Hey guys!

Am back again with a new chapter. I'm hoping to get a lot more of this story written next week as I have more time now Easter is done.

Many thanks for all the feedback and the questions you are asking me. I do have most of the answers and it's killing me with excitement because I wanna tell you right now but I want the answers to be a surprise in the story. Do keep asking me things as they will help me flesh out my ideas as I go and hopefully make the story better.

Any reviewer who leaves a really good question along with their review will get a mention in the notes when the story comes to answer them.

Anyway on with the story.

Last time Stoic was about to speak to Gothi but was interrupted by someone!

Scars:

Chapter 4

Runes Part 2

The bright afternoon sunlight suddenly intruding into the dimly lit house made Stoic, Gothi and Ruffnutt wince as they gazed at the interloper standing in the doorway. Stoic grimaced with annoyance as the man he thought he had gotten rid of casually closed the door behind him and strode purposefully across the room to the Meade barrel and began pouring himself a drink.

"Sorry I am late chief, but I had to sort a few things before I came over!"

Stoic pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration as his unwanted company moved over to sit beside him at the table. He tried his best to restrain himself but when he noticed that his friend's tankard was about to land on Hiccup's letter he couldn't hold back as he snatched the paper out of the way and bellowed.

"GOBBER! Will you be careful for Thor's sake! You almost got your beer on it again!"

"Oh! Sorry chief!" the aging blacksmith replied, "didn't mean anything by it, besides I always know you're the one to keep it safe, I know how much it means to you!"

As Gobber leaned back to take a long swig from his tankard, Stoic's face darkened as he folded up his son's letter in a set of movements that had become second nature and slid it back into its resting place under his armour.

"What are you doing here Gobber?" Stoic grumbled lowly.

"What do think I'm doing? I'm here to help!" Gobber crooned cheerfully oblivious "I saw Gothi comin' over and figured you and Ruffnutt would need a hand with the runes!...In case things get a bit complicated like…..And don't worry! I've already got Sludge and Dredge manning the forge to get everything ready….. So…..what are we talking about then?"

Now Gobber could always be described as warm person, sunny even. But not all the sun's heat in the sky could melt the cold looks he was receiving. The blonde blacksmith looked across at his three companions and his jovial attitude was brought to a sudden stuttering halt. The chief was looking down at his clenched fists on the table, his eyes angry and breathing through his nose. Gothi stared at him with disapproval, not only at his unwanted interruption but at his casual attitude. And Ruffnutt? Well as much as she respected the older dragon expert, she couldn't help but look disgusted at the insulting way he had disrespected her abilities. She had worked hard for the past 5 years - harder than she had ever worked before - to be the best apprentice possible to the tribal elder. And to have that constantly undermined by Gobber, even in jest, hacked her off to no end.

Gobber sensed the tension immediately.

"Uh...what's with the long faces?" he asked tentatively.

"Gobber." Stoick began trying his level best not to yell at his friend "I've told you before, you're no longer the one to translate for Gothi. As her apprentice, that is Ruffnutt's job now…."

"…Yeah!" the female twin interrupted, having less restraint on her anger than Stoick "…and I'm pretty dam good at it thank you very much!"

"I'm not disputing that Girl!" Gobber replied waving his tankard in the air dismissively, "But with so much being at stake, what with Hiccup being out there, do you not think an extra set of eyes could be useful? I'm just trying to help for the boy's sake!"

"And for his sake I need you to do what I damn well tell you!" Stoic growled. "You've done enough for my son's sake as it is, so get back to the forge and leave this work to the one who are best at it!"

"Now hold on Stoick!" Gobber said defensively "I've been doing this for years and…."

"…and it's time you let someone else take over!" Stoic interrupted, "I can't be doing with your interference. Not now. Not with Hic…"

Stoic didn't finish his sentence. He didn't have to. He didn't want Gobber involved in this discussion about Hiccup. At least not yet.

"Oh….I see…. So that's how it's going to be eh?" Gobber muttered, hurt by Stoic's outburst.

"I need you at the forge Gobber." Stoic intoned, still not looking at him "Once I learn something worth knowing, I will tell you but for now I need you to get out!"

Though they were still close friends and the past five years had been eventful and prosperous, a strain on Stoick and Gobber's relationship had grown. Both men knew why due to the parchment now concealed under Stoick's armour and the words it contained.

Stoic loved Gobber like a brother, but he long ago made a vow to Odin that if…..no….when Hiccup returned, he alone would be the one Hiccup would turn to for help and not his mentor. Since the boy's childhood, he had allowed the forge-master to replace him as a father figure in Hiccup's life and that was a mistake the chief was determined not to repeat, even if at times, it meant alienating his closest friend. The old smith knew too much already.

Gobber's brow furrowed at his friend's order and looked to Gothi. If anyone had a final say on his presence he would be her. He gave the elder a hopeful questioning look akin to one of her terrible terrors begging for food. However his face fell when Gothi gave a mournful, knowing shake of her head, her eyes never leaving the blacksmith. She had chosen her spokes-person and it was no longer Gobber. Though it pained her to throw him out like this, it had to be done.

Gothi had learned from Hiccup's example that the only way for the old ways to be integrated into the new Berk, was to have a fresh young mind learn them without older traditional mind-sets clouding the issue.

"Fine if that's the way you want it?!" Gobber stated curtly as he rose and headed for the door

"Yeah it is Gobber!" Ruffnutt muttered sarcastically.

"If anyone needs me, you'll know where to find me!" Gobber raised his voice turning to glare at Ruffnutt, trying to overpower the young Viking's impertinence.

Ruffnutt returned his withering gaze before Gothi tapped on her shoulder and carved a rune in the sand at her feet. The girl glanced down quickly and then back to Gobber who was craning desperately to see what had been etched in the sand.

"Well what did she say?" he asked impatiently

"She says to leave the dagger Hiccup made, she needs it."

Gobber seemed to stagger back at the demand. He had hoped to keep the blade with him as a memento, seeing Stoic held Hiccup's last remaining possession. But when he saw the expressions of the three Vikings, he realised it was not to be. Begrudgingly he removed it from inside his jacket and slid it up the table where it stopped right in front of Stoick's mighty hands.

With a tone of utmost certainty and borderline menace the blacksmith leaned on his end of the table and intoned "I'll be wanting that back!"

And with that Gobber spun back on his peg-leg and headed back outside slamming the door behind him causing some of the sand to puff into the air making Stoic and Ruffnutt choke a little as they inhaled it.

With Gobber's departure silence again returned to the room and Stoic let out the exasperated breath he was holding, looked toward the elder and her apprentice and nodded, bidding them to finally begin.

There you are guys!

Another little scene and another little interaction.

Next chapter will delve into Gothi's abilities and a little Viking magic!

Any questions, reviews, PMs, feedback, ideas, requests are all greatly appreciated.

See you in the next chapter.

Until then take care of yourselves and each other!