Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was completely and utterly bored for the first time in months. After the fight with Drago his life had been a whirlwind; his father was dead, his mother was not-so dead after all, and Hiccup was settling into his new role as chief. Not to mention Toothless, who was also trying to find solid ground in his role as the alpha. The long hot summer days faded into crisp autumn nights without the duo noticing, and it wasn't until the first icy winter winds assaulted the small island that Hiccup realized how much time had passed. Nearly four months since the battle, and Hiccup now found himself dealing with the grim reality of being chief; dealing with the people. With the first frost on the horizon Berk was busy with preparation, a whole new crop of issues rose, and when no solution could be found, the problem fell on Hiccup.
"I was promised three pounds of mutton and a new pan for those furs," Hilda groveled, "instead I got a pound of fish and a new ladle. Tell Vera to pay-"
"Well, I was under the impression I would be getting 'The finest fur in Berk' so when I received hides with holes and rough pelts I payed what I saw fit!" Vera fumed.
"Oh get off your high horse! The air is cold early, and the winter will be long and harsh. You need what fur you can get!" Hilda spit back.
Just as Vera began to open her mouth, Valka came bursting through the doors of the hall. "Excuse us if you please," she addressed Hilda and Vera "I need to speak with my son. This issue can be taken up tomorrow." The feuding women left the hall, still snapping at each other, while Hiccup thanked the gods above from saving him from his boredom.
"What's wrong Mom?" Hiccup asked, stepping down from his seat. However, her mouth twisted up in a mischievous grin.
"Nothing really. But you've been so busy lately- not to mention you must be exhausted from solving half of Berk's problems- and I thought you could use a break."
"Wow, uh Mom, that was really thoughtful and everything," Hiccup ran an uneasy hand through his hair, avoiding his mother's gaze, "It's just that, well, Berk kinda needs me and-"
"Nonsenes." Valka cut him off. "You've been working for nearly four months straight, you're only human Hiccup. You need a break. Within a week the frost will come and soon after it will set and stay. Enjoy the last of autumn. And I think you'll find something waiting at the edge of town."
True to Valka's words, when Hiccup reached the edge of the town he saw Astrid on Stormfly, with Toothless lounging in the fading sun next to them. "Nice of you to finally show up." Astrid teased.
"Well, all my very important chiefly duties keep me busy," Hiccup smiled back "Have you had the honor of sorting out Vera and Hilda's trades? I didn't think so."
" Oh come on Hiccup," Astrid rolled her eyes, "We should get going, it's only an hour til sundown. And the sun doesn't stay up just for you and your 'important chiefly duties."
"Hey, now, not just important. Very important."
"Oh yes, silly me, how could I have forgotten? Berk would fall apart without you."
The two flew above the island, gliding easily alongside the other. It had been too long since they had enjoyed an afternoon like this, and Toothless' soft pur seemed to show that he had also been missing his rider. Above the world, all the troubles seemed so small. With the fresh air blowing past his face, the sun melting into the ocean, and the warmth and comfort of Toothless radiating, Hiccup couldn't remember the last time he had felt this good.
Which, Hiccup decided later, was probably why the gods decided to mess everything up. They were never content to just let Hiccup be.
A bolt of lightning split the sky in two. Hiccup and Toothless both fell back in surprise at the sudden storm. Clouds rolled in out of nowhere, and began to blur the sky until Hiccup couldn't see two feet in front of his face. "Astrid!" he yelled in a panic, searching the sky. "Come on bud, you can find them," he whispered to Toothless, hoping that the dragon's shaper senses might be useful. The rain began to pelt down, and Hiccup secured his mask over his face, signalling to Toothless to move as fast as he could. Toothless's head darted across the sky as he spun in a circle, but he failed to pick up on Stormfly or her rider. With a soft jerk of the head he motioned back to Berk.
With the clouds beginning to vanish nearly as quickly as they appeared, Hiccup could see the small town in the distance. And something was definitely wrong. Without a word, the pair shot down towards Berk, Hiccup shifted the tailfin for maximum speed. They were still far aways when Hiccup could clearly see the blaze lighting up the town. Black smoke filled the air, and with the sun gone Hiccup couldn't understand what was happening. Screams and dragon roars alike reached his ears as he reached the town, but Hiccup was only focused on one detail. A hulking man had his grip on Stormfly, and Astrid was nowhere in sight. In the confusion Hiccup didn't stop to make sense of the situation, but instead dove towards the man in a brave, albeit foolish, stunt. He landed in a clearing, to the back of the man. "Why are you doing this," he called, "It doesn't have to be this way." Despite he plea, the large man still continued his struggle to bring Stormfly to the ground. "Hey," Hiccup called, drawing his blazing sword while behind him toothless bared his teeth, igniting his inner-flame. Nightfury. Some of the attackers stopped, turning to watch the scene unfold. "Face me," Hiccup spat out. Slowly, the hulking figure turned towards Hiccup and Toothless. The firelight began to illuminate the man's face, and as it did, Toothless began to draw back and Hiccup nearly dropped his sword. Because standing in front of them, beard red and full as ever, was Stoick the Vast.