Chapter 2 - Memories

Hiccup smiled as he looked at the way the early dawn light made Astrid's skin glow as she lay beside him, still deep in the throes of sleep. He reached out a hand and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face sighing quietly as his fingers lightly dancing across her skin. He knew he had to get up to do his morning duties but he longed for the old days when they could stay huddled together, warm under the furs for as long as they wished. Those days were over though and staying in bed was a luxury he could no longer afford. He was a Chief now and there was work to be done.

Resigned to his early start, Hiccup leaned forward and kissed his wife softly on the forehead before starting to sit up, moving slowly so as not to wake her. He didn't get far though before a pair of warm, thin arms, snaked around his waist keeping him in place.

"Stay," Astrid mumbled sleepily, her grip tightening around him.

Hiccup sighed, he would have dearly loved to stay but he had work to do and she knew it.

"I can't," he said softly,

Astrid groaned in frustration and opened her eyes.

"It's not fair," she pouted at him and he chuckled.

"I agree. You get to stay in a nice warm bed whilst I have to brave a cold frosty morning."

There was a pause before Astrid spoke again.

"Hiccup...why don't we go away for a bit...you know have some time to ourselves. Cami and Thug invited us to Bog to see little Henrick and Scarlet, why don't we go away for a few days?" She said looking at him with intent. He sighed and stroked her hair.

He had forgotten that the letter from their friends, in addition to announcing the birth of their son, had also carried an invite to visit.

"Astrid...you know I would love to...but I can't. It's nearly time for the annual trip to the Island of Thor and there is still so much that needs doing. You can go though, if you want to?"

Astrid looked at him with sadness in her eyes.

"I don't want to go alone. You've been working flat out for nearly a year Hiccup, you deserve a rest."

"A Chief doesn't get to rest Astrid, you know that," he said gently.

She groaned in frustration.

"Well they should. You need a break as much as anyone Hiccup. I'm sure the tribe won't begrudge you a short trip away."

Hiccup closed his eyes so she wouldn't see the longing in them at her suggestion. He longed to have a rest, to see his friends, to get away from the pressures of being Chief if only for a few days. He was tempted to say yes, he really was, but he knew he couldn't. The responsibility of the position he held...his duties...it just wouldn't be possible. He opened his eyes again at feeling movement beside him and a warm hand against his cheek. Astrid looked at him deeply.

"Hiccup don't say no, not yet...just promise me that you will think about it."

Hiccup smiled and leaned forward to kiss her.

"OK, I promise I'll think about it but please Astrid...don't get your hopes up," he said sadly before sliding from underneath the furs and attaching his prosthetic, which happened to be half way across the room along with most of his clothes from the previous nights antics.

He shivered as the chill of the room hit his warm skin and he quickly grabbed a thick tunic from the back of a chair, pulling it rapidly over his head. Although winter was still a couple of months away the mornings had taken on a distinctive wintery feel of late.

Once he had dressed he made his way over to the small fireplace and stoked the embers back to life. He then added more wood to warm the room for Astrid before pulling on his armour and flight suit. He shivered as the cold, damp leather made contact with his skin.

"Want a hand with that?" Astrid asked as he began to buckle the garment into place.

"Na, I've got it," he responded as he pulled the last strap tight across his chest and reached for his helmet.

"Don't forget to eat Breakfast," Astrid called out as he made his way towards the door.

"I'll grab something in the main hall," he responded, turning just in time to see a blond head disappear back under the furs as she buried herself back into the warmth.

"I'll know if you don't," came the now muffled response as Hiccup left the room smiling to himself.

Once downstairs Hiccup made for the kitchen fire and repeated his actions to ensure that Astrid would rise to a warm house. He then scooped up Toothless's harness from the floor where it had been left from the night before and pushed open the flap to the dragon shed. Toothless and Stormfly were curled up together, apparently still fast asleep but as he approached Toothless opened one green eye to look at him.

"Morning bud, ready for work?" He greeted as he deposited the harness onto the floor before his friend. Toothless huffed and closed his eyes again, drawing himself even tighter into a ball.

Hiccup chuckled and crossed his arms.

"So I'm to walk to the office this morning am I?"

Toothless huffed again and flicked his ear.

"Fine, I just thought you might...you know...want to go for a flight around the sea stacks first but if you would rather stay in bed...," Hiccup said, turning towards the door. He only managed a few steps before a large and heavy dragon collided with him from behind, lifting him onto its back. Hiccup couldn't help laughing.

"Do I take it you've changed you mind?" He asked, still chuckling as he dismounted from a now eager Toothless and began strapping on his harness.

Stormfly regarded the pair with disdain, having been woken up by their antics. When he was finished with Toothless Hiccup stroked Stormfly on the nose.

"You get a lie in this morning girl. I think Astrid is going to be a while."

She trilled her understanding and then curled back into a ball as Hiccup and Toothless left the shed. Within seconds the pair we're in the air.

Once he had completed his usual security sweep of the island Hiccup took Toothless on the promised longer flight to check the surrounding seas for signs of ships. It wasn't something he did very often, normally he left that to the scouts, but although he hadn't let on to Astrid he had a good reason for rising early that morning. He had woken with an uneasy feeling, one he couldn't quite shake and it had him worried. It was the unsettling feeling that something was wrong.

However, a clear search of the island and now the surrounding seas hadn't revealed anything out of the ordinary. So despite still feeling uneasy Hiccup decided that he was just being paranoid and steered Toothless for home.

As they glided over the dark waves Hiccup began to chastise himself for the hours that he had wasted on the diversion. Hours that he could have been spending more productively catching up on paperwork. However, what was getting to him most was that however annoyed he was trying to convince himself he was, or rather how annoyed he should be, he knew that he had enjoyed the flight. He had enjoyed the time away from Berk, even if it had been for only a few short hours and he wished he could do it more often, like he used to. A familiar feeling of guilt crept up on him with these thoughts and he sighed. He couldn't have these wants, these longings anymore. He was the Chief of Berk, in service to her and her people till the end of his days, he wasn't free to roam the skies or have adventures anymore. He had to put his past behind him and focus on the future and his duty. He sighed again, that may be the case but one thing he couldn't deny was that Astrid's suggestion of a trip away had awoken the spirit of adventure within him once again and he knew that it was going to be difficult to suppress, however hard he tried.

Hiccup was deep in his thoughts when Berk's northern watch fires came into view and their sudden approach caught him unawares. A sharp cry from Toothless brought him back to himself, just in time for him to adjust Toothless's tail and pull up, narrowly avoiding a collision with the foremost watch tower. Once they were in level flight again Toothless twisted his head and slapped Hiccup hard with his ear in disapproval.

"Sorry bud, my mind was elsewhere," Hiccup apologised as he steered Toothless towards the village.

As they flew higher he looked down on his home. He was suddenly struck by a memory from his childhood, his first flight with his father.

"I've spent my entire life on Berk, climbed its hills, explored its forests and swam its waters. I've travelled every inch but I'd never thought I'd see it like this," his father had exclaimed in wonder as they had flown over the village.

"It's beautiful isn't it," Hiccup said, looking over his shoulder at his father.

"No, it's more than that Hiccup. Look at them, all of my people, everyone safe," Stoick had responsed as he surveyed the buildings below them.

"It's a good feeling."

Hiccup felt tears come to his eyes as the poignant memory. His father had met 'Thornado' shortly after that flight and it had been his bonding with the Thunderdrum that had convinced him in the end that chiefing the dragon way could be just as effective as the Viking way. What struck Hiccup the most about this memory though were his father's words.

"Look at them, all of my people, everyone safe. It's a good feeling."

Hiccup looked down as the houses passed underneath them, the first signs of life emerging as people started their daily chores. It was true, it was a good feeling to look down and see his people safe and knowing that he had played a part in that. If there was one thing that made the loss of his childhood, the loss of his freedom bearable it was this.

Sensing his rider's sudden change in mood Toothless chirped in concern and looked over his shoulder at Hiccup. Hiccup reached down and stroked his side.

"I'm Ok bud, just thinking about Dad...I miss him".

Toothless let out a sad whine in understanding. Hiccup shook his head to clear his sudden melancholy feelings.

"Come on bud time to hit the paperwork," Hiccup said in a more business like manner as they flew over the plaza.

Trying to put his thoughts towards more positive things Hiccup began to run through the list of jobs that he needed to do that day. It was approaching harvest time and that meant that the 'Time of Offering' would be upon them within a few weeks. Hiccup had been to the Island many times since his first visit and kept in regular touch by Terrible Terror with Symon whom he had become close friends with. However this would be the first time he had made the official annual visit on his own...as chief...and without his father.

It was an important time of year and Hiccup desperately wanted everything to go smoothly. He wanted to show his people that they could rely on him to ensure that Berk remained prosperous and protected. Trouble was there seemed to be an almost endless list of things to do. The offerings still needed to be selected from the winter stocks, the boats prepared for the voyage and arrangements put in place for the village's running and safety whilst he and the entire council were away. In fact, although he could fondly recalled a few 'ice' days where one or maybe two blocks of ice had been needed to stave off a headache, Hiccup had to marvel at how his father had managed to juggle these extra responsibility as well as his normal duties for so many years. Hiccup could understand now how he must have felt and having been Chief for barely a year Hiccup also knew he still had so much more to learn, so much more to prove to everyone. He sighed, he wished he did have the time to visit Cami and Thug but however much he wanted to the reality was plain, he just had too much to do.

Toothless landed softly in front of the chieftain house and Hiccup swung down from the saddle. He pushed open the familiar door to his childhood home and stepped inside. When Hiccup had become chief everyone had thought that he and Astrid would move to the chieftain house and conduct business in the same manner as his father had done before him. Hiccup however remembered the long sleepless nights when his father would use the house as a meeting place for his inner council, when meetings and discussions would run on into the long hours of the night. He had therefore made a promise to himself when he became Chief not to inflict the same torment on Astrid or his family. He still used the house as a meeting place and office but no one lived there anymore thus keeping his work and personnel life separate. People knew that if they had something urgent to bring to him that they should check for him there first before seeking him out at home

Inside Hiccup took off his helmet and hung it on the hook beside the door before setting the fire in the pit at the centre of the downstairs room. Toothless obliged him with a plasma blast to light it before settling on a fur beside the warm blaze. Hiccup dropped wearily into the large chair beside the fire. The flight had brought back long forgotten memories of his father and now here, in the house they had shared and sitting in his fathers chair Hiccup felt the sharp pang of loss once again. He realised then that it had been nearly a year since his father's passing. It had been just after harvest time and they had barely concluded the Time of Offering Celebrations when Drago had attacked. Now the annual gathering was upon them once again. Hiccup hadn't confided in anyone but he was both nervous and worried about this year's trip and not just because there was so much to do. Even before his father's death this time of year hadn't exactly been a happy one for Hiccup.

He still recalled Dagur's and Alvin's plot to capture him and how it had so badly backfired resulting in Hiccup nearly becoming a human sacrifice. He had barely escaped with his life and despite making new friends such as Symon he hadn't felt conformable with the trip ever since. It would be worse this year as he would need to do it alone. Yes he would have Astrid and his friends but he wouldn't have his father there to support him and he would have to do things he had been able to avoid up till now, like visiting the inner temple again. Nearly being burned alive wasn't something you forgot in a hurry. Let alone nearly having your throat slit in an arcane ritual.

Hiccup sighed and tried to bring his thoughts back to current matters. The trip was still several weeks away but he didn't have time to dwell on the past, he had more pressing things to think about. Pushing himself to his feet he proceeded to climb the ladder to his old bedroom, now converted into his office and work room. He let out a soft groan at the pile of parchment that adorned his desk. He could swear it had grown bigger since yesterday.

Flopping into the chair behind the desk he reached for the first item, an inventory of the supplies for the trip. The pile had indeed been added to and he could see that Gobber had provided a list of the current winter stocks. Hiccup scanned the list and did a quick mental calculation, splitting the items between village and offerings. His final split was a fair one and would ensure that the tribe had a comfortable winter whilst still providing a suitably generous offering for the gods. He picked up a charcoal pen and initialled the list to give it his approval before placing it aside and reached for the next item. It was going to be a long morning.

Back in the Haddock household Astrid pushed the furs back a little to sample the current temperature of the room. The fire Hiccup had lit several hours earlier had warmed the room nicely and she was sure he had done the same in the kitchen. Satisfied that it was warm enough to emerge from her cocoon of furs she pushing them from her and swung round to sit on the edge of the bed. Despite what Hiccup may have thought she hadn't gone back to sleep once he had left, rather she had spent the time thinking, or perhaps scheming was a better description.

Despite Hiccups insistence that it was impossible for him to get away Astrid had seen the deep look of longing in his eyes when she had suggested a trip to see their friends. He couldn't keep anything from her, she knew him to well and she had to confess that she wanted him to take the trip for reasons other than the want to see their friends. She was worried about Hiccup. If last night had provided anything to her it was how seriously he took his role as Chief and how hard he worked to meet what he perceived as people's expectations of him. Yes he had responsibilities to the tribe but she was sure that if made aware they would encourage him to go on the trip. Hiccup would work himself to death if she allowed it and she was confident of the tribes support to her plan. That was the easy part. Convincing Hiccup would be more difficult. To achieve that she would need help and she knew just the Viking for the job. Humming contentedly to herself she slipped on her tunic and made her way downstairs to wake Stormfly.

Several hours after starting the mountain of paper before him Hiccup threw his charcoal pen down on the desk and yawned. He had spent the last few hours pouring through old trade agreements and treaties and his eyes were beginning to hurt. Although he was feeling a little trepidation concerning the rituals he would have to go through what was worrying him more than anything was the need to set and renewing their treaties. This was the time of year when all the Chiefs would be gathered together and it was his duty to ensure that the treaties and trade agreements that kept the tribe safe and well provided for would continue into the next year. Hence why he had been pouring over old and current agreements for the last few hours.

Four years ago the Hooligans had been offered treaties with over half the archipelago following Hiccups 'blessing from the gods'. Everyone it seemed wanted to be connected with the Hooligans and no doubt hoped to benefit from their celestial favour. Hiccup had played a key part in that as everyone had wanted him to sign the documents in addition to his father, something his father had encouraged and it had set the trend for the following years. This year would be different though, this year there would be only one signature and that worried him. Despite what his father had always insisted Hiccup believed that his own name on the documents had been a mere formality. After all his father had been a Chief with a formidable reputation which had brought respect.

However his father wasn't there anymore and Hiccup would have to stand alone this year. It would be his responsibility and his alone to try and keep the Hooligans in favour with the other tribes. What if he wasn't able to do it? What if the other tribes refused to sign anything with him? After all, he was only in the first year of his chiefdom. He didn't have the great reputation or experience that the other Chiefs had and he had no idea how he would be accepted. He buried his face in his hands. What if he failed them? What if he was unable to secure any treaties this year, his people would be left defenceless and without trade.

He was so deep in his despairing thoughts that he didn't hear the downstairs door open or the rhythmical clunk, clunk of a wooden leg as it climbed the stairs. When Gobber called his name he started violently.

"Hiccup, you alright lad?" Gobber asked in concern as he approached the young chief.

Hiccup took a deep breath to calm himself from the scare.

"Yeah, I'm OK...Gods you made me jump," he said.

"Sorry lad I didn't mean to startle you," Gobber apologised as he sat down in the chair opposite the desk.

Hiccup smiled to himself. When they were alone Gobber rarely called him 'Chief'. When they were alone it was just like the old days when Hiccup had been his apprentice.

"It's Ok, I was just...deep in thought."

"Aye I could see...want to talk about it?"

Hiccup paused for a moment and then decided that Gobber would understand if he voiced his fears. He gave a long sigh.

"I'm worried Gobber, it's nearly time for the annual gathering of Chiefs...I've only been Chief for a year...what if...what if I make a mess of things."

"Ah that's easy...if anyone gives you trouble set Astrid on them...or Toothless if she's busy," Gobber said laughing.

Hiccup scowled at his mentor's humour.

"I'm serious Gobber. It's really important that it goes well. What if no one takes me seriously...what if I can't secure any treaties?"

Hiccup paused.

"I'm not my father Gobber...I'm not like him...I don't want to let everyone down," he added feeling even more dejected as he voiced his fears to his old friend.

Gobber smiled sadly.

"No, you're not lad."

Hiccup looked at Gobber briefly and then lowered his gaze to the floor. Gobber noted the dejected look that had settled in his Chiefs eyes and shook his head.

"What I mean Hiccup is that you're not Stoick but you are 'you' and that's a good thing. Remember people have been signing treaties with us for the last four years because of you lad."

Hiccup shook his head at this.

"It's wasn't because of me Gobber. My father was a great Chief and I'm...well you know...me. I'm going to make a mess of things...I just know it."

Gobber shook his head. For someone so intelligent Hiccup could be really dim about something's, especially when it came to himself.

"Being 'you' is what makes all the difference Hiccup."

Hiccup looked at him in confusion before turning to look absently at the fireplace.

"I wish he was here to help me," Hiccup confessed in a quiet voice.

Gobber sighed sadly.

"Aye lad, I do to. Stoick always feared that this might happen, that he might not be around to help and guide you when you needed him the most."

Hiccup closed his eyes at this.

"I made a mess of that to," he said sadly and Gobber knew that Hiccup still blamed himself for his father's death even though it hadn't been his fault. Stoick would have scarified himself for his son whatever the circumstances, there was nothing Hiccup could have done to change that. How could he make Hiccup realise his own worth? Then it came to him and Gobber muttered an apology to his old friend for what he was about to do.

"Look Hiccup I think it's time I told you something that your father would probably have rathered I kept to myself but I think you need to know."

Hiccup looked at Gobber a look of trepidation on his face.

"What?" he asked, feeling a little afraid at this news.

"His greatest fear," Gobber said sadly.

"My father wasn't sacred of anything," Hiccup said in way of a statement.

"Oh lad, you don't know how wrong you are. Stoick had many fears...mostly for you."

Hiccup looked at Gobber with wide eyes and Gobber sighed heavily looking long and hard at the young chief.

"Look, I know that sounds bad but let me try and explain," Gobber said making himself comfortable.

"Your fathers rise to the chiefdom did not exactly go smoothly either. He was as reluctant as you were and I remember his father had a hell of a job trying to get him to take the role seriously."

Hiccup couldn't help smiling at this. He remembered his father's confession four years ago about how he had spent his youth chasing glory and women.

Gobber noticed the smile.

"Ah, so I see he told you about how he used to chase after Val."

Hiccup nodded still smiling.

"Trouble is lad we were still young back then and the world and its responsibilities seemed so far away. Stoick started to make an effort after a while but it came too late. His father was killed during a Berserker raid and before he had any time to contemplate what had happened Stoick found himself as Chief."

Hiccup looked at Gobber in surprise. He had never known that his father had assumed the chiefdom under similar circumstances to his own.

"Stoick took his role very seriously from that day on. He married Val the same year and they were together for many years before you came along, too many in fact. People were starting to believe that they would never have any children, that the Chief would have no heir. Stoick never let on but he harboured the same fear, he was afraid that he would be the last of his line."

"I know that feeling," Hiccup said quietly, giving his friend a small sad smile.

"It will happen lad have faith," Gobber said knowingly adding his own confidence to Astrid's.

"When you did finally arrive your father was overjoyed but there was a problem. You came too early and were small and weak as a consequence. Many feared that that you would not survive but Stoick stood by you. He refused to listen to peoples fears and would proudly tell anyone who would listen how you would be the greatest and strongest Viking there ever was."

Hiccup shook his head.

"Guess I disappointed him them," his pain evident in his voice.

Gobber shook his own head.

"Ah lad you don't know how wrong you are," he said quietly before looking hard at Hiccup.

"Make no mistake Hiccup you were very much loved by your parents but as you grew it soon became apparent to everyone including Stoick that you were not exactly what the tribe expected of a Chiefs son."

Hiccup nodded his understanding. It was something that he had grown up with. The comments, the ridicule, the names, he remembered them all well.

"The tribe's reaction to you worried Stoick and once Val was gone he tried to raise you to be more like him but you proved too much of a challenge. You were wilful, intelligent and well you know...different. That's why Stoick eventually apprenticed you to me. He hopped that the hard work in the forge would knock it out of you, build strong muscles and well...make you more Viking like."

"Sorry," Hiccup apologised, his guilt evident. He had always known that he had not exactly lived up to everyone's expectations and that he had been put with Gobber to toughen him up but to have it confessed to him by his friend made it worse. Gobber had been lumbered with him for all those years because he was a useless excuse for a Viking.

"Don't be sorry Hiccup. I loved having you as my apprentice and I soon realised that to try and make you be more like us was just pointless. You had too much of your mother in you and I could see that there was no point so I just let you be yourself. I know how much you wanted to kill a dragon back then and it was only a matter of time before you got yourself killed so I made a promise to Stoick to keep you safe."

Hiccup smiled a little at this. Recalling his countless attempts to build something that would help him trap or kill a dragon, the ultimate status symbol back then, a sign that you were a true Viking. Whenever there had been a dragon raid he had been confined to the forge to help Gobber but on the last occasion he had managed to escape and had indeed succeeded in shooting down a dragon although it hadn't brought him the status he had so craved in quite the way he had expected.

"You were quite a handful back then," Gobber said.

"Come to think of it ya still are," he added with a smile and Hiccup laughed.

"Guess I can't argue with that," he said chuckling.

Gobber sighed, his face becoming serious once again.

"You see lad your un 'Vikingness', that was the problem. Stoick was worried that you would never find your place. He was worried that he may be forced to choose another in the tribe to succeed him."

The smile left Hiccups face. He knew he had been a disappointment but he had never expected his father to have even considered disinheriting him. Gobber saw the look.

"Now don't go getting the wrong idea lad. Your father always had faith in you, although I'll admit he wasn't very good at showing it, but you know how pushy the council can be."

Hiccup nodded. Yeah he knew. That was one of the reasons he had employed new members. He had been sick of people saying 'in the old days' or 'Stoick used to'. He had needed new blood to help him make the changes that needed to be made, to help bring the tribe forward rather then let it sit in the past.

"Stoick tried to be patient, he tried to wait till you were ready but he found it hard. Sometimes he was harsher on you then he meant to be, he didn't mean to get angry or make you feel that he didn't care about you. It was the complete opposite in fact. He was desperate to start your training, to show people what he knew you were capable of but he also knew that until the village accepted you it wouldn't be possible. When you did finally make your entrance lad you didn't exactly do it in the way he had envisaged and it caught him by surprise."

Hiccup turned to look at the fire once again as Gobber spoke. He knew what Gobber was referring to. He was referring to how his father had reacted when he had finally learned about Toothless. He shut his eyes at the painful memory, recalling his father's words.

'You've thrown your lot in with them...your not a Viking...you're not my son.'

Seeing his former apprentice's reaction Gobber nodded sadly.

"Aye there's no denying it, it was a bad business. Stoick immediately regretted his reaction but after all those years of trying to protect and help you to be one of us, after supporting you since your birth, he saw what you had done as a personal betrayal, even though you wouldn't have realised it. What happened next...well you know better then any of us. When you lost your foot and nearly died he was beside himself with guilt and he tried to make it up to you. Giving you the dragon academy, letting you change our way of thinking about dragons. It all worked out right in the end."

Gobber sighed heavily.

"Trouble was your new fame brought new fears for Stoick. He went from fearing that you would never find your place to fearing what would happen to you now that you had. So much time had past, so much time lost. Stoick feared that he would run out of time to teach you, to make you ready."

Hiccup continued to look at the fire and Gobber knew that the young Chief was battling with his emotions.

"I know how proud your father was of you Hiccup, more then perhaps you ever realised. He pressured you to learn not because he was desperate to retire but because he wanted to make up for lost time. He didn't want you to go through what he had to when his father died. You never met your grandfather Hiccup he died when your father was only a boy, about your age if I recall. Stoick went from being a young Viking warrior with glory's and battles ahead of him to being Chief overnight and shouldering all the responsibilities that went with it. He didn't want the same to happen to you. He wanted to be there for you, to help you, to guide you as you grew into the role. Trouble was it took you so long to step forward to show what you could do and once you had things moved faster then he could every have anticipated. You'd gone from nobody to the famous dragon conquer overnight, people finally noticed you and with that came unwanted attention."

Hiccup knew that Gobber was referring to Alvin and Dagur.

"Your father was caught between wanting to protect you lad and wanting to prepare you. He tried to balance the two. Teaching you what you needed to know as a Chief whilst allowing you to have the freedom to do what you wanted. It worked well for a while but then Dagur and Alvin teamed up and well you know how well that turned out.

Hiccup gave a shudder at the memory of what had happened on the Island of Thor. Of how close he had come to death and in the most horrible of ways possible.

"I'll give you one thing Hiccup you're a survivor that's for sure. Somehow you escaped but your father was faced with a dilemma. He could no longer keep you a secret anymore. Dagur and Alvin's plan had failed but it resulted in letting everyone know who and what you were. What your father had always dreamed of had come to pass, you were the son and heir he had always known you to be and now everyone else knew it as well. Suddenly you weren't a child anymore, you were a man. He felt obliged to offer you the chiefdom even though he knew that you were not quite ready."

Hiccup's eyes widened at that. He had always suspected that the offer his father had made him four years ago was a bit sudden and unplanned but now he had it confirmed.

"He never wanted you to know that Hiccup, he didn't want you know that he had felt pressured into making you the offer. You proved what sort of man you had become though when you refused, declaring that you didn't feel ready and Stoick was relieved. He loved you very much Hiccup and he had wanted to prepare you for the pressures that came with leadership. You both needed more time. When he came round to asking you again, just before your twenty first birthday, he felt that it was the right time. He knew that he was getting older and he wanted to use the time remaining to him to help and support you. To advise and support you in a way that his father had never been able."

Gobber bowed his head sadly.

"It didn't work out that way though and his greatest fear came to pass. To not be there for you...when you needed him the most," he said quietly.

Hiccup closed his eyes and a tear ran down his cheek. The pair of them we're silent for a moment before Gobber spoke again.

"Look the reason why I've told you this was not because I wanted to bring up the past but to show you just how much faith and confidence your father had in you, right from the very beginning. I know that you feel you could have done better Hiccup. That's just who you are but you really have done an exceptional job lad. You brought the tribe back from near destruction, rebuilt the village in record time and have kept us safe and well ever since. I've met a lot of Chiefs in my time, good and bad, so trust me when I say that you have done an outstanding job. Your more like Stoick then you realised, your everything a Chief should be Hiccup and your people love you. You'll be one of the best, perhaps better then Stoick himself."

Hiccup coloured at the praise and Gobber gave him a soft smile.

"I know that your father was and would be proud of you lad for what you have achieved. I'm confident you won't have any problems with getting treaties signed. Have faith and confidence in yourself like your father did, like your people do...like I do Hiccup and you will do us and your father proud."

Hiccup looked at him and slowly a small smile broke across his face.

"Thanks Gobber. Thank you for telling me. Maybe between you, Astrid and Toothless I might just be able to keep my feet on the ground."

"You're welcome lad," Gobber said grinning.

"Now that we have that settled we can get to the reason why I came over in the first place."

"Of course," Hiccup said sitting forward across his desk in a more business like fashion.

"As you know last week was the annual festival of the ancestors."

Hiccup nodded. It had been one of the first major festivals he had organised and he was pleased with how it had turned out.

"Yeah, it went well I think," he said happily.

"It did apart from one thing," Gobber said seriously

Hiccups face fell.

"Oh, what went wrong?" He said in concern.

"One person was left out and didn't have a chance to meet their obligations," Gobber said his face grim.

Hiccup shook his head.

"I tried to make sure everyone had a chance to celebrate. Even those that were helping run the event. I had a rota and everything," he protested.

"Aye and that's where it went wrong."

Hiccup suddenly looked upset. He had tried to make it fair. He had taken over from those that hadn't had a chance to make their offerings, giving them the chance to celebrate with their families. He had spent ages making sure that it all went smoothly. In the end he had been last to bed. How could he have missed someone? His shoulders slumped.

"Who was it? Who did I miss?...I'll go apologise right now," he said, starting to rise to his feet

Gobber reached across the desk to grab Hiccups arm.

"You," he said simply and Hiccup looked at him dumbfounded before slowly slipping back into his seat and looking at his mentor in surprise.

"You did a great job Hiccup. It was possibly the best celebration Berk has ever seen and everyone enjoyed themselves...everyone except you. You worked hard that day, it didn't go unnoticed and everyone was appreciative of your efforts but no one saw you make your own offerings and trust me I've asked. Did you think we wouldn't notice?" He said gently giving Hiccup a knowing look.

Hiccup looked at him in surprise and then turned away blinking hard, his eyes prickling with tears. He had fully intended to join in the celebrations, to make his own offering to his family...to his parents, and had prepared everything to do so but in the end there just hadn't been time.

Hiccup hung his head in shame.

"I...There wasn't time...I wanted to, but we were so busy...I wanted everyone to celebrate...I..."

"I thought as much," Gobber said knowingly.

"That's why I've come to give you the morning off to do it now."

Hiccup looked at him sharply.

"Gobber...I can't let you do that...there's so much to do...the offerings...the boats...the..." but he was cut off in mid excuse by Gobber raising his hand.

"All stuff I have done before. You forget that I was with your father for a long time lad. Go pay your respects to your parents Hiccup. We can cope without you for one morning," he said with a gentle smile.

Hiccup thought about protesting further but the prospect of being able to do what he had been longing to do for days now won him over in the end.

"Thanks Gobber, I don't know what I'd do without you," he said finally.

Gobber laughed.

"Probably make a mess of it like your father used to," he said and Hiccup gave a coy smile.

"Go on lad, I'll mind the shop," Gobber said as he stood and started to climb awkwardly back down the steps to the room below.

After he had left Hiccup stood and walked over to his work bench. Hanging on the back of the chair was his old satchel with the Berk dragon academy crest embossed on its front in red. He picked it up and slung the long strap over his head and across one shoulder. He then followed Gobber downstairs. At his approach Toothless lifted his head from where he was curled up in front of the fire, catching up on the sleep he had missed with the early start.

"Come on Bud, we've got something important to do," he said opening the door for Toothless to dash out of.

Hiccup looked back at Gobber who had settled into his father's old chair by the fire.

"Thanks Gobber," he said again his voice laced with gratitude.

"Go on lad. Don't keep them waiting any longer."

Hiccup smiled at his friend before closing the door behind him.

Gobber was deep in thought when the door to the house opened once again. The conversation with Hiccup had stirred old memories in him and although Gobber was no stranger to loosing friends he missed Stoick the most. It had been right to tell Hiccup about his father's fears and worries. He just hoped that it gave Hiccup the confidence he needed to keep moving forward. He looked up when he heard footsteps approach and came face to face with Astrid.

"He's not here lass," he said when he saw her.

"I gave him the morning off to go attend to some important 'personal' business."

To his surprise she didn't look disappointed or turn to go. Instead she looked relieved.

"Good," she said drawing a chair towards the fire and sitting beside the smith.

"I was actually looking for you. I went to the forge but it was shut up so I figured you might be here," she said looking across at him and Gobber noted a gleam of mischief in her eye.

"Well now that you've found me missy what can I do for you," Gobber said leaning forward to poke the fire.

"I need your help with something, well someone to be more precise."

"I see, and exactly what would you like me to do?" Gobber said catching on to who she was refering to.

"It won't be easy. This person is stubborn and has already made his mind up that it's not possible. I need your help to make it possible."

"There's no such thing as impossible," he said grinning at her and Astrid grinned back.