Last chapter guys! I'm so sorry if it feels rushed in any way. Might just be me though, idk. Enjoy nonetheless and see you at the bottom!

Hiccup didn't need to wonder where he was or how he'd ended up here. He'd had enough bad luck in his life to recognize a Healer's hut and all its familiar herbal scents. The number of times he'd run a dangerous quest or mission and ended up waking up under a roof without recalling every detail of the previous events had grown into a routine for him. However, they were always bittersweet. He was always glad to live another day, and the ache in his body was also ever so present every time.

Hiccup blinked at the dim lighting of the room, studying the cracks in the ceiling as sunlight poured in - warming up his skin like the kiss of a campfire. The first thing he noticed was his restrained vision. He blinked again, trying to light up the darkness, but his right eye would not comply.

He carefully waved a hand over his face.

Hiccup felt a pinch of alarm make the adrenaline run in his veins. His breathing quickened as he tried to understand the situation.

He was blind of the right eye. And it was destabilizing.

He found the strength to sit up and feel his body. He checked to make sure he hadn't lost another limb. It was the sting all over his right side and on his face that made him hiss and grit his teeth. He took a look at the bandages wrapped around his chest where it stung most. He quickly recognized the sensation and the sight of the burn marks stretching up and down his side, all the way down his thigh and up his chest, neck, and face.

Hiccup sighed and worked his body to stand. A bucket of water lied on the medical table next to his bed and Hiccup heavily leaned against it to take a look at his injuries. He didn't know what to think as he gazed at his reflection bouncing off the dark water. The scar stretched from his temple and around his eye like ant carvings. Even part of his ear had been singed. Hiccup didn't know how to feel. He'd never been left so scared in the past. And for a moment, as he stared down at his reflection, he saw Viggo.

The door creaked open and Hiccup straightened up and turned around to see Heather in the doorway.

Hiccup read her expression – the joy, the relief, and the sadness. She didn't say a word and trapped him in her embrace, sighing a shaky breath that let him know how much she'd been worrying about him.

"I'm okay," he reassured her, parting to meet her watery gaze. "I'm here."

"I was afraid you weren't gonna make it," she admitted, laughing lightly as she stared into his eyes. "The Healer says you're extremely lucky to have survived."

"After everything we've been through?" said Hiccup, cocking an eyebrow at her, smiling. "It takes more than a little fire to kill me."

Heather took his hand and smiled up at him. She didn't need to put everything she was feeling into words. Hiccup understood the fear she'd felt and the wave of relief that had washed over her the moment she'd laid eyes on him again.

"I'm glad you're okay," she said. Hiccup smiled back. "I think you have friends who'd be happy to see you as well."

Hiccup followed her out of the Berserker Healer's hut and was greeted by Zephyr and Viggo patiently waiting to hear news from him. Their eyes lit up at the sight of him, and Zephyr jumped off the short brick wall she'd been bouncing her legs against.

"Dad!" she cried out, the joy and relief in her tone unmistakable. She immediately ran to him and jumped in his arms, clumsy with her grip as she pulled on the bandages covering his injuries.

"Careful," he said, hissing through his teeth as she pulled back to look at his face. "Sunburn."

But Zephyr only wrapped her arm tighter around his neck, whispering how much she'd gotten scared and had missed him and never wanted to leave his side ever again. Hiccup chuckled and kissed her head, reassuring her it would never happen again.

Viggo approached discreetly as not to disturb the Berkian Chief's reunion with his daughter. Hiccup met his gaze and put Zephyr back down. Zephyr looked up at him and Viggo before stepping back to join Heather.

"I see you've copied my style," said Viggo, gesturing to his facial scar. Hiccup chuckled, looking down before looking up at him again.

"Yeah well, you know what they say," said Hiccup, folding his arms over his chest smugly. "It's only fun if you get a scar out of it."

"You Berkians were always so reckless," said Viggo, shaking his head sideways as he smiled. "I see not much has changed after all."

"Is that a bad thing?" asked Hiccup, cheeky.

"At least your sense of humour's remained intact," commented Viggo, obviously glad he was well.

"So," said Hiccup, turning to Heather as she walked up to his side. "Anyone gonna fill me in, or..?"

"Well," started Heather, meeting Viggo's gaze. "There's not much to say, actually. The search for the dragons is over; the world believes the Great Dragon Conqueror died in the explosion."

"And what about Maeve?" asked Hiccup, concerned about the woman's whereabouts. "Did you capture her?"

"No," said Heather, looking down as she recalled the last she saw of the organization's leader. "She fled the scene during the explosion. She could still be at the Northern Markets, but capturing her wouldn't make much of a difference. She's a gang leader. And now, without a purpose for her organization, it's gonna fall apart quickly."

"But what about you?" asked Hiccup, concerned. "You two seemed to know each other. Won't she come looking for revenge?"

"If she does, I'll be waiting," said Heather, placing a hand on her hip with a confident smile printed on her lips.

"Well," said Viggo, joining his hands to his back. "Looks like the Great Dragon Conqueror can live out his days in peace now."

Hiccup smiled his thanks and looked down at Zephyr standing close to him. It was curious how Viggo Grimborn, once his greatest enemy, had become one of his greatest friends.

One might even say he was his toy soldier.

"I ordered my men to fill your ship with supplies for your journey back," informed Heather. "It'll be ready to set sail whenever you're ready."

"Thank you," said Hiccup, bowing his head to show his gratitude. "I don't know how I can ever make it up to you."

Heather smiled kindly. "You already did," she said. "It has been long hard years ever since the organization started forming. Now the tribes of the Archipelago can move on and progress past the old ways."

Hiccup nodded, understanding how difficult it must've been for her tribe to strive in the middle of this conflict – especially as one of the tribes that were allied to the Dragon Riders during the past wars. Hiccup remembered the eyes and the hatred aimed at him and his allies whenever they were recognized in public events and regular markets. He hoped that in this new era, one without the dragons, Vikings would not be as divided as they used to be. Hiccup truly hoped for a better world for the people of the Archipelago and beyond – one he wouldn't be a part in.

No.

Berk didn't belong to the future. It belonged to the past. And that's where it would remain.

"If you'll excuse me, I have some deals I need to sign off," said Heather as one of her guards came up to her.

"Deals?" echoed Hiccup, raising an eyebrow curiously.

"Well, after getting an inside look at the Northern Markets..." said Heather, explaining with an edge of guilt to her tone. "After... seeing the state of those people... I figured it wouldn't make a dent in the Berserker tribe's wealth to share some of our stock and resources to help those in need."

Hiccup blinked in disbelief.

"Heather, that's amazing," said Hiccup, smiling proudly.

Heather smiled back and hesitated before wrapping her arms around him again, abandoning her noble standards to embrace him one more time before he left. Hiccup wasn't some ally. He was her friend and an old one at that. The countless missions they'd flown together, fighting side by side along with the other Dragon Riders were memories she'd never leave forgotten.

"I'll miss you," she whispered close to his ear before burying her face in his fur cape. They parted and Heather looked into his eyes one last time before turning around to follow after her guard to complete her duties as Chieftess.

Viggo joined his side more closely while Zephyr grabbed his hand gently.

"Well," said Viggo, sighing heavily. "I guess this is goodbye then..."

Hiccup turned to him and nodded his respect and thanks before gesturing to Zephyr to follow. Viggo stood still as he watched him start walking down the path leading down to the docks of the island. Heaviness settled in his chest as Hiccup walked away, and he lowered his head, turning away.

"You know," called Hiccup, and Viggo turned around, surprised. "After everything we've been through – after everything you've been through for me... I'd be rude of me to leave you here like this."

Viggo scoffed, folding his arms over his chest like he didn't care.

"What, you mean leave me by myself?" said Viggo, scoffing again and rolling his eyes. "I've been doing it for over a decade, thank you very much."

"But what if I told you you didn't have to be?" said Hiccup, the hint of a proposition to his tone.

Hiccup smiled, sharing a glance with Zephyr.

Viggo opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He blinked, wondering what he really meant. Viggo had dreamed of belonging for so long. He'd been dead to the world. He'd become an outcast to his own tribe that no longer even existed.

He was alone; he was lonely.

He'd had no purpose but to survive until the call back to Hiccup came along.

Belonging to a tribe... was all he could ever ask for.

"Come on," said Hiccup, amused by the look on his face as he gestured to come along. "Let's go home."

The end.

Thanks for reading, as usual! I truly appreciate you guys supporting with awesome reviews, you have no idea how encouraging they are.

Also, one of the things that really inspired me for this story was a music video on youtube made by user Witch of Mind titled "Hiccup & Viggo / Toy Soldiers" (hence the title hehe). I grew obsessed with it. Please go watch it, I'm in love with it.

But yeah, a "Toy Soldier" has different meanings, the one for this story is "A friend who has your back and is willing to give his life to ensure your protection" which kind of refers to Viggo... (cause he's a simp for Hiccup, change my mind)

Also, um, I'm stuck. Like I have two new ideas for fics but no idea how to develop them... So... I have no idea when I'll be posting again. But, hopefully, I'll see you soon!

Thank you again for the support!

- Rain ;)