AN: Hey guys! After several months, I'm finally back, and with something new! This is the prologue to the new story. I plan to make this decently long with multiple chapters (following chapters will be a lot longer), so, this will technically my first big project, and a new undertaking for me. I hope I can pull it off for you guys.

Anyway, without further ado, here is the start to a new adventure. I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own How To Train Your Dragon. Please don't sue me.

Winter Beds

Prologue

"Quit dillydallyin', boy!"

Reality had slipped away as I sharpened the sword I was working on. I zoned out, My practiced, grinding strokes had begun to slow down as I stared dumbly and detached towards the ground, thinking about something I couldn't even remember. For a moment, I felt like I was standing on the edge of myself, about to fall. I seemed to be so out of it, I was afraid if my mentor had ripped me from my trance a second later, I would have stopped functioning entirely.

In my start, I jerked up and glided my hand across the edge of the blade, slicing open the heel of my palm. I let out a curse through clenched teeth and brought the cut to my chest. The sword flew to the floor, clattering. The clean slit almost stretched along my whole hand, and it stung terribly. It was a second before the blood flowed from it, a decent amount too. It had to be respectfully deep. I cursed again as it started dripped on my leggings. I rolled up my sleeve and rested it on the table to prevent it further.

As a blacksmith, you always tried to avoid it, but it was like a competition in how fiercely you carved yourself up that day, or how well-cooked your fingers were. It was routine to injure yourself when you handled sharp objects and teased fire to contribute to your village. The damage wasn't that bad, but not too good. It would leave a scar.

Considering my friends' motto, what was the fun if you didn't get a few scars out of it?

I could do without them, to be honest. I didn't find much fun in the pain of tearing myself apart. I didn't get the rush they did, but I kept going for other reasons.

It was a dirty job, and difficult to come out on the other side clean-handed. After some experience in a forge, you kind of prepared for things to go wrong. I didn't walk away from it though. I had a need to create, and that was my rush. If I was left to my tools with no restrictions and the endless ideas, I would take off every finger until I couldn't make things anymore. I had to quench this obsession, or I would go crazy. It was my passion, and something worth suffering for. And for that reason, I loved the life of a blacksmith.

I was frustrated at the viscous red pouring from my hand, but I let it go. There was no reason to get worked up over it; just fix it and move on with my life.

These things didn't have any intent to hurt me, they didn't have intentions at all. It was my fault. Wishing I were more responsible or hating myself and the sword wouldn't make the blade take it back. Nevertheless, the incision wasn't very convenient, and I was annoyed at it. I groaned.

Gobber saw my mishap from across the forge."Oh, for Thor's sake, Hiccup, get it together!" He said as he grabbed some bandages and rags, hobbling over to me.

"Yeah, yeah," I disregarded his plea as he pulled up a chair next to me and inspected my hand. "I lost myself for a minute. You may have been a little dramatic in grabbing my attention, though."

"Was I?" he challenged, "I suspect you left your head at home today. That was the fifth time I called your name and you still didn't respond. Lad, if you are going to come in, I need you on top of things!"

When I woke up this morning, I was exhausted, and I loathed working, but Gobber wanted me in, so I dragged myself out of bed anyway. I thought I could cope with it and get through the day. As I thought about it, I realized I couldn't remember half the things I did since I came in. I was practically sleep-walking.

I sighed, drained, baggy-eyed. "I know, I'm sorry Gobber. I don't mean to let you down, I'm just... really tired."

"It's fine, boy. But, seriously, if you're so tired, try sleeping instead of flying all night with that dragon of yours. That could help."

"That's great advice," I jived.

He ignored me and continued, "Because you won't be sleeping on the job. No more daydreamin', yeh understand?"

"Yes, sorry. I'll get back to work." I didn't want to tell him the truth about why I hadn't slept much. I was embarrassed.

"Oh, forget it." He waved off my feeble promise and grabbed some scissors to clip the fabric before handing them both to me. He had his detachable hammer on, so he would have a hard time wrapping me. "That's enough for today. At this rate, I'm afraid you'll cut off your whole hand, and then you'll be just like me. I'll finish the sword, and you can go home."

"No no no, I can finish-"

"It's fine, Hiccup," He asserted firmly. "I can handle the rest for today. You should have just told me you didn't get any sleep."

"I-" I began to argue. I realized there was no point. I stopped.

It was humiliating. I didn't want to leave all the work for him. But Gobber was a stubborn man, and I didn't think I could convince him otherwise. I still wanted to pursue it, but, frankly, I was really tired. And he was right, it wasn't a good idea for me to be in right now, I was putting myself in danger. I needed sleep. I began bandaging myself and nodded, a bit disappointed.

He noticed my expression and misinterpreted it, "Oh, please! Save me the act. I know you'd rather be anywhere else but here, and you know you need to rest. " He said, "Either way, this is pretty deep, and I think you'll need to wait until this is healed up before you can come back in. You've been working hard these last few weeks anyway. So, congratulations! Consider this a vacation. I can manage without you until then."

I was shocked at how he was willing to let me go spontaneously for just a relative time. We both balanced the work, handing it all to him seemed like it would be easily overwhelming. "Whoa, Gobber, it's just a cut, I don't need a vacation."

"If you are in here everyday it will never heal. No doubt it would get infected too."

"Look, what about all the stuff coming in? What about all the dragon equipment?" Taking care of all the saddles and the like was usually my job.

"Have faith in your teacher, lad! I pay attention, and I know the ropes! I'll have every dragon comfortable in their saddles," he guaranteed, "And if I have any questions, I'll come to you. I can do it."

I felt a bit more reassured, but I was still reluctant leaving it to him. Gobber was an excellent craftsman, and he could carry it out, but I couldn't be convinced unless I was fitting the saddles myself. I vowed to make certain that every piece of dragon equipment that came through while I was gone was good on them by asking each of them personally. "Alright, fine. I trust you."

"Good."

I finished wrapping the bandage and, with Gobber's help, tied it off. He examined it and seemed satisfied. He patted me soundly on the shoulder with his hand-hand and looked up at me. He smiled tenderly. His foggy eyes seemingly glowed with something almost like pride. He was proud with how far I'd come, he told me before. He had taught me everything I knew, but now, I was questioning him. Maybe that proved just how far I'd made it for him.

"Gobber, you don't need to-"

"Ah, shut up boy!" He cut me off and hooked an arm around my head, pulling me to his chest and giving me a noogie, "When did you get so irritating?" He teased.

I laughed and pushed him away, "Gah, when was the last time you took a bath, old man?"

"Yeah, yeah." He stood and started cleaning, "You're free, you fishbone, Now go! And next time you come in, bring a useful apprentice with you!"

I stood up and pulled on my vest, making my way out the door. "I'll try. Thanks, Gobber. I'll see you later."

"Have a good day lad."

I live on an island called Berk. At this point, you may have heard something of it. Words of hysteria and pandemonium tend to spread quickly, and words never cease to leave people's mouths.

Do not worry. We aren't too crazy. Of course, you need to be a little crazy to do what we did, but it's a good kind of crazy.

You probably know that us Berkians and dragons live in harmony now, which is truly insane to most people. But, if you open up your mind, it really isn't. They are just like us. Just as smart as you and me, some even smarter. With thoughts, feelings, loves, fears. They are individuals with personalities. They just come with scales, a tail, and a set of wings (and a lot of pride to be frank). Not forgetting their abundance of trademark fire, of course.

Don't believe me? Sit down and talk with one.

Yes, they can talk. There's already a lot more to them than you knew, huh?

My name is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, and you can blame me for this abomination of a people. A little over a year ago, I met someone in the woods (under regrettable circumstances). This person and I found something thought to be inconceivable at the time, forbidden even. In the beginning, we didn't even realize it.

We found a friend in each other.

His name is Toothless, and he is a Night Fury. The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself, and me, the talking fish bone. We are inseparable.

A mix like that is begging for a tremendous outcome, and the odds didn't lie. One thing led to another, and Toothless brought me and a friend to the dragon's nest. There was a dragon inside, bigger than a mountain- The Red Death, Toothless called her. She was tyrant, horrible and cruel, forcing the dragons to raid villages in order to gather food for her, or unwillingly volunteer themselves as her dinner. We convinced our fellow teenagers of this suffering and misunderstanding, and, with help, Toothless and I took her down and released her grip over the nest and the dragons.

After that, dragons and humans didn't instinctively kill each other anymore. They coped with the other species around. And without any escape from one another, they had to get acquainted. Over time, the chafing between them slowly dissipated and developed into exuberant pats on the shoulders and playful nudges. They grew fond of each other, and enjoyed their company. They became friends.

Eventually, some pairs bonded more deeply, and the dragons took their squishy, pale-skinned friends to sail through the sky on a trip they could never forget. Those ones were dubbed companions for life.

We opened our arms to them. They are part of our tribe now. They are our family, and the inconceivable was now the ordinary. We accomplished this, and life was better.

Now, if you could see straight through me and reach farther than most with some incredible sixth sense, I would be intimidated, and you would be baffled at my state of affairs, or doubt everything I've told you. Regarding all this and taking in my predicament, you might ask yourself: If you're so happy, why are you losing sleep?

It isn't stress, trauma, or anything like that, and it isn't the fact that I don't make time for sleep (usually), but that isn't the problem.

I am happy, and I haven't lied or stretched anything that I've told you even remotely. I don't remember being this happy before in my life, and I wouldn't change a single thing. I never questioned that. Yet, these unjustifiable nightmares came to me.

To put it simply, I couldn't tell you, because I don't know myself.

That afternoon, I dreaded sleep, but I couldn't avoid it. I sunk down deep as the sun slinked across the sky.

Just like the night before, I wasn't spared. Dark visions haunted me once again.

AN: Thank you guys so so much for giving this a chance, I hope you liked it. I have many ideas for where I'm going to take this, but I never stick to the plan and end up swerving in a total different direction. This will be as much of a journey for you as it will be for me, I just hope you guys will enjoy it on the way down as much as I will writing it. I spent my birthday finishing it up, so I hope it is worth it, hahaha.

I said above that this takes place around a year after the movie, but to clear things up, Hiccup is sixteen right now.

Shoutout to my beta readers, The70boss302, Absi B, and others. This would be a disaster without you.

Please leave a review!