Chapter one: Separation

The maid was running; as fast as she could. Her long dress and her weight made it difficult for her to run faster but she was trying her best. Her face was all sweaty and because of the long distance she had been running, she's become very tired in every seconds. But none of the problems could make her stop for a second to regain her energy. She had news. Great news!

She reached a big door and opened it quickly with a bang. That was the maids' hall, in where bunch of young and old maids were whispering and pacing. Some of them were upset and some others were trying to be calm; since today, was The Day!

As soon as they saw her, everything got silent. All of them looked at her with wide eyes and shivering hands. No sound of breathing could be heard. They were all looking at her to know what it is. The news of today could make their future.

The fat and tall maid in the doorway was catching her breath and tried to make the correct words.

"It...It's..."

Others couldn't even take away their eyes from her, just waiting for her last word. No one cut her or got angry because of her unfinished sentence. No one dared to do that. Once she got enough energy she said the last part.

"It's a BOY!"


Once upon a time, long time ago, there was a great, green and big land. It was fertile and had great nature, also many kinds of animals living there. On that land were some countries, living happily together. One of them -which was the strongest and the biggest one, was ruled by a kind, selfless and brave man named Stoick the Vast.

He was big and buff but everyone knew he was kind. He treated people in the right and wise way and made it sure his people would be heathy and have good lives. He lived his life for others, always sacrificed himself for his people. Everyone liked him. He was sort of a God to them.

He was a king for people and for his wife, he was a gentleman. He had a queen by his side. A beautiful woman known as Valka. Like her husband she was also kind and helpful. She never let anyone be hurt and as a woman made fair in the country.

A very good kingdom with great rulers, but...

Despite waiting for a long time, the king and the queen were unable to have a child for their own. Many healers tried to solve the problem but no good results. They didn't want to give up but for sure, the older they got, the more hopeless they became.

No future heir for the kingdom, means no future for people. It'd been a long time but nothing. The Queen has prayed Thor to give her a child, but still no answer. Until on one day...

"Sir! You may trip!" An average, fat, blond man said worried. In front, King Stoick just kept running, didn't even bother himself to listen to him.

He opened a golden door with a burst. His eyes landed on his wife on the bed and a healthy baby boy lying peacefully besides her. Around the bed, some female maids and doctors were standing, smiling at the little baby and him.

The king ran to his love, sat on a chair and grabbed her hand. Valka smiled at him.

"We did it Stoick! We did it! We finally have a kid!" A tear fell from her eye. Stoick kissed her hand and wiped the tear.

"We did it Val. Actually you! Thank you!"

The queen looked down at the baby and smiled. "Look at him."

Stoick's eyes landed on the baby looking at him scared and weird with his big green eyes. Stoick chuckled at him and took him into his arms. He was too small and skinny but still so cute and healthy.

"He is so tiny." Valka said.

Stoick kissed the baby's forehead and the baby giggled. "Don't worry! I make sure he will be the strongest man! He will step on our footprints and will be a great king for people."

Valka looked at the baby. "He's just like you Val." Stoick said. "Cute and tiny!" They chuckled.

Stoick saw him yawing and smiled. He looked at Valka. "What do you want to name him?"

Valka got the baby back in her arms, let the baby sleep on her chest. She thought for seconds and then smiled.

"Henry" Valka said. "He is now Henry Haddock the Third!"


7 Years later

"Run Astrid! Run!" She screamed as his daughter was looking at her scared with teary eyes.

"RUN!" but she was frozen. Her eyes were filled with tears and fear. She was watching her mother's death. Her mother was fell on the ground with a firing wooden column on her back. She was begging her daughter to run away.

Smoke were everywhere. It could make anyone's vision blind. The little Astrid could barely breathe but she kept standing there. Her mother was coughing and tried to catch her last breaths to make her daughter leave but she didn't move a muscle.

The six-year-old Astrid couldn't think or do anything. Everything just happened too fast before her eyes. Just minutes' ego she was reading a legend and now...

Men! A lot of them. They came minutes' ego and began burning their house; just the time she was being told her night story gotten her last goodnight-kiss. Her mother took her in her arms and ran out of the house, but before they could hide in the forest, a giant wooden column fell on her mother's back as Astrid was thrown farther.

"I beg you dear! *coughs* Run! Save your life!" the woman screamed. Astrid came to reality when another firing wooden column fell. She screamed and jumped a bit, tried to understand what was happening.

"ASTRID! *coughs* RUN!" She heard her mother's scream. "Go sweetie! Come on! *coughs*"

Astrid saw her mothers' teary eyes as she was begging. "MOM!" She screamed and ran to her. Astrid threw away her doll as she lied on her knees and looked at her mother.

"Mom!" She screamed! "I'll get you out! Just let me." Astrid tried to pull her out but no one expects a little girl doing such hard thing.

Her mother put her free hand on her face and wiped her tears. She was also crying but her daughter's tears were more important for her. Astrid put her small palm on hers and leaned to it.

"Mom's gonna be alright! Just go." Astrid shook her head in no.

"Astrid...my baby please!"

"But-"

"No buts! Go Astrid! I love you okay?"

"I love you too mom! But I'm not leaving you!" Astrid cried harder and moved closer to her. It was so dangerous since the whole house could explode in any minute.

"You must! Just go, I catch you later! Go as far as possible"

"NO!" She cried.

"Astrid..." She leaned and kissed her forehead. Astrid just sniffed and kept her mother's hand on her cheek. "I love you Astrid! A mother never lies to her kid right?" Astrid nodded and sniffed again.

"I'll be alright! Just go..." Astrid cried and hugged her mother's head. Since she was so small and her mother was under the column.

"Oh...my little girl. The bravest champion, daddy's angel and my love! I love you Astrid!" They pulled a part and the mother patted her daughter's golden hair.

"My cute daughter!" she whispered. "I might not be able to see how beautiful you'll be as a young woman." She whispered quitter. It was so painful for her but she didn't want Astrid to hear that.

"Astrid! Ingrid!" they heard a man's voice. Astrid looked back and saw her father running toward them.

"Dad!" Astrid cried. "Mom is in danger!"

The man raised his hand in front of his face, trying to keep the flames away from him. When he reached them he saw his wife. His heart skipped a beat. "INGRID!"

The woman smiled. "Sven...calm down*coughs*I'm okay." She said quietly. Sven kneeled down. He was breathing fast. "What happened?"

Ingrid coughed but tried to hide it. "Nothing! Turned out the house didn't want me to leave. But why lying? They're here." She said sarcastically.

"No, no, no!" Sven looked at the column and got his hands under it. Ingrid knew he would get nothing by it. It was too heavy.

"Sven! It's useless!" She shouted. Sven tried to lift it but it was also hot. It could burn his hands.

"Sven! Stop it! It has no use!" His hands couldn't handle that much pain and he let go of it. He wanted to try again but Ingrid stopped him.

"Sven! Listen! Take Astrid out of here! We both know that there's no way I-"

"Don't say that!" he kneed down near Astrid who was just crying the whole time. Sven took Ingrid's hand and squeezed it.

"I'll get you out of here just-" Ingrid put her hand on his lips, cut him off.

"We both know the truth! No way I make it. I accept it as my end. We knew it was going to happen" Sven's tear fell as she said that. "Save Astrid! She is now the only thing we have!" Sven, as much as he tried to disagree, nodded and pressed his forehead on hers.

"I love you Ingrid. You know that I will always do." The woman smiled. "I love you too!" Ingrid said. Sven leaned to her and kissed her lips. He wanted to taste her lips, at least for the last time.

Astrid, in the corner watched her parents kiss. She didn't disgust with it. She may be just six but she was smart enough to understand something. Their last goodbye.

They broke the kiss and look at each other.

"I love you Sven."

"I love you more than anything in this world."

Sven let go of her hand and looked at Astrid, whom looked at him with tears. "Let's go dear."

"What about mommy?" she asked hopelessly.

Sven lifted her over his shoulder. "She'll be fine." A tear escaped from his eyes. He took another glimpse of Ingrid. She was breathing her last breaths. He closed his eyes, didn't want to see her death.

"Here they are!" Sven whirled and saw soldiers running to them. They weren't so clear but their shadows were. Ingrid widened her eyes.

"Go Sven! Leave! Please, as soon as you can." She shouted.

Sven began running; got a strong grip around her and kept running without looking back.

He hated himself. He left his wife to die. Which man would do that? He wanted himself to be died instead of her but he had to take Astrid.

Astrid, on his father's shoulder could see her house burning. She saw her mother's waving at her with her usual smile. Astrid took out her hand and tried to get her mother; Useless attempt from her.

Sven didn't notice that Astrid was watching all her life burning. The house she used to live in, the mother she loved, the memories and all...are dead! Every night stories, the kisses, the love...all of them.

Then she saw that shadow. That was man. He was standing in front of the flaming house and looked scary. She narrowed her eyes to see clearer. Astrid knew it back then; she would never forget that scene. Tall, black hair with black armor.

Suddenly, the house exploded. Astrid covered her eyes, buried her face to her father's neck and continued crying. Sven didn't even want to turn around. He wasn't even ready for this. All he could do was to protect the last memory of his wife. Astrid was the most important thing for him right now.

His collar was now all wet because of Astrid's tears. The little girl was too small to get involve in these. She wasn't ready at all. Her sobs and tears were so innocent. She hasn't done anything wrong but was being punished. She has lost her mother.

They were still after them, but too far. Sven knew he must do something about it. They might find him and Astrid sooner or later. He must think of something soon. Very soon. But where? Where is the safest place for Astrid to hide?

Then...he got something. It was too dangerous but for now that's all he could do. He looked at Astrid, she was silent but not asleep. Poor girl, she was still in shock of her mother's death.

Sven looked around. There were still in the village; so there must be...

"Got it!" Sven shouted happily and ran to a house yard. He got Astrid down for a second.

"Dad?" Astrid raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry sweetie. Just wait for me." Quietly, he went to the stables and got a brown and healthy horse out. He put Astrid on it.

"Where are we going Dad?" Astrid asked calmly. Sven mounted on the horse. "To Berk!" and started riding the horse. He glanced back to make sure they weren't pointed.

She widened her eyes. "The capital? Why?"

Sven put Astrid in front and used his arms as protections in case she falls. "To find a safe place for you."


Stoick massaged his temples. He was sitting on his chair and tried to get out today's thoughts. Today was a bad day but he didn't know why it was getting worse!

He couldn't believe it. The Hoffersons! The most loyal and trusted friends he knew, betrayed him! He frowned his eyebrows and gritted his teeth. He had to do that. There wasn't any other way for that.

"Daddy!" little Henry came to the room with a paper in his hands. Behind him was Valka coming too with her beautiful smile.

Henry showed the paper to Stoick's face. "Look Dad! I drew this. A black dragon! The one mom told me the other night. That awesome legend!" His cute face couldn't get happier. He had a big smile on his face. The black dragon he drew was more like a cat but as a father he didn't mention that.

Stoick, unwillingly, smiled. He was too depressed but tried to hide it. "It's beautiful son. Just like how I imagined it. But why doesn't it have teeth?"

Henry looked at the paper. "Oh I know! Mom said He has retractable teeth! I don't know what it means yet, but I thought it would mean it doesn't have teeth." Stoick chuckled and glanced at Valka who shrugged her shoulders.

"One day, I'll be the best dragon rider!" Henry shouted happily and threw his fists to air, "just like how they became!" Stoick laughed. "Or maybe the best King." Henry looked at him and then shouted.

"Or maybe the best King of dragon riding!" They laughed at the little boy. Henry, ran out of the room and pretended flying in air. By the time he was gone, Stoick sighed.

Valka turned to Stoick. "What happened to Sven and his family?"

Stoick frowned. "I had to order that." He said. "They betrayed me but you know how much it's..." he sighed.

"I still can't believe they did that! They were the most trusted ones in this cruel world." Stoick stood up as she continued. "But I'm happy you did that, as I was expecting you would."

Stoick nodded. "Yeah...you're right!"

After seconds, suddenly they heard someone's shouting. "Sir! Sir!" the couple looked back and saw Gobber got in the room.

"What happened Gobber?" Stoick asked.

"The Hoffersons!" Valka and Stoick looked at each other worried.

"What about them?"

And what he said was the worst thing they could have ever heard from him.


"Do you see them?" A soldier asked another one. The other one looked closely at the other sight. It was just dark.

"Nope! Nothing."

"Come on! Let's check the west. They might be there." He said as they ridded to the west. They took a glance back but still, nothing could be seen.

But without their knowing; just some meters away from them, behind the bushes Sven and Astrid have been hiding. Sven has covered her mouth in case to prevent her from making sounds. Sven got his head out of the bushes a bit, to make sure they are far enough. When there were out of the sight, he sighed heavily.

"That was close!" He said and uncovered Astrid's mouth. Astrid breathed heavily since she couldn't breathe well when her mouth was covered.

"Come on Astrid. They might come back. Let's go." He said and went to the house near them in which he had hid the horse. Astrid were just watching with no words.

They have gotten themselves to Berk. The capital of the country and a town for businesses and rich people. Berk was also a great place to grow in. Many people could make a name of themselves here since The king, Stoick the Vast, let everyone in the country grow and improve.

As they were riding on the horse, Astrid kept thinking about the man she had seen in the fires. Looked like she couldn't stop thinking about him; Who he was and why he did this to them. She had never seen him before. Then who was he?

"Dad?" she whispered on his shoulder.

"What is it?" he asked. Astrid sighed.

"Why did they burn our house?" Sven, even expected to hear this, tensed a bit. What could he say? He couldn't say the whole truth right now. All these events are enough already for her.

"Let's just say Astrid, we're not that much of ordinary people." Astrid raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"You'll realize when you grow up." Astrid sighed in disappointed. "Look!" Sven shouted. Astrid tuned her head around and saw a big castle. She could spot many palaces in it. There were a lot of soldiers around it with axes and many other weapons. She didn't understand why they were here. Why did his father take her here?

Quietly, Sven ridded the horse to the back of the castle in where was usually empty of people except for the maids of the castle. From that place maids were able to leave and come to the castle and do the chores.

They got there. A silent place since it was over than midnight or probably sun was not so far to raise. They had been riding for a way too long time. Astrid usually would feel sleepy but tonight, she couldn't even think about sleeping. Her mind was too filled with questions and weird thought.

Around the walls were many kinds of anything: clothes, dishes, broken dishes and other stuffs. Some footprints were able to be seen. Opposite of the in front of the castle, there were no guards or anything. Astrid could only guess that the back of the castle is not a common thing for people to go and come back from the castle. So how did her father know?

Sven got off the horse. Before he put Astrid down, he had looked around to make sure of safety. He let the horse eat grass for a while to have time for saying farewell to the most important thing in his life. He closed his eyes, first his wife and now his daughter. Both of them in the same day. Sven was a strong man but as a father or husband, he couldn't hold back his tears and sadness.

He looked over at Astrid who was looking up to the castle. She was amazed by how big it was. She has stopped crying. Looked like her heart couldn't handle that mush pressure. In her eyes, there was no more of that happy little girl who had happiness. Her eyes were all empty of any feelings.

Sven walked near her. He was trying to keep the tears. He was scared of what he would do. It was too hard for him. He put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw him forcing a smile.

"Big castle, isn't it?" He said. She nodded.

"The biggest place I've ever seen in my life." She kept looking at it.

"Would you like to live here?" Sven asked, held back his tears.

"Who wouldn't? Royal families live here. Everyone wants to be like them." Sven looked how cold she was saying the words. No feelings in them. He sighed and got on his knee near her.

"Alright Astrid..." he started. "From now on, you have to live here." He pointed the castle.

"You are going to be here." Sven said. Astrid rose an eyebrow.

"Why? And..." She paused "What about you Dad?" Sven shook his head.

"Forget about me. Listen! The castle is the safest place for you. No one expects you to be here. Sleep and I promise that tomorrow will be a new day for you." Astrid looked at him with those cute eyes.

"Are you leaving me too?" she looked down. He widened his eyes. "Don't leave me papa! I can't! I...can't!" her tears fell again. Sven knew she proposedly used the name "Papa" so it would make him feel pity and stay.

Sven sighed. He has had enough of this but he couldn't let himself fall for her tears. He must be strong, at least for now. He wiped her tears and pulled her in to a warm hug. Astrid sniffed.

"Astrid. As a father, I promised I would never let anything happen to you. I'm not leaving you, I'm...just...protecting you. As you sleep here, I'll be out to prevent them from finding you. Castel is the safest place. You understand, right?" Astrid sobbed and nodded in to his shoulder.

Sven pulled away and smiled. "Hoffersons! As strong and fearless as possible. I know that Ingrid's blood is in you veins. Promise me you'll stay strong, or else you are not a Hofferson!" Astrid frowned and wiped her tears as he asked that.

"I will!"

"Promise me you will never fail your family's name!"

"I will!"

"Promise me you will do what you are destined."

"I will!" She swears even though she didn't know what he meant of the latter.

Sven smiled. "And promise..." He took out two daggers. "You'll keep these safe!" Astrid looked at the two draggers. The blades of them were so shiny and on their pods were two big H's, stood for their family. Hofferson.

"These show what you really are. A real Hofferson! But I'm telling you. Do not show them to anyone. This castle is safe for everyone excepts Hoffersons, for now. Live here and I know that someday, somehow you will lighten our name again!"

Astrid, fully inspired, nodded. She took them and looked at them closely. Sven stood up and looked at the sky.

"Time to leave." Astrid's heart ached as he said that. She looked at him with sad eyes again. Sven raised her up and hugged her for the last time.

"I love you!"

"I love you too papa!" After minutes of sorrow and love, Sven sighed and made his last sentence.

"Just make sure Stiock the Vast won't find you. If he does, he'll kill you, like he did to Ingrid!"

Astrid's head echoed the name. Stiock the Vast, Stiock the Vast, Stiock the Vast!

After some minutes they took a part. Sven kissed her forehead and put her down. With no words from each, he mounted on the horse and looked at her small kid. In her eyes was no longer tears. You could see she was determined for something. He couldn't say what, but there was, and was getting strong.

The horse ran and got Sven away farther and farther from Astrid. Astrid watched her father leaving. She didn't know for how long, but for a long time she was looking at the way he left. And the scream of his voice, made her sure that he went to her mother in Valhalla. He sacrificed himself so she would be safe.

She was now alone, abounded, lost and with no future. Whatever she used to believe in, has gone. She looked at the sky. It was so dark. She has never been out alone at this time, but she knew that she was no longer the person she used to be.

She turned back to the castle, frowned and got the daggers in to her clothes. She promised to keep them and she will. Then she lied down on grass and waited to sleep...because tomorrow is very important for her.

She will start a new life!