I know that I'm still new to the How To Train Your Dragon fandom, but I wanted to try writing a longer story. There were some criteria to this one that brought it to be and will be used to move this story forward. First, I want to prove a point. The point in question will be brought up later. Second, the story had to include a frame. Basically, there was to be a story within a story. Most of this story will feature this "story within a story" setting.

This is a little outside what I usually write, but I think it's going to turn out well. Feel free to let me know either way, good or bad.

Prologue: Tell Us A Story!

Winter had come again. Of course, winter in Berk lasted most of the year. It tended to hang on with both of its invisible hands, refusing to let go. In just a few days, Berk would celebrate its anticipated annual holiday. Snoggletog. He still thought it was a stupid name, but it is what it is and he was too old to complain. Besides, his family would be gathering in his home this year. In fact, they should be there shortly. He could not argue that this would cheer the atmosphere that had settled within his home. Ever since his wife of many years had moved on to Vallhalla, the home had been too quiet.

He sat in his usual chair, staring at the slowly-dying fire crackling in the fireplace. His father had built this house. How long ago that was now! This house, by some miracle of fate, had managed to withstand multiple dragon raids and attacks over the years, but of course, there hadn't been one of those in almost fifty years.

As his thoughts moved to dragons, he shifted his gaze to fall upon the abnormally large dark shadow in the corner of the room. It seemed to alter slightly and he silently grinned to himself. At least he was not alone in this home; he could count on his dragon to be there for him. It had been this way since they met and would be that way until death. This dragon, the once elusive and highly-sought Night Fury, is his partner. Back in the day, they used to fly all the time, together, always in sync with each other. They needed each other. It had been awhile since they had last flown together, age slowly taking its toll on them both.

A knock on the door alerted both man and dragon to the presence of another. Both jumped slightly, still very much in sync with the other. His family had arrived. He stood from the chair and walked slowly to the front door. Over the years he had grown accustomed to the slightly uneven gait caused by his metal leg and his natural one. No longer did it bother him. In fact, over the last almost fifty years, he had forgotten how it felt to walk with two natural legs. This was now the norm and it felt like second nature to him.

Opening the door, he came face-to-face with the families of his two daughters, the youngest of his three offspring. Quickly, he invited them in and their children ran to the now-awake Night Fury who still lay curled up in the corner. Both sets of parents urged them to be gentle with the aged dragon, but the elder man assured his daughters that he would keep a close eye on them and, if he slipped up, the dragon would also warn them when enough was enough.

The elders sat by the fire, catching up on old news and learning new news. The man smiled as he listened to all that the two sets of grown Vikings had to offer. He did not get out as much anymore as he would like due to his age, the weather, and his leg, but it was always nice to see his family as often as he could.

His son was expected to also join them that night once he had finished up some chiefly duties. At one time, the man had also been the chief, succeeding his own father. Yes, no one had expected him to become chief. It had taken a miracle to change their minds and what a miracle it had been!

The man's daughters and their families had brought dinner and his son was also expected to bring something as well. Once his son's family came, they would eat dinner together. Over in the corner, his dragon companion finally shifted slightly, warning the kids that playtime was finished. A little disappointed, they ran out the backdoor to play in the small yard which bordered one of the island's many forests.

The sun dipped lower in the sky as the company found ways to pass the time. Finally, the older man's son and his own family joined them and dinner began. By the time dinner had finished, all were safely filled with home-cooked food. Since his wife died, the older man had not eaten home-cooked meals and preferred to walk the short distance to the mead hall…whenever he wanted a meal, a need that was not as common as it used to be.

After dinner, the older man returned to his chair as his grandchildren, a good handful of them now, crowded around.

"Grandpa, will you tell us a story?" one of the older ones piped up, creating a spur among the younger. It was not long until they all were begging for a story, the noises again waking the elderly dragon.

Looking to his own children who sat quietly nearby, he easily read their expressions. Their father had always told them great stories of worlds they could only dream about, ones he had seen atop the back of his majestic dragon in the days of their youth.

Running a hand along the short white-haired beard that grew to the edge of his chin, the man debated what story to tell. "I have the perfect tale. This one is a story about a hero, a strong, courageous, and smart young lad who was mistaken by his village as a coward and weak. It was only when they looked past his appearance that they were finally able to see him for who he really was. Would you like to hear that one?"

"Will it be interesting?" one of the younger ones asked. "Is it funny?" another spoke up.

"Well…we will just have to find out, won't we?" He turned his gaze to the fire and watched the flames dance, his eyes dimming slightly as his mind was transported back to an earlier time, about fifty years into the past. "Let us begin…"

That was a longer prologue than I intended to write, but, in a way, I thought it would be longer. Starting with the next chapter, this older man will narrate the rest of the story. Thus begins the story in a story. I have given the frame.

I am really interested in this and, based on the response, I will update. I've already gotten a rough chapter outline prepared. Of course, I start student teaching practice on Tuesday, so that will factor in as well. Anyway, thanks for checking this out and I hope you enjoy.

Posted: January 19, 2013