Problem with living in Australia in October;

(a) Radio and TV are now promoting Halloween.

(b) Old people don't know what's going on when kids come to the door asking for stuff, dressed in weird costumes.

(c) I try to be ready with a bucket full of chocolate frogs by the door.

(d) Nobody comes by all evening.

Anyone want a chocolate frog? (I've got a bucket full)


Beware the Wrath of the Nadder Rider

Chapter 2

Stoick the Vast stumbled over a small rise in the ground; he was sure it had grown up in that very spot, just to annoy him. He mumbled a curse upon it under his breath as he continued on his way home in a vain attempt to avoid both the morning light and the entire population of Berk. Everyone had enjoyed a wonderful time of drinking and feasting the previous night, but Stoick was beginning to suspect perhaps he had enjoyed himself a little too much. He just wished he could find some way to loosen the iron bands he could feel wrapped around his brain. There was one other problem Stoick could not fathom; why was the entire village inexplicably lurching to the left at irregular intervals?

"Good morning Chief" a sweet but annoying voice shot into his head like a flaming arrow and proceeded to ricochet around the inside of his skull.

"Please Astrid, not so loud. My head feels like there's a yak tap dancing inside my helmet."

"Sorry about that Chief" Astrid apologised even though she had not spoken very loudly at all.

"Maybe you should go and lie down for a while" she continued.

"I do believe you have come up with the best idea I have heard in days. It would also give Hiccup a much needed opportunity to practice his leadership skills."

"Oh I wouldn't do that if I were you Chief" the young woman shook her head.

"Really; and why not?" Stoick tried to be suspicious but his brain kept telling him not to care and to go to bed.

"In the past Chief" Astrid explained "when you needed to put someone in charge while you were away, you could appoint Spitelout, Gobber, Gothi or Olvor. These days of course, it's always Hiccup and he's been doing a great job thanks to his experience leading the Dragon Riders. But when he needs to delegate leadership, he usually chooses me or Fishlegs and we have only had the chance to work with small groups."

"So you think today would be the perfect time to give you a chance to run the village?" Stoick admired her ambition.

"No Chief; Fishlegs" Astrid replied.

"You're kidding; why Fishlegs?"

"He's very smart Chief and with most of the village sleeping off the last week of celebration, today will be a nice quiet time for him to gain some genuine experience."

"I can see the sense in that" Stoick agreed.

"Then with your permission, I'll let him know he's the boss for a few hours."

"No Astrid, send him to me so I can tell him what I expect and tell him to hurry because I need to sit down."

"I'm on it Chief" Astrid grinned and hurried off.

"The plot thickens" Ruffnut noted from the roof of Gobber's humble home.

"But Hiccup doesn't like it when he has to be acting chief, so why would Astrid get him out of leadership duty, if she wishes to punish him for ignoring her last night?" Tuffnut pondered.

"Isn't it obvious my brother?"

"No."

"Rats I was hoping it would be" Ruffnut sighed.

"Maybe... err... she has something worse planed?"

"Something evil" Ruffnut grinned.

"Something we would want to watch" Tuffnut grinned wider.

"I'll keep following Astrid, you go find Hiccup and see what he's up to" Ruffnut ordered.

"Right-o" Tuffnut saluted before jumping into his saddle.

His sister simultaneously leapt into hers, and then they both tried to fly off in opposite directions. After the two headed Zippleback had crashed to the ground (and more hung-over Vikings had demanded peace and quiet) a short fight broke out that ended with Ruffnut soaring overhead, while Tuffnut limped away to find the Dragon Master.


The only thing you can be sure of, is the twins will rarely get things right and that is why I love them so.

See ya soon my friends :-D