Hi guys sorry its a little late but I had to force my self to not write Ch38 first. Any way. Here you go.

Chapter 37

Hiccup collapsed into the chair by the fire. Toothless opened an eye and padded over to his friend. Hiccup rubbed his aching temples. He opened his eyes to meet the large pupils of his Night Fury.

"Don't worry bud, I'm fine." He smiled and rubbed behind the Dragon's ears receiving a happy gurgle. He sat back as Toothless curled up around his chair. Hiccup rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. Today was the second day after Corvus had left and though Piper was still here the people around the village had not wasted any time in hounding him over issues with Corvus, Piper or their allies.

Fungur and his band of 'Traditionalists' had been waiting for him again this morning. Again they had expressed their utter disgust at the behaviour of another Chief and demanded to know what was to be done in retaliation. Hiccup had somehow refrained from saying what he had wanted to say as saying "The ungrateful-goat-loving-filthy-scumbag got off lightly and should be lucky that's all he got." would not soften their mood. However he decided to throw big words at them by saying "I assure you I am doing everything in my power both as Chief and Emissary to ascertain the correct course of appropriate action that will see both parties appeased as a result." He had quickly made his escape before they could work out what he had actually just said.

After that Sven had lost his sheep, again. This time believing that some must be on the Edge as he couldn't seem to find any. Hiccup had carefully told him that it was not practical to go off on a two day round trip just for a single sheep and he would send a Terror Mail.

Next, during a stock check of the store house Fungur had found him alone and decided to expess his own feelings more personally. He meticulously told Hiccup how bad a job he was doing, running from a fight, abandoning the village, all of the good things Hiccup had done over the years, he found fault with. Fungur finally hit Hiccup hard by saying that Stoick would be ashamed at what a failure his son had become again. Before Hiccup could answer the older man with his right fist Toothless had dropped from the rafters and Fungur had been driven from the store.

Now it was late Astrid was already up stairs and more than likely asleep but she was happy and he liked that. She got on well with Piper. Hiccup guessed it was because other than Ruffnut and Heather there wasn't anyone she could really relate to.

Hiccup didn't hear the footsteps behind him, he was too lost in his thoughts fixated on the dancing firelight. Toothless did but wasn't concerned, half opening one eye then closing it again. Long blonde hair fell over Hiccup's face and he felt soft, tender lips kiss the back of his neck. He smiled and tilted his head back to look his wife square in the chin as they kissed again.

"You coming up or do I have to drag you?" She asked smiling. When he didn't answer she cocked an eye brow. "Well?"

"I'm coming Mi'lady." He stood and followed her to their room Toothless following after carefully padding out the fire. Once upstairs Toothless went over to join Stormfly who adjusted her position to rest her head slightly on Toothless'. Hiccup and Astrid watched them as the cuddled up with one another.

Hiccup opened his eyes. He was in bed alone. Then he realised his bed wasn't in his house and he sat up. Hiccup was suddenly standing fully dressed in the middle of a small clear grass patch while all around him thick, light grey smoke mist swirled around as if he was in a glass tube. He called out but his voice sounded impossibly small and no one answered him. He stepped forward but the smoke mist moved with him, contently keeping him in the middle of the clearing. Hiccup began to panic a little but knowing it was just a dream he did not allow it to overwhelm him. He called out again and this time he got an answer.

"Hello, Son." Hiccup didn't need to turn around to see who had spoken, he knew the voice well. He turned anyway feeling longing inside him to be sure. There, standing before him at the edge of the Smoke mist stood Stoick the Vast.

"Dad?" Hiccup whispered feeling his eyes begin to burn with tears. Stoick nodded. "But how?"

"You are dreaming my boy. I am indeed dead. Passed on to the halls of Valhalla, but I have managed to come back now to help ease your pain."

Hiccup took a few steps towards his late Father but the spirit never got any closer. Stoick's expression saddened and he shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry, Son. This is as close as I can get."

"But, Dad.." Hiccup's voice cracked and he choked on his words.

"I do not have much time but promise me this. You will all was lead by your deeds not mine, or anyone else's. You are you and you are unique and that makes your methods and practices unique also." Stoick looked straight into Hiccup's and each saw the other's tears. "But remember above all else you are a Haddock and whatever you do, I am proud to call you my son." Stoick's form began to fade becoming more transparent with each second. "Good bye. Hiccup." With the last words echoing Stoick The Vast shimmered and disappeared entirely.

"Good bye. Dad." Hiccup's voice cracked out as the smoke mist closed in and the world around him darkened.

Hiccup opened his eyes again, looking up at the rafters of his and Astrid's room, He could feel her laid her head on his chest sleeping softly. He looked over to the window and saw the sky beginning to turn a fiery orange in the predawn. Smiling Hiccup lay back and closed his eyes again.

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