Stoick the Vast had come home from a two-month trip to his son sobbing in his room.

He had frozen, not sure what to think before he saw the empty space the dragon would usually be sitting.

A cold feeling struck his heart, and he had fought the urge to vomit. He had not been fond of the beast, he would admit that, but he was still part of the family; the beast had been more of a friend to his son than his own father had been.

Hiccup had looked up, his eyes red and puffy. He'd wiped his eyes and stood up shakily. The boy looked skinnier than Stoick remembered. His son had bags under his eyes, and looking past him, Stoick saw his bed was broken and the blanket was torn and shredded. This only confirmed Stoick's greatest fears.

He had been a little tentative, and father and son locked eyes. Stoick's resistance broke and he dashed forward, pulling the frail body towards him. His son, who was trembling so badly it was like he had been struck by lightning – Stoick winced as he remembered the fits Hiccup had had after the lightning incident – slumped in his arms, the head in the crook of his father's neck as he sobbed and shook. Stoick dropped his sword to the floor, pulling the son in farther.

Hiccup quieted not long after that, and it took Stoick – not known for his sensitivity – a long time to realize the boy had fallen asleep.

He pulled back, observing the sleeping form of his child with a protectiveness he never knew he had.

Stoick picked him up in one massive arm, cradling the boy's precious form against his chest.

He took him downstairs, and lay him across the chair. He took his fur coat off and wrapped it around his son, before striding out the house with a purpose.

He slammed the door open of Gobber's house. He'd yelled as loud as he could, "GOBBER!"

The Viking had looked up, his eyes dark. "Yeh've found out, ah guess?"

Stoick had shook his head. "Nae. Hiccup fell asleep. NOW EXPLAIN TO ME."

Gobber had winced, flinching back. The chief's eyes had widened slightly, and he lowered his tone. The blacksmith's nerves were obviously frayed.

"Yeh see, Stoick, I really don't know much meself. Hiccup an' Toothless went to tae house, then next thing I know Hiccup's screaming. I got there and Astrid was with him. They were both crying. Toothless wasne with them, and I haven't seen him since."

Stoick had frowned down at the table. Drumming his fingers against the table, he had sighed, "Thanks anyway, Gobber."

The chief had strode out the house without a second glance. He had made his way towards the Hofferson's with a purpose.

He rapped sharply on the door. Astrid, blinking tiredly up at him, answered it. Her hair was in a tangled mess down her back and she was wearing a short white dress that clung to her figure. Inside Stoick chuckled at what Hiccup would've done.

"Stoick," she said sharply. "You're here about Hiccup?"

Stoick nodded, taken aback by her angry tone.

"Alvin took Toothless, knocked Toothless out. He was dragged away. He said he was going to kill him. We haven't seen him since."

He stared down at the ground, struggling to control his emotions. "Thank you."

He turned around and walked back to his house. He didn't look back; if he had, then he would have seen Astrid slumping over and glancing at the floor, which he had failed to notice was bloody and the grass was pulled up, as if an animal had been clawing desperately at it.

Stoick opened the door to his home quietly. Hiccup was still asleep, but creases were in his forehead still.

Stoick went upstairs, opening the door and looking at his room. His eyes swept across it, resting on a piece of paper.

He picked it up.

Stoick,

I have taken the dragon. In return for it's life, I demand yours. Come to my island and give me yourself. I will let the beast back to Berk. Otherwise it dies.

You have ten days.

Word of a Treacherous.

Alvin

Stoick stared at the piece of paper in fury. He growled, crumpling the paper in his hands as he paced up and down.

He needed to get a way to get that beast. He wondered if giving himself over would be the right solution – it hurt him, but he knew his son would be less lost if the dragon was alive, and not him.

Stoick mumbled something under his breath. What was he thinking? He couldn't believe he was even having second thoughts about this. With a grim smile he went into Hiccup's room and grabbed one of his parchments.

Hiccup,

I have got a letter from Alvin the Treacherous. In exchange for his life and return, I will give my life. I want you to know that Toothless will be returned (hopefully) if Alvin is being truthful. I will die under the hands of him, but your dragon will

Tell no one of this except Gobber. He must know. Until Toothless has returned, the villagers must simply assume I have gone on another quest. If you do not wish to be chief, show this letter to Spitelout (my brother) and get him to hold the position up for you.

He will help you, and considering the circumstances, Snotlout will as well. He will give the position to you when you think you are ready.

I want you to know you are the best son I could've wished for. I'm sorry how I treated you all those years. I was a son of a half-troll to you. I need you to know I love you, and I will do anything for your happiness (which is what I am about to do now.)

Sincerely,

Your father

(Stoick the Vast, Oh Hear His Name And Tremble, Ugh Ugh)

With a sigh he put the letter down. He looked at it, and something smudged a letter I. Confused, he reached up with his hands and felt water on his cheeks. What was this? He realized with a start he was crying- no, sorry, sweating from his eyes and immediately wiped his eyes as hard as he could. Satisfied when there was no more signs of wetness or otherwise, he stood up and went downstairs. Hiccup was still sleeping, his face momentarily smoothed out.

Stoick grabbed to hunks of bread, and a whole basket of fish. Toothless (judging by the way Alvin would have treated him) would be starved.

As he lugged it out the door, he heard a moan. He looked back and saw Hiccup looking over at him, half asleep.

"Where you goin," he slurred. Then his face creased, and a wail ripped through him. Stoick widened his eyes.

"Oh, dad, it was horrible! Toothless tried to protect me, and then they- they- hit him and blood was everywhere and I was screaming and Astrid came and he was gone, gone, gone!"

A fresh burst of tears erupted from him. Stoick rushed to his son and gathered him in his arms.

"It's ok, Hiccup. I'm here. I'll always be here."

Then he froze. What had he just said? He was about to go. Forever. Luckily, Hiccup hadn't noticed. He had fallen back asleep, dangling limply in his father's arms.

I'm so sorry.

He put Hiccup down, wrapped him in a blanket, took his furs, and placed the note beside him.

Leaning down, Stoick pressed his lips to Hiccup's forehead quickly, then straightened up. He slowly and deliberately made his way to the basket of fish. Picking it up, he made his way to a small boat. He lit a lantern, placing it beside him as he took the handle as he got farther away from Berk.

He took in the last sights he would ever see of it.

And, as he sailed away from the only home he had ever known, Stoick allowed the tears to fall.

New story! What do you think? I (hopefully) will update this quickly, depending on my homework-exams-situations-activites-ect schedule.

(If I stick to it) next chapter up on Friday-Saturday!

-Simply Cool