I do not own the story of How to train your dragons or any of the original characters. Any names matching public or historical figures are strictly coincidental. The story is rated M because of language and adult situations. Anyone below the age of 17 should probably not read this story.

Chapter 2

Gobber the Belch Duterson

Gobber recovered from things life threw at him quickly, he always did. He'd lost a leg in the battle against renegade pirates and he'd lost a hand to a Nadder when he was twenty. One injury he would never get over was losing Helga. Helga was just another part of life that didn't make sense.

She hadn't been his first love, no that had been Valka Jorgensdoter. Valka was everything he thought he wanted in a woman. She was beautiful but not full of herself. She was intelligent, unlike most Vikings, she was tiny, thin and delicate also unlike most Vikings and yes, she was odd.

Valka was odd in that she despised violence but would rise up instantaneously to defend a person being bullied or being taken advantage of. She once took up a sword and shield against Inga Tominsdater, (now Inga Jorgenson) because she had attacked and killed a clutch of Terrible Terrors Valka had discovered in the woods. She lost the fight but Inga never again killed any dragon babies.

But the romance between Valka and him wasn't meant to be. Valka only had eyes for Stoic Haddock, (later Stoic the Vast Haddock chief of Berk).

Sure, he had pined over her for a while but he was a Viking, and Viking men did not cry or allow heartbreak to keep them down for long. He dove back into his work with gusto. He was the village blacksmith as was his father.

Stoic had been his best friend growing up and remained so. He was even Stoics' first man when he married Valka and he was, in truth, happy for them. He put Valka in the back of his mind and concentrated on becoming the best blacksmith Berk ever had.

Then one day after his 18th birthday his father "Duter the Fierce Toverson", approached him as he was preparing to go to the great hall for dinner, ale and perhaps a little female companionship, his father stopped him and made him sit at the table, "Son, I have something important to speak with you about. I was approached by a group of angry fathers a week ago concerning their daughters. Seems you were not discreet in your lustful pursuits and several of your conquests found out about each other and complained to their fathers. You know the law. By rights, any one of them or all of them could demand your life. You have dishonored their daughters and threatened their future. You could be killed for this."

Gobber hung his head, "I'm sorry father. I have no excuse for my actions."

His father smiled in a sad way and said, "Son, I did a bit of wenching in my own time and so have those girls' fathers. The problem is you got caught putting your hand in too many cookie baskets at the same time. Fortunately for you, their mothers had them drinking Gothi's herb tea so none of them are with child. Do you even love any of them?" Gobber shook his head no.

"No matter," his father said, "I took it upon myself to point out to the fathers that they themselves did the same thing when they were young and if they were honest so did some of their wives." Gobber raised his head and looked at his father in shock.

"What?" his father said, per, "you think your the only one who gets "urges"? Women are just like men and they like to dally just as much as we do perhaps more. Women have to suppress their desires though for decency's sake. Why do you think they are so angry all the time, especially the young ones?" Duter stated.

"I always wondered about that" young Gobber said, "I just thought they must all be on their moon time or something".

Gobbers father laughed loudly, "ha, ha, ha, ha, then he got serious again, "no son but that's a conversation for another day. I was able to convince those girls' fathers that I could handle the problem discreetly and that you would no longer be "in circulation".

"What do you mean dad by "out of circulation?" Gobber asked.

Duter paused then gave his son a sly grin, "that brings us to the meat of this conversation my boy. None of the fathers of your "harem" thought you worthy of their daughters and definitely refused to pay a dowry after you soiled their girls so I approached another dear friend of mine, Sven Anderson."

"Sven has a lovely daughter of an age to wed so, me and the Anderson's came to an agreement. A contract is set and you and Helga Anderson will be wed next Frigga's day".

Gobber stood and yelled at his father, "How could you do this? I'm seventeen and just coming into my own. How dare you presume to marry me off to some hag I don't even know? I won't do it I tell you, I won't do it!"

Duter jumped up faster than lightning grabbing his son by the collar fur with one hand and slapping him backhanded in the face then throwing Gobber to the floor.

He pointed down at Gobber and with a cold voice said, "Boy you have disgraced not only yourself , but me, your mother's memory, and those girls you sweet-talked into having your way with them. Those girls you used could lose everything and be shunned for the rest of their lives. They have to live with the shame of not being pure for any future husband. I am your father and you will obey me in this! If you run away, or ever abuse the Anderson girl in any way, you won't have to worry about anyone else's father harming you because by Thor I'll chase you down and kill you myself!"

With that he reached out a hand to his son and pulled him and placed a hand on his shoulder," Son, I love you, I do, but never cross me again. I act only in your best interest, you know that. Have I ever steered you wrong?" Duter asked.

With his head down and tears streaming down his face, he said, "I'm so sorry father. I was wrong in all I have done. I know you have always done your best for me and tried to make me a man. I am sorry I brought shame on you and mom's memory. I know she'd be hurt and ashamed of me. I will do what you think is best."

Duter brought him son into a strong hug. "I love you, son, now go fix yourself up nice as we are expected at Sven and Freda's house in an hour to meet your betrothed. You will greet them and Helga with the biggest smile of your life. I didn't choose on a whim boy. Helga Anderson is a good girl from a good family. She is a good cook, she handles a mace and shield better than any other woman in the village and she is a bosomy woman with good childbearing hips. She is, in my opinion quite a handsome young woman." I think, in all honesty, you will be pleased."

Gobber, red-faced, only nodded and went to his room to clean up. Half an hour later they were at Anderson's front door.

Helga Anderson was completely different than Valka and the more he got to know her the better he thought of the situation. Helga was taller than Val, she had violet eyes rather than deep green. Helga was full-figured but not fat, she had large but firm breasts that bounced well when she walked. Val had been kind of flat-chested.

Helga had long black hair like he remembered his mother having, (Gobber's mother died in childbirth when he was four). She was soft-spoken but not shy. She was honestly interested in what happened at the forge and was a good warrior, so much so at the age of thirteen she was assigned to catapult watches with the adults. Though Helga was just 16, she desperately wanted a home and family so no dreams of becoming a shield maiden for her.

Gobber gladly looked at Helga and smiled, his father was correct, Helga was quite a handsome girl with a nice figure and a sweet face. Gobber began to speak," I am Gob...", "I know who you are Gobber son of Duter. I have been watching you for some time," said Helga and she had too. She had noticed him when they were in dragon training together. She thought he was handsome and brave and, even at the young age of thirteen good husband material. She had told her parents so as well.

Gobber was flabbergasted. "You have?", he asked.

"Yes, I have. You are handsome and brave. You have a trade and will be a good provider I think. You have some bad habits that seem to be inherent to men for some reason but I feel overall you are an acceptable candidate for a husband" Helga stated.

"I am? What bad habits?" asked Gobber. Helga's parents rolled their eyes and Duter slapped a hand to his forehead in frustration.

Helga looked him straight in the eye, "those young women you soiled are friends of mine. You drink too much, stay out too late and do not take your life and your future seriously" she said. With those words, Gobber hung his head in shame.

Helga continued unabashedly, "I have desired you as a mate since we were young. Though you have dishonored yourself and my friends with your actions, I still believe we are a good match. I will try to be the best wife to you as I can be. I am loyal and brave. I keep a good home and I am skilled and strong enough to defend it and any children you sire with me. I believe you are basically a good person and have the potential to be a good man and husband. As your wife I will do my best to help you," she paused momentarily then stated, "Know this Gobber Duterson, I will do everything possible to be a good wife and expect you to try and be a good, honorable husband. From this day forth, should you ever betray my trust in you and bed another woman, I will castrate and kill you in your sleep".

Gobber, his father and Mr. Anderson looked up shocked, Helga's mother actually gasped. Gobber swallowed then said," Helga Anderson, as of today we are betrothed. From this day forward until the day I die, no other woman will ever share my bed, my life or my heart. I pledge you my life. I will work every day to earn your love and respect. I swear to protect and provide for you. I will not only honor my vows to you and the terms of this contract between our families but I will strive to make you happy no matter what it takes."

He rose and knelt next to Helga taking her hands in his. He turned and looked at the adults, "I thank you father, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson for this precious gift and honor you have bestowed upon me. She is now my life. Until my last breath, I promise you I will strive every moment to prove to all of you and Helga that I am worthy."

Helga with tears in her eyes knelt down beside her betrothed, placed her arms around his neck and gave her soon to be husband a kiss he would remember for the rest of his life. At this moment he didn't understand why he or any other man feared marriage. As things stood now, he really couldn't wait for Frigga's day.

The wedding ceremony was wonderful and the wedding night blissful and eye opening. Helga as all woman. She had no hesitation in pleasing her husband and taught Gobber how to please her. It was easy for anyone within a quarter of a mile of Gobbers home they shared with Duter that all was well in the bedroom.