I do not own How to Train Your Dragon or A Song of Ice & Fire.

Stoick

The clouds were blocking out the sun, and a slight breeze was coming from the south. It was quiet, eerily quiet. The ocean was oddly still. Most days, water could be heard crashing against the island rocks through the entire village. But today, the water could not be heard.

There is a storm coming Stoick thought, standing at the edge of the south side of the village. He woke in the hours of the morning, as he always does, to wake around the village to make sure everything is in order for the day to come. At one point during his walk he came to the south side and he couldn't help but just stare out at the sea.

Stoick has been looking out on the horizon for about thirty minutes, and figured it was about time he stopped staring at nothing. He was about to walk away when he noticed a boat about to dock. He didn't recognize it at first, but then he got a good look at the sails. A white sail with two red battle axes crossing. Maverik is back from his expedition thought Stoick.

Stoick made his way down to the docks to greet his friend. The closer he got to the boat, the more he could see how much of a wreck it was. There were arrows all along the port side of the boat, there were scorch marks all over it, and, now that he is closer, he could see that the sail looks like it was recently repaired, for there were sewing makes all over it.

Stoick saw Maverik helping his men onto the dock, and he was also helping unload some of the supplies on the ship. Maverik was the only man on the island who could rival Stoick when it comes to strength and fighting skills. When Stoick requested for Valka's hand in marriage Maverik challenged him to a duel. The winner would have had Valka's hand. Stoick ended up winning that duel and there was bad blood between the two for a few years. During one dragon raid, about a year into Stoick's chiefing career, Maverik was about to be killed when Stoick came to his rescue. After that raid they had a few ales together and in a few months, they started calling each other a friend.

"Maverik," Stoick called out. The man turned around a small smile appeared on his face. They took not even two full steps towards each other and they found themselves in a big bear hug. They embraced for a few moments. "How many did we lose," Stoick asked as they separated.

Maverik's small smile was now completely gone, and the pain was visible in his eyes. Letting out a sigh, "Too many," he said plainly. "We were keeping a close eye on the Berserkers, but then out of nowhere a large black dragon came upon us and attacked us. We didn't lose anybody to the dragon, but the Berserkers must have heard the ruckus the dragon was causing and attacked us. All they could hit us with was arrows, one arrow hit the black dragon and it left us.

"We tried to get away as quickly as possible but we weren't fast enough. I wasn't fast enough. Marvin, Kata, and Scarve died immediately when they were struck by the arrows. Seara and Canter died a few hours later, they were hit by the arrows and all the arrows are laced with poison. Sick fucks."

Stoick listened to the story and contemplated what his next move would be. "Here's what we're going to do," he said. "Finish unloading the rest of the ship and when you're done go talk to Hiccup and tell him about the dragon that attacked you. I'm going to go talk to the families of the dead ones and see if there is room to schedule a funeral for tomorrow."

Then they both turned around to focus on their tasks. Stoick walked to the houses of the dead Vikings and it wasn't till he was inside the house of Canter when he had to look his wife in the eye and tell her Canter was dead. After that a lot of tears started flowing, he told them that the funeral is planned for tomorrow, and left the house. It was like this for every single house, and Stoick absolutely hated to be the one to bring the news to the families. It wasn't the easiest job when they were at war with the dragons, but it was definitely easier than it is now. When it was death by dragon everyone seemed to take it easier than they do when their loved ones are killed by other people.

By the time Stoick finished informing the last family of their dead member the sun was half way into the sky. He ended up running into Maverik again. "Have you talked to Hiccup yet," he asked.

"I went to the forge," Maverik said, "but Gobber said that Hiccup had the day off today." This was surprising to Stoick. If he remembered correctly Hiccup said, he had a large order a dragon saddles to fill. Though Stoick understands that everyone needs time off every now and then. He must be with Atla right now, he figured it would be a good idea to check her house. They probably won't be there, cause why stay in a house when you dragons and a world to explore, but it won't hurt to at least check if they were there.

"Hiccup's probably with Atla right now," said Stoick. Maverik's eyes grew wide and a small smirk could be seen forming from the edge of his mouth. He opened his mouth and was probably about to say some joke, but Stoick stopped him before he could. "Yes, I understand what they could be doing, but the boy managed to hide a dragon from the village and me for weeks. How would you expect me to make a solid claim that they are doing that without any evidence that they did it."

They were silent for a moment. "I was just going to suggest we see if they're at her house," Maverik said, with a smirk still on his face.

"Fuck you, let's go," Stoick said before turning and waking in the direction of Atla's house. Atla's house was built a few days after she was initiated into the tribe, it's actually relatively close to Stoick's house. It's about a five-minute walk between the two houses. Stoick has actually caught Hiccup and Atla sneaking in and out of his house more than a few times.

Stoick has also caught them in more intimate moments before. One night, he just returned from a long journey, he came home and heard something. It sounded like there was people having a struggle upstairs, in his son's room. He sprinted up the stairs, skipping multiple steps along the way, until he made it to the door for his son's room. He then kicked the door in, and what he saw was completely unexpected. There was his son, lying on his bed, with his lady friend straddling him. Neither of them had any close on, and they were sweating and out of breath. They both started at Stoick with wide eyes, and his eyes as wide as theirs. They was complete silence for about minute, then Hiccup opened his mouth to say something, but Stoick raised his hand stopping his son. "I'm very tired, so just be quiet," Stoick said, closing what was left of the door, went downstairs to his room, and fell asleep. He didn't see Hiccup or Atla for the next four days.

Stoick and Maverik made it to Atla's house. It was a pretty simple one story house; the walls were made of oak wood and the chimney was made from simple clay. There were three rooms in the house; a bedroom, a kitchen, and living room with a fireplace in it.

Stoick guessed that Atla wasn't in the house because no smoke was coming from the chimney. The weather is starting to become colder and colder. Winter is coming and most people are having the fires in their homes burn all day and night. Stoick knocked on the door. Nothing. He tried again. No one answered. Third time. Still silence.

"I'll go check the Great Hall," Maverik said. "Maybe Gobber will know where he is." Stoick nodded, approving Maverik's plan. Then they went their separate ways.

It has been a while since Stoick has made a visit to Gobber's forge. He used to visit him every single day, but for the past few months he hasn't visited. Hopefully Gobber will be happy to see me Stoick thought. By the time Stoick got to the forge the sun was around the top of the sky, and water started to fall from it as well.

Stoick quickly made his way into the forge to keep from getting any wetter, and he heard the usual hammering of metal. Making his way into the furnace room he saw a familiar dragon sleeping next to the furnace. Grump, the always tired Hobblegrunt. Next to the dragon was Stoick's oldest friend. Gobber had his back turned to him, hammering away at a piece of metal.

Stoick cleared his throat getting ready to speak, but Gobber heard the noise and turned his head. Gobber gave a quick glance at Stoick then turned back to the anvil, but quickly turned his head back around again. Now turning his whole body around. "Stoick," he yelled, hobbling quickly over to the man. Gobber came him a hug.

Stoick wasn't expecting this. He thought Gobber would be more reluctant since he hasn't seen him in a while. Pulling back from the hug, "What have ye been up to," Gobber asked. He then turned and went back to the anvil.

"Uh, you know, keeping a village running," Stoick said. "I'm sorry I haven't been around recently-"

"Don' ye worry 'bout it," Gobber said, starting to pound on the metal again. "I understand ye been busy past few mons, and I take ne offense ta it."

"Have by chance seen Hiccup today," Stoick asked.

"I don' know whe tha boy could be, bu I know for certain he's wit Atla," Gobber replied.

Stoick started chuckling a bit. "It's funny to think that just five years ago that boy couldn't even talk to a girl, now he's probably making my grandchildren."

"Ya, riding a Night Fury is bound ta give ye a set o' balls." This send both the men into a fit of laughter. "Bu in all seriousness though, inin' it against tradition for the heir ta consummate ou'side wed lock?"

"Yes, but we aren't exactly following all our traditions anymore." Making a glance at the dragon sleeping next to the furnace. "And also, me and Val weren't exactly keen on waiting till we were married to get that close. I'm not going to punish my son for doing something that I did when I was his age. That wouldn't be exactly…" Stoick trailed off when he noticed something that caught his eye.

There was a raven in the forge.

Ravens are not indigenous to Berk, or to this region, for a matter of fact. There was also something attached to the bird's leg. A little scroll.

Stoick hasn't been to that many places around the world, but there was one place that he remembers where ravens used for communication between people. But that can't be from them. why would they travel this far out? Ravens can't fly all the way to Berk from there.

Stoick cautiously walked over to the bird, but it didn't look nervous or like it was about to take off. He carefully grabbed the bird and removed the little scroll from the leg. Then he released the bird and it flew away. He unrolled the paper and started to read it.

"Wha is it Stoick," Gobber asked.

That's not possible Stoick thought. He can't be dead. How close are they. These were just some of the many thoughts running through Stoick's mind, but one stood out more than any of the others.

Where is Hiccup?

He saw a familiar Terrible Terror sleeping in the forge. Sharpshot. Stoick grabbed a piece of paper and a charcoal pencil and started writing. Once he was finished, he grabbed some string and tied it to the Terror, who was rudely awaken when Stoick grabbed it. "Go to Hiccup," he ordered the Terror and it flew out of the forge to its destination.

Stoick then felt Gobber's meatly hand grab his shoulder and turn him to face him. "Stoick, wha's goin' on," Gobber asked, with concern in his voice.

"Make preparations for visitors," Stoick answered, but Gobber was still confused. "The Starks are coming."

Constructive criticism is requested.