"Hey, I love you, Heather. I love you." Hiccup whispered to his meek girlfriend. He cupped her cheeks and looked at her with tears in his own eyes. He hated this. He hated having to leave her just to go Chief Island for four fucking years. I wasn't fair. Here they were, sixteen years old, and he was convinced there wasn't a girl her could ever love more than the one in front. of him.

She sniffed, licking her lips and nodding. "I know you do. I love you too. Hiccup," she looked up at him desperately, "please don't meet anyone else while you're there. I-I couldn't bare it if you moved on. Please. Please don't." She begged him. Then she buried her face in his chest, crying helplessly.

He sighed, rubbing her back soothingly. "You know I don't have a choice, sweetie. If I did, you know I wouldn't hesitate to stay with you. But hey, look at me. Look at me." He lifted her chin with his fingers and gave her a comforting smile. "When I get back, we can get married. Ok. We'll get married, and have a family."

But she shook her head. "How do you know it'll all work out?" She whispered.

He pressed his lips briefly to her forehead and smiled against it. "Honey, everything will work out as it's supposed to. I know it will. And think of it this way, if we can get through these next four years being separated, then we can get through anything. I don't know the future, Heather, but I believe in fate. And if fate is with us, then we can get through this." He told her, holding her cheeks lovingly in the palms of his hands.

She smiled teary-eyed and shook her head. Where do you come up with this?" She asked with a slight laugh.

He snickered and bopped her nose with his. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that I love you, and that I don't want you to doubt anything."

She kissed him softly and stroked his hair. "I don't have any doubt, now." She gave him a tight hug and nuzzled into his neck. "I love you, Hiccup." She managed to choke out.

He kissed the top of her head. "I love you too."

And just as quickly, he threw his knapsack full of things he would need over his shoulder and boarded the ship. For a while he stood on deck, waving to his friends, Heather, and his father. Four years seemed like such a long time, but he'd been preparing for it his whole life. It was tradition. And one day, he would send his own son or daughter off to Chief Island as well. But right here, right now, he couldn't be more heartbroken. Leaving behind everything he knew and loved...it was sure to be an interesting next four years.

:::

Well, there's the prologue. Before you leave, I want to assure you that this book IS Hiccstrid through and through. So don't get your skivvies in a bunch about Hiccup and Heather. Hope you enjoyed the prologue, guys! Peace out people!