Thank you for the wait, in the middle of intense exams right now, but eh. Hope you've all had a wonderful week and hope even more this makes your week even better! Enjoy, and see you all soon!

Apologies for spelling errors. My usual laptop with American spelling broke, and this is my other with Australian. The words might be spelt a little differently, but no major issue.

o~0~O~0~o

(STOICK)

Stoick never hid his emotions; he either showed them or brushed them off like dust on a rag.

It was no surprise, then, to see they greying Chief of Berk hold a face to his hand as the boys Snotlout and Tuffnut explained their latest act of brain-numbing stupidity.

With a heavy sigh, Stoick spoke. "Ye did what now?"

Snotlout chewed his bottom lip. "Chief, Tuffnut and I were just…"

"-Yak racing!" Ruffnut finished eloquently, snickering as the Chief's scowl darkened, more in annoyance than genuine anger.

"Snotlout," Stoick clutched his head, "For tha' love of Thor, we had a chief'n lesson today, and this is what ye did instead?"

"What? Blondie thought he could beat me in a race" Snotlout puffed his chest with a smirk. "And as the Heir to Berk I represented you in the challenge"

A collective groan ran through the room.

Stoick looked to Astrid, rolling his eyes. "Were you there to see what happened?"

"Aye" Astrid nodded, standing several yards from the rest of the teens, leaning on her axe on the ground. "I shouldn't have taken part in the activity, I apologise Stoick"

"Nuthin' to be sorry for" Stoick brushed her off. "You weren't riding the Thor-forsaken farm animals"

Astrid felt almost embarrassed to have let her one girl friend Ruffnut convince her to tag along and witness the inevitable disaster. With a short huff she looked over to the group and shook her head.

"It was just a bit of fun, c'mon!" Snotlout whined, looking to the men at Stoick's side; Gobber and his father, Spitelout. All three of the Vikings met the boy with equal looks of dissatisfaction. "Dad, surely I won't get punished for this"

Astrid had become a bitter person over the years – everyone seemed to know that. Yet her skin shivering in disgust at Snotlout's moaning was something nobody would have criticized her for.

"Yah, not like anyone was hurt" Tuffnut scoffed

"Those Yaks will take weeks until they are back ta makin' milk, that's how much ya scared them" Gobber interrupted, rather frustrated to have received most of the Farmer's wrath in this incidence.

"And the fences were battered when you crashed through them" Spitelout didn't draw his punches with his son; he'd had enough of the constant embarrassment his son put him through. Stoick looked to his pair of advisors, and a small smirk dashed his lips.

"Well then, it seems ma two advisors here given meh a nice pair of punishments" he said, taking notice of the way both boys' faces declined in colour. "Snotlout-" he thrust a finger over the table, towards his heir. "-You'll be repairing the fences until they are good as new, no breaks, lesson after ya done"

Snotlout gawked for a brief second, and was seconds from putting his foot down until he noticed the look his father gave him.

"Tuffnut-" the Thorsten male flinched at his naming, and reluctantly stepped forward. "You'll be taking care of the two yaks you… raced. Farmers will be looking over ya closely to make sure something stupid won't happen again," his auburn eyebrows furrowed in a squint. "Clear?"

"Fine" Tuffnut muttered.

Astrid, along with the rest of the teenagers, was then beckoned to leave. With nothing more than a firm nod, the Shield-Maiden turned on her heels and marched to the Meade Hall door.

Only to have it fly open itself, nearly smacking her in the head.

"CHIEF!"

A strangled cry flooded into the room as a Viking came hurtling into the Hall, panting desperately. Eyebrows shot skyward as the man came to a stop in the centre of the room in front of the Chief's table. "O-Outside… The docks!"

Stoick reacted out of instinct, reaching for his hammer and shooting out of his chair. "What is it, Dragons?" he barked.

"No, no!" the man cried, gasping for breath. He pointed a shaky hand to the open door, morning sunlight flooding through it. "Nuthin'… attacking"

"Slow down there, fella" Gobber held out his hands – technically just hand – in reason. "One sentence at 'a time. What's the ravin about?"

The sailor shook his head in disbelief, staring wide-eyed at the teenagers. Their faces were a wash of confusion, though that was soon to change.

"He's… He's back. He's alive!"

o~0~O~0~o

(HICCUP/KATLA/LODIN/NINA)

Mutters and whispers engulfed the once-quiet docks, not minutes before Hiccup's landing on the place he'd called home for more than fifteen years, and the boy wasn't going to deny it; he was scared.

Before him stood an ever growing crowd of burly Vikings, who for the first time in his life didn't seem so enormous. They each stared at him in a thick mix of confusion, interest and most of all shock. Some even acted more like animals, cautiously breaking from the surrounding crowd to prod and touch his tunic, like he was some sort of vision turned real. One thing every Viking had in common was the whispers they spoke.

"He's alive"

Hiccup himself was conflicted beyond belief, emotions tearing and fragmenting the plan and foundations he set in his head. He knew this would be emotional, and he knew still he couldn't let this deter from the mission at hand. These people had to be saved.

He looked to Katla, and cast an anxious smile. It took a surprising amount of self-control to not reach out and hold her hand for clarity.

'To be a Viking and consummate before marriage is punishable by death' he thought firmly. 'Nobody can know of our relationship. The fewer questions asked, the better' the same went for his scar and tattoo. Only chaos and awkward questions would ensue if Berk learnt of a Night Fury tattooed on his back.

Hiccup blew a puff of air from his lips, and spoke with a firm voice. "Yes, it is me. Now I'm sure I have some explaining to do, just give me and my friends a chance"

"Shave me beard and sell it to Loki, its Hiccup!"

He looked to his left to see two new figures join the front of the crowd. Hiccup couldn't hide a smile to at last see a face he knew after many years. It was Mulch, closely followed by his close friend Bucket. The pair stood in front of him with a sense of sheer disbelief, with Mulch's jaw hanging open while Bucket stared blankly in cluelessness.

"Mulch," Hiccup beamed, "good to see you!"

"You're…." He looked up and down the boy's body, still not sure what to say. "…Taller!"

The crowd erupted into laughter, despite the seemingly impossible situation before them. Hiccup grinned sheepishly, looking to his three friends.

"If that's all it takes to make them laugh, I could work here as a comedian" Lodin muttered.

"Uh, thank you, for noticing" Hiccup chuckled, staring about the crowd. He felt a sense of delight bubbling inside of him staring at the familiar faces, and more importantly the way they looked back. This wasn't what he'd thought would happen. The initial shock had quickly worn off – a common habit amongst such thickheaded people – and Hiccup now found himself being looked at in joy?

Had they actually missed him? Surely not?

They must have been, because again and again he saw them look up and down his body, nodding as if to say 'not bad…' Again, Hiccup grinned. Perhaps he'd been pessimistic with his arrival.

"We thought ye'd been killed!"

"Aye, the Dragon Rider!"

Questions quickly came flooding in, all of them accompanied by wide eyes like infants in a store. "Hey-hey!" Hiccup held out his arms, trying to calm them as if his audience was a Dragon. "Please, everyone, I'll have a chance to explain it soon!"

He was silently dreading that moment, in the future. How was he supposed to make up a tale of how a 'Dragon Rider' – that so happened to be himself – didn't kill him, and instead somehow dropped him off away from Berk? It was going to be the mother of all lies, and he hoped the Gods were on his side when the time came for him to tell it.

And at last, it happened. The moment he'd envisioned countless times on his way here.

"What in Thor's name is goin' on!?"

Hiccup froze on the spot, the deep resonating voice silencing all the Vikings around him. His body tensed and stiffened as the crowd slowly, but surely, parted. Hiccup took deep steady breaths, looking over the heads of smaller Vikings – if such a thing existed – to spot a large set of helmet horns make their way closer.

Stoick the Vast. His father.

Time seemed to slow down, as Lodin, Nina and Katla stepped closer, so that the four teenagers stood as one. A family created through the bonds over the years. Hiccup and his friends had no clue what they were in for, but whatever it was, they were in it together.

The crowd stood in two now; on either side of Hiccup and his friends. Directly in front of him stood Stoick, and the one-handed forge master he once saw as a father, Gobber.

Time froze.

Stoick. Thor almighty, Stoick.

Hiccup's eyes widened, staring at his father. In all the times he imagined this playing out, did he consider the way he looked.

His bright orange hair was at last surrendering the cusp of youth, and lighter hairs were sprouting amongst his beard. His glowing green eyes – like priceless emeralds – had faded, and were squinted slightly as he stared at Hiccup in the morning sun. His posture remained firm, as it always did, but there was a noticeable slump to his shoulders that indicated he'd seen better days.

Stoick stared at Hiccup, and Berk held its breath.

The clunking sound of a hammer falling to the wooden floor rippled across the nearby water.

"Hiccup?" Stoick croaked.

Hiccup nodded back numbly, stepping forward just one step.

"Yes, it's me" he said softly.

Stoick matched Hiccup, taking one step forward. The pair was just a couple yards from each other now; closer than they'd been for years. "You… We thought ye were dead" Stoick whispered.

Hiccup smiled and shook his head. "I guess I'm stronger than I look" he joked.

With a shuddering sob, so rarely seen from the man, the Chief of Berk closed the distance, and pulled him into a single, heart-warming hug. Hiccup nearly yelped as the enormous man lifted his feet up off the ground, clutching him desperately.

"Ma son… my son is alive!" Stoick declared. Berk responded justly, cheering as Hiccup was nearly thrown about in his arms.

"Happy… to see you too… dad" Hiccup said softly, emotion surging through him. Never did he expect this to happen, not in his lifetime. He'd expected disappointment, resentment in his return; the feelings he was used to. To see the men women he'd grown up with look at him in happiness, and to see his father so emotional at his return…

Hiccup had a hard time not letting tears of his own fall.

Katla nodded with a smile, meeting Hiccups gaze as the boy remained in his father's hug. The sheer look of shock on his face was enough indication to her that this was the first time he'd been like this, and he certainly wasn't complaining.

"Okay, I admit," Nina said quietly, "that's kinda adorable" Lodin chuckled at this, so did Katla.

"How? I thought I lost you! It… It's been years" Stoick spluttered, dropping his son and staring at him the same way everyone else did; wide eyed.

"I promise I'll explain when I get the chance" Hiccup reasoned, smiling as the flabbergasted expression on his face.

"Ha ha!" Stoick bellowed, giving his son a hefty pat on the shoulder. The crowd murmured slightly as Hiccup hardly flinched, whereas before he would have been floored. "Hiccup… is back!" he echoed again, and again he was greeted with cheers of enthusiasm.

"What's happened to 'im?" some Viking at the back asked.

It was a question lingering in almost everyone's head, since his arrival just minutes before. Nobody was that surprised to see him changed over so long, but having changed that much nobody could have foreseen. Hiccup was the same height as many of the Vikings, and up to his father's chin. His arms were no longer gangly thin things, but instead lithe with muscle and nearly no body fat whatsoever.

Odin's beard, Hiccup had scars on his face. Hiccup!

"It's been a long three years" Hiccup said vaguely. Going into detail so soon would only complicate things; he left it at that. "Done many things, met new friends. They'll be plenty of time to explain"

"Ah don't believe it" Stoick shook his head, eyes glazed over with sheer bliss. The man's hands were still firmly gripping his arms even after the hug, almost like he feared his son would float away in the wind.

He only released the hold on his son when Hiccup flung himself into the arms of Gobber.

"Don't ye ever scare me like tha' again, Hiccup' Gobber scolded jokingly, pulling the boy he saw as a son into a tight hug.

"Gods I missed you, Gobber" Hiccup laughed weakly, "how would you spend your spare time without me causing havoc?" the blonde blacksmith chuckled at him, shaking his head in equal shock to the others.

"Even after all this time, my apprentice still has a quick mouth" Gobber grinned, taking a step back and casting a look up and down the boy's body. "Odin, should 'a listened to you when you said the 'Viking-ness couldn't be contained' you've shot up like a weed, Hiccup!"

Now it was Hiccup's turn to grin like a fool.

Muffled cried and grunts broke out from behind Gobber, and the pair quickly ended their much needed embrace. The crowd of dozens were being parted a second time – more forcefully this time – as a second group made their way forward to the source of commotion, himself.

And just like that, the nerves returned.

o~0~O~0~o

(ASTRID)

The cheers of joy could be heard long before Astrid and her friends stumbled onto the Berk Docks, equal looks of confusion plastered on their face.

The Viking working in the docks gave no explanation to the teenagers or Stoick, only answering with mutters of disbelief followed by a constant 'go to the docks!' What was going on?

"Over thirty percent more popularity than Trader Johann, at this moment" Fishlegs pointed out from the rear of the group, rather matter-of-factly. "This must be important"

"I think we'll be the judge of that," Tuffnut said, followed by his sister's smirk of agreement.

"For once, can you guys try to stay in line" Astrid rolled her eyes. "Whatever this is, don't make a scene like you usually do?"

"Babe, you're talking to the twins right? Cos' I can be totally chill" Snotlout grinned, struggling to multitask talking, walking and flexing. Astrid didn't bother responding; only shuddering in resentment.

Astrid asked, pointed to the ship the large group of Vikings gathered around. Its wooden mast and collapsed sails poked through the mass of people like an arrow, almost gesturing them closer to investigate. "Looks like a fishing boat; even from here the hull size is too small to be a trading ship"

"Maybe they found some gold, or somethin?" Tuffnut suggested with wide eyes.

"Gold isn't well known for its floating abilities" Fishlegs stated under his breath.

"Ooh, no a Dragon!" Ruffnut added joyfully, speeding up her steps as she and her friends drew closer to the others. "Maybe they caught something really dangerous, and are giving it too us!"

"Hel yeah!" Tuffnut jeered, clashing helmets with his twin. "Like a Night Fury!"

"I doubt these fishermen have a Night Fury locked away in their boat, you two" Astrid huffed. "Don't be so immature"

"Heir of Berk, comin' through!" Snotlout said with a holler, grinning as he tapped on the Viking's shoulders in mock politeness. Much to his shock, only glares were given in return as the crowd seemed to bunch together against his wished. "H-Hey, what are ya doing?"

"Showing the respect you deserve, Lout" Astrid muttered, trying to stand on her toes and get a better view. As far as she could see, the Chief and Gobber were in conversation with a handful of people; foreigners from the way they dressed.

One Viking amongst the crowd looked back to the frustrated Snotlout, and quickly grinned. "Men, ah think this lot behind us should see this!" Several others laughed, more brazenly than genuine joy.

"What'se mean by that?" Tuffnut asked.

"Not a clue" Astrid shook her head, accepting the invitation of a better view nonetheless. With the same determined attitude she gave for everything, Astrid pushed on forward, until she stood before the source of the commotion.

Little did she know what she and the others were in for.

Stoick the Vast and Gobber stood amongst four people whom Astrid had never seen before, all of which wearing rather forced and uncomfortable smiles. Being so crowded, however, it was hardly surprising. Their outfits were all outlandish in design, and it was clear from the colours they wore, the people made some attempt to try and fit in.

The first person Astrid laid eyes on was a girl, looking slightly younger than her. She was a short thing, standing at least half a head below the others. She was petite too, having little muscle or fat on her. Regardless she stood proudly, and it was clear enough to Astrid that this girl had her own means of defending herself. Her brown hair was in a tight bun, screaming neatness and unknown at once. The skin upon her slightly round face was really tanned, and at least answered some of Astrid's questions. Wherever these people were from, it was hot and far away.

To the girl's left stood a boy with equal oddity. He seemed to embody the word 'lanky', and wore a spiky crown of short blonde hair; unusual to say the least in a place such as Berk. He stood about a head taller than his female counterpart, and bit his bottom lip staring at the conversation ensuing between Stoick and another male. Even from a distance, Astrid could see the worn texture of his hands, and with a quick glance at his long but very lithe legs, it was a safe guess to say this person could deal some damage.

"Odin's balls look at 'er" Snotlout purred into Tuffnut's ear. Astrid could practically feel their gazes pressed down upon the second girl, who stood closer to Stoick than the other two teenagers. She could understand why.

The second girl Astrid stared at was only a bit shorter than the blonde, and much taller than the first girl. Whereas the small brunette seemed to show her courage through an impassive gaze and confident pose, this one had physical features to support her. The girl's body was curvy with obvious muscle, not fat. Her hands were a callous mess, and resembled similar wounds to when Astrid trained nonstop with her own axe. Her face was beautiful too, only a small scar on her cheek, amongst darkly tanned skin and light brown –near amber – eyes that seemed to glow.

Most noticeable, was her coal black hair. It cascaded down her shoulders and deep blue tunic like a river of tar. It looked poisonous and heavenly all at once; a blend of threat and promise. If not for the hair, this woman would've been some sort of Valkyrie, the amalgam of power and beauty. A sick sensation ran through Astrid staring at her, and she felt small under her presence.

The fourth and final teenager was a boy, and when Gobber parted from him, Astrid's world seemingly collapsed in on itself.

"…Hiccup?" she gasped.

o~0~O~0~o

(HICCUP)

Hiccup smiled awkwardly at Astrid, who had the teenagers he'd known all his childhood behind her. He couldn't help but admit feeling proud of himself, noticing each and every one of their dropped jaws.

"Yes, it's me" he said, giving a single nod. Astrid was still much the same in his eyes, with very few changes in terms of her looks. Her hair was a single swept braid that ran down her shoulder, and her armour made some minor adjustments.

But she still had her round face; her big blue eyes and her trusty axe he gave to her when they were ten. She was still the Astrid he knew.

And yet he was the Hiccup she didn't know.

It was strange, almost, the way he stared at her so… neutrally, as the others continued to look as if he had two heads. While Hiccup felt a surge of joy reuniting with his father and mentor, seeing the teenagers who made his life miserable sparked far less. Hiccup had grown and developed so much as a person since his exodus of Berk, and to see the people his age so unchanged was almost scary.

"I thought… we, we thought-" Astrid didn't have the words, nor did her colleagues. She was staring at a ghost; a figure that'd haunted her dreams for months after his passing. And here he was, in the flesh, staring at her as if none of the past three years even happened.

"Not possible" Snotlout mumbled, gawking at his thought to be dead cousin. "That can't be him!" his meaty hands clenched into fists, and with every passing second his breath drew more ragged.

"It's…" Hiccup fumbled slightly, fiddling with his hands. "It's a long story. I'll explain it soon. But yeah, I'm still alive" he finished shortly with a smile.

"Calls for a celebration" Ruffnut said lowly, batting her eyelids at Hiccup. Astrid was moments from clipping her friend over the ear, until she took a second wide-eyed glance at Hiccup.

Gods, he'd changed. And for once Astrid could see the reasoning behind Ruffnut's thoughts.

He'd gotten… attractive?

Such a word felt completely wrong when describing Hiccup, but even stubborn Astrid couldn't deny it. His eyes still had the same green glow they always did; burning with passion and intelligence. Hiccup's body had been overhauled completely; it was still on the thin side, but his exposed arms proved he had packed on muscle. His freckles that dotted across his face were hardly visible over his tan, and his auburn hair was long enough to be braided.

"Are ye gonna just stand there, or introduce yer friends?" Gobber asked. The crowd chuckled as Hiccup flushed. He smiled at Gobber and his father, casting a hand towards his three best friends.

"Well, these are my 'travelling companions'," Hiccup explained, gesturing for Lodin, Nina and Katla to step forward. With three sets of shaky smiles, they approached and were under the eyes of Berk.

"Uh, hello there" Lodin said sheepishly.

"This is Lodin" Hiccup said, resting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "He's an excellent hunter, and loves poor jokes" The blonde boy rolled his eyes, before quickly shaking Stoick's hand.

"Any friend of 'iccup is family to Berk" Stoick said proudly. Lodin nodded with a polite smile, before moving to the teenagers some steps away.

"So you're Hiccup's friend?" Snotlout scoffed, and broke into laughter. It only took a moment for him to stop however, when he realized nobody was laughing with him.

Instead, Lodin smirked knowingly. "It's Snotlout, right?"

The Jorgenson boy's smile died. "How do you know?" Lodin hummed a bit, before shrugging and looking away.

"How… how did you meet Hiccup? We all thought he was dead!" Fishlegs squeaked, catching his attention.

"It's a long story, like Hiccup said" Lodin replied, before throwing another grin. "Trust me; he's harder to kill than you all can imagine"

Nina stepped in front of Hiccup, giving his father a strong handshake while sizing up Stoick. In truth, many were puzzled by the girl's behaviour – the way she acted so dangerously while being so small.

"And this is Nina" there was a brief pause. "She's er… with Lodin. Nina makes a great healer, gotten us out of some tricky situations"

"Welcome to Berk, lassie" Stoick said. "I'm sure ye and our fellow healers will get along nicely"

"Pleasure" she said shortly, standing to the side along side Lodin.

Hiccup took a deep breath.

"And lastly, Katla" the raven-haired beauty kept a firm smile, approaching Stoick and fighting the urge to hold her boyfriend's hand. "She's a… great friend, and an even better fighter. Doubt anyone here can match her" His voice wavered ever so slightly while describing her as a 'friend', but thankfully nobody paid attention to that part of the sentence.

"Fighter, eh?" Gobber raised an eyebrow. "Yer more than welcome here then, fighting's in our blood"

"Aw, Hiccup's just saying that, I'm not that good" she brushed it off lightly, trying to ignore Lodin and Nina stifling a laugh.

These are his people. Katla thought, staring about the Vikings as she walked over to Lodin and Nina. So unlike him, so different. She could see why they supposedly bullied Hiccup most of his life. She could imagine how poorly such people would treat someone so unlike themselves, especially the son of such a proud Chief.

"The name's Snotlout, heir of Berk" Snotlout barged in front of his friend to meet Katla, yanking at her hand for a shake. He wore a proud smirk, despite the missing tooth.

"Uh, nice to meet you" she said, not shaking his hand much to the joy of her friends. His confident expression crumbled when she walked past him and next to Lodin and Nina, trying her very hardest not to grin like a child knowing she'd pulled a prank.

"So you're a fighter"

She turned to face a blonde Shield-Maiden.

Katla looked back over to Hiccup, who was in the middle of a conversation with his father. Even in discussion, she could notice a tiny nod to her direction. Katla let out a short breath.

This was Astrid.

"I guess so, yeah" Katla shrugged, feeling the weight of Lodin and Nina's stares. Astrid was inches shorter than her – just a bit taller than Nina – with braided blonde hair and a stern expression.

"Hmph" Astrid nodded, looking up at her. For perhaps the tensest seven seconds in the teenager's lives, their eyes locked in silent competition.

For Astrid, she stared at Katla with mystery, and almost a sense of fear. This girl had a stench of unknown; she reeked of it. With her haunting black hair and bright eyes, she looked like more than fair game in the kill ring, and that was something she rarely thought of anyone. The way Katla seemed to be some sort of support line for Hiccup – the way he stared at her for some sort of confidence – gave the impression she really was a loyal friend like he said.

For the first time in years, Astrid felt no longer the intimidator. Katla was intimidating her.

For Katla, she looked down at Astrid with a certain sense of empathy and pride. The girl didn't mean to be cocky or in any way boastful, but she took joy in being the one to have Hiccup's heart, and know he long lost her affection for the blonde Shield-Maiden. She trusted Hiccup with all her love, and knew that if he said he was over her, he really was.

Like any veteran fighter, she sized Astrid up, noticing her thin body was more orientated towards dodging larger opponents such as Dragons. A small part of her wanted to fight Astrid, knowing her talents from Hiccup's description. She was always looking for new ways to test her self.

"Pleasure to meet you… Astrid" Katla said, holding out a hand. Reluctantly, Astrid took hold and shook. "I'm sure we'll get along perfectly" Katla hoped that she didn't sound too sarcastic.

"I don't believe I told you my name" Astrid raised an eyebrow.

"He's told me a bit about you lot" she referred to the group of teenagers as a whole. "Pretty uh, interesting stories he seemed to have of you all"

"Oh," Astrid snapped back her hand, knowing what she meant. She was certain Katla knew about how poorly they used to treat Hiccup, and was struck with guilt.

"Does he really talk about us?" Fishlegs asked.

Quite often, sometimes while training, other times after sex. Did I mention we've been together a couple years? She struggled not to smile at such a response her head thought, but instead answered with a wordless nod.

"This calls for ah celebration, everyone!" Stoick boomed, catching the attention of the crowd. With an uproarious cheer following this statement, the Vikings of Berk began to flow back up the docks, already singing songs and chants of praise. "The return of the heir, we shall call this! Let the mead flow for days!"

"What?" Snotlout shrieked.

"Stoick, don't ye wanna hear about Hiccup? How this is even possible?" Gobber asked.

"Bah" Stoick waved him off. "My son his home, that's all tha matters"

"Uh, but Dad," Hiccup tapped him on the shoulder with a wince. "We really have things to tell you, about where we just came from and what's coming!"

"Explain it all in the hall son, during the party!" Stoick grinned, pulling Hiccup into another crushing hug. "He he, ma son is home at last. I just knew ye weren't dead, Hiccup, ah knew it!" he hollered.

Hiccup's cheerful expression slipped away as Stoick lead more Vikings back to the hall for what they planned to be a wild celebration.

"Well, that was a resounding success" he muttered, watching the mob of burly men head back up the winding pathway towards the hall.

"That Snotlout kid is fatter than you described" Nina commented bluntly.

"And your dad seems a little… loud" Katla winced.

"Don't worry Katla," Lodin said with a smirk, "meeting the 'in-laws' for the first time is never easy"

"Ha-ha, idiot"

"We stick to the plan" Hiccup interrupted. "We have to warn everyone about the Outcasts. Nina, can you get the Dragons to safety after dark?"

"Easy peasy" she nodded.

"Good, then let's hope this celebration gives us a chance to tell them all about Alvin"

o~0~O~0~o

(LODIN/NINA/KATLA)

Lodin, Nina and Katla were Free Folk; born in a world of hardship, mystery and above all, celebration. Their entire culture revolved around being ex-slaves who'd escaped the Roman Empire, and that alone was to spark a long history of regular festivities.

And yet they'd never experienced a party quite like this.

Huddled together like frighten sheep, they sat on a long chair in the Berk Meade Hall. All three of them watched in a mixture of awe and horror as a collection of drink and food flew across the room, accompanied by reverberating music and deafening chatter.

"This is actually terrifying" Lodin laughed, noticing the speechless look on Nina and Katla's faces. "How do they call this a celebration? It's insane"

"I'm surprised many of these people are still standing" Katla grinned, pointing over to a handful of Vikings surrounding a barrel of ale. "They've had well over half that all to themselves!"

Across the table, sat the other teenagers of Berk. They seemed less interested in the celebration and more about the three new faces to their island.

"So you three aren't Vikings?" Fishlegs piped up, cracking the awkward silence between the two groups.

"What gave it away?" Nina raised an eyebrow at the big Viking. "Is it because we don't weigh several hundred p-"

"Nina" Katla interrupted quickly, her polite voice carrying an edge to it. The raven-haired girl cleared her throat, and gave a polite nod. "Yeah, we're not Vikings"

"So that's the reason you have tha funny voice!" Tuffnut exclaimed, waving about a half-eaten chicken leg. "What's it called? Axe-something?"

"Accent, Tuff" Astrid answered sternly, eyes focused on Hiccup.

"I noticed Hiccup's voice is closer to yours than ours" Fishlegs frowned. "How long has he been with you and your people?"

"A few years, we've known him for a long time" was all Lodin said. As much as he and the two girls wanted to tell about their good friend, they were still unsure of what should and shouldn't be said about his time off Berk. They chose to keep things brief and not go into explicit detail. It lowered their chances of two made up stories clashing and arousing suspicion. Whereas the other teenagers sat amongst the fellow Vikings of Berk, Hiccup was centred on the head-table in the middle of a discussion with Stoick and other elders. Katla kept flicking her gaze back and forth on her boyfriend, almost sensing his discomfort at being thrown back into his previous life so quickly.

"So, tell us more about you lot eh?" Nina suggested casually, leaning back on the chair while taking an experimental bite of the available food.

"Like I said earlier, my name is Snotlout" The black-haired Viking said proudly, thumping his chest with a fist. "Heir to Stoick and husband-to-be of-"

"-If you say it one more time, I'll gut you like a fish" Astrid said calmly, stopping Snotlout mid sentence.

"Well, I mean, the position of husband can always be changed" Snotlout lowered his voice, batting his eyelids at Katla cross the table.

"Uh-huh" Katla deadpanned, staring in boredom. Quickly, she looked over to the remaining – and hopefully less thickheaded – Viking teenagers. "What about you lot?"

"The man, the legend, Tuffnut!" Tuffnut announced dramatically. "Professional prankster and all-round awesome guy" Nina let out an audible groan, shaking her head. "And this is my disgusting twin, and partner in crime, Ruffnut"

"Ruffnut?"

The Thorston twin was too preoccupied to take part in the conversation. With half lidded eyes and a slack jaw, she stared across the hall at Hiccup – in a much more obvious way, however.

"He's… delicious," she murmured, head shaking slightly in disbelief, "Astrid, there is no way he's Hiccup, and there's no way you're having him"

"Oh dear Thor" Astrid said, rolling her eyes. "Its just Hiccup, Ruff. Even if he is a little…" she looked over to him, and for a brief second the two girls had matching expressions of awe. "T-Taller" she shook her head and focused on the conversation. "He's still the same kid we've always known"

"Mhmm, whatever you say sister"

Katla had no major concern with what they were saying about her beloved, nor did she feel threatened. She knew first hand what happened to women who liked him only for his looks, and she hoped they would soon enough.

"Permission to ask the question I'm sure Stoick is?" Fishlegs said meekly. The others quickly cast their eyes on him, and the chunky Viking cleared his throat before speaking. "How is this even possible? Hiccup died, almost three years ago, by a Night Fury no less!"

Katla chewed her bottom lip, feeling a lump of ice develop in her throat. "Well, I think I'll let Hiccup explain it when he gets the chance" she bluffed. "But he's been at Helga- uh, our own town for three years"

"So, shortly after we thought he'd died" Fishlegs mused, "strange, and where are you from?"

Katla looked to Lodin and Nina, who shrugged as if to say 'why not?'

"We're from a town called Helgafjall. It's not a Viking place, but nearby" Katla explained shortly.

"By my knowledge, that's a Byzantium name" Fishlegs frowned, "you and townspeople are a very long distance from your homeland"

"Were, a long distance" Lodin corrected quietly. All the Berkian teenagers noticed how the three slumped in emotion, but chose not to investigate.

"Astrid, how's my hair look?" Ruffnut blurted, whipping her head over to her friend.

Astrid raised an eyebrow, but before she could reply, Hiccup approached and sat between his new friends.

"How'd it go?" Katla muttered, hardly audible over the music and voices.

"Awful" Hiccup mumbled. "I'll tell you about it in a bit"

"So Hiccup, do you need a tour of Berk? I'm sure I could show you around" Ruffnut suggested innocently, much to the disgust of Tuffnut, and annoyance of Astrid.

"Uh, I think I'll find my own way around, thanks" Hiccup said meekly. "Y'know, used to live here for fifteen years"

"Hiccup, the town has changed lots since you've been gone" Fishlegs said excitedly. "We have a new Dragon Manual, and so has the Dragon Training age"

"I live with Stoick now" Snotlout said smugly, grinning with a mouth full of food.

"We fight on the front lines, no more fire brigade for us!" Tuffnut whooped.

While all of the teenager's statements were rather disturbing, one in particular stood out. "The Dragon Training age was lowered?" Hiccup said, eyes wide.

"Aye, now it's ten instead of fifteen" Astrid said shortly.

"That's…"

"Insane" Hiccup said. "Stupid. How are any of them still alive?" he looked up to his father sitting at the head table, celebrating his son's return rather loudly. Did his father seriously approve of that, when the man was once so reluctant to let him into Dragon Training?

"It's not the real training we all did as kids," Astrid explained, "Mostly fitness and fighting techniques – no Dragons. Stoick didn't want the students to be underprepared and useless-"

"-Like you" Snotlout snickered.

The table fell silent.

Hiccup looked up from his half-eaten meal to meet his cousin's cheerful gaze, eyes hardened like emeralds. Tuffnut seemed to still be Snotlout's second-in-command, giggling at the insult. Ruffnut laughed too, but in a manner that spoke 'yeah, good one idiot'. Astrid looked shocked, almost offended on Hiccup's behalf. It was a mild improvement from the years before; at least Hiccup was sitting with them, abuse or not.

"Just like old times, huh" Hiccup said with a small smile. His broadened shoulders shrugged, before returning to his meal. "Y'know Snotlout, I was sort of hoping you would've matured over the three years"

Nina took Hiccup's side in the quickly escalating feud, giggling at Snotlout in amusement.

"What's so funny, short stuff?" He spat at Nina.

"Nothing," Nina grinned. "You're just exactly how Hiccup described you"

Snotlout rounded back on Hiccup again. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Eh, my memory is a little foggy" Hiccup said, "sorry, can't remember"

For a brief moment, the table was silent.

It was if history repeated itself. Hiccup's sarcastic responses had landed himself into trouble against Snotlout, and it seemed even three years later the auburn hair was in for a beating. Snotlout looked at Hiccup with a constipated look of fury, and it was quite clear he didn't care whether Stoick's son had been back for less than a day. Astrid, Fishlegs and the twins both looked back in forth at Hiccup and his cousin in alarm.

And that's where the similarities ended.

Hiccup had no fear in his eyes, and instead stared back with a firm gaze. He said nothing, and the only sound from that half of the table was Lodin snickering. His posture was stiff but calm, and while his eyes spoke of danger, the small smirk on his face almost invited Snotlout to continue.

"You really don't want to annoy me cousin"

Snotlout growled ever so slightly. Was it because Hiccup addressed him as just 'cousin', that infuriated him, or was it because Hiccup actually had the guts to look not in the least frightened?

"Is that a threat?" he asked lowly.

"No. Call it a promise"

That ended it as quickly as it started. Hiccup continued his intense stare, and Snotlout looked down at his meal, muttering things. The auburn haired teen opened his mouth to talk with his friends, but stopped abruptly when he noticed the looks from the other side.

Astrid, Fishlegs and the twins stared at him like he was straight off the boat; sheer disbelief. Had Hiccup just done that?

"-Anyway!" Hiccup clapped his hands to diffuse the cloud of tension, standing from his chair. "I'm starving from the trip here, I think I'll grab a second serving" He nodded slightly at Katla, and her eyes widened in realization.

"Yeah, me too" Katla agreed, shooting up and following. Within moments the two lovers were away from the group, and walking to where the cooks served meals. "Well? How'd it go?" Katla asked curiously.

"My dad doesn't give a damn about where I've been, or how any of this is even possible" Hiccup sighed, clutching his head. Many Vikings gave cheers and hollers at the boy as he walked, and in return he shot a weak but believable smile.

"Damn, you're friends are almost the opposite. The larger one won't stop asking about how any of this is possible"

Hiccup chuckled. "Yeah, that's Fishlegs for you. Anyway, my Dad didn't ask a word about my past, or accent, or scars"

"What then?"

Hiccup's brow creased in concern. "He wants me to finish my Dragon Training. He's assumed since I've been gone I'm some sort of Dragon Slaying professional already, so 'ah son, should be a piece' ah pie for you. So glad we can finish this!'"

"Oh Thor" Katla muttered. "Look, we have less than six days now to tell him, why not just yell the truth in his face"

"I can't"

"Why not?"

"Cos," Hiccup ran his fingers through his long hair, looking at his father up on the high table overlooking the entire hall. Stoick met Hiccup's gaze with a proud smile, and raised a mug in a silent toast to his own son. "Because of that" Hiccup said softly.

"He thinks you wanted to come home, doesn't he" she whispered.

"Exactly. I was a disappointment to him all my life, and seeing me like this brings him happiness" Hiccup said. "It'll crush him if he learned that the Outcasts were the only reason I'm back here"

Katla's eyes softened at Hiccup's reasoning, and if they were alone she would have comforted him in ways only she knew. "Let's hope you find the right time to bring it up soon"

Hiccup nodded furiously. "Absolutely. No way I'm letting the Outcasts win"

"That's my Dragon Boy" Katla giggled. "Now come on, let's get more food. A fight is bound to happen if we leave Lodin and Nina with those Viking teenagers and longer"

"You say that like it's a bad thing?" Hiccup laughed.

"Oh no," Katla snickered, "I'd love seeing those two mutton-heads go wild against that Snotlout jerk, but we'd have to join in and help" her face twisted into a playful smile, and with a finger she bopped him on the nose. "Think you could go toe-to-toe with Astrid, huh?"

Hiccup scoffed. "A part of me wants to have a try!" he admitted. "She always was the ultimate Viking in my eyes, it would be interesting to see how I fare against her"

"She may be the best Viking, but you're a Free Folk" Katla smiled. "I think you could take her on, no problem"

He grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "Let's hope the two of us can have a friendly spar then"

"What's the worst that could happen?"

QUESTION TIME:

1) How do you think i captured Berk's reaction to Hiccup returning? I was imagining them to be happy he wasn't dead, but not over-the-moon because he's 'Hiccup'. Have no fear, they'll change the way they see him very VERY soon!

Peace!