Disclaimer: I don't own HTTYD

A/N: First I told myself that I'd plan out the whole story before I started posting…that hasn't happened. Then I told myself I'd write the next chapter before I posted this one. That hasn't happened either. I'm sure at some point, I'll finish planning this story. Until then, what could go wrong?

Crossroads

Prologue

Berk, September 1065

Every eye was on him, but rather than bask in the attention he deserved (he did, he must), Adulfr glared back defiantly. The stares from all sides were hostile, coming either from Vikings bristling with weapons, or dragons bristling with spikes. Taunts and hisses followed him all the way from the jail to the docks, as he was led through the village in chains, Skadi at his heels muzzled and collared.

All of it was meant to humiliate him. Adulfr refused to let it, holding his head high and glaring spitefully back at the onlookers. One boy spat at him, but his escort moved him on before he could spit right back. Finally, they reached the docks, where a ship was waiting to take Skadi away. Back to Myrkr. Back home.

Haddock and his wife – a woman for a Chief, how shameful – were waiting on the pier, besides a cage. "Put her in the cage and say your goodbyes" ordered the woman. Haddock looked displeased, but Adulfr couldn't imagine why. He was getting to see his enemy forced to say goodbye to the one creature he really cared about. Or perhaps he wished Skadi was staying to be eaten.

The cage was large and sturdy – there were two troughs bolted to the side, one already filled with water. Old furs and rough blankets had been packed into one corner, forming a den of sorts, and the gaps between the bars had been sealed. The chained collar around Skadi's neck, and the muzzle around her jaws were removed. She snapped at the Viking's fingers and growled uneasily.

It has to be done Adulfr told himself. "In the cage, Skadi" he instructed, pointing. Skadi didn't move, tail between her legs and ears flattened. Impatient, he repeated "Cage. Now." She stared at his hand like she'd never seen it before, and Adulfr realised – he was pointing with his left hand. The one he didn't have anymore. Face burning, he snapped his arm down and pointed with his right.

At last, Skadi slunk into the cage. She sniffed around, lapped at the water, pawed at the furs. Finally she remembered him and tried to walk back out. "No, Skadi. Stay" he said firmly, crouching and reaching a hand out to her. She sniffed at his gloved fingers. They'd let him bathe her, stripping away the scents of humans so her pack might accept her return. If they were still there.

His voice softened. "Good girl. I'll miss you. Say hello to Fenrir and everyone for me" he told her, stroking between her ears. Part of him wanted to embrace her, but he wouldn't make himself so foolish in front of his enemies. Her amber eyes gazed at him sorrowfully, and she licked his cheek. Before he lost his nerve, Adulfr pushed her back into the cage and stood up. The door was slid shut.

"Goodbye, Skadi." Two little words, and it felt like the light in his life had gone out. The cage was loaded onto the ship; Skadi whined and whimpered, pawing at the door, staring at him in betrayal. The ship was guided out of the harbour, towed by that Scauldron, and Skadi let out a broken-hearted howl. Adulfr's fist clenched as he resisted the urge to throw back his head and howl in return.

Beside him, quietly, his enemy murmured "Don't worry. She'll be fine." Adulfr scowled at him; how dare Haddock try to show him pity? This was his fault!

"Could you do this?" he demanded, gritting his teeth against the pain in his arm, the one that Haddock had mutilated. "Send your precious dragon away, knowing you might never see him again?" There it was, the brief flicker of shock and fear in the man's eyes, the subtle flinch that Adulfr had wanted to see.

Haddock swallowed hard, eyes flicking to his dragon and back. "No. I couldn't."

Adulfr sneered at him. "Then I am stronger than you" he declared smugly.

"Perhaps" Hiccup replied, irritatingly calm. "But I'm happier" he retorted, unable to resist getting the last word in; and with that, he mounted up and left.

Norway, October 1065

"Dragons in the sky!" yelled the guard on the battlements of Tønsberg Fortress, having looked up and out at the right moment to see the fire-breathing hellbeasts approach the castle and nearby town. Word spread quickly; ballistas were loaded, crossbows were distributed and quivers filled with ammunition. The thanes prepared to defend the town – the keep would hold, as it was stone.

Yet the lookouts cried out that the dragons had flown over Tønsberg and we're heading right for the fortress. Every bow and ballista was immediately aimed at them, but it soon became apparent that the dragons were out of range. The projectiles launched at them were dodged, almost nonchalantly. "Hold your fire!" ordered Jarl Reidar, once he realised the beasts weren't going to be hit.

One of the dragons, a Lucifer's Bird, broke off from the others and flew down towards the fortress. At once, every single arrow was notched and string pulled taut, loosed in a deadly cloud towards the…armoured dragon, which breathed white-hot fire at the few arrows that didn't glance off the metal plating. Reidar had to keep his jaw from dropping, as he spotted a man on the dragon's back.

So it's true he thought to himself. There had been rumours flying – pardon the pun – around for ages, about pagans, Vikings in the Northern Ocean who had made a deal with the Devil and learned to tame his brood. Whole fleets had gone to destroy them, and limped back in tatters. "Jarl Reidar, should we aim the catapults and spears? We could knock them from the sky at this range."

The dragon rider was waving, inexplicably, a white flag of surrender. Reidar saw him take a cone – a horn? – of some kind and put it to his lips. "Hello the fort!" The man's voice was amplified by the strange device, carrying even to Reidar's ears, sheltered though he was at the edge of the courtyard. "We come in peace! We'll wait on the outskirts of the town!" With that, the dragons flew past them.

A few minutes later, the lookouts confirmed that the dragons had landed in the fields near Tønsberg, away from the town. "Let us ride out and discover what they want" Reidar decided, since the horses were already tacked. He had his own mount saddled up, and his honour guard accompanied him to the devil worshippers. As he rode, Reidar prayed to the Lord for protection against evil.

One of them walked forwards on the dusty path alone, hands raised in surrender. Reidar signalled to two of his thanes, who dismounted and seized the stranger. He dismounted himself, drew his arming sword, and marched up to the broad, dark-haired, tattooed man. "Your kind are not welcome here" Reidar insisted, placing the tip of his blade to the demon rider's throat.

The man eyed the sword warily, but was otherwise calm. "Jarl Reidar, I assume" he replied smoothly, "My name is Eret Eretsson, and I have news about your missing thanes."

"My what?" Reidar demanded, lowering the sword slightly but not sheathing it.

"Some of your warriors were recruited, were they not? By one Adulfr Haukeson" Eret prompted. "About so high, black hair, obsessed with wolves…"

"I remember the man you speak of" Reidar nodded, "How do you know of our agreement with him? Unless…" he trailed off, eyes widening as he realised….

"The war is over" Eret finished for him, with a solemn nod. In the next instant, the sword was at his throat once more. "Could you put that away, please?"

"Listen close, demon lover" Reidar glared at him, "if you think I, a God-fearing Christian, am going to stand back and let you conquer this fortress and town entrusted to my care with the spawn of Satan himself, you are sorely mistaken."

Eret raised an eyebrow, and sighed deeply. With the exasperated air of one used to oft-repeating himself, he replied "Jarl Reidar, we're not here to conquer you. We're here to deliver and collect the ransoms, and we'll be on our way."

At first, Reidar believed he had misheard. "Ransoms?" he repeated. "My men are alive?" He was relieved, yes, but also surprised. Haukeson had convinced him that his men would survive, but if they fell it would be as martyrs for God. Surely, if the dragon riders had been victorious, they would have all been slaughtered by fang and fire? Yet this man claimed they were merely captured.

"Most, yes. Some perished in battle" Eret answered. He gestured with his head behind him. "My comrade has three scrolls for you. A list of the ransoms, which are to be paid from your own coffers, not taken from their families, a list of the dead, and we'll return what belongings we could salvage…and a letter."

"A letter from whom?"

Eret gave a smile with just the slightest edge of cockiness to it, as if he knew something the jarl didn't. "From the great man himself. The Dragon Whisperer."

Not a twitch betrayed Reidar's faint recognition of the title, as he recalled the confident young man who had approached his fortress all that time ago. Adulfr had spoken of a man to which Satan had granted the secrets to commanding the demons made flesh that were dragons. How he'd have them overrun humanity under the guise of bringing peace, unless he was brought to heel.

Lowering his sword again, he demanded "Say I believe you. What then?"

"We'll give you the scrolls, and the chest of salvaged belongings. Then we'll make camp nearby, and return at nightfall for the ransom. Once we have it, my crew and I will see to returning your men to their homes here. I'm sure their wives and children must miss them" Eret explained, sounding sympathetic.

Reidar weighed his options, and finally ordered "Release him. So be it; bring over these scrolls and casket, then take your dragons and go far from here." Eret stepped back, bowed without taking his eyes off the thanes, and beckoned to the others behind him. Three of them came forwards; youth handed Reidar three scrolls, the wax seals stamped with a coiled dragon, some tribal crest.

The other two men set down a large wooden chest. Eret thanked Reidar for listening, and then the four of them retreated, climbing astride their demonic steeds and taking to the air. Strange, though; Reidar wouldn't have thought dragons would wait as patiently as any dog or horse whilst its master went about their business. It must be powerful dark magic indeed, to tame them so.

He and his men returned to the fortress, and broke the seals on the scrolls. Reidar sent thanes to give the town crier the message that the dragon riders were here to demand a ransom for their captured men. With them he sent the list of the dead, and the heavy chest filled with belongings of the fallen. As for the ransoms, he could always pay for it part out of their families taxes. It wasn't as if the riders would ever find out, and if they threatened him for it, well…

That would merely prove they weren't as noble as they pretended, wouldn't it?

At last, Reidar gathered his court and had their skald, Karlof, read aloud the contents of the third scroll. Not that Reidar couldn't read, he was one of the few living at the fortress who could, but everyone was curious about the letter from this so-called Dragon Whisperer. Was it a demand for their surrender? A claim of his victory and dominion over them? A warning that he was coming?

When silence had fallen, Karlof cleared his throat and began to read.

"To whom it may concern,

I understand you have no reason to believe me, but every word on this page is the absolute truth. I am not a good liar. Someone who is, however, is known to you. Adulfr Haukeson. He told you falsehoods about me and mine to persuade you to send your knights into battle with me, into a war I never wanted.

If he told you I control dragons, this is false. I befriend dragons. I tame them. Yes, I can command them in battle, but only because they trust me to lead them well.

If he told you I want to conquer, this is false. I have no desire to take over the world with dragons, or even in general. Far too much work, if you ask me.

If he told you my dragon killed his father, this is true, but I did not know the man had a son. Hauke tried to murder me, and my dragon defended me.

Instead of calling holmgang or einvigi, Adulfr gathered an army to attack my home, twice. This second time, he sent enslaved dragons to burn our village, kidnap the chieftains of our allied tribes, my dragon, and my pregnant wife.

He used them as leverage and planned to kill me, but I did not kill him. I have taken him prisoner, and I hope to persuade him to let go of this foolish hate.

I only want peace. Between humans and dragons, and humans themselves.

Yours sincerely,

Hiccup Haddock III, Dragon Ambassador of Berk."

When Karlof finished, the Hall was filled with murmurs. Nobody had expected this, and already they were debating the claimed truth of it. Finally, Reidar called for silence. He needed to think. "These dragon riders, this…Hiccup…" what sort of strange name is that? "Could have forced their captives into thraldom, or fed them to the beasts they ride. Instead they only want ransoms."

He made his decision. "Send someone to the treasury. We'll give them the ransom, and then perhaps these devil worshipers will leave us alone."

Berk, October 1065

That letter, and all the others, had been printed with the xylography device Hiccup had designed, way back when they needed copies of the Book of Dragons for the Academy students. He'd made three mesh grates, just a little smaller than a piece of parchment, and used them to cast numerous cubes, onto which he'd embossed twelve of each letter, with a set of capitals.

The lettered blocks could then be arranged in the third grate into words and sentences, covered in ink, and pressed to the paper. Punctuation had to be added by hand, but several pages could be printed with the same script, and put together with a clip-spine. Hiccup was sure he could invent a still more efficient device, but the grates had been a big hit with the village scribes nonetheless.

At that moment, Hiccup was working on a different invention entirely. He was trying to design a prosthetic wing for Spirika, studying Skulder's notes on the bone structure of the real thing. If he could figure out how to mimic it…Of course, he had the whole winter ahead to do so. On top of ensuring there was enough fish for all the dragons, and keeping the eggs warm in the hatchery.

Astrid had taken one look at the Whispering Death eggs they'd rescued, and insisted those ones be taken off her island before they hatched. She and Hiccup had been having an argument about whether or not he should try to train them. Think of the possibilities, Astrid! he'd implored her. She had. They were messy.

Dragon eggs were one thing, but their baby was consuming so much of Hiccup and Astrid's attention. Finn was so small, so helpless, so utterly dependent on them. Thank the Moon for Toothless and Selena, who stayed awake to watch over him and let his exhausted parents catch up on scant hours of sleep.

Hiccup didn't have time to deal with the prisoners, much less Adulfr, and he wasn't exactly disappointed by that. Still, his hunch that others beside him could let people hear thought-speak had paid off. The trickiest part was teaching them how; to Hiccup, it seemed to come naturally after so long, so it was hard to explain. He'd managed to teach Eret's crew and the diplomats, and Isak as well.

It had its limits. The other person had to at least want to believe it was possible; they couldn't force anyone to hear thought-speak. Many of the prisoners refused to let them try, and it didn't work on most. But sometimes it did, and two things would happen. First they'd freak out, and then they'd either call it dark magic, or they'd do as he hoped they would and ask more questions.

The sound of footsteps clattered on the ladder up to his workroom, and Astrid stuck her head up through the trapdoor. "You two better come down; we've got visitors" she informed them, grinning slightly. Then she retreated before they could ask who it was. Hiccup got to his feet, and nearly fell over; his leg had fallen asleep. Toothless caught him, of course, and they went downstairs.

When they emerged from the house, they weren't expecting to see a clutch of Night Furies on their doorstep. Selena was nuzzling Luna, both of them purring loud enough to be heard on Dragon Island. Ebony and Helena were happily gambolling about with two younger kits; their cousins, Storm and Nyx. "Shadow, Asha!" Hiccup beamed at the parent Furies. "It's so good to see you!"

*It's good to see you too* replied Asha, whilst Shadow and Toothless shared a friendly head-butt. *Sorry to fly in out of nowhere, but…can we come in?*

The sound of crying from the house sent Astrid hurrying back inside. "We have a son now" Hiccup said by way of explanation. "His name is Finn" he added. "And yeah, come on – actually, bud, can you take them to the Great Hall? There's more room. I'll get my parents, my mom'll want to see you…" and off he went.

Soon, they were all gathered around one of the fire pits in the Great Hall, tucked away in the corner. Food was devoured, the new baby was cooed over, and their visiting kin shared news of the nest and its inhabitants, from Misty-Onyx to Ekeren. *How is mother?* Selena asked Luna, curious and affectionate.

*She's fine. She does miss you though* Luna answered. A little reproachfully, she added *We wish you'd come home more often, Selly.*

Crooning apology, Selena nuzzled her younger sister. *I'm sorry, Lulu. You're right. I should visit more; but this is my home, too. Besides, now you're old enough to fly here and visit me. I'm sure the nest won't fall apart if mother comes too* she teased, nudging her shoulder against the smaller drakaina.

"How old are you now, Luna?" inquired Valka, looking up from where she was giving Nyx a belly rub. Ebony rolled over to beg; she chuckled and obliged.

*Fifteen* Luna announced, head raised proudly. *I'm full grown, at last!*

Selena snorted. *Nice try, baby sister. I'm forty eight; you're not full grown yet.*

The two of them squabbled briefly, until Stoick put down his tankard after a long pull and remarked, *Must be odd to have such a big age gap between yer.*

*What do you mean?* wondered Selena, cocking her head to the side, puzzled.

"I mean – well, you two are your mothers only children, right?" Stoick asked rhetorically. He wasn't expecting Selena's rounded pupils to slit, and for her to glance away, or for Luna to look down and paw at the stone beneath her claws.

*Actually…we have – well, we had an older brother. His name was Artemis (1)* revealed Selena. She sighed. *He was brave, and fun…like you, Toothless…but he didn't want to be Alpha. He flew away to find another nest to join…we never saw him again.* She whimpered sadly. *Mother doesn't like to talk about him.*

*I only know his name because Selena told me* Luna added, wings drooping.

Selena nuzzled her sister, and Toothless nuzzled his mate, as Stoick winced. "I'm sorry I asked. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories, Selena" he apologised.

*It's alright. I'm glad you reminded me; I haven't thought about him for ages. I hope he's happy, wherever he is* Selena crooned, pressing close to Toothless.

Hiccup looked over at his father and reminded him, "Night Furies are one of the few land dragons to have live young. They probably miscarry just like we do, and if they don't get pregnant that often…it's no wonder they're so rare" he sighed.

Of course, the decades of hunting probably didn't help. One thing that Eret's crew – and now Nicole's, as well – were always on the lookout for was any hint, any trace or rumour as to the whereabouts of other possible Swift-Wing nests. There had to be some of them out there, hidden away, but so far…nothing.

Asha, in a valiant attempt to save the falling mood, asked brightly *So Toothless, Hiccup, Selena, what have you all been doing?*

They froze, stared at each other in brief alarm. "Uh, it's funny you should ask…"

The truth came out eventually, of course. Shadow was not pleased to learn that the human who had tried to kill his brothers was there on the island, even if he was trapped. *I hope you know what you're doing, Hiccup* he grumbled at last.

So do I Hiccup didn't say. Instead he asked, "How long are you guys here for?"

Luna explained that she was only staying over the winter, going back to her nest in the spring. Shadow and Asha looked at each other; then Asha nodded, and her mate turned to Toothless-Hiccup. *Alphas, with your permission…we'd like to stay on Berk* he replied, unusually formal. Well, towards them, anyway.

"Okay, yeah, but for how long?" Hiccup repeated, oblivious. Astrid facepalmed.

"Hiccup. He's asking if they can stay. Here. On Berk. To live?" she said pointedly.

"Oh. Oh! Yes! Of course you can stay, you're always welcome here, it'll be great" – Hiccup's grin was brighter than the fire. "Welcome to Berk! Again!"

*What made you want to live here?* Toothless asked curiously. *Not that I'm not happy about this* he added, with a gummy smile and purr.

Shadow gave him a level stare. *You two never visit* he answered bluntly. Toothless had the decency to look sheepish, ear-flaps down and gaze averted.

Hiccup reached over and stroked his head. "That's my fault. I'd love to see everyone again, but I'm worried if I know where you live and I tell someone, or someone makes me tell them…" His eyes lingered on Toothless' scarred wings. "So long as it's secret, you're safe. If I betrayed you, I'd never forgive myself."

In a rare show of affection, Shadow padded closer and nuzzled them both. *I understand why you don't visit* he crooned. *The truth is, I missed you.*

*We missed you too* purred Toothless. *You know if you join our pack you'll have to follow Hiccup and I as your Alphas, right?* he asked, with a gummy grin.

Shadow rolled his eyes and moaned dramatically. Asha nipped him in rebuke and answered *Yes, we know. And we will. Right, Shadow?* she asked, glaring pointedly at her mate. He suddenly became absolutely fascinated by the fire pit.

"We can worry about that later. For now", Hiccup beamed, "Welcome home."

They went flying that night, after putting Helena and the kits to bed. For the time being, the other Night Furies would sleep in the stables. They dived and soared and chased and fell, and then Luna motioned for Selena to follow her.

The two of them flew down and landed beside the lake in the cove. *What is it, Luna?* the elder drakaina asked, head tilted curiously. She saw how Luna's wings and tail were pulled in tight, her ear-flaps lowered, pupils slit, and realised *You're upset. What's wrong, sis? Was…was it something I said?*

Luna's tail lashed in frustration. *Selena…nobody wants to lead our pack.*

*What do you mean? Our mother is* -

*After mother!* Luna cried out. *Our line have been the pack leaders for…for ages. Her dam was the Queen before mother, and her mother was the Queen before her…but then Artemis didn't want to be Alpha, and you don't wanna be Queen, and I don't wanna be Queen either but I have to because you both left!*

She whirled and struck the water with her paw. Droplets and ripples darted away from it like a shoal of fleeing fish. Then she crouched by the lake's edge, wings and tail pulled in tight, unhappy and sulking. *You left, Selly. I know you love Alpha-Toothless and you're his mate now, but...It's not fair* she whined.

Selena crept closer, and when Luna didn't growl or snap at her, she nuzzled her little sister reassuringly. *Silly Lulu* she teased gently, purring, *What makes you think I don't want to be Queen?* she asked. Luna stared at her in surprise.

*You do? But I thought – you always said being Queen was boring!*

*I used to think that* Selena sighed, *but living here on Berk, seeing how Toothless-Hiccup help and care for all their subjects…I want to do that for my birth pack. I just thought I had time. That I could go back and be Queen when mother didn't want to anymore.* Selena blinked. *She still wants to, right?*

Luna rolled her eyes. *Yes, she does. It's alright, Selly. I don't know if I'm ready to be Queen yet, but you're right. We have time. But what about after us? Ebony is going to be the Queen of this pack one day…isn't she?*

*Yes.*

*What if I have kits and they don't wanna lead the pack either?!*

*Luna, relax. I don't think that's gonna happen* Selena assured her, before adding, *Besides, Toothless and I might have another kit one day. They could lead our pack.* She purred fondly. *I already know what their name will be.*

Snotlout grimaced. "Are you sure about this, Fishlegs?" he asked dubiously.

His lover shrugged. Well, that was encouraging… "I'm sure this will help. You need closure, so confronting him is a start. Do you want me to come in with" –

"No. No, I – I gotta do this myself" Snotlout insisted. He squared his shoulders and marched into the jailhouse. Every cell but one was empty; the other prisoners had been moved to the old dragon pens up at the ring. There was more space. Their most important (dangerous) prisoner had been left right there, in a cramped cell, which satisfied Snotlout's sense of justice a little.

He strode over to the furthest cell on the left. Its sole occupant was sitting on the cot, hunched over and clutching at the stump of his left arm. I still can't believe Hiccup lopped his hand off, even by accident. A half-eaten bowl of gruel was lying on the floor. Adulfr looked up, teeth gritted in pain, and glared at him. "What do you want?" he demanded, before hissing at a particularly bad twinge.

For a moment, Snotlout wanted to rush out and tell Fishlegs to get some willow bark. That helped with pain, right? He didn't know if it helped with phantom pain – and anyway, he didn't care! If Adulfr was suffering, then that was a good thing. He deserved it. "You killed my father" Snotlout declared bluntly, fists clenching at his sides. "He's dead because of you and now I want – I'm gonna" –

"What? Get revenge? Demand an apology? I don't know your father, I don't know you, and guess what? I don't care. Now either do whatever it is you're 'gonna', or get out of my sight" Adulfr demanded harshly. His arm burned.

Irritated, Snotlout drew himself up to his full height. It was a good thing Adulfr was sitting down. "I am Snotlout, son of Spitelout, clan Jorgenson" he stated.

"Don't tell me you expect me to take you seriously, with a name like that?"

Snotlout fought back the blush that threatened to rise to his cheeks. It's to ward off trolls. What he actually said aloud was "You're wrong." When Adulfr just frowned, he elaborated "About everything. The dragons, your father, Hiccup" –

"What about my father?" Adulfr asked sharply, getting to his feet. Damn it, why did he have to be taller? He marched to the bars and glared down at Snotlout.

Refusing to be cowed, the other man stood his ground and responded, "You did all this, hurt all these people, just because you missed your chance to make your daddy proud. Do you have any idea how pathetic that is? I'm gonna let you in a secret. Life isn't fair. Things don't always go our way, but sane people suck it up, build a bridge and get over it. They don't spend five years raising an army just to get revenge on one guy, no matter how annoyingly preachy he is."

Adulfr had the nerve to smirk at him. "Ah, so Haddock's sanctimonious nonsense irritates you too? It seems we have something in common" he said.

"We have nothing in co"- Snotlout took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Centre yourself, just like Fish is always saying… "You know what? Actually, we do have something in common. There's a lot of things I never had a chance to say or do after my dad was killed by one of your men. But see, unlike you", he jabbed a finger at Adulfr, "I didn't go diving straight off the deep end!"

Adulfr scowled. "I'm not insane" he insisted.

"No, you know what you are? I think I mentioned it, what was it, oh yeah – pathetic. Hiccup says you feel worthless, but what does he know? I bet you are just an arrogant, selfish, stuck-up daddy's boy who thought the sun shone out of your father's arse! Always trying to make him proud – you were wasting your time! It's not enough, I did everything he wanted and it was never" –

Snotlout choked off and clenched his fists. "No. It was enough, it was" he muttered to himself, refusing to look at Adulfr. For a moment there, he'd been yelling at his younger self. They did have that in common. Shut up, Hiccup.

Adulfr looked furious. "How dare you talk to me like that?" he demanded, puffed up with indignant rage. "I'm a Chief, an Admiral" –

"Not anymore. You don't get it, do you? You're nothing. Not important, not interesting – you're just our prisoner, and that's it. So forget about getting special treatment, your highness. Round here, nobody gives a damn about you."

Well, Hiccup would probably give a damn, but that was Hiccup. Snotlout was immensely satisfied to see the scowl on Adulfr's face swept away, as if it had only just dawned on him that he was nothing. Before either of them could say something to ruin the moment, Snotlout turned on his heel and strode out of the jailhouse. Fishlegs, Meatlug and Hookfang were waiting for him outside.

"Are you okay?" Fishlegs asked immediately, "Do you feel any different?"

Snotlout grinned. "I got to tell him what an asshole he is to his face. I feel better now" he announced. Then he remembered Adulfr's pained grimace, and his conscience – which sounded like Fishlegs – poked at him. Stupid conscience. "Hey, Fish? You might wanna borrow some willow bark from Agnes…"

Berk, November 1065

"AAARGH!"

"PUSH!"

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

"I AM HURT! I AM VERY MUCH HURT!"

"THAT'S MY LINE!"

Screaming, shouting, smashing noises all emerged from the Thorston household, on one rare day when it wasn't hailing, snowing or raining. Ruffnut was giving birth, and what seemed like most of the village had gathered round to hear the carnage, just for some entertainment. You took what you could get.

*Are humans always so loud when they give birth?* Asha questioned, flinching. She flattened her ear-flaps against her skull with her paws, growling in distaste.

*These ones are loud all the time* Hookfang explained. *You don't have to stay, you know. You don't have a human in there* he added, nodding at the door.

*It's very painful for humans to have babies* Meatlug rumbled in concern.

*It would be a lot easier* -

*If you humans laid eggs* Barf&Belch remarked to Hiccup, who nodded in agreement. A particularly loud and colourful swear from Ruffnut made him cringe, and be glad he had his hands firmly clamped over Helena's ears.

*Why is she giving birth in winter? Shouldn't she have mated so her offspring would be born in spring, ready for new food?* wondered Luna.

*Humans can make their own food for their babies* explained Selena. Just then, the yelling abruptly stopped. There was a brief silence, as everyone held their breaths – and then the sound of a wailing infant. The waiting Vikings cheered.

Hiccup sighed in relief. "Ruffnut's had her baby, darling" he told Helena, but now that the fun was over her attention was already wandering. He smiled fondly and ruffled her hair. She squealed and darted off with Ebony. Hiccup chuckled and made his way to where Snotlout was emerging from the door.

*"Congratulations, Snotlout"* he and Toothless greeted the new father. Snotlout turned to them with a wide, slightly manic grin on his face.

"Hiccup! I'm a dad! It's a boy! Ruffnut never wants me to touch her again!"

"…Oh-Kay…"

*What's the baby's name?* asked Toothless.

Snotlout puffed himself up and replied, "Scrufflout Gobber Jorgenson." (2)

Hiccup grinned. "Good name" he remarked approvingly. And so did the Hooligan tribe welcome its second newest member in two months.

Norway, 31st January 1066

At the court of Nidaros, a weary and still rather bedraggled herald was led into the throne room by two armoured thanes. He knelt and bowed his head in respect to the Norwegian monarch. "Greetings from England, your Majesty."

"Rise, Ethelind. Be welcome. What news do you bring from distant shores?"

"Grave news, I regret to say, your Majesty. Alas, I am honour bound by my own oaths to inform you…his royal highness, King Edward, passed away on the fifth."

"…I see. That is indeed a terrible tragedy. He didn't have an heir, did he?"

"Before he passed, King Edward named the Earl of East Anglia, Harold Godwinson, as his successor and England's protector" the herald explained.

King Harald Sigurdsson, called Harald Hardrada, nodded in understanding. Already his thoughts were turning to an agreement made by both his and Edward's predecessors, his own ambitions to reunite the empire of Cnut the Great…and to the letter sent by the jarl of Tønsberg Fortress, about the dragon riders in the northern ocean, and the might they held to vanquish armies….

"Thank you for delivering this news at such a difficult time, Ethelind" he nodded to the herald. "You are welcome here until you have safe passage home."

(1) Yes, I gave them a long lost brother. Can you tell I'm making some of this stuff up as I go?

(2) I did consider whether he'd name his son after his dad in some way, but then I figured Ruffnut would insist on a compromise, so it would have to either be 'Scrufflout' or 'Spitenut'. Guess which one won?