Greetings all!

Welcome back to I, Alone and the next instalment of the story. I've had this arc of chapters on the cards for well over 18 months now so it gives me real pleasure to finally get to it. There's stuff in here that has been plaguing me to be let out so finally I get to oblige it.

Figured I'd try a mid-week upload as I'm off on vacation this weekend and didn't want to leave it hanging.

Many thanks to all of the folks who have favourited and followed this story recently despite the fact it hasn't been updated in while. it's so nice to see new folks come along to join this fandom and in turn like what they have read. Here's hopin you like what comes next!

There's gonna be quite a few references in here, some shameless, some more subtle which I hope you enjoy. Also I'm gonna plant another flag with a revelation in here as well that some of you may like or not. If I don't fully address it in this chapter it will be covered in the next one as Hiccup will only be on Meathead for a short time and I will also be planting the seed for a confrontation further down the line. There's a lot of ground to cover and world building to do so hopefully it will all lead to fun story times in the future.

That said, on with the story and I hope you enjoy!


I Alone

Chapter 12

Lone Wolves PT 1

(The Lonely Island present day, Night time)

Loneliness.

It seemed to be a defining characteristic of his life Hiccup thought as he drew his furs around him.

The night had well and truly fallen, leaving him to savour the warmth of his camp fire, yet it still wasn't enough to quell the shiver that ran occasionally up his spine.

For the shiver was not generated by a lack of heat, but his mind rampantly replaying the events he had been through over and over again.

What had originally begun as a quest to save Pandora's life had turned into something so strange and mind-blowing, that Hiccup could barely suppress the nervous rage that had wracked his mind and body since his return.

'Why had he not been told? Why had he been kept in the dark all these years? Why had he been needlessly made to suffer his life of rejection and loneliness?'

Surely someone could have said something! Even Gobber could have least dropped him a hint! If he had known the truth then perhaps things might have been wildly different.

Perhaps better.

But no!

Hiccup had been left out, the truth deliberately hidden from him, the people who were supposed to help and support him doing nothing but make his life a misery, either as silent judges that looked down on him, or forced him to keep his own head bowed and in the dirt like a good doormat.

It was confusing, it was infuriating, it was rage-inducing to the point where Hiccup wanted to scream his anger to the skies as he had done the fateful day in the arena that had started this life-altering adventure.

And now it was robbing him of his rest as he, in typical Hiccup fashion, obsessed and over-thought the implications of his discoveries.

He wanted so much to sleep, but found he could barely sit still and now here he was on the brink of exhaustion yet still completely unable to let himself fall asleep.

It had been like this for the past week now and the absence of the dragons had not helped his mood.

It seemed all he could do was endure loss after loss, tainting everything he did with a sharp bitter-sweetness; robbing him of the full satisfaction he was entitled too.

The losses he had endured, made even more tangible now by the long scars that coiled over both of his arms which still tingled in even the slightest breeze or the smallest movement was compounded by the new sketches that littered his journal. The face that looked up at him from the parchment offering only a token consolation to the young confused boy Hiccup still felt he was as he wrestled with burdens no-one his age should have had to bare.

And at the end of it all, Hiccup scowled at the life he had been denied which spawned the heart-aching feelings of loneliness that plagued him, especially at night.

Feelings, that only ever seemed to be negated by the warmth and closeness of his best friend and dragon, the Nightfury Toothless.

A closeness that this night he did not have, leaving his head to spin as he fought to remind himself that though things may have changed, at least he knew the truth.

The blurry outline of the fire which had now begun to spin as well, pulled Hiccup from the present once again as he replayed the experiences on Meathead Island that had landed him in this fresh quagmire of emotional turmoil.

And, like now, it had all started with him spinning….


(FLASHBACK, Meathead Island, 9 days ago, Morning)

'Just keep spinning ….. Just keep spinning … That's what we do ….. We just keep spinning!'

Hiccup thought he was going to vomit as the weird words rattled around in his head to a jaunty sing-song tune he made up. Anything to distract himself from the nausea he was feeling at being thrown around Mogadon's house like a rag doll.

He couldn't move in the cast iron grip of Thuggory's arms around him and was nearly deafened by the Meathead heir's hysterical, near deranged laughter as he spun the pair of them around and around and around, all the while yelling …..

"YOU'RE HERE, YOU'RE HERE! YOU'RE FINALLY HERE! …. THANK THOR! …. THANK ODIN! … THANK ALL THE GODS! ….

HA HA HA!"

"Thuggory …. Ugh! …. Getting close to ….. blacking out! …. Please stop ….. aaahhh!" Hiccup wheezed as loudly as he could, quietly making his own prayers that he would not regurgitate his breakfast like Barf'n'Belch often did.

Instantly the spinning stopped and Hiccup's feet were plonked back on the floor, much to his relief and to his old friend's surprise. Previously such a move would have had Hiccup collapse in on himself, leaving him vulnerable and weak looking. But thanks to all the flying on Toothless he had been doing and then a couple of weeks of training with the dragons, his leg strength and balance had improved drastically.

Even Thuggory seemed to notice, causing his huge smile to widen even more, if such a thing were even physically possible.

"Hiccup! Ha ha …. You're here … after all this time! ….. I thought you'd never …. But …. Yes you're here!" Thuggory continued to sputter in jovial disbelief. Before Hiccup could speak the hyperactive man turned on his heel and sprinted for the door throwing it wide.

"That must mean you're father is here as well? And the rest of the council?" the well-built young man gushed as he darted his gaze around to try and pick them out of the crowds that were now steadily streaming into the nearby Meade Hall. Hiccup felt his breath hitch in worry at the mention of Stoick. The painful memories of their last encounter in the arena and his fear of what his father might be doing in his absence, chilled whatever warmth Hiccup felt at being reunited with his fellow heir.

Thuggory's happy ramblings broke him from his sombre thoughts as he kept his gaze fixed on the passing crowds, his brown eyes now narrowed in mischievous glee, "Oh I can't wait to challenge the other kids to a duel! See if they've gotten any better! Show them what for, for giving you hard time! Wait, where are they? Oh! Dad is probably meeting them at the docks and then touring the village with them" Thuggory said to himself before yelling loudly at a passing maiden-warrior "Hey! Lady Audhild! Tell the cooks to prepare a small special feast for breakfast! I have an honoured guest!"

"At once my lord!" the strong looking woman replied with a bow which Thuggory returned in thanks, much to Hiccup's panic, his nerves already beginning to fray at the situation that was getting more and more out of his control.

"So much for the discreet, stealthy approach", Hiccup muttered worriedly to himself as the oblivious Thuggory closed the door and strode back over to him, his muscular frame and big personality dominating the space.

"Excellent! We'll go and meet the rest of the Berkians and my father ….." Thuggory declared before halting his speech and looking at Hiccup in the devious way he used to when he'd plan some private fun adventure for just the two of them whenever the Meatheads came to visit Berk "… No! … Why cut our fun short so soon? ….. When they can just catch up to us?! Aaahhhhh Hiccup! It's so good to see you!

Once again Hiccup was surrounded by the huge muscular arms of Thuggory as he was enclosed in what could be considered a good old fashioned Super-Heroic-Manly-Proper-Viking-Death-Grip hug.

"Urrrggghh ….. Still …. Can't …. Breathe!" Hiccup rasped as he got a too close a look at the immaculate craftsmanship of Thuggory's armour and clothing along with the talismans of power and leadership that hung from his neck. As before the arms that held fast released him, only more gently this time and Thuggory took a small step back, an apologetic smile on his face.

"Oh sorry Hiccup! Didn't mean to crush you my friend!" Thuggory spoke evenly as he tried desperately to calm himself down and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder "….. Now let me have a proper at look at you!"

For a few seconds Thuggory circled Hiccup staring hard up and down at him, increasing the younger Berkian's awkwardness. The fact that Thuggory was a good six inches taller than him and about twice the size already made him feel highly inadequate and that back on Berk, such appraising looks were usually followed by comments of disappointment or mockery. He already had enough insecurities about the way he looked, he didn't need them dredged up by the over-excited Meathead heir as well.

Hiccup winced at the scrutiny but felt himself relax as Thuggory's cheerful demeanour was not damped in the slightest as he once again closed the gap grasping his arm, testing his muscles and running an exploratory hand over his clothing, even going so far to playfully tousle his mop of auburn hair.

"Wow!" Thuggory exclaimed, "The gods are finally being kind to you Hiccup. I like the new look! Black and red suit you my friend, more refined than that the green and that fur vest! You're getting some meat on those bones! Perfect! Ah! You've been training by the looks of it. Have you gotten taller? …. Yes! … you look taller! ….. AND WEAPONS?!"

Without even waiting for permission Thuggory disarmed Hiccup clutching his shield tightly and examining the spear intently like a child examining his presents at Snoggletog.

"This shield is so light! And its seen battle looking at these scorch marks! I always knew you had a warrior in you!" Thuggory chirped as he assumed a battle stance and clanged the shield against his chest before turning his attentions to Hiccup's main weapon.

"And a spear?" the Meathead crooned in approval as he began spinning it around himself with a speed and grace that far out-matched his size and frame. Hiccup had to move back slightly as he saw his weapon slice through the air, its signature high pitched whistle drawing more awed gasps from its wielder. And all the while Thuggory kept on talking, his moves and precision still perfect despite his constant commentary.

'SWISH!'

"Figured you'd go with a weapon like this Hiccup, big maces and axes where never your style, but this thing! This is incredible!"

"Um …. Thuggory could you …."

'SWOOSH!'

"Listen to the noise it makes! Wow! You must have done some damage with it!"

"Well I'm not really …. But can you please …"

'SWASH!'

"And its PURPLE! How in Midgard did you get the blade to be tinted purple?!"

"Thuggory …."

'FWOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP!'

"You'll have to make me one too! It will go perfectly with the rest of my collection!"

"Thuggory ….."

"You always were a whizz in the forge my friend! Ha ha ha!"

"THUGGORY STOP!"

At the desperate, almost pleading yell from Hiccup, Thuggory snapped to a halt and gazed at his friend in shock. Hiccup had never raised his voice at him like that before. Looking at his friend closely, the Meathead heir saw that Hiccup was wound tighter than a coiled sea-snake, his eyes straining against some unknown inner struggle, his breathing fast and shallow, biting his lower lip, his body shaking with locked muscles and hands clenched, his knuckles a disturbing shade of white.

"Hiccup?" Thuggory asked worriedly

"Just …. stop … please …."

Instantly, Thuggory set down the spear and shield on the table and warily approached Hiccup, palms open, his movements slow and deliberate. Through the haze of his warring thoughts and emotions Hiccup imagined it was like how he might approach a wild dragon. Part of him inwardly smirked at the irony.

"Hiccup? I'm sorry, tell me, What's wrong?" the Wolf's-Bane asked, the silence broken only by the sound of his clinking armour and heavy feet on the creaky floor.

"Nothing, it's just … I'm not used to all ….. this!" Hiccup muttered dejectedly throwing out his hands.

"You just gestured to all of me!" Thuggory replied in confusion at the pathetic nature of Hiccup's defeatist body language countering what was supposed to be a joyous occasion for both of them.

'This was not how I wanted this to go, I'm only here and already it's falling apart!' Hiccup screamed at himself.

He had wanted to remain hidden in the shadows, detached and apart from everyone, save only the essential people, protecting his identity and his heart from any further damage. And this was certainly not how he wanted his reunion with Thuggory to pan out. The last time they had seen each other was on Berk over a year ago and despite Thuggory still being his usual cheerful irrepressible self, Hiccup was so unprepared to be showered with compliments, welcomed unreservedly and treated like he was the centre of another Viking's world, it frightened him. Actually it terrified him.

For Hiccup was no longer the same scrawny Blacksmith's Apprentice and Chief-to-be Thuggory had known before. Now he was an outcast, an exile, a filthy deviant not fit to call himself a Viking.

Hiccup knew eventually that him being a dragon rider and his forbidden friendship with Toothless would forever shatter and destroy the rare friendship with Thuggory he so treasured. It would only be a matter of time before the cordial Meathead found out and then they would be forever enemies.

He didn't want to lose this person but already Hiccup could see Thuggory being sucked into the swirling black abyss that had consumed so much of what he held dear in life.

It was too much as he dipped his head in shame.

Hiccup wanted to flee and spare himself the anguish that was already threatening to land on his doorstep.

He had lost so many people already.

The strong hands that rested gently on his shoulders forced the dismayed youth to raise his head and look Thuggory in the eyes once more. Warm hazel eyes, that seemed to hold understanding and compassion, despite belonging to a notoriously fearsome young warrior.

"Hiccup I'm sorry" Thuggory intoned, "I ….. I got carried away again …. didn't I?"

"Maybe …. a bit." Hiccup replied quietly, savouring the feeling of the other man's hands supporting his smaller frame, remembering all the other times Thuggory had defended and supported him in the past.

Though he was brash and loud, Thuggory Wolf's-Bane was no thug. A point proved as the man chuckled, mindfully keeping his voice low and tempered

"Ah there's no 'maybe' about it. I always get carried away. Especially with you." The Meathead said warmly "Ha! I'm just so happy to see you here. After all this time you finally made it! Thank all the gods that you're here and that I'm the one to greet you. Welcome my friend, a thousand times welcome!"

The hug that followed was indeed a hug that could rival Gobber's in its tenderness. It made Hiccup so happy to receive it and at the same time heart-broken that once Thuggory learned the truth he would never treat Hiccup so kindly ever again.

Such would be his luck or lack thereof, Hiccup was certain.

"Come then, sit." Thuggory offered as he broke the hug and gestured to the large table that dominated the lower level upon which lay his shield and spear, along with a map, a jug and some silver goblets. "I take it those muttonheads back on Berk are still treating you poorly?" Thuggory asked sombrely as he sat and poured fresh water into the goblets and slid one to Hiccup as he sat opposite him.

"You could say that" Hiccup replied 'if only you could understand that the company I keep now is much better…. And by the way …. they're dragons … you know, our mortal enemies!'

"I see!" Thuggory replied knowingly as he swigged a gulp of water, "Well let's definitely not grace them with our presence then!" he continued haughtily trying to lighten the mood "No wonder you raced up here to see me by yourself! Let my father put up with those Yak-brains for the day while we have our fun! Though I'm surprised you're here at all! What finally convinced Stoick to let you come this time?"

"Well …. it was sort of an …. unexpected visit … unplanned." Hiccup stuttered his reply, his mind in overdrive as it screamed at him.

'Most definitely unplanned seeing I'm here to find a cure for a dying Whispering Death who just laid a whole clutch of eggs which might hatch any day now! … Oh and by the way, I should probably tell you I'm best friends with a Nightfury …. and I'm currently on the run from my Chief, my whole tribe ….. and oh yeah! I murdered some Outcasts a while back! ….. but get this! …. I know what causes the dragon raids that have been killing Vikings for the past 300 years! …. Don't send me away Thuggory! ….. Still be my friend, please don't Blood Eagle me! … Please don't! ….. no … no …. No!'

"Ah! Blown off course were you?!" Thuggory nonchalantly suggested, knowing it happened to ships all the time and just assuming it was the same circumstance here.

"You could say that" Hiccup repeated having no better answer 'especially since I was blown here on the back of a Nightfury 'the unholy offspring of Lightening and Death itself!' with a Deadly Nadder and Terrible Terror in tow!'

"Well fortune smiles on me when you, of all people, are blown to my house!" Thuggory exulted evenly as he downed the last of his drink, unaware of the thoughts dashing through Hiccup's mind. But the Meathead's words drew Hiccup from his mile-a-minute self- discourse

"Wait … What? …. you're house?" Hiccup asked, his curiosity now piqued.

"Yeah! My house!" Thuggory chirped.

"But that doesn't make sense" Hiccup countered in his confusion "isn't this 'The Chief's' house? I mean it has your dad's sigil over the doorway!"

A realisation dawned in Thuggory's eyes as he looked to the front door and back, yet maintained his casual demeanour "Oh that? I've been meaning to get that replaced with my own personal brand, hmph! Must have forgot."

"Then …. did your dad …. retire?" Hiccup pressed as he put all the connections together "Thuggory … Are you? ….. Are you the chief now?!"

At this question the burly Meathead let out a jovial laugh that confused Hiccup even more and made him slightly irritated that his reasonable assumption was being made fun of by his friend. Thuggory obviously noticed this and schooled his features, "Ha ha ha! Grey Odin's ghost no Hiccup! But you're not far off. No this is all part of my training to be chief! Dad moved out about a year ago. Said that 'a good chief knows how to run his household even before he gets married!'" Hiccup smirked at the horrible impression Thuggory made of Mogadon as he leaned in to explain himself further "It makes him appreciate all the things his wife will do for him …. and also ensures the future Missus Thuggory doesn't swindle her husband with false tales of all the work she does! Ha ha ha!"

Both males chuckled at the conspiratorial nature of Thuggory's explanation. True neither truly knew what it meant to be married, but both figured it was a battle of some sort, considering how stubborn and competitive their fellow tribesmen and women were in matters of dominance. It helped distract Hiccup from thinking too deeply that he and Stoick hadn't had much success when the Vast man even attempted to teach him anything about being chief.

"No! I will know how to keep my house before anyone else is forced to take on that burden!" Thuggory declared grandly saluting the room with his empty goblet.

Hiccup flinched at Thuggory's turn of phrase. He knew he had heard those words before, but just wasn't sure where or when.

But such thoughts were pushed aside as Thuggory set down his cup and pushed himself up to his feet, prompting Hiccup to do the same. Pulling up to his full imposing height and puffing out his chest with pride and gusto, Thuggory gave Hiccup back his weapons and after wrapping a warm arm around his lean shoulders, guided him toward the front door.

"Well, we shall go out into the world and I will show you the fabled hospitality of Sterngaurd and the Meathead tribe. Come Hiccup! This going to be a glorious day!"

Despite all his fears and misgivings, knowing he still had a job to do, Hiccup allowed himself to be shown out into the street. If this was going to be his one and only time on Meathead Island then he may as well savour every single minute of it.

'It's not as if I'll be back here any time soon and I may even be able to avoid Mogadon altogether so he won't tell Stoick I was here!' Hiccup surmised hoping he could actually prevail in his enterprise with as little damage done as possible.

Little did he know that the fates were already conspiring to do something far more potent than just a little damage.


(About an hour later)

After a whirlwind yet delicious breakfast and being introduced to more Meatheads than he could count thanks to his over-zealous host, Hiccup was very much relieved to be out and about in the streets of Sterngaurd. It seemed the gods had decided this was going to be the 'unstealthiest' stealth mission ever undertaken. Hiccup was thankful to be finally away from the crowded hall and the inquisitive prying eyes of the unfamiliar tribesmen. Thuggory, his enthusiasm barely suppressed, excitedly pointed out various buildings and their functions, even insisted on introducing him as 'the heir and pride of Berk' to as many people as he could.

Every time he heard that phrase, Hiccup cringed with nerves seeing he was actually the heir to nothing and could only be proud of his taboo-breaking family of dragons. Yet still he had to keep up his pretense until he found what he was looking for and tried to savour the companionship Thuggory offered.

Remembering his goal, Hiccup had mentioned he wanted to visit the Meathead library, a place infamous throughout the entire archipelago for the powerful knowledge and dark secrets it reportedly kept so jealousy hidden. If there existed any knowledge to help save Pandora, Hiccup was sure he would find it there. Thuggory had nearly exploded with excitement at showing him the library and was currently leading them there, its dark gates and unusually heavy fortifications marking it out as a remote forbidding place, even amongst the pragmatic Viking surroundings of Sterngaurd.

As they walked and talked Hiccup was amazed at just how naturally Thuggory seemed to fit into his future role as heir. Each step the larger Viking took was steady and firm, he practically glided along the streets, completely at ease with himself and the people around him. He exuded a charming confidence that set everyone they passed smiling, respect flowing in both directions, the weight of his future chieftainship barely pressing down on his wide mighty shoulders.

It made Hiccup frown as the insidious tendrils of jealousy began to wind their way into his heart.

'How could one heir like Thuggory be so blessed and loved and strong, while he had been so feeble, marginalised and pushed aside?'

It wasn't right, it wasn't fair as the disparaging voices of his past began to crowd his thoughts once more.

'You're just not good enough boy!'

'Ha! So weak!'

'He's never where he should be!'

'Stop trying to be something you're not!'

'Argh! I give up! Just stick to the forge-work child! It'll be safest for everyone!'

So deep in thought was Hiccup that he didn't heed Thuggory's warning to 'watch out!' and walked headlong into a trio of Vikings that had just rounded the corner. So engrossed in their own conversation were the new-comers, that neither they nor the oblivious Hiccup noticed each other until they all collided.

"HEY! Watch where you're going short stuff!" the lead Meathead barked irritably snapping Hiccup from his dour thoughts to dour reality, forcing him to stagger back a step and finally allow his brain catch up with what was actually happening.

"I …. Um … ah?"

"You got a problem twiggy?!..." the heavy set Viking pressed in response to Hiccup's surprised stuttering "…..Or are you just stupid?!"

"Calm down Baseel!" Thuggory interjected as the older Vikings took a step forward, looking to set upon Hiccup for bumping into them.

"Oh! Young lord Thuggory? What brings you here?" Baseel chirped in surprise at his presence before rounding his beady eyes on the startled Hiccup once more, "looking for someone to fill the job of Village idiot?!"

"Looks like this little one fits the part perfectly! Ha!" Baseel's cohort added.

"Can't even form a sentence properly can you …. eh Runt?!" the third man snickered.

The fresh round of chuckles infuriated Thuggory to no end. This was last kind of reception he wanted Hiccup to have, knowing first-hand how the Berkians treated him. He was going to order the belligerent men to apologise when …

"Shut up!"

… The order that was quietly growled brought everything to standstill, including the laughter of Baseel and his two friends.

"Is this how you treat people you've never even met before?!"

The sheer intensity of Hiccup's question seemed to electrify the hairs on Thuggory's neck seeing the younger Berkian draw himself up to seem even taller than he physically was.

"You think just because you're so big and so strong, that gives you the right to hurt those you think are beneath you?! So much for the fabled hospitality of the Meatheads! So much for their much praised virtue or their much revered honour! If you three are what all Meatheads are like then there's not a stitch of honour to be found among any of you!"

"Not just a minute young-one!" Baseel spluttered in surprise, only finding the desire to defend himself after being insulted "You can't just go calling our honour into. ….."

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

The yell that erupted from Hiccup startled everyone so much that even Thuggory jumped back a step while Baseel and his friends jumped back two. Pressing his advantage Hiccup stalked forward his narrowed green eyes afire with the rage that had lain dormant since his time on the Lonely Island. The hurtful words had sprung a leak in the dam of his vast anger and it was now seeping out, threatening to flood over Hiccup's defences. And this time there was no Toothless to calm him down.

In fact in this moment Hiccup didn't want Toothless or any of the other dragon to calm him down at all as he still pressed forward, acutely aware of the spear in his hands.

"You have no idea who I am, the things I've done, the people I've k ….. had to deal with! The muttonheads who think they're so high and mighty when they don't even know how to tie the laces on their boots!"

By now the three Vikings had backed up against a wall leaving them nowhere to run as Hiccup continued to stare them down.

"I've seen things you, people, wouldn't believe! I could show you stuff that would blow you tiny Viking minds but none of that matters because you take one look and judge me by my size to be unimportant and worthless without even knowing my name!"

"Well … I … uh!" Baseel stuttered giving Hiccup yet another opportunity to press his advantage as he began shouting drawing the attention of some other villagers that were looking on with great interest.

"Come on then! Insult me! Call me more names! Surely you can do better than just 'twiggy' and 'runt!' How about toothpick or shrimp?! ….. Inadequate, scrawny?! … fishbone, meagre, pint-sized, USELESS!"

Despite being bigger than him, Baseel and his friends were absolutely terrified by Hiccup's verbal assault, struck dumb by the sheer ferocity of his words that seemed to shame them and him at the same time. The blazing green eyes of the former Hairy Hooligan were only tempered by the watery glaze of tears building but unshed, showing that he knew better than anyone just how such words had hurt him in the past and that he would not stand to hear such words again. Hiccup's rasping angry breathing filled the air as he raised his spear slightly, save only to find something to hold onto and keep himself at least vaguely under control.

After a minute Baseel finally felt he could respond to the tirade that had stripped him and his friends of their courage and wits.

"S-s-so young one, wh – who – who are you are then?" he asked tentatively fearing another reprisal.

"It shouldn't matter who I am but for your information …. I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third!" the boy replied his voice stronger than he had ever felt it. He usually said his name with an apologetic tone, seeing that it connected him to one of the greatest Vikings the archipelago had ever known whilst he was certainly not. A living disappointment, flying in the face of his great heritage. At first the men remained stupefied by the revelation of who they were actually talking to. But then, in a move that seemed to unite them, all three burly Vikings planted their fists on their chests and sank to one knee, their heads collectively bowed in reverence.

"Please forgive us Master Haddock!" Baseel intoned, his gaze glued to the dirt "We did not mean to offend! We beg your pardon!"

Hiccup couldn't believe it. So much for keeping a low profile! He had arrived here seeking to remain nameless and hidden. But then these three belligerent buffoons had gone and provoked him, thus blowing his cover 'again!'. Hiccup wanted to berate himself for doing something so reckless, but was too awed by how his reaction had affected his aggressors.

He had humbled three powerful warriors to their knees with nothing but his words and force of will. Had it come to an actual physical conflict he would have lost miserably but right now he was astonished as he realised what he had done.

He had dominated them! Practically the same way he had dominated Hookfang in the arena.

To feel such intoxicating power over dragons was one thing, there was an actual dynamic there, an understanding he was familiar with, but here and now? To dominate other people? Complete strangers? Without a cadre of Dragons at his back? Bending them to his dominion like this! In the face of his strength of will over them, they were nothing!

Though it was nice to cow those who had wronged him, the means he had used, the ease and ruthlessness with which he had done it, absolutely terrified him!

"I think you guys should get back to work" Thuggory finally spoke, causing the three men to straighten themselves and dash off down the street with as much grateful haste as they could muster, leaving Hiccup and Thuggory alone again as even the observers quickly went back to their own business, unwilling to be the focus of Hiccup's ire.

"Hiccup, what was tha….."

"Why do you put up with me Thuggory?!"

"What?" the Meathead asked as he slowly approached to see Hiccup turn and cast his blazing green gaze upon him. At first he was relieved to see the rage had gone, but now it had been replaced by a desperate anguished gaze that bore into him with a craving he had not seen before.

"You come to Berk twice, maybe three times a year!" Hiccup ground out shakily, "you see me, a clumsy stupid kid who blows up half the village and is pretty much unlucky to everyone ….. and then you treat me like your best friend ….. you hang out with me ….. you defend me …. You play games and talk to me … you put up with listening to all my crazy ideas …. You have the perfect life an heir could wish for ….. yet you still associate with a loser like me …. why?"

The tears were just about to flow down his cheeks now and Hiccup hated himself for now appearing so weak. Yet again he wanted to race back to the woods and find comfort against Toothless' black scales. It seemed being even this far from the Nightfury was undermining him. He figured this would be the moment when Thuggory would leave him. He had over stepped the mark and shouted down members of an allied tribe, he had exceeded his authority, driven a wedge between the Berkians and the Meatheads, potentially started a war! Hiccup prepared himself for the impeding rejection.

"Come with me!" Thuggory ordered calmly as he strode into a nearby stable.

Hiccup dutifully followed and on entering the building was surprised to see Thuggory mounting a creature he had not seen since he was a small boy. Well small-er!

To his amazement, Thuggory was sitting astride a huge black horse!

Hiccup gasped in awe. Horses were no longer a part of life on Berk, the last of them having been carried off by the fire-breathing reptiles, so to see a pair of them, alive and within touching distance was like finding a new species of dragon.

"Where are we going?" Hiccup asked still slightly wary of the tall animals.

"To give you my answer, Get on!" Thuggory replied curtly as he motioned to the brown coloured horse beside him that shuffled its feet in the presence of the humans, anticipating the chance to stretch its legs. Sensing Thuggory's impatience to get going Hiccup clambered up onto the saddle and quickly adjusted to the new mount. Though he had ridden in the saddle of his dragon many times this was definitely not the same. The horse did not have the soft grace of Toothless or Stormfly and Hiccup could feel every shaky movement the horse made. He had little time to reflect on the comparisons of horse and dragon riding as Thuggory clicked his teeth thus setting both of them off at a light trot out of the barn and down the street.

A few minutes later they passed through a gate on the other side of Sterngaurd and set off down a wide dirt track that followed a river upstream. Hiccup wanted to apologise for his outburst. He had not wanted to verbally debase himself or question their friendship but it was too late.

After about a mile, heading uphill through some pleasant woodland Thuggory stopped and dismounted, prompting Hiccup to do the same. Without even asking, the burly Meathead took the reins from Hiccup's hand, tied them both to a tree before walking off toward a building that sat perched on the riverbank surrounded by carts while a few people tended to more horses in a nearby clearing.

"Thuggory I'm sorry!" Hiccup finally blurted out, desperate to claim back some form of dialogue.

"You know, from the first time I ever set foot on Berk I always felt there was something ….. wrong with it!" the Meathead mused not breaking his step as Hiccup fell in beside him matching his pace as best he could, "My father said it was because you were all stuck in the past, incapable of change and every time I went back there on visits I began to notice what he meant …. houses constantly being rebuilt after the raids but always looking the same …. The people always fearful and suspicious of anything new or different ….. heh! For a while I wanted to refuse my father and never go back to Berk ever again ….. I didn't see the benefit, except fulfilling my ancestral duties!"

Hiccup's breath nearly stopped, fearing that all of the fun times he and Thuggory had shared were simply the large Meathead acting like he was enjoying himself. It seemed now that the larger man was indeed confirming Hiccup's accusation that he had been 'putting up' with him, for the sake of tribal relations, just like everyone else.

"But then I met you Hiccup!" Thuggory halted and turned to look at him "someone who was as different as a Viking could get! Someone who spent all day trying to scramble up a tree just to look at a butterfly while the other kids played bashy-ball or swung toy swords and maces!"

Hiccup felt the memories of those times wash over him like a warm fur and he smiled as Thuggory resumed his stroll toward the building which was emitting strange groans and creaks, "you weren't interested in fighting and killing, oh you did try for Stoick's sake …. But it wasn't who you really were …. you were a builder, a creator, someone who saw the world differently and wanted to change it with ideas no-one on that cold, depressing mound of rock could even conceive!"

"Well I figured the gods would have to pick someone on Berk to be an 'ideas-guy'" Hiccup drawled sadly as they came alongside the building, following the wall that lead to the river, "I just wish they'd given me some muscles to go with all those useless ideas!"

"COME HERE!" Thuggory growled as he grabbed Hiccup by the front of his tunic and spun him around the corner to beside the river and pointing him at the object he wanted, "LOOK!"

Hiccup's eyes widened as he took in a sight that seemed to have been ripped straight from his mind. There, attached to the side of the stone building on a large creaking axle of iron was a huge wooden waterwheel being turned by the flow of the constantly running river. The young Viking boy was stunned as he looked closer. Every single detail was there: the angle of the blades, the positioning of the framework, the cogs that connected to some kind of rumbling mechanism within. In an instant Hiccup bolted inside through the door, his jaw slack as he followed all of the moving parts through the rafters down to a set of large grindstones, around which sat several bags of freshly ground grain.

"It's a watermill!" Hiccup rasped in wonder "It's …."

"…. Your mill Hiccup, the one you designed!" Thuggory declared warmly to the stunned teen, his satisfied smirk plastered widely across his face.

"But how?" Hiccup brought his attention back to Thuggory bewildered at how on Midgard the Meatheads had made an exact replica of his watermill idea. He'd not shared the plans with anyone, yet here they were, made fully tangible in wood, iron and stone.

"I think this might answer your question!" Thuggory replied as he pulled a book down from one of the shelves and flicking to a well-marked page "It took my men time to decipher your plans and some trial and error, but we finally got it working this past spring!" the larger man declared as he handed the book over, "and now it's helping our harvest at 10 times the speed we would normally get through it!"

Hiccup was blown away as the book slotted into his hands and he reacquainted himself with his work. He had forgotten all about the drawings and plans he had made in it. Rifling through the pages, looking at other entries Hiccup realised what exactly he was reading.

"This is my journal! …." Hiccup whispered, cradling the precious lost tome, "The twins stole it from me and never gave it back ….. Snotlout told me he threw it off a cliff into the sea!"

"And I stole it from him just as he was about to do it!" Thuggory replied smirking, "It was the fact Snotlout was even holding a book tipped me off! I mean come on! Reading never was Snotlout's strength!"

Both Vikings chuckled at the infamous ignorance of the Jorgenson heir who seemed to despise everything his cousin stood for, especially his intelligence.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get it back to you," Thuggory said, "we were leaving at the time and I didn't trust Trader Johan to safely return it to you. I figured I would have a look and see what sort of 'crazy ideas' were rattling around that head of yours! Turns out it was one of best things I ever did!"

The green-eyed Berkian was now on the verge of tears again. But not tears of sorrow or rejection but tears of sheer gratitude and joy. Here was physical proof that his ideas had merit and someone in actual power who believed in them. As if sensing his feelings Thuggory raised his arms gesturing to the efficiently grinding cogs and wheels, supported by the building around them.

"You asked me why I put up with you Hiccup?! … This is my answer!" the taller man said grandly, "Only you could come up with an idea for something like this! Because of you, my people will have ground more than enough grain to survive the winter, we'll even be able to trade for more money with other tribes if we have a surplus! With the dragon raids this wouldn't have been possible but now with your mill it is! Without even lifting a finger you have already helped save one of your allies!"

"Thuggory I ….."

"No! not yet Hiccup, let me finish!" Thuggory interrupted gently, his desperate enthusiasm taking over his body as he began to pace quickly around, "this mill is just one of your amazing ideas made real and you've got so many more in that book alone! This is just the start! Think of it Hiccup! One day we will be chiefs of our tribes and all of our people will have to follow us! Together we could change the lives of all Vikings for the better! With the way you stood up to Baseel and his friends! ….. which was incredible by the way ….. You could remould the Berkians! They'd finally give you the respect you deserve, they wouldn't be so backward and gruff and along with me sharing your plans with the Meatheads, we would secure our place as the strongest tribes in the archipelago! The world is changing, threats gather outside our borders; Frisians, Gauls, Romans! We need to change and be ready to meet them head on! I bet we could even find a way to stop the dragon raids and finally live in peace! …. And at the front of it all ….. leading us into a new golden age ….. would be you ….. and me, standing together …. as chieftains … as comrades ….. as brothers!"

Hiccup's eyes finally released their tears as Thuggory rested his hands on his thin shoulders, having painted this shining utopia and then placing him on an equal footing despite their obvious differences. It was insanely overwhelming just how grand the scope of Thuggory's plans were, especially with the starting point being Hiccup's simple watermill.

"I've never ever 'put up' with you Hiccup!" Thuggory crooned "You are not a loser. You are one of the most special Vikings I have ever met and you are going to do great things!"

Hiccup wasn't sure when his legs gave out. The next thing he felt was strong arms gently lowering him to the ground so he rested on his knees clutching hard to his long lost journal as Thuggory stopped him from face planting into the floor.

It was such an amazing, perfect vision the Meathead had crafted, Hiccup wanted to race off to make it a reality. Yet deep down Hiccup saw it for what it truly was, a heart-breaking glimpse into a world that would never exist. Concealing the cold harsh reality of his life and knowing how deeply it conflicted with such a hopeful vision had sapped the last of his resolve.

The dragon-rider hated himself. It was still all a trick. It was still all a lie! Stoick was right! Thuggory's vision would never come to pass now. Hiccup had ended this glorious future before it even had a chance to begin.

It was entirely his fault and so Hiccup just knelt there and mourned for the loss of the future as an unknowing Thuggory still supported him.

"You know that book has more in it than just designs and ideas?" the older Viking muttered quietly as Hiccup continued to sob, "its full of incidents and run-ins you had with the others."

Hiccup simply nodded to acknowledge Thuggory's statement. Having been given such a wonderful demonstration of the Meathead heir's admiration and respect, Hiccup felt he could keep Thuggory on the very, very very short list of humans he could trust with what had been happening over the years between himself and his fellow Berkians.

"You don't have to talk about it Hiccup …. but know this!" the man intoned resolutely, "I will always, always be there for you. By Great Odin's eye I give you my oath and by Thor's hammer I swear I will stand by your side and do whatever I can to help you!"

"Thanks bud!" Hiccup sniffled, not caring he had accidentally called Thuggory by Toothless' other pet name. After a few more minutes spent gathering himself and his tattered emotions, Hiccup stood shakily and headed back to the horses, Thuggory's arm over his shoulder, a subtle way to help keep him upright as well to provide the reassurance he so desperately needed.


(Time skip, about an hour later)

The journey back to Sterngaurd was a much slower affair as Hiccup and Thuggory elected to walk their steeds back. After leaving his creation behind Hiccup watched as the mill-workers resumed their craft of grinding the wheat. It made him remember the desperate one-sided conversation he'd had with Stoick all those months ago, the night he'd been forced into dragon training. At first it had been a joke, but now Hiccup seriously thought, perhaps being a 'bread-making Viking' wouldn't be so bad after all. It would certainly be a rewarding way of life, free of the insanely complicated mess he was in now.

But that was not what he was, Hiccup chided himself. He was not a 'bread-making' Viking or even a 'small home-repair' Viking with a clear function and purpose.

No.

He was a 'dragon-riding' Viking and such an existence did not allow for the pleasant comforts of a simple, stable life.

Hiccup had made his choice and he savoured every sight and sound of his creation as they left it behind in the distance, committing it all to memory, seeing he figured he would never again set foot on Meathead Island after he completed his mission. As with Astrid, he had to spare Thuggory the contaminating influence of being associated with him.

This influence was made all the more obvious when Hiccup became aware of a strange presence as he and Thuggory continued to stroll back through the woodland. The Meathead heir was unaware as he chatted animatedly about the other contraptions in Hiccup's journal he wanted to build, with his permission of course. Most of the time Hiccup simply nodded and gave his ascent but he kept darting his gaze about as the presence constantly shifted around them, following them, stalking them.

Finally Hiccup caught a glimpse of what he suspected was the owner of said presence. For a few seconds he caught sight of a pair of small brilliantly golden yellow eyes that were locked onto him before they were gone in flash of red scales.

'Sunset!'

Though Hiccup should have been worried for the little Terrible Terror, her presence actually made Hiccup relax more, knowing that at least one of the dragons was watching over him and in turn could let Toothless and Stormfly know he was doing alright.

Things were going okay. Not according to plan, but okay.

The journey continued, the slow pace allowing Hiccup to take in the scenery and chat amicably with Thuggory. Truly the Meathead heir had some incredible plans for the future once he became chief. The competitive nature of Vikings was very much present as the bulky young man voiced his aspirations to surpass his father's achievements in whatever way he could find. Hiccup was elated at all the ambitious things Thuggory wanted to do, build faster ships, construct better defences, discover new lands to claim and conquer for the glorious name of the Meathead tribe. It seemed Thuggory excelled at the art of persuasion and Hiccup had no doubt in his mind Thuggory could turn of all his lofty dreams into promising reality.

Finally the two males returned to Sterngaurd and rehoused their horses in the stable from which they came. The irate owner of said animals, upon discovering who had actually 'borrowed' them suddenly turned from a rampaging affronted lunatic into a quite an affable Viking after sharing a few sarcastic jibes with the Meathead heir. In the end Thuggory joked he would turn himself in to jail right away, while the horses' owner playfully threatened to barrage him on every 'gripe-day' with the most mundane of complaints just to annoy the future chief. Hiccup watched astonished as Thuggory diffused the confrontation, the faint pangs of jealousy again rankling him. Had he tried to pull a stunt like that back on Berk he would have been slapped silly not only for 'borrowing' something, but also for using his quick witted tongue to make it seem no harm had been done. He sighed with relief and self-loathing as he and Thuggory left the horse-master behind making their way back toward the dark towering building that was the Meathead library.

"Good afternoon Gentlemen!" Thuggory crooned to the two imposing looking guards that barred the doorway "My friend Hiccup here has come to see the Hairy Scary Librarian!"

"Of course my lord, the librarian told us to expect you and your guest, he awaits within." The guard on the left intoned from behind his visored helmet.

Before Hiccup could even question how on earth the librarian could be expecting him, the heavy rune-covered doors to the building rumbled open, revealing a long corridor that, despite the blazing morning sun, remained swathed in shadow. At the end of the passage-way Hiccup could just about make out a tall thin figure shrouded in dark robes. The man, at least Hiccup assumed it was a man, appeared to radiate fear and intimidation and the young Berkian immediately regretted asking to be brought here. But such reservations were given no time. Thuggory ushered Hiccup inside while the heavy iron-reinforced doors closed themselves tight behind them. The loud 'clanking' sounds of locks being secured and dead-bolts driving home served only to make Hiccup tenser as his eyes quickly adjusted the sudden lack of light.

The air was thick and musty making Hiccup's nose wrinkle. At first it seemed the building was silent like a tomb but as Hiccup's senses came back into focus he discovered there were numerous sounds that gave the building a strange life of its own. Up in the rafters Hiccup heard scuttling and ruffling followed by the croaking of ravens. It made sense seeing they were symbols of Odin and his knowledge. But with the amount of clicking and cawing going on up there, it felt like there was an entire aviary amongst the large wooden beams … and this was only the entrance hall!

One raven actually took flight in the darkness and darted away down one of the numerous pitch black passages that split off from this main hallway, its hoarse call and beating wings echoing spookily throughout this thoroughly creepy place.

With no way out and light at a minimum, Hiccup fixed his gaze on his aged looking 'host', memories of the wild and varied legends he had been told slithering around his mind like Venomous Vorpents, making his stomach churn and his skin crawl.

The tales of the Hairy Scary Librarian had spread all across the archipelago to the point no-one was sure what was true and what was made up. Hiccup had heard the Librarian was the custodian of knowledge so powerful; whoever possessed it could conquer every tribe in the region.

"The old man uses magic!" the energetic words of Lorgar the Rememberer leapt out of Hiccup's memory, "He spends his days sitting atop his tower, using a dark marbled orb to watch everyone and anyone he pleases!" As a young impressionable child Hiccup had hung on the old bard's every word and had been terrified by the elder's warnings which came back to him now in crystal clarity, "Take care young ones! For he has the power to read men's minds and haunt their dreams! And then he records every dirty little secret he uncovers. From the highest Chief to the lowest thrall, nothing can be hidden from the Hairy Scary Librarian as he punishes naughty and disobedient children like you Hiccup!"

A chill draft from somewhere ran up Hiccup's spine and he shivered, stepping warily down the corridor. Despite having Thuggory beside him, Hiccup felt he was all alone in a dark abyss barely lit by sparse candles that hung from the walls. But such things seemed not to bother the librarian who remained as still as a statue, his long gnarled, bony hands clasped together in greeting. The flickering lights made him seem like a ghost and reminded Hiccup of the other more sinister tales he had heard about this man.

During the darker colder nights on Berk, at the peak of the Wild hunt festival, when the moon was at its fullest, Lorgar, would weave even more frightening fantasies. " The Hairy Scary librarian turned back the outcast raid by summoning the fiery legions of Surtur himself! The outcast warriors howled like the damned of Helheim, stripped of their sanity as the librarian roasted them alive inside their armour! But such things did not faze the keeper of secrets …. Ooohhh nooo! ….. It just made the invaders' bodies taste all the sweeter as the Librarian along his horde of Goblins and Trolls ….. feasted on their flesh ….mwhua ha ha ha ha!"

As Lorgar's horrible words haunted Hiccup, he realised he was now standing in front of the enigmatic elderly man and could hear his steady yet rasping breaths. Hiccup tried desperately to discern the features of the librarian's face without making it seem he was staring like a fool. But it was all for nought. Shadows filled the void beneath the man's hood and all Hiccup could see was the end of a thin pointy nose and a long grey beard that came down to his waist, its braided strands bound to an ornate silver ring. Hiccup gulped as the librarian's head tilted down in a way that he knew the elder was staring directly back at him.

'gulp!'

"Welcome Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third!" the old man rasped, it's heavy grating tone serving only to make Hiccup's shivering worsen.

"Uh h-h-h-hey it's nice to meet you sir?" Hiccup tried his best to make himself seem unafraid but could tell he was failing miserably as the hand he had offered was visibly shaking. The librarian did not take the offered hand but instead turned on the spot and stalked down the corridor behind him. Hiccup followed at Thuggory's silent prompting, the larger youth not reacting to Hiccup's sufficiently weirded out expression as he noticed that the Librarian did not make a sound as he moved.

It felt as if the dark eerie passageways went on forever as they made turn after turn and walked down several staircases. Hiccup kept darting his eyes around in the hope he might meet someone else. Surely there were others who kept the library and its contents maintained and it wasn't all down to the severely strange old man leading them deep into the bowels of the earth! Added to the strangeness was that Thuggory maintained his state of deep silence and showed none of the brash happy-go-lucky attitude he had demonstrated in the daylight. The Meathead heir had a very respectful air about him, keeping his gaze forward. He didn't even mutter a word as they passed through more gates which the librarian himself secured.

It was during the locking of third gate, Hiccup got a good look under the Librarian's robes to see that not only did the elder have innumerable talismans and charms hanging from his belt, but also small books and tomes that were secured shut and around his waist by their own locks and chains made from a strange green metal he had never seen before! It was then Hiccup fully believed just how potent the knowledge the librarian held was if some of the books themselves could not be opened.

The inquisitive side of Hiccup was screaming to be let out! A thousand, thousand questions were hammering at the inside of the Hooligan's head, desperate to have his tongue voice them and placate his vast appetite with the answers!

"Here, Master Hiccup!" the Librarian rasped finally distracting Hiccup from his internal struggle "I suggest you start your visit here! Grave is the knowledge contained within but for one as intelligent as you, I believe you to be capable of dealing with such things!"

Hiccup looked up to see the librarian had unlocked the caged door of a large alcove, it's shelves weighed down heavily with books and scrolls, a veritable prison cell of learning illuminated by several candles. Stepping warily inside Hiccup looked about and saw that several books had symbols and pictures of dragons on their covers. Immediately he comprehended what kind of lore this particular alcove was geared towards.

'The Meathead dragon section! ….. But if the Librarian knew where I needed to go …. Then that must mean ….. oh my gods! … he knows about the dragons! … but how?'

"But …."

'CLANK! CLICK!'

Hiccup's question was cut off by the librarian slamming and locking the gate to the alcove, trapping him inside. With wide fearful eyes he dashed toward the gate, ready to demand, request or even beg to be set free, his thoughts focused solely on Toothless and his family of dragons.

"Don't worry Hiccup!" Thuggory spoke finally, his tone firm yet comforting "I have spoken with the librarian in the past about your passion for bringing down dragons. Once you are done studying he will open the gate and we can leave. The gates ensure the wrong people don't get their filthy hands on our books or try to make off with them."

Hiccup though still disturbed and frightened at being confined was somewhat placated by his friend's words.

"Um … Okay Thug … I trust you." Was all he could say as he saw the Hairy Scary Librarian place a hand on the Meathead Heir's shoulder to guide him somewhere else.

"Come Master Thuggory, your alcove of learning is this way, more combat techniques I believe!" the old man rasped turning the Wolf's-Bane away while he stared directly at Hiccup, the candle-light reflecting against his pupils as they locked onto him from the shadows of his hood, "let us leave your fellow …. rider …. to his own quest for knowledge."

"Of course!" Thuggory replied obliviously as he let the librarian lead him away "I must actually talk to my father about sending some horses to Berk to help restart their herds, Hiccup is quite the talented rider you know!"

"Indeed my lord ….. horses …. of course!" the old man replied sarcastically as the two men drifted down the shadowy corridor leaving Hiccup to stare through the bars of his cell wide-eyed and terrified that the Librarian seemed to know exactly what kind of creatures he had actually been riding.

'What am I going to do? … he knows, he knows, he knows! ….. ugh why do you gods hate me? …. he knows, he knows he knows! …. He's going to turn me in … or he's just going to leave me here until I'm nothing but a pile of bones … Toothless, Where are you bud? …. I could sure use your help right now! … I just hope you're okay Bud! What am I…..'

The distant clanking and clicking of another door opening and driving home snapped Hiccup from his panicked thoughts and he stepped back toward the desk that lay against the far wall of the alcove. Looking closely he could see there were some books already lying open, as if someone had already been studying them recently.

Pulling up a stool and bringing a candle closer to the largest tome, Hiccup had a nostalgic flashback to the night he sat all alone in the Great Hall with the Berkian Dragon Manual, desperate to find to knowledge about Nightfuries only to be disappointed with nothing by myth and hearsay. But this time would not have the same outcome Hiccup vowed as he remembered why he was here. This time he was here to learn about Whispering Deaths and find a cure for what could possibly be afflicting Pandora.

Squinting to read in the low light, Hiccup dipped his gaze to the tightly packed runes that filled the page before him. It only took reading a few lines for the young Berkian's jaw to drop, eyes widen in awe and mind to explode in fear as he took in the implications of what lay before him.

"Copied from the journal of Brok Onixson, adventurer of the Bashem Oiks,

It's been several weeks of tracking and crawling through the swamps of Bog-burgler Island. If those crazy bitches find out I'm here they'll kill me, or even worse, force me to marry one of them! But this prize out-weighs the risk.

I've finally found him! The old snake thought he had given me the slip. But seeing as he's injured or sick, I cannot tell, nor do I care, he made many mistakes in his haste to give me the slip.

I look down into the marshland below me and who do I see but 'Old One Eye' himself, a titan class Whispering-Death!

He's not been as difficult to fight over our last few encounters ….. this time, this time for sure!

He's feeding now, not on humans or wild game but some kind of plant, I will find out what it is once I deal with him!

If I survive, let this be a warning to all who would trifle with such beasts or the Bashem Oiks tribe! Thor watch over me!...

As he continued reading, engrossed in the book that had been deliberately left out for him, Hiccup gulped again as his suspicions were confirmed.

The Legends ... at least some of them ... were true!

Somehow the Hairy Scary Librarian of the Meatheads knew everything!


There you are guys!

I hoped you liked this new chapter and the introduction of Thuggory. His family will appear in the next chapter. Full disclosure, I haven't read the books so I'm pretty sure this version of Thuggory is very different. But I have been told he is one Hiccup's strongest allies and so that inspired me to craft him as the idealistic young man he is in this story, someone who seems to have had the perfect upbringing and is willing to engage with Hiccup and support him like no-one else would and show Hiccup that there are those who don't despise him. Plus I figured it would be good to give Hiccup someone to vent his fears and frustrations to. Thuggory is going to have a crucial role to play in the future.

It's been so much fun visiting this new land to see just how different it is and don't forget there's going to be a big reveal in the next chapter so hopefully it will all work out.

I'll try not to leave my next update so long as I'm focusing soley on this story for the next moth or so as I want to get to some really heavy stuff I've had planned since this story's inception. I hope you like where it's going.

Like I said at the start I dropped several references in this chapter from various sources. Which ones were you able to spot my eagle-eyed readers? (steeples fingers and chuckles manically!)

Many thanks to fellow writer Transformers0 for beta-ing this chapter. It was a massive help my friend!

Next chapter some flirting and a big reveal! ... probably ... i mean hopefully ... we'll see ... I'll try! ... Stop throwing things at me!

As always any comments reviews or feedback is greatly appreciated.

Until next time

Take care of yourselves

And each other.

Razor95