So.. someone suggested a name I really like, but I'll wait to see if there are anymore suggestions.


After three long weeks of sailing and stopping on the occasional island to get extra food and water, the entire former population of Berk continued towards the horizon. Everyone was now mostly healed and ready for the adventure a new home would bring.

Hiccup sometimes would gaze back towards the old rock he used to call home as if he could see it, still calling to him on the horizon. Others did the same thing, even Snotlout, though he would never admit it. Things had been uneasy with Ryker, but he was quickly becoming more comfortable with Dragons, despite his history with them. He had gotten quite attached to the grieving Meatlug, since they both had suffered a loss to Drago's monster. Hiccup guessed that Meatlug and Ryker might make a good team. Possibly. Ryker might not enjoy cuddling Meatlug. Hiccup jumped when he heard footsteps.

"Chief?"

He turned to see Eret.

"Yeah?"

Eret moved over and stood beside him. "Chief, can I talk to you?"

"Apparently you can."

Eret smirked a little at the sarcasm.

"You're gonna miss your home, aren't you?"

"Well, as much sentimental value it has, it was always just a rock floating in the ocean. Home is where your family and friends are. Where your tribe is. Mine is right here." He looked back at the twins sleeping with Barf and Belch on the deck, Tuffnut draped over Belch's neck.

Eret stayed silent for a moment. "I guess I count, huh? And Ryker? And Heather."

Hiccup nodded. "Ryker helped us, and he's continuing to do so. You're definitely a Dragon rider. Heather.. we have a history."

Eret raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

Hiccup stared back out toward the sea.

"You know, Hiccup.."

Hiccup turned to look at him.

"You're a better man than I ever was."

Hiccup looked back out at sea for a long moment.

"You're very brave, and you stand for peace. More than I can say for most people I've met. You're a little crazy, but..." He stopped, not quite knowing how to finish the sentence.

Hiccup turned to look at him. At first, he looked somber. Something in his eyes made Eret feel weird. He couldn't read the expression that crossed Hiccup's face next.

"I've killed people."

Eret nodded. "A lot of men have."

"I stand for peace, and yet.. I still hurt people. When my friends are in danger, when my family is threatened, I can't.. I don't know what happens to me.. I killed the Red death, but only because it was threatening everything and everyone I loved. I nearly killed Alvin the Treacherous twice. I threatened Dagur the Deranged. I was going to fight Drago before I was encased in that ice. I chose to threaten Viggo away when he came by."

Hiccup finished his speech and stared back out at the sea.

Eret had no clue what to say. He stared at the Chief helplessly.

"Chief?"

Hiccup didn't respond. He pulled out Inferno and stared at it blankly.

"I guess... I'll always be a part of a violent time. Maybe peace really is only temporary. Did it really take me this long to realize it? I must be crazy, or stupid. What does it take for me to let go of that dream I had when I was fifteen? That Toothless and me could be friends forever, and Dragons and Vikings to get along? I lost my foot, my father, half my tribe, my home, and part of my sanity! All it'll take is another warlord with an intention to hurt everything I love, and I'll lose the rest of it because I still refuse to see the truth! Peace just isn't truly possible."

With that, Hiccup raised his sword to throw it into the sea. Eret stopped him, grabbing his arm. It fell with a clatter to the deck of the boat. Eret stared at Hiccup. There were tears in his pained pine green eyes.

"Peace is possible. And I believe you're the only one who can bring it. Maybe not for the whole world, but at least for us. Remember what you keep saying? A Chief protects his own. These people follow you because they believe in you and what you believe. So do I. Drago had it wrong. Viggo had it wrong. I had it wrong. Now we see what Dragons and Vikings can do together. They complete each other. And you, Hiccup, are the key to peace."


Toothless walked into the hull the hull of the ship where most of the Dragons were talking. He saw all of his closer flock sitting together and talking. He walked up and sat down among them.

"Alpha." They all said in unison. Toothless nodded once.

"What are you all talking about?"

Barf and Belch exchanged a look. Stormfly crowed uneasily. Hookfang snorted. Cloudjumper tilted his head to one side.

"...Me?"

Hookfang shook his head. "Trainer."

Toothless's eyes narrowed. "Why? Something wrong?"

Barf looked at Toothless. "He seems so different lately." Belch nodded. "Something is bugging your rider, Alpha."

Toothless nodded. "He has a lot on his mind."

Skullcrusher rumbled thoughtfully. "Do you think it's our home? Maybe it's how my old rider.." He stopped, staring at Toothless.

Toothless nodded, ears twitching. "It's fine."

The Dragons lapsed into an uneasy silence.


Hiccup moved into the small quarters he and his small family were currently sharing inside the main ship. Astrid was holding their fussing baby.

"Shh. It's okay. Shh."

She began to sing a Viking lullaby to him, and he eventually quieted down. Astrid noticed Hiccup and looked up at him.

"Hiccup?"

He smiled at her for a moment, then moved to sit down at a small desk that had been on the ship. He stared at the wall.

Astrid set down the small Haddock on the bed, then walked the two feet over to him.

"What's wrong?"

Hiccup looked into her eyes. There was something unreadable in his gaze. It unsettled Astrid a little. Regret. Anger. Hopelessness. Sorrow. No sarcasm. Memories. His face shifted into a loving gaze.

"Astrid... I almost.." He paused. "I..." He seemed to be choking on words. "I'm so lucky."

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just so lucky..." He turned to look back at the wall. "So.. lucky.."

He collapsed out of the stool he had been sitting in.


Exhaustion. That's what it had been. The stress of everything finally had gotten to Hiccup. Losing so much, being in battle, training, becoming a father, doubting everything he had ever believed for the second time in his life, it had all led to him fainting. He was now lying in bed, Gothi giving him some herbs and telling him, none too gently, to stay in bed.

Hiccup didn't want to argue. He lay, staring at the ceiling, all his armor removed and put aside. Astrid had put his prosthetic on the small table beside him, but only if he really needed it. Now he just wanted rest. He wanted the world to go away for a while so he could just give up and rest.

Just rest.


"Land ho!"

Hiccup started. Someone had yelled land? He heard movement above him, and some excited voices. He couldn't bring himself to get up.

"It is! Maybe it's big enough for settlement!"

Hiccup groaned. "Great. Someone is going to come in here and.." He rolled over, trying to ignore everything.


The small party landed on the new island. It was definitely big enoungh for two hundred Vikings and Dragons, and several animals to settle on. They began to look around to see what was on the new place. Fresh water, large flat areas, plenty of trees, it was very promising. Then the party heard a very familiar roar in the distance.

One no one had ever heard but from one Dragon.


More cliffhanger.

And Hiccup is depressed. Poor dude. I mean, considering what he's been through, I figured this is the kind of stuff he'd go through. And see? This reflects and echoes the other two movies, where Hiccup is at a low point, doubting, and receives some encouragment from someone. You see what I did there? Huh? *smirk*

What dat roar? :3