King Stoick paced the large hall, worn leather boots echoing on the marble floors. A large hand covered his face as he released a shaky sigh. Through a closed door, he heard the soft cries of his wife and the hushed voices of her maids. "Too soon, early birth."

Stoick bit his lip and continued pacing, small droplets of blood dripping off his sword and two words circling over and over in his mind. Why now?

A calloused hand wrapped itself on his shoulder and a small plate with a turkey leg appeared before his face. "Eat Stoick."

He gently pulled himself out of the grasp, turning to face his friend. "I'm not hungry, Gobber."

Gobber placed a hand on his hip, his prosthetic waving the plate around. "I know your worried Stoick but you've been standing here for an hour." He motioned toward his clothes. "You haven't even got out of your battle clothes yet."

Stoick shook his head, eyes darting toward the door.

"I know your worried Stoick. Everyone is, but there's not much good in just pacing in front of a door." He patted his shoulder before removing the plate and placing it on a nearby bench. "For when you get hungry."

Stoick gripped his friend's good arm, giving it a gently squeeze. The two didn't say a word but Gobber understood what he meant. Once he left, Stoick sat himself down on the bench with a small huff. He closed his eyes as his hands unconsciously wrapped together, praying for a god, any god, to grant his wife and unborn child protection.

Minutes past as Stoick sat with the turkey growing colder and his wife's screams louder. His prayer become more fervent, more worried. Many times he stood up, looking towards the door, only to sit back down again. A piercing screech burst through the door, causing Stoick to over-turn the bench. He rushed through the door, one hand reaching for the handle when a gently, grainy hand placed itself over his.

A small man stood before him, hovering a few inches above the ground. Around his neck, a small pouch on a simple chain. The man handed him a letter just as Gobber hobbled around the corner. He huffed before speaking. "Sorry Stoick. But he just appeared in here somehow. Kept showing us a letter with your name on it."

"I can see that." Stoick unfolded the letter quickly as the man moved between him and the door.

Greetings King Stoick,

My name is Toothania. I'm sure you have many questions but I don't have time to explain in this letter. The man who presented you with this letter is my friend, Sandy. When we sensed your wife's distress, he volunteered to go before you. You see Sandy has the gift of healing and should be able to help your wife give birth to your child. All he awaits for is your permission.

May the gods bless you,

Toothania

The man, Sandy, waved his hand toward the door as a question mark formed over his head. Stoick nodded his permission, eyes wavering slightly. Sandy patted his hand before rushing through the door.

Gobber jerked his thumb toward the room. "What was that about?"

"He's going to help Valka. He's a healer."

"Well then that's good." Gobber reattached the plate to his arm and pulled on Stoick's arm. "Come on Stoick. Let's get you cleaned up."

He allowed himself to be pulled into a simply decorated guest room. Gobber left the room only long enough to find a purple and gold outfit. The two friends remained silent as he changed, the dry-bloody clothes dropping to the floor. A few of the servants not surrounding the queen entered with two small trays, littered with food as the last few drops of sun shone through the window.

Gobber traded his plate hand with his hook extension while Stoick poked at his food. He winced a bit once Gobber tapped his head and looked up. "You can scowl at it all you want but I don't think you can frighten food into submission."

He took his own tray and sat on the other side of the bed, his back leaning against his friend's. "Anyway, tell me about the battle."

Stoick rolled his eyes and sighed, but began to explain what had happened. A little while ago one of the knights, Alvin, started to push the boundaries of what he could get away with. Over-tax people, making up crimes, taking bribes, and when Stoick attempted to reprimand him, Alvin decided that the kingdom would be better if HE was king instead.

Never a man to let a challenge go unanswered Stoick prepared his men for battle. Alvin had turned a good amount of people over to his side with promises of land, gold, and power that he never intended to keep. All civilians had been moved to the castle keep and the only thing that kept King Stoick off the battlefield was his wife, Queen Valka.

Six and a half months into her pregnancy, Stoick remained by her side twenty-four/seven. Valka chuckled at his unease before encouraging him to go; her due date isn't anytime soon and she had both Gobber and Gothi with her if there was any complications. There were many fierce battles between to the leaders, but Alvin was considered everything but a good strategist. And a month and a half later, he had been banished across the seas, never to return.

But just as Stoick returned to his castle and home, the newest squire, Snotlout, raced into the ground with the worst news he could have expected. His queen was giving birth a month too soon and things weren't going well.

At the end of his tale, Stoick placed the half-eaten food away to let his face fall into his hands. "I shouldn't have left Gobber. If I had stayed"

"You would be in the exact situation you are in now. Honestly Stoick, you can't tell a child when it's going to be born." Gobber teared off the last meat from the cold turkey leg before tossing the bone on the tray. He turned and gripped Stoick's shoulder. "You have to trust Valka and those with her."

Both their heads jerked toward the door as it slowly creaked opened. Gothi walked in, leaning heavily on her staff. She gave the king a small smile before motioning him to follow her. Out in the hall, Sandy floated out the door with an exhausted expression. Once he spotted Stoick, Sandy gave two thumbs up with tiny fireworks exploding above him.

Inside the room, Valka hum quietly. She rocked a small, wrapped bundle in her arms on top of their bed, the hangings pulled aside for easy access. The child cried softly before his mother began singing.

Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby

Back to the years,

Of loo-li, lai-lay

And I'll sing you to sleep

And I'll sing you tomorrow

Bless you with love, for the road that you go.

Stoick snuck over to her and sat on the edge of the bed. She lifted up her eyes with a small smile as she continued to sing.

May you sail fair; to the far fields of fortune,

With diamonds and pearls;

At your head and your feet,

And may you need never

To banish misfortune;

May you find kindness in all that you meet.

May there always be angels to watch over you;

To guide you each step of the way,

To guard you and keep you

Safe from all harm;

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay

She leaned into her husband's side, allowing him to peer at his new-born son. The boy giggled once he spotted his father, two tiny fists reaching towards him. Stoick reached back slowly and offered a finger to the boy. Both parents laughed as he promptly stuck the finger in his mouth.

Valka hummed in her throat, eyes closing. "I'm glad you made it back in time dear."

Stoick lightly kissed the top of her head. "If I could have, I wouldn't have left." He moved his free hand up around her shoulders to pull her closer. "What shall we name him?"

"I was thinking about Hiccup, after your great-grandfather."

Stoick gently pulled his wet finger away from his son. "Hiccup Haddock the Third, prince of Berk, welcome to the world."

He carefully took their son out of her hands before laying her down. "You should rest now."

His free hand brushed her bangs away from her forehead as she sighed in contentment. He looked back to his son, who yawned briefly. Stoick chuckled. "Getting sleepy there, are ya? How about I finish mummy's lullaby."

May you bring love and may you bring happiness;

Be loved in return

Till the end of your days;

Now fall off to sleep,

I'm not meaning to keep you,

I'll just sit for a while, and sing

Loo-li, lai-lay

May there always be angels to watch over you;

To guide you each step of the way,

To guard you and keep you

Safe from all harm;

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay

Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay