Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don't own HTTYD or any of its characters. All rights go to DreamWorks Animation, Dean DeBlois and Cressida Cowell.

So, before we begin Means of the Eternal, I'd like to point out something. Please imagine T.J. Miller as the voice of Tuffnut while you're reading, not Justin Rupple. T.J. will always be Tuffnut in my eyes, and I'm sure some of you feel the same.

Also, this story will take place in Eret's POV.

On with the story!

(Eret's POV)

This is Berk. A stunning, one-styled, all expenses paid dream destination. So settle in and let your worries melt away.

Well, most of your worries, anyway. In my case, at least.

I'm Eret. More commonly known as Eret, Son of Eret. My full name is Eret William Nordisk, Jr. I'm new to Berk, only been here a year or so. I'm married to the gorgeous love of my life, Becky, who is currently seven months pregnant.

In the seven months prior, Becky had been experiencing mood swings, throwing up, cravings, tiredness, among other things.

We both had a hunch that we were expecting, but we couldn't be sure until the fifth month when we'd feel movement. As soon as we felt movement during that fifth month right around Becky's 22nd birthday, we went to Gothi, the village healer, who confirmed our suspicions.

Just two months to go until Becky's a mother for the second time and I'm a father for the first time.

Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah.

This is our home. The service here soars, cuisine's fiery, and the locals – the dragons, at least – are as colorful as you get. Any run of the mill paradise boasts beaches and sunshine. Well, not us. We've got something no one else can touch. We, dear reader, have dragons. Lots and lots of dragons!

Becky and I are currently putting things together in the baby's room…well, I am, since someone isn't supposed to be doing any heavy –

"Hey! My love, how many times do I have to tell you? No heavy lifting." I tell her as she tries to lift a heavy crate full of toys.

"I know. I know. But while you were over there talking to yourself…or Odin knows who…I thought I'd give you a hand."

"You heard what Gothi said…sort of…no heavy lifting. It could cause premature birth and a low birth weight. You're already high risk being born premature yourself."

"I hear you. I hear you loud and clear. I'll go keep working on the baby's stuffed Thunderclaw."

"Good. I don't want anything happening to you or the baby."

"The baby is fine. I'm fine. Oooh." Becky puts a hand to her belly. I immediately go over to her.

"Are you alright, darling?"

"I'm okay. I'm fine. That was just a practice contraction."

"Are you sure?"

"Eret, I have gone through this before."

"Every pregnancy and labor are different, love."

"I know. I know. But trust me, I know what real contractions feel like. I'll be okay."

"If you're sure."

"I am."

"I know how worried you are about this baby."

"Worried? Who said anything about me being worried? I'm not worried." Becky says, before getting up in my face.

"Why? Are people talking about me?"

"People do talk, love."

"What are they saying?"

"I don't really pay attention…" Becky glares at me.

"People have been saying that you're not strong enough."

"Even after everything I went through with Dr…with Dr…with you-know-who?"

"Honey, it's been a year since we've been free. He is gone. Surely you can say his name."

"I can't. I just can't."

"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself."

"Can we just move on? Before I get stressed out?"

I nod and she gets back to work on the stuffed Thunderclaw for our child, and I get back to work on setting up the baby's room.