Author's Note: I do not own the "How to Train Your Dragon" Movie, Animated Series or Book series. Those characters belong to Dreamworks Animation and Cressida Cowell. My original characters are mine and if you wish to use him please ask me first.

Story Word Count: 2,794

Notes on how my writing style will be below:

Words typed like this are thoughts in their head
Words like this are scenes/locations where it is occurring
Words typed like this is Dragonese

The First Raid of Valaden

Haddock Household

Åsmund cringed as he thought more about that day, the day he took many lives to save more of his own. The day he rode out on a dragon in front of everyone even if they didn't know it was him. He rubbed his face slightly and started to continue his story with a question to Hiccup. "Hiccup, if given a chance to save your family, friends and village, would you take a life even if all you knew about the attacker was that they were harming your kin?" Hiccup took in the question and thought about everything that happened here in the recent months. The fact that Drago only wanted war and if he listened to his father, then his father might be alive now. The last part gave Hiccup a moment to pause before he answered, "I once thought I could change a person's views by talking them out or showing them other sides to their opinions, always thought I could. Then something happened that made a small change in me. I still would try to give peace a chance but if they were harming the people I love and care for, then maybe I would harm them." He squeezed Astrid's hand and looked at her then his mother and finally to Toothless. "I can tell you are shaken by what you are about to tell us Åsmund, if you want we can stop here." Hiccup suggested. He almost didn't want to continue and hear what was next but Åsmund spoke up quickly. "No, I need to get through this. It is one of two events that I hate to talk about the most, but it is who I am and is what you need to hear."

He looked over at Razor and then continued his story, "I'll tell you this first: I did not want Razor to attack anybody while I was riding her to save the town. When I came back to her with my gear and set it down, she had some fear in her eyes as I came with the weapon and armor. I came up to her and said 'My village is being attacked, I need your help. You don't have to do anything besides fly, I just need your help to save my family, friends and kinsmen.' Although she still seemed to appear uneasy, she gave me an affirmative nod." He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "I armored up, put on my helmet to hide my identity and got on Razor. As we were ready to fly out, I told her, 'You don't have to share in this burden, Razor. Let me take the full weight of it. Let them see that you are good. No attacking unless I say something. Understood?' She again gave me a simple nod before we took off into the sky and flew quickly to my village."

Åsmund looked up at the roof of the home and picturing that day in vivid detail. Razor hid her head under Toothless's wing, remembering that terrible and bloody day as well. "Even though they were raiders that were taking and killing my kinsmen, I will never forget the faces. Every face of a person I killed that day and others like them are forever etched in my mind." He paused for a moment, clenching his fists. "You know as a Viking, I should be okay with death, but I'm not. I hate it. I despise taking a life, especially if I have a chance to save that life somehow. For those raiders though, I didn't care about them because they needed to die. To this day, however, as much as I needed to take their lives in order to protect those that I loved, I still have not been able to completely forgive myself."

Åsmund grabbed his tankard and took a long drink. When he finished, he took a deep breath and continued while visualizing the battlefield.

Flashback – 8 years ago - First Raid of Valaden

Åsmund and Razor flew high above the battlefield and surveyed the situation. It was chaos down below and they needed to quickly find a place to start their assault. Åsmund's eyes first looked at the front lines thinking that it was the best option until he saw a real target on the shoreline. From his height, he made out Raiders holding women and children in their arms, ready to steal them away from their home. He raised his sword and pointed out to the boats. "Razor there, dive down there now!" He exclaimed loudly. Razor followed the direction of the sword and knew what he wanted. She folded her wings in tightly and began her dive towards the boats. "Åsmund, I know you said for me not to share this burden with you, but I must do it. You can't do this alone," Razor thought as she flattened her ear flaps against her skull. She opened her maw slightly as she gathered gas at the back of her throat, ignited it and expelled it near the small row boats.

Åsmund focused on the action in front of him as the sea started to come closer. He could hear the telltale shrill and whistle of Razor as they got closer. He smiled to himself as he watched Razor fire near the boats causing the Raiders to panic. Razor extended her wings out to pull out of her dive and buzzed the offending Raider boats and moved out to sea. On the mainland, the villagers watched in awe between their attacks as the rider and dragon flew out to the main ships attacking them. They saw the dragon fired two more shots out to the ships out on the sea and watched as the sea vessels exploded, scorched wood raining down on the water. Razor flapped her wings and pulled skyward after her attack while Åsmund looked around at where to go next. "Land by the boats. We have to save my people from getting taken," Åsmund hastily spoke as Razor banked around and headed to the shoreline.

Razor landed on the wet sand with a thunderous thud and smacked three raiders away from her tail. "Attack who I point at only Razor. They are the people that need to perish," Åsmund exclaimed as he quickly dismounted Razor and charged in front of her. The scent of burnt flesh mixed with smoke and salty air infiltrated his nostrils, but he pressed forward past the sickening smell. Raiders and villagers alike screamed as the pair charged down the beach. Åsmund's sword pointed out raider after raider and Razor responded in kind with slashes of her claws at the men. No longer the Raider's prime focus, the women and children managed to escape from their captors and didn't waste any time in retreating back to the village. A few women stayed behind to save those still locked in the Raiders' grips while the rest grabbed whoever couldn't run on their own and jetted off. Once they were sure no one in the village was still captured, the remaining women fell back as well.

With the villagers now on their way to safety, Asmund and Razor no longer had to worry about accidently attacking his people and resumed their assault on the raiders. Åsmund slayed a few raiders that got too close or were out of Razor's attack range. One raider got past the both of them and was about to strike Åsmund in the back. Razor spotted it quickly and lashed out at the man. She gored him through his midsection but she didn't hit only him. She wouldn't know until later, but she had struck her rider and friend, Åsmund, as well. Bodies lay on the beach behind the two as they assaulted the raiders and protected the villagers. Åsmund then saw his father coming at him with his brother, uncle and cousin around him as well as a few of the women who had just escaped. Åsmund yelled to Razor as he moved towards her, "Burn the ground, but don't hit those four coming at us from the village. They are family Razor." He mounted Razor quickly and she leapt into the air while burning the beach with her dragons' fire.

Present Day – Haddock Household

Åsmund was shaking as he spoke softly, "We moved to another part of the village and continued to defend the village and everyone in it. When the raiders started to fully leave, we knew it was time for us to go as well." He relaxed a little bit as he was nearing the end of the raid, "So we took off as arrows and bolas were being shot and thrown at us. First, we flew up high first into the light of the sun so we could appear to disappear before we landed back near where we left from. I dismounted, shaking with blood all over Razor and I. I quickly got all my armor off but left the saddle on Razor as I told her, 'Two days, give me two days before we meet again. I promise to be back here in two days, promise me you'll come back Razor,' she nodded and I ran back to the village. As I returned, I didn't know I was greatly injured and bleeding severely."

He looked over at Razor who was getting licked on her head by Toothless, before he continued on. "Upon sneaking back into the village, I saw my father and started calling out to him, but I fell to the ground from my wound as he saw me approach. Apparently, my armor was not enough to protect me because I had received many slashes to my back during the attack. In the chaos of everything, however, I did not feel any pain until the adrenaline had faded out in that moment. I spent the rest of the day in the healers hut, gaining my strength back." He thought about the scars staining his back and the knowledge of Razor's self-inflicted guilt for not being able to protect him at that time. "I woke up in the late evening to my brother and sister watching over me. They were so happy when I woke up, but quickly begged me to move slowly when I stated 'I need to talk to someone.' When they asked who I needed to see so urgently, I told them I needed to see father. They looked at me in shock and disbelief as I usually never wanted to talk to our father. I was always the independent son who enjoyed being in the forge and wanted to keep my distance from him. My older brother, the chief's heir, went to get our father. When both of them came back, my father was happy that I was alive. After he made sure I was okay, I shocked all of them when asked if I could sit in on the next council meeting. I didn't want to make a decision, just wanted to observe the proceedings."

"If I may," Valka quietly interrupted. "Can I suggest a small break for some drinks and give everyone time to gain some composure before you continue on, Åsmund?" Looking around at his audience, who had not drunken much since he began his story, Åsmund nodded in agreement. "Sure, the raid is over and there isn't much to say about the council meeting. After that is more training but also the time that Razor brought me around the island to meet the other dragons, showing them that humans aren't as bad as they thought."

Åsmund got up and walked out the front door and looked over to right to face the two Furies. "Razor, you'll be alright. Åsmund is taking a break so let's go get some water." Toothless suggested Razor. She finally brought her head out from under his wing and looked up at Åsmund. "Åsmund…" Razor started to say before he stopped her, saying, "I know what you are going to say and you know my answer. Now go and get a drink with Toothless." Razor simply nodded, still feeling regret for not protecting him that day and a few other times as well. The two dragons walked off into the dark village to the nearest fountain to get water.

Water Fountain

Toothless and Razor arrived at the fountain and began to drink from it slowly. Razor was still feeling down from the story as the beginning still resonated negatively in her mind. "Razor, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. It happens, it's happened a few times with Hiccup and I. Though one time, I…" Toothless paused for a moment before Razor came over to him, put her head into the crook of his neck and wrapped her wings around him. "Just be quiet you silly Night Fury and just be here for a moment for me," she softly commanded. Toothless quickly complied, licking at her neck gently to sooth her. She hates this story, I can tell. She is strong for listening to everything as it's told. We both doubt ourselves for letting things happen to our rider. I do not believe I can ever forgive myself for what I did to Hiccup's father. Toothless thought to himself as he kept comforting her. Razor breathed slowly as Toothless helped her relax. Feeling more like herself, she took her wings away from him and then licked his neck and upper back once in gratitude. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "We probably need to get back to hear more of the story." Toothless nodded in response and the two of them started to walk back to Hiccup's House

Outside Hiccup's House – Just after the Furies left

Åsmund turned around and looked at Hiccup and Astrid holding each other close as Valka was getting ale for everyone still in the house. Åsmund turned away and caught sight of Cloudjumper. Thinking over it for a second, he walked towards the dragon and tried not to let the reptile's stare intimidate him. When they were at an acceptable distance, Cloudjumper asked, "You'd slay your own kind to keep those close to you alive. What if Hiccup's decision puts you at odds with each other?" Cloudjumper asked as he stared at Åsmund. "I would hope he wouldn't, but if he decides to not aid me then I'd hope we'd both be reasonable enough people not to fight. He is much like me, I can see it in his heart. When we were both young, we probably would have been the best of friends if we lived together on the same island. He likes to work on things at the forge more than wanting to lead." Åsmund started with before continuing, "But unlike me, who will never be chief, he was thrust into the role it seems. He's still unsure of what to do and what is the best for his village, but he's smart and he'll make whatever decision is right for the village and dragons and that is all I can ask for." Åsmund finished as he turned and looked at the house. "Hmm, you are full of surprises Åsmund. Maybe you aren't that bad. Until I have reason enough to trust you, I will not and will caution Toothless on doing so as well. That also includes your Razor as well."

Åsmund smiled and put his hand out towards Cloudjumper, "You sound just like my brother, wise beyond his age, cautious at every turn, but also willing to trust if shown that you can be trusted. May I have the honor of touching you, the dragon that reminds me so much of my brother while I'm in this distant land?" Cloudjumper found himself taken back at the request and didn't know how to respond. Åsmund made a request that seemed so far out of place to him, but also was the most sincere he's ever heard a human speak. "Not tonight, maybe in the future when I think you've earned it." Cloudjumper answered, walking back around to the back of the house where he was before. Cloudjumper would have been the perfect dragon for my brother if they had met. They are so alike it isn't funny, Åsmund thought turning around and seeing the two Furies come back to the house. He made his way inside, noticing Astrid and Hiccup sharing a quick kiss before sitting down in his seat. He took a drink from the tankard and asked, "So are we ready to continue?"

The three Berkians gave each other a thoughtful look before reaching a conclusion. Once they focused their attention back to Åsmund, Astrid answered, "We're ready. Please go on with your story."

Author's Note: First thank you for being patient everyone. I now have at least a months worth of updates from my Betas and will be updating again every Wednesday. Also please vote in my poll, you can choose up to two selections now, as this will help me decide something happening in the final arc. And before we get further into EFS stuff, just wanted to announce I do have a new Fan Fiction up as well that I started writing and am collaborating with Foxmorgorth. It is a crossover of Jurassic Park and HTTYD called Draconic World. Go check it out. It only has a few chapters out but it will be updated as I finish chapters and such.

So we have just seen part of the life that Åsmund has gone through. He is very much more "Viking" like than Hiccup, but at the same time similar. The part in the beginning where Åsmund asks Hiccup that question, I think the answer that Hiccup gave, given where we are in the timeline, is probably the most Hiccup answer I could come up with. What do you think? Also if you could go to my poll on my profile and answer my question. This will help me out towards the end of my story.

Stats and Thank you time: First thank you to the following people for following my story since I last updated: starkiller91, MysteriousQuillPen, NightsAnger, Revanhun, cbrown0925 and moonmunirah97. Thank you to AssassinSasha15 and TheNightfurys for running the full gambit of follow and favorite. Thank you to NightsAnger and Cyber Drakonian for adding it to their favorite story list. Thank you to thearizona, 1Mici1, MysteriousQuillPen and NightsAnger (Guest) for the reviews of the chapter. Again feel free to review and ask questions, I'll answer them down here.

My final set of thank yous will now go out to my Betas. My Beta Readers are amazing folks and have helped to bring out this story even more. So without further ado, thank you to Moonchaser the Night Fury and Deer Flower. They have been helping me since Chapter 5, according to Fan Fiction, and to my latest Beta, Thorongil82. Thor hasn't given me anything yet, but his suggestions will be incorporated in as I receive them.

Last here are the stats for the last installment 51 Views and 41 Visitors in the first week of its release, total now is 79 Views and 65 Visitors.

MysteriousQuillPen: HAHA, they are trying to come once a week. I'm just waiting on Betas for their suggestions.

TheNightfurys: Thank for those words, it does mean a lot to me.

1Mici1: Everyone has an opinion on which stories are better and it's fine, but I thank you for the compliments on my story as well. I actually do read "The Shapeless" and it is a good story as well.

I gave my answer to NightsAnger (Guest) that reviewed, but I'll give it to everyone as well:

"I do agree that OCs, depending on the story, can be OP. I know mine does seem that way and that is really because he's had his own adventure that he's having to tell Hiccup and his crew. His adventure is now intersecting with Hiccup's and they will be a part of it. I do plan on balancing things out heavily come the final arc. Even in this arc, even though I'm heavily exploring Åsmund and Razor right now, it is because they need to have their story and some background given to Hiccup. I doubt Hiccup would agree to anything Åsmund asked unless he learned more about him. Once their story is told, it will be time to start balancing things out and in fact several future chapters will involve Hiccup and Razor working together in a task. With which camp I'm in for the leg. If they never made the sequel, it could really be either camp I could go in. With the sequel and the conversation Hiccup has with his mother, I'm more in line with the camp that Toothless bit Hiccup's leg to pull him into his wings to save him. I mean Hiccup did say "He got me back, right bud? You couldn't save all of me could you, you just had to make it even. So.. Peg Leg." To me that says that Toothless saved him from the flames at the cost of ruining Hiccup's leg and him losing it." Search Youtube for the HTTYD 2 clip "He's Beautiful" for the above quote.

Revanhun gave me a private review of EFS and he brought up some good points that I will say I'm correcting now in my future writing. I've been doing way too much exposition, basically lots of telling but not enough showing. So in this chapter in order to break the massive amounts of "telling", I threw in a flash back to "show" part of the raid through Asmund's eyes in the past and bring some action to a rather dull "telling" exposition.

Preview of next chapter (Pre-Beta Reader):

"She was happy that the village was opening up, but I told her, 'We need to get the dragons on our side now to make true peace happen. I want to visit other dragons and show them that humans are not bad.'"