Me: Hello my fellow HTTYD fans, how have you been?
Sorry for the long wait for this update but I was typing some chapters to this story since my reschedule surgery is coming up soon, February 23.
Within these week, I will be preparing for my upcoming surgery so I wouldn't be working on my stories for about three weeks or so…until I don't feel any more pain.
I will let you know if something happens in an Author's Note…like the surgery has been (once again) rescheduled or something.
Eeveecat1248 glad to know someone understands about weird things. Hope you enjoy reading this updated chapter!
Well that's said – no typed and done, onward to the extended version!
Charles arrived at a two story house that was close by the forest. He dismounts from his white stallion before spotting a small green dragon by a fountain and it was chewing on a tree branch.
"Ah, Loki, would you mind letting Liza know that I'm here?" asked Charles.
The tiny Terrible Terror looked up before letting out a small screech and took off to an open window. The King chuckles a bit before hearing the front door open.
A woman with flaming red hair and green-forest eyes came out. She was wearing a blue tunic dress, a brown vest, and a white apron around her waist.
"Yes? Who – Oh! Charles! What a surprise visit! Please come in."
"Don't mind if I do Liza," said Charles. He entered the house and followed the redhead woman to the kitchen.
Liza walked over at a boiling pot and started to stir. She slightly turned her head over to him, "So why the visit in such late hour? Shouldn't you be having supper with Marianne and Anna?"
"Yes, I normally would but I need to talk to you and Victor about something rather important," replied Charles as he took a seat at the table.
Liza stopped stirring and turned around. She could see the seriousness on the king's face, "I see. Well Victor should be coming home soon. He told me he would be coming late because he was going to train a few new recruits that signed up a few days ago."
"Ah yes," said Charles, happily. "Young teens are coming to the Training Grounds every day. Not too long ago, Victor told me that a young boy around six years old wanted to become a soldier in order to protect his dear little sister and Mother."
Liza smiled, softly, "Oh that's so sweet."
Suddenly they heard a loud slam coming from the back of the kitchen.
"LIZA! Must you give Storm his treats before work?!"
The redhead giggled, "Don't tell me that he is at it again?"
"YES! And right in front of – where are you?"
"At the kitchen and please do keep your voice down, we have a guest," replied Liza.
A man with brown-reddish hair that was held up and blue eyes walked into the kitchen. He was wearing a white silk tunic with a black vest with gold trimmings and buttons, black pants, brown belt with a sword on his left side.
"A guest? Who – Charlie! What are you doing here? Did yea wife kick you out or something?"
"Still quite a joker," murmured Charles before clearing his throat. "I came here for an important business to discuss with you and your wife."
"Politics or war?" asked Victor as he sat across by his friend. "Or is it another alliance?"
"None of those, my friend," replied Charles. He sighs, "It's more of a…fostering a mistreated child to his full potential."
Victor and Liza both had a shock look on their faces.
"W-What do you mean, Charles?" asked Liza.
"I believe I have found you a child for you to adopt," replied Charles, softly. He started explaining his friends about Hiccup's history.
"That poor boy," murmured Liza, sadly. She smiled, softly, "But yet he still has a pure heart."
"Pure and strong, yes," said Charles before frowning a bit. "He has great intelligence but fails to realize that on his own. That bastard Viking doesn't deserve to be called his Father!"
Victor and Liza nodded before the redhead clapped her hands.
"Oh Vic, Hiccup is prefect! He needs us just as we need him! Not to mention, he has a dragon partner like you!"
"I was thinking the same thing Liza," said Victor before gritting his teeth. He grabbed his sword's handle, "But I wish I could have knocked a few senses to those bloody Vikings for their stupidity."
"I myself but forget about that – Charles! We accept to be Hiccup's new adopted parents!" said Liza, happily.
"Wonderful!" said Charles. He stood up, "Here are the adoption papers. I will be sending a letter to the school that they will be suspecting a new student within the week."
Victor nodded and took the adoption papers while Liza went over to a desk. She pulled out a parchment and started writing a list for what she would need for her son-to-be.
"Let's see, we need to clear out one of the guest rooms with new furniture. Not to mention, a whole new wardrobe – you said that he has green eyes, correct Charles?"
"Indeed," replied Charles.
"Perfect! I know what to get – Victor, get your coat! We need to get everything before the stores closes!" said Liza, happily.
"Woman! Can't you wait until tomorrow or after I have eaten supper!" shouted Victor though he too was a slight eager to get his future son's things.
Liza pouts, "Oh fine – Ah! In the meantime, I will be clearing out the guest room!"
"Well I should be heading back," said Charles. He walked over at the entrance door, "Be at the castle gates by tomorrow morning. You can dine with us for breakfast and meet the lad."
"We'll be there, don't you worry about that," said Victor.
Charles nodded his head before heading out and mounted on his stallion. Victor and Liza watched the king leave their property before the redhead sighs.
"Soon Vic…soon we will be parents. I never thought this day will ever come."
"Nor I," said Victor before frowning. "I wonder…if Hiccup is wearing a mask."
"What do you mean, dear?" asked Liza.
"I mean is that Hiccup couldn't show any weak emotions so in order for him to hide it is to mentally wear a mask," explained Victor.
"That's not right," murmured Liza, sadly. She grits her teeth, "As if showing emotions is a bad thing. Hiccup needs to be taught that strength is not the answer to be a man."
"Oh he will and we will be the ones teaching him," said Victor, seriously. "He will know much more from us rather from his own blasted Father."
Liza smiled, happily before walking back inside while Victor looked up at the night sky with determination in his eyes.
"You shall not be alone anymore, Hiccup."
Meanwhile back at Berk, Stoick and Gobber along with Astrid were still trying to find any clues about Hiccup's disappearance.
The three have been searching for the pass four hours and found nothing.
Gobber sighs before walking over to his old friend, "Look Stoick, it's getting late. Why don't we head back? We can search for the lad in the morning."
Stoick ran his hand over his bread before sighing, heavily.
"Very well but we start looking right after breakfast, understand? Astrid, will you be joining us as well?"
The blond Viking nodded, "Yes, Chief. I better get going and get some sleep. Good night, sir and Gobber."
"Sleep tight little lass," said Gobber before turning around to see Stoick looking over at the sea. The Blacksmith sighs, "You're thinking about Valka, are yea?"
Stoick nodded, sadly, "She was taken by one of those blasted beast while she was trying to protect Hiccup who was just a baby at the time."
"Aye but you know when you told me that Valka was attacking a dragon, that surprised me," said Gobber. He adjusted his stone tooth, "I mean she was different than the other Vikings when we were teenagers. She tries to stop us from attacking them during the raids and even reasons with us that the dragons are being misjudged."
"That's Valka for yea," agreed Stoick. He smiled a bit, "No one would question her about it since she had quite a temper."
"True, true but…strangely the dragons did look at her weirdly," stated Gobber before clearing his throat. "Well see yea in the morning Stoick. I will look around at the forge one more time if I miss anything."
Stoick nodded and watched his friend to return back to the village before looking up at the night sky once again. He closed his eyes and listen at the blissful night silent for the first time.
"Valka if you can hear me…watch over our son. I will find him and bring him back home. And this time, I will listen to him even if it's a silly request like helping him build another crazy invention…I will fulfill that promise that I made when you were taken away from us."
The Chief sighs before taking out the letter that Gobber found in Hiccup's helmet. He reopened it and re-read the message inside.
Dear Dad or Stoick…since you really have not been a Father to me,
If you are reading this then that means I have left Berk on my own account.
I've tried to tell you so many times but you wouldn't listen. I found out before you left your last dragon search, I couldn't kill a dragon. Remember the night that I said I shot down that Night Fury…well I did.
I went out and found him, lying on the ground at Raven Point.
I had a chance…I had the chance to kill the legendary Night Fury but…I…I couldn't. I simply couldn't kill the dragon as I saw myself in him so…I let him go.
I'm sorry if I am a disappointment to you all these years. I know that I wasn't the kind of Viking heir you wanted so…I decided that enough is enough.
I'm leaving with the Night Fury that I shot down and I'm not coming back.
I'm going someplace far where people accept dragons and a place where I will be accepted for who I am. And if it's possible…if there is a small chance that maybe I can find Mom alive and live with her from now on.
Bye…Stoick and consider me died. Make Snotlout your Heir since he is a 'true' Viking…since I'm not…me Hiccup the Useless.
'Oh Hiccup…would you ever forgive me?' thought Stoick. He put away the letter before heading back to his home with sadness in his heart.
-Scotland, Morning-
"Morning Hiccup," greeted Anna, happily. She smiled, "Oh my, to think that my Father's old clothes suits you rather nicely. What do you think?"
Hiccup laughed a bit before looking at the mirror once again.
He was wearing a white silk shirt, a dark green vest, a dark brown belt, black pants and brown boots. His original clothes were thrown away last night when a maid gave him a pair of night clothes.
"This is the first time I have ever felt silk fabric and I must say," said Hiccup as he felt the white fabric. "It's really soft. You said that this was made by a little insect, correct?"
Anna smiled, "That's right. A silkworm and they are high in protein as well."
Hiccup made a disgust look, "You…You can eat them?!"
"A few people do but the villagers around here don't normally eat them," replied Anna. She then grabbed his arm, "Come on, it's time for breakfast."
"Alright lead the way," said Hiccup, knowing she would be dragging him to the diner room. And he was right.
Anna and Hiccup reached at the diner room to find there was no one yet present. The princess guided Hiccup to where he sat last night while she took a sit right next to him.
Hiccup looked down to see the silverware and remembered Anna telling him how some of the items around here were made out of the materials found in the volcano. The stronger materials were used to forge weapons, armor and shield.
"After breakfast, I will take you to the Black's and see if you can get a job there as an apprentice," said Anna. She smiled, "I have a good feeling that you and Johnny will become great friends."
Hiccup smiled a bit before the two of them heard the doors open. Charles and Marianne walked in with two other people.
A man with long brown-reddish hair and had blue eyes. He was wearing a blue tunic, a brown belt around his waist and a sword on the left side, black pants and brown boots.
Next to the man was a woman with flaming red hair and green-forest eyes. She was wearing a sleeveless blue dress and underneath was a white silk shirt and small brown boots.
"Ah morning children," greeted Charles, happily. "Glad to know we didn't miss breakfast."
"You miss breakfast, Dad," teased Anna before laughing. "I highly doubt that. Morning Mother, General Ryder and Aunt Liza, how are you?"
"Great, thanks for asking," replied Liza.
The king took the head sit while his wife sat to his left. General Ryder sat next to the king by his right while Liza sat next to Ryder.
A few maids came in with food and placed them in front of them.
Hiccup bites his lower lip before nervously trying to figure out which silverware to use. Normally he would use a spoon for soup and a fork for eating meat that he can't use his hands.
Last night, there wasn't much silverware but this morning, there were about five different ones. He can see there was a spoon, a fork and a knife but there were two other spoons. One was bigger than the other one but why?
He gulps a bit before coughing in order to get Anna's attention.
The princess turned her head to see Hiccup was nervous. She titled her head before realizing what the problem was.
She slapped herself before leaning over to Hiccup's ear.
"Don't worry about it. Just eat how you normally would. I will explain the other silverware some other time but for now, don't worry about it."
"B-But what about t-table manners?" whispered Hiccup, nervously. "I-I don't want to embarrass myself in front of your parents and their guests…who are they anyway?"
"That's General Ryder and his wife," replied Anna. "They have been friends with my parents since they were really small. And don't worry about table manners since my Dad and General Ryder can be rather…messy eaters sometimes."
Hiccup let out a sigh in relief before starting eating his breakfast.
"Right," said Charles before clearing his throat. "Hiccup, I would like to introduce you to my General Victor Ryder and his wife, Elizabeth. They're great friends of mine."
"Oh…um nice to…ah meet you two," said Hiccup, nervously.
Victor laughed, "No need to be nervous lad. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The same with me but please call me Liza. Elizabeth is too formal."
Hiccup nodded his head.
"So why are they here Dad?" asked Anna. "Do you need to discuss something with him after breakfast or something?"
"Something like that," replied Charles. "But not with me, rather they want to talk to Hiccup."
Hiccup slightly open his mouth and had a confuse look.
"Last night, Charles came to my house and told us all about you," started Victor. He placed his chin over his hands, "I was quite impressed to hear that you and of course Anna taking down that massive dragon."
"I-It was n-nothing, really," stuttered Hiccup as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Nothing?!" shouted Anna in disbelief. She got up and slammed her hands onto the table, "Hiccup! It was your idea to stop the Dragon Queen and if you didn't, the other dragons would have suffered still! Don't you dare think you are nothing! You are not living in Berk anymore!"
Hiccup tensed up and stared at Anna in disbelief. No one besides Gobber would scold him for doubting himself. He looked down at his hands, "…I-It's going to take some time Anna…to forget."
Anna sighs, sadly before calming down and placed her hands onto his.
"I understand and I hope in time, you will recover and realize that you are a great person."
Hiccup bites his lip and unconsciously hold onto his emotions before nodding his head though Victor saw right through him.
The General got up and walked over at Hiccup. He placed his hand onto Hiccup's shoulder, "Lad, what Anna said is true. You are a remarkable being and what that tribe, mentally did to you was unquestionable horrible and insensitive. Not even your own blasted Father stopped it. You deserve much better, Hiccup."
The young preteen clenched his hands together before shutting his eyes and nodding his head, slowly.
Liza couldn't take it anymore to see the young boy in so much pain. She quickly got up from her seat and ran over to Hiccup before embracing him, tightly.
"Let it go, Hiccup. Let it go. You are not alone anymore…you don't have to hide it any longer. Let them fall, please."
Hiccup tensed up when Liza hugged him but within a second, he embraced the warmness from this stranger. He slowly reached over and grabbed hold onto her hand.
'What is this feeling? It's so warm. I…I sort of remember this. When…When my own Mom hugged me but how can I remember when she disappeared when I was a baby?'
Liza placed her hand onto Hiccup's auburn hair, "You don't have to wear this mask anymore. Showing emotions is not a crime. It's not weakness. Showing emotions is what makes us human, child."
Hiccup hold onto Liza's hand before feeling his chin being lifted up. The redhead woman grabbed hold onto his chin and placed her forehead onto his.
He gasped a bit to see the concern and sadness coming from Liza's green-forest eyes.
"Did you know that crying is a stress reliever for the body, child?" said Liza, softly. She ran or fingers onto Hiccup's auburn hair, "How long has it been? How long has it been that you truly cried? I can see it. I see that pain and suffering you went through, little one."
Hiccup just stared at her with a complete blank stare.
Liza embraced the young boy once again, "You have nothing to hide anymore. I beg of you…release it. Release that suffering you had to endure. You don't have to hold it in anymore. Crying is nothing to be ashamed or to be embarrassed about."
The words that Liza spoke hit Hiccup.
He couldn't hold onto his emotions any longer. He let out a tear going down his cheek before crying out his eyes onto Liza's chest.
Charles and Marianne watched with sad look on their eyes while Victor rubbed Hiccup's back as he was trying to calm him down.
Anna had a small tear going down her cheek.
'To think, you were suffering so much that you had to wear a bloody mask. Your blasted Father didn't help you at all but rather his friend did…oh Hiccup.'
Liza embraced Hiccup before easily lifting the preteen and placed him onto her lap. She heard a small yelp coming from Hiccup but she ignored it when she felt him relax.
"We can show you, Hiccup. Victor and I can show you the true meaning on how a family treasures their children, dearly and guide them – guide you to your full potential in life."
"That is if you accept us Hiccup," said Victor, softly.
"Y-You two…want me as…your son," said Hiccup in disbelief. "B-But you're a General! Don't you want a son that can fight! I don't even know how! Let alone lift up a weapon!"
"Oh nonsense, Hiccup," said Victor. He winked, "True, you need strength to fight but that is not what I am looking for in my army. No, using brute strength alone does not make a man but rather their minds."
Hiccup was giving a napkin to wipe his tears before giving Victor a confuse look.
"I'll explain later but right now, I need an answer from you," said Victor. "Would you want to be a Ryder?"
Hiccup was speechless.
These two complete strangers agreed to be his adopted parents even after knowing about his past. These General wanted him, Hiccup the Useless – no wait.
He was no longer in Berk. He's no longer Hiccup the Useless.
"Hiccup," said Liza, softly. She ran her fingers onto his hair again, "The moment I saw you, I got this feeling in my heart that is telling me to protect you. As if fate is telling me that you are meant to be my son…if you let us."
"…W-What…What about your other children?" asked Hiccup.
Victor smiled, sadly, "That's the thing lad. My wife can't bear a child and it's been her dream to be a Mother as it's my dream to have a son to teach like how my Father taught me."
Hiccup let out a small breath before widening his eyes.
"Wait! What about Toothless? Where will he be staying at?"
"I'm guessing Toothless is your dragon partner, correct?" asked Victor as Hiccup nodded. The General smiled, "Not to worry. I myself have a Thunderdrum named Storm and Liza here has a Terrible Terror named Loki. Your dragon is more than welcome in our home."
Hiccup wanted to let out a laugh. He couldn't believe what he is hearing but for the first time, he smiled, truthfully. He doesn't need to hide his 'weak' emotions any longer.
"I…I accept your offer."
Liza squeaked happily before embracing Hiccup once again while Victor was grinning, happily.
Charles grabbed hold onto his cup and lifts it up in the air, "Cheers for you Vic, my friend."
Victor nodded and grabbed hold onto his cup and lifted it as well. Marianne had a smile on her face and Anna was dancing around with joy on her feet.
After breakfast, Anna guided Hiccup to the gardens to find their Night Furies. Hiccup was going to introduce his new adopted parents to his protective partner.
While they were walking, Anna was asking questions of what Vikings do for fun.
"There is nothing much really," said Hiccup. He tapped his chin, "I mean there are a few books here and there but other than learning to kill a dragon or fight, there is nothing to do."
"So you're telling me most of the Vikings in Berk can't read," said Anna.
"Pretty much," said Hiccup. "There were a few that can read but in our language, Old Norse. I can show you if you want."
Anna smiled, "I would love to. Learning a new language is what I need to learn."
"How many languages do you know already?" asked Hiccup.
"Um let's see…there's Latin, Danish, French, Greek, Italian and I just started Norwegian," replied Anna.
Hiccup dropped his mouth in shock.
"You – that's a lot! I don't even know any of them!"
"If…If you like…I can teach you some," offered Anna.
"Alright, you teach me a few of them while I teach you Old Norse," said Hiccup.
"Deal," said Anna before spotting their dragons by the large fountain. "There they are!"
Hiccup walked over to Victor and Liza, "Stay right behind me. Toothless can be rather…protective with me."
"I understand," said Victor while Liza nodded.
"Right, here goes," murmured Hiccup. He took a deep breath, "Toothless! Come here bud!"
Toothless looked up to see his human before dashing over to him. He rubbed his head under his human's chin before sensing the four adults. The Night Fury wrapped his tail around Hiccup's waist and let out a small growl at them.
"Ah! Easy there bud! They are not going to hurt you or me!" said Hiccup, quickly. He rubbed behind his ear, "The two people that are nearby Anna are her parents and the two people behind me…well they're going to be my new…parents."
Toothless gave him a confuse look before questionably glaring over at the two strangers. He slowly walked over to them before sniffing them.
The Night Fury doesn't want his human hatching to suffer any longer. He knows his hatchling was dealing so much negative emotions but there was nothing he can do to help him.
But what he can do is to protect him from harm.
Toothless suddenly smelled a familiar scent coming from the two unknown humans. They smelled like dragons as well but how?
He titled his head before giving Hiccup a questionably look.
"Um…I think he can smell your dragon's scent Victor," said Hiccup before widening his eyes. "I um…it's alright to call you your first name or do I have to call you Dad or Father?"
"For the time being, you can call me by my first name until you are comfortable to call me Dad," replied Victor before nodding. "And yes, I do believe Toothless can smell Storm and Loki."
Toothless titled his head again.
Hiccup sighs, "You see bud Victor and Liza have dragon partners as well. Victor has a Thunderdrum while Liza has a Terrible Terror."
Toothless' ears went up before giving them a toothless smile. Maybe he can trust these two humans with his hatchling.
Victor laughed, "Glad to see you approve of us, Toothless."
"And I can see why you called him Toothless, Hiccup," said Liza. She smiled, "And quite an handsome Night Fury as well. It's no wonder why Jade has taken a liking to you."
Toothless blushes a bit while Jade hide her face upon Anna's chest.
Hiccup embraced his best friend, "I want to let you know how grateful I am to you. You have been there even though I took your freedom away but you still stayed by my side. And now…you found – we found another chance for a better future. You found your mate while I found a place where I truly belong…where I can be myself, do you understand me, bud?"
Toothless thought for a moment before nodding his head. He then licked his hatchling.
"Ah! Toothless, you know that stuff doesn't come out!" said Hiccup as he tries to clean himself. He sighs before smiling over to his new parents, "I guess…he approves – Ah! Toothless, would you stop that!"
Victor laughed, "I believe so lad! Not too worry Toothless, we have plenty of room for ya and you can come and visit your mate as much as you like."
Toothless' eyes sparkle before jumping onto Victor and started licking him as well.
"Toothless!" shouted Victor and Hiccup.
-Break Line-
What you guys think? Is my grammar a bit better? I do try my best.
Next Chapter: The Ryder's take Hiccup shopping, a bit of nobility statues, Hiccup and Toothless' new home, etiquette and other lessons and finding a new name.