Chapter 2 is FINALLY OUT!

I'm sorry about the long wait, two other stories to write takes its toll.

Anyway I would like to thank all of you for such a successful first chapter! 38 Followers, 24 Favourites, and 15 Reviews. That honestly made me incredibly happy to see!

Just a warning that this Author's Note will be longer than I intended.

First off, this story is working under the assumption that the Haddock clan is the 'Royal Family' or 'Chiefdom Family' of Berk. Hopefully this clears things up. Secondly, this story's 'history' will be briefly explained during a later chapter. So it could still be slightly confusing. (Sorry)

Anyway, I would like to say something. If this is the first story you have read of mine, here is how I do things regarding reviews:

1) User reviews [That don't involve cryptic two word sentences such as 'PLEASE UPDATE'] I shall answer to via PM. They are called reviews for a reason...

2) Guest reviews from the particular chapter [Again that are not two word reviews] will be answered in the Author Notes section (THIS SECTION) at the beginning of the next chapter.

3) I will try to answer each and every single User Review regardless of how old the chapter/story is.

4) I will only answer Guest Reviews written prior to the following chapter release.

GUEST REVIEWS:

Guest 1: I'm that you're interested after only one chapter. What made it so interesting?

Guest 2: I have the story mostly planned out. However I will not spoil anything, you will have to wait and see what happens.

DeadGirlWalking: Thank you for the compliment!

TheRebbs98: I'm glad you enjoy the story. Next chapter will be a Hiccup chapter, hopefully it can give a glimpse as to his future.

Septimus714: I'm glad that you think the story is good so far. I hope that with each chapter that more will be 'elaborated' if you will.

Alright Reviews done and a long Author's Note section completed! Enjoy!


Light begins to glimmer over the horizon and starts to illuminate Berk. The village was covered in the remnants of dragons' fire. Houses are still smoldering but are slowly being extinguished by the fire brigade. Several houses were completely destroyed and needed to be rebuilt; others needed minor repairs. Three structures made it through the night mostly unscathed: The hut on the rock spire where the elder, Gothi, lives, the forge, and the Great Hall. Stoick walks around what still stands of the village and looks at the destruction. He lets out a long sigh before walking towards the Great Hall. Many villagers are standing on the steps, waiting for orders. Many Vikings give him plenty of space after rumours of the horrid event that happened within the Haddock hall spread like wildfire.

Stoick approaches Asmund who finishes a damage report from the intelligence gathered by numerous villagers. "What do you have to report Asmund?" Stoick sounds exhausted after a long sleepless night. He spent all night fighting the dragons and had his child's cries ringing through his head for most of it.

"From the dragons' aspect, we killed four Nadders, three Gronckles, one Zippleback, 14 Terrors, and none of the Nightmares." He pauses. "From our side, we lost four sheep, nine chickens, and two yaks; not to mention all of the property damage." He pauses again to let it all settle in. "None severely injured, three moderately injured, six with minor injuries, and one," he pauses again, knowing he will have to say a word that he doesn't want Stoick to hear.

"I know what you're going to say Asmund, you might as well say it," the Chief says in a dreadful voice.

"Casualty," concludes Asmund.

"Could have been worse," says Stoick in defeat after a long depressing sigh. He leaves Asmund behind as he makes his way up the rest of the stairs and enters the Great Hall.

Meanwhile, down by the docks, Halvar and Spitelout are arguing. "Finn isn't back yet from Trader's Isle, where in Thor's name could he be?" asks Halvar with worry in his voice

"You're worried about your older brother? He's harder to kill than you think," scoffs Spitelout.

"My brother is still out there! He is my family; who knows if he was ambushed by the dragons?" says Halvar franticly.

"You sound nervous. Are you, 'Fearless' Halvar Hofferson, scared?" jabs Spitelout.

Halvar can feel the blood rush to his face in anger. "Don't bring my family's honour into this Spitelout," he spits.

Spitelout scoffs. "You Hoffersons have your pride up to your head; you're so full of yourselves."

Halvar cools down and just looks down, breaking eye contact with Spitelout. "That would be Finn for you," he mutters. He looks back up quickly in realisation. "You accuse my family of its honour on a day like today?! The Chief lost his son last night! How would you feel if it was Snotlout?"

"How would you feel if it was Astrid?" jabs Spitelout. Halvar freezes and looks stunned. He was still adjusting to the whole 'being a father' thing. Finally, Spitelout breaks the silence. "Who do you think is to blame?"

"The dragons obviously, they're the ones who took his child."

"The dragons would have never taken the boy had Valka been there, like she was told, to protect her child." Spitelout looks down in anger.

Halvar goes wide eyed. "Valka is your sister, how could you say something like that?"

Spitelout spits. "She isn't my sister anymore now that she married the Chief."

"Just because her name changed, doesn't mean you're no longer related; you both share your parents' blood." Halvar can't believe the words coming out of the Jorgenson's mouth.

"You're defending her and her actions?" accuses Spitelout.

"I don't know what happened in her home but I do know this. I'm defending her because the Hoffersons have always stood beside the Haddocks in any situation," glares Halvar.

"Jumping to the Chief's defense before knowing anything." Spitelout hisses. "Typical for you, Hofferson."

"You act like you hate our Chief! I know you always act like you could be better, but truth of the matter Spitelout, is that Stoick is one of the best chiefs we have had in a long time. I doubt you could do better!"

"I could do better Halvar, you could too. You seem like a responsible parent," says Spitelout with a devilish grin on his face.

"That's where you're going?!" yells Halvar. "Hiccup was killed last night; don't you feel any remorse? He was your nephew!"

"Of course I feel remorse, just not as much as you expect. Hiccup was never expected to survive to begin with. Have you looked at how small the boy was? No wonder he was named Hiccup. Yet my stubborn sister and our stubborn Chief refused to abandon the child," proclaims Spitelout.

"You just referred Valka as your sister," jabs Halvar jokingly.

"You're starting to get under my skin, you know that?"

"Good," deadpans Halvar.

"You seem to be taking the boy's death quite hard. Why is that; you are in no way related to him?" asks Spitelout.

"He was the Chief's son for starters." Halvar sighs. "I was hoping for Astrid to eventually befriend him, or even marry him if that's what she would want," says Halvar quietly.

Spitelout snorts. "You think your daughter would want to settle for 'Stoick's Little Embarrassment'? She would want to be with someone strong and more Viking-like, like my son will be. You and I can start arranging their marriage; when the time comes of course."

"If your son is going to be anything like you, then I will happily refuse without consideration," says Halvar boldly.

"You disappoint me Halvar," spits Spitelout before storming off to the Great Hall.

"What the hell is wrong with him?" mutters Halvar quietly. He turns to face the waters off the docks in hopes of a small ship flying the Berkian colours sailing to port. None can be found; Finn is still out to sea. He starts to walk towards the Great Hall, keeping a distance behind Spitelout.

Inside the Great Hall, Valka is crying heavily while sitting at one of the tables. Beside her sits Ingrid with an unhappy Astrid in her arms, and across from her sits Gobber. She looks up to see Stoick walking towards the table. "Oh Stoick, this is all my fault," she whimpers.

"Val, this isn't your fault," whispers Stoick.

"Yes it is," she exclaims. "Our son is dead because I couldn't kill a dragon."

"Oh Valka," says Stoick as he sits down next to Gobber. He takes her hand. "Don't blame yourself."

"That's all I can do," she says in between sobs. "The Heir to Berk is dead because of me, and my stupid decisions."

Stoick opens his mouth to say something but Ingrid interrupts. "Look Valka, Hiccup isn't dead because of you. This isn't your fault; you didn't know that there would be a dragon raid or that a dragon would land on your house. No one knew anything. Val, I'm here for you; as a friend."

"Val, when you are good and ready, I want you to go see Bucket. He can get a drawing of the dragon from what you tell him so we know what we are looking for. We will avenge our son." He pauses knowing that those were not the best choice of words. "Forget what I said and instead take your time Val. Like Ingrid said, I'm here for you; as your husband." Ingrid looks up at the Chief who is trying to be supportive. She gives a small smile. "Come on Gobber, let's give them some space. I still have to tell the village something."

Gobber says nothing as he gets up. Both men start their way to the doors to the Hall. They almost reach them when the door opens and Asmund, Halvar, and Spitelout walk in. "Chief, there is someone outside who wants to speak with you," says Asmund.

"I wonder who that might be," mutters Stoick.

"Mildew with his 'Complaint of the Day'," deadpans Gobber.

"Probably," says Stoick in return. "Halvar and Asmund, do you mind if you stay by my wife's side? 'Lout, you're with me," orders the Chief. Asmund and Halvar run to the table while Stoick, Gobber, and Spitelout walk outside where sure enough, Mildew is waiting on the steps. "I know you're here to ratter my cage Mildew, so just get on with it," says Stoick impatiently. He is not in the mood to deal with the cranky old man.

"Right to the point, aren't ye Stoick," says Mildew.

"Get on with it Mildew, the Chief has other things on his mind," jabs Gobber.

"Fine," deadpans Mildew. "We are in outrage Stoick, your son is dead and your wife is to blame. I say we should see her punished." No one dares make a noise against the Chief.

Stoick pinches the bridge of his nose. "No one is getting punished Mildew."

"That's ridiculous Stoick! A dragon killed your son! Surely we should blame the one who FAILED TO PROTECT HER CHILD!" yells Mildew hoping that Valka would hear.

Gobber steps forward. "I think ye should leave Mildew, tha Chief is no' in tha mood ta talk ta ye."

"Listen to yourselves people! You all sympathize for the Chief! Even he can't keep his wife in line. Maybe we should get a chief who can!" yells Mildew.

Stoick sees red but Gobber interrupts. "Are ye disrespecting tha Chief's authority?"

"No Gobber, I'm not disrespecting him. I'm worried about him, I really am. I mean he is 30 now. Now us Vikings don't live that long, let alone with the dragon raids," says Mildew slowly to drawl out the meaning of his words.

"If tha' were the case, I can't wait for ye ta keel over," mutters Gobber quietly.

"I don't mean to disrespect our glorious Chief but anything can happen to any of us. We need another heir before Stoick loses a battle to a dragon, a Night Fury perhaps."

"Mildew you sound ridiculous. There hasn't been a Night Fury attacking Berk since three summers ago. Damned things are probably gone for good, thank Odin," spits Spitelout.

"We need an heir Stoick!" yells Mildew.

"And we shall have another child worthy of the title Mildew; once Valka and I are ready."

"Better make it fast Chief; your days are numbered!" cries Mildew.

"So are yours Mildew." Stoick turns to Spitelout. "Get him out of my sight." Spitelout nods and escorts Mildew forcefully away from the Great Hall. Stoick turns to face the silent crowd. "As you are well aware, my son was killed last night. No one is to blame for this tragedy. You all know the drill for the home repairs. All I ask of you is to give Valka and I time to grieve for our loss." Stoick sounds exhausted through his short speech. Vikings start heading down the steps while Gobber and Stoick enter the hall.

As they approach the table, Halvar stands up to greet him. "My apologies Chief, Ingrid and I are going back to our house to start repairing the damage from last night." Stoick simply nods. "Ingrid, let's go."

"I'm sorry Valka," whispers Ingrid before following her husband out the door while carrying a now crying Astrid.

"Asmund, I assume your home was damaged too. You may leave."

"Thank you Chief. I don't know if I said this before but the Ingerman clan offer their condolences."

Stoick and Valka give small nods and Asmund leaves the Hall quickly. Stoick turns to face his best friend. "Gobber, I assume you have work to do?"

"As always Stoick, I'll get ta it now." Gobber turns and limps towards the giant doors.

Stoick gives Valka a loving hug and just holds her as she continues to cry.


Later that night in the Hofferson household, Halvar and Ingrid just finished putting Astrid to bed and are now sitting around the fire in the main hall of their home. "Honey, I need to tell you something. For your ears only," says Halvar.

"What is it Halvar?" asks Ingrid.

He looks at her in the eye. "It's about the Jorgensons."

"Oh no, what happened now?" she asks worryingly.

"Spitelout is already taking about marriage proposals since Hiccup is… no longer with us."

"Are you kidding me?! Astrid is barely three days old and he is already taking about marriage!" shrieks Ingrid.

"I feel like something bad is going to happen soon Ingrid." Halvar sounds very serious in his words.

"Like what?"

"I have a feeling that Spitelout is going to usurp the throne from Stoick somehow, now that the Heir is gone."

"Spitelout makes me sick. There is no way that his son will be marrying our daughter!"

"I'm glad we're on the same page then," deadpans Halvar. "Look, Spitelout has always been power hungry. He could try to convince the village to overthrow Stoick and make the Jorgensons the royal family of Berk."

"Then we should stop him now before he gets any bright ideas."

"And what, start a civil war? No, we have to be subtle about this. We must gather our most trusted allies and protect the Chief."

"So we get the Ingermans and Gobber?"

"Exactly my plan. We have to be quiet about it though; small council meetings, that sort of thing. I'll talk to Asmund tomorrow in private and see what he thinks. We have to prove to Stoick that Spitelout is planning to be more than just 'Second-in-Command'."

"We have to be careful about this though Halvar or dragons won't be the only thing we will have to worry about."

"You're right. Because if the Jorgenson clan rises to power, Gods help us all.


Chapter 2 is Completed

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