"The people have missed their chief their lovely chieftess."
"Good to know we are still liked around here," Hiccup joked elbowing Gobber.
"The people are interested in how we are going to continue with trading, our upcoming possible voyages and building more ships."
Hiccup looked out at the village before him. His father, Stoick the Vast, always seemed self assured and confident. While Hiccup's confidence had grown significantly, it was regarding dragons and solving those issues. Daily living seemed a whole new daunting task.
"What are the popular opinions of the people?"
Gobber grinned, pleased this young chieftain was headed in the right direction of guiding the people. "New Berk is fairly self-sustaining. But we cannot reasonably expect to be hidden from the world, though we are far off from it, it seems."
Rubbing his chin, Hiccup pondered what their next move should be. "Tomorrow, let's have a small group scope out the island entirely to see where our best port will be. Also, we'll need the ship building crew back in action. Have them tell us what they need for supplies and materials and we will see what the island provides. The farming is going well?"
Gobber nodded agreeably, feeling swept over in disbelief. This was a once young scraggly child who shamed his father with dreams of nonsense? Of course, those dreams led to the benefit of the people of Berk.
Gobber itched his knee near his stumpy leg. "Is the new blacksmith shop working well for you?"
"Aye, I like it more than the one I had in Old Berk. Just missin' a few familiar faces."
Hiccup smiled, a swift rush of sadness passed through him, knowing Gobber referred not only to himself, but also his dragon, Grump.
"Me too, buddy, me too," straightening his stance and changing his voice to a more excited one he said, "Will you let me crew and a few other able bodied men and women that we are going on an excursion tomorrow?"
"Aye-aye!" Gobber said, excitement sweeping over him.