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Berk Homecoming

Night had risen and the glow from the fires of Berk coaxed them home. A light dust of early winter snow had settled like a thin sheet over the village and made it shimmer like the pale moon hanging above.

The pair of dragons landed at the bottom of the steps rising to great hall.

"You know if we landed at the top, we wouldn't have to walk up all those stairs," Stoick commented.

Hiccup gave him a strange look, "If we didn't live on the side of an inhospitable mountain, we'd never have to walk up anything."

"We're not moving the entire village - I'm not having that conversation again."

Hiccup muttered something about Viking stubbornness as they started their ascent.

As Hiccup and Toothless trotted up the familiar stone steps, he noticed his dad trailing behind, a catch in his knee slowing his pace.

"Are you OK?"

"Old battle injury acting up."

Hiccup matched his father's sluggish speed. As they went higher, he heard the old man's breathing became labored, like a panting gronkle.

At the top, Stoick stopped and sat on the ledge, wiping the light sweat from his brow. "Sometimes at the end of the day I get worn out and can't do the stairs like I used to. Need to catch my breath. Can't let everyone see me like this."

Hiccup swallowed – he didn't want to see his father like this. Something about seeing the strongest person he ever knew get old made him uncomfortable. A ineffable fear tugged at his mind, and he pushed it away, but being here, in this familiar place, made him know it would try to re-surface.

Stoick arose and gestured to the door. "I bet you've missed this food."

"I really have."

As they entered, the warm familiar smell of a large cooked meal filled their noses. Most of Berk's vegetables were tough and tasteless, but when paired with fresh seafood and bread, they made ones senses feel full, even if their stomach felt empty.

They got their food - Hiccup taking twice what he usually took.

"Trying to grow as large as the chief?" Olaf the Cook, teased.

Stoick gave him a warning look, but Olaf just laughed, "You like my food too much to do anything about my quips. And, the boy is looking thin."

Hiccup sincerely told him, "Olaf, we all miss your cooking. Even Fishlegs is thinner."

"Where are the other riders? Where's Astrid?" Olaf looked around.

"Hiccup will be spending some time with us for the next few days."Stoick said slapping Hiccup on the back.

"Ah." Olaf replied in a knowing way, which prompted Hiccup to give his dad a suspicious glance.

During dinner, the chief made it a point to stop and talk with every single citizen at the Hall, causing the meal to stretch long into the night. Even worse, he forced Hiccup into conversations. Not that Hiccup didn't like talking to people, especially people he had known his whole life, but he wanted to crawl into bed and sleep after a long day of arguing and flying. And it seemed every man wanted to clap him on the shoulder, every woman wanted to give him a smothering hug, and every child wanted to stare at him with star struck awe. (Except for Gustave, who high fived him and asked if Astrid mentioned him recently. Hiccup fought to urge to say "I'm sure she's thinking of you when we make out.")

Not to mention, every Hooligan wanted to ask him the same questions: what he was up to? What it was like at Dragon's Edge? Why was he back? What was the weather like over there? How is everyone else? Where is Astrid? Why do you look thinner? Then, there was the endless list of dragon problems they wanted to discuss.

However, Hiccup found comfort in knowing people cared. Most seemed genuinely interested in talking to him, some of the men and bolder women even shared their stories of adventure and teenage antics, giving him the sense that his tales helped them vicariously relive their youth.

Once Olaf closed up the kitchen, and the great fires in the hearth fell to red ash, Stoick looked around and realized they were the last people in the hall. It was then, he finally he gave the signal to head home.

000

Home Sweet Home

"Get another fire going, son. It'll be a cold night, especially since you're not used to sleeping alone-"

"Ha-ha funny. Now that it's just us, you want to bring that up again. Great…"

Stoick collapsed into a chair while his son arranged firewood in the hearth for Toothless to light. The dragon complied and his boy removed his saddle before heading toward his loft.

"And where do you think you're going?" His father asked, but it sounded like an order more than a question.

"To bed, so I can get up and argue more tomorrow."

Stoick laughed. "No, son. I'm going to meet up with someone. While I'm out, you will write a letter to Queen Mala, politely declining her marriage proposal. But, make it from me and I'll sign it."

"Isn't that sort of a lie if I write it and you sign it?"

"I don't write anything, I only review and dictate." Stoick gave him a look to end the conversation and Hiccup responded by grunting as he plopped down at the table. Stoick handed him a quill, some ink, and paper before leaving.

Hiccup took the items and, in handwriting that best mimicked what he had thought was his father's, he wrote:

Dear Mala,

My son, Hiccup is currently in a committed relationship with someone else. Thank you for your interest. I hope all is well with you.

Sincerely,

Chief Stoick Haddock the Vast

Content with the letter, Hiccup went upstairs, collapsed into bed and fell asleep to sweet thoughts of recent nights spent with Astrid.

000

Re-Write

Stoick's booming voice reverberated from downstairs all the way to the rafters of his son's loft, shocking the boy from a pleasant dream.

"Hiccup! Come here."

Toothless lifted his head from his sleep, but since his name wasn't Hiccup, he plotted it back down and rolled unto his back.

"Where's the support?" Hiccup mumbled, but he figure taking his dragon downstairs with him wasn't going to intimidate his father.

Hiccup stumbled to the lower floor to find his dad holding the letter.

"Hiccup, is this really what you think I'd send to another leader? Do you think I would use such ill-conceived words?"

"Probably? Maybe? You would if it was – what 2 am?"

"We're in the North. In the winter. It's always dark. I don't care what time it is." Stoick crumbled the letter. He handed Hiccup a new parchment. "Write this down."

Hiccup grunted, but dipped the quill in the ink.

"My dearest Queen Mala…"

"Is she really that dear to you?"

"Write," Stoick ordered, then continued. "Our family is truly honored by your interest in my son, he is indeed a fine, brave leader, a man who would proudly stand by the side of a courageous, beautiful queen like you. As such, Berk needs him, just as the Defenders of the Wing need you. I would like to emphasize the alliance my son has forged with your great kingdom is extremely important to us and we hope to continue on that path as we have, but sadly I do not feel a marriage would propel our people forward, but rather split the attentions of two worthy leaders. Please do not see this as a slight, if our kingdoms were closer in proximity, this would be a match worthy of the gods. However, Hiccup and I would be honored if you allowed us a visit to sign a peace treaty between our tribes to continue our valued alliance. Please, inform us of a date this would work for you. Sincerely, Stoick Haddock."

Hiccup completed the letter, "We didn't mention Astrid?"

"No, you can tell her about Astrid when we go to sign the peace treaty. If you say it is because of Astrid-"

"She'll feel slighted, but if I say it's best for our people-"

"We'll appeal to her sense of duty."

"Do we really have to go see her? I might want to avoid her for a few years, you know avoid any awkward sexual tension she might have."

"And clearly it's hard for you to keep all that raw Viking contained." Stoick rolled his eyes, "Yes, in diplomatic matters such as these, one should always follow up in person – sooner the better. That's when you'll casually mention your intentions for Astrid."

Hiccup sat at the table and they stared at each other for a few moments and once again it seemed uncomfortable, like the old days.

"So…" Stoick broke the silence. "What are your intentions with Astrid?"

Hiccup squirmed in his seat. "Do we have to talk about this now? I don't know, holding hands and no more than kissing."

Stoick sighed. "And what are your intentions for the future? I want to retire someday, you know. It's the reason I had a son."

"Oh, so my winning personality and companionship for the past 19 years, has meant nothing to you?"

"I'm being serious. I gave you time to go out and explore and have fun, but now you must start thinking about coming home and starting your future here."

Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck and stood up. "Can we talk about this tomorrow? This is not a middle of the night conversation."

"Alright." His father relented. "Get some rest. You have to be up early tomorrow."

"For what?"

The old chief smirked, giving Hiccup a feeling of ill ease. "I've arranged a special meeting for us to spend time with someone."

000

Early Morning

Even Toothless wanted to sleep beyond the ungodly hour at which Stoick dragged Hiccup out of bed.

"Not used to sleeping alone, eh son?"

Hiccup rubbed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Get your thicker coat, we're going hunting."

Hiccup put his coat on then stumbled to his groncle iron shield, which doubled as a cross-bow.

"Leave that, we're using long bows today."

"But Gobber always says if you have just one weapon - take a shield."

"Not for this hunt. You'll impress our hunting companion more if you take the long bow and a regular sword."

Hiccup grumbled and reached for the long bows and some arrows that hung on the wall. Long bows could be loaded faster, were lighter, and could go further, but they took more strength to pull and were only used by highly skilled Vikings like –

Oh crap! Hiccup though. "Dad, who's going with us?"

000

Who is going with them – can't wait to find out! It's an OC, but I think you'll like him – I tried to make him a little like Hiccup;)

Thanks to all those who reviewed, followed, and faved. Feel free to let me know if you have any comments or questions. I'm happy to answer them.

And don't worry about Mala, I'll work that back into a cute side story. And Stoick is in good health, just slowing down with old age. And he's still spry for an old guy – Just thought I should say that because I had some reviewers freak out about from another story when I had every intention of working things out... And in case people were going to freak out, things will work out here. Oh well, I hope someone likes this….