Author's Note:

Hello everyone and welcome to the second chapter. A word of warning, this is a bit of an emotional chapter but considering what the story is about, it's kind of expected. Thank you all those who've shown their support so far and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I own nothing.

Chapter 2

"Guys!?"

Snotlout's voice seemed to snap them out of their shock and Astrid suddenly darted forward and hugged him.

"Snotlout!"

"Huh?"

He sat there awkwardly as the girl who was least tolerant of him tightly hugged him, completely thrown by this sudden affection he wasn't sure what to do. Things only got weirder when he realised that she was crying and then Ruffnut flung herself upon him, openly sobbing. Behind her, Tuffnut was weeping and Fishlegs looked like he could barely believe his eyes. Completely confused, Snotlout spoke carefully, "Um, what's happening?"

The two girls froze then slowly released him, wearing looks of what could only be described as pity. They all looked to Hiccup and he stepped forward, looking the most tentative and nervous that Snotlout had ever seen him, "Snotlout…"

He stopped and took a deep breath before fixing him with a look that filled him with dread.

"You've been missing for fifteen years."

Nothing could describe what Snotlout was feeling.

There was no way anything could prepare you for missing fifteen years, it was ridiculous, crazy, an impossibility. Something like that just didn't happen! At first, he'd wanted to laugh, claim it all as some stupid prank they were trying to pull but he never got that far. He'd sat there, trying to come up with mocking words for their ridiculous story but as he stared at them, he began to believe it more and more.

They were all taller, older, a couple of them even had the odd grey hair. They looked more mature, their eyes held more experience. These things couldn't be explained away by very good make up, they were too real, too genuine and could not be explained by anything other than aging. Even the dragons looked older, they were bigger, stronger and Toothless held this regal aura that he'd never seen before. Snotlout's mind wanted nothing more than to say it was just one huge dream but it felt too real, it was really happening.

Fishlegs had spouted some theory about the island being frozen in time or something but Snotlout wasn't that concerned with how it had happened, he was still too focused on the fact it had.

After the whirling maelstrom that was his thoughts after Hiccup's words, he'd run off away from everyone else, too confused and shocked to do anything else. He'd eventually come to the beach and he'd sat heavily upon the sand, trying to wrap his head around it all.

Fifteen years, that was the entirety of his lifespan. All of his peers were now double his age! What had happened to Berk in that time? What had happened to his father? The rest of the tribe? Had his family moved on, forgotten about him? He wouldn't be surprised if some of them had actually celebrated when he'd vanished. How'd the rest of the Riders been without him and Hookfang? Had they actually been better off?

He pressed his head into his hands and groaned, what in Thor's name was he supposed to do now?

"Snotlout?"

Hiccup's, older, way-more-more-mature-than-it-should-be voice came from behind him but Snotlout couldn't bring himself to answer. The man padded over and gently sat beside him, placing a tentative hand on his shoulder, "How are you coping?"

The boy nearly gave a snort of sarcastic laughter, how the heck was he supposed to answer that?

He groaned and looked up, disbelief filling his voice, "Fifteen years!" He sighed, "I have no idea how to handle this."

"Yeah, I really wouldn't expect you to."

Somehow, Hiccup's answer calmed him a bit and he gave a little laugh then looked down again, "How come no one found me until now?"

Hiccup squeezed his shoulder, "When you and Hookfang vanished, we searched for weeks. Scouring every island, attacking every enemy ship, searching every tribe in the whole Archipelago, but there was no trace of either of you." He glanced at the forest behind them, "Whatever froze you both in time concealed this entire island. Until yesterday, this was nothing but empty ocean. One of our patrols saw the whole thing appear before his eyes, we'd come to investigate and that's when we found you."

Snotlout felt him pat his shoulder, "I know this is a huge amount to take in, believe me, we're all as shocked and confused. However, we're here for you if you need us, it's not going to be easy but we'll do everything we can to help you. That's a promise."

Though still barely wrapping his mind around everything, Snotlout gave him a grateful smile, "Thank you Hiccup." He tried to lighten things a little, "I guess dad will be over the moon to see me again, he might even crack a smile."

At his words, Hiccup's face fell and he looked away. Snotlout's smile was instantly replaced by worry, "Is my dad okay? Is he alive?"

"Yes Snotlout, he's still alive." Snotlout sighed with relief but Hiccup's next words worried him, "However, he's not …the same as he was."

He lightly patted Snotlout's arm, "I'll take you to see him as soon as we get back to Berk, but I don't think I can explain it all well enough here, it'll be hard."

Before Snotlout could ask further, Astrid came out from the trees, "Hiccup! Fishlegs thinks it's likely the island will vanish again soon. We should leave while we can."

Hiccup turned and nodded, "You're right."

He stood and offered a hand to Snotlout, "Want to head home?"

Snotlout hesitated, scared of what he'd find if he did return, but he gently took Hiccup's hand.

"Yeah."

The flight home was silent.

Not long after they'd left the island, it drained of colour and faded out of sight, leaving only empty ocean once more. As they headed for Berk, no one said anything but then what could they say. For fifteen years, they'd believed Snotlout to be dead, finding him alive was shock enough, finding that he hadn't aged in all that time was even worse.

While Snotlout had slept for that time, it being no more than a moment for him, they'd lived it. They'd searched the oceans looking for him, they'd embarked on the fruitless trips to countless islands trying to find their lost friend and finally, they'd stood on the shore and fired the arrows to light the empty funeral pyre, only realising how close they'd been to him once he'd disappeared. They'd grieved and shed tears, waited for some arrogant remark or ridiculous boast that never came, for weeks Hiccup would go to give instructions to Snotlout, only to find he was no longer there and reminding them all of their loss all over again. Eventually, they moved on, accepting that he was not returning and carrying his memory in their hearts.

And now he'd returned, not even a moment older than when he'd left, and they worried about how he'd cope with the lost years, the way the world had moved on without him.

Soon, Berk came into view, its landscape greatly changed over fifteen years. Hiccup's inventions for dragon habitation melded into the village, feeding towers stood proudly beside houses, the forge had expanded and mighty stands surrounded the finish line for the Dragon Races.

As it appeared, Hiccup guided Toothless over beside Stormfly and spoke to Astrid in a low voice, "I'm going to fly on ahead and speak to the village, if we just arrive with Snotlout they'll swarm him and that's the last thing he needs. Take him straight to Spitelout's and wait for me there."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" She glanced briefly at Snotlout, "It might be too much for him."

"He needs to know." Hiccup sighed, "It's probably better that he learns sooner rather than later and he won't stop asking until he does."

She glanced sadly at the boy once more but nodded, "Okay."

He gave a small smile then pulled away, reaching the village well ahead of the others.

As he landed, villagers flocked towards him, Gobber in the lead, "And there he is! Well Chief, how did it go?"

Hiccup dismounted Toothless and looked over the sea of worried faces, "We investigated the island and I'll give a full explanation in time, however, when we were there we found someone who's been missing for a very long time."

He paused, bracing for the inevitable uproar, "Snotlout Jorgenson."

Instantly there was a mighty outcry and people pressed in from all sides, throwing questions from all angles.

"How'd you find him?"

"Where's he been?"

"Was he captured?"

"Does he know about his father?"

Hiccup nodded at Toothless and the Night Fury gave a loud roar, silencing the crowd. The chief gave his friend a thankful smile then addressed them, "I'll answer all of your questions as best as I can but firstly I must ask all of you to please give him some space for the time being, he's been through a lot and is still very confused and shocked about it all. Please don't bombard him with questions and give him time to readjust to being back on Berk, he has been gone for fifteen years. I'm going to take him to see his father now but I will give a full explanation as to everything that has happened in the Great Hall shortly, please make your way there if you want answers."

Obediently, the crowd gradually dispersed and shuffled off towards the Great Hall, Hiccup gave a short sigh of relief before remounting Toothless and flying towards an out of the way house in a quiet corner of the village.

Snotlout was torn between rushing into the house and refusing to enter at all.

Astrid had brought him straight to where his father now apparently lived. It was a small hut, built on the outskirts of the village close to the sea cliffs and forest. It was not the kind of place he imagined his father living and he wondered what had caused him to move from his old home.

Toothless landed with a flapping of wings and Hiccup was soon stood beside him, the man looked down at him, "You ready to go in?"

Snotlout hesitated, he feared what he'd find and he remembered Hiccup's expression when he mentioned his father, he both did and did not want to see him. A gentle hand was placed on his back and he looked up to see Astrid, she gave him a soft smile, "C'mon."

She guided him over to the door and knocked, it opened to reveal a much older Mrs Thorston and the woman gasped in shock when she saw Snotlout.

"I don't believe it!"

She made to speak but Hiccup interrupted her, "We'll explain later but he needs to see Spitelout."

She gaped a bit but then collected herself and nodded, "Yes, of course."

She held the door open and Astrid shared a look with her husband and Hiccup spoke, "Snotlout, I need to go and tell the village what happened but Astrid will stay with you."

Snotlout glanced at him and nodded and Astrid gently guided him inside. As the door closed, Mrs Thorston began speaking, "I'm not sure how much Hiccup has told you but I'm afraid that the years have not been kind to your father, he's aged far quicker than he should've done." She paused at a second, closed door, "I can promise that this will be really difficult for you to see, if you think you need more time then please take it."

Snotlout took a deep breath, he'd never been one for taking time over anything, "It's okay, I want to see him."

She nodded in understanding and gently opened the door, "Spitelout, there's a special visitor here to see you."

With a gentle push from Astrid, Snotlout entered the room.

It was small and clean, a neat desk stood against one wall and a large rocking chair was sat in the corner. The back window was open, letting in the sound of the ocean and one or two weapons decorated the wall. The back wall was graced by a large bed, liberally covered with blankets and Spitelout himself was sat there, propped up by several cushions.

He did indeed look very old, his hair and light beard were completely grey, neatly combed and well cared for. Though not wrinkled, his face was haggard and his once mighty build was frail and small. He was wrapped in blankets and hands that once wielded an axe with little effort, were now gently clasped on his lap, looking weak and weary.

He looked up as they entered and Mrs Thorston pushed Snotlout forward, "This is Snotlout, he's been really wanting to visit you."

Spitelout looked at his son, "Snotlout…" He smiled, "I once had a son called Snotlout."

Snotlout stepped forward, "Dad…"

Spitelout frowned, "Or was his name Griplout?" He smiled again, "Well you look like a fine young Viking, I was like you once, had adventures you wouldn't believe. I took on some of the strongest dragons, though my son was one of the first to ride them."

He then looked away vaguely and fell silent, Snotlout turned to Astrid tearfully, "Why doesn't he recognise me?"

She placed her hands on his shoulders comfortingly as Mrs Thorston answered, "It's not his fault, for the last couple of years he's slowly become more and more ill. The healer says that its incurable and that we'll eventually lose him. He often doesn't recognise anyone, not even his closest friends and his memory has been disappearing."

Astrid spoke softly, "Me and Hiccup visit as often as we can but there are times when he doesn't remember meeting us at all, sometimes he doesn't even respond to us being there and other times he knows exactly who we are. Today was actually a good day for him, he remembered a little about you, even if he didn't know it was you."

Snotlout looked back at his father not knowing what to say, Spitelout was still staring away somewhere, his eyes not really seeing and not even knowing they were there. Suddenly, something inside him snapped and Snotlout felt the urge to get out. Astrid tightened her grip on his shoulders, "Do you want to go?"

He quickly nodded and looked to Mrs Thorston, worried about her reaction. She smiled understandingly, "It's okay, I know it's a lot for you to take in. You can come back and see him anytime."

He managed one grateful nod and hurried out, Astrid right behind him. The moment he was outside, he stopped as his mind processed everything he'd seen in that room. His bold, brash, arrogant, strong, proud father had looked so small, so frail. He'd been so peaceful but so empty, not recognising his own son, even as he remembered him. He'd never thought his father would ever look like that, it was so wrong and it brought to light just how much he'd missed, how heavy his missing fifteen years were.

The burden too much to bear, a sob escaped his lips as he fully grasped just what had happened to him. He barely registered Astrid's arms pulling him into a tight hug as everything burst forth and he started to weep, mourning everything that had once been and would never be again.

The weight of fifteen years was a heavy load.

PS-Sorry for the heavy emotion there. Please let me know what you thought and I'll hopefully update soon.