*** Hello guys, reddercaws here. This story is going to be a short story contain Stalka. I'm setting this up to be a prologue to a HTTYD 1 & 2 AU storyline (things will be changed). This chapter will be giving some tidbit into Stoick's romance with Valka. There might be 3 or 4 chapters.****

Stoick had been eyeing Valka from across the mead hall for what seemed like forever. He looked at her intently. She was the most beautiful, kind, and understanding maiden in all of Berk. It was unfortunate that she wasn't the most strong or battled harden of the girls but, she had stolen his heart. Stoick panicked a bit as Valka start walking towards him, carrying a plate of mead cups.

"Hello Stoick", Valka said cheerfully. "Can I interest you in another cup of mead?"

Stoick smiled at her intently and took one of the mead cups in acknowledgement. He had been wanting to be with Valka alone for a while now as the night was busy and all of the village had gathered in the mead hall for celebration of the spring festival. The sun had finally warmed up the island to a variable temperature of just below freezing and the snow had finally given way to green grassland.

Stoick turned and looked to Gobber, who was drinking right beside him. "Hey, Gobber, do you think you can cover me. I think I'm going to take Valka on a short stroll through the forest."

Gobber turned to Stoick and then looked at Valka, smiling at the two love hearts. "Well, if you're going, you might as well give me your cup of mead. Deal!"

With that, Stoick gave him his mead and came up to Valka who was unsure of what to do. She set the plate of mead down on the table and took hold of Stoick's hands.

Stoick gripped her hands tight and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He then told her to follow him through the crowd of Vikings and through the back door of the mead hall.

"Stoick, please slow down. You're almost dragging me across the ground." laughed Valka. Stoick replied "Shhhh, Valka, if we get seen you know that my father will not be very happy with me leaving the hall; especially that he going to make the big announcement tonight." The two remained a bit quieter as Stoick led Valka into the forest behind the village. Along the way, Stoick grabbed one of the torch lanterns to light the way as the forest just came into view.

This was not the first time Stoick had snuck of with Valka into the forest to have some alone time. The very first time they ran off was when Stoick had told his father, Cruden the Crusher that … he loved Valka. Let's just say that his father was not at all happy with his decision. Stoick could remember the arguing and the heinous insults spewed around.

"Stoick, I know you have been interested in this Valka but, I don't think that a lowly maiden would be fit for a man like you. Not to mention that she's frail and weak. She probably would cut herself is she was handed a sword. Just listen to me son. She's not your match." he remembered his father saying before.

Stoick felt ashamed, but he also felt resentment against his father for putting down Valka like this. "Father, don't you dare tell me who I can love. Yes, Valka might not be the most strong or most striking image of a shield maiden but she is kind, caring, and genuinely loves me. And I love her and I will not be forced to marry anyone else."

Eventually, Cruden had come to be more openly accepting of Valka as she built her reputation up as one of the village's best healers in the village. Her work saved many gravely wounded warriors and her smart and intuitive mind came up with the most helpful and amazing prosthetics for the village. Gobber was using one of them right now when he lost his left hand in a dragon attack.

He was frustrated that soon, his father was going to name him chief of Berk. He knew the duties that came with being chief. He had to take care of his own and plan the defense of the village against their enemies and the dragons. He knew that his time with Valka would grow less and maybe even that their love would dwindle. He didn't want that at all. He wanted to go on adventure, head out of Berk and go seeing the world.

His cousin Spitetlout had just left to go on a month's voyage to map the outside world. Stoick had envied him a bit, being that his cousin was always the rebellious one back in Stoick's childhood. Now, Spitetlout was out there somewhere, sailing the seas, off on an adventure which he eagerly wanted to do but, he knew that he needed to stay. His job was to be the successor to his father. He … would … never abandon Berk. He would never leave Valka either.

When Stoick and Valka had finally made it to their secret place, the two settled down and started their traditional bonfire. The fire warmed them up a bit and they got comfortable, Valka laid down with Stoick to look up at the stars.

"The stars are so beautiful out tonight. Oh look, there is even a full moon shining." Valka exclaimed in excitement. Stoick held her with his big but gentle arms. He ran his hands through her hair and pondered.

"Valka, I don't want this moment to end." Stoick whispered softly. Valka turned to look at him with her beautiful wide green eyes. "Then let's lie here for eternity. Let's never leave here."

Valka cupped Stoick's tender cheek and looked at him for a moment. The next thing Stoick knew, Valka's lips were cupped against his and he felt a sense of euphoria rush inside him. It was their first kiss in a while and the feeling had been something Stoick had missed.

Valka pulled back from the passionate kiss and smiled. After a few moments of silence she began their little song. "I'll swim and sail on savage seas."

He then felt his mouth naturally respond in memory to the tune. "With never a fear of drowing."

Valka then said the next line a little louder. "And gladly ride the waves of life, if you would marry me."

Stoick continued, his voice with a new rigor "No scorching sun or freezing cold, Will stop me on my journey."

He then wrapped his hands around Valka's slender body in a tight embrace. "If you will promise me your heart."

Valka closed her eyes, feeling the love between them finally becoming real, something quantifiable. "And love, and love me for eternity." she finished.

Stoick held her for what seemed like forever. He would never leave Valka, he said to himself. He would never leave Valka for another. Till death do them part, he would remain her husband no matter what.