said, "Your father would be so proud of you, Hiccup... ...just like I am..."

He looked into her blue eyes and kissed her forehead, pulling back to lock eyes with her again before he smiled. "Thanks, Astrid. I hope I'm making the right decisions to make him proud," he said and gave her a hug. "And I want to always keep you proud."

"You don't have to try very hard. Because know what makes me proud?" she smiled before parting from him enough for him to see her gesture to all of him. "This." She smirked, her eyes holding stars.

He looked at her as he kept his hand on hers for a moment. He then smiled at her gesture. He fought the pain and got up, giving her a hug. "You're the best Astrid," said as he held her close. That's when he was nudged by something, toothless had come back. He made a noise; a "what about me?" kind of noise. Hiccup chuckled and hugged his head. "So are you bud." He said as the Night Fury smiled. The dragon then looked at Astrid and licked her once on the hand.

She giggled and put her palm on the Night Fury's head. "Hey be gentle with him," she told Toothless before looking at her husband. "You should lie down, babe. Let your cuts heal." She scratched Toothless in his favorite spot behind the ear.

Toothless turned over onto the ground when she did this. He loved that spot being scratched.

Hiccup look at her and shook his head. "No I am fine. I can't just lay around and do nothing while that guy is still out there," he said. "He knows who I am, where we live. He seems to know everything and I don't know how he does."

"He doesn't know where we are. And our defenses are too strong for a frontal assault. Plus if you want to get back out there and fight then you need to let your body heal," she put a hand on his shoulder as she spoke. "You haven't even slept in almost twenty-four hours. If you fight anyone in this condition it would be suicide."

"You don't know that, he knew everything about me. Everything that I have been doing. I don't know how and I want to stop him from learning more," he said and Toothless looked at his friend, worried. "Astrid I'm not going to sleep until I stop this guy," he added.

"All he knew was stuff that spread about the whole area. The Empire has known about Berk just as long as we have known about them. And now they've been officially at war with us for nearly two months now. They'd be bound to know a lot about the chief of their opposing clan. And you have to sleep. Don't make me sedate you." She grabbed her sedative dart as a joking threat.

Hiccup stood there looking at Astrid as Toothless laid on the floor watching them. "Well yeah maybe that's how he learned but still. Him knowing all that, being stronger than me, puts everyone I care about in danger. Puts Berk and the dragons and everyone in this town in danger." He said as he stood there concerned. "I have to fight and end this."

She put her hand on his cheek. "I know you do... but listen to me. The best kings, chiefs, and generals, know when to fight and when to rest. If you wear yourself out, you won't be able to win and you'll be sacrificing yourself for nothing. They're not coming after us right now. It would be foolish of them, and scouts are constantly checking the area for any signs of threats. The Empire is not after you. It's after global conquest. Which means they'll be playing slow and smart. And if you want to beat them, then you have to do the same." Her expression turned sympathetic at his current state. He did look exhausted. Her thumb stroked his cheek before she leaned up to kiss him gently. "Do this for me. Just rest, please," she asked quietly, knowing how stubborn he was. But she hoped he would rest for a bit and not do anything foolish that would get him killed.

He looked down at her as he was slightly taller than her and listened. He knew that the best knew when to step back for a moment and wait. But he just didn't want to. He wanted to end the war, yet he didn't know exactly how. At least not yet that is.

He sighed and looked away before slowly nodding, knowing she was right. They had great scouts always watching so the whole village could be at peace for a time. He knew he was being stubborn with not resting. He just didn't want to. But he knew he wouldn't win this 'fight' against his wife. "Fine, fine I will." He said reluctantly before he sat back down and was quiet for a moment.

She kissed him on the hair before walking a couple steps away to begin removing her armor.

"I just don't know what to do if I'm not trying to stop him and the Empire from harming us..." he said after a minute of silence.

She was taking off her shoulder plates and then looked over at him when he spoke. "Well, when you're rested we can head to the war room and look over the maps with Bjorn and Eret. They'll probably have a good idea on what our next move should be," she said as she took off her boots and began to unbutton her armor. But she stopped and looked at Toothless who was staring at her innocently. She scratched the spot under his chin that made him fall asleep instantly and she smiled, returning to taking her gear off.

Hiccup chuckled at that and then sighed in thought. "Yeah I guess we can do that. I hope they have something. Or at least maybe my mother knows who this guy is. If she had encountered him or something while out there all those years." He scooted himself up into the bed and laid down, looking up at the ceiling with his arm behind his head. "Am I crazy for wanting a world where dragons and Vikings can live in peace?" he then asked.

"Well hon I think we got there. The problem is there will always be people out there who want power, and those who don't agree with us or want different things. It's the way of the world." She pulled off her armored leather tunic and then stripped out of her matching trousers, her body dirty underneath, with a few minor cuts as well. But they weren't bad. She'd had far worse before.

"I mean, is it something that you think is impossible as well? I know many people in Berk think it is or at least Gobber says it is," he said to her as he looked over. "I just wish others could see dragons the way we do," he added and glanced at Toothless who was fast asleep. He noticed the cuts and all the dirt. "Do you need any of your cuts cleaned?" He asked her.

"No, you stay put." She pointed at him like a mother scolding a child.

He raised an eyebrow. "Astrid you need your wounds tended too," he stated

"I got it, I got it. Mine aren't nearly as bad," she said honestly and poured some clean water into a new bowl to gently wash the grime off her skin. Luckily it was summer or else the water would have chilled her to the bone. "I know it's frustrating when people don't think the way you do, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If everyone in the world thought the same then nothing new would come," she said in a positive way. She knew that he was troubled, being used to everyone thinking differently than him for his whole life, his father most of all. She made sure to always be on his side because of that.

Hiccup watched her as she bathed herself. He hadn't realized how dirty they had gotten from the fight. But he guessed it was expected, especially with the gas that Astrid had thrown.

He listened and looked back up at the ceiling as she spoke. "It's not necessarily frustrating that people think differently than me. I mean I am used to it. If you recall, my father was one of the biggest people who made sure I knew he thought differently," he began to say. "What is frustrating is the fact people, well a lot of people, aren't open minded. They think one thing and want it to stay that way. They're afraid of something new," he finished saying and looked at her once again. He was glad that she supported him in most of the things he was doing and had done. "But, yeah I know that it's best because there wouldn't be anything knew. I just wish people would open their minds to the possibilities, to the unknown."

"Well technically by saying that you are making a closed minded statement, right?" She smirked at him, playing with him. Of course she agreed with what he was saying but teasing him was more fun.

Hiccup went to defend his statement but he closed his mouth. He gave her a look and rolled his eyes instead, letting his head hit the pillow.

She held back a giggle as she smiled at him, and then cleaned off the fabric she was using, putting the bowl aside. She hesitated there while thinking, gazing at his profile. "...You can't change people, Hiccup... at least not all the time," she sighed and started unbraiding her hair. "Try not to let it upset you too much. I don't like it when you're down," she admitted.

https://youtu.be/IdrvD8wsYnw

(track: "You'll be Queen One Day" by Ramin Djawadi)

He sighed as he listened to her. He knew she was right, that he couldn't change people. It was childish for him to think he could, but he had changed all of Berk, right? So why not keep trying? "I know, I know... I just want to do what's best for the dragons and for us humans," he said quietly as he looked up at the wood ceiling.

She looked over at him and smiled to herself. No matter how harsh this world was to him, he stayed good and his heart pure. She was so lucky to have someone so rare in her life to walk side by side with. She always admired him, being so different than she saw herself as; coarse and cold. But after being with him for so long she felt happier and that he had helped her become a much better person.

He continued to look up at the wood above him, examining the rafters and different boards that pieced the roof together. His mind was racing with thoughts going a thousand miles an hour; thoughts about Berk, Astrid, the dragons, everything possible. Sometimes it felt like it would never stop. But with Astrid by his side, she seemed to ease his mind. She seemed to have that power to help him.

She looked over him with pure adoration in her eyes as she finished unbraiding her hair. She walked over and hopped up to sit on his lap, below where his injuries were so that she didn't hurt him, her hands on his waist. "I love you," she said with a smile, meaning that more and more every day.

His attention was brought back when she did this and he smiled up at her. "I love you too," he told her and lifted his arm, moving some of her blonde hair that draped like wavy golden waterfalls from each side of her head.

She smiled back, joy in her heart, before she leaned down to kiss him softly, her arms propping her up as she was positioned over him.

He looked up at her, with love in his eyes and love in his smile. He felt lucky that Astrid chose him out of every man in the village to be with. When she kissed him, he kissed her back by propping himself up on his elbows, ignoring the pain. He wanted to be with his wife so any pain wasn't going to stop him.

When she felt him wince she recoiled and made a regretful expression. "Sorry."

"Hey hey it's okay." He told her as he looked at her and propped himself up on one arm so that he could use his other hand to move her hair. "It isn't your fault," he told her.

"Yeah I know. You're the one who just has to fight everyone," she rolled her eyes, jesting with him.

"Oh, oh okay, that's how it's going to be, isn't it?" he said with an amusingly done tone.

"That's how it's going to be," she replied, holding back a giggle.

"Alright," he nodded with a finished expression and laid back down.

She finally let out a short laugh and said, "But hey don't worry." She leaned down to kiss him on the cheek gently. "I'm a sucker for heroic men." She smirked and ran her hand down just chest before her lips played with his jaw.

Hiccup got goosebumps when she did this, his hand sliding up her bare thigh to rest by the line of her undergarment there. "Well I'm happy you chose me," he chuckled as he let her kiss him, his cheeks blushing from it. He still always felt lucky to have her as his wife. He knew lots of men wanted her to choose her, but she chose him. Everyday he was so thankful she did.

She gave him a peck by his ear and drew back just enough to look in his eyes. "I could say the same."

He smiled as her hand held his cheek, before she leaned down to slowly wrap her lips around his, both of them enjoying this small romantic moment as much as possible...

Suddenly the door flew open and Tuffnut stumbled in the house, Astrid letting out a yelp before immediately ducking under the covers and Hiccup jolted as well.

"Yuck Astrid, it's still daytime," he snorted. "Hey Hiccup," he said completely casually as if he did nothing wrong.

The chief sat up and worked a muscle in his jaw before he sighed, furious. "Tuffnut don't you know the word 'knock'? And that this is the chiefs house?" he questioned with annoyed hand gestures.

"Psh. Please. You've been chief for like five minutes and suddenly there are all these rules?" He said in a bored way.

"Tuffnut, when I'm dressed I'm going to hang you by your toes and flog you until you puke out your liver!" Astrid yelled in fury from under the covers.

"Ouch, why so grouchy?"

Astrid let out an angry groan.

Hiccup stood up and put his shirt on and looked at their rather annoying and dumb friend. "I have been the chief a lot longer than that," he said, frustrated. He had had enough essentially. "Not to mention, it's common courtesy to knock before entering someone's home," he added pushing him out of the room and closing the door behind him so Astrid could get up. "Now what do you want?" He asked with an angry tone.

"Uh that Eret guy heard you were back and needs to talk to you about... bla bla bla, an attack or something." He shrugged.

"Oh an attack? Is that all? That doesn't seem very urgent," he replied with a look of disbelief, speaking in extreme sarcasm.

"Yeah that's why I ate before I came and told you. But if I knew you and Astrid were about to have morning sex I would have walked in a second later, yuh know what I mean?" He gave him a seductive look.

"Get out of my house—"

"Right." He turned and left.

Hiccup put a hand to his temple with a sigh...

https://youtu.be/U1X01xWbvC4

(track: "Black of Hair" by Ramin Djawadi)

"I returned from the Western Isles this morning with my men. The fortress has been overrun and we were barely able to escape with our lives. The others who were stationed down there didn't make it," Eret told Hiccup and Astrid who sat by the table that faced the fire in the center of it, both their backs to it. The separate table made of stone that was in front of them was the one that the map was carved on, small figures that represented ships and strongholds placed there for strategic purposes. Eret had his fists resting on the edge of it as he looked over everything.

Astrid had changed into one of Hiccups shirts which became a tunic on her, a belt around it, and her trousers and boots. Her hair was pulled back behind her head, the top of it tied in a knot with some strands left in front that flowed down on either side of her head, the rest of her hair down her back.

Hiccup sighed after listening to what Eret said and slowly stood up, looking at the map of the north. "So the Western Isles has been lost," he said quietly as if to himself as he stood there. He looked at all the pieces and ran a hand through his brown chestnut hair. "I'm guessing this was the Empire? Or was it someone or something else?"

He looked away from the chief slowly and his eyes scanned the map, brows pulled together. "They were nothing we'd ever seen before... Dragons with no riders, that looked like species we'd seen before except... different. They were black and cracked apart like a crumbling stone statue, glowing underneath like their bodies were shells that capture the lightning... all of them..."

https://youtu.be/dOQPp2RAvAU

(track: "A Raven from King's Landing" by Ramin Djawadi)

Hiccup looked at the map then at Eret and listened. But his eyes widened when he heard that description, his gaze fixed on the table as the image from the Imperial dungeon replayed in his mind

"Doesn't sound like anything I've seen before," Astrid commented, not noticing Hiccup's expression. "Did you say it was like a shell?" She frowned.

"Aye... it was like a nightmare come to life. The only dragons we had down there seemed to disappear when the fight broke out. We weren't sure if they ran off or were killed... but either way, almost no one was left alive. We had to ride back on horse."

"And it looked like other dragon types? What happened when you killed one?" Hiccup asked, looking urgent.

His brows tugged together a bit as he tried to remember, though something like that was hard to forget. "It seems to break and shatter into small pieces as if the dragon never existed..." he explained. "I don't know how to describe it. They fought like pure demons... no matter what we did, they couldn't be tamed or stopped, as if killing us was their mission. Even our dragon darts were ineffective," he said grimly. "I've seen some dark magic before but... nothing like this."

Astrid was suspicious and she made a worried look. "Hiccup, you don't think it could be... necromancy, do you?" She asked hesitantly, that idea frightening her.

Hiccup was pulling at his hair trying to understand what was going on. This dragon, this species sounded so odd. It did sound like black magic but yet not. "I-I don't know. I mean it could but who would be stupid enough to do that?" He set his hands on the cold stone and took a deep breath. "Eret I really need you to search your brain. I know this thing probably wasn't the prettiest but please," he handed him a piece of parchment and a charcoal stick. "Draw what you remember it looking like," he said to him. He had an idea as to what it might have been. Or at least he felt like maybe he had seen it. He just needed him to draw it. He then set both his hands on the stone table and closed his eyes with his head down as if thinking and waiting. He hoped that Eret could remember some key part of it. In the time he was

https://youtu.be/LmuXorRD7I8

(track: "Await the King's Justice" by Ramin Djawadi)

Waiting to hear if he could or not, he was searching his own mind for images of possibly seeing that kind of species anywhere else.

He looked at the paper and sighed. "Hiccup I don't know what else to say. They looked like any other dragon species but like they were cursed. There wasn't anything that could give us a clue..."

Astrid stood up, intervening. "They looked like any other dragon? Like a Deadly Nadder or a Monstrous Nightmare?" She walked over and took the paper as he nodded. She used the charcoal and began to draw the shape of Stormfly. Once she was done she handed the charcoal to Eret who began to draw hesitantly. "It was like the flesh appeared as blue lighting against a black sky, like some kind of demonic spectral..." the more he described it and drew, the more Hiccup began to realize it somehow seemed familiar. And when Eret erased the pupil on the eye, it became clear...

Hiccup watched from across the table as Eret drew more and his eyes widened at the end. "No way..." he said and picked up the paper pulling it away from Eret. His suspicions were definitely confirmed, though he had hoped Eret had just seen another species of dragon. Now he knew it was far worse.

"What is it?" Astrid asked with sudden interest.

"I've seen this species before," he answered. "I'm not sure if it was technically a dragon or not but it was in the dungeon we were at earlier." He set the paper down. "It hissed at me and wasn't calm at all. They were studying it, there were papers everywhere," he continued to explain as he stood there his hands on the cold stone. "It definitely isn't something to take lightly." He looked at the two with concern in his eyes.

"Wait, back at the Empire's fort?" Astrid asked with interest. "Is that what you were staring at when we were leaving the dungeon?"

He looked at his wife and nodded. "Yeah, I noticed, or rather heard, rattling. That's when I saw it," he said to her. "It wasn't happy, it didn't seem friendly or even seem to have a tame bone in its body."

"Maybe it was just scared? Speedstingers acted that way before we tamed them," she suggested. But in her heart she felt uneasy.

Eret remained deep in thought.

"No it was not scared. It wanted to eat me alive. I've seen that look before in small doses... but never like this..." He said as he kept a hard gaze, looking at the carved island of Berk on the map... Then he noticed Eret's quiet contemplation and frowned. "What is it?" he asked.

"I heard tales here and there with Bludvist's men about dark magic. The Empire has been at war with the north for years, and now with Berk; the most powerful clan there is. They know they need to take another step if they're to conquer us and the rest of the world. And corruption laces them like fog on a winter's morning..."

"So what are you saying?" Astrid asked with furrowed brows.

Hiccup closed his eyes and then slowly opened them after Astrid asked her question. "It means the Empire wants to use these dragons to end the war," he said, looking at Eret to make sure that was what he was meaning.

The man looked back and then his gaze fell on the table, hoping that wasn't what was happening. But any other outcome would be just as bad.

"Necromancy? Black Magic? They're willing to be damned for all eternity just to win a war?" Astrid asked.

The chief looked a the table as well and slowly nodded. "They will do anything, no one cares about how they win it," he said as he closed his eyes. "They don't care about anyone or anything, they just want to win."

"But it doesn't make sense... they care a lot. At least they seem to have morals. Don't they believe in gods? I thought the prophets did..." she paced, trying to make sense of this.

"Doing things in the name of a god, is far more of a motivation than doing something in the name of man..." Eret said grimly as he kept his eyes on the table...

Hiccup sighed and took a deep breath as he looked up from the table, opening his eyes again. "Astrid, yes, they have morals, but they do it thinking they're doing the right or best thing," he said to her. "None of them think about it all the way. They just want to win the war. And they try to justify any means necessary to get there." He looked down, angry. He hated the Imperials and how they were threatening the lives of everyone he cared about. And for what? World conquest?

Eret wasn't sure of their motives and they could only guess it. But that's sure what it appeared to be.

https://youtu.be/WpbEcC_tmXM

(track: "A Golden Crown" by Ramin Djawadi)

To Hiccup, they were nothing but anarchists like Drogo; the man who killed his father. He clenched his fist that rested on the tabletop when he thought of that. "I need to find this dragon and stop it and these men," he decided and began to walk from the stone table towards the doors.

"We have to come up with a plan first," Astrid told him.

"No time for plans. They are steps ahead of us," Hiccup said as he walked down some steps slowly, because he was in slight pain even doing that. "We have to end this or stop them before more people die."

"Hiccup!" She chased after him as Eret sighed. When she caught up to him she followed him. "You can't go in with no plan. The last time that happened we almost died. I know you want to end this war but wars take strategy. You can't go running off picking fights," she tried to reason with him, remembering his past rash decisions and how she was usually the one to pick up her axe and head into the fray.

Hiccup was near the door to leave and sighed as Astrid caught up. "Astrid I kind of have a plan. I'll think of one on my way there," he told her.

"Are you crazy? Look what happened even when we had a plan. Think of what could happen if you don't. And you're injured. You need to heal," she stopped and sighed, knowing she didn't want to yell at him because that got them nowhere. "You're a chief now. Which means you have an army at your back. You don't have to go at this alone anymore," she said sensitively to him and put her palm gently to his abdomen. "Let us help you... all of us."

Hiccup closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. He knew she was right, they had a plan the night before but his friends of course ruined it. That was the norm sadly which was annoying. "Look I just... I don't want to risk anyone else dying during this," he said quietly and set his hand on hers that was on his abdomen. It hurt a lot but he needed to ignore it. "I don't know what else to do Astrid, I have to protect everyone. I'm the chief. A chief is supposed to protect his people."

https://youtu.be/1adlEo05cMk

(track: "I Am Hers, She is Mine" by Ramin Djawadi)

"Yes he is. A chief protects and leads. He doesn't go on his own and get killed, leaving his people with no one. If you go out there like this you'll be dead. A single thread is much easier broken than a woven tapestry. A chief is supported by his men. And no I'm not talking about the band of idiots that got caught last time. This whole island is full of trained dragon riders who would follow you to whatever end. That includes me, and Eret, and your mother. Let's talk with them and General Bjorn to form a plan," she always spoke gently to him, knowing that when he was injured like this he was more defensive because of how disabled and helpless he felt; like injuries hindered him from doing his job. But she was trying to let him know that he could still lead. He didn't have to be on the front line in battle immediately in order to get things done. That was a reckless way of thinking. Luckily, the medicine she used on him that Valka mixed, should quicken the healing process tremendously. Another day and he would be able to move like normal again.

Hiccup looked at his wife as she spoke to him. He knew she was right, heck she was always right it seemed. He knew that if the chief went head first into the battle he wouldn't make it out alive most of the time. But he wasn't his father, he wasn't as strong as him and he wasn't ever very good at strategic planning. Not when it came to war. His last attempt ended in the death of the last chief... He was himself, a kid that became chief and didn't know necessarily what he was doing. But that's why he had Gobber, Astrid, Bjorn, Eret, and his mother Valka. They would help him whenever he wasn't sure what to do.

He sighed. "Look... Astrid I know what a chief is supposed to do. But I can't just sit around resting and let this guy use that dragon or whatever it is to kill people. We can't let innocent people die, who knows how many he has killed now?" he said to her as he looked at her. "And besides, Berk would he left with a greater leader, you. If I were to die that is," he added, always thinking that Astrid was better at leading than he was. He was hesitant to bring all of Berk into the whole mess, he didn't want anyone else getting hurt. He was scared. "I don't know Astrid, I know they would be willing to fight but I don't know if it would make a difference or if it would be what is best," he added and finally finished talking. The pain was getting a bit much as he stood there and seemed to exasperate his words or really breathe. It hurt, but he was glad Astrid wasn't pushing anything on him and was speaking gentle to him. He knew he was stubborn especially when he was wounded but he was Stoick's son.

https://youtu.be/XpJEg6MTPzc

(track: "Harvest Dawn" by Jeremy Soule)

"I would heed the advice of your wife, Hiccup. It's best to work as a companionship when chief, not alone," Valkas voice could be heard as she had entered the room.

Hiccup sighed and looked at his mother as she walked over to them. He didn't know what to say or rather he was in pain so he didn't know if he should speak more.

Astrid smiled at her mother-in-law, grateful to have her there and that Hiccup still had family around. It helped him to have someone nurturing and kind, as well as strong and intelligent in war strategy.

She looked back at Hiccup with sympathy in her eyes as his own were cast on the floor. She removed her hand from his stomach to place it on his cheek so that he would look at her. "Above all... I never wish to lose you..." she said with all the truth her heart could muster. "It would kill me..."

Valka smiled at Astrid as she saw her with her son. She knew that her being there slightly annoyed Hiccup but that was because of what she said. And to be honest Hiccup knew his mother was right. He was happy that she was alive though, even if he missed his father a lot. He was strong and a great leader. Someone he hoped to be like as a chief.

He looked at Astrid when she set her hand on his cheek. "...I know..." he said sensitively, his hand wrapping around her arm.

Valka walked over and forced him to sit down. "Let me look at your injuries," she said and lifted his shirt. "Did you use that herbal mixture?" she asked Astrid as she examined his abdomen. He cringed but stayed still.

"I did, thank you. It will help him get back on his feet," she answered, standing there with them.

Valka nodded as she spoke. "Indeed it will. It isn't instant, but it works great," she said and stood straight.

Hiccup put his shirt down and tried to stand but Valka made him stay sitting, him giving her a pouting look. "If you need more let me know. But this also requires resting," she added and Hiccup frowned and crossed his arms.

Astrid gave him a look that said 'I told you,' but then smiled softly after. She found his stubborn behavior amusing.

Hiccup stuck his tongue out and Valka flicked his head. "Be nice to your wife," she said sternly but joking.

"Yes mother," Hiccup chuckled with a nod looking at her then Astrid.

"Well, glad he listens to someone," Astrid commented with her hands on her hips, smirking at him.

Valka chuckled and shook her head, smiling at the two. "When he's fully rested come find me and we will come up with a plan." She said, placing her hand on his shoulder briefly before leaving the war room.

Astrid walked over to him and set her hand where Valka's was a second ago.

Hiccup put his hand on hers when she did this. "I do listen to you... ... you know... sometimes. Y—it depends on the subject," he explained humorously.

She laughed. "Oh you listen alright," she refrained from nudging him because it would hurt. "But just enough to argue again," she teased. Even though she knew she had this problem too. She used her free hand to gently wipe his hair from his face as she stood before him.

He shook his head. "That is, not true at all. I have no idea where you would get that concept from," he started to laugh, even if it was painful and she giggled as well.

"Oh okay," she said in an amused way.

He smiled at her as she continued to play with his hair. After a moment he looked up at her. "So can I go start planning on how to defeat these dragons?" he questioned, hoping she hadn't listened to what his mother said.

She flicked him in the head.

"Ow! Hey what was that for?" he asked her as he rubbed his head.

"You are such a mess," she said through laughter. "Look, thanks to you, this island has incredible defense capabilities. So while you're resting, let's use them. Then tomorrow morning we can begin to act again."

Hiccup smiled but raised an eyebrow as he continued to rub his head. He then sighed and nodded. "Alright, alright you win. I won't try going anywhere until tomorrow morning," he told her as he slowly began to stand up. He set a hand over his abdomen as he stood but once he was up, he stopped his hand to the side. "What do you suggest we do then if I am stuck not doing anything that I normally do?" he asked her, throwing his hands up in defeat.

"Well, last night taught us that our young riders need much more training. Valka and I can take them to the arena and crack down on it. If you're well enough to sit, you can watch and teach front a distance. So long as you promise to stay at a distance," she gave him a scolding look.

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Hey I can behave," he said and chuckled. "But yeah they need as much training as possible," he added and began to walk to the door to open it and go out, Astrid putting his arm over her shoulders and wrapping hers around his waist from behind to help him not be in too much pain or stress the wound.

"Let's get some food in you," she said. "But don't worry, I won't be making it." She smirked and pecked him on the cheek, referring to her... uh attempts at cooking in the past. Honestly that was their biggest fight ever. She still wondered how she managed to burn the house halfway down...

Hiccup was grateful for her help to walk. It was hard since the wound was across his abdomen and he had various small cuts and bruises everywhere else. But other than that he was fine. He looked at her and chuckled almost with relief. "I'm glad you won't be." He chuckled and hoped he wouldn't be smacked or punished for saying that. He knew his wife was great at everything else... just not cooking.

She glared at him. He was lucky he was injured or she would have shoved him off the stairs.

"I think I would rather keep Berk up and running like normal," he added to tease her and kissed her head as they walked.

"You don't want to take any defensive measures? I was going to stop the trade routes to the south and tell Eret to send out the Hobblegrunts for stealthy vigilance. Then maybe double our airborne scouts. Either more Hobblegrunts because of their camouflage, or Terrible Terrors because they often are mistaken for birds..." she explained.

Hiccup always knew she seemed to take to this leadership thing more than he did. She found it exciting and liked the chance to make such a difference in their growing tribe. And Astrid also loved what he's done. All of his inventions and innovations throughout their town had sent them from the Stone Age into the modern Dark Ages in just a few years! Their capabilities for efficiency, defense, and offense, made them the single greatest power in the north, besides the ever growing Empire whose only advantage were their numbers, intense training, and organization.

Hiccup looked at her as she gave her suggestions and nodded. "You know I was just teasing you, but I liked hearing your suggestions anyway," he said with a smirk as they now walked outside.

She rolled her eyes at him and refrained from pushing him down those steps again.

To him, she was the best at thinking about strategies on how to protect their home. He wished that he was good at it but he hadn't gotten there yet. He was good at inventing things to help them, but strategy was almost his dad's thing he felt like. And he'd had trouble living up to that ever since.

"Astrid let's have all that happen, but don't cause a panic. I don't want them to think the world is coming down. Let's leave the trades with the Eastern Tribes open and the Hadvar Clan to the North," he suggested to her as a compromise because he liked her general idea. She was smart in all that, the tactics and what to do.

"Aye, aye, cap'n," she smirked at him and messed up his hair like what his dad used to do with him when he was small.

https://youtu.be/JZyLqrVfslQ

(track: "Things I do for Love" by Ramin Djawadi)

Hiccup chuckled and shook his head, fixing his hair with his hand after as he smirked at her. "I'm no captain. I'm more of a chief," he added with humor as he walked with her. "So to the training area then?"

"After I feed you," she smiled at him and gave him another kiss on the cheek, her thumb rubbing his back where her hand was.

He smiled when she did that. "You sure you can?" he joked but knew that he needed to eat. But he wanted to make sure she did too.

She giggled, "Babe I will strap you down and force feed you, don't test me."

"Don't feed me the stuff you cook," he joked and scooted away as he walked to avoid being hit or anything with a sudden nervous look.

She growled loudly. "Oh you are so lucky you're hurt, you piece of dragon dung!" She said angrily but also holding back laughter. She resisted the urge to tackle him.

Hiccup laughed. "Aw, I'm kidding, I'm kidding, of course," he said with a smile and went back over to put his arm around her and kiss her head, making a regretful but an I-wasn't-kidding expression behind her back.

Her "anger" faded because she always loved it when he kissed her. She put her arms back around him with her hand on his chest. She sighed. "I remember when we were the same height," she grumbled as if complaining.

He let out a chuckle. "Yeah me too, but I was destined to grow taller than you. Come on, I'm way too manly to not," he joked. The last time they were the same height was when they were young teenagers.

She laughed. "Oh okay," she said humorously in an impression. "And suddenly you gained all your confidence," she said with attitude but with a smile, resisting another chuckle as she skipped her foot.

Hiccup laughed and shrugged. "Well I don't know how people would react to a short chief. They may walk all over him," he said to her with an amused look.

"Literally," she said with a little laugh. "But," she got in front of him, "I'd still love you," she said with a smile, her hands resting on his waist but below where his cuts were; near his hips. She just couldn't resist the urge to look into those eyes again.

https://youtu.be/SnqPJv0UqKo

(track: "Dawn" by Jeremy Soule)

He smiled at her. "Well, that's good to know," he said before reaching up with his hands and taking her face in them. He kissed her forehead as they stood there with both their eyes shut.

She loved that and it made her smile wider, warmth in her heart. Every affectionate gesture he ever made towards her just took her to the top of personal happiness and made her feel luckier and luckier that he was her own. And though she wouldn't have admitted it out loud at the time, she loved it when she was a young teen as well. Every time he would flirt with her or look at her like she was the only woman in the world—while he thought she didn't notice his stare—gave her a taste of that happiness that she would live in for the rest of her life.

And Hiccup? Well he loved Astrid more than ever even now that they were married. He had loved her even before he was a teen, more than anyone else did. He never had eyes for anyone else. Even if everyone liked her, he was the only one who got her heart in the end. That made him feel like the happiest man alive. There wasn't ever a day he regretted it. Not even a little bit.