Well…I had some downtime, so I decided to type up a story that I'd started handwriting last year. I know what you're all probably saying. "Why are you starting another HTTYD story when you're already writing, like, four other ones?" Excellent question. The answer is that I didn't have my notes or already-started chapters from the other ones available when I started typing this one. Rest assured that no ongoing HTTYD story will be forgotten about…well, maybe Wheel, but…I'm just kidding!

This story is based on the song by Extreme. It's probably not going to be too long. Like "Skies", this one was originally going to be a one-shot. Unlike "Skies", though, I do not have the outline for this one completely thought out just yet, so just be aware of that. That said, please enjoy this new story "More Than Words".

Chapter 1: Grounded! The Fight

"Hiccup, I'm fine! You don't have to do this!"

"No, Astrid, I do. I've already told you. This discussion is over. You are grounded and Stormfly will understand."

"She most certainly will not! What if I grounded you!? How would Toothless feel?"

"Unlike Stormfly, Toothless cannot fly on his own. Trust me, Stormfly will be just fine by herself for a few months."

Astrid huffed, annoyed by her husband's overprotective nature. "You are impossible!" Without another word, she retreated up the stairs to the bedroom they shared, a room that had once been Hiccup's alone…well, his and Toothless's.

Hiccup could already feel the headache starting. Grasping his pained forehead, he took a seat in the chair that had once been his father's favorite. He remembered how the former Chief had filled the chair completely. Though Hiccup had grown taller, he remained lean and lanky, a bit more muscular now than in his teen years, but not much more. The oversized chair dwarfed the current Chief.

From the corner, a dark shadow shifted. Normally, one might miss the movement, but Hiccup had years of experience and noticed the black shape move to sit by his chair. Toothless had sensed a discomfort in his rider. Looking into his rider's eye, the once-feared Night Fury cooed with worry.

Bringing his hand down to run it across the dragon's black scales, Hiccup answered, "It's nothing, Bud. I'm fine." From the barrel beside the chair, Hiccup produced an iceblock. Placing the block of ice on his forehead, he felt instant relief. "I just don't understand, Toothless," he muttered, but the dragon's advanced senses could hear. "How did my father manage this? Between being Chief and leading a family…Gods, I feel much older than I actually am. Toothless, I am certain that my father was put in this same situation at one time, that he was a new Chief caring for my mother (also a headstrong woman like Astrid), while she was with child, preparing for my birth. Why is it that I can't be as successful as my father? Am I still useless?

888

Upstairs, Astrid lay on her side of the bed she shared with her husband. Husband…still it felt strange to call Hiccup that. "Husband" was a blissful word and, as strange as it was to call Hiccup that, she was glad that she could…even on days such as this one.

Astrid hated fighting with Hiccup. She loved him very much, but they both had stubbornness issues (as was common for the majority of Berk's Vikings) and they often found themselves butting heads with each other. It had been all too common recently and Astrid guessed the baby had something to do with the change in the homely atmosphere.

Automatically, her hands went to her slightly protruding stomach. The village healers who tended to her medical needs had recently told her that she was quite small for being almost halfway through her carriage of the heir. "Apparently," they had joked, "the heir will also be small, just like his or her parents."

As excited as Astrid felt, she was also nervous. Her mother had told her a few months ago that it was common for new mothers to worry excessively while with child but this was different. Astrid's mother had never had the added pressure of carrying Berk's heir. Perhaps this nervousness also had a role to play in heightening her already quick temper.

"He can't ground me! I'm not Snotlout! Who does Hiccup think he is! I don't care if he's Chief or Berk Dragon Academy Leader or Dragon Conqueror or whatever title he wants to use today! He has no right!" she muttered, still seething from their argument.

Sighing, Astrid felt the rising anger start to slip away. "He is right, though," she told herself. "If anything was to happen to the baby, our baby…I wouldn't be able to live knowing that it had been my fault. Still I'm barely even showing and my stomach isn't getting in my way. Besides, it's not like the baby's even…"

Her words were halted as she felt a sensation unlike any she'd ever experienced. Her eyes drifted down. The movement had stopped. Could she have just imagined it? That would be…No! There it was again! More definite and sure this time. "Moving…," she muttered, finishing her prior thought, her hands fluttering down to feel the wonderful movement of new life inside her. "The baby's moving! I have to tell Hiccup!"

I know…this chapter is super short. I made the mistake of handwriting this chapter so it looked longer than it actually was. Also, I apologize if this story is not as well-written as some of my other stories. This one I started writing last year and I've barely looked at it since.

Once again, I have little idea of where this story is going to go and what will happen in it. Trying something new where I don't rigorously plan out every minute detail before posting.

That said, I'll see you again when I see you. Hope you enjoyed this first chapter.

Posted: September 10, 2014