Chapter 19 –

They'd made it back to the oasis only half an hour after they'd left the mountain top with no hassles from any outside parties. Jack was cackling as they made it to the same terrace they'd been on when Valka had first led them into the oasis. Hiccup wasn't happy with Jack's amusement and he was less happy with the fact that he would need to hunt down Toothless' favourite fish when they were back on Berk. He was positive his dragon had performed that complicated turn on purpose so that Jack would win the bet but he couldn't prove it. Baby Tooth had spotted them almost immediately – it wasn't hard with how loud Jack was laughing – and had headed for them straight away.

"Hey, BT. Did you have fun?" Jack asked once he'd managed to catch his breath. Baby Tooth gave an enthusiastic chirp and proceeded to chatter Jack's ear off as she gave a passionate and very fast recount of everything she'd done while they were gone.

Valka was watching the fairy and Jack interact with immense curiousity. "Can you understand her?" Valka asked, interrupting their conversation.

Baby Tooth gave her a reproachful look, causing Jack to have to fight off a grin. "Sort of," Jack told Valka once he was sure his grin was under control, considering how taken aback Valka had seemed to be at being silently scolded by a fairy. "I'm getting the hang of her language but I've only known her for a year so I'm not able to speak it at all and I can only understand her 80% of the time. The other 20%, she's usually pretty expressive anyways so it's not a huge deal when I can't understand her those times," Jack explained.

Valka nodded understandingly. "It took me quite some time before I understood the dragons as well and I was living with them for the entire time," she said, giving Jack a sympathetic look before she turned back to the fairy. "I apologise for interrupting your conversation, Baby Tooth," Valka said, her voice genuine.

Baby Tooth contemplated her for a moment before she let out a happy chirp. "You're forgiven," Jack translated dutifully. Valka gave the little fairy a small smile in thanks. With that matter now dealt with, Baby Tooth turned back to Jack and chittered at him. "What did we get up to?" Jack asked, making sure he'd translated her words correctly and she nodded emphatically, looking eager to hear his tale. Jack gave Hiccup and Valka a "what can you do?" shrug before he gestured for Baby Tooth to follow him so they wouldn't be interrupting any conversation they had. That didn't mean that while he was talking to Baby Tooth and describing everything he'd seen and done while out of her sight that he wasn't keeping one ear on Valka and Hiccup to make sure he wouldn't need to "accidentally" interrupt their conversation.

In the time it took to tell Baby Tooth about everything – including her interruptions for extra information – all that Valka and Hiccup spoke about was the oasis and some of the lands she'd seen that Hiccup hadn't yet discovered. While interesting to listen to, there was no reason in that time for Jack to step in to try and stop an argument or anything of the like. The topic of Drago Bludvist was brought up once and only because Hiccup wanted to know everything Valka did about the man. What they were told was horrifying enough that Jack suddenly felt like he should try and convince Hiccup and Toothless to head back to Berk and follow Stoick's orders to stay hidden and off of Drago's radar.

Stories of the truly despicable and, at most times, completely inhumane traps Drago and his men had come up with to capture dragons with, how Drago treated the dragons under his orders, how he treated the men who worked and fought for him, and many more horrifying tales ran around in Jack's mind, echoed in Valka's voice. He was glad Pitch Black wasn't here in Hiccup's time with him since he was positive Pitch's Night-Mares would've been able to be powered completely by the fear Jack felt as he heard more stories of just how appalling Drago Bludvist was. He could tell from how Toothless reacted to the stories that the Night Fury was just as worried as he was about this and he wondered if the dragon would back his play if he did try and convince Hiccup to return to Berk. He knew he would probably also have to try and convince Valka to return, or at least visit, if he wanted Hiccup to not be able to use her as one of his excuses not to go.

After about an hour of being back in the oasis after feeding time, Valka disappeared, making an excuse Jack didn't catch and leaving the two boys, Toothless, and Baby Tooth to entertain themselves while she did whatever it was she needed to do. With the Alpha sleeping and Jack not willing to wake him for no good reason, they settled on thoroughly exploring the haven. Toothless helped Hiccup look at everything he was able to reach on dragon-back, but Jack was left to help Hiccup explore places Toothless just couldn't reach. It took them quite a bit of time to finish exploring the haven – though admittedly it had been drawn out a bit by the dragons wanting to meet them while they were in the haven – and by the time they were done, all three of them were exhausted. Jack could feel the judgement from Baby Tooth but didn't have the energy necessary to tell her that just because she had boundless amounts of energy, it didn't mean she was allowed to judge them.

"What do you say to us setting up camp for a bit and relaxing while we can?" Jack suggested to Hiccup as they finally gotten back up to the terrace they'd first viewed the haven from. Toothless had already beaten them up there and they found him napping in a warm spot, looking thoroughly relaxed.

Hiccup groaned as he stretched. "I think that that is a fantastic idea," he said. "I haven't had anything close to a bath since we left Berk and I'm probably more than due one," he said, grimacing at the thought.

"Oh, there's no 'probably' about it. You definitely need a bath or something," Jack said, scrunching up his nose teasingly from where he was sitting. He laughed when Hiccup shoved him, causing the winter spirit to almost fall backwards.

"You don't exactly smell like flowers either, you know." Hiccup grumbled at him, trying to hide his smirk. "There are plenty of hot springs around here that you can pick from," he pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah," Jack laughed, rolling his eyes. "The pride of Berk gets first dibs on the hot spring. I'm going to find somewhere a bit cooler for my bath," Jack told him as he sat back up.

"Yeah, I don't think I want to explain to my mother how you managed to become a melted winter spirit," Hiccup said, laughing slightly.

"She'd probably be more confused than anything," Jack said.

Hiccup shrugged, even as he grinned. "Probably," he agreed. "Do you wanna meet back up here in a few minutes after we've cleaned up?" Hiccup asked and Jack nodded.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Jack said before he looked at Toothless. "Do you think he needs to get a scrub down of his own?" he asked, nodding to the dragon.

Hiccup considered his Night Fury, who had lazily opened a green eye, daring Hiccup to try and make him move from his spot. "Nah, it seems like he's fine where he is," Hiccup said seriously.

Jack leaned over to Toothless. "You need to teach me how you did that," Jack whispered loudly, getting a dirty look from Hiccup and chortle from the dragon. Baby Tooth didn't look impressed with Jack's joke either but she didn't lecture him so he didn't think she was too upset by it.

"You're hilarious," Hiccup deadpanned as he started heading towards one of the numerous hot springs in the haven. "See you back here in a few minutes," he said as Jack got to his feet.

"Shall do," Jack said, saluting him jokingly before he took off, letting the wind help him find a cold pool of water where he could wash up in. He didn't notice Hiccup shaking his head at him before he left the terrace.

Once they were back at the terrace, the boys broke out the rations that Hiccup had in his saddlebag so they could eat something, having not eaten since before they were attacked by Valka and Cloudjumper. It was a simple meal of dried fish, boar, and bread but it was good enough to fill their empty stomachs. Before they'd started eating, Hiccup had all but demanded that Jack let him check his injury and bind it again, if it needed it. Jack had made a show of rolling his eyes and sighing exasperatedly but he let Hiccup do as he wanted so he could get some food into him. Hiccup had ended up wrapping the cut up again before he let them eat. Toothless decided he'd napped enough when Valka appeared during their meal and brought Cloudjumper with her. Once he spotted the larger dragon, Toothless was more interested in trying to make friends with him. Valka had appeared in time to watch Baby Tooth grow some berries on a bush they'd purposefully set up their picnic near so she wouldn't have to go far to get her own food.

"Can she do that with all types of fruit?" Valka asked and Jack shrugged.

"I'm not sure," he said as they watched the fairy zip off to get herself another berry. "I know berries make up most of their diet but they might be able to ripen other fruits if they wanted to," he told Valka.

"Interesting," the woman said before she took a bite of the dried fish they'd given her. "Cloudjumper and I need to leave to check a couple of spots nearby where Drago has been known to have his men set up traps but we shouldn't be too long, assuming there are no injured dragons in them. There haven't been the last couple of times we checked them but we still need to," Valka explained.

"Do you want us to join you?" Hiccup asked, sitting up a little straighter only to slump a little when his mother shook her head.

"Not until you've learned more about how Drago operates," Valka told him, expression serious. "He has his trappers set up additional traps to snare any dragon who may aide the one in the main trap. I will teach you all you need to know so you can avoid his traps yourself but I need to get to these last couple of areas now so I can disarm them since they're where dragons like to rest to escape the midday heat," she explained.

"I understand," Hiccup said, giving her a smile that told her he was telling the truth. "We'll stay here until you get back," he promised.

The amount of relief in Valka's eyes betrayed just how worried she had been that Hiccup would disappear while she was gone. "I'll see you soon," she told him before giving Jack a smile. She stood and lifted the small bag of fish and bread Hiccup had given her. "Thank you for sharing your lunch with me," she said, a big smile on her face as she ruffled Hiccup's hair before she and Cloudjumper left, heading back down the ice tunnel she'd led Jack, Hiccup, and Toothless through hours earlier.

Hiccup sighed, relaxing back on the soft grass before he glanced over to where his flight gear sat near Toothless' saddle and connection gear for his prosthetic, waiting for him to use again. Right now, he was dressed in just his everyday clothing and was enjoying the feel of not wearing his constricting flight suit. Jack watched him for a few moments before he checked on where Baby Tooth was. Finding her enjoying her berry on a fist-sized rock, Jack turned back to Hiccup and asked what he'd been waiting to ask until after Valka had left them.

"What are you thinking about in regard to Drago now?" the spirit asked and got another sigh from the brunette in response.

"I still think I should find him and try to talk to him," Hiccup admitted, sitting back up and resting his left arm on his bent left knee, "but I'm worried about whether I'll be able to get through to him," he divulged. "In my mind, I think I had him painted in a similar fashion to my father but filled with more hatred than he was. After hearing Dad's story of how he came to know about Drago and Mum's stories of the traps and run-ins with his trappers she's had, I know now that any humanity left in him is buried so far down that it might never see the light of day again," he said, eyes downcast as he spoke.

"So, you've decided not to go after him now?" Jack asked. He would've been lying if he said he hadn't been hoping that Hiccup's answer would be a "yes" in response to his question.

Unfortunately, what Jack got instead was a shake of Hiccup's head. "No, I'm still going to find him," he told Jack, "and I'm still going to try and talk to him but if I can't get through to him and convince him to stop what he's doing, I'm going to try and find a way to permanently put an end to his plans. I owe it to the dragons to do that," Hiccup said, his voice firm and unwavering. He turned understanding eyes to Jack. "However, I'll understand if you want to stay here or go back to Berk," he told the spirit, who just knew his mouth was gaping open. "You didn't sign up for getting involved with this war and I don't want you or Baby Tooth to be in the enemy's territory, surrounded by dragons who can use fire, because you feel obligated to be there with me," he said, voice soft and kind.

"Firstly, I know you've only known me for just over two weeks but surely you know by now that no one can make me do anything I don't wanna do so don't think you're forcing me to be here," Jack informed him. "Secondly, I am fully aware that I'm pretty loyal to those who've earned it and that sometimes that loyalty can make me do stupid things but it has never made me go into an enemy's lair and allow myself to be in a position where I could easily find out whether my immortality stands up to dragon-fire or not so I seriously doubt it would now and thirdly," he said before Hiccup could say anything – likely to point out the fact that Jack had never met a dragon before he turned up in the Archipelago, "there is no way on this planet that I am gonna head back to Berk without you and risk Stoick finding out that I left you and Toothless to fend for yourselves while in Drago's presence," he told him, voice telling Hiccup how much of an idiot he thought Hiccup was being for even suggesting he do such a thing. "I know I'm basically immortal but I don't think my immortality would survive Stoick if that happened," he added seriously, causing Hiccup to grin widely.

"My dad probably wouldn't kill you for that. He'd just accuse you of being a coward and banish you from Berk instead," Hiccup told him casually.

"The key word for me there was 'probably'," Jack said flatly, though he also had a grin on his face. Neither boy missed the eyerolls Baby Tooth and Toothless gave them in response to their conversation. "But seriously, you're stuck with me for the entirety of this. Baby Tooth too unless she'd rather stay here which I will strongly encourage her to do," Jack said, directing those last few words at Baby Tooth, who gave another roll of her eyes before she chirped out a few choice words. "You're stuck with her too," Jack said, telling Hiccup all he needed to know about what she'd said.

"I appreciate it," Hiccup said, voice serious and genuine.

With his question answered, Jack fell silent for a few moments until another question burned at him. "We aren't leaving right now, are we?" he asked and Hiccup laughed before he shook his head.

"No, it's not always a great idea to go for a flight on a full stomach, especially somewhere we know will be dangerous," Hiccup told him. "We'll stay until Mum and Cloudjumper come back. I did promise her we would and I don't exactly want to break a promise to her before the first day of knowing her is up," he said.

"No worries," Jack said. "It would probably lose you some good-son points if you did break a promise to her now," he said, tone mock-serious. He laughed when Hiccup shoved at him again and sent him sprawling once more. Both Baby Tooth and Toothless just sighed at their best friends' antics before going back to their food or nap.

The silence was allowed to settle around them before Hiccup decided he might as well break it by asking a question he'd been wanting to since Valka had revealed who she was. "What was going through your mind when we met my mother? While we were following her through the tunnels, you seemed really quiet. A lot quieter than I would've expected," Hiccup said, sitting up and resting his weight on his elbows as he looked over at Jack

The Winter Spirit squeezed his eyes shut, let out a small breath before he opened his eyes back up and gave Hiccup a small smile. "Nothing of importance," he told the dragon rider.

Hiccup frowned at his words and the slight grief he thought he heard in Jack's voice. "I don't believe that," he said kindly but bluntly. "Something was upsetting you," he said confidently.

Jack glanced back over at Hiccup and saw the familiar stubbornness in his friend's expression. Sighing, Jack sat up, crossing his legs and resting his arms on his knees as he focused on the grass in front of him rather than Hiccup and Toothless, who'd opened an eye to watch what was happening. Baby Tooth had joined Jack the moment she'd sensed something was wrong with her friend and was twittering softly at him from where she sat on his crossed ankles. "It's pretty stupid," Jack told Hiccup.

"You said that like this is the first stupid thought you've had," Hiccup couldn't help but tease, causing Jack to let out an amused huff. "I doubt it's as stupid as you think it is. It wouldn't be affecting you this much if it was truly stupid," Hiccup said, eyes still focused on the winter spirit.

Jack let out another sign. "When Valka revealed who she was to you," Jack said, "all I felt was pity and jealousy. Pity because that had to be a massive shock to you to find out your mother was alive after believing she'd been killed 20 years ago," Jack explained, glancing over at Hiccup apologetically. "The jealousy was because of the fact that you got your mother back after thinking she was dead your whole life and I know I'll never get to see mine again. Even if there's some kind of afterlife like Valhalla for us, I still probably won't get to ever meet her since I'm not human and I'm effectively immortal," Jack said, his face crestfallen as he spoke. "Even if I did die and I got to the same place her soul's in, I wouldn't even recognise her. I don't have any memories of her at all," Jack said.

"Jack, I'm so-" Hiccup started but Jack shook his head.

"Don't apologise," the spirit said, a little harshly. "It's not your fault and I am beyond happy that your mum isn't dead and that you get to build memories with her. I'm happy that Stoick will get his wife back and that you guys have the chance to be a family again. Like I said, what I felt when we found out who Valka is was stupid and I'm over it now," Jack told him, giving him the strongest smile he could manage, which wasn't awfully strong and it showed in the way Hiccup's eyes were still concerned and saddened for him.

Hiccup reached out and grasped Jack's shoulder, squeezing it in a comforting way before he let his hand rest there, knowing Jack would shake it off if he was uncomfortable with the touch. "Jack, I'm still sorry. I didn't even think about how my mum being alive would affect you and I'm sorry I didn't ask what was going on in your mind sooner than now," Hiccup said, his voice laced with regret.

"Like I said, it isn't your fault. You don't have to apologise for anything," Jack told him, giving him a bit of a stronger smile. "I don't feel that way anymore so you don't have to worry about me," Jack promised him before he sighed, causing Baby Tooth to flutter up towards his face and press a comforting hand of her own to his cheek. "It's just one of those times where I wish I'd never found out I'd been human before I was Jack Frost," Jack admitted, causing Baby Tooth to let out a worried chirp.

"Does that happen often?" Hiccup couldn't help but ask and Jack shrugged a shoulder.

"Sometimes," the spirit admitted. "It never lasts long and when I do feel that way, I usually deal with it pretty quickly," Jack told them, trying to be reassuring.

"Don't you have someone you can talk to when you feel like that?" Hiccup asked and again, Jack shrugged a shoulder.

"I have plenty of people I could talk to if I wanted to," Jack told him. "It's just that after 300 years of being told to get lost, I've developed a habit of not seeking out support if I need it and it's a pretty hard habit to break," he explained.

Hiccup frowned just as Baby Tooth let out an offended chirp and gestured to herself. "Well, while you're here, you're more than welcome to talk to me," Hiccup offered before adding, "or Toothless," when the dragon let out a rumble, causing Jack to chuckle, "and I imagine Baby Tooth will be happy to be there for you if you needed it, if I'm translating her chirps correctly," Hiccup said, a grin on his face when the fairy nodded emphatically at his words.

Jack laughed at her antics softly, running a finger down her spine before he gave Hiccup, Toothless, and Baby Tooth an appreciative smile. "Thanks, guys," he said, trying very hard to not show the full extent of the emotional turmoil he was in.

Hiccup squeezed his shoulder once more before withdrawing the hand while Toothless nudged Jack softly from behind. Baby Tooth hugged Jack's cheek, trilling softly as Jack cradled her gently to hug her back. "Just remember that you'll always have someone to talk to, even when you return home," Hiccup told him before he laid back down so he could gaze up at the ceiling of the haven.

Jack considered him for a moment before he mimicked the dragon rider. "Yeah, I will," he swore as he put a hand behind his head while the other kept a light hold on his staff. Toothless and Baby Tooth decided to join the two in relaxing; Toothless curled up behind them while Baby Tooth rested on Jack's chest. No one made any sort of noise as they watched dragons lazily flying around above them, completely content in that moment with everything the boys wanted to ask each other having been asked and answered honestly.

When Toothless perked up and let out a soft croon, they knew Valka and Cloudjumper were back from checking for traps. Hiccup was quick to his feet and had started reaching for Toothless' gear when Jack took it from him. "We'll be here forever if you have to get both you and Toothless ready for flight. Let me put his gear on," Jack said.

Hiccup seemed to contemplate that for a moment, his resistance to letting someone put Toothless' gear on and possibly messing it up stopping him from immediately doing so but he eventually nodded. "Thanks," he said, flashing Jack a brief smile before he grabbed his flight gear and started pulling it on.

"You can double check that it's all on right once you're dressed," Jack pointed out as he placed the saddle on Toothless' back, shifting it slightly so it sat right.

"I feel like you just subtly called me a control freak," Hiccup said, pulling the straps around his legs so they were secured tightly.

"I wasn't trying to be subtle and those are your words, not mine," Jack teased, laughing at Hiccup's flat expression.

"Rude," the brunette complained, muffled slightly as he pulled his armour on over his head.

"Sure am," Jack said, a little sing-songy. Baby Tooth chirped at Jack, flittering up from her rock and sitting on Toothless' head. "I am not being mean!" he said, sounded offended at the very idea. Baby Tooth's responding flat look was on par with Hiccup's.

Hiccup rolled his eyes as he tightened the last strap and moved over to check on how Jack had gone with Toothless' gear. He helped Jack attach the last of the gear needed for Hiccup to operate his dragon's tail but he was pretty impressed with how well Jack had done getting it on and he said so. "It took me pulling his gear off and putting it back on hundreds of times before I could get as much as you got on him in the time you managed," he praised, smirking when Jack's cheeks pinkened.

"Yeah, well maybe next time I'll get it all done before you're ready," Jack said, a little uncomfortable with the praise.

"If you're lucky," Hiccup told him, elbowing him in the ribs lightly and carefully, making sure he didn't accidentally knock Jack's injured arm. He looked over the utopian haven once more just as the baby dragons tried to sneak up on Toothless. It didn't work in their favour since Baby Tooth spotted them and warned the dragon, giving him the time to snarl warningly at them. "Alright, we can't wait around here for Drago to attack this place. We've gotta find him first," Hiccup told them, turning the atmosphere serious.

Jack turned from Hiccup, though he nodded so the dragon rider would know he had heard him and agreed, so he could coax Baby Tooth back into Toothless' saddlebag for the trip to wherever Drago's lair was located. He'd just opened his mouth when he heard Hiccup let out a gasp then a muffled noise that sounded stomach-churningly like a scream. Grabbing his staff, Jack was aiming it before he'd even fully turned to face the spot where Hiccup had last been standing, Toothless turning with him, sporting a ferocious snarl. He'd started building up the energy for a bolt of ice lightning the moment he heard Hiccup gasp that he'd almost released on whoever was holding Hiccup until he took in the red hair and beard and familiar form. He was forced to release the ice lightning – having built too much energy up just to pull it back into himself – but he'd managed to do so into the wall just off to Stoick's right.

"Easy now," Stoick said, using the hand not gripping onto his son to make a calming gesture towards Toothless and Jack.

"Are you kidding me? How'd you even get in here?" Hiccup whisper-shouted once he got his dad's hand away from his mouth.

"The same way we're getting you out. All of you out," Stoick said, eyes daring Jack to try and stop him from getting Hiccup and Toothless back to Berk.

"'We'?!" Hiccup asked before Jack could, his voice tight with incredulity, looking around for who else Stoick had included in his statement.

Gobber poked his head out from inside the tunnel Stoick must've snuck up on them through. "All clear!" the gruff Viking called, waving his prosthetic arm.

Stoick nodded in acknowledgement of his words before he grabbed Hiccup by the arm and led him towards Gobber, beckoning for Jack, Toothless, and Baby Tooth to follow them. Naturally, Hiccup didn't go quietly. "Dad! There's something you need to know!" Hiccup told Stoick, still trying to wriggle free of the grip his father had on his arm.

Stoick rolled his eyes in exasperation of what he assumed was a delaying tactic by his son. "Yeah, yeah, tell me on the way," he said, not slowing down in the slightest.

Jack knew exactly what Hiccup was trying to do and from how Hiccup was pulling on his dad, he was trying to follow Toothless' subtle cues so they could lead Stoick and Gobber to wherever Valka currently was. He beckoned for Baby Tooth to land on his palm before he brought her close and whispered some instructions to her. She gave a small, surprised squeak before she nodded and flittered off, completely unnoticed by anyone other than Toothless.

"This isn't an on-the-way kind of update, actually," Hiccup was saying, still trying to manipulate where they were going. Toothless was doing his best to help out by "accidentally" nudging Gobber, who was in the lead, so he would take a different way then where he'd been going.

"I've heard enough Hiccup," Stoick snapped, interrupting his son.

"It's more of the earth-shattering variety," Hiccup continued, undeterred by his father's attitude.

"Yeah, just add it to the pile," Stoick muttered, giving Toothless an annoyed look when the dragon caused Gobber to slip on the icy floor and nearly stumble into him.

Jack pushed up off the ground and landed in front of the whole group, using his staff to bring them all to a stop. "You need to listen to Hiccup, Stoick," Jack said imploringly, gaze not wavering from Stoick's. "He's not exaggerating or talking about Drago or whatever else you're assuming right now," he added, tone uncharacteristically serious.

Stoick seemed to consider Jack's words before he sighed and turned to Hiccup. "What is this earth-shattering news you have for me?" he asked, letting go of Hiccup, who shifted a little uncomfortably, having obviously not expected his father to actually want to hear him out.

"Wow, okay, I didn't think I'd actually get this far," Hiccup admitted. Stoick looked like he was two seconds away from snapping at both his son and the winter spirit. "Look, when we left Eret's boat, we were attacked not too far from here," Hiccup started saying but anger flashed through Stoick's eyes, bringing him to a stop.

"We figured something like that had happened," Stoick said, producing the helmet Hiccup had thought he'd lost when Valka and her dragons had kidnapped him. "We can talk about who attacked you later when we're safe," Stoick told him, reaching to grab for his arm again only for Hiccup to move out of his reach.

"That's what I want to tell you," Hiccup said, his eyes shining suspiciously. "The person who attacked us..." he gave a frustrated sigh as words failed him again. "You'll never believe me if I just told you," he said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "I just wish I knew where she was so I could just take you to her and show you," he muttered.

Stoick opened his mouth to say something when excited chirps from Baby Tooth echoed through the icy tunnel as she frantically flew towards them. "She found her," Jack said, looking at Hiccup and receiving an almost overwhelming amount of gratitude in return. "It won't take long to get there. She's just around the corner," Jack said, this time looking at Stoick, eyes pleading once more.

Stoick seemed to contemplate whether he should find out who this "she" was, taking Hiccup's beseeching look and Jack's words into consideration before he nodded. "Lead the way," he said, gesturing for Jack to do just that before he unsheathed his sword and shoved Hiccup's helmet at him.

"Dad, could you please put the sword away? You really don't need it," Hiccup said, getting close to Toothless so he could stow his helmet, a familiar resignation in his voice, like he fully expected Stoick to ignore him which, unsurprisingly, Stoick did.

Having been in front, Jack was first into the cavern Baby Tooth had led him to. He gave the occupant an apologetic look just as Gobber rounded the corner, only to immediately halt as he took in who was standing there. Humorously, Gobber went wide-eyed and slack-jawed before he took a couple of steps and went back into the tunnel. Jack heard a muffled, "Uh, you might wanna take this one. Oh, boy," from Gobber, presumably to Stoick before the chief came into the cavern, eyes determined and battle ready only for him to stop dead in his tracks.

Jack took a few steps back, pressing himself against the icy wall just as Stoick's sword fell from his lax grip, clattering metallically against the frozen floor. Valka seemed to let out a shaky shudder at seeing the husband who had assumed she was dead for two decades before she straightened her shoulders and prepared herself for what was about to happen. Stoick still seemed to be in shock, looking very much like he was currently looking at a ghost and, Jack supposed, in a way, he was. He reached up and removed his helmet, letting it fall to his side as his eyes never wavered from Valka. Hiccup, Gobber, and Toothless appeared behind him just as Stoick started walking towards Valka, who still looked like she was preparing for Stoick to pick up his sword and run her through with it.

"I know what you're going to say, Stoick," Valka said, obviously wanting to be the one to start this conversation in hopes of controlling how it went. Her voice was shaken, audibly reflecting how rattled she was at the appearance of her husband. "How could I have done this? Stayed away for these years. And why didn't I come back to you? To our son?" she was saying, gesturing frantically at both Stoick and Hiccup as she spoke.

Stoick didn't appear to hear her as he continued walking towards her and his silence seemed to shake her even more. Behind her, several dragons emerged from the recesses in the walls, hissing protectively in response to the fear they could sense rolling off one of their saviours. Stoick didn't seem to notice them either, his sole focus on Valka as he slowly closed the distance between him and his wife. Perhaps in nervousness, Valka continued speaking, coming to her own defence now. "Well, what sign did I have that you could change, Stoick? That anyone on Berk could?" she asked. "I pleaded so many times to stop the fighting, to find another answer but did any of you listen?" she asked, her uncomfortableness at how quiet Stoick was being showing obviously.

As Stoick continued his silent approach, Valka moved slowly backwards, gasping slightly when her back hit an icy wall and giving her nowhere to go. Her eyes filled with tears as she continued speaking. "I know that I left you to raise Hiccup alone... but I thought he'd be better off without me." Jack's heart tugged at how thick her voice was with emotions and a glance at Hiccup showed that he was further affected, muscles tensed in case he needed to rush to his mother's aide. "And I was wrong, I see that now, but..." she trailed off as Stoick finally got into reach of her and reached out a hand to caress her cheek. "Oh, stop being so stoic, Stoick! Go on! Shout, scream, say something!" she demanded, voice filled with frustration and a mix of emotions Jack couldn't identify.

"You're as beautiful as the day I lost you." Stoick's voice was so soft and wrought with the emotions he was trying not to show in the way of tears that if they hadn't been standing in a cavern such as they were, they wouldn't have heard it echo off the walls.

Valka gasped softly, his response rendering her speechless and causing her to almost melt in his touch, allowing herself to lean into his hand as a tear slipped down her cheek. Stoick softly wiped away the tear with his thumb before he pulled her forward, placing a soft kiss on her lips. Valka seemed to stiffen slightly with surprise, her eyes widening before she fell into the kiss, returning the affection in the same, intimate manner.

Jack watched as the dragons who'd been hissing protectively, ready to intervene if they thought Valka was in danger of physical harm, quietened before they moved back into their hiding spots, disappearing from view. Turning to Hiccup to see his reaction, Jack knew from the warm look on his face that Hiccup had achieved his goal of not leaving the oasis however, he also knew that any thoughts of finding and confronting Drago had well and truly been wiped from his mind and Jack had no inclination to change that, not now or in the foreseeable future.

Jack wasn't entirely sure how it happened but within fifteen minutes of Valka and Stoick reuniting, everyone, including Toothless, Cloudjumper, Grump, Skullcrusher, and Baby Tooth, were gathered in the small but homey cavern that Valka had been sharing with Cloudjumper for the last twenty years. Jack was leaning against one of the earthen walls – this cavern not made solely of ice like the other ones in the haven seemed to be – while Gobber and Hiccup were seated at the roughly carved table. Toothless and Cloudjumper were milling around the kitchen area, which was incidentally where Valka and Stoick currently were as they made fish skewers for a late lunch. It was blindingly obvious to everyone that Valka was overwhelmed and lost in her thoughts, though she did make a valiant effort to try and hide it. Stoick didn't seem oblivious to it but he also wasn't acting like he noticed it either as he moved around the kitchen to help his wife.

Hiccup had been chattering non-stop since they got into Valka's home and he was still going. "Mum, you'd never recognise it! Where we used to make weapons, we now build saddles, wing slings – we even fix dragon teeth! You wouldn't believe how much everything has changed!" he exclaimed. Jack wondered whether his friend's constant talking was an effort to try and fill the silence that would undoubtedly be awkward if it were allowed to take over the room, to try and distract his mother and provide her with something to focus on other than her husband being close to her, or because he was nervous and wanted to try and get over that by filling his mother in on every single thing he could, which was mostly about Berk.

Valka gave Hiccup a skittish half-smile as she handed him and Gobber a plate of fish skewers just as Stoick came up behind her to hand Jack his plate, who smiled in thanks but put the plate to the side since he wasn't quite hungry yet. "Our son has changed Berk for the better. I think we did well with this one, Val," Stoick said, voice proud and warm.

Hiccup perked up, noticeably happy about the compliment. "Thanks, Dad," the brunette said, beaming.

Jack watched as Stoick put his hand on Valka's shoulders, obviously trying to be affectionate but startling her so badly that she dropped the plate of fish skewers she'd been holding. Cloudjumper and Toothless wasted no time but Cloudjumper was the quicker of the two and scooped up the fish, skewers and all, leaving Toothless to sniff the floor and whine in defeat. "I'm a little out of practise," Valka said, trying to make light of her stumble as Cloudjumper regurgitated the fish skewers he'd just eaten so Toothless could eat as well, a sign the bigger dragon had finally accepted Toothless.

Stoick gave her a sweet smile. "Well, y'know, I didn't marry you for your cooking," he joked lightly.

Jack's attention was grabbed by Gobber's comment of, "I hope not! Her meatballs could kill more beasts than a battle-axe! I've still got a few knockin' around in here." He patted his stomach with a laugh, causing Hiccup and Jack to roll their eyes and turn back to Valka and Stoick but not before Jack noticed Gobber taking a bite of the fish skewers, make a disgusted face, and tip the rest into Grump's open mouth when he thought no one was watching.

The small break in Hiccup's constant speaking hadn't been enough for the brunette to give it a complete rest since he continued practically from the point where he'd left off. "And once you move back in, with all of your dragons, Drago won't even stand a chance! Everything will be okay!" he said, with such conviction that even Stoick looked like he believed him.

Valka, however, seemed to baulk at the assumption Hiccup had made of her moving back to Berk and Stoick certainly noticed. This time, instead of not bringing any attention to it, Stoick laid a hand on his son's shoulder. "Slow down, son. It's a lot to take in," he said gently.

Hiccup seemed to connect how his mother was acting to what Stoick hadn't said out loud but had clearly meant with his words and his eyes opened slightly as he realised what he'd been doing. "Oh, gotcha," he said, a little meekly and hunching in on himself a bit.

Valka had grabbed a water flask and was heading to a nearby small stream of water that fell from somewhere above their heads. Jack got a glance of her and it seemed like she was a little relieved for the space – no matter how small it was – and felt guilty about it and he could empathise. After Jamie and the other children believed in him and therefore could see and touch him, it had taken him a few days to come to terms with the fact that every time he landed in Burgess, he'd be greeted enthusiastically by a human child. After staying in Burgess for nearly a week post-Pitch (once North had stopped fussing over the bruises he'd gotten from landing on the dumpster during his confrontation with Pitch after Antarctica), Jack had become overwhelmed by Jamie and his friends wanting to hang around with him all the time and had fled, avoiding Burgess for nearly two weeks before he came back and apologised for his disappearance. How he felt in that time would've only been a fraction of what Valka was feeling now and he truly couldn't blame her for looking like she wanted to escape at the soonest opportunity.

Stoick was watching her with sympathetic eyes and Jack understood in that moment that Stoick really was aware of just how hard and foreign this must be to Valka. He apparently realised his previous approach of rolling with her jittery behaviour wasn't working as well as he'd hoped and decided to change it by whistling a tune that – from the reactions garnered – only Stoick, Valka, and Gobber recognised. Valka's eyes widened as the familiar tuned filled the cavern, causing her to forget about the task she was doing as she straightened, pulling the half-filled flask away from the stream of water.

Stoick approached in a cautious, almost delicate manner as Gobber whispered to Jack and Hiccup, "oh, I love this one!". The chief had a hopeful, loving expression in his eyes as he said softly, "do you remember our song, Val?"

Hiccup was watching with curious eyes as his father frowned at himself as he sung the half-forgotten words he hadn't sung in twenty years.

"I'll swim and sail on savage seas,

with ne'er a fear of drowning.

And gladly ride the waves of life,

if you will marry me."

Valka was obviously avoiding his gaze as she struggled with the welling emotions she felt inside of herself but Stoick didn't give up, taking the flask from her – causing her to gasp softly – before he placed it to the side.

"No scorching sun,

Nor freezing cold will-"

Jack noticed Gobber getting very excited about the song and noticed he had drawn in a deep breath as though he was going to join in. Sparks of blue magic emitting from Jack's staff that was pointing at him had Gobber snapping his mouth closed with a sheepish look while Stoick continued singing, having not noticed the almost interruption, and caressing the side of Valka's face gently.

"-stop me on my journey,

If you will promise me your heart," Stoick grabbed Valka's hand and grasped it, pulling it up so both their hands were over his heart. There was a slight pause and Jack realised that this was supposed to be a duet and that Stoick had been setting Valka up for her part of it. "and love..."

When Valka didn't join in on the song, Stoick's eager and hopeful look fell. When she didn't take up the song right away the chief of Berk let out a heavy-hearted sigh and started turning away, not meeting anyone's eyes. Hiccup looked confused, like he didn't understand what was happening in front of him and he'd gone to say something when another voice rang out softly.

"And love me for eternity." Valka's voice wavered and was hesitant but it rang clearly. She pulled her hand out of Stoick's as she moved to the centre of the chamber, looking up as she did so and her breath hitched shakily when she saw the beaming, relieved smile on Stoick's face. She held her forearm aloft, obviously holding herself in the start of a dancing pose and Stoick moved quickly to join her, crossing his arm with hers.

"My dearest one, my darling dear,

Your mighty words astound me.

But I've no need of mighty deeds,

When I feel your arms around me."

They continued their dance, recreating a touching and loving moment from their past as Hiccup, Gobber, Jack, the dragons, and Baby Tooth watched on. With every word Valka sung, she relaxed and all of her uncertainty melted away until she was singing with just as much love and joy in her voice as Stoick was and a wide smile graced her face.

Stoick picked up the next couple of lines, not missing a beat.

"But I would bring you rings of gold.

I'd even sing you poetry.

And I would keep you from all harm,

If you'd stay here beside me."

Valka had jokingly commented on the first couple of lines of Stoick's previous verse and was grinning in an unrestrained manner now, all her emotional walls down as she sung her next part.

"I have no use for rings of gold.

I care not for your poetry.

I only want your hand to hold.

I only want you near me."

The pace of the reunited couple's singing was picking up and Gobber seemed to be unable to resist the beat as he dragged Hiccup up into a standing position, dancing with him in a matter that matched the energy of the room. Baby Tooth squeaked bashfully when Jack had playfully bowed to her, caught up in the joy of the moment, and silently asked her to dance. All three couples danced their own dance with Stoick and Valka none the wiser to the other two as their voices melded together for the next verse of their song.

"To love and kiss, to sweetly hold.

For the dancing and the dreaming.

Through all life's sorrows and delight,

I'll keep your love inside me."

Hiccup managed to escape Gobber's grip and was watching his parents, amazed at how giddy they were as they laughed and spun in each other's arms, finally fully reunited as Valka seemed to accept Stoick back.

"I'll swim and sail through savage seas,

With ne'er a fear of drowning.

And gladly ride the waves of life,

If you will marry me!"

On the final note, Stoick lifted Valka high above him, his hands on her hips, before he placed her back on the ground, the both of them breathless and laughing. Stoick sighed as he leaned his head against her forehead. "Ah, I thought I'd have to die before we'd have that dance again," he told her, his voice wrought with emotions.

Valka chuckled though it was obvious she was feeling the same way. "No need for drastic measures," she teased, her eyes glinting with happy tears.

Stoick's eyes shone with the love he felt for the woman in front of him, a love that hadn't dimmed nor died during the twenty years they hadn't been together. "For you, my dear, anything," he told her, leaning away from her in time to catch the sweet smile she gave him. Going down on one knee, Stoick held Valka's hands and gazed up at her. "Will you come home, Val? Will you be my wife again?" he asked her, proposing to her anew. Toothless couldn't stop himself from meddling and he nudged Valka, knocking her into Stoick's arms and causing them to laugh as he made a proud noise. Hiccup joined them, having intended on rousing his dragon but being grabbed around his shoulders by his father instead. "We can be a family! What do you say?" Stoick asked, that hope once again in his eyes as he watched his wife.

Valka, somewhere between tears and laughter, gazed at her husband and son before nodding. "Yes!" she gasped out, wanting to make sure they heard her say it.

Stoick grabbed both his wife and son and held them tightly, finally able to hold his family in his arms once more, something he thought he'd only be able to do when Hiccup joined him and Valka in Valhalla. Jack and Gobber were watching the joyful scene with soft expressions, though Gobber seemed unable to stop himself from throwing his arms over Valka's and Hiccup's shoulders with a quip of "Great! I'll do the cooking," that earned chuckles from the three Haddocks.

Stoick pulled away from the hug, though he kept a grip on Hiccup's shoulders and one hand in one of Valka's, unwilling to let her go lest she disappear on him again. "Thank Odin you didn't listen to me, son," Stoick said, a soft smile on his face as he and Valka continued to gaze at one another. "We never would've found each other again if you had," he said, a sad look in his eyes as he imagined that. Valka squeezed his hand, drawing him out of the 'what-ifs' he'd been imagining.

Hiccup grinned happily, though there was a hint of mischief to his grin, as though he was filing those words away for another time so he could use them against his father. Jack had been about to call him out on it when the wind burst into the cavern, blustering into everything and causing Jack to frown. "What's going on?" he asked his friend, sensing the urgency in the wind's movements.

At the same time as he was talking to the wind, Jack noticed how all of the dragons suddenly perked up as thought they were hearing something the humans and Jack couldn't see. "Toothless?" Hiccup asked cautiously, having noticed what his dragon had done. Suddenly, a mass of dragons swarmed past the chamber, racing towards something. "What's happening?" he asked, turning to look at his parents for an answer.

"I dunno but it's got the wind riled up. It's something serious," Jack said just as heavy booms reverberated through the fortress, sending some of them stumbling a little from it.

Valka and Stoick shared a look before Valka ran out of the chamber, urgency in her steps. The others didn't hesitate and Jack had the wind fly him, keeping him up near the ceiling with Baby Tooth so he wouldn't be in the others way as they made themselves onto an icy ledge that overlooked a lagoon below them. The sight that met them caused them all to gasp as one of their biggest fears of the last couple of days, years for Valka, were realised. Drago had found the haven and was trying to destroy it in order to take all of the dragons protected within.

The armada below was made up of thousands of men and dragons alike, the former manning catapults and ballistae, firing them into the icy spires to force their way into the Alpha's sanctuary. Hiccup was the first to break the horrified silence they'd fallen into. "Oh, no," he murmured, sad eyes looking over ferocious battle going on below them as the dragons under the Alpha's protection fought valiantly to protect their home.

Valka's snarl caught their attention and Jack almost floated backwards at the fierceness of her scowl. She went to storm off, likely to get Cloudjumper and fly into battle only to stop when Stoick caught her arm. "Val! It's alright, it's alright," he soothed. "We're a team now," he reminded her. "Now, what do you want to do?" he asked when the anger in his wife's expression calmed as she remembered she wasn't by herself in this.

"We have to save the dragons," Valka said firmly, eyes flicking to meet all of theirs, including Jack's.

A determined expression flickered over Stoick's face as he nodded firmly once. "Aye, you got it!" he said, letting go of Valka's arm and following her through, heading back towards their dragons.

Jack caught Hiccup before he could follow and looked at both him and Baby Tooth as he spoke. "I need you to take Baby Tooth and have her stow away in Toothless' saddlebag," Jack said urgently before cutting Baby Tooth off before she got more than one protesting word out. "No, you cannot join me in this fight. I know you're not afraid and that you'd stay with me but I cannot focus on fighting all of those dragons and keeping myself from getting killed if I have to worry about you as well and I refuse to tell Tooth that you were killed because I let you fight in that," he said, stabbing a finger towards the battle. There was nothing but seriousness in his voice or expression and Baby Tooth knew there would be no point in arguing with her friend, even if she had a good counterargument. She gave a firm squeak and Jack smiled softly at her. "I'll do my best to keep myself safe so you don't have to tell Tooth I died battling dragons," he promised her before he turned to Hiccup. "Please make sure she's safe," he asked, shamelessly pleading.

Hiccup gave a firm nod of his own. "I will," he swore, allowing Baby Tooth to settle on his shoulder. "What are you going to do?" he asked, though from his expression, he had a pretty good idea of what Jack's answer was going to be.

"I'm gonna give Drago and his army someone else to fight. Can't let you guys have all the fun just because you're on dragons," Jack told him, a familiar twinkle in his eyes, though it was a touch more serious than it normally was.

"Stay safe," Hiccup demanded, gripping Jack's arm and the winter spirit nodded.

"I'll see you out there," Jack replied, getting another nod from Hiccup and a worried look from Baby Tooth that he only just managed to answer with what he hoped was a reassuring smile before Hiccup turned and disappeared up the icy corridor to find his family and Toothless. Jack took a deep breath as he stepped to the edge of the icy ledge Hiccup, Stoick, Valka, and Gobber had been standing on only moments ago. Gazing down at the ferocious battle going on below and listening to the sounds of men shouting orders and dragon screaming as they tore each other apart, Jack released his breath before he stepped off the ledge and joined the war.

A/N - And here is chapter 19 and the start of the battle of the alphas! I'm sorry that I ended this one on a cliffhanger and that I was later than normal posting this chapter but apparently when you babysit children, they require enough attention that you can't slip away from them for 15 minutes to post a chapter XD They're back home now so I get to finally do this and leave you with this ending for a whole week XD Thank you to those of you who posted on the last chapter! I really am grateful for your words and I really hope that you like this chapter :) You'll see that I kept a fair bit of canonical stuff from the movie in this scene but I do hope you guys like the small changes I did make! I'll see you all next week for the next chapter!