Hello everyone! How are you this fine evening? I know that I am much better now that I have had a sleep and read all of your amazing reviews. Seriously though, you guys are the best, so thank you so so much for continuing to support me.

This story is a rather emotional one and includes a lot about death and grief, so it may strike a chord with some of you. SO I write this as a warning that reader discretion is advised.

In other news, another story will be uploaded tonight, one a bit cheerier than this one, which will hopefully lighten your mood or give you your daily dose of FanFiction for those unable to read this one.

So, I hope you enjoy, and I'll see you later!

.oOo.

Dear Father,

Just a few months ago, if someone had told me I would be writing you this letter, yes I would have believed them, but I simply would not have thought that it would come this soon.

It's Snoggletog, our favourite time of year! Well, I'm not going to lie, it's a heck of a lot harder to find the joy in the festivities being celebrated all around the village this year. It's only been, what, a few months since the events with Drago and the Bewilderbeasts, and for the first time ever, I don't feel like celebrating.

Everyone has told me it gets better. I've always believed it gets easier. But as the days go on and time passes by, doubts wave over me about ever being free from the intense grief which is in-control of me.

I'm Chief now, something you'd always wanted me to achieve. I never assumed it would be under these circumstances, but here we are, instead of you passing the reins down to me, I live on as your legacy, having had the reins passed down to me from Valhalla, rather than our home of Berk.

But the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few as you always said, and so over the past few weeks, I have become accustomed to the art of putting on a 'brave face' more and more.

I know the others understand; Astrid especially. Her and Toothless are the only things keeping me going. In that regard, becoming Chief was rather good, as I now comprehend why you were always rushed off your feet. A Chief's work is never done.

And yet, I find myself writing this to you, free of all possible duties, and for the first time in weeks, actually coming to terms with my emotions.

It's not easy. I have no idea how you ever coped after you thought you had lost mom. You were always so brave, so strong...

Mom... It's strange having her around, in a nice way.

After all these years of simply assuming I was 'weird', it's nice to have someone who really gets the nerdy side to me. She's always telling me that she sees you in me, and honestly I don't think there is a nicer present I could ask for this Snoggletog than that.

Because when others see you in me, I remember all that you achieved, and all that I could go on to do. Because of you, I know I can be strong. For the people of Berk. For the riders. For Astrid. For mom. And most importantly, for myself.

As I look around me, and look at the world you've built, it just amazes me how one individual could make such an impact.

You made me proud to call you my father.

Because of you, I have developed faith in myself. I know things are tough right now. Unimaginably tough. But there is still hope. We'll meet again one day, even if it is in the far future through the gates of Valhalla.

So many times I have doubted myself. Becoming Chief has come with a lot of responsibilities and issues which only I am 'destined' to fix. So many times I have thought 'I can't do this'. So many occurrences of me on the verge of quitting.

But I'm here. Chief for my first festive season ever, watching over my village as you watch over me from Valhalla.

As usual, winter has struck hard here on Berk, but thanks to the help of the others, we are completely prepared with enough provisions to last until March.

Right now, Gobber is working in the forge, handcrafting a smaller version of your helmet to hang on Berk's tree. Sadly, this time, I couldn't manage to snatch one of mom's breast plates to use for it, so some scrap metal from the Armourwing will have to do.

Children are in the square, having a snow dragon building competition, and Toothless is amongst them, currently assisting one of the young girls with getting the head on her Gronkle. I think one is even making Skullcrusher.

Snotlout and the twins are doing Thor knows what, but I can hear shouts of ' HEY!' and laughter coming from just outside the Great Hall, which makes me think it is anything but good. But hey, it's Snoggletog. I should at least let them off the hook for one day.

Fishlegs has joined in with the cooking this year, using some of the herbs and vegetables he has grown throughout the year to help perfect the feast. Let's just hope it's better than Gobber's soup!

Astrid is sitting beside me, watching me write, although wont even glance at the words. She knows these are for you.

So Snoggletog this year is not the same by any means. And yet people are moving on. People are enjoying the holiday just as the usually would. And with seeing all of that around me, it makes me recall all of our Snoggletogs together past.

Remember that year you gave me my first axe, and I used it as a paperweight? I really just didn't get the whole idea of what being a 'big strong' viking was, did I?

Or the year Gobber was panicking that Trolls had stolen his socks when in reality it was just some Hobgobblers getting into mischief?

Or how about when we got snowed in on the Edge, and I wanted nothing more than to be back home here with you?

In all reality, that's not much different to my wish this year. I want you home.

I know it's impossible, but I miss you more than you could ever know, dad. I had never deemed it humanely possible to feel as big a loss for someone.

And yet, though its your death causing me the pain, it is you who is fuelling me onwards.

You never gave up. You never quit. You always strived to achieve all of your dreams despite the circumstances you may have been within.

I know my work is not done. There are still hunters out there. There are still people out to end the dragons lives as well as moe of the ones I love. I'm not ready to see you again as painful as that may be for me to say.

But I love you. Probably more than this world could ever know.

And it's for you, that I write this letter, because I want you to know that I'm not stopping here. I'm not giving up that easily.

Because we're Vikings. We're more stubborn than anything alive in this universe. In this multiverse.

I cannot deny that it is my favourite day of the year. All around me is happiness and joy. And, though as hard as it may be, I intend to enjoy it.

So, although this is goodbye for now, know it's not goodbye forever.

I'll see you soon.

All my love,

Chief Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III

Your son