The Changeling

Prologue.

For those of you who have read this so far without this chapter, this are just extra. I thought it would bring in the reader better than my last fist chapter, as well as setting up the rest of the story much better. For those of you who are new to this story, just read on and tell me what you think of it!

"What's wrong with her, Hiccup?" she asked

"I don't know, Astrid." he replied. "In all my years, I have never seen anything like her."

The subject of their discussion, Vanessa Haddock, was currently upstairs screaming. A new affliction had been brought upon her being, sending her into fits of terror and convulsions. Not to mention the hideous growths all around her body. Only Gothi, the village's elder, knew of healing herbs that could possibly help, and even she was at a loss of words for the child.

Gothi looked up from her book of potions, and sighed. The two of them, so very in love, were also so very deep in their pain. It seemed to be the God's will to hurt them time and time again, but this was going to be the most Tragic. They were to lose their only daughter – the only heir to the Haddock reign. Gothi could see into the future and knew it was necessary, but how was she to tell them this? The Gods weren't intentionally cruel… some things just needed to happen.

This transmogrification was one of them. They all agreed that since Vanessa would never be a fit subject for the Chieftainship, the honor would fall instead upon Snotlout's son, Fartlout. An unfortunate predicament and the end of a long-standing reign. Hiccup had slain the Red Death, united Dragons and Vikings, survived Hyperion attacks* and had saved the world – possibly the universe – countless times over. But through all of it, none close to him ever died. They came close, but they held on.

This – this wasn't death. It was torture for her. And she would live out the rest of her life like this – thing.

Gothi got up onto her wobbling cane and waddled over to them. "There's nothing else I can do," she told them. "I've managed to slow the process and make it hurt much less, but I'm afraid that's all I can do. It's in Odin's hands now." Gothi could see both of them cursing Odin as she spoke. "I'm sorry." She whispered, and with a silent shuffle she hurried out the door. The only sound made was the quiet creak of the door opening and shutting, leaving the Rider and the Valkyrie alone in their pain. Their only comfort was the dark of the room, their heavily burdened tears and their daughter's screams.

Gothi passed Toothless down the steps. The Night Fury, an essential part to Hiccup and Berk's life, watched her expectantly. The big eyes showed sadness, and yet a certain knowledge in them as well.

"Look after her." She said. She gave a small pat on his large head, to which he humbled himself. He had learned long ago that the Elder deserved of his utmost respect, and she had never, ever shown him reason not to believe that.

And he swore upon his last breath, he would watch the family line.

300 years later

The child jumped over a log. The tree, uprooted, had been a popular place for dragons to scratch their claws. Grooves and markings were mismatched all over the fallen tree. The little boy continued to play, mud soaking all over his clothes. In no time at all he was separated from his parents.

They were supposed to be on a short picnic trip. His father was going to show him something really cool. The boy was excited, but at the moment he was bored. Without Garth, he had no one to bully. And with his short attention span, he wandered off before his parents realized he was missing. He saw a short ravine with some pretty rocks in it, and decided to take a look.

These rocks were really cool and really smooth. One of them seemed to reach out to him. It was much warmer than the other ones – in fact, it seemed to grow in its intensity! Bewildered and curious, he inspected it all over its oblong body. He was so engrossed in the rock that he didn't see the carcass right across from him. But he sure as heck smelled it. The repulsive odor, upon reaching his nostrils, curled up his nose and caused him to gag.

He looked up and saw the dead Night Fury. It was certainly female; the body was more curved than that of a normal Night Fury's. The boy backed up, crawling back up the ravine with the Rock in his tiny arms. He heard his parents call his name and scurried quickly back to them.

Later that night, while the world was asleep under the cover of darkness, a soft cracking could be heard. A thump as the rock fell to the bed. The little boy, who was fast asleep, tossed aimlessly in his bedspread. The little dragon crawled out of its shell, leaving the bits of goo behind him as he shook off the pieces.

The child woke up to find a broken 'rock' that was in fact an egg, and a Night Fury. And the legacy began again…

So read the rest, review, and let me know what you think. I deleted all the notes as well so it's a straight forward story from this point up to chapter 7, which will come out this Sunday. Be safe, especially all of those dealing with the Hurricanes or intense Heat.