Chapter 2: A change to new ways

Berk village centre, late-morning, 268 ADF

After Hiccup was finally done speaking to Fishlegs' father, damn that guy can talk a lot, he was scourging the village in search of his friends. Walking around was a little easier now since most of the snow was already moved out of the way.

"Where to go where to go…" Hiccup pondered before turning to Toothless. "You got anything boy?"

Toothless sniffed and crooned. "That way." He motioned his head. "I smell your girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend!" Hiccup argued but went in that direction none the less.

"Keep telling yourself that." Toothless crooned.

Hiccup passed through several alleyways were Vikings were busy with their daily tasks. He even narrowly avoided running into a man with his arms full of firewood. "Wow, excuse me sir." He excused as he dodged him.

"Oh, morning Hiccup."

"Morning." Hiccup greeted back before continuing his search. He eventually arrived at the forge. What a surprise…

"Peekaboo?" Hiccup said as he stuck his head inside. Both his sister and the rest of the gang were present. Hicca was helping Gobber while the rest just hung around and Astrid tried very hard to figure out what they were making that morning.

"Well Gobber, having a little overpopulation problem?" Hiccup asked.

"Took the words right outta me mouth lad." Gobber said as he waved his hammer appendage around. "You kids need to find another place to muck around."

"But it's warm here." Tuffnut protested.

"A little cold won't kill ya." Gobber rebutted. "Now go, yer leader is here so move." He said as he pushed everyone out, including Hicca.

"Wa-wait Gobber! I work here!" Hicca protested.

"Yes, but these lads gather around you and your brother like flies around a rotten piece of meat. Besides, I can handle it for now." Gobber said as he closed the door.

"Well, thanks a lot I guess." Hicca said as she turned to the rest of the group looking sheepish.

"Sorry…" Fishlegs said. "We didn't mean to intrude."

Hicca signed. "It doesn't matter Fishlegs. We'll do something else in the meantime." She said before turning to her brother. "We're going to need an extra forge soon."

"Agreed, we're working on it." Hiccup said. "Just need to get a place from dad to build it."

"What are you planning?" Astrid asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Change Astrid. We're planning change." Hiccup said with a smile.

"Vive la revolution…" Hicca coughed.

"No, not that kind of change Hicca." Hiccup chastised. "Just some improvements to the village."

"What kind?" Astrid asked intrigued. Meanwhile the group started to exit the main village in favour of the small hill just before the bridge to the arena.

"Small upgrades and things here and there." Hiccup said as he waved his arms around a bit. "Not really sure what I'm going to do first."

"Maybe you should build a house first." Hicca commented.

"That is the plan." Hiccup said. "In the meantime, what do we do?"

"Don't know, talk about our place in the universe?" Tuffnut said to which everyone looked at him with an expression of… 'what'.

"How about we don't." Hicca said before gesturing to her brother. "Because he'll go on for hours if we do."

"How about instead you guys tell us what was said at the meeting." Ruffnut cut in, as they reached the beginning of the bridge that led to the training arena.

"Have the others not told you yet?" Hiccup asked as he leaned against a pole. "Unless I'm out of the loop there wasn't anything said that's classified."

"Classified?" Ruffnut asked.

"Made secret." Tuffnut explained. "The act of hiding very important matters critical to the group or state."

The rest looked at him with wide eyes, some looked mildly impressed. "What? I know words!" Tuffnut protested.

Ruffnut batted her brother on the back of the head. "I knew that stupid. Hiccup continue." She said.

"Fine fine. So, what do you know?" Hiccup asked.

"Nothing at all." Ruff and Tuff said in unison. Wearing that typical Thorston smile.

"Right, so first of all the other tribes in the Archipelago think I'm dead…" Hiccup began.

"Wait, what? But you're clearly alive…" Tuffnut asked.

"He means that the other tribes don't know he exists." Astrid provided. "Remember when we thought he died as a baby? It's like that."

"Oh… right." Tuffnut understood now.

"Why would that be a problem?" Ruffnut asked.

"Because they're visiting soon." Hiccup said.

"Ah, that's going to be awkward." Ruffnut mused, all too well aware of the events from last year.

"On top of that we discussed an alliance treaty. Stoick should announce it by dinnertime." Astrid added. She then glanced at the nearby arena and let out a long sign. One that Hiccup didn't miss.

Now this was something Hiccup was still very new at. He didn't even know what he had to think after last night. Sure she hugged and kissed him, and Hicca seems very much set on getting both of them together but that was just the point. Were they together? Or did he have to court her? Hiccup had no idea how courting worked in Vikings society and picking up on certain behaviour cues was risky. What could mean one thing back in the Empire could very likely get your head lobbed off in Viking society.

"Astrid? You okay?" He asked hesitantly.

Astrid's head shot up like she came just out of some sort of dream state. "Huh, yeah. Sure I'm fine." She said.

Hiccup nodded. "It's just you seemed a little frustrated just then."

"About what?" Hiccup asked with genuine curiosity.

"It's just that after lunch I'll have to go train the kids again." Astrid signed.

Ruffnut put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "And we commend you for your sacrifice. We'll remember you." She said as she draped an arm over her own forehead. It was quite clear she was joking.

"Thanks Ruff." Astrid deadpanned as she shoved the affronted twin.

"Can't be that bad can it?" Hiccup said nonchalantly.

"Oh believe me, it is." Astrid grumbled. "Mostly because the knuckleheads never listen."

"Doesn't Gobber help you with them?" Hicca asked. Remembering training was always given by Gobber in the past.

"Astrid got asked to assist not long after you two left." Fishlegs supplied. "She took over fully about six months ago."

"Ah, that explains a lot." Hicca hummed.

"Which reminds me. You were supposed to be in this class Hicca." Astrid said with a grin.

Hicca blanched before putting up her hands in defence. "Oh no, I'm not going through boot-camp again!" She said. Meanwhile Hiccup was audibly snickering at the idea. "That's not funny!" Hicca shouted at him.

"Aw come on Hicca, it can't be that bad." Hiccup said in-between laughs. "Viking training can't be that harsh."

"Excuse me?!" Came from two angry looking females.

Hiccup instantly shrunk back. Not so much because of Ruffnut but because Astrid, the epicentre of is affection, was right in his face and angry.

"Eh, please don't hurt me?" Hiccup squeaked.

"You never had Viking training Haddock." Astrid said as she stabbed a finger in his chest. Albeit had little effect due to the armour but the image remained. Hiccup leaning against a pole bending his back as far backwards as he could while Astrid hung right above him with a finger in his chest.

"Then I'll come and pay a visit." He said with an uncertain smile.

"That's better." Astrid said as she withdrew. Hiccup was able to stand up properly again and looked upon Astrid's face to see a very pleased smile.

"You did that on purpose." Hiccup grumbled as he rubbed the back of his head.

"You can't prove anything Haddock." She said cheekily. "And as for you-"Astrid said as she pointed at Hicca. "-I'll be expecting you as well."

Hicca grumbled. "Fine, I'll be there. But don't expect me to follow with your training."

"We'll see about that young lady." Astrid joked.

Berk Kill-ring, early afternoon

"Come on you numb-nuts, I said run! Not crawl!" Astrid was heard shouting from the arena as Hiccup and his sister approached. They had been slightly delayed from coming due to their mother asking for pointers for Cloudjumper. Truthfully for the Berkians to see their Chieftess training a dragon was something else. And now they were finished with that the two hurried towards the training arena where to their surprise Fishlegs and the twins were already present and spectating.

The two hurried over and greeted their friends. "Hey guys, sorry we're late. Mom held us back for a moment." Hicca said.

"No problem here. Astrid might be mad though." Fishlegs said.

"Yeah." Ruffnut added as she turned from hanging on the railing. "The kids down there are extra bad today."

"Especially Gustav." Fishlegs added.

"Gustav?" Hiccup asked. He hadn't heard that name yet.

Hicca signed and grumbled at the same time. She unfortunately knew who that was. "Essentially a mini Snotlout." She said without thinking.

Hiccup's mood darkened. He wasn't going to deal with a character like that again. Fishlegs luckily noticed and intervened. "He's not like that. He was just a great admirer of Snot before he was… well."

"Exiled." Hiccup said with a scowl.

"Yeah, give the kid a chance. He isn't as bad as he seems." Fishlegs pleaded, understanding that Hiccup was likely a character that didn't trust people easily. Right at this moment Astrid seemed to notice both Haddocks had finally arrived.

"Finally, took you two long enough!" Astrid shouted. In response Hiccup leaned against the metal bars.

"Hi Astrid, sorry. We got held up by our mom." Hiccup said. "Now I'm watching. Now you can prove to me that Viking training can add up to ours." He teased.

"You're on Haddock." Astrid shot back before turning to her unfortunate victims. "Come on, keep going. Stick with your buddy, move it along!" She encouraged.

With many complaints and grumbles the kids continued around the circumference of the arena. Several minutes later Astrid ordered them to stop and assemble in the middle of the arena. They looked ragged and out of breath but they were still standing. Hiccup had to give them that.

"Right, now pick a spot in the arena with your buddy. We're doing duelling now. Pick your weapons and get a move on!" Astrid ordered.

Hiccup meanwhile looked at the scene with genuine curiosity. Partly for the training but mostly for the instructor, and you couldn't blame him honestly. Hicca meanwhile leaned on the bars and watched indifferently. So far she wasn't really impressed.

One of the kids in the arena however noticed her standing there and protested. "Miss Astrid! Shouldn't Hicca be in here as well? She hasn't done her training yet!" He protested.

Hicca's head shot up with this comment and she immediately glared at the affronting teen. "Gustav! You know well enough why I'm not in that ring with the rest of you!" She shot back.

"Easy for you to say! Who can prove that everything you said you've done is true?! You haven't completed training so you're no real Viking yet!" The boy Gustav taunted, getting full of himself. "Maybe it's all a lie and you're still just Hicca the Useless."

-THUD- The sound of a pair of boots hitting the stone floor of the arena was heard even before the words had truly left Gustav's mouth. Hicca had jumped down from the balcony and was now striding right towards Gustav with a face that promised a lot of pain. In other words… she was pissed.

Astrid already made a move to stop the girls from hurting or potentially killing her tribemate though Hiccup waved her attention and gestured for her not to interfere. He knew that at this point there was no stopping her and frankly he didn't want her to stop. The boy needed to be knocked down a peg or two.

Gustav however did notice Astrid's intention in stopping Hicca and a perverted grin appeared on his face. "Astrid, babe I know you can't resist me. Don't worry, I can handle her just fine." He bragged.

Astrid's brows furrowed. "Ugh. Do whatever you want." Astrid said as she stepped away with disgust. The rest of the kids in training took some steps back as well seeing as they really didn't want to step in-between Gustav and the angry Haddock.

"You have a lot of nerve Larsson…" Hicca said dangerously.

"Pff, big words. I can take you on any day." Gustav boasted.

"Is that a challenge I hear?" Hicca asked as she balled her fists.

"Call it a promise." Gustav said before lunging forward with a balled fist expecting to down her with a single punch to prove his claim. Shame for him it never connected.

Hicca dodged out of the way of the punch and pinned the arm when it was fully extended. Now that Gustav was out of balance she jumped up and used her legs to perform a grappling hold on his neck and use her momentum to wretch his body from the ground fling him through the air. He landed with a hard thud on the cold stone floor and Hicca had him very effectively pinned on his stomach while holding his head and one of his arms in a grappling hold with her legs. He was trapped, dazed and couldn't move.

"Say again tough guy?" Hicca taunted. "Not such a big mouth now have we?"

"Gggg…ga-h…" Gustav choked out beneath her.

"I thought so." Hicca said before releasing her grappling hold and standing up. Stretching het back for a moment before looking at the rest of the group who were looking at her with wide eyes and their jaws on the floor.

"Can you do that?" Astrid whisper-asked Hiccup who was standing exactly above her.

"I can..." Hiccup answered. "Though she's far more agile than me."

"You got to teach me that one." Astrid mouthed to Hicca.

"Deal" Hicca said. "So, are there any more objections?!" She asked as she addressed the rest of the kids who quickly shook their heads. "No, good. Astrid you can have them back."

"Thanks Hicca, but you're still staying here." Astrid said as she detached herself from the arena-wall.

"Wait, what?!" Hicca asked surprised.

"You heard me. Training has started and you're participating. I was Gobber's assistant and now you're mine." Astrid said.

"But I already am Gobber's assistant in the forge." Hicca complained. "I have no time for this. But I know someone just as good who can take my place here." She said with a smile.

On the balcony above Hiccup's eyes widened. He knew where she was going with this. "And he's right up there." Hicca said. Yup, could've guessed it.

Astrid smiled along with the Haddock girl. That would be very preferable. "You know, I'm going to take you up on that offer." She said.

"Do I get a say in this?" Hiccup asked.

"Nope, get down here Haddock." Astrid ordered.

"Guh, this stuff never happened when I was an officer. At least I got some respect for the rank…. Veteran seniority means nothing…" Hiccup grumbled quietly as he climbed over the railing and jumped down, though the rest of the group could clearly understand him. "Fine, what's next?"

"Exercising." Astrid said with a terrifying smile. The rest of the kids gulped in terror. Hiccup saw this and smiled. 'This could be fun.' He thought.

Meanwhile Gustav got up from where he was thrown by Hicca and looked up to the female Haddock with admiring eyes. "Oh, I'm so in love…" He said to himself.

And so it came to be that the recruits spend their afternoon running around the arena over and over again. Occasionally chased by and angry Viking with an axe and thrown around by a man who seemed to enjoy this a bit too much. Hiccup channelled his inner drill sergeant with gusto and demonstrated he inherited his voice from his father. After a while the dragons decided to join in and turned it from a Viking training into a game of bat the Viking. Which Toothless won by the way. In the end the kids went home battered and bruised with maybe a newfound fear of Astrid and her training methods. And a sense of dread for whatever ways of physical torture the Haddock's could come up with.

Great-Hall, dinnertime

The rest of the day passed relatively quickly and by the time the group arrived at the Great-Hall most of the village residents were already present. They quickly found themselves an empty table and grabbed some food from the common pot before setting down there. Like always both Haddocks planted their helmets in front of them on the table, like it was some sort of tradition. Meanwhile Fishlegs and Tuffnut had gone and fetched a plate of drinks, there was no need for them to disturb the kitchen personnel when they could do it themselves. While they were doing this they got some sidelong looks and attracted several whispers of some of the kids sitting nearby. Hiccup took great pleasure in looking at them from the corner of his eyes and giving them a toothy smile to make them scurry back. Joke never got old.

Meanwhile Hicca was using one of her combat knives to eat her meal, safe to say the blade was a little bit bigger than they normally would have on the table.

"What is that? A meat cleaver?" Ruffnut asked eying up the blade.

Hicca chuckled and shook her head. "No, it's a combat knife." She said as she waved around with a piece of cheese stuck on the tip. "I know it isn't your average butter knife but I've used it for years now. Kinda got attached to it." She explained before taking a bite out of the cheese, holding the razor sharp and serrated blade dangerously close to her face.

"Can I have one?" Tuffnut asked with hope in his eyes.

Hicca opened her mouth and slowly breathed in. "… no." She simple said as she pointed the tip at him to empathise her point. "By the way, we have knifes similar to this one so don't complain."

"Yes, but it is a different design." Fishlegs supplied.

"Different design, same function Fish. Just because it as a serrated edge and a wider blade doesn't make it any different." Hicca countered. "I can know, I've made plenty knives before."

"Okay, different subject guys." Astrid intervened. "Like when were you guys planning to tell us what you were building in Gobber's shop?"

"Hmm?" Hiccup hummed as he was just drinking his mead at that moment. "Oh, right." He remembered before setting down his pint. "We were making snowboards."

"Snow-what now?" Ruffnut asked.

"Snowboarding." Hicca repeated.

"I have the feeling that there's a story behind that. Even though I have no idea what you're talking about." Astrid mentioned.

Hiccup started chuckling. "Oh yeah, there is a story behind that. And a good one I dare say. Imagine a small town in the mountains, mind you this was a very long time ago. It happened before the war." He began. "It was winter and like it is now a large packet of snow was sitting on the mountainside. Now the people of this village were building, I don't know… a house or something. On the side there was some wooden scaffolding however it wasn't as stable as it should've been."

"I can already see where this is going…" Astrid said.

"So the scaffolding collapsed and the carpenter slid off with his feet still on the plank. And so he became the first man to slide off the side of a mountain using a wooden plank. Something that still exists nowadays." Hiccup said as he finished his story.

"And what happened to the carpenter?" Fishlegs asked carefully.

"He crashed into a rock on the way down. Broke an arm, both legs and a couple of ribs." Hiccup said casually.

"That does not sound healthy." Ruffnut said. For once not joking.

"It isn't." Hicca said. "But that's what makes it so alluring."

"Are all of you this crazy?" Fishlegs asked.

"Yes." Both siblings said simultaneously. They continued this conversation for a couple of minutes longer, drawing out vaguely what the siblings were planning on doing the next day. This train of thought came to an end when Hicca saw her father and the lawspeaker approaching.

"Heads up, trouble incoming." She said while stabbing another piece of fish with her knife.

"Son, I'd like to introduce you to someone." Stoick said as he reached the table. "This is Lawspeaker Bladewit clanhead Ingerman. She's Fishlegs' aunt and the one that keeps the laws of our island." He introduced the heavyset brown haired woman next to him. "She and I wish to talk about your future hall."

"Future hall? Could you clarify because I'm not really following?" Hiccup asked. "Also pleased to meet you ma'am."

"Hello young Hiccup." Lawspeaker Bladewit said. "Would you mind joining us at the main table? We have a lot to discuss."

"Um, sure I guess." Hiccup said, still wholly unfamiliar with Viking customs. He bid a quick goodbye from his friend who unfortunately weren't invited to this conversation. Bladewit and Stoick led him back to their table and sat down on either side of him before unfurling a detailed map of the village before him. Bladewit then highlighted two spots on the map with her finger.

"Since you expressed the desire to construct your own hall we've decided to go over the location as well as some rules young Haddock." Bladewit began.

"Wait, rules? I'm sorry lady but I'm a bit out of the loop here." Hiccup said. "What do you mean rules? I guess if everyone just did what they wanted you get chaos I get that but what are you referring to?"

"You see lad, you don't just build your own hall out of nothing. First you need to run your request by the village council and have them approve it. I see no problems there, but the next step involves that you pay for the land you use." Bladewit informed him. "And then there's the matter of resources. You need to provide for the labour and building materials needed for your hall. Your clan may assist in the cost of course but it's a pricy undertaking. Are you sure you can afford it young man?"

Hiccup looked confused for a moment before a cheeky smile dawned on his face. "I may or may not already possess all the materials needed. And concerning the payment of the land…" He continued while he fished out a small golden coin out of one of his pockets. "I don't know what kind of currency is used here but I think this would do." He said as he threw the coin on the map.

Stoick picked up the small piece of metal and carefully looked it over, a solid gold coin with the Imperial insignia stamped on both sides. "What is this?" He asked.

Hiccup smirked. "What, you think I didn't get paid for my services?" He said as he took the coin out of his father's hand. "This is one Imperial Kroner, you're likely going to see more of those in the near future." He explained.

"Hmm, we'll discuss the costs at later date. In any case that leaves only the place up for discussion." Bladewit said. "The question is, what are you planning to do?"

Hiccup hummed. "As you both likely suspect, the things I tend to do are rather dangerous. So, instead of demolishing Gobber's forge during the first accident involving explosives I thought about building a secondary forge where I can work and enhance the village's output when it comes to forging." He said. "That would be the first part, the second part will need some more dragons and can be put on the back-foot."

"More dragons?" Bladewit asked. "Aren't there enough of them already."

"Three dragons hardly amounts to the hundreds present in the Empire. Though I can understand your reservations about the entire endeavour. However now is not the time to remain stagnant, we must move along into the future. And I think this is the way to do it." Hiccup said.

Bladewit hummed. "A reasonable argument, though I'm not convinced everyone will be swayed by fancy words young Haddock."

"She has a point Hiccup. Even I ain't convinced yet." Stoick added.

"Even after mom bonded with Cloudjumper?" Hiccup asked.

"Well…" Stoick rubbed his hands. "Your mother was always someone who advocated for peace. And while there's nothing wrong with that, I rather have it this way. The leap for her is far smaller than for the average Berkian." He said.

Hiccup thought for a moment. "So if I manage to convince actual Berkians who lived through the war others would be more inclined to accept dragons living amongst us?" He asked.

"That… could work son." Stoick said looking to Bladewit who nodded in agreement.

"Good!" Hiccup said clapping his hands together. "Then the first thing we'll do is launch an expedition to find more dragons and hopefully have them bond with several volunteers."

"If you can find some who are willing to follow you." Bladewit reminded.

Hiccup took a quick glance towards the table his friends were at. "I doubt that would be a problem."

"If you think so young Haddock." Bladewit commented.

"Trust me, I know it." Hiccup smirked. "Now is there anything else to discuss?"

"The location of your new hall son." Stoick reminded.

"Oh, yeah. Would you believe me if I said I totally forgot that?" Hiccup commented.

Stoick nodded. "Somehow it doesn't…" He mumbled, thinking back to how his daughter behaved sometimes.

"So, you have two options." Bladewit said pointing over the map. "The first one is here, on the cliff edge overlooking the dock. And the second being here, on the east side of the Great-Hall between the village and the arena."

Hiccup hummed for a moment. "I would suggest the second option, more so because we'd be working with some less stable things." He said.

"Less than stable…?" Bladewit questioned.

To illustrate Hiccup merely unhooked one of the grenades he kept with him from his belt and held it up. "Unstable in this variety."

Bladewit made a pointed look at Stoick. "As long as you don't blow up the village. He's your responsibility chief." She said.

"Don't worry, I'll behave." Hiccup added with a smile.

"That remains to be seen young Haddock. There are rules that must be followed." Bladewit warned. "This meeting is concluded."

Hiccup nodded and stood up, he gave a quick nod to his father and hurried back to the table occupied with his friends.

"I have the feeling she doesn't like me." He said when he arrived back. "Or is she just always like that." He asked, directing his question towards Fishlegs.

Fishlegs shrugged. "Maybe, she's very serious about her job and responsibilities."

"Or perhaps you just embody the winds of change." Hicca supplied. "You know very little of Viking tradition nor our history. Obviously she's going to be a little biased about outsiders."

"That and you did leave an impression last time you came here." Ruffnut said.

Tuffnut hummed in agreement with his sister. "And both of you have dragons."

Hiccup nodded. "Those are all… very good points actually. I hadn't looked at it like that. Guess she'll have to warm up to me?" He pondered.

"Not the dragon-fire kind of way." Hicca joked.

Hiccup chuckled. "Yes, not that kind of warming up."

"Regardless of that." Astrid interjected. "What now?"

"Right now we should discuss our coming expedition." Hiccup said while crossing his fingers. "If you guys are so adamant on becoming dragon-riders then we have to go to them. And now is the period with the greatest chance of success."

"Could we not just catch a couple of dragons and try it that way? No need for us to make an extended journey to…" Tuffnut argued.

Hiccup slammed his fist on the table. "No!" This shut the male twin up. "There will be no trapping dragons …ever."

"Easy brother." Hicca warned. "We're on Berk, not hunting pirates remember."

Hiccup shook his head for a moment. "Right, sorry. But the point remains. No trapping." To which Tuffnut nodded quickly. "Instead Hicca and I will take you all to a nearby nesting-ground. There you will have to attempt to bond with a dragon. I won't guarantee you will but there is a chance. Either take it or leave it."

"Take it." Ruffnut said immediately.

The rest of the group nodded as well so Hiccup continued. "I'm deciding it now, the day after tomorrow we set out with the airship. My sister and I will take the bridge, you four pack a single bag of everything you would need and meet us at the boarding ramp by sunrise. You won't need your weapons so leave them here."

"What! But we're going towards a dragon nest! Are you…" Astrid said indignantly.

"Leave the weapons on Berk." Hiccup repeated. "That's an order."

"Excuse you dude, but you're not the Chief." Tuffnut remarked. "Just because you're his son you can't just order us around after one day here."

"Tuffnut." Hicca began. "We're going to find dragons specifically to bond with them. You won't need a weapon for that. And while yes he can't order you around here the fact remains, that airship out there is technically his. As is the expedition."

"But what if we get attacked, or worse…" Fishlegs argued.

"Then we will make sure nothing happens to any of you." Hiccup supplied.

"So you would leave us defenceless?"

"Well, no. I mean." Hiccup began before signing. "This was so much easier back during the war. Everyone knew the rules and everything went according to plan."

"Then what is the plan?" Astrid asked, crossing her arms.

"I just want to prevent anyone going out there with a sword in their hand and making an entire nesting ground feel threatened." Hiccup explained. "Because when that happens neither of us," He said gesturing at himself and his sister. "Would be able to save you."

"Alright then, how about this. We can take them with us, but we leave them near the ship when we go 'bonding' as you call it." Astrid proposed.

Hiccup hummed. "That could actually work. He looked over and got a nod back from his sister. "Alright then, so it shall be."

And so it begins, this chapter had been pre-written when the first chapter was published so that's why it came out that fast. One of the reasons I waited so long is because I wanted to have a bit of a buffer to publish. Kind of like a friend of mine does with 'A Thing of Vikings' (Go read that, it's great.) Though life has this way of getting in the way of plans huh. Anyway…

I really want to thank everyone who reviewed the first chapter, you have no idea how much it means to me. Or maybe you're a writer as well, in that case you probably do. I just have one more question, in the previous story I always answered to reviews in this section. Should I keep doing that or not? I haven't decided yet. Until next time.