and here it is: the final addendum! I really wanted this last one to capture how much Stoick has changed since the battle. I hope you all enjoy!

Addendum 17

I have to start back on my work in Berk; the ice has melted, and I can't excuse my absence any longer. I have to face the facts: I can't be with Hiccup every second of the day, even if I want to. I know most of my people understood why I wasn't around, at least, but unfortunately, not everyone got that message.

I was in the Great Hall, discussing plans for this upcoming year's crops, when one of the men said, "Glad you're finally back, Stoick! Bout time you gave up on that lost cause of a boy!"

What kind of insensitive talk was that? "Hiccup is not a lost cause," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "He's been recovering very well."

"I'm not talking about THAT. I mean, you finally realized he's not going to change. He's going to wake up the same screw up he was before, so there's no point in waiting on him, right?"

I blinked as the implications of the words sunk in. "Never speak of my son that way again, or you'll be off to Outcast Island," I said, my tone stern.

"I'm just saying what you always said, chief…" he replied defensively, and in that moment, it was as if everyone else ceased to exist.

Memories flooded through, of every awful thing I've ever said about Hiccup. How he's just a disaster waiting to happen. How he would never amount to anything. How he couldn't be chief if he didn't make something of himself. How he's the worst Viking Berk has ever seen. How… he wasn't my son…

Not saying a word, I got up and left the building. I knew from the moment Hiccup went up against that Queen that I had been a terrible father, but it only now just hit me how much of a mess I'd made. My actions had led not only my son, but my people to believe Hiccup had no worth, and I just… let it happen. I didn't even try to say otherwise, imply what they thought was wrong. I just… let Hiccup be a scapegoat. How horrible, how… EVIL is that?

I began running toward home. I had to tell him I was sorry, even if I'd already done it a hundred times… I had to begin to make this right, even if he wasn't all there to hear it.

I made it to the bottom of the hill, eyes focused on home… only to see the door open. And then… Hiccup was there. My heart stopped beating for a moment, and I hurried the rest of the way to him. And finally… I felt a little more complete.

He's asleep now, exhausted from everything that's happened today. But, I know that, finally, this is just normal human sleep. He's made it through Hel, and can begin to work on our new normal. And… I'm going to be there every step of the way.

I guess this is my final time writing, then. I'm sure Hiccup has some things he needs to get down in here, and I've fulfilled my part in keeping track of everything he couldn't say the past several months. So, when he gets up tomorrow, I'll make sure this book is ready for him.

...

Hiccup… I don't know when you'll read my entries (and I'm sorry if I invaded something meant only for you in writing them), but just know this: I'm so, so proud of you.

I always told your mother that you'd be the strongest of us all, and I see now that I was right. I'm sorry I forgot that for a while… but I want to make it up to you. If you'll let me, of course… I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I just hope you're willing to give me a chance. To be better, to fix the mess I made.

I'm proud of the Berk you've led me to create, and I hope you love it too. And just know that, no matter what comes next, I'll be here for you.

-Dad

have a great Easter everyone :D