"Five thousand pounds of flaming muscle incoming!" Snotlout yelled as he tried to keep Hookfang flying straight, but ended up barreling towards Astrid.

"Ugh! Can't you stick to formation?" she snapped.

Snotlout crossed his arms defensively. "I don't see you trying to control the most ferocious dragon."

Before Astrid could retort, Hiccup cut in, "That's probably the problem. Don't try to control your dragon. Listen to each other and have trust he'll follow your direction, as you follow his."

Snotlout grumbled something under his breath, but seemed to actually take Hiccup's advice. After a moment, the group were back to flying somewhat harmoniously. They were taking turns sleeping while flying, trying to get at least some rest before the arrival.

Under the cover of darkness, the group was far stealthier. Dragon Games Island was far behind them, with only the sound of wing beats filling the space. The stars twinkled mischievously in the sky.

As they flew, Hiccup grew more and more anxious. They were the first Vikings to ever return early from the Dragon Games, in all twenty five years it had run. If Hiccup didn't play his cards right, he'd be banished.

He glanced at the other riders.

They'd all be banished.

Hiccup looked down at the waves below, beginning to feel guilty that he'd brought them along. He put them at risk so casually.

"Oh no, I don't like that look," Astrid said, quiet enough that only he could hear. "Don't go beating yourself up about any of this. The only person who should feel guilty is Alvin."

Hiccup took in a breath and focused on the horizon. He could just about the Berk. "I suppose you're right."

Astrid chuckled. "Of course I am."

Hiccup watched as her features glowed in the silvery moonlight. A small blush formed on his cheeks and he quickly looked away.

'Everything goes and do not step on another island's soil before the end of this month, or you shall face banishment.'

"Let me handle the talking, gang," Hiccup announced. "Stay on your dragons and don't step foot on Berk."

The group nodded at him, with serious expressions on their faces. Snotlout avoided eye contact. For once, even the twins weren't mocking the situation.

The first traces of the sunrise stretched over the horizon. Before long, the sky was a soft blue.

Berk grew closer and closer. Hiccup could just about make out mountains, and then buildings, and then people. Steeling his nerves, he put on a brave face.

He could do this.

The dragons reached the beach. Hiccup raised his arm and the group stopped, hovering above the waves.

Several Vikings had been walking past. They spotted the group and paled.

One woman took a step back. "Is this... a dragon attack? Why aren't they attacking?"

Hiccup coughed once. "This is not a dragon attack. Bring me Berk's council."

The woman paled. Her eyes flickered from dragon to dragon, noticing the riders. With a shaky nod, she hurried to the village, dragging the other Vikings with her.

Hiccup glanced at the group. They each had determined expressions on their faces, but he knew they were scared. He was too.

Several Vikings ran down from the village.

"Hiccup!"

Stoick the Vast stormed down to the coast,  furious expression on his face. "What is the meaning of this? You dare leave the island, and on the backs of dragons no less?"

"Let me explain!"

Stoick crossed his arms. "Aye, that you will."

Hiccup cleared his throat. "We have discovered something very important on the island. If we waited for the end of the Dragon Games, we wouldn't be able to tell you."

Gobber raised an eyebrow. "And the dragons?"

"Friends," Hiccup insisted. "They're only defending-"

"They've killed hundreds if us!"

"And we've killed thousand of them! Look, the dragons on Dragon Games Island are aggressive because it's a nesting site!"

Stoick shook his head. "You got yourself banished because you wanted to tell us that Dragon Games Island is a nesting site?"

"I'm not banished yet, I haven't stepped foot on another island. And there's more!"

Spitelout chuckled. "There's more, is there? Why don't you tell us that the mighty Thor lives down on that island too?"

"Alvin has a base there! In the caves! And he's controlling dragons!"

Silence settled over the coast. Cold winds pulled at Hiccup's hair.

"Are you accusing Alvin of treachery against the Vikings that partake in the Dragon Games?" Stoick asked, voice eerily calm.

Hiccup nodded. "Yes."

Gobber looked between Stoick, Spitelout and a couple other members of the Berk council. "This is serious."

"Aye. A full trial will be needed."

"We can prove it, if you don't let Alvin destroy the evidence! We need to go to Dragon Games Island and-"

"Woah there," Gobber interrupted, "we are having a proper trial. No one goes anywhere."

Spitelout rubbed his beard. "It appears we may actually need two. One for Alvin's treachery, and another for the younglings' banishment. Though I would understand if the two were combined."

The riders looked at each other with uneasy expressions.

Hiccup nodded slowly. "I can certify we shouldn't be banished. That is Berk business, we don't need to wait for Alv-"

"Not so fast," a council member cut in, "you'd be banished for abandoning the Dragon Games. That's across Archipelago business, so we do need to wait for Alvin and his council to finalise thst matter."

There was an awkward pause.

Hiccup sighed. "Alright. Gang, stay on your dragons, but land. We may have to wait a while."

"You will await trial in the arena," Stoick stated, voice emotionless but his eyes were sorrowful.

The dragons walked slowly to the arena. A couple Berk warriors had been assigned to escort them, despite the fact that they could easily be overpowered by the dragons. The group didn't say a word.

Once in the arena, the guards left. They slammed the gate behind them. One by one, the riders turned to Hiccup.

"That could've gone better," Heather began.

"I know," Hiccup said.

"You didn't let me finish. It also could've gone a lot worse. All that's changed is that the trials will be with the Council of the Archipeleago rather than Berk."

Hiccup sighed. "That's what I'm worried about."

Astrid punched his shoulder. "Look, they can't banish us because we haven't stepped foot on Berk. And there's no way Alvin can get rid of all of the evidence in time."

Taking in a breath, Hiccup looked at the group. "You're right. I just have to make them see that."

Glancing into the distance, Hiccup could see a familiar ship approaching. Soon, the trials would commence.

***

Thanks for reading as always!

How do you think the trial will go? Both matters in Hiccup's favour? Neither? Or only one, and if so which?

What are your head cannons on Viking justice? I'm not basing this on real Viking trials, but rather some mesh between what can be inferred from the books and shows.

Please let me know if their arguments seem repetitive, as they have to explain what's going on in a couple chapters back to back. I'm trying to add as much character to break this as possible, but if it's still repetitive I'll change it some more.

Next part in a couple days!