Author's Note: 'Ello, everyone! Sorry that I didn't post the other day, my family and I were out most of the time, and by the time we got home, it was pretty late. X) But I'm here now! =D

Also, I just wanted to acknowledge that...12,000. Page. Views. A flipping 12,000 page views. Guys...dang. It feels like just yesterday that this story reached 10,000...*Shakes head* Man, you guys are awesome. Freaking. Awesome. =D

*Claps hands* Okay! Here's the next one-shot for "Sticks and Stones," so I hope you guys enjoy it! =D

Summary: Hiccup finds himself remembering the song his father and Valka sang together at the Nest and he wonders when his parents sang that very song for the first time. (Post HTTYD 2.)

A Familiar Melody

He was yearning to go outside. But unfortunately, he had chief duties to attend to. And what were those duties? Reading papers—countless papers—about things that he half understood and signing multiple forms and sheets to approve builds and other construction.

Hiccup had been inside almost all day. It was about evening, so the young chief already considered it had been a whole day. He knew that being chief had its perks and downsides, and Hiccup was currently going through one of those downsides: being stuck inside with lots of paperwork. He now understood why his father was always so irritated when he came home with piles of paper; it was a boring, tedious job going through several sheets at once. And what was worse was that they were all due that night. How was one supposed to complete dozens of paperwork in one day? People just thought that chiefs could do anything, huh?

Hiccup sighed and ran a hand through his messy, auburn hair. His eyes were beginning to droop; he was that tired. A flight with Toothless sounded great, but the Night Fury was equally busy as he was, even though he was doing more moving than Hiccup. Toothless had recently become the alpha, and that meant he was in charge of all dragon activity on Berk. Toothless made sure that baby dragons didn't go rogue, and no dragons interfered or destroyed vikings' homes on purpose. It was a heavy job, and Hiccup was proud that his dragon was able to slide into his new role so easily. Toothless seemed to have everything under control, unlike Hiccup, who was still adjusting to his role as chief.

Luckily, he had his mother, Valka, by his side. The young chief still hadn't wrapped his head around the fact that his mother—his actual mother—had returned to Berk for good. While twenty years was a long time to stay away, Valka had returned and acted as if she had lived on Berk all those years. She fit in with the dragon-loving people of Berk, and she even showed a few of the tricks that she had learned during her time alone with dragons. Valka also was a great help to Hiccup when things got too busy, or he didn't know what to do. Since she was the wife of a chief, Valka knew a few things about chiefting herself, and she was always there to give Hiccup a bit of advice when he needed it.

Astrid was a great help too. The Hofferson was an amazing help and comfort to Hiccup, especially when he felt like he wasn't doing enough for Berk. She often pulled him out of his work when he got too engrossed in it, and she was always there to talk if Hiccup needed someone to talk to. Astrid had a way with words; she always knew exactly what to say to ease Hiccup's nerves or give him some extra encouragement.

Hiccup sighed and scribbled his charcoal pencil across the signature area of the paper he was reading; he didn't even read what it was about, but he would go back and read it over later. Right now, he really wanted to spend some time with Astrid. There was just one paper left to read…

After pulling the last piece of paper from the pile, Hiccup began to read it over. He started to hum to himself, just to make the time go faster, and he was a little surprised that he still remembered the song that his mother and father sang back while they were still at the Nest. What was it called again? For the Dancing and the Dreaming. That was it.

Hiccup had never heard his father sing before. He had a few times in the past, but it was usually just for young Hiccup when he was fussy or upset. The young chief remembered hearing a few lines from the song being sung to him when he was a baby, but he didn't remember much since he was so little at the time. Hearing the entire song, the full melody, the lyrics, emotion, and love was something that Hiccup would never forget. That song—that wonderful song—had deeply rooted itself in Hiccup's heart. And the moment when his father and mother sang it together was a vivid memory that he would never forget. It was one of the last happy memories that he had of his father anyway…

Hiccup felt an ache in his chest, and he shook his head in sadness. He had work to do. He couldn't risk feeling down while he was in the middle of working.

The floorboards behind him creaked and groaned; Hiccup turned around to see Valka standing in the doorway. She walked up to Hiccup and smiled.

"Hello, Hiccup. I just came to see how you're doing," she said.

Hiccup shrugged. "There's nothing much to see here other than lots and lots and lots of paper," he said. He placed down his charcoal and leaned back in his chair. "I have no idea how Dad managed to get through all of this…"

Valka nodded, a distant look flickered in her green eyes. "He had his ways…Besides, it was all worth it in the end. You're helping Berk, son."

"I know," said Hiccup. He picked up the paper he was reading as his mother took a seat not very far from him. "I just wish there was less paperwork."

The two sat in silence for a while, and as Hiccup read over his paper, he found himself asking, "When was the first time you and Dad sang that song back at the Nest?"

Valka smoothed her skirt. "It was a long time ago," she said slowly, as if she were reliving that very memory. Taking in every detail and narrating it to perfection. "Stoick and I had just got betrothed, and that song had been passed down through the Haddock family for a long time. I remember reading the lyrics over and over until I practically had it drilled in my brain…We sang it together after we wed at our dance."

Hiccup nodded, imagining a younger version of his mother and father singing together. Just married, finally with the person that they were happiest with. Bonded together for life and all of eternity, and nothing could ever tear them apart. The young chief smiled wistfully, hoping that he and Astrid would have a wedding just as beautiful.

"Why do you ask?" asked Valka.

"Oh," said Hiccup. "I was humming the song to myself a little while ago…I was just wondering…"

Valka stood up and ran a hand through Hiccup's hair. "Feel free to ask me anything about your father. I have hundreds of stories to tell."

Hiccup smiled. "I'd like that. Maybe after I'm done with all this work."

Valka's lips pulled into a smile, and she nodded, leaving the room with her braids flowing behind her. Hiccup turned back toward his desk, and he continued to read through his papers and sheets, humming For the Dancing and the Dreaming to himself over and over again.

And at that moment, he knew that that was the song that he wanted him and Astrid to sing when they got married.

Author's Note: What I wouldn't give to see Astrid and Hiccup sing "For the Dancing and the Dreaming" together on their wedding day...X)

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this one-shot, and I'll see ya in whatever comes next! =D

Until the next chapter!

-BeyondTheMoon1203